Category Archives: Sacred Mundane

{Remembering this fun trip from last year and re-reminding myself again. I always need to remember this, especially in the areas of our lives where we’re called to obey God and persevere, but we just don’t see any change, any results, any movement. Or perhaps you’re praying for someone else and don’t see anything happening. I pray this story encourages you on the journey…}

~

I hadn’t been on a Ferry since I was a kid. I had memories of standing on an open-deck, leaning over a rail, sea-breeze blowing my hair, looking out at some beautiful Canadian vista. So I was excited for the Ferry over to Whidbey Island.

We thought we’d catch the 4:30pm Ferry, just in time to catch the sunset as we crossed over.

We caught the 6pm Ferry just in time to see nothing. It was pitch dark.

We walked up to the upper-deck, which was all enclosed and resembled the DMV–people looking depressed, sitting around waiting. I sat down and opened my book and waited for the Ferry to move.

But we just sat there. And sat there. When will we take off from shore? I wondered. I could hear the motor whirring, but we never moved. I squinted my eyes to look out the window, but everything was pitch black. We just sat there, never moved.

Then, just when I thought I’d go crazy sitting there, not moving, a voice came over the intercom: “We have arrived at Whidbey Island. Please return to your cars and disembark.”

Huh? We were moving that whole time and I didn’t even know it? How could I not feel it? 

Apparently, the Ferry is so big that you can’t even feel it move. Unless you can see out the window, it’s impossible to tell whether or not it’s moving. And since it was dark, I just couldn’t tell.

I thought we were just sitting still, but next thing I knew we were there.

It’s sounds cheesy, but isn’t that true with God too? Lately everywhere I turn I hear stories of how God does more than we can ever imagine, but it takes longer than we expect. As I read The Circle Maker and Rees Howells, Intercessor and watch men like Richard Stearns (who didn’t step into his “calling” until age 47) and realize that so often we feel like nothing is happening. Years go by and we wait and pray and wonder where on earth God is. We pray and wait and look around and wonder, Why aren’t we moving?? 

But then, just when you lease expect it, a voice alerts you:

You’re there.

It’s done. 

All the time we thought we were standing still, God was really moving us right along, without us even knowing it. And if a Ferry is so big that we can’t feel the movement, imagine what it’s like to be traveling “on” God!

He’s so big we sometimes can’t even feel His movement until the whole journey is over. 

For me, this just speaks encouragement. When we feel like nothing’s happening, keep trusting, praying, and relying on the God of the unseen.

It might be dark outside, but God is big, and He’s faithfully moving us along. 

Trusting Him, with you. Thanks for reading.

I’m completely overwhelmed.

Cough, sniff, sneeze. Cough, Sniff, sneeze.

I could easily sleep for a week straight.

They never stop needing.

Mommy, where are you? Mommy, I need you! Mommy, my nose is stuffy. Mommy, can I have a snack?

I see the people around me needing. Needing love. Needing attention. Needing affection.

Not now.

I can’t. I’m utterly depleted, exhausted.

Empty.

And when I look to the things on my plate, Lord, they all seem from You.

I pray, You lead, we do this Life Thing. It’s awesome, most of the time.

But I’m just done.

I’m waving the white flag.

I don’t care if that means admitting defeat, as long as it means I can sleep.

But then, after my spew of frustration, after my hands are thrown in the air, I look up …

And You are there.

Unchanging, never ending, ever-steady, always there.

Your love never fails.

And even this morning, Lord, in the darkness of my room, the day ahead threatens to overtake me.

My failures, weaknesses, shortcomings are ever before me.

Little one is by my side. She needs stuff. My man is gone. My boy is sick, will soon be awake. Today includes many, many, many things.

But You are with me.

Your love never fails.

And I will hope in your unfailing love. 

You are gracious. Gentle. Wise. Kind. You slip your hand down in mine and lead me…

One step at a time.

And so You fill my cup. And I sit here, in the darkness …

Smiling. 

Actually smiling! Smiling like a goon! Smiling at the future, the day, with tears brim full in my eyes and a song in my heart and hope in my spirit and How do You do that?

You are amazing.

I love You, but that’s not what’s amazing.

It’s amazing that You love me.

Thank you. 

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. (Psalm 13:5)

(In case you feel a little Psalm-13ish today. 😉 Thanks for reading.)

Psalm 13

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
² How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

I pushed open the door and looked inside. A loooong line. My heart sank just a bit. I was at the Cricket cell phone store with Julie, as her phone had been lost or stolen or otherwise no longer with us.

The lobby was full of people, all of whom looked homeless. We were in a rough part of town. I clutched my purse a little tighter and held the door for Julie. Her face lit up when she walked in the door, “Oh good! MacKenzie’s here.”

Julie called out, across all the people, “Hey MacKenzie! I lost my phone again!”  

The girl behind the counter smiled. She was young, tattooed on both arms, and stood with arms folded as a toothless, elderly man at the front of the line waved his arms around. “You’re taking all my money! Just like women!”  He hollered, laughing at himself for his cleverness.  Julie and I took our place in line and waited. For 15 minutes the man messed with her, asking questions and getting confused and pretending he wasn’t going to pay her. Then came the next customer–an angry young girl. Then the next. One older man in line, with a little red-haired girl no older than Heidi, tired of waiting, turned, storming out the store. “I’m outta here! I’m OUTTA here!” He shouted twice, dragging the little girl away as he went. MacKenzie’s face darkened slightly, then she turned back to the next customer.

Nearly an hour went by.  She juggled customers, often helping two at once, processing bills while people tested phones, programming and talking and answering phones all at once. She bantered, smiled, and stood her ground, as hard as nails, when needed.

Someone commented on her tattoos. One was an elaborate drawing, and another a long sentence in scripted font. I couldn’t make out what it was.

“What’s your tattoo say?” A woman asked.

She said it quietly, but clearly, looking straight in the eyes of the woman who asked.

“Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future.”  Then she turned to get the woman’s new phone.

Our turn was next. Julie relayed her story about the phone.  MacKenzie smiled and listened while simultaneously, with quick hands, pulling out the least expensive phone and programming it for Julie as she listened. Julie told her about her new home, “I’m 125 days clean and sober!”

MacKenzie stopped her hands. She looked up, into Julie’s eyes, and leaned into close.

“I’m so proud of you, Julie.”  Julie smiled, eyes full.

When it was time to pay, I had to use a large bill, and felt a little bit uncomfortable. I slid it out and held it low. MacKenzie instinctively reached around and slid it from my hand, behind the paper bag on the counter. She slid my change back into my hand without counting it out loud. She smiled into my eyes.

“It was great to see you, Julie. Take care.”

We left the store. Julie went to catch the bus, and I went home. But MacKenzie haunted me. I don’t know her story, her past, but I do know that this young tattooed girl, working long hours at the dingiest cell phone store in a rough part of town, understood the grace of God because it flowed through her to every person in that store. She stood behind that counter, embodying Jesus to every person she met. The toothless ones, the rude ones, the obnoxious, impatient ones. I watched her doing her job, juggling things joyfully, looking people in the eye. Listening. Not taking flack but bantering when possible. Giving people dignity.

Later that day, I got another call. We needed to go back to the store and pay Julie’s bill. Inwardly, my heart leapt, excited. I wanted to see MacKenzie again. Heidi hopped in the car with me, and I prayed she would still be there. Sure enough, when I pulled up, she was there. And no one else was in the store.

As soon as I opened the door, she beamed. “Hey, I wanted to tell you, it’s really nice of you to help Julie like this.”  I smiled.

And then I told her. I told her I followed Jesus too, and that I saw Him in her, as she interacted with all those impossibly irritating people, how her beautiful tattoo was such truth–all saints do have a past and all sinners do have a future. I told her she fulfilled her job with such excellence, even though she was the only one there. I could tell she worked for an audience of One.

