Your Epic Role in God's Plan, Restoring Our Souls in This Crazy World, Majestic Mountain Views, and More!
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Photo by Ian Kiragu on unsplash
Happy last day of May!
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 June, 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!
May was full of mountain adventures! Early in the month, Paul and I went snowshoeing in Denali Park. Wide-open spaces, peace and quiet, beautiful mountain views, good food, and disconnecting from technology were just what our souls needed.
Near the end of May, we took a road trip to Anchorage, and we were blessed with stunning views of Denali! I can't help feeling proud of Alaska whenever I see this beautiful mountain.
We also had lots of fun driving south from Anchorage on the Seward Highway, considered to be one of the most scenic highways in the US, to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
On our way back to Fairbanks, we stopped at glacier-fed Eklutna Lake.
What brought you joy this month? I'd love to hear about it!
Resources to Inspire and Encourage
I've been reading...
The Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices For A World Gone Mad by John Eldredge
Jesus said that His "yoke is easy" and that His "burden is light," and oh, how I long to live that light and easy life with Him!
As I continue my journey of learning to experience this way of living, I can't seem to get too much encouragement and wisdom from those who are a little farther down the trail than I am, and Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge is my latest encouraging read on this topic.
In this book, Eldredge offers practices for slowing down, restoring our technology-ravaged souls, and most importantly, connecting to Jesus, the source of our life and joy.
I'm maybe a quarter of the way into the book so far, but I'm enjoying it immensely, and since John Eldredge is one of my favorite authors, I'm sure I'll enjoy the rest too.
You can check out the book for yourself here!
I've also been reading...
"What's the Best Time to Sleep?" by Time Magazine
What is the best time to go to sleep? While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, there is evidence that an earlier bedtime can provide more restful sleep (which is one reason why going to bed earlier is a big goal of mine—one, I might add, that I'm still working on. Our summer-time midnight sun definitely doesn't help this endeavor!), and this article explains why. I find it interesting and motivating.
You can read the full article here.
I've been watching...
"Danza, voz y percusiones" by Bethel School of Creativity 2016
I was at the Bethel School of Creativity in 2016 and saw this performance live. It was an experience I will never forget. I was moved so deeply at the time, and every time I've watched it since, it has brought me to tears.
The first part of the performance makes me think about God creating us at the beginning of the world and how the Holy Spirit breathed life into us and shared with us the gift of creativity.
The second half makes me think about how God calls us each into something unique and beautiful. Our calling is individual, but it’s also collaborative. While we each have an important and personal part to play—we each have something precious to share—the beauty is magnified when we work and move together.
So often, we feel like life is mundane. We wonder whether what we do really matters. But to me, this performance speaks the truth that it does matter. It speaks to the longing we all have to be a part of something beautiful and dramatic and epic—and it reveals the truth that we are, in fact, part of something eternal and amazing.
Your part is essential and grand. You may not always recognize or realize that, but it is true. Someday, I think God’s going to give us an inside look at how everything worked together here on Earth, and I think we’re going to be astounded by the part we played. I hope you enjoy this performance as much as I do.
I've been listening...
Worship Sessions by Jonathan Ogden
I've been loving these worship sessions by Jonathan Ogden (he has multiple ones on YouTube). They are so beautiful and peaceful! Sometimes, I put one on and paint and it is so relaxing.
Spots are still available in the Connected Creative Community Group! If you've been thinking about joining, we'd love for you to be a part of this amazing group of women!
We had our first Share & Prayer live meeting last Saturday, and it was so much fun. We also have our first Creative Q & A coming up next week. To find out more and join, click here!
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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.”
