Free to Be

19: The Power of Celebration in Spiritual Disciplines

In the final episode of the 'Free to Be' podcast, hosts Wes and TJ discuss the spiritual discipline of celebration, emphasizing its importance in Christian life as a means to remember, rejoice in, and give thanks for God's blessings and actions in one's life. Throughout the episode, they explore misconceptions about celebration within Christianity, highlighting its distinction from worship while also revealing its interconnectedness. They address the impact of celebration on fostering gratitude, enhancing worship, and reinforcing faith, especially in challenging times. The discussion includes personal anecdotes and biblical references to underline celebration as a critical aspect of spiritual practice that recalibrates focus on God's presence and goodness. The episode concludes with an announcement that 'Free to Be' will be transitioned into a new podcast series titled 'Things My Bible Says,' aiming to delve deeper into practical and spiritual theology for listeners' enrichment. Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text TMBS to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Things My Bible Says Commmunity community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.

18: Exploring Guidance as a Spiritual Discipline in Christian Life

In this enlightening episode of "Free to Be," we delve deep into the concept of guidance as a pivotal spiritual discipline, exploring its transformative impact on our relationship with God and our journey of faith. Wes and TJ engage in a thoughtful discussion on how guidance intertwines with devotional practices, shedding light on its role in personal growth and communal harmony within the body of Christ. Listeners will be encouraged to reflect on the nuanced interplay between individual discernment and collective wisdom, emphasizing the importance of listening, humility, and trust in the process. The conversation covers the significance of surrounding ourselves with faithful individuals, the role of the Holy Spirit in providing confirmation and direction, and the challenges of navigating personal convictions within the context of community. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of divine guidance and its application in both personal and communal contexts. Join us as we explore practical steps to cultivate a more attentive and responsive heart towards God's leading, ensuring our steps are aligned with His will and purpose for our lives. Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text FTB to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Free to Be community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.

17: Rest, Reflect, Rejoice: How we can Embrace the Fullness of Sabbath Freedom

This episode continues the discussion on Sabbath as a spiritual discipline, focusing on practical aspects of observing Sabbath rest. Wes and TJ will discuss how the practice of Sabbath can transform our weekly rhythms, drawing from Jesus's example of rest and the Hebrew understanding of Sabbath (Shabbat) which means to stop and also to delight. They discuss the struggle of keeping the Sabbath within their faith tradition and the liberation found in experiencing Sabbath in a way that honors its intent without being bound by rigid rules. Through personal stories and theological insights, the episode highlights the Sabbath as an invitation to intimacy with God, emphasizing the importance of letting go of one's own efforts to find rest and delight in the Creator. Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text FTB to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Free to Be community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.

16: The Sabbath: Beyond Rest to Rhythm and Abundance

This episode explores the concept of the Sabbath from a Christian perspective, discussing its significance beyond a mere day of rest to encompass a rhythm of life centered on God's provision and sustenance. The hosts reflect on their personal journeys of understanding the Sabbath, initially seen as a legalistic obligation, and how their perspectives shifted towards viewing it as an invitation and a gift from God. They delve into the biblical roots of the Sabbath, emphasizing its placement at the beginning of human history in the creation account, and its role as a reminder of God's role as both creator and sustainer. The discussion broadens to address modern challenges of busyness and distraction, proposing the Sabbath as a countercultural practice of focus, remembering, and reliance on God. The episode underlines the importance of living from a place of abundance rather than lack and anticipates further exploration of how Sabbath rest connects with the freedom and rest offered through Christ. Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text FTB to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Free to Be community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.

15: Spirit and Truth: How a lifestyle of worship extends beyond singing at church and transforms our lives.

In this episode of "Free to Be," Wes and TJ dive into the spiritual discipline of worship, challenging conventional views and inviting listeners to explore a deeper, more intimate connection with God. We navigate through the teachings of Jesus and Paul to uncover the true essence of worship, beyond the confines of church services and musical expressions. Our discussion illuminates how worship, grounded in the recognition of who God is, can transform our lives into continuous acts of love and reverence. Join us as we redefine worship as a way of life, where every moment becomes an opportunity to respond to God's approachability with regularity and devotion. Through this journey, we aim to inspire our listeners to embrace worship not just as a part of their spiritual routine but as the very heartbeat of their existence. Let's explore together how to live out our faith in spirit and truth, becoming living temples where God's Spirit dwells. Discover the boundless realm of worship in this episode of "Free to Be," where faith meets freedom in the heart of worship. 00:00 Introduction to the Spiritual Discipline of Worship 00:18 Understanding Worship in the Christian Context 01:36 The Role of Worship in Church Services 02:12 The Essence of Worship: Focusing on God 02:51 Exploring Different Forms of Worship 03:56 The Evolution of Worship in the Bible 05:11 Personal Experiences and Reflections on Worship 07:10 The Temple of the Holy Spirit: A New Perspective on Worship 10:40 The Role of Community in Worship 21:16 The Connection Between Worship and Sabbath 22:23 Exploring Creative Forms of Worship 25:27 Conclusion: The Practice of the Presence of God Live Episode Recording Details: Join our interactive live recording sessions every Wednesday at 2pm CST. If you want to be part of the action and participate in real-time, text FTB to 833-257-3706. You will receive text notification with a link before the session begins each week.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of our Free to Be community! After each episode recording, we open the floor for questions and responses from our audience. It's your chance to connect, interact, and dive deeper into the discussion.