Quiet on Purpose

With the world opening back up again, we are once again inundated with opportunities to fill our calendars. Maybe, like me, you don't want to just fill your calendar with "all" the things. Maybe you're looking for a way to be intentional about the things you choose to put on the calendar. Today's episode is about having a prayerful, listening posture when choosing where we say "yes"  and when we say "no." Listen in!

Read it for yourself at Bible Gateway! Colossians 9:17: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A17&version=ESV; 2 Corinthians 9:8: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+9%3A8&version=HCSB

Questions from today's episode: Is there an opportunity awaiting your “yes” or “no” right now? What would it look like for you to prayerfully consider God’s perspective on it? Do you feel like you’re “in over your head” at the moment? What would it look like for you to trust God to give you all the grace you need to complete the good work you’ve committed to do?

Here's an interesting article on early projections of COVID-19 "killing" 'busyness' as a status symbol! https://www.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-business-status-symbol-stress-work-050017173.html

Music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance

Our natural tendency, when faced with our own brokenness, is to isolate, to hide, and to cover it up. But, throughout the Bible, we see an invitation, instead, to return to relationship. In this episode, we find the courage to look our brokenness in the eye and listen carefully to God's loving invitation to move forward in relationship with him. Listen in! 

Read it for yourself at Bible Gateway! https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A9&version=NLT

Questions from this episode: Is there a confession you need to make right now? Is God revealing anything to you today about your own tendency to cover up and hide from him? Is he inviting you to see your brokenness differently as you move forward in relationship with him?

Listen to this great song by Avi Kaplan! The lyrics walk us through the whole process of "paradise lost," facing shame, and a return to relationship through grace! Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYdY7s6o2Bo Read the lyrics: https://genius.com/Avi-kaplan-it-knows-me-lyrics

Music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance

There is just one perfect throne, whose foundation is righteousness and justice. There is just one King of all kings, whose attendants are unfailing love and truth. Where do these truths intersect and impact our own lives? What are the implications for us in the every day? In this episode, we'll set aside some time to listen for and respond to the invitation to partner with our just and righteous God in the sphere in which we find ourselves right now. Listen in!

Read it for yourself at Bible Gateway! https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+89%3A14&version=NLT

Questions from today's episode: What next step is God calling you to take, based on what you currently know and see in your own little sphere? Listen, and then name it. How are you going to respond?

Just a few (very few) suggested resources if you want to begin doing something to make a difference today: 

Get educated on human trafficking: https://www.rebeccabender.org

Get educated, inspired, and/or involved in ending modern day slavery: https://www.ijm.org/

Use your money to help support women around the world escape poverty: https://tradesofhope.com/ 

Discover many ways to help end hunger and poverty around the world: https://www.worldvision.org

Music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance

It is counter-cultural and counterintuitive for us to believe that restriction is freeing, but King David marveled at how true that really was when he considered God's laws! It's still true today, as well. Listen in as we contemplate the lie we tend to believe about God's commandments, and what this Psalm says in contrast!

Read it for yourself at Bible Gateway! https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+19%3A7-8&version=NLT

Priscilla Shirer says more about restriction vs freedom in her blog at Going Beyond Ministries. Take a minute to read it and be encouraged! https://www.goingbeyond.com/blog/his-voice-his-freedom/

Questions from today's episode: What does your heart believe to be true about God's ways? Is an invitation being extended to you to take a new step of obedience? What is it? What is your response?

Music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance

In this episode, we'll be exploring another spiritual practice! The daily review helps bring closure to one day and usher in the next by taking a look back over the events of the day with an eye on specific activity in the heart. It is simple and only takes a few minutes, yet can produce big results in terms of spiritual growth! Listen in!

Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton

Steps to the Daily Review:

Get comfortable, take a deep breath and be still. Become aware of God's loving presence with you 

Look back over the events of the past 24 hours, inviting God to direct your thoughts, seeing what He wants you to see

Ask God to show you where he was present with you, though you may not have noticed it at the time

Ask God to point out ways and places where you are growing and changing. Thank him for evidence of his transforming work in your life

Ask God to show you where you fell short of Christ-likeness and into sin; without succumbing to shame, simply name your failure honestly, confess it to God, and receive his forgiveness

Finish out by thanking God for the day and for his presence with you

Regret, discouragement and feelings of defeat are, sadly, a part of the human experience. But they don't get to have the last word, because God's mercies are new every morning! In today's episode, we'll take a few minutes to name those things that are weighing us down and then listen for God's invitation to experience His mercy in our circumstances. Listen in!

Read it for yourself at Bible Gateway!

Questions from today's episode: Are there regrets or sinful habits that keep you living in the past? Are there current life circumstances that feel defeating? If so, name them. What invitation is being extended to you right now in light of his new mercy today? What is your response?

Anne of Green Gables quote

Don't wait-Get help today! Counseling services: Restore and Rebuild Ministries, talkspace online therapy; Addiction help: Alcohol, Lust, Sex, & Pornography, Work, Food; Special Needs children; Domestic Violence; Caregiver support groups  -- having trouble with any of the links? Head over to the Spotify platform, where all the links should be live. We're working on getting them live across all platforms. Thank you for your patience!

Music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance

In this episode we're going to explore our first Spiritual Practice! I'm so excited to share with you one of my personal favorite practices which helps to ground me in simple truth. It's super important to learn to be honest with ourselves if we're ever going to learn to sit quietly in the presence of God and our own soul. This practice involves a really basic approach to doing just that, while at the same time incorporating the practice of listening to God, as well. Listen in, and then check out the resources below for more help implementing today's practice!

Steps to Truth Prayer Journal:

#1-My Truth - write down how you're feeling right now. You could be feeling a LOT of different things. Write down as many as seem important to you at the moment. (Feeling word charts: Here's a great one for adults, that's similar to what I mentioned in today's episode! Here's a great one for kids, or for those who prefer emoticons!)

#2-Time for Silent Listening - Ask God to bring to mind His truth regarding your circumstances and feelings. Look for these to be based in scripture.

#3-Write down as many of these truths (with scripture references) as seem appropriate to you right now.

#4-Practice silence again, listening for an invitation from God 

#5-Respond. Write down your response

"Like a Child" sermon by Pastor Josh Lieurance. Audio only. Video

Beloved Dust by Jamin Goggin and Kyle Strobel

Music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance

The 23rd Psalm is a favorite among many, and is often read or recited at funerals because it is such a comfort. The comfort it contains about who God is and what He does for those who belong to Him are not just for the dead or the dying, though. They are for us, now, too! Join me as we take 5 weeks to consider all the comforting truths that Psalm 23 contains. Today, in our 5th and final episode, we'll meditate on the abundant refreshment offered to us by our Shepherd. Listen in!

Read it for yourself at Bible Gateway!

Questions from today's episode: Is your view of life from a place of abundance or of scarcity today? Do you need to receive refreshment or comfort from the Lord right now? What is your one desire at this moment? What do you sense Your Shepherd saying to you?

The Egyptians really did use cones of fat! Hospitality in the Ancient Near East explained!

Music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance

The 23rd Psalm is a favorite among many, and is often read or recited at funerals because it is such a comfort. The comfort it contains about who God is and what He does for those who belong to Him are not just for the dead or the dying, though. They are for us, now, too! Join me as we take 5 weeks to consider all the comforting truths that Psalm 23 contains. Today, we'll meditate on what it means to be able to enjoy a feast in the presence of our enemies! Don't miss it!

Read it for yourself at Bible Gateway!

Today's questions: Are you in the presence of an enemy right now? If so, name it. Whether there are enemy threats today or not, can you hear His invitation to feast with Him today? What is your response?

Click here to find out how to watch a fantastic classic "Feasting" film!

Music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance

The 23rd Psalm is a favorite among many, and often read or recited at funerals because it is such a comfort. The comfort it contains about who God is and what He does for those who belong to Him are not just for the dead or the dying, though. They are for us now, too! Join me as we take 5 weeks to consider all the comforting truths that Psalm 23 contains. Today, we'll consider what it means to have the comforting presence of our Shepherd in the valleys and darkness. Listen in!

Read it for yourself at Bible Gateway!

Today's questions: Are you in a valley right now? Can you name it? In what ways do you sense the Shepherd is with you? Do you need to cry out for His protection? Do you need to surrender to His correction?

Interested in learning to herd sheep the traditional way, with rod and staff? Check this out!

Music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance