26 years.
As of next month, I have been teaching the Word, speaking, counseling, consulting, resourcing, discipling, listening, praying, as well as facilitating soul care retreats, helping people celebrate Sabbath, creating safe space and spiritual direction to sit at Jesus' feet, pointing people to God, and caring for those on the frontlines of ministry under the umbrella of Psalm One Ministries for 26 years. I have been privileged beyond words to serve God as He has called me with the friendship, freedom, support, service, investment, and encouragement of so very many amazing people.
In a few months, I will be "retiring" and we will wrap up Psalm One Ministries with a big bow, thanking and praising God for all He has done through this ministry, basing us in sleepy little Oregonia, Ohio, but reaching out to thousands of people around the world.
I put retiring in quotation marks, because I don't think God is quite finished with me yet. I will serve Him in whatever capacity He directs until He takes me home.
God keeps opening unexpected doors and telling me, "Say yes!" I keep hearing Him whisper: "Adventure Lies Ahead!" (Which excites some of my friends and terrifies others.) For a girl who never thought she'd get beyond exotic Fort Wayne, Indiana, God has astonished me by flinging me around the planet and connecting me with wonderful friends, many of whom have become my family.
Apparently, He plans to keep flinging me. Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise, 2026 will find me in England, Kenya, California, Wisconsin, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, and possibly a few other nearby states and far-flung countries. I’ll be exploring remote destinations, serving and encouraging people in faith, spending precious time with friends and family, taking a few photos, and hanging out with creatures who might have fur, fins, feathers, flippers and/or fangs.
Since He called me into vocational ministry at 17, God has used my spiritual gifts, training, education, and experience to minster. I believe He also wants to use my writing, travel, photography, divine appointments, and hilarious encounters of the close kind with people--as well as sharks, lions, whales, giraffes, turtles, octopuses, sheep, kangaroos, koalas, kookaburras, moose, magpies, monkeys, marsupials, mantas, manatees, and whatever else He sends to the Animal Whisperer. Never a dull moment for Goodtime Linda.
All this to say, stay tuned! I haven't vanished yet. Closing date is not set. Please pray for us as we seek God for the next chapter.
Much love,
Linda
Come along before I fly the coop!
Adventure Lies Ahead Team: I need faithful friends who will pray for me on the road, in the air, and underwater. I’ll share photos and stories as have a front row seat to divine appointments and wacky encounters. I’ll take you out into the deep ocean, through jungles, across the savannah, along cliffs and over mountains. We’ll hang out with koalas, sea turtles, elephants, octopuses, mantas, rhinos, sheep, lions, birds, dolphins, kangaroos, giraffes, sharks, and whatever else God brings along.
If you would like to come along vicariously, let me know…
(NOTE: If you are already on the “Adventure Lies Ahead” team, you are packed in my carry-on. You're now headed to Africa February 17 unless you remove yourself.)
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“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.
I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)
Refocus and Refuel Retreat: March 27-29 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Could you use some extended time to let the "muchness and manyness", noise and busyness, clatter and conflict dissipate so you can hear God's voice? Could you use time and space to rest, receive, release, rethink, rekindle, reprioritize, and reboot? Join us for the Refocus and Refuel Retreat! This is for men and women--anyone who wants to clear the cobwebs away so we can see God better, anyone who desires a deeper connection with Jesus. For more information and to register: https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel
NOTE: This is the last Refocus and Refuel Retreat in Ohio for the foreseeable future. Space is limited, so don’t wait to register. However, there's a good possibility I will be doing a Refocus and Refuel Retreat in one or more of these far-flung places...
The Sisterhood of the Fishbowl Soul Care Retreat: April 10-12 in Green Lake, Wisconsin. This is exclusively for pastors' wives, no matter what hats you wear. Come away to prevent your soul, marriage, children, and family from becoming collateral damage of the ministry. Come to Narnia with some of the most understanding, wise, fabulous, hilarious friends you will ever meet. Come and receive rest, a listening ear, encouragement, refreshment, chocolate, and laughter. A lot of laughter. For more information and to register: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives
NOTE: Space is limited and this retreat is filling up. We cannot hold a spot for you until paid in full. Do not wait to register. Hop on Pop now! I’m looking at you, Regulars!
Psalm One Bible Study: For 26 years I have taught the Bible every Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Now that we are online, I can teach no matter where you are, and sometimes no matter where I am. So, if you are willing to work around my crazy travel schedule, the Psalm One Bible study will continue until at least May. This is for men and women, single and married, any age, anyone who desires to know the Word and to follow Jesus. We laugh and cry together, pray for one another, and seek God in scripture. We are currently in Colossians and you can jump in at any time. To stay in the loop with links and resources: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study