What is memory, and how does memory affect how we process and tell our own story? In the next couple of episodes we’re going to dive into that subject together. We’re also going to talk about how we are story-bound people. So, join me for this 150th episode of the podcast, as we explore our stories through the lens of memory.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

Join me today, as we spend a few minutes together meditating on one the stories of Jesus. His stories, called parables, are earthly stories that carry a heavenly meaning. They share ideas and metaphors to describe his Kingdom. If you want to read along, we’ll be in Matthew 13, in the New Living Translation. We’ll end our time together with a breath prayer.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

As we continue the theme of examining our stories, today I’m posing the question, what if it turns out that your story is ordinary? Join me today for an 11-minute reflection episode. We’ll begin with a grounding exercise, reflect together on what it means to live an ordinary life, and then close with a benediction.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

In today’s episode, we’re continuing to ponder our own stories. Specifically, we’re examining how the lens of how suffering affects our stories. To do so, I’m using Walter Brueggemann’s framework for considering the Psalms in 3 parts: Orientation, Disorientation, and Reorientation. Regardless of which of these three frameworks you currently find yourself in, I hope that this episode will be thought-provoking and encouraging.

If you found this podcast episode helpful, I hope you’ll pass it on. I’d love to hear what resonates with you! You can comment below today’s show notes, or join the conversation on Facebook or Instagram.

A couple of quick and helpful places where I gained insight into Bruegemann’s work are as follows:

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

What makes a compelling story? On this episode, I talk about this idea and more with author, Katie Powner. She was on the podcast three years ago to talk about her first book, The Sowing Season, and today, we’re talking about her newest book, The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass.

On this episode, Katie and I talk about the writing life, animals, Montana, what she’s reading these days, and how the theme of redemption shows up in her book. I really enjoyed talking with her, and I think you’re going to love this conversation too!

If you’d like to know more about Katie, find her books, and follow her on the socials, you can check out her website: katiepowner.com.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

This is a relaxed episode. No music. No centering practice. It’s just me, being honest with you, about my own soul-care practices in this season.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

In today’s podcast episode, we’re going to be meditating on a familiar story, but from a different perspective. We’ll begin our time together with a breath prayer, and then examine the story of The Good Samaritan. Get ready to employ your holy imagination!

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

It was a joy to have Alicia Akins back on the podcast today to talk about her new book, The Gift of the Outsider: What Living in the Margins Teaches Us About Faith. This season we are talking about stories, and one story that needs to be told is that of the outsider. In this episode, Alicia defines what an outsider is, and we talk about the beauty of discovering the gifts that come to the body of Christ when we enter into relationship with those in the margins.

In this episode, Alicia tells her own story of often finding herself an outsider, and also shares perspective on some of the gifts that those in the margins can bring to the body of Christ. Alicia has traveled and lived in Asia, and she shares unique perspective on how she has seen the same dynamics in other cultures as well.

I found this conversation to be inspiring and challenging in the best of ways. May we have the courage to stand a little discomfort for the honoring of others in our midst, and may we have eyes to see and hearts open to learn and experience the fullness of the gifts Christ brings to His body, even the harder gifts like lament and suffering.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

All day, every day, we are being inundated with an onslaught of stories, but do we have a limit to how many stories we can take in? In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about that very thing!

We’ll start the episode with a slow-down exercise, then spend some time considering how the stories we hear affect us. We’ll also talk about spiritual practices that we can employ to help lay some of the burdens down.

I refer back to a previous soul-care reflection episode about Palms Prayer, if you’d like to go back and review it.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.

This season on the podcast we are immersing ourselves in stories: the stories of Scripture, the stories of guests, and learning from storytellers. However, there’s another story that deserves to be looked at this season, and that’s your story.

In today’s episode, we’re beginning to examine and engage our own stories. We’ll begin with a grounding exercise, then begin to dissect elements of a story and how those elements show up in your narrative. Then, we’ll end by considering a few ways that you can begin piecing together your own story.

Story work is sacred work.

May you be encouraged on your journey with Jesus.