The Fast 5 (#011) 💙

encouragement + grateful + links

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Hello, friends!

In early October, I attended an afternoon session of the 2024 Painters, Poets, & Prophets gathering. This year’s conference was held in my hometown. My best friend received complementary admission, and she invited me to tag along!

Painters, Poets, & Prophets is “an interdisciplinary gathering designed to cultivate spiritual imagination and promote creative partnership in pursuit of Christ’s work of New Creation” and a part of HopeWords.org (Hope Writers’ Conference).

Now, I am not a painter, unless you count the paint-by-number game I enjoy on my iPad. Neither am I a poet, though I do sometimes read poetry. But my friend understands that Christian inspirational writing includes an element of sharing prophetic words to encourage readers. She knows this is an important part of what I do here at, While I Ponder with Karlene.

In addition, all my friend really needed to say was, “On Saturday afternoon, Beth Moore is speaking in the final session. Would you like to hear her?” Over the years, I’ve gone through several Beth Moore bible studies, which always encourage me ‘to no end’. (I wrote ‘to no end’ because it sounds just like something Ms. Beth would say.)

Painters, Poets, & Prophets: An interdisciplinary gathering designed to cultivate spiritual imagination and promote creative partnership in pursuit of Christ’s work of New Creation.

This conference was unlike anything I’ve attended, and I have been to a lot of conferences. The setting was an historic ‘older’ church in the downtown area—beautiful stained-glass, massive pipe organ, creaky pews and all. The atmosphere was welcoming and laid back. The people were kind and friendly.

It honestly felt like a room full of good friends, all seeking encouragement and inspiration for their calling/ministry and daily life. It was refreshing and unexpected.

Yes, if you’re wondering, Beth Moore knocked it out of the park. Her words spoke to my heart, moved me to tears, and encouraged me ‘to no end’. I’m grateful for Christian speakers who lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance.

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In this edition of The Fast 5 I’m sharing a few links applicable to Thanksgiving. I hope you find something on the list that inspires you in preparing for the coming season.

And now, here are a few of my favorite things…