The Psalms with Rich Villodas
In this inspiring episode, Rich Villodas shares his transformative faith journey and how a life immersed in prayer and scripture, particularly the Psalms, has shaped his spiritual path. Starting from his childhood experiences in a Pentecostal church in Brooklyn, Rich recounts a pivotal moment when his entire family embraced faith, leading him into a life deeply connected to God. He reflects on the invaluable time spent with his grandfather, who mentored him in scripture and prayer during his early spiritual development. The conversation emphasizes the power of the Psalms as a tool for spiritual formation. Rich explains that the Psalms capture the full spectrum of human emotions—joy, sorrow, hope, and lament—and serve as a guide for deepening our relationship with God. He shares how memorizing Psalms has anchored him during challenging seasons, including a personal health crisis shortly after becoming a pastor. Throughout the episode, Rich and host, Dr. Richard Kannwischer, discuss the importance of dwelling in God’s presence through unhurried contemplation and prayer. They introduce Peachtree’s year-long focus on the Psalms, inviting listeners to join in a monastic rhythm of daily prayer and scripture meditation. Rich offers practical advice on engaging with the Psalms, emphasizing patience and attentiveness, and encouraging listeners to see the Psalms as a communal practice that connects us to the broader body of Christ. Listeners are invited to explore what it means to dwell with God, recognizing that God is always moving towards us in love. The episode concludes with an encouragement to embrace this spiritual journey and to cultivate a deeper, more attentive life with God. For more resources and to join Peachtree’s ”Dwell” initiative, visit peachtreechurch.com/dwell.