Alan Fadling's Blog, page 3

UL #349: How to Find Grace in the Wilderness (Alan w/ Andrew Anrdt)

 

What if the gospel is not just about someday, but about today—right here in the holy ordinary? In this episode, Alan welcomes pastor and author Andrew Arndt to talk about his new book, A Strange and Gracious Light. Rooted in the rhythms of the church calendar, Andrew’s book is an invitation to encounter Jesus afresh—not just as a message we proclaim but as a presence we inhabit.

 

Together, Alan and Andrew explore how disorientation, waiting, and mystery can become sacred spaces for formation. It’s a conversation for those feeling weary, disconnected, or quietly hopeful—offering a fresh way to see your story illuminated by the strange and gracious light of Christ.

 

3 Takeaways from this Episode:

The church calendar can be a gentle guide to reenter the gospel story with fresh eyes and renewed soul connection.

Seasons of uncertainty and suffering may be strange—but they are often filled with quiet grace and deeper formation.

Leading from a place of surrender, rather than striving, opens the way for a more grounded and grace-filled life of service.

 

About Andrew Arndt:
Andrew Arndt is the lead pastor of New Life East in Colorado Springs and host of the Essential Church podcast. A trusted voice for thoughtful Christian leaders, he brings a rich blend of theological depth, pastoral sensitivity, and contemplative wisdom to his writing and leadership.

 

 

 

How to Recognize the Voice That Brings You Life

Blog by Alan Fadling

There is a common metaphor the church has drawn from scripture that helps me keep the living presence of Christ at the center. The challenge, however, is that the metaphor can seem so familiar that it ceases to inspire or encourage us.

 

What’s the metaphor? Consider a couple familiar verses from scripture:

 

Psalm 23 begins with the words “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

 

Jesus uses this same image in John 10:11 when he says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

 

Again, the challenge is that the image of God or Jesus as shepherd has become overly familiar for many of us with longtime church experience. I fear it’s a familiarity that breeds contempt for too many of us.

 

Or perhaps familiarity isn’t the problem, but instead it’s our unfamiliarity with the day-to-day reality of the life of a shepherd.

 

If you were to review your networks on Facebook or Instagram or LinkedIn, how many working shepherds do you know? If you’re like me, the answer is “none.” Most of us have never lived in spaces where someone we know is actively involved in the job of shepherding.

 

So, we may need to acknowledge the challenge of our unfamiliarity and let the metaphor speak fresh insight into our life.

 

It might help us to look at the image of Jesus as shepherd with fresh eyes and remember that in this life of faith we are never alone. Ever.

 

As John chapter 10 opens, Jesus has been arguing with the Jewish leaders who were questioning his healing of the blind man in chapter 9. Read the first six verses and imagine Jesus advocating for the man he has healed. Contrast that with the Jewish leaders who wanted to reject the good thing Jesus has done.

 

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

 

So far we see a few key characters: A thief. A robber. A shepherd. A gatekeeper. Sheep. A stranger.

 

Though the Pharisees aren’t catching what Jesus is throwing their way, they are the thieves and robbers and the strangers to God’s way. They claim to be speaking for God, but they want to rob the blind man of the gift of grace God has given him. They claim to represent God, but they reject the one who proves by his life that he speaks for God.

 

There is a way of envisioning a life of faith that is opposed to God rather than aligned with God. Jesus knows this, but the Jewish leaders don’t seem to.

 

They want to brand Jesus as ignorant, dishonest, or even deranged. But Jesus has come to be a shepherd to people who will let him. He wants to guide people into the good life. He wants to protect people from lasting harm. He wants to provide people what they need. That’s what good shepherds do. And the Jewish leaders have failed to do this for their followers—their “sheep.”

 

So Jesus is the good shepherd. He proves himself by exercising the power of God to heal a blind man. Jesus speaks words that have wisdom greater than the academic theology of the Jewish leaders.

 

The image of Jesus as the good shepherd tells us that he is always with us as his sheep. We need him, and he’s very happy to be with us. He lays down his life for us—not just in the past but in every moment. He comes to serve us, and we respond with love and trust.

 

Consider John 10:3-4 once again: 

“The gatekeeper opens the gate for [the good shepherd], and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

 

I am one of the sheep Jesus is shepherding. I listen to his voice. Notice that Jesus doesn’t say, “the sheep read his Word.” I do that, daily and gratefully, but here I’m reminded that the Christian life is listening to the living voice of my ever-present and good shepherd. Jesus is with me and is speaking with me. The scriptures are living and active because Jesus is alive and at work.

 

And Jesus knows me by name. When he speaks, it’s not just a generic message for anyone. Jesus speaks to me. He wants to lead me out into good places and good work. Instead of driving me from behind, he leads out ahead. I go out with my Shepherd. I’ve learned to recognize his voice, and I’ve learned to recognize the voice of the stranger. This comes naturally for sheep, and I hope I’m at least a little smarter than a sheep.

 

In all of this, the good news is that I’m never alone in seeking to live a life of trust in Jesus.

 

What lies at the heart of the Christian life is a deep and ongoing relationship with Jesus as our good shepherd. It’s a relationship that we express in countless ways in our lives, our relationships, and our work.

 

I’d love to hear how this resonates with you. What does it mean to you that Jesus calls you by name, leads you out, and walks with you in this life of faith? Feel free to reply to this email with your thoughts, reflections, or questions. Let’s keep this conversation alive together.

 

For Reflection:

Where am I most in need of hearing the Shepherd’s voice today?
How can I practice listening rather than striving this week?
What might change if I trusted Jesus’ leading instead of my own plans?

UL #348: Feeling Spiritually Numb? You’re Not Failing—You’re Being Invited w/Kyle Norman

 

Have you ever sat in church, said your prayers, and still felt... nothing? Like your faith was stuck in neutral? You’re not alone—and you’re not broken. In this deeply honest episode, Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman shares how his wife’s cancer diagnosis led him into one of the darkest seasons of his life, shaking the very foundations of his faith. But instead of giving up, he discovered something unexpected: God hadn’t left. In fact, Jesus was closer than ever—meeting him not in strength, but in surrender.

If your spiritual life feels dry, discouraging, or just plain confusing, this conversation is here to remind you: your struggle is not a sign of failure. It may be an invitation to meet Jesus in a deeper, more personal way than you ever have before.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why spiritual numbness doesn’t mean you’ve failed

How to reframe discouragement as sacred invitation

Real stories from scripture of people who wrestled with their faith

What it means to find “holy ground” in moments of disappointment

One simple but powerful practice to reconnect with God right where you are

Meet the Guest:

Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the rector of St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral in Kamloops, British Columbia. He holds a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation and is the author of Alive, Loved & Free: A Spiritual Journey of Coming Home. Kyle is passionate about helping others experience the real, living presence of God—even (and especially) in the midst of life’s deepest struggles.

Connect with Kyle:

Website: kylenorman.ca

Instagram: @revkylenorman

Book: Alive, Loved & Free – available wherever books are sold

 

 

8 Powerful Qualities to Help You Lead with Wisdom and Love

Blog by Gem Fadling

I have never been more convinced that now is the time for goodness. If you track with us here at Unhurried Living, I already know you to be a good person.

 

I’m suggesting we double down on our intentionality in being and doing good. Not in a legalistic, machinelike way, but in a heart forward, leaning in, Kingdom ways posture.

 

It can be overwhelming to see all that is occurring planet-wide. Yes, we can pray. But remember, our bodies, hearts, and minds were built for smaller communities.

 

So that means you have permission to bring yourself in smaller to where you actually live. Your prayerful heart can offer worldwide prayers to the God of the universe AND you can engage thoughtfully and intentionally right where you are.

 

Engage in your own stress reduction by focusing closer to home when it comes to news and involvement. It’s okay to let some things go so that you can focus your energy on offering goodness to those around you.

 

I’ve been struck by the words of 2 Peter 1:5-9 from The Message:

 “So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.”

 

This is such a beautiful and practical list of goodness: 

Basic faith
Good character
Spiritual understanding
Alert discipline
Passionate patience
Reverent wonder
Warm friendliness
Generous love

 

And Peter is saying that each of these builds on the other and results in becoming more “mature in your experience of our Master Jesus.”

 

And isn’t that what the people around you and the world really needs? Mature adults experiencing and expressing the love and ways of Jesus.

 

I know you to be a serious-minded, heart-forward lover of Jesus.

 

And here at Unhurried Living we want nothing more than to encourage you to live what you believe—and not be overwhelmed and stressed while doing so.

