Journal Gently: Spiritual Formation for Christian Women

I have a something so incredibly special to share with you today. I actually hinted at it in my last episode, but I want to take some time and explain it more fully so you can join me in this.

For those of you who don't know, in addition to working as a spiritual director for women who are experiencing depression or grief or any sort of difficult season in their life, I also own a gift shop where I make encouragement and sympathy gifts like our Tear Bottles and Mini Tear Bottle Necklaces.

And as a gift shop owner, I have had to think about the holidays and if I wanted to create a sale or a discount or something to offer to you, my customers. This is something all business owners have to decide. Will they offer sales or not? Will they have any sort of promotion? Bonuses? Free gifts?

And for me, giving a discount seemed nice, but it just didn't seem to perfectly align with what we do here at Love Does That, which is walking with those who are hurting.

I brainstormed and prayed about how to handle holiday seasons and last year, came up with the idea to do a fundraiser instead of a sale. Listen in to see how it works.

Kari

SHOP FOR THE THANKSGIVING FUNDRAISER

www.lovedoesthat.org

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/

I have such a special episode for you today. I know that you are here listening to this podcast because you care so very much for those around you. God has given you a heart for those who are hurting.

And so when it comes to the holiday season, you want to find not just a gift off the shelf, but a truly meaningful gift, something that will comfort and encourage your friend and let her know that she is not alone in her hurt and grief.

Today, I am going to highlight four shops that are perfect for helping you find just the right gift. You will be able to find links to all of these shops in the show notes below, and be sure to follow and support them on social media, too, because they are on the same mission: to show love and care to those who are hurting.

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

Kari

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/

SHOP LINKS:

• Love Well Collective: https://www.lovewellcollective.com/
• Because Love: https://www.itsbecauselove.com/
• Purpose + Grit: https://www.purposegrit.com/
• Love Does That: https://lovedoesthat.org

This week, I welcome back Jennifer Brianne from Pens to Prison Ministry to share with us about a special project to express God's love to the inmates this holiday season. It is such a tender and practical way to reach out to those who are often forgotten about.

Listen in and then be ready to take action, because the deadline is coming up in just a week or two. But it really only takes a few moments of your time to make such an incredible impact.

Kari

JOIN THE HOLIDAY BLITZ WITH PENS TO PRISON MINISTRIES

Email [email protected]

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/

It is now November, and that simple change in month means that so many of us are starting to think about the holidays—planning and buying gifts and decorating. And I know a lot of people are buying gifts early, not knowing how long shipping might take or if what they want to get is even going to be available in a month or two, and so they are snagging it now.

But for some of us, holidays also bring along a bit of sadness or stress. Holidays can be hard for numerous reasons. It could be that a loved one has passed during the year, and so it's our first time celebrating without them. It could be that we are unable to gather with our family or friends, and being alone doesn't really feel like much of a reason to celebrate.

Yet Thanksgiving and Christmas are great opportunities for us to celebrate Jesus' birth and to give thanks for all that God has given us. They are invitations from God to draw close to Him in celebration, remembrance, and thankfulness.

But the question is, is it even possible to celebrate and give thanks when you are grieving? I believe you can. And that's why I want to offer you three truths today that I want you to remember as we head into this holiday season.

Kari

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/

BIBLE REFERENCES:

• "A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:4 NLT)
• Learn more about feasts and festivals in Leviticus 23 and 25.

Shop prayerfully-crafted encouragement and sympathy gifts:

www.lovedoesthat.org/shop

Learn to C.A.R.E. courageously for those who are hurting:

www.lovedoesthat.org/care

Today I want to share with you something that I shared with my Sunday school class a few weeks ago. It has been a message that has continued to resonate with me, and I know that many of you will relate to it, as well.

There are a lot of times when I'm working my way through a book of the Bible and a story just gets stuck in my heart and I keep coming back to it. And that's what today's episode is all about. It's a story that got stuck in my heart and, as I reflect on it and process it, another layer reveals itself. Or should I say, God reveals Himself in a new way.

The story I'm talking about is that of Zacchaeus, found in Luke chapter 19. And what we're going to do is just take it verse by verse and see what God has for us today.

Kari

ARE YOU READY TO C.A.R.E. COURAGEOUSLY?

Grab the Courageous Care Masterclass at www.lovedoesthat.org/care.

