Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast

A classic talk by Renovaré Ministry Team member and retired pastor Glandion Carney on the collection of practices that create room in his life for dwelling with God and receiving grace.

Author Robyn Wrigley-Carr joins Nathan on this week’s episode to discuss Evelyn Underhill’s Prayer Book.Show NotesWho was Evelyn Underhill?Tell me a little bit about her prayer book prior to your visit to the retreat house.I’m hearing joy. Was it a joyful process for you?She does something bold, taking a prayer from some great Saint and adding her own lines, making her own contribution to it. I found that really special to get to have both people’s prayers together.Could you speculate what Evelyn might want people to do with this book?One of the things I found exciting is that, a number of the people’s prayers that she quotes I knew the names, but there were a bunch of them I don’t. And you give a little description of them at the end, and I thought, “New friends to explore!”Do you keep a prayer book?I’ve been collecting prayers for years, my own and others. And I love the idea of curating your own collection, that they all mean something to you. ResourcesEvelyn Underhill’s Prayer Book, by Robin Wrigley CarrThe Spiritual Formation of Evelyn Underhill, by Robin Wrigley-CarrMusic of Eternity: Meditations for Advent with Evelyn Underhill, by Robyn Wrigley-CarrThe Letters of Evelyn Underhill, edited by Charles WilliamsLetters from Baron Friedrich von Hügel to a Niece, by Friedrich von HügelPleshy Retreat House

Steve Macchia, author and founder of Leadership Transformations, shares insights on cultivating discernment as a listening lifestyle—rather than merely a decision-making strategy—and how to humbly place God’s agenda ahead of our own.Show Notes[:] You take a different spin of sorts on the topic of discernment. Could you share with us a little about some of your thinking on that? [:] What does a discerning life look like going beyond big decision-making? [:] What did that look like for you today to lean into discerning life? [:] You have a phrase in the book that I just love and it's “practicing a preference for God.” Can you talk a little about that?[:] There's a sort of certain humility that is required to even look or ask. If I got it all figured out, I'm not necessarily going to look for God's opinion on something, right?[:] The prayer I'll often do is, “Hey, if you've got an opinion here, I’m open.” It just feels good in a way, to go this isn't all about me, right? [:] There are other times where there’s an ease to it. Do you relate to that? [:] How do people know they’re on the right track?[:] What does this look like for a leader? How does discernment work itself out in the day to day? [:] Leaders want to bring something, want to help, feel an internal or external responsibility to do such, but for you to bring listening, discerning—what you're doing is a ministry to your team, right?[:] Share with me a couple of things going on with Leadership Transformations that folks could be involved with.[:] One of your major contributions is the rule of life book. And then  the discernment book. Do those intersect?ResourcesThe Discerning Life, by Steve MacchiaCrafting a Rule of Life, by Steve MacciaSteve’s ministry Leadership Transformations

Author Jan Johnson joins Nathan on this week’s episode to discuss Dallas Willard’s book Renovation of the Heart (an upcoming selection for the Renovaré book club), and how to live it out in daily practice.

In this guided audio meditation, Nathan Foster offers a prayer from the heart for Ukraine and the world.

Nathan speaks with one of his favorite authors, Marilyn McEntyre, about why “words matter more than we can imagine.” She explores words as sacraments, as creative forces, as conveyors of truth, and as precious ingredients in the feast called conversation.Show Notes[2:21] Where did your love of words begin?[4:52] Could you explain a little about how caring for words is a moral issue?[6:34] How about words as art?[9:15] You take this beyond writing and poetry—into normal conversation?[14:41] How do you use words as a spiritual practice?[18:53] What would you say to folks who are just beginning to think in terms of using words with some intentionality?[21:54] Do you speak other languages? What does that change for you reading in languages besides English? Does it open up a different world for you?[25:40] I was really moved by your section on felicity. When a word goes out of use in a culture, is it representative that that thing has gone out of use?[27:55] Do you like Noam Chomsky and his work?[33:09] What's your “one sentence” about the book?[34:47] What gives you hope in our culture today, connected to words?[39:02] What I was hearing was words as a way to love others, to love what's good and right, to care enough about the words we use. ResourcesMarilyn’s website: marilynmcentyre.comBooks by Marilyn McEntyre (a sampling)Caring for Words in a Culture of LiesSpeaking Peace in a Climate of ConflictWhen Poets PrayMake a List: How a Simple Practice Can Change Our Lives and Open Our HeartsWord by Word, A Daily Spiritual PracticeRichard Foster describes Lectio Divina“Politics and the English Language,” essay by George OrwellNo Passion Spent by George Steiner