 

We are invited into goodness—to receive it, live it, and share it.

 

For Reflection: 

What might leaning into goodness look like in your own life?
How might you give attention to the invitations within 2 Peter? Allow yourself to be creative and practical as you ponder.
Spend a little time releasing your cares to God. You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.

UL #347: From Doing to Being w/ John Eldredge

 

Faith often becomes a checklist—prayer, scripture study, ministry—rather than a living, breathing relationship with Jesus. In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling speaks with bestselling author and teacher John Eldredge about shifting from a performance-based spiritual life to one rooted in presence, intimacy, and encounter.

We talk about how to slow down in a world that values hustle, how to rediscover wonder in the midst of cynicism, and how to create personal rhythms that foster authentic connection with Jesus. If you long to experience Jesus—really—this conversation is for you.

John’s latest book, Experience Jesus—Really., invites readers into a deeper awareness of God’s presence and shows how to move from knowing about God to actually knowing Him in relationship.

Whether you feel spiritually dry, distracted by life’s pace, or just want to deepen your walk with Christ, this episode offers practical wisdom and hopeful encouragement.

Guest Bio:

John Eldredge is a bestselling author, counselor, and the president of Wild at Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God and live more fully in His Kingdom. His books, including Wild at Heart, Beautiful Outlaw, and Get Your Life Back, have guided millions toward a more vibrant and personal walk with God. Through his teaching, writing, and podcasting, John invites people to experience God not as a distant figure, but as a present and personal friend.

Connect with John Eldredge:

🌐 Website: https://wildatheart.org
📘 Book: Experience Jesus—Really. available wherever books are sold
🎙️ Podcast: Wild at Heart Podcast
📸 Instagram: @wildatheart
📺 YouTube: Wild at Heart YouTube Channel

 

 

 

Want a Simpler, Deeper Walk with God? Start Here

Blog by Alan Fadling

A Simple Yet Profound Question

I’ve been reflecting recently on my experience of God over forty-six years as a follower of Jesus. I can hardly believe it’s been that long! We sometimes talk about this as “living the Christian life.”

 

One of my mentors often asked us the question “What is the Christian life?” It sounds so basic. Wouldn’t even a beginner know the answer? But there are really so many answers that might be given. Here are just a few:

 

Prayer or spiritual practices
Church involvement
Building community
Working in ministry, whether paid or volunteer
Working for justice
Giving generously
Sharing our faith with those who do not yet know Jesus

 

You probably can think of some other good answers.

 

Would you like to hear how my mentor answered the question? This is what he said:

 

“The Christian life is an ongoing relationship of intimacy with Jesus Christ.

So, when we talk about the Christian life, we don’t talk about what it is but who it is.”

 

There is a beautiful simplicity in that perspective!

 

The Ongoing Invitation of Jesus 

At the heart of the Christian life is not my initiative or my practices or my activities or my involvements. Jesus and my communion with him is the heart of living the Christian life.

 

One of the implications of this is that I am never on my own trying to live a Christian or Christ-like life for Jesus. Instead, I am learning to live my life and do my work in conversation with him, in interactive relationship. Rather than envisioning myself inviting Jesus into my life, it helps me to think instead of Jesus always inviting me into his life.

 

And so, I am never alone in this life of faith. The One I trust is faithfully present to me. The One I seek to follow is actually leading me in my moment-to-moment and day-to-day life.

 

I recognize that there have been seasons when the Christian life has felt burdensome or overwhelming. In the end, that was primarily because my vision of this life consisted mostly of a growing list of tasks and commitments that never seemed to end.

 

It has helped when I think of the various facets of living a life of growing faith as many spokes in a single wheel. The hub of that wheel is the presence of Jesus with me. The Spirit of God enables me to be awake and alive to Christ who brings everything together.

 

So, again, the Christian life has Christ at its center rather than my practices or commitments or involvements. All those are simply responses to Jesus, who is always with me in the power of his Spirit.

 

For Reflection:

Where am I living for Jesus instead of with Jesus today?
What would it look like to center my day around his invitation instead of my obligations?
How might I listen more deeply for the living voice of my Good Shepherd this week?

UL #346: Leadership in a Stressed-Out World w/ Nicole Massie Martin

 

If you’ve been longing for a more humane, hope-filled way to lead—this episode is for you. Dr. Nicole Massie Martin brings years of pastoral and executive wisdom to a deep conversation about what it means to lead from the soul, not the ego.

Alan and Nicole explore why so many leaders today feel spiritually empty, and how rediscovering the cross of Christ as a leadership model can bring healing—not just to individuals, but to teams, organizations, and communities.

🎯 Takeaways from this episode:

The cost of leading without soul—and how to recover it

Why redemptive leadership is possible, even in today’s world

What cruciform leadership looks like in practice

How to embrace stewardship over scale

One practical step you can take today to lead with greater integrity

Whether you're leading in ministry, business, education, or at home, this episode offers hope that leadership can be redemptive, relational, and rooted in Jesus.

 

👤 About Dr. Nicole Massie Martin:
Dr. Nicole Massie Martin is the Chief Operating Officer at Christianity Today, the founder of Soulfire International Ministries, and an executive director at American Bible Society. She is a nationally recognized speaker and the author of Made to Lead and Nailing It: Seven Practices for Surrendered Leadership. Nicole holds degrees from Vanderbilt University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is passionate about equipping leaders to bring both soul and strategy to their influence.

🌐 Connect with Nicole:

Website: https://nicolemassiemartin.com

Instagram: @nicolemassiemartin

Twitter/X: @RevDrNicole

Book: Nailing It available now wherever books are sold.

 

 

 

Feeling Stuck? Ask Yourself These 8 Powerful Questions

Blog by Gem Fadling

In our book What Does Your Soul Love? we ask eight questions that can keep you moving along the path of transformation.

 

Today, I would like to share with you not only a reminder of the eight questions, but instances in which it might be good to ask them.

 

I’ve often said that a good, powerful, open-ended question is the same as praying. That’s because God is present and listening.

 

We can simply become aware that our question can be held in and with God.

 

Holding a question in your heart keeps you wonderfully dependent on God’s power to bring about the change you long for.

 

I know waiting is difficult. I’m a part of the same “give it to me now” culture. But the waiting is when formation occurs.

 

In Romans 8:22-23, Paul writes: 

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

 

Paul acknowledges the pain of waiting for an ultimate good. A woman carrying a child seemingly does nothing but wait—all while an invisible miracle happens inside her.

 

It is the same for us as we hold our truest desires within. God is at work. We may not see or understand all that is occurring, but we can trust that God will bring forth the fruit in time.

 

Our job is to not give up, to keep watching, and to not let go of hope.

 

This week I encourage you to step into at least one of the questions below. May you find yourself in one of these ideas, and may God be with you as you ask, hold, and wait with God in the question. The answers will come over time.

 

Would you like to enjoy God meeting you in the deepest desires of your heart? This is why we might prayerfully ask, “What do i really want?” [DESIRE]

 

Would you like to enjoy increasing integration and wholeness with God? This is why we might prayerfully ask, “What is getting in my way?” [RESISTANCE]

 

Would you like to walk in the light of God’s love, grace, and mercy? This is why we might prayerfully ask, “Where am I hiding?” [VULNERABILITY]

 

Would you like to live in the reality of God and God’s kingdom? This is why we might prayerfully ask, “What is most real to me?” [TRUTH]

 

Would you like to experience the presence of Christ with you whenever and wherever you hurt? This is why we might prayerfully ask, “Where do i hurt?” [PAIN]

 

Would you like to experience God’s love actually displacing your fears? This is why we might prayerfully ask, “What am i afraid of?” [FEAR]

 

Would you like to experience growing freedom and peace in your life? This is why we might prayerfully ask, “What are you clinging to?” [CONTROL]

 

Would you like to be strengthened by the joy of God rising up from within you? This is why we might prayerfully ask, “What does my soul love?” [JOY]

 

For Reflection: 

Notice which “Would you like to…?” stands out to you right now.
Meet God in that desire.
Ask the corresponding question.
Hold it in your heart. Journal. Pray.
Wait and watch for the answers over time.
Don’t give up.

 

P.S. If you want to dig in further to these themes, check out WHAT DOES YOUR SOUL LOVE?

UL #345: Deconstruction vs. Disorientation - What's the Difference?

 

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. The map you were following suddenly doesn’t make sense. What once felt solid begins to crack. But what if this unraveling isn’t a detour... what if it’s part of the sacred path?

In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Gem and Alan Fadling explore a powerful biblical framework for spiritual transformation—orientation, disorientation, and new orientation—a pattern identified by Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann and lived out in the Psalms, in Christian history, and in our lives today.

Whether you're deconstructing your faith, walking through midlife questions, or just feeling lost in a long winter of the soul, this conversation will meet you there—with honesty, hope, and a deeper invitation into God’s presence.

🎧 We talk about:

What the Psalms teach us about disorientation

How deconstruction and spiritual formation overlap (but aren’t the same)

Why lament and complaint are actually forms of faithful prayer

How to move forward when nothing makes sense

No matter where you find yourself—building, unraveling, or starting fresh—this one’s for you.

 

The Peace of Releasing What Was Never Yours

Blog by Alan Fadling

One of the many gifts Dallas Willard gave us is the simple yet transformative insight that we do best when we leave outcomes in God’s hands. In his book Renovation of the Heart, Dallas writes:

 

“What we learn most in his yoke, beyond acting with him, is to abandon outcomes to God, accepting that we do not have in ourselves—in our own ‘heart, soul, mind, and strength’—the wherewithal to make this come out right, whatever ‘this’ is.” (p. 209)

 

We are responsible for our efforts but not for the results. A farmer plants and waters, but the mystery of growth is in God’s hands. Likewise, our role is to be faithful, not to control. This perspective frees us from burnout and allows joy to emerge in the process.

 

The Role of Trust in Relational Depth

Our desire for control often extends beyond circumstances to people. But most of us resist being controlled, and relationships suffer under the weight of manipulation.

 

True relational depth grows in the soil of trust. When we learn to trust others—and God—we create space for authenticity and flourishing. Trust allows us to stop grasping for control and to start truly listening. Vulnerability becomes the birthplace of deeper connection.

 

One of the ways God cultivates trust in us is through waiting. Waiting is rarely easy, but it teaches lessons we could learn no other way. In his book The Jesus Way, Eugene Peterson writes:

 

“We stop, whether by choice or through circumstance, so that we can be alert and attentive and receptive to what God is doing in and for us, in and for others, on the way. We wait for our souls to catch up with our bodies. Waiting for the Lord is a large part of what we do on the way because the largest part of what takes place on the way is what God is doing, what God is saying.” (p. 97)

 

Waiting on God is not inactivity. It is an active stance of trust, acknowledging what God alone can do. It shifts our focus from frustration to faith.

 

Surrender as a Practice of Faith

Surrender is not a single decision but a daily, sometimes hourly, practice. It is the repeated choice to entrust our worries, our plans, and even our dreams to God. This is not passive resignation but active faith in a loving God who works all things for our good in his time.

 

Humility is one expression of surrender. Our culture often equates humility with weakness, but the ancient wisdom of the Desert Fathers tells a different story. Abba Nesteros once said:

 

“Humility, therefore, is the teacher of all the virtues. It is the surest foundation for a heavenly building. It is the personal and splendid gift of the Savior. It achieves all the miracles which Christ worked and does so without risk of vanity. It is a disciple of the gentle Lord by virtue not of astounding miracles but by the power of its patience and lowliness.” (Conference 15, chapter 7)

 

Jesus describes himself as “gentle and humble in heart” (Matt. 11:29). Humility is not self-degradation but being rooted in reality. It is the soil in which a truly good life grows.

 

Surrender may feel counterintuitive in a world that prizes independence, but it is a courageous act of faith. It’s acknowledging that we don’t have all the answers—and we don’t have to. When we release control, we make space for divine strength to work through our limitations. Surrender is not a sign of failure but a step toward freedom.

 

The Invitation to Trust

Letting go of control is not about passivity but about opening up—to God, to others, and to the life we were meant to live. We don’t have to carry the weight of self-sufficiency. Instead, we are invited to walk in step with the God who is able, loving, and faithful.

 

Good news: You’re not in charge.

 

May you feel the lightness of releasing what was never yours to hold and the deep peace of trusting the One who holds all things together.

 

For Reflection:

Where in your life do you find it hardest to release control and trust God with the outcome? How might surrendering in that area bring greater peace?
How has waiting on God shaped your faith? What have you learned in seasons of waiting that you couldn’t have learned otherwise?
Humility, trust, and surrender often feel countercultural. How might embracing these postures change the way you lead, love, and live?