Grace In Real Life podcast

Receiving grace starts by being in community, by belonging, and connecting. How does grace show up when producing a podcast? Take a listen for this behind-the-scenes look. Before I launched the podcast, I knew I needed a team around me—people to pray for me and the podcast, give insight and ideas, offer suggestions for guests and questions to ask those guests, help me write a title that would appeal most to my listeners, and come alongside me to determine if a guest was in theological and doctrinal alignment with the podcast's statement of faith.  And the women you are about to meet rose to that challenge to love Jesus, love me, love Grace In Real Life, and love you, my sweet listener. This team has helped me with branding and graphic design decisions along with editing scripts and voting on series ideas. If you've loved this podcast, it's because Amy, Angi, Eileen, Kira, Lauren, and Nina made it so good. Together, we break down: What the podcast team did and how I curated this team, What God taught me through the podcast, Podcasting surprises, How I select guests and how I ask them to be on the show, How I planned content and how I handled unexpected global events, like the pandemic and social unrest, AND SO MUCH MORE. If you've ever wondered what it's like behind the scenes here and how community has shaped what the podcast is today, listen in.  

Being who you are, being who God created you to be, is the most free way to live. So how do we live in the wide open space God offers? Listen in. Living in God's wide open spaces means there is no condemnation in Christ. God certainly convicts and corrects, but He never assaults your identity. If the Lord has set you free, you are free indeed. It is a grace to accept the fearful and wonderful way God designed you, not to wish you were more like someone else, not to feel confined by the belief that there's only one way to live your life.  Friend, our God takes us away from tight spots and places us in wide-open, green pastures. We no longer need to feel as if we must contort ourselves to fit and conform to someone else's standards or life or expectations of what we “should” be doing.  We no longer need to play the comparison game. We no longer need to feel the shame of legalism. We are free to run, dance, live, and rest in the grace of the wide open spaces of God's provision and goodness.  In this episode, we'll unpack how our God is a God of wide open spaces. So, how is this grace, and what do we even mean? Mentioned in the podcast  The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! #194: What I Want You To Know: Grace and truth #195: What I Want You To Know: It all counts Four Years of Podcasting Giveaway Lauren Gaines Twyla Franz Amber Palmer Katie Scott Mandy Pallock Marnie Hammar Kirk Freeman Jen Babakhan Yohonna Smith Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

It all counts. Every act the Lord asks you to do is valuable. He sees it all. It all matters. All the work given to you by God and done in love is meaningful.  I'm really good at discounting or downplaying the good ways God wired me, how He's forming me through trials, and the work I do, the roles I hold, and how I show up in the world. And y'all, I believe that discounting is an effective - but totally flimsy - tactic of our enemy, who wants us quiet and isolated and stuck because we're questioning our value and the goodness of God.  Y'all, Jesus sees it all. He delights in all the good you do in His name and out of love. He sees your sacrifice right now. He sees your heart trying to figure out life and how to love your people well. He knows your intentions, and God desires to help you every step of the way. All the work given to you by God and done in love is meaningful.  Mentioned in the podcast  The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! Four Years of Podcasting Giveaway Safe People by Drs. Townsend and Cloud #194: What I Want You To Know: Grace and truth Lauren Gaines Twyla Franz Amber Palmer Katie Scott Mandy Pallock Marnie Hammar Kirk Freeman Jen Babakhan Yohonna Smith   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

Our God is a God of grace and truth. But what does this mean for us in our busy and full lives? Listen to what it means for our God to be a God of AND.  If you've been around the Grace In Real Life podcast long enough, you've heard me share that our God is a God of AND:  He's grace AND truth Mercy AND holy justice  Love AND perfect judgment Man of Sorrows AND Prince of Peace Offensive AND attractive What does this concept of God's AND-ness mean for our everyday, walking-around lives? This is good and true, but what do we do with it? The reality that we love and worship our God of AND coupled with the truth that we are people of AND impacts three areas: How we work out our salvation How we live How we embrace our humanity  In today's episode, you'll learn about the grace and truth of our God, that: The grace of salvation is to be received AND lived.  Christ-followers are not individualistic islands to ourselves but interwoven parts that create a whole. Grace calls us higher; to see that life and that our own selves are more nuanced than we ever thought possible. To see that God's ways are higher and bigger than we could ever imagine. Mentioned in the podcast  The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! Four Years of Podcasting Giveaway The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

What is disciple-making? How do we do it? What does it look like to make disciples when your schedule is full? And how can you possibly disciple your teenagers?  When I really stop and think about it, going and making disciples sounds intimidating. How do I do it? What does it even look like? Is it One More Thing to add to my already full schedule? But as today's guest points out, disciple-making is as easy and light as enjoying and following Jesus and helping others enjoy and follow Jesus. Discipleship is a gift from Jesus that we get to receive. It's not a “have to” situation; it's a “look what I get to do with my Father” situation.   Because making disciples can feel big and weighty, I invited pastor and author Kirk Freeman to the show.  In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you learn about how disciple-making relates to spiritual health. You'll learn: Starting points for disciple-making, How to make disciples when you're low on time, And how to spiritually lead your teenager. Mentioned in the podcast  The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! A Holy Hush Threads by Kirk Freeman #70: Helping your kids enjoy Jesus with Kirk + Debbie Freeman [Grace in Parenting series] #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God's love with Dr. Curt Thompson #189: Spiritual Health: How to be compassionate to yourself with Kendra Adachi #190: Spiritual Health: How to honor God with Jordan Raynor #191: Spiritual Health: The benefits of studying theology with Jen Wilkin #192: Spiritual Health: The power of questions with Mandy Pallock Here's how to connect with Kirk Freeman Instagram Website Threads by Kirk Freeman Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email 

When we were in college, Ryan gave me the nickname “The Interrogator” because I love asking questions. People are truly fascinating to me, and God gave us such an incredible world to discover, it seems impossible for me to not ask eleventybillion questions in a day. But as today's guest points out, if all we do is ask questions, we're just delving into trivia instead of a person's heart. Because asking and responding to questions is an art in which many of us would like to grow, I invited Mandy Pallock to the show. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you use the power of questions to cultivate spiritual health. You'll learn: How questions draw you into deep community, Why questions are powerful, One pro tip on how to ask questions your kids will actually answer, And a sure-fire question to kick-start any conversation.   Mentioned in the podcast  The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God's love with Dr. Curt Thompson #189: Spiritual Health: How to be compassionate to yourself with Kendra Adachi #190: Spiritual Health: How to honor God with Jordan Raynor #191: Spiritual Health: The benefits of studying theology with Jen Wilkin The Question Habit by Mandy Pallock A Holy Hush Here's how to connect with Mandy Pallock Instagram Website Podcast   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email 

What are the benefits of studying theology? Isn't theology for those in seminary or pastors? Do you need to study it? The truth is this: You are a theologian. If you're like me, you're like, “Am I a theologian? I'm pretty sure theologians went to seminary and read ancient texts and write papers about abstract attributes of God. I'm pretty sure I'm not one.” Through this conversation, Jen Wilkin will convince you of how you really, truly are a theologian in your right-now life and why that's important for today's world and generations to come. (Y'all, some of the stats Jen shares about what current evangelicals believe about basic Christian doctrine are shocking.) If you've ever doubted that you're a theologian, that it's above your pay grade, that it's all head-knowledge and no experience, or that it's too academic for your liking, please listen to Jen's wisdom on why theology matters in your everyday, busy and full life. Theology may feel like a big topic, so I'm thankful Jen is here to walk us through the importance of it. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you learn how to honor God. You'll learn: What theology is, What are first-tier theological issues, What to do (and not do!) when you disagree with someone on a theological point, And the value of having theological conversations with our brothers in Christ. Mentioned in the podcast  The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! You Are a Theologian by J.T. English and Jen Wilkin Inductive Bible Study Knowing Faith podcast R.C. Sproul Systemic Theology by Louis Berkof #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God's love with Dr. Curt Thompson #189: Spiritual Health: How to be compassionate to yourself with Kendra Adachi ​​#190: Spiritual Health: How to honor God with Jordan Raynor Here's how to connect with Jen Wilkin Instagram Website Podcast   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

We're talking about becoming spiritually healthy by recognizing how sacred our work is – no matter what we do – and how our work matters for eternity. Some of you might hear that and think, “But I'm not in full-time ministry. I'm not a missionary or on a church's staff or recording a worship album. How is my work sacred?” Or maybe you think, “Well, maybe my work is important because it's where I get to share the gospel.” I hope you receive the light Jordan sheds on how important your work is – whether you're a spiritual director or a teacher's aide, whether you're a women's ministry leader or a hairstylist, whether you're a speaker or a marketing coordinator. Work – done in partnership with God – is the oldest spiritual discipline there is, and it's one we don't talk much about. I deeply want you to know that God created the concept of work before sin ever entered the world and that your work is tied to the redemptive power of the gospel of Jesus. I hope you are freed from feeling as if your work is only important if you're sharing the gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission.  Friends, Jordan and I believe in the power and importance of the Great Commission. People come to a relationship with Jesus because someone who knows Jesus tells them about Jesus. And also, so often, we feel the weight or obligation or guilt because we don't share the gospel in every interaction we have.  What would it be like to know that God designed you to participate in the Great Commission AND His command to us to fill and subdue the earth, to participate in creating good and useful and beautiful things with Him? How free would you feel to know that the work you're doing right now matters for all eternity, and it makes God smile when you partner with Him in that work – whether you evangelized today or not? What would it be like to only feel free to do the good works God prepared in advance for you to do before the creation of the world? How loud would you exhale if you remembered the beautiful gift that is Sabbath rest? Jordan and I talk about the beauty, sacredness, and eternal value of our work, whether it's prosecuting human traffickers, teaching at cosmetology school, writing grants, or selling real estate. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you learn how to honor God. You'll learn: four ways your work matters for eternity, what to do when the Great Commission feels heavy, and why Sabbath is good for your soul and goals. Mentioned in the podcast  The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! Redeeming Your Time by Jordan Raynor The Sacredness of Secular Work by Jordan Raynor Enneagram Three Sabbath #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God's love with Dr. Curt Thompson #189: Spiritual Health: How to be compassionate to yourself with Kendra Adachi Here's how to connect with Jordan Raynor Instagram Website Podcast   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

