Holy Work with Lucas LeFevre

In this episode, Luke sits down with Katherine Walsh, founder of Fore His Glory, a ministry that combines golf and faith to build community and help people slow down and connect with God. Katherine shares her story of growing up playing golf with her dad in Illinois, pursuing golf competitively through high school, her journey into golf media, and ultimately her calling to use golf as a ministry tool.

Key Topics Covered:

• Katherine’s early days learning golf with her dad in Illinois.
• How golf became a metaphor for life—learning to reset after bad shots and applying that to handling life’s challenges.
• The impact of her faith, growing up Catholic, discovering a personal relationship with God in high school.
• The story behind Fore His Glory—how Katherine felt the pull to combine golf with ministry.
• Her journey through significant trials: an unexpected cancer diagnosis that threatened her ability to play golf, the mental battle with anxiety and depression, and learning to fight through fear, internal voices, and external resistance.
• The power of journaling and prayer for dealing with anxiety and staying grounded in God’s love.
• The importance of accepting feelings without shame, writing them down, and bringing them to God.
• How online critics and negative voices can trigger old insecurities—and the work required to keep showing up despite them.
• Katherine’s vision for the future: expanding Fore His Glory to all ages, creating safe spaces on the golf course for real conversations about faith and life.

Highlights & Quotes:

• "Golf is like life. You have bad shots—you can choose to let them ruin your day or reset and keep playing."
• "When life gives you more than you can stand, kneel."
• "You can’t have a testimony without a test."
• "The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy—but God comes to give you life."
• "Journaling helps bring my anxious thoughts back to reality and reminds me who I am in Christ."

Follow Katherine on Instagram: @katherine.walsh

Connect with Luke for more on slowing down, journaling, and following your Holy Work: @lukelefevre

Leave a review for the podcast and share it with a friend who loves golf, faith, or needs encouragement to follow their own pull.

Episode Summary:

In this vulnerable and thought-provoking solo episode, Luke explores a question many of us wrestle with in silence: Why do I feel so restless… even when life looks fine on the outside?

We live in a culture of constant distraction, performance, and pressure—and yet, underneath all of it, there’s a deeper ache we don’t often talk about. Luke breaks restlessness down into three distinct levels—surface, soul, and sacred—and invites listeners to reflect on whether that inner unease might not be a sign of dysfunction... but a divine invitation.

Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, a spiritual seeker, or just someone tired of feeling stuck, this episode is a guide to understanding where your restlessness is coming from—and what to do with it.

Key Takeaways:

1. Epidermis-Level Restlessness

This is the kind of agitation caused by overstimulation: too much scrolling, email checking, comparison, or noise. Rooted in dopamine imbalance, it’s a sign your nervous system needs rest—not more content.

2. Existential Restlessness

You’re doing all the right things—but feel hollow inside. This level of restlessness often signals misalignment. Viktor Frankl called it the “existential vacuum.” It’s a quiet grief for the life you know you’re not living yet.

3. Sacred Restlessness

Not all restlessness is a problem. Sometimes it’s a pull. This is the restlessness that comes from God—an inner ember that says, “You were made for more.” It’s a whisper toward your Holy Work, often disguised as discomfort.

Why This Matters:

• You can’t follow your calling if you don’t understand your restlessness.
• Journaling helps you name what you’re feeling—and what might be underneath it.
• Holy Work is not about fixing everything. It’s about listening for where God is pulling.

Memorable Quotes:

"In a world engineered to keep us restless, sometimes the bravest thing you can do is be still."

"You’re not crazy. You’re just hearing something deeper."

"Your restlessness may not be a problem to solve. It may be God’s invitation to begin."

Resources Mentioned:

• Holy Work Membership (Daily Journal Prompts)
• Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning
• The Holy Work Journaling Method

Journal Prompt:

What kind of restlessness am I experiencing today—epidermis, existential, or sacred? And if I were to be honest... what is it trying to tell me?

Call to Action:

Ready to stop numbing the restlessness and start listening to it? Join the Holy Work Membership at HolyWork.com to receive daily journal prompts that help you discern, reflect, and reconnect with what God is really doing in your life.

In this moving and restorative conversation, Luke sits down with trauma recovery specialists Jana England and Natalie Jordy, co-leaders of a Spirit-led healing practice that goes beneath the surface to help people reprogram pain, shame, and emotional blocks stored deep in the subconscious. Together, they explore the power of the Holy Spirit in healing trauma, why journaling prepares us to tell the truth, and how God is using tools like emotional bodywork and somatic listening to bring people out of survival mode and into freedom.

