Faith Like Jasmine: Recent Episodes
Megan Griffin
Have you ever smelled blooming jasmine? It is enticing and unmistakable. 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, "As far as God is concerned there is a sweet, wholesome fragrance in our lives. It is the fragrance of Christ within us, an aroma to both the saved and the unsaved all around us." Let's grow together in study, stories and prayer. May the fragrance of our faith be like jasmine to those around us!
On Wednesday February 22 you may randomly see people out and about with black smudges on their foreheads. They didn’t forget to wash in the morning; they are simply beginning a season leading up to Easter known as Lent.
What exactly is Lent? Listen in for a quick explanation, gentle prayer and an opportunity to step into this season of intentionally drawing closer to God for the next 40 days.
All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Ecclesiastes 3:20
Worship: 'Abide' by Worship Initiative, Feat Davy Flowers
Breath Prayer: (Breathe In) He made me from dust, (Breathe Out) And breathed into me.
Resources:
Lenten Devotional
Explanation of Stations of the Cross
Watch the Chosen - take just one Episode every day or so, then pray for 10 minutes afterward. Don't binge watch! Just slowly walk through and draw near to God.
Let's be honest - how are you doing lately with reading your bible? We can't find a solution to something we won't admit. The truth is that most of us go through ups and downs in how faithfully we read. And that's okay. Just don't give up entirely. Search, pray and try again. Sometimes the season we're in affects what method we use. I hope that today's episode gives you pause, gives you hope to start again. After all, God is the one who has given you this hunger - He never intended to leave you unfed.
Deuteronomy 8:3 says, ‘He humbled you by making you hungry and then feeding you the manna that neither you nor your ancestors had ever experienced, so he could teach you that people don’t live on bread alone. No, they live based on whatever the Lord says.’
Worship: 'Psalm 90' by Shane & Shane; 'Shall Not Want' by Maverick City; 'God Have Your Way in Me' by Bethany Barnard
Prayer: (Breathe In) The Lord is my Shepherd, (Breathe Out) I shall not want
Find us on Facebook and Instagram and become part of the conversation! Share your experiences with other listeners of how you found ways to reconnect with your Bible. Go to our website for previous podcasts, blog posts and so much more.
Feel it or not, you are known by the intimate, creative, omniscient, fierce one and only God.
His word reminds us, 'You surround me - front and back. You place Your hand on me.' (Ps 139) What does it mean to you, to be known? Is it safe or risky? Does your faith allow others to be known by God? Walk with us in today's interview Tracy, hear her God story and be encouraged. Your heart is worth knowing - so lean in toward Him. Be known and be loved.
Prayer: (Breathe In)When I make room for Him,(Breathe Out) Father God will restore & refresh me
Worship: 'The One You Love,' by Chandler Moore; 'Worth,' by Anthony Brown
Is anyone else feeling a little distracted? A little overwhelmed? Sometimes the best answer is to sit still and ask God to remind us what we have in our hands. What has He given us to do right now, not just in our lifetime? God is showing up here, so let's make sure we don't miss it!
Worship: Surely Now, by Rock City Worship
Breath Prayer: (Breathe In) I am safely in the hand, (Breathe Out) of a compassionate, sovereign God
Blog Post: Moses & the Widow
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I had the privilege of speaking to a group of wonderful women at Mother's Day Tea on May 7th. This experience was a first and God beautifully met me in my nervousness to minister to these women. We all left feeling both encouraged and challenged. Biblical Femininity, a book by Chrystie Cole, is something I highly recommend reading yourself, but even more so in a group study where you can share your experiences, ideas and convictions. God designed us for community and as women He designed us to invite, nurture and partner. Are you ready?
Biblical Femininity by Chrystie Cole of Grace Church, Greenville, SC
Worship: 'Be the Grace' by Megan Pifer
The palm branches and the nails. Both can fill us with wonder. He is in them both. At the foot of the cross – on whatever day we find ourselves there – there is abundant wonder. Awe of the sacrifice. Wonder at the level of love, devotion and faithfulness. The emotion, the experience, of wonder is not exclusive to the beauty of creation or the tender moments in life. Wonder can be found in the shadows, in the raw realizations, or in the seasons of anguish.
Blog Post: Wonder
Worship Playlist
Breath Prayer: (Breathe In) Father open my eyes, (Breathe Out) that I might stand in wonder
God has been reminding me of the power of our spoken words this week. The power of His Word. He spoke and it was. God said everything, and it was good. So this episode is a different turn. I hope you will listen - it is simple enough. God spoke and I wrote. This episode contains three poems: Start / Removed & Free / Mine
Genesis 1:31 God saw everything he had made: it was supremely good.
Worship: 'Into the Sky', by Jason Upton (originally written with his young son)
Breath Prayer: God spoke my name (Breathe In), I am safe in Him (Breathe Out)
In the beginning….was darkness. In the beginning…was nothing. There is so much in our world now it’s hard to conceive of the minimalist living a few hundred years ago, let alone nothing. In the beginning earth was formless and the Spirit of God was hovering. The Spirit of God has hovered over your life, over your story, and declared that you are good.
Worship: 'Peace Be Still' by Julie True (Let this wash over you again and again this week!)
Prayer: (Breathe In) He is my beginning, (Breathe Out) and it is good.
Here's a short Christmas story for you, as we lean into His story tonight. I pray your Christmas is full and that your hearts are overflowing with His love and compassion this holiday season. Merry Christmas!
Worship: The First Noel, by The Hound and the Fox
Breath Prayer: (Breathe In) My God is in the whisper, (Breathe Out) And in the silent night.
Since we all have to wait, what does your waiting look like? What does it produce? What does it reflect? Those are what I want to know. Those are the questions I have asked myself over the years. And the lacking responses I had to transparently give led me to aim for something different the next time, and the time after that. And when you ask, Holy Spirit has no qualms about pointing out the moments you could have done it better.
Take a moment, wait in worship with ‘Waiting Here for You’ by Christy Nockels: https://youtu.be/Xy9jRA3K2SI
Breath Prayer: (In) In the silent of the night, (out) You birth a holy night.
What is your trust with God like? Many of us, at one time or another, can feel like that trust has been broken. I can recall distinctly a time when it felt like it shattered violently. I believed I had trusted Him, despite fears, doubts and circumstances, and He had betrayed me. Let's pause a moment today and talk about trust. Don't forget to review the podcast and share your thoughts on our Facebook page!
Worship: Toby Mac, ‘I Just Need You’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wNpOeakhEM
Prayer: (Breathe in) Lord, help my unbelief, (Breathe Out), my trust is in You.
Community: www.facebook.com/faithlikejasmine/
See Him Around Us: www.instagram.com/faithlikejasmine/
This week we are settling in together for storytime! Take a listen to this wonderful children's parable by Neale Donald Walsch and let the Holy Spirit catch you by unawares. God speaks to us in surprising ways! Join me for 'The Little Soul and the Sun.'
Breath Prayer: Who I am (inhale)........is safe in You (exhale).
Worship: 'Into the Sky,' by Jason Upton - https://youtu.be/MoaeVHIwzOQ
We all have our weaknesses. We all have our strengths. We all have areas we struggle through. My name is Megan, and I struggle with anxiety. Before and after being saved, I have wrestled with this and walked through stages of healing. When I am weak, He is strong. And though God has not taken this struggle from me, He equips me. Do you have a first aid kit for your heart?
Breath Prayer: Jesus (Inhale)…..you are with me (Exhale).
Worship: ‘Through and Through,’ United Pursuit, feat. Will Regan: https://youtu.be/5Y7h6K13z0I
Psalm 139:5 says, "You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me."
So simple and so rich. I love passages like these that are simple truth, that I don’t wonder about interpreting. We can’t misunderstand Him here. To be hemmed in is to be surrounded. And He lays His hand upon you. He touches you.
Scripture: Psalm 139:5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
Worship: Megan Pifer, Be the Grace - https://youtu.be/gfLFbfXmN_I
Breath Prayer: (In) Father heal me (Out) body, mind and spirit. Amen.
Does God’s sovereignty give you peace or does it make you cringe? In this short episode we're going to explore what scripture has to tell us about God's sovereignty and then connect that on a personal level. After all, He is your sovereign. Don't forget to check out the prayer and worship section below afterward.
Prayer: Prayer of St. Francis - https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/prayer/traditional-catholic-prayers/saints-prayers/peace-prayer-of-saint-francis/
Worship: ‘All Creatures of Our God & King’, by All Sons & Daughters - https://youtu.be/9tevVTnYvss
Welcome! Here's just a glimpse into the heart behind Faith Like Jasmine. Have you ever smelled blooming jasmine? It is enticing and unmistakable. 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, "As far as God is concerned there is a sweet, wholesome fragrance in our lives. It is the fragrance of Christ within us, an aroma to both the saved and the unsaved all around us."