Sarah Geringer's Blog

Practical Advent is a daily blog series I’m doing throughout Advent this year. Join me on my blog each day for practical faith tips.

Practical Advent, Day 1

Since childhood, I’ve observed Advent each year. It’s been a wonderful way to build my faith and increase my anticipation of Christmas for all the right reasons. I highly encourage you to observe Advent as well, because it can help you be more intentional in this busy season.

In this Practical Advent blog series, I’ll have the same post format to give you about 10-15 minutes of practical tips for loving God, loving others, and loving yourself during the Advent season.

Praise

Each day of Practical Advent, I’ll share one of my favorite songs to listen to during Advent. Take a moment to praise God while you listen.

Here’s one I just listened to today – Silent Night by Phil Wickham.

Ponder

Every day of Practical Advent, I’ll share a quote or idea from an Advent book in my collection for you to ponder, along with my thoughts and a few reflection questions.

I read All Creation Waits for the first time last year. I only wish I had read it sooner, because it is so lovely. It uses nature metaphors to paint beautiful pictures about the Advent season.

At this moment, I can’t locate my copy in my vast collection of books. But I vividly remember these facts from the book.

Frogs have antifreeze properties in their blood to protect them from freezing to death. You can watch a video about these amazing facts HERE.

This surprising fact made me marvel at God’s care for vulnerable creatures who have little protection from winter. It helped me recall this scripture:

What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.Matthew 10:29-30 NLT

Reflection questions:

What parts of nature amaze you during Advent?How does the story above encourage you that God is tenderly caring for you as well?Pray

On each post during Practical Advent, I’ll write an original prayer or share one I’ve written in seasons past.

Here’s a favorite one from 2016 – A Prayer for Christmas Joy.

Pour In

I will share healthy, practical self-care and soul-care tips each day during Practical Advent. You need to pour in (love yourself) to be able to pour out (love others), so I hope these practical tips will help you.

Tip: Eat more fruit in Advent to be healthier. This morning, I knew I needed more fiber to offset my recent heavy eating during Thanksgiving. So, I cut up a Honeycrisp apple, sectioned and chopped up an orange, and sliced a banana. This easy fruit cocktail made a great start to my day. I plan to do this two or three times per week to satisfy my craving for sweets.

Pour Out

The Advent season is a giving season. That’s why I’ll share tips for how you can bless others every day of Practical Advent.

Tip: Many people are grieving in this season. Check in on someone you know who is grieving. Then be sure to say the name of the person or pet they lost. Many grieving people ache to hear that name, and by gently saying it, you’ll be comforting that person more than you could know. Bonus: share a good memory of their loved one – especially if it’s funny. A funny memory can lift your loved one’s spirit.

Just for Fun

Here I’ll share something that’s making me smile this season, and I hope it does the same for you.

This is my new little tree with wooden ornaments from World Market. I love old-fashioned ornaments like these for Christmas and/or Easter, and I couldn’t resist getting them when I saw them in the store back in early November.

See all new posts in this series on THIS PAGE.

Find all my additional resources for Advent on THIS PAGE.

Practical Advent is a daily blog series for Advent. Check out Day 1 tips here. #advent
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Are You Looking for a Book Launch Manager or Virtual Assistant?

If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 85 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon.

I’m also taking on new VA clients – for example, I provide social media management packages starting at just $250 per month. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

If you purchase from any of the links in this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support!

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I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!

Want to know more about me before you sign up? You can read my story here and learn more about my books here. By signing up, you are agreeing to the terms of my privacy policy.

The post Practical Advent, Day 1 appeared first on Sarah Geringer.

How Gratitude Sets You Apart is a post I originally wrote for Kingdom Edge Magazine. You can read it all here now.

How Gratitude Sets You Apart

Do you struggle with negativity?

I’ve struggled with it for as long as I can remember. On personality tests, I show up as melancholy, and the glass always appears half full to me.

Negativity is something I’ve intentionally had to fight for years. External situations stirred my negativity, but internal negativity also stirred me up.

It takes a lot of mental and emotional energy to fight off negativity. Sometimes it wins the fight. I’m sure if you struggle with negativity, you understand.

But recently I heard a surprising fact about how gratitude links to negativity.

