The Invitation

I took a little break... Here's why... Please forgive me... And let's get back to it! ~Lauren

Tyler Jarvis is the Worship Pastor & Director of Services at Grace Marietta Church in Marietta Georgia. At 14yo Tyler discovered his love for music when his father gifted him a guitar for Christmas. Now at age 26 he is a singer, songwriter and produces his own music. Tyler enjoys being on the road sharing his music with various communities (when Covid is not a factor). Our conversation was funny and lively. I am so encouraged after our conversation. Find out more about Tyler at...https://instagram.com/thetylerjarvis?igshid=407y7bhy3lgl --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Renewal's Fall Event is just 10 days away on Saturday October 17th from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Here's a sneak peek of what to expect on that day. If you haven't signed up yet go do that now at...https://www.renewalwomen.com/

Welcome back Susan Carson! Last season she joined us as an Enneagram 4. On today's episode she takes us to a very personal and vulnerable place in her life. Not once, but twice, Susan has battled breast cancer. Her story is filled with wisdom and encouragement for those of us who don't choose a left turn but land in one. You can find out more about Susan Carson at https://www.susancarson.net/ & https://www.rootsandbranchesnetwork.com/rootedprayer --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Yesterday was a big day with the verdict surrounding the Breonna Taylor Case. Today I don't need you to hear more of my voice. Today is a day to LISTEN, LAMENT & LEARN. Compassion follows listening. We can't have compassion for others if we are not willing to listen to their stories. Today I am listening and lamenting and learning and my hope is that you would choose to do the same.

Part 2 with CHARLIE HINES! In this episode Charlie shares with us his most recent invitation aka "Left Turn" (during Covid). Charlie Hines is a Worship Pastor, Song Writer, Podcaster, Voiceover Artist. He is the owner of Cave Records Recording Studio. Charlie is responsible for recording Kristan Dooley's new book "Left Turns, Following Jesus off the Beaten Path". Charlie's story of following Jesus off the beaten path is relatable, full of wisdom and so encouraging. http://www.charliehines.com/recording-studio.html --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Charlie Hines is a Worship Pastor, Song Writer, Podcaster, Voiceover Artist. He is the owner of Cave Records Recording Studio. Charlie is responsible for recording Kristan Dooley's new book "Left Turns, Following Jesus off the Beaten Path". Charlie's story of following Jesus off the beaten path is relatable, full of wisdom and so encouraging. This is part one. Stay tuned next week for part two. http://www.charliehines.com/recording-studio.html --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Kristan is an Author, Speaker and a Pastor at Anthem House Church in West Chester, Ohio. She has become one of my dearest friends and ink so incredible thankful to have her as my co-host for season 3 of The Invitation Podcast. Kristan's heart for following after Jesus wholeheartedly is absolutely contagious. She has a God-given gift with words whether spoken or written. Her words can be so profound and simple at the same time. Find out more about her at www.kristandooley.com. You call follow her on Facebook and Instagram. Kristan's latest book is "Left Turns: following Jesus off the beaten path". --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This season we are talking to guests who have been through (or are going through) LEFT TURNS in life. They have said yes to following Jesus off the beaten path. I couldn't be more excited to share these stories with you. There's nothing better to me then hearing the good news of how the Lord has revealed His goodness to someone in the midst of uncharted territory.

Holley Alexander is with us on this Episode. She is our pastor's wife at Anthem House Church. She is a Child Life Specialist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Holley has the sweetest hint of a southern accent and one of the kindest & most generous humans I know. I (Lauren) am also a 9, So we will both talk about what goes on in the mind of a couple 9s. This is the FINAL episode in this series " ENNEGRAM WITH FRIENDS". Thank you so much for following along! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode we talk to an Enneagram 8, "the Challenger". 8s are confident and assertive. They fight for justice in a bold and courageous way. Alton Alexander is the pastor of Anthem House Church in West Chester, Ohio. He joins us today to talk about his perspective and personal growth as an Enneagram 8. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Matt and Andrew are best buds, neighbors and infinite hobby connoisseurs. They are both enneagram sevens with a high capacity for fun. They are outgoing, personable, the life of the party, and they include everyone they love in everything they love. Take a listen to this episode and if you're up for it stick around through the end for some bonus conversation with them. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this BONUS episode I sit down with Kristen Dooley as she shares with us the vision and heart behind RENEWAL. She tells us a little bit about each of the Renewal events (Retreat, Worship Night & Discipleship One Day). We also talk about what's coming up next on Saturday March 7, 2020. For this event Renewal is partnering with Roots and Branches for this Enneagram One Day. Jenny Jackson is going to lead this workshop to help us discover and learn about our own Ennegram number and learn the basics of the nine different Ennegram personality types to help us understand and better interact with others in our lives. You won't want to miss this one day!

