Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast

Renovaré Ministry Team member and pastor, Kai Nilsen, talks with Nate about what we can learn from recent disruptions to church norms.

In this week’s episode of the Renovaré Podcast, Nathan talks with Miriam Rockness and Mimi Dixon about the life and faith of Lilias Trotter. Show Notes[ ] What has drawn you and fed you about her life? How did you discover her?[ ] Is it accurate to say we might have lost some of these pieces of her work had it not been for your journey?[ ] What I’m hearing, Miriam, is that you said Yes, and it reminds me a little of Lilias. She said Yes. Mimi, do you have any sense as to where she had the courage to say Yes? What did you hear in her words?ResourcesA Passion for the Impossible, Miriam Huffman RocknessParables of the Cross, by Lilias TrotterCreative Prayer, by Emily HermanThe Way of the Sevenfold Secret, Lilias TrotterMany Beautiful Things (movie about the life of Lilias Trotter)Miriam Rockness website

Show notesWhat is visio divina, Viv?And how do you do that?What you're saying is that it's something we do all the time.—it's just taking a little extra pause or intentionality with what we're seeing?Can I do visio with nature… look out my window?What is your practice? Do you find a painting and say, “I'm gonna spend a half hour with this?”So it would be a little like sitting down to read a book. I'm gonna sit down and read visually, like a painting or a scene. Is that how you would do it?What is your practice for selecting a piece to use and how do you get a certain space in your house or what?You mentioned you don't watch television. Does that tie in?How does this fit into the practice of retreat, or does it?How does that practice [of choosing art for a space] tie into retreat … for example, you've built a retreat house?What do you look for when you go on retreat?What kind of experiences are you hoping to craft with the retreats at the house?...Find out more about Vivianne's retreat house, Vilayala.

Nathan Foster talks with Winn Collier about the penetrating and practical spiritual wisdom of 17th-century archbishop and writer François Fénelon.Show Notes [3:42] Could you share a little about Fénelon? [10:35] There’s almost a level of pain that one needs to feel in order to find the comfort... I wonder if it's a season of life, if you’re in a space where you’re really needing a kind of brokenness.[11:57] I would go beyond identifying [pain]... It’s giving a map.[13:26] Do you know his influences, what shaped him in his life?[15:18] What were you hoping to do with the book?[16:45] What did you learn from the project?[19:56] Do you get any indication that he was a person of joy?[21:28] You can dip in anywhere in his letters ... I will usually read one at a time and just sit with it, reading it multiple times before moving to another one. Am I doing it right?[23:07] Thoughtful, honest pastor—this reminds me of another friend of ours beyond the grave. How would you connect him with Eugene Peterson? Would you?[24:17] How are things with the Eugene Peterson Center?ResourcesLet God: Spiritual Conversations with François Fénelon, by Winn CollierLet Go, by François FénelonA Burning in My Bones, by Winn CollierEugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination

Brenda Quinn and Richard Foster join Nathan to talk about Richard’s new book, Learning Humility: A Year of Searching for a Vanishing Virtue.Show Notes[4:38] Dad, could you give us an overview?[9:38] Brenda, what was your journey like as you were reading the chapters and how did this work for you as a Christ follower and a pastor?[17:08] Dad, the humble mumble – could you explain that? How did spending this year and writing the book tie into that?[18:44] Brenda, as a pastor, I’m sure you get lots of compliments. How do you handle those when people have nice things to say about you?[21:21] A lot of people don’t know how to say I’m sorry or own up to things. And that potentially stems from (a lack of) humility, doesn’t it, that my ego is fragile enough that I can’t handle critique?[22:45] Humility is really about freedom, would you agree?[25:21] You were in an environment (in the university) where people not only ask you, but they expect you to have the answers. And it can be the same in ministry. Brenda, in your context, where is the freedom you experience as you learn humility?[27:55] Dad, what surprised you in writing this book and spending the year on it?[29:45] What would you say to someone listening to this, or they’ve read the book, and they say “I’m in, I want to grow in humility”? What should they do? Where’s a good place to start?[32:59] But we can certainly get better, right? There’s improvement to be made.[33:43] For people who read the book, what would your hope be?[36:01] The thing I found really helpful about the book, that snuck up on me, was the allure. Why wouldn’t I want that? Seeing it as an invitation to freedom, to become our true selves, the self that God created us to be.ResourcesLearning Humility: A Year of Searching for a Vanishing Virtue, by Richard FosterHumility, a Renovaré resource with selections from Learning Humility and Humility (by Andrew Murray)

