Journal Gently: Spiritual Formation for Christian Women

There are times when we are caring for others—or when they are caring for us—when something rubs us the wrong way.

Maybe they say something to us.

Maybe it's their tone of voice when they say something to us.

Maybe we can't even identify what it is, exactly, but we know it doesn't sit well with us.

Let's be honest… this happens even when we're not caring for others, right? But I've found that when we are interacting with someone we love, especially when we are trying to help them, we can be more sensitive to these kinds of things.

So today I just want to tackle this issue head on and help us figure out what we can do about it.

Kari

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Episode 14: How to Respond When a Friend Won't Let You Help
• Episode 27: The Cost of Caring for Others
• Episode 43: When Helping Hurts: Establishing Boundaries When Caring for Others with Counselor Nicole Fryling

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>> Writing with God: A 3-Hour Online Retreat

http://lovedoesthat.org/writingwithGod

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

>> Soul Care Group: Monthly email with soul care and spiritual formation practices

http://lovedoesthat.org/soulcaregroup

I mentioned last week that I have been meeting so many amazing gals online and I can't wait to introduce you to them all. Today is one of those conversations.

Eva Kubasiak is the host of the Bible Study Made Simple podcast and is passionate about breaking down barriers to Bible study so beginners can learn and love God's Word. But there was a time when anxiety had Eva questioning God and her relationship with Him.

If you struggle with anxiety, doubt, or questions about your faith, I know that Eva's story will be an encouragement to you. She offers not just her own experience of anxiety, but some amazing insight and truths about encountering God through Scripture… you are going to want to grab a pen and some paper to jot them down.

And be sure to check out the show notes for link to use the coupon code to save on Eva's Word in Color course. Also, tune into her podcast, Bible Study Made Simple, on May 17 or after, because I guest on her show to talk about the spiritual practice of imaginative prayer—which I haven't really talked about on my own podcast yet. It was so fun to dive into that and walk you all through an example of what it can look like.

Okay, I won't make you wait any longer. Let's dive into my conversation with Eva…

Kari

MEET EVA:

Eva is passionate about breaking down barriers to Bible study so beginners can learn and love God's Word. She helps people learn how to meet God on the pages of the Bible. As a student of the Bible for over 20 years, Eva helps women move from intimidated and confused by the Bible to confident and joyful in their approach to Scripture. She does this through her podcast Bible Study Made Simple, her course The Word in Color, and her Simple Bible Study Journal.

CONNECT WITH EVA:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Word in Color course (use link to use the coupon code!)

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>> Writing with God (A 3-Hour Online Retreat)

http://lovedoesthat.org/writingwithGod

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

>> Soul Care Group: Monthly email with soul care and spiritual formation practices

http://lovedoesthat.org/soulcaregroup

Today's guest is blogger and writer Celia Miller, and she and I met on Instagram. We both follow one particular writer, and somehow or another, we found each other and realized pretty quickly that we're both passionate about Christian spiritual practices, especially the more contemplative ones like prayer and journaling.

As Celia and I have gotten to know one another, I knew I wanted to introduce you to her. So in today's conversation, we dive more into spiritual practices and some of the ones that are really resonating with Celia right now in this season of her life. We also dive into spiritual direction, including what it was like for Celia to walk into her first spiritual direction session. I know you will love her gentle spirit and getting to know her.

So allow me to introduce you to blogger and writer Celia Miller…

Kari

MEET CELIA:

Celia resides in Greenwood, Indiana with her husband, Max, and two furbabies, Henry and Hattie. She's an avid pursuer of good storytelling and loves to spend her free time getting lost in a good book or movie. Celia is a writer and blogger who aims to help you cultivate an intimate relationship with the Lord by giving you the tools you need to slow down, seek still moments, and behold God's presence with you in the everyday. She's the author of a Bible study titled, You Are Beloved: a 21-day study on how to root your identity in the love of God, which is available now exclusively on Amazon. If you would like to connect with her, check out her blog at https://celiaamiller.com or go say hello on Instagram at @celiaamiller.

CONNECT WITH CELIA:

• Website
• Instagram
• Free Download: First 3 days of You are Beloved devotional
• Article: A Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Direction
• Article: How to Keep a Beholding Journal

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>> Writing with God (A 3-Hour Online Retreat)

http://lovedoesthat.org/writingwithGod

>> 3 Ways to Encounter God on the Pages of Your Journal (Free 30-Minute Workshop)

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

>> Soul Care Group: Monthly email with soul care and spiritual formation practices

http://lovedoesthat.org/soulcaregroup

I know that many of us think about more traditional spiritual practices like Bible study, Bible reading, prayer, and service.

But what I'd like propose to you is that almost anything can be a spiritual practice—if you invite God into it.

Washing the dishes.

Doing the laundry.

Caring for your kids.

Today, I want to introduce you to a spiritual practice I have been trying to incorporate into my daily rhythm. It is something that helps me both start and end my day with God. And I call it, "Good Morning, God."

