Burning Hearts - No. 41

Crush Ego - No. 43

Several months ago, my nine-year-old son told me, “we should make a hat that says crush ego on it, because that's what your book is about.” I was shocked. He’s nine years old, he hasn't even read the book, and yet he somehow got to the heart of the message. Ever since then, we started using this phrase as a family, and kicked around the idea of making hats and t-shirts. This has become a sort of tagline for the work our family is doing. At the heart of the message of all the world’s wisdom traditions is the understanding that the journey of every person is to overcome themself. That's what initiation was all about, helping a young man understand that his life was not about himself. That's what religion is all about, trying to help mankind transcend himself and escape the prison of his own self-obsession. JohnWalt.com

Questions Guide the Journey - No. 42

So much of the time, we overcomplicate our spiritual journey. We obsess over theology, or practices, or which faith community to invest our time in, what prayers to pray, or even which devotionals and books to read. This comes from a well-intentioned heart; we want to make sure we are doing it “right.” I think the spiritual life isn’t centered around or driven by any of these things. They can help, but it’s a relationship journey, not a program. The core of our journey is first and foremost about connection with God and letting Him lead us where He wants to take us.  Johnwalt.com

Josh LeRoy Interview

Josh LeRoy is the author of Deeper Than Your Pain [https://www.amazon.com/Deeper-Than-Your-Pain-Third/dp/B0CRD3TP7Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2FAIZ8OHBNFVB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CG0KSc0iRUFiodNCec6VAqrIiMKV-AY2L1kOcArbRw_e1crdKyUjd7EANq_JiGefVJxp0vJaDtqKvacjWAxv1fVwAoC50BORPxRx33RUZEWaLQWDeKf7sUDJkXU-zQL1-xlkPoHeeiryGeazJqCA6sJjWi3lAP38whAY6P8hKds_gOy94JHgNejSOUmvv4yPnuUBwTnE8UABxKLg6Ca3JOaz6qQ4ozXcyFJekmg4kkY.aP-fILTlw7IEeQO7oOVbTSubZ_VY9ifpyww7fpnxAN0&dib_tag=se&keywords=deeper+than+your+pain&qid=1779196630&s=books&sprefix=deeper+than+your+pain%2Cstripbooks%2C176&sr=1-1], a short book about his healing journey through depression. He is the lead pastor of Emmaus Church in Greensboro, NC, and a former prison Chaplain for 10 years. When I was given his book and told it was about depression, I honestly didn’t think I would get much out of it, but I was wrong. The wisdom he shares is applicable to all of our healing journeys. In this interview, Josh shares his story and how God used contemplative prayer to help him find freedom from depression and anxiety. Josh has so much to share. I hope this conversation blesses and challenges you. Emmaus-church.com Book link: Deeper Than Your Pain [https://www.amazon.com/Deeper-Than-Your-Pain-Third/dp/B0CRD3TP7Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2FAIZ8OHBNFVB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CG0KSc0iRUFiodNCec6VAqrIiMKV-AY2L1kOcArbRw_e1crdKyUjd7EANq_JiGefVJxp0vJaDtqKvacjWAxv1fVwAoC50BORPxRx33RUZEWaLQWDeKf7sUDJkXU-zQL1-xlkPoHeeiryGeazJqCA6sJjWi3lAP38whAY6P8hKds_gOy94JHgNejSOUmvv4yPnuUBwTnE8UABxKLg6Ca3JOaz6qQ4ozXcyFJekmg4kkY.aP-fILTlw7IEeQO7oOVbTSubZ_VY9ifpyww7fpnxAN0&dib_tag=se&keywords=deeper+than+your+pain&qid=1779196630&s=books&sprefix=deeper+than+your+pain%2Cstripbooks%2C176&sr=1-1]

Burning Hearts - No. 41

I have been thinking about one sentence a lot lately. I believe that it holds a key to understanding how we each should expect to feel in response to Jesus. I would like to share it with you and invite you to join me in pondering these powerful words.  JohnWalt.com

Self-Transcendence Conversation

Heather and John Walt discuss self-transcendence and how we can make it a practical in daily life.  Heather and I have been having deep conversations since we met. So much of our daily life is filled with discussions about transformation, God’s leading, discipleship, and what we are learning from the books we are reading. This is the first time I get to share one of those conversations with you. Heather loves to make complex things simple and applicable for daily life. She often asks in the middle of a philosophical conversation, “How do we teach this to our kids?” She invites me out of the theoretical and into the applicable.  When we met, I didn’t care much about being a father someday; I saw it as something that could steal from the adventurous life I wanted to live. Now raising and shaping our kids is the most important part of my life. As my wife and friend, Heather has lovingly walked with me as I have journeyed out of my own self-obsession and more and more into who I am created to be. She is one of the most impactful mentors I have had, and I am thrilled to share this conversation with you.  JohnWalt.com