Sanctuary Stirrings

On this final episode of the Spring Series, join host Lori G. Melton to explore reading as a vital piece of our discipleshipthrough a conversation with speaker and author Sue Donaldson about Oswald Chambers’ devotional My Utmost for His Highest and its impact on Sue’s life withGod for over 50 years. Sue recounts receiving the book from her sister in 1972, keeping annotated copies through major lif...

Sabbath … One of the most precious gifts that God gave to all of creation at the beginning of time. Yet, one that is misunderstood or completely missing in our lives today. It’s a gift that our world--with its incessant speed, exhaustion, search for meaning and connection, needs now more than ever. Yet, a topic surrounded by controversy and conflicting perspectives. Many of us have put it on the s...

Faith is not always expressed in the ways we might expect--like kneeling in the Church sanctuary, reciting holy prayers, or putting money in the offering plate. Often, it’s more evident through painful acts of obedience. Tune in to this week’s episode for a story you’ll likely resonate with—one that explores how we discover God’s will not through your own thoughts, emotions, or circumstances alone...

On this episode, Lori G. Melton welcomes artist, Anglican deacon, and author Ben Lansing to discuss his book, Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era and Place , and how the lives of the saints point us to Jesus and strengthen us in the “messy” times we live. Burdened to offer what he could during the COVID pandemic, Ben began sharing portraits of the saints on Instag...

In this episode, Lori G. Melton welcomes writer and Bibleteacher, Cara Ray, to discuss moving from a checklist “quiet time” to an unhurried, Spirit-directed, joyful way of knowing God she calls “holy leisure,” drawn from a phrase Cara discovered in Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. Cara shares how lifelong pressure to be consistent in daily quiet time left her feeling like a failure and...

Welcome to Episode Three of the Sanctuary Stirrings Spring series, where we continue the conversation about the often-overlooked soul . Prompted by Jesus’ command in Matthew 22 to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, we'll unpack the surprising realization that most of us can't clearly define the soul — or how to love God with it. If you’ve ever wondered, What is the soul? What imp...

Join me today as we welcome retired Episcopal rectorand pilgrimage leader Robin T. Jennings for part one of our discussion about the soul, to talk about his book, Expressions of the Soul: Celtic Christianity and Life with God. Robin shares how a chaplain’s question led him fromwork at a Chicago boys’ home to seminary, and how later travel and leading pilgrimages to Ireland, Scotland, and Iona spar...

Welcome to the Sanctuary Stirrings Spring Series ! 8 episodes are headed your way, featuring a great lineup of topics and guests to grow in your intimacy with God and others! I can’t think of a better one to start with. My guest is Joel Hogan, a former Christian Reformed World Missions leaderand a missionary in the Philippines has been taking monthly 24-Hour retreats for over 30 years! Transitioni...

In this special post-launch episode of The Journey with a Giant , Robert Prince and Lori G. Melton look back on the unforgettable night when Journey with a Giant officially released. Lori shares the emotional and spiritual journey leading up to the event—the battles she faced, the peace that met her when the night began, and the overwhelming sense of God’s presence as more than 60 people gathered...

In this episode of The Journey with a Giant podcast, Robert Prince interviews Lori G. Melton about her decade-long journey behind her book, Journey with a Giant . Lori shares how God rekindled her passion for writing during the COVID-19 lockdown and the pivotal moments and people who shaped her path. Despite challenges and sacrifices, she remained faithful, stewarding her calling to write a book a...

In this special episode, co-host Robert Prince introduces a heartfelt conversation between Lori G. Melton and her editor, Leslie Calhoun of Waterbrook Books / Penguin Random House. Together, Lori and Leslie pull back the curtain on the creative process behind Journey with a Giant —from the first spark of an idea to the final pages of the book, soon to be released. Leslie shares her journey into ed...

In this special episode of The Journey with a Giant podcast, Lori G. Melton explores the most frequently asked questions from readers and those just discovering Journey with a Giant . Before diving into the questions, Lori shares a moving story from her week that illustrates the reach and healing this practice can have. From a chance encounter to a heartfelt conversation with a woman searching for...

Through the courage and faithfulness of those who have gone before us, God calls us forward—to the steps of courage He is asking of us today.   In this episode of 'The Journey with the Giant' podcast, Lori G. Melton and Robert Prince introduce fellow writer Kirstin Olson as she shares her transformative experience journeying with civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer.  Kirstin, a language t...

There is a beautiful grace when we include others on our spiritual journey.  In this episode of Journey with a Giant , Lori G. Melton and co-host Robert Prince explore the transformative power of walking with a giant of the faith alongside friends. They reflect on the spiritual growth, transformation, and joy that multiply when we share our spiritual life with others. Walking with a giant in commu...

Some relationships don’t just enrich our lives—they shape our souls. In this episode of Journey with a Giant , Lori G. Melton sits down with longtime friends Julie Blakely and Sherri Willett to explore the gift of spiritual friendship and the transformative practice of walking with giants. They share how their bond as “Abba Sisters” and the Celtic concept of Anam Cara (soul friendship) have deepen...

Some stories just don’t inform us; they shape us. In this episode of Journey with a Giant , gifted storyteller Sister Diane Zerfas, the Spiritual Formations Director at the Dominican Center in Grand Rapids, shares the remarkable transformations she has witnessed in her students over more than two decades of guiding them in the practice of walking with spiritual giants. You’ll hear how this practic...

Some conversations feel like opening a treasure chest and this week’s episode is one of them! This week on Journey with a Giant , hosts Lori G. Melton and Robert Prince welcome Sister Diane Zerfas, the Spiritual Formations Director at the Dominican Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan— the one who first introduced Lori and hundreds of other students to the practice of walking with spiritual giants, fo...

This week on Journey with a Giant , host Lori G. Melton and co-host Robert Prince welcome Andy Rebollar—a spiritual director, at-home dad, and facilitator at the Dominican Center in Grand Rapids—for a deeply thoughtful conversation about his transformative experiences walking with Henri Nouwen and Thomas Merton. Andy shares how these spiritual giants invited him to a deeper trust in God’s guidance...

This week on Journey with a Giant , host Lori G. Melton and co-host Robert Prince welcome pastor and nonprofit leader Colin Tuggle for a heartfelt conversation about his transformative experience walking with spiritual giant Eugene Peterson. Through Peterson’s example, Colin found permission to slow down, embrace the long, hidden work of pastoring, and deepen his intimacy with Jesus. Peterson’s le...

This week on Journey with a Giant, host Lori G. Melton and co-host Robert Prince sit down with guest Stacy Holmes —a wife, mom, homeschooler, podcaster, pastor, and spiritual director—for a thought-provoking conversation about her journey with the spiritual giant John Calvin . Stacy shares about her unexpected journey with John Calvin , a theological giant she once thought she had little in common...

This week on Journey with a Giant , Lori turns the microphone towards her co-host, Pastor Robert Prince—and what a conversation it is! Robert opens up about his own season of spiritual apathy and the surprising ways God reawakened his heart through journeying with two remarkable spiritual giants. His first giant, John O’Donohue, ushered him into the beauty and depth of Celtic Christianity, sparkin...

In the very first interview of the Journey with a Giant series, co-host Robert Prince turns the microphone toward author, retreat leader, and spiritual director Lori G. Melton to uncover the story and inspiration behind her upcoming book, Journey with a Giant: Choose Your Guide, Pursue Your Purpose, and Grow in Your Walk with God . Lori shares how the practice of walking with spiritual giants—fait...

Are you ready for an adventure of faith? Reach out for the Savior’s hand. Today it begins!   You’ve been hearing about walking with spiritual Giants for years, a mysterious practice somewhere out in the distance. Today, we finally get to bring it to you.   Welcome to the Journey with a Giant series! In this introductory episode, listen in as host Robert Prince and I introduce you to the concept of...

As fall draws near, you may find yourself longing for time on retreat. For many of you who have reached out asking when our next Sanctuary group retreat will be, you don’t have to wait any longer!  In today’s episode, we explore how you can create your own retreat experience in a simple and meaningful way with a friend!  The episode begins with reflections on what God has been doing this summer, t...

After a month away walking the Camino de Santiago, we’re back! Listen to this episode, for some of the most powerful moments of that sacred journey—and how you can enter into a spiritual pilgrimage of your own, even if you never leave your neighborhood. Walking a pilgrimage stretches your faith, deepens your dependence on God, and reminds you of your true identity as pilgrims. Whether you’re plann...