Bear with Me: Integrating Belief and Practice in the Christian Life

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 ResistanceMarva Dawn - Keeping the Sabbath WhollyPracticing the WayAbraham Joshua Heschel - The SabbathRuth Haley Barton - Embracing Rhythms of Work and RestSupport the show

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 - HereKnowing God/Knowing Jesus Exercise from Trevor Hudson - HereFifty-Seven Words that Changed the World by Darrell Johnson- HereThe Lord & His Prayer by N.T. Wright - HereSupport the show

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 DesertChristine Valters Paintner's Lent 2023 Retreat/Course"Just Lent" Devotional Recommendation by VanessaSupport the show

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 DirectorSupport the show

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 resourcesVanessa's  Gift ideas for locals - Victoria Gift GuideHere's a link to a downloadable Advent Guide from VanessaSupport the show

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.Support the show

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.Support the show

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.comSupport the show

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 HoustonAwed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth - Walter BrueggemannSupport the show

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 HoustonDomestic Monastery by Ronald RolheiserSupport the show

Our last episode focused on the hiddenness of God and His Kingdom and the reasons behind that. In this episode we continue looking at the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price. How do these parables reveal how we find God and His Kingdom in our midst!Support the show

Part 1 of Jesus' Parables of the Treasure and the Pearl in Matthew 13.One of the major themes of Jesus' parables is that the Kingdom of God is hidden. Why should this be the case? If God loves us why would he hide good things from us?Resources Mentioned in the Show:The Rescue - Documentary FilmSupport the show

If God is communicating all the time, how do we listen for him?Andy and Vanessa give some personal examples of what it looks like for them to pay attention to God's presence and communication in their lives. Check out our new-ish website at www.bearwithmepodcast.comSupport the show

What are the obstacles to God's Powerful Word in our lives?Why does God's Word appear to be failing in the world?What role do we play in receiving God's Powerful and Transforming Word into our lives? Vanessa and Andy took a look at these questions and seek to answer them by looking at Jesus' parable about the Sower, the Seed and the Soils.Support the show

About one third of all of Jesus' teachings are in parable form. Parables are illustrations, stories to “throw alongside” of life to make a comparison. In Matthew 13 Jesus uses parables exclusively to show HOW God's hope for creation will come about. And it's not what we might expect!In this episode we look at the first and, in some ways, primary parable of the Sower. 3 Big ideas about this parable are featured:1. Why is the sower so reckless with his seed? Does it reveal a God who is eager to connect with us? Might it be that God more talkative than we thought? And maybe it shows at that God's words might show up in places we don't expect. How would that change our approach to spirituality if we believed God was speaking to us more than we realized2. Why does God's Word seem to be hidden? And why does Jesus' teaching appear to be failing? Jesus answers this question in the parable for his own time but what might this tell us about the effectiveness of Jesus' words for today? 3. What's the payoff for bearing with all this apparent failure? Jesus' story points us to a surprisingly high rate of return.Support the show

The latest instalment in our discipleship series where we look at some discipleship texts where Jesus is teaching his disciples something specific.In Luke 6:12-16 Jesus goes to a mountain and hand picks the 12 who would be with him and get special access to the “Master” as he lives and teaches. If we're also considered Jesus followers, what “special access” to the Master do we get and what does it look like and what can we do to take advantage of this access?Jesus give some clues for ways to be in his presence. How does he find space for connection with God? AS we'll see, Jesus “gets up” and “gets out”. This could be a helpful framework for our spiritual practice as well.Resources:"Moving from Solitude to Community to Ministry" - Article by Henri NouwenSupport the show

**CONTENT WARNING** - This episode deals with themes of pregnancyAt the beginning of her 3rd trimester, Elizabeth is surprised by a visit from her relative Mary, perhaps traveling 100 miles on foot to stay with her. But its Elizabeth who has special insight and knowledge of particular details regarding Mary's hidden situation. Listen in with us as we eavesdrop on a moment central to the unfolding of God's universal plan for all of creation.Why did Mary “make haste”?How do we enter into the “Wonder” of Advent?Support the show

Andy and Vanessa return to the scene of Mary and the surprising news.Recorded in Advent 2020.Check out Vanessa's How to Advent Guide1. What's in a name? BEAR with me - 0:00A short bit on how we came up with the name for our podcast “Bear with Me”. We wanted to talk about this because it helps us with our big focus, which is part 2.2. The God Bearers - 6:35Revisiting Mary's role in bearing God with Us and how that helps us think about the Christian Life.3. Bearing God's Word - 30:53We look at the practice of Scripture Memorization as a very practical and down to earth way to bear God's powerful and transforming Word in us.Resources from Vanessa:A "Releasing the Body to God" Exercise via Renovare (when thinking about being God-bearers with our hands, feet, eyes, and ears):A book foreword by Dallas Willard on memorizationHere's my "Good Stuff to Memorize" ongoing google doc - with passages that I find either beautiful or challenging or interestingPractices for Internalizing & Externalizing ScriptureSupport the show

This episode is the first Bear w/ Me episode ever recorded! But since we weren't ready to upload episodes at this time last year and it was an Advent theme, we sat on it. Until now!Living on God TimeIn this episode, we reflect on the Angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary and her surprising response in Luke chapter 1.Part 1: "In the 6th Month" - Thinking in God Time - Kairos Time v. Chronos Time - 0:00Part 2: "You will bear a Son" - How Does God's Kingdom Come? - 28:46Part 3: "Let it be to me according to your Word" - How to Respond to God's Time, Kingdom & Presence - 42:18Check out Vanessa's How to Advent Guide Resources Mentioned:Article: How Electric Light Changed the NightVanessa's favourite books on reframing "time" as kairos time:Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren: https://www.ivpress.com/liturgy-of-the-ordinaryDomestic Monastery by Ronald Rolheiser: https://paracletepress.com/products/domestic-monasteryOther resources to "keep time" more intentionally:Bridgetown Church's Rule of Life Workbook: https://practicingtheway.org/unhurrying-with-a-rule-of-life/workbookVancouver's University Hill Congregation Christian Seasons Calendar: https://christiancalendar.squarespace.com/orderSupport the show

Vanessa & Andy get ready for Advent with this text from Luke 3. Who is John the Baptist? Why is this a classic Advent text? How do we mark the time in anticipation of "God with Us"?Who hears from God? What are the prerequisites for hearing from God? Where does God like to reveal himself?  The answers to these questions might surprise!Check out Vanessa's How to Advent GuideSupport the show

Vanessa and Andy are back with a new season of Bear with Me episodes.In this one they tackle love (not just the romantic kind) and why it can be SO SO hard to love others. The Bible surprises us with the answer - HINT: It's less about WHAT we're doing than it is about WHY we're doing it. Tune in to hear more!Support the show

Thanks for listening and please look for us and Season 2 of the Bear with Me Podcast in September 2021!!!Support the show

Vanessa connects with Liz and Anna K to think through how to spiritually prepare for summer both in general and specifically as women.We can do a lot of reflection and mental and spiritual prep for the fall, winter and spring, but summer can catch us off guard. Can we be more prepared for the "Mountains are calling - I must go - YOLO!" season? Friends of the show, Liz and Anna, help Vanessa think through this HOT topic!Resources Mentioned:Vanessa's "How to Summer" PDFSupport the show

We take our recurring theme of Isolation and Community to a rural location featuring an interview with former Tabler Charis Zillman. Support the show

The Mission given to followers of Jesus encompasses ALL of Life. Andy and Vanessa explore some of the practical implications of how to take this seriously and what it means for us.Resources and Links:The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society - Leslie NewbiginA Refutation of Moral Relativism - Peter KreeftSupport the show

We take a break from our Discipleship Series to Return to the Last of our Rooted Focus on Every Member Mission.We long for every-member mission, since all Christians form the body of Christ with each member using their gifts for His mission to the world.How does diversity serve unity?Should Jesus followers be open to a Religious Pluralism?How will Jesus work out his rule and reign in a world so full of darkness, evil and hate?Where SHOULD reconciliation happen??Support the show

