Words of Wisdom Josh Kalsbeek, LMFT

Show notes
In this episode of Words of Wisdom, Josh explores the themes of creativity, wisdom, and creating purposeful spaces in our lives. Josh begins with how creativity involves collecting and connecting ideas, emphasizing the importance of developing a system to gather ideas that ignite curiosity and the necessity of consistent creation to enhance independent thinking. The conversation then shifts to the analogy of knowledge being like a seed, underscoring the idea that knowledge must be applied to be truly valuable, similar to how a seed must grow to bear fruit. Additionally, Josh touches on the significance of organizing our living spaces to reflect meaning, beauty, or joy, inspired by notable quotes from Steve Jobs and Charles Spurgeon on creativity and wisdom. Josh concludes with reflective questions aimed at prompting listeners to consider the wisdom they are cultivating and to motivate them to act on their knowledge, thereby gifting their future selves with wisdom. This episode serves as a profound reminder of the power of creativity, the active use of knowledge, and the importance of intentional living spaces in our journey towards wisdom.
00:00 Introduction to Creativity and Wisdom
00:09 The Power of Creativity: Collecting and Connecting Ideas
00:39 The Essence of Knowledge: Growing Seeds into Trees
01:02 Creating Purposeful Spaces: A Home for Everything
01:10 Inspirational Quotes on Creativity and Wisdom
02:06 Reflective Questions for Personal Growth
02:35 Concluding Thoughts: Living Wisely
About Josh Kalsbeek, LMFT
• As a Psychoherapist Josh helps people overcome their greatest struggles.
•Founder and CEO of Great Oaks Collective, and it's flagship program Overcome, a 10-Week virtual Intensive Outpatient Program for Christian couples experiencing sexual betrayal and addiction. www.greatoakscollective.com. 
• Sign up to receive Josh's weekly email newsletter, Words of Wisdom. ​
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Links
​connecting ideas
develop a system​ 
Consistently create​ 
​think for yourself​
Take ​meaningful action​
Charles Spurgeon, in ​The Quotable Spurgeon​
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Show notes
Building Self-Control: The Path to Personal Resilience
In this episode, Josh dives into the importance of self-control using the analogy of a city wall, referencing Proverbs 25:28. He shares his personal journey of seeking God's help not just to eliminate desires but to develop self-control as a foundational character stone alongside faith, integrity, courage, love, and knowledge. Josh emphasizes that self-control is essential for withstanding life's challenges, drawing from observations of Proverbs 25:28. He discusses the defensive and protective nature of self-control, warning that a lack thereof can lead to destruction, either quickly or over years. The episode stresses the importance of preparation and growth in self-control, even during peaceful times, for overall flourishing and safety. It concludes with quotes from Oswald Chambers and Leon Trotsky on the nature of battle and self-control, followed by reflective questions to encourage personal growth and reliance on God's strength.
00:00 Introduction to Self Control and Spiritual Growth
01:01 Exploring Proverbs 25-28: Insights on Self Control
02:12 Inspirational Quotes on Will and Warfare
02:43 Reflective Questions for Personal Growth
03:17 Closing Thoughts: Embracing Resilience and Wisdom
About Josh Kalsbeek, LMFT
• As a Psychoherapist Josh helps people overcome their greatest struggles.
•Founder and CEO of Great Oaks Collective, and it's flagship program Overcome, a 10-Week virtual Intensive Outpatient Program for Christian couples experiencing sexual betrayal and addiction. www.greatoakscollective.com. 
• Sign up to receive Josh's weekly email newsletter, Words of Wisdom. ​
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Links
Oswald Chambers, ​My Utmost for His Highest​
Leon Trotsky, Quoted in Michael Walzer, ​Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations​
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Support the podcast

Show notes
Today in 'Words of Wisdom 131 On Desperation for God,' underscores the importance of acknowledging our helplessness without God, drawing on the poignant plea from Psalm 130 verse 1. It emphasizes that turning to God is not a mere lifestyle choice but a fundamental need, likening it to a rebel finally surrendering to the only king who can offer true freedom. Josh highlights the infinite gap only God can bridge, bringing us from desperation to soulful rest and empowerment. It cites quotes from Richard Rohr and Augustine of Hippo, reflecting on the transformative power of God's love and the deep yearning for His presence, before concluding with reflective questions aimed at encouraging listeners to examine their own reliance on God's strength. Ultimately, the Josh conveys that our desperate need for God is not a predicament but an invitation to a life filled with soul-satisfying love.
00:00 The Cry of Desperation: Seeking God in the Depths
00:41 Surrendering to God: Beyond Self-Help and Life Hacks
01:12 Bridging the Gap: The Almighty's Role in Our Lives
01:41 The Psalmist's Cry: A Turning Point Towards God's Mercy
02:10 Inspirational Quotes: The Power of God's Love to Transform
02:35 Augustine's Confession: A Heartfelt Longing for God
03:41 Reflective Questions: Examining Our Dependence on God
04:20 Concluding Thoughts: Embracing Our Need for God
About Josh Kalsbeek, LMFT
• As a Psychoherapist Josh helps people overcome their greatest struggles.
•Founder and CEO of Great Oaks Collective, and it's flagship program Overcome, a 10-Week virtual Intensive Outpatient Program for Christian couples experiencing sexual betrayal and addiction. www.greatoakscollective.com. 
• Sign up to receive Josh's weekly email newsletter, Words of Wisdom. ​
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Links
You are ​powerless​ and need God
Richard Rohr, ​Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life​
Augustine of Hippo, ​Confessions​
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Support the podcast

Show notes
This episode delves into the complex confusion of modern times, highlighting the contradictions in modern man's pursuit of rights without responsibilities, the loss of fundamental understanding of morality, and the misconceptions about relationships and truth. Through a compelling metaphor of a pilot navigating a jet fighter, it illustrates the disorientation and challenges faced by individuals and society in discerning moral truths amidst high-speed changes and secular influences. Josh quotes from Dallas Willard and Canon B. F. Westcott, stressing the impact of ideas and the diluted power of the gospel in contemporary life. It concludes with thought-provoking questions aimed at self-reflection on the creation of goodness, the balance between truth and harmony in relationships, and the importance of a wise, curious, and responsible approach to life's complexities.
00:00 Introduction: Navigating Modern Confusion
00:06 Exploring Modern Man's Confusion
01:06 Insights Through Quotes
03:12 Reflective Questions for Personal Growth
03:46 Concluding Thoughts: Wisdom for the Journey
About Josh Kalsbeek, LMFT
• As a Psychoherapist Josh helps people overcome their greatest struggles.
•Founder and CEO of Great Oaks Collective, and it's flagship program Overcome, a 10-Week virtual Intensive Outpatient Program for Christian couples experiencing sexual betrayal and addiction. www.greatoakscollective.com. 
• Sign up to receive Josh's weekly email newsletter, Words of Wisdom. ​
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Links
Dallas Willard, ​Divine Conspiracy​
B.F. Westcott, ​The Gospel of the Resurrection​
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Support this podcast by buying a book through one of the links above.
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Show notes
Finding True Belonging Through Integrity.
In this episode, we explore the essential connection between integrity and a genuine sense of belonging. I share insights on how lacking integrity can affect our depth of belonging and the stability of our lives, regardless of whether others are aware of our shortcomings. Drawing on my experiences with clients and referencing authors like Michael Dye and Derek Sivers, I delve into the importance of facing our failures and choosing to surrender to God as the first steps towards recovering personal integrity. The discussion underscores the role of the Holy Spirit in highlighting our destructive patterns and the power of discipline in turning our intentions into action. The episode wraps up with a series of reflective questions designed to prompt deeper self-examination and guide listeners towards making disciplined, integrity-driven choices in their daily lives.
Timestamps
00:00 The Quest for Integrity: A Deep Dive
01:31 The Path to Recovering Integrity
02:17 Embracing the Holy Spirit's Role in Transformation
02:52 The Importance of Discipline in Personal Growth
03:26 Self-Reflection: Questions to Guide Your Journey
04:02 Closing Thoughts: The Power of Integrity
About Josh Kalsbeek, LMFT
• As a Psychoherapist Josh helps people overcome their greatest struggles.
•Founder and CEO of Great Oaks Collective, and it's flagship program Overcome, a 10-Week virtual Intensive Outpatient Program for Christian couples experiencing sexual betrayal and addiction. www.greatoakscollective.com. 
• Sign up to receive Josh's weekly email newsletter, Words of Wisdom. ​
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Links
Michael Dye, ​The Genesis Process​
Derek Sivers, ​How to Live​
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Support this podcast by buying a book through one of the links above.
Support the podcast

Show notes
Exploring Sexual Minimalism: A Middle Path to Flourishing
This episode introduces the concept of sexual minimalism, positioning it as a middle ground between indulgence and repression of sexual desire. It discusses minimalism in the context of material possessions and online activities before delving into sexual minimalism. The approach emphasizes intentional engagement with sexual desire, aiming for simplicity, service, and holistic flourishing within a biblical worldview. Sexual minimalism is portrayed as a way to declutter the mind, improve relational intimacy, and foster discipline across life's aspects. The script includes practical questions for reflection on sexual minimalism's challenges and the beliefs that must be relinquished to embrace it. Key quotes from Apostle Paul and Thomas Chalmers underscore the discussion's moral and spiritual dimensions.
00:00 Introduction to Minimalism and Its Variants
00:55 Unveiling Sexual Minimalism: A New Philosophy
01:02 The Extremes of Sexual Desire: Control vs. Indulgence
01:58 The Essence and Principles of Sexual Minimalism
02:29 The Biblical Roots of Sexual Minimalism
03:05 The Benefits of Embracing Sexual Minimalism
03:47 Inspirational Quotes on Desire and Discipline
04:55 Reflective Questions and Conclusion
About Josh Kalsbeek, LMFT
• As a Psychoherapist Josh helps people overcome their greatest struggles.
•Founder and CEO of Great Oaks Collective, and it's flagship program Overcome, a 10-Week virtual Intensive Outpatient Program for Christian couples experiencing sexual betrayal and addiction. www.greatoakscollective.com. 
• Sign up to receive Josh's weekly email newsletter, Words of Wisdom. ​
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Links
The Expulsive Power of a New Affection, by Thomas Chalmers
Cal Newport, ​Digital Minimalism
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Support this podcast by buying a book through one of the links above.
Support the podcast