Is it possible for the follower of Jesus to know TRUE contentment? The apostle Paul clearly believed that there really is a secret to contentment (Phil. 4:10-13) and in this episode Lucinda joins Steve to discuss this truth, with reference to her recent blog.
In this episode we hear a great message of hope for any caught up in addiction, however severe, through the wonderful testimony of Scottish musician Steph Macleod. Steph has previously gone through extreme trauma which resulted in very severe addiction to alcohol and drugs. Yet, through his faith in Jesus, Steph has found true freedom and lasting recovery. I (Steve Smith) had the pleasure of interviewing Steph and I trust you will find his testimony inspiring.You can find Steph's music on all major music outlets and via his website: www.stephmacleod.comPlease visit the Big Gig website www.thebiggig.uk to find out about the livestream fundraising concert (for KEYS Detox) on 4th December, featuring Steph Macleod.
The hymn "It is well with my soul" was written in 1873 by Horatio Spafford in the midst of immense tragedy. This short podcast is a reflection based on the hymn and an encouragement for us to focus on the incredible blessings of God, perhaps especially in our darkest moments.The Live From Rest App now has this hymn, sung by our good friend Paul Stock, in the 'songs' section. So if you have not done so already, download the app and be blessed by its totally free content. Visit www.livefromrest.com
In this episode, I interview Rachel Gardner who is well known to many in the UK, as a conference speaker and author. She is also the founder and director of 'The Romance Academy', a thriving organisation which seeks to help young people have a healthy and Biblical view of sex and relationships.I have the privilege of attending the same church as Rachel. I was very impressed with a talk she gave at church, during lockdown, on the implications of our God being 'relational' and was subsequently keen to ask her to share her thoughts on this podcast. If you want to hear the full talk she gave at Preston Minster, you can hear it here.You can follow Rachel on Twitter: @RachelGardnerRA and Instagram: @rachelgardnerysThis podcast is one of the ministries of Live From Rest. Please visit our website for our various resources, including our popular Christian Meditation App. You may like to consider a small regular donation to support our work via our give page. #RachelGardnerRA #rachelgardnerys#livefromrest
In this podcast Steve reflects firstly on the one thing that is most important for us to know as God's children, that our fundamental identity is that of a child of God. But secondly we consider how important it is that we continually 'turn' to continue in that knowledge as we so easily loose sight of it!Alongside this podcast, we encourage you to listen to our latest meditation which is on YouTube (as well as being on the Live From Rest app. After you've heard the podcast, please do play this video and subscribe to our YouTube channel! (YouTube #livefromrest )
John me (Steve Smith) in my Zoom interview with Nicky Gumbel (pioneer of Alpha and vicar of Holy Trinity Church Brompton, London) as we consider the challenge to “feed our faith” in dark times. Life will throw us all difficulties and for so many, these days of the pandemic have been so especially hard and dark. Yet, in the hardship, we can respond to the words of the prophet Habakkuk: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food.. yet I will rejoice in the Lord”
Steve's wife Lucinda joins us again - this time to reflect on the issue of faith. Faith has been described as the currency of heaven and the Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). But what is faith? Perhaps one of the biggest challenges that many of us have is to hear and respond to the seemingly very small call of God on our lives. We hope you are enjoying our free Christian meditation app. For a download link, please visit: livefromrest.com
Joseph had a dilemma; was he going to believe Mary’s story (that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit)? Or would he listen to ‘reason’ and ‘common sense’. The dilemma Joseph faced was one that we all face at some time or other, so join us as Lucinda shares thoughts that will encourage and inspire you. Lucinda’s advent meditations are also available on the Live From Rest app, with all content completely free so visit the App Store or Google Play to get yours now!
Having exposed the lies we’ve been believing (see previous session), we can move on to be truly transformed by knowing the truth and living according to that truth. Please join us to hear more pearls of wisdom from Steve Backlund of Igniting Hope Ministries and Bethel Church, California. Listen to this podcast and determine whether you are a thermostat or a thermometer!For more from Steve Buckland, please visit his website: ignitinghope.com where you’ll find many great resources. In particular, we refer to ‘Steve’s Declarations’ in the podcast, which you can download here: ignitinghope.com/declarations
In this session, I am joined by Steve Backlund to discuss the subject of “lies” and how to expose them (this is PART ONE in a two part series) Martin Luther King Jr. said this words:“Don’t tell me what you believe, show me what you do and I’ll tell you what you believe.”It’s all to easy for us to have good beliefs in our head that are in line with the word of God, but the reality of our life is something different. Let’s seek to expose the lies - that come from our spiritual adversary - so that we can focus instead on what God says and find hope!Steve Backlund is part of the team at Bethel Church in California and heads up “Igniting Hope” (see ignitinghope.com). Please visit his website for more information including many free resources.