Kari

>> Writing with God (A 3-Hour Online Retreat)

http://lovedoesthat.org/writingwithGod

>> 3 Ways to Encounter God on the Pages of Your Journal (Free 30-Minute Workshop)

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Soul Care Group: Monthly email with soul care practices

http://lovedoesthat.org/soulcaregroup

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognizing God's presence in the midst of our pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

Have you ever made a decision that you knew was the right one for you, that you felt was aligned with God's will and calling for you, and then found yourself worrying about it or second guessing yourself in the days and weeks—maybe even months—following it?

I think we all face times when we wonder, Did I make the right decision? Or maybe, Did I hear God correctly? Is this what He wanted me to do?

Whether we made a decision to care for someone else or to move our family to another town or to pursue a particular degree in school… there are so many choices we make. And we get unsure of ourselves. We wonder if we're doing it right. We question our decisions and start to doubt if we even heard God at all.

Today, I want to offer you some questions to ask when you find yourself in this place of doubt and insecurity.

Kari

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Episode 2: Discerning Who to Encourage
• Episode 5: Discerning How to Help a Grieving Friend
• Episode 24: An Example in Spiritual Discernment and Decision Making: Going "All In" With Love Does That
• Episode 48: The Power of Pre-Deciding in Difficult Seasons
• Episode 60: When Seasons Change and You Have to Make Adjustments

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>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

>> Soul Care Group: Monthly email with soul care and spiritual formation practices

http://lovedoesthat.org/soulcaregroup

If I had to pick one author who has most deeply impacted me and taught me about life with God, I daresay it is Sharon Garlough Brown.

The way she is able to weave spiritual insight into a story format resonates with me, and I am able to connect not only with her characters but also connect more deeply with God.

And that is just one of many reasons why I am excited to share this conversation with you today. Sharon and I were able to talk about her books, but also about her own experience in spiritual direction and how God has led her to become a spiritual director, retreat leader, and author.

Her first series is called Sensible Shoes and her latest one is called Shades of Light. In fact, the newest book in that series is releasing now, and I have already received my copy and have been reading it and sitting with it. You guys, it is so incredibly good.

Sharon's spirit is so gentle and wise, and she, too, like so many of my guests, shares parts of her story that are sacred and personal. I know you won't take it lightly, but will honor it as holy and sacred.

Kari

MEET SHARON:

Sharon Garlough Brown is an author, spiritual director, and retreat speaker who travels internationally to lead events. A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, Sharon has served on the pastoral staff of congregations in Scotland, Oklahoma, England, and most recently in West Michigan, where she co-pastored with her husband, Jack. She and Jack now oversee Abiding Way Ministries (www.abidingway.life) which offers spiritual formation retreats and resources, including daily lectio divina recordings.

Sharon's spiritual formation novels in the bestselling Sensible Shoes series follow the journey of characters who are learning to rest in the love of God. Her Shades of Light series explores mental health, grief, and God's presence with us in affliction. Her latest novel, Feathers of Hope, releases in April 2022.

For more information about Sharon's work, visit www.sharongarloughbrown.com

CONNECT WITH SHARON:

• Abiding Way Ministries: daily lectio divina, weekly Scripture reflections, and more
• Sharon's Author Website: latest news on her books
• Promo code: Save 30% and get free shipping by using promo code SHARON22, April 12-26, 2022 at ivpress.com.

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>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

>> Soul Care Group: Monthly email with soul care and spiritual formation practices

http://lovedoesthat.org/soulcaregroup

It seems like the moment I finally settle into a good rhythm or routine, there is a changing of the seasons. Something comes up that requires me, that invites me, to make adjustments.

We are contemplating a pretty big change in our family and that has left me praying about these very things. I'm thinking about priorities and schedules and what God has called us to and weighing it all before the Lord to see where He leads.

Perhaps you, too, are facing a season of change. Not just changing from winter to spring—which I know so many of us have looked forward to—but changing from one season of life to another.

Maybe you have to start caring for an aging parent.

Maybe your child will be starting school next year.

Maybe you are about to change jobs or even start a new position in your current workplace.

Maybe you're about to move to a new house or build one of your own.

Maybe you're actually downsizing, getting rid of things you no longer need.

Maybe you are starting a training program to learn more skills that will help you at home, work, or church.

Maybe your job schedule has changed and you now have to work more nights or weekends.

The possibilities are endless. And while many of us face seasons of change at similar times, say the beginning of a school year or at the start of summer, we can be faced with these changes at any point during the year.

Here are some questions I invite you to consider when you are entering a season of change.

Kari

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Episode 2: Discerning Who to Encourage
• Episode 24: An Example in Spiritual Discernment and Decision Making: Going "All In" With Love Does That
• Episode 48: The Power of Pre-Deciding in Difficult Seasons

______

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

>> Soul Care Group: Monthly email with soul care and spiritual formation practices

http://lovedoesthat.org/soulcaregroup

Most of us, throughout our lives, will have someone who is struggling with something really heavy. And we want to be there for them. We really do. But when we think about being able to help them or care for them, we feel completely lost and overwhelmed.

And I think a lot of that boils down to the fact that we try to do too much on our own.

Think back to episode 49, about finding your stretcher bearers. Sometimes, it is enough for us to have one or two close friends supporting us as we limp through a difficult season. But when we are laying flat out on a stretcher, unable to move or walk on our own, we need more support. We need a team of people who can help carry us to Jesus, carry us to healing.

It's incredibly important to know when you need to call in additional stretcher bearers to help you carry a friend. And that's why today, we are talking about being able to call in reinforcements. People who might be trained in different ways or who have more energy or time to support our friend.

Kari

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Episode 49: Finding Your Stretcher Bearers: The People Who Can Help Carry You Through a Difficult Season
• Episode 53: Seeing the Unseen in the Caregiving Journey with Certified Coach Rayna Neises
• Episode 58: When Life Feels Purposeless with Life Purpose Coach Arris Charles
• Courageous Care Masterclass, audio training from Kari Bartkus
• The Care Ministry Podcast, with host Laura Howe: 7 Signs That It's Time to Refer Someone You Are Supporting
• The Caregiver Toolbox, course from Laura Howe (affiliate link)
• Finding Hope in Helping, course from Laura Howe (affiliate link)

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>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

>> Soul Care Group: Monthly email with soul care practices

http://lovedoesthat.org/soulcaregroup

In this episode, we are going to go through a liturgical prayer together that was written for those who have experienced a loss and are about to leave that time of marked grieving and return to daily living. To go back to school, back to work. To start paying the bills again or resuming whatever schedule we had prior to the loss.

It is a difficult season to be in—still grieving, yet required to step back into life.

I know that so many of you have experienced loss recently—whether that was the loss of a loved one, job loss, loss of friendship, or loss of dreams you once held close. This liturgy is for you.

Don't get lost in the word "liturgy." It's just a term for a form of public worship. A ritual. In this case, a prayer.

So I will pause for a moment here as we begin, and I invite you to quiet the space around you, and quiet the space inside of you. If you need more time, just pause the podcast until you are ready to continue. I'll leave a moment of silence at the end, as well. Just stay there with the Lord until you feel freedom to go back about your day.

Kari

*The liturgical prayer is pulled from "Every Moment Holy" Volume II by Douglas Kaine McKelvey. It is not cited in its entirety, so please see the book for the full prayer.

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognizing God's presence in the midst of our pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

What do you do when you feel like you don't have a purpose? Or maybe let me ask it this way, Do you feel like you are living life on purpose? Do you struggle to find meaning with the work you do—whether that's a traditional job, a ministry you lead, or even caring for your own family and loved ones?

I have seen, time and again, that when people feel purposeless, they struggle to have hope. They struggle to find meaning.

Have you ever felt that way? And if so, what do you do in those moments?

To help me answer those questions, I've invited Arris Charles to join me on the podcast. Arris is a Life Purpose Coach, helping women not only identify their God-given purpose but also how to live that out on a daily basis. She has so much wisdom to share here, and I've got to tell you, I learned that we have a lot in common as it relates to being encouragers and writers!

During our conversation, we cover questions like,

• How does knowing our purpose impact our daily life?
• Do we have one big purpose or lots of little ones, or what does that look like?
• How do we discover our purpose in the first place?
• What happens when you don't like what you feel God is calling you to do?
• What do we do when we're jealous of someone else's purpose, or they are jealous of ours?

Plus, she offers us some very practical examples that helps us flesh out this whole idea of purpose. Especially at the end, so be sure to listen for that.

If this episode resonates with you, be sure to grab her Purposeful Life Assessment and Reflection Guide. The link is in the show notes.

Kari

MEET ARRIS:

The founder of Live Inspired by Purpose, Arris Charles, is devoted to equipping women to step into a new extraordinary vision for their lives. As a Life Purpose Coach, natural encourager, and writer, she has "walked the talk" of pursuing purpose as she walked away from a multifaceted corporate career as a successful engineer, project manager, and corporate trainer to explore her true passions.

Even as a stay-at-home mom, she followed the dreams in her heart to serve in a non-profit ministry while also building her business as an entrepreneur. Arris specializes in helping Christian women in midlife to pursue their God-given purpose in their daily life and as their unique calling so they can live with more passion, confidence and impact.

Coaching for over 16 years, Arris walks alongside her clients with unwavering belief and constant support to help them stop settling for just going through the motions of life and live true to who they are and make the difference in the world they were born to make.

CONNECT WITH ARRIS:

• Free Resource: Purposeful Living Assessment and Reflection Guide
• Facebook
• YouTube

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CONNECT WITH KARI:

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

>> Soul Care Group: Monthly email with soul care practices

http://lovedoesthat.org/soulcaregroup