Key Takeaways:

God Wants to Heal the Whole Person

Jana and Natalie explain how trauma isn’t just a mental battle but something stored in our bodies. Healing begins when we give God permission to access even the parts of us we've hidden or numbed.

Journaling is a Gateway to Deeper Healing

Luke shares how the Holy Work journaling method helps people get honest in private first—so they can eventually be honest in community. Journaling clears mental clutter and prepares the heart for transformation.

From Control to Surrender

The conversation explores how many people who carry trauma have developed overfunctioning, controlling tendencies as coping mechanisms. But true healing comes not from performing but from surrendering.

The Body Holds What the Mind Avoids

Jana and Natalie describe how trauma often hides beneath logic and words. They talk about how spiritual bodywork and Holy Spirit-led discernment help people get to the real roots beneath their behaviors and patterns.

The Inner Critic Isn't the Final Word

Journaling interrupts the loop of shame and fear by making room for the truth. Naming feelings and thoughts on paper takes away their power and invites God in to speak something new.

You Don’t Have to Heal Alone

Luke, Jana, and Natalie share why healing is not a solo journey. They encourage listeners to seek both guided spiritual practices and professional support.

Memorable Quotes:

• “The Holy Spirit is the best trauma therapist in the world.” – Natalie Jordy
• “Journaling is not the end goal—it's preparation for transformation.” – Luke LeFevre
• “You cannot renew your mind without naming what’s really there.” – Jana Grose
• “God doesn’t want to just treat your behavior. He wants to heal your pain.” – Luke LeFevre

Resources Mentioned:

• Book a Call with Natalie here: https://calendly.com/nataliejordy/30min
• Armor of God meditation
• Here is the link to Jana's website: www.beautyfromasheshealing.com

Episode Summary:

In this inspiring episode, Luke talks with longtime entrepreneur Rusty Fulling, founder of Fulling Management & Accounting. What starts as a story about burnout and stress becomes a powerful reflection on calling, mission, and how God can use the work you’re already doing. Rusty opens up about the physical and emotional toll of overworking, the wake-up call that led him to Honduras, and the unexpected clarity he received when a friend reminded him that maybe the mission was right where he already was.

Together, they explore the power of slowing down, building vision, the fear of irrelevance, and the gift of passing the keys. This conversation is full of wisdom for anyone feeling burned out, restless, or unsure if they’re still on the right path.

Key Takeaways:

• Burnout as a Spiritual Wake-Up Call Rusty shares how years of overwork and physical symptoms forced him to stop and reflect—and how that created space for God to speak.
• The Sacredness of the Work You’re Already In A conversation with a friend helped Rusty see that maybe the mission field wasn’t somewhere far away—it was right in front of him.
• Creating a Vision for Your Work Rusty describes how attending a small group helped him cast a new vision for his company—and how clarity changed everything.
• When the War Shows Up From broken septic tanks to imposter syndrome, Rusty and Luke talk about what always happens when you say yes to a new direction: resistance.
• The Fear of Relevance Rusty vulnerably shares what it feels like to hand off leadership, step into a new role, and wrestle with the quiet fear of, "Do I still matter?"
• Mentorship, Community, and the Power of One Simple Lunch They talk about the life-changing power of reaching out—whether you're seeking a mentor or becoming one. Sometimes it all starts with: “Hey, wanna grab lunch?”

Memorable Quotes:

"Sometimes the mission field is the business God already put you in." – Rusty Fulling

"Burnout was the breaking point—but it was also the beginning of clarity." – Luke LeFevre

"When I slowed down, the vision found me." – Rusty Fulling

"You're not behind. You're not done. Just keep going." – Luke LeFevre

Resources Mentioned:

• Free 7-Day Holy Work Journaling Challenge – holywork.com
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
• Sacred Strides by Justin McRoberts
• The Sacredness of Secular Work by Jordan Raynor
• Soundtracks by Jon Acuff

Call to Action:

Visit holywork.com to join the free 7-day Holy Work Journaling Challenge and begin building a rhythm of peace, reflection, and calling.

