Feel free to introduce yourself in the comments below! Tell us something about yourself. If you have an online journal, you may leave a link. What do you hope to learn in this course?
Resources
printables, playlists, videos, and e-book
Read moreINSPIRE: Bible Study
::Inspire::
Bible Study
Welcome to the first day of Renew!
This retreat is all about renewing your mind, body, and soul and I don’t think there’s a better place to start than the Word of God.
God’s eternal, inerrant Word is the basis behind all wisdom for life. If you want to hear what God is saying to YOU, then you need to be spending time in daily Bible study.
It’s great to glean wisdom from the Bible through sermons, devotions, and other people’s insights- and though these sources may expand your knowledge of the Scriptures in wonderful ways that may, indeed, help you, please don’t let that those be your primary resources when it comes to studying God’s word.
Nothing beats the personal knowledge and the relationship that develops, between you and the Author, when you spend time, one-on-one with the Bible. It CAN feel clumsy at times. I get it. The Bible is not like any other book- but we can learn techniques that will help us to understand it better.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
One idea I get from this verse is that, because the word of God is “living and active” it’s not a book that we read once and call it good. I’ve been reading the Bible on an almost daily basis for a long time- and there are certain verses that I’ve heard, seen, or read thousands of times. I may think I fully understand those verses, but then, out-of the-blue, I’ll be read or hear it, again, and the Holy Spirit will show me something new. It’s a beautiful thing.
The Holy Spirit wants to speak to you, too. Quiet you mind, inviting him to speak (with a simple prayer) and opening the Bible are all ways that you can be hospitable to his voice.
If you don’t know where to start when it comes to Bible study, I have a few suggestions:
Start with prayer.
Holy Spirit, please speak to me and help me to understand what I’m about to read and apply it to my life.
Use a reading plan (but don’t be a slave to it…stay open to where God leads you in your reading).
I’ve created a simple 30-day plan for you to use if you like. It’s only a chapter a day but it covers some good stuff!
Download PDF of Bible reading plan HERE
The file above is a one that you can download to your phone, save as an image, and use as “wallpaper” on your lock screen. I like to have my reading plans on my phone, in a really obvious place, so that I’ll remember!
Here are a few more tips for Bible study:
· Have a “trigger” or some way that it’s built into your daily routine. For me, my Bible study time is always right before I begin writing. Since I write almost every day, it’s not usually something I’ll forget.
· Take notes…write in the margins, mark it up! There are lots of great color-coded marking systems for highlighting that will help you. I like to use Bible Hi-Gliders because they don’t bleed through the pages.
· I like the marking system because it helps me to slow down and pay attention.
· Bible journaling (will cover this more in week 3)
· Copying verses into a notebook is a helpful way to make then stick in your mind or reference them later.
· Try out different versions of the Bible. My “go-to”, for years, has been the ESV, but I recently started reading The Message by Eugene Peterson- and I love it!
· Some great tools to have nearby are a concordance and a commentary. I often use an online version of these on Bible Gateway but lately I’ve been trying to get away from screens during my Bible time, to avoid distractions, so I started using Halley’s Bible Handbook.
Bible study is a discipline. There will be a lot of distractions that will seem to get in your way, but I encourage you to push through those distractions, making it a priority. It’s worth it!
Find out what God wants to say to YOU.
If you wish to participate in the online discussion today, in the comments, let’s talk about some of the hindrances we have when it comes to finding daily time in God’s word- and any tips you have found to help you overcome those.
Also, there have been a few of you who have expressed interest in having a Renew Facebook group. I have one set up and ready to go if there is enough interest. Are you interested?
To download today's PDF, click HERE
REJUVENATE: Evening Routine
::REJUVENATE:: week 1
Evening Routine
Are you taking good care of yourself? Self-care is not selfish. It’s good stewardship of what God gave you. Your body, mind and soul belong to God and if you want to have something to give to others, then you need to be taking care of yourself.
Getting plenty of sleep needs to be a high priority if you want to enjoy optimal health.
A good night’s rest (and a good morning) is best achieved with an evening routine that eases you gently into slumber. This is an excellent time to add some measures of self-care to your day.
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Create your own routine and see what works for you. I have some suggestions that you can use- or you can alter them to best suit your needs. Here are 10 things to do before bed that will help you wake up feeling renewed:
Start winding down about an hour before you actually want to be in bed. Maybe you could set an alarm, if needed. This is the time to start turning off the screens, dim the lights, and quiet the music and/or voices.
Take a shower or a bath. An Epsom salt bath will do wonders to soothe sore muscles. I usually add 1 cup of salts to my bath water. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the water and it the scent will further ease you towards sleep. Afterwards, treat yourself to some rich moisturizing body cream and/or some perfume.
Take care of your face. Even if you don’t wear make-up, you still need to cleanse your face to remove the day’s dirt and oil.
Prepare yourself a cup of non-caffeinated herbal tea and a light protein snack. A cup of cottage cheese with berries or peanut butter toast is always good.
Tell any loved ones who are in the house how much you love them and kiss them goodnight.
Splurge on a good mattress and bedding (and wash your sheets often). You spend a lot of time here. It’s worth it. One more thing you might like to add to the bedroom is an essential oil diffuser. A few drops of lavender oil will make your room smell wonderful and is good for sleep.
If there’s any clutter in the bedroom, do a quick cleanup…maybe light a candle or two.
Read a good book or a magazine in bed for a few minutes.
Keep a notepad and pen by your bed so you have a place to write down any thoughts or things you want to remember before you go to sleep.
Spend a few minutes praying and thanking God for the blessings of the day.
Try and keep to a nightly routine as often as possible, going to bed and waking at the same time each day. Your body will thank you.
One more important thing to remember as your prepare for sleep each night, some advice that comes from Philippians 4:8: direct your thoughts towards good things. I’ve made some positive affirmation cards with Scriptures that you can print off, cutout, and place in spots such as your bedtime reading materials, your mirror, or anywhere else you might like. They’re simple reminders for you, before you go to bed, to help you end the day on a positive note.
CREATE: Handlettering
Hand lettering is something that has long interested me. I'm a word girl- and I love a beautifully handwritten card or sign. I remember trying to learn calligraphy as a teen (without a lot of success) but I mostly thought of hand lettering as something best left for the experts- until recently.
Read moreCONNECT: Game Night
::CONNECT:: week 1
Game Night
An easy and fun way to get together with friends (or to make new ones) is to host a game night. I’ve hosted and attended many of these casual evenings and I love the tradition.
This is a perfect “come-as-you-are” kind of gathering that’s low-key and adaptable to large or small groups, and all ages. It doesn’t have to be everyone, all together, playing the same game. People can scatter throughout the rooms, joining different groups of players or simply visit.
Invite people to bring their own favorite games and some yummy treats. The games will facilitate conversation and help bring people together in an easy and natural way.
Do you have a lot of neighbors who you’d like to get to know? Or maybe you’d like to introduce some different friend groups to each other? Game night is a great way to facilitate this.
Renew- Game Night from dawn klinge on Vimeo.
Game night doesn’t require a complicated menu. A buffet style set-up will allow people to come and go as they please. Keeping it potluck style will make it even easier. As party host, you might think about providing something to drink, a healthy side, a treat, and something more hearty/savory. I’ve provided a few ideas in the video above.
For an introvert, like me, who also loves people, hosting parties is ideal. I like being able to make things special for my friends, while at the same time, having ready excuses to pull away when I need, to prepare food or do whatever else is needed.
To download today's PDF click HERE
If you would like to participate in the today's discussion, how about telling us, in the comments, some of your favorite ways to gather your friends together or share your favorite board games!
SABBATH: Meditation
::SABBATH:: week 1
meditation
There’s an old saying, prayer is talking to God and meditation is listening. We need to do both. God’s word, the Holy Scriptures, is what we need to be meditating on if we want to be renewed. Meditation is different than reading simply reading through the Bible. Meditation is about being fully present with God’s word. It’s a Holy expectancy that creates a space for the truth to sink deep into our souls through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Meditation, for me, has been one of the most difficult disciplines that I have undertaken. My mind does not naturally quiet itself and I have a hard time being still. This is all the more reason why it’s so important for me to meditate. I need it! So do you. We all do!
I like to think of meditation as sitting quietly with Jesus. Revelation 3:20 says,
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
What a beautiful truth that is. I don’t think it’s only referring to an initial salvation, either. We need to eat every day. And every day, we can invite Jesus to come and dine with us, nourishing our souls with the bread of truth that comes from the word.
How can we meditate on God’s word? See what works for you, but I’ll offer 10 suggestions that may help.
1. Start with small increments of time (maybe 5 minutes) and slowly work your way up to longer periods
2. Find a quiet spot and be still
3. Play some calming music
4. Read a verse and let the meaning of it sit with you
5. Journal your connections and observations
6. Take some deep breaths, slow down your breathing, and relax
7. Take a phrase or a word from the verse you read say it to yourself several times
8. Be gentle with yourself. Your thoughts will likely drift to your “to-do” list, just re-direct them back to the phase or word you chose
9. Think on who God is and let his goodness overwhelm you
10. Let the Holy Spirit lead you.
Christian meditation is not about emptying your mind as some people might think. It’s about letting the word of God dwell in us, transforming and renewing our minds as we let it take root in our hearts.
“Without meditation, the truths of God will not stay with us. The heart is hard, and the memory slippery—and without meditation all is lost! As an hammer drives a nail to the head—so meditation drives a truth to the heart.”
– Thomas Watson
I pray that you will be blessed as you meditate upon God’s word.
Each Friday, as part of the Sabbath series, I’ll have a short interview to share with you. I’ve invited a few friends to share what Sabbath means to them, how they observe it, and any words of wisdom they have.
This week, I’m happy to introduce the lovely Deb Wolf, who you may already know from her writing at Counting My Blessings.
To download today's PDF click HERE
If you would like to participate in today's online discussion, perhaps you could tell us what you've been learning from your Bible reading this week.
INSPIRE: Research
INSPIRE: week 2
research
Last week we spent some time going over the importance of daily Bible study. I wanted to start with the MOST important book.
When you study ANY interesting book, such as the Bible, you’re likely to set off some sparks of curiosity. Questions will arise. Don’t ignore them! Pay attention. Write them down. Don’t be afraid to fan some of those sparks into bright flames and see what happens.
God gave us inquisitive minds for a reason. Using our minds brings glory to him.
We may have graduated from school long ago- but that doesn’t mean we should ever stop learning!
Today it might feel a bit as if we’re back in school. Our topic is how to research and study any topic.
Research papers aren’t just for students. Doing research (just because you’re curious) can be immensely satisfying. It’s still work- but this time you’re in charge. You choose the topic. And best of all…nobody is grading you! You can keep it to yourself or share it. It’s up to you.
I made some slides and a video where I’ve shared some of the research and study tips I’ve picked up over the years. I hope they’re helpful!
research from dawn klinge on Vimeo.
To download today's PDF click HERE
If you would like to participate in today's online discussion, perhaps you can tell us about something you've always wanted to learn more about. What's stopping you? What are your favorite study tips?
REJUVENATE: Hiking
REJUVENATE: week 2
Take a Hike
There was a study done in 2012 that explored the critical role of our environment on the way we think and behave. Essentially, the findings indicated that problem solving skills and creativity increase by as much as 50% when people spend time outdoors.
I’m not a hard-core hiker. I’ve never gone on an overnight hike (and I don’t really want to). I do love to roam the trails of a nearby forest, however, and a walk along the waterfront never fails to help me feel more creative when I’m stuck with my writing.
Today, I want to encourage you to get outside and take a hike! Hiking not only increases creativity and problem solving skills, but it’s a great way to increase your fitness level and your heart health. Also, it can be a lot of fun!
The hardest part of hiking is often just getting out the door. As long as take some time to prepare, you won’t regret it. There’s something very satisfying about being outside, exercising your muscles, and enjoying the beauty of what God created in nature.
If you haven’t been hiking lately, I would advise starting slow. Don’t underestimate the vigor of this activity. Pack along some essentials and some snacks (see list below) and overestimate the amount of time it will take.
A good estimate is 2mph + 1 hr. for every 1000 ft. gained in elevation.
If you don’t know where to go on your hike, let me tell you about a wonderful little app for your phone. It’s called, All Trails. It uses your phone’s GPS to find nearby trails, it will give you driving directions to the trailhead, and it will let you know the estimated time it will take plus the difficulty level. You can also track and record the hikes you take with this app.
I was surprised at how many trails that I didn’t even know about, were close to me. You may be surprised, as well.
It’s also a good idea to go with a friend, let people know where you’re going, and when you expect to be back.
The fresh air will help you feel renewed and rejuvenated!
To download today's PDF click HERE
If you would like to participate in today's discussion, feel free to share anything. Do any of you have some good hiking stories?
CREATE: Watercolors
::CREATE:: week 2
Watercolors
Watercolor painting is today’s topic. I’m writing to you as someone who appreciates the skill of a talented watercolor artist. I’m not one of those people. I’m a dabbler who’s still learning. My goal is simply to stir some interest and awaken you to the possibilities available.
Watercolor is a wonderful medium that combines beautifully with what we touched on last week: hand lettering. You don’t have to be a wonderfully talented artist to get some enjoyment from this activity. And you don’t have to possess a lot of skill in order to produce some pretty things.
With a little basic know-how you’ll be able to create your own note cards, paper goods or art to hang in your home. Painting with watercolors is an exercise in letting go. The fluidity of the paint tends towards unpredictability, which can be part of the fun, as long as you adopt a relaxed attitude during the process. That can be a good life lesson, as well!
To get started, here’s what you’ll need:
· Watercolor paints
· Brushes (I got a variety pack of both round and flat brushes, sizes 6-18)
· Watercolor paper (the thicker the better)
· A jar of water
· Paper towels for blotting
I would encourage you to begin by keeping a simple art journal- something to play around in with different techniques. If you want, you can start by decorating the cover.
I made a cover for my journal using a combination of acrylic white paint (so I could start with a blank canvas) washi tape, stickers, scrapbook paper, glue, pen, and watercolors.
The original inspiration for my journal cover came from a tutorial at Little Girl Designs.
After you have your journal ready, it’s time to start playing around with some various techniques. You can achieve a wide variety of effects with watercolors using the transparency of the medium and blending. Try out different brushes. See what happens when you blot some of the paint away. Experiment by adding elements such as salt. See the difference in the saturation of colors when you put a few drops of hot water on your color cake and let it sit for a minute before swirling the brush in it. Compare that to the more muted tones you’ll get when you dip your brush in water and then onto the dry cake of color. Record these experiments in your journal.
For a detailed how to of 8 watercolor techniques, you might want to check out this blog post at Adventures in Making.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Watercolors are very forgiving. Oftentimes, if you add something and decide you don’t like it, when it’s still wet, you can dab a little more water on it, dab a tissue on top of that, and it goes away.
I’m learning to make some basic flower shapes- which are pretty and don’t take a lot of skill. I found a tutorial that was quite helpful at TPK (The Postman’s Knock).
A simple color wash with overlapping shades looks so pretty with hand lettering on top of it. You can use watercolors to do the lettering or you can wait until it dries and use ink.
Whatever you choose to do with your painting, have fun and relax. I keep my watercolor supplies in a basket by my desk. I like to paint when I need a mental break. It’s like turning on a different part of my brain- and the creativity that starts to flow carries over into other areas, helping me be a better problem solver in general. Painting also gives me time to think and some space away from screens, which is always helpful. I believe that these benefits are available to anyone who gives it a try.
I made a short 1-minute video that walks through my art journal,
beginning with watercolors from dawn klinge on Vimeo.
One more thing, if you have kiddos, watercolor painting is fun for them, too! When my kids were small, I would get them liquid watercolors and very large pieces of thick watercolor paper for them, letting them use a technique called “wet on wet watercolor painting”. By the time they were finished painting, the end product always ended up looking like a pretty color wash. The paper was beautiful so I would often “recycle” the paintings, cutting them up and turning them into cards and gift tags. Another thing to do with the color washed paper is to cut them out into cute shapes and frame them.
Turn on some music you love. Get out the paints and be creative!
To download today's PDF, click HERE
If you would like to participate in today's discussion, maybe you'd like to share, in the comments, when was the last time you tried watercolor paints?
CONNECT: Tea Party
::CONNECT:: week 2
Tea Party
Afternoon tea. You don’t have to be British and you don’t have to be a six-year-old girl to have fun with this idea. Hosting an afternoon tea is a sweet way to let your girlfriends know you appreciate them.
I hosted my first tea party (as an adult) a couple of years ago. Most of my guests had never been to a tea party before! I wanted them to enjoy a couple of hours of feeling feminine and fancy, while eating some decadent treats and connecting with each other as we talked. We all had a wonderful time and I’m looking forward to doing it again.
I’m here to encourage you to try hosting your own tea party! With a little ingenuity and creativity you can make this happen.
For a tea party, you’re going to want to pull together some pretty dishes and linens. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make this happen. I did not have a matching tea set for eight when I sent out the invites for my party, so I went to the thrift shops and found a lot of pretty teacups and saucers that I mixed and matched.
Pinterest was a great source of inspiration as I planned how I wanted my table to look. I loved the look of chargers under the plates, plus I wanted to add some color, since my salad plates were clear glass. My inexpensive solution was to use a piece of scrapbook paper under each place setting.
Pink flower shaped hair-pins served as both a decoration at each place setting and as a take-home party favor for each guest.
The menu for a traditional tea party always includes 3 courses (often served on three tier trays).
Those courses are:
1. Savory: small tea sandwiches, always with the crust removed, cut into small rectangles and triangles. Egg salad, Chicken Curry Salad, Ham and Cheese, Cucumber, etc..
2. Scones with clotted or Devonshire cream and jam
3. Sweets: fruit, chocolates, macaroons…
And, of course, there’s tea!
*Yes, I know this isn’t real clotted cream, but it’s very good. : )
Like I mentioned last week, my hosting philosophy is to always choose a couple of things to make from scratch and supplement with store bought for the rest. Make what you can ahead of time so you don’t feel rushed.
The sandwich fillings can be made ahead of time (but don’t put it on the bread until the last minute to avoid soggy bread).
A basic scone recipe is easy to find but my top recommendation is the Fisher Original Fair Scone mix. They’re the best!
Macaroons are a special treat to add to the final course. I usually find those at Costco or Trader Joes.
Don’t forget to have some fresh flowers as part of your décor! Next week, I’ll be talking some more about flower arranging.
For the PDF of today's post click HERE
What about you? When is the last time you went to a tea party? Or have you, ever?
SABBATH: Gratitude
::SABBATH:: week 2
Gratitude
Embrace your narrative. What does this mean? To me, it means, finding gratitude for the life you have and knowing who you are. Figure out what's MOST important to you. For me, that's my faith in God. Because of Jesus, I'm a child of God, loved and forgiven. Everything else is a bonus!
If you practice gratitude it will become more and more a part of who you are. It’s a psychological muscle that becomes stronger the more you use it. You start to change the neural pathways in your brain when you’re intentional in thanksgiving. You become a more optimistic person.
“It’s not happiness that makes us happy. It’s gratefulness that makes us happy.” –David Stendl-Rast (TED )
Start cataloguing what you’re grateful for every day. Don’t just keep it to yourself, either. Tell God what you’re thankful for! Tell people around you how much you appreciate them, being specific in your praise. Sometimes we assume that our loved ones know we’re grateful for them. But they need to hear it!
To make the practice of gratitude more of a part of your daily habits, I suggest the following:
1. Commit to it.
It becomes easier with practice!
2. Make it part of your routine
Pick a fixed time if that helps. I like to spend those first nine minutes between the first time I hit my snooze button and when my final alarm goes off in the morning thanking God for the new day, for my family, for my home, my friends, etc.
3. Make yourself accountable to someone
Tell someone else what you’ve committed to and you’ll be more likely to follow through.
4. Write it down
A journal of what you’re thankful is helpful. It could be as simple as one line a day.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34
There are countless benefits to practicing gratitude. Of course, the most important reason to give thanks is because God tells us to in the Bible.
Numerous scientific studies have proven that grateful people are happier, have more capacity for compassion, place less importance on materialism, are more likely to make progress on personal goals, and are more likely to exercise and feel healthier.
This week, together, let’s make an intentional effort to be more grateful!
Now, as part of our Sabbath interview series, I’m happy to introduce you to someone I’m thankful for, my dear friend, Marva Smith, writer at Sun Sparkle Shine!
For today's PDF file click HERE
If you'd like, tell us what you're grateful for today in the comments!
INSPIRE: Habits
::INSPIRE:: week 3
habits
This week I hope to inspire us to look at the habits we keep: specifically the habits that help us to grow into more mature Christians. Habits for Our Holiness, is the name of a book by Philip Nation. In it, he says,
“The things we plant in our lives are the things that grow in our lives.”
Do we want to grow in our faith? If we are followers of Jesus, then of course we do! In 1 John chapter 2 of The Message paraphrase of the Bible, it says,
“But the one who keeps God’s word is the person in whom we see God’s mature love. This is the only way to be sure we’re in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.”
The foundational habits that every Christian needs to have in place for growth are: worship, Bible study, and prayer. When we regularly spend time doing these things, we open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit’s work- and other habits of holiness begin to take hold as well.
Some other habits are encouraged throughout the scriptures are:
Quiet time
We touch on this each Friday with our Sabbath theme. Jesus withdrew by himself (Mark 1:35) to pray and spend time with his Father. We need that quiet time as well.
Fasting
Fasting, when done out of a love for God, is a way to set aside those things which can become idols if we’re not careful. It’s a way of declaring our dependence on God. A good time to fast is when we’re seeking guidance.
A Servant’s Heart
Jesus served with humility and compassion, always giving to others. This is the attitude we, through the Holy Spirit in us, need to adopt as well.
Community
The “body of Christ” is what Christ’s followers are called. We were not made to live this life alone. We need each other. A maturing Christian has a habit of seeking out other Christians and spending time together. Accountability, encouragement, instruction, and love are all benefits that we both give and receive when we are a part of a community of believers.
Spiritual leadership
A maturing Christian understands the message of the gospel and seeks to share it with unbelievers.
I want to be careful to clarify that I’m not advocating a “works based” message of salvation. We will fail in these habits and God will continue to love us and forgive us. We are not alone to carry them out, either. The Holy Spirit is with us, empowering us and strengthening us as we seek to bring glory to God by growing in our faith and becoming more like Jesus.
I’ll leave you with a couple of resources today that I hope will benefit you as you seek to develop habits of holiness. Below, you’ll find some memory cards that you can print off and cut out. I chose a few short verses on holiness to get you started. You will also find a blank template that you are welcome to put your own choice of scriptures on.
I’ve also included a playlist for you with songs that are perfect for quiet time and study. Enjoy!
1. Book of Days- John Tesh
2. Angel Eyes- Jim Brickman
3. Poem- Yiruma
4. Watermark- John Tesh
5. A Gift of a Thistle- James Horner
6. Evenstar- Howard Shore
7. The John Dunbar Theme- John Barry
8. Amazing Grace- Serafin String Quartet
9. A Thousand Years- Piano Guys
10. Canon in D- Wedding Music Experts
11. Nothing Else Matters- Piano Guys
12. Light of the Seven- Ramin Djawadi
13. The Ludlows (Legends of the Fall)- James Horner
14. Comtine d’un autre…-Yann Tiersen
15. River Flows Through You- Yiruma
16. One Man’s Dream- Yanni
17. Gianni Schicchi- Joshua Bell
18. Piano Concerto No.2 in F Minor- Chopin
19. Begin Again- Piano Guys
20. Hymns of Nature- Jon Schmidt
*If you are an Amazon Prime member, you may also access and listen to the playlist HERE
To download the PDF for today, click HERE
Do any of you have some tips on scripture memorization that you want to share in the comments? Feel free to share those- or anything else you want to talk about!
REJUVENATE: Spa Day
REJUVENATE: week 3
spa at home
In Psalms 119 (around verse 80) the Message paraphrase of David’s words say,
“And let me live whole and holy, soul and body, so I can always walk with my head held high.”
Yesterday we spent some time focusing on habits that benefit the soul and today I’m going to encourage you to spend some time taking care of your body. When was the last time you had a spa day?
Self-care is not frivolous. I like to think of it as filling up my own energy reserves so that I can then have something to give to others. A spa day is a fun way to pamper yourself and fill up those reserves. Also, when you feel good about the way your hair, skin, and nails look that extra confidence shows in the way you relate with others.
I have several recipes to share with you today for some DIY spa treatments. They’re all very easy to make.
The coffee scrub is messy but it feels so good and energizing!
The protein shake is my go to breakfast drink most days. I used to shy away from protein shakes because I thought they were only for body builders. I promise you, I don’t look like a body builder- but I have recently lost 30 pounds. Lean muscle is built with protein. The more lean muscle you have the more calories you burn even while resting. For me, that’s a win! Also, I like that it keeps me feeling full so I don’t want to snack as often.
Live whole, soul and body, and walk with your head held high. You are a loved child of God!
For today's PDF click HERE
In the comments below, share some of your favorite resources you use when you want to pamper yourself!
CREATE: Bible Journaling
::CREATE:: week 3
Bible Journaling
What is Bible journaling?
If you’ve spent any time on Pinterest or Instagram lately, you’ve probably noticed that Bible journaling a big thing right now. Beautiful images of open Bibles with colorful pages, artistic hand-lettered notes in the margins and whimsical doodles illustrating various verses are a regular feature in my social media feeds.
I watched from a distance for a long time before trying it myself. I didn’t really understand what the purpose at first. I’ve grown to understand. For many, it’s an act of worship, a creative pursuit, and a way to slow down and let the truth of God’s word really sink in. For me, it’s all of those things.
What are the benefits?
Until a few months ago, I did all my Bible reading online. It was efficient, convenient, and I appreciated the fact that if I had questions, with only a few taps of the keys, I could often find a wealth of answers from a simple search. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with those benefits, but for me, online Bible reading became too efficient.
It was a part of my routine and it was easy for me to skim quickly and check it off my list, like a chore. I was also easily distracted. I didn’t want my time in the Word to be that way. I wanted to savor it. This is when the idea of Bible journaling began to intrigue me. It was a way to slow down.
Bible journaling can be widely varied in application:
· It can look like simple notes in the margin and highlights in the text, a response to the reading, with regular handwriting. Or, it can be fancy hand lettering.
· It can be drawing in the margins, however detailed or simple you like.
· It can include stamps, stickers, watercolors, acrylics, tabs, and whatever else your creative mind comes up with!
Bible journaling is whatever you want it to be. Some people buy special Bibles that have wide margins and some people use separate journals. I use something called, The Message Canvas Bible. I love it. It has wide margins that I can write in, but it’s also extensively illustrated. It’s essentially a coloring book!
Since my purpose for Bible journaling is, foremost, to help me slow down and savor what I’m reading, the coloring pages work well for me. I do my reading and then I think about what I read while I color. Some days the reading plan I use doesn’t have a picture in the margin. On those days, I usually just write a prayer or a few notes in the margin- and maybe draw a little doodle.
I have a lot of admiration for the more elaborate Bible journals I see and I follow a few Instagram feeds for inspiration. I will probably attempt some of these ideas at some point.
If you need some inspiration to get you started, here are a few of my favorite people to follow on Instagram
How to get started with Bible journaling
Supplies (pick and choose):
What to write:
Prayers, victories, re-write verse in your own words, phrases from verses, struggles, quotes that relate to verses, praise, etc.
Helpful Hints:
Practice doodling on scratch paper
Practice hand lettering
Sketch out a rough design on scratch paper first
Let go of perfectionism
Meditate on the scriptures as you journal
If you don’t think you can draw, let me encourage you to watch this TED talk by Graham Shaw: Why People Believe They Can’t Draw: and how to prove they can
My style of Bible journaling is casual. It’s fun, easy and it’s relaxing. You can make it whatever you want it to be (maybe, for you, something more challenging IS fun). Bible journaling serves a purpose for me in that I savor (and remember) what I’ve read much more. I enjoy coming across the pages I’ve already completed when I read my Bible and I like creating something personal and meaningful.
If you have never tried Bible journaling before, let me encourage you to give it a try!
To download today's PDF click HERE
What is you favorite way to slow down and savor God's word? Let's discuss in the comments!
CONNECT: Preparing Your Home
::CONNECT:: week 3
Preparing Your Home
“A life of hospitality begins in worship, with a recognition of God's grace and generosity. Hospitality is not first a duty and responsibility; it is first a response of love and gratitude for God's love and welcome to us.” -Christine Pohl
When we think about preparing our homes for guests, I think a good question to ask is,
“What can we do to make people feel honored and loved?”
Doing what we can to make other people feel loved is the heart of hospitality.
When we have the right heart attitude, those extra efforts we take to welcome guests into a tidy space and those special little touches that indicate we’ve put some thought into making them feel comfortable are not about impressing people. Instead, they’re about letting your guest know that they’re worth it!
Hospitality is a ministry. As Christians, we have the blessed honor of taking part in Christ’s mission with him. Drawing people towards the love of God so that they, too, can know him is a holy undertaking. God can move in any context, but we are instructed to “prepare the way” for him (Matt. 3:3).
“…there is just something about a prepared environment that welcomes the human heart like none other” –Bobby Houston, The Sisterhood
It’s not about us. When we prepare and make an effort for others it places a value on them. It tells them they are important and worthy.
When I prepare my home for guests, I like to think of the five senses. Going down the checklist, I try to address each one in a way that is pleasing.
Smell: A clean house is the basis for a pleasant smelling house. If there are cats in the house, a clean litter box is a must. Scented candles and/or diffused oils are always a nice touch.
Taste: Coffee, tea, a cold drink, some crackers and cheese or cookies…
Sound: Play some soft music over the stereo.
Sight: Again, a clean house is the first necessity. Remove extra clutter, turn on table lamps, and if possible, add flowers.
Touch: I would put air temperature under this category. Be generous with the air conditioning in the hot months and the heat in the cooler months. Placing soft throw pillows and blankets around the living area also adds a welcoming touch.
I’ve created a couple of checklists for you that I hope will be helpful. They are simply ideas to jog your thinking and not a set of “rules”.
Most importantly, remember that hospitality is a response of love towards God and others, in recognition of the amazing love that God has shown to us.
Today's PDF file is HERE
What about you? Share some of your favorite tips for preparing your home for guests?
SABBATH: Prayer Walks
::SABBATH:: week 3
Prayer Walks
The first time I learned about the idea of a prayer walk, I was a newlywed in college. Late one Friday night in the fall, after having just gone to sleep, my husband and I heard a lot of voices in the hallway landing outside our apartment door, then a knock. Derek got up and answered and I overheard the following question,
“Hey, we’re going on a prayer walk around the campus tonight? You want to come?”
We were new to town but it didn’t take long before we were welcomed into a community of college students who lived nearby. We all attended the same church. I soon learned that this group was unlike any I’d known before. It was a good kind of different. They didn’t just go to church on Sundays out of duty. They lived their faith out in practical ways, everyday, and they seemed genuinely excited about what it meant to be a Christian.
At that point in time, I couldn’t say the same about my own faith- but I liked these people. What they had, intrigued me. We couldn’t think of a good reason to say, no, so my husband and I grabbed our coats and went with them.
As I walked down the hill towards the center of campus, with about twenty other students, I nervously wondered what this prayer walk was going to be like. I didn’t want to be a part of something weird that called attention to us. I thought I’d just leave and walk back home if I was uncomfortable.
We stopped first at the grand old administration building. It was after 11pm but we were near Greek Row and the campus was still buzzing with activity. The same guy who knocked on our door seemed to be leading this expedition. He directed our group to form a small circle and he told us he’d start the prayer, but we could go around the circle, and anyone who wanted to could pray. After about five students had prayed, for the president of our school, for the decisions that were being made, and for the God’s favor and blessing on the leaders, there was a pause- then the prayer was wrapped up, and we moved on.
We walked to several more buildings that night. We prayed for the musicians at the music building, we prayed for new students and their adjustment to college life as we paused outside the freshman dormitories, and we prayed for the athletes as we walked by the gym. It wasn’t weird. Anyone passing by might have seen us praying but they also might have just thought we were a group of people talking together.
I could feel a deep peace with this group. The love that these students had for these other people, people they didn’t necessarily even know, was heartfelt. I had no doubts that God was hearing those prayers.
After walking around for about an hour, thoroughly cold, we walked back up the hill towards the apartments and were invited into the home of another newlywed couple that was a part of our group.
Being poor college students, they didn’t have furniture, so there was plenty of room for our large group to gather in their apartment. They served us tea and hot cocoa and we just hung out together after that. It was fun!
I was happy we said yes to the prayer walk. It’s not only a fond memory, but I believe that God heard those prayers and they made a difference. I may not ever know what difference they made, until I get to heaven, but I trust the truth of God’s word that says,
“But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.” –Psalm 66:19
After that fall evening, prayer walks became a regular occurrence with these friends. My own faith grew and I even began praying out loud, myself. Praying over my school did something to my heart. It helped me see my fellow students in a new way. I began to really love them the way God loves them.
I’m sure there are still college students walking around my old college campus, today, and on thousands of other college campus’, praying over their schools, trusting God and asking for his blessing and guidance over the people in these buildings. Now that my own daughter is a college student, I like to think about the prayers that have gone before her as she sets foot on campus.
Prayer walks aren’t just for colleges, of course. These walks can happen anywhere. A special variation that I love, from my friend Lori, isn’t a walk at all. She mentioned that when she folds her family’s laundry, she uses it as a time to pray over them.
You can pray silently or out loud. You can go on walks by yourself or with some friends. A benefit of praying out loud, with friends, is that, when we see specific prayers answered, someone will usually remember and point it out. That’s always exciting and it serves to build up our faith.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” –Matthew 18:20
The walk is simply a tool, something to trigger your thoughts about how and whom you can pray over people. It’s a powerful tool. If you haven’t yet, I want to encourage you try it.
For this week’s Sabbath interview, I’m pleased to welcome Carmen Brown. She writes at MarriedbyHisGrace.com. She is someone who I would love to go on a prayer walk with someday. Though she lives far from me, we pray together, most weeks through an online group we’re both a part of. I value her insight and her prayers!
Today's PDF is available HERE
For today's discussion, have you ever tried a prayer walk? If so, you have any helpful ideas you'd like to add? Also, let's talk about Sabbath rest. What does is mean to you? What do you see as some of the benefits?
INSPIRE: Prayer
INSPIRE: week 4
prayer
Do you ever find yourself, in your prayer time, wondering what to say? If that’s you, I’ve been there, too. I get it.
I’ve read or heard some incredibly beautiful prayers over the years, and sometimes, instead of appreciating them and agreeing with them, I’ve let them intimidate me. I’ve listened to the wrong voice, telling me I don’t have the right words, so I must not be good at praying. That’s a lie!
God wants to hear from us! He’s a Father and he loves it when we talk to him. If you need some help getting started, let me encourage you to remember that eloquent words are not a requirement. Neither is “churchy” language. Just speak to God, plain and simple.
Something else that can help you in your prayer life is to use the scriptures as inspiration. Below are a couple of examples,
A simple but bold prayer that asks for blessing on your life (adapted from the prayer of Jabez in 1Chronicles 4:10)
God, I ask for your blessing on me. Please bring me more opportunities to succeed and greater responsibilities in my life. I’ll need your help and your guidance with these- so I’m asking for it right now. I don’t want to be harmed and I don’t want pain, so please protect me. –Amen
This prayer can be adapted, further, as you intercede on behalf of anyone whom God has placed on your heart.
Here’s an adaptation of The Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6:9-14,
Father in heaven, I want to know more of you and understand, more deeply, how great you are. Bring healing to this world as you carry out your plan for what’s best, making earth like heaven. We ask you to provide what we need for today. Please forgive us for the ways we have sinned against you and others, and please help us to forgive those who have hurt us. Protect us, Father, so that we are not tempted to sin anymore. Keep us safe from ourselves. –Amen
Why don’t you try adapting a prayer on your own? Try putting this prayer of thanksgiving, from Hannah, in 1 Samuel 2:1-2 (ESV) in to your own words,
“My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, but I rejoice in your salvation.”
How did it go? I had to find out what, exactly, Hannah meant in that first sentence. I typed into Google search, what does it mean when Hannah says my horn is exalted in the Lord, and here’s what I found (Biblehub.com) from Elliot’s Commentary for English readers,
“The image “horn” is taken from oxen and those animals whose strength lies in their horns. It is a favorite Hebrew symbol, and one that had become familiar to them from their long experience—dating from far-back patriarchal times—as a shepherd-people.”
Does that help? It might also help to find out the fuller context of the story. Hint…Hannah was unable to have a child, in a society where barren women were looked down on. She prayed and asked God for a child and he gave her Samuel. Her prayer is thanking God for this baby. She could, in a modern phrase, hold her head high, (she no longer felt shame), because of what God did for her. If you follow Jesus, then you, too, can hold your head high, no matter what your circumstances are. The message of the gospel means that we no longer need to feel shame because of what Jesus has done for us.
I love using scriptures when I pray. Putting prayers from the scriptures into my own words helps me to gain a deeper understanding behind the meaning. If you’re finding yourself at a loss for words in your prayer time, try praying some scriptures!
Remember, prayer is simply talking to God. I believe that talking to God is like talking to a friend. The more you do it, the more comfortable you will become and the more natural the conversation will feel.
I also find value in writing down my prayers on occasion and I encourage you to do the same. Looking back on those prayers at a later date will an encouragement to you because you will see answered prayers. I’ve made a worksheet, below, for this purpose. You may find it helpful- or you may prefer using a simple notebook.
Today's PDF is available HERE
Can we pray for each other? If you feel comfortable sharing, leave your prayer requests in the comments so that we can pray for you.