One of the challenges of COVID-19 is a shortage of personal protective equipment that healthcare workers need in order to stay healthy and safe as they serve on the frontlines of this pandemic.

In today's episode, Jen reminds us that we too also need to stay safe during this battle as we serve on the spiritual frontlines. Fortunately, you have your own personal protective equipment...God's very own weapons. Supplies will never run low. But you do need to suit up in order to stand in these challenging times.

Scripture Read: Psalm 27:14 AMP

In a continuation of our mini-series: Living and Leading in the Era of COVID-19, Jen shares one of the gifts that awaits you in this season. 

The question was never did you have the time, but rather, what will you do with the time you have?

In a continuation of our mini-series: Living and Leading in the Era of COVID-19, Jen shares how she's been confronted with the truth that trusting God means He gets to decide the outcome.

Scripture read today is from Psalm 18 NLT

Mini-Episode Series: Living and Leading Well Amidst COVID-19

In this episode, Jen challenges you to embrace the fullness of your humanity and shares two words that are powerful and pastoral to speak during a time of crisis.

Tip for the day: to live as BOTH, AND people through it all.

The world has changed dramatically in the last few weeks. As we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope that this will be a space for you to receive encouragement and support for your soul. Each weekday Jen will give scripture and some thoughts for you as you continue to live and lead in the midst of this radically changing world.

This episode is an introduction to the new way the Giving Up Normal podcast is doing something different...in an era where things are no longer normal.

Do you regularly practice rhythms of reflection or do you run from one thing to the next? In this episode, Jen shares a time-tested spiritual practice that can help you slow down the pace of life in order to evaluate what's going well, and what needs to be left behind. Just grab your calendar and hit play!

Are you in the pursuit of more...more time, more meaningful relationships, more space and margin, more adventure? Often times in order to receive the "more" that we're desperately looking for, we need to give up something in return.

In today's episode I sit down with friend and business owner Amy McCasland as she shares her family's story about giving up having it all in order to live fully as the family they were created to be.

As Amy shares, she challenges us to not live in a "someday world." Her tips include:

• writing and recording what you're sensing and feeling
• consider what you're willing to give up to make the changes
• confide in a friend who can cheer you on
• make a list of action steps to move the needle forward
• experiment along the way

Some of the resources she recommends are:

Chasing Slow by Erin Loechner

The More of Less by Joshua Becker

Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist

Make it Happen by Lara Casey

The Cozy Minimalist Home by Myquillyn Smith

You can find Amy at abideink.com or on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest @abideinkco

Do you sense the need to create and maintain a life-giving practice of sabbath but not sure where to start? In part 2 of Giving Up the 24/7 Life, Jen continues her conversation with writer, podcaster and leader, Esther Goetz. Esther shares what she has learned on the journey, what her sabbath looks like now, challenges that may come our way and tips to creating your own rhythm of sabbath.

Two life-changing questions to ask yourself are:

• What do you need today?
• What do you want Jesus to do for you?

You can hear more from Esther at estherjoygoetz.com or follow her on Facebook @thedollymamanj.

Are you a workaholic? Are you constantly on the go? Do you have very little space and margin in your life? Do you struggle to stop? You are not alone. Many of us are living 24/7. We live in a constant state of doing and producing and we can feel it as it impacts us physically, emotionally and spiritually. The 24/7 life puts us in a danger zone that can lead to burnout and is not the way God created us to be.

In today's episodes, Jen talks with writer, podcaster and leader Esther Goetz as she shares her own journey of being forced to stop the 24/7 life and embrace the gift of sabbath.

You can hear more from Esther at estherjoygoetz.com or follow her on Facebook @thedollymamanj.

As you listen to this episode Esther mentions a book that was formative in her journey...24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life by Matthew Sleeth, MD. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite bookstore.

Do you want to discover and pursue God's unique adventure for you? In part 2 of my conversation with Brett Hardy from the Adventure of Surrender podcast, Brett shares a key mindset that we need to have in order to step into this new space, and it revolves around the time we spend in the rhythms and routines of life.

You can follow Brett and the Adventure of Surrender on Instagram @adventureofsurrender or at adventureofsurrender.com.