Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast

From the Renovaré 1999 international conference, Dallas Willard talks about what it means for our lives to become eternal—to be caught up into God's life.

One of the highlights of attending a Renovaré conference back in the 1990s and 2000s was George Skramstad leading songs and hearing his "History of Worship" presentation from the piano. Nathan talks with George about worship as expressed in music and life.Show Notes[3:35] How did you get into music professionally?[6:32] What do you like about music?[8:00] When you are leading worship, what do you hope is happening?[10:57] Why is the word worship synonymous with music?[12:34] You’ve created a masterpiece that we get to talk about today, and I’m very curious to know how this came to be.[15:48] Why do you think is helpful for folks to catch this big picture of the worship of Christians through the ages?[17:58] Do you have a favorite era in church music?ResourcesGeorge's six part presentation The History of Worship.Article: The Story of WorshipArticle: Finding the Heart of Worship

Luci Shaw's zest for life is contagious. At 92, the poet and writer is still discovering and creating. She talks with Nathan Foster about her new book, The Generosity, her creative process, and her close friendship with Madeleine L'Engle.Show Notes[2:40] Where did the title of new book, Angels Everywhere, come from?[3:37] The Generosity – where did that title come from?[7:55] Would it be safe to say that your dad was a kind of inspiration and helped encourage you as a poet?[12:48] How has your writing as a poet changed through the years?[15:21] How would you like people to read your poetry?[16:42] In which Luci reads a poem she wrote yesterday called April.This day,this springy day,I claim the never-endingSky for ceilingAnd in the little rooms of my lifeI cultivate seasonsAs if they are flowering vinesGrowing across my bedspread.And grapes maybe,Or seeds,Our promises of JulySleeping undergroundWaking and awakeningA green resurrection.On all our ancient treesRising sapHas thickened the twigsUntil they sprout a thousandHoney colored catechinsHeavy enough to swing in the wind,Flinging in the bursts of wild airTheir lusty spores.Pollen,Though it may be an affliction,Promotes new lifeAnd the cherry trees explodingWith their frothy pink blossoms.It is all joy,All gratitude,All grace.[19:42] What was it like working with Madeleine L’Engle?[22:45] In which Luci reads a poem she also wrote yesterday called Daybook:This day is a book still unfolding,a suspense novel—we recognize the genrewith clues from the morning paper.We are beguiled by the headlinesof sun struck cloudsand dew wet enoughto rinse our hands in.The plot is original.We can only guesshow it will turn out.So we follow the narrative arc,reading it throughthe burn and blaze of high noonall the way to the last page.Until like an ancient writerthe night writes finiand the stars endorsethe grateful author.[24:51] What would you say to folks who are thinking of writing poetry or beginning?[30:26] In which Luci reads Pilgrim from The Generosity:Meaning is a landscapeOf boulders.There, ahead of you,A thorny wilderness.You cannot leap over it. YouMust conquer it stone by stone.To traverse it,You must find sure footingAnd fortitudeIn uncertain weather,Your fear like metalIn your mouth.And yes, it is possibleTo walk the knife edge of longing,A blade narrowAs the path to heaven.ResourcesCosmos from Chaos: Renovaré Webinar with Luci Shaw and Andrew PetersonLuci Shaw's WebsiteThe Generosity from Publisher or on AmazonAngels EverywherePeople Luci mentions:Clyde KilbyMark Jarman, poetAndrew Hudgins, poetCarolyn Forché, poetEugene Peterson, The Message (esp. Psalm and Wisdom book)Winn Collier, A Burning in My Bones (Eugene Peterson biography)

James Catford, board chair at Renovaré and SPCK (UK's largest Christian publisher), talks to Nathan about a wonderfully practical book with an austere title: William Law's A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life.James is facilitating the Renovaré Book Club starting in April 2021.In the episode, you'll hear Richard Foster and Dallas Willard introducing the book at the 1999 Renovaré International Conference.Show Notes[10:32] How has William Law’s book been helpful to you?[12:45] How did the intersection of work and spiritual life play out for you?[14:59] Did you find integration?[20:53] In a culture that wouldn’t be drawn to the title, ironically there is grace in this.[22:16] What are some of the considerations, culturally, that people should come at this book with?[24:40] He presents the idea that everything is sacred. Where does beauty come in?[26:36] How does Law’s view of holiness lend itself to engaging with beauty, or does it?[29:15] In a sense this is a work that helps us move closer into being people who function well.ResourcesA Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (this is the version being used for the Renovaré Book Club)O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness

Writer, teacher, and pastor Keith Matthews had the unique opportunity to teach beside Dallas Willard for 18 years. Pastors and students who had read Dallas would often come and say: "We know his writing is special, but we're here to find out if he's for real."In this episode, Nathan and Keith discuss Dallas Willard's thoughts on character, his legacy, and the work being carried on through Dallas Willard Ministries, the Dallas Willard School of Kingdom Living, and the newly formed Dallas Willard Publishing.Show Notes[6:00] Tell me the story of when you first met Dallas.[9:50] What did you learn from him?[14:20] He was once asked what one of the defining characteristics of Jesus life was, and he answered with the word relaxed, is that correct?[19:35] Many people have picked up and are working with his work and ideas. Are you encouraged by that? Do you see holes or things that are lacking?[22:00] What does that look like for you, living daily with Christ?[23:40] On Dallas Willard Publications, how is it going and are there books in the works? Do you have a favorite Dallas book, or one you would recommend to people who have not read him before?[28:40] Tell us about the Dallas Willard School of Kingdom Living.ResourcesThe Divine ConspiracyThe Great OmissionRenewing the Christian MindDallas Willard MinistriesSchool of Kingdom Living

"Let's all get maladjusted to a world gone mad," sings Carolyn Arends. In this episode, she shares two songs from her new album—"Maladjusted" and "To Cry for You"—and the stories behind them. You can find Carolyn's music at her website, CarolynArends.com.Show Notes[1:00] Tell us about your new album Recognition. Many of the songs feel like Renovaré-birthed songs.[4:30] Did I have something to do with the idea behind the song Maladjusted?[7:30] How do you decipher a cultural value that is not necessarily a kingdom value? How do you sift through what you should adjust to and what you shouldn't?[12:40] Carolyn plays Malajusted[14:25] What is behind the song To Cry for You?[20:40] Grief is a good topic to be talking about now as people talk about our experience with the pandemic as grief. One of my favorite quotes is "feelings always come out." There is something about allowing ourselves to be in the suffering that births an ability to be in the blessing, the goodness, the gift.[24:15] Carolyn plays To Cry for You[25:50] Look for Carolyn’s new project – In the Morning - an acoustic worship album with songs that help unlock our hearts to what God wants to do in our midst.ResourcesCarolynArends.com

In this episode, Nathan asks candid questions about race: What's your experience of being black in America? What do you want white people to know? What is the Church's role? Tina Dyer, a racial equi­ty, diver­si­ty, strate­gist and now Renovaré Board member, answers with honesty and humility.

Eric Peterson used to hide from people who his dad was. Not that he was ashamed—his dad is his hero, as you'll hear in this interview—but he needed to establish his own voice and identity. Now an author and long-time pastor himself, he's glad to say, "Eugene Peterson, that's my dad."

If we cannot trust God to keep bad things from happening to us or to those we love, how do we trust God at all? Author and Anglican priest Tish Harrison Warren wrestles with this question in her new book and in this conversation with Nathan Foster.

Richard Foster helps introduce a new podcast from Renovaré called Friends in Formation, featuring Nathan Foster, James Catford, and Richella Parham.