What If We Loved?

To start of our 4th season, Bruce, Shay, and Janie sit down with our wonderful guest, Melissa Zaldivar (and author and speaker), to talk about singleness. How can we view singleness when we ourselves are single, and how can we (as the Church) love the single people around us? To check out more from Melissa, check out her website at Melissazaldivar.com.

Bruce and Shay recently witnessed their daughter get married, and Janie is halfway through her first pregnancy. With so much change in the air, the 3 reflect on parenthood: the goals, hopes, and experiences. They also talk about what the Bible says about good parenting, as well as about how God shows Himself as a Father in our lives.

Bruce, Shay, and Janie sat down with Amy Julia Becker for the second time, this time joined by her daughter Penny. Penny is a student, a dancer, and she talked to us about many things including her experience with having Down Syndrome. Penny's input, as well as Amy's, is invaluable, and taught us much about disabilities and love. We hope this conversation helps you love others with more fullness and understanding, just as it helped us.

Bruce, Shay, and Janie sit down to talk about religious guilt, and the temptation to perform in Christian culture because of a desire to be loved, accepted, and known as faithful. They talk about ways they see this in society, and ultimately provide refreshing insights and remedies to living a life of religious guilt.  

In this podcast, Bruce, Shay, and Janie sit down with Justin and Kelly Rife, who are the Community Pastors at Catch The Fire Church and the Founders and Leaders of "Embrace." With Embrace, Justin and Kelly have delivered food to hundreds of people in their city. We talk to them about their motivation to love others, their ups-and-downs in doing so, and how they have seen God move. We love their insight and wisdom and we feel inspired, and we hope you do too!

How can we love others and be advocates for change in our communities? Is it possible to listen well to others in the midst of disagreement? Bruce, Shay, and Janie talk about the division that politics brings to the Church body, as well as the ideal picture of what an election year could look like if we are able to tune into Jesus' love and grace.

After significant revelations, breakthroughs, and encounters from God, we may fear forgetting them, and going 'back to normal.' Is there something we need to do to hold on to the revelations and walk in that new way? In this episode, Bruce, Shay, and Janie reflect on seasons they learned from God and how they continued to live in that new reality after the revelation.

There's a tension between fearlessness in vulnerability and wisdom in sharing with others. But ultimately, there is a huge reward in following the Holy Spirit when He nudges us to share. How can we be vulnerable when we have shame about something we've done? And should we *always* be vulnerable?

Bruce, Shay, and Janie continue their discussion on marriage in this 'Part 2.' Communication, trust, and forgiveness all play a big role in the health of a marriage. We hope in listening to this podcast, you feel encouraged to give grace to your partner, try to understand their values, and 'be kind.' Also, find the Part 1 in our podcast episodes!

What does a healthy marriage look like with Christ at the center? Bruce, Shay, and Janie talk about marriage, identity, and the importance of vows. Marriage is a covenant, not a contract. Given that marriage is a huge topic, we've split this into two parts. Tune into our 'Part 2' soon to hear more about practicalities like communication, forgiveness, and trust. 

To start off the new season, Bruce, Shay, and Janie meet up with Jennifer Dukes Lee to talk about a few of her fabulous books. Years ago, Jennifer left her busy, city life in favor of a slower-paced life in the country. As her outside environment changed, God also showed her the importance of changing the rush inside of her mind and heart. He taught her how to live in rest, and how to ‘grow slow.' She speaks from years' experience of pondering with the Lord, and wants to share what He has taught her. If you think you need to achieve and speed through life, this podcast is for you! We also strongly recommend her new guided journal for anyone wanting to let their guard down with God. To find “Growing Slow” as well as the guided journal “Stuff I'd Only Tell God,” you can visit her website: https://jenniferdukeslee.com 

In this podcast, Bruce, Shay, and Janie talk about the hot-button issue of deconstruction. Is all deconstructing good? Is all deconstructing bad? How can we evaluate our beliefs with God's help? Tune in to hear about the benefits and pitfalls of questioning our beliefs.

Bruce, Shay, and Janie are thrilled to sit down with Duncan and Kate Smith, world changers for the Kingdom. Duncan and Kate are the Senior Leaders for Catch The Fire Raleigh and the Presidents of Catch The Fire World. On this podcast, they discuss how they first encountered the Father's Love and how this has transformed them. They offer many insights on how they kept asking God for more refinement, and we know their experiences will bless and guide you in how to do the same.

Bruce, Shay, and Janie have fun talking about different movies that remind them of God's love and truth. While no movie can perfectly encapsulate or represent all of God, some movies can surprise us and break through to our hearts. We'd love to hear some of your favorites too, so feel free to leave them in the comments.

This week, Bruce, Shay, and Janie talk with Amy Julia Becker about her latest book "To Be Made Well." In her book, she talks about the connection between the Body, Mind, and Spirit and dives into her own experience with healing. Healing from Jesus is often put into a box, but in looking at the story of the woman with the issue of bleeding from the Bible, Amy Julia sees a new side of healing.

For this podcast, Bruce, Shay, and Janie were blessed to talk to artist ChanMi Jung Pyles. ChanMi is a gifted artist who loves modern and abstract painting. When she felt God calling her to step out and sell her art, she was hesitant. This creative calling was different than the academic life she pursued as a young woman and the full-time ministry calling she followed for years. Yet, she felt God showing her the importance of art. We hope you, too, see the holiness and importance of creativity as you listen to her journey. View her art at: https://www.chanmisartjourney.com or on her instagram (her username is chanmisartjourney)

In this episode, Bruce, Shay, and Janie talk about evangelism. Evangelism can feel religious when we think we need to do it to prove we are Christian. What would evangelism look like if we approach it from a place of loving others, and wanting them to know of the great life God offers? We see all kinds of evangelism styles- varying from people yelling on corners to others not saying anything at all. How can we be bold in evangelizing, all while refusing to become prideful when people see God through us? We'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Feel free to email us at info@loveinsideout.org.

This week, Love Inside Out sits down with Kristen Thomas, a powerful advocate of foster care and heart healing. She grew up in the foster care system, and now wants others to know some key insights she has gleaned from her experiences, not only about foster care, but also about God's heart. We hope her story speaks to you and that you have a greater awareness and understanding of life because of her experiences. Thank you Kristen for being with us.

Bruce, Shay, and Janie discuss the Asbury revival, as well as the concept of revival in general. How is God moving and how can we respond to critiques and criticisms of these gatherings? God moves in mysterious ways at times, and we are excited that this revival could be the beginning of something God has spoken to us about- an upcoming tsunami wave of His love! 

Stories are special in that they invite people into a new experience. Jesus used stories and, in the process, passed on a message and a feeling simultaneously. Why are stories unique and why are they necessary? And how can Jesus use the art and creativity of stories today? We hope you feel encouraged to share your stories after listening to this podcast. 

In this episode, Bruce, Shay, and Janie sit down with Nicole Zasowski. Nicole is a licensed therapist, speaker, and writer, and today, we talk about her latest book What If It's Wonderful? We often fear celebrating because we believe we are protecting ourselves (or others) from pain by anticipating the worst. Through research, Nicole discovered the truth about our pre-emptive worry, and she has realized the true importance of celebration. To find her books and more of her resources, check out her website: https://www.nicolezasowski.com

In this episode, Bruce, Shay, and Janie meet with Dr. Carol Peters-Tanksley to discuss her book "The Christian's Journey Through Grief." Dr. Carol shares how God walked her through grief after the loss of her husband, and she now desires to help others in the process of grief. We pray, if that is you, this podcast speaks into your heart and helps you in your healing journey. Grief can be "big" or "small," but it is a process God wants to join you on. If you are wanting for more resources on grief, Dr. Carol offers a 30-day email devotional series: https://drcarolministries.lpages.co/30-days-christians-journey-through-grief/ Also, for more resources (including her books), feel free to check out: https://www.drcarolministries.com

Bruce, Shay, and Janie meet to talk about some blocks that keep them from intimacy with God. As they discuss a few of their blocks, they find a common solution on how to push past them. (And this solution also happens to be very fitting for this holiday week).

In this episode, Shay and Janie sit down with author Juli Sellers. Juli recently released her book "Yes, Father," which covers her journey of caring for her father in the midst of his decline with Alzheimer's. As she reflects on her writing, she talks about the importance of following how God leads, embracing forgiveness as a process, and loving when it's hard.

Bruce, Shay, and Janie start season two by focusing on unity within the body. The importance of unity cannot be overlooked, and was emphasized by Jesus in the Bible. Why is it important to have unity? And how can we aim for unity in a culture that seems determined to highlight our differences?

In this episode, Bruce, Shay, and Janie talk about suffering, and how God shows Himself in (sometimes) unexpected ways. We have all gone through harder seasons. Does this mean God isn't there? Or that He is failing us? How can we rest assured in His love as we go through challenges?

The Love Inside Out team is joined by Nigel Mumford, who is the Associate Priest at Galilee Church in Virginia Beach, President of By His Wounds Ministry (https://byhiswoundsministry.org/), Founder of the Welcome Home Initiate, and author of 8 books. In addition to these many roles, Nigel's life has been one of praying for (and seeing) the miracles of God. He talks about some of these healings, as well as what to do when we don't see the manifestation of healing or feel God's love.

This week, Bruce, Shay, and Janie are joined by Murray and Ash Smith. Murray and Ash are the lead pastors of Catch The Fire Raleigh, and soon-to-be leaders of Catch The Fire Toronto. Those who know this pure-hearted couple know their passion for loving others well, and their dedication to living in Jesus' embrace. In this podcast, they share how they each first encountered the Father's love and how living in love has changed their lives in practical ways.

Jealousy and contentment are opposites, but how can we stop the jealousy from coming up in us? Where does jealousy stem from and what can we do to be free? It can often feel impossible to 'just stop' being jealous, but there is more for us! The team dives into the topic of jealousy and how to go from jealousy to contentment so we can be people of love, from the inside out.

In this podcast, Bruce, Shay, and Janie talk about the major differences between the Old and New Covenants discussed in the Bible. When Jesus reconciled us to the Father, we entered into the New Covenant and are consequently free and completely saved by grace. But sometimes, we can catch ourselves living like we are still in the Old: working for salvation and striving for God's love. Tune in as the team tackles how to get out of that Old Covenant way of living, as we accept the freedom Jesus died to give us.

In the final episode of the series "Shame, Fear, and Control," Bruce, Shay, and Janie talk about the power of surrender and trust in our walks with God. Join us as we discuss our own struggles with control as well as what we see as the ultimate solution, as demonstrated by Jesus Himself.

In this episode, Bruce, Shay, Janie, and Lisa discuss the debilitating effect of fear, which occurs often as a result of shame. This is the second part of the three-part series: Shame, Fear, and Control. The group dives into different fears they've had and how those fears have been conquered.

Bruce and Shay dive into the topic of shame in this first part of the series: Shame, Fear, and Control. We all want to be free from shame, but how? In this podcast, we talk about what shame is, what it can lead to, and how we can get free from it.

If there's one thing that the world needs to hear today, it's the wonderful message of Hope that Jesus gives us. It can be easy to lose hope in the face of mixed messages from media and governmental organizations, as well as our own personal loss. But, Jesus is our living hope. He offers a hope that's alive. Unlike the world's hope, which is circumstantial, Jesus is a living hope that never spoils or fades. 1 Peter 1:3-5 Proverbs 13:12 Romans 8:37-39 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 Learn more about LIO: LoveInsideout.org If you liked this episode, please consider donating at loveinsideout.org/donate.

Whether it's due to a divorce, death or physical separation, the holidays may be a source of grief instead of joy for you. The pressure of having to be “on” and “happy” during the holidays can add stress to an already overwhelming situation. The Lord knows that the empty seat at the table can be excruciating. As Christians, one thing we can do is be aware of the hurt that our brothers and sisters in Christ are going through and reach out with an open invitation. If you're someone who has experienced loss and grief during the holidays, know that it's OK to grieve and cry. The Lord wants to comfort you. He knows what it's like to lose loved ones and suffer. He is there to comfort you no matter what you're going through.

What we have in common as believers is so much greater than any worldly issue that would seek to divide us. But, what happens when we have different views on the issues that face our world? How do we relate to one another in love despite our differences? In the last two years, we've seen very different opinions on the topic of COVID-19 - along with varying reactions to those opinions. As brothers and sisters, we aim to look at each other in the eyes and remember our shared love of the Lord, and not fall into a place of judgement. The body of Christ isn't called to walk the polarizing paths, but to love each other despite our differences. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, 1 John 4:18

What does it really mean to live as family? If we've grown up in a family that was difficult, are we putting that template on the body of Christ? This week we continue on with the theme of foundations. As Jesus cleans up our hearts, He is restoring and renewing the foundation of our heart. This is how we get a new foundation to which to stand on. And it's a foundation of His love. We can be comforted, that in a world of divisiveness, we all have something in common as believers - Jesus is living within us. We have a connection with one another. We're actually connected by Him, and in Him we have our family. Ephesians 2, Ephesians 4, Romans 5

Jesus prayed that we'd all be one. If we have His heart swelling within us, we can more easily express God's heart to each other. But that's not always easy, is it? Especially in today's world. So, what is our response supposed to be right now, when it seems the world is going haywire? Great question! Let's go back to the beginning and talk about foundation. The bombs of life can come in and make cracks in our foundation: injustice, wounds, hurts, trauma, financial troubles, unforgiveness, infidelities, etc. Maybe you can't perceive when He is filling in the cracks, but He is faithful. 1 Corinthians 3

In today's episode, Bruce, Shay, Lisa and Janie revisit a beautiful promise in Ezekiel 36. “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:25-26). Christian faith is really meant to be a religion of the heart. Over the last two decades, we (Bruce and Shay) have sensed that God is preparing to do a special work in the heart of His children - and it is going to be truly extraordinary. We believe God longs to bring wholeness to our hearts, and when we do that, we can receive so much more of His love. Will our hearts be able to receive when the Lord pours out this wave? If the tsunami of God's love were to come today, what areas of our hearts are so hardened that we can't receive His love? Are we ready? “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). Ezekiel 36:25-26, 1 Corinthians 3, Ephesians 2:22, Psalm 139:23-24 Did this episode bless you? Donate today: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/lio/info/podcast

Head knowledge and heart understanding are two different things. But what happens when the eyes of our hearts are closed, like in John 5? God sent His Son to this earth, and He felt everything we experienced - and more! We have a God who is deeply relational, so let's dive in and see what Scripture says about this topic. Matthew 13 John 5

Join your hosts Bruce & Shay Mason as they continue on the topic of the importance of the heart, as it relates to the Christian life. Follow along or simply listen as they discuss the various scriptures that point us to what God cares about most - our hearts.

Join Bruce and Shay Mason (founders of Love Inside Out Ministries) for their premier episode of their podcast, “What If We Loved?” Have you ever felt you're striving in your Christian walk? Feeling burnt out? Are you wondering if that's all there is to the Christian life? We're here to walk along side you, share our stories, and let you know that there IS more to this Christian walk than just treading along. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30. If you'd like to learn more about Love Inside Out, please visit: www.loveinsideout.org