Welcome!
Following Jesus is a journey—one that stretches us, changes how we see the world, and fills life with meaning. We’ve put together some simple, helpful resources to support you as you grow in trust and invest in kingdom living.
The online study sessions are designed to help you grow deeper in your faith—whether you’re learning on your own or with a friend. I like to call this the ‘Buddy Study’ format. It platforms topics that you can dive into and expand at will. Each video will guide you to explore, reflect, and respond. Bring your Bible and a notebook. Pause when you need to. Pray. Write. Take it at your own pace.
You’ll also find optional downloadable PDFs below to go further. And as this page grows, we’ll be adding little “pop-up” thought stories—short reflections to spark fresh insight along the way.
If you have any questions, ideas, or run into any problems, don’t hesitate to reach out! You can contact me at saltshakerblog@gmail.com
Web tips: To pause, hit the space bar if on a computer. Phone or tablet – tap the video to access the pause button. To enlarge material under the videos double click. To view the video chapters click the ‘Watch on Youtube” button. Also, pdf’s usually must be downloaded on phones or pads to be viewable.
The Listening Life Series
Session 1
Created for Intimate Friendship
The Listening Life
Understanding God we understand ourselves, since we are His creation. When we see His intention for us as free agents in His world and realize we are invited to collaborate, we grasp the importance of a conversational relationship.
Session 2
Balancing Initiative & Guidance
The Listening Life
God’s desire to connect with us is unmistakable.
From the very beginning, He has pursued relationship with humanity—and He hasn’t stopped. His intentions are clear. It’s our motives that often need reflection. Obstacles—both internal and external—can cloud our ability to hear Him. From insecurity to spiritual warfare, the challenges are real. That’s why we must learn to recognize the many ways He speaks and take responsibility for our part in the relationship. Cultivating a listening heart isn’t just necessary—it’s a joy.
Session 3
The Still Small Voice & Its Rivals
The Listening Life
God is still speaking—it wasn’t just to Biblical characters. He often speaks through people, circumstances, dreams, and other means, but the Bible remains the most reliable connection to His heart. As we learn to let Him speak, we begin to recognize the tone, spirit, and content of what we believe to be His voice. It’s something we learn through experience. And as we grow in listening, we become better equipped to bring His goodness into our corner of the world.
Session 4
Watching & Hearing in Prayer
The Listening Life
Our calling requires conversation—an ongoing, friendly one—because our connection to the Eternal is rooted in love and community. It’s vital in our prayer life to recognize how God is responding, and to humbly discern what may feel like silence. The Lord’s Prayer gives us a pattern for our posture and priorities, but as the saying goes, “prayer is work, and work is prayer.” To stay encouraged, we need a realistic understanding of prayer. Humility is essential—both in how we approach God and how we wait on Him.
Andrew Murray prayer
Hearing in Praying
Are you Listening?
Walking together – Alexander Maclaren
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