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My favorite reads of 2019

Courage Dear Heart by Rebecca Reynolds - this was by far my favorite book this year. It met me right where I was. It is one of those books I want go back and reread. It is incredibly well written...but what I love the most about it is the heart with which Rebecca wrote. She … Continue reading My favorite reads of 2019 →

merckaylin Books, Joy-Sharing 1 Comment January 1, 2020January 1, 2020 3 Minutes

Do-It-Yourself Reading challenge (and a few tips to improve your reading life)

(Más abajo hay un audio con este blog en español en caso de que no puedas leer en inglés). I have loved reading ever since I am a little girl. Books are my favorite gift to receive and to give away. But I have found that my reading life has had ebbs and flows through … Continue reading Do-It-Yourself Reading challenge (and a few tips to improve your reading life) →

merckaylin Books, Joy-Sharing 4 Comments December 29, 2019December 29, 2019 2 Minutes

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When was the last time you considered a theology of touch? What is your knee jerk reaction when you hear of a book on the subject of touch? Are you intentional in who, what, & why you touch? Have you been hurt or abused? . This book very gently and tenderly lays out a theology of touch and calls the Church to rethink how it serves and cares for other image bearers thru touch. @lorewilbert, having herself experienced abuse, is aware of our stories as she writes and sets our gaze on Christ over and over again, calling us to handle others with care by touching them, not by withholding touch. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It will challenge you but also cause to worship our holy, beautiful Christ: . "God in flesh allowed Himself to be made vulnerable so the broken might be healed. We cannot fully heal people by touching them, but we recognize their humanity, their story by allowing ourselves to be touched by them. Like Jesus, we should simply make ourselves within reach, available to however God might use us in his healing narrative." . @lorewilbert, thank you so much for this gift. I read it all (it was hard to put down)- but now must go back and reread. I love all the sights of Christ you give in this book. What a Savior we have! So holy and tender, so full of authority and yet also full of vulnerability. Seeing him more clearly in this particular issue of touch has been really helpful to my soul. . Friends, you can preorder this book right now to get great preorder bonuses. It comes out Feb 4, 2020!! #handlewithcarebook . . . #bookstagram #instagramforchrist #journeywomenpodcast

These 3 exist for Christ, through Christ, from Christ. . 3 embodied souls, 3 image bearers, 3 humans full of joy, longings, potential & gifting. . And I get to be their mama by the will of my Father. . Thank you, thank you, thank you, Father.

It is only 3 days into 2020 and behold, death grief bad news fear sickness deep sorrow As I go to sleep tonight another "behold" is strengthening my heart: "Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love." . The temptation is to behold, to look at, to keep our eyes on the bad news around us. But the Lord says, "Keep your eyes on me because my eye is on you." . Oh friend, I know how tempting it is to fear bad news this new year. We wonder, "how will this grief affect my loved ones? Will war affect the country I live in? Is there an unexpected transition around the corner? Does this pain mean there is something seriously wrong with me?" . But we need a better fear, a fear that hopes, not a fear that makes us lose heart. The fear of the Lord is that better fear. It keeps us hoping in his steadfast, fixed love. As we face bad news, pain and sorrow, may we say by the power of Christ in us, "Our soul waits for the Lord ; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name." Psalms 33:20‭-‬21 ESV

A DO IT YOURSELF READING CHALLENGE// I have loved reading ever since I am a little girl. Books are my favorite gift to receive and to give away. But I have found that my reading life has had ebbs and flows through different seasons. Maybe yours has too? . Over the years when I have shared about my reading life, especially as a mom, I get questions about how I find time to read. And to be honest, it has been a challenge for me, especially over the last few years. With all the stress we have had, my capacity to read (especially my capacity to read darker, heavier themes) has been very limited. I am not entirely sure why. I must confess that at the end of most days, I have had zero energy to read. . Still, I have been slowly increasing the amount of books I read every year. I have cut back on using social media, always have books on hand that I can make progress in (including on my kindle or my phone so I can read after lights are out), and have included reading more fiction than before (which is very restful to me). . At the end of this year I am looking back on the books I read and excited about the ones I want to read this coming year. And because I love welcoming others into my life, I thought I would encourage you on this same journey of creating time and space to read more. So I came up with a Do It Yourself Reading Challenge that I hope will be helpful to you. . You can find it in English and Spanish in the link on my profile or on my blog, together with tips from some of you on how to make the most of your reading life. . Happy Reading!

Beware of the narrative in your head after spending time with others these last few days. It is easy to think about them one dimensionally. It justifies our lack of desire to engage with them. "Oh this person is just so critical." "Or, so and so is just so self focused." "Or, that other person is oh so insecure." . When we think one dimensionally, we think this is all they are (and often believe this is who they will ever be). . But if they are in Christ this is simply not true. Like a dear friend (@kimransleben) loves to remind me, if they are in Christ this is the worst they (and us, for that matter) will ever be. For our friends and family in Christ, there is a hope that Christ will finish what He started, that they won't, indeed they can't, stay this way. . But even for our friends not in Christ, they are still not just the sum of all their faults. They are made in God's image - reflecting some aspect of Him in beautiful ways. . Maybe they love their children well, or are very creative or love to serve good food to others. . And yet, sometimes even with an awareness of their strengths it is still very hard to love. Some people trigger all kinds of things in us, exposing places where we too need healing and grace. . I am taking heart in this thought recently: Is this person hard for Christ to love? Is anyone too difficult for the Lord? Are there certain people he is at a loss for? Is he ever disappointed in those he loves? Never! . If we have the Spirit of Christ in us, the Risen Christ loves through us by faith with the same kind of love he has. That doesn't meant you don't have to set boundaries in some relationships. Maybe you do. . But do you have the Spirit of Christ in you? Then, ask Him to love this person through you. Plead with him to give you faith so you can see them with his eyes, his perspective. Pray for Christ's compassion (that is already yours) to move you. Pray you would love with his generous affection (Phil. 1:11). . Yes, friend - beware of the narrative in your head about people. Make sure it is shaped by the Christ who patiently makes and remakes people with joy, for the glory of His Father.

Dear friends, Some of you are feeling the sting of loss in fresh and new ways. We feel deep in our bones life is not what it should be. There is real grief, brokenness & suffering in all our lives. May the Risen Christ, who is whole and who is our wholeness, be near. May His enoughness and "for-you-ness" be tangible. We love you! . "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing, and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen"

Christmas was magical until my grandpa died when I was 14. Up until that point Christmas had been the highlight of every year. But something seemed to die when he died. Several years another tragic death hit my family. After that, Christmases were never the same. It was more a season of ache than joy. . All through my twenties, the Christmas season sometimes seemed to mock me with all its giddiness when I felt so broken. Unfulfilled desires, chronic illness, separation from loved ones and homesickness were unwanted guests that exposed brokenness especially at Christmas. . Enter Advent- the 4 week period in the church calendar right before Christmas, that both remembers Christ's birth and anticipates His second coming. . I grew up as an evangelical in a Roman Catholic country. We didn’t practice anything that hinted at Roman Catholicism. Observing the rhythms or liturgies of the church calendar was not a thing I was aware of. . But I am so thankful I learned about observing Advent when I moved to the US. It has been a game changer for me. It has freed me up to treasure the joy of Christ’s first coming while also mourn that He hasn’t come back yet. Advent enables me not to resent that the Christmas season is polluted with grief. Advent just heightens the reality that I am a woman in waiting. The small story of my life is simply joining the history of the world. I am doing what history has always been doing: groaning as it waits for one of the two comings of Jesus. .... I allow time every day to both remember Christ’s birth and anticipate his second coming. I give space to sit in my grief, in my current unfulfilled longings and fears. I bring them honestly to my Father. I don’t try to mask them or stuff them down “because Christmas!” I am OK with the tension – Yes, Praise God, Christ was born! AND Life is not what it should be. ... What is your paradigm for this season? Are you ok with living in paradox? Are you aware that you are a person in waiting? Do you see how your unfulfilled longings, brokenness and grief fit perfectly with this time? Are you anticipating Christ’s return? //// For more thoughts (including ideas for how to observe advent) - link in profile

Jordan. Where my perspective has been challenged more than anywhere else I have lived in my life. Where endurance is growing and producing hope. Where gratitude is sustaining me. Where the friendship of the Lord is becoming dearer and deeper. Where we are changing and being transformed. Where ancient history overwhelms and draws out awe. Where hills reveal beauty that makes you gasp. Where language is an adventure, challenge, and joy. Where the Lord is showing us steadfast love and faithfulness, day in and day out. Where we are finding courage to call yet another place Home. . . . /////////////////// I'd love to hear from you! 💛 Where is home for you? And what is one thing you are thankful for about that place? . . . #worshipwhereyouareplanted #expatsgetaftergrateful #itssimplytuesday #tuesdaythankfulness #lovejo #thisgloballife #athomeintheworld #livingabroad #journeywomen

I get to see this man in a few minutes. And I can't wait! I wouldn't have traveled hadn't he strongly encouraged me to do so. With each reason I gave to stay home, he could think of more to get me to go. So thankful for his love in giving me this time away. Praising God too that my MIL was here to help... especially as the stove exploded while I was gone. She essentially cooked dinners in the microwave all week👏😂. Thank you so much!! @ethanmerck & @mommerck your joyful sacrifice blesses my heart.

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