Reformed Churchy Girl

This is our last session with Kristen. I can't get past our time together. We pull no punches. I think the easiest way to say what I want to say is “are we plating in the dark?” Are we content with playing in the devils back yard? Tough questions that we must ask. Is it perfectly fine to not align with it but know the origins of October 31 and come along side it with Harvest Nights? Is it? This one is of personal conviction. We pray we have opened our hearts enough that you'll pray through your stance on this. Do you need to guard your littles more closely? For Kristen, the answer is yes!

Meet Kristen Hayes. She is a young mom of two struggling with aligning with pagan holidays. God has broken her heart about the celebration of Halloween by Christians. Is is ok? Is it ok to dress up? Is it ok to have an alternative so we can have something “fun” for our kiddos on a day thats so rooted in demonic origins. If you are a young mom or know of a young mom who needs to hear this, please share! This isn't a grandmother wrestling with these things but a young mom who knows she's called by God to guard her family.

We end out podcast series today with Jess Edin with Galatians 5:24. We hit it straight out of the gate with a hard question. Are we crucifying our flesh? Are we crucifying our passions? Are we doing it daily? I can be honest and I need to sharpen my crucifixion skills….How about you?

The power trio of peace patience and kindness is session 3 with Jess Edgin. Jess gets really honest about her struggle with panic attacks and how her peace was attacked. This is deliberate raw conversation about how the dark place expose we need to lean on Him. I am thankful God is long-suffering with me. We all need these power trios in our lives.

Do we have the fruit of the spirit or merely a counterfeit is session 2 of the Fruit of the Spirit podcast series. We focus on love and joy and abiding in the vine. This conversation got real really quick. Jess shares that fruit is a package deal. It's like a tree that is full of all the “fruits” as we call them when in reality it's “fruit”! Abiding in Him is the only way this “fruit” is produced.

Meet Jess Edgin. She's a young mom of two who has a desire to share the word. I have committed to opening doors for these young women! Jess wanted to focus on the Fruit of the Spirit but both of us couldn't get to the fruit of the spirit without addressing the deeds of the flesh. We have lots of work to do in this area! We all do! We have roots to dig up before Godly fruit can start growing.

God has promised us cities to overtake yet most of them come with obstacles. The 12 spies saw exactly what was promised but they also saw the obstacles. When God has called us to new land and new adventures there will also be "faith obstacles" for us to trust Him past.

Following Christ may find us at the waters edge and His instructions going forward frighten us. Often times He asks us to step in first. We go faith filled and shaking as we step but we step. Others are following the road we are on. They stay stuck if we don't step.

This week we see a great representation of the "presence" of God being affected. Uzzah touches the ark and pays a hefty price for mishandling the presence of God. We too, must guard how we handle the presence of God.

I have to say God is a long suffering God. He amazes me with His love for us but there comes a time when sin must be dealt with. I Samuel 2-4 is such a moment. When we choose to be rebellious toward our sin God can and does remove His protective hand from us. The Israelites experienced this and so do we.

Session eight packs a powerful punch. A lack of repentance affects a move of God. We see this in the life of David. David doubles down instead of laying it down. The prophet Nathan comes to David in a parable of sorts and David still doesn't repent. This affects David's offspring in a profound way. Repentance is necessary.

Stewarding our rest is just as important as our role on the battlefield. Leaders who run on empty lead people astray. Rest is one of the most powerful tools to staying on course.

Alignments in assignments pack a powerful punch. They are either helpful for the kingdom or harmful to those around us when we neglect to walk in them. What if you decide not to walk in your assignment handed to you by God? Is it a big deal? Yes it's a very big deal.

When God's descriptors of His church begin with naked, poor, lukewarm, blind and miserable there is some work that needs to be done. Laodicea was the church! I fear we have lots of modern day Laodicean churches today! Does that affect or stop a move of God? There is no way it doesn't. I pray this podcast sparks some life back into you as we look at the seriousness of a life that's lukewarm.

When Jesus calls you "perverse" your ears tend to perk up! That is exactly what happens in Matthew 17 when His disciples weren't prepared to do the work of ministering to the needs of a young man! There are many parallels to us today! Jesus challenges their level of faith then as He does today!

I fear we've missed out on one of the most important spiritual disciplines. This discipline is recounting, remembering and rehearsing the goodness of God.  Often times storms come back to back! God moves in the first one and we forget! Spiritual amnesia is a thing!  The disciplines have 12 baskets full of provision left over from the last move of God between their feet.  Yet when the boat starts rocking there faith does as well.  Recounting, rehearsing and remembering the goodness of God season to season will grow our faith walk. 

