God is Findable! Discerning God's Presence in our Midst

Vanessa & Andy welcome back Naomi Yeker (from our most downloaded episode of all time) and new guest Yvonne Mann. Naomi & Yvonne took the season of Lent to explore more deeply the concept and practice of Sabbath. They take some time to reflect on what they learned and give some helpful and insightful ideas for practicing Sabbath in 2023!

Resources mentioned in the show:

Walter Brueggemann - Sabbath as Resistance

Marva Dawn - Keeping the Sabbath Wholly

Practicing the Way

Abraham Joshua Heschel - The Sabbath

Ruth Haley Barton - Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray and he did. The way he opens the prayer both connects us to the season of Lent and frames what prayer is and how we're to approach it.


Resources mentioned on the show:

Peterson, Bolz Weber, and Brueggemann paraphrases of The Lord’s Prayer - Here

Knowing God/Knowing Jesus Exercise from Trevor Hudson - Here

Fifty-Seven Words that Changed the World by Darrell Johnson- Here

The Lord & His Prayer by N.T. Wright - Here

Vanessa and Andy return with Bear with Me's annual Welcome to Lent Episode.

Links mentions:

Get Vanessa's Lent Guide here!

Vanessa's Blog on Lent - Blooming in the Desert

Christine Valters Paintner’s Lent 2023 Retreat/Course

"Just Lent" Devotional Recommendation by Vanessa

This is Part 2 follow up to the "Intro to Spiritual Direction" episode.

Vanessa breaks down the nuts and bolts of Spiritual Direction - how to find a director and what to expect  for fees, your first meeting and beyond.

Finally, Vanessa shares her idea of finding God at Disney while Andy looks for God in the Desert.

Links & Resources:
Here's a link to MORE LINKS for finding a Spiritual Director

Vanessa picked 7 of her favourite Advent thoughts that have been percolating in her heart and mind for this season and she shares them with us.

Resources:

• Here's a Christianity Today(!) Blog Post from Vanessa with more ideas and resources
• Vanessa's  Gift ideas for locals - Victoria Gift Guide
• Here's a link to a downloadable Advent Guide from Vanessa

What is Spiritual Direction?

What is a Spiritual Director?

What's the value? Should everyone do it?

What's the difference between Spiritual Direction and Counseling?

Vanessa tells all in this 1st part of a 2 part series.

Vanessa tells of her run ins with the Law.

Andy and Vanessa discuss the ways in which God has made known deep secrets about Himself and us in the Biblical account of the "LAW" and how the true purpose of the biblical Law might surprise us.

The Autumnal Equinox is on 6:03pm Thursday, September 22nd.

Vanessa and Andy kickoff a new "season" with another one of Vanessa's "How to" Seasonal Guides.

How do we connect with the season of autumn?

What does it mean?

How can it give us space for discernment and to listen well to what God might be saying to us through the season?

To download Vanessa's "HOW TO FALL" Guide go to www.bearwithmepdocast.com

What is the single most important qualifier for sharing who God is with others?

Andy and Vanessa wrap up the Parables Series (AND SEASON 2 of Bear w/ Me) by digging in to Jesus' requirements for being "experts" in a life lived with God.

Resources:

• The Transforming Power of Prayer - James Houston
• Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth - Walter Brueggemann

What are "Scribes Trained for the Kingdom"? Jesus says that those who know him and follow him are more qualified to speak on and teach about God's Kingdom than the academics and the religious elites. 

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Transforming Power of Prayer by James Houston
• Domestic Monastery by Ronald Rolheiser