First Shallowater: First Things First: Recent Episodes
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First Things First is the weekly podcast where we talk about God, faith and life in Shallowater, TX. Pastor Brad Miles welcomes a new guest each week from our church, from our community, from around the world and we talk about things that really matter to us in our church and in our town.
In this heartfelt conversation, Pastor Brad Miles sits down with Morgan Castillo—wife, mom, teacher, and longtime member of First Baptist Shallowater—to talk about her powerful journey of faith, healing, and trust in God.
Morgan shares how the Lord met her in seasons of loss, fear, and waiting, gently breaking down walls and reminding her: “I’ve always been here.” Together, Brad and Morgan reflect on how God redeems pain, the beauty of community, and what it means to truly believe that Christ is enough—even in the waiting.
Whether you’re walking through loss, struggling to trust, or learning to rest in God’s timing, this episode will remind you that you have never walked alone.
Tell us how we can pray for you.
Find out more about First Shallowater.
Join us as we sit down with Nancy Dipprey for a heartfelt conversation about one of the most freeing truths of the Christian life — the freedom of self-forgetfulness.
Nancy shares with honesty and grace how God has met her in seasons of striving — the times when her worth felt tied to performance, success, or the approval of others. Through those struggles, she’s discovered a deeper rest and joy that come from releasing control and remembering that life is not ultimately about us, but about Him.
Together, we explore:
- What it really means to live in the freedom God intends for His children.
- How to let go of striving and find peace in God’s sufficiency.
- Practical tools and spiritual rhythms Nancy uses to stay grounded in truth.
- The beauty of allowing God to work in us and through us — not by our effort, but by His grace.
This episode is an encouragement for anyone who feels weary from trying to measure up — a reminder that true freedom begins when we take our eyes off ourselves and fix them on Christ.
Listen in and be refreshed by the simple, freeing truth: You don’t have to strive for what God has already given you.
Resources mentioned in the podcast
Allen, J. (2020). Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts. WaterBrook.
Allen, J. (2023). Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It. WaterBrook.
Allen, J. (n.d.). Stop the Spiral [Video teaching series]. IF:Gathering / RightNow Media.
Keller, T. (2012). The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy. 10Publishing.
Krasowski, T. (2019). The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible. Bethany House Publishers.
👉 Listen to “I Surrender All” with Susan Swinburn—now streaming on First Things First.
What happens when life doesn’t go according to your plan? This week, we’re joined by Susan Swinburn, who opens up about lessons learned in surrender—recognizing that our plans aren’t always God’s plans.
In this honest and hope-filled conversation, Susan shares how learning to say “I Surrender All” transformed her outlook, helped her uncover the root of anger that often comes when things don’t go as we think they should, and reminded her of the deep importance of community along the way.
Tune in for encouragement, reflection, and a gentle reminder to trust the One who holds it all together.
Pastor Brad Miles is joining us this week to give a sneak peek at his upcoming sermon, “Christian-ish.”
Ever wonder what it really means to follow Jesus instead of just going through the motions? Pastor Brad digs into what it looks like to move from a “Christian-ish” life to a faith that’s fully Christ-centered—and why it matters in our everyday lives.
Tune in for a real, down-to-earth conversation about faith, growth, and living out what we believe.
👉 Catch our chat with Pastor Brad Miles on First Things First!
Sometimes the things that we find ourselves facing in our lives can leave us discouraged, anxious, even angry at God. Maybe that’s where you are right now. On this episode, Shannon Cowley talks about being overwhelmed by the magnitude of God’s love, and learning to lean on that love when things get really hard and uncertain.
If you’ve ever found yourself questioning God, or feeling generally hopeless, Shannon’s story will be an encouragement to you!
Listen now and be encouraged to remember God’s love for you, especially when life get’s really hard.
Find out more about First Shallowater.
Tell us how we can be praying for you.
In this powerful episode, Brody Williams opens up about discovering God’s presence in seasons of hurt and loneliness and how shifting his identity from football to faith transformed his life. He shares what it truly means to have a relationship with God—and how surrendering his own plans led to peace, purpose, and a deeper understanding of who he is in Christ.
If you’ve ever wrestled with disappointment,loneliness, church hurt, identity, or direction, this conversation will remind you that God’s plan is always better than our own.
✨ Listen now and be encouraged to trust God’s purpose—even when the path looks different than you expected.
Tell us how we can pray for you!
Find out more about First Shallowater!
Join us for a Bonus episode of First Things First as Michael Bush shares his story. Like many of us, Michael has had seasons of wondering if he is enough and discovering that in those moments, God always is! Michael’s journey has led him through seasons of anger, depression and even moments where he wondered if life was worth living, yet over and over, God has been the father that pursues him and reminds him that he is loved.
Please note that we discuss the topic of suicide in this episode, which may be upsetting to some listeners.
On this week’s episode of First Things First, we get to visit with graduating seniors Tatum Rentfro and Presley St. Clair! Join us as they share their faith journeys and provide words of wisdom to those who follow in their footsteps!
Join us as we visit with graduating senior, Blaine St. Clair. Blain shares his top five pieces of wisdom that God has been teaching him. You won’t want to miss this episode!
Join us in this episode as we visit with Davela Dillar. Davela shares how her experiences through loss and a career in law enforcement have provided her with unique opportunities to learn that God is good even when life isn’t. She shares tools she has learned to navigate the challenges we all face, and ways that we can be supported even through times of extreme stress and hardship.
