Greetings from a full desk:
Tackling stacks of ministry details and preparing to leave on an extended sabbatical. So much to do before I hit the pause button.
With everything going on in the world, this doesn’t look like a good time to go anywhere. But this window of opportunity is all I have, so I am stepping forward. If I am ever going to do this, the time is now. Why on earth would I go on a sabbatical now?
I want to finish strong.
I can take this sabbatical and return rested, renewed, strengthened from time spent at Jesus’ feet. I can go away to rest, write, read, study, pray, seek, reboot, refuel, and replenish. I can pull away as Jesus did, then minister far more effectively out of God’s agenda, God’s Spirit, God’s power.
Or I can quit.
But He won’t let me.
And I don’t want to quit.
I don’t believe God is done with me, or with the work of Psalm One Ministries.
The last few years have taken quite a toll with illness, caring for and losing both parents, and the stressful, toxic, and combative upheaval in the world and the Church. I don’t know how many years I have left, but I’m fairly sure there are more years behind me than ahead of me. I want to use the them well to invest in eternity.
I don't want to serve out of the meager dregs of an empty well. I want to pour out from rivers of living water.
I don't want to teach from my limits and flesh. I want to be an arrow pointing to the Almighty God.
I don’t want to lead from a place of exhaustion. I want to help people hold onto the Lord of Life.
“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:4-5)
This song continually echoes through my head. https://youtu.be/qbEB0QFsqN8
Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer (May This Journey)
by Joanna Carlson, Margaret Becker, and Moya Brennan
Jesus draw me ever nearer,
As I labor through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
And I'll follow, though I'm worn.
May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.
Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.
May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.
Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne.
May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” (1 Timothy 1:12)
May I finish strong. May I be found faithful. May this journey be a blessing, may I rise on wings of faith, and may I take you all with me.
Much love,
Linda
Sabbatical:
I need a team of faithful people who will travel with me (vicariously—Do not start packing!) and pray for my time with Jesus, safety, all the logistics. In return, you might be blessed and possibly entertained by occasional emails from the road, which might include wacky stories of weird adventures, divine appointments, whispers from God, and a photo or two. If you are willing to pray, reply with “Sabbatical Prayer Team”.
I will be using my savings and donations from people who want to invest in this sabbatical. To give toward this journey: https://www.psalmone.org/donate Be sure to choose sabbatical from the drop-down screen or otherwise indicate. Checks should be made out to Psalm One Ministries and mailed to the address below. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization so all contributions are tax deductible.
Psalm One:
We need financial support to continue the work of Psalm One. God continues to open doors and use us to teach the Word and strengthen believers. Please keep investing in our ongoing ministry: https://www.psalmone.org/donate
New Dates!
2023 Pastors’ Wives Soul Care Retreats
We have just returned from the most incredible “Sisterhood of the Fishbowl” Soul Care Retreat ever! Absolutely tremendous. God met us and lifted us in so many ways. What an amazing time of prayer, the Word, friendship, sharing, encouragement, rest, and so much laughter my face still hurts.
https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives
February 3-5 Cincinnati, Ohio
February 24-26 Green Lake, Wisconsin
November 3-5 Location TBA
2023 Refocus and Refuel Retreats—Cincinnati, OH
For men and women: https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel
March 3-5
May 5-7
September 15-17
November 17-19
Note: Dates may change and events will be added as my schedule shapes up, and other logistics shift. If we’ve learned one thing in the last two years, it’s being flexible. “Instead, you ought to say, ’If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’" (James 4:15)
See you somewhere along the journey.
Linda Kline
Psalm One Ministries
6344 Inverness Way
Mason, OH 45040-2053
513-226-0025
For Donations:
P.O. Box 653
Mason, OH 45040-9998