Spreading the Joy of the Lord Even in Seasons of Suffering, Trusting God through Our Storms, and Other Resources
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Photo by Ellieelien on Unsplash
Happy last day of March!
As you know (unless you're new to my online community—in which case, welcome!), at the close of every month, I share a few of my favorite listens, reads, and resources.
As we move into April, I hope these resources encourage and inspire you as you pursue a life of purpose, joy, and intimacy with God!
As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I’d love to hear from you! You can contact me here or through the comment section below!
❤️ In purpose and faith,
Finding Joy in Everyday Life...
Before we get to the resources, here are a couple of things that brought me joy this month!
My mom’s aunt Mary Lynn (on the far right), who I’ve only met very briefly once before, made an impromptu trip to Alaska and I got to spend an evening with her, my parents, and my grandma.
I didn’t grow up around my aunts and uncles or any relatives, so it means a lot to me to connect with them now, and it was so special to have three generations of women from my mom’s side of the family together!
This little pine marten has been hanging around my house! I like to joke that animals are one of my love languages because God knows how much I love them and on multiple occasions has answered my prayers to see them. It's pretty rare to see martens, and I had never seen a living one until this winter. It's been such a gift!
What brought you joy this month? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!
Resources to Inspire and Encourage
I've been chatting...
Receiving and Sharing Joy in Seasons of Suffering with Author Rachael Adams
Today, I had the honor of doing an Instagram Live with my friend Rachael Adams. Rachael and I talked about
How Rachael experienced joy in the midst of a recent season of suffering
How to overcome the fear that what we have to offer doesn’t really matter
Some of Rachael’s favorite (and simple!) ways we can make a difference in the lives around us
Rachael is a writer, the host of the Love Offering Podcast, and the author of the forthcoming devotional A Little Goes a Long Way. She’s also one of the most thoughtful and encouraging people I know, and I think you'll love what she has to share. You can listen to our whole conversation here.
I've been reading...
Lovesick...The Longing of the Bride by Eric William Gilmour
This book was given to me by a friend a while back, and I'm so thankful she thought to share it with me.
In it, Eric Gilmour writes simply yet also with such depth and passion about how Jesus longs to commune with us, His bride, and how we can meet the deepest longest of our hearts in relationship with Him. His writing encourages me to make myself more available to Jesus and reminds me how uncomplicated connecting with Him really is.
You can learn more here.
I've also been reading...
"Letting Jesus Calm Your Storm" by Jennifer Wier
In this blog post, my writer friend Jennifer Wier weaves together her recent experiences with crazy Alaskan winter roads and the story of the storm-tossed disciples who thought their boat was about to sink. Then, using these stories, she shares some really beautiful encouragement about how much God really does care and how powerful He is to help in our time of need.
If you're wondering Where are you, God? Do You see the storms I'm enduring? I encourage you to read her full post. You can find it here.
I've been listening...
Laid Down Lover by Jonathan Ogden
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission, with no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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