The Sinner and The Saint: Recent Episodes

Melissa Bell & Allison Cain

She said what?! One was raised on a church pew in the south, the other on the wrong side of the tracks. Together this unlikely duo hashes out the complexities and quandaries of life while slapping a little Jesus on it. Does her sweet tea need a little vodka or is it the other way around? You decide. www.sinnerandthesaint.com

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (MSG)

What's wrong with the quote?

"I don't want to heal because the gift is in the pain."

SO MUCH! This episode is our season finale before we take a September sabbatical and it's packed!

The truth about healing, what it is, isn't, how we know & how it deepens our empathy not rid us of it.

You won't want to miss this episode!

God, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
has this solemn counsel:
“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
Your strength will come from settling down
in complete dependence on me—
The very thing
you’ve been unwilling to do. Isaiah 30:15 (MSG)

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 (MSG)

Why are times of rest difficult?

Why are these periods of rest important and what are the benefits?

Do not slack in your faithfulness and hard work. Let your spirit be on fire, bubbling up and boiling over, as you serve the Lord. 12 Do not forget to rejoice, for hope is always just around the corner. Hold up through the hard times that are coming, and devote yourselves to prayer. Romans 12:11-12 (Voice)

Do not slack in your faith, do not stop working hard, do not forget to rejoice!

Instead: Let your spirit be on fire, hold onto faith, and devote yourself to prayer.

Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Romans 12:11-12 (MSG)

Ministry is easier than you think.

The world tells us to buy a URL, entice followers, and go viral on TikTok - But Jesus shows us how to be effective in our everyday lives.

Honestly, you are probably already "doing ministry" - it's a way of life!

God can use you just as you are with what you have to make an impact in someone's life.

That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible. 2 Timothy 1:5-7

David was thirty years old when he became king, and ruled for forty years. In Hebron he ruled Judah for seven and a half years. In Jerusalem he ruled all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years. 2 Samuel 5:4-5

There is so much waiting in scripture! Joseph, Jesus, Paul, Moses, Noah, Hannah, Nehemiah, Esther, Sarah, Jeremiah, the list goes on and on.

Why does God call us and then make us wait?

Takeaways:

Guard your heart
Following God brings blessings
Pass on your faith
Live with God's Word visible in every way

Deuteronomy 11:13-21

From now on if you listen obediently to the commandments that I am commanding you today, love God, your God, and serve him with everything you have within you, he’ll take charge of sending the rain at the right time, both autumn and spring rains, so that you’ll be able to harvest your grain, your grapes, your olives. He’ll make sure there’s plenty of grass for your animals. You’ll have plenty to eat.

16-17 But be vigilant, lest you be seduced away and end up serving and worshiping other gods and God erupts in anger and shuts down Heaven so there’s no rain and nothing grows in the fields, and in no time at all you’re starved out—not a trace of you left on the good land that God is giving you.

18-21 Place these words on your hearts. Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night. Inscribe them on the doorposts and gates of your cities so that you’ll live a long time, and your children with you, on the soil that God promised to give your ancestors for as long as there is a sky over the Earth.

Want to live . . . "more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible"? (v. 17)

2 Corinthians 7:8-12

8-9 I know I distressed you greatly with my letter. Although I felt awful at the time, I don’t feel at all bad now that I see how it turned out. The letter upset you, but only for a while. Now I’m glad—not that you were upset, but that you were jarred into turning things around. You let the distress bring you to God, not drive you from him. The result was all gain, no loss.

10 Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.

11-13 And now, isn’t it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You’re more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you’ve come out of this with purity of heart. And that is what I was hoping for in the first place when I wrote the letter. My primary concern was not for the one who did the wrong or even the one wronged, but for you—that you would realize and act upon the deep, deep ties between us before God. That’s what happened—and we felt just great.

“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

The Desert, Dark Night of the Soul, the Wilderness or Spiritual Slump . . . no matter what you call it, we all go through times in our lives and faith where God seems to have left us or is silent.

What does this mean, how do we handle it and what is the truth?

What does following Jesus and bootcamp have to do with one another?

The parallels may shock you - or at the very least entertain you!

In this episode we dive into the weapons and strategies needed for battle and explore our FREDDOM.

Freedom in Christ It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

The power of opening our homes and serving a meal is beyond what we usually consider.

That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Acts 2:41-42

They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved. Acts 2:46-47

What does it look like to live with dignity in our daily lives? What are the small actions we can take daily to live with great dignity?

“What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries. Matthew 10:29-31

How do we know if it's Spiritual Warfare or a war of lies?

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, ~ 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)

Consider the Source

Test it Against God's Word

Consider the Fruit

Often times obeying God goes against the norm, we get weird looks and are ostracized from even our closest friends.

And sometimes - we have to quit something good to make room for something that's even better.

Join us this week as we look at Noah's story and take a few glimpses into our own lives.

We'll chat about what to do in the waiting and learn how to handle the AWKWARD moments.

By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God. Hebrews 11:7

Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”

This is one of the most challenging actions Jesus calls us to take. It requires a lot of grace, humility, empathy, and love. We know we can pull it off with God, but what does that look like in reality and our everyday lives?

AAANNNDDDD...drum roll please...

Check out Melissa's new website and peruse the Love Letters and tees!

Evie Jane | Writer, Speaker, Warrior for Women

3 ways to tell if you healing, 3 ways to tell if you aren't and 3 ways to get started or keep going!

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

Psalm 40:2 (MSG)

Lie - God is always angry with me ~ Truth - 1 John 4:8, Romans 5:8

Lie - God only loves me when I'm good or do the right thing ~ Truth - Eph. 2:8-9, Romans 8:38-39

Lie - God only helps those who help themselves ~ Truth - Isaiah 41:10, 2 Corinthians 12:9

Lie - God is removed and not involved in my life ~ Truth - James 4:8, Matthew 28:20

Lie - God punishes me when I sin ~ Truth - Romans 6:23, 1 John 1:9

Lie - God will never give me more than I can handle ~ Truth - 1 Cor. 10:13, 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

Lie - God doesn't care about my everyday life, just my spiritual life ~ Truth - Colossians 3:23-24, Matthew 6:33

Lie - God will never be able to forgive me for all I've done ~ Truth - 1 John 1:9, Isaiah 1:18

Lie - God doesn't care about my questions or my doubts ~ Truth - James 1:5, Psalm 34:18

Lie - God's will for my life is too hard to figure out. I'll never know what it is ~ Truth - Jeremiah 29:11-13, Proverbs 3:5-6

This episode proves scripture is always teaching us, never grows old or goes out of date, journals are excellent tools and the Spirit opens our eyes to new wisdom if we sit and listen.

I know! I know! We just had a podcast on this scripture a few weeks ago, but there's more. Why am I so surprised?

Mark 2:1-5 - After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren’t able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.”

Questions to Consider:

What is distracting you and making you take your eyes off of Jesus?
In what situations/relationships in your life do you need to stop talking/teaching and simply listen, wait, and pray?

Jesus has two temple clearings in the Gospels.

John 2:13-17 (earlier in His ministry) and

Mark 21:12-14 - Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:

My house was designated a house of prayer;
You have made it a hangout for thieves.

Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them.

So how do we create an atmosphere that's welcoming to others.

Jonah 1:15-17 - They took Jonah and threw him overboard. Immediately the sea was quieted down. The sailors were impressed, no longer terrified by the sea, but in awe of God. They worshiped God, offered a sacrifice, and made vows. Then God assigned a huge fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the fish’s belly three days and nights.

What happened to Jonah and Asa that weakened their faith? How do we respond is tough times? How do we keep our faith strong and our eye on God and not ourselves?

1- Listen to those speaking truth to us.

2- Seek God first and before people every time

3 - Remember and recount all God has done for you

2 Chronicles 16:7-9 - Just after that, Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said, “Because you went for help to the king of Aram and didn’t ask God for help, you’ve lost a victory over the army of the king of Aram. Didn’t the Ethiopians and Libyans come against you with superior forces, completely outclassing you with their chariots and cavalry? But you asked God for help and he gave you the victory. God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. You were foolish to go for human help when you could have had God’s help. Now you’re in trouble—one round of war after another.”

Matthew 10:21-23 “When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you’ve run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.

Jesus has some incredible advice for His Disciples and it's just as meaningful for us!

Verses 24-39 - be pleased when you get the same treatment I do, don't be intimidated, don't be silent because of threats, stand up for ME, don't think I came to make like easy, and forget about yourself and look to Me!

Don't forget to take a look at the entire chapter because Jesus also shares some great advice from verses 1-20 as well.

We and scripture often talk about slowing down, listening, and being still. So are there any places in scripture where it tells us to hurry up?!

*We should hurry when we are in harm's way (Genesis 19:14-15)

*We should hurry to reconcile and forgive (Matthew 5:25)

*When should hurry to obey God's commands (Psalm 119:60)

Today we are talking about navigating life's uncertainty.

In Exodus 14, Moses is leading the Israelites out of slavery to the Promise Land...but they aren't going quietly.

In this rich passage we find 4 questions we can ask when we feel stuck.

Do you believe you can choose to be happy? You may be surprised by the answer.

We all run patterns in our life - both conscious and unconscious. Each pattern serves us or sabotages us.

Today we share questions to ask yourself if you need more happiness and bliss in your life!

1) What are you doing to create more bliss in your life?

2) What are you doing to help others experience happiness and bliss?

3) How blissful am I to be around?

Your current level of joy, happiness, and fulfillment is exactly what you think you deserve and exactly what you think you are worth.

Philippians 4:11-13

I am not saying this because I am in need. I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances. I know how to survive in tight situations, and I know how to enjoy having plenty. In fact, I have learned how to face any circumstances: fed or hungry, with or without. I can be content in any and every situation through the Anointed One who is my power and strength.

Today we're highlighting two organizations that assist single women experiencing homelessness and a development that aims to reduce homelessness in Wake County by 10%, focusing on individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness.

Women's Center

Mission: The Women’s Center of Wake County uses evidence-based practices to provide stability and housing for single women experiencing homelessness.

King's Ridge

King’s Ridge is CASA’s largest, most ambitious project to date. This 100-unit community consists of 1- 2- and 3-bedroom units and is designated for families and individuals moving out of homelessness. For the first time ever, CASA is including supportive services on-site. The building will have two medical clinics, case managers, a tenant liaison, and flexible community space—all designed to wrap our future tenants in care and provide them with a healing and supportive community.

Podcasthon.org

Why Podcasthon was created: is driven by a simple mission: to unite podcasters in making a positive impact on the world. We believe in the power of podcasting to raise awareness and support for important causes. Our goal is to create a global movement where voices come together to amplify the work of charities and inspire change. This non-profit initiative is fueled by enthusiasm and collaboration, with no profit motive—just a shared passion for making the world a better place.

Luke 5:18-20

Some men came to the house, carrying a paralyzed man on his bed pallet. They wanted to bring him in and present him to Jesus, 19 but the house was so packed with people that they couldn’t get in. So they climbed up on the roof and pulled off some roof tiles. Then they lowered the man by ropes so he came to rest right in front of Jesus.

20 In this way, their faith was visible to Jesus.

Jesus (to the man on the pallet): My friend, all your sins are forgiven.

So, religious scholars, judgment will come on you! You’re supposed to be teachers, unlocking the door of knowledge and guiding people through it. But the fact is, you’ve never even passed through the doorway yourselves. You’ve taken the key, left the door locked tight, and stood in the way of everyone who sought entry. Luke 11:52 (The Voice)

Jesus was calling the religious scholars out for muddying the scriptures with their own interpretations and manmade laws. They were also guilty of picking and choosing the rules and laws they wanted to follow, but expected everyone else to follow them all.

It's easy to call out and judge these religious leaders, but what if we examine our lives (with God) to determine where we are frauds or roadblocks? What would we discover?

Exodus 3:11 - Moses: I'm a nobody - God: I will be with you.

Exodus 3:13 - Moses: I'm not a theologian - God: I AM Who I AM. Tell the people of Israel "I AM sent me to you"

Exodus 4:11 - Moses: I am unconvincing - God: God gives him three miraculous signs to show the Israelites (staff to snake, leprous hand to clean hand, & water & dirt to blood)

Exodus 4:10 - Moses: I am not a preacher - God: I'll be right there with you, give you the words you need

Exodus 4:13 - Moses: I'm not ready, I'm scared - God: I'll send your brother Aaron, who is an eloquent speaker, to be your spokesman

Exodus 3:11-12

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

That hurt my feelings. That was so offensive!

Sound familiar?

Instead of using victim language, getting angry, shutting down, or putting other down . . .

Try asking yourself why someone not agreeing with you, or validating your feelings makes you feel that way.

