The Holy Shift Blog

Thoughtful reflections, honest stories, and fresh perspectives on Jesus and the upside-down kingdom—inviting you into deeper love and life with Him.

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Creativity Christine Crawford Creativity Christine Crawford

What if the Valley...?

REFLECTION BY CHRISTINE CRAWFORD: What if our hurts, questions, and doubts are the very thresholds where we are most tenderly met, deeply known, carefully held, gently stretched, and finally made whole?

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Creativity Christine Crawford Creativity Christine Crawford

Slowing Down with Scripture

FROM SOUL CARE: Soul Care invites you into a quiet moment of connection with God through the ancient practice of Lectio Divina (Latin for “divine reading”), which is a prayerful way of engaging with Scripture, not to study or analyze it, but to let it speak to your heart. Whether your week feels rushed or restful, this is a moment to be still and let God speak.

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Conversation Christine Crawford Conversation Christine Crawford

Run at Your Own Pace

BY LAURA L. SMITH: God wants goodness for you and me. But someone else’s pace is not necessarily my best pace or yours. As long as you’re tracking with God and his plans for you, you are right on time.

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Conversation Christine Crawford Conversation Christine Crawford

Slowness Over Speed

WISDOM FROM PETE SCAZZERO: We live in a world addicted to speed. Everything around us screams, “Move faster. Produce more. Achieve now!” And if we’re honest, that same pressure seeps into our ministries and leadership.

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Conversation Christine Crawford Conversation Christine Crawford

Emotional Rest

BY DR. SAUNDRA DALTON-SMITH: Emotional exhaustion affects brain function, making it harder to focus, make decisions, and regulate mood. Over time, this can contribute to anxiety, depression, and burnout. If you've been feeling constantly fatigued, irritable, or disconnected, it may not be physical exhaustion you're experiencing—it could be emotional depletion.

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Conversation Christine Crawford Conversation Christine Crawford

Rest Quiz

BY DR. SAUNDRA DALTON-SMITH: Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could know for sure that you’re getting the type of rest you need to truly thrive?Take this quiz and find out what type of rest you need to live your best life!

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Conversation Christine Crawford Conversation Christine Crawford

Mental Rest

BY DR. SAUNDRA DALTON-SMITH: Rather than striving for perfection, what if we approached our goals with a focus on mindfulness (mental rest) and spiritual rest? Mindfulness invites us to intentionally focus on the present without judgment. It offers a powerful way to work toward resolutions while preserving mental rest and resilience.Let's choose a restful approach to resolutions. Here are 3 Restful Resolution Strategies to help you achieve your goals without stress or shame:

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Conversation Christine Crawford Conversation Christine Crawford

Abundant Simplicity

BY JAN JOHNSON: Simplicity is often misunderstood. As a discipline of abstinence, it does involve setting aside certain things, but it’s much more about making space for God in your life and living in the beauty of that space.

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Conversation Christine Crawford Conversation Christine Crawford

Have We Misunderstood the Assignment?

ARTICLE BY CHRISTINE CRAWFORD: Caring for our souls and stewarding our humanity aren't just good ideas; they're biblical mandates. It’s part of our divine assignment and God's invitation to nurture our lives and loves for our good and his glory.

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Conversation Christine Crawford Conversation Christine Crawford

Are We Missing the Invitation?

ARTICLE BY CHRISTINE CRAWFORD: We seek more than a faith that knows about God, does for God, or strives to meet expectations we imagine come from God. That kind of faith leaves us feeling disconnected, disillusioned, and like something might be missing. That's because it is. We've been missing the invitation.

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Conversation Christine Crawford Conversation Christine Crawford

Heading toward Wholeness

ARTICLE BY CHRISTINE CRAWFORD: In his kindness, God has drawn near to me in my suffering and taught me what it means to draw near to—and dwell well—with him. As I've done so, I have learned much about his mercy, my identity, and the veritable definition of love.

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