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In this month’s episode of Friends in Formation, Richella, James, and Nate answer listener questions about the easy yoke Jesus talked about, experiencing true freedom, and spiritual formation in marriage.
Show Notes
[1:20] Is it possible to practice the spiritual disciplines out of a place of peace and rest from day one following Jesus, or is the easy and light yoke only the prize at the end of the journey? It just feels so often like the spiritual disciplines are another form of religious performance, and the rest Jesus promises remains a distant hope.
[18:08] I have been thinking of freedom — Galatians 5:1. I notice when I talk with other Christians that there is fear and resistance when it comes to freedom. Why is that if this is something Christ wants us to truly experience? What does true freedom look like in ordinary everyday life? Are there practices that help position us to experience true freedom more as Christ desires for us?
[31:18] How can we work toward a faith-filled marriage? What can spiritual formation look like in the context of marriage? How do each of you share spiritual life with your spouses?
Resources
Upcoming Renovaré Events with This Guest
Gathering
RēGathering
LaGrange, GA
June 19–21, 2025
RēGathering is a three-day gathering from Renovaré... a space to recenter our scattered minds and souls on Jesus, remind one another of the beauty of the Trinity, and be refreshed and renewed. Join us for meals, music, worship, teaching, talking, silence, and laughter.
WITH
Carolyn
Arends,
Christopher A.
Hall,
Rebecca
DeYoung,
Siang-Yang
Tan,
Miriam
Dixon,
Brandan
Spencer,
Grace
Pouch,
Ted
Harro,
Richella
Parham,
Nathan
Foster,
Tina
Dyer,
James
Catford,
Brian
Morykon,
Jonathan
Bailey,
Linda
Christians,
Margaret
Campbell,
Melody
Leeper
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During a career in commercial publishing, James worked with many of the authors most closely associated with Renovaré and he now chairs SPCK, the largest Christian publisher in the UK. After fourteen years leading the British Bible Society James also works with American Bible Society to support Christians in leadership around the world. He lives with his wife Sue in London.
Read his full bio.
Richella is Chair of the Renovaré Board of Trustees. With a background in small business, education, and church leadership, Richella is a speaker and the author of Mythical Me (IVP) and A Spiritual Formation Primer. She is the mother of three young adult sons and lives with her husband Jack in Durham, North Carolina. Read her full bio and connect with Richella at richellajparham.com.
Nathan Foster is an author and host of Life With God, a Renovaré Podcast. Formerly, he was an Associate Professor of social work and served as the Andrews Chair in Spiritual Formation at Spring Arbor University. He was also a licensed clinical social worker and certified addictions counselor. Nathan has published two books, including The Making of an Ordinary Saint: My Journey from Frustration to Joy with the Spiritual Disciplines.
