Amy

In this episode, I interview Katrina Ryder.

Katrina is a wife to an elementary school music teacher and a mother of three kids, ages 10, 8, and 6.  She is a former missionary and English teacher, who loves writing, editing, teaching Bible study and sharing her stories with others.

Katrina shares the story of God calling her husband to pursue a job as a worship pastor, only to have him redirect their plans.

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 Links from the Episode

• A Ferry Tale; Katrina’s post about the story shared
• Everlasting God (Strength Will Rise) by Chris Tomlin
• Daily Bread “Grace” image
• Jen Hatmaker 7

Quotes

We don’t want the waiting to stop if we don’t actually have the strength yet. – Katrina Ryder

If we stopped waiting before we had all the strength we need, we’d still be weak – Katrina Ryder

We’ll pray this waiting process will continue so we can get as strong as we need to be. – Katrina Ryder

Grow us up. – Katrina Ryder

We think when he says ‘pursue this’, that thing we’re pursuing he’ll give us. – Katrina Ryder

When God sends Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, he’s telling him to do something he has absolutely no intention of making him do. It’s a faith exercise.  – Katrina Ryder

It’s a faith exercise to get his people to say I’ll do whatever crazy mess you want me to do. – Katrina Ryder

Sometimes I think of this story and say, ‘Lord, are you sending me on a false path?’ and He says, ‘If I am, will you trust me?’ – Katrina Ryder

 

Scripture

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

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In this episode, I interview Jessica Turner.

Jessica N. Turner is the bestselling author of The Fringe Hours and companion book My Fringe Hours, as well as the founder of the popular lifestyle blog The Mom Creative. She is also is a writer for DaySpring’s (in)courage, an advocate for World Vision, a regular speaker at events nationwide, and an award-winning marketing professional. She and her husband, Matthew, live with their three young children in Nashville, Tennessee.

Jessica shares the story of how she came to write her first book The Fringe Hours, although never dreaming of writing one.  She then shares the importance of self-care so we’re able to live out the call to love your neighbor as yourself.

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 Links from the Episode

• The Fringe Hours
• My Fringe Hours
• The cups from Ezra’s Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Party
• AllThingsTarget.com

Scripture

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31

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In this episode, I interview Mary Carver.

Mary is a wife, mom and writer from Kansas City who lives for good books, dark chocolate and television marathons, but she lives because of God’s grace. She’s a word nerd, a Jesus follower, and a big fan of YA novels, Mexican food and pretty office supplies. She has a blog called Giving Up on Perfect, writes for (in)courage (a blog for women from Dayspring), and author of Choosing Joy. Mary says that after a lifetime of trying harder and doing more, she’s finally learning to give up on perfect and get on with life.

Mary shares her story of writing her first book Choose Joy, looking back at the stops along the way and seeing how they weren’t detours, but times of preparation. We then discuss her book Choose Joy and Sara Frankl’s story of choosing joy amidst severe pain.

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Links from the Episode

• Sara Frankl
• Choose Joy

Quotes

Those of us who read her words realize she was just a person like me so when I face troubles, whether they’re extreme as hers or just regular run of the mill junk life gives me, maybe I can do that too. Mary Carver

I’ve always felt like there was something big that God had for me to do and I don’t mean big like famous like world-changing, but big for me and big for Him. Mary Carver

I always felt this drive to find out what it is He wants me to do. There was a lot that I learned and I needed to learn in all those jobs. So I wasn’t in all those jobs until I could write a book, they were part of the process. I always felt like the stops along the way were the end. Mary Carver

I was able to come back to this belief that God would use me and He would use me in a big way, and I don’t mean big like Jen Hatmaker or Oprah. He would use me in a way that mattered to him and me and there was a reason all those other things didn’t work long-term. Mary Carver

I really want things to make sense, but that’s a silly thing to ask from God because His ways are not our ways. Mary Carver

That’s where the rest comes in. We go back to His words in Scripture and go back to the truth and say I don’t understand this, but He does. Amy Bennett

At the same time she trusted that God had a plan even if she never understood it, she also still remained hopeful that she could be healed or things could change. Mary Carver

Healing doesn’t always mean physical healing. But He had healed her heart and He had changed her and used her. Mary Carver

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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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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 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.

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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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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.