Episode Summary:

In this powerful conversation, Luke sits down with bestselling author, psychologist, and Ramsey Solutions personality Dr. John Delony to explore what happens when we actually slow down enough to feel. John opens up about his own burnout, what led him to join the Holy Work 31-Day Journaling Challenge, and how the simple act of guided journaling brought clarity, peace, and healing. Together, Luke and John unpack why men struggle to admit they have feelings, how culture has shaped emotional suppression, and how journaling acts as both a mirror and a roadmap for spiritual and emotional growth.

Key Takeaways:

1. Why Men Struggle to Admit Feelings
2. John breaks down how boys are conditioned from a young age to suppress emotions, and how that leads to disconnection, poor relational habits, and internal chaos.
3. Journaling as Emotional Pre-Op
4. John shares how the Holy Work journaling method helped him “clear the clutter” and get honest, calling it a kind of emotional colonoscopy—something that gets you past the surface so you can see what’s really going on.
5. The Problem with Performing
6. Luke and John discuss the pressure to perform—in parenting, work, faith, and even marriage—and how journaling offers a rare moment to take the costume off and connect with your real self.
7. Why We All Need a “Default Reset”
8. Journaling consistently can change your brain’s default narrative. John shares how writing helped him shift from self-doubt and reactive habits to intention, clarity, and peace.
9. You Don’t Need Peace of Mind—You Need Peace from Mind
10. Luke and John explore the idea that journaling provides “peace from mind”—a break from mental chaos—and how that opens up space for truth, presence, and connection with God.
11. Your Feelings Aren’t the Enemy
12. John affirms that emotions aren’t threats to be suppressed but signals to be listened to. When we write them down, they lose their power to control us and become tools for discernment.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Journaling is like emotional pre-op—you have to clear the system before you can see what’s really going on.” – Dr. John Delony
• “You don’t need more discipline—you need more peace. And peace starts by telling the truth about what’s going on inside.” – Luke LeFevre
• “What I wrote may not be true, but my body is still solving for it. That’s why I have to name it.” – Dr. John Delony
• “When you get still, you might hear something you’ve never heard before: You have value.” – Luke LeFevre

Resources Mentioned:

• Holy Work 7-Day Journaling Challenge – holywork.com
• The Voice of the Heart by Chip Dodd
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
• Build the Life You Want by Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey

Call to Action:

Visit holywork.com to join the free 7-day Holy Work Journaling Challenge and start your journey toward clarity and peace.

In this solo episode, Luke unpacks the deep-rooted reasons why many people struggle to admit and identify their emotions. Drawing from personal experience, cultural history, and research from Brené Brown, Chip Dodd, and others, Luke explores how emotional suppression has shaped us and why journaling is a crucial tool to break free from this cycle. He introduces the Holy Work Journaling Method and explains how acknowledging your feelings is a foundational step toward transformation.

Key Takeaways:

• Why We Suppress Emotions Luke shares how cultural factors—from wartime survival to corporate productivity—have led generations to view emotions as weakness, especially in Western culture.
• The Cost of Emotional Suppression Suppressed emotions don’t disappear—they resurface as anxiety, burnout, disconnection, and even physical health issues.
• The Power of Naming Your Feelings Luke’s personal story of finally identifying anxiety in counseling, and how Chip Dodd’s Eight Core Feelings framework gave him a language to understand what his heart was trying to say.
• Introducing the Holy Work Method How admitting your feelings is the first step in engaging the five ongoing forces of the Holy Work Method: acknowledging feelings, recognizing the pull, fighting the war of resistance, working through the wilderness, and making the decision to move forward.
• The Practice of Reflection Luke guides listeners through a reflective exercise to help them identify a recent emotion and connect it to one of the Eight Core Feelings.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Feelings aren’t the enemy—they’re a roadmap." – Luke LeFevre
• "Your needs will be met, either in healthy or unhealthy ways. The key is learning to recognize them." – Luke LeFevre
• "Learning to acknowledge your emotions isn’t weakness—it’s healing." – Luke LeFevre

Resources Mentioned:

• The Voice of the Heart by Chip Dodd
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
• Holy Work 7-Day Journaling Challenge – holywork.com

Visit holywork.com to join the free 7-day Holy Work Journaling Challenge.

In this episode, Luke sits down with Kimberly Beam Holmes, CEO of Marriage Helper, to explore her journey of slowing down and embracing rest in order to gain clarity about her true calling. Kimberly shares how years of relentless productivity led to burnout, how she wrestled with her sense of worth, and what ultimately led her to take a four-month sabbatical. Through journaling, stillness, and seeking God, she rediscovered a deep-rooted passion for missions that had been buried for years. This conversation highlights the power of reflection, the struggle of surrender, and the transformation that happens when we give our souls time to catch up.

