Blog
The Refuge Podcast Episode #42: A Deep Dive into Esther 4:14 with Jennifer Elwood
Shalom friends! It's the last episode of 2022! I've so enjoyed bringing you messages of rest and peace this year and hope you're more at peace at your core and closer to Jesus because of it. We’re going to nerd out today with a deep dive into Esther 4:14— ...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #35: Finding Peace in Christ and Pursuing It with Debbie Patrick
Thank you for joining me for the latter half of my second podcast season! We’ll be focusing on finding peace in Christ, which I believe is the result of finding rest in Christ that we explored last spring. Finding Peace in Christ and Pursuing It My first guest is...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #34: Finding Rest in Christ Through Surrender with Susie Crosby
Here it is—the final episode in this podcast season! Today, you’ll meet my friend and author Susie Crosby as we engage in a conversation about surrendering in Christ as we pursue rest. Finding Rest in Christ Through Surrender During this episode, Susie and I...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #33: Finding Rest in Christ By Talking To Your Triggers with Angie Baughman
This week, we get to hear from one of my ministry BFFs Angie Baughman, a Pastor and founder of Steady On Ministries. One of her messages this year focused on talking to our triggers and I’ve found this process can bring rest to out of control thoughts—and I hope you...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #32: Finding Rest in Christ When it Feels Like Your World is Falling Apart with Beth Hildebrand
I am excited to introduce you to my friend, Beth Hildebrand, author of The Art of Suffering: Finding Hope When It Feels Like Your World's Falling Apart. Her book spoke deep rest to me as I read through the pages, so I just had to interview her! Finding Rest in Christ...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #31: Finding Rest in Christ Through Refreshment, Replenishment, and Restoration with Chere Williams
Hot off the press… I’d love to share with you a resource I created, including a Spotify playlist and 5 scripture/prayer bookmarks to help you find peace when your thoughts struggle to find rest. Tuck them into your summer reads as a reminders to help you rest in...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #30: Finding Rest in Christ Through Difficult Seasons with Tina Wanamaker
I’m excited for you to meet my hometown friend, speaker and author, Tina Wanamaker. Finding Rest in Christ through Difficult Seasons In this episode we discussed: We can approach times of conflict in faith that God’s good plan will be accomplished. Discussion...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #29: Finding Rest in Christ Through Biblical Self-Care with Melanie Chitwood
My guest today is the wonderful Melanie Chitwood! In this episode, we talk about all things Biblical self-care. Finding Rest in Biblical Self-Care I first want to let you know about a self-care giveaway that Melanie is offering right now! Head over to her socials...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #28: Finding Sacred Rest with Liv Dooley
Welcome to the second season of the Refuge Podcast! I am soooo excited to journey with you and seek what biblical rest looks like. We will begin with a conversation about finding Sacred Rest. Finding Sacred Rest In this premiere episode, my guest Liv Dooley and I talk...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #27: Living Uprooted with Mari Eygabroad
Do you get excited about books you can’t put down? Me too! Therefore, in between podcast seasons, I’ll create bonus author episodes from time to time to help you find refuge in His Word through new, must-read books to add to your reading stack. Living Uprooted Mari...
Why is Good Friday good?
Why is Good Friday good? According to the world, celebrating the death of a man on Good Friday is anything but good. However, in the right-side-up Kingdom of Jesus, this day is actually worth celebrating! And you don’t have to take my word for it—but THE Word. If you...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #26: Bonus Author Interview with Stacey March
Do you get excited about books you can’t put down? Me too! In between podcast seasons, I’ll be creating bonus author episodes from time to time to help you find refuge in His Word through new, must-read books to add to your reading stack. This is the first one! My...
Refuge in Freedom and Boundaries: Exodus and Leviticus
Refuge in Freedom and Boundaries: Exodus and Leviticus Good stories—like underdogs experiencing a well-fought, colossal call of triumph over wicked oppressors—can cause us to lose our minds with excitement. I consider the majestic events of Exodus through chapter 15...
Finding Refuge in the Living God: Genesis
Finding Refuge in the Living God: Genesis Something new is brewing for early 2022. . . I'm reviving the blog to bring you what I'm learning about the Living God! Last year's ministry growth and direction change astounded me with a shift to more spoken messages. I...
A Health-Focused Scripture Writing Plan… Hooray!
How has the gap week between Christmas and New Year been for you? I’ve enjoyed major chill time with my family and could not be happier about that. It’s given me pause to pray through what our on-line community will look like for the next year and the goals I want to...
