{"podcast":{"title":"The Upward Call!","slug":"the-upward-call-7023106","podcast_index_feed_id":7023106,"rss_url":"https://feeds.hubhopper.com/9a12b264092c2ab892df10bd0585ef11.rss?_gl=1*1a8zvlp*_gcl_au*MTY3NzkwMTIxNy4xNzIzMDg5NDA2*_ga*MTE3ODg5OTg0NS4xNzIzMDg5NDA1*_ga_T1RRNQRP1D*MTcyNTY1OTAwMS44LjEuMTcyNTY2MDU4MC42MC4wLjA.","website_url":"https://ufsministries.com/podcast","image_url":"https://files.hubhopper.com/podcast/451264/1400x1400/the-upward-call.jpeg?v=1725661174966587618","author":"Dan DeVitis at UFS Ministries","episode_count":47,"summary":"Welcome to The Upward Call Podcast! For far too long, the Christian Church has settled for the most fundamental Gospel of salvation and eternal life. It has failed to recognize the Gospel’s call for maturity as sons and daughters of God and for spiritual preparation for the Kingdom to come. This podcast lays the foundation for understanding the ultimate purposes of God in salvation. It will then endeavor to build upon that foundation toward the upward call of God to spiritual maturity. If this is your heart’s desire, too, then listen on, More here: https://ufsministries.com/podcast","last_synced_at":"2026-06-18T02:18:42.786022+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-upward-call-7023106"},"episode":{"title":"S4.E2 The Normal Christian Life","slug":"s4-e2-the-normal-christian-life","published_at":"2025-03-03T07:56:31+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-upward-call-7023106/s4-e2-the-normal-christian-life","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-upward-call-7023106","url":"https://listen.hubhopper.com/episode/s4e2-the-normal-christian-life/32849327","audio_url":"https://play.hubhopper.com/f7a1a41df23d5cc2100c15abf98ae4be.mp3?s=rss-feed&v=28866118654e","summary":"About 50 years ago, when I was quite young in the faith, I came across a book written by Watchman Nee entitled, \"The Normal Christian Life.\" I was totally overwhelmed and amazed by the fact that what we may \"think\" is a normal life for a Christian is not at all normal, especially when compared to Biblical, New Testament, standards. It seems that on the one hand there is the church that has \"evolved\" over the years, that has become more sophisticated and formal, and today it is a center for the Christian “religion.” Many would describe this church as a good church with a good pastor, good worship and good caring people; perhaps family and community minded. I am reminded of an old saying, “The good is the enemy of the best” meaning that settling for something that is simply “good” and seemingly safe and comfortable can prevent you from striving for something higher, or the “best.” In regards to our faith, it implies that complacency, combined with mediocrity, can be a hindrance from pressing on to greater revelation and life in Christ; to a place where spiritual understanding dispels complacent behavior.","meta_description":"About 50 years ago, when I was quite young in the faith, I came across a book written by Watchman Nee entitled, \"The Normal Christian Life.\" I was totally…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2682,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-upward-call-7023106/episodes/s4-e2-the-normal-christian-life/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-upward-call-7023106/s4-e2-the-normal-christian-life.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}