What happens when your story takes a turn you didn’t expect? How do we think about our circumstances and who God is? Join Sacred Story Ministries Founder Laura Wilcox's interviews of ordinary yet brave women who will declare God’s faithful presence and power when their stories went a different direc…
Host Laura speaks with guest Talida in this episode of Unexpected Turns. When Talida and her husband welcomed twin girls into their family, they looked forward to imparting both their faith and the rich culture of New York City. But an autism diagnosis for one of the girls interrupted their dreams. Talida tackled the challenge as a devoted, studious mother and shared notes on dealing with autism with extended family members. Then a close family member died by suicide with no advance warning, and Talida struggled with a hidden grief she didn't feel free to share with others. When her second daughter also faced developmental delays and was also diagnosed with autism, Talida emerged from a grief fog and sought help for her second daughter. Talida shares how the timing of these trials together caused and still at times causes negative emotions to spiral. As she and her husband have grieved together, they have sensed God's presence in the pain. Talida has focused on replacing God's truth with lies, such as blaming herself for her mother-in-law's death or her daughter's diagnosis. She has found she can bring dark lies to light in the context of God's character and the support of safe community. Talida encourages those dealing with an autistic child to dig for the fears and struggles behind their behaviors so parents can uncover needs. "Study your child. Be an expert on your child's strengths"---instead of focusing on their deficits. Talida adds, "All of God's children really are wonderfully made." In dealing with the loss of her family member, Talida shares that she and her husband were helped when the loss was acknowledged straightforwardly and empathetically. Talida also found the physical pain of long-distance running has helped her cope with emotional pain. "This life is painful and temporary," Talida says. "We embrace the suffering because we know Who holds the key to our eternity."Sharing her story has helped Talida own up to lost expectations, realize her own brokenness and see God's presence in the messiness. She has also found that sharing her story has helped other people open up about their own hardships. Read Talida's story Autism, Grief and Hope to find out more. What stories are waiting to be discovered in your women's ministry or small group? Schedule a Sacred Story Retreat to find out!
In this episode of Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox speaks with guest Kate, who shares the personal devastation she experienced as her voice failed just as she graduated with a doctoral degree in vocal performance. Kate had come to faith in Christ as a teenager, and she found Jesus right beside her as she dealt with terrible anger and depression as a result of her failed dreams. Although God did not restore her singing voice for some time, He did lead her to other career opportunities in music, such as Orff Schulwerk programs with children.In time, Kate finally has come to a place where she can say, "Jesus, I love you if I never sing another note." She acknowledges that her ability to love God is only because of His great love for her. She shares her story hoping that other women will realize that no matter what changes may happen to their voices or their bodies, our lives are about God's plans, not our plans.Read Kate's story, The Hero of My Story, to find out more. What stories wait to be discovered in your women's ministry or small group? Schedule a Sacred Story Retreat to find out!
As we continue the series Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox welcomes guest Gretchen, who recalls her move to a small town for her first job after college. As Gretchen struggled with loneliness and envy of her friends' lives in bigger cities, she also prayed God would help her unbelief (Mark 9:24). Unsure about what God was up to, she stepped out in faith to do what she did feel sure about: finding a church family, reaching out in friendship to other believers there and leading a women's Bible study. Her new friends from church were all married, and some had children. Believing God had prepared good works for her to walk in (Ephesians 2:10), she joined in the activities and struggles of these friends and found her flexibility as a single person gave her great opportunities to encourage others. In return, she enjoyed rich friendships. Read Gretchen's story, New Girl, Small Town, to find out more details of her story.What stories are waiting to be discovered in your women's group or ministry? Schedule a Sacred Story Retreat to find out!
In the ongoing series Unexpected Turns, Host Laura Wilcox welcomes guest Tanna, whose early search for validation from good grades and athletics led to her severe struggle with an eating disorder in her college years. As Tanna reflects on her time denying the stronghold of her eating disorder, she describes it as a "bony prison." A bony frame was all she had left after she isolated herself to avoid food. As her parents brought up Tanna's low weight and eating habits, she denied any problems. Tanna only participated half-heartedly in initial appointments with therapy and nutrition counseling until her dad gave her an ultimatum. When she was forced to choose her eating disorder or her family, she understood she was at rock bottom. God led Tanna to a Christian eating disorder treatment center where healing could happen. Though she was surrounded by depression and heartache, her environment was drenched in hopeful Bible truths. Tanna began reading the Bible and learning more about who Jesus was. She saw that she could never truly get rid of her eating disorder unless she replaced the lies she had believed with the truths of a new identity in Christ. She clung to 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 and 2 Corinthians 5:17, which told her no matter how crushed and fragile she felt, she could trust God to put away old patterns and make her a new creation, leaving her eating disorder behind.That process didn't happen overnight though. After leaving her treatment center, she found herself a year and a half later having returned to some of her eating restrictions. Though she felt a lot of shame having to seek more treatment at an outpatient facility, she realized in time that God had taken away all her shame in Christ, no matter how many times she needed help. At the end of this treatment plan, she kept a support team in place even after she believed she didn't need it. Read Tanna's story, "Food Freedom," to hear more about her journey.Tanna's advice to those who suffer from eating disorders is to seek and lean on help and community. "The Enemy loves it when we are silent---especially with eating disorders." She encourages women to use NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association) to help them find resources in their area. What stories are waiting to be told of God's faithfulness in the lives of women you know? Schedule a Sacred Story Retreat to find out.
Host Laura Wilcox interviews Shiona for this episode of Unexpected Turns. Shiona comes to faith in Christ as a child, yet only her grandmother nurtures her young faith. Because of childhood sexual abuse, Shiona fights a battle against shame even after becoming part of a Christian community of believers in middle and high school. As a college student, Shiona's feelings of shame contribute to a season of sin until she confesses to her college pastor. Renewed by God's forgiveness and grace, she explores opportunities for ministry and soon discovers her love for the Japanese people.After serving in a year of ministry in Japan as an English teacher, Shiona marries and returns to Japan with her husband and daughter. She and her husband intend to spend their lives as missionaries in Japan, but another pregnancy triggers severe anxiety for Shiona, and she and her husband must return to the States for her mental health as well as the baby's birth. As Shiona further processes some of the pain from her past, she sees her need to base her identity not on being a missionary but on what God says is true of her as his beloved child. In time, after her kids are all in school, God gives her the opportunity to befriend Japanese women attending English classes at her church. She is thankful God has brought her full circle as she shares her faith and friendship with Japanese people in her Texas community. Read Shiona's story, "Staying in the Race," on the Sacred Story website at https://sacredstoryministries.org/staying-in-the-race/. What amazing stories are waiting to be shared in your women's church community or small group? Schedule a Sacred Story Retreat and find out!
Host Laura Wilcox interviews Kristi in this episode of Unexpected Turns. After many years as a public-school teacher, the pandemic forces Kristi to step back and notice all the changes that have happened during her teaching career. Kristi also shares how this time gave her pause to consider her views about the culture around her and to evaluate her faith. A running partner and friend who had always encouraged Kristi to consider Biblical faith in Jesus texts Kristi an invitation to join a Bible reading plan leading up to Christmas. Kristi and later her boyfriend begin to read the Bible and to watch online church services. As a result, God transforms their relationship, their lives and their careers.Read Kristi's story, "Pursuer of My Soul," at https://sacredstoryministries.org/pursuer-of-my-soul/.What amazing stories are waiting to be shared in your women's church community or small group? Schedule a Sacred Story Retreat and find out!
In the last episode of this series of Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox talks with Sarah, who became dangerously ill during a stopover visit in Barcelona, Spain, after spending a summer in Uganda. As she reflects on her experiences leading up to her illness in Barcelona, Sarah shares how originally her ministry with Invisible Children had taken her to Uganda years earlier. After this repeat visit to the country of Uganda, Sarah enjoyed the city of Barcelona while avoiding dealing with God about her deep sadness in leaving Uganda and her friend there---an avoidance pattern she associates with her Enneagram personality type.Sarah shares how a lifelong struggle against fear is confronted head on when she experiences a life-threatening illness in a city where she knows no one. Reflecting on her story, Sarah sees how God used details of her circumstances to show His mercy and love. Even though she had been avoiding him in Barcelona, she knew God never left her side during her days of illness and recovery. What amazing stories are waiting to be shared in your women's church community or small group? Schedule a Sacred Story Retreat and find out!
Continuing the series Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox talks with Diana, who recalls her decades-long marriage with Rick, a man who supported but did not share her faith in Christ. While Diana warns other young Christian women to marry a man who is already a believer, she also shares how God can redeem mistakes. After Diana's father died, she began thinking and praying more about her husband's need for Christ. As her prayers became desperate, she came to a point of asking God to do "whatever it takes" to bring Rick to Christ. When Rick became very ill with kidney disease a few months later, his spiritual interest began to grow, and after time and much more arduous prayer, Rick came to faith 18 months before his death. Diana still misses Rick but has never regretted The Most Dangerous Prayer (read Diana's story in our online library). In her ongoing journey with the Lord, Diana has pursued theological education in the last few years at Dallas Seminary. Find out more about Christian women surrendering their marriages and dreams of marriage through the Bible study Beautiful Surrender. Learn about the stories of women in your community by scheduling a Sacred Story Retreat.
