Home

Home. Such a comforting, powerful, loaded word.

There were three questions I kept asking God on my 2022 sabbatical (which absolutely changed my life and saved my ministry):

1.         Where is my home?

2.         Who is my family?

3.         What is my voice?

I am 95% sure of #3.

I am 75% sure of #2.

I'm still trying to settle on #1.

Part of the problem is I grew up in a family that almost never left Indiana, and now God has flung me all around the planet. A plaque on my wall says, "Not all those who wander are lost." (J.R.R. Tolkien). Another says, “Into the ocean I go…to lose my mind and find my soul.” I often become very homesick for England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, several islands out in the Pacific, so many special places in the US, and now Kenya. All very inconvenient when my condo is in Ohio.

I recently returned from Africa, and from the moment that little plane landed in the middle of nowhere on the Maasai Mara, my heart was immediately at home. You know how sometimes our connection with God can feel very dry? Instead, this was like trying to take a drink of water from a fire hydrant. Jesus kept pouring out love and celebration. Words cannot describe the peace and joy that absolutely flooded me every day on the savannah. I was home. I am longing to return to my tent, surrounded by the sounds of hippos grunting, lions growling, elephants trumpeting, and whatever other creatures were prowling around me at night. Heaven.

“You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart always will be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.”― Miriam Adeney

Rich Mullins was supposed to sing “Land of My Sojourn” at my funeral (although I don’t think he knew that), but he went home before me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMPUpBkpp9o

Nobody tells you when you get born here

How much you'll come to love it

And how you'll never belong here.

So I call you my country

And I'll be lonely for my home.

I wish that I could take you there with me...

I will sing His song

In the land of my sojourn.

When “my” boys (actually my dear friends’ sons, but they thought everybody had a Mommy, Daddy, and Goodtime Linda) were little, the bedtime book that always choked me up was Where Does the Brown Bear Go? by Nicki Weiss. Spoiler alert: the refrain of the book is “They are on their way. They are on their way home.” Why does this simple toddler’s story touch me so deeply?

Where is Home? When I don't have a husband, children, or grandchildren? When I can do 90% of my ministry from anywhere in the world? When my mermaid heart longs for the ocean? When I am overjoyed by remote places with far more sheep than people? When my heart is divided between so many states and countries and continents? When most of my family is not related to me by blood, but rather genuine friends who have welcomed me into their tribe? When I have a wanderlust that has not yet dissipated?

Last night I attended a celebration of life (from 10,000 miles away) for a wonderful man whom I loved dearly. I was deeply moved by the beautiful tributes from his family, but I held it together…until they played “Bring Him Home” as he was carried out. I fell apart and have not stopped weeping yet. Les Misérables is my favorite musical and it's the soundtrack I listen to when I need a good, healthy cry.  https://youtu.be/37BZsKcz6M8

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."- C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going." (John 14:1-4)

I serve Jesus, who holds the whole world in His hands, Who knows my needs and longings, Who sets the lonely in families, Who calls me His friend, Who gives me my voice and the words I am to speak, Who pitches His tent with us, Who promises us rest when we will be home with the Lord, and Who holds us close in the meantime.

We are on our way. We are on our way home. May we hold one another’s hand as we walk each other home…

Love,

Linda

Speaking of home… yes, I still call Australia home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-niyYHexMTo  I also call New Zealand home, but don’t tell those people over on the West Island. 😉   

Wake the kids, call the neighbors, alert the police, Goodtime Linda is coming back Down Under! I am heading to Australia and New Zealand from mid June until possibly sometime in August. I plan to be on the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Crookwell, Auckland, plus possibly the South Island and a few other places in Oz. Maybe even Ningaloo to finally swim with those giant whale sharks… I am still sorting out my itinerary.

I will be available for ministry as well as wandering, so let me know if you have a spare bed, a desire for me to minister in any way, fun getaways, or just want to stay in the loop once I get my ducks in a row. Or wombats. Or kiwis. Whatever.

• For anyone, Men and Women anywhere: You are invited to the online Psalm One Bible Study, Tuesdays Eastern Time Zone at 7:30pm. We are currently in 2 Peter and you are always welcome to join in. To stay in the loop: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study

• Set aside a weekend to experience a taste of home. Men and Women are invited to pull away for a Refocus and Refuel Retreat November 14-16. A great way to let the dust settle long enough to hear that still small voice. Good timing to prepare our hearts to focus on Jesus through the sometimes hectic holiday season. For more information or to register: https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel

• Just for ministry wives: Ink in the dates NOW for the 2026 Psalm One Sisterhood of the Fishbowl Soul Care Retreat! Join us for tools to keep our hearts alive, to keep our families sane, to keep the challenges of ministry from drowning out the joy of ministry. Plus lots and lots of laughter. For more information or to register: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives

• Cincinnati, Ohio: January 30-February 1, 2026

• Green Lake, Wisconsin: April 10-12, 2026 (NOTE: this is a date change!)

