How Do You Explain Linda?

Hi friends:

I have the most entertaining financial advisors on the planet. They are aging hippies and raging radicals who cuss like sailors, adore each other, constantly bicker, hop on their soap boxes, and are truly brilliant experts on investments, taxes, and all things money related. Evaluating my tight budget and financial decisions as a single woman with them feels like being dropped into a hilarious sitcom. 

Their son is a vehement atheist and rationalist—there’s no God, no miracles, nothing supernatural, and everything has a simple explanation. Jim and Clare respond: "Then how do you explain Linda?" (A question many people ask, but for various reasons 😉). They know exactly how little money I have, how far I stretch it, and that it's still in my account after I return from incredible journeys. They can’t wait to hear about my adventures, and even though they would not claim to be Christians, they attest beyond any shadow of a doubt that this is obviously God. They’re supposedly retiring, but they want to keep me. They say they love me, but I think I might just be comic relief for them. 😊

My friend Aaron says there is a private Facebook page called “How do you explain Linda?”

My mother used to say, “I can't rest until someone is taking care of you". In other words, “Quit running around and get married!" Then one day she said, “You could have easily been married, but you didn’t want to settle.” Darn tootin”! Then, “It's very obvious that Someone is taking care of you.” Yup. You noticed. “You really have the best life of all of us”.  I’d agree with that conclusion.

With great respect for the amazing men I know, I often think of the words of an older missionary at our church. A clueless person asked, “Do you grieve the fact that God didn't let you get married?” She didn’t miss a beat and immediately replied, “Heavens, no!! No man would ever let me do all that God has allowed me to experience!”

I have dated wonderful men and been in love more than a few times, but God has not taken me down the path of wife and mother. I love Lucy Swindoll’s book I Married Adventure, sharing how God gave her a rich and colorful life of friendships, travel, music, diverse cultures, photography, exploration, and powerful ministry.

I am so grateful for such good men who surround me with love, laughter, friendship, fathering, brothering, support, and camaraderie. I love being the “third adult” or “fun aunt” to so many children all over the world who love Goodtime Linda even when she speaks with a weird Kentucky/Chicago/English/Australian accent. Especially when she bakes cookies. When my friends have misplaced me, they know I have found a big dog or a little kid.

“Jesus said, ‘Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.’”  (Mark 10:29-30)

(Don’t miss that little phrase Jesus tucks in there: “along with persecutions”.)

I have to navigate a lot of hurdles, struggles, illness, and pain. And I walk through some of the darkest valleys with people all around the world. It’s a challenging and often lonely path, but I can honestly say I love my life.

Kathleen created Psalm One around me, and has been our gracious hostess, faithful partner, and generous main donor since Day One. Because of the faithful support and kindness of others we have been able to continue until this summer. But we will be closing down Psalm One Ministries in September after over 26 years of inviting people to follow Jesus with their head, heart, and hands.

• I am struggling with grief, heartache, sadness, and many tears at the end of an era.

• I am rejoicing as I picture the faces of thousands of men and women who have come to know Jesus and His Word in a deeper way for so many years.

• I am grateful for a wonderful partnership with Kathleen that reached out from her beautiful oasis in Oregonia, Ohio to circle the globe.

• I am anticipating new celebration and freedom in the next chapter of life.

And I don't think God is quite finished with me yet.

The Lord can use teaching, spiritual direction, speaking, soul care retreats, counseling, coaching, discipleship, facilitating, and consulting, but I believe He can also use travel, adventures, photography, writing, relationships, divine appointments, wacky encounters with people and animals, and endless whispers from El Roi—The God Who Sees. God has a tremendous sense of humor, is endlessly creative, inexplicably loving, and has not let go of my hand yet.

“Your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21)

I'm still exploring those three questions from my life-saving and life-giving 2022 sabbatical:

• What is my voice?

• Who is my family?

• Where is my home?

“You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart always will be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.” (Miriam Adeney)

God has taken a little girl who thought she'd never cross the border of Indiana, and flung me all over the planet. So I need time with my family in my beloved homes in Ohio, Australia, England, Maui, Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, Italy, Kenya…plus wherever God might add to the itinerary of my crazy life. I am trusting the Lord to direct, provide, protect, and give me his marching orders.

• I plan to serve God until He takes me home. My real home. “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)

• I want to be open to the divine appointments and delightful encounters God has in store.

• I need to be in--or at least near--the sea as often as possible. I am a mermaid who comes alive in the ocean. Ohio has a severe shortage of oceanfront property.

• I need to be with my Tribe. People who are Family, even if we don’t share blood. I need genuine family.

• I am Doctor Doolittle, the Animal Whisperer, and I need lots of close encounters with creatures who have fur, fins, feathers, flippers, and fangs.  I know not to approach wildlife, but wildlife doesn't know not to approach me. I am often face-to-face with big bitey things. And that makes me so happy. I also need dogs. Lots of dogs. Big dogs.