BIBLE REFERENCES:

• Story of Zacchaeus: Luke 19:1-10
• Jericho references: Joshua 2-6; 1 Kings 16:34; 2 Kings 2; Ezra 2:34; Nehemiah 7:36
• Bleeding woman: Luke 8:43-48
• Bartimaeus: Mark 10:46-52 (note, this story also takes place in Jericho)
• Four men with paralyzed friend: Mark 2:1-12
• David: 2 Samuel 6:12-16
• Prodigal Son: Luke 15:11-24

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Friend, I'd love to encourage you as you encourage others. Here are two ways to get started:

1. ENCOURAGEMENT + SYMPATHY GIFTS

These are prayerfully-crafted gifts you can share with those you love as tangible expressions of care. Let your friend know she is not alone.

www.lovedoesthat.org/shop

2. SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

Interested in spiritual direction? Fill out an interest form where we can start to talk about what's weighing on your heart and identify next steps you can take to discern God's direction.

www.lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection/

Today, I am just popping in to share a special offer with you.

You’ve heard me share a bit about spiritual direction here on the podcast. Episode 25 talked about spiritual direction in general: what it is, how to know if you need it, and other frequently asked questions about it. Then episode 33 addressed written spiritual direction in particular, which is what I specialize in.

I wanted to let you know that I have a special offer available where you can save $30 on a 3-month package of spiritual direction.

I want to offer this right now because we are getting ready to enter into the holiday season, and I know that for so many people, holidays are just hard, aren’t they? Maybe you’re grieving the loss of someone you care about. Maybe this was just a really challenging year. It’s been stressful. Maybe you had a big move and you’re still trying to find your way around. Maybe you’re burnt out.

Maybe you’re a church or ministry leader, and it’s just hard for you to actually participate in the holidays because you’re so busy planning and leading services. Maybe you’ve started caring for parents who are getting older and having a lot of health issues. Or maybe you’re having some medical challenges yourself.

Whatever the case, I would be honored to walk through this holiday season with you and help you attune yourself to the presence of God, to find out where He is working in your heart and life, to hear His invitations to you—whether that’s to rest or to worship or to trust—and to take steps to receive and accept those invitations. Because what He wants for you may not be what He wants for someone else in a similar situation, and that’s okay. It’s important that we’re taking time to stay close to Him and see where He is leading.

Listen in to hear the details.

Kari

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SPECIAL OFFER

Interested in spiritual direction? Fill out an interest form where we can start to talk about what’s weighing on your heart and identify next steps you can take to discern God’s direction.

www.lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection/

RESOURCES:

• Episode 25: What is Spiritual Direction, How Do I Know If I Need It, and Other Frequently Asked Questions
• Episode 33: Written Spiritual Direction: How Letters and Messages Can Create Space for God

Imagine with me, if you will… you get that email from church letting you know that so-and-so's family needs meals for the next three weeks as they adjust to having a new baby at home. You click the link and sign up for a couple of the days. You love to serve others in this way, providing a meal so they can get the rest they need, as well as time just to be with baby.

But then you begin to wonder… how can you make it truly special for them? More than just a meal?

There are a lot of people today who need a bit of extra care and encouragement, from families with new babies, to those who have lost a loved one, to those who recently got laid off at work, to those lonely and depressed or chronically ill.

And homemade meals have become a practical, tangible way to come alongside someone who needs a little extra support. Through meal trains, in particular, we can schedule who is bringing the meal each day and ensure that every day is covered and that the load is shared among caring friends.

And while you can, indeed, simply make a meal and drop it off, I've learned there are some things you can do to show the family you care by paying attention to a few specific details.

Today's episode is going to be super practical in that I am going to give you specific ideas you can try the next time you sign up for a meal train.

Kari

ARE YOU READY TO C.A.R.E. COURAGEOUSLY?

Grab the Courageous Care Masterclass at www.lovedoesthat.org/care.

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Friend, I'd love to encourage you as you encourage others. Here are two ways to get started:

1. ENCOURAGEMENT + SYMPATHY GIFTS

These are prayerfully-crafted gifts you can share with those you love as tangible expressions of care. Let your friend know she is not alone.

www.lovedoesthat.org/shop

2. SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

Interested in spiritual direction? Fill out an interest form where we can start to talk about what's weighing on your heart and identify next steps you can take to discern God's direction.

www.lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection/

Can I guess what you're thinking? You saw the title to this episode and thought, "Job was the one who needed encouragement, wasn't he? Not the one to offer it."

But today, I want to share with you this little insight into Job: he was an encourager, too!

I have absolutely loved learning about this part of his life. And truth be told, we don't have a lot of information about it, but it's just enough to show us that Job cared about others and reached out to them when they were having difficult seasons.

So let's dive into the story of Job and see what we can learn from him when it comes to encouraging others.

Kari

ARE YOU READY TO C.A.R.E. COURAGEOUSLY?

Grab the Courageous Care Masterclass at www.lovedoesthat.org/care.

BIBLE VERSES:

• "In the past you have encouraged many people; you have strengthened those who were weak. Your words have supported those who were falling; you encouraged those with shaky knees." (Job 4:3-4 NLT)
• "I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day… I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak." (Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-16 NLT).
• "Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak." (1 Thessalonians 5:14 NLT)
• "Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." (Ephesians 4:29 NLT)
• "With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees." (Isaiah 35:3 NLT)

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Friend, I'd love to encourage you as you encourage others. Here are two ways to get started:

1. SHOP ENCOURAGEMENT + SYMPATHY GIFTS

These are prayerfully-crafted gifts you can share with those you love as tangible expressions of care. Let your friend know she is not alone.

www.lovedoesthat.org/shop

2. GET STARTED WITH SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

Interested in spiritual direction? Fill out this interest form where we can start to talk about what's weighing on your heart and identify next steps you can take to discern God's direction.

www.lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection/

Oh, my goodness, do I have a treat for you today. I sat down with a new friend, Jennifer Brianne, and we had a great chat about reaching out to those who are hurting. And you guys, we had never really talked before, so essentially, it was like we were having a virtual coffee chat and you guys just get to listen in to the conversation. And it's so good.

I love Jennifer's heart to reach out to those who are often forgotten about or judged. And it really challenges me to stop and consider if I need to do something more in this area.

Now, Jennifer and I didn't realize how many similarities there were between the work that we do, so there may be another podcast episode in the future where we explore that.

But for today, we focus on helping those who are hurting, showing up, and being there for them in their seasons of pain. Since this is a shared podcast episode, we introduce ourselves at the beginning of the conversation.

Let's dive in.

Kari

MEET JENNIFER BRIANNE:

Jennifer Brianne is an international author and podcast host with a writing business that seeks to help professional and creative dreamers solve writing problems. She is the founder of Pens to Prison ministry that serves life, hope, salvation, and prayers in the form of letter correspondence to prisoners. She is all about the written, orated, and digital word. Jennifer Brianne is interested in communicating freedom and using the power of words, voice, and language to change the trajectory of her world - and yours, too.

CONNECT WITH JENNIFER BRIANNE:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Shop Books (save 50% on any book with coupon code PRAY)

CONNECT WITH KARI:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Free Guide: Breaking Through the Fear of Reaching Out (you'll get a 30% off coupon to use for the Courageous Care Masterclass)

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Friend, I'd love to encourage you as you encourage others. Here are two ways to get started:

1. SHOP ENCOURAGEMENT + SYMPATHY GIFTS

These are prayerfully-crafted gifts you can share with those you love as tangible expressions of care. Let your friend know she is not alone.

www.lovedoesthat.org/shop

2. GET STARTED WITH SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

Interested in spiritual direction? Fill out this interest form where we can start to talk about what's weighing on your heart and identify next steps you can take to discern God's direction.

www.lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection/

Today, I wanted to talk about the idea of getting ready to meet with God.

Now, the caveat is that you can talk to God anytime, anywhere, right? In fact, we're instructed to pray at all times, aren't we? Ephesians 6:18 says, "Pray in the Spirit at all times." And 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, "Never stop praying."

And that is such a blessing, such a gift, that we can talk to God at any moment. We don't have to be anywhere special, we don't have to wait for a certain time. We can just talk.

But what I want to focus on today is that sometimes we need to not just talk to God, but prepare ourselves to actually encounter Him, to stop and listen for His response.

We need time to get ready to meet with Him.

Today, I want to explore a few different ways that this idea of getting ready shows up in the Christian life and then see what it might look like for you personally.

Kari

ARE YOU READY TO C.A.R.E. COURAGEOUSLY?

Grab the Courageous Care Masterclass at www.lovedoesthat.org/care.

BIBLE VERSES:

• "Pray in the Spirit at all times." (Ephesians 6:18 NLT)
• "Never stop praying." (1 Thessalonians 5:16 NLT)
• "Listen to me; listen and pay close attention." (Isaiah 28:23 NLT)
• "Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds." (Psalm 105:1-2 NLT)
• "I will come to you in a thick cloud, Moses, so the people themselves can hear me when I speak with you…. Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing. Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch." (Exodus 19: 9-11 NLT)
• "Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God." (Hebrews 4:16 NLT)

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Friend, I'd love to encourage you as you encourage others. Here are two ways to get started:

1. SHOP ENCOURAGEMENT + SYMPATHY GIFTS

These are prayerfully-crafted gifts you can share with those you love as tangible expressions of care. Let your friend know she is not alone.

www.lovedoesthat.org/shop

2. GET STARTED WITH SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

Interested in spiritual direction? Fill out this interest form where we can start to talk about what's weighing on your heart and identify next steps you can take to discern God's direction.

www.lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection/