Episodes

In this episode, James welcomes Chris Morris author of Resilient and Redeemed: Lessons about Suicidality and Depression from the Psych Ward. James and Chris have a candid conversation about mental illness and discuss ways the church might come alongside those struggling with mental illness. They also talk about the importance of developing intimate relationships within the body of Christ. To connect with James visit https://usefultogod.com/contact-us . You can purchase Chris's books at the follo...

In this episode, James discusses Jesus's baptism and subsequent temptation in the gospel of Matthew. He considers each of the temptation's Jesus faces and the lessons that Christians can learn from Matthew 4. For more from James visit usefultogod.com . Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .

In this bonus episode, James considers the recent legislation passed in the state of Louisiana. He suggests that Christians recognize the challenges of American civil religion without creating an "us versus them" mentality. For more from James visit usefultogod.com or purchase Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness from amazon.com . See the text of the Louisiana lawe here . Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportuni...

In this episode, James speaks with David Richardson of The Assumptions Institute. James and David talk about critical thinking, the necessity of questioning assumptions, and the importance of pointing other toward reality. They also discuss the shortcomings of Christian worldview. To connect with James, visit https://usefultogod.com/contact-us . You can find more information on the Assumptions Institute at learntodiscern.com/thinkingchristian . Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com a...

In this week's devotional, James considers Matthew 6 and its potential to help Christians think through the various practices in which they are engaged. James encourages us not just to ask whether or not we should engage in a particular practice, but how we should engage in it. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .

In this episode of Thinking Christian, James interacts with an essay published on June 17, 2024, in which the surgeon general calls for warning labels on social media. James discusses the importance of this call and the need for us to pause and think about the ways technology may be hindering us from conforming more closely to the image of Christ. You can view the Surgeon General's essay here . To read his previous advisory, click here . James also has an opinion piece dealing with the advisory ...

In this episode, James and Nate welcome Jason Gray. Jason is a Christian recording artist and deep thinker. James, Nate, and Jason discuss the creative process, Jason's musical influences, and the way that Jason goes about writing songs. They also discuss Jason's forthcoming book and some of his other musical offerings. To connect with James, visit https://usefultogod.com/contact-us . You can find out more about Jason Gray at https://www.jasongraymusic.com/ . Discover more Christian podcasts at ...

In this first weekly devotional, James discusses distractions and the way they hinder us from listening to the teachings of Jesus. Considering Luke 10:38-42, James encourages listeners to recognize that Jesus is infinitely more relevant than any other actor or factor we will ever encounter. To connect with James and find additional content, like the 30-Day Gospels readign plan or the walk through the gospels course, visit, usefultogod.com . Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and i...

In this first weekly devotional, James discusses distractions and the way they hinder us from listening to the teachings of Jesus. Considering Luke 10:38-42, James encourages listeners to recognize that Jesus is infinitely more relevant than any other actor or factor we will ever encounter. To connect with James and to find additional content, like the 30-Days in the Gospels Reading Plan or the Walk Through the Gospels course, visit, usefultogod.com . Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudi...

In this episode, James welcomes Joshua Jipp. Joshua is Professor of New Testament and Director of the Henry Center for Theological Understanding. He is also the author of Pauline Theology as a Way of Life: A Vision of Human Flourishing in Christ . Joshua and James discuss various vision of human flourishing and the necessity of Christ for human flourishing. They also discuss what sort of practices are necessary to conforming more closely to the image of Christ. To connect with James, visit https...

Beginning June 17th, James will be releasing weekly devotionals every Monday as part of the Thinking Christian line-up. Subscribe to Thinking Christian on your favorite podcasting platform or visit www.thinkingchristianpodcast.com . You can find out more about James and Useful to God at www.usefultogod.com . Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .

In this episode, James hosts author and slow-living activist Jodi Grubbs to discuss her book titled Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exale. Jodi and James discuss the various ways our world pushes us to move more quickly and take on more than our capacities will allow. They also talk about the church and how community, presence, and intentionality are crucial to develop a cadence of life that allows us to know God, others, and ourselves. To connect with James and Useful to God Ministries, vis...

In this episode, James sits down with journalist, author, and podcaster Katelyn Beaty to discuss her series of essays on her substack "The Beaty Beat" about the "Evangelical Bro Code." They consider the various components of the bro code, possible solutions to the bro code, and the ways the bro code negatively impact both women and men. For more from Katelyn subscribe to The Beaty Beat at https://katelynbeaty.substack.com/ . You can also listed to more conversations from Katelyn on her podcast S...

In this episode, James sits down with his friend John Koessler to talk about prayer. In addition to being a retired faculty emiritus from the Moody Bible Institute, John is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work has been featured in Christianity Today and Our Daily Bread. James and John discuss John's recent work When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray. They consider a variety of topics including prayer and anger, the need for transparency and authenticity in prayer, and th...

In this episode, James is joined by co-host Nate Giarratano and special guest Erin Alexandrino. Erin works with Chrisitan and non-Chrisitan men as part of his High Value Man coaching program. Erin, James, and Nate discuss the role of faith in the formation of men, the approach Erin takes to evangelism, and the importance of fitness in men's lives. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .

In this episode, James speaks with Grace Ji-Sun Kim, professor of theology at Earlham School of Religion, host of the Madang podcast, and author of When God Became White. James and Grace discuss her book, the challenge of navigating difference in the world and the church, and various Korean concepts that may inform our understanding of God and the Chrsitian life. We are giving away five free copies of When God Became White. Visit usefultogod.com/bookgiveaway , to register to win. You can also vi...

In this episode, James and co-host Nate Giarratano sit down with Vic Murphy. Vic shares his story of getting invovled in skateboarding and BMX as a young man in Alaska, being evangelized by his grandmother, and ultimately coming to faith in California. James, Nate, and Vic discuss the work God is doing around the world through Vic's ministry and the necessity of doing and preaching the basics of the faith in today's world. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about adver...

In this episode, James sits down with president of GotQuestions.org Shea Houdman. Shea and James talk about the genesis of gotquestions.org, how Shea and his team deal with the difficulties of answering questions online, and where the ministry may go next. For more on Shea and his ministry visit gotquestions.org . Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .

In this episode, Jeff King, president of International Chrsitian Concern and author of Islam Uncensored, joins James to discuss Isalm. James and Jeff consider the various interviews Jeff includes in his book, as well as the underlying assumptions and tactics of radical Islam. For more on Jeff King and International Christian Concern, visit persecution.org. To purchase Islam Uncensored: 14 Leaders: Liberals, Conservatives, Muslims, Jews, Atheists, Christians, & A Former CIA Director Reveal: What ...

In this episode, James sits down with Stephen Covert, a natural bodybuilder and owner of Iron Thearpy Club, an explicitly Christian clothing brand and community. Stephen and James talk about fitness, the challenges of fitness on social media, and the way that the disciplines of exercise inform our spiritual disciplines. For more on The Iron Theapy Club visit https://theirontherapyclub.com/ or on Instagram at @irontherapyclub You can also find Stephen on Instagram @stephen.covert where he shares ...

In this episode, James discusses evil and suffering with Ingrid Faro, PhD. Ingrid is professor of Old Testament at Northern Seminary in Lisle, IL, and author of Demystifying Evil: A Biblical and Personal Exploration. They discuss the nature of evil, its connection to human perception, and a variety of other topics. To purchase Demystifying Evil: A Biblical and Personal Exploration visit https://ivpress.com/ . Use the promotional code IVPPOD20 to recieve 20% off your purchase. Discover more Chris...

In this episode, James discusses personhood with Paul Louis Metzger author of More Than Things: A Personalist Ethics for a Throwaway Culture. James and Paul dive into the idea of personalism, how it intersects with technology and other aspects of life, and how Christians might go about making decisions. For a free study guide based on More Than Things, visit https://www.ivpress.com/more-than-things . You can also puchase More Than Things at www.ivpress.com . Use IVPPOD20 to get 20% off your purc...

In this episode, James sits down with co-host Maggie Hubbard and special guest David Eaton. David is Co-founder and CEP of Axis, an organization that provides resources to parents seeking to navigate cultural issues, technology, and a variety of other concerns. James, Maggie, and David discuss smart phones, social media, and the significant influence of parents in the lives of children. For more about Axis visit www.axis.org . You can find David's book titled Smart Phone Sanity at amazon.com . D...

In this episode, James is joined by co-host Maggie Hubbard and special guest Krista Boan. She is a former middle school teacher and co-founder of Screen Sanity . James, Maggie, and Krista discuss the difficulties of navigating technology today, particualrly in relation to kids and families. For more on Krista, visit kristaboan.com . Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .