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What do you do when you feel like nobody REALLY sees you? In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Konzen returns to the podcast to discuss the impact of truly believing that God is attentive to us as individuals. Jen shares a bajillion beautiful scriptures and unpacks the POWERFUL spiritual, emotional and physical implications of living “seen & heard” in our walks with God as followers of Jesus.  Woven in Truth proudly promotes the Beloved & Dignified Conference happening ONLINE May 5-6, 2023. Conference Blurb: “Women Helping Women Heal” Many of our lives have been touched by suffering not of our own choosing. Biblically, hell (sheol in the Hebrew) can be used to designate the lowest valley, the place “under the mountains” where hope seems hidden from view (see Job 24:8). These kind of situations stir longing for the next life. In the pain, moving beyond survival is difficult and finding a safe circle that understands isn’t always easy. No matter what has happened (or may happen ahead), we are beloved and dignified daughters of God. Join us as we sit with the pain, affirm how low these valleys can be, and explore where to find God in our lowest times. YOU are invited! Register today if this resonates with you- it is exclusively online and classes will not be recorded. Should be an amazing experience! About this Episode's Guest:Dr. Konzen is the director for the Center for Sexuality in San Diego, CA. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a certified sex therapist, and a certified chemical dependency counselor. She is also a two-time nationally award-winning researcher, an international speaker, and an adjunct professor.  Dr. Konzen is the author of The Art of Intimate Marriage, Redeemed Sexuality and The Ransomed Journey: Couples Recovery from Addiction. Episode Notes: “You are the God who sees me.."- Genesis 16:13 Q: What makes you feel seen & heard? He Sees  Ps 139:2 Deut 32:10-11 Ps 34  Ps 32:8 Ps 121:5 Psalm 31:7 Psalm 31:21 Gen 28:15 He sees our joys & victories John 16:22 Romans 12:15 Ps 149:4 Zeph 3:17  Psalm 116:1 Psalm 55:17 Click here to see Jen's scripture resource “I AM WITH YOU…” Exercise  Practicing the Presence Ps 27:8 Num 6:25 Ps 17:15 Psalm 16:9-11 Psalm 31:20 Jeremiah 6:16 Jesus’s Words to Women “This woman will be remembered” “Daughter” “She has chosen what is better” “She has given everything” “Mary!” “Jennifer!” “She has loved much” “Leave her alone” “Your faith is great” “Go in peace” “I don’t condemn you” Resource Recommendations: Centering Prayer App The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (Comer) Journey of the Soul (IPI, Sumerlin) Meditations (Virginia Lefler) Invitation to Solitude and Silence (Barton)  Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

In this compelling episode, Maria McHargue joins us to talk about what it means for her to be faithful as a Christian who manages chronic pain. Suffering can feel unbearable at times, but God invites us to rely on Him and His love- even when nothing makes sense. Maria encourages us to anchor ourselves in Scripture as we claim God as our Rock, Refuge, and Rest amid life’s painful struggles. Wherever you are, you are not alone.  About the Speaker:Maria is originally from New Jersey and has been a disciple for over 20 years. She has a Masters in Social Work as well as her clinical license and worked as a foster care social worker for several years before going into the full-time ministry. Maria and her husband Cash have been married for over 13 years and have two kids- Isabella who is 12 and Hunter who is 10. She has served in ministry for the last 15 years in Baltimore Maryland, Madrid Spain, and Boston where she currently serves as a Women’s Ministry Leader in the South Coastal Region. Her life took a radical turn while living in Spain when she was diagnosed with a spinal tumor that left her unable to walk and in tremendous pain. After a quick flight home and two surgeries later she was partially paralyzed and her journey to relearn to walk began. She still deals with chronic pain and fatigue but she is passionate about women’s ministry and inspiring others to persevere through life’s trials. Maria is grateful for opportunities to share her story and help women grow in their trust in God.  Episode Notes: Psalm 94:18-19- When I said, “My foot is slipping!” Your unfailing love, O Eternal One, held me up. When anxiety overtakes me and worries are many, Your comfort lightens my soul. Tim Keller: “Suffering is unbearable if you aren’t certain that God is for you and with you.” Psalm 62:1-8  God as our Rock, Refuge & Rest Muscle Memory the Bible is my spiritual muscle memory Turn to the Psalms in dark and lonely places Like David, our hope can be found in God’s faithfulness. “Anchor Scriptures” help you not drift  “Ever present hope”  Help us be still and grounded in God. He is in control.  Lam 3:21 Psalm 46:1 Reliance on God when nothing makes sense Hebrews 5: 7-9 Where do you turn when you want to give up? When you’re feeling hopeless and helpless? When life doesn’t make sense Look to Jesus and His example; fix your eyes on Him so you can endure.  Hebrews 12:1-3 Jesus’ example gave me and continues to give me hope Perservance, endurance is hard: It is inspiring to hear stories of how people overcame and endured difficulties- but it is not easy being the one going to through it There are many tears It is lonely Exhausting Sad Isaiah 26:3-4 Eyes on God for spiritual rest Helps to remind me of gratitude What God has brought me through Looking to God and not the problem Gratitude lists Psalm 18:1-2- “I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” “God didn’t bring us this far to fail." Anchor scriptures; Looking to God as my Refuge, my Rock and my Rest Be gracious with yourself, God is gracious with you.  Pain & Joy can coexist - God is with you in & through the pain.Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

In this episode, Silvia Mendez joins us to unpack the concept of boundaries through a biblical lens. Relationships are such a gift, but they can be sticky blessings to manage when they become entangled. Silvia shares phenomenal insight and many passages to help us identify unhealthy patterns and untrue narratives and encourages us to let God renew our minds for His glory and our ultimate good.  About the Speaker:Silvia Mendez has been a grateful disciple for 33 years. She is the proud mother of two amazing adult children: Luis Jr. & Jennay. Silvia was happily married for 28 years to an incredible man of faith, Luis, who has now gone on to be with the Lord.  For three years Silvia has been adjusting to life as a widow, but she continues to work and serve as a women’s ministry leader. Silvia loves learning new things every day and is deeply grateful to have the Lord walking beside her on this new chapter of her life.  Episode Notes:Galatians 6:2-5: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Concepts and Material Inspired from: Spiritual Discovery by Jim & Virginia Lefler  Distinguishing between loads and burdens in interpersonal relationships.  Entangled Relationship: One or both parties have unhealthy patterns that lead to some type of disfunction or strife.  Codependency defined in this lesson from Galatians 6: Carrying someone’s load or giving someone else your load to carry.  Burden is anything that makes a weight too heavy to carry on your own: physically, mentally or spiritually. Examples of Burdens we strive to help one another with: Need for guidance or encouragement  Need for food or clothing (James 2:15-16)  Loss of loved one (James 1:27)  Sickness, Disease, trauma or other life crisis (Romans 12:10) Load comes from the Greek word for portion, used to describe a soldier’s pack.  Examples of Loads that we all are meant to carry ourselves:  Working to provide for your necessities (plan, budget) Fulfilling responsibilities at work & at home (Col 3:23-24) Being accountable for your choices and decisions and owning the consequences. (Proverbs 19:3)  Being responsible for your own emotions- including your own happiness.  Being responsible for our sin and personal walks with God  Satan plants lies and narratives that will tempt us to overstep healthy boundaries. Most of these are rooted in either: Entitlement Fear Shame  Cool translation of James 1:27- “One of the purest and most undefiled demonstrations of the gospel is to move towards hard places and broken people, not away from them” What are the lies that I’ve bought into that God wants me to be free from? What is God’s truth? What does HE say about me? Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

In this episode, Lauren Peterson joins us to unpack the historically ambiguous concept of living life in physical bodies as Christian women. There’s a distinct duality that many of us face: in religious circles we may have learned to view life in a body as something to be tamed or ignored. Then we have the opposite messaging of our secular culture which can place an inordinate degree of value and pressure on all that is physical. Lauren invites us to identify and separate unhealthy ideologies from God’s divine intention for us to exist as fully-integrated human beings.   About the SpeakerLauren is a therapist with Strength & Serenity Counseling LLC. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Drury University and her MSW from Loyola University Chicago. She currently resides in the Quad Cities where she and her husband Craig have been married for 10 years and have 3 wonderful children: Eliana, Cael and Enya.  Episode Notes: Goal: To normalize the questions and frustrations many Christian women experience about their bodies and encourage gentle curiosity.  Matthew Anderson in Earthen Vessels, “more often than not, we don’t know which lies and bad arguments we have formed our lives around. After all, the ideas that are deepest in us are almost never learned in books, but are forged and engrained through the habitual patterns of life that make up our embodied existence” “May we be women who filter these messages through the Word of God so our deepest ideas about our precious bodies are not built by habit or unwittingly adopted patterns but by the Holy Spirit himself.”The “problem” of the body. We tend to: Ignore it Demonize it Feel overwhelmed/confused by it Internalize the world’s misuse and objectification of it. Medicalize the body “Dualisms that are embedded in our religious traditions have created a false separation between the spiritual realm and the material world, leaving us an “ambiguous legacy” regarding the body…” Ruth Haley Barton.  Consequences of separating from the body: Cannot experience joy and positive emotion to their fullest extent. Disconnection can open the door to sin. When we are disconnected from our bodies, we are unaware of the good but also deeply unaware of our deep seeded anger, fear, etc. Satan uses this as fuel. The Solution: Recognize the body as essential to the human spiritual experience and as GOOD in its original form. Learn to parse out what is original from what is broken. Learn to differentiate biblically between body and “flesh”/“sarx”: ‘Romans 8:5. Be a student of the Word when it comes to Scriptures on the body.1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Paul’s writings are built on the Old Testament foundation of a perfectly created body, knitted together in our mother’s wombs.  Integrate the body as a part of the WHOLE and bring praise and gratitude to the areas of the body the world ignores Incorporate the physical spiritual disciplines- sabbath, silence and solitude, slow movement-taste, touch,etc In Hopeful Summary- the scriptures on resurrectional embodiment teach us that the body is originally good, built for pleasure, and will be perfectly good again. We can be a part of a culture shift that challenges both the cultural objectification but also the religious silencing of the body.  Resources: Real Sex by Lauren Winner Unwanted by Jay Stringer Redeemed Sexuality and Art of Intimate Marriage by J Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

In this episode, Marina De Anda joins us to discuss her own journey from depletion to redemption after a season of burnout. Our lives are filled with demands, responsibilities, and blessings to manage that can leave us exhausted. We all can get lost in our roles but Marina unpacks the power of stillness and ways to embrace the breathing room our souls desperately crave.Episode Notes:  Life can feel overwhelming - complete exhaustion.  Apathy is a sign of burnout  “In helping roles and professions, we as women want to be everything for everyone, but at some point in that we can start to betray ourselves.” 1 Peter 1:8 Psalm 62:1- My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. MSG Version:  God, the one and only—I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from him, so why not? He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul…. Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

Dawn Russell joins us for a refreshing conversation about her journey of cultivating a massive garden and the transformative conversations she's had with God Himself in the process. There's so much divinity found in the literal and metaphorical dirt of our world. Take some time to listen and consider what beauty, healing or redemption is God sowing in your soul? About the Speaker:Dawn Russell is a woman navigating through marriage, motherhood and friendships with the help of Jesus, a faith community and coffee. Her and her husband, Greg, are parents to two young boys and work as ministry leaders in Los Angeles. Dawn has been a Christian for 16 years and is passionate about helping others live fulfilling lives in Christ by discovering their own unique gifts and talents.  Episode Notes: Romans 12:20- “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” -“Before I even knew who God was, He revealed himself through nature…” Matthew 13:36-43 -“God, where are you when it hurts?” -How do we handle the good and the bad coinciding in this life? “God created us as humans to transform pain into beauty…” God is the master gardener- He knows exactly what He is doing. And if he says things might be unsightly  Gardening- Participating in God’s nature.  There’s beauty found in process.  There’s so much life that’s waiting to be activated!  To connect more with Dawn check out her blog! Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

In this episode, Jodi Hayward shares some insights on the fear phenomenon and God's invitation to lean on him in uncertainty.  Fear is a normal expression of our humanity, but it can become a thief if left untethered- robbing us of the ability to enjoy life and identify the beauty in it. But Jodi reminds us of God's heart to secure ours- “He will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)About the Speaker: Jodi Hayward is an Educational Consultant in Kansas City, Missouri. She has been married to her husband Mark for 35 years and loves being a mother to her adult children: Nate and his wife Kendall, Mallory and her husband Jeremy, and Ariana. She is a grandmother to Ellie Jo, a 4 year-old, who keeps her laughing. Jodi loves God, His Kingdom, and finding sunshine- literally and metaphorically. Episode Notes: Lament: a passionate expression of grief & sorrow.Lam. 3: 55-58Fear: Unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat! A feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or the safety and well-being of someone.  “Fear robs me of the ability to enjoy life and see the beauty of it.”  Fear as a verb: avoid or put off doing something because you are afraid!   What helps you to overcome your fears and trust God? Isaiah 26:3  1.     “God will keep in perfect peace”     Perfect: absolute, complete    Peace:  Free from disturbance, a mental calm, and serenity. 2.     “Him whose mind is steadfast” Steadfast: resolutely firm, determined & unwavering  3.     “Because he trusts in you!” Is. 26:4 “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the rock eternal!” Trust: Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something.  Heb. 12:1 "Let us throw off everything that hinders & the sin that so easily entangles, and run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Q: What hinders you from being steadfast, determined & unwavering? Social media, feelings, emotions, or others opinions One of the things that can hinder me is my phone: all of its dings, pings and the call to worship it. Is it my golden calf?  What takes up your time & energy or distracts you? What are you really devoted too?  God’s Word is the key! Rom. 10:17 Faith comes from hearing the message & the message is heard through the Word of Christ.  John 8:31-32 If, you hold to the teaching then you are really my disciples then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free…free from fear! Holding to God’s Word in a time of information overload. James 1: 19-21:b Anger is a secondary emotion often driven by fear! ·      Fear drives me to be quick to speak & slow to listenLam 3:22-24 Lam. 3: 55-58- “You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear’…you took up my case; you redeemed my life!” Questions: What helps you to overcome your fears? How can you cultivate that area in your life? What is something that may be hindering you in your walk with God? Causing you to have more fear than faith! What is a gem from God’s Word that can help you to grow?  Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

Dr. Jennifer Konzen joins us in this fascinating episode as we explore the sacred space between life's stimuli and our reactions. Jennifer teaches us how to honor our initial feelings and thoughts while ultimately responding based on our values and who we want to be before God. About the Speaker: Dr. Konzen is the director for the Center for Sexuality in San Diego, CA. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a certified sex therapist, and a certified chemical dependency counselor. She is also a two-time nationally award-winning researcher, an international speaker, and an adjunct professor in San Diego at Bethel Seminary and Alliant International University, and online at Rocky Mountain School of Ministry and Theology.  Dr. Konzen is the author of The Art of Intimate Marriage and Redeemed Sexuality and the newly released The Ransomed Journey: Couples Recovery from Addiction. Jennifer lives with her family in beautiful San Diego, California where she has been involved with shepherding and leading in the married and youth and family ministries. Episode Notes:“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom” - Viktor Frankl"People want to be able to genuinely express what they think or feel from a place that does not feel out of control."Scriptures:  2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV - When we have distressed emotions we can remember that we have a compassionate God.  Isaiah 63:9- "In all their distress, he too was distressed" - God sits beside us in our distress, He doesn't wag His finger in our distress.  2 Corinthians 10:5- "Take every thought captive"- this scripture is used out of context very often; this isn't about your emotions and thoughts. We can respond based on our values instead of our initial, emotional reactionsStewarding the Sacred Space:  Before we can respond based on our values, we have to soothe psychologically if we are highly triggered.  Adrenaline floods the body when we are activated in .05 seconds; it takes about 20 minutes for adrenaline to calm back down. Let the feelings talk: God is kind enough to give us the space to sit with our emotions and let them talk for a minute before we try to either squash them or give them full vent.  Give yourself time to honor your feelings and reactions but ultimately responding to life's stimuli based on your values and who you want to be. "I can feel myself getting reactive to this, I want to be able to share this with you in the best way possible- can I come back and try again later?" Blame Game: Isaiah 58:9-10: “do away...with the pointing finger..."Ephesians 4:15 - Speak the truth in love.Psalm 16:8 Jen's Recommended Resources: Book: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality   Book: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Resources – Hayes, Harris Russ Harris Videos on YouTube Podcast: theartofintimatemarriage.com Retreats:  Alaska Retreats Sabbath Rest Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

