Our first guest of Season 3 is Kristin Scott, a spiritual director who—along with her husband Jason Scott—leads Activation Ministries. This episode is a tender, deeply formative conversation about intimacy with God, learning His voice, and following Him with courage and trust.

Kristin’s Story: God as Her Personal “Rabbi”

Kristin shared how she came to faith early in life and, from the beginning, experienced a deeply personal relationship with God. While she often longed for human disciplers, she eventually realized something profound:
The Father Himself had been teaching her.

She described knowing God not just as Savior, but as her Rabbi—patiently instructing her, shaping her inner life, and walking with her day by day.

This season-opening conversation beautifully echoes the heart of With Him: not living for God in striving, but living with Him in relationship.

What Is a Spiritual Director?

Kristin explained what it means to serve as a spiritual director—someone who helps others notice where God is already present and active in their lives. Rather than giving answers, a spiritual director helps people:

1. Listen more attentively to God
2. Become aware of the movements of the Spirit
3. Grow in discernment and trust

She also shared about her formal training and certification through Sustainable Faith
https://sustainablefaith.com

and how that process deepened her confidence in the quiet, gentle work of God.

Ancient Practices for a Modern Faith

We explored some spiritual disciplines that Kristin has learned and now practices—many rooted in the ancient church, particularly the Catholic tradition.

One key practice she discussed was the Examen, a reflective prayer discipline developed by St. Ignatius, which invites believers to:

• Review their day with God
• Notice moments of consolation and desolation
• Give thanks, repent, and listen

Kristin emphasized that these practices are not about performance—but about awareness, presence, and love.

Stepping Into the Unknown With God

One of the most moving moments of the episode was Kristin’s vulnerability about stepping out in faith when it felt scary. She shared how the deep love of God—not pressure or fear—compelled her forward.

She testified that following God into the unknown doesn’t mean abandoning safety; instead, it means discovering that true security is found in His love.

A Prayer for the Listeners

Kristin closed the episode by praying over the listeners, inviting us all to slow down, listen more deeply, and trust the God who is already with us—teaching, leading, and loving us every step of the way.

Why This Episode Matters

This Season 3 premiere sets the tone for what’s ahead:

• A God who desires intimacy, not distance
• A faith shaped by listening, not striving
• A life formed with Jesus, not merely for Him

If you’re longing to know God more personally, to trust His guidance, or to cultivate a deeper inner life—this conversation is for you.

Listen, slow down, and learn to walk with Him.

To learn more about Kristin—and how to connect with her for spiritual direction—visit:

Activation Ministries
https://www.activationministries.org

Instagram: @activation_ministries
https://www.instagram.com/activation_ministries

Facebook: Activation Ministries
https://www.facebook.com/activationministries

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Get new episodes, bonus content, and more:
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What does it look like to develop history with God?

In this episode, Jamie and Raz explore the idea that our relationship with God is meant to grow the same way any meaningful friendship does—through shared experiences, trust built over time, and walking together through both ordinary and extraordinary moments. Faith isn’t just about beliefs or behaviors; it’s about history—a lived, relational story with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Throughout Scripture, we see men and women who didn’t just know about God—they knew Him, because they had history with Him. Their intimacy wasn’t instant; it was formed through obedience, failure, listening, repentance, courage, and costly faithfulness.

This conversation invites listeners to move beyond transactional spirituality and into relational depth—where God is not just someone we serve, but Someone we walk with.

A Question Worth Sitting With

What kind of history are you building with God right now?
Not just what you believe—but what you’ve walked through together.

Invitation

If you’re longing for a deeper, more personal relationship with God—not just knowledge about Him—this episode will encourage you to start where all real intimacy begins: walking with Him, one step at a time.

Listen in, reflect, and consider how God may be inviting you into deeper history with Him.

Stories & Resources Mentioned

Foxe's Book of Martyrs – A sobering reminder of believers who developed deep, costly history with God through unwavering faith
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0882708759

Jesus Freaks – Modern-day stories of Christians who followed Jesus boldly, often at great personal cost
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0764237284

VeggieTales – Rack, Shack, and Benny – A surprisingly profound retelling of Daniel 3, reminding us (and our kids) that faithfulness is formed long before the furnace
https://veggietales.com

Subscribe to the "With Him" Podcast email list

Get new episodes, bonus content, and more:
https://mailchi.mp/mariemontchurch/sub-to-with-him-podcast

Explore past episodes and resources

https://www.mariemontchurch.org/with-him-podcast

Resources & Contact Info

Email Raz & Jamie:
razwithhim@gmail.com

Their church: Mariemont Church (Cincinnati, OH)
https://www.mariemontchurch.org

Jamie’s website & writing:
https://www.jamiemoore.org

Jamie’s book, Friendship with God
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736292609

Welcome to Season 3 of the With Him Podcast!
As we step into the New Year of 2026, Raz and I kick off the season with a simple but profound theme: learning how to be present with Abba.

This episode isn’t about hustle, goals, or religious performance—it’s about relationship. We explore the Father’s heart to be with His kids and what it might look like to intentionally choose His presence in the year ahead.

The Word for 2026: Presence
What if this year wasn’t about doing more for God—but about being more with Him?

We talk about how human parents experience deep joy when their adult children choose to spend time with them—not out of obligation, but desire. That same joy, we believe, reflects the heart of God the Father. Abba delights when His kids want to be with Him.

Abba’s Love Language?
Building on insights from The 5 Love Languages, we play with a compelling idea:
What if God the Father’s primary love language is quality time?

If that’s true, then our presence—our attention, our availability—might be one of the greatest gifts we can give Him.

A Question for the New Year
We pose a reflective, prayerful question for listeners:
If Abba’s love language was quality time, what would you do differently this year?
Would you linger longer in prayer?
Create unhurried space in your day?
Choose presence over productivity?

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
If this theme stirs something in you, here are a few thoughtful resources we referenced:

God’s Relational Presence — J. Scott Duvall & J. Daniel Hayes
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801049598

The Mission of God (2nd Edition) — Christopher J. H. Wright
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1514000040

The 5 Love Languages — Gary Chapman
https://www.amazon.com/dp/080241270X

Each of these helps frame a vision of God not as distant or demanding, but as a relational Father who desires closeness with His children.

An Invitation
As Season 3 begins, we invite you to consider this New Year not as a reset of striving—but as an invitation to presence.
Choose to be with Him.
Let your life flow from relationship.
Discover the joy of simply showing up with Abba.
We’re so glad you’re on this journey with us.

Subscribe to the "With Him" Podcast email list
Get new episodes, bonus content, and more:
https://mailchi.mp/mariemontchurch/sub-to-with-him-podcast

Explore past episodes and resources
https://www.mariemontchurch.org/with-him-podcast

Resources & Contact Info

Email Raz & Jamie: razwithhim@gmail.com

Their church: Mariemont Church (Cincinnati, OH)
https://www.mariemontchurch.org

Jamie’s website & writing:
https://www.jamiemoore.org

Jamie’s book, Friendship with God
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736292609