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Time to Pause.

I know what you are thinking, that is all I seem to be doing every day since I cannot go anywhere, but let’s take a look at this from another angle. Maybe this extra time that we have at home, at least some of it, we should give to God. Read that devotional in the morning, look at the beauty of the flowers that are blooming, be grateful for the health of your family and thank God for it.

The podcast I am reviewing today is from one of my favorite authors, speaker, writers Annie F. Downs. When I listen to her podcast, I feel like I am listening to a girlfriend tell me about her day and then of course interview someone 🙂 She is really down to earth and has a love for God and people. I think of the great commandment when I think of Annie; ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39

Annie’s podcast is called That Sounds Fun and believe me she has a lot of fun and interviews really interesting people. This episode is a little more serious as it talks about putting more focus on Jesus during your day. She interviewed John Eldredge: John previous worked with Focus on the Family for 12 years and then launched Ransomed Heart Ministries, here you can find his blog, podcast, a daily reading, and my personal favorite is his Pause App! I use it every day, it allows you to get a notification once or twice a day to pause and reflect on Jesus. There is a 1, 3, 5, or a 10-minute pause option. Most times I chose the 1-minute pause but the 3 is really good too. Best part it is FREE! John is also a well-known, Jesus centered author and his most recent book is called Get Your Life Back. During this podcast Annie speaks to John about how he spends his time connecting with God and what his ah ha moment was when he realized he wasn’t spending enough time focused on God. John states “The distractions keep us away from our soul. The door opens from the inside which allows us to talk to Jesus.” He stresses how important it is to be present to the issues in your soul, to really feel it. Are we on our devices all the time and if so is that allowing us to listen and be present to Jesus? How can we be more whole hearted people open to the guidance of Jesus?

Something to make you smile this week. Comedian Julie Nolke did a three minute skit with herself, it is called Explaining the Pandemic to my Past Self. Hope it makes you laugh and until next time stay in and take that daily pause to connect with Him.

Annie F. Downs’ website

That Sounds Fun Podcast: Episode 210 John Eldredge

Ransomed Heart website

Explaining the Pandemic to my Past Self

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Everything has changed. Now what?

Hello friends, I pray everyone is staying home and staying healthy. This pandemic is nothing like we have ever seen before. Even for me, who is a homebody and am home 75% of my week, this feels weird. I want to go to church and worship with my church family. I want to see my friends and give them a hug. But for now, we will have to do this virtually, through Zoom, Skype, or Facetime. How about just calling a friend or family member to check in and see how they are doing, to hear their voice, and really notice what they are feeling. It is an unprecedented time, and since we have that time to spend with our closest family members, make sure you tell them you love them, and call those you cannot be with.

I am going to be slightly repetitive and give you another podcast from Jennie Allen. I thought this episode was relevant to what is currently on many Christians minds. Jennie speaks with Andy Crouch, who is a partner for theology and culture at Praxis, an organization that works as a creative engine for redemptive entrepreneurship.

Jennie and Andy talk about how things have changed for most people, what are we anxious about and what we can do to alleviate that. Should we be strategic and if so how? How is this going to affect the church and is there an upside to it? And yes, it is ok to grieve what we have lost but also look to the future to see where we can help others and spread the Kingdom.

Jennie is also hosting IF:TV, which is basically a visual of the podcast with additional teachings by Jennie. The podcast is 30 minutes long and the IF:TV session is 50 minutes long. I will include both links below.

The second item I felt compelled to include here is something I came across this week and it made me smile and cry. John Krasinski, the guy from The Office TV show and now from Amazon’s show Jack Ryan, has started putting together a Youtube show called Some Good News or SGN. The stories are heartwarming and I think we can all use a little good news amongst all of the gloom and doom that is on our feeds 24/7. Enjoy and remember to keep thinking on the good things that we have now. As Paul writes in Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Let us see the beauty, the grace, and wonderful things God gives us each day, no matter how hard the day is, there is always something good to be grateful for. May God continue to bless you and your family.

Jennie Allen’s Made for This Podcast with Andy Crouch

Jennie Allen’s IF:TV show Made for This with Andy Crouch

John Krasinski’s Some Good News