Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast

In this episode, Nathan talks with author and musician Michael Card about hesed, an untranslatable Hebrew word that expresses God’s love and faithfulness. Michael believes it may be the most important word in Scripture and spent ten years writing a book to unpack its meaning.---Show Notes [2:29] What would you tell your younger self?[3:05] What is it that you care about these days?[6:16] You wrote a book about one word. Tell us about the book.[9:22] What does the word mean to you personally?[10:31] How do you live into it?[15:05] I’m noticing in your writings and in your music this love of Scripture. Where did that come from?[18:31] What do you hope people take away from the book?[22:25] How do you personally work with Scripture these days?ResourcesInexpressible: Hesed and the Mystery of God’s Lovingkindness, by Michael CardMichael Card’s website“Hymn to the Kindness of God,” from his album To the Kindness of God

Nate talks with author John Eldredge about healing from the trauma of the pandemic, benevolent detachment, what it means to consecrate your empathy to Christ, and learning to hear the voice of God.Show Notes [1:19] What was the impetus for this book?[3:57] I'm glad to hear you reference the pandemic in this way. It has really baffled me how silent people are in terms of its effects. I think it’s going to take 5 or 10 years out of this to realize some of the ways that it has negatively impacted, and I wish people talk more about it.[8:25] What do you think people should do (to heal their trauma response)?[15:23] I think I’m hearing that instead of coping mechanism that don’t yield fruit or good results, but coping mechanisms that bring life.[19:50] I really like the idea of benevolent detachment.  How do you detach and yet use your ability to change for good?[24:26] One of the phrases I’ll use is trusting people to God.  As much as I would like to control and manage things, there are some limitations.[25:06] What does this look like for you, and what are some of the challenges you face in moving into benevolent detachment?[30:33] Why do you think so many Christians are hung up on the idea of hearing from God?ResourcesGet Your Life Back: Everyday Practices in a World Gone Mad, by John EldredgeBeautiful Outlaw, by John EldredgeThe One Minute Pause app

Eighteen century preacher and abolitionist John Woolman, whose journal is a Renovaré Book Club selection, had a profound impact on Renovaré founder Richard Foster, who like Woolman is Quaker. In this episode, Richard discusses the life and work of this humble yet bold follower of Jesus.Show NotesHow did you discover John Woolman’s Journal?What was it, as a college student, reading Woolman’s journal?Woolman’s first experience with slavery.The story of Benjamin Lay.Woolman dealt with the three great isms of our day: racism, militarism, and consumerism.Could you help folks understand a little about Quakerism and the Friends?Tell us about your doctoral dissertation.What would you hope for people reading the book to take away from it?ResourcesThe Journal and Major Essays of John Woolman, edited by Phillips P. MoultonJoin the Renovaré Book Club to read Woolman's book in December 2021

Nathan talks with author Hannah Anderson about seasons, humility, and how the God we love in scripture is a God who is being revealed through nature.Show Notes [1:24] Why do you write?[2:19] How important is it for you to be honest in your writing?[8:21] Could you share a little about your draw to the wonder and mystery in nature?[10:38] How are you in nature, in terms of observing and being?[12:37] What is it about seasons that you’re drawn to?[15:06] Make the connection between your experience growing up and appreciating nature and scripture.[18:04] What are some rhythms or practices for you, being in the created order?[21:44] How did your book, Turning of Days, come to be?[24:55] This summer in Colorado the wildflowers were off the charts. I’ve tried learning their names, and the names of the trees. I found in being able to name them, it enriched my experience. Is this a similar experience for you? Am I on the right path?[29:55] In which Hannah reads a selection from Fall: Section 7 (p. 116)ResourcesTurning of Days: Lessons from Nature, Season, and Spirit, by Hannah AndersonHumble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul, by Hannah AndersonHannah’s website, Sometimes a Light

