rooted (IN).ten.tionally

In this episode I'm sharing a prayer I pray almost daily these days. When my spiritual director first pointed me to this practice, honestly, I didn't like it at all. But I knew I needed it. With time, it's shaping, healing and deeply challenging me in all the best (but not comfortable) ways. This prayer invites us to a giant trust fall, inviting us to fall into the arms of Love working all things together for our healing and wholeness.

While the prayer is associated with Father Thomas Keating, the practice was originally crafted by Mary Mrozowski, Keating's friend and colleague. I'm thankful to them both.

Watch the YouTube version at @SusanCarson. Are you looking for a safe space to experience a transformational encounter with God? Join me at www.susancarson.net.

In this episode of rooted (IN).ten.tionally, I'm bringing you Bradley Jersak and Felicia Murrell (two of my favorites!). Together we talk about Bradley's new book, Out of the Embers: Faith After the Great Deconstruction, available now. This conversation is deep, rich and real as we consider how we're invited to heal from and through our deconstruction. What new life might be waiting to emerge? Listen to the end as Bradley leads us in a prayer experience to help us heal. This interview was part of our 2022 Virtual Fundraiser for Roots&Branches Network.

Connect with Bradley at bradjersak.com, and with Felicia on Instagram at hellofelicia_murrell. Are you looking for a safe space to experience a transformational encounter with God? Join me at www.susancarson.net.

In this imaginative prayer experience, we engage with Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan. As you watch the story unfold, you'll consider the question, Who is your neighbor? Who, in your life today, is the outsider, the one religious leaders might pass by on the road? Jesus makes the outsider the hero of this story, the one who shows mercy. How are you being invited to show mercy, to move to the margins to love your neighbor, today?

Are you looking for a safe space to experience a transformational encounter with God? Join me at www.susancarson.net.

This conversation with pastor, leader, podcaster and author Matt Tebbe is deep and wide, funny and true. We talk about the new book he's co-authored with Ben Sternke, Having the Mind of Christ: Eight Axioms to Cultivate a Robust Faith, and we cover lots of good ground--from the evolution of Matt's image of God; to how we see and re-see God; to the centrality of love; to God present with us; to the problem of pain; to embodied participation, trust experiments and transformation. Then Matt leads us in an embodied practice I've never experienced before, and it's a beautiful one, full of grace and healing. This is one of my favorite episodes to date!

Matt and Ben co-pastor a church in Indianapolis, co-lead Gravity Leadership, co-host the Gravity Leadership podcast and co-author. You can connect with them and learn more about the amazing work they do at gravityleadership.com.

Are you looking for a safe space to experience a transformational encounter with God? Join me at www.susancarson.net.

In this prayerful, peaceful space, you're invited to release your burdens. What burden or weight are you carrying? What might you gain in releasing this to God? As we meditate on these verses from The Message version of Matthew 11, we'll consider with Jesus how we might learn to live more freely and lightly, even today.

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Are you looking for a safe space to experience a transformational encounter with God? Join me at www.susancarson.net.

What an honor to talk with pastor, speaker, author and truly such a nice guy, Rich Villodas! This conversation is rich (pun unintended) as we talk about his new book and his own journey into knowing God as good, beautiful and kind.

In Good and Beautiful and Kind: Becoming Whole in a Fractured World, Rich speaks directly to the things that fragment us and our relationships; then leads us wisely through the internal and relational work of healing. We dive into the causes of our fragmentation; then focus in on prayer (what it is and isn't) and the contemplative life. (Spoiler alert, we've both been influenced significantly by the writings of Henri Nouwen and Brennan Manning.) Listen to the end as Rich leads us in a practice in examining our icebergs--all the stuff under the surface. It's so good!

Connect with Rich at richvillodas.com. And you'll want to follow him on Twitter or Instagram. Are you looking for a safe space to experience a transformational encounter with God? Join me at www.susancarson.net.

This listening prayer practice, called The Meeting Place, comes to us from theologian, author and friend Bradley Jersak. Together, we're opening safe, imaginative space for you to meet with Jesus. No matter how close or far you feel from God today, no matter where you are in your life right now, Jesus has promised he never leaves you and you can hear his voice. This practice reminds us that Christ is alive, living within us and longing to immerse us in the high, wide, long and deep love of God.

Connect with Bradley Jersak at bradjersak.com, and find this practice here: The Meeting Place. Are you looking for a safe space to experience a transformational encounter with God? Join me at www.susancarson.net.

In this episode, I have the joy of bringing you author and theologian Paul Young. Paul's books, including The Shack, The Pastor (co-authored with Bradley Jersak), and Lies We Believe about God (to name a few), have impacted millions, inviting us to see God and ourselves through the lens of love.

In this rich and vulnerable conversation, Paul shares how his image of God was formed, his own deconstruction and his journey of restoration. We talk about the problem of pain and the question of protection as Paul invites us to understand the work of love in our lives. Then I lead us in an imaginative practice opening space for you to reflect on how you image Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and to notice where your images might be distorted. At the end, Paul lets us in on the three books he's writing right now, including (wait for it) a sequel to The Shack! Connect with Paul at wmpaulyoung.com and at opentableconference.com.

Are you looking for a safe space to experience a transformational encounter with God? Join me at www.susancarson.net.

In this episode, you'll practice lectio divina (or sacred reading) meditating on John 15:9-12. These are some of Jesus' words at his last meal with his friends. He knows he's about to leave them. He knows they'll be confused, lost, grieving. And his message to them is simple and central: Abide in my love. Remain in love. In these days, we're confused, lost, grieving, too. We've never needed these words more. Because this love is saving us all the time.

What if it really is all about love after all?

Are you looking for a safe space to experience a transformational encounter with God? Join me at www.susancarson.net.

This episode, I'm joined by Brian Zahnd, pastor, prolific writer and speaker. He's also full of energy, humility and practical insight. His new book, When Everything's on Fire: Faith Forged from the Ashes, is a helpful guide for all of us engaged in the renovation of our faith. Brian shares how and why his image of God has evolved through the years, and how practices and people have helped him navigate these waters. You'll get some beautiful insights into prayer. Listen to the end because Brian leads us through a practice from his own prayer life. Watch the YouTube version at http://bit.ly/rootedonyoutube.

Connect with Brian at brianzahnd.com and find his books at all the usual places. Are you looking for a safe space to experience a transformational encounter with God? Join me at www.susancarson.net.