Hi First name / friend,
As we move into a season of slowing down- with shorter days, the plants finishing their growing season and going to seed, the cooler weather coming to stay, I find myself wanting to get cozy more often, make warm soups and comfort food, and settle into a different rhythm. I know this time from early November until January 1 can be busy for many of us, but it is up to us to find a rhythm that let's us experience the richness, beauty and sacred during this time even in the midst of gathering, gifts and the gusts that life will bring.
This month I am shifting some of my time to finish some writing, get my mini-courses pre-launched (more content), and wrapping up the last of the podcasting work for this season. But I wanted to share a little behind the scenes of life beyond the podcast, emails and mentoring.
I have been busy drying herbs, bringing in tomatoes that haven't rippened yet, and planting some winter hearty plants like arugula in the garden before we get our first frost in Coastal Virginia. The cooler weather isn't stopping me from getting my morning sun and at least once or twice a week I try and sit around the firepit all wrapped up - it is one of my favorite places to be. I had several family gatherings recently- dinner of course, and game nights. I am planning a craft/art night or two soon. And bike rides through the neighborhood with my husband if time allows before it gets dark. Oh, and I always make time for friends - walks, evening gatherings, fellowship. I have two ideas to encourage you in your faith today I will share below.
You're Being Built
This week I read something Benjamin Lundquist (host of Rise and Lead) said that really connected with me. Benjamin said,"He's preparing the place and preparing you. You're not behind. You're being built. You're right where you need to be- on assignment. So keep showing up. God's timing isn't late- it's layered." I love that analogy. What a powerful way to think about how God is working on us- we are being built for our future assignments as He uses us in other ways today- even in our waiting and preparations. Follow Benjamin on IG
Keep Doing Good Until it Turns the Tide
I don't know about you but ever since 2020 the world and opinions of much of the world has seemed upside down and uncertain. I was reading a substack post today by author John Leake who shared what Dr. Peter McCullough shared with him about a conversation he had with his Pastor Andrew Forrest in November 2020 when Dr. McCullough was getting his research based recommendations for treating Covid early censored. It was a good reminder for all of us about how to navigate dark times.
Pastor Andrew said to Dr. McCullough regarding the state of the world at that time, “There are times when evil prevails over good in a large way,” he said. “We know from the dark periods of history that this has happened before, and now it’s happening again. What you describe is Satan working in the hearts and minds of people, sowing fear, confusion, and anger. All you can do is keeping trying to do good until it turns the tide. …your message must be joyous and happy and clear, uncluttered by negative emotion. That way you will let the light of God shine forth in this darkness.
Isn't that the truth- God tells us not to be fearful, confused or angry and he wants us to show up in a spirit of love, peace and joy in all circumstances. If I'm being honest, sometimes I can get caught up in the uncertanity or worry about what might happen or is happening else where and I have to work to get centered again on God's word and time in His presence. In a time of division and uncertanity we are called to have a vision, and be the connector, the truth when the way of the world is shouting the opposite- it's not always easy but with God and the support and encouragement of others we can be strong and steady.
Update:
In an effort to be less distracted and not pick up my phone as much I have done a few things since my last emails (this helps me be accountable and maybe encourage one of you to get undistracted)
.
1) Set up App Limits under Settings- Screen Time and limited the amount of time I can spend on social media, the web or email on my phone. It's a work in progress but my time and habit to pick up my phone is going down!
2). I started, The Bible in a Year: 52 Week Journey Through God's Word, this week. It is more like a 52 week reading plan so it is not every passage or consecutive but for me it is clean, simple and a short reading each day with space for me to take notes. I think it's a perfect study to start. Maybe in January I will take on a bigger bible reading plan again. And I wanted a simple, asthetically pleasing physical bible reading plan (I did'nt want to use my phone to read the bible verses or do a plan for now. Here is the one I bought.
