Rule of Life

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.

Last week, we heard a story of miraculous, physical healing through prayer and fasting. But how does fasting heal communities? Generations? Systems? What is the effect of fasting outside of individuals? In this episode, our roundtable is joined by South African church planter Chris Wienand. Chris shares his experience in fasting and praying during Apartheid rule in South Africa, the opportunity for miracles through communities who fast, and the generational responsibilities belonging to followers of Jesus. 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.

Do you have a theology of the body? Many of us Western followers of Jesus have been formed to separate our bodies from our spirituality. But fasting might be the discipline we’ve been missing — a way to integrate our faith and our bodies and bring our whole self before God. To sanctify our souls as we fight sin in the flesh. In episode 2, John Mark Comer, Yinka Dawson, and Jarin Oda are joined by a special guest, T Comer, who shares her story of miraculous healing from chronic illness and a generational curse. Through fasting, intercession, and a call to holiness, the Spirit freed her body from fifteen years of serious sickness.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.

Fasting is arguably one of the most neglected spiritual practices in the Western world. Disciples of Jesus and non-Christians alike have so many questions: What is fasting? How can I practice in a healthy way? What about body shame and eating disorders? Is it mandated in the Scriptures? Where do I start?Join us for episode 1 of the Fasting series, where we hear a roundtable discussion with John Mark Comer, Yinka Dawson, and Jarin Oda all about the practice of fasting, from its historical roots to its transforming power and even its practicalities. The episode also includes an interview with Reward Sibanda about how fasting involves the full self, his own 21-day fast, and the spiritual breakthrough that can be found while fasting. 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.

In this final episode of season 2 of the Rule of Life podcast, we are joined by Strahan Coleman for a conversation on experiencing God, the differences between the fruits of the spirit and the gifts of the spirit, the dangers of depersonalizing God, and how to bring ourselves to silence. Strahan Coleman is an award winning musician, poet, writer, and spiritual director from Aotearoa New Zealand. He is the founder of Commoners Communion, a place for exploring deepness with God through spiritual retreats, a podcast, and online prayer schools. Strahan has written three volumes of poetic prayer books as well as “Beholding: Deepening Our Experience With God” that invites readers into the joy of being in God’s presence.

How should we exist in the tension between contemplation and action? Between listening and speaking? Between public and private? Where do our thoughts and prayers enter in? Join us for a conversation with luminary thinker, Jonathan Tremaine Thomas. This conversation covers contemplative activism, praying in the spirit, and the communion with God found in fasting. Jonathan Tremaine Thomas is a pastor, activist, prayer mobilizer, actor, and the founder of civilrighteousness.com. Today he directs prayer-fueled evangelism, discipleship, community transformation, and racial reconciliation initiatives in the St.Louis area while serving as on the pastoral team at Destiny Church St.Louis. He is also a justice, mercy, and reconciliation fellow at Bridgetown Church. With a strong conviction to “earnestly contend for the faith”; Jonathan carries an uncompromising message of identity in Christ and eternal perspective. He currently resides in Ferguson, MO with his wife Mollie and their young daughter.These podcasts accompany nine Practices developed by Practicing the Way. Thanks to the generosity of The Circle, these Practices are now free. To learn more about The Circle or to participate in a Practice with your church, community, or small group, visit www.practicingtheway.org.

What is it to simply be with God? What does it look like? What does it feel like? In this discussion on the fourth movement of prayer, you’ll hear what it means to go from talking to God, talking with God, and listening to God…to being with God. Existing together in his presence…free from any words at all. This episode features wisdom from Rich Villodas and Strahan Coleman as well as everyday apprentices of Jesus. These podcasts accompany nine Practices developed by Practicing the Way. Thanks to the generosity of The Circle, these Practices are now free. To learn more about The Circle or to participate in a Practice with your church, community, or small group, visit www.practicingtheway.org.

Have you ever wondered: Does God still speak? If he does, how does he speak? And what is he saying? How can I know that it’s him?In the last two episodes of the series, we learned about talking to God and talking with God. And like in many contexts in our modern world, we are better at talking than we are at listening. So what does it look like to listen to God? To hear his voice? In this third movement, listening to God, you’ll hear about six different ways that God speaks and three challenges that encompass our inability to hear him. These podcasts accompany nine Practices developed by Practicing the Way. Thanks to the generosity of The Circle, these Practices are now free. To learn more about The Circle or to participate in a Practice with your church, community, or small group, visit www.practicingtheway.org.

If you have any amount of experience with prayer, you probably have questions. Why does God answer some of my prayers and not others? Why does God wait to answer my prayers? If Jesus came to seek and save the lost and if prayer is powerful, then why doesn’t God seem to answer prayers for my lost friends and family? These questions can compound into confusion about God Himself and eventually lead us to think: Do my prayers matter? Do they matter to God? And do they matter in the real world and in the lives of real people? This episode includes personal stories about unanswered prayer, what prayer says about the character of God, and how different cultural traditions interact with these questions. You’ll also hear wisdom from Strahan Coleman, Pete Greig, and everyday apprentices of Jesus. These podcasts accompany nine Practices developed by Practicing the Way. Thanks to the generosity of The Circle, these Practices are now free. To learn more about The Circle or to participate in the Practice with your church, community, or small group, visit www.practicingtheway.org.