rhythms

Welcome to another interview episode, friends! I’m excited to bring this one to you because it’s with a physician who does a lot of work on sleep. As you know, sleep is a topic I’m passionate about because it’s important to almost every aspect of being our best selves. Thriving begins with sleep. So today I talk with Dr. Dylan Petkus, a physician, researcher, and health optimization expert who takes an integrated approach to sleep apnea. Dr. Petkus coaches and educates others on lifestyle changes and natural therapies that optimize health and improve sleep. Today he and I dig into all the reasons, questions and possible solutions for sleep conditions and sleep apnea to help you all get your best sleep.

Dr. Dylan Petkus came to the topic of sleep research fourteen years ago through his own struggle with sleep. After his sleep fell apart, as he describes it, he did “me-search” to try to understand more about sleep. That led him to where he is today. Dr. Petkus works with sleep apnea but also with people who have autoimmune disorders, Hashimoto’s, or other issues that affect sleep. He talks about all the things that can affect sleep, like snoring, and how they occur. Inflammation in airways, tongue position, bad breathing patterns, and other issues. But what can be done? Surgery is an option but not a cure, and more of a last resort at best. Dr. Petkus lays out all the other factors we can work on to improve our sleep patterns: breathing mechanics, circadian rhythms, nervous system regulation, and environmental factors. There is so much fascinating and useful information here about why we snore, why we struggle with sleep, and what to do about it. I hope you find this conversation as fruitful as I did.

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About Dr. Dylan Petkus
Introducing Dr. Dylan Petkus—a physician, researcher, and health optimization expert who takes an integrated approach to sleep apnea.

As a peer-reviewed published author and award-winning researcher with a medical degree, a master's degree in endocrinology, and a master's degree in public health, Dr. Petkus focuses on how oxygen metabolism is at the core of sleep apnea.

For over a decade, Dr. Petkus has coached and educated others on lifestyle changes and natural therapies to optimize health. His goal is to share practical advice for improving sleep, energy levels, and mental clarity.
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Resources discussed in this episode:

• Tired To Inspired podcast
• Snore Lab app

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Learn more about Dr. Dylan Petkus:

• Website: PetkusMD.com
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Youtube
• Tiktok

Learn more about Dr. Michelle Tubman and Wayza Health:

• Website: www.wayzahealth.com
• Follow me on Facebook and Instagram

It’s not the size of your house or what you fill it with that makes it a home, but building a home doesn’t come without adversity. Ruth McKeaney, author of Hungry for Home, reminds us that home is not a dwelling, it’s being present right where you are and including those around you.

This season of the Rhythms For Life Podcast is presented by Medi-Share the affordable, biblical alternative to health insurance. Learn more at medishare.com/rhythms

Download the Podcast Guide at https://www.rebekahlyons.com/listenersguide.

Purchase the new Resilience Bible Study at https://www.rebekahlyons.com/rlstudy.

Join us for the Rhythms Retreat in Franklin, November 16-17. Learn more at https://www.rebekahlyons.com/retreat.

Saddleback Church Content Development Pastor Jason Wieland is joined by author, teacher, and spoken word artist Hosanna Wong for a conversation around identity in Christ and how to adopt the rhythms of Jesus. One of the most fundamental questions of life is Who Am I? and, in Christian circles, we are often rushed to answer that our identity is in Christ. But how do we really find out what this means and, even when we do feel connected to Jesus, how do we keep that connection? This conversation addresses these questions and dives deep into looking at four rhythms or spiritual disciplines that you can begin adopting in your own life.

Hosanna Wong is an international speaker, best-selling author and spoken word artist helping everyday people know Jesus for real. Widely known for her spoken word piece, "I Have A New Name," Hosanna shares in churches, conferences, prisons, and other events around the world, reaching across various denominations, backgrounds and cultures.

Born and raised in an urban ministry on the streets of San Francisco, Hosanna later packed her life into suitcases and traveled to churches and other ministries throughout the United States to share about Jesus through spoken word poetry. During those years without a permanent home, she began speaking and creating resources to serve the local and global Church.

Hosanna currently travels and speaks year-round, and serves on teaching teams at churches throughout the United States. She and her husband, Guy serve together in various ministries equipping people with tools to share the gospel of Jesus in today's world.

Hosanna is the best-selling author of How (Not) to Save the World. Her new book, You Are More Than You've Been Told releases August 2023.

Doable Discipleship is a Saddleback Church podcast produced and hosted by the Saddleback Spiritual Growth Team. It premiered in 2017 and now offers more than 300 episodes. Episodes release every Tuesday on your favorite podcast app and on the Saddleback Church YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/saddleback).

Doable Discipleship is a proud part of the Saddleback Family of Podcasts. To learn more about the Saddleback Family of Podcasts, visit saddleback.com/podcasts.

Related Links: 

You Are More Than You’ve Been Told

How (Not) to Save The World

I Have a New Name

HosannaWong.com

Saddleback Church Engage 21-Day Guide

Doable Discipleship – Types of Prayer

Saddleback Church Life of Prayer

Doable Discipleship – Resting in the Generosity of God

https://www.facebook.com/celebraterecoverysaddlebackchurch

https://celebraterecovery.com

Retreat information: https://saddleback.com/connect/ministry/retreat-ministry/lakeforest?

Interested in joining or hosting a group? Visit https://saddleback.com/smallgroups.

https://saddleback.thinkific.com/courses/foundations

https://saddleback.com/coronaresponse for additional tools for a better response.

To tell a friend about Doable Discipleship or share it on your social media, use saddleback.com/doable.

For more resources to help you grow, visit saddleback.com/grow or email maturity@saddleback.com.

The mission of this podcast is to highlight the beauty and diversity of God’s Church – both in Chattanooga and the Church at large.

This season is all about spiritual rhythms and disciplines, and we’ve been using the last few episodes to focus on sabbaticals, a continuation of the practice of sabbath rest. In this episode, Micki Ann chats with our final guest of the season, pastor Grady Davidson, as he outlines his sabbatical experience.

Grady began thinking about pursuing a sabbatical after nearly thirteen years as a pastor at Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church. With the support of his leadership, encouragement from mentors, and assistance from the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program, the Davidson family set off on a fifteen-week sabbatical. This time was broken up into trips and activities that focused on three areas: exploring the past, embracing the present, and envisioning the future. The result was a fruitful time of rest and refocusing that not only refreshed Grady and his wife but provided him with the perspective and wisdom needed for the unexpected Covid season that developed just months after he returned to ministry.

Join us for the final episode of season 5 as Grady shares the three areas he hoped to address through the sabbatical, and stay till the end to hear about “the spiritual gift of plodding.”

About Adam Whitescarver

Adam is passionate about seeing God’s people possess vibrant prayer lives to help them make a difference in the sphere of influence God has given them. In ministry since 2001, Adam enjoys his family, teaching, singing, and reading a myriad of subjects. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in North GA with their four children.

Jump Through the Conversation:

• [0:26] Rhythms of sabbath and sabbaticals
• [1:53] Introducing Grady Davidson
• [3:44] The importance of sabbaticals
• [5:15] Defining sabbaticals
• [6:41] Thoughts and conversations leading to Grady’s sabbatical
• [10:27] Areas of focus for sabbatical
  • Grady’s pulpit ministry
  • Family and marriage
  • Empowering congregation to serve
• [18:15] Preparing the church for Grady’s absence 
  • Finding a temporary pastor
  • Outlining worship services
  • Organizing special events
• [20:39] Content of Grady’s sabbatical
  • Exploring the past
    • Tour of Israel and Jordan
    • Road trips with wife to places they’d lived
  • Embracing the present
    • Beach time with family
    • Integrating The Daily Office
  • Envisioning the future
    • 11 day solo trip in Montana
• [33:00] Processing the past
• [38:46] Takeaways and returning to ministry
• [42:32] Change in spiritual practices
• [46:38] Call to denominational leaders to advocate for sabbaticals
• [48:23] Final thoughts: “the spiritual gift of plodding”

Links and Resources:

• A Beautiful Church website
• Chattanooga House of Prayer website
• Give today
• Resources from the Chattanooga House of Prayer
• Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program

Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe! If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.

The mission of this podcast is to highlight the beauty and diversity of God’s Church – both in Chattanooga and the Church at large.

Last episode, Micki Ann and Rusty McKie introduced the topic of sabbaticals. In this episode, Micki Ann interviews pastor Tracy Edwards, who shares his story of working with his congregation to take a much-needed break from ministry.

In his seventeen years of pastoring, Tracy had never taken a sabbatical. It wasn’t until he was overwhelmed by the difficulty of leading a small congregation during the Covid crisis that he reached a breaking point. During a conversation with a counselor, Tracy was able to identify feeling dry and disconnected from God, problems which were affecting both his work in the church and his relationship with his family. With support and encouragement from his congregation and family, Tracy took a one-month sabbatical that culminated in a solo trip where the Lord spoke to the heart of the issue. 

This is the second of three episodes about sabbaticals. Listen in to this episode to hear more about Tracy’s experience and why sabbaticals are critical for ministry leaders.

About Adam Whitescarver

Adam is passionate about seeing God’s people possess vibrant prayer lives to help them make a difference in the sphere of influence God has given them. In ministry since 2001, Adam enjoys his family, teaching, singing, and reading a myriad of subjects. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in North GA with their four children.

Jump Through the Conversation:

• [0:50] Explaining the extended focus on sabbaticals
• [2:03] What is a sabbatical?
• [4:06] Introducing Tracy Edwards
• [9:23] The unique challenges of being a pastor
• [11:37] Factors leading to Tracy’s sabbatical
• [15:19] Turning point: General Assembly
  • Conversation with a counselor
    • Hose analogy
    • Circle exercise
  • Feeling “dry” and disconnected from the Lord
• [18:49] The issue of pastors not being able to connect with each other
• [20:59] The dry place and ministry
• [23:03] Steps Tracy took for restoration
  • Connected with local counselor
  • Talked to leadership about sabbatical
  • Honesty with congregation
• [27:31] How Tracy’s family was affected
• [29:52] Details about sabbatical 
  • Unplugging from work/church
  • 10-day vacation with wife and daughter
  • Solo camping trip
• [32:37] Pivotal moment alone with God
• [37:31] Encouragement to take sabbaticals and following Jesus’s example
• [42:46] Churches: pray for your pastor
• [45:53] Practicals for those who aren’t able to take a sabbatical 
• [47:03] True vacation means skipping Sundays

Links and Resources:

• A Beautiful Church website
• Chattanooga House of Prayer website
• Give today
• Resources from the Chattanooga House of Prayer

Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe! If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.

The mission of this podcast is to highlight the beauty and diversity of God’s Church – both in Chattanooga and the Church at large.

Earlier in this season, Adam and Micki Ann talked about the spiritual rhythm of sabbath, but what if you need more than one day of rest? In this episode, guest Rusty McKie shares advice on how to take a sabbatical. 

After pastoring for several years, Rusty sensed God leading him in a new direction, resulting in Steadfast Ministries, an organization that helps ministry leaders. One of Rusty’s focuses is sabbatical coaching, where he helps individuals make the most of an extended time away from work. Although sabbaticals can be for anyone, pastors in particular often need time to refocus and reconnect with the Lord. Rusty explains that pastoral ministry is a career with unique burdens and difficulties, such as mixing the personal, vocational, and spiritual parts of one’s life. Whether it’s time for deep rest or space to process through repressed grief, a sabbatical provides the opportunity to address hardships and make plans for a more sustainable life in ministry.

Even if you’re not a pastor or ministry leader, you can still use Rusty’s tips on caring for your own soul. Listen in to Micki Ann’s interview with Rusty, the first of three episodes about sabbaticals.

About Adam Whitescarver

Adam is passionate about seeing God’s people possess vibrant prayer lives to help them make a difference in the sphere of influence God has given them. In ministry since 2001, Adam enjoys his family, teaching, singing, and reading a myriad of subjects. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in North GA with their four children.

Jump Through the Conversation:

• [1:19] Why focus on sabbaticals?
• [2:07] Rusty McKie’s ministry background and present work
• [6:06] Why Rusty chose the field of spiritual direction
• [10:15] What is a sabbatical?
• [12:24] Sabbatical coaching and book
• [15:13] The unique challenges of pastoral ministry
• [21:40] First steps for someone taking a sabbatical 
• [28:07] A crisis of grief
• [34:26] Planning your sabbatical
• [40:00] Processing big questions/issues
• [44:46] How to stay in restful space upon reentry
  • Spend time with God in silence and solitude and ask what needs to change
  • Utilize a Rule of Life
  • Anticipate old habits
• [48:57] Final thought: care for your own soul

Links and Resources:

• A Beautiful Church website
• Chattanooga House of Prayer website
• Give today
• Resources from the Chattanooga House of Prayer
• Steadfast Ministries
• Sabbaticals by Rusty McKie

Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe! If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.

The mission of this podcast is to highlight the beauty and diversity of God’s Church – both in Chattanooga and the Church at large.

No spiritual practice is more connected to the Bible and the Church than the Lord’s Prayer. In this episode, Adam explains why knowing this piece of Scripture is so useful for praying comprehensively at any time.

