Christian Writing & Speaking (CWS) with Jacqui Wilson

Self-care is more than the occasional spa day. According to Janice McWilliams, who is a therapist, spiritual director, author, and speaker, self-care is something we should strive for daily. In this interview, she recounts how her anxiety levels rose during the pandemic and what she implemented to move her throughout the day. As Christians, we often find ourselves constantly running and pouring out until we are totally empty. It is time for some daily self-care as the second greatest command of the bible tells us. Tune in to hear the full interview.

When he turned age fifty, he felt empty inside. He had everything he needed and much of what he wanted. He had multiple titles and was considered a success by the business world, but none of it could brush away the emptiness. What was missing? He realized that his faith was not at the center of his life. He got to the core of who he was as a person, which resulted in the marriage of his business and Christian faith. He says that his business is his mission field, and his goal is to reach at least one person daily. Tune in to hear the story of Ralp Estep, Jr.

Although she had tried everything, nothing felt right. Something was still missing, but she did not want to try Jesus. Perpetually lied to, devastated by the death of her husband, and frustrated with the ways of the world, she stood in the mountains and screamed at God. That is when her breakthrough happened. From agnostic to atheist to Christian, she finally found her truth, the one true God, and herself. Tune in to hear the story of Audrey Dutton.

  In this interview author and executive director Michael Acker outlines how God powerfully changed his parents' lives from dark worshipers to missionaries for Christ and from drug smugglers to bible smugglers. Their transformation set the foundation for the life God was calling Michael to live. He had a plan to practice law, but one summer experience attuned him to the greater plan God had for his life. He calls it his second conversion because he accepted the purpose God had chosen for his life. Tune in to hear more.   Special Guest Bio: Michael Acker is the executive director of Go On the Mission, author of Life on Purpose, and a corporate speaker. You can learn more about him and his work at www.michaelacker.com.

How do you balance your faith and work, or rather, how do you align them? In his insightful book, Thank God It's Monday(?): Balancing Work and Faith While Keeping Your Sense of Humor, Tom Petersen shares how he has failed and what he did to turn it around with a humorous flair. Ultimately, what he shares is that it is important to give yourself grace as you progress toward alignment. Join us for this enlightening interview.

Understanding other religious beliefs strengthened his faith and enhanced his ability to share the Word of God. Scott Wells is an international speaker and author of the books Would You Believe? and Got Faith? He designed these books to help people grow in their faith uniquely. In this interview, he shares how learning about other religions helped him become a better Christian and how he engages the bible for a deeper understanding. Gone are the days of reading the bible to say you have read it. Welcome to the days when you go on an expedition to discover and understand the full context of a scripture that interests you. Tune in to hear more.

He was living the life-- working, going to school, and achieving goals, but behind the scenes, he was slowly moving into a dark realm. His first drink helped him feel more confident, but eventually, the drinking helped him "function normally." Falling deeper into the crevice, he was hooked on prescription pain pills and illegal narcotics and having alcohol-fueled blackouts with no recollection of what happened. His decline led to an addiction-induced coma, being wanted in three states, and homelessness. Yet, today, he is a different man, husband, father, and author of Man Up. Sober Up. This is the power of God. A Christian friend, taking a realistic view of who he was as a person, and a commitment to become wiser through the use of the Bible set the tone for his recovery. Tune in to hear the story of Ryan Penley.

Dallin Candland, author of God is Trying to Talk to Me: A Collection of Poems, often found himself living in the background. Though he worked hard to meet goals, he says doors were deliberately shut in his face. At first, he was disheartened and wondered why he continued to face defeat after defeat. However, as he matured, he realized how God developed his gift to see other people who were in the background like him, and as a result, he realized that it did not matter what position you held because God could still use you. He is encouraging people to look at how God is pushing them in their story. Whether you are in the background or not, God is not done with you yet. Listen in to learn how God may be talking to you.

"You will never be anything" is the phrase Larry Ragland often heard as a child, and it was reiterated with mental, emotional, and physical abuse. Eventually, he became what he did not want, but amid his mess up, God had his future wife speak up. She said, "I see greatness in you," and this changed the trajectory of Larry's life. Larry became a pastor, author, speaker, and the founder and director of the Ambassadors Network. Tune in now to hear his inspirational story and how greatness is also in you.

