Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast
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332 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Ben Myers — The Divine Comedy
23 augustus 2024 · 34 min
Poet laureate, professor, and author Ben Myers joins Nate to discuss a book that has been a constant and formative presence in his life: Dante's The Divine Comedy. Lees meer
Benjamin Myers is the Crouch-Matthis Professor of Literature and the director of the
Great Books Honors Program at Oklahoma Baptist University. A former poet laureate of
Oklahoma, he is the author of four books of poetry as well as of one previous and two
forthcoming books of nonfiction. His poems, essays, and stories have appeared in many
journals and magazines, including Image, The Yale Review, First Things, and Rattle.
He is a contributing editor for Front Porch Republic and lives in Chandler, OK. His most
recent book of poems is The Family Book of Martyrs (2023).Show Notes
The "100 Days of Dante" project.
The entire Comedy without commentary.
Ben's article “A Disgusting Poem on God’s Goodness.”
Ben's book The Family Book of Martyrs.
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Mimi Dixon and Richard Foster — Worth Celebrating
9 augustus 2024 · 43 min
Nathan Foster has an in-person conversation with Mimi Dixon and Richard Foster about the two introductory books in the 2024-2025 Renovaré Book Club season — Richard's classic Celebration of Discipline and Mimi's Worth Celebrating (a book biography that explores why Celebration of Discipline started a movement). Lees meer
Registration for the Renovaré Book Club 2024-2025 season is open!
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Worth Celebrating by Mimi Dixon (Read an excerpt here.)
Other articles, books, and podcast episodes by Richard Foster and by Mimi Dixon can be found at renovare.org
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Nick Page — The Bible as Holy Ground
26 juli 2024 · 31 min
Author and podcast host Nick Page shares some guidelines for understanding the Bible and reading with a heart open to encountering God. Lees meer
Show Notes
The Mid-Faith Crisis Podcast
Some of Nick’s Books
Nick Page on microblog
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Mariah Velásquez — Practicing the Presence of God
12 juli 2024 · 27 min
Mariah Velásquez, Director of the Incarnatio Center for Formation and Integration at Westmont College and Associate Director of the Martin Center, joins Nate on the Life with God podcast to talk about a favorite book—Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of God. Lees meer
Show Notes
1. Book excerpts:
Practicing the Presence of Christ
An Habitual Sense of God's Presence
Living Each Moment with a Sense of God's Presence
2. Lectio 365 Prayer App - A helpful way to re-orient to God's presence in the morning and evening.
3. Content from the Martin Institute's recent academic workshop, "A Crisis Among Us: The Problem of Christian Immaturity" is available here.
4. You can find Mariah's writing on Conversatio.org
The Practicing of Presence.
A roadmap report on spiritual formation
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Julia Roller — The Right Book at the Right Time
21 juni 2024 · 31 min
Writer and editor Julia Roller joins Nate to talk about how God uses books to guide us into transforming ideas and encounters and shares about the book that changed her life. Lees meer
Julia Roller is an author and editor living in San Diego, CA with her husband and three children. She is also the MomCo Coordinator at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church. Julia's most recent book is Mom Seeks God, but some of her other books include A Year with God (with Richard J. Foster), A Year with Aslan, and 25 Books Every Christian Should Read. Connect with her at her web site, juliaroller.com, or on Instagram Julia (@julialroller) or Facebook.
Julia's suggestions for continued reading:
In “How Should We Read?”, Christopher Hall discusses some ways to slow down our reading and ruminate over the text. I love that although Hall’s thoughts are inspired by a desert monk (of course they are, Chris!), one of his suggested techniques involves his smartphone.
I can’t think of anyone who’s written as much about spiritual reading as C.S. Lewis, and Zach Kincaid’s “A Reading Life” post on the official C.S. Lewis site is an admirable compilation of some of Lewis’s best thoughts about reading.
Lyle Smith Graybeal and I wrote “How to do Spiritual Reading”, an excerpt from the introduction for 25 Books Every Christian Should Read, to offer some practical ideas for spiritual reading as well as some reasons why we should all engage in it.
Richard Foster reflects on the books that shaped him as a young man in this article from Leadership Journal, “How Significant Books Become Good Friends.” Many of these books made the cut for 25 Books Every Christian Should Read.
My discussion with Nathan inspired me to look critically at my own all-consuming reading practice. In examining my lifelong love of reading, I had to ask the question: “Is Reading Bad for You?” (See if you can guess my answer.)
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Margaret Campbell — The Long Game
31 mei 2024 · 24 min
Deep relationships take time. Renovaré board and ministry team member Margaret Campbell shares with Nate what she's learned through the years about the slow and beautiful unfolding of true friendships — with people and with God.
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Joe Davis and Nick Page — Disagreeing and Staying Friends
24 mei 2024 · 33 min
Joe Davis and Nick Page have been friends for over 30 years and co-host The Mid-Faith Crisis Podcast. They share with Nate about disagreement as a productive part of friendship and faith that helps us work through concepts that impact our ability to love God and others. Lees meer
Show Notes
The Mid-Faith Crisis Podcast
Some of Nick’s Books
Nick Page on microblog
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Adri-Marie van Heerden — Learning to Look Again
3 mei 2024 · 29 min
South African Spiritual Director Adri-Marie van Heerden talks with Nate about making friends cross-culturally, the need for humility, and learning to see others as God sees us — with great regard. Lees meer
Adri-Marie's organization is called Tending the Fire. You can contact her at a3mvanheerden@gmail.com.
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John Paul Westin — Befriending the Prisoner
19 april 2024 · 30 min
Nathan talks with prison chaplain John Paul Westin about the penitentiary as parish and learning to see each person there as God's "friends and special ones." Lees meer
Show Notes
A few annotated book suggestions from John Paul:
Cur Deus Homo — Anselm of Canterbury thinks about why God needed/chose to become human.
The 3 Colors of Community, Christian A. Schwarz — How highly flawed individuals can use their propensity to sin to help build healthy Christian community.
Fearfully and Wonderfully, Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancy — The human body (sick or healthy) can show us so much about the wonder of God and our human nature.
The Shack, William Paul Young — God can heal the deepest wounds and betrayal.
John's Gospel, John son of Zebedee — A look at life through the eyes of the beloved.
Life of the Beloved — Henri Nouwen's beautiful consideration of the nature of Jesus' friendship.
The Brother's Karamazov — Fydor Dostoevski's brilliant and crazy story of God's presence in a chaotic Russian family life.
The Heart of the Parish, Martin Thornton — Seeing wherever you are as your parish and your life as filled with your neighbors and parisioners. Everyone.
Hearing God — Dallas Willard's encouraging challenge to believe Jesus when he tells us we really can talk to God like we talk to one another.
Reading the Bible with the Damned — Bob Eklad's believes that people on the margins often have intense experiences of God's involvement in their lives that are of biblical import.
Letters and Papers from Prison —Dietrich Bonhoeffer's reflections on seeing God's loving presence in prison and how it transformed his thinking.
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The Liturgy of Friendship — Elizabeth Moore and Audrey Elledge
5 april 2024 · 38 min
Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore, authors of Liturgies for Wholeness, join Nate to talk about the formational power of liturgy and friendship. Lees meer
Friendship is a relational connection point many people struggle with, but it's a grand invitation into deeper relationship with God. —Nathan Foster
Show Notes
Books by Elizabeth Moore and Audrey Elledge
Liturgies for Hope: Sixty Prayers for the Highs, the Lows, and Everything in Between
Liturgies for Wholeness: 60 Prayers to Encounter the Depth, Creativity, and Friendship of God in Ordinary Moments
Also mentioned in the episode:
Every Moment Holy (liturgy series by Douglas McKelvey and other authors)
Ways to connect with Audrey and Elizabeth:
Elizabeth Moore:
Instagram
Twitter
Audrey Elledge:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
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Audio Retreat: The Cup - A Meditation for Holy Week on Luke 22
22 maart 2024 · 19 min
This meditation by Nathan Foster on Luke 22 invites us to the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed “let this cup pass from me.”
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Trevor Hudson — Desmond Tutu
8 maart 2024 · 34 min
Trevor Hudson shares reflections on the influence that Desmond Tutu had on his life — as a friend, colleague, cellmate, and “contemplative in action.” Lees meer
Show Notes
Desmond Tutu's Nobel Prize biography page
Made for Goodness by Desmond Tutu
Books by Trevor Hudson
Other Episodes With This Guest
Ep 47: Trevor Hudson — Friendship with God
Ep 73: Trevor Hudson — Holiness is Better Than You Think
Ep 131: Trevor Hudson — Listen to the Groans
Ep 154: Trevor Hudson — Meeting Christ in Our Tears
Ep 153: Trevor Hudson — The Litmus Test for Lent
Ep 215: Trevor Hudson and Jan Johnson — What Is Spiritual Direction?
Ep 239: Trevor Hudson — Seeking God
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Luci Shaw — Madeleine L'Engle
23 februari 2024 · 22 min
“We enriched each other.” Luci Shaw speaks with Nate about her rich friendship with Madeleine L'Engle and how they made one another better writers and better followers of Jesus. Lees meer
Show Notes + Transcript
Nate: Lucy, we get to talk about your friend today. How did you first come to meet Madeline?
Luci: Well, Madeleine and I met originally at Wheaton College at a conference on, on literature, and she was a speaker and I was a speaker, and so we just happened to connect at that, at that time, and we discovered we had a lot in common.
Madeline had just written a couple of poems that she wanted published. So, since my husband and I had just started the publishing company, Harold Shaw Publishers, I asked Madeline if she would like us to publish her poetry. Which is one of the things we had planned to do, was publish poetry people of faith. So, we did. We published two of her books. One was called A Cry Like a Bell. And the other one was Oh, I can't even remember the name of it. But this was very early on. And we discovered the more we talked, the more we found we had in common.
We loved Bach. We loved the music of Bach. We had a number of common friends. That was way back when.
Nate: Now, was this before she'd written Wrinkle in Time?
Luci: She had written A Wrinkle in Time.
Nate: And then you two went on to write some books together.
Luci: That's right, yeah, we had our publishing company, and we were trying to publish, books by people of faith who had a literary bent. Anyway, that was the beginning of a really fruitful friendship. We found that, though Madeline had a number of people who were devoted to her and looked up to her, she didn't have many colleagues who were sort of meeting her at the friendship level, not just the sort of worshipful level that she had managed to accumulate.
So, the first book that we did together, I asked her to write a book on faith, how faith and literature work together. So she, at one point, handed me this very untidy typescript…
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Sho Baraka — George Washington Carver
9 februari 2024 · 31 min
Amisho “Sho” Baraka joins Nate for a fascinating conversation about George Washington Carver — a man whose faith directed his genius toward the good of others. Lees meer
Resources
The Man Who Talks with the Flowers: The Intimate Life Story of Dr. George Washington Carver, by Glenn Clark
Essential Writings of the American Black Church, by John Hunt
Tuskegee University
He Saw That It Was Good, by Sho Baraka
Album: “The Narrative,” Sho Baraka, 2016
“Bravery to Faithfully Create,” article by Sho Baraka on renovare.org
Other episodes with this guest
Episode 234 : Sho Baraka — He Saw That It Was Good
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Andrew Arndt — On the Desert Fathers and Mothers
27 januari 2024 · 36 min
Pastor and author Andrew Arndt talks with Nathan Foster about how the stories and examples of the desert fathers and mothers move from exhaustion, burnout, and pain into a more vibrant faith.
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Mimi Dixon — On Catherine Doherty
12 januari 2024 · 42 min
Mimi Dixon shares how the life and words of Catherine Doherty—a pioneer for interracial justice and mentor to Thomas Merton—helped her to return to her first love. Lees meer
Resources
Poustinia, by Catherine Doherty
Catherine Doherty writes about prayer and sacraments as ways to welcome and know the presence of God in “First Meet God”
Luminous Lives, a Renovaré e-course hosted my Mimi Dixon
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Matthew Clark — The Gift of Truth
3 november 2023 · 43 min
Matthew Clark joined Nate in-person to tape this week's podcast conversation on the topic of truth — truthful storytelling, truthful music, true relationships and true worship. Lees meer
Visit Matthew Clark's website.
Books by Matthew Clark
Tale of Two Trees
Only The Lover Sings
Find Matthew's music on Spotify and Apple
Matthew's Podcast — One Thousand Words: Stories Along the Way
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Sally Kendrick — The Gift of Creating
27 oktober 2023 · 27 min
Printmaker Sally Kendrick talks with Nate about the creative act of finding and printing specimens from nature as a way of cultivating "openness to the presence of God and willingness to receive the love of God." Lees meer
Sally Kendrick is a Maryland-based photographer with Carolina roots. She began experimenting with cyanotypes as a way of cultivating a habit of attentiveness to the beauty in the natural world around her.
Read Sally's essay "Attention Grows into Love" on renovare.org.
True Impressions: Daily Prayers (artwork by Sally Kendrick) available for purchase or for free download.
Sally has graciously offered some of her cyanotypes as downloads that can be printed locally.
You can connect with Sally on Instagram at @turkeycreekprints.
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Sarah Clarkson — The Gift of Beauty
20 oktober 2023 · 30 min
Sarah Clarkson spoke with Nathan Foster from her home in the UK about her experiences with grief and fear and the way God has been restoring faith, hope, and love in her life through the gift of beauty. Lees meer
Sarah's Website: https://sarahclarkson.com
Books by Sarah:
This Beautiful Truth: How God's Goodness Breaks into Our DarknessBook Girl: A Journey Through the Treasures and Transforming Power of a Reading Life
Caught Up in a Story: Fostering a Storyformed Life of Great Books & Imagination with Your Children
The Life Giving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming
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Mark Buchanan — The Healing Gift of Nature
13 oktober 2023 · 24 min
Mark Buchanan, author of God Walk: Moving at the Speed of your Soul, talks with Nate about the restorative gifts of God available to us in natural world. Lees meer
Books by Mark Buchanan
God Walk: Moving at the Speed of your Soul
David: Rise
David: Reign
The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath
Your God is Too Safe: Rediscovering the Wonder of a God You Can't Control
Visit Mark’s website
Renovaré resources with Mark Buchanan
Webinar: Good Grief
Article: “Being More Pedestrian”
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Katelyn J. Dixon — The Healing Gift of Writing
6 oktober 2023 · 28 min
The Renovaré Podcast with Nathan Foster returns with new episodes and a new name... Life with God. The next several episodes center the conversation around things that restore our souls—places of connection to God and gifts from the Lord that bring us inward healing. Katelyn Dixon leads off the series by looking at the creative act of writing as spiritual healing. Lees meer
Read Katelyn's writing on Renovare.org
Visit Katelyn's website
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Meditation on Psalm 131 (Encore Series)
12 augustus 2023 · 20 min
A 20-minute meditation—an audio retreat—on Psalm 131. Put on some headphones, find a comfortable spot, and let your soul be quieted. This episode is a collaboration with Joshua Banner from The Invitation Podcast (invitationpodcast.org).
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Brian Morykon — Crafting Authentic Prayers (Encore Episode)
14 juli 2023 · 26 min
Prayer doesn't have to be perfect, just real. Brian Morykon and Nathan Foster talk about music and writing as forms that help us craft authentic prayers in this 2015 episode of the Renovaré Podcast. Lees meer
Brian's song that is referenced in the podcast conversation and played at the end of the episode is What Can I Do (lyrics below), from The Smallest Seed, released December 18, 2012. (c) All rights reserved.
Please give me grace to be weak
The moment I'm strong I get up and leave
Where am I going in such a rush anyway
My heart tap of love is running dry
Tried to fix it myself and clogged my mind
I'm knee deep and need Your touch to put things rightWhat can I do apart from You?
I made a god of self-control
Worshipped my will like it saved my soul
Made sacrifices but nothing satisfied it
Where is that 12 step meeting place
for addicts high on their own ways
I'm ready to surrenderI can build my house on the sand
A fragile façade where I can pretend
until one strong blow of your wind
I am left standing without any walls
And the Wind that just broke me breathes in my soul
the Breath of Life... oh…Find more of Brian's music at morykon.com.
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Jan Johnson — Being Glad with God (Encore Episode)
30 juni 2023 · 30 min
"Each day is God's gift… But we have a choice." Jan Johnson talks with Nate about how to rejoice and be glad with the help of spiritual disciplines. Lees meer
Find more Jan Johnson resources at janjohnson.org
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Mimi Dixon — Julian of Norwich (Encore Episode)
16 juni 2023 · 56 min
Mimi Dixon invites us to let Julian of Norwich teach us that “all shall be well" in this encore episode that first aired in 2017.
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Audio Retreat with Julian of Norwich — Nathan Foster (Encore Episode)
26 mei 2023 · 22 min
Nathan Foster takes a famous quote from Julian of Norwich and festoons each phrase with his own thoughts. Come linger over Julian’s words in this audio retreat, with music by Joshua Banner.
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Encore Series — Donn Thomas on Fighting Fear with Worship
5 mei 2023 · 28 min
With gratitude for the life of Donn Thomas, we share this episode from the Renovaré Podcast archive (originally aired April 13, 2020). Donn speaks with Nate about his cancer diagnosis and other scary situations, and how God's presence helps us move from fear to confidence. Lees meer
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Monica and Jeremy Chambers — Getting Personal with the Lord's Prayer
14 april 2023 · 27 min
Monica and Jeremy Chambers join Nate to discuss ways of engaging with two transforming prayers for the Christian life: Psalm 23 and the Lord’s Prayer.
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Katie Davis Majors — Safe All Along
31 maart 2023 · 35 min
Katie Davis Majors shares her story of formation through suffering and explains the message of her book, Safe All Along.
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Tina Dyer and Grace Pouch — The Narrative of Sojourner Truth
10 maart 2023 · 29 min
Tina Dyer (Renovaré Board Treasurer) and Grace Pouch (Renovaré’s Content Manager) talk with Nathan Foster about the brilliance of Sojourner Truth and how her story has impacted their lives. Tina and Grace will lead the Renovaré book club through The Narrative of Sojourner Truth beginning on March 27. Lees meer
Show Notes
[1:51] I am curious to know how you two discovered Sojourner Truth.[4:26] How has her story impacted you two?
[10:08] What makes her credible?
[13:02] I think I know you two well enough to know that you're both open to having potentially difficult conversations about your experiences and about race. So what was that like for the two of you to explore Sojourner's life together?
[19:06] How would you like people to approach Sojourner's story?
[22:11] Could you share one [question from Sojourner that you’re sitting with]?
[23:10] What is your hope for people to take away from Sojourner's work?
Resources:
The Narrative of Sojourner Truth by Sojourner Truth, written by Olive Gilbert
Beautiful Vessels by Bakht Singh, Sojourner Truth, Richard J. Foster, Tina Dyer, Grace Pouch
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Kai Nilsen — What's the Point of Church?
24 februari 2023 · 33 min
Renovaré Ministry Team member and pastor, Kai Nilsen, talks with Nate about what we can learn from recent disruptions to church norms.
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Miriam Rockness and Mimi Dixon — Discovering Lilias Trotter
17 februari 2023 · 45 min
In this week’s episode of the Renovaré Podcast, Nathan talks with Miriam Rockness and Mimi Dixon about the life and faith of Lilias Trotter. Lees meer
Show Notes
[ ] What has drawn you and fed you about her life? How did you discover her?
[ ] Is it accurate to say we might have lost some of these pieces of her work had it not been for your journey?
[ ] What I’m hearing, Miriam, is that you said Yes, and it reminds me a little of Lilias. She said Yes. Mimi, do you have any sense as to where she had the courage to say Yes? What did you hear in her words?
Resources
A Passion for the Impossible, Miriam Huffman Rockness
Parables of the Cross, by Lilias Trotter
Creative Prayer, by Emily Herman
The Way of the Sevenfold Secret, Lilias Trotter
Many Beautiful Things (movie about the life of Lilias Trotter)
Miriam Rockness website
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Vivianne David — Visio Divina
4 februari 2023 · 32 min
Show notes Lees meer
What is visio divina, Viv?
And how do you do that?
What you're saying is that it's something we do all the time.—it's just taking a little extra pause or intentionality with what we're seeing?
Can I do visio with nature… look out my window?
What is your practice? Do you find a painting and say, “I'm gonna spend a half hour with this?”
So it would be a little like sitting down to read a book. I'm gonna sit down and read visually, like a painting or a scene. Is that how you would do it?
What is your practice for selecting a piece to use and how do you get a certain space in your house or what?
You mentioned you don't watch television. Does that tie in?
How does this fit into the practice of retreat, or does it?
How does that practice [of choosing art for a space] tie into retreat … for example, you've built a retreat house?
What do you look for when you go on retreat?
What kind of experiences are you hoping to craft with the retreats at the house?
...
Find out more about Vivianne's retreat house, Vilayala.
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Winn Collier — On François Fénelon
13 januari 2023 · 27 min
Nathan Foster talks with Winn Collier about the penetrating and practical spiritual wisdom of 17th-century archbishop and writer François Fénelon. Lees meer
Show Notes
[3:42] Could you share a little about Fénelon?
[10:35] There’s almost a level of pain that one needs to feel in order to find the comfort... I wonder if it's a season of life, if you’re in a space where you’re really needing a kind of brokenness.
[11:57] I would go beyond identifying [pain]... It’s giving a map.
[13:26] Do you know his influences, what shaped him in his life?
[15:18] What were you hoping to do with the book?
[16:45] What did you learn from the project?
[19:56] Do you get any indication that he was a person of joy?
[21:28] You can dip in anywhere in his letters ... I will usually read one at a time and just sit with it, reading it multiple times before moving to another one. Am I doing it right?
[23:07] Thoughtful, honest pastor—this reminds me of another friend of ours beyond the grave. How would you connect him with Eugene Peterson? Would you?
[24:17] How are things with the Eugene Peterson Center?
Resources
Let God: Spiritual Conversations with François Fénelon, by Winn Collier
Let Go, by François Fénelon
A Burning in My Bones, by Winn Collier
Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination
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Richard Foster and Brenda Quinn — Learning Humility
9 december 2022 · 38 min
Brenda Quinn and Richard Foster join Nathan to talk about Richard’s new book, Learning Humility: A Year of Searching for a Vanishing Virtue. Lees meer
Show Notes
[4:38] Dad, could you give us an overview?
[9:38] Brenda, what was your journey like as you were reading the chapters and how did this work for you as a Christ follower and a pastor?
[17:08] Dad, the humble mumble – could you explain that? How did spending this year and writing the book tie into that?
[18:44] Brenda, as a pastor, I’m sure you get lots of compliments. How do you handle those when people have nice things to say about you?
[21:21] A lot of people don’t know how to say I’m sorry or own up to things. And that potentially stems from (a lack of) humility, doesn’t it, that my ego is fragile enough that I can’t handle critique?
[22:45] Humility is really about freedom, would you agree?
[25:21] You were in an environment (in the university) where people not only ask you, but they expect you to have the answers. And it can be the same in ministry. Brenda, in your context, where is the freedom you experience as you learn humility?
[27:55] Dad, what surprised you in writing this book and spending the year on it?
[29:45] What would you say to someone listening to this, or they’ve read the book, and they say “I’m in, I want to grow in humility”? What should they do? Where’s a good place to start?
[32:59] But we can certainly get better, right? There’s improvement to be made.
[33:43] For people who read the book, what would your hope be?
[36:01] The thing I found really helpful about the book, that snuck up on me, was the allure. Why wouldn’t I want that? Seeing it as an invitation to freedom, to become our true selves, the self that God created us to be.
Resources
Learning Humility: A Year of Searching for a Vanishing Virtue, by Richard Foster
Humility, a Renovaré resource with selections from Learning Humility and Humility (by Andrew Murray)
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Robyn Wrigley-Carr — Evelyn Underhill's Spiritual Formation
29 november 2022 · 31 min
Robyn Wrigley-Carr returns to the Renovaré Podcast to talk with Nate about Evelyn Underhill—the 20th century author, spiritual director and retreat leader—and about Baron Friedrich Von Hügel, whose spiritual direction transformed Evelyn’s life with God. Lees meer
Show Notes
[2:15] Here’s a quote from Eugene Peterson: “The most extensive and inviting introduction … a brilliantly written book.” How did it feel to have read that about your book?
[3:49] Could you tell me what is a baron and who is said Baron that was so impactful on Evelyn’s life, and on Eugene’s too?
[6:56] What were [Von Hügel’s] health issues?
[8:59] Why did [Von Hügel] only want to see [Evelyn Underhill] twice a year?
[ ] What would you say were some of the key components in [Evelyn Underhill’s] own formation?
[ ] Who were some of these folks that were influencing [Evelyn]?
[ ] I find it helpful to hear [Baron Von Hügel] doing spiritual direction in a very different way than we think of it... What would you say were some of Evelyn Underhill’s contributions to the discipline of spiritual direction?
[ ] What about [Evelyn’s] life inspires you?
Resources
The Spiritual Formation of Evelyn Underhill, by Robyn Wrigley-Carr
Evelyn Underhill’s Prayer Book, by Robyn Wrigley-Carr
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Robert Moore-Jumonville — G.K. Chesterton's Orthodoxy
7 november 2022 · 28 min
Professor, pastor, and author Robert Moore-Jumonville talks with Nathan Foster about Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton. Lees meer
Show Notes
[0:57] What do you like about Chesterton?
[5:09 ] How would you describe Orthodoxy to someone?
[7:32] I’m struggling with the term “dense,” because it’s not boring...
[12:41] For some reason I hear Kurt Vonnegut in Chesterton – the satire, the unexpected. Chesterton surprises me.
[16:40] It seems like a cultural commentary that has a lot of relevance for today.
[18:45] What are one or two significant impacts Chesterton has had on your life?
[23:46] How do you think Chesterton would like to be remembered?
[24:51] Can you tell us a little about your book?
Resources
Orthodoxy, G.K. Chesterton
Chesterton and Tolkien as Theologians, Alison Milbank
The Kingdom of God in America, Richard Niebuhr
Jogging with G.K. Chesterton: 65 Earthshaking Expeditions, by Robert Moore-Jumonville
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Lacy Borgo — Thomas Kelly's A Testament of Devotion
17 oktober 2022 · 31 min
Most years Lacy Borgo re-reads A Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelly. She joins Nathan Foster to discuss how this spiritual classic has impacted her life. Lees meer
Show Notes
[3:02] You mentioned to me some time ago that you read this book every year. What’s that about?
[5:06] How would you describe A Testament of Devotion?
[6:23] What are the pieces this year that are ringing to you?
[8:37] As a spiritual director, how do you see people lean into that glow (of the Presence of God in each person)?
[11:23] Thomas Kelly talks a lot about “the light within,” very Quaker. Can you talk a little about what he means by that?
[12:25] How has this book influenced your life?
[14:47] What is a spiritual autobiography?
[18:48] There is this kind of tender, mystical side to him, poetic almost. What do you think?
[20:43] Your care and concern for little people…how has Thomas spoken into that?
[23:10] You have a children's book coming out. Can I ask you about it?
Resources
A Testament of Devotion, by Thomas Kelly
All Will Be Well: Learning to Trust God’s Love, by Lacy Borgo
Revelations of Divine Love, Julian of Norwich, introduced and translated by Fr. John-Julian, OJN
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Mark Buchanan — Walking as a Spiritual Practice
4 oktober 2022 · 31 min
Nathan welcomes Mark Buchanan to the podcast to discuss the wonderfully “reliable” spiritual practice of walking, which is the topic of Mark’s newest book, God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul. Lees meer
Show Notes
[1:17] I’m curious, how long have you been a speed walker?
[2:09] What has your experience and practice been with walking?
[3:58] What did you learn from writing the book?
[5:48] What happens for you when you walk?
[7:58] A friend of mine gave me a quote: Those who work with their mind rest with their hands; those who work with their hands rest with their mind. I think of walking a little like I do silence—that it’s reliable.
[9:34] When you use the phrase “God speed,” what do you mean by that?
[16:08] What was your favorite chapter?
[22:06] What do you hope for people reading your book?
[23:03] You start the book referencing a friend of yours who is not able to walk. Could you give a word for people who are not able-bodied…?
[25:12] Are there other things you have learned from your indigenous friends?
[27:47] Any pilgrimages you have done or would like to do?
Resources
God Walk, Moving at the Speed of Your Soul, by Mark Buchanan
The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath, by Mark Buchanan
Three Mile an Hour God, by Koyama Kosuke
The Reason You Walk, by Wab Kinew
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Trevor Hudson — Seeking God
6 september 2022 · 32 min
Trevor Hudson talks with Nate about his new book, Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard, and unpacks what it means to be a “seeker” in a Christ-following way. Lees meer
Show Notes
[1:43] I’m curious to know how you discovered St. Ignatius and how he’s impacted your life.
[3:30] What was that experience like for you, personally, to go through the Exercises?
[4:59] For those listening who don’t know, could you just give us a brief description of the Exercises?
[8:09] You’ve been able to lead people through the Exercises through these years. What have you noticed?
[9:51] How did you discover Dallas [Willard], and how has he impacted your life? What did that friendship bring to you and your family?
[12:46] How did the idea come to write a book involving these two friends?
[15:59] Tell us a little about the book.
[16:57] The term seeker, at least in the States, is usually referenced in Christian contexts as a non-Christian that the church is wooing in. You’re working with this word far beyond that. What does it mean to you?
[20:00] When Debbie referenced you as a seeker, is there a tension in that? Does she mean it all in a positive sense?
[21:58] Was Dallas right in saying you wouldn’t be content?
[23:18] What does that look like to embrace the present moment?
[25:05] What did you learn from writing this book?
[27:00] What are you reading these days?
Resources
Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard, by Trevor Hudson
The Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard
The Master and his Emissary, Ian McGilchrist
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Ted Harro — A Journey in Humility
25 augustus 2022 · 33 min
Renovaré President Ted Harro discusses his recent pilgrimage with his son along the Camino de Santiago, including how its unexpected detours taught him the beauty of humility. Lees meer
Show Notes
[1:00] You recently went on a pilgrimage. Can you discuss pilgrimage as a spiritual practice?
[4:55] I love this question, where are you going and why? That sounds like a Jesus-type question. So is the point the destination, is this a kind of magical place that I go and I get a gold star from God for walking 300 miles?
[6:23] So tell us – everything went wrong? Tell us about your experience. What was the plan?
[10:08] When I heard that it didn't go as planned, there was a part of me that was really sad because I know you had been preparing for this and it was really important. But I also had a little smile on my face because I thought, “Oh, Ted’s going to learn something, that you can only learn from having these disappointments, challenges.” Are there things you have been able to unpack from the experience that you’d be willing to share?
[17:32] What did you do with the grief of watching Duncan go on?
[19:50] Talking about humility, what were some of the new pieces that opened up for you?
[23:40] How have you made it 55 years without bumping into your limitations? There is a gift and a blessing in bumping into those. In reading my dad’s new book on humility that’s coming out later this year, he reaches the conclusion that it’s the foundational virtue for spiritual formation.
[25:20] How has it been wearing for you as you’ve been home for a while now?
[27:43] As we’re talking, I’m reflecting on the six months – you have really come in with a high level of humility, as a learner trying to partner with God, and that’s been neat to watch. Are there pieces in these months that you’ve learned, or things that might be helpful for people to know about Renovaré and your role?
Resources
Learning Humility: A Year of Searching for a Vanishing Virtue, by Richard Foster (coming out …
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James Bryan Smith — Transforming Toxic Self-Narratives
1 augustus 2022 · 27 min
Show Notes Lees meer
[1:24] You have a new book out. Why did you write this book?
[4:18] Can you share a little about your journey?
[7:51] What made a difference for you? How have you worked your narratives and what is that process like?
[9:41] Many Christians know…the reality of some of the things you're saying. How do you move that from your head to your heart?
[11:52] When I see others as beloved image bearers, it makes it quite difficult to control or dehumanize them. There’s a freedom, isn’t there?
[13:52] In the book, after each chapter you have different practices—exercises—for people. Can you talk a little about those?
[16:22] How do you invite God into that [practice of holy leisure—being rather than doing]?
[17:18] Are there other practices that have been helpful for you in your journey?
[19:08] How does that [practice of Sabbath] help with your narratives?
[20:17] What do you hope for people reading the book?
[21:10] I know there are a lot of folks who struggle with moving into their belovedness, because it can feel like self-help…What do you say to those folks?
[24:47] I’m curious, are there more Good and Beautiful… things you have in store for us?
Resources
Good and Beautiful You, by James Brian Smith
The Good and Beautiful book series
The Apprentice Institute website
The Apprentice Gathering event (September 22-24, 2024)
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Terry Wardle — From Broken to Beloved
20 juli 2022 · 33 min
Terry Wardle of Healing Care Ministries shares how an emotional breakdown at the height of his “success” in ministry played a pivotal role in moving him from information about God to encounter with God, from performance-oriented to grace-oriented, and from broken to beloved. Lees meer
Show Notes
[1:00] I'm really curious to hear a little about your story.
[5:32] When there's a pressure in our life, there's a potential gift because we break… Do you find yourself grateful for that?
[8:33] To be willing to look at oneself with God—would you agree that there's a strength that requires from people?
[10:38] What would you like to see the Church do or become in terms of spaces that can handle brokenness or have a word in suffering?
[15:00] We can't take people there [on a healing journey] if we haven't been there ourselves. Would you agree?
[16:14] Do you “walk with a limp?”
[18:57] Have you found…that what often emerges in the healing is something beyond what you or others can imagine, that it's different and wonderful in ways we can't see?
[22:14] You mentioned community earlier. What is the role of community in this?
[24:50] When you were in the hospital…What would have been helpful from your friends there? What could they have done during that time?
[27:48] Could you share a little about the work you're doing with Healing Care Ministries?
[30:07] I'm curious, if you're willing to share, what was your encounter that you had with Jesus those many years ago?
Resources
Healing Care Ministries website
From Broken to Beloved, by Terry Wardle
Some Kind of Crazy: An Unforgettable Story of Profound Brokenness and Breathtaking Grace, by Terry Wardle
The Flame of Love, by Clark Pinnock
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Gem and Alan Fadling — What Does Your Soul Love?
20 juni 2022 · 37 min
Authors and founders of Unhurried Living, Gem and Alan Fadling, share insights into how we experience soul change, share key questions that open the door to spiritual transformation, and explore the difference between self-help and spiritual formation. Lees meer
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Sho Baraka — He Saw That It Was Good
6 juni 2022 · 33 min
Hip hop artist and author, Sho Baraka, joins Nate to talk about refreshing our theology of work, strengthening the relationship between creatives and the Church, and adding variety to the genres and voices we turn to for spiritual nurture. Lees meer
[2:08] Could you tell us a little about your book (its creation)?
[6:47] Could you say a little about help for creatives and what you hope to see?
[8:33] One of the things I noticed throughout your book is a concern with the devaluing of the oral tradition and folk stories in Christianity. Could you say a little about that?
[11:20] I’m wondering if there’s a connection [between devaluing oral stories] and losing some of the creativity in Christian life, church life.
[14:55] Your work in hip hop, is that carrying on the oral tradition?
[21:03] Have you been to the African American Smithsonian?
[21:54] There is such a robust history and wisdom in the historical Black church that I feel is often lost on White America. Are there pieces of that tradition that you wish people knew or that you think would be helpful?
[25:11] Could you unpack the term “evangelical edit?”
[26:25] In your book you talk about a conversation you had with your daughter when she was seven, where she came and talked to you about her skin color and hair. Can you tell that story?
[29:51] What do you hope people will take from your book?
Resources
He Saw That It Was Good, by Sho Baraka
Album: “The Narrative,” Sho Baraka, 2016
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Sharon Garlough Brown — The Gift of Companionship on the Journey
2 mei 2022 · 35 min
Author and Spiritual Director Sharon Garlough Brown speaks about using the medium of fiction to connect readers to the God who grieves and suffers with us and enlarges our capacity to receive joy. Lees meer
Show Notes
[2:23] Could you tell us just a little about your love of Van Gogh?
[5:12] Could you talk about how you work with fiction?
[7:13] You go into spiritual direction not really knowing where this time is going to go, but being open. Do you take some of that same posture into your writing?
[10:46] You've gone there in terms of writing about pain and suffering and some difficult topics. What has that been like for you?
[13:20] What do you hope for the reader?
[14:23] Do you see yourself as a fiction writer?
[15:48] How does your work as a pastor and spiritual director inform your stories?
[18:18] Could you talk a little about spiritual friendship?
[22:46] What will that look like for you in Scotland … with these losses?
[28:33] Could you tell us a little about Abiding Way?
Resources
Feathers of Hope, by Sharon Garlough Brown
Abiding Way Ministries
Sharon’s website
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Glandion Carney — Classic Talk: The House of Grace
18 april 2022 · 31 min
A classic talk by Renovaré Ministry Team member and retired pastor Glandion Carney on the collection of practices that create room in his life for dwelling with God and receiving grace.
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Robyn Wrigley-Carr — Evelyn Underhill’s Prayer Book
4 april 2022 · 38 min
Author Robyn Wrigley-Carr joins Nathan on this week’s episode to discuss Evelyn Underhill’s Prayer Book. Lees meer
Show Notes
Who was Evelyn Underhill?
Tell me a little bit about her prayer book prior to your visit to the retreat house.
I’m hearing joy. Was it a joyful process for you?
She does something bold, taking a prayer from some great Saint and adding her own lines, making her own contribution to it. I found that really special to get to have both people’s prayers together.
Could you speculate what Evelyn might want people to do with this book?
One of the things I found exciting is that, a number of the people’s prayers that she quotes I knew the names, but there were a bunch of them I don’t. And you give a little description of them at the end, and I thought, “New friends to explore!”
Do you keep a prayer book?
I’ve been collecting prayers for years, my own and others. And I love the idea of curating your own collection, that they all mean something to you.
Resources
Evelyn Underhill’s Prayer Book, by Robin Wrigley Carr
The Spiritual Formation of Evelyn Underhill, by Robin Wrigley-Carr
Music of Eternity: Meditations for Advent with Evelyn Underhill, by Robyn Wrigley-Carr
The Letters of Evelyn Underhill, edited by Charles Williams
Letters from Baron Friedrich von Hügel to a Niece, by Friedrich von Hügel
Pleshy Retreat House
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Steve Macchia — Practicing a Preference for God
22 maart 2022 · 38 min
Steve Macchia, author and founder of Leadership Transformations, shares insights on cultivating discernment as a listening lifestyle—rather than merely a decision-making strategy—and how to humbly place God’s agenda ahead of our own. Lees meer
Show Notes
[:] You take a different spin of sorts on the topic of discernment. Could you share with us a little about some of your thinking on that?
[:] What does a discerning life look like going beyond big decision-making?
[:] What did that look like for you today to lean into discerning life?
[:] You have a phrase in the book that I just love and it's “practicing a preference for God.” Can you talk a little about that?
[:] There's a sort of certain humility that is required to even look or ask. If I got it all figured out, I'm not necessarily going to look for God's opinion on something, right?
[:] The prayer I'll often do is, “Hey, if you've got an opinion here, I’m open.” It just feels good in a way, to go this isn't all about me, right?
[:] There are other times where there’s an ease to it. Do you relate to that?
[:] How do people know they’re on the right track?
[:] What does this look like for a leader? How does discernment work itself out in the day to day?
[:] Leaders want to bring something, want to help, feel an internal or external responsibility to do such, but for you to bring listening, discerning—what you're doing is a ministry to your team, right?
[:] Share with me a couple of things going on with Leadership Transformations that folks could be involved with.
[:] One of your major contributions is the rule of life book. And then the discernment book. Do those intersect?
Resources
The Discerning Life, by Steve Macchia
Crafting a Rule of Life, by Steve Maccia
Steve’s ministry Leadership Transformations
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Jan Johnson — Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice
14 maart 2022 · 26 min
Author Jan Johnson joins Nathan on this week’s episode to discuss Dallas Willard’s book Renovation of the Heart (an upcoming selection for the Renovaré book club), and how to live it out in daily practice.