Awesome Books About God and Jesus with Uncle Colby

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 42 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. In chapter 42, Julian expounds on the 14th vision. This vision is all about prayer. In chapter 42, Julian explains that the entire object of prayer is union with the divine. She also promises that seemingly unanswered prayers require trust that God is doing something beautiful in our lives. The final segment of this episode continues to push the boundaries of what prayer is and explores how prayer can be the space where we refill the rocket fuel of our souls and experience secure attachment with God.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 41 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. In chapter 41, Julian describes the 14th vision. This vision is all about prayer. Julian helps us understand how God views our prayers and invites to expand the horizon of what prayer can and should be in our lives.

Special guest Craig Merrill returns to chat with Uncle Colby about chapter 40 from Julian of Norwich's book Revelations of Divine Love. Craig and Colby explore a number of topics, including:A transactional v. a relational understanding of sinPeace and love as previews of salvationThe subtle, interior presence of the divineJesus as a loving mediator between offended parties

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 39 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. In chapter 39, Julian observes that sin is the sharpest of all whips, pulverizing the soul and making the sinner feel unlovable in their own sight. But just when we think our sins have consigned us to total abandonment and condemnation, God reaches out to us with a loving embrace. Uncle Colby explores, through personal anecdotes and Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment, how sin pulverizes our souls and how God reaches out with a tender embrace to heal us.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 38 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. In chapter 38, Julian sees that our sins will ultimately carry no shame. In fact, Julian observes that we will ultimately be rewarded in heaven for the pain that we have experienced as a result of our sin. As evidence, Julian is shown several individuals from the Old and New Testaments who have been marked throughout history for their mistakes. But Julian sees that rather than being defined by their sins, these people are honored in the heavens. Uncle Colby explores how and why our sins might actually lead to honor and blessing rather than shame and punishment.

Special Guest Jeffrey Benson joins Uncle Colby to read and discuss chapter 37 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. In Chapter 37, Julian sees that even though we are not done sinning, God both holds us securely and waits patiently for us. Jeffrey and Uncle Colby explore what sin really is and how God views it. Jeffrey also brings in powerful insights from Eastern religious views to help unlock some of Julian's perspectives on God and the Gospel.

Marci Orchard joins uncle Colby for an intimate conversation about her son, Bryson. Bryson was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 17 in January of 2020. He fought a courageous battle before passing away in November of that same year. Marci offers listeners the beautiful gift of authenticity and intimacy as she recounts the story of Bryson's diagnosis and how his love, grace, and courage inspired and transformed the people around him. Her experience and perspective as a mother who lost her son to cancer offers hopeful insights and touching observations about the Gospel and God's love for for all of us.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 36 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. In chapter 36, Julian explains that to know God is to love God and to love God is to experience joy. She also sees that God does not want us to fear knowing the things He has revealed. She also sees God reaching out, gently touching and calling to all who sin, inviting them to collapse into the salvation and joy of God. Uncle Colby explores all these ideas and more with special emphasis on the possibility that Christ's grace can make space in our souls to hold both sadness and joy at the same time.

Special Guest Kelly Russell returns to read and discuss chapter 35 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love with Uncle Colby. In Chapter 34, Julian sees that the fulness of joy is to be able to see God in all things. Colby and Kelly explore what this means, especially as it relates to another part of the vision, in which Julian sees that all that is good emanates from God, while all this is not good is suffered by God.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 34 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. In chapter 34, Julian sees that Jesus is Holy Church. Jesus is the beginning and the end of Church. Uncle Colby explores what it means that Jesus is the Church and various ways that Christianity has confused the true meaning of Church. He also discusses why there has been an exodus from Christianity in the past two decades and how that might be changed.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 33 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. In chapter 33, Julian asks to see hell and purgatory. This leads Uncle Colby to discuss the importance of where we choose to look. Julian's fears of possibly drifting from her faith are quelled, which gives Uncle Colby a moment to revisit the topic from the previous episode about how to handle potential conflicts between our own lived experiences and the teachings of our churches. Lastly, Julian reminds us that God is not yet finished working in our lives. Uncle Colby shares a personal story emphasizing the fact that God is not done loving and saving us.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 32 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. In chapter 32, God shows Julian that nothing in all of creation is insignificant. He also reveals that sometimes our reason can get in the way of delightfully gazing upon God. Julian also wrestles with what seems to be a contradiction between the teachings of the church and what she saw in these 16 revelations about God. Uncle Colby uses this as a springboard to discuss how we can think about moments where our respective churches' teachings or policies may make us unsettled or uncomfortable.

Uncle Colby sits down for a chat with his good friend Ramon Roberts who has recently been given a life altering medical diagnosis. Ramon gets raw about his initial reaction to the diagnosis, times in his past when he has felt forsaken, and how he has discovered a God of overwhelming love and goodness in the depths of uncertainty and anguish. This is an episode you do not want to skip.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 31 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. In chapter 31, God reassures Julian that all will, in fact, be well and shows her that we must respond to Christ's unquenchable longing to love us with our own reciprocal longing to be with him.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 30 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. In chapter 30, God shows Julian that some knowledge and teachings are hidden from our understanding for the present. Uncle Colby discusses the idea that God has compassion on those who immerse themselves in the pursuit of hidden truths, but we are invited to let go of the need to discover all the mysteries. He suggests that one of the keys to serenity is learning to find peace in the midst of unanswered questions.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 29 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. In chapter 29, Julian asks God how it is possible that He will make well all that is not well, considering how much wounding human sin has caused. God offers Julian sweet assurance that He is able to make all things well using language and ideas that Julian can easily understand.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 28 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. In chapter 28, Julian sees that all our suffering and tribulation will one day be turned into joy and that we never suffer alone.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses with special guest Kelly Russell chapter 27 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 27 contains the 13th vision. In chapter 27, Julian sees that sin has no substance and that, through Jesus, all that is not well will eventually be made well.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 26 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 26 contains the 12th vision. In chapter 26, Julian sees that no soul can find true rest until it comes unto Jesus. Uncle Colby explores the promise of peace, rest, light, and love from entering into a relationship with Christ.

Craig Merrill (link) joins Uncle Colby in studio to discuss the first 25 chapters of Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. They cover a wide range of topics including the metaphysics of revelation, how divine wisdom can sometimes be lost in the transmission and translation process, the value of spiritual sign posts, and the importance of transcending the mere study of the divine and moving into the realm of experiencing the divine.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 25 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 25 contains the 11th vision. In chapter 25, Julian sees a vision of Mary the mother of Jesus for the third time. Uncle Colby spends the episode exploring Jesus' love for His mother and sharing little known historical details from the life of Mary.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 24 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 24 details the 10th of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 24, Jesus invites Julian to enter the inner depths of His soul by traveling through the wound in His side. Once inside, Julian sees that His soul is delicious and spacious, providing peace and rest for all of us. Uncle Colby explores the symbolism behind this beautiful imagery and how Jesus can transform our wounds into something beautiful.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 23 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 23 continues to describe the 9th of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 23, Julian explains that God wishes for all of us to mightily comforted and strengthened. Uncle Colby observes that so many people today are riddled with the notion that they have offended or disappointed God, but the truth is God wants us to feel comfort and to be strengthened.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 22 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 22 describes the 9th of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 22, Julian explains that Jesus would die a thousand deaths out of love for us. Uncle Colby explores how Dr. Strange is an archetype for this kind of gratuitous love.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 21 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 21 continues to describe the 8th of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 21, Julian explains that we are all on the cross co-suffering with Jesus. Uncle Colby discusses what this means for our interactions with our sisters and brothers.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 20 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 20 continues to describe the 8th of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 20, Julian explains that Jesus willingly absorbed all our pain, suffering and sorry, and that He will one day transform all our pain into eternal joy.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 19 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 19 continues to describe the 8th of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 19, Julian describes how she chose to keep her gaze upon the Cross and thereby chose Jesus as her heaven. Uncle Colby discusses what it might mean to choose Jesus as our heaven.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 18 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 18 continues to describe the 8th of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 18, Julian describes how all of creation suffered with Christ during His passion. This tees up a discussion about the call of the Christian to enter into suffering with Christ and with all fellow believers as Christ renews and redeems all of creation.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 17 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 17 continues to describe the 8th of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 17, Julian offers more details about the suffering she witnessed during the Lord's Passion. Uncle Colby spends most of the episode dissecting the statement that hell is the pain of despair. Note to listeners: this episode discusses the topic of suicide.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 16 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 16 describes the 8th of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 16, Julian offers more details about the suffering she witnessed during the Lord's Passion. From this springboard, Uncle Colby explores the idea of the All Vulnerable God.

