Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.8, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # ginacolburn.com a blog about family, faith and my journey. ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://ginacolburn.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Reflections on a Challenging Week](https://ginacolburn.com/reflections-on-a-challenging-week/) - It’s only Tuesday, but it feels like it’s been a week already. Maybe you can relate? This week, I’ve been struck by some harsh realities—my own mistakes, failures, and sins, and how they’ve shaped where I am today. I’ve also been confronted with the impact of others’ mistakes, failures, and sins on my life. Judgement - [Navigating The Waves of Unexpected Loss](https://ginacolburn.com/navigating-the-waves-of-unexpected-loss/) - This week on Gina’s Table, I delved into one of the most raw and vulnerable episodes yet. The unexpected loss of a loved one is always a profound challenge, but when it happens too early or under circumstances that are hard to understand, the pain can feel even more acute.I wasn’t prepared for the depth - [The Healing Magic of Cobbler](https://ginacolburn.com/the-healing-magic-of-cobbler/) - The Healing Magic of Cobbler: Episode 13 of Gina’s TableThis week’s episode was an absolute joy to record. There’s something extraordinary about being in the kitchen, creating something delicious that brings people together. As I think about all the wonderful souls gathered around my table, my heart overflows with joy.This summer has been a journey - [Episode 10: Unlabeling: Embracing Identity Beyond the Titles](https://ginacolburn.com/episode-10-unlabeling-embracing-identity-beyond-the-titles/) - As we journey through life, we often find ourselves adorned with various labels. These labels can come from our professions, our roles in society, or even from the perceptions of those around us. They can empower us, define us, and sometimes, limit us. But what happens when we step away from these labels? What do - [Episode One: Gina's Table- Notes from the Table!](https://ginacolburn.com/episode-one-ginas-table-notes-from-the-table/) - Welcome to the inaugural blog post for “Gina’s Table,” a podcast that’s all about fostering community, embracing our authentic selves, and addressing the pressing issues of our time. In this post, we’ll delve into the themes of the first episode and explore the vision behind Gina’s Table. I, Gina Colburn, the voice and spirit behind - [With Gratitude...](https://ginacolburn.com/with-gratitude/) - I recently posted this quote on my social media outlets... "Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it is the middle that counts the most. You need to remember that when you find yourself at the beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up." This comes from a cheesy chick-flick I have watched - [What shape are you?](https://ginacolburn.com/what-shape-are-you/) - We all have a choice to make in this life. We can spend our life exhausted trying to fit into places and things that God never intended us to fit in, or we can walk in the fullness of life he has for us. - [Being a circle in a square world...](https://ginacolburn.com/being-a-circle-in-a-square-world/) - Have you ever been disappointed? Recently I found myself disappointed. I had sent a couple of emails and left a few voice mails and all were unanswered. After a while, my mind and heart started down a path of destructive self-talk and disappointment. “To be disappointed is to be discouraged or sad because of an - [Untangling the cords...](https://ginacolburn.com/untangling-the-cords/) - Recently, I found myself fighting with a tangled vacuum cord. Have you ever wrestled with a tangled cord? Wondering how something could become so tangled? The more I wrestled with it, the worse it seemed to get. I yanked, I pulled, with little change in how tangled it had become. I became very frustrated - [The Next Step?](https://ginacolburn.com/the-next-step/) - Welcome to this space. Maybe this is your first time joining me, or maybe you have popped in once or twice before. Let me take a minute to give you a little bit about me, where I have been and who I am becoming. If you have read my bio linked at the top of - [Numbers: Do They Matter?](https://ginacolburn.com/numbers-do-they-matter/) - Jan 18, 2020 | Uncategorized | 0 comments Numbers: Do They Matter? Written by Gina Colburn I have been thinking about numbers a lot lately... Numbers define and measure things. We weigh ourselves (side note starting 2020, 25 less than 2019) We check our balance in our checking account (mine always seems to be lower - [Running right out of comfort...](https://ginacolburn.com/running-right-out-of-comfort/) - Often times I can't believe I am here. A few months ago, I stood behind the very pulpit my grandfather preached for over 25 years to the same church, living out his calling. Although, he didn't get to see or know that I became a pastor, he would probably be the most shocked and proud. - [Didn't Go As Planned Life...](https://ginacolburn.com/didnt-go-as-planned-life/) - Here I am in the dark of my living room, when I should be in bed, sleeping. My first meeting is at 6:45 in the morning. I should be doing what normal people do at this time of night...sleeping. But here I am, awake. And my mind is racing with thoughts. I downloaded a new - [This Is Our City](https://ginacolburn.com/this-is-our-city/) - I am in a sermon series right now called “This is our City” I have been thinking about it and dreaming about it for months. Praying about how God could use me and the church he has ask me to shepherd to make greater impact for His Kingdom. In the meantime, I have been reading - [Confession of the Girl Pastor Next Door...](https://ginacolburn.com/438/) - This is a hard to write, but heartfelt, prayerful and hopefully helpful. To bring glory to my Jesus who is at work in my life and in the lives of those around me. Over the last few months, there has been some pretty significant things take place that have laid heavy on my heart and - [Is your trust without borders?](https://ginacolburn.com/is-your-trust-without-borders/) - Recently I had the opportunity to do something I have never done, and that was visit the Bahamas. First of all, let me start by saying that the ocean in the Bahamas does not even come close to comparing to the Ocean in my normal spots ( Florida and New Jersey). It was breathtaking. However, I - [Margin...](https://ginacolburn.com/margin/) - I just seem to be restless...not simply restless in my body but restless in my spirit. My whole body aches for rest and yet my heart is heavy and my mind is full. There are days that I am positive this is just a season of life and then there are other times when frankly - [The Journey is unexpected...](https://ginacolburn.com/the-journey-is-unexpected/) - I wrote about Margin in my last post. It's my word for the year. Since then I have been walking the tight rope of scrambling and resting in finding my normal. I was recently speaking to some people who are allowing God to transform their lives in BIG, HUGE ways about how sometimes we hold - [Writing final chapters...](https://ginacolburn.com/writing-final-chapters/) - For all those mom's and dads that find themselves this time of year looking over the past 18 years and asking themselves "where did time go?" "how did my little boy/girl grow up so fast?" This year is the second year in a row I find myself reviewing 18 years of one of my children's life. - [Remember when we used to be friends...](https://ginacolburn.com/remember-when-we-used-to-be-friends/) - Remember when we used to be friends? You know the kind of friends that see each other face to face. Plan time together that included coffee, laughs and sometimes a few tears. Or those times when a text or call would be the start of a long lengthy conversation solving the worlds' problems. Do you - [30 Days of Gratitude... Day 1](https://ginacolburn.com/30-days-of-gratitude-day-1/) - Gratitude...something we take for granted. The month of November somehow gets overlooked as simply the time and space between Halloween and Christmas. But November is the month of thankfulness. I try to be grateful everyday but I try to really focus in November on being grateful and not being caught up in the busyness of - [Is anyone out there...](https://ginacolburn.com/is-anyone-out-there/) - Not even sure anyone still reads this... I myself let days, week and sometimes months go without as much as even logging in... Blank pages are intimidating... Words are powerful...and relationships are hard! People write about all sorts of things these days. I find it unbelievable all the things people write about, take pictures of - [Oops... you just thought you knew what was next...](https://ginacolburn.com/oops-you-just-thought-you-knew-what-was-next/) - Have you ever had a really good plan? I mean you knew that it was the best next step and you were prepared to take it? This year I laid out a plan. I wrote out a calendar. I even shared it with a few others. I knew the plan. I knew the best next - [to trust means less than ideal circumstances....](https://ginacolburn.com/to-trust-means-less-than-ideal-circumstances/) - My word for the year is trust. I should expect circumstances that help me grow in my ability to trust. And really even though the plans aren't going like I thought, I still do trust Him. I believe that He has the best in mind for all of us. I don't doubt Him or His - [You see it's election time...](https://ginacolburn.com/you-see-its-election-time/) - Its election time... election time is where people cast votes for the person they like the best and sometimes for the one they think is the lesser of two evils. Its election time here for me too. People will get to cast a ballot, they will vote yes or no. They will look at me - [It's Just Not Fair...](https://ginacolburn.com/its-just-not-fair/) - I was reading this morning the parable of the Vineyard worker found in Matthew 20: 1-16. Jesus is telling the story of a man who owned a vineyard who needed workers. So he went to the marketplace to find workers. He hired them through out the day and promised them all a days wage. At - [For the One Percent...](https://ginacolburn.com/for-the-one-percent/) - Let me tell you a little bit about a place located in Allentown, PA. It actually sits in Upper Macungie Township. One of the fastest growing townships in PA. Allentown is the fastest growing city in PA. This place has been doing ministry for 102 years in Allentown. In the late 1970's, 1977 to be - [Life is messy...](https://ginacolburn.com/life-is-messy/) - Its been a little crazy the last few weeks. However, I feel like I now substitute the word "crazy" for "busy" these days. In just a few short weeks, my third child will graduate from high school. That means for the past 3 years I have hugged my grown children and threw a party to - [One more chapter...](https://ginacolburn.com/one-more-chapter/) - Thirty Two weeks... Twenty Two hours of labor... Colton Thomas made his appearance. 