Steve Macchia, author and founder of Leadership Transformations, shares insights on cultivating discernment as a listening lifestyle—rather than merely a decision-making strategy—and how to humbly place God’s agenda ahead of our own.

Steve Macchia — Practicing a Preference for God

A place for honest and unhurried conversations about interactive life with God. Hosted by Nathan Foster from Renovaré, a nonprofit that offers resources, events, and learning communities to help people become more like Jesus. Learn more at renovare.org.

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Joe Davis and Nick Page have been friends for over 30 years and co-host The Mid-Faith Crisis Podcast. They share with Nate about disagreement as a productive part of friendship and faith that helps us work through concepts that impact our ability to love God and others. Show NotesThe Mid-Faith Crisis PodcastSome of Nick’s Books Nick Page on microblog

Joe Davis and Nick Page — Disagreeing and Staying Friends

South African Spiritual Director Adri-Marie van Heerden talks with Nate about making friends cross-culturally, the need for humility, and learning to see others as God sees us — with great regard. Adri-Marie's organization is called Tending the Fire. You can contact her at a3mvanheerden@gmail.com.

Adri-Marie van Heerden — Learning to Look Again

Nathan talks with prison chaplain John Paul Westin about the penitentiary as parish and learning to see each person there as God's "friends and special ones." Show Notes A few annotated book suggestions from John Paul:Cur Deus Homo — Anselm of Canterbury thinks about why God needed/chose to become human.The 3 Colors of Community, Christian A. Schwarz — How highly flawed individuals can use their propensity to sin to help build healthy Christian community.Fearfully and Wonderfully, Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancy — The human body (sick or healthy) can show us so much about the wonder of God and our human nature.The Shack, William Paul Young — God can heal the deepest wounds and betrayal.John's Gospel, John son of Zebedee — A look at life through the eyes of the beloved.Life of the Beloved — Henri Nouwen's beautiful consideration of the nature of Jesus' friendship.The Brother's Karamazov — Fydor Dostoevski's brilliant and crazy story of God's presence in a chaotic Russian family life.The Heart of the Parish, Martin Thornton — Seeing wherever you are as your parish and your life as filled with your neighbors and parisioners. Everyone.Hearing God — Dallas Willard's encouraging challenge to believe Jesus when he tells us we really can talk to God like we talk to one another.Reading the Bible with the Damned — Bob Eklad's believes that people on the margins often have intense experiences of God's involvement in their lives that are of biblical import.Letters and Papers from Prison —Dietrich Bonhoeffer's reflections on seeing God's loving presence in prison and how it transformed his thinking.

John Paul Westin — Befriending the Prisoner

Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore, authors of Liturgies for Wholeness, join Nate to talk about the formational power of liturgy and friendship.Friendship is a relational connection point many people struggle with, but it's a grand invitation into deeper relationship with God. —Nathan FosterShow Notes Books by Elizabeth Moore and Audrey ElledgeLiturgies for Hope: Sixty Prayers for the Highs, the Lows, and Everything in BetweenLiturgies for Wholeness: 60 Prayers to Encounter the Depth, Creativity, and Friendship of God in Ordinary MomentsAlso mentioned in the episode:Every Moment Holy (liturgy series by Douglas McKelvey and other authors)Ways to connect with Audrey and Elizabeth: Elizabeth Moore: Instagram Twitter Audrey Elledge: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

The Liturgy of Friendship — Elizabeth Moore and Audrey Elledge

This meditation by Nathan Foster on Luke 22 invites us to the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed “let this cup pass from me.”

Steve Macchia — Practicing a Preference for God

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