No one asks for restless moments.

No one wants to feel irritated, unsettled, or stuck.

But what if restlessness is normal, healthy, and even holy?

And what if we need to pay attention to our restlessness as an invitation from God?

 

In the episode, Casey Tygrett, author of The Gift of Restlessness: A Spirituality for Unsettled Seasons, helps us unpack a new way to view restlessness.

 

Casey holds a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual formation. He is a Spiritual Director and the director of spiritual direction practice for Soul Care, which helps church and nonprofit leaders restore health to their souls. He is also the author of Becoming Curious: A Spiritual Practice of Asking Questions, and As I Recall: Discovering the Place of Memories in Our Spiritual Life. And he is the host of the podcast Restlessness Is A Gift.

 

Some highlights from our conversation:

• Casey defines restlessness as that unsettled feeling when we feel stuck in the present, know we can’t go back to the way things used to be, and we are uncertain about the future.
• Casey shares that restlessness is a gift because it leads to formation. It helps us ask deeper questions about ourselves and God.
• We discuss the meditation passage from Mark 1:9-13 and how even Jesus, the beloved Son of God, was led into the wilderness and a season of restlessness. We talk about how this should encourage us. And Casey shares how the phrase “and the wild beasts and angels attended him” gave him a deeper understanding of what restlessness is like.
• Casey asks deep questions throughout his book, and we discuss one of them: What is my purpose? Casey shares how purpose can get distorted to be one specific thing, and while it can sometimes be that, the bigger question is about love. Don’t miss this section to hear Casey’s insight on love as the big purpose of our life.
• We discuss how to know if restlessness is an invitation from God to make a change – or just something we need to push through. Casey highly recommends Spiritual Direction as one way to discern. Spiritual Direction can create a safe space to sort through the questions and listen for God’s next steps.
• I asked Casey to walk us through a season where he processed through restlessness. Casey shared two questions he asks when he’s walking through restlessness: Do you trust God? And Does God trust you?
• We end by talking through the Lord’s prayer and how Casey felt each line was in response to our big questions. This is ultimately how Casey structured his book.

 

You can connect with Casey at: https://www.caseytygrett.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cktygrettauthor

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cktygrett/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/cktygrett

 

Ready to explore Spiritual Direction? You can connect with Casey or another Spiritual Director here: https://www.soulcare.com/spiritual-direction

 

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God speaks this blessing over Jesus: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

And then leads him straight into the wilderness.

 

Wait… what?

 

Have you ever wondered why? And if Jesus was led into the wilderness, what does that say about our own wilderness seasons?

 

Listen in and meditate on Mark 1. As you do, allow the Spirit to help you notice something from these words that applies to your own life.

 

Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, head over to the next episode and listen to the interview with author Casey Tygrett (posted 4.26.23). We discuss how wilderness seasons are restless seasons. And how restlessness can actually be a gift in our life.

 

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

 

The exact verses read in this podcast are printed here for your use:

Mark 1:9-13

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him

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Poetry doesn’t give answers. It helps us notice.

When the pandemic hit, Drew Jackson found solace in an unexpected place: poetry. It became a spiritual practice that settled his soul, helping him notice the world around him and the presence of God.

Drew writes at the intersection of justice, peace, and contemplation, with a passion to contribute toward a more just and whole world.

Join Drew and I as we discuss all things poetry – and he recites some of his beautiful poems and tells us the stories behind them.

**** Listener bonus: IVP is giving us 30% off and free shipping with code MUCHMORE until 5/3/2023 at https://www.ivpress.com/touch-the-earth

Some highlights from our conversation:

00:00:00 - Introduction,

00:02:00 - Drew's Journey into Poetry,

00:05:08 - Poetry as Spiritual Practice,

00:11:12 - Personal Poem,

00:13:55 - Using Poetry in Ministry,

00:16:50 - The Relationship Between Peace and Justice,

00:19:22 - Reflection on Luke's Gospel,

00:23:59 - Meditation on Luke 11:1-4,

00:30:34 - Reflection on Legacy and Passing on the Faith,

00:31:45 - Conclusion

 

You can connect with Drew at: https://drewejackson.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/d.jacksonpoetics

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d.jacksonpoetics/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/djacksonpoetics

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

One day, Jesus was praying in a certain place.

The disciples were obviously watching Jesus. They seem curious and inspired.

So, they ask him, Lord, teach us to pray.

Teach us to do what you were just doing.

And he does.

 

As you meditate on Luke 11, a version of what we often call “The Lord’s Prayer,” allow the Spirit to help you notice something from these words that applies to your own life.

 

Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, head over to the next episode and listen to the interview with pastor and poet Drew Jackson. We discuss all this poetry – including when and why Drew started writing poetry and how it helps him slow down and notice God. He also recites some of his poetry for us, including a poem that comes from this passage.

 

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

 

The exact verses read in this podcast are printed here for your use:

Luke 11:1-4, NIV

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“ ‘Father,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come.

3 Give us each day our daily bread.

4 Forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And lead us not into temptation.’ ”

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What if we viewed reading as not just a personal hobby or a personal indulgence but as a spiritual practice that deepens our faith?

 

Jessica Hooten Wilson, award-winning author and professor, makes the case that this is exactly what reading should be.

 

Listen in as we discuss all things readings – both Scripture and beyond.

 

Here’s some highlights from our conversation:

• Why reading more than Scripture helps us understand God and Scripture better.
• How Jessica used to sneak out as a little girl to teach the Bible. Yes, really.
• Did you know there is a Christian way of reading? Jessica explains this.
• Why it’s important to really attend to what Scripture is saying instead of assuming we know what it says – or preemptively interpreting God’s word.
• We talk about Matthew 13 – and why Jesus tells parables or, as the Message says, stories.
• We discuss how our reading has been formed by our 20th-century values of individualism – and yet reading used to be, and should be, a fully embodied experience. We do this by reading aloud, seeing words on the page, and hearing the words read to us. All of these interactions help us enter the text in a more embodied way.
• Why remembering was a moral responsibility for the Jewish people and why it’s necessary for us too.
• Jessica shares how Mary exemplified the importance of remembering. When she was faced with something new and unthinkable (being the mother of Jesus), her memory of the Word poured out of her. Her remembrance of God and His truth ministered to her and comforted her.
• Jessica put together an amazing resource of all the books she thinks we should read. We talk about how she chose the list and why it matters. And we talk about how to start reading these works, especially if we are a little intimidated by them.

 

You can connect with Jessica at: https://jessicahootenwilson.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaHootenWilson

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/HootenWilson

Subscribe to her thoughtful newsletter on Substack: https://jessicahootenwilson.substack.com/

Order Reading for the Love of God

from Baker Books

from Amazon

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The disciples wondered why Jesus taught in parables and stories.

Some understood and some didn’t.

Jesus had good reason. He told them that many people look, but they don’t really see. And others hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.

And then he tells them their eyes are blessed because they see; and their ears, because they hear.

 

As you meditate on Matthew 13, allow the Spirit to help you really hear and see. Perhaps he wants to show you something from this text that applies to your own life.

 

Once you’ve listened to this Scripture Experience podcast, head over to the next episode and listen to the interview with professor and author Jessica Hooten Wilson. We discuss why reading is an important spiritual practice.

 

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

Download your free Lectio Divina Journal here.

 

The full meditation text is:

Matthew 13:10-13, 16, NLT

 

10 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”

11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 13 That is why I use these parables,

For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.

16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.

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He is risen! He is risen, indeed.

Prepare your heart for the glory of Easter as you meditate on the resurrection of Jesus.

 

Download your free Lent journal here: http://www.jodieniznik.com/free-lent-journal

 

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creatingspaceforgod/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JodieGNiznik

 

Looking for a Bible Study to help you go deeper with the Lord? Download free sample chapters of my studies here: http://www.jodieniznik.com/studies

 

The exact verses read in this podcast are printed in the guided Lent Journal for your use:

Download your free Lent journal here: http://www.jodieniznik.com/free-lent-journal

 

 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Prepare your heart for Easter as you meditate on this silent day of waiting and wondering.

 

Download your free Lent journal here: http://www.jodieniznik.com/free-lent-journal

 

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creatingspaceforgod/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JodieGNiznik

 

Looking for a Bible Study to help you go deeper with the Lord? Download free sample chapters of my studies here: http://www.jodieniznik.com/studies

 

The exact verses read in this podcast are printed in the guided Lent Journal for your use:

Download your free Lent journal here: http://www.jodieniznik.com/free-lent-journal

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Prepare your heart for Easter as you meditate on this somber and hard day in Jesus’s journey, his crucifixion.

 

Download your free Lent journal here: http://www.jodieniznik.com/free-lent-journal

 

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creatingspaceforgod/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JodieGNiznik

 

Looking for a Bible Study to help you go deeper with the Lord? Download free sample chapters of my studies here: http://www.jodieniznik.com/studies

 

The exact verses read in this podcast are printed in the guided Lent Journal for your use:

Download your free Lent journal here: http://www.jodieniznik.com/free-lent-journal

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Prepare your heart for Easter as you meditate on Jesus’s actions and words from the Thursday before his crucifixion.

 

Download your free Lent journal here: http://www.jodieniznik.com/free-lent-journal

 

You can find Jodie at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creatingspaceforgod/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JodieGNiznik

 

Looking for a Bible Study to help you go deeper with the Lord? Download free sample chapters of my studies here: http://www.jodieniznik.com/studies

 

The exact verses read in this podcast are printed in the guided Lent Journal for your use:

Download your free Lent journal here: http://www.jodieniznik.com/free-lent-journal

 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.