Arise Ministries Collective: Recent Episodes
Arise Ministries Collective
equipping the saints, teaching God's Word, sharing the Gospel of Jesus, meeting practical needs, loving extravagantly
https://ariseministriescollective.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/FinalAmyOliver.mp3“Divorced” is a descriptor Amy Oliver never anticipated or planned for. When circumstances left her alone and wondering how she would care for her daughters and rebuild a home for them, Amy began the long journey toward healing and restoration. After a lot of hard work and seeking Christ first, Amy is ready and prepared to pass along the skills and processes that helped her find restoration and put her on a pathway to wholeness.
Whether you’re going through a separation, have been divorced, or know someone who is, this podcast is for you. Listen along and find pertinent information in the show notes below.
Resources* Learn more about Healing House Solutions and access the free download through the website. For women looking for financial advocacy, the first step is to schedule a Discovery Call. For all other inquiries Contact Amy. * Read Amy’s recent publication, God’s Will and a Whale, to learn more about her journey as it relates to the story of Jonah.
Other Resources Amy Mentions* In response to “not just googling,” Leslie Vernick is a trusted, reliable christian resource for women considering separation or divorce. * Living Wholehearted is the professional counseling, executive coaching & organizational development firm where Amy and Lisa met. * John Ortberg’s book, Eternity is Now in Session * Financial abuse definition and article
Additional Helpful Links* His Heart Foundation is a local organization that connects people with vetted Christian counselors. * If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, find help through ARMS Abuse Recovery Ministries. * Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, hang-ups and habits of any kind.
“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.” 1 Peter 1:6 NLT
About Our Guest: Amy Oliver is a divorced single mom of two teenage girls who is passionate about helping women heal and rebuild life after divorce. She is a realtor in the state of Oregon, a writer/speaker, and the founder of Healing House Solutions, an organization that provides women with financial guidance and advocacy during the divorce process. Amy is a certified divorce financial analyst and trauma informed leader. She brings a wealth of personal experience having done the hard work to heal and rebuild her own life after her 20 year marriage ended. Amy attends A Jesus Church in Tigard, Oregon.
The post Podcast 037 – “Healing House: Rebuilding after Separation or Divorce” with Amy Oliver first appeared on Arise Ministries Collective.
Lucy Westlake has been climbing mountains since she could walk. With a deep love for the outdoors and a the ability to push physical and mental limits to new heights, this 18-year-old adventurer has her sight set on breaking records for God’s glory. Join Lisa as she chats with Lucy about her quest...Read the Post
Join Lisa DaSilva and director of The Freedom Challenge, Tracy Daugherty, as they talk about their new Bible study and what it was like to join forces and write it TOGETHER. This is the second episode in a two part series. Get your copy of What the Lord Requires: A Six Week Study of Micah 6:8 and...Read the Post
Join Lisa DaSilva and director of The Freedom Challenge, Tracy Daugherty, as they reveal their new Bible study and talk about what it was like to work TOGETHER. This is the first episode in a two part series. Get your copy of What the Lord Requires: A Six Week Study of Micah 6:8 knowing...Read the Post
We’re approaching the one year anniversary of all things Covid-19, and we think that’s worth talking about. Coronavirus has left many experiencing genuine loss and heartache – Feelings that resonate deeply with young people like 18-year-old Molly Tuffnell. In this episode of Arise Online, Molly joins host Lisa DaSilva to talk about how she worked through...Read the Post
Join co-authors Eryn Kesler and Mary Straker for a conversation about the first week of our He Will advent study. You’ll hear the inside scoop about why these women are passionate about the Word of God, gain some insight into the book of Luke, and even get their own answers for a few of this...Read the Post
Wow! We’ve made it to the last podcast in The In-Between series, friends! We are so thankful for you listening in and joining us as we explore what it looks like to seek the kingdom first in singleness or whatever season you’re in. In this last podcast, we discuss the core issues of our hearts in...Read the Post
Hello again, friends! Thank you for joining us for our second episode in the three part series we’re calling The In-Between. We are so happy to have you alongside us! We’re starting this next podcast with the librarian approved textbook dictionary definition of stagnation before digging into stories of waiting we hear in the Bible. We hope and...Read the Post
Welcome friends, What do you do when you’re dissatisfied with life? Like you’re in a ditch and can’t get out or feel like staying in the pit you’re in? Portland millennials Amanda and Jess have experienced this, too, and want to encourage other single women to find true contentment in Christ. Listen along as they...Read the Post
Whether fully homeschooling, supervising online learning, or doing a model that integrates both, we want to help you thrive. Join Lisa DaSilva and longtime homeschool mother of 5 Angie Forrester as they talk through some strategies and offer Christ-centered perspective. Find more conversations about Covid-19 education options along with helpful tips and resources in previous podcasts...Read the Post
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 (ESV) What will my family do for school this Fall? How will my kids handle remote learning? Online classes? Is traditional homeschool a viable option? What about community learning pods or other alternative models? How do we even decide and what should we look...Read the Post
What is white privilege and why do some white people struggle with the idea? Does saying and believing black lives matter mean you’re supporting or advocating for the BLM foundation or are anti-police? How can we engage in healthy conversation about racism and racial discrimination, and what are some steps we can take toward change and reconciliation?
In this episode of the Arise Ministries Collective Podcast, guest Vickie Hunter joins Lisa DaSilva to work through a few of the heavy topics surrounding race in America. We hope you’ll take time to quiet your heart, join in their conversation, and be part of gospel-centered healing.
Scripture References
Micah 6:8
“He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?”
Colossians 2:8
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”
Luke 10:47
“And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Genesis 1:27
“So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.”
Galatians 3:28
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Noteworthy Quotes
“White privilege is a built in advantage because of the color of your skin… It also means you’re exempt from certain disadvantages.”
“When we all win, we all win.”
Concerning giving up privilege: “Think about the gospel itself – It is such a paradox. How do we gain our life? We have to lose it. To truly live, we have to die. To really be strong in the Lord, we have to boast about our weakness… You think you’re going to be losing something or give up something, and you’re really not.”
Concerning Black Lives Matter vs. All Lives Matter: “You love your children, but if one falls and skins his knee, that’s the one you’re running to – To tend to them at that moment. It doesn’t mean you don’t love your other children. It just means that one is hurting at that moment and needs some help. We’re crying out that we need help.”
“If we have a friend, or a brother or a sister in Christ and they’re hurting, there are certain ways to respond. By denying their pain, ignoring their pain, or saying, ‘Well, I don’t feel pain,” doesn’t mean that they are not in pain.”
“God knows your heart more than you know your own heart.”
“When we love the way that we should, we all win.”
“I don’t know the person or people who founded the BLM organization. I do know that the saying Blacks lives matter is a Christian worldview though. Christians are not borrowing this slogan from the world. The world borrowed this truth from the Christian worldview.” – Preston Perry via Twitter
“Every man shows himself to be a skillful teacher of justice for his own advantage.” – John Calvin
Next Steps
- Pray: Ask the Lord to reveal areas of blindness and to uncover biases. Take time to process with an open heart and mind.
- Study Scripture: Use this resource as a launching point to understand justice and kindness from God’s perspective. The Bible is packed with stories about God’s response to justice and His expectation of ours.
- Investigate: Read and listen to a variety of perspectives concerning history, systemic racism, and the human experience. Talk to your black friends and be open to genuinely learning from their responses. Consider reading some of the books in our previously published article about justice and empathy.
- Vote: Research candidates and platforms on your ballot. Judges, local constituents, city council members, and many others play a big role in influencing policy and change. Know who you’re voting for and what they stand for.
- Talk About It: Regularly talk about race, biases, assumptions, injustice, and current events in your homes and with your children.
- Arise: Ask, “How can I affect and influence systemic change?” and move into action. This may mean writing letters, signing petitions, participating in a peaceful protest, and supporting organizations that align with your Biblical worldview and work toward racial justice. The & Campaign is a great place to start.
About Our Guest: Vickie Hunter is a Jesus-loving empty nester and mama to one adult son. She has lived on Long Island, NY her entire life but loves to travel. Her last major trip was to Israel where she had the amazing opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Vickie has attended Island Christian Church for the past 25 years and has served as their Office Manager for the last 15. She is a mentor to many young women in her church and community who affectionately refer to her as “Auntie.”
It began with a spark of hope and a few simple questions: “What if we could multiply a few dollars to keep giving back while we train young teens to start a business from the ground up? What if these young apprentices could explore various aspects of business structure and development and try their hand at developing usable skills? Most importantly, what if they could see the direct impact of their actions in the lives of others both here and across the globe? What if in this process we can help individuals find their soul’s song?”
This spark led the birth of Soul Song Coffee – A company rooted in the belief that meaningful work fosters empowerment, that young people have the ability to build a business, and that a local community can come together to actively practice Biblical truth in a way that demonstrates Christ’s love and promotes lasting change.
Listen to the podcast to learn more about Ann Ordway, the vision behind Soul Song Coffee, and how you, too, can find and live your soul song.
Be sure to visit the Soul Song Coffee website to read about the ways they empower local youth, come alongside ministries in Uganda and Haiti, and source beans from farms and companies that employ sustainable practice and embrace dignity.
Click here to support Soul Song by purchasing coffee directly from their website. I’m a monthly subscriber and genuinely look forward to receiving my beans each month!
May we all heed Ann’s encouragement from Isaiah 41, get on our bike, and start riding.
With great expectation,
Lisa
Soul Song Coffee’s young entrepreneurs. About Our Guest: As the Founder of Soul Song Coffee, Ann Ordway wears quite a few hats, but her favorite jobs in the world are being wife to Jason and mama to four amazing kids whom she has the privilege of homeschooling.
Her greatest moments are spent discussing the finer points of life with friends, journaling in her morning prayer time, and capturing most everything in picture! She has an inquisitive spirit and a passion for developing young minds, which ultimately led to the development of Soul Song Coffee! She dreamed of an opportunity where young teens could be exposed to different careers and aspects of business in a setting where they could immediately apply that learning to a real business, one that existed for the greater good. Not just an idea, an action.
https://ariseministriescollective.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/024-Unexpected-Homeschool-Mom.mp3 “Children are not a distraction from the more important work, they are the most important work.” – Dr. John Trainer Let’s be honest. We just weren’t prepared for this. Mamas and caregivers around the world are suddenly responsible for educating their children at home with limited experience or resources. Even with school districts posting lessons and offering support, we need help with the basics. That’s why we called on Angie Forrester, homeschooling mother of five with nearly a decade of experience. We hope you’ll listen and be encouraged as she shares tools and ideas to help us thrive during the COVID-19 school closure.
Scroll down to find a summary of things we discussed, additional helpful strategies, as well as direct links to some of the resources Angie mentions.
From Surviving to Thriving: 6 Strategies to Help You Succeed Create Routine – Children thrive in structure and need consistency. So do we. It’s good to know what to expect each day, especially when things around us seem unpredictable. Create a schedule using your child’s input if at all possible. Kids often respond to change and expectations better when they’re part of the process and feel ownership. Be sensitive to what’s working and what’s not as the days (and weeks) go by, and feel the freedom to make adjustments.
Foster Character Through Responsibility – Giving your child chores to complete during the day not only keeps your house tidy and organized, but cultivates responsibility. He or she will soon learn that others in the home depend on their hard work and effort. If you have multiple children, consider rotating responsibilities to ensure that everyone gets a chance to try something new. We also hope you’ll allow your son or daughter the opportunity to manage their own time and make decisions independent of you during this season at home. Responsibility is often learned behavior that comes through experience. Use positive reinforcement to encourage helpful behavior whenever able. You’ll be surprised at how quick your child rises to the occasion!
Provide a Space for Optimal Learning – Angie suggests giving each child a personal space to keep their school books and supplies. This may be as simple as giving them their own area on a bookshelf, desk, or table. For kids that work better on the move, consider a rolling system like the ones in the link below. Angie’s three younger students prefer this method. One of their actual rolling carts is featured in the image to the left. Whichever method you end up using, encourage your son or daughter to be responsible for his or her space just like they are at school. It should be tidied up in the evening and ready for learning in morning. They may even begin to enjoy using and taking care of their new school area and resources!
Reframe Expectations – Our frustration and disappointment is often caused by unrealistic or unspoken expectations. Remember that everyone in the home is experiencing a new reality. We’re not used to being around one another for extended amounts of time. Angie reminds us that our own selfishness often gets in the way of optimal learning. Take some time every day to surrender your will to our Father. While self-care is always important, acknowledge that regular alone time may be less feasible in this season. You and your children are learning new rhythms together!
Give Grace – Understand that your children may be suffering, too. They’re not used to being home and learning from their mom. They may miss friends and all of the learning and social benefits they experienced at school. Both of you are first-timers, and both of you need grace for one another. We think it’s ok (and advantageous even) to be honest about your fears and trepidation. Maybe your children want to share their own with you. Be willing to say sorry and commit each day to prayer. We’re all going to need it.
Make Memories! – You have always been your child’s primary teacher. While we know that this is a season of hardship for many, our prayer is that you would enjoy this unexpected gift of time as much as possible. Take a moment each day to make a memory! Go on a nature walk. Bake something together. Write letters and put them in the mail. Learn a new instrument. Snuggle on the sofa and read a novel out loud. Make small care packages and anonymously drop them off on a neighbor or friend’s porch. Paint. Play board games. Document this adventure in a journal. Do a Bible study together. Linger at the table after meals. Do whatever you can to make positive memories and leave a legacy of the way your family tackled the COVID-19 homeschool season.
Active Learning Activities and Supplies
Suggested Picture Books and Novels to Read Aloud
Click here for a direct link to our Recommended Resources page where you can find Gospel-centered children’s books and resources to encourage and equip moms from a Biblical perspective.
Websites with Free Printables, Online Support, and Suggested Activities Khan Academy
Read Aloud Revival (great book lists)
Board Slam (free printable)
Classroom Freebies (reading logs and worksheets)
Virtual Field Trips
Closing Thoughts Our hope and prayer is that you would cling to the hope in Christ as you navigate this season of life at home. May these suggestions and resources bring calm and clarity, and may you rest in the unwavering truth that you truly are the very best teacher your children have.
With great expectation,
Angie and Lisa
Meet Our Authors
About Angie Forrester: A northwest native, Angie enjoys spending her time cultivating gardens and young minds including her five “free-range” children. She has been a home educator for 9 years, working alongside other mamas to build community for homeschool families. As a lifelong learner you may find her reciting Latin, reading aloud to her children, or applying National Park stickers to her water bottle from her most recent adventure.
About Lisa Da Silva: Lisa has never (ever) officially homeschooled her children, and is increasingly thankful that her kids are young adults with online programs mandated by their schools. She is passionate about education and loved being an elementary school teacher before starting a family. She is honored to be the Director of Arise Ministries Collective, and longs to see women transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. She is willing and ready to come alongside all of the young mama’s unexpectedly at home during this season.
