Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast

"Ours is a church on mission, not a church with a mission. It's a very uncomfortable place to be consumeristic." Cris Rogers is Rector of All Hallows' Church in Bow, London. His passion for prayer, community, and making authentic disciples of Jesus is evident in this conversation with Nathan Foster.

Dallas Willard believed it was possible to live a life without fear, a life without lack. A new book by that name is now available from the late philosopher, based on a series of talks he gave on Psalm 23. Nathan talks with Dallas' daughter Rebecca, and Jan Johnson who worked closely with him.

How did Jesus meditate? Is it possible to meditate while doing other things? Those questions and others are answered today by Richard Foster, Steve Fawver, and Jan Johnson on today's podcast hosted by Nathan Foster.

Meditation is like savoring a delicious meal one slow bite at a time. Author Jan Johnson and Pastor Steve Fawver share practical insights on how meditation helps us to taste and see that the Lord is good.

Today's podcast is a 20-minute meditation—an audio retreat—on Psalm 131. Put on some headphones, find a comfortable spot, and let your soul be quieted. This episode is a collaboration with Joshua Banner from The Invitation Podcast (invitationpodcast.org).

Continuing our focus on one Spiritual Discipline per month, we turn our attention to meditation—specifically, and it's important here to be specific, Christian meditation. Nathan Foster shares why and how to fill our minds and hearts with what is lovely, good, praiseworthy, and true.

"Submit yourselves to one another out of reverence for Christ." This verse in Ephesians 5 is the cornerstone of the discipline of submission. Listen in on a discussion with Richard Foster, Steve Fawver, Lacy Borgo, and Nathan Foster in this week's panel-style episode.

Robert Moore-Jumonville (MoJo), Professor at Spring Arbor, joins Nate again to discuss how Screwtape Letters, in its diabolical way, teaches discernment. MoJo is facilitating the book in the Renovaré Book Club.

These days, the word "submit" usually brings to mind one person exerting power over another. In this episode, Nate's guests—pastor/professor Steve Fawver and spiritual director and Renovaré ministry team member Lacy Borgo—reframe submission as a powerful choice to yield to God and others.

Celebration of Discipline turns forty this year and our articles and podcasts will focus on one discipline per month. Since yielding to God is the goal of all spiritual disciplines, it's fitting to start this journey with Submission. In this episode, Nathan Foster reminds us why disciplines aren't "twelve new things to fail at" but rather entry points to life with God.

What is the biggest humanitarian crisis of our day? It's refugees, says author Cindy Wu, who joins Nathan again to talk about her new book about refugees. The issue is vast and complex, but Cindy shares simple and practical ways for us to welcome the stranger in our midst.

Marti Ensign, Renovaré Ministry Team member and former missionary to Africa, joins Nate again to share the unusual way her storytelling gift came to be. This podcast includes Marti telling "Binyoni," a story that was a favorite of Corrie Ten Boom. Marti is facilitating Corrie's book The Hiding Place in the Renovaré Book Club - renovare.org/bookclub

Jon and Josh Bailey, brothers, serial entrepreneurs, and creators of an upcoming app called Dwell, join Nate today to talk about the importance of listening to Scripture and why they're creating the app.

Marti Ensign, a long-time Renovaré Ministry Team member, was a missionary in Africa and friend of Corrie Ten Boom. Hear a first-hand perspective on Corrie's life from someone who knew her well. Marti is facilitating Corrie's book The Hiding Place in the Renovaré Book Club - renovare.org/bookclub

Author Jim Schaap joins again this week, this time reading a story from his book Finding Christmas: Stories of Startling Joy and Perfect Peace. Merry Christmas!

James (Jim) Schaap is an author, Professor Emeritus of English at Dordt College in Iowa, and a riveting storyteller. In this episode he shares his version of the Christmas truce of 1914.

Advent means "the coming." In this episode Patty Kirk, writer in residence and associate professor of English at John Brown University, reminds us that Advent is a time for hope, a time to ask, "What good am I expecting?"

In this Advent season of expectation, Renovaré Ministry team member and author Richella Parham joins Nathan again to talk about what she calls the liturgy of waiting.

Chris Hall went with Shane Claiborne recently to visit inmates on death row. They join Nate again this week to talk about what God's restorative justice looks like.

Chris Hall along with Shane Claiborne, author and founder of the Simple Way in Philadelphia, join Nate to talk about stepping out of your comfort zone with God.

“Something happens when you age—you realize life isn't all about you. It's about what you're able to offer to another.” In this episode Nate talks with Steve Macchia about his new book Legacy, a collection of life reflections given to his kids on his 60th birthday.

Renovaré Director of Education Carolyn Arends spoke recently at Pacific Community Church on the true power of being meek.

Wendell Berry is the kind of writer that when you read his work it can change the way you live. Ragan Sutterfield, author and Episcopal priest in training, talks this week about Berry, sabbath, and permaculture—working with God's order instead of manipulating the world to our own ends.

When the love of God is experienced—known deeply and personally with the heart—it gives us courage to face our brokenness and be vulnerable with one another. Chris Webb returns to talk on that topic and others from his new book God Soaked Life, which is part of the upcoming Renovaré Book Club.

