Open to Wonder

Amy Peterson’s understanding of hospitality—a practice she believes is at the heart of Christian identity—was formed during an experience she had as a 22 year old living in Southeast Asia. More recently it’s been shaped by the details she discovered while researching the Biblical story of Lydia, the university students with whom she shared a weekly dinner, and in the hands of the unhoused man who offers her candy over breakfast. Amy Peterson is a writer, teacher, and priest in the Episcopal church. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, two children, and three cats.

Open Hearts, Open Homes: The Call for Christian Hospitality

Where Goodness Still Grows: Reclaiming Virtue in an Age of Hypocrisy

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

Heidi De Jonge began keeping a diary when she was 9 years old—and regularly reads excerpts of her diaries to her three daughters. Heidi has been an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church for 17 years. She is currently working as a chaplain in long term care and as a restorative practitioner with FaithCARE. She and her husband, Tim, have three daughters and a beloved husky-lab mix.

Overstoried Reformed Journal

How to Inhabit Time by James K. A. Smith

Celebration of Baptism Litany

Hi everyone! During Season 2 our guests shared wonderful stories of how weaving a faith practice into their daily life has grown their faith and then provided simple ideas for ways we could all try that practice at home.  

This season we’re exploring even more faith practices and we cannot wait for you to hear the conversations we’ve been having with each of our guests. So pull up a seat, and wonder with us.

Jill Weber, Global Convenor of the Order of the Mustard Seed, lives near the ruins of a 12th century monastery on the Waverley Abbey Estate, in the United Kingdom. Her response to the question “does prayer really work?” is just as lovely. (Plus: find out the five words from the Order of the Mustard Seed that Karen wants to see on a t-shirt.)

Order of the Mustard Seed

The Seed Community

24/7 Prayer

Lectio 365 

Even the Sparrow: A Pilgrim’s Guide to Prayer, Trust and Following the Leader

Emmaus Road Church

Jill’s free, short courses on crafting a rule of life, discernment, and biblical praying

Faith Practices Project

Faith Practices: Holy Habits that Help Us Love God and Our Neighbor, Listen to the Spirit, and Become More Like Jesus

As a child, ‘Lib’ Caldwell was introduced to the spiritual practice of wonder by her mother: a woman who loved earthworms in the garden, set up art easels in the kitchen, and embraced spontaneous prayer. Now an author, teacher, gardener and quilter, Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Caldwell shares what the practice of wonder looks like in her life today as well as a do-able suggestion for the practice that anyone can try.

I Wonder: Engaging a Child’s Curiosity About the Bible

Growing in God’s Love, A Story Bible

Faith Practices Project

Faith Practices: Holy Habits that Help Us Love God and Our Neighbor, Listen to the Spirit, and Become More Like Jesus

In the midst of a tense corporate merger, more than 50 staff members joined a spontaneous prayer meeting in the company auditorium because Colin Watson told his CEO, “we need to pray about this.” Years later, retired CRCNA Executive Director Colin Watson shares how being attentive to God at work shapes his faith and guides the ways he serves in leadership.

Following the podcast, Colin shared some of his favorite gospel artists with Chris and Karen. We thought you’d enjoy them too.

***Colin’s Playlist***

Brian Courtney Wilson, ‘A Great Work’’ 

Charles Jenkins, ‘This Means War’ 

Jonathon McReynolds, ‘Movin On’

Jonathon McReynolds, ‘Not Lucky, I’m Loved’ 

Tori Kelly with Jonathon McReynolds, ‘Just As Sure’

***

Faith Practices Project

Faith Practices: Holy Habits that Help Us Love God and Our Neighbor, Listen to the Spirit, and Become More Like Jesus

What does God’s voice sound like? How does God speak today? Summer Mohrlang, spiritual director with Soul Formation, responds to the questions we’re wondering about, including “what does a spiritual director actually do?” And her suggestion for how to get started with faith practices is both accessible and life-giving.

Summer Mohrlang is a spiritual director with SoulFormation.

Faith Practices Project

Faith Practices: Holy Habits that Help Us Love God and Our Neighbor, Listen to the Spirit, and Become More Like Jesus

April Fiet describes herself as a pastor, parent, and recovering perfectionist. She’s also an author, weed-puller, and backyard-chicken-feeder. She shares why watching asparagus grow brings her delight, the “holy rhythms” she weaves into her life, and how learning to embrace “holy interruptions” helps her stay attentive to God at work.

April Fiet’s essay The “Enough Resume” 

April Fiet’s book The Sacred Pulse, Holy Rhythms for Overwhelmed Souls 

April Fiet.com

@aprilfiet

Faith Practices Project

Faith Practices: Holy Habits that Help Us Love God and Our Neighbor, Listen to the Spirit, and Become More Like Jesus

We’re back for Season 2 of Open to Wonder! And this time we’re asking big, small, weird, and hard-to-talk-about-in-church questions about faith practices. Listen to the end of this teaser to find out when we originally planned to release this season. (Thanks for engaging the faith practice of patience with us.)

Imagine you’re around 7 years old and you’ve been learning how to play the piano. One Sunday the pianist and the organist at your church are sick and your pastor looks at you and says, “Hey you’re playing this morning.” And before you know it, you’re 8 years old and directing the adult choir. That’s the story of Jeremy Simpson.

Currently a Reformed pastor currently serving in the oldest Baptist church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jeremy shares wisdom on discipleship, the connection between culture and worship, and the difference between being invited to sit at the table and being welcomed to the table as a full participant.

Episode links: 

Edison Chapel: A Conversation about Race and the Church

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