Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast

Brandan Spencer, Renovaré’s Director of Church Engagement and a seasoned pastor and leadership coach, shares insights on church renewal and family life. He emphasizes the importance of being present with children and the enriching role of nature and community. Discussing the evolving nature of the church, he highlights the power of faith, relationships, and healing, urging listeners to trust in God's plan as they navigate modern challenges together.

Author and teacher Jan Johnson joins Nate to talk about Jesus' parables that help us understand God's reign. The kingdom parables are the topic of a new book—created from Dallas Willard's teaching archives—and a companion workbook that Jan Johnson created.Show NotesThe Scandal of the Kingdom WorkbookThe Scandal of the KingdomDownloadable resources:The Foreword and Chapter OneChapter One of the WorkbookSix-Part Sermon Series.The original audio series (for The Scandal of the Kingdom) is being released week-by-week on The Dallas Willard Podcast.Want to participate in a course on the book? You can join the interest list here.

Renovaré’s Education Program Coordinator Wendy Dean talks with Nate about wanting what’s best for our kids—and letting God’s vision of the best supersede our own.

Winn Collier, director of the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination, talks with Nathan about hardships that shatter false hopes and the one reality that provides a sturdy place to stand.

Steve and Nate have an honest conversation about whether Christian spiritual formation is a movement or just a moment or fad. They also delve into the importance of total abandonment to God and the gift of brokenness.

Nathan welcomes author Sarah Clarkson to the show to discuss Scottish preacher and fiction writer George MacDonald—a key influence on Sarah’s literary career as well as her faith.Show NotesYou can find Sarah writing regularly at her Substack, From the Vicarage (sarahclarkson.substack.com) or discover her books at sarahclarkson.comRecommended by SarahFree online version of The Light Princess and Other Fairy Stories Free online version of Princess and the Goblins, one of Sarah’s favorite children's novels by MacDonaldFree online version of Lilith, Sarah’s favorite adult fairy tale by MacDonaldSarah’s friend, Dr. Amanda Vernon, is a MacDonald scholar and children’s literature enthusiast.A website dedicated to books, articles, art, and music about, or inspired by, George MacDonald's sermons, lectures, poems, prose, and prayers.Recent Word on Fire edition of The Golden Key.

Poet laureate, professor, and author Ben Myers joins Nate to discuss a book that has been a constant and formative presence in his life: Dante's The Divine Comedy.Benjamin Myers is the Crouch-Matthis Professor of Literature and the director of theGreat Books Honors Program at Oklahoma Baptist University. A former poet laureate ofOklahoma, he is the author of four books of poetry as well as of one previous and twoforthcoming books of nonfiction. His poems, essays, and stories have appeared in manyjournals and magazines, including Image, The Yale Review, First Things, and Rattle.He is a contributing editor for Front Porch Republic and lives in Chandler, OK. His mostrecent book of poems is The Family Book of Martyrs (2023).Show NotesThe "100 Days of Dante" project.The entire Comedy without commentary. Ben's article “A Disgusting Poem on God’s Goodness.”  Ben's book The Family Book of Martyrs.

Mimi Dixon, an insightful author focused on the impact of spiritual literature, joins renowned Christian author Richard Foster for a profound discussion. They explore the transformative journey of spiritual disciplines, reflecting on personal stories that shaped their faith. The conversation covers the emerging genre of book biographies, the importance of community in faith formation, and the delicate art of writing a biography while the subject is alive. They also share a unique prayer practice to help listeners let go and receive grace.

Author and podcast host Nick Page shares some guidelines for understanding the Bible and reading with a heart open to encountering God.Show NotesThe Mid-Faith Crisis PodcastSome of Nick’s Books Nick Page on microblog

Mariah Velásquez, Director of the Incarnatio Center for Formation and Integration at Westmont College and Associate Director of the Martin Center, joins Nate on the Life with God podcast to talk about a favorite book—Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of God.Show Notes1. Book excerpts: Practicing the Presence of Christ An Habitual Sense of God's PresenceLiving Each Moment with a Sense of God's Presence2. Lectio 365 Prayer App - A helpful way to re-orient to God's presence in the morning and evening.3. Content from the Martin Institute's recent academic workshop, "A Crisis Among Us: The Problem of Christian Immaturity" is available here.4. You can find Mariah's writing on Conversatio.orgThe Practicing of Presence. A roadmap report on spiritual formation