The initial significance of the Lord’s Prayer is obvious – it’s the model prayer Jesus himself gave to his disciples; however, the Lord’s Prayer also represents the most-prayed prayer of church history, AND it covers all the areas Christians should be praying about regularly. So how do you incorporate this prayer into your spiritual rhythms? First, Adam says, you need to memorize it. Once you do, you can pray through the petitions quickly during in-between times (commutes, waiting for your coffee order, etc.) or sit down and go through the prayer slowly during your devotions.

Listen in to this episode to hear how using the Lord’s Prayer repeatedly can be transformative and why one church father called it “the summary of the whole gospel.”

About Adam Whitescarver

Adam is passionate about seeing God’s people possess vibrant prayer lives to help them make a difference in the sphere of influence God has given them. In ministry since 2001, Adam enjoys his family, teaching, singing, and reading a myriad of subjects. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in North GA with their four children.

Jump Through the Conversation:

• [0:27] Update: new facility!
• [2:36] Why do a whole episode on the Lord’s Prayer
• [3:44] The historical and ecumenical significance of the Lord’s Prayer
• [5:42] A comprehensive prayer
• [7:50] The gospel and the Lord’s Prayer
• [12:33] A prayer of few words
• [13:28] How to use the Lord’s Prayer as a spiritual practice
  • Memorization
  • Repetition
  • Praying on the go
  • Utilizing the petitions
  • Doing a “deep dive”
• [23:22] The importance of the first line
• [26:07] Connecting your life and needs to the prayer
• [28:09] The Lord’s Prayer as a communal prayer
• [31:43] “So deep, but so easy”
• [34:26] Adam and Micki Ann recite the Lord’s Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Links and Resources:

• A Beautiful Church website
• Chattanooga House of Prayer website
• Give today
• Resources from the Chattanooga House of Prayer

Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe! If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.

The mission of this podcast is to highlight the beauty and diversity of God’s Church – both in Chattanooga and the Church at large.

Does how we use our bodies matter theologically? According to guest Joey Schlabs, the answer is a definitive “yes!” In this episode, Micki Ann dialogues with Joey about embodied spirituality and the why and how of making embodied choices. 

Between his academic interest in unexplored topics in the church and his curiosity about the theology of everyday life, Joey has spent more than five years researching the sacred importance of our physical bodies. He explains that humans were made to have embodied presence (physically dwelling with God) and embodied attention (purposefully interacting with the physical world). Within these two paradigms, we are tasked with making choices about how to be present and attentive in the here and now. How we make these decisions is a spiritual discipline that shapes and prepares us for eternity with God.

Listen in as Joey and Micki Ann discuss what embodied spirituality has to say about technology and how he and his family engage these ideas in their daily lives.  

About Adam Whitescarver

Adam is passionate about seeing God’s people possess vibrant prayer lives to help them make a difference in the sphere of influence God has given them. In ministry since 2001, Adam enjoys his family, teaching, singing, and reading a myriad of subjects. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in North GA with their four children.

Jump Through the Conversation:

• [0:58] Introduction to Joey Schlabs
• [5:38] How Joey came to focus on this topic
• [9:12] Defining “embodied spirituality” 
• [13:21] Embodied presence
• [16:18] Embodied attention
• [23:22] The “Garden to City” paradigm
• [27:22] Babel, Babylon, and the rival city
• [30:52] Technology as relief from our physical burdens
• [41:33] Making embodied choices
• [48:38] The science of the brain following the body
• [52:27] The habitude of embodied choices
• [56:58] Joey’s experience doing spiritual disciplines in community
• [1:00:07] Final thoughts and book recommendations 

Links and Resources:

• A Beautiful Church website
• Chattanooga House of Prayer website
• Give today
• Resources from the Chattanooga House of Prayer
• Every Moment Holy (Vol. I) by Douglas Kaine McKelvey
• Every Moment Holy (Vol. II) by Douglas Kaine McKelvey
• You Are What You Love by James K. A. Smith

Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe! If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.

This is a message by Brian Heasley, the International Director of 24-7 Prayer.
We hope and pray it’s been a blessing to you.
_________

Thanks so much for joining us for the Newlife Brisbane Podcast. Newlife Church is one family, many churches and we exist to simply see more people more like Jesus by planting and leading thriving local churches. 

Make sure if you haven’t yet; subscribe to our channel and follow our social accounts to stay up to date and be encouraged throughout the week!

For more information about Newlife head to:

https://www.church.nu

Facebook: https://facebook.com/newlifebrisbane

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newlifebrisbane

Due to technical difficulties, this is a message by Ps. Michael Hands from our Newlife Robina Location.
We hope and pray it’s been a blessing to you.

Thanks so much for joining us for the Newlife Brisbane Podcast. Newlife Church is one family, many churches and we exist to simply see more people more like Jesus by planting and leading thriving local churches. 

You’ve joined us for our Vision series where we will be unpacking our four discipleship priorities of gathering the lost, gluing in community, growing as disciples, and going on mission.These four priorities are how we understand God has called us to live as his disciples and over the two weeks we will unpack how we believe God is calling and challenging us to outwork these priorities in 2023. 

We pray this message is a blessing. 

__________

Make sure if you haven’t yet; subscribe to our channel and follow our social accounts to stay up to date and be encouraged throughout the week!

For more information about Newlife head to:

https://www.church.nu

Facebook: https://facebook.com/newlifebrisbane

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newlifebrisbane

This is a message by Ps. Alex Stark from our Vision Series.
We hope and pray it’s been a blessing to you.

Thanks so much for joining us for the Newlife Brisbane Podcast. Newlife Church is one family, many churches and we exist to simply see more people more like Jesus by planting and leading thriving local churches. 

You’ve joined us for our Vision series where we will be unpacking our four discipleship priorities of gathering the lost, gluing in community, growing as disciples, and going on mission.These four priorities are how we understand God has called us to live as his disciples and over the two weeks we will unpack how we believe God is calling and challenging us to outwork these priorities in 2023. 

We pray this message is a blessing. 

__________

Make sure if you haven’t yet; subscribe to our channel and follow our social accounts to stay up to date and be encouraged throughout the week!

For more information about Newlife head to:

https://www.church.nu

Facebook: https://facebook.com/newlifebrisbane

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newlifebrisbane

This is a message by Rev. Bruce Moore from our Anointing Sunday service.

We hope and pray it’s been a blessing to you.

Make sure if you haven’t yet; subscribe to our channel and follow our social accounts to stay up to date and be encouraged throughout the week!

For more information about Newlife head to:

https://www.church.nu

Facebook: https://facebook.com/newlifebrisbane

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newlifebrisbane

This is a message by Ps. Michael Hands from our series, Rhythms.

We hope and pray it’s been a blessing to you.

Make sure if you haven’t yet; subscribe to our channel and follow our social accounts to stay up to date and be encouraged throughout the week!

For more information about Newlife head to:

https://www.church.nu

Facebook: https://facebook.com/newlifebrisbane

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newlifebrisbane

This is a message by Ps. Alex Stark from our series, Rhythms.

We hope and pray it’s been a blessing to you.

Make sure if you haven’t yet; subscribe to our channel and follow our social accounts to stay up to date and be encouraged throughout the week!

For more information about Newlife head to:

https://www.church.nu

Facebook: https://facebook.com/newlifebrisbane

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newlifebrisbane

The mission of this podcast is to highlight the beauty and diversity of God’s Church – both in Chattanooga and the Church at large.

This episode’s spiritual discipline is the Examen – but don’t worry, this isn’t a test! It’s an ancient practice combining prayer, thankfulness, and reflection. As they walk through the steps of the Examen, Adam and Micki Ann discuss the importance of reflective practices.

In simplest terms, the Examen is the process of prayerfully reflecting on your day. As you go over the events, feelings, and conversations that happened, invite God to highlight moments to you, offering thanks and asking forgiveness as needed. Part of what makes this practice unique is the focus on feelings. As Micki Ann explains, God speaks to us through our hearts, so knowing ourselves better is helpful in growing closer to God.

Listen in to this episode to hear Micki Ann’s thoughts about getting to live your day twice and why the Examen is so valuable.

About Adam Whitescarver

Adam is passionate about seeing God’s people possess vibrant prayer lives to help them make a difference in the sphere of influence God has given them. In ministry since 2001, Adam enjoys his family, teaching, singing, and reading a myriad of subjects. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in North GA with their four children.

Jump Through the Conversation:

• [0:37] Why talk about spiritual practices on this podcast
• [1:34] The etymology of “examen”
• [2:51] What is The Examen?
• [6:19] The steps of The Examen
  • 1. Looking back on your day with God
  • 2. Reviewing your day and expressing thanks
  • 3. Paying attention to feelings (consolations and desolations)
  • 4. Asking for forgiveness
  • 5. Looking ahead to the next day
• [14:50] What it really means to examine our feelings
• [18:20] Adam’s thoughts on this practice
• [22:26] The benefits of “living your day twice”
• [26:13] The importance of reflection
• [29:20] The fruitfulness of The Examen
  • Being able to see that God is at work in your life
  • Knowing our own hearts
  • Reflecting
• [32:37] Closing thought from John Calvin

Links and Resources:

• A Beautiful Church website
• Chattanooga House of Prayer website
• Give today
• Resources from the Chattanooga House of Prayer

Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe! If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.

