Hi friends:

 

“But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

 

As most of you know, I have been on sabbatical. So much to share. I’m still processing, pondering, and praying through all God has shown me—and I will be for the rest of my life.

 

This sabbatical has been the most wonderful and most difficult thing I have ever done. God has taken me back to places and people that mean so much to me. I have been absolutely blown away by people’s kindness, generosity, hospitality, friendship, support, and loving care. I have seen God’s beautiful and amazing creation. I have found such peace and rest in the glorious quiet spaces. I have been flooded with unbridled joy. I have been overwhelmed with spontaneous worship. I have had such fun adventures. I have laughed until my face ached. I have loved and been loved.

 

I have also had dark nights of the soul. What’s the longest time you’ve ever spent with God and God alone? When you are alone in the silence, when the scaffolding is gone, when the distractions are stripped away, when you face your thoughts and emotions, things get real. It is challenging. Sometimes so hard. But so incredibly worth it. The fruit of the struggle is pure refined gold. Every nugget is worth the pain. “Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

 

I am so grateful to the Sabbatical Prayer Team. It has meant the world to have a faithful community of people praying for me, encouraging me, and cheering me on throughout this time. I hope you all have enjoyed the wacky stories, the reflections on what God has been showing me, and the thousands of photos from the road. We’ve seen some amazing, beautiful, hilarious, and scary things, haven’t we?

 

So many transformative experiences. So many divine appointments. So many life-giving conversations. So many precious hours with friends who are very much family to me. So many delightful introductions to total strangers, some of whom are now friends. So many opportunities to minister along the way.

 

So. Many. Animals. Lambs and sheep who gently called me to rest in the Good Shepherd. Countless sea turtles who came alongside, swam with me, and surrounded me with a supernatural calm and peace. A genuinely hilarious and entertaining octopus who reminded me that God has christened me Goodtime Linda for a reason. A gorgeous lion who reminded me Aslan is not a tame lion. "Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” (C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) So many dogs who remind me of God’s unconditional love. Plus horses, cows, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas, bats, sharks, mantas, eels, whales, alpacas, dolphins, stingrays, kookaburras, and many other assorted colorful birds and fish.

 

I am so glad I did not let naysayers—or my own doubts, hesitations, and fears—prevent me from saying yes to God. I was exhausted and fried after some really rough years, and Jesus kept inviting me to come away with Him. God has confirmed a thousand ways how He ordained this prayer pilgrimage and will continue to use it for transformation in my life and ministry. My earnest prayer is that by it many will be blessed.

 

God will continue to unfold the rich treasures that He has revealed. His steady voice continues to whisper in my ear and in my heart. The Paraclete will continue to lead, direct, tweak, and possibly even change horses in midstream as needed. Jesus and I will continue to explore questions He has asked of me—and that I have asked of Him. He will continue to expand upon the hundreds of pages I have journaled, the many resources I have studied, the many experiences and interactions I have had. I will give away what God has given me as I teach, speak, lead, and minister.

 

You cannot give anyone else what God has given you. You can only make them thirsty for what you have.

 

I will do my best to share the nourishing truth and sustaining words of life that God has given me. I will share the stories and photos of His divine connections. I will do my best to continue living out my job description: to put your hand in the hand of Jesus.

 

So many people struggling. So much division. so much confusion. So much pain. We are facing challenges as never before in my lifetime. Two things I know: I don't have all the answers. Nobody would listen to me even if I did.

 

So, what is my voice in the midst of change and upheaval? What can I bring to the table that would be healing and strengthening? How can God use my teaching, discipleship, counseling, experiences, connections, writing, and even my photography to build the Kingdom? How can I offer freedom in the face of so much frustration and discouragement? How can we build healthy community and loving connections? How can we let go of some toxic elements without throwing the baby out with the bathwater? We keep going back to Jesus.

 

As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life." (John 6:66-68)

 

I am a pastor/teacher. My primary gifting and calling consists of:

 

1. Bible teaching

   • Balanced teaching from God's Word to give us a grid for life.

   • Seeing how God brings life out of death from Genesis to Revelation.

2. Christ-centered spiritual formation

• Coming alongside those who yearn for a closer, more intimate, obedient walk with God.

• Creating time and space to connect and reconnect with God.

• Providing tools and direction to foster genuine transformation instead of just information.

• Training the head, heart, and hands to all follow hard after Jesus.

 

I offer these to men and women, lay and clergy, married and single, anyone hungry for God. I believe what we do in Psalm One is needed now more than ever.

 

I also have a heart to come alongside my brothers and sisters who are also standing on the front lines of ministry, trying to hold truth and love together as they build and strengthen the Church.

 

“For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:11-12)

 

I’m still processing, still praying, still seeking God for each next step of Psalm One.

 

In the meantime, please pray:

• As I continue to unpack and process hundreds of pages of journals, notes, scriptures, and whispers from God during this sabbatical.

• As I tie up miles of ministry red tape and admin.

• For provision and direction as Psalm One continues to lift up Jesus.

• In my current spiritual battle: the enemy wants to attack, stress me out, fog me in, push me into a rush, and steal away all God has given me.

• As we pray through changes and how God would lead us going forward.

• For the upcoming Soul Care Retreats for ministry wives—details, provision, logistics, and wonderful getaways for these women who give so much to others. https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives

 

“But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

 

So many treasures to ponder. So many treasures for us to unwrap as we head into 2023. Still seeking how God will continue to use us. Stay tuned.

 

Much love,

Linda