Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast
278 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 days ago - ★★★★★ - 275 ratingsA place for honest and unhurried conversations about interactive life with God. Hosted by Nathan Foster from Renovaré, a nonprofit that offers resources, events, and learning communities to help people become more like Jesus. Learn more at renovare.org.
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Episodes
The Liturgy of Friendship — Elizabeth Moore and Audrey Elledge
April 05, 2024 11:46 - 37 minutes - 51.9 MBAudrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore, authors of Liturgies for Wholeness, join Nate to talk about the formational power of liturgy and friendship. Friendship is a relational connection point many people struggle with, but it's a grand invitation into deeper relationship with God. —Nathan Foster Show Notes Books by Elizabeth Moore and Audrey Elledge Liturgies for Hope: Sixty Prayers for the Highs, the Lows, and Everything in Between Liturgies for Wholeness: 60 Prayers to Encounter t...
Audio Retreat: The Cup - A Meditation for Holy Week on Luke 22
March 22, 2024 15:11 - 19 minutes - 22 MBThis meditation by Nathan Foster on Luke 22 invites us to the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed “let this cup pass from me.”
Trevor Hudson — Desmond Tutu
March 08, 2024 10:50 - 34 minutes - 47 MBTrevor Hudson shares reflections on the influence that Desmond Tutu had on his life — as a friend, colleague, cellmate, and “contemplative in action.” Show Notes Desmond Tutu's Nobel Prize biography page Made for Goodness by Desmond Tutu Books by Trevor Hudson Other Episodes With This Guest Ep 47: Trevor Hudson — Friendship with God Ep 73: Trevor Hudson — Holiness is Better Than You Think Ep 131: Trevor Hudson — Listen to the Groans Ep 154: Trevor Hudson — Meeting Christ in...
Luci Shaw — Madeleine L'Engle
February 23, 2024 21:25 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MB“We enriched each other.” Luci Shaw speaks with Nate about her rich friendship with Madeleine L'Engle and how they made one another better writers and better followers of Jesus. Show Notes + Transcript Nate: Lucy, we get to talk about your friend today. How did you first come to meet Madeline? Luci: Well, Madeleine and I met originally at Wheaton College at a conference on, on literature, and she was a speaker and I was a speaker, and so we just happened to connect at that, at th...
Sho Baraka — George Washington Carver
February 09, 2024 20:55 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MBAmisho “Sho” Baraka joins Nate for a fascinating conversation about George Washington Carver — a man whose faith directed his genius toward the good of others. Resources The Man Who Talks with the Flowers: The Intimate Life Story of Dr. George Washington Carver, by Glenn Clark Essential Writings of the American Black Church, by John Hunt Tuskegee University He Saw That It Was Good, by Sho Baraka Album: “The Narrative,” Sho Baraka, 2016 “Bravery to Faithfully Create,” articl...
Andrew Arndt — On the Desert Fathers and Mothers
January 27, 2024 03:08 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBPastor and author Andrew Arndt talks with Nathan Foster about how the stories and examples of the desert fathers and mothers move from exhaustion, burnout, and pain into a more vibrant faith.
Mimi Dixon — On Catherine Doherty
January 12, 2024 20:15 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBMimi Dixon shares how the life and words of Catherine Doherty—a pioneer for interracial justice and mentor to Thomas Merton—helped her to return to her first love. Resources Poustinia, by Catherine Doherty Catherine Doherty writes about prayer and sacraments as ways to welcome and know the presence of God in “First Meet God” Luminous Lives, a Renovaré e-course hosted my Mimi Dixon
Matthew Clark — The Gift of Truth
November 03, 2023 19:52 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBMatthew Clark joined Nate in-person to tape this week's podcast conversation on the topic of truth — truthful storytelling, truthful music, true relationships and true worship. Visit Matthew Clark's website. Books by Matthew Clark Tale of Two Trees Only The Lover Sings Find Matthew's music on Spotify and Apple Matthew's Podcast — One Thousand Words: Stories Along the Way
Sally Kendrick — The Gift of Creating
October 27, 2023 18:09 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBPrintmaker Sally Kendrick talks with Nate about the creative act of finding and printing specimens from nature as a way of cultivating "openness to the presence of God and willingness to receive the love of God." Sally Kendrick is a Maryland-based photographer with Carolina roots. She began experimenting with cyanotypes as a way of cultivating a habit of attentiveness to the beauty in the natural world around her. Read Sally's essay "Attention Grows into Love" on renovare.org. ...
