Sanctuary Stirrings

“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O Night when Christ was born.” Reading those words, just makes you happy, doesn’t it?? Are you humming along? Is there music playing in your head?   Are you smiling? I am! Why is it that people are happier at Christmas? I wonder if a lot of it has to d...

It’s here, the most delightful Church season of the year! A time to focus on all the glorious things God is ... Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace! Four weeks on the calendar when we schedule time to stop and think about, I mean REALLY think about, a love of God for us so great and his desire for an unhindered relationship with us so powerful that He sent J...

Woo-hoo! Thanksgiving is here!  It’s so exciting to think about all the friends and family gathering together and also terrifying.  What does the Lord have for us in these life-long relationships that can be so messy at times? Are our Norman Rockwell visions of the family sitting around the table just a fairy tale?   … or an invitation from God? And if they are an invitation, how in the world are...

Welcome to this episode, where we talk about the incomprehensible mystery that our God will speak when we humbly lean in, ask him, and listen! And the shocking things he revealed to me as I followed what I heard him say.  Other great Thanksgiving articles to listen to while you’re preparing your Thanksgiving feast,  Invitation to Holy Hospitality Welcoming the Stranger … and who could be “Strange-...

Have you ever been captivated by a hero of the faith from history? Is there someone outside the pages of the Bible whose life powerfully inspires you every time you hear about it? Someone who seems to be walking a somewhat similar path, and yet maybe lived centuries before you or in a completely different culture?   What if that burning inside you is God’s indication that he has special gifts wait...

Can you believe it’s been 6 weeks since Labor Day? It seems everyone I talk to has enjoyed a beautiful and bustling fall. Ours has been filled with people we love, travel, and festivities.  If your fall has been anything like ours, you may be ready to slow down for a bit.  Join us for this episode where we recognize the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death and the Brit’s fantastic custom....

Sometimes I wish God would just let me make the rules. Every living thing left on its own will die, even us. For some crazy reason, God made us divinely insufficient and desperately in need of each other. Just as we are physically dependent on each other to survive, so we are also spiritually. I couldn’t have been more ecstatic than when I first came to know Jesus. I went to church every chance I...

I couldn’t have been more shocked at the powerful principle that came from this innocent little question a few weeks ago. Hold on tight for what it reveals in you! Blog post: What is God Stirring in You this Season? Learning Humility , by Richard Foster First Nations Native American New Testament by Terry Wildman To receive these and other great articles to grow closer to Jesus in your email each...

We contemplatives love our time with the Lord. We love silence and solitude and have discovered a pearl of great price that many never do. There’s no greater calling than spending time just with God like a lover, in an indescribable relationship with Him.  But, there’s another side of that same coin.  Join us for this episode where we’re going to talk about our relationship with the Lord with a li...

A battle that’s been going on since the beginning of time, but possibly even more challenging in the 21st century. Here, at the beginning of Fall with more opportunities than our strength, finances, or spirits can handle, how do we wade through the choices, to make the ones closest to God’s will; the ones when our lives are all said and done, we will be happiest we did?   Join me today as we tap i...

You may be wondering when you see ours or other ministries beginning to offer “contemplative” practices, if we’ve all fallen off the deep end, sucked up in the current trend towards pagan practices of becoming “one with the universe”.  Join us for this discussion answering the questions that may be coming to your mind with practices like “meditation” becoming a part of our circles. And the account...

It’s not if you’re going to have an offense with someone, it’s when! Something happens and we pray about it, forgiving the person and asking God to restore the relationship. But still, when we see the person again, there’s just that little negative feeling in your heart.  God has the best ways of answering our prayers. And sometimes the sneakiest! Join us in this episode for the story of how he sh...

Taken aback by a quote by Rilke about the highest task of a married couple, join me for this episode as we discuss something most people never think about in their dreamy visions of marriage.   Your spouse may very well be sending me fan-mail after you listen :)  https://www.thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com/blog/solitude-as-a-spouse To receive these and other great articles to grow closer to Jesus in y...

I love this annual August episode, highlighting the books that have found their way to my life, growing my love for Jesus and his people during the summer. Books are such a powerful tool in God’s hand and work in us. Is it any wonder that the first thing Jesus is called in the gospel of John is “The Word”? This episode provides a way for us to share the treasures we have found with each other. Can...

Sit by me at the theatre, as Jesus Revolution takes me back to the day when I met Jesus for the first time and remember the day that happened for you as well!  ⁠Jesus Revolution Movie Trailer⁠ ⁠Purchase the Movie⁠   ⁠Read the blog post. ⁠ To receive these and other great articles to grow closer to Jesus in your email each week, go to ⁠thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com⁠ and sign up for our weekly newslet...

Many adults know they need to make space for silence and solitude, but do we ever think about our children’s need for it as well?  With kids’ lives, from pre-school to high school more scheduled than ever, in this episode, we’ll be taking a look at one of the best things we can give our kids this summer!  To receive these and other great articles to grow closer to Jesus in your email each week, go...

We all do it. The minute we receive Jesus and start walking with him, we begin making “rules” for what quiet time, church, bible study, and loving our neighbor must look like.  Join us in this conversation as the Lord brings me face-to-face with this struggle; taking me kicking and screaming into a new way of doing retreat and reminding me once again that there are endless ways, He draws us closer...

A common mindset we all struggle with, subconsciously we believe that if we’re walking closely with the Lord and doing what He’s called us to do, we wouldn’t struggle so often with doubt, pain, confusion, and conflict.  Join us for this conversation as we talk about being smack dab in the center of God’s will, and life being both good and hard at the same time. Read the blog post. To receive these...

Welcome to the Sanctuary Stirrings where we talk about all things related to our intimacy with God and others and unpack the abundant life He has for us! So glad you're here.