Let's Be Real

Hope, it is necessary to have to live this life well. It is the very thing that helps you grieve from the loss of this life. Many go through this life without it, and it is heartbreaking, or at least it should be...will you share your hope with the hurting world around you? You don't know how? Wonder what you should even say? Come back in the next weeks as we talk about ways, and equip oursel...

People are watching us as we go about our days...what are the people you come in contact with seeing from you as you go? Light?

There is much discussion in our culture around meditation! Have you given much thought to what it is? How the world defines it and how God defines it? I'm not very good at meditation, it is slow, purposeful, and takes time. I am fast, task minded and like to get things done...not a good combination. If you can relate to the go-go-go mentality and long to grow in your depth of relationship wit...

We have a bad habit of trying to define for ourselves what the 'good life' is by what this world has to offer. What do you consider as part of the good life? Following Jesus, and knowing Him IS the good life, not anything that we can attempt to attain, that we believe will make this life better, easier or more fulfilling, nothing on this earth will satisfy our souls. Let's redefine...

Listening. It can be hard, it is a skill we need to practice, it is how we show people they are loved and valued. How are you doing at listening?

The metaphors that we see in nature to our spiritual life are beautiful, there is so much to learn from God's creation! Humor me as I geek out on gardening and soil, and how that relates to our heart condition and our spiritual walks. 

I struggle with living in the moment, I often wish for the next day so it will all be over. Have you been there? I'm sure you have. Let's try to remind each other there is much to learn in the moment, and to try to live in the present....way easier said then done! Stick around until the end for a special announcement!

And I am NOT a night owl! I've been having a really hard time sleeping lately, too many thoughts, too many frustrations, too many things that I am giving my peace away to. Have YOU ever been there?

You are probably familiar with the story of Mary and Martha, and how applicable the lessons of it is. Today I needed the reminder to check my priorities and my heart condition, I'm hoping that you don't need this reminder as often as I do, but in the event that you do - listen in!

Last week of Jonah, finishing up with chapter 4 and Loving our Enemies!

Let's pick up the story of Jonah, where our hypocritical prophet has been vomited out and is 'obeying' God by finally going into Ninevah. We see a God of Love AND Judgement, where he ushers us into his grace.

We continue in our deep dive into the book of Jonah, and we are in chapter 2. We see Jonah wake up from his spiritual apathy, and cry out to God as he is swallowed by a sea beast. His awareness of God's presence is heightened and realized, he moves to a place of gratitude and thankfulness, WHILE he is still in the belly of the beast!  God is present and near in the midst of our suffering...wh...

We take a dive (pun intended) into Jonah chapter 1 this week and get to see the picture of a life 'asleep at the wheel' and completely oblivious to the world around him. 

I am so excited to start this journey of deep diving into the book of Jonah. To rescue it from familiarity and to look at the message that God has for us in the pages of the book of Jonah. A satire that has humor, wit and sarcasm - a story for adults to dig into, not a story to water down for a children's book. Join me as we look at the lessons that God is teaching us as we look at Jonah.

In Denmark, they call 'Good Friday', Long Friday...I like that, it seems appropriate to me. That day must have felt very long by the time it was over. Reflect with me on the drama of that day, what it was really like, what was really going on, and what it really meant. Before we can celebrate on Sunday, we need to reflect on the death of Christ and what that means in our daily lives.

The way that we communicate in the States, by default (with of course exception), is not one deeply rooted in honesty. It is more the norm to be concerned with ease of delivery and lack of conflict. I believe that self-evaluation is made more difficult because of the lack of honesty in how we communicate in relationships. I am not advocating, for everyone to walk around saying whatever it is they...

We start a mini-series today regarding selfishness. About living outside of ourselves and living in light of the BIG picture. This is a big topic, and a touch topic...so today I will start small with a question and a phrase for you to ponder and ask yourself honestly - this is not easy, but it is worthwhile.

Let's Be Real Podcast is celebrating it's FIRST birthday! I cannot even believe it. We are going to talk about IF Gathering 2021 in a quick review, and some of the great takeaways I had from the weekend, and camp on counting the costs of our faith and holding fast EVEN IF things don't go as we hope.

I've learned to love and value the seasons that God has created. To value them for what they are, winter a time of rest, spring a time of rebirth. Spring for me is a time to evaluate what God has in store for me in the upcoming changing of seasons, both literally and metaphorically.  Let's look at nature and see God, and ask him what seeds he has planted in our hearts and how  to embrace...

Are you a planner? Or are you spontaneous? How well do you react when your plans get bumped or ruined? I had a long month of learning about my plans versus God's plans, and odds are you've had the same experience once or twice as well.

Join my friend Shelley and me as we talk about relationships. Who can't use a little wisdom about marriage, children and friend relationships? I think we all can, and wisdom is what you will get in this episode as Shelley shares her many experiences in navigating relationships. Listen in!

What do you think when you hear the word discipleship? Does it sound great, but not for you? You don't have time or enough knowledge to disciple someone? Let's talk about what it really is, and how as a member of God's family we are called to disciple!

Join me and my friend Kristen this week as we talk about trauma. What it is, why it can look like, and practical helps for the church as we walk alongside others who suffer from it. 

We are reading through the bible in a year here at Let's Be Real, and we are in the book of Psalms. I had to stop and talk about one of my favorite Psalms, chapter 22. It is SO COOL! There is so much to see and unpack and we only get to scratch the surface - Listen in 

Songs have a very powerful ability to evoke emotion in us. They get us excited, they make us cry, they help us celebrate and help us mourn.  I have so many worship songs that I absolutely love and that evoke a lot of emotions, but also don't always speak a whole lot of truth. Let's talk about truth, emotion, songs and what all of our souls long for!