Author Archives:

About Jan Kern

Author, speaker, life & creativity coach who writes a reflective blog about living courageously at www.jankern.com

A Season’s Gifts

Posted on January 5, 2012

Winter. In many parts of the world it is the season of rest. Nature hibernates or slows. Our winter in northern California has yet to fully rest. Today I took a walk in a warm sunshine that felt like spring, … Continue reading →

Posted in devotional, expectation, hope, living fully, relationship with God, slowing, thankfulness | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Expectations

Posted on July 13, 2011

Expectations. Usually I’m not conscious of how incessantly they drive my thoughts, play with my choices, nip at my perspective of myself or my relationships. But if I make room for a shift . . . What if I live … Continue reading →

Posted in courage, finding our voice, living fully | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Cherry Pits . . . and Eventually Grace

Posted on July 11, 2011

A family incident, when my children were young and when my husband and I were visiting my father, has become representative for me of my relationship with my father . . . and grace. At one of our meals, a … Continue reading →

Posted in family, finding our voice, living fully | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Born To . . .

Posted on May 12, 2011

I just listened to a local news story about a 90-year-old woman who travels to a pediatric center every Thursday to hold babies. She is described as having a “deeply peaceful presence” as she spends her hours holding the precious … Continue reading →

Posted in life design, living fully | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Invitation of Slowing

Posted on April 9, 2011

For several years now I have sensed God’s invitation for me to slow my life and discover the richness I otherwise miss in keeping a frenetic pace. Imagine what it would be like if instead of speeding down a highway … Continue reading →

Posted in slowing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Fully You

Posted on April 6, 2011

What a difference it makes in our day, in our relationships, in our intimacy with God when we courageously live the intricacy of our unique design. ‎”Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t … Continue reading →

Posted in finding our voice, living fully, relationship with God, teens, women, women in ministry | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

From Thorns to Fragrance

Posted on March 26, 2011

The time in my life had been extremely difficult, and my body was physically and severely responding to the stress. A friend stopped by my house to share a gift of encouragement. With it came this quote: Note this bit of gorse bush. The … Continue reading →

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self-injury–back on our radar

Posted on February 19, 2010

Self-injury. Thankfully now many have become more aware of what it is and how to encourage or help someone they know who is struggling. March 1st was designated–though not entirely officially–as National Self-Injury Awareness Day. But what happens when the issue … Continue reading →

Posted in self-injury, teens | Tagged , | 6 Comments

teens and sex : Oprah and Christianity Today

Posted on August 6, 2009

Recently I had a conversation with a parent of a young adult who is now out of the house, has chosen not to live according to his parents’ faith values, and who is in a new relationship. The father said, … Continue reading →

Posted in parents, sex, teen sexuality, teens, youth pastors | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

teen/young adult small groups that make a real difference

Posted on July 22, 2009

A safe place. Somewhere to talk about the tough issues—the real issues. To test and see if it’s okay to ask the questions, to tell someone what’s been going on inside . . . maybe for the first time. Today … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible study, small group, teens, young adults | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments