Musings from a Mermaid

Hello friends:

I’ve just returned from a few days underwater. I live very frugally so I can save up and head to the ocean. A place of wonder, worship, and freedom.

I have multiple health issues that leave me very weak, often in pain, and sometimes unable to do what the other kids do. I have to acknowledge and respect my limitations, but I muster every bit of strength to keep going. And going. And going.

I've had friends who have shamed me and blamed me for my illness and handicaps. I've been lectured for being too slow. I've had friends who have left me behind and gone on walking without me when I can't keep up. I've been told I don't trust God and I'm not willing to confess my sin in order to be healed. Because most of my handicaps are invisible, I'm sure many people think I'm just really lazy.

But I've had other friends who have shown me such grace and support. I've had total strangers give me a hand. I have families who have adopted me and made me feel so welcome and loved. I have an amazing support system of men and women who have gone above and beyond for me in so very many ways. I know the most incredible human beings who have gotten me through some very dark times. I have buddies who leave me laughing before and after surgery. I have a wonderful community of people around the world who offer a hand, bring meals, send cards, call to check on me, pray for me, send me chocolate and goofy gifts, and make me smile over and over. So many have given me a literal or figurative cup of cold water...

"And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

I will never forget the words of a very kind man who was helping me after a flood damaged my condo. I kept apologizing, and he turned to me and said, "Linda, do you think we think less of you because you can't do this?"

(Yeah, I’m afraid sometimes I do...)

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God continues to fling me around the planet. I hobble and struggle on land. But once I am in the water, I grow gills, fins, and a mermaid's tail--and I am free. I’m not a fast or elegant swimmer, but I am half fish. I can stay out in the open ocean for hours and hours, exploring and taking endless photos of God's indescribable, colorful, miraculous creation.

One day I will be free from any handicaps, pain, or limping. Occasionally God gives me a glimpse of the freedom that lies ahead. He brings Aaron and Hur (Exodus 17) along to hold my arms up in the battle. He brings kind and supportive friends who are willing to walk with me at my uneven pace. He reminds me that I am loved completely apart from anything I can or cannot do.

I'll never be in the Olympics, and I can't keep up with most people. But my goal is to walk at the pace of God. In a world that keeps speeding up, I provide opportunities to slow down, notice God, and hear that quiet voice say, “This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left. (Isaiah 30:21)

Even with a limp. Even if we have to pause or go slow. Even if it hurts. May we learn to walk at the pace of God. And may we walk with one another in grace.

Much love,

Linda

• My travel and ministry schedule varies over the next month or so, but we are still meeting for the Psalm One Bible Study. Keep an eye on your email since anything can happen when Goodtime Linda hits the road. For men and women! https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study

• Could you use a reboot? Sometime to pull away from the muchness and manyness to focus on Jesus without interruptions? Men and women are invited to join us for the Refocus and Refuel Retreat. We would love to have you with us for this restful getaway. Ink it in now to come along for this drink of cool water. November https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel

• Pastors' Wives are some of the most incredible people I know. But where can you share the unique stressors of life in the fish bowl of ministry? https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives

Soul Care Retreats

Free weekends never just appear. Block out the dates now to join us for one of these wonderful getaways!

• Cincinnati, Ohio—January 30 to February 1

• Green Lake, Wisconsin—April 10-12

Once a year is not enough? Join us Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time for laughter, prayer, encouragement, and a supportive community of women who know life in the ministry.

Life is challenging. Don’t try to do this alone. We need one another!

First Love

How do we live out our faith no matter what is happening around us?

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" (Matthew 22:36)

"On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."  (Matthew 22:40)

And He answered,

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

and with all your soul,

and with all your strength,

and with all your mind;

and your neighbor as yourself."

(Luke 10:27)

If we do this, the result will lead to fulfilling the law. The closer we draw into God, the more we are transformed into the image of His Son. If we try to do the second without holding fast to the first, the result will be a noisy gong, a clanging symbol, resulting in nothing.

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

(1 Corinthian 13:1-3)

“I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;  and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

(Revelation 2:2-4)

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; (2 Corinthians 5:14)

I was recently privileged to be able to participate in a retreat with other pastors returning to this cornerstone of everything we do: holding on to our first love. Unfortunately, not everything we do for God may be of God. If we fail to commit to the first commandment, we will never be able to accomplish the second.

