In this episode, Luke sits down with Kimberly Beam Holmes, CEO of Marriage Helper, to explore her journey of slowing down and embracing rest in order to gain clarity about her true calling. Kimberly shares how years of relentless productivity led to burnout, how she wrestled with her sense of worth, and what ultimately led her to take a four-month sabbatical. Through journaling, stillness, and seeking God, she rediscovered a deep-rooted passion for missions that had been buried for years. This conversation highlights the power of reflection, the struggle of surrender, and the transformation that happens when we give our souls time to catch up.

1. Productivity Does Not Equal Worth

• Kimberly spent years believing that if she wasn’t producing, she wasn’t valuable. This belief led to overwork, neglect of personal time, and ultimately burnout.

2. The Moment of Realization

• After 12 years of running Marriage Helper at full speed, Kimberly realized she had lost vision for the future and didn’t recognize herself anymore. This prompted deep conversations about what needed to change.

3. The Power of Slowing Down

• Inspired by Luke’s own sabbatical story, Kimberly took a bold step and decided to take four months off. This decision was met with both fear and relief, as she grappled with what it meant to step away from her work.

4. Journaling as a Path to Clarity

• Through daily journaling, Kimberly uncovered suppressed emotions, identified deep-seated beliefs about her worth, and began to hear from God in a new way. One moment of clarity led her to read The Hole in Our Gospel, which reignited her passion for missions.

5. The Return and the Resistance

• Coming back from sabbatical, Kimberly was immediately faced with financial struggles at Marriage Helper. Instead of being able to dive into her new mission work, she had to focus on turning the company around, leading to frustration and feelings of setback.

6. The Bigger Vision

• Despite the challenges, Kimberly remained committed to her calling. She is now blending her work in saving marriages with her passion for missions, launching initiatives to train pastors in developing countries on strengthening marriages in their communities.

• “If you don’t make time to slow down, your body and mind will force you to.” – Kimberly Beam Holmes
• “Growth is worth. That’s the lie I believed for years.” – Kimberly Beam Holmes
• “God, what do you want to say to me? That question changed everything.” – Kimberly Beam Holmes
• “Sometimes the hardest and strongest thing you can do is rest.” – Kimberly Beam Holmes
• “We were created for a purpose, but sometimes we have to slow down to remember what it is.” – Luke LeFevre

• Marriage Helper Website
• Marriage Helper YouTube Channel
• The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns
• Holy Work 7-Day Journaling Challenge – holywork.com

• Website: www.marriagehelper.com
• Instagram: @kimberlybeamholmes
• YouTube:

In this episode of The Holy Work Podcast, host Luke LeFevre shares a deeply personal story about his journey from discontent and distraction to finding peace and clarity through journaling. He explores the transformative power of journaling, drawing on his own experiences, scientific research, and biblical principles. Luke introduces the Holy Work Method of journaling, a unique approach that helps individuals connect with God and discover their purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• Hit the reset button on your thoughts and emotions with the power of journaling.
• Discover the science-backed benefits of journaling for stress reduction, mood enhancement, and emotional regulation.
• Unlock the Holy Work Method: a unique approach to journaling that connects you with God and your true self.
• Experience the transformative power of journaling for Christians seeking to abide in God's word and discern His leading.
• Learn practical steps to integrate journaling into your daily life and experience its profound impact.

Episode Highlights:

• Personal Story: Luke courageously shares his personal struggle with discontent, addiction, and thoughts of divorce, and how journaling became his path to freedom and healing.
• Brian Koppelman's Experience: Discover how screenwriter Brian Koppelman overcame writer's block and ignited his creativity through the practice of "Morning Pages."
• Ann Frank's Diary: Explore how journaling provided solace, a voice, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit for Anne Frank during her time in hiding.
• From overcoming creative blocks to finding solace in times of adversity, journaling proves to be a versatile tool for personal growth.
• Rumination vs. Journaling: Understand the crucial difference between ruminating on negative thoughts and writing them out, and the remarkable benefits of the latter. While rumination traps us in a cycle of negativity, journaling provides a structured way to process those thoughts and emotions, leading to greater self-awareness and problem-solving.
• Dr. James W. Pennebaker's Research: Delve into the groundbreaking studies on expressive writing and its positive effects on mood, health, and well-being.
• The Truth Will Set You Free: Learn how journaling can help Christians connect with God's truth and experience true freedom.
• The Holy Work Method: A detailed explanation of the three levels of journaling – the epidermis, muscle layer, and heart – and the practical steps involved. This method also incorporates the 8 core feelings: joy, sadness, anger, fear, shame, guilt, disgust, and excitement. By exploring these feelings in your journaling, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationship with God. You can learn more about these core feelings and how to work with them in the Holy Work Journaling Challenge.

Call to Action:

• Join the hundreds of people who have committed to the Holy Work January journaling challenge at holywork.com.
• Share the podcast episode and subscribe to the channel to stay updated on new episodes and valuable insights.

Connect with Luke LeFevre:

• Website: holywork.com
• Instagram: @lukelefevre

In this episode, Luke LeFevre sits down with award-winning pianist and composer Paul Cardall to explore how music can be a tool for healing, reflection, and connection with God. Paul shares his powerful journey of surviving congenital heart disease, finding his purpose through music, and the resistance he’s faced along the way. They dive into the importance of slowing down, the role of journaling, and how God uses challenges to guide us toward our calling. Paul’s music is described as a grounding, spiritual experience, offering listeners a path to peace and stillness.

Key Takeaways:

1. Finding Purpose Through Struggles: Paul’s battle with chronic illness shaped his connection to music, teaching him that God uses pain to guide us toward our purpose.
2. The Healing Power of Music: Paul explains how music can be a tool for processing emotions, connecting with God, and creating moments of stillness in a chaotic world.
3. Resistance and Comparison: Paul shares how fear, comparison, and societal expectations can act as resistance, but surrendering to God’s timing leads to true growth.
4. Journaling as a Spiritual Practice: Both Paul and Luke discuss journaling as a way to process thoughts, uncover God’s guidance, and create a record of personal and spiritual growth.
5. Trusting God’s Plan: Paul emphasizes the importance of moving forward with faith, even when the path is unclear, and letting God open the right doors.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Music is like a warm blanket and God’s Spirit enveloping me. It’s where I feel His love the most.” – Paul Cardall
• “Resistance often shows up as fear, comparison, or doubt. But when you trust God, even the setbacks are part of His plan.” – Luke LeFevre
• “Your gifts help shape your purpose. Knowing your purpose empowers you to live with intention.” – Paul Cardall
• “We ask God what to do, and He’s waiting for us to start walking.” – Luke LeFevre

Resources Mentioned:

• Paul’s latest album: Grace in Grief
• Paul Cardall’s website: www.paulcardall.com
• The Holy Work Reflective Advent Course: holywork.com/christmas

Connect with Paul Cardall:

• Website: www.paulcardall.com
• Listen on Spotify: Paul Cardall
• Follow on Instagram: @paulcardall

Connect with Luke LeFevre:

• Website: holywork.com
• Instagram: @lukelefevre