Slow Faith with Drew West & Friends

Examine Your Quest

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 10:00:55 GMT

Thanks for listening and celebrating Slow Faith's first birthday!

If you felt encouraged by this episode, share it with a friend.

You can listen to the music from this episode by following the links below:

https://uppbeat.io/t/ambient-boy/fireflies

https://uppbeat.io/t/caleb-fincher/reach

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Facing Difficulty Feat. Andrew Arndt

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 11:39:58 GMT

Big thanks to Andrew for sharing on this Slow Faith episode! What has your experience been of facing difficulty, and how have you experienced God's presence in those moments?

If you want to hear more from Andrew, he hosts The Essential Church Podcast.

Andrew has also written a couple of books, including Streams in the Wasteland and All Flame. He frequently writes on his Substack page.

Brock Hewitt created the song titled, "Moving" in the episode. You can listen to it here: https://uppbeat.io/track/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/moving

Additionally, Caleb Fincher created the song titled, "Reach." You can listen to that song here: https://uppbeat.io/track/caleb-fincher/reach

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When Will We Begin?

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 09:00:56 GMT

What can you offer to God today?

I quoted Olive Schreiner and I would highly recommend her writing to you. I discovered this quote through Howard Thurman's book Disciplines of the Spirit (1963).

The music in this episode was produced and performed by Caleb Fincher. The song is called Looking Forward. You can listen to this amazing song here: https://uppbeat.io/t/caleb-fincher/looking-forward

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Reminder: Deepen Your Roots!

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 09:00:15 GMT

Some of the most important truths in our lives don't come to us as new information but as wise reminders. My experiences of truth or the gospel feel more like coming home or returning to a truer sense of myself, than arriving at a new destination.

What important reminders do you need today? Who have been the people who have given you those reminders?

The music in the episode is by Zimpzon and the name of the song is "Meditation." You can listen to it here: https://uppbeat.io/t/zimpzon/meditation

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Disorientation, Acceptance, and Abundance

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 09:00:33 GMT

In this episode, Drew speaks of how difficult it can be to accept the reality of Jesus when Jesus stretches and challenges our understanding of who God is and how God meets us.

Drew mentioned Dr. Judson Brewer at the beginning of this episode and spoke about becoming mindful of the present moment. Judson Brewer's book Unwinding Anxiety (2021) and many of his videos teach his methods for curiously investigating the present moment for multiple purposes.

The music in this episode is a song titled "Mullan Sun" which was written and performed by Abstract April: https://uppbeat.io/track/abstract-aprils/mullan-sun

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Yield

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 09:00:59 GMT

There are so many ideals we hold and desire. Sometimes we cling to the idea of a perfect life so tightly that we fail to recognize what is already good, beautiful, and right before us. In this reflection, Drew considers Moses' encounter with God via the burning bush in Exodus 3. This encounter likely happened in the middle of Moses' daily routine.

If God seeks to get to us, all places and all time is holy. Let us let go of our many ideals, and wake up to the holy reality before us. Let us yield.

The music in today's episode is by Sanchii and the song is titled "Discovery." You can listen to it here: https://uppbeat.io/t/sanchii/discovery

Thanks for listening and if you found this episode helpful, share it with someone you care for.

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Dust and Ashes Feat. Katie Griffis

Thu, 30 May 2024 09:00:42 GMT

Katie Griffis reflects on Psalm 51 and growing up near the Piedmont National Forest. In the same way that controlled burns keep forests healthy, we too need to burn those things that could ultimately ruin us. Katie says, "We have to set fire to the things in our life that are getting in the way of a healthy existence."

Katie has two other podcasts! Check out Gospel and Grits and Find Your People with Mandee Caldwell.

The song in the episode is a song titled "Equilibrium." It was written and composed by Sanchii.

https://uppbeat.io/t/sanchii/equilibrium

Please rate this show so that more friends can encounter these life-giving moments.

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The Tongue

Thu, 23 May 2024 19:54:30 GMT

Thanks for listening to this episode!

The idea of examining our lives is an ancient one. In a previous episode, Roger Haynes spoke of the immense power of having a well-processed life. The truth is, this is hard work. Yet, by paying attention to things like our words, thoughts, and conversations we can become more aware of where God's presence, as well as live with integrity. I reference Henri Nouwen's book, Can You Drink the Cup? You can hear the music to this episode by following this link:

https://uppbeat.io/t/sonder-house/requiem-sarah-spring

License code: WOUMWTQUDRSTCGJV

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Renewed Not Thrown Out

Fri, 17 May 2024 09:00:48 GMT

This episode is my last reflection on Revelation, for now! I read from Rev. 12:1-6. It is sometimes difficult to hold onto this hope of all things being made new. When we survey our lives and the world, there is much that we want to get rid of. Amazingly, John's Revelation reveals God renewing creation and not making a new creation.

I reference a parable in the book Your Word Is Fire: The Hasidic Masters On Contemplative Prayer edited by Dr. Arthur Green and Barry W. Holtz.

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An Invitation to Foolishness

Tue, 07 May 2024 09:00:28 GMT

What do you love to do that pulls you into the present moment and away from calculating? So often the things that give us the most joy and soul-reward look foolish to the outside world. In this reflection on Revelation 7:9-17, you are invited to consider how the Christian faith is an invitation to go against this need to make sense.

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BONUS EPISODE: Centering Prayer & Psalm 84

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 09:00:48 GMT

In this episode, I express how Psalm 84 led me into silence. Some have said that silence is God's first language. Elijah encounters God's "whisper" in 1 Kings 19. Job has an encounter with God through a whirlwind in Job 38. God is both this grand mystery and this close parenting presence. We often like to put God into boxes or limit God's abilities in our limited understanding. Yet, God offers to meet us. God meets us in silence. God meets us in scripture. God meets us. The Bible is moment after moment of God meeting everyday people like me and you. Sit. Be. Come close. Draw deeply from this God who offers us life abundant.

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The Dynamics of Fear and Hope

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 09:00:17 GMT

The sermon I spoke about by Dietrich Bonhoeffer is called "Overcoming Fear." You can read it by following this link: https://politicaltheology.com/overcoming-fear-sermon-dietrich-bonhoeffer/

I recorded the sound of the creek and the birds in early March while at a retreat center. I hope to include more nature sounds in upcoming episodes.

Thanks for listening. You are awesome and I hope you are sensing this God who is looking for us today.

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Jesus, a Dragon, and an Empty Tomb

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 09:00:13 GMT

Doubt, mystery, and wonder. That's what the resurrection of Jesus is all about. How do you make sense of something so surprising? Are you willing to come to the empty tomb and look for yourself?

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Invisble Things

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 09:00:53 GMT

What invisible things do you notice at work in your life?

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Holiness

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 10:00:47 GMT

I found Margaret Halaska's poem "Covenant" in Don Postema's book Space for God: Study and Practice of Spirituality and Prayer (1997). If you are looking few a great devotional resource, I would highly recommend Space for God to you.

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The God of the Back Rooms Feat. Hannah Pye

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 10:00:52 GMT

Many of us get lost in the desire for acknowledgment, celebrity, and spotlight. In this episode, Rev. Hannah Pye explores Mark's telling of Jesus healing a woman discreetly, away from the public eye. In a world that can seem transactional, Jesus offers us new beginnings without needing anything in return.

Rev. Pye spoke about United Methodist theology regarding salvation and eternal life. For more information, follow this link: https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-what-is-our-end-goal-as-a-united-methodist#:~:text=The%20eternal%20life%20God%20offers,now%20and%20for%20the%20future

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Listening to Jesus

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 10:00:13 GMT

Are you enjoying these episodes? If so, please leave a rating in your favorite podcast app. This helps more people to find this show.

In this episode, I explore how listening is essential for getting anywhere in the Christian life. If you are looking for a great resource for reading and understanding the Gospel of Luke, I would recommend Charles H. Talbert's, Reading Luke: A Literary and Theological Commentary on the Third Gospel (2013).

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Centering Prayer

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 13:54:45 GMT

In this episode, I explore the practice of centering prayer. Many authors speak about silence, solitude, and centering prayer. I referenced Richard Foster's book "Celebration of Discipline" and Don Postema's "Space for God". At the heart of the Gospel is what God has done for us, not what we have done or can do for God. Centering prayer, silence, and sabbath all flow from this. We can pause because God holds all things together.

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The Power of a Well Processed Life Feat. Roger Haynes

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:00:19 GMT

In this episode, Roger Haynes helps us to see that our souls can sometimes be like a junk drawer. There is so much that happens to us and we go through unhealthy seasons when we do not make space to process. Luke 24:13-35 shows us that Jesus draws near to us when we seek to figure out what to do with trauma, regret, and questions.

Roger Haynes is the pastor of Common Ground Church Blouberg in Cape Town, South Africa.

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Not a Normal Wedding Feast

Sat, 20 Jan 2024 10:11:45 GMT

I hope you enjoyed this episode. Thank you, thank you, thank you for listening!

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New Beginnings Forever

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 00:43:22 GMT

I referenced:

Christmas Meditation, 1975 February 13 by Howard Thurman: https://thurman.pitts.emory.edu/items/show/1266
The Repentance of Believers by John Wesley

Thanks so much for listening to this episode! If you have a moment, follow this podcast on your favorite platform and leave a rating. This helps more people to discover the show.

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Logos

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 18:00:19 GMT

See the Oxord Classical Dictionary's (4th ed.) article on Logos

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Genuine John

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 17:20:49 GMT

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Advent: Coming Alive

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:31:18 GMT

Here is the hyperlink to Howard Thurman's contemplation on the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

Howard Thurman's Reflection on Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Life Lives Forever

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 16:37:16 GMT

I mentioned two authors and books in this episode- Walter Brueggeman's The Prophetic Imagination (1978), and Luther E. Smith, Jr.'s Hope Is Here! (2023).

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Where is Your Destination? Psalm 131

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 16:00:08 GMT

This episode explores faith as a movement. Howard Thurman heavily influenced this reflection on Psalm 131. If you are not familiar with Thurman, you can find more of his work here: https://thurman.pitts.emory.edu/

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