Grace Enough Podcast: Recent Episodes
Amber Cullum
A podcast designed to encourage the Christian that God can use you to impact His kingdom no matter your story. Yes, it requires surrender and trust, but His grace is enough.
Can true freedom in Jesus be found? Join us as we delve into the powerful stories and insights of Karrie Garcia, who shares her journey of healing and discovering a fully alive life. But what happens when her faith is tested in ways she never expected? Tune in to find out. In this episode:
Dive deep into the correlation between healing and your faith in Jesus.
Decipher the role trauma plays in holistic healing, assisting you in cultivating resilience.
Challenge the belief that your past disqualifies you from your purpose in God. Instead, recognize that your past experiences can shape and propel you into your calling.
Understand the significance of storytelling and writing in the healing process, unveiling their transformative potential.
Break free from the cycle of false freedom by addressing the internal wounds and narratives that drive destructive behaviors.
Resources Mentioned:
Purchase Karrie Garcia’s newest book, Free and Fully Alive to dive deeper into her story and the concept of living a fully alive life.
Explore Karrie Garcia’s website to learn more about her work as a speaker and trauma counselor.
SHOW NOTES cont: https://www.graceenoughpodcast.com/freedom/
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n this episode of the Grace Enough Podcast, Amber Cullum invites guest Amberly Neese to discuss the power of questions in untangling one’s faith. Neese shares her own journey of questioning and offers insights on how asking questions can lead to a deeper understanding and growth in one’s journey with Jesus. Through personal anecdotes and thoughtful discourse, Neese emphasizes the importance of embracing questions and creating a safe space within the church for individuals to explore their doubts and thoughts. This episode is perfect for those who may be feeling stuck or uncertain in their spiritual journey and are seeking guidance to untangle their belief in Jesus from some doctrines they no longer believe. Tune in to gain valuable insights and discover how asking questions can transform your faith and lead to deeper relationship with Jesus. Key Takeaways:
Harness the profound impact of asking questions in strengthening your faith.
Consider the number of questions Jesus asked and how that impacts our lives today.
Examine the presence of doubt and curiosity in your journey with Jesus and the church
Understand how to navigate unsupportive church climates while refining your faith.
Show Notes cont.
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Brandi Wilson knows what it's like to have your life crumble overnight. Born and raised in a Christian family in Kentucky, Brandi's life was filled with faith and community. Life was seemingly perfect as she nurtured her three young boys and planted a church with her husband - Crosspoint Church in Nashville. However, in 2016, her world turned upside down when her husband decided to leave the ministry, their marriage, and their family. Amidst the devastation, Brandi found an opportunity to rebuild her life. She discovered that grief does not shrink with time but rather, we grow around it. This realization became a beacon of hope and encouragement for other women who were navigating similar paths. Through her journey, Brandi not only learned to rise from her ruins but also instilled hope in others that thriving after divorce is indeed possible. Key Takeaways:
Gain insights into the art of restoring personal wellness post-divorce
Learn ways to combat post-divorce guilt and shame.
Recognize the importance of dealing with past emotional baggage to improve your current situation.
Grasp how to approach children with open, honest conversations about divorce, in an age-appropriate manner.
Show Notes cont.
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In this episode of the Grace Enough podcast, Amber Cullum interviews Karen Swallow Prior about the influence of stories, images, and metaphors on the Christian faith. They discuss how these influences, also known as the social imaginary, shape our expectations, hopes, and disappointments in ways we may not always be aware of. Karen Swallow Prior explores the positive aspects as well as the pitfalls of evangelicalism, focusing on the power of stories, songs, and artwork in interpreting the facts of the Bible. By critically examining these influences, we can align our beliefs and practices with the teachings of Scripture. This episode is essential for Christians seeking a deeper understanding of how stories and metaphors shape their faith and how to discern between what is true and what may be distortion or sentimentality in their interpretations of Scripture., Key Takeaways:
Bring to light the pivotal role of stories, imagery, and metaphors in shaping Christian ideology.
Venture into a balanced discussion of the commendable qualities and latent issues within evangelicalism.
Throw light on the unintended obsessions with conversion at the expense of discipleship within the evangelical circle.
Trace the subtle art of how images, metaphors, and stories contribute to our faith and understanding of hypocognition.
Resources Mentioned:
Listen to episode 86 of the Grace Enough Enough podcast where Dr. Karen Swallow Prior discusses the impact of reading good books on your journey with Jesus, particularly in relation to virtue and understanding Scripture.
Check out Dr. Karen Swallow Prior's newest book, The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis.
John Bunyan and his influential book, The Pilgrim's Progress.
Show Notes cont. https://www.graceenoughpodcast.com/imagination/
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Do you ever feel like you’re constantly searching for the perfect way to mother your children? Does it seem like no matter how hard you try, you can’t find a one-size-fits-all approach that works for you and each of your children? It’s frustrating, isn’t it? The truth is, there is no book (including the Bible) that is perfectly tailored to teach you how to parent each of your children. Yes, there are guiding principles, but learning to ask the question, “What do I need right now?” and “What does my child need?” will help you be the best mother you can be today. My special guest is Alli Worthington Meet Alli Worthington, mother of five boys and successful entrepreneur. Despite facing financial lows and everyday challenges of motherhood, Alli managed to build her business on a broken laptop, $42, relentless determination, and a lot of prayer. Juggling the care of her children and the cultivation of her budding business, Alli has mastered the question, “What do I need right now?” Alli began following Jesus later in life, which has provided keen insights into the intersection of faith, culture, and motherhood, In this episode, you will be able to:
Discover impactful practices to harmonize your work-life and family responsibilities without compromising on any.
Grasp the importance of prioritizing your emotional health and integrating self-care practices into your routine as a Christian mother.
Confront societal and cultural expectations imposed on mothers, thereby aiding you in how to best serve and delegate in your role as mother.
Gain insights into nurturing emotionally secure and responsible children able to face the world with resilience.
Show Notes cont. Resources Mentioned:
Visit graceenoughpodcast.com/jokes to download 10 Lunch Box Jokes for Your Christian Kids, Tweens and Teens for FREE.
Check out Alli Worthington’s book, Remaining You While Raising Them for insights and advice on motherhood.
Complete Alli’s What’s Your Secret Super Power Quiz
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Amber sits down with Billie Jauss to take aim at negative thinking by encouraging listeners to detox from their emotional barriers by identifying them, capturing them with Scripture, and pursuing virtuous living. Key Takeaways:
Reflect on the impact words can have on you decades later
Uncover ways to diminish the burden of emotional toxins.
Gain insights into tackling and dismissing negative thought patterns.
Understand the influence of scripture in battling adverse thoughts and feelings.
My guest is Billie Jauss: Meet Billie Jauss, author, speaker, baseball mom and mentor who carries a deep-rooted passion for nurturing individual spiritual growth. Having personally navigated through a path laden with self-doubt and fear of failure, Billie now guides people through their own emotional barriers. Her insights are derived from her personal journey with Jesus and life experiences. Her wisdom shines brightly in her book ‘Distraction Detox’. Show Notes cont. Resources Mentioned:
Book: Distraction Detox
The Family Room Podcast with Billie Jauss
Your Distraction Action Quiz
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Discover the transformative power of relying on God's strength as Susie Larson battles fear and trauma, seeking courage and victory in the spiritual realm. In this episode we:
Explore the realm of spiritual warfare and discover the significance of relying on the power of the Holy Spirit.
Discover the profound implications of fear on your health and overall happiness.
Uncover spiritual practices that help usher in peace, and foster patience in the presence of God.
Uplift your perspective of who you are and who God is in His Kingdom on earth.
Gather a few tools to help prepare you for a spiritual battle.
Resources Mentioned:
Check out Susie Larson's books, including Strong in Battle, to dive deeper into the topic of strength and courage for spiritual warfare.
Consider reading Susie Larson's other books, as she has written a total of 22, to gain further insight and encouragement in your faith journey, particularly Fully Alive
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Have you ever thought, I have to change before Jesus can love me, or I’m not worthy of Jesus’ love? Let’s debunk these misconceptions together and discover the truth about Jesus’ unconditional love for us just as we are. Join us as Janell Wood shares her insights and experiences on this topic. Key Takeaways:
Uncover the complexities of faith journeys as you delve into heartfelt struggles with doubt and acceptance.
Realize the profound impact of letting go and surrendering to the divine plan and love of God.
Discover how influential figures can shape personal beliefs and communication styles.
Learn the transformative power of displaying love and acceptance without judgment or expectations.
Engage in thought-provoking dialogues and gain insights into often challenging faith-based questions, as Janell does on the Finding Something Real podcast
Show Notes. cont. Resources Mentioned:
Download the list of 8 Influential Books for free at Grace Enough Books. https://www.graceenoughpodcast.com/books/
Listen to Janell Wood’s podcast, Finding Something Real. https://www.janellmwood.com
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Do you desire to encounter the life-changing power of dwelling in God’s presence? Are you ready to experience a transformative journey that will deepen your relationship with Him? Join us as Roger Helland, a seasoned Christian leader and author, shares the key to unlocking the abundant life God intends for us. Discover how dwelling in God’s presence can bring about a profound and lasting change in your life. Through practical insights and biblical wisdom, Roger will guide you towards a deeper understanding of what it means to live in God’s presence, empowering you to embrace a life filled with His love, joy, and peace. Key Takeaways:
Dive into the intriguing journey of seeking God’s presence for a deeper connection.
Decipher the true meaning of holiness and its correlation with continuous living in God’s presence.
Unravel the connection between discipleship and abiding in Jesus for a purposeful existence.
Grasp the essence of why earnestly seeking God’s presence can be a game-changer for your spiritual growth.
Show Notes Cont. Resources Mentioned: Book: Pursuing God's Presence by Roger Helland JOIN Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang http://eepurl.com/gidRnD Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Become a Grace Enough supporter
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Amber sits down with Natalie Runion to discuss the message behind her book Raised to Stay. As a child, she witnessed the power of love as her parents served in church ministry, leading her to embrace Jesus wholeheartedly. But what she didn’t anticipate was the shattering blow of disappointment, hurt, and betrayal from the very people she trusted the most—the church. Join Natalie as she shares her path towards healing and discover the resilience she found in abiding Jesus. My special guest is Natalie Runion Say hello to Natalie Runion, a passionate defender of faith amidst the struggle of those who have felt the sting of hurt resulting from the church and its people. Having spent all her life in the church, belonging to a family deeply devoted to its ministry, Natalie has not been a stranger to the pain and disappointment that church communities can sometimes bring. However, her resolve to stay anchored in Christ, despite her hurt, paints a picture of resilience and divine commitment. Through her writings, Natalie offers solace and understanding, encouraging many others who are on a similar journey. In this episode, you will be able to:
Navigate through the complexity of church related disappointments, maneuvering towards healing via the reassurance in Jesus.
Cement bonds with Jesus, breaking free from over-attachment to individual entities or ministries, so that you’re focus is abiding in Christ.
Step beyond church’s traditional roles, experiencing a ministry that spans across day to day life, rooted in God’s teachings.
Contemplate the trials in your ministry, and how they impact your spiritual growth and are used by God.
Cultivate patience with oneself and with others, strengthening community dynamics during tough seasons.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Raised to Stay by Natalie Runion
Grace Enough Podcasat: Spiritual Abuse and Church Hurt Series
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Amber Cullum and Amy Fritz have an honest conversation about the importance of critical thinking and open dialogue within Christian communities, which they discuss as a result of watching the Amazon Prime docu-series, "Shiny Happy People." They discuss some dangers of blindly following beliefs, the power of questioning, and the complexities of raising children with a strong faith foundation. Key Take Aways
Learn why fostering critical reasoning is essential in nurturing healthy Christian communities.
Understand how to strike a balance between honoring mentor advice and adhering to Christ's teachings.
Navigate through the complexities of homeschooling, considering its potential pitfalls and promises.
Engage with different perspectives on the challenging notion of modesty within the Christian context.
Appreciate the value of open conversations and examining diverse interpretations in deepening one’s Christian faith.
Resources
Book: How to Think by Alan Jacobs https://amzn.to/3pu4rJj
Book: The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Allison Barr https://amzn.to/3r6mYM1
Untangled Faith Podcast https://untangledfaithpodcast.com
Shiny Happy People Docu-series https://amzn.to/44pRvmz
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Vaneetha Risner’s journey began with a crippling disease that marked her childhood. Despite the odds, she defied medical science and took her first steps at the age of seven. But then, an unexpected twist tested her faith in God. She lost her infant son, was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome, and her marriage ended. In the depth of her despair, Vaneetha turned to God, as she always had, but this time she cried out to Him in her journal asking Him difficult questions. With each honest conversation, she discovered the importance of seeking answers while still trusting in God’s sovereignty. Join us to learn how Vaneetha’s journey can give you hope and renewed faith in the midst of life’s challenges. Key Takeaways:
Embrace the comfort of turning to God when times are tough.
Realize the importance of confronting hard questions and being sincere with God in times of pain.
Obtain practical advice on aiding others through their periods of hardship.
Acknowledge God’s control and loving nature despite facing difficult circumstances.
Identify the essential role of friendships and group bonds in overcoming suffering and seeking hope.
Resources Mentioned:
Check out Vaneetha Risner’s Bible study, Desperate for Hope, which addresses common questions about suffering, loss, and longing.
Connect with Vaneetha Risner on her website, Vaneetha.com, to learn more about her story and resources for those facing suffering and loss.
Vaneetha’s memoir: Walking Through Fire
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Unlock the hidden treasures of prayer with the dynamic Becky Harling as she guides us through the Lord's Prayer, revealing the ironic truth that while it may seem familiar, there's always more to discover and achieve a deeper connection with God. In this episode, you will be able to:
Delve into the character of God the Father, as shown through the Lord's Prayer.
Understand the Lord's Prayer as a practical guide for daily communication with God.
Discover the life-changing power hidden within the Lord's Prayer.
Experience deeper connections with God by committing to persistent prayer and trusting His provision.
SHOW NOTES cont. Quotes "Your will. Not my will, Lord. Your ways. Not my ways. Your kingdom, not my kingdom." "The kingdom is really wherever the king is. So if the king is reigning in your heart, the kingdom is somewhat now, but it will be ultimately fulfilled then when Jesus reigns on Earth forever and ever." "We don't experience the depth of Christ's forgiveness unless we're living that out towards others." "Jesus wants us to allow Him to forgive others through us." "You think, God must be tired of hearing this prayer. No, he wants you to be persistent." Resources Mentioned: Bible Study: Our Father by Becky Harling
Related Episodes:
202: Tyler Staton | Deep Prayer and Communion with God
Grace Enough Prayer Practice Episode List
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To celebrate this 200th episode, I invited my friend and host of the Untangled Faith podcast, Amy Fritz on the show to help me answer a few questions Grace Enough listeners submitted. I hope the answers give you a little peak behind the curtain of Grace Enough. Questions Discussed During the 200th Episode Celebration:
Have all of your guests been eager to be interviewed? -Michele Bowman
How do you find such great guests? -Belinda Letchford
What have you learned about yourself through this process? -Amy Fritz
How do you handle it when you're interviewing someone you disagree with? -Sarah DeSalvo
What are your tips for time management with homeschool/kids and podcasting/media? -Jennifer Eikenhorst
What's your most downloaded episode? Why do you think it was that popular?
Do you have a favorite guest? Who?
What's your dream for this podcast?
What are your favorite and least favorite parts of podcasting?
Describe your listener.
How has the podcasting experience changed you since the Amber of 199 episodes ago?
Show Notes cont. Episodes Referenced:
184: Amy Fritz | Untangling Faith After Ramsey Solutions
41: Susan Alexander Yates | Thriving in Transition
183: Lina Abujamra | Fractured Faith
104: Susie Rowan | Bible Study Fellowship, Executive Director
102: Christopher Yuan | Transformation & Holy Sexuality
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Lysa TerKeurst and Amber discuss Lysa's new book, Good Boundaries and Goodbyes. Lysa shares about the boundaries God originally set for us, levels of access and responsibility, and a boundary that has been placed on her that is both hard and healthy. Questions Discussed During Boundaries and Goodbyes:
You begin Good Boundaries and Goodbyes with "And as we open up to each other, the deeper we connect, the more vulnerable we become. The more vulnerable we become, the more exposed the tender places inside of us become. This exposure
is risky. When we dare to be so very known, we risk being so very hurt." Share as much or as little about your personal experience that led to the writing of this book and why the risk of being hurt is worth it?
As we begin to discuss boundaries, why do many people believe they are “unchristian”?
Has there been a time in your life when you've been on the receiving end of someone setting a boundary? And how did that impact you then vs. now?
Let's close by talking about "healthy honesty" You write "Healthy honesty isn't trying to hurt us. It's trying to heal us." What does healthy honesty mean?
SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned: Book: Good Boundaries and Goodbyes by Lysa TerKeurst Sponsor: FREE advent Study: Family Christmas in the Psalms Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang
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Dr. Juli Slattery and Amber discuss discussed some of the unbalanced messages Christians received during 90's purity culture, the dangers of reducing intimacy down to a formula, some ways her understanding of God and sex have evolved over the years and what covenant has to do with it. Related Episodes:
197: Rachel Joy Welcher | Talking Back to Purity Culture
196: Dean Inserra | Is the Bible’s Plan for Sexuality Outdated?
119: Shelia Gregoire | Exposing Lies Christians Believe About Sex
91: Mary Flo Ridley | Let's Talk Birds & Bees
54: Nick Stumbo | Discovering Freedom From Pornography
Questions Discussed During Life After Losing Your Memory:
As someone who has spent well over a decade working exclusively in the arena of Christian sexuality, what were some of the unbalanced messages Christians received during that time?
How do you define sexual integrity?
What has been some of the fall out of the unbalanced messaging from purity culture?
You wrote, "My understanding of God and sex has dramatically evolved over the decades. I can see that metamorphosis in the emphasis and nuances in what I wrote twenty years ago versus what I’m writing and teaching today. My journey has brought me closer to the heart of God." Will you share some of those changes with us?
As your understanding of God's Word has grown, what would you now say to someone who says, "Why should I stay pure? That's so old school."
I am going to say a few common phrases we hear regarding sexual purity. I would like for you to respond to them by first sharing what pops in your head and then sharing how you address these phrases in your writing, speaking, podcasting, etc. :) -Dress modestly to prevent your brother from stumbling. -Save sex for marriage. -Men are more sexual than women. -God created sex to expand the family
What would you say to the man or woman listening who is single or widowed about sexual purity?
Show Notes cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: God, Sex, and Your Marriage by Dr. Juli Slattery
Book: Rethinking Sexuality by Dr. Juli Slattery
Book: Sex and The Single Girl by Dr. Juli Slattery
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Rachel Welcher and Amber discuss holding up God's sexual ethic while proclaiming the truth that Jesus forgives and how purity is not a badge of honor that promises us a spouse, a great marriage or a fulfilled sex life. Questions Discussed During Talking Back to Purity Culture:
(8:37) As a young, Christian female growing up in the 90's you read books like I Kissed Dating Goodbye, When God Writes Your Love Story, among others. What messages did you begin to internalize in your youth about Christian sexuality and marriage?
(13:23) What are some of the things that God does teach about purity in marriage from his word that differ from some of the messages authors would share?
918:07) Regarding your book, Talking Back to Purity Culture, you said, "My goal is not to create a new sexual ethic but to help the church return to a more faithful, orthodox understanding of the Bible says about sexuality and the grace and forgiveness we have through Jesus Christ." Will you expound on that a bit?
(22:46) You write, "We wore purity rings as badges of honor, forgetting that it is Jesus who cleanses us from all unrighteousness. The Christian pursuit of sexual purity is biblical, but it must flow out of a recognition that it is Jesus who makes us pure." How does that shift change everything?
(25:42) Christian teachings on purity will often place more responsibility on women to preserve the purity of both genders through modest dressing, body language, and so on. Where does this fall short and what are some more healthy ways we can discuss these topics with girls today?
(34:13) Reading books in a group can help facilitate conversation on hard topics. How did you encouraged those conversations when you were teaching?
(36:43) I deeply appreciate that you end each chapter with discussion questions and an activity. With that said, when readers get to the end of your book, what lessons do you hope they will have learned about sexual purity?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned: Book: Talking Back to Purity Culture by Rachel Joy Welcher Related Episodes:
196: Dean Inserra | Is the Bible's Plan for Sexuality Outdated?
102: Christopher Yuan | Transformation and Holy Sexuality
125: Laura Perry | Transgender to Transformed
119: Shelia Gregoire | Exposing Lies Christians Believe About Sex
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Dean Inserra and Amber discuss why the Bible's plan for sexuality isn't outdated and the major flaw of 90's purity culture that lead to some of the backlash we see today. Questions Discussed During Is the Bible's Plan for Sexuality Outdated?
(4:49) Your newest book, Pure, digs into God's design regarding sexuality and how it is not outdated, irrelevant or oppressive. What is purity culture?
(10:32) You share the Biblical roots of purity culture and point out one MAJOR flaw. What are some of those roots and what is the major flaw that has led to the backlash we see today?
(25:49) You, then, highlight 7 lies the world tells us about relationships and sexuality. Things like, "Sex is Expected", "Cohabitation Makes Sense", "Porn is the Norm" and "Gay is Okay". What are some ways we, as followers of Jesus, can navigate conversations about these cultural norms in a way that communicates truth and love?
(32:27) What is the message from your book for people who are single?
(35:09) What is your biggest hope for your book, Pure?
SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned:
Book: Pure: Why the Bible's Plan for Sexuality Isn't Outdated, Irrelevant, or Oppressive by Dean Inserra
Union with Christ Doctrine
FREE 4 Week Gratitude Practice
Related Episodes:
102: Christopher Yuan | Transformation and Holy Sexuality
125: Laura Perry | Transgender to Transformed
119: Shelia Gregoire | Exposing Lies Christians Believe About Sex
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Erica Wiggenhorn and Amber discuss the all too common feeling among Christian women "the Bible is boring", why she writes Bible studies, and her encouragement for those who currently struggle with reading the Bible. Questions Discussed During Is the Bible Boring?:
(9:02) Like so many of us, you opened your Bible, but the struggle to understand left you feeling a bit discouraged. What helped you persevere in reading and learning to study?
(14:11) When did you start writing? Why Bible studies?
(20:06) When going through the study, what was the tension between "I'm checking all the boxes" and "this is not the God I know"?
(24:41) What has been some of the feedback you've recieved from women going through An Unexpected Revival?
(28:51) What would you say to the Christian mom who is embarrassed to say she isn't spending time in God's Word daily?
(34:08) What about the teenager? What would you say to her?
(38:46) There came a point in your faith journey, where you felt the call to write and teach. Share a bit of that journey with us and how you ended up teaching women the Word of God in prison.
SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned:
ericawiggenhorn.com
Bible Study: An Unexpected Revival: Experiencing God's Goodness through Disappointment and Doubt by Erica Wiggenhorn
Book: Letting God Be Enough: Why Striving Keeps You Stuck & How Surrender Sets You Free by Erica Wiggenhorn
Bible Study: Unexplainable Jesus by Erica Wiggenhorn
Bible Study: Unexplainable Church by Erica Wiggenhorn
Related Episodes:
104: Susie Rowan | Bible Study Fellowship
108: Amy Hale | How Bible Study Changed My Life
99: Jen Wilkin | Women of the Word
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Rebecca McLaughlin and Amber discuss the value of intellectual curiosity for the Christian, engaging secular literature to enrich one’s belief in Jesus, sexual ethics in our post Christian world, and more. Questions Discussed During Intellects Are Christians Too:
(3:50) You've said, "My parents gave me such a strong sense growing up that Christians should be the most intellectually curious people in town. I was not in any way raised with the anti intellectualism that can be characteristic of American evangelicalism..." Will you expound on that a little bit and why you have found that to be crucial to your faith when people do object to it?
(11:20) Something I appreciate about your work as an Apologist is the humility with which you engage difficult questions of the faith. It is a tone that is often missing in the world of Christian apologetics. What's it like to engage in the world of apologetics with more of a humble heart toward the difficult topics?
(17:51) How do you encourage Christians to engage thoughtfully on the topic, of purity, same sex attraction, etc. in our current culture?
(29:52) What did you hope the reader would take away from one of your more recent books, Jesus Through the Eyes of Women?
(33:30) Why do you believe engaging in secular stories, as well as the Bible, enriches your belief in Jesus vs. leading you astray?
(37:59) Let's close with, outside of God's Word, what are some books/authors/fellow Christians who have helped shape you into the follower of Jesus you are today?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion by Rebecca McLaughlin
Book: 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) About Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin
Book: The Secular Creed: Engaging 5 Contemporary Claims by Rebecca McLaughlin
Book: Is Christmas Unbelievable by Rebecca McLaughlin
Book: Jesus Through The Eyes of Women: How the First Female Disciples Help Us Know and Love the Lord by Rebecca McLaughlin
Book: Confronting Jesus: 9 Encounters with the Hero of the Gospels by Rebecca McLaughlin
Book: The Pop Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage Their World for Christ
This episode is dedicated to:
Melinda Patrick, host and creator of The Bridge Between Us podcast
Janell Wood, host and creator of Finding Something Real podcast
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Lisa Saruga and Amber discuss the sexual violence she experienced as a college student and the way God is using the experience to bring change. Sexual Violence Victim and Reform Advocate Questions Discussed:
(2:32) As a college student in the early 1980's you experienced a traumatic life changing event. Take us back and share as much or as little about that experience with us.
(4:37) What were the days and weeks like following?
(9:47) Christ does begin to become a friend to you. What was that process like?
(13:11) Your perpetrator remained unknown for 35 years. What was day to day life like for you during those years of waiting? And how did you discover his identity?
(16:47) Your cold case was reopened and eventually solved. Share that part of your story with us?
(21:59) When and how did it end?
(24:45) Did your perpetrator ever face justice?
(26:38) What was the tension like in your relationship with Christ at that time?
(29:39) You've said, "...[H]ealing can be attained even when the world offers no happy ending." What do you mean by that?
(32:51) Now you are someone who advocates on the behalf of other survivors of sexual violence. Talk a little bit about your advocacy work, what you do and how it has been a part of your healing process?
(39:08) Does he know who you are?
(41:14) What keeps you pressing on when the journey is so difficult?
(44:02) Let's close with how you've experienced the grace of God in the midst of such trauma?
Show Notes Cont. Related Episodes:
94: Mary DeMuth | Hope After Sexual Abuse
179: Sonya Brunner | Abuse, Human Trafficking, & Redemption
31: Lara & Hayley | Layers of Dignity
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Scott Sauls and Amber discuss the message behind his newest book, Beautiful People Don't Just Happen. Scott also shares some of the shifts he's experienced in the church over the last 25 years as a pastor, what it means to bring our not enoughness to God, and how we can abide in Christ. Beautiful People Don't Just Happen Questions Discussed:
(0:45) You have been in pastoral ministry for 25 years. Did you begin at Redeemer Pres in New York or elsewhere? Share a bit of your pastoral journey with us and some of the major shifts you have witnessed in the church throughout the years.
(6:15) I read a review of Beautiful People Don't Just Happen and it sums up my experience reading the book. Wes Van Fleet wrote, "Goodness! Sauls always writes such helpful and caring books. This one spoke to me as if he and I were sitting down together talking about all the things that haunt me, while being reminded of all I believe and hope for. You may need some tissues with this one but I highly recommend it." This is a loaded question, but what do you mean by beautiful people don't just happen?
(13:45) You spend several pages sharing how the darker and sadder seasons of life have expanded your belief in and experience of the goodness of God. What are a few ways you have personally experienced the goodness of God after seasons of darkness?
(16:42) "The thing God wants most from you is an admission of your not-enough-ness." Unpack that a bit for us.
(22:10) How do you explain abiding in Jesus to others and how are you intentional about its practice?
(26:44) You share about your personal struggle with anxiety and depression and how debilitating it can be. What have you found helpful when experiencing seasons of "no comfort in God's promises from Scripture' and the struggle to pray?
(31:22) As we close, speak to the listener who is struggling to believe that God redeems regret, hurt and/or fear.
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Beautiful People Don't Just Happen by Scott Sauls
Elisabeth Kubler Ross (credited for quote "Beautiful people don't just happen")
Related Episodes:
158: Mary Marantz | Broken & Beautiful
177: Pete Greig | Hearing God's Voice
97: Hannah Anderson | Goodness & The Lost Art of Discernment
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Marcy Gregg and Amber discuss the story behind her memoir, Blank Canvas. Marcy shares the fear of waking up with no memory of the last 13 years, the radical way God's grace crashed into her world, surrendering her alcohol addiction, and how oil painting connects her to God. Questions Discussed During Life After Losing Your Memory:
(3:55) At age 30, you went to deliver your 3rd child and life forever changed. Share a bit of that story with us.
(12:32) You eventually returned home to a life you had no memory of. What were those first few years like as you returned to mother, wife, etc?
(12:52) Eventually, the fatigue from hiding caught up to you and you turned to alcohol. Now, not only are you hiding your lack of memory, but a secret addiction. What did day to day life look like during that time?
(14:26) What's your relationship with God like during this time?
(17:04) What happened when God came crashing into your world?
(20:31) Part of your healing journey was rediscovering your love and talent for painting? How has painting been a part of your healing journey?
(22:48) What is it about art that expands your view of God?
(24:07) Even as a renowned oil painter, you have encountered health scares that threatened to end your career. Let's end with how you continue to trust God even when it's hard?
(27:54) What was your hope for people who read Blank Canvas?
(29:33) How would you express the grace and tenderness of God in your life?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Blank Canvas by Marcy Gregg
marcygreggart.com
Related Episodes:
169: Sherry Hoppen | Getting Sober & Walking With Jesus
84: Sandy Cullum | When Your Faith Walk Changes
Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook
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Joshua Sherif and Amber discuss his life as a Muslim boy in Egypt, his immigration to the United States, coming to faith in Jesus, and casting a wider net for discipleship in our communities. Josh shares his experience as a US immigrant and as a pastor of a church representing more than 30 nationalities, and speaking 20 languages in his new book, The Stranger At Our Shore: How Immigrants and Refugees Strengthen the Church. Immigrants, Refugees, and The Church Questions Discussed:
(1:41) To lay a foundation for our conversation today, share a little about your childhood. Where did you grow up? What was family life and faith life like?
(4:25) Your family eventually immigrated to the United States. What brought your family here and what were those first few years as an immigrant like for you and your family?
(12:21) What was it that caused you to leave Isalm for Christianity?
(14:59) fYour book, The Stranger at Our Shore: How Immigrants and Refugees Strengthen the Church, is in large part your story, but it is also a call to Christians to reconsider the strangers at our shore or living next door and our call to discipleship. What are some of the problems you see in the Church today, regarding how we relate to immigrants and refugees?
(28:04) This is not only your personal experience, but you founded and pastored a church in Albany Park, Chicago, IL which is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the U.S. for a decade. What were some of the challenges and successes of leading a diverse church?
(38:50) All too often, as a member of the local church, I forget I am a missionary. I forget that a large portion of Scripture is the story of Israel living as refugees and immigrants. Why is it vital to care for the immigrant and refugee like we see them cared for in Scripture?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: The Stranger At Our Shore: How Immigrants and Refugees Strengthen the Church by Joshua Sherif
8 Books That Were Influential In Ways That Surprised Me
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Debra Moerke and Amber discuss discuss the story behind her memoir, Murder, Motherhood and Miraculous Grace. Debra and her husband served as foster parents for a number of children. But Deborah became especially close to one little girl through a series of difficult and horrific circumstances, she found herself taking a phone call from the birth mother from prisons. What developed is the story Deborah tells today. It truly is a story of the miraculous grace of God and the steps of obedience that were far from easy Murder, Motherhood,& Miraculous Grace Questions Discussed:
(1:39) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(5:20) You and your husband fostered high risk children for 18 years. Take us back to when you first become foster parents. What led you to begin fostering and what were those first few years like in your home?
(7:57) The memoir you released in 2019, Murder, Motherhood and Miraculous Grace, shares the portions of your journey with one of your foster children and her mother. Will you share that story with us?
(12:21) What are things that social services can do better, so that things like this don't happen?
(14:16) What was the impact on your own biological children and your family as a whole?
(15:55) The horrific loss led to a range of emotions, but you were faced with a decision when you received a call from jail. Share that experience with us and how the grace of God led you to surrender?
(22:10) Was it this experience that led you into prison ministry? And what were some things you discovered as you began to walk with women in prison, including the birth mom who murdered one of your foster daughters?
(24:02) As God continued to draw you into places that were not easy to walk in, how did you see him really meet you?
(28:20) Have you continued a relationship with Hannah's mother?
(35:58) Were there times when that was happening that you you doubted?
(40:28) What encouragement, dare I say advice, do you give foster families today?
(44:45) Do you have a relationship with some of the children who came in and out of your home?
(47:37) You have worked for a pregnancy resource center and you have fostered children. What do you see as the potential impacts of Roe vs. Wade being overturned?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Murder, Motherhood, and Miraculous Grace by Debra Moerke
debramoerke.com
Related Episodes:
48: Tori Hope Petersen | Hope for the Foster Child
37: Dr. Lindsay Hinson | Foster Parenting
105: Cheri Jimenez | What is A Safe Family?
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Keri Spring and Amber discuss the loss of Keri's son Greg to suicide, his experience with bullying, her journey of forgiveness, and the Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship Fund she founded in his honor. If you or anyone you know, is experiencing suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress, call 988 for help Hope After Suicide Loss Questions Discussed:
(1:33) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(3:10) Your family experienced a life changing event that no one hopes to experience. The loss of your son, Greg, to suicide. Share a little about your family and life up until Greg took his life.
(6:29) Will you share, as much as you feel comfortable, about that day and the few days that followed?
(13:11) In hindsight, can you look back now and see some signs that you didn't recognize at the time or even now?
(14:38) Would you say one of the hardest parts is not having answers to why Greg took his life?
(19:50) If your daughter would feel comfortable with you sharing, how did she deal with the loss?
(22:17) Share about the bullying Greg experienced.
(29:27) I'm going to ask a tough question, and please feel free to pass, but do you find yourself ever having to go back and forgive Greg again?
(30:19) What would you like to share with parents when it comes to teen suicide?
(36:05) You've set up and are passionate about the Gregory Spring Perseverance Scholarship Fund. Share a little about that with us.
Show Notes Cont. Related Episodes:
118: Rashawn Copeland | When God Enters Your Mess
166: Lori Wildenberg | Helping Children With Anxiety, Depression, & Suicidal Ideation
If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, call 988 for help.
KeriSpringministries.com Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship Fund
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Wade Mullen and Amber discuss when impression management behavior becomes dangerous, how to address abusive behavior early on, and his personal experience when sharing abuse that was impacting the students he served. Power, Image Management, & The Church Questions Discussed:
(2:42) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(4:20) It was your work in the local church that first introduced you to the needs of abuse victims and the potential for institutions to protect abuser(s) instead of victim(s). Will you share a little of that experience with us and what that experience led you to pursue?
(9:17) How do you respond to, "I don't know why someone would speak out against an organization that is doing such great work"?
(14:22) As you studied behavior, you came across impression management strategies. Define that for our listeners and how can the application of the strategies be harmful to the body of Christ?
Don't we all use these strategies? What are some ways the body of Christ, particularly church leaders can avoid falling into their snare?
(23:44) Talk a little about what we often see behind the curtain vs. on the stage.
(26:54) Your book, Something's Not Right, has this description that I think will resonate with listeners. "Maybe you don’t know for sure: all you know is something feels off when you think about a certain relationship or interaction with an institution or organization. You feel alone and confused―but calling it “abuse” feels extreme and unsettling, a label for what happens to other people but not you. Yet you can’t shake the feeling: something’s not right." When that feeling arises in someone, how would you encourage them to move forward in identifying what's "not right"?
(31:13) We have this tendency to not believe victims or to downplay the level of abuse. Why is that? And do we now run the risk of over inflating conflict as abuse or harm?
(40:31) If someone is listening and they find themselves in the crossroads of standing up and walking away from spiritual abuse/harm or staying quiet, what would you say to them?
Show Notes Cont. FREE Spiritual Hurt Resource page Related Episodes:
183: Lina AbuJamra | Fractured Faith
184: Amy Fritz | Untangling Faith After Ramsey Solutions
185: Katelyn Beaty | Celebrities for Jesus
186: Dr. Diane Langberg | Listening to Abuse and Trauma Survivors
106: Scot McKnight & Laura Barringer | Church Culture: Goodness vs. Abuse of Power
94: Mary DeMuth | Hope After Sexual Abuse
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Dr. Diane Langberg and Amber discuss how her 50 year career working with trauma and abuse victims began, the similarity she encountered between veterans of war and abused women, the current reckoning of power abuse in the church, and pastors as shepherds. Listening To Abuse and Trauma Survivors Questions Discussed:
(3:20) Your career as a Christian psychologist began 50 years ago. And for those who are not familiar with your work, would you share your experience with your supervisor years ago who advised you not to listen to a woman who said, "My father did weird things to me"?
(7:07) You began listening to the trauma and PTSD women and veterans were experiencing long before the term was used and the diagnosis existed. What were those first 10-20 years like?
(8:38) What are some of the biggest lessons you've learned about treating people who have been abused? Have PTSD? Survivors?
(10:10) Not only has your work included women and veterans, but pastors, leaders around the world. What have you learned about abuse and trauma on a global scale?
(13:27) There were decades where pastors, clergy, church leaders who were accused of sexual abuse would have been referred to as having an affair Why is that not an appropriate term to use when pastor, clergy, youth leader, church leader has a sexual encounter with someone in their care? Why is that abuse vs. an affair?
(19:08) Do you think the current rise in church abuse is just a trend or a genuine problem you see in our churches? Are people jumping on the #metoo, #churchtoo movement and it will fade?
(22:54) How can you tell in a he said, she said situation who is the victim and who is the abuser?
(26:05) What type of work does G.R.A.C.E. do? How are they helping promote healthy and safe environments in our churches?
(29:10) As we close, what do you see as the day in, day out way to move forward, free and unified in Christ?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned (affiliate links):
netgrace.org
FREE Spiritual Hurt Resource page
Book: Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church by Dr. Diane Langberg
Related Episodes:
183: Lina AbuJamra | Fractured Faith
184: Amy Fritz | Untangling Faith After Ramsey Solutions
185: Katelyn Beaty | Celebrities for Jesus
106: Scot McKnight & Laura Barringer | Church Culture: Goodness vs. Abuse of Power
94: Mary DeMuth | Hope After Sexual Abuse
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Katelyn Beaty and Amber discuss her book Celebrities for Jesus: How Persona, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church
Celebrities for Jesus Questions Discussed:
(1:5) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(6:05) As a writer, journalist, previous print managing editor at Christianity Today, and current acquisitions editor for Brazos Press you have spent your career observing trends in the American church. One of which you write about in your newest book Celebrities for Jesus. Share about some of the observations in recent years that led to your desire to write this book.
(10:01) Share your views on ghostwriting acknowledgment and author personas
(18:42) Something I appreciate about this book is how you address the issue head on, but you're also very hopeful. You write about is social power, without proximity and the difference between fame versus celebrity flesh that out for us a bit.
(26:05) You share 3 temptations, one being the abuse of power. What are some ways we see this play out in the church and how are church members often complicit to it?
(35:45) Being a member of the Christian publishing world I appreciate your boldness in writing a chapter dedicated to the Christian publishing industry's complicity in the creation of celebrities. Do you see a better way forward where publishers are profitable without requiring their authors have 50,000+ social media following/email lists?
(44:28) You close out the book with some profound thoughts on ordinary faithfulness How would you encourage those listening who have been negatively impacted by celebrity Christians to press into ordinary faithfulness?
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Celebrities for Jesus by Katelyn Beaty (affiliate link)
katelynbeaty.com
Related Episodes
183: Lina AbuJamra | Fractured Faith
184: Amy Fritz | Untangling Faith After Ramsey Solutions
106: Scot McKnight & Laura Barringer | Church Culture: Goodness vs. Abuse of Power
94: Mary DeMuth | Hope After Sexual Abuse
I would love to connect with you on IG. Grace Enough on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
FREE RESOURCE for those who have been spiritually wounded or want to better understand spiritual abuse. Amy Fritz and Amber discuss her husband’s dream job at Ramsey Solutions, why he left, and her passion for helping others untangling their faith from all that’s untrue. Untangling Faith After Ramsey Solutions Questions Discussed:
(3:25) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(5:54) Several years ago, your husband was hired by Ramsey Solutions. Share a bit of that journey with us.
