“The desire for centering prayer is to connect with God and to put ourselves in a position that offers the least resistance to encounter His love.” - Peter Zaremba

On today’s podcast, our host Michael John Cusick is continuing his conversation about centering prayer. In this episode, he will be speaking with Peter Zaremba about the benefits of centering prayer. You’ll want  to pay close attention to this discussion. We’d even encourage taking some good notes from their conversation.

Centering prayer allows you to rest deeply in God in silence and to let go of the thoughts, emotions, memories, images or even sensations that will inevitably come into awareness during prayer. Based on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, centering prayer can be tied directly to chapter 4 verses 22 to 24 where Paul says, “put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

In this podcast, we hope you will discover:

• Centering prayer is a practice.
• Centering prayer teaches us that everything we need is in every moment.
• Centering prayer is a posture of our heart that allows us to manifest what’s already true inside of us.

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ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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Thanks for listening!

“A contemplative practice is the only place where you begin to learn how to step outside yourself, observe your place, and then begin to let go of that in a substantial way.” - Peter Zaremba

Brad Jersak and Peter Zaremba are Michael’s guests on today’s podcast. Centering prayer is the topic of their discussion.

There’s power in prayer and prayer is one of the best ways, indeed not the only way, to connect with God - but do you know that there are many unique and personal methods of prayer? Centering and contemplative prayer are a few of them.

That’s what Michael John Cusick will be discussing today with our guests, Brad Jersak and Peter Zaremba. At its core, centering prayer allows you to rest deeply in God in silence and to let go of the thoughts, emotions, memories, images or even sensations that will inevitably come into awareness during prayer. Based on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, centering prayer can be tied directly to chapter 4 verses 22 to 24 where Paul says, “put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Centering prayer may be a new concept to you - it may be something you practice in your everyday life. It’s our hope you are drawn in and encouraged by this conversation.

In this podcast, we hope you will discover:

• The purpose of centering prayer.
• The importance of humility and dependence in our prayers.
• The steps on how to practice centering prayer.

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ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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Thanks for listening!

“The higher your Christology, the wider you see Abba’s love to be.” - Brad Jersak

Brad Jersak is Michael’s guest on today’s podcast. Their conversation centers around how Christ-followers might hold the tension of two abiding and complementary truths: 1. Christ’s one-of-a-kind revelation 2. Abba’s all-inclusive love.

In their conversation you’ll hear how Brad lays out biblical and experiential evidence for integrating and celebrating both these truths together, espousing the beautiful gospel of Christ’s unique revelation of Abba’s all-inclusive love. 

Brad Jersak is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, BC. He serves as a reader and monastery preacher at All Saints of North America Orthodox Monastery. Through his books and seminars, Brad shares the good news that God is Love, perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ. He teaches others how to encounter God through the practice of ”listening prayer,” through which God’s love heals wounded hearts and empowers us to heal this broken world.

Brad was a former guest on Restoring the Soul. In the fall of 2017, Michael interviewed him about his book, “A More Christlike God: A More Beautiful Gospel”.

In this podcast, we hope you will discover:

• The importance of knowing God the Father as Abba.
• The Lamb is the revelation of the nature of God
• The main point and purpose of the incarnation

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ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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Thanks for listening!

“Betrayals that are sexual in nature have a significantly greater impact on the human heart and the female soul.”  - Julianne Cusick

Today Michael continues and concludes his discussion with Julianne on the 5 Things Husbands Can Do to Support Their Wives After Betrayal. This is one of the most important podcasts we have ever produced.

Julianne Cusick specializes in issues related to the recovery of the heart for women. The advice that she gives in this particular discussion comes from first-hand experience and an empathy that is grounded in compassion and love. Julianne longs for women to be healed - not limping along with a gaping wound for all the world to see.

By the end of this podcast I think you will agree that hope is certainly attainable and there needs to be an agreement and understanding that healing does not happen in a vacuum. It requires a willing effort from both sides. 

In this podcast, we hope you will discover:

• What it means to suffer betrayal trauma.
• Causes of betrayal trauma
• Why all is not lost. Hope is attainable.

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ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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Thanks for listening!

“Betrayal leaves a trail of devastation.”  - Julianne Cusick

Today we begin a 2-part series on the topic of betrayal. In particular, betrayal trauma - when defined refers to the damage that is caused when you experience a betrayal in your relationship that damages the trust, safety, and security of the bond you have with your partner. This type of betrayal is extremely traumatic, where you can experience devastating mental, physical, and emotional consequences.

On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Julianne Cusick discuss the devastating effects of betrayal trauma but Julianne will bring hope by providing 5 Facts That Wives Need to Know About How to Heal and Recover from Betrayal Trauma. 

In this podcast, we hope you will discover:

• What it means to suffer betrayal trauma.
• How you recover from betrayal trauma.
• Why betrayal trauma hurts so much.

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ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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Thanks for listening!

“We need to exchange the currency by which we do life for the currency of heaven.”  - Michael John Cusick

You’re in for a treat as we’re featuring a talk given by our host, Michael John Cusick, to Denver Community Church titled, “The Currency of Heaven”. The text he will be speaking from is Matthew Chapter 5 verse 3. It is the opening verse of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and the section of the sermon known as the Beatitudes. It reads, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” A favorite translation of ours is from The Message by Eugene Peterson which says, “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”

In this podcast, we hope you will discover:

• What it means to be blessed.
• What is the idea of the Kingdom of Heaven.
• What does it mean to be poor in spirit.

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ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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Thanks for listening!

“A job of a songwriter is to not sleepwalk through the world.”  - Andy Gullahorn

Our good friend Andy Gullahorn joins Michael on this edition of Restoring the Soul. Andy was born and raised in the rich musical climate of Austin, TX and then went to College at Belmont University in Nashville to join the legions of songwriters in the country music scene. After graduation, he spent a number of years as a staff writer for publishing companies while playing guitar on the road for singer/songwriter Jill Phillips (who he happened to be married to).

In 2004, after realizing that his second child was on the way and that his wife would need to come off of the road, Andy released “Room to Breathe” and began performing his own shows again for the first time in 5 years.

He now spends his time playing concerts and house shows across the country, accompanying other artists on the road, and providing his three kids with plenty of stories to tell their counselors in 20 years. Andy was a Kerrville New Folk Winner in 2010 and was a runner-up at the 2009 Rocky Mountain Folks Festival.

To discover more about Andy, visit his website.

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ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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Thanks for listening!

“It’s my prayer that people will engage and learn how to be kind and gentle with themselves in the same way that God is kind to us.”  - Aundi Kolber

On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Julianne conclude their conversation with returning guest, Aundi Kolber.

Aundi is a licensed professional counselor (MA, LPC), an author, and a speaker living in Castle Rock, Colorado. She has received additional training in her specialization of trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology. She has written for Relevant, CT Women, and (in)courage. As a survivor of trauma, Aundi brings hard-won knowledge about the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God with us in our pain. Aundi is happily married to her best friend, Brendan, and is the proud mom of Matia and Jude. She has also just published her first book, Try Softer, which has just achieved "Best Seller" status on Amazon.

In this podcast, we hope you will discover that:

• Wholeness and healing can be achieved when you also consider treating physiological issues found in the body.
• You can’t heal trauma until your fully present.
• We need to be safe and secure in order to grow emotionally.

Support the show

ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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Thanks for listening!

“We are to be a compassionate witness for ourselves so our body can do
what God created it to do.”  - Aundi Kolber

On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Julianne welcome returning guest, Aundi Kolber, for the first of a 2-part conversation.

Aundi is a licensed professional counselor (MA, LPC), an author, and a speaker living in Castle Rock, Colorado. She has received additional training in her specialization of trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology. She has written for Relevant, CT Women, and (in)courage. As a survivor of trauma, Aundi brings hard-won knowledge about the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God with us in our pain. Aundi is happily married to her best friend, Brendan, and is the proud mom of Matia and Jude. She has also just published her first book, Try Softer. It just might be the only book you need to read this year. Congratulations, Aundi!

In this podcast, we hope you will discover how to:

• Move through emotions rather than get stuck by them
• Grow in self-compassion and talk back to your inner critic
• Pay compassionate attention to your life experience.

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ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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Thanks for listening!

“If you’re my disciples you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”  - Jesus

Today, we conclude our 2-part conversation with Lisa TerKeurst.

Lisa is President of Proverbs 31 Ministries and New York Times’ best-selling author of It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way. Proverbs 31 Ministries is a non-denominational, non-profit Christian ministry that seeks to lead women into a personal relationship with Christ, with Proverbs 31:10-31 as a guide.

In their conversation, Lysa and Michael (along with Meredith Brock) introduce us to a new perspective on pornography, a subject that’s often avoided in the Christian world but is affecting us all. No matter your stage of life, we recommend listening with an open mind and open heart to gain a better understanding on how to support a spouse, friend or loved one who may be facing this challenge.

In this podcast, we hope you will discover:

• Replace the stigma associated with pornography with a new understanding that the addiction to pornography comes from a genuine desire to be seen, known and loved.
• Let go of your own fear and guilt because of a spouse or loved one’s pornography addiction and discover the role spiritual fullness and emptiness play in the battle with pornography.
• Overcome your hesitation to have “the talk” with a loved one about pornography by learning healthy, biblically based conversation starters.

Support the show

ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
- Follow us on YouTube
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
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- Email us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening!