Brian Russell shares his transformational takeaways from his study of the Scriptures related to Advent 2024.

Week 1: Psalm 50; Zech 14:1-8; 1 Thes 3:6–13, Luke 21:25–33

Our mighty One, God the Lord, who alone is the righteous judge and our redeemer and deliverer.

Help us to be mindful of the times so that we can wait expectantly and confidently for your arrival.

Fill our hearts with gratitude so that they are open for the infusion of your holy love in order that we may stand firm in faith and manifest love for one another and for the world at the coming of our Lord Jesus.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Week 2 Psalm 126; Malachi 3:1–5; 1 Cor 4; Luke 3:1–6

Almighty God, who refines, purifies and restores the fortune of your people.

Week 3 Psalm 85, Zeph 3:14–20; Phil 4:4–9; Luke 3:7–20

O God of our salvation, who embodies steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace,

Be powerfully present as in days of old. Grant us the courage of true repentance so that we may bear fruit that signals our readiness for the deep work you desire to do in us and through us.

Send your Holy Spirit and your fire. Renew and revive a people for yourself that we may exult before the nations in the good news of your salvation. 

To you our King: Father, Son and Holy Spirit be all glory now and forevermore. Amen

O Lord, our God of the hosts of heaven,

Sign up for Brian’s Deep Dive Spirituality Monthly Update: www.brianrussellphd.com/newsletter

Interested in a coaching relationship with Brian for 2025? Email today: [email protected] for a deep conversation to see if you are a good fit or check out www.brianrussellphd.com

Brian Russell’s Books

Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ

(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/

Brian’s Recommended Resources on Centering Prayer: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/post/my-top-ten-favorite-resources-on-centering-prayer

Connecting with Brian:

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

In this week’s episode, Alastair Sterne takes us on a deep dive into true biblical joy. 

Buy Alastair’s Books:

Longing for Joy: An Invitation into the Goodness and Beauty of Life https://amzn.to/3ZUGmuD 

Rhythms for Life: Spiritual Practices for Who God Created You to Be https://amzn.to/3hvWOZG   . 

Books Mentioned by Alastair 

Robert Robertson

Andrew Root

Willie Jennings

Connect with Alastair: Website: www.ordinarymatters.com   www.alastairsterne.com/ 

Interested in receiving a monthly update that includes a list of resources/books that I've found helpful as well as my most recent essays, content, and offerings? Sign up: www.brianrussellphd.com/newsletter  When you sign up, I'll share the Gratitude Amplifier tool with you. If you only want the tool, email me: [email protected] 

Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer gathering:

Brian Russell’s Books

Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ 

(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9 

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ 

Connecting with Brian:

Website: www.brianrussellphd.com 

Twitter: @briandrussell

Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife

Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? 

Email: [email protected] 

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

#wesley #holiness #perfectlove #spiritualgrowth

Links to Amazon are affiliate links. Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations gets a small fee if you purchase products through the links. This does not affect the price you pay. Thank you for supporting my podcast by ordering some of the suggested resources or by using the links on the way to buy things that you normally use via Amazon.

Dr. Matt O’Reilly takes us on a deep dive into a biblical exploration of sanctification. We talk about his latest work Free to Be Holy and discuss key elements of understanding and proclaiming the biblical doctrine of entire sanctification for the 21st century.

Buy Matt’s book: Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/49xJmQQ

Connecting with Matt: 

YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/theologyprojectonline 

Twitter: @mporeilly 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline 

https://amzn.to/49xJmQQ

Bless the Nations: A Devotional for Short-Term Missions https://amzn.to/2GyeRAO 

The Letters to the Thessalonians https://my.seedbed.com/product/the-letters-to-the-thessalonians-onebook-daily-weekly/ 

Resources Recommended by Matt: 

Ayers, Bounds, and Friedman; Holiness: A Biblical, Historical and Systematic Theology https://amzn.to/49o4AQQ 

Kinlaw, Mind of Christ https://amzn.to/3OForlc 

Verlyn Klinkenborg, Several Short Sentences about Writing https://amzn.to/3c0ZvAo  

Carolyn Moore, Art of Holiness podcast: https://artofholiness.com/ 

Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com  

Brian Russell’s Books 

Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ  

(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9  

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/  

Brian’s Recommended Resources on Centering Prayer: 

Connecting with Brian: 

Website: www.brianrussellphd.com

Twitter: @briandrussell 

Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support. 

#holiness #perfectlove #spiritualgrowth

In this week's episode, Dr Joe Dongell (Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary) takes us on a deep dive into John Wesley's Theology of Love. Joe offers a true depth of insight into Wesley's ideas about holiness and heart of life. You will be informed and inspired by Dongell's reflections.

Check out Joe Dongell's latest book The Most Excellent Way: John Wesley's Theological of Love (Seedbed, 2024): https://amzn.to/3B1BZ7n

Connecting with Joe: [email protected] 

Books Recommended by Joe Dongell:

G. Eldon Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament https://amzn.to/3ZdEyv1

Ernest Becker, The Denial of Death https://amzn.to/3ZbJ5ye

Interested in receiving a monthly update that includes a list of resources/books that I've found helpful as well as my most recent essays, content, and offerings?

Sign up: www.brianrussellphd.com/newsletter  When you sign up, I'll share the Gratitude Amplifier tool with you. If you only want the tool, email me: [email protected] 

Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer gathering:

Brian Russell’s Books

Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ 

(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9 

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ 

Connecting with Brian:

Website: www.brianrussellphd.com 

Twitter: @briandrussell

Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife

Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? 

Email: [email protected] 

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

#wesley #holiness #perfectlove #spiritualgrowth

In this week’s episode, I take a deep dive into the role and power of gratitude for opening us to higher levels of spiritual growth in 2024.

Cicero wrote: "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others."

Interested in receiving a monthly update that includes a list of resources/books that I've found helpful as well as my most recent essays, content, and offerings? Sign up: www.brianrussellphd.com/newsletter

When you sign up, I'll share the Gratitude Amplifier tool with you. If you only want the tool, email me: [email protected]

Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com

Resources Recommended on Today’s Episode:

Marcus Aurelius Meditations https://amzn.to/2LrD1za

Epictetus Discourses https://amzn.to/2LrTEe4

and Enchiridion https://amzn.to/3bfDIX9

Seneca Letters from a Stoic https://amzn.to/3rYtwZa

Brian Russell’s Books

Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ

Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ

(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/

Brian’s Recommended Resources on Centering Prayer:

https://www.brianrussellphd.com/post/my-top-ten-favorite-resources-on-centering-prayer

Connecting with Brian:

Website: www.brianrussellphd.com

Twitter: @briandrussell

Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?

Email: [email protected]

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support. #gratitude #thanksgiving #spiritualgrowth

Dr. Kevin Watson takes us on a deep dive in the doctrine, spirit and disciplines that have fueled the Methodist movement. We talk about entire sanctification as well as the lessons modern “Wesleyans” can draw from our past in the hope of experiencing deep renewal in our day. 

Buy Kevin’s latest book: Doctrine Spirit and Discipline: A History of the Wesleyan Tradition in the United States. https://amzn.to/3OcS2lM  

Sign up for Brian's new monthly Deep Dive Spirituality Update: www.brianrussellphd.com/newsletter

Perfect Love: Recovering Entire Sanctification—the Lost Power of the Methodist Movement https://amzn.to/3xPLJ2U 

The Band Meeting: Rediscovering Relational Discipleship in Transformational Community (co authored with Scott Kisker) https://amzn.to/2Wd4aZW  

A Blueprint for Discipleship: Wesley's General Rules as a Guide for Christian Living https://amzn.to/2Wz36hP  

The Class Meeting: Reclaiming a Forgotten (and Essential) Small Group Experience https://amzn.to/2AbgSzP

Old School or New School Methodism https://amzn.to/3CBtP69 

Kevin also recommends the following writings for those interested in taking the next step in their spiritual formation: John Wesley. The Sermons of John Wesley: A Collection for the Christian Journey (eds. Collins and Vickers) https://amzn.to/2L6u4b5 

Finke and Stark, The Churching of America 1776–2005: Winners and Losers in Our Religious Economy https://amzn.to/4fyHpFW 

Aaron M. Reno https://www.firstthings.com/article/2022/02/the-three-worlds-of-evangelicalism 

Want to connect with Brian?

www.brianrussellphd.com

Sign up for centering prayer resources: www.centeringprayerbook.com

Brian Russell’s Books:

(re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade, 2016) https://amzn.to/46tP8kV

Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (2021) https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ 

Connecting with Brian: 

 Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: [email protected]

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

Brian takes us on a deep dive into the provocative question that Jesus asks a blind beggar: “What is it that you want me to do for you?”

Rooted in Psalm 13 and Mark 9:30–10:52, Brian offers a powerful challenge both to disciples and to outsiders desperate for what only God can do.

Want to connect with Brian?

www.brianrussellphd.com

Sign up for centering prayer resources: www.centeringprayerbook.com

Brian Russell’s Books:

(re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade, 2016) https://amzn.to/46tP8kV

Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (2021) https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ 

Connecting with Brian: 

 Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: [email protected] Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

#Jesus #kingdomofgod #bartimaeus 

In this week's episode, Brian Russell hosts Dr. Russell West. Russ shares about his leadership journey and offers actionable tactics and tips for helping to build dynamic teams that advance their mission in transformational ways. 

Check out Dr. Russell West's latest book: The Culturally Conscious Board: Setting the Boardroom Table for Impact https://amzn.to/4hwviuq

Connecting with Russell West:

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/russell-w-west-ph-d-92b8a94b

www.Culturallyconsciousboard.com

www.Worthplacecollective.com

Books Recommended by Russ:

Adler, How To Read A Book https://amzn.to/4eapjsp

Bach, Jonathan Livingston Seagull https://amzn.to/4ejsoWW

Ong, The Presence of the Word https://amzn.to/3AgvzRz

Brian Russell’s Books: 

(re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade, 2016) https://amzn.to/46tP8kV 

Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (2021) https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ  

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ 

Connecting with Brian: 

Twitter: @briandrussell 

Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife 

Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? 

Email: [email protected] 

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

#leadership #leadership #leadershipcoaching

Brian Russell talks about how to navigate seasons of spiritual dryness. 

He offers trench tested spiritual practices that will help you grow through the dark nights of the soul.

Questions or need help? Email: [email protected] 

Brian Russell’s Books: 

(re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade, 2016) https://amzn.to/46tP8kV 

Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (2021) https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ  

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ 

Connecting with Brian: 

Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife 

Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? www.brianrussellphd.com

Email: [email protected] 

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

#spiritualgrowth #spirituality #darknightofthesoul 

Dr. Brian Russell teaches on how biblical authority works in our lives. He uses the common “Wesleyan Quadrilateral” to explore our blindspots and help us to open a little more to the deep transformational work that God desires to do in us through our reading of Scripture

Key resources mentioned:  Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation (Invite Press): https://amzn.to/3W2oFqN

Recommended Videos:

Idolatherapy https://youtu.be/jpoEIYd0VMM  

How Centering Prayer Can Help You Read Scripture for Deep Transformation https://youtu.be/AOV5jfbc0mM 

Brian Russell’s Other Books: 

(re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade, 2016) https://amzn.to/46tP8kV 

Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (2021) https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ  

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ 

Connecting with Brian: 

Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife 

Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? 

Email: [email protected] 

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

#Wesleyanquadrilateral  #biblicalauthority #Biblestudy