1. Productivity Does Not Equal Worth

• Kimberly spent years believing that if she wasn’t producing, she wasn’t valuable. This belief led to overwork, neglect of personal time, and ultimately burnout.

2. The Moment of Realization

• After 12 years of running Marriage Helper at full speed, Kimberly realized she had lost vision for the future and didn’t recognize herself anymore. This prompted deep conversations about what needed to change.

3. The Power of Slowing Down

• Inspired by Luke’s own sabbatical story, Kimberly took a bold step and decided to take four months off. This decision was met with both fear and relief, as she grappled with what it meant to step away from her work.

4. Journaling as a Path to Clarity

• Through daily journaling, Kimberly uncovered suppressed emotions, identified deep-seated beliefs about her worth, and began to hear from God in a new way. One moment of clarity led her to read The Hole in Our Gospel, which reignited her passion for missions.

5. The Return and the Resistance

• Coming back from sabbatical, Kimberly was immediately faced with financial struggles at Marriage Helper. Instead of being able to dive into her new mission work, she had to focus on turning the company around, leading to frustration and feelings of setback.

6. The Bigger Vision

• Despite the challenges, Kimberly remained committed to her calling. She is now blending her work in saving marriages with her passion for missions, launching initiatives to train pastors in developing countries on strengthening marriages in their communities.

• “If you don’t make time to slow down, your body and mind will force you to.” – Kimberly Beam Holmes
• “Growth is worth. That’s the lie I believed for years.” – Kimberly Beam Holmes
• “God, what do you want to say to me? That question changed everything.” – Kimberly Beam Holmes
• “Sometimes the hardest and strongest thing you can do is rest.” – Kimberly Beam Holmes
• “We were created for a purpose, but sometimes we have to slow down to remember what it is.” – Luke LeFevre

• Marriage Helper Website
• Marriage Helper YouTube Channel
• The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns
• Holy Work 7-Day Journaling Challenge – holywork.com

• Website: www.marriagehelper.com
• Instagram: @kimberlybeamholmes
• YouTube: Marriage Helper

• Website: www.holywork.com
• Instagram: @lukelefevre

In this episode of The Holy Work Podcast, host Luke LeFevre shares a deeply personal story about his journey from discontent and distraction to finding peace and clarity through journaling. He explores the transformative power of journaling, drawing on his own experiences, scientific research, and biblical principles. Luke introduces the Holy Work Method of journaling, a unique approach that helps individuals connect with God and discover their purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• Hit the reset button on your thoughts and emotions with the power of journaling.
• Discover the science-backed benefits of journaling for stress reduction, mood enhancement, and emotional regulation.
• Unlock the Holy Work Method: a unique approach to journaling that connects you with God and your true self.
• Experience the transformative power of journaling for Christians seeking to abide in God's word and discern His leading.
• Learn practical steps to integrate journaling into your daily life and experience its profound impact.

Episode Highlights:

• Personal Story: Luke courageously shares his personal struggle with discontent, addiction, and thoughts of divorce, and how journaling became his path to freedom and healing.  
• Brian Koppelman's Experience: Discover how screenwriter Brian Koppelman overcame writer's block and ignited his creativity through the practice of "Morning Pages."
• Ann Frank's Diary: Explore how journaling provided solace, a voice, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit for Anne Frank during her time in hiding.
• From overcoming creative blocks to finding solace in times of adversity, journaling proves to be a versatile tool for personal growth.
• Rumination vs. Journaling: Understand the crucial difference between ruminating on negative thoughts and writing them out, and the remarkable benefits of the latter. While rumination traps us in a cycle of negativity, journaling provides a structured way to process those thoughts and emotions, leading to greater self-awareness and problem-solving.  
• Dr. James W. Pennebaker's Research: Delve into the groundbreaking studies on expressive writing and its positive effects on mood, health, and well-being.  
• The Truth Will Set You Free: Learn how journaling can help Christians connect with God's truth and experience true freedom.  
• The Holy Work Method: A detailed explanation of the three levels of journaling – the epidermis, muscle layer, and heart – and the practical steps involved. This method also incorporates the 8 core feelings: joy, sadness, anger, fear, shame, guilt, disgust, and excitement. By exploring these feelings in your journaling, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationship with God. You can learn more about these core feelings and how to work with them in the Holy Work Journaling Challenge.  

