The Discerning Leader Podcast

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Jeremy Stefano "Sometimes people think we need to be all put together in order to come into the presence of God, but that's simply not true." – Jeremy Stefano Spiritual retreats are a wonderful opportunity to experience the hospitality of God amidst one's desire to be hospitable to the soul. Where we experience such retreats should open us up to a fresh move of God's Spirit, even if we come from a dark valley or a season of fear. God sets the table before us and invites us to enter willingly, with unforced authenticity. Even though setting and location shouldn't matter, in many ways it does. The external environment and people, location, and mindset, all coalesce in enhancing the deep interior joy of intimacy with Christ. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Jeremy Stefano "Spiritual retreats place us in a position to receive what Jesus is already doing in our behalf." – Jeremy Stefano There are so many options for retreats, but a spiritual retreat is unique. Designed to heighten our attentiveness quotient, participants are invited to place themselves in postures of graced receptivity. It's here where we notice and receive all that Jesus is already providing for us…his shepherding provisions of goodness and love, inviting us to lay still beside quiet waters, and be restored in heart, mind, body, and soul. On retreat we reconnect contemplatively with the state of our souls and the Lover of our souls, in the Word, prayer, and in various reflective practices. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Jeremy Stefano "Turn away from other things that pretend to satisfy the soul and find rest in the Lord…in repentance, quietness and trust." – Jeremy Stefano Often unaware, we become productivity machines and lose sight of what it means to be a human being longing for relationship with God. Spiritual retreats are great experiences of rediscovery and restorative renewal. It's on retreat where we are reminded of the myriad gifts of God, primarily his unconditional love, flowing forth in his mercy, grace, compassion, kindness and forgiveness. Retreats allow us set apart time to wait on God, notice him, attend to his still small voice, receive his gifts, and delight in his presence. When to retreat? How about now! Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Jeremy Stefano "A holy place to draw away to a space and time dedicated solely to God, to be present to God." – Jeremy Stefano There are many ways to retreat, but on a spiritual retreat the exclusive desire is to be with Jesus. Likened to his invitation to the disciples immediately prior to the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus says "come with me by yourselves to a solitary place and get some rest." (Mark 6:31). On spiritual retreat we are saying yes to that invitation, hopping on a boat in the middle of a lake (or a retreat center), separated from the busyness and noisiness of life, to simply be with the Lover of our souls. Retreats are special times with Jesus, replenished in wilderness or in plenty. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Ted Wueste "The ways of God are mysterious, but the person of God is reliable, trustworthy – even and especially in times of suffering." – Ted Wueste It is certainly possible to discern God's presence during seasons of suffering. Yes, even in our darkest days, the love of God is there to guide, sustain and encourage us. Ted Wueste shares the deeply profound invitation of God to walk into and embrace our times of suffering and receive the gifts God wants to offer. When we frame our lives in the context of our story, which is also God's story, we can discern our with-God life as firmly rooted in the loving character of God. Themes of grace, hope, and presence are covered in this episode to encourage all of us. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Ted Wueste "The Lord prepares us for our times of suffering so we can walk with Him through our suffering. With God we can walk through anything." – Ted Wueste God invites us to trust him in times of pain and suffering and he equips us to enter these deep places instead of being enmeshed in our own life circumstances. Our guest, Ted Wueste, knows this from first-hand experience. Diagnosed in September 2017 with Hodgkin's lymphoma, followed by multiple chemotherapy treatments, surgery to remove from his chest a mass the size of a baseball, two stem cell transplants, and acute myeloma leukemia, Ted speaks of God's goodness and grace. His story is laced with many opportunities to notice the with-ness of God. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Cynthia Fantasia "When we choose to trust God, then we find him, and begin to see his fingerprints on everything." – Cynthia Fantasia Today 6 million have Alzheimer's disease, with 16.5 million unpaid caregivers coming alongside them, thrown into their role without any lead up or training. None of this has caught God by surprise, but for the care-giver every aspect of the experience is new. In this testing, God is building perseverance and our response may not be joyful, but it can be joy-filled. Today's episode covers several reflections for coming alongside those who suffer: grieving differently; being kind; holy habits; short accounts; open-handedness; gratitude; presence; and love. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Cynthia Fantasia "Remember that the present loss doesn't override the richness of the past. We had 45 years of amazing memories and 3 years of sickness and suffering." – Cynthia Fantasia In the Lingering Light, written by our guest Cynthia Fantasia, provides courage and hope for the Alzheimer caregiver. After a delightful 45 years of marriage and family life, everything changed with Bob Fantasia's Alzheimer's. Were it not for a community of friends and family members coming alongside Cynthia, life would have been dark and foreboding. Ambiguous grief – the loss of someone who is still alive but in a different state of mind – can be debilitating. But, a strong faith, deeply forged in community, unleashes the sustaining presence and power of God. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Cynthia Fantasia "I determined to live on the other side of eternity as a caregiver for my beloved husband as he suffered through his terminal Alzheimer's disease. My goal was to preserve his dignity and my sanity." – Cynthia Fantasia Discerning God's presence and power during times of suffering and heartache can be challenging. It's nearly impossible without having others in your community to help direct you back to the truths that you know, but have gotten muddled in the midst of the suffering. Our guest, Cynthia Fantasia, tells her story of coming alongside her beloved husband as he suffered for 34 months with Alzheimer's disease. For both of them, this was the fulfillment of their "for worse and in sickness" side of their wedding vows, persevered through raw, faithful love. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Rick Anderson "An honest diagnosis and a hopeful prognosis is needed for local congregations today. The Church Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) will help you get there." -Rick Anderson The Church is vitally important. Leadership Transformations supports the spiritual health of the body of Christ. The Church Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) is an online, holistic, user-friendly, biblically-centered, strengths-based listening tool that hundreds of congregations have used successfully. Like looking both ways before crossing the street, CHAT helps leadership teams remain attentive to their surroundings, especially their congregants. A deeper awareness of God and his beloved children leads to greater clarity and trust for discerning the way forward. Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net