In this episode, James has a conversation with Helen Cepero. Helen is the author of Christ-Shaped Character: Choosing Love, Faith and Hope. She also started the C. John Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction at North Park Seminary and practices spiritual direction formation program at the Journey Center in Santa Rosa, CA. James and Helen discuss spiritual direction, the role of effort and discipline in Christian spiritual life, and the importance of listening to others.

You can connect with James at https://usefultogod.com/contact-us.

Purchase Christ-Shaped Character at ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). You can also get Helen's book titled Journaling as a Spiritual Practice here.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James is joined by co-host Nate Giarratano. James and Nate discuss some of the conversations that occurred at last week's National Conservatism Conference in Washington, D.C., where Pastor Doug Wilson, Al Mohler, and others spoke about America, politics, and Christianity. James lays out five ideas that are crucial for understanding the relationship between Church and state and interacts with some of the statements made at the conference.

To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also take the Serpents and Doves online course here.

For more on the conference, see the article posted here along with the associated links.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James sits down with David Koyzis author of Citizenship Without Illusions: A Christian Guide to Political Engagement. He also writes a blog titled "Notes from a Byzantine-Rite Calvinist." David and James discuss the challenge of idolatry in the political realm, as well as strategies for Christians to love God and neighbor by engaging in activities oriented toward justice.

To connect with James, visit https://usefultogod.com/contact-us.

You can find Citizenship Without Illusions at ivpress.com (use the code IVPPOD20 for 20% off your purchase).

You can also find David's other works at ivpress.com or amazon.com.

Political Visions and Illusions: A Survey of Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies (https://www.ivpress.com/political-visions-illusions).

We Answer to Another: Authority, Office, and the Image of God (click here)

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James considers Matthew 10. He talks about what Jesus is trying to teach his disciples (and us!) by sending them out on their initial mission. He also provides an explanation of what it looks like to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves."

To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also take the Serpents and Doves online course here.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James hosts Paul D. Miller author of The Religion of American Greatness: What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism. Paul and James discuss nationalism, politics, conservatism, and the difference between patriotism and nationalism. The conversation offers Christians a fresh perspective on the importance of distinguishing church from state, as well as addressing the need for incremental change as a political strategy.

To connect with James visit https://usefultogod.com/contact-us.

You can purchase Paul's book at ivpress.com (use the code IVPPOD20 for 20% off your purchase).

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James discusses discipleship with Eun Strawser, author of Centering Discipleship: A Pathway for Multiplying Spectators into Mature Disciples. James and Eun discuss discipleship in terms of imitating Christ and the way that our own cultural commitments (or the commitments of others) can hinder us from conforming more closely to Christ's image. Eun also relates her experience leading a church that is centered on discipleship.

To connect with James or to download free spiriatul growth resources, visit usefultogod.com.

To purchase Eun's book visit ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount) or find out more about Eun Strawser at https://www.iwacollaborative.com/.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James considers the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. He discusses the Old Testament background of love for neighbor in Leviticus and what it might mean for us to show mercy in today's world.

For more from James visit usefultogod.com.

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In this episode, James and Nate discuss a Pew Research study titled "Cultural Issues and the 2024 Election." They talk about how Christians might approach specific cultural issues, the differences between the roles of the state and the church, and the attitudes that Christians might adopt as they seek to be faithful in a fallen world.

For more from James, visit usefultogod.com.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.