My Light Still Shines

Hey Y'all! This is episode 60 (now if you have been following the podcast for a while you know I get excited at every milestone episode. 60 episodes, who wouldve thought. LOVE IT! Thank you God for this outlet to get us more involved in your word.  In this episode Lara and I discuss Jeremiah 17: 5-8 NLT. This episode gets deep and good so fast.  My challenge for us all in this episode is to make verse 8 personal and pray it over your life this week. I give you the example in the episode.  Let me know how you feel about this episode. Love y'all and really appreciate you listening to the podcast. BIG HUGE THANK YOU!   

Hey Y'all! In this episode @sarahbragg and I discuss wisdom. Sarah and I are friends off the internet so when she posted a picture about wisdom on Instagram and then we had a LONG conversation about it via Voxer we knew this would be a episode on the podcast.  We talked about gaining wisdom from God for our parenting and career. But really just how to hear from God, what are the characteristics that fit truly hearing from God.  Wisdom changes our perspective NOT our situation.   

Hey y'all! In this episode Ashley and I discussed how hard times don't mean lack of love from our Father. We discuss Deuteronomy 8:1-3.  Have you ever had a time in your life where you felt like the "manna" God was providing for you wasn't ENOUGH?  We challenge each other to remember that God commands us to love him more than we love our job, family, cars, houses, social media. This episode is a good one, calls for some tough personal conversations. 

Hey Y'all! In this episode Entrice and I discuss God's love and discipline. Hebrews 12 is one of my favorite chapters in the bible. I love it because its like a quick guide. You know when you get a new appliance or electronic the manual gives you a quick set up portion. That is how I feel about Hebrews 12.  Entrice and I go through some of those quick steps for application in our life today. The message version of these scriptures make it pretty plain as to what we truly need to do.  Listen to this episode and then when you have time read chapter 12 of Hebrews. Let me know on Instagram what you hear God saying..... 

Hey Y'all! In this episode @hooverandgrace and I chat about Jesus and his goodness. There are so many GOOD nuggets from Alex in this episode. Here are just a few from my own thoughts.  We cannot "handle" what He truly has for us.  God is more concerned with our character In life there will always be a "HEALTHY TENSION" Jesus is so sweet in persuing us but also giving us space.  Friends Alex is such a joy to chat with, if you aren't following her do so right now. She pours into my life beyond the internet. Let me know what you love about this episode. 

Hey Y'all! In this episode we read verse 24, which we think really speaks to Paul's life and this entire passage.  Emily ask some great questions in the episode: What are we driven by, LOVE OR FEAR? What does it fill like to be driven by LOVE OR FEAR? We both love the book of Acts and if you haven't studied the entire book, its a great one to do as a group or by yourself slowly. Paul gives us a great model for staying focused. Which you heard from Emily and I is a task that is hard for us.   

Hey Y'all! In this episode Kristen and I chat about how to be courageous in our faith. But we go a little deeper in our thoughts and think do we truly give the bible reverence? Its such a good book, it holds God's promises for our life.  Kristen talks about how we should do just what the scripture says and "meditate" on the words in the bible day and night. OFTEN....... When you cant find the words to encourage someone just use God's word. Listen and let us know in the comments your thoughts. 

Hey Y'all! In this episode Shannon and I discuss community. We used the verses in Acts when the first community was formed.  Can you imagine being in the first community? They shared everything, like EVERYTHING not just food and fellowship but they shared their hearts as well. Because they shared everything there was no comparison, no judgement about what someone would be going through because they just pointed each other back to Jesus and then continued to share EVERYTHING with each other.  We believe this is the Model for creating, implementing and truly walking in community with people. Now we know we aren't use to sharing everything with everyone because we are not the same. But what if just for today while you listen to this episode you began to model this concept.  We may not be able to do it all but lets pick something that we can do in our daily life to change how we see and develop community. 

Hey Y'all! In this episode my friend Sarah and I discuss Psalm 16. We talk about how sometimes God will close a door and not open another one for a while. What type of feelings does sitting behind a closed door happen in our hearts? Are you currently in a season of NO? We pray that this episode gives you encouragement you need to REMAIN obedient to the process God is taking you through.  Sarah & I both speak from experience and are truly willing to pray with you. After you listen come back and leave a comment if you need prayer or would like to encourage people as well.   

Hey Yall! In this episode I chat with Karmen, who in my opinion is a BIG, HUGE prayer. As we discuss this scripture Karmen recounts her real life moment when she decided to just PRAY BIG.  Praying BIG for me looks like when I don't know HOW? Don't know WHAT? Then we discuss being BOLD for the Lord. Are we BOLD in our daily walk? Do we speak with confidence and freedom? Listen to this episode and our prayer is that it SPURS something in you to make you walk & talk in boldness to the things God created for you. 

Hey Y'all! Ann Watkins is my spiritual mentor and my bible study teacher at church. I love the way she disscest scripture. I love how she researches and gives context of the current day that they lived in to help us better understand what we are reading.  We discussed Saul and Samuel. Question: Do you make excuses about things God told you to do? Do you decide what parts you will do and what parts you will either delay or just not do all together? Thats disobedience but hey don't take my word for it listen to this episode. No judgement from me either because HONEY I have been exactly where Saul was doing half of what God said and excusing the other half.  Comment below after you listen with your thoughts......

Hey Y'all! In this episode Jess & I discuss Hebrews 12. We chat about running the race God has set before us. How do we run? How do help others as they run?  This episode is short but enlightening. I think we all need to remember why we run. This chat in my opinion gives a different take on community.  I would love to know what you all think. Hop over to Instagram and chat with me. 

In this episode Joy McMillan  and I discuss the story of Gideon. We chat about how God believed Gideon was a MIGHTY warrior. However Gideon himself did not feel that He was a warrior at all. Joy explains to us how God can see us as the people He created us to be. (like the entire person). We however are still in process so we can literally only see the snapshot that we are currently involved in.  Then we go on to discuss Idols. Do you have any idols? We don't think that we do, but what if visually we looked at our social media followers as an idol. Joy defines idols as anything we put before God.  I cant wait to see what you all think about this episode. Head over to the website and comment on the episode blog post to join in the conversation. 

Hey Y'all! In this episode Rach Nordgren and I discuss being Salt & Light. In the beginning we discuss adding salt to chocolate chip cookies and grits. I really hope it translates to something you all understand because behind the scenes we laughed so hard about it making sense to others. Seriously y'all I have forever used my mothers lesson on cooking grits to how i interact with people as a Christian. When do I add my salt to their world? Because if I come in and add my salt after the cooking (or circumstances is over) just pour it on top, it doesn't incorporate well. Maybe all you get is salt and not anything else. Which to me translates to all you see is "Christian chatter" not love, patience, kindness, joy and understanding. Then we discuss light and how to be the light in darkness. We aren't meant to be just another light in a room of lights. We are meant to 'SHINE" in dark places so that others can see and know our Father not us. In addition to Bible Gateway which I link below, we used the Blue Le

Hey Y'all! In this episode Rach and I discuss Lamentations 3:22-27 (NLT ,NIV). This book is small yet full of hard things. What I learned in this book is Hope in God is always available. Through tragic times, hard times and times of trouble our hope should remain in God. It can be extremely hard but we must not be consumed with things of the world. We talk about how believing that God is with you in the hard times is not how the world handles pressure. Trusting in God when we don't know what is next takes faith that cannot waver. Its not easy but it gets easier as we lean into God. 

Hey Y'all! In this episode Sharon Hodde Miller and I discuss ways we (like Leah) might seek validation.  Read Genesis 29:31-35 NLT & MSG.  (We give the context of the story in verses 14-30) Sharon recalls a sermon by Jerome Gay where he gives 3 ways we seek validation. 1) Validation through production - verse 32 2) Validation through recognition - verse 33 3) Validation through connection - verse 34 When reading you will notice that in verse 35 Leah stops trying to find validation in other ways and just praises God.  You can listen by clicking below. Thank you so much for listening. Please help others find the podcast by leaving a review in iTunes, I would greatly appreciate it! 

Hey Y'all! In this episode Renee and I chat about Proverbs 3:5-6. We discuss what it means to totally TRUST God, and we even discuss that word that seems to make people shutter (SUBMIT).  I hope this episode blesses your life. The goal of this podcast is to give us another avenue to dive into God's word. I hope this enhances your personal relationship with God. 

Hey Yall! This is episode 43. In this epsidoe I discuss Romans 12:19 (NLT & MSG) with Karen Stott. Karen brings a picture of forgiveness to this verse. Additionally we discussed how it looks to allow God to fight your battles. 

In this episode Tiffany and I talk about two scripture passages. We also discuss how to handle it when God tells you something but not your family or loved ones.  The scripture passages: Mark 4:35-41 NLT Isaiah 40:27-31 I really enjoyed this episode hop on over to Instagram and let me know what you think. 

Hey Y'all!! This is episode 41 and is all about prayer. First this episode is sponsored by Lily Jade. Lily Jade is a great company, with a fantastic mission. Every woman should own a Lily Jade bag because they are 100% Premium Leather and absolutely beautiful! Be sure to check them out on Instagram. www.lily-jade.com Today on the show I am joined by Rachel Baxter. Rachel is a mom of 6, pastors wife, encourager and in my opinion a prayer warrior. Rachel and I discuss some ins and out of prayer.