0:00:10 Introduction to Interactive Gratitude and Manual Journaling
0:01:35 Embracing God's Loving Presence
0:01:50 Interactive Gratitude and Thought Rhyming Introduction
0:03:23 Living as God's Poetry and Rhyming His Thoughts
0:05:36 The Example of Exodus 3 and God's Heart Towards His People
0:07:47 God's Promise: Land of Milk and Honey
0:08:39 The God who knows our suffering and can deliver us
0:15:06 The importance of gratitude and interaction with God in good times
0:19:09 A Healing Moment of Connection
0:20:13 Encouragement to Share and Test Out with God
0:21:40 Cultivating Small Moments with God

In this episode, we explore interactive gratitude and thought rhyming. We discuss recording our thankfulness and feeling God's response. This helps align our thoughts with God's, especially in distress, fostering a sense of Jesus' affirmation and encouragement. The speaker reflects on God's care in challenging times, as shown in Exodus 3, and underscores His continual attention and support.

Thought rhyming is presented as a method to align with God's perspectives, offering wisdom and comfort. The speaker shares personal experiences with this practice, emphasizing the gratitude felt in connecting with Jesus.

Highlighting the importance of appreciating small joys, the speaker suggests that gratitude helps us recognize God's past and present role in our lives. They encourage conversations with God in all situations, acknowledging His constant care.

The episode concludes with the speaker offering support for those overwhelmed, promoting collaborative problem-solving with God. Listeners are encouraged to bring even minor matters to God, discovering His presence in every facet of life. The talk ends with a blessing, urging listeners to experiment with sharing daily experiences with God.

We integrate listening to God in our therapy, coaching and training.  If you are interested in learning more check us out at:

Loppnow Relationship Center
https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/

Presence + Practice
https://www.presenceandpractice.com/

WHAT DO WE DO?
Our Life Transforming Connections Training equips dedicated Christians to gain mastery over their emotions, empowering them to peacefully and effectively reconnect with their loved ones following conflicts.

https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/training 

Short intro to the extremely effective Couple's Training
https://youtu.be/Y4cmB-L1glU?si=S-rBdHY4S_wTIj0U

Discover the power of interactive gratitude to strengthen our relationship with God and find comfort in challenging times. Join us as we explore its transformative benefits.

Chapters
0:00:13 The Importance of Gratitude in Relationships
0:01:38 Strengthening Relationships Through Frequency and Quality of Interaction
0:03:58 The Brain's Negativity Bias and the Need for Positive Interaction
0:05:06 Interactive Gratitude as a Way to Build Relational Connection with God
0:06:07 Pausing to Notice and Receive God's Response in Gratitude
0:08:43 Building Positive Interactions with God for Hard Times
0:09:44 Example of Interactive Gratitude: Gratefulness and Relief
0:11:57 A Moment of Panic and Despair
0:12:41 God's Reassurance and Unwavering Presence
0:13:19 Embracing Gratitude as a Path to God's Presence
0:14:14 Gratitude Allows Space for Grieving and Healing
0:15:18 Implementing Interactive Gratitude in Daily Practice

Brief Summary

In this part of our conversation, we discuss the power of interactive gratitude in strengthening our relationship with God. We emphasize the importance of gratitude as the first step in the interactive journaling process. Interactive gratitude involves acknowledging something good and beautiful,  allowing God to respond. By increasing positive interactions with God, we can deepen our connection and build resilience. Even brief expressions of gratitude can be transformative. Practicing interactive gratitude opens us up to experience God's presence and find comfort in challenging times. Join us as we explore the goodness of God firsthand through interactive gratitude.



We integrate listening to God in our therapy, coaching and training.  If you are interested in learning more check us out at:

Loppnow Relationship Center
https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/

Presence + Practice
https://www.presenceandpractice.com/

WHAT DO WE DO?

Our Life Transforming Connections Training equips dedicated Christians to gain mastery over their emotions, empowering them to peacefully and effectively reconnect with their loved ones following conflicts.

https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/training 

Short intro to the extremely effective Couple's Training
https://youtu.be/Y4cmB-L1glU?si=S-rBdHY4S_wTIj0U

Chapters

0:00:11 Introduction to Immanuel Journaling and its Development
0:02:08 Desire to help people interact with God therapeutically
0:04:59 Introduction to IJ journaling and its differences from other practices
0:08:09 The relational and interactive nature of IJ journaling
0:08:57 The impact and benefits of practicing IJ journaling
0:15:19 Feeling stuck and immobilized in life
0:15:58 Experiencing the beauty and power of feeling unstuck


In this part of the conversation, we explore the origins of Immanuel Journaling and its unique approach to engaging with God. Sangshim noticed that people were more comfortable opening up to therapists than to God, which inspired her to create this therapeutic journaling practice.

Immanuel Journaling involves writing to God, expressing emotions, and listening for a response. We discuss its impact, including the deepened bond with God and the sense of peace it brings.

Additionally, we highlight its global reach and the surprise and delight it evokes. We also touch on the concept of feeling stuck and how IJ can help overcome it. We encourage listeners to try this interactive form of journaling and experience the freedom it brings.


We integrate listening to God in our therapy, coaching and training.  If you are interested in learning more check us out at:

Loppnow Relationship Center
https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/

Presence + Practice
https://www.presenceandpractice.com/

WHAT DO WE DO?

Our Life Transforming Connections Training equips dedicated Christians to gain mastery over their emotions, empowering them to peacefully and effectively reconnect with their loved ones following conflicts.

https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/training 

Short intro to the extremely effective Couple's Training
https://youtu.be/Y4cmB-L1glU?si=S-rBdHY4S_wTIj0U

Kutter Callaway - "Be Afraid" Podcast Conversation
Kutter is a Professor of Theology + Culture at Fuller Seminary

Be Afraid Podcast
This podcast isn’t about how to avoid fear, how to leverage it, or even whether or not it’s okay to be afraid. This podcast is an exercise in learning how to fear rightly. It’s an exploration of fear, faith, and stories that scare the daylights out of us.

https://www.kuttercallaway.com/podcast

This was a fun conversation about understanding our fears and anxiety in the context of community and discernment.

For more info on Kutter's work and ministry
https://linktr.ee/kuttercallaway



We integrate listening to God in our therapy, coaching and training.  If you are interested in learning more check us out at:

Loppnow Relationship Center
https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/

Presence + Practice
https://www.presenceandpractice.com/

WHAT DO WE DO?

Our Life Transforming Connections Training equips dedicated Christians to gain mastery over their emotions, empowering them to peacefully and effectively reconnect with their loved ones following conflicts.

https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/training 

Short intro to the extremely effective Couple's Training
https://youtu.be/Y4cmB-L1glU?si=S-rBdHY4S_wTIj0U

Peter Saddington is a wonderful human being seeking to love God and empower people to live fully alive.

• What does it mean to love God as a man and husband?
• How has adoption impacted Peter?
• Interesting learning about how Peter discovered he has "high-functioning Autism"
• How Peter's education helps inform his life (Masters in Education, counseling and World Views).  Very interesting stories here.

About

- Multiple Startup Founder - 1 acquisition, 3 early equity buy outs
- GP of a $2.5M Bitcoin Mining fund ('14/'15), $10M IoT fund ('18/'19), $16M (oversubscribed) Web3 fund in 2022.
- 3 books published - Scrum, Agile, Personal Branding
- 3 graduate degrees completed - Education, Counseling, Divinity
- Thousands trained in Agile/Scrum as a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) since 2009
- Racecar driver (SCCA Radical SR3 & Club Sport) and gokart Dad

WHAT I LOVE:
- Investing in people and sharing my life on video. I want to be fuel for humans!
- Agile & Scrum Training - CSM, CSPO, A-CSM, Agile for Leadership, Agile for Startups
- Personal branding and community building - I've been building communities and creating educational videos for 15+ years




We integrate listening to God in our therapy, coaching and training.  If you are interested in learning more check us out at:

Loppnow Relationship Center
https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/

Presence + Practice
https://www.presenceandpractice.com/

WHAT DO WE DO?

Our Life Transforming Connections Training equips dedicated Christians to gain mastery over their emotions, empowering them to peacefully and effectively reconnect with their loved ones following conflicts.

https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/training 

Short intro to the extremely effective Couple's Training 
https://youtu.be/Y4cmB-L1glU?si=S-rBdHY4S_wTIj0U

Scot McKnight + Laura Barringer talk about PIVOT - book on toxic v. TOV (good) culture

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with the esteemed Dr. Scot McKnight to delve into the themes and insights from his latest work, "PIVOT." Co-authored with Laura Barringer, the book serves as a practical guide for nurturing a culture within churches and organizations that both resists abuse and fosters goodness. Our discussion navigates the pivotal practices, priorities, and gospel-centered qualities essential for cultivating what McKnight terms a "Tov Culture" - a milieu that champions goodness and opposes abuse.

Dr. McKnight elaborates on the transformative processes that challenge the quick-fix mentality often found in organizational cultures, steering them towards emotional health and goodness. Drawing from the experiences documented in their previous groundbreaking work, "A Church Called Tov," we explore the gritty, albeit rewarding journey of shifting from toxic to healthful organizational cultures.

This conversation promises to equip leaders and members of religious and other institutions with the knowledge and tools necessary for culture transformation, addressing common questions and hurdles encountered along the path to creating an environment that is, in essence, 'Tov' - good​1​​2​​3​​4​.

Here is some info about Jeff from his website.

Hi, I'm Jeff McCord.

My passion is the see the whole gospel of Jesus Christ impact the whole person. Soon after my conversion in 1996, the Lord laid a deep burden upon my heart to give my life over for the sake of serving His people. My story is one of redemption, of service, and of profound joy.

Beth and I have been married since 1995. We have two children, Nathan and Libby. We currently live in Franklin, TN, continuing to serve and love well.



More Than Your Number: A Christ-Centered Enneagram Approach to Becoming AWARE of Your Internal World

Have you wanted to dive deeper into the Enneagram but resisted because you don’t want to be labeled? Or do you ever wonder, Why does this part of me still get so easily stuck? What’s next? Discover a revolutionary and transformative approach to the Enneagram in this thoughtful, explorative guide to understanding all the remarkably unique ways you reflect the image of God . . . because you are more than your number.

More Than Your Number takes a deeper dive into the world of the Enneagram by moving past the quickly assigned and sometimes stereotypical Enneagram Types to consider and engage your unique, multidimensional personality that makes you so much more complex than just a number.   

Buy the book here.

Sungshim serves with Soul Shepherding as a Spiritual Director and Coach. She is also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working in private practice and as a church consultant. For over a decade she was a pastor’s wife at a Korean American megachurch. 

She has an M.S. degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary and has received ministry coaching from Dr.’s Bill and Kristi Gaultiere. 

Sungshim’s ministry comes out of her own story of working through emotional deficits from childhood and the challenges of being an immigrant from Korea. Through her own emotional and spiritual growth process she and John developed a method of prayer called “Immanuel Journaling.” This tool was introduced in their book Joyful Journey and has become a widely used practice. Sungshim is fluent in Korean and English and has a special focus on ministry to Asian Americans.

Sungshim and her husband John live in Glendale, CA and have two children.

https://www.soulshepherding.org/

“I’m fine,” we say. Men especially do this to be “strong” — much to the disappointment of family and friends (especially women!) who want more connection. Burying emotions is actually a weakness that disrupts life and ministry. Bill Gaultiere and John Loppnow, fellow pastors and counselors, share how they connect with their emotions and with God. John introduces “Immanuel Journaling” as a tool for self-awareness and prayer.

https://www.soulshepherding.org/

HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE YOU’RE DOING ALL THE RIGHT THINGS—YET GOD STILL FEELS DISTANT?

A RELATIONSHIP BUILT ON LOVE AND TRUST IS ESSENTIAL TO A DEEPER WALK. BUT HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?

Book author, Marcus Warner, examines how heavily left-brained models of discipleship often miss our hearts. To know God is to experience Him. When a joy bond is formed with God, then study, discipline, and ministry can enhance our attachment.