She nodded and smiled. “Yes, I am a Christian. Thank you.”

Then I awkwardly asked if I could take her picture and write about her. She laughed and agreed.

And I clicked a picture of her, Cricket worker for the glory of God, shining the light of His love in the midst of the darkness there. 

And I prayed the whole way home that God would let me be a little more like MacKenzie.

Thanks for reading.

On the eve of our nation’s favorite food holiday, we’re going to talk for a moment about just that–food.  As much as we want the focus to be on giving thanks, we inevitably spend a great deal focusing on food as well. Nothing wrong with that.  I shared way back here about not wanting to walk in circles in the area of food and diet and received quite a load of varied responses.  I mentioned briefly a book called The Plan, and since then the most frequent question I am asked seems to be: “So, what’s The Plan?” It’s been a fun journey these last three months and I am happy to report: I’m no longer walking in circles!  More than a couple pounds shed though, my mindset has changed. I so enjoyed the book I’d like to share a bit of it with you. So let’s just do a quick dive into 1) What is The Plan? 2) Why does it matter?

What is The Plan?

The Plan was recommended to my mom, to help in her fight against Parkinson’s.  I ordered it for her, and was so intrigued by the beginning that I told her I’d do the 20-day plan with her. Jeff caught my enthusiasm and said he was in, and our housemate, Debra, jumped on board a few days later. The gist of The Plan is identifying which foods trigger an inflammatory response in your body, and are therefore detrimental to your health in a variety of ways. Negative responses can range from headaches, weight gain, bloating, puffiness, foggy thinking, stomach-ache, irritability, etc.

The first few days are rough, as you detox and begin to learn how to listen to your body, but after day 3 we were all quickly hooked by just how good we felt! My mom lost a lot of weight, getting to her lowest since before having babies (almost 40 years). Jeff’s cholesterol dropped one hundred points in just a few weeks. I found myself with way more energy throughout the day, and easily shedding the few pounds I wanted to drop. My aunt reached her lowest weight since high school. Our housemate noticed much more metal clarity and more energy as well. It’s been 3 months now and I would say it has been the single best book for educating and inspiring wise, informed choices for our family’s eating.

Why does it matter? 

So, while I cringe at the word “diet,” how we steward our physical bodies does impact how we flourish spiritually. At least for me it does. I have never found a more freeing approach to health, diet, weight, and nutrition as by following the simple steps of The Plan. What I love is that she leads readers on a journey toward a new perspective of health and food. Instead of striving toward some dream image or goal weight or following what “they say” are healthy foods, you simply learn to listen to your body (the one God gave you!) and find your set point, the natural place where your body thrives best. Instead of following some new fad diet, or trying to fit insane workouts into your schedule, you just rest in how your body best functions. Although it’s not a Christian book, I find the truths in it are so in line with the idea of stewardship—learning to adopt a healthy, restful, no-stress approach to good health through nutrition.

So, all that to say that as we enter into a season notorious for its food, I enthusiastically recommend The Plan to anyone looking for a healthy, whole, balanced, stress-free approach to nutrition. I feel like I finally know how best to take care of the body God has graciously given me. So, if your interest is at all piqued, check it out. I think you’ll be blessed.

It’s definitely on the list of things I’m oh-so grateful for this Thanksgiving. 

{Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for reading…}

I’m thankful. 

Because I have parents. They are alive. And as I click out these words they are snuggled up on the couch with my children.

I’m thankful.

Because I have water to drink. It’s clear. It’s safe. It perfectly satisfies my thirst and every morning I gulp it down and thank God for another day of life.

I’m thankful.

Because I have a bed. I find rest there. I am safe. I sleep without fear.

I’m thankful.

Because in the midst of life’s chaos there is peace. Unshakable, unchanging peace. There is an anchor for my soul.

I’m thankful.

