remind{h}er podcast: Recent Episodes
Julianne Clayton
This podcast is for women with anxious hearts and distracted minds, who could use a reminder of who God is and who God calls us to be in the middle of it all. Life often makes it easy to forget, but through a brief reflection and a moment to pause, my hope is that you will be encouraged, comforted, inspired, and reminded of God's presence and faithfulness in your life. Hosted by Julianne Clayton
Belonging is difficult to define; it's a big concept, and there are plenty of nuanced layers and levels and lenses to consider. Though there will always be more to say, on the surface, I think of belonging as acceptance, inclusion, the feeling of being at home. If I dig a little deeper, I find I long to belong because, when I do, my most authentic self is safe and secure.
And if I dig deeper still, I come to see the ways belonging and identity are very much intertwined. It seems to me that belonging not only helps to shape my identity; it is a part of it. And if belonging is a part of who I am, then I wonder if belonging isn't somewhere "out there," but always right here, deep down within. While belonging is not something tangible we hold in our hands, maybe it is still something we possess; something we take with us everywhere we go.
Often, though, it is something I forget. Even though belonging is my birthright, I live like I've left it behind. I swerve and scramble, trying to fit in, impress, compete, succeed. I grow anxious and frazzled, bitter and distressed, searching and grasping for something that's already mine. Maybe you can relate?
What does it mean to take our belonging with us? To remember the God-given reality of who we already are—beloved and beheld by God? Listen in.
Renee Davis Meyer from Belonging and Becoming
remind{h}er 157: Psalm 84
remind{h}er 56: What Helps You Remember?
remind{h}er 75 and remind{h}er 76: Hold On to Who You Are
remind{h}er 106: Tune In
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Today, we turn to a simple reading of Psalm 84. This psalm is known as a pilgrimage psalm and was often sung by people traveling to Jerusalem to worship. As we enter into these summer months, when trips and travel are common for many, I thought this particular psalm might be fitting.
Throughout the episode, you are invited to listen and notice what you notice. Once the reading is through, I'll offer a few questions for reflection, as you consider the reminders God might have for you in this passage. Feel free to pause, to rewind, or even revisit as you see fit. As always, I hope it serves you well.
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When there is someone I don't like, someone I don't understand, someone I don't agree with—I have a tendency to assume the worst of them. I dig in my heels and keep them at arms length. After all, there's no possible way we could relate. And if Jesus wants something to do with me, he couldn't possibly want anything to do with them…right?
And so I become a sort of gatekeeper rather than stepping aside and making room for others to be a part. I forget that transformation is always possible, whether I see the potential for it or not. Whether I see my own need for it or not.
The truth is, Jesus wants something to do with each of us and all of us. So who are we to stand in the way? And what might our role actually be?
Listen in.
remind{h}er 155: Luke 19:1-10
Untamed by Alan and Debra Hirsch
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Today, I'm offering a simple reading from the Gospel of Luke. This particular passage tells the story of Jesus and his encounter with a man named Zacchaeus. This might be a familiar passage for you {maybe you're even humming an old familiar tune?}; or it might be totally fresh and new.
Either way, you are invited to listen and notice what you notice. Once the reading is through, I'll offer a few questions for reflection, as you consider the reminders God might have for you in this passage. Feel free to pause, to rewind, or even revisit as you see fit. As always, I hope it serves you well.
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Where is God?
That's the question we're exploring today.
When the difficult diagnosis isn't cured, when the prayer remains unanswered, when the loneliness is unbearable, when tragedy strikes, when a person or people are treated as "less than," when war wages on, when our hearts are broken, when there is no end in sight. In circumstances like these, Where is God is a reasonable question.
When the world wonders where God is, as followers of Jesus, we get to remind them. We get to say, "God is right here, right now. Let me show you."
What might that look like? Listen in.
Heather Thompson Day
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Today, as we return to our regular schedule with brand new episodes, I'm offering a simple reading of Colossians 3:12-17. If you are listening in real time, we just wrapped up our first ever Circle Back series, where we returned to previous remind{h}ers that aired at some point over the past six years. In the most recent Circle Back episode, we went back to the very beginning. And in that very first remind{h}er, I referenced this same passage.
Six years later, I'd forgotten. And what's interesting is that, in my own life recently, this passage has come to mind over and over and over again, in various different contexts and circumstances. So when I heard it once more while preparing our Circle Back series, I thought, perhaps, we're meant to take a closer look.
I'll have more to say in our next episode, but for now, you are invited to simply listen and notice what you notice. I wholeheartedly believe that God's Spirit inspired the writing of Scripture thousands of years ago, and I wholeheartedly believe God's Spirit inspires us as its readers today. So, once the reading is through, I'll offer a few questions for reflection, as you consider the reminders God might have for you in this passage. Feel free to pause, to rewind, or even revisit as you see fit. As always, I hope it serves you well.
{CIRCLE BACK} remind{h}er 01: You Are A Reminder
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Today, we are circling back to the very beginning with remind{h}er 01: You Are a Reminder. This episode aired six years ago, at the beginning of April 2020.
I remember being so excited, so very nervous, and so so certain that this podcast was something I was being called to offer. I can hear all of that in my voice {my voice! It sounds SO different!}, and I am so proud of that version of myself for taking that little leap of faith and trying something new.
We're circling back to this very first episode for a few different reasons, but mostly, this episode is really the heartbeat of the entire podcast. I wholeheartedly believe all of us and each of us are invited and called to be living reminders of the presence and love of God in the world around us. That is the whole point. And I don't want us to forget it.
Listen in!
remind{h}er 01: You Are a Reminder
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Today we are circling back to remind{h}er 133: Remember Who You've Been. This episode originally aired March 26, 2025, and it is the most recent episode we will circle back to in this series.
Even though it's only been about a year, I couldn't NOT circle back to this one because it ties in so well with our circle back theme. When we intentionally circle back, we are invited to remember previous versions or iterations of ourselves and to trace the transforming presence and faithfulness of God all throughout our lives.
The invitation throughout this series remains: who have you become since your last listen? Or if it's your first listen, who have you become since it originally aired?
Listen in.
remind{h}er 133: Remember Who You've Been
You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith
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Today we are circling back to remind{h}er 67: God Can Handle Our Anger. This episode originally aired on March 16, 2022.
I remember writing and recording this episode back then and I remember feeling very vulnerable while doing so. When I think of anger, I think big and loud and intimidating and obvious, kind of like the personified version of Anger in Pixar's Inside Out. And while that can certainly be true, the anger I shared about in this episode felt more intimate than intimidating; more quiet and subtle, not quite bubbling over, but definitely boiling just beneath the surface. Exploring that kind of anger felt like a risk.
And yet, in my work as a spiritual director since this original recording, I've been reminded many times that that kind of anger is not uncommon. That many of us struggle with what to do with the mad that we feel. So it feels like a good move to circle back and explore our anger once again. Listen in.
remind{h}er 67: God Can Handle Our Anger
What Do You Do With the Mad That You Feel?
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Today, we are circling back to remind{h}er 112: Remember We Are Dust. This episode originally aired two years ago, on February 14, 2024, which happened to be Ash Wednesday that year. If you are listening in real time now in 2026, today is Ash Wednesday, too.
Similar to our last Circle Back episode, two years later it seems this message still rings true. It's a reminder that continues to haunt me in the very best way. It's a reminder I know we continue to need.
As we begin the season of Lent, I hope this Ash Wednesday episode {once again!} serves you well. And if you're just now finding it and Ash Wednesday and/or Lent is through, I hope it serves you well, too.
Listen in.
remind{h}er 112: Remember We Are Dust
Barbie written and directed by Greta Gerwig
In a Year of Death, Ash Wednesday Offers Unexpected Hope by Tish Harrison Warren {Correction: in this episode, I mistakenly share that this article was published in 2023. It was published in Christianity Today in 2021}
If You Knew by Ellen Bass
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Today, we are kicking off our first ever Circle Back series. If you aren't sure what that is, I recommend listening to remind{h}er 152: Circle Back to hear a little more about the heart behind the series. We're starting with a remind{h}er from five years ago—remind{h}er 38: A Spirit of Hospitality.
If you've listened to this episode before, it might be interesting to consider how your understanding or practice of hospitality has grown or shifted since the last time you listened. If this is your first time engaging this episode, it might be worth considering what your life and circumstances were like back in February 2021 when it first released. What has your experience of God been like since then? Who were you then and who are you now?
Listen in {again!}
remind{h}er 152: Circle Back
The Great Dance by Baxter Kruger
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All throughout our lives, forward progress is praised. Life is a line from point A to point B with lots of markers and milestones along the way. As we journey along, we try to avoid backsliding and dread the idea of being stuck. Our days are defined by how far we've come.
I'm learning, though, that life with God isn't always linear. Because life with God isn't really about where we're going; it's about who we're becoming. And when it comes to our formation—I find we often become in circles.
What if our greatest and deepest growth doesn't happen in a straight line? What if our souls grow like the live oak tree, in ever-expanding circles? Listen in.
{Our five-episode Circle Back Series begins February 4. I hope you'll join us!}
Our Unforming by Cindy Lee
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Today, I'm offering a simple reading of a passage of Scripture that shares a grounded perspective on time and life with God. I find this to be a helpful passage during seasons of transition, and as we move from one calendar year to the next, it's certainly fitting now.
As I read, you're invited to listen and notice what you notice. Once the reading is through, I'll offer a few questions for reflection, as you consider the reminders God might have for you in this passage. Feel free to pause, to rewind, or even revisit as you see fit.
As always, I hope it serves you well.
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Darkness often gets a bad rap. We tend to associate it with fear, danger, disorientation. For many of us, it is a space or experience that makes us feel vulnerable. And when darkness feels like a threat, we're convinced we need to steer clear.
However, I'm learning that darkness is not necessarily synonymous with evil; that it's not all bad; that not all darkness needs to be feared or avoided; that as vulnerable as it might make us, darkness can and should be welcomed.
As much as we might be prone to pit darkness and light against one another, I wonder if they actually go hand-in-hand. In the context of our life with God, I wonder if God is just as present and at work in the dark as God is present and at work in the light. I wonder if darkness can be holy ground, too.
Perhaps that's part of the good news of Christmas—that God is with us, even in the dark.
Dans Le Noir? Restaurant | London, England
Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor
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Well, friends, believe it or not, we are already in the middle of the Advent season.
In light of this, in this episode I'll offer a reading of a pretty familiar and traditional Advent passage, followed by a few questions for your reflection. I hope this simple reading can be a kind companion for you in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the season.
