Alan Fadling's Blog, page 8

UL #324: The Need for Limits

 

Crafting a rhythm of life isn’t just about adding more to your schedule—it’s about making intentional choices that shape who you’re becoming. Inspired by Ruth Haley Barton’s question, “How do I want to live so I can be who I want to be?” this episode explores the beauty of setting limits as a doorway to creativity, discernment, and rest.

We’ll discuss how a rhythm of life can act like a trellis, supporting your growth and flourishing. With insights from spiritual writers like Margaret Guenther and Evelyn Underhill, we’ll uncover practical ways to create daily, weekly, and seasonal practices that feel life-giving and sustainable.

Join me as we take one small, simple, and gracious step toward cultivating a life that aligns with God’s invitations and your deepest desires.

🌱 Reflection Questions:

What feels life-giving to me?
What brings me joy?
What enables me to rest?

Resources Mentioned:

Ruth Haley Barton book - Sacred Rhythms
Evelyn Underhill book - The Fruits of the Spirit
Margaret Guenther book - Holy Listening
Learn more about our PACE cohort training: www.unhurriedliving.com/pace

Take a moment to pause, reflect, and begin building a rhythm of life that nourishes your soul.

Happy New Year from Unhurried Living

At the start of this new year, our hearts are full of gratitude for you. Unhurried Living exists to encourage, inspire and train you in the ways of Jesus’ unhurried rhythms. We are so pleased you have chosen to connect with us here.

 

We’d like to offer Psalm 73:23-26 as a prayer to kick off the new year.

 

Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.

 

As you move into 2025, may you remember:

 You are not alone

God guides you
God alone is your strength and portion

 

Blessings to you and Happy New Year!

UL #323: You Are Not in Charge

 

In this episode, Alan dives into the surprisingly freeing good news that we aren’t in charge. Letting go of control doesn’t mean losing—it can lead to gaining a life rich with trust, peace, and joy. In a world that glorifies busyness and self-reliance, we often find ourselves weighed down by burdens we weren’t meant to carry. What if surrender isn’t a sign of weakness, but a doorway to abundance? Join Alan as he explores how releasing control opens us to the gift of trust and a more peaceful, joyful life.

This episode also reflects on how trust, submission, and surrender are not signs of defeat, but pathways to freedom, deeper relationships, and a fuller experience of life. Through stories, reflections, and Scripture, we discover how letting go can lighten our load, help us flourish, and bring us closer to the life we are meant to live.

Tune in and let the good news wash over you—you don’t have to be in charge, and that’s truly freeing!

God's Christmas Shalom

Blog by Alan Fadling

Merry Christmas from Unhurried Living! We hope you enjoy a great sense of the presence of God in Christ with you on this special day.

 

In my most recent book, A Non-Anxious Life, I share this:

 

“Peace is rooted in the robust and full-orbed meaning of the Hebrew shalom. It is more than an absence of tension, stress, conflict, or trouble. It is the presence of the Prince of Peace, the God of peace, the Spirit of peace. Peace is the atmosphere of heaven. And heaven surrounds and permeates us with peace we can breathe.”(p. 14)

 

I pray that your experience of the rich, strong peace of God in Christ would deepen in the coming year. May you sense the shalom of God in everything that challenges you, troubles you, stretches you, opposes you. May you breathe deep the peace of God, which is the atmosphere of heaven.

 

Grace and peace to you!

UL #322: Reclaiming Your Identity in Christ (Whitney Lowe)

 

In this episode, Gem sits down with author Whitney Lowe to discuss her book, Set Your Eyes Higher. Whitney offers a 40-day reset designed to help you let go of what’s not serving you, honor your limitations, and turn your gaze toward a God who loves you. She dives into the cultural pressures that skew our focus, and how to find peace and rest when life feels out of control.

Whitney shares wisdom on how to navigate the dynamics of insecurity, anxiety, burnout, and scarcity—issues that many of us face today—and offers practical advice for finding long-lasting contentment. We talk about how to cultivate spiritual rhythms, set healthy boundaries, and move from scarcity to abundance in a world filled with comparison and distractions.

Join us for a rich conversation about reclaiming peace and clarity, and discovering the hope and light that comes from a deeper connection with God.

Immanuel, God With Us

Blog by Gem Fadling

As we approach Christmas, I find myself reflecting on the quiet beauty of this season. The lights, the carols, and the festive gatherings all point to the birth of Jesus.

 

Christmas is a time to pause, to step out of the shuffle of life and remember the One who changed the world.

 

Isaiah spoke of this hope long before Christ’s arrival:

 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

 

It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of activities and miss the quiet invitation at the center of it all: to enjoy Immanuel, God with us.