This podcast has references to suicide, mental health issues, and criminal activities. While there are only references and no details mentioned, we always want listeners to be aware in case there are sensitivities. These issues are mentioned as a reminder that even in this dark world, God is good and faithful and desires to help us find him!
Join us on this episode as we visit with Alex Lloyd and discuss the power of intentionality, secrets to a happy marriage, and the importance of community as we pursue deeper relationships with Christ and the people around us! You won’t want to miss this episode!
Join us this week as we visit with Cameron O’Donnell. Cameron shares about how God has taught him the importance of keeping our identity firmly rooted in Him and not in our own accomplishments or abilities. We look at our circumstances and wonder why something is happening to us, but God looks at our circumstances and uses them for His glory and our good.
Join us this week as we visit with Gavin Craig. Gavin shares important lessons learned from some challenging situations in life. He discusses the illusion of control and the power of submission to bring about the ability to help us overcome our idols. You won’t want to miss this episode!
This week, our guest, Lillie Wells, reminds us how God can use the tough times in our lives to help point us back to him. Like many of us, Lillie has had seasons of being on top of the world only to discover that we are all subject to trials. She shares lessons about making sure our identity is in Christ and surrounding ourselves with people who help hold us accountable and point us back to Christ. During her trials, Lillie learned the importance of seeking help and the value of having a Christian community. You won’t want to miss this episode!
Join us for this week’s episode of First Things First as we talk to Kindrea Longway about the power of prayer and forgiveness! Kindrea reminds us that we don’t want to put God in a box, but want to seek His will and His way in our lives! She shares some opportunities to step out in faith through prayer and fasting to discover God in a whole new way!
Join us this week as we visit with Audra Caldwell. Audra shares some great thoughts on a new perspective on submission and the importance of leaning in! She shares some great lessons on what it means to lean in when you feel like tuning out! You won’t want to miss this episode
This week our special guest is Emily Davis. Emily plays many roles in our church and one of them is serving on our Capital Campaign Committee. Join us as Emily shares her faith story and also her hopes for our church as we continue to seek God’s will. Emily talks about discerning the voice of God and revival on the horizon. You won’t want to miss this episode!
Join us this week as we visit with Steve Nieman, coordinator of our Capital Campaign. Steve shares great hopes for heart change as we enter this process of building for our future. He will tell us more about upcoming events and activities designed to shape our future as individual followers of Christ, and the church as a whole! You won’t want to miss this special episode!
Join us on this episode of First Things First as we visit with Shannon Craig. Shannon shares great insight into the difference between having God in our lives and making God the SOURCE of our lives. Listen as she shares some of the great things God has taught her for how to draw close to Him even in the struggles of life. Shannon reminds us that God is always pursuing us!
Some of the songs Shannon has drawn peace from in her journey include:
Where Can I go by Ellie Holcomb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb2mpkdhRHM&pp=ygUOV2hlcmUgY2FuIEkgZ28%3D
Psalm 119 by Ellie Holcomb:
https://youtu.be/hmFzKYa6EHU?feature=shared
Psalm 121 by Ellie Holcomb:
https://youtu.be/5KjpfRFylPo?feature=shared
Hold Me Fast by Shane and Shane
https://youtu.be/nkRiOMJNuTU?feature=shared
I’ve Witnessed it By Passion
https://youtu.be/UfiKYxMy3xM?feature=shared
A Favorite Book is “Fighting Words” by Ellie Holcomb.
Join us on this week’s episode of First Things First as we visit with Callie Lloyd and she shares some of the ways God has helped her grow this year– even in seasons of darkness. You won’t want to miss the lessons she has learned! The hope she has found may be just what you were looking for! Callie has learned that God’s plans for her life are so much better than the ones she has for herself! Be sure and tune in!
This week on First Thing First, we get to visit with Jaiden Scruggs. Jaiden is a part of our youth group. Jaiden talks about the tools God gives us to overcome temptation, the power of peers, and the importance of accountability and mentorship!
If you need prayer, be sure and visit www.firstshallowater.org. You can share your prayer requests there and our staff will pray for you!
This week on First Things First, we get to visit with Rayleigh Stephenson, a freshman at Shallowater High School. Join us as she shares her top tips for growing in your relationship with Christ and her thoughts about how we can each help others along on our journey to relationship with Christ.
Scriptures referenced in this episode include:
Deuteronomy 14:8
The Book of John
Are you listening and would like prayer or have questions? Please contact us using the form on our website www.firstshallowater.org.
This week on First Things First, we get to visit with Todd Dipprey. We have some great conversations about non-negotiables to guide our lives, the power of prayer in our lives, and the way God is interested in developing relationships with us throughout our lives! You won’t want to miss this episode?
Need prayer? Be sure and check out our website and let us know how we can pray for you!
On this week’s episode of First Things First, we get to visit with Amber Pierce. Amber shares the lessons she has learned on patience, control, and dropping the ”I Can Do It” attitudes that sometimes keep us from enjoying the life God has planned for us. Amber shared how infertility helped her learn the beauty of God’s timing and the role the Holy Spirit played in helping her know the path to choose.
This week we get to visit with David Blackburn, a voice of the Shallowater Mustangs, as he shares how God has worked through his life during seasons of waiting and loss. We have some great conversations about the ways we can trust that God is good and the importance of matching our focus on the spiritual development of our children to the level of effort we put in helping them grow in other areas of their lives. You won’t want to miss this!
If you are in need of prayer during a season of waiting or loss, we invite you to go to firstshallowater.org and share your prayer requests. We would love to pray for you!
