Over the fall break, a couple weeks ago, we saw so so many turtles.  

While I realize that sounds random, I have to laugh to myself as I remember at the beginning of 2023 believing the Lord gave me the vision of a land turtle walking . . . ‘slow and steady wins the race’. I haven’t been the best at putting this into practice.  Yet He’s kind and always there to give grace with gentle reminders.

So in what areas do you need to be more slow and steady?  Time with your family?  Daily commitments? Weekly expectations? Holiday planning?  Long-term goals? With yourself? .

I could answer ‘yup’ to each and every one of these.  Yet what I find most comforting is His pursuit of us and presence in the mess.  Our Father is slow and steady.  Jesus lived a slow and steady life.  His Spirit is working in us and through us at a slow and steady pace.

Friends, please ignore the quick fixes. The short-term gains. The easy path. The comfortable way. The pill, the drink, the diet, the latest craze. The fast-paced, every changing chase . . .

We are deeply rooted in His love (Ephesians 3).

We put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6).

We are digging deeper wells (John 4).

We are moving forward in weakness so His power can be made known (2 Corinthians 12).

We remain attached to the Vine (John 15).

The Lord can be so sweet to us. Whether we’re in valleys or mountain tops, He is near and active. Just like how a few days ago He reminded me of exactly what truth I needed to hear. And maybe you need to hear it as well . . .

I was in a heavy and emotional conversation when the phrase ‘lighten up’ ran through my mind. Now as someone who easily overthinks, overcommits, overdoes, and overworks herself, this phrase did not surprise me. But it definitely got my attention in such a way that I knew it wasn’t my original thought! So I let my mind wonder and process the phrase ‘lighten up’, realizing it reminded me of that time Jesus talked about our giving Him our heavy burdens and a using the analogy of a yoke . . . book of Matthew maybe . . . chapter 22 or 11 or something like that. ‘I’ll look it up later’ I thought.

The next morning I had to smile through my exhaustion and tears when I saw The Bible Recap’s reading for the day was Matthew 11. I started reading and as a I got to the end of the chapter, I just had to take several deep breaths and read those lines over and over again. Then I dug deeper by reading the same passage in different translations. I’m no Bible scholar – I just enjoy the ease of the Bible App and hopping through translations and notes. Meditating on His word doesn’t have to be complicated. He even uses different translations to get our attention. Like what’s pictured below . . . please read each version of Matthew 11:28-30.

Now reread those last two please . . .

Crazy cool to think that this passage is the only time Jesus just says ‘come to me’. The only time He gives such simple direction is when we’re weary, carrying a heavy burden. Then what does He say?! ‘I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine . . . I’m easy to please.’ Now The Passion Translation ‘TPT’ might not be as ‘holy’ or ‘pure’ as others, but I just LOVE it lately! And as a recovering people pleaser, reading ‘I’m easy to please’ is so sweet to my soul.

The Message version uses the same phrase ‘come to me’ just like all the other translations. However, the whole passage communicates a relational and conversational response of understanding. As our Friend, this is how Jesus would chat with us in this current day and age. His response is so beautiful in that it’s free of blame and shame. His main point is to give us rest, not scold us. And what do we need to do? Get away with Him. Walk with Him. Work with Him. Learn the unforced rhythms of His grace. Keep company with Him. And we’ll learn to live freely and lightly . . . *sigh*

Let’s chat about rhythms for a bit as mentioned in this passage of scripture. Because if you’re like me, when I read all this, I agree that sounds great and all but ‘now what? How can we actually DO that, like today or this week? I want rest and all that sounds wonderful, but I’m still here in the mess and carrying all the things!’ Anyone else?

I immediately thought of an awesome book I just read (okay, listened to thanks to Audible). I highly recommend Hosanna Wong’s book, You Are More Than You’ve Been Told. But for now, I’ll just give a brief synopsis in regards to rhythms of grace. And you know I love a good excuse to use some vineyard pics. As you examine the images, look at the structure of support, not just the vine, branches, and grapes.

While branches (you and me) just need to be connected to the Vine (Jesus) to live (see John 15), branches can grow and thrive and bear more fruit when they have a trellis or support or system to help carry the weight.

Jesus had a system of support, or a trellis, that He utilized while on earth. Yes, He’s part God but He was also part man. He needed support just like the rest of us.