Continuing the series Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox welcomes guest Sandra, who shares about a struggle through a dark time in her life. Sandra came to faith as a child and had walked by faith many years when she first faced a crisis of faith because of her mother's death from cancer. Sandra was disappointed God had chosen not to heal her mother, yet Sandra chose to continue following God. A few years later, married and with two small children, Sandra received her own cancer diagnosis. Fearful of dying and leaving her children, she found refuge in God's Word. As she paged through Scripture, she saw over and over how God's people in many perilous situations chose to trust God and found Him faithful. Sandra faced her fears many times during a long and difficult recovery. She encourages listeners who suffer in frightening situations to bring their fears to God again and again, knowing He sees them, loves them, and will never leave them. Read more about Sandra's story in our online library. Connect with the women in your church community and hear their stories by scheduling a Sacred Story Retreat.
In the ongoing series Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox talks with Suzan, a woman from Kenya who experienced a traumatic gang rape at the age of 16. Though Suzan had been raised in a Christian home, her sense of abandonment by God and the reactions of some family members to her trauma contributed to Suzan's years of wandering far away from God. In her 20s, Suzan moved to the US and found herself working in the Washington National Cathedral, where she sensed God's voice in the quiet beauty and liturgy surrounding her. Later, she lived in Atlanta and saw God's sovereign hand over her life when He intervened in a dangerous situation at work. For her safety, she moved to Houston to live with her sister and began attending Metro Bible Study with many believers her age. Suzan began to experience renewed hope. In the years that followed, she saw God changing her identity from a woman who felt unloved and damaged to a beloved, chosen and beautiful child of God. Read her story What Is My Real Name? in the Sacred Story Library.Every woman has a story of God's faithful presence through a difficult or challenging season of her life. Encourage the women in your church or community group to come together to share your stories at a Sacred Story Retreat.
Continuing the series Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox welcomes Marissa, whose daughter Alice was diagnosed with cancer when she was four years old. Marissa shares how in the days surrounding Alice's initial symptoms and diagnosis, God kept leading her to read the book of Ephesians. Marissa found the very promises in Ephesians of God's deep and abiding love were exactly what she needed in those terrible days and months. Being a caregiver for a sick child was one of the many challenges of this dark valley in her life, and she writes honestly from that experience in her book, Who Cares for You?While Marissa shares about the pain of witnessing her daughter's illness and not knowing the final outcome, she also shares how God comforted her, her husband and her daughters through His Word and an incredibly supportive church family. Find out more about Marissa's story and how you can be encouraged by visiting her website, https://marissabondurant.com/.Every woman has a story of God's faithful presence through a difficult or challenging season of her life. Encourage the women at your church or small group to come together and tell your stories at a Sacred Story Retreat.
As Sacred Story continues the series Unexpected Turns, host Laura Wilcox interviews Laurie, who talks about her crisis as a young Christian woman when she discovered she was pregnant. Not wanting to continue her relationship with the father of the baby, she felt desperate, alone and ashamed. Though initially thinking of ending the pregnancy, Laurie made the brave yet difficult decision to give up her baby for adoption. Join us for this remarkable episode celebrating God's sovereignty and faithfulness through adoption. Laurie's story Surprise Pregnancy, Faithful God can be found in our online library. On this podcast, Laurie also mentions the resource BraveLove for pregnant women who are considering the choice of adoption for their babies. What are the stories of women in your community? Gather for a Sacred Story retreat to get to know each other better and learn to tell your stories.
Kelsey shares with Laura about the hard places in her life as a young woman which caused her to lean on Jesus. She describes the fun story of meeting her husband Blake on Instagram and the ways they worked through a long distance relationship as they connected. She talks about how her spiritual life formed her views of God's design for sexual purity before marriage. Kelsey and Laura discuss the battles women face when pursuing purity and how to find the way back to obedience when a woman crosses boundaries. She also describes the qualities to look for in a godly man and the ways her relationship with Blake showed her God's care for her. Kelsey's full story can be found in the Bible study, Beautiful Surrender: Singleness & Marriage in the Book of Ruth.
Nancy shares with Laura her story of pursuing fullness in the Lord as she walks through her single years much longer than expected. She shares about pivotal moments, painful break ups, feeling forgotten, adoption, and pressing into Jesus. Nancy married for the first time in her fifth decade and her story shows off God's faithfulness and intricate timing. Nancy's powerful story of meeting and marrying her husband Ben is published in Sacred Story's six-session study called Beautiful Surrender: Singleness & Marriage in the Book of Ruth. Nancy offers wise insight on engaging single women, pursuing sexual purity, and discerning when to move forward in a romantic relationship among other topics.
Emily and Laura talk about expectations in the area of marriage from society. Emily describes her disrupted plans upon graduation from college, and how the Lord opened her hands to receive His dreams over her life. She shares about how wrestling through bitterness and feeling forgotten in her singleness led her to a greater knowledge of who God is. Her entire story can be read in the six-session Bible study called Beautiful Surrender: Singleness & Marriage in the book of Ruth. Laura and Emily process what it looks like to experience God's fullness and step into new perspective and roles no matter what season. Emily shares about battling comparison, living in community, and dating.