Feel free to pause, to rewind, or even revisit as you see fit. As always, I hope it serves you well.
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So often, we live distracted, anxious, and on edge. Our souls grow depleted and discouraged. And we find ourselves unable to function faithfully. That is certainly the case in my own life—maybe you can relate?
One thing I'm learning is that when overwhelm is my reality, worship is my rescue.
What does that mean? Listen in.
remind{h}er 147: Psalm 138
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Today, I'm offering a simple reading of Psalm 138. It's one of several psalms in Scripture considered to be psalms of thanksgiving and praise. And as we move toward the official Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S., I thought a psalm like this might be fitting. After the reading, I'll also offer a few questions for reflection. As always, I hope they serve you well!
Listen in.
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When we are presented with new information, when our ideas and understandings and opinions are challenged, when we discover a new perspective from a different lived experience, when God shows up in a place or in a person or in a way that is unexpected or unfamiliar, how are we to respond?
That's the question we're considering in today's episode. Listen in!
remind{h}er 144: Mark 7:24-30 + Matthew 15:21-28
Kami Nadeen from Seed of a Dream
The Critical Journey by Janet Hagberg and Robert Guelich
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Being bothered—feeling unsettled, irritated, aggravated—is part of the human experience. And, if you're like me, it's a part of the human experience we tend to avoid, if at all possible. It's often easier to look away, stuff down, work around. And yet, I'm learning how important our willingness is to lean toward the discomfort, to move through the disturbance, to pay attention to what bothers us. Because that is a space in which God can meet us; truly, even what bothers us can be holy ground.
As we continue to become the people God calls and invites to be, I'm learning what bothers us could be key. Listen in.
remind{h}er 144: Mark 7:24-30 + Matthew 15:21-28
Stubborn Blessing by Jan Richardson
Rev. Loli Reiter
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Today, I’m offering a simple reading of not one but TWO passages from Scripture. They both tell the same story of Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman. However, there are subtle differences and unique details in each. Basically, I couldn’t choose between the two, so we’re considering both together :)
Listen in.
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We’re taught from a young age, that if we say the right thing, at the right time, in the right way, our words will “work.”
As silly as it seems, sometimes, I find myself treating prayer in a similar way. Prayers are these words I say, and if I say them at the right time, in the right way, and with the right amount of frequency, well, they just might work. Maybe you can relate?
It’s easy to believe our prayers are only words we say, thoughts we think, requests we make in the presence of God; I’m discovering, though, that prayer is much more than that. That perhaps prayer might also include the things we do, the actions we take, the lives we live.
What if prayer doesn't stop when we say, "Amen?" Listen in.
The Only Necessary Thing by Henri Nouwen
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Thank you to my friends Jenni and Renee for being sound sounding-boards as I prepared this episode :)
Today, I’m offering a simple reading of one of Jesus’ teachings on prayer, found in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount. As I read, you’re invited to listen in and notice what you notice. Once the reading is through, I’ll offer a few questions for reflection, as you consider the reminders God might have for you in this passage. I hope it serves you well!
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It’s interesting to consider what makes a bad day, bad. What makes a good day, good. To mark the circumstances that contribute to what we would consider a good or bad life. It’s also interesting to consider how often I equate the state of my circumstances with the presence and love of God. If things are good, God must be present and active in my life, right? And if things are bad, well, the opposite must be true. Sound familiar?
Today, we're exploring what Jesus might have to say by digging a little bit deeper into the Beatitudes. Listen in!
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
remind{h}er 140: Remember the Blessed {Matthew 5:1-11}
God's Ferris Wheel by Barbara Brown Taylor from Home By Another Way
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Today, as we slowly begin to settle into new routines after perhaps a slower, more spacious summer, I’m offering a simple reading of the Beatitudes, found at the very beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. As I read it, you’re invited to listen and notice what you notice. Once the reading is through, I’ll offer a few questions for reflection, as you consider the reminders God might have for you in this passage.
I believe wholeheartedly that while these words were inspired and written a couple thousand years ago, God’s Spirit is still inspiring us as its readers today. Feel free to pause, rewind, or revisit as you see fit. As always, I hope it serves you well.
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I've been reminded recently that natural light makes a difference. Sunlight aids growth. It improves mental and physical health. It enhances overall well-being. Good, natural light helps us flourish.
In a similar way, the light and presence of God offers hope, endurance, compassion, peace, joy, and love. It is bold without being flashy. It is soft, though not insignificant. It sees the overlooked and notices the unnoticed. It reminds us all that we matter; we belong; and we are never alone. In the middle of the dim and dreary, God’s light makes a difference.
So what might it look like to let that light in? Listen in!
Iona Abbey in Scotland
Jan Richardson
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One thing I’m discovering these days is how necessary it is for me to remember God’s goodness. When the turmoil and chaos and bad news swirl, the goodness of God holds me steady and keeps me sane. Not in a way that ignores the needs and hardships around me, but in a way that inspires me to be who I am and do what I can to help make it right.
With that in mind, I’d like to offer a reading today of Psalm 103—a passage that recounts the goodness of God. After I read it through, I’ll also offer a few questions for reflection, as you consider the reminder God might have for you today through this passage. Feel free to pause, rewind or even revisit this episode as you see fit. As always, I hope it serves you well.
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There is much in our world and in our lives that can feel like damaged goods—broken hearts, broken people, broken relationships, systems, and communities. And amid those broken realities, it can be easy to lose hope.
That is our tendency. I’m learning, though, that our tendency is not always how God prefers to work. What if, in God's hands and through God's love, we are never beyond repair?
If brokenness feels up close and personal right now, I hope you'll listen in.
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The Repair Shop
Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
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Today, I am offering a simple reading of a familiar passage. It’s a passage often read at weddings; but at its core, it’s really a reminder of what matters most, in the middle of it all. I find I need to be reminded of what matters most over and over again these days. Maybe you can relate?
There is also some space toward the end for you to consider several reflection questions. Feel free to pause, rewind, replay—whatever you need to do as you engage this passage. As always, I hope it serves you well!
Listen in :)
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Alright, friends, today we are finally marking five years of the remind{h}er podcast. On April 1, 2020, the very first episode released into the world, and even though it’s a few weeks late, I’m excited to celebrate with you today. Several weeks ago, I began to collect some of your questions for this very episode and now, I’ll share my responses. I’m so grateful to those who contributed questions and to each of you who continue to listen in all these years later. What a gift.
We have five questions to celebrate five years. Listen in!
- What is your favorite and least favorite part of hosting the podcast?
- If you could own a house in three cities in America, with money not being an object, where would you choose?
- What book do you find yourself going back to again and again?
- What are your thoughts about church family? In my experience, church should feel like family. But my new and current church really only feels like a place of worship with opportunities to serve and do ministry. Is that okay?
- What do you think contributes to living a flourishing life?
In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen
Soulful Spirituality by David Benner
Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
The Book of Forgiving by Desmond and Mpho Tutu
Spiritual Theology by Simon Chan
remind{h}er 73: A Faith That Flows
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If you are listening in real time, next week is Holy Week, a week when we remember, observe, and follow Jesus’ journey to the cross before we celebrate the good news of Easter.
With that in mind, today, I’d like to offer a simple reading from the gospel of Matthew, from one of the many passages that gives us a glimpse into Jesus’ experience in the last days of his pre-resurrection ministry. After reading it through, I’ll offer just a few questions for your consideration, as you explore how God’s Spirit might be speaking to you through these holy words today. Feel free to pause, to rewind, to experience this passage in whatever way you need in the coming days.
As always, I hope it serves you well :)
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In her book, You Could Make This Place Beautiful, author and poet Maggie Smith writes,
“How I picture it: We are all nesting dolls, carrying the earlier iterations of ourselves inside. We carry the past inside us. We take ourselves—all of our selves—wherever we go.”
That’s how I’m learning to picture it, too.
From the tiniest, earliest version of me, all the way to the person I am today, and even beyond to the person still to come, I’m finding each iteration belongs. Each iteration is connected. And each iteration matters.
So here’s how I see it: in order to be who we are, we need to remember who we’ve been. What might that look like? Listen in.
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A reset can be helpful in lots of different circumstances, and a reset can look lots of different ways. For some of us, it looks like tidying up a living space or cleaning out a closet. Sometimes it looks like returning to a familiar routine or a ritual we know well. Sometimes it looks like an apology or like offering forgiveness. Sometimes it looks like breathing in some fresh air or getting a good night’s sleep.
Today, though, I want to extend an invitation to reset in a very simple, particular way, in a way that has been helpful and grounding in my own life recently. And in a world that continues to swirl, I wonder if it could be a helpful way for you to reset, too.
Listen in.
Submit a question HERE for our upcoming Q+A episode celebrating FIVE years of the remind{h}er podcast!
Emily P. Freeman
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When there is work to do, ground to cover, progress to make, we tend to want to get moving as quickly and efficiently and significantly as possible. We are bound and determined to make it happen, whatever “it” might be. And while we might begin with good intentions, it usually doesn’t take long before we run ourselves ragged. We quickly grow exhausted, and end up leading with bitterness, cynicism, anxiety, and fear. It’s so easy to get ahead of ourselves. To get ahead of our souls. Could there be a more sustainable way?
There is work to do. And as followers of Jesus, I'm learning the way we approach it matters. What might this look like? Listen in.
The Office
Season 4 Episode 1: Fun Run
remind{h}er 128: Keep Going {Take Breaks}
Soul Keeping by John Ortberg
Shannan Martin
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So often, at least in my experience, we cling so tightly to our plans, agendas, timelines, strategies, and deadlines. We easily become hyper-focused on a desired outcome. Anxiety, pressure, and bitterness creep in. And we begin to forget and overlook the movement and presence of God in our midst. We clench our fists and white-knuckle through, totally unaware of how God might be leading or what God might be up to.
It’s been my experience over and over and over again, all throughout my life. And it is exhausting. Maybe you can relate?
One thing that has been helpful for me in this is what I call a spiritual practice of surprise. I’ve been trying it on for size for a couple years now, and it continues to be a practice that cultivates a lightness, a gentleness, a freedom, and a flexibility within me. It’s led to an openness and a trust that isn’t always easy, but that has been incredibly life-giving.
What does it look like? Listen in.
Gentle Me, Holy One by Ted Loder
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I don’t know for sure about you, but if my read on our current reality is even a little bit accurate, I imagine we could all use a collective deep breath right now. And so today, as we’ve done here on the podcast several times before, I thought it might be best to offer a simple reading from Scripture {Romans 12:9-21 NRSV}, reminding us of what is ours to do as followers of Jesus. I’ll also offer a few reflection questions and a little bit of space for silence toward the end. Whether you are feeling encouraged or discouraged, at peace or on edge, hopeful or despairing, I hope these words and these questions serve you well.
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How do we keep going when life and faith and work are so hard and heavy?
I'm learning that sometimes, the brave decision to keep going might actually look like taking a break. Like opening ourselves to God’s kindness and compassion when we need it most, honoring our capacity, our limits, and the current reality of our lives. It might look like taking the time to take good care so that, eventually, with God’s help, we might be enabled to continue and take another step.
As author and therapist Aundi Kolber advises: “Keep going, but take breaks.”
That's what we're exploring today on the podcast. I hope you'll listen in :)
Related remind{h}ers:
remind{h}er 08: Press Pause
remind{h}er 15: You Are a Limited Edition
remind{h}er 45: Keep Showing Up
remind{h}er 57: You Are Not a Machine
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As we begin a new year, let's look both ways.
Not left and right, east and west. But backward and forward. Ahead and behind.
Both are important. And I’m learning that if we only focus our attention and energy in one particular direction, we’re missing out. It’s incomplete. If the goal is to be whole, we would do well to look both ways and engage the wisdom of both reflection and intention. Looking back. Looking forward. Hoping for what’s ahead. Remembering what’s behind.
So, what might this look like? Listen in.
Fleming Rutledge
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There is so much going on in our world that is heavy and hard. And it can be difficult to know how to approach it all, address it all, hold it all. It’s all so very overwhelming. If we want to be a part of the healing work of the Kingdom of God, where do we even begin?
As I’ve continued to work out my faith with God over the years, I’ve realized the big impact is not always mine to make. Instead, what is nearly always mine to do is to be a steady influence in my regular, everyday life. In the small, the subtle, the obscure, the quiet. Even when it doesn’t seem to matter. Because it’s true that you have to start somewhere. And it’s true that the work we’re called to tends to start small.
So what might that look like? Listen in.
“You don’t have to do great things, but the little things you are doing in your sphere of influence can be done with great conviction, great wisdom, great beauty, and great love.” —Ruth Krehbiel Jacobs
Small Kindnesses by Danusha Lameris
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In the context of life and faith, it can be easy to lose sight of the main thing. It can be easy to live distracted, disordered, disoriented. Like you hear over and over again on this podcast—it can be easy to forget. To get turned around. To slowly shift our focus away from the center.
And yet, as we navigate the twists and turns, the ups and downs, of our day-to-day lives, I'm learning that keeping the center in mind is key. So what might that look like? That's what we're exploring today. Listen in :)
Renewing the Christian Mind by Dallas Willard
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Acknowledging and accepting our actual, lived-in lives and experience is often much easier said than done. It’s like our if-only’s become our what-should-be’s—how we should feel, what we should do, the type of response we should have—and when our reality doesn’t match that ideal, well, we turn to filters and facades, forcing ourselves into molds that don’t actually fit. And living that way is exhausting. Perhaps you know the feeling?
Well, one of the greatest gifts I have received through the work and ministry of spiritual direction is compassionate permission to welcome what is and not what I think should be. To honor the full spectrum of my experience, whether I like it or not. Whether I hope it will change or not.
I'm learning that a practice of welcome means a practice of being honest before God, trusting that God is present and at work in our actual experience, and that through such a welcome, God can and will engage the sacred work of transformation.
Today, I hope you'll listen in and join me as, together, we welcome what is.
Dr. Larry Crabb
Soulful Spirituality by David Benner
Rumi's The Guest House
The Gift of Being Yourself by David Benner
Father Thomas Keating
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In today's episode, we're considering what it means to practice courage.
Sometimes courage can look like a big, grand gesture, a response to literal life-or-death threats and danger. That kind of courage is admirable and worth aspiring to. And I’m also learning that sometimes the practice of courage is small and subtle, but no less significant.
Today, if you're experiencing fear in some way, shape, or form, this episode is for you. Listen in.
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In today's episode, we're exploring what it might mean for us to "wake up" to our lives. To be more attentive to and aware of God’s movement and promptings around and within. To expect the unexpected in regular, ordinary days. To trust and believe God is with us and at work right where we are, even when conditions and circumstances say otherwise. To embody a deep presence and attention. To live a full, abundant life.
This is a life Jesus knew well. And as we see time and time again throughout the gospels, this is the life Jesus came to offer.
So what it might it look like, on a practical level, to live abundantly? To be a person in whom “life has made a home?” Fully attentive and awake to God with and within you? If life feels like a blur, listen in.
1995 Film Balto
Balto Story
Chuck DeGroat
remind{h}er 54: Sleep On It
Kindling Desire for God by Kay Northcutt
Liturgies for Wholeness by Audrey Elledge + Elizabeth Moore
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As I’ve worked toward becoming a spiritual director myself the past couple years, a question I am asked often is, what is spiritual direction? And it’s a great question! If you had told me four years ago that in four years, I would be a spiritual director, my response would have been something like, “Excellent. What is that?”
Well, I’ve learned and experienced so much the past four years, and I’m thrilled to be able to explore that question with you today. In this episode, we cover the following questions:
- What is spiritual direction?
- What is the role of a spiritual director?
- Who is spiritual direction for?
- What might a session be like?
To learn more and/or book an initial spiritual direction session with me, CLICK HERE
Providence Canyon State Park
The Contemplative Pastor by Eugene Peterson
The Cultivated Life by Susan Phillips
Coaching, Counseling, and Spiritual Direction by Tiffani Boerio
What Do You Talk About in Spiritual Direction? by Renee Davis Meyer
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As a person of faith, I tend to assume I’m expected to have this unlimited capacity to believe, to trust, to hold fast to what I know is true of God. And I assume that sort of faithfulness is supposed to be true of me always. For forever.
But I find that expectation can become a bit overwhelming. The pressure of forever doesn’t always feel doable. Yes, eternity is set in our hearts {Ecclesiastes 3:11}, but what if that’s true, and we doubt? What if it’s true, and we waver? What if we struggle and feel uncertain along the way?
One thing I'm discovering is that "forever" is lots of little "for nows." Listen in.
On Being with Krista Tippett + Kate Bowler
Kate Bowler
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
How to Walk into a Room by Emily P. Freeman
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In Matthew 18, Jesus invites his disciples to become like children. Which feels so counter to what we’re used to, right? We’re supposed to become self-sufficient adults. We’re supposed to grow up and get ahead, do it ourselves, climb all the ladders, accomplish all the things. And Jesus is saying, “No. That’s not it. If that is all you’re after, if that is your main priority, if that is what you think will make you great, you’re missing out. Because the kingdom of God belongs to the little ones."
Even though we’ve grown up, Jesus urges us to stay little. To not lose sight of or stop nurturing the child within. Because after all, at our core, we are beloved children of God. What might that look like? Listen in.
Hook 1991 Film
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It is true that taking a photo and trying to capture a moment often ends up distracting us from it. It’s a reality we need to recognize, because our screens do often keep us from truly experiencing and even deeply remembering. We say a picture will last longer, but some research shows a picture only skims the surface of all our memory can hold.
In recent years, in attempt to avoid this, I pretty much gave up taking photos altogether. Because if I forget to take a photo, it must mean I’m fully present to the moment, right? Well, not always. Often I find I’m just as distracted, with or without a camera in hand. Worry, a too-full or fast-paced schedule, insecurity, discontent, or familiarity {just to name a few} can keep me from fully experiencing and appreciating my actual, right-now life.
And so, in a turn of events, I've started taking pictures again. And it is making a difference. How so? Listen in.
Museum of Modern Art
Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh
Boy Meets World Season 5 Episode 20 "Starry Night"
How to Inhabit Time by James K.A. Smith
Research: How Taking Photos Can Impair Your Memory
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As we journey with God through the ups and downs, twists and turns, stops and goes of life, I'm learning that the posture we assume, matters. And I’d like to offer that we might do well to bend low. Not in a way that diminishes the fullness of who we are, but in a way that grounds us, that keeps us close to the heart of God. To the way of Jesus. To the promptings of the Spirit. Rooted deep down in our souls.
What might it look like for us to remember the way of Jesus and boldly bend low? Listen in.
Arthur's Seat
Old Man of Storr
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Today we are celebrating FOUR years of the remind{h}er podcast! And we are doing so by engaging in a q+a conversation of sorts. I'll answer the following five questions today:
- How did I know I wanted to start a podcast? How did I come up with the name? Basically, what is the podcast's origin story?
- How do you decide what to talk about/cover in each episode? Where does your inspiration come from?
- Do you have a favorite episode?
- Is there a spiritual practice you have tried recently that you have continued? Are there any you tried that you wanted to make work but just did not work?
- How do you hold grief and hope at the same time? Hope seems out of reach when life is hard.
Thank you to those who offered questions! Cheers to four years! I hope you'll listen in :)
Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren
The Cure for Sorrow by Jan Richardson | Blessing for the Brokenhearted
remind{h}er 01: You Are a Reminder
remind{h}er 31: Look for the Reminders
remind{h}er 112: Remember We Are Dust
One Line A Day Journal
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With Holy Week in mind, I’m offering a simple reading of a Holy Week passage that has been particularly meaningful in my own life and faith over the years. I’ll be reading from Eugene Peterson’s The Message translation, and after reading it through, I’ll offer just a few questions for your consideration, as you explore how God’s Spirit might be speaking to you through these holy words. Feel free to pause, to rewind, to experience this passage in whatever way you need. As always, I hope it serves you well.
If you'd like to submit a question to help celebrate FOUR years of the remind{h}er podcast, you can send me your question by clicking HERE.
You can also email your question to remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Questions can be sent through April 3, 2024. Thanks in advance for your help!
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What might it look like to use our imaginations in the context of our faith? Well, with wise guardrails and discernment in place, I wonder if our experience and connection with God and with one another can be enriched through our imaginations. Maybe we can channel our imaginations for good.
So what might it look like to reawaken our imagination through spiritual practice?
Well, there are probably lots of possibilities, but for this particular episode, I’d like to offer two. One that could be helpful as we seek a deeper connection with God and one that might help as we seek to do good and love our neighbor well. Listen in.
remind{h}er 44: Do This in Remembrance of Me
John O' Donohue
When the Soul Listens by Jan Johnson
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I don’t know about you, but typically, if I’m hoping to be hired, if I want to be noticed, if I want to be picked, if I long to be liked, I’m probably going to try to put my best self forward. I’ll want you to know all I can do and what I can offer. I’ll try to paint myself in a positive light. I’ll showcase the strengths of who I am, and I’ll make sure you know how I will add value if you choose to accept me. Maybe you can relate?
But would it look like if we were to welcome our weakness? If we were to show up as our whole selves—strengths and weaknesses? How might that add value as we seek relationship with one another and with God? Listen in.
The Office {TV Series}
Bono
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Ash Wednesday is the day the season of Lent begins. It's a season in which we are invited to think about dying and confront the straightforward reality of our humanity—our flaws and frailty and limits and imperfections. We remember and admit our need for God. We accept our mortality.
For me, it's typically a reminder I hold personally. I don’t alway recognize the reality of our shared mortality. But the truth is, we are all dust. We are all fragile and limited beings, in need of God’s grace, God’s care, Christ’s compassion. I am dust and you are dust and we are dust. And maybe Ash Wednesday can also remind us how to treat each other accordingly. Listen in.
Barbie written + directed by Greta Gerwig
In a Year of Death, Ash Wednesday Offers Unexpected Hope by Tish Harrison Warren {Correction: in this episode, I mistakenly share that this article was published in 2023. It was published in Christianity Today in 2021}
If You Knew by Ellen Bass
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How do we greet our souls?
Our souls are more shy than we often realize, even for the most outgoing and extroverted among us. More often than not, they are stifled by the burden of daily demands and over-functioning schedules. There is so much noise and distraction, so much vying for our attention. We are pushed and pulled in multiple directions. We are stretched too thin. And in all of that swirling noise and chaos, our souls cower, scurry off, crumple up, and hide away in a dark, undisclosed corner, overlooked and ignored. Just like that, an integral part of who we are is completely out of sight, out of mind, forgotten. And as much as we might feel this is normal, I wonder if maybe there is a better way.
What might it look like to catch a glimpse of our wild souls? To let them emerge, unfold, be welcomed softly into the light? How might we discover and live with a deeper awareness of God at work within so we might continue to serve faithfully beyond? Listen in.
A Hidden Wholeness by Parker Palmer
Emily P. Freeman
The Henri Nouwen Society
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"So, what do you do?"
It's a familiar question that's often asked, and sometimes it's one we might struggle to answer. And I wonder if, at its core, we so readily ask it because we have been somewhat conditioned to believe that who we are is synonymous with what we do.
One of the things I’m learning is that those two things—who we are and what we do—are certainly connected, but they are not the same. It’s a distinction we often overlook, but it’s a distinction that matters. Listen in.
remind{h}er 43: Nothing to Prove
remind{h}er 57: You Are Not a Machine
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Typically, a benediction is given at the end of a worship service—after we’ve prayed and sung and confessed and listened to the word of God proclaimed. It’s a way to seemingly seal it all up, close it all out. But what’s interesting to consider is that, really, a benediction is a beginning. A blessing. A sending. A gift. It’s a way to say, “As we move into what’s next, this is what we hope will be true. This is who we hope we will be. And this is who we hope we will become.”
So, as we step into this new year, I’m offering a brief benediction for the brand new year. I hope you'll listen in.
Grant Me Your Sense of Timing by Ted Loder from Guerillas of Grace
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Our words matter and, if chosen and used with wisdom and intention, I believe they can make a good difference. I'm learning that the practice of choosing words—both for the end of a year and for the beginning of another—can serve us well.
If you could choose a word to sum up your 2023, what would it be? If you could choose a word to help guide your steps into 2024, what would it be? Listen in.
Word of the Year: History of the Idea | TIME Magazine
remind{h}er 82: Examen Your Life
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Don't forget to tune in next Wednesday, January 3, for a brief bonus New Year episode!
During the Advent season, we know that the darkness is thick and hope can wear thin while we wait for the arrival we long for. We tend to quickly shift from standing at the door watching on tip-toe to turning our backs and impatiently tapping our toes. So what are we to do? What might it look like to faithfully participate in this Advent waiting?
I wonder if it might begin by remembering both God-with-us and God-within-us. What does that look like? Listen in.
FULL VIDEO—The 'Classic' Nativity Role
Advent Sermons by Fleming Rutledge
Henri Nouwen
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We'll be back December 27!
I don’t know about you, but for me, it can be difficult to reconcile how both good and heartbreaking experiences are ingredients included in the recipes that make up our lives. Surely there must be a way to eliminate what is less than ideal, to substitute certain ingredients with better, more palatable alternatives. Certainly there is an easier, turn-a-blind-eye, break-n-bake option, yes?
That would be nice. But I’m learning that a life made from scratch isn’t always ideal. Instead, it is real and raw and rich and nuanced and messy and beautiful.
So what might it look like to live a life from scratch? Listen in.
Grateful by Diana Butler Bass
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Each day, it seems we are bombarded by a variety of "voices," numerous options of what or who to give our attention to. The loudest most blatant ones draw us in and, if you’re like me, they can distract us from what is true, leading us further away from our deepest identity—the Voice who calls us beloved.
This isn’t an invitation to escape reality, nor to discount, dismiss, or belittle the experience of suffering. But it is an invitation to intentionally be reminded of hope, reminded of joy, reminded of compassion and justice and humility. It’s an invitation to notice the beauty and to experience what it’s like to be called by name and led by Love.
That’s the Voice we’re meant to know. And that’s the Voice we’re meant to follow. I hope you'll tune in :)
Learn more about author and spiritual director, Jan Johnson HERE.
Learn more about artist, writer, and minister Jan Richardson HERE.
{It wasn't the plan, but apparently I reference two wonderful Jans!}
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I can’t help but notice that there seems to be a spiritual conversation happening when we spend time outside.
Anxious thoughts are met by calm reassurances. A drained spirit is strengthened, lifted, and refreshed. Fear moves toward trust. Despair turns toward hope. And we're reminded of our deepest belonging.
We are met by reminders, nudges, glimmers, glimpses of who God is and who we are as a part of God's good creation.
I hope you'll listen in. And I hope you'll step outside :)
Practice the Pause by Caroline Oakes
Episode 259—The Healing Gift of Nature {Life with God Podcast}
Mary Oliver
Nature, Health, + Wellbeing
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In the last remind{h}er, I referenced Psalm 136 and the refrain used 27 times in the 26 verses of the psalm. But I didn’t get a chance to read all 26 verses, and today, I’d like to take a few minutes to do just that.
Sometimes I think it’s worthwhile for me to simply offer words from scripture and consider what God might be inviting us into through these words crafted thousands of years ago. There is something important and meaningful about considering how God is still at work through the words of scripture today, as we seek to engage and connect with God through it. So, I hope you'll listen in and I hope Psalm 136 serves you well :)
remind{h}er 103: Repeat Yourself
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When life feels wobbly, repetition can be a steadying practice. Repeating something helps us recall it. We absorb what we repeat. In many ways, repetition influences who we become. And for me, that means it matters. I'm learning that when it comes to our formation, some things are worth repeating.
What role might repetition play as we seek to become the people God calls and invites us to be? Listen in.
James K.A. Smith
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Visit www.remindherpodcast.com for a transcript, speaking inquiries, or to learn more :)
As someone who loves to write, I believe grammar is important on a page. But lately I’ve been considering how grammar might also have something important to say as it translates into our actual lives. Maybe, choosing to use good and truer grammar on the page could be its own sort of spiritual practice for our lives—a practice that reminds us of the way of Jesus. I know it sounds a bit unconventional, but that's what we're unpacking today. I hope you'll listen in!
Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wicked Good Prose by Constance Hale
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Each episode, I share that we are called to remember. But that call is an invitation, not a prerequisite; and our inevitable spiritual forgetfulness will never be a dealbreaker. Not with God. As John Swinton reminds us, it is God's memory, not our own, that is most important. In today's episode, we're exploring that a bit. I hope you'll listen in!
John Swinton
The Art of Presence from Everything Happens with Kate Bowler
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What are you celebrating?
Certainly it depends on the season, the chapter, the circumstance—there are days, weeks, months, even years when answering a question like that feels impossible. And that’s okay. We don’t have to bypass, rush through or gloss over what breaks our hearts. It’s important to acknowledge that.
But most days, most weeks, most months, most years, heartbreak isn’t all there is; reality is a mixed bag. The good is there, if and when we’re ready to dig in and recognize it. And I'm learning that, at its core, celebration is simply a noticing. A marking. A remembering. A spiritual practice that reminds us of the goodness of God.
We're celebrating 100 episodes, and I hope you'll listen in!
Click HERE for random holidays we can celebrate each day.
Don't Hesitate by Mary Oliver from Swan: Poems and Prose Poems
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Cover art by Gabriela Denton
Whether it’s flipping a house or meeting a goal or living a life, it seems we do our best to avoid being “in-process.” We prefer a quick fix, a finished product, a smooth arrival. We want life and circumstances to feel complete, whole, move-in ready. But the more life I live and the more stories I bear witness to, it seems we’re fooling ourselves; our experiences are never quite as put-together as we’d like.
Instead, our actual lives often feel more like the middle. The so-close. The almost. The to-be-continued. So, what if we could rest in that and learn to let ourselves be unfinished? What if we could choose to move through the process without an agenda? What could that look like? Listen in.
When You're In The Ellipsis of Life by Emily P. Freeman
Patient Trust by Pierre Teilhard De Chardin
We're gearing up for remind{h}er 100! To keep in touch for now, make sure you're part of The Re{collection}! Sign up by CLICKING HERE.
See you in August :)
Sometimes, familiarity can be grounding. Steadying. Sometimes it’s exactly what we need. That is true. And yet, in my experience, a life can become “overly-familiar,” feeling stale, monotonous, mundane. The days all run together because the days all look the same. And sometimes, it might be the unfamiliar that helps us remember the life we hope to live.
So, what should we do when we start to feel stuck in our very own lives? Maybe it's time to get out of town. What might we notice? Who might we meet? And how might we return with a fresh and more full perspective? Listen in.
Target. The store. Need I say more?!
remind{h}er 72: Practice Getting Lost
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Often, I prefer a faith I can figure out. A God I can both know and fully understand. A theology that is set in stone, fitting nice and neat in a sturdy box, where, as author Mike Cosper puts it, “what you see is what you get.”
But one thing I’m learning is that a sense of mystery and wonder can be an important part of our faith. Maybe the call is not to be a know-it-all. Maybe the invitation is more wonder-full than that. So what might it look like to lean into the "wow" rather than the "how?" To hold both the explanation and the experience? Listen in.
Unsolved Mysteries
Recapturing the Wonder by Mike Cosper
Soulful Spirituality by David Benner
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In her book, The Power of Writing it Down, Allison Fallon writes,
“What do you want to remember about your life? What we write down is what we remember. It’s like a time capsule in a way, a lifeline back to the best parts of ourselves. A little popcorn trail of words we can follow so that we never lose sight of the path we’re on. Words help us see ourselves more clearly. They help us remember who we are and what we’re here for.”
In today's episode, we're considering the spiritual practice of journaling. Even if you think it's not your thing, I hope you'll listen in.
A Burning in My Bones by Winn Collier
The Pastor by Eugene Peterson
Sue Pickering
Everything Happens with Kate Bowler + Maggie Smith {S10 Episode 7}
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When it comes to hope, I'd prefer if someone would hand me a metaphorical bouquet of hope-in-full-bloom, something I can point to and easily say, “There’s the beauty. There’s the color. There’s the life.” Like a bunch of hope-filled balloons, I want to grab hold and immediately float above the struggle, the disappointment, the heartache, the fear. I want hope in an instant, hope on-demand.
And yet, if you’re like me, our experience of hope isn’t always that easy or care-free. Hope doesn’t always make a bright, grand entrance; hope often starts small, sneaks in the side door and, rather than flipping a switch to turn on the light, it quietly keeps us company in the dark.
And maybe that's a good thing. Because maybe that's exactly where hope is cultivated, where hope takes root, where hope begins to grow. Listen in.
remind{h}er 11: While We Wait
Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor
Jan Richardson
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If we’re being honest, we all know the sharp sting of judgement in some way, shape, or form. The way it makes us feel small. And ridiculed. And misunderstood. And yet at the same time, we’ve all cast many a judging eye. But that doesn’t mean passing judgement is what we’re called to as followers of Jesus.
So what are we to do instead? While I don’t have a straightforward “how-to” to share with you, and while this is an ongoing struggle in my own life, there are a few invitations I’ve found helpful and important to keep in mind as we seek to embody a non-judging presence. Listen in.
Ted Lasso clip
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"If your faith were a color, what would it be?"
When it comes to our faith, sometimes, we forget the color. The significance of a faith that is abundant and intricate and vibrant and vast and rich and layered and nuanced. It's not uncommon to experience a faith that, maybe, has faded a bit.
I wonder what it might look like to add a little color, both literally and figuratively.
I’m learning to welcome whatever the color might be—positive or negative—remembering that each color has its place, that God can create beauty out of any palette, and that I am loved, even in the murky gray. Listen in.
Pray In Color by Sybil Macbeth
Sacred Compass by Brent Bill
Jan Johnson
The Wizard of Oz
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Today, as we continue to settle into the season of Lent, I want to share a prayer based on Psalm 51.
Psalm 51 is the psalm with the familiar line, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” It’s a psalm that confronts our sin, our shortcomings, and all that might keep us from loving God and others well. The truth is, we often avoid talking about these sorts of things. But by acknowledging our sin and the ways we fall short, we welcome God’s forgiveness, healing, and unconditional love. In recognizing our need and removing what blocks, the Spirit of God is better able to flow through us into the world around us. Listen in.
Sometimes an Unknown Path—40 Psalms-Prayers in Contemporary Voice
The Center for Christian Spirituality
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Fasting is a spiritual practice that can often feel intimidating, unfamiliar, and even mysterious. But it can be practiced in many different forms, and today, as we approach the season of Lent, we're considering how fasting might aid us in focusing on the heart of God, deepening our awareness of God’s presence and provision, and better attuning ourselves to God’s guidance and will. Maybe when we choose to fast, we make room for the movement of God in our lives. I hope you'll listen in.
Judy Sorum Brown
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When it comes to getting things done, I am a list-maker. And part of why I find list-making so helpful is that makes it easier for me to prioritize. Easier to determine how I can best give of my time, energy, and attention. It keeps me focused and track, helping me remember what is most important.
As followers of Jesus, then, it might be important to consider what Jesus prioritized. After all, don't we want to seek what Jesus most sought? So if Jesus had a to-do list of sorts, I wonder what would top the list?
Today, if you're feeling distracted and divided, listen in.
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Hurry. Hustle. Don’t miss out. Don’t fall behind. Get ahead. Be efficient. Stay busy. Keep up.
Whether we realize or not, this is familiar messaging that’s actually forming us. And it creates an exhausting expectation. It’s a standard we’re striving for, but I wonder if it is the standard we were created for.
If you're feeling the anxiety of hurry and hustle, listen in.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
God Walk by Mark Buchanan
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Well, it’s that time of year again. The beginning of the year, actually. And it seems that every time the beginning comes around, we enter in with the best of intentions, maybe some newfound resolutions, hopes, goals. There’s just something about the promise of a fresh start, a new beginning, that prompts in us the desire to refocus, recalibrate, maybe even reimagine our lives a bit.
The goals we set and the resolutions we make all need time, commitment, and practice. And I'm learning that the same can be said for our faith. It’s easy to believe that once we’ve professed our faith, we’ve figured it all out. Are good to go. Have nothing left to learn, no room left to grow. But the truth is, faith isn’t only meant to be professed; it’s also meant to be practiced.
What might it mean to practice our faith? Listen in.
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Today I’m offering a simple reading of and reflection on what might be a familiar passage this time of year. As we make our way through these last couple weeks of 2022, I hope it serves you well. Listen in.
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Desire can be a tricky thing. But I'm learning that desire might be worth paying attention to.
When we choose to lean into our desires and acknowledge what it is we want, we are better enabled to become the people God created us to be. When we name them, we can better consider if our desires are leading us closer to the heart of God as we seek to grow into and resemble the character of Christ in the world around us. Yes, naming what we want is risky; but naming what we want is also good.
What do you want? Listen in.
Little Women | The Novel, 1994 Film, 2019 Film
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If you are listening in real-time, tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day 2022. And today, I’d like to offer a simple reading of a psalm of thanksgiving, Psalm 107, followed by a few questions for reflection. And please know, even after the Thanksgiving holiday, you’re invited to listen in and remember all there is to be thankful for. As always, I hope it serves you well.
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I don’t know about you, but I don’t always need the same things. My needs often shift and change. As we approach Thanksgiving, I’m learning to notice God’s provision, knowing that God will meet me where I am and provide exactly what I need, even if it isn't necessarily what I want. Today, if you are feeling the weight of your need, listen in.
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I'm now booking speaking engagements for Spring of 2023 and beyond! Interested in having me share with your group? Fill out the form HERE and I'll be in touch.
One thing I'm learning is, there isn’t a one-mold-model we need to fit into before we can belong in the kingdom of God. Yes, the likeness of Jesus is the standard we seek, but the image of God is found in all sorts of different shapes and sizes, patterns and colors, stories and perspectives. God is present, even in unexpected places. And God is at work, even in mysterious ways. Even if we don’t understand or agree or relate.
Maybe we don't have to match in order to belong. Listen in.
A Gentle Answer by Scott Sauls
Dua Lipa and Stephen Colbert Clip
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In the last episode, we talked about the importance of being where you are. And I heard from a few listeners wondering how to do that. While there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution, today I'm offering a spiritual practice that has proven to be helpful {for me} as we seek to be more aware of God's presence and, in turn, more fully present ourselves.
Today, we are considering the Daily Examen and how looking back can help us move forward with a posture that is more aware of and attune to the movement of the Spirit. Listen in.
remind{h}er 81: Be Where You Are
Sarah Bessey on Instagram
A Simple, Life-Changing Prayer by Jim Manney
Ignatiun Spirituality
Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
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Each day, we are invited to be where we are. Fully. Wholly. Present and attentive to the cadence of our lives and the location of our souls.
And our ability to be present depends on our awareness of God’s presence. In other words, our ability to be where we are is greatly influenced by whether or not we sense God’s presence where we are. The truth is that God is always with us. Part of life as followers of Jesus is choosing and learning to notice.
Listen in, right where you are.
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Each day, we are invited to be where we are. Fully. Wholly. Present and attentive to the cadence of our lives and the location of our souls.
And our ability to be present depends on our awareness of God’s presence. In other words, our ability to be where we are is greatly influenced by whether or not we sense God’s presence where we are. The truth is that God is always with us. Part of life as followers of Jesus is choosing and learning to notice.
Listen in, right where you are.
www.remindherpodcast.com
We often use the phrase, "They are salt of the earth" to describe someone we consider good, honest, and pure. The phrase originated in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and it also describes our call as followers of Jesus.
In today's episode, we are considering the implications of being called the salt of the earth and how it relates to our purpose and participation in God's kingdom work. Listen in.
Surprised By Hope by N.T. Wright
Learn more about the flavor of salt HERE
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We often use the phrase, "They are salt of the earth" to describe someone we consider good, honest, and pure. The phrase originated in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and it also describes our call as followers of Jesus.
In today's episode, we are considering the implications of being called the salt of the earth and how it relates to our purpose and participation in God's kingdom work. Listen in.
Surprised By Hope by N.T. Wright
Learn more about the flavor of salt HERE
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While it’s important to be honest about our shortcomings and to work through them faithfully, part of what I’m learning to remember is that there’s always an invitation to begin again.
God is always creating new blooms to greet us, always providing new mercies for fresh starts. I don’t know about you, but most days, that’s exactly what I need. And I’m learning to trust that it’s true. That we can confidently expect new mercies each day.
If you tend to be your own worst critic, listen in.
Find out more about Mexican petunias
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In today's episode, feel free to listen in to a simple reading of Psalm 139. May it remind you of God's care, intention, and presence in the middle of it all.
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In the past two episodes, we talked about the importance of holding on to who you are in Christ. Another way of saying the same thing is that we talked about the importance of abiding in Christ, of staying connected to God so that we can more fully embrace, lean into, and become the people God is calling us to be: People who love and people who bear fruit that reflects the heart of Jesus.
In light of this, today, I would love to simply read a passage of scripture which talks about just that. If you are considering your core values and vital behaviors, and if you are building your own rule of life, I hope this passage will remind you of the “why” behind those practices. More than anything, though, I hope God meets you through the words of this text, and I hope this holy passage serves you well. Listen in.
remind{h}er 75: Hold On to Who You Are | Core Values & Vital Behaviors
remind{h}er 76: Hold On to Who You Are | Build a Rule of Life
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For many of us, when we hear the term, "Rule of Life" it can seem a bit too structured, strict, or inflexible. We don't like the idea of being trapped by a rule. But a Rule of Life isn't meant to be constricting; it's meant to help us grow. And "structured" doesn't necessarily mean "set-in-stone."
In today's episode, we will explore what a Rule of Life is, why it might be important to consider having one, and what it might look like to build your own as we continue to hold on to who we are and pay attention to our lives. Listen in.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
remind{h}er 75: Hold On to Who You Are | Core Values & Vital Behaviors
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When our lives are disrupted in some way--whether the disruption is good or bad--it's easy to feel a bit disoriented and out-of-sorts as we adapt. One thing I'm learning is the importance of staying tethered and holding on to who I am in Christ in the midst of what feels uncertain or unsteady.
This looks like identifying my core values and vital behaviors and it has made all the difference for me as I continue to lean into who God created me to be, in and through the inevitable twists and turns of life. It helps me remember that God is holding me steady.
Today, if life feels a bit wobbly or off-kilter, listen in.
remind{h}er 56: What Helps You Remember?
MaryKate Morse
James Bryan Smith
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Have you ever considered that maybe, God is bad at math?
I'm not suggesting that God doesn't understand math, but it does seem that God chooses not to practice it in the same ways we tend to. When it comes to the heart of God, God doesn't always stick to the understood rules of a mathematical equation. It seems counting and math work differently in the kingdom of God.
Today, if it feels like things in life aren't adding up, listen in.
Count Your Chickens | Board Game by Peacable Kingdom
St. Therese of Lisieux
Richard Rohr: Learning to Hold On, Learning to Let Go on the Everything Happens Podcast with Kate Bowler
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I recently graduated with a M.A. in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership and in today's episode, I'm sharing one of my biggest takeaways. In order to have a faith that is living, active, and guided by the Holy Spirit, we must breathe in the Spirit of God and we must breathe out the Spirit of God in the world around us as we participate in the building of God's kingdom, here and now. What might this look like? Listen in.
remind{h}er 64: Lean In
M. Robert Mulholland
Surprised By Hope by N.T. Wright
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Usually, when we think of getting lost, we don't think of it as being a good thing. But there is a kind of getting lost that, in the context of our faith, might not necessarily be a bad thing. There can be something good about stepping outside the lines of a familiar path, about forging a new one, about gaining a different perspective, about having to really pay attention to where we are because maybe we've never been there before. And this kind of lost can actually be kind of wonderful.
I'm learning that sometimes, faithfulness looks a lot like wandering.
Listen in.
An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor
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If you are like me, sometimes we forget what a gift it is to have the pages of Scripture at our fingertips. While there are powerful resources out there that help to highlight the heart of God in the pages of Scripture, there is something powerful, too, about letting the inspired words of Scripture stand alone, trusting that the Spirit can inspire us as we read {or listen}, too. So today, you are invited to listen for the reminders already tucked inside the comforting message of Isaiah 40.
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If you're like me, your inner critic can be pretty noisy and discouraging. Which is why, sometimes, it's important to remember what you like about yourself. To remember that God not only loves you, but likes you, too. As we continue becoming the people God calls us to be, we can also remember God's delight in who we already are.
Today, if you find the voice of your inner critic booming and loud, listen in. And you might even get to hear a few things I like about myself, too :)
remind{h}er 4: Our Words Matter
Find out more about Macrina Wiederkehr
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In today's episode, we read about the night Jesus washed his disciples' feet and the example he set in doing so. As we look back, reflect, and remember this humble act of Jesus, we are invited to consider together the kind of posture Jesus invites us to assume; the kind of life Jesus invites us to live.
Today, if you are longing for a seat at the head of the table, listen in.
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Whether we recognize it or not, experiencing forms of emptiness is part of our reality as human beings. And the good news is, we can be honest about it. We can name our need. The even better news is that our honesty is never without hope. Our faith gives us reason to believe emptiness has potential. It reminds us that ours is a God of wild imagination, creativity, opportunity, and fresh possibility. A God who often does God's best work with broken things in empty spaces.
Today, if you are running on empty in one way or another, listen in.
remind{h}er 14: The Gift of Water
remind{h}er 45: Keep Showing Up
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It can be easy to feel anger toward certain people, toward systems, toward sin. But what about when we feel anger toward God? When prayers seemingly go unanswered, when illness isn't healed, when suffering lingers, when circumstances don't change? Are we even allowed to admit we sometimes feel that way?
I'm learning that God can handle our anger and that God welcomes our honesty, and that is a beautiful thing. If you've ever been mad at God, listen in.
What do you do with the Mad that you Feel? by Fred Rogers
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As we begin the season of Lent this year, I need to remember why we observe it. Most of the time, I'd rather skip ahead to the celebration instead of understanding why we celebrate. I'd rather enjoy the garden instead of digging in and tending to the dirt. I'd rather bask in the beauty instead of acknowledging the reality of the ashes. But Lent is an opportunity to be honest and intentionally notice the presence of God in the midst of the ashes. As we begin this holy season, I hope you'll listen in.
NY Times Article by Dr. Sunita Puri
Episode 163 of the Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman
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When life feels overwhelming, I find Centering Prayer to be a helpful practice/tool. While it can be awkward and difficult at the beginning, the more we engage in and practice Centering Prayer, the more we move toward our lives becoming centered prayers. We remember who God is and how God works, and we are mindful of who God is calling us to be. We live lives anchored in that truth, even when the waves of life might threaten to toss us to and fro.
Today, if you're feeling the effects of a chaotic life, listen in.
When the Soul Listens by Jan Johnson
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I don't know if you can relate, but it seems we've forgotten the difference between pain and discomfort. That we've somehow confused staying rightly staying within our safety zone and rightly stepping outside our comfort zone.
I'm learning to pay attention to the difference between the warning of pain and the invitation of discomfort.
As we come to know and trust the heart of God more fully, we develop the courage to lean in to the discomfort. And when we do, we stretch. We grow. We learn. We heal. We gain new understanding. And we continue becoming the people God calls us to be.
If you aren't sure what to do with the discomfort you feel, listen in.
The Yoga Abbey
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As we settle into the new year, I'm holding onto a small handful of personal unknowns, and the planner in me doesn't quite know how to be. Maybe you can relate?
Whether we choose the uncertainty or not, we feel the ache that often accompanies the not knowing, the fear in the pits of our stomachs in the middle of the night, the disorientation of not knowing what's next.
As we navigate this thing called life, I'm choosing to remember that we might not have a map, but we do have a Guide. And that makes all the difference. Listen in.
Beyond Words by Frederick Buechner
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It's the last episode of 2021!
Recently, I've been reminded that God is very much in the details. It's easy for me to think of God and search for God in broad strokes, thinking that God is present in generalities or big movements. But I'm learning that God is also intimately acquainted with the details of who we each uniquely are, and even in the details of our daily lives.
May we remember that the details are in God's hands this season. Listen in.
Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren
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Generally speaking, life for me often feels very scattered. Like a jar of marbles spilled and rolling every which way across hardwood floors, my focus, my attention, my thoughts often feel divided and all over the place. And in a world that seems to thrive on the frenzy of multi-tasking, I wonder if there could be another way.
What might it look like to live a gathered life? To be a gathered person? Fully present, fully known, fully loved? Listen in.
Prayer from Ted Loder
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I'm finding that each day, it seems we have a choice. There is an abundance of heartache, spiteful interaction, and mean-spirited rhetoric all around right now. And, while it doesn't get as much attention, there are also hints of goodness, compassion, and loving -kindness tucked away all throughout our days. We get to decide which we're going to be a part of, which we're going to contribute to.
In a world filled with so much heaviness, we need to contribute to the good. Not to negate or turn a blind eye toward the hurt, but to help heal and alleviate it.
What might it look like to contribute to the good? Listen in.
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I'd never watched someone die before, let alone someone I absolutely adored.
I'll never forget how I felt in that one sacred moment - when "is" became "was." How literally one last breath had the power to change the tense we used. I hated that change with every ounce of my being. Because I wasn't ready yet. Because just a few moments earlier, he was part of my present. And just like that, he became a part of my past.
There are certain moments in life that mark us, change us, alter our perspective. In today's episode, I'm sharing something I wrote several years ago, marking such a moment. As we move toward observing All Saints Day in the liturgical church, we're remembering those who have come and gone before us, and the loved ones we've lost. Listen in.
remind{h}er #1: You Are a Reminder
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Ours is a culture that loves happily ever afters, neatly tied bows, clear direction, and definitive explanations. We like our mysteries solved, our problems fixed, and our questions answered.
In my experience though, life tends to be filled with more questions than answers. And I'm learning and beginning to believe that's okay.
It can be easy to assume that being faithful means simply accepting, complying, or being easy-going. But what if God wants us to be curious? What if God wants us to interact and engage and explore?
In today's episode, we're leaning into those questions. Listen in.
J.R. Briggs
The Dark Night of the Soul by Gerald May
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I can page through my journal and pinpoint some rendition of this sentence, especially in the Saturday entries: " I probably wasn't as productive as I should have been." Sound familiar?
The truth is, whether we realize it or not, we often operate like machines, rather than live like human beings. We treat ourselves and others like a commodity or a means to end, rather than a living, breathing person made in the image of God. We fail to recognize the whole of our human stories.
Today, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are reclaiming and remembering our collective humanity. Listen in.
Author + Therapist Aundi Kolber
Remind{h}er 56: What Helps You Remember?
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Each episode, I mention that life often makes it easy to forget - to forget the truth about who God is and who we are called to be. We are prone to forget, and it's important to pay attention to what helps us remember. Because the truth is, we don't all connect with God in the same way. God connects with each of us differently. Uniquely. And the way we each feel connected to God matters.
In today's episode, I'm sharing nine different spiritual personalities in the hopes that together, we will remember what helps us remember. Listen in.
Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas
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Fred Rogers used to say, "The greatest gift you will ever give is your honest self."
While it might sound cliche, there is something powerful about being yourself. And while it might seem simple, being ourselves can also be a challenge. But I'm learning that being who we are is an important call in the context of our faith. Listen in.
remind{h}er 23: Our Place in the Puzzle
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Fighting sleep might feel familiar, at least to some degree. I can remember that battle as a child, defying any suggestion that I take a nap or go to bed when I was supposed to. I look back now and don't understand what I was thinking. I long for the days when sleep was encouraged and prioritized. Because the truth is, for most of us grownups nowadays, it's not.
One lesson I'm learning is that sleep is actually an important spiritual practice. If our bodies aren't well-rested, our souls won't be either. In many ways, they are one in the same.
We need sleep. Our bodies need that time to recalibrate, rejuvenate, and reenergize so we can faithfully and sustainably do the work God calls us to do and be the people God calls us to be.
If you're tired, exhausted, and/or run down, listen in.
The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith
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In our fast-paced world, sometimes I wonder what I'm missing. In my over-functioning, in my distracted frame of mind, when my eyes are locked on my scrolling screen, when I attempt to handle too much - what am I missing? What holy ground do I unintentionally ignore? And what does standing on holy ground even mean? Why does it matter?
As we come out of summer and enter full-speed into fall, let's remember to take off our shoes. Listen in.
Dr. A.J. Swoboda
Remind{h}er 31: Look For the Reminders
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Recent research shows that we are prone to add and accumulate. We don't hesitate to schedule one more meeting, pencil in one more task on the to-do list, or strive to add one more accolade to the resume. In a society that values productivity, we think that if we aren't adding, we aren't growing. And that could not be further from the truth.
I've found that it's really hard for me to love well, serve well, listen well, and learn well when I'm over scheduled, overextended, and spread too thin. I need space to breathe, permission to step back, space to be present, and room to grow.
Flourishing is often found in simplifying. I'm learning that sometimes a full life is actually a simple one. Because sometimes less really is more. Listen in.
You need to start using this psychology-based productivity hack by Katie Macbride
remind{h}er 15: You Are a Limited Edition
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We might not think of ourselves as traditional artists, but I've been reminded recently that God inspires us, fills us with God's Spirit, and calls us to create. God uses what we craft as reminders in the world around us.
I wonder what your craft might be? What God might inspire in you? God's creativity is on full display in all of us, uniquely in each of us. And we all have something to offer. Listen in.
Comfort Bird Etsy Shop
Streams of Living Water by Richard Foster
Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle
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We were not created to be isolated. Instead, we were created for community, relationship, and connection. Our faith is enriched when we practice it together. Yes, in the presence of God, but also in the presence of others. Living in the midst of a pandemic has highlighted this for many of us. May we choose connection over convenience and community over comfort. Listen in.
Cast Away
Lifelong Leadership by MaryKate Morse
remind{h}er 42: Reflect on Purpose
The Physical Nature of Christian Life by Brown and Strawn
The Holy Longing by Ronald Rolheiser
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You've probably experienced it in some way, but music is deeply tied to memory. In fact, it has been used for years and years now to help patients with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The music helps them remember who they are, waking them up inside.
It's a beautiful example of an even bigger truth that begs the question, what makes us feel alive? What connects us with the presence of God, reminding us of who God is and who we are?
The soundtracks and rhythms of our lives make a difference. Listen in.
Alive Inside documentary clip
Awakenings by Dr. Oliver Sacks
Emily P. Freeman
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A.W. Tozer once wrote, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." And what we believe comes into God's mind when God thinks about us is pretty important, too.
It's easy to forget what God actually thinks of us and instead, start to believe that we are a disappointment, a burden, a chore. But when we remember that God delights in us, finds great joy in relationship with us, both loves us and LIKES us, it changes things.
Listen in.
The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer
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It is often easy to feel like we need to live our lives on full display. If we don't post about it on social media, did it even happen? If we don't receive a thank you or any sort of acknowledgement, was it even worth it?
Jesus reminds us that God sees and values what happens in secret. God is at work behind the scenes. Maybe our lives are meant to be cultivated in the hidden spaces -- lived out in the natural overflow of time spent with God. Listen in.
The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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It's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the brokenness of our world. And when we do, it makes sense that we would want to turn away, disconnect from reality, remove ourselves from what makes us uncomfortable. But Jesus sets an example by dwelling with us. While many of us would rather keep our heads and hearts in the clouds, God meets us on the ground.
God meets us where we are, not where we'd rather be. God enters in to our pain and hardship and as followers of Jesus, we are called to do the same for one another. May it be so.
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In today's episode, we are marking and celebrating ONE whole year of the podcast! I'm also sharing one unexpected lesson I'm learning through creating the podcast each week; how it's become a spiritual practice helping me discover what it means to be faithful in light of God's faithfulness. Listen in.
God Has a Name by John Mark Comer
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Communion. The Eucharist. The Lord's Supper. The name might vary depending on your tradition, but the sacrament we celebrate at the Table is meant to be a powerful reminder. We recall Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. And through this sacrament, we are enabled to live our lives in remembrance.
In this Holy Week episode, we are reflecting on the Last Supper and all it means for the lives we live each and every day. Listen in.
Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans
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We often feel immense pressure to prove ourselves. We start to believe we are what we do, what we look like, what we have, what we can control, or what others say about us. And it is exhausting.
I've been learning that Jesus felt this pressure to prove, too. But his identity was grounded in something greater. He was able to rest secure in who God said he was. And he was beloved.
Today, if you're being swept away by the pressure to prove, listen in.
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This week marks one year since many of us began to experience changes to our way of life thanks to COVID-19. Several weeks into said changes, I remember thinking to myself, "This is significant and probably something I need to pay attention to."
But part of paying attention is intentional reflection. Reflection leads to transformation, allowing us to better reflect the character of Jesus in the world around us. In today's episode, I'm sharing a few of the lessons I've been learning throughout a year of this pandemic, and you're invited to do the same by reflecting on purpose. Listen in.
remind{h}er #8: Press Pause
Try Softer by Aundi Kolber
One Line A Day Journal
The Next Right Thing Guided Journal
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For most of my life, I thought humility meant I had to somehow intentionally put myself down or deny any sort of encouragement or affirmation. But as Rick Warren so famously said, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself, less."
The truth is, we can think too highly and too lowly of ourselves. Either way, the burden of self-focus is exhausting and Jesus offers us a better way. Listen in.
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One of the many things I've been learning recently is the distinction between memorizing Scripture and remembering it. There's a difference between memorizing the words and remembering the message. The latter deeply impacts the people we are becoming and forms us into the people God calls us to be. Today we're exploring what it might practically look like for "the Word of Christ to dwell in us richly." (Colossians 3:16). Listen in.
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We are called to remember. I say that a lot around here. But what about when we'd rather forget? What about when the memories are difficult? What does it look like to faithfully hold a painful past?
I don't have all the answers, but those questions are questions I've wrestled with for years in my own life. In today's episode, we consider what that might look like, trusting that looking back often helps us move forward. Listen in.
The Living Reminder by Henri Nouwen
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I am not a natural-born hostess, but I am learning that hospitality is part of our call as followers of Jesus. Hospitality is different than hosting. It goes beyond the walls of our homes and the boundaries of our comfort zones. It's a posture we extend to the world around us. If you often feel pressure to host well or appear like you have it all together, listen in.
The Great Dance by Baxter Kruger
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To read a transcript or find out more: www.remindherpodcast.com
It can be easy to feel so overwhelmed by all that is broken in this world and assume there is nothing we can do to fix it; we might as well just turn the other way. Or it's easy to feel pressure to do something big and loud in order to matter, in order to avoid wasting our time away.
But I'm learning there is power in playing it small. And in the Kingdom of God, small can be significant. Listen in.
Jim Bachor
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Website: www.remindherpodcast.com
Even though I'm a deep feeler, awhile ago I learned how to control my tears. I often chose not to cry, even if deep down I wanted to. That all changed a little over a year ago when I made a commitment to cry. If I felt like crying, I would. Good or bad.
It's been a year of learning to welcome my tears and listen to the messages they carry. In this episode, I invite you to join me.
Arielle Estoria
Emily P. Freeman
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
For a transcript and to find out more, visit www.remindherpodcast.com
This past weekend, I took some time to replant my Christmas cactus. It's leaves were dark and drooping and I could tell it was time for some fresh soil and a larger pot. In this, I was reminded of our need for fresh spiritual soil, especially when the fruit of our lives does not reflect the way of Jesus. What's on the outside is often directly correlated with what's on the inside. And sometimes to continue being transformed, we need to be transplanted. Listen in.
Find Arielle Estoria on Instagram: @arielleestoria
Find me on Instagram: @juleclayton
Or the podcast: @remindherpodcast
www.remindherpodcast.com
As we continue to experience chaos within and all around, I've felt myself longing for peace. In this episode, we explore what peace means and looks like in the context of our faith. The peace of Christ is both something we experience personally and something we are called to share with the world around us. We find peace when we practice it and pass it along in the context of our actual lives. What might that look like? Listen in.
Living Toward a Vision: Biblical Reflections on Shalom by Walter Brueggemann
Margaret Kibbens January 6 Experience by Jack Jenkins (RNS)
Peace by Ben Rector
Shalom Sistas by Osheta Moore
Check out the new podcast website! www.remindherpodcast.com
I am usually all about the fresh start of a new year. But in entering 2021, after a year like 2020, I find myself hesitating, cautious, and taking it slow. I feel a bit intimidated by the uncertainty of what lies ahead. But over the past few weeks, we've celebrated and been reminded of God With Us, and I'm remembering how that also means God goes before us. If you find yourself tiptoeing into the new year rather than leaping, listen in.
Check out the NEW website!
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As we wrap up 2020, here is one more reminder to carry into 2021. I've been learning to trust that God does significant work behind the scenes and that God's faithfulness does not depend on our awareness of it. We might not be able to see or feel it, but when we reflect and remember, we can trace the thread of God's faithfulness all throughout our lives, realizing we never were and never are forgotten or alone. God is at work through God With Us. Listen in.
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Website: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
I wanted to do something special on the podcast during Advent and what I came up with is, well, pretty unoriginal. But I think it might be exactly what we need right now. After such a crazy and heavy year, I hope the simplicity of this four week series is an unexpected gift this Advent season.
Listen in as we read and reflect on this familiar Christmas passage: Luke 2: 1-20
I would love to hear what resonated with you throughout the series!
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
I wanted to do something special on the podcast during Advent and what I've come up with is, well, pretty unoriginal. But I think it might be exactly what we need right now. After such a crazy and heavy year, I hope the simplicity of this four week series is an unexpected gift this Advent season.
Listen in as we read and reflect on this familiar Christmas passage: John 1:1-18
I would love to hear what resonated with you in today's passage!
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
I wanted to do something special on the podcast during Advent and what I've come up with is, well, pretty unoriginal. But I think it might be exactly what we need right now. After such a crazy and heavy year, I hope the simplicity of this four week series is an unexpected gift this Advent season.
Listen in as we read and reflect on this familiar Christmas passage: Isaiah 9:2-7
I would love to hear what resonated with you in today's passage!
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
I wanted to do something special on the podcast during Advent and what I've come up with is, well, pretty unoriginal. But I think it might be exactly what we need right now. After such a crazy and heavy year, I hope the simplicity of this four week series is an unexpected gift this Advent season.
Listen in as we read and reflect on a Christmas passage - Luke 1:26-56
A Charlie Brown Christmas
I would love to hear your response to today's passage!
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
I don't know about you, but for me, it has been much more difficult to find God's goodness in a year like 2020. But that doesn't mean that God is absent or that there isn't any goodness to be found. It just means that when it isn't as obvious as we would like it to be, seeking it out becomes even more important. We have to train ourselves to look for the reminders. I'm finding that more often than not, they are found in the unexpected, ordinary moments of every day life.
Today, if you feel empty, weary, or down, listen in as we remember to look for the reminders, finding what is significant and holy in the small and subtle.
Hearing God by Dallas Willard
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
If you're anything like me, life often feels like a roller coaster, with unexpected twists, turns, drops, loops and bumps along the way. It's easy to experience joy when life feels straight and steady, but is there room for joy in the difficulties, too? What would it look like for joy to carry us through? Listen in.
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
This episode was written and recorded before any election results came in. But by the time it hits your ears, the 2020 Election will be over. At the end of the day, and at the end of an election season, it's important to take a step back and remember who we are and who we're still called to be. Listen in.
Email me a prayer request! remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
So often, we feel like we have to try to be like somebody else, or fit a mold we weren't meant for, compensating for all the things we think we lack. We forget that we were created by God - an intricate, intentional, original work of art that God called good. If you could use a reminder of how God delights in just your being you, listen in.
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Website: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
Our sense of smell is deeply connected to our memory. Certain scents can evoke memories that transport us back in time. And smell is also connected to our faith; there is a specific fragrance or aroma that acts in a similar way, reminding others of Jesus and evoking the character of Christ in the world around us. Listen in.
Smells like Nostalgia by Meghan Holohan
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
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Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
We are all formed by something, sometimes multiple things, and many times, we don't even realize it. We often become the product of what we prioritize, what we give our time and attention to. So it's important to be intentional about paying attention to Jesus and things that reflect His character in the world. When we do, we become more and more like the person of Jesus Christ, and that is good news for us and for a world in need.
The Social Dilemma
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
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Transcript/Website: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
A fountain can turn a stagnant body of water into water with movement, activity, and life. In a similar way, when our faith feels stagnant, it is important to identify the fountains that help bring life to our faith. Because those fountains often help us remember and inspire us to hope. Today, if your faith feels stagnant, listen in.
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
I would love to pray for you! Email me: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
As obvious as it might seem, I often forget that there is a difference between knowing about someone, and actually knowingthem. And I think that's an important distinction we need for our faith, too. Today, if your faith feels disconnected or distant, listen in.
Jane Goodall
Email me your prayer requests! remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
As children of God, we are all part of the Body of Christ and have a unique role to play in the Kingdom of God. Today, if you struggle to find value in what you have to offer, or in other people, listen in.
Spiritual Theology by Simon Chan
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Transcript/Website: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
For most of my life, I have been a pretty anxious person. I am no stranger to restless nights, tension headaches, and convincing myself that the world is ending. Worry is my default and I often long for peace. If you can relate, listen in.
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Website: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
Names are significant. And we see that significance laced throughout Scripture - both in names for God and for us. Those names are a reminder of relationship and belonging. If you feel forgotten or anonymous, listen in.
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
My plate often feels very full and I often ask myself how I'm going to get it all done. But what if getting it all done isn't dependent on us? What if showing up with the best we've got is good enough? Listen in.
Jeffrey Greenman & Spiritual Formation
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
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Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
Sometimes I find that I long for a different lens in life. A change in perspective, a better vantage point, a clearer understanding. My outlook often feels blurry, blotchy, or even blocked all together. And I'm not always sure how to develop a clearer, more accurate picture. But I know I want to see things the way God does, because when we see the world and each person in it through that lens, it changes things. It changes us.
The Office Ladies Podcast: Episode 36
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
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Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Our foundation, what we build our lives on, matters. And when the storms of life head our way, we need sure footing. So what does it look like to build our lives on the rock? Today, if life feels shaky, listen in.
Mexico Beach House Still Standing
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
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Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
What is a life well-lived? I'm finding that the most inspiring lives, the most impactful ones, aren't lived in order to make a name for themselves. Instead, they are lives that are intentional, selfless, faithful, and invested in contributing to the building of God's Kingdom, even one small brick at a time. Listen in.
Becoming Dallas Willard by Gary Moon
John Lewis: Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation
The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
I don't like to be wrong. I don't think any of us do. But getting it right requires trial and error, a teachable spirit, a willingness to acknowledge our shortcomings, our mistakes, our growing edges. And I've realized that learning to accept when I'm wrong leads to being made right. Listen in.
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
Find me on Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
We are limited. And while my default is usually to try to push against that reality, I'm learning that maybe, my limitations aren't meant to be a hindrance. Maybe it's okay to acknowledge them. And maybe there is freedom in learning to live within them. Because our limitations are a reminder that we are not God, and that we can ultimately trust and rely on the One who is. Doing so helps us lean into humility.
If you feel pressure to go above and beyond, this episode is for you. Listen in.
Glorious Weakness: Discovering God In All We Lack by Alia Joy
Transcript Available: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
We know that water is a lifeline. We need it in order to stay internally hydrated and alive. And recent research also shows that engaging with water has additional, significant mental and emotional benefits, too.
But water also informs our faith. It flows through the pages of Scripture. We often need to be reminded that we are sustained by the Living Waters found in Jesus.
Today, if you feel drained, this episode is for you. Listen in.
Blue Mind by Wallace Nichols
Let's Connect!
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Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
Throughout the New Testament, our faith is often compared to running a race, and we are called to run the race well.
But maybe running the race well isn't about how fast we can finish it.
Maybe the goal isn't about achieving our own personal best.
Maybe the prize isn't found at the finish line.
And maybe the race isn't really about us anyway.
If you're worn out from your own personal striving, today's reminder just might be for you. Listen in.
Let's Connect!
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Website (for transcript): www.julianneelaineclayton.com
Most people are required to take a public speaking course at some point, and I was no different. But in college, I was also required to take a listening course. In today's episode, we explore the importance of a listening ear and an understanding heart, and the posture that leads to both.
One by Deidra Riggs
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Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
We hate to wait. And yet, all throughout Scripture, we see God's people waiting for far longer than they probably would have liked or thought reasonable. And we find that we are called to wait, too.
Today I share a couple things I'm learning as I wait. If you feel discouraged in your waiting, this episode might be for you. Listen in.
Author and Activist, Christine Caine
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
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Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
We read in Ecclesiastes 3 that there is a time for everything. We tend to think that opposing emotions or circumstances are supposed to be separate, that if we pick one up, we have to put the other down.
But maybe we don't have to choose. Maybe there's a way to faithfully hold both. Because maybe God is at work in the dissonance.
If you're struggling with how to feel or where to focus your time and attention, listen in.
Website: www.julianneelaineclayton.com (transcript available)
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
In college, I studied a communication theory called Dual Perspective. Essentially, this theory states that we will be able to more effectively communicate with someone if we are able to see things from their perspective. If we can understand where they're coming from. If we can, as the old adage says, learn what it's like to walk a mile in their shoes. We don't only hold our own perspective; we enter in and do the work to understand someone else's, too. And while my term paper concluded adopting this theory would be beneficial for organizations, I've found it to be incredibly powerful in my own life, too. What might dual perspective look like in the context of our faith? How might we use in the world we live in right now? Listen in.
Be the Bridge
Osheta Moore Instagram: @oshetamoore
Osheta Moore Website: Shalom Sistas
Connect on Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
www.julianneelaineclayton.com
Today's episode is an invitation to press pause - to stop, to breathe, to recover. Listen in!
Emily P. Freeman: www.emilypfreeman.com
Free of Me by Sharon Hodde Miller
Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton
My website: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
Instagram: @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
If you are burdened by uncertainty, stuck in the unknown, worried about the future, or mourning plans that fell through, this episode is for you. And it's dedicated to the Class of 2020! Listen in.
Let's chat! - remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Find me on Instagram - @juleclayton or @remindherpodcast
Website - www.julianneelaineclayton.com (transcript provided)
We have been advised to wear masks whenever we are out in public, and wearing a mask kind of forces us to look each other in the eye. We might not realize it, but when we look someone in the eye, we acknowledge their humanity, their personhood, and the Image of God within them. In Genesis, we read that God created humanity in God's image. It's a detail that applies to each and every unique, imperfect individual, and it makes each and every one of us worthy of a closer look. Listen in.
Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown
Let's chat! Email me: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @juleclayton & @remindherpodcast
Transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
An uncluttered life provides a clearer picture of who God is, how God is working, and what God is calling us to. But sometimes, our lives are filled to the brim and we lose sight of what is most important. Today's reminder is a call to reset, reevaluate, and rearrange. Listen in!
Help me continue to prepare meaningful messages each week! In the context of your faith, what do you need help remembering? What do you often forget? What is your current struggle? Email answers to these questions to remindherpodcast@gmail.com. Answers will be kept anonymous and confidential!
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Website: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
Words are powerful. They affect us more than we probably give them credit for. They can both build up and tear down. Bring life and cause destruction. And the way we choose to use them, matters.
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Kimberly Coyle Website: www.kimberlyanncoyle.com
Kimberly Coyle Instagram: @kimberlyacoyle
My Instagram: @juleclayton
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Website: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
"Love is patient. Love is kind..." We all know that familiar passage often read at weddings. But what if the love described in that passage is bigger than a wedding, bigger than a feeling or a sentiment? What if the love we're called to as followers of Jesus isn't dependent on our relationship status? Listen in.
Instagram: @juleclayton
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Website: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
Today, I want to gently offer one simple invitation. Wherever you might be struggling, the first small step toward hope might be to look up. To perhaps move from a posture of putting your head down to just get through it, and instead, lifting your gaze and paying attention. Actress Dorothy Bernard once wrote, "Courage is fear that has said its prayers." And along those same lines, I'd like to offer that maybe hope is despair that's decided to look up.
Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
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Website: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul
You and I have the opportunity each and every day to be reminders. Yes, we will probably need to be reminded ourselves, hence this podcast, but the purpose in being reminded is that we can then go and remind others of the characteristics and mission of Jesus.
For a transcript: www.julianneelaineclayton.com
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Email: remindherpodcast@gmail.com
Hey! I'm Julianne Clayton, and I'd like to welcome you to the remind{h}er podcast! This is a podcast for women with anxious hearts and distracted minds, who could use a reminder of who God is and who God calls us to be in the middle of it all. Life often makes it easy to forget, but through a brief reflection and a moment to pause, my hope is that you will be encouraged, comforted, inspired, and reminded of God's presence and faithfulness in your life. Listen in to the trailer episode to find out more!