• I am a photographer who is grateful for opportunities to capture God’s astounding creation underwater, on land, in the air, all around the world. I’m praying that God will open a means to sell my photography. To share my Scripture Pictures. To subsidize my “retirement” with a bit of extra income. (I welcome suggestions and connections with people who know what they’re doing.)

• I need to keep telling His story. And my story.

“Tell your story.

Shout it.

Write it.

Whisper it if you have to.

But tell it.

Some won't understand it.

Some will outright reject it.

But many will thank you for it.

And then the most magical thing will happen.

One by one, voices will start whispering, 'Me, too.'

And your tribe will gather.

And you will never feel alone again.”

(L.R. Knost)

Please pray for me as I keep telling my story.

How do you explain Linda? It’s a God Thing.

Much love,

Linda

• Adventure Lies Ahead:

• Some of you have already come along as we’ve explored Italy, Ireland, Costa Rica, Maui, the Big Island, Kenya, Australia, New Zealand, England…

• If you would like to pray for me on my journeys and receive photos, videos, and stories from the road, reply with “Adventure”.

• If you asked to come along, but have not seen any photos yet, be sure you have connected with me on WhatsApp, and I have confirmed that you are in my carry on.

• If you want to see the whale sharks (my next bucket list item. squeeeeeee!), mantas, octopuses, quokkas, kangaroos, koalas, kookaburras, and whatever else I find, you need to be packed in my carry-on before June 28.

• Our Next Adventures:

Australia!!!!!

I’ll be in the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Perth, Ningaloo, Sydney, Crookwell… Maybe a few other places.

• If you want to see me while I’m in your neighborhood, be sure to let me know. I have places to go, things to do, and people (and animals) to see! I don’t want to miss out.

• I’m currently homeless for part of my time in Sydney (Western suburbs). If you have a spare room and are willing to take me off the street or know of an affordable place to rent, please let me know.

• I already have a few ministry events in place. These are open to anyone.  Let me know if you want to be in the loop with details.

• July 26

Preaching at Rouse Hill Baptist Church

Soul Care Day of Refreshing for MEN and Women

• August 16

Sydney Women’s Event

New Zealand!!!!!

I’ll be in Auckland, then down around Christchurch and Kaikōura…

• September 4-6 (Labor Day weekend)

Online Conference for Pastors’ Wives (in the States or anywhere)

Challenges of Being a Woman in Church Ministry (or something like that… Waiting for final instructions.)

• Sisterhood of the Fishbowl--Thursday nights at 7:30 pm Eastern Time

• We ARE continuing, but with new links.

• Be sure you are in the loop if you would like to receive the info and updated links. https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives

Stay tuned. More details soon…

Tribe. Friends. Companions. Family. Martians.

It feeds my soul to be with my Tribe.

The past couple of months have been life-giving despite some really heartbreaking grief and pain because of time spent with old and new friends. I've been encouraged, challenged, and blessed by incredible people. I needed this. We need this. Don’t try to handle this life stuff alone.

For decades, I have been flung around the world and dropped down thousands of miles from my condo, only to find myself with authentic family. There is a tangible sense of being with my tribe, whether it is with old friends or new connections. It becomes home. Companions with whom I immediately sense a tangible affinity.

The word “companion” comes from the Old French “compagnon” and Latin roots com- ("together") and panis ("bread"), literally meaning a "bread fellow" or someone you share bread with.

“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” (Philippians 2:1-2)

Your tribe are the ones who:

• Make you feel welcome.

• See you. Really see you. The real you. And they still stay with you.

• Encourage you to be your genuine self.

• Truly listen and hold your story.

• Laugh, cry, dream, pray, play, and just be with you. This is holy ground.

• Support you as you hold suffering in one hand and joy in the other.

• Show you a clearer, bigger picture of God when your vision clouds up.

• Lift you up to God without trying to fix you.

• Sing your song back to you when you have forgotten the words.

• Hold your arms up in the battle like Aaron and Hur.

“But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set”. (Exodus 17:12)

Who has your back? Who is a safe friend? Who keeps you going through the battle?

“Friendship arises out of mere Companionship when two or more of the companions discover that they have in common some insight or interest or even taste which the others do not share and which, till that moment, each believed to be his own unique treasure (or burden). The typical expression of opening Friendship would be something like, "What? You too? I thought I was the only one."

... It is when two such persons discover one another, when, whether with immense difficulties and semi-articulate fumblings or with what would seem to us amazing and elliptical speed, they share their vision - it is then that Friendship is born. And instantly they stand together in an immense solitude.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

When I was in seminary, people in the Masters in Counseling Psychology didn’t understand why I was in the Masters of Divinity program. People in the MDiv didn’t understand why I was in the Counseling program. To me, teaching of Scripture and therapy of freedom and healthy growth dovetailed perfectly. How could they not?

Am I speaking Martian here??

When I finally wound up in a Christ-centered Spiritual Formation Forum, I felt like I was finally in a room full of Martians, people who spoke the same language as I did, held the same priorities and shared my desire to provide time, space, direction, and shepherding in transformation as we follow Jesus.

I’ve been privileged to be with lots of Martians recently.

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is  one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)

Keep finding your tribe, friends, companions, family, and fellow Martians. Don’t try to go it alone. We need each other.

Hold on Tight, and Whatever You Do, Don’t Let Go!

My old pastor said when you first come to know the Lord, life seems like all joy, all the time. Then you somehow hit a wall, and it feels like all pain. Eventually you realize that life is joy in the midst of pain. Joy isn’t fleeting happiness. It’s a real, yet sometimes indescribable life-giving connection to the eternal.

There is terrible teaching out there that if you're really walking with God, you won't suffer. If you're going through rough times, obviously it means you're in sin. Their favorite verse is: "God will never give you more than you can handle", which is found nowhere in Scripture. God often allows more than we can handle because we need Him. 

Many of us have experienced an unshakable anchor of joy—and possibly even some healthy laughter--in the midst of some of the darkest times in our lives. God gives us small “release valves” that keep us afloat in the floods. They help us cling to the still spot in a spinning universe. To be able to fly into the eye of a hurricane. To experience the security of an anchor that holds within the veil.

You don't need to search to find the suffering. Believe me, it will find you. We are promised suffering. Life is definitely not all rainbows and unicorns. But we are also promised joy, although sometimes we have to hunt earnestly for it.

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil” (Hebrews 6:19)

Our security, hope, and joy are anchored in the reality of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. But God gives us glimpses of joy along the way to hold onto when we can't quite grasp eternity.

What brings you joy? It's a vitally serious question. A lot of people have no idea what brings them joy. Without joy, our soul shrivels. Our candle flickers. Our heart hardens.

Simple joys:

• A beautiful sunrise or sunset.

• A great book.

• Baby laughter.

• Grandchildren.

• The glory of creation.

• The power of music.

• The freedom of dance.

• Worship.

• Love. Love in all its manifestations.

• The perfect basketball shot.

• Creating something with our hands.

• A good day’s work.

• Being of service.

What is a memory that brings you joy? It doesn't have to be your greatest memory. Just something that brings you joy when you remember it. What happens when you recall that treasure? It strengthens you. We all have rough patches, but we have experiences, relationships, memories, and supportive words that bolster us in the storms.

Search for joy. Tending to your soul is not selfish. If I don't intentionally fill my tanks, I will crash and burn when the tides turn. It is what will keep you from falling apart when everything hits the fan. Joy and beauty are healing. They drive those roots deep so the winds will not flatten you.

My friends know some of my “joy anchors”: being in the ocean, being on the ocean, being near the ocean, laughter, animals, friendship, creation, seeing people draw near to Jesus…

Holding onto joy is not a fluffy Hallmark card. It is an essential spiritual practice. It is a spark of life, perhaps a very tiny glowing ember. A reminder that we are held and loved by Someone who knows us, sees us, and invites us to lean into Him.

May you find your unique joys and hold them tight no matter what life brings.

Life is tossing a lot at me right now. We will be wrapping up Psalm One Ministries within the next few months. You can only imagine all the emotions I am experiencing. I am flooded by wonderful memories and the faces of all the men and women who have been drawing near to God with us for the past 26 years. The Lord has opened doors and used us “in Oregonia, and in all Ohio and the United States, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Acts 1:8, Revised Kline Version)

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” (John 15:16)

Please pray as I transition into the next chapter. I don't think God is quite finished with me yet. May the fruit of Psalm One remain and grow. Thank you for coming along with us.

Grace and peace,

Linda

• Our LAST Refocus and Refuel Retreat is coming up quickly: March 27-29 in Cincinnati. I’d love for you to join me. This is for MEN and WOMEN, anyone who wants a deeper walk with Jesus. Especially renewing for those in vocational ministry. Time, space, and encouragement to step off the world’s whack-a-mole. Jesus’ gentle invitation to rest, remember, reflect, resolve, reprioritize, receive, then reboot. Spots are limited so sign up by March 13. For more info and to register: https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel

• The Psalm One Bible Study is 26 years old today!!! We will continue to meet until summer, so MEN and WOMEN are invited to join us every Tuesday at 7:30 pm ET. To stay in the loop: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study

• The 2026 Green Lake Sisterhood of the Fishbowl Pastors’ Wives Retreat April 10-12 is full but let me know if you would like to join a waiting list or stay in the loop for our weekly Thursday gatherings. https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives

• Some of you just returned from traveling with me (vicariously) to Africa. Wasn't it an incredible journey? Lions, elephants, giraffes, and even that amazing gift of the leopard cubs! God will continue to use the travel, photography, stories, wacky encounters, and divine appointments to encourage, challenge, and teach us. The Lord has many more journeys in store. If you want to come along with me as God whispers, “Say YES” and “Adventure lies ahead”, let me know and I will pack you into my carry-on. If you will pray for me on my travels, I will share photos, videos, and adventure with you. Contact me if you want to come along with me. England, Australia, New Zealand, back to Africa, and beyond…

• Yes, Aussies and Kiwis, I will be down under July, August, and September. She’s coming back again like a boomerang!