Archives for 2015

I’m on my Christmas vacation and have some time to put together some BONUS EPISODES!

The first one up is the “conversation after the conversation” with Joy McMillan who was on episode 13 in Season 2.

It’s a quick 10 minutes where Joy and I laugh over our brain forgetting words and remembering them at random times, my connection to South Africa, and Joy shares a bit more of her story (she’s the one that lived a double-life as a teenager, stealing and hanging out with boys in bars and God led her to share it all with her fiance) and the roots of her issues. It’s very powerful with a redemptive end!

Merry Christmas!

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In this episode, I share what God has been doing in my life this year. He gave me the word “focus” for the year, called me to step away from writing and asked me to speak. We see how God first taught me about abiding with him and then how to share his goodness wherever he led me.

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Read a Transcript

For this episode, we’ve created a transcript of the podcast. Download here!

Links from the Episode

• What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
• Whitney Capps
• Wendy Blight
• Lisa Allen
• True You by Hannah Kallio
• The Creative Call by Janice Elsheimer
• She Speaks Conference
• Next Step Speaker Services with Amy Carroll

Quotes

Sometimes God asks us to step back from good things. Amy Bennett

God has been taking me on a journey of discipline. Amy Bennett

God had been slowly peeling back the layers to get rid of things in my life to discipline me. Amy Bennett

Prophecy about Jesus coming back in Scripture broke me in a really good way. Amy Bennett

I approached it not with a sense of skepticism, but seeing it as God’s words to me. Amy Bennett

God said, “Amy, get up and talk!” Amy Bennett

God said, “You can do nothing unless you abide in me and you cannot abide in me unless you are in my word, spending time with me, obeying what you read and what I tell you and the whole poitn of this is so that you have joy and you have joy complete.”  Amy Bennett

Life as a Christian was all about abiding in Him so we could be fruitful and part of that fruit is His joy. Amy Bennett

I am the best me when I am abiding in you. Amy Bennett

It’s not about what I could do for him, it was about resting in Him. Amy Bennett

Scripture

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Isaiah 12

In that day you will say:

⁴ In that day you will say:

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

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If you get a chance, please rate and review the episode on iTunes.  This *really* helps iTunes find us and most of all, helps spread this message of faith and hope.

In this episode, I finish my chat with Elizabeth Maxon.

Elizabeth is a storyteller, a truth seeker, a grace giver, and a word weaver.

Her passion is journeying with others from splashing in the shallow waters of this world to diving into deep truth and real community.

Elizabeth is wife to Joey and mama to Lucy and Oliver. The Maxons make their home on the edge of the woods in the quaint college town of Clemson, South Carolina. Together they are one branch on a very complicated, but beautiful family tree.

Elizabeth shares the story of God calling her to the quiet to hear his direction. In the quiet, He asked her to leave her job, although it was in the church and she had no next steps or reasons to leave. She shares how God immediately began to increase her influence and move her family.

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Connect with Elizabeth

Connect with Elizabeth on her blog.

Links from the Episode

• Elizabeth’s post on the response to Paris
• Dallas Willard
• Soul Keeping by John Ortberg
• Experiencing God by Henry & Richard Blackaby
• My friend Amanda’s post about the Breathing Room and adopting

Quotes

Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Dallas Willard

Not all good things are God things. Elizabeth Maxon

If I want to hear from God and lead me specifically, I have to give him some room for him to tell me these things. Elizabeth Maxon

I have to carve out some time every day that I can position myself to hear from God. Elizabeth Maxon

We start seeing threads and themes coming together and see God directing us. Elizabeth Maxon

God gives me holy highlighter moments. Elizabeth Maxon

What do you think requires more faith of you right now?

Trust without clarity. Elizabeth Maxon

God calls into places that aren’t completely clear, but if we trust Him, we have to take that step. Elizabeth Maxon

If I say I surrender my life to him, that means being obedient. Elizabeth Maxon

Any vision that I have for my life has to start with a revelation from him. Elizabeth Maxon

Without revelation, we just do whatever. Elizabeth Maxon

Follow me and really learn what that means. Following me means staying behind me and waiting for me to give you the go ahead on what I want you to do. Elizabeth Maxon

God, bless me in the waiting. Elizabeth Maxon

In the waiting, he’s developing our character to match our calling. Lysa TerKeurst

Empty is the new full. Elizabeth Maxon

Scripture

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint. Proverbs 29:18a

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If you get a chance, please rate and review the episode on iTunes.  This *really* helps iTunes find us and most of all, helps spread this message of faith and hope.

 ***** If you haven’t taken the 2015 Feathers Survey, head over and take it now! *****

In this episode, I chat with Wendy Blight.

Wendy Blight is a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries’ First 5 Writing Team and serves as the Proverbs 31 On-Line Bible Study Small Group Ministry Training and Development Coordinator. She is a national speaker, Bible teacher, attorney, and author of Living So That: Making Faith-Filled Choices in the Midst of a Messy Life and Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God’s Story, both featured as Proverbs 31 On-Line Bible Studies. She has been a featured guest on Oprah Radio, the 700 Club, Family Life Today with Dennis Rainey, Revive our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman. Wendy’s favorite place to be is at home in Charlotte, North Carolina writing and enjoying time with her husband, Monty, and their two children, Lauren and Bo. w

Wendy Blight shares the story of the fear she battled for years after a rape by a masked, knife-wielding man and how with Scripture, God freed her from her fea.

Click to Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Listen and subscribe via iTunes | Stitcher

Connect with Wendy

Connect with Wendy on her blog.

Links from the Episode

• First5 app
• I Know His Name by Wendy Blight -> her book about the names of God
• Hidden Joy by Wendy Blight -> her book about her traumatic story
• Living So That by Wendy Blight -> her book about making faith-filled choices

Quotes

When reading Scripture, ask God to give you revelation and wisdom. – Wendy Blight

I lived held captive by fear. – Wendy Blight

Do you want to get well? – Jesus

His word convicted me. – Wendy Blight

Stand up, pick up your mat and walk! – Jesus

God has an abudant life for you to use you to do great things for the Kingom and you will  never know that plan unless you take a step off your mat. – Pastor Craig

It was nothing by obedience. – Wendy Blight

There were many steps forward and steps backwards.  – Wendy Blight

Location has nothing to do with a spirit of fear that has a hold on you because it’s not from the Lord and it stays with you. – Wendy Blight

Our faith grows when we are in the word. Obedience comes when we trust the word and trust God. – Wendy Blight

If Satan can keep us in a place of fear or self-pity, we stay on our mat and won’t know the abundance of God. – Wendy Blight

If you’re struggling with fear or patience or anger, find related Scripture, personalize the Scripture and pray them. – Wendy Blight

God’s word is like a seed planted in our hearts. – Wendy Blight

You have obeyed and now you are free. – Wendy Blight

That ugly day in my life has now become my testimony. – Wendy Blight

You can have that kind of faith, but it doesn’t come unless you’re in the word. – Wendy Blight

Scripture

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

Psalm 91:4-6

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Isaiah 55:11

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

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I would love to connect more with you guys about the episode. Leave a comment here or we can chat about the episode on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

If you get a chance, please rate and review the episode on iTunes.  This *really* helps iTunes find us and most of all, helps spread this message of faith and hope.

In this episode, I finish my chat with Joy McMillan.

Joy is a speaker, writer, graphic designer, mentor & coach. She’s the founder of the We ROAR Project and the author of XES (Why Church Girls Tend To Get It Backwards…And How To Get It Right).
Wife to her handsome state trooper hubby and momma to their two little loin-fruit, they have found their home in the great mitten state.

Joy shares how she grew up in a Christian home, yet had no concept of grace. Sexual perversion drove her into hiding where shame held her hostage for several years. After 7 years of secrets, just 2 months before her wedding, God asked Joy if she trusted Him with her heart – and her gaping wounds – and she stepped out of hiding.

Click to Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Listen and subscribe via iTunes | Stitcher

Connect with Joy

Connect with Joy on her blog Simply Bloom or Facebook

Links from the Episode

• Joy’s book XES (Why Church Girls Tend To Get It Backwards…And How To Get It Right)

 Scripture

One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
    but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. Proverbs 27:7

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:1-2

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I would love to connect more with you guys about the episode. Leave a comment here or we can chat about the episode on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

If you get a chance, please rate and review the episode on iTunes.  This *really* helps iTunes find us and most of all, helps spread this message of faith and hope.

In this episode, I finish my chat with Elise Hurd.

As a stay at home mom of four exuberant young daughters, Elise’s life is full of words! Needs! Feelings! Thoughts! Meals! Messes! Noise! And *lots* of seeking Jesus to stay sane through it all.

Elise and her husband, Jason, are also live-in full-time caretakers for Jason’s Dad, who has advanced Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Elise is the Children’s ministry director at her home church, part-time web developer, and the artist and shop owner of her family’s online store, Little Lunch Maker. She recently realized that the sickness she’s been feeling is because a new little one is the way, arriving sometime in June next year!

You can learn more about Elise’s journey growing in Christ and her family from her personal blog, The Giving Place.

TRIGGER WARNING: sexual abuse.

In Part II of her story, Elise Hurd shares the ways in which God began bringing about positive change in her heart as she obeyed His word and leading. She talks about rage episodes, panic attacks, wanting to quit, and forgiving her daughter’s abuser.

Click to Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Listen and subscribe via iTunes | Stitcher

Connect with Elise

Connect with Elise on her blog, The Giving Place.

Links from the Episode

• Elise’s store Little Lunch Maker
• Tramp for the Lord by Corrie Ten Boom

 Share

I would love to connect more with you guys about the episode. Leave a comment here or we can chat about the episode on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

If you get a chance, please rate and review the episode on iTunes.  This *really* helps iTunes find us and most of all, helps spread this message of faith and hope.

In this episode, I chat with Elise Hurd.

As a stay at home mom of four exuberant young daughters, Elise’s life is full of words! Needs! Feelings! Thoughts! Meals! Messes! Noise! And *lots* of seeking Jesus to stay sane through it all.

Elise and her husband, Jason, are also live-in full-time caretakers for Jason’s Dad, who has advanced Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Elise is the Children’s ministry director at her home church, part-time web developer, and the artist and shop owner of her family’s online store, Little Lunch Maker. She recently realized that the sickness she’s been feeling is because a new little one is the way, arriving sometime in June next year!

You can learn more about Elise’s journey growing in Christ and her family from her personal blog, The Giving Place.

TRIGGER WARNING: sexual abuse.

In Part I of her story, Elise Hurd shares the story of finding out her young daughter had been sexually abused. She shares her response and the ways in which God began bringing about positive change in her heart as she obeyed His word and leading.

Click to Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Listen and subscribe via iTunes | Stitcher

Connect with Elise

Connect with Elise on her blog, The Giving Place.

Links from the Episode

• Elise’s store Little Lunch Maker
• Jesus the One and Only by Beth Moore

 Share

I would love to connect more with you guys about the episode. Leave a comment here or we can chat about the episode on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

If you get a chance, please rate and review the episode on iTunes.  This *really* helps iTunes find us and most of all, helps spread this message of faith and hope.