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What Does Faith Demand in an Age of ICE Raids? In this first episode in an on-going series on immigration in America, host Curtis Chang talks with Pastor Luis “Paco” Amador about the struggles of Chicago's immigrant communities, especially in Little Village, where faith meets fear amid ongoing ICE raids. Pastor Amador shares stories of family separation, resilience, and gospel hope, revealing how churches stand as places of strength and compassion. The episode calls for biblical justice and unity within the church in the face of division and fear. (03:15) - Immigration and Community in Chicago (05:49) - Impact of Immigration Raids on Community (12:54) - Immigration Rights Issues (15:35) - Community Support (17:38) - How Does the Bible Speak To the Immigrant's Experience? (19:37) - Migrants and Persecution (27:00) - A Faith Revival in Immigrant Communities (34:00) - Immigration Reform and Order (39:10) - Migrants Fleeing Collapsing Dictatorships Episode Guide for Personal and Group Study Join The After Party Send Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org Donate to Redeeming Babel Mentioned In This Episode: Images of ICE raids in Little Village, Chicago (the month of October) Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV) The Beatitudes Acts 8:1-4 (ESV) The Scattering of the Church Genesis 12 (ESV) The Call of Abraham Justo L. Gonzalez's The Story of Christianity, Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation Justo L. Gonzalez's The Story of Christianity, Vol. 2: The Reformation to the Present Day More from Paco Amador Paco Amador: A Church With a Heart for Immigrants Little Village: New Life Community Church Immigrants Plant Churches and Revitalize a Neighborhood in Chicago (substack article) Follow Us: Good Faith in Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook Sign up: Redeeming Babel Newsletter The Good Faith Podcast is a production of Redeeming Babel, a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Redeeming Babel.
Lily King's newest, Heart the Lover, is a sparing, funny, painful and beautiful novel about the first loves we have, and how they never really let go. The humanity, joy and sadness of the novel will keep you turning pages and keep the characters with you long after you have closed the book. We talk to her about her inspirations, her struggles in writing this book and how she triumphed over difficulty in how to end the novel (no spoilers, promise). We also talk to Dixon Books in Natchez Mississippi, less than 24 hours from their grand opening, a first for us. Join us to talk all things books and bookstores... Find books mentioned on The Book Case: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/book-case-podcast-reading-list-118433302 Books mentioned on this week's episode: Heart the Lover by Lily King Writers & Lovers by Lily King Euphoria by Lily King Five Tuesdays in Winter: Stories by Lily King Father of the Rain by Lily King The Pleasing Hour by Lily King The English Teacher by Lily King Coconuts for the Saint by Debra Sparks Different Seasons by Stephen King Independent People by Halldor Laxness War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy The Transit of Venus by Shirley Hazzard The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
➣ ZOOM DHARMA TALKS: Sign up and participate with the sangha on Against The Stream Zoom Dharma talks HERE.➢ ABOUT Against The Stream is a 501(c)3 non profit American Buddhist lineage founded by Noah Levine, author of Dharma Punx, Against the Stream, Heart of the Revolution and Refuge Recovery.➢DONATE If you feel moved to donate, your donations are welcome.➣ PayPal $5 Donation > $10 Donation > Other > Monthly Recurring➣ Venmo @againstthestreammeditation
In this episode, we sit down with Justin Earley — business lawyer, speaker, podcaster, and author of numerous books on habits and spiritual disciplines. Justin shares his journey of walking through a season of anxiety and burnout and how God used it to reshape his view of life and faith. We dive into his new book, The Body Teaches the Soul: Ten Essential Habits to Form a Healthy and Holy Life, exploring common misconceptions about the body and spirit, biblical truths about embodiment, and practical habits that nurture physical, mental, and spiritual health. This conversation is full of both deep theological insights and simple, everyday practices that can help you live a more grounded and grace-filled life. Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit. So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything. Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart. Listen in to learn more : (00:00) Body and Spirit Interactions (07:22) Disconnect in American Christian Habits (10:51) Importance of the Body Reflections (22:29) Healing and Redemption of Bodies (27:24) Restoring Mental Health and Spiritual Rhythms (33:42) The Power of Kneeling Prayer (37:23) The Power of Worship and Movement (42:05) Family Rhythms and Habits With Kids Justin Earley Resources Learn more about Justin Earley – https://www.justinwhitmelearley.com/ Get his latest book, The Body Teaches the Soul – https://tinyurl.com/32ywu7xc Hope for the Heart resources : Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night God's plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/ Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON
The value conversation continues, with some extra fuel, on this week's Strat Sesh!TommyB and SFD are joined by Zac Reed (Fantasy Cares; Dynasty Dummies) to add some dimensions and context to the conversation from last week: is dynasty a value game or a points-scoring game? “Perceived value” is the term of the day, as the guys discuss the value created by points scored, long term potential, and all of the other factors that go into a player's implied value. But what are the pitfalls? And what are the opportunities? Zac has thoughts to share, and so much more to discuss, on this week's Strat Sesh episode!************* JOIN THE SFSS DISCORD SERVER HERE FOR THE SUPERSIZED, ONGOING CONVERSATION ON SUPERFLEX!! ************* The SuperFlex SuperShow – one of many great podcasts from the Dynasty League Football (@DLFootball) Family of Podcasts – is hosted by John Hogue (@SuperFlexDude) and Tommy Blair (@FFTommyB), and always dedicated in loving memory to James “The Brain” Koutoulas. Featuring weekly dynasty football content focused on superflex, 2QB and other alternate scoring settings. Special thanks to Heart and Soul Radio for their song, “The Addiction,” and special thanks to the Dynasty League Football Family of Podcasts and the entire DLF staff for the ongoing support! Stay Sexy… and SuperFlex-y! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this talk, Jomon introduces the Japanese Buddhist holiday Ohigan, celebrated at the equinox as a time to honor the ancestors and reflect on the paramitas—the perfections of practice. From there, she explores karma not just as action and result, but as a living cycle of intentions, deeds, and the dispositions they leave behind. Drawing on Buddhist teachings, neuroscience, and personal stories, Jomon shows how our propensities shape the way we perceive the world, and how practicing generosity, patience, and wisdom can shift the very seeds we carry forward. She closes by asking: What kind of ancestor do you want to be, and how do you wish to meet this life?This talk was given during the Wednesday night program at Heart of Wisdom on September 3rd 2025. ★ Support this podcast ★
Send us a textWe trace the Sacred Heart from Scripture and early mystics to Saint Margaret Mary and papal teaching, then make it practical with consecration, First Fridays, the Holy Hour, and home enthronement. Stories, symbols, and promises show how this ancient devotion brings peace, courage, and community today.• scriptural roots in John 19:34 and early Church interpretation• medieval mystics preparing the ground for personal devotion• Saint Margaret Mary's revelations amid Jansenism and resistance• papal endorsements from Pius IX, Leo XIII, Pius XII• theology and symbols of the Heart, from flames to thorns• the twelve promises applied to modern family and work life• consecration steps, renewal, and daily practices• First Fridays and the Holy Hour as rhythms of reparation• enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the home• sacred heart art and iconography across cultures• practical ways to begin and sustain the devotionVisit Journeys of Faith today and take the first step on a pilgrimage, physical or spiritual, that could change everythingSacred Heart Devotion CollectionOpen by Steve Bailey Support the show
The theme on this episode is the loss of eros and a sense of interconnectedness in the contemporary world. Eros is the elemental principle of connection, the touch of soul that binds us to this world but also connects us to our own essence. The feeling of eros or love is the soul's inner verification of its own genuine existence. When this elemental sense of eros and connectedness is lost, people can more easily be turned against each other, because inside they are turned against themselves. In Greek myths, Eros is the original, archetypal source of all attractions and all connections, an essential opposing energy to Thanatos, the god of death. In that sense, each loss of eros in the world is a kind of death in life. The more disconnected we are from our own sense of Eros, the closer we are to the realm of death. Thus, this loss of the felt sense of interconnection is at the root of the current crises that can leave us feeling isolated and alone, but also feeling helpless and hopeless, not just about our own lives, but also about the future of life on Earth. The loss of eros is at the heart of both the mistreatment of the Earth and the extremes of hatred, fear and division that now permeate human culture. The wisdom of the ancient myths also included the radical idea of “kairos,” meaning moments in which time breaks open and the original potentials of life become more available, just as familiar patterns and conventional systems are breaking down. In the dark times in which we live, kairos moments become awakened time in which we reconnect to a greater sense of the world, but also to our place in it. If we fully enter the moment when time opens, we experience an intensification of being that changes the quality of time as well as the direction of our lives. Kairos represents the opportune moment in which everything can change, the primordial tipping point in which there is a reversal of time and a reconnection to things that are eternal. In kairos moments time breaks open and timelessness reenters the world and can pour into our hearts and minds. And it is that blessed incursion of timelessness that is needed to reconnect us to the innate sense of eros and the hidden unity and interconnectedness of all of life. Thank you for listening to and supporting Living Myth. You can hear Michael Meade live by joining his free online event “The Heart Within the Heart” on Thursday, October 30. Register and learn more at mosaicvoices.org/events. You can further support this podcast by becoming a member of Living Myth Premium. Members receive bonus episodes each month, access to the full archives of over 700 episodes and a 30% discount on all events, courses and book and audio titles. Learn more and join this community of listeners at patreon.com/livingmyth If you enjoy this podcast, we appreciate you leaving a review wherever you listen and sharing it with your friends. On behalf of Michael Meade and the whole Mosaic staff, we wish you well and thank you for your support of our work.
