Rule of Life

Josh and Abbi, who learned early in their marriage to live on a meager income, share their transformative journey into minimalism and generosity. They discuss how frugality shaped their financial priorities, leading to a budget that prioritizes helping others. Their reflections reveal the joy of teaching their children about kindness through practical experiences. The couple emphasizes that the true fulfillment comes from generous giving rather than accumulating material possessions, fostering happiness and contentment for themselves and their family.

Join John Mark Comer, an author and speaker on spiritual formation, alongside Christian Dawson, a thought leader in community engagement. They dive deep into the extravagant generosity of the early church, challenging the conventional views on tithing. Explore what true communal care looks like, as they ponder who the poor really are and how we can serve them today. The duo discusses shifting from rigid giving to a joyful, generous lifestyle, emphasizing the power of relationships built on mutual support in addressing diverse needs within the community.

Lola grew up in a family that, in her words, “gave with ease.” When she joined a community of followers of Jesus, she experienced the same generosity during a period of unexpected difficulty. Taking in generous love softened her heart and kindled a desire to show up for others in need.This podcast accompanies the Generosity Practice, a four-session experience designed to help integrate generosity into your community. Learn more at practicingtheway.org/generosity. Thanks to The Circle and other givers, all our resources are free. To learn more about The Circle, visit practicingtheway.org/give. To run a Practice with your church or small group, visit practicingtheway.org/resources.

In this engaging discussion, John Mark Comer, a pastor and author known for his spiritual insights, teams up with Christian Dawson, a thought leader in theology and stewardship. They delve into the idea that we are stewards of God's resources, not owners, encouraging a shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance. They also explore the challenges of aligning modern financial practices with biblical teachings, critique the prosperity gospel, and emphasize the moral responsibilities that come with wealth. A transformative conversation on generosity awaits!

Sunny, an engineer committed to living generously, shares how money reflects our true values. He discusses his family's journey toward intentional giving, emphasizing the importance of viewing finances through a spiritual lens. Sunny's practice involves regular assessments of their generosity, aiming to increase giving by 1% each year, not out of obligation but from a place of joy in serving others. His insights offer a refreshing perspective on integrating generosity into daily life.

Christian Dawson, an insightful speaker on generosity and contentment, joins the conversation to explore how our desire for accumulation can lead to anxiety and discontent. They discuss the deception of wealth and how societal pressures shape our understanding of 'enough.' Through personal stories, Christian highlights the links between greed and social injustice, particularly affecting Gen Z. The dialogue encourages a path toward simplicity and emotional connection, advocating for intentional generosity as a key to true happiness.

Jim, a transformed devotee of generosity, and Jan, a committed tither, share their enlightening journeys sparked by a Generous Giving conference. Both discuss how their perspectives shifted on tithing, embracing a deeper commitment to stewardship. Inspired by powerful testimonials, they emphasize that true generosity leads to joy, not affluence. Their experiences highlight how giving connects us to our faith and community, pushing the boundaries of conventional generosity into a transformative mission dedicated to helping others.

Christian Dawson, a guest speaker and advocate for generous living, shares insights that bridge ancient teachings and modern life. He highlights how Jesus’ guidance on money is surprisingly relevant today, linking generosity to genuine happiness and well-being. Discussing the paradox of abundance versus scarcity, Dawson points out that embracing a generous spirit liberates us from financial fears. He offers practical steps to cultivate a mindset of generosity and emphasizes that true joy comes from giving, not receiving.

Explore the challenges of finding solitude in a noisy and busy life, the transformative nature of spiritual practices, and the significance of solitude in fostering inner peace and transformation. Also, discover the importance of self-awareness, remembering one's identity, and embracing tension for personal growth and understanding.

In this podcast season so far, we’ve discussed two encounters that we may experience during solitude — an encounter with ourselves and an encounter with God. In this final interview of the season, John Mark Comer and Bryan Rouanzoin interview Emily P. Freeman about how solitude enables us to encounter the living God. Through this encounter, we can experience his presence, hear his voice, and witness his power personally. Emily P. Freeman is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of five books, including The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions. As a spiritual director, podcast host, and workshop leader, her most important work is to help create soul space and offer spiritual companionship and discernment for anyone struggling with decision fatigue. Her work has been featured in Today Parents, Christianity Today, and Patheos. Emily holds a master’s degree in spiritual formation and leadership from Friends University where she also serves as a residency lecturer. She lives in North Carolina with her family. Find her work on her website, instagram, and her Substack, The Soul Minimalist.This podcast accompanies the Solitude Practice, developed by Practicing the Way. Thanks to the generosity of The Circle, all our resources are free. To learn more about The Circle or to run a Practice with your church, community, or small group, visit https://www.practicingtheway.org/.