How Gratitude Links to Negativity

According to Dr. Henry Cloud, study after study has proven that the main factor that differentiates positive people from negative people is gratitude.

This is true across religions, ages, races, socioeconomic classes, and every other distinction.

As you have probably noticed, negativity is everywhere you look, in person and online. You probably fight it from inside and outside like I do. Sometimes, it might win the fight in your day-to-day life.

But if you practice gratitude, you can overcome negativity, be set apart from others, and become a shining light of positivity into other people’s lives.

Psalm 4:3a NIV says, “Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself.” If we are followers of God, he sets us apart for his delight and his glory.

We are to live in the world yet not be of it (John 17:14-19), and gratitude can be one way we demonstrate being set apart.

Gratitude will help us shine our light into the world too.

Gratitude Helps Set Us Apart

For example, I was recently in the bread aisle at the supermarket at a busy time of day. I needed a bag of pumpkin bagels, but a woman in front of me was staring at the bagels with frustration and blocking my way.

I said, “Excuse me,” and reached for the pumpkin bagels at the front of the shelf.

Then she saw the blueberry bagels for which she was searching. They were hidden behind the pumpkin ones.

She said in a frustrated tone, “Oh, doesn’t that just drive you nuts when you can’t find something you need? And there it was the whole time!” I saw stress all over her face.

Trying to help her relax, I said with a smile, “Well, what matters most is that you found the ones you wanted, right? You can be thankful for that.”

I watched her pause and think. She said, “Yeah, that’s a better way to look at it. I don’t usually see things that way.”

Changing Your Gratitude Setting

If we had had more time, I would have told her that for a long time, I have struggled with seeing things in a negative light. But I’ve learned to choose gratitude when negativity triggers me, and I always feel better for making that choice.

I hope that my gratitude seemed “set apart” to that woman in the supermarket. That she drove home with inspiration to be thankful for the smallest things, which leads to gratitude for the bigger things.

That brief meeting with her just for a moment reminded me how far I’ve come in overcoming negativity with gratitude. Now it’s not just a triumph in my own mind and heart, but a way I can be set apart for God’s glory in front of others, so they can learn to choose gratitude over negativity too.

I pray if you struggle with negativity, you’ll see it as a prompt to choose gratitude. It can set you apart from others so that you can shine God’s light into their lives. That’s a purpose worth pursuing, and I hope it inspires you to seek reasons to be grateful.

This post originally appeared on Kingdom Edge Magazine in November 2022.

How gratitude sets us apart: learn more here. #gratitude #grateful #christianliving
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Are You Looking for a Book Launch Manager or Virtual Assistant?

If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 80 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon. I’m also taking on new clients for editing, coaching (over 200 clients since 2020), and virtual assistance/social media management. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!

Want to know more about me before you sign up? You can read my story here and learn more about my books here. By signing up, you are agreeing to the terms of my privacy policy.

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Book Review: Jesus, Our True Friend is my post that shows why I recommend this book to kids 6 and up.

Book Review: Jesus, Our True Friend

Jesus, Our True Friend is a beautiful collection of seven stories from Jesus’ life that share the good news—that our Rescuer has come to mend God’s broken world, bring us back to God, and show us what Love is really like. From Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago, the creators of the beloved and bestselling The Jesus Storybook Bible, these stories will fill your heart with joy as you come to understand just how deep God’s love is for you.

Jesus, Our True Friend tells the stories of Jesus’ life in beautiful, lyrical prose—and captures their deep theological truth in words even a child can understand. This seven-story collection includes miracles from Jesus’ life like the Wedding at Cana and the Miraculous Catch of Fish, parables Jesus told like the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, and people Jesus met like Mary and Martha. These stories showcase Jesus’ great love and deep empathy for the lost, the outcast, the suffering, as well as for his friends and his followers. And for us, too.

Jesus, Our True Friend has these features: Contains seven New Testament stories about the life of JesusIs an all-new collection of good news stories about who Jesus is and how deeply he loves usIs perfect for children ages 6 and up as well as their families, church ministries, educators, and anyone wanting to experience the beauty of Jesus and his message of loveMakes an ideal gift for Christmas, Easter, baptisms, baby showers, and other gift-giving occasionsOrder your copy HERE.

Here’s a peek at the story about Mary and Martha in the book:

 

 

Get your copy of Jesus, Our True Friend HERE.

Jesus, Our True Friend is a great new book for children 6 and up. Learn more here. #childrensbook #jesusourtruefriend #sallylloydjones #
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Are You Looking for a Book Launch Manager or Virtual Assistant?

If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 80 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon. I’m also taking on new clients for editing, coaching (over 200 clients since 2020), and virtual assistance/social media management. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!

Want to know more about me before you sign up? You can read my story here and learn more about my books here. By signing up, you are agreeing to the terms of my privacy policy.

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Let’s look at the wonder of God’s hand in nature through this devotion.

The Wonder of God’s Hand in Nature

Prefer to listen? Here’s the podcast episode:

The last time I mowed my lawn, I found curiously-shaped lines of green things on my pants legs. As I sipped my lemonade to cool down, I looked closer. They resembled the shape of a Star Wars aircraft, hooked together in perfect ribbons. Little seeds in five-sided, green packages.

I tried to brush them off my pants, but they stuck. Tough little boogers. These tiny seed packets were covered in minuscule hairs that clung to the fibers in my cotton pants. When I finally picked them off, I stacked them together in a tightly enmeshed group.

For a few moments, I wondered at the marvelous design in these little seeds. The tiny hairs that will tightly cling to any animal or human that brushes past, to carry the seeds forward. The flat, compact packets to house the seed until it safely falls back into the earth, far from the parent plant.

Surely their design inspired the engineers of Velcro, a product we all take for granted. A design copied from the Master Designer, the Lord of Lords, whom we worship.

Every time I enjoy nature, I find myriad reasons to marvel at God’s creative abilities.

In the woods where I live, there are endless lessons from the trees, plants, animals, and insects. I’ve seen his majesty in a bald eagle swooping over our pond to catch a fish for dinner. The life cycle of the trees in all four seasons. I’ve marveled at the care he provides for the turkeys, deer, foxes, raccoons, and yes, even snakes, that inhabit this same patch of ground.

Even on my drive to town, I am on the lookout for God’s hand at work in nature. Sunrises and sunsets. Fields of corn and soybeans. Cows grazing in pastures. City birds sitting on the power lines, traveling south in huge flocks. Stars shining in the night sky. All reasons to reflect on God’s provision and beauty.

During the pandemic, I’ve gained great comfort and peace knowing the rhythms of nature haven’t changed, even when everything else feels unsettled. All of nature is under God’s control. It willingly submits to him. Nature displays his glory every day without fail.

Jesus used examples from nature in many of his parables. One of my favorite examples is in Matthew 6:26 NIV:

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Studying nature can help us marvel at God’s care for us as the crowning joy of his whole creation.

Did you know that spending a total of 120 minutes in nature per week is proven to improve your physical, emotional, and mental health? Nature is an ideal place to pray, meditate on God’s Word, and even sing praises to him. You can spend a little time every day in nature or take a long walk or bike ride on the weekend to experience the benefits.

When you’re in nature, be sure to pause and wonder at God’s creation. Study the masterful design in everything you see, from the smallest items to the biggest vistas. Let the wonder of nature cultivate your awe in who God is. Praise him for all the ways you see his hand at work, in nature and in your own life.

This devotion originally appeared on Kingdom Edge Magazine in October 2020.

By spending 120 minutes per week in nature, you can improve your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. Learn more here. #nature #wonder #spiritualgrowth
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Are You Looking for a Book Launch Manager or Virtual Assistant?

If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 80 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon. I’m also taking on new clients for editing, coaching (over 200 clients since 2020), and virtual assistance/social media management. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!

Want to know more about me before you sign up? You can read my story here and learn more about my books here. By signing up, you are agreeing to the terms of my privacy policy.

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Do you set aside one day of the week only for rest? Here’s how to choose sabbath rest each week.

How to Choose Sabbath Rest

I don’t know anyone who isn’t busy with all the things. And yet, the most peaceful people I know take one day a week for rest, worship and rejuvenation.

Our culture doesn’t encourage us to rest. The fear of missing out can drive us to go, go, go seven days a week. Since many places of business are open 24/7, it’s tempting to treat the Sabbath like any other day. Or perhaps as a catch-up day for the other six jam-packed days of the week.

Yet God wants Jesus-followers to treat the Sabbath differently. Very differently and very intentionally.

Sabbath rest was established way back at the beginning of the Bible. Let’s look at one of the Ten Commandments that describes why God considers the Sabbath important:

Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to God, your God. Don’t do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town. For in six days God made Heaven, Earth, and sea, and everything in them; he rested on the seventh day. Therefore God blessed the Sabbath day; he set it apart as a holy day.Exodus 20:8-11 MSG

Did God really need to rest on the seventh day of creation? No, of course not, because God never gets tired. Yet he did this to establish the pattern of rest for us, even before sin had entered the world.

God wants us to observe the Sabbath to keep it holy, to be set apart ourselves as holy. He wants us to give this day back to him. Our Sabbath rest is a powerful evangelistic message to the larger culture. It says we do things differently out of respect for God.

Keep in mind that anytime God tells us not to do something, it’s to keep us from getting hurt. He doesn’t say “don’t do any work” to punish us or to take the fun out of our lives. He says this to help us have the best life possible. The most peace-filled life possible.

How I Chose to Establish Sabbath Rest

When my children were young, I worked hard to establish Sundays as our day of rest. We developed a rhythm of worship, resting (with literal naps), and rejuvenation.

Sometimes rejuvenation looks like watching sports together on television, shooting baskets in the driveway, puttering around in the garden, or completing a creative project. Nearly every Sunday, it looks like a home-cooked dinner, complete with dessert.

I can’t say I’ve never done a few loads of laundry on a Sunday. Nor can I say I haven’t checked email or gone shopping. But as a rule, Sundays are the slowest day of the week for us. And they are the most refreshing.

Over the years, I’ve observed that when I pause for a Sabbath rest, God will multiply my time on the remaining six days of the week. The times I’ve treated the Sabbath like any other day, my whole week feels more frenzied. It’s amazing how powerful one day of rest can be.

If you’re not in the habit of slowing down for Sabbath rest, I encourage you to start small. Commit to two hours of downtime each Sunday for a month. Try to cross a couple extra things off your to-do list on Saturday to free up space on Sunday.

Then in those two hours, do things that rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit. Spend a portion of that time focused solely on God. Over time, you can increase those two hours to a full day of rest, and you’ll feel refreshed and renewed as well as closer to God.

Of course, if you work weekends, you can switch this schedule around to the day that’s best for you to take a break. The goal is to make a concerted effort to observe one day as holy, in honor of God.

What changes do you need to make this week to take a Sabbath rest?

I don’t know anyone who isn’t busy with all the things. And yet, the most peaceful people I know take one day a week for rest. #sabbath #rest #soulcare
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How to Choose Sabbath Rest was first published on Kingdom Edge Magazine’s website in 2020.

Are You Looking for a Book Launch Manager or Virtual Assistant?

If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 80 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon. I’m also taking on new clients for editing, coaching (over 200 clients since 2020), and virtual assistance/social media management. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!

Want to know more about me before you sign up? You can read my story here and learn more about my books here. By signing up, you are agreeing to the terms of my privacy policy.

The post How to Choose Sabbath Rest appeared first on Sarah Geringer.

For you Christian creatives using AI, I have a word of caution.

A Caution About AI Use for Christian CreativesGod gave you a beautiful mind, unique to you. Your intellect, experiences, and stories are meant to be shared as a blessing to others.No one in the history of the world can think, write, or speak exactly like you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made because the image of God lives in you.When you bravely share yourself with others in books, blog posts, social media posts, and videos, you are building God’s kingdom in your own special way.Do you really want to give this amazing power over to a robot?Do you really want to depend on AI to produce content you sell to others, especially Bible studies, books, videos, etc.?A caution that I run every decision through is this one:“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”Rom. 14:12 NIVI fail daily in many ways, because I’m a sinner by nature. We all are.However, God is showing me how often I sin against MYSELF by not allowing my full potential to shine. Someday I’ll have to give an account for that too.Many people are using AI for research, and I’ve done that too. Coming from the days in 1995 when I had to read clunky microfiches in the college library to write papers, this convenience is wonderful.I am speaking the truth in love here: others are secretly letting AI write for them due to laziness and greed, and underneath it all – fear.Fear that:…you’re not good enough.…no one will care about what you have to say.…if you put yourself out there, you’ll get attacked.…God won’t provide for you through words that come out of your own brain and heart.These are lies.A challenge: Read the Gospels again and watch how Jesus uses parables (stories). Pay attention to how he “hooks” people with simple illustrations and then uses them as teaching moments.Jesus’ stories are so powerful that they still fascinate us today.YOUR stories unique to you are so powerful they can last for generations – no robot can compete with you!So close Chat GPT (other than for research) and start the good, hard work of writing.God will protect, bless, and provide for you, and we’ll all be grateful you stepped out in faith.