Have you ever wondered how to be compassionate to yourself? What would it look like to live in grace? Listen to Kendra Adachi on Grace In Real Life. This entire podcast is predicated on answering the question, “How do we live in and give out grace in our busy and full lives?” And one of the most generous, practical, action-oriented grace-girls I know is The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.  Kendra believes and practices self-compassion, contentedness, rest, and grace. Because living in grace and from grace is a bit tricky for those of us who love a to-do list and efficiency, Kendra joins the show. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you learn how to be compassionate to yourself. You'll learn: how to be compassionate to yourself while getting stuff done, one simple way to halt comparison and naming what matters Mentioned in the podcast  The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi The Lazy Genius Kitchen by Kendra Adachi Enneagram One #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God's love with Dr. Curt Thompson Here's how to connect with Kendra Adachi Instagram Website Podcast Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

If we do not know Jesus' love on a deeply personal level and encounter His love in our busy and full, real lives, then the spiritual disciplines devolve into legalism and empty works. Without recognizing how much we are loved and cared for, everything else we do in that relationship is a striving attempt to be loved.  Because experiencing God's love for us is a gift we want to receive AND struggle with experiencing, I've invited Dr. Curt Thompson to join the show.  In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as we process moving God's love from head to heart. You'll learn: How to move Jesus's love for you from your head down to your heart How to experience grace in your real life, How solitude soothes your soul. And one simple exercise to help you pay attention to what you're paying attention to.  Mentioned in the podcast  The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! The Chosen Into the Silent Land by Martin Laird The Deepest Place by Dr. Curt Thompson Anatomy of the Soul by Dr. Curt Thompson #97: Spiritual Health: Studying the Bible with Amber Palmer #98: Spiritual Health: Praying to connect with the heart of Christ with Kimberly Coyle #99: Spiritual Health: Celebrating Sabbath with Mark Buchanan #100: Spiritual Health: Imitating Christ as we suffer with author K.J. Ramsey #101: Spiritual Health: Hearing from God for freedom with Jennifer Barnett #144: Spiritual Health: Paying attention with Anjuli Paschall #145: Spiritual Health: Spending time with Jesus with Arabah Joy and Jen Evangelista #146: Spiritual Health: Embracing a lifestyle of rest with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith #147: One ridiculously easy way to spread the gospel with Twyla Franz #148: Easy ways to study the Word of God every woman can use w/Portia Collins #149: How to find community: 3 easy places to find it with Rachael Wade #150: Questions to ask God, yourself, and others w/Lore Ferguson Wilbert #151: Cultivating a life of prayer with Asheritah Ciuciu #152: Pouring out your heart to the Lord with Jennifer Dukes Lee Here's how to connect with Dr. Curt Thompson Instagram Website Podcast The Center for Being Known Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email 

How can you start the new year with grace? What does that look like? Whether you're starting a new year, a new job, or a new season, listen in.  May we not be women who squash or silence this gift, but may we be women who partner with Christ to become new in the ways He wants to shape and form us. To that end, I've curated past Grace In Real Life episodes and resources in one place just for you. When you want to embrace newness in practical and actionable ways, come here and find what you need. We're breaking down how to give yourself grace in the new year into three categories: Let's get back to the fundamentals When you're ready to set goals When you walk into the new year tired Let's get back to the fundamentals Episode 153: What is Grace? Episode 50: Preparing Your Heart for the New Year Episode 64: How to Declutter Your Soul and Renew Your Heart with author and interior designer Valerie Griffin   When you're ready to set goals What if you weren't bullied by your goals? Episode #88: What to do when you fear naming what you want  Episode #52: How your Enneagram type impacts your goals   When you walk into the new year tired Episode #46: When you just want to put on your comfy pants and disengage with people Episode #48: Kind words and truth for the woman tired at the end of the year Episode #55: Productivity, Exhaustion, and Balancing Your Passions with Christa Hutchins Bonus resources for how to start the new year with grace Episode #79: Grief, grace, and hope when you enter a new season Gentle questions to ask yourself as you end the year + start anew Five resources to help you assess you Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

Have you ever wondered how to have peace with God? Or how you can live in peace with others? If your life lacks peace and you're looking for encouragement, listen in.  In today's Advent episode, we take a look at what it means to be at peace with God and others. How to have peace with God Once sin entered the world, we humans were at war with God. Not that God was at war with us, but that we chose our way over His, our thoughts over His, our agenda over His. And there was no peace in the hearts of people. So, God, in His goodness, made a way for peace to be restored between us. The Lord's plan since Genesis 3:15 is to reconcile us to Himself through His Son. His Son, Jesus, came at just the right time in history. He was born to the right parents In the right town with just the right visitors: shepherds and wise men.  Our Savior was placed in a cradle by His mother and sent to the cross by His Father at just the perfect time. Jesus's birth is tied to blessing. His blessing is found in His death and resurrection. And in His salvation, we find our peace. For those who know Jesus as their Savior, we are now at peace with God. As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! #144: Spiritual Health: Paying attention with Anjuli Paschall #183: Advent: We have hope #184: Advent: Faith: How do we exercise our faith? #185: Advent: Joy: Finding joy in the little things Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

In today's Advent episode, we take a look at how the shepherds found joy in the middle of their everyday, right now lives. How to find joy in the little things For there to always remain in your life some place for the singing of angels, you do not need an angelic visit.  Perhaps to make space for the singing of angels means to do the work God specifically created you to do, at the time He gave you to do it, to be open to the possibility of wonder and miracle, to go and see Jesus for yourself, to tell others about what you've experienced, and to return to your real life, making much of Jesus.  As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! #183: Advent: We have hope #184: Advent: Faith: How do we exercise our faith? Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

How do we exercise our faith? What does it look like to have embodied faith? What does living out our faith look like in real life? Listen in.  In today's Advent episode, we take a look at Mary's faith journey.  How do we exercise our faith? Faith starts in the mind with knowledge about God, facts about His character and understanding who He is and what He can do. Then faith moves into consent: We intellectually agree with the facts we know and the reality we understand, and then consent takes root in the soil of our hearts.  Finally, faith takes the form of commitment, of application, of action, of obedience. Faith is always fruitful, and faith will not be quiet. For Mary, her faith produced the fruit of a firstborn Son. Her faith could not be quiet as she screamed in the night at the delivery of her Son. As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! #89: Reduce Christmas stress with these sanity-saving tips customized for your Enneagram type #90: When all doesn't feel merry + bright  #91: How to slow down without opting out with Jodi Grubbs  #92: Our God of tables and togetherness  #93: Navigating family dynamics during the holidays with Licensed Professional Counselor Wendy Barnes #138: Gift ideas for every Enneagram type #139: ‘Tis the Season: Ask a Counselor: Holiday Gatherings Edition with LPC Sara Peters Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

We have hope because God is the Author of our story, and we are not. We have hope because we are not alone. We have hope because Jesus is the protagonist of our story. We have hope because God is the Author The Author and Finisher of our faith is the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word is Jesus, and the language the Author speaks is Christ.  When God spoke and wrote the story of redemption, His speech wasn't in the mode of sentences or nouns or verbs or articles or predicates. The language He spoke in the New Covenant was Jesus. We have hope because we are not alone God. Is writing. Your. Story. And in the story God writes for you, you are not the only character in your story. You do not walk alone. Heaven is cheering you on right now. Can you hear it? Listen to the great crowd of witnesses who surround you right now. We have hope because Jesus is the protagonist of our story But perhaps the best part of your story is that you are not the protagonist of it. Jesus is. Jesus is the protagonist. The victor. The firstborn. And this is our hope. As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! #94: Advent: The Lord is coming! #95: Advent: The story of Mary + Joseph #96: Advent: The shepherds + the wise men #140: Advent: Hope #141: Advent: Faith #142: Advent: Joy #143: Advent: Peace Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

What does it mean to take up space? Do you have a fear of taking up space? Do you want to be seen as low maintenance? Listen in.  Taking up space means to be more than furniture; to be human. In the words of Pinocchio to be “a real boy.” It means to kindly and directly – without apology or embarrassment – share needs, wants, preferences, and dreams. Friends, God created you to take up space.  We are allowed to take up space. To be human means that our physical body, emotions, thoughts, and spirit take up space. It is impossible to be a human and not take up square footage. Taking up space is part of God's design. So when you fear taking up space, it means you fear sharing what troubles and worries rumble in your heart, or what gifts and work light you up. Fearing taking up space might come out in phrases like, “Whatever is easiest for you” or “Oh, I don't care” when you really do care.  In terms of how we feel about taking up space, we fall into one of three buckets. “It's natural” bucket “It's uncomfortable” bucket “It's totally fine, but then when I do, I regret it” bucket No matter what bucket you fall into, you may fear taking up space because: You've done it in the past; it didn't go well, so you vowed never to do it again. Or you've misunderstood scripture about what it means to deny and die to self, Or you desperately do not want to be seen as selfish. Our enemy has done a heck of a job convincing God's girls that taking up space is a bad thing. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for remembering grace overcomes fear and that you do not need to fear taking up space. You'll learn: what it means to take up space, how you feel about taking up space, why you fear taking up space, and what God says. Mentioned in the podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! #135: When you worry you're selfish #168: Grace is forgiving yourself and others with Jen Barnett #179: Grace Over Fear: When you feel embarrassed by your tears #180: Grace Over Fear: When you avoid the discomfort of grief with Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young #181: Grace Over Fear: When you fear being vulnerable with Jamie Ivey The Deepest Place by Dr. Curt Thompson   Resources that weren't directly quoted but influenced this episode First Freedoms by Jen Barnett This Instagram post How we tragically misunderstand Jesus' command to deny ourselves by Jill E. McCormick The high cost of being low maintenance by Jill E. McCormick Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

Why is it hard to be vulnerable? What are the characteristics of a safe person? If you fear being vulnerable but want to try, listen to Jamie Ivey.  Being vulnerable with safe people in the midst of your mess is a sacred space. Saying “I'm struggling too” is a saint's cry. Wherever you struggle today, Whether it's struggling with sin and temptation, a hard season in your marriage, or doubting God's goodness and sovereignty in the midst of a cancer diagnosis, God longs for you to tell Him about it – to be vulnerable with Him and to share it with a sister in Christ.  But many of us – for very valid reasons – are skittish and reticent to be vulnerable.  I can think of no one better to cheer us on toward vulnerability than today's guest, Jamie Ivey. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths to answer the question, “Why is it hard to be vulnerable?”. You'll learn: why we don't want to be vulnerable, six characteristics of a safe person, what to do when you suffer from a vulnerability hangover, and three questions to ask when you're ready to be vulnerable. Mentioned in the podcast  The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! #179: Grace Over Fear: When you feel embarrassed by your tears ​​#180: Grace Over Fear: What is grief? with Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young Netlix's Quarterback If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey   Here's how to connect with Jamie Ivey Instagram Website Podcast YouTube Facebook   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

Even today, I imagine you experienced grief. Perhaps you're back at work, even though you loved staying at home Or you miss your daughter, who's off at college Or a friend has stood you up and blocked you out, and you feel unsettled by the loss. Or you are so sad about your pet who has passed away, Or maybe you're grieving your spouse or parent who is slowly slipping away because of a diagnosis. Today, I'm grieving that the rhythms and routines I once held dear are met with sighs or a jam-packed schedule. (For any parent of a marching band or club sport kid, you know what I'm talking about!) Whatever you grieve today, God meets you there. As the God of all comfort, He longs to comfort you. But many of us feel squeamish about grief. We don't want to talk about our loss. Or what hurts. We prefer to get busy, push down, numb out, or power through. Are we even allowed to be sad when God promised He'd work all things out for good? As Americans and as Christian women, many of us have an aversion to grief. Most of us don't want to have anything to do with it.  And also, this side of heaven, grief is a part of daily life.  I can think of no one better to speak about entering into grief despite our fear than today's guest, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for navigating grief. You'll learn: What we fear about grief, Why we avoid it, Where God meets us in our sadness and sorrow, And four ways to be a grace-giving friend to someone who is grieving. Mentioned in the podcast  The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! #44: Real-life grace for the Enneagram Seven with Dorina Gilmore #179: Grace Over Fear: When you feel embarrassed by your tears Breathing Through Grief by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young Chasing God's Glory by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young Here's how to connect with Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young Website  Instagram Pinterest Facebook   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

Have you ever felt embarrassed by your tears? What is going on when we do not like to cry in front of others? Listen in.  If Jesus wept, if Jesus calls us to suffer with those who suffer and weep with those who weep, why do we fear crying so much? The reality is that as much as we hate crying, most of us cry relatively often. As image-bearers, we resonate deeply with Jesus as the Man of Sorrows. We cry because we feel so deeply that words cannot convey our grief and heartbreak. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for remembering grace overcomes fear and that you do not need to be embarrassed by your tears. You'll learn: what we do when we cry in front of others, why many of us are so averse to crying, how our enemy leverages our fear of this vulnerability, and what God says. Mentioned in the podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! #86: Your Enneagram type's biggest fear and God-centered habits for peace #87: Navigating the fear that your kids will miss out #88: What to do when you fear naming what you want #135: When you worry you're selfish #136: When you believe you're messing up your kids #137: When asking for help feels like The Worst Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

How happy is your marriage? How can you have a happier marriage? Listen to Arlene Pellicane as she shares how to be a happier wife. You're listening to this episode because you want a happier marriage. Your marriage may be super happy and full of joy, and you want to increase it. Or, your marriage may feel like it's on its last breath, and you are so ready for Jesus to breathe laughter and smiling and hope back into your relationship. You and Jesus and your spouse know where you are in your marriage. And here's what I know: I know that God's heart for your marriage is for it to be a reflection of how Christ loves the church. As children of God, our inheritance includes peace, hope, joy, and life. Not just for when you get to heaven, but for right now, in your real life.  God wants these gifts for you as an individual and also for marriage. So, how do we tap into these God-given gifts? What do we do if we are more interested in investing in our marriage than our husbands? How can we become happier wives with happier husbands? I can think of no one better to speak about becoming happier in marriage than today's guest, Arlene Pellicane. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for offering grace in your marriage by learning how to have a happier marriage. You'll learn: How to determine if you have a happy marriage, One way to become a happier wife TODAY, And what to do when you want to improve your marriage but your husband has checked out. Mentioned in the podcast for how to have a happier marriage The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! 31 Days to a Happy Husband by Arlene Pellicane 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife by Arlene Pellicane Twelve Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe by Sharon Jaynes Atomic Habits by James Clear Here's how to connect with Arlene Pellicane Website Podcast   Instagram YouTube Facebook   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

You don't want to leave your marriage to chance. You want to design an intentional marriage, but how? Listen to Kevin Thompson in today's episode My marriage isn't perfect. Ryan and I aren't perfect. We struggle and get frustrated with each other. AND ALSO, we work on the relationship that we have. We are bound and determined to remember that before we were mom and dad, we were Ryan and Jill, two fun, Jesus-loving people who thought the other person was too awesome to get away. As much as we've messed up, we are also devoted to being intentional with each other and our relationship. Intentional about chatting about our days and stressors after the girls have gone to bed. Intentional about hanging out together doing something fun. Intentional about dreaming about the future when we are empty nesters. I can think of no one better to speak about being intentional and designing your marriage on purpose than today's guest, Kevin A. Thompson.  In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for receiving grace by learning how to design an intentional marriage. You'll learn: How to create the marriage you want, Three questions to help you figure out how healthy your marriage is, And how to move toward a healthy marriage. Mentioned in the podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  #69: How to lead your family with love, not fear with Kevin A. Thompson [Grace in Parenting series] Stay in Your Lane by Kevin A. Thompson Friends, Partners, and Lovers by Kevin A. Thompson ChangeTheOdds.com Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman Here's how to connect with Kevin A. Thompson Website  Instagram   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

Have you ever wondered how the Enneagram can improve your marriage? Listen to Beth McCord as she breaks down how to use this tool. You don't need me to tell you that seeing the same situation through a different lens can cause friction. So what do we do with this? How do we grow in our marriages without getting super annoyed at someone who sees life differently? I can think of no one better to speak about offering grace in marriage than today's guest, Beth McCord. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for receiving grace by learning how the Enneagram can improve your marriage. You'll learn: Four ways the Enneagram can help your marriage, How the messages you picked up in childhood impact your marriage today, And how the Enneagram helps in conflict. Mentioned in the podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  Becoming Us by Jeff + Beth McCord Becoming Us course Free download of Core Motivations Here's how to connect with Beth McCord Website  Instagram Podcast YouTube    Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email 

I feel like I'm the poster child for the sentiment, “I'm fine. It's fine. Everything's fine,” when clearly it is not. Friend, I cannot tell you how much energy I spend avoiding pain, trying to make the bad, hard thing disappear, or pretending it's all okay. But what if the most gracious, most life-giving gift we can give ourselves today is to acknowledge that we are struggling, that everything is not fine, that we need the Lord, and we need His people, our people? Perhaps we need to quit outrunning the pain, so we can run into the arms of Christ. What does it look like to acknowledge we're struggling while still living our life of work, carpool pick-up, volunteering, caring for our parents, and late-night band practice?  I can think of no one better to speak about this than today's guest, Katie Schnack. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for receiving grace by acknowledging everything is not fine. You'll learn: Why it's hard to take off your game-face, When you trust the Lord AND struggle in your circumstances, And six ways to rewrite what it means to be “strong.” Mentioned in the podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  Skill Set Giveaway #170: Skill Set: How to be playful with Courtney Ellis #171: Skill Set: Setting boundaries for yourself with LPC Shundria Riddick #172: Skill Set: How to build faith and trust in God with Maleah Stephens #173: Skill Set: What makes a good listener with Becky Harling #174: Skill Set: Taking your thoughts captive with Lauren Gaines To Light Their Way by Kayla Craig Everything is (Not) Fine by Katie Schnack   Here's how to connect with Katie Schnack Website  Instagram    Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email

