Welcome to The Academy Podcast, a podcast dedicated to sharing rich content for the purpose of spiritual growth. The Academy Podcast is brought to you by The Academy for Spiritual Formation, an international ministry of The Upper Room. The Academy is dedicated to creating safe space for people to connect with God, self, others, and creation for the sake of the world. To learn more about our Five-Day and Two-Year retreat offerings, visit academy.upperroom.org. We’re glad you’re here.
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The Sojo Show makes Bible Study fun with spontaneous conversations between Arabah Joy and Jen Evangelista. Together we discover how the study of God's Word can impact our everyday lives. New Episode Every Week!
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Remember those rare Southern snow days where the slightest dusting on the ground could shut down the whole town? Join us as we reminisce about the delightful chaos of a Georgia snowfall, a moment that brings both hilarity and joy to our lives. We share a personal and humorous family story from Jen involving stolen bubble gum and a mock police visit…
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The Secret to Trusting God Through Life’s Ups and Downs
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29:45
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29:45In this episode, we dive into the comforting truth of God’s unchanging nature. Join us as we explore how His faithfulness provides stability in life’s chaos, share personal stories of His steadfast care, and offer a simple practice to help you recognize His hand in your everyday life. Tune in for encouragement and a fresh perspective on the beauty …
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From Chaos to Calm: How God’s Love and Mercy Anchor Your Soul
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32:38
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32:38In this episode, we’re diving into two life-changing attributes of God: His love and mercy. What does it mean that God doesn’t just show love but is love? And how can we rest in His mercies that are new every morning? Join us as we unpack these truths, share key Scriptures like 1 John 4:8 and Lamentations 3:22-23, and explore how they shape our fai…
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Pause, Reflect, Reimagine: An Update on Our Podcast Journey
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6:07In this episode of The Academy Podcast, we share an important update: a hiatus and reimagination of our podcast journey. Join host Shalom Agtarap as we reflect on the gifts of the new year, the wisdom of the Magi, and the importance of rest and discernment.While we pause to prayerfully envision the future of this offering, we encourage you to revis…
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What You Believe About God Changes Everything
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24:25
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24:25What if the way you see God could completely transform the way you face life’s uncertainties? In this episode, we’re diving into two of God’s most incredible attributes—His holiness and sovereignty—and exploring how they shape our faith and daily lives. Spoiler: Understanding these truths isn’t just “theological fluff.” It’s deeply practical and mi…
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From Foundations to Finish Line: Your Spiritual Formation Roadmap
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21:00
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21:00Ready to embark on a transformative spiritual adventure? Discover how 2025 could be the year you deepen your faith, align your actions with your beliefs, and overcome challenges like fear and anxiety. We're back on the Sojo Show after a long hiatus and are excited to share our journey, insights, and the ambitious plans we've laid out for this seaso…
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Advent Through Immigrant Eyes with Rubén Ortiz
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39:30
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39:30This month, the Academy Podcast features Rubén Ortiz's teaching from the 2022 online Academy Day Apart retreat called “Hope in a Time of Despair: Advent Through Immigrant Eyes." In this episode, Rubén Ortiz shares his personal journey as a migrant, weaving together stories of family, faith, and transformation. Through the lenses of familia, nepantl…
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Exploring Liminality in Faith and Practice with Barbara Brown Taylor
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29:41This month, the Academy Podcast features Barbara Brown Taylor's teaching from a Five-Day in Alabama in 2022. In this episode, Barbara reflects on the spiritual significance of twilight, exploring how this threshold time between light and dark mirrors our own journeys through faith, transformation, and the unknown.Join us for a compelling discussion…
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Spirituality and Embodiment with Molly Vetter
31:47
31:47
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31:47This month, the Academy Podcast features Molly Vetter's teaching from Academy #42 in 2023 on the topic, "Spirituality and Embodiment." In this episode, Molly Vetter reflects on the intersection of scripture, art, and spirituality, inviting listeners to see how sacred traditions and personal experiences converge in daily life.Join us for a thought-p…
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Attentiveness to the Word with Juan Carlos Huertas
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30:57This month, the Academy Podcast features Juan Carlos Huertas' teaching from Academy #42 in 2023 on the topic, "Attentiveness to the Word." In this episode, Huertas dives into the rich world of prophetic literature, exploring how the ancient texts of the Bible connect to the realities of our lives today, emphasizing how scripture mirrors modern chal…
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Finish 2024 Strong with our Christ-Centered Old Testament Survey
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7:05What's to expect inside the Sojo Academy for the rest of the year? In this special bonus episode of the Sojo Show, we’re diving into an epic new journey that awaits you over the next four months! Starting September 9th, 2024, Sojo Academy is launching an Old Testament Survey designed to illuminate how every story, prophecy, and promise in the Old T…
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The Sojo Eras: A Bible Study Journey Over the Years
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7:45How did Sojo Academy evolve its Bible study topics to meet the changing needs of its members? Journey with us on the Sojo Show as we reminisce about the various eras of spiritual growth and transformation we've navigated since 2019. In this special episode, Jen and AJ offer a detailed walkthrough of our journey, breaking down each era's unique focu…
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Behind the Curtain: The Heart and Soul of Sojo Academy's Bible Studies
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38:37
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38:37Ever wondered how we write out Bible Studies? Join us as we pull back the curtain and reveal the behind Sojo Academy's Bible studies. We promise you an exclusive look into our meticulous creation process. From the intricate steps and substantial effort required to ensure each study encourages deep engagement with Scripture, to our commitment to fos…
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Building a Stronger Faith: Key Lessons from Sojo Academy
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37:42
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37:42Ever felt the struggle between worry and worship? Join us on this heartfelt episode of the Sojo Show where AJ and Jen reminisce over nearly six years of amazing Bible studies from Sojo Academy. We talk about the value of investing in truthful resources, hint at exciting upcoming plans, and share a few laughs about the technical challenges of record…
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New Testament Spirituality with Shively Smith
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22:59This month, the Academy Podcast features Shively Smith's teaching from Academy #42 in 2023 on the profound spirituality of the New Testament. In this episode, Dr. Smith explores the diversity within early Christian texts, emphasizing how the spirit of new life and love was interpreted across various cultures, languages, and geographies. She encoura…
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Leading Through Discipleship: A Call for Every Believer
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29:26
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29:26Today we are discussing the topic of Christian leadership and discipleship. Join us as we: Explore how every believer can lead through discipleship, challenging traditional views with insights from 1 Timothy 6:11-16. And discover practical strategies for mentoring others and fostering unity in the body of Christ. Inspire and equip you to embrace yo…
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Finding Common Ground: Grace Across Generation
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21:23
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21:23What if embracing our generational quirks could lead to deeper spiritual connections? On this episode of the Sojo Show, Jen and AJ humorously tackle the stereotypes surrounding Generation X while celebrating their roots. As they share laughs and fond memories, they highlight the beauty of extending grace and understanding across all age groups, rem…
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Courageous Curiosity: Cultivating an Antiracist Spirituality with Lucretia Berry and Ben Bowell
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36:14
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36:14This month, the Academy Podcast features Lucretia Berry and Ben Bowell's teaching from an online Academy Day Apart in 2021 called, Courageous Curiosity: Cultivating an Antiracist Spirituality. In this enlightening conversation, Lucretia and Ben share their personal stories of Christian faith formation and its intersection with antiracism. Together,…
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God's Reckless Abundance with Grace Imathiu
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39:58
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39:58This month, the Academy Podcast features Grace Imathiu teaching at the Indiana Five-Day in 2021. Grace illuminates the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32, a title she challenges because parables cannot be contained. Grace explores the story through different lenses to reveal a God of reckless abundance who shows us how our life together c…
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Against the grain: Defying Societal Norms Through Faith
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25:22
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25:22What if standing against societal norms was the ultimate act of faith? Join us as we uncover the extraordinary journey of Mary Magdalene, who transitioned from personal shame to becoming the first witness of Jesus’ resurrection. We explore her profound transformation and the courage it took to share her testimony in a world dominated by societal la…
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Embracing Health as Worship: A Balanced Approach to Body Image and Self-Care
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20:03
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20:03You were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This means that you are a reflection of the Creator of the Universe! Today we explore how nurturing our physical and mental well-being is, at its core, a divine form of worship. Together, we unpack the challenges of balancing a body-positive mindset with health and open up about the pitfalls of c…
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The Art of Living Intentionally in a World of Distraction and Delays
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20:29Today’s 'Simplify Your Life' episode starts with laughs over daily delays before diving into the serious business of aligning our schedules with God's grand plan. We're peeling back the layers of our to-do lists and challenging you to consider if what you're doing truly serves your life's mission. In this episode, we don't just talk about managing …
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{FREE} Proverbs and Principles for a Simple Life: sojohub.com/simplifyfree Discover the power of intentional living with our 'Simplify Your Life Summer Podcast Series' as Jen and AJ chat about ways to calm the chaos! It's not just about tidying up your home or even managing your time and money; it's about creating a sacred space for God to reign su…
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This month, the Academy Podcast features Elaine Heath's understanding of neighborhood shalom. Her lecture from Academy 40 speaks to us of hopes and expectations, of well formed theology that is undone by lived experience. Knowing about Jesus and experiencing the compassion and presence of Jesus in the neighborhood is nothing short of transformation…
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The Ocean of Glory: The Promise of Romans 8:18
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26:27Today, we're concluding our Praying the Promises of the Cross series by discussing one of Jen's favorite Bible verses: Romans 8:18. While this verse speaks of suffering, our pain is not minimized by this verse; rather, it is placed into an eternal perspective that enables us to endure with HOPE. Memorize this verse, listen to our episode, and refle…
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Today's episode holds special significance as we explore the concept of adoption. AJ shares her journey with adoption, and together with Jen, they discuss adoption as a biblical concept and its relevance to us. The episode unpacks the rich meaning behind Romans 8:14-16, emphasizing the incredible privilege of being adopted by God. What truly stands…
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While we may not have capes or superhuman abilities, we all face super adversaries nonetheless. Our greatest adversaries are not flesh and blood. They surpass the natural into the supernatural realm. The good news is that we have spiritual powers as well. Join us today as we explore Romans 8:31 and uncover the superpower it grants us as believers R…
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Conversation with Claire McKeever-Burgett and Shalom Agtarap
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43:50
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43:50This month, the Academy Podcast features Claire K. McKeever-Burgett as she discusses the sacred people, places, and experiences that shaped her new book, Blessed are the Women. Step into the holy conversation of what it means to be - not just a woman - but human - one who is loved, and listened to by the Divine. Blessed indeed are the ones who hear…
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God doesn't condemn you: Explore the promises of Romans 8:1-2
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33:02Many of us harbor spiritual secrets, because, despite our freedom in Christ, we can still struggle with feelings of guilt. In this week’s podcast episode, we talk about Romans 8:1-2, these verses mark an important shift in our spiritual reality, as we are free from the law of sin and death. And how we can live “as if” we are truly free of guilt, sh…
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When life is hard and chaotic, and you seem to lose your footing, it’s critical to be reminded of the truth of the gospel and the truth of your assurance. This is the promise Jen and AJ discuss on this week’s Sojo Show episode. And it’s a good one! Scripture tells us we can be sure of the promise outlined in Romans 8:35, no matter what comes our wa…
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Both Dead and Alive: The amazing promises of Romans 8
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22:34
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22:34In today’s episode, we're diving deep into what it truly means to be alive in Christ, and how that changes everything. It's not just about existing; it's about thriving in a whole new way because of the life-giving Spirit within us. How can we rely on the Spirit of God in this moment? How does this reality transform our perspective and actions toda…
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Faithfulness Within Conflict with Luther Smith
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31:28
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31:28This month, the Academy Podcast features Luther Smith's teaching from Academy 29 in Burlingame, CA. His lecture on "Faithfulness within Conflict" reminds us that conflict should be embraced as a pathway to healing. Ultimately, Dr. Smith invites us to deal with conflict because “Our obedience requires it." The question he asks us is, "will we engage…
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Feeling in your heart what you know in your head
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32:58
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32:58In our journey through life, it's easy to feel disconnected or overwhelmed by our emotions. But do you know that God desires for us to experience wholeness in body, soul, and spirit, including our emotions? That's right - we can foster emotional health by aligning ourselves with God's truth. In today’s episode, we're talking about our emotions. Som…
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Why you should make God's promises the center of your prayers
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19:11Today we are exploring why God’s promises are essential for our spiritual health. We also share the details for our upcoming FREE 40-day prayer challenge leading up to Easter. It can have a profound impact on your understanding of Christ's provision and the true meaning of His resurrection. The 40-day challenge it's an intentional journey toward sp…
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{JOIN US FOR OUR LIVE RISE UP RALLY on December 29th at 10 am EST Register here: sojohub.com/riseup23} In today’s episode, you’ll be introduced to Sojo 10 and Document Your Faith. We are dedicated to providing you with tools that you can’t find anywhere else that are specifically designed to help you become the woman of God you were created to be! …
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Rise Strong in 2024: Sojo Academy's Transition for the Coming Year
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38:49
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38:49Over the past couple of months, Jen and AJ have immersed themselves in prayer over plans for 2024. In today's episode, they dive into the 7 key identities that will be the primary focus of Sojo Academy in the coming year. As we unfold the 7 core identities, our goal is to emerge stronger, set apart, and be battle-ready. We believe this NEW blueprin…
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Sojo Show Special: Celebrating 100 Episodes of God's Faithfulness
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46:01We’re celebrating our 100th episode of The Sojo Show!! This milestone isn't just a number; it's a reflection of this community that has formed– a celebration of YOU! Throughout the past two years, we have been imperfect, ineloquent, and sometimes downright silly. But hopefully, above all, we’ve pointed to and upheld CHRIST. Today, we are reflecting…
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Never Give Up: One Woman’s Resilience in the Face of Hardships
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34:45Jena Fellers joins AJ on the Sojo Show today to share how she faced moments of doubt and hardship but chose to trust that God was guiding her path. And how we too can discover the strength that comes from exercising faith in God, especially when we need it the most. Jena's story serves as a tremendous example of walking by faith, not by sight. Desp…
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Surviving the Unthinkable: Wendy Wallace's Path to 'One Exceptional Life'
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37:54What happens when a flesh eating bacteria invades your body and leaves your life hanging in the balance while you live in a coma for months? Well on today’s podcast episode, that’s the story you will hear. A flesh-eating bacterial infection resulted in a coma, a 3-month hospital stay, and amputations of both hands and both feet for Wendy Wallace. S…
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Reconciling Across Walls of Fear with Ray Buckley
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45:05This month, the Academy Podcast features Ray Buckley's teaching from the 2021 Spiritual Formation in Today's World. His Lecture on Reconciliation. As an indigenous person in North America, Ray speaks with authority about what it takes to be reconciled across walls meant to keep people and creation apart. Let us consider what it will take for indige…
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Embracing Stillness: nurturing your relationship with God through meditation
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35:24
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35:24In today’s episode, we have another extraordinary guest, Tina Olroyd. Tina shares profound insights into meditating on God’s word, showing us how it can be used to grow spiritually, get closer to God, and simply slow down. Here's a glimpse of what you can expect: Discover how biblical meditation can be a powerful tool for deepening your connection …
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Overcoming Tragedy Through Faith: Diane's Story of Faith, Love, Loss, and Resilience
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40:48
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40:48In this episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Diane Whitfield, who shared her incredible journey of faith and resilience with AJ. Diane's life is a remarkable example of faith in action. Her story demonstrates how faith can be a guiding force, helping us navigate life's unexpected twists and turns, even in the face of tragedy. Listen to ho…
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Drinking From Ancestral Wells with Dan Wolpert
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39:20This month, the Academy Podcast features Daniel Wolpert’s teaching from the 2021 online Academy Day Apart retreat called Drinking from Ancestral Wells: God’s Wisdom for the Work of the Present Age. Dan contrasts the wisdom of our ancestors with the destructive nature of colonization that cuts people off from God. He guides listeners to reconnect to…
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God's Grace: Sojo members explore lessons from the book of Esther
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36:29In today’s episode we are chatting with our members from Sojo Academy about the beautiful book of Esther. One member shared a very vulnerable story from her past and how just this small book of the Bible reminded her of God's grace and sovereignty. It was the key to getting her through a very traumatic event and helped her through the process of he…
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4 keys to help implement your Spiritual Growth
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17:09Today we are wrapping up our Beyond Bible Study podcast series. During the month of September, we have been talking about the Spiritual disciplines and how to come up with a plan to grow and implement them. Let’s recap. > Episode 92 and Episode 93: We did a rundown of 10 spiritual disciplines, explaining what they are, why they are important, and w…
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5 Tips for Making Time for Spiritual Growth
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22:05If you are following along, the past 2 weeks we discussed 10 spiritual disciplines that will transform your heart and mind. And today we are bringing 5 practical ways to overcome some of the obstacles that keep us from actually implementing the disciplines! Sometimes it can be hard to incorporate the spiritual disciplines into our daily lives becau…
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Hope in a Time of Despair with Alexia Salvatierra
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33:19This month, the Academy Podcast features a word from Alexia Salvatierra. The content comes from her lecture at last December’s online Academy Day Apart retreat called, “Hope in a Time of Despair.” Alexia explores the immigrant and refugee experience through the lens of hope, likening it to the hope of a woman in labor. They have faith that on the o…
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Deepening Your Faith: Exploring 5 More Spiritual Disciplines
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28:54In our last episode, we talked about spiritual disciplines, and this week we are going to continue that conversion with 5 more disciplines for you to consider as you strive for growth in your faith! > Journaling > Fasting > Silence > Evangelism > Worship All of us in one way or another go through seasons in our lives when we're not necessarily seei…
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The key to gaining momentum in your Spiritual Growth
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20:26If you had to pick one of the spiritual disciplines, Bible Intake and getting into God’s word would probably it, right? However, you and I both know that it's not the only spiritual discipline we should work on. Today, we're going Beyond Bible Study , but we're not leaving it behind! We've chosen 5 spiritual disciplines to discuss on today’s podcas…
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Clinging to Grace: Sojo members explore lessons from Galatians
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22:26Today we are still in the Book of Galatians, which is a really meaty Book. There's just SO much to uncover starting at the very first chapter! And today we are discussing what our members have been learning so far. We absolutely love our coffee chats because just hearing from our members is super encouraging. God's word is rich, satisfying and impa…
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