Patty Mata joins us for a chain-breaker of a conversation based on IMAGE; our perceptions of self. So often we can find ourselves frazzled by the pressure to shape ourselves- spiritually, but also in our physical bodies. At the core of our being, we are pursuing wholeness, and we won’t ever find that in a culturally contingent ideal. Psalm 23:3 says, “He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name.” The Scriptures invite us to a healthier narrative based on trust, submission & even delight in being formed, and loved, by God himself.  About the Speaker: Patty Mata currently serves as a campus pastor in MD and is a soon to be church planter in the DC area. Canadian born and a Social Worker by trade, Patty has a passion for serving her community and helping people find freedom in Christ. She also loves her dog and husband, believes coach potato-ing is a lifestyle and has the tendency of laughing at her own jokes.  Episode Notes: Who am I reflecting? And why?  The truth is that image does matter and isn’t just superficial… it matters to us because it matters to God. But there’s healthy and unhealthy directions this can go.  The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women by Naomi Wolf What matters most to God is that we reflect HIS image.. not the carbon copies that our culture has to offer.  Image- your perception of self based on larger context of influence. Q: What is God’s heart around image? “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them…  God saw all that he had made, and it was very good…” Genesis 1:27, 31 We HAVE been created in HIS image, and He already deemed us as GOOD- before any shaping by our own efforts.  God as architect of the temple:  1 Corinthians 6:19-20, he asks, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” Am I submitting to God as the architect of ME? In my body and as a person?  Or am I trying to take the reins as the architect versus temple maintenance?  Isaiah 64:8- The voice— Still, Eternal One, You are our Father. We are just clay, and You are the potter. We are the product of Your creative action, shaped and formed into something of worth.” 2 Corinthians 4:4- “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” Comparisons and cultural beauty narratives can actually create barriers to unity. Building habits based on freedom versus based on fear. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7…”Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. These characteristics of love - is this how we love our own bodies? Am I patient with my body? Am I kind to it? etc…. Connect more with Patty: Jesus Ate TooSupport the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

In this episode, Jewel Burton joins the podcast to discuss the sweetness of  friendships and the beautiful truth that God wires us for meaningful community. Sisterhood is such a gift, and at the end of the day, we need each other. What growth and abundance may await if you open yourself up to new, or renewed, friendships? About the Speaker: Jewel Burton is passionate about God and His word, but also the beauty that God gives us in relationships with other women. She has the privilege to serve as Women’s Ministry Leader, alongside her husband, in the Turning Point Church. She is not only a follower of Jesus but a mother, sister and friend.   Episode Notes: Main Passage: Ruth 1:1-22  1. We NEED each other  V.16-18 Hebrews 10:24- And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, Relationships with other women upgrade us… they have the potential to "upgrade" us rather than diminish one or the other. We really are better.. Friendships can help us on our journeys of spiritual formation— if we let them!  “People who think they’ve arrived never stop to ask for directions” (John Mark Comer)  Article Reference: It’s Science: Having Sisters Helps You Become A Better Person 2. Our differences connect us  1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (One body, many parts)  “Iron will never sharpen iron in an echo chamber” @aussiedave  People who look, act, and think like you won’t always help you become the best version of yourself. 3.  Allow God to surprise you Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV) “Once in a Lifetime” moments, experiences and relationships  1 Samuel 3:11(ESV) Question to consider: How have you been giving the different & unique women you are surrounded by chance? Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

In our content flooded culture, do you ever experience the spiritual tug of war between clarity and confusion? Maryann Rose joins the podcast to remind us of the accessible truth of the Scriptures and their ability to help us reclaim confident ground. God's word is filled with insights that will equip us for each season as we move through ambiguity and into refinement. About the Speaker: Maryann Rose has a Master's Degree in French Literature from Arizona State University and has been an educator and a writer for thirty years. She and her husband Keith have two married children, and they are grandparents to three adorable grandchildren. An avid traveler, reader and yoga enthusiast, Maryann loves discovery and adventure. She and Keith make their home in San Diego, California.  Episode Notes “The Bible was true in it’s inception, and is true today” In a content-filled culture, we have a lot of opportunity to collect ideas.  1. The Bible is the authority:  2 Tim 3:16-17 Useful- this ancient book is useful! Bible equips us, guides us. In every season and in each aspiration to His glory.  “We all have tons of content from which to choose these days and I’m encouraged by so much of what I read and the ‘influencers’ of the world, but the Bible still needs to be my main source for wisdom- and I can come to insight and conclusions on my own.” 2. The Bible is (and should be) at the center of regular Christian fellowship.  It is meant to be taught day-to-day by average disciples of Jesus, irrespective of title, education or standing.  1 Peter 2:9 Christianity isn’t a “Sunday” thing, it’s a daily lifestyle that should permeate every corner of our lives.  “The essential thing ‘in heaven and earth’ is that there should be a long obedience in the same direction…something which has made life worth living.” -Nietzche Verbiage that Maryann unpacks: Refinement//Evolution; Refinement & Clarity//Nuance  Nicodemus reference- John 3; When people bring Jesus nuance, he gives them clarity.  3. The Word of God is relevant for a lifetime Managing expectations for “quiet times”— Consistent > Ideal Ephesians 4:17-20 It’s so much more than just being “good”, it is about living a life that isn’t futile.  Futility def: pointlessness or uselessness. Beware: Futility found in the influx of content available to us.  Hosea 10:12 What if I proceeded in faith? Being sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not see? We can take the time to vet and evaluate our resources; hold them up to the Scriptures- to not just absorb someone else's insight, but gain our own. Philippians 4:8-9 to carry with you as you go into whatever comes next for you today- “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