Hosanna Wong referred to Jesus’ trellis as four rhythms. Four rhythms of grace we all need to support us as we grow, struggle, survive, and thrive. As we bear more fruit, our load gets heavier. As seasons change, our branches change as well. So as we walk to Jesus, learn from Jesus, and COME TO HIM, we observe some rhythms He had in place for His own support and ones we can (and must) integrate into our own lives. Not out of obligation or responsibility but for us to lighten up! Jesus’ four rhythms were:

• Scripture
• Prayer
• Rest
• Community

You know what’s even cooler? God is with us in each of these! Scripture is the story of Jesus. Jesus is seated on the throne in heaven interceding through prayer for us. God and Jesus rested and are with us as we rest through His Spirit. Where two or more are gathered in His name (aka community), He is present.

So you know what I’m realizing? As this fall season continues, and we gear up for the holidays and all this time of year includes, I desire to dance to the rhythms of His grace each day through scripture, prayer, rest and community. Not to check off a to-do list or from a place of shame or pleasing but in a desire to come to Him to lighten up. These must be my priority regardless of the to-do list and the demands of the day.

Wanna join me? Wanna join Holy Barre and Deeper Wells as we provide opportunities to dance? Follow along . . . or play and dance to the playlist at the bottom of this post.

Come to Him . . . burning brighter together!

Checking an item off the bucket list! My family and I made an impromptu trip to Bartlesville, OK, to see Rend Collective live in concert this past weekend!  I realize this is a more personal post, but it’s foundational to Holy Barre . . . trust me.

Rend Collective’s music has been a core part of my life for the past 8+ years. Funny how He has used a simple Irish band with unique instruments and lively beats to impact this Oklahoma gal so deeply.

I first remember hearing and loving their version of Oceans, as that was my anthem, prayer, and praise song during a season of waiting to become a mom while we lived in Temple, TX. 

I remember playing their music in Cleveland, OH, during a season of just getting through the days with His joy as I cared for a newborn and toddler far from home where it got dark at 4:00pm.

I remember playing their music during a season of uncertainty as I would shower, pray and cry in my Edmond, OK, bathroom after moving back and trying to figure out life as a SAHM with littles while my hubby struggled to launch his practice. 

I remember doing barre routines in my kitchen and bathroom to their powerful rhythms and lyrics in a season of needing community and wondering if others would find value in this combo. 

I remember playing their music in the car every day during a season of ‘2020’ and hearing my kids sing along to their truth, knowing they might not fully grasp it or even believe it but praying it sticks for when they need to love others, stand firm and feel Him near. 

I remember dancing to their songs at home with my family during a season of seriousness when I realized just playing some upbeat music could turn the mood around for us all.

I remember playing their music at All Fit Collective as I led Holy Barre and truly feeling His presence in the room and within me. The majority of the many original Holy Barre playlists contain their songs and end with This Little Light of Mine by Rend Co. 

As I remember, I’m also reminded of His faithfulness in ALL the seasons!  And the power of His truth as I danced to the rhythms of His grace. Looking back, I’m truly in awe. The Lord has used Rend Co’s music to stir my soul like never before and to worship, inspire, heal, rest, encourage, love, trust and truly burn bright.

I joke that I can tie most adult or family interactions to a Friends or Bluey episode. But I can also tie most seasons or spiritual scenarios or scripture references to a Rend Collective song as well. I’ve even gone so far as to consider including lyrics to a different Rend Co song with each chapter of a book I’ll eventually write.

And yes, the concert did not disappoint!  Worshipping with my family was the icing on the cake.  Yet as the band mentioned, gathering together for a worship session is just the icing on the cake.  Let’s make sure the cake of living each day as worship is delicious too.  Let’s taste and see that the Lord is good . . . ‘oh so good to me’.

So here’s my application . . . what music stirs you?  How do you worship each day? What rhythms help you remember His faithfulness?  What’s your icing on the cake?  And how’s your cake in THIS season? 😉 

PS – I’d love for you to actually comment to this post with your answers . . . 

PPS – I had time this week to record a YouTube Holy Barre workout . . . full of Rend Collective music!  Below you’ll find the link to the YouTube workout as well as the specific playlist.

Over the past year or so I’ve fallen in love with vineyards. While I do enjoy a delicious wine and cheese pairing, I am filled with awe and wonder at the pairing of Jesus’ imagery and His foundational truths. To see the vines, the branches, the fruit, the harvest and the intentionality behind it all is incredible. The surrounding fig and olive trees complete the experience as you literally taste and see His goodness.

While visiting a beautiful restaurant, I saw this statue of dancing sheep, yet I prefer to view them as participants in a barre class! Pretty sure I giggled at them for several minutes as the truth in this silly statue is humorous. And I had to ask my hubby to take a silly picture to document it all.

“My own sheep will hear my voice and I know each one, and they will follow me. I give to them the gift of eternal life, and they will never be lost and no one has the power to snatch them out of my hands. My Father, who has given them to me as His gift, is the mightiest of all, and no one has the power to snatch them from my Father’s care.”

John 10:27-29 TPT

That’s good news worth dancing about! And worshiping through a barre class! Yet there’s a deeper question behind this message: What voices are you listening to?

Jesus is our Shepherd. Jesus changes everything. His voice calls you beloved just as you are . . .

My heart breaks for those ‘sheep’ without a shepherd. Who don’t know His voice. As well as those who struggle to ignore the other negative voices around them – from social media, from the culture, from friends and family, from the enemy. The struggle is real – I struggle too. We all do. But we have to chose to listen to His voice each and every day. Listening to Him is a practice but worth exploring.

I encourage you to listen to I Have a New Name, a powerful spoken word by artist and author Hosanna Wong. Here’s an image in the comments to summarize. Then continue to ‘listen to His Voice’ as you look up each referenced scripture.

We’ll welcome any sheep into our Holy Barre flock! We’re a fun and faith-filled group!

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love  the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’  This is the great and supreme commandment.

And the second is like it in importance: ‘You must love your friend  in the same way you love yourself.’ 

Matthew 22:36-39 TPT

In John 4, Jesus reveals Himself as Messiah and Living Water to a Samaritan woman at the well. He shares that because of His life, death, and resurrection, everyone can now worship in Spirit and in Truth. That means anywhere, and any time. Rather than keeping our workouts, wellness, and worship separate, let’s combine these buckets (or glasses) and let them overflow with His Spirit! 

Our overall health CAN be a response of what He is doing INSIDE of us.  Let’s worship in Spirit and in truth in ALL that we do and let His Living Water overflow for His glory and our joy! Join us on our journey of worship, workout, and wellness!

First, that title doesn’t contain a typo. Second, you’re BMI.

So today I learned physical assessments are still a part of our elementary school’s PE classes. I’ll be honest in that my initial reaction to this news was extreme and served as a powerful trigger to my own journey of struggles with body image. Thanks to counseling and dear friends and loving husband, I’m learning there’s a lot more personal processing and praying to be done when triggers and extreme emotions make themselves known.

Let’s be real, I’ve never done a full pull-up in my life and, growing up, I was always at the top of the charts when it came to height, weight, and thus BMI. Thankfully my dream was not to be a body builder, and I knew I had other strengths, yet these simple evaluations did a number on my perfectionist tendencies. The informal evaluations only got louder as I got older. PS – Comparison and perfectionism are NOT from the Lord.

Communication matters, and while I know adults in my life truly valued me as a person, the way comments were delivered about my body stung and sunk and stuck. Growing up, my hips and thighs were described as a ‘sturdy base’. True statement for sure. Truth I wanted to hear as a young tween while the world around me was (and is) saying ‘thin is in’, not so much.

Regardless of my journey, my daughter and her classmates are being assessed on push-ups, sit-ups and the like while also being weighed, measured, and given a BMI number. I think assessments and tracking and numbers are not the most effective way to determine overall health, but I fully understand when you are trying to create awareness among thousands of youth, a uniform evaluation might be a decent option. Communication still matters though . . .

Rather than focusing on the problems around us, let’s focus on the truth and equip, encourage, and empower each other to stand firm in that. As mothers, what’s our message to our children? As fathers, what’s our focus in our conversations with our kids. Because in all reality, we have the loudest voices. As well as those in our close community.

So here are some truth for our kiddos, parents, friends, educators, leaders, etc:

• Our bodies were designed as good. All shapes, strengths, abilities, and aptitudes.
• We are fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together in our mother’s womb. Such a beautiful and incredible design.
• We were loved before we even arrived and have been loved and valued each and every day. Not because of the size of our bodies or the strength of our core but because we are His creation.
• God gave each of us our unique bodies for our unique and specific purpose. Remember my ‘sturdy base’, the ability to preach His truth through a barre workout is all thanks to my bottom half. But beyond that, God did not design our bodies for appearance but to show love, give love, move in love, rest in love and live in love.
• We must take care of our bodies soooo we can show love, move in love, and live in love. So we need to be intentional to get exercise if our ‘work’ does not already require that like so many of the generations of hunters, gatherers, and farmers before us. We need to be intentional to eat well and drink well in the world of plenty and abundance and sugar highs. Because . . .
• Our bodies, as believers in Jesus, are holy temples. They are beautiful structures and works of art that honestly don’t belong to us but serve as a home for His Spirit. We are living sacrifices, burning bright by His flame.
• His truth applies – BMI does matter. You’re BMI. You are Beautifully Made in His Image.

As adults, I must ask you how you feel about your body. Because the way you describe and talk about your own body is going to be the most powerful message our young ears hear. Do you believe the above truths about yourself? Please start there . . .

Through the launch of Deeper Wells, we created these images with scripture to communicate His truth behind our efforts. Subscribe to these weekly updates on holybarre.org, and you’ll notice this is a key message of our ministry. Let’s keep this truth message going . . . You’re beautifully made in His image!

This year, some of us have been going through The Bible Recap. This is my first time to join this amazing and interesting plan, and while some parts are more engaging than others, jumping into the book of Daniel this week has been more intriguing than expected. For those of us who have grown up in the church, his stories of lions and fires and bold faith are woven all throughout children’s Bible lessons.

Yet this week’s commentary on Daniel 3 grabbed my attention and hasn’t let go. We all experience fires and acknowledge we’re in continual battles. We apply the Armor of God in our Holy Barre workouts to remind ourselves that our physical posture is just a reflection of our heart and soul’s current position.  There’s a reason the belt of Truth is listed first in the armor, and there’s intention in the placement and alignment of each piece. As a barre instructor, I care way more about the position of your breastplate of righteous and the depth of your gospel of peace than the strength of your upper body and the size of your legs.  Because like we say, we promise your muscles will burn. But we pray even more the Lord ignites a fire in your soul that can’t be put out! 

Fire has taken on such a new and rich meaning for us over the past four years of Holy Barre gathering regularly, so it’s no surprise that the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego has been enriched recently as well.  For those new to such stories, these three guys were some of the best of the best yet stirred up tons of anger within King Nebuchadnezzar for not bowing to his huge gold statue of himself.  Since they wouldn’t bow to his statue, the punishment was being thrown into a fiery furnace.  Their response is awesome:

But if you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire — and who is the god who can rescue you from my power?” 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

Daniel 3:15b-18 CSB

That’s cocky in the best way possible. Cool tidbits to the story include how the furnace’s temp got bumped up to seven times its normal range, the guys were fully bound by rope prior to be thrown in, and even the men that threw them into the furnace died from exposure to the heat and flames.

But God . . . but God delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the furnace with the Son of God likely being the fourth body seen in the furnace with them.  King Neb saw four mean walking around, no longer bound, in an extremely hot furnace. When they came out of the fire, their clothing wasn’t even burned nor smelled like smoke. There’s so much in this story that’s worthy of attention and processing, but here’s the statement from Tara-Leigh Cobble that got me:

‘The only thing the fire did to them was set them free from the things that bound them.’

Tara-Leigh Cobble, The Bible Recap

Boom.  ‘The only thing the fire did to them was set them free from the things that bound them.’  I can guess we’ve all experienced fires.  Seasons of trial. Seasons of heat.  Seasons of refinement.  Yet in the fire, His desired result is our freedom.  And when we draw near, trusting His fiery power and love, the result is our being set free from something that’s binding us.

Throughout the old testament, fire is also associated with regular sacrifices as a form of worship. Fire refines and restores, just as our laying down our idols and sins as a sacrifice purifies, refines and restores our souls. In the new testament of the Bible, we see our Jesus Christ experience the ultimate fire, resulting in the ultimate sacrifice for your and my ultimate freedom from what bound us.

He sacrificed himself for us that he might purchase our freedom from every lawless deed and to purify for himself a people who are his very own,  passionate to do what is beautiful in his eyes.

Titus 2:14

Our response? Letting His fire work within us to purify, refine, and restore. We still get to chose how to respond in the fire. May the Lord ignite a fire in our souls that can’t be put out, passionate to do what is beautiful in His eyes and continually freeing us from what binds!

Lord, we thank You for Your power and love.  You are a consuming fire Whose desire is for our good, our refinement, and our freedom.  May we trust You in each season, the easy and the hard, knowing its all for Your glory and our joy!

Want to come burn bright with us? You can join in person in Edmond OK or check out our online workouts on YouTube. Ready to dig deeper into all things worship, workout, and wellness? Check out https://deeperwellsok.com/. And The Bible Recap begins the New Testament in October so join us there as well! You can access each day’s reading and discussion as a podcast or as a YouVersion Bible Reading Plan.

We’ve had so much to celebrate this week!

Holy Barre recently had its 4th birthday!

And now we’re officially kicking off our Deeper Wells ministry this Sunday!

It’s been quite a ride since our first gathering four years, and we know He’s just getting started! Will you join us on this journey of worship, workouts, and wellness?!

On holybarre.org, check out each section and also scroll to the bottom and sign-up for weekly updates. Then join our next YouVersion Bible reading plan!