Spiritual director and author Alice Fryling believes aging is an invitation from God to embrace our limitations and discover fruitfulness and transformation in unexpected places. Show Notes[2:13] What was it like for you to write this book?[5:07] As you’ve been aging, what has been happening in your soul?[7:56] It’s interesting that the idea of living within our limitations is seen as a negative and something to be fought. Is part of aging learning to live within the limitations that have now presented themselves?[9:58] As you are talking about your limitations, you’re smiling. How have you gotten to that place where this is not something to be fought and hated, but embracing where you’re at?[14:29] In the book you talk about productivity and fruitfulness. Can you share about those things?[17:51] Do you have a word for folks who are really struggling with navigating aging?[25:57] Why do we fight growing older?[27:52] You wrote a book on the Enneagram. How is that helpful in aging?ResourcesAging Faithfully: The Holy Invitation of Growing Older, by Alice FrylingMirror for the Soul: A Christian Guide to the Enneagram, by Alice FrylingAlice's Website

How do we thoughtfully monitor and moderate our consumption of media? How can we fill our minds with what is good and beautiful rather than simply go to media to escape? This episode with Paul Patton—author, playwright, and professor emeritus at Spring Arbor—dives into these questions.Show Notes[2:38] I really liked the subtitle you guys came up with for the book. The book is Everyday Sabbath: How to Lead Your Dance with Media and Technology in Mindful and Sacred Ways. It’s a wonderful way to say everything that’s in the book. Tell us a little about the book.[6:32] Could you unpack a little when you say “dance with pop culture?”[8:27] Part of what I’m hearing in this dance is to be intentional, to not be a victim. How have you learned to take the lead in the dance?[9:45] So if I conclude that I’m scrolling through stuff for reward or relief, does that mean I stop?[11:00] One of the things I appreciate about the book is that this is road tested. The other piece I found helpful is the practices. Could you talk a little bit about how spiritual practices tie into our dance with pop culture?[18:53] Do we know how to steward our boredom?[20:10] Historically, when has the term binge ever been positive?[22:08] A while back we did a podcast on your habit of memorizing, of stewarding the stirrings of your soul. Are you still doing this?ResourcesEveryday Sabbath: How to Lead Your Dance with Media and Technology in Mindful and Sacred Ways, by Paul Patton and Robert Woods, Jr.Renovaré Podcast Episodes with Paul Patton: Leading the Dance with Pop Culture, Story and the Importance of Memorization, We All Have SecretsSoul Stirrings Podcast with Paul Patton

In this week’s episode of the Renovaré Podcast, Nathan talks with Charles Moore, of Plough Publishing, about his upcoming book, Following the Call: Living the Sermon on the Mount Together.Show Notes[2:55] Why is the Sermon on the Mount so important to you at the Bruderhof community?[7:18] Tell me a little about your process of making decisions about what to put in the book and what not to.[10:40] I I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I have failed to grasp how this really was spoken to community and meant to be lived out in community. I'm really curious to hear what that looks like for you guys to try and live this out, and practically, day to day what this looks like.[14:55] In compiling all the essays, were there new insights that you gained personally or different ways in which you begin to see the sermon on the Mount?[19:05] Do you have a favorite?[21:08] Give me your hope for readers. What is your hope for this book?[24:00] Could you let people know a little about Plough? ResourcesFollowing the Call: Living the Sermon on the Mount TogetherBruderhof Community

Nathan Foster talks with Rich Villodas, lead pastor of New Life Fellowship in Queens, New York, about his book The Deeply Formed Life, which is the first selection of the 2021-22 Renovaré Book Club.Show Notes[2:08] Your church has a logo of an iceberg. What’s that about?[4:28] Tell us about your book, The Deeply Formed Life.[8:03] Could you talk about each section of the book?Contemplative PracticesRacial Justice and ReconciliationSexual WholenessMissional Presence[28:12] How was writing this book helpful for you?ResourcesThe Deeply Formed LifeRenovaré Book Club

In this edited version of a June 2021 webinar conversation, spiritual directors and authors Trevor Hudson and Jan Johnson talk with Carolyn Arends about Christian spiritual direction. They contrast it with counseling, discuss if it's for everyone, and recommend where to find a director.For spiritual direction resources and the full unedited replay, visit the webinar page.Browse previous Renovaré Podcast conversations with Jan Johnson and Trevor Hudson

In this talk from the 1999 Renovaré International Conference in Houston, following an entertaining introduction by James Bryan Smith, Richard Foster outlines the practical means by which we grow in grace.