Older Women Likewise

Ila, with a panel including Dana Burk, Colleen O'Steen and Jill Yopp, discuss the song “Nearer, My God, To Thee” written by Sarah Adams. Women song writers have a special skill to succinctly express Bible truths, incorporating our senses and our emotions.

In this program, Cindy and her panelists Lauren and Colleen will consider what the scriptures reveal about “the heart of God” and the level of spiritual intimacy He desires with us. How might our intimacy with God affect our other relationships and aspirations? And as His bride, what does God say makes us beautiful in His sight?

Ashley Martineau presents a case study of Rahab as inspiration for the wonderful things that can happen when we gather the courage to turn back to God. Ashley lives in Rhode Island and recently celebrated 22 years of marriage. She stays home to shepherd and homeschool 3 children ages 11, 9, and 6. She has taught women's and children's Bible studies, and inherited a fascination with Biblical archeology from her grandmother, culminating in a recent visit to the Bible Lands. As an amusing challenge to try to literally do everything the worthy woman of Proverbs 31 did, Ashley discovered her love of fiber arts and now seeks and gathers sheep's wool and other fibers from local farms and merchants to wash, dye, spin and sell in her online yarn shop www.neauveau.com. Her skills as a fiber artist have since blossomed into consulting with spinning wheel companies to improve and design new spinning wheels, writing the book Spinning and Dyeing Yarn, and maintaining a thriving business that brings joy, profitable service, and education. You can follow her social media on @neauveau. Thank you to Dr. Kenny Embry for permitting us to share this video series that originally aired on his annual Balancing the Christian Life 2024 Conference series https://www.balancingthechristianlife.com/

Cindy facilitates a conversation with Lauren and Colleen to discuss what God says about half-truths, exaggerations, and unconfirmed theories, and what we can do to, instead, to let Jesus Christ pilot our speech.

Scriptures:Exodus 1:15-21Ila, along with Colleen O'Steen and Nikki Lee, welcomes Montelle White to Older Women Likewise! Tonight, we continue our discussion as we talk about Esther, Miriam, and the Israelite midwives in Egypt. Join us as we explore their obedience to God and how their lives and service inspire and motivate us. We also find connections to Jesus here, as we do throughout the Old Testament.

ScripturesEsther 4:8-14Think about how many women in the Bible were saviors. They saved themselves, their families, and/or their people. What were their guiding principles and beliefs? How are we like them? How are they like our Savior, Jesus Christ? Ila leads a panel including Judy Dolan, Nikki Lee, Colleen O'Steen and Montelle White in exploring why God included their stories in His Word.

Scriptures:Philippians 3:8Count your blessings! Count the cost! Count it all joy…. But don't count your life dear! Can you count the stars? Ila and Jill are joined by Lauren Bassford and Judy Dolan to explore the things that should be counted and those that should not be. What does God count? What should we count as we journey with Him?

Scriptures:Genesis 21:2-7Cindy Dunagan presents a case study of Sarah, and how her example of fearlessness can help us overcome. Cindy Dunagan is the author of Your Fresh Start, the host of the Nomads You And I podcast, and co-host of the live online program and podcast Older Women Likewise. She and her husband of 44 years live nomadically part-time in a van and have completed their quest to visit and encourage 100 conservative churches of Christ around the country in order to gather and share biblically sound, inspiring ideas for growing the kingdom of heaven. She shares those ideas on her blog at NomadsYouAndi.com and in her new book One Hundred Churches: A Three-Year Road Trip to Witness the Joy of Authentic Christianity — both books available through OneStone.com, truthbooks.com, bookstore.floridacollege.edu, and Amazon. Some of Cindy's talks are also viewable online at the 2023 Florida College lectures @ https://youtu.be/3DfHvux7GFA and the 2024 Atlanta Women's Weekend @  https://www.atlwomensweekend.com/speakers Thank you to Dr. Kenny Embry for permitting us to share this video that originally aired on his annual Balancing the Christian Life 2024 Conference series https://www.balancingthechristianlife.com/

In this final program of 2024, Cindy and her daughter Ashley introduce her new friend Zee, who describes an abusive childhood raised by a drug addict and her abandonment and adoption into a neglectful home. She tells what drew her into the LGBTQ community, then recounts why she started reading the Bible and her subsequent cancer diagnosis. Zee tells us about her journey of repentance and baptism, and her perspective on suffering and eternal hope in Christ as a 33-year-old woman with terminal cancer. Zee has some powerful lessons for us as we reflect on the closing of this year and contemplate the new one.

Scriptures: 2 Timothy 4:6-8 In tonight's program, the Older Women Likewise panel of Cindy, Jill and Colleen O'Steen discusses the women whom they have seen “finish strong” in their walk with God. They will describe the beauty of interdependence often experienced toward the end of life and will each offer one inspiring piece of advice to the next generation.

This fall, Ila and her daughter Beth, along with their husbands and a larger tour group, were blessed to tour Greece and the Greek Islands. Tonight they share part of the trip - the places they visited, their connections to the scriptures that identified these places as where Paul walked during his travels for the Lord.

Scriptures: Romans 10:2-4 We each are naturally drawn to varied service projects, but what must accompany our zeal if we are to be useful for God's purposes? (Romans 10:2-4) What can we afford to remove from our lives to bring them better into balance? Tonight Cindy facilitates a conversation with Jill and Colleen O'Steen on “The Well-Balanced Life” and how having an “eternal perspective” can give us an advantage in figuring out how to fine-tune our lives to become more “others-centered.”

Scriptures: Psalms 103 Cindy and her daughter Ashley Martineau share their thoughts over Psalm 103 and the spiritual blessings granted to those who fear and adore God.

Ila and her daughter Beth Stuckey spend some time talking about words and how to use them wisely every day.

Ila and Jill talk about sharing our troubles and heartaches. What holds us back from telling our sisters what concerns us? How can each of us be supportive to those who do share?

When things change in our lives, we can become overwhelmed and confused. “No one likes change except a wet baby”, we've heard. How can the Christian woman adapt to the changes in her life, continuing to serve God faithfully? Beth Stuckey and Genesia Jeffries explore this topic of “Change is Hard”.

Godly women are to be sober and watchful - but isn't there also room for fun? Ila, Jill and Judy define a sober lifestyle, describe what it looks like, but still find room for joy and yes, even fun!

Women were at the core of the first issue of prejudice and discrimination in the early church. Genesia Jeffries and Beth Stuckey describe how the apostles addressed this issue and encourage us to use a similar model as we meet such problems today.

When we use our lives as vessels of honor, useful to the Master, sometimes we're called to an act of service that creates in us some tension or discomfort. To help us approach our service to God with more passion and enthusiasm, Cindy leads a conversation with Jill Yopp and Dana Burk about the inspiring stories the panel has witnessed in the lives of others who have used their abilities, interests, talents, personality traits, and life experiences to glorify God by serving others.

Jill, Ila and Judy explore some ways that faithful women in the congregation can support and encourage the eldership. How were women supportive in New Testament times? What does God expect of us today? Please note: Judy, Ila and our producer Zoe are in the path of Hurricane Milton. If our power is out, we will not be broadcasting Thursday night. We appreciate your prayers!

Scriptures: Col. 3:12-13 1 Cor. 12:22-25 1 Cor. 4:6-7 1 Cor. 12:15-18 Tonight, Cindy, Jill and Ila discuss how the sacrifice of our time can be one of the brightest expressions of our love for one another, what we can do to grow more sincere compassion and mercy for others, and how we can use our most painful experiences in life to help and encourage others.

Beth Stuckey and Genesia Jeffries encourage moms (and of course, dads) to make sure that their children learn obedience to authority from an early age - for their physical and mental well-being as well as their spiritual good.

Scriptures: Ephesians 4:27 Cindy facilitates a conversation with Jill and Robin Clifton about what God indicates is our “first line of defense” during temptation, and what we can do to “not give the devil an opportunity”. The panel will further explore how resisting temptation grows the fruits of the spirit, and the vital nature of prayer to obtain spiritual victory (Ephesians 4:27).

Ila, Jill and Judy will talk about catastrophizing - it really is a word - what it means and what it looks like. What does God tell us in His word about catastrophizing? How can we stop it from taking over our thinking? 

Cindy, Jill, Dana Burk and Jennifer Ackett share ideas about what we can do amid a crisis to grow wisdom and see God's mercy. How can we ensure that the trial brings us closer to God and transforms us for the better?

Ila introduces Beth Stuckey and Genesia Jeffries who give several Bible examples of perseverance as well as some practical tips to keep on keeping on!

What can we do to protect the family of God from division, unnecessary conflict, and disharmony and how can we use our wide range of personalities, backgrounds, races, and preferences to benefit the church instead of needlessly dividing it? How do we balance diligently seeking peace (1 Pet. 3:11), with the responsibility of not glossing over a problem when someone is harming themselves or the church? Cindy leads a discussion with Jill and Colleen O'Steen about these questions.

God says a lot about the transformative nature of His words within our lives when we take the time to meditate on it. In this program, Cindy facilitates a conversation with Jill, Lauren Bassford and Dana Burk around how the world's practice of meditation differs from what the scriptures describe. The panel will also discuss in what sense is the Word of God  “alive”, and the indispensable nature of self-evaluation as a tool in overcoming our weaknesses and changing our lives for the better.

Beth Stuckey and Jill Yopp present a lesson showing Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well. Coincidence or God's plan - We all know THAT answer! Learn how God values you as much as Jesus valued her.

Cindy and Jill, with guests Colleen O'Steen and Robin Clifton, discuss the elements upon which growth is dependent. How can we replace old routines with habits that support our spiritual growth? Why is growth worth the necessary sacrifices?

We don't usually think of the Bible account of Ruth and Boaz when we talk about time management or adoption. However, their story has useful applications for both. Join Ila and Jill as they welcome Lauren Bassford and Ellen Vaughn to consider the importance of leaving the corners of your field.

Cindy facilitates a conversation with Jill, Dana Burk and Robin Clifton about the beautiful qualities of Christ, and how God helps us overcome any fears and other feelings that can make us hesitant to add these virtues to our own character.

Tonight, Ila, Jill and Judy discuss the mistaken notions that people have regarding those who have died. Are they angels? Can they see us and interact with us? We'll see what the Bible says about that - and talk about how to respond to those who may try to comfort us unscripturally.

The OWL panel discussed more ways that younger women can benefit from their life experiences and learnings from God's Word.

Many messages are “preached” before the evangelist begins his lesson. Lauren Bassford, Genesia Jeffries and Colleen O'Steen join Ila and Judy Dolan to inspire us to send positive and consistent messages daily as well as when we assemble to worship.

Since the Bride of Christ is so valuable to God that He has purchased this church with His own Son's blood, what can we do to better demonstrate our love and commitment to her and what can we do to help her thrive? Join our conversation tonight as Dana and Lauren join Cindy and Jill to discuss these relevant questions and more.

If only I had known! Why didn't someone tell me? How often we've said or thought that! Tonight's panel will offer you the benefit of their life experiences and knowledge of God's Word. Genesia Jeffries, Colleen O'Steen, Beth Stuckey and Kathleen Trigg join Ila in this life-changing conversation!

Cindy welcomes Colleen and Robin to share the times in their lives when they felt most loved by their church family. They will share their ideas of what a sister can do if she is not as close as she would like to be to the other members of her local church family.

Ila will lead an OWL panel including Cherri Armstrong, Dana Burk and Nikki Lee in a discussion of preparing our hearts to receive rebuke. How should we behave during and after this stressful situation?

Ila will moderate a discussion with an OWL panel including Nikki Lee, Dana Burk and Jill Yopp about why, how and where we might rebuke a sister who has broken God's law. What might the preparation and actual rebuke look like? Tune in for some helpful information and guidance!

n astonishing number of myths surround the story of Mary Magdalene! Ila welcomes Beth Stuckey to unravel the myth and legend from the truth as written in God's word. What can we learn from Mary's life and experiences with our Lord?

David describes his passion for God with the words “longing, yearning, thirsting, and hungering”.  What can we do to grow this kind of passion for God in our own hearts? How does confession play into our intimacy with God, and what can we do to ensure our worship is genuine, sincere, and heartfelt? Cindy and Jill welcome Dana Burk and Jennifer Ackett to the discussion. 

Dana Burk presents a lesson about women in old age.

How do we know God loves us? What can we do to be motivated to draw near to God out of gratitude rather than guilt, fear, or obligation? What benefits await the person who sustains a continual awareness of the reality that God is ever present? Cindy and Jill welcome Robin Clifton to discuss how we can grow closer to God.

Cherri Armstrong leads a discussion with Judy and Sandy about the lessons we can learn from her “love” quilt.

Cindy facilitates a conversation with Dana about the barriers God has removed and the barriers we must remove to enjoy a warm and fulfilling friendship with Him.

Jill Yopp and Beth Stuckey present Mary and Martha as a study in contrasting but purposeful lives.

Who am I? Do I matter? What is my place in life? What does He tell us about offering ourselves to Him in worship? In tonight's conversation, Cindy and Jill talk with Lauren Bassford and Robin Clifton about how God helps us answer these questions.

Cindy and her guests Jennifer Ackett, Lauren Bassford, Dana Burk and Heather Wells continue their enlightening conversation about the freedoms they enjoy by having a “pilgrim mindset” and how “waiting on the Lord” is such a source of peace in the heart of his pilgrims.

Those who love God live to bring Him delight, but what exactly does God say we can do to delight Him? How do we access the strength needed to choose the things that please Him? What blessings await those who surrender to Him? Tonight, Cindy welcomes Jennifer Ackett, Cherri Armstrong and Robin Clifton to discuss these interesting questions and more!

From Deborah's battleground by Mount Tabor, to Nain and Megiddo, then up on Mount Carmel, ending in the famous harbor of Caesarea - what a wonderful ending to our Bible Lands trip! We share some travel tips for any who are making this trip.