On deeperwellsok.com, check out each opportunity for worship, workout, and wellness! And for those in Central Oklahoma, make sure to check out our big community event this Sunday!

Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.

Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you,  but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.

Romans 12:1-2 TPT

I laugh realizing that this August has been one of the longest ‘back-to-school’ seasons for our family as the teacher and team assignments and the sharing of schedules have felt so drawn out. I know myself and so many are eager to get into our own rhythm. Yet through our recent YouVersion Bible plans and discussion among our Holy Barre community, I’m being challenged to ask myself some challenging and humbling questions.

With the holiday weekend ahead, we have the opportunity to press pause for a few days. Let’s read and meditate on the passage below together. And then reflect.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

Am I tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?

Have I come to Him? Have I gotten away with Him?

Do I know how to take a real rest?

Am I walking with Him? Working with Him? Watching Him do it?

What rhythms am I moving to? The world’s? Others’? Or my Savior’s?

At this point my questions turn to prayers . . .

Oh I want to learn and dance to the unforced rhythms of grace! Take all this, Lord. Draw me near. Teach me how to dance with you . . . freely and lightly!

As we enter into this holiday weekend, let’s take advantage of this gift to rest, refocus, and reset our flow to align with His rhythms of grace before we jump back in next week.

If you’re looking for specific opportunities to ‘dance’, check out https://deeperwellsok.com/. From group studies to worship-filled workout & wellness options, we’d love for you to join us!

Let’s find our rhythms together with Him and in community!

Now that school is back in session, hopefully those of us with kids at home are having to use this phrase less often. However, this simple phrase takes on new meaning recently as we continue to dive in to scripture.

Psalms 46:10 is a popular verse that we see hung on walls and even shared as encouragement among friends. The most common translation uses the words ‘be still and know that I am God’. However, when we look at translations that expand this simple phrase to align more with its original meaning, this scripture more accurately states ‘stop fighting’ (CSB) and ‘surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth.’ (TPT)

When we think of ‘being still’, we tend to pause, breathe, and pray. All of these are healthy and valuable responses worthy of our engagement. Yet when we apply the idea to stop fighting and surrender our anxiety in this context, it draws us deeper and invites us to process things a little more fully. 

““Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.””

Psalm 46:10 CSB

Stop fighting.

Stop fighting our feelings.

Stop fighting our bodies.

Stop fighting our pain.

Stop fighting in our relationships.

Stop fighting lies.

Stop fighting shame.

Stop fighting the things of this world. 

Surrender them all to our Father and connect with the Spirit.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17

The battle belongs to the Lord. And no one else. Because Jesus changes everything! And has claimed ultimate victory! We don’t have to fight in our own power and strength but rest in His freedom.

What do you need to stop fighting?  Please truly pause and reflect on this question.

As I worshiped and worked out yesterday in our Holy Barre class, this was the question that the Spirit kindly allowed me to process more deeply. And my answer is expectations.

In this season, so much of my activity and productivity and thoughts are centered around expectations. Expectations of how things should work out. How things should be fair and just and positive and respectful . . . yet we live in a broken world. Nor is any of this in my control.

The irony is that through Holy Barre and Deeper Wells, the Lord continually reminds me how fun things are when we have no expectations. In starting Holy Barre four years ago, I chose to intentionally commit this ministry to be spirit lead. Without certain plans, a timeline, and set expectations, I’ve been able to experience the most joyful and fruitful ride of my life. In continually surrendering this ministry to Him, He has exceeded any and all expectations. And now, as we launch Deeper Wells, a larger organization whose mission is the gather people for worship, workout, and wellness, under which Holy Barre will fall, I am full of anticipation, knowing that He will continue to move in ways beyond my understanding.  Just like is states in Ephesians 3.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

Yet when it comes to my personal life, my expectations are real and present and near. Expectations about myself. Expectations about my marriage. Expectations about my kids. Expectations about school. Expectations about sports and activities. Expectations about our home and community. And while these expectations are normal and healthy to an extent, they cannot drive my thoughts, feelings and behaviors. The Lord is calling me to stop fighting against any and all expectations and surrender ALL aspects of my life to Him. Daily. Hourly. Minute by minute. For He is the Lord Almighty.

So let me ask again . . . What do you need to stop fighting? Lay it on the altar before our Almighty God. He’ll take hold of your battle and consume you with His love for His glory and our joy!

Father, may we keep our gaze on You. Help us to breathe and process and trust You in ALL things! Thank You for being our Rock and Firm Foundation. 

Join me for a time of worship to breathe and be still and stop fighting as we move in love!