Dr. Warner provides a model for whole-brained, heart-focused discipleship based on the gospel’s four essentials: freedom, identity, Spirit, and heart-focused community—FISH. With pastoral warmth, Warner provides a biblically balanced approach to dealing with the wounds, lies, and strongholds in our lives.

If you’re looking for a joy-filled, vibrant, mature relationship with God, then join Marcus Warner in A Deeper Walk.

https://deeperwalkinternational.org/a-deeper-walk-book/ 


Presence And Practice
https://www.presenceandpractice.com/


Loppnow Relationship Center
https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/

We are building a fresh and exciting way for couples to be trained in core relationship skills.   We utilize both a cohort model and a self-paced training for group coaching.

If you are interested in being trained in relationship skills for intimate relationships reach out.  

John @ Loppnow Relationship Center dot com 

Intro

Dr. Lou Cozolino practices psychotherapy and consulting psychology in Beverly Hills, California. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from UCLA and an M.T.S. from Harvard University. He has been a professor at Pepperdine since 1986 and lectures worldwide on psychotherapy, neuroscience, trauma, and attachment.

https://www.drloucozolino.com/ 

Some of Dr. Cozolino's books are: 

Why Therapy Works, The Making of a Therapist and the Development of a Therapist

Social Neuroscience of Education and Attachment-Based Teaching

1st Question - As you see it - what is the biggest issue people are facing these days?

He shares an interesting answer.

Shame

What is the difference between Core Shame and Appropriate Shame?

What can people do with power (Parents, Pastors, small group leaders) regarding shame?

Trauma

What is Trauma?

And, how can people identify trauma in such a way that moves them towards healing?

Spirituality

What does unhealthy spirituality and healthy spirituality look like?

Attachment-Based Teaching

What can pastors and small group leaders learn from this?

If anyone is interested in how Sungshim and John integrate the knowledge from Interpersonal Neurobiology you can find out more at our Therapy Practice - Loppnow Relationship Center.

We integrate this brain science with spirituality and shame.  Just kidding about the shame, we help you understand how shame works and how to experience God's love.  This is the core of our task - learning how to receive love.

Perry Marshall - Memos From The Head Office 028
I had an amazing time dialoguing with Perry.  I think you'll find our conversation enlightening and fun.  And, I know you'll walk away with some tangible tools.

This book delivers detailed verifiable stories of real entrepreneurs who found that listening to the Head Office goes beyond a sharp mind or brilliant strategy. In these pages, you’ll discover a superior resource for critical decisions.


You can read 3 Free chapters here

https://www.perrymarshall.com/memos/

Book from Amazon

We integrate listening to God in our therapy, coaching and training.  If you are interested in learning more check us out at:

Loppnow Relationship Center
https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/

Presence + Practice
https://www.presenceandpractice.com/


PS: We have some really exciting things in store related to ongoing training with practices in community built in an app.  Including both free and for an investment.  

027 - The Divine Heart

026 - The Eternal Heart - Carl McColman 

Check out Carl's really great website!

https://anamchara.com/

Carl is an energetic, kind and joy-filled human being.  I had such a delightful conversation and a wonderful time with him.

The heart is where the human soul and God meet.

This is what teachings from Scripture and the mystics reveal: the heart is the temple of God within us and within the heart we hold the key to live a truly divine life. But how do we embody the tremendous love available to us, deep in our hearts?

In Eternal Heart, Carl McColman, author of The Big Book of Christian Mysticism, invites us to create an optimistic, visionary, and imaginative path to personal happiness and fulfillment. Weaving together teachings from the biblical tradition, literature of the mystics, and wisdom of the world's contemplative traditions, McColman engages us in profound, practical exercises for cultivating fuller, more abundant, and more satisfying lives.

The path of Christian Mysticism is a path of both contemplation and action. By unlocking the mysteries in our hearts, we discover a source of divine love deep within us: a power for spiritual growth, and for creating meaningful relationships and working together to change the world for the better.


Presence + Practice
https://www.presenceandpractice.com/ 

If you are interested in Contemplative Therapy consider
Loppnow Relationship Center
https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/ 

Breath Prayer: An Ancient Practice for the Everyday Sacred Paperback 

by Christine Valters Paintner

1st of 3 Episodes focused on Contemplative Living.


Abbey of the Arts - A wonderful website and ministry.  Please visit to get a sense of her overall work.

https://abbeyofthearts.com/

Through brief words of prayer or petition said silently to the rhythm of one's breath, this simple, meditative act combines praise for the divine with focused intention, creating a profound spiritual connection in the quiet, and even mundane, moments of the day .

In Breath Prayer, Christine Valters Paintner, online abbess of Abbey of the Arts, introduces us to this spiritual practice and offers beautiful poem-prayers for walking, working, dressing, cleaning, sitting in silence, doing the dishes, living in community--breathing the divine into our daily lives. Over time these recitations become as natural as breathing. We don't so much recite the prayers as the prayers recite us, guide us, and open our hearts to the everyday sacred.

With each of the forty prayers, Paintner includes reflections on life's ordinary beauty and heartfelt advice for discovering the sacred all around. Breath Prayer concludes with guidance for creating your own breath prayers to deepen your practice.  [Taken from Amazon]

Presence + Practice 
https://www.presenceandpractice.com/ 


If you are interested in Contemplative Therapy
https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/ 

024 - Designed To Heal (w/Jennie A. McLaurin)

A doctor and a scientist reveal how to heal relational and emotional wounds by exploring the amazing restorative processes of the body.

I had so much fun dialoguing with Jennie.  She is woman full of wisdom, faith and love.  
I think you’ll wholeheartedly enjoy this conversation.  I feel as though I gained a sister in Christ.

Our bodies are designed to heal. We fall off our bikes and skin our knees―and without effort on our part, the skin looks like new in a few days. But while our skinned knees easily heal, it can sometimes feel like our emotional and relational wounds are left gaping open, broken beyond repair. If our bodies instinctively know how to heal physical injuries, could they also help us understand how to restore painful emotional and relational ruptures?

In their groundbreaking debut book, physician Jennie McLaurin and scientist Cymbeline T. Culiat write Designed to Heal: a fascinating look at how the restorative processes of the body can model patterns we may adapt to heal the acute and chronic wounds of our social bodies. Through engaging patient stories, imaginative travels through the body’s microcellular landscapes, accessible references to current research, and reflections on the image of God, Designed to Heal offers a new perspective for healing our social divisions. By learning how the body is created with mechanisms that optimize a flourishing recovery from life’s inevitable wounds, we are given a model for hopeful, faithful, and enduring healing in all other aspects of our lives. Our wounds don’t have to have the last word.  [Taken from https://www.jenniemclaurin.com/books ]

Some info about Jennie.

She has written for MIssio Alliance and Biologos 

Jennie’s Website 

Writing for Missio Alliance

Writing for BioLogo

Presence And Practice
https://www.presenceandpractice.com/ 

We teach and train people in relationship skills that enable them to stay awake to the love of God and love of others.


If you are interested in online Therapy or Brain Skill Coaching
https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/

#PresenceAndPractice
#IJ #ImmanuelJournaling 

Ed Khouri 

https://www.equippinghearts.com/our-vision

John Barclay wrote a book Paul and The Gift

The gift that one person gave another when they wanted to have an ongoing relationship with one another. The receiving of the gift was saying yes, I want to be a part of this relationship.

Grace means...

You are my favorite. 

You are special.

And, I want a relationship with you.

noun. Charis. GK: an undeserved state of divine virtue, favor or unmerited sanctification

b: the ongoing invitation to live in response to the Lord’s delight 

c: the relational and practical position we have as God’s special and favorite without earning 

verb. to dignify or raise by an act of favor; to honor.

You only get to experience grace in relationship.

Grace + Peace are 2 sides of the same word.

4 Deadly Ps

When special or favorite is missing.

Pleasing

Performing

(Avoiding) Pain

(Holding on to) Pleasure 

It is important to get to the root of fear.

How to tell a Face of Grace story

Think about a time you felt special when you interacted with someone. Reflect on it until you can feel it again.

What happened

What emotions did you feel

How did your body feel

Relational Spirituality

Book Ed referenced and I'm currently reading.

[Taken from Ed's website....please check it out]

Grace-based resources and experiences built to last…

What would your life be like if you saw yourself as God’s favorite? Imagine how things would change. At Equipping Hearts, the lasting concepts of our resources, trainings, and coaching are designed to 

·      enrich your life with God 

·      help you develop a strong, healthy identity, and

·      become a catalyst for life-giving community with others

·      strengthen your leadership and organization 

We center on infrastructure, not add-ons. The last thing you need is another end-all curriculum, book, or trending idea—and we know it! Our grace-based framework we share can be easily integrated into your life, leadership, small group, or organization. 

Equipping Hearts teaches skills that lead to sustainable life transformation by emphasizing experience, not just information. Emotionally, relationally, and spiritually, our creative exercises are designed to train your brain. These relational methods can be applied to strengthen any life, learning opportunity, or culture—we’ve seen it over and over!



Presence And Practice
https://www.presenceandpractice.com/


If you are interested in online Therapy or Brain Skill Coaching
https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/


#EdKhouri 
#PresenceAndPractice
#IJ #ImmanuelJournaling 

022 Ryan Reger - Is Profit Good?  For a family business?

My Dad has been a part of a community called Proven Amazon Course with Jim Cockrum at the helm.  My dad has shared with me over the years the possibility of starting a business online.  In one email that my dad forwarded to me it was a podcast with Ryan Reger.

I ordered Ryan's book and listened to the audio book.
The book is short and sweet and gave me hope and inspiration that this would be possible for me and my family.  Due to my Dad's encouragement and modeling, Sungshim and I believe and want to see Zachariah & Zoe start an online business before they graduate high school.

Part of this journey is building relationships with people we can learn from.  Ryan is a great guy who seeks to share what he has learned. 

We had a lot of fun in this conversation.  And, we integrate how God can speak to us and lead us.  May you be blessed and inspired to take action on what God has put in your heart.

Remember, you are loved!



Ryan Reger

"What if God could use me to teach people to dream again and become financially free?"

This is what I wrote in my journal in September of 2009. Since then I’ve had the pleasure of helping thousands of people create multiple streams of income.
I want to help YOU too!

Let me help YOU create multiple streams of income!

Check out Ryan's website for more info.
https://pages.ryanreger.com/home 



Presence And Practice
https://www.presenceandpractice.com/ 


If you are interested in online Therapy or Brain Skill Coaching
https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/ 


#RyanReger
#PresenceAndPractice
#IJ #ImmanuelJournaling 

021 Abundance Unhindered Part 2

As a follower of Jesus, you can experience a life of unhindered abundance right here on planet earth. How you ask? Through a process of Christ-formation. The Apostle Paul refers to this life-long process in 2 Corinthians 3:18 and spiritual leaders refer to it variously as progressive sanctification, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, or discipleship.

Simply put, Christ-formation is the overarching goal of the Christian life. It’s the result of a partnership between us and the Holy Spirit, lived out in close relationships with others and for the benefit of others in this world. It is the practical outcome of what Jesus invited people to when he called us to be his disciples. Christ-formation is to take on the character and the quality of life Jesus referred to as abundant (Jn. 10:10): a life characterized by more love, joy, peace, and hope than we ever dreamed possible (Gal. 5:22-23).

Check out Ken's ministry here
https://idtministries.com/

Presence & Practice
https://www.presenceandpractice.com/

Loppnow Relationship Center
https://www.loppnowrelationshipcenter.com/blog

020 Unhindered Abundance

Do you feel stuck in your faith, like you’re just not making progress in the Christian life?

It’s discouraging because you’re really trying to do all the right things—you read your Bible, pray, and go to church—but nothing seems to change, at least not in any lasting way. You still find it hard to be patient while standing in line, you still lose it when someone cuts you off while driving, you still feel anxious about the future, and you have regrets about the past. The truth is, no matter how sincere you are about your faith, or how hard you try to follow Jesus, lasting change just seems like a pipedream.

Check out Ken's website for more resources and opportunities to learn from this wonderful man and his genuine ministry.

https://idtministries.com/

Buy the book here