Good Enough

Evan Welcher is the senior pastor of Vine Street Bible Church in Glenwood, Iowa. After losing his wife to cancer, Evan wrote the book Resplendent Bride, chronicling the love and loss of his first marriage. He now lives with his wife, Rachel Welcher, and their dog, Frank, in a house on a hill. His favorite color is darkness. You can follow him on Twitter @evanwelcher.In this episode, Evan talks with Andrea about his personal experiences with loss, his work as a pastor, and thoughts about our culture's views on death and mortality.  

In this episode, Andrea talks with Mrs. Neely, a woman from her church, about living a faithful life, facing death in different relationships including her own husband, and trusting in Jesus through each season. 

Nancy and her husband, David, have a thirty-year-old son, Matt, who works with his dad creating kids musicals for the church through Little Big Stuff Music. They also have a daughter, Hope, and a son, Gabriel, who were born with a rare genetic disorder called Zellweger Syndrome and each lived six months. In this episode, Andrea talks with Nancy about this experience.Nancy offered many of the lessons she learned from the loss of two of their children in her first book, Holding On to Hope: A Pathway of Suffering to the Heart of God which was published in 2002. She and her husband, David, host weekend Respite Retreats for couples who have faced the death of a child. She speaks regularly at conferences nationally and internationally, and is a regular contributor to The Gospel Coalition, including hosting the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast.Nancy and her husband, David,  make their home in Nashville, Tennessee where, according to Nancy, life is less about professional pursuits than about the ordinary aspects of being a wife, mother, friend, and follower of Jesus, with clothes to wash, e-mails to answer, and a friend to listen to.WebsiteInstagramI'm Praying for You book

In this episode, Andrea Burke talks with Dr. Ethan Helm, pediatrician, and missionary to Cameroon and Cambodia. Ethan shares his own personal story of facing cancer, as well as what it's like to care for the dying and hurting in different countries and cultures. Ethan Helm is a pediatrician and his wife Elizabeth (also a physician) previously served at Mbingo Baptist Hospital in Cameroon with Samaritan's Purse.  They now serve in Phnom Penh, Cambodia with Christian Health Service Corps.  Currently both Ethan and Elizabeth are studying the Khmer language, while Ethan volunteers at Hebron Hospital, and Liz homeschools their children.  When he is in the States, he occasionally works at Genesis Pediatrics, in Rochester, NY.  Ethan and Elizabeth have 4 kids.  Ethan likes games, sports, laughter, and being ridiculous, and Ethan loves his church, Grace Road, excessively.  He often tells people when he thinks of his church it's like cotton candy and unicorns.  Also, Ethan is not sure the last sentence is a sentence, but he's from Arkansas, so he's okay with it. 

Dan and Yaroslava Quirk tell their very real and honest story of how they lost their daughter Eleanor when Slava was 38 weeks pregnant, what they learned, what grief looked like, and more. The Quirks are members of Andrea's home church, Grace Road Church in Rochester.  Books referenced:A Grief Observed, C.S. LewisA Symphony in the Dark

Clarissa Moll is the young widow of author Rob Moll and mother of their four children. She holds an MA from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and her writing has appeared at The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, Rooted, RELEVANT Magazine, Modern Loss, and more. Find her on Instagram and at her website, where she offers a monthly newsletter of support and encouragement for people experiencing bereavement.website: https://clarissamoll.com/social: https://www.instagram.com/mollclarissa/book: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Dying-Living-Fully-into-dp-0830847219/dp/0830847219/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

Dr. J. Todd Billings is the Professor of Reformed Theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. An ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America, he received his M.Div. from Fuller Seminary and his Doctorate of Theology from Harvard. Married to Rachel, and they have two kids. The End of the Christian LifeRejoicing in LamentWebsite: https://jtoddbillings.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jtoddbillings

In this episode, Andrea talks with Hunter Beless of the The Journeywomen Podcast and Gretchen Saffles from Well-Watered Women about how to faithfully use social media in an age of influencers, marketing, brands, pandemics, and so on. We answered some listener questions, and Hunter and Gretchen both shared their personal habits and approaches to managing social media in their personal life and work.BiosGretchen Saffles is the founder of Well-Watered Women, a resource for women filled with bible studies, journals, articles, and more. She is a writer and author, mom and wife and lives in Georgia. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gretchensaffles/https://www.instagram.com/wellwateredwomen/https://www.instagram.com/wellwateredco/Hunter Beless is the Founder & Executive Director of The Journeywomen Podcast. She is married to Brooks and they have three children and live in New Hampshire.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterbeless/https://www.instagram.com/journeywomenpodcast/Books:Tony Reinke, 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You

In this episode, Andrea Burke and Greta Eskridge talk about how to talk to your kids about sex, pornography, healthy conversations about sex, and more. Greta Eskridge is a home schooling mom of 4. She loves to fill her family’s days with reading, making art, and being outside as much as possible. Her favorite places to be are on a hiking trail or at the tide pools--preferably with an iced coffee in hand. Greta loves laughing, having adventures and taking cat naps in the afternoon. She and her artist husband, Aaron, make their home in sunny southern California.Greta is also an author and speaker. Her first book, "Adventuring Together", releases July of 2020 with Thomas Nelson. Greta travels the country speaking and sharing her message of joyful, connected parenting.Greta would love to connect with you!You can hang out with her on her Instagram feed. You'll find her @maandpamodern.You can also find her on her blog at www.gretaeskridge.comBook: Adventuring TogetherWebsite: http://www.gretaeskridge.com/As referenced:Song of Songs commentary

In this episode, Andrea Burke talks with Allyson Todd, editorial assistant and women’s initiatives intern at For the Church. What are the roles for women in the church? How do you have those hard or awkward conversations? How is it different for married women and single women? These things and more are on this episode.Links:AllysonTodd.comhttps://ftc.co/multi_author/allyson-todd/Twitter:https://twitter.com/_allysontoddArticle by Jen Wilkin: 3 Female Ghosts That Haunt the ChurchStudy: Women of the Bible, from Grace Road ChurchSeminary: Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary For the Church Women's Pre-Conference: https://www.mbts.edu/about/conference/ftc20/womens-pre-conference/

In this episode, Andrea Burke is joined by Kristie Anyabwile to talk about women in the church. Specifically, they discuss intergenerational friendships, mentoring, how to approach the topic with other women in your church, and more.Kristie Anyabwile is a pastor’s wife and the mother of Afiya, Eden, and Titus. She joyfully supports her husband of 24 years, Thabiti, as he pastors Anacostia River Church in Southeast Washington, DC. Kristie enjoys spending time with family, cooking, and discipling women, as well as speaking and writing about marriage, motherhood, and ministry. You can follow her on Twitter at @KAnyabwile.Books: His Testimonies, My HeritageWord-Filled Women's Ministry

In this episode, Andrea talks with Abbey Sitterley about art, creativity, writing, Christian art, and more. They discuss the purpose of Christian art, answer questions like "Is everyone creative?" and discuss some of their favorite writers. Abbey is a singer/songwriter, poet, and freelance writer who lives in Rochester, NY.You can find more from her here:Website: abbeysitterley.comInstagram: @abbeysitterley You can also find her latest music at:The Local Hangups — https://localhangups.bandcamp.com/Instagram: @localhangups

In this two-part episode, Andrea talks with her brothers who are also pastors (Ben Levendusky and Derek Levendusky) about complex and complicated family relationships. They share their own stories and talk about how everyone responded when Andrea's personal decisions really blew up a bomb in their family life. How should sin be confronted? What do you do when it all falls apart? Is there such a thing as a "functional family"?Next week, in part two, Andrea, Derek, and Ben will seek to answer listener questions about different and unique family situations.Derek: https://anchor.fm/gracewalk-radio

In this two-part episode, Andrea talks with her brothers who are also pastors (Ben Levendusky and Derek Levendusky) about complex and complicated family relationships. They share their own stories and talk about how everyone responded when Andrea's personal decisions really blew up a bomb in their family life. How should sin be confronted? What do you do when it all falls apart? Is there such a thing as a "functional family"?Next week, in part two, Andrea, Derek, and Ben will seek to answer listener questions about different and unique family situations.Derek: https://anchor.fm/gracewalk-radio

In this episode, Andrea Burke and Phylicia Masonheimer discuss theology, why it should matter to every believer, where to get answers to your questions, and more. Phylicia's website: https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phyliciamasonheimer/Stop Calling Me BeautifulVerity Podcast

Jasmine L. Holmes has written for The Gospel Coalition, Desiring God, Fathom Mag, Christianity Today, and The Witness. She is also a contributing author for Identity Theft: Reclaiming the Truth of Our Identity in Christ and His Testimonies, My Heritage: Women of Color on the Word of God. She teaches humanities in a classical Christian school in Jackson, Mississippi, where she and her husband, Phillip, are parenting two young sons. Her book “Mother to Son: Letters to a Black Boy on Identity and Hope” released March 24.Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Son-Letters-Black-Identity/dp/0830832769/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1588726842&sr=8-2Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasmineLHolmesWebsite: https://jasminelholmes.com/ https://mothertosonbook.com/

In this episode, Andrea Burke and Matthew LaPine discuss anxiety, depression, and Matt's "Five Myths of Mental Health." They also spend some time answering listener's questions. Matthew LaPine is from Duluth, Minnesota. His wife, Molly, is from Carroll, IA. They have lived in Texas, Ohio, and Wisconsin. They have three girls age eight, six, and four. Matt is a Lecturer at Salt School of Theology and Pastor of Theological Development of Cornerstone Church in Ames.He holds a PhD from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL) under Kevin Vanhoozer. He writes on theology, emotion, and mental health. Matt is passionate about practicing theology within the context of the local church. Book coming out this year “The Logic of the Body” - coming out this fall. Diagram of EmotionsLinksWebsite: https://matthewalapine.com/Twitter

In this episode, Andrea Burke and Courtney Reissig discuss emotions, our feelings in the face of COVID-19, studying the Psalms, and more. About Courtney:Courtney is a wife, mother, writer, and speaker. Married to Daniel, living in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are the parents of four boys. They are members at Immanuel Baptist Church. She’s the author of The Accidental Feminist, Glory in the Ordinary, and Teach Me To Feel: Worshiping Through the Psalms in Every Season of Life. You can find her online here.

In this episode, Andrea Burke talks with Rachel Joy Welcher about purity culture, sexual shame, and more. For more information about Rachel Joy Welcher:TwitterTwo Funerals, Then EasterBlue TarpHer new book "Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality " releases from InterVarsity Press in 2020.

Season Two is on its way to you soon! Subscribe now, leave a review, say hello!

Listen in as we wrap up the first season of Good Enough, talk about what next season will look like, and review some of our favorite episodes!Find us online:Lore WilbertWebsite: sayable.netInstagram: @lorewilbertTwitter: @lorewilbertAndrea BurkeWebsite: andreagburke.comInstagram: @andreagburkeTwitter: @theandreaburke

Emily and Laura are the co-founders of Risen Motherhood and if you haven’t checked out their podcast, and writing, and resources, well, you probably have because they’re HUGELY popular. They have made it their goal to bring the Gospel straight into the heart of the home to mothers, tackling questions about discipleship, discipline, bible study, you name it. Both of them have a genuinely authentic way of writing about the real stuff of parenting while also weaving in the truth of the Gospel. Risen Motherhood book —https://www.risenmotherhood.com/bookRM Podcast — https://www.risenmotherhood.com/podcastNYT Article "The Relentlessness of Modern Parenting" – https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/25/upshot/the-relentlessness-of-modern-parenting.htmlWeekly ChallengePaul Tripp talks about this in his book parenting: “The sin, weakness, rebellion, or failure of your children is never an imposition on your parenting. It is never an interruption. It is never a hassle. It is always grace. God loves your children. He has put them in a family of faith, and in relentless grace, he will reveal their need to you again and again so that you can be his tool of awareness, conviction, repentance, faith, and change. And because in these moments he asks you to forsake your agenda for his, this opportunity of grace is not just for your children, it’s for you as well.” https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/parenting-its-never-an-interruption/This week, when you see your children’s sin, ask God how you can be an ambassador of the Gospel in their hearts — to be a tool for him. This applies whether your children are 2 or 25. And if you don’t have children, remember that you’re in the family of God. You will witness the sin of children of God this week. How can you be an ambassador of grace? Second challenge, if you’ve bought into the “relentlessness” of modern parenting like the NYT article talks about, how can you step back from the race of society and find ways to do more of what Deuteronomy talks about — recenter your parenting around the Gospel.ScriptureDeut. 6:6-9Colossians 3:21John 19:26-27

Debbie Maloney is the wife of Kevin Maloney, who is my lead pastor here at Grace Road. Kevin was on our episode about diet culture. (Go back and listen to that one. It’s been one of our most loved episodes.) Kevin and Debbie have been married 18 years and they have four kids. Resourcesdwellapp.io/GoodEnoughScriptureRomans 12:9-21Proverbs 12:22-23Ephesians 4:31-32Weekly ChallengeThis week find a few brothers, including your spouse if you’re married, and repent for the way you’ve talked about them in the past, ask them what it would look like to speak life to them, and then endeavor to do so. Look for ways to encourage men in their God-given masculine roles. Honor the way they are designed distinctly unique from women.

We are so happy to welcome as our guest today, Lindsey Carlson, to talk about friendships with other women. Lindsey is a pastor’s wife, and even more so, a church planting pastor’s wife. They planted their church, in Baltimore, MD, four years ago. She’s a mom to 5 kids and she recently released her first book “Growing in Godliness: A Teen Girl’s Guide to Maturing in Christ.” Buy it here. https://lindseycarlson.net/Weekly Challenge:Think of one friendship this week where you would like the Spirit to help you in your weakness. What might repentance to them look like? Or intentionality? Or release? What’s an action you can take in faith to see that friendship changed in submission to God’s best for friendship?Scripture:1 Timothy 5:13Ephesians 5:15-21

Today our guest is Jessica Thompson. Jess is part of the epic podcast, Front Porch With the Fitzes (which you should totally check out) with her mom, Elyse Fitzpatrick, her dad Phil, and her brother Joel. Jess is the author of Give Them Grace, Answering Your Kids Toughest Questions, and Exploring Grace Together. And she and her brother just wrote a book together about sex called, Mom, Dad, What’s Sex? Today we get to talk about Friendship with Guys. ResourcesWhy Can't We Be Friends?ScripturesRomans 12:10Weekly ChallengeThink of a trustworthy man in your life (or woman, if you’re a man) you’ve held at arm’s length because of fear in your own heart. What would it look like to, as much as it’s appropriate, extend yourself to them as a sister or brother? How can you close the gap created by culture and fear, and trust the God who designed the family of God to help the family of God flourish? How can you practice the one-anothers toward them?

Today our guest is Minda Corso. Minda is a social and digital media maven living in Michigan by way of DC, by way of Florida, by way of Texas which, she says, will always be home. She’s a Blogger, Twitter-er, Facebook-er, Instagram-er, Perfecter of the art of great conversation over coffee, Minda lives and breathes all things social. She’s new to Michigan and, as a southerner, is finding new ways to survive the Michigan winters as well as making homemade pasta, singing, taking an Orange Theory class, or looking for new ways to help people love Jesus just a little bit more. Minda got her start in social media 10 years ago working for an international missions organization. Since then, she has managed accounts for national organizations, presidential candidates, authors, and now works in the world of philanthropy working with the WK Kellogg Foundation. You can follow her at Twitter at @mindac and Instagram.Resources:dwellapp.io/GoodEnoughScriptures:Luke 8:17James 1:19Philippians 4:8Psalm 84:101 Corinthians 10:23Weekly Challenges:Pay attention to the content you create and absorb on social media this week. Are you listening to those who build up, cheer up, and stir one another on to love and good works? Or those who use their “platform” to tear others down or shame you or others? Pay attention to how you’re doing there. Encourage those you know in real life through social media. If you know them outside of SM, engage with their social media and don’t just scroll by. Like, encourage, engage, love well. If they were standing in the room with you and showed you an image/said something, would you ignore them?

In this episode, Andrea and Lore talk about dating, their own stories, and answer a whole slew of questions they got on this topic. Weekly ChallengesIf you want to date and you’re not, or even if you are, make the cheesy list of what you want in a spouse. Have some friends you trust look over it with you to see if there’s anything that’s not God-honoring. Then bring that before the Lord and ask boldly. If you’re married, be intentional to have single people in your home. Be a covert matchmaker. Let your home be a place where people can meet, hang, mingle, and know one another. Linkshttp://www.andreagburke.com/blog/2019/3/4/when-you-make-your-bed-in-hellhttp://www.andreagburke.com/blog/2018/3/23/its-been-13-years-since-i-died

Hannah Anderson is the author of Made for More, Humble Roots, and All That’s Good. She’s the wife of a pastor in rural Appalachia, the mother of three, and she, along with Erin Straza, are the hosts of Persuasion, a podcast where “fine ladies, rational minds, and the best kind of company” gather together to discuss pertinent ideas and issues. Hannah is a master of threaded tweets on Twitter mainly because she’s great at thinking out loud and inviting others into her thoughts. Which is what we’re hoping to do with her today as we talk about clean living trends in the world and church today and thinking through these things with minds and hearts centered on Jesus.ScriptureJob 14:5Romans 14:20Acts 10:10-16Psalm 103:14Weekly ChallengeWhether you are someone who is concerned with making sure everything is clean or non-toxic, or you are someone who doesn’t have the financial or mental resources to choose those things for you or your family, this week we want to encourage you to before you eat, put makeup on, clean your house, or feed your family, think about 1 Timothy 4:4, “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” Ask yourself: how do I receive this, whatever it is, with thanksgiving? And then simply thank God for what he has given you, and walk in peace, knowing he is good and sovereign.Resourceshttps://www.sometimesalight.com/https://twitter.com/sometimesalighthttps://www.instagram.com/hannah_._anderson/https://www.facebook.com/hannah.anderson1234/

Nikki Lawrence is a member of The Village Church and is deacon over singles at the Flower Mound campus. She’s also in sales and cares deeply about road trips, connecting people in ministry, and can be found at a HomeGoods near you. Scriptures1 Corinthians 7:32-34Acts 16Resourcesdwellapp.io/goodenoughWeekly Challenges:If you’re one who’s putting life on hold until marriage, do three things this week that you’ve been waiting for marriage for (better sheets, plates, take a trip etc.)If you’re married, invite some single people over to your house for dinner. Make room at your table for them. Build friendships with people who aren’t in the exact same season of life as you.If you’re one who’s consumed with finding a spouse or considering every brother or sister as a potential spouse, ask the Spirit to help you view them as fellow image bearers and family in Christ first.

