Anita Lustrea

It's been awhile since I've had Mike Murphy on the podcast as a solo guest. We talked about life and spiritual growth, journaling, and of course Mike's weekly post called Friday Rumblings.

We talk about something Mike has been pondering and praying about. We look briefly at politics and faith. We read and respond to a poem. And we talk about the main point of a sermon Mike once preached that he and I still think about.

Sara Groves is a long-time friend and I love any excuse to connect with her. The excuse this time is a new Christmas Album titled Joy of Every Longing Heart. It's been over 10 years since she released her first Christmas album and, in her words, releasing a Christmas album at all "feels indulgent." I am glad she indulged herself and you will be, too.

We talk about life and music and hear clips of several songs from her latest project. Take a listen to the podcast as you just might find your way to winning a copy of Sara's new project.

My friend, neighbor, and fellow author Michelle Van Loon joins me on the podcast this week to talk about how we make decisions. What is your decision making process based on regarding your stand on political and moral/ethical issues such as abortion, the death penalty, immigrations, etc.? As we grow in maturity, do we make decisions using the same grid we always have, or does that process change?

We also discuss what drawing water from the well looks like and what that means. If we've drawn from the same well and find ourselves still thirsty, do we lower the bucket down deeper into the well, dig a new well? What is our process for growth and refreshment when we find our soul is parched?

Justin McRoberts and Scott Erickson join me on the podcast this week. They've written a couple of unique books pointing us to the spiritual practice of prayer. But not in the usual way. As they help us focus on The Lord's Prayer through their latest book, May It Be So, they use a combination of language and imagery to help us gain spiritual clarity in our ongoing conversation with God.

A flourishing prayer life, Justin and Scott say, is sometimes just beyond our reach, so why not try engaging in a new practice that might help us relate better to God.

Vinita Hampton Wright joins me on the podcast to talk about writing, reading, and Ignatian Spirituality. Vinita is an editor with Loyola Press, and a prolific and excellent writer. Some of Vinita's books include, Days of Deepening Friendship (a personal favorite), Dwelling Places (one of several novels), The Art of Spiritual Writing, and her most recent—which we will talk about on the podcast—Small Simple Ways.

Gabrielle Earnshaw is a historian and founding archivist of the Henri Nouwen Archives in Toronto, Canada. She has been the adviser to the Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust for eighteen years and is consulted throughout the world on Nouwen and his literary legacy.

She brings to us a brand new book from the Henri Nouwen archives. After finding notes on a series of talks by Nouwen, she then found audio to support the notes and with much work and love brings to us Following Jesus: Finding Our Way Home in an Age of Anxiety.

It's a fascinating conversation about Nouwen, his family, and his legacy—and this most recent offering that we get to enjoy!

Gem Fadling joins me on the podcast this week as we focus in on the question, What Does Your Soul Love? She and her husband Alan have co-authored a book by that title in which they serve up eight questions that reveal God's work in you, which is the subtitle of the book.

The conversation unfolds beautifully as we look at the life of the soul and dig into questions of desire as well as resistance. It's a meaty conversation about spiritual transformation.

Father Albert Haase is a preacher, teacher, and spiritual director. Besides that, he is a marvelous writer. His most recent book is one that really piqued my interest—Becoming An Ordinary Mystic. Since he was formerly my husband Mike's spiritual director, I invited Mike along on the conversation as we unpacked what it looks like to cultivate a life with God in which we draw close, listen, and respond to the movement of the Holy moment by moment.

Albert is a real character, so in case you think this topic might be boring, think again and enjoy!

Leeana Tankersley joins me on the podcast this week to talk about how each new day is an opportunity to begin again. I sure need that message and imagine you do too! Life can make you feel sidelined, stuck, shamed, and silenced, but in the words of Saint Benedict, Always We Begin Again—and that's the name of Leeana's new book. It is a worthy read and it is also a daily type of book with 100 entries and space to journal. It's exactly what I've needed in this season of life.

Leslie Verner joins me on the podcast this week to talk about what it looks like to be Invited in an age of loneliness. There is a real power in hospitality, but not the way we often think of hospitality. Leslie doesn't mean having Pinterest-perfect tables or spotless floors. In fact she says true hospitality is not necessarily clean, comfortable or controlled. What it looks like is an invitation to enter a sacred space together with friends and strangers. As we talk about Leslie's book, Invited, I think you'll be energized to look at hospitality through new eyes.