Reformed Churchy Girl: Recent Episodes
Marni Ausenbaugh
The armor bearer is not a role we discuss in the modern day church. Armor bearers are crucial to the battles we face today. The armor bearer is just as it sounds. They bear our armor! They go before us in life's fierce battles! We still need those today. This podcast reminds us that we are one, we need one and we have one! Perhaps we need to do some spiritual inventory to see who those are in our lives and see where we need to step in as an armor bearer.
Does church life bring thoughts of sugarplums or vinegar? Sherri speaks truth into some hard places for the Christian. We can't ignore the fact that most of us have "church hurt". How do we reconcile being a part of such a "Motley Crue" of people & even want to stay anchored? It would be easier for us to "bow" out & disconnect instead of anchor in. Let's listen to Sherry encourage our hearts in anchoring well in the church.
Amy Carrico is on the mic for this weeks podcast. She was a speaker for the Anchored 2021 Conference. I asked her to speak on being "anchored" in community. Amy had us process the many "communities" we are a part of. Women have communities in many areas of life. We just don't acknowledge them. God has given us much to "look after" in those communities. She challenges us to truly see these communities as a way to share and live out the gospel. I know you are going to love her wit! Welcome Amy Carrico!
We have a very special treat today on the podcast. Malinda Scoggins has some wisdom to share. She was recently one of the speakers for the Anchored 2021 Conference. She asks some tough questions of us. We all want to be anchored well but anchoring well starts in the home & honestly sometimes our homes get the leftovers. God has given us so much to steward over so asking these tough questions will help us anchor properly. Is it well with thee? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with your children?
Have you ever thought about the miracle that God performed with the fragments of the fish that were left.? Jesus feeds the 5,000 with fragments!!! Many times we think our pieces have no value. Oh man, what opportunities we miss because we don’t offer our fragments to Jesus. There are miracles in our fragments if we will just hand them over. Lots of us have pieces of our lives that aren’t pretty. They are jagged, half used and abused and we truly think they have no value left in them but Jesus squashes that with this story. What fragments do you have that you’ve dismissed as being worthless? God uses fragments my friends! It performs miracles with them.
How are you processing “Co-vid”?
Do you find it easy to throw blame here and there and expect others to “get it right” when the word of God is clear where we are to begin during a crisis time.
This isn’t an easy video. If you can stand the heat…push play! I have been processing this for quite some time. God has really been challenging me in my thought process and where and what gets my attention. I say all the time God never wastes a season. This one is no different. What has your attention?
Paul is imprisoned in Rome...for preaching the gospel. We know as Christians we are going to suffer for the gospels sake but when it comes we shake in our boots! Do you? Even when we "imprisoned" for the gospels sake we are to continue encouraging others! Paul looked at his circumstances as being a prisoner of Jesus Christ not of Rome. Perspective Matters Folks! I don't know how many times I've read this passage and it never sunk in that Pauls perspective changed everything. We need a mind shift!
We have been gifted by God for authority over natural things in life yet we stand at the water that we process is about to engulf us with fear. Fear stops us from walking in authority. Often times the natural paralyzes us. What? Why is that? The 3 Hebrew children weren't paralyzed by fear of the fire. David was not paralyzed by the sight of the Goliath. Moses was not paralyzed by the fear of the water nor the army right on his hind end! If the fear stops us, are we faith filled?
I'm not a Message Translation girl but it held an interesting thought about John The Baptist. One word changed my perspective on this passage and how it pushes me to be a rumble in the desert. The Message says he was a "thunder" in the wilderness. He came on the scene to tell people Jesus was coming and he is portrayed as a "thunder". I'm no John The Baptist but shouldn't we all be a "thunder" telling people Jesus is coming? When the storm comes you often here the rumble before the storm. Are we rumbling?
Do you happily follow God on the detours of life?
Do you recognize that often times the detours are to reroute us to our destiny? Gosh we have no clue how God might just orchestrate our lives for His glory.Detours are good things!
They are hard on the micro-manager but good for our faith! I don't like detours! They are unknown and really uncomfortable for most of us. I really wise God would let me in on the detour prior to my charting my course but how would I grow. It takes lots of faith and trust.
We all know being a prisoner of God has fruit on the other side of it but we whine when we really are "imprisoned". Paul looked at it in a very different light. I can't believe I've never seen this before.
He makes a point about being a prisoner of God even while being a prison of Rome yet he makes no mention of it because he is only a prisoner of Jesus Christ even in this terrible season. He has his mind right!
Even in prison, even during a quarantine! Good Stuff!!!!!
Amber and I have the gift of gab. Join us for a real life conversation between Jesus girls!
The longer I live the more I become keenly aware women no matter what age seems to struggle with "fitting in". In this episode you'll hear candid talk about this subject. We all struggle...from 15-60. Let's just say, it is common to womanhood! We seem to be born with an overwhelming thought that we don't measure up. We feel this way in the secular world and inside the church as well but there is a remedy for that! It is found in the place of Jesus Christ. This is the one and only place of fulfillment.
I love the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abenego! I think we have the perception that we "know" this childhood story but what if there are subtle phrases in this story that have so much to teach us. This short devotional digs into some of those small phrases that have tons to teach us.
Many of us find ourselves asking God the tough question, "Why am I in this fire, Lord?" when we feel like we have been faithful. Faithful is a great pre-requisite for the fire. This is where I want to land today!
This podcast is probably the toughest one I've recorded. My friend Michele tells her story of abuse from her husband who was a minister. She shares the ups & downs of the relationship & the recovery & forgiveness she has experienced. This podcast is not for everyone. It's hard to fathom that people in the family of God that could possibly sit on your pew with you are struggling in this way. Please know talking openly is important! Our hope is to bring awareness that it exists and God heals afterward.
Every woman whether in her twenties or in her sixties struggles with being all things to all people. We seem to be able to do it but at what cost? Keeping all the plates spinning and juggling all the balls of life often times leaves us running on empty. We are nurturers by nature so we want to make sure we take care of all the needs while looking over our own. I share three encouragements for you to add into your daily life: rest, balance and accountability for your influence. No one leads well on empty.
You are sure to love this weeks guest. Jesus literally oozes from Kellie! Kellie is a wife, mother, brain injury survivor, best selling author, international speaker and a consultant to help people connect themselves to God, themselves and others. I can't wait for you to hear Kellie's stories!
As usual, God navigates us through several topics. We always trust God with our conversation knowing He will use address what the body of Christ needs.
She is a walking miracle & she loves to tell it.
The story of Mary anointing Jesus feet in the gospels has always been one of my favorite Bible stories. I have read it tons of times and every time it seems to hold new lessons for me. This time was no different. In this study, we dig into the HEAR method of studying. It helps dig nuggets out that can be over looked by casual study. One of my new insights that God had me to sit with this time was the fact that that the ones who were indignant toward her were other believers. It is cause for reflection.
Melissa Bazzell is one of my dearest friends. She gives a personal testimony of how her identity was skewed! This hits way too close to home. God has had her on a three year journey to unpack her heart and where it had led her. She and I were pretty vulnerable in this podcast. I think you have to be to unpack years of misunderstanding about who God created you to be. We all have places we find our value that may not be healthy for us. This is where we land for most of this podcast. Lots of unpacking!!
Michelle and I met last year! She purchased a painting tutorial from me. Little did either of us know this friendship had nothing to do with painting. God appoints relationships and He will use whatever necessary to connect people for divine purpose. This podcast was supposed to be about choosing a "word of the year". As you listen you will hear us run many rabbit trails. This my friends, is my friend Michelle! She loves Jesus whole heartedly and it shows in the fluidness of our conversation.
A great conversation with Melissa Scott about fear & how our brains process it. She gives us a glimpse into what started this journey. Fear had plagued her life to the point that she needed to make some life changes. She dug into why her brain processed fear the way it did. This led her on a journey through how our body works and ultimately to the word of God. The Bible has much to say about fear! When she began to marry the two, it was amazing what unfolded. What a passion that comes from her heart!
It's difficult to stay the course in life when what you sense is your calling doesn't match the voices of those around you. Carrie walks us through a season in her life that matches this description. She uses statements like "stay the course" & "clear the clutter". Often times it's so easy to listen to the voices of those around us instead of the voice of our Father. We tend to second guess the assignment God has given us. God is gracious to give us second chances to return to what He calls us to.
Do you have any family heirlooms? I mean, heirlooms that if you misplaced them you'd be devastated? Well it happened to me & in the process God taught me some valuable lessons. The gospel of Luke tells a parable of a woman who lost a coin. This coin was valuable to her as was the family heirloom I misplaced! A parable is an earthly story with a Heavenly meaning. This parable came alive to me the day I lost my precious heirloom. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost!
God teaches in everyday moments if we have a keen hear to His voice. The day God sat down on my heart with this thought was no different than any other day. In one of my "not so finest" moments, God was gracious to expose some areas of my heart that needed some attention. The jest of the podcast is that I have auto corrected my life to those around me in hopes of "fitting in" and "not making waves". In the process of auto correcting my life, I have no doubt I have watered down the purpose He has for me.
One of my favorite stories in the Bible might just surprise you. It's the story of the woman with the issue of blood. I understand her. Just like her, I have my own issues. If you are breathing you have had you share of issues. This sweet woman is "known" for her issues. We don't even know her name. She is known for being "unclean" yet she presses past the crowd to get to the one man who can heal her. We delve into some tough questions about our own issues. She has lessons to teach us...
This podcast is a real life situation where God took some time to teach me some personal lessons about my faith. There are lessons you'll never learn unless you take the test. I took the test and found myself lacking in the faith department. I fretted more than I walked by faith but just like God, He was faithful to walk me through the season and mature me...step by step. Being a person of faith doesn't come without being exposed to opportunities for our faith to grow. I pray its an encouragement to you!
The acronym HEAR stands for highlight, explain, apply and respond. This unique way of study has opened my eyes to so much in the word of God. As a child I really struggled with comprehension. This hindered me as an adult in understanding the Bible clearly. This way of studying any scripture has encouraged me to dig deeper. I've heard people all my life say they don't understand what they read. This truly will make a difference in how you process and apply the word of God.
Transitional seasons can be tough to navigate. When God has prepared us for the next step in our journey with Him yet we feel we are in a holding pattern. Just because God has prepared us for the next season doesn't mean God has ordained us to walk in it at this time. David was anointed king when he was a young lad yet he didn't step into that role until he was 30 years old. Transitional seasons are seasons we are learning to trust God more & more as He orchestrates our path. Learn to trust in the shift.
God never wastes a good detour! Detours are rarely planned....unless you are a good traveler! I rarely plan them! They often include bumpy side roads that take me to the middle of nowhere! But God has a way of using what I think is a detour to teach me the most profound lessons. In the process, I find the detour was not a detour but a part of His plan to teach me, stretch me, humble me, strengthen me, produce further surrender, realign and reroute me. All this accomplishes great glory for the Lord.
We've all heard the saying, "God never wastes a trial"! How true that is. I've watched a loved one engage in a battle recently & found myself struggling because I couldn't help. When the battle is raging & you can't help...what do you do? We know to pray! I prayed & God stepped in to teach me some lessons. He brought to mind an Old Testament term, "armor bearer". I hadn't studied it in years but God was so precious to give me a visual lesson on what that looks like today. Can't wait to share it!
I love sharing great information that could encourage you not only as a business owner but as a Christian business owner. I attended The Business Boutique business conference recently in Nashville Tn. This conference was packed full of practical business tips from a Christian perspective. On this podcast, I give you little conference cuts and snippets from some of my favorite speakers. They shared ways to conquer fears, business strategies and powerful encouragements from the journey.
Silence and Solitude seems to be a thing of the past. Our culture is so loud with every corner of our day filled with noise. If it's such a commodity then perhaps it's more valuable than we think? When was the last time you had even five minutes of silence to hear the heart of God? Sure! We pray but that usually constitutes us doing most of the talking. When was the last time you sat in silence waiting to hear from God? Not with your want list but just crawling up in His lap to spend time with Him. It seems such an odd request doesn't it? Oh but how He longs for this quiet time with His children. Jesus even modeled silence and solitude himself. Let's talk about the importance of this discipline and how to implement it into our everyday lives.
The Pharisee in me is a story that's been written from the pages of my life. The last few years the Lord has performed some spiritual heart surgery on the churchy girl. Everything that you will hear come from this podcast stems from this exposed place of sinfulness in my own life.
When the Holy Spirit lays the gauntlet down and calls you out as being a Pharisee it kind of hurts your feelings. I would have never in a million years categorized myself like that! EVER! But how many of you know when Jesus calls you out there is no arguing!!!
I think the story of The Prodigal Son has a special place in most Christians heart. We have all been the prodigal. Whether our stent through the far country was out in the public eye like the prodigal sons was or not. We all know how far sin has taken us but how many of you have really taken a magnifying glass and looked at the older brother in this story.
Most theologians believe that the older brother is a picture of a Pharisee. After all, the Pharisees were the ones calling Jesus out for eating with and receiving sinners. I can and have totally aligned myself with the brokenness of the Prodigal but what about this older brother. He was a jerk!
When I look at the life of the older brother in this story in relation to loving the sinner, receiving and eating with sinners....THAT'S TOTALLY ME! Some Christians don't like the term OMG...but OMG!
I am the older brother!
I sit in church every week and snub my nose at those who are riddled by sin. I won't engage in the celebration that should commence when they return home.
Is that you?
Are you the older brother too?
As a good church girl, we would say our foundation is on the rock. When we say that, we mean our foundation is in Jesus Christ. Matthew talks about building our house on a sure foundation. When the rains and floods come, we will find our homes still standing. When we foolishly build upon the sand we will find ourselves sinking! Sand never proves to be a good foundation. It can't take the pressure of the weight or the fierceness of the winds.
Often times we find ourselves in seasons where the winds and the tides shift in our lives! The seasons change! Whether it be a job change, demotion at work or something as simple as kiddos going away to college, seasons will change in the life of a woman.
I have walked through unexpected seasons where it feels like winter set in on me like a blizzard fast and hard and I just fell apart. I know I am not the only one. When our worth, purpose and identity are tied to "who" instead of "whose" we are then we can find ourselves sinking!
We don't plan to build our "emotional" house on shifting sand but somewhere along the way we found ourselves building our foundation on positions and callings. Positions and callings are great but not if they have somehow slid into the foundation of where you find your worth, purpose and identity.
You can always tell when that has happened in the life of a Jesus girl. When positions or callings shift, we find ourselves floundering in our identity.
This is just a good heads up! It happens to all of us! Don't get stuck at the altar because you found yourself standing on an alter foundation. Identify it and repent from it. When you walk through it make sure to share your story to the next generation!
Hi! So glad you are here! You'll hear me say this often because I know your time is super valuable. This short podcast is just a brief backstory of how we ended up here! It's kind of like I am sharing the cliff notes with you of the last three years of my life. I thought it important to get you up to speed where our passion comes from.
My personality can sometimes be bigger than life but it is rooted in the passion of learning who God says I am in scripture. There are defining moments in every believers life that the light gets turned on....well the light is on and the passion is out!
I pray you find me compassionate and authentic. The days of the church being the pretty shell it's been for ions is over. Reaching the lost is what it's all about. I desire to get my hands dirty and reach those Jesus found himself sitting with in those days. Speaking truthfully about our brokenness and a need for a the Savior needs to be the flag that is flown from the heart of every believer.
We are all about three things around here: faith, family and friends!
Faith:
It's paramount in the Ausenbaugh home. God is the funnel by which all things flow through. We love our faith family and the mandate God has given us to be a light in this world.
Family:
Our two grown girls are the love of our lives then add in "grands" and it gets all kinds of crazy. We love big! All of us including my father and brother are in ministry in one way or another.
Friends:
I think we are like everyone else! We have our small tribe of loyal friends who do the hard work of loving us. I am blessed to have them!
Join us in the journey through the podcast world! It should be interesting !!