Mid-faith Crisis

As we continue our journey around our house of faith we've come to the library. And this week, we're restocking the shelves with your book recommendations. You can find a full list on our website.

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Books mentioned in the episode.

See the complete list of recommendations.

We continue our discussion about prayer, this time focusing on our current approach to prayers and praying. We talk about the role of personality, about confession and the need to be 'meeked', and about finding simple ways to trigger moments of stillness and prayer. Also, Nick reveals his impressive new technique for avoiding difficult prayer situations.

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In the first of our sort-of series on decluttering faith, we look at the prayer room. We discuss the mystery of intercession and think about prayer as 'primary speech', as an art more than a science. Prayer is crucial in our journey of understanding, both of God and of ourselves. So what needs clearing out? And what do we want to keep? (And keep those book suggestions coming!)

Joe has a sickness bug. Nick has a bad back. In this short and utterly inadequate episode, we talk a little bit about well-meaning but tone-deaf sermons and what really might bring us happiness in the life to come. Also we think a little about books for mid-faith crisis. What are your favourites?

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We're back with our reflections on the Mid-faith Crisis weekend. We discuss the theme of spiritual decluttering and the joy of generous conversation. Also Nick wonders if he's actually had a mid-faith crisis and Joe is accidentally biblical.

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We talk, in an incredibly expert way, about the afterlife, about nostalgia and longing, about a new heaven and a new earth and about the different dimensions of existence. Also, is Nick the worst Anglican ever, and should Joe be the new Knepp-based host for Springwatch?

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We have a very special interview this week. Joe talks to our friend Ruth about how she is facing terminal cancer. She talks about focusing on what matters, about the normality of death, and about the importance of talking about grief, loss and mortality. There is hope. And there is, above all, 'The ever present one who loves me more than I can imagine and who is with me every step of the way.'

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We talk about the power of vulnerability, about how noisy fear can be, and about those times when we vent instead of lament. Thanks for all your feedback - it really meant a lot this week!

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We talk about change and the anxiety which often accompanies it. How do we live in that space where one thing is ending, but a new thing has yet to begin? Also, Joe has been listening to frogs and Nick turns out to be a great evangelist for atheism.

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How do we talk about mystical or transcendent experiences without appearing to be nuts? More than that, what is the motivation for talking about them in the first place? We discuss the problems with loaded words, the desire to call people into deeper experiences and whether we are refugees from culture. Also, why it's best not to respond to the 'How are you?' with a PowerPoint.

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