How do pastors prevent burn out and keep first things first? Renovaré Ministry Team member Mimi Dixon shares insights and lessons from her decades of experience as a senior pastor.Show Notes[1:11] There's an article in Christianity today about pastors that you had mentioned to me. Could you share a little about that?[6:35] What are some things that you think might be helpful for pastors in this season? [17:40] And this happened after you let go of the franchise mentality?[21:32] How does the phrase “first things” play in all this for you?[25:55] Is that way of doing ministry realistic in this day and age?[27:58] I’m thinking of when you asked Dallas if he sinned. Could you share with folks the answer?[36:16] Would you be up for giving a prayer for folks that are in ministry? ResourcesRenovaré Retreat for Pastors“First and Second Things,” God in the Dock pp. 278-280, by C.S. Lewis

Ted Harro joins Nathan Foster to talk about his unexpected journey to become Renovaré’s new president.Show Notes [2:53] I caught wind that you were really pushing to get this position. Is that accurate? [5:51] What changed, to get you in a position where you actually did apply and follow through?[8:23] How are you feeling about coming into the position?[8:54] What first drew you to Renovaré as an organization?[11:25] What was your experience like with the Renovaré Institute?[13:06] How do you see your background as a consultant helping your work at Renovaré?[15:49] What do you think it will look like in the coming years?[19:23] I believe it was Carolyn who asked you, “Well, first hundred days, what are you going to do?” And I believe you just said “listen,” right?[20:19] You don’t come in with an agenda. Is that accurate?[20:44] What excites you about this position?[23:20] What concerns you about stepping into this role?[25:48] Favorite books?[27:35] What’s this business about bread? 

To write Eugene Peterson's biography, Winn Collier spent considerable time with at the Peterson's home, read Eugene's letters, and conducted countless interviews. He discovered a man with a pastor's heart who, while far from perfect, had integrity and a deep love for God. Show Notes [1:40] Are you tired of talking about Eugene now? And if so, why? [2:26] What do you think Eugene would think about the biography coming out and all the interviews and such? [3:32] I'm curious to hear, how did you come to write the book, be the biographer? [8:31] What surprised you in that journey? [9:39] Eugene was like the anti celebrity, but yet in a sense he was the perfect celebrity, because their hospitality… I've heard so many stories of people who they just invited in. [11:43] I found it delightful that at the beginning of the book there’s the map of Montana, and it kind of has that, you know, Tolkein feel to it. How important was place, for Eugene?[14:51] How much do you think some of his thinking was influenced by [his mom]? [18:37] What do you hope people remember about Eugene? [20:52] Do you have a favorite story from the book? [24:30] Eugene did pauses when he talked. What was that like for you when you were interviewing him? [32:40] It sounds like a number of these values Eugene and Jan embodied you're trying to lean into ... Could you tell folks a little about what you're up to there in Holland, Michigan? ResourcesThe Eugene Peterson Center for Christian ImaginationPastor Theologians PodcastConnect with Winn Collier on winncollier.comWinn’s book A Burning in My Bones (This is the next book featured in the Renovaré Book Club.)

In this engaging conversation, Carol Berry, an artist and author specializing in Vincent Van Gogh and Henri Nouwen, shares her insights on their profound influence on compassion and artistry. She reflects on her transformative experiences with Van Gogh's work and Nouwen's teachings. Berry discusses the significance of solidarity in their lives and how vulnerability shaped their legacies. She also explores the deeper meanings behind famous works like Starry Night, emphasizing the emotional connections they foster through art and spirituality.