Things Above

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, don’t trifle with our God. Smith recounts a story where Dallas Willard asked him a question that he could not answer. The question was, does God ever let us get away with anything? James goes on to explain why we want a God who is both just and merciful. He closes the episode with a story about legendary basketball coach John W...

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with author and speaker Marlena Graves. James asks Marlena about her latest book, “The Way Up Is Down” and why she wrote the book. Marlena is a writer, deep thinker, and speaker who is passionate about the eternal implications of our life in God. She is a lover of beauty – especially the beauty of her family, others, and creation....

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is; The way of Jesus is Both And.” In this episode, James tells a story about his one message, the grace of God. To help explain his thought from above, Jim states that grace is God’s action in our lives. Smith gives two stories to help further explain his thought from above. Interested in donating to the Things Above podcast? Dona...

In this episode, James Bryan Smith tells us how we can experience an authentic change in our spiritual life. He begins the episode with a quote from 2nd Corinthians chapter three verse eighteen. Smith uses this verse to help explain how we are able to see the glory of God through Jesus. James closes the episode with a story from author and speaker Marlena Graves. Interested in donating to the Thin...

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Brian Zahnd. Jim and Brian talk about his latest book, “When Everything’s on Fire.” Jim asks Brian why he wrote this book and both discuss the impact of secularism in society today. James asks Brian a series of questions to help explain why we need this book today. Brian is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church i...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, “everything is a gift.” To help illustrate his thought from above, Smith tells the story of Alexander Hamilton. James goes on to further explain his thought from above with a passage from Will Smith’s memoir. Smith closes the episode restating his thought from above and encouraging listeners to see all of life as a...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, “can I be a witness?” Smith gets his thought from above from a book he read by his friend Angela Gorrell. In the book, Angela explains two important ideas about helping others grieve the loss of a loved one. Smith closes the episode with a story about a friend who had been struggling with the loss of a loved one. He uses...

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Curt Thompson about his latest book “The Soul of Desire.” Curt Thompson MD, is a psychiatrist, speaker, and author. Inspired by deep compassion for others and informed from a Christian perspective, Curt shares fresh insights and practical applications for developing more authentic relationships and fully experiencing our deepest lo...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above is, “God can.” Smith learned this from his late great teacher, Ray Anderson while in seminary. In this episode, James explains his thought from above in greater detail. To help explain his thought from above he adds on a few more words. God has, God can, and God will. As Jim studied under Dallas Willard he asked him, “what essentially...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, “God is on your side.” Smith starts off the episode with a story about Eugene Peterson and his son. James continues the episode with another story about his friend Trevor. Both of these stories help explain Smith’s “thought from above” and reinforce the idea that God is always on our side. Interested in...

The thought from above in this episode is, “the soul knows best.” James Bryan Smith opens this episode with Psalm 25 to help explain his thought from above. Throughout the episode, Smith gives us definitions of the soul versus the self. To conclude the episode, James recalls a story about John Wesley where he experiences the love of God and the importance of the soul. The post The Soul...

The thought from above in this episode is, kingdom obedience brings kingdom abundance. James Bryan Smith explains how we can have kingdom abundance through kingdom obedience. Smith gives us his definition of grace, which is God’s action in our lives. James gives us examples of how we can experience kingdom obedience in order to have kingdom abundance. Related Episodes: 1.  Conversation with...

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Dr. Jeff Bjorck. Dr. Bjorck is a pianist, composer, and arranger with six solo piano albums to his credit. In addition, he is also a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology. In this episode, James and Jeff talk about ways we can care for ourselves during the pandemic. The main focus of self-care in this episode is mental health. To l...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, “create a vision for life.” Smith’s thought from above comes his mentor Dallas Willard. Dallas taught Jim about many things but one of the most important was his teaching on creating a vision for your life. Listen below or anywhere you subscribe to your podcasts. Donate to the Things Above Podcast! Related Episodes:...

In this episode James Bryan Smith’s thought from above is, “take leaps with faith.” In this episode James defines faith as “an extension of knowledge based on knowledge.” To help illustrate his thought from above, Smith tells the story of the beggar Bartimaeus. Related Episodes: 1.  Be Happy for God 2.  Look for the Glory 3.  Know Your Enemy 4.  Sin is Slop 5.  Conver...

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Philip Yancey. Philip is one of the best-selling contemporary Christian authors. In this episode, Jim interviews Philip on his memoir “ Where the Light Fell .” Jim and Philip discuss the book as well as the moments in Philips’s life that changed his faith forever. Related Episodes: 1.  Conversation with Sarah Clarkson 2.  Con...

In this episode, James Bryan Smith’s thought from above is; be happy for God. Smith quotes from the book, “The Divine Conspiracy” by Dallas Willard to help explain his thought from above. James points out that we should seek out beauty in our everyday life. When we do this we will start to feel a sense of joy for and with God. Donate to the Things Above Podcast here! Related Epis...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is; Look for the Glory. Smith opens the episode with a story about a photograph he saw in Australia back in 2017. This photo reminded Jim of Psalm 119 and how it can help us to see the glory of God. James defines glory as the combination of power and beauty. To close the episode, James quotes C.H. Spurgeon. “Though all preachers on earth...

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with author Sarah Clarkson. In this episode, James and Sarah discuss her book “ This Beautiful Truth .” In This Beautiful Truth , Sarah shares her own encounters with beauty in the midst of her decade-long struggle with mental illness, depression, and doubt. She paints a compelling picture of the God who reaches out to us in a real and...

The thought from above in this episode is, know your enemy. James Bryan Smith explains how the enemy (the devil) tries to deceive us and what we can do to defend ourselves from him. Smith quotes from Ephesians 6:11-17 to talk about the armor of God. James talks about each piece of armor listed in the passage and explains how we can use it today. Related Episodes: 1.  Sin is Slop 2.  Soul Wellness...

The thought from above this week is, sin is slop. In this episode, James Bryan Smith gives us two ways to help us win the battle against sin. The first is to stay focused on God, and the second is to see sin for what it is. Smith uses the story of David and Bathsheeba to explain his thought from above. James closes the episode by explaining the spiritual practice of examen and how it has helped hi...

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with Bruce McNicol and Robby Angle. Smith asks both guests questions about their work with Trueface , and the book “ The Cure .” Both Bruce and Robby will be teaching at The Apprentice Gathering 2021. Learn more and register here ! Guest Biographies: Bruce McNicol: Bruce is co-contributor with Dallas Willard of The Kingdom Life on spiri...

In the second episode of season four, for the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith thought from above is; “you are blessed.” Smith begins the episode with a story about his new puppy Wesley. The thought from above came to Jim through his experience of adopting and training Wesley. Smith quotes Ephesians 1: 3-7 to help illustrate his thought from above. “Praise be to the God an...

Season 4 has arrived! James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week focuses on soul wellness. Smith opens the episode by saying we have a soul, and it is very needy. In the episode, James announces he finished the 4th book in “The Good and Beautiful” series . The book will be titled “The Good and Beautiful You” and comes out in the spring of 2022. Before he finishe...

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with Casey Tygrett . Casey is back for his second appearance on the Things Above podcast. In this episode, Casey and James talk about the impact the pandemic has had on us now that we have been dealing with it for over a year. They discuss the importance of spiritual direction and the need for it in our daily lives. Casey is now working with Soulca...