Robyn Wrigley-Carr returns to the Renovaré Podcast to talk with Nate about Evelyn Underhill—the 20th century author, spiritual director and retreat leader—and about Baron Friedrich Von Hügel, whose spiritual direction transformed Evelyn’s life with God.Show Notes[2:15] Here’s a quote from Eugene Peterson: “The most extensive and inviting introduction … a brilliantly written book.” How did it feel to have read that about your book?[3:49] Could you tell me what is a baron and who is said Baron that was so impactful on Evelyn’s life, and on Eugene’s too?[6:56] What were [Von Hügel’s] health issues?[8:59] Why did [Von Hügel] only want to see [Evelyn Underhill] twice a year?[ ] What would you say were some of the key components in [Evelyn Underhill’s] own formation?[ ] Who were some of these folks that were influencing [Evelyn]?[ ] I find it helpful to hear [Baron Von Hügel] doing spiritual direction in a very different way than we think of it... What would you say were some of Evelyn Underhill’s contributions to the discipline of spiritual direction?[ ] What about [Evelyn’s] life inspires you?ResourcesThe Spiritual Formation of Evelyn Underhill, by Robyn Wrigley-CarrEvelyn Underhill’s Prayer Book, by Robyn Wrigley-Carr

Professor, pastor, and author Robert Moore-Jumonville talks with Nathan Foster about Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton.Show Notes[0:57] What do you like about Chesterton?[5:09 ] How would you describe Orthodoxy to someone?[7:32] I’m struggling with the term “dense,” because it’s not boring...[12:41] For some reason I hear Kurt Vonnegut in Chesterton – the satire, the unexpected. Chesterton surprises me.[16:40] It seems like a cultural commentary that has a lot of relevance for today.[18:45] What are one or two significant impacts Chesterton has had on your life?[23:46] How do you think Chesterton would like to be remembered?[24:51] Can you tell us a little about your book?ResourcesOrthodoxy, G.K. ChestertonChesterton and Tolkien as Theologians, Alison MilbankThe Kingdom of God in America, Richard NiebuhrJogging with G.K. Chesterton: 65 Earthshaking Expeditions, by Robert Moore-Jumonville

Most years Lacy Borgo re-reads A Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelly. She joins Nathan Foster to discuss how this spiritual classic has impacted her life.Show Notes[3:02] You mentioned to me some time ago that you read this book every year. What’s that about?[5:06] How would you describe A Testament of Devotion?[6:23] What are the pieces this year that are ringing to you?[8:37] As a spiritual director, how do you see people lean into that glow (of the Presence of God in each person)?[11:23] Thomas Kelly talks a lot about “the light within,” very Quaker. Can you talk a little about what he means by that?[12:25] How has this book influenced your life?[14:47] What is a spiritual autobiography?[18:48] There is this kind of tender, mystical side to him, poetic almost. What do you think?[20:43] Your care and concern for little people…how has Thomas spoken into that?[23:10] You have a children's book coming out. Can I ask you about it?ResourcesA Testament of Devotion, by Thomas KellyAll Will Be Well: Learning to Trust God’s Love, by Lacy BorgoRevelations of Divine Love, Julian of Norwich, introduced and translated by Fr. John-Julian, OJN

Nathan welcomes Mark Buchanan to the podcast to discuss the wonderfully “reliable” spiritual practice of walking, which is the topic of Mark’s newest book, God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul.Show Notes[1:17] I’m curious, how long have you been a speed walker?[2:09] What has your experience and practice been with walking?[3:58] What did you learn from writing the book?[5:48] What happens for you when you walk?[7:58] A friend of mine gave me a quote: Those who work with their mind rest with their hands; those who work with their hands rest with their mind. I think of walking a little like I do silence—that it’s reliable.[9:34] When you use the phrase “God speed,” what do you mean by that?[16:08] What was your favorite chapter?[22:06] What do you hope for people reading your book?[23:03] You start the book referencing a friend of yours who is not able to walk. Could you give a word for people who are not able-bodied…?[25:12] Are there other things you have learned from your indigenous friends?[27:47] Any pilgrimages you have done or would like to do?ResourcesGod Walk, Moving at the Speed of Your Soul, by Mark BuchananThe Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath, by Mark BuchananThree Mile an Hour God, by Koyama KosukeThe Reason You Walk, by Wab Kinew

Trevor Hudson talks with Nate about his new book, Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard, and unpacks what it means to be a “seeker” in a Christ-following way.Show Notes[1:43] I’m curious to know how you discovered St. Ignatius and how he’s impacted your life.[3:30] What was that experience like for you, personally, to go through the Exercises?[4:59] For those listening who don’t know, could you just give us a brief description of the Exercises?[8:09] You’ve been able to lead people through the Exercises through these years. What have you noticed?[9:51] How did you discover Dallas [Willard], and how has he impacted your life? What did that friendship bring to you and your family?[12:46] How did the idea come to write a book involving these two friends?[15:59] Tell us a little about the book.[16:57] The term seeker, at least in the States, is usually referenced in Christian contexts as a non-Christian that the church is wooing in. You’re working with this word far beyond that. What does it mean to you?[20:00] When Debbie referenced you as a seeker, is there a tension in that? Does she mean it all in a positive sense?[21:58] Was Dallas right in saying you wouldn’t be content?[23:18] What does that look like to embrace the present moment?[25:05] What did you learn from writing this book?[27:00] What are you reading these days?ResourcesSeeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard, by Trevor HudsonThe Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas WillardThe Master and his Emissary, Ian McGilchrist