Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast

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.

Jill Weber is a prayer missionary and author who for the last five years has been establishing a new monastic community at the Waverley Abbey Estate in the U.K. Her desire is to cultivate "thin spaces" where Jesus is loved.Show Notes[2:12] Could you share with us about the Waverly project you’ve been working on for the past 5 years, and also about Order of the Mustard Seed.[10:45] What does it look like for you personally to hold those practices and values in front of you.[19:50] What do you say to people who are carrying a lot and not having room to go beyond their own family or the struggles that they are in? A friend of mine (Bill Vaswig) taught me much about prayer. When I go into certain spaces where there is so much suffering, and I’m just overwhelmed by it and don’t know what to do, he said, “Nate, you’re supposed to pray. You see all this so you can pray. Just walk around and lift them up.”[25:25] What is your hope for the community at this old abbey; what would you like to see happen in the years to come?[33:28] How does discernment work in your community? When you make a decision to move forward, what does that process look like?[40:35] You can extend this to a church, ministry, family, or small group, to pause and ask if there are apologies that need to be made or repentance. God seems so intent on his children playing well together.ResourcesJill Weber on Episode 187: Holy Disruption24-7 PrayerOrder of the Mustard SeedRuth Haley Barton, Pursuing God’s Will TogetherRichard Foster, Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True HomeTransforming CenterThe Prayer of RelinquishmentToday, O Lord, I yield myself to you.May your will be my delight today.May you have perfect sway in me.May your love be the pattern of my living.I surrender to you my hopes, my dreams, my ambitions.Do with them what you will, when you will, as you will.I place into your loving care my family, my friends, my future.Care for them with a care that I can never give.I release into your hands my need to control, my craving for status, my fear of obscurity.Eradicate the evil, purify the good, and establish your Kingdom on earth.For Jesus’ sake,Amen.

In this episode, Nathan interviews Alan Fadling of Unhurried Living, Kristi Gaultiere of Soul Shepherding, and Steve Macchia of Leadership Transformations to discuss spiritual formation and soul care for leaders.Show Notes[5:45] Why leaders? What was it in you that you felt to compelled to move in that direction?[9:55] What are some of the challenges that leaders in the Christian community face today?[13:20] I’d take it a little further and say that in our current society it’s a virtue not to rest, to keep pushing through. How does a leader break out of that system that is pulling them do to more and more, and of being more closed, of not sharing or not feeling safe or that there is space to share?[18:10] All three of you provide safe spaces for people. What would you say to someone who's not connected to a program or ministry that’s caring for their soul, who really wants to be open, vulnerable, honest? How do you do that when you’re surrounded in a community that needs you to have everything together?[25:17] When we rest or slow down, sometimes emotions come up, and that’s quite normal. This is a unique season in history that is an opportunity for a reset, a chance to make some shifts. How can lay folk best help their leaders?[31:45] What is the Biblical view of sabbatical?[33:00] These 3 pieces of covenant and support and sabbatical – What if elder boards demanded a sort of health; not just encouraging sabbatical (and boundaries and rest and health) but demanding it, setting it as a way we’re going to be as a ministry. I think sometimes people just need a little permission to move into some of this.[37:25] Do you have any thoughts for leaders or families on how to do this well?[42:50] Can you paint a picture of a leader who’s doing things well, who’s functioning with health and being effective for the Kingdom. What does their life look like?[47:26] How do you guys, as leaders, care for your soul?Guest WebsitesAlan Fadling at Unhurried LivingKristi Gaultiere at Soul ShepherdingSteve Macchia at Leadership Transformations

Mark Scandrette talks with Nathan Foster about seeing the world the way Jesus did, the hidden wisdom in the Beatitudes, and applying the Sermon on the Mount to everyday life.Show Notes[1:10] What was Jesus doing with these weird sayings, these Beatitudes?[2:15] How do you think it was received by the hearers?[4:38] In your work, you have 2 lines: “this is a new way to be human,” and “a journey back to reality.” Where do you take the Beatitudes for us today?[6:15] Could you address this idea of our first instincts and new postures?[11:40] Is there one that has been the most challenging or difficult?[20:35] Is there a movement toward a practical practice as we move into this reality?[22:50] This book was born out of practical labs. Can you tell us a little about that?[25:50] What would you like to see happen for those who read the book?[26:35] In your travels around the world, what have you picked up from Christians around the world that would be helpful for us in the West?ResourcesMark Scandrette’s WebsiteThe Ninefold Path of Jesus: Hidden Wisdom of the BeatitudesThe Ninefold Path Learning Lab

In this episode, philosopher J.P. Moreland shares honestly about his experience with severe anxiety, and the spiritual practices that helped him receive receive God's peace.[1:08] I’m really interested to know how a philosophy professor ends up writing a book on anxiety and depression.[3:53] The other thing you do that I found really helpful is that you address a lot of concerns that Christians might have about mental health or medication or self-compassion. Have you found that to be well-received or have you gotten pushback from that?[5:35] One of the pieces that I found really helpful in the book is you continue to go back to all these practices and very practical things that have worked for you, yet leaving it open for not being totally prescriptive for people. I'm curious to hear a little about your journey with contemplative prayer and how that has helped you with anxiety.[8:00] Could you say a little about the four-step solution process?[16:50] What was it like to crash for all those months? Are you healed?[22:10] How important were Biblical passages for you?[22:40] What would you say to someone listening who is really struggling with anxiety and maybe has some self-condemnation or shame around it?[28:45] For folks who have friends and family, spouses, that are struggling with anxiety, is there a word you might have for the best way they can love each other through this?Resources by J.P. Moreland:Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peacejpmoreland.com