Beyond the Moment: Recent Episodes
Amanda Martinsen
Moments matter. Even the most mundane task or activity in our lives can be a “God Moment” where we connect what we are doing or experiencing with God’s greater call to love and serve Him. No matter what season of life we find ourselves in, we know that God has a mission and a purpose for us. There are opportunities all around you and God has created us with a desire to make a difference and make Jesus known.
Each podcast, we’ll be bringing Micah 6:8 to the forefront of our lives and asking ourselves how we can do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God in each moment and beyond.
Do you ever feel alone while trying to live out your purpose and calling? You are not alone. We were never meant to go through life alone, especially when it comes to our journey of faith.
We are joined today by Allison Markwood, Communications and Marketing Specialist for WMU North Carolina. In this episode, Allison provides wisdom and practical advice on how to find community and ways to explore how to nurture those community connections and be an active contributor yourself. We also dive into some biblical examples of community, the challenges to finding community and finding your people, and how different types of communities are valuable in your calling.
Things we mention in today's episode:
- Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina.
Finding a balance between our God-given callings and the demands of everyday life can be a real challenge. In this episode, we dive into finding balance with your calling, how to navigate seasons where it feels like you're spinning your wheels, and how to set realistic expectations for yourself during busy seasons of life.
Even if we know the calling God has placed on our lives, we let things like fear and doubt derail us. Let's change that! In today's episode, we delve into what it takes to build up your courage and confidence to embrace the calling that God has placed on your life. We talk about navigating things like doubt, fear, imposter syndrome, and insecurity, and we look at an example in scripture to help guide us.
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina.
God has uniquely designed us to serve Him and serve others, but how do you know what your purpose is, and how do you know the calling God has placed on your life? In this brand new episode series called Trust in the Call, we're going to dive into various elements related to calling and purpose. In this first episode, we'll focus on how to know your purpose and calling, how to combat fear and doubt surrounding your calling, and how to move forward in obedience when you're unsure of the next step to take.
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina.
As the calendar flips its pages, it's the perfect time to pause and look back over the last year. Where did you see God's faithfulness? How did you grow personally and spiritually? Join us as we look back on 2023, say hello to 2024, and envision the possibilities of what God will do and where He will lead you in the coming year.
Things we mention in this episode:
Download the yearly reflection guide
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina.
The Christmas and holiday season can be a challenging time for those grappling with grief and loss. In this episode, we share some of our personal experiences with navigating grief during the holidays, how to make space for heartache and suffering during Christmas, and we also share practical ways for you to support people in your life who are grieving during this season.
Things we mention in this episode:
Blue Christmas Service
Every Moment Holy II: Death, Grief, and Hope
With the holiday season fast approaching, we thought it would be a great idea to share a variety of Christmas gift ideas with you. Whether you're shopping for family, friends, or loved ones, we've got you covered with a wide range of practical and thoughtful gift ideas.
Some of the things we mention in this episode:
- For Girls Like You
- Bluetooth shower speaker
- Hallmark recordable books
- Humbled Hen’s Nest
- Bean Bag Chairs
- Pretend Play items like these restaurant checks
- Rooted in Wonder by Eryn Lynum
- International Justice Mission gifts
- Julie Busler Holiday’s and Mental Health Guide
What does it mean to go and tell the good news of Jesus? Why is missions education important and how can you get your church more involved in missions? Where do you start? We tackle these questions and more, plus we look at what a personal mission field is and how to find it. Things we mention:
- WMU North Carolina Resources,
- Starting a missions group
- Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God book and Bible study
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina.
What does it mean to be called to the mission field? Well, it can mean many things, and the path can often be winding. Does it mean you are not called if you are struggling with answering God's call? In this episode, we will chat with Ashley, a Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary student and Journeyman as she talks about navigating the call to missions, discernment, and life on the field where she found her place and plenty of surprises! Her story will encourage and inspire you.
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina.
Do you battle burnout in the summer? You are not alone! In this episode, we discuss battling mom burnout and how we combat feeling overwhelmed and exhausted going into the summer. We’ll share some things that have helped us battle burnout and some ways you can still have your kids and family involved in missions this summer without feeling overwhelmed.Things we mention: * Christmas in August: (https://wmu.com/missions-discipleship/christmas-in-august/) * Mission Activities for your kids: (https://drive.google.com/file/d/11IhYr-d1i1IXN6Vaukn49mMLlXsnTbun/view?pli=1)
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina (wmunc.org)
We're back for part two of our episode series on mental health and the Church. In this episode, we're picking back up on our conversation with some practical tools and resources you or your church can use to help people living with mental health challenges.