The mission of this podcast is to highlight the beauty and diversity of God’s Church – both in Chattanooga and the Church at large.

How can the Ten Commandments be used as a positive spiritual practice? In this episode, Adam and Micki Ann move past the common negative view of the Ten Commandments and show how they can be used to bring us closer to God and the life He created us for.

Especially in the context of creation, the Ten Commandments help answer the question, “What would my life be like if it was as God intended?” They act as a calling both to holiness and to human flourishing. Through prayer (and memorization!), the Ten Commandments can be used to evaluate our own lives, allowing God to reveal areas of sin and help us realign ourselves with His morality.

Listen in to this episode to hear some of Adam’s experience with this practice and tips for incorporating it into your own spiritual walk.

About Adam Whitescarver

Adam is passionate about seeing God’s people possess vibrant prayer lives to help them make a difference in the sphere of influence God has given them. In ministry since 2001, Adam enjoys his family, teaching, singing, and reading a myriad of subjects. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in North GA with their four children.

Jump Through the Conversation:

• [0:49] Why the Ten Commandments?
• [4:24] The Ten Commandments and human flourishing
• [7:00] The Ten Commandments and human spirituality
• [10:52] Remembering the “upward call”
• [13:44] Changing popular perception of the Ten Commandments 
• [18:58] How to use the Ten Commandments as a spiritual discipline
  • Memorization
  • Praying through them
• [21:25] Challenges of this practice
• [26:12] Exploring the Ten Commandments in the context of a prayer retreat

Links and Resources:

• A Beautiful Church website
• Chattanooga House of Prayer website
• Give today
• Resources from the Chattanooga House of Prayer

Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe! If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.

Cascade Vineyard Church

Donna Schroder

October 16th, 2022

Title: ”Rhythms of Grace: An Invitation to Silence and Solitude“

Scripture references:

1. Psalm 148
2. Mark 6:30-31
3. Mark 1:35
4. Luke 5:15-1
5. Lamentations 3:22-36
6. Psalm 62:5-6
7. Isaiah 30:18-19

www.cascadevineyard.org

The mission of this podcast is to highlight the beauty and diversity of God’s Church – both in Chattanooga and the Church at large.

There are many ways to read Scripture, but Lectio Divina (Latin for “sacred reading”) is a slowed-down approach with the aim of engaging in conversation with God through the text. In this episode, Adam and Micki Ann look at the four movements of Lectio Divina and how these practices can be used to hear God in unexpected places.

The movements of Lectio Divina are easy to remember: Read (slowly!), Reflect (on “shimmery” words/passages), Respond (in prayer), and Rest (allow the Word to settle). Although they can go by different names, these are the four pieces that have been practiced for hundreds of years. Several “bonus” movements can be added, including a time of preparation before reading and an opportunity to Resolve at the end. As Micki Ann notes, the more you practice Lectio Divina, the more the movements become habits that help you to become aware of how God can speak to you through nature, a conversation, and even art.

Listen in to this episode to hear how changing the way you read the Bible can revitalize your spiritual journey, and find out how Adam connects Lectio Divina to Batman.

About Adam Whitescarver

Adam is passionate about seeing God’s people possess vibrant prayer lives to help them make a difference in the sphere of influence God has given them. In ministry since 2001, Adam enjoys his family, teaching, singing, and reading a myriad of subjects. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in North GA with their four children.

Jump Through the Conversation:

• [1:18] What is Lectio Divina?
• [9:30] “Dryness” and changing the way you read Scripture
• [14:53] The four movements of Lectio Divina
  • (Bonus) Preparation
  • 1. Read
  • 2. Reflect
  • 3. Respond
  • 4. Rest
  • (Bonus) Resolve
• [24:20] Adam’s advice to task-oriented people
• [26:07] How the movements of Lectio Divina can help you hear God outside of reading Scripture
• [31:34] The invitational aspect of Lectio Divina

Links and Resources:

• A Beautiful Church website
• Chattanooga House of Prayer website
• Give today
• Resources from the Chattanooga House of Prayer

Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe! If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.