Radical Connection
SHARING LIFE & DISCOVERING HOPE
We were created for radical connection with God and others—authentic, balanced, and intentional relationships rooted in love and steeped in prayer. God’s tender soul-care brings renewal and healing of our grief, trauma, and shame.
CONNECTION WITH GOD
RADICAL CONNECTION
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29)
We were created for deep, transformative connection with God. Even when life feels overwhelming, lonely, or exhausting, God invites us to draw near, to rest in His presence, and to trust in His steadfast love. This connection is not about perfect faith or feeling worthy; it’s about opening our hearts, allowing His Spirit to meet us where we are, and experiencing His gentle guidance and comfort. As we lean into Him, we find strength, hope, and renewal for each step of the journey.
Exploring Prayer
Linger Longer with Jesus
Jesus is our true north, the Spirit is our guide, and God is with us every step of the way. Explore dozens of prayer resources rooted in ancient Biblical traditions, and encounter God in extraordinary new ways. (Ancient Practices • Modern Rhythms)
Request Prayer
How can we pray for you?
Requesting prayer is as quick as a few keystrokes, and it’s always safe, secure, and without judgment. You are not alone! Intercessory prayer is the foundation of our community. You are welcome here!
Emotions Wheel
How Do You Really Feel?
Lean into Jesus as you explore the emotional nuances of feeling bad, afraid, angry, disgusted, sad, happy, and surprised with free printable emotion wheels.
Gift of Hope
Discovering Hope—our gift just for you.
Sometimes, we just need to know someone cares, and that hope is possible in the midst of illness and pain. Are you ready to rekindle hope and lean into Jesus? Learn more and request your free copy.
Grief
Mourning our Losses
Grief is no stranger to those of us affected by chronic illness, mental illness, pain, and suffering. While there are no rules for grieving chronic loss, there is a road map, and fellow travelers are ahead and behind us on the journey. Grief often precedes growth.
Self-Care
Kindness Multiplied
When we are kind and generous with ourselves, we can pour kindness and love overflowing into others. Take time and take care of you, because you are God’s beloved.
Shame
God’s Love as the Antidote to Shame
Shame tells us we are unworthy of being seen, known, or loved, but God’s love shatters the shackles of shame in chronic illness and pain.
Trauma Soul-Care
Safe. Secure. Loved.
The fear, shame, and pain of our pasts can keep us feeling unwanted and unlovable. However, God sees, hears, knows, and loves us. We are always safe in God’s abundant love, no matter what.
COURAGEOUS CONNECTION (WITH OTHERS)
RADICAL CONNECTION
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. (Matthew 18:20)
It takes brave intentionality to connect with others, especially when grief, trauma, or shame weigh heavily on our hearts. Isolation, loneliness, feeling forgotten about, and not being believed can cloud our view of connecting. Yet when we step into relationships with God’s tender guidance, He leads us toward renewal and healing. Authentic connection grows as we listen with compassion, share gently, and allow His love to shape how we engage with others—offering presence, extending grace, care, and encouragement even in the hardest moments—often offering what we wished we had received.
Caregiving
Caregivers Walk Their Unique Path through Illness and Pain.
A caregiver’s role can be rewarding and exhausting, difficult and joy-filled, meaningful and frustrating, isolating and inspiring—discovering God’s joy as you care for your loved ones.
Creative Sparks
Be Brave. Be Curious. Create!
Though too few of us would call ourselves creative, that amazing grace gift is woven into our DNA. As we engage with God, He ignites our curiosity, waking us to wonder and the joy of possibility. Today, be brave. Be curious. Create! Engage your senses, explore your story, and experience God in fresh, new, creative, and colorful ways. (Resources for Story, Allegory, Metaphor, and Poetry.)
#ConnectByText
Never Underestimate the Power of a Simple Text!
Looking for a way to connect with, inspire, encourage, and love on others? Text them! Never underestimate the power of a simple text.
Friend-Raising
Cultivate. Strengthen. Build. It’s all about relationship.
Friend-raising starts with a story—with our why: why we give, get involved, pray, and invest our time, talents, and resources in the mission and ministry of Chronic Joy®. And the best part? You only need a good friend or two to start!
Intentional Kindness
Intentional Kindness Radiates Like the Son!
Intentional Kindness is an act of love—an intentional and purposeful choice—grace that makes the journey brighter for all of us! Be intentionally kind, and you, too, will radiate like the Son.
Leaders (Servant-Hearted)
In the Eyes of Jesus, We’re All Leaders.
What does it mean to listen, lead, and love like Jesus? Each of us is a unique member of the body of Christ with different life experiences, so leading well requires constant dependence on the Spirit to grow as servant-hearted leaders.
#PenToPaper
A Ministy of Connection
Handwritten notes remind someone they are thought of, cared about, and prayed for. Short notes bring a sweet touch of encouragement. • Your words can be a glimmer of hope to someone who is hurting.
Prayer Shawls
Kindness in Every Stitch
Prayer shawls are blessings of connection, kindness, comfort, and compassion, stitched with prayer and gifted to those who are struggling with illness, pain, anxiety, depression, loneliness, loss, or grief—a gift to the maker and the receiver.
#StepRepPray
Movement at the Pace of Grace
The fear, shame, and pain of our pasts can keep us feeling unwanted and unlovable. However, God sees. #StepRepPray is an invitation to meet with God in movement—always at the pace of grace. With each step or every rep, seek God’s guidance, worship and praise Him, thank Him for the gift of movement, and lift your heart in prayer for others.
Prayers to Help Us Connect
May you find courageous connections for your journey with these prayers, first with Jesus and then (by the power of the Holy Spirit) with another person.
The Heart of Radical Connection
Radical connection isn’t about who we click with or are comfortable with. It’s about forming deep relationships and investing in the people Jesus lays on our hearts to connect with on this leg of the journey.
24 Questions & Prayers for Gatherings
Gatherings are times for reminiscing, laughter, and catching up. Yet sometimes, we carry past hurts, broken trust, and lingering disagreements with us. Asking intentional questions is a great way to invite conversation, grow empathy, facilitate trust, and strengthen relationships. Let’s lead with prayer, kindness, forgiveness, the hope of reconciliation, and the love of Jesus as we gather.
Ministry of Presence
The Ministry of Presence is one of the greatest gifts we can offer to another. Whether we cry with, pray with, listen to, or simply sit in silence beside another, our presence carries the deep, deep love of Christ, telling someone, “You matter. Your story matters. You are seen, you are loved, and I am choosing to be with you.”
33 Biblical One Anothers
Pray through these 33 Biblical One Another Verses, meditating on what it means to love one another deeply from the heart as we learn to walk each other home selflessly.
One Anothering
Relationships can be challenging, especially with chronic illness. God can help us learn to practice "one anothering" meaningfully.
Ministry of Reconciliation
The word "reconcile" (Greek root kapar, meaning to change or exchange) means to bring together or heal what is broken and encompasses our relationships with God and one another.
Gratitude Note Starters
Gratitude invites us into the wonder and awe of God’s expansive creation. Eager to see and thirsty to notice God’s handiwork. We begin to experience the exquisite joy of the Lord. What a beautiful gift to share God’s joy and our gratitude with friends and loved ones.
POSTS TO PONDER
Intentional Questions
Asking generous questions and listening intently from the heart is an extraordinary gift on both sides of the conversation.
Love Without Labels
To love without labels we must take the time to talk to others and ask questions. Search for that deep treasure within the one who is hurting and longing for a touch of kindness and fellowship.
Radiate Love through Intentional Kindness
Sometimes intentional kindness begins without much thought. It’s just a risk and reaction in the moment. Then comes the doubt, the fear. Can I really radiate kindness? But without the risk, there is little hope that the hunger for friendship and connection will ever be filled. But with it we radiate love.