Maggie Butterfield joins the podcast to discuss community and shares some refreshing perspectives on embracing social circles in new and different ways. There’s so much richness to be found in life as we take small steps to establish connections and build friendships without agenda. We can give the Spirit room to move as we build bridges to share the gospel and learn a lot from others as we love people deeply without contingencies.  About the Speaker Maggie Butterfield leads the Springfield, MO Church of Christ alongside her husband, Arlee. They are raising their 3 daughters, Madelynne (13), Maylee (10), and Abigail (5) to be countercultural ladies! She has a heart for the small church and loves building community where she is planted. Maggie loves all things foodie and health and wellness and is currently studying the brain and trauma. She can also be found running a podcast with her gal pals called The Artichoke Heart. You can find them on facebook, Instagram or Spotify. She would love to have you join her online community! Episodes Notes Maggie’s definition of Community: A group that comes together over a common interest, passion, or a sharing of space with others.  We are designed and built for community. Doing life with others matters- to our lives on Earth, but ultimately before God and His plans & purposes.  Isaiah 43:18-19- “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Small steps to establish connections and friendships are so important- this doesn’t just help us socially but spiritually as well. We can share the gospel and also learn a lot from others.  Connecting agenda-free with people who have different belief systems makes us well rounded and able to build bridges with others.  Community is about loving people deeply, not having an agenda or timeline.  Barriers to building new or meaningful community:  Focusing on the differences instead of the commonalities. Having an agenda or forcing a narrative. Assuming that you will be the influencer of the group Our own fears or assumptions. Holding on to ideas that we have picked up over the years. Shutting down when people don’t think or communicate exactly like you.  “You miss out when you let the barriers get in the way of the richness of what could be and how God wants to work.” We can seek to love people well in our communities, not just “convert” them. Build community in a spot where God already has you- instead of adding something else, just be more intentional where you already are… The Artichoke Heart- community that reaches families, builds bridges etc.  “Be the community that you want to have”  Give yourself permission to not have all the answers.  Romans 12:1-2 living sacrifice reference- changing our posture in the communities we are already in.  “Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman  Check out The Artichoke Heart community! Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

Lauren Malcolm joins the podcast to unpack Active Listening and the power and potential of this spiritual skill. Lauren helps us consider ways we can approach & respond to others that leads to unity, mutual understanding and ultimately individual and collective growth. As followers of Jesus, we are learners, & most learning is contingent upon listening. There is so much opportunity to glorify God & advance His purposes through building a community of active listeners amidst a culture of contempt. God is equipping us to take his Kingdom to deeper places by banding together and hearing each other out.  About the Speaker Lauren Malcolm lives in State College, PA with her handsome husband Jamison, three wonderful children (Rory, Luke and Jordan), and mini golden doodle Miley. Born in the Midwest and raised in CA with a brief interlude in Jersusalem, Israel, Lauren has grown up in diverse environments and attended The University of Georgia for college where she studied Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Later she attended the University of Pennsylvania where she got her Masters in Social Work. She currently leads the Nittany Church alongside her husband. She loves talking and connecting with people and has had to learn to be a better listener.  Active Listening implies engagement, reflection, and asking clarifying questions. You aren’t just listening to get someone off your back or to get to your point, but you are listening with the intent of making them feel heard and learning alongside them. 1 Kings 10:1-5 Example of Solomon and Queen of Sheba Take aways: Come with questions: She recognized an opportunity to learn! She came with the intent to learn. Learners' spirits- We need to be eager to ask questions and seek understanding. Be honest with what’s inside: We need to bring our full selves to what we do and not be afraid to share honestly where we are stuck and struggling. Accept the test: Solomon was not reactive! We accept the test by putting on humility...he didn’t get threatened by her questions or react defensively- the true test was her trust in God. Invest: Trust has to be built first. Manage expectations.  "When I take the time to draw out someone’s heart rather than defending myself, I am able to learn and own my part and they are able to learn and take responsibility for their part." Are we going to miss the opportunity to grow in the character of Christ and in relationships that build up the Kingdom JUST because of the way the information is presented?  Practically how can we engage in active listening: Be attentive - Mindful of body language, eye contact, distractions, etc.  Ask Open-Ended Questions “How did what I say land on you?” Ask Probing Questions - Dig to get to the heart of what they’re trying to communicate.  Request Clarification “I’m a little confused by this piece, can you help me understand?: Paraphrase “So this is what I hear you saying….” Be attuned to and reflect feelings “I imagine that you felt _____, is that what you felt?” Summarize “Here’s what I’m taking away from this conversation… is there anything else?”  God is equipping us to take his Kingdom to deeper places by banding together and hearing each other out.  We have so much to be learned from each other and the future of the church depends upon it. So let us become active listeners who truly seek after wSupport the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

In this episode, our TREASURE of a friend, Leigh Kinnard, joins the podcast to share her insights on "waiting" in life. Instead of reluctantly hoping for God to fix things as we would like for Him to, how can we learn how to go through these times of waiting WITH Him? Rather than existing consumed by outcomes or results we are invited to live presently, intentionally entwined with God,  for every step of the nuanced  journey of life this side of eternity. About the Speaker: Leigh Kinnard has been a disciple of Jesus for 38 years. She and her husband , Stevemoved from the south to be a part of the New York City church of Christ a fewmonths after it began in 1983. They have lived for months at a time in Africa andIsrael working with the churches in those countries and currently are a part of theHudson Valley Region of the NYC church. Steve and Leigh recently celebrated their40th wedding anniversary. They have 2 adult children and two grandsons. Episode Notes:Waiting is a necessary part of our lives. HOW we wait is a decision.What are you waiting for right now?How are you handling your “wait?” What do you struggle with as you wait?Instead of waiting for God to fix things as we would like for Him to, He wants us to learn how to go through these times with Him, trusting the outcome to Him.It is so easy to focus on the end result instead of the journey. Two truths -  God is always moving Trust His timing Who will I be as I wait?How does God define waiting? (Most verses will be from the Passion Translation) Psalm 27:13,14 Psalm 25:3-5 Qavah – Hebrew word-means to “tie together by twisting, entwine, or wrap tightly” Picture a rope twisted tightly together, entwined-strong – all strands connected. When one strand disconnects, the rope gets frayed, unraveled – eventually affects the whole rope.... How do we wait this way with God? Psalm 131 HUMILITY-decide to be a true learner-What does God want me to learn in this process of waiting?We GET to learn.What helps me: Ongoing list of scriptures on God is always moving/working – so many in OT In NT – Jesus carries this on and shows us how John 5:17 Pray through the scriptures Psalms 130:5,6 Gets his emotions out, connects to God, reminds himself of the truth Rev 8:3-4 – Prayers keep working Put Jesus in the room Instead of trying to “fix it” fix my eyes on Jesus Matthew 11:28-30 exp v 29 – “Bend your neck” decide to focus on being connected to Jesus-trusting Him to do the hard part.  Trust Gods timing John 11:4 – Its about God getting the glory, people seeing Jesus, in God's time – not me getting what I want when I want it. He is always listening. Micah 7:7,8 How I wait affects others – Strive to be who God wants us to be as we are waiting – entwining our hearts with Gods heart-hold on tight and refuse to let go.Isaiah 40:28-31Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

Elaina Rosenquist joins the podcast to share her refreshing journey of embracing rest and the life-giving and biblical invitation to Sabbath. Through Shabbat, we are called out of the crushing pressure of striving and into a liberating exodus from tension. How can we cultivate rest, worship, and delight in our lives in this hectic side of eternity?  About the SpeakerElaina Rosenquist leads the Pittsburgh Church of Christ with her husband, James. They have two children Jack (5) and Anna (2) and a fish named Happy. Elaina loves exploring her beautiful city, drinking tea, doing yoga and working as a nurse which she gets to do twice a month at a hospital. She has an Instagram account where she posts some spiritual thoughts and lessons she is learning @plantedby_thewater. Follow her for more content!  Episode Notes A Check-In question to ask yourselves: What does my body need and what would be helpful to make the rest of the day go well? Psalm 73:26 Psalm 46:10 NASB- “Stop striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.” Rest in a biblical sense, requires surrender and humility.  Matt 11:27-29 Jesus invites us to rest Matthew 14:15-16 humility of Jesus  When we are tired how often do we honor that request from our body to give it what it needs?  "Remember everything you are doing, and then be gentle with yourself." John 5:19-20 My working definition of sabbath:  time frame where we delight in God, creation, in Gods work and the work we have done it is a time frame where we do not work it’s not a date but an atmosphere it’s an “exodus from tension” it’s a gift from God to mankind it is refreshment a time of rest a time of celebration it’s having that living water John 4 sabbath means I have enough and I am enough it’s a command from God in the Old Testament, it was practiced by Jesus (differently than how the religious teachers of the day practiced it) practiced by Jesus followers even after his death (the women waited till after sabbath over to tend to Jesus dead body) sabbath is wisdom it’s not just a day off but a day of resting in and celebrating God. *which ones resonate with you- what would YOU add to this working definition?  “Sabbath is more than just a day, its a way of being in the world. It’s a spirit of restfulness that comes from abiding, from living in the Father’s loving presence all week long.”  Sabbath boundaries- might be different for people. Practicals -  Prepping- "What can I do today that will make tomorrow more restful?" Pick a day or time period ahead of time Write down  boundaries “For many of us the great danger is not that we will renounce our faith, it is that we will become so distracted and rushed and preoccupied that we will settle for a mediocre version of it. We will just skim our lives instead of actually living them.” Ortberg  Resources for sabbath and rest: John Mark Comer books- “Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” and “Garden City” Peter Scazzero “Emotionally Healthy Leadership” Abraham Joshua Heschel “The sabbath” (Not spiri Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

Pam & Kim Bowers join us on the podcast to affirm a lot of the wonderful things you are already doing as parents & caregivers, but also provide some insights on anchoring our perspective of what it means to parent our children in the Lord. Developing faith is not mutually exclusive from a child’s development; don't miss this dream-team's inspiring perspective rooted in proactivity & intentionality for facilitating faith in our children.  About the Speakers Pam- Hailing from simple Henderson, Nevada, Pam Bowers has been a Christian for over 30 years. Her walk with God began in the early ‘80s when she was met while playing professional golf. God knew exactly what she needed when in 1990, she met and married her faith-filled husband, Dale. Together, they have served in God’s kingdom in many different capacities, from small-group leaders to Elder/Elder’s Wife. They have two incredible friends in their adult children—both of whom are pursuing doctoral-level graduate studies. Professionally, God has blessed Pam abundantly, as she is a Top 50 Master Kids Golf Instructor and co-instructor at the Bowers Golf Academy. Recently, God has brought to fruition a long burning dream for Pam and her daughter, Kim, to publish a series of children’s books, which teach social-emotional development anchored in God’s word. Through the many twists and turns in life, God has been the Ultimate Friend and anchor for Pam—she cannot wait to see what adventure lies around the next bend. Kim- Kim Bowers is a 25-year-old coffee-drinking, fun-loving daughter of God. She has been a Christian for almost 10 years. In those 10 years, God has taken her from a high school student in Nevada to a Psychology PhD student in Colorado. Sometime in between, Kim earned her MEd in Elementary Education and taught first grade. God has also used her in a variety of ways to serve his kingdom: from small-group leader to young professionals ministry co-leader. Most recently, God has taken her talents and experience down a new route. Alongside her incredible mother, Kim has co-authored children’s books aimed to help children learn the necessary skills to regulate their emotions—while also equipping parents with the skills to facilitate their child’s social-emotional learning. With all that lies ahead, Kim is looking forward to the many adventures God has in store for her. Episode Notes: We’re very deliberate in helping our children meet their developmental milestones, but how deliberate do we need to be to ensure our kid’s are hitting their spiritual milestones? Developing faith is not mutually exclusive from a Child’s development. Three different lenses of parenting-  parent-centered, child-centered, God-centeredDefinition of God-centered parenting: custodial posture- place of humility, being accountable before God for the molding of a life. What does God-centered Parenting look like?  Proactivity Partly windows due development  Zones of Parenting Handout Intentionality  Relationship over Rules A word of encouragement  One day at a time  Do your best and God will do the rest - go off of the strength that you have  The books are now available for order through their website: www.smoothsailingbooks.com. You can also purchase them online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

In this refreshing episode, Jenn Schultz joins the podcast to discuss waiting & watering. Although seasons of planting and harvesting can be exciting, so much of life is just about showing up in the in-betweens. "It’s time to get excited about this stage, to appreciate the process God has us in, and to put on lenses of faith to see the transformation that is happening within us as we water.” Don't underestimate God's hand in seasons of watering, there's miracles in the mundane!  About the Speaker: Jenn is a recovering perfectionist and a writer at Whatyoumakeitblog.com, encouraging women to live loved and wholehearted, right where you are. She’s a wife and mom living in the Pacific Northwest, and you can usually find her with a cup of decaf coffee and a good book. Episode Notes:  Appreciate the Process; Miracles are happening in the watering. There’s something growing, even if you can’t see it. Why? Because God is behind the growing. It’s time to get excited about this stage, to appreciate the process God has us in, and to put on lenses of faith to see the transformation that is happening within us as we water. The Bible talks so much about water! Baptism - Romans 6:3-4 - we were baptized into Jesus’s death and raised with him! Streams in the desert - Isaiah 35:3-7 - God comes to save us and water comes and refreshes a land that was once parched and dry and hopeless - Moana The Word rains on the earth - Isaiah 55:10-11 - the Word always achieve God’s purpose Living water - John 4:13-14 - you never thirst with it - it becomes a spring welling up to eternal life Quiet waters - Psalm 23:2-3 - he restores my soul Parting of the Red Sea - Exodus 14:29-31 Jesus walks on water - Matthew 14:25-27 Jesus calms the waves - Mark 4:39-41 Jesus turns water into wine - John 2:7-10 THERE IS TRANSFORMATION IN WATER. Don’t disparage the time of watering! It is a valuable time.  It’s important to remember: All the miracles that happen are God’s…BUT -  we participate in the transformation and the miracles. How? By showing up.  The Bible tells us of both one-time and ongoing sanctification. God has made us holy, AND we are still being made perfect. (Hebrews 10:14) God has forgiven us from our sins AND he continues to refine us.  We train; God transforms. 4 ways to water well Posture  What stands out to God?  Humility - David - “a man after God’s own heart” - Psalm 18:27-32 Faith - the bleeding woman - Mark 5:25-34 Eagerness - Bereans - Acts 17:11 Practice  How do we train spiritually?  Keeping in step with the Spirit - growing in fruits and setting aside acts of the flesh - Galatians 5:19-25 Participate in the divine nature and keep growing - 2 Peter 1:3-9 Offer yourself as a living sacrifice and renew your mind - Romans 12:1-2 Patience 2 Peter 3:8-9 Philippians 1:6 Romans 8:28 Progress how are you keeping track of your goals and wins, even in the mundane? journaling, planners, prayer journal, etc Jeremiah 17:7-8 Follow Jenn on Instagram or check out her blog!Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

In this episode, Gina Poirier joins the podcast to share some refreshing insights on stress and spiritually healthy ways to respond to it. She unpacks toxic thinking, the good work of boundaries, and our God-given, counter-cultural invitation to rest. If you are approaching the end of your metaphorical rope, or you’re already crispy from burnout, then do not miss this episode!  About the SpeakerGina is a happily married mom of four, stress management coach, and writer who helps overwhelmed, exhausted moms find peace and purpose in the everyday. She creates resources for Christian moms at ginampoirier.com, where “Wiping noses for Jesus is legit!” Episode Notes “Burnout is nature’s way of telling you, you’ve been going through the motions your soul has departed.” Sam Keen  1. Understanding stress Stress is not an inherently negative thing! It is the way God designed our bodies to respond when something we care about is at stake, and it can ultimately help us grow  The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal James 1:2–4 Curiosity is a great way to approach stress and while we often want to shove it away or get it over with; there is a process there.  2. Recognizing what we can and can't control Most of the variables that cause stress are out of our control. By letting that go and giving it to God (Matthew 6:25–27), we can focus on the variables we can control, which are usually much more manageable. A lot of things we can stress about are hypothetical or completely out of our hands; processing that objectively can be helpful.  Some choices make us more resilient, while some choices (i.e. escapism) can actually aggravate the stress response.  3. Taming toxic thinking  This is hard, but it is one of the variables we can control that make a big difference in the way we respond to stress  Toxic thinking aggravates the stress responses and leads more quickly to burnout.  2 Corinthians 10:5 We get into these toxic thinking cycles and it really aggravates the way our bodies can respond to stress.  "When we approach our minds with curiosity and work towards taming toxic thinking, that goes a long way in dealing with burnout and stress." Caroline Leaf & Neuroplasticity  4. Setting healthy boundaries (i.e. taking ownership)  This is also hard, but again boundaries are variables we can control and make a difference in making us more resilient to stress.  Galatians 6:2–5 5. Choosing rest This is a huge lesson, especially for performance-oriented people.  God established rest from the beginning of Genesis, and it is a gift we can choose to accept- physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  There's both a posture and a practice of rest.  Matthew 11:28-30 For a free video series with more practical stress management strategies, subscribe to her newsletter here! And to connect with Gina and see more of the resources she offers, check out this link to her site!Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

Elizabeth Thompson joins us again to discuss, “When God Says, ’No’: Facing Disappointment and Denial Without Losing Heart, Losing Hope, or Losing Your Head.” We’ve all faced our share of no’s from God, especially in the last year. Elizabeth’s words minister to those who are grappling with God's nos, seeking to find Him in the middle of heartache and disappointment. She encourages us that we can maintain our faith, friendships, and hope through it all. Don't miss this life-giving perspective!  About the SpeakerElizabeth Laing Thompson is the author of many books, including All the Feels and the When God Says series. As a minister, speaker, and novelist, she loves finding humor in holiness and hope in heartache. She lives in North Carolina with her preacher husband and four spunky kids, and they make her feel humbled but happy, exhausted but exhilarated, sometimes stressed but often silly... well, you know… all the feels. You can find her online at ElizabethLaingThompson.com.   Episode Notes Finding Hope in Heartache We can still find God in the midst of outcomes we didn’t hope for… how do we guard our hearts from bitterness?   Importance of allowing ourselves to grieve when God has said no. Surrender doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be tickled pink. Grieving the nos are important as demonstrated in scripture.  Give yourself room to grieve Different Types of No: BIG Nos - the life alerting ones Smaller No's - still significant and need to be grieved  When there’s unworked through sadness it can quickly turn into bitterness. The grief process actually protects our connection to God. There's an important distinction between lament and complaint.  “What relief we feel when we realize that our circumstances don’t reflect God’s approval! Then we can simply hurt without the miseries of guilt, shame, blame, mistrust, and distance. We can take our pain to God, confident that He hurts with us…”  When we don’t get the answer we want from God, it’s tempting to wonder why and to speculate: “God isn’t saying yes because…” Dangers of trying to “read God’s mind” use caution in saying these assumptions to others as their navigating nos These can hurt our faith or the faith of others “God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.” Charles Spurgeon  2 Kings 5 - Story of Naaman Vulnerability usually precedes healing  It’s amazing what happens when you pray to see God work in your life and then you look for His fingerprints with eyes of faith.  Surrender doesn’t mean jumping for joy on the grave of your dreams.  In the bible, we see God say no to one dream, and then He gives them a new one.  If you’re still here, there’s more in store.  This may not be the life I picked, but I’m gonna live it and find some fresh joy! If you want the book you can find it wherever books are sold! Click here for direct links for purchase. Enjoy! Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!

Mallory was left unsupervised and talks for 20 minutes about the mind-blowing implications of God’s presence throughout history and in our lives as individuals. Whatever you’re carrying, you don’t need to carry alone. Join us as we contemplate the immanence of God with renewed wonder today!  “But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, so I can tell about all you do” (Psalm 73:28). About the SpeakerMallory is your hyphenated host that deeply loves her family, God, and buffalo wings. She is in the full-time ministry and all of her cardio comes from chasing around her spunky toddler. She is passionate about cultivating consistent platforms for women to connect and empower one another and she adores the Woven in Truth community.  Episode Notes:  God comforts us with His presence:  Isaiah 41:10a Psalm 118:6a Psalm 94:19  “Feeling deeply overwhelmed may be a signal, not that our trials are insignificant or that our emotions are too strong, but that we have been carrying them alone.” Stephanie Tronson “Every other religion explains how we get to God, only Christianity explains how God came to us.”  Question for everyone: What feeling does God’s presence solicit in you? Read excerpt from “Forming: A Work of Grace” by David Takle Immanuel or “God with us” is a Hebrew name which appears in Isaiah 7:14 Then we see the fulfillment of this 400 years later in the literal PERSON of Jesus… Matthew 1:18-23 “But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, so I can tell about all you do.” —Psalm 73:28 Biblical Progression of His Presence: In the Garden (Genesis 3) Ark of the covenant (Numbers 7:89)  Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34) Temple (1 Kings 8:11)  Jesus! Immanuel Holy Spirit New Jerusalem Foreshadowing/Revelation 21, etc. Question: Do you allow God’s presence to minister to you? What would that look like? Feel like? How would that change things… God’s Presence is multi-faceted Omnipresence (Psa. 139:7 ESV). Transcendence - God is not bound by any physical or time constructs Manifest presence- this is physical presence, something you can process with human senses Immanence- This is God’s presence WITHIN creation. Indwelling Presence- “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). CS Lewis quote- “God has infinite attention to spare for each one of us. You are as much alone with him as if you were the only being he had ever created.”   Question- When or where do you connect with God’s presence the most? Reference to Aundi Kolber’s book, “Try Softer” “You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5 We cannot forget that the presence of God came to earth and dwelt among humanity, not to condemn it but to save it (John 3:17). “The result of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever” Isaiah 32:17 How can we be women who fully embrace & embody the Spirit who lives inside of us? Do you abide in God’s presence or are you nomadic? What would that look like? FEEL like? How would it change our perspective and interactions?  Support the show Thank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!