Chasing Lovers Beliefs Of The Heart: Reflections podcast

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Send us a text with comments, questions, or ideas: Fifteen years ago, a journey began that would change my spiritual life forever. Inspired by a conversation with my friend Gary Barcalow, I embarked on a series of "transcendent pursuits," a concept that diverges sharply from the traditional, often rigid New Year's resolutions. These pursuits invite us to align with God's work in our lives, emphasizing spiritual growth over mere self-discipline. Join me as we explore the profound impact of focusing on our God-given strengths and diving deeper into our relationship with the divine, drawing insights from Dorothy Sayers' "The Mind of the Maker." Throughout this episode, I recount my personal experiences of discovery, from the inception of "reflect and express" in 2010 to becoming a worship leader, each pursuit bringing its own unique challenges and revelations. These aren't just exercises in self-improvement; they're ongoing adventures that uncover deeper truths and connections in everyday life. By embracing honesty and recognizing our own weaknesses, we can experience transformative spiritual growth. Oswald Chambers' teachings serve as a guiding beacon, prompting introspection and encouraging us to seek God's guidance amidst life's recurring themes and struggles. In a world often focused on external achievements, these transcendent pursuits offer a refreshing alternative—an opportunity to embrace life's unexpected joys and fulfillments. Engage with us by sharing your own spiritual journeys, and explore additional resources at beliefsoftheheart.com. Whether you're seeking a new direction or yearning for a deeper connection with God, this episode promises insights and inspiration to nurture your spiritual adventure. Thank you for being part of this journey, and stay tuned for more engaging discussions in the coming weeks. This is the first time I've podcasted about a spiritual practice that I began doing fifteen years in place of an annual New Year's Resolution. And I believe it sets my heart on the Lord in ways that a New Year's Resolution never did. Here are some questions I ask myself during my week or two of self-examination: Pray, ask God, ask friends: What is God up to in my life? What am I curious about? What is stirring my mind? What is moving me? What is the one truth I wish I knew better? What has God’s activity in my life been (things he keeps bringing up, curiosities, etc.) What “season” am I in? (retirement, empty nester, new job, new service, etc.) What keeps coming back to me, over and over What feels spiritually urgent to me? What might God want to multiply, or reduce, or begin, or stop? Share with a few friends. And share with me: Sam@BeliefsoftheHeart.com Thanks, Sam Support the show…

Beliefs of the Heart: Reflections

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Are We Unconsciously Controlled? 20:54

13 weeks ago20:54

20:54

Send us a text with comments, questions, or ideas: Years ago I read an article that describe how out thoughts, feelings, desires and tastes are influenced by factors completely out of our control. And usually by factors and environments of which we are completely ignorant. And I think it perfectly illustrates what the world does to us believers. A reading and commentary on this article: A re We Unconsciously Controlled? by Sam Williamson. And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/ Support the show…

Beliefs of the Heart: Reflections

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Chasing Lovers 18:48

15 weeks ago18:48

18:48

Send us a text with comments, questions, or ideas: In this episode, I talk of a business experience I had when our company tried to break into the software market in France. And I talk about how we did so by showing solutions to problems that people faced. All the while, our competitors simply ooh'd and ahh'd over French culture. And I think that experience has a message for us today. A reading and commentary on this article: Chasing Lovers by Sam Williamson. And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/ Support the show…

Beliefs of the Heart: Reflections

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Spiritual Warfare Is WHENEVER Two Parties Claim The Same Throne 20:01

19 weeks ago20:01

20:01

Send us a text with comments, questions, or ideas: The idea of "spiritual warfare" is a long-standing principle of the Christian life: knowing that there are enemies of God who delight in battling His chosen people. Psalm 83 says: Those who hate you raise their heads. They formulate cunning plans against your people ; they consult together a gainst your treasured ones . They say, “ Come, let us wipe them out. ” (Ps. 83:2-4) But most of us haven never heard of the real nature of spiritual warfare. It is more hidden and insidious than exorcisms. There is a hidden enemy. That we never talk about. A reading and commentary on this article: When Two Parties Claim The Same Throne by Sam Williamson. And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/ Support the show Support the show…

Beliefs of the Heart: Reflections

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Is Modern Therapy Serving Up Spiritual Malnutrition? 20:51

28 weeks ago20:51

20:51

Send us a text with comments, questions, or ideas: Almost every person I speak with is suffering, or has suffered. And the world has a boatload of answers for our problems. Many of them are fine, helpful even; but many are dangerous and against God. What are we to do? I suggest we keep remembering that all therapy deals with how we humans can flourish, how can we live blessed lives? And that answer to those questions is always about SOUL therapy, understanding the condition of our souls. And even secular thinkers are beginning to see the dangers of bad therapy; not all therapy, but the dangers of bad therapy. See this book: " Bad Therapy: Why Kids Aren't Growing Up " for a great analysis of what "bad" therapy is doing today. A reading and commentary on this article: Is Modern Therapy Serving Up Spiritual Malnutrition? by Sam Williamson. And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/ Support the show…