Sarah Clarkson — The Gift of Beauty
October 20, 2023 14:05 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBSarah Clarkson spoke with Nathan Foster from her home in the UK about her experiences with grief and fear and the way God has been restoring faith, hope, and love in her life through the gift of beauty. Sarah's Website: https://sarahclarkson.com Books by Sarah: This Beautiful Truth: How God's Goodness Breaks into Our Darkness Book Girl: A Journey Through the Treasures and Transforming Power of a Reading Life Caught Up in a Story: Fostering a Storyformed Life of Great Books & Ima...
Mark Buchanan — The Healing Gift of Nature
October 13, 2023 12:26 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBMark Buchanan, author of God Walk: Moving at the Speed of your Soul, talks with Nate about the restorative gifts of God available to us in natural world. Books by Mark Buchanan God Walk: Moving at the Speed of your Soul David: Rise David: Reign The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath Your God is Too Safe: Rediscovering the Wonder of a God You Can't Control Visit Mark’s website Renovaré resources with Mark Buchanan Webinar: Good Grief Article: “Being Mo...
Katelyn J. Dixon — The Healing Gift of Writing
October 06, 2023 21:28 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBThe Renovaré Podcast with Nathan Foster returns with new episodes and a new name... Life with God. The next several episodes center the conversation around things that restore our souls—places of connection to God and gifts from the Lord that bring us inward healing. Katelyn Dixon leads off the series by looking at the creative act of writing as spiritual healing. Read Katelyn's writing on Renovare.org Visit Katelyn's website
Meditation on Psalm 131 (Encore Series)
August 11, 2023 22:21 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MBA 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).
Brian Morykon — Crafting Authentic Prayers (Encore Episode)
July 14, 2023 21:06 - 25 minutes - 29.5 MBPrayer doesn't have to be perfect, just real. Brian Morykon and Nathan Foster talk about music and writing as forms that help us craft authentic prayers in this 2015 episode of the Renovaré Podcast. Brian's song that is referenced in the podcast conversation and played at the end of the episode is What Can I Do (lyrics below), from The Smallest Seed, released December 18, 2012. (c) All rights reserved. Please give me grace to be weak The moment I'm strong I get up and leave Where ...
Jan Johnson — Being Glad with God (Encore Episode)
June 30, 2023 19:52 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MB"Each day is God's gift… But we have a choice." Jan Johnson talks with Nate about how to rejoice and be glad with the help of spiritual disciplines. Find more Jan Johnson resources at janjohnson.org
Mimi Dixon — Julian of Norwich (Encore Episode)
June 16, 2023 20:08 - 56 minutes - 51.5 MBMimi Dixon invites us to let Julian of Norwich teach us that “all shall be well" in this encore episode that first aired in 2017.
Audio Retreat with Julian of Norwich — Nathan Foster (Encore Episode)
May 26, 2023 21:52 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MBNathan Foster takes a famous quote from Julian of Norwich and festoons each phrase with his own thoughts. Come linger over Julian’s words in this audio retreat, with music by Joshua Banner.
Encore Series — Donn Thomas on Fighting Fear with Worship
May 05, 2023 21:20 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBWith gratitude for the life of Donn Thomas, we share this episode from the Renovaré Podcast archive (originally aired April 13, 2020). Donn speaks with Nate about his cancer diagnosis and other scary situations, and how God's presence helps us move from fear to confidence.
Monica and Jeremy Chambers — Getting Personal with the Lord's Prayer
April 14, 2023 14:24 - 27 minutes - 37.7 MBMonica and Jeremy Chambers join Nate to discuss ways of engaging with two transforming prayers for the Christian life: Psalm 23 and the Lord’s Prayer.
Katie Davis Majors — Safe All Along
March 31, 2023 14:09 - 34 minutes - 32.1 MBKatie Davis Majors shares her story of formation through suffering and explains the message of her book, Safe All Along.
Tina Dyer and Grace Pouch — The Narrative of Sojourner Truth
March 10, 2023 14:00 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBTina Dyer (Renovaré Board Treasurer) and Grace Pouch (Renovaré’s Content Manager) talk with Nathan Foster about the brilliance of Sojourner Truth and how her story has impacted their lives. Tina and Grace will lead the Renovaré book club through The Narrative of Sojourner Truth beginning on March 27. Show Notes [1:51] I am curious to know how you two discovered Sojourner Truth. [4:26] How has her story impacted you two? [10:08] What makes her credible? [13:02] I think I know you...
Kai Nilsen — What's the Point of Church?