Is it pride, insecurity or fear?

1 Corinthians 13:12-13

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9What if there was a social media device we could scroll through that was a constant real of truth, love, and healing? There is - God's Word. Why are people so reluctant to pick up and read the Bible?

Lack of time & not making it a priority
Difficulty understanding what it means
Lack of interest or motivation because you don't see the point in reading it
Doubts or skepticism about the Bible's validity
Negative past experiences by guilt-driven or legalistic teaching
No guidance or support from friends
Spiritual/emotional barriers because the truth is to difficult to hear or you feel angry or disconnected from God.

We make hundreds of choices EVERYDAY!

Some big, others small...but there are some that will change our lives forever.

In this episode:

Dive into the life altering decisions we make
Uncover potential problem areas in our choices
Discuss strategies to make the changes in our decision making

2 Cor. 13:5-8 Says: Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.

Richard Rohr says: Christians have often preached a gospel largely comprised of words, attitudes, and inner salvation experiences. People say they are saved, they are “born again,” yet how do we really know if someone is saved? Are they actually following Jesus? Do they love the poor? Are they free from their egos? Are they patient in the face of persecution?

Even today many Christians keep Jesus on a seeming pedestal, worshiping a caricature on a cross or a bumper-sticker slogan while avoiding what Jesus said and did. We keep saying, “We love Jesus,” but more as a God-figure than as someone to imitate. It seems the more we talk about Jesus, the less time we have to do what he said.

Matthew 7:13-14There are two paths before you; you may take only one path. One doorway is narrow. And one door is wide. Go through the narrow door. For the wide door leads to a wide path, and the wide path is broad; the wide, broad path is easy, and the wide, broad, easy path has many, many people on it; but the wide, broad, easy, crowded path leads to death. Now then that narrow door leads to a narrow road that in turn leads to life. It is hard to find that road. Not many people manage it.v. 13-14 -Two gates, two ways, two destinations, & 2 groups of people.
v. 17-20 - Two types of trees, two types of fruit
v. 21-23 - Two groups at the time of judgment
v. 24-28 - Two kinds of foundations

You can choose only one path of the two before you. What path will you take this year? Even if you have chosen the wrong path, there is always time to turn around.

So be careful. Guard your hearts. They can be made heavy with moral laxity, with drunkenness, with the hassles of daily life. Then the day I’ve been telling you about might catch you unaware and trap you. Luke 21:34

“Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God.
I am honored among all the nations.
I am honored over all the earth.”You know the Eternal, the Commander of heavenly armies, surrounds us and protects us; the True God of Jacob is our shelter, close to His heart. Psalm 46:10-11

Questions to consider as you enter the new:
Do you feel weary and worn out?
What do you need rest from right now?
What's keeping you from taking a rest? (guilt, obligation, or just haven't considered it?)
Why do we feel compelled to strong-arm our way through the trials, pits, valleys, and deserts of life? (it's uncomfortable, I want to hurry up and move past it)
What blessings do we risk missing if we are exhausted through the trials and transitions?

Jan Richardson, holy absence, www.janrichardson.com

Do you feel the pressure of New Year resolutions or choosing a "Word of the Year"?

We feel ya!

As we close the book on 2024 - let's change things up a bit and reflect on these 5 questions - in the end you will find evidence of progress you have made and direction for where God may be leading you in 2025!

Who is God turning you into?
What has God removed to you allow you to flourish more?
What are you working on with God?
What has been the hardest to let go of?
What are you excited about?

It's not what you think!

Honesty, respect, purpose and trust!

What is this thing called Advent? Today we demystify all things Advent.

Candle One - Hope/Faith (Isaiah 9)
Candle Two - Love (Isaiah 40)
Candle Three - Joy (Matthew 2)
Candle Four - Peace (John 3)
Candle Five - Jesus's Birth (Christmas)

The unknown neighbors, the crippled man from birth, and John and Peter . . . the lessons we can learn and questions to ask ourselves this season when we consider these characters within Acts 3:1-8.

Acts 3:1-8 (MSG)
One day at three o’clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, “Look here.” He looked up, expecting to get something from them.

6-8 Peter said, “I don’t have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up. In an instant his feet and ankles became firm. He jumped to his feet and walked.

8-10 The man went into the Temple with them, walking back and forth, dancing and praising God. Everybody there saw him walking around and praising God. They recognized him as the one who sat begging at the Temple’s Gate Beautiful and rubbed their eyes, astonished, scarcely believing what they were seeing.

I Want So To Belong by Ted Loder
O God, I want so to belong;
teach me to accept.
I want to be close;
teach me to reach out.
I want a place where I am welcome;
teach me to open my arms.
I want mercy;
teach me to forgive.
I want beauty;
teach me honesty.
I want peace;
show me the eye of the storm.
I want truth;
show me the way to question
my unquestionable convictions.
I want joy;
show me the way of deeper commitment.
I want life;
show me how to die.

Loder, Ted Guerillas of Grace (San Diego, CA: LuraMedia, 1984) p.72.
Romans 14:1-4 (MSG)
Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.

For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume he should only be a vegetarian and eat accordingly. But since both are guests at Christ’s table, wouldn’t it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn’t eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God’s welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help.

I Want So To Belong by Ted Loder
O God, I want so to belong;
teach me to accept.
I want to be close;
teach me to reach out.
I want a place where I am welcome;
teach me to open my arms.
I want mercy;
teach me to forgive.
I want beauty;
teach me honesty.
I want peace;
show me the eye of the storm.
I want truth;
show me the way to question
my unquestionable convictions.
I want joy;
show me the way of deeper commitment.
I want life;
show me how to die.

Loder, Ted Guerillas of Grace (San Diego, CA: LuraMedia, 1984) p.72.

Allison's new book Re-Storied ~ Open the Book of your Heart is now available on Amazon.

How many Jesus stickers have you slapped on past hurts and sins to cover them up or simply move forward? Can you imagine approaching mistakes and transgressions with love and courage rather than fear and shame?

Unintentionally, we sometimes use Jesus to cover up our pain or sin instead of opening our hearts and working through it with God. When we do this, we’re keeping ourselves from healing, freedom, and a deeper faith. God can rewrite the text of our lives if we open our hearts. When that happens, we awaken to the vibrant joy-filled life God promises us.

Not long ago, I realized the damage and harm that occurs when we don’t work through past hurts with God. It was then that I set out on a journey to break down the walls around my heart and truly get to know and trust God. Scripture meditation and prayer journaling were the practices that brought me to where I am today.

God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to see his eyes. Psalm 18:24 (MSG)

It has been soul-changing in more ways than I can put into words. These practices have led me here and have given me the desire to share how they can allow God to transform and re-story us.

When we start listening to God instead of telling Him what we want
Learn to trust Him with all the pieces of our lives
Fully accept the deep love He has for us
Truly believe what God says about us

Re-Storied is an exploration of the power and potential of God’s Word through study, scripture meditation, and prayer. It’s designed to teach contemplative practices that awaken a personal and intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father. A single scripture can deeply capture your heart and awaken your soul, but we risk missing it if we don’t slow down and listen. This book will guide you through the disciplines of learning to rest in the presence of God, recognizing His voice, and responding to His counsel and love.

I Want So To Belong by Ted Loder
O God, I want so to belong;
teach me to accept.
I want to be close;
teach me to reach out.
I want a place where I am welcome;
teach me to open my arms.
I want mercy;
teach me to forgive.
I want beauty;
teach me honesty.
I want peace;
show me the eye of the storm.
I want truth;
show me the way to question
my unquestionable convictions.
I want joy;
show me the way of deeper commitment.
I want life;
show me how to die.

Loder, Ted Guerillas of Grace (San Diego, CA: LuraMedia, 1984) p.72.

Just like seasonal allergies - friendships can also be seasonal (phases of life, proximity, life circumstances, etc.)
Good friends should build you up and draw you closer to Christ.
It can be difficult to lose a friend or to have to let go of one. God does new things and sometimes it's even for our protection He moves people out of our lives.

But don’t fool yourselves. Don’t let yourselves be poisoned by this anti-resurrection loose talk. “Bad company ruins good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:
A right time for birth and another for death,
A right time to plant and another to reap,
A right time to kill and another to heal,
A right time to destroy and another to construct,
A right time to cry and another to laugh,
A right time to lament and another to cheer,
A right time to make love and another to abstain,
A right time to embrace and another to part,
A right time to search and another to count your losses,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,
A right time to rip out and another to mend,
A right time to shut up and another to speak up,
A right time to love and another to hate,
A right time to wage war and another to make peace. Ecc. 3:1-8

Today we are discussing ways we try to play God in our lives.

From controlling others to getting our way in the name of ministry.

Join us and see if you fall into these traps!

There’s a way that looks harmless enough;
look again—it leads straight to hell. Proverbs 16:25 (MSG)

“Cursed is the strong one
who depends on mere humans,
Who thinks he can make it on muscle alone
and sets God aside as dead weight.
He’s like a tumbleweed on the prairie,
out of touch with the good earth.
He lives rootless and aimless
in a land where nothing grows. Jeremiah 17:5-6 (MSG)

Got trust issues? This one's for you!

The shame we carry is the enemy's stomping ground.

In this episode we discuss

The enemy's role in our guilt and shame
Everyday tips for overcoming past sin
5 Ways to Build Trust

According to the internet there are five practices that build trust:
1. Make the relationship a priority
2. Be a committed listener
3. Be honest and vulnerable
4. Be consistent with your communication
5. Be patient. It takes time to build trust.

“This is the brand-new covenant that I will make with Israel when the time comes. I will put my law within them—write it on their hearts!—and be their God. And they will be my people. They will no longer go around setting up schools to teach each other about God. They’ll know me firsthand, the dull and the bright, the smart and the slow. I’ll wipe the slate clean for each of them. I’ll forget they ever sinned!” God’s Decree.
Jeremiah 31:33-34

"...walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." - Ephesians 4:1

In this episode we discuss:

emotional resilience
the difference between self-confidence and self-worth
self-sabotaging habits
uncover ways the enemy could be using your limiting beliefs against you.

We can unknowingly join forces with the enemy when we give in to our self-doubt and limiting beliefs.

Join us as we show you ways to grow your emotional resilience, conquer self doubt, and learn to find your God-given worth!

What is our Life anthem?

Do we suffer well? Or wallow like it's our job?

How can we use our everyday interactions to point people to God?

" I'm headed for His place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I'm singing God-songs; I'm making music to God." Psalm 27:6 MSG

Scripture reference - Psalm 27:5-10 (MSG)

John 11 - Jesus brings Lazarus back to life.

29-32 The moment she heard that, she jumped up and ran out to him. Jesus had not yet entered the town but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When her sympathizing Jewish friends saw Mary run off, they followed her, thinking she was on her way to the tomb to weep there. Mary came to where Jesus was waiting and fell at his feet, saying, “Master, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33-34 When Jesus saw her sobbing and the Jews with her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him. He said, “Where did you put him?”

34-35 “Master, come and see,” they said. Now Jesus wept.

36 The Jews said, “Look how deeply he loved him.”

Ephesians 5:17-20
Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants. Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge drafts of him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ.

This week we are feeling ALL of the feelings that come with Big life transitions.

Join us as we dive into our own recent experiences and discover "Holes in Our Healing", things that make us CRINGE and how to get out of AWKWARD conversations and situations.

Bonus points if you send us your tips and tricks :)

How do you pray? Raw and honest or buttoned up and polite?

The pattern of prayer in the Psalms

Call out to God
Complain
Make your Requests
Remember and Praise

Psalm 5
1-3 Listen, God! Please, pay attention!
Can you make sense of these ramblings,
my groans and cries?
King-God, I need your help.
Every morning
you’ll hear me at it again.
Every morning
I lay out the pieces of my life
on your altar
and watch for fire to descend.

4-6 You don’t socialize with Wicked,
or invite Evil over as your houseguest.
Hot-Air-Boaster collapses in front of you;
you shake your head over Mischief-Maker.
God destroys Lie-Speaker;
Blood-Thirsty and Truth-Bender disgust you.

7-8 And here I am, your invited guest—
it’s incredible!
I enter your house; here I am,
prostrate in your inner sanctum,
Waiting for directions
to get me safely through enemy lines.

9-10 Every word they speak is a land mine;
their lungs breathe out poison gas.
Their throats are gaping graves,
their tongues slick as mudslides.
Pile on the guilt, God!
Let their so-called wisdom wreck them.
Kick them out! They’ve had their chance.

11-12 But you’ll welcome us with open arms
when we run for cover to you.
Let the party last all night!
Stand guard over our celebration.
You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers,
for decking us out in delight.