 

This week, I invite you to take time to reflect on this incredible gift. As you gather with loved ones, as you exchange gifts and share meals, remember the one who gave us the greatest gift of all—himself.

 

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

 

May your heart be filled with the peace and joy that comes from knowing Christ. Let the light of God’s love guide you, and may you experience God’s presence in a new and deeper way.

 

Blessings to you and your loved ones and may you have a very Merry Christmas. May the Prince of Peace accompany you in the coming days.

UL 321: You Are Not a Machine

 

Do you ever feel like you’re caught in an endless cycle of production, performance, and pressure to keep going as if you’re a machine? Here’s the truth: you’re not a machine—you’re a beloved son or daughter of God, designed with rhythms, limits, and an invitation to rest as well as work. In this episode, we unpack what it means to live as God intended—rooted, unhurried, and attuned to the gift of being human.

Highlights from today’s conversation include:

Embracing the Gift of Limits: Why honoring your God-given boundaries leads to true freedom and flourishing.
Living Like Trees, Not Machines: How rootedness and abiding in God sustain a fruitful, abundant life.
Recalibrating for Health: Moving beyond burnout to a sustainable, life-giving rhythm of rest and work.

We’ll also explore how acknowledging seasons, valuing slow growth, and embracing your identity as a beloved child of God can reframe your purpose and renew your energy. Let’s lean into the good news that you were made to flourish, not to constantly perform.

Listen in and take a step toward a life marked by fruitfulness, rest, and joy—a life grounded in God’s love and presence.

Embracing the Mystery of Advent

Blog by Alan Fadling

Advent is a season of waiting and a time to dwell in a sacred mystery. This season draws us back to a story that remains as relevant as it is ancient. It’s the story of God appearing in the flesh—of Immanuel, "God with us." In his first letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul calls this story “the mystery from which true godliness springs (1 Timothy 3:16).” Advent calls us to slow down, to consider the great wonder of this divine mystery, and to ask, Who is Jesus, truly?

 

In that same passage, Paul speaks about the mystery of Jesus’ arrival as a list of remarkable qualities. These lines read like an ancient creed, reminding us of the solid foundation of the church, the "household of God." Paul lists these truths not as arguments but as declarations of the wondrous reality of Jesus:

 

The Incarnate One – “He appeared in the flesh”
The Spirit-Endorsed One – “was vindicated by the Spirit”
The Angel-Witnessed One – “was seen by angels”
The Preached-Among-the-Nations One – “was preached among the nations”
The World-Trusted One – “was believed on in the world”
The Glorified One – “was taken up in glory”

 

Each phrase is a call to remember that our faith is built not on religious ideas but on a Person—one who walked among us and embodies all of what it means to be fully alive. Advent invites us to let go of the tendency to flatten Jesus into mere doctrines, formulas, or distant historical truths. He is not an abstraction or a distant figure. He is the living, breathing embodiment of God’s love and life among us.

 

Paul’s words remind us that the church is not a building or a program but a people—a household of those living in the light of these truths. The beauty and mystery of Jesus, the foundation of our faith, can infuse our daily lives. How we live as the “church of the living God” is shaped by what we believe about Jesus. Our lives, our actions, and our words flow from our encounter with him.

 

The word “mystery” as it’s used here is not a riddle to be solved but a reality to be explored and savored. Paul doesn’t break down each phrase in analytical detail but leaves us with the sense of awe and reverence. Like a melody that stirs something deep within, the mystery of Jesus invites us to live not simply with our heads but with our hearts. The incarnation of Jesus Christ is the mystery we celebrate in Advent: God stepping into our world, inviting us into a life beyond our understanding.

 

As we reflect on these words of Paul, let’s feel the weight and wonder of these truths. Let’s be reminded of how God moves in the world through the Spirit and through us, carrying the story of Jesus to the nations, to our neighborhoods, and to our hearts. Advent is a time to remember, to be amazed, and to invite others to encounter Jesus as he truly is—the incarnate, Spirit-endorsed, angel-witnessed, world-trusted, and glorified Son of God.

 

Be encouraged this Advent to live in the presence of the mystery of Christ, carrying his story into the world with humility, reverence, and joy.

 

For Reflection: 

How does the mystery of Jesus appearing in the flesh challenge or deepen my understanding of who he is?
What practices help me to pause and enter into the wonder of Advent instead of rushing through this season?
How can I embody the truth and beauty of Christ’s presence in my relationships and actions this Advent?

