Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast

Fasting is a way to expand our capacity to enjoy God, to participate with God, to put ourselves in a place where his power can more freely flow through us for the sake of blessing others. Long-time pastor and Renovaré board member Mimi Dixon reframes fasting as feasting on God in this interview with Nathan Foster.

Soon the Renovaré Book Club begins Chris Hall's book Living Wisely With the Church Fathers. Nathan Foster talks with Chris who helps us apply the ancient wisdom of the church fathers to our modern lives. renovare.org/bookclub

"For those who like things difficult, we can make it complicated. But it's not intended to be. It's meant to be a living, loving relationship." That's one of the many special moments from this tender Q&A podcast on prayer with Nathan and Richard Foster.

There is no formula for prayer. "We're talking about a human-Divine relationship," says Lacy Borgo. Prayer may look like sitting with God "doing nothing," as Lacy shares, or fervently interceding for others as Renovaré Ministry Team member Gayle Withnell often does—or both and more.

"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.