(14:34) How would you describe your husband’s experience the first few years at Ramsey and your experience as a spouse?
(23:47) What eventually took place that led your husband to leave Ramsey?
(32:32) At what point, did the Chris Hogan cover up take place?
(37:06) When did you finally reconnect with Melissa Hogan?
(42:37) By and large, churches host Dave’s FPU and employees have been known to say it’s the best place to work. How do you feel about it now?
(45:24) Is there a both/and here? Both, good advice worth following and an abuse of power and bullying?
(50:19) Since your family’s experience with Ramsey solutions, you have launched the Untangled Faith podcast: A podcast for anyone who has found their self disillusioned or discouraged in their faith journey and who wants to hold on to their faith while untangling it from all that is not good or true. What were your hopes when you launched the show?
(54:12) How has your podcast, Untangled Faith, helped you untangle your own faith?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Untangled Faith Podcast with Amy Fritz
Season 3: Our Ramsey Story, Part 1: Hoping To Be Chosen
Season 3: Our Ramsey Story, Part 2: Spies, Cash, Fear, and Rich People Habits
Season 3: Our Ramsey Story, Part 3: Everything Falls Apart
Article: Spies, Cash, and Fear: Inside Christian Money Guru Dave Ramsey’s Social Media Witch Hunt
Article: Our Story of Leaving Ramsey Solutions by Amy Fritz
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FREE RESOURCE for those who have been spiritually wounded or want to better understand spiritual abuse. Lina and Amber discuss her journey of reconstructing her faith, what we should be deconstructing, and rhythms of faith. Fractured Faith Questions Discussed:
(2:12) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(12:12) You were serving as the women’s director of Harvest church when you hit a wall and so began the crumbling of the Christianity you had known up to that point. Take us back and share the story that is the starting place of your book Fractured Faith.
(18:25) Deconstruction. What do you think people mean when they say they’re deconstructing? And what do you mean?
(20:13) You write, “The key is in remembering who God really is, not who we’ve made Him to be.” That is easy to say and much harder to do, when you are untangling who God ACTUALLY is from all you’ve been taught and experienced culturally. What did that process look like for you?
(24:19) Let’s talk about trusting feelings
(33:00) One thing I love about the book is the deconstruction diagram you provide as an appendix. In that diagram there comes a point where a person goes down a path of disbelief or a path of reconstruction. Share a bit of the diagram with us and your experience in reconstructing your faith.
(37:58) Talk about the rhythms of faith.
(43:04) What do you want to say this generation that’s just struggling with the church?
(46:21) What is Living With Power ministries doing in Ukraine?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
106: Scot McKnight & Laura Barringer | Church Culture: Goodness vs. Abuse of Power
94: Mary DeMuth | Hope After Sexual Abuse
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Courtney and Amber discuss identity in Christ versus identity in motherhood and how easily we place our value in the perceived successes of our children. You'll hear Courtney share about losing her home to Hurricane Rita, life as a mother to a child who is an addict, and the ways God has sustained her through at all. Masquerade of Motherhood Questions Discussed:
(1:39) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(9:18) You are mother to 6 and have said you spent years with your identity wrapped up in the successes and failures of motherhood. Share a little bit of what you mean by that.
(16:57) What has the journey looked like of discovering you didn't have your identity firmly rooted in Christ and how did you begin reorienting your heart and mind in Christ?
(20:43) You said, "My life has been a series of events each being unique and a testimony of Gods faithfulness in my life." One of those events was losing your home to a hurricane. How did you experience God's faithfulness in the chaos?
(29:10) Another experience you are living through as a mother is the addiction of an adult son. What has that journey been like for you and your husband?
(37:41) You have said, "I used to believe things happened to me, now I believe things happen for me to share how God can sustain you." Share a little about that shift in thinking and how that has changed how you face trials.
(44:27) Let's close with why you launched Courtney Doyle ministries and M.O.M. podcast?
SHOW NOTES cont. Related Episodes:
39: Jeannie Cunnion | Mom Set Free
98: Katherine James | A Son's Addiction & A Mother's Love
41: Susan Alexander Yates | Thriving in Transition
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FREE Download: 10 Scripture Prayers to Calm Your Heart Asheritah and Amber discuss Prayers of R.E.S.T., which was birthed out of a near panic attack she experienced during the first weeks of the pandemic. Prayers of R.E.S.T. Questions Discussed:
(2:59) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(8:06) What gap did you notice in your own life that helped you see the need for creative tools to help women spend time in God's Word?
(14:16) One of those tools is your newest book and podcast, Prayers of R.E.S.T., that was birthed out of the pandemic. Share with us about that experience.
(28:32) REST is a prayer acronym you use. What does each letter represent?
(34:59) The Prayers of REST format is based not only on the Bible but also on brain science. Can you explain that?
(41:16) Why is there so much pressure for our prayers to sound “good”?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Prayers of R.E.S.T. by Asheritah Ciuciu
prayersofrest.com
FREE Download: 10 Scripture Prayers to Calm Your Heart
Related Episodes:
83: Chrystal Evans Hurst | Conversation with Jesus
177: Pete Greig | Hearing God's Voice
152: Sharon Garlough Brown | Spiritual Practices & Formation
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Free Resource: 8 Books That Were Influential In Ways That Surprised Me Jennifer Hand and Amber discuss her new book, My Yes Is On the Table: Moving From Fear to Faith. Jenn walks the listener through her experience of God calling her away from her life as a career missionary and how she surrenders her fear and walks forward in faith. Fear Stops to Faith Steps Questions:
(5:08) Take us back and share your experience of becoming a career missionary.
(9:15) You came home, as the title of your books says, you put your yes on the table. What next?
(11:32) You wrote, "I am afraid of success in ministry or relationships because it adds a weight of expectation, and sometimes I am afraid that it will require more than I want to give...I am afraid of failure because failure says to me I am not enough; I cannot live up to the expectation; I should not have tried." After realizing you were afraid of both success and failure, what helped you move from a place of paralysis to moving forward?
(17:18) You have literally stood on the edge of the Promised Land during one of your trips to the Middle East. What did God reveal to you in that moment?
(25:01) A busy schedule does not equal glorifying God, so when you say live with your YES on the table, what do you mean?
(31:35) Share one of your funny stories with us and what God taught you.
(36:02) Let's close with one of God's grace markers in your life.
SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned:
Book: My Yes is On The Table by Jennifer Hand
Coming Alive Ministries
LuoPad Ministry
Related Episodes:
121: Vivian Mabuni | Willing Hands, Willing Heart
79: Amy Carroll | Sharing Your God Story
32: Heather Dixon | Equipping Women for Courageous Living
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Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversation about abuse and human trafficking and in not appropriate for all audiences. Sonya Brunner and Amber discuss her abusive childhood and the redemption she experienced through Jesus. They also discuss her ministry Fifty Shade of Grace. Abuse, Human Trafficking, & Redemption Questions Discussed:
(2:22) Family is supposed to be a safe place for children to grow and learn and experience love, but your family life was everything, but….Will you take us back and share a bit of your childhood experience with us?
(11:02) From 9 to 12, it was mainly just you and your mom. What took place that set you free from the severe abuse?
(17:24) You eventually encountered Jesus. Tell us about learning about the love of Christ and His redemption.
(23:05) What are some things that can trigger your trauma response?
(31:02) Your ministry is 50 Shades of Grace. Why 50 Shades of Grace?
(34:20) What do you think about when you hear shades of grace?
(41:58) Did you ever interact with your mom again?
(44:57) Tell us about your podcast, Crud Talk.
SHOW NOTES CONT. Related Episodes:
50: Rebecca Bender | Freedom From Human Trafficking
109: Amy Watson | Abuse Survivor & Living with PTSD
94: Mary DeMuth | Hope After Sexual Abuse
48: Tori Hope Petersen | Hope for the Foster Child
Free Resource: 8 Books that Were Influential in Ways that Surprised Me Come join Grace Enough on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
FREE download: 8 Books that Were Influential In Ways that Surprised Me Michelle Debenport and Amber discuss discuss being an entrepreneur, the fear of failure, and getting unstuck. Feeling Stuck? Need Clarity? Questions Discussed:
(6:21) You are a true entrepreneur, starting businesses since you were a young girl. You've said your motto is "Taste it. Try It. See if you like it." What are some of the businesses you've started and some things you've learned along the way?
(12:01) Despite having launched several businesses, one of which is your successful stock photography business, you still were unsure what you were created to do (I think this really resonates with women, esp. those who have been stay at home moms). Share a little of the journey you have been on during the last 4.5 years.
(20:04) How do you wrestle through, "I am still fulfilling God's purpose even when I may not be doing what He created me to do"?
(22:43) I resonate with the feeling of "being stuck spinning your wheels in all sorts of directions." How do you encourage and coach women who are stuck in this way?
(28:28) "Fear of failure is the #1 reason people don't set goals or try new things," Help us shift our perspective on failure.
(35:15) As we close, take a moment to reflect on God's unwavering grace in your life as an entrepreneur. How have you experienced His care for you in the "failures" and successes?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
jumpstartyourcalling.com
Ark Encounter
TED talk: Emilie Wapnick | Why some of us don't have one true calling
Related Episodes:
167: Amiee Joseph | Decision Making and God's Will
16: Beth McCord | Enneagram From A Biblical Perspective
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Pete Greig and Amber discuss hearing God in the natural and the normal, experiencing Him with all of our senses, and why the Spirit living in us allows us to hear Him differently than most people in the Bible. Hearing God's Voice Questions Pete and Amber Discuss:
(3:31) Why do you think Christians have strayed so far away from expecting to hear from God?
(5:40) Describe the differences between God's Word and God's Whisper.
(8:16) Because of hurt that has come from fellow Christians we sometimes don't know when to trust that voice. Do you have anything that you would share when it comes to that?
(14:53) To what degree should we expect God to speak to us today like He once did in the Bible?
(20:30) I've heard time and time again that contemplative prayer, imaginative prayer, breath prayers are progressive, not Biblical, dangerous and the list goes on. Will you speak to this?
(25:47) You, Jon Tyson, Tyler Staton, Sharon Garlough Brown and others have spoken about the practice of Lectio Divina and how it has impacted your walk with Jesus. Others, such as David Helms, Tim Challies have spoken about the dangers of it. Will you speak to this quote from Tim Challies " if we follow Lectio Divina from personal devotions to sermon preparation, we may not preach the text, but preach our interpretation and appreciation of the text. We preach the text as it impacted us, not the text as it is."
(34:36) Let's end with a question my husband wanted me to ask you from your book God On Mute. After long battles with health issues for your wife, what wisdom would you offer to those who still struggle with this daily as your wife and family does?
FULL SHOW NOTES here
Related Episodes:
29: Jan Johnson | Spiritual Direction, Hearing God’s Voice
161: John Eldredge | Practice. Pause. Be Present.
152: Sharon Garlough Brown | Spiritual Practices & Formation
83: Chrystal Evans Hurst | Prayer: Conversations with Jesus
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FREE Resource: 8 Books That Were Influential in Ways That Surprised Me Andy Crouch and Amber discuss the human desire to be recognized, the superpower zone technology often launches us into, and the impact that has on our real life experiences, and some redemptive moves we can make to reclaim relationships. Questions Discussed about Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World:
(1:42) You begin with the words, "Recognition is the first human quest," in your book The Life We're Looking For. Share a little about our innate need to be recognized through face to face relationships and how we have displaced that with technology.
(7:49) You share a contemplative exercise you had in the airport, walking and looking at each person you passed and inwardly saying, "Image bearer." You describe the experiment as "one of the more memorable and moving spiritual experiences of [your] life." In light of the convenient world we live in, how can we intentionally slow down enough to treat people as someone vs. something?
913:27) Talk to us about the "superpower zone" that technology often launches us into and the impact it has on our real life experiences.
(19:57) How does Jesus describe "abundance without dependence" and how does that lead us away from the life of human flourishing as God designed?
(26:10) You write about redemptive moves in an impersonal world. Will you share a few of those with us?
(32:07) If someone listening and wants to push back against the negative impacts of technology, where would you encourage them to begin?
Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World Quotes to Remember: "Technology though very good in and of itself ended up derailing the things that matter most, which all have to do with us being persons designed for relationship and love." SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned:
Book: The Life We're Looking For by Andy Crouch
Book: Techwise Family by Andy Crouch
Related Episodes:
160: Chris Martin | How Social Media is Shaping Us & Healthy Practices
71: Krista Boan | Tips for Parents in the Digital Age
72: Justin Whitmel Earley | Habits of Purpose in the Digital Age
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FREE Resource: 8 Books That Were Influential in Ways That Surprised Me Randy Hartley and Amber discuss the redemptive story of his family and two other families that is told in Beautifully Broken movie and book. Story Behind Beautifully Broken Book & Movie Questions Discussed:
(3:14) Share a little about your faith journey. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(4:24) Today, we are going to talk about the journey of two fathers fighting to save their families, one of which is you. Share a little of the trauma your daughter experienced and how that led to her serving refugee children and families?
(12:13) Tell us about the Mwizerwa family and how your families ended up going to Rwanda?
(18:41) Your journey is chronicled in the movie Beautifully Broken and a book by the same title. How did they come about?
(22:47) The child you and your family sponsored for year also experienced transformation. Tell us about meeting her and her family.
(31:00) Is Legacy Mission Village still serving refugees?
(33:53) How has your view of refugees been impacted through your friendship with William and his family?
Show Notes cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Movie: Beautifully Broken
Book: Beautifully Broken by Randy Hartley
Legacy Mission Village
FREE Resource: 8 Books That Were Influential in Ways That Surprised Me
Related Episodes:
43: D.L. Mayfield | When Refugees Become Neighbors and Friends
31: Lara & Hayley | Layers of Dignity
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Recieve the FREE Resource: 8 Books That Were Influential in Ways That Surprised Me Jen Rosner and Amber discuss historical events that ultimately declared Judaism and Christianity as two separate religious traditions, Jesus as a Jewish rabbi, and how a deeper knowledge of Judaism can add to our Christian faith. The Jewishness of the Gospel Questions Discussed:
(1:54) You and your family are Messianic Jews. Share a bit of your faith journey with Jesus and what it means to be a Messianic Jew.
(7:30) As a Christian, we often forget "Jesus was a Jewish rabbi whose life was patterned around the Jewish calendar, not the Christian calendar." To lay a foundation for today's conversation, share a little background of how Judaism and Christianity became separate religions and why that is important today.
(14:00) In your book, Finding Messiah: A Journey into the Jewishness of the Gospel, you help the reader understand the Jewish roots of our Christian faith and practice. Will you share a few of those roots that give us a robust understanding of our faith?
(24:09) How can Jewish traditions enrich our walk with Jesus?
(29:58) As a Messianic Jew, what does your week look like?
(32:30) How do you combat that yoke of legalism that can easily slip in?
(36:11) So if someone who is a Christian is interested in some Messianic Jewish practices where would you tell them to begin?
(40:02) Are Jews welcoming conversations from Christians about their common roots?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Finding Messiah by Jennifer M. Rosner
FREE Resource: 8 Books That Were Influential in Ways That Surprised Me
Related Episodes:
69: Sam and Amber Cullum | Sabbath as a Family
49: Jeremy Pryor | Family Teams
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Join the Grace Enough community HERE! Jessica Thompson and Amber discuss the heart behind Jessica's devotional, How God Loves Us: 40 Days to Discovering His Character in the Fruit of the Spirit. How God Loves Us Questions Discussed:
(5:26) Share a little about your faith journey. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(12:01) If you grew up in the church you can probably sing, "And the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace.." but in "How God Loves Us" you write about the fruit of the Spirit being the characteristics of God. Let's begin with how Christians typically think and talk about the fruit of the Spirit.
(16:34) What are some places in the Word where we see a fruit of the Spirit displayed in God?
(20:59) What are some ways you would encourage someone who's just constantly finding themselves going back to that, "Oh, I do this to earn God's favor"?
(26:17) Why you choose to write a devotional vs. a trade book and what your hope is for the book?
Quotes to Remember from How God Loves Us: "I was like what Jesus described, the whitewashed tomb, it looks clean on the outside, inside is just dead rotting bones. All of my goodness wasn't good enough." "What made me love God was the realization that He was good in my place, that Jesus Christ was that goodness that I needed." "I didn't have to act anymore. I didn't have to prove myself anymore. I didn't have to attain to some level of outward spirituality that everybody would praise me for. I was free and forgiven and loved because of who he is not because of who I am." SHOW NOTES cont. Related Episodes:
141: Elyse Fitzpatrick & Eric Schumacher | The Value of Women
99: Jen Wilkin | Women of the Word
158: Mary Marantz | Broken & Beautiful
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Join the Grace Enough community HERE! Christina Custodio joins Amber to discuss her son Isaiah’s near death experience and why she named her book When God Changed His Mind. They also discuss how Isaiah is doing today, how she encourages others to remain hopeful when facing similar circumstances, and prayer. When God Changed His Mind Questions Discussed:
(2:42) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(3:57) September 8, 2015 changed the life of your family forever. Take us back and share what happened.
(11:32) How was your faith impacted during the 44 days you spent in the hospital with Isaiah?
(19:58) How is Isaiah today?
(24:46) Being a constant caregiver can be physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting. How would you encourage someone in that position as you look back on your time caring for your son who relied on you so much?
(28:44) What is your greatest hope for “When God Changed His Mind”?
(32:29) What would you say to the mom who prayed for the miracle, but didn’t receive it?
Show Notes CONT. Related Episodes:
52: Jonathan Gibson | Proclaiming God is Good After Infant Loss
88: Taylor Schumann | Other Side of Surviving A School Shooting
28: Jodie Berndt | Praying the Scripture for Your Children
Sponsor:
Dwell Bible AppExplore Scripture Playlists, Stories, Passages and Plans with Dwell Bible App. Go to [dwellapp.io/graceenough] to get 10% off a yearly subscription, or 30% off Dwell for life.
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Join the Grace Enough community HERE! Nicole Zasowski and Amber discuss the heart behind her newest book What If It's Wonderful?, the spiritual practice of celebration, and why we often resist celebrating. Courage to Celebrate Questions Discussed:
(2:43) Your story involves multiple miscarriages and crippling anxiety that led to a reluctance to celebrate for fear of what may come. In What If It's Wonderful you write, "I was sure that celebration always came with a catch, so I became practiced in praying for the miracle while preparing to mourn," Share a bit of your story and how God began to impress upon you the spiritual practice of celebration.
(9:50) Why do you think we can be hesitant or completely shy away from celebrating God's good gifts, especially after enduring hardship
(16:32) You wrote, "Christians I stood shoulder to shoulder with through most seasons of my life tended to emphasize other disciplines- like prayer, fasting, and the study of God's Word- but were not particularly disciplined about celebration." What does the Bible say about celebration and why is this practice important?
(22:50) What are some practical things that you started doing to introduce celebration as a rhythm?
(28:07) What is the difference between celebration and escapism?
(32:03) In your practice of celebration, what have you discovered about the character of God?
(35:53) For someone who wants to learn to embrace celebration, what are you hoping that this book speaks into them?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
159: Mattie Jackson Selecman | Tidbits of Joy & Debilitating Grief
69: Sam and Amber Cullum | Sabbath as a Family
149: Amy Gannett | Knowing & Worshipping God
Sponsor: Epp and Co Epp & Co is a jewelry boutique that seeks to help you complete your look with affordable accessories. Use discount code: GRACEENOUGH on their website www.eppandco.com for 15% off your order. Dwell Bible App Explore Scripture Playlists, Stories, Passages and Plans with Dwell Bible App. Go to [dwellapp.io/graceenough] to get 10% off a yearly subscription, or 30% off Dwell for life.
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Join the Grace Enough community HERE! Jenn Uren joins Amber to discuss her personal experience with untangling overwhelm, what pride has to do with it, and where the surprise adoption of two children fits in to her story. Dealing with Overwhelm Questions Discussed:
(4:09) You are a helper. You enjoy serving people, but you came to a point in your life where you were completely overwhelmed. Will you share a little of the backstory?
(7:22) You moved into a place of "managing" the overwhelm, but you still felt this strong sense of obligation, of this fear of letting others down. How did you begin to untangle that and how was God working on you through that season?
(11:45) On the tail end of untangling overwhelm, identifying the pride in your own heart, and learning to live with intention and purpose your world was turned upside down. What happened?
(15:58) Did the unexpected adoption process send you into another season of overwhelm?
(21:07) Why do you think that we struggle to get from A to Z when dealing with overwhelm?
(29:58) Today, your life is still VERY full, but you live differently. When overwhelm begins to rear its ugly head, what do you do?
(34:07) How would you encourage the woman listening who is nodding her head along with the feelings you described?
SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned:
This Mom Knows Podcast
FREEBIE: How to Organize Anything in Your Mompreneur Life
Related Episodes:
81: Tricia Goyer | Calming Angry Kids
39: Jeannie Cunnion | Mom Set Free
41: Susan Alexander Yates | Thriving in Transition
Sponsor: The Ten Minute Bible Hour Podcast To make fun, quick, deep-dive Bible a part of your daily rhythm, go to www.thetmbh.com/podcast, or search The Ten Minute Bible Hour wherever you get your podcasts.
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Join the Grace Enough community HERE!
Sherry Hoppen joins Amber to discuss the years she spent addicted to alcohol, how it impacted her relationships and life after being flat on her face, fully surrendering her addiction to God.
(4:40) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(6:24) There is a season of your life where the label, "addicted follower of Christ" was true of you. Will you take us back and share how alcohol addiction became a part of your story and what day to day life looked like during that time?
(15:00) You can have a huge problem with alcohol and not necessarily get to the point where you're hiding it in your bathroom. Talk about that a little?
(18:39) What are some signs that should kind of trigger us to think something more may be going on here than what I realize?
(22:08) After many failed attempts at sobriety, what took place that finally set you on the path of freedom from addiction?
(29:20) You've said, "I think addiction is spiritual warfare at it's finest, and I believe the devil is going to use it to his advantage every way he can." Will you expound on that statement?
(41:40) Maybe, there is a Christian woman listening right now who is walking a similar path to the one you were on decades ago. What would you like to say to her?
“In essence, you think that you're keeping your life separate from God. Like I have my life with God, and I have my life without God. Because, really, you're ashamed. You don't want God to see that side [alcoholism].” “If someone disagreed with my drinking…I cut them out of my life.” “If you're questioning if you have a drinking problem, you do.” “I really thought I was surrendering and that God was letting me down. When, in essence, I didn't surrender anything. I was surrendering on my terms…. The difference was instead of saying to God, ‘I just want to go back to drinking like normal when I go to this event. Help me to just put a lid on it when I need to. Or take away this craving. Or, please don't let anybody find out’.... I was flat on my face on my living room floor, just crying out to God saying, ‘You know what, I surrender, I'm done. I'll do whatever you want.’ And I'd never said that before.” “There is no magic answer, but there is a way. And I believe the way is by taking God's hand and not letting go and finding a community that supports that.” SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned: Shesurrenders.com Book: Sober Cycle by Sherry Hoppen Episode Sponsor: The Ten Minute Bible Hour Podcast To make fun, quick, deep-dive Bible a part of your daily rhythm, go to www.thetmbh.com/podcast, or search The Ten Minute Bible Hour wherever you get your podcasts.
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Alicia Michelle and Amber discuss the HOW behind renewing your mind, overcoming negative thought patterns, and the power of the brain. Overcoming Negative Thought Pattern Questions Discussed:
(4:38) Share a little about your faith journey. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(8:45) There came a point where you experienced a health crisis that made you reevaluate everything. What happened and what were the things you noticed that were not lining up with the "freedom in Christ" message you had come to know in your head, but not necessarily live out?
(19:50) You learned the radical impact negative thoughts can have on every aspect of your life including physical health, which led you to become a certified NeuroCoach. Explain a bit of the science behind the impact negative thoughts have on our bodies.
(24:00) If I was your client, what could I expect from your mindset coaching?
(30:00) How does that science intersect or shall I say support Paul's words in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will"?
(43:19) What are some patterns you identify in some people that make them a good candidate for neuro-coaching?
SHOW NOTES cont Related Episodes:
153: Sarah Geringer | Christian Meditation
20: Cheryl Scanlan | Promised Land Living
97: Hannah Anderson | Goodness and The Lost Art of Discernment
Sponsor: The Ten Minute Bible Hour Podcast To make fun, quick, deep-dive Bible a part of your daily rhythm, go to www.thetmbh.com/podcast, or search The Ten Minute Bible Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Dwell Bible App Explore Scripture Playlists, Stories, Passages and Plans with Dwell Bible App. Go to [dwellapp.io/graceenough] to get 10% off a yearly subscription, or 30% off Dwell for life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Alicia Michelle and Amber discuss the HOW behind renewing your mind, overcoming negative thought patterns, and the power of the brain.
Overcoming Negative Thought Pattern Questions Discussed:1. (4:38) Share a little about your faith journey. When did you begin walking with Jesus? 2. (8:45) There came a point where you experienced a health crisis that made you reevaluate everything. What happened and what were the things you noticed that were not lining up with the "freedom in Christ" message you had come to know in your head, but not necessarily live out? 3. (19:50) You learned the radical impact negative thoughts can have on every aspect of your life including physical health, which led you to become a certified NeuroCoach. Explain a bit of the science behind the impact negative thoughts have on our bodies. 4. (24:00) If I was your client, what could I expect from your mindset coaching? 5. (30:00) How does that science intersect or shall I say support Paul's words in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will"? 6. (43:19) What are some patterns you identify in some people that make them a good candidate for neuro-coaching?
SHOW NOTES cont
Related Episodes:* 153: Sarah Geringer | Christian Meditation * 20: Cheryl Scanlan | Promised Land Living * 97: Hannah Anderson | Goodness and The Lost Art of Discernment
Sponsor:The Ten Minute Bible Hour Podcast
To make fun, quick, deep-dive Bible a part of your daily rhythm, go to www.thetmbh.com/podcast, or search The Ten Minute Bible Hour wherever you get your podcasts.
Dwell Bible App
Explore Scripture Playlists, Stories, Passages and Plans with Dwell Bible App.
Go to [dwellapp.io/graceenough] to get 10% off a yearly subscription, or 30% off Dwell for life.
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Aimee Joseph and Amber discuss what the Bible says about decision making, God's sovereignty and man's responsibility, discerning God's will, and moving forward after having made a bad decision.
Decision Making & God's Will Questions:1. (7:00) We all make hundreds if not thousands of decisions a day. What took place in your life that peaked your interest in studying how we make decisions and what we see in the Bible regarding decision making? 2. (14:03) What are some things we need to remember about God's sovereignty and His will? 3. (44:00)You talk about “gathering pieces” in preparation to make a decision, likening it to a puzzle. What do you mean by this? 4. (53:54) Let's close with you speaking directly to the person who may be experiencing regret or doubt over a decision they've already made, how would you encourage them? * Book: Demystifying Decision Making by Aimee Joseph
SHOW NOTES cont.
Sponsor:The Ten Minute Bible Hour PodcastTo make fun, quick, deep-dive Bible a part of your daily rhythm, go to www.thetmbh.com/podcast, or search The Ten Minute Bible Hour wherever you get your podcasts.
Dwell Bible AppExplore Scripture Playlists, Stories, Passages and Plans with Dwell Bible App.
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Aimee Joseph and Amber discuss what the Bible says about decision making, God's sovereignty and man's responsibility, discerning God's will, and moving forward after having made a bad decision.
Decision Making & God's Will Questions:
(7:00) We all make hundreds if not thousands of decisions a day. What took place in your life that peaked your interest in studying how we make decisions and what we see in the Bible regarding decision making?
(14:03) What are some things we need to remember about God's sovereignty and His will?
(44:00)You talk about “gathering pieces” in preparation to make a decision, likening it to a puzzle. What do you mean by this?
(53:54) Let's close with you speaking directly to the person who may be experiencing regret or doubt over a decision they've already made, how would you encourage them?
Book: Demystifying Decision Making by Aimee Joseph
SHOW NOTES cont.
Sponsor: The Ten Minute Bible Hour Podcast To make fun, quick, deep-dive Bible a part of your daily rhythm, go to www.thetmbh.com/podcast, or search The Ten Minute Bible Hour wherever you get your podcasts.
Dwell Bible App Explore Scripture Playlists, Stories, Passages and Plans with Dwell Bible App.
Go to [dwellapp.io/graceenough] to get 10% off a yearly subscription, or 30% off Dwell for life.
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
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Lori Wildenberg and Amber discuss her daughter's journey with depression and practical helps for parents as they navigate a world where rates of anxiety, depression and suicide are on the rise.
Questions Lori and Amber discuss about helping children with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation:
(4:32) Today, we are talking about helping our children overcome anxiety, depression and/or suicidal ideation which is very personal to you. Will you share why it is personal to you and a bit about your experience journeying with your daughter?
(15:25) Depression and anxiety in children is on the rise and suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people. Why do you think that is?
(20:34) In your book, Messy Hope, you provide a number of useful tools to help provide our children with hope. Will you share a few of those with us?
(34:00) One of my favorite chapters is Hope Killers, because you share some common hope killer statements as parents. What are some examples?
(38:56) You also write about The War Within. Will you briefly speak to these wars that can rage inside:
Wear the Mask
Fake Book
Tender Hearts
Destructive Doubt
Rejection Stings
Back Talk
Stabbing Pain
(51:47) You are careful to let readers know that reciting a Bible verse for someone with suicidal ideation will not likely alter their thoughts. Flesh that out for us a bit and what are some better tools to use to support our children who are having suicidal ideations?
(54:24) If there's a parent listening, and they're at this place where they they just feel kind of hopeless in how to reach out to their child, what encouragement would you give them?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Messy Hope by Lori Wildenberg
Moms Together FB group
Book: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero
Sponsor: Dwell Differently Dwell helps you memorize one verse every month by taking the first letter of every word in a verse stringing them together in a cool design.
Check out Dwell’s shop and membership today and use CODE: GRACEENOUGH to recieve 25% off your first month individual or family membership (through 3/31/22)
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Jennifer Eikenhorst and Amber discuss the accident that caused an accidental death, her healing journey and how she is helping other CADi's.
Questions discussed in Hope After Causing Accidental Death:
(5:03) Tell us a little about your faith journey with Jesus.
(12:38) You are a part of a group no one aspires to become a part of, but you serve this community, raise awareness for this community, and love this group of people God has placed you in. What is CADi?
(16:47) Take us back and share the story of your accident?
(23:10) In the months following the accident, what was day to day life like for you emotionally, physically, spiritually, and even legally?
(44::07) Tell me a little bit of the impact your girls experienced.I
(48:19) Would you say that your journey of emotional healing began after the legal process was over?
(57:16) Alec Baldwin's accident has recently brought CADi's conversation front and center. You had the opportunity to speak about your experience on Red Table Talk with Jada Pinkett Smith. As you did in that space, if you were speaking directly to someone who is a CADi what would you say to them?
SHOW NOTES continued.
Resources Mentioned:
Accidental Impacts
Accidental Hope
Red Table Talk: What Happens When You Accidentally Take Someone's Life?
TED Talk: It Hurts To Hurt Someone by Maryann Gray
Sponsor: Dwell Differently Dwell helps you memorize one verse every month by taking the first letter of every word in a verse stringing them together in a cool design.
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Jeanette Tapley and Amber discuss on cultivating friendships, Jesus model of friendship, and friendship break-ups.
Questions Jeanette and Amber Discuss About Friendship:
(10:48) Tell us a little about your faith journey with Jesus.
(16:00) Why are you passionate about speaking to the value and need for friendships in a person’s life?
(22:47) How are you encouraging women to be intentional about cultivating friendships in our post-2020 world?
(26:49) I often think about the way Jesus lived in community as the model for how to cultivate friendships (inner circle of 3, the 12, community at large). Will you speak to the importance of having a few really close trusted friends and how interactions with those closest to you differ from larger groups of friends?
(34:45) Building a healthy community/healthy friendships takes a lot of intentional time. What are some tips you would give the woman who feels lonely and like she still hasn’t connected with other women she truly enjoys spending time with?
(41:34) We live in a broken world, so friendships don’t always last. Talk to us about friendship break-ups.
(52:30) Let’s end with celebrating our friends and assuming the best about them. How has intentionally choosing to celebrate your friends and assuming the best about them impacted your relationships?
Show Notes Cont. Related Episodes:
82: Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith | Sacred Rest
160: Chris Martin | How Social Media is Shaping Us & Healthy Practices
43: D. L. Mayfield | When Refugees Become Neighbors and Friends
150: Jamie Ivey | God Made You To Be You
Sponsors: Finding Jesus in the Psalms Study by Sarah Keeling www.sarah–keeling.com to get instant access to the study.
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Take 10% off today with the code: GRACE at kingfolkco.com
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Max Lucado and Amber discuss prioritizing people over production in ministry, his unique relationship with Oak Hills church, the re-release of 3:16 Numbers of Hope, and what book he hopes outlasts them all.
Questions Max and Amber Discuss:
(3:38) You have pastored the same church for decades. How long have you pastored there and what practices have helped sustain you during challenging times?
(8:50) In our secular and consumeristic age, how do you make sure that you prioritize people over production or profit?
(12:40) You start writing every sermon with, "What can I say today that will be true on Monday?" Flesh that out a little bit.
(15:14) What is your earliest memory of Scripture and how has your experience of God through Scripture changed since?
(21:30) Why did you decide to release an updated version of 3:16: The Numbers of Hope? What do you hope the current generation of Christians will take away from 3:16 and the Bible study you are releasing?
(25:13) When did you know you wanted to be a writer? How does that work with your call to be a pastor?
(31:45) If you had one of your books that outlasted all the others, the rest were gone. Which one would you choose and why?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: 3:16 Numbers of Hope by Max Lucado
FREE 3:16 Bible Study beginning March 21, 2022
Book: You Are Special by Max Lucado
Hermie books by Max Lucado
Book: Where Did My Giggle Go? by Max Lucado
Book: Just In Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado
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Erica Baldwin and Amber discuss living with an invisible illness, God's sustaining grace, and suffering well.
Questions about Invisible Illness (Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) Erica and Amber Discuss:
(3:23) February is Rare Disease Month, which is near to your heart, because it is personal. Will you take us back and share the event that happened when you were 20 years old that launched you into discovering the rare/invisible disease you live with daily?
(7:59) It wasn't until age 33 that you were diagnosed with Vascular Ehler's-Danlos Syndrome. What was life like from age 20-33 in regards to your health and what was your relationship with Jesus like during that time?
(11:33) It was during childbirth that you came close to losing your life. Will you share a bit about your experience, recovery and how you clung to the Lord during that time?
(18:51) VEDs is not only rare, but it is an invisible illness. What would you like people to know about living with an invisible illness?
(21:09) Talk about suffering well, and surrendering to Christ while living life with a rare, invisible illness.
(26:39) What are some of ways you've experienced purpose as a result of your suffering?
(31:02) Have you had any big events since your son has been born?
(32:51) How has the grace of God been enough for you?
Show Notes cont. Related Episodes:
51: Vaneetha Risner | When Suffering is Your Story
157: Costi Hinn | Is It Always God's Will to Heal?
124: Joe Delagrave | Story of Becoming A Paralympian
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John Eldredge and Amber discuss the collective trauma experienced as we continue life during a pandemic, the practice of regular pauses, and what it means to practice benevolent detachment.
Practice. Pause. Be Present. Questions John and Amber Discuss:
(7:22) Right before the world shut down you released Get Your Life Back, which spoke to how we can "disentangle from the tragedies of this broken world". Two years of the world living during a global pandemic, I would love to hear your thoughts on the pandemic's impact on human minds and hearts.
(11:05) What are some soul care practices we can do right now?
(16:01) Share a bit about benevolent detachment, this truth that “we are not called to carry the burdens of the world, but our village.”
(19:44) Speaking of our mental and emotional well being, how can we be present with our emotions in order to allow Jesus in without being ruled by them?
(30:39) My friend Eric said you gave one of the most powerful presentations of the Gospel he's ever heard, weaving it into one story God was telling and finishing. Will you share a bit of that story with us?
(36:18) In regards to prayer and communion, how do you relate to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit differently?
(44:56) What are you working on right now?
(45:39) How have you experienced the sufficiency of God's grace in your life?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
152: Sharon Garlough Brown | Spiritual Practices & Formation
92: Ted Turnau & Jared Moore | Pop Culture Parent
154: Ashley Hales | Embracing Limits
29: Jan Johnson | Spiritual Direction, Hearing God's Voice
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Chris Martin joins Amber to discuss how social media is shaping us and practical ways we push back against its negative impacts. They dive into his new book, Terms of Service.
How the Internet is Shaping Us Episode Questions:
(5:49) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(11:38) In your book, Terms of Service, you write much about how the social internet has and is shaping us. Will you share a few ways we are “servants of the social internet that was originally marketed as something that would serve us”?
(19:05) One of your chapters is titled “We believe attention assigns value”. Flesh that out for us a bit and discuss the destruction this belief is causing
(24:19) What makes us continue to log on despite emerging research of social internet’s negative effects on us?
(27:33) We hear the analogy “Social media is like a drug”, but you go further in saying that analogy is not as true as it could be. Will you share your analogy and what you mean by it.
(33:40) After laying out 5 ways the social internet shapes us, you share 6 ideas of where to go from here. I am going to say those chapter titles out loud and I want you to share the first few thoughts that pop into your mind when you think about how “we can be on our way to forming the social internet more than it forms us.”
Study History
Admire Creation
Value Silence
Pursue Humility
Establish Accountability
Build Friendships
(45:43) As we close, speak directly to the Christian who senses the impact the social internet is having on them, but is still struggling to set limits. How would you encourage them to take the next step?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
71: Krista Boan | Tips for Parents in the Digital Age
72: Justin Whitmel Earley | Habits of Purpose in the Digital Age
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Mattie Jackson Selecman and Amber discuss her journey of finding joy in debilitating grief after the tragic loss of her husband, Ben. We also talk about honest conversation with a God who cares and living a life she never expected all of which is chronicled in her best selling memoir, Lemons on Friday .
Tidbits of Joy & Debilitating Grief Questions Discussed:
(7:05) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(10:02) Share a bit of what life was like growing up as the daughter of Alan Jackson.
(12:19) In October of 2017 you married Ben Selecman, but 3 weeks before your 1 year anniversary tragedy struck. Take us back, share about the accident with our listeners, and what life was like those days in the hospital with Ben.
(19:29) In your grief, you began to grapple with questions like, "Why did this happen? What could I have done differently? Where is God?" What did you discover about the steadfast love of God during the first few years of grief?
(24:28) Let's talk about finding tidbits of joy in the midst of pain and how debilitating grief can co-exist with laughter and moments of joy.
(33:35) You've written, "One of my biggest fears when I lost Ben was that my pain wouldn’t matter. I was bold and relentless and, honestly, pretty entitled with the Lord, demanding that he make Ben’s death and my grief help others in some way, any way that might bring purpose to my pain." How have those prayers been answered?
(37:18) As we close, speak directly to the woman whose journey of grief has just begun. How would you encourage her for the days ahead?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
36: Treva Kuyper | Hope and Healing After Unexpected Loss
52: Jonathan Gibson | Proclaiming God is Good After Infant Loss
95: Nancy Guthrie | God Does His Best Work with Empty
Episode Sponsor: Classic Marriage
Could your marriage use a tune up?
In Classic Marriage, you’ll find:
Biblical inspiration, honesty, and self-deprecating humor from the front seat of adventure with Michelle and Phil Rayburn.
Tips to get under the hood and keep your marriage on the road to a long future.
Tune-up questions in every chapter to work on your communication.
Tools for how to tinker with overheated emotions and repair broken hearts.
Witty comments from Phil – with a chance of dad jokes.
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Mary Marantz and Amber discuss embracing the broken places of stories, how they can be made beautiful, and her personal journey written in the bestselling memoir, Dirt.
Beautiful & Broken Questions Mary and Amber Discuss:
(5:04) Take us back to your childhood and share a little about where you grew up and what family life was like.
(13:09) At what point did Jesus become intertwined in your story?
(17:13) You get to a point in Dirt where you’re clearly wrestling through completely discarding your roots and embracing their beauty. You write, “I think about the boots and the bones, and how I didn’t want to be so lowly as to stoop down and help another human being shake off their layers of mud. To wind up with their dirt on my hands. I think that’s because for a long time I believed freedom looked like getting to a place where none of the people were muddy.” Flesh that out for us a bit.
