Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast
279 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 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
Lacy Borgo — Spiritual Conversations with Children
February 17, 2020 19:31 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBRenovaré Ministry Team member and author Dr. Lacy Borgo has years of experience working with (and raising!) children, learning from them how to enter the Kingdom of God. She joins Nathan Foster on the podcast about her new book Spiritual Conversations with Children: Listening to God Together.
Richard Foster — The Foxtail
February 03, 2020 21:00 - 27 minutes - 18.1 MBNathan talks with Richard Foster about the history and future of Renovaré events–including the story of the name behind the new event, The Foxtail. Learn more at renovare.org/foxtail
Mimi Dixon — Interior Castle: Field Guide for the Soul
January 20, 2020 15:13 - 39 minutes - 25.9 MB"I was drawn to Interior Castle as a field guide," says Renovaré Team Member and retired pastor Miriam (Mimi) Dixon, "for how I could cooperate with the Holy Spirit more directly in the transformation of my heart." In this in-depth interview with Nathan Foster, Mimi helps us understand Teresa of Ávila's classic work.
Carolyn Arends — Contemplative Community
January 09, 2020 15:45 - 46 minutes - 31.2 MBSome think of the Contemplative Tradition as "me, Jesus, and a candle". Candlelit time with Jesus is beautiful, but how does that relate to community? Do contemplative practices like silent prayer work with others? Renovaré Director of Education Carolyn Arends discusses with Nathan Foster.
Jean Nevills — Aware and Awake
December 16, 2019 21:55 - 31 minutes - 21.1 MB"We invite the one who loves us into our awareness... and the Spirit at the same time is inviting us to be aware and be awake." Writer and spiritual director Jean Nevills talks with Nathan Foster how to be present to God in all of life. Read Jean's original essay related to this podcast, Light Enough to Live By.
Richella Parham — Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison (Part 2)
December 09, 2019 19:42 - 37 minutes - 22.5 MB"Your gifts don't serve to show me up, they serve to hold me up." Author and Renovaré Ministry team member Richella Parham continues her conversation with Nathan Foster about how to overcome the trap of comparison.
James Catford — Bible and Borderlands
December 02, 2019 05:00 - 42 minutes - 31.4 MB"We'll cross into the Kingdom but we'll keep our options open for crossing out again." James Catford, Renovaré Board Chair appointee and former British Bible Society Chief Executive, helps us see the Bible not so much as a map but a companion for moving deeper into life in the Kingdom of God.
Richella Parham — Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison
November 11, 2019 05:00 - 27 minutes - 18.2 MBAuthor and Renovaré Ministry team member Richella Parham talks with Nathan Foster about her new book Mythical Me: Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison.
Richella Parham — Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison (Part 1)
November 11, 2019 05:00 - 27 minutes - 18.2 MBAuthor and Renovaré Ministry team member Richella Parham talks with Nathan Foster about her new book Mythical Me: Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison.
Lacy Borgo — Meeting Jesus in the Marginalized
October 29, 2019 15:26 - 31 minutes - 21 MBRead the related essay, Unlimited Liability: A Movement Towards Generosity.
Richard Foster — Compassion Starts Near and Small (Streams: Social Jusice)
October 14, 2019 15:20 - 34 minutes - 22.4 MBIssues of social justice can be polarizing. And they can be paralyzing—with so much injustice in the world, where does one begin? "Don't be frozen," Richard Foster advises. "Start somewhere. Look for a situation you can help with and step in." That begins in small ways, right where you are.
Sarah Bowling — Letting Holy Spirit Lead
October 01, 2019 21:50 - 36 minutes - 23.3 MBWhen Saving Moses founder Sarah Bowling refers to Holy Spirit, she leaves out "the." It reminds us that the third person of the Trinity is indeed a person, the Helper sent by Jesus to dwell in us. She joins Nathan on the podcast to discuss the Charismatic stream and being led by the Spirit.
Philip Yancey — Redeemed Pain
September 16, 2019 18:37 - 45 minutes - 28.3 MB"Redeemed pain is more impressive than removed pain." Philip Yancey chats with Nathan Foster about the human body, the Body of Christ, what matters most, and the way Philip's life was forever changed by the years he spent with renowned physician Dr. Paul Brand.
