The Signpost Inn Podcast

2021 Christmas Special, on the incarnation and vulnerability of God

Merry Christmas! In this special episode Brandon and Liv Booth join Matt Boland to meditate on the meaning of the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. We discuss a bit of philosophy, a bit of mystery, and a lot of love. We pray that this Christmas you experience the mystery and joy of being loved by God, who would go to any lengths just to be with you! 
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Questions? Send us an email at podcast@signpostinn.org. We try to answer every email. 
This episode's intro and outro music is Hark! The Herald Angels Singarranged by Dee Yan-Key, and is used under the creative commons attribution license. More from him can be found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dee_Yan-Key 

The practice of contemplative prayer.

In this episode Matt and Brandon define and discuss the practice of Centering or Contemplative Prayer. They tackle some of the questions and concerns people have about this form of prayer, showing how it is firmly rooted in scripture, and how helps us really rest in God's love.  
Here's a link to the book Brandon quoted: Centering Prayer by Basil Pennington
To book Brandon to teach an online Workshop on this form of prayer send an email to info@signpostinn.org.
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We would love to hear your questions and comments. Email us at: podcast@signpostinn.org. We try hard to respond to every email!

Host homes and Sabbatical residencies

In this episode Brandon and Liv talk about one of the core ministries of Signpost Inn, Host Homes for people who need a sabbatical season. We talk about how to become a host home, and how we can help you take a sabbatical time to reconnect with God and find direction. 
Brandon and Liv also talk about how they met and reveal “The Secret” to college success (well, the secret to Brandon’s success anyway ;) 
If you are interested in becoming a host home, or taking a time away, email liv@signpostinn.org.
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Don't forget next Tuesday is Giving Tuesday! Our show, and our entire ministry, is donor supported. Please donate at www.signpostinn.org/donate.  
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We would love to hear your questions and comments. Email us at: podcast@signpostinn.org. We try hard to respond to every email!

Hospitality as Incarnate Grace

On this episode  Brandon and his wife, Liv (pronounced "leave"), talk about a central theme of Signpost Inn's ministry: hospitality. Liv explains how true hospitality is a way of embodying and giving grace to others, as Christ did for us. 
As a bonus, you'll also learn the difference between "painting" and "pointing" communication styles... Can you guess which one is Brandon and which one is Liv?
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Don't forget Tuesday, November 30th, is Giving Tuesday! Our show, and our entire ministry, is donor supported. Please donate at www.signpostinn.org/donate.  
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We would love to hear your questions and comments. Email us at: podcast@signpostinn.org. We try hard to respond to every email!

Praying to a Good Father

In the last episode we talked about it can be healthy to deconstruct our bad images of God. This time around we explore just how different, and how good, our prayers can be when we experience God as he really is--a Good Father. In the course of the conversation we touch on the topic of spiritual disciplines as well, and seek to avoid some of the damaging misconceptions we sometimes have about them. 
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Did you know that Tuesday, November 30th, is Giving Tuesday? We would greatly appreciate your support as our show, and our entire ministry, is donor supported. Please donate at www.signpostinn.org/donate.  
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We would love to hear your questions and comments. Email us at: podcast@signpostinn.org. We try hard to respond to every email!

Deconstructing Our Bad Images of God.

In this episode Matt and Brandon tackle the popular issue of Christians deconstructing their faith and turning away from Christianity. You might be surprised to find that we don't think deconstruction is a bad thing--especially if we are constructing our bad images of God's character. In fact, we all need to "deconstruct" our faith at some point in our lives. 
We also give a little advice to those who have friends or family in this scary and important process. How do you help people experience the true, loving God?
Also, you'll find out that Brandon once invited Jesus to smoke a cigar with him ;)
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Here's a link to the book Brandon referenced in the show:
After Doubt: How to Question Your Faith without Losing It by AJ Swoboda
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We would love to hear your questions and comments. Email us at: podcast@signpostinn.org. We try hard to respond to every email!

The False Self - Part 2

In this episode Matt and Brandon keep talking about the concept of the False Self. We talk about how the gospel frees us from the lie we believe that we have to secure ourselves, and how prayer--specifically contemplative prayer--is one way to rest in the truth of the gospel. 
We get into all kinds of topics, justification and sanctification, love of God, the way we misunderstand gratefulness, etc.
You'll also find out that Brandon doesn't like Ferraris. 
Grab a seat and a drink, and join us on the back porch for a fun conversation!
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Here's a link the Prayer of Abandonment that Brandon read at the end of the show. 
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We would love to hear your questions and comments. Email us at: podcast@signpostinn.org. We try hard to respond to every email!

The False Self - Part 1

In this episode Matt and Brandon unpack the concept of "The False Self" that Brandon discusses in his book Changing the Conversation. 
You'll hear a lot of vulnerable stuff about both Matt and Brandon's past and how they both encountered the loving God who gives us our true identities. 
Links to the books we talked about in this episode:
Changing the Conversation - How to Dance Instead of Fight in Everyday Conversation by Brandon Booth
The Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen
Also, if you're looking for a good read, visit our recommend books page at www.signpostinn.org/resources/books-we-recommend.
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We would love to hear your questions and comments. Email us at: podcast@signpostinn.org. We try hard to respond to every email!

Prayer as a Personal Response to God‘s Presence

In this episode we try to get heads and hearts around the concept of prayer. What is it? Why do we have such a hard time with it? 
If you're interested in the article Brandon read that changed his view on prayer for the better it's here: A Personal Response To God's Presence, by Armand M. Nigro, S.J.

Introducing Signpost Inn

Welcome to the Signpost Inn Podcast. In this episode we introduce you to our ministry, how we came to be and what we do. Wonder what Spiritual direction is? What we do on our prayer retreats? How we offer hospitality to those in need of a sabbatical? We talk about all that. 
Check us out at signpostinn.org.