The episode where Nicole finally comes on (to interview Jonathan on The Book of Waiting)
In this conversation, Jonathan and Nicole discuss the inspiration behind Jonathan's book on Advent and the timing of its release. They explore the importance of waiting and longing, and how to navigate cynicism and despair. They also discuss finding God in small moments and witnessing holiness in the midst of chaos. The conversation highlights the personal and universal nature of Advent and the power of real relationships, surrender and resistance, and the sound of God. He emphasizes the importance of bearing witness, welcoming the judgment of God, and discerning when to say yes or no. Overall, the conversation explores the intersection of personal and global longing, the significance of Advent practices, and the liberation that comes from embracing truth and responsibility. We discuss embracing regret and growth, reflecting on past hurts, moving forward and living new life, bringing healing and freedom, the liberating power of truth, living with fierce humility, having nothing to hide or defend, the fierceness and tenderness of saints, and their first sit-down as a couple.
In this conversation, Jonathan and Nicole discuss the inspiration behind Jonathan's book on Advent and the timing of its release. They explore the importance of waiting and longing, and how to navigate cynicism and despair. They also discuss finding God in small moments and witnessing holiness in the midst of chaos. The conversation highlights the personal and universal nature of Advent and the power of real relationships, surrender and resistance, and the sound of God. He emphasizes the importance of bearing witness, welcoming the judgment of God, and discerning when to say yes or no. Overall, the conversation explores the intersection of personal and global longing, the significance of Advent practices, and the liberation that comes from embracing truth and responsibility. We discuss embracing regret and growth, reflecting on past hurts, moving forward and living new life, bringing healing and freedom, the liberating power of truth, living with fierce humility, having nothing to hide or defend, the fierceness and tenderness of saints, and their first sit-down as a couple.
Takeaways
The Christian story is meant to pull all our levers, connecting us to a story that is bigger, older, and more future-oriented than ourselves.
There is a collective waiting and longing for the restoration and reconciliation of all things, both on a large scale and in our personal lives.
Advent calls us to consecrate the time of waiting and longing, recognizing it as a sacrament and an opportunity for reconciliation in broken relationships.
The longing for justice in the world and the longing for reconciliation in personal relationships are interconnected and should not be abandoned or prioritized over one another.
The sound of God is one of liberation, tenderness, and freedom, and it transcends the harsh, constrictive, and coercive voices that claim to speak for God. Regret is a natural part of life, and it's important to acknowledge and learn from it.
Reflecting on past hurts and the harm we may have caused others is necessary for growth and healing.
Moving forward and living new life requires honest self-reflection and dealing with our own issues.
Bringing healing and freedom to others requires a combination of fierce honesty and humility.
The liberating power of truth can set us free and create a context for growth and transformation.
Living with fierce humility means being open to feedback and constantly seeking truth.
Having nothing to hide or defend allows for a more authentic and beautiful way of living.
The saints embody both fierceness and tenderness, and they serve as role models for living a truthful and humble life.
As a couple, Jonathan and his wife have a unique dynamic of learning from each other and asking questions.
This conversation is just the beginning of many more discussions to come.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:36 The Inspiration Behind the Book
06:36 Publishing the Book
10:31 The Timing of the Book Release
13:05 The Importance of Waiting and Longing
16:17 The Presence of God in the Midst of Waiting
18:18 Navigating Cynicism and Despair
20:15 The Tension of Advent
21:38 Viewing Waiting and Longing as Sacrament
25:35 Finding God in Small Moments
28:13 Navigating Tensions in Communities
30:06 Witnessing Holiness in the Midst of Chaos
36:16 The Power of the Table
39:58 The Importance of Real Relationships
46:59 The Personal and Universal Nature of Advent
49:37 Revelation Language and Longing
50:18 Waiting and Longing for Restoration
51:10 Longing for Reconciliation in Relationships
52:02 The Intersection of Personal and Global Longing
53:01 Advent as a Time for Naming the Unnameable
53:29 Advent as a Space for Waiting and Longing
54:02 Discovering Advent Practices
54:57 The Importance of Waiting and Longing
55:25 The Command to Wait and Tarry
56:06 The Danger of Focusing on the Past
56:34 Reliving and Reenacting the Story
57:44 Intentional Waiting and Longing
58:11 Witness and the Power of Smallness
58:37 The Sound of God
01:00:53 Surrender and Resistance
01:02:10 Bearing Witness and Authenticity
01:03:07 The Judgment of God
01:03:53 Welcoming the Judgment of God
01:05:48 Discerning When to Say Yes or No
01:11:56 The Sound of God
01:19:28 The Sound of God and Self-Righteousness
01:21:07 Welcoming the Judgment of God
01:23:54 Saying Yes to Judgment and Truth
01:27:00 Personal Journey and Marriage
01:32:26 Life in Two Places and Protecting Loved Ones
01:38:01 Living with Depth and Liberation
01:40:12 Embracing Regret and Growth
01:41:11 Reflecting on Past Hurts
01:42:00 Moving Forward and Living New Life
01:43:19 Bringing Healing and Freedom
01:44:59 The Liberating Power of Truth
01:46:36 Living with Fierce Humility
01:47:32 Nothing to Hide or Defend
01:49:03 The Fierceness and Tenderness of Saints
01:50:26 First Sit-Down as a Couple
01:51:38 Asking Questions and Learning
eating and drinking damnation
What communion is, why it matters, who it is for...who is qualified for it. This is everything I most deeply believe about the mystery of the table, and why I still believe this is the invitation that changes everything.
seven miles
What in your life has ever worked out exactly the way that you've planned it? On this seven mile journey, maybe a seven day journey, or maybe it feels like you start this road all over again every seven minutes...we explore the pattern of the mystery that sustains us.
Preaching to the Dead in a Graveyard on Good Friday Night
Y’all know how it is…sometimes you just get so wound up you have to go to preach at a graveyard after midnight! Perfectly normal behavior. My soul was seriously so agitated and electrified by the witness of Justin Jones & Justin Pearson last night, I got dressed and preached a Good Friday sermon to a captive audience at Brick Chapel Cemetery. If y’all don’t amen me, the owls and wild dogs already did.
I’m not trying to do something gimmicky or clever. Where I come from when you hear good preaching, you stand up and let the preacher know they are blessing you. Yesterday we all got to bear witness. I don’t claim to be a great preacher, but I know it when I hear it.
Bonus: on the road to Emmaus, the not yet revealed resurrected One explained how his death fit into “what the prophets had spoken.” I know we have a crisis of authority, where many of you don’t know who to believe/what voices to trust. My philosophy here is simple: I listen to the what the prophets have spoken. I’m not listening to the pundits. I’m not listening to the commentators. I’m listening to the prophets.
Hear me out: America has one primary prophetic tradition that has consistently provided a counter witness capable of transforming culture. I’m not saying it’s the only one. It’s the primary one-one that continues to speak a word that can wake the dead. It starts with “black” and ends with “church.” I’m not interested in philosophy lectures from Jordan Peterson when the strategist who shaped MLK Rev. Jim Lawson is still alive. I’m not interested in following that rabbit hole of videos out of morbid curiosity so long as there’s a Cornel West talk or @otismossiii sermon I haven’t heard. I wish 60 Minutes spent more time on Fannie Lou Hamer than Marjorie Taylor Greene.
I know the sound of God when I hear it, and I listen when I hear that sound. I’ve heard your guy, and they didn’t speak a word that made dry bones dance. The difference between these prophets and the others is that when they all show up on Mt. Carmel and they cry out—fire falls.
The story God tells about you, with Joel Everson
I don’t know quite what to tell you about this, since we had not felt anything or said anything quite like what we felt and said before. What I can say, is that the story God is telling about you, may be very different from the story they tell about you. And if they can’t tell the truth about the woman in John 4, WELL…also: hear us freak out at our real-time encouragement from John P. Kee :)
