The new year ushers in a desire for change, for a revamping–of habits, decor, ideas.
So it’s fitting, right? A new look for the blog: I’d love to hear what you think. And a new address, so update your browser!
I am still here, frowning in concentration at my laptop, trying to provoke your thoughts, trying to encourage growth or the kind of questions that engender it.
Another change the new year brings: an uptick in my speaking schedule. And a renewed energy for that part of my ministry. For the last two years, the emphasis has been on writing. Which I’m still doing, and loving. But doors are opening for speaking, and I’m carefully stepping through some of them.
I’ve just returned from an amazing weekend at Ozark Conference Center, where I had the privilege of leading a 48 hour quiet retreat. I spoke five (!) times, yet each talk was short, focused, and purposed toward setting up times of solitude for the participants.
I came away refreshed. Our theme? “Being deeply loved changes everything.”
We talked about how Jesus loves each of us like an only child, how the pace of our life injures us (and slowing heals us). We spent time just thinking about how God delights in us, and took time to delight in him. We looked bravely at the shame that blocks many of us from truly experiencing that deep love of Jesus. We celebrated his goodness to us.
I’m grateful that I get to do this–to walk beside people and point them toward God. It’s good to be home, back to my family. But I am looking for the new things that God will do in the coming year.
How about you? What new things is God doing? What changes are you making?
Just checked your speaking schedule and saw you’ll be at Twin Lakes. Rene is a great guy (spent a week getting to know him at Mt. Hermon a few years back) and the church seems like a nice fellowship (went to a service there when at Mt. Hermon later for a weekend). Hope you enjoy your time in Santa Cruz/Aptos.
On the new look, I like the look generally and especially that you now have an email notification option for new comments.
Two quibbles, perhaps: the background to the post is some sort of diagonal lines that makes it a bit of a strain to read the post text; also, the comment box font is really faint and I can barely see what I’m typing. This may be a function of my browser, of course, so if these issues aren’t apparent to you I’ll cope!
Tim, good points. Still working out all the issues. And this comment type is difficult to see! I’ll try to fix. Thanks for your honest feedback. And yes, TWin Lakes: I spoke there several years ago and I”m very excited to be returning.