Happy Hanukkah!
Hi friends - I thought I’d send a quick post to wrap up the month. And what a month it’s been! Counting Up To Christmas with you delighted me all month. Viewing the lights on the book cover many times this month helped me center on Christ in a new way that I’m...
An Unbeliever’s Perspective On Christmas: a Guest Post by Shirley Desmond Jackson
Christmas has always been magical to me. Like key ingredients of a favorite recipe, sparkling lights, candy canes and gingerbread create the perfect holiday. Sparkling Lights Because we didn’t believe in God, my family saw Jesus as nothing more than a historical...
The Three Women of Christmas: A Guest Post by DeVonne White
Hi there Peacock Sojourning friends! To write Counting Up To Christmas with greater skill, I joined a few writing groups and made several precious friends. Today's guest post was written by my friend DeVonne White, a fellow FlourishWriter who also published a new...
My Story: How “Counting Up To Christmas” Led To True Peace
Friends, we’ve made it to the Christmas season! As the biggest shopping day of the year begins, I’m up early sitting in my jammies with a cup of coffee—a familiar sight these days—pondering in my heart the God-given blessings I’ve experienced this year. Yes, it’s...
Being Thankful for the Gift of God’s Word: A guest post by Sheila Daniel
This week, we are going to pause from the preparation of Counting Up To Christmas and focus on gratitude for God’s Word. It is nearly Thanksgiving after all! As I have grown as a writer, I've had the opportunity to meet some lovely, like-minded people. Sheila Daniel...
Counting Up To Christmas: The Gift of Joy
What decorations bring you joy during the season of Advent? This year, people seem excited to jumpstart Christmas even more than usual. And I totally get it - the challenges of this year cause me to yearn for the delights of the holiday season. I want to forget the...
Counting Up To Christmas: The Gift of Our True Father
With the holiday season approaching, I thought I’d ask you a question: How are you doing? I mean, really, how are you doing? If I’m being honest to my core, I’m struggling emotionally. I’m tired of staying away from large gatherings and with Christmas on its way, I’m...
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper: An Inspirational History Blog Post
Did you know this year marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of women’s ability to vote?! The year 1920 floated around in my thoughts as I pondered my next blog post. The meaning of that year finally came into focus. Since research delights my nerdy heart, I...
Hope After The Election: A Guest Post
“We are obliged to pray for our leaders, whether or not we voted for them. We pray we’ll be able to lead peaceful lives, continue to worship, and freely share the gospel.”
Election Hope: A Prayer
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27, NLT Are you super duper extra excited for this year’s election season? Perhaps you are rolling your eyes. Or,...
Five Pandemic Pivot Points
Emotion. Overload. Do these two words resonate with you? When I imagined six-months into the season of Coronavirus, I thought we’d be done by now. I assumed summer heat combined with a miraculous medication would be our wonder twin heroes, the nemesis of COVID, and...
Hope in the Midst of Corona
On a balmy Christmas-in-July evening eleven years ago, standing next to my dashing new husband, a little girl named Savannah went through my wedding reception line. Little did I know, I experienced my first glimpse of a joy to come. This sweetie’s daddy would marry my...
Want To Join Me? An Invitation to a 30-Day Covenant of Silence
If we are social media friends, perhaps you saw yesterday's invitation to a 30-day commitment to taking a Covenant of Silence. I didn't explain it well. AT. ALL. So here is a fresh attempt to improve the invite. If you’re anything like me, disrupted time with the Lord...
Yom Kippur: The Story of An Un-Accidental Cleansing on this Holy Day
I woke up this morning not feeling well. Thankfully, with my hubby gone for the day, the kids were all shepherded out the door by my dad who sweetly took them to their respective schools: ON TIME. Yay! We’ve yet again narrowly scraped by and no one will have any tardy...
This is Peacock Sojourning: A Tale of Grief to Joy
Well friends, I have another peacock sojourn to share… I mean, I’m not surprised because this is how life goes, but this plucking was a bit of a jolt. Summer still has about a month to go but it feels VERY full. We’ve gone fun places, had early mornings of quiet...
This is Peacock Sojourning: Joy in the Freedom of Jesus
It is a very sweet day when your sister comes to you and says, "I think I need to write about this..." When Jesus brings stories of plucking and beauty-bound growth my way, I'll be sharing them with you. So, please welcome my sister, Danae Weber. It is an awesome...
Making Ashes Beautiful: An Art Project for Easter
Want some freedom this Easter? Check out what we did as a family on Good Friday…
Our First Purim Party: Why our family loves to celebrate Jewish Holidays.
Have you ever had the thought, “Hmm, I should definitely have a Purim Party this year.” If your answer is yes, then good on you friend! Your world is better for it. But perhaps your answer is no? Well, me too, until this year anyway. I am so excited to tell you about...
Space and Snowmageddon: Lessons of 2019 thus far
Each year, as Christmas passes and the New Year is looming, I pray for my ‘Word’ of the year. With great resolutionary excitement, I begin January with revved-up motivation to accomplish something great. But this year I faltered a bit. As I started to pray I...
Jenni Swift Dove: Reflections from Israel
Upon the tail feathers of the bolstering of my faith and a leap onto a plane to the most amazing country in the Middle East, the birds of Israel were the next in line to capture my heart. So much so that my new Israeli name is Jenni Swift Dove. The swifts took center...
Boxing Day Thoughts on Homelessness
Well friends, how was your Christmas?? We started the festivities with a family party and visit from Santa Corky on Christmas Eve Eve - and since then gifts have been exchanged, copious amounts of food have been prepared and eaten, and I’m just exhausted. So...
Feathers of Protection: Reflections from Israel
I’m going to let you in on a little tidbit about myself. I’m OBSESSED with the Holy Land. I would jump on a plane at any moment that God would open the door to go. I’ve had some particularly unique experiences in Israel and will be writing about these things over...
Two Tapestries
My cousin and I discovered in the last month that we literally bought the same thing at different estate sales over the summer. Which is not completely unusual - we often go to estate sales or antique stores together and fall in love with the same things. ...
A Date to the Museum of the Bible
The joy of a nice, long date…… I just got to experience that and let me tell you, it was wonderful. When my husband and I were dating (10 years ago already - what??!), we received some very sage counsel. To have a shorter date twice a month, a longer date...
Our Ancestry DNA Miracle
So……. There are a bunch of completely AMAZING ‘I found a parent/brother/sister/family’ stories out there resulting from DNA testing. I have watched these stories play out in the midst of people that I know and pictures and stories splay across my social media feed. A...
My First Post!
My first post! That so nearly did not happen when I planned it… I’m so looking forward to traveling all over the world - at home, in my city, and beyond - with you! But before we embark on a far away journey, we will be a little closer to home… As in down my front...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #48: A Deep Dive into Psalm 119:68 with Alicia Terry
This is a new first... A Deep Dive episode with a guest! (And it's my birthday to boot - what a gift.) When Alicia Terry reached out through our mutual friend/coach Melanie Chitwood, God led me to take shelter with her under Psalm 119:68, and I'm SO glad He did. We...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #47: Abiding in Christ when Enduring Fertility Challenges with Allison K. Daniels
We’re continuing along into Season 3 of the podcast with my lovely guest, Allison K. Daniels. Abiding in Christ when Enduring Fertility Challenges In this episode we discussed: Her fertility journey over the past few years How God has been present in the midst of...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #46: A Deep Dive into Daniel 3:16-18 with Jennifer Elwood
>When I recorded episode 45 with Erica Renaud, we discussed the faith of Meshach, Shadrach, and Abendego. So, I decided their actions in Daniel 3 needed a deep dive treatment! A Deep Dive into Daniel 3:16-18 In this episode, I discussed: historical information the...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #45: Abiding in Christ while Praying with Children with Erica Renaud
We are continuing on with season three by focusing in on prayer, specifically with our children. My engaging guest Erica Renaud recently published a book on this topic and what she shares will change your perspective on praying with children. Abiding in Christ while...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #44: A Deep Dive into Genesis 1:27 with Jennifer Elwood
This is my first deep dive episode of the year and as often as I can, I’ll be recording these live on Facebook! A Deep Dive into Genesis 1:27 When I recorded episode 43 with Janet Weiner, we discussed about how Genesis 1:27 inspired her to consider herself as an...
The Refuge Podcast Episode #43: Abiding in Christ while Growing Creatively with Janet Weiner
Welcome to Season Three of the Refuge Podcast! I'm excited to spend time in His shelter with you learning creative ways to abide in Christ. We begin the season in the south of France with my new friend, Janet Weiner! Abiding in Christ while Growing Creatively During...