Happy birthday, Freely Whole!

As Freely Whole turns 10 today, I reflect on what God has done in this last decade. He has clarified what Freely Whole is and is to be, continually bringing more clarity. As I expected, Freely Whole exists to come alongside you, as a “helper of your joy”, to bring you comfort, encouragement, and support, while helping you grow more deeply in your understanding and love of Jesus. Not expected was its ministry to abused, divorced women, who love and follow Jesus. But not only to her! It is for any who desire to grow closer to Him. Who desire to express their worship to Him in creative ways. Who desire to walk in greater Freedom and Wholeness. Freely Whole is for YOU! Continue reading

Happy Spirit Filling Day

🔥 Happy Shavuot! 🔥 On the day of Shavuot/Pentecost, (50 days after Passover,) Jesus’ disciples were gathered together in one accord, one mind, one passion. (On the Jewish calendar, this was this past Friday. As Christians we celebrate it on the Lord’s Day (1st day of the week.) On this feast day celebrating God giving His Law/Torah to Moses, He sent His Spirit to fill and indwell the men and women who followed Him, His disciples. He came to write His law on their/our hearts, not just on tablets of stone. To empower them/us to share God’s Word, His life… Continue reading

Joy in the Storm

Last week, my peonies and roses started to bloom. It’s been so dry here, I was surprised to see them mid-May. I’m so thankful I snapped some pics, even though there weren’t many blossoms, because just an hour later it started to hail. I didn’t know how bad it would be, or if they would survive it. My doubts sprang from disappointment just a few weeks earlier, when just after the first day of Spring, my first 3 daffodils bloomed. A freeze just after that insured none of the rest would. But the next day, I walked outside to see… Continue reading

Retreat

What does a Retreat look like for you? Is it complete R&R time? No schedule. No plans. Just slowing down, resting and relaxing? Is it reflection time? Spending time in nature? Journaling. Creating. Reading. Pondering your life. Your purpose. Your present. Your future. Is it renewing time? Getting great teaching for growth? Prayer and support for healing? Connecting with old friends. Making connection with new ones. Iron sharpening iron. I just returned home from my annual Christian women’s Retreat for—domestic abuse survivors and people helpers that advocate for them, the Called to Peace Ministries Retreat. There, I experience all of… Continue reading

How Jesus Views Women

The ancient world, for the most part, had a low view of women. After sin entered this world, God said that sinful men would desire to rule over women, and it surely happened. Although Jesus came to “reverse the curse”, restore what had been lost through The Fall, sadly many, even those who proclaim Christianity, somehow think that those sinful desires should be perpetuated. Believing that women are less than, lower than men, and that men should rule over women. Even though that directly opposes what Jesus teaches about how His followers’ hearts and actions should be. Throughout the Gospels… Continue reading

Rhythms of Life

I recently came across a reel with the words in this image. Strong truths about life. That brought strong pondering in my soul. In my education in trauma healing, I was often “surprised”/not surprised to learn how many of the healing/regulating “techniques” are things that are done naturally—and have been throughout time. Things we did automatically, even as children, to “self-soothe”. Things mom and grandma and loving, caring others did naturally—without any training or therapeutic language for it—to help those around them when in times of trouble, that are now seen as “co-regulation”. Calming, “nervous system regulating,” activities that kept… Continue reading

Our God is for Us

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ This verse is solid truth we can hang our hopes on. But it doesn’t always feel that way. We face a lot of things in life that are scary. Those of us who have lived in DV know very well the feeling of being alone and that everyone and everything is against us…. Continue reading

Seasons—Looking Ahead

If you’ve read my last 2 posts, you know that as I transition from the busy holidays into a New Year, I take a week for Reflection. Looking back and Looking forward. I know very little about what the New Year will throw my way, but I focus on what I desire to create more of in my life—as well as look at what I want less of, (and how much of it is in my ability to get rid of.) Life will throw us enough curve balls that there is nothing we can do about. But we can do… Continue reading

Seasons—A Look Back

Creativity for many of us can look a bit different in December. We maybe focused on making Christmas cards, or gifts, or baking, or decorating, or… for me, many additional music performances. I’m sure you have plenty of added activities and events, too. Busy holiday times can change our availability, our creative schedule or style, and even our mojo and inspiration. These times may not be as soul-restoring as our usual creativity time—especially if we’re rushing to get things done, and fit them into an already extra busy schedule. But I find that staying creative, even in different ways, helps… Continue reading

Silent Night

Yesterday was my annual “Me & Jesus” Day. While everyone is celebrating the hustle bustle of “Christmas,” (most with no Christ acknowledged or included,) my hustle bustle, family celebration of Emmanuel, God with us in the human form of Y’shua, the babe born in Bethlehem, was completed the night before. Christmas Day has been, for almost a decade, a day when I’m alone, (as my children continued their dad’s side’s traditions, initially all day by court order.) That, of course, has brought grief, but also I chose to rewire my thoughts and redeem the day. With everyone off doing their… Continue reading