Week 2 in the "what affects a move of God" series deals with our unbelief. The disciples find themselves in a situation where they get to show Christ they have understood how He has gifted them.  Our story begins today with the feeding of the 5,000.  Jesus had given them authority to do some pretty amazing things already. The moment in time comes where they get to walk by faith and meet a need through miraculous means. Did they pass the test?  They struggled just as we do!  Jesus takes this time to meet the need there but also is gracious to help mature His young struggling disciples. 

What affects or arrests a move of God? This 12 week podcast series will tackle this tough question. Are there things that affect a move of God?  Can they stop a move of God?  You might be surprised. As children of God, we need a good long look in the mirror. This week we sit with Mark 6:1-6. One of the things that affects a move of God is that we see Him as common. Have I become so comfortable in my relationship with God that I see Him in this way?  This affects His movement.

The armor bearer is not a role we discuss in the modern day church. Armor bearers are crucial to the battles we face today. The armor bearer is just as it sounds. They bear our armor! They go before us in life's fierce battles! We still need those today. This podcast reminds us that we are one, we need one and we have one! Perhaps we need to do some spiritual inventory to see who those are in our lives and see where we need to step in as an armor bearer.

Does church life bring thoughts of sugarplums or vinegar? Sherri speaks truth into some hard places for the Christian. We can't ignore the fact that most of us have "church hurt". How do we reconcile being a part of such a "Motley Crue" of people & even want to stay anchored? It would be easier for us to "bow" out & disconnect instead of anchor in. Let's listen to Sherry encourage our hearts in anchoring well in the church.

Amy Carrico is on the mic for this weeks podcast. She was a speaker for the Anchored 2021 Conference. I asked her to speak on being "anchored" in community. Amy had us process the many "communities" we are a part of. Women have communities in many areas of life. We just don't acknowledge them. God has given us much to "look after" in those communities. She challenges us to truly see these communities as a way to share and live out the gospel. I know you are going to love her wit! Welcome Amy Carrico!

We have a very special treat today on the podcast. Malinda Scoggins has some wisdom to share. She was recently one of the speakers for the Anchored 2021 Conference. She asks some tough questions of us. We all want to be anchored well but anchoring well starts in the home & honestly sometimes our homes get the leftovers. God has given us so much to steward over so asking these tough questions will help us anchor properly. Is it well with thee? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with your children?

Have you ever thought about the miracle that God performed with the fragments of the fish that were left.? Jesus feeds the 5,000 with fragments!!!  Many times we think our pieces have no value. Oh man, what opportunities we miss because we don’t offer our fragments to Jesus. There are miracles in our fragments if we will just hand them over. Lots of us have pieces of our lives that aren’t pretty. They are jagged, half used and abused and we truly think they have no value left in them but Jesus squashes that with this story. What fragments do you have that you’ve dismissed as being worthless? God uses fragments my friends! It performs miracles with them.

How are you processing “Co-vid”? Do you find it easy to throw blame here and there and expect others to “get it right” when the word of God is clear where we are to begin during a crisis time. This isn’t an easy video. If you can stand the heat…push play! I have been processing this for quite some time. God has really been challenging me in my thought process and where and what gets my attention. I say all the time God never wastes a season. This one is no different. What has your attention?

Paul is imprisoned in Rome...for preaching the gospel. We know as Christians we are going to suffer for the gospels sake but when it comes we shake in our boots! Do you? Even when we "imprisoned" for the gospels sake we are to continue encouraging others! Paul looked at his circumstances as being a prisoner of Jesus Christ not of Rome. Perspective Matters Folks! I don't know how many times I've read this passage and it never sunk in that Pauls perspective changed everything. We need a mind shift!

We have been gifted by God for authority over natural things in life yet we stand at the water that we process is about to engulf us with fear. Fear stops us from walking in authority. Often times the natural paralyzes us. What? Why is that? The 3 Hebrew children weren't paralyzed by fear of the fire. David was not paralyzed by the sight of the Goliath. Moses was not paralyzed by the fear of the water nor the army right on his hind end! If the fear stops us, are we faith filled?

I'm not a Message Translation girl but it held an interesting thought about John The Baptist. One word changed my perspective on this passage and how it pushes me to be a rumble in the desert. The Message says he was a "thunder" in the wilderness. He came on the scene to tell people Jesus was coming and he is portrayed as a "thunder". I'm no John The Baptist but shouldn't we all be a "thunder" telling people Jesus is coming? When the storm comes you often here the rumble before the storm. Are we rumbling?

Do you happily follow God on the detours of life? Do you recognize that often times the detours are to reroute us to our destiny? Gosh we have no clue how God might just orchestrate our lives for His glory.Detours are good things! They are hard on the micro-manager but good for our faith! I don't like detours! They are unknown and really uncomfortable for most of us. I really wise God would let me in on the detour prior to my charting my course but how would I grow. It takes lots of faith and trust.

We all know being a prisoner of God has fruit on the other side of it but we whine when we really are "imprisoned". Paul looked at it in a very different light. I can't believe I've never seen this before. He makes a point about being a prisoner of God even while being a prison of Rome yet he makes no mention of it because he is only a prisoner of Jesus Christ even in this terrible season. He has his mind right! Even in prison, even during a quarantine! Good Stuff!!!!!

Jillians story is unlike most I have met. Struggles and yet her faith has only deepened. I can't wait for you to meet my friend. 

The longer I live the more I become keenly aware women no matter what age seems to struggle with "fitting in". In this episode you'll hear candid talk about this subject. We all struggle...from 15-60. Let's just say, it is common to womanhood! We seem to be born with an overwhelming thought that we don't measure up. We feel this way in the secular world and inside the church as well but there is a remedy for that! It is found in the place of Jesus Christ. This is the one and only place of fulfillment.

I love the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abenego! I think we have the perception that we "know" this childhood story but what if there are subtle phrases in this story that have so much to teach us. This short devotional digs into some of those small phrases that have tons to teach us. Many of us find ourselves asking God the tough question, "Why am I in this fire, Lord?" when we feel like we have been faithful. Faithful is a great pre-requisite for the fire. This is where I want to land today!

This podcast is probably the toughest one I've recorded. My friend Michele tells her story of abuse from her husband who was a minister. She shares the ups & downs of the relationship & the recovery & forgiveness she has experienced. This podcast is not for everyone. It's hard to fathom that people in the family of God that could possibly sit on your pew with you are struggling in this way. Please know talking openly is important! Our hope is to bring awareness that it exists and God heals afterward.

Every woman whether in her twenties or in her sixties struggles with being all things to all people. We seem to be able to do it but at what cost? Keeping all the plates spinning and juggling all the balls of life often times leaves us running on empty. We are nurturers by nature so we want to make sure we take care of all the needs while looking over our own. I share three encouragements for you to add into your daily life: rest, balance and accountability for your influence. No one leads well on empty.

You are sure to love this weeks guest. Jesus literally oozes from Kellie! Kellie is a wife, mother, brain injury survivor, best selling author, international speaker and a consultant to help people connect themselves to God, themselves and others. I can't wait for you to hear Kellie's stories! As usual, God navigates us through several topics. We always trust God with our conversation knowing He will use address what the body of Christ needs. She is a walking miracle & she loves to tell it.

The story of Mary anointing Jesus feet in the gospels has always been one of my favorite Bible stories. I have read it tons of times and every time it seems to hold new lessons for me. This time was no different. In this study, we dig into the HEAR method of studying. It helps dig nuggets out that can be over looked by casual study. One of my new insights that God had me to sit with this time was the fact that that the ones who were indignant toward her were other believers. It is cause for reflection.

Melissa Bazzell is one of my dearest friends. She gives a personal testimony of how her identity was skewed! This hits way too close to home. God has had her on a three year journey to unpack her heart and where it had led her. She and I were pretty vulnerable in this podcast. I think you have to be to unpack years of misunderstanding about who God created you to be. We all have places we find our value that may not be healthy for us. This is where we land for most of this podcast. Lots of unpacking!!

Michelle and I met last year! She purchased a painting tutorial from me. Little did either of us know this friendship had nothing to do with painting. God appoints relationships and He will use whatever necessary to connect people for divine purpose. This podcast was supposed to be about choosing a "word of the year". As you listen you will hear us run many rabbit trails. This my friends, is my friend Michelle! She loves Jesus whole heartedly and it shows in the fluidness of our conversation.

A great conversation with Melissa Scott about fear & how our brains process it. She gives us a glimpse into what started this journey. Fear had plagued her life to the point that she needed to make some life changes. She dug into why her brain processed fear the way it did. This led her on a journey through how our body works and ultimately to the word of God. The Bible has much to say about fear! When she began to marry the two, it was amazing what unfolded. What a passion that comes from her heart!

It's difficult to stay the course in life when what you sense is your calling doesn't match the voices of those around you. Carrie walks us through a season in her life that matches this description. She uses statements like "stay the course" & "clear the clutter". Often times it's so easy to listen to the voices of those around us instead of the voice of our Father. We tend to second guess the assignment God has given us. God is gracious to give us second chances to return to what He calls us to.

Do you have any family heirlooms? I mean, heirlooms that if you misplaced them you'd be devastated? Well it happened to me & in the process God taught me some valuable lessons. The gospel of Luke tells a parable of a woman who lost a coin. This coin was valuable to her as was the family heirloom I misplaced! A parable is an earthly story with a Heavenly meaning. This parable came alive to me the day I lost my precious heirloom. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost!

God teaches in everyday moments if we have a keen hear to His voice. The day God sat down on my heart with this thought was no different than any other day. In one of my "not so finest" moments, God was gracious to expose some areas of my heart that needed some attention. The jest of the podcast is that I have auto corrected my life to those around me in hopes of "fitting in" and "not making waves". In the process of auto correcting my life, I have no doubt I have watered down the purpose He has for me.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible might just surprise you. It's the story of the woman with the issue of blood. I understand her. Just like her, I have my own issues. If you are breathing you have had you share of issues. This sweet woman is "known" for her issues. We don't even know her name. She is known for being "unclean" yet she presses past the crowd to get to the one man who can heal her. We delve into some tough questions about our own issues. She has lessons to teach us...

This podcast is a real life situation where God took some time to teach me some personal lessons about my faith. There are lessons you'll never learn unless you take the test. I took the test and found myself lacking in the faith department. I fretted more than I walked by faith but just like God, He was faithful to walk me through the season and mature me...step by step. Being a person of faith doesn't come without being exposed to opportunities for our faith to grow. I pray its an encouragement to you!

The acronym HEAR stands for highlight, explain, apply and respond. This unique way of study has opened my eyes to so much in the word of God. As a child I really struggled with comprehension. This hindered me as an adult in understanding the Bible clearly. This way of studying any scripture has encouraged me to dig deeper. I've heard people all my life say they don't understand what they read. This truly will make a difference in how you process and apply the word of God.

Transitional seasons can be tough to navigate. When God has prepared us for the next step in our journey with Him yet we feel we are in a holding pattern. Just because God has prepared us for the next season doesn't mean God has ordained us to walk in it at this time. David was anointed king when he was a young lad yet he didn't step into that role until he was 30 years old. Transitional seasons are seasons we are learning to trust God more & more as He orchestrates our path. Learn to trust in the shift.

God never wastes a good detour! Detours are rarely planned....unless you are a good traveler! I rarely plan them! They often include bumpy side roads that take me to the middle of nowhere! But God has a way of using what I think is a detour to teach me the most profound lessons. In the process, I find the detour was not a detour but a part of His plan to teach me, stretch me, humble me, strengthen me, produce further surrender, realign and reroute me. All this accomplishes great glory for the Lord.

We've all heard the saying, "God never wastes a trial"!  How true that is. I've watched a loved one engage in a battle recently & found myself struggling because I couldn't help. When the battle is raging & you can't help...what do you do?  We know to pray! I prayed & God stepped in to teach me some lessons. He brought to mind an Old Testament term, "armor bearer". I hadn't studied it in years but God was so precious to give me a visual lesson on what that looks like today. Can't wait to share it!

I love sharing great information that could encourage you not only as a business owner but as a Christian business owner. I attended The Business Boutique business conference recently in Nashville Tn. This conference was packed full of practical business tips from a Christian perspective. On this podcast, I give you little conference cuts and snippets from some of my favorite speakers. They shared ways to conquer fears, business strategies and powerful encouragements from the journey.

Silence and Solitude seems to be a thing of the past. Our culture is so loud with every corner of our day filled with noise.  If it's such a commodity then perhaps it's more valuable than we think?  When was the last time you had even five minutes of silence to hear the heart of God? Sure!  We pray but that usually constitutes us doing most of the talking. When was the last time you sat in silence waiting to hear from God? Not with your want list but just crawling up in His lap to spend time with Him. It seems such an odd request doesn't it?  Oh but how He longs for this quiet time with His children.  Jesus even modeled silence and solitude himself. Let's talk about the importance of this discipline and how to implement it into our everyday lives. 

The Pharisee in me is a story that's been written from the pages of my life. The last few years the Lord has performed some spiritual heart surgery on the churchy girl. Everything that you will hear come from this podcast stems from this exposed place of sinfulness in my own life.  When the Holy Spirit lays the gauntlet down and calls you out as being a Pharisee it kind of hurts your feelings. I would have never in a million years categorized myself like that! EVER! But how many of you know when Jesus calls you out there is no arguing!!!   I think the story of The Prodigal Son has a special place in most Christians heart.  We have all been the prodigal. Whether our stent through the far country was out in the public eye like the prodigal sons was or not.  We all know how far sin has taken us but how many of you have really taken a magnifying glass and looked at the older brother in this story.    Most theologians believe that the older brother is a picture of a Pharisee. After all, the Pharisees were the ones calling Jesus out for eating with and receiving sinners. I can and have totally aligned myself with the brokenness of the Prodigal but what about this older brother.  He was a jerk!    When I look at the life of the older brother in this story in relation to loving the sinner, receiving and eating with sinners....THAT'S TOTALLY ME! Some Christians don't like the term OMG...but OMG!   I am the older brother!   I sit in church every week and snub my nose at those who are riddled by sin. I won't engage in the celebration that should commence when they return home. Is that you? Are you the older brother too?