Heather Holleman's Blog

A dear hurting woman and wife of a pastor from a church Ashley and I spent time with recently told me the secret to her joy in the midst of profound physical pain—the kind of pain that won’t go away and impacts her everyday life. When I asked her what God has most taught her through her pain journey, she said this:

God gives everyone something to remind them this isn’t their home.

I think of her words most days, tossing them around like pennies I’m shining. Can this be true? Are difficult things a special gift of remembrance and a whisper, if we chose to hear it, that we’re made for another world?

What if I thought of it like this: all the things that go wrong, all the hurting spots, and all the things we all struggle with serve as signposts and reminders. We’re made for heaven. This is isn’t home. Thank you, Lord.

In fact, another hurting friend (it seems like the older I get, the more suffering I learn about), told me what she most needs from me is to help her remember that heaven is real. So I’ve quoted John 14 to her twice in these last few days. Jesus comforts us with the most beautiful words:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

And, of course, I often read Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians where he talks precisely about how to encourage others in this way:

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Perhaps you reading this now need a reminder that what’s happening might just be a signpost: the real home is not this, not yet. We all have something in our lives to remind us this isn’t our home.

The post To Remind You This Isn’t Home appeared first on Heather Holleman.

I’ve always lived my life by the academic calendar, so my fresh season of ministry begins mid-August as I prepare for a new fall semester of teaching at Penn State. It all begins again! I’m so excited!

With the new academic start, Ashley and I also launch our fall season of teaching on Sent and the Six Conversations. We just returned from a great weekend at a primarily Korean church in Virginia (I had Korean BBQ for the first time!), and we’ll travel to various churches this fall to help people grow in their conversation skills and develop the mindsets and skills for a lifetime of inviting people to know Jesus. We also pop in virtually to campus ministries and organizations who request a workshop on having better conversations on campus.

Along with traveling and speaking, I’ve also enjoyed various podcast interviews. One special invitation came from Focus on the Family, and this morning, our conversation aired on Deepening Your Relationships. You can watch the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHFzjewJjsk

I’m learning so much about trusting God, applying scripture to my life, and putting on the “armor of God” each day (Ephesians 6). If you have a moment, pray for Ashley and me and our fall schedule. And I pray for you—that God would “meet all of your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

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I’m hosting a private Facebook group this summer for people wanting to read Seated with Christ (adults) and This Seat’s Saved (young readers). We launch today, so it’s not too late to join!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/873898178115057

I love reading books in the summer! Join us!

The post A Summer Book Club appeared first on Heather Holleman.

I woke up to the news of the passing of a dear friend, Randy Newman. Randy and his wife, Pam, were treasured mentors during our staff life with Cru, and Randy continued to meet with Ashley every month. As I processed the news and responded to texts from friends who knew Randy, I remembered so many moments with him over the past 25 years. I first met Randy when he came to speak to graduate students at the University of Michigan. His intelligence, sense of humor, and kindness captured me immediately. I’ll never forget the first bit of wisdom Randy ever imparted to me. It involved not living in a way to make a name for myself, but in a way that makes the name of Jesus great.

I think Randy lived this wisdom.

Over the years, Randy taught me more than anyone else about sharing my faith and defending the Christian faith. (If you haven’t read Randy’s books, you must!) He also taught me what it means to have an older person truly delight in you, care about you, and wish to see you thrive in your union with Christ. He recommended books, asked me difficult questions, and inspired me that some of the smartest people in the world are Christ followers. Randy loved Jesus with all his heart, soul, and mind—and that mental work impacted me greatly as a PhD academic.

Randy also valued the good things in life. He loved classical music, great coffee shops, and local restaurants. For years, our family drove alongside Randy and Pam in our days-long trek home from Colorado every other summer. Randy would navigate and pick out only the best coffee shops, a ritual I continue when I travel to new places. He always engaged our children and loved them, too. They giggled and called them “Ram and Pandy.” When I’m in a new city, I’ll turn to Ashley and say, “We need to Randy Newman this” which is my verb for “find the best coffee and local food immediately.”

Let’s Randy Newman this!

I wrote it my journal this morning and asked God to allow Ashley and me to love younger couples the way the Newmans loved us. What a legacy of love! It changed us. Their mentorship helped us put roots down deeply into Christ. Their friendship brought joy and laughter into our lives and steadied us through difficult times.