We continue our discipleship series by following up with last week's exploration of Matthew 28:16-20 - also known as the Great Commission. In this episode we get into the Meat & Potatoes of Discipleship (Apprenticing / Following). What is involved? What are we supposed to "make" exactly? And how do we do it?Jesus calls us into a complete reorientation of our lives around him and then calls us to point others to that same allegiance. But he doesn't leave us alone, He is the Master and we are His apprentices. And the classroom is all of life every day!Resources from the show:Testimony WorksheetTestimony Fill-in-the-BlanksBecoming Faithful Witnesses WorksheetSupport the show

Andy and Vanessa kick off their Discipleship Series with the last words of Jesus as recorded by Matthew.Are all Christians disciples?Is “doubt” a normal part of discipleship?How does reading (or watching) Lord of the Rings tech me about discipleship?Support the show

Josh Wilton is a pastor, church planter, photographer, and creative communicator who also wrote a novel. He takes us on a tour of his creative processes as a parable for our life with God and one another.Josh talks about 5 guidelines for engaging the world around us and noticing God's Presence:Show up.Don't miss the Moment.Chase the Light.Pay attention to Shadows.Attend to the DetailsPSALM 19Links to photos Josh refers to in this episode - 25:58 Resources:Fiction: Is it True, Useful and Justifiable? - Josh's Masters ThesisArt in Action by Nicholas Wolterstorff - Taking vigorous issue with the pervasive Western notion that the arts exist essentially for the purpose of aesthetic contemplation, Nicholas Wolterstorff proposes instead what he sees as an authentically Christian perspective: that art has a legitimate, even necessary, place in everyday life.The Table's Easter VideoSupport the show

Hunting for Jewels as the Creative Life. --> Matthew 13:44-46At The Table Church we long to creatively engage with God, one another, creation and culture since we reflect the image of God who creates, renews and restores.In this episode we explore 5 conditions for a Creative Life with God:1. Alternative Morality2. Alternative Time Zone3. Alternative Knowledge4. Alternative Expectations5. Alternative Race to RunMentions and Resources from the Show:Table Radio PodcastLet Your Life Speak - Parker Palmer - “Is the life I am living the same as the life that wants to live in me?” With this searching question, Parker Palmer begins an insightful and moving meditation on finding one's true calling.Makoto Fujimura - an artist and the author of Art+Faith: A Theology of Making (Yale Press).A Royal Waste of Time by Marva Dawn - The Splendor of Worshiping God and Being Church for the WorldThe Voice of Jesus by Gordon Smith - Discernment, Prayer and the Witness of the SpiritMinistry of Insults - Vanessa's offering on Everyday me Everyday God - Our friend Elaine Pountney's YouTube channel.Support the show

We talk with Will Krzymowski, intern architect and all around great guy, about how thinking about our spaces can help us make more connections with others.Will's Bus Conversion Project - Pic 1, Pic 2, Pic 3Our friend Hannah's Instagram about how to use the unremarkable moments to make neighbourhoods into places where people are known and belong. Right where you are.Pattern Language - by Christopher Alexander - Summary. You can use this book to design a house for yourself with your family; you can use it to work with your neighbours to improve your town and neighbourhood; you can use it to design an office, or a workshop, or a public building. And you can use it to guide you in the actual process of construction.You Are What You Love by James K.A. Smith -- On the Spiritual Power of HabitSupport the show

This is a sequel to “Does Jesus Require a Sacrificial Fellowship?” Philippians 2:1-11Vanessa and Andy explore a Sacrificial Life Together That's Worth It. The kind of community life Jesus calls us to can be an antidote to our social ills and a bright sign in a dark world.Plus, is just showing up a legitimate sacrifice?Practice:Relaxation as humilityTrusting God with who I am.Plus, a reading from the New Vanessa Translation (NVT) of Acts 2Resources & Links:‎Nomad Podcast: Sam Wells - Improvising Faith on Apple PodcastsBear with Me Podcast: Does Jesus Require a Sacrificial Fellowship?” Philippians 2:1-11Support the show

