As the noise of the holiday season rises, how can we recover the stillness, peace, and joy at the heart of Advent? In this deeply moving episode of Now & Then, host Wendy VanderWal Martin welcomes pastor and author Rich Villodas to explore his new devotional, Waiting for Jesus: An Advent Invitation to Prayer and Renewal.
Rich shares how the rhythms of the church calendar have reoriented his life and ministry in New York City — “the city that never sleeps” — toward waiting, peacemaking, rejoicing, and beholding. Together, Wendy and Rich reflect on how these ancient Advent themes offer an antidote to our culture’s frenzy and distraction, inviting us into a slower, more attentive way of being with God.
Listeners will be drawn into stories of how prayer sustains community, how true peace begins within, and how joy and lament can coexist in the same heart. Rich also opens up about the lasting influence of Henri Nouwen — his honesty, vulnerability, and insistence that we are all the beloved of God.
Whether you’re longing to rediscover the sacred meaning of Advent or simply seeking renewal in a weary world, this conversation offers a compassionate and contemplative guide to centering your life on Christ amid the clamor of December.
“Waiting is not despair — it’s dependence.” — Rich Villodas
Listen now to be inspired, refreshed, and reminded that even in a restless world, the invitation to behold beauty and live as God’s beloved still stands.
___________
Resources:
https://www.richvillodas.com/
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/776021/waiting-for-jesus-by-rich-villodas/9780593602607
___________
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As the noise of the holiday season rises, how can we recover the stillness, peace, and joy at the heart of Advent? In this deeply moving episode of Now & Then, host Wendy VanderWal Martin welcomes pastor and author Rich Villodas to explore his new devotional, Waiting for Jesus: An Advent Invitation to Prayer and Renewal.
Rich shares how the rhythms of the church calendar have reoriented his life and ministry in New York City — “the city that never sleeps” — toward waiting, peacemaking, rejoicing, and beholding. Together, Wendy and Rich reflect on how these ancient Advent themes offer an antidote to our culture’s frenzy and distraction, inviting us into a slower, more attentive way of being with God.
Listeners will be drawn into stories of how prayer sustains community, how true peace begins within, and how joy and lament can coexist in the same heart. Rich also opens up about the lasting influence of Henri Nouwen — his honesty, vulnerability, and insistence that we are all the beloved of God.
Whether you’re longing to rediscover the sacred meaning of Advent or simply seeking renewal in a weary world, this conversation offers a compassionate and contemplative guide to centering your life on Christ amid the clamor of December.
“Waiting is not despair — it’s dependence.” — Rich Villodas
Listen now to be inspired, refreshed, and reminded that even in a restless world, the invitation to behold beauty and live as God’s beloved still stands.
___________
Resources:
https://www.richvillodas.com/
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/776021/waiting-for-jesus-by-rich-villodas/9780593602607
___________
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST: henrinouwen.org/donate/
* SIGN UP FOR FREE DAILY E-MEDITATIONS:
henrinouwen.org/meditation/
* MORE FREE RESOURCES: henrinouwen.org/
* FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/henrinouwensociety/
TWITTER: twitter.com/nouwensociety
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In the beautiful compilation, Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life, Henri Nouwen invites us to learn to listen deeply to the voice of the Spirit. Encouraging us to encounter this voice through books, nature, people and events, Nouwen reminds us that God is ever present. In this episode of Henri's bookshelf, we speak with Sam Cooper, a pastor who has accompanied a local community of faith for 31 years and counting. Through stories of listening and obeying, Sam and Wendy celebrate a long journey of discernment that has led a community to learn to participate with God in making things right.
**PLEASE NOTE: Due to technical difficulties audio may be hard to hear in spots. Please refer to the transcript found on: https://henrinouwen.org/henris-bookshelf/discernment/
Meadowvale Community Church: https://www.meadowvalecrc.org/
Indwell - builder of affordable housing: https://indwell.ca/
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Book Discussed:
Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life
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https://amzn.to/2Oczt1T (CAD)
Spiritual Direction
https://amzn.to/389dTEI (US)
https://amzn.to/2Zf9gGA (CAD)
Spiritual Formation
https://amzn.to/2YCNETY (US)
https://amzn.to/2COPVTM (CAD)
The Wounded Healer
https://amzn.to/2AGOrKz (US)
https://amzn.to/3hdDkcr (CAD)
___________
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST: henrinouwen.org/donate/
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henrinouwen.org/meditation/
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henrinouwensociety
As the noise of the holiday season rises, how can we recover the stillness, peace, and joy at the heart of Advent? In this deeply moving episode of Now & Then, host Wendy VanderWal Martin welcomes pastor and author Rich Villodas to explore his new devotional, Waiting for Jesus: An Advent Invitation to Prayer and Renewal.
Rich shares how the rhythms of the church calendar have reoriented his life and ministry in New York City — “the city that never sleeps” — toward waiting, peacemaking, rejoicing, and beholding. Together, Wendy and Rich reflect on how these ancient Advent themes offer an antidote to our culture’s frenzy and distraction, inviting us into a slower, more attentive way of being with God.
Listeners will be drawn into stories of how prayer sustains community, how true peace begins within, and how joy and lament can coexist in the same heart. Rich also opens up about the lasting influence of Henri Nouwen — his honesty, vulnerability, and insistence that we are all the beloved of God.
Whether you’re longing to rediscover the sacred meaning of Advent or simply seeking renewal in a weary world, this conversation offers a compassionate and contemplative guide to centering your life on Christ amid the clamor of December.
“Waiting is not despair — it’s dependence.” — Rich Villodas
Listen now to be inspired, refreshed, and reminded that even in a restless world, the invitation to behold beauty and live as God’s beloved still stands.
___________
Resources:
https://www.richvillodas.com/
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/776021/waiting-for-jesus-by-rich-villodas/9780593602607
___________
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST: henrinouwen.org/donate/
* SIGN UP FOR FREE DAILY E-MEDITATIONS:
henrinouwen.org/meditation/
* MORE FREE RESOURCES: henrinouwen.org/
* FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/henrinouwensociety/
TWITTER: twitter.com/nouwensociety
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/nouwensociety/
