Sanctuary Stirrings

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...

Do you long for a place to meet with God? A sacred space that feels like home to your soul? In this episode, we explore the significance of these personal havens with mentor and spiritual formation expert Linda Andersen. Linda shares her story of how God has led herto sacred spaces through the years and how He may be doing the same for you.   Join us for this heart-stirring conversation that will...

God is a firm believer in freedom of choice. As much as he wants us to receive all the gifts that he has for us, he leaves it up to us which ones we will receive and which ones, to our detriment, we leave in his outstretched hand. The same heavenly Father who created Adam and Eve on the sixth day and the very next morning declared their first day of existence a day of rest, delight, and worship of...

Have you ever felt weighed down, heavy-hearted, and a little distant from God even though, it seems, you have all your faith boxes checked? You’ve been attending church, having your daily time with Jesus and the Bible, and attending Bible study. Yet, somehow, you don’t feel as close to God as you usually do and don’t know why.   Join me for this delightful episode exploring the missing link right...

What are Christians supposed to do with New Year’s? Is it just another Hallmark holiday or an invitation from God? Join today’s conversation to flesh out this significant day on the calendar and receive the gifts God has waiting for you! The New Year Examen Worksheet The New Year Examen and Your Life’s Golden Thread with Chris Slabbekoorn  Sanctuary Stirrings Podcast Episode #19 The Sanctuary at B...

Here amid the Holiday season, with parties and events filling your days and New Year’s get-togethers just around the corner, do you ever find yourself hesitant to include the name of Jesus in conversation?   Me too.   If you have a passionate love for Jesus and a desire to share what he means to you as the Holy Spirit opens doors this season, join me for this episode.   To receive other great arti...

Children keep us humble, and a few years ago, my husband and I thought we had completely failed as parents when our daughter brought us an eye-opening question. But the pain was quickly replaced with joy as the Lord brought us back again to His wonderful gift.   If you haven’t been taught about the filling of the Holy Spirit, or if, like me, you’ve heard some confusing teaching through the years a...

“Pilgrimages rarely go as planned. They’re evolving journeys, not packaged holidays.” Ted Harro, Camino Pilgrim, Renovare As it is in pilgrimage, so it is in life. Just when you think you have everything planned to a “T,” a detour or a roadblock changes everything! What do you do now?  ⁠ Pilgrimages Rarely Go As Planned ⁠ Full Article You can read Perry’s full story in his book. Whether you go on...

Take this episode along as you sit at the beach or in a quiet spot with your early morning coffee. Drink of the Living Water as First Love Founder and author Linda Andersen leads us through this powerful practice of Soaking in the Psalms. Day 1 Pilgrimage Takes Patience Transcript Spiritual Retreat for Tired Souls: A Quiet Guide to Time Alone with God by Linda Andersen #abideinJesus #christianform...

Hearing from many of you, there’s been an interest in the topic of pilgrimage, and my recent trip to Italy on The Saint Francis Way. I hope you enjoy this series of short vignettes about pilgrimage and monthly soaking in Jesus’ prayer practices by First Love Founder, Linda Andersen. May these stirring topics, be little bite-size morsels to strengthen our lives with God as we travel through the sum...

“Pilgrimage,” not a word that comes into our 21st Century Christian vocabulary very often. Come along as I lead you through my recent experience traveling The Francis Way in Italy, An ancient spiritual practice that the Lord opened my eyes to nearly 10 years ago, and I have been fascinated with ever since. Hear a little bit about this practice and the gift that might be waiting for you through thi...

Whatever the Lord is asking of you today, I hope you enjoy this story of surrender and that it gives you the strength to say, “Yes!”  And in that “Yes!” you find the joy and satisfaction you were created for because it’s in dying that we truly live! Click on the link below to learn more about Autumn and this powerful movement of God that reached 37,000 young people on College Campuses last year. ...

With Easter being the most important day of the whole year for us as Christians, why does it so often catch us by surprise?  If you’re like me and want to fully savor this opportunity with the Savior instead of screeching into the Church parking lot on Easter morning, you’ll love this episode!   #christianformation #lifewithjesus #lovingjesus #easter2024 #heisrisen  To receive these and other grea...

Just as no two marriages are alike, no two couples’ spiritual relationship will be the same either. In celebration of Valentine’s month and the unique relationship we share with our spouse, get ready to free yourself from all the “should’s”, “ought to’s” and “gotta’s” and notice and celebrate your unique Spiritual Strengths instead. Couple’s Spiritual 💋  Strengths Survey    Solitude As a Spouse A...

So excited to share about our Good Shepherd’s faithfulness along my publishing path. Was it just a year ago I heard those dreaded words no author wants to hear, “I’m so sorry to say that your book project was not approved by our publishing committee.”?  When we go through our big and small valleys of the shadow of death, there’s nothing to fear. It’s not the end of the story. There is still more t...

I’ve got a special episode for you today! An interview with a dear friend and my spiritual director, Chris Slabbekoorn. I can’t wait for you to hear about Chris’ unique perspective on the Lord’s work in our lives through what she calls, The Golden Thread, and our conversation about setting apart a few quiet moments to hear the Lord’s still small voice and receive all he has for us in the year ahea...