Podcast editor Brian Morykon interviews Nathan Foster and they share a few favorite clips from the first 100 episodes.

Chris Webb is an Anglican priest, author, and former president of Renovaré. He shares stories of his past ministry in churches in the idyllic Welsh countryside, and gives some needed perspective and advice for the American church.

"Compassion is the experience of a heart that has known its own suffering and has been made expansive by the healing power of the love of God." Juanita Rasmus, co-pastor of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Downtown Houston, shares on social justice at Westmont College.

Josh Banner, host of The Invitation Podcast, joins Nate again to discuss his journey into making audio prayer retreats, and how ministry is as simple as being present to others.

Take a 20 minute "audio retreat" as Nathan Foster unfolds a quote from Julian of Norwich to guide us into prayer. This episode is a collaboration with Joshua Banner from The Invitation Podcast (invitationpodcast.org).

How can a woman whose family and community is ravaged by the Black Death say, "All shall be well?" Pastor and Renovaré board member Mimi Dixon opens up the world of Julian of Norwich, a Medieval Christian with a surprisingly contemporary voice.

"I see it happening, this great new gathering of the people of God," writes Richard Foster in Streams of Living Water. Richard along with Renovaré Board member James Catford join this week to talk about the treasure in the diversity of the Church.

"Our massive souls deserve a really good story," says James Bryan (Jim) Smith in this conversation about his new book that uncovers a gospel of beauty, goodness and truth.

​Two families embarked on a yearlong experiment to implement twelve small practices of radical faith, right where they were—in suburban Michigan. With humor and honesty guests Erin Wasinger and Sarah Arthur talk about the journey chronicled in their book, A Year of Small Things.​

For over 50 years Dunklin Memorial Church has focused on hosting a residential alcohol and drug recovery program that brings men into healing through community, service, and hearing God's voice. Nick Reynolds is director at Dunklin.

"Contemplative prayer isn’t prayer in which we ask God to do things for us. It’s being with God and listening for God’s input whenever God may choose to speak." Jan Johnson returns to talk about hearing God, and quieting that noisy mental committee who tries to drown out his voice.

Renovaré's resident expert on kids is back again to talk with Nathan about how a child goes from innocence to character, who shapes a child's image of God, and three things every child needs (and every adult, too).

Renovaré's new Director of Communication and Special Projects, Brian Morykon, talks with Nathan about worship, living full-time in an RV, and learning to swim in the charismatic stream.

What is worship, why do we do it, and how can we enter more fully into worship on Sunday and everyday? Dallas Willard answers those questions with his characteristic wisdom and gentleness in this archive interview with John Ortberg at Menlo Park Church.

Having worked several years with churches in France and Switzerland, Linda Gist knows first-hand how lonely and isolating ministry can be. After graduating the Renovaré Institute she started Rhythms of Grace, a retreat ministry for pastors. She joins Nathan to talk about the importance for leaders to have a safe place to be vulnerable and find rest.

Nathan recently spoke at a conference in Australia hosted by Coast Community Church. The pastor of that church, Andrew Ranucci, joins Nathan again to talk about the positive effect retreats have on everyday life, the importance of giving God time and attention, and the "three divinas."

Joshua Banner is a spiritual director, a retreat leader, and creator and host of The Invitation Podcast. Nate talks with Josh about his contemplative prayer outreach in prisons.

In this episode Jon Bailey, co-founder of Lightstock.com and current Renovaré board chair, shares with Nathan some practical ways to pare down in order to free up the heart and mind for God.

Professor and author Robert Moore-Jumonville (MoJo) joins Nathan again, this time to talk about C.S. Lewis and prayer. They dive deep, covering topics like how to reconcile yielding to God (Thy will be done) with praying by faith (cast this mountain into the sea). Further up and further in!

Writer and spiritual director Judy Villanueva shares with Nathan Foster on how to listen for God in the smallest of things. Along the way, Nate learns "it is what it is" isn't so much a statement of defeat as a way of making peace with the reality God has and is for us.

Nathan talks with Bob Fryling, author and former publisher of InterVarsity Press, about how to find a truly authentic, integrated way to lead—from both our internal relationship with God and our external relationship with others.

For his 75th birthday Richard Foster asked the Renovaré community to consider giving $75 to someone in need or 75 minutes to someone lonely. In this episode Nate Foster shares with his dad stories of how you did it.

Nathan ​talks again with writer and Renovaré Ministry team member ​Richella Parham, this time about the incarnation, creativity, and discovering the divine dance of the Trinity.

Soon the Renovaré Book Club starts reading On the Incarnation by Saint Athanasius. The facilitator is Renovaré President Chris Hall who joins Nathan this week to talk about Athanasius, a "theological street fighter" who was exiled for standing for the full divinity of Jesus.

Robert Moore-Jumonville (affectionately known as MoJo) is professor of Christian Spirituality at Spring Arbor University, a Methodist pastor, and author of Jogging With G.K. Chesterton. He talks with Nathan about Chesterton's humor, humility and optimism.

At a recent Ordinary Saints Gathering Nathan sat down with his father Richard Foster to talk about spiritual disciplines. In this candid conversation we're reminded disciplines aren't the point but serve to bring body, mind and heart before God, who does in us more than we can ever do for ourselves.