A Little R and R

Homeschooling with chronic illness can be so overwhelming; it may even seem impossible - but it's not.

In today's podcast, as I move on in my series of living as a Christian woman with chronic illness, I want to share with you my best advice for how to homeschool on those really difficult days with chronic illness.

It has been said that if you're struggling to get through your day, just do the next thing.

But how do we know what the next thing should be, when so many things seem urgent?

How do we avoid falling into the black holes of distraction, as we try to find a way to calm the overwhelming stress we feel when we look at all we have to do today?

In today's podcast I am going to explain to you a system that I use to help me organize my schedule according to levels of importance.

Today I am continuing with my podcast series on walking with Chronic Illness as a Christian woman, and today's topic is finding rest.

Rest is something that most people struggle with.

We have heard the message of work harder, try harder, hustle more. And trying to live up that image that has been fed to us from the media of the woman who can do it all and still get up the next day feeling amazing and ready to attack another day.

I used to share this quote: "Are you running your day or is your day running you".

That was a quote that I often reminded myself of to keep me on task and hustling. Stay busy. Never look like I had nothing to do. Boredom is bad.

And while I had days when I certainly felt like I was in control, I couldn't stay there consistently.

And I learned something: I'm not supposed to be in control of my day. My job is to meet the demands each day brings; and those demands will vary from day to day.

But ultimately, God is in control of my day. I needed to hand that over to Him and trust that when something unexpectedly came up, it was unexpected for me, but allowed by Him.

That completely changed my perspective.

But it did something more: It set me free! I no longer felt the drive to wrestle down my day and take control of it. I also no longer felt the frustration of not having control of my day.

It allowed me to rest in faith knowing that God is in charge of each day.

Finding that rest, that is founded upon faith and joy in Him and His presence is healing that starts in our spirit and then spreads to our soul and body.

Since writing my series on adrenal fatigue several years ago, I have had several women reach out to me about their own struggles with adrenal fatigue and chronic illness.

Chronic illness is a struggle for so many women, and fatigue in particular.

We push ourselves so hard, and when we feel like we're not meeting our unrealistic standards, we push even harder. Because that's what we've been told to do.

We're supposed to be the boss babe.

The supermom

No excuses.

We're supposed to be exceptional and successful.

In my own struggle with perfectionism (which I have clearly not yet conquered!), I find myself once again in a battle with my own body.

A few days ago, I woke up and on my mind were all of the things I had to do that day.

I felt nauseous with the overwhelming sense of not knowing how I'd manage. I didn't even want to get out of bed, much less do all of the things that needed to be done that day.

Later that morning, as I began to work through my morning, using the tools I've gathered through the years to begin working my way through fatigue, I thought that this might be a good time to podcast about it.

So, I sat down and recorded a series of podcasts about how Christian women can use spiritual tools to work through chronic illness and fatigue.

That is what's going to be on the blog and podcast for the next six weeks.

If you know someone struggling with chronic illness and fatigue, would you take a moment and let them know about this series?

More information:

As always, when visiting sites and reading information by non-Christian doctors, I encourage you to filter their advice through the Bible.

Often the refer to evolution or recommend eastern meditation practices.

That doesn't mean that much of their information isn't helpful. Quite the contrary, I have often found their information to be invaluable, but always filtered through the truths of God's Word.

This is a question I get a lot in my email and social media.

It's hard having a consistent quiet time when our kids are small, because you never know when you'll be interrupted, and when you'll be able to get back to your quiet time.

If ever.

What's worse, the enemy takes advantage of this and brings condemnation, because we're not engaging with God like we used to, and we don't often have a block of time in the day to sit and read and pray.

So how do we do quiet time when we're a mom or grandma with small children around?

That is what I talk about in today's podcast.

My prayer is that this one will give you tools, but also release your heart from any condemnation the enemy might be piling on you right now in this phase of life.

Related post:

Today's podcast is not only for single people.

I sincerely hope that my married sisters will listen to this podcast today, because I want to help the whole body of Christ understand how both single and married members of the body can and should work seamlessly together in creating a beautiful, functioning body that honors one another.

Doing this requires a godly, biblical understanding of singleness, and realizing that our job as a body isn't to marry our single people off.

It also means that as single people, we have a proper view of being single.

Today's reader question is: How Do I Invest in My Relationship With God While I'm Single?

I bring to this podcast my own story of being a single Christian for over 30 years, as well as being a married Christian now for almost 14 years.

I pray this podcast will encourage the body of Christ to stop looking at our marital status as our identity and recognize that God's callings are very often not permanent.

A few years ago, I bought the book Fervent by Priscilla Shirer.

Reading that book, paired with her earlier film War Room, dramatically changed how I viewed prayer and spiritual warfare.

I realized that for most of my life, I'd approached personal development and spiritual growth randomly, almost like I expected it to happen all on it's own.

After watching that movie and reading her book, I understood my need for a strategy. A purpose. A plan.

That's when I sat down and mapped out the Prayer Strategy worksheet for myself.

Soon afterward, I took that worksheet and made it available on my blog.

Today I'm answering a reader question that has three parts.

I contemplated breaking this one up into three podcasts, but decided against it, because I realized the value in connecting them all under one umbrella in the end.

The final few minutes of this podcast shows how all three parts work together to draw out a lesson we all need in recognizing the enemies strategy to keep us in a cycle of ineffectual prayer and spiritual growth.

The reader question today is:

There is so much confusion and chaos right now. News headlines contradict one another and it is so hard to know who to belive.

What the world doesn't need is another link to another news article or another YouTube video landing in their inbox.

The world doesn't need to be intellectually stimulated by the church.

What we need is the one and only source of truth - and that is God's Word! That is all we need to know how to respond to a world that has gone crazy in 2020.

But in order to proclaim truth, we need to know truth.

"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32

Most of us know this promise in John 8:32, but what we may not realize is that this promise is under lock and key.

We can't claim John 8:32 without the key found in verse 31.

If we want the truth to set us free, we must first abide in God's Word.

Abide in Greek is meno, and it means "Not to depart from", "Continue", "Dwell".

Jesus is saying: If you choose to not depart from my word, to make it your home, you will come to know truth and it will set you free.

It seems that one of the hardest Christian disciplines is prayer.

So many Christians struggle to have a consistent and fulfilling prayer life. But it doesn't have to be as complicated as we tend to make it.

This week, I'm answering a reader question: How do I pray?

In today's episode, I give you some practical advice, and also point you to a 7-day course I've created that takes you through what we call The Lord's Prayer, which Jesus gave to us as a structure to build a powerful and effective prayer life.

I think every one of us have had those days when we start to pray but struggle to get our thoughts under control enough that we actually have a coherent prayer time.

Have you been there?

I know I struggle with this quite often where my thoughts are scattered and wandering.

In today's podcast, I give you three tips that have helped me over the years to capture all of those wayward thoughts and bring them back in line.

They help me guide my thoughts in a unified direction so that my prayers are no longer scattered, but directed.

I hope this episode is helpful and inspiring to you today!

Over the past couple of months on the A Little R & R Podcast, we have talked about how to read and study our Bible effectively.

But if that's all we do - if we just read, and even study, but never really put into practice what we've read, our reading and study is in vain.

God didn't give us the Bible study to read it.

He didn't give it to us just to study it, so we know it really well,

God gave us the Bible to transform our life: our thinking, our emotions, our decisions, our worldview.

And this only happens when that word goes deep into our heart and we begin utilizing it - we begin meditating on it.

We begin reflecting on how our life measures up to it and begin taking steps to put it into practice.

That is what today's podcast is all about.

Hey there! I am so glad you're joining me back here for another episode of the A Little R & R Podcast.

When I started this podcast last fall, I had an idea for what I wanted to do, but it quickly shifted away from my original idea to what it is now.

And I love what it has become!

Today I'm reaching into my virtual mailbag and pulling out questions to answer them rapid-fire.

I absolutely loved recording this one - and I hope to do more of these!

If you have any questions about Bible study, quiet times, memorizing/meditation on Scripture, prayer, or Christian living be sure to send them in.

You can send them in the following ways:

• You can email me at rosilind@rosilindjukic.com
• You can comment below
• You can comment on any of my social media below
• You can private message me at any of my social media below

I look forward to hearing from you!!

Today I am taking a short break from my reader question episodes to share with you a vlog from several years ago.

When we think about worship, what comes to mind?

Our favorite ban or CD?

Our favorite worship song we sing on Sundays...or even that space of time on Sunday mornings when we sing as a congregation?

This is one aspect of worship - but worship is really so much broader than that.

In today's podcast, I share with you how we can expand our understanding of worship so that our who lives - everything we do 24/7 is worship to Jesus.

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If you're wanting to begin a Bible study, but you don't know where to start, this podcast is for you today!

In today's podcast I talk about 3 different kinds of Bible studies you can do and how to do them.

Also, I talk about what our response should be when we realize that what we thought God had spoke to us doesn't really line with what Scripture says.

I hope and pray that this podcast will encourage you to not just read your Bible, but to set time aside to go beyond the words on the page to uncover the deeper truths we find in Scripture.

In last week's podcast, I began answering a 3-part reader question: “What is the beset way to start to study, what to study, how to study, and how to apply to our lives?”

Have you wondered how to start studying your Bible?

I think a lot of people struggle with this, because this is a reader question that I get pretty often.

Actually, this question came in 3 parts, "What is the beset way to start to study, what to study, how to study, and how to apply to our lives?"

I'm tackling the first part today in my podcast: "What is the best way to start studying the Bible".

In this podcast I give my best tips.

Also, all of the posts I've written, plus my previous podcasts I've done on reading and studying the Bible, are below.

I know we've all been there.

We get up, grab our coffee and our Bible, sit down in our favorite chair, and start to read.

But our eyes get heavy and we start nodding off.

Let's be honest, as women, we are so busy. We have a habit of burning the candle at both ends.

We sacrifice sleep to try to keep things running smoothly in our homes.

I do believe that the tendency to fall asleep during our morning devotions is a very common problem, and that's why today I'm answering this reader question: How do I find time to read without falling asleep?

Do you ever sit down to do your quiet time and suddenly get distracted by remembering something you forgot to do yesterday?

Or maybe your phone pinged and you fell down that long, dark rabbit hole of your social media timeline.

Next thing you know, your quiet time is ended and you never really had a quiet time.

We've all been there. I've been there...many times.

Well, this week's reader question podcast deals with just that. A reader sent in this question: "How do I get the most out of my quiet time and avoid distractions?

If this is a problem you're struggling with, you will want to tune in and find out my 5 tips for dealing with these distractions and making the most of your quiet time.

Is there a way to have our quiet times without sacrificing sleep?

Is morning the best time of day to have your quiet time, or can we have our quiet time at another part of the day?

Well, this week's reader question is "How Can I Have My Quiet Time Without Sacrificing Sleep?"

And while at first glance, we may be tempted to think this person is less dedicated to spending time with God, there are those who genuinely cannot get up any earlier than they do.

In today's podcast I answer this question, and talk about various ways we can have quiet times without getting up earlier in the morning.

If this is a question you’re asking yourself right now, be sure to listen in, or watch the episode below.

Today we have another reader question: "How do I fit my quiet time into my schedule."

This question is one that is often asked, in one form or another, and is important to examine because it is a struggle that so many of us face.

Our schedules are so busy these days. This culture has a greater tendency to burn the candle at both ends more than ever before because we have so many more responsibilities and demands for our time.

Making the time for quiet time almost seems like a luxury; so, how do we make it fit?

If this is a question you're asking yourself right now, be sure to listen in, or watch the episode below.

Posts on this topic:

n today's podcast I answer the question, "May I have permission to open my Bible and just start reading?"

Reading the Bible for ourselves, without the voice of man giving us constant commentary, is so vital.

The Holy Spirit wants to speak to us directly, if we give Him the time.

While it is good to listen to good, solid Bible teachers, if we never turn off the noise and allow the Holy Spirit to speak directly to us - and not through a 3rd party - we are missing out on so much.

He wants to speak, but we must have ears to listen.

Today I am taking my podcast in a new direction.

For a long time now, I have been gathering reader questions, and I want to begin answering those questions in my weeky podcast.

If you have a question, you can contact me at rosilind@rosilindjukic.com with your question.

Today I am answering the question, "How can I establish a habit in devotions & obedience and desire to always put God first?"

In this podcast I also give you 5 tools for having a consistent quiet time.

You may also want to check out the following posts I've written on this subject!

In recent months we've watched several Christian leaders fall morally, walk away from their faith, and question God's existence.

What's worse is after the initial news breaks, several more articles leak more alleged claims of even worse behavior.

What should our response be to these events?

That's what I tackle in today's podcast. I hope you tune in, and be sure to share this podcast with your friends!

9 months ago, our whole world was turned on its head.

We were told "just until we flatten the curve", and when the curve flattened and not much changed, we were told "we need to prepare for a 2nd wave".

I am going to assume that the world going into a 2nd lockdown in less than a year means we're in a "2nd wave".

But as my sister and I were talking the other day, she pointed something out that has been niggling at me, but hadn't yet been verbalized the way she verbalized it.

And that's the topic of today's podcast.

I love the song, "This is how I fight my battles" - clothed in a garment of praise.

But there is more of our armor we need for this spiritual battle we're in.

So, this is how the church fights her battles...are you ready?

Recently there have been several Christian leaders who have fallen morally; but they are only a reflection of what is happening in the church today.  

Several years ago, it seemed that every week I saw a blog post about why modesty was a message that devalued women and chipped away at their confidence.  

There are YouTube channels who routinely mock and parody Girl Defined for their message of purity and modesty.  

In today’s podcast I share about how I was on the receiving end of an out-of-balance modesty message, but why I still refuse to throw out the message of modesty and purity.  

Here are some additional links for you on this subject:

If you suspect your child has, or if you know someone with a child who has, developmental language disorder (MERLD), be sure to share this podcast with them.   

In today's podcast, I share with you what I'm doing in our homeschool to help our children in their language development, and how it is helping them make huge strides!  

Disclaimer: If you suspect your child has a disorder, be sure to have them examined by a trusted specialist and work on their development in cooperation with that specialist.

I hope this podcast encourages you today!

Are you falling behind in your homeschool plan for this year? 

Maybe you're feeling lost and not sure if you're doing the right thing. 

Like you're going to fail your kids in a colossal way.  Can I tell you a secret?   You are not alone! 

Today I'm sharing with you 4 things that help me when I start feeling anxious and worried.   

He is an author, podcaster, blogger, and pastor of over 50 years.

He is Senior Pastor at Living Faith Church in Hermiston, OR and has been speaking for the past 2 months on the sacredness of the Church - as he takes his church through the book of 1st Corinthians.

I asked him to join me for part 2 of this podcast to look further at the question: Is Jesus really bigger than Sunday....or sermons.

I think you'll really enjoy his answer to this important question, as he addresses it head on; but with love and grace.

While you're here, be sure to check him out:

So, I've seen this meme and t-shirt ad on Facebook a lot: "Jesus is bigger than Sunday". And it's had me thinking.

Yes, we know God is bigger than everything, but what is bigger message behind this catchy statement?

What does the Bible say and what does this mean for us in 2020; during COVID-19, pandemic, and lockdown? That is what we're tackling in today's podcast!

As women - wives, mothers, grandmothers, career women - exhaustion most often does not come with an opportunity to stop and rest.

In fact, most often, we are forced to press on despite the exhaustion.

How can we find a place of inner rest when we're exhausted and forced to keep going? That's what we'll explore in today's podcast episode.

I hope it's a blessing to you.

Below are all of the places you can find me and my podcast, or just watch this video.

If you've ever gone off the Ketogenic way of eating, you know it can be hard to get back on.

I am in the process of getting back on the wagon and back into Ketosis right now; and in today's podcast I share with you what I'm doing to stay consistent each day.

I am so excited to start this podcast!

Below are all of the places you can find me and my podcast, or just watch this video.

⬇️⬇️⬇️ Let's Be Friends!⬇️⬇️⬇️