These prayers are inspired by some of A.W. Tozer’s prayers in his book Knowledge of the Holy. Please join me in praying these powerful prayers as we seek God’s face together.

Recently, I have been studying Bonhoeffer and reading more of his work. I have been struck by the way Bonhoeffer observed Jesus and His Gospel being removed from the Nazi German church. During this same time in America, the humanist movement did the same thing. Two very different situations in almost every way, but both are removing Jesus and the Gospel from Christianity. At first pass, it seems impossible, but upon deeper inspection, what we see is a pattern that repeats itself over and over throughout history...

It is impossible to underestimate the role that storytelling has played in shaping communities, cultures, and civilizations throughout history. Before we had written languages, ancestral tribes relied on oral traditions, built around stories that passed down their collective wisdom and history. Our minds are created to learn through story, not just the passing along of information. Some people can become very good at remembering information, but simply transferring knowledge doesn't lead people to discovery. It's through discovery that we really learn. Story gives meaning to information and allows us to internalize truth and wisdom in a way that is impossible in a textbook. Stories stick with us and allow us to remember things that we would likely never remember if they weren't shared within a larger story. There's a reason that Jesus taught using parables. Great teachers throughout all of history have relied on story as the primary tool for guiding and instilling wisdom in the people they lead.

Something tragic has happened to story in the modern world. It has become a commodity to be used and manipulated for profit. Story is no longer the domain of the wiseman; it has become entertainment.

I had the privilege of interviewing Eric Swithin, a former combat Marine and businessman who God called into a wild adventure. His journey has taken him from initiating young men in the Rocky Mountains to producing films and ministering in countries around the world.

In this conversation, Eric discusses his transformative journey from a troubled childhood to discipling young men and addressing the fatherlessness epidemic in America. We talk about the importance of understanding God as a loving Father, the role of spiritual practices in our journey of transformation, and the adventure of following Jesus.

I had the privilege of spending a full day with Eric, and I think we talked for close to 14 hours. His journey to know God and live as a disciple is powerful and left me with so much to think and pray about. I hope this discussion impacts you as much as it did me.

showmeyourglory.com
abbaheart.org
outdooradventures.org

If you don’t trust the surgeon, you probably won’t show up for the surgery” - Scott Dohner

The original lie satan used in the Garden of Eden as his first attack on humanity was to cause Eve to doubt whether God was trustworthy. Ever since then, the deceiver has continued to use the same attack on all of us. What Eve did when she ate the forbidden fruit was her attempt at taking control of her own life back from God. Often, when we are presented with the lie that God can’t be trusted, we do what Eve did, we agree with the deceiver and find ourselves trying to take control instead of surrendering it. The central question for all of us is, are we trying to sit on the throne of our lives, or are we surrendering it to God? When we believe that God isn’t trustworthy, we inevitably begin grasping for control and find ourselves sitting in God's seat on the throne of our lives. 

In this episode, I read to you the introduction and first chapter of my book Every Man’s Journey. To request a pre-release copy, visit johnwalt.com/books. 

Brian Schroller is a master at creating transformational experiences. He left an impressive career in banking to pour into leaders and help them build better businesses. Today, he leads SummitTrek with Paul Nadeau, and their work has expanded around the world, impacting thousands of business leaders on several continents. 

I have had the privilege of learning from Brian, attending SummitTreks events, and interviewing people whose lives have been changed through their work. In this Interview, Brian shares part of his personal story, the transformation he experienced, and some of the wisdom that drives his life. I encourage you to listen until the end. Several of the truths Brian shared have been on my mind since we recorded this conversation. I hope it blesses you as much as it did me. 

Larry Mills started in the parts department of Holt Caterpillar when it was one of the smallest dealerships in the country. He later became Executive Vice President as the company grew into the nation's largest dealership. Larry worked with Ken Blanchard to launch Values-Based Leadership at Holt as it grew rapidly, eventually becoming a highly successful, multi-billion-dollar company built entirely around core ethical values. Through his work with Holt and the success of Values-Based Leadership, Larry became a key leader with the San Antonio Spurs, helping shape the franchise's culture and its impact on San Antonio. For the last three decades, Larry has consulted with and advised hundreds of companies on strategy, leadership, and culture. I've had the privilege of being mentored by Larry for the last two years, and it has impacted my life, my family, and my work. In this episode, I sit down with Larry to hear his story and capture some of his wisdom. 

Humility gets a bad wrap. Often, the way it is taught to us is a form of self-deprecation. Years ago, a friend of mine from Australia told me about “tall poppy syndrome.” It’s where some people criticize and undermine others who have accomplished something great or who are unusually talented. The idea is that they need to be “brought down to size.” Obviously, this isn’t healthy, and no one wants to be part of a community where people actively undermine those who start to stand out. However, much of our understanding of humility causes us to do this to ourselves. Often, our flawed understanding of humility causes us to shame and undermine ourselves in an effort to avoid sin and pride. Unknowingly, in the process, we cut ourselves off from the only path to true humility. 

I heard the term "Dark Night of the Soul" for many years before I really began to understand what it was and the critical role it plays in our spiritual journey. During a challenging season, I felt led to read The Dark Night of the Soul by Saint John of the Cross. But it wasn’t until years later, after going through a very long dark night of the soul, that I learned why this often misunderstood season is so critical.