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.
sort posts by: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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.