Friends in Formation

In this episode, Richella, Nate, and James address honest listener questions about treasures and issues of the heart, issues with the Church, and how to have healthy accountability without it becoming rigid and legalistic. [1:48] What did Jesus mean when he said store up for yourself treasures in heaven? And in a practical sense how do I store up treasure in heaven? [15:00] Here we address several...

In this episode, Richella, Nate, and James discuss honest listener questions regarding silence and solitude, Sabbath, and adult children walking away from the church. [1:00] Why do some people find the practice of silence and solitude so hard, and not letting the distractions of the day interrupt a time of listening for God's voice? [14:15] In seeking and walking out apprenticeship, I’ve found it...

In this month’s episode of Friends in Formation, James, Richella, and Nate discuss honest listener questions about growing in humility, being disappointed with God, and feeling like a square peg in a round hole at church. [3:12] What disciplines are helpful for growing humility, other than service? Also how do you define humility? [14:25] If I’m honest, I don’t think God has done well by me. [28:1...

In this month’s episode of Friends in Formation, James, Richella, and Nate discuss different ways to read the Bible (big chunks, small bites, meditating, memorizing, and changing it up), what to do with tricky texts in Scripture, and how to spot spiritual abuse. [:53] How do you approach Bible reading? [16:28] How do you handle tricky sections of Scripture? [30:20] How widespread is spiritual abus...

In this episode, James, Richella, and Nate attempt to explain spiritual formation in layman's terms, and address questions about fasting and struggling with feeling ill-will toward others. [1:18] Can you explain spiritual formation in layman's terms? [15:50] Fasting - I'm totally sold on the idea of fasting, and I’ve read a lot of material on fasting, and even given a few devotional lessons on fas...

In this month’s episode of Friends in Formation , Richella, James, and Nate answer honest listener questions regarding Safety in the Kingdom of God, social justice concerns, and nurturing a character of peacefulness and gentleness. [0:40] I recognize it is probably uncomfortable to acknowledge that God may not keep us safe from an earthly perspective, but Christianity is nothing if it does not pro...

In this month’s episode of Friends in Formation , Richella, James, and Nate discuss honest listener questions about safety within the Kingdom of God, rhythms of spiritual practice in a busy life, and how to listen to the news. [0:45] Dallas Willard comments on the gospel and how living within the kingdom brings safety. Could you comment on what Dallas might have meant by safe within the kingdom wh...

In this month’s episode of Friends in Formation , Richella, James, and Nate discuss: The Availability of the Kingdom of God Prayer Loneliness in these times Resources Mentioned Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy J. P. Moreland, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought   Peace Submit any questions you would like us to consider on future podcast episodes to fri...

Welcome to a new podcast from Renovaré where three very different friends—James Catford, Nathan Foster, and Richella Parham—discuss listener questions about life and faith, with the goal of listening, learning, and helping one another go deeper with God.