Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast

Renovaré President Ted Harro discusses his recent pilgrimage with his son along the Camino de Santiago, including how its unexpected detours taught him the beauty of humility.Show Notes[1:00] You recently went on a pilgrimage. Can you discuss pilgrimage as a spiritual practice?[4:55] I love this question, where are you going and why? That sounds like a Jesus-type question. So is the point the destination, is this a kind of magical place that I go and I get a gold star from God for walking 300 miles? [6:23] So tell us – everything went wrong? Tell us about your experience. What was the plan?[10:08] When I heard that it didn't go as planned, there was a part of me that was really sad because I know you had been preparing for this and it was really important. But I also had a little smile on my face because I thought, “Oh, Ted’s going to learn something, that you can only learn from having these disappointments, challenges.” Are there things you have been able to unpack from the experience that you’d be willing to share?[17:32] What did you do with the grief of watching Duncan go on?[19:50] Talking about humility, what were some of the new pieces that opened up for you?[23:40] How have you made it 55 years without bumping into your limitations? There is a gift and a blessing in bumping into those. In reading my dad’s new book on humility that’s coming out later this year, he reaches the conclusion that it’s the foundational virtue for spiritual formation.[25:20] How has it been wearing for you as you’ve been home for a while now?[27:43] As we’re talking, I’m reflecting on the six months – you have really come in with a high level of humility, as a learner trying to partner with God, and that’s been neat to watch. Are there pieces in these months that you’ve learned, or things that might be helpful for people to know about Renovaré and your role?ResourcesLearning Humility: A Year of Searching for a Vanishing Virtue, by Richard Foster (coming out December 2022)

Show Notes[1:24] You have a new book out. Why did you write this book?[4:18] Can you share a little about your journey?[7:51] What made a difference for you? How have you worked your narratives and what is that process like? [9:41] Many Christians know…the reality of some of the things you're saying. How do you move that from your head to your heart?[11:52] When I see others as beloved image bearers, it makes it quite difficult to control or dehumanize them. There’s a freedom, isn’t there?[13:52] In the book, after each chapter you have different practices—exercises—for people. Can you talk a little about those? [16:22] How do you invite God into that [practice of holy leisure—being rather than doing]?[17:18] Are there other practices that have been helpful for you in your journey?[19:08] How does that [practice of Sabbath] help with your narratives?[20:17] What do you hope for people reading the book?[21:10] I know there are a lot of folks who struggle with moving into their belovedness, because it can feel like self-help…What do you say to those folks?[24:47] I’m curious, are there more Good and Beautiful… things you have in store for us?ResourcesGood and Beautiful You, by James Brian SmithThe Good and Beautiful book seriesThe Apprentice Institute websiteThe Apprentice Gathering event (September 22-24, 2024)

Terry Wardle shares his journey from brokenness to beloved, emphasizing the importance of encountering God and grace. The podcast explores vulnerability, strength in suffering, and the role of community in healing. Wardle's work with Healing Care Ministries focuses on providing transformative encounters with Christ for broken individuals, emphasizing empathy, compassion, and spiritual direction.

Authors and founders of Unhurried Living, Gem and Alan Fadling, share insights into how we experience soul change, share key questions that open the door to spiritual transformation, and explore the difference between self-help and spiritual formation.

Hip hop artist and author, Sho Baraka, joins Nate to talk about refreshing our theology of work, strengthening the relationship between creatives and the Church, and adding variety to the genres and voices we turn to for spiritual nurture.[2:08] Could you tell us a little about your book (its creation)?[6:47] Could you say a little about help for creatives and what you hope to see?[8:33] One of the things I noticed throughout your book is a concern with the devaluing of the oral tradition and folk stories in Christianity. Could you say a little about that?[11:20] I’m wondering if there’s a connection [between devaluing oral stories] and losing some of the creativity in Christian life, church life.[14:55] Your work in hip hop, is that carrying on the oral tradition? [21:03] Have you been to the African American Smithsonian?[21:54] There is such a robust history and wisdom in the historical Black church that I feel is often lost on White America. Are there pieces of that tradition that you wish people knew or that you think would be helpful?[25:11] Could you unpack the term “evangelical edit?”[26:25] In your book you talk about a conversation you had with your daughter when she was seven, where she came and talked to you about her skin color and hair. Can you tell that story?[29:51] What do you hope people will take from your book?ResourcesHe Saw That It Was Good, by Sho BarakaAlbum: “The Narrative,” Sho Baraka, 2016

Author and Spiritual Director Sharon Garlough Brown speaks about using the medium of fiction to connect readers to the God who grieves and suffers with us and enlarges our capacity to receive joy.Show Notes[2:23] Could you tell us just a little about your love of Van Gogh?[5:12] Could you talk about how you work with fiction?[7:13] You go into spiritual direction not really knowing where this time is going to go, but being open. Do you take some of that same posture into your writing?[10:46] You've gone there in terms of writing about pain and suffering and some difficult topics. What has that been like for you?[13:20] What do you hope for the reader?[14:23] Do you see yourself as a fiction writer?[15:48] How does your work as a pastor and spiritual director inform your stories?[18:18] Could you talk a little about spiritual friendship?[22:46] What will that look like for you in Scotland … with these losses?[28:33] Could you tell us a little about Abiding Way?ResourcesFeathers of Hope, by Sharon Garlough BrownAbiding Way MinistriesSharon’s website

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, dives into the art of discernment as a holistic lifestyle. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating a preference for God over personal agendas, highlighting that true listening requires humility. Macchia shares insights on recognizing divine presence through community support and intentional pauses. He also discusses the role of discernment in effective leadership, advocating for collaboration over competition, and explores how personal rules of life can enhance one’s spiritual journey.

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.