"I didn't need more information about God. I needed more experience with God." - Michael John Cusick

If you're like us, you always seek to grow your relationship with God. 

In this week's episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael explores the practice of Lectio Divina and the many benefits it offers for scripture readers. He shares five key aspects of the practice, including how it helps to slow down and create a spiritual conversation while posturing our hearts to receive. This episode dives deep into the importance of taking a posture of receiving, personalizing scripture through a holistic prayer, and using imagination to experience God beyond left-brain knowledge. 

Lectio Divina may be the answer you've been searching for if you struggle with motivation or finding meaning in traditional spiritual disciplines. So why not slow down and explore this transformative practice? Through this exploration, we hope you will gain a newfound understanding of how Lectio Divina can help you connect more deeply with God.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:
Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer
Too Deep for Words: Rediscovering Lectio Divina

 
ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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Thanks for listening!

Episode 267 - Michael John Cusick, "Slow Down and Open Your Heart with Lectio Divina: 5 Reasons to Learn"

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Welcome back to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. Today, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Rodney Reeves for a captivating conversation about spirituality, imagination, and the profound teachings from the Gospel of John. In today’s episode, we’ll be delving deep into the passage of a remarkable woman who, unlike the disciples, doesn't need Jesus' direct instruction to do what's right, demonstrating how she naturally embodies the word and draws others to Christ. We'll also grapple with the incarnate word—how John's gospel invites us into a present kingdom with eternal life embodied in Jesus. Rodney shares his perspective on the transformative power of storytelling in preaching and studying the Bible, inviting us to imagine the incarnation in our lives.

Lastly, Michael and Rodney will traverse through the imagery and themes of the Book of Revelation, revealing the critical message that good and God will triumph in the end. Doctor Reeves will draw us into a deeper understanding of this victory through faithful witness and loving sacrifice. 
 
ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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Thanks for listening!

Episode 306 - Dr. Rodney Reeves, "The Embodied Faith: Incarnating the Gospel in Everyday Life"

Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. Joining Michael is Alan Kraft, who will delve into the spiritually nourishing practice of scripture meditation and its power to let the Holy Spirit speak directly to our hearts.

In today's episode, titled "The Intimate God," Alan unravels his spiritual trifecta — stillness, prayer, and scripture — to cultivate a profound connection with the Father. We'll explore how scripture is a gateway to a relational experience with Jesus, offering insights into his nature and deepening our knowledge of His love.

We'll also discuss Alan's thought-provoking approach of slowly reading scripture and integrating prayer, inviting reflection, and an open dialogue with Jesus through the pages of the Bible. The concept of "practicing the presence of Jesus" emerges as a transformative method to bring Jesus into the entirety of our experiences, even the difficult emotions, as a path to growth and prayer.

We touch on the significance of stillness, as echoed in the Psalms and the book of Genesis, carving out space to gaze within and commune with our Creator, and how this practice informs a genuine personal reality.

Finally, we'll touch upon Sabbath, emphasizing it as a treasured time of self-care ordained by God, an invitation to rest in gratitude rather than an obligation.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:
Christ Community Church in Greeley, CO
The Intimate God: A Practical Guide to Experiencing the God Who Delights in You


 
ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com 

Thanks for listening!

Episode 305 - Alan Kraft, "The Intimate God, Part 2"

Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul. Alan Kraft is joining Michael on today's podcast. Alan has served as lead pastor of Christ Community Church since 1990. He is passionate about teaching, writing, and prayer to help people experience Jesus in transformative ways. He holds an MDiv degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Alan and his wife Raylene live in Greeley, Colorado, and love hanging out with their ever-growing family. He enjoys playing golf, drinking sweet tea, watching British crime dramas with his wife, and doing ministry with the amazing staff at Christ Community.  In this episode, "The Intimate God," we're exploring the transformative power of experiencing God's love and the practical ways this can reshape our lives and our congregations. We'll tackle some challenging issues facing the body of Christ, such as the gap between knowing God and genuinely experiencing His love. Alan will offer insights from his journey and his newest book, "The Intimate God," which offers a practical guide for encountering the God who delights in us. 
 
ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com 

Thanks for listening!

Episode 304 - Alan Kraft, "The Intimate God, Part 1"

Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with your host, Michael John Cusick. Forgiveness is a term often uttered with ease but practiced with considerable difficulty. What does forgiveness truly entail? Does it inherently mean reconciliation or forgetting? Joined by Julianne in the studio, they tackle heavyweight questions together. What happens when forgiveness feels incomplete? How might unresolved trauma complicate the process? And how do you navigate forgiveness in the aftermath of deep wounds and betrayal? Julianne brings to light the intricate journey of forgiving, reminding us that it is a layered and intertwined path, often requiring us to revisit and release it repeatedly. Prepare to be moved by authentic stories, gain practical insight, and perhaps confront the unforgiveness lurking within your soul. Because here, we believe in restoration and the power that comes from an honest, in-depth conversation about the pains and possibilities of forgiving. 

 
ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com 

Thanks for listening!

Episode 303 - Michael and Julianne Cusick, "Unpacking Forgiveness"

Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul. Today, Michael and Julianne delve into the complex tapestry of trauma, unwinding the threads that bind us to our past experiences. Many regard trauma as stemming from life-shattering events, but today’s discussion unfolds its layers, revealing that trauma can emerge from the wounds of both presence and absence. Whether it's through neglect or the absence of nurturing, the imprints of trauma take many forms. Understanding trauma not as what's wrong with you but what happened to you, we'll explore its symptoms, ranging from physiological responses and relational challenges to mood disturbances, sleep issues, and beyond. It's often hard to identify trauma when there are no symptoms, but it can lurk in the system, precipitating unforeseen issues in our lives.

With transformational insight, this episode affirms that real healing is possible.

 
ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
- Follow us on YouTube 
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram & Twitter
- Follow Michael on Twitter
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com 

Thanks for listening!

Episode 267 - Michael John Cusick, "Slow Down and Open Your Heart with Lectio Divina: 5 Reasons to Learn"

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