Y'all, our world feels crazy and seems to get crazier by the year. Our children experience questions and come up against worldviews we never had to face at their age. As much as I want to be an ostrich and bury my head in the sand, I refuse to do that to my girls. I want to be mentally tough in the Lord. I want to combat lies with truth. I don't want to be apathetic or resigned, but strong and courageous because I know the truth that my God is good. So, how do we become resilient and emotionally healthy moms? How can we raise brave and unshakable kids? What does it look like to stand firm and courageous in a world gone mad?  I can think of no one better to speak about this than today's guest, Lauren Gaines. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for giving grace by taking your thoughts captive. You'll learn: six ways to deescalate a negative thought, how to practically take thoughts captive in real-time, and seven lies moms can believe.  Mentioned in the podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  #170: Skill Set: How to be playful with Courtney Ellis #171: Skill Set: Setting boundaries for yourself with LPC Shundria Riddick #172: Skill Set: How to build faith and trust in God with Maleah Stephens #173: Skill Set: What makes a good listener with Becky Harling Unshakable Kids by Lauren Gaines Here's how to connect with Lauren Gaines Website  Instagram  Facebook   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

The first words in the Bible speak of the cosmos hearing God's spoken words and obeying: “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” At the heart of Israel's prayer life is God's call to listen in Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” The writers of the Psalms ask God to listen to them and then write how He hears them and acts. As God's sheep, we hear His voice; because we listen, we follow Him. So, yes, listening is important to God. It is vital to our relationship with Him and with others.    And also, our lives are full, so time to listen is hard to come by. Our hearts long to teach and correct – which are good and certainly have their place – but sometimes people just want to be heard. Our brains are so full of distractions about deadlines, upcoming events, and the logistics of our schedule that sometimes it's hard to stay focused on what the person right in front of us is saying. So if we want to become more and more like Christ, and Christ is someone who listens, how do we grow in this skill?  I can think of no one better to talk about how to listen than today's guest, Becky Harling.    In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for giving grace by becoming a better listener: How to tell if you're a good listener, What it means to “listen to your heart,” Four ways to get your teenager to talk with you, And help when you long to fix or offer solutions when someone shares a struggle. Mentioned in the podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  #101: Spiritual Health: Hearing from God for freedom with Jennifer Barnett #170: Skill Set: How to be playful with Courtney Ellis #171: Skill Set: Setting boundaries for yourself with LPC Shundria Riddick #172: Skill Set: How to build faith and trust in God with Maleah Stephens How to Listen so People Will Talk by Becky Harling How to Listen so Your Kids Will Talk by Becky Harling   Here's how to connect with Becky Harling Website  Instagram  Facebook   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

As a Grace In Real Life podcast listener, you want to grow in your faith and become more and more like Christ, but how do you do that? In your hardest moments, in the most mundane, what does it look like to trust the Lord? I can think of no one better to share about how to trust the Lord in shaky circumstances than today's guest, Maleah Stephens.  Maleah's story is one of bold faith, love, survival, and hope. Her's is the story of hearing that her firstborn had a congenital heart defect that would cost her unborn son his life without medical intervention. Maleah had a choice: faith or fear. Guess which one she picked? In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for receiving grace by answering the question, “how to build faith and trust in God.” We walk through: Experiencing peace when your future is shaken, How thankfulness builds your faith, And when you trust the Lord and still fear. Mentioned in the podcast Ridiculously Hopeful by Maleah Stephens The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson “I Raise a Hallelujah” song Alabama vs. Texas A&M field goal video   Here's how to connect with Maleah Stephens Website  Instagram  Facebook   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

If you're anything like me, you're like, “I'm not sure I need to listen to this episode. I don't feel like I struggle with setting boundaries.” As a 47-year-old, I know my strengths and weaknesses, I invest in emotionally healthy people, and I don't get sucked into drama or volunteering. And also… I wonder about the Bible's call to help others and sacrifice myself with the reality that I get burned out and overwhelmed. I often fear turning down an opportunity because I don't want people to think I'm dispensable or easily replaced.  I may feel confident setting boundaries but struggle to enforce them when confronted with the needs of those I know are genuinely struggling.  In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for receiving grace by setting boundaries for yourself. We walk through: When saying “no” feels unkind, Six ways to set healthy boundaries, And one truth when you're exhausted from helping everyone else. Mentioned in the podcast Anatomy of the Soul by Curt Thompson   Here's how to connect with LPC Shundria Riddick Website  Instagram  Facebook   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

You may be hard-wired for efficiency, effectiveness, and checking tasks off the list. Being playful and silly and giving into whimsy is not your strong suit. We have fun AFTER we work. But the work is never done, and fun is the first to go when our calendar is full. And yet… when we don't play, when we don't laugh, when we don't lighten up, seriousness scrunches up our souls. And it seems as if playfulness is the only way out and back to our true, God-made self. So how can we become more playful? How can you reconnect to your soul and with God? If you've ever felt like you used to be fun but aren't fun anymore OR that your schedule is too full and you're too tired to think of being playful, this short episode is for you. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for receiving grace by learning how to be playful. We walk through: Two ways to reconnect to what brings you joy, Ten invitations to playfulness – so you can pick one– And one easy way to leverage what you're already doing so you can have more fun without making it A Thing. Mentioned in the podcast Fathom Mag Happy Now by Courtney Ellis The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson East of Eden by John Steinbeck   Here's how to connect with Courtney Ellis Website  Podcast Instagram  Twitter Facebook   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

PLEASE KNOW: This is the last podcast until August 2023. Grace In Real Life is taking a break in July 2023. What does it mean for God to tend to your heart? How does God comfort you in real life? How does God heal our hurting hearts? I'll never forget the first time I heard the phrase, “Allow the Lord to tend to your heart.” A friend of mine said it, and I was like, What is she talking about? What does that even mean? I've pondered that phrase for six years now: What does it mean for the Lord to tend to a heart? What in our hearts needs tending? How does He do it?  For me, it means receiving the compassion and kindness the Lord offers as I struggle with the sting of sin, the wounds from others, and the trials of being a human on planet Earth. Today's guest sheds so much biblical truth and light on this grace-giving concept. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for receiving grace by finding comfort in the Lord. We walk through: What it means for God to tend to your heart, How God comforts us in real life, And what stunts spiritual growth. Mentioned in the podcast #167: Grace is: Receiving grace by bringing it all into the light #168: Grace is: Receiving grace through forgiveness and healing with Jennifer Barnett Resources to find a Christian counselor Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton Open Hands, Willing Heart by Vivian Mabuni Warrior in Pink by Vivian Mabuni Voices of Lament compilation Here's how to connect with Vivian Mabuni Website  Instagram  Facebook Podcast    Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

What is forgiveness, really? Is it something more than feeling like we should apologize? Is it more than just saying we forgive someone who hurt us even when we don't want to at all? Forgiving others and asking for forgiveness are ground zero for receiving grace. Because isn't the Lord's forgiving of our sins the ultimate gift of grace? Forgiveness is foundational to our understanding of what it means to receive and live from grace. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for receiving grace through forgiveness and healing. We walk through: What forgiveness is – and what it is not, The 3 steps of biblical forgiveness, And 3 clues you're holding onto unforgiveness. Mentioned in the podcast #101: Spiritual Health: Hearing from God for freedom with Jennifer Barnett First Freedoms by Jennifer Barnett Here's how to connect with Freedom Prayer Website  Instagram  Facebook Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

We know there are no formulas, AND we also know God gives instructions and has a teacher's heart. The Lord wants to give humans practices and principles to make the theoretical and theological practical and applicable. Which is how this series came to be. How does one go about receiving the grace God so freely offers? Every believer has access to God's grace and the tools and ability to receive it when we: Bring our hurts, sins, emotions, dreams, and needs into the light Forgive and ask for forgiveness Allow the Lord to tend our hearts. In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you receive grace by bringing it all into the light. We walk through: What you can bring into the light, How to do it, And what it looks like in real life. Mentioned in the podcast #88: What to do when you fear naming what you want [Fear Series]   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

Raising teens with anxiety is one tough assignment. How can you tell the difference between anxiety and worry?  Anxiety, worry, stress, learning what you like, what you don't, and what you believe and what you don't is a part of becoming an adult. However, as Christ-following mamas, we don't want anxiety to have the final say about our kids. We know our God offers all of us – teens included – a spirit of peace, but how do we access that when we're living real-life in real-time? In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you're raising teens with anxiety. Dr. Chinwé shares: How to tell the difference between anxiety and worry, Three signs its time to bring in a professional to help with your teen's anxiety, And six lies anxiety tells us and the truths to counteract them. Mentioned in the podcast #161: Grace in Parenting: Practical strategies for the overwhelmed mom with Crystal Paine #162: Grace in Parenting: Loving your wayward child well with Mary DeMuth #163: Grace in Parenting: Following your passions in ministry while parenting with Katie Scott #164: Grace in Parenting: Raising boys with Marnie Hammar #165: Grace in Parenting: Raising godly daughters with Susay Seay Beyond the Spiral by Will Hutcherson and Dr. Chinwé Williams Seen by Will Hutcherson and Dr. Chinwé Williams Feelings wheel Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  How to leave a rating or review Here's how to connect with Dr. Chinwé Williams Website Instagram Facebook   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

Raising godly daughters – how does a mom do it? How can you raise confident daughters? Listen in to Episode 165 with Susan Seay as we talk about grace-based parenting for moms raising girls. Girl-moms, let us continue to partner with Jesus as we raise confident women, who love the Lord, who know who God created them to be, and who speak life, not gossip, into their friendship circles. May we be girl-moms who raise women who hold fast to the truth of who they are beloved, cherished, seen, and cared for by their Heavenly Father.  In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you're in the middle of raising godly daughters. Susan shares: how to raise your daughter to be who God created her to be, how to help her cultivate a healthy body image and how to move away from lecturing and toward listening. Mentioned in the podcast #132: Grace-based Friendship: Making friends as an adult with Susan Seay Susan's Intentional Parent Card Set Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  How to leave a rating or review   Here's how to connect with Susan Seay Website Instagram Facebook Podcast   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