Because my value, worth, and identity is not based on my performance, track record, or week’s resume. However I have triumphed or failed this week, how much I am loved remains the same.

I’m thankful.

Because His living Word is truly alive. And I can crawl inside its pages each morning and find truth, hope, peace, joy. I can go there to recalibrate. To find True North.

I’m thankful.

Because I belong to a body of Christ followers. A little ragtag bunch of believers who love each other fiercely and who remind me of grace and the gospel whenever I forget. Who serve selflessly and give endlessly and although we are all terribly defective, we belong to each other and shine lights on the beauty of Christ in each one.

I’m thankful.

Because I am free, in this country, to write, speak, and proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ.

I’m thankful.

Because there are people around me who are so very different from me. Who inspire me, challenge me, question me, and encourage me. People who believe differently who are willing to love me anyway and willing to let me love them. There is infinite value in every single soul we meet. I’m thankful for them.

I’m thankful.

Because when I feel we are empty, lost, ruined, the Living God swoops in with His provision, protection, power. He does exceedingly abundantly more than we could imagine.

I’m thankful.

Because this fragile wisp of life is fleeting and yet forever. Life here so soon gone, life there eternal.

I’m thankful.

Because most of the things I get so wound up about don’t really matter. The slights, the inconveniences, the discomforts and irritations. A blink and they will be gone. People last forever. I’m thankful for a fresh reminder of this.

I’m thankful.

Because love changes everything. And every exhortation can be boiled down to this: Love one another.

I’m thankful.

Because the truth is, I am overwhelmed. I am buried alive under the huge mass of God’s amazing grace, the glorious gospel, that Jesus Christ conquered sin, death, and the grave, and sets us free to live for Him, in His love, by His power, receiving His provision, experiencing His love. Everything is grace. Everything is blessing. He is so good. And how often do I forget? How often do I complain? How often do I doubt?

OFTEN. Daily?

But there continues to be grace, and returning, and forgiving. And when I wander He draws me back. And when I stray He calls me home. And when I am bound by fear or hate or greed, He lures me back by His love.

This week, forget not all His benefits.  When we ever-remember them … we live overwhelmed. 

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all His benefits.

Psalm 103:2

{Wanting to live overwhelmed, continually reminded of His glorious grace displayed in the gospel. Count, recount, remember, rejoice. This week, give thanks. Thanks for reading.}

It’s asinine. Why on earth does it matter what I wear today? But for some reason, even though every single day, carefree, I  pull on my favorite jeans and the next fitted tee from the stack, this day I stared at my closet looking for something cute.

I even told Heidi to please match.

Why? Why this day? 

It’s not that something cute is bad. It’s that I’m not really into clothes, and could happily do the Jen Hatmaker deal and wear the save seven items for a month. What has me puzzled is, Why today does it matter? See, I don’t even sweat what to wear to speaking events. I ask God, something pops in my mind, and I put it on. It’s not a time-consuming endeavor.

So, I ask again, Why today? 

There are plenty of innocuous reasons. To be appropriate. To fit in. Because it’s fun to doll up a little bit every once in a while.

But that slightly weird feeling in my stomach tipped the hand of my heart, revealing more of the root.

That day I was going to a place I hadn’t for a while. A place I had mixed feelings for. A place I’d experienced hurt. A place that, no matter how much I tried to muster up neutrality, I always wound up coming home heavy.

So if I was headed to this place, I had better at least be armed with a good outfit, right?

And one more time I’ll say it: There’s nothing wrong with that.

We all want something to wear that looks and feels good.

But it served as such a picture for me. Because as I knelt in prayer and echoed David’s plea:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my anxious thoughts! See if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24)

This came to mind: You’re wearing the wrong thing.

Not physically. The wool cardigan wasn’t the problem. Spiritually:

I was wearing my own works.

When faced with resurfaced insecurity, I had spiritually reached to the back of the closet and pulled out an old filthy garment I hadn’t worn in a while:

My own righteousness.

Spiritually speaking I had tucked my trophies under my arm, slipped my spiritual resume into my purse, wrapped myself in a robe of my own successes, and headed out into the painful place armed only with … self.

No wonder I came home so bummed.

See, it’s so subtle, and it’s all a matter of the heart. The truth is that any time (no matter what clothes we have on) we base our confidence on our own successes or our own abilities, we’re wrapping ourselves in filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

But when, instead, we abandon self, freely confess our own inabilities, weaknesses, and insecurities, and allow God to clothe us, then do you know what we get to wear?

The garments of salvation. The robe of righteousness.

And these are no rags:

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)

I read it that very morning. Coincidence?

Never.

So how do we put on His clothes?

By faith. With our face to the floor. Casting all our crutches at the cross and leaning on Him alone for our salvation, joy, worth, confidence, peace.

Nothing looks or feels better than that. 

{May you rest and revel in His garments of salvation this week. You’re beautiful in them, sister! Thanks for reading.}

School has started, fall sports schedules are posted and calendars are quickly filling.

Does your weekly schedule include: Discipling my children to know and love God?

Although Christian private school, Sunday school, kid’s programs, vacation Bible school, and AWANAs are all awesome, no one has more power to influence your child for Jesus than YOU.

You are the most important person, your home is the most important place, and your daily life is the most important program.

We’re certainly not experts, but here are some simple ideas for small starts:

:: A little something done consistently is better than a big bang that fizzles out. Teaching your child just one short verse each week (such as Letter Lessons) is better than attempting an elaborate program only to quit after 5 days and do nothing at all. Our pride and egos tend to push us toward bigger and better and flashier programs and curricula, but small simple steps of meditating on God’s Word, praying, and practicing real everyday faith are more effective long-term. Start small and go the distance.

:: Do something within your gifting. If you love to read, read. If you love to act and play more active games, act our Bible stories with your kids. If you love to play instruments, sing! If your heart is for prayer, pray! Don’t stress too much about having the perfect devotional program, just do what you enjoy and let your joy and passion inspire your children. If you actually enjoy what you’re doing, chances are they will too.

:: Schedule it in. We only actually do what we make a priority. If we think family devotional time will just naturally wiggle its way into our day, we’re dreaming. Again, it doesn’t have to be every single night (although that’s awesome if it is!) but plan 2-3 times a week of intentional family time seeking God. Plan it the way you would a sports practice or swim lessons. Decide what you want to do and schedule it in. Right now is the perfect time, as school starts and schedules are set, to put family devotional time as a priority on the calendar. Make it a priority this year.

:: Find a great resource. My man has compiled a great list of family devotional resources. Browse and perhaps buy or download one that works for you.

Get a good family Bible. Since most kids are visual learners, and since knowing the Big Story is more helpful than getting bits and pieces of bite-sized morals, let us recommend a few possibilities for a parent-kid-family Bible:

• The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name, by Sally Lloyd-Jones (also a read-aloud edition, and deluxe edition with audio CD). This one has become our favorite, even though it’s probably aimed for reading to younger kids. I’ve recommended it to many new Christians (even those without kids) simply for getting a grasp of the Story of God, and the Hero — Jesus. The words flow with a poetic cadence, making them memorable, and each story points to who Jesus is, why He came, and what it means to follow Him.
• The Gospel Story Bible: Discovering Jesus in the Old and New Testaments, by Marty Machowski and A. E. Macha. Each story covers two pages (less pictures and more words), yet told in an engaging style. Each lesson has questions aimed to help kids notice the people and features of each biblical story, and it’s connection to God’s character, His Son, and the Gospel.
• The Big Picture Story Bible, by David R. Helm and Gail Schoomaker. Another good picture Bible giving the over-arching narrative of God’s story. Stellar illustrations, though you’ll need to come up with your own questions for interaction and inciting wonder.
• Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God, by Marty Machowski. This one is more of a plan for daily discussions and lessons, for preschool-to-elementary-aged kids.

We have each of those, having added one a year to give new perspectives. As our kids have become familiar with the biblical narrative and story of Jesus we let them choose a story from two Bibles, and then read them together. It doesn’t take long, and each conversation has the opportunity to take a thousand twists and turns (in the form of questions). We see this as “quantity time becoming quality time.”

One last resource to mention:
A Beginners Guide to Family Worship by Winfield Bevins ($2.99 ebook published by Gospel-Centered Discipleship)

Summary: Every Christian parent can lead their home in family worship — simply coming together as a family and worshipping God in the home. This little book has been prepared as an introduction to family worship and to help you teach your children basic Christian beliefs and to memorize Scripture.

(This ebook is 24 pages, and available in your choice of ePub, mobi, or PDF format.)

GospelCenteredDiscipleship.com also has numerous articles on making disciples in our families.

{It’s the perfect time to establish godly habits to lead our families to Jesus. I’d love to hear your thoughts, ideas, and resources suggestions for your own family worship times. Thanks so much for reading, and sharing!}

*Warning: Personal post! I promised to be vulnerable in this space, well … here you go! 😉

~

I looked down at the scale … up another pound. That made eight. *sigh* My thoughts did the same little circle they did the week before: It doesn’t matter. You’re thin. Eight pounds is not a big deal. You shouldn’t be worried about shallow stuff like your body, isn’t that what Jesus said??  But then I circled the other direction: But it does matter because I don’t feel good. And it does affect me because it’s little daily choices that I know are not the best. And it does make me more inhibited with my husband and more moody with my kids and when my body’s not thriving it has everything to do with my spirit not thriving. Everything matters, remember?

So I made another vague resolution to do better. (Whatever that means.)

But then we had company over every night that week. (It’s rude if I don’t eat dessert with them, right?). And then we had a massive ice cream cake at church. (It’s a celebration! Two slices are certainly justified.) And then it was family night and of course I needed to make treats. (For the kids, of course.) And next thing I knew it was the next Monday morning and I stepped back on that scale and there I was again. Defeated.

Circling again.

The day brought more self-talk. It’s not a big deal. Forget it. You’re thin. A lot of people would love to have your body. You’re healthy. You’re ALIVE for crying out loud. Be happy you ungrateful louse!  (I wouldn’t recommend name-calling in your self-talk.)

Now, a lot of that is true, and I wholeheartedly believe we should we grateful for whatever bodies God has given us, however they look or feel. We praise Him for our bodies because they are fearfully and wonderfully made!  But the truth is also this: When I’m not making good choices for my body it affects every area of my life. That is just reality. And because God created us as whole people, every dimension of our lives (body, soul, spirit) affects the other.

So, as I was updating the blog, I glanced over at the “This week last year” feature on the sidebar. I re-read through a post and remembered what I’d been going through at that time last summer. Guess what it was? Struggling with healthy choices and gaining weight.

A tiny alarm went off inside: Kari, you’re doing the same thing this year that you were last year.

That’s what we call walking in circles. 

So I clicked on Lysa Terkeurst’s Made to Crave website and started reading her online devotionals. All great stuff. But what struck me most was this:

The comments.

Over and over and over–hundreds of comments, saying something like this:

“I’ve been struggling with my weight for forty years … “

My eyes widened.

Forty years.

All I could think was this: I don’t want to do this for forty years.

Forty years is life.

Forty years is everything in between college graduation and the senior discount at Shari’s.

Forty years.

But this isn’t just about weight. Or food. Do you remember some other people who walked circles for forty years?

The Israelites. God’s people.

Their grumbling and complaining–their small choices in daily life–kept them from entering the promised land, so they had to spend  their entire lives walking circles in the desert. Forty years. Forty years of complaining.  Forty years of discontentment. Forty years of criticizing our husbands. Forty years of _______ (fill in the blank!).

I don’t want to walk circles for forty years. 