February 24, 2023 18:01 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBRenovaré Ministry Team member and pastor, Kai Nilsen, talks with Nate about what we can learn from recent disruptions to church norms.
Miriam Rockness and Mimi Dixon — Discovering Lilias Trotter
February 17, 2023 21:28 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MBIn this week’s episode of the Renovaré Podcast, Nathan talks with Miriam Rockness and Mimi Dixon about the life and faith of Lilias Trotter. Show Notes [ ] What has drawn you and fed you about her life? How did you discover her? [ ] Is it accurate to say we might have lost some of these pieces of her work had it not been for your journey? [ ] What I’m hearing, Miriam, is that you said Yes, and it reminds me a little of Lilias. She said Yes. Mimi, do you have any sense as to w...
Vivianne David — Visio Divina
February 04, 2023 01:56 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBShow notes What is visio divina, Viv? And how do you do that? What you're saying is that it's something we do all the time.—it's just taking a little extra pause or intentionality with what we're seeing? Can I do visio with nature… look out my window? What is your practice? Do you find a painting and say, “I'm gonna spend a half hour with this?” So it would be a little like sitting down to read a book. I'm gonna sit down and read visually, like a painting or a scene. Is that h...
Winn Collier — On François Fénelon
January 13, 2023 21:34 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBNathan Foster talks with Winn Collier about the penetrating and practical spiritual wisdom of 17th-century archbishop and writer François Fénelon. Show Notes [3:42] Could you share a little about Fénelon? [10:35] There’s almost a level of pain that one needs to feel in order to find the comfort... I wonder if it's a season of life, if you’re in a space where you’re really needing a kind of brokenness. [11:57] I would go beyond identifying [pain]... It’s giving a map. [13:26] ...
Richard Foster and Brenda Quinn — Learning Humility
December 09, 2022 14:47 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBBrenda Quinn and Richard Foster join Nathan to talk about Richard’s new book, Learning Humility: A Year of Searching for a Vanishing Virtue. Show Notes [4:38] Dad, could you give us an overview? [9:38] Brenda, what was your journey like as you were reading the chapters and how did this work for you as a Christ follower and a pastor? [17:08] Dad, the humble mumble – could you explain that? How did spending this year and writing the book tie into that? [18:44] Brenda, as a pastor...
Robyn Wrigley-Carr — Evelyn Underhill's Spiritual Formation
November 29, 2022 12:48 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MBRobyn Wrigley-Carr returns to the Renovaré Podcast to talk with Nate about Evelyn Underhill—the 20th century author, spiritual director and retreat leader—and about Baron Friedrich Von Hügel, whose spiritual direction transformed Evelyn’s life with God. Show Notes [2:15] Here’s a quote from Eugene Peterson: “The most extensive and inviting introduction … a brilliantly written book.” How did it feel to have read that about your book? [3:49] Could you tell me what is a baron and wh...
Robert Moore-Jumonville — G.K. Chesterton's Orthodoxy
November 07, 2022 21:12 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MBProfessor, pastor, and author Robert Moore-Jumonville talks with Nathan Foster about Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton. Show Notes [0:57] What do you like about Chesterton? [5:09 ] How would you describe Orthodoxy to someone? [7:32] I’m struggling with the term “dense,” because it’s not boring... [12:41] For some reason I hear Kurt Vonnegut in Chesterton – the satire, the unexpected. Chesterton surprises me. [16:40] It seems like a cultural commentary that has a lot of relevance fo...
Lacy Borgo — Thomas Kelly's A Testament of Devotion
October 17, 2022 17:00 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBMost years Lacy Borgo re-reads A Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelly. She joins Nathan Foster to discuss how this spiritual classic has impacted her life. Show Notes [3:02] You mentioned to me some time ago that you read this book every year. What’s that about? [5:06] How would you describe A Testament of Devotion? [6:23] What are the pieces this year that are ringing to you? [8:37] As a spiritual director, how do you see people lean into that glow (of the Presence of God in ...
Mark Buchanan — Walking as a Spiritual Practice
October 04, 2022 10:58 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBNathan welcomes Mark Buchanan to the podcast to discuss the wonderfully “reliable” spiritual practice of walking, which is the topic of Mark’s newest book, God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul. Show Notes [1:17] I’m curious, how long have you been a speed walker? [2:09] What has your experience and practice been with walking? [3:58] What did you learn from writing the book? [5:48] What happens for you when you walk? [7:58] A friend of mine gave me a quote: Those who work...
Trevor Hudson — Seeking God
September 06, 2022 20:01 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBTrevor Hudson talks with Nate about his new book, Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard, and unpacks what it means to be a “seeker” in a Christ-following way. Show Notes [1:43] I’m curious to know how you discovered St. Ignatius and how he’s impacted your life. [3:30] What was that experience like for you, personally, to go through the Exercises? [4:59] For those listening who don’t know, could you just give us a brief description of the ...
Ted Harro — A Journey in Humility
August 25, 2022 21:38 - 32 minutes - 30 MBRenovaré President Ted Harro discusses his recent pilgrimage with his son along the Camino de Santiago, including how its unexpected detours taught him the beauty of humility. Show Notes [1:00] You recently went on a pilgrimage. Can you discuss pilgrimage as a spiritual practice? [4:55] I love this question, where are you going and why? That sounds like a Jesus-type question. So is the point the destination, is this a kind of magical place that I go and I get a gold star from God...
James Bryan Smith — Transforming Toxic Self-Narratives
August 01, 2022 05:00 - 27 minutes - 25 MBShow Notes [1:24] You have a new book out. Why did you write this book? [4:18] Can you share a little about your journey? [7:51] What made a difference for you? How have you worked your narratives and what is that process like? [9:41] Many Christians know…the reality of some of the things you're saying. How do you move that from your head to your heart? [11:52] When I see others as beloved image bearers, it makes it quite difficult to control or dehumanize them. There’s a free...
Terry Wardle — From Broken to Beloved
July 20, 2022 15:30 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBTerry Wardle of Healing Care Ministries shares how an emotional breakdown at the height of his “success” in ministry played a pivotal role in moving him from information about God to encounter with God, from performance-oriented to grace-oriented, and from broken to beloved. Show Notes [1:00] I'm really curious to hear a little about your story. [5:32] When there's a pressure in our life, there's a potential gift because we break… Do you find yourself grateful for that? [8:33] T...
Gem and Alan Fadling — What Does Your Soul Love?
June 20, 2022 21:53 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBAuthors and founders of Unhurried Living, Gem and Alan Fadling, share insights into how we experience soul change, share key questions that open the door to spiritual transformation, and explore the difference between self-help and spiritual formation.
Sho Baraka — He Saw That It Was Good
June 06, 2022 20:09 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBHip hop artist and author, Sho Baraka, joins Nate to talk about refreshing our theology of work, strengthening the relationship between creatives and the Church, and adding variety to the genres and voices we turn to for spiritual nurture. [2:08] Could you tell us a little about your book (its creation)? [6:47] Could you say a little about help for creatives and what you hope to see? [8:33] One of the things I noticed throughout your book is a concern with the devaluing of the or...
Sharon Garlough Brown — The Gift of Companionship on the Journey
May 02, 2022 13:00 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBAuthor and Spiritual Director Sharon Garlough Brown speaks about using the medium of fiction to connect readers to the God who grieves and suffers with us and enlarges our capacity to receive joy. Show Notes [2:23] Could you tell us just a little about your love of Van Gogh? [5:12] Could you talk about how you work with fiction? [7:13] You go into spiritual direction not really knowing where this time is going to go, but being open. Do you take some of that same posture into you...
Glandion Carney — Classic Talk: The House of Grace
April 18, 2022 21:40 - 30 minutes - 28 MBA classic talk by Renovaré Ministry Team member and retired pastor Glandion Carney on the collection of practices that create room in his life for dwelling with God and receiving grace.
Robyn Wrigley-Carr — Evelyn Underhill’s Prayer Book
April 04, 2022 20:35 - 38 minutes - 35.1 MBAuthor Robyn Wrigley-Carr joins Nathan on this week’s episode to discuss Evelyn Underhill’s Prayer Book. Show Notes Who was Evelyn Underhill? Tell me a little bit about her prayer book prior to your visit to the retreat house. I’m hearing joy. Was it a joyful process for you? She does something bold, taking a prayer from some great Saint and adding her own lines, making her own contribution to it. I found that really special to get to have both people’s prayers together. Could...
Steve Macchia — Practicing a Preference for God
March 22, 2022 21:34 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBSteve Macchia, author and founder of Leadership Transformations, shares insights on cultivating discernment as a listening lifestyle—rather than merely a decision-making strategy—and how to humbly place God’s agenda ahead of our own. Show Notes [:] You take a different spin of sorts on the topic of discernment. Could you share with us a little about some of your thinking on that? [:] What does a discerning life look like going beyond big decision-making? [:] What did that look...
Jan Johnson — Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice
March 14, 2022 18:28 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBAuthor Jan Johnson joins Nathan on this week’s episode to discuss Dallas Willard’s book Renovation of the Heart (an upcoming selection for the Renovaré book club), and how to live it out in daily practice.
A Guided Prayer Meditation for Ukraine
March 10, 2022 20:16 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBIn this guided audio meditation, Nathan Foster offers a prayer from the heart for Ukraine and the world.
Marilyn McEntyre — Words Matter
February 21, 2022 16:57 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBNathan speaks with one of his favorite authors, Marilyn McEntyre, about why “words matter more than we can imagine.” She explores words as sacraments, as creative forces, as conveyors of truth, and as precious ingredients in the feast called conversation. Show Notes [2:21] Where did your love of words begin? [4:52] Could you explain a little about how caring for words is a moral issue? [6:34] How about words as art? [9:15] You take this beyond writing and poetry—into normal con...
Mimi Dixon — First Things
February 07, 2022 19:27 - 39 minutes - 36.5 MBHow do pastors prevent burn out and keep first things first? Renovaré Ministry Team member Mimi Dixon shares insights and lessons from her decades of experience as a senior pastor. Show Notes [1:11] There's an article in Christianity today about pastors that you had mentioned to me. Could you share a little about that? [6:35] What are some things that you think might be helpful for pastors in this season? [17:40] And this happened after you let go of the franchise mentality? [...
Ted Harro — Meet the New President of Renovaré
January 31, 2022 20:07 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MBTed Harro joins Nathan Foster to talk about his unexpected journey to become Renovaré’s new president. Show Notes [2:53] I caught wind that you were really pushing to get this position. Is that accurate? [5:51] What changed, to get you in a position where you actually did apply and follow through? [8:23] How are you feeling about coming into the position? [8:54] What first drew you to Renovaré as an organization? [11:25] What was your experience like with the Renovaré Instit...
Winn Collier — On Eugene Peterson
January 17, 2022 21:07 - 36 minutes - 33.3 MBTo write Eugene Peterson's biography, Winn Collier spent considerable time with at the Peterson's home, read Eugene's letters, and conducted countless interviews. He discovered a man with a pastor's heart who, while far from perfect, had integrity and a deep love for God. Show Notes [1:40] Are you tired of talking about Eugene now? And if so, why? [2:26] What do you think Eugene would think about the biography coming out and all the interviews and such? [3:32] I'm curious to...
Carol Berry — Learning from Henri Nouwen and Vincent Van Gogh
January 03, 2022 21:09 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MBPodcast guest Carol Berry talks with Nate about how she came to know the life of Vincent van Gogh through the teachings of Henri Nouwen, and what she has learned from these two men about solidarity, compassion, and art as a way to touch people’s lives. Show Notes [2:11] Can I tell you about how I discovered Van Gogh? [4:18] When did you first begin to love Vincent’s work? [7:25] What do you think Vincent was trying to say to people? [10:06] Those doors [of pastoral ministry] we...
Michael Card — Inexpressible
December 20, 2021 22:13 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBIn this episode, Nathan talks with author and musician Michael Card about hesed, an untranslatable Hebrew word that expresses God’s love and faithfulness. Michael believes it may be the most important word in Scripture and spent ten years writing a book to unpack its meaning. --- Show Notes [2:29] What would you tell your younger self? [3:05] What is it that you care about these days? [6:16] You wrote a book about one word. Tell us about the book. [9:22] What does the word mean...
John Eldredge — Benevolent Detachment
December 06, 2021 19:46 - 35 minutes - 33 MBNate talks with author John Eldredge about healing from the trauma of the pandemic, benevolent detachment, what it means to consecrate your empathy to Christ, and learning to hear the voice of God. Show Notes [1:19] What was the impetus for this book? [3:57] I'm glad to hear you reference the pandemic in this way. It has really baffled me how silent people are in terms of its effects. I think it’s going to take 5 or 10 years out of this to realize some of the ways that it has ne...
Richard Foster — The Influence of John Woolman
November 15, 2021 22:22 - 34 minutes - 32.1 MBEighteen century preacher and abolitionist John Woolman, whose journal is a Renovaré Book Club selection, had a profound impact on Renovaré founder Richard Foster, who like Woolman is Quaker. In this episode, Richard discusses the life and work of this humble yet bold follower of Jesus. Show Notes How did you discover John Woolman’s Journal? What was it, as a college student, reading Woolman’s journal? Woolman’s first experience with slavery. The story of Benjamin Lay. Woolman...