Raising boys is a gift, privilege, and challenge. How can you raise your sons to be responsible? How you can connect with your son when you have different personalities? Listen in to Episode 164 with Marnie Hammar as we talk about grace-based parenting for moms raising boys. We need boy-moms who are speaking truth and life into their sons, who are raising boys who will become men who lead in our country, community, and home, and who love Jesus and their people. Thank you, boy-moms, who are raising sons who respect women and know right from wrong.  In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you're in the middle of raising boys. Marnie shares: The joys and challenges of raising boys, How to connect with your son, And training your son to take ownership and responsibility. Mentioned in the podcast Episode 7: What the Enneagram is, what it isn't, and why it's important to your spiritual growth Marnie's article in Joyful Life Magazine Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  How to leave a rating or review Here's how to connect with Marnie Hammar Website Instagram Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

How can we balance motherhood and ministry? Is it possible to follow your passions and be a mom? How can you handle mom guilt as you work in ministry? Listen in to Episode 163 with Katie Scott as we talk about grace-based parenting for those in ministry. You're a mom. You're also in ministry, whether that's by being on staff at your church, leading a Bible study at home, writing a book, or volunteering on Sunday mornings. How can balance motherhood with ministry? What do we do with the mom guilt that comes when we feel like our family gets our leftovers?  Mom, there is hope. This question is not new, and we can walk you through it. Listen to this episode with Katie Scott.  In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you follow your passions for ministry and being a mom. Katie shares: Three ways to balance ministry and motherhood, What to do when your child grows bitter about church because you work at one,  And four simple and powerful ways to combat spiritual opposition. Mentioned in the podcast ​​Episode #35: Real-life grace for the Enneagram Three with Rebecca Peet #88: What to do when you fear naming what you want [Fear Series] #150: Questions to ask God, yourself, and others w/Lore Ferguson Wilbert #136: Grace vs. Fear: When you believe you're messing up your kids Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  How to leave a rating or review   Here's how to connect with Katie Scott Website Instagram Facebook   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

What is a wayward child? How do we love that adult child well when they continually make unwise choices? As parents, we have dreams and plans for our children, and those can come crashing down. What do we do with the expectations we hold about how our kids will turn out when they blindside us with the choices they make? Mom, there is hope. Do not give up on your child. Listen to this episode with Mary DeMuth.  In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you parent a wayward child. Mary shares: What to do when your children's choices don't match your expectations for them, How to lower the volume on your inner critic when your child is making poor choices, And how to find community when your child's struggle feels like it's isolating you. Mentioned in the podcast #108: Skill Set: Processing grief when you'd rather avoid it with Katie Rössler #152: Pouring out your heart to the Lord with Jennifer Dukes Lee Love. Pray. Listen. By Mary DeMuth Abuelita Faith by Kat Armas Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  How to leave a rating or review Here's how to connect with Mary DeMuth Website Instagram Podcast Twitter Facebook   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

Are you an overwhelmed mom? Are you struggling with a long to-do list? What are practical strategies + anchoring truths when you feel exhausted? Listen in for grace-based parenting help.  As a mom, you juggle so much: the family calendar, the emotional needs of your people, caring for yourself, running a household, and working. How can you enjoy your life and accomplish what matters most when there is so much to do? What would it look like to not be the victim of your calendar? How would it feel to be intentional about doing what matters most? Is it possible to not feel exhausted as you parent? Listen to this episode with Crystal Paine.  In today's episode, you'll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths when you're an overwhelmed mom. Crystal Paine breaks down: How to rest in God's love when you have so much stuff to do, Easy ways to leverage what you're doing so you live an intentional life, And practical tips on how to organize your time. If you'd like to learn more grace for the overwhelmed mom, check these out: #73: Encouraging truths about you, the myth of “Good Mom” and God's grace #85: Get Unstuck: Mom Guilt #122: Grace in Parenting: Parenting in our brokenness with Monet Carpenter #136: Grace vs. Fear: When you believe you're messing up your kids Mentioned in the podcast #152: Pouring out your heart to the Lord with Jennifer Dukes Lee Jon Acuff Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  How to leave a rating or review Here's how to connect with Crystal Paine Website Instagram Podcast   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

How to fight racism is a question we want and need to answer. What can you do about racism? How can you make a difference? Listen in. Racism is hurting real people right now. Racism is hurting your brothers + sisters in Christ at this exact moment. Racism should make your skin boil because it is not God's plan for His people. So, what do you do? Where can you start? I mean, you're one person, what difference can you make? If you're wondering how you can become an antiracist, give Episode 160 with Jenny Booth Potter a listen. In today's episode, you'll learn about how to fight racism. Jenny Booth Pottersbreaks down: What antiracism is, How to begin your antiracism journey, And how to fight racism right where you are. If you'd like to learn more talking about race with grace, check these out: #8: Grace in tragedy and injustice #53: Delete + Reset: Race, Racism, and Your Role in Racial Reconciliation with Dr. Lucretia Berry #158: Talking about race with grace with Michelle Ami Reyes #159: How to cultivate interracial friendship with Torrie Sorge   Mentioned in the podcast Semicolon book store The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? By Beverly Daniel Tatum Here's how to connect with Jenny Booth Potter Website Instagram Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email 

How to cultivate interracial friendship is a question we hold. How do we build friendships with people who don't look like we do? What are do's and don'ts in conversations with people of other ethnicities? Listen in. Diversifying our friendships is important. Diversifying our life is important too. Where do we start? What can we do to cultivate interracial friendships? I'm so glad you asked!   You can cultivate interracial friendship with those in your real life starting today! In today's episode, you'll learn about cultivating interracial friendships. Torrie Sorge breaks down: Her story of growing up in a predominantly White, Midwestern town as a mixed-race person, How God sees race and color because He isn't colorblind How to expand your circle of friends to include those of other races And so much more! If you'd like to learn more talking about race with grace, check these out: #8: Grace in tragedy and injustice #53: Delete + Reset: Race, Racism, and Your Role in Racial Reconciliation with Dr. Lucretia Berry #158: Talking about race with grace with Michelle Ami Reyes Mentioned in the podcast Books by people of color to read this year for adults and kids Michelle Ami Reyes Rich Villodas Alexandra Hoover Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison Eyes Up by Alexandra Hoover Here's how to connect with Torrie Newsletter Instagram Facebook Pinterest TikTok Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

Starting and holding a conversation about race with your people can feel intimidating. My hope is for us, as Christ's followers, to begin talking about race with the people most important to us because God's heart is for people of every nation,  tribe, and tongue to know and worship Him. If this is what heaven will look like, why can't we bring heaven to earth now? Why can't the Church be the frontrunner in racial reconciliation and hope?  Friend, I posit to you today that it is no longer an option to do nothing: To avoid conversations, to not bring truth into the light, to bury our heads in the sand about how much racism has hurt our country. God's gospel calls us higher. God's gospel calls us to love people – those who look similar to us and those who do not. To go and make disciples – and the going could be as close as your next-door neighbor or as far away as whatever country is opposite of your latitude and longitude. To be in community with fellow image-bearers. Will you lean in and listen to God's heart for you as you live as a brave grace-girl?  In today's episode, you'll learn about talking about race with grace. Michelle Ami Reyes breaks down: How to cultivate a biblical understanding of the theology of race The difference between race, culture, and ethnicity, And how to have conversations about race with your kids and teens If you'd like to learn more talking about race with grace, check these out: #8: Grace in tragedy and injustice #53: Delete + Reset: Race, Racism, and Your Role in Racial Reconciliation with Dr. Lucretia Berry Mentioned in the podcast Books by people of color to read this year for adults and kids From Every People and Nation by J. Daniel Hays Redemptive Kingdom Diversity by Dr. Jarvis Williams Here's how to connect with Michelle Instagram YouTube Website Online Program   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

You are loved by God. Yes, you are a sinner, AND God saved you because He loved you first. ​​​​​​​​Sinning is a part of your story, but that's not the only true truth about you. If you grew up with the drumbeat of messaging that reminded you of how sinful, unworthy, unrighteous, deceitful you were– which is certainly biblical but not the only or even most important part of your salvation story – please remember these truths. Yes, you are a sinner, AND God saved you because He loved you first. ​​​​​​​​ Sin is a big deal: it brings death to our souls, suffering, hurt, and destruction. It is so costly Jesus died to save us from it.  You were born into sin. Before you knew Jesus, you were a slave to sin. Once you became a follower of Christ, you were no longer a sinner but a saint.  Sinning is a part of your story, but that's not the only true truth about you.  In today's episode, you'll learn how you are loved by God: What this means for you And how the gospel of grace balances our sinfulness with God's love. If you'd like to learn more about the gospel of grace and God's love for you, check these out: ​​#61: How to live out the gospel of Easter year-round #111: Living out the gospel in your real life The Restoration Project: The gospel of grace 4 gifts Jesus offers you God's grace-based way to quit doing more, living legalistically, and telling yourself to get it together   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

Learn what it means to be free, the four steps to break free from sin, and how to break free from lies that don't serve you well in Episode 156. Through this last chapter of Jonah, we'll see that only grace holds the power to set you free. God's heart for us is not to be trapped by anger or sin or worry but to be free. God created us to be free from sin and wounds and lies, so we could be free to be loved by Him, to be healed by Him, to obey Him, to worship Him, to delight in Him and feel His delight for us, to serve others, to know His friendship, and to experience community with our brothers and sisters in Christ.   When we are held captive by sin, wounds, false narratives, inaccurate understanding of God's character, and lies, we do not live in freedom. In today's episode, you'll learn how grace leads to freedom as we unpack:  What it means to be free, The tools God gives you to break us free, Four steps to break free from sin, And how to break free from lies that don't serve you well. If you'd like to learn more about how to live in freedom, check these out: Grace says you are free #39: Freedom for the woman keeping a full schedule and chasing shiny things with Amanda Bacon #101: Spiritual Health: Hearing from God for freedom with Jennifer Barnett 4 gifts Jesus offers you God's grace-based way to quit doing more, living legalistically, and telling yourself to get it together As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry; there's no added cost to you! #153: What does God's grace mean? #154: How to receive God's grace #155: Showing grace Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email

 Learn the four powerful steps of forgiveness, three ways to practically show people grace in your real life, and 10 simple ways to lead with humility in Episode 155. People frustrate us, right? We bump up against each other's sharp edges when we live, work, and play together. To live and love as Christ calls us to live and love, we must extend grace to others.  I would imagine many of you have hard people in your life. Maybe you have a neighbor who hosts loud parties every Saturday night, and it disrupts your sleep. Maybe you have an in-law who passively aggressively makes comments about your parenting and cooking, so you never feel quite enough around her. Maybe you have a boss who drops comments about what an unsatisfactory job you're doing. Or maybe you can't think of a “hard” person to love in your life, but your kids or your husband – who you adore – drive you crazy sometimes. No matter how often you tell them to feed the dog, put their dirty laundry in the hamper, or rinse their glass before putting it in the dishwasher, they cannot figure it out.  The redundancy of having to tell people over and over what to do and how to do it is driving you bananas! Y'all, giving grace to humans is hard work. In today's episode, you'll learn how to offer grace to others through  The four steps of forgiveness Three ways to practically show people grace in your real life, And 10 simple ways to lead with humility How do we go about showing grace? Where do we go from here? How do we give grace to others, whether they are people we adore or people who drive us nuts, or people who have wounded us? What does showing grace to others look like? Grace leads us to repentance. Before we can offer grace to others, we need to repent. Of what mindset about the people in your life, or of what response or reaction to the people in your life do you need to repent? Grace leads us to forgive others. The process of forgiveness involves counting the debt, canceling that debt, releasing judgment, and allowing God to fill your deficit. Grace leads us to show grace to others. Here are three ways we can practically offer grace to people in our real life: Set boundaries, know your people, and lead with humility. Showing grace can look like forgiveness You might need to forgive someone for: Hurting or dismissing your feelings Saying unkind things about how you looked in high school Excluding you from a girls' night out Cutting you off in traffic Talking back and defiantly disobeying you  Or even physically violating you We can tell we're living in un-forgiveness when we tend toward: Anger Judgment Anxiety A heavy heart Rehearsing arguments Avoiding the other person or situation Not sleeping well Bitterness… I mean, the list can go on and on. Forgiveness is not our default. Forgiveness is not Easy A feeling Condoning bad behavior  Saying what happened to you is okay Forgetting what happened And it's not a free pass for someone to keep hurting you. Quotes about showing grace “The only natural response to receiving grace is sharing grace with others.” - Jill E. McCormick “Grace leads us to repentance.” - Jill E. McCormick “God is grace, and He offers Himself to you, so you can offer grace to others.”- Jill E. McCormick “Before we can offer grace to others, we need to repent.” - Jill E. McCormick   If you'd like to learn more about how to offer God's grace to others, check these out: #34: How to be a grace-giver this election season #67: Easy and practical ways to give your kids grace [Grace in Parenting series] #124: God, Grace + Emotions: Giving grace in anxiety and depression with J.S. (Joon) Park As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry; there's no added cost to you! #153: What does God's grace mean? #154: How to receive God's grace First Freedoms by Jennifer Barnett Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

Learn how to receive God's grace, three reasons you might reject, and three phrases to put on repeat to live a grace-filled life. Listen in. God's grace is for the perfectionists, the ones who feel like they don't belong, the ones who hate being vulnerable, and the ones who find their worth in metrics and knowledge. In today's episode, you'll learn how to receive God's grace,  three reasons you might reject,  and three phrases to put on repeat to live a grace-filled life. If you'd like to learn more about how to receive God's grace, go here: Grace says you are free #63: 3 reasons you have a hard time receiving grace #127: God, grace + emotions: Practical grace when you feel not enough with Richella Parham As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry; there's no added cost to you! Emotional Agility by Dr. Susan David #136: Grace vs. Fear: When you believe you're messing up your kids #153: What does God's grace mean? Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email  

Many of us feel today like we have been blindsided by a life we thought was going well; instead, we've been overcome by a health diagnosis. We feel untethered to who we are because our child is walking through hell, and we've done all we can, and we don't know what to do, but we want our child's pain to end. Or – oh, I don't know: our world has been turned upside down over the past two years. Many of us feel like we have been scooped up into a reality we didn't choose, don't like, and didn't want. All the while, our mind reels: What is going on? Where is God's grace? Oh, friend, if that is how you feel today, you are in the right place.  Throughout this series, we will plunge into the elusive and amazing concept of God's grace as we study the book of Jonah, a man who certainly knew what it was like to be dropped somewhere you didn't want to be.  We will see how God's grace is for us, how to offer grace to others, and, more clearly, we will see the One who specializes in lavishing us with grace upon grace. Over four Tuesdays, we will break down the book of Jonah like this: This week, we'll look at Chapter 1 and discover what grace is Next week, we'll look at Chapter 2 and learn how to receive God's grace for ourselves March 21, we'll look at Chapter 3 and walk through how to give grace to others And on March 28, we'll look at Chapter 4 as we see how grace leads to freedom. In today's episode, you'll learn what God's grace means,  why you reject God's grace,  how faulty views of God impact your heart,  and how to receive grace in a storm. Quotes about what God's grace means “God is grace, and He offers Himself to you.” - Jill E. McCormick “Grace is the lovingkindness and favor of God that doesn't excuse or condone your sin, but hammered it to the cross of Christ so you bear it no more.” - Jill E. McCormick “Grace is the person of Christ, who understands your humanity and comes alongside you to work on your behalf.” - Jill E. McCormick Quotes about grace in a storm “In our suffering, God is with us. In our storm, God invites us to trust Him. He cares to act in the storm for our good. He is not on the other side of the storm; He is with us in it. He hides us under His wing as the storm batters us.” - Jill E. McCormick “What storm in your life do you need to get up and call on God for? What winds and hardship and suffering are you numbing or working to escape that Jesus wants to use as a wake-up call?” - Jill E. McCormick “God allows space for grief. Even a weak faith is held in the almighty hands of God. We can both live in the storm AND ALSO experience the abundant life God offers.” - Jill E. McCormick “Friend, you do not need to run alone. You don't need to ride out this storm alone. You can simply ask Him to help you accept the grace He's already giving.” - Jill E. McCormick   If you'd like to learn more about grace and what it means for your right-now life, go here: #1: So what is grace exactly? #3: Are you a try-hard girl? #54: A reminder for the try-hard girl when “Jesus loves me” feels cliche As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry; there's no added cost to you! This Too Shall Last by K.J. Ramsey Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

It is no accident that our Spiritual Health series started with paying attention and ends with sharing what rumbles in our souls. Only when we wake up to what's bothering us on the inside can we pour it out to the Lord as David did in the psalms.  We must know ourselves – our fears, hopes, dreams, worries, nervous ticks, default coping mechanisms – so we can articulate them to God, not because He doesn't already know them but so we know ourselves in the light of His presence. Because developing the skill of pouring out what you're thinking and feeling is a practice that has laid dormant for many of us, I invited Jennifer Dukes Lee to the show.   Today, Jennifer walks us through: How journaling brings our stuff into the light, What holds us back from sharing our hearts with the Lord, And the two ways we can handle pain.   Quotes about how to pour out your heart through journaling “Journaling is really a voyage of self-discovery.” - Jennifer Dukes Lee “Journaling really helps you clear out distressing throughs so that you can move forward with renewed peace.” - Jennifer Dukes Lee “Journaling is an opportunity to meet God on the pages.” - Jennifer Dukes Lee “What would you say to God if you were completely honest?” - Jennifer Dukes Lee “The psalms are unfiltered cries of people with broken hearts.” - Jennifer Dukes Lee “Sometimes we don't want to share our hopes and dreams because to speak it out loud or put it on paper feels like you're setting yourself up for disappointment.” - Jennifer Dukes Lee “Your honesty is safe with God.” - Jennifer Dukes Lee “The most courageous thing you can do is be honest with yourself.” - Jennifer Dukes Lee   If you'd like to learn more about being honest with God about your dreams, listen in or read on: #45: Refresh your thought-life about your dreams, calling, and next steps with Sarah Birkbeck #88: What to do when you fear naming what you want [Fear Series] #135: Grace vs. Fear: When you worry you're selfish 4 necessary skills to wait well on your dream How we tragically misunderstand Jesus' command to deny ourselves   Grace In Real Life Podcast's 3rd Birthday Giveaway Win books, books, books, + $270 in fun Amazon money + awesome prizes! Want books by Christ-centered authors? Need $270 from Amazon to purchase gifts? Relish gifts like a journal set, Purposed Box, virtual workshop, and two coaching sessions? One winner will be randomly selected. The giveaway is open from February 14 through February 28. Donors to the gift card are: Jill E. McCormick, Jill E. McCormick, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Jennifer Barnett, Heather Bjur, Twyla Franz, Jen Babakhan, Michelle Nietert, Jodi Grubbs, Girls Talking Life, Inspired Motherhood, Do A New Thing, and Purposed Box. To enter, go here.  As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry; there's no added cost to you! #57: Delete + Reset: Slowing down, releasing expectations, and creating an unhurried heart with Jennifer Dukes Lee Stuff I'd Only Tell God by Jennifer Dukes Lee at 40% off at Baker Book House It's All Under Control by Jennifer Dukes Lee Praying the Scriptures for Your Children by Jodie Berndt Spiritual Health series episodes #144: Spiritual Health: Paying attention with Anjuli Paschall #145: Spiritual Health: Spending time with Jesus with Arabah Joy and Jen Evangelista #146: Spiritual Health: Embracing a lifestyle of rest with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith #147: One ridiculously easy way to spread the gospel with Twyla Franz #148: Easy ways to study the Word of God every woman can use w/Portia Collins #149: How to find community: 3 easy places to find it with Rachael Wade #150: Questions to ask God, yourself, and others w/Lore Ferguson Wilbert #151: Cultivating a life of prayer with Asheritah Ciuciu About Jennifer Dukes Lee Jennifer Dukes Lee is a bestselling author, thinker, and question-asker from Iowa.  Her friends say they are scared to sit alone in a room with her because they end up telling her things they never intended to say. She is both proud of this fact and also a little annoyed at how nosy she can be.  She put a bunch of her favorite questions into a journal called Stuff I'd Only Tell God. It's like your own little confession booth. She's also the author of Growing Slow and It's All Under Control.  Her wisdom doesn't stop there. Jennifer is sharing resources EXCLUSIVELY with my email subscribers. Sign up here for the good + the grace. Here's how to connect with Jennifer Website Instagram Facebook Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

Learn how to cultivate a deep prayer life and pray effectively, including incorporating prayer in your daily rhythms in Grace In Real Life Ep 151 w/Asheritah Ciuciu. I've been talking to God since I was little. My prayer life started with those basic prayers of mimicking what my parents spoke and saying grace before meals. I'm pretty sure I went radio silent in high school and college. I told myself God was too busy when I was not even considering talking to Him. Becoming a mother grounded my prayer life, making it a lifeline and the only way I could come up for air. When I held a newborn and entertained an 18-month-old, my prayers were one word: Help. Now, I write out my prayers because of all the shiny squirrels in my head. My mind goes rogue if my hands don't remind it why we're here. Prayer seems like the simplest of practices: talking to God and hearing His voice back. And yet… it's a lot more difficult, isn't it? Because growing your faith through prayer is a skill that takes practice and creativity, and sometimes grit, I invited Asheritah Ciuciu to the show.   Today, Asheritah walks us through how to cultivate a life of prayer, including how to  Pray outside the box, Use the REST method of prayer And overcome these two common prayer challenges.   How to cultivate a deep and effective prayer life “God, would you meet me here in this moment? Would you show me what it looks like to grow in my communication with you?” - Asheritah Ciuciu “When your prayers come from a sincere, honest heart, they please God.”  - Asheritah Ciuciu “Let us not become complacent or somehow believe this is our destiny to be sub-par Christians who don't know how to talk with God.”  - Asheritah Ciuciu If you'd like to learn more about developing a life of prayer, go here: A prayer for the Achiever #98: Spiritual Health: Praying to connect with the heart of Christ with Kimberly Coyle A Prayer for the Worrier Sign up here for A Holy Hush A Holy Hush: Reflections for Lent is a multi-part series sent only to those who sign-up and will offer simple reflections on the final days, death, and resurrection of Christ. When you sign up, you'll receive a short audio reflection in your inbox beginning Ash Wednesday and then every other Wednesday, as well as Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. By signing up, you'll also be added to Jill's weekly email newsletter, the good + the grace. Sign up here for A Holy Hush. Grace In Real Life Podcast's 3rd Birthday Giveaway Win books, books, books, + $270 in fun Amazon money + awesome prizes! Want books by Christ-centered authors? Need $270 from Amazon? Relish gifts like a journal set, Purposed Box, virtual workshop, and two coaching sessions? Just head to the link in my bio to enter! One winner will be randomly selected. The giveaway is open from February 14 through February 28. Donors to the gift card are: Jill E. McCormick, Jill E. McCormick, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Jennifer Barnett, Heather Bjur, Twyla Franz, Jen Babakhan, Michelle Nietert, Jodi Grubbs, Girls Talking Life, Inspired Motherhood, Do A New Thing, and Purposed Box. To enter, go here.  Key quotes about prayer “When we look at what Scripture says about what prayer is, it's almost as common as breathing.” - Asheritah Ciuciu “Instead of believing the lie that we are not disciplined enough to be in prayer, we turn them [distractions] into prayer prompts.” - Asheritah Ciuciu “What if God is bringing thoughts we find distracting because He has a list of things He wants to talk with us about?” - Asheritah Ciuciu “All of who we are is safe with God.” - Asheritah Ciuciu “If you could hear Jesus praying in the room next door, what would He be praying? How would that embolden you to join Him?” - Asheritah Ciuciu “We have this problem of individualizing and privatizing our faith.” - Asheritah Ciuciu “You are not meant to walk through your wilderness or your storm alone. That's just not how God designed it.” - Asheritah Ciuciu “When you're in the wilderness, when you're in the storm, surround yourself with community who can pray for you, who can hold you, and you can borrow their faith.” - Asheritah Ciuciu   As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry; there's no added cost to you! A Holy Hush: Reflections for Lent Grace In Real Life Podcast's 3rd Birthday Giveaway   About Asheritah Ciuciu Asheritah is a bestselling author, national speaker, and missional entrepreneur. She's also a wife and mom, daughter, sister, and friend. And a recovering perfectionist. Growing up in church, she thought spending time with Jesus meant an hour alone each day to study and pray—and this formulaic approach got harder to maintain the fuller her life became. But she's learned that Jesus welcomes us to come to Him with our messy bun, sticky hands, crumby floors, and all.  Her greatest mission is to help busy women like us find joy in Jesus—right where we are.   Here's how to connect with Asheritah Podcast Book Weekly email Instagram Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

Curiosity is a skill we can use to better understand each other. But can we use that same skill to grow our faith? Can we develop curiosity about ourselves: Why do we tense up the way we do around that person? Why do we always say “yes” before checking our calendar? What does it look like to be curious about God, ourselves, and the world? Because developing curiosity is a skill that takes time and effort to cultivate, I invited Lore Ferguson Wilbert to the show.   Today, Lore walks us through: How to cultivate curiosity, The power of sitting with “I don't know”, And one question to ask a fellow Christ-follower today.   What is curiosity? “Curiosity is a way to cultivate love for the world, for the Lord, and even for myself.” - Lore Ferguson Wilbert “When we begin to look at those hard questions and really wrestle with them, that's the thing that strengthens our faith.”  - Lore Ferguson Wilbert “Wrestling with the question leads to a rootedness.” Jill E. McCormick If you'd like to learn more about finding community in your real life, go here: Drop this habit for better friendships #106: Holding space for the mystery of God with Rev. Summer Joy Gross  Sign up here for A Holy Hush A Holy Hush: Reflections for Lent is a multi-part series sent only to those who sign-up and will offer simple reflections on the final days, death, and resurrection of Christ. When you sign up, you'll receive a short audio reflection in your inbox beginning Ash Wednesday and then every other Wednesday, as well as Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. By signing up, you'll also be added to Jill's weekly email newsletter, the good + the grace. Sign up here for A Holy Hush. Grace In Real Life Podcast's 3rd Birthday Giveaway Win books, books, books, + $270 in fun Amazon money + awesome prizes! Want books by Christ-centered authors? Need $270 from Amazon to purchase gifts? Relish gifts like a journal set, Purposed Box, virtual workshop, and two coaching sessions? Just head to the link in my bio to enter! One winner will be randomly selected. The giveaway is open from February 14 through February 28. Donors to the gift card are: Jill E. McCormick, Jill E. McCormick, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Jennifer Barnett, Heather Bjur, Twyla Franz, Jen Babakhan, Michelle Nietert, Jodi Grubbs, Girls Talking Life, Inspired Motherhood, Do A New Thing, and Purposed Box. To enter, go here.    Key quotes about curiosity and faith “The power of sitting in a space of ‘I don't know.'” - Lore Ferguson Wilbert “When I say I don't know something, that means there's something for me to learn.” - Lore Ferguson Wilbert “There's more to my story, and I know the One who is writing my story.” -Jill E. McCormick “Oftentimes, what God wants is our limp.” - Lore Ferguson Wilbert “We come to know Jesus in our failure. We come to know Jesus in our joy. We come to know Jesus through paths of destruction. We come to know Jesus through sweet paths.” - Lore Ferguson Wilbert “Orienting our lives around Jesus is the work of our lives.” - Lore Ferguson Wilbert “Faith is messy.” - Lore Ferguson Wilbert “Asking all those scary big questions leads us to the locus of His love 100% of the time.” - Lore Ferguson Wilbert “How is your soul?” - Lore Ferguson Wilbert   As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry; there's no added cost to you! A Holy Hush: Reflections for Lent Grace In Real Life Podcast's 3rd Birthday Giveaway A Curious Faith by Lore Ferguson Wilbert   About Lore Ferguson Wilbert Lore Ferguson Wilbert is a writer, thinker, learner, and author of the books A Curious Faith and Handle With Care. She lives in New York with her husband Nate, a puppy named Harper Nelle, and too many books to read in one lifetime.    Here's how to connect with Lore Instagram Twitter Facebook   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   

Learn three easy places to find community, one sign you're open to community, and two simple ways to encourage your friends. If you're lonely and ever wondered how to find community and belonging, listen in to Grace In Real Life Episode 149 with Rachael Wade. God Himself is in community, being a part of the Trinity. He designed families as a way for people to be loved, supported, and strengthened. And then, He placed those families into tribes, cities, communities, and nations. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God talks about community and friendship and the values of both. We may not think of hanging out with other humans as a spiritual discipline, but to God, togetherness, belonging, and support are critical to following Him and growing in grace. So, where do you find your people? How do you make time for community when your schedule is full of work, picking-up and dropping-off kids, volunteering, and running a house? What do you do when you're trying to connect but still feel lonely? Because finding a community where you feel like you belong leaves us wondering where to start, I invited Rachael Wade to the show. Today, Rachael walks us through: Three easy places to find community, How to find time for community when your schedule is crazy, And three ways to honor and encourage your friends.   How to find community as an adult “If you want community, you need to have a posture open to receive community.” - Rachael Wade “To be open toward having multiple sources of community, where you're pouring in, and you're getting poured out, is essential.” - Rachael Wade “I'm a firm believer in going first.” - Rachael Wade What to do when you're lonely “I'm a firm believer in going first.” - Rachael Wade “Get curious when you're in those lonely seasons.” - Rachael Wade If you'd like to learn more about finding community in your real life, go here: Why perfectionists hate community Grace says you are free #147: One ridiculously easy way to spread the gospel with Twyla Franz #134: Grace-based Friendship: Friendship + the Introvert with Yohonna Smith #132: Grace-based Friendship: Making friends as an adult with Susan Seay   Sign up here for A Holy Hush A Holy Hush: Reflections for Lent is a multi-part series sent only to those who sign-up and will offer simple reflections on the final days, death, and resurrection of Christ. When you sign up, you'll receive a short audio reflection in your inbox beginning Ash Wednesday and then every other Wednesday, as well as Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday.  By signing up, you'll also be added to Jill's weekly email newsletter, the good + the grace. Sign up here for A Holy Hush.   Key quotes about making friends and finding community “Lord, in this season, who are the friends I need to spend time with and pour into and check in on?” - Rachael Wade “Embracing your limitations is also really huge.” - Rachael Wade “When you care about people, and you're in friendship together, they deserve the right to have your honest communication, even when it doesn't feel good.” - Rachael Wade “Shame, guilt, and lies are all ways the enemy can try to isolate us from the truth and community.” - Rachael Wade “To fight the battles that are in this life, we need to have people around us.” - Rachael Wade “God takes us into new seasons and new assignments, and not everybody comes with us.” - Rachael Wade “Encourage what you see and the experience you have on the other side of them.” - Rachael Wade “To see people is one of the greatest ways we can show people the love of God. Through showing up and honoring one another is by remembering, by being curious, by circling back.” - Rachael Wade   As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry; there's no added cost to you! Enneagram Two Susan Seay Shundria Riddick A Holy Hush: Reflections for Lent   About Rachael Wade Rachael is a wife, mom of two, seminary student, writer, and teacher, who is passionate about encouraging and equipping men and women with the word of God.  She believes in the power of the "in process" everyday story. For this reason, she created Olive Us, a ministry where women recount to remember the goodness and faithfulness of God.  Rachael faithfully serves at Camp Well, an experience for women who sit in the tension of being too much and not enough, and on the teaching team at Epic Church in San Francisco.  When Rachael isn't leading, teaching, and writing on her "Seeds of Encouragement" blog, she's hanging out in her comfy pajamas at home with her family, enjoying a nice charcuterie board. Here's how to connect with Rachael Website  Instagram Facebook Olive Us Camp Well Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email 

You'll learn easy ways to study the Word of God every woman can use. If you've ever wondered how to read God's Word effectively, listen in to Grace In Real Life Episode 148 with Portia Collins. I'm 99% sure that you read the Bible. Maybe you read a verse a day or are reading the Bible chronologically or are reading it in a year. Maybe you listen to Scripture on the way to work. But how do we study the word of God when we aren't biblical scholars? How do we know we're interpreting Scripture correctly if we don't have a Master's in Divinity? How can every woman study the Bible like a pro?  Because studying the Bible can feel daunting (or maybe a bit stale), I invited Portia Collins to the show.   To help us study the word of God effectively (whether you're a beginner or a pro), Portia walks us through: The four types of theology, Three ways to study the Bible in context, Steps to take when you don't understand the Bible, And what to do when the Bible ruffles your feathers (and why that's good!).   How to study the Bible effectively “You don't have to be a seminarian. You just need to be curious.” - Portia Collins “There's something transformative about seeing this entire story from start to finish.” - Portia Collins 12 Resources, Tools, and Methods for Bible study The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry; there's no added cost to you! Books by Nancy Guthrie Logos Bible Study Software Blue Letter Bible Matthew Henry Commentary Dwell Bible App New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp The One Year Praying through the Bible for Your Kids by Nancy Guthrie Greek and Hebrew Lexicons Wiersbe Bible Commentary John Stott Commentaries Unfolding Grace by Drew Hunter Rose Publishing Pamphlets   If you'd like to learn more about studying the Bible, go here: Learn from my idiot quiet time moves 15 Bible studies you'll love and learn from  Sign up here for A Holy Hush A Holy Hush: Reflections for Lent is a multi-part series sent only to those who sign-up and will offer simple reflections on the final days, death, and resurrection of Christ. When you sign up, you'll receive a short audio reflection in your inbox beginning Ash Wednesday and then every other Wednesday, as well as Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. By signing up, you'll also be added to Jill's weekly email newsletter, the good + the grace. Sign up here for A Holy Hush.   Key quotes about how to study the word of God “For the believer, our opinions and beliefs should be shaped by Scripture.” - Portia Collins “More than, ‘What do I think about this?' is ‘What does God think about this?' And how does that, in turn, shape what I think about this?” - Portia Collins “God's message and what He is communicating to His people has not changed. Not in this culture. Not in the culture 2,000 years ago.” - Portia Collins “We miss what God is actually trying to communicate because all we're really looking at is, ‘How does this apply to me?'” - Portia Collins “Everything you're reading and taking in about the Bible should first be shaping your understanding of who God is, what His plan of redemption is, and then do you fit into God's plan?” - Portia Collins “This is God's word. He wants us to get it.” - Portia Collins “There are going to be [biblical] passages that are going to ruffle our feathers sometimes, but I think that's a good thing.” - Portia Collins “I think it's good for us to wrestle with passages, to have that struggle because then we get that practice of what it means to actually submit.” - Portia Collins “It's in the wrestling that I become rooted.” - Jill E. McCormick   As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry; there's no added cost to you! Timothy Keller Desiring God A Holy Hush: Reflections for Lent   About Portia Collins Portia is a Christian Bible teacher, writer, and podcaster with a passion for sharing God's Word. Portia is also the founder of She Shall Be Called, a nonprofit women's ministry focused on Bible literacy.  You can also catch her hosting two weekly podcasts: Grounded —a podcast/videocast from Revive Our Hearts—and Sweet Tea with Jasmine & Portia. Portia and her husband, Mikhail, have a daughter and currently make their home in the Mississippi Delta. Although she is a full-time working wife and mom, she is never too busy to enjoy a few of her favorite things, like cooking traditional Southern dishes, getting lost in a good book, and writing.    Here's how to connect with Portia Website  Instagram Facebook She Shall Be Called Revive Our Hearts podcast Sweet Tea with Jasmine and Portia podcast   Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Facebook group  Facebook page Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email 

Here's how to spread the gospel without feeling awkward. This is evangelism without knocking on the doors of strangers.   Jesus calls us to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything He commanded us. Nothing sounds more amazing and more terrifying. We know that Jesus alone is the solution and salvation that gets to the root of every issue we face in our own hearts and the world, AND YET… the idea of sharing our lives and Jesus with others inspires the most fear.  To help us spread the gospel, Twyla walks us through: The three components of missional living, How to share Jesus's love without feeling awkward, And one first step you can take toward missional living. Key Quotes “We didn't know exactly what we were doing – we still don't – but we started with what we knew.” - Twyla Franz “Hospitality is showing up where you are as you are and just loving people.” - Jill E. McCormick “Missional living is this posture that we want to have in our hearts and our lives: that our homes to be open to our neighbors.” - Twyla Franz “Missional living is a lifestyle where we are tethered to Jesus, and we're inviting people to be in close proximity to us.” - Twyla Franz “Be visible.” - Twyla Franz “I want to invite people to interrupt me.” - Twyla Franz “Somebody has to go first.” - Twyla Franz “The direction we're going is so much more important than the pace.” - Twyla Franz “I'm not overthinking my words; I'm just letting God seep into the conversation.” - Twyla Franz “Sharing about Jesus is just His story overlapping with our story.” - Twyla Franz “I need people. You need people, too. Let's just stop pretending that we don't.” - Twyla Franz “We don't have to have all the answers before we start. We just have to have the desire to begin.” - Twyla Franz “A lot of the learning and growing happens as we dive in.” - Twyla Franz As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! Twyla's 30-day devotional   About Twyla Franz Twyla is a growing voice in the missional living niche whose words appear in publications like Relevant and Her View From Home. She founded The Uncommon Normal in 2019 to help imperfectly-ready people take baby steps into neighborhood missional living.  Her 2019 word of the year – open – helped her dismantle the walls she'd built that kept her friendships shallow; she wants nothing more than to help other women find freedom and deep friendship on the other side of their walls.  Twyla and her family live in Lexington, KY, where they host a neighborhood missional community. If she's not writing or creating Canva graphics, she's probably talking to a neighbor or figuring out what she can make for dinner with the ingredients on hand.  Here's how to connect with Twyla Website  Instagram Pinterest Facebook Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Facebook group  Facebook page Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email