Sometimes the things we love most can actually get in the way of connecting with God. In this clip from the Lead Well Conference, I share a personal story about how even journaling—something I teach and cherish—was keeping me from spending time with the Lord the way I really wanted.

If you've ever felt like your "good habits" or spiritual routines are keeping you from truly engaging with God, this episode is for you. I'll walk you through a small shift I made that helped me listen to God more authentically throughout my day—and how you can do the same.

>> Book Kari for your next event:

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

RELATED EPISODES:

· Episode 176: My Biggest Tip for Beating Perfectionism in Journaling

· Episode 144: How to Create Both a Short and Long Journaling Routine

· Episode 76: Have a Hard Time Sensing God's Presence? Go Outside!

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently Program

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

Two trees. Same kind. Standing side by side—yet one is bare while the other is full of golden leaves. In today's quiet reflection, Kari uses this simple scene from her neighborhood to remind us that healing doesn't happen at the same pace for everyone.

It's easy to look at someone else's joy and wonder why we're still struggling. But God tends to each of our hearts with patience and care, layer by layer. This episode is a gentle invitation to release comparison, trust the pace of your healing, and bring your broken pieces to the One who knows how to restore them.

>> Journal Gently Program

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

RELATED EPISODES:

· Episode 117: Running Away From God: A Devotional Bible Study on Jonah 1

· Episode 122: Feeling Anxious? Try This 5-Minute Journaling Session

· Episode 184: Could This Be Why You're Not Hearing from God?

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Speaking

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Have you ever let fear keep you quiet, hesitant to use a gift you know God has placed inside you?

In this episode, Kari unpacks a familiar verse, 2 Timothy 1:7, and discovers it means something deeper than we often realize. It's not just about overcoming fear in general—it's about refusing to let fear silence the gifts God has given us.

Through Paul's letter to Timothy, we're reminded that God calls us to fan into flame the gifts already within us, using them with power, love, and self-discipline. If you've been feeling restless or discouraged, this gentle reflection will help you rekindle your confidence in what God has entrusted to you.

>> Get your free ticket to Make the Move, a live online conference happening November 20 to help you discern God's direction in your business or ministry.

https://prayforyourbusiness.com

RELATED EPISODES:

· Episode 117: Running Away From God: A Devotional Bible Study on Jonah 1

· Episode 122: Feeling Anxious? Try This 5-Minute Journaling Session

· Episode 184: Could This Be Why You're Not Hearing from God?

______

>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Speaking

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Have you ever felt unsure what step to take next, but also restless just sitting still?

In today's episode, Kari shares how God has been guiding her through her own season of uncertainty and reveals what's next for her ministry through Love Does That. You'll hear how one simple phrase from coach Christa Hutchins—"Clarity comes from action"—has reshaped the way she's discerning her next move.

This short reflection will encourage you to take one small step forward, trusting that God often brings direction as we move, not before.

>> Get your free ticket to Make the Move, a live online conference happening November 20 to help you discern God's direction in your business or ministry.

https://prayforyourbusiness.com

RELATED EPISODES:

· Episode 77: Three Prayers for Discernment: Making Difficult Choices in Difficult Seasons

· Episode 134: You Have to Push Yourself to Grow (Podcast Rebrand)

· Episode 160: When Life Changes, Re-evaluate

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Speaking

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Hey, friend. Whether you are someone who has been listening to the podcast since the beginning or you just found me through one of the recent conferences I spoke at, I want to say welcome, and I'm glad you're here.

It would seem as if God has a funny sense of timing, and He's asking me to pause the podcast for a while. I need to practice what I preach: taking breaks, caring for my family first, and leaning in to my relationship with Him so that I can continue doing the work He has called me to. That's the very thing I spoke about last week, and at the Lead Well conference this past Saturday.

So for the time being, I'll be stepping away from the podcast.

Kari

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Other Resources

· Daniele Evans – spiritual director with trauma and writing

· Karen Altzier – grief coach

· Julie Lynn Ashley – grief coach

· Kristin Vanderlip – writing and grief

· Kristen Joy – coach for Christian women and ministry leaders

· Jennifer Shook – inner healing coach

· Heather O'Brien – healing with God

>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week grief and trauma journaling program

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Speaking

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Music by DappyTKeys

Imagine this scenario: Someone you dearly love is hurting. Maybe they are grieving the loss of a loved one or battling the depths of depression. Maybe they've lost their sense of purpose or just got a hard diagnosis from the doctor.

What is the best thing you can do for them?

Is it calling them every day? Making them meals? Being willing to sit with them in the quiet? Should you watch their kids? Offer to drive them around? Pick up their groceries?

All of those can be really good things for us to do. They show our love and support in very practical ways.

But what if I said the very best thing you could do was to stay close to Jesus yourself?

Let's explore some reasons why staying close to Jesus is so important when we are caring for someone who is hurting. And then be sure to stay to the end for a special invitation to dive deeper into this topic with me at a live event coming up next week.

Kari

>> Get your free ticket to the 2025 Lead Well Conference (affiliate link):

http://lovedoesthat.org/leadwell

RELATED EPISODES + RESOURCES:

· Episode 163: Letting God Use Our Wounds: A Conversation with Russell Joyce

· Episode 171: Temptation, Testing, or Fallen World? How to Respond When Life Gets Hard

· Courageous Care book, available on my website or on Amazon

______

>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week grief and trauma journaling program

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Speaking

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Music by DappyTKeys

I have been incredibly blessed over the past several years to connect with other individuals who are doing similar work. Laura Howe is one of those people.

Laura and I met as part of a mastermind we were both in. Where I focus on helping individual women come alongside their loved ones who are hurting, she focuses on equipping the church to support those in their congregations and communities. She does this through her organization, Hope Made Strong.

Back in 2021, we were each other's podcasts, and today, I want to share an excerpt from my interview on her podcast. Laura and I talk about the power of companionship for those who are hurting, plus how your church can minister to the grieving during the Christmas season by offering a Blue Christmas service.

Kari

>> Get your free ticket to the 2025 Church Mental Health Summit (affiliate link):

http://lovedoesthat.org/mentalhealthsummit

RELATED EPISODES + RESOURCES:

· Care Ministry Podcast, Episode 11 – The Power of Standing with Those Who Are Struggling with Kari Bartkus

· Episode 7 – 5 Things to Say When You Don't Know What to Say with Laura Howe

· Episode 42 – Offering a Blue Christmas Service to Honor the Loss and Cling to the Hope

· Episode 95 – Blue Christmas Mini Service: Holding On to Hope in the Midst of Suffering and Loss

· Advent resource – When Your Silent Night Feels Empty

· Courageous Care book, available on my website or on Amazon

______

>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week grief and trauma journaling program

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Speaking

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Music by DappyTKeys

"God doesn't talk to me."

"I can't hear God's voice."

"I don't know what God sounds like."

Hearing from God is pivotal to the life of a Christian. Not only do we seek guidance from His Word, but we also ask Him questions about which path to take, what to do, and how He wants us to behave. We want insight into situations we find ourselves in. And we long to receive His words of love and comfort, especially when life around us is full of chaos and heartache.

Yet there are times when we struggle to hear His voice, when it seems that He is silent. Why is that?

I won't be able to address any and every situation that might make it harder to hear from God—at least, not all in this episode. But there is one issue in particular that I've noticed in my own life, and I bet you can recognize it in yours, too. And if we truly want to hear from God, it's something that we're going to have to address.

So what is it? What can prevent us from hearing from God? You don't expect to.

Let's take a few minutes and unpack this idea together.

Kari

RELATED EPISODES:

· Episode 183: [Bible Journal Session] How Do You Need to Be Restored?

· Episode 173: [Written Spiritual Direction Session] Dialogue Journaling

· Episode 99: Spiritual Practices to Help You Learn to Hear God's Voice (Re-Release)

· Episode 94: Entering the Silence and Stillness with God: A Conversation with Blogger and Writer Celia Miller

· Episode 91: When God is Silent: Experiencing His Presence in New Ways

_____

>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week grief and trauma journaling program

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Speaking

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Music by DappyTKeys

There are many ways to journal, but one of my favorites is to journal as I read the Bible. I take note of things that grab my attention, I ask questions, and I explore various ideas together with God as a result of the passage I've read.

Today, I want to invite you into a Bible journaling session with me. We'll pray and journal through Psalm 23:3 together. And though it is a familiar passage, I pray God would meet you there and share His heart with you. I know this has been a powerful verse for me.

We'll use my Bible Journaling Framework:

· Ready

· Recognize

· Receive

· Respond

If you'd like to learn more about journaling together with God, you can get access to my free journaling workshop at lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop or download my guide entitled 20 Ways to Journal with God, which you can find at lovedoesthat.org/store.

Kari

RELATED EPISODES:

· Episode 168: [Journal Reviews] Bible Study Journals

· Bonus Episode 19: [Scripture Reading] The Good Shepherd (Ezekiel 34, Psalm 23, John 10)

· Episode 166: God in the Midst of the Storm: A Devotional Reading of Mark 6:45-52

· Episode 117: Running Away From God: A Devotional Bible Study on Jonah 1

______

>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week grief and trauma journaling program

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Speaking

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Music by DappyTKeys

As women, as moms, we carry a lot of responsibilities, and sometimes a lot of expectations—from ourselves and from others. Yet one thing is clear: God has called us to keep our families as a top priority.

The question is, how do we do that?

In this episode, I talk with life and business coach Danielle Roberts and we explore what this might look like, often sharing personal examples from our own lives.

Danielle and I are both work from home, homeschooling moms, but we recognize that women fill all kinds of roles and callings. So there's no judgment here. Just an open conversation between friends about how to care for our precious families that God has entrusted us with.

We talk about:

· Not comparing your family/priorities with others

· God's funny timing

· How many priorities you can actually have

· Balancing discipline and discipleship

· Letting your husband know you care

· And deciding what's best for you and your family

This whole thing is something that needs to be regularly evaluated, and changes made when needed. And I wonder what God might reveal to you as you listen. Is He reaffirming a choice you have already made? Inviting you to make a change? I encourage you to listen for His voice in the midst of this conversation with Danielle—see what He might be saying to you.

Kari

CONNECT WITH DANIELLE:

· Website

· Instagram

· 5 Creative Ways to Rest

RELATED EPISODES:

· Episode 48: The Power of Pre-Deciding in Difficult Seasons

· Episode 148: Don't Vacuum While the Dog's Sleeping: A Story About Juggling Responsibilities

· Episode 160: When Life Changes, Re-evaluate

______

>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week grief and trauma journaling program

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Speaking

http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Music by DappyTKeys