Her daughter touched her neck and asked, "Mommy, why did daddy hurt your neck?" She decided that this would not be a part of her children's story. Stacy Barnes was a devout Christian who became pregnant out of wedlock. Instead of her church members helping to restore her to the fellowship, she became the object of gossip, no one talked to her, and she felt ashamed that she had destroyed her Christian witness. Yet, hoping to move on, she married the child's father. After they married, his abusive tendencies revealed themselves. Eventually, she divorced, but during this tumultuous time, she went on a journey to restore her relationship with God. When she married a second time, it was right. Stacy wrote the book Damage Goods: A Devotional for the Slightly Imperfect to share her testimony of how God restored her and hopes that others who have had similar experiences will see how God can restore them to a right relationship with Him.

Laying at the bottom of the stairs, her daughter asked, “Mommy, are you okay?” Knowing she was not okay, she sought to reassure her daughter that everything was fine, but everything was not fine. After falling down the stairs, she sustained a back injury and developed CRPS.  The pain was crippling, leaving her bedridden. Then, miraculously she started recovering. She went from being bedridden to a wheelchair to walking again. However, nine years later due to an accident with a falling chair, her journey would start again. This time Darci Steiner decided to share her story in the book Beauty Beyond the Thorns: Discovering Gifts in Suffering. Tune in to hear more.

At the age of seven, his father asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Gregory Williams prophetically responded that he wanted to be a sheepherder. At thirteen, he knew he had a call to the ministry and later entered seminary only to realize that the truth he had known was not the truth, leaving him with many questions. Life continued, and eventually, he found himself married, raising a family, and living in the desert as a sheepherder. One day, as he herded sheep, he fell to the ground to ask God what was missing. The door was open for the truth to unfold. Tune in to hear the full story and what he discovered.

Is your faith with you on the field, the court, the track, or even in the stands? Speaker and host of the Catholic Sports Radio show, Bruce Wawrzyniak, has interviewed some of the biggest names, but the challenge he issues is the same for all. Let us not be Sunday morning only Christians but allow our faith to intersect our sports activities to lift the name of Jesus Christ, change us internally, and serve as beacons of light for others to draw toward Christ. He emphasizes that we should DO it with boldness. Dare to be different in how we choose to speak and act toward others during sports activities. Utilize the symbols that connect us to our faith as introductions and reminders of our faith to others. Tune in now to hear more. #catholic #sports #sportsradio #christianpodcast #thecwspod

If you are someone who has had their heart smashed, did not know how you would brave through the situation, felt angry and abandoned by God, or found yourself struggling to get out of bed, this episode is for you. Pastor, speaker, and author Brenda Seedfelt Amodea shares her story of the difficulties she faced,, how she has dealt with the pain, and continued to work with people as a part of the spiritual formation. You can dive deeper by reading her book, I Wish I could Take Away Your Pain, or visiting her website Bravester.com. Tune in now for the interview, and don't forget to like this episode and subscribe to our podcast.

Is God speaking to you? Do you recognize when He is speaking to you? What if healing and changing lives were tethered to your ability to hear Him? In this episode, we explore how God speaks to us with Rev. Dr. David Chotka, founder and director of Spirit-Equip Ministries and co-author of Healing Prayer: God's Idea For Restoring Body, Mind and Spirit. Dr. Chotka recounts his first experience of healing prayer and the challenges that led to him finally listening to God to have a supernatural experience that would change his and others' lives. Tune in, and hear more.   #godisspeaking #prayer #HolySpiritencounter #resurrection #christianpodcast  

*Trigger Warning: This episode's subject matter may cause strong emotional reactions. What can grow out of darkness? What can life look like after being trafficked? Where does God fit into it all? In this episode, we answer these questions with Amanda Blackwood. Author, speaker, artist, and podcaster, Amanda shares what human trafficking is, the misconceptions, and the discovery of knowing a name existed for her experiences. We delve further to talk about what it looks like to overcome and how forgiveness is a key component in not only surviving but thriving. Tune in to hear more.