Who are you? What are you living for? What road has God called you to travel?

Ephesians 1:11-14
Ephesians 4:1-3

Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions. Psalm 119:29

What causes us to pretend?
Why do we pretend with God?
Pretending only leads to the destruction of relationships, spiritual & emotional growth, happiness, and peace.
How do we stop pretending?

What does it mean to walk in God's ways?
What are spiritual boundaries?

Deuteronomy 28:1-6
If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments that I command you today, God, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of God, your God:

God’s blessing inside the city,
God’s blessing in the country;
God’s blessing on your children,
the crops of your land,
the young of your livestock,
the calves of your herds,
the lambs of your flocks.
God’s blessing on your basket and bread bowl;
God’s blessing in your coming in,
God’s blessing in your going out.

Proverbs 12:35
Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.

We are reminded over and over again in scripture not to worry.
Matt. 6:31 - Jesus says instead of worrying, seek the Kingdom of God
Matt. 6:33 - Paul says instead of worrying, pray with Thanksgiving.
Phil. 4:6 - Paul says anxiety will cease if God's peace guards our hearts and minds
John 14:16 - Jesus reminds us that we have the Holy Spirit [The Helper] to draw our heart and mind back to God's presence with us.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13
I wrote you in my earlier letter that you shouldn’t make yourselves at home among the sexually promiscuous. I didn’t mean that you should have nothing at all to do with outsiders of that sort. Or with criminals, whether blue- or white-collar. Or with spiritual phonies, for that matter. You’d have to leave the world entirely to do that! But I am saying that you shouldn’t act as if everything is just fine when a friend who claims to be a Christian is promiscuous or crooked, is flip with God or rude to friends, gets drunk or becomes greedy and predatory. You can’t just go along with this, treating it as acceptable behavior. I’m not responsible for what the outsiders do, but don’t we have some responsibility for those within our community of believers? God decides on the outsiders, but we need to decide when our brothers and sisters are out of line and, if necessary, clean house.

How do we confront like Jesus?
- Acknowledge their feelings, ask questions if needed.
- Share simple Godly wisdom/truth.
- Offer practical advice they can understand and relate to.

Just kidding . . . I mean, maybe they did, but not in 2 Timothy 2:3-7:
When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It’s the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.

When we are living in the in-between or the unfinished places of life it can be difficult to remember to be: selfless, disciplined, and patient. Instead, we have a tendency to ignore the feelings, fight them, or be cynical. We should be curious about our feelings in these spaces, lean into them, and trust God.

Soldiers: always ready to respond & be deployed, fighting for something bigger than themselves, following orders, and following through (selfless)
Athletes: understand there are no shortcuts to being a winner, it takes discipline and effort to stay ready for competition and develop the skills you need. (disciplined)
Farmers: have diligence and patience, they work hard, wait, hope, harvest, and repeat.
(patient)

What keeps us from ignoring or refusing to accept the great mystery of salvation?
What's the best way to share the great mystery?
Who in your life still thinks the mystery is unsolved?

**1 Corinthians 2:6-8
We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground, but it’s not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. God’s wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don’t find it lying around on the surface.

Matthew 13:14-15
Your ears are open but you don’t hear a thing. Your eyes are awake but you don’t see a thing. The people are stupid! They stick their fingers in their ears so they won’t have to listen; They screw their eyes shut so they won’t have to look, so they won’t have to deal with me face-to-face and let me heal them.**

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (MSG)
Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

4 Questions to ask yourself/consider today:
1. What can you be [before God]?
2. What can you do?
3. What can you give?
4. What can you receive?

It’s better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there’s no one to help, tough.
Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.
By yourself you’re unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.
Ecclesiastes 4:8-12 (MSG)

2 Samuel 22:18-25 (MSG)
They hit me when I was down,
but God stuck by me.
He stood me up on a wide-open field;
I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!
God made my life complete
when I placed all the pieces before him.
When I cleaned up my act,
he gave me a fresh start.
Indeed, I’ve kept alert to God’s ways;
I haven’t taken God for granted.
Every day I review the ways he works,
I try not to miss a trick.
I feel put back together,
and I’m watching my step.
God rewrote the text of my life
when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.

How often are we like the two guys on the Road to Emmaus who are walking and talking with Jesus and have no clue?

Luke 24:25-27
Then he said to them, “So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?” Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.

What hinders our ability to notice when God is speaking to us?
1 - The circuits in our brain have been hindered by pain, grief, anger, trauma, and despair.
2 - We haven't worked to make connections with God and getting to know his voice, mannerisms, and how he communicates.
3 - We forget to take all our thoughts captive, take them before God, and determine if they are from Him or someone else.

A closer look at the naysayers in story of David & Goliath

Friends -each of us has a unique calling on our lives from God - It's what we are created for.

When we step into the calling God has place on our lives we will receive a lot of negativity and "smack talk".

But have no fear - the Bible has a solution for that.

Join us thus week as discuss 3 places we receive criticism and how to persevere in the midst of your haters!

Scripture Reference : 1 Samuel 17

“The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful,
a puzzle that no one can figure out.
But I, God, search the heart
and examine the mind.
I get to the heart of the human.
I get to the root of things.
I treat them as they really are,
not as they pretend to be.”
Jeremiah 17:9-10What happens when we realize we can't trust our hearts or figure them out - it's only God who can sort the puzzle and make it clear?How do we move from a posture of self-preservation and protection to more of a reliance on God's protection?

Today, we discuss these topics and talk about the importance of asking ourselves:
- What is worthy of my attention in this moment, this day, and this week?
- What am I feeling today and what can these emotions tell me about what I should be letting go of?

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. James 1:22-24
Instead of sitting with God and acting on what we hear from Him about the condition of our hearts, we tend to:
1 - Cover
2- Criticize
3- Clean

Listen for more on how we use each of these defense mechanisms to ignore the warning signs and skip out on extreme personal growth.

We have woven three powerful sections of scripture into this one episode. It's packed and takes you on a journey from wearing love, how to wear it, splash it on everyone, and stay away from self-righteous judgment.

Colossians 3:12-15 . . . . And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 . . . and may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you.

Luke 6:37-38 . . . . Don't pick on people; jump on their failures, criticize their faults - unless of course, you want the same treatment.

A look at the difference between testing and temptation - the role we play and the role God plays in each and how Adam & Eve and the temptation of Jesus in the desert give us insight.

Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer. James 1:13-15 (MSG)

The four main D's that keep us out of scripture:

Distractions
Doubt
Desires
Discipline

What's the difference between shame and embarrassment?

Shame comes from three places:
1. Ourselves
2. Others
3. The Enemy

How do we get rid of shame when we have hurt others?
How do we get rid of shame when we have been hurt by others?

What does reading the room mean?
How do I read the room?
What gets in the way of reading the room?

The answer is really simple.

Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others? James 4:11-12Bad mouthing others = questioning them or their authority, saying unhelpful or unkind things about them, spreading lies about them, etc.
We do this for a multitude of reasons: anger, fear, insecurity, bitterness, pride, jealously

It all boils down to the condition of our hearts (our whole inner being, including mind, emotions, drive).

Proverbs 4:23-27
Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.

Hebrews 12:28-29
Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for our God is [indeed] a consuming fire.

Fun Fire Facts:

Fire can double every 30 seconds under the right conditions.
You can make water out of fire.
You can start a fire with water.
You can use the sun to start a fire.
Fire can't exist without all three of its essential elements (heat, oxygen, & fuel)
Forest fires moves faster uphill than downhill.

Join us to find out how all this ties into God!

When Jesus heard this, He said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but [only] those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners [who recognize their sin and humbly seek forgiveness].” Mark 2:17Questions to Ponder:
Do you feel like enough? Do you believe that if you stood before God right now, He would reach out to hug you? or turn you away? Why?
What from your past or present holds you captive in shame?

Job 20:5 “. . . The joy of a godless person lasts only a moment.”

Luke 1:46-55 - Joy about a new baby arriving (Mary’s Song), but it was complicated: she wasn’t married, had no idea what Joseph would say or do, and was a virgin.

Luke 15:11-32 - (Prodigal Son) Joy about the return of their son, but was was complicated: jealously of the other brother, the prodigal working through his sin and shame, the re-entry of that son into their family unit.

Genesis 43 (Joesph) - finally reunited with his father and brothers after they sold him as a slave and told his dad he was dead, but it was complicated: lots to forgive on all sides, to work through and accept

These stories of complicated JOY run all through scripture and still today in our own lives.

Some of us are living a life that someone else has curated for us.

From parents & teachers to co-workers & friends - we can get caught up in living for the approval of others.

Let's discuss the signs that indicate you may be living inauthentically - and chat about how to live a more fulfilling life!

Scripture References:
Jeremiah 15:66
Ezekiel 2:8 - 3:3
Rev. 10:9-10
1 Peter 2:2
Matt. 4:4

Benefits of a Healthy Diet Benefits of a "God's Word" Diet
Live longer Eternal Life
Healthy teeth, eyes, and skin See, hear, and experience God in new ways
Boosts immunity Keeps us from temptation and sin
Lowers risk of heart disease Heals our hearts and makes room for God
Supports muscles Strengthens our perseverance, hope, patience, joy, and all the fruits of the Spirit.
Aids digestive functions Gives us more wisdom and understanding to understand God's Word

There isn't anything magical that takes place when the clock strikes 12 and we ring in the new year.

But we can plan to make this year more exciting and intentional than the last!

Three questions to ask yourself as you embark on a new year:

1) What do I want to cultivate this year?
2) Who are my "people" and how am I investing in them?
3) What can I do this year to be better physically, mentally, and spiritually?

Scripture References:
Proverbs 16:9 (MSG) - "We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it."
Galatians 5: 19-21 (MSG)

The characteristics of God's counsel - how we know it's Him and not us.
How do we give good counsel when people come to us?
How do we receive Godly counsel?

Galatians 6:1 "Dear Friends, if a Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself."

Proverbs 1:7 (MSG) Start with God-the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

Looking at things in a new way for the new year:

Not looking, but instead seeing.
Not walking, but instead being held.
Not returning, but instead being found.

Luke 15 - The parables of the lost sheep, coin and son

Romans 12:11-21

You might be a people pleaser if . . . .

2 Corinthians 2:13-17

Have you ever been confronted "in love" by a Christian and wanted to punch them in the face?! Me too!

The Bible calls us to confront one another, but often times we get it wrong. Listen up for ways you can improve your "confrontation game".

1 Corinthians 9:25

Romans 12:6-10

2 Corinthians 13:5-9

In this passage we are challenged to:

Test Ourselves
Regularly
And if we fail (more like when we fail) - do something about it!

And Lastly - BEWARE of stinky fruit!

Are you feeling bogged down by ALL of the THINGS?!
Us too!!

We've been working on quieting the storm and these are the 6 things that are saving our lives right now!

1) Morning Routine
2) Prioritizing Myself
3) My People
4) Saying NO!!
5) Hitting the Easy Button
6) Practicing the Pause

Creating inward hospitality for growth and change.

Mary @ The Tomb - Mark 16:9
Road to Emmaus - Luke 24:13-35
Thomas John - 20:26-29
Disciples - John 21
Peter - John 21

Jesus shows up in the sadness, despair and regrets
none of them recognize Him right away
He sends them out to complete a task and share the good news

Three kinds of "legalism" we can fall into and why we do it!

Instead of Duct Tape, what if we put aside:
FEAR and pick up scripture
DOUBT and have an open mind
INSECURITY and trust God will hold us
PRIDE and lean into the fact that we don't know it all, never will and can't do it all either
SHAME and believe we are known and treasured by God
GUILT and commit to growing closer to God and trusting /accepting His love & forgiveness for us all.

1 Thessalonians 4:6-12

Three ways we can love others well:
1. Stay Calm
2. Mind your own Business
3. Do you own Job

Lessons and questions from the interactions of Mary and Jesus during His first miracle.

John 2: 1-11
1-3 Three days later there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. Jesus and his disciples were guests also. When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus’ mother told him, “They’re just about out of wine.”

4 Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn’t my time. Don’t push me.”

5 She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.”

6-7 Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus ordered the servants, “Fill the pots with water.” And they filled them to the brim.

8 “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host,” Jesus said, and they did.

9-10 When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn’t know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now!”

11 This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

What is this thing you speak of - spiritual disciplines?

The top referred to spiritual disciplines are:

prayer
gratitude
stewardship
community
compassion
confession of sins
fasting
solitude
simplicity and
meditating on Scripture

PROVERBS 4:23 - Above all else guard your heart

Spiritual disciplines help us guard our hearts.

AND about "Spiritual Gangsters"...the world has made this all about "self- manifesting".

But we are taking this one for ourselves!

As "Spiritual Gangsters", let's relish in the spiritual disciplines above!

When we Seek God with a committed heart that longs to know Him - THEN all these ways of approaching Him come more naturally . . . and authentically.

We desire to seek Him not for our own gain, but to grow, glean, and guard!

What are the things we chase when looking for God?

followers
money
clothing
success
affirmation
acceptance
love, or
companionship

In the Bible, we are told to "seek first the kingdom of God" and to seek the face of God (Matthew 6:33, Psalm 27:8).

We were actually made to chase - created for longing . . . And the Bible tells us who to seek first . . . As usual, we don’t listen, learn the hard way, etc.

Jesus broke ALL kinds of rules for LOVE!

worked on the Sabbath
ministered to women
forgave sins
was friends with the unclean and misfits
disregarded the Law of Moses

"I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. I live and breathe God;
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy: Join me in spreading the news;
together let’s get the word out. God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears. Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him. When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot. God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him. Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness." Psalm 34:1-9 (MSG)Live & Breathe God by:
1. look up and give Him your warmest smile
2. never hide your feelings from Him
3. Call out to Him
4. Open your mouth & taste and your eyes & see how good God is
5. Worship Him

Jim Branch, in The Blue Book, asks "What does it look like to seek God earnestly?"

The definition of earnest: serious in intention, purpose, effort, and sincerely zealous.

Today we look into how earnestly we are seeking God.

Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart”

So we asked ourselves:

What are your intentions when you seek God? To grow, be filled, gain wisdom, peace, and direction or check a box?
What is your purpose when you seek God? To listen, learn, be sustained, complain, or use me as a genie in a bottle?
How deeply do you seek to go with God, learn from Him, and lean on Him? Is it steadfast & intentional, or quick lukewarm, and lazy?

Who are you? How are you living?

It’s easy to skip over these questions - these are the ones in bible studies I would quickly skip over, dismiss or ignore to get to the “good” stuff.

John 4:23-24 “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. . . . That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship.”

If we're not careful we can get caught up in activities and to-do lists, skipping over the important work of our own soul care.

It can seem overwhelming, but when we show up with our little offering, God honors our efforts.

School schedules are getting ready to start up again - the lazy days of summer are over.

When your patience - joy - bandwidth - time - grace is growing thin . . . . Remember

a little bit of oil in the lamp
A pinch of yeast made an entire loaf
Two pennies (mites) were a full offering
A tiny mustard seed of faith is plenty

A little goes a long way if we hand it to God and let Him grow it!

We need to remember to:

Step back
Be still & quiet
Make time for yourself - schedule it
Spend time in the word
Find a group of people to meet with regularly to share life
Don’t Forget to PRAY FOR YOURSELF!!!

What is we changed our worry to wonder. . .

Definition of Wonder: the feeling of surprise mingled with admiration caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar and inexplicable.

Today we explore replacing worry to wonder in all of these aspects of life.

Beautiful

Unexpected

Unfamiliar

Inexplicable

Three cool things I noticed by studying the questions Jesus’s asks:

1: Sometimes the simple questions He asks are the hardest to answer.

“Who do People say I am?” Vs. “Who do you say I am?”

2: Jesus talks more about worry than anything else in scripture - even more than fear, grief, loneliness, & shame. He often uses rhetorical questions to move our hearts and minds in the right direction.

Matt 6:25-34

3: Even after Jesus dies and has risen from the grave - as he starts meeting up with all his peeps again - He is still asking questions!

Do you have anything to eat?
What are you talking about?

Jesus asked A LOT of questions during His time here on earth, but the three he repeated:

1- What are you looking for?
2 - What do you want me to do for you?
3 - Do you love me?

We should revisit these often, hold them close, and let them tumble around in our hearts & minds on a regular basis.

We all have fears - fears for ourselves - fears about those we love - fear of what others think of us or do to us.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. . . . So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

There are a few ways we can overcome fear:

Name all of your fears - make them personal - when our fear is named and we recognize it - it’s easier to control them instead of letting them control you.
Sing a praise & worship songs-
Pull out some scripture
Pray - Thank God for your blessings, and focus on prayer for others
Shift your perspective and look at fear as a gift that draws us closer to God and deepens our faith.
Phone a friend - to check on them or if you need help yourself.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Two kinds of open hands -

Open hands that are already full . . . of our plans, control, sin, selfish desires
Open empty hands are trusting ones . . . . ready to receive what God desires for us.

Keys to keeping open/empty hands -

Evaluate & acknowledge what you are holding
Surrender it to God
Prayer - for self-control & God’s strength
resting - in God’s presence, His love & truth - sitting in silence with Him is the act of waiting for God’s word

We can take God's hand when ours are empty!

How do I know if I’m experiencing burn out and what’s the antidote?

You feel overwhelmed b/c it seems like your “to-do” list or work will never be done (in life or at physical work)
You feel like you are in a rut/pit and can’t seem to climb out.
You feel a little bitter towards God or those closest to you.
Everyday tasks completely overwhelm you and seem impossible to complete.

The floodwaters are up to my neck. Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. Psalm 69:1-2

Burnout comes when we lose our connection to the Lord.

The Antidote-

Sit down and evaluate - Am I trying to do this all on my own or with God?
Burnout often comes when we take too much responsibility on by ourselves. Recognize your limits, delegate, ask for help, say no - and give others the opportunity to step up.
REST - TRULY REST - when we are taking time to truly rest and recharge with and through God we avoid burnout.

The LORD . . . never grows weak or weary. . . . He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. . . . Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

Hebrews 12:4 -11 MSG

My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off big-time, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.

Question#1 - What’s the difference between punishment and training?

Punishment - Pain/suffering inflicted on someone because of a crime or offense - A sentence/penalty/fine/punishment/payment

Training - Activity that leads to skilled behavior, the process of disciplining, and behavior. Training prepares us, teaches us, gives us precise skills, and develops our abilities to prosper and flourish.

Question #2 - How has God been training me?

Holier than Thou - having or showing the annoying attitude of people who believe that they are morally better than other people

1 Peter 1:13 MSG - So roll up your sleeves, get your head in the game, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”

What is holiness - REALLY?

The Hebrew word for “holy” literally means “separate” or “set apart.” When we are “blazing with holiness” we are set apart from the world.

How do you live a holy life daily?

Disconnect From the World “Do not be conformed to this world.” –Romans 12:2 (ESV) ...
Run from Temptation, “Flee the evil desires.” –2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV) ...
Obey the Word of God - “Be holy in all you do.”—1 Peter 1:15 (NIV)

Do you feel like you life is in a holding pattern?

How do we cope with the waiting, learning, pitstops, and challenging growth in life?

-Isolation from others and/or God
-Fall into sin
-Avoidance/ignoring it
-Depression
-Isolation from others & God

How we should respond:
-pray
-worship/gratitude
-focus on eternity
-remember God is not surprised - he is with you
-follow Him and persevere with His strength
-consider our hope isn’t built on what will happen - but what already has happened.

Psalm 119:9 MSG
How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I’m single-minded in pursuit of you;
don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.
I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won’t sin myself bankrupt. Be blessed, GOD;
train me in your ways of wise living. I’ll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you’ve done it.
I relish everything you’ve told me of life,
I won’t forget a word of it.

Maps: present information about the world in a simple, visual way. Provide information so we don’t get lost, understand where we fit in with the world, help us get from one place to another with more accuracy, and serves as a planning/decision-making tool.
God's Word:

We receive (direction) on how to live and navigate the challenges - highs and lows of life.
God uses the symbolism (parables) throughout scripture to help us understand its meaning
When we read scripture it helps us plan and make better decisions by seeing more of the BIG picture and the ability to skip over the dangerous routes - sometimes we choose to listen and sometimes we don’t.

Today we discuss judgement, pigs, and cross stich!

We also dive into how we may be asking the wrong questions :)

John 9 - Jesus and The Blind Man

When Jesus and His disciples come along a blind man- they begin to ask Jesus all kinds of questions.

Why? Why is he like this? Who sinned in his family to cause this happen? Whose fault is it? How did this happen?

John 9:3 MSG - Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.

Jesus explains they are asking the wrong question. Instead of Why? Or How?

WE SHOULD ASK WHAT?

WHAT IS your challenging situation today?

What is God doing through this situation?

What will God accomplish through this challenge?

How is God inviting you to see what He is doing in your life?

What is God doing in & through your joys, blessings, trials or relationships?

What healing is occurring?

What change of heart?

What new disciple or deep faith step?

Bonus: What question do you want answered about or by God today?

There is a profound difference between feeling as though "you are not enough" and believing that you are underserving.

This week we go toe to toe with our inner critic and discuss ways to find the root cause of our inner critic.

Not Enough = feeling of inadequacy - Questioning if you have what it takes - you ask yourself “What if I’m not good enough?”

Not Worthy Of = feeling of undeserving - Questioning if you deserve anything good or better - you ask yourself “Am I loveable?”

1 CHRONICLES 19:13 “Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the LORD’s will be done.”

Where does true courage come from?God, but do we truly believe it?

Side effects of courage - Trouble & Contagion

Do you prefer trouble with others or trouble with God?
How do you respond to someone else's courage?

DEUTERONOMY 20:8 “Is anyone here afraid or worried? If you are, you may go home before you frighten anyone else.”

How do I find the courage to stand up for what I believe in?

Caring more about what God says over anyone else’s opinion.

"but even after all He did, you refuse to trust the Lord your God." Deut. 1:32

In what ways am I not trusting God? What are you tight fisting?
Are you willing to deep deeper?
What is the root of the problem?
Are you willing to stop the spin cycle?
Who or what are you putting your trust in?

Have you ever felt like "quiet quitting" motherhood?
You are not alone!
Join us today, we are sharing five parenting lessons learned in the Afghan Knit of the Month club.
(Can you guess which one of us would have joined this club?!)

Taking a closer look at our own motives and the motives of others while asking ourselves as Paul did, "How will I respond?"
The best ways are 1) with questions and 2) prayer

Philippians 1:15-21 (MSG)
15-17 It’s true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they’ll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world. One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I am here defending the Message, wanting to help. The others, now that I’m out of the picture, are merely greedy, hoping to get something out of it for themselves. Their motives are bad. They see me as their competition, and so the worse it goes for me, the better—they think—for them.

18-21 So how am I to respond? I’ve decided that I really don’t care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on!

And I’m going to keep that celebration going because I know how it’s going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. I can hardly wait to continue on my course. I don’t expect to be embarrassed in the least. On the contrary, everything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die. They didn’t shut me up; they gave me a platform! Alive, I’m Christ’s messenger; dead, I’m his prize. Life versus even more life! I can’t lose.

When do you feel the pressure to water down your faith or step away from the truth of scripture?

What strategies do you use to resist falling into the trap of following deceptive teachings/the world?

Colossians 2:8-10 (MSG)
8-10 Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.

Many of us are walking around all prettied up on the inside but a total disaster on the inside.

How do we know if we are truly following God in our lives or just checking off the "Saved Soul" box?

And why does it matter? We can't earn our way into Heaven!

Ezekiel 36:26-28
I’ll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. You’ll once again live in the land I gave your ancestors. You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God!

Are you running away from something or to something?

We all have different coping mechanisms and they often keep us hiding from the HARD stuff.

1 Chronicles 28:9-10
“And you, Solomon my son, get to know well your father’s God; serve him with a whole heart and eager mind, for God examines every heart and sees through every motive. If you seek him, he’ll make sure you find him, but if you abandon him, he’ll leave you for good. Look sharp now! God has chosen you to build his holy house. Be brave, determined! And do it!”

The truth will set you free but first, it might tick you off!
WHY?

The truth can be less comforting than lies. If we are honest, most people are more concerned about feeling good than healing good.
The truth makes us question the narrative/story we may have believed for a lifetime.
Truth forces action. The action may be to cover up the truth and ignore it or it may require a heart change that will require hard work to manage and sift through the truth.

Jesus says to love others as we love ourselves, but we don’t often love ourselves well.

Self-Compassion is NOT self-esteem
Self-Compassion is NOT self-pity
Self-Compassion is NOT self-indulgence

Self-compassion goes a long way if done correctly and without us allowing the world to warp the definition of what it truly means. When we learn to love ourselves as Jesus does we can truly love others the way He has called us to.

How are you loving yourself?

The Story of the Two Sons - Matt 21:25-31 - Lip Service

²⁸ “Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’

²⁹ “The son answered, ‘I don’t want to.’ Later on he thought better of it and went.

³⁰ “The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, ‘Sure, glad to.’ But he never went.

³¹⁻³² “Which of the two sons did what the father asked?”

They said, “The first.”

Jesus said, “Yes, and I tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you into God’s kingdom. John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn’t care enough to change and believe him.

We are what we consume!

From the media we watch to the words we play on repeat in our subconscious, everything we consume impacts our lives...for better or worse.

"We are what we consume physically, mentally, and emotionally. To have a healthier life, take responsibility for what you consume. Things will get better if you change just one of the the above three factors, and they will get immensely better if you remodel all three." - Greg Bell

Mark 7:14-20 MSG - Jesus called the crowd together again and said, “Listen now, all of you—take this to heart. It’s not what you swallow that pollutes your life; it’s what you vomit—that’s the real pollution.”

¹⁷ When he was back home after being with the crowd, his disciples said, “We don’t get it. Put it in plain language.”

¹⁸⁻¹⁹ Jesus said, “Are you being willfully stupid? Don’t you see that what you swallow can’t contaminate you? It doesn’t enter your heart but your stomach, works its way through the intestines, and is finally flushed.” (That took care of dietary quibbling; Jesus was saying that all foods are fit to eat.)

²⁰⁻²³ He went on: “It’s what comes out of a person that pollutes: obscenities, lusts, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, depravity, deceptive dealings, carousing, mean looks, slander, arrogance, foolishness—all these are vomit from the heart. There is the source of your pollution.”

Words can: - 1-be SPOKEN - 2-WRITTEN - 3-SAID IN OUR MINDS

Matthew 12:33-34 MSG - If you grow a healthy tree, you’ll pick healthy fruit. If you grow a diseased tree, you’ll pick worm-eaten fruit. The fruit tells you about the tree.

³⁴⁻³⁷ “You have minds like a snake pit! How do you suppose what you say is worth anything when you are so foul-minded? It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.”

Luke 18:9-13 MSG - He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: “Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: ‘Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.’

¹³ “Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, ‘God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.’”

Pride vs. humility

Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less - CS Lewis

There are three characteristics that illustrate humility:

Recognizing & accepting your own shortcomings and limitations
Appreciating others' strengths, giving credit where it's due, and highlighting the success of others over your own.
Being open to learning from others.

Matthew 7:1-5 MSG - “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

When we judge others - we are making assumptions about them.
This topic doesn’t mean we don’t offer constructive criticism, but what’s the difference?

Put down Your weapons! - words, actions, negative thoughts, and past sins

Against others & YOURSELF

“When we are silent, we come face to face with our addiction to being in control & always trying to fix things.” Peter Scazzero

Zechariah 4:5 MSG - You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ - Not by your power or might - but God’s

Some Tips on Combatting Perfectionism and Control

focus on God - Not Self, so basically our character - not our accomplishments
Instead of comparing yourself to others - know your worth in Christ
Allow yourself to do things imperfectly (i.e. my painting class)
Shift focus from pleasing others - to pleasing God (He is already pleased with you, but this simple mindset change can help a lot)
Combat your negative thoughts with TRUTH through scripture

Jesus had all kinds of emotions.

He felt hope (John 14:12).

He felt anxious about the cross (Luke 22:44).

He felt warm love (Mark 10:21).

He felt tired (John 4:6).

He felt joyful (John 15:11).

He experienced pain (Mark 15:15).

He was peaceful, even during a storm (Mark 4:38-40).

He felt tempted to sin (

Our 2nd episode in our Release Me 2023 Series

Letting go of OUR AGENDAS and assumptions to make room for God. After all, when we assume...

Maybe it's time to plan life like we do our vacations - slow down, a balance of some structure and some free time

And we identify 3 places agendas really get in the way: Daily life, Life on mission/calling, Relationships

We're kicking off our new series "Release Me 2023"

3 Types of Guilt - Tangible, Emotional, Transcendental

MARK 3:28-29

“I tell you the truth, all sin . . . can be forgiven.”

PSALM 103:3, 10

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. . . . He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

Do you make resolutions? We don't! (Shocker:)

This week we're talking about how we tackle the new year and all of the pressure that comes with that "magic moment" the clock strikes 12!

NEW YEAR tips From Paul - Romans 12:11-19

Stay in the word

Be attuned & expect His voice - Follow it!

Pray and don’t give up or give in

Help others & be inventive in hospitality

Love your enemies & don’t fake it - strive to forgive

Laugh & Cry with your friends

Don’t be arrogant & stuck up - love God’s people

Look for the beauty in everybody & seek peace w/ them

God’s job is judging & revenge - not ours, leave it to him

PS: Don't burn your soup!

Why is it important that I discover my specific calling?

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. ACTS 20:24

How do I discover my specific calling?

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. PSALM 119:105

Steps to Discovery:
- Get into God's Word and try a new translation like the ESV, NIV, The Message, or the NLT.
- Pray and listen
- Take inventory of your gifts. What do you do well? What brings you joy? What are you passionate about? Pray, look and take opportunities to develop those gifts and put them into practice.

How is the Enemy Keeping you sidelined?

You are Discouraged - WARNING - discouragement leads to self-pity if we aren’t careful! This is another enemy tactic.
Puffed up not built up (arrogance)

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 NIV

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.

Living in the Gray

“the safest road to hell is the gradual one–the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” C.S. Lewis (Screwtape Letters)

So how does this happen? The slippery slope of falling away from God's truth.

Dividing NOT unifyingThe flesh verses the fruit of the Spirit.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galations 5:16-26

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Colossians 4:6

I am going to scream if I have to pretend to enjoy this Christmas party, come up with yet another creative gift idea, or spend time with that family member this holiday season!

Ever had these thoughts?

The usual holiday strains are enough. But add in the dynamics and unspoken expectations that can sometimes accompany them, and you may find that it is enough to make even Martha Stewart run for the hills!

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Join us this week for a candid conversation about all that accompanies this Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

We’ll explore fresh ideas for:

Navigating tricky relationships
Finding the courage to set healthy boundaries
Gracefully managing unspoken expectations
Initiating any crucial conversations before the holidays

Planning in advance will help set the tone for our celebrations and rediscover any holiday JOY we may have lost!

(This is a recording of the December KGM luncheon, You can find the video here!)

Taking time to put expectations in their place and set a plan for the new year. Not a new year’s resolution but a plan of priorities with purpose.

Evaluating where you are with all of these people.

God
Spouse
Kids
Self
Friends
Church /Work

How would rate your relationship with _____?

Is that where you want it to be? Are you ok with that?

If not, what are you going to do about it?

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed in this season? The holidays can bring up all kinds of emotions (the good, the bad, and the ugly)

Join us for a discussion on how to cope!

Expectations vs. Expectant

We must be intentional to follow Jesus and climb the hillside with Him. When climbing we are faced with: Obstacles, Dangers, Defeats, and Victories. All are part of journey.

What are your obstacles and dangers?

Understanding them and preparing for them so we can cut them off at the pass helps to make it up the hillside.

Matthew 5:1-6

It's our SEASON OF TAKING and this week we are taking back bitterness as we discuss the ins and outs of forgiveness.

Maybe there is someone in your life that you know you can NEVER forgive. And quite frankly, you have every reason to feel that way.

Are you thinking, I will forgive them when...

What if the "when" never comes?

Scripture references: John 18 & Hebrews 10:30

People think just because you're a Christian you should always

be nice
have a big smile on your face at all times
lend a helping hand
turn the other cheek

Great news: Just because we are Christians, we don't have to be a doormat. And while we're bursting bubbles, your salvation is NOT MY JOB (That's between you and the Big Man upstairs, but we're always down for a chat about Jesus:)

We don't have to live up to the HYPE of the world. We perform for an audience of one.

When Jesus was out in the dessert & tempted by Satan to turn stones into loaves of bread when he was hungry - He replied, “man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that comes from the mouth of God.” - Matthew 4:4

Finding time to fill ourselves with the word of God and the Holy Spirit offers us many things:
Confirmation - of truth in circumstances, answers, encouragement

Reminders - of what is known, but has been tucked away that we have forgotten

Questions - to be pondered, answered now or later when the heart is ready

Revelations - that excite and leave goosebumps, a spirit of awe, or maybe even convict our hearts

“Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind.” Henry Miller

Why do we stay in denial? - fear, hard work, pain,
What are the benefits? - healthier relationships w/ God & people, we are happier people, emotional intelligence grows as well as our trust in God.

notes:
1- The Super Christian - volunteers at all the things, organizes everything, at every church event, everything is always good - God is so good while the house is burning down. - She is trying to perform, fit in, earn her keep, proof herself

2 - The Prayer Warrior - do not look this one in the eye - careful what you say every word is for the prayer, very quiet b/c she is saving her energy for the hour long prayer as yshe holds your hand in the middle of the grocery store - feel useful and needed,

3 - The Weary Christian - who has done to much trying to help all people w/ no healthly boundaries and not take time with the Lord - been there done that. - the super Christain not having boundaries

4- The Jaded Christian - ticked off at God and all his people but hasn’t give up on him she just really passive aggressive. - taking score waiting for someone to mess up to prove Christians - don’t feel as if they are enough, haven’t dealt w/ past hurt and are deflecting

You are who God says you are - not the one Satan tries to trick you into.

Women want:

•Connection and belonging

•A break from their negative inner dialogue & unhelpful thoughts

•A safe place to share their heart, where they are seen and heard for who they are and supported where they are.

Proverbs 25:28 - Self Control

A person without self control is like a house with all its doors & windows knocked out.

What is a house with all it’s windows & doors knocked out like?

vulnerable (with no protection from the outside dangers and elements)

unsafe/dangerous (broken glass)

danger enters easily - quick to anger, fall to temptation

elements can destroy the inside of the home faster (the heart)

Hard to look at and no one wants to be around it (no curb appeal)

need repair (change from within)

Why do we need self control?

EVERYTHING in life - spending/saving, eating habits, our words, actions/sins, addictions, disciplines (bible study, exercise)

What does it offer us?

Protection

courage

strength

a secure heart

light instead of darkness

the ability to shine that light out to others & welcome them in to a safe place

a steady, confident, spirit-firm heart

This week we are hashing out a super powerful statement that changed Allison's view of her relationship with God.

Can you easily accept God's grace for yourself while wondering how on earth God can tolerate others?

Or perhaps you see grace differently and lavishly share God's grace with others while holding out on yourself.

We're also weighing the odds of "cliff diving" and presenting our thesis on how Jesus' love is like an all inclusive resort.

Either way, we're here for it!

See how much God loves you?

Woah!! How are we publishing our 100th episode?!
It's all because of YOU!!

From the hair products we use to what brings us joy, we are answering all of the questions!

We even surprised each other with a few things!!

You're not going to want to miss it :)

Blog Post:
https://www.writerspeakerwarrior.com/journal/what-legacy-do-you-want-to-leave-9-things-i-want-my-children-to-remember

Allison's Hair Products:
Hair Products
Deva Curl Frizz-Fighting Volumizing Foam
Spiralicious Styling Gel by JessieCurl

Skin Care:
Beauty Ethics Skin Care

Have you ever felt REALLY far away from God?

Maybe you suddenly find yourself in the throes of a chaotic situation wondering, where is GOD?!

The truth is, God is always with us. We just tend to wander off like preschoolers in the toy aisle.

This week we're discussing moments when we realized we were far from God and sharing a few "God Winks" along the way.

AND...We are hanging with you on October 5th, 2022. Don't miss this "Come As You Are" Gathering!

Our world is FULL of unspoken expectations for:

ourselves
husbands
kids
family
friends
strangers
even GOD!

And these expectations play a huge role in the way we interact with the world around us.
These unspoken words often dictate our future!

Did you know that you don't have to "accept" said expectations?
Can you imagine not going to your parent's house for Thanksgiving dinner? GASP
What if your child decides not to go to college?!

Have you ever fallen into the trap?!

Join us as we untangle this gnarly web of presumptions and find the root of it all.

The blog post referenced can be foundhere!

If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice,
I’ll go to sleep each night trusting in you.
Point out the road I must travel;
I’m all ears, all eyes before you.
Save me from my enemies, God—
you’re my only hope!Psalm 143:7-10 (Message Translation)

Are you already tired tomorrow? We FEEL you!

What are the signs that we need to pull back a little and find some space for rest?

We do have red flags and they look different for each one of us. We're sharing ours today.

Change is scary!

Have you ever thought about all of the changes or new beginnings you have had throughout your life?
Ever stopped to reflect on whether you put God in the mix of making those decisions?

Maybe you are finding yourself in an unexpected place after a big life change:

Divorce
Moving away from your "network"
Changing Jobs
Losing a loved one

Ever considered looking for His fingerprints on the situation whether you were actively involving/seeking Him or not?

Today we're talking about ways we can embrace life change.

We are unpacking this quote from Thomas Merton's book No Man Is an Island.

“The beginning of this love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image. If in loving them we do not love what they are, but only their potential likeness to ourselves, then we do not love them: we only love the reflection of ourselves we find in them.”In regards to:

God
friends
spouses
children
family

...do we love them for who they are or what they can do for us? After much untangling, our final conclusion:Jesus didn’t love others because they reflected Him, He loved them so they desired to reflect Him.

Ever bargained with God on something?

Dear God, if you let me get a beach house, I'll host some ministry events there and give you all the glory.
or
Dear God, if you will just let him ask me out, I promise I'll go to church every week!

What are you wheeling & dealing with God about?

Bargaining is part of the process when we are healing, coping w/ grief/fear, insecurity. . .

But, we need to recognize it for what it is and turn the process around.

Have you ever wondered how people "hear" from God?

Are you praying about something and feel like you are getting mixed signals?

Today we are talking about how to determine if we are hearing from God or writing our own script.

We all want to be helpful and we are called to encourage one another and build each other up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

But sometimes the best we can do is leave them to their own devices.

Today we're sharing 5 signs it's time to let someone "sink or swim"!

Questions to ask yourself if you are wondering if it’s time to throw the life vest and swim to shore alone.1. Do you care about helping the person more than they want help?

Have you set boundaries or put “next steps” in place that the recipient isn’t following through on?
Is your help actually changing/helping the situation?
Are you exhausting all of YOUR resource(s) (time, energy, money, emotional health, etc.) in the process of helping?
Is the main reason you are helping because you feel guilty or are being manipulated into it?

While having lunch at a local cafe, Allison couldn't help but overhear 3 VERY specific conversations.

At which table are you dining today?
Table 1 ~ bitter and angry (Bitter Betty)
Table 2 ~ sad, but vulnerable (Authentic Annie) or
Table 3 ~ positive and joyful (Positive Polly)

Fun Fact: Broken people break people and the world is FULL of broken people...even the church.
There are A LOT of people out there that have been hurt by the church and we are seeing them leave "corporate worship" in droves!

Maybe you are one of them.

What do we do when the church lets us down or offends us?

As Christians we are called to love our enemies.

I know what you're thinking..."All of them?"

Bad news: Yes, all of them!

The rebuttal: "If you knew what they have done, you would tell me to "go for it"

Good news: God says, "Revenge is mine." (Romans 12:19)

But how do we find peace and sit back to wait for God to send his lightning bolts?!

Tune in!

In the meantime, enjoy this song "I'll Pray for You"

As we see in Mark 4, we can be exactly where God wants us at exactly the right time and end up smack dab in the middle of a storm.

Today we are discussing the secret to unshakeable faith.

Is your faith really your own if you fall into the trap of following the crowd?

Are you letting the lies and expectations of others hijack your faith?

The storms WILL come. Will your faith stand the test of time?

"Yes" with a little TUDE - Attitude that is!

Today we're having a little chat about when Moses threw a little temper tantrum in Numbers 20:7-12
In fairness, Moses had already dealt with a lot of arguing, complaining, spoiled behavior. His patience capacity was low at this point - frustrated, tired, angry.

When I get like that I tend to lash out too.

The bottom line - Moses does God’s will, BUT he does it without following God’s specific instructions (speak to the rock - Not strike it)- Moses does it his way-

Ever get like that? Fine God, I’ll do it, but I’m not going to do it that way or with that person.

We get: worn out with complaining, frustrated with red tape or dueling personalities, angry about selfishness and then we REACT -

Slow down, step back, take a breath, recently your energy and thoughts with God through conversation, prayer & scripture before jumping back in.

Matthew 5-9” Blessed are the peacemakers is one of the most misinterpreted scriptures - To many people take this as - just be passive, cover up, ignore to be sure no one gets upset.

I think we often forget that Jesus’s life and ministry was full of conflict & trouble because he was a disruptor of the lies, false peace and security of all those around him - even his disciples and family.

I think that’s when we can get caught up in TOXIC POSITIVITY

These symptoms can help you identify toxic positivity:

Not accepting the realities of bad experiences
Denying emotion or need
Feeling guilty for negative emotions
Reassurance (e.g., “Don’t feel sad…”)
Pressure to be positive or do good
Minimizing pain or stress
Sharing “proverbs of ashes” (Job 13:12)

A cure for toxic positivity is to practice replacing these unhealthy statements (to ourselves or others) with those that express healthy faith and empathy.

Let’s explore some examples together.

Instead of : "God will work this for good." Try: "You want to trust God, but it’s hard now."

Replace: "Don’t worry — trust God" with "I understand you feel anxious"

Instead of: "Look on the bright side." Try: "I feel sad with you about this."

Replace: "Everything happens for a reason." With: This is wrong. Of course, you’re angry.

Jesus wants us to share truth in LOVE - he doesn’t want us to avoid it or conflict out of fear = then we are just false peacemakers.

We can’t be HIS light, build His kingdom, share HIS love -= if it’s fake - because He isn’t fake or false.

Yep! You heard it right.
TRUE OR FALSE?

It is possible to have the Holy Spirit within you, do miracles, share incredible spiritual gifts, or have a successful ministry and NOT BE A CHRISTIAN?

If I speak human or angelic languages but do not have love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.1 Corinthians 13:1-3

In these verses from 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Paul actually goes as far as saying all those things MEAN NOTHING if we don’t show love to others.

If you've had the grand illusion that we (Allison and Melissa) have it all together...you definitely want to listen to this episode!

How much faith is enough?
Faith like a child, mustard seed or widow's mite is ALL you need.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" - 2 Corinthians 12:8

This week it's all about friends and how to do the "friend dance".
How to be a good friend in the good times and the hard times.
Do you have friends in low places?

God uses everyday happenings to speak to us...even bitter coffee!

How would your prayer life and relationship with God change if you brought your true authentic self to God instead of your polished "Super Christian" persona?

Your cup overflows, but with what?

We've all had someone's bad day spill into ours. How do we de-escalate the situation a bad situation without catching a felony?

PSA: If you see Melissa in Target with a shopping cart...steer clear!

"Earth is crammed with Heaven" - Elizabeth Barrett Browning
The dollar section at Target, busyness, volunteering...
We are discussing all of the traps that keep us distracted from being the hands and feet of God.

Storytelling how the small stuff matters and makes a BIG impact in the world.

Have you ever started a conversation with someone only to realize that they are not who you thought they were? In fact....they are a complete stranger? AWKWARD!!

Today we are sharing some of our own awkward "mistaken identity" moments
(Allison definitely wins the Most Awkward award this time)

And talk about some identities we have adopted over the years. Do you recognize any of these?
The mom who has it altogether
The Glam Girl
Super Christian
The Bad@$S

Listen in as we discuss the identity traps we fall into and explore ways to get to our TRUE identities!

"If we're not able to be alone, we're going to be more lonely" Sherry Turkle

You know that saying - “You have to know yourself before you can be in a healthy relationship?”

Well, it’s TRUE - If we can’t go deep with others our friendships, relationships, marriage will suffer or end - it even effects our relationships with GOD

WE NEED SOLITUDE & SILENCE . . . . It’s where we learn about ourselves, work on ourselves with God

Then our relationships with others are just self serving, they are more than just a means to end our loneliness or give us purpose. If we are never alone with God - and get to know ourselves will probably won’t ever know or recognize Him!

A no notes, no script podcast processing current life from the world’s perspective and our Heavenly Father’s – His by the way, is far better than the worlds. Amen!

Check out our social media for a pic of the starfish !

Phil 2:15-16

This week: the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.

Faith is how you start in your walk with God, by believing in Jesus. Faith is how you progress in spiritual growth. Faith is what will help you keep standing until the end, when you stand before Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:2).

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

“It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life.” Henri Nouwen

Ephesians 6:10-18

This week: Belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, and the shoes of the gospel of peace . . .

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Pet. 3:15 (ESV – emphasis added)

You can access the recording of Paul Harvey's segment here!

Grieving - we suck at it! WHYYYYY?

We are way too busy & STRONG to let something smear our mascara!

We are terrible at grieving and it shows. The ripple effect seeps into every area of our lives.

Join us as we discuss ways to process the junk life throws at us.

Have you ever woken up one day and felt like "I can't do this ANYMORE"!?
Work, parenting, marriage, church...the list goes on.

You are not alone. We will all struggle throughout our lifetime with moments of doubt, hopelessness, and fear. It's what we choose to do in these situations that "makes" or "breaks" us...and trust me when I say that I have often chosen the latter.

When we hit a "wall" we have options!

Today we will discuss our common approaches to "hitting the wall"...
"Ignoring, Fighting, or just letting someone else handle it."

And share ways that we can move on and come out happier and healthier on the other side.

If you feel as though you are stuck, please do not stay there! Seek help, be it from a counselor, mentor, or send us a message and we will try to connect you with appropriate resources.

We can't say no to everything, so when we are called to say "yes" how do we respond in a healthy way?

Just be there for them, be present, listen & validate
Don't try to fix it for them. Ask them if you can give them advice.
Learn that empathy can be given without taking on the feelings of the person
Small acts of kindness are great - keep it simple
Encourage professional help
Be comfortable setting healthy boundaries

AND when guilt starts to creep in . . . just remember Jesus is the best example for all of these things.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power, love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

Let's start the year off right with some ways we can step out of our people pleasing mode and fear of letting other down by avoiding these things. Do any of these qualities/actions sound familiar?

Helping without being asked, saying "yes" when you wanted to say "no", doing or giving just to earn the approval of others, apologizing for everything, keeping your schedule filled to the brim, or avoiding conflict

If so, this podcast is for you!

In + For + On + To = Hope | N+4+ON+2=Hope

Trusting In God + Waiting for God + Waiting on God + Praying to God = Whole Being Hope

Psalm 130:5-7 (CEB)
I hope, Lord.
My whole being hopes, and I wait for God’s promise.
My whole being waits for my Lord—
more than the night watch waits for morning;
yes, more than the night watch waits for morning!
Israel, wait for the Lord!
Because faithful love is with the Lord;
because great redemption is with our God!

Romans 15:4-7 (HCSB)
For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. 5 Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Christ Jesus, 6 so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice.

Everyone's got a lot to love, we just need to learn to love what we got!

There are 4 main body types (rectangle, apple, hourglass, pear)

To day we learn to identify which one we are and how to dress that beautiful figure God gave us!

Get 20% off at Style Finder Boutique with code: Dustin 20

Our guest is personal stylist and fashion guru, Dustin Loyd. (He's got a little farmer in him as well)

Dustin is joining us for 2 special episodes, just in time for the holiday season. Before you trudge through the stores looking for something to wear to your holiday party, LISTEN UP!

In this episode he shares 8 style personalities and helps us to identify where we fall. AND he's busting the myth that everyone can wear black!!

Dustin also has two special offers for our listeners!!

Triangle Urban Farm - free delivery code DUSTIN
Style Finder - 20% your entire purchase code - DUSTIN20

They're all coming for the holidays...
Surly teenager
Tiny tornado toddler
Inconsiderate Spouse
Grumpy Grandpa
Judgy Aunt
Passive Aggressive Mom

What are we supposed to do with them?!
According to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), we are supposed to love thy enemies.

Let's talk about setting boundaries around our holiday season while trying our best to love 'em like Jesus.

RISE UP. TAKE COURAGE & DO IT.

We can do hard things & we were made for such a time as this.
But it's easier said than done, isn't it?

If we think about things long enough, fear creeps in...fear of rejection, failure, and judgement. Before we know it we are stuck in a toxic cycle and the enemy has us sitting quietly and idly on the sidelines shaking in our boots!

It's times like these that we need to remember that in Christ we are more than conquerors.

Today we are sharing the formula for "kicking FEAR in the face"
AND we are giving YOU a permission slip.

Permission to be bold, to feel, to cry, to stand up, or to sit down and rest. Listen to the end of the podcast and download your permission slip here!

That's right! Christ has overcome the world.

No matter what you are facing today, OUR GOD IS BIGGER!

Ezra 10:4
Rise Up - from a posture of prayer
This Matter is in Your Hands - Leaders take action
We will support you - everyone needs people
So Take Courage - Don't let fear win
and Do IT!

A few other episodes to reference:

56 - Not Your Job

61 - Faith or Fear...Which One Are You feeding?

65 - Screw All of You

Turns out Ozzy Osbourne had some sense about him when he recorded Crazy Train...who knew?!

Do you ever feel like you are on the crazy train?

Here are a few things you can do -
1) Understand - YOU are not alone

2) Search for the root of your doubt, anger, uncertainty (control, not getting what you wanted, etc.)

Talk to someone & tell them you are struggling - just getting it out there is HUGE
Take a new approach to studying scripture (art, journal, translation, listening, etc. )
Talk to God more - not less - tell Him what you are struggling with, why and ask Him to show up and show off for you.

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. – Psalm 56:8

Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne Lyrics

All aboard Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay

Crazy, but that's how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe it's not too late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate

Mental wounds not healing
Life's a bitter shame
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train

I'm going off the rails on a crazy train

Let's go

I've listened to preachers
I've listened to fools
I've watched all the dropouts
Who make their own rules
One person conditioned to rule and control
The media sells it, and you live the role

Mental wounds still screaming
Driving me insane
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train

I'm going off the rails on a crazy train

I know that things are going wrong for me
You gotta listen to my words, yeah

Heirs of a cold war
That's what we've become
Inheriting troubles, I'm mentally numb
Crazy, I just cannot bear
I'm living with something that just isn't fair

Mental wounds not healing
Who and what's to blame?
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train

I'm going off the rails on a crazy train

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
The ledge, ha-ha, the edge

Source: Musixmatch

Join us for a frank conversation about mental health, judgement, cancel culture, entitlement, and lots of other things that tick us off.

Kudos to Hope Community Church on their series Inside Out. They did an incredible job addressing the taboo topic of mental health.

Somedays I just want to be the hands of Jesus and slap some sense into people.

Let's live like a jerk for a day! Can I get a day pass please?

It's easy to love Jesus, but His people are a different story!
As Christians we are held to a higher standard, yet not one of us will be perfect this side of heaven. (Insert mercy and grace here)

Today we discuss things we can do to keep us grounded and out of prison. Remember, you're never too far gone for God's love.

Romans 8:38-39

What would it look like if the we all truly lived like Jesus for just one day?!

We wouldn't want to flash our middle finger on the beltline and we'd have endless sangria. Not to mention, we wouldn't have to cook because..."fishes and loaves"!

We would know how to create healthy boundaries, serve others, and give grace without becoming a doormat.

Stick around to the end for an exciting announcement!!!

Whether we realize it or not, we've all done it.

It comes in all shapes and sizes and
Can wreak havoc on our mental health
Wreck a relationship before it even gets started

Before long we'll be paralyzed in FEAR and insecurity, losing sight of who we are and where we're going.

COMPARISON - the Thief of JOY - leads to jealousy and judgement. BUT NOT TODAY satan.

In this episode we share with you a few tools to turn your comparison into a compliment and bitterness into a blessing!

How do we stand firm in an unstable world? Unwavering Faith

3 keys to unwavering faith:

Be confident in who God is
Find confidence in who God says you are
Keep your eyes on God

When we take the time to face our fears head on and process our unhealthy habits, our relationships and interactions become less fragile.

Our 4 pillars of strong leaders through the life of Joshua

1 - Tribe

2 - Humility

3 - Intimate Knowledge of God

4 - Unwavering Faith

Do you ever wish you could hear directly from God?

Should you take the job?
Is this move right for your family?
Is this guy "the one"?

God will guide us through life if we allow. But how?

(Hint: If you don't know God's word, how can you detect the lies of the enemy? )

Today we explore how God "speaks" to us and do a little myth busting.

3 Myths
1. God only speaks to super spiritual people
2. God speaks out loud
3. God doesn't speak to us anymore

We've identified 4 pillars of strong leaders through the life of Joshua and today we explore the 3rd: Intimate Knowledge.

Part 3 of a 4 part series: Life and Leadership with Joshua

Joshua 1

"Song birds are taught to sing in the dark, and we are put into the shadow of God's hand until we learn to hear from him."

We've identified 4 pillars of strong leaders through the life of Joshua. In this 4 part series, we will be diving into the life of Joshua and uncovering some gems.
Today we explore the second: Humility.

As God would have it, He is dragging Melissa right into the middle of a challenging situation that requires humility and grace.

Part 2 of a 4 part series: Life and Leadership with Joshua.

Dig deeper by reading Joshua 3

We've identified 4 pillars of strong leaders through the life of Joshua, we will be diving into the life of Joshua and uncovering some gems starting with the first: A Tribe. After all, you become what (& who) you surround yourself with.

But, How do you find your people??

We get this question from women all of the time. They feel disconnected and lonely & let's be honest...making friends can be SO HARD!

Today we are breaking it down for you.
Here's a quick tip: If you can't be yourself around someone...they are not your people!

Join us as we chat about all of the things...including the trumpet playing army of Joshua!

Disclaimer: Melissa jumbled a few details about our trumpet playing friends. Be sure to read the scriptures for yourself!

Today we're talking about a few of our hot buttons and the annoying people that push them.

God gave us our emotions and expressing them is healthy, just as long as we don't sin in the process.

So what makes you angry and how do you "let it all out"?

After all JESUS WAS A REBEL! He went against the grain, challenging the religious leaders, even flipping tables and cracking whips!

Whether it be rooted in fear, pride, insecurity or lack of control, we often push the ticket just a little too far.

Join us as we explore the common threads of our anger and learn how to express ourselves a little more like Jesus.

Scripture References: Mark 3:1-6 | Proverbs 3:27 | Proverbs 25:22

If you are

exhausted
unsure of next steps to take
frustrated by strangers being all up in your business...

THIS ONE IS FOR YOU!

These days everyone feels like they have the right to know all about you, your beliefs, where you stand politically, scientifically, etc.

Ummm....NO!

Listen in as we chat about all of the pressure society puts on us (or we put on ourselves) and discuss ways to combat it.

We also dive into finding your groove, letting go of things that are bogging you down, and the freedom in knowing where you are called to be at this time. (Hint: Less is more my friends:)

If you want to follow along in scripture, we will be referencing Matthew 7 & Matthew 11, both from the message translation.

Joshua 3:3-4

With fall approaching we are all encountering new changes and situations with school, family and life.

A new way can be scary, but don't be overwhelmed...it's just a new way and God is with you.

Before you spend time trying to get ALL of your ducks in a row, take a listen.

We're back with a new season and we have learned so much during our summer of silence and scripture meditation.

Today we are sharing tips on how to listen for God and the way God has been speaking to us; the cliff notes version of our summer of silence.

This is a common theme in our ministry lately, to catch all that is happening subscribe to our newsletter here.
https://sinnerandthesaint.com/

References:
Book : "When the Soul Listens" by Jan Johnson

We're wrapping up the season, but never fear...we have lots in store for you all throughout the summer and next season as well! (Giveaways, Summer Reset Resources...SO MANY THINGS!)

Today we are discussing all that you shared with us when we asked the question,
"What would you tell your younger self?"

From parenting advice to self care, you covered all of the bases; Allison got a little teary eyed and Melissa came out swinging on a few topics.

PS: Listen 'til the end for a glimpse of things to come!

If you've been around the church for more than 5 minutes, there's a good chance you've been offended by someone or something that was said or done.

Good news...you're not alone.

Bad news...it will probably happen again.

We opened up a can of worms on social media regarding this topic and decided we should probably air out our dirty laundry on the air.

Join us as we discuss some of the messages we received regarding this very sensitive topic and share some encouragement, no matter which side you're on!

To follow along with the scriptures, check out Matthew 7 (MSG)

Mom guilt - Ruining a good night's sleep since the beginning of time :)

We women play so many complex roles throughout our lives; mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend.
There just isn't enough of us to go around.

We feel guilty for what we should've done, what we could've done, what we did, what we didn't do...like that time I didn't pick my son up from preschool 😱

Join our conversation as we chat about letting go of comparison and giving ourselves a little grace along the way. After all, we're all God's children anyway.

Let's just love them the best we know how and let God sort them out :)

Sometimes we walk away from God and knowingly dive into sin; Other times, we are stuck in an addiction that we cannot control.

How do we overcome these things?
Do Christians have different standards?
Can we out sin God's grace?

In Jer. 51:1-5 we see the two sides of God - Vengeful & Loving all in one . . .

He talks of whipping up a death-dealing hurricane to clean up Babylon, declaring it will be littered with streets of corpses and total destruction . .. .

Then, in verse 5 says: As their God, God -of-the-Angel-Armies, I am still alive and well, committed to them even though They filled their land with sin against Israel’s most Holy God.

Even though they have stopped following God, He warns them to run for their lives to save them from His vengeance for their sins.

Sometimes we are called to share the "unpopular" truth, and boy does it have it's ramifications! But it's in those times that we see people's true colors. And I don't know about you, but I'd rather be stuck in the mud instead of walking with the enemy!

As they say, "Never question who God removes from your life. He heard the conversations when you weren't around."

Whether it’s happening now or happened in the past, what situation did you feel as if you had been left behind in the mud? Were you angry at God, yourself, or others?

Jeremiah 38:4-6 MSG

These officials told the king, “Please, kill this man. He’s got to go! He’s ruining the resolve of the soldiers who are still left in the city, as well as the people themselves, by spreading these words. This man isn’t looking after the good of this people. He’s trying to ruin us!”

King Zedekiah caved in: “If you say so. Go ahead, handle it your way. You’re too much for me.”

So they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of the king’s son. They lowered him down with ropes. There wasn’t any water in the cistern, only mud. Jeremiah sank into the mud.

Cowbells, airhorns, and predict-a-pens is how we're rolling these days.

Luckily, the world doesn't rest on our shoulders!

WARNING: Before you "share a message from God" with someone, you must LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE! Because God deals harshly with false prophets!

Also, if you've ever needed a reason to say "no"...this one's for you.

Jeremiah 20:7-10 (MSG)

Is it hard for you to tell God exactly how you are feeling? Have you ever complained about what God has called you to do in your life?

You are not alone!

Today we discuss the fact that following God isn't all rainbows & butterflies, and share some of our own hiccups we've experienced along the way.

Don't forget to go back & listen to "The Big Kahuna"!

The days are dark and long, how are we supposed to respond to a world that is spinning out of control?

Today we talk about the things God laments over and how we can serve in our specific arena; guilt free, knowing God has not called us to handle everything on our own.

There are so many needs; we, alone, CANNOT meet them all! Fortunately, we serve a mighty God who can.

Revelation 7:17 "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Bonus: An apology for all of the bone-headed things Christians say and do. 🥂

1 Samuel 24 - David could have killed King Saul in the cave when he on a bathroom break, but didn’t

Genesis 22 - God provided the Ram so Abraham didn’t have sacrifice his son Issac

Exodus 2 - After hiding Moses for 3 months and unable to hid him anymore, he is put in a papyrus basket and placed in the river to be kept safe from being killed with all the other males babies

Acts 12 - we rejoice at Peter’s near miss of being executed by Herod and his deliverance, but in that same chapter his fellow disciple James was beheaded.

What do drunks, rebels, naked men and a talking donkey have in common? They're all found in the Bible 😎
Today we discuss our awkward moments and explore some of interesting, yet awkward stories in the Bible.

Noah gets drunk and naked - Genesis 9
Lot's daughters get him drunk to take advantage of him - Genesis 19
Jesus calls out his betrayer (Judas) at the Last Supper - John 13
When the donkey speaks and reprimands his owner- Numbers 22
Jesus curses the fig tree - Mark 11:12-25

"You'll worry less about what people think of you when you realize how seldom they do."

There are those in our lives that we need to listen to and those that are operating out of their own insecurities. How can we tell the difference?

Today we talk about things we need to "get over" and the times when we need to slow down and journey through it.

Whew...who knew that this would turn into a therapy session for Melissa?
**Warning: She drops a four letter word towards the end of the episode.

Today we talk about our hardest truth to accept (we chatted about these truths last week:) and Allison tells us the best place in town to get collards!!

Btw...have you ever taken the time to read what God's word says about you? Below are just a few of the truths :)

He adores and loves us deeply.
His desire is for us to sit at His feet and come to Him.
He wants to use our past experiences/stories to bring others comfort and closer to Him.
We are enough, we have his approval, and don’t have to perform for it
He will never leave us or forsake us (abandonment issues)

What is the most difficult truth for you to embrace and believe? Why? We are going to get personal with this next week and share our struggles with you.

From opinions of others to shame of our past, we spend our life carrying around unnecessary baggage; Labels thrust upon us that we eventually claim as our identity. But not anymore folks! Today we are taking out the trash!

Btw...have you ever taken the time to read what God's word says about you? Below are just a few of the truths :)

He adores and loves us deeply.
His desire is for us to sit at His feet and come to Him.
He wants to use our past experiences/stories to bring others comfort and closer to Him.
We are enough, we have his approval, and don’t have to perform for it
He will never leave us or forsake us (abandonment issues)

What is the most difficult truth for you to embrace and believe? Why? We are going to get personal with this next week and share our struggles with you.

What do we do when life throws us a curve ball? Job lay offs, illnesses, broken dreams...they all take their toll and leave us exhausted. Maybe they are blessings in disguise? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, we'll share insights into how to manage the shake-ups of life and a few life hacks of our own!

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30

In this series, we're trucking through Proverbs 31 and studying the attributes of a Proverbs 31 Woman.

Honestly, just reading about her can become overwhelming and make you want to jump on one of the merchant ships and sail away into the sunset.

Join us as we chat about a few ways you can apply these principles to your life!

This week we find ourselves in Proverbs 31:13-15. . . Hardworking, present and Homemaking . . . Oh, my!

In this series, we're trucking through Proverbs 31 and studying the attributes of a Proverbs 31 Woman.

Honestly, just reading about her can become overwhelming and make you want to jump on one of the merchant ships and sail away into the sunset.

Join us as we chat about a few ways you can apply these principles to your life!

This week we find ourselves in Proverbs 31:11-12 . . . She is trustworthy and good

In this series, we're trucking through Proverbs 31 and studying the attributes of a Proverbs 31 Woman.

Honestly, just reading about her can become overwhelming and make you want to jump on one of the merchant ships and sail away into the sunset.

Join us as we chat about a few ways you can apply these principles to your life!

This week we find ourselves in Proverbs 31:10. . . as precious as gems...but do we act /feel that way?

A fun introduction into the Proverbs 31 woman based off a character from Anjela Johnson's comedy shows. You just never know where you will find the virtues of a Godly woman so never judge a book by its cover.

Do you participate in the New Year Resolution tradition? Pick a word, make a resolution, evaluate your commitments? What does it look like for you and what are some new ways to approach it so we can skip the "failure" piece?

Loving your children through the teen years when they are transitioning from building roots to flying and testing out their wings.

What it looks like to "stand in the gap" for our children, husband and friends.

Oh, the holidays.

A time when family comes together to share their adoration for one another. Joyfully exchanging gifts, putting all personal and political differences aside.

Wait...no?
That's not how your holidays roll?

If you spend the holiday season praying for January 2nd to come quickly, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

While Hallmark has us longing for love, peace, and hot cocoa; the Grinch has other plans for the Holidays.

Merging family traditions

Financial Stress

Fatigue

Unrealistic Expectations

Family Tensions

And add to this year the backdrop of a pandemic

Any of these situations sound familiar? All can contribute to our holiday stress and lead to chaos and family discord – a far cry from the joy and peace advertised on TV each holiday season!

In this episode, Allison and Melissa discuss how setting healthy boundaries and expectations can bring joy and peace back into your holidays.

When is it okay to say “No”?

Can you really “uninvite” someone from the family gathering?

Having the sometimes uncomfortable holiday budget discussion and so much more!

This season kick the Grinch’s plans to the curb and recapture the joy, peace, and FUN the holidays offer.

Sex & Marriage. . . . the inside scoop!

Continuation from last week's episode. If you haven't already, check out episode #31 How to love your husband well when you really just want to ring his neck!

Plus: Allison drops the ultimate Mom hack for fitting in sex during quarantine!!

It takes a lot to keep a marriage going, today we discuss the first three of four aspects of marriage that require attention.
1. Expectations
2. Communication
3. Forgiveness
4. Sex (Stay tuned next week for this one)

How do I find time to fit it all in . . . Bible study, prayer, meditation, volunteering

It's never to late to come to God.

We're all sinners, some of us just hide it better than others.

Are you holding on to one last secret...afraid that God will never forgive you?

Perhaps you've had an interaction that left you thinking,"If this is what being a Christian looks like, I'll pass!"

Or maybe you are a Christian and you can't seem to get it just right.

This one's for you!

What we experience on the mountain top, valley and during rest.

Let’s be honest. Sin is fun – for a little while, anyway. Whether it’s participating in a little gossip, making decisions without including your husband, taking that item from the office they will never miss anyway, surfing a website that is “inappropriate” or indulging in one more glass of wine that puts you over the top – it can feel good and be fun for the moment, but quickly that feeling is gone and you are left only with the shame and guilt of your actions.

1 Thessalonians 5:11-25. This week we are looking at what are the last few (# 19-22) commandments/guidelines Paul lists on how to live our lives worthy of the gospel.

(20) pray for us
(21) Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I put you under oath before the Lord to (22) have this letter read to all the brothers.

This week we are looking at what I’ve numbered as the 17-19 (out of 22) commandments/guidelines Paul lists on how to live our lives worthy of the gospel. 1 Thessalonians 5:11:25

(17) test everything; and (18) hold fast to what it good (19) Abstain from every form of evil. (Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.)

Recently, my daughter and I were doing a little back to school shopping. We went through the entire girl’s section and grabbed everything that looked cute or that we thought would look cute on. (We like to have fashion shows in the dressing room.) We ended up with over 16 items and headed into the dressing room. After trying each piece on and deciding “it’s to small, to low cut, just right or not cute enough to pay full price for.” we ended up buying only six of the items. Like most things we purchase, we want to try them out, get a recommendation, do a background check or read the reviews before we buy it. If we don’t, we make sure the store has a good return policy.

We need to be smart shoppers in our Christian lives too.

Do not despise prophecies (ESV) Do not treat prophecies with contempt (NIV) don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master (MSG) 1 Thessalonians 5:20

Prophecy is defined as “the foretelling or prediction of what is to come, something that is declared by a prophet, especially a divinely inspired prediction, instruction, or exhortation; a divinely inspired utterance or revelation”

1 Thessalonians 5:11-25. This week we are looking at what I’ve numbered the15th (out of 22) commandment/guideline Paul lists on how to live our lives worthy of the gospel.

(15) Do not quench the Spirit.

I have pondered these five words for hours and many thoughts have rolled through my head. If we define quench and Spirit and then reread these five words it does so much to deepen our understanding. Let me throw out a few variations for you:

Do not extinguish the Fountain of Life (Psalm 36:9, 87:7), Do not suppress the Consuming Fire (Deut. 4:24), Do not extinguish the Thirst Quencher (John 4:13-14), and Do not suppress the Spring of Living Water (Jer. 2:13).

These concepts work against human nature because when we have climbed to the tip-top of a mountain (with a REALLY heavy backpack) to enjoy the view, we are thirsty and drink all we can to quench that thirst along the way.

Taking a break from our current podcast mini-series on 1 Thessalonians 5 to tackle a great question from a listener.

How do we find balance between loving like Jesus and sharing the truth of God's word?
[Translation: How do we treat others kindly when we really want to smack them upside the head? ]

It just so happens to pair nicely with our discussion on how to live in this crazy world as a Jesus follower.

We talked a lot about being in prayer with God to know when He desires for us to speak and when to be quiet. Ezekiel 2-3 shows us that when God calls us to speak we are not to be afraid of their words, threats or dismayed by their dark scowls. When we are called to speak from God we should speak whether they listen or not, but when God calls for silence we are to be silent. I just wish he would stick my tongue to the roof of my mouth when I was supposed to be quiet and loosen it when I was to speak so it was always crystal clear.

“Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: “Go, shut yourself inside your house. 25 And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes; you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people. 26 I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people. 27 But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.” Ezekiel 3:24-27

“Sometimes we are looking forward to and planning on the blueberry pie (what we want) but God is busy at work making a cherry pie (He desires and plans). Rest in knowing either outcome is very sweet, but how pleasing it must be to Him to relish that cherry pie!”

(12) Rejoice always, (13) pray without ceasing, (14) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Taken from 1 Thessalonians 5:11-25

Seriously, if I had a quarter for every time I have said, “Please treat people how you want to be treated – NOT how they treat you.” to my children, I would have enough money to dig 20 wells in Africa. You may say this as often as I do, however, my question for us today is do we live this out? And if so, how? It’s so easy to say these words until someone drives by you, blares his horn, and gives you the lift of the third finger from your pinky or thumb.

“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”Taken from 1 Thessalonians 5:11-25

And we urge you, brothers, (6) admonish the idle, (7) encourage the fainthearted, (8) help the weak, (9) be patient with them all. 1 Thessalonians 5:11-25When it comes to dealing with the disease of distrust and sin, we can wear sunscreen (armor) to protect us from ever contracting cancer in the first place. That is what the word of God does for us. It protects our hearts and minds, keeping our attention and focus on Christ and the things of honor and praise and not of this world. His Word challenges, rebukes, trains, corrects all while a dose of patience and encouragement. The challenge is remembering and making it a priority to put on the sunscreen (staying in the Word of God).

Can you imagine the peace this would bring to those we know and who serve us? This week, let’s consider how we can respect and love those who encourage us and teach us through the word of God. I have a list of people who have helped me grow in Christ. How about you?

Therefore (1) encourage one another and (2) build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to (3) respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and (4) to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. (5) Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, (6) admonish the idle, (7) encourage the fainthearted, (8) help the weak, (9) be patient with them all. (10) See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but (11) always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. (12) Rejoice always, (13) pray without ceasing, (14) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (15) Do not quench the Spirit. (16) Do not despise prophecies, (17) but test everything; (18) hold fast what is good. (19) Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Brothers, (20) pray for us. (21) Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I put you under oath before the Lord to (22) have this letter read to all the brothers. 1 Thessalonians 5:11-25

Are you better at giving encouragement or receiving it? Both are important and can play out in different ways in our lives.

Therefore (1) encourage one another and (2) build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to (3) respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and (4) to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. (5) Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, (6) admonish the idle, (7) encourage the fainthearted, (8) help the weak, (9) be patient with them all. (10) See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but (11) always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. (12) Rejoice always, (13) pray without ceasing, (14) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (15) Do not quench the Spirit. (16) Do not despise prophecies, (17) but test everything; (18) hold fast what is good. (19) Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Brothers, (20) pray for us. (21) Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I put you under oath before the Lord to (22) have this letter read to all the brothers. 1 Thessalonians 5:11-25

Balancing the reverence of an all-powerful God with the grace He gives. This is a deep one folks. We get tongue-tied, tears well up in our eyes, and we are deeply humbled as we discuss the deep love our God has for us.

Why is it so difficult to forgive ourselves and others? What are the benefits & pitfalls of forgiveness?

What do do when God goes silent. In the church, people often talk about how they feel as if they are in the desert. It's like God is social distancing from them. They aren't experiencing His presence or peace as they have in the past. In this episode, we explore the benefits of the desert.

I don't have any gold statues I worship, so I know I don't have any idols . . . . that's not true. In this episode, we explore what idols are and discover that we all have them.

The Bible warns us about our minds. To defeat the enemy, it helps to know what we are up against.

The Bible tells us (or should I say warns us) that the mind is wicked, sinful, depraved, deceived, easily led astray and worldly. Check out these verses for yourself – Romans 1:28, 12:2, 7:21-23, Ephesians 4:23 and 2 Cor. 11:3.

Filling your mind with the truth of who you are in Christ and what He has promised you through His scriptures. This week, I hope you will take some time to look up the following scriptures that remind us of who we really are and not who our mind often tries to trick us into believing.Romans 5:8, 15:7, Psalm 138:7, 45:11, 83:3, Malachi 3:17, Ephesians 1:7-8, 1 Peter 2:9, Matthew 26:28

What is God's whisper? Is it real and does He still talk to us like He did in the Bible?

Check out the bonus material! Includes YouTube video and discussion/ journal questions.

We also referenced a book written by our very own Allison Cain.
Access all of her studies here!

What is balance, how do we achieve it and maintain it?

Check out our bonus material on YouTube!

Putting up healthy boundaries and learning to say no to things can be difficult. We have some great tips!

Looking for more resources? Check out our YouTube channel for more material on this topic!

In the podcast, Allison gives a book recommendation check it out here.

How do you find good friends? Is it like speed dating?

Dealing with loneliness in a busy world!

Check out the bonus material on our YouTube Channel!

Ever heard someone say, "I've been wrestling with God!"? What the heck does that mean anyway?

Additional resources for this podcast can be found on our YouTube channel!
https://youtu.be/xY7gNSmOTVg

We interrupt this regularly scheduled podcast for a little encouragement!

Today we tackle one of the top questions asked by Christians and non-Christians. . . Why Do Good Things happen to Bad People?

Watch the bonus video and find the discussion questions on YouTube!

Things Christians say to others that they probably should NOT, or should they?

Things we have heard and said that we assume are in the Bible, but really aren't.

Who are we, where have we been, and where are we going?

Allow us to introduce you to the women behind the mic, Allison Cain and Melissa Bell.
This episode gives you a quick glance into our lives, where we've been, what we've learned, and where we're heading. Follow our journey each Wednesday with each new episode!
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Do you have to go to church if you believe in God, isn't that place just full of hypocrites anyway?!

Welcome to The Sinner and The Saint . . . . Coming Spring 2020