The Spacious Place, with Kari Levang

Latest Episodes:

What if waiting is an invitation? Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

"The past is frozen and no longer flows, and the present is all lit up with eternal rays." C S Lewis

After preparing to speak at a high school retreat, I decided that the content was too good to not share in this space as well. Today we're talking about not only the miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead, but the wonder of Jesus presence in the middle of Mary and Martha's pain.

Our idea of time and our expectations of what God should be like, is far different

than the reality of the truth of who He is.

What if the waiting space we find ourselves in, is actually an invitation into intimacy?

January Schmanuary Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

"The presence of pain, doesn't mean the absence of God"

---unknown

I decided before we move into February with rapid speed, it may do us well to slow down long enough to take inventory of what the last month has been like. I think when we do this, it makes space for us to proceed with a better sense of what we might need. So, in today's episode I share a bit of what January looked like for me, in hopes you might consider doing the same!

The Lord is your Shepherd, you have everything you need.

Psalm 23:1 MSG

A beautiful, messy invitation Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

God is not a concept or an emotion, and he's certainly not a doctrine in a statement of faith or a chapter in a theology book; he is a person, who's burning desire is to know and be known by you. And like in any intimate relationship, there is a kind of knowledge that goes beyond words——a kind you can get only by direct

persont-to-person experience. John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way

We're almost done with our first month of 2024 and boy has it been a doozy so far. Today's episode was basically me preaching to myself and letting you in on it. I'm talking about the Psalms, but honestly it's more about engagement with God than actually reading pages in his book. I make a few observations that felt helpful for me and my hope is that you will go away feeling the same!

My strategy to intentionally grow in my prayer life and an invitation for you! Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

The Word of God is powerful against our internal traffic. …It replaces the internal chatter of life—-the criticism, the comparisons, and the shoulds—-with the truth of what God sees and thinks and feels. And that's a beautiful sound.

Sara Hagerty, Unseen: The gift of being hidden in a world that loves to be noticed

Welcome to the first episode of 2024! Ever feel like your prayer life could use some attention? Today I'm going to share about my desire to grow in this area of my life and the pathway that I'm heading towards to help me move in that direction. I'll share an excerpt from Eugene Peterson and give you an invitation to join me on this adventure!

Goodbye 2023--Hello 2024 Dec 26, 2023

Show notes

The farther I run away from the place where God dwells, the less I'm able to hear the voice that calls me the beloved. And the less I hear that voice, the more entangled I become in the manipulations and power games of the world. Henri Noun

In this episode I'll share a few of the questions that I'm pondering as I look back at 2023 with an honest perspective and look forward to 2024 with hope and expectancy. Now, I realize not everyone likes this type of introspection, but I think it may be different this time than the typical questions of 'how can I be better?'. Come along, have a listen and let me know what you think!

The real issue in self examination is not that I'm inviting God to know me, since He already does, but I'm inviting God to help me, know me. Ruth Haley Barton

Women, Spices, and Ointments --- oh my! Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

"The sweetest joys and delights I have experienced, have not been those that have arisen from a hope of my own estate, but in a direct view of the glorious things of the gospel…I felt an ardency of soul to be, what I know not otherwise how to express….to be full of Christ alone; to love him with a holy, pure love; to trust in Him; to live upon Him; to serve and to follow Him."

Our work matters, and yet, its more than just the work. This episode came directly out of my own time in the Scripture write through plan. I was going through a passage that I've been through no less than a hundred times and yet God still had some things to give me. It's the Living Word! Join me today so you can experience some of His encouragement too!

**Bonus PANIC ATTACK episode Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

Hey there!

Thanks for coming to this space where honesty leads the conversation. I had no intention of recording this, but after some interaction with people on social media, I decided to go ahead and do it. So, this is a follow up to a story I shared on Instagram/Facebook about a panic attack I had. There was enough engagement from people wanting to hear how I actually dealt with it, and shared their own stories of anxiety, that I decided to share! My hope is that if you need it to be, it is helpful, and you'll find that you have another who is walking the same journey as you!

Eat the mystery Nov 28, 2023

Show notes

God give us the grace to embrace mysteries we don't understand,

The cruciform openness to live a tender surrender, into Your ways wiser and kinder than ours, and the deep shalom of simply being with You here, right here, with us.

—-Ann Voskamp

In this episode we're taking a journey through some passages of Scripture together to see that in all the mystery, there is one who invites us to communion with Him. All the places in our lives that feel like unknown and full of fear and questions, become a pathway for relationship and honesty. A place where our vulnerability is welcome and we have a seat at the table prepared just for us!

Come along with me and taste what God has for you!

Thanks for giving....See what I did there:) Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

1 Thessalonians 5:18…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

In this episode I'm having a conversation with some of our long time, dear friends, Joe and Amy Coy. We spent some time talking about what living a life of thanks has been like for them. They shared with me (and now you:), what it has looked like for them in each of their vocational places, in ministry, as well as in their very home as they raised their 5 kids and now live with aging parents.

Joe and Amy are treasured friends and beautiful humans and you'll surely enjoy this conversation with them!

Overcoming evil Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

John Bunyan called believing "sweating work". He once wrote, "He that undertakes to believe, sets upon the hardest task that ever was proposed to man…"

In this episode I'm talking a little bit about what it means to overcome evil. We'll talk about the reality of the battle we are in, as well as the fact that our Jesus has ultimately bought us victory. We'll talk of the communal nature of the battle and I'll share a little of my own experience--- I'll even share a vulnerable piece, with you, at the end that I wrote during a writing exercise.

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