Have you ever felt so desperate that you asked God for death? Aaron Guyett, the founder of the Discipled in Christ app, asked God for death while serving overseas. Discouraged by what he saw in certain "Christians' behaviors" while also questioning whether God existed led him on a journey to determine the truth. He explored other religions, but still found no satisfaction until he found his lifeline in Christ. When he did, God answered his prayer for death but not in the way he expected. Now, he is helping others to connect and live like Christ through his app. Listen to his story, and if you discover that you are dying to find Christ, reach out to us.

How important is diversity to your church or Christian ministry? Are you meeting the spiritual and cultural needs of your congregation and those you serve? In this episode, we talk with Andrena Sawyer, founder of the Minority Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network (MCWEN) and author of The Misadventures of a New Entrepreneur: 5 Things They Won't Teach You in Business School. Andrena and I delve into what diversity should look like, concerns, and whether space is being made for diversity to sit at the table. Tune in to hear more, and be sure to comment your thoughts.

What does life look like after you have gambled it all away? The Rev. Dr. James W. Smith can answer that question for you. He was a young prominent attorney, but he had a problem. Fears railed at him. He felt urged not to lose or disappoint isolating himself, and he fell into a game that ultimately became his reality of risks, leading him to the other side of the law. However, that was not his end, and in this interview, you will hear about the fall, the hope, and the courage to start life again. Now, he is an author and uses his story as a beacon of light for those who have fallen and must get up again. Tune in to listen.

#sexualabuse #healing #survivor #christianpodcast #TheCWSpod When does the hiding start? According to Catherine Cooper, author of It's Time Out for Hiding, the hiding starts when we protect the secret. Shame and fear DRIVE the hiding, but even with the secret hidden, something inside of you will feel broken until you release. This is what happened with Catherine. For years she hid her childhood sexual abuse. Though she was saved, she knew something was wrong because she had mood swings. She wanted God to fix it, and He did. When she attended a T.D. Jakes Conference, she released it all, and the chains of shame and fear broke. Learn more about her story and how you can release too.

How would you feel if you did not know the other half of you? Do you think God cares? Richard Kweku EzeAgu Akinyemi, author of Found My People, went to a Nigerian wedding with hopes of learning more about the people and the culture, but during his journey, questions sparked him to learn more about his roots. When the DNA test revealed his ancestry, it changed his life. He says God led him to the right connections and provided the opportunity that pushed him to learn more. Just as God uses Jesus's genealogy as a connection point, God is using Richard Kweku EzeAgu Akinyemi's story. Tune in to learn more.

How do you deeply and compellingly experience God through nature? Photojournalist Pasquale "Pat" Mingarelli gives us insights into his journey to experiencing God more deeply through his photographic devotional book Drawing Near: Meeting God in His Creation. He goes beyond the well-known creation story and delves into other biblical stories to provide another connection perspective. If you crave a deeper connection to God, tune in and learn more. We will meet you at the intersection of God, photography, and the outdoors.

Can we bridge the gap between science and Christianity? Poet and author Cynthia Wilkening, who has a background in science, is on a mission to show how the science and Christian communities can benefit from one another and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of what the other has to offer. Often, a war has been waged between the communities as scientists define what is by the evidence they can hold and see while the Christian faith explores what can happen even when the evidence is not there. As a lover of both science and the Christian faith, Cynthia connects the two through the use of haiku and hopes others can do the same.

What would you do if you could no longer do what you love? The life of award-winning ceramic artist Morgan McCarver was drastically different ten years ago. As a child, she was fully immersed in the dance culture, but after her scoliosis diagnosis, failed treatment, and eventual spinal fusion surgery, she could no longer continue. A young teenager with a long road of recovery, her mother placed her in a ceramics class to help ease the loss. She fell in love. The artistic beauty she could no longer display through dance shaped its way into her art. At the same time, she realized she needed to go deeper in her faith walk. Thus, she eased away from being dependent upon her parent's faith and developed her relationship with God instead. Now, she has released her first book, God the Artist: Revealing God's Creative Side through Pottery. Tune in to hear the rest of Morgan's story and walk away inspired as you gain insight into how God may be reworking your life.

Is God done with you? If not, what is He teaching you through your situation? Bible teacher and counselor Shellie Wilson received a devastating medical diagnosis. One day, the doctor said nothing was wrong, and the next day, she was told to go to the hospital. Eventually, she learned she would need a new kidney. Flabbergasted by the news, she went to her porch and cried out to the Lord. She was at peace with dying if that was what God intended, but He was not done with her yet. Instead, the Holy Spirit directed her to focus on four disciplines that would strengthen her in her faith walk. As she focused on what God was teaching her, she joyfully shared the word of God with people who were receiving treatment alongside her. Tune in to find out what God said to her concerning the four disciplines. *At the time of this recording, someone had volunteered a kidney. Our prayers are with them.