On this week’s episode of First Things First, we get to visit with Presleigh Dutra, Laurie Cotten, and John Everitt as they share their reflections on the Belize Mission Trip that the church took this summer. They will tell us a little about the work that was done and share the way God moved in the lives of those served and serving! You will be encouraged to be a part of our ongoing work with Belize. Be sure and listen! This is UnBeliezable!
This week, on our episode of First Things FIrst, we will be visiting with Terry Rascoe. Terry shares how a small dream can have big impact in the kingdom. Join us as we visit about the importance of prayer and a willing attitude!
And it all started with a puppet…
In this episode of First Things First, we visit with Caran Conner as she reminds us that we are redeemed! There is no longer condemnation for those who are in Christ! Caran shares the lessons she has learned through seasons of grief and loneliness to remind us that we are never alone. You will find encouragment in her advice on caring for aging parents and using your spiritual gifts to make a difference!
We encourage you to check out Breelynshope.com to find out more about the CF Foundation.
In this episode of First Things First, we visit with Melissa Hotchkiss. Listen to hear stories of finding hope in the desert of loneliness, weapons when dealing with the enemy of lies, and the power of prayer. God is so faithful when we pursue him!
Need prayer? We would love to pray with you. You can share your requests on the firstshallowater.org website.
This week on First Things First, we sit down to visit with Matthew Gill. Matthew is a leader of one of our Life Groups. In this episode, we cover topics of grace and surrender. As humans, we sometimes find ourselves in a cycle of shame, regret, and effort. BUT GOD is all about grace! Matthew shares the lessons he has learned as He navigates the rivers of life!
Books that were mentioned in this episode include:
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Answers to Prayer by George Mueller
Update: “A good soldier fights not for what he hates in front of him but rather what is behind him that he loves.” was said by G.K. Chesterton.
Are you looking for a life group or in need of prayer? Check out our website at FirstShallowater.org. We would love to GROW and do LIFE with you!
This week on the podcast we welcome Magel Taylor. In this episode, we will discover how God works through believers to bring a sense of belonging. We see the importance of letting go, being prepared, and moving forward when he calls us. We are reminded to keep the main thing the main thing. Love God. Love people.
To find out more information about the programs mentioned in the podcast, be sure and check out our website at firstshallowater.org. You can learn about our where you can belong by checking out our small groups and learning more about Encore!
Can we pray for you? Tell us how! Just click on Resources on the arrow on our homepage and click on Prayer Requests!
This week on the podcast we welcome Angela Scruggs! We talk about surrender, spiritual disciplines, legacies of faith, provision, and grief. We also talked about how God’s work in our past gives us faith for our future!
To find out more information about the programs mentioned in the podcast, be sure and check out our website at firstshallowater.org. You can learn about our small groups and our Grief groups there!
Can we pray for you? Tell us how! Just click on Resources on the arrow on our homepage and click on Prayer requests!
This week on the podcast we welcome Jennifer Kizziah!
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
This week on the podcast we welcome Jennifer Kizziah!
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
This week on the podcast we welcome Pastor Brad Miles!
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
This week on the podcast we welcome Jamie Warren!
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
This week on the podcast we welcome Berry Stephenson!
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
This week on the podcast we welcome Jessica Gower!
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
This week on the podcast we welcome Justin St.Clair! We talk about the redemption, how God uses our difficulty, learning to be a servant to your family and discovering the rich reward of reading Scripture. We also talk about what God teaches us when, in our obedience, we find ourselves walking through life.
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week on the podcast we welcome Carrie Sarchet! We talk about the importance of community through walk to Emmaeus, how God uses our difficulty, learning to be a servant and discovering the rich reward of reading Scripture. We also talk about what God teaches us when, in our obedience, we find ourselves walking through difficult or painful circumstances.
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week on the podcast we welcome Julia Smith! This is our final First things first episode of 2023. We will be back next year with more fantastic testimonies of God's work in our community!
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week on the podcast we welcome Bart Greer! We talk about the importance of community, how God uses our obedience, learning to be a servant and discovering the rich reward of reading Scripture. We also talk about what God teaches us when, in our obedience, we find ourselves walking through difficult or painful circumstances.
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week on the podcast we welcome Julie Batten! We talk about the importance of community, how God uses our obedience, learning to be a servant and discovering the rich reward of reading Scripture. We also talk about what God teaches us when, in our obedience, we find ourselves walking through difficult or painful circumstances.
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week on the podcast we welcome Nancy Haney! We talk about the importance of community, how God uses our obedience, learning to be a servant and discovering the rich reward of reading Scripture. We also talk about what God teaches us when, in our obedience, we find ourselves walking through difficult or painful circumstances.
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week on the podcast we welcome Lyndal Trout! We talk about the importance of community, how God uses our obedience, learning to be a servant and discovering the rich reward of reading Scripture. We also talk about what God teaches us when, in our obedience, we find ourselves walking through difficult or painful circumstances.
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week on the podcast we welcome Josh Brown! We talk about the importance of community, how God uses our calling, learning to be a servant and discovering the what a gift the Scripture is to our soul. We also talk about what God teaches us when, in our obedience, we find ourselves walking through difficult or painful circumstances.
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week on the podcast we welcome Tori Dennis! We talk about the importance of community, how God uses our obedience, learning to be a servant and discovering the rich reward of reading Scripture. We also talk about what God teaches us when, in our obedience, we find ourselves walking through difficult or painful circumstances.
Tori mentioned a book that really changed her life. It’s called Captivated and you can find it here.
Brad mentioned the book One Thousand Gifts and the song Canvas and Clay. You should check them out!