Kelsey Hency is a wife, mom of two, a Bible teacher at The Village Church Dallas. She’s also the editor-in-chief of Fathom Magazine. You can find her on twitter and instagram.Scripture:Colossians 3:231 Thessalonians 4:11Weekly Challenge:— Instead of saying “I’m so busy” when someone asks how you’re doing...say..? “My time is filled with….” or “I’m spending my time on _____” Be clear about what is occupying your time. If you can’t say what’s occupying your time (been working longer hours, playing with my kids, at my kid’s games, investing in my church, gardening, etc.) then maybe that’s a red flag that you’re filled with busy work and not intentional work.— Ask yourself wherever you’re called to work — where can I bring order to chaos here? Washing dishes? Filing papers? Folding laundry? Answering phones? Reply to emails? Etc.Resources:The Dwell Apphttps://dwellapp.io/goodenough

Kevin Maloney is Lead Pastor of Grace Road Church, an A29 church in Rochester, NY. Kevin planted Grace Road Church in 2009 as a core group in a basement, and it has since grown to a thriving congregation with nearly 1200 people that call it home. He speaks widely on college campuses and at various conferences. He and his wife Debbie have four children: Lydia, Sophia, Isabelle, and Hudson.ScriptureRomans 14:171 Timothy 4:1-5Proverbs 16:9Mark 7:1-23

Brietta Paladin is married to Daniel, pastor of Christian Fellowship Center in Potsdam, NY, and they have eight kids, ages 1 to 16. They live in a beautiful old renovated farmhouse on a few acres and have made it a space where beauty, creativity, faithfulness, hard work, and the gospel thrive. Brietta and Daniel have had two children with extensive medical issues. Through all of this, they have consistently and faithfully modeled not a perfect home, but a faithful one. We’re so excited to hear her perspective today on what it means to inhabit an earthly imperfect home, while still valuing beauty and goodness within it. Scriptures: Hebrews 11:15Psalm 68:6Weekly Challenge:How can you be faithful to the needs of your own household? Book referenced by Brietta: "Open Heart, Open Home" by Karen Mains (LINK)Dwell:dwellapp.io/goodenough

Join us today as we talk with Becky Wilson about self care. Becky is the wife of pastor and author Jared Wilson, and mother of Grace and Macy. Becky is a master of hospitality and home decor, and she’s a woman who we’ve seen work out her faithfulness to Christ over the years.Scripture: Mark 12:30-31 Proverbs 4:23Philippians 4:4-9Hebrews 4:12Ephesians 3:14Resources: The Dwell Apphttps://dwellapp.io/goodenoughWeekly Challenge: When you’re feeling drawn to moments of self-care, ask yourself — does this terminate on me? Is this self-centered? Or can I honor the Lord in this?

Lauren Chandler is the wife of Matt Chandler, lead teaching pastor at The Village Church in Dallas, Texas, and president of Acts 29, a global church-planting network. They have three lovely (and lively) children. Whether writing stories, singing songs, or making her home a place to linger, Lauren enjoys creating beautiful and meaningful spaces where people may encounter the Lord of steadfast love imaged perfectly through Jesus. When she's not singing, writing, or spending time with her family, she can be found on the back of a horse.Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:5Psalm 1Psalm 119:97Matthew 22:36-38Resources: Rereading the same book of the Bible over and over again: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/change-your-mind/The Dwell Apphttps://dwellapp.io/goodenoughAttributes of God: http://www.sayable.net/blog/2016/05/the-attributes-of-godWeekly Challenge: Take one or two attributes of God this week and ask the Spirit to give you eyes to see those attributes at work throughout your life. Stop when you recognize them, meditate on them for a few minutes (or seconds, if that’s all you’ve got), and give gratitude to God.Take a short book of the bible or a chapter and read it 50-100 times over and over again.

Welcome to the freshman episode of Good Enough. On this episode, we'll introduce ourselves, tell you a little more about what we hope to accomplish with this season, clue you in on our upcoming guests, and also explain about why on earth two old friends decided to sit down and record their conversations. It might not be the best podcast you've ever listened to, but it will be good enough. Andrea Burke and Lore Ferguson Wilbert are tackling fourteen of the counterfeit gospels American women believe today. We invite a guest each week to talk about beauty trends, diet culture, social media, “clean” living fads, singleness, dating, friendship with guys, and more. We know in Christ we truly are good enough for this never enough world.