Special guest Kelly Russell sits down with Uncle Colby to discuss Revelations of Divine Love and to offer her insights on chapter 15. Kelly and Colby talk about the paradox of parallel feelings of pain and peace and what it means to be held securely by God in grace and in grief.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 14 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 14 describes the 6th of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 14, Julian explains that God offers His eternal gratitude to anyone who spends even a single day in His service. Uncle Colby explores the beautiful truth that God isn't interested in shaming us for the service we don't render; rather, God intends to eternally thank us for the service we do render.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 13 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 13 describes the 5th of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 13, Julian explains that there is no anger in God. Uncle Colby does a deep dive on this profound assertion.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 12 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 12 describes the 4th of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 12, Julian describes the profuse bleeding from the back of Christ during the Passion and explains that Christ's blood washes us from sin and breaks down the doors of Hell to secure our escape.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 11 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 11 describes the 3rd of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 11, Julian explains that God is the doer of all that is done. Uncle Colby drills down deeply to discuss what this means and why we can trust God no matter what is happening to or around us.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 10 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 10 describes the 2nd of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 10, Julian explains God is intent on restoring all of us to the likeness of Jesus. She also celebrates the importance of searching for God, even if we don't always find Him.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 9 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 9 continues to expound on the first of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 9, Julian explains that the human soul contains all of creation. She talks about the importance of being united in love with our fellow believers. And she illuminates the omni-channel approach that God takes when trying to communicate with our souls.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 8 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 8 continues to expound on the first of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 8, Julian describes six elements of understanding she took form the first of her 16 visions. Among the treasures in this episode is the truth that everything looks tiny when compared to God. Julian also sees that God created you for love. She also reveals to us that God is a patient and gracious teacher. Uncle Colby explores all this and more.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 7 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 7 continues to expound on the first of Julian's 16 visions. In chapter 7, Julian begins to describe the suffering she saw Jesus endure, which leads to a discussion of how much more painful it is to witness the suffering of our loved ones than it is to suffer ourselves. Uncle Colby also explores the incomprehensible friendship and kindness of God and even asks the question, "Does Jesus give bro hugs?"

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 6 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 6 continues to expound on the first of Julian's 16 visions. Uncle Colby explores some of the beautiful, mind-blowing ideas she presents. He discusses Julian's observation that God has NO spite towards any of his creations. He also explores the topic of prayer. Rather than being a time to petition God, Uncle Colby highlights the invitation from Julian of Norwich to transform prayer into a time to simply commune with God. He also continues to explore the depths of God's love by highlighting Julian's assertion that there is no creature that can fully comprehend God's love for it.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 5 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 5 continues to expound on the first of Julian's 16 visions. Uncle Colby explores some of the beautiful, mind-blowing ideas she presents. He discusses the idea that God's love embraces and protects us as if it is the skin of our souls. He talks about the fact that God's love is the source of all existence. He also touches on the fact that only God's love can bring us true rest. This is a powerful chapter with a host of incredible insights about God's goodness.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapters 3 and 4 from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. Chapter 3 outlines the physical illness that took Julian to the brink of death and the miraculous beginnings of her 16 visions as a priest held the Crucifix in front of her. Chapter 4 recounts the initial parts of the first of her 16 visions, including God as the eternal source of love and joy in our lives. Uncle Colby riffs off these chapters and discusses the idea that we become what we gaze upon, true love is a willingness to share the sadness and sorrow of those we love, and the beautiful symbolism of Mary experiencing God from the inside out.

Uncle Colby reads and comments on chapter 2 from Revelations of Divine Love. In this chapter, Julian of Norwich explains that she carried three wishes in her heart preceding the visions that God showed her. Among those three wishes was an intense desire to see the Passion of Christ and to know more intimately the pains He experienced. In his commentary, Uncle Colby explores the importance of our personal relationship with the heavens, especially when institutional religion might lose its way in small or large ways. He also discusses the idea of offering Jesus fellowship in His suffering.

Uncle Colby reads and discusses chapter 1 from Revelations of Divine Love. In this short chapter, Julian of Norwich provides an overview of the 16 visions God showed her that are described and explained in the remainder of the book. Among the many tantalizing nuggets in chapter 1, we find this: "...we are all, every single one of us, kept perfectly secure in love during both the good times and the bad through the Goodness of God."

Uncle Colby explains the basic framework and reasons for the podcast. In season 1 of the podcast, Uncle Colby will guide listeners through a study of the book Revelations of Divine Love written by Julian of Norwich. He explains in this first episode how Julian can help people find greater peace and develop a healthier understanding of and relationship with God. He shares a bit about his own spiritual journey and also shares observations from his experience as a father, college professor, and bishop of his local congregation. He explores the reality of how hard it is to have peace in today's world. He also explores the trend of Christians losing their proverbial religion and how much of the frustration, angst, and anger that Christians feel emanate from misunderstandings about who God is.