Laura Wilcox and Kaitlyn Wurzbach, who serves on the board of Sacred Story, have a conversation about romance, singleness, and marriage in women's stories. Both share openly about their stories of bringing their longings to the Lord while trusting Him in unfulfilled desires and heartache. Laura and Kaitlyn co-authored a Bible study called Beautiful Surrender: Singleness & Marriage in the Book of Ruth. This six-session study focuses on the reward of surrender by digging deeper into the beautiful story of Ruth from the Old Testament. Also included in Beautiful Surrender are 23 true stories from women about their journeys through singleness and dating, some who continue to walk out singleness and others who eventually married. This conversation is the kick off for a series of conversations with women about romance, singleness, and marriage.
Laura and Sofia share a conversation about Sofia's story of coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Sophia talks about the spiritual climate in the Ukraine and how she felt moved to serve God on college campuses. She describes what it was like to suddenly leave her home country of the Ukraine when war broke out, and how she served refugees in Poland. Sofia traveled to the United States where she is casting vision for her work so that she can receive funding for her ministry and the humanitarian needs in the Ukraine. To find our more information about her ministry and/or contribute financially, follow this link to her personal ministry site. Through Sofia's ongoing prayers and steps of faith, she is celebrated as a faithful laborer in the harvest. Read other stories of hope during tragedy in the Sacred Story library.
Remembering God's greater story around the world provides perspective to our personal stories. Laura shares an insightful conversation with two special sisters in Christ. Hanin and Ann (not their real names) talk about their unlikely friendship since Ann is an American and Hanin is a woman from the Middle East. Yet God brought both women joy through the intersection of their stories. Because Hanin speaks Arabic, Ann translates for her while also sharing about her experiences in the Arab world. Hanin and Ann discuss with Laura how Hanin came to faith, how she met her husband, what it's like to be a refugee, how Hanin serves in the harvest, and what are her prayer requests for her family and for their ministry. Laura shares that a portion of the funds received from Sacred Story Retreats are donated to the Adopt A Refugee program, and she invites listeners to consider giving too. The Adopt A Refugee program is a way to help Muslim background believers who have come to faith in Christ and who are planting churches among refugees from their own country. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few so we are prayerful at Sacred Story for more laborers to be sent into His harvest fields whether the harvest fields are in your neighborhood or across the world. Matthew 9:37-38
Angela shares her experience of resisting writing her story of her childhood hurt and finding led to do so while participating in a Sacred Story Retreat. She talks about how God changed her perspective from fear to courage in facing the pain of her mother's abandonment and the rejection of her Disney-esque stepmom. Angela shares her story of coming to faith in Christ, renewing her relationship with her mother, and overcoming wounds brought into adulthood. Angela describes how God gave her a new experience of a family in her own, and the healing she's received. Angela's story A Foreboding Closet can be found in the Sacred Story library. Angela and Laura also enjoy remembering how their connection began when Angela was a college student and Laura had just began serving in full-time ministry upon graduation from college.
Erica shares about marrying her "first love" and embracing her new life which she hoped would grow into the ideal Christian family. She describes to Laura the warning signs which came several years into marriage, signaling her marriage was unraveling. Despite efforts to remain true to each other, their relationship continued to be marked by betrayal, hurt, and confusion. Erica shares how God gave her wisdom to navigate her relationship with a husband who wouldn't choose her over his addiction and how she found peace to move forward. She explains the wholeness she received as she healed. This conversation will encourage every woman who finds herself feeling helpless when someone she loves is in a destructive spiral, despairing when her dreams are dashed, and longing to be the woman God designed her to be. Do you have a story of hope to share? Gather friends for a Sacred Story Retreat.
Wendy attended a Sacred Story Retreat with a group of college friends where she reflected on God's work in her story. She shares with Laura how her relationship with her mother-in-law began with so much promise and yet unfolded in misunderstanding, hurt, and estrangement. Wendy describes how the tension began, what traumatic events caused a severing of the relationship, and how she and her husband navigated difficult dynamics. She also offers hope for anyone who is experiencing distance from a loved one when she shares how her relationship with her mother-in-law has been restored. Wendy's story Be Reconciled is an amazing example of how God takes the messiness of relationships and makes something beautiful. You will be encouraged! And we count it a gift when you share the Sacred Story podcast with others.
Emily describes how she found herself unable to return to normal life due to a debilitating health struggle, and how she leaned into the Lord. When her healing did not manifest as expected, her heart moved from a posture of surrender to demand. Emily describes how God delivered and healed her in more ways than imagined. Emily's story Not One Scar can be found in the Sacred Story library. Gather a group of friends to enjoy a Sacred Story Retreat as you deepen friendships and reflect on God's faithfulness in your stories.