Dropping my Fur

I'll never forget the first time I was invited to spend an extended period of time in silence with God. It was an entire 30 minutes, and I found it so helpful and exciting. For the first two or three minutes. I poured out every word of prayer I could possibly express. Then what? I was stuck. And very bored.

As I struggled to stay in the silence and shush my inward chatter, I could feel my spirit finally come to rest like a shaken jar settling. The quieter I became, the more palpable God's presence became.

I am always reminded of Elijah struggling on Mount Horeb:

So He said, "Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD." And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

How quiet do I need to become in order to hear the sound of a gentle blowing? How can I settle my soul enough to hear the gentle whisper of God? How desperately do I need my inward jabbering to cease so I can truly hear and experience the Lord God Almighty?

"Cease striving and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

The LORD of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

(Psalm 46:10-11)

Some translations have “cease striving”, others have “be still”. The Hebrew imperative here means “to slacken”, in other words: “to drop your fur”. A dog raises his hackles (the fur on his neck and back) when he feels aggressive, frightened, unsure, threatened, or lost. He wants to look bigger, stronger, more capable of defending himself. But it’s all just an act, nothing but empty fluff. How often we go through life with our fur raised, prone to freeze or flee or fight. When we cease striving, become still, and “drop our fur”, we surrender to the only One who is truly capable of handling what life throws at us.

This psalm ends with “Selah”. It is usually a musical notation for an instrumental interlude or break for the singers. It indicates “stop, pause, listen”. Let everything you just read sink in. Go back and read this again. Meditate upon these words. Yes, this will be on the test. Shut up and listen. Allow yourself to take the time to be steeped in truth, peace, comfort, challenge, and power.

Yet, we usually skip right over the “selahs” in Scripture.

Being still and silent does not come naturally to most people. Most of us need to learn how to enter in, how to let the dust settle, and learn to discern the voice of God in a very loud world. Most non-monks need a gentle invitation along with some companionship, instruction, direction, and support. But once you have experienced life-giving, restful fellowship with the Lord, it becomes a wonderful cool drink of water to a wandering, befuddled nomad in the desert. Solitude is not isolation. Solitude is being with God and God alone. Beautiful, transformative connection with the One who loves us more than we can possibly imagine.

Silence and solitude are not burden nor a luxury for me. They are as necessary as oxygen in order to walk with Jesus and to do the countercultural ministry God has led me into. When others are teaching us how to multitask, my weird job within Psalm One is to teach people how to uni-task.

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the LORD

And to meditate in His temple.

(Psalm 27:4)

As I grew in my faith, a half hour alone with God not only became do-able, it was not enough. Eventually I learned how to spend a day with the Lord. A whole day. Still thirsty. Then a weekend. Still hungry. When my sister and I were caring for my father in his final months in 2018, Jesus kept saying, “Come away with me.” Being a woman of great obedience and faith, I replied, “Are you crazy? I can’t leave now! Do you have any idea what’s happening?!?” But God kept inviting, and eventually I went away for 18 days alone with the Lord on the remote Outer Hebrides.

I would never have survived that year without that precious prayer pilgrimage.

I'm heading away again on yet another prayer pilgrimage starting next week. I will eventually end up in Kenya, surrounded by lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, hippos, and all the other wildlife that God uses as such a powerful love language in my life. Many of you know how God has used dogs, sheep, kangaroos, mantas, manatees, sea turtles, whales, birds, koalas, octopuses, and so many other creatures to love me and teach me.

If you want to come along (vicariously), e-mail “Prayer Pilgrimage” to me by February 7. If you will pray for me on this journey, I will send a few photos as well as a few stories of divine appointments and whispers from the Lord along the way. If you've traveled with me like this before, you know there's never a dull moment in my life when God draws me away. As many of you know, I know not to approach wildlife, but wildlife doesn't seem to know not to approach me. I am the Animal Whisperer. Who knows what could happen in Africa?

If you want to experience “Selah”, I invite you to join us for a Refocus and Refuel Retreat. These Cincinnati getaways are for men and women, lay and clergy, single or married, anyone who longs for a closer walk with Jesus. You will have your own ensuite room in a peaceful and beautiful setting, the encouragement and accountability of others, and all the direction you need to listen for that still, small voice. We love these retreats, and we would love to have you join us. For more information or to register: https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel

• March 14-16

• September 26-28

• November 14-16

If you have a New Year's resolution to spend more time in the Word, join us online Tuesday at 7:30 PM Eastern Time for the Psalm One Bible Study. We are starting to dig into 2 Peter, so hop in any time. This is an encouraging community of men and women. We'd love to have you. Sign up to receive the links and stay in the loop: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study

If you are a pastor’s wife, no matter how many multiple hats you wear, join us for the Sisterhood of the Fishbowl Soul Care Retreat in Green Lake, Wisconsin February 28 to March 2. What a joy to be with others who truly understand the wonderful, weird, wooly life in the ministry. Come away with us to be encouraged by genuine friends, even if you haven’t met them yet. The Early Bird Rate ends February 7. For more information or to register: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives

If you are a pastor's wife, whether or not you can come to a soul care retreat, join us for a Thursday Night Oasis at 7:30pm ET for a safe and encouraging time of sharing, laughter, input, prayer, and support with the best friends you could possibly find. To sign up for the links and resources: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives

If you are an Aussie or a Kiwi, stay tuned. Goodtime Linda is heading back down under later in 2025. One never knows where she might pop up…

On to the next adventure,

Linda

The Wonder of Wonder

What is your overriding emotion? Mine has always been fear. Since I’ve known Him, God has invited me to walk farther and farther out on the ragged edge of faith and trust Him. Whether He leads me into challenging ministry situations or close encounters of the bitey kinds in remote oceans and jungles, He keeps stretching me by wooing me into various adventures. Throughout my life, God keeps renaming me from “Much-Afraid” (from Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard) to “Goodtime Linda” (the title given me by 18-month old Jake).

2024 was a rough year of hospitals, surgeries, needles, IVs, meds, torturous treatments, unrelenting pain, and lots of tears. But I ended the year in my beloved ocean, which was a joy and blessing beyond words. I do my best praying underwater, so Jesus and I had a lot of time to talk.

As 2025 begins, God keeps whispering, “Say yes".

I come from a family that almost never left the borders of Indiana. If I ever had any disposable income, I didn't want a big house, fancy car, expensive toys, or any bling. I wanted to travel. I still don’t have a lot of disposable income, but I have had miraculous opportunities to go places, see things, meet people, and otherwise experience some wonderful invitations from God as He flings me around the country and around the planet. He sets up a lot of unexpected, deeply spiritual, as well as totally hilarious divine appointments along the way. He leads me into His creation with wonder as I strive to be attentive.

Wonder: “rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one's experience”.

"Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder!

Because I am doing something in your days--You would not believe if you were told.”

(Habakkuk 1:5)

• It’s not just a pretty bird.

"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”

(Matthew 6:26)

• It’s not just a beautiful flower.

“Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,  yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!”

(Matthew 6:28-30)

• It’s not just a glorious sunset.

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Day to day pours forth speech,

And night to night reveals knowledge.

(Psalm 19:1-2)

• It’s not just a majestic mountain.

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.”

(Psalm 121:1-2)

• It’s not just a full moon.

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;

What is man that You take thought of him,

And the son of man that You care for him?”

(Psalm 8:3-4)

If we will open our eyes and pay attention, we are surrounded by wonders. Things that stop us in our tracks. Everything keeps directing us to God. The natural revelation keeps pointing to the specific revelation of Jesus.

“For since the creation of the world

His invisible attributes,

His eternal power and

divine nature,

have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made…”

(Romans 1:20)

God is tapping us on the shoulder, saying, “Hey you! Yeah you! Let’s chat.” When I become attentive, I have a deeper understanding of God's love for us. My life and worries fall into perspective when I see how big God is. What I see and experience reminds me of Biblical passages that challenge, encourage, or make me laugh. This is what led me to start creating Scripture Pictures which help me meditate on the Word. Samples: https://www.psalmone.org/lindaklinephotography

You don't have to go to the other side of the planet or spend a dime to develop the spiritual practice of attentiveness. Travel is not everybody's cup of tea, it is increasingly difficult, and it is not possible for many. During lockdown on gray days, I would drive around in my car with my camera in what I called, “A Field Trip in Search of Beauty”. I came back with photos of daffodils, sunrises, animals, and people. We all have different windows of the soul, and we need color, music, art, film, sports, dance, nature, play, laughter, conversation, and connection with all God has made and sparked in us.

I believe God has called me to minister through teaching, discipleship, writing, counseling, consulting, and speaking, but also though travel, photography, stories, and divine encounters. As of now, this year I plan to be in England, Kenya, Australia, New Zealand, and multiple states around the US. There are a few other destinations in the air, and one never knows what God might have up His big sleeve. And God only knows if I may have to cancel or reschedule, like I did in 2020. And 2021. And 2024. So, I hold plans with open hands, saying, “Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise…”

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’" (James 4:13-15)

Sometimes I travel with friends, sometimes I meet up with friends, sometimes I make new friends along the way. Sometimes the trip is a prayer pilgrimage alone with Jesus, extended time in blessed silence and solitude with the One I love. I journal as God speaks through His Word, books, podcasts, music, people, animals, or His Spirit. Sometimes it's a quiet whisper. Sometimes it's like trying to take a drink of water out of a fire hydrant as the Lord is pouring cool water into my soul. Sometimes He loves on me with friends who have fur, fins, flippers, feathers, and even fangs. I know not to approach wildlife, but apparently wildlife doesn't know not to approach me. I am the Animal Whisperer. And as we know, sometimes I have a camera in my hand…

May we never cease to learn from the wonders of God.

With His love and mine,

Linda

Come along with me in 2025.

My friend Mary Beth jokes that she’s never owned a passport but has traveled around the world. Much cheaper and easier to go with me. Mary Beth remembers more of my travel stories than I do! If you want to come along (vicariously) on some of my travels with God, reply to this e-mail with “Prayer Pilgrimage” and I will add you to my suitcase when I leave town. (Be sure to specifically write “Prayer Pilgrimage” or you will not make it into my carry-on.)

Psalm One Bible Study

Join us as we begin our 25th year (!!!) of studying the Word together. We will be starting a new series in 2 Peter beginning tonight. (But you can pop in anytime!) Link arms with a fun and encouraging family of men and women who all desire to walk with God with our head, heart, and hands all following hard after God. Tuesdays at 7:30pm Eastern Time (or whenever that is in your area). To stay in the loop with links and resources: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study

Sisterhood of the Fishbowl Soul Care Retreats:

A fun, relaxing, refilling weekend away just for ministry wives that is all about feeding your soul, nurturing your walk with Jesus, and building authentic friendships with people who get it. Who truly understand. Free and open weekends do not suddenly appear. If you don't prioritize your soul care, no one else will. We think we can't afford to take the time to restore our souls and find life giving friendships, but in reality we can't afford not to! Space is limited. Register NOW to join us! For more info and to register: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives

o   January 24-26 Cincinnati, Ohio: I still have space for the Cincinnati retreat if you contact me as soon as possible!

o   February 28-March 2 Green Lake, Wisconsin:  The Early Bird Rate for Green Lake ends February 7.

“My cup was empty---bone dry--when I left for the weekend, upon my return home---my cup runneth over! God and I walked together, sat together, and he spoke clearly to me. God told me to ‘ask him.’ and I did just that! Linda, I cannot express how much these weekends mean. Thank you for all that you do for us pastors' wives. Life gets so busy and we are so busy pouring out to others, that time to receive and refill becomes such a tremendous blessing. I now understand that I must take more time, somehow, somewhere, just to sit at my Father's feet so that I can receive from Him and clearly hear His voice. Thank you for giving me the time to learn this important lesson. What you do Linda, could not be more necessary. Thank you so much!”

Refocus and Refuel Retreat :

Pull away from the noise and the busyness to let the dust settle. To rest. To reboot. To refocus and refuel. This is a 48 hour getaway in Cincinnati, Ohio for men and women. Your own ensuite room in a beautiful and quiet location. Materials provided. Spiritual direction available. Do not be intimidated if you have never done anything like this before. We love these retreats and we would love to have you come along. Jesus meets us right where we are gently leads us to where we need to be. We already have men and women signing up for March 14-16. For more info or to register: https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel

Sisterhood of the Fishbowl Oasis

For pastors’ wives. A weekly gathering to let your hair down and be encouraged by others who understand the wonderful, weird, and wacky world of ministry. Genuine friendships with some of the most wonderful people I know. Thursday at 7:30pm Eastern Time (or whenever that is in your area). To stay in the loop with links and resources: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives