Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast

Nathan Foster sat down with Renovaré's president, Ted Harro, to discuss bold new ministry initiatives at Renovaré that will carry the founding vision forward to a Church and a world in need of renewal. 

Producers Brian Morykon and Grace Pouch interview Nathan Foster about his role as the host of Life With God and about the podcasting medium as a place for listening and growing together.

On episode 299 of Life With God (recorded live at the RēGathering conference), professor and author Rebecca DeYoung talks with Nathan about what to do when we feel angry. Show NotesResources by Rebecca DeYoungArticle: “How to Practice Hope”Essay: “Why Are You Angry?”Talk: “The Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath”Scholarly publications: Available online here Other related resources recommended by Rebecca“Praying in the Dark” by J. Todd Billings—on lament, protest, and compassionate witness as ways to express our emotions without spiraling into despair. Listen to an interview with Charlotte vanOyen Witvliet (a Christian psychologist and friend of Rebecca DeYoung) on moving forward in forgiveness. ​​Aquinas on the vice of wrathGarret Keizer, The Enigma of Anger: Essays on a Sometimes Deadly Sin Josef Pieper, "The Power of Wrath" in The Four Cardinal Virtues (Notre Dame Press), 193-197. Robert C. Roberts, "Peace" in Spiritual emotions: a psychology of Christian virtues (Eerdmans),  165-178. 

Venezuelan-Canadian author Paola Barrera joins Nate on Life With God to discuss her story of immigration and how it shaped her outlook on God’s kingdom.

President and CEO of American Leprosy Missions (Hope Rises International) Bill Simmons speaks with Nate about burnout and the Sabbatical experience that brought deep healing to his soul.Show NotesBill’s book: The Way of Interruption: Spiritual Practice for Organizational LifeRead an excerpt from The Way of InterruptionFind Bill at billsimmons.net, hoperises.org, and LinkedIn.  Bill Simmons is President and CEO of American Leprosy Missions (soon to be Hope Rises International), part of his two-decade journey leading national and international organizations. Bill brings deep insight to the intersection of organizational leadership and spiritual formation, and is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in spiritual formation at Gordon Conwell Seminary. Bill holds a BA from the University of Tennessee. Bill and his wife Cindi live in Greenville, SC.

Nathan speaks with renowned author Kathleen Norris about writing about her sister in her new book, Rebecca Sue: A Sister’s Reflections on Disability, Faith, and Love.

The McMinn's join Nate to talk about life on their farm and finding the right pace for a flourishing life.

In this audio meditation, Nathan Foster weaves together a selection of beautiful and challenging sayings by 17th-century spiritual director, Jean Pierre de Caussade that invite us to embrace God’s formation deep into our souls.

Walter Strickland II, an assistant professor of theology and teaching pastor, shares insights from his book Swing Low, exploring the rich tapestry of Black Christianity. He emphasizes how suffering shapes faith, challenging the prosperity gospel while revealing the resilience found in African-American traditions. Strickland discusses the theological foundations of the Black church, rooted in the Exodus narrative, and reflects on the journey of understanding diverse worship practices. Listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the unique contributions of marginalized voices in the Christian faith.

Amanda Held Opelt, a talented author and songwriter from Boone, North Carolina, delves into her profound journey through grief and its intersection with faith. She shares how her theological beliefs were tested during her darkest times. The conversation highlights the difference between wholeness and happiness, and the importance of embracing grief through art and ritual. Amanda discusses the healing power of love amidst sorrow and presents a holistic view of life's challenges, emphasizing personal growth and the significance of vulnerability in the healing process.