Streams · Fasting · Spiritual Conversations with Adult Children
07/25/22 • 55 min
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To submit a question for James, Richella, and Nate to consider discussing on Friends in Formation, email [email protected].
In this month’s episode of Friends in Formation, Nate, Richella, and James answer listener questions about which Christian Stream “gives the most bang for the buck,” how to discern when to fast (or practice any spiritual discipline), and how to have spiritual conversations with kids who are grown.
[2:32] Of the Six Streams, which is the best one to sit in that gives the most bang for the buck in the journey of Christian spiritual formation?
[19:24] I struggle a lot in my day-to-day life with decision fatigue, second-guessing myself, and fears about not being "good enough." This past school term, I developed a very beneficial rhythm of weekly fasting and found the practice deeply helpful. However, now that I'm on my summer schedule that old rhythm no longer works well and I haven't fasted consistently. Whenever it's been a while since I've fasted, I start thinking about it frequently, even every day or every meal and fretting about whether it's a good time or not.... Are there some stabilizing questions or thoughts that I can come back to when I start to debate fasting? What are valid vs. invalid reasons not to fast, be it in the moment or for a season?
[37:50] What are some suggestions in talking to adult children about spiritual matters?
Resources Mentioned
- Richard Foster, Streams of Living Water
- Series on the Cycle of Grace from Upper Room Ministries
- Trevor Hudson and Jerry Haas, The Cycle of Grace: Living in Sacred Balance
Want to Suggest a Question?
To submit a question for James, Richella, and Nate to consider discussing on Friends in Formation, email [email protected].
In this month’s episode of Friends in Formation, Nate, Richella, and James answer listener questions about which Christian Stream “gives the most bang for the buck,” how to discern when to fast (or practice any spiritual discipline), and how to have spiritual conversations with kids who are grown.
[2:32] Of the Six Streams, which is the best one to sit in that gives the most bang for the buck in the journey of Christian spiritual formation?
[19:24] I struggle a lot in my day-to-day life with decision fatigue, second-guessing myself, and fears about not being "good enough." This past school term, I developed a very beneficial rhythm of weekly fasting and found the practice deeply helpful. However, now that I'm on my summer schedule that old rhythm no longer works well and I haven't fasted consistently. Whenever it's been a while since I've fasted, I start thinking about it frequently, even every day or every meal and fretting about whether it's a good time or not.... Are there some stabilizing questions or thoughts that I can come back to when I start to debate fasting? What are valid vs. invalid reasons not to fast, be it in the moment or for a season?
[37:50] What are some suggestions in talking to adult children about spiritual matters?
Resources Mentioned
- Richard Foster, Streams of Living Water
- Series on the Cycle of Grace from Upper Room Ministries
- Trevor Hudson and Jerry Haas, The Cycle of Grace: Living in Sacred Balance
Previous Episode
Learning Joy · Caregiving Well · Confrontation
Want to Suggest a Question?
To submit a question for James, Richella, and Nate to consider discussing on Friends in Formation, email [email protected].
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In this month’s episode of Friends in Formation, Nate, Richella, and James answer listener questions about training in joy, how to be a "friend in formation" to a spouse with dementia, and knowing when to confront someone's sin.
[1:13] I’ve been a (hopefully) honest apprentice of Jesus for over 50 years, but I've always struggled with a lack of joy in my life. I recently came to the thought that perhaps experiencing joy is something that needs training, much like learning how to live in the constant flow of grace. If this is true, what spiritual disciplines might be best to allow a person to enter into a greater experience of joy. Thank you again for your willingness to share your tremendous expertise in Kingdom living in this setting. I feel as though I'm getting to know the three of you in an interesting, very pleasant way. I look forward to actually meeting you in about 50 years.
[15:22] Three years ago, the love of my life came down with dementia. Her dementia has progressed to the point where she's unable to communicate verbally. And a little while ago, her safety and my own health, led me to place her in a home. I visit her on a regular basis and want her to know that she's not only loved by me and our family, but that our heavenly Father loves her as well. I know there is a communication of the heart. So I try to sing to her simple love songs, like “You are My Sunshine,” as well as hymns that she grew up with, as well as holding her hands while I pray for her. I want her to know the peace that will sustain her as we journey together through this horrible disease. Do you have any suggestions? How can I be a “friend in formation” to her?
[25:49] It sounds like you hold to a reticence in confronting, except when absolutely necessary. Can you flesh that out a bit, in light of Galatians 6:1, Matthew 18:15-17, and other passages that seem to instruct us that part of love is to kindly address others. How do we discern when it is necessary, good and loving to address someone else's sin?
Resources
- Dallas Willard, Life without Lack
- Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline
Next Episode
View of God · Reading habits · When to pray for healing
Want to Suggest a Question?
To submit a question for James, Richella, and Nate to consider discussing on Friends in Formation, email [email protected].
...
In this month’s episode of Friends in Formation, Richella, James, and Nate answer listener questions about wrestling with unhealthy views of God, habits that can help us read deeply, and whether to pray for someone's healing right away, or only after feeling led to do so.
Show Notes
[1:10] A.W Tozer opens his Knowledge of the Holy with, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Dallas Willard wrote that if our view of God does not allow us to wholly give ourselves to God in love, you need to rethink your theology until it does. Question: what significant view of God have you wrestled with successfully?
[14:59] Have you experienced integration over the years in your written conversations: in devotional reading, in journaling... and in the two intertwined?
[28:02] Should you wait until you feel led to pray for someone's healing, or should you jump right in and just do it?
Resources
- Atomic Habits, by James Clear
- Abandonment to Divine Providence, Jean-Pierre de Caussade
- The Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God, A. W. Tozer
- For more on "view of God," see also:
- Discovering our Spiritual Identity: Practices for God's Beloved, by Trevor Hudson
- The Good and Beautiful God, by James Bryan Smith
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