Beliefs of the Heart: Reflections

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The War of the World 41:16

1 year ago41:16

41:16

Send us a text with comments, questions, or ideas: For two thousand years, believers have prioritized the importance of “spiritual warfare” for Christian health. Heck, I was raised Presbyterian, and even Presbyterians taught it. The battle comprises three enemies: the World, the Flesh, and the Devil . While most teaching mentions these three enemies, the spiritual warfare enemy most frequently publicized is the Devil. (Though some churches emphasize the Flesh.) But Scripture warns us of the perils of the World one hundred times more than the Devil or the Flesh. One Hundred Times More ! The battle against Satan is ubiquitous (even Hollywood gives it lip-service) and the nature of the Flesh is obvious (nobody committing adultery says, “Wait a minute, you’re not my spouse”). But the war of the world is insidious. Its very hiddenness enforces its potency. Last week I was asked to preach at the Springs Church in Colorado. On any topic I wanted . And I finally decided to speak on the topic that is most deeply on my heart. That sermon expresses the substance of the first chapter of my next book, the book titled (can you guess?), The War of the World . I invite you to listen to that sermon either on my podcast Beliefs of the Heart Reflections or watch it on the video player below. And I would really appreciate any comments, insights, corrections, and even a little (if you want) sharing of your own experiences. Sam You can email me at: Sam@BeliefsoftheHeart.com Support the show…

Beliefs of the Heart: Reflections

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Inward Trials 13:20

2 years ago13:20

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Send us a text with comments, questions, or ideas: Almost every person I speak with has suffered. We hear, "For to those who love God, everything works out for the good," but it doesn't work for us, or at least we have very different ideas of the "the good" is. What is God up to? How good really is that "good"? A reading and commentary on this article: These Inward Trials - Beliefs of the Heart by Sam Williamson. And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/ Support the show…

Beliefs of the Heart: Reflections

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How Do We Handle the Evil Done to Us? 13:34

2 years ago13:34

13:34

Send us a text with comments, questions, or ideas: Almost every person I speak with has suffered some sort of betrayal from parents or teachers or bosses or spouses. And it affects us on so many levels, most of which we can't see--but our friends can. We are imprisoned. How do we handle the evils do to us? A reading and commentary on this article: The Evil Done to Us - Beliefs of the Heart by Sam Williamson. And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/ Support the show…

Beliefs of the Heart: Reflections

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Talking With God - Just Like A Friend 14:28

2 years ago14:28

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Send us a text with comments, questions, or ideas: This podcast describes what is the single greatest lesson (and invitation) that God has been speaking to me about for the last five years. Maybe ten. A reading and commentary on this article: https://beliefsoftheheart.com/2022/03/09/just-like-a-friend/ by Sam Williamson. And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/ Support the show…

Beliefs of the Heart: Reflections

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Controlling God 17:20

3 years ago17:20

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Send us a text with comments, questions, or ideas: Three years ago, I dedicated the year to meditating on thinking of Jesus as LORD. Not just savior, not just friend, not just confidante, not as rabbi. But mild Jesus, JESUS AS LORD. And these are my thoughts. A reading and commentary on this article: https://beliefsoftheheart.com/2022/02/16/controlling-the-remote/ by Sam Williamson. And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/ Support the show…

Beliefs of the Heart: Reflections

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When Helping God Is Lethal 12:46

3 years ago12:46

12:46

Send us a text with comments, questions, or ideas: We so often work directly against God in our greatest attempts to help Him. And our efforts wreak havoc in our lives and in the lives of our families and friends. What are we to do? A reading and commentary on this article: https://beliefsoftheheart.com/2022/02/09/when-helping-god-is-lethal/ by Sam Williamson. And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/ Support the show…

Beliefs of the Heart: Reflections

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I Was Mortified 12:39

3 years ago12:39

12:39

Send us a text with comments, questions, or ideas: Oh My Goodness! I've been mortified, humiliated, and embarrassed many times in my life (and some of you know those other times), but this was a double mortification: what it said TO me and what it said ABOUT me. Join me in rehashing my mortification. A reading and commentary on this article: https://beliefsoftheheart.com/2022/02/02/i-was-mortified/ by Sam Williamson. And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/ Support the show…

Beliefs of the Heart: Reflections

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The Measure of Our Lives 14:25

3 years ago14:25

14:25

Send us a text with comments, questions, or ideas: A friend's dissatisfaction with "I only have 6 million dollars to my name" led me to think more about how the world creeps into how we measure our lives. A reading and commentary on this article: https://beliefsoftheheart.com/2022/01/19/the-measure-of-our-lives/ by Sam Williamson. And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/ Support the show…

Beliefs of the Heart: Reflections

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Imagine There's No Heaven 12:51

3 years ago12:51

12:51

Send us a text with comments, questions, or ideas: Lennon's haunting, beautiful, whimsical song has always fascinated me and frustrated me. It's delightful music sucks me into a vortex of lies and death. It is really a deadly song. A reading and commentary on this article: https://beliefsoftheheart.com/2021/12/08/imagine-theres-no-heaven/ by Sam Williamson. And very special thanks to Keith Medley for his FANTASTIC 27 string guitar background song, Ancestors. You can find more of Keith's music at: http://www.keithmedleymusic.com/ Support the show (https://beliefsoftheheart.com/giving/) Support the show…

Beliefs of the Heart: Reflections

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When Salvation Isn't Enough 15:27

3 years ago15:27