Journal Gently: Spiritual Formation for Christian Women

In today's bonus episode, where we try on some spiritual practices together, I would like to read you a chapter from my Imagine devotional, which incorporates imaginative prayer in the writing. Imaginative prayer, as we talked about in episode 47, is about really trying to enter into the story and watch it unfold in front of you. Or, perhaps, you try to enter in as one of the characters in the story.

It's much like reading a fiction book and experiencing what the main character is experiencing. We just sort of "take it on" ourselves.

Some people struggle with using their imaginations to read Scripture. After all, we've been taught to study it, to use our minds and reasons. However, I want to invite you to consider it differently. If we offer our imaginations to God, He can empower us to engage with His Word on an entirely different level. All I ask is that you give it an honest try.

And if you like it, you can grab the entire devotional on the website at lovedoesthat.org/shop.

The devotional is written about blind Bartimaeus, from Mark 10:46-52. I'll read through the passage first, then read through the devotional.

Kari

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES:

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

http://lovedoesthat.org/soulcaregroup

>> 3 Ways to Encounter God on the Pages of Your Journal Workshop: Tuesday, January 18th at 11:00am Eastern

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Imagine Devotional
• Episode 47: 10 Ways to Encounter God in His Word

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD GOES SILENT?

As an introvert, silence is your strength. You cherish quiet moments. Time alone replenishes your soul like nothing else can.

But what happens when God goes silent? When you raise your questions of grief and hurt and doubt—and He doesn't answer?

Dear one, what if your very quietness has positioned you to experience the presence of God in a totally new way?

What if in these seasons of silence, God is actually speaking to you louder than He has ever spoken to you before?

If you ready to press into God in this season of silence, I invite you to fill out the form at lovedoesthat.org/apply. I use a modern-day letter writing style of spiritual direction perfect for Christian women drawn to quiet spaces and written words.

Throughout our correspondence, I will compassionately listen to your story, gently ask questions that point you to God, and help you discover personal spiritual practices that invite you to stay close to Him. Start now at lovedoesthat.org/apply.

https://lovedoesthat.org/apply

Pre-deciding is exactly what it sounds like: making a decision before a decision actually has to be made. This eliminates the pressure of having to make a last-minute decision that may not be thought out, and it also helps with decision fatigue, those times when you're making decision after decision after decision and you just don't want to make another decision.

And it's incredibly important during difficult seasons to decide some things in advance. So join me for this episode as I share some examples and walk you through four questions to ask as you pre-decide some things this year.

Kari

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES:

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

http://lovedoesthat.org/soulcaregroup

>> 3 Ways to Encounter God on the Pages of Your Journal Workshop: Tuesday, January 18th at 11:00am Eastern

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Episode 2: Discerning Who to Encourage

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD GOES SILENT?

As an introvert, silence is your strength. You cherish quiet moments. Time alone replenishes your soul like nothing else can.

But what happens when God goes silent? When you raise your questions of grief and hurt and doubt—and He doesn't answer?

Dear one, what if your very quietness has positioned you to experience the presence of God in a totally new way?

What if in these seasons of silence, God is actually speaking to you louder than He has ever spoken to you before?

If you ready to press into God in this season of silence, I invite you to fill out the form at lovedoesthat.org/apply. I use a modern-day letter writing style of spiritual direction perfect for Christian women drawn to quiet spaces and written words.

Throughout our correspondence, I will compassionately listen to your story, gently ask questions that point you to God, and help you discover personal spiritual practices that invite you to stay close to Him. Start now at lovedoesthat.org/apply.

It is the beginning of a new year, and I don't know about you, but I am absolutely determined to spend more time with God in His Word—not just reading it and not just to check it off my to-do list, but to actually engage with Him and listen to see what He wants to share with me this year. Has He laid that desire on your heart, as well?

But I know that sometimes, I get stuck in what to actually do in my quiet time with Him. Sometimes I need something to help me do more than just read, but to engage with what I'm reading. To understand it. To reflect on it. To listen for His nudges and invitations to me as I read.

And so I wanted to kick off this year exploring 10 different ways to encounter God in His Word. These are practical, tangible things you can put into practice in your own time with the Lord.

I don't recommend you do them all right away at the same time, but listen and see which ones pique your interest and then try them on and see how they work for you. I imagine you'll gravitate toward two or three of them based on your personality, your schedule, and just how God has designed you to meet with Him.

Let's dive in,

Kari

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES:

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

http://lovedoesthat.org/soulcaregroup

>> 3 Ways to Encounter God on the Pages of Your Journal Workshop: Tuesday, January 18th at 11:00am Eastern

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Online Retreats:

Email me at [email protected] to get on the waitlist

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Navigators
• Precepts Ministries International
• Horacio Printing SOAP Studies
• Daily Grace Co.
• Kelly Minter's Bible studies
• Imagine Bible Study Devotional
• Scribe: Scripture Writing Class
• Bible Study Made Simple podcast with Eva Kubasiak

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD GOES SILENT?

As an introvert, silence is your strength. You cherish quiet moments. Time alone replenishes your soul like nothing else can.

But what happens when God goes silent? When you raise your questions of grief and hurt and doubt—and He doesn't answer?

Dear one, what if your very quietness has positioned you to experience the presence of God in a totally new way?

What if in these seasons of silence, God is actually speaking to you louder than He has ever spoken to you before?

If you ready to press into God in this season of silence, I invite you to fill out the form at lovedoesthat.org/apply. I use a modern-day letter writing style of spiritual direction perfect for Christian women drawn to quiet spaces and written words.

Throughout our correspondence, I will compassionately listen to your story, gently ask questions that point you to God, and help you discover personal spiritual practices that invite you to stay close to Him. Start now at lovedoesthat.org/apply.

https://lovedoesthat.org/apply

Can you believe we are just a few days away from the new year? It's a time full of reflection and planning (both of which I love). It's a time of identifying our word for the year or setting goals or intentions. And honestly, there's a lot I enjoy about starting a new year or a new season.

So as we get ready to enter into 2022, I want to offer you some special encouragement. I know it's so easy for me to hear what other people are doing and compare myself to them, often feeling like I don't measure up. They're doing this and they're doing that, and they're offering this, and they're planning that. And the envy monster can wreak havoc on my heart and mind. Which is certainly not something that I want.

Then, I can get so many ideas of my own that I'm running around chasing them all and never really focus on what God has called me to do. And so being able to identify His calling for me, the mission that He has given me, has been super important so I can say "yes" to the things He desires for me and "no" to the things that are a hindrance.

That's why today's episode is just as much for me as it is for you. In fact, it's something I shared with another group more than a year ago, and parts of it still speak to me so deeply that I can't forget them.

Today, we're going to look at a couple of Bible passages that speak to running our race well.

Kari

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD GOES SILENT?

As an introvert, silence is your strength. You cherish quiet moments. Time alone replenishes your soul like nothing else can.

But what happens when God goes silent? When you raise your questions of grief and hurt and doubt—and He doesn't answer?

Dear one, what if your very quietness has positioned you to experience the presence of God in a totally new way?

What if in these seasons of silence, God is actually speaking to you louder than He has ever spoken to you before?

If you ready to press into God in this season of silence, I invite you to fill out the form at lovedoesthat.org/apply. I use a modern-day letter writing style of spiritual direction perfect for Christian women drawn to quiet spaces and written words.

Throughout our correspondence, I will compassionately listen to your story, gently ask questions that point you to God, and help you discover personal spiritual practices that invite you to stay close to Him. Start now at lovedoesthat.org/apply.

https://lovedoesthat.org/apply

Today, I want to offer you some prompts that are especially for those seasons of grief and heartache.

Now, grief looks like a lot of different things, right? The death of a loved one. The loss of a friendship. The move from one town to another. Letting go of dreams or expectations. The heaviness that comes when we realize our life has just been radically changed.

Today, I want to share with you ten questions that you can use as journal prompts in these seasons of grief. Be sure to download the complete Grief Journal for all 30 questions, plus a daily and weekly spread.

Kari

Grab the free Grief Journal:

www.lovedoesthat.org/griefjournal

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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD GOES SILENT?

As an introvert, silence is your strength. You cherish quiet moments. Time alone replenishes your soul like nothing else can.

But what happens when God goes silent? When you raise your questions of grief and hurt and doubt—and He doesn't answer?

Dear one, what if your very quietness has positioned you to experience the presence of God in a totally new way?

What if in these seasons of silence, God is actually speaking to you louder than He has ever spoken to you before?

If you ready to press into God in this season of silence, I invite you to fill out the form at lovedoesthat.org/apply. I use a modern-day letter writing style of spiritual direction perfect for Christian women drawn to quiet spaces and written words.

Throughout our correspondence, I will compassionately listen to your story, gently ask questions that point you to God, and help you discover personal spiritual practices that invite you to stay close to Him. Start now at lovedoesthat.org/apply.

https://lovedoesthat.org/apply

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Episode 38: 3 Truths to Remember During a Difficult Holiday Season
• Advent Resource: When Your Silent Night Feels Empty

Guided Scripture reading has been powerful for me because it helps me engage with the story in a deeper way. It's often combined with a practice called imaginative prayer, where you use all of your senses and imagination to enter into the story itself. What sounds do you hear? What does it smell like? Who is around you? And then God uses these details and stories to speak to you right where you are.

I'll be honest: it might feel a little strange at first. We've been taught to use our reasoning and knowledge when we read the Bible, not our imaginations.

But, you see, God has given us a mind to both reason and imagine, and when we use that reasoning and imagination with God's guidance, He will empower us to engage more deeply with His Word… and ultimately, engage more meaningfully with Him.

Join me as we enter into the story of choosing an apostle to replace Judas.

Kari

GRIEF IS HARD.

Whether you are reeling from the death of a loved one, struggling with loss of community, or feeling lost and unanchored, you are experiencing the truth that "this isn't how it was supposed to be."

You can ignore the pain, pretending it doesn't hurt and letting it pull you away from God. Or you can actually lean into it, instead, and choose to press even closer to Him.

Hi, I'm Kari, and I help women become more aware of God's presence in their lives and discover signs of His care.

Learn more here:

www.lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection/

Knowing the Stages of Change impacts our ability to help others, or even to understand our own healing journey.

Which stage are you in? Which stage is your friend in?

• Precontemplation
• Contemplation
• Preparation
• Action
• Maintenance

What are some important truths to keep in mind as we seek to support a friend through a major change?

Listen in to find out!

Kari

GRIEF IS HARD.

Whether you are reeling from the death of a loved one, struggling with loss of community, or feeling lost and unanchored, you are experiencing the truth that "this isn't how it was supposed to be."

You can ignore the pain, pretending it doesn't hurt and letting it pull you away from God. Or you can actually lean into it, instead, and choose to press even closer to Him.

Hi, I'm Kari, and I help women become more aware of God's presence in their lives and discover signs of His care.

Learn more here:

www.lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection/

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Episode 43: When Helping Hurts: Establishing Boundaries When Caring for Others with Counselor Nicole Fryling

Have you ever had a friend or family member who was going through a challenging situation and you wanted to help them, only to realize that your help wasn't actually all that helpful?

Today, we are talking about those moments when we might be hurting or enabling someone through our actions, which doesn't really lead to the help or healing they need in their lives. What does it look like to set healthy and God-honoring boundaries? How do we know the specific ways we can help someone through a season?

I just got off a call with counselor Nicole Fryling and we talked about this very topic of how to help others in a way that doesn't hurt them—or you—in the process. There are so many practical tips and biblical truths packed in here, you are going to want to grab some paper and write them down.

Let's dive into my conversation with Nicole.

Kari

ABOUT NICOLE:

Nicole Fryling is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Michigan and a graduate of Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. She finds energy in her work as a counselor when she is journeying with women who feel anxious, stuck, overwhelmed and those wanting to restore hope for a better, more enriching life. She is also passionate about coming alongside those who want to incorporate their spirituality and relationship with God in their healing journey. Blending her passions for entrepreneurship and counseling, Nicole started Restorative Counseling Center where her team offers both in person and online counseling.

CONNECT WITH NICOLE:

• Website: restorativecc.com
• Circle of Control guide: restorativecc.com/free-resources
• Facebook + Instagram

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Episode 2: Discerning Who to Encourage
• Galatians 6:2-5 (NIV)

INTERESTED IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?

I'd be honored to walk with you through a difficult season and help you discover God's presence and work in your life.

www.lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection/

A couple of weeks ago, we talked about the tension of experiencing grief and heartache in a season of celebration, how it can be hard to hold those two things together in a way that feels authentic and true. And I gave you three truths to hold onto when it came to going through a difficult holiday season of your own.

But today we're talking about difficult holidays from a different angle, and that is, how do we support those in our churches and communities who are grieving this holiday season? How do we acknowledge their loss even amid the festivities?

And one thing that I have seen to be so incredibly helpful is offering a Blue Christmas service, or sometimes called the Longest Night Worship Service.

A Blue Christmas service offers people a sacred space to not only remember their loved ones who have passed, but also to name their losses and griefs from the previous year. It is a refuge, of sorts. A way to acknowledge that they are not alone in the midst of their hurt. That others are hurting, too.

It's about making space for the sadness that is already there. Naming it. Honoring it, even. Taking it to Christ. And yes, remembering the hope we have in Him.

It can be so incredibly powerful for someone who is grieving or going through a difficult season.

So in today's episode, I want to walk you through some basic parts of a Blue Christmas service and then offer you a free resource to help you plan your own.

Kari

GET THE BLUE CHRISTMAS PLANNING GUIDE:

www.lovedoesthat.org/bluechristmas

SHOP OUR THANKSGIVING FUNDRAISER (November 15-30, 2021)

We'll donate 15% of all sales to local non-profit, Love INC. Plus, you'll be entered to win our digital prize pack.

www.lovedoesthat.org/shop

DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS ALONE?

I'd be honored to walk with you through a difficult holiday season and help you attune yourself to God's presence and work in your life.

www.lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection/

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Advent Resource: When Your Silent Night Feels Empty
• Creative Little Church: Blue Christmas Pack
• Episode 9: Supporting a Friend Through Grief (And Walking Through It Yourself) with Karen Altizer
• Episode 38: 3 Truths to Remember During a Difficult Holiday Season

Imagine this scenario with me… someone from church is going through a difficult time. Maybe they have a surgery coming up this week, and you want to send them a card to let them know you are thinking about them and praying for them as their big day comes up.

So you go to your desk to grab some cards, but they're not where you thought you had them. You dig around in your drawers and files, but still can't find them. That's okay, you'll just use computer paper instead.

So you open your printer to find some, but discover the cartridge empty. Well, you guess you'll just grab some notebook paper, then. But you scour the house and can't find a single notebook page without some sort of writing or scribble on it.

Your intention to send a note was sincere, but without anything to send, it quickly leaves your mind and you're on to other things.

But I've found that if God put an inkling on your heart to reach out to someone, you should probably follow through.

So what we're setting out to do today is to make it as easy as possible to send out cards, to remove the obstacles that get in our way. Are you in? Let's get started.

Kari

SHOP OUR THANKSGIVING FUNDRAISER (Nov. 15-30)

We'll donate 15% of all sales to local non-profit, Love INC. Plus, you'll be entered to win our digital prize pack.

www.lovedoesthat.org/shop

DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS ALONE?

I'd be honored to walk with you through a difficult holiday season and help you attune yourself to God's presence and work in your life.

www.lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection/