The ash+ivy Show: Christian Women find God through story and Bible Teaching

Keean asked how many episodes...100. Wow! You haven't failed. It's the end for now.  Sometimes we have to let go of things we love to make space for something different. This podcast has been the thrill of my life and it has been so much fun, but the time has come to take a break.   I am trusting that God knows what He is doing! I hope so anyway! haha If I heard Him wrong, whats the worst that can happen?  I'd love to hear from you if you've listened once or to all 100!  Please say hi.    Find me on Instagram and Facebook.  Connection is my favorite..

COOKBOOK LINK RIGHT HERE! GETCHU ONE!!!!!! Make sure to use the I can't even section!   https://a.co/d/9cVRdsa  Recipes can be gluten free and dairy free  Baked Beef Stew  Mini Chicken Pot Pies  “If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” ― Lao Tzu   Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV    Yall!  This episode is a continuation from our conversation about christian yoga and I'm giving you 4 ways to be in the moment, full of rest, filled with peace, and able to let your day flow from that space.   How do we balance contentment and ambition? How do we meet with God and pour out honest hearts?  I have so many questions all the time about this!!!!  Let's talk about it.    Find rest/peace in spending time with God so that I can know feel settled about the fact that He is with me and if he is with me he is for me and if he is for me he will lead me so then I can go about my day.  Posture my heart for openness from a place of honesty. Feel the hard spot but linger there facing it, acknowledging it, feeling it. Caroline said to pay attention to how my body is trying to escape. Can I stop punching and just breathe? Can I stop complaining and speaking all that frustration and anxiety over my situation and ask how God is using it and what He wants to say about it. Build muscle of abiding.  Listen for direction: is my body telling me, is my mind telling me that this isn't good for me? Does it hurt because I'm forcing something God doesn't have for me.    Let's chat some more! I'd love to hear from you.    Fb community  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashandivy  https://www.instagram.com/theashandivyshow/      

This episode will answer all of your questions about yoga..is it ok for Christians?  What is the benefit? Is it only for those slow peaceful type folk?   Okay actually this episode will probably answer 1 of your questions about yoga..maybe. But it will be great- you'll love it!  This is a fun conversation to get some insight into all of that.  Has God ever invited you to come to Him without words? What?!? No agenda. Just be with Him..Well this girl is all about the quality time so that was just what I needed but learning to do it was next level.     Caroline started her yoga journey over ten years ago, seeking a sense of peace while pursuing a career in politics. Six years ago she changed career paths when she completed her yoga teacher certification and started her YouTube channel which now has over 65,000 subscribers. She specializes in teaching faith-based yoga and prenatal yoga. In 2018 she founded The Yoga Abbey, an online yoga sanctuary and yoga teacher training school that has trained over 150 instructors. Prior to COVID, she led yoga retreats around the world, but these days she's living in the woods of the Pacific Northwest with her husband and toddler.   https://www.theyogaabbey.com/  SPECIAL CODE: $5 a monthly membership at The Yoga Abbey  https://www.instagram.com/carolinewyoga/    you can find me! Friendship is my favorite!  https://www.instagram.com/theashandivyshow/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashandivy   FIND THE LINKS TO THE 30 DAY CHALLENGE HERE #christianyoga You can use this hashtag to find them in the group.    Link to the article referencing "Goblin Mode":  https://open.substack.com/pub/jordangriesbeck/p/efficiency-goblin-mode-and-one-person?r=29r81&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web   

Is this a New Year New You or a New Year Same Me?  Do you plan a word of the year? Do you set goals? Do you refrain from all of it and just go about your life?   The fresh start is an invitation to be who you want to be and to self check where you are headed.  Our goals don't have to give us a complete makeover but they can give us permission to move toward who we want to be.  A word of the year can give us alignment and momentum to take action in ways that give us feelings we long for, like feelings of pride, success, happiness, contentment, security, and purpose.   I think God makes us to long for new life, resurrection life and hope for a good future.    In this episode we  talk about setting intentional goals using a wheel of life tool, and measuring success with how we want to feel versus an outcome that we cannot control.    We talk about how to choose a word and why it is important for the alignment of our heart with God.  In Isaiah 43:18-19, he says “Forget the former things, don't dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing.”   Links   Bible Recap  http://www.thebiblerecap.com/start    Bible Recap for kids  https://www.facebook.com/groups/kidspringbiblerecap/?multi_permalinks=1486164808534151%2C1475637362920229¬if_id=1672549206349456¬if_t=group_activity&ref=notif    Fb community  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashandivy    The Intentional Mind Podcast  https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-sd5wd-134c97e 

Connection is absolutely the best thing! It breathes new life in where things are stale and stagnant. Connection with others creates energy that is contagious but connection with God literally gives you new life!    We are starting a challenge in this holiday season to fight the overwhelm. We are meeting every morning before the rush to be rooted and established in the love of God, to know how wide and long and high and deep is His love for us.  This connecting with Him every day before the onslaught of to-dos and fun will ground us in Presence and a peace that we can give away.  This is the greatest gift.  This is advent..looking for his coming.    I hope you'll join me in the FB community for this experience of gratitude and knowing God is near.  I love you sisters!    https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashandivy    You can also find more advent episodes at this link! We are always talking about knowing God's voice, being with Him, and living with purpose.  I hope you'll keep joining in! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/christmas-devotion-can-we-know-our-identity-by-looking/id1541261854?i=1000544774216   

https://www.facebook.com/supportingspecialsiblings/  GET THE BOOK HERE! Evely's Sister, authored by 7 year old, Luna  https://a.co/d7bA0oT  FIND TAMEKA HERE https://www.facebook.com/tamekadiaz  https://www.instagram.com/thediazgirls/  Our guest today is one busy woman,  a warrior for her girls, and a leader in inviting us all into more inclusivity. You'll love her instantly as she lets us into how her days look. I hope this story will spark connection and compassion for others in your life as you start new conversations in growth and awareness.  Listen in for all the sweet voices in our chat today! Swooooon!  Tameka Diaz is a full-time mom of 3, homeschool teacher, full-time caregiver to her daughter who has multiple disabilities, advocate, and singer. In 2015, her daughter Evely was born and diagnosed with bilateral anophthalmia. Since Evely's birth, she's received several diagnoses. Evely's genetic condition is extremely rare and the diagnosis is still unknown. Tameka started Through Evely's Eyes to advocate and assist other medical families in honor of her daughter, Evely. She's pushed her local government for accessibility of braille and sensory books in libraries, learned to make adaptable toys,  consults and advises other caregivers, and organizes donations of medical supplies and equipment. She dreams of an accessible and inclusive tomorrow.    

GET DEAR MAC HERE! RIGHT HERE- GO GET IT!  https://a.co/d/8sC5IN0  READ A CLIP OF THE BOOK HERE: https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B0BFCCDTKF&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_N3CS207YHGB9CERNMQ5B    Oh my heart! Every birth story is so sacred, but this story shows exceptional grit and a deep winning love by Mac's incredible parents. We celebrate NICU doctors, nurses, and families for Prematurity Awareness Month.  It is a life giving job that is so much more than work. It is family. The NICU is "a wonderful and horrible place" filled with stories of loss and life.  It is a calling and we honor those who do it by sharing this story of hope.     Through this collection of letters Allie McDade journals her extended NICU experience from delivering a micropreemie at 25 weeks.  She shares it now to come alongside anyone else walking this hard and lonely journey.      In the second half, Allie and I get to discuss what it looks like to be honest with God, to get mad, and how this transforms your relationship with Him as a loving, near Father.   Mac is home now and celebrating his first birthday! We are all celebrating with him!       

"In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act."  George Orwell    John 8:31 The truth will set you free.   Ways to Stop pretending.. Stop pretending with God Stop pretending with your spouse Stop pretending to have a clean house Stop pretending you're living a schedule that glorifies God or are using your gifts Stop pretending to love God if you don't believe He loves you or see evidence He is for you Stop pretending to have it all together We're laying out different areas of life that tend to get trapped in lies and confusion as we try our very best to do what we think we are supposed to but given some attention we might find isn't exactly as we first thought.  Being honest takes work. Knowing ourself and learning our own voice requires commitment.  Abiding in God is a safe place to dive into who you really are because when you open the door (Rev 3) He will dine with you and tell you who you are and give you your true identity.   

What is love anyway? I mean I get it, all you need is love. But I'm trying!  Am I doing it right?  How do I love with a pure motive exactly??  Balance comes with we follow God's prescription for this.  Matthew 22: 37-38  37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'   When circumstances make your life feel shattered at your feet where is love? What is next?  Jesus says, Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest.  He says, do nothing, just be still and know that I am God.   We can find safety and peace in God's presence and from a place of surrender and complete love, we can then approach life, offering that same life line to others.  We can reflect that love so that our children, our spouse, our coworkers, our parents, can experience God's goodness. We can show others how to come to God and let Him do the heavy lifting. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashandivy  https://www.instagram.com/theashandivyshow/   

GET YOUR BOOK HERE! https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B0B492BC92&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_F3A6EMVCWHK0N0YG27XE  BE JILLIAN'S FRIEND!  https://www.instagram.com/streamsofgoldmemoir/    It's just gets better and better, week after week, as we get to connect stories, connect lives, and connect deeply to who God is.  It is so important for us to understand the character of God in order to love him first.  Love God and love others as you love yourself. Have you ever considered how loaded that simple statement really is???? My goodness! It's overwhelmingly full of wisdom and direction..enough for a lifetime of guidance! Today, Jillian Timberlake, shares about her memoir, Streams of Gold. As "not a writer", Jillian tenderly captures pieces of life to gift to her children in short essays.  She compiled this legacy piece before God lovingly made a way for her to share it with the world. This process of creating served as a path to shedding perfectionism and striving. It completely paves a way for us all to know the Father in a more intimate way.   God speaks to me uniquely but He also sprinkles similar messages that reflect His heart for people across the world. Isn't that so cool?  Jillian and I really experienced that with very similar missions. God is speaking in a unifying movement, threading us together in letters on our hearts. I can't help but think of how this is reflected in Jillian's memoir where she threads her stories through written letters to loved ones.  At the end of the day, God is restoring and healing, always, always, always giving purpose and life.

Today we are writing ourselves a letter committing to knowing ourselves deep and true.  Take an enneagram quiz, a spiritual giftings test, or find out your Disney princess..growing to know yourself allows you to step into authentic worship.   1. Make space in your life to know your own voice and to be in God's presence. Be in life-union with the vine. (John 15:4-5) 2. Take a test!  Literally get to know yourself by exploring through gaining information. Use the enneagram or other personality assessments to learn core motivations and core fears.  3. Do what you enjoy. Fan into flame your gifts (2 Timothy 1:6) so you can love yourself (personal rendition). Love yourself so you can love others. (Mark 12:31)    Here is the letter:  Dear _ this is where you insert your name.  Gah, girl! I love you so much!  You are like sooooo pretty!  And strong and smart and brave.  Don't you wish you could have known 20 years ago how much you could go through and still be killing it at life.  I know you don't always feel like you're killing it but look around… 1.  2.  3.  It feels like these things could break you but they haven't.  So today I want to meet you again. I want to really really know you, understand you, forgive you, and love you. I want to dream again and be filled with hope for your future.   I commit to exploring and digging for what is true.  I commit to facing my story and giving it compassion and asking Jesus to meet me in any space that needs healing.  I commit to dreaming about the future.  I commit to never stop learning about who I am and what I need and what I want. I will think about how I want to feel in my life and I commit to doing whatever it takes to live a life that worships God, the one who has pursued me, rescued me, and covered me with His love. I will use my life to give life to others.    Love, me    Join me for 1:1 coaching for fun exploration into more of these topics. $50 for a month   https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashandivy  https://www.instagram.com/theashandivyshow/     

Hey hey sister! Today is so much fun! We are taking a deep dive into Psalm 1 and anything else I randomly through in the convo, like throwing plates and walking through Food Lion with a hood over my face. Ya never know!  Do you ever read the Bible and see the words jumping off the page?  We're playing in some verses today to see how they jump and its super fun.   We can't adulterate the Bible.  It can hold its own, I'm confident.  We can, however, let it move us, speak life to us, and set us free.  Hey!  Freedom and bliss..sign me up!!! https://www.bible.com/bible/1849/PSA.1.TPT     

What gives us identity? Our identity is defined by the love of Jesus and everything else flows from our communion with him.  What defines our worship to God? Is it in our gifts?  Our actions worship God when done in authenticity, coming out of a place of knowing Him and knowing His voice.    We spend too much time not liking ourselves! We put so much effort into improving our flaws when we could be using our gifts effectively and even surrendering our weaknesses to the Lord and trusting Him to use our weaknesses. He is just so opposite of everything we naturally think.    We must LOVE OURSELVES in order to love others well.  We do so many things because we think we should, or because it looks fun on someone else!  And Some things just don't fit! Like me, I don't ever need to be using a sewing machine. It's just bad news every time.    Knowing what is true, that God's love is for you, is what will sustain you when things come and go.    Psalm 1 They will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God's design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of their lives.   2 Cor 10:12  We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.   Meet Jesus face to face to know His voice is for you. Challenge the things you hate about yourself to be useful to serve others.    BUST A MOVE:  Alright girlies we gotta busta move?  If we are going to grow life giving beliefs and in purpose then we have to take action.  So what's your move this week? What's your take away?  Let's put something in motion in our lives.   Make a list of labels you have on your life.  Wife, mom, therapist.. Who would you be if that label was removed?  Would you still be serving God well? How would you be showing Him love? How would you be loving people?   Then confess those things..they are not your identity. You are on mission to love and obey God and offer your story as your worship.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashandivy  https://www.instagram.com/theashandivyshow/+  

Today we are digging deep into how to see GOLD in others.  Last week we hosted Jess, the creator of Salt & Gold Collection, artist of the insanely viral Footwashing Series. She introduced some really relevant conversations that we will talk about over the next couple of weeks including seeing God in others, speaking life into others, and using what He is doing in our lives to love others.  Today we are highlighting this concept of seeing Gold in others. Jess helps us understand the meaning behind her title, Salt & Gold.   SALT: truth and seeing the Lord doing miracles with water..parting the sea, walking on water GOLD: presence of the Lord, wanting him to be there. Gold is the imagery around the gift of prophecy and Listening to the lord to see things through his eyes. Call out the gold in somebody. It's so easy to see sin but with the mind of Christ I can see who God made them to be and help encourage them to be that person.    So if we believe that every person is a reflection of God and has GOLD in her then what is our role in calling it out and how do we do that?   Today we take a careful look at the story of the sinful woman who poured out oil at the feet of Jesus in worship. We notice that she is crying...why is she crying and how does that help us see the gold?     What happens when we spend time with God? As we learn that we can come to Jesus and be met with grace and gentleness, our hearts are opened to a space for others.  As we face so much division in our nation, it is more imperative than ever for christians to see with Godly perspective and offer love.    BUSTAMOVE:  Pray about someone who needs what you have to offer. Ask God to show you how to see that person and how to speak life, calling out their identity and purpose.   If you'd like to work in one on one coaching with Riley, please contact her  @theashandivyshow on instagram  or through Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/riley.s.powell   

Jess is a proud Kiwi who currently lives between Australia and the USA. Salt + Gold was established in 2020 and created the viral ©️The Footwashing Series. Calling herself a missionary more than an artist, Jess once had to stop a nun getting eaten by a crocodile in rural Australia. She is currently studying ministry at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry in California and calls the Catholic Church home.    http://www.saltandgoldstore.com/  @saltandgoldcollection   To say I am giddy about this conversation is an understatement. Jess is a true treasure, but guess what, SO ARE YOU! Thank you for listening today. Showing up means you are ready for the MORE in your life.  What an exciting adventure.    What may have started as a fashion business for Barbies is now a collection of words and art primarily through Instagram, serving Jesus and communicating Him in a way that makes him easy to understand. Simple pics and words to help people meet Jesus.   The art is overflow of a personal moment with God.  Most, if not all, is chastisement from the Lord to me.  We think we've seen every side of him or know him perfectly or know the perimeters are that he can be in..every time I think I've got him sorted he says hey we haven't talked about this.  Seasons of understanding where the Lord is kind and walks with me on this journey of faith..but I'm not going to get to this perfect until I'm in heaven so every single day I've got things to learn.  The message is put out to a large space to reach many but I'm so certain that Jesus is just as invested into humanity. It's personal. Jesus is a part of my life every single moment of every single day.   Jess shares how she came to meet Jesus, how it changed her fears, and how she merges loving Jesus and being Catholic. Your life grows when we give it to Jesus! I found so much freedom and joy and adventure.  A big milestone is learning my identity- who he has made me to be. Choices that hurt me and others was from me trying to grasp at if I was loved, whats my worth and purpose..first and foremost I am beloved of God. I am his kid.  Grasping came to an end. You have made me on purpose. I have dignity and am filled with the Holy Spirit.   We discuss how she decided who to draw sitting on the stool, having their feet washed by Jesus. It stirs the soul and sometimes makes people angry!  But we talk about how walking from a genuine place of intimacy with God allows boldness despite controversy, judgement, being misunderstood. Ultimately, Jess feels if she chose her comfort over obedience to God, someone would miss out on meeting Jesus for themselves. It is haunting until we know who Christ is in us.   BUSTA MOVE! How does God speak to you? How do you worship Him as you live out your life daily?  Do you feel pressure to make pretty and shiny things or is your life authentic and flowing from time with God?

NEW PODCAST TITLE COMING!  Ash & Ivy has been such a beautiful image of grace and God pursuing and the message isn't changing, but we are shifting to a place of action!  This is so we, as Christian women, can walk confidently in our identity as children of God, made in His image, reflecting Him with our gifts.  God is showing us how to be authentic! How to stop pretending. God doesn't expect us to shrink us into a small box, sacrificing what makes us unique and beautiful.  Quite contrary, you worship him, you glorify Him when you are your true self!!!!   Well how do I do that?  In this episode, host, Riley, shares how fear cripples action and distracts from what is true. Her mom called her fake and it triggered some deep and real stuff that needed attention. God took that and allowed her to recognize that she wasn't living authentically. Now she knows herself and knows God in her so that she can live true.  This allows her to serve others to the best of her ability.  We can be honest with God about who we are and how we are feeling and allow truth into our mindset.  Notice how you are feeling in your body and in your mind. Tell God all about it! For real. Talk about it...out loud.  Then ask Him for truth to cover that. Look for it in His Word. Listen to a podcast. Surround yourself with Godly friends. Take action!    Have fun! God is for you!    Call me! Let's chat about what resonates! xoxo    Come be friends!!!!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashandivy             

Do you like how you are showing up in the world? aka your family, your friends, at work.. Are you bringing positive, life giving energy or are you showing up drained and exhausted?   Today I share 3 ways to grow your energy so that you can use your life to give life to others.  The thrill of life comes when we live in alignment with our authentic self, reflecting our creator, and use it all to shine light into a hurting world.    BUST A MOVE: (this is your take action challenge) Take time to notice what is draining you?  What kind of energy are you giving out?  What is one thing you can do this week in alignment with what YOU WANT?     PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE leave a review on Apple or Spotify. This is most life giving to me!  Also, share life by sharing this on your stories and tag me!  xoxo   You can email me a response: rileyspowell@gmail.com  Seriously, I'd love to chat about the episode with you. It can be a coaching call or just a friend call. Im totally cool with a friendly chat!  Connect on instagram @theashandivyshow  Join the Ash and Ivy Friends Facebook community  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashandivy           

Certified NeuroCoach, Host of Her Restored Spirit Podcast, Certified Master Enneagram Coach, Tami Imlay, in true enneagram 1 fashion grieved the loss of her husband to the best of her ability.  Reflecting deep and true healing from her loving Father, she is now able to use all the hard details of her past to offer hope and life to others through coaching.   Her late husband, USAF soldier, paid the ultimate sacrifice while on deployment when their kids were only 4 and 2 years old. We honor him and we honor their family today. We are so grateful for both Tami and her husband's service in the US Air Force.  In today's episode Tami shares her story of grieving this tragic loss but we also celebrate that loss is not the center of her story. She has discovered life after loss and joy amidst sadness.  She shares how to fast track your healing and shares real tools for addressing the pain in your life.  It is tangible. It is real and it is hope for your life.   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/her-restored-spirit-restoration-living-with-purpose/id1548169723  Are you ready for a restored spirit and want to be coached by me? Send me an email at tami@tamimariecoaching.com or you can find me on Facebook at @tamimariecoaching or Instagram @tamimariecoaching. I can't wait to hear your story and help you discover the hope and opportunity available to you.  

Sarah helps busy families connect deeply with God. She loves Jesus and her family, especially her husband and two boys.   Sarah has a background in counseling, loves teaching moms and kids how to pray the Psalms, and is passionate about helping people around the world know Jesus.     She is the author of Psalm Prayers for Kids and Psalm Prayers for the Nations, and she hosts a family-friendly prayer podcast called Hearts at Rest with Sarah Keeling.    https://www.instagram.com/_sarahkeeling_/ https://www.facebook.com/sarahkeeling.author/ https://www.sarah-keeling.com   Here's the website for the family guide:   athirdofus.com/family/

The McCarleys were a “normal” family, with very successful jobs and busy kids! They had it all..except their marriage was a disaster and they were too busy to enjoy any of it.     After rebuilding their marriage God's way and seeing full restoration, they realized they also needed to surrender their entire family plan to His way, which resulted in a brave move to Hawaii!  They sold everything they owned, gave up all that seemed important, and made their family their top priority.     Now they are living a slower and simpler life putting each other first and learning to serve with their lives.  Bailee says she is living in the overflow. you can find their family here:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073626825292         

Our guest today is Amber Nelson.  She is true dynamite when it comes to faith and fierce love for God and family.  Despite the hardships of family members with addiction, Amber relentlessly pursues Jesus and describes how clinging to Him was the most stable part of her life.  She credits her mom for always taking her to church allowing her to develop a relationship with God at a young age.  She has a heart for worship and for friendship and those two things are most evident in her day to day life. She walks out healing and freedom living a life of invitation every day.   We dive into parenting teens and loving our spouses from a place of freedom versus fear and control.  We cover the enneagram and learning to be thankful for our mistakes and weakness.  This episode is loaded with real life!   If you are struggling with addiction or have a family member who is facing addiction consider this support:  https://al-anon.org/   

How many gushy words can I put in this box?  I've had a front row seat (on Facebo ok) to Desiree's growth. She has blossomed in courage with a bold message of seeking out what is true and good and walking in authenticity.   I am absolutely giddy to share her message of healing today because I know that every word will also bring healing to YOUR heart, refreshing your spirit, and challenging you to a life lived boldly in health AND fun!   https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10227920       

So super out of breath throughout this entire episode...sorry bout that! 40 weeks pregnant! Joshua and I tend to keep it together for a long time...all is well..until it's not.  We want so much for it to be good, Right?!  We do both give and give and forgive and we've learned to not make a mess of small things, but sometimes things just come to a head and we break.  I'd say the anticipation of a baby in one house with 4 people is enough to bring some breaking.   In this episode I share how we are getting through that but also how we get through that with God.  How do we break that ice and get to a place of intimacy when He feels so far away?  Today we are talking about stillness and Lent and finding the way through crashing waves.  Maybe that doesn't sound like Easter..but isn't it exactly what Easter is?  We teach our kids the basics..Jesus died on the cross for you, rose again, here is your basket..but what about new life? What about resurrecting the darkness in your life today? What about Him breaking through darkness to bring Heaven into your everyday and making His presence available to you now?  That is the miracle of Easter we should be teaching!  Today is the day to see miracles and be in awe of the life you get to live.  Today.  Let's get pumped up about this! 

Celebrating birthtdays is one of our favorite family traditions...it is no small task! We love to celebrate our people AND our people are everything to us.  I'd say loving our people well is what we Sloan's do best.  Well today my mom is our very honored guest and we are highlighting her birthday because it is an exciting one- 60!   Marci shares her story of meeting Jesus, healing from abuse, and learning her own voice by being close to her rescuer.  You hear her throat swell as she talks about her family..what she always wanted.  Her legacy is 4 kids and 6 grandkids (so far) and she pours everything into loving us. Not one of us can say we are held close, cherished, and loved.   Even though she doesn't go into every hurt in this episode, we can hear that she has traveled in dark places and consistently chooses Love. She consistently brings all fears and pain to the light for Jesus to meet her there.  Maybe we will have her back some time to further talk about being the daughter of an alcoholic, suffering with mental health, and hearing how she has pushed and fought for a life of freedom through nutrition, daily time with God, and loving the way she wants to love.  We are all invited to live a life that is pure to who we are, letting go of perfectionism and striving.  Marci definitely shows us the way! 

God has a purpose and plan for your life and sometimes we walk through wilderness, through disappointment and heartache, making it hard to know which way is good. We might question God's intention, but Faith guides us in speaking truth and speaking life into our story.  Prophecy is God's Word FOR US giving power to sustain us when all that we see is in opposition to what we feel is His plan for us.  We can cling to His truth and engage in it allowing it to encourage our walk, our FAITH.  Grab your favorite pen and get ready to write furiously because this episode is loaded with life giving truth.     Faith Apiafi-Hailsham grew up in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Her parents were first-generation Christians who raised Faith and her six siblings with a strong foundation in prayer and Scripture. While in boarding school, Faith set her sights on studying and working abroad, and at the age of eighteen moved to London, England, where she completed her training and built a career as a chartered accountant. Since her late teens, Faith has been active in church ministry as a small group leader, youth leader, and intercessor. In 2020, she relocated to the US where she released her first spoken-word album, Speak the Word and published her memoir, Unveiling Faith. Faith is passionate about encouraging believers in their walk of faith and devotion to Christ, equipping them with the tools to pray and prophesy, and enlightening them to their true purpose and vision for their lives.    Instagram handle @faithconnectinspirations Sneak peeks of the book and to subscribe for updates on book launch on faithhailsham.substack.com 'Speak the Word' album link below - album of prayers, scriptures and declarations Speak The Word by Faith Apiafi-Hailsham (FaithConnect Inspirations) - DistroKid  

Christian stay at home mama, commited to the daily holy and hard of  walking through trauma with her children.  Mom to 3 biological grown boys, 2 months into the empy nest "dream", Lisa and her husband, Rod, knew deeply that God was inviting them to more. They adopted 3 kids from Ukraine and then another little girl from Bulgaria, creating a family of 9.  Lisa bravely invites us into her family and shares what it is like these days during the Ukraine crisis. Parenting 3 kids from Ukraine during a war is a new level of hard, "hard on steroids", as she says.  She shares the keys to setting her home in peace, fostering a healthy marriage, preserving self and community, all while balancing the daily demands of being Mom!  It is a tough job and I love the way she sets us all at ease and helps us realize that our feelings and needs are normal.  God went before this family, without a doubt, and made a way for what is so beautiful now.  Even in the immense difficulty, Lisa is able to give thanks and see how sacred it is.  She gives us so much life and energy today!  Stories take time and I'm always so intrigued by how deep and good it gets second half! I highly encourage you to invest in this hour. Listen to the end because Lisa gives it raw and real at the end and that is where the life is.   Ways to help UKRAINE:  https://www.radooga.com/ https://lifesong.org/ukraine-relief/?gclid=CjwKCAjwuYWSBhByEiwAKd_n_v_zYoJrEZG_w8JxeqC8zxA5qB1XYxHtVC2MDjCJARL-rSN0X5tCSxoChZcQAvD_BwE     

www.supportedseason.com Instagram @supported_season TikTok: @yourdoulaashley podcast: https://www.supportedseason.com/douladangthing   I'd like to offer a discount of $50 on the full course with code 50BUCKS Here's a link to get the discount: https://supported-season.mykajabi.com/offers/ohTHvBUn?coupon_code=50BUCKS   As women we have the most extraordinary gift of carrying children and the truth is we have hearts that always labor for those we love.  God designed us this way, to love with deep passion.  I've been fascinated with this idea that labor and delivery parallels God's design for life in stunning ways. As I've prepared for a natural birth I have really worked so hard to not work!  I've been practicing letting go..letting go of control, letting go of expectations for myself, letting myself receive from others, and just trusting that life is happening for me.  For me. God is for me. Hard stuff is for my growth.  Pain can be faced with courage and seen as strength.  Fear is real and present in every single person's life but we can shift our beliefs to a place of trust and patience.  Isn't it fascinating how the ways of God are so much higher?  So often His ways don't make sense to our way of thinking and seeing, but God knows how to make all things beautiful.  This episode is with doula, Ashley, from Supported Season. She is a course creator for birth prepartion and is phenomenal at it. I love her content! She shares the most amazing way of seeing birth and life and allowing it to flow with peace. It makes me so excited for delivering my baby girl! 

Rich Ukrainian history and a personal story of how a Ukrainian family began a personal relationship with Jesus...well here's a sneak peek..it started in prison!   We take for granted our freedom to worship in community and freely belief and proclaim Jesus as our Lord.  Included are ways to help serve the people who are in urgent need right now.  God is providing in so many ways!   https://www.facebook.com/ukrainianreliefproject  https://www.summerofgod.church/?fbclid=IwAR1toCZnKieriq-Zyhl7o-U0VJyGYAXsNl--lLpfpNTMks_CUWjYGRSQ2mM     

Can I get some hope up in here??!?  Who needs some life?  Me! Me! Me!  I need it. I want some more of it..  Seriously, God has a message for you and it is full of life.  He designed you, sister, for life!  He carefully created so many amazing details into who you are and you don't need to shrink or hide.   Truth is, God is restoring and redeeming every piece of you that is or feels broken. He is there ready to use it all for freedom!  Isn't that so exciting?   We dig in to Colossians 1 and all it's good news.  There is hope for you.  On top of that, you unify our community. You bring the good news. You reflect the gospel!  YOU share a piece of the character of God and an angle about Him that literally NO ONE else can.  So bring it sister! This is your time.  Shine bright! 

Anxiety and overwhelm are those sneaky things that seem normal but what harm are they actually causing? Do you know what they are stealing from your everyday?   Today we are diving into way to combat anxiety and fill our moments with intentional loved filled peace so that we can live in abundance.   I have a feeling you are like me and want days that are accomplished..days you can be proud of in a way that allows you to be more present with family and overflowing with Love from God that is true and good.   I believe that gratitude and declaring the truth of who God is is our defense and from that flows creativity and life.   hugs! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashandivy  www.theashandivy.com     

In kids church we painted our hands and labeled each finger as a point in prayer.  It makes sense!  Organizing and planning often times help us know the way.  Without it we tend to lose direction and end up plucking our eyebrows instead.  Or goodness knows we scroll looking at other people's opinions enough on social media.    What about your heart? Your words?  Your needs?  God is able to meet you there but only when you show up and get honest about your self.  He is always available but is not pushy.  Prayer is a way to connect to God in a honest way, but it also undoes the prayer and teaches you as much about what you think than the outcome of the prayer.   Funny how God knows best.  wink wink.     You are a woman of peace. You fill the world with joy and hope. You can show up and do hard things to bring life and goodness all around.  Be intentional with some chunk time and pray.    https://facebook.com/groups/ashandivy www.theashandivy.com   

Confession!! I am the worst at daily discipline of any kind...including spending time reading the Bible.   I much prefer get it done, fast paced, knock it out to do lists... So how do we feed our spirit and connect to God?     

Find a place to rest and let God's words of peace fill your heart.    John 16:33 Psalm 4:8  Psalm 72:7  Daniel 10:19 Isaiah 32:17 Isaiah 52:7  Isaiah 53:5 Proverbs 3:16-18 Proverbs 12:20 John 14:27 Romans 5:1 Romans 15:13 Romans 14:17 2 Corinthians 13:11 Ephesians 2:14 Philippians 4:7 Colossians 3:15 2 Thessalonians 3:16 2 John 1:3 Jude 1:2 Numbers 6: 24-26    Love you big time!  

Hey hey hey!!!!  Let's dig into some practical tools to set up a life of functional, intentional, healthy spiritual living.   We want peace!  So how do we get it? God says pursue it and choose, move toward it...and probably away from something opposite of peace...even that good thing that you love and is so important.   Join me over the next few weeks of grounded our days in peace and presence.  

I wish January were starting with fireworks! Instead, I am recording right from my hole...I got sucked back in to muddy thinking!!!!! It is soooooooo easy to do what I don't want to do! ...I think I've heard that somewhere..Paul felt that way.   Why in the world do I keep doing what I hate????    God is my biggest fan, cheering me on to do what is in my heart to do, but it feels too big...too hard..I'd rather binge watch 10 hours of Twilight.   While there is a time for that, I also know that I've been avoiding God and hard and daunting.   My desired feeling this year is genuine. Let it be easy is my mantra and I long to just flow in grace..bringing joy and peace.  Well I have to find that stuff first.  And because I know that is what I want...naturally, I run the opposite direction.  Join me on this journey, digging from the bottom up.  Our life and dreams are worth fighting for.  I will start at the bottom and let that refining  show me the way.  Would you like to join??    Join our facebook group for more discussion on each week's episode.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashandivy     

Today I am sharing my response to the episode with Monique and sharing an example of how I sought counsel and healing for something nasty that came up during my pregnancy.   We all have yucky stuff in our minds. We can choose to spread it or let it be healed.  Simple as that.  Jesus is able to meet us in our mess.  We can connect to our Creator for new life and abundance when we open our heart in surrender, facing truth, and allowing healing. 

What wounds are holding you back from energy, giving, receiving, and loving the way you want to?   Why do we keep doing the things we don't want to do?  Why do I feel stuck, trapped, and dead inside?   I don't know my purpose.  I want to but just can't find another way. Today's episode is loaded with ANSWERS, true, life giving, to the root answers that will change your life.   Monique has nearly two decades in sales, business development and leadership. Her pursuit of her Purpose started out probably just like you: knowing she was made for more since she was a little girl, hearing God's Whispers that she is here to do something big, rebelling against and ignoring those Whispers for most of her life, and then surrendered to healing her past allowing God to lead and stepping fearlessly into her Divine Purpose. She now is a sought-after growth mentor for women who desire to heal their life and Pursue THEIR Purpose, fearlessly. In a world that is dominated by masculine energy, Monique brings a breath of fresh feminine energy, with Purpose as the guide and impact as the result. Website links: MoniqueGaffney.com FEMLM.com TheSelfHealersAcademy.com

What?!?!? My life is only as big as my prayer?  Your dreams become your reality but clarity on steps to take come with intentional rest with the one who holds your heart and creates something from nothing. He is the defender of your heart and desires wholeness of life for you.  Name your prayer, make it real good, then fight for it, take action, and believe God for it! 2022 is the year of miracles and hope.  Nothing is impossible.

Christmas Devotional Rest and Work! Aren't they opposites?  Not exactly.  It was customary for a pregnant woman to rest for 3 months but Mary took intentional action to remove herself from onlookers and distractions and rest with her aunt, Elizabeth. Because of the action she received clarity.  Elizabeth was able to give her great affirmation. Their hearts were filled with joy. Clarity sometimes gets lost but we can always go back to the last thing God told us to do and do that.  We find clarity in His presence.  Rest doesn't mean lazy.  It means intentional time with God so that when you take action it is done without striving and exhaustion but comes from a place of overflow and is given in peace.  

Christmas Devotional: be present I don't know about you but I don't like that chaos feeling of not being enough and not being everywhere at once and I need more of me. Ugh. No thank you! Can we have peace during this season and still do a good job? YES!  Here are 3 or 5, I didn't count, ways to keeping the peace.  We got this! 

Christmas devotional How overwhelmed but full of peace Mary must have felt to be chosen by God and know her mission.   God makes himself known through the desires and passions of our heart. We can have a solid foundation of identity by being with him and flowing from that space with purpose. When we are with him we know fullness without fear. We know love and we feel armed for whatever mountain comes our way.

Christmas Devotional Um!! Yes He does!  He breaks through darkness and comes to Earth with the desire to bring Heaven to Earth.  Not just Earth as a whole but to your world! Your car, bedtime, your home, your relationships. Where is Heaven in your life? The other day I was asked for my core beliefs. Huh!?!? What did you say?  haha well once I got going they flowed just fine. Whew! Core beliefs could be as simple as our daily practices, our daily mindset.  What are you actively believing?  Id venture to say those are your core beliefs.  Listen in..a little Christmas, a little theology for your quick dose of truth in December.  

Sasha Star Robertson, Christian life coach for intentional mamas (also warrior and overcomer!), sweeps in God's presence bringing truth in a fresh way.  She is a pure reflection of peace and joy found in a personal relationship with Jesus.  She shows us how possible it is for God to make all things new even when it is really really hard. Sasha bravely shares how she was reintroduced to her loving Father while on a long journey with infertility.  After suffering sexual abuse as a child she went through an excrutiating healing season where Jesus met her over and over showing her the way to wholeness.  She pours out how He made himself known as trustworthy and present in her life.  Every single thing that was meant to crush her has been made new and her life is such an offering of beautiful worship.     https://www.facebook.com/sasha.robertson4  

The ash + ivy Show is celebrating one whole year. Birthing this baby was strenuous and hard, daunting at times, but all the sweat and tears have created such a beautiful life.  Of course we will never regret pursuing a dream.  In today's episode I share the good and bad of the year and talk about how the podcast has been a place of rest. It is not done through striving but out of the overflow of what God is doing in me.   Listen in to find out how you can win a prize!  It's all so exciting.  

She left a 6 figure business and listened to God's invitation to prioritize home and family. Listen to what happens next!  Mandy Lewis is a christian life coach, with expertise in financial stewardship..and stewardship of all resources!  God used a health scare and COVID to invite her into unknown territory...Will she love it or hate it?  It seemed so opposite of her nature..she says she hated being a stay at home mom..at first..I think you'll love where this leads!      mandy@hiscalleddaughters.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/hiscalleddaughters/   

Worship leader and friend extrordinnaire, Amanda Ferrin, shares intimately how she developed a heart for the everday while facing a terminal illness. She has published a kids worship album at New Life Worship and lead worship for thousands of kids across the country.  As a true worhsip leader, in all areas of life, she leads us all to Jesus.  She shares how the pieces of our lives fit together to paint a picture of Heaven.   I am shook to the core.  Hers is a story of love and gifts. She knows how to celebrate the real reels of life and I just want more of what she has!     https://www.instagram.com/amanda_ferrin/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVsQtfvhrno     

Beyond thrilled to create space for this beautiful woman!  She has journeyed through the good and bad, but shares the secret to finding the beauty moment by moment.  Tina Campbell has a photography business specializing in landscapes. She has a passion for barns and flowers and captures them in a way that will give you a passion for them too!   Through her daily gratitude practice she has learned to be present and full of joy. Her voice comes to life as she shares about this piece of her life that has completely transformed her.   https://fencerowphotography.com/

Story is the most dynamic way to bring Heaven to Earth.  God shatters darkness with his presence. He shows up over and over but we need to know what we are hoping for in order to see the answered prayer and live a life in awe.  God answers prayers. God sees the secret hopes of your heart. He makes a way when all the pieces feel scattered.  He takes the pieces of your life and creates new life filled with power and purpose and love to be poured out for others.  

Based on a conversation with life coach for entrepreneurs, Whitney Barbary, about the Deborah anointing I decided to dig a little deeper into what that means.  God gave me a vision of a female warrior walking in bold clarity and on mission to share with Whitney. It was simple yet significant and I want to know more of what it means so I first read it several times in Judges, in the Bible. Then I explored some commentary on the topic.    Deborah is a front line warrior and that kind of leader beckons other women to step in their brave mission.  We each are on the battle lines for our own voice and purpose and for our families.  It is our mission to fight for good and to fight for freedom.  

Life Coach for entreprenuers, Whitney Barbary, shares how she discovered healing by setting boundaries, changing daily habits, and seeking the hidden 20%.  Now she uses that super power to help others find their best self and give it away to brighten the world.  She is an enneagram powerhouse 8 and she is not apologizing for bringing the fire! Her podcast, Grace & Gasoline, is the perfect potion for life. We all need more understanding of grace blended with coloring outside the lines and living a life fueled by passion and conviction.  Check out her site to find out more about her and link to her podcast:  www.whitneybarbary.com   

Wow! Deanna brings so much truth and so much life in today's episode. She is a Nurse Practioner focused on functional medicine and women's health. She has bravely stepped out of the clinic setting to create her own way of meeting women in their lives and create space to give them permission to feel worthy and to pursue wholeness.   Today she gives us nutritional information for each phase of our monthly cycle. This episode is packed with helpful information for you to know and cherish your body. She is working for you!  Meet Deanna!  https://www.instagram.com/womensholisticwellness/  Freebie! Balance your hormones:  https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60f06c55d2b5fd459146b57d