Call to Action:

• Join the hundreds of people who have committed to the Holy Work January journaling challenge at holywork.com.
• Share the podcast episode and subscribe to the channel to stay updated on new episodes and valuable insights.

Connect with Luke LeFevre:

• Website: holywork.com
• Instagram: @lukelefevre

In this episode, Luke LeFevre sits down with award-winning pianist and composer Paul Cardall to explore how music can be a tool for healing, reflection, and connection with God. Paul shares his powerful journey of surviving congenital heart disease, finding his purpose through music, and the resistance he’s faced along the way. They dive into the importance of slowing down, the role of journaling, and how God uses challenges to guide us toward our calling. Paul’s music is described as a grounding, spiritual experience, offering listeners a path to peace and stillness.

Key Takeaways:

1. Finding Purpose Through Struggles: Paul’s battle with chronic illness shaped his connection to music, teaching him that God uses pain to guide us toward our purpose.
2. The Healing Power of Music: Paul explains how music can be a tool for processing emotions, connecting with God, and creating moments of stillness in a chaotic world.
3. Resistance and Comparison: Paul shares how fear, comparison, and societal expectations can act as resistance, but surrendering to God’s timing leads to true growth.
4. Journaling as a Spiritual Practice: Both Paul and Luke discuss journaling as a way to process thoughts, uncover God’s guidance, and create a record of personal and spiritual growth.
5. Trusting God’s Plan: Paul emphasizes the importance of moving forward with faith, even when the path is unclear, and letting God open the right doors.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Music is like a warm blanket and God’s Spirit enveloping me. It’s where I feel His love the most.” – Paul Cardall
• “Resistance often shows up as fear, comparison, or doubt. But when you trust God, even the setbacks are part of His plan.” – Luke LeFevre
• “Your gifts help shape your purpose. Knowing your purpose empowers you to live with intention.” – Paul Cardall
• “We ask God what to do, and He’s waiting for us to start walking.” – Luke LeFevre

Resources Mentioned:

• Paul’s latest album: Grace in Grief
• Paul Cardall’s website: www.paulcardall.com
• The Holy Work Reflective Advent Course: holywork.com/christmas

Connect with Paul Cardall:

• Website: www.paulcardall.com
• Listen on Spotify: Paul Cardall
• Follow on Instagram: @paulcardall

Connect with Luke LeFevre:

• Website: holywork.com
• Instagram: @lukelefevre

In this episode of Holy Work with Luke LeFevre, Luke shares a personal and transformative journey into understanding and overcoming the forces that hold us back when following God’s pull in our lives. Through raw stories and practical insights, he unpacks the concept of "The War"—a spiritual and emotional battle we face when pursuing meaningful work and transformation.

Key Takeaways: "Overcoming Resistance and Embracing the Pull"

• The Power of Reset: Sometimes, life's interruptions are God's way of inviting us to pause and recalibrate. Slowing down can help us reconnect with what truly matters.
• Understanding the War: When you follow God’s pull toward meaningful work, you’ll encounter fear, negative voices, and resistance. These are signs that you’re on the right path, but they must be confronted.
• Facing Fear: Fear of looking foolish, uncertainty, and loss of control are universal struggles. Choosing courage in the face of these fears leads to growth and transformation.
• Recognizing Voices: The internal voices that doubt your ability or question your purpose are often rooted in past experiences. Acknowledging and reframing these voices can free you to move forward.
• Battling Resistance: Resistance shows up as procrastination, distraction, or avoidance. By naming it and continuing to take small steps, you can overcome its power.
• God Uses Our Failures: Even when we “lose the war,” God can use those moments to shape us, teach us, and guide us to new opportunities.
• Journaling as a Tool for Clarity: Writing down your fears, thoughts, and resistance is a powerful way to process emotions, listen for God’s guidance, and overcome obstacles.
• Advent is a Time to Slow Down: The season invites us to reflect on God’s presence and prioritize what matters most, making space for joy and connection in the midst of busyness.

• "Resistance is proof that you're headed in the right direction."
• "Fear of looking stupid, uncertainty, and loss of control keep billions of people stuck where they are."
• "God uses even our losses in the war to create new wins and move us forward."

• Holy Work Reflective Advent Course: A four-week journaling journey to help you slow down, reset, and embrace the joy and meaning of the Advent season. Sign up at holywork.com/christmas
• Books Referenced:
• The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs encouragement in their Holy Work journey. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast!