PODCAST · religion
Sanctuary Stirrings
by Lori G Melton
Compelling conversations for passionate followers of Jesus, longing to stay open, unhindered, undistracted, and excited about the adventure of walking with Him. You’ll be inspired by each episode and leave with helpful practices to deepen your intimacy with God and others and take one more step in becoming all you were created to be.
Episodes
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#65 The Stories That Shape Our Souls: The Gift of Fiction in our Spiritual Formation with K.C. Ireton
In this productivity-oriented culture, it’s easy to think reading a story is a waste of time. We have commentaries to read and hundreds of theological classics we haven’t gotten to yet. Before we pick up a story, shouldn’t we read those instead? But consider this: when the crowds surrounded Jesus...
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#64 What Happens When We Get Alone with God? with special guest Stacy Holmes
In the swirling of life, the waters of our soul can get murky. Life in the 21stcentury moves fast, and it’s loud. We live day to day with our to-do lists … getting things done and reasonably happy. But there’s also a longing inside to get off the treadmill, quiet all the other voices, find…
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#63 What If You Took An Anniversary Getaway With God?
We all have a deep need for meaningfulrelationships—first and foremost, with God. What if, just as you intentionally set aside time to bewith your family at Christmas or get away with your spouse on your anniversary, you set aside time each year to get away alone with the Lover of Your Soul? Join...
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#62 Cheers to 40 Years! Two Are Better Than One with special guest Bryan Melton
Welcome back to Episode 4 of our Sanctuary Stirrings Fall Series—and the final part of our Cheers to 40 Years conversation! This week, my husband Bryan Melton is back with me as we celebrate 40 years of marriage and talk about one of thegifts we’ve come to treasure most: “Two are better than one,...
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Cheers to 40 Years Pt 2: In It For the Long Haul with special guest Bryan Melton
Welcome back to Episode 3 of our Sanctuary Stirrings Fall Series! This week, we’re continuing our conversation about thegift of marriage with a man who, by the grace of God, has walked beside me for 40 years—my husband, the one-and-only Bryan Melton. And today, September 19, 2026, we’re...
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#60 Cheers to 40 Years! Celebrating the Gift of Marriage with special guest, Bryan Melton
Welcome to Episode 2 of the Sanctuary Stirrings Fall Series! I’m especially excited about this episode because I’m joined by the MOST IMPORTANT guest I’ve ever had—or ever will have—on the podcast: my husband of 40 years, the one and only Bryan Melton! This is Part One of our “Cheers to 40 Years”...
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#59 Before We Rush Into Fall: A Labor Day Examen
Before we rush into all that fall holds, what if we tooka few moments to look back? Join me for this opening episode of the Fall Series tohear what’s been happening at The Sanctuary at Bear Creek, get a sneak peek at the conversations coming to the podcast this fall, and receive a simple Labor…
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#58 When a Book Becomes a Mentor: Reading as Discipleship with Sue Donaldson
On this final episode of the Spring Series, join host Lori G. Melton to explore reading as a vital piece of our discipleshipthrough a conversation with speaker and author Sue Donaldson about Oswald Chambers’ devotional My Utmost for His Highest and its impact on Sue’s life withGod for over 50...
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#57 Living the Sabbath Way with Travis West
Sabbath … One of the most precious gifts that God gave to all of creation at the beginning of time. Yet, one that is misunderstood or completely missing in our lives today. It’s a gift that our world--with its incessant speed, exhaustion, search for meaning and connection, needs now more than…
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#56 Discovering God's Will Through Others
Faith is not always expressed in the ways we might expect--like kneeling in the Church sanctuary, reciting holy prayers, or putting money in the offering plate. Often, it’s more evident through painful acts of obedience. Tune in to this week’s episode for a story you’ll likely resonate with—one...
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#55 The Gift of the Body of Christ Throughout the Centuries with Ben Lansing
On this episode, Lori G. Melton welcomes artist, Anglican deacon, and author Ben Lansing to discuss his book, Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era and Place, and how the lives of the saints point us to Jesus and strengthen us in the “messy” times we live. Burdened...
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#54 Holy Leisure: Transform Your Quiet Time from Duty to Delight with Cara Ray
In this episode, Lori G. Melton welcomes writer and Bibleteacher, Cara Ray, to discuss moving from a checklist “quiet time” to an unhurried, Spirit-directed, joyful way of knowing God she calls “holy leisure,” drawn from a phrase Cara discovered in Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. Cara...
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#53 How is Your Soul? One of the Most Important Questions to God
Welcome to Episode Three of the Sanctuary Stirrings Spring series, where we continue the conversation about the often-overlooked soul. Prompted by Jesus’ command in Matthew 22 to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, we'll unpack the surprising realization that most of us can't clearly...
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#52 Nurturing the Soul: Celtic Christianity & Life with God with Robin T. Jennings
Join me today as we welcome retired Episcopal rectorand pilgrimage leader Robin T. Jennings for part one of our discussion about the soul, to talk about his book, Expressions of the Soul: Celtic Christianity and Life with God. Robin shares how a chaplain’s question led him fromwork at a Chicago...
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#51 Making Space for God: Monthly 24-Hour Retreats with Joel Hogan
Welcome to the Sanctuary Stirrings Spring Series! 8 episodes are headed your way, featuring a great lineup of topics and guests to grow in your intimacy with God and others! I can’t think of a better one to start with. My guest is Joel Hogan, a former Christian Reformed World Missions leaderand a...
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#50 From Calling to Celebration — The Story God Wrote on Launch Night
In this special post-launch episode of The Journey with a Giant, Robert Prince and Lori G. Melton look back on the unforgettable night when Journey with a Giant officially released. Lori shares the emotional and spiritual journey leading up to the event—the battles she faced, the peace that met…
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Calling, Cost, & Joy–What Lori’s Story Can Teach Us About Our Own
In this episode of The Journey with a Giant podcast, Robert Prince interviews Lori G. Melton about her decade-long journey behind her book, Journey with a Giant. Lori shares how God rekindled her passion for writing during the COVID-19 lockdown and the pivotal moments and people who shaped her...
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#48 Shaping the Story--Behind the Scenes of Journey with a Giant with Editor Leslie Calhoun
In this special episode, co-host Robert Prince introduces a heartfelt conversation between Lori G. Melton and her editor, Leslie Calhoun of Waterbrook Books / Penguin Random House. Together, Lori and Leslie pull back the curtain on the creative process behind Journey with a Giant—from the first...
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Your JWAG Questions, Answered!
In this special episode of The Journey with a Giant podcast, Lori G. Melton explores the most frequently asked questions from readers and those just discovering Journey with a Giant. Before diving into the questions, Lori shares a moving story from her week that illustrates the reach and healing...
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When Justice Becomes Worship: Kirstin Olson’s Journey with Fannie Lou Hamer
Through the courage and faithfulness of those who have gone before us, God calls us forward—to the steps of courage He is asking of us today. In this episode of 'The Journey with the Giant' podcast, Lori G. Melton and Robert Prince introduce fellow writer Kirstin Olson as she shares her...
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#45 Walking With Friends: Why Community Transforms the Journey
There is a beautiful grace when we include others on our spiritual journey. In this episode of Journey with a Giant, Lori G. Melton and co-host Robert Prince explore the transformative power of walking with a giant of the faith alongside friends. They reflect on the spiritual growth,...
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#44 Friendship, Formation, and the Giants Who Guide Us with Julie Blakely & Sherri Willett
Some relationships don’t just enrich our lives—they shape our souls. In this episode of Journey with a Giant, Lori G. Melton sits down with longtime friends Julie Blakely and Sherri Willett to explore the gift of spiritual friendship and the transformative practice of walking with giants. They...
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#43 Passing on the Practice: Sister Diane Zerfas & Two Decades of Walking with Giants (Part 2!)
Some stories just don’t inform us; they shape us. In this episode of Journey with a Giant, gifted storyteller Sister Diane Zerfas, the Spiritual Formations Director at the Dominican Center in Grand Rapids, shares the remarkable transformations she has witnessed in her students over more than two...
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#42 Passing on the Practice: Sr Diane Zerfas and Two Decades of Walking with Giants! (Part I)
Some conversations feel like opening a treasure chest and this week’s episode is one of them! This week on Journey with a Giant, hosts Lori G. Melton and Robert Prince welcome Sister Diane Zerfas, the Spiritual Formations Director at the Dominican Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan— the one who…
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#41 Trusting the Spirit’s Call: Andy Rebollar’s Journey with Thomas Merton & Henri Nouwen
This week on Journey with a Giant, host Lori G. Melton and co-host Robert Prince welcome Andy Rebollar—a spiritual director, at-home dad, and facilitator at the Dominican Center in Grand Rapids—for a deeply thoughtful conversation about his transformative experiences walking with Henri Nouwen and...
