Barren to Beautiful

This episode is a special Christmas edition I wanted to share with you, called "A Thrill of Hope." This message was originally given at the 2022 Women's Chistmas Brunch at Oak Hill Alliance Church. I pray you can re-discover the enchanting story of the Gospel through the lens of Christmas, and after listening can see everything a bit more clearly--especially our great, coming King, Jesus. He alone is the Light, and casts out the "death-darkness" we all experience, and he alone comes to rescue us as the Good Shepherd. This message will take you through the whole Gospel story from Creation, to the Fall, to Redemption, and at long last Restoration. I pray it blesses you deeply, as fix your gaze on Jesus, who was high and lifted up--not on a throne--but on a cross, to save you. His arms are open wide to you today, and I pray that you may open wide your arms to Him, for He loves you.  **More can be found on my blog http://Barrentobeautiful.com

In a culture that values visibility, how do we find our way back to the secret place? In a culture that values volume, how do we find our way back to the quiet place? (And do we even want to get back there?) Listen in, as I share (honestly) about what I learned during an entire summer off of social media [https://barrentobeautiful.com/2021/09/28/5-things-i-learned-from-a-summer-off-social-media/]. In this episode, I confess how social media was negatively affecting me, and how I re-discovered the beauty of the "secret place," away from social media. I've heard from so many people who were feeling *exactly* the same way I was, when I began my social media fast (weary, anxious, depressed). And I want you to know, that these things, like social media, as *small* as they seem, do matter. It's something we can bring before His throne together.  Because, the God who numbers the hairs on your head. Who catches your tears in a bottle. Who has written all the days of your life in His book, before one of them came to be. The God who saw you and formed you in your mother’s womb. Who breathed your name into existence. And whose eyes saw your unformed body in the secret place, as you were woven in the depths of the earth.. That God? He sees you and knows you. He still you sees you in the secret place. And He still waits for you there. Even now, He is drawing you. To come. I invite you to listen in, as we consider how He wants to lead you to green pastures, and quiet waters. And how He longs to restore your soul.

In this episode, I share about how taking a "Facebook Fast" has been a restorative form of soul care for me this summer. But it's not over yet. God is calling me (and others--maybe you?) to something different this summer. It involves surrendering the burden of social media, and following Him to a deeper place of intimacy "up the mountain." Cozy up, as I share a personal story of the time Brandon took me mountain climbing, and I nearly didn't make it. You will walk away from this episode not feeling guilty for not "doing more"--but rather free to follow the Lord, when He takes you on an unexpected path. He is a Good Shepherd, who invites us to rest and drink deeply of Him. My hope is to strengthen those who the Lord may be calling to join me in "surrendering social media" from now -- September 1. During this time, you will allow the Lord to: * protect you (by gaurding your heart, the well-spring of life) * prepare you (for deeper ministry that is coming in the next season) * preserve you (by keeping your soul well tended in the creative work or calling He has for you) Join me as we "trek up the mountain" and take in the stunning view of His massiveness and mercy. **And be sure to share this episode with other "screen-weary" friends who long for an unexpected adventure and rest with the Lord this summer.

Summer is a time to flourish. It’s a time to draw near to God, and adventure with Him. But there’s a tiny leak that prevents us from engaging with Him in a deep and intimate way. Do you know what it is? In this episode, I admonish you to join me in changing a tiny habit most of us have, in order to pursue the God who wants to romance us this summer. So many people feel this longing to withdraw with God, but don’t feel they are able to. What if God wants to take you to sandy beaches, or high into the clefts of the rock? Even if you will miss countless notifications? In this episode you will find permission to finally do this one thing He longs for you to do: Come away with Him. Listen in, and share with a friend. This episode could just change your whole summer—for the better.