TURNING POINTS AND PEACE OF MIND: Lessons from the Stanley Jones Radio School for Fully Alive Living
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In this lively and thought-provoking episode of The Stanley Jones Radio School for Fully Alive Living, host Stan Hustad—or as he calls himself, Stan the Radio Man—invites listeners to explore what might just be a spiritual and cultural “turning point.” With characteristic warmth, wit, and a touch of humor, Stan weaves stories of modern voices like Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump’s “turning points” together with the enduring wisdom of E. Stanley Jones, whose life and ministry still call us to think differently about faith, purpose, and peace of mind.
Radio as Revival and Reinvention
Stan begins by wondering aloud whether the series could be called The Stanley Jones Radio Show—and quickly chuckles at how odd that sounds. But the question is deeper than wordplay. He points out that Jones’s mission was never about denomination or dogma; it was about telling the Jesus story. And today, that storytelling spirit lives on not through pulpits and pews alone, but through microphones, streaming audio, and podcasts—the “new radio” of the digital age. He explains how this new media mirrors the evolution of books themselves. Just as printing once revolutionized ideas, the next wave—what he calls “B-O-O-X”—will be immersive, interactive experiences that talk back, grow with their readers, and connect communities across distance and time. It’s a fitting metaphor for Jones’s own work: alive, dynamic, and always expanding.
India, Innovation, and Imitation of Christ
Stan also takes listeners on an unexpected journey to India—the land that shaped much of E. Stanley Jones’s mission. He notes, with both realism and compassion, that today’s India poses new challenges for Christians. Yet it remains a wellspring of intelligence, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Stan urges support for young men and women who might become the next generation of Stanley Joneses—bold, faith-driven innovators working within complex cultural systems to bring light and hope. This is what Stan calls Jesus Entrepreneurialism: using creativity, courage, and compassion to live out the gospel in business, leadership, and community life. The message is simple but profound—faith must be active, inventive, and alive.
Enemies of Our Peace of Mind
Midway through the episode, the tone turns reflective. Drawing from the BBC series Call the Midwife, Stan shares a moment that stopped him in his tracks: a young woman confides, “I have so many enemies of my peace of mind.” That phrase becomes the heartbeat of the program. Stan reminds listeners that Jesus promised, “My peace I give unto you—not as the world gives.” Yet modern life is filled with “enemies” of that peace—fear, addiction, anxiety, comparison, over-control, and distraction. E. Stanley Jones spent his life helping others confront those enemies through surrender, simplicity, and storytelling. Jones’s devotionals—anchored in Scripture but alive with human stories—teach that peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of trust.
Things to Remember, Share, and Take Note Of
Things to Remember:
• Every great story—biblical or modern—is a rescue story.
• Peace of mind is not achieved; it is received through surrender.
• Faith and creativity are not opposites—they are partners in innovation.
Things to Share with Others:
• Talk with friends about your own enemies of peace. Naming them weakens them.
• Share a used, underlined book. Discover what others found important and learn together.
• Encourage younger generations to live as encores of Stanley Jones—faith-filled, active, and unafraid to challenge norms.
Things to Take Note Of for Life and Business:
• New technology (like BOOX) is reshaping communication—use it for connection, not distraction.
• Global relationships, even virtual ones, can expand mission and understanding.
• The most successful entrepreneurs—spiritually and practically—are those who build peace into their practice.
A Challenge and a Benediction
Stan closes with a challenge worthy of Jones himself: “May you today begin to find some answers to the enemies that are plaguing your peace of mind.” His benediction follows: “May it go well with you. May you live not just a good life, but a fully alive one. And remember—Jesus is Lord, but even more than that, Jesus is real.” That final line captures the essence of the Stanley Jones Radio School: it’s not about preaching religion but practicing reality—the kind that restores peace, ignites imagination, and helps us live fully alive.
29 episodes