5 Pounds 3 ounces 17 inches long. I remember the long night awaiting his arrival. Praying that the steroids that they gave me would be enough to help his little lungs. Hours after he arrived, the doctors and nurses found themselves working - [Because the heart is torn...](https://ginacolburn.com/because-the-heart-is-torn/) - Fredrick Beuchner writes "The place God calls us to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." I read this quote in a book I read Kisses from Katie. This book spoke directly to my heart and left me open, raw and convicted. This book outlines the true story of - [Something new is coming...](https://ginacolburn.com/something-new-is-coming/) - I have talked about it... I have wrestled with it... I have prayed about it... I have denied it... I have thought about it... I have avoided it... I have loathed others who had it... I have sought after it halfheartedly... But today I am committed to it... I want to share but not yet. - [New things take time to bloom...](https://ginacolburn.com/new-things-take-time-to-bloom/) - New things in life do not happen overnight. There is a process, there is peeling away the old and finding what things lie beneath the surface that need attention. And that is the process I am in...peeling away what is so that I can make room for the new. Since my last blog there have - [Present over Perfect...](https://ginacolburn.com/present-over-perfect/) - This book, these words, have undone me. Three books that I have completed this year have been a combination of conviction, grace and celebration. (Present over Perfect, Breaking Busy, and Ordering Your Private World) I am undone by what God is teaching me in this season. I am at a place where I am vulnerable - [When the sounds of night become life giving...](https://ginacolburn.com/when-the-sounds-of-night-become-life-giving/) - I walked out the door of the church tonight and immediately was hit with the sound of crickets chirping, the pale light of the moon peeking behind the clouds and the smell of grass. I walked the few feet between the church and my house soaking in the whole scene. Looking up and seeing a - [An open letter to my church, Trinity Wesleyan...](https://ginacolburn.com/an-open-letter-to-my-church-trinity-wesleyan/) - I have said it often that time goes very quickly. Sometimes when I turn another month in my calendar and see the year splashed at the top I can't believe it. 2016. Jason and I have been married for 21 years and have found ourselves in some form of ministry or another for 19 of - [She designed the life she loved...](https://ginacolburn.com/she-designed-the-life-she-loved/) - I found a piece of art recently and hung it in on my wall- it simply said "she designed the life she loved." Everyday I look at it and it reminds me I have choices to make. Choices to make that will help me live a life I love. There are so many things I - [More Questions...](https://ginacolburn.com/more-questions/) - I have more questions than answers tonight. I find myself typing this out with tears streaming down my face, and my chest feels so tight I think I might choke. I don't understand and trust me, I get I don't have to understand. I found myself today saying something I have said to a 100 - [What happened to us...](https://ginacolburn.com/what-happened-to-us/) - What happened to us? Most days I feel like I live a in parallel universe. There is no respect for anyone or anything. Name calling and mud slinging are the normal behavior. We post it on our social media, we scream it on the corners and we march down the streets. We don't listen to ## Pages - [Home](https://ginacolburn.com/) - Welcome! Welcome to my cozy corner of the world! I'm thrilled you've joined me here. This is a sanctuary where you can be your authentic self, free from judgment. I'm a firm believer that there's a special niche for each of us. Dive into my blog posts, tune in to "Gina's Table" podcast, or discover - [Speaking](https://ginacolburn.com/speaking/) - Gina Colburn is a dynamic and creative public speaker with over 20 years of experience as a pastor. She brings a wealth of perspectives to her engagements that captivates and connects with her audiences, making her a sought-after speaker for a variety of events. Whether you’re planning a retreat, weekend revival, leadership seminar, or any - [About](https://ginacolburn.com/about/) - "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 NLT I'm Gina Colburn, and my life's journey has been a beautiful blend of love, faith, and commitment. I have been blessed to be married to my - [Gina's Table](https://ginacolburn.com/podcast/) - New Episodes! Gina's TablePodcast Gina’s Table is more than just a podcast—it’s a vibrant community where people find their place and connect with others. Imagine a cozy spot where you can share stories, ideas, and laughter, all while savoring the juicy goodness of life. I Featured: Welcome to Gina's Table Season 1, Episode 1 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2326868/14649766-episode-1-welcome-to-gina-s-table.mp3 - [Blog Home](https://ginacolburn.com/blog-home/) - "Words are seeds that do more than blow around. They land in our hearts and not the ground. Be careful what you plant and careful what you say. You might have to eat what you planted one day." - Unknown Reflections on a Challenging Week by Gina Colburn | 24 September 2024 | community | - [Contact Gina](https://ginacolburn.com/contact-gina/) - [contact-form-7 id=”10″ title=”Contact form 1″] ## Speculation Rules - [Visual Builder Asset Prerender](https://ginacolburn.com/?_et_pb_speculation=visual-builder-asset-prerender) ## Categories - [Uncategorized](https://ginacolburn.com/category/uncategorized/) - [podcast](https://ginacolburn.com/category/podcast/) - [community](https://ginacolburn.com/category/community/) - [faith](https://ginacolburn.com/category/faith/) - [marriage](https://ginacolburn.com/category/marriage/) ## Tags - [rest](https://ginacolburn.com/tag/rest/) - [margin](https://ginacolburn.com/tag/margin/) - [wonder](https://ginacolburn.com/tag/wonder/) - [family](https://ginacolburn.com/tag/family/) - [church](https://ginacolburn.com/tag/church/) - [life](https://ginacolburn.com/tag/life/) - [schedule](https://ginacolburn.com/tag/schedule/) - 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