Did you have one image of God in your mind, but later that imagery was shattered when you were confronted with the ugliness of the world? After joining the military, famous novelist and Navy veteran Jeffrey Wilson found himself face-to-face with a very different faith reality than what he had known in his youth. He questioned how a good God could allow such evil to manifest. He responded by digging deeper into his Word. However, even after God provided the necessary answers, he recognized that he struggled with issues that only he and others who had faced similar circumstances could understand. Thus, he and a friend launched a men's ministry specifically focused on those with a military history. Eventually, the group's growth exploded as they shared common experiences and explored where God was among all the terror. Tune in to learn what Jeffrey came to understand and why the formation of a ministry for those with a military history mattered.

Do you have a Christian parenting plan? Derek and Amy Weichel, authors of A Chance to Change and Founders of Faithful Parent, Questioned how they should raise their children. Viewing the statistics, acknowledging their inconsistencies, and dealing with the everyday overwhelm of raising four children age five and younger set them in motion to discover the best plan for their family. When they could not find what they wanted, they studied and developed what they needed. After implementing their plan, their family feels more focused, connected, and fun. Now, they are sharing what they learned with others. Tune in to discover more.

What is the culture of your workplace, and how are your leaders shaping it? Kerry L. Bass, CEO and Founder of Potential to Reality Consulting and a senior member of the American Society for Quality (ASQ), initially struggled with the call on his life and wondered how he could meld his spiritual call with his job. However, he yielded to God's will. Through his work, He repeatedly found that Christians must exhibit their faith in the workplace, especially those within leadership roles. Integrity, being true to who you are, is foundational in shaping the workplace environment. You determine whether it is a family or only a team. You determine the level of excellence and driving factors. Poor work environments yield inconsistencies, and employees will reflect what is set, not yielding more than what is asked. Thus, he urges people to be salt and light. Tune in to learn more.

Do you know how to invest in a biblically responsible way? Known as a financial rock star, Darryl Lyons, CEO and co-founder of PAX Financial Group, LLC, started his biblically responsible investment strategy simply. He gave and trusted God, even when he had needs. As he did, he experienced an increase. He dove deeper by determining whether his financial investments in other companies aligned with what he believed and made appropriate changes. Now, he is helping others do the same. If you want your faith and financial investments to align, tune in to learn more and start your biblically responsible investment journey today.

Have you ever been told that you need to keep your faith under wraps in the workplace? Katie Hornor, author of The Flamingo Advantage, took an unexpected detour from missionary work to entrepreneurship at the behest of God. As she delved into this unexpected call, she realized that the largest mission field was within the workplace perhaps. While Christians often settle into the background, she says we were meant to stand out and allow our actions to demonstrate our faith. It starts with a biblical mindset. Having a biblical mindset will affect what you do and how people view you, but it is even larger than this. Katie emphasizes that acting in faith is a form of worship. Thus, she helps people maximize the impact of their expertise without compromising their faith, core values, or non-negotiables. Tune in. 

When you do mission work, do you see the people you serve, or do you see another project to be fixed? DeAnna Sanders, author of Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life with Your Neighbors and the Nations, realized that she was not seeing the people. Although she loved mission work, busyness ruled her days, and she found herself completing projects rather than being with the people. She says that when you do not see the people, you lose the joy of the mission and the opportunity to form deeper connections. Now, she shares powerful stories about the importance of seeing the people. Listen to learn more.

Moms, are you feeling overwhelmed, questioning whether you are getting it right, or experiencing mom guilt? You are not alone. Life coach and author Mirella Acebo understands. As she was becoming a mom, she lost her mom and often felt overwhelmed by her emotions as a new mom. Later, she discovered that it was natural for her to experience her feelings, she acknowledged them, but at the same time, she stood on God's truth to navigate her through. Now, you can learn more about how she did it in this episode and through her book, SOS for the MOM, and receive guidance as to how you can navigate it all. Tune in now.

Is your soul satisfied? Author, pastor, and pursuer of truth Cory Rosenke says our souls are craving. Although an avid lover of philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience, he knows these mechanisms can never fulfill the appetite of the soul, and often we fail to recognize the hunger in our soul because our attitudes toward its existence are passive and mute instead of bold and lively, as God intended. He says must go beyond the biology of who we are to embrace what God wants to give us, communion with Him. Tune in to learn more.

How do you imagine life after a heavenly encounter? To most looking at the fiery crash scene, Calvin Cassady's life would seem over, but God had a different plan. After the fiery crash, he and his friends were rescued. On his way to the hospital, Calvin died and encountered heaven. However, he could not stay. God sent him back to earth to carry out his divine appointment. Since then, he has learned that divine appointment arises even in the everyday tasks of blessing people. You can read about his story in his book Bridging the Gap, but most importantly, you can hear his story and decide to walk in your divine appointment. Learn how.

When you can feel the trauma and pain of others, what do you do? Suzy Ryan is the author of the book Saving Summer, and she knew exactly what she needed to do. She needed to share her story and help others overcome. Saving Summer is a novelized coming-of-age version of her story, which relays the woes of poor parenting and poor decision-making by a teen. Despite the woes, Suzy declares her book a “Jesus story” because she realizes how God was with her through it all. Now, she shares her book with other hurting teens and parents, so they will know that they are not alone in their struggles. Tune in now.

Have you ever avoided receiving help because you could not find someone who seemed to understand or respect your values? Johnny Sanders found himself wrestling within the counseling profession until he decided to become more blatant about his Christian faith. Since then, he has found that many respect him for his statement of faith while he continues to provide the standard of care required within his profession. He is known as a “Conservative Christian” counselor which attracts a demographic of the population who may not normally seek counseling, broadening the road to more people receiving the help they need.

Most have heard about Dr. Gary Chapman's five love languages, but what if you grew up in a home where love was skewed due to generational trauma? What if people don't understand what they truly need and find themselves lighting up for a love language different from what they expected? What if you can learn it all through a game? Paul Zolman takes learning about love languages to the next level by teaching people to better recognize love regardless of the type and further improving their love language skills through a game. Tune in to learn why he developed this methodology and how practicing it can help change lives.

After graduating from pharmaceutical school, getting married, and having her first child, Robyn's life was mapped out. However, when her husband's job decided to move him to another state, she had to start over. In the process, she was dealing with anxiety and working a lackluster job. Her husband encouraged her to work in photography, which she enjoyed. She took his advice, and as she built her photography business, she felt God calling her to something bigger. She leaned into her faith and grew through her anxiety issues, eventually becoming a Christian business coach, helping clients navigate their business growth. Listen now.

Rock bottom was not enough for Doug Sweeney, but the accident jolted him to the reality of his situation. He was driving and survived, but his passenger was killed instantly. Doug started drinking alcohol at a young age, using it as a coping tool, following in the footsteps of the alcoholic, abusive, and absentee father he despised. However, the accident positioned him where he could no longer escape. It was time to deal with the pain of the past, forgiving his father and ultimately accepting forgiveness from the Father. Tune in to hear his story.

In this interview, Author Katrina Robertson dives into the struggles Christians face because many falsely believe they should be able to handle whatever life throws at them. However, if we could handle everything, what would be the point of God? In her award-winning book Juror #11, she explores the difficulty of navigating a broken justice system and how she maintained her faith. She wants people to understand that some situations are beyond our ability to manage, but not God's. She encourages Christians to stop pretending they are "fine," honestly assess and express where they are, and look to God for help. Tune in.

The week Ahmard Vital released his first book, his father passed away, changing his spiritual life permanently. Though he pleaded with God to save his father, it was not a part of the plan. He was angry with God. He felt unprepared. However, God reassured him that he was with him and challenged him to leave the hospital representing heaven and all the good his earthly father had poured into him. He took that challenge. Later, he realized that he was spiritually arrogant and learned to lean into his faith more deeply, becoming humble and fully embracing his father's teaching -- live your best life and give it all away.

