Why ‘Invited’? And a Retreat Check-in
Today we are excited to share with you why God led us to the theme “Invited” for this year’s Velvet Ashes Retreat. We’re also thrilled to hear from three women in our community who are sharing their own Retreat experiences. We believe and have experienced in our own lives that the concept of invitations from […]
Invitation to Abide
Spring 2020: I was in a season of preparation and new circumstances, preparing to move to Cambodia. I was on the verge of getting engaged to my sweet fiancé. I knew there would be difficult seasons ahead, but in that time I was in a season of early growth. Curiosity and inspiration, or maybe rose-colored […]
Awake, O My Soul
“Awake, awake!” I heard it first in the playlist I randomly chose as background music called “Awake, My Soul.” And there it was again in the worship lyrics of the very first song sung at the Velvet Ashes retreat. Hm, that’s interesting, Lord, I thought. Are you highlighting that phrase specifically for me? I jotted […]
This Week’s Theme: Invitations
The intricate beauty and formality of a fancy wedding invitation. The casual text message with an offer to meet up for coffee. The humble ask to enter into someone else’s joy or pain. We love invitations, don’t we? Our amazing Father God longs to invite us into his presence, into communion and rest and celebration […]
I’m Done with Self Care
Dog-tired and bone-weary, I slipped into Seat 33A. Loose ends tied up. Last minute details checked off. Hugs hugged. Home assignment begun. What kept me moving in the weeks prior was the hope of a few days in a quiet cabin in the woods. A little stream providing rhythm for birds’ melodies outside the window. […]
Creating Space for God
My journal is laced with longings. Longings to love like Jesus. Longings for the fruit of the Spirit to be the foundation of my attitudes and deeds. Longings for His life to be expressed in and through me. Longings to access His strength in exhaustion. His wisdom in chaos. His compassion in fatigue. His goodness […]