Vanessa and Andy reflect on "The Great Disconnect", a locally produced documentary on community life in our neighbourhoods. We also tackle "Spiritual Consumerism" that threatens to subvert the Gospel's work in our lives.1. The Great DisconnectWe respond to a documentary that explores how surprisingly isolated we are in our neighbourhoods and how our happiness and sense of meaning in life is related to our interdependence and relation to others.2. Spiritual ConsumerismWe have a tendency towards consumerism that can infect our spiritual lives. We want to guard against this in our lives and on our showResources and Mentions from the Show:The Great Disconnect - WebsiteSeculosity - How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What to Do by Daid ZahlThe Tangible Kingdom - Creating Incarnational Community - by Hugh Halter and Matt SmaySupport the show

Vanessa shares her 4 favourite ways to pray and to think about prayer. A practical guide to shifting our imaginations about prayer and practicing it! Resources & Links:Vanessa's 4 Ways to pray Guide - A companion Prayer Guide to this Episode! Christian Reflections by C.S. LewisPodcast: Mark Karris - The Perils of Petitionary PrayerOpening to God - by David Benner - Lectio Davina and Life as PrayerRediscovering The Lost Body-Connection Within Christian Spirituality by Edwin M. McMahon, Ph.D. and Peter A.Campbell, Ph.D.The Way of the (Modern) World by Craig Gay - Why it's tempting live as if God didn't exist.Prayer in the Night by Tish Warren - For Those Who Work or Watch or WeepEvery Moment Holy by Douglas Mckelvey -- New Liturgies for Daily LifeSupport the show

John 14:15-26Vanessa and Andy explore what it looks like to be Invited into a Family Love that Existed before Time Began!Resources & Links:Fall in Love - Arrupe Prayer - IgnatianSpirituality.comYou are What You Love - James K.A. SmithRead through NT in 40 daysSupport the show

Vanessa and Andy dive into a deep fellowship. Why is belonging to one another so central to the Christian life? How do we keep from becoming a doormat when we're seeking to truly look out for the needs of others and thinking of others “as more significant than ourselves”?Links and Resources:Jesus and the Disinherited - By Howard ThurmanDarrell Johnson Sermons Podcast - on Spotify - on Apple PodcastsJames K.A. Smith Newsletter: A Tree, A Rock and A CloudSupport the show

Naomi Yeker tried out Digital Minimalism as outlined in Cal Newport's newest book by the same name on managing our technology according to our values (as opposed to the other way around).  Naomi helps us think of what trying out Digital Minimalism for Lent might look like.Resources & Links:Digital Minimalism by Cal NewportThe Rich Roll Podcast: Cal Newport on Digital Minimalism: Why Focus Is the New Superpower10 Reasons to Delete Your Social Media Accounts by Jaron LanierNaomi's Prayers of the People focusing on TechnologyStay Focused - An App to help you Track and Limit your Mobile Usage“Ministry of Absence” - An article by Henri NouwenOut of Solitude - by Henri NouwenThe Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch - Not mentioned in the show but a good example of how a family takes "Everyday Steps for Putting  Technology in its Place".Vegan Richa's Everyday Kitchen Cookbook - Naomi's Cookbook of choice for this seasonTemperature Control Kettle - Vanessa's favourite way to heat waterSupport the show

Vanessa and Andy explore this big topic and uncover ways to make the ancient spiritual discipline of fasting more understandable and practical. Why is fasting so hard? And why is it important?How might fasting be the key to managing other appetites? What is the relationship between fasting and different kinds of nourishment? What is the relationship between fasting and Lent?What if I am physically unable to Fast from food?What are other fast ideas for Lent?Do you want to join us in Friday Fasting for Lent? Whether its food or something else, send us a note to bearwithme@tablechurch.ca to receive some weekly encouragement around fasting during the season of LENT.Resources from the Show:Vanessa's Fasting GuideDallas Willard on Fasting: https://conversatio.org/?s=fastingRichard Foster's The Celebration of DisciplineSupport the show

Vanessa and Andy give a sneak peak of what their new Podcast is all about, why you might want to consider subscribing, and a little background on what makes them tick!Support the show