Around the Fire

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“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…” In this short reflection, we explore how strength isn’t found in striving—but in stillness. Isaiah’s words remind us that God doesn’t compete with our noise. He waits for our quiet. 👉 Subscribe to The Compass for more soul-rooted reflections and weekly practice tools that help you slow down and listen well. This...

"You are the God who sees me..." (Genesis 16:13) In the wilderness, after rejection and despair, Hagar gives God a name no one else had ever used: El Roi —the God who sees. Not from a distance. Not in judgment. But with compassion. This Dig invites you to pause with Hagar… and to consider where you most long to be seen. 🎧 Listen now and carry this reflection with you today. Portable Question: Whe...

Matthew 11:28-30 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV) 28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you ho...

📖 What Are Bible Digs ? Bible Digs are short, Scripture-centered reflections offered three times a week—designed to ground your day in the Word of God. Each Dig offers: * A single passage of Scripture * A clear insight or takeaway * A question or prompt to carry with you through the day They’re called “Digs” because that’s what we’re doing: going a little deeper than a glance. Not mining for info...

📖 What Are Bible Digs ? Bible Digs are short, Scripture-centered reflections offered three times a week—designed to ground your day in the Word of God. Each Dig offers: * A single passage of Scripture * A clear insight or takeaway * A question or prompt to carry with you through the day They’re called “Digs” because that’s what we’re doing: going a little deeper than a glance. Not mining for info...

There was a moment—years ago—when I almost gave up on my calling. Ministry had drained me. Scripture felt dry. I was reading the Bible like a manual, hoping for help but coming up empty. But then, something happened. A surprising encounter in Luke's Gospel led me down a quieter path, one that didn’t just inform me—it began to form me. This episode of The Trailhead tells the story of that shift—fro...

🎧 About This Episode: I used to think prayer meant doing something—saying the right words, asking the right things, keeping the conversation going. But over time, especially through my encounter with silence, I began to realize prayer could be something else entirely. In this episode, I share how I moved from performance to presence… and what I discovered about God along the way. It’s not a how-t...

✨ Special Invitation: 50% Off Paid Subscriptions If this podcast stirred something in you—if you're hungry for a deeper, quieter, more rooted spiritual life—consider becoming a paid subscriber to The Compass and its companion podcast, The Trailhead. Now through April 30 , you can subscribe for 50% off and receive: ✔️ Weekly spiritual formation tools like this one: One Day Silence Practice (downlo...

A Centering Word (from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Life Together ): “If we do not give thanks daily for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed… then we hinder God from letting our fellowship grow.” ✨ Special Invitation: 50% Off Paid Subscriptions If this podcast stirred something in you—if you're hungry for a deeper, quieter, more rooted spiritual life—consider becoming a paid subscribe...

Practice #1: Reflect on these words by Thomas Kelly: Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we may continuously return. Eternity is at our hearts, pressing upon our time-worn lives. Yielding to these persuasions… is the beginning of true life. Practice #2: Quiet Your Soul with “Be Still My Soul. ” Click here to...

Click here for the Jesus-story in Luke 7 . Click here for How He Loves/lyrics . ✨ Special Invitation: 50% Off Paid Subscriptions If this post stirred something in you—if you're hungry for a deeper, quieter, more rooted spiritual life—consider becoming a paid subscriber to The Compass and its companion podcast, The Trailhead. Now through April 30 , you can subscribe for 50% off and receive: ✔️ Wee...

To those who have donated subscriptions for others on fixed incomes — thank you. Your generosity is quietly changing lives. And thank you for sharing The Trailhead with friends, small groups, or anyone longing for a deeper, more grounded connection with Jesus. Your support helps this work continue — and reach those who need it most. Polycarp’s response to the Roman’s governor’s offer of leniency i...

To those who have donated subscriptions for others on fixed incomes — thank you. Your generosity is quietly changing lives. And thank you for sharing The Trailhead with friends, small groups, or anyone longing for a deeper, more grounded connection with Jesus. Your support helps this work continue — and reach those who need it most. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with othe...

🧭 Coming Soon: “What Nobody Taught Me About Prayer”—a new series launching April 29. 👉 Become a paid subscriber to support this work and walk more intentionally into the weeks ahead. If this stirred something in you—if it made you pause, reflect, or reorient toward what matters most—I invite you to subscribe and journey with us. To those who have donated subscriptions for others on fixed incomes...

🧭 Coming Soon: “What Nobody Taught Me About Prayer”—a new series launching April 29. 👉 Become a paid subscriber to support this work and walk more intentionally into the weeks ahead. If this stirred something in you—if it made you pause, reflect, or reorient toward what matters most—I invite you to subscribe and journey with us. To those who have donated subscriptions for others on fixed incomes...

If this stirred something in you—if it made you pause, reflect, or reorient toward what matters most—I invite you to subscribe and walk this journey with us. To those who have donated subscriptions for others on fixed incomes — thank you. Your generosity is quietly changing lives. And thank you for sharing The Trailhead with friends, small groups, or anyone longing for a deeper, more grounded conn...

If this stirred something in you—if it made you pause, reflect, or reorient toward what matters most—I invite you to subscribe and walk this journey with us. To those who have donated subscriptions for others on fixed incomes — thank you. Your generosity is quietly changing lives. And thank you for sharing The Trailhead with friends, small groups, or anyone longing for a deeper, more grounded conn...

If this stirred something in you—if it made you pause, reflect, or reorient toward what matters most—I invite you to subscribe and walk this journey with us. To those who have donated subscriptions for others on fixed incomes — thank you. Your generosity is quietly changing lives. And thank you for sharing The Trailhead with friends, small groups, or anyone longing for a deeper, more grounded conn...

Ten Lepers. #1 Ten Lepers. #2 Ten Lepers #3 Ten Lepers #4 If this stirred something in you—if it made you pause, reflect, or reorient toward what matters most—I invite you to subscribe and walk this journey with us. To those who have donated subscriptions for others on fixed incomes — thank you. Your generosity is quietly changing lives. And thank you for sharing The Compass with friends, small gr...

If this stirred something in you—if it made you pause, reflect, or reorient toward what matters most—I invite you to subscribe and walk this journey with us. To those who have donated subscriptions for others on fixed incomes — thank you. Your generosity is quietly changing lives. And thank you for sharing The Compass with friends, small groups, or anyone longing for a deeper, more grounded connec...

Over the last two years, it’s been an honor to journey alongside you through The Compass newsletter and The Trailhead Podcast . Many of you have asked for tangible , actionable , and spiritually grounded resources you can actually use in daily life — and I’ve been listening. Beginning May 1 , here’s what’s new: * Deeper, more focused weekly content Rather than daily emails, you’ll receive four car...

If you enjoy this, if it makes you think, if you value this work and want to support it—consider subscribing. Thanks to all who donate subscriptions to others on fixed budgets. Your kindness makes a meaningful difference. I appreciate your willingness to share this publication with others who are hungry for a richer connection with Jesus. Today’s Centering Text Today’s Centering Worship: Beautiful...

Thank you for engaging. The Trailhead is an independent venture supported by subscribers in providing resources and encouragement for a deeper life with God. If you haven’t already, subscribe today for a free or paid subscription and share this episode with friends who are also hungry for a richer life with Jesus. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge...

Centering Text: Lamentations 3:22-23 Centering Worship If music opens your soul, consider listening to this worship song by I Am They: Scars . There are some intriguing lyrics in this song: So I'm thankful for the scars 'Cause without them I wouldn't know your heart And I know they'll always tell of who you are So forever I am thankful for the scars. It will take 3:58 minutes to listen to this son...