UL #320: Living the Fruit of the Spirit

 

In this episode, we reflect on the idea of "vibe"—the way our presence leaves an impression on others. A recent discovery in Petra, Jordan, along with memories of joyful Bedouins and the hospitality of Father Albert Haase, inspired us to consider how our interactions reflect who we are at our core. Whether bubbly or reserved, introverted or extroverted, each of us exudes something that others feel when they encounter us. What if, at our best, that "vibe" could mirror the Fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and kindness?

Through communion with God, we can allow the Spirit to transform our way of being, shaping the essence we carry into the world. Jesus modeled this beautifully: fully present, compassionate, and deeply connected to the Father. His “vibe” drew people in and brought healing and hope. How might we create space for the Holy Spirit to move in and through us, allowing the fullness of God’s love to flow naturally in our daily lives? Join us as we explore how to embody this life-giving presence in a world longing for peace, joy, and love.

The Simple Truth About Your Identity

Blog by Gem Fadling

“Your identity is a gift to be received, not a paycheck to be earned.” I (Gem) love this profound insight that echoes throughout Alan’s writings. This insight resonates with a truth we often overlook. It captures the essence of grace—a grace that defines our existence not by what we achieve, but by who we are as God’s beloved.

 

Our lives are gifts, and yet how often do we find ourselves caught in the trap of earning mode? We measure our worth by what we do, by how much we accomplish, and by the approval we receive from others. This striving can become exhausting, leaving us empty and disconnected from the truth that our identity is not something to be earned but something to be received and embraced.

 

The Trap of Earning 

Consider these invasive thoughts: 

 

I must do more to be more. 

I must impress others to be valued. 

Striving is the only way to get what I need.

I must prove to God that I am worthy.

 

Any one of these beliefs might be ingrained in us from a young age. Our culture equates worth with productivity. But what if we dared to step off this treadmill of endless striving? What if we embraced the truth that our identity does not depend on what we do but on who we are in Christ?

 

The reality is this: You do not earn being loved. You are not measured by your productivity. Your identity is a gift, and your value is unchanging. This is the essence of grace—unconditional love, freely given by a heavenly Parent who loves you just as you are.

 

What Holds You Back? 

Many of us still struggle to fully believe and live from this place of love. What keeps you from embracing this reality? What stops you from living out of your true belovedness, where your worth is grounded in God’s love and not in your accomplishments?

 

Past experiences can make embracing this kingdom reality very difficult. A good question to ask is this: What might it take for me to break free from past ingrained beliefs and into the spacious and gracious place of unearned love?

 

A Simple Story 

Many years ago, I engaged a teachable moment with one of my young sons. During an ongoing conversation, I asked him a question to see if he understood the truth about my love for him. I inquired, “Do I love you because you are smart and handsome?” Without hesitation, he said, “No.” I was curious to learn why he knew I loved him. So, I asked. He responded with a truth so simple and yet so profound: “Because I’m your son.”

 

He was right. I love him because he is mine. And, of course, my mama heart was glad he knew my love was not dependent on anything external. He didn’t have to earn my love. I love him because he exists, because he is a gift from God, and because he’s my son.

 

This interaction led me to reflect: How could you not love something that came from your very self? Immediately, I thought of my relationship with God. If I, with all my imperfections, can love my child unconditionally simply because he is mine, how much more does God, who is perfect love, love me because I came from Him? I am made in God’s image, and that is everything.

 

I am loved because I am his.

 

Here are three ideas to help you move toward embracing your true belovedness:

Practice receiving God’s love. Begin with a simple prayer similar to my son’s response: “God, you love me because I am yours. I receive your love right now. Thank you!” This is not manifesting or wishful thinking. You are simply stating out loud what is true. You may not feel it at first, but hearing this truth in your own voice helps you internalize it. Over time, this practice can begin to reshape how you see yourself, grounding your identity in God’s love rather than in your achievements.


Sit in love. I learned this practice from my friend Mary. I sit in my office easy chair. I put my feet up on the ottoman and I allow the full weight of my body to rest completely on the chair. I then imagine that I’m being held by my loving God. Deuteronomy 33:27 says, “The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.” I simply enter into this reality. The experience of my body can lead my heart to the reality of being loved without striving.


Take time to reflect on where your sense of identity comes from. Are you living from a place of striving or from a place of resting in God’s grace? Journaling can be a helpful tool here. Ponder this question and then jot down the thoughts and feelings that drive your actions. Open to the idea of receiving God’s love right in the center of where you are.

 

Reflection 

Try on at least one of the ideas listed above.
Choose the one that leaps out at you and make space, even now.
What difference might this make in your life today?

 

Blessings to you as you make your way forward.