The story of Jonah being swallowed by a huge fish can seem unbelievable to many people, and it’s often used to criticize the Christian faith. How can a man survive for three days and nights inside the belly of a fish? And what’s up with the Ninevites repenting so quickly and so thoroughly? After the fish story, this seems like another logical barrier to taking Jonah seriously. But when we enter the polytheistic world of the Ninevites, it makes a little more sense. And after that, when we remember what Jesus said of their repentance, it not only makes more sense, but it’s also a gut-check moment for Christians.

Jonah stands out among the prophets due to his questionable decisions despite being a prophet. In this message, Jeff and Carissa will explore Jonah’s world to gain a better understanding of him. Then, we will use his story as a mirror to reflect on our own tendencies to make similar mistakes, going against the teachings of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. We will also explore what the first chapter of Jonah reveals about God’s character and His sovereignty to accomplish His will in our lives.

In this episode, Jeff and Carissa discuss the ancient contemplative tradition of our faith and the three stages of our spiritual journey. Although these stages are not necessarily linear, the first stage often lasts for the first several years of our walk with God, and for some people, it can last their entire lives. The second stage is where we truly understand what contemplation means. It’s a prayerful state of rest and passivity on our part when God bypasses our thoughts and emotions and speaks to us in deeper places than either of them can go. The final stage is a perfect union with God. To reach perfection on this side of the grave, one must be able to share Christ’s pain and glory and endure a dark night of the soul and spirit.

Navigating difficult conversations is essential for maintaining healthy relationships. If we can lean into the discomfort, there are benefits on the other side. This episode explores the barriers to engaging in hard conversations and provides tools for navigating them effectively.

According to God’s plan, we are meant to have meaningful relationships with people that help us grow. These connections should be mutual and loving, and everyone should have the freedom to be themselves. However, things can go wrong when we become entangled with someone who mixes love with harm or when our affection for them overshadows our love for Jesus. In this Reset Retreat teaching and testimony, learn the differences between healthy and unhealthy soul ties, and how to get free from unholy bonds.