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.

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 <a href="https://usefultogod.com/contact-us">https://usefultogod.com/contact-us</a>.
Purchase Christ-Shaped Character at <a href="https://www.ivpress.com/christ-shaped-character">ivpress.com</a> (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). You can also get Helen's book titled Journaling as a Spiritual Practice <a href="https://www.ivpress.com/journaling-as-a-spiritual-practice">here</a>.

Christians shouldn’t just think. They should think Christian. Join Dr. James Spencer and guests for calm, thoughtful, theological discussions about a variety of topics Christians face every day. The Thinking Christian Podcast will help you grow spiritually and learn theology as you seek to be faithful in a world that is becoming increasingly proficient at telling stories that deny Christ.

Find more from James at https://usefultogod.com/.

Christians shouldn’t just think. They should think Christian. Join Dr. James Spencer and guests for calm, thoughtful, theological discussions about a variety of topics Christians face every day. The Thinking Christian Podcast will help you grow spiritually and learn theology as you seek to be faithful in a world that is becoming increasingly proficient at telling stories that deny Christ.
Find more from James at <a href="https://usefultogod.com/">https://usefultogod.com/</a>.

Christians shouldn’t just think. They should think Christian. Join Dr. James Spencer and guests for calm, thoughtful, theological discussions about a variety of topics Christians face every day. The Thinking Christian Podcast will help you grow spiritually and learn theology as you seek to be faithful in a world that is becoming increasingly proficient at telling stories that deny Christ.

Thinking Christian: Clear Theology for a Confusing World

Christians shouldn’t just think. They should think Christian. Join Dr. James Spencer and guests for calm, thoughtful, theological discussions about a variety of topics Christians face every day. The Thinking Christian Podcast will help you grow spiritually and learn theology as you seek to be faithful in a world that is becoming increasingly proficient at telling stories that deny Christ.
Find more from James at <a href="https://usefultogod.com/">https://usefultogod.com/.</a>

How Can We Be Alert to God's Presence and Alive to God's Love? A Conversation with Helen Cepero

Before angels sing over Bethlehem in Luke 2, two other voices break into song—Mary and Zechariah. In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer continues the “Thinking Christian about Christmas” series by walking through Luke 1:39–79, where Mary visits Elizabeth, John the Baptist leaps in the womb, and two rich, Scripture-saturated songs frame what God is doing in the birth of Christ.

James explores how the Magnificat and Zechariah’s prophecy function as “nexus passages,” pulling together themes from across the Old Testament—God’s mercy to those who fear Him, His concern for the humble and marginalized, the reversal of the proud and powerful, and the fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham and Israel. He shows how John’s role as forerunner and Jesus’ role as saving light are already anticipated before Jesus is even born, and why Luke wants us to see Christmas as a moment of both fulfillment and ongoing expectation.

If you’ve ever rushed past Luke 1 to “get to the Christmas story,” this episode will slow you down, help you hear the songs before the manger, and deepen your grasp of what—and whom—we’re really celebrating at Christmas.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

🔗 Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God:www.usefultogod.com

To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

Before angels sing over Bethlehem in Luke 2, two other voices break into song&mdash;Mary and Zechariah. In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer continues the &ldquo;Thinking Christian about Christmas&rdquo; series by walking through Luke 1:39&ndash;79, where Mary visits Elizabeth, John the Baptist leaps in the womb, and two rich, Scripture-saturated songs frame what God is doing in the birth of Christ.
James explores how the Magnificat and Zechariah&rsquo;s prophecy function as &ldquo;nexus passages,&rdquo; pulling together themes from across the Old Testament&mdash;God&rsquo;s mercy to those who fear Him, His concern for the humble and marginalized, the reversal of the proud and powerful, and the fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham and Israel. He shows how John&rsquo;s role as forerunner and Jesus&rsquo; role as saving light are already anticipated before Jesus is even born, and why Luke wants us to see Christmas as a moment of both fulfillment and ongoing expectation.
If you&rsquo;ve ever rushed past Luke 1 to &ldquo;get to the Christmas story,&rdquo; this episode will slow you down, help you hear the songs before the manger, and deepen your grasp of what&mdash;and whom&mdash;we&rsquo;re really celebrating at Christmas.
Subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Useful_toGod">YouTube channel</a>
🔗 Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God: <a href="https://www.usefultogod.com">www.usefultogod.com</a>
To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on <a href="https://www.christianity.com/author/james-spencer/">Christianity.com</a>.
📢 Stay Connected &amp; Keep Growing!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

Songs Before the Manger: Mary, Zechariah, and the Deep Theology of Christmas

What kind of hope can actually sustain racial justice work over decades—not just months? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer is joined by anthropologist and author Dr. Christine Jeske to talk about her new book, Racial Justice for the Long Haul: How White Christian Advocates Persevere and Why.

Christine explains how anthropological research actually works—long interviews, deep listening, and time spent in “ordinary” spaces—and how she used it to study white Christians commended by leaders of color as faithful, long-term advocates. From there, the conversation dives into:


Delusional vs. resilient hope – why optimism that avoids suffering inevitably collapses, and how Christians can cultivate a cruciform hope forged in hardship.


Incremental change without complacency – how to celebrate small wins without pretending the deeper injustices are solved.


Privilege as undeserved gifts – not just a slogan, but a way of naming what we’ve received and how grace calls us to respond, not just feel guilty.


Habitus and formation – how our environments, narratives, and “moving walkways” of culture quietly shape us toward either withdrawal or engagement.


Perseverance in practice – from Sisyphus and his “muscles” to Beverly Daniel Tatum’s moving walkway, to concrete next steps for listeners who feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin.

If you’re a Christian who feels the weight of racial injustice but wrestles with burnout, defensiveness, or simply not knowing what to do next, this conversation offers a theologically rich, practical vision for persevering in hope—without denial, without despair, and with your eyes fixed on Christ.

You can purchase Racial Justice for the Long Haul at ivpress.com (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount) 

You can also read more from Christine Jeske at christinejeske.com.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

🔗 Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God:www.usefultogod.com

To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

What kind of hope can actually sustain racial justice work over decades&mdash;not just months? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer is joined by anthropologist and author Dr. Christine Jeske to talk about her new book, Racial Justice for the Long Haul: How White Christian Advocates Persevere and Why.
Christine explains how anthropological research actually works&mdash;long interviews, deep listening, and time spent in &ldquo;ordinary&rdquo; spaces&mdash;and how she used it to study white Christians commended by leaders of color as faithful, long-term advocates. From there, the conversation dives into:
<ul data-start="750" data-end="1554">
<li data-start="750" data-end="916">
Delusional vs. resilient hope &ndash; why optimism that avoids suffering inevitably collapses, and how Christians can cultivate a cruciform hope forged in hardship.
</li>
<li data-start="917" data-end="1046">
Incremental change without complacency &ndash; how to celebrate small wins without pretending the deeper injustices are solved.
</li>
<li data-start="1047" data-end="1202">
Privilege as undeserved gifts &ndash; not just a slogan, but a way of naming what we&rsquo;ve received and how grace calls us to respond, not just feel guilty.
</li>
<li data-start="1203" data-end="1358">
Habitus and formation &ndash; how our environments, narratives, and &ldquo;moving walkways&rdquo; of culture quietly shape us toward either withdrawal or engagement.
</li>
<li data-start="1359" data-end="1554">
Perseverance in practice &ndash; from Sisyphus and his &ldquo;muscles&rdquo; to Beverly Daniel Tatum&rsquo;s moving walkway, to concrete next steps for listeners who feel overwhelmed and don&rsquo;t know where to begin.
</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;re a Christian who feels the weight of racial injustice but wrestles with burnout, defensiveness, or simply not knowing what to do next, this conversation offers a theologically rich, practical vision for persevering in hope&mdash;without denial, without despair, and with your eyes fixed on Christ.
You can purchase Racial Justice for the Long Haul at<a href="https://www.ivpress.com/racial-justice-for-the-long-haul"> ivpress.com</a> (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount)&nbsp;
You can also read more from Christine Jeske at <a href="https://christinejeske.com">christinejeske.com</a>.
Subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Useful_toGod">YouTube channel</a>
🔗 Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God: <a href="https://www.usefultogod.com">www.usefultogod.com</a>
To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on <a href="https://www.christianity.com/author/james-spencer/">Christianity.com</a>.
📢 Stay Connected &amp; Keep Growing!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

Dr. Christine Jeske | Learning to Hope Differently: Racial Justice for the Long Haul

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/55e0a84b-17e3-42ed-8ff2-b3b00161b83c/transcript

As technology offers us endless ways to be “present” without actually being there, what does it mean for Christians to imitate the incarnation of Christ? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer explores the often-overlooked ethical and theological dimensions of the incarnation—not just that “the Word became flesh,” but how Jesus chose to be with us and for us.

Using The Matrix as a modern parable, James contrasts Christ’s self-giving descent with Cypher’s decision to abandon reality and his friends for the comfort of illusion—what James calls “dis-incarnation.” From there, he turns to Philippians 2 to show how Jesus refused to use equality with God for His own advantage, instead embodying a way of life marked by presence, sacrifice, and service.

James then examines how dominant ideas like liberalism and transhumanism can subtly train us to embody the world in self-determined, self-serving ways, even when they seem to promise freedom or enhancement. He argues that true Christian embodiment isn’t about maximizing personal options or overcoming our biology through technology, but about conforming our lives to the incarnate Christ—using our gifts, bodies, and opportunities not for our own advantage, but for the good of others. This episode will help you rethink Christmas, technology, and your everyday presence in light of the One who became flesh for us.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

🔗 Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God:www.usefultogod.com

To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

As technology offers us endless ways to be &ldquo;present&rdquo; without actually being there, what does it mean for Christians to imitate the incarnation of Christ? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer explores the often-overlooked ethical and theological dimensions of the incarnation&mdash;not just that &ldquo;the Word became flesh,&rdquo; but how Jesus chose to be with us and for us.
Using The Matrix as a modern parable, James contrasts Christ&rsquo;s self-giving descent with Cypher&rsquo;s decision to abandon reality and his friends for the comfort of illusion&mdash;what James calls &ldquo;dis-incarnation.&rdquo; From there, he turns to Philippians 2 to show how Jesus refused to use equality with God for His own advantage, instead embodying a way of life marked by presence, sacrifice, and service.
James then examines how dominant ideas like liberalism and transhumanism can subtly train us to embody the world in self-determined, self-serving ways, even when they seem to promise freedom or enhancement. He argues that true Christian embodiment isn&rsquo;t about maximizing personal options or overcoming our biology through technology, but about conforming our lives to the incarnate Christ&mdash;using our gifts, bodies, and opportunities not for our own advantage, but for the good of others. This episode will help you rethink Christmas, technology, and your everyday presence in light of the One who became flesh for us.
Subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Useful_toGod">YouTube channel</a>
🔗 Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God: <a href="https://www.usefultogod.com">www.usefultogod.com</a>
To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on <a href="https://www.christianity.com/author/james-spencer/">Christianity.com</a>.
📢 Stay Connected &amp; Keep Growing!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

How Can We Be Alert to God's Presence and Alive to God's Love? A Conversation with Helen Cepero

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