We read in Isaiah 26:3 that God will grant "perfect peace" to the one whose mind is stayed on Him. What a promise! In this podcast we explore a few practical ways in which we can set our minds to truly experience the wonderful peace that God desires for each son and daughter. Part of the path to "perfect peace" is dwelling on God's truth. To help you in that, we encourage you to use "Live From Rest", our totally free Christian Meditation app. You can find the links to download it from either the App Store or Google Play here. Note that there is a new meditation on the app entitled "perfect peace" which is based on Isaiah 26:3.
In this episode Steve interviews well known Christian speaker and broadcaster Barry Adams. Barry is perhaps best known as the author of 'The Father's Love Letter' which has blessed literally millions of people around the globe. Barry joins Steve from Canada, via Zoom, to say a little about how we can all learn to experience the love of our Heavenly Father for ourselves.You can find our more about Barry and his teaching via his website: fatherheart.tvWe are also blessed to have 'The Father's Love Letter' as a meditation on the Live From Rest App. To get a download link for this totally free Christian meditation app, visit: livefromrest.com
Steve Smith interviews his son Joshua Luke Smith (poet, musician and collaborator on the Live From Rest App). Together they explore the potential we ALL have to be free the from the stress that so many are experiencing in days of Coronavirus induced lockdown. If we learn to trust God for provision even 'as the land rests', we can be free from anxiety caused by our own apparent inability to provide at this time.It is truly liberating to see all that we have as a gift from God, rather than as a reward for our labours, especially in days of scarcity, or potential lack.In the interview Josh recommends "Every moment Holy" by Douglas McKelvey. For more on this visit:everymomentholy.comFind out more about Josh's music at:joshualukesmith.com
In these days of pandemic and global crisis, Steve Smith chats with Nicky Gumbel and together they explore how we can be ruled by faith rather than by the fear that is sadly gripping so many. Nicky Gumbel is well known internationally for pioneering 'Alpha', the course which has introduced Jesus to countless men and women across the world. He is the vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton, a well known London church which has planted numerous new churches across the UK and Nicky has also blessed the people of God with his daily Bible reading app "Bible in one year" (BiOY). Discover more about Nicky and his work at: htb.org and alpha.org If you do not already have the Live From Rest app, go to: livefromrest.com to find out more and to download the app.
Steve Smith shares some thoughts on the subject of being at peace despite walking through a valley. He includes something of his own experience, feeling able to trust God immediately before undergoing major surgery for prostate cancer as well as for other uncertainties. As we trust the promises of God, we can join David in saying ‘though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me’ (Psalm 23:6)
Welcome to the first episode of Season 2 of the Live From Rest podcast! In this episode I interview Kara Smith, singer with "Orphan No More" and one of the 'voices' on the Live From Rest app. We discuss the call of God on our lives to simply 'walk slow', rather than be caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, with the dangers of simply missing God in our busyness. We are delighted to have Kara sing her song 'Walk Slow' at the end of this recording and we have incorporated this song into a new meditation on the Live From Rest app (in the 'song' section). If you don't yet have the app, download it and enjoy all the content for free. Please visit: www.livefromrest.com for more information. If you are interested in connecting with Kara, especially if you would like to find out more about her 'Healthy Strong' ministry, please visit: www.healthystrong.org and you may also be interested in her online counselling service which you can access via www.soulsession.co
We are delighted to have Giles Lascelle - from "Trauma Breakthrough" - back with us. In this episode Giles and Steve discuss some of the practicalities, difficulties and misconceptions that there are around around the practice of Christian meditation. We also look at using the 'Jesus prayer' in our meditation times.
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing American Author Heather Caliri (see www.heathercaliri.com) and in this episode, we hear Heather's perspective on the benefits of practicing of Sabbath, in particular in relation to overcoming anxiety.Heather has been regularly practicing Sabbath for over six years and in this interview we discuss the challenges of making Sabbath a sustainable discipline but at the same time the wonderful benefits that come as a result.You can find out more about Heather and her writings via her website (above) and via social media @heathercaliri You can also download her free eBook with a course to help overcome anxiety.In this podcast, Heather makes reference to two books that she has found very helpful in relation to practicing Sabbath. They are:1) "An altar in the world" by Barbara Brown Taylor and 2) "Sabbath as resistance" by Walter Brueggermann.
Steve Smith sits with his son Joshua, one of the contributors to the Live From Rest app. Together, they discuss the challenge to simply abide in Jesus. With reference to John chapter 15 (in which Jesus states "I am the true vine"), Steve and Josh consider our need to be “connected’. But unfortunately,, so much of our energy, these days, is put into connecting into the digital world. We do have a need to be connected and it is really so much better to meet that need through abiding in Jesus. And along the way, let’s seriously consider the place of our phones in this challenge!
Lucinda and Steve Smith discuss the difficult issue of forgiveness. It is often so hard for us to forgive, yet to do so is necessary for our freedom and for us to truly be able to live from a place of rest. We consider the spiritual component to forgiveness that applies to all of us. We also look at the place of forgiveness in achieving better mental health and some practical advice in the matter.