Between Pickups

John and Caitlyn (Kintsugi Hope) continue their conversation about the dynamics of faith and mental health. Once again, this episode contains topics that might be harder for you to listen to so please listen with care. https://kintsugihope.com/  

John is joined by Caitlyn Kelly from Kintsugi Hope for the first of two conversations on often tricky dynamic of faith and mental health.  It's an open and honest conversation that may bring up some subjects that are difficult for you, so please be aware. https://kintsugihope.com/  

John is joined by Christian Arnold, a New International missionary from Florida serving in Londonderry/Derry, to chat about Halloween and how we might engage with it as Christians.

John realises he has bitten off more than he can chew to squeeze these 4 chapters into 3 episodes but it turns into a reflection about reading all of Scripture not just the favourite parts.  

John thinks through the pitfalls of not listening well and the risks of taking things on face-value rather than their deeper intent.

John shares about a quandary he has with variations in the translation of a beloved verse in Isaiah 40.   Here's the song I refer to: https://youtu.be/K3TYG7Q_fj4  

On this episode, John is joined by Dr. Daniel Bowman Jr. who is an author and professor in the American midwest.  Daniel is also autistic and has written about how faith and autism intersect.  His memoir, 'On the Spectrum' was significant in helping me appreciate more how an autistic mind tries to navigate the world and the church. You can find more out about Daniel's work here including his book:...

John reflects on the last characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit - self-control - wrapping up this mini series within series 2.

John reflects on faithfulness as he thinks about his Dad and Hosea.

John examines the characteristic of gentleness from an example in his own life and one seen in Jesus' life (John 8v1-11).

John returns to the 'Faith and...' episodes by have a conversation with Jennifer Gault about autism - particularly from the perspective of being a parent of a child with autism.

As John examines the characteristic of goodness, he takes a whirlwind tour through the Good Samaritan, Jesus' meeting with the rich young ruler, and Genesis 1 and 3.

John explores the next characteristic of the Fruit of the Spirit, kindness and challenges us all to consider how it looks when it is offered to everyone.

John continues the series on the Fruit of the Spirit but this time in conversation with Mark Hand, a youth worker in Lurgan who has a young family.  Hope you enjoy listening in to our conversation about patience.

This episode breaks from the Fruit of the Spirit series to introduce a new format of episode under the theme of 'Faith and...'  Different topics with fill in the dots and for this first one the theme is education. John enjoys a conversation with Dr. Anita Gracie about the changing look of faith education and its place in schools, and an interesting distinction is drawn through their discussion.

John explores the next part of the fruit of the Spirit - peace.  He dips in to how inner peace and social peace are derived from divine peace, that peace of the soul we all crave.

John explores the second part of the fruit of the Spirit and what sets it apart from other joys we know.

John opens up the series with an introduction to the fruit of the Spirit and a brief look at love.

John introduces the upcoming series and shares a little about his promise to practice fasting.

In this final episode of the series John explores why we are asked to practice fasting.  He also makes a pledge to fast and invites you to join him (if you don't have underlying medical conditions that would make fasting unwise). Please also check out some advice on how to fast.  Here is a link from the Methodist Church in Ireland that might help: https://bit.ly/4b24IoC  

John explores the other side of the conversation and why listening is such a vital part of the practice of prayer. Link to Praying like monks, living like fools - https://www.eden.co.uk/praying-like-monks-living-like-fools-tyler-staton/   Also available with other retailers.

John introduces the practice of prayer as inspired by the spiritual practices Jesus speaks about in Matthew 6.  John explores why Jesus asks us to pray and even expects us to, then Paula Lough (IMYC) shares a number of prayer ideas that we can use as we are on the go. For digital copies of the ideas and a couple more click here: https://bit.ly/3XrA1px  

John and Courtney continue their conversation about spiritual practices as they zoom in on Jesus' teaching from Matthew 6 on giving.

In this introductory episode on spiritual practices found in Matthew 6, John welcomes Courtney Randall to the podcast to help think through what spiritual practices are and why we focus on some more than others.

John is welcomes Ruth back as she shares some thoughts from Psalm 23.