Fragments of Blue

Grace and Laura answer a message from a listener who has been struggling with finding a group that are willing to delve deep into the Word of God. They discuss the change in culture that has made bible study much harder for many people. Support the Show.

Grace and Laura introduce a discussion on Glory, both the noun and the verb. Why is it important we understand the biblical definition of glory and how does it affect our relationship with God. Support the Show.

Laura shares a little about a recent experience that she found frustrating and painful as God said, "No" or "Not yet" to a particular thing she was seeking knowledge and understanding on. Grace and Laura discuss times when God tells us in his word that having certain knowledge, or attaining knowledge in certain ways may harm our relationship with him and/or others. Support the Show.

By request, Grace and Laura talk about living out our faith in a secular workplace.  Living according to our Christian convictions can sometimes feel quite lonely. How can we overcome this and find the courage to live as God calls us to in an environment wholly opposed to the values we hold? Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss the difference between legalism and loving obedience.  They touch on how this affects spiritual development within the church and how a lack of obedience is what actually leads non-believers to deride the church.  Support the Show.

Drawing "inspiration" from the Depp/Heard trial and the new documentary, What is a Woman, Grace and Laura chat about the power and significance of words, and the importance of agreed-upon definitions.Support the Show.

Laura leads a discussion on the role of Christians in democratic politics. Why have many evangelic churches and church leaders shied away from engaging in political topics? How much should we engage?Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss the state of Education in the West and its effect on the church.Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss what makes prayer difficult for so many Christians and why overcoming the things that make it hard is so essential to our faith. Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss the joys and frustrations of waiting as well as actions we can take that will help us enjoy times of waiting. Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss the pervasiveness of transhumanism in our modern culture. Why is the movement gaining ground and how is it already affecting us today.Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss what dualism is and how it affects the evangelical church.Support the Show.

By popular request, Grace and Laura discuss mentorship and answer the questions: What should we look for in a mentor? What qualifications should we have if we want to mentor others? What does biblical mentorship look like?Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss the link between Justice and Righteousness.Support the Show.

Grace and Laura start Season 4 with another topic recommended by Laura's mom. Are younger generations losing the passion to praise with singing? Support the Show.

Grace and Laura talk about what's known in Christian circles as "the root of all evil."How do we know if we have fallen into the trap of "loving money." How do we avoid this kind of pitfall when our geographical place in the world puts us in the top 5% richest people, globally.Support the Show.

What does it mean to be a carnal Christian? Isn't it an oxymoron? Grace and Laura chat about this and their own struggles with it. Support the Show.

Throughout history, people have made and sacrificed to idols relating to health and wellbeing. Are we so different? Grace and Laura discuss ways in which health and wellbeing have become idols in the modern western world.  Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss how to discern the message of movies and media without having to consume the media itself. Support the Show.

Grace and Laura talk about the importance of celebrating Christmas as a way of sharing the light with a world lost in darkness. Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss the difference between expectancy and expectations and how they impact our faith.  Support the Show.

Is there a litmus test for faith, something 'decisively indicative' of what's in the heart? Grace and Laura discuss why we should know how to discern if someone is truly a follower of Christ.Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss the importance of Immanuel - God taking on flesh, becoming one of us. They conclude this podcast with a beautiful excerpt from Alpha Central's Youtube channel (Produced by Shift Worship ), in which a young preacher (in 1854) named Charles Spurgeon gave a Christmas Eve message based on  Isaiah 7:14 & 15. The original video combines the original score with some animated drawings to illustrate the wonder of the ages, as we celebrate God With Us. Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss the differences between docility and peace-making, as modelled for us by Jesus and his apostles. Support the Show.

Grace and Laura talk about the paradox of the Christian faith that allows one to experience joy and sorrow simultaneously. What does it mean to be "sorrowful yet always rejoicing," as Scottish minister, Alexander Maclaren would say.Support the Show.

Upon request! Grace and Laura are back with another episode on what has been inspiring them lately. Newsflash - there is more Austen, Lewis, and Tolkien, in the mix... But Alexander MacLaren and "the Incarnation" also make a cameo.Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss what the bible has to say about identity and our natural selves.Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss what persecution looks like in western nations, and how we must recognize persecution here for what it is so that we can stand up under it... and perhaps more importantly so that we avoid taking part in it. Support the Show.

Grace and Laura talk about the dangers of (and their struggles with) idle and impertinent curiosity. What does the bible have to say about it?Support the Show.

Grace and Laura chat about spiritual disciplines, both corporate (done together) and individual, with a special focus on fasting and solitude. Support the Show.

Laura is in her element as she and Grace discuss the ways in which loftier things (such a "high art") teach us how to look more deeply at the loftier aspects of God, creating appetites for the better and fuller life that God has promised the Christian.Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss the prevalence of idols and false religions in home decor, fashion trends, and the health and wellness industries.  Why should we bother to gain any sort of knowledge in this area and how does it affect our lives and culture?Support the Show.

Grace cajoles Laura into talking about a subject she really didn't want to talk about... Replacement Theology. Why on earth should you care about it? How does it affect you? What does the bible have to say about it... and why does the episode title reference olive branches? You'll have to listen to find out.Support the Show.

Whether you care about it or not, the fashion industry has a big impact on our culture. Grace and Laura discuss why, as Christians, we should care about fashion.Support the Show.

Grace and Laura talk about the lives of Jesus, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, King Saul, and the Apostle Paul to expand on the idea that our obedience is much more important to God than living up to our so-called, "potential". Support the Show.

Did you realize that there are well-known preachers and churches that teach the Old Testament is basically obsolete since Christ's crucifixion and resurrection? Grace and Laura talk about this and why the Old Testament is still so important for us today. Support the Show.

In our second episode in the series, "Why You Should Care About..." Laura makes the case for Romance.  Can romance really make a difference to our Christian life?Support the Show.

Laura is away at the moment, but Grace is here to read a little scripture and share a little story from George Snyman, founder of Hands at Work in Africa.George has so many stories like Meshach's* and is so inspirational. You can hear him for yourself in the Hands at Work in Africa YouTube Channel, or by downloading the Hands at Work app. *Some names have been changedSupport the Show.

At the beginning of their short series; "Why You Should Care About..."Grace and Laura talk about the importance of poetry in Scripture, and why it should matter to us today.Support the Show.

In the Season Three opener Grace and Laura talk about the wisdom that can only be gleaned with time and experience, and the wisdom that is given us by God, which his Word calls, "The Ancient Path." What is the difference. Why does the bible make such a big deal about "white hair?"Support the Show.

Grace and Laura talk about the things/people that have been inspiring lately. From Laura's husband Nathanael and "Turtle Power" to excellent music and powerful testimonies, the girls have a lot to say about their faith heroes.Support the Show.

In this episode Grace and Laura discuss prophecy as it relates to the End Times. Many people look at what is happening in the world today and fear that this really is the beginning of the end. So what does the bible say and how as Christians should be preparing or living as the day draws closer to Christ's return? Support the Show.

Grace and Laura chat about Christian engagement in social media, both the edification and the devastation that it can bring. Support the Show.

Grace and Laura talk about Jesus' prayer that is (as yet) unanswered... that the church would be one as He and the Father are one. Are we getting unity wrong? What does biblical unity in the body of Christ meant to look like?Support the Show.

Grace and Laura talk about their experiences working with Youth and our duty as a church family to mentor and draw alongside them as they grow in their faith. Grace also touches on some practical ways of protecting your teen as they navigate a culture that seems to be daily inventing new ways to sin.Support the Show.

In a follow-up to "Christian Self-Care", Grace and Laura dig a little deeper into God's word, looking to the wisdom of Solomon, to answer the question, "is it ever okay to indulge ourselves, and splurge a little?"Support the Show.

We hear so much about self-care, but how should this practice look for the Christian.  The bible talks much more about dying to ourselves than lavishing and "treating" ourselves. In this episode Grace and Laura dig a little deeper into the example Jesus set for us and how we can implement His practices in our own lives. Support the Show.

Grace and Laura share testimonies of some pivotal moments in their Christian faith: Laura sharing a beautiful moment that led to profound worship, & Grace confessing a "spat" she had with God while on the mission field. Support the Show.

"Why is this night different than all other nights?" Is a question asked during the Passover meal by a young child. The adult leading the meal responds with the story of redemption from slavery. In this podcast, Grace and Laura look at the way the physical world impacts the spiritual (and vice versa), by examining the elements of the Passover (and Communion) and how we can see prophecy fulfilled in this "Last Supper" that Jesus had with his disciples.Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss the difference between levity and joy... and if there is a place for 'levity' in our church services.Support the Show.

Grace and Laura discuss what to do with the disappointment and heartache we feel when our "Heroes in the Faith" fail and fall. Support the Show.