Jaime is a LOYAL friend, wife & mother. She is the founder of a ministry called Mom's on Mission here in the Cincinnati area that blesses the socks off of our community! Everyone wants a friend like Jamie by their side. Join us as she shares with us what it's like to have an "inner committee" in her mind and how she has learned to seek the Fathers voice first above others. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode with Christina Stout she helps us understand what goes on in the mind of an Enneagram 5. She is a lover of books and considers herself and "iconoclast". She helps us understand why it's important for 5s to guard their resources (time, energy, emotional availability). Come along with us in today's conversation, you won't be disappointed. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Jenny Jackson and Susan Carson join us for our discussion with Enneagram 4s. Susan is the founder of a Healing Prayer Ministry in the Cincinnati area called Roots and Branches. Jenny Jackson is and Enneagram Consultant at Roots and Branches. They are both Enneagram 4s in their own unique way. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Enneagram Type 3's are driven & adaptable doers. Dana and Kristan are both 3s and give us insight into how 3s can honor the Lord with their "chameleon-like" gift. They also talk to us about how 3s find rest and how to "just be" when it doesn't come so easy for them. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Join us as we talk to Megan about her Two-ness.  She is an Ennegram 2: The Helper.  In true Megan Sites fashion this episode is so fun and so very insightful.  We loved every minute with Megan and could not be more excited to share this conversation with you! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Liz Singleton is with us today. She is an Enneagram Type 1: The Reformer. She resonates with type ones and their high moral standards, list-making and she's a woman who gets stuff done. The world is better off with her in it. Come along with us while we dive into a little bit of what goes on in her brain as a Type 1. She gives us some insight into how she has found compassion for herself & those around her using the Enneagram tool. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Jenny Jackson is an Enneagram Consultant at Roots & Branches in Cincinnati. She has studied the Enneagram for years and her expertise in this area is so insightful. Jenny explains how, "The enneagram is a tool of compassion.  Compassion for yourself, and compassion for others." Let's get started! https://www.rootsandbranchesnetwork.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Come along with us as we dive into some really amazing conversations with some of our favorite people. In this series we will discuss how each of us are uniquely created with a devine purpose. As we discuss each of the 9 Enneagram types our hope it's that you feel invited into a deeper understanding of yourself and others around you.

Come along with me while I look back on 2019 and dream ahead for 2020.   What would The Father have to say about your past year, and how would He dream with you for what's up ahead?  I'll also let you in on the details for SEASON 2 coming out in February 2020!!

Trust is something that infuses itself into our daily life whether we know it or not. Whether it's trusting that your car will start in the morning or trusting that the God of the universe has good plans for you... Trust is something we all experience in one form or another. Here is a little peek into my brain and heart about where I actually struggle with trust and what I've been learning.

Sometimes invitations are simple, practical or mundane. Does God care about the simple things in our life? Isn't he too busy to care about my storage room or my exercises plan? The God I know cares about the things I care about. Come along with me while I take my first few step in one of my practical, mundane invitations.

It's easy to be thankful when things are going well, when everyone's happy and agreeable and life is what you hoped for. It's another thing to be thankful in the midst of some of the hardest seasons in life. Come along with me and I'll talk to you a little bit about how I'm choosing thankfulness in the midst of a situation that doen't exactly present itself as something to be thankful for.

In this episode I will talk to my dear friend Christina Stout (Enneagram 5) about some of her invitations over the past few years. She is so fun to have conversation with and has so much insight into the process of saying yes to the invitations in front of us. I'm so excited to share her with you!

Sometimes connection with people in our life is easy, fun, and appealing. Other times it's something we want to run from like the plague. How did Jesus connect with his best friends when things were tough? And what is His invitation for us when connection is complicated?

Sometimes we have perfectly planned out and executed days. But most of the time I procrastinated so much that I'm flying by the seat of my pants and everything mostly turns out okay. Here's a little look into my head on a busy Halloween day. Over the past couple years I might have geeked out on the enneagram quite a bit. Overall it really has been a helpful tool to develop more self-awareness and recognize invitations in the midst of everyday life.

Wouldn't it be nice if every day after school was a beautiful reunification of child and mother with warm cookies and ice cold milk? If I'm being honest it hardly ever looks like that? How do we say yes to an invitation in the midst of the yuck?

Have you ever had an idea pop in your head and your first thought is this is, "this is a great idea!" And the very next thought is, "this is the dumbest idea I've ever had". Welcome to my Brain when given an invitation.

This podcast is just a little bit about Lauren (your host) and why the word "invitation" has been so important to her.

We get invitations everyday for birthday parties, dinner parties, work functions, etc. Some we say yes to, some we say no, sometimes maybe. What if there's an invitation we have every day that we don't even recognize. What if there was an invitation that if we knew how amazing it was we would never want to turn it down! Sit with me and let's talk about the invitation of a lifetime.