Around the Fire is an audio companion to The Compass, my Substack publication on contemplative Christian spiritual formation. Think of it this way: the weekly essays are the miles. This is the campfire at the end of the day that offers a few minutes to sit with something we’ve been carrying, go a little deeper, and let the day’s ideas settle.

Today’s episode is about two words that have come to me as I’ve been living here and walking the trails in northwest Montana. Both words describe what I am becoming aware that God is up to in my life and how this space and time has been given to me for the purpose of formation and focus.

Around the Fire today is relating a simple answer to the question what might happen in our life if we can regain the practice of noticing what God is up to in our hearts, in the lives of people we are with, and in our culture.

New episodes drop Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday though the mission of hosting depleted, exhausted, and wounded pastors and missionaries interrupted this rhythm the past two weeks. If you’re not yet part of The Compass community, I’d love for you to join us. Free subscribers get the full essay five days a week. Paid subscribers receive monthly spiritual formation practice tools, teaching videos, and live conversation.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit genemaynard.substack.com/subscribe