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#40 A Pastor Pastored: Colin Tuggle's Journey with Eugene Peterson
This week on Journey with a Giant, host Lori G. Melton and co-host Robert Prince welcome pastor and nonprofit leader Colin Tuggle for a heartfelt conversation about his transformative experience walking with spiritual giant Eugene Peterson. Through Peterson’s example, Colin found permission to…
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#39 When Doctrine Meets Devotion: Stacy Holmes’ Journey with John Calvin
This week on Journey with a Giant, host Lori G. Melton and co-host Robert Prince sit down with guest Stacy Holmes—a wife, mom, homeschooler, podcaster, pastor, and spiritual director—for a thought-provoking conversation about her journey with the spiritual giant John Calvin. Stacy shares about…
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#38 From Curiosity to Communion—Robert Prince’s Journey with John O’Donohue & Thomas Merton
This week on Journey with a Giant, Lori turns the microphone towards her co-host, Pastor Robert Prince—and what a conversation it is! Robert opens up about his own season of spiritual apathy and the surprising ways God reawakened his heart through journeying with two remarkable spiritual giants....
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#37 A Great Cloud of Witnesses--The Heart Behind Journey with a Giant
In the very first interview of the Journey with a Giant series, co-host Robert Prince turns the microphone toward author, retreat leader, and spiritual director Lori G. Melton to uncover the story and inspiration behind her upcoming book, Journey with a Giant: Choose Your Guide, Pursue Your...
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#36 A New Invitation for Your Spirit—The Journey Begins
Are you ready for an adventure of faith? Reach out for the Savior’s hand. Today it begins! You’ve been hearing about walking with spiritual Giants for years, a mysterious practice somewhere out in the distance. Today, we finally get to bring it to you. Welcome to the Journey with a Giant series!…
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Ep #35 7 Simple Steps for Retreating with a Friend
As fall draws near, you may find yourself longing for time on retreat. For many of you who have reached out asking when our next Sanctuary group retreat will be, you don’t have to wait any longer! In today’s episode, we explore how you can create your own retreat experience in a simple and...
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#34 Take a Pilgrimage this Summer—Without Leaving Home!
After a month away walking the Camino de Santiago, we’re back! Listen to this episode, for some of the most powerful moments of that sacred journey—and how you can enter into a spiritual pilgrimage of your own, even if you never leave your neighborhood. Walking a pilgrimage stretches your faith,...
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#33 Finding Your Sacred Space--Where is Your NEST? A Conversation with Special Guest Linda Andersen
Do you long for a place to meet with God? A sacred space that feels like home to your soul? In this episode, we explore the significance of these personal havens with mentor and spiritual formation expert Linda Andersen. Linda shares her story of how God has led herto sacred spaces through the...
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#32 Children of God or Slaves? Receive the Gift of the Sabbath
God is a firm believer in freedom of choice. As much as he wants us to receive all the gifts that he has for us, he leaves it up to us which ones we will receive and which ones, to our detriment, we leave in his outstretched hand. The same heavenly Father who created Adam and Eve on the sixth day...
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#31 Feeling a Little Distant from God? Stop Thinking. Start Singing!
Have you ever felt weighed down, heavy-hearted, and a little distant from God even though, it seems, you have all your faith boxes checked? You’ve been attending church, having your daily time with Jesus and the Bible, and attending Bible study. Yet, somehow, you don’t feel as close to God as you...
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#30 New Year's Resolution or Sacred Stewardship? A Fresh Perspective on 2025
What are Christians supposed to do with New Year’s? Is it just another Hallmark holiday or an invitation from God? Join today’s conversation to flesh out this significant day on the calendar and receive the gifts God has waiting for you! The New Year Examen Worksheet The New Year Examen and Your...
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#29 Including the Name of Jesus in Holiday Conversations
Here amid the Holiday season, with parties and events filling your days and New Year’s get-togethers just around the corner, do you ever find yourself hesitant to include the name of Jesus in conversation? Me too. If you have a passionate love for Jesus and a desire to share what he means to you…
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#28 Have You Put the Holy Spirit on the Shelf?
Children keep us humble, and a few years ago, my husband and I thought we had completely failed as parents when our daughter brought us an eye-opening question. But the pain was quickly replaced with joy as the Lord brought us back again to His wonderful gift. If you haven’t been taught about the...
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#27 Pilgrimages Rarely Go As Planned
“Pilgrimages rarely go as planned. They’re evolving journeys, not packaged holidays.” Ted Harro, Camino Pilgrim, Renovare As it is in pilgrimage, so it is in life. Just when you think you have everything planned to a “T,” a detour or a roadblock changes everything! What do you do now?…
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#26: Soaking in the Psalms Prayer Practice with Linda Andersen
Take this episode along as you sit at the beach or in a quiet spot with your early morning coffee. Drink of the Living Water as First Love Founder and author Linda Andersen leads us through this powerful practice of Soaking in the Psalms. Day 1 Pilgrimage Takes Patience Transcript Spiritual…
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25: 2024 Summer Series, Pilgrimage Takes Patience!
Hearing from many of you, there’s been an interest in the topic of pilgrimage, and my recent trip to Italy on The Saint Francis Way. I hope you enjoy this series of short vignettes about pilgrimage and monthly soaking in Jesus’ prayer practices by First Love Founder, Linda Andersen. May these...
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#24: To Italy and Back Again—Pilgrimage 101
“Pilgrimage,” not a word that comes into our 21st Century Christian vocabulary very often. Come along as I lead you through my recent experience traveling The Francis Way in Italy, An ancient spiritual practice that the Lord opened my eyes to nearly 10 years ago, and I have been fascinated with...
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23: Dying to Live … Conversation with Circuit Rider, Autumn Christina
Whatever the Lord is asking of you today, I hope you enjoy this story of surrender and that it gives you the strength to say, “Yes!” And in that “Yes!” you find the joy and satisfaction you were created for because it’s in dying that we truly live! Click on the link below to learn more about…
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22: 5 Easy Ways to Worship Jesus This Easter Weekend
With Easter being the most important day of the whole year for us as Christians, why does it so often catch us by surprise? If you’re like me and want to fully savor this opportunity with the Savior instead of screeching into the Church parking lot on Easter morning, you’ll love this episode!...
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21: Becoming One: Do We Really Have to Pray Together?
Just as no two marriages are alike, no two couples’ spiritual relationship will be the same either. In celebration of Valentine’s month and the unique relationship we share with our spouse, get ready to free yourself from all the “should’s”, “ought to’s” and “gotta’s” and notice and celebrate…
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20: Living Psalm 23
So excited to share about our Good Shepherd’s faithfulness along my publishing path. Was it just a year ago I heard those dreaded words no author wants to hear, “I’m so sorry to say that your book project was not approved by our publishing committee.”? When we go through our big and small valleys...
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#19: The New Year Examen and Your Life’s Golden Thread with Spiritual Director, Chris Slabbekoorn
I’ve got a special episode for you today! An interview with a dear friend and my spiritual director, Chris Slabbekoorn. I can’t wait for you to hear about Chris’ unique perspective on the Lord’s work in our lives through what she calls, The Golden Thread, and our conversation about setting apart…
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#18: The Joy of the Season: What Carol Will Your Life Sing?
“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O Night when Christ was born.” Reading those words, just makes you happy, doesn’t it?? Are you humming along? Is there music playing in your head?…
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#17: Sacred Saturday - What's That?
It’s here, the most delightful Church season of the year! A time to focus on all the glorious things God is ... Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace! Four weeks on the calendar when we schedule time to stop and think about, I mean REALLY think about, a love…
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16: Welcoming the Stranger … and who could be “Strange-er” than your Relatives?
Woo-hoo! Thanksgiving is here! It’s so exciting to think about all the friends and family gathering together and also terrifying. What does the Lord have for us in these life-long relationships that can be so messy at times? Are our Norman Rockwell visions of the family sitting around the table...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Compelling conversations for passionate followers of Jesus, longing to stay open, unhindered, undistracted, and excited about the adventure of walking with Him. You’ll be inspired by each episode and leave with helpful practices to deepen your intimacy with God and others and take one more step in becoming all you were created to be.
HOSTED BY
Lori G Melton
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Sanctuary Stirrings have?
Sanctuary Stirrings currently has 66 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Sanctuary Stirrings about?
Compelling conversations for passionate followers of Jesus, longing to stay open, unhindered, undistracted, and excited about the adventure of walking with Him. You’ll be inspired by each episode and leave with helpful practices to deepen your intimacy with God and others and take one more step in...
How often does Sanctuary Stirrings release new episodes?
Sanctuary Stirrings has 66 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Sanctuary Stirrings?
You can listen to Sanctuary Stirrings on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Sanctuary Stirrings?
Sanctuary Stirrings is created and hosted by Lori G Melton.
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