Stephanie and Aaron serve the refugee community in Greece. They are part of lending the heart and hands of Jesus to those who have fled their countries due to persecution, hardship, and war. Many come from Muslim backgrounds and are receiving the message of the Gospel with curiosity and joy. Stephanie and Laura talk about her personal story including her struggles with loneliness and the unknowns of living abroad. She also shares the ways joining in God's harvest is an adventure, and encourages listeners to labor wherever they find themselves.
Laura and Becky begin the conversation with Becky hiding in her early years which contributed to her feeling unseen. Becky shares about brokenness as our human experience. She witnessed deficits in her parent's lives and felt the effects in her life. She shares more about processing pain in a person's upbringing, and at the same time, she looks back on her parent's struggles with empathy and increasing love. Becky vulnerably talks about messing up in parenting, struggles with jealousy, and her pursuit to be kinder to herself. Laura asks her about our need to risking and the benefits which come from doing so with the Lord. One of the risks Becky took is to enter the stories of men and women involved in sex trafficking. In her work with ICAP Global, she "stepped on the neck of evil" by following God's calling to show His love. Becky describes what a story workshop is like at the Allender Center along with other resources for reflecting on a person's story. Laura shares what joy and insight she received by reading Becky's book Hidden in Plain Sight: One Woman's Search for Intimacy, Identity, and Calling, and both Laura and Becky celebrate the gift of sharing our stories with others. Find out more about gathering your community for a Sacred Story Day Retreat.
Laura's conversation with Judy Douglass is full of rich insight from a Christ follower who has experienced God's faithfulness through many chapters. Judy shares about coming to faith and those who helped her grow. She talks candidly about her struggles to want her own way and how she responded to life events including a broken engagement and the adoption of her son Josh. Judy imparts life giving wisdom about giving thanks, surrendering dreams, investing in the lives of others, and hearing God. To hear more visit JudyDouglass.com where she shares with "realness" how God is meeting her. Judy and Laura also talk about how she comes alongside those who are waiting for a loved one to surrender to the Lord through the Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals on June 2nd and Judy's devotional When You Love a Prodigal. Judy recommends Lori Joiner's Bible studies as a great resource for discipleship. Having worked with Cru for over two decades, Laura talks about how connecting with Judy and being involved in the ministry impacted her as a college student, helping to form mission and vision for her life. Read more stories of passing on hope at Sacred Story.
Courtney Garrett, the creator of the 101: Christianity Series, talks with Laura about how she came to faith in Christ and how her passion grew for investing in others through discipleship. She explains her heart behind the resources she wrote on exploring the basics of the faith and discovering the character of God. Laura and Courtney talk about the Living Your Story study they co-authored relating to every chapter in a woman's story. Each of these resources offers Christ followers a launching place for going deeper in the basics of the faith and helping others do the same. Laura and Courtney talk about seeking out a discipleship relationship, ideas for launching a Bible study, and working through barriers of initiating. Laura asks Courtney about stories of changed lives and both celebrate the joy of seeing the Great Commission carried out through the lives of believers who take steps even when "doing it scared."
Laura's conversation with Erika begins with a crossroads in Erika's story. Erika and her husband found themselves in a deficit in their finances and yet Erika felt led to talk more about hope in Jesus to her clients at her hair salon. Laura and Erika discuss what it means for her to risk bringing the hope of Christ into her conversations when she didn't know how her clients would respond and whether her boldness would cause her to lose business. Erika shares stories of lives she's seen changed by the power of the Holy Spirit and the wild adventure of being on mission. Erika's also explains the deep pain she's experienced through the loss of children and how sharing her pain while living life alongside people brings Jesus into focus. Laura and Erika talk about the enemy's tactics to keep believers from speaking up and practical ways to help people know Christ personally.
Laura's conversation with Teresa Snow begins with Teresa sharing how she came to faith in Jesus Christ while in high school. Teresa's experience as a teenage girl who grew in her faith from those who discipled her gave her a deep conviction to do the same for others. Teresa and Laura talk about being alongside others in life, and how to enter into their stories with love and a word of hope. This powerful conversation also includes making the most of opportunities to plant seeds and how to bridge to the Gospel when the opportunity arises. Laura asks Teresa about barriers to reaching others and yet there's great encouragement through this conversation to take the next step even when feeling inadequate and fearful. Teresa talks about her personal experiences in broaching discipleship with women and stories of how she's seen God move in the lives of those around her. As resources, Teresa recommends 99 Questions to Create Space to Talk with People, EveryPerson.com for those who have questions about faith, Everystudent.com for resources in 40 languages, the book God Space by Doug Pollock, and StartingwithGod.com as a resource for new believers.
Betrayal by someone you love leaves a deep wound. Lisa shares her story of finding God's restoration in a devastating place where she thought she'd never overcome her past. She shares her struggle to forgive, not only the people who hurt her but also herself.
Laura and Taeler talk about the source of the attacks Taeler faced through social media. Taeler describes how the affects of her battle on her mentally, physically, and spiritually and the sources of intervention she sought. When she came to the end of her resources, she pours out her heart to the Lord and begins the continuing journey of working through bitterness and anger. She talks about helpful ways people responded and the tendency of people to skip over lamenting with those who suffer. Laura and Taeler talk about recovering intimacy with the Lord as well as what it means to forgive someone when there's ongoing hurt and consequences.
Laura and Sarah talk about damaging messages she received growing up which made her feel like she didn't measure up or needed to project a certain image in order to be accepted. Sarah shares examples of the words spoken by her mother which emphasized the priority of her appearance and weight. Over time, Sarah's began to believe lies about herself, God, and others and shares the lies including how believing them affected her social, spiritual, and emotional life. Sarah's path to healing included turning to the Lord to receive His view of her, taking her hurt to Him, pursuing counseling, and being in community with friends and family who could encourage her. Sarah's prayer to see her mother as God does brought further restoration as her mother confided in her about painful things in her past which were not dealt with. The beauty of ongoing restoration of what the enemy intended for evil and the rebuilding of their relationship within healthy boundaries round out the conversation. Sarah shares the healing she received from reflecting upon and sharing her story. Read and pass on Sarah's written story, Weighed Down. Connect with Laura through the contact form on Sacred Story.
Laura talks with Autumn Crew about her journey of coming to faith in Jesus as a young woman who found safe people to process her doubts and questions. She shares her story of being called into the battle against sex trafficking in Cambodia and the Middle East. Working in Iraq during the height of the refugee crisis, Autumn talks about facing personal safety, addressing the needs of the vulnerable, and learning how to protect against and prevent trafficking. Through this conversation, the complexity of trafficking and the fight against the forces of darkness are brought to life. Autumn and Laura celebrate the joy of God's deliverance and healing in individual lives who are transformed.
Laura talks with Ashlee whose story of turning to Jesus while in college and discovering God leading her to reach out to Muslim women in the Middle East is highlighted in Episode #7. In this conversation, Ashlee shares an exciting personal update as well as a ministry update about how God is growing His church Iran. Even though believers face hardship and persecution, the Spirit of God is moving in amazing ways. Highlighting God's greater story around the world reminds us that we live in the midst of a grand epic. Reviews are our friend so we'd love for you to leave a review for the Sacred Story podcast so others can know their story matters and God's greater story is unfolding around the world.
Laura's conversation with Melanie begins with Melanie sharing her story of a growing friendship which caused her heart break when her friend pulls away. She describes how the friend let her into her life and seemed to embrace shared beliefs about God and the walk of faith. When the friend decides to take a path that was in contrast to her former stance, the result is hurt and wounds from the interaction. Melanie reflects on managing expectations in friendship and examining motives for giving to others. When there's shared Biblical conviction among sisters in Christ that a friend chooses to ignore, the disparity can cause hurt and misunderstanding. Melanie and Laura talk about the powerful temptation to compromise in the area of sexual purity and how women can live this out in a world which promotes the opposite. The conversation wraps up with Melanie describing how she moved through hurt and found a place of peace including wisdom in how to respond when someone wounds you and doesn't realize it. Visit the Sacred Story website to read stories of women overcoming hurt and betrayal through the strength of Christ. Reviews are our friend and we'd love for you to leave a review about the Sacred Story podcast so other women know their story matters. Follow us on instagram, @sacredstoryministries.
Laura asks Suzan about her struggle to conceive. After giving birth to a beautiful and healthy girl, Suzan describes her emotional and physical roller coaster including feeling disconnected to her newborn and being unable to sleep and cope with regular life. She discovers she is battling postpartum depression and seeks God's wisdom through medical intervention. Suzan describes some unhelpful responses from people even though unintentional. She also offers insight about how to support someone who is battling depression and how to think about God when depression is debilitating. Laura and Suzan's conversation includes planting seeds about the chapters of women's stories when interacting with others. Visit the Sacred Story website to read Suzan's story called Post Partum Panic and make a donation to receive a care package. A care package includes a printed copy of Suzan's story, a guided journal, Scripture cards, a bookmark, and a pen. Give a care package as a gift to yourself as you process your story or give to a friend. Reviews are our friend so we'd love for you to leave a review of the Sacred Story Podcast so other women can know their story matters.
Laura talks with Paige about her beautiful story of her world turning upside down when she loses her husband to cancer as a mother of two young daughters and a third on the way. Paige describes how God met her in her grief and in the unknown of what the future will look like. She talks about her crisis of belief to stand on the promises in the Word of God when there's temptation to shut down and blame God. Paige and Laura talk about walking through loss and coming alongside those who are grieving. Another unexpected turn in Paige's story brings about a new chapter of beauty which she could never have imagined. Visit the Sacred Story website to read Paige's story called Just A Regular Mama. Make a donation of any amount to receive a care package for yourself or a friend. A care package includes a guided journal, Scripture memory cards, a pen, bookmark, and a printed copy of Paige's story. Purchase the Bible study Living Your Story: 10 Biblical Principles That Matter on Amazon. Reviews are our friend and we'd love for you to leave a review about The Sacred Story podcast so other women know their story matters.
Laura's conversation with Michelle begins with her story of coming to faith as a college student. Michelle describes her life change and being introduced to God's greater story around the world. Her course took an unexpected turn when facing a time of transition in her career and realizing God is leading her to move overseas. Michelle shares about the barriers to making such a big leap such a finances, language barrier, peoples' perceptions, and learning to get along with the "handful of Americans" she worked alongside. Michelle and Laura discuss the reality of fear and feelings of inadequacy when sharing faith in Jesus with others including being equipped and how to think about serving God when there are not a lot of "results." This turning point in Michelle's story becomes a launching pad for a new dreams and direction from the Lord. Visit the Sacred Story website to read more stories of life change and how the Greatest Story Ever Told is changing lives each day. Keep in touch with Sacred Story by following us on Instagram, @sacredstoryministries
Laura talks with Amber about her disillusionment after meeting and marrying her husband while they both attended seminary. She shares her struggle to relate as they faced tension on even small things - like where to put the bread! Amber describes her emotional connection to another man which became something she felt like she couldn't be without. Her story continues with how the Lord met her when her marriage was dead and how she pursued wholeness. The conversation between Laura and Amber includes the difficulty of a spouse who doesn't want to look at himself/herself and the fear of being stuck. Amber's story is a beautiful example of God's grace and power when life feels impossible. Visit the Sacred Story website to make a donation and receive a care package with Amber's story contained in it. Place the words "Amber's story" in donor notes. A care package includes a guided Sacred story journal, book mark, pen, and Scripture cards ($30 value with shipping and handling). Stay in touch with Sacred Story by following us on Instagram, @sacredstoryministries.
Helpless, frightened, confused, and frustrated. Addiction threatened to claim Laura's daughter while she and her husband struggled to know how to support her. Laura shares how their efforts to help became futile as their entire family experienced pain and fear; then the battle of making the decision to enlist the help of a treatment center. Laura describes how her faith and trust in God grew as she found a new place of surrender in the unknown. The conversation includes the reality of offering to God those we love, speaking hope in the middle of chaotic circumstances, and responding when the loved one doesn't seem to want help. Visit the Sacred Story website to make a donation and receive a care package with Laura's story contained in it. Place the words "Laura's story" in donor notes. A care package includes a guided Sacred story journal, book mark, pen, and Scripture cards ($30 value with shipping and handling). Stay in touch with Sacred Story on Instagram, @sacredstoryministries.
Laura's conversation begins with Renee's story of leaving her life behind in the United States to live on a Caribbean island in her late 20's. Renee's dream of island life unfolds with a new place to live, adopting a dog, and meeting a boyfriend. As her boyfriend becomes more violent, Renee faces the reality that this chapter of her story is not turning out the way she imagined. Renee recounts how God rescued her and her dog from harm. The woo-ing heart of God is displayed in a powerful way through Renee's story. Laura and Renee talk about women in abusive relationships, how to respond when in an abusive relationship, and how to support someone who you suspect is being abused. A desire to escape into different circumstances can be a temptation to live independent of God's plan which can unfold in unexpected difficulty and suffering. Visit the Sacred Story website to make a donation and receive a care package with Renee's story contained in it. A care package includes a guided Sacred story journal, book mark, pen, and Scripture cards ($30 value with shipping and handling). Stay in touch with Sacred Story on Instagram, @sacredstoryministries.
Laura and Jean's conversation begins with Jean sharing about her desire to move, feeling stuck, and then being forced out of her home by Hurricane Harvey. Jean describes the aftermath of being flooded, how God came through for her family, and led them to take an RV trip that lasted for almost a year. She is candid about life on the road as well as the barriers to dreaming and taking a risk to do something that seems impractical or unusual to others. The dialogue also includes supporting others as they pursue their dreams and discerning God's leading. Finally, Jean discloses her fear of writing as a woman who doesn't see herself as a writer. To read Jean's story, visit the Sacred Story website. Make a donation of any amount while on the site to receive a care package with Jean's story, a journal, Scripture cards, a book mark, and a pen ($30 value with shipping and handling). Reviews are our friend so please leave us one about the podcast. They help introduce other women to the podcast she knows her story matters. Find us on Instagram, @sacredstoryministries!
Laura talks with Paty about coming to faith in Jesus as a young girl in Mexico. Paty shares how she heard God speak to her about being part of His greater story around the world and the barriers she faced to following Him. She provides more detail about the adventure of serving in Athens, Greece and standing against the evils of sex traffiking. She explains sex traffiking, the ways she is a vessel of care for women, and shares stories of hope. The conversation includes the balance between Paty entering into God's battle for hearts, taking care of herself, and cultivating her relationship with the Lord. Paty's prayer and passion is for the Latin American church to see themselves as integral in the Great Commission. Check out more stories of ordinary yet brave women on Sacred Story's Website and follow us on instagram, @sacredstoryministries.
How do we think about our story when a debilitating health condition strikes? Kelly shares about suffering a major stroke in her 30s. With the loss of her health and marriage, she honestly talks about her journey to recover physically while turning to God for strength and wisdom. Receive a copy of Kelly's story in a care package as a gift upon making a donation to Sacred Story. A care package includes a guided journal, a pen, a bookmark, and Scripture cards. Designate this podcast in donor notes by writing the name Kelly. ($30 value including shipping and handling)
What is God doing in His greater story around the world? Ashlee shares about how God radically altered her course in recent years as a college student. Her heart for Muslim women from the Middle East to come to faith in Christ is refreshing. The conversation with Ashlee enlightens us to how God is moving through the scattering of people from the Middle East. Visit the Sacred Story site to make a donation which will be directed to efforts to come alongside His story in this part of the world. Designate this podcast in donor notes by writing Muslim Outreach.
A cancer diagnosis is an unexpected turn too many women face. Join the conversation with guest Geneva DeVaughn as she shares her story of receiving a diagnosis of a tumor the size of an orange. A month later when the tumor is removed, it shrunk to the size of a quarter. Her story encourages us to believe God for the impossible as we place our unexpected turns in His hands. Visit Sacred Story to make a donation and receive Geneva's story in a care package as our gift. A care package include a journal, a bookmark, a pen, and Scripture cards. Designate this podcast by writing the name Geneva in donor notes. ($30 value with shipping and handling)
Does an unexpected turn in your story make you want to throw something - or simply give up? Ginna shares her candid and endearing story about trusting God as she parents her precious daughter Grace with special needs. She speaks to times when questions and despair seem bigger than hope for the future. Ginna's journey brings laughter, tears, and "grit" to our relationship with God. To receive Ginna's story in a care package as a gift, make a donation to Sacred Story. A care package includes a journal, a bookmark, a pen, and Scripture cards. ($30 value with shipping and handling)
Does a person or group of people seem beyond God's reach? Liz shares her story of growing up in the Jewish faith and discovering Jesus as the Messiah in her 20's. She offers insight into reaching out to people from the Jewish tradition and other religious backgrounds. Make a donation to Sacred Story and receive the gift of a care package which includes Liz's story, a journal, a pen, a bookmark, and Scripture cards. Designate this podcast in the donor notes by writing the name Liz. ($30 value with shipping and handling)
Processing loss is something we all walk through in our stories at some point. Dr. Joye Baker from Dallas Theological Seminary shares her story of losing her husband and becoming a single parent while experiencing God's presence and redemption. She offers nuggets of truth and comfort for those who face loss as well as wisdom on being there for others. Request a copy of Joye's story in a care package as a gift upon making a donation for any amount. A care package includes a guided journal, a pen, a bookmark, and Scripture cards. Designate this podcast in donor notes by writing the name Joye. ($30 value including shipping and handling)
God made us to dream and desire. When desires go unmet and dreams are dashed, doubt and despair come knocking. Jennifer shares her story of how she wrestled with God as she desired to grow her family. Her beautiful example of what it looks like to surrender a desire to the Lord offers joy to any woman who is longing for something. Receive a copy of Jennifer's story in a care package as a gift upon making a donation to Sacred Story. A care package includes a guided journal, a pen, a bookmark, and Scripture cards. Designate this podcast in donor notes by writing the name Jennifer. ($30 value including shipping and handling)
How do you respond when life throws you a curve ball? Join us for a meaningful conversation with a sister who stepped up to share her story when Sacred Story launched, author and speaker Lincee Ray. Lincee shares about the unexpected turn of betrayal in her marriage. To learn more about Lincee and her book Why I Hate Green Beans, visit her website. Be one of the first to make a donation to Sacred Story after listening and receive a complimentary copy of Lincee's book in a care package to celebrate the kick off of our podcast. A Sacred Story care package includes Lincee's story, a journal, a pen, a bookmark, and Scripture cards. Designate this podcast by writing "kick off" in donor notes. ($30 value for care package including shipping and handling)
A brief introduction to the Sacred Story podcast, with host Laura Wilcox. To learn more about Sacred Story Ministries, visit sacredstoryministries.org. © 2019 Sacred Story Ministries
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