A caution about AI use for Christian creatives. #ai #christianity #christiancontentcreator #christianauthor #christianinfluencer
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Are You Looking for a Book Launch Manager or Virtual Assistant?

If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 80 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon. I’m also taking on new clients for editing, coaching (over 200 clients since 2020), and virtual assistance/social media management. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!

Want to know more about me before you sign up? You can read my story here and learn more about my books here. By signing up, you are agreeing to the terms of my privacy policy.

The post A Caution About AI Use for Christian Creatives appeared first on Sarah Geringer.

How neuroscience can help you respond with self-control is a topic that I learned about last year that changed everything for me. Here’s what I learned that can help you.

How Neuroscience Can Help You Respond with Self-Control

Last year I watched a teaching for work that changed everything for me.

It quoted Harvard research that proves when we are confronted with negative information, these are our responses:

First, defensive.

Second, accusatory.

This is because our primal brain is first to react in self-protection, even if we are being confronted with the truth.

It takes 10-15 seconds for our prefrontal cortex to be activated. The prefrontal cortex is the “mature” brain – the one that makes rational, informed decisions. It takes time to kick in and provide a response rather than a knee-jerk reaction.

What I do now is give my brain some time to process before responding. In a heated moment I’ll say to the person, “Give me a second,” rather than being silent, which could potentially make the situation worse. Then I take a few deep breaths to calm down and let the thoughts and feelings move from my primal brain to my prefrontal cortex.

If I’m sitting in front of a screen and feeling my hackles rise up, I take 10-15 seconds to breathe and think before typing.

Doing this can help you connect with reason before responding. It gives you time to ask yourself questions such as, “How might this make the other person feel?” or “Do I really want to post this?”

Now I recognize my defensive and accusatory thoughts, which often aren’t even applicable to the situation. They come from a kicking, screaming 2-year-old inside who only knows how to say “No!” and “Mine!” and “Bad!” That’s normal behavior for 2-year-olds, but inappropriate for anyone old enough to read this post.

This bit of neuroscience will help you not just on social media, but at work and home too.

Responding rather than reacting takes practice, but I promise it will help your self-control grow exponentially.

 

How neuroscience can help you respond with self-control - gain practical help you can use today. #intentionalliving #personalgrowth #selfcontrol #neuroscience
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Are You Looking for a Book Launch Manager or Virtual Assistant?

If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 80 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon. I’m also taking on new clients for editing, coaching (over 200 clients since 2020), and virtual assistance/social media management. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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This first Sunday after Charlie Kirk’s death is an enormous opportunity for the American Church. Here are some tips to help you prepare.

This First Sunday After Charlie Kirk’s Death

Like many of you, fellow believers, I have been reeling from the news of Charlie Kirk’s death. I knew about him and followed him after my own children recommended him to me last year. He is the best example I can think of a Christian who spoke the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Now my children and I are uniting together to #belikecharliekirk.

A few hours from now, I’ll be sitting in my church service like I do every week. On this first Sunday after Charlie Kirk’s death, I want to be prepared, and I know you do too.

Why We Need to Prepare

First, I want to show you examples of how God is already moving among unchurched and pre-believing people since Charlie Kirk’s death:

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God is definitely on the move, and we need to be prepared to receive these people in our churches today!

If You’re Like Me, These Are Your Natural Tendencies

First, let’s get real with ourselves.

If you’re like me, these are your natural tendencies at church, though you might not have ever admitted them out loud.

