Over the summer, we are sharing ten episodes of our podcast we’re calling “Unhurried Favorites.” Today we’re sharing “What Does Your Soul Love, Part 2.” In this episode Gem and I unpack the second four of the eight questions from our book, "What Does Your Soul Love?". We address the themes of pain, fear, control and joy. It’s really in learning to live these questions rather than seeking quick-fix answers to them that we are transformed.

We also...

One of my (Gem) favorite activities as a child was going fishing with my dad on the beautiful Washougal River in Washington. Before we put on our gear and walked across the street to our fishing hole, it was my job to find worms in our garden. It was like a wriggly scavenger hunt. I would dig down into the rich, dark brown soil on a search for squiggly bait. I didn’t even care if I got dirt under my fingernails. Ah, the carefree life of a child in nature.

When I recall my...

Over the summer, we are sharing ten episodes of our podcast we’re calling “Unhurried Favorites.” Today we’re sharing “What Does Your Soul Love, Part 1.” In this episode Alan and I unpack the first four of the eight questions from our book, "What Does Your Soul Love?". We address the themes of desire, resistance, vulnerability and truth. It’s really in learning to live these questions rather than seeking quick-fix answers to them that we are...

I (Alan) often share the story of my first experience of solitude and silence on January 19, 1990. It was led by one of my mentors, Wayne Anderson, as part of a class I was taking at Fuller Seminary. I tell a little of that story in chapter 2 of An Unhurried Life, but until now I have never shared the full journal entry from that day. It was the first page of my journal, which today, over thirty years later, runs more than eleven thousand pages.

That journal has chronicled my attempt...

Over the summer, we are sharing ten episodes of our podcast we’re calling “Unhurried Favorites.” Today we’re sharing “The Common Rule” with author Justin Whitmel Earley. A key focus for continually cooperating with the transforming work of God both in us and through us is to develop a Spirit-guided and Spirit-empowered rule or rhythm of life. Learning to cultivate simple and regular habits that help us cooperate with the work God is doing is us is...

I (Gem) recently turned in the first draft of my second book. Writing is such a weirdly organic dynamic that has its own dramatic progression. Way back at the beginning I gathered some notes, tried to organize them, and even wrote new material for the introduction.

Then I had an idea that shifted me away from my original outline, and I got confused. I could no longer feel or see the form of the book. I was at a standstill. The shape was shifting inside me but I couldn’t grasp it....

Over the summer, we are sharing ten episodes of our podcast we’re calling “Unhurried Favorites.” Today we’re sharing “The Next Right Thing with Emily P. Freeman.” Emily is another trusted and wise voice and any of you who listen to her podcast know this. In our conversation we discuss being ourselves, the writing process, listening to our bodies, the idea of receiving people, and serving from overflow.

Today, we are going to talk about being...

There’s a world of difference between restoring something and buying something new. I once received a wonderful birthday gift of a brand-new Pitt Minion NIV Bible bound in goatskin leather. It’s a treasure I hope to enjoy for the rest of my life.

But a while back, a friend of mine who is a pastor brought his favorite old preaching Bible to a specialist for restoration. Rather than throwing it out and buying a new one, he took the Bible to a shop that would carefully...

Over the summer, we are sharing ten episodes of our podcast we’re calling “Unhurried Favorites.” Today we’re sharing “Attachment to God” with author Jim Wilder. Gem and I had an encouraging and very helpful conversation with Jim about his book Renovated. We loved how Jim unpacked how our relationship with God and our formation into the likeness of Christ is rooted in connection with God. 

Christian faith has often focused on right beliefs and right...

As an author, words are important to me (Gem). Below are three words that have become especially meaningful to me recently. My prayer is that at least one of them will encourage you today.

Word #1—DELIGHT

A few years ago Alan and I attended the baptism of one of the newest members of our church community—a six-month-old boy. He had been long awaited and is much beloved by his parents and extended family. I follow his mom on Instagram and see the photos of him that...