(24:00) As a young girl, your mom left to take a traveling job and over time she returned less and less. What are some of the impacts her absence had on you and how have you worked through those as an adult?
(37:18) I found myself laughing and choking back tears as I read about Goldie and her influence in your life. What legacy would you say your grandmother left in your life?
(45:15) You eventually move away from WV and attend Yale Law. Did you have to wrestle with your identity while attending Yale and then when visiting home?
(51:55) Dirt is very much a story of healing and as the subtitle states, “growing strong roots in what makes the broken beautiful.” As we close, what are a few areas of personal brokenness that you have experienced God’s faithfulness to make beautiful?
Show Notes Cont. Resources Mentioned:
Book: Dirt by Mary Marantz
thebookdirt.com
Book: Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots by Mary Marantz
Book: Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
Book: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero
Related Episodes:
51: Vaneetha Risner | When Suffering is Your Story
156: Bonnie Gray | Invisible Wounds & Soul Care
101: Paula LeJeune | When God’s Love and Adversity Collide
Episode Sponsor: Classic Marriage
Could your marriage use a tune up?
In Classic Marriage, you’ll find:
Biblical inspiration, honesty, and self-deprecating humor from the front seat of adventure with Michelle and Phil Rayburn.
Tips to get under the hood and keep your marriage on the road to a long future.
Tune-up questions in every chapter to work on your communication.
Tools for how to tinker with overheated emotions and repair broken hearts.
Witty comments from Phil – with a chance of dad jokes.
Learn more at Classic marriage book.com
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Costi Hinn joins Amber to discuss healing and if it is always God’s will to heal, along with his journey out of the prosperity gospel movement.
Questions Discussed During Is It Always God’s Will to Heal:
(5:13) Take our listeners back to your childhood. What was life like for you growing up as the nephew of one of the most prominent leaders of the prosperity gospel movement?
(10:48) How would you describe your walk with Jesus during your youth?
(15:49) What took place in your life that began to expose some of the faulty theology behind the prosperity gospel movement?
(33:44) With that said, your perspective on Jesus as healer has not only changed, but has been tested. Your young son was diagnosed with cancer and in More Than A Healer, you write, “Now, we’re going to live what we’ve been preaching…for years we’d been telling others that God is still good, even when things in life are not.” Walk us through that experience and how it further confirmed and strengthened your faith in Jesus as healer and SO MUCH MORE.
(42:32) In this book, you walk through 2 REALLY tough questions presenting truths in response, “Why do people get sick?” and “Is it always God’s will to heal right now?” Flesh that out for us a bit.
(51:52) “God’s Peace is A Fact, Not A Feeling” Why is it so important to know, believe, and trust that statement?
(58:45) “God Works All Things For Good.” While this statement is true and Biblical ,using it as a mantra to “encourage” people who are suffering has led to great pain. What is a different approach?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: More Than A Healer by Costi Hinn
Book: God, Greed, and the Prosperity Gospel by Costi Hinn
For the Gospel
Book: Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
Book: If God Is Good by Randy Alcorn
Related Episodes:
96: Alisa Childers | Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity
106: Scot McKnight & Laura Barringer | Church Culture: Goodness vs. Abuse of Power
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Bonnie Gray joins Amber to discuss growing up as a Chinese American, the invisible wounds she experienced, and how she learned to care for her soul. Her journey is documented in her newest book, Sweet Like Jasmine.
Questions discussed surrounding Bonnie’s invisible wounds and soul care:
(4:37) You are Chinese American and grew up in San Francisco’s Chinatown, much of which you write about in Sweet Like Jasmine. Take us back and share a bit of what childhood was like for you.
(7:37) Something you share in the book is how you lived two completely different lives as a child. At home, you were fully Chinese and very much secluded from the outside world. At school, you were fully immersed in American culture. How did that impact your identity in your young years?
(14:58) It is difficult to finally acknowledged you’ve been manipulated by your mother for decades. Would you say, you have to choose daily to forgive her?
(30:49) At what point did Jesus enter your story?
(39:57) Share a little about soul-care.
(43:10) What encouragement can you offer to women who feel terribly alone in their struggles?
Quotes to Remember from Invisible Wounds & Soul Care: “I was born to a mail order bride from Hong Kong.”
“My dad left when I was seven.”
“It get got harder to talk about what was happening at home. You think it might be easier once I put myself through college, [because] it seemed like the typical overcoming achieving immigrant story, but it actually got harder…”
“I just felt like half of me was Chinese and half of me was American…There was no one place where I could be whole Bonnie.”
“I need to be more honest with myself than I’m uncomfortable with and I need to face the reality of the mother that I do have, rather than the mother that I long to bring into being.”
“I’m going to let go of hoping that she becomes or gives me the words that I really need to be loved or feel cherished. That’s really forgiveness. It’s saying, I’m letting this person go from the debt that was created in my heart, that loneliness, or those wounds, and I’m going to move on with my life. And look for those affirmation in other relationships that God provides through our friends, our spiritual family…”
“Forgiveness takes one but reconciliation takes two. For those of us who have people who have hurt us, we need to remind ourselves that God wants us to have healthy boundaries.”
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
34: Dr. Michelle Deering | Psychologist, Mother/Daughter Relationships
101: Paula LeJeune | When God’s Love & Adveristy Collide
80: Kia Stephens | Exchanging Father Wounds
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Wendy Speake joins Amber to talk about fasting and how it can drive us feast upon the Lord.
Questions Wendy and Amber discuss about fasting:
(7:16) Fasting can be intimidating and like many spiritual disciplines I think Christians are unsure how to go about fasting with a focus on the Lord vs. focusing on self. Will you take us back and share when you began fasting regularly and what it looks like to rely on the Lord vs self?
(12:07) What are some of the temptations people have shared when you’re in the middle of the fast?
(19:49) What are some ways you encourage people to really push through the hard parts of fasting?
(29:42) You have written the 40 day Sugar fast and the 40 day social media fast. What led you to write those books?
(36:07) As we close, how has fasting changed your life with God?
Why Fast Quotes to Remember: “[To] really be undistracted so that we might be devoted to feasting on his presence, feasting on his word, feasting on this dialogue through prayer with him and and that’s really what fasting is.”
“It can be a private thing. In Matthew, we’re told fasting is done in private. But in the Old Testament we’re shown fasting is done as a corporate opportunity to trust God for deliverance together.”
SHOW NOTES cont
Resources Mentioned:
Book: The 40 Day Sugar Fast by Wendy Speake
Book: The 40 Day Social Media Fast by Wendy Speake
The 40 Day Sugar Fast
Related Episodes:
152: Sharon Garlough Brown | Spiritual Practices & Formation
153: Sarah Geringer | Christian Meditation
154: Ashley Hales | Embracing Limits
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Ashley Hales joins Amber to discuss limits, and how slowing down and embracing limits frees us to more fully enjoy our lives.
Embracing Limits Questions:
(5:29) You've recently released A Spacious Life: Trading Hustle and Hurry for the Goodness of Limits. Share a little of your personal backstory with the rat race, the hustle, and the Western way.
(10:28) Mantras we frequently hear are, "Be the hero of your own story," "Follow Your Dreams," "You Got This Girl." What are some of the "mantras" Jesus spoke that promote a very different approach to life?
(13:31) Why are we so resistant to the idea of limits?
(15:37) How are limits actually freeing, helping us to flourish?
(19:07) Have you found embracing limits is a choice you have to make time and time again?
(21:33) What are pocket practices and how can they help us find a little more breathing room in life?
(23:52) What are some practical ways we can cultivate a more spacious life?
(29:48) How have you experienced the sufficiency of God's grace in your life?
Quotes to Remember From Embracing Limits: Wendell Berry says, "We live the given life, not the planned."
"If the point of life is not self referential, but it is to find our identity in God, then our limits can actually be invitations to knowing God."
"We used to live more of given lives and now we have more options open to us and it's not necessarily a good thing."
"I think the invitation really is to acknowledge our weariness, to acknowledge our exhaustion, to acknowledge our broken relationships, and to come to God, come to Jesus, to begin to learn those unforced rhythms of grace."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
152: Sharon Garlough Brown | Spiritual Practices & Formation
153: Sarah Geringer | Christian Meditation
69: Sam and Amber Cullum | Sabbath As a Family
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Sarah Geringer joins Amber to discuss Christian meditation. What is it? How does it differ from Scripture memorization? And how it can transform your thought life.
Questions on Christian Mediation Sarah and Amber Discuss:
(8:01) In today’s culture, we hear the word meditation and think “namaste” or emptying our mind completely and focusing on self, but meditation is a Christian practice. How would you describe Christian meditation?
(11:19) How is meditation expressed in the language of the Bible? Is it a biblical concept?
(13:17) How did the practice of Biblical meditation become a part of your spiritual toolbox?
(17:17) Did you realize you needed healing when the journey began?
(22:25) What are some practical ways one can begin to practice Christian meditation?
(25:15) Share a bit about the books you have written on Christian meditation and your hope for them?
(29:32) What is the difference between Christian meditation and Scripture memory?
(33:36) How have you experienced the sufficiency of God’s grace in your life?
Christian Meditation Quotes to Remember: “[Christian meditation] in the Psalms, it’s talking about focusing on and repeating God’s laws, God’s precepts, God’s character, God’s promises, all those things that we need to focus on to be equipped to live the Christian life.”
“It [Christian meditation] started releasing me from the bondage of codependency, of people pleasing, of seeking approval from others for my identity, it really changed everything for me.”
“God meets us where we’re at, whatever struggle we’re in right now. He can pull those words right off the page, and minister to us, wherever we need it.”
“Meditation is really slowing down, taking the time to process it [the Word], work through it, apply it to your life.”
When I encounter a verse, I have three questions I ask:
What does this tell me about God?
What does this tell me about myself?
And what does this tell me about how I should treat other people?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Christian Meditation Related Episodes:
152: Sharon Garlough Brown | Spiritual Practices & Formation
29: Jan Johnson | Spiritual Direction & Hearing God’s Voice
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Sharon Garlough Brown joins Amber to discuss spiritual practices awaking us to the presence of God and being formed by the word of God.
Spiritual Practices & Formation Interview Questions:
(4:45) More often than not I am finding Christians either have little to no understanding of spiritual practices or they don't place a high value on them in their day to day lives. What are spiritual practices and how do they impact our walk with Jesus?
(6:39) How are spiritual practices expressed in the language of the Bible? Are they biblical concepts?
(10:28) I've heard it said, "Well, I'm not a very disciplined person." What is the difference between living a generally disciplined life and practicing spiritual disciplines?
(12:26) Will you speak to the exhausted women out there about spiritual practices and formation?
(13:54) Where is a good place to get started for those who are wanting to pursue spiritual practices more intentionally?
(18:57) How do you direct people away from that temptation to make spiritual practices into a checklist and toward an opportunity to really commune with God?
(20:27) Let's talk about Lectio Divina. What is it?
(24:42) How can one begin this practice?
(26:38) What would you say to people who want to give up or abandon their practice?
(28:22) Sharon briefly shares her about her books
(33:20) Why do you think that we, as a Church, as a whole, have pushed back so much on some spiritual practices?
Enter to Win Sensible Shoes Series + Journal: www.graceenoughpodcast.com/sensibleshoes
Quotes to Remember: "I want to recast...spiritual practices...as ways to be awake and attentive to the presence of God."
"Spiritual practices can enlarge our capacity to say yes to The Love, which loved us first."
Lectio Divina: "Rather than me taking control over a text. It sets me humbly beneath the Word of God, saying, 'Lord, Your Word is alive. It's living, it's active. It's sharper than that two edged sword. It's able to divide the spirit from the soul, the bone from the marrow [Heb. 4:12] Lord, I'm saying yes to your living word reading me."
"I often got into the bad habit of reading God's Word in order to teach God's word, rather than reading God's Word in order to be formed by God's word."
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Sensible Shoes by Sharon Garlough Brown
Book: Sensible Shoes 4 book series
Book: Shades of Light by Sharon Garlough Brown
Book: Feather of Hope by Sharon Garlough Brown
Daily Lectio Divina Podcast
Prayer of Examen
Related Episodes:
29: Jan Johnson | Spiritual Direction, Hearing God's Voice
73: Bethany Allen | Pastor of Spiritual Formation & Leadership Development
84: Sandy Cullum | When Your Faith Walk Changes
72: Justin Whitmel Earley | Habits of Purpose in the Digital Age
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and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Natalie Hixson joins Amber to discuss overcoming anger in motherhood, healthy anger vs. destructive anger, and tools to help you process anger.
Questions Natalie and Amber Discuss About Mom Anger:
(4:18) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you come to know Jesus?
(5:35) As a young mom, there came a point when you knew there was a problem because you were on the floor throwing a tantrum with your two year old daughter. Take us back and share about that season of life and how you were feeling?
(13:21) For someone who spends time with the Lord daily and still struggles with yelling at their kids and outbursts of anger? How do you coach them?
(20:25) What are some tools that you use to help women overcome anger in motherhood?
(29:40) Do you recommend people go to counseling in order to deal with mom anger? Or have you seen anger is a result of someone who's experiencing depression?
(34:26) As we close, what advice would you give a young mom or any woman who struggles daily with anger and burnout?
SHOW NOTES Cont. Resources Mentioned:
Natalie's Trigger Tracker: First steps to overcoming mom anger
Related Episodes:
81: Tricia Goyer | Calming Angry Kids
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Jamie Ivey joins Amber to discuss her new children's book, God Made You to Be You, cheering women on, and walking in their purpose.
Questions Jamie and Amber Discuss:
(2:04) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you come to know Jesus?
(9:03) What's it like looking back to when The Happy Hour began to now?
(11:31) Podcasting and ministry leading has been one of the primary areas God has used to help you settle into who He created you to be instead of all of the other ministry leaders who sit across the mic from you. Share a bit of that journey with us and a bit of the tension.
(17:00) "You be You" can sound like a popular post-modern mantra! What do you mean by that?
(22:49( What are some ways you have learned to stand firm against insecurity and discontentment?
(26:49) You've published your first children's book, "God Made You to Be You" that came out of "You Be You." Why is this message important for kids and adults alike?
(31:02) I see another theme in "God Made You to Be You" and that is how friends can encourage one another in how God made them unique and to point them toward using their gifts vs. grasping for someone else's gifts. As we close, will you speak to that?
(33:23) How have you experienced the sufficiency of God's grace in your life?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: You Be You by Jamie Ivey
Children's Book: God Made You to Be You by Jamie Ivey
Greg Koukl episode
Book: The Hard Good by Lisa Whittle
Children's book: The Mixed Up Chameleon by Eric Carle
Episode Sponsor: Compelled Podcast
Compelled uses gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming the lives of His people around the world.
It’s full of incredible stories from missionaries, addicts, prisoners, and other believers sharing how God changed their life. And they combine those testimonies with sound effects, music, and narration.
Not only is it one of my favorite podcasts, but Compelled has influenced what I do here at Grace Enough.
Listen and Follow!
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Amy Gannett joins Amber to discuss knowing and worshipping God and how one should inform the other.
Questions Amy and Amber Discuss About Knowing & Worshipping God:
(4:33) Let's start with the basics. What is theology?
(6:09) What is doxology?
(7:31) All too often we separate knowing and worshipping God into two distinct categories. Why should our knowledge of God always lead to our worship of Him?
(15:01) Worship is so much more than singing at church on a Sunday. What are some practical ways one can worship and adore God in their day to day lives?
(25:00) Let's talk about developing a habit of engaging God through His Word.
(29:06) As we close, what is your greatest hope for Fix Your Eyes?
(32:31) How have you seen the grace of God be enough in your own personal life?
Quotes to Remember About Knowing & Worshipping God: "Fix Your Eyes comes out of that desire to help us not just have heads full of knowledge about God, but also hearts of worship, that respond to the God we're learning about."
"The more we learn about God, the more we need to respond to who God is by praising him for his unchanging character."
"[Life is] richer when we know God and live our lives in response to him. And that doesn't mean that we will be without suffering. It does not mean that we'll be healthy, wealthy, and wise. Scripture doesn't promise us that."
"Scriptures pulling back the curtain and God is saying, 'This is who I am. This is my character. This is my nature. This is what I do.' And why does God do that? Because he wants us to know Him."
FREE DOWNLOAD! 5 Simple Ways to Worship God Every Day
Episode Sponsor: Compelled Podcast
Compelled uses gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming the lives of His people around the world.
It’s full of incredible stories from missionaries, addicts, prisoners, and other believers sharing how God changed their life. And they combine those testimonies with sound effects, music, and narration.
Not only is it one of my favorite podcasts, but Compelled has influenced what I do here at Grace Enough.
Listen and Follow!
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
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Lisa Whittle joins Amber to discuss Lisa's new book, The Hard Good, showing up when you want to shut down, and being used by God.
Questions Lisa and Amber Discuss About Showing Up vs. Shutting Down:
(4:40) Your new book, The Hard Good, comes from a place of grief and learning to journey with Jesus in the midst of it instead of shutting down. Will you set the stage a bit and share how you came to know Jesus and what life was like for you growing up as a pastor's kid?
(7:02) The temptation to shut down became very real to you when you saw another man wearing your father's cowboy hat. In that moment and as the book has developed over time, what did you learn about actively choosing to show up even though there was pain involved?
(12:49) Let's talk about our idolatry of feelings. Emotions are not a bad thing, but too often they become the boss of us. How can we use them as a gauge?
(21:00) I constantly hear people say, "What is my purpose?" Or "I am praying for God to show me my purpose." This is a hot button for me and you speak directly to it. As a Christian, what is our purpose?
(21:00) In light of that purpose, how can we maximize our usability?
(27:15) I am going to share some chapter titles from The Hard Good and I want you to share a thought or piece of advice that comes to mind
Accepting Something You Wish Were Something Different
Cheering For Someone When They Get What You Want
Showing Up When You Want to Shut Down
Opening Up Your Heart Again When It's Been Hurt
Welcoming Change
(31:16) As we close out, you have written a Bible Study that goes along with The Hard Good. What can one expect from the study?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: The Hard Good by Lisa Whittle
The Hard Good Bible Study
Ministry Strong
Called Creatives
Related Episodes:
97: Hannah Anderson | Goodness and The Lost Art of Discernment
35: Sharon Hodde Miller | Nice: Why We Love to Be Liked and How God Calls Us To More
95: Nancy Guthrie | God Does His Best Work With Empty
Episode Sponsor: Compelled Podcast
Compelled uses gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming the lives of His people around the world.
It’s full of incredible stories from missionaries, addicts, prisoners, and other believers sharing how God changed their life. And they combine those testimonies with sound effects, music, and narration.
Not only is it one of my favorite podcasts, but Compelled has influenced what I do here at Grace Enough.
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Justin Kendrick joins Amber to discuss creating habits for spiritual growth, moving beyond ordinary faith, and loving Jesus more.
Habits of Spiritual Growth Questions Justin and Amber Discuss:
(4:14) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you come to know Jesus?
(7:07) Part of becoming a disciple of Jesus is believing "God is deeply satisfied with who you are." Expound on that a bit.
(12:59) You wrote, "If you ask a mature Christian at your church to 'disciple,' you he or she will usually meet you for coffee, listen to your problems, and encourage you to read the Bible. Those are all really good things. But is that all there is to discipleship?" So I ask you, Is that all there is to discipleship?
(19:00) What are some crucial habits for spiritual growth?
(31:01) What role does "burying your ordinary" play in adopting these habits and experiencing spiritual growth?
(34:20) You discuss the idea of trusting more instead of trying more. What are some ways you encourage followers of Jesus to practice trusting vs. trying?
(39:29) What do you think churches are getting wrong when it comes to helping people develop habits for spiritual growth?
Quotes to Remember: "In our culture, we often think, I'm important because I accomplished this or because I make this money or because all these different status symbols we have. But God says, you're important, because I love you, period."
"When you receive grace through Christ. You stand blameless before God on the merits of Jesus. Now, if that's true, it should become the bedrock of my confidence."
"How do we intentionally grow in a process of discipleship? What we found was everything begins with habits, whatever you do consistently, that's what gets momentum and health and growth and stability in your life."
"Do you have a plan to grow your soul and your spirit in your faith?"
SHOW NOTES cont.
Episode Sponsor: Compelled Podcast
Compelled uses gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming the lives of His people around the world.
It’s full of incredible stories from missionaries, addicts, prisoners, and other believers sharing how God changed their life. And they combine those testimonies with sound effects, music, and narration.
Not only is it one of my favorite podcasts, but Compelled has influenced what I do here at Grace Enough.
Listen and Follow!
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and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Brittany and Natasha join Amber to discuss humanizing abortion, partnering with your local pregnancy center, and how to extend compassion to those making a difficult choice.
Questions Brittany, Natasha, and Amber Discuss:
(4:58) The two of you work with Save the Storks which largely informed the book you co-wrote, Unplanned Grace . Will you share a little of the story behind Save the Storks and what their mission is today?
(7:57) Statistically speaking, what is the most common reason women get an abortion?
(8:41) What are some of the circumstances that abortion-vulnerable women often face?
(10:57) How can a woman, a man, Christians stop acting so angry about abortion and start to see it from the person who's facing this decision?
(15:15) What are some things crisis pregnancy centers offer?
(21:57) You wrote, “Women would rather go to God with an abortion than face their church with an unplannedpregnancy. It’s time for us to do better when it comes to loving and caring for these women.” How can we, the church, love and care for these women better?
(29:13) The pro-life movement has become so politicized that it can be hard to see the women and men who are pro-life because they truly believe every life has value, including the mother and father of the unborn child. How does one go about focusing their attention on the impact abortion has on all involved when the world is screaming, "This is all a political move!"?
(33:01) What is something you discovered in the writing of Unplanned Grace that blew you away?
(39:48) What is your hope for Unplanned Grace?
Quotes to Remember: "Seventy-three percent of women, so the majority of women, choose abortion due to economic stress and factors."
"...humanizing the people involved, because our culture has done a great job politicizing the issue."
"I think this is why pregnancy centers are so important. Because no matter who's in office, what the politics are of your particular state, what the laws are, women are still going to be facing these difficult circumstances, they're still going to be feeling like abortion might be their only option."
"There's over 300,000 churches in America, there's 3000, roughly, pregnancy centers in America, we can do so much together. It's a tremendous opportunity to revolutionize and transform the country, not through top down politics, but by serving people, which is what the church is called to do anyways."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
27: Robin Fuller | Hope and Healing After Abortion
48: Tori Hope Petersen | Hope For The Foster Child
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Greg Koukl and Amber discuss questions to ask when discussing your Christian convictions, adopting a gardener versus harvester mentality, and engaging in friendly faith conversations.
Questions Greg and Amber Discuss:
(6:53) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you come to know Jesus?
(11:35) Time and time again I have heard, how do I discuss my Christian beliefs without sounding like a jerk or arrogant or close minded? You published the book, "Tactics" that serves to help answer this very question, but I want to hear your reason for writing the book.
I want listeners to get a taste for using The Columbo Tactic when communicating their Christian convictions. Will you give us an overview and the benefits of taking the time to practice it?
(42:47) Tina Wilson asked, "How would you recommend we speak to the statement, you do you and let me do me?"
(49:15) Lee Ann Mancini asked, "More than ever, moral ethics is determined by what one believes to be true, even if the facts prove otherwise. What can we do to prepare our children to face the anti-Christian humanistic culture we live in?"
(58:58) After all your years of teaching Christians how to engage in friendly conversations about Jesus, what are the most important things you've learned?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
123: Rebecca Pippert | Share the Faith You Live
96: Alisa Childers | Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity
90: Hillary Morgan Ferrer | Empowering Kids To Challenge Cultural Lies
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Joshua Broome joins Amber to discuss how his dream to be an actor led to becoming a porn star and how that career left him filled with shame and emptiness. He walked away and encountered the grace and love of Jesus Christ, where His true identity lies.
Questions Joshua and Amber Discuss: 1. (3:40) Take us back and share a bit about your childhood, teen years, and your aspirations of becoming a famous model/actor. 2. (8:22) What led you to move to Hollywood? 3. (11:36) What led to you signing a contract to work as an actor in porn films? 4. (21:40) You worked in the industry for a little over 5 years and were one of the top 5 male porn stars. Will you share a bit of your emotional journey during those 5 years? 5. (29:45) You were questioning why you felt so empty when a bank teller asked you, “Joshua, is there anything I can do for you? … Joshua, can I help you?” Share what those questions led you to do. 6. (43:35) For two years, you worked to rebuild your life before eventually meeting a girl who asked you another 2 questions: “Do you know who God is?” and “Do you have a relationship with him?” What happened next? 7. (50:17) What were those first few years like learning to walk with Jesus? 8. (1:00:35) If you stood in a room with young women and men who were longing to “make it” as a model/actor, what advice would you share with them?
Quotes to Remember: “That’s just who I am. Whatever I do, I want to be the best at it. Whatever I’m doing, for good or bad, I’m going to give it everything I got.”
The Beginning of Working as A Porn Actor “In walked four girls…I went over [to] them and within five minutes they said, ‘Hey, have you ever considered acting?’ I said, ‘Well, actually, I am an actor.’… But I didn’t see the curveball saying, ‘Oh, we’re talking about porn’.”
Emotional Toll of Working in the Porn Industry “The deeper I got in, the more fame I got, the more detached from reality I became, because I hated what I did….but it was so close to what I wanted to be doing.”
Called by Name “It’s like I created this plausible reality that I was living in and when she [bank teller] said Joshua, it shattered….I had felt guilty and ashamed, but I never felt convicted. I went home. I remember looking at myself in the mirror, and I had no idea who the person was looking back at me.”
Meeting Jesus “[Hope asked], Do you know God?….Do you have a relationship with Him?’…She started by asking me all these questions, but not in the most gentle, sincere way…Then we walk for three hours.”
“I walked in those doors, and I walked out a very different person. I heard the gospel.”
“He looks up at the soldier, and he believes that he deserved death. But instead, he offers him his hand and a place at the table. Not for a day, now for a week, but forever, and not the worst place the table, the best place the table. [Summary of the story of Mephibosheth]”
Walking With Jesus “Salvation is instantaneous and sanctification is a process. We had to walk through a lot of really difficult stuff, because the mental and emotional trauma I had was real. Absolutely, Jesus changed my life. Second Corinthians 5:17 is real, that old person was dead and gone. I’m this new creation. But now that I’m no longer wounded, I still had a few scars and I wanted to deal with those.”
“He wants to set boundaries in our lives to protect us…and obedience flows from us trusting God. If you can switch your mindset from I need to do what He says, so I don’t get in trouble to I want to do what He says, because I believe that He loves me enough that I truly believe that His way is best.”
“Your identity is not what you do, or what you’ve done, your identity is in the person of Jesus.”
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes: * 54: Nick Stumbo | Discovering Freedom From Pornography * 50: Rebecca Bender | Freedom From Human Trafficking * 102: Christopher Yuan | Transformation & Holy Sexuality
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Sue Donaldson joins Amber to discuss why she practices hospitality, why hospitality is more than simply entertaining and how extending an invitation is an opportunity to show people Jesus.
Questions Sue and Amber Discuss:
(2:48) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you come to know Jesus?
(6:18) Did you grow up in a home where hospitality was modeled consistently? What was that like?
(10:45) Have you always enjoyed hosting people in your home?
(15:20) How can someone who was not raised in a hospitable home begin to break that chain of “un-grace”?
(28:52) What are some of the most common fears or misunderstandings you hear people share when it comes to welcoming people into their home?
(43:57) How can God use our questions more than our answers?
(46:12) What are some crucial differences between hospitality and entertaining?
Quotes to Remember: “You’re there to serve…We focus on the guests.”
“You do hospitality to serve Jesus, but you also make friends and build your own community.”
“Pray for a hospitable heart.”
“If we feel like we’re being dragged along by the Holy Spirit we need to ask for a heart of willingness.”
“Start small, you just invite one person.”
“God’s job is to save people. Our job is to invite people to our tables, and perhaps for the first time they will meet Jesus.”
“It’s God’s motivation that gets me to do all sorts of hard things.”
“I do conversation starters at almost every gathering…It’s almost like you don’t have to be responsible for being everybody’s best friend.”
“I love to be a networker, but for God’s sake not to make me popular.”
“I can’t save anybody, but I can introduce them to the One who sees them and that’s what hospitality is. It’s not showing off my matching napkins or placemats or fresh flowers.”
“The biblical definition of hospitality is welcoming strangers.”
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
41: Susan Alexander Yates | Thriving in Transition
76: Rosaria Butterfield | Radical Hospitality
1o7: Stephanie Rousselle | When An Atheist Encounters God
123: Rebecca Pippert | Share the Faith You Live
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Senator Brian Birdwell joins Amber to discuss his experience at the Pentagon on 9/11, surviving 60% total body burns, and how his 9-11 experience and his Christian faith impact his role as Senator.
Questions Senator Birdwell and Amber Discuss:
(6:58) When did you begin walking with Jesus?
(11:04) The morning of September 11, 2001, you were in an office with two colleagues watching live footage of the twin towers burning. Will you share your experience that morning?
(22:17) How did you get to a place where you were no longer burning?
(44:06) What were some thoughts that raced through your mind as you laid in the hospital?
(55:14) More than 60% of your body was severely burned, you spent 26 days in intensive care, you underwent 39 surgeries over 4 years, what was your mobility like now?
(59:35) In 2010, you were elected to the Texas senate. As we close out, how would you say your experience on 9/11, your healing journey and your faith impact your job as Senator?
Quotes to Remember: “I told Sandy and Cheryl, I was going to step out to the men’s restroom, and that I’d be back momentarily and those are the last words that I would speak to my two co workers.”
“I’m 15 to 20 yards from an 80 ton jet making penetration into the [Pentagon] at 530 miles an hour with about 3000 gallons of jet fuel still remaining when it makes impact.”
“I’m set ablaze…[M]y total body external injury was a 60% total body burn with about 40% being third degree burns. But my most immediate life threatening injury was my inhalation injury.”
“I gave up. Screamed out, ‘Jesus, I’m coming to see You’ in a very loud voice, collapsed to the floor and accepted that I was going to die that day. I went from the calamity of trying to survive to the peace and quiet of knowing where I would spend eternity.”
“The most emotional thing from September 11 is when they put that face mask over me….I’m either stepping into eternity or I’m going to wake up here, but the Lord’s in charge.”
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
33: Steven Elliott | A War Story, PTSD
112: Gracia Burnham | Hope After Being Held Hostage
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Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher join Amber to discuss the worth and value of women displayed in the Scripture and how the evangelical church has often missed the mark in how it views men and women and their partnership in God’s work.
Questions Elyse, Eric and Amber Discuss:
(5:00) Eric: As we begin, will you share how your approach to shepherding women in the local church has been shaped over the years and how male ministry leaders can view women in their church as partners in the gospel?
(12:34) Elyse: You have authored 25 books on daily living and the Christian life, why Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women?
(16:37) Both: Something I appreciate is the way you pointed out the way women were celebrated beginning in Creation, the Fall and all the way through the early Church. What are a few texts you wrote about that Christians often read and miss the value and worth God placed on women?
(26:43) Both: The OT has many verses that can be deemed as devaluing women. How do you address these verses in addition to the women of the Bible you wrote about in Worthy?
(34:40) Both: Let’s talk about the apostle Paul. It is easy to feel like Paul was a suppressor of women, due to controversial passages like 1 Tim. 2 and 1 Cor. 11, but you write about Paul, Lydia and the women who were there at the beginning of the Philippian church. Talk about the way Paul placed value on women.
(46:46) Both: What was your greatest hope for the reader of Worthy?
Show Notes CONT. Related Episodes:
99: Jen Wilkin | Women of The Word
32: Heather Dixon | Equipping Women for Courageous Living
73: Bethany Allen | Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Leadership Development
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Andrew & Rachel Wilson join Amber to discuss the emotional, spiritual and familial hardships and joys that come along with parenting special needs children.
Questions Andrew, Rachel and Amber Discuss:
(3:02) Take us back to when you first became parents. What did life look like for you at the time?
(5:04) As your children became toddlers you found yourself parenting 2 special needs children. As you think about those first few years, how would you describe the physical, spiritual, and emotional challenges you faced?
(13:01) Rachel: Early after your children were diagnosed you said you read a Charles Spurgeon quote, “I’ve learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages” and thinking I will never learn to kiss that wave. Expound on that a bit and where are you now when it comes to kissing that wave?
(15:34) Andrew: Lament is more than crying and longer than a few days. You write extensively about lament in The Life We Never Expected. What were some things you have lamented when it comes to loving and serving your special needs children and how do you encourage others to lament who are walking through similar family dynamics?
cont.
Quotes to Remember: Rachel: “Our testimony in recent years, is that we’ve seen the goodness of God in the land of the living like Psalm 27.”
Rachel: “Not only do they [children] have wonderful gifts and qualities in themselves, they draw out the gifts and qualities in other people in ways I never could have expected.”
Andrew: “Lament….is the act of bringing those emotions to God in prayer.“
Rachel: “It can be really hard as Christians in those moments with friends and family to sit back, and to go, ‘No, God’s a good narrator. Let’s trust Him, that over time, in the course of history, in the course of life…He will be faithful, He will be good.’ It’s not on me to narrate this experience and to have a testimony ready for Sunday morning.”
Andrew: “I don’t know what God is doing. And I don’t know whether or not it will ever turn out good and I don’t know whether it will get better, but I’m going to hang in there. And I’ll still be here tomorrow is often what’s needed of us as friends and in my case, pastors.”
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
64: Natalie Maxwell | A Story of Special Needs Adoption
110: Caroline Bailey | From Barren to Blessed
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Kimm Carr joins Amber to discuss the value of studying the Bible in community, why studying the Bible over and over again matters, and how the scriptures changed her life.
Questions Kimm and I Discuss:
(1:48) How did you come to know Jesus as Savior?
(6:43) What prompted you to first begin attending CBS?
(8:31) What changes did you experience in your walk with Jesus those first few years of studying God’s Word through CBS?
(11:36) You are the current Executive Director of CBS, which back in 2012 was a radical shift for your family. Will you share a bit of that journey with us and how your husband Steve supported and continues to support your calling as Executive Director?
(19:30) How do you explain CBS to new people who may have never been a part of a Bible study group?
(21:08) What do you love about CBS? What makes it unique to you?
(23:59) Why do you think it matters to keep studying the Bible?
(27:24) How can one join CBS?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Community Bible Study: Find a Class
Bible Study Fellowship: Find a Class
Related Episodes:
104: Susie Rowan | Bible Study Fellowship, Executive Director
99: Jen Wilkin | Women of The Word
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Green Roof Gallery creates leather accessories for the grown up girl who loves simplicity and a natural style. Handcrafted, small batch, unique, and personal. When you wear jewelry or use a journal from Green Roof Gallery, you will know it went through some not so pretty times to get to the beautiful finished piece that now belongs to you or the person you might gift it to. Take 15% off with the code: Grace15 through July and August 2021.
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Meghan Newkirk joins Amber to discuss living with and treating OCD as a follower of Jesus, a wife, and a mom.
Questions Stephanie and Amber Discuss:
(2:04) Share what life was like for you growing up and what symptoms you experienced that lead to being diagnosed with OCD?
(8:05) OCD is quite different from being overly organized or desiring tasks to be done a certain way. Will you lay a foundation for us? What is OCD and how is it different than previously described?
(16:00) In the christian community there can be discomfort with all things mental health. OCD comes with pretty irrational and outlandish fears that often make Christian sufferers even more anxious given the disapproval they fear from the church and from God. Share with our listeners how God views our struggles in these areas and the truth that comes from His word about being free in Christ.
(25:00) How did you shift your mindset to the sufficiency of Christ and His grace in our struggles?
(33:30) You wrote Loving Naomi, a Christian fiction book whose character lives with OCD. What was your purpose in writing the book?
(38:45) You are a wife and mother of 3, what are some challenges a family may face when someone in their family lives with OCD?
(43:00) What are some of the challenges your husband faces?
(47:30) What are some of the danger in constantly reassuring someone with OCD?
Related Episodes:
63: Mazi Robinson | Managing Anxiety
109: Amy Watson | Abuse Survivor and Living with PTSD
SHOW NOTES cont.
Episode Sponsor: Green Roof Gallery
Green Roof Gallery creates leather accessories for the grown up girl who loves simplicity and a natural style. Handcrafted, small batch, unique, and personal. When you wear jewelry or use a journal from Green Roof Gallery, you will know it went through some not so pretty times to get to the beautiful finished piece that now belongs to you or the person you might gift it to. Take 15% off with the code: Grace15 through July and August 2021.
Shop Green Roof Gallery today.
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The founder of Imani Collective, Jenny Nuccio sits down with Amber to about empowering women to break generational poverty through the creation of ethical goods.
Christmas in July Questions:
What is the mission behind Imani Collective?
Share a bit of the backstory of Imani Collective.
When someone purchases from Imani Collective, how are they impacting your employees?
What do you love about the work you are doing with Imani Collective?
What is one of your most popular products? Favorite products?
SHOW NOTES cont.
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The founder of Green Roof Gallery, Bethany Patterson sits down with Amber to share the process of creating leather accessories and how it parallels the way God uses broken people.
Christmas in July Questions:
What is Green Roof Gallery?
Share a bit of the backstory of Green Roof Gallery.
You shared with me a little about why you use leather and how it parallels our lives? Will you share that for those listening?
What do you love about the work you are doing at GRG?
What is one of your most popular earrings? Favorite earrings?
Favorite Products:
Leather Bohemian Earrings
Handpainted Leather Journal
Leather Macrame Earrings
SHOW NOTES cont.
Episode Sponsor: SchoolhouseTeachers.com
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The creator of devotional dippers, Andrew Sweasey joins Amber to share the story behind the unique family devotional and how it works for families with a variety of ages.
Christmas in July Questions:
What are Devotional Dippers?
Share a bit of the backstory of what led you to create Devotional Dippers?
Something I love about Devotional Dippers is how it appeals to families with children of various ages. As a pastor and father of 4, how have you experienced the use of a simple theme, Bible verse, 1 question to discuss and a prayer prompt to engage your family in the reading and understanding of God's Word?
What are the 3 main devotional dipper themes one can purchase and do you plan to create anymore?
Favorite Products:
Devotional Dippers 3 Pack
Devotional Dippers (Prayer)
Devotional Dippers (Names and Attributes of God)
Devotional Dippers (Key Bible Words)
SHOW NOTES cont.
Episode Sponsor: SchoolhouseTeachers.com
A firm, Christian-based worldview is the springboard needed in today’s world which can be attained with a SchoolhouseTeachers.com education.
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The co-founder of Elizabeth's Voice Amy Brewer sits down with Amber to discuss how Elizabeth's Voice employs Ugandan women and provides education to fight poverty.
Christmas in July Questions:
What is the mission behind Elizabeth's Voice (EV)?
Share a bit of the backstory of EV.
When someone purchases from EV, how are they impacting your employees?
What do you love about the work you are doing with EV?
What is one of your most popular products? Favorite products?
Favorite Products:
Bottle Top Trivet
Any Home Basket
Hope Mail Subscription
SHOW NOTES cont.
Episode Sponsor: SchoolhouseTeachers.com
A firm, Christian-based worldview is the springboard needed in today’s world which can be attained with a SchoolhouseTeachers.com education.
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The Daily Grace Co. Director of Theology, Joanna Kimbrel joins Amber to discuss discipling and spreading the gospel through Bible studies and other Christian resources.
Christmas in July Questions:
What is the mission behind The Daily Grace Co.?
Share a bit of the backstory of The Daily Grace Co Why did Kristin decide to launch TDGC?
You are the director of theology and co-host of TDGC podcast. How does your team go about writing TDGC Bible studies and other resources?
What do you love about the work you are doing with TDGC?
What are a few of TDGC best sellers or your favorite resources?
SHOW NOTES cont. Episode Sponsor: SchoolhouseTeachers.com
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Author of Joy Box Journal, Adria Wilkins, joins Amber to share the story behind the journal and a glimpse of what you will find inside.
Christmas in July Questions:
Share a bit of the backstory of The Joy Box Journal.
How did learning to look for the joy God placed around you help you grieve?
Share a few of your favorite prompts, so people get a glimpse of what to expect if they purchase or give the Joy Box Journal?