Gripped, I prayed: Show me, God. Show me a plan. Show me what to do so that this little thing doesn’t become a big thing. So that my little daily choices don’t keep me from entering the promised land, all the good and glorious things you have for me in this life and the next. Show me what to do.

The question came to mind:  What REAL changes are you really willing to make?

I didn’t answer this for a few days. I didn’t want to lie to God, so I had to really consider. I could think of plenty of things I couldn’t live without. Coffee and sugar topped the list. Hmm. I thought of all the times I’d taught this truth: “Anything you think you can’t live without is an idol.” 

I hate it when my own teaching comes back to haunt me. (smile)

So in a completely uneventful moment, I gave everything to God. Everything. I told him he could have every grain of sugar for the rest of my life, if that’s what it meant to not walk in the wilderness for forty years. If it meant never tasting my children’s birthday cake or never sipping coffee or never baking cookies with my kids. It wasn’t for me to decide upon a plan at that moment, it was for me to surrender all to Him and let Him take over and show me the plan.

Then, funnily enough, without me even looking, a book dropped in my path. What’s it called? The Plan.

And it’s simply a tool, but for me it is a gift from Him, and a breath of fresh air, and new perspective on health and healing and I feel better than I have in ages. Let me tell you, between Intimate Issues and The Plan, things are spicing up around here! 🙂

So, friend, What is your little thing? What little thing do you keep circling to? What New Year’s Resolution do you keep making over and over and over and over with no victory?

Don’t walk in circles for forty years. I don’t know what your plan is, but He does. And absolute surrender is a great place to begin.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will direct your path.

Prov. 3:5-6

Thanks for reading.

Ahhh … I am sitting, feet up, in a little office we built into one corner of our detached garage.  Today my husband is giving me a special treat: One entire uninterrupted day alone to write and study God’s Word, preparing for upcoming events. It’s truly a gift and it’s got me thinking:

I’m excited to see you!

See, the only thing better than connecting with you here is connecting with you in person.

As much as I love to write, it is such a thrill to get together in real time, seek God, dig into His Word, and grow together in this life of following Christ and loving and serving those around us. And, one of the joys of our new church-planting venture this past year is that Jeff now has more flexibility to be with our kiddos and/or travel with me in these various adventures. And the result is … we’re finding lots of opportunities to do just that!

So, we’re planning out the rest of our 2013 calendar, and I wanted to toss out a few possible dates, in case you are still planning your women’s events, need a speaker, and want to explore the possibility of joining together. Most commonly I speak at three types of events: 1) Women’s weekend retreats, 2) MOPS/Mom’s groups, 3) Special occasion events (i.e. Christmas event, Spring luncheon, etc.)  

Christmas Message

I’m excited to share a Christmas message: Life, born. We’ll look at Jesus, the Life, born into a world marked by death. In Him is life, He is our life, and our lives are hidden and found in Him. We’ll see how Jesus brings the reversal of the curse and its death-grip, giving us access to life once again. We’ll laugh at ourselves and all the ways we seek to find our life in other things, and we’ll learn how to “take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:16).  I would love to share this word with you, if you have plans for a Christmas event this year.

For more information on topics, cost, and to discuss details, contact me here. Note: Retreat weekends for 2013 are full now, but many retreat weekends are still available for Spring 2014, so keep that in mind as well. Mom’s groups are usually mid-week and fairly easy to schedule.  Thanks so much!

Available Dates/Times 

::Southern California/Riverside area: Friday, Nov. 15th. Afternoon or evening event. Saturday, Nov. 16th. Morning event.

::Phoenix Area: Week of November 18th-24th. Daytime or evening event.

::California Bay Area/Sacramento: Friday, Dec. 6th. Daytime or evening Christmas event.

::Portland area: Saturday, Dec. 14th OR Friday, Dec. 20th Christmas event.

 Hope to see you soon. Have a blessed Labor Day! Thanks for reading.