Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. Today, we dive deep into the hunger many of us feel for a more profound relationship with God. Michael opens up about his journey with spiritual practices and the struggles he faced with traditional devotions and disciplines. He introduces us to the transformative ancient practice of "Lectio Divina"—a sacred reading method that focuses on prayerful, contemplative engagement with the scriptures.

Throughout this episode, Michael shares personal stories and insights on how Lectio Divina can reboot your experience with scripture, foster a deeper connection with God, and create a posture of stillness and receiving. He also highlights the importance of slowing down and integrating both our minds' analytical and imaginative aspects in our spiritual journey.

Join us as we explore five compelling reasons to incorporate Lectio Divina into your daily life and learn how it can cultivate the deep, experiential relationship with God that your heart longs for. Stay tuned to the end as we recommend some insightful books to guide you in this practice further. Get ready to be inspired to engage with scripture in a more meaningful and personal way.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

- Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer by David G. Benner
- Too Deep for Words: Rediscovering Lectio Divina by Sister Thelma Hall

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Welcome to another episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." In today's conversation, Michael sits down with James Bryan Smith to dive deep into the beautiful interplay between faith and psychology. Throughout this dialogue, they explore how spiritual formation and mental health are more intertwined than ever. You'll hear powerful anecdotes about moments that resonated deeply within church communities, the impact of transformative phrases, and the widespread acceptance of mental health tools like the Enneagram.

This episode also touches on significant topics like the integration of neuroscience, the evolving views within the Christian community towards therapy, and the importance of addressing sin and forgiveness responsibly. Smith sheds light on the growing acceptance of psychological insights in spiritual practices and the upcoming Apprentice Gathering Conference that aims to integrate these realms further.

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Welcome back to Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. In today’s episode, Michael sits down with Ashley Opliger, author of the new book Cradled in Hope: Trusting Jesus to Heal Your Heart as He Holds Your Baby in Heaven. This deeply moving conversation explores Ashley’s personal journey through the heartbreak of miscarriage and infant loss, and how her grief led to unexpected hope and purpose.

Ashley shares the story of her daughter, Bridget Faith, whose brief life inspired not only her book but also the founding of Bridget’s Cradles—a ministry bringing comfort to thousands of families facing similar tragedy. Throughout the episode, Ashley and Michael discuss the realities of grieving with hope, the importance of lament and honest faith, and the ways Jesus meets us in our deepest darkness.

You’ll hear practical wisdom for grieving parents, profound reflections on faith and suffering, and the incredible story behind a small handmade cradle that’s touched tens of thousands of lives. Whether you are navigating loss yourself or want to better understand how to support those who are, this conversation offers raw honesty, biblical hope, and a reminder that we are never alone in our pain.

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Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. In today’s conversation, Michael sits down with Drs. Bill and Kristi Gaultiere—psychologists, spiritual directors, and founders of Soul Shepherding—to explore the transformative power of empathy in the Christian life. Together, they dive into the heart behind Bill and Kristi’s newest book, Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for You, discussing why so many of us struggle to receive love from God and others, and how empathy connects deeply to healing, spiritual maturity, and healthy relationships.

From personal stories of overcoming shame and abandonment wounds to confronting misconceptions around empathy in Christian circles, this episode offers practical wisdom and tangible spiritual practices for those longing to experience God’s love more fully. Whether you’re a leader, caregiver, or someone simply searching for greater connection and soul care, you’ll discover steps toward living more vulnerably, building stronger attachments, and living out the truth that you are deeply loved. Stick around for Kristi and Bill’s insights on soul care, their unique approach to spiritual direction, and ways you can get involved in their community.

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Welcome back to "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." In today's episode, Michael dives deep into a conversation with Sam Jolman, author of "The Sex Talk You Never Got: Reclaiming the Heart of Masculine Sexuality." Sam’s groundbreaking book, explores the often misunderstood landscape of male sexuality, emphasizing that true sexual healing involves far more than just avoiding lust or overcoming shame. Instead, Sam introduces the concept of reclaiming innocence through awe and kindness, leading to an integrated, holistic experience of our sexuality. 

Michael and Sam challenge traditional perspectives, shifting the focus from purity as an end goal to embracing our sexuality as a means of drawing closer to God and experiencing life’s profound beauty. They also address the pivotal question: What is the true goal of male sexuality? Join us for this enlightening discussion that promises to reshape how we understand and experience our deepest desires and connections. 

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Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. Today, our special guest is Sam Jolman, author of the book, "The Sex Talk You Never Got: Reclaiming the Heart of Masculine Sexuality."

In this episode, Michael and Sam explore the genesis of Jolman's book and the pivotal discussions that underpin men's sexual health and well-being. Learn about the distinctive approach Jolman takes in his writing, offering prescriptive advice and a descriptive, story-rich exploration of masculinity and sexuality. Discover why Jolman believes that understanding male sexuality is crucial, especially in the wake of the Me Too movement, which has left many questioning the inherent goodness of male desire.

Tune in as we discuss the necessity for open, ongoing conversations about sexuality, the concept of men as lovers, and the true needs behind sexual desires. We'll also touch on the impact of shame and the need for a more nurturing, informed approach to sexual education. Whether you're a man seeking a deeper understanding of your own sexuality or someone wanting to support the men in your life, this episode is packed with insights and compassion.

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Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. Today, Michael sits down with Rachel Moses, the newest therapist to join the Restoring the Soul team. In this heartfelt conversation, Rachel shares her fascinating journey—from growing up with dreams of being a missionary, to living in Munich, Germany with Young Life, and ultimately becoming a seasoned therapist with nearly two decades of experience. Together, Michael and Rachel delve into her background working with individuals abroad, her deep experience with trauma and intensive therapy, and how challenges like depression shaped her life and faith. Rachel opens up about her passion for helping motivated clients do the deeper work of healing, as well as the importance of community and compassion in her counseling approach.

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Welcome to another episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." In today's podcast, Michael continues his conversation with Dr. Janelle Hallman, diving deep into the practice of mindfulness and its transformative power. In this episode, Janelle opens up about her struggle with feeling disconnected from her body and how mindfulness played a crucial role in her journey towards reconnection. Together, they explore the significance of paying attention to bodily sensations, how our bodies help us understand and process emotions, and the concept that "everything belongs."

Listen to the first half of the conversation -> Episode 357 - Dr. Janelle Hallman, "Mindfulness and the Presence of God, Part 1"

Michael and Janelle also discuss the integration of body, mind, and spirit, emphasizing the importance of being present and cultivating a relationship with God. Janelle guides listeners through a mindful breathing exercise, encouraging us to redirect our attention from mental chatter to the present moment. Discover how mindfulness supports spiritual growth and healing from trauma and brings a compassionate and nonjudgmental perspective into everyday life. Tune in and learn how setting your mind on the things above can lead to meaningful and practical changes that restore the soul.

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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.

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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.

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