Choosing Presence Over Perfection in a “Lifing” Season Full of Love
Lisa Johnston Lisa Johnston

Choosing Presence Over Perfection in a “Lifing” Season Full of Love

If you noticed a bit of a "radio silence" from Integrate You this past January, you aren't imagining things. January was quieter for us at Integrate You — and that quiet was intentional.

With all the new year noise that came with everyone’s 2025 reflections on all the feeds, the nightly news becoming more heated amidst division and devastation around the world, and all the gurus wanting to sell something to make 2026 “the best year yet,” being quiet felt necessary to sit, be with the Lord, and hear from Him. 

We stepped back from newsletter emails, social media, and the usual operational rhythms because we sensed the Lord inviting us to re-ground in, listen to, and recalibrate with Him before moving forward into a new season. What I, Emma Rose, didn’t anticipate was how much of “life” would meet us in that quiet.

Read more as Emma Rose reflects on life and invites us to celebrate life together while loving on others at two events this month.

Read More
From Religion to Relationship
Lisa Johnston Lisa Johnston

From Religion to Relationship

I, Lisa, accepted Jesus into my heart when I was 25 years old. I thought that was the only thing I needed to do to get to heaven, and I was good with that. The years that followed were difficult, and I had no idea what a personal relationship with God was. In those early years of being a Christian, I went to church, attended a few Bible studies, but nothing was compelling enough to capture my heart and my mind. Still looking for something more, I turned to the world and all it had to offer.

Years would pass, and I found myself disheartened with empty relationships and deep struggles with depression. I decided to enroll in college and take psychology classes — maybe that would help me to understand human behavior and to identify what was going on in my life. While the psychology classes had been helpful in helping me to understand more about human behavior, I still struggled with depression and had not yet discovered what a real relationship with God was.

In 2006, I had a spiritual encounter that would forever change me.

Read More