Have you ever met someone who's a little bit difficult to love? Has that ever been someone you see almost every day? Has that ever been the person in your mirror? How often do I fail to love my neighbor? I can't do this in my own strength. We don't start with loving God and then move on. We nail this bedrock to the floor and we nurture and deepen this love for the Lord through our entire lives. Apart from the love of God, I cannot properly love others.

It was so good to be with my tribe. So many wonderful encounters with God and with brothers and sisters. Ministry can empty our tanks and I have so needed to be with these people. A room full of men and women who know there is no fruitfulness without rootedness. There is no leadership without followership. We must never leave the foundation of Jesus as our first love.

But the wonderful thing about holding on to that is that God continually surprises us with the depth, intimacy, and delight of His love. This was a wonderful retreat of time in the word, spiritual exercises, transformative prayer, worship, connection, and lots of laughter. We poured strength, encouragement, and joy into one another. I described it to a friend as “standing in a waterfall of Jesus”.

Ø  Would you like a taste of the joy and refreshment I received from my retreat? We all need to pull away and settle our souls enough so that we can actually listen to that still, small, loving voice of God. Free weekends will never just appear. Mark your calendars now to join us November 14--16 for a Refocus and Refuel Retreat. This is for men and women, anyone who wants to prepare him room before the busyness and craziness of the holidays. https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel

Ø  Important update: We recently lost a large portion of our financial support, (Long and very sad story) and we need help.

Have you been encouraged, strengthened or blessed through the ministry of Psalm One? Would you invest in our ongoing work of Bible teaching and Christ-centered Spiritual Formation in Ohio, across the US, and around the world? Would you consider a special gift?

We depend on the giving of individuals, groups and churches who believe in the work we are doing. Psalm One Ministries is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, so all contributions are tax deductible. Donations of any size make our work possible. The body of Christ working together accomplishes much, and each part has an invaluable importance. https://www.psalmone.org/donate

Ø  Could you use some encouragement and time in the Word? Men and women from anywhere are invited to join us for the Psalm One Bible Study Tuesday nights at 7:30 PM Eastern Time. To stay in the loop and receive links and resources: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study

Ø  Hey Aussies! I am bouncing back like a boomerang from mid-June to mid-August. When I came down for my 2022 sabbatical, you all encouraged and loved me and breathed new life into my depleted soul. That sabbatical restored my life and saved my ministry. This time I am coming with a pretty full tank and I hope to be a blessing and encouragement.

I know where I'm staying at the beginning and the end of this adventure. But between the bookends, the middle is a bit of a muddle. I know a lot of you will be busy or on holiday the first few weeks of July.

I will be flying into Sydney sometime (between 19-22 June) but need to fly up to the Sunshine Coast as soon as possible. I'll be facilitating a retreat on the Sunshine Coast June 24th. The first two to three weeks I will be in Sippy Downs and Brisbane. Then I plan to come down to NSW. The last two to three weeks, I will be in Baukham Hills and Crookwell. But I’m not sure where I will be the second and third week of July. Currently homeless.

I'm sending out an SOS! I am flexible, but my plans for the second and third week of July fell through. Does anyone have a spare room, an affordable place to rent, or a fun idea for a quick getaway?

NOTE: While I am in Australia, the best way to reach me is e-mail or WhatsApp. I won't receive any phone calls or most texts.

Ø  Wanna come to Australia (vicariously)? Some of you came with me underwater the last two weeks, seeing lots of colorful fish, turtles, eels, and a very shy octopus. Wanna go with me to Australia in a few weeks? In order to see the photos and messages, you must:

o   connect to me via WhatsApp (Ask a nine-year-old for help if needed.) and

o   send me a message on WhatsApp with “Australia, please”. 

I promise to share stories of divine whispers and appointments—as well as God’s amazing Creation. You might see sharks, giant mantas, amazing colorful fish, dolphins, kangaroos, koalas, camels, wombats, spectacular parrots, crocodiles, all kinds of wonderful creatures.

It’s going to be a busy, interesting summer. No telling what will happen when I hit the road. Come along!

Much love,

Linda

Home

Home. Such a comforting, powerful, loaded word.

There were three questions I kept asking God on my 2022 sabbatical (which absolutely changed my life and saved my ministry):

1.         Where is my home?

2.         Who is my family?

3.         What is my voice?

I am 95% sure of #3.

I am 75% sure of #2.

I'm still trying to settle on #1.

Part of the problem is I grew up in a family that almost never left Indiana, and now God has flung me all around the planet. A plaque on my wall says, "Not all those who wander are lost." (J.R.R. Tolkien). Another says, “Into the ocean I go…to lose my mind and find my soul.” I often become very homesick for England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, several islands out in the Pacific, so many special places in the US, and now Kenya. All very inconvenient when my condo is in Ohio.

I recently returned from Africa, and from the moment that little plane landed in the middle of nowhere on the Maasai Mara, my heart was immediately at home. You know how sometimes our connection with God can feel very dry? Instead, this was like trying to take a drink of water from a fire hydrant. Jesus kept pouring out love and celebration. Words cannot describe the peace and joy that absolutely flooded me every day on the savannah. I was home. I am longing to return to my tent, surrounded by the sounds of hippos grunting, lions growling, elephants trumpeting, and whatever other creatures were prowling around me at night. Heaven.

“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

Rich Mullins was supposed to sing “Land of My Sojourn” at my funeral (although I don’t think he knew that), but he went home before me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMPUpBkpp9o

Nobody tells you when you get born here

How much you'll come to love it

And how you'll never belong here.

So I call you my country

And I'll be lonely for my home.

I wish that I could take you there with me...

I will sing His song

In the land of my sojourn.

When “my” boys (actually my dear friends’ sons, but they thought everybody had a Mommy, Daddy, and Goodtime Linda) were little, the bedtime book that always choked me up was Where Does the Brown Bear Go? by Nicki Weiss. Spoiler alert: the refrain of the book is “They are on their way. They are on their way home.” Why does this simple toddler’s story touch me so deeply?

Where is Home? When I don't have a husband, children, or grandchildren? When I can do 90% of my ministry from anywhere in the world? When my mermaid heart longs for the ocean? When I am overjoyed by remote places with far more sheep than people? When my heart is divided between so many states and countries and continents? When most of my family is not related to me by blood, but rather genuine friends who have welcomed me into their tribe? When I have a wanderlust that has not yet dissipated?

Last night I attended a celebration of life (from 10,000 miles away) for a wonderful man whom I loved dearly. I was deeply moved by the beautiful tributes from his family, but I held it together…until they played “Bring Him Home” as he was carried out. I fell apart and have not stopped weeping yet. Les Misérables is my favorite musical and it's the soundtrack I listen to when I need a good, healthy cry.  https://youtu.be/37BZsKcz6M8

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."- C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going." (John 14:1-4)

I serve Jesus, who holds the whole world in His hands, Who knows my needs and longings, Who sets the lonely in families, Who calls me His friend, Who gives me my voice and the words I am to speak, Who pitches His tent with us, Who promises us rest when we will be home with the Lord, and Who holds us close in the meantime.

We are on our way. We are on our way home. May we hold one another’s hand as we walk each other home…

Love,

Linda

Speaking of home… yes, I still call Australia home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-niyYHexMTo  I also call New Zealand home, but don’t tell those people over on the West Island. 😉   

Wake the kids, call the neighbors, alert the police, Goodtime Linda is coming back Down Under! I am heading to Australia and New Zealand from mid June until possibly sometime in August. I plan to be on the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Crookwell, Auckland, plus possibly the South Island and a few other places in Oz. Maybe even Ningaloo to finally swim with those giant whale sharks… I am still sorting out my itinerary.

I will be available for ministry as well as wandering, so let me know if you have a spare bed, a desire for me to minister in any way, fun getaways, or just want to stay in the loop once I get my ducks in a row. Or wombats. Or kiwis. Whatever.

• For anyone, Men and Women anywhere: You are invited to the online Psalm One Bible Study, Tuesdays Eastern Time Zone at 7:30pm. We are currently in 2 Peter and you are always welcome to join in. To stay in the loop: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study

• Set aside a weekend to experience a taste of home. Men and Women are invited to pull away for a Refocus and Refuel Retreat November 14-16. A great way to let the dust settle long enough to hear that still small voice. Good timing to prepare our hearts to focus on Jesus through the sometimes hectic holiday season. For more information or to register: https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel

• Just for ministry wives: Ink in the dates NOW for the 2026 Psalm One Sisterhood of the Fishbowl Soul Care Retreat! Join us for tools to keep our hearts alive, to keep our families sane, to keep the challenges of ministry from drowning out the joy of ministry. Plus lots and lots of laughter. For more information or to register: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives

• Cincinnati, Ohio: January 30-February 1, 2026

• Green Lake, Wisconsin: April 10-12, 2026 (NOTE: this is a date change!)