Nathan and Vivianne Foster share a meditation for the New Year melding a famous quote by Francis de Sales with the words of Mary from Luke 1 in this bonus episode of Life With God.

On this week’s podcast episode, Nathan and Vivianne Foster discuss how to welcome Christ—looking to Jesus’ parents as a picture of consent, receptivity, and hospitality.

Show Notes

Vivianne's Christmas Pie Recipe

Pie crust: Use whatever savory pastry recipe you usually make, adding some fresh or dried herbs, cut up (eg: thyme, rosemary, sage)

Filling:
You’ll need enough to fill each pie you’re going to make, which I usually eyeball as I mix and add ingredients into a very large mixing bowl, so that the total amount in the bowl is sufficient to fill the shells. Make the ratio as seems fit to you:

In a big bowl, combine:
Cooked turkey, shredded into chunky pieces, or cut
Cubed bread, preferably sourdough, preferably dry so that it doesn’t turn to mush, cubed. (You can toast cubes of fresh bread in the oven if you don’t have any stale bread)
Fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped, but raw (so that each berry is at least halved, but could be in quarters)
Diced apples

In a cast iron frying pan, set to low medium, cook a pound of bacon, slowly; I usually have to do this in two batches, and set on cutting board to cool before chopping into small pieces.
Keep the rendered fat from the bacon in the pan, turning the heat up to medium and adding:
A few diced onions, or a larger amount of leeks
A few diced potatoes (small diced)

Once potatoes seem tender but not soft, remove from heat, pouring onion and potato mixture into main bowl, along with bacon bits.

Stir the mixture to combine, adding a very generous amount of dried sage (I use at least 1/4 to 1/2 a cup for 2-3 pies. Add as you wish: pepper and salt.  Add one egg per pie into the main bowl, mixing thoroughly to moisten the mixture.

You will need a minimum of 6 cups of filing per pie you want to fill. Spoon mixture into pie shell, mounding it up in the middle. Cover with pastry top, and cut a few designs in the top to allow hot air to escape. Cover with foil and bake as per your usual preference for baking pies, or wrap in plastic wrap and freeze if you don’t plan on cooking within a day.

We usually set aside a family afternoon for assembling the pies and freeze them, then bake from frozen the day of Christmas. A fun part of our tradition is using Christmas cookie cutters to make designs appliquéd on top of the pie. Have fun!

Artist, author, and speaker Scott Erickson joined Nate for a conversation about creative expression as a way to speak truth, notice God's work in our lives, and excavate prayer and adoration for Christ.

Show Notes

Scott Erickson is an artist, author, and performance speaker who mixes autobiography, mythology, and aesthetics to create symbols and moments that speak to our deepest experiences.

He is the author of five books, the creator of two touring one man shows, a spiritual director to brave women and men, and a professional dishwasher for his food blogging wife.

He lives in Vancouver, WA and is most loved by his wife, three children, and two out of three cats. 

scottericksonart.com

Instagram - @scottthepainter

Brad East joined Nate on Life With God for a helpful conversation about how our use of technology must be governed by the overarching goals of spiritual formation in Christ.

Show Notes

Brad East is an associate professor of theology at Abilene Christian University. He is the author of four books: The Doctrine of Scripture (2021),The Church’s Book: Theology of Scripture in Ecclesial Context(2022), The Church: A Guide to the People of God (2024), and Letters to a Future Saint: Foundations of Faith for the Spiritually Hungry (2024). He also writes regularly on his personal blog. He lives in west Texas with his wife and their four children.

Brad’s forthcoming book for pastors on navigating digital technology is due out in early 2027 with Baker. 

For other articles related to this episode, please see:

• A Vision for Screen-Free Church
• Just Say No to Online Church
• Finally, a Tech Book That Doesn’t Pull Punches

Grace Hamman talks with Nathan about medieval wisdom for how to cooperate with God’s grace to set aside vices (anti-love impulses) and put on virtues (loving, Christlike impulses).

Grace Hamman, Ph.D. (Duke University) is a writer and independent scholar of late medieval poetry and contemplative writing. She is the author of Ask of Old Paths and Jesus through Medieval Eyes. Her work has been published by academic and popular outlets, including Plough Quarterly and The Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies. Grace hosts a podcast called Old Books with Grace which celebrates the beauty and joy found in reading the literature and theology of the past. Grace holds a doctorate in English, specializing in medieval literature and theology, from Duke University. She lives near Denver, Colorado with her husband and three young children.

https://gracehamman.com/

https://www.instagram.com/oldbookswithgrace/

https://gracehamman.substack.com/

On Life With God this week, Nathan speaks with Andrew Ranucci, a spiritual director and mentor in the Next Frontiers program, about transitioning from pastoring a congregation to pastoring pastors. (The final day to apply for the 2026 Cohort of Next Frontiers is Friday, October 31, 2025.)

Next Frontiers is a program that runs from January through November 2026, and is designed to help mid-career pastors thrive in congregational leadership during times of transition in ministry. The key features of the program include opportunities for reimagining our pastoral identity, fostering spiritual renewal and engaging in meaningful relationship with veteran ministers. The overarching purpose of this program is to provide resources that will sustain ministers in the “long obedience” of their profession. Learn more.

In episode 305 of Life With God, Nathan speaks with Stanley Hauerwas, a theologian with a wide and profound influence. Also joining the show is Tish Harrison Warren (who has written the foreword to a new book showcasing Hauerwas's core ideas) about how Stanley shaped her life and ministry. 

Nate talks with Terry Wildman, lead translator of the First Nations Version of the Bible, about the way that cultural translation brings the beauty and meaning of scripture to the surface for people ready to hear the good news.

Trevor Hudson joined Nathan on the Life With God podcast to discuss his latest book, In Search of God’s Will—which will be our first group-read in the Renovaré Book Club starting this Fall. 

Musician and theologian Julian Davis Reid talks with Nate on Life With God about the invitations of Scripture and Black music to receive God’s rest—and to help others rest—while living in the tension of a world where so much is still not right. 

Show Notes

The song "Nerve to be Super (For Michael)," played during the episode, is from Julian's upcoming record, Vocation, which will be out in September.

Visit juliandavisreid.com to learn more about his various offerings, to book a Notes of Rest experience, or to learn about original music releases and records (such as Notes of Rest Hymns Vol. 1 and BEHOLD with the band The JuJu Exchange).

You can also find Julian's newsletter and stay up to date with news by subscribing at juliandavisreid.substack.com.