Unhurried Living | Helping Christians Rest Deeper & Lead Better

Welcome to an Inhaling Grace audiobook episode of the Unhurried Living podcast. Here are the next three devotionals from Inhaling Grace. May you sense the real presence of God shepherding you as you listen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Last Fall, I made an eight-day silent retreat at Eastern Point Retreat House in Gloucester, Mass. While I was there, I came across a book I’d read a long time back: Parker Palmer’s The Active Life. I read some of it while I enjoyed those prayerful days in November, quietly sitting next to a little bay on which this retreat is situated. What I learned is today’s theme: Cultivating a Productive Rhythm of Action and Contemplation. Welcome to the Unhurried Living Podcast. So what are talking about here? If I were to use philosophical or theological categories, I might want to talk about action and contemplation. If I were to use practical or vocational categories, I might talk about leadership and spiritual formation. If I were to use theoretical or academic categories, I might talk about engagement and reflection. If I were to talk about this in everyday language, I might talk about work and prayer. The reason this conversation is so important is that it often feels like there is no option but for action and contemplation to be at war with each other. It can feel like we have to choose sides between being a work-driven, Type-A activist or a deep-rooted, very prayerful contemplative. We sometimes assume one category is made up of extroverts and the other of introverts. Listen as we discuss Parker's thoughts and the difference of each. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Here are the next three devotionals from Inhaling Grace. May you sense the real presence of God shepherding you as you listen. Audiobook read by author, Alan Fadling Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Most mornings our backyard is a cacophony of birdsong. We have an unrelenting mockingbird who sings at the top of his lungs, sometimes beginning well before dawn. Combined with some bouncing sparrows, a pair of cooing doves, hummingbirds buzzing around and a random flock of crows, it can be quite entertaining. Sometimes, I am inspired to sit out back and watch the birds hop through our grass, looking for a spare crumb or sipping a few drops of leftover water from our sprinkler heads. And almost every time, these words of Jesus pop into my head, “Look at the birds…” The question then becomes–Am I paying attention? Am I present? Am I listening? Are my eyes open to the wonders around me? Paying attention to this living wisdom can lead to maturity because God has created this world in such a way that life lessons are all around. Let’s turn our gaze inward for a few moments. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to an Inhaling Grace audiobook episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast. Here are the next three devotionals from Inhaling Grace. May you sense the real presence of God shepherding you as you listen… Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We recently returned home from a dream 34th anniversary vacation trip to Italy and Spain. It was beautiful, we saw amazing sights, and we were gone long enough to disengage from work and to come back refreshed. But it wasn’t all perfect. Today, we thought we would share what we learned about ourselves and what a true vacation for us looks like. How can you get away, have fun, and refuel with deep rest? The answer might be different for everyone. We know that this might come down to personality. What one person finds stressful is another person’s rest and vice versa. When traveling with people, it is still fair to ask this question and come to an agreement about how the days will flow. Ideally, a vacation is a time of rest, no matter the form that takes. No one wants to bring stress along on a getaway. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to an Inhaling Grace audiobook episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast. Author, Alan Fadling, is providing chapters 7-9 in this podcast. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Our guest today is Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author, Emily P. Freeman. Her latest book is called The Next Right Thing, which just happens to have the same name as her podcast. Through her podcast and books, Emily helps create space for the soul to breathe, offering fresh perspective on the sacredness of our inner life with God. Welcome to the Unhurried Living Podcast. We talk with Emily about the intersection of decision making and an unhurried life. She shares how she deals with hurry in her life and work, and how she views time and makes her way toward freedom in her schedule. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to an Inhaling Grace audiobook episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast. Here are the next three devotionals from Inhaling Grace. May you sense the real presence of God shepherding you as you listen. Thank you for listening. If you’d like a copy of Inhaling Grace, you can visit unhurriedliving.com/grace to purchase your book. You have three options: an eBook, a paperback, or you can get a discount on five copies or more. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today we share with you a note from a leader in her mid-30s: I struggle to set priorities. It feels as though there is a lot to juggle between raising children, nurturing my marriage, training others, participating in a missional community, working with refugees, serving at church, managing my home, extra-curricular activities, etc. - and still have time to pursue physical and spiritual health. I know that these are important but just what balance is optimal? I don’t know about you, but I got tired just reading that list. My guess is many of you can relate to this person’s life. But is balance the goal? How do you decide how to prioritize your life? And are these even the right questions to begin with? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.