You're Invited to Come "Set Up Stones"

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When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” …And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’…so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” 
Joshua 4:1-24 (ESV)

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 Go & See excerpt below (adapted for this post) 

Why is it so easy to forget and seemingly so hard to remember?

​Why do I forget that I serve a God who is so extremely original that he provides me with a purpose and calling 100 percent unique to me?
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This obstacle of forgetfulness is not a new struggle for humanity. I love Joshua 4 for this reason: it shows us that God knows that his people have a hard time remembering his love and provision for them. It also shows that the stories of his love and provision are to be passed from generation to generation, and that we are to build up “stones of remembrance” for ourselves and those who will come after us to remind us of the times God has been highly inventive in changing our circumstances or our hearts. Because he knows we will forget, he commands that we set up physical reminders.
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What might Joshua 4 look like in this generation?

What might it look like in your life and mine?  

​I don’t know that 12 stones stacked in a pile is the answer. But it might be for those of you who are into landscaping. For me, the first step is taking the time to force myself to remember and reflect. I am a runner and a mom of four, so the best place for me to do this is either out on the road or with a cup of coffee prior to my kids waking in the morning. Being silent before the Lord lets him take my thoughts and soul on little mini journeys down memory lane. The second step is setting aside time periodically to write down a few of the thousands of thoughts that have gone through my head during my minutes of running and morning stillness.
 
What I have discovered is that when I create this rhythm of remembrance, reflection, and recording in my life, I see God more clearly. I see his love more frequently, and I settle in more peacefully to whom he has made me and the calling he has for me right now.

End of excerpt. 

​There is one more aspect to "setting up stones," one that moves beyond individual rhythms and disciplines and into the community. And this is celebrations--creating experiences to both give God thanks and glory and to "set-up" a shared memory that documents that "at this time, on this day we are celebrating together what God has done."

So, with a heart like Joshua and those who crossed over the Jordan (who got to witness God as a provider), I want to invite you to join me and my family in documenting, by way of having a celebration,  God's gifts and provision in the 3-year writing and publishing journey of, Go & See.  

I pray that the evening will bless, inspire and encourage you, creating a memorable moment to look back on and be reminded that God is still in the business of miracles and using his people to accomplish the work he has set each of us in our places to do.  ​

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​Please, grab a ticket to join the celebration. There will be some snacks, desserts and drinks and we want to make sure we don't run out; so, jump on over up to this link to save your spot. (You can also pre-purchase the book at the same link.) 

Bring the whole family (or make it a date-night)--this isn't just for the ladies! It took my whole village to get this book published so I want to celebrate with my whole village because really it is just a big THANK YOU party!

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Jaclyn is a wife, mom, educator, visionary, and avid runner who uses her writing to pick up and examine life, culture, faith and running, probing to discover the awe of God who is sovereign over it all. She is a firm believer in the powerful, effectiveness of the body of Christ united together to live out the Great Commission. Because we are stronger, healthier and lovelier when living on mission together, she desires to help others know their unique design and purpose for such a time as this. Invite her to come teach at your event or retreat by heading to her Go & See. page. ​