Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast

Pastor and author Andrew Arndt discusses the wisdom of the desert fathers and mothers, embracing life with freedom and gratitude, lessons from their teachings, and recovering self-awareness and the holiness of others.

Mimi Dixon shares how the life and words of Catherine Doherty—a pioneer for interracial justice and mentor to Thomas Merton—helped her to return to her first love. ResourcesPoustinia, by Catherine DohertyCatherine Doherty writes about prayer and sacraments as ways to welcome and know the presence of God in “First Meet God” Luminous Lives, a Renovaré e-course hosted my Mimi Dixon

Matthew Clark joined Nate in-person to tape this week's podcast conversation on the topic of truth — truthful storytelling, truthful music, true relationships and true worship. Visit Matthew Clark's website.Books by Matthew ClarkTale of Two Trees  Only The Lover Sings Find Matthew's music on Spotify and AppleMatthew's Podcast — One Thousand Words: Stories Along the Way

Printmaker Sally Kendrick talks with Nate about the creative act of finding and printing specimens from nature as a way of cultivating "openness to the presence of God and willingness to receive the love of God." Sally Kendrick is a Maryland-based photographer with Carolina roots. She began experimenting with cyanotypes as a way of cultivating a habit of attentiveness to the beauty in the natural world around her. Read Sally's essay "Attention Grows into Love" on renovare.org.True Impressions: Daily Prayers (artwork by Sally Kendrick) available for purchase or for free download.Sally has graciously offered some of her cyanotypes as downloads that can be printed locally.You can connect with Sally on Instagram at @turkeycreekprints.

Sarah Clarkson spoke with Nathan Foster from her home in the UK about her experiences with grief and fear and the way God has been restoring faith, hope, and love in her life through the gift of beauty.Sarah's Website: https://sarahclarkson.comBooks by Sarah:This Beautiful Truth: How God's Goodness Breaks into Our DarknessBook Girl: A Journey Through the Treasures and Transforming Power of a Reading LifeCaught Up in a Story: Fostering a Storyformed Life of Great Books & Imagination with Your ChildrenThe Life Giving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming

Mark Buchanan, author of a book on the healing power of nature, discusses the transformative impact of nature on the soul, the connection between nature and faith, the healing power of nature and walking in the mountains, and the spontaneity of wilderness prayer and encounters with God.

Katelyn J. Dixon, a writer and advocate for spiritual healing through creative writing, talks about the power of writing as a means of healing, empowerment, and self-discovery. She discusses the challenges of seeking validation and the importance of writing for oneself and as a conversation with God. The podcast also explores overcoming fear of failure, pursuing gifts and passions, and the transformative power of deep observation and creativity.

In this podcast, they explore the importance of humility and contentment, reflecting on the concept of a calmed and quieted soul. They discuss finding life-sustaining connection with God and offer a different method for approaching prayer and scripture. With guided prayers and spiritual conversations, listeners can sink into the depths of Psalm 131.

Prayer doesn't have to be perfect, just real. Brian Morykon and Nathan Foster talk about music and writing as forms that help us craft authentic prayers in this 2015 episode of the Renovaré Podcast.Brian's song that is referenced in the podcast conversation and played at the end of the episode is What Can I Do (lyrics below), from The Smallest Seed, released December 18, 2012. (c) All rights reserved.Please give me grace to be weakThe moment I'm strong I get up and leaveWhere am I going in such a rush anywayMy heart tap of love is running dryTried to fix it myself and clogged my mindI'm knee deep and need Your touch to put things rightWhat can I do apart from You?I made a god of self-controlWorshipped my will like it saved my soulMade sacrifices but nothing satisfied itWhere is that 12 step meeting placefor addicts high on their own waysI'm ready to surrenderI can build my house on the sandA fragile façade where I can pretenduntil one strong blow of your windI am left standing without any wallsAnd the Wind that just broke me breathes in my soulthe Breath of Life... oh…Find more of Brian's music at morykon.com.

"Each day is God's gift… But we have a choice." Jan Johnson talks with Nate about how to rejoice and be glad with the help of spiritual disciplines. Find more Jan Johnson resources at janjohnson.org