Richard Foster — Power to Do the Works of God (Streams: Charismatic)
September 04, 2019 20:59 - 32 minutes - 20.9 MBHoliness is the power to be the kind of person the God wants us to be. Charismatic is the power to do the works of God. Richard Foster encourages us to not be afraid to wade into this often misunderstood and sometimes despised tradition of the Church.
Dallas Willard — The Goodness of Holiness
August 19, 2019 20:26 - 1 hour - 43.5 MB"We were not made to run on our own. We were made to run and do our work on the power of God." In this classic talk, Dallas Willard recaptures the beauty and goodness of holiness, the power to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done.
Richard Foster — A Well-Functioning Life (Streams: Holiness)
August 07, 2019 15:30 - 28 minutes - 21.1 MB"Responding well under fire, using power rightly, well-functioning, life-affirming." Those phrases usually aren't the first to come to mind for most who hear the word "holiness." In this interview, Richard Foster helps reclaim the word and remind us that a holy life is a beautiful thing. This interview continues a series on the six major Christian traditions outlined in Richard's book Streams of Living Water. To dig deeper, see the Renovaré webpage on The Six Streams and Richard Fo...
Emilie Griffin — Doorways to the Prayerful Life (Q&A w/ Dallas Willard)
July 23, 2019 15:44 - 1 hour - 41.9 MBInspired by the prayer chapter in The Divine Conspiracy, author and Renovaré Ministry Team member Emilie Griffin gives a talk on prayer at the 1999 Renovaré International Conference in Houston. It's followed by a special Q&A with Richard Foster and Dallas Willard.
Richard Foster — A Mind Continually Set on God (Streams: Contemplative)
July 12, 2019 15:29 - 40 minutes - 30.5 MB"I will set the Lord always before me." These words from Psalm 16 are the crux of the Contemplative Tradition, or the Prayer-filled Life. Nathan Foster interviews his father Richard Foster, continuing a series on the six major Christian traditions, or streams, outlined in Richard's book Streams of Living Water.
Jon Bailey & Chad Lawson — Tech, Listening, and Felted Piano Strings
June 17, 2019 19:09 - 36 minutes - 26.6 MBJon Bailey, Renovaré Board Chair and serial entrepreneur, knows technology can distract and harm. But his belief that it can also be used for good led him to co-create the Scripture listening app Dwell. Its thoughtful music was scored by Steinway artist and composer Chad Lawson, who also joins this episode. Renovaré listeners can learn more and get 33% off a Dwell membership at dwellapp.io/renovare. Listen to the music Chad composed for the app on Apple Music or Spotify.
Richard Foster — Encountering God in Everyday Life (Streams: Incarnational)
June 03, 2019 15:53 - 34 minutes - 22 MBFor more, see the Renovaré webpage on The Six Streams and Richard Foster's book Streams of Living Water.
Steve Macchia — Highs and Lows of the Evangelical Tradition
May 20, 2019 21:28 - 32 minutes - 21.8 MBDespite the fact that evangelicals can be "know-it-alls who tend to start something new because others 'don't get it,'" author and president of Leadership Transformations Steve Macchia says there are still gifts to be rediscovered in the evangelical tradition.
Richard Foster — Streams Overview + The Word-Centered Life (Evangelical Tradition)
May 06, 2019 00:00 - 42 minutes - 30.7 MBTo begin a series on the six major Christian traditions, or streams, outlined in the book Streams of Living Water, Nathan Foster talks with his father Richard Foster about one of the most misunderstood streams: Evangelical, or The Word-Centered Life.
Jonathan-Wilson Hartgrove — Finding Freedom from Slaveholder Religion
April 29, 2019 00:00 - 43 minutes - 28.1 MBThe slaveholding mentality, which many American Christians assume is past, continues to distort the way we read Scripture and think about each other. With gentleness and humility, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove shares how we can find freedom in the way of Jesus.
Lacy Borgo — A Seven-Week Resurrection Celebration
April 22, 2019 00:00 - 23 minutes - 16.8 MBResurrection Sunday is just the beginning. The church calendar sets aside fifty days to celebrate the resurrection. Teacher, author, and Renovaré Ministry Team member Lacy Borgo shares the why and how of Eastertide.
Carolyn Arends — Cracking Open Space for God
April 08, 2019 00:00 - 34 minutes - 25.2 MB"Advent and Lent are like little door jambs to crack open space in our hearts." In a tender conversation with Nathan Foster, singer/songwriter and Renovaré Director of Education Carolyn Arends shares her journey with the church calendar and remembers her mom who recently passed.
Trevor Hudson — Meeting Christ in Our Tears
March 25, 2019 00:00 - 38 minutes - 19.4 MBWhen Jesus finds Mary crying at his tomb, he doesn't try to cheer her up or change her. He simply asks, "Why are you weeping?" In this moving talk—interspersed with pauses and contemplative music for reflection—author and pastor Trevor Hudson helps us listen to our pain and find Christ in our tears.
Trevor Hudson — The Litmus Test for Lent
March 11, 2019 00:00 - 27 minutes - 19.9 MBLent is the season when people give up things they enjoy. But is that even a good idea? What's the litmus test for observing Lent—or any spiritual practice, for that matter? Author, pastor, and Renovaré Institute instructor Trevor Hudson offers some liberating answers in this interview with Nathan Foster.
Jean Nevills — Joy Is Powerful
February 25, 2019 00:00 - 29 minutes - 19.8 MBMost Christians practice spiritual disciplines long before they know what a spiritual discipline is. For Jean Nevills, spiritual director and Renovaré Ministry Team member, celebration was a normal part of her upbringing and is part of everyday life now. In this conversation with Nathan Foster, she makes celebration practical.
James Catford — The Cloud of Unknowing
February 18, 2019 16:18 - 24 minutes - 17.8 MBWritten by an anonymous author in the 14th century, The Cloud of Unknowing serves as a guide to Christian contemplation. For guest James Catford, Renovaré board member and former British Bible Society Chief Executive, it's a "lifetime book." Nathan Foster draws out James's insights on the book.
Jan Johnson — Being Glad With God
February 11, 2019 00:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MBA good translation of Philippians 4:4 is, "Celebrate in the Lord, always." But what does that mean in practical terms? Author and teacher Jan Johnson joins Nathan Foster again to discuss being glad with God in the present moment.
Evan Howard — Discerning the Voice of God
January 28, 2019 00:00 - 40 minutes - 24.4 MBIs learning to discern God's voice a fundamental spiritual discipline? Evan Howard believes so and joins Nathan Foster to share how God leads us. Evan's Ph.D. is in the area of Christian Discernment, and he teaches at institutions including Fuller Theological Seminary.
Fil Anderson — The Sound of God's Voice
January 14, 2019 00:00 - 40 minutes - 25.1 MB"There's a difference between someone's words and someone's voice." Spiritual director and author Fil Anderson talks with Nathan Foster about learning to love and discern the sound of God's voice.
Ruth Haley Barton — The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God
December 31, 2018 00:00 - 40 minutes - 28 MBDallas Willard once said, "If you don't come away for a while, you will come apart after a while." Ruth Haley Barton, author of Invitation to Retreat, joins Nathan to talk about the gift and necessity of retreat where we rest, unplug, and relinquish ourselves to God.
Brian Morykon — On Worship: Remembering Scott Baker
December 10, 2018 00:00 - 41 minutes - 33.6 MBLosing someone close opens up new perspectives and a deep gratitude for that person's life. Songwriter, worship leader, and Renovaré Director of Communications Brian Morykon reflects on worship in the light of the loss of his mentor and friend Scott Baker.
Rebecca K. DeYoung — Deadly Sins and Their Remedies
November 26, 2018 00:00 - 48 minutes - 30.5 MBVices are bad habits we can rely upon to make our lives not work. So why do we do them? How do we get to the bottom of our sin-symptoms and allow The Master Physician to heal the root causes? Rebecca DeYoung, author of Glittering Vices and Vainglory, talks with Nathan Foster about ordering our loves. The Renovaré Bookclub is reading Glittering Vices together—learn more at renovare.org/bookclub.
Paul Patton — We All Have Secrets
November 12, 2018 00:00 - 32 minutes - 23.5 MBSometimes the voice, message, and volume of our secrets can dominate us. Enter confession, a spiritual practice that helps us receive forgiveness and healing. To explore this liberating spiritual discipline, Nathan Foster welcomes back Paul Patton, author, playwright, former pastor, and now artist in residence at Spring Arbor University.
Sarah Bowling — Heartbreaking Euphoria
October 29, 2018 12:00 - 39 minutes - 26.2 MB"There's a lot of times people romanticize service work. It's not like that...It breaks my heart… it unravels me… People ask, 'do you have to always feel it?' I don't know how'd you'd love without feeling it." Sarah Bowling, founder of humanitarian organization Saving Moses, joins Nathan Foster again to talk about the spiritual discipline of service.
James Catford — Becoming a Servant
October 15, 2018 16:18 - 25 minutes - 19.7 MBAt a 2018 Renovaré Pastoral Leadership Conference, workshops were given on spiritual disciplines. Directed at pastors but applicable to all, James Catford, Renovaré board member and former British Bible Society Chief Executive, presented on the heart of service.
Richard Foster — Solitude: A Hike
October 01, 2018 00:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBNathan and Richard Foster bring us along for a hike on a Colorado trail as they have a heart to heart chat about solitude, silence, leadership, and special rocks.
Zane Creamer — An Extrovert's Guide to Solitude
September 10, 2018 12:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBZane Creamer is a graduate of the Renovaré Institute and the Women's Ministries Director at Crossroads Church in Raleigh, NC. Nathan Foster chats with Zane—an extrovert—about how solitude transformed the way she spends time with God.
BONUS - Book Club Preview + How We Choose Books
September 03, 2018 00:00 - 35 minutes - 23.4 MBListen in as Director of Education Carolyn Arends and President Chris Hall discuss how we choose Book Club books, why it's important to read substantive books that we might not agree with, and how to read empathetically.
Rebecca Willard Heatley — Dallas Willard the Dad
August 27, 2018 12:00 - 39 minutes - 25 MB"There's nothing I ever read or heard him say that he didn't live." Rebecca Willard Heatley carries on the work of her father Dallas Willard by compiling and editing his unpublished works. She joins Nathan Foster in this interview to talk candidly about life growing up as Dallas's daughter.
Lisa and Mark McMinn — Living Close to the Land
August 13, 2018 00:00 - 34 minutes - 24.3 MBSimplicity is a matter first of the heart, so the external expression of it will look different for different people. For authors and professors Mark and Lisa McMinn, it looks like running Fern Creek, an organic farm in Oregon.
Damon Seacott — "I Love Not Having Stuff"
July 30, 2018 00:00 - 32 minutes - 20.7 MBDamon Seacott can fit everything he owns into a car—but he's not a college student. Damon, a Quaker and former Chief of Staff at Spring Arbor University, simply prefers to make people more important than things. Nathan Foster talks with him about Simplicity.
Nathan and Richard Foster — Simplicity: Inward Then Outward
July 23, 2018 00:00 - 11 minutes - 9.64 MBChristian Simplicity is first a matter of the heart—practicing the presence of Jesus. Only then can external simplicity and frugality be truly life-giving. Nathan and Richard Foster explain why in this brief conversation.
Mimi Dixon — There is Always Enough
July 16, 2018 00:00 - 39 minutes - 25.5 MBSimplicity doesn't mean we don't have anything. It's viewing ourselves as stewards of what God has given us to provide for ourselves and share with others. Mimi Dixon joins Nathan Foster again to remind us that in God there is always enough.
Jan Johnson — Abundant Simplicity
July 09, 2018 00:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBSimplicity is a gentle call to tear back the clutter of life, relationships, possessions, and schedule—anything that keeps us from the abundant life God invites us into. Nathan Foster unpacks simplicity with Jan Johnson, author of Abundant Simplicity: Discovering the Unhurried Rhythms of Grace.
Fil Anderson & Justin Campbell — A Spiritual Director and a Lawyer On Study
July 02, 2018 00:00 - 42 minutes - 28.1 MBSpiritual director and author Fil Anderson and lawyer Justin Campbell talk with Nathan Foster about how to study for transformation instead of just information.
Chris Hall — Learning Spaces
June 25, 2018 00:00 - 25 minutes - 14.7 MBRenovaré President Chris Hall has spent his life studying the ancient Christians known as the desert fathers and mothers. From a recent Westmont University academic conference, Chris talks about the desert as a "learning space"—a place where the Spirit can put to death in us that which destroys our ability to love.
Trevor Hudson — Listen to the Groans
June 11, 2018 00:00 - 26 minutes - 18.8 MBAuthor and Renovaré Institute instructor Trevor Hudson delivers a passionate message on Romans 8 at First Baptist Church in Vancouver, BC.