As the author, do you have a story or impact statement someone has shared with you as a result of using the journal?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
CIJ Day 1: Hope + Vine | Rachael Smith
CIJ Day 2: Dwell Differently | Natalie Abbott
CIJ Day 3: Sari Bari | David Grant
CIJ Day 4: Women’s Bean Project | Tamra Ryan
CIJ Dy 5: 10ofthose.com | Jonathan Carswell
CIJ Day 6: The Radical Book for Kids | Champ Thornton
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Author of The Radical Book for Kids, Champ Thornton joins Amber to discuss his fun filled guide to the Bible and church history.
Christmas in July Questions:
What led you to write The Radical Book for Kids?
Let's say someone is listening and looking for a book to purchase for their late elementary-middle school child. Share with our listeners a little of they can expect to learn when reading the book.
While the Radical Book for Kids is our focus for today's conversation, you have written several resources for children and families. Tell us a bit of your backstory of becoming an author of Christian resources for kids.
What has been some of your favorite feedback from readers of The Radical Book for Kids?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Episode Sponsor: SchoolhouseTeachers.com
A firm, Christian-based worldview is the springboard needed in today’s world which can be attained with a SchoolhouseTeachers.com education.
Use code: EXPLORE
to pay only $179 for a two-year Ultimate Membership during SchoolhouseTeachers.com’s Explore the World BOGO event!
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and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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The founder and CEO of 10ofthose.com, Jonathan Carswell joins Amber why and how they provide quality Christian resources at affordable prices.
Christmas in July Questions:
What is the mission behind 10ofThose.com?
Share a bit of the backstory of 10 of Those. Why did you decide to launch 10ofThose?
What are some ways 10 of Those distribute resources to support ministries?
What do you love about the work you are doing with 10 of Those?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Episode Sponsor: SchoolhouseTeachers.com
A firm, Christian-based worldview is the springboard needed in today’s world which can be attained with a SchoolhouseTeachers.com education.
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Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Women's Bean Project Executive Director, Tamra Ryan sits down with Amber to share providing transitional employment to women attempting to break the cycle of chronic unemployment and poverty.
Christmas in July Questions:
What is the mission behind The Women's Bean Project?
Share a bit of the backstory of The Women's Bean Project and your involvement.
When someone purchases from the Women's Bean Project how are they impacting WBP employees?
What do you love about the work you are doing with WBP?
What is one of your most popular products?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
CIJ Day 1: Hope + Vine | Rachael Smith
CIJ Day 2: Dwell Differently | Natalie Abbott
CIJ Day 3: Sari Bari | David Grant
Episode Sponsor: SchoolhouseTeachers.com
A firm, Christian-based worldview is the springboard needed in today’s world which can be attained with a SchoolhouseTeachers.com education.
Use code: EXPLORE
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
David Grant, Executive Director of Sari Bari USA sits down with Amber to share how Sari Bari helps women trapped in the sex trade find freedom and opportunity through employment.
Christmas in July Questions:
What is the mission behind Sari Bari?
Share a bit of the backstory of Sari Bari and your involvement.
When someone purchases from Sari Bari, how are they impacting Sari Bari employees?
What do you love about the work you are doing with Sari Bari?
What is one of your most popular/favorite products?
Favorite Products:
Original Sari Blanket
Shopna Messenger Bag
Mota Make Up Bags
SHOW NOTES cont.
Episode Sponsor: SchoolhouseTeachers.com
A firm, Christian-based worldview is the springboard needed in today’s world which can be attained with a SchoolhouseTeachers.com education.
Use code: EXPLORE
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The co- founder of Dwell Differently, Natalie Abbott sits down with Amber to share how and why Dwell designs temporary tattoos, key tags, stickers and prints to help you memorize one Bible verse a month.
Christmas in July Questions:
What is the mission behind Dwell?
Share a bit of the backstory of Dwell.
When someone purchases from Dwell, what can they expect to receive?
What do you love about the work you are doing with Dwell?
What is one of your most popular products/memberships?
Favorite Products:
The Light Necklace & Matching Dwell Kit
Family & Friends Membership
SHOW NOTES cont. Episode Sponsor: SchoolhouseTeachers.com
A firm, Christian-based worldview is the springboard needed in today’s world which can be attained with a SchoolhouseTeachers.com education.
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Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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The founder of Hope + Vine, Rachael Smith sits down with Amber to share how Hope + Vine employs and mentors women aging out of the foster care system.
Christmas in July Questions:
What is the mission behind Hope + Vine?
Share a bit of the backstory of Hope + Vine.
When someone purchases from Hope + Vine, how are they impacting your employees?
What do you love about the work you are doing with Hope + Vine?
What is one of your most popular/favorite products?
Favorite Products:
Refuge Earrings, Denim
Pierced Earrings
Hope T-shirt
SHOW NOTES cont. Episode Sponsor: SchoolhouseTeachers.com
A firm, Christian-based worldview is the springboard needed in today’s world which can be attained with a SchoolhouseTeachers.com education.
Use code: EXPLORE
to pay only $179 for a two-year Ultimate Membership during SchoolhouseTeachers.com’s Explore the World BOGO event!
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Laura Perry joins Amber to discuss living as a transgender male for 10 years, her life leading up to the transition, and the transformation she experienced through the Word of God, Jesus, and the faithful prayers of her mother.
Questions Laura and I Discuss:
(2:13) What was life like for you as a young girl? Did you grow up with Christian parents? Did you fit in at school?
(5:38) At age 8 you were molested and that only compounded your feelings of wanting to be a boy. How so?
(6:55) What was your relationship like with your parents during your teen and young adult years?
(15:23) By 2008, you had began transitioning to a man. What measures did you take?
(22:15) You were fully living as a transgender male, but you realized all the physical change had not made you happy. What was going on internally during those years?
.......
Memorable Quotes from Transgender to Transformed: "I grew up with this just real identity crisis, not knowing who I was, not feeling like I fit in."
"[Y]ou hear that you're wonderfully made. If that's true, then God's a jerk. That's how I began to view God. He did this just to make me miserable."
"I wanted to be the opposite of a Christian, whatever that was."
"[A] lot of times we get so focused on whatever sin they're involved in and we think that's the problem, but the problem is so much deeper. In every story I've ever heard, there's always a reason that they turn to these sinful lifestyles, and most of the time, it's a distorted view of God. They feel like God has failed them, or they don't trust God, or if God is good, why did He do this? or Why did He allow this, and that's common across every story that I hear."
"When we hang on to bitterness and unforgiveness and resentment, it leads to defilement and fornication because we start trying to gratify our flesh, rather than dealing with all the pain that's inside." [based on reading from Hebrews 12:15-16]
"I began to get very, very deep into sexual sin, trying so hard to fix the brokenness in me by just satisfying the flesh."
"I wanted to be a man, but I didn't know there was anything I could do about it. I had never heard the word transgender."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
102: Christopher Yuan | Transformation & Holy Sexuality
77: Rosaria Butterfield | Christian Identity & Intersectionality
52: Nick Stumbo | Freedom From Pornography
Episode Sponsor: Green Roof Gallery Green Roof Gallery creates leather accessories for the grown up girl who loves simplicity and a natural style. Handcrafted, small batch, unique, and personal. When you wear jewelry or use a journal from Green Roof Gallery, you will know it went through some not so pretty times to get to the beautiful finished piece that now belongs to you or the person you might gift it to. Take 15% off with the code: Grace15 through July and August 2021.
Shop Green Roof Gallery today.
Connect with Laura Perry at transgendertotransformed.com
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Joe Delagrave joins me to discuss the tragic event that changed his life, wrestling with his identity in Christ and his identity as an athlete and becoming a paralympic rugby player, who will be competing in Tokyo in a few short weeks.
Questions Joe and I Discuss:
(3:28) As we dive into your story, set the stage by sharing a bit about your childhood and your love of sports.
(5:01) You were a college athlete, playing division II football, as a college freshman, but on July 10, 2004, a defining event took place that changed your life. What happened?
(15:00) You’ve said identity is something you’ve wrestled with throughout your life. As a 19 year old boy relearning to do everything, how would you describe that wrestling?
(22:18) How did you relationship with Jesus change from that point forward?
(28:11) How did wheelchair rugby become a part of your life?
(39:48) You are training for the Tokyo ParaOlympics, how do you keep your walk with Jesus and your family priority in the midst of such intense training?
(47:09) What would you like to say to someone listening who has experienced a life altering accident?
Quotes to Remember: “My hands are behind my head. Kyle accidentally hits the bottom of the river….the chair broke, I flew backwards, hit my head on the front of the boat and instantly broke my neck at the C6/7 level.”
” ‘Joe, you’ve sustained a spinal cord injury and we need to medflight you up to the bigger hospital to have surgery.’ And that’s when life drastically changed.”
“And really what had transpired was that verse on my wall [Proverbs 3:5-6], started to change my heart.”
“It took me a long time to realize that my miracle was choosing to get in the chair.”
“My miracle was a spiritual transformation that was taking place by giving my heart to Jesus.”
“My success isn’t defined by a gold medal. It’s defined by a permanent victory in Jesus.”
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
88: Taylor Schumann | Other Side of Surviving a School Shooting
52: Jonathan Gibson | Proclaiming God is Good After Infant Loss
51: Vaneetha Risner | When Suffering Is Your Story
36: Treva Kuyper | Hope and Healing After Unexpected Loss
Episode Sponsor: Green Roof Gallery Green Roof Gallery creates leather accessories for the grown up girl who loves simplicity and a natural style. Handcrafted, small batch, unique, and personal. When you wear jewelry or use a journal from Green Roof Gallery, you will know it went through some not so pretty times to get to the beautiful finished piece that now belongs to you or the person you might gift it to. Take 15% off with the code: Grace15 through July and August 2021.
Shop Green Roof Gallery today.
Connect withJoe Delagrave at joedelagrave.com
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rebecca (Becky) joins me to discuss sharing the faith you live in a post-Christian world, celebrating God's power in our weakness, and asking good questions like Jesus.
Questions Becky and I Discuss:
(9:23) When did you begin walking with Jesus? Briefly share a bit of your faith journey with us.
(16:20) Let's go back to when you first released your best-selling book Out of the Saltshaker, what did you hope a book on evangelism would accomplish 40 years ago?
(22:39) Forty years later you decided to write a new book on evangelism: Stay Salt: The World Has Changed your Message Must Not. Why?
(26:21 and 37:25) What I found helpful in Stay Salt is that you write not only about how the world has changed, but you address how to deal with our feelings of inadequacy, lack of confidence, and knowledge. What are some ways you encourage Christians to overcome those feelings when sharing about Jesus in our post-Christian world?
(37:25) Can you share with us how to bring up in the subject of faith in our conversations without sounding pushy or intrusive?
(41:36) How do we move from a natural conversation, a normal conversation to a spiritual one? (continuation of #5)
Quotes to Remember: "The way He [Jesus] communicated the gospel was tied to the person, tied to their longings. He never treated anyone like an evangelistic project."
"Biblical evangelism is threefold.....
"So what's changed? We have been living in a world and particularly in the West, that is dominated by what I call the lethal distortions of post modernity. And that wasn't true when I wrote Out of the Salt Shaker. What do I mean by the lethal distortions, [of post modernity]? The collapse of absolute truth."
"We're not the Creator, we are God dependent. We are not self sufficient. God doesn't send us out empty handed. He's provided everything we need for witness through the power of the Holy Spirit, the power of the truth of the gospel, the power of Jesus love. But not only that, He is delighted to reveal His glory, through human weakness."
"One of the underlying themes of all of Scripture: God reveals His glory through human weakness."
"Where we need to begin in evangelism is, celebrate our smallness, and then lean on the power of the Holy Spirit."
"When we're talking to somebody, how often we think, what if I don't have the right answer? What if I'm not clever enough? What if I can't do that? That's not the point. It is that we have another who dwells within us. We've got to start learning how to lean on the Spirit. We may very well not be great evangelists. But you see, it isn't self confidence that we need. It's God confidence."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
79: Amy Carroll | Sharing Your God Story
Episode Sponsor: Dwell Differently Dwell helps you memorize one verse every month by taking the first letter of every word in a verse stringing them together in a cool design.
That's What Dads Are Made For book Author, Amanda Glass creator of the made for book series helps kids and dads answer that question.
That's What Dads Are Made For is more than just a fun book with cute pictures. It's one that creates conversations that build meaningful connections
Connect with Becky Pippert at beckypippert.org
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Debra Wallace joins Amber to discuss the betrayal she experienced in her marriage, how Scripture memorization gave her strength and courage, and how she ministers to other women experiencing betrayal trauma.
Questions Debra and Amber Discuss:
(3:54) Briefly share how you came to know Jesus.
(4:27) Take our listeners back to your life as a new wife and mother. How would you have described your family?
(6:34) 10 years into your marriage you discovered your husband was leading a double life. What did you discover and what was his response?
(9:56) You stayed married for years after discovering the betrayal. Did you husband stop?
(13:15) How long did you stay in this relationship with your husband before you finally said, I'm done?
(15:17) What were your conversations with Jesus like during those 12 years?
(18:13) When did Scripture memorization become crucial to your recovery?
......
Hope After Betrayal & Trauma Quotes to Remember: "I brought him the phone and I asked him what was going on. He denied it....I would have loved to have believed it was a mistake, but the evidence was right there. I demanded to know the truth, so he confessed to having same sex affairs."
"It was like riding a roller coaster of hope and despair. I believed my husband when he said he wanted healing and recovery, but each time I realized another betrayal had happened we had to start rebuilding trust and forgiving again."
"The first verse I claimed over myself was Proverbs 31:25, 'I am clothed in strength and dignity. I can laugh about the future.' At the time, I was not strong . I was very weak. Dignity? I felt like a doormat. I knew I was a doormat and I couldn't do anything about it. I felt helpless."
"A husband who chooses to view porn or cheat on their wives usually has issues long before ever getting married. I had to learn that I wasn't the cause of my husband's issues. I had to learn I'm responsible for my own actions, but not for what other people choose to do."
"I'm just here to encourage and validate women and hopefully provide some hope that whether a marriage succeeds or not, if you have a relationship with the Lord, you can have joy again."
"There's all different kinds of betrayal, but it still just as painful. It doesn't matter what kind of betrayal, if it's porn use or prostitutes or same sex, whatever it is, you still have the same kind of healing that needs to take place."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
102: Christopher Yuan | Transformation & Holy Sexuality
52: Nick Stumbo | Discovering Freedom From Pornography
78: Lisa Goldberg | Marriage Ministry After Infidelity
Episode Sponsors: Dwell Differently Dwell helps you memorize one verse every month by taking the first letter of every word in a verse stringing them together in a cool design.
That's What Dads Are Made For book Author, Amanda Glass creator of the made for book series helps kids and dads answer that question.
That's What Dads Are Made For is more than just a fun book with cute pictures. It's one that creates conversations that build meaningful connections
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Vivian Mabuni joins Amber to discuss investing your lives into others, so that they may know and walk with Jesus. We discuss our heart posture toward discipleship, inquiring of the Lord, and some practical ways to begin discipling others.
Questions Vivian and I Discuss:
(8:39) How did you begin walking with Jesus?
(17:14) God led you to a place of working with college students and discipling them and you have faithfully discipled them for decades. Share a bit about that journey.
(20:36) Discipleship can be such a "big, churchy" word. How do you go about discipling someone?
(26:24) In a culture, where we seem to go, go, go, yet often "feel" we aren't living out our purpose. In your book, Open Hands, Willing Heart: Discover the Joy of Saying Yes to God, you encourage your readers to look at the posture of their hearts. What does that mean? And how did that play out in your surrendering to God's will as a young college graduate?
(34:34) Saying yes to everything asked of you is not necessarily saying yes to God. As believers continuously asking God for wisdom and discernment will help us know His calling. What are some common roadblocks to saying Yes to God?
(38:37) How have you stayed focused on running the mile you're in?
(44:33) To encourage our listeners will you share a story where you now know the outcome and it clearly points to the faithfulness of God?
Quotes to Remember: "I followed through and I gave Him my whole life. I just said, 'I am all in'."
"Invest your life into others."
"I think that all believers can be in places where we are being mentored and discipled and we can seek to build into the next generation."
"I can share from my life experience, I can share what I'm learning in the Scriptures, I can continue to point each and every person to the Lord and His character, so that they are not dependent upon me, but are ultimately always dependent on the Lord."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Someday is Here Virtual Conference: June26, 2021
Connect with Vivian Mabuni at vivianmabuni.com
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Episode Sponsor: Dwell Differently Dwell helps you memorize one verse every month by taking the first letter of every word in a verse stringing them together in a cool design.
That's What Dads Are Made For book Author, Amanda Glass creator of the made for book series helps kids and dads answer that question.
That's What Dads Are Made For is more than just a fun book with cute pictures. It's one that creates conversations that build meaningful connections
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Amanda Glass joins me to discuss the inspiration behind her book, That's What Dads Are Made For You may be thinking it came from a place of intimate connection with her dad, but it actually came out of a relationship where she didn't feel fully known by her dad. It wasn't until she had children of her own and her dad passed away that her eyes were opened to his present hand throughout her life. We also discuss her hope for That's What Dads Are Made For book and how Philippians 4:8 played into her journey.
Questions Amanda and I Discuss:
(7:32) Take us back and share a little about your childhood.
(11:32) Growing up what was your experience with Jesus like?
(13:48) As a young girl you struggled with the level of quality time spent with your father. Share a bit about your relationship with your dad as a young girl and what you longed for.
(16:34) Once you had children of your own and your father passed away you began to see that your father may not have been an emotional guy, but he did show his affection in simple, everyday moments. Tell us a bit about that discovery process.
(22:29) Your perspective about your relationship with your father shifted so much that you decided to write a children's book: That's What Dads Are Made For. Why did you decide to write this book?
(32:51) As we close, what encouragement would you give the women listening who lived in the same home with her father, but like you feels that he never connected with her?
Quotes to Remember: "I grew up in a family rooted in love, but it was heavy on rules and behavior."
"Behaviors aren't just good and bad. Behaviors communicate to us ways that kids might be feeling tension that might exist."
"We [my dad and me] didn't have heart to heart conversations. He didn't ask me the details about my day. We had small moments of connection, but we didn't have that deep sense of connection that I was longing for."
"Learn about God and the Bible. Believe what it says about Him and how much He loves us. Get to know Him as Father and connect with Him and that's going to help you see your dad differently."
"I would just encourage them to think on Philippians 4:8. Pray over that and trust that God will come in and change their hearts."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
80: Kia Stephens | Exchanging Father Wounds
34: Dr. Michelle Deering | Mother, Daughter Relationships
74: Susan Alexander Yates | Creating Connection Through Cousin Camp & Extended Family Gatherings
65: Jim Burns | Parents and Adult Children
Connect with Amanda Glass at themadeforbooks.com
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Episode Sponsor: Dwell Differently Dwell helps you memorize one verse every month by taking the first letter of every word in a verse stringing them together in a cool design.
That's What Dads Are Made For book Author, Amanda Glass creator of the made for book series helps kids and dads answer that question.
That's What Dads Are Made For is more than just a fun book with cute pictures. It's one that creates conversations that build meaningful connections
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sheila Gregoire joins Amber to discuss some of the harmful messages many popular Christian books have put out when it comes to sex, intimacy, and a man's need versus a woman's need. We also discuss her new book The Great Sex Rescue.
Questions Sheila and I Discuss:
(3:34) Tell us a little about The Bare Marriage survey and what led you to embark on such a survey.
(6:05) What would you say is one of the most damaging, widely held beliefs about sex and marriage in evangelical culture that is actually preventing us from fully engaging in sex as God intended?
(12:15) Let's talk about sex and intimacy. What are the dangers of using those terms interchangeably?
(13:58) We're teaching young boys and young girls to it basically places blame back on young girls, you be modest. Because if you're not, you're causing him to be tempted and to lust. What's the mixed message there?
(18:02) In The Bare Marriage survey was "I didn't want to be naked in front of him" common response that may be related to the popular modesty discussion?
(23:16) What needs to be the message we share with young Christian kids and young Christian adults to shift their mindset from what sex is intended for, compared to their previous experience or what they were taught in youth group?
(26:16) Share about the dangers of duty sex.
(31:03) Talk about communication between spouses being the key to good sex.
(36:05) You say that the harmful beliefs you measured are common beliefs in the evangelical world, but you wouldn't necessarily call them Christian beliefs. What would you say ARE Christian beliefs about sex?
(38:27) What do you hope The Great Sex Rescue accomplishes for Christians and their view of sex?
Quotes to Remember: "All kinds of these books [Christian marriage books] talk about sex in terms of men's release, something that men need and that is just not the way the Bible talks about it....When we see it as something that men need, and women don't, then we can easily think all that's important during sex is that he gets release, and our experience doesn't even matter."
"I think that's why God uses sexual imagery to talk about His relationship with us. It's to tell us that sex is not just physical. It's a deep, intimate knowing, it's when you become totally vulnerable with one another in every way, and that is God's design for sex."
"We know from the Song of Solomon, that sex is also something which is really pleasurable for both people. It was never meant just for a man's release. It was meant for a woman's pleasure, as well."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
38: Mo Isom | Sex, Jesus, and The Conversations The Church Forgot
91: Mary Flo Ridley | Let's Talk Birds and Bees
54: Nick Stumbo | Discovering Freedom From Pornography
Connect with Sheila Gregoire at tolovehonorandvacuum.com
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Episode Sponsor: Kaleidoscope's vision is to help kids and parents bridge the gap between storybook bibles and adult translations, which are written at a high school level or higher.
Take 10% off today with the code: GRACE.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rashawn Copeland joins Amber to discuss how God entered His mess when he was shot, when his football dreams were crushed, and when he was contemplating suicide. Now, he shares the love of Jesus online, because it is where Jesus met him.
When God Enters Your Mess Questions Rashawn and Amber Discuss:
(5:10) Share a little of your childhood with us.
(8:28) You were a successful high school football player with scholarship offers from Division 1 schools, but at age 17 those plans were thwarted. What happened?
(14:50) After surviving being shot, you didn’t stick with God. What happened?
(24:06) You’re in L.A., you’re the hype man for Soulja Boy, you’re wrapped up in money, sex, and fame, but a difficult break up left you feeling worthless and alone. Will you tell our listeners about that experience and how God met you in your mess?
(30:55) What do you feel was so different about that time vs. when you were laying on the concrete?
(32:50) You were contemplating suicide when you read the Facebook post that included Romans 8: 38-39. In that moment you surrendered your life to Jesus. What happened when you woke up the next day?
(37:37) Why do you keep staying where you are and preaching the love of God?
(39:49)Why did you write Start Where You Are?
When God Enters Your Mess Quotes to Remember: “I would say I’m a minister who writes and a writer who preaches. I spend a lot of time online, social media, sharing the gospel, the love of God, through content and experiences…with folks.”
“If we want to reach people right now, with the greatest message of all time, which is the gospel, we need to meet them, not where we want them to be which is through our church doors…, but right where they are, where their attention is online. And I feel indebted to do so, because God met me there.”
“I was at the darkest, lowest, messiest moment of my life. And all I could do is cry out. My coaches weren’t there. My friends weren’t there. My brothers weren’t there. The girl wasn’t there. The only one I could call out too was God.”
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Start Where You Are by Rashawn Copeland
Connect with Rashawn Copeland on IG and Tiktok
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Episode Sponsor: Kaleidoscope's vision is to help kids and parents bridge the gap between storybook bibles and adult translations, which are written at a high school level or higher.
Take 10% off today with the code: GRACE.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ed Wiley joins Amber to talk about his journey to becoming a comedian in the faith space, and how his role as goat farmer and homeschool dad often buffers his political jokes. Be prepared to laugh and to learn a little about differing views among Christians, and what it’s like to navigate that as an entertainer.
Christians Can Laugh Too Episode Questions:
(8:21) So you’re a comedian, goat farmer, homeschool dad, impressionist, but I need the scoop on being a homeschool dad. You have six kids, what does life look like for you as a homeschool dad?
(15:00) Exactly what do goat farmers do?
(22:34) At what point did you realize comedy was something you wanted to do as a profession?
(41:53) What are some challenges of stand up comedy in the faith space?
(51:39) I am a huge fan of George W. My affection for W. continues to grow, so will do an impersonation of George W?
(55:38) I love that your family is a huge part of the work you do. What are some of your favorite songs or videos you have done with them?
Quotes to Remember from Ed Wiley | Christians Can Laugh Too: “Wherever you are in life today, just be thankful that you didn’t make the decision to own as many as 57 goats at one point.”
“Annie and I, my wife and I are the deleted scenes from Chip and Joanna, we will tell you the real deal.”
“It’s very rare for someone to launch into comedy and to be making enough to support a family…It takes a long time, you have to bomb a lot.”
“Professionally, you’re working at it, you’re working at the craft to pursue excellence and leaving the outcome to God.”
“When things started picking up for me I made a decision to take two of my girls, who really love performing…[and] we started doing bits together, and traveling around the country.”
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Ed Referenced:
Anita Renfroe
If Trump Were A Youth Pastor bit by Ed Wiley
Tim Hawkins
Leanne Morgan
Everything Wrong With Church Lock-In’s by Leanne Morgan
If Joel Osteen Was Your Pharmacist by Ed Wiley
George W. Calls Texans To Get Biden’s Number by Ed Wiley
What People Say When They Find Out You Homeschool, Ed Wiley with his daughters
Connect with Ed Wiley at edwileycomedy.com and FB
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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David and Krista Dunham join me to discuss eating disorder recovery and their journey through Krista's eating disorder that is chronicled in their book, Table for Two: Biblical Counsel for Eating Disorders.
Questions Discussed with David & Krista:
(3:27) Krista, you wrote, "As a Christian, it frustrated me that knowing, loving, and following God hadn't completely protected me from succumbing to an eating disorder." Take us back to when you first began to struggle with addictive food behaviors. Share a bit of that journey with us and the struggle that ensued for the next 10 years.
(6:50) David, what was your experience, as Krista's husband, in those early years of her eating disorder?
(9:31) As we discuss eating disorders, will you share how they parallel addictive habits?
(12:27) Krista, you write about the importance of the sufferers' readiness to change. How would you describe your process of readiness?
.....
Quotes from Eating Disorder Recovery Episode: K: "[T]here was a point that I discovered it [eating disorder] had more of a hold on me than I had on it."
K: "I really thought that knowing God, knowing everything I'd learned growing up was going to protect me from something that terrible. I think I had been naive to think people who struggled, just didn't have the right kind of faith and it really opened my eyes to to something different and even open my eyes to the fact that I thought good morals were the same as being obedient to God."
D: "When she first divulged this problem, I immediately wanted to be helpful. I was concerned. I cared. But the longer it stretched on, the less confident I felt and the more frustrated I got."
D: "That seems to describe a lot of people's experience with eating disorders. What gives them pleasure also causes them to feel trapped and trapped, particularly in cycles of shame."
D: "I think as a helper, it's important...to be able to say to the sufferer, 'This isn't square one, you're not starting all the way over. You're just having a difficult road at the moment.' Try to keep the focus on moving forward versus feeling like I've started all the way back to the beginning."
K: "I think what really changed for me was just realizing that there's this slow, steady obedience to getting better and not figuring something out and moving on from it [quickly]."
D: "Peter talks about casting your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. He's able to be in control, but not just, He's in control, He also loves us. So it's better to put control in His hands than to try to hold on to it in our own."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
114: Heather Creekmore | Body Image
111: Sharon Betters & Susan Hunt | Aging with Grace
Episode Sponsor: Kaleidoscope's vision is to help kids and parents bridge the gap between storybook bibles and adult translations, which are written at a high school level or higher.
Take 10% off today with the code: GRACE.
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Mary Synder joins Amber to discuss being a writer and speaker and how she transitioned to tour producer and speaker coach. We also discuss her job with Compassion International, handling fame as a Christian, celebrity and her podcast Take the Stage.
Questions Mary and I Discuss:
(2:49) Share a little about how you came to know Jesus and your early faith journey.
(6:00) When did you know you wanted to be a writer and a speaker?
(12:29) What were some disappointments you faced as a writer?
(15:16) You are also a speaker, but at some point in your career you transitioned from speaker to speaker tour producer, speaker coach, and more. Share a bit of that journey with us?
(24:50) How do you remain grounded and focused on the ministry of Jesus in a world that can often become more about fanfare and audience response?
(29:14) You work for Compassion International. What do you love about working with Compassion?
(33:24) Tell us about your podcast: Take the Stage
Quotes to Remember: "I dove headfirst into God's word. I started soaking up everything I could. I did Beth Moore Bible studies because again, I'm Southern Baptist, that's what we do, at least back in the 90s."
"But I knew back in the 90s, that I wanted to bring the message that God is good and that Christians aren't stuffy."
"I knew that I wanted to embody the humor that God had given me and bring it in front of people. I could be funny, and still honor the Lord."
"There is danger in putting a cap on your own gift. If God has uniquely equipped you, and you feel the calling to step on to whatever stage that is, whether it's your local church, or a Facebook Live, step out in full authority, keeping your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus."
"If you never ask the answer's no."
"My favorite tour ever was the Encounter Tour with Lysa TerKeurst. And the reason that's my favorite is that's my baby. I created it."
"I've watched people all of a sudden, believe in their own fame. And it here's why it happens because they've not given somebody authority in their life, to speak into them."
"We have to stop worshipping people."
"We push them up on the pedestal. Then, when we knock them off or they knock themselves off, because they do knock themselves off. We sit around and applaud."
"What I love about working with Compassion is we release children from poverty in Jesus name."
"Compassion works through the local church and it's only through the local church."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
79: Amy Carroll | Sharing Your God Story
100: Grace Enough 100th Episode Celebration
Connect with Mary Synder at maryrsynder.com
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Heather Creekmore joins Amber to discuss negative body image, how we make body image an idol, and the greatest transformation story of all–salvation.
Body Image Questions Heather and I Discuss:
(3:59) You are a follower of Jesus who speaks to the spiritual root issues of body image. What is your personal journey with body image struggles?
(7:19) What happened when you realized I have body image struggles and I am going to do something about it?
(11:17) Like so many Christians you didn’t experience body image help by hearing “just love your body because God does” or “focus on how you are fearfully and wonderfully made”, so what did help you shift your mindset and begin seeing your body in a positive way?
(16:07) In your book Compared to Who you contrast the modern concept of self-esteem with what the Bible says about loving God, our neighbors and ourselves. Will you share a bit of that contrast with our listeners?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Quotes to Remember from Heather Creekmore | Body Image: “By the time I got to college, I was feasting and fasting consistently.”
“That’s when He showed me that I was chasing a body image idol and that was the spiritual root of my issues.”
“I think what happens too often, even in the church, is that we take Scripture, and we turn it into self esteem mantras.”
“God did make us for a purpose. We are his masterpiece. We’re the imago dei. We’re made in the image of God. But if we turn all the focus on us, as we remember that it’s almost as foolish as looking at the Mona Lisa and praising the Mona Lisa instead of praising Da Vinci.”
“If you are a believer and following Jesus, He’s given us a before and after story that is so much more awesome than losing some weight or transforming our bodies.”
Related Episodes:
111: Aging With Grace | Sharon W. Betters & Susan Hunt
Connect with Heather Creekmore at comparedtowho.me
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Trillia Newbell joins me to discuss her book geared toward elementary aged students, Creative God, Colorful Us. We discuss laying a foundation for the image of God in man, the image of Adam in man, and the diversity of the family of God.
Questions Trillia and I Discuss:
(3:31) Share with our listeners a bit of your faith journey. When did you come to know Jesus?
(5:52) You have been writing about diversity for years, but your approach is not from a political point of view, but as it relates to the church. Share a bit of why diversity is a topic we must discuss in the church.
(7:38) Your writing is multi-generational and as a mom of 3 young children I am grateful for that. Your newest book Creative God. Colorful Us. is written with the elementary age child in mind. How do you break down for elementary age kids the idea that they are made in the image of God?
(11:54) What impact does being made in the image of Adam have on our relationships?
continued
Quotes to Remember from Celebrating God's Creativity: "God is creating a people of every tribe, tongue, nation, in His image, everyone, every person, whether they know Jesus or not, bears the image of God."
"Over and over again, in the Scriptures, you see God calling people to Himself, from every tribe, tongue and nation."
"We are made in the image of God to reflect Him in His character. So these would be communicable attributes. He is kind, we can be kind, He is loving, we can be loving....I am helping people see that we have, by His grace and kindness, the ability to reflect Him, but not only the ability, we bear that witness whether we even know it or not, that any good thing is really from the Lord."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Creative God, Colorful Us
Book: God's Very Good Idea
Related Episodes:
92: Ted Turnau & Jared Moore | Pop Culture Parent
56: Khristi Adams | Parable of A Brown Girl
Connect with Trillia Newbell at trillianewbell.com
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Gracia Burnham joins me to discuss on her missionary life with Martin, being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf, and God's provision during the 20 years since being freed from the jungle and losing Martin.
Questions Gracia and I Discuss:
(4:38) You met and married Martin and eventually moved to the Philippines where you served as missionaries for 17 years. Tell us what led you to the Philippines and what ministry looked like for you and your family while there.
(7:56) What makes you say Martin was born to fly in the jungle?
(10:01) You and Martin decide to take a rare trip alone as a couple to celebrate your 18th wedding anniversary. Walk us through what happened on May 27, 2001 at the Dos Palmas resort.
(12:17) Who were the Abu Sayyaf?
(17:30) You and Martin, along with many other captives were held hostage by Abu Sayyaf, but the majority were released. Why did they keep you and Martin for another year?
(19:51) How would you describe the conditions overall?
(22:37) What thoughts about your kids would go through your mind during captivity?
(24:27) Martin often was the one that would kind of pull you up when you were down.. What were some of the things he would say to point you back toward the Lord?
(26:02) 911 put you and Martin in the forefront of people's minds. What happened after 911?
(29:56) How did the events of June 7, 2002 unfold
Quotes to Remember: "Our job to run a good flight program and Martin wasn't just an ordinary pilot. He was born to fly in the jungle. And he loved what he did."
"Martin just knew how to get a loaded Cessna down on a short jungle strip and get it stopped in the next few hundred feet."
"These militant Muslims stormed the resort. There was a banging on the door. Before Martin could even get to the door these three guys within M-16's broke the door in and one took him right out. One of them came over to the bed and lowered his weapon at me and yelled, 'Go go go!'. And I said, 'No, no, no, I'm not dressed properly.'. They took me out to after I put on what I'd worn to the beach that night.""At the very beginning, they told Martin we will deal with you last. You'll be political prisoners."
"For the most part, we hiked. We moved all the time, because we were trying to stay in front of the Philippine military who were trying to rescue us."
"Every once in a while, we would come to a place where we thought we were safe....and we would spend weeks. During those days [we were] totally bored. We were either exhausted or we were bored and witnessing the atrocities."
"This huge gun battle, number 17 (we've been through 16 of these before), this Rambo style shooting up the camp... and before I could hit the ground...I was shot in the leg and kind of slid down the slick grass....I came to rest beside Martin and I looked over at him and he was bleeding from his chest. I knew from experience that leg wounds might heal, but chest wounds don't."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Connect with Gracia Burnham at graciaburnham.org
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Sharon Betters and Susan Hunt join me to talk about Aging with Grace in an anti-aging culture. We discuss Psalm 92, healthy rhythms women can establish to help as their bodies slow down, and the value of investing in younger and older women.
Questions on Aging and God's Word Discussed During Our Conversation:
(5:11) What do you mean when you say, aging with grace?
(12:57) How would you encourage women in their 40's-50's to appreciate and press into what comes with the agingprocess?
(18:46) What are some healthy rhythms and practices women can establish now that will help them continue to agewith grace as their bodies slow down?
(26:12) Let's say a woman is listening who is 50-65 and they are in a season of helping their aging parents, spouses, and/or personal health declines. The exhaustion is real and so is the sadness. What would you say to encourage those women?
cont.
Aging with Grace Episode Quotes to Remember: Susan: "The reality is, there's no way to stop aging. The wrinkles and the weakness will come. So if youthfulness is our goal, first of all, that's a pretty shallow goal, but it will also disappoint us terribly. But the gospel offers something so much bigger, so much better, something that's eternal."
"In Psalm 92, God holds before us, a remarkable promise, a vision for aging. Let me read verses 12 to 14, 'The righteous flourish, like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon, they are planted in the house of the Lord, they flourish in the courts of our God, they still bear fruit, in old age, they're ever full of sap and green'."
Sharon: "I started thinking about what it means to grow in grace. It was a seed that was planted and there would be other events that would start nourishing it and growing it, but it was there in my heart I had to make a choice which one was I going to be a life giver or a life taker? I'm so thankful for those life giving women way back then to this little young girl."
"Each loss is a reminder that we don't belong here. When we're God's children, when we know Him through Jesus, we are on our way Home. And so each loss is a memory of that and that can drive us to the cross."
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Aging with Grace by Sharon W. Betters & Susan Hunt
Aging With Grace Free Resources
Westminster Catechism
Book: Spiritual Mothering by Susan Hunt
Related Episodes:
104: Susie Rowan | Bible Study Fellowship, Executive Director
84: Sandy Cullum | When Your Faith Walk Changes
66: Tim & Darcy Kimmel | The Influence of A Grandparent
SHOW NOTES cont.
Connect with Sharon and Susan at agingwithgrace.online
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Caroline Bailey joins me to discuss becoming barren at age 11 due to a hysterectomy following a life threatening infection, fostering parenting, adoptive parenting, and working in the child welfare system for 20+ years.
Questions Caroline and I Discuss:
(1:59) At age 11, a defining event took place in your life. Will you share about that portion of your childhood, the illness you experienced, and a little about that defining event?
(8:14) You knew you would never have biological children, but when did you begin to grieve that reality and what was that season like?
(11:35) Did you grow up in a family of faith? Were your parents Christians? How was God in your life at that time in middle school?
Through high school, did you continue to think, "Maybe God doesn't love me?" Or were you a typical high schooler and just basically, ignoring what happened?
(18:15) What happened in your 20s that triggered everything to come crashing down?
(25:07) For a woman that can carry the label of barren, God has filled your life with children. What drew you and your husband to begin foster parenting?
(32:37) How did you end up adopting your youngest two children?
(38:11) What are some of the positive changes you have seen in the child welfare system during the last 20 years?
(41:26) In regards to child welfare, is there anything you would like to see the body of Christ do better?
Quotes to Remember: "[M]y pediatrician came back into town and read my chart....[H]e called an OB GYN who did some exams on me and did exploratory surgery and when they opened me up, my uterus was completely full of infection.... The infection was leaking into my bladder....[T]hey realized they had to do a hysterectomy, because my uterus was so expanded with infection that if it ruptured, it would have killed me instantly."
"I knew from the very minute I woke up from surgery, that I couldn't have kids....I didn't fully understand the impact of it because I was only 11, but I immediately started to internalize feeling lesser than."
"I think there was two sides to me....My nickname when I was young was little trooper.... so in my head, I'm like, I'm a trooper, I'm just gonna be strong, because that's what I have to be is strong....But I really thought I would never be loved by someone. Who would want a wife that couldn't have babies."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
105: Cheri Jimenez | What is A Safe Family?
37: Dr. Lindsay Hinson | Foster Parenting
48: Tori Hope Petersen | Hope for the Foster Child
64: Natalie Maxwell | A Story of Special Needs Adoption
Connect with Caroline Bailey at barrentoblessed.com
and on FB
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Amy Watson joins me to discuss growing up in a state of turmoil that involved trauma and neglect, meeting Jesus in a children's home, 12 years of domestic abuse, living with complex PTSD and how Jesus is the star of her story.
Questions Amy and I Discuss:
(4:09) The definition of turmoil is a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty and it is fitting of portions of your childhood. Take us back and share with our listeners a little about your childhood experiences.
(9:14) When you did enter the children's home,? Who came along to say no more, this ?
(6:47) Tell us a little bit about the children's home, you say it was some of the best years of your life.
(21:25) How did you end up attending a Christian college?
(23:16) You eventually met and married a man who abused you to the point of almost taking your life. Tell us about your relationship.
CONTINUED
Quotes to Remember: "I am a survivor of a lot of trauma."
"I love my mom, I didn't understand why she locked us in a room. I didn't understand why we didn't get food. I didn't understand why the physical abuse happened and why she let all this stuff happen. And so from the time I was seven to 14 when I went to a children's home, the definition of my life was absolute turmoil."
"I was there [children's home] for about 30 minutes....She said, 'Has anybody told you today that they love you?' And I just looked at her and said, 'No, ma'am.' She said, 'Well, I'm Mom McGowan, and I love you.'."
Show Notes CONT.
Related Episodes:
101: Paula LeJeune | When God’s Love and Adversity Collide
94: Mary DeMuth | Hope After Sexual Abuse
50: Rebecca Bender | Freedom From Human Trafficking
Connect with Amy Watson amywatsonauthor.com
and listen to Wednesdays with Watson
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Amy Hale joins me to discuss how her life changed when she began digging into God Word daily, becoming an accidental Instagram influencer, and cultivating conversation with God.
Questions Amy and I Discuss:
(4:58) When Did you come to know Jesus? Tell us a little bit about your faith journey.
(8:06) What led you to finally open up God's Word?
(12:22) Why did you begin sharing what God was revealing to you on Instagram?
(14:28) As a teacher of God's Word have you ever had a dark night of the soul or intense personal challenges?
(20:58) Why is it important to praise God when you rise?
(23:49) What is color coding? Why have you found it so valuable in your studying of God's word?
(33:06) On Instagram, what has been one of the most encouraging things to come from interacting with these women?
(37:30) What would you say to that woman out there who's struggling to get into God's word?
Quotes to Remember: "I grew up in church, but I did not read my Bible."
"I was 45 ish years old when I realized God's word is more than important and a good thing, it's necessary."
"I saw quickly how hungry women were to open up the Word. I realized I had not been alone."
"I've had women tell me the way that I would share [God's Word] made it seem less intimidating, made it seem safe and inviting."
"My friend Lisa Whittle, taught me the phrase, We need to lock eyes with God'....when I take a break from social media, it's usually because I have no longer locked eyes with Him. I have started looking around at what other people are doing."
"I get up in the mornings and want to do a million different things when what I need to do is to first be alone with the Lord. And so praising Him before I do anything else... is setting my feet on the right path."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
104: Susie Rowan | Bible Study Fellowship, Executive Director
99: Jen Wilkin | Women of The Word
95: Nancy Guthrie | God Does His Best Work With Empty
Connect with Amy Hale on IG
or Facebook
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Stephanie Rousselle joins me to discuss life as an atheist, encountering God as a foreign exchange student, surrendering to Jesus, teaching God's Word and how her various cultural experiences impacts her reading of God's Word.
Questions Stephanie and I Discuss:
(2:17) Introduce yourself, your family to our listeners and tell everybody a little bit about what you do.
(5:32) Tell everybody about Gospel Spice Podcast (and ministry).
(11:57) You are French born and raised. Take our listeners back to your childhood and share some details about the family and culture in which you grew up.
(23:10) What led you to open your heart and mind to the idea of God?
(33:07) You returned to France as a young Christian, what did the next 5-10 years look like for you?
(41:28) How has the way you read Scripture been impacted by living in numerous cultures around the world?
Quotes to Remember: "My dad in particular, was a very strong atheist, but it was something I had researched and decided to take as my worldview."
"I ended up giving my life to the Lord, which was a painful process, because this girl is very full of self."
"My baptism was the stone of remembrance of this is what the Lord has done for me and my faith. At that moment in time it was real and that did keep me through very dry seasons in France."
"I was not seeking God. I was perfectly happy in my atheism, I did not have any awareness of a God shaped hole in my heart....I was so unaware of self, that God had to break that little by little."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
104: Susie Rowan | Bible Study Fellowship, Executive Director
99: Jen Wilkin | Women of The Word
79: Amy Carroll | Sharing Your God Story
50: Rebecca Bender | Freedom From Human Trafficking
Connect with Stephanie Rousselle at www.gospelspice.com
or on Facebook
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer join me to discuss the abuse of power in the church, creating a goodness culture, and how the western business model has negatively impacted the church. Topics they wrote about in their book A Church Called Tov.
Questions Scot, Laura and I Discussed:
(3:39) Your family attended and served at Willow Creek Church for a number of years. What were some strengths and weaknesses you observed while attending?
(7:33) The two of you have written A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing. Laura, will you share a bit of the back story that led you to write this book?
(15:47) "We form church cultures, but we are simultaneously formed by the cultures we've helped form." In relation to the church, Scot unpack that a bit for us.
(18:56) What are a few early warning signs of a toxic church culture?
(22:57) Something I have witnessed personally is the mis-application of Matthew 18, which you write about in Chapter 3 of the book. How is Matt. 18 mis-applied in abuse culture and how is it to be appropriately applied?
(30:17) What is Tov? And how is it more than a works based goodness?
(34:28) The portion that particularly struck me was how the western business model has taken root in churches. The focus has become achievement and accomplishment rather than holiness and Christlikeness. Unpack that a bit for our listeners.
(42:13) As we close, what would you say is a good first step to take if you are a member of a church and are experiencing that feeling of "ugh...I think this may be happening in my church"?
Quotes to Remember: "When people are confronted with their sins that are shocking, and will destroy their ministry they do certain patterns."
"Good characters produce good cultures, and bad toxic characters produce toxic cultures."
"If I see loyalty, constant building up, bragging about the church, and the pastor, and the musicians, I'm going to be suspicious, because they're holding people up at a level that is going to detract from Christ."
"Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit. It is also a term used a lot in Judaism. But it is a term that makes Christians scared."
"If you are connected to Jesus, you are connected to someone who is all together tov (good), and if you spend time in the presence of someone who's all together tov, you'll be tov-er."
"We would go to these training sessions led by Bill Hybels, and he called it Fill. He wanted your section to fill. It was all about inviting people in and making sure that the seats had bodies in them."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
94: Mary DeMuth | Hope After Sexual Abuse
97: Hannah Anderson | Goodness and The Lost Art of Discernment
101: Paula LeJeune | When God's Love and Adversity Collide
Connect with Scot McKnight on Twitter and at Jesus Creed
Connect with Laura Barringer on Twitter
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Cheri Jimenez joins me to discuss Safe Families for Children, supporting families in crisis, and the various roles people can fill to help a family in need reach a place of stability.
Questions Cheri and I Discussed:
(4:16) Share a little of your faith journey with us. How did you become involved with Safe Families for Children?
(7:40) What is Safe Families for Children? What is the purpose and the mission behind Safe Families?
(13:27) How does Safe Families for Children differ from foster care?
(18:57) If someone is listening, who is interested in getting involved with Safe Families, what are some of the volunteer roles they would fill?
(25:27) How does Safe Families get connected with families in need?
(30:37) Will you share 1 or 2 impact stories of families here in the Raleigh area who have come along side a family in crisis?
Quotes to Remember: “I was brought up in a Christian home, we have a wonderful spiritual legacy. My grandparents were missionaries in Haiti for 46 years….Yy parents took over the work and the late 90s.”
“They [parents] maintain full custody. This is not something mandated by the state. They do not sign their children over…. They allow us to keep their children, so that they can make those changes necessary.”
“If we didn’t have a support system where would we be? So many of the individuals we serve just need help. So we are able to step in and through our host families…host their children while the parents get the help that they need.”
“This [Safe Families for Children] isn’t foster care.”
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
37: Dr. Lindsay Hinson | Foster Parenting
48: Tori Hope Petersen | Hope for the Foster Child
28: Jodie Berndt “Praying The Scriptures For Your Children
64: Natalie Maxwell | A Story of Special Needs Adoption
Find out more about Safe Families for Children
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Susie Rowan joins me to discuss her journey through Bible Study Fellowship, encountering God through His Word, and pivoting an international ministry during a pandemic.
Questions Susie and I Discussed:
(3:46) How did you come to know Jesus as Savior?
(6:05) What prompted you to first begin attending BSF?
(8:45) You are the current Executive Director of BSF and have served in various other roles in the BSF organization. Will you share a bit of that journey with us?
(15:16) What are some of the things that you have changed in BSF to help engage future generations?
(20:50) What are some of the shifts you have had to make as an organization as a result of coronavirus?
(24:53) What is the study model of BSF?
(28:25) What would you like to say to the woman listening who may still be struggling to commit to an in-depth Bible Study for whatever reason?
Quotes to Remember: "I gave my life to Christ on Sunday morning during the preaching of the gospel by a local pastor in a local church. I love to encourage pastors by saying, 'God saved me during the preaching on Sunday morning'."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
99: Jen Wilkin | Women of the Word
95: Nancy Guthrie | God Does His Best Work With Empty
28: Jodie Berndt "Praying The Scriptures For Your Children
Connect with Susie Rowan at www.bsfinternational.org
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Pastor Andy George joins me to discuss pastoring a multi-site church through the pandemic. We discuss challenges, unexpected blessings, engaging an online community, and how people can support their local ministry leaders.
Questions Andy and I Discussed:
(5:23) We are quickly approaching 1 year of living during a pandemic, which means you are approaching 1 year of leading a church during a pandemic. How has your life and ministry changed during this time?
(9:05) What have been some of the biggest challenges of leading during this time?
(12:45) What have been some of the unexpected blessings of leading during this time?
(19:02) What does pastoring an online community look like in comparison to a traditional congregation?
(28:23) What has been/is one of your greatest fears for your congregation?
(34:01) In what ways, can congregants (in this case me) come along side their pastors to support and encourage them?
(39:29) Any final words you would like to share with followers of Jesus who find themselves struggling to return to their local church or engage online?
Quotes to Remember: "My biggest fear for our congregation is that they're just going to get apathetic, that they just have gotten so used to not attending church in person." SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
63: Mazi Robinson | Managing Anxiety
61: Daniel Messina | Jesus as King
68: Doug Gamble | Learning to Rest
Connect with Andy George on Twitter and IG
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Christopher Yuan joins me to discuss his journey from being an agnostic gay man in prison to a follower of Jesus, who now teaches the Bible at Moody Bible Institute and travels around the world with his parents speaking on faith and sexuality
Questions Christopher and I Discussed:
(1:48) I have briefly introduced you, but will share with our listeners a little about the work you do on a day to day basis?
(3:03) What was life like for you growing up?
(4:41) In your early 20’s, you came out as a gay man to your parents, which you and your mother write about in your first book Out of A Far Country, tell us more about that experience.
(14:51) It was through realizing she was a sinner that your mom was able to begin loving and accepting you, but you went the opposite direction. You were in dental school and began making some really destructive choices. Tell us what happened that led you to read the Bible and a little about your journey from prisoner to Bible professor?.............................
Quotes to Remember: “We were in the office [Dean of the Dental School], all four of us and my mom told the dean, ‘It’s not important that Christopher becomes a dentist. What’s more important is that Christopher becomes a Christ follower.”
“She realized that nothing is more important than our children following Jesus, even more important than education, even more important than career.”
“Before my dad left, he wanted to give me his very first Bible and I threw it in the trash can. That’s how much I despised it.”
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
76: Rosaria Butterfield | Radical Hospitality
77: Rosaria Butterfield | Christian Identity, Intersectionality
98: Katherine James | A Son’s Addiction & A Mother’s Love
52: Nick Stumbo | Discovering Freedom From Pornography
91: Mary Flo Ridley | Let’s Talk Birds and Bees
Connect with Christopher Yuan on Twitter and christopheryuan.com
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and www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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Paula LeJeune was born into adversity. She was born a conjoined twin, underwent more than 30 facial surgeries, lived with an abusive father, yet she has experienced the love and grace of God throughout her life.
Questions Paula and I Discussed:
(4:00) Adversity is a word that can be used to describe your literal first breath on earth. Share about your birth and the adversity you and your mother faced.
(6:38) What were your early childhood years like? (surgeries, family life, etc.)
(9:53) Did you grow up in a Christian family?
(14:01) Did you ever get the feeling that people in your congregation new their pastor was abusing his family?
(15:14) When did you personally decide, despite all that was going on, I believe that Jesus is my Savior, he is the one that can redeem me?
(16:55) As we all know, tween and teen years can be difficult and even more so if your appearance is outside of what kids perceive as "normal." What were some of the things that affected what you believed about yourself, what you believed about God, and relationships?
In addition to the adversity that came along with all of the facial surgeries, you dealt with adversity at home. We all want home to be our safe place, but sometimes home is a place of fear and abuse. Share a little of the adversity you had to overcome at home.
(21:40) Did you ever have anybody in your life that kind of helped keep you going?
(23:16) What was your deepest longing through those long years of surgeries and scarring and recovering and more surgeries and how did God meet the longing through Clifton?
(32:08) What do you think kept you serving in your dad's church as an adult, even though you knew that he was really a fraud?
(33:54) What was it like taking over the church that you grew up in, where your dad was the pastor?
(39:10) For the woman listening who may be in the midst of adversity, how would you encourage them that their current circumstance does not have to be their future?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: The Perfectly Imperfect Princess: An Un-fairy Tale Gone Right by Paula LeJeune
Lisa Whittle: Ministry Strong
Related Episodes:
94: Mary DeMuth | Hope After Sexual Abuse
57: Kristen Hatton | Redemptive Parenting
64: Natalie Maxwell | A Story of Special Needs Adoption
Connect with Paula LeJeune on IG
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The host of Grace Enough Podcast, Amber is interviewed by her oldest son and daughter about her journey over the last two years, which includes 100 episodes.
Questions Discussed:
(4:00) How do you find who you want to interview on the podcast?
(5:10) How do you think up all your questions?
(6:10) How do you feel when you get a big interview?
(8:12) How do you feel when you think it’s gonna be a really good interview, but actually turns out to be boring?
(9:41) Can you tell us what it’s like to record, get ready, and post an episode of the podcast?
(11:49) Is there an episode, it doesn’t just have to be one, that the message was so amazing you felt like you were there with them?
(14:09) What was your favorite episode of the podcast?
(15:58) Has there been an episode where you didn’t really know what the guest was talking about?
(16:37) Who do you want to interview in the future?
Quotes to Remember: “Why are they listening to [the Grace Enough Podcast]? And my response was to be encouraged to take the next step of faith, knowing God is faithful, even if it looks different than expected.”
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
99: Jen Wilkin | Women of the Word
52: Jonathan Gibson | Proclaiming God is Good After Infant Loss
90: Hillary Morgan Ferrer | Empowering Kids t0 Challenge Cultural Lies
Follow Grace Enough Podcast on IG and FB
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www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Jen Wilkin joins me to talk about diving into the Scriptures and the risk of a diet made up of mostly devotional reading vs. God's Word.
Questions Jen and I Discussed:
(1:41) When did you come to know Jesus?
(3:15) What prompted you to begin leading Bible Studies and what did those early days look like?
(7:36) How would you encourage busy women who struggle to spend time consistently reading and studying the Bible?
(12:06) Your books, particularly Women of The Word and None Like Him, have been "go to" resources for me in my own time with Jesus. What led to the writing of those books?
(17:04) You recently wrote a piece titled, "Your Devotional Is Not A Bible." Share a little about that piece and the importance of not using a devotional as a substitute for God's Word?
(19:53) As we close, if someone is listening today and simply feels discouraged when they think about reading the Bible, what are a few simple steps that can take to begin?
Quotes to Remember: "I remember [when] one girl showed up, because everybody else had something that came up. And so I taught one girl in my living room, and we just started going through books of the Bible."
"I think there's a myth out there that personal Bible study time is the sweet spot and the reality is the Bible is meant to be understood in community. There is a role for personal study time, but but it to be pointing us toward a shared conversation around the scriptures."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
95: Nancy Guthrie | God Does His Best Work With Empty
96: Alisa Childers | Truth In Response To Progressive Christianity
35: Sharon Hodde Miller | Why We Love to Be Liked and How God Calls Us To More
Follow Jen Wilkin on Twitter and at jenwilkin.net
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www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Katherine James and I discuss her journey of loving her son through his addiction and the magnificence of God during some of the darkest days.
Questions Katherine and I Discussed:
(3:34) You have 3 grown children whom you used to pray for while looking up at Orion‘s belt. Take us back to that time and share a little about those prayers, your hopes for your little people and what your family’s life with Jesus was like at that time.
(6:19) Eventually, you discovered your youngest son was heavily addicted to drugs. Share a little of that discovery with us.
(11:59) In A Prayer for Orion, you frequently reflect on the guilt parents feel as they raise their kids: “Parenting was supposed to be if this, then that. We would raise them right and they would be all right” How did you work through the guilt and shame you experienced being both a parent of an addict and a Christian?
(15:53) What would you say to parents who struggle with guilt or feel as if they somehow failed their kids?
(19:31) Your home became a welcoming place for your son’s friends who were also addicts. You and your husband welcomed and loved, “The Lost Boys.” What did you learn from opening your home to those who were walking through addiction?
(25:05) While reading A Prayer for Orion, I could feel the heaviness of evil and the hope of God. Describe the tension between evil and magnificence you refer to in the book.
(25:58) Let’s close with the moment when “what if” became “even if.” Even if Sweetboy didn’t survive a heroin overdose, everything would still be okay. Share that experience with us.
Quotes to Remember: “He was always a great kid at home. There wasn’t any sense of rebellion or anger.”
“The unique thing about drugs is it’s unpredictable. That’s one of the particularly difficult things about it… you don’t know if it’s going to come back or not….There’s just this, I have to trust You [God]. What I’m trusting in, isn’t the way that things are going to turn out. What I’m trusting in is that You are who You say You are, that You have not lied to me.”
SHOW NOTES continued
Related Episodes:
28: Jodie Berndt | Praying The Scriptures For Your Children
57: Kristen Hatton | Redemptive Parenting
71: Krista Boan | Tips For Parents In The Digital Age
Follow Katherine James on Twitter and at katherinejameshome.com
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Hannah Anderson joins me on the Grace Enough Podcast to discuss the pursuit of goodness, derived from the character of God, and how it helps develop discernment in us.
Questions Hannah and I Discussed:
(6:37) You have described the digital age as disorienting. What do you mean by that?
(13:28) As Christians our initial response is often to close ourselves off to the world and the news and live in a bubble that we perceive as safe, but you challenge your reader to take up Paul’s charge to the Phillipians. Share a little about that with us.
(19:54) In my limited experience, what I have found is people really don’t understand discernment. In your book, All That’s Good, you take the reader on a journey of understanding discernment. For someone, who may struggle to understand discernment in practical terms how would you break it down?
(31:57) We have taken the word goodness and attached a definition to it. That is we aren’t good. There is nothing in us, which is good, which is true, but that’s not what you’re talking about when you’re talking about. Goodness, it’s not about earning God’s favor, as much as it is God’s image in all people. Tease that out for us.
(39:19) “We miss a world of good, beautiful things because we are so worried about making ourselves good and beautiful that we don’t have time to see that God has already made us good and beautiful through His Son. And we miss His good gifts because we are too busy trying to earn them.” If you could charge the listener to go into the world, into challenging and uncomfortable situations and seek out the good, what final thoughts would you share with them?
Quotes to Remember: “I don’t think we’re any more naive or gullible than any other time in history, but we just have a lot more that we’re being asked to process.”
“So for Paul, the pursuit of silencing the chaos in our minds is not withdraw, it’s engagement in a certain way. It’s engaging with the world, looking for things that are true, honorable, just pure, lovely, commendable and excellent…. Instead of just staying away from the bad things, I want you to learn what goodness looks like, because then you’ll be able to see it, and then you’ll be able to move toward it.”
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
90: Hillary Morgan Ferrer | Empowering Your Kids To Challenge Cultural Lies
52: Jonathan Gibson | Proclaiming God Is Good After Infant Loss
40: Tim Challies | Spiritual Discernment
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Alisa Childers joins me to discuss progressive Christianity and her journey of rebuilding her faith after being taught by a progressive pastor.
Questions Alisa and I Discussed:
(5:21) You have walked with Jesus a long time and as an adult you experienced a faith crisis when you began attending a Sunday School class led by one of the church pastors. Will you share a bit of that story with us?
(9:22) What were some of the steps you took to dig in and research if you what you had believed as a Christian was true?
(14:24) It was not a university professor that challenged all you believed, but a progressive Christian pastor. What is progressive Christianity and what are some of their core beliefs?
(18:24) Share a little about what you discovered when you began to research why the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God?
(31:07) How do progressives view the Bible?
(34:49) Listener Question (Erica): What are some buzz words or red flags that may point toward progressive Christian thought?
(39:10) Progressive Christianity can be very subtle changes made to God’s Word and often seem true and good and right. How do you encourage Christians to educate and prepare themselves to interact with progressive Christian claims?
(47:31) We are both commanded to love God and love our neighbor. How are these commands being misinterpreted by progressive Christian thoughts and ideas?
Quotes to Remember: “So the Christianity that I grew up with was very wholistic…it wasn’t just a Sunday thing and it wasn’t just a church thing. This was something that we lived as a family.”
“The pastor invited me to be a part of this small class situation that he compared to seminary…. In the context of the class, the pastor early on, revealed that he was actually agnostic and that really kind of shook me…because by this point I had come to respect this guy, and really trust him as a pastor….Over the course of about four months, just about everything that I ever believed about God, and Jesus, and the Bible, in particular, was picked apart and explained away.
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
90: Hillary Morgan Ferrer | Empowering Kids To Challenge Cultural Lies
77: Rosaria Butterfield | Christian Identity, Intersectionality
Episode Sponsor: SHOP NOW at Hope & Vine Enter GRACE-2020 at checkout for 15 % off.
Follow Alisa Childers on YouTube and at alisachilders.com
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www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Nancy Guthrie joins me to discuss how God filled her emptiness after the loss of baby Hope and Gabriel, how God demonstrates He does His best work with empty through the Scriptures, and her passion for God’s Word.
Questions Nancy and I Discussed:
(8:32) God Does His Best Work With Empty was born out of your own personal experience and the respite retreats you lead with your husband. For those unfamiliar with your family’s story of loss and your ministry, will you share that with us?
(15:39) How did the idea that God does His best work with empty come about?
(18:57) You write, “Sometimes your sense of emptiness haunts you as an undefined yet relentless ache. At other times it overwhelms you as an undeniable agony. It is amazing to me how heavy the weight of emptiness can feel, how much room emptiness can take up in our souls, how much pain can be caused by something that isn’t even there.” What are some ways you began working through the emptiness experienced when you lost your children?
(24:26) As you began to trace the theme of emptiness in the Bible, what were some things that jumped out at you?
(28:41) You point out 8 ways God fills our emptiness. One of those is God fills our emptiness with His grace. Will you share how the story of Naomi demonstrates that truth?
(33:08) You clearly love God’s Word and have been faithful to teach it to women in your local church, around the world and now are generously teaching other women how to study and teach it. Share a little of how you’ve seen God develop that love, that passion in you over the years.
(38:35) How do you go about deciding which book in the Bible you’re going to teach?
(43:54) Listener question from Allison McCoy: How do you avoid being moralistic when teaching the Bible, but still make applications for your audience?
SHOW NOTES cont.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: God Does His Best Work With Empty
Biblical Theology Workshop For Women
Respite Retreat
Book: Holding Onto Hope
Book: Hearing Jesus Speak To Your Sorrow
Book: Saints and Scoundrels
Bible Study Fellowship
Book: Even Better Than
Preaching Christ in A Postmodern World: Teaching Seminars by Dr. Tim Keller and Dr. Edmund Clowney
Related Episodes:
52: Jonathan Gibson | Proclaiming God is Good After Infant Loss
51: Vaneetha Risner | When Suffering is Your Story
36: Treva Kuyper | Hope and Healing After Unexpected Loss
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Mary DeMuth joins me to share her story of being sexual abused as a 5 year old girl and how God re-storied her through the ministry of Young Life. Mary also shares how the church can redemptively respond to the sexual abuse crisis.
Questions Mary and I Discussed:
(5:23) You say, "Not only have I been restored, I have been re-storied." Take us back to your childhood and share what happened to you at 5 years old?
(13:03) What were some of those wounds that you carried with you and likely continue to work through today?
(17:27) What were your teens years like?
(20:10) At 15, you met Jesus through Young Life. Tell us about that experience.
(29:00) You have written, "He changed my I was statements into I am statements." Will you share some of those with us?
(31:21) One of your recent books is We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis. First, what are some ways we are missing the mark?
(37:19) As followers of Jesus, what are some ways we can respond redemptively to sexual abuse?
Quotes to Remember: "It's extremely rare for a child to tell, so the fact that I did is surprising, but the sad thing is the babysitter did nothing."
"I was thinking to myself, not a soul in this world cares about me, no one's gonna take care of me."
"I would say the greatest wound is or the greatest manifestation of my sexual abuse.... is disconnection. When all this abuse was happening, I would disassociate and fly away in my mind."
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
71: Krista Boan | Tips For Parents In The Digital Age
54: Nick Stumbo | Discovering Freedom From Pornography
91: Mary Flo Ridley | Let’s Talk Birds and Bees
Episode Sponsors: Heather M. Dixon | Author, Speaker, Bible Teacher BIBLE STUDY: Renewed: Finding Hope When You Don’t Like Your Story
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Lynn Cowell joins me to discuss the importance of being available, approachable, and partnering with the Holy Spirit to develop our children's gifts, particularly our daughters.
Questions Lynn and I Discussed:
(5:16) Share how you came to know Jesus
(6:33) Take us back to when your daughters were young. What were their personalities like?
(9:33) What were some of the intentional steps you took to develop a strong relationship with them at a young age?
(12:10) How did you experience the benefits of that as they became teens and now adults?
(19:09) One of the biggest fears I face is the fear of not having a close relationship with my kids as they get older and become adults. How would you encourage someone like me, who has an 8 year old daughter, to develop that strong mother/daughter relationship in the early years?
(23:58) In our world today there are so many conflicting messages for young girls and women about what makes you a strong woman. When you began facing that reality as a mom, how did you teach your daughters about being kind and gentle, yet bold and courageous?
(31:40) What do you hope a girl walks away with upon completion of your Loved and Cherished devotional?
SHOW NOTES cont. Related Episodes:
28: Jodie Berndt "Praying The Scriptures For Your Children
90: Hillary Morgan Ferrer | Empowering Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies
91: Mary Flo Ridley | Let’s Talk Birds and Bees
89: Meg Glesener | Casting Vision For Your Family
57: Kristen Hatton | Redemptive Parenting
69: Sam and Amber Cullum | Sabbath As A Family
71: Krista Boan | Tips For Parents In The Digital Age
34: Dr. Michelle Deering | Mother/Daughter Relationships
Episode Sponsors: Spiritual Seeds Planner Heather M. Dixon | Author, Speaker, Bible Teacher BIBLE STUDY: Renewed: Finding Hope When You Don’t Like Your Story
Follow Lynn Cowell on Facebook and at lynncowell.com
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Ted Turnau and Jared Moore join me to discuss how becoming familiar with pop culture and discussing it with our children actually helps them engage their world for Christ.
Questions Ted, Jared and I Discussed:
(5:14) What led you to write the pop culture parent?
(9:24) How do you define pop culture?
(10:41) Christians tend to avoid or forbid anything related to pop culture, whether it be R-rated movies or secular music, what are some of the dangers in taking that approach?
(12:18) Ted you've said, “Popular culture shapes imagination and inner worlds. It creates connections between them and their friends. They need parents to help them see how the gospel shines in contrast to what the world offers. They need training in discernment and wisdom as ambassadors of Christ to their friends. They need to learn the cultural language of the land to which God calls them: their own culture.” How can we go about engaging popular culture with our kids now to help them see the gospel in contrast to the world?
(22:40) For the parent of a toddler or early elementary child that may be listening, provide an example of how they can engage their child in their interests now to begin laying a foundation for more spiritual conversations later?
(33:34) Will you walk us through the 5 Simple Questions to ask about popular culture?
(41:21) What final encouragement do you have for parents?
Quotes to Remember: "Popular culture is not the equivalent to bad culture, which is what a lot of Christians take it to mean." -Ted
"This is a popular culture world that we live in. Do we want to train our children to live in this world? Or do we want to train them to live in a world that doesn't exist? You can't evangelize in that world that doesn't exist. We live in this world and so let us train our children to be in this popular cultural world but not of it."
-Jared
SHOW NOTES cont. Related Episodes:
71: Krista Boan | Tips For Parents In The Digital Age
90: Hillary Morgan Ferrer | Empowering Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies
91: Mary Flo Ridley | Let's Talk Birds and Bees
89: Meg Glesener | Casting Vision For Your Family
28: Jodie Berndt “Praying The Scriptures For Your Children
57: Kristen Hatton | Redemptive Parenting
Episode Sponsor: Heather M. Dixon | Author, Speaker, Bible Teacher
BIBLE STUDY: Renewed: Finding Hope When You Don’t Like Your Story
Follow Ted Turnau on Twitter: @tedturnau
Follow Jared Moore on Twitter: @JaredhMoore
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www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Mary Flo Ridley joins me to talk about simple, foundational conversations to have with our children, ranging from toddlers to teens, that will shape their sexual health for years to come.
Questions Mary Flo and I Discussed:
(4:25) Even in 2020, I have conversations with friends who cringe when it comes to having the “birds and bees” talk with their children. We deal with questions like when is it the right time, what should I say, and so on, but Birds and Bees is all about getting rid of this idea that this is a one-time conversation in parenting. What are you hoping to see in exchange?
(9:12) Let’s begin by talking to the parents who have toddlers, what is a conversation pattern they can establish to show their children they are the loving authority on the topic of their bodies?
(13:36) What are some key conversations and general language parents can practice with their elementary age children?
(19:11) The average age someone first sees pornography is 11 yo and are as likely to see it accidentally as on purpose. How do you encourage parents to deal with discussing pornography with their children?
(27:20) For parents of middle and high school age children (or really all young parents), talking about masturbation and puberty feels daunting. How do you encourage parents to address this topic?
(32:30) Birds & Bees offers a curriculum. What can one expect if they use your curriculum?
(36:15) Do you have any encouragement for the parent who feels like they are “behind” or have failed to create an open dialogue surrounding sex and our bodies?
(39:38) Lastly, what are some books and other resources you would recommend to parents on this topic?
Quotes to Remember: “What is the main thing you want your children to know about sex? If they’re growing up in your family? If you could give that answer in one sentence? What would that sentence be?”
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
71: Krista Boan | Tips For Parents In The Digital Age
54: Nick Stumbo | Discovering Freedom From Pornography
90: Hillary Morgan Ferrer | Empowering Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies
Episode Sponsor: Heather M. Dixon | Author, Speaker, Bible Teacher
BIBLE STUDY: Renewed: Finding Hope When You Don’t Like Your Story
Follow Birds & Bees on IG and at birds-bees.com
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www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Hillary Morgan Ferrer joins me to discuss some myths that Christians are tempted to believe when it comes to children and their faith. We also talk how to help our kids recognize false messages, the chew and spit method, linguistic theft, and the R.O.A.R. method that has been so helpful in my journey of separating truth from the subtle lies that bombard us daily.
Questions Hillary and I Discussed:
(3:35) Define apologetics and why you’re so passionate about parents embracing the role of apologist in the lives of their children.
(6:00) What are some of the myths we, as followers of Jesus, are tempted to believe when it comes to our children and their faith?
(16:50) Share a little about helping our kids discern truth from lies, what you deem the “chew and spit” method.
(29:38) In Mamabear Apologetics, you devote a whole chapter to linguistic theft. What is linguistic theft and how are we seeing it play it out right now in our culture?
(38:13) You advise parents to gain a clear understanding of each “ism” so that we can recognize which one is affecting our children. Will you share an overview of the “ism”s you are referring to and why it is important to know them?
(45:53) Lastly, there is no question we are living in a post-Christian culture here in America. Share the ROAR method with our listeners to help them address the lies we face on a daily basis.
Quotes to Remember: “We have this idea that faith is this feeling that we conjure up when we don’t know something, but I’m just gonna believe it anyway, despite the evidence. That is a horrible definition of faith. A better definition of faith is if we go back to Scripture, to Hebrews 11:1 where it says faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. So anything that makes you more sure and more certain increases your faith. It’s the idea of responding to available evidence.”
SHOW NOTES cont.
Related Episodes:
49: Jeremy Pryor | Family Teams
57: Kristen Hatton | Redemptive Parenting
71: Krista Boan | Tips For Parents In The Digital Age
81: Tricia Goyer | Calming Angry Kids
77: Rosaria Butterfield | Christian Identity, Intersectionality
Follow Hillary Ferrer and Mamabear Apologetics on Facebook and listen at Mamabearapologetics.com
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www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Meg Glesener joins me to discuss some practical ways to cast vision in your family, how it empowers your children to focus on the big picture and how it promotes family unity.
Questions Meg and I Discussed:
(5:29): Today, we are going to talk about casting a vision for your family. Give our listeners a little background about the family you grew up in and how you came to know Jesus.
(16:07) What led you and your husband to begin intentionally casting vision in your family?
(21:59) In your family, how did you go about casting vision? (Together, as individuals, etc.)
(28:47) How did having a family vision help you and your children?
(30:18) For the listener, who is feeling the nudge to cast a vision for his/her family, what steps would you encourage them to take?
(35:48) What are some final words about family vision casting you would like the listener to take away?
Quotes to Remember: "My childhood was pretty messy. In my in our home growing up there were so many strikes against me."
"I think when you take that extra time to build an environment of love and teamwork, and we're all serving God together when they're young that carries into their teen years."
"Casting a vision happens in the non-confrontational moments when the kids are the best versions of themselves, and they want to participate."
SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned:
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The 7 Habits of Happy Kids
Related Episodes:
49: Jeremy Pryor | Family Teams
28: Jodie Berndt "Praying The Scriptures For Your Children
57: Kristen Hatton | Redemptive Parenting
69: Sam and Amber Cullum | Sabbath As A Family
81: Tricia Goyer | Calming Angry Kids
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Taylor Schumann joins me to discuss surviving a school shooting, the long work of healing and trauma recovery, gun reform, thoughts and prayers, and her faith in Jesus.
Questions Taylor and I Discussed:
(2:25) Before we fully launch into your story tell us a little about your faith journey with Jesus. When did you come to know Him?
(3:20) Take us back to 2013 and share with our listeners what happened to you on that day and how your life was forever changed
(14:54) What were some of the hardest things you faced in the days and months following the shooting?
(19:51) In a Christianity Today article you wrote, "I have a complicated relationship with thoughts and prayers." Expound on that a bit for us.
(25:48) You are passionate about holding the American Christian church accountable to its pro-life claims. In your experience, how does pro-life accountability involve gun reform?
(34:08) For those listening, who are tempted to stop listening or look away or launch into all of the BUTS that come along with gun reform activism what would you like to share with them?
Quotes to Remember: "The bullet went through my left hand"
"He attempted to shoot through the door a second time, but it missed me."
SHOW NOTES continued
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Mike Savage joins me to talk about how Jesus wrecked and saved His life while serving 15 + years in prison for international money laundering.
Questions Mike and I Discussed:
(2:58) To set the stage for your story, tell us a little about your childhood working your way through getting married and your first few jobs.
(6:53) You end up being labeled as “a criminal mastermind” and often joke about how that can’t be true, because you got caught, describe your job to us and how the phrase “it’s a slow fade” is true of your plunge into money laundering.
(13:21) Your wife, Cynthia, stayed with you, despite having absolutely no idea about your criminal activity. So go back and tell me a little bit about what your family life was like, while you were living this criminal lifestyle and she was clueless. And then what was it like those two years where you weren’t in prison, but you were being investigated?
(30:02) So you end up in prison for 15 years, where you surrender your life to Jesus. Walk us through how you came to know Him.
(35:52) The day arrives, when your time served is complete. What was the first year out of prison like for you and your family?
What does your life look like today? How do you and Cynthia use your experience to point others toward Jesus?
Quotes to Remember: “I knew everything that was going on. She knew nothing.”
“I actually was praying, even though I hadn’t been saved, I’m still praying, ‘God, please get me out of this. Please get me out of this.’ And He did get me out of it. I went to prison. I was found guilty.”
Related Episodes:
33: Steven Elliott | A War Story
SHOW NOTES continued
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Karen Swallow Prior joins me on Grace Enough Podcast to discuss the impact reading good books can have on our journey with Jesus, particularly as it relates to cultivating virtue and helping us read and understand Scripture.
Questions Karen Swallow Prior and I Discussed:
(4:30) In your newest book On Reading Well you write, "Just as water, over a long period of time, reshapes the land through which it runs, so too we are formed by the habit of reading good books well." In light of that quote share a little of your backstory with us. How did you come to know Jesus and what are a few memories you have of books shaping your faith?
(6:55) The subtitle of Reading Well is "Finding the Good Life Through Great Books." What is the good life and how does reading great books help us to discover it?
(9:15) For many, the word virtue may not resonate, but when we define it as behavior showing high moral character my hope is ears perk up. Talk to us a little about cultivating virtue in our current culture and some practical steps we can take to be purposeful in this area.
(13:07) What do you think it is about reading a book with a character who is virtuous? How do you think that inspires us to really live differently?
(15:19) As followers of Jesus we hold Scripture in highest regard. How does reading other great books help us read and understand Scripture better?
.......
Quotes to Remember: "For me, love of books and love of Jesus are so intertwined, I can hardly disconnect them."
"As I grew older, and became more interested in the mind, and the intellect that books cultivates, I didn't see a lot of space for that in the church. And for a long time, I didn't see how the two went together. It really wasn't until I was completing my PhD that I, through a number of circumstances, figured out, wow, the love that I have for words comes from the Creator of the Word."
SHOW NOTES CONTINUED
Related Episodes:
35: Sharon Hodde Miller: NICE: WHY WE LOVE TO BE LIKED AND HOW GOD CALLS US TO MORE
79: Amy Carroll | Sharing Your God Story
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Markus Watson joins me on the Grace Enough Podcast to discuss his journey of being falsely accused the vortex of darkness he entered and truly understanding and believing he was/is God's beloved.
Questions Markus and I Discussed:
(5:46) You grew up in a Christian household in Los Angeles. What was it like living in a large city like L.A., yet being the pastor's kid?
(10:53) After college you return to Hollywood to begin living out your childhood dream. Walk us through that experience and what happened that led you to make a 180 degree career turn.
(15:17) Tell us about your first ministry position in Union, Kentucky
(17:27) In 2007, you moved to San Diego to accept a lead pastor position. Several years into your role life really came to a crashing halt when a member accused you of having a pornography problem. Walk us through that time line and how long it took to be found innocent of those false charges.
(23:52) Did you constantly think, does everybody around me think that I'm doing this?
(31:47) How did your family deal with the accusation and months long process?
(41:16) You would call the false accusations and investigation a dark night of the soul experience. During that time you truly learned and believe you were/are the beloved of God. Share some of the books resources that helped you during that lonely time.
(46:31) Your passion is to help the people of God learn to participate in God’s mission of restoring shalom in the world. What does that mean to you and how are you going about doing that in your day to day life?
Quotes to Remember: "I got involved in Campus Crusade for Christ... It was transformative for me. I learned how to share my faith. I learned how to lead a Bible study, I learned how to give a talk and found I really enjoyed doing that."
"I loved it [seminary]. As soon as I started taking those classes, I just remember thinking to myself, Oh my gosh, I can't believe I get to learn all this stuff. It felt like I was exactly where I needed to be."
"I need to let you know that someone has accused you of having a problem with pornography."
"I fell into this vortex of darkness. I was scared. I was angry. I was angry, in part because we have a process for dealing with accusations and he wasn't following the process."
"I have a few points of light in the midst of that darkness. One is my friend Kevin, who was my accountability partner. He really went to bat for me during that time."
"It's interesting how in these situations, it's like light and darkness together, right? And somehow God works through that."
"Then, I had this picture in my mind of me just sort of sitting in a prison cell having lost everything, my job, my ordination, my family, my reputation, everything. And then, I just heard God say, 'But Markus, you might lose everything, but you will never lose My love for you.' That's the one thing no one can ever take away from you. And that was an utterly transformative moment for me because I understood God's love in a way that I had never understood it before."
"It's not about earning God's love. It's just about surrendering to it."
Resources Mentioned:
Beyond Thingification: Helping Your Church Engage in God's Mission by Markus Watson
Covenant Eyes
Life of The Beloved by Henri Nouwen
The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen
Abba's Child by Brennen Manning
Surrender To Love by David Brenner
Desiring God's Will by David Brenner
Renovated by Jim Wilder
Spiritual Life and Leadership Podcast
Related Episodes:
84: Sandy Cullum | When Your Faith Walk Changes
29: Jan Johnson | Spiritual Direction, Hearing God's Voice
54: Nick Stumbo | Discovering Freedom From Pornography
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Ep. 84 of the Grace Enough Podcast, Sandy Cullum joins me to talk about cultivating a prayer life through thanksgiving, quiet and Scripture prayers. We also discuss her journey of doubt and darkness and how she has learned God never left her.
www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Questions Sandy and I Discussed: 1. (4:19) Tell us a little bit about your childhood and how you came to know Jesus. 2. (836) Fast forward to being a young mom living back in Florida. What were your days like and how were you involved in ministry during that time? 3. (15:03) Something I have said time and time again is, "I believe your prayers for me and Sam long before I was a part of your family literally changed my life and continues to do so." Share with our listeners a few tips on cultivating a prayer life. 4. (30:22) You were in the middle of your "dark night of the soul" when Sam and I got married, but what I have heard about the Sandy prior to that season in your life is Jesus was truly your best friend and it was obvious. Share a little about what happened that led to your season of wrestling with all that you believed to be true. 5. (1:03:50) What does your relationship with Jesus look like today?
Quotes to Remember: "People have asked me how did you become such a woman of prayer? And I was like, because I couldn't handle life. I couldn't handle life. I was desperate."
"I had an advantage then, because we didn't have much money. And even though I have this full library now, I had almost no books, then. I had no internet and having the internet alone makes is this huge resource that's there that you can turn to first. Instead of turning to God first."
"I would say that practicing daily Thanksgiving, although people see it as a separate spiritual practice, is a huge part of prayer."
"I needed to keep my mind on what I did have, instead of what I didn't have and thought I needed. I needed that practice of writing down in journals every day, things I was thankful for, and being able to see it in front of my eyes. You might think that's not prayer, but if you're keeping any kind of a thanksgiving paper on your wall or a log of some sort, or you have it as a daily practice, that's prayer."
"Cultivate quiet. That's what I see as by far the biggest challenge for people today in our culture, social media, all the streaming that's available, our phones constantly going off. Prayer is as much listening and hearing what God is saying to us, as it is what we're saying to God. And if our phone is constantly going off, then we don't have...enough quiet space in our life, to let Him speak to us."
"When you pray those kinds of prayers for people, God changes your heart, and you're able to then accept things that may come into your life or their life that you wouldn't have asked for."
"If you just get in the habit of reading Scripture out loud, then you'll find yourself more easily moving into the Scripture prayers that God's Spirit is directing you to."
"One night when I was coming home from the Bible study, I remember it was raining and I remember I just started almost shouting, 'God, I want them to know you. I want them to know you like I know you. And I was praying for my husband. I was praying for Kyle and his wife, Michelle, and I was praying for Sam and I was praying for his future wife. And when I prayed that prayer, I knew that reality was changing and that my whole family as a result of that prayer was stepping into or through a different door."
"I was writing Father, I need you to show me the Scriptures I need now. I feel so lost, so unable to hear you or help my family through my intercession for them. Father, Who can I talk with about this? Who will understand and point me and push me in the right direction? Save me, save us, Lord, save us from ourselves."
"Prayers that I prayed back in 2003 and 2004 and 5, in 2006 God was holding in that bowl. You know that bowl of incense, which is the prayers of the saints, to release them later in my life, I wrote as late as March 29, 2006, 'I wonder if I will ever wholeheartedly believe in the God I used to know again? If my thoughts about God will ever again resonate with certainty rather than sound hollow and empty, like a whisper of a long ago dream? Oh, God have mercy on me. And so those prayers that I had prayed for Sam and his wife, I couldn't pray during this time. But God was holding them from the time when I had been able to pray them, and He was working them in your lives, because He's not bound by time and He's at the center of all time and sees it all."
"God was so faithfully patient with me...David asked me..., 'Sandy, are you a Christian?' I would think about it, I would answer him, 'I don't know if I'm a Christian, but I know that God hasn't left me' and I couldn't make rational sense of that with Scripture."
"I was having a fresh look at the cross from within the lens of Isaiah 53. Not just that our sin that He took upon Himself, but our suffering that He took upon Himself, and that the suffering took upon Himself was largely the result of God's respecting our free will."
Scripture References: Revelation 21: The River of Life
Ephesians 6: Spiritual Warfare
Ephesians 3:14-21 "...may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ" (18)
Psalm 103
Nehemiah 1
John 17Jesus prays for His disciples and all believers.
Isaiah 50: 4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Isaiah 53
Resources Mentioned: * 2004 THE DANGEROUS PRAYER - WHAT WAS MY DEEPEST DESIRE? * One of my earliest attempts to untangle the web of knots within me * God on trial in my inner courtroom and the most powerful witness * One Gift from my Season of Doubt: Seeing Suffering through a different lens * Face to Face: Praying the Scriptures for Intimate Worship by Ken Boa * Face to Face: Praying the Scriptures for Spiritual Growth by Ken Boa * Praying God's Word: Breaking Free from Spiritual Strongholds by Beth Moore * Praying The Scriptures For Your Children by Jodie Berndt * The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian * The Soul of Shame by Dr. Curt Thompson
TWO BOOKS TO USE LIKE DEVOTIONALS TO HELP YOU STAY ROOTED IN GOD'S CHARACTER AS YOU PRAY:
- Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler
- Praying Through the Names of Jesus by Tony Evans
SANDY'S TWO FAVORITE BOOKS ABOUT PRAYER:
- FINDING THE HEART'S TRUE HOME by Richard Foster (very accessible) Use as a guide, 21 short chapters, each about a different type of prayer. Thoughtfully reading it will stretch your conception and boxes of prayer - it will invite you to an ADVENTURE - not another duty or task on your to-do list.
- LISTENING PRAYER: LEARNING TO HEAR GOD'S VOICE AND KEEP A PRAYER JOURNAL by Leanne Payne Here's what Dallas Willard said about it: "An intensely practical book based on the author's rich experience of how to live now as a servant of Christ and His Word. There is nothing in print that surpasses it in this regard, and perhaps nothing that equals it."
Related Episodes and Previous Episodes Mentioned: * 28: Jodie Berndt "Praying The Scriptures For Your Children * 36: Treva Kuyper | Hope and Healing After Unexpected Loss * 10: Faith Raider | Confessions of A Roadkill Christian
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Chrystal Evans Hurst joins me on the Grace Enough Podcast to discuss prayer and how it is simply accepting God's invitation to join Him in conversation.
Questions Chrystal and I Discussed:
(4:20) Share a little of your faith journey with us. How did you come to know Jesus?
(8:02) As we begin to talk about prayer, share with our listeners how prayer changed you during one of the hardest seasons of your life.
(12:05) As followers of Jesus prayer is how we communicate with Him. I think it is safe to say we long for a consistent, unceasing prayer life, but often get caught up in the "how-to's" or feel guilty about constantly asking God for more. How can we move beyond that and develop prayer habits that lend itself to intimacy and conversation with Jesus?
(19:15) How can we have peace in the waiting?
(22:28) Why do our prayers matter for more than just us?
(26:06) If you had the opportunity to sit down with your great grandchildren, what is some wisdom that you would like to share with them?
Quotes to Remember: "He can handle my questions. He can handle my anger. He can handle my grief. He can handle my my disappointment in Him, that He didn't do what we were asking him to do. And by coming to Him and continuing to come to Him, whatever that looks like, whether it's the disappointment, it's the grief, it's the frustration, it's the anger or if it's just, today was a rough day, and I want to make sure that You know that I know You were here for all of it.... The God of the universe has said, listen, I went through a lot of trouble to make sure that we could have fellowship."
"There are a lot of people who've been talking to God for a very long time. Is there anything that I'm going to say to God, a question that I'm going to ask, a frustration that I'm going to have, a grief that I'm struggling to handle, a disappointment that I'm struggling to deal with? Is there anything that I could say or ask God that he hasn't heard before? Probably not?"
"God has already started the conversation. He's already said, by virtue of the sacrifice of His son, and by the delivery of the word, I want to have a conversation with you."
"If you think God is...worth your time, then you talk back. You talk back. All prayer is is an invitation to enter into a conversation."
"Conversating with God is not supposed to be obligatory it's supposed to be relational. Just enjoy the conversation."
"Maybe the question is, instead of who's prayer warriorring for me? The question is, who am I the prayer warrior for?"
Scripture References:
David: A man after God's own heart 1 Sam. 13;14, Acts 13:22
Cattle on a thousand hills, Psalms 50: 10
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Eph. 3:20
Resources Mentioned:
Sister Circle Retreat
Tony Evans
28 Day Prayer Journey
George Muller
Episode Sponsors: Beloved Women’s Online Conference, October 10,2020 Website: www.belovedconference.org With Love Bomi website: https://www.withlovebomi.com
Related Episodes:
28: Jodie Berndt "Praying The Scriptures For Your Children
Connect with Chrystal Evans Hurst at chrystalevanshurst.com
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Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith joins me to discuss the 7 types of rest and the impact depletion in one or more areas can have in your day to day living. She specifically addresses sensory rest, social rest, creative rest and the difference between sleep and rest.
Questions Dr. Saundra and I Discussed:
(4:51) Since publishing a podcast episode with my husband on how we Sabbath I have been asked what we mean by practicing Sabbath or intentional rest. In your book, Sacred Rest you write, "Time chimes in loudly over the roar of our anxious minds, initiating a battle between warring fears and courageous rest. Aborting rest empties me of everything holy. It strips me of the ability to treasure life and peels away the value of being." Dive into those words a bit and share your journey of intentionally pursuing rest.
(10:00) Something I LOVE about your book is the 7 key areas of rest you share and how to determine what area you may be lacking in. Will you share those 7 areas and touch on a few ways to determine what type of rest we are missing?
(17:07) What is the difference between rest and sleep?
(19:12) Tell us about rest quiz.com.
(23:50) Something that is vital to rest is setting boundaries. How can we go about creating boundaries when it comes to rest?
(29:37) Being a physician, what are some overall health impacts a lack of rest has on our bodies and brain function?
(32:07) Let's say someone has a sensory deficit, what is a good thing for them to do?
SHOW NOTES continued
Related Episodes:
69: Sam and Amber Cullum | Sabbath As A Family
68: Doug Gamble | Learning to Rest with Intention
67: Dr. Matthew Sleeth | 24/7 ER Doc to 24/6 Sabbath Rest
49: Jeremy Pryor | Family Teams
Connect with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith at IChooseMyBestLife.com and DrDaltonSmith.com.
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SPONSOR: Beloved Women's Online Conference: October 10, 2020. Click HERE for more information and to register.
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Tricia Goyer joins me to talk about tools she uses to help calm angry kids. She is the mom of 10 and has experience with biological children, foster children, and adopted children.
Questions Tricia and I Discussed:
(5:56) Your story is saturated with the love and grace of God, so I don't know where to begin besides asking you to share a bit of your faith journey with us?
(16:36) As a 17 year old you prayed, "God, I have screwed up big time. If you can do anything with my life please do" and He has done so much. What are some of the ways you have experienced God's answer to that prayer?
(20:51) You are a momma to 10 and have the experience of single parenting, biological children, foster children and adoptive children. With that said I know you have experienced a range of personalities, so we are going to hone in on the message of one of your many books, "How to Calm Angry Kids." Share with us a few things you have learned about anger
(30:40) What are the typical responses when anger rises in a child and why is it important to identify the typical response of each of our children?
(36:26) What are some ways we can help our children process the emotion of anger?
(39:58) Our home environment matters and sometimes as parents we don't realize the environment is increasing the anxiety and anger response in our children. What are some common environmental factors that parents can identify and adjust to help create a more calming environment?
Quotes to Remember: "When you acknowledge their emotions, then they're able to jump from the reactions to the conversation and move from the emotional part of their brain back to the thinking part."
"Three ways [ respond in anger] are flight, fight and freeze, and so flight is they're just going to take off because the emotions are so overwhelming....Fight is they're going to stand their ground, the adrenaline's pumping and they're going to fight and argue....Freeze is another one I think we don't recognize as much, but they're the ones that will withdraw into themselves."
"I really had to remind myself, I don't do well if someone's nagging me, but if someone's praising me and telling me I did a good job I'm gonna do it [well]. So that has made a huge, huge difference in our home environment. When I feel myself wanting to nag I'll say, what can I praise them for?"
SHOW NOTES continued www.graceenoughpodcast.com/shownotes
Visit www.triciagoyer.com to connect with Tricia.
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Kia and I chat about
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Amy and I chat about learning to listen, leveraging your feelings, and sharing your story in your day to day life by making your words consistent no matter who you are around.
Questions Amy and I Discussed:
(5:40) Share a little of your faith journey with us. How did you come to know Jesus?
(8:34) Your work focuses on coming alongside women who long for both a tender heart, steeped in God’s Word, and a strong voice that speaks up for Him in their world. How do you go about equipping them for this call?
(20:05) You also encourage women to leverage their feelings when it comes to sharing their story. What does that mean and how would someone go about doing that?
(28:20) Most Christians have a desire to share their story with others, but are often paralyzed by fear. How do you encourage women to share their life with Jesus with others?
(37:27) If you had the opportunity to sit down with your great grandchildren, what some wisdom you would like to share with them.
Quotes to Remember: “My new tagline is tender heart, strong voices, because I really believe that God is calling all of us….to use our story, our voices for Him in the spaces that we live, wherever we have influence, in our household with our children, in our neighborhoods and communities, in our workplaces and story is such a powerful way to share God’s truth.”
“God has been teaching me to really, really listen, because if we want to use our stories, to connect with other people, we have to know their stories first.”
“One of the big things that I’ve learned about listening is listening is not agreeing. This used to be…my big problem. I felt like if I listened to someone, and they were saying things that I didn’t agree with, and if I didn’t speak it would be as if I agreed. And I have learned that is not true. Listening is not equal to agreeing, listening is equal to love.”
“I think as Christians we are called to be aware of what is going on in our world, and where to engage with the pain of people who are suffering around us and to know the stories of people who don’t have a voice so we can help share those.”
“The power of story is it connects people. And I think our faith stories is just simply sharing whatever God is doing in our lives.”
“If you would tell a story about what God had just done in your life to your Christian girlfriend, why don’t we tell these stories to our next door neighbors.”
Resources Mentioned:
Proverbs 31 Ministry
Grit -n- Grace Podcast
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
Out of The Salt Shaker And Into The World
amycarroll.org
Exhale by Amy Carroll and Cheri Gregory
Breaking Up With Perfect by Amy Carroll
www.graceenoughpodcast.com
Visit www.amycarroll.com to connect with Amy
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Lisa Goldberg joins me to chat about her journey from a marriage of hurt and deception to hope and redemption. We talk about the hardest part of fighting for her marriage after discovering her husband's infidelity, how God had been softening her heart long before the discovery and the way they use their experience to encourage other couples through Stay Side by Side Ministry.
Questions Lisa and I Discussed:
(5:07) How did you meet your husband Steve and what was marriage like in the early years?
(8:39) Eventually, you discovered your husband was having an affair. Will you share about that discovery and what life looked like in the months following?
(20:01) Did your husband immediately agree to go to counseling? Was it easy for him to walk away from his mistress? How was that process for him?
(23:23) What would you say is the hardest aspect of the journey of choosing to fight for your marriage after infidelity?
(25:46) Tell us a little about how Steve ended up coming to know Jesus?
(27:31) Your experience led to Stay Side by Side ministry, because you desire for all marriages to be God-centered and thriving.
(30:12) What do you do as a couple to protect your marriage now?
SHOW NOTES continued
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You can listen to {Part 1} EP. 76: Rosaria Butterfield | Radical Hospitality.
{Part 2} Rosaria and I dive deep into the topic of intersectionality and how that type of identity thinking differs from Christian identity.
1:50 You often speak and write about intersectionality. Will you define intersectionality for our listeners?
Rosaria summarizes what led to intersectionality.
"Most people did not realize that for decades and decades and decades, there's been a conversation going on in the universities and that conversation basically is this, your identity is rooted in the things you don't have that you want, and the things that you need to have in order to be fully formed. In other words, intersectionality comes from this idea that who you really are, is determined by how many victim statuses you can check off and liberation can only be had if no one disagrees with you."
Obergefell decision
"But in 2015 in the Obergefell decision, which was the Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage in all 50 states, there was an additional, kind of beefing up of a clause that inserted this idea...of dignitary harm. This idea that people are harmed or done like violence to their person, not only because of material things that are denied them, but because their dignity has been insulted or hurt. So now with intersectionality, it isn't just race, class and gender... it could be ageism and looksism."
Intersectionality and The Church by Dr. Rosaria Butterfield
Two ways in which intersectionality is at odds with the gospel by Denny Burks
Intersectionality as Religion… It’s infecting evangelicals too by Denny Burks
SHOW NOTES continued
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Rosaria and I chat about her conversion, experiencing Christian hospitality as a lesbian professor, how her family practices hospitality, and how hospitality and the gospel go hand in hand for her.
6:42 For those who aren't familiar with your books and your story, briefly share with our listeners how you came to know Jesus "The Lord saved me 21 years ago, and at that point, I was living in serially monogamous lesbian relationships. I was a tenured professor at Syracuse University in English and women's studies, and was the co author of our domestic partnership policy, which was the forerunner for... gay marriage, both the Obergefell decision and prior to that all the little state ones. I've always had a burning desire to be a truth teller and to understand the truth. I had a sticker on my desk that said, 'I'd rather be wrong on an important point than right on a trivial one.'
I just really wanted to know why Christians hated people like me and why they just wouldn't leave consenting adults alone. So after my 10 year book was written, I started working on a book on the religious right. And in the process of that met a pastor, who was also one of my neighbors name is Ken Smith. He and his wife Floy and I became friends. And they entered my world, I entered their world....So there has this Christian world and their hospitality and my gay world and my hospitality and it had enough of a familiar sense that it was not terrifying to walk into that world and that fact that they were willing to walk into mine. Well, it was that that really allowed them to put the hand of this stranger called Rosaria into the hand of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."
9:51 Hospitality is woven through your story from your years in the LGBTQ community to being welcomed in to Ken and Floy's home to eat and to dialogue with a couple who had vastly different beliefs than you to how you interact with your current neighborhood. How did previous models of hospitality help shape your families current model? "What we were practicing the Bible wouldn't necessarily call hospitality because that has a particular Christian grounding to it. What we were practicing was a kind of liberal communitarianism. We wanted to create a community that was bound by certain values and was willing to show up in hard places. The gospel is more than that. The gospel is that. But if the gospel isn't more than that, then it's not the gospel. Because what hospitality is, is it's welcoming a stranger to be part of your neighbor connection and then by God's grace, watching neighbors, come to Christ and become part of your family....there's a there's a difference between liberal communitarianism and hospitality."
"Every layer had so many idols attached to it. It was the idol of feminism. There was the idol of lesbianism. There was the idol of being a tenured professor at an important research university. There was the idol of my students and my dissertations that I had to direct. There is the idol of the books. There were so many idols and you know what, you don't come to Christ with your idols. Well, I mean, you do, but then they have to be destroyed."
SHOW NOTES continued
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Jessica and I chat about walking forward in faith after rejection. We discuss changing the narrative surrounding rejection, being humble, and growth that can result.
3:10 Share a little about your faith journey with us. How did you come to know Jesus? 6:48 Today we are going to talk about how to keep walking forward in faith after rejection. Will you share a time when you experienced rejection and how that experience launched you into this pursuit of helping women know their worth? Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero
11:21 What are some of the things you do now to help women view rejection differently?
Change the narrative
Be humble in the face of rejection
Every time there is a rejection, a no, there is an opportunity to grow
“We still have work in the promise. We still are called to show up. I think that is what we see in David. He still served the king. He played the harp, right? He served his brothers. There was servanthood in the midst of the waiting and even when Saul was after him, he still wanted to serve him… There is this heart posture that we need to get to in in that process of waiting.”
“A rejection from humans. a no from humans does not mean a no or rejection from God.”
17:48 Are there some questions that you ask yourself after experiencing rejection?
“You can generally ask yourself, what’s going on right now (both parties)? You have to understand both sides. Where is each side coming from? Because the more you can take yourself out of it, meaning, your identity and worth…. then you can start to formulate this kind of subjective view of the situation to be able to learn and grow from.”
“What can I do moving forward?”
SHOW NOTES cont.
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Susan and I chat about how her family vision of the love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself led her and John to begin hosting a Cousin Camp for their 21 grandchildren. We also discuss letting going of the expectation of being appreciated and creating meaningful family connections through extended family gatherings.
1:43 Susan shares about her new book Cousin Camp Free Download: Camp at Home: 100 Practical Ideas for Families
5:06You have 21 grandchildren and have hosted a cousin camp for the past 11 years. Take us back and share what led to the first cousin campand what the week looked like. "We had always prayed for our kids from the time they started coming...that they would learn to love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul and then the second commandment, to love their neighbor as ourself.That's sort of been our family vision as we've raised our children."
"We've now had camp for 11 years, and all 21 of our grandchildren now come, but one of the hallmark traditions is the largest Sunday in our county, Warren County in Virginia. I bought a gutter the first year at the hardware store and then lined it with aluminum foil...and put rows and rows of ice cream and toppings and nuts and whipped cream all down the gutter."
SHOW NOTES continued
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Bethany and I chat about spiritual formation, consistently showing up to meet with God, how she handles questions about being a woman who teaches God's Word, and what led her to seminary.
Bridgetown Church Practicing the Way
3:38Share a little of your faith journey with us. How did you come to know Jesus? "I think there's a lot of merit to just that slow, good work of Jesus in our lives."
5:28What led to you to seminary? Western Seminary
"I feel like my seminary experience had so much to do with God healing me, as opposed to just learning."
"I remember God... saying, Bethany, you can build a kingdom, you have enough charisma....You can build your kingdom and you can have influence and it would be good, it will produce goodness, but if you make that your ambition as a woman in ministry, it will be limited. If you instead yield to the reality that I am one who orchestrates my people and brings fullness of the imago dei, it means you'll have to die a lot more deaths and it will have to be your ambition is really the advancement of the kingdom of God at all costs. Which means you'll have to bow the knee in certain places, you'll have to go lower in certain places, you'll have to withstand things that you don't necessarily want to withstand, but it will mean the expansion of my kingdom on my terms."
Ephesians 4pastoral gifting
14:49What is it like to serve alongside a group of men who do look at you and value you as someone who can teach the Word of God? "I think it really helps that I grew up in a context where my dad has always championed me. My dad's one of the most humble people in the kingdom of God. I remember him always saying, I would sweep the floors of the kingdom, if I could just be a part of it."
"I have prayed every day for friendship and favor with these men largely because I desire that more than I desire a place on the pulpit."
"I would say to anyone who asked me because it's true, he [John Mark Comer] is just as good if not better than you think. He's just as godly and humble and he's perfect? No, absolutely not. Am I? No...Those men I serve with are some of the most humble men I've ever known. They are both my covering and I'm not afraid to say that that's not triggering language for me. They are my advocates and they are my friends."
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Justin and I chat about habits and how they form us. We chat about practicing habits of purpose particularly as it relates to our digital and media consumption.
4:57Justin shares how he came to know Jesus "I did have my serious wanderings in late High School and early College. I describe it as the period for me where I personally never really doubted that the claims of Jesus were true, I did experientially wonder if they mattered and if they mattered to me. Through some significant moral failure, and realizing that I was less happy... and more ashamed, living the way I was living. Finally I had my 'I'm gonna follow Jesus, not just because my parents said', but for myself in early college. And it was really because I started to think about who I was becoming. I realized I don't like who I'm becoming, but I like who my dad is. I like who my parents are. And just because they modeled a life of following Jesus."
7:22You have said, "My habits wrecked me." Share with our listeners a little about what life looked like for you early in your law career and how that led you to develop habits of purpose. "I look back now and I think the house of my life was very sincerely decorated with the Christian content of calling, but I look back now and I also realize that the architecture of that life was exactly like everyone else's. I completely assimilated to all the typical practices of a top 20 law school, an aspiring young lawyer, just busy all the time. Always waking up earlier. Always staying up later. Always adding more. And that worked in a sense. I graduated around the top of my class and got my dream job at an international law firm doing mergers and acquisitions. And, you know, life was going well, of course, until it wasn't."
"How is it that this missionary to law and business became converted to the nervous medicating warrior, and especially in such a short order? The answer for me...was by habit.... After about a year of this, I realized that my my body and my mind, and all the anxiety that wrecked it, was happening because I had finally become converted to the anxiety and the nervousness and the busyness that my habits and routines worshiped. I was being formed in anxiety even while I was in my head clinging to the gospel piece of calling."
"I think our cultural moment is familiar with the significance of worldview. For example, what we believe about the world has a serious impact on our life. But I do think we're less acquainted with the idea that the practical ways we live have significant impact on who we become."
"Our brain becomes attuned to certain habit activity such that our head thinking can go one way, but our habit activity can go the other way and that's very normal. Then, I started digging into the theology of this and realizing that when your head goes one way and your habit goes the other way your heart follows the habit."
"It is possible to believe all the right things, but but very unwittingly, worship idols of productivity, busyness, exhausting yourself to earn the approval of others just through the little habits of the ways you check your emails or never turn off your devices or never schedule a day off."
16:02 The Common Ruleis a way for people to practice formational habits together and today we are primarily going to talk about digital habits. You write, "The smartphone is a tool that enables many things, but it will never multiply our presence." What do you encourage others to do to begin practicing presence? One hour with phone off
"We are often connected to people, but we are very rarely actually present with people."
19:22One of the daily habits you recommend is Scripture before phone. Why do you recommend that? Scipture before phone
"I recommend that and almost everything else I recommend, because of the ways I fail at it."
"We wake up and our heads are asking our phone a really simple question, which is what do I need to do today? But our hearts...this is not totally conscious, or verbalized even, our hearts are asking a really different question, who do I need to become today in order to be lovable? Anything will be happy to answer that question for us, especially the phone."
"Whether we approach our phones looking for love or set out to them to share love makes a world of difference in how we use them. For me, the practice of Scripture before phone is one of those keystone habits to help check myself on what I'm doing when I go to my phone."
Techwise Family by Andy Crouch
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Krista, the co-founder of We Start Now chat about building an internal framework within your child when it comes to values and digital habits. Krista also shares a variety of tips to help parents and families flourish in the digital age.
1:57 Take a moment to introduce our listeners to you, your family, and tell us a little about We START Now A couple of years ago, my oldest daughter was in fifth grade. At that time, the hot Christmas gift was a smartphone and I knew that our family was not ready for a smartphone....I really became concerned about that and started reaching out asking if anybody else wanted to talk about it. What happened was it became a conversation ironically, of a close tiny group of people who started talking about this issue and it grew to 3000 people almost overnight. People who really were talking about what does it look like to give our kids smartphone. How do we get them ready for that? What age is the right age?"
START. It's an acronym that stands for sit together and rethink technology.
5:16 What are some of the key take aways that you applied as your family began to re-think technology? Gabb Wireless phone
"I think that there is a very hopeful, promising movement of the next generation of parents who are beginning to say, we want to do it different and it's gonna look a little bit more incremental."
6:40 I read a study recently that the average U.S. household has eleven connected devices with seven of those, including screens to view content. What are some first steps and things that we can do to really begin to rethink technology? SHOW NOTES continued
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The founder of Better Life Bags, Rebecca Smith, joins me to talk about growing Better Life Bags(BLB) from an Etsy shop to a large company that provides meaningful work for women in her community. We also chat about slowing down to get ahead, the mission of BLB and pursuing dreams in every season.
A Better Life: Slowing Down To Get Ahead by Rebecca Smith
4:40 Share a little of your faith journey with us. When and how did you come to know Jesus? 9:34 Take us back to being a young married woman in Savannah, Georgia and how you ended up in Hamtramck, Michigan. "I was giving micro loans with each bag purchase to a woman who lived in a third world country."
"We moved to Michigan to this little city called Hamtramck. Our point in doing that was we were going to live here for two years immersing ourselves in a different culture. This city is very diverse... There's 26 languages spoken here in two square miles."
"I had never imagined myself going overseas for missions, but I knew God had this heart for the world and I was willing to follow if that was His plan for our life, but I was terrified."
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Sam and I chat about what led us to implement a weekly Shabbat meal and Sabbath rest into our family routine. We discuss challenges and benefits from our experience.
0:34 What led us to begin a weekly practice of Sabbath rest? Sam: “We had started looking at some of the family teams stuff with Jeremy Pryor and Jeff Bethke and some of the research they were sharing about people leaving the faith in western Christendom versus religions like Mormonism and the Hebrew faith….Part of it was that there weren’t rhythms that were part of the standard daily family cycle. And so for me, we were researching that and it really hit me that it was something I wanted to give to my kids to help them see the realness of our faith, but also to give them a practice that gave us an identity as a family.”
3:20 As a family of 5 (3 kids 10 and under) we understand the challenge with actually getting to rest, so what does our weekly Sabbath look like? Our family currently Sabbath’s from 5 p.m. on Friday-12 p.m. Saturday.
Shabbat meal Friday evening followed by 5-10 minutes of quiet time, then family game time.
Tips:
Choose a day that works for your family and can be repeated
Form a habit of removing digital distraction
Make the Shabbat meal special. Ex.) plates only used for that meal, special drink for the kids, table cloth, etc.
Shabbat meal practice:
Stand behind our chairs
Pray
Sing Doxology
Read Deut. 5:15: Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day
Light the candles
Oldest generation present blesses any sons and daughters present
Kids speak Aaronic Blessing (Num. 26: 22-27) over us in Hebrew
As a family we bless one another with the Aaronic blessing
EAT!
Amber: “It’s not an easy thing to do. It’s not like you just wake up in the morning and are like, Okay, I’m going to rest now and it just happens you actually have to plan for rest.”
EP. 49: Jeremy Pryor | Family Teams
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Pastor Doug and I chat about the heart attack that changed his life. He began the journey out of workaholism toward healthy boundaries and consistent practice of Sabbath rest.
The Heart Attack that Saved My Life by Doug Gamble
6:08 Share a little of your faith journey with us. How did you come to know Jesus? "I love the church. I'm quite familiar with all of its flaws and faults, because we're not perfect people. But I do love the church, what it can do what it has done, I still think it's God's best plan on earth."
10:45 There was a point in your pastoral life years ago, where you were just burning it at both ends. Share with us a little bit about what happened during that season in your life? "Religious addiction is not like drugs or alcohol...you know, people like when you're doing good and yet it has the same toxic effect. Workaholism, like most other things, involves lying and stealing. In this case, you're lying and stealing time that should be spent with God, with your wife, with your kids, and you're not practicing good boundaries, like we've learned are so important."
"I had a Christian cardiologist, so I went back to him... [he said,] 'I'm going to help fix your heart, but you and your elders are going to have to totally change your life. You can't be coming in here to my office at 49 as a missions pastor with a heart problem, you're not living right'."
"The reason Sabbath has become so meaningful to me is it's really not well understood in the Protestant world. We think Sabbath as you go to church on Sunday, then you watch football or you go out to the beach or you do whatever you do in the summer or in the winter. [But] discovering the Sabbath is as Jesus said in one of his parables, man wasn't made for the Sabbath, the Sabbath was made for man. And what that means is we need it more than we realize. We tend to think it's a duty. It's not a duty. It's a one day in seven to live differently, so that you can be different the other six days of the week."
SHOW NOTES continued
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Dr. Matthew Sleeth and I discuss how his world view shifted from secular, humanist, scientific to a Biblical worldview after he read a Bible from his ER waiting room. We chat about this shift from being an ER Physician to a Christ-follower who consistently practices Sabbath and cares for the world God created. Dr. Sleeth talks much about the true rest and joy that comes from Sabbath.
5:40Take our listeners back to when you were an ER doctor and share what happened that led you to a career and overall life change. "My worldview, up until that time, was secular humanist scientific. If you couldn't measure it, if you couldn't reproduce it, I really didn't want to talk to you about it. But evil is a spiritual concept. You can't measure it. Goodness knows you don't want to try to reproduce it. But if anybody's seen evil, they know what it is. You can't explain it away. And so I thought, if there's this evil force loose on the world, what's the other side? Where does something good come from? And I had seen good, because being involved in medicine I think is fundamentally good. It's a wonderful career. I love taking care of sick people. I worked in the emergency department my entire career in medicine. Sometimes I'd kind of step back and we could be having a trauma code or something on somebody that we didn't even know who it was....I'd look in and they're just a dozen people throwing everything they had at trying to help and I said, 'This is good. Something here is fundamentally good'. So I went looking for the source of that good. I read through a number of the world's sacred texts. I read the Ramayana, the Bhagavad Gita, the Koran and my kind of quest, if you will, culminated by picking up a Bible one day. I'd never read it. We didn't own one. And I actually took the Bible I picked up in a waiting room.... I said, I've never read this thing and I'm gonna read it."
"In the book of Matthew, I met the Lord, I met Christ and it just hit me like a ball-peen hammer in the forehead that this this person was real and different than anybody else that has ever walked the planet. He is so amazingly human and then at the same time, amazingly inhuman. That's how I met the Lord was in the Bible."
"If our lives are set, and we've got all the knobs tuned where we want, it's kind of hard for the Lord to break into that. It's probably more in the times of chaos, that's when we lean on the Lord that we find out that He's there."
"My theology is that Sabbath keeping is not a condition of getting into heaven. It is not fundamental for salvation. So, Sabbath keeping is not a condition of getting into heaven, it's just a condition that heaven is in if you get there."
17:17After reading through the Bible, what did you discover about God's Words on the Sabbath? SHOW NOTES continued
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Tim and Darcy Kimmel join me on the show. We chat aboutthe legacy of a grandparent, setting healthy boundaries, and grand parenting with purpose
2:10 Tell us a little about your family and Family Matters. 9:13 Your children are grown and have kids of their own. Long before becoming grandparents the two of you were thinking about how to impact the generations coming behind you for the kingdom of God. What were some of the "notes" you took about grand parenting prior to becoming a grandparent? "Grandparents, because of the nature of their generation and their age, have a lot of assets they can contribute, whether it's a healthy or a fractured home."
"I think we figured it out. Why grandchildren get along better with the grandparents and sometimes with their own parents is that they share a common source of annoyance." LOL!!
18:10 What are some ways you grandparent with purpose? Extreme Grandparenting book and video series
"The first thing we can do is give a blessing to our grandchildren. The way we do that is that we help meet three basic needs that all children have. The need for security, the need for significance and the need for strength."
"Three specific ways we can bless our grandkids is always use our words and our actions to appeal to one of their one their three basic driving inner needs. Most parents don't even know their kids have three driving inner needs.... They all need to know they're secure. They all need to know they're significant. They all need to know they're strong or sufficient for the life that they're facing. We can come alongside them using our words or actions, to always give them a secure love, help build a significant purpose into their life, and to represent a strong hope to them for the future. I mean, that stuff's gold to a kid."
SHOW NOTES continued
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Jim and I discuss parenting your adult children, how your role changes, avoiding unsolicited advice, and moving them from dependence to independence.
4:16 Will you share a little of your faith journey with us? "We've been married a long time [45 years]. We write books together. Some people call us marriage mentors, but we have high maintenance marriage. High maintenance is not bad, it just means we got to really keep working at it."
"The Bible says that you inherit the sins of a previous generation to the third and fourth generation. Well, we want to stop that. You can either recover or repeat."
"Really good parents have kids who make some poor choices, at times.... I always like to say, a sinner married another sinner, and then you have sinnerlings."
"Be ruthlessly honest about your own brokenness. You don't have to always focus on it, but but the truth is when you're ruthlessly honest about your own brokenness I think you parent better."
"We who are studying where kids are going when they become adult children. Unfortunately, a lot of them are walking away from faith, yet there's some studies out right now....that are pretty exciting that say if there are faith conversations in the home, there's about a 300% better chance that they'll stay in the faith."
11:27We are going to chat about doing life with adult children. When our children live under our roof we rarely consider what parenting will look like when they become adults. What were some surprises or challenges you and your wife faced when transitioning into parenting adults? "Experience is a better teacher than advice."
19:13You discuss 9 principles in your book, "Doing Life with Your Adult Children." A few being: Your role as the parent must change. You can't want it more than they want it. Let's talk about Principle # 5: Your job is to move them from dependence to independence. What are some common mistakes parents make in this area and what advice do you have for them? "Age 0-2 and say your job with them is caring and you're not going to discipline them. You're not giving them a whole lot of advice. You're just showing care. If they cry, you pick them up. Hungry, you feed them, etc. From two to 10, you do pretty much control them. That's micromanaging in the best way. You aren't going to say to your kids, 'You know what I'm doing this podcast right now, so you guys can go outside and if you want to go over to the mall.' ...By about age 10, you've got to turn into a coach, which means you still lead, you still sometimes take them out of the game....you're still in charge....But at the same time, they've got to make some decisions because they've got to learn you're moving them from dependence to independence. By the time they get to older teenagers, you're almost a consultant. Their day to day decisions should be done by them. There are parents who say, 'Yeah, but you don't understand my kid.' No, I don't and you may have to squeeze in especially if there's addiction issues or sexual promiscuity or things like that, but the truth is they should be making most of their decisions. By the time they're adults, they're going to have to learn to do it on their own....I think a lot of parents miss that. They keep wanting to control. If you try to control your kids as young adults, meaning 18, 19 and 20, when they're not always acting like adults, if you keep controlling them, then you don't give them that chance to experience some of the highs and lows of life and become responsible. No young adult wants you to always give them advice, because they view that as you don't trust them, or you don't think they're grown up enough."
SHOW NOTES continued
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Natalie and I chat about her son's diagnosis and how that experience altered the their lives leading them to adopted 3 children with special needs. Natalie shares how her view of life became filtered through the question: Is this going to matter for eternity?
2:32 Will you go back to when you were pregnant with your first child and share with our listeners what it was like to find out he had a congenital heart defect in utero? "There was kind of an added level of stress on us as a young, newly married couple, but we did have our faith. I remember that first night after me and my husband had cried together and prayed and begged God to heal our baby, just knowing that whatever happened, we were going to give God glory through it, that we wanted our child's life to tell God's story, no matter what that may be, but then walking that out was extremely difficult."
"We went into that appointment having a plan of what our future was going to look like...Then everything was kind of ripped into the unknown. I didn't know who was going to deliver my baby and I didn't know if I was going to be able to hold him after he was born and I didn't know if he would make it through the labor and delivery. So many unknowns and I think that was the hardest part of the pregnancy."
8:04What transpired after Landon was born? 9:50 Eventually, you were led to adopt 3 children who all have special needs/disabilities. I know I am asking you to condense your life into a few minutes, but can you share a little about that experience? "God opened our eyes to how relentlessly short life is, and that it is more precious than we ever realized. Both me and my husband knew we were never going to be the same after this. We had a new perspective on life. It didn't matter where our children went to school or what clothes they wore, or what sports they played, we realized what really matters in life and that's connection.... We realize that all we can take with us into eternity are the lives that we touch. And so that's really the heart of what God led us to adopt. That's the filter that we based every decision after having Landon through: Is this gonna matter for eternity?"
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Mazi and I chat about how anxiety manifests itself, practices to manage anxiety, identifying unproductive thought patterns, and how to overcome them.
5:34You're here today to talk about some aspects of mental health. Something that we're all hearing or reading on a daily basis, during this quarantine and unknowns, is the rise in anxiety in people. Talk to us a little bit about anxiety and what you have seen as a counselor during these times, and how to identify that in ourselves. "One of the things that I've been communicating to clients and talking with other people about is that if you are feeling anxious right now, that's normal. If your anxiety is elevated right now, that's normal. The reason for that is because we are living in very stressful anxiety inducing times, because what we're living in is filled with uncertainty."
"The thing that we have to understand is the way our brain works. Our brains main job is to keep us alive. The way our brain does that is by constantly assessing if we're in danger or if we're okay. One of the things that our brain perceives as dangerous to our being, to our security is uncertainty. So whenever our brain perceives that we are being faced with uncertainty, with change, with something that is outside of our control, our brain registers that as a threat to our being. Our brain immediately sends us into fight, flight or freeze mode, also known as our anxiety response."
Anxiety may manifest as:
- anxiousness, worry, panic
- frustration, irritation, more easily annoyed
- heart racing or pounding
- changes in appetite and digestion
- withdrawing, under functioning
- over functioning
- sadness, depression
- and others
13:25 Once we identify how anxiety manifests itself, what are some practices, some tools we can put into place in our daily lives to help us to deal with it in a healthy way? * Structure: "As human beings, we crave comfort and certainty and structure. What recent events have done is they've taken all that and thrown them up in the air. If you can try to create some sort of structure and routine in your day, that would be beneficial, because it sends a message to your mind of, 'Okay, we're not in control of a lot of things, but we're in control of when we eat lunch. And I know I'm going to lunch at 12 o'clock and I can count on that.' " * Showering (self-care): "It's a way of sending a message to our mind that the wheels may have fallen off the car, but I'm still worth taking care of in the most basic of ways." * Emotional Awareness: "Now's not the time to stuff our feelings. We're feeling too much. There's too much to emotionally respond to and so now is not the time to stuff it and not bring it up or think I'm just not going to deal with it. I'm going to sweep it under the rug. It's really important for us to process our fears, to process our worries, to be emotionally honest with those we are close to in our lives right now." * Remind ourselves of truth: "It's natural for us to feel critical of others. It's natural for some of us to feel critical of ourselves. Why can't I get this routine down? Why can't I figure out this homeschooling. And so just being very aware of when our thinking is turning negative and reminding ourselves of truth? I'm doing the best that I can. This is so unknown. I've literally never lived through this before. So I'm not going to get it right." * Get outside: "Every day we need to get outside and if you don't feel like you want to go outside, then that's the day you really need to go outside." * Consistent face to face connection with people outside of our home: "It is so important that every day we are talking and if we can video see someone, because we are not designed to be physically isolated. And even if you are isolated with your family that still isolation and that in of itself is kind of a different stress because you're with us all the time."
Show NOTES continued ---------------------------------------------------
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Joel and I chat about how the cross defies everything power stands for, the atonement of Jesus, and what the resurrections achieves.
4:30 Share a little of your faith journey with us. When and how did you come to know Jesus? 7:17 As we approach Easter, many Christians are reading the gospels to reflect and proclaim again the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus that saved us from our sin. You co-authored a book Recovering the Scandal of the Cross. What is the scandal of the cross? "That language comes from Paul, from1 Corinthians 1where Paul says that he preaches Christ crucified, a scandal to Jews, and foolishness to the Gentiles."
9:36 What is it about the cross of Christ that defies everything power stands for? "If you look at that text 1 Corinthians 1, why is the cross a scandal to Jews for Paul? The answer is pretty clear, because Deuteronomy 21tells us that anyone who's hung on a cross, anyone who is hung on a tree is cursed by God. So you have this weird, paradoxical, oxymoronic, putting side by side of Christ, which means Anointed One, next to crucified, which by the first century, was read in terms of Deuteronomy 21. Anointed One, cursed one, it doesn't make any sense, right? And you know, Paul picks up on that in Galatians 3, when he talks about Jesus becoming a curse for us."
15:35 There are several theories of atonement, so in your personal study and understanding of Scripture how does the cross literally and effectively deal with sin? "When 1 Petersays that Jesus bore our sins on the tree, then there's the same kind of language being used... back in Leviticus that speaks to the effectiveness of sacrifice in terms of exchange and representation...[S]in and death are transferred to the sacrificial victim. In this case, Jesus, and his purity and his life are transferred to those who receive the benefits of the sacrifice."
"The problem is not outside of us, the problem is inside of us. And so the cross is the means by which we are cleansed from sin, proceeding through death into life that opens up new life."
SHOW NOTES cont.
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Daniel and I chat about various aspects of Jesus life and how it demonstrates Jesus' kingship. We also chat about the woman who anointed Jesus with oil and how she is juxtaposed with the Pharisees.
3:18 Share with us a little bit about how you came to know Jesus and your faith journey. 8:06 Why did God have to kill his own son Jesus? "He creates mankind in His image, what we call the Imago Dei. That image is distorted when man and woman choose to rebel against Him. And because man and woman rebelled against Him, they could not pay for their sin because now they're fully sinful. God requires a perfect sacrifice because he's a perfect God."
Genesis 3:15 : I will put enmity, animosity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring. He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel.
Romans 5:12"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, so debt spread to all men because all sin for sin and deed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted here. There is no law yet death ran from Adam to Moses."
"If I could make it simple I'd probably say this, man sinned. Man had to die, because man could not die, because man is not perfect. Another man had to come. who is perfect to die for us."
13:40 Jesus is teaching parables in the middle of Holy week. He has been anointed with oil by the woman. He eats the last Passover meal with the disciples. There's all this stuff going on before he goes into the garden. What is something that is often overlooked in these verses that significantly adds to our understanding of Jesus as the Promised Messiah? John 19:30-42
Continued SHOW NOTES
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Dr. Chuck Quarles and I chat about the significance of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey colt, the atmosphere during Jesus final week, the passover meal, the brutality of the crucifixion, and more.
4:56 Will you share a little of your faith journey with us? How did you come to know Jesus? "What would your answer be? And my sad response was, well, I've been baptized. I tried to keep the commandments. I try to fulfill the golden rule and he [pastor] gently but firmly said, 'And who is the subject of each of those statements? I. So who are you really trusting for your salvation and forgiveness of sin, Jesus Christ, or yourself? And that began the process of exploring what Scripture talks about the way of salvation and coming to an understanding of salvation by grace, rather than through our efforts."
7:18 Let's start simple, what is Holy Week and what events does it entail? 8:47 In Matthew 20, Jesus was going up to Jerusalem when He predicts His death to His disciples. In Matthew 21, He instructs two disciples to find and bring back a donkey with her colt. The disciples place their cloaks on the colt and Jesus rides it into the city while the crowds gather waving palm branches and saying, Hosanna to the Song of David! Hosanna in the highest! These verses are packed with prophecy and details we so often miss. When you are teaching your students about this portion of Matt. 20 and 21, what are you teaching as key truths and minute details that help us better understand the full story? "The prophecy that's at the forefront of Jesus triumphal entry is Zechariah 9, where the daughter of Zion is told that her king will come riding on a donkey, on the colt of a donkey. The ancient Jews widely recognized this as a messianic prophecy....If you look at Zechariah 9 in context, you'll see that the king who's coming as foretold, is actually Yahweh himself, Jehovah."
"Psalm 48, where Yahweh is praised as the King of Zion. And remember its Daughter Zion, who was told your king is coming to you riding on the goal to the donkey."
Psalm 149identifies the key of the children of Zion as, "Israel's maker, the creator who has founded the people of Israel."
Isaiah 24:23says that the Lord of hosts a reference to Yahweh, using the Hebrew Divine Name, will reign as King on Mount Zion.
Jeremiah 8:19.... the Lord is the king and her is Zion in the parallel
SHOW NOTES continued
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A Prayer Amid an Epidemic by Kerry Weber for America Magazine
Melissa and I chat about the common definition of contentment vs. contentment in the life of a follower of Jesus. We also chat about the enemy of contentment and how that enemy is so often the root of all sin.
4:52 Will you share a little of your faith journey with us? How did you come to know Jesus? Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Sanderson High School
"Jesus found me in a large public high through the ministry of a woman who was there as a teacher."
"That was one of the greatest gifts- the Bible was never foreign to me."
8:34 What was going on in your life that lead to the writing of your book The Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World and eventually the 8 part video teaching? "I realized I didn't have a circumstance problem back in Scotland, I had a heart problem...My heart is constantly wanting more and so maybe my lack of contentment was less about what was happening in my life and more about what was happening in my heart."
11:25 Contentment is defined as "a state of happiness and satisfaction," but how do we define contentment through the lens of the Bible? "I think what we see Biblically is contentment is this deep sense of hope and joy in the Lord and in what He has done that really is insulated from circumstances."
"The heart, in a sense, that is reigned in to God's will for His life, that is the contented heart."
SHOW NOTES continued
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Rachel and I chat about what led them to Africa, her acculturation process, living as a minority and how that has increased her empathy for people who believe differently, what she has gleaned from the practices of her Muslim friends, and her book Stronger Than Death.
3:45 Will you share a little of your faith journey with us? When did you come to know Jesus as Savior? "The older you get the more people you love. The more people you love the more pain there is in the world. Watching God meet me in those trials and meet my friends in their trials my faith has become more of a sense of being with God, with Jesus and less some kind of conviction of right theology or right dogma."
6:28You have lived in the horn of Africa for 17 years. What led you there? As newlyweds, she and her husband lived in an apartment complex in Minnesota where most of their neighbors were Somalians.
They moved to Somaliland in 2003 with 2.5 year old twins for her husband to teach at the university.
9:45 To give our listeners a visual share a little about Djibouti....the religion, the landscape, the food, etc.
Majority population of Djibouti is Somali
Majority religion is Muslim
Djibouti is a desert country on the water
Djibouti is a former French colony
Djibouti is a stable place surrounded by war and challenges
The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden meet, so the underwater life is beautiful.
Djibouti has the hottest climate in the world
13:12 You are a Christian and so often we hear the stories of Christians moving to Africa as missionaries, but for you and your husband it was to teach at a University. In one of the articles you wrote, you share about an early friendship you developed with Amaal, a Muslim woman, which helped you learn much about the culture and religion. Share with us a little about the acculturation process and how Muslim's and other religions interact peacefully in Djibouti. "I've gone through different thought processes of how I think about the character of God and the words we use to describe God or how I practice prayer. I haven't really adopted any Muslim practices, but I have been challenged by them. For example, in prayer...There's a call to prayer 5 times a day. There's mosques all over, so I can hear from work. I can hear it from my house. The call to prayer is basically, come to prayer. In the morning, the man singing it will say, 'Prayer is better than sleep. God is great. Come to prayer.' I can use that to call my own self to pray, to remember God even if I'm not following the exact same motions as a Muslim would...I can use the call to prayer to stimulate my own spiritual life."
SHOW NOTES continued
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Kristen and I chat about redemptive parenting. What is it? How it is different from moralistic and behavior modification parenting? We also chat about allowing your kids to see your sin nature and the value of apologizing to your children.
Redemptive Parenting Podcast
3:30 Will you share a little of your faith journey with us? When did you come to know Jesus as Savior? "The way I see growth now is totally different than what I might have said before. Growth is NOT sinning less and less and getting better and better and doing all the right things, as I might have thought in the past. It is more about seeing our sin rightly....Seeing our sin is a good thing, because it drives us to know more of our need for a Savior."
6:57 What is redemptive parenting? "Redemption is a slave trade term. So when a redemption price was paid a slave was set free, which is exactly what Jesus did for us. He perfectly obeyed all that God required and then gave up His life in our place giving up His righteous record. So, He paid the price for what our disobedience and sin deserved."
Mark 10:45
Romans 3:24
"We were set free, but not without a price. It was God's grace to us."
"A definition [of grace] I really like is God's goodness to the guilty."
"Seeking to live redemptively, or redemptive parenting, I see it as seeking to give grace as we abide in His grace."
SHOW NOTES continued
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Khristi and I chat about what led to the writing of Parable of The Brown Girl, providing a safe space for young girls of color to talk about their experiences, common struggles girls of color face and God’s truth that speaks to those struggles.
6:31 Will you share a little of your faith journey with us? When did you come to know Jesus as Savior? 11:20 You are passionate about providing young women and girls of color with safe and supportive spaces to help them grow and thrive. Will you share a little of what growing up as a girl of color is like and why it is vital to have safe and supportive spaces to help them thrive? “It’s really important for…girls of color that are growing up in spaces, whether they’re in spaces where people look like them or particularly the ones that are growing up around people that don’t necessarily look like them to know that they’re not blending…Sometimes, that whole we’re all one in Christ…can make it seem like we’re all, sort of, this big melting pot….They’re unique and important to the body of Christ. They’re a part of, what I mention in the book, the Imago Dei, the image of God.”
“We can’t comprehend the uniqueness and multi-facetedness of God. Because of that, we put our own limitations on God, as far as what we perceive God to be.”
“If we approached Father, Son, and Holy Spirit the way we do diversity, then we would think we [Christians] were polytheistic. We would be worshipping three gods. Yet, we can easily comprehend worshipping one God with three distinct persons, yet we don’t understand the diversity of the human body.”
16:55 Let’s talk about your book Parable of The Brown Girl. What led to the writing of this book? 20:14 Each chapter of the book covers common struggles women of color face. Struggles like being viewed as angry, not having a voice, being insecure. What has been the response of young women, as they have read and discussed the book? First Reaction of Parable of The Brown Girl Video
Chapter Overview Videos
“She said, ‘I never really felt heard and understood. I felt like you heard me and wrote down what I felt.’….She said, ‘I even got the God part.’….That was the aha moment for me. This is what it’s all about moments….My prayer was always that people, regardless of what the topic is, they can see Christ in it.”
25:32 Not only do you share testimonies of young women of color in each chapter, you follow each story with God’s truth and what He has to say about our voice, our security, our identity and so on. Will you share a few of the truths you shared in the book? Chapter 1: The girl asked, “Why did God make me a warrior, when I am really just weak?”
“The truth that came from that, the spiritual truth, was about strength and weakness and how God, when we’re weak carries our strength. He is our strength, but also that God makes room for our weakness.”
SHOW NOTES cont.
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Nick and I chat about his journey of discovering freedom from pornography, dealing with negative sexual history, normalizing the conversation in our churches and homes, behaviors vs. core beliefs, and how Pure Desire ministrieshelps people find freedom from sexual addiction.
Pure Desire Ministry
4:20 As we begin, will you share with our listener's a little of your story. When did you come to know Jesus? How did you end up working at Pure Desire? "My little brain responded to it the way God has designed our brain to react to that, which is a sense of curiosity, intrigue, drawing, even maybe to level a bonding to what I'm seeing. I'm wanting to see more and yet, at the same time, this repulsion of this is wrong. I can't tell my mom and dad. I don't know what I am doing...Sex came into my life in a way that was both secretive and shameful."
"No one really knew what freedom and hope and lasting transformation looked like, so you go away thinking, 'Okay, this time I am going to try really hard not to go back there,' but because nothing on the inside has really changed it comes back."
"I remember her saying, 'It's not that I hate you, but I hate the way this makes me feel and because I don't know if it is ever going to change...I don't know if I can stay'....Because of that moment of real pain, by God's grace, He used that to direct us into Pure Desire Ministries, where we went through a year of being in groups, both for myself as the one who struggled and for her as the betrayed spouse. And also a year of counseling, that was the first time in my life I sat down with someone who knew the Bible and also understood the human brain and addiction and how all of that didn't have to be contradictory, but it all fit together."
"This was never our plan, but it became, by far, the best discipleship program we ever had"
Setting Us Freeby Nick Stumbo
"It does feel like people are making a moral choice, and they are. I don't want to in any suggest that because we understand the addictive nature of it, because we start to see what happens in the brain, that doesn't in any way excuse us from responsibility, that doesn't mean we can blame it on someone else...But it's trying to help believers see that there's more going on than just try harder and believe more."
"What happens in the church is we see someone's behaviors and we say, 'Stop that! Don't do that anymore! Read your Bible and pray and don't make that decision.' But if we don't help them see the thoughts and feelings that are driving it and even deeper, the core beliefs that in our family of origin or trauma that we've gone through or places we've been wounded...."
SHOW NOTES continued
Pure Desire Ministry
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Beth and Jeff chat about how the enneagram became a useful tool in their marriage, concerns a Christian may have about using the enneagram, how to encourage your spouse to use the enneagram, and how we can use it to become our healthiest self vs. as an excuse for behavior.
EP. 16 with Beth McCord | Enneagram Coach From A Biblical Perspective
4:15 For those who may not know, give a little back story on how and why you began using the enneagram as a tool in your marriage. "Rather than our character defects getting in the way of our relationship they actually became an opportunity to connect with one another."
7:36 The popularity of the enneagram has skyrocketed in recent years and with that has come critique, particularly in the Christian world. Will you take a moment and address some concerns of the believer related to enneagram origins, proper use of the enneagram, etc.? "For Beth and I, the enneagram is a helpful tool, but we believe that it's the gospel that's the power of God unto salvation. It's the gospel that brings transformation. The way in which we teach it is we have either removed, replaced, or redefined anything that doesn't align with a Biblical worldview."
Jeff speaks about "plundering the Egyptians."
"The way the enneagram is taught today is radically different than the way they created it. Think of it less like Joseph Smith's, who founded Mormonism, who spoke to the angel Moroni and created an authoritative text. Think of it more like a professor who had a theory whose student's developed the theory more. It's not something that's authoritative, because you can teach it from whatever world view you bring to it."
"The great thing about the enneagram is it's just clarifying why we think, feel, and behave in particular ways. It's like an x-ray. It shows what is broken, but it can't fix it. That's where the gospel comes in. When I know that my heart is moving in a direction that is not Christ-like I want to come under the submission of Christ and the Holy Spirit and allow Him to transform that negative part of my thought processes and personality traits."
12:22 In the fall, you released the book Becoming Us, which focuses on using the enneagram to create a thriving gospel-centered marriage. Will you share a few ways the enneagram can help a marriage thrive? "It's almost like you have a new set of lenses, a new set of glasses, to be able to see yourself and your spouse. Often times, we have this way of interpreting our relationships, that it's either they're doing something that is intentionally hurtful to me or there is a character defect in me that I can't seem to overcome...It's either their fault or my fault. What the enneagram is helping us understand is that we carry a tremendous burden inside to try and make life work apart from the cross. The enneagram gives us this new understanding that I bring a great gift to my relationship and I bring a particular bent or burden to my relationship."
18:51 I asked my listeners to submit questions they would like the two of you to answer. My friend Heather is working through Becoming Us in her community group. She asked, "How do you get your husband on board?" SHOW NOTES continued
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Jonny and I chat about the loss of his daughter Leila, the questions his son asked about his sister, how that led to the writing of "The Moon Is Always Round" and the goodness of God.
4:55 Will you share your faith journey with us? How did you come to know Jesus? Raised as a missionary kid with Mission Aviation Fellowshipin East Africa
"Some people who come from outside Christian homes, when they're converted it is a bit like a hurricane comes into their life. The Spirit is like the wind, it blows where it pleases. But I think in Christian homes it is still the same Spirit, the same wind that comes in and converts people, but it's more like a gentle breeze. In my case, it was a gentle breeze that blew into my life and re-generated me. The Spirit of God re-generated me and gave me faith in Christ."
7:19 Your children's book The Moon is Always Roundcame to my attention at the perfect time...Tell us, when and why did you began talking to your son about the moon? Catechism:
Q: What shape is the moon tonight?
A: Crescent, Gibbous, etc.
Q: What shape is the moon always?
A: The moon is always around.
Q: What does that mean?
A: It means God is always good.
"It began as a childlike fascination with the moon that led to that connection with the moon."
8:31 Eventually your wife became pregnant with your second child, a baby girl. Will you share that journey with us? "That's really the tragedy [stillbirth of their daughter, Leila] that came into our life as a sudden surprise that we didn't see coming. All of a sudden we entered a world of pain and sorrow that we had only ever heard of and imagined, but here we were in the midst of it trying to navigate ourselves through it."
10:02I share about how I learned about The Moon Is Always Round and the story of my dear friend Andie and her son Ryker James, who was stillborn October 10, 2019.
SHOW NOTES continued
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Rebecca and I chat about the 6 years she spent being sex trafficking in Vegas, her new book In Pursuit of Love, the various forms exploitation and trafficking can take on, the increased risk for those living in vulnerable situations, the necessity of trauma informed care, God's consistent long term pursuit of her heart, and some red flags of human trafficking.
5:03 Rebecca'sstory is one of radical transformation and is shared in great detail in her new book In Pursuit of Love. She takes us back and shares her story of being trafficked as a teenage girl? "I would have never been put in an at-risk youth category."
"I met a guy who had all the answers to all my problems as a young, 18 year old, single mom...There are some real vulnerabilities in that [single, teen mom]."
"I think there is a lot to say about young girls, especially 18-24, who are raised in a culture where sex sells...."
Group Think: the practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility.
"According to FBI, less than 5% of trafficking victims in America are kidnapped."
"In real life it [human trafficking] doesn't happen quickly. It's a gradual expansion. There's no A to Z. It is A to B. The next month B to C. The next month C to D."
Turn out is slang for trafficking a girl.
"Working in the commercial sex industry, even if it is through dancing, through stripping, it's a way to make quick money for people that don't have a lot of options and don't have a lot of choices and feel really trapped and might not be able to wait 2 weeks to pay the rent or buy food."
"Even within strip clubs, women are being trafficked."
Stable is slang for the home the trafficker has multiple victims.
19:12Rebecca shares what a weekend was like when she was being sex trafficked. "It's hard to describe. It felt like my sanity was slipping away from me. I started feeling like I was going crazy and I didn't know how to pull myself together enough to let the dust settle, because the dust never settled. I just needed a minute to think, but the minute never came. You start to feel your sanity slipping away....Just from the mental health of constant physical abuse and the constant fear."
26:56 Rebecca talks about trauma informed care and why is it vital for women and men who have been trafficked? SHOW NOTES continued
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Jeremy and I chat about differences between eastern and western family cultures, choosing a family philosophy, developing family rhythms, and building multi-generational family teams.
5:03Jeremy talks about the multi-generational business he and his wife April started, Just Sew "It grew out of a desire to integrate the generations."
"The biggest problem that plagues people in that stage of life, because people are living longer, is lack of purpose."
7:35Jeremy shares how he came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior 9:45Jeremy talks about his time living in Jerusalem, meeting his wife April, and how their time in Jerusalem shaped their view of family. "In the Christian world we really adopt a western idea of family and Abraham had a very different idea. He cared so much about the descendants and where his family was going and he just seemed to see all of his life through his role as a father or patriarch of this growing family line."
13:58Jeremy dives deeper into how the Bible collides with the idea of the western idea of family "God calls Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Why does He do that? He seems to be really interested in this generational connection."
"In Genesis 1we see the reason why God created the first family, which was He wanted them to accomplish a mission: to be fruitful and multiply, to fill the earth and subdue it and to rule. We know family has a purpose. It is not simply to just be an environment for us to get our individual needs met."
"What was in God's heart when He made this thing called family?
"When you live for generations in a wealthy culture, individualism tends to trump family and then over time the family starts to break down."
18:05Jeremy talks about choosing a family philosophy and the family team philosophy "It's important to understand ideas matter. What you think a thing is matters. You can see this with almost anything in life. What is fatherhood? What is motherhood? What is sonship? These are concepts that whatever you believe...deeply impact how you live, what you build, what you think about..."
SHOW NOTES continued
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Tori and I chat about being removed from her mom's care at a young age, moving from one foster home to another, the circumstances God used to open her heart to Him, discovering God was the father she had always longed for, allowing foster children to be the voice for policy change in our current system, and the longing for discipleship she experienced as a college student in crisis.
Blog: Torisstoris.wordpress.com
Psalm 40:2
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.
5:18 Tori begins sharing her story of growing up as a child who spent a stint of time in a foster home, before being reunified with her mother until age 12. She then returned to the foster system where she lived in 12 different homes before emancipating out 8:35Tori discusses replacing the lies spoken over her as a child with the truth. Mire: a situation or state of difficulty, distress or embarassment from which it is hard to exit oneself
"I am made in the image of God and that is the most important aspect of the truth. It is not about who I am alone, but who I am because Christ made me and because He dwells in me. It has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him."
"Sometimes I get so worried, 'Am I glorifying God?'....God calls us to glorify Him, but He also calls us to enjoy Him. We have to find enjoyment in those little things that are moving us toward God rather than tearing apart those little sins and big sins that are moving us away from God. We can acknowledge those, but ultimately grace has to cover over those."
13:02 Tori shares the events that led to her being placed in long term foster care "There is something about when we are ignoring a blanant aspect of someone's identity we're not learning from them, we're not learning how their fully made in God's image, and then we're losing knowledge not just of ourselves, not just about the neighbor we are supposed to love, but about Christ."
"If you can't sit across the table from uncomfortable, you can not sit across the table from love."
18:47Tori shares what it was like in the her various foster care homes "Often times I say, 'Oh, I went through 12 homes,' and it was difficult, but I learned so much about why people are the way they are. I learned that every good attribute that people have is for a reason and every bad behavior, bad characteristic someone has usually comes from a hurt that has been inflicted upon them."
SHOW NOTES continued
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Katherine and I chat about how she began building relationships with refugee women in our community which eventually led to the launch of an educational workforce program, Hope Threads.
3:52 Katherine shares how her journey with Jesus began Campus Crusade
6:48 Hope Threads employs refugee women living in Raleigh, NC. Katherine shares how she did you originally connected with refugee women and how that led to Hope Threads. Vickery Trading Company
12:26 Katherine shares what a work day at Hope Threads looks like. Northridge Bible Chapel
“Of course, we want to pay them fair wages. We want to empower and equip them, but we want them to know Jesus and we want their kids to know Jesus.”
Windblown Jewelry– Rachel Calhoun
“We all can agree we need prayer, we make that a priority every week.”
17:06 Katherine talks about fair wages “Basically, when you say fair wage you’re saying, above minimum wage in a safe environment.”
18:23 Katherine shares a few of the challenges she faces at Hope Threads Documentary: The True Cost
24:53 Katherine shares what keeps her pressing on “You look all through Scripture and what is He [Jesus] doing? He’s meeting with the Samaritan woman and He’s meeting with and healing the leper and He is with those that are on the outside and He’s bringing them in. That was His ministry. When I’m thinking through my life and how I want to be like Christ and I want to be like Jesus, I can follow what He did.”
“Even the word refugee can be very polarizing for people with all of the politics going on right now. I’ll be honest, I don’t sometimes how I feel about that, but what I do know is that they’re here and they’re my neighbor and we are called to love them and to help them and I feel very passionate about that. Again, His entire ministry, Jesus while He was on this earth, was to bring in the outsider.”
27:33 Katherine shares how someone can help out with Hope Threads and the refugee community here in Raleigh Refugee Hope Partners
Volunteer in Hope Threads children’s program
Shares Hope-Threads with friends and on social media platforms
Sponsorship Program: Training women
31:12 Katherine shares an impact story with us about a few of the women employed through Hope Threads Assimilate or Go Home by D.L. Mayfield
38:02 Katherine shares some of her hopes and dreams for Hope Threads in 2020
We would love to see 25 new sponsors/month
Build community with employees outside of Hope Threads
Expand social media presence
Expand wholesale partnerships
SHOW NOTES continued
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Barbara and I chat about advent and celebrating it with the children in your life by keeping it simple and focusing on a few key truths about Jesus. 2:57 Barbara introduces herself, shares about her time working for BSF, and talks about writing materials for children and families 4:04 Barbara shares how she came to know Jesus "When Christ reached out to me and gave me faith to believe my life was radically changed. His love filled me to the point that His love overflowed to my children."
7:50 Bible Study Fellowship
"When I first started reading the Bible I thought I would open it up and I would hear God telling what I needed to do. It was only as I began to study the Word of God that I realized that the Bible is His voice lovingly directing me to know Him."
"When God calls you to something, as you well know, it is often out of your inadequacy that He says, 'Step forward with me in faith to do this and I will show you that I am trustworthy. It's not about what you're bringing to me. It's about what I will give to you.' As I depended on Him, I experienced His power doing in me and through me what He had called me to do."
Barbara originally wrote devotional's and books for her grandchildren while she was living in South Africa.
Why Christmas?
Why Easter?
Bible Study Fellowship Easter and Christmas helps for children
13:13 Barbara answers 2 questions: 1) What is advent? 2) Why is it important to? "Christmas promises us so much more joy and deeper, lasting truth than tradition ever could."
"Advent is important because it's another time for parents to pass along the great truths of the gospel and to know God's Word has the power to change kid's lives."
A Jesus Christmas: Explore God's Amazing Plan For Christmas
16:09 Barbara shares some practical, non-stressful ways to participate in advent as a family.
"Jesus is the Prince of Peace....He ushers peace into our hearts as we make Him central in our family's life."
"Keep it simple. Keep Christ central in a simple way. It will be far from simplistic. It will just be simple in terms of time and activity."
"We step into the area of trying to make the tradition the main thing instead of keeping Christ central. There's lots of ways to keep Christ central other than sticking to a particular time and method. Don't make it about the method or the system or the tradition. Make it about Christ."
Layer the information.
22:06 Barbara answers the question: Is it possible for young children to grasp the concept of "waiting" for the coming Messiah? "Our children will not understand all of that, but we can try to connect those truths to their world in something they do know." Example: Waiting for a sibling to be born. Waiting for their birthday.
SHOW NOTES continued
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Rebekah and I chat about what her Christian life was like when it was legalistic driven vs. Bible and grace driven. We chat about reading Scripture in context and allow Scripture to interpret Scripture. We also chat about some red flags of Christian legalism.
5:10 Legalism is heavily weaved through Rebekah's story. She shares how she came to know Jesus and what her faith journey was like in its early years? Titus 2: 4-5
Situational ethics can be easy to fall into as a child or new believer.
Deut. 22:5
"I took it personally that my parents were not on board...It was almost a security issue for me. I was basing my identity, my security, and who I was in these beliefs that I thought were thoroughly Biblical."
11:54 Rebekah defines legalism as lived out in her early Christian journey "I was a Pharisee...I would take something that may have been a principle...and I would add to it all sorts of additional requirements."
14:47 Rebekah discusses what took place in her life that led her to begin addressing the legalistic Christian life she had been living? It was the light of Christ in another girl whose clothes did not measure up to her idea of Biblical dress.
17:41 Rebekah shares a few of the beliefs she held that were legalistic driven vs. Bible driven "I would ignore the passage about Deborah."
"I got to the point where I would rather know what the whole cannon of Scripture says and be willing to embrace all of it and allow Scripture to interpret Scripture and be open to whatever it said and allow me then to have to be changed (which is painful, but it's worth it)."
Examples like Huldah the prophetess
21:31 Rebekah shares how fear can often motivate legalism "You have, maybe, a good intention, but you have become so afraid of doing something wrong, that you add all these extra parameters, all these extra barriers to keep you from that. Boundaries are good, but if you make those into law and force them on everybody else, act as if they're what the Bible says, then you have trouble. It was a thing of fear, because I wanted to honor God, but I couldn't just rest in what the Bible actually said believing that if God has not laid down a command in this area, apparently it's okay for there to not be a command....I couldn't rest in that. I had to add to it in order to feel okay, to feel better, to feel safe, and it became a thing where looking back on it, I thought I knew better than God."
SHOW NOTES continued
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Danielle introduces herself and shares about working with Somali Bantu Refugees in Portland, OR while she was attending Bible College.
"That experience changed my life and it upended the way I saw the world...I really had to address these two basic questions: Is my religion really good news for people who aren't just like me?...The second, is my country good news for someone who isn't exactly like me?...That is, sort of, where my life has taken me, since I was 19, on this journey with God trying to ask those questions and having my life be changed mostly by refugee communities here in the U.S."
7:19 Danielle shares how she came to know Jesus. 10:19 The subtitle of Danielle's book Assimilate or Go Home is Notes From A Failed Missionary On Rediscovering Faith. She shares a little how she failed, and what she discovered about her faith. "I have been working in refugee communities now for almost 15 years and I have failed to convert anyone to be just like me. I'm a white, evangelical, middle class American woman and nobody has turned out just like me."
"Then, I was like, now what? In my classes I was never taught what to do when people were like thank you, but no. I sort of had the impression that you are supposed to move on. You are supposed to go find other people. You are supposed to keep going and try to find the ones that will convert and instead I felt God say, 'I want you to stick around. I don't want you to go anywhere'."
Catholic Charities
16:49 Danielle describes a season in life where she began to shift from the kingdom of God as a spiritual concept to the kingdom of God as being here and now, a changing of the world to reflect what God desires. Study how Jesus did His own ministry to further understand the Kingdom of God.
Luke 4
Proclaim good news to the poor
Set the captives free
Recover site for the blind
Set the oppressed free
SHOW NOTES continued
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Brandy and I chat about her extra marital affair and the work God has done in her life during the past 10 years since the affair ended. We chat about the unrealistic expectations we often put on our spouse, destructive behavior we use to numb ourselves, the Christlike invitation from her husband, and pressing in to recovery work.
6:08 Brandy shares how her faith journey with Jesus began
10:07 Brandy shares how she and Matt met. She talks about the early years of their marriage
Youth With a Mission (YWAM)
Discipleship Training Course
Year of Biblical Studies
"When God is pursuing you, you can not outrun Him...but I sure tried."
"We got married in 1995 and I expected that everything from that point on was going to be exactly as I had planned...We're going to have 2 kids. We're going to have a cat and a dog. a white picket fence and he's going to be the spiritual leader and I'm going to be the Donna Reid type of wife....and that is 100% not what happened."
16:45 Brandy shares some of the warning signs in her personal life and in marriage that she can now see were precursors to her extramarital affair
It boils down to unrealistic expectations..."I had the notion somehow that Matt would be able to meet all my needs."
Brandy is an enneagram 4- "I need a ton of validation." Matt is anenneagram 5. "He is very much a thinker."
"I don't fault myself for having those needs, but I fault myself very much for where I was looking for those needs to be filled."
20:09 Brandy shares about how the affair began. We chat a little about the danger of thinking, "It will never happen to me."
Every Young Woman's Battle
Every Young Man's Battle
"One day a door opened and we both just decided to walk through it. And it wasn't anything either of us had planned. It wasn't anything we had set out to do, but it was definitely something...we had both imagined or fancied or fantasized about for years."
23:55 Brandy shares her thought process and ideas about God while involved in the affair
"I was running so far from God....Our marriage looked like it was doing fine. Anybody on the outside would have said our marriage was good. And the whole time I am thinking, 'I am living a complete double life, but if God didn't want this to be happening, then why would He allow all of these opportunities for us to keep getting together. He wouldn't allow it, if He didn't want it to be happening. 'So it was the most bizarre justification you can possibly imagine, because I knew God wasn't approving of this relationship, but it didn't seem like He was closing the doors to it either and for some reason that seemed logical to me."
27:30 Brandy shares about when the affair was exposed
SHOW NOTES continued
Listen to The Road Home To You Podcast with Brandy and Matt HERE.
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Susan and I chat about learning to walk through transition with a sense of adventure vs. anxiety, about setting realistic expectations, and constantly focusing on the character of God.
4:28 Susan shares how her journey with Jesus began
8:36 Susan shares some typical life transitions
Susan’s article: How to Trust God in the Midst of Transition
“You have to learn to change your expectations.”
“It helped me to name it, re-entry. When you return from something special, where you leave responsibilities and you come back to responsibility, just count on being a little blue. Call it re-entry and realize it will go away in three days.”
“We tend to think and live as if stability is the norm. That’s what we expect, when things just calm down, but the reality is life never calms down. We have to switch gears in terms of our expectation. Our expectation is not that stability is the norm, but the reality is transition is the norm…Stability is those rare exceptions. I think the first thing that helps with coping with transition is to realize that this is the norm.”
12:03 Susan shares how she learned to view and walk through transition with a sense of adventure vs. anxiety
"When you are young and a young mom, you have this vision, one day I will get there, to whatever that mystical there is. The there is where you trust Christ. You live in that trust relationship. You don't struggle. You don't have fear. You don't fall a part. We have this unrealistic expectation that we'll get there, but really we'll never get there this side of Heaven. In heaven, we'll be there, because we are fallen people in a fallen world. We're citizens of Heaven, so we will always have this bit of restlessness within our soul of wanting to get there. It is a God given restlessness, because we were created for Heaven, not this earth. The question is, how can we grow in relying more on God and being less controlled by the frantic things going on in our lives?"
One way you can deal with transition is anticipate and plan ahead as best as you can (ex. setting realistic expectations when you go home with baby #4).
Psalm 139: God knows us
"Who is in charge? Not right now. Who is really in charge? God is in charge and He's got my back"
SHOW NOTES continued.
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Tim and I chat about spiritual discernment. What is it? How to grow in it? How it relates to wisdom and more.
5:01 Tim defines spiritual discernment
“The ability to tell what is true as opposed to what’s false on an objective level and then on a moral basis the ability to distinguish what’s right and what’s wrong.”
5:33 Tim answers how one goes about obtaining discernment.
Primarily by spiritual growth, Christian maturity
6:38 Tim answers the question, “Are wisdom and discernment synonymous?”
“Wisdom is a knowledge of the Lord, so knowing who God is and what He demands of us. Discernment is…comparing that [who God is and what He demands of us] to the evil alternative and being able to separate the two.”
7:23 Tim discusses if we can have wisdom or discernment without the other
“One of the conundrum’s of the Christian life is how some people who are so godly in some ways can be naïve in other ways, so I think we both know people who love the Lord deeply and have followed Him for a long time and still don’t seem to have really developed the kind of spiritual discernment we might expect.”
8:48 Tim talks about Solomon and how his life relates to discernment, wisdom, obedience, disobedience, and worldliness
“I do think there are people who don’t fit our neat categories, he [Solomon] may be one of them.”
“God specifically told the kings of Israel not to accumulate women, wealth, or the weapons of war. In all three ways, they’re supposed to be sexually pure and then, when it came to the military, they were supposed to rely on God and when it came to wealth they were not to hoard it. They were to be dependent upon God and be generous. Yet, Solomon was known for his extreme wealth, his great number of wives, and his strong military, so he disobeyed God on a very fundamental level there, so again that seems to be foolishness that he exhibited there or just plain disobedience. Maybe, we’re dressing it up to much. Maybe, he just stopped caring and grew apathetic.”
SHOW NOTES continued.
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Jeannie and I chat about parenting from a place of grace and conviction vs. perfection and condemnation.
4:00Jeannie talks about the season of mothering that led her into writing Parenting the Wholehearted Childand Mom Set Free
"I started on this journey in Scripture, what is His grace and what does it speak into the hard places of motherhood? And then, I just felt like He [God] was inviting me to share that, which I didn't understand, because I wasn't a writer...but as we all know where the Lord calls, He equips." "He wants to set us free from that pressure to get it all right..."
8:09 Jeannie shares what it was like when she parenting with a mindset of "I have to be a perfect example" or my kids will be messed up.
"There was so little joy in the day to day, because I was so focused on me getting it right."
"One of the most beautiful things about grace is God works through our weakness. His goal is ultimately for our children's eyes to be on Him, not on us."
"...Really just learning how to understand my weakness in light of God's grace and know that it's not something to be ashamed of or feel guilty about, but it's always an invitation to return to the cross and say Jesus, 'Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to they cross I cling. Thank you that you never give up on me.' Because grace doesn't just free us. It transforms us."
"It's not a bad thing to want to get it right for them [our children]. But when we want to be on the throne, when we want to be worshipped by them, when we want to be looked at by them as flawless and invincibly, that's where we have to step back and be like, Who do I want on that throne? Do I want you looking to me as your perfect example or ultimately....looking at Jesus?"
15:32 Jeannie shares some of the changes she experienced in her parenting when she began parenting from a gospel and grace filled perspective.
"If there is not internal heart change, all we are doing is raising rebels who will ultimately break free from the laws we put in place that they are confined to. They're performing to expectation, but there is no internal heart change going on. God said, He who began a good work in you will complete it on the day that Jesus Christ returns and so sanctification is a life long process."
"Beauty and brokenness dance."
SHOW NOTES continued.
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Mo and I chat about how God created sex, how honesty about sexual sin defeats the enemies schemes, how God desires a pure heart, and privacy vs. darkness.
5:11 Mo begins by sharing how she came to know Jesus and an overview of what she wrote in her first book Wreck Your Life.
"I knew a lot about God, but I didn't know God and there's a big difference."
High School: "I didn't know who I was or whose I was. I didn't know how that whole Jesus component merged into the other 6 days of the week, so when identity issues came perfectionism began to bind me in a lot of ways."
Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. -Matthew 11:28
"His [God] invitation to me was just begin to give Me the glory. You've lived so focused on self....Look at the things I am doing and we'll go from there."
"I went from this incomplete perspective of God to God in a box..to still this incomplete view of God: I give You the glory and You give me the blessing."
"Suicide suddenly interrupted my story, especially the spiritual side, this faith walk layer. Suddenly this God I had been following and tip toeing with and figuring out and seeing all the goodness of, I felt like was a faros or had abandoned me or was not as good as I thought He was. Suddenly when things didn't feel so good or the circumstances didn't look so good in life I took off running. I ran into depression, into anxiety, into promiscuity, into any sin sized piece I could find to fill the God sized hole in my heart."
John 16:33 says, In this world you will face trouble, but take heart, have courage, I have overcome the world.
"When we know God. When we hunger and thirst for His Word. When we know the character and nature and complexity or who He reveals Himself to be to us , there is a vast difference in how we handle the hardships. There is a divine hope in the valley."
"He will wreck your life to save your life and save your eternal story."
"I will use anything and everything to disrupt your lost journey and point you back home and lead you and intersect your heart and your life."
Be still and know that I am God -Psalm 46:10
25:10Mo shares what led her to write her 2nd book Sex, Jesus, and The Conversations The Church Forgot.
"Scripture says sin is defeated by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony, so I think people seeing they're not alone in something and hearing the radical truth of God all over it has been really neat to see the wave it has created."
SHOW NOTES continued
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Lindsay and I chat about her journey of becoming a foster parent, the need for more Christians to step into the role of foster parenting, and what she would like the biological parents of her foster children to know.
3:52 Lindsay shares how her relationship with Jesus began
6:05 Lindsay shares how she and her husband became foster parents
"In our church, there was a lot of national talk bubbling up about social justice...."
Micah 6:8
West Florida Foster Care
"This organization was going to churches and to Christians and was saying, 'We are in a capacity crisis here and we don't have people stepping up.' Hillsborough County is the worst in the state of Florida, in terms of the number of children that are removed from their homes."
8:29 Lindsay shares some of the fears she experienced prior to becoming a licensed foster parent
Biggest fear: How having a foster child would affect her biological children.
"We've been very open with our kids about why we have chosen to foster, about who Jesus is, and what He calls us to do, and about the lives our children lead and how different they are from the lives of our foster children. How the inequality of justice should spur us on, so our kids our incredible."
SHOW NOTES continued.
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__________________________________________________________________________
SPONSOR: Hope Threads
Click over and check out their new fall line.
This organization was founded by moms in north Raleigh, who have been inspired and motivated to join with highly resilient and talented refugees as they learn English, and develop marketable skills to support their families. These women come from countries with political turmoil, where they had to fight for the safety of their families. They’ve been given the opportunity to come to the United States and the challenges still exist, though they’ve changed face. Their children are generally thriving in school, though they lack the language skills to understand what’s being said in parent teacher conferences….or to know how to get their children proper medical care in the maze of a medical system.
Hope Threads was born out of relationships formed over years of serving these women by teaching them English or caring for their children as they learn. They are graciously hosted by North Ridge Bible Chapel and have virtually no overhead costs, as volunteers teach sewing skills and care for children in a gospel centered children’s program.
You can find them online at hope-Threads.com or on Instagram at hope.threads.
Your purchase empowers a resilient woman as she acculturates, learns new skills, and supports her family. Please visit Hope Threads to view their catalog and for OPPORTUNITIES to SPONSOR refugee women.
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Treva shares with me her story of losing her husband, Jeff, in a tragic car accident. She walks through her grief during the first few months following his death and how God has walked with her and her children every step of the way. She encourages widows and shares of Christ's redemptive work through her suffering.
Raleigh Muralist: Lisa Gaither
4:58 Treva begins sharing her faith story with us and what life has looked like for her the last 5-10 years
She and her husband, Jeff, were married for 22 years.
8:16-17:04 Faith and grief collide in Treva's story. She takes us back to 2017 and walks us through the tragic car accident where her husband lost his life.
"That was something I feared, losing my husband. He was such a good dad, such a great husband, a godly man, very strong in his faith. I used to call him, my Boaz. I didn't think from the abandonment I had already suffered as a daughter that the Lord would ever allow me to be a widow (before 80)."
Treva and her husband, Jeff, did ministry to teens together for 17 years.
"Your dad makes sure you have fun and I make sure you're alive."
17:06 Treva shares about what the months were like following the loss of her husband, Jeff.
"It was the most beautiful act of love that the Lord had for us every day that week. It is where joy and sorrow collide. Where we saw the hand of God so mightily, but in the worst circumstance. I used to always says, 'We have the best scenario in the worst circumstance,' just how God carried us. If I had ever doubted God's love for me or for my kids, it was in those first few months afterwards that God solidified for me who He is and how He loves our children....He doesn't have to have all the pieces that we think He has to have to finish the good work that He started in them."
18:53 Treva shares how her relationship with God changed as a result of losing her spouse, her best friend.
SHOW NOTES continued
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Sharon and I chat about the difference between niceness and kindness, the dangers of making words like authenticity and courage trendy, how God cultivates the fruit of the Spirit in us, and how knowing the depth of God's Word is vital as a believer. Our conversation surrounds her newest book Nice: Why We Love to Be Liked and Why God Calls Us to More.
5:58 Sharon shares how her faith journey with Jesus began
Sharon worked for Proverbs 31 ministrywhen she graduated from college. It was a small ministry at that time with about 5 people on staff.
“I went back to seminary, because I realized I really wanted to equip myself for ministry.”
8:50 Sharon expounds on the first line in her new book Nice: Why We Love to Be Liked and Why God Calls Us to More, “God didn’t call us to be nice.”
The book came from a paragraph she wrote in her first book, Free of Me.
“I was a really good kid. I was a nice Christian girl. I was a rule follower. I was an achiever. I was a people pleaser. That was a big part of my identity. As I looked back, I think all along I felt like I was a good kid, because I loved God and I wanted to honor God. To some extent that was true, but I could also see that it was really rewarding to be a good kid. It earned me a lot of affirmation from all of the adults in my life. I could look back and see these mixed motives in my heart and how that was blurring my identity as a Christian.”
“The more I noticed this [nice Christian mentality] the more I thought this is a false virtue in our culture, but it is also a false idol in the church. We don’t see anywhere in the Bible that tells us to be nice. We are told to bear fruits of kindness and patience and gentleness and love, but nowhere are we told to be nice.”
“We will often excuse sin or dysfunction if a person is simply nice to us. “
“He doesn’t call us to be mean. He doesn’t call us to be aggressive. He doesn’t call us to be divisive, but He doesn’t call us to simply be pleasant.”
15:15 “Nice Christianity looks a lot like the real thing. Jesus says the way you can know it’s not the real thing is look at the fruit it is producing.”
“Some of the fruits [of niceness] are unexpected like self-righteousness. This doesn’t look like niceness on its face, but it is a fruit of it. That was 100% my story, because I was such a good girl, I would think, ‘’Being good is so easy. What’s wrong with these other people who aren’t nice like me?’ Instead of owning the fact that part of the reason I was good was I was a slave to people’s affirmation and approval.”
SHOW NOTES continued.
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Dr. Deering and I chat about common mother/daughter relationships experiences that shape their communication, some tips for addressing a broken relationship and more from her book "What Mothers Never Tell Their Daughters."
4:26 Dr. Deering shares how her personal story plays into the work she does with mothers and daughters.
Her interaction with young moms in her neighborhood prompting her writing the book What Mothers Never Tell Their Daughters.
9:32 Dr. Deering observed young moms complaining about their moms yet repeating some of those same behaviors. She discusses how that pertains to her relationship with her 2 daughters.
"I have owned up to when I have done something incorrectly. I've apologized...I am quick to say I am sorry."
11:15 Dr. Deering shares a few common mother/daughter experiences that shape the way they see each other, which ultimately influences how they communicate with one another.
"How moms and daughters deal with their experiences of difference is key....For instance, the first time a mom will notice her daughter is doing something that's different than how she would think it ought to be done and how that mom reacts to that and in turn how the daughter responds to that or reacts to that. That then, starts a certain dance between the two of them, because ultimately what a daughter wants is to feel accepted and love."
15:49 Dr. Deering shares a few ways mothers and daughters can begin the reconciling process
"I think there is an element (this is not to say anything negative about the body of Christ), but I think sometimes there can be this expectation that reconciliation is the definite goal. Reconciliation actually takes two....It is the same way God deals with us. Jesus died on the cross. It's out there for everyone. It's available....The fix really takes two if you want the full reconciliation, but sometimes it is just one willing to come to terms with some things."
SHOW NOTES continued
Dr. Deering and Curative Connections
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Steven and I chat about being a "good kid", becoming an Army Ranger, his role in the death of Pat Tillman, PTSD, and how the grace of God literally changed his heart.
4:15 Steven begins sharing his faith experience as a child and how he was a "good kid"
"The lens I would describe a lot of my faith journey, I suppose, is through the lens of the prodigal son....In retrospect, as I grew up, I am a good rule follower. I can't stand it if people aren't approving of me. I viscerally need that...."
Steven talks about pride and how the idea of do X and get Y was very appealing to him.
"Going into the military in 2003, I was very much the older son in that story [prodigal son]."
7:55 Steven shares about joining the army in the wake of 9/11 and becoming a Ranger
He describes how one becomes a Ranger in the Army.
11:32: Steven became a Ranger in the 2nd Ranger Battalion based at Ft. Lewis where he was assigned to his platoon. In his platoon were two brothers, Pat and Kevin Tillman.
April 2004: Platoon sent to Afghan/Pakistan border to conduct combat operations (raids and patrols)
12:47: Steven explains what a raid and/or patrol looks like for a Ranger Unit.
15:22-27:40 Steven shares the details of April 22, 2004
"Once the smoke cleared our platoon had sustained 2 casualties (2 dead and 2 wounded). One of those that were killed was an Afghan military soldier....the other who was killed that day was Pat Tillman."
28:00Steven shares how the narrative surrounding Pat Tillman death varied greatly between the American media and what actually happened on the ground
SHOW NOTES continued
Steven Elliott's book: WAR STORY
Elliott Fund
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SPONSOR: Hope Threads
This organization was founded by moms in north Raleigh, who have been inspired and motivated to join with highly resilient and talented refugees as they learn English, and develop marketable skills to support their families. These women come from countries with political turmoil, where they had to fight for the safety of their families. They’ve been given the opportunity to come to the United States and the challenges still exist, though they’ve changed face. Their children are generally thriving in school, though they lack the language skills to understand what’s being said in parent teacher conferences….or to know how to get their children proper medical care in the maze of a medical system.
Multiple barriers exist that prevent these women from traditional employment opportunities, as most of them do not have cars to get them to work, the finances to pay for childcare, or the language skills to communicate and advocate for themselves. Hope Threads was born out of relationships formed over years of serving these women by teaching them English or caring for their children as they learn. They are graciously hosted by North Ridge Bible Chapel and have virtually no overhead costs, as volunteers teach sewing skills and care for children in a gospel centered children’s program.
You can find them online at hope-Threads.com or on Instagram at hope.threads.
Your purchase empowers a resilient woman as she acculturates, learns new skills, and supports her family.
Please visit Hope Threads to view their catalog and/or sponsor a refugee woman.
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Lara and Hayley, the founders of Layers of Dignity, and I chat about how they began donating totes full of clothing and other items to emergency rooms and advocacy centers to be given to sexual assault survivors immediately after evidence collection. We chat about Layers mission to provide hope and connection for survivors, so they know they are not alone.
4:46 Hayley shares about Layers of Dignity(what it is, what they do, etc.)
Tote bag includes:
Brand new outfit
Toiletries
Resources
Love note from another survivor
7:14 Lara shares about how the anger they experienced following Hayley's assault turned to righteous anger, which led to Layers of Dignity
"This anger, it's there, it's purposeful, it makes sense, it is allowed to be there. It [sexual assault] is a thing that is wrong. It is something God weeps over. The anger can happen, but if you just stay there it can get dangerous real quick. Moving it into a righteous anger almost definitely means there is going to be some kind of positive action. We came up with the idea to give clothes to the hospital..."
Vintage Church has been a huge support.
10:05 Hayley shares about their first delivery and how Layers has spread to other hospitals and advocacy centers
InterAct of Wake County
12:02 1 in 6 women will experience a sexual assault or attempted assault in their lifetime. 98% of women will experience symptoms of PTSD during the two weeks after an assault and 1 in 10 sexual assault survivors are male.
Hayley discusses how Layers of Dignityis helping to decrease that 98% experiencing PTSD
"One of our main missions and goals is to be a catalyst for hope and redemption as early as possible and part of that is creating a community. Going through that [assault] is/has been the darkest time in my life and even though I had the best support system....Even though you are totally surrounded, you still feel the loneliest you've ever felt, so I think if you can create a place where you feel known there can be less of that loneliness, which hopefully will lead to less depression, anxiety, and hopefully bring that trauma to a place where it can be dealt with early on."
13:23 They share about the notes included in each tote from a sexual assault survivor
SHOW NOTES continued
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SPONSOR: Hope Threads
This organization was founded by moms in north Raleigh, who have been inspired and motivated to join with highly resilient and talented refugees as they learn English, and develop marketable skills to support their families. These women come from countries with political turmoil, where they had to fight for the safety of their families. They’ve been given the opportunity to come to the United States and the challenges still exist, though they’ve changed face. Their children are generally thriving in school, though they lack the language skills to understand what’s being said in parent teacher conferences….or to know how to get their children proper medical care in the maze of a medical system.
Multiple barriers exist that prevent these women from traditional employment opportunities, as most of them do not have cars to get them to work, the finances to pay for childcare, or the language skills to communicate and advocate for themselves. Hope Threads was born out of relationships formed over years of serving these women by teaching them English or caring for their children as they learn. They are graciously hosted by North Ridge Bible Chapel and have virtually no overhead costs, as volunteers teach sewing skills and care for children in a gospel centered children’s program.
You can find them online at hope-Threads.com or on Instagram at hope.threads.
Your purchase empowers a resilient woman as she acculturates, learns new skills, and supports her family.
Please visit Hope Threads to view their catalog.
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Sarah and I chat about identifying that passion God has placed deep within you and living it out. For Sarah, it is gathering people around a table to connect over food and helping others to do the same by crafting hand made tables through Neighbor's Table.
2:41 Sarah shares how a pastor friend helped her shift her identify from work back into Christ.
"I learned to not strive so much, but rest in who God made me to be... Come to find out God made me to be a people gatherer."
"I thought back to the very best moments of my life and they were always around the table."
"I think God made me to gather people at the table."
Sarah set a goal to serve 500 people around the table in her backyard and on Thanksgiving the 500th guest walked down the driveway.
7:00 "The best part of what we now call Neighbor's Tableis my friend called about a year and half in and said, 'Sarah, I see God getting a lot of glory around your table and I wonder if He has something outside your own yard?'....I started thinking there's other people wired just like me. There's other people gatherer's in the world. What if I could find those people? And what if I could cheer them on?....Neighbor's Table is my full time job now."
Neighbor's Tablebuilds hand-crafted tables and deliver them across the country and cheer people on to love their neighbor's.
"People might say we're in the table business, but I really like to think we're in the people business."
9:25 Sarah shares the who, what, when, where and how she hosted the first gathering in her backyard
Next-door social app
Who: 300 closest neighbors (91 people attended)
What: A potluck So-Hip Soiree
Where: Sarah's backyard
"I learned that night that people just want to be invited. There's something special about being invited to the table."
"My rule at my house is there's no private party, so if any neighbor sees there's an open seat they can join me. I pass plates of food over the fence. People stop and say hello."
14:45 Sarah shares her faith journey with us and how she discovered God created her to be a people gatherer
"I think people gathering probably looks a little like evangelism with a dinner napkin wrapped around it...I just love people....Now we say Neighbor's Tableis a love mission. I want to be very missional about the way we love people and not in a project kind of way, but in a real, genuine, as a believer, I have the light of Christ inside of me [kind of way]."
SHOW NOTES continued
SPONSOR: Dwell Differently
Dwell is a monthly scripture memory service that helps you get God’s words off the page and into your mind and heart.
How is dwell different? Dwell helps people connect with God through taking the first letter of each word in a verse & stringing them together in a unique, beautiful design. Each month, you receive temporary tattoos, key chain tags, & a print of that month’s verse design.Every time you see the image, you’re challenged to recall what each letter represents, & eventually you memorize the verse.
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Jan and I chat about enjoying Jesus, quieting the mind, ridding your life of life-draining behaviors, and God’s invitation.
4:12 Jan shares how she came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior
“I always had a sense that Jesus was everywhere.”
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Enjoying the Presence of God
During the time of writing Enjoying the Presence of God is when Jan began to ask what it was like to meditate on Scripture, to hang out with God. God’s Word became less of a checklist and more of a relationship.
God became the companion of her soul during this time.
6:55 Jan discusses spiritual formation, partnering with God in caring for the voiceless, and living with purposeful intentionality.
“Spiritual formation is really discipleship, but it’s not just doing practices. It’s about letting the Spirit transform you into Christlikeness.”
Spiritual practices = different ways of connecting with God
8:35 “The focus of attention in spiritual formation isn’t on me and how I am doing….It’s always about oneness with God, union with God.”
“What would it look like to love God for the next 10 minutes?”
10:50 Jan talks about having a voice for the voiceless
“That is what Jesus did. The people nobody wanted to hang out with, there He was.”
13:36 “What breaks your heart that breaks the heart of God?….Different things break people’s hearts differently, which is great, because then we are all the hands and feet of Jesus in so many different ways.”
“Ask God for a next step?”
SHOW NOTES continued
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Jodie and I chat about praying for your children throughout their lives, how God delights in hearing from His children, and how praying the Scripture brings peace and aligns our heart with God's heart.
6:07 Jodieshares her faith journey, mothering in the early years, and how her first book, Praying the Scripture for Your Children came to be
Ephesians 4: 29
"I turned Eph. 4:29 in to a prayer for me and my family."
Moms In Prayer
She did a paper survey asking one question, "If you could ask God to do one thing for your children, for your family, what would it be?"
She used the top 20 answers to create a table of contents of what might become a book. Then, she dug into God's Word to see what it said about each topic.
All 3 books are cataloged by topics.
11:16 Jodie shares what she has experienced in her own personal prayer life as she has prayed the Scriptures for her children
"There is a lot of richness and depth and variety as we lift our prayers out of Scripture, but not only that, I think they become a lot more powerful. God says in Isaiah 55 that His word will not return empty, but will accomplish the purposes for which it's sent. I have really seen that His Word goes forth and it accomplishes things."
"It's this beautiful hand in hand partnership where God invites us to partner with Him in accomplishing these purposes through prayer."
"As I slip my hand into God's and bring my children before Him, for me I get a peace that I don't think I would get any other way, because even if I not yet seen the result (even if I am still in the thick of whatever the issue is) I know God is at work. I have released it to Him. I know He is for us and it keeps anxiety at bay and opens the door to that peace, that contentment and that confidence in the midst of the storm."
"Share your heart with Him even in the midst of the mayhem."
Praying the Scripture for Your Teens
Praying the Scripture for Your Adult Children
15:35 Jodie shares how praying changed as her children got older.
Proverbs 27:17
"Their needs may change and their friendships may change, but at the end of the day we want them to have godly friends."
Parent's of adult children don't have the same community as parents of young children, so that is challenging. They can feel alone, so that is why I wrote praying the scripture for your adult children.
Free Study guide for Praying the Scripture for Your Adult Children at jodieberndt.com
SHOW NOTES continued
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Robin and I chat her own abortion, hope and healing after abortion, purity, forgiveness, and ministry leadership.
4:04 Robin shares her faith journey with us, the abortion she had in college, and how she tried to maintain the "perfect" mask.
"At 3 years old there were some people who paired me off with this little boy named Glenn and they thought it was really cute. And something really got inside of me at that time where I felt I needed a guy to complete me. I had a boyfriend from Kindergarten all the way through and if I didn't have one I was looking."
Prior to the start of her junior year of college at Oral Roberts University, Robin had a positive pregnancy test.
After telling her mother, she went and told the chaplain of Oral Roberts and she was asked to leave. She had broken the moral code she had signed.
7:00 "I got on a Greyhound bus and I traveled across the country, all by myself from Oklahoma to California, into the arms of my boyfriend. Somehow within a week I found myself in an abortion clinic in Fresno, California having an abortion. I remember laying on that table praying my boyfriend would come and save me and he didn't. I remember waking up and I remember getting in the car and he looked at me and said, 'I wish we hadn't done that.' "
9:17 Robin shares a little of what life was like following the abortion
10:45 Robin begins sharing about becoming the director of a pregnancy center at the age of 25.
"I knew I needed healing from my own abortion experience when I attended training on the very first day and they actually showed a video of an abortion being done...and I drove away and I knew I wasn't okay. Thankfully, these sweet women took me under their wing and taught me about Post-abortion Syndrome and they helped me get the healing I needed."
13:13 Robin shares more about Post-abortion Syndrome
14:42 Robin shares a God moment with us regarding a vision of her aborted son
Daniel James was the name God gave Robin during that vision for the curly haired boy she saw coming toward her.
"This little boy, about 6 years old, looked at me and ....said, 'I love you mommy.' He said, 'I forgive you and I can't wait to see you someday.' "
"They say 70% of women who have abortions attend a protestant or a Catholic church."
19:13 Robin shares about her own crisis pregnancy while she was director of a pregnancy center
"Here I was living this expected "godly" lifestyle, but I was still holding part of myself back from the Lord. I wasn't fully living for Him, but when I got pregnant this time I committed to the Lord to be all in."
"I walked into the board meeting and told them of my situation, that I was pregnant and it wasn't my husbands child (I was still married. He was not complying with the divorce at that point). I told the board and their response blew me away. They said, 'If you're not a crisis pregnancy, we don't know who is and there's no way we could turn our back on you.' They allowed me to stay in the position....That board extended grace to me."
SHOW NOTES continued
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Jillian and I chat about the work she does with the non-profit Created to come alongside women in the sex industry.
4:06 Jillian shares what Created does on a day to day basis to build relationships with women coming out of the sex industry
Created’s goal is to provide a place of belonging and refuge to every woman they meet that is coming from the sex industry.
5 of the 9 staff at Created Women are survivor leaders.
7:37 Jillian shares some statistics about the sex industry, particularly in Tampa, Florida where they are located
Tampa is 3rd in the U.S. for the number of men, women, and children who are brought into the country for sex trafficking
Tampa has more strip clubs per capita than any other city in the U.S.
Tampa is 3rd in the U.S. for illicit massage parlors
10:49 “Think about, what are the things that happened in their lives that led them here, because no child is ever like that is what I want to do when I grow up. That’s how I want to make my way through college is to dance and strip…It is not a normal thing. It has to come from some brokenness that is happening, whether to them or around them.”
11:50 Jillian walks us through her time as a street outreach volunteer, residential program coordinator, and now executive director at Created.
17:58 “So many times we go into ministry like, ‘Oh, this is going to be so great’….but real ministry is hard. People are broken and they don’t want your help and they don’t want your good words or whatever you think you can give. At the end of the day, that is the biggest thing I have had to learn, all I can offer is Jesus and the kindness and peace that He brings.”
20:20 Jillian shares obstacles and success stories
27:07 “We have 5 members of our staff team are graduates of our program. To watch them every day reinvest their lives into the women we’re serving and use their stories to cultivate change that nobody else could is amazing.”
“It’s all the small moments that really matter. The graduating from drug treatment, starting trauma therapy; it is all the small steps, because even when a relapse happens or something happens and a woman decides to leave our program we can always go back and think, ‘She made it this many months clean this time and she made through these classes and life skills that she never had before.’ The likelihood of her coming back from that relapse is so much higher than it was before.”
SHOW NOTES continued.
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SPONSOR: Spiritfilled Woman Magazine.
In an age of confusion, with opinions, myths, stereotypes, and expectations coming at us from all directions, Spirit-Filled Woman magazine exists to equip women to sort through the lies and instead walk by the Spirit in grace and truth. Each issue of this bi-monthly print magazine is designed in such a way so as to include content which will pertain to women of all ages, stages, and backgrounds, showing them just how relevant and applicable God’s Word is to each and every area of their lives as women. It is our hope at Spirit-Filled Woman that you will come away encouraged and built up to walk by the Spirit in your own everyday life.
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Kate and I chat about her children's book, The Giving Crusade, which is a little book with a big mission, to teach kids that giving a little can do a lot.
3:54 Kate shares the inspiration behind The Giving Crusade
“It’s my job as an aunt, to take the good work parents have done and make it even better.”
Aquanotes
Kate shares 3 things she would want to leave as a legacy for her nieces and nephew.
Her creativity
Her philanthropy and good works
Her kindness
10:06 "It wasn't my goal. I never dreamed of being a children's author. I dreamed of being a writer. I always say I am a storyteller with photography."
11:50 Kate shares 3 stories of giving that have resulted from The Giving Crusade
Smilestones by Molly
K.I.D.S. = Kids Inspired and Determined to Serve
St. Pius Catholic School
16:35 "Their principle used the terminology 'quietly generous' and there is no better way to put that. Truly, there is such beauty in being quietly generous. Where you are not looking for any sort of return, there is no expectation on the gifts that you are giving. It is purely done, because you care and you won't to make the world a better place."
"The book focuses on a $5 gift as the launching point for conversation, but .... [the gift] doesn't have to be money. You have your gifts in terms of talent and time and love and being a good steward in your community. All of that is just as important as any money you can give."
18:50 Kate shares about Crusader Cash
Purchase The Giving Crusadeat:
NoFo at the Pig
Bailey's Fine Jewelry
Little Details
South
thegivingcrusade.com
"This book empowers the children to make the decision. Most of the time, parents are leading the giving experience, the volunteer experience...this book really puts that control in the child's hands."
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B.J. and I chat about coming to know Jesus through Young Life, how various job experiences led him to All Pro Dad, what All Pro Dad offers to assist dads in their relationship with their children, and how he deals with conflict when his content rubs people the wrong way.
4:11: B.J. begins sharing how his faith journey with Jesus began
"She [mom] brought me up with this really rich Catholic foundation, which gave me essentially a deep respect for God's holiness, for His judgement, the fact that He is somebody to be revered, to be feared (in a healthy way)."
He started going to Young Life in high school.
"He [Young Life leader] talked about Jesus in a way that made Him very relatable."
7:55 So you marry this beautiful foundation of respect for God's holiness with the personal relationship aspect with Jesus and you have a beautiful marriage.
10:57B.J. talks about going on Young Life staff after working in a variety of fields
Susan Merrill, one of the founders of Family First
13:01 B.J. begins talking about All Pro Dad: the mission, resources they provide, etc.
Malachi 4:6 "He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
"The lack of the love of a father, the lack of presence of a father leaves a gaping hole."
85% of incarcerated individuals grow up without a dad.
You can engage as an All Pro Dadis 3 ways:
Sign up for All Pro Dademail, which helps dad's be intentional with their time with their children
One hour every month, attend an All Pro Chapter(or start a chapter) at your local school
Attend an All Pro Dad Experience at an NFL Stadium/College Stadium
17:47 B.J. talks about the importance of a father being involved in their child's life
19:45 We begin discussing the articles B.J. has written/continues to write for All Pro Dad.
Here are a few:
7 Things that Lead Kids Down the Wrong Road
7 Notes You Should Write to Your Children
20 Things Wives Love to Hear from Their Husbands
Continued SHOW NOTES
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Steph and I chat about using business to empower people to fight human trafficking through what they purchase. We also talk about how Stories Foundation came about how and the Freedom Food Truck is not only raising awareness, but is supporting organization who are fighting human trafficking.
2:09: Stephanie takes us back to 2012 and shares the story behind Stories Foundationand the Freedom Truck.
Book: Passport Through the Darknessby Kimberly L. Smith
Kimberly L. Smith is the founder of Make Way Partners
"I remember looking out the window and saying to God, 'This isn't okay that children are being forced to do these horrific things and they're being taken advantage of and exploited.' I remember Him, it's like He said to my spirit, 'You're right. It's not okay. What are we going to do about that?' It was one of those moments where all of my excuses of when I'm done having babies or when we have more money or when we have more stable jobs or when we can pay our bills better, they just didn't matter when you think about the reality out there in the world."
Mark Batterson's Coffee Shop: Ebeneezer's
Eugene Cho: Q Cafe (closed due to location change) and One Day's Wages
6:27 "I started with what I had."
6:45 Steph shares about the early days speaking at small events and small groups to raise awareness of human trafficking.
"As Christ followers, we have been set free from sin. I think Satan is the greatest trafficker. Christ has purchased our freedom. We are free. And he [Satan] manipulates us, coerces us, lies to us, plays on our emotions, tells us we need these other things and traffics us into sin....We have been set free from that, so as Christians, I think, it is our greatest responsibility to be about freedom, both spiritual and physical."
9:01 Stephanie shares about acquiring the food truck, which is known as the Freedom Truck.
13:28 Steph walks us through what to expect when you walk up to the Freedom Truck
14:41 "I started Storieson the very optimistic belief that people would want to make a difference in this issue and that they would RISE UP. The truck has proven that to be true. People, if they're given an opportunity, they will choose to make a difference."
16:45 Steph shares some of what she has learned about human trafficking since 2012.
"When you look at sex trafficking. We have sex trafficking. We have child sex trafficking, because we have pornography, because we have an over sexualized culture, because we have sexual addiction. When you start...to say pornography is a reason for child sex trafficking, child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation that's going to strike some chords of shame...When shame is revealed people want to hide."
"Traffickers look for vulnerabilities to exploit."
Grace Enough Podcast SHOW NOTES continued
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You can learn more about Stories Foundation at www.storiesfoundation.org and find her writing at www.stephaniempage.com as well as on Facebook and Instagram.
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Jason and and I chat about how music had become an idol in his life. He shares about eventually surrendering it all to God and how that altered his journey to one of a restored marriage, writing Christian music, and eventually Seeds Family Worship. Our conversation is one filled with joy, laughter and encouragement for families.
Seeds Family Worship mission: To get God's Word to as many hearts and homes as possible.
6:10: Jason begins sharing his faith journey with us
"God revealed Himself to me through the mountains of Idaho, through His creation."
Selfish ambition was an idol in my life. I would say things like, "We're gonna make this happen."
"Ambition in and of itself is not a bad thing, but when it is based on you...And music is an amazing thing and it is such a gift in my life, but in that season music was an idol. It came before the Lord. That is when I took a wrong turn and I wondered away from the Lord, but God pursued me."
Psalm 40 (life verse)
9:24 Jason talks about switching from country music to Christian music. He began working with Matthew West.
Jason shares two examples of God's grace in his life:
He finally let go of music and that is when God gave him songs to write that become #1 hits.
The gift of his 3rd a child. A daughter, Abby.
11:30 Jason shares more details about how Seeds Family Worship came to be.
x"The Lord really showed me, quit chasing after things and seek me first. Like Matthew 6: 31-33 says, 'Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.' But if you go back to earlier in that verse it says, 'Do not worry saying what shall we eat, what shall we drink, what shall we wear for the pagans run after all these thing and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them.' The Lord showed me, 'That's you. You're chasing after all these things. Seek me first and I'm going to bring everything you need to you."
"God always gave me a heart for kids."
The children's ministry director asked him to write 5 Scriptures to song for VBS. They became the first 5 Seeds songs.
12:59 "At the end of the week, I could see, every child, every teacher knew every song word for word. And because where God had my heart, I saw something happening, because of how I am wired, 'I'm like we could go for this and chase after this,' but I thought, 'No, if this is the Lord I'm not going to do anything.' I kind of felt that thing where I just kind of charge, because how God made me, but I was like, 'Lord, if you want this..."
14:25 Jason shares how Seeds Ministry has impacted his family personally and shares a few other impact stories.
YWAM : Ben (Jason's brothers) was a YWAM'er early on.
"Worship girl" is Jason's niece and she will be on tour with Seeds this summer.
Summer Tour Dates
Cast Your Cares (Psalm 55:22)
Do Not Be Anxious About Anything (Phil 4: 6-7)
Seeds Family Worship make excellent gifts. Each album comes with two identical CD's or download cards. One to keep and one to giveaway.
More Show Notes HERE.
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Cheryl and I chat about understanding and living the life God intends for us. We talk about her ministry Promised Land Living, the 7-step shift, contending vs. cooperating with God, and 100% responsibility.
5:33: Cheryl begins sharing her faith journey with us and how that intersects with Promised Land Living
Loving God by Chuck Colson
10:32 "I went on a quest to not only understand this way of life that God intended for me in the promised land, but to actually live it and that's what gave birth to Promised Land Living."
10:50 Cheryl describes a the 7-step shift, which is foundational to Promised Land Living.
"The 7-step shift is a tool we introduce at the very beginning of the journey. It is a method of repentance. You know, the modern day church, we don't do a lot of active contrition type work....Repentance is a glorious thing. It actually reflects what God wants for us more than anything is to repent and turn back to Him. And so this is what we are doing through 7-step shift. We are practicing, we are training in righteousness, by making a 180 degree turn away from a behavior, away from a thought, anything that is out of alignment with God, with what God says to be true and life-giving. And by the time you get to the 7th step, as you practice it, you are back on track with God. You're back in alignment with God."
7-step shift mechanics are born out of:
Romans 12:1-2: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
John 8:31-32:To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
"We see God is saying to transform our mind. How? Through taking the thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ and immediately. And if we continue in His Word, which begins the transformation in our mind, we are truly free. The 7-step shift is simply a tool that combines both."
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Quina and I chat about meeting Jesus as a teenager, her high school English teacher encouraging her to perform her first poem, and how her children's book, Love Made came to be.
2:50 Quina shares her faith journey with us, when she came to know Jesus.
"Pride was my god and once I got into a big public school to play basketball for them I just began to see my self-righteousness get confronted by my slavery to sin, meaning, when I went into freshman year I would say, I would never do this or that, only these types of girls do this. And sure enough, my freshman and sophomore year I started to see my sin snowball in all kinds of ways, particularly in lust. That was really something that God used to help me see that as Jesus say, 'If you sin, you are a slave to sin.' And thankfully, He brought a friend into my life...As I got to know her I saw something different about her and as I got to know her family saw something very different about them, mainly love."
6:10 "Soon after that God began to really just draw me to Himself. I realized that I was empty and there was nothing that was going satisfy me. I was popular. We were well off. I had everything that, I guess, a high schooler might dream of....and none of it was satisfying me. God used that sense of emptiness to really lead me to open one of the Bible's I had in my room..."
Her friend shared the gospel with her when she was 16.
7:16 Quinabegins sharing how she uses her gifting as a creative (spoken word poet, author, etc.) to glorify God.
9:42 Quinaspeaks about her spoken word videos/short films. TO VIEW:
Listen and Live
The Slaughter
When I Consider the Darkness
Love Made
Wine Mixed with Myrrh
MORE
11:37 Quina shares a spoken word piece, Genesis 1 & 2 summary
12:52 Quina shares how she goes about creating. A common theme being prayer.
"Typically, things start in my journal as I am spending time with the Lord."
13:55 We begin to discuss Quina's first children's book, LOVE MADE
14:03 My oldest son, Bennett, reads, LOVE MADE
16:50 Quina shares how LOVE MADE came to be
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Mary and I chat about loving Jesus and loving work, living on purpose and discovering your God given design.
3:45 Mary begins sharing how her walk with Jesus began after being turned off by the church after her parents divorce.
"I came to know Jesus and His love for me. That He wasn't up there keeping track of every thing I did wrong and it transformed my life. I fell in love with the Lord."
5:29 Mary begins sharing about her career at Disney World as a Marketing Brand Director.
"When my children were born I had to make a decision of whether I would be a better mother as a working mother or as a stay at home mother. And through lots of self-reflection and prayer I decided I would be a better working mother."
9:23 "My coaching is always, do your own self-reflection, realize how God has created you, and whatever you choose to do, do it joyfully. If I were to stay at home, because I think I need to stay at home and be bitter about that my kids would pick up on that and feel like they are the cause of my unhappiness. Or if I worked and I was unhappy working, then my children are going to believe that working is bad."
10:25 We begin discussing Mary's exit from Disney and the start of On-Purpose Partner's.
"I took a step away and started to do a lot of self-reflection on who I was and what I really wanted to do and what would make my heart sing. I put one foot in front of the other and over the next three years used every penny of savings that we had toward this dream. It really stretched my faith, because I knew the Lord had told me to leave and it just took a while for the business to start to grow."
"We want God to show us a spotlight of everything that's coming and instead He gives us a little flashlight to show us what the next step is."
14:05 "There are always new beginnings and new adventures for all of us in which we have to trust the Lord."
Mary's has a passion to help individuals discover what they are designed to do. She shares a few ways she goes about coaching individuals to find their God-given purpose.
Kevin McCarthy: The On-Purpose Personand The On-Purpose Business.
Women Doing Well: an organization that helps women live more generously. To be more generous, a survey showed, a woman must know:
Her purpose
Her passion
A plan
J 4 Leaders: Judges 4 - Deborah. If Deborah, who was a leader in Israel, and successfully led Israel into battle in the Old Testament, then God can use women as leaders in the workplace today.
Professional Christian Women, a Raleigh non-profit: Purpose is to encourage Christian women in the marketplace.
"If God has given you the work gene, you can love Jesus and love to work. God will use you....Seek God and seek His Word and then be commissioned back into the marketplace as our mission-field, is really the purpose of Professional Christian Women."
19:47 Mary discusses her book Wholehearted Purpose: Women Discovering Their One-Of-A-Kind-Design.
Two-Word Purpose Statement
"Listen to God's whisper in our lives. Our lives are so loud and He is not going to scream, so when we take some time to think and reflect and ponder, amazing things finally bubble up."
Want to know your purpose?
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My conversation with Hanha Hobson, the founder of Transparency Ministries got me excited about the leadership and passion of the next generation. We chat about her mother not only challenging her to read God's Word, but doing it with her. We talk about how the reading of God's Word satiated a need in her that she didn't know she had. We chat about proclaiming God's truth over your life until you believe it. She is young. She is bold. She loves Jesus and it shows.
Show Notes
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SPONSOR
Designed For Joy is a transitional work experience for women coming from trafficking, time in prison, homelessness and other vulnerable situations. The women receive a living wage for their work creating a brand of jewelry and bags.
I own several Designed For Joypieces that always receive compliments from my friends and spark conversations on how we can wear cute jewelry and carry cute bags with greater joy, because we are providing a much needed job to women in the triangle.
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Episode 11 is with Jackie Craig, the co-founder of The Green Chair Project.
The Green Chair Project is a non-profit organization that collects donated furnishings for people transitioning from homelessness, crisis or disasters. We partner with over 55 agencies, shelters and nonprofits to provide essential furnishings for referred clients to live sustainably in their new homes. Jackie and I chat about about giving people the dignity of CHOICE, the NO-BED epidemic, what to expect at The Green Chair Project, follow God's leading, and how to get involved.
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SPONSOR: Designed for Joy
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Christina is the founder and director of Beloved Women. Beloved Women exists to encourage, uplift, and equip women in the love of Jesus Christ and the truth of God’s Word.
We chat about God's unexpected leading, the truth behind works based faith, the joy in studying God's Word, and her ministry Beloved Women.
Show Notes
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Shannan and I talk about how she minister's in her day to day life through giving neighbor's a ride. We talk about neighboring being a part of our spiritual DNA, stepping into the uncomfortable, being available for inconvieneces, and her newest book The Ministry of Ordinary Places.
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Kim and I talk about her childhood horse being a close confidant while growing up with an alcoholic father and how that led to Hope Reins. We chat about God's faithfulness, Hope Reins Ranch, the horses, the book Joey, and the impact the ministry is having on suffering children and families.
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Mandie and I chat about meeting Jesus on the bathroom floor, the authentic women met, who have become friends, through IF: Gathering, and how God's words, "Don't leave the next generation behind," led to Brave Girls Gather.
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Anna shares her story of overcoming human trafficking, redemption through Jesus Christ, raising awareness, and being an activist through fashion and law drafting.
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IG: Anna Ptak
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Cary Heise and I chat about Designed For Joy, God's work in the hearts of others, empowering women, and being a planter for the Lord.
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Ep. 03: In this episode, Kathleen and I begin talking about how Kathleen's dream to provide Christian books for people has led to a book ministry in 1600 PRISONS in every state.
We talk about relying on God's grace when your funds have dwindled to NOTHING.
We talk about how Christian Library International (CLI) is discipling men and women in prison. 1
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Nikki Speer is the founder of Redefined Courage.
We discuss rebellion and how God draws us back to Himself, her journey as a pre-vivor of breast cancer, how Redefined Courage has helped her grieve the loss of her mother and her dream to GIFT every woman facing breast cancer surgery a FREE post-op shirt, so they experience HOPE and COURAGE in the face of challenge.
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Ep. 01: In this episode, Rachael and I talk about the coffee shop she started while living in Chicago and how her faith grew through that experience, taking risks, God's grace when you have nothing, southern charm, her "But God..." message, and the ministry of Oh Lord Help Us and HOPE + VINE.
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In this brief episode, the host Amber Cullum introduces herself and the story behind Grace Enough Podcast. She talks about the reality that God can use you to impact His kingdom no matter your story. There are also a few special guests, so stick around to the end.
You can connect with Amber at www.graceenoughpodcast.com
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