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Sanctuary Stirrings: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Lori G Melton
Compelling conversations for passionate followers of Jesus, longing to stay open, unhindered, undistracted, and excited about the adventure of walking with Him. You’ll be inspired by each episode and leave with helpful practices to deepen your intimacy with God and others and take one more step in becoming all you were created to be.
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- 3 days ago23 min
Cheers to 40 Years Pt 2: In It For the Long Haul with special guest Bryan Melton
Welcome back to Episode 3 of our Sanctuary Stirrings Fall Series!This week, we’re continuing our conversation about thegift of marriage with a man who, by the grace of God, has walked beside me for 40 years—my husband, the one-and-only Bryan Melton.And today, September 19, 2026, we’re celebratingour 40th anniversary!We’re picking up exactly where we left off—with myroommates giving me five minutes to call Bryan back … to our very un-Pinterest-worthy proposal (which may or may not have happened in a Burger King parking lot!) … to some of what we’ve learned about building a life together and being in it for the long haul.It’s a story formed less in the extraordinary and morein the beautiful, ordinary places where God has met us along the way.Then join us next week for the final part of our conversationas we talk about one of the most beautiful gifts we’ve discovered in lifelong marriage: walking out the Lord’s callings together … and the story of how The Sanctuary at Bear Creek was born.----Resources Connected to this Episode: Missed Part 1 of this conversation? Click here to Catch Up: Cheers to 40 Years, Pt 1: The Gift of Marriage· Becoming One: Do We Really Have To Pray Together?Article · A Little More Room For Us: 100 Devotions for the EmptyNest Couple by Charlotte and Gordy Guest -----Thanks so much for joining me today!For more resources to help you grow in your relationship with God and one another, or information about the Prayer Cabin, visit lorigmelton.com and thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com.
- 1 weeks ago36 min
#60 Cheers to 40 Years! Celebrating the Gift of Marriage with special guest, Bryan Melton
Welcome to Episode 2 of the Sanctuary Stirrings Fall Series!I’m especially excited about this episode because I’m joined by the MOST IMPORTANT guest I’ve ever had—or ever will have—on the podcast: my husband of 40 years, the one and only Bryan Melton!This is Part One of our “Cheers to 40 Years” conversation, as we look back over four decades together and reflect on the gift of marriage and what God has taught us along the way.In this episode, you’ll get to know Bryan a little better—my husband, former DJ, and the visionary behind the Sanctuary at Bear Creek. We talk about the very different families and ideas about marriage we grew up with, what we each brought into our relationship, and the miraculous—and slightly quirky!—story of how God brought us together.In a time when ideas about marriage, relationships, men and women, and what it means to build a life together continue to shift, we go back to the beginning and ask some bigger questions:Why did God create marriage? What makes it such a gift? What can happen when God brings two very different people together to journey through life side by side?Come along for this personal, fun, and faith-filledconversation as Bryan and I celebrate 40 years together and reflect on God’s beautiful gift of marriage.---Resources Connected to This Episode:Alive! But God Was Already Rewriting the StoryBecoming One: Do We Really Have to Pray Together? -----Thanks so much for joining me today!For more resources to help you grow in your relationship with God and one another, information about the Prayer Cabin, and details about our upcoming fall retreat, visit lorigmelton.com and thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com.
- 2 weeks ago10 min
#59 Before We Rush Into Fall: A Labor Day Examen
Before we rush into all that fall holds, what if we tooka few moments to look back?Join me for this opening episode of the Fall Series tohear what’s been happening at The Sanctuary at Bear Creek, get a sneak peek at the conversations coming to the podcast this fall, and receive a simple Labor Day Examen—a practice of looking back over the summer with God and remembering His goodness--using something you already have in your hand: your phone. So good to be back with you again, and looking forward to all the blessings ahead! ---Resources You May Enjoy Connected to this Episode:Ep 58 When a Book Becomes a Mentor: Reading as Discipleship with Sue DonaldsonMaking Space For God: The Blessing of 24 Hour Retreats with Joel HoganGratefulness by George HerbertThe One Who Jesus Loves Fall Silence & Solitude RetreatJourney with a Giant: Choose Your Guide, Pursue Your Purpose, and Grow in Your Walk with God by Lori G Melton****Thanks so much for joining me today. You can find more resources for growing in your relationship with God and one another, information about the Prayer Cabin, and details about our upcoming fall retreat at lorigmelton.com and thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com.You can also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
- Apr 30, 202655 min
#58 When a Book Becomes a Mentor: Reading as Discipleship with Sue Donaldson
On this final episode of the Spring Series, join host Lori G. Melton to explore reading as a vital piece of our discipleshipthrough a conversation with speaker and author Sue Donaldson about Oswald Chambers’ devotional My Utmost for His Highest and its impact on Sue’s life withGod for over 50 years. Sue recounts receiving the book from her sister in 1972, keeping annotated copies through major life moments, and returning to read it daily in 2021 while journaling prayers. She highlights Chambers’ central call to complete surrender and being “abandoned to God,” along with themes likehumility, worry, and “trusting God and doing the next thing.” Sue shares Chambers’ biography, including his chaplaincyin Egypt during WWI and early death, and explains how his wife Biddy’s shorthand notes and hospitality enabled the devotional’s creation and enduring influence, connecting these lessons to Sue’s own ministry of hospitality andwriting. Reading as a vital part of our discipleship — the perfect topic to complete this series focused on the practices that form us over a lifetime! Resources: Welcomeheart.com to learn more about Sue Donaldson Never Alone: Stories of Invitation & Connection by Sue DonaldsonMy Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers Abandoned to God by David McCasland The Woman Who Was Chesterton by Nancy Carpentier Brown Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti CalahanJourney with a Giant: Choose Your Guide, Pursue Your Purpose, and Grow in Your Walk with God by Lori G. Melton. Take the next step in your spiritual formation and embark on a year-long journey alongside a giant of the faith, inspired by the author’s year learning from the life of Mister Fred Rogers, America’s Favorite Neighbor.Articles You May Enjoy: When a Book Becomes a Mentor: Reading as Discipleship For more encouragement and resources to grow in your relationship with God a
- Apr 22, 202655 min
#57 Living the Sabbath Way with Travis West
Sabbath … One of the most precious gifts that God gave to all of creation at the beginning of time. Yet, one that is misunderstood or completely missing in our lives today. It’s a gift that our world--with its incessant speed, exhaustion, search for meaning and connection, needs now more than ever. Yet, a topic surrounded by controversy and conflicting perspectives. Many of us have put it on the shelf. But something inside keeps saying, “There’s a gift here that we’re missing.” That’s why I’m so excited about this conversation with author and seminary professor, Travis West, about his new book The Sabbath Way: Making Room for Rest, Connection, and Delight. Listen in and receive not just a day off … but a way of living that will shape your work, identity, community--and a vital key to the shalom you long to bring to the world. Resources:Travis-West.com to find more information about Travis, the sabbath, and slowing your life down to the speed of love.The Sabbath Way: Making Room for Rest, Connection, and Delight by Travis West. This book invites readers to rediscover Sabbath as a transformative rhythm meant to shape not just one day, but an entire way of life.Design Your First Sabbath Worksheet The Sabbath = Delight? No Way ... Or Is It? Accompanying Article to this week's conversation.The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel … A Sabbath classic and Travis’ top pick for Sabbath reading.Journey with a Giant: Choose Your Guide, Pursue Your Purpose, and Grow in Your Walk with God by Lori G. Melton. Take the next step in your spiritual formation and embark on a year-long journey alongside a giant of the faith, inspired by the author’s year learning from the life of Mister Fred Rogers, America’s Favorite Neighbor.Other Articles You May Enjoy:Children of God or Slaves: Receive the Gift of the SabbathThe Mantle Top SevenFor more encouragement and resources to grow in your relationship with God and others, visit lorigmelton.com or thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com. You can also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
- Apr 14, 20267 min
#56 Discovering God's Will Through Others
Faith is not always expressed in the ways we might expect--like kneeling in the Church sanctuary, reciting holy prayers, or putting money in the offering plate. Often, it’s more evident through painful acts of obedience. Tune in to this week’s episode for a story you’ll likely resonate with—one that explores how we discover God’s will not through your own thoughts, emotions, or circumstances alone, but through the voices of others.Resources:The Little Flowers of St. Francis How to Hear God: A Simple Guide for Normal People by Pete Grieg, pg 202 From No to Know: What Am I Saying No To? Glordinary podcast with Stacy HomesOther articles you may enjoy: And Then, There Was Francis For more encouragement and resources to grow in your relationship with God and others, visit lorigmelton.com or thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com. You can also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
- Apr 7, 202646 min
#55 The Gift of the Body of Christ Throughout the Centuries with Ben Lansing
On this episode, Lori G. Melton welcomes artist, Anglican deacon, and author Ben Lansing to discuss his book, Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era and Place, and how the lives of the saints point us to Jesus and strengthen us in the “messy” times we live.Burdened to offer what he could during the COVID pandemic, Ben began sharing portraits of the saints on Instagram—along with short histories and meaningful quotes. What began as a simple offering quickly revealed a deep hunger, as people found themselves longing for more. That faithful beginning grew into a powerful devotional featuring 52 saints from across centuries, continents, genders, and vocations—pairing biographies, prayers, and pastoral reflections, along with a companion podcast.Together, they reflect on how the saints laid a beautiful and powerful foundation for our faith—enriching the body of Christ and reminding us we are not alone in our journey.Resources Mentioned:You can find Ben Lansing, the Our Church Speaks Book, Podcast, and Art Series on his website: OurChurchSpeaks.comJourney with a Giant: Choose Your Guide, Pursue Your Purpose, and Grow in Your Walk with God by Lori G. Melton. Take the next step in your spiritual formation and embark on a year-long journey alongside a giant of the faith, inspired by the author's year learning from the life of Mister Fred Rogers, America's favorite neighbor.Other articles you may enjoy: “All Saints Day” … What Are We Supposed to Do with the Saints Anyway?For more encouragement and resources to grow in your relationship with God and others, visit lorigmelton.com or thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com. You can also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
- Mar 31, 202641 min
#54 Holy Leisure: Transform Your Quiet Time from Duty to Delight with Cara Ray
In this episode, Lori G. Melton welcomes writer and Bibleteacher, Cara Ray, to discuss moving from a checklist “quiet time” to an unhurried, Spirit-directed, joyful way of knowing God she calls “holy leisure,” drawn from a phrase Cara discovered in Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. Cara shares how lifelong pressure to be consistent in daily quiet time left her feeling like a failure and jealous of others’ insights, until pursuing holy leisure changed both the priority and quality of her time with God through practices like journaling Scripture, slowing down, silence, and savoring God’s goodness, truth, and beauty. They connect the concept to examples such as Psalm 27:4,Mary at Jesus’ feet, and saints like Corrie ten Boom. The perfect episode to walk with you toward Easter—inviting you to experience the living relationship made possible through the blood of Jesus, and to find your time with God gently renewed as you listen.Resources Mentioned in this Episode: The Pursuit of Holy Leisure: Enjoying God in Everyday Places by Cara RayPaths of the Righteous: Psalm 23 in the Lives of Faithful Missionaries & Witnesses for Christ by Cara Ray5 Easy Ways to Worship Jesus This Easter Week ArticleFor more encouragement and resources to grow in your relationship with God and others, visit lorigmelton.com or thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com. You can also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
About Sanctuary Stirrings
Compelling conversations for passionate followers of Jesus, longing to stay open, unhindered, undistracted, and excited about the adventure of walking with Him. You’ll be inspired by each episode and leave with helpful practices to deepen your intimacy with God and others and take one more step in becoming all you were created to be.
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