What we mention in this episode:
- Mental Health First Aid Training (https://wmu.com/compassion-ministries/project-help-mental-health/)
- Troubled Minds by Amy Simpson (https://www.amazon.com/Troubled-Minds-Illness-Churchs-Mission/dp/0830843043)
- The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina (www.wmunc.org)
1 in 5 adults live with a mental illness or experience a mental health challenge each year. That adds up to around 50 million Americans each year. It may be someone we love, or it may be our own mental health that we have struggled with. In part one of this episode, we talk about why talking about mental health within the church is important, and how to start having conversations about it if you aren't, and we also share some of our own personal testimonies about our own mental health struggles.
Resources on Mental Health for Your Church:ProjectHELP: Mental Health Troubled Minds by Amy Simpson Mental Health and the Church's Response Online Course Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina.
How do we ready our minds, hearts, and bodies to run on mission? Whew! This episode is full of so many nuggets of wisdom and truth from our guest, Sarah Martin on how to get our bodies fit for the call to serve God and others. We talk about what our health has to do with running on mission, the foods that best fuel our bodies, how to work out when you have a busy schedule, burnout, and so much more. Get Sarah's book: Higher Pursuits: Positioning Yourself for Everyday RevivalFind Sarah on Instagram at @SarahMartinVibrantLife and @sarahfmartinSarah's FASTer Way coaching: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/#SarahMartinVibrantLifeBeyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina.
Why is change such a scary thing? Change can raise our blood pressure and sometimes our tempers. In fact, psychologists often assess stress levels in units of change. Let’s talk about how vitally important change is, and how we can encourage and coax our anxious minds and bodies into making changes that improve our spiritual and physical well beings.
Beyond the Moment is a ministry podcast of WMU North Carolina.
Now is the time for us to celebrate and focus on the birth of Jesus, the real reason we celebrate this season. But that's often hard to do when we're running ourselves ragged buying and wrapping gifts, putting on Christmas programs, managing kids' activities, and planning family gatherings. How do we focus our hearts on Jesus when we're just plain tired and worn out?
Join us as we talk about the Advent season and what it means to us, what is bringing us hope, joy, peace, and love in this season, and what we're looking forward to most this Christmas season.
We're spending this episode catching you up on all the things. So much has happened since we were last together on the podcast, and we have so much to tell you about. On this episode, we talk about our new office move, something special for moms we're hosting this fall, and other missions opportunities you can take part in.
Things we mention in this episode:
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
Military Wives Retreat
Leadership Training for Missions Leaders
Monthly Leadership Luncheons
Prison Retreat and Red Box Ministry
Christian Women's Job Corp
Children's Missions Day
Mom Camp (it's not too late to join us!)
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina.
Being a teacher has always been a career with both great rewards and great challenges, but when the global pandemic hit in 2020, everything changed. In this episode, we talk with Ashton Langley, an elementary school teacher here in NC, about the ways teaching is a mission field. We talk about how teaching has changed through the years, how parents and people outside the school system can be a support, and the ways God is working right now in the field of education. When we begin to view teaching and our schools as a mission field, it will open the door for us to serve God and serve people in unending ways.
Things we mention in this episode:
- The Couch Potato (children's book)
- Ashton's Amazon Teacher Wish-list
- The Tiny House Teacher (Ashton's online store for teacher resources)
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina.
In this episode, we're talking all about real, tangible ways you can help missionaries serving on the field this summer.
We talk about Christmas in August, a simple and easy way for an individual, group, or church, to help North American Mission Board (NAMB) missionaries make a difference in the areas they are serving, We also talk about some ways you can help local missionaries in NC minister to their communities.
Things we mention in this episode:
- Christmas in August
- North American Mission Board (NAMB)
- See the list of missionaries (scroll down to the bottom of the page)
- Connection Church Amazon Wishlist
- David and Kathy Parsons (Mission Center in NC)
- North Raleigh International Baptist Church
- Sponsor a child for camp
- ReBuild Centers of NC
*Show note-while talking about the ministry work of one of the missionaries, we talk about working with a local pregnancy resource center and briefly mention the word abortion. If you will be listening with younger kids around, we wanted you to be aware of this part of the episode (It is around the 26-minute mark).
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina.
Summer is a great time to do missions as a family. With school out and schedules a bit more flexible, the opportunities for serving others are endless. In this episode, we share 10 missions ideas your family can do together this summer.
Things we mention:
Download the Summer Family Missions Ideas Handout
No Sew Fleece Blanket Instructions
Mr. Mark's Classroom
Welcome House Ministry
Welcome House Raleigh
Send Relief
NC Mission Projects and Ministry Opportunities
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina.
We're pumped to be with you today friends as we talk about using our gifts for missions.
Your calling and missions go hand in hand. God has gifted you with gifts and passions as a way to serve Him and serve others. When you are operating in your giftings, and using them as you live on mission, you are pointing people to Jesus. You are taking the Gospel to the places right where you are, and doing it in a way that is unique to you and the way God made you. And that friends, is missions.
Join in on the discussion with us today and let us know the ways God might be calling you to use your gifts in this season of life.
Things we mention in today's episode:
Myers Briggs Personality Test
Clifton Strengths Finder
Try Everything by Shakira (from Zootopia)
Acts 1:4-8
1 Corinthians 12
Ephesians 4
Acts 4:13
Spiritual Gifts Test and Assessment
Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts
WMU NC’s Missions Conference on April 22-23
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU North Carolina.
We can spend a lot of time waiting for big God moments to happen in our lives. But what if God wants to use really small, mundane moments to draw us closer to Him and to serve others? In this episode, we’ll share some stories of times we’ve experienced God in the most mundane moments. We also share some missions ideas and what to do when you’re not exactly joyful about serving in those small, everyday moments. It’s good to be back with you friends!
Things we mention in this episode:
-Annie Armstrong Easter Offering Missionaries
-Amer & Vicky Safadi
-Meals on Wheels
-Red Box Prison Ministry
*We talk briefly about Postpartum Depression in this episode. If you are struggling with PPD, please know you are not alone. You may find this resource helpful:
-Postpartum Support International
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU of North Carolina.
We're talking all about Advent today and how we can center our hearts and minds on Jesus during what can often feel like a busy time of year. We share some Advent resources with you and talk about creating missional moments during the Christmas season.
Things we mention in today's episode:
The Time Has Come (WMU NC's Advent Christmas Devotional-there is a kid's devotional as well!)
International Mission Board-Week of Prayer
Monthly Missionary Prayer Calendar
Rain for Roots Waiting Songs
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU of North Carolina.
We're packing A LOT into this episode! We talk all about Thanksgiving and how it can be a wonderful missions opportunity, and then we share some of our favorite gift ideas for Christmas with you.
Things we mention in today's episode:
Baptist Women's World Day of Prayer Video and the Prayer Guide that goes along with the video (Beca talks about many of these ministries in her gift guide list)
Thanksgiving in the Woods
WMU NC Red Box Prison Ministry
Rain to Roots Waiting Songs
WorldCrafts Joy Earrings and the WorldCrafts Faith Earrings
WorldCrafts Nativity Sets
Handwriting Gift Ideas
Love, Welcome, Serve Cookbook by Amy Hannon
Global Kitchen Recipe Book by MOPS International
For Girls Like You
Higher Hope Connect Haiti Ministries
Fairy Lights for Bedrooms
Ipsy Subscription Box
Prayer Made Simple by Tara Furman
The Daily Grace Company
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp
When is the last time you truly felt rested?
We all have many different roles we play in our lives and spend a lot of time always trying to juggle ALL. THE. THINGS. We continually pour ourselves out to others, but in doing so we’re often left feeling worn out, depleted, and burned out. Deep down, we know there has got to be a better way to live.
We know we need rest, but we’re not always sure how to make time for it, or what rest even looks like for us. In this episode, we’ll dive into the importance of rest, what scripture says about it, and how to practically make time for it.
Things we mention in today's episode:
- Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
- Lindsey Wildey
- Shireen Eldridge's Instagram (Great tips and wisdom for practicing a Sabbath)
- All the Time devotional book by Meredith Barnes
Beyond the Moment is a ministry of WMU of North Carolina.
We are thrilled to welcome our first guest speaker. In today's episode, we talk with our friend, Amy M*. Amy and her family serve as missionaries in Southeast Asia. Amy was kind enough to sit down with us to talk about life on the mission field and serving overseas. She gives us a great overview of her country's culture, what their life and ministry are like there, and we even play a fun game to find out what the southern equivalent of things are.
If you feel led to support and give to Amy and her family's ministry, you can click the link below. Simply type in their names, Amy and Paul. We know they would really appreciate any support, both financial or prayer, that you can give them.
Support Paul and Amy's ministry here.
*Names changed to protect missionary security
Get ready for some fun in this episode. We cover everything from our summer vacations, to our love for Dolly Parton, sharks at the beach, our favorite mission projects to do, and some fun family activities we've been doing this summer.
Things we mention in this episode:
Kids Baking Championship (Amanda's new favorite show with her daughters)
Homestead Rescue (Rebecca's favorite show this summer)
Flooded by Nicki Koziarz (Amanda's summer reading recommendation)
The Lazy Genius Way and the Lazy Genius podcast (both Amanda and Rebecca recommend Kendra's podcast)
Godmothers by Lisa Bevere (Rebecca's summer reading recommendation)
The recipe Amanda uses when she's craving a Sonic Cherry Limeade
Tasha Cobbs Leonard's Royalty Album (one of Amanda's favorite worship albums)
Rich Mullins The Jesus Record (Rebecca's favorite worship album)
Mission Project Idea: Night Night Bags
Beacon Rescue Mission
Check out our upcoming events and things happening at WMU NC
Oftentimes in seasons of waiting or transition, obedience can be challenging. For some of us, we may feel a calling on our lives but we struggle with the timing in which to do that calling. Or perhaps we're afraid to take the next step in pursuing what God has planned for us, or we fear we're missing out on what God has called us to do.
We have probably all heard some form of the phrase "there is purpose in the season you're in" but let's dive a little deeper into that topic and discover just what it means to be obedient to God in the season we're in.
Things we mention in this episode:
One Calling, Multiple Expressions by Annie F. Downs
Clifton/Gallup Strengths Finder Assessment
What do Martha Stewart, charcuterie boards, and missions all have in common? Hospitality. Or so we thought.
As it turns out, hospitality has less to do with those first two things and more to do with opening our hearts AND our homes to others.
In this episode, we're talking all about the mission of hospitality. We'll talk about what biblical hospitality is, some of the challenges we face when it comes to inviting people into our homes, and a few of our favorite hosting ideas.
You'll hear us talk about:
Just Open the Door by Jen Schmidt
Anthony Driver, missionary (Learn more about how you can pray for his family and support their work and ministry)
June Missions Mosaic Magazine
We didn't mention these, but these books by Karen Ehman are also a great resource:
Reach Out, Gather In
Make Their Day: 101 Simple, Powerful Ways to Love Others Well
And this book by Kristin Schell:
The Turquoise Table: Finding Community and Connection in Your Own Front Yard
You also heard Beca mention Evan in this episode, but we forgot to tell you who she was! Evan works with us at WMU NC.
To find out more about WMU NC head here.
Jesus commanded us to go out and make disciples, but what does that look like in the midst of everyday life? Today, we’re going to be talking all about what it means to live on mission with God right where we are. We discuss what it means to see ourselves on our own personal mission fields and how each moment or season of life can be purposeful and missional.
Join Rebecca Lindhout and Amanda Martinsen as they dive into real-life conversations about missions and serving God in everyday moments.
Beyond the Moment is a podcast and ministry of WMU of North Carolina. Learn more by visiting www.wmunc.org
Moments matter. Even the most mundane task or activity in our lives can be a “God Moment” where we connect what we are doing or experiencing with God’s greater call to love and serve Him. No matter what season of life we find ourselves in, we know that God has a mission and a purpose for us.
What do you think about when you hear the words "mission field"? Maybe you think of a foreign country, new culture, strange foods, or speaking another language.
It takes a shift in our thinking to realize a "mission field" exists right where you are. There are opportunities all around you and God has created us with a desire to make a difference and make Jesus known.
Each podcast, we’ll be bringing Micah 6:8 to the forefront of our lives and asking ourselves how we can do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God in each moment and beyond. Welcome to beyond the moment.