BIO Niamh McAnally is an Irish-born bestselling author, keynote & corporate speaker, former TV director, and youngest daughter of the late BAFTA award-winning actor, Ray McAnally, and actor, Ronnie Masterson. Niamh has traveled all over the world and lived and worked as a volunteer in many island nations in the Caribbean and the South Pacific. In 2016 she helped a solo sailor crew his boat from Florida to the Bahamas. It was only supposed to last a month. Niamh soon realized she had not only found the life she loved but also the love of her life. She and Captain Gary have sailed as far north as Maine in the USA and to Bonaire off the northern coast of South America. With toes in the sand in Antigua, Captain and Crew became Husband and Wife! Many of her stories are inspired by her travels on land and at sea. Flares Up: A Story Bigger Than The Atlantic was conceived in Antigua when she witnessed Paul Hopkins and Phil Pugh cross the finish line after rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic. The book was shortlisted in the 2023 Sunday Times Vikki Orvice Award. Her memoir Following Sunshine: A Voyage Around the Mind, Around the World, Around the Heart will be released in 2024. Her short story Haul Out is featured in the anthology A Page from My Life, and she has been published in The Journal, Caribbean Compass, Sail, The Irish Times Abroad, Writing.ie and Subsea magazines. Niamh McAnally, The Writer On The Water
What To Do & When - Wedding Planning Step-by-Step21 Wedding BUDGET SAVING TipsYouTube Video: https://youtu.be/1MYYlitIm9QTikTok Creators LINKED:Meredith - Plus One Planning LLC | https://www.plusoneplanningllc.comStefanny Alecon | https://www.tiktok.com/@UCiCfUpqv9UuKrEMCjt8sMsQFrom Evelyn's Heart | https://www.youtube.com/@UCIqeA6y5nm_SK_1ZSlzKJagAutumn Wood | https://www.tiktok.com/@UCnZG9P9fg0cJaNzU-LmjrVg Want to ask Jamie your wedding planning questions? Join her in The Master Plan!What did you think about this episode? What were your takeaways? I want to hear your feedback! Screenshot the episode and post your thoughts on Instagram and tag us @wolferandco. You can get your Perfect Wedding Timeline - HERE!Be sure to grab your Ultimate Wedding Day Checklist at https://www.wolferandco.com/engagechecklistYou are also invited to join the Facebook Wedding Community she has created for y'all to support each other. ❤️P.S. — These links may use affiliate platforms where commission may be earned based on clicks and/or purchases, and I would love it if you used them! It won't cost you anything extra, but affiliate links are RAD because they help creators like me to fund the free content we provide.
Richie Zito checks a lot of boxes for the Hustle. For one, he was a noted session guitarist in the 70s for artists like Neil Sedaka, Hellen Reddy, Leif Garrett, and Elton John. Then he eventually became one of the most successful producers of the next decade working with people like Eddie Money ("Take Me Home Tonight"), Cheap Trick ("The Flame"), Bad English ("When I See You Smile"), the Cult, Heart, and Poison. In between, he hooked up with Giorgio Moroder and played on everything he did for a while including "Danger Zone", Berlin, Donna Summer and tons more. There is a mountain of gold to cover in this one and I have a feeling we just scratched the surface. Enjoy! The Hustle Podcast | creating podcasts | Patreon
In this episode, Ste sits down with MMA fighter and founder of Meraki Medicinal, Vance Elrod, for a deep dive into the truth about methylene blue, the hidden dangers of heavy metal exposure, and the mental resilience it takes to transform your health and life. Vance shares his journey from the cage to entrepreneurship, exploring the highs and lows of his fighting career, the lessons he learned from adversity, and how methylene blue became a powerful tool for recovery, cognitive enhancement, and longevity. Radical Health Radio is produced by Heart & Soil, a beef organ supplements company helping hundreds of thousands of people achieve radical health. Heart & Soil was founded by Dr. Paul Saladino, a double board-certified MD and founder of the animal-based eating philosophy. Visit heartandsoil.co to reclaim your birthright to radical health with the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.
Luke 12:42–48. Pastor Roman Gutierrez preaches a direct call to Gen Z and young couples: God has entrusted you with the gospel, time, purity, resources, and influence. Steward them for souls. Refuse self-worship and materialism. Choose faithfulness, generosity, and mission. Send workers. Triple down on evangelism while hearts are open. “To whom much is given, much will be required.”Scriptures referenced: Luke 12:42–48; Mark 16:15–16; Ecclesiastes 12:1; Proverbs 11:24–28; Haggai 1:4–8; Luke 12:13–21; Proverbs 21:20.https://TakingTheLandPodcast.comSUBSCRIBE TO PREMIUM FOR MORE:• Subscribe for only $3/month on Supercast: https://taking-the-land.supercast.com/• Subscribe for only $3.99/month on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taking-the-land/subscribe• Subscribe for only $4.99/month on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3vy1s5bChapters00:00 Gratitude and Reflection on Faithfulness01:24 The Power of Living Waters04:32 Understanding Mindsets: Western vs Eastern07:26 The Purpose of Salvation and Generosity10:28 The Call to Action: Empowering the Community13:33 Entrusted with Much: A Message to the Youth15:05 Living According to His Will28:06 The Heart of Generosity and Responsibility33:55 The Pursuit of Wealth and Its Consequences36:49 The Dangers of Materialism39:14 Squandering Opportunities and Wealth43:54 Responsibility of the Younger Generation49:44 Faithfulness and Stewardship54:34 A Call to Action for the Next GenerationShow NotesALL PROCEEDS GO TO WORLD EVANGELISMLocate a CFM Church near you: https://cfmmap.orgWe need five-star reviews! Tell the world what you think about this podcast at: • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3vy1s5b • Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/taking-the-land-cfm-sermon-pod-43369
In a bit of a departure from the normal soccer talk Jeremiah and Aaron take a minute to discuss what a surreal couple of weeks it has been for Seattle sports. In particular with the Mariners being 2 wins from a possible World Series berth for the first time you'll have to forgive us for taking a minute to soak it all in.Diving back into the actual soccer show the guys review the Sounders home win against Real Salt Lake and the importance of that win. We wrap it all up in what was almost a real-time reaction to the breakout performance the Sounders' Cristian Roldan had for the USMNT against Australia.Sponsor
In this episode of The Heart of Rural America podcast, host Amanda Radke welcomes Jared Sorensen, a third-generation rancher from Nevada and the host of the Profitable AgSteward YouTube channel. They discuss Jared's journey from taking over the family ranch to transforming it into a profitable and resilient operation through regenerative agricultural practices. Jared shares his experiences with financial struggles, the importance of faith, and the role of strong mentors. The conversation also covers practical agricultural management tips, the significance of innovative grazing techniques, and the benefits of using the Ambrook accounting software to help ranchers manage their finances effectively. This episode provides valuable insights into modern ranching strategies while emphasizing the importance of merging traditional values with innovative practices.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:49 Meet Jared Sorensen: A Pioneer in Regenerative Agriculture01:37 Challenges of Multi-Generational Ranching03:18 Transitioning from Sheep to Cattle06:01 The Role of Faith in Overcoming Adversity09:25 Innovative Strategies for Ranching Success12:31 The Importance of Regenerative Agriculture17:17 Defining and Practicing Regenerative Agriculture21:01 Optimizing Grazing Management23:09 Financial Setup for the Fourth Quarter23:30 Exploring AMB Brooke for Bookkeeping24:48 The Importance of Enterprise Accounting31:27 Direct-to-Consumer Beef Sales36:26 Final Thoughts and RecommendationsProfitable Ag Steward:: https://legacy.agsteward.co/register-octoberPresented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Ambrook | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & CattleTry a one-month trial with Ambrook for free here: ambrook.com/radkeUse code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.comSave on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-books
Turn and Burn - Turn and Burn // Jonathan Owens // CDA Campus by The Heart
When the Heart and Mind Agree: Finding Peace in Christ The prophet Joel calls the priests and people to repentance and fasting, . . . . . . warning that “the Day of the Lord” will bring judgment for those who remain unconverted but salvation for those who turