Lauren Gaskill

Encouraging women to live in faith and joy

She Found Joy Podcast

Made to Wonder, Made to Rest {+ Finding Joy Episode #38 with Leah Adams}

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Before day breaks. Before I plant two feet on the floor in the morning. Before I reach for the phone to see what time it is. I sit in silence. I peer out into the darkness and I whisper words of thanks to my Father.

You were made to rest.

It’s my favorite way to start the day, but as a recovering rusher, I have to be super intentional about this. Because while I love silence, I also love doing things. I am passionate about working hard for God’s glory and I love crossing things off my to-do list.

What God has been teaching me over the last several years, however, is that working hard for His glory also means making time for holy rest.

Working hard for God’s glory also means making time for holy rest. #FindingJoyPodcast

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Walgreens might be open 24/7, but we were not made to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We were made to find rest in the shadow of His wings (Psalm 91). We were made to stop and consider God’s wonders (Job 37:14). We were made to find joy in the waiting and the stillness (Psalm 130:5). We were made to embrace Sabbath rest (Exodus 20:8-11).

When we flip back to the creation story, we see God’s original design for rest demonstrated in the way He created this world and everything in it. Genesis 2 tells us that “by the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

If our Creator made time to rest, why don’t we?

I don’t have all the answers to this question, but if I had to guess, I think culture is namely to blame. We live in a world that values productivity over anything else. But while we were made to bear fruit, we would be wise to realize that we bear fruit not when we work ourselves into the ground, but when we take the time we need to stay rooted and rested in Christ.

As a recovering rusher and productivity addict, I know what it feels like to burnout and let me tell you this: It’s not worth it. But rest? Rest is worth making time for. Every time.

In our resting, we aren’t just being obedient to God. We are freed to wonder. Free to find joy. Free to unplug. Free to recharge. Free to simply be. And that’s a beautiful thing.

God’s best for us includes resting in His purpose and His plan. #FindingJoyPodcast

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Is your soul in desperate need of a vacation? Join Leah Adams and I today on the Finding Joy Podcast as we talk about the importance of making time for Sabbath rest and how to incorporate it into our lives.
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Why You Are Worthy of the Calling {+ Finding Joy Episode #37 with Sarah Koontz}

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In Christ, you are chosen, redeemed and forgiven.

In Christ alone, my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song.

If you’ve ever attended church, chances are you’ve heard these words sung before.

While many songs have ministered to my heart over the years, this song still brings me to my knees every time I hear it played. It’s an intense reminder of God’s goodness, power and faithfulness in my life, and the wonder of His all-consuming presence all around me.

Outside of Christ, I am nothing.
Outside of Christ, I am powerless.
Outside of Christ, I am hopeless.
Outside of Christ, I am unworthy.

I know this all too well from the journey I’ve already walked on this earth.

But in Christ? In Christ alone: I am forgiven. I am worthy. I am loved. I am chosen. I am redeemed.

I’ll be honest with you — for most of my life, it’s been easier to know and believe who I am outside of Christ rather than who I am IN CHRIST. After all, it’s hard to forgive yourself when you feel like a failure. It’s hard to believe you are worthy when you feel worthless. It’s hard to feel and accept love when you feel unlovable. It’s hard to feel chosen when you feel like you’ve been kicked to the curb. It’s hard to feel redeemed when you are stuck in a storm or stronghold.

Maybe you can relate to part of my story.

But God. He is so good. He faithfully pursued my broken and beaten heart and little by little I began to believe the truths found throughout His Word, especially in the book of Ephesians. The beauty of God’s Word is it’s not just true for one person … it’s true for all of us! No matter what changes or detours come our way, and no matter what God calls us to: We are forgiven; We are worthy; We are loved; We are chosen; And we are redeemed.

Today, Sarah Koontz joins me once again on the Finding Joy Podcast to catch up and talk about these truths, which inspired her latest project: “Worthy of the Calling“, a free, online 31-day study on the book of Ephesians.

In Christ, I am set free. In Christ, I am a new creation. #FindingJoyPodcast

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Finding Joy Ladies Night Out 2017 Preview

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Hey, loves! I know I said I was taking a break from blogging for a few months, but I’m hopping back on very quickly to share some of the exciting things that have been/are happening this summer.

For starters, the Mr. and I made it to our new home in North Carolina! We cannot thank you enough for your prayers, and we are so blessed by your support. This is a dream come true, and living here has felt like tasting a little bit of heaven each and every day. If you want to continue to pray for the business we bought, we covet those prayers.

Alright, now onto the Finding Joy Ladies Night Out 2017 preview!

In just a few short weeks, I will be flying to Des Moines for the second annual Finding Joy Ladies Night Out (FJLNO) celebration. This is a time where women from all around the community and state come together for a night of food, fellowship and fun. Every year, I invite some of my favorite speakers to join me on stage for this event. So, not only are women able to enjoy delicious food and make new friends, but they are also inspired and encouraged by each speaker’s message. The theme for this year’s FJLNO is, “Shine Bright,” and I could not be more excited for Aug. 4 to be here.

For those who can’t make it to the live event, don’t worry! I will be posting about it in the weeks following Aug. 4. Until then, I’d like to take a moment to say a special thank you to our sponsors and speakers. This event would not be possible without you!

SPONSORS

Canyon Bakehouse

This company is bringing love back to bread one slice at a time. From non-GMO whole grains and food safety to our zero-gluten standard, we’re committed to making the best gluten-free products. Learn more about Canyon Bakehouse’s sustainability efforts and company culture here. (I can’t even begin to tell you how much I LOVE their bread, bagels and brownie bites! So thankful for this company and all they do!)

Get Fit Grill

Located in West Des Moines, Iowa, Get Fit Grill’s main objective is to set a higher standard in the quality, taste and options for the meals provided in the healthy restaurant and meal prep industry. The restaurant team is committed to providing customers with superior healthy food prepared by a friendly and courteous staff; with a convenient, comfortable and fun atmosphere! (Get the California Sunrise Wrap with Sweet Potato Tots … breakfast bliss!)

Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance (MCA) at Mesothelioma.com is the web’s most trusted information resource for individuals who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and their families. MCA’s mission, as a leading authority on this topic, is to continually provide relevant, timely, and factual information about asbestos exposure and its causal links to mesothelioma cancer. (One of the FJLNO speakers, Heather Von St. James is a mesothelioma survivor. You will be encouraged by her story! She is incredible!)


SPEAKERS

Barb Roose

Barb Roose inspires women to discover God’s beautiful truth so that they can find freedom from shame and guilt in order to become godly women clothed with strength and dignity. Discovering her beautiful identity in Christ transformed Barb from a young woman desperately searching for self-worth and acceptance into a confident woman in Christ who still makes mistakes but embraces the captivating power of grace.

She is the author of the book, Enough Already: Winning Your Ugly Struggle with Beauty and a six-week DVD Bible study titled, Beautiful Already: Reclaiming God’s Perspective on Beauty. Barb has been speaking at conferences, churches and women’s ministry events since 2005.Read More

When Loving Well Means Taking a Huge Leap of Faith {+ Finding Joy Episode #34 with Hands Free Mama}

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Take the leap of faith.

I didn’t know if I would have the courage write this blog post to you. But thanks to a lot of nudging from the Holy Spirit, and by God’s grace and strength, I know this is what I must do.

Before I let you in on some pretty big, exciting news, let me start by saying thank you. Thank you for being a part of this community. Thank you for sharing your heart with me week after week here on the blog and in the email newsletters. Thank you for supporting this ministry. Thank you for coming alongside me in prayer.

I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it again: Writing may be something God has called me to, but you guys are one of the main reasons why I write. You are the reason why I stay up editing podcasts when I get home from working my full-time job. You are the reason why I pour my soul out week after week, in the hopes that my story might inspire and encourage you in your own faith journey.

So thank you. Thank you for being here and thank you in advance for supporting me in what I’m about to share with you.

When I first met my husband eight years ago, I had no idea how our story would unfold. But I did know two things: one, he loved me; and two, he wanted to be a business owner someday. After moving from Indiana to the great state of Minnesota and then to Iowa, I knew three things: one, he loved me; two, he still wanted to be a business owner; and three, we wanted to settle somewhere warm — a place with plenty of beach and mountain scenery to go around.

From the day our moving truck unloaded our belongings here in Des Moines, we knew this city was only a chapter in our journey. We just didn’t know how long we’d be here.

Lord, please speak to my husband when the time is right to move. You know our hearts and what we desire, but we also want Your will to be done, so we will stay here until you say go. 

In January, a year and a few months after we’d moved, my husband came to me and said, “I think it’s time.”

He’d already been looking at businesses to acquire for more than a year, and this time, the Lord brought a venture to him that was too good to ignore.

Five months later, I am thrilled to let you in on our little secret:Read More

Finding Joy Ladies Night Out Recap + Live Podcast Recording

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The joy of the Lord is your strength!

Finding Joy Ladies Night Out with Lauren GaskillLauren Gaskill speaking

As I sit down to write this recap, there’s a part of me that still can’t believe the first Finding Joy Ladies Night Out has come to an end. I remember getting into my car after the event was over, and turning to my sweet mama, who flew all the way from Indiana to support me. “Is it really over?” I asked. “That went way too fast.”

When I started planning this event, I had no idea what the night would look like. All I knew was that it was something God had called me to do, and that I should expect the unexpected. My idea of a successful Finding Joy LNO was to create an experience where women could come together, enjoy delicious food, do a little Christmas shopping and learn more about the gift of joy.

But like I said, beyond that I had no idea what the night would have in store. I figured at this time of year, maybe 50 women would show up. Fast forward to today. Not only did almost 150 women attended the live event, but an additional 2,200 people were reached on Facebook.

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The theme of the night was all about God’s gift of joy, and how we can trade our problems for the promises of God. As I stepped onstage last Friday night, I had happy tears in my eyes before giving my message. The event was more than I could have ever hoped or dreamed of. And, though I put in hundreds of hours planning Finding Joy LNO, the credit all goes to God.

A few highlights from the night: getting to hug and meet so many new women, our caterer’s delicious chicken and wild rice dish, the desserts my small group ladies made, seeing my sweet mama out in the audience, delivering a message to the biggest group of women I’ve ever spoken to before, the live podcast/speaker panel at the end of my message. I wish you could have been there, because my words don’t do justice to just how special this night was.

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While I don’t have the full recording of my message available, I have a snippet YouTube and I’ll have a few more on my site later this month. Instead, what I have for you today is a full recording of the live podcast/speaker panel, featuring the lovely ladies pictured below (from left to right): Kimberly Stuart, Julie LeFebure, me, Jen Green, Mary Carver and Jennifer Dukes Lee.

lauren gaskill finding joy ladies night out

In this live podcast, Kim, Julie, Jen, Mary, Jennifer and I talk about:

  • The meaning of joy.
  • How to trade your problems for the promises of God.
  • How to choose joy during the busy holiday season.
  • What it looks like to weep and have joy at the same time.
  • How to model joy for our families. And more!

Get ready for an amazing conversation filled with inspiration and plenty of laughs!

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Help Support the Finding Joy Podcast

In graciously giving to this podcast, you help me keep everything up and running! Thank you in advance for you generosity. I love and appreciate you!

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Finding Joy #22: Lori Schumaker

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finding-joy-lori-schumaker

Finding Joy is a podcast dedicated to bringing you encouragement and inspiration in all of life’s moments — the good, bad and everything in-between.

Lori Schumaker is our guest for the 22nd episode of the Finding Joy podcast. Grab your favorite holiday drink (I’m going with Starbuck’s Toffee Nut Latte this year) and get ready for an incredible conversation that will uplift you in this season of Advent.

I may be a little biased because she is a good friend of mine, but seriously, Lori is one-of-a-kind. She’s genuine. She’s compassionate. She’s generous. And she radiates Christ. As a mom, wife and writer, Lori’s passion is helping others find hope in brokenness. She longs to see people walk in freedom, and discover the joy that comes along with following Jesus.

In this episode, Lori and I talk about:

  • The dangers of people pleasing and looking to others for worth and approval.
  • Learning to substitute the labels others give us for the labels Christ gives us.
  • The difference between knowing and believing God.
  • How God heals us by peeling back layers of our “onion” to help us get to the core of who we are in Him.
  • The joy that is found when we say, “Lord, Thy Will be Done.”
  • How to fight the enemy and keep Him from stealing your joy.

Lori encourages us to find hope in Jesus and surrender our hearts to His healing process. He wants to heal us — but we have to be willing to let Him do a work in us.

Links From the Show

Lori’s Blog

Connect With Lori

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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