A new year. A clean slate. A clear vision. A renewed mind. An obedient heart.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

A new year. A clean slate. A clear vision. A renewed mind. An obedient heart.

• What do you want to bring with you from 2023?

• What do you want to leave behind? Do you want to set a bonfire to burn away some aspects of 2023?

• What do you want to be different in 2024?

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)

The problem with being a living sacrifice is I have a tendency to crawl off that altar and take matters into my own hands. That doesn’t always go so well. God and God alone knows what 2024 holds for me. I don’t want to do this on my own with my limited understanding and mixed motives.

I don't know about you, but my new year's resolutions don't always create lasting change. I want to start 2024 with surrender. There is true freedom in beginning a new year with open hands, ready to release my burdens and illusion of control, ready to receive from the Hands of the One who knows me far better than I know myself. He alone knows what is good and acceptable and perfect.

All to Jesus I surrender; all to him I freely give

I will ever love and trust him; in his presence daily live

I surrender all, I surrender all.

All to thee, my blessed savior; I surrender all

(Judson W. Van DeVenter)

May we begin 2024 with open hands.

Grace and peace,

Linda

Psalm One is here to help you grow and be strengthened in your walk with Jesus. Everything (except the pastors’ wives events) is for men and women, married and single, anyone who wants a closer relationship with God…

• Begin 2024 with a clear mind and a full tank. Could you use a fresh reboot? Come away for the January 19-21 Refocus and Refuel Retreat to rest, revel, relax, recollect, reconsider, revive, return, recommit, remember, receive, recover and rejoice. “I have stilled and quieted my soul” (Psalm 131:2) For more information and to register for this Cincinnati event: https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel

• Who’s invited? Men and women, anyone hungry for a deeper connection to Jesus. 48 hours to let the whirlwind cease, to let the noise subside, to let the dust settle, to be able to discern the important from the urgent, to keep what is valuable, to let the chaff blow away.

• What do we do? The weekend begins with time in the Word, considering state of our souls, and heart preparation. We end with time in the Word, reflecting on what God has been whispering, and prayer as we return home. In between these gatherings, we are in complete silence except for great conversation and lots of laughter over meals and meeting with me for spiritual direction, prayer, or just a listening ear if desired.

• When: January 19-21, Friday until Sunday.

• Where: Cincinnati, Ohio. Your own private room and bathroom. Delicious meals. Beautiful quiet space to stretch out, gorgeous chapel, scenic neighborhood to walk, wander, pray, process, and be refreshed.

• How much? $225 ($275 after January 4) which includes all housing, meals and materials.  Space is limited and we cannot hold your spot until paid in full, so register now!

• The Psalm One Bible Study. Could you use time in the Word and encouragement to keep your head, heart, and hands following hard after God? Join an encouraging, joyful community of men and women from all over the US and sometimes the other side of the planet Tuesdays at 7:30pm ET. Those who are local get together for meals and in-person  fellowship. Sign up to stay in the loop to receive the links and resources: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study The Bible study resumes on January 16.

• Soul Care Retreats for Pastors’ Wives:

A large part of what I do within Psalm one is to come alongside pastors, missionaries, and their families. Ministry is a great privilege, but it also has unique stressors. Where can a ministry wife who is trying to juggle ministry, marriage, children, career, home, and so many other hats go for a safe place of friendship, support, fun, and a listening ear? Our soul care retreats have become a lifeline and a shot in the arm for these amazing women who love Jesus, the church, and their families.

How can you help?

·         Invite a pastor’s wife from your church. https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives

·         Help us provide scholarships and blessings.  https://www.psalmone.org/donate  Please designate donation for “Ministry to Pastoral Families” on the drop-down menu or your check.

·         Pray for those on the front lines of ministry. Respond with “Prayer Team for Ministry Families”

For pastors’ wives:

Scroll down for info and to register: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives. This is for any woman married to a full-time pastor, no matter which multiple hats she wears. You may be pastoring, teaching, counseling, working elsewhere, raising kids, or using your gifts in a myriad of ways. This is a relaxed getaway for you to be heard, refueled, and encouraged with others who understand the weird and wonderful world of ministry life.

·         Cincinnati, Ohio: February 9-11, 2024

·         Green Lake, Wisconsin: April 19-21, 2024

• Thursday night “Sisterhood of the Fishbowl” Pastors’ Wives Encouragement at 7:30pm ET. Join us for laughter, sharing, mutual support, prayer, time in the Word, and genuine friendship with others who understand the wonderful, weird, and woolly life in the ministry. Sign up at https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives to stay in the loop.

Hope to see you somewhere along the way!

What do you need?

I've always been an anxious gift-giver. I love giving something just because it's Thursday and something whispers, "that would be perfect for what's-his-name". But when it comes to buying Christmas, birthday, or other gifts, I really struggle. Am I spending too much? Or not enough? Will they like this? Or will they think it's weird? Will they treasure it? Or will they instantly return or re-gift it?  Will it show up as a hideous option at next year’s White Elephant?

I have friends who have a knack for always choosing something perfect. They give such meaningful, useful, beautiful, ingenious, thoughtful, or incredibly hilarious gifts. They support causes near to my heart and give to people in need. Their choices reveal how much they know me. My home is filled with reminders of the love that surrounds me.

I begin each of our retreats with a prayer: "Lord, you know what each person coming today needs. You know our needs and desires far more than we do. I ask you to meet us where we are and give us what we need."

So as we celebrate the greatest gift of all, that is my prayer for you. You may need a new sweater, the latest iPhone, a kitchen gadget, a book, chocolate… Or provision, encouragement, friendship, wisdom, direction, comfort, healing, joy, rest, or time with friends and family.  May God meet you where you are and give you what you need.

Our Lord whose name is "I am" knows what you need even more than Amazon does.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20

So grateful for every one of you,
Much love,
Linda

Camping out with Jesus…

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.' For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.”  (John 1:14-18)

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.” The word translated “dwelt” here means to encamp with us, to reside with us as God did in the Tabernacle, a symbol of protection and communion, literally to “pitch His tent” with us. In Jesus, “tabernacle” transforms from a noun to a verb. The God of the universe took on flesh to dwell with us.

My mind flashes to a wonderful night “tabernacling” with a good friend in a dodgy, wet, dirty tent on a hilarious camping trip with buddies. There in the dark, we freely shared so many unedited thoughts, feelings, ideas, hopes, dreams, struggles, as well as enormous amounts of laughter--which is why we pitched our tent so far away from the others.

In pitching his tent with us, Jesus invites me into far greater companionship, communion, and connection. He left His throne and took on messy human form. Christmas means that God broke into our world to tabernacle with us. Why would He leave the glory of heaven to camp out with us? A love beyond anything we can imagine. A love that will not let me go.

He is El Roi, the God who Sees. He is the Paraclete, who comes alongside to comfort, teach, encourage, advocate, and guide. He is the High Priest, who leads us to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. He is the Good Shepherd, who calls me by name. I often wonder, "How does anyone do this life stuff without God?"

The LORD said, "I

• have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and

• have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I

• am aware of their sufferings.

So I have come down to deliver them…”

(Exodus 3:7-8)

He enters into our world and our struggles. This same term for tabernacling is used here as “dwell” in one of the most comforting promises in all of Scripture:

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. "And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." (Revelation 21:3-5)

May I spend the rest of my life camping with Him and drawing near. That is the invitation of everything we do in Psalm One Ministries.

Let me dwell in Your tent forever;

Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.

(Psalm 61:4)

Let every heart prepare Him room, now and always.

Grace and peace,

Linda

Ways to camp out with Psalm One:

• Begin 2024 with a clear mind and a full tank. Come away for the January 19-21 Refocus and Refuel Retreat to rest, reboot, revel, relax, recollect, reconsider, revive, return, recommit, remember, receive, recover and rejoice. For more information and to register for this Cincinnati event: https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel For men and women!

• Could you use time in the Word and encouragement to keep your head, heart, and hands following hard after God? Join an encouraging, joyful community of men and women from all over the US and sometimes the other side of the planet Tuesdays at 7:30pm ET for the Psalm One Bible Study. Stay in the loop to receive the links and resources: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study

• Online Day of Refreshing! Yes, we miss the Days of Refreshing out among the woods and gardens of Oregonia. I know it’s not the same, but we will be having an online getaway February 24. This means that men and women from anywhere—not just SW Ohio, not just the States—can join us. Registration will begin soon. Space is limited. Watch your email.

• Soul Care Retreats for Pastors’ Wives:

A large part of what I do within Psalm One is to come alongside pastors, missionaries, and their families. Ministry is a great privilege, but it also has unique stressors. Where can a ministry wife who is trying to juggle ministry, marriage, children, career, home, and so many other hats go for a safe place of friendship, support, fun, and a listening ear? Our soul care retreats have become a lifeline and a shot in the arm for these amazing women who love Jesus, the church, and their families.

How can you help?

·         Invite a pastor’s wife from your church. https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives

·         Help us provide scholarships and blessings.  https://www.psalmone.org/donate  Please designate donation for “Ministry to Pastoral Families” on the drop-down menu or your check.

·         Pray for those on the front lines of ministry. Respond with “Prayer Team for Ministry Families”

For pastors’ wives:

Scroll down for info and to register: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives. This is for any woman married to a full-time pastor, no matter which multiple hats she wears. You may be pastoring, teaching, counseling, working elsewhere, raising kids, or using your gifts in a myriad of ways. This is a relaxed getaway for you to be heard, refueled, and encouraged with others who understand the weird and wonderful world of ministry life.

·         Cincinnati, Ohio: February 9-11, 2024

·         Green Lake, Wisconsin: April 19-21, 2024

• Invest in Psalm One. Have you been encouraged, strengthened or blessed through the ministry of Psalm One? We depend on the giving of individuals, groups and churches who believe in the work we are doing with Bible teaching, Christ-centered Spiritual Formation, and caring for ministry families in Ohio, across the US, and around the world.. Psalm One Ministries is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, so all contributions are tax deductible. Online https://www.psalmone.org/donate or by check (payable to Psalm One Ministries) at  P.O. Box 653, Mason, Ohio 45040-9998. We are so grateful to all the people who make this ministry possible.