You park your car or sit in the same place each week and get miffed if someone is in “your” spot.You secretly view people you’ve never seen at your church before with a little suspicion and maybe even a little judgment.If you’re an introvert like I am, you retreat further into your shell rather than even simply saying “hello” to someone.You get annoyed with behaviors in others, such as talking during worship or sermons, people being on their phones during the service or not silencing them, wiggly kids being kids, and perhaps even restlessness or impatience when you don’t have any problem sitting still for an hour.

I hope now you can see that I’m not afraid to show you my flaws. These are all thoughts that have gone through my head at church. But I want them to stop now in preparation for this first Sunday after Charlie Kirk’s death, when a huge opportunity awaits us as church attendees.

I need to confess these tendencies to God, repent of them, and ask for him to help me change. I want to be firm in my faith, yet winsome and friendly like Charlie was, and also like the apostle Paul who said this:

“Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”1 Cor. 9:22 NLT

We’ve got to check our attitudes before going to church this first Sunday after Charlie Kirk’s death. If we are going to live like we believe, Jesus needs to be our primary example. He wasn’t afraid to eat with the people who had the worst reputations in his society. Let’s not be like the Pharisees who opposed Jesus’ example as shown in Matt. 9:9-13.

How to Prepare for Church This First Sunday After Charlie Kirk’s Death

This summer, my church worked on building a team of 300 members who will regularly invite people to church for the following year. They met that goal in a month, so I’ve already been preparing myself for a new influx of attendees at my church. You might not have had this opportunity to prepare yet, but you need to do this now, as many new people may be coming to your church starting today.

Here are the tips I’m using for myself and you can use them too.

Pray First

Pray that God will give you opportunities to show kindness today at church. I promise that if you pray this, God will answer it. You will be blessed and encouraged when God grants you these opportunities.

Be Warm

People are always attracted to warmth over coldness. Even we introverts can do things like smile and say hello. That’s how we create warmth, which will be an essential element for growing the American Church.

Scoot In

New people feel most comfortable sitting on the ends of the pews or rows. I think we all do. Today, I’m encouraging you to move toward the middle of your row or pew each week. That way, if a new person arrives late, they have a convenient spot and don’t have to pass in front of others. It’s a simple courtesy we can all extend.

Connect with Bad Memories

Has someone been cold or mean to you at church? Connect with that bad memory and transform it for good. Earlier this year, when I was passing by a lady as I entered the row, she said with a nasty tone, “Don’t step on my purse!” I wasn’t even close to doing that, but I felt the chill of her unfriendliness. I don’t want to be treated that way, and thus, I’m committed to not treating others that way. I want to rise above my church hurt (in other ways far more serious than this example) and be kind instead.

Pray When Annoyed

Annoyance is a normal human response when people are doing things out of social norms. But we can rise above it. Because I attend a seeker-focused church where people often talk or stay on their phones during the worship time or sermons, I face this issue often. Instead of leaning into my annoyance, which only distracts me from the message God wants me to hear, I pray peace and blessings for the people who are doing annoying things. Often it doesn’t “fix” the situation, but it changes my attitude toward them.

I am now more patient and understanding than I used to be, only because God helped me change. He helped me connect to the bigger picture: he wants more people in church, not less. If they aren’t as “practiced” as I am after 47 years of attending church each week, the onus is on me to take the high road and let annoyances slide.

Pack an Extra Bible

I don’t know about you, but I have dozens of Bibles in my personal collection. Consider packing one of these along with you today to give away to a new person at your church. Many people are still dealing with the effects of inflation and might not have the money to purchase one. Alternatively, they might not even know which one to pick. Pick a favorite version and consider giving it away – then follow up with the two next steps.

Be Bold

My friend Sue regularly invites people over to lunch after church, especially college-aged people who don’t have an abundance of local connections. Her Facebook group has lots of ideas on how to do this. You can be bold like that, too, if the Holy Spirit moves you to show this type of hospitality and kindness.

Pray that God will help you know how to invite someone to lunch, your small group, Alpha, BSF, DivorceCare, GriefShare, Celebrate Recovery, or any other way you can enjoy getting to know them better in a practical way that will shower them with blessings.

Consider Mentoring

New people to the church will be seeking mentors for the faith. No pastoral staff is large enough to handle this need without supplementation from volunteers. Consider speaking to your pastor or church leadership team and tell them you are available to be a mentor to a new person. That way, your church can refer people to you when they are looking for a trustworthy person to build them up in their faith. I talk more about mentorship on this podcast episode.

To be a great mentor, you don’t need to be a spiritual genius. You simply need to have time to sit and listen well to another person. Invite them to have coffee or tea with you a couple of times a month. You can be a spiritual father, mother, brother, or sister to a new person in your church – what a gift that would be to them!

Preparing for This First Sunday After Charlie Kirk’s Death

Let’s not waste this enormous opportunity God has given us, church! Be prepared to show kindness, compassion, hospitality, and encouragement today and every Sunday moving forward. The Holy Spirit is sweeping through our country with a revival, and we must do our part

I hope this post has encouraged you today! If so, please share it on social media now. Also, share any other ideas you have in the comments, and I’ll revise the post to include them.

Related Posts for Further Reading

You may enjoy these posts on related topics that I’ve written before.

Do You Even Want to Get to Know Someone on the Other Side of the Aisle?

An Unprecedented Opportunity for Hospitality

4 Ways to Share Your Testimony

Why Your Testimony Matters More Than You Know

This First Sunday After Charlie Kirk's Death - what we need to do as Christians to prepare for this enormous opportunity. #belikecharliekirk #church #christianliving #intentionalfaith
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Are You Looking for a Book Launch Manager or Virtual Assistant?

If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 80 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon. I’m also taking on new clients for editing, coaching (over 200 clients since 2020), and virtual assistance/social media management. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

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When you need to make a change is what I’m writing about today because my boundaries have been violated. Keep reading to learn more.

When You Need to Make A Change

Sometimes you need to make a change rather than persevere in your current situation.

Just this year, I’ve quit two work situations rather than persevering because my personal boundaries were crossed.

In both situations, I was contending with a person in power who lacked humility and self-awareness. They attempted to micromanage me and criticized me unfairly. When I confronted them, they got defensive and tried to put the problem back on me.

Because I’ve spent 20 years developing better boundaries, I knew I couldn’t remain in these situations.

I was also having gastrointestinal disruption, experiencing racing thoughts at bedtime, and developing flares in my autoimmune system due to the adrenaline and cortisol spikes after interacting with these toxic leaders.

I decided it wasn’t worth sacrificing my physical health, sleep, and emotional stability to stay in these situations despite the financial comfort they would have provided.

When I need to make big decisions like these, I always consult with a few trusted friends first, along with my counselor.

I do this based on Prov. 11:14 ESV:

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”

Because my trusted friends and counselor concurred, I walked away from these financially fruitful yet mentally toxic situations.

This was a hard decision as a full-time freelancer. But it’s one I don’t regret, because it would have cost me much more to persevere in those situations than moving forward into new situations.

Have you ever needed to change your situation rather than persevere in it? Let me know in the comments.

When You Need to Make a Change – Disclaimer

I’m not advocating that you immediately sever a relationship based on what I’ve said in this post. Please seek wise counsel and read the book “Boundaries” first; it is the book that has changed my life more than any other, except for the Bible.

 

I hope this post has encouraged you today! If so, please share it on social media now!

When you need to make a change - some things to consider if you need to respect your own boundaries. #change #boundaries #respect
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If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 80 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon. I’m also taking on new clients for editing, coaching (over 200 clients since 2020), and virtual assistance/social media management. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

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I’m going to say something that may be controversial if you’re a Christian.

Many times, post-divorce, people have told me in an effort to comfort: “Jesus is all you need.”

My spirit flinches when I hear this.

I’m starting to believe it’s not just bad advice, but unbiblical.

Jesus Is All You Need – True or False?

Let me say something first. Do we have plenty of stories in the Bible where God sustained someone who was truly alone? Yes, of course. What comes to my mind is Elijah in the wilderness, David hiding in caves, and Hagar fleeing a terrible situation.

So is God with us every moment when we are truly alone? Without a doubt.

But is Jesus all we need? My answer is no.

Why? We were created to be in community with one another. Because we are made in God’s image, it means we exist in relationship, like the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are in constant relationship with one another. This is intrinsic to their identity as the Triune God.

If you are telling yourself or hearing from others that Jesus is all you need, I offer a different perspective.

Is Jesus All You Need?

I have been lonely my entire life. As a child of divorce at age 4, loneliness first set in and never left.

It was my unwanted companion for all 21 years of my terrible marriage.

For the first four decades of my life, I was emotionally abused every day, and this created a huge hole of loneliness.

The past 3.5 years of my life have been the most difficult ones I’ve ever lived, and they have also been the loneliest years, despite my concerted efforts to change that fact.

Despite these challenges, I have always been deeply close to God, starting at the age of three.

I literally can’t remember not believing in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I’ve walked closely beside him since I was very young, and I enjoy deep, daily fellowship with Jesus.

I’ve also always been surrounded by Christian friends, a rich blessing I don’t take for granted.

Yet this doesn’t feel like enough.

Jesus Is Not All You Need

For the past week, I’ve lived alone for the very first time in my life.

I thought I’d be used to this since I’ve worked from home for 18 years of my career. I have my three dogs, my gardens, and my beautiful home to enjoy. I also feel God’s presence with me every single moment.

But it isn’t enough, and this week has shown me that.

In my deep grief over my empty nest this week, I had some unexpectedly dark thoughts. I broke into sobs several times per day, and sensed the low tides in my soul due to loneliness.

I recognize all these signs of depression since I’ve suffered them many times before. I know the steps to combat them, including getting out in nature and exercising. Those activities did lift my spirit somewhat on Tuesday night.

However, last night the tide turned.

My daughter showed up unexpectedly. We spent the night together, and I felt 1000 percent better when I went to bed.

Quality time is my number one love language. When I’m deprived of that for too long, things go sideways in my mood. But spending time with my daughter last night filled my cup to overflowing, and that’s why I felt so much better.

I also felt much better because I’m not designed to be a lone ranger, though I am a true introvert. Made in God’s image, I crave fellowship with others, and spending time talking to Jesus all day long simply cannot fill that need.

Jesus Is All You Need – Plus People!

Years ago, I read a scene about loneliness from one of Donald Miller’s books. He was vacationing in a remote area, perhaps the Rocky Mountains. As I recall, a man stepped out of a cabin and spoke to Donald and his friends. But there was something off about his mannerisms and speech. Donald realized it’s simply because the man is always alone and has forgotten what it’s like to be around people.

I don’t want to be that person, a hermit who loses social skills. I’m not going to pridefully hide myself away from the world and ignore the way God designed me (and all of us) – to need others.

Regularly at my church, my head pastor says that God doesn’t call Christians to be lone rangers. He says when we are alone, that’s when the enemy picks us off. That’s exactly what was happening to me earlier this week, when Satan was whispering dark lies to me in my loneliness.

So I’m taking steps to get out in front of people and interact with them every day – not simply watch them from afar. It takes effort, but the dopamine and oxytocin exchange from interacting with people is better than any antidepressant or painkiller. That’s what I felt coursing through my veins last night with my daughter, and I won’t let another day go by without it.

The scripture that keeps going through my mind is this one:

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.Hebrews 10:25 NLT

I’m so blessed to have a vibrant church where I can connect with others regularly – yet I’m going to make the effort to reach out every single day to someone for fellowship. That’s how God designed the church to function, not just on Sunday mornings, but throughout the week.

So, if you’re one of the many people who are lonely and wondering why all the time alone with God doesn’t feel like enough, that’s because it’s not enough. Here are my suggestions based on my own experience:

Get out and connect with others because that’s how God designed you.Don’t just take, but give back by being a good friend and a good listener. When you feel low, at the bare minimum, call someone on the phone (don’t simply text). FaceTime or Zoom is even better. In-person is best.If you are really feeling low, don’t hesitate to call for help. I made this free call years ago and it set me on a better path.

I hope this post has encouraged you today! If so, please share it on social media now!

Jesus is all you need - true or false? If you are telling yourself or hearing from others that Jesus is all you need, I offer a different perspective. #lonely #loneliness #christianity
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If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 80 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon. I’m also taking on new clients for editing, coaching (over 200 clients since 2020), and virtual assistance/social media management. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!

Want to know more about me before you sign up? You can read my story here and learn more about my books here. By signing up, you are agreeing to the terms of my privacy policy.

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