May This Journey Bring a Blessing

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

gtlinda7@gmail.com

www.psalmone.org

For Donations:

P.O. Box 653

Mason, OH 45040-9998

 

 

 

 

Rest, Refresh, Refuel, Refocus, Reboot, and Return.

Psalm One is doing a bit of remodeling in 2022. We’ve all had to adjust, re-calibrate, and retool a bit through the non-stop roller coasters of the last few years, haven’t we? Flex and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to flex and obey.

 

March marks 23 years of Psalm One Ministries. God has opened doors to serve far more than we could have ever imagined around Ohio, across the world, and through a pandemic. He is continuing to use us in strategic ministry, so I need a retreat myself before I lead the next batch of retreats!

 

In April, I am heading on an extended sabbatical, then continuing the ministry of Psalm One. Same Psalm One you’ve always known, just a new “back office”. Psalm One remains unchanged.

 

Sabbatical?

 

Why do you need a sabbatical?

  • After 40 years of uninterrupted full-time ministry, I need an extended break before shifting to the next chapter of ministry. I need a furlough, but I have no desire to quit. I want to draw away with the Lord before returning to hands-on ministry with renewed insight, vigor, and strength. Jesus is my model in this. If He needed to pull away with the Father, how much more do I? I don’t think God is finished with me, so I want to pour out of a full cup again.

  • When most people think of a sabbatical, it is often for the purpose of writing a book, continued education, or a special project. A pastoral sabbatical is about rest, refueling, and renewal. I need an extended prayer pilgrimage with time in the Word, in creation, and at Jesus’ feet. I need time to read and study. I need to have my heart, soul, mind, spirit, and body restored by God.

  • This is what I teach. This is what I must do. Half of my ministry is coaching how to integrate sabbath into our lives so we keep our hearts alive toward God and don’t burn out in ministry. How can I teach others if I am a burned-out shell?

  • The last few stressful, toxic, and combative years of upheaval have taken a big toll on my soul, and covid has taken a big toll on my health. I’ve weathered two bouts of covid and am still trying to heal from long haul covid.

  • I cared for two aging and ailing parents 100 miles away for 9 years, then lost both my parents within two years. I’m so thankful to have been able to be there, but it depleted me.

  • I want to combine my ministry, writing, travel experiences, photography, and whatever else God gives me in ways that bless, inspire, teach, and encourage people.

 

Where are you going?

I already have a couple of options, but I plan to be in several locations along the way. Does anyone know of anyplace affordable I could rent? Private, quiet, remote. Somewhere I can be alone to wander with my Bible, journal, and camera. Prayer, study, writing, photography. Ocean, shoreline, island, ocean, mountains, woods, lake, or ocean. Cottage, condo, cabin, crib, cow shed. Preferably most of my neighbors would have fur, fins, feathers, flippers, or even fangs. Willing to consider anywhere in the world (I get around), but well aware that border and travel restrictions could change at any point. Email or call me as soon as possible if you have any ideas.

 

How will you pay for this?

I will be using my savings and donations from people who want to support this prayer pilgrimage. Have you been encouraged, strengthened or blessed through my ministry? I would be honored if you would consider investing in this sabbatical. 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. Note the new P.O. Box. Please do not send mail to old PO Box and Oregonia address.  We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization so all contributions are tax deductible. Do not put my name on the check.

 

How can I pray?

I need a team of faithful people who will travel with me (vicariously—do not start packing) and pray for my time with Jesus, my safety, all the logistics. In return, you will 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.

 

After the sabbatical, Psalm One will continue as always with:

  • Bible teaching

  • Christ-centered, Biblically based spiritual formation

  • Soul care retreats

  • Refocus and refuel retreats

  • Care, consulting, counseling, equipping, and encouraging ministry families

 

Psalm One Ministries depends upon faithful people to invest in our ongoing ministry. We are still receiving donations to continue our work—and especially so I can hit the ground running once I return from my time away.

 

In the meantime, I am still here and available through March.

 

Pray for a seamless transition. Change is never easy. But we know God will to continue to use Psalm One. He will finish the work he has begun in us as we flex and obey.

 

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-6)

 

Thanks for listening and praying,

Grace and peace,

Linda

Merry Christmas from Linda and Psalm One Ministries

A Psalm of Christmas

 

Our

Savior

Lord Jesus,

Master, Teacher,

We love this season of light.

We treasure the joyful traditions.

Decorations, celebrations, carols, and cookies.

Precious time with friends and family.

Concerts and dinners and candlelight services.

Music and gifts and fun and whimsy.

Beautiful reminders of Christmases past.

But Lord, it’s been a long, challenging season.

Weeks turned into months. Months turned into years.

Distance, separation, illness, loss, conflict, divisions,

Broken relationships, confusion, anger, tears, exhaustion.

Battling sickness. Missing loved ones who have passed.

Wondering if whatever we recognize as normal will return.

We’re tired. So tired. We’re frustrated. We want it all to stop.

For this we need Jesus, and for this, we have Jesus.

You do not change. You are the same yesterday and today and forever.

You are El Roi, the God Who Sees. You are I am. God Almighty.

You are the suffering servant who wept at Mary’s tears.

You are the long-awaited Messiah, the Christ who will shepherd us.

We don’t have to handle life, death, and the messy bits in between on our own.

We live in the miraculous reality of Immanuel, God with us. Christ in us, the hope of glory.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will

rest on His shoulders. The broad and strong and sovereign shoulders of God Only Wise.

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

We celebrate the Word becoming Flesh. We dance in joy with the Trinity.

Glory.

Selah.

 

So grateful for each

and every one of you

With much love, Linda

 

 

 

psalm one ministries

- MASON, Ohio -