Podcasts about Finding Joy

Are you exhausted from trying to do all the right things—but still feel like your family life isn't extraordinary?You're not alone. Many parents work tirelessly to manage schedules, teach principles, read parenting books, pray, practice gratitude, and still feel burnt out, disconnected, and frustrated.In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning unpack a heartfelt question from a listener who has been “doing it all” since 2020—yet still feels stuck. Together, they reveal why doing more isn't the solution and why misaligned priorities, half-hearted effort, and misplaced energy may be keeping you from the extraordinary life you crave.

Special guest Mike Berland joins The Mental Golf Show. They discuss the multifaceted nature of golf, emphasizing the importance of enjoyment over mere improvement. Mike shares personal experiences and insights on the psychological aspects of the game, the social dynamics involved, and the need for modernizing golf to make it more inclusive. The discussion highlights the balance between striving for better performance and appreciating the joy of the game, ultimately advocating for a more relaxed and fulfilling approach to golf. Topics discussed: The Joy of Golf vs. Improvement Mental Game and Flow State Social Aspects of Golf Managing Expectations in Golf The Unpredictability of Golf Golf as a Social Connector Topgolf and Accessibility of Golf Rekindling the Love for Golf The Role of Mental Focus in Golf Performance Overcoming Distractions and Regaining Focus The Journey to Improvement and Consistency The Social Dynamics of Golf Modernizing Golf for Inclusivity The Evolution of Golf During the Pandemic Personal Exploration vs. Social Aspects of Golf The Message of 'Not About Golf' Mike Berland's links: Book: Not About Golf: The Life Changing Joy of Playing the Game Facebook LinkedIn Instagram -----

Send us a textIn this episode of Thrive Solo, my guest is Majo Torreli, a single, childfree somatic coach based in Madrid, who shares her journey of overcoming unhealthy relationship patterns through somatic practices. We discuss the significance of connecting with our bodies, the role of somatics in cultivating self-worth and self-love, and practical strategies to manage anxieties in social and dating scenarios. Majo also provides insights into maintaining high vibrational energy and reclaiming agency over one's life, and she invites listeners to engage with somatic practices to transform their relationships and self-perception.03:45 Majo's Journey to Somatic Coaching07:56 Understanding Somatic Work10:21 Practical Somatic Techniques for Single Women18:29 Navigating New Relationships with Confidence25:54 Breaking Free from Bad Relationships34:38 Daily Practices for Groundedness and Self-Connection37:18 Empowering Single Women Through Somatic Practices38:27 Cultivating Pleasure and Sexual Energy44:17 Finding Joy in Everyday Moments47:27 The Power of Energy and Vibrational Frequency59:21 Understanding and Overcoming Anxious Attachment01:03:42 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsGrab your FREE somatic session with Majo at: https://www.shesembodied.com/Follow Majo on TikTok & Instagram: @shesembodiedGet Majo's FREE Manifesting Guide: https://www.shesembodied.com/no-fluff-manifesting-for-the-smart-woman Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Kristen Massey is a lifelong music lover and musician, who shares her journey from a Beatles-obsessed child to a band member in the Chicago rock scene, and her enduring passion for songwriting in today's episode. Jesse and her discuss Kristen's musical influences, her record deal with Mercury, her diverse career including recipe writing and voiceover work, and her book 'The J Life Lessons from a Jill of All Trades.' Tune in for heartfelt stories, reflections on creativity, and of course, Bruce Springsteen's impact. Don't miss out on this celebration of connections, resilience, and the music that binds us all. 01:16 Meet the Guest: Kristen's Musical Journey 01:55 From Beatles to Bruce: Early Influences 05:15 Discovering Springsteen: A Life-Changing Moment 07:57 The Songwriting Path: Inspirations and Beginnings 12:44 Pursuing a Music Career: Challenges and Triumphs 17:27 A New Chapter: Writing and Other Ventures 21:35 Life Lessons and Reflections 24:43 Embracing Life's Journey 25:07 Starting a Podcast: Tips and Insights 27:06 Finding Joy in Creativity 29:03 The Power of Awe and Exploration 31:36 The Art of Songwriting vs. Book Writing 33:42 The Passion Behind Music and Writing 36:44 The Importance of Passion and Persistence 37:40 Reflecting on Bruce Springsteen's Influence 41:36 Final Thoughts and Farewell https://thejoatbook.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-massey-210049190/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode there is no holding back. Charlie Kirk's assassination woke up something in me that has officially been activated. I'm out for demonic destruction. So in todays episode: - I recap what my thoughts are about Charlie Kirk's death - Recap the amazing Divine Design Homebirth Retreat - Expose the practice of conscious conception and "Spirit babies" so you can avoid!   1. Download the Workbook Here- https://peacefulhomebirth.thrivecart.com/findjoy/ 2. Join PHC for a 7 Day Free trial and submit your homework - peacefulhomebirth.com/collective 3. Get the retreat replay here- peacefulhomebirth.com/replay   Sponsors- Araza: Find Your Shade Here Click to get 15% off & use code PEACEFULHOMEBIRTH Create a free account on Fullscript: Get 10% Off All High Quality Supplements Everyday Dose Mushroom Coffee: https://www.everydaydose.com/ALYMCCLAIN   Connect with Aly: IG- @peacefulhomebirth & @simplymcclain FB Group- www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulhomebirth Grab your Prenatal Wellness Protocol

I talk with Dr. Victoria Sekely, she is dedicated to helping runners of all levels by using her skills and knowledge to assist runners who are rehabbing from an injury, interested in injury prevention, and/or looking to improve their training with custom running programs. Victoria and I are talking about how to unlearn perfectionism in running. She shares her journey with this and how she is still working on finding the joy and passion she once had with running. This episode is a replay from July 10, 2023.   Follow Victoria on Instagram @trainsmartrunstrong. Check out her website www.trainsmartrunstrong.com.   Ready for some new socks? Check out Sock Guy and use my code serena20 for 20% off your order! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @runnergirldietitian

This week on Brown Ambition, Mandi sits down with powerhouse lawyer, author, and TV host Eboni K. Williams for an inspiring and transparent conversation about life, career, and motherhood. Eboni opens up about her journey to becoming a solo mom by choice, navigating a 45-hour labor, and the support system that helped her through postpartum. She also shares hard truths about the maternal health crisis for Black women, the realities of egg freezing and fertility treatments, and why she named her daughter Liberty. On the career side, Eboni breaks down how she runs her business like a CEO, why she’ll never take a W-2 job again, and how she leverages visibility from projects like The Real Housewives of New York to fuel her purpose-driven work. From resilience in dark seasons to practical money lessons about multiple streams of income, this episode is a blueprint for building life — and wealth — on your own terms. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why Eboni chose solo motherhood and what her birth and postpartum journey looked like The realities of fertility treatments and egg freezing that most women don’t hear upfront How to navigate being a small business owner in media and beyond Why multiple streams of income are critical (no matter your salary level) The emotional cost and visibility gain of being the first Black Real Housewife of NYC How to reclaim cultural identity and patriotism on your own terms Resources & Links

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3118: Allison Carmen shares how embracing the things that irritate us, rather than resisting them, can open the door to greater peace and joy. By shifting perspective from judgment to acceptance, she reveals how even life's daily annoyances can become opportunities for inner growth and freedom. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://www.allisoncarmen.com/finding-joy-by-accepting-things-that-bother-us/ Quotes to ponder: "When we accept the things that bother us, they lose their power." "Acceptance does not mean we agree or approve, it means we choose peace over resistance." "Joy comes not from avoiding discomfort, but from embracing life as it is." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3118: Allison Carmen shares how embracing the things that irritate us, rather than resisting them, can open the door to greater peace and joy. By shifting perspective from judgment to acceptance, she reveals how even life's daily annoyances can become opportunities for inner growth and freedom. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://www.allisoncarmen.com/finding-joy-by-accepting-things-that-bother-us/ Quotes to ponder: "When we accept the things that bother us, they lose their power." "Acceptance does not mean we agree or approve, it means we choose peace over resistance." "Joy comes not from avoiding discomfort, but from embracing life as it is." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fluent Fiction - Danish: Survival with a Spark: Finding Joy in the Darkness Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2025-09-12-22-34-02-da Story Transcript:Da: Under jorden hang en svag lugt af metal og jord, mens lysstofrør i loftet kastede et koldt lys over de betonvægge.En: Underground, there hung a faint smell of metal and earth, while fluorescent lights on the ceiling cast a cold light over the concrete walls.Da: Hylderne i bunkeren var fulde af konserves, dåser, og stærkt lugtende paraffinlys.En: The shelves in the bunker were full of canned goods, tins, and strongly smelling paraffin candles.Da: Her stod Mikkel og Freja klar til at gøre deres evighedsindkøb en regnfuld efterårsdag.En: Here stood Mikkel and Freja ready to make their eternity purchase on a rainy autumn day.Da: Mikkel tjekkede sin liste for fjerde gang.En: Mikkel checked his list for the fourth time.Da: "Vi har brug for flere dåser bønner," sagde han, medens han pegede på det næsten fyldte indkøbskurv.En: "We need more cans of beans," he said, while pointing to the nearly filled shopping basket.Da: Han havde kort, pjusket hår og bar altid en praktisk jakke.En: He had short, tousled hair and always wore a practical jacket.Da: Freja, derimod, stod med en regnbuefarvet paraply.En: Freja, on the other hand, stood with a rainbow-colored umbrella.Da: Hendes øjne glimtede af nysgerrighed, mens hun så sig omkring.En: Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked around.Da: "Skal vi ikke også tage nogle balloner eller glow sticks?En: "Shouldn't we also get some balloons or glow sticks?Da: Kunne være sjovt i mørket!"En: Could be fun in the dark!"Da: spurgte hun med et grin.En: she asked with a laugh.Da: Mikkel sukkede.En: Mikkel sighed.Da: "Vi har brug for at fokusere på det vigtige, Freja.En: "We need to focus on what's important, Freja.Da: Hvad hvis strømmen går?En: What if the power goes out?Da: Vi skal have lys og varme!"En: We need light and warmth!"Da: Hans tone var alvorlig, mens han pillede ved sin lommelygte.En: His tone was serious as he fiddled with his flashlight.Da: Freja trak på skuldrene, men som altid med et smil.En: Freja shrugged, but as always with a smile.Da: "Men livet handler ikke kun om at overleve, Mikkel.En: "But life isn't just about surviving, Mikkel.Da: Vi skal også leve lidt."En: We have to live a little too."Da: Konflikten mellem deres prioriteter var tydelig.En: The conflict between their priorities was clear.Da: Mikkel pev over de ressourcer, de endnu ikke havde samlet sammen.En: Mikkel fretted over the resources they had yet to gather.Da: Freja ønskede, de ikke glemte glæden i øjeblikkene.En: Freja wanted them not to forget the joy in the moments.Da: Pludselig gik lyset ud.En: Suddenly, the lights went out.Da: Stilheden i mørket var tung, kun afbrudt af lyden af deres åndedræt.En: The silence in the darkness was heavy, only interrupted by the sound of their breathing.Da: "Freja?"En: "Freja?"Da: kaldte Mikkel, stemmen lidt hæs af nervøsitet.En: called Mikkel, his voice a bit hoarse with nervousness.Da: "Jeg er her," svarede hun beroligende.En: "I'm here," she replied reassuringly.Da: Hun famlede i sin taske og trak en håndfuld glow sticks op.En: She fumbled in her bag and pulled out a handful of glow sticks.Da: Med et klik begyndte de at gløde i livlige farver, og rummet blev oplyst af en dansende regnbue.En: With a snap, they began to glow in lively colors, and the room was lit with a dancing rainbow.Da: Mikkel kunne ikke lade være med at grine.En: Mikkel couldn't help but laugh.Da: En lettelse skyllede over ham.En: A relief washed over him.Da: "Okay, måske var de glow sticks ikke en så dårlig idé alligevel," indrømmede han og skænkede hende et skævt smil.En: "Okay, maybe the glow sticks weren't such a bad idea after all," he admitted, giving her a crooked smile.Da: De to arbejdede sammen om at få bunkeren klar.En: The two worked together to get the bunker ready.Da: Mikkel stolede på Frejas øje for det sjove, og Freja stolede på Mikkels praktiske sans.En: Mikkel relied on Freja's eye for fun, and Freja relied on Mikkel's practicality.Da: De fandt en balance.En: They found a balance.Da: Da de endelig stod ved udgangen, tungt lastede med forsyninger og lidt ekstra fornøjelser, havde de lært noget nyt.En: When they finally stood at the exit, heavily loaded with supplies and a few extra pleasures, they had learned something new.Da: "Vi klarede det," sagde Mikkel og kiggede kærligt på Freja.En: "We did it," said Mikkel, looking affectionately at Freja.Da: "Ja, og i morgen kan vi øve os i at kaste lys sticks i mørket," lo hun tilbage og holdt hans hånd fast.En: "Yes, and tomorrow we can practice tossing glow sticks in the dark," she laughed back and held his hand tightly.Da: Mens de klatrede op ad trappen, forenet i et øjeblik af fælles forståelse, vidste de, at det var denne balance, der ville holde dem sikre – og glade.En: As they climbed the stairs, united in a moment of mutual understanding, they knew it was this balance that would keep them safe – and happy. Vocabulary Words:underground: under jordenfaint: svagfluorescent: lysstofrørbunker: bunkerenparaffin: paraffinlyseternity purchase: evighedsindkøbtousled: pjusketpractical: praktiskrainbow-colored: regnbuefarvetcuriosity: nysgerrighedballoons: ballonerglow sticks: glow stickssigh: sukkedetone: toneflashlight: lommelygteconflict: konfliktenpriorities: prioriteterfret: pevresources: ressourcernervousness: nervøsitetfumbled: famledereassuringly: beroligenderelief: lettelsecrooked smile: skævt smilbalance: balanceaffectionately: kærligtmutual understanding: fælles forståelsesupplies: forsyningerpleasures: fornøjelserclimbed: klatrede

Today’s Bible Verse: "But let each one test his own work. Then his reason to boast will be in himself and not in his neighbor" — Galatians 6:4 In a world obsessed with comparison, Galatians 6:4 reminds us that true fulfillment comes from focusing on our own journey. God calls us to examine our actions, grow in integrity, and take pride in what He has done through us—without measuring ourselves against others. “Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ Meet Today’s Host: Reverend Jessica Van Roekel

Ever found yourself saying, “I don't even know what I like anymore”? You're not alone. Between careers, caregiving, endless checklists, and the constant pull to keep everyone else afloat, it's easy to lose touch with the things that once brought you joy. In this heartfelt episode of Chasing Brighter, we're diving into what happens when we forget what we love—and how to find our way back. Joy isn't frivolous, it's fuel. It's the spark that helps regulate your nervous system, builds resilience, and reminds you that you're more than just your responsibilities. ✨ We'll talk about: How anxiety, people-pleasing, and parenting can drown out your inner voice Why joy isn't indulgent—it's essential for your well-being Simple ways to reconnect: a “passion audit,” exploring without pressure, and prioritizing play over perfection How even 10 minutes of joy a day can shift your mood, energy, and outlook

They say firefighters never run into a burning building - they walk. Why? Because panic clouds judgment. In this season finale of Clarity Generates Confidence, Gary sits down with longtime friend and returning guest Tracy Quinton, founder of The Quinton Group. Known for cutting through emotional noise in leadership teams, Tracy shares why slowing down, creating space, and reclaiming energy are essential for thriving in today's chaotic business environment.Together, Gary and Tracy explore how leaders can break the cycle of firefighting, move from static “knowledge” to dynamic “knowledgeable,” and use imagination as the differentiator between humans and AI. With insights on time, space, energy, and even the power of a single word like joy, this conversation is a practical and refreshing guide to leading with clarity in uncertain times.

In a world that's always chasing more, Grateful invites you to slow down and appreciate what's already here.

In this episode, we're discussing a season that many moms experience but few prepare for—the moment when your child moves out. Whether it's heading off to college, starting a career, or moving into their first apartment, the nest feels quieter, and that empty chair at the dinner table can tug at your heart in ways you didn't expect. It's normal to feel a mix of emotions, grief, nostalgia, pride, and even a little fear about what comes next. Today, we're going to explore how to navigate both the grief and the gratitude of this season, so that you can embrace an empty chair with a full heart. The empty nest season can feel like loss, but it's also an invitation to see the beauty and blessing in what you've built. Listen to the three ways to embrace this season with joy. Schedule Your 30-Minute FREE Coaching Discovery Call What's Next Game Plan Instagram Facebook billie@billiejauss.com www.billiejauss.com    

In this conversation episode, I sit down with Dr. Candice Stanfield Wiswell, a writer, psychologist, and ADHD writing coach, to talk about what it means to build a joyful and sustainable writing life with ADHD. We're speaking to writers who feel scattered, stuck in perfectionist loops, or frustrated by inconsistent progress.What we're exploring:✨ ADHD isn't a flaw in your writing life—it's a different way of thinking that can fuel creativity and depth. ✨ Why typical writing routines don't always work, and how to create flexible, menu-style options instead. ✨ The NICE framework (Novel, Interesting, Challenging, Extremely urgent) and how it can help you harness your brain's natural rhythms. ✨ The role of body doubling, community, and self-compassion in making writing feel lighter.What I want novelists with ADHD to remember:Your brain isn't broken—it's brilliant. You don't need rigid rules or harsh discipline to make progress. You need curiosity, permission, and practices that honor how your mind actually works. Writing with ADHD is not about fixing yourself; it's about discovering sustainable ways to nurture your creativity and finish the stories on your heart.

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, I talk with Melanie Marshall, keynote speaker, coach and former foreign correspondent for BBC News. Melanie spent decades reporting from some of the most dangerous and disaster-stricken parts of the world and what she came away with might surprise you.We explore how, in the midst of violence, tragedy and injustice, Melanie discovered the power of human connection, joy and purpose. She shares what she's learned about storytelling, resilience and the importance of grace, especially toward ourselves. We also talk about how imposter syndrome can show up even after massive success, and how owning your story can be the most courageous act of all.About My GuestMelanie Marshall is a speaker, coach and filmmaker who spent over 20 years as a BBC journalist in some of the world's most high-risk - and surprisingly inspiring places.Working under immense pressure, in wild uncertainty, for high stakes; she managed to come out the other side with award-winning results, and with her sanity and sense of humour (mostly) intact.Now from the TEDx stage to the boardroom, Melanie's new mission is to help people use her hard-won lessons to thrive in uncertainty by leaning into their 'accidental bravery' and optimism.~Connect with Melanie:Website: www.melaniemarshall.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-marshall-237a641/~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

I'm heading to Florida this week for the Divine Design Homebirth Retreat  so I'm uploading a training I recorded for inside of my group coaching program, Peaceful Homebirth Collective, as a part of their workshop and homework to do this week. You too can download the Workbook and do the homework with this episode: 1. Download the Workbook Here- https://peacefulhomebirth.thrivecart.com/findjoy/ 2. Join PHC for a 7 Day Free trial and submit your homework - peacefulhomebirth.com/collective   Sponsors- Araza: Find Your Shade Here Click to get 15% off & use code PEACEFULHOMEBIRTH Create a free account on Fullscript: Get 10% Off All High Quality Supplements Everyday Dose Mushroom Coffee: https://www.everydaydose.com/ALYMCCLAIN   Connect with Aly: IG- @peacefulhomebirth FB Group- www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulhomebirth Grab your Prenatal Wellness Protocol

Thanks for joining Jill Baughan today on Finding Joy ...No Matter What.   Make a Joy Box for Someone You Care About: https://jillbaughan.com/joy-box/   Baughan, Jill. No Matter What: 90 Devotions for Experiencing Unexpected Joy in Tough Times. Our Daily Bread Publishers, 2025. https://www.amazon.com/Matter-What-Devotions-Experiencing-Unexpected/dp/1640703969/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?crid=2P84MZ9ZHR8GP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tntQJ9EM7blGaZoioVbqX6I_0yYOKo8tdykCW8iK-uAvkXQk9Ry0lpqv5B5AbILG2ukb9dFrb2IXoEgQqylefy1nbqk0864loTgd-KtpMP4.n3_3ScZp85susbWQjitYEXe9t2G22Lh_kSGcJ0-dWF8&dib_tag=se&keywords=jill+baughan+book&qid=1740769177&sprefix=jill+baughan%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-2-fkmr0   Connect with Jill: Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Twitter ~  Website  

We're talking with Distinguished Professor of Art History at Cleveland State University about building a scholarly foundation for future historians of art through writing and then moving in a new direction with more popular writing. We talked about writing for Smithsonian Magazine; writing about artists who are still alive; how to surmount the challenges of getting your editor to include images in your book; and when cold-calling really pays off. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Sermon on Ecclesiastes 2:18-3:8. This is the fifth and final sermon in our summer sermon series called Wisdom.Scripture's poetry and wisdom literature can be difficult to understand. We'll end the summer with a short survey of the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, both of which will remind us of the importance of wisdom working hand-in-hand with the Lord we serve.In this sermon, we explore how instead of trying to control our lives, we can choose to find joy in them.

Welcome to prison! As Tim begins a series on Philippians, we examine the privilege and thankfulness Paul expresses about his opportunity to glorify God even while in chains.

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1388/29

Transitions often bring a mix of joy and grief. When we release something precious—a child leaving home, a season ending, or a chapter closing—it’s natural to feel empty or unsettled. Yet God, in His compassion, promises new mercies every morning and fresh blessings for every season. In today’s prayer devotional, Keri Eichberger reflects on the bittersweet milestone of sending her son off to college and invites us to redirect our hearts toward God’s unfailing love. Even when grief lingers, His compassions never fail, and His unfailing love leads us into a future filled with purpose and joy. Main Takeaways Transition often brings loss, but it also ushers in new opportunities for growth and joy. God’s mercies are new every morning—He continually provides compassion, strength, and blessing. Looking forward in faith helps us release the past while embracing the future God has prepared. Cherished memories remain gifts of joy even as God leads us into new seasons. Bible Verse References Lamentations 3:32 – Though He brings grief, He will show compassion. Lamentations 3:22-23 – His compassions are new every morning. Psalm 30:5 – Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Calls to Action (CTAs) Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for daily encouragement rooted in God’s Word. Share this episode with a friend or parent walking through a season of transition. Leave a review to help others discover hope through Scripture-based prayer. Resources & Related Articles 5 Prayers for Letting Go and Trusting God – Crosswalk.com Finding Joy in Life’s Transitions – iBelieve.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

On episode 345, Sabrina forecasts the September 7 eclipse.go deeper:Free Pluto course: https://www.sabrinamonarch.com/pluto-mini-courseThe Lunar Mysteries of Creation talk: https://www.sabrinamonarch.com/the-lunar-mysteries-of-creationVisit my website for booking readings or EFT sessions or learning about my 1:1 coaching Oracle Body: https://www.sabrinamonarch.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

n this solo episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse Schwamb dives into a theological exploration of work as an extension of Christian calling that extends far beyond paid employment. Building upon their previous discussion about vocational choices for Christians, Jesse addresses the question: "Does a Christian's work ever cease?" Through careful examination of Ephesians 2:8-10 and other passages, he argues that while the nature of our work may change through different seasons of life—including retirement, caregiving, or illness—God has prepared good works for believers to walk in throughout their entire earthly journey. The episode offers both theological foundations and practical guidance on how Christians can approach all forms of labor as worship, finding purpose and meaning in every season of life. Key Takeaways Good works are not the basis of salvation but its goal—Christians are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), not by works, yet they are saved for good works that God has prepared in advance (Ephesians 2:10). The Christian's work never ceases but changes form—Whether in paid employment, retirement, caregiving, or even during illness, God has prepared meaningful work for believers in every season of life. All work has spiritual value when done unto the Lord—The Reformed tradition elevates all forms of work, not just paid employment, as having potential to glorify God. Prayer is a significant and valuable form of work—Even those who cannot engage in physical labor can participate in the vital spiritual work of intercessory prayer. Good works offer multiple benefits to believers—According to the Westminster Confession, good works manifest gratitude to God, bolster assurance of faith, encourage other Christians, adorn Christian doctrine, silence critics, and glorify God. Christian workers should be distinctively different—Believers can stand out in the workplace by being fair and committed, genuinely caring for others, demonstrating generosity, remaining calm under pressure, and being authentic about their faith. Finding our identity in Christ transforms our approach to work—When we place our ultimate treasure in heaven rather than earthly gain, we can approach our labors with greater peace, purpose, and freedom from anxiety. Elaboration on Key Points The Christian's Work Never Ceases but Changes Form Jesse challenges the modern Western notion that work is merely a season of life that eventually ends with retirement. Instead, he presents a more ancient and biblical perspective: that work never ceases but merely takes different forms throughout our lives. Using Paul's metaphor of "walking" in the good works God has prepared (Ephesians 2:10), Jesse explains that our journey continues throughout life, with the landscape changing as we move through different seasons. Whether we're in paid employment, caring for loved ones, serving in retirement, or confined to a bed during illness, God has prepared meaningful work for us to do. Even those who are physically limited can engage in the vital work of intercessory prayer, which Jesse describes as "the kind of work that is so glorious... that while it exhausts us, it exhausts us in a way that brings us the greatest kind of sleep or refreshment." This perspective eliminates the anxiety many Christians feel about the purpose of their later years and affirms the ongoing value of their contributions to God's kingdom regardless of their physical capacity or economic productivity. Good Works Offer Multiple Benefits to Believers Drawing from the Westminster Confession of Faith, Jesse outlines six significant benefits of good works in the Christian life. First, good works manifest our gratitude to God for the gift of His Son—they become tangible expressions of thankfulness for salvation. Second, they bolster assurance of faith by providing evidence of God's work in our lives. Third, good works encourage other Christians toward greater acts of Christ-centered love, as we witness the transforming power of the gospel in one another. Fourth, they adorn the doctrine of God our Savior, making abstract theological truths visible and attractive to others. Fifth, good works silence critics who devalue biblical Christianity by demonstrating its positive impact. Finally, they glorify God by displaying His transformative work of love in our lives. These benefits apply to all forms of work—paid or unpaid—and give eternal significance to even the most mundane tasks when done unto the Lord. As Jesse emphasizes, "There are no mundane things. There are no small works... There are just these small things that come alongside with the great work that God has done already in our lives." Memorable Quotes "Good works aren't bad when they're seen as the goal of salvation, not its ground. The goal, because it's worthwhile to want to worship God and to obey him by doing good works." "Keep walking on that journey knowing that God all along the way has already prepared good works for you to do because he loves you and because this is our opportunity to worship him together in everything that we do." "When we are performing this work for God, he assures our faith. He refreshes us in it. He exhausts us in the best possible way so that we might love him more, cherish him more, encourage one another more, and really come to understand his character more forthrightly."   Full Transcript [00:00:08] Jesse Schwamb: Keep walking on that journey knowing that God all along the way has already prepared good works for you to do because he loves you and because this is our opportunity to worship him together and everything that we do. [00:00:32] Jesse Schwamb: Welcome to episode 459 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse, and this is the podcast where the tulip never wilts. Hey, brothers and sisters. [00:00:48] Recap of Previous Episode [00:00:48] Jesse Schwamb: So in this episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, this solo episode, I'm gonna wrap up a conversation that Tony and I just had in the last episode and set us up, wet Your Appetite for a whole brand new series. [00:01:03] Jesse Schwamb: That's gonna be starting in the next episode. So you find yourself bookended by two really great things. One, a great conversation we just had about the Christian and work. Are there jobs that really Christians shouldn't have? Because it takes us away from what it means to serve the Lord vocationally, as strange as that sounds. [00:01:22] Jesse Schwamb: So if you didn't hear that, you're gonna wanna go check that out before you listen to me, wrap all of us up right now. In fact, here's what you should do. Stop everything you're doing, unless it's operating a vehicle or a backhoe. Power those things down. Get off the side of the road, then go to reformed brotherhood.com and you can find all of the episodes living out there that we've ever recorded, including the one from last week, and I believe will be greatly blessed by hanging out with some of those conversations. [00:01:49] Jesse Schwamb: So go and do that first. [00:01:51] The Christian's Work and Retirement [00:01:51] Jesse Schwamb: On this episode, I'm gonna talk a little bit as a follow up about. Does the Christian's work ever cease? Is there a time, because we just spoke about vocational work and work for which we're remunerated, where once that goes away, what happens next? Is it a different kind of work? [00:02:07] Jesse Schwamb: Is it no work? Should we be the kind of people that are trying to pursue an end to that remunerated work as quick as possible? Is that okay? What happens if we can't be compensated for our work anymore? What happens? We're gonna reason from the scriptures a little bit more about work, our calling and all of that by way of vocation. [00:02:26] Jesse Schwamb: And part of this conversation has actually come from a larger conversation. So one of the greatest and best things about this podcast, something I wanna boast in right now, because it has nothing to do with Tony or me, and that is. There are lots of people listening, brothers and sisters from all over the world who gathered together and debrief. [00:02:47] Jesse Schwamb: Talk about the episodes, hang out and talk about life, share funny stories, share prayer requests, support one another. And you can do that by joining our little group on a messaging app called Telegram. So in fact, here's the second thing you should do. If you go to T Me Reform Brotherhood one more time, T Me Back slash Reform Brotherhood, slap that bad boy in your favorite browser, and that'll give you a link to our little corner of this messaging app. [00:03:13] Jesse Schwamb: And there's a channel within that app just to talk about. The various episodes as a way of interacting with all of us, and as a result of the episode that we recorded last about this idea of vocational work and calling, how does that all come together? Brother Joshua posed an excellent question, which is in part the reason for the conversation I'm about to have with you all, and that is what happens. [00:03:33] Jesse Schwamb: When we retire, or what happens when we desire to set aside sufficient resources if we can, so that we can get to that place as soon as possible. What then what about work or what if we have to care for a sick, sick, loved one? Or what if we have to come and take responsibility for our family in a different or unique way that takes us away from work where we're not being paid for things in the same way anymore? [00:03:52] Jesse Schwamb: What happens then? So we are going to get to all of that on this little brief little episode that's gonna sit in between the end of our conversation on work and the beginning of our brand new series, which, you know, you want me to tell you what it is, but I'm not gonna do it. It's just not gonna happen on this episode. [00:04:09] Jesse Schwamb: So you're just gonna have to sit in that anticipation waiting. Waiting for it to come next week, but for now, let's talk a little bit more about work. [00:04:17] Good Works and Salvation [00:04:17] Jesse Schwamb: And let me start with a, a phrase that's like so obvious, but you can say it with me if you want, because we have to agree on this. At least that good works aren't bad. [00:04:27] Jesse Schwamb: I mean, good works aren't bad. They're good. By definition it seems like self-reinforcing. And as Christians, we should want to do those good works. Now, I haven't said what the good works are, haven't even explained really. Although we, Tony and I talked about this before, how they really fit into that pattern and that normative behavior of the Christian life. [00:04:44] Jesse Schwamb: But can we just agree that if the Bible is saying there are good works for us to do, then they must be good. And they must be there for a purpose. They must be there for a reason and we can't debate that. Just because we're not saved according to our works doesn't mean that we shouldn't be concerned about pursuing a life of joyful obedience to God's word. [00:05:01] Jesse Schwamb: I mean, this is why Jesus like emphatically states in the gospel. If you love me, you'll keep my commandments in obedience. However frail it is. However much we stumble, however feeble we are in actually executing it is our evidence. Our love for God and for his son Jesus Christ. So far from undermining the gospel of grace, good works are the perfect compliment to the gospel, and this is why good works are good. [00:05:29] Jesse Schwamb: So to be clear, good works are bad when they're seen as the basis of salvation. And I think if you've been with us for any length of time or you're familiar with the reform. Theological movement. If you've been steeped in the scriptures, you're gonna find that kind of compulsion, that pull that says like, well, I understand that when I use my good works as a means of somehow Meritoriously earning my salvation, they cease to be good. [00:05:54] Jesse Schwamb: This is why, of course, Jonathan Edwards called Good works of this nature, only glittering sin because they're, they have no power to redeem. They have no power to save. They have no power to. Transition yourself into some kind of a righteous sense or rubric. It's impossible. They will not do that. They do not serve that purpose. [00:06:12] Jesse Schwamb: A person is not saved by works, but by God's grace through faith in Christ. [00:06:17] The Role of Good Works in Christian Life [00:06:17] Jesse Schwamb: So this is the time where we have to love ones. Go to Ephesians chapter two. It's impossible for me to continue without at least sharing this good news. If you need to hear this again, and this may be a well rehearsed verse or a well rehearsed writing from the Apostle Paul to you, but I ask that you hear it again. [00:06:32] Jesse Schwamb: If you can with these ears that are unstopped, that are almost fresh with excitement for this really good news, this is what Paul writes to the church and Ephesus for. By grace, you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not as a result of works so that no one may boast. [00:06:51] Jesse Schwamb: For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. I mean, there's so much there that is. Lovely and refreshing. And freeing. It's not works righteousness, it's not meritorious. Salvation is clearly not of our own doing. It's not the result of these works, even the faith through which we receive salvation is a gracious, gracious gift from God. [00:07:21] Jesse Schwamb: So what a just burden taken off of our shoulders. The mantle has been removed from us. To somehow even equate or think that, well, if I have a good day and I've done a lot for God, he must love me more. I must be more ingratiated towards him, even if I have the sense that. I feel closer to him. Hopefully that closeness is the sense of joy and obedience. [00:07:40] Jesse Schwamb: And now where we get the sense that, well, because I've done something for God, he ought to do something for me or me more favorably disposed towards me. All of that is nonsense and that way just. Total foolishness and madness lies. Instead, when we turn that into our rejoicing first for the faith itself by which we receive from God, that grants us access to this great salvation. [00:08:02] Jesse Schwamb: When we see that as a gift first, then all of this other mongering for responsibility and trying to placate through the things that we can do and having this sense of guilt in our minds about what we should have done or what we did not accomplish, or even if in our own obedience toward Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we've fallen short. [00:08:20] Jesse Schwamb: We can still find there is this gift for us and the gift of salvation is ours in Christ through faith, not by works. It's very, very clear in what Paul writes to the church here as fallen creatures, even our best efforts are completely laced with sin. This also is, by the way, a really great kindness of God that we can never really be contrite enough in our coming before him and, and even in our humility, we probably can never be humble enough. [00:08:47] Jesse Schwamb: So the fact that God accepts because of Christ us into the family of God without having to put upon us this burden that you must be sorry enough for your sin, or you're not repentant enough, you haven't expressed the severe and necessary amount of contrition to really placate and understand that you have cosmically committed treason against the all powerful God of the universe. [00:09:13] Jesse Schwamb: Who could stand underneath that kind of weight. And the answer is no one, but by the grace of God through Jesus. So it's amazing. That when we start to think about work, what we find is that God is first doing all of the work in us, and we see that the first work is not our work, but his work, the secondary work, this means of obedience, of showing, our gratitude of expressing praise and worship. [00:09:37] Jesse Schwamb: Must, I think, necessarily be manifest in work that is labor of some kind, because God has first expressed himself in that kind of labor. And second, he's given it to us to do as an experience into his very being and his character, but also in service to him and to those who are around us. I promise I'm getting to all of this good stuff about what does this practically mean, but all this I think is so necessary for us. [00:10:02] Jesse Schwamb: To really set the proper understanding for what it means to have good work to do and to do this work. So these good works provide no basis for boasting because they're utterly worthless to save. They have worth in other ways, but it just turns out they're worthless In this way. It's a bit like if you take your, take your, whatever your domestic currency is, whatever the currency you, you transact in, I live and hang out in the United States, so my currency is the US dollar. [00:10:24] Jesse Schwamb: If I take a bunch of dollars with me and I go travel almost anywhere else in the world. There's a small chance they'll be accepted. And I realize I've picked the wrong currency for this metaphor at this point, but if I let, let's say, let's just pick a different one. Let's say that you live in Zimbabwe or you just happen to have a bunch of Zimbabwean dollars hanging out in your pocket. [00:10:42] Jesse Schwamb: I'm sure some of you do, and you take that currency and you come to the United States and you wanna go buy something, those dollars will not work. They just won't work. Nobody will accept them. They're worthless. They're without value. Now, do they have value? In a certain sense, of course they do. In that domestic currency, in that homeland they do. [00:10:59] Jesse Schwamb: And in the same way, though, of course, slightly different here, our works are these expression of. Obedience of love for God. But the minute we try to exchange them for salvation, what we're gonna find is God says that's worthless here. And it again, is a fool's errand to build your entire life on some kinda system or belief that says, what I'm doing is earning these dollars, making these good works, performing these things. [00:11:22] Jesse Schwamb: So I'll have gathered to myself all of this currency, which I'm then going to use to buy my salvation now, I think even in my own ears, that sounds ridiculous to say, and yet so many of us. Get caught up in that. And if we don't get caught up in whole, we sometimes get caught up in it peace wise, because again, we have a sense that, well, if I've been a particularly good Christian today, doesn't that mean that God is more happy with me? [00:11:45] Jesse Schwamb: And Paul says, no, you have been saved as a gift of God. It is his gracious act that through faith you have been given salvation, and that faith was not of your own. That itself as well was a gift. It's gift upon gift upon gift. And so even the work itself is shaped. By the sense that all that God gives us and him doing all the verbs is his gifting. [00:12:09] Jesse Schwamb: So good works are gonna provide no basis for boasting because they are worthless to save. And the only foundation for salvation is Christ, we're saved by his works, not ours. If you're looking for that good, that first, that perfect work, the thing that you could latch onto, the thing that you would say this, I'm gonna hang my hat. [00:12:27] Jesse Schwamb: And all of my life on the work that you're looking for is not the one that you can accomplish. It is the one that Jesus has already done on your behalf. So that's why I always think when I see those W wait, they're not as prevalent anymore I suppose. But do you remember a time loved ones when like the ubiquity of the WAJD bracelet and I always thought about the question, what would Jesus do? [00:12:49] Jesse Schwamb: And to me, the answer I give now somewhat tongue in cheek is everything and it's already been done. And so that is really the promise. The great blessing of the gospel that now we are saved for works and boy does that preposition make a difference. Like we should be underlining that, like putting that gilded gold in our Bibles like we are saved now for God works good, works are not bad then when they're seen as the goal of salvation, not its ground. [00:13:14] Jesse Schwamb: I wanna say that again because I think that might sound a little bit funny to some, but I've long really come to cherish this idea that it is the goal but not the ground. The goal, because it's worthwhile to want to worship God. And to obey him by doing good works. And Paul gives us an avenue in which to travel and to understand this and to reason it from the scripture so that we can be confident that that's exactly what God intends for us. [00:13:37] Jesse Schwamb: And so again, while these good works aren't meritorious salvation, they are a necessary component of Christian faith. And the first important thing that we ought to mention here. Is that when we think about work, it's not that like the reform tradition, that that theological perspective has somehow elevated work for remuneration. [00:13:55] Jesse Schwamb: I, I don't think that entirely was the whole emphasis of talking about vocation in that kind of theological sphere. That is, we have a bunch of Christians and they have to do work to survive, and some of them are cobblers and of them are cooks and some of them are cleaners. And so what we really need to do here is make sure that people understand that whatever you're getting paid for God has made you to do. [00:14:15] Jesse Schwamb: And that is not a great thing. That's all true, but the goal wasn't just to elevate that style or type of work that is the work for which you get compensated. It was to elevate all work, all work of every kind, all labor of every kind, because God is big enough that every bit of labor paid or unpaid in direct service for somebody. [00:14:34] Jesse Schwamb: Fortunately, there is no compensation or in service to someone for which there is that all of that work. It does give God glory if we mean it to. And so this is why they do all things. Whatever you do, whether you eat or whether you drink, all of even these tiny things roll up into this argument from the lesser to the greater all of work is for God's glory. [00:14:53] Jesse Schwamb: And so to tip my hat a little bit here, then I think an answer to, to Brother Joshua's question, and in a nice compliment to what Tony and I were talking about last week, there is no end to the Christian's work. There's just different types of work. Oh, we'll get to that. I'm a little bit ahead of myself here. [00:15:08] Jesse Schwamb: But of course we find in Ephesians two, it's important to understand this because there's so much of the dynamic of good works in the Christian life that are being explained there. And of course we learn that good works are the result and not the cause of being new creations, and they're testifying to the fact that we have been redeemed. [00:15:24] Jesse Schwamb: So our lives might reflect craftsmanship and character of God. So amazing, isn't it? That God has given work, that work is not a four letter word, that labor is good labor of all kinds. Is good because it's reflecting the craftsmanship in character of God in unique ways. That is like apart from doing work from this work which God has called us to, from traveling in it through our lives and participating in all kinds of different work, that there's something that would be missing in our exemplifying, the craftsmanship in character of God. [00:15:56] Jesse Schwamb: And so we see that apart from Christ. We can do nothing that pleases God, but in Christ. And here's a great promise. We are created to perform God honoring acts of obedience in Christ. We can be confident that God accepts our weak and wobbly efforts. You know, Paul further goes on to talk about good works, a result of God's pattern for the Christian life. [00:16:15] Jesse Schwamb: We don't need to wonder what God requires from us. He's told us in his word, good works are deeds done in conformity to God's word. Now the beauty of that is. That we have this pattern for the Christian life in which Paul is saying, and I think this is really helpful for our conversation, that all of the things that God has given us to do, he's already prepared. [00:16:39] Jesse Schwamb: He's already me and plus it. He's already set the table for us. He's already put all the things in place. He's already organized all the details. And he says that because he's done that we are now free to walk in them. And I interpret that walk as this idea, which I think is very particular to the way that Paul is writing here. [00:16:57] Jesse Schwamb: It's a word of encouragement that is speaking of more of a marathon and rather a sprint. So of course, like a lot of times in the West, we think of our work as a season of life in which we're doing something in service for a company and for others, creating value, which is good. All of these things can be in service to God, of course, especially when they're in honoring. [00:17:15] Jesse Schwamb: With a full counsel of the scriptures and that when we do those things, that time will end and then we start to think about what work do have left. Whereas really, of course, a more ancient way of thinking about work was that it never ceased. It was of different kinds, and we know it was of different kinds because of this idea of walking that is like you never says stop the walk. [00:17:32] Jesse Schwamb: It never says take a break. It says you're gonna continue throughout your life in this metaphor of. Your journey of life being a walk, and as that walk changes, as the landscape undulates, as you move and transverse over different geographies on this walk in this metaphor, there's no doubt that the work will be different. [00:17:50] Jesse Schwamb: And there may be a season when you no longer have to work and be compensated, but it doesn't mean, of course, that the work ends. In fact, the work is still there. It's a different kind. And we don't want it to go away, in fact, and we don't want it to feel, uh, like it should be a, a lesser thing because it's not because we've been given in this verse the sense that this is the pattern that's been given to us. [00:18:12] Jesse Schwamb: It's the value of walking the pathway of obedience. And Paul makes it manifold. In fact, the Westminster Confession of Faith, which I'm 17 minutes in and you can mark your clock. That's the first time I mentioned it. I've gotten there already. Loved ones. Don't worry, we're always gonna bring in a confession. [00:18:27] Encouragement and Assurance Through Good Works [00:18:27] Jesse Schwamb: And on this week, it's the confession of faith from the Westminster states that there are at least six benefits of good work. So here these out, this is just my quick rundown of what the Westminster puts forward thinking about these good works and when you hear these benefits. Think about them in the broadest way. [00:18:41] Jesse Schwamb: That is like, think about how these benefits apply to all kinds of work, not just like your nine to five, but like of course your family society and the church and your work there is needed both because it is an exemplification of obedience to Christ, but also because it is accomplishing good and creating value. [00:18:58] Jesse Schwamb: So the first is that good works manifest our gratitude to God for the gift of his son. Now think about this. If that's true, that this in a concrete way. No matter what, we're able to do that we, if we're doing these good works, we're showing gratitude to God. Why would we ever want those good works to go away? [00:19:14] Jesse Schwamb: Why do we wanna break that pattern? We don't want to. And again, this gives a, a high level, a high calling to all the things that we can do, both like again, in our paid work and then thereafter. Or even if we, we never have paid work that all of these things, there's something for us to do here and it manifests our gratitude to God and the gift of his son. [00:19:32] Jesse Schwamb: The second thing is good work's, bolster assurances of faith. So it is the Christian who in obedience to Christ has a compulsion is as Paul would say elsewhere, hemmed in by the love of God to work towards a specific end in love and service toward others. That is a good work. And when we're doing that good work, there's a mutual kind of reinforcement that occurs that as we humble ourselves before God and that we work to. [00:19:57] Jesse Schwamb: Or to obey him and that we walk in the good works that he has prepared for us, that we find that we are sure that God is who he is, that his character and craftsmanship is, is in fact manifest in us and demonstrated by us. And in this way as we worship him, we find that our faith grows. Especially perhaps when we're called to do things that are difficult or we're called to participate in work, especially in the church, that requires some kind of leap of faith and we're in so doing where we must trust God forthrightly. [00:20:27] Jesse Schwamb: We find that doing those good works bolster our assurance of faith. Number three. Good works are a means of encouraging other Christians toward greater acts of Christ-centered love. There's so much in Hebrews chapter 10 that we could talk about there. This is an incredible idea that when we work towards obeying God laboring on his behalf in all of the spheres of life, to which he has given us to participate in that Christians receive this as a. [00:20:55] Jesse Schwamb: Form of encouragement. You know, think about how you've seen the testifying work of somebody else in your church, in their patience, in their kind behavior. You know, we often speak about a person who is graceful, and by that of course, we mean there's a beauty to their outer movement, as it were. That's maybe they're a graceful dancer. [00:21:11] Jesse Schwamb: Maybe they're a grace or a baseball player, but you'll find that you can apply this word in so many ways whenever you are trying to really show that somebody in their outward movements does things particularly well, or just with ease or in a way that conveys a certain kind of beauty. When we say that somebody is gracious, what we essentially mean is that there's a beauty to their inner movement that is, that the exemplification of who they are in Christ is so firmly rooted in solid, that the way they behave in situations and circumstances clearly shows. [00:21:43] Jesse Schwamb: That there's something different about the way that they process the world and in the way that they work. And when we see that we are prone to be encouraged to see that God is real, that he does intervene and interact in situations that he does, in fact still do the most miraculous thing ever, which is take the sinner, take the gospel abuser, take the unregenerate, and perform that surgical movement. [00:22:05] Jesse Schwamb: Where that heart of stone is replaced with one of flesh, it's the greatest miracle in the entire universe. And so when we're seeing that work exemplified, we're allowing ourselves to participate in encouraging our brothers and sisters. Fourth good works are concrete avenues for adorning the doctrine of God, our savior in life, in ministry. [00:22:25] Jesse Schwamb: So again, it's uniting this idea of who we are, that we say we are, who we are in our transformation regeneration, marrying that up with work. And this is, again, why a. All of this reform of theology elevates work to this place of saying, whatever you do, you can do it to the glory of God and you ought to, you ought to be thinking that way because this is the way God intended all the things that we do to be done. [00:22:47] Jesse Schwamb: So idea of like when Paul says, like, pray without ceasing, be constantly in the Lord. I think in some ways what he's saying is. When you shift your mindset to recognize that there are no mundane things to do because God has prepared all those things ahead of time, they're, they're mundane, maybe in their smallness, in our own like really myopic kind of human natural man perspective. [00:23:06] Jesse Schwamb: They are certainly not mundane with respect to the power of love that may be communicated in them with the encouragement that flows out of them, and with the expression of gratitude for God, our savior and his son. All of those things are high and lifted up worthy of exaltation and call worthy of all of our efforts. [00:23:23] Jesse Schwamb: And so there we find that there are really no mundane things. There are no small works as it were. There are just these small things that come alongside with the great work that God has done already in our lives and our expression of that first work that he has done. So Fifth Good Works, silence critics who devalue the goodness of biblical Christianity. [00:23:43] Jesse Schwamb: You know, there's a lot here that we could talk about. Jesus was so outspoken about what it meant for his followers to adorn themselves to be in Christ, and in so doing, they were gonna be these lights set on a, like a city on a hill for all to see. And sometimes as Christians, we get a little, eh, strange about this kind of thing, don't we? [00:24:01] Jesse Schwamb: Because we, we wanna be careful that we need to be humble. You know, we, we want to make sure that as we're serving God, that we are not boasting in that in any kind of way, and yet there is something here where we ought to be giving and testifying to why we do certain things. I've been thinking about this a lot because I think it's one thing for us to say, well, we wanna live in such a manner. [00:24:21] Jesse Schwamb: We wanna do our work in such a manner, whatever that is, so others know there's something different and, and this is noble and honorable. I think what's even better is to let them know why it's different. Sometimes you shouldn't wait for somebody to ask. You know, if it's clear that you're doing something and you wanna express why we're doing it, say, I'm, I'm doing this 'cause Jesus loves me, he's changed me, and Jesus loves you. [00:24:39] Jesse Schwamb: I mean, this is okay to say loved ones. And I think in doing that, making that connection clear, what it's gonna do is it's going to make sure that those who would say like the, the Bible is antiquated out wounded document. It's a document that's filled with strife. It's a document that pits won't people against one another. [00:24:54] Jesse Schwamb: It's a document that is not progressive enough. What they'll find instead is. When our good works, our truly good works are accompanied by a verbal testimony of why we do these works in obedience to God for, because of his great love for us. It will discredit those who would say all of those things. It turns away a. [00:25:14] Jesse Schwamb: All of the critics would say that the Bible is, is not relevant, that Christians are too, uh, bigoted, that we are the kind of people that are too hypocritical. Instead, when we acknowledge that we are far from perfect, but that we have a perfect savior when we talk about our weak faith, but that our, the faith that we have is not in its size, but in the size of the savior. [00:25:34] Jesse Schwamb: When we can say all these things alongside of our efforts to be obedient. Being humble, asking for forgiveness, seeking repentance from those whom we hurt, that in this way, we are again doing all of the things that are the theology of the cross, that even in our small weaknesses, even in our great failures, what we find is God does more than just to fill in the gaps He overflows with through the power of His Holy Spirit into a powerful testimony into the lives of others with whom we interact, and especially in the things that we do. [00:26:05] Jesse Schwamb: So six. And lastly, this is from the Westminster. These benefits of good works. Last Good works glorify God by displaying his work of love in our lives. I think we often forget about this. That God has given us work because he loves us. Of course, God is always working. There's something beautiful about the fact that God is ever present in our lives working in our hearts. [00:26:29] Jesse Schwamb: And sometimes of course, as the, the older reformers have said, he lays us over the Anil, as it were, and he hammers on us, and those are painful times. And other times he's really polishing up our sharp edges or sanding off those places where we need a little bit of attention. But everywhere he's working in us and what a blessing that he never stops, isn't it that he comes to us constantly because he loves us. [00:26:51] Jesse Schwamb: He refuses to leave us in a state that is less than the abundant life. Now we know that we will never accomplish that, this side of glory. But what a benefit that God never gives up on us. That he continues to show his great love for us in how he attentively comes into our lives to hone us in this progressive sanctification, whereby his work doesn't stop. [00:27:13] The Unending Nature of Work [00:27:13] Jesse Schwamb: And so because his work doesn't stop. Neither does ours. So the beauty of this is for anybody else, for us, for brother Joshua, for those who are thinking about, you know, what if I, I want to maybe try to set aside more resources now so I can stop my work of re of compensation to do other things, I would say. [00:27:31] Jesse Schwamb: Well, Godspeed by, by the power of God, I, I hope that happens for you. And what about those who would say, well, my work is gonna have to be caring for a loved one who's ill? I would say that is great and good work. What about those for who are retiring now or thinking about retirement? What's left? Tons. Of good work. [00:27:48] Jesse Schwamb: I think we know this. Now, what about for those who are in the final stages of their life, those who are not ambulatory, maybe those who are weak, maybe those who are ill themselves. There is still good work because the work that God gives us is not the heavy kind that causes our bodies or our minds to be crushed in despair, to have to till the ground as it were in such a way that it leaves us lacking replenishment instead, even for those. [00:28:16] Jesse Schwamb: Who are saying, what is my place when my body is wasting away? [00:28:21] The Value of Prayer in Our Work [00:28:21] Jesse Schwamb: When I'm having a, a season of sickness and I feel like there's nothing I can do, there is so much that the church needs from you in particular, especially your work in prayer. And again, I think we've been outspoken. Prayer is absolutely a work. [00:28:34] Jesse Schwamb: If you don't believe me, just. Try to pray. So just being able to participate in something like that, which is in many ways maybe the greatest calling. I, I always think about this phrase, when we work, we work, when we pray, God works. And so just the act of saying I'm gonna devote myself in prayer, in intercessory prayer for my church, for my community, for my family, is a kind of work that is unparalleled. [00:28:58] Jesse Schwamb: And so if that's the work that God has given you to walk in right now. Then would you please do it? Because it is the season to which he's called you because he's with you on that journey. And Paul says, wherever you go, wherever you are walking, God has already prepared before you get to the next stop sign, before you get to the next wave point, before you get to the next pin drop. [00:29:17] Jesse Schwamb: God has already prepared for you good works, and you're mealing to walk in them. [00:29:22] Finding Joy and Refreshment in Labor [00:29:22] Jesse Schwamb: And so the work of prayer by itself is the kind of work that is so glorious, like all the work of Christ that we find refreshment and it changes. There's a theme here, like all of our work changes because when we are doing it onto the Lord, we're doing it with him in mind when we're understanding that this is our obligation, but also our greatest privilege, that while it exhausts us. [00:29:41] Jesse Schwamb: It exhausts us in a way that brings us the greatest kind of sleep or refreshment. Does that make sense? We ever had like a really great day at work where, you know, I, I worked hard and I did work worth doing, and in that I felt that there was a sweetness. In fact, Ecclesiastes five 12 says, sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich man will not let him sleep. [00:30:05] Jesse Schwamb: This idea that. Why as we work, as we labor for God, that he does restore us, he gives us joy and satisfaction in that work. And again, there's this, all this mutual reinforcement, this kind of self-fulfilling and reinforcing idea that. When we are performing this work for God, he assures our faith. He refreshes us in it. [00:30:24] Jesse Schwamb: He exhausts us in the best possible way so that we might love him more, cherish him more, encourage one another more, and to really come and understand his character more forthrightly. [00:30:34] Living Quietly and Minding Your Affairs [00:30:34] Jesse Schwamb: I like what Paul says in one Thessalonians chapter four, aspire to live quietly and to mind your own affairs. I mean, that's. [00:30:42] Jesse Schwamb: Good advice for all of us, mind your own affairs and to work with your hands as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. So we talked before about what it means, that really in our work, we ought to care for those who we love. We ought to make sure that we can provide for them, but there will also be seasons. [00:30:59] Jesse Schwamb: One, there will be others who need to provide for us. And so in so doing, again, we're honoring God by walking in this path that he has given us, uh, to do. I like this. There's a couple of other great verses I think that are helpful for us to really think about what it means to have good work to do and to understand that good work. [00:31:17] The Blessing of Giving [00:31:17] Jesse Schwamb: Here's from Acts chapter 20. Paul says, in all things I've shown you that by working hard in this way, we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus. How He himself said, it is more blessed to give than to receive. So think about that there. There is an expression right there about work and what is this working hard. [00:31:35] Jesse Schwamb: It's to help the weak and to remember the words of Lord Jesus Christ. It is more blessed to give, to receive than to receive. Love always leads to giving for God. So love the world that he. Gave, and I think part of this good work that God calls us to is just giving. And so like right now, you may be in a season where you are giving of your labor in return for compensation, for that labor, but presumably there will, and there should come a time when you'll be giving it and you'll not be receiving that. [00:32:00] Jesse Schwamb: But it doesn't lessen the work. It doesn't take it away. It doesn't mean that it's not necessary anymore. We ought to continue to pursue that because love always leads to giving. Now I want to just finish our short little time together today as we've reasoned, hopefully. [00:32:15] Practical Ways to Exemplify Christian Values at Work [00:32:15] Jesse Schwamb: In a profound way from the scriptures helping us to be encouraged in this work by just a couple of things that if you are thinking in the sense of what can I do right now in my work of all kinds to exemplify and to be driven by unique view of humanity and a love rooted in the wisdom of the cross to stand out, what, what can we do as Christians, practically speaking. [00:32:37] Jesse Schwamb: To take everything that Paul has just given us here, appreciating this beautiful pattern that work is just gonna be part of our lives forever. And by the way, loved ones I, I have a strong conviction that in the new heavens and new Earth, that work will still be present there in a fully orbed and fully expressed, fully realized way that it's not capable today because of everything being mined by sin. [00:32:59] Jesse Schwamb: But then we're gonna find that this is just like an amm bush. It's the taste that. The thing that's coming for us, the appetizer of how work is gonna be fully satisfying, fully encouraging, fully joyful, and a full expression of how God has made us to do things. One of those things again are laboring in prayer, laboring on the construction site, laboring on a desk, laboring in the education and the teaching and ammunition of children. [00:33:24] Jesse Schwamb: All of these things are just really, really good. So what are a couple of things that we can do? Well, here's some things that that come to my mind. The first is that I think Christians can be known as the most care fairing and committed kind of people. So. Think about it this way, driven by the father's love and his acceptance of us through Jesus, we can be the kind of people that are known as fair, caring, and committed to others. [00:33:52] Jesse Schwamb: Since we know the depths of our own sin and the magnitude of God's grace to us, we can be ready to forgive and reconcile with others, and we should be quick to do so if we're doing that in their work environments. Whatever that environment is, there's no doubt this is gonna draw some fair amount of attention. [00:34:07] Jesse Schwamb: We may actually, and this is gonna sound a little bit wild. We may even have opportunities to take risks for the benefit of others. Now imagine it this way. Let's say that everybody has somebody to whom they're responsible and almost everybody else has somebody who's responsible to them. So think of it this way, if you are leading any kind of group of people, formerly or informally, you may have a unique opportunity to take risks on the behalf of those people. [00:34:30] Jesse Schwamb: Now, that may be may mean advocating for them. It could mean yielding to them, even if you have a hierarchical position that's above them. But more than anything, it could mean that you actually take a risk to take responsibility at times. So it's possible that let's say you're a leading a team and you're a place of work, and one of the people who is responsible to you, that is one of the people who reports to you, makes a mistake. [00:34:52] Jesse Schwamb: Let's say that the person that you are responsible to, your boss finds out about this. There's lots of ways you could go about this. Now, you may feel that you want to be easy just to say, well, this wasn't me. It was their fault. But consider how a Christian might approach this in love. It's possible that it may be entirely appropriate for that leader to take responsibility for the mistake, not taking blame for it, but taking responsibility for it as an act and expression of what it means to be fair, caring, and committed to others. [00:35:20] Jesse Schwamb: And now this may mean that if you were that person, you might lose a little bit of cloud to the organization. You might use a little bit of reputation or ability to maneuver within the organization, but there could be a very powerful, could be testimony in your ability to risk yourself for others in a way that I believe, again, is walking in this path of good works and that you are reasonable people. [00:35:41] Jesse Schwamb: You can sort out, I think in a situation like that. What kind of responsibility you might have, but I think it's important for us to consider that we may have that kind of responsibility and that to be known as fair, caring and committed to others. To advocate for them to again, forgive and to reconcile, and then sometimes to take risks of opportunity for the benefit of others is something that is unique to the Christian. [00:36:00] Jesse Schwamb: I think we at least agree on that, that kind of response to a s. We'll be wholeheartedly unique. [00:36:06] Generosity and Kingdom Living [00:36:06] Jesse Schwamb: I think we also need to be known as generous and depending on the context and opportunity, generosity at work can be expressed in so many different ways. Managers can be generous with their advice, their access, their investment in people. [00:36:17] Jesse Schwamb: All of us can be generous with our time, our money sharing our resources. Sacrificially. If you're a small business owner, and this is gonna sound wild, but let's, let's talk about kingdom living for a second. Loved ones like I presumably you're listening to this because we're not just satisfied with the small things. [00:36:31] Jesse Schwamb: We wanna think big in what it means. For the gospel to go out, for Jesus to be known. And so in this context of being generous, maybe it means if you're a small business owner, that you're willing to take less personal profit to benefit your neighbors or your customers or your employees. You know, I think of this company called a Go. [00:36:47] Jesse Schwamb: Which is a wooden toy company and it's, it was founded by a couple of Christians and driven by their Christian faith. They intentionally take smaller profit margins to benefit the people of Honduras where the wood is sourced and to create an employee savings program for them. I mean, that what a remarkable thing what, what a counter-cultural expression of what it means to be doing good. [00:37:08] Jesse Schwamb: Work. And so we can also grow and show our generosity to our colleagues by loving them outside work. You know, cooking a meal, preparing a meal for them when they have a child or attending a funeral if they lose a loved one, grabbing dinner with them if they're struggling, joining their club sports team, attending their wedding. [00:37:23] Jesse Schwamb: You know, generosity during, after work hours is a testimony of love. It shows that you see them as a whole person, not merely as like a productive asset or just a colleague. So I think we should push back a little bit on being generous and maybe sometimes I, I wanna say this. Gently because we are a benefit ourselves in this podcast of this, but not just with your money, especially with your time and maybe with like your attentional focus, maybe with your prayer time. [00:37:47] Jesse Schwamb: Maybe with your labor, in your prayer closet, that of all the things you could focus on, how often are we praying for our colleagues, like really praying that they would come to see the gospel in us, that we would be courageous in expressing that gospel and that God would arrest their hearts, which snatch them up and bring them into his kingdom so that all of our workplaces would be filled, uh, with Christians, that they would be everywhere. [00:38:08] Jesse Schwamb: Doing all kinds of things in som, much as God calls us to those things in submission to him, an expression of who he is and in obedience to what he's done for us. Here's another thing. I think this is a big one. It's one that I struggle with in my own life. [00:38:23] The Importance of Calmness and Authenticity [00:38:23] Jesse Schwamb: So I think another place, another way in which we can really stand out as Christians in our good work is to be known as calm. [00:38:30] Jesse Schwamb: Poised in the face of difficulty, failure or struggle. This might be the most telling way to judge if a person is drawing on the resources of the gospel and the development of their character. And this goes back to this idea of like, what does the a voracious person mean? It's, it's somebody who has like that inner. [00:38:47] Jesse Schwamb: Beauty expression of inner inner beauty. You know, how do we act when our boss passes over us for a promotion? How do we act if we fail to get that bonus we expected or, or if like a colleague is placed on a team we want to be on, how do we respond to those things really reveals where we placed our hope and identity. [00:39:03] Jesse Schwamb: And that can be a whole nother. Podcast. But if it's true that we have rooted ourselves, grounded ourselves, securely in Christ, then that is the supreme treasure that we have, and then everything else should be like, oh, that's no big deal. It's not to say that we're not gonna have big emotions, but even as we experience those big emotions, part of what it means to be humble is to come before God and say, God, I'm feeling this way. [00:39:26] Jesse Schwamb: And I'm a contingent being and I'm upset about this. Would you help me to reveal your gospel in this situation? And what a blessing in our progressive sanctification where God moves us into that space so that what becomes normative is when everybody else is losing their minds, when everybody else is gossiping, when everybody else is complaining. [00:39:46] Jesse Schwamb: What everybody else is pushing back here is the Christian who is resolute in firm and is speaking words of life. Encouragement into their workplace or those whom they're doing their work, who is speaking the gospel to them, who is calm and is poised and is ready to lead in such a way that brings value to everybody, helps 'em to find the true security in the situation and is not willing to compromise by participating in a meaningless backtalk. [00:40:12] Jesse Schwamb: That is an incredible testimony, and there's no doubt it's gonna cause us to stand out. There is something about this placing value that I think is important to mention. And I think I mentioned this before, but Tony's not here and I'm just talking. And so my experience, my professional career is all in the realm of finance. [00:40:30] Jesse Schwamb: So I've gotta use this because I think about this a lot and it's certainly relevant to us thinking about where is our value. [00:40:38] The Concept of True Treasure [00:40:38] Jesse Schwamb: I find it so interesting. That in the sermon on the mound. And when Jesus is speaking about treasures, he doesn't completely say that we should forsake treasures. Have you ever thought about that? [00:40:50] Jesse Schwamb: So instead of saying, you know, listen, don't worry about the treasure, just focus on me. Don't try to go after things. Just focus on me. And somebody says, listen. Listen, listen. You're going after the wrong treasure. So don't go after treasure where you know a moth or Russ is gonna destroy it or where like you're gonna be worried. [00:41:09] Jesse Schwamb: A thief is gonna break in and steal it. All those things are not just temporal, they can be taken from you. In fact, they, they will be taken from you. This is the wild part to me. He says instead, rather than do that, here's what you should do. Seek after the treasure that's in heaven. In other words, the proclivity to want to grab hold of valuable things and to keep them close to you, that is not bad in and of itself. [00:41:32] Jesse Schwamb: It's that you are focusing on the wrong thing that you want to grab and hold close. Seek after those treasures in heaven. And I can tell you why. This just shows the brilliancy with which Jesus knows us because he has created us loved ones, and in our fallen state, he's so kind to condescend to be like us, yet of course, without sin. [00:41:50] Jesse Schwamb: And in that he expresses a great knowledge of who we are and how we are. So. There's a very famous study done, actually very many versions of this study done, and what they'll do, and you can play along, I know I've done this before, but as you're sitting there listening to my voice play along with the scenario that I'm about to give you, and you can answer for yourself what you would do in this situation. [00:42:11] Jesse Schwamb: There's no right or wrong answer. So here's the situation. Researchers gave per people two options. They said, you, I can either give you a thousand dollars for sure, or. Or we can play a game. We'll flip a coin. If the coin is heads, you get $2,000, but if the coin comes up, tails, you get nothing. So the choices were you could have a sure thousand dollars or you could risk it. [00:42:39] Jesse Schwamb: And with a coin flip, a fair coin flip, you could get either $2,000 or zero. Now I'll pause. What would you prefer if you're like most people? You would take the sure $1,000 because you'd rather have for sure a thousand dollars in your pocket than giving up the gamble. Even though you could get twice as much the gamble of $2,000 or zero, who wants to walk away with zero when somebody's like, I'll give you a thousand dollars for certain. [00:43:06] Jesse Schwamb: Most people would prefer the certainty. Now those who are like keen have a turn of mind for mathematics are gonna realize that on average, those two options are exactly the same. So whether you get a thousand dollars. For certain, you got the a thousand dollars on the other option, half the time you'll get zero. [00:43:23] Jesse Schwamb: Half the time you'll get a $2,000. If you average those out, that's sequel to a thousand dollars over the long term. So there's something interesting there too, isn't it? See how our minds are working that we prefer, we are loss averse. In other words, we do not like loss. In fact, there's a very famous. [00:43:39] Jesse Schwamb: Theorem about this that says the pain of losing a dollar is twice as great as the pain of gaining one. And this is why it's so hard. If you have a retirement account, you have investments somewhere. When you look at your accounts and the numbers are down, you feel particularly awful. And when they're up, you feel good, but not that great. [00:43:54] Jesse Schwamb: Uh, this is the idea of. Being a loss averse. Now, here's the other thing that these researchers did. They flipped the whole scenario, and I'm gonna give you one more thing to think about. So rather than talking about gains, they said these people, okay, here's your choice, and you have to choose one of these. [00:44:09] Jesse Schwamb: Either you can take a sure loss of a thousand dollars, or you can take a gamble. And you can take a, we'll flip a coin and if it comes up heads, you'll lose $2,000. But if it comes up tails, you will lose zero. So again, here are the two options, but now we're talking about losses. You either have to take a loss of a thousand dollars for certain, or you could take the gamble, flip a fail fair coin, and you could lose $2,000 or you might lose nothing if it comes up tails. [00:44:42] Jesse Schwamb: Now what would you do? Now if you're like most people, what these researchers found is people gravitated toward taking the risk. That is, they chose the option when they said, let me flip the coin, because at least if I flip the coin, there's a chance I might not lose anything. I know I might lose $2,000, but I would rather take the risk of losing 2000, but have the opportunity to lose nothing than take the sure loss of a thousand dollars. [00:45:05] Jesse Schwamb: So here's what's crazy about all this. Here's what it teaches us, is we make the wrong choices all the time. You know, technically speaking, when it comes to gains, we should prefer the risk, the risk of zero, because you started out with zero, so you're not better. You're not worse off by having zero, and if you win, you get $2,000. [00:45:22] Jesse Schwamb: But when it comes to the loss, we should take the sure loss of a thousand dollars because we might end up having a loss of $2,000. We tend to behave poorly given the situations. This is an example of loss aversion and risk aversion, and Jesus knows this. That's the brilliance of it, of course, because he says, I know that your hearts will be troubled by losing your treasure. [00:45:45] Jesse Schwamb: So here's the thing. It's not the treasure that's bad, it's that you're putting your faith, you're going after the wrong thing. So loved ones. When we find ourselves rooted in Christ, when we find our identity right there in him, when we are sure that all that we have is in the heavenly realms and therefore everything else can float and fl away, then we find ourselves able to be the kind of people in our workplaces where we're calm, poised in the face of difficulty failure, or all kinds of challenges. [00:46:14] Jesse Schwamb: One more thing I would encourage you with, and that is just be known as authentic and integrated. This goes back to something Tony and I have really challenged ourselves with so much, and that is some Christians aren't very open about their faith at work and others talk about it all the time, but act and speak in ways that marginalize nonbelievers. [00:46:30] Jesse Schwamb: We should, of course, be really wise about how we share the reason for the hope that we're, we have when we're at work. But staying silent isn't an option. If we wanna be authentic people, we have to bring our whole selves to work. I think this is where we all, at times could use a little work. I, I've barely been encouraged by brothers and sisters who are far better at this than I, where. [00:46:50] Jesse Schwamb: They're really good at explaining why they do something, and perhaps they've been building a relationship with non-believers, serving them, working with them. And, but when the right opportunity approaches when the moment arrives, they're right there with their explanation. They're quick to say, it's because Jesus loves me. [00:47:06] Jesse Schwamb: They're quick to talk about the transforming power of the gospel. And it's not in a way that's overbearing. It's not in a way that seems disingenuous or somehow like they're, they're shoehorning in some kind of, you know, bully pulpit testimony. Instead, it's a natural expression. Because they were ready and willing and brave. [00:47:22] Jesse Schwamb: To do that. So we've got to be known as authentic and integrated, and that integration is just as important as the authenticity. What, what is the good, what is the point of doing many of these good works if there is not a commensurate explanation or expression of why we are doing them, because. Plenty of people who are non-believers also do good work. [00:47:42] Jesse Schwamb: This is part of the common grace that God has given to all of our world and to the entire universe writ large. So in that being said, sometimes we just need to say, this is why I'm doing it. And it's possible that probably people are sometimes thinking, I have no idea why this person is doing this, but I'm not gonna ask them. [00:47:57] Jesse Schwamb: 'cause that's super weird. So by us stepping forward and saying, listen, I love you, God is good to me, uh, there there's a God over the universe who saved me. I was in this pit of despair and he's taken me out of that pit. My work, the things I do, I do now for him. I do it not just because I wanna provide for my family, but because I love God. [00:48:16] Jesse Schwamb: I want to be obedient in worshiping him, and part of how I worship him is doing my work this particular way. That's why you see me. Work like this. What a beautiful thing. Loved ones. [00:48:25] Final Thoughts and Encouragement [00:48:25] Jesse Schwamb: So there's so much I think for us to think about here. I could go on and on, and at this point, this is no longer a short episode. [00:48:32] Jesse Schwamb: You've gotten almost 50 minutes of me just talking. So I want to thank some people for good works right now. And that is. For those of you who have joined in the Telegram chat and are hanging out. Thank you. I really appreciate that. And there's so much good conversation going on there. Again, I gotta plug it. [00:48:48] Jesse Schwamb: If you haven't, if you're not in there, you're really missing out on this experience. It's not just hearing Tony and I talk. It's coming alongside and being integrated with all kinds of other brothers and sisters. So do yourself and us a favor and go to T Me Rhyme, see t me slash reform brotherhood and come hang out with us in addition. [00:49:10] Jesse Schwamb: I'm so grateful for all those who contribute to the podcast financially to make sure that just keeps going. If you've ever wondered like, how is this all free, and there's a website where I can go surf the back catalog@reformbrotherhood.com and it just shows up in my podcast feed, and it doesn't sound like they're in a tin can somewhere or in a hurricane recording this. [00:49:28] Jesse Schwamb: How does all of that happened? It happens because there's so many lovely brothers and sisters who's come alongside and said. Yeah, you know what? After all my responsibilities, I have a little bit left over and I wanna make sure that this thing just continues to keep going. And so I say to you, thank you so much. [00:49:43] Jesse Schwamb: If you would like to be a part of that and I challenge you, come join us in giving toward the podcast, Tony and I do. And there's somebody I love, our brothers and sisters who do as well. That's what makes this happen. You can go to patreon.com, reformed brotherhood, so we've got all kinds of good stuff coming up. [00:49:59] Jesse Schwamb: I love the fall season, autumn in the Western hemisphere here, because it feels like a reset in many ways. Like the kids go back to school, the weather changes depending on where you are, the

VPM News is wrapping up summer 2025 with some of the greatest, the simplest and the most out-of-this-world joys Central Virginia has to offer.    Part 9 (finale!): Central Virginians the VPM News team interviewed at Richmond Public Library share what brings them joy.    We'll be back with your regular news digest next week.  Learn more and check out the rest of Finding Joy — including several web-exclusive pieces and videos — at vpm.org/joy.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Feeding Toddlers: Finding Joy in Family Meals with Nita and Jessica of ⁠@happyhealthyeaters⁠ Have you ever struggled with picky eating or stressful mealtimes? This is so common- feeding toddlers can be very challenging! In this episode, Rachael speaks with Jessica and Nita, co-founders of Happy Healthy Eaters, ALL about feeding toddlers to make mealtimes more enjoyable! Here's what they discuss inside this episode: The different challenges of feeding toddlers including “picky” eating or selective eating How and why it is important to trust your child's eating preferences  How much food should your toddler actually eat? Tips for keeping your child engaged and interested in mealtime Guiding parents on allowing kids to eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full How valuable family meals can be for modeling eating behaviors and passing on cultural traditions Ways to adapt meals to fit each family's schedule and preferences Tips for adapting culturally appropriate meals for babies Facts about the food supply in North America and it's safety When to seek support from professionals if a child's eating habits are severely challenging or interfering with their growth and development Jessica and Nita are co-founders of Happy Healthy Eaters - a community dedicated to supporting parents in feeling relaxed and confident about feeding their child. They are both Registered Dietitians with a combined 25+ years of education and work. They started Happy Healthy Eaters in 2020 after Nita had her second baby with the hopes of supporting parents through these exciting milestones, minus ALL the misinformation. Their online course - Starting Solids Confidently- launched first and is widely popular and now they have a second course: Feeding Toddlers Confidently- which debuted after more than two years in the making! Mentioned in this episode: Happy Healthy Eaters Website: ⁠https://happyhealthyeaters.com/⁠  Happy Healthy Eaters instagram: ⁠@happyhealthyeaters ⁠ Feeding Toddlers Confidently Course ⁠here⁠ Code for No One Told Us Listeners: HHE15  ⁠How to Keep Your Toddler at the Table⁠  Blog Post: ⁠How to Adapt Recipes to be BLW Friendly⁠ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ ✨For sleep support and resources, visit⁠ heysleepybaby.com⁠ and follow⁠ @heysleepybaby⁠ on Instagram!

Relationships That Reflect Christ: A Conversation with Natalie RunionIn this special episode of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane welcome Natalie Runion—author, speaker, and founder of Raised to Stay—for a heartfelt conversation about relationships. Together, they discuss what it means to cultivate Christ-centered connections, navigate conflict with grace, and build communities rooted in love and authenticity. Natalie shares wisdom from her own journey and offers encouragement for anyone longing to strengthen their relationships with God and others.____________________________________Connect with Natalie Runion:Website: https://natalierunion.com/____________________________________Connect with Jamie:Website: www.jamieklusacek.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacekConnect with Jane:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams____________________________________ Get Jamie's Newest Book:Living Loved: An 8-week Journey to Living Fully Loved

In this episode of the Marriage and Miracles podcast, we're chatting all about our podcast rebrand, why praise really does come before blessings, and giving you a peek into what's been going on in our lives and adventures.We talk about trusting God when making big decisions, leaning into praise during the tough times, and finding joy even when there's a ton of uncertainty. Plus, we share some reflections from our current adventures and why keeping our marriage and relationship with God front and center matters most to us.Come join my FREE 60-minute ⁠Magnetize Marriage Masterclass⁠ !In this class, we're going to:Unpack 9 mindset shifts that will change how you approach dating

Welcome to Finding Joy!  VPM News is wrapping up summer 2025 with some of the greatest, the simplest and the most out-of-this-world joys Central Virginia has to offer.    Part 8: Meghin Moore brings us along for an adventure with GWAR and the world of heavy metal. Learn more at vpm.org/joy.  You can also check out VPM News Shorts videos from Finding Joy on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠. Our most recent videos explored the joy in taking a trap cardio class and Richmond's growing pro wrestling scene.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

In this episode of Life Stories, I sit down with Karen Knight, who shares her journey from a busy career to dedicating her life to helping others discover the joy and fulfillment of volunteering. Karen's passion for connecting people with opportunities to serve is both inspiring and practical, showing how even small acts of kindness can ripple into something much greater.We talk about her own experiences, the challenges people face when deciding where and how to give their time, and the transformative impact volunteering has on communities and individuals alike.Topics we cover:*Karen's story of how she began her work in volunteer engagement*The surprising benefits of volunteering beyond just helping others*Tips for finding the right place to serve*The ripple effect one person can create through consistent giving*Why volunteering is about connection as much as contributionThis conversation is a great reminder that making a difference doesn't always require huge gestures—it starts with simply showing up.To find out more about Karen's work, visit https://karenknight.ca/Want to be a guest on Life Stories Podcast? Send Shara Goswick a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1718977880777072342a16683#volunteer #peoplehelpingpeople #lifestoriespodcast #podmatch #kindness

Cheryl shares her powerful journey of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at just 21 years old and reflects on what it was like to go from being a healthy, athletic college student to suddenly navigating pain, fatigue, and disbelief from doctors. She opens up about the emotional toll of feeling dismissed, the relief of finally getting a diagnosis, and the lessons she's learned about acceptance, self-compassion, and living fully despite chronic illness. She also shares how her experiences led her to create the Rheum to THRIVE educational program and support group, so that no one has to navigate life with RA alone. Cheryl and Dr. Hassett explore the realities of RA that often go misunderstood, from unpredictable flare-ups, invisible symptoms, and the mental health challenges of chronic illness. Cheryl also shares the strategies that help her thrive today: pacing her energy, building community, protecting sleep, and seeking out moments of joy.  If you're feeling lost or overwhelmed after your own diagnosis, this conversation will remind you that you're not alone, and that it is possible to find purpose, hope, and connection while living with RA.This conversation originally occurred in 2024 and first appeared on the "Chronic Pain Reset” podcast, hosted by pain psychologist Dr. Afton Hassett. Medical disclaimer: All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Episode SponsorsRheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now! For full episode detailsGo to the show notes page on the Arthritis Life Website. 

How do you stand out in a crowded market where products all look the same? By building a brand that's authentic, consistent, and audience-first.In episode 95 of Brand Story, we speak with Phyllis Rothschild, CMO of Pete & Gerry's Organics, to explore how she helped turn a commodity into a mission-driven brand that people trust and stay loyal to. From redefining what loyalty really means to balancing creativity with consistency, this conversation highlights the marketing principles that make any brand stronger.This is Brand Story, a podcast celebrating the stories of real people who are making an impact on brands, business, and the world around them. Episodes feature guests from a variety of backgrounds who bring their own unique perspectives to the conversation.Brand Story is created and produced by Gravity Group, a full-service brand and marketing agency, and is hosted by Gravity Group President, Steve Gilman.Links and Information From the Episode Here: gravitygroup.com/podcast/building-brand-loyaltyContinue the conversation on social:For more of Brand Story, check out our LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/gravitygroupmarketing), where we'll post previews and highlights of shows, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, plus other marketing news you can use.We're also on: Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/gravitygroupFacebook — https://www.facebook.com/gravitygroupmarketing(00:00) From Consulting to CMO(04:42) The Heart of Brand Loyalty(07:23) Mission Meets Marketing(11:44) Packaging & Brand Identity(13:19) Two Brands, One Family(16:26) Consumer Experience & Health Consciousness(18:52) Cutting Through Confusion(21:52) Educating at Shelf(24:25) Opportunities & Threats in Premium Eggs(29:00) Building Loyalty Beyond Discounts(30:34) Navigating Risk & Adventure in Marketing(34:55) Finding Joy in the Journey

On today's Take 2 with Jerry 7 Debbie our topic is: Finding Joy Again, how long did it take you to come back from a heartache, a loss, a tragedy?

What makes us beautiful? How can we make peace with how we look? Retired Army Lt. Col. Dave Grossman joins Trending with Timmerie to discuss how God has called us to thrive, love, joy, and peace. Can planning a vacation make you happier? Did you know that ten of the Apostles were martyred for their faith?  Books Mentioned:  On Spiritual Combat Bulletproof Marriage: A 90-Day Devotional  On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society

In one of her most personal episodes yet, Sami Spalter opens up about navigating life's greatest joys while carrying deep grief. Just months before her wedding, Sami's mom passed away suddenly—leaving her to move through the hardest season of her life while preparing for one of the happiest.This episode explores a duality so many of us face: How do you celebrate life's biggest moments when your heart is still healing? Sami shares what it was like to be in the depths of loss while still experiencing the love and beauty of her wedding day, reminding us that happiness is still possible even in the midst of pain.From honoring her mom through intentional details to fully embracing the celebration, Sami offers a heartfelt reminder that even in grief, life continues to give us moments worth cherishing.Transform Instagram - click here!Sami Spalter Instagram - click here!Sami Clarke Instagram - click here!FORM Shop - click here!FORM Website - click here!Code TRANSFORM for 20% off an annual membership.Link: http://www.functionhealth.com/transformCode: TRANSFORM100This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.Sponsors:It's time to simplify your morning. Head to meritbeauty.com and get their Signature Makeup Bag free with your first order.We've worked out a special offer for my audience! Receive 30% off your first subscription order. Go to armra.com/TRANSFORM or enter TRANSFORM to get 30% off your first subscription order.Visit purelyelizabeth.com and use code TRANSFORM at checkout for 20% off. Purely Elizabeth. Taste the Obsession.Get healthy, glowing skin for summer with clean, vegan skin and body care from OSEA. Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code TRANSFORM at OSEAMalibu.com. You'll get free samples with every order, and free shipping on orders over $50.So, why not shake up your Ritual? Get 25% off your first month of Ritual when you visit ritual.com/TRANSFORM & add Essential Protein today.Take advantage of this exclusive offer: For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/transform and use code transform.Get TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS OFF off your first purchase when you go to TheRealReal.com/transform. URL must be lower case.Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Finding Joy!  VPM News is wrapping up summer 2025 with some of the greatest, the simplest and the most out-of-this-world joys Central Virginia has to offer.    Part 7: Lyndon German brings us along for a look into Richmond's strength community.    Learn more at vpm.org/joy.  You can also check out VPM News Shorts videos from Finding Joy on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠. Our most recent videos explored the joy in taking a trap cardio class and Richmond's growing pro wrestling scene.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism.

Today's Wednesday Wisdom from Karissa is all about how it's ok to find joy in the hard times- it may just be the moments you need it most. So notice the little things around you, and let them fill you up with a sense that everything is going to be ok- even if it doesn't feel like it right now. To practice a meditation on this topic, just search "Finding Joy In Hard Times - Sleep Wave".  Join Sleep Wave Premium ✨ in just two taps! Enjoy 2 bonus episodes a month plus all episodes ad-free and show your support to Karissa. Upgrade via our show page on Apple, or via this link for all other players ➡️ https://sleepwave.supercast.com/ Love the Sleep Wave Podcast? Please hit follow & leave a review ⭐️ How are we doing with Sleep Wave? Click here to let us know 

This week on Sheena Interrupted, we're proving that joy hides in the weirdest places. Like when your kid finally gets a cell phone (and signs a “serious” contract), when dinner sounds like a rock concert, or when empty boxes become high art. We've got stories, laughter, and maybe even a few secrets to share. ThriveMarket.com/Sheena for 30% off your first order and a free $60 gift!

In this episode of the Radical Radiance podcast, host Rebecca George sits down with Clarissa Moll, author of Hope Comes to Stay, to explore her profound journey through grief and the enduring power of hope. Clarissa shares her personal story of loss, resilience, and the unexpected gifts that grief can bring.Key Takeaways:Discover how Clarissa navigated the challenges of becoming a widow and single mother. Learn about the importance of vulnerability and community in the healing process. Explore the concept of intuitive and instrumental grieving and how it can shape our healing journey. Hope Comes to Stay on AmazonYou're Not Too Late on AmazonSponsors:Live Oak Integrative HealthIf you're feeling off—tired, foggy, not quite yourself—your hormones might be trying to tell you something. My friend Rebecca Belch at Live Oak Integrative Health offers faith-forward, root-cause care to help women get back to feeling vibrant and whole again. Through advanced hormone testing, gut health evaluation, and personalized wellness plans, she comes alongside you with the tools and support you need. Book a free consultation at liveoakintegrativehealth.com, and don't forget—Radical Radiance listeners get $40 off any service package! Christian Standard BibleIf you're looking for a new Bible to help you go deeper in your study of God's Word, the brand-new CSB Women's Study Bible is one you're going to love—and it's available for preorder right now before it officially releases on November 1st!Created by a team of women who love Scripture and want to help you engage with it meaningfully, this Bible is packed with verse-by-verse study notes, word studies, profiles of women in the Bible, devotional content, and tools to help you live out what you're learning. Preorder your copy today wherever books are sold or visit csbwomensstudybible.com to learn more.Humble Lamb:You'll love the NLT SonRise Bible from Humble Lamb! With rich illustrations, luxurious sprayed edges, and exceptional attention to detail, this edition brings the beauty of Scripture to life in your hands. With every Bible purchased, you help support gospel-centered humanitarian work in Pakistan. Their mission is clear: to magnify the Word of God and serve those in need. Discover the NLT SonRise and more at humblelamb.com.

SHOW NOTES:   This is the newly rebranded podcast, formerly known as "Your Birth, God's Way". If you are pregnant, please look back on your podcast app for over 140 episodes dealing exclusively with pregnancy topics! Helpful Links: — BIBLE STUDY - FREE Bible Study Course - How To Be Sure Of Your Salvation - https://the-ruffled-mango-school.teachable.com/p/how-to-be-sure-of-your-salvation   -- COACHING - If you're tired of shallow, cheap, meaningless connections in pregnancy that leave you feeling passed over and confused, Virtual Prenatal Coaching might be for you. If you're ready to invest in coaching that will bring REAL results and REAL change, not only now but for the future of your family and your children's families, let's talk about how this 1-on-1 coaching might be just what you've been looking for! Go here to learn more - https://go.yourbirthgodsway.com/coachinginterest   -- If you are not pregnant, you're sick and tired of being sick and tired, and you're ready for something different - something to help you finally look and feel like yourself again, my 1:1 Concierge Wellness Coaching is for YOU! Learn more at morriswellnessservices.com!   — CHRISTIAN CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION - Sign up HERE for the Your Birth, God's Way Online Christian Childbirth Course! This is a COMPLETE childbirth education course with a God-led foundation taught by a certified nurse-midwife with over 20 years of experience in all sides of the maternity world! - https://go.yourbirthgodsway.com/cec   — HOME BIRTH PREP - Having a home birth and need help getting prepared?  Sign up HERE for the Home Birth Prep Course. — homebirthprep.com   — MERCH - Get Christian pregnancy and birth merch HERE - https://go.yourbirthgodsway.com/store   — RESOURCES & LINKS - All of Lori's Recommended Resources HERE - https://go.yourbirthgodsway.com/resources   Got questions?  Email lori@yourbirthgodsway.com Leave me a message -- https://www.speakpipe.com/yourbirthgodsway   Social Media Links: Follow Lori on Instagram! @lori_morris_cnm Subscribe to my YouTube channel - youtube.com/ifmamaainthealthy Join Lori's Facebook Page! facebook.com/lorimorriscnm Join Our Exclusive Online Christian Women's Wellness Community -- facebook.com/groups/yourbirthgodsway   Learn more about pregnancy at go.yourbirthgodsway.com! Learn how to reclaim your health at every season of motherhood at morriswellnessservices.com !   DISCLAIMER:  Remember that though I am a midwife, I am not YOUR midwife.  Nothing in this podcast shall; be construed as medical advice.  Listening to this podcast does not mean that we have entered into a patient-care provider relationship. While I strive to provide the most accurate information I can, content is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate.  You must do your research and consult other reputable sources, including your provider, to make the best decision for your own care.  Talk with your own care provider before putting any information here into practice.  Weigh all risks and benefits for yourself knowing that no outcome can be guaranteed.  I do not know the specific details about your situation and thus I am not responsible for the outcomes of your choices.    Some links may be affiliate links which provide me a small commission when you purchase through them.  This does not cost you anything at all and it allows me to continue providing you with the content you love.

Summer is slowly fading and Fall is peaking around the corner. How do embrace the shift in our lives & minds when the seasons change?

This encore episode of The Joyful Friar shares last year's episode of Dr. Bruce Greyson in honor of the conclusion of the IANDS Conference, which he co-founded.Dr. Bruce Greyson is the Chester Carlson Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia.  He was previously on the medical faculty at the University of Michigan and the University of Connecticut, where he was Clinical Chief of Psychiatry. Dr. Greyson has consulted with the National Institutes of Health and addressed symposia on consciousness at the United Nations and at the Dalai Lama's compound in Dharamsala, India. He has earned awards for his medical research and was elected a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, the highest honor bestowed by that organization.He co-founded the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS), an organization to support and promote research into these experiences, and for 27 years edited the Journal of Near-Death Studies, the only scholarly journal dedicated to near-death research. Through his research, he has discovered common and universal themes in near-death experiences that go beyond neurophysiological or cultural interpretations, as well as patterns of consistent aftereffects on individuals' attitudes, beliefs, values, and personalities.Dr. Greyson is the author of "After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal About Life and Beyond." The book challenges our everyday ideas about our minds and our brains and offers key insights on how we can begin to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.https://www.brucegreyson.comClick this link and let us know what you love about The Joyful Friar Podcast! Support the show​Connect with Father Nathan Castle, O.P.: http://www.nathan-castle.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/fathernathancastleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/father_nathan_castle/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FatherNathanGCastleOPListen to the podcast: https://apple.co/3ssA9b5Purchase books on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/34bhp2t4 Donate: https://nathan-castle.com/donate My Dominican brothers and I live a vow of poverty. That means we hold our goods in common. If you enjoy this podcast, please donate. 501©3 of the Western Dominican Province.#fathernathancastle, #nathancastle, #thejoyfulfriar, #afterlifeinterrupted, #Interrupteddeathexperience #consciousness #lifeafterdeath, #lifeafterloss #spirituality #awakenings. #nde, #ste, #ide

Send us a textIn this episode of the Midlife With Courage™ Podcast, host Kim talks with Tamar Hurwitz Fleming about the strategies and importance of celebrating birthdays, especially in midlife. Tamar, author of the self-help book 'How to Have a Happy Birthday,' shares her journey of finding joy in birthdays and offers insights on becoming a birthday coach. She discusses the emotional and psychological aspects of birthdays, how to plan for a joyful celebration, and why it's essential to receive the love and energy from others on this special day. The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of making birthdays meaningful and memorable.00:00 Welcome to Midlife With Courage00:21 Meet Tamar Herwitz Fleming02:12 Tamar's Journey of Courage04:05 Embracing Aging and Milestone Birthdays05:00 The Importance of Celebrating Birthdays06:38 Creating Your Own Birthday Joy11:05 The Spiritual Significance of Birthdays17:22 Being Present on Your Birthday20:49 Avoid Stress on Your Birthday21:32 Finding Your Joy22:34 Embracing Self-Centeredness24:22 Planning Your Birthday in Advance25:57 Surfing the Birthday Wave33:42 Receiving Love on Your Birthday36:29 Final Thoughts and ResourcesTo learn more about finding joy in your birthday, go to Tamar's  WEBSITE.Get your free ebook called Daily Habits for Hormonal Harmony by going to my website. This free guide will help you balance your hormones through some easy daily activities. Just add your email to the popup and your guide will be on its way to your inbox.From morning until bedtime, you can help yourself feel better! Support the showKim Benoy is a retired RN, Certified Aromatherapist, wife and mom who is passionate about inspiring and encouraging women over 40. She wants you to see your own beauty, value and worth through sharing stories of other women just like you. Want to be a guest on Midlife with Courage™-Flourishing After Forty with Kim Benoy? Send Kim Benoy a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1646938231742x613487048806393700 Would you like to get a "sneak" listen to each podcast? Subscribe to my website to get my weekly inspirational message and a link to that week's podcast a day ahead of everyone else! Just click the link below to get on the list! SUBSCRIBE WEBSITEFACEBOOK

Emily June Wilcox grew up in rural Michigan with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian, earning a degree in animal science. Her early career took unexpected turns, from horse training to pharmaceutical sales and eventually entrepreneurship.   Emily is a wealth and business coach, number one bestselling author and speaker on a mission to help others heal their money wounds and build financially and personally fulfilling lives. She's built two seven figure businesses, an  e-commerce clothing company and an Amazon marketing agency.  Now she focuses on using energetics and strategy to help women build their femme powers and walk the joyous path to millions. Emily hosts a top 2% global podcast, The Joyous Path to Millions, and her work has been featured in more than 400 major media outlets including A-B-C-N-B-C, Fox Associated Press and the Wall Street Times.    What You Will Hear in This Episode:  02:28 Emily's Journey 08:30 Money Wounds Explained 12:37 Impact of Money Wounds on Women 12:57 Strategic and Energetic Approaches 25:40 Impact Versus Income 31:55 Finding Joy on the Path to Millions   Quotes "When we heal our hard money wound and we recognize that it's not about trading effort for income, it's about trading impact for income, then we start to orient differently." "Cultivate your inner environment, decide that every single day, no matter the external circumstances, you can find something to feel joyful about." "Entrepreneurship is a pretty unique personal development vehicle that most of us don't realize until we start doing it.” "When we can get back to more of that understanding that money is a resource and that it really is independent of us as a human being and our contribution to the planet, the cleaner the energy becomes, and then we're better able to position ourselves to make more." .Mentioned: emilywilcox.com Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkedIn   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

Work has been part of God’s design for humanity since the very beginning. Genesis 2:15 reminds us that the Lord placed Adam in the Garden of Eden “to work it and take care of it.” Even though the Fall introduced toil, frustration, and hardship into our labor, God still uses our work to shape us, bless us, and draw us closer to Him. If you’ve ever wrestled with the Monday morning blues or felt like your job was mundane and meaningless, this prayer is for you. God calls us to shift our perspective—from working for human approval to working as though serving Him directly. When we resist complaining, guard our hearts from pride, and dedicate our daily efforts to His glory, even the simplest of tasks become meaningful. Main Takeaways Work was created by God as a gift, not as punishment. True satisfaction in labor comes from serving God, not seeking human recognition. Scripture encourages us to see our jobs as opportunities to glorify the Lord (Colossians 3:23, Ephesians 6:7). A faithful heart at work can transform even ordinary responsibilities into acts of worship. Bible Verse References Genesis 2:15 – God placed Adam in the Garden to work and care for it. Philippians 2:14 – Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Colossians 3:23 – Work as if working for the Lord, not human masters. Ephesians 6:7 – Serve wholeheartedly as if serving God. 1 Peter 4:11 – Use your gifts to bring praise to God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 – Whatever you do, do it all for God’s glory. 2 Timothy 2:15 – Do your best to present yourself approved to God. Calls to Action (CTAs) Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for fresh encouragement each morning. Share this episode with someone who is feeling weary in their work life. Leave a review on your podcast app—it helps others discover these daily devotionals. Resources & Related Articles Prayers for Finding Joy at Work – Crosswalk.com How to Find Purpose in Your Work – Christianity.com Encouragement for Stressful Work Days – BibleStudyTools.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever been in the middle of your pregnancy journey and suddenly felt fear wash over you? You know God called you to homebirth, but now you're questioning everything? Today, we're going to talk about what to do when the lights go out and everything feels shaky.   I took these principles from a recent sermon my pastor gave at church. I was immediately applying them to birth prep and I had to share because I believe these 5 things are what contributed to a peaceful birth despite the spiritual warfare in my mind!   This is for the woman preparing for homebirth who wants peace, even when uncertainty hits hard.   Finding Joy in Pregnancy and Birth E-book   If you're looking for ongoing support and mentorship, I'd love for you to apply to the Peaceful Homebirth Collective — my signature group coaching program where we go deep into radical responsibility, brain rewiring, and faith-based preparation for birth and postpartum. If you're ready to do birth differently and walk this journey in a powerful, Holy-Spirit-led community, the Collective is for you. You can apply now at peacefulhomebirth.com/collective.   Sponsors- Araza: Find Your Shade Here Click to get 15% off & use code PEACEFULHOMEBIRTH Create a free account on Fullscript: Get 10% Off All High Quality Supplements Everyday Dose Mushroom Coffee: https://www.everydaydose.com/ALYMCCLAIN   Connect with Aly: IG- @peacefulhomebirth FB Group- www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulhomebirth Grab your Prenatal Wellness Protocol

To become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/MeetJesus  (NOT a Morning Mindset resource)   ⇒ TODAY'S DAILY SPONSOR: Morning Mindset listener Link Forester and his new book, “The Side Road.: Finding Joy and Purpose through the Twists and Turns of Life” You can find his book at https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/sideroad   You can sponsor a daily episode of the Morning Mindset too, by going to https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/DailySponsor ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Mark 15:37–39 -  [37] And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. [38] And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. [39] And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (ESV) ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE MORNING MINDSET: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Underwrite one daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen -- Venmo: @CareyNGreen ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FOREIGN LANGUAGE VERSIONS OF THIS PODCAST: Subscribe to the SPANISH version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Spanish Subscribe to the HINDI version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Hindi Subscribe to the CHINESE version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Chinese ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ CONTACT: Carey@careygreen.com  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ THEME MUSIC: “King’s Trailer” – Creative Commons 0 | Provided by https://freepd.com/   ***All NON-ENGLISH versions of the Morning Mindset are translated using A.I. Dubbing and Translation tools from DubFormer.ai ***All NON-ENGLISH text content (descriptions and titles) are translated using the A.I. functionality of Google Translate.