Rule of Life

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/.

Ken Shigematsu, senior pastor of Tenth Church in Vancouver, discusses solitude and encountering our enemies. They explore different challenges of solitude, distinguishing between God's voice and the voice of the enemy. They also discuss the power of silence and solitude in transformation and overcoming chaos and temptation. The chapter covers embracing silence and solitude, exploring shame and identity, and the practicality of incorporating solitude into daily life.

Pastor of spiritual formation, Bethany Allen, joins John Mark Comer and Bryan Rouanzoin to discuss the transformative power of solitude, the beauty of stillness, and the importance of bringing our whole selves before God for healing and reflection. They explore the impact of solitude on personal growth, the concept of inner peace, and the healing of pain through prayer.

Jesus regularly oscillated between rich time in community and beautiful time connecting with God in solitude in the eremos. The “quiet place” was an intentional space Jesus entered to be alone with God and himself. As apprentices of Jesus, we desperately need to set aside time for this too.In episode 1 of the Solitude season, Bethany Allen and John Mark Comer interview John Ortberg. John Ortberg is a longtime pastor, speaker, and author, and the founder of an online ministry called BecomeNew.Me. He and his wife Nancy live in Northern California. Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, John graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in psychology. He holds a Master of Divinity and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Fuller Seminary, and has done post-graduate work at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.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 practicingtheway.org.

John Mark Comer, a speaker on the practice of solitude and its importance for every disciple of Jesus, discusses the disappearing practice of solitude in today's noisy world. He explores the significance of solitude in the modern world, referencing the practices of Jesus and other spiritual figures throughout history. Comer emphasizes the need to set aside time to be with God and listen to Him, comparing it to the intimacy in a marriage. He also discusses the relationship between theology and experience in Christian spirituality, and the importance of solitude and stillness in spiritual disciplines.

After discussing the ancient practice of fasting — its origins, practicalities, and benefits — the questions still remain: What about those of us with a history of disordered eating? Or a medical condition that prevents us from fasting? How do I know if it is healthy for me to fast? Am I missing out if I struggle in this way? This final episode of the Fasting series dives into these questions alongside Dr. Alison Cook, a licensed therapist, author, and podcast host. Originally from Wyoming, Alison studied at Dartmouth College (B.A.), Denver Seminary (M.A.), and the University of Denver (Ph.D.), where she specialized in integrating psychology and theology. Alison’s doctoral dissertation centered on the relationship between religion and prejudice. She is certified in Internal Family Systems Therapy and spent many years practicing in a clinic that served individuals with eating disorders and body dysmorphia. Alison has written two books: Boundaries for Your Soul and The Best of You. Find out more at https://www.dralisoncook.com/. This podcast accompanies the Fasting Practice, developed by Practicing the Way. Thanks to the generosity of The Circle, all Practices are free. To learn more about The Circle or to run a Practice with your church, community, or small group, visit www.practicingtheway.org.

Does a practice like fasting matter in the face of injustice and evil in the world? Can fasting really change any of it? If so, how?For the fourth week of our Fasting series, pastor and writer, Tyler Staton joins John Mark Comer, Yinka Dawson, and Jarin Oda to talk about three key characteristics of biblical justice, the differences between standing for and with the poor, and how fasting is a powerful way to empathize with and intercede for our neighbors in need. This podcast accompanies the Fasting Practice, developed by Practicing the Way. Thanks to the generosity of The Circle, all Practices are free. To learn more about The Circle or to run a Practice with your church, community, or small group, visit www.practicingtheway.org.