the remind{h}er podcast

Typically, a benediction is given at the end of a worship service—after we've prayed and sung and confessed and listened to the word of God proclaimed. It's a way to seemingly seal it all up, close it all out. But what's interesting to consider is that, really, a benediction is a beginning. A blessing. A sending. A gift. It's a way to say, "As we move into what's next, this is what we hope will be true. This is who we hope we will be. And this is who we hope we will become."

So, as we step into this new year, I'm offering a brief benediction for the brand new year. I hope you'll listen in.

Grant Me Your Sense of Timing by Ted Loder from Guerillas of Grace

Sign up for my monthly letter, The Re{collection} by clicking HERE.

www.remindherpodcast.com

Our words matter and, if chosen and used with wisdom and intention, I believe they can make a good difference. I'm learning that the practice of choosing words—both for the end of a year and for the beginning of another—can serve us well.

If you could choose a word to sum up your 2023, what would it be? If you could choose a word to help guide your steps into 2024, what would it be? Listen in.

Word of the Year: History of the Idea | TIME Magazine

remind{h}er 82: Examen Your Life

www.remindherpodcast.com

Don't forget to tune in next Wednesday, January 3, for a brief bonus New Year episode!

During the Advent season, we know that the darkness is thick and hope can wear thin while we wait for the arrival we long for. We tend to quickly shift from standing at the door watching on tip-toe to turning our backs and impatiently tapping our toes. So what are we to do? What might it look like to faithfully participate in this Advent waiting?

I wonder if it might begin by remembering both God-with-us and God-within-us. What does that look like? Listen in.

FULL VIDEO—The 'Classic' Nativity Role

Advent Sermons by Fleming Rutledge

Henri Nouwen

www.remindherpodcast.com

We'll be back December 27!

I don't know about you, but for me, it can be difficult to reconcile how both good and heartbreaking experiences are ingredients included in the recipes that make up our lives. Surely there must be a way to eliminate what is less than ideal, to substitute certain ingredients with better, more palatable alternatives. Certainly there is an easier, turn-a-blind-eye, break-n-bake option, yes?

That would be nice. But I'm learning that a life made from scratch isn't always ideal. Instead, it is real and raw and rich and nuanced and messy and beautiful.

So what might it look like to live a life from scratch? Listen in.

Grateful by Diana Butler Bass

Sign up to receive The Re{collection}, heading your way at the end of the month!

www.remindherpodcast.com

Each day, it seems we are bombarded by a variety of "voices," numerous options of what or who to give our attention to. The loudest most blatant ones draw us in and, if you're like me, they can distract us from what is true, leading us further away from our deepest identity—the Voice who calls us beloved.

This isn't an invitation to escape reality, nor to discount, dismiss, or belittle the experience of suffering. But it is an invitation to intentionally be reminded of hope, reminded of joy, reminded of compassion and justice and humility. It's an invitation to notice the beauty and to experience what it's like to be called by name and led by Love.

That's the Voice we're meant to know. And that's the Voice we're meant to follow. I hope you'll tune in :)

Learn more about author and spiritual director, Jan Johnson HERE.

Learn more about artist, writer, and minister Jan Richardson HERE.

{It wasn't the plan, but apparently I reference two wonderful Jans!}

www.remindherpodcast.com

I can't help but notice that there seems to be a spiritual conversation happening when we spend time outside.

Anxious thoughts are met by calm reassurances. A drained spirit is strengthened, lifted, and refreshed. Fear moves toward trust. Despair turns toward hope. And we're reminded of our deepest belonging.

We are met by reminders, nudges, glimmers, glimpses of who God is and who we are as a part of God's good creation.

I hope you'll listen in. And I hope you'll step outside :)

Practice the Pause by Caroline Oakes

Episode 259—The Healing Gift of Nature {Life with God Podcast}

Mary Oliver

Nature, Health, + Wellbeing

www.remindherpodcast.com

In the last remind{h}er, I referenced Psalm 136 and the refrain used 27 times in the 26 verses of the psalm. But I didn't get a chance to read all 26 verses, and today, I'd like to take a few minutes to do just that.

Sometimes I think it's worthwhile for me to simply offer words from scripture and consider what God might be inviting us into through these words crafted thousands of years ago. There is something important and meaningful about considering how God is still at work through the words of scripture today, as we seek to engage and connect with God through it. So, I hope you'll listen in and I hope Psalm 136 serves you well :)

remind{h}er 103: Repeat Yourself

www.remindherpodcast.com

When life feels wobbly, repetition can be a steadying practice. Repeating something helps us recall it. We absorb what we repeat. In many ways, repetition influences who we become. And for me, that means it matters. I'm learning that when it comes to our formation, some things are worth repeating.

What role might repetition play as we seek to become the people God calls and invites us to be? Listen in.

James K.A. Smith

Sign up for The Re{collection} HERE!

Visit www.remindherpodcast.com for a transcript, speaking inquiries, or to learn more :)

As someone who loves to write, I believe grammar is important on a page. But lately I've been considering how grammar might also have something important to say as it translates into our actual lives. Maybe, choosing to use good and truer grammar on the page could be its own sort of spiritual practice for our lives—a practice that reminds us of the way of Jesus. I know it sounds a bit unconventional, but that's what we're unpacking today. I hope you'll listen in!

Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wicked Good Prose by Constance Hale

www.remindherpodcast.com

Each episode, I share that we are called to remember. But that call is an invitation, not a prerequisite; and our inevitable spiritual forgetfulness will never be a dealbreaker. Not with God. As John Swinton reminds us, it is God's memory, not our own, that is most important. In today's episode, we're exploring that a bit. I hope you'll listen in!

John Swinton

The Art of Presence from Everything Happens with Kate Bowler

www.remindherpodcast.com