Even when we don't know what will happen, Jesus knows, and remembering the truth and anchor of God's word is crucial to making it through the storm. This is what art lover and author Donny Abbott emphasizes. Struggles in our faith are natural and provide pivotal junctures where we can choose to grow. Writing the book Christ in the Storm: Keeping Faith in the Face of the Unknown, Donny understands well how those challenges pull at us, e.g., the death of his mother to COVID-19 and depression as a pastor, but if we choose to allow the situations to push us closer to Jesus rather than pull away, we will have a greater faith walk.

Marine Corps veteran and author John Jarman took control of his life at the age of twelve. That's when his father, who was an abusive alcoholic, left the family. Every life decision he made kept him in the driver's seat until he realized how broken and in need of redemption he was. He didn't grow up in a Christian home. Initially, he used attending church to get away from his drill sergeant. A seed was planted, and gradually, he came into the knowledge of Christ. Eventually, he surrendered his life completely, recognizing his need for humility. Now, you can read a bit about his story in his award-winning book, Broken & Redeemed. Tune in.

CEO, coach, and national best-selling author Shannon Rhodes desires to see people, especially women, walk in their purpose. Not only does she cheer them toward their purpose, but she also exemplifies what living in your purpose looks like. For example, her company, Pure Rhodes, ladens every one of their soap bars with a scripture. Often, you will find her in deep conversation with someone as she coaches them through difficulty and navigates them toward greater. She expounds rays of joy wherever she goes. An encounter with her will cause you to wear your sunglasses because she radiates brightly. Special offer available for listeners of this episode. Tune In to hear more.

If you want to increase your impact, influence, and income as a Christian executive, you must shift your mind. Former producer Elizabeth Louis felt mentally tortured as she sought ways to move past her childhood trauma. Then, she heard about positive psychology emphasizing coaching and decided that was what she needed to learn to help herself. So, she reenrolled in school. One day, while reading the bible, she realized positive psychology was laid out in the scriptures. After transforming her thinking, she shifted to helping others. Now, she helps Christian executives increase their impact, influence, and income.

Sharon Huges is a confidence coach and the award-winning author of "The Girl in the Garage: 3 Steps to Letting Go of Your Past," a faith-based book for breaking free from a lack of confidence, self-worth issues, and a painful past. Growing up, she suffered abuse, emotional neglect, and a barrage of negative incidents, including date rape, which left her believing she was not good enough. However, an encounter with a book started her journey to discovering who she was meant to be, and now, she is using her experiences to ignite confidence in those she meets. Learn more about her and her story in this podcast episode.   #confidence #confidencebuilding #overcome #christianpodcast #thecwspod

Everyone looks forward to the wedding date, the beautiful decorations, flowers, cake, the groom in his tux, and the first appearance of the bride in her dress, but let's back it up. That's only the wedding date. Do you know the questions you and your fiancé should ask before you say I do? Are you only looking for the red flags, or have you noticed some pink flags? Wedding officiant Aaron Smith shares insights about what couples should ask and do before they say I do, as well as what they should consider doing long after the wedding date is over. Tune in.   #wedding #engagement #christiancouples #christianpodcast #thecwspod

She had the education, the charisma, and the perfect model, but she still struggled to communicate as she executed God's plan for her life. She stepped back, pointed the finger at herself, and dove into communication methodology. She realized that communication was more than the words she said, and it included purpose, tonality, mindset, and body language. A better understanding of communication caused her to listen on a deeper level, thus making her more effective with people. Now, she is helping others do the same. How we communicate will determine whether someone will receive the message we desire to give.

Have you ever started reading a story to a child but paused because there was something more to the story? Carrie Pierce, children's author, reminisces about a time when children's books were free of agenda, pure, only providing essential lessons a child needed to learn. Recognizing a need for that, she delved into writing children's books focused on overcoming and taking leaps of faith. She urges other Christian writers to take up this mantle too. If we ever needed light, we need it now. She furthers this message as she works with authors through her publishing company.

Cindy Rand is affectionally known as the Busy Woman's Cheerleader. She coaches women on breaking outside the boxes that society, family, and even friends seek to place them in because she knows that God has made women for greater. Emphasizing the importance of never becoming complacent, she cautions that we must remain wary of the limiting beliefs that we allow others to speak into our lives and prophecy what we desire for our lives. Amid women acknowledging what they want, Cindy helps them balance all aspects of their lives, mind, body, spirit, and finances, giving them the 360-experience. Tune in.