Overview

• Carrie Hurley introduced the podcast, highlighting the universal challenge of feeling 'stretched thin' while managing a busy life with family and work commitments.
• Exodus 20:8-11 was referenced as a biblical foundation for rest, emphasizing a dedicated Sabbath day for rest to reconnect with God.
• The importance of being intentionally aware of both extraordinary and everyday miracles was discussed, alongside the new "Victorious Living" session based on 1 Peter 2.
• Psalm 46:10 was highlighted, stressing the necessity of being still to recognize God's presence through habitual two-way prayer.
• Personal testimonies illustrated how Isaiah 40:31 offers renewed strength through waiting on the Lord, tying directly to overcoming struggles like depression.
• Jesus' command to the disciples to rest in Mark 6:31 was compared to modern challenges of self-care amidst parenting and working from home.
• Practical strategies for daily integration of spiritual rest included conversations with God during mundane tasks and promoting uplifting media consumption.
• A Holy Pause Retreat is scheduled for the last weekend of September, providing an opportunity for reflection, prayer, and connection with nature.
• Early bird registration for the retreat is available until August 1st, stressing that rest is a gift from God to be accepted, not earned.
• The podcast encourages ongoing engagement with scripture and devotionals to facilitate the transition from stress to rest.

Introduction & Context Setting (00:00 - 01:35)

• Host Carrie Hurley introduces the Rise Up and More podcast episode, sharing personal context of being in a busy life season with four children and multiple businesses.
• Addresses the universal challenge of being 'stretched thin' in various life seasons and the prayer for just 'five minutes of boredom'.

Biblical Foundation for Rest (01:35 - 03:00)

• Sabbath commandment referenced from Exodus 20:8-11 - six days for work, seventh day as Sabbath rest dedicated to the Lord.
• Family's intentional decision to observe Saturday as their Sabbath instead of Sunday due to Sunday's busyness with church and other activities.
• Job 37:14 emphasized - 'Pay attention... Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God' as instruction to pause and notice divine works.

Key Scripture Foundations (06:09 - 07:49)

• Psalm 46:10 - 'Be still and know that I am God' - personal anecdote about learning two-way prayer conversation.
• Habakkuk 2:20 - 'Let all the earth hush and be silent before him' - emphasis on creating holy pause and silence.
• Personal retreat experience in Rocky Mountain cabin as example of finding silence away from normal chaos.

Promises of Rest (09:35 - 13:09)

• Isaiah 40:31 (Amplified) - those who wait on the Lord with expectancy will gain new strength, rise like eagles, run without weariness.
• Personal testimony of overcoming depression, bitterness, and anger through God's healing process, resulting in renewed strength for ministry.
• Matthew 11:28-30 (Message translation) identified as pivotal scripture during lowest point - promise of recovering life through getting away with God and learning 'unforced rhythms of grace'.

️ Jesus' Example of Rest (14:48 - 16:21)

• Mark 6:31 referenced - Jesus telling disciples to go to quiet place and rest because they didn't even have time to eat due to crowds.
• Comparison to modern parenting and work-from-home challenges of forgetting to eat while caring for others.

️ Practical Daily Integration Strategies (16:21 - 22:25)

• Strategy 1: Intertwine Divine with Mundane - Maintain ongoing conversation with God throughout daily tasks.
• Strategy 2: Background Awareness - Evaluate constant media consumption for uplifting vs. draining content.
• Strategy 3: Scripture Integration - Post scripture around house in frames, on cabinet doors, bathroom mirrors as constant reminders.

️ Retreat Invitation (26:54 - 28:31)

• Holy Pause Retreat scheduled for last weekend of September with activities including reflection, journaling, prayer, nature walks, creating, and resting.
• Early bird registration special available until August 1st at https://carriehurley.com/holy-pause-retreat
• Emphasis that rest cannot be earned but must be accepted as God's gift.

Action items

• Consider what season of life you're in and evaluate your level of being 'stretched thin' (00:00)
• Implement intentional gratitude speaking to the Lord throughout daily tasks (17:44)
• Evaluate and adjust background noise/media consumption for peace vs. stress (19:22)
• Post scripture around house for constant reminders and truth reinforcement (22:25)
• Take five minutes daily to meditate on scripture for stress-to-rest transition (23:51)
• Listen to weekly devotional podcasts starting from episode 39 for scripture intake (25:25)
• Register for Holy Pause Retreat by August 1st for early bird pricing at https://carriehurley.com/holy-pause-retreat (28:31)

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