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Friends in Formation · Episode 2

Are We Safe with God, Realistic Rhythms, and Healthy News Habits

James Catford James Catford
Richella Parham Richella Parham
Nathan Foster Nathan Foster

Show Notes

In this month’s episode of Friends in Formation, Richella, James, and Nate discuss honest listener questions about safety within the Kingdom of God, rhythms of spiritual practice in a busy life, and how to listen to the news.

    1. [0:45] Dallas Willard comments on the gospel and how living within the kingdom brings safety. Could you comment on what Dallas might have meant by safe within the kingdom when the kingdom is ​“here but not yet” fully present?
    2. [11:40] My question, as a husband, a father of four young children, and a pastor of a church, I find it incredibly difficult to create a rhythm of spiritual practice. Every day is scheduled so differently and carving a quiet moment of meditation, contemplation, solitude, or any other attentive discipline is all but impossible in this season of life. In Richard Foster’s ​“Sanctuary of the Soul” he suggests that parents of young children ​“rest easy” for the time being until the children need less attention. My kids are 3, 5, 7, and 9 and I find them even busier than when they were infants. Do you have any suggestions?
    3. [27:40] I’m a newspaper (news outlet) dabbler. For many years I never read and even avoided the news and now I read a little every day, spending ideally less than 15 minutes of my day. How would Jesus read/listen to the news our day and age? Put differently, how should the gospel of the kingdom’s availability effect how we inform ourselves about current events?

    Resources Mentioned

    Friends in Formation is a Renovaré podcast where three very different friends take listener questions about life and faith, with the goal of listening, learning, and helping one another go deeper with God.

    Please submit any questions you would like us to consider on future podcast episodes to [email protected].

    Learn more about Renovaré and find lots of resources for spiritual formation at renovare.org.

    Published on February 15, 2021
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    Nathan Foster
    About the Guest
    Nathan Foster

    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.

    James Catford
    About the Hosts
    James Catford

    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 Parham
    About the Hosts
    Richella Parham

    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.

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