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Longing for a Magnificent Story

Stories have the power to shape our lives as James Bryan Smith shares in this excerpt from The Magnificent Story: Uncovering a Gospel of Beauty, Goodness, and Truth.

James Bryan Smith

January 10, 2025

09 08 Truth To Power

Speak Truth to Power

Measuring our words with wisdom does not mean turning a blind eye to evil. Carolyn Arends shares a recent piece from Faith Today about “the quiet power of a life shaped by God” that does not need to shout to be heard—or to be an effective agent of positive change. John Woolman lends a hand.

Carolyn Arends

January 10, 2025

Navigating a New World

Continuing his reflections about loss and grief, Chris Hall turns his attention to the ways those we love never really leave us—even when they are more than a phone call away. He shares some favorite quotes that bring his friend Tom Oden close by, even as Tom’s absence is still keenly felt.

Christopher A. Hall

January 10, 2025

03 21 Holy Spirit Has History

The Holy Spirit Has a History

Many have believed that God went silent for hundreds of years after the 1st century. Not so. With the help of his mentor, Tom Oden, Chris Hall learned to trace God’s hand throughout history.

Christopher A. Hall

January 10, 2025

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The Availability of the Spirit

“The Holy Spirit is already present to us, but often as a stranger, or at most a distant friend,” writes Chris Webb. But we are invited to know God at a deeper level. We simply need to ask.

Chris Webb

January 10, 2025

I Was an Ash Wednesday Rookie

Renovaré Director of Education Carolyn Arends shares how the liturgical service enriched her non-liturgical faith.

Carolyn Arends

January 10, 2025

Chewing the Cud of Scripture

Chris Hall examines John Chrysostom’s “constant rereading and memorization of Pauline texts” in his own transformation toward Christlikeness and encourages us to do likewise.

Christopher A. Hall

January 10, 2025

08 26 Escaping Compulsions

Escaping Compulsions

Our endless cycle of resolution against, struggle with, and losing to our deeply ingrained compulsions can feel a bit like being confined with a gorilla. We cannot get rid of it, but have to figure out how to escape. Jon Bailey runs with this powerful metaphor and offers some hope in today’s post.

Jonathan Bailey

January 10, 2025

John The Baptist Mosaic

Authentically Holy

In too-constantly revisiting our brokenness, are we clouding the promise of spiritual renovation and restoration? Carolyn Arends asks us to consider how walking in the with-God life can make us both wholly authentic and authentically holy. Eating locusts and honey is optional.

Carolyn Arends

January 10, 2025

Cross On Hill In Mountains

A Place to Stand

Learn the history of the Renovaré Covenant, especially the theology and thought poured into every word, in this essay from Richard Foster.

Richard J. Foster

January 10, 2025