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week on the podcast we welcome Laurie Cotten! We talk about finding the love of your life, living a life of adventure, raising kids and riding motorcycles. We also talk about cancer, about hope, and about learning to trust God in the middle of chaos and pain.
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week on the podcast we welcome Ben Wells! We talk about how God reveals his faithful love to us, even in the midst of difficult or painful circumstances. We also talk about how God uses the church to move us toward hope and healing.
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week on the podcast we welcome Jennifer Mitchell! We talk about how God reveals his love through struggles and finding purpose in the calling God has placed on our lives.
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week on the podcast we welcome Troy White! We talk about how God reveals his faithful love to us, even in the midst of difficult or painful circumstances. We also talk about how God uses the church to move us toward hope and healing.
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week on the podcast we welcome Michael Corallo. Michael is stepping into a new role at our church, moving from Youth Pastor to Associate Pastor. We talk about how God reveals his faithful love to us, even in the midst of difficult or painful circumstances. We also talk about how God uses the church to move us toward hope and healing.
To find out more information about our church, First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week, we are joined by Lance and Carol Dockery join us to talk about their ministry at Black Forest Academy in Kandern, Germany. They talk about learning to follow God fearlessly, about discerning God's calling and about raising a family on the mission field. You're going to want to make sure and check out all that God is doing in and through the Dockery family!
Want more information about how God is using the Dockery family? Join Team Dockery!
Here's a video about one of the families that the Dockery family serves.
For more information about our church, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how.
This week, Ian and Chelsie Phillips join us on the podcast to recap our recent mission trip to Belize. We talk about how God is at work in Belize, how God works in us when we serve and why everyone should go on a mission trip. We also talk about how Ian heroically saved our Pastor's life! Don't miss this episode!
For more information about our church, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how!
This week on the podcast Addi Pitts and Raylei Perkins join us to talk about what they experienced during our mission trip to Belize. We talk about relationships, the body of Christ, the value of cross-cultural ministry and how to have an effective British accent.
Check out our website for more information about First Shallowater.
Tell us how we can pray for you.
This week on the podcast we welcome graduating Seniors, Shelby Thomas and Molly Vincent. We talk about the people who influence us toward Christ, the importance of Godly friends, managing the stress that comes with graduating and getting ready for college, and experiencing God's faithfulness in the middle of it all. So proud of these young ladies.
For more information about First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how.
This week on the podcast we welcome graduating Seniors, Trevor Winn and Kaleb Cox. We talk about the healing that takes place when we invite Godly friends into our struggles and learning to trust God with our future.
For more information about First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how.
This week on the podcast we welcome Ashli Buckley. We talk about growing up, about shame, about choices and about the incredible grace of God.
For more information about First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how.
This week on the podcast we welcome Joni Kitchens. We talk about teaching and coaching, about serving those who are in need, about leaving a legacy, and about finding freedom from religion in relationship with Christ.
Joni helped to start Mustard Seed Ministries. If you'd like to know how you can help Mustard Seed meet needs in our community, go here.
For more information about First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how.
This week on the podcast we welcome Travis Jones. We talk about what it means to be called to ministry, trying to discern God's will, learning to wait on God and trusting God when our circumstances cause us to question His goodness.
For more information about First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how.
This week on the podcast we welcome Mesha Kleibrink. We talk living with physical challenges that mark you out as different, discovering your Kingdom purpose in spite of feelings of inadequacy, and the incredible love of God. Mesha's story is about God's miracle power and it will be encouraging for anyone who feels broken, unworthy or limited.
Mesha referenced the podcast Becoming Something with Jonathan Pokluda during our conversation.
For more information about First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how.
This week on the podcast we welcome Kayla Newton. We talk about the importance of community for believers. We also talk about what it means to own your faith, to understand what you believe about the gospel apart from just what you've been taught. Kayla's story is really encouraging, especially for those of us who may be walking through a season where we are wondering how God is at work.
For more information about First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how.
This week on the podcast, we welcome Doug Taylor. Doug and his wife, Magel, lead our Encore ministry. Doug has lead in a variety of ways in our church, and is a true servant. He talks about the importance of submitting our will to God's will, raising kids in a foreign country and finding family in the most surprising places.
For more information about First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how.
This week on the podcast we welcome Jude Shatley. Jude is a Freshman at Shallowater High School. In the past couple of years, since he moved to Shallowater, God has done an amazing work in Jude's life. He has been baptized and he has surrendered to the ministry! Jude believes that God is calling him to be a pastor. So, how do you balance a call that God has placed on your life for the future with all of the present challenges of being a teenager? You'll be encouraged to hear Jude's story.
For more information about First Shallowater, check out our website.
Can we pray for you? Tell us how.
Walking through painful or difficult seasons in our lives can sometimes leave us bitter, jaded and angry. Not Linda Rhodes though. She joins us on the podcast to talk about growing up in a small town, young love, the importance of family and making new friends. She also talks about addiction, about fighting for her marriage, about losing someone you love, about facing down serious illness and about discovering hope and joy in the faithfulness of God.
Linda mentioned He Still Moves Stones by Max Lucado. It's an easy read, but it's a powerful book. Check it out.
We talk about some hard stuff in this episode. If you need someone to pray for you, reach out to us.
For more information about our church, check out our website.
Collin Britt is going to be leading worship at DNOW, February 24-25. He joins us on the podcast to talk about music, songwriting and ministry. He also talks about the importance of filling out hearts with scripture, experiencing God's rescue from a self-destructive lifestyle, staying focused on following Christ in the middle of difficult circumstances and unhealthy influences, and the peace and hope that can only be discovered in the gospel. You're going to enjoy getting to know Collin a little better before DNOW.
Check out Collin's music!
Read the Bible with us! We're going to be reading and meditating on Philippians in the Deep Dive starting February 20.
Let us know how we can pray for you.
Check out our website for more information about First Shallowater.
You are not going to want to miss this conversation with Erica Bright. Erica grew up in Shallowater from fourth grade through high school. She talks about living through tragedy, surviving abuse, navigating the foster care system, and dealing with trauma. She also talks about the faithful love of God, about the transformative power of community and about giving her life to creating opportunities for others to experience those things. This is such an empowering and encouraging story. You are going to be so glad that you got to know a little more about Erica.
Erica's ministry is Reclaimed 43. Check out their website and discover ways that you can get involved. Sign up to be mentor!
Want to learn more about foster parenting? Go here or here.
Read the Bible with us! We're going to be reading and meditating on Philippians in the Deep Dive starting February 20.
Check out our website for more information about First Shallowater.
Tiffany joins the podcast for a conversation about the ups and downs of high school, that other university in College Station, the value of short-term mission trips, tattoos and growing up at First Shallowater. She also talks about learning to root her identity in Christ, how the gospel changes our perspective, the truths of God's word and working her way through change and the unknown as a perfectionist/control freak. Even though she is an Aggie, she has some pretty wise things to say.
Check out the book Gently and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane C. Ortlund. Tiffany mentioned that book in the podcast and you're going to want to read it.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” - Isaiah 52:7
For more information about our church, check out our website.
Anyone who finds themselves in the midst of a struggle will really be encouraged by this conversation with Gary Eastwood. He talks about raising a family, starting a business, learning to manage finances and dealing with crazy rodents in the middle of the night. He also talks about his relationship with his mom, growing up without a dad, dealing with hurt, walking through struggle and finding the faithfulness of God in the middle of it all.
Tell us how we can be praying for you.
Find out more about our mission trip to Belize!
Learn more about what God is doing at First Shallowater.
This week we welcome Justin Bloss who will be speaking at DNOW February 24 and 25. He talks about tennis, about small towns, about good friends and about starting a family. He also shares about turning to Christ, about struggling with addiction and about the transforming love of Jesus.
Tell us how we can pray for you.
Find out more about First Shallowater.
Carsen Miles talks about finding peace in the presence of Christ, about learning to receive God's love, and about trusting that God has everything under control. She shares her experiences growing up as a minister's kid, dealing with a life-altering illness, struggling through identity issues and learning to rest in the love of Christ.
Check out Brave Enough to be Broken by Toni Collier. Carsen recommended this book in the podcast. She also suggested Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst. Winning the War on Worry is a companion book to Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table both by Louie Giglio. Register for our women's bible study on Wednesday nights starting 1/11/2023 over The Cost of Control by Shannon Hodde Miller
2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
For more information about our church, check out our website.
Swade and Krystal Moyers join the podcast to talk about minivans, raising kids, teenage romance, and foster/adoption. They also talk about the amazing ways that God has blessed their family, the hope they have in the hard times and what it means to simply obey God.
This week we have an awesome conversation with Kim Sanders about foster parenting, about adoption, but also about boldly obeying God and surrendering to His will. We also talk about the joys and challenges that life often throws at us, as well as walking through sorrow and grief with our family. You are going to love this!
Want to know more about how you can get involved in caring for abused and/or neglected children? Here are some really great options for everyone!
Want to know more about foster parenting and/or adoption? Check out our ministry partners, Texas Girls and Boys Ranch and Buckner!
Want to know more about our church? Visit our website!
Carrie Williams talks about how God called her and her family to be a foster family, how He moved in them as they welcomed children into their home, how He eventually led them to adopt and what their family has learned on this amazing journey. You are going to be inspired by hearing what God has done in the Williams family!
Interested in foster care and/or adoption? Check out our ministry partners, Texas Girls and Boys Ranch and Buckner.
Looking for other ways to fulfill the scriptural mandate that we have to care for orphans? Start here.
For more information about First Shallowater, click here.
What a privilege to hear from Kaegan Holder! She talks about being a mom, teaching school, figuring out a career path and the key to healthy dating. She also talks about the faithfulness of God, the fierce love of a mother, letting our past be the launching pad for ministry and stepping out in faith to be the hands of feet of Christ for someone else. Kaegan's story is so encouraging! Listen and share!
If you would like more information on the ministry that Kaegan has started with her mom, check out The Mercy Movement.
For more information about our church, check out First Shallowater!
This week we talk to Brice Foster about youth sports and raising kids. We also talk about mission, about growing in Christ, and about finding healthy accountability and community.
Anna and Michael are back as we continue the discussion we started last week, answering YOUR questions! This week we talk about the difference between ordinances and sacraments and what the Bible has to say about whether or not women can serve as pastors, elders or deacons.
On Sundays, we have been in a series called YOU ASKED FOR IT. We've been answering questions that have been submitted to us by YOU! We got WAY too many questions, though, so we decided to try and answer some of them on the podcast. Michael Corallo and Anna Jackson join the podcast to help answer questions about how we interpret Scripture, and about whether foot washing should be an ordinance of the church. This is Part 1. Tune back in next week for Part 2!
It's amazing how experiences in our lives and how important relationships can shape our perspective. The influence that Godly parents can have on our lives is really profound. This week on the podcast Tony Cotten describes how the example of faithfulness his parents set for him profoundly shaped his outlook on life. We talk about plumbers, motorcycles, Santa Claus and small churches. We also talk about ministry, adversity, terminal illness and the steadfast love of God. Don't miss Tony's amazing story!
For more information about First Shallowater, click here.
So many of us know how it feels to face rejection, abandonment. We know how it feels to struggle with anxiety, to question our self-worth and doubt the goodness of God. This week on the podcast we get to talk to Danielle Rendon. We talk about raising boys, White Sands New Mexico, surviving parenthood and sleep deprivation. We also talk about addiction, about abandonment, about fear and about the steadfast mercy of God. Danielle's story is going to encourage you. Check it out now!
For more information about First Shallowater, click here.
For more information about IF:Gathering click here
Sometimes God uses really difficult and tragic circumstances to reveal His mercy, and to draw us close to him. This week on the podcast we welcome Kyla Hamilton. We talk about teenagers, farming, Alabama (the band) and cows. We also talk about falling in love, finding Jesus, facing tragedy and raising a family. We had a lot of fun hanging out and you will really enjoy and be encouraged by how God has been at work in Kyla's life.
There are a whole lot of people in the world who have been greatly influenced by the life and ministry of Dr. Clinton Lowin, including many people in Shallowater. Dr. Lowin was interim pastor at First Shallowater, and there are so many people at our church who were blessed by his wisdom, humility and desire to serve. This week we sit down for a conversation with Dr. Clinton Lowin. We talk about volleyball, pizza, Taco Villa, ski trips and growing up in West Texas. We also talk about ministry, about faith, about learning to walk in humility with God, about following God's call on our lives even when that means moving WAY outside of our comfort zone. Dr. Lowin shares some awesome truth with us that will encourage and inspire you.
Being a mom is tough. Balancing all of the demands of caring for a growing family with the work it takes to build, to maintain, to grow a healthy marriage is not easy. This week on the podcast we welcome Skylah Hoffman. We talk about basketball, young love, raising kids, and West Texas. We also talk about the importance of family, finding purpose and the challenge of connecting with your spouse in the middle of the craziness of raising a family. Skylah has so many encouraging things to share, particularly with young mothers, in this podcast episode. Take a listen, and share it with someone you know.
For more information about First Shallowater, click here.
You can find out more about Jennie Allen and her new book, Find Your People, by clicking here.
Want to know more about IF:Gathering? Click here.
Since we've been talking about commitments we make that help to insure successful, healthy marriages, this conversation with Ann Marie is timed perfectly. We talk about growing up in a small town, raising boys, and type 1 diabetes. We also talk about facing adversity in our marriages, learning to place our trust in God and figuring out how to love others selflessly, like Jesus. You are going to really appreciate Ann Marie's openness, her sincere faith and her love for her family.
To say that Maddox Phillips is "relentlessly positive" may actually be a bit of an understatement. When you hang out with Maddox, you can't help but be impressed by his optimism, his care for others, his outlook even in the face of adversity. Of course, it's not easy for him, or anyone really, to maintain that, especially when life gets particularly tough or when people are particularly mean. This conversation with Maddox is so encouraging, though, because he steadfastly chooses to believe the best about others, and because steadfastly refuses to allow challenges to slow him down. In our conversation we talk about youth camp, friendship, school and football. We also talk about overcoming challenges, recovering from injury, growing closer to God and responding in love when people say mean things. There's something for everyone in this episode, and Maddox is a truly special young man.
For more information about our church, First Shallowater, click here.
Every now and then, you meet someone, and as soon as you meet them, you know that you are going to be friends. Ernest Hopkins is one of those people. Everyone who meets him feels like they are his best friend. He has a unique talent for making people feel accepted, seen, loved. During the five years that he served as Associate Pastor at First Shallowater, he made a huge impact on the lives of a lot of people, and he and his family are remembered fondly for their time here. Ernest joins the podcast this week and we talk about family, military service, grandkids and the joys of ministry. We also talk about grief, loss, race and God' guidance and provision. If you know Ernest Hopkins, you love him. If you don't know him, you are going to love this episode and, I promise, by the end of it, you will love him too.
For more information about First Shallowater, click here.
There are people in our lives who profoundly change our course because of their faithfulness, their compassion and their sincere commitment to Christ. Rodney Vincent is now, and has been for a long time, one of those people for a lot of folks. During his 20+ years of coaching, Rodney has influenced countless young people to work hard, dream big, be team players, and to follow Christ. On this episode, though, he talks about the people in his life who did that for him. You are going to love hearing these stories and getting to know Coach Vincent a little bit better.
For more information about First Shallowater, click here.
Only a really special person would choose to spend the bulk of their career working with middle school students. Kerry Sarchet is one of those people. We talk about sports, kids, family, band, E-Harmony and small town America. We also talk about loss, grief, parenting, and the steadfast love of God. Check out Kerry's encouraging story.
For more information about our church, First Shallowater, click here.
Have you ever felt like life pulled the rug out from under you; like in a single, gut wrenching moment everything changed? How do we respond in those moments, and how do we walk through the aftermath. This week on the podcast Charity Sparks joins us. We talk about the Lone Star State, yo yos, magicians, big moves and new places. We also talk about trusting God, depression, suicide, family and the hope and peace that can only be found in the presence of God. You are going to be encouraged by Charity's story.
For more information about First Shallowater, click here.
Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer
Sometimes, when we are going through really hard things, it's difficult for us to imagine how God might be at work. It's only when we look back at our experiences that we see evidence of his handiwork. This week, we welcome D'Neise Laverty to the podcast. We talk about Hallmark movies, small towns, West Texas people, and great churches. We also talk about abandonment, addiction, losing a loved one and the relentless grace of God. You are going to love hearing from D'Neise.
If you would like more information about our church, First Shallowater, click here.
This week on the podcast we sit down with Cayenne Williams for a conversation about family, college life, friendships, youth group and dating. We also talk about faith, purpose, foster care and adoption. If you ever worry about the future of our world as today's young people move into positions of leadership, then you need to listen to this episode. Cayenne is a great example of a young person with a desire to serve others, to be used by God to make a difference in the world. Grab your favorite teenager and listen together!
For more information about our church, click here.
Cayenne mentioned Amarillo Angels. Make sure you check out their website to discover more ways to help foster families in our area.
Also, our church works really closely with Texas Girls and Boys Ranch. Check out their volunteer opportunities.
Want to email Cayenne? Here's her address: caywill20@gmail.com
When we are facing something really big and scary, our faith can be what sustains us. Hearing from people who have walked through those situations, who are positive and centered in spite of everything, can be really helpful. That is who Deanna Harville is. This week on the podcast, Deanna and I talk about homemade ice cream, second chances, cancer, faith and the difference that the love of a good husband can make. Tune in and keep the Kleenex handy! You're going to love hearing what Deanna has to share!
For more information about First Shallowater, head over to our website.
Summer is here! That means trips, vacations, hopefully a little more downtime hanging out beside a pool. You are probably looking for a new show or a new movie to watch. You might also be on the hunt for some new music, or a new book, or maybe even another podcast to listen to. We've got you covered! Brad, Annie and Carsen discuss what they have been watching, reading and listening to with a particular focus on how those things have caused them to think about faith. So, dive into summer with some new entertainment options!
For more information about First Shallowater, check out our website!
Here are some links to some of the things we mention in this episode:
Don't Give the Enemy A Seat at Your Table - Louie Giglio
Peace Like a River - Leif Enger
Uninvited - Lysa TerKeurst
John Adams - David McCullough
Blink - Malcolm Gladwell
Holier Than Thou - Jackie Hill Perry
Sometimes, in our lives, we run up against obstacles. The obstacles can seem really big, insurmountable even. With Christ, though, we are able to move through, and even grow stronger from the obstacles that we find in our path. This week, our guest on the podcast is Dora Potter. We talk about "hayseed," working with students, living in Hawaii and growing up on a farm. We also talk about raising children, blended families, losing loved ones and learning to trust Christ through it all. You'll love hearing the wisdom that Dora has to share.
For more information about our church, click here.
As we get ready to celebrate our graduating Seniors in a little over a week, First Things First welcomes two of our seniors to the podcast. Kade Smith and Samantha Thomas drop in, and we talk about youth group, school trips, mentors and growing up. We also talk about finding faith, learning to serve God and figuring out the future. So excited about what God is doing in the lives of these two young people! you will be too!
Click here for more information about our church, First Shallowater.
Being a mom is really rewarding, really exciting, but also really hard. With Mother's Day coming up, we decided to an air an episode we recorded back in March with our friend Alana Hayes. We talk about dancing, pick up lines, marriage, morning sickness, growing up in church, farming and health inspectors. We also talk about mission, about calling, about the leadership of the Holy Spirit, about grief and loss and about living out Christ-life. You will be inspired and encouraged to hear Alana's story.
Alana's started a company, Against the Grain, to raise money for an orphanage in Nepal. Check our their stuff! You can also go to that website for tickets to A Night for Nepal.
The book, When Helping Hurts, was really impactful to Alana and she mentions it on the podcast.
Faith and life can be really confusing and we often have questions. That's especially true if you are a teenager. At our recent DNow event for our youth ministry, small groups were asked to write down questions that they had about God, faith, the Bible, life. We got LOTS of questions! We hosted a panel Q&A during DNow, but we weren't able to get to nearly all of the questions. So, we decided we'd answer a few more on the podcast this week! Our pastor, Brad Miles, and youth minister, Michael Corallo, answer some really insightful questions from some amazing students on this week's episode. Make sure you listen! They might even talk about a question that you have had!
For more information about our church, click here.
Sometimes life really wrenches us in a new direction. We didn't ask for it, certainly didn't see it coming, but we are faced with figuring out how to navigate it. This week on the podcast we get to sit down with Joe Longway. We talk about law enforcement, about the Walk to Emmaus movement, about heartbreak, divorce and seeking God when we feel lost.
For more information about First Shallowater, visit our website.
Can we pray for you? Send us your prayer requests.
This week on the podcast we welcome our first celebrity guest! Lady Raider Basketball legend, Brittany Brewer, join us. We talk about basketball, family, European culture, accidental memes and what its like to be a professional athlete. We also talk about toxic work environments, anxiety, fear, cancer, grief and loss. Hear Brittany share about how her faith has grown and strengthened her through it all.
Brittany recommends these books for those who are dealing with grief: Suffering Is Never for Nothing and The Hiding Place We also recommend One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are
For more information about First Shallowater, visit our website.
Can we pray for you? Send us your prayer requests.
This week on the podcast we get to sit down with Jason Fisher. Jason is President at Wyllie Manufacturing. He's also a husband, a father and a faithful servant at First Shallowater. We talk about teenagers, truck accessories, theology and our awesome wives. We also talk about divorce, about deliverance, about what we often deal with as children in our families, and about how the grace of God finds us in the midst of it all.
Jason references a message from our previous series, Enough. You can listen to it here.
For more information about First Shallowater, visit our website.
Can we pray for you? Send us your prayer requests.
Trauma, and specifically abuse, are things that we don’t often talk about in church, but the truth is that many of us have experienced it. As a follow-up to the message on April 3, 2022, Erin Lass joins the podcast to talk about the effects that trauma can have on us as well as some practical ways to begin to move toward healing. Erin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a thriving practice, Waypoints Counseling, in Plainview, TX. If you have ever been abused, or experienced any kind of trauma, you're going to want to listen to this episode. If you haven't, the odds are that you know someone who has, or who is walking through that trauma right now. This episode has some really great advice for helping folks who are dealing with the fallout from trauma.
For more information about First Shallowater, visit our website.
Can we pray for you? Send us your prayer requests.
Building a big life in a small town is rewarding, enriching and really difficult. This week on the podcast we sit down with Angie Smith and we talk about Friday night football games, farming and good friends. We also talk about financial hardship, marriage, raising kids and trusting Jesus to guide us through it all. You’ll be encouraged by Angie’s sincere and compassionate heart, as well as by her story of learning to root her life in the truths of scripture even in the midst of uncertainty and change.
www.firstshallowater.org
There is a huge difference between knowing about someone and actually knowing someone. Especially in this age of social media, it’s increasingly different for us sometimes to distinguish between those two things in our relationships. If we aren’t careful, we can assume that we have a relationship with folks that we actually don’t have. It’s also easy for us to assume that we have a relationship with God that we don’t have. What if we know about Jesus, but we don’t actually know him? This week, Jeremy Walker joins the podcast, and we talk about faith, what it means to have a relationship with God. We also talk about worship, farming, eating gross things, small town living and how to respond when we’ve been hurt by church people. You are going to enjoy getting to know Jeremy a little better. Jeremy works at Texas Girls and Boys Ranch. Find out more about this amazing ministry here: https://txgbr.org
When tragedy strikes in sudden, unexpected ways in our lives, we can feel really disoriented, lost even. Those events in our lives threaten to completely derail us. Where is God, who is God when we are facing unimaginable loss. This week, Sandy Peters joins us on the podcast. We talk about family, the difference that an amazing woman can make in our lives, the inestimable value of good friendships and dealing with the loss of a loved one.
One moment, one word, one diagnosis can change our lives forever. When a person hears the news that they have a life-altering, life threatening illness, things can get really dark really quick. How can we find the light of hope in the midst of such overwhelming darkness. Anna Jackson knows. This week, we welcome her onto the podcast and we talk about raising kids, the challenges facing educators, secret ways to get onto the roof of the church and cancer. We talk about how God’s mercy can meet us when things feel most hopeless. Don’t miss this episode!
Get to know more about Anna. Check out her blog!
Isn’t it crazy how our lives can be headed in one direction and then, all of a sudden, God can move us in a startling, exciting new direction? This week we talk with Steve Nieman about good friends, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, entrepreneurship and the ways that our spouses sometimes save us from ourselves.
Click here to listen to Psalm 13, Brad's song that mentions in this episode.
Click here to listen to Even If, by MercyMe featuring the testimony behind the song.
Here are the books that Steve mentioned:
Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
Sometimes, just when you think things are getting good, life throws you a curveball. Sometimes a LOT of curveballs. How do we respond when hard things, even painful things, pop up in really unexpected places in our lives? This week welcome Annie Abney to the podcast. We talk about dogs, fish, and rap superstars. We also talk about loss, about marriage, about mental health and about God’s grace in the middle of all of it.
Sometimes, our most painful experiences, our darkest struggles are the things that lead us to Christ. We experience, in real and profound ways, God’s healing in these moments. This week on the podcast, Roxann St. Clair shares the inspiring story of how God showed up in the middle of her struggle and gave her peace, healing and victory. We also talk about being an entrepreneur, and if you’d like some more information about Roxann’s family business, you can go here: https://drinkhotruby.com WARNING: We talk about some serious stuff in our episode this week. If you are a victim of sexual assault and you need counseling or help, here are some resources that may be of help to you:
National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673
https://onevoicehome.org/ If you are struggling with an eating disorder, here is a good place to start for information and help: Eating Disorders Helpline | Chat, Call, or Text | NEDAhttps://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org › help-support Please feel free to contact the church at 806.832.4511 if you would like recommendations for counselors who deal with some of the issues we deal with in the podcast. Our list will not be exhaustive, but it may be a good place to start.
Liminal - Occupying a position at, or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold. This week on the podcast we’re joined by Jackson Abney who talks about, among other things, how God is faithful in the liminal times in our lives - those times when we know we are at the threshold of change, but we have no idea what is coming. We talk also talk about dogs, rap icons, the lineup for the Super Bowl halftime show. You’ll be encouraged and inspired by Jackson’s story.
Be careful when you ask God to clearly reveal his will to you. Sometimes he does it in exactly the way you asked! This week on the podcast, Joe Kirk Smith shares a story about a time when God did just that for him. We talk about what it means to surrender our lives to God completely, how to hear and follow God’s voice, what it takes to have a healthy marriage, and how God rescues us from ourselves sometimes.
Are you interested in the Marriage Maintenance class that Joe Kirk and his wife Angie lead? Email Ministry Assistant, Annie Abney at annie@firstshallowater.org and she will get you on the list for the next session!
We all have that one friend, that one person who has really made a difference in our lives. This week on the podcast, we talk to Kristi Barker. She shares a powerful story about how God used a precious friend to change the course of her life. Not only her life though, but also the lives of many, many other people. We weren’t able to find the book we mention in the podcast (it’s out of print), but here is a link to Brie Gomez’s blog: https://briewhitegomez.blogspot.com/