I think of Randy in heaven, enjoying the best of everything. I think of the Lord greeting Randy and saying, “Well done my good and faithful servant!” If you read this far, please pray for Pam and their boys and grandchildren. What a great earthly loss to process of a wonderful man, Randy Newman.

The post To Love Like This: A Dear Friend’s Passing appeared first on Heather Holleman.

This morning, I transplanted my seedlings into the garden bed. The ones I planted from seed didn’t look so healthy; I’d been traveling too much to care well for them. We decided to drive over to the next town through the stunning Pennsylvania countryside to what we locally call the region’s “Secret Garden”: Tait Farm. My daughter and I chose from their wonderful selection of organic seedlings. This year, we planted Beefsteak, Supersweet Cherry, San Marzano, a Tomato Blueberry (dark purple cherry tomato), and a Pinot Noir Purple Sweet Pepper.

Our small garden will burst with tomatoes and peppers, oregano, and basil in addition to the fall harvest of pumpkins. On the other side of the backyard, we’re still tending the blackberries, raspberries, plums, and peach. On the porch, we have the potted fig and potted lemon tree. We shall see what happens with those! And I’ll be sure to post some pictures.

This isn’t simply what it seems. Tending a garden—no matter how small—matters deeply for well-being.

Consider this research article on the impact of gardening on cultivating recovery for those in psychiatric units and the fascinating science on “attention restoration” and how tending plants helps restore our ability to focus. The research study indicated some of these cool results: “Gardening stimulated [a] reflective process whereby participants used the garden symbolically to gain insight into their illness. Exposure to nature and sensory stimulation provided calmness. . . [and often] resulted in descriptions of improved mood and pro-social behavior. [Tending a garden] fostered a sense of community, belonging, shared purpose, and reduced isolation,” and it “offered temporary distraction from unpleasant thoughts.”

If you haven’t started a little garden, think about tending some plants outside this summer. If you’re sad, discouraged, low-energy, or filled with negative thoughts, the research indicates tending a garden will help a tender you.

The post Tending Helps a Tender You appeared first on Heather Holleman.

This morning, as I read David’s words to his son Solomon in 1 Chronicles 22:9-19, I found so many parallels to how we might pray for and speak to those in our lives who are graduating, starting new professional adventures, or simply wanting to begin a new project.

David describes Solomon as begin a man of “peace and rest” who has “rest from his enemies on every side.” David declares that Solomon will enjoy “peace and quiet” during his work (v. 9). I immediately began praying these blessings on my family and friends—that God would grant them the peace and rest of Solomon at this time.

David continues to say a beautiful and powerful blessing over his son that we might proclaim over graduating seniors and those beginning their professional lives: “Now may the Lord be with you, and may you have success. . . May the Lord give you discretion and understanding. . . Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. . . . Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you” (v. 11-15).

David wanted for his son the same things we hope and pray for our children, spouse, or anyone we’re interceding for: God’s presence, success, discretion, understanding, strength, courage, and motivation to begin the work God has given them.

Imagine looking into the eyes of a young adult who worries about her future. Imagine placing your hands on her shoulders and speaking the truth David says to Solomon: “Is not the Lord your God with you, and has he not granted you rest on every side? Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God.”

And now? David cheers on his son to begin the work. I think about the fresh assignments God gives people in my life, and I love these new ways to pray for them, and myself, as we move into a day of work.

The post Prayers for Graduates, Young Professionals, or Anyone Building Something New appeared first on Heather Holleman.

I’ve been thinking about Jeremiah 12:5 recently. I remember reading this verse in college because it’s how God rebukes Jeremiah for his attitude and concerns. Back then, I read this verse as inspiration to endure what I considered “hard things” as training for the even harder things that might come upon me in my life. I was right; life got harder. God asks this question:

“If you have raced with men on foot
    and they have worn you out,
    how can you compete with horses?
If you stumble in safe country,
    how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?“

I’m learning to grow through trial, to get stronger emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I want to thrive in the thickets by the Jordan (often seen as a symbol of difficulty). I want to run with horses. But I cannot if simple, trivial things wear me out. So I ask myself: What wears me out now? What makes me stumble now? What if, in a few years, these same things that wearied me now weren’t concerns at all? What if, year after year, I became more capable to endure hardship? What if, I became like the wise person in James 1 who, after rejoicing in trials (and the perseverance they bring), becomes mature and complete, not lacking anything?

Mature and complete, not lacking anything. Can you imagine? Lord, make us this way!

Emotional fortitude isn’t my strongest trait. I’m the one crying in the airplane when a flight delay keeps me sitting on the runway for hours, only to endure a canceled flight and then an all-nighter to wait for the next one. Meanwhile, Ash sits beside me, ready for any adventure. He’s laughing about it and caring for other stranded travelers while I fall apart. Me? What did I learn? What would it have taken for me to find the emotional strength that wasn’t there that night?

I like journaling about these things. I like recalling the promises of God, taking note of what most unsettles me (and how to prepare for it in the future). I like to measure emotional growth. Meanwhile, I know that what most challenges me involves uncertainty and physical discomfort. May God teach us how to joyfully endure when we are in the thicket.

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I’m back to the blog after my time away for teaching, speaking, and writing. I’m almost finished with Book 2 in the Elita Brown Series. It’s called The Disappearing Seat, and it’s due to the publisher on June 1st. Enjoy this picture of the first robin’s nest of spring in my yard. The Nest raises this question: What new dreams shall I birth this spring?

Enjoy my list of 10 answers to 10 questions you’re asking.

What have I been doing? I’m teaching full time at Penn State and traveling most weekends for speaking on Seated, Sent, and Six Conversations. I’m also writing and loving my “empty nest” time with Ashley. We have a blast together! It’s wonderful being a support to our grown girls in college, and we love building a new life in this new stage. We love the gym, cooking great meals, the Seaside Hotel on PBS, home repairs, and time with our community group friends from church. What have I been seeing? I discovered the Groundhog Tortoise (also called Gopher Tortoise) in the dunes of Amelia Island last weekend. This tortoise is a “keystone species” and protected by law because its presence impacts so many other species. The burrows they dig for homes also shelter 400 other species, and their digging turns up the minerals in the soil to create a perfect growth environment for many plants. (pictures below) The Groundhog Tortoise raises this question: How does my life create a good habitat for others to thrive?What’s something I’m excited about? My plumcot, peach, lemon, and fig. Next week, my tree health specialist, Kristen, comes to help me prune the plums. The “forced regeneration” worked! We cut down the plum trees in winter, and just last week, new shoots emerged from the old trunk. The Plum Tree Raises this question: What might I cut out completely from my schedule to allow to regenerate in a healthy way later? Why did I stop blogging for a while after blogging every day for over 10 years? I decided to protect my writing energy and skip some days when it would tax me too much to find an internet connection (planes, remote places). In winter, I felt more sick than normal and took longer to recover from a bad cold I had over Thanksgiving. Like my mentor tells me, “The most important resource isn’t money or time as you age; it’s energy.” Then I decided to wait for new inspiration. The Groundhog Tortoise did it. I’m back. What am I reading? I’m doing The Bible Recap and LOVING IT. It’s a chrorological Bible reading plan. I’m also reading Wake Up Grateful, by Kristi Nelson with a support group that helps a grieving friend. What am I recommending to people? Journaling! Buy a cool journal, some stickers, great pens, and record some things each day. 5 things you’re thankful for. 5 things you need help from God with. 5 people you’re praying for. Also remember the 5 prayers (wisdom, favor, that God sends me to help, joy, protection)

I’m traveling to Colorado this weekend, but I’ll be sure and blog about any cool things I find!

The post First Nest of the Season appeared first on Heather Holleman.

Some delightful things occupy the days now that water fills the vernal ponds once again. I visit two: the secret vernal pond near my house, and one farther away named “Ten Acre Pond” that my friend shows me. The salamander and frog eggs rest in big jelly-like clusters all over the pond. Soon, thousands of eggs will cover the pond. Yesterday, I saw the fairy shrimp and red-spotted salamander, but it’s still too cold for frogs and turtles.

At the Ten Acre Pond, my friend (a birder and expert in most things), hands me binoculars so I can see all the ducks, a swan, and anything else she points out. I’m learning my bird sounds and descriptions so I can go birding with my friends. I’m most excited for our upcoming dawn or dusk walks to look for owls. I’ve had to go owling several times now to bring legitimacy to the sentences I’m writing in the next novel. I wanted to actually feel what my characters feel, smell what they smell, and hear what they hear in the Pennsylvania woods.

Here, we love the forest. We love the spring ponds, all the birds, and the promise of owls.

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I finished Deuteronomy this morning, and I noticed three new ways to speak blessing over others like Moses did. I love these words that I can pray over you reading this now:

May the Lord bless all your skills and be pleased with the work of your hands. (33:11)

May the Lord bless you with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness. (33:16)

May the Lord fill you with the spirit of wisdom. (34:8)

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