The Mentor's Table: A Place for Women Desiring a Biblical Spiritual Mentor

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You’ll be hard pressed to find someone more passionate about fasting! In this episode, you can hear the energy in Joy’s voice as she begins to outline why we fast. This isn’t just a look at the spiritual side of fasting, but it’s a combination of the physical benefits of fasting that science is currently uncovering. If you need a little push to motivate you to begin a rhythm of fasting, this is the episode for you.

Pull up a chair here at The Mentor's Table, and join the discussion as we continue this multi-part series on the spiritual discipline of fasting. What has your experience been with fasting? Let us know in the comments.

Fasting Resources to Get You Started: (Contains affiliate links)

BOOKS

God's Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis. This tiny but mighty book is life-changing! As the subtitle states, it's "a spiritual and practical guide to fasting." That's it. Order it now. You won't regret it.

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. This is the book I mentioned that compares spiritual disciplines to a trellis.

Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer.

PODCASTS

START HERE: “We Don’t Talk About Fasting, No, No” The first episode from this series. 

"To Starve the Flesh and Feed the Spirit" on the John Mark Comer Teachings Podcast. You'll recognize a lot of this content because this is where I first learned it all! 

"Luminary Interview: Dr. Alison Cook" For those of you who have a difficult relationship with food, fasting is way less accessible. Here's a great conversation with a licensed therapist and follower of Jesus who talks you through how to approach fasting.

"Fasting (ft. Tyler Staton) | Unforced Rhythms of Grace E6" While this is on JMC's teaching podcast, the it's actually Tyler Staton (pastor of Bridgetown Church) who is teaching, and he does a fantastic job providing a different voice and angle to the subject.

The Miracle Doctor: EVERYONE should start fasting right now! (New Science) Dr. Mindy Pelz. This is the resource I offer with disclaimers: Dr. Pelz comes from purely a scientific background. This episode contains explicit language.

RESOURCES

Practicing the Way 4-week small group curriculum on fasting. This curriculum is completely free! It's beautiful, practical, and easy to navigate. Anyone can sign up (you don't have to lead a small group through it--but it does add more depth). You will have to create a login to be able to access it.

 Dr. Pelz on YouTube is my go-to resource for fasting, especially for women’s bodies.

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• Right here in the comments.
• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter and get my Couch-to-Sabbath guide for FREE. 

Our next episod

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

While there's a lot of buzz about fasting in the health and wellness world, it tends to be hush-hush topic in the modern-day church. In this episode we'll talk about what IS fasting? Why all the buzz? Conversely, we'll also talk about what ISN'T fasting. This episode is going to step on some toes, but it's meant to sharpen the edges of this powerful discipline God has designed for us that brings maximum connection with His Spirit and transforms our physical bodies. 

Pull up a chair here at The Mentor's Table, and join the discussion as we begin a multi-part series on the spiritual discipline of fasting. What has your experience been with fasting? Let us know in the comments.

Fasting Resources to Get You Started: (may contain affiliate links)

BOOKS

God's Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis. This tiny but mighty book is life-changing! As the subtitle states, it's "a spiritual and practical guide to fasting." That's it. Order it now. You won't regret it.

PODCASTS (Lots of JMC this time! Sorry not sorry.)

"To Starve the Flesh and Feed the Spirit" on the John Mark Comer Teachings Podcast. You'll recognize a lot of this content because this is where I first learned it all! 

"Luminary Interview: Dr. Alison Cook" For those of you who have a difficult relationship with food, fasting is way less accessible. Here's a great conversation with a licensed therapist and follower of Jesus who talks you through how to approach fasting.

"Fasting (ft. Tyler Staton) | Unforced Rhythms of Grace E6" While this is on JMC's teaching podcast, the it's actually Tyler Staton (pastor of Bridgetown Church) who is teaching, and he does a fantastic job providing a different voice and angle to the subject.

RESOURCE

Practicing the Way 4-week small group curriculum on fasting. This curriculum is completely free! It's beautiful, practical, and easy to navigate. Anyone can sign up (you don't have to lead a small group through it--but it does add more depth). You will have to create a login to be able to access it.

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• Right here in the comments.
• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter and get my Couch-to-Sabbath guide for FREE. 

Our next episode will drop on April 23rd, 2025. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

You guys! If you've been playing around with the idea of starting a sabbath rhythm, but you're feeling tired, overwhelmed, or that it's impossible, then this is your sign to START LISTENING NOW. After listening to this episode, let me know if you still feel overwhelmed, or if you feel empowered to start small right away.

Better yet, after listening, head to www.joyabad.com and sign up for my FREE Couch-to-Sabbath Guide. I've done all the thinking and planned out the teeny tiny steps to empower you to get started right away. 

Remember, Jesus' own words were that Sabbath was designed to MEET YOUR NEEDS. Full stop. It's not about a list of dos and don'ts, or a list of rules and obligations. It's a rhythm that meets your needs. I can hear a collective sigh just typing those words

Let's get started today!

Click below to listen to our three previous episodes about SABBATH:

The How & the Why of Our Family's Sabbath Rhythm

How I Began My Sabbath Rhythm

Reframing Resistance to Sabbath (a better title would've been--How to Deal With Resistance to Sabbath)

Here are some of my favorite resources I turned to when I began my sabbath rhythm: (may contain affiliate links)

BOOKS

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. This is where sabbath all began for me! The book covers many spiritual disciplines, not just sabbath. It's my favorite gateway into making spiritual disciplines a life rhythm.

Subversive Sabbath by  A.J. Swoboda | This book has some fantastic teachings about sabbath, and it's a classic "eat the meat and spit out the bones" book. I suggest inviting the Spirit to guide you with discernment as you read.

The Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr. | This is a fantastic starting point as well, beginning with establishing why spiritual disciplines are so foundational to living your best life. I personally plan to revisit this one again soon. 

PODCASTS

Sabbath 01: Stop from Rule of Life Podcast. This is the first in a series of four teachings that complements practicingtheway.org's free sabbath discipleship curriculum. Highly recommend the doing the discipleship series with a small group and complementing it with listening to this podcast series.

Sabbath (ft. Tyler Staton) | Unforced Rhythms of Grace from the John Mark Comer Teachings podcast. I referenced this teaching by Tyler Staton in the podcast today. Fantastic perspective shift for sabbath as a rhythm. (There are many more JMC teachings about sabbath in this podcast playlist. When I need a refresher as to why we sabbath, this podcast is where I go for inspiration and motivation to get me back on track.)

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• Right here in the comments.
• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter and get my Couch-to-Sabbath guide for FREE. Our next episode will drop on April 9th, 2025. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

This topic isn't mentioned in most teachings about sabbath--you will feel resistance from within to stop sabbathing (or never start), and you will feel resistance from others around also discouraging you. What do you do with those feelings? Let's talk about it. Pull up a chair.

If you have questions about sabbath that you would like to submit for a future Q&R (question and response) episode, please comment below or email me [email protected].

Click below to listen to our two previous episodes about SABBATH:

The How & the Why of Our Family's Sabbath Rhythm

How I Began My Sabbath Rhythm

Here are some of my favorite resources I turned to when I began my sabbath rhythm: (may contain affiliate links)

BOOKS

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. This is where sabbath all began for me! The book covers many spiritual disciplines, not just sabbath. It's my favorite gateway into making spiritual disciplines a life rhythm.

Subversive Sabbath by  A.J. Swoboda | This book has some fantastic teachings about sabbath, and it's a classic "eat the meat and spit out the bones" book. I suggest inviting the Spirit to guide you with discernment as you read.

The Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr. | This is a fantastic starting point as well, beginning with establishing why spiritual disciplines are so foundational to living your best life. I personally plan to revisit this one again soon. 

PODCASTS

Sabbath 01: Stop from Rule of Life Podcast. This is the first in a series of four teachings that complements practicingtheway.org's free sabbath discipleship curriculum. Highly recommend the doing the discipleship series with a small group and complementing it with listening to this podcast series.

Sabbath (ft. Tyler Staton) | Unforced Rhythms of Grace from the John Mark Comer Teachings podcast. I referenced this teaching by Tyler Staton in the podcast today. Fantastic perspective shift for sabbath as a rhythm. (There are many more JMC teachings about sabbath in this podcast playlist. When I need a refresher as to why we sabbath, this podcast is where I go for inspiration and motivation to get me back on track.)

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• Right here in the comments.
• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter and get my Couch-to-Sabbath guide for FREE. Our next episode will drop on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

Last time we began our discussion about the spiritual practice of sabbathing--how and why we do it. In this episode, I get into the details about how I started my sabbath rhythm and the loooooooong process it took to develop a rhythm that eventually included my family. Pull up a chair.

If you have questions about sabbath that you would like to submit for a future Q&R episode, please comment below or email me [email protected].

Here are some of my favorite resources I turned to when I began my sabbath rhythm: (may contain affiliate links)

BOOKS

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. This is where sabbath all began for me! The book covers many spiritual disciplines, not just sabbath. It's my favorite gateway into making spiritual disciplines a life rhythm.

Subversive Sabbath by  A.J. Swoboda | This book has some fantastic teachings about sabbath, and it's a classic "eat the meat and spit out the bones" book. I suggest inviting the Spirit to guide you with discernment as you read.

The Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr. | This is a fantastic starting point as well, beginning with establishing why spiritual disciplines are so foundational to living your best life. I personally plan to revisit this one again soon. 

PODCASTS

Sabbath 01: Stop from Rule of Life Podcast. This is the first in a series of four teachings that complements practicingtheway.org's free sabbath discipleship curriculum. Highly recommend the doing the discipleship series with a small group and complementing it with listening to this podcast series.

Sabbath (ft. Tyler Staton) | Unforced Rhythms of Grace from the John Mark Comer Teachings podcast. I referenced this teaching by Tyler Staton in the podcast today. Fantastic perspective shift for sabbath as a rhythm. (There are many more JMC teachings about sabbath in this podcast playlist. When I need a refresher as to why we sabbath, this podcast is where I go for inspiration and motivation to get me back on track.)

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter and get my Couch-to-Sabbath guide for FREE. Our next episode will drop on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

Sabbath is one of my favorite spiritual practices that I exercise to help me build spiritual muscle memory for surrender. The weekly rhythm of stopping and celebrating is a constant reminder that if I stop working, the world keeps spinning and God can still keep running things without me. It humbles me, fills me up with power for the coming week, and develops a deep neural pathway that connects letting go as a safe choice because we serve a trustWORTHY God. 

Here are some of my favorite resources I turned to when I began my sabbath rhythm: (may contain affiliate links)

BOOKS

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. This is where sabbath all began for me! The book covers many spiritual disciplines, not just sabbath. It's my favorite gateway into making spiritual disciplines a life rhythm.

Subversive Sabbath by  A.J. Swoboda | This book has some fantastic teachings about sabbath, and it's a classic "eat the meat and spit out the bones" book. I suggest inviting the Spirit to guide you with discernment as you read.

The Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr. | This is a fantastic starting point as well, beginning with establishing why spiritual disciplines are so foundational to living your best life. I personally plan to revisit this one again soon. 

PODCASTS

Sabbath 01: Stop from Rule of Life Podcast. This is the first in a series of four teachings that complements practicingtheway.org's free sabbath discipleship curriculum. Highly recommend the doing the discipleship series with a small group and complementing it with listening to this podcast series.

Sabbath (ft. Tyler Staton) | Unforced Rhythms of Grace from the John Mark Comer Teachings podcast. I referenced this teaching by Tyler Staton in the podcast today. Fantastic perspective shift for sabbath as a rhythm. (There are many more JMC teachings about sabbath in this podcast playlist. When I need a refresher as to why we sabbath, this podcast is where I go for inspiration and motivation to get me back on track.)

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

Links from this episode:

1. If you missed the first episode on silence, check it out here.

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• In the comments right here.
• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter. Our next episode will drop on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

Links from this episode (may contain affiliate links):

1. My favorite book on spiritual disciplines 
2. Pete Scazzero’s Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast “The Power of a Hidden Life”
3. Rule of Life podcast: “Solitude 03: Encountering Our Self with Bethany Allen”
4. Habit Lab podcast with Jenna Zint: “Habits to Help With Info Overload”

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• In the comments right here ⬇️ 
• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter. Our next episode will drop on Wednesday, January 23rd. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss it.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

I couldn’t wait to add more to our discussion about remembering being a new spiritual discipline. One of the points we focus on is how important it is to remember God’s provision in the GOOD times. I also give some practical ideas for how to incorporate remembering in your life rhythm. Take a moment to listen, and then share your responses below.

A few prompts to help add your voice to the table:

1. There are aspects of remembering woven into some of the other spiritual disciplines—gratitude, prayer, and Bible reading to name a few—do you think remembering have enough substance to stand on its own? Why or why not?
2. Would you be willing to share any examples of when remembering fueled your hope in the midst of a difficult trial?
3. Please share ALL THE PINS with out-of-the-box ideas for creating your own remembering station in your home. 

Links (may contain affiliate links):

1. The Bible Project's Hope video
2. My favorite book on spiritual disciplines (remembering is not included ;-).
3. The mini printer my daughter uses.
4. This printer makes stickers! 

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• In the comments on joyabad.com.
• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter on joyabad.com. Our next episode will drop on Wednesday, January 8th. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss it.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

This is a bold statement, but I think I've discovered a NEW spiritual discipline. What are your thoughts? How does this discipline help develop your surrender muscles? How has this discipline/practice helped you in the past? 

Links:

1. The Bible Project's Hope video
2. My favorite book on spiritual disciplines (my new one is not included, hehe ;-).
3. My favorite resource for spiritual disciplines

Places where we can continue this conversation:

• In the comments on joyabad.com
• Email at [email protected]
• On Instagram @joyabaddotcom

Stay up to date on all our conversations and the resources I’m creating for you by subscribing to my monthly newsletter on joyabad.com. Our next episode will drop on Wednesday, December 11th. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss it.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links