The Oasis: Recent Episodes
Meredith Riedel
Less Like Me, by Zach Williams
Icon of the Transfiguration, by Theophanes the Greek (15th century)
What's Wrong With The World, by G.K. Chesterton (1910)
My new favorite song: You've Always Been, by Unspoken
Theme music and podcast cover art by Christian Da Ponte
What is spiritual stability? How is it defined? Spiritual stability that comes from biblical contentment is: sweet, inward, quiet, can only be achieved by God's grace, is freely chosen, is submitted to God, and takes pleasure in God’s wisdom and will in every situation.
Psalm 42: 1-5
As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
under the protection of the Mighty One[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
among the festive throng.
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
Theme music and podcast cover art by Christian Da Ponte
Is it possible to live a life marked by joy and deep satisfaction in our souls, even when we face troubles that are beyond our control? Many of us are craving some certainty or comfort in the face of a prolonged pandemic and an unpredictable future. A deep dive into Philippians 4:11 can show us how to find stability by connecting to God, our anchor. This is the first of ten episodes that make a deep dive into Philippians 4:11 – “I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content.”
12-min video: Dr Kavin Rowe on Stoicism and happiness
Episodes:
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Introduction: Stability is not stoicism
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Defining stability: what does it look like?
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Anchoring the heart: how do you get it? 7 biblical strategies
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Developing stability: where do you get it? lessons from the life of Christ
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Rekindling joy: why is it necessary?
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Destabilizers: murmuring, or: Why complaining is bad for you
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Destabilizers: fretting
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Eliminating excuses
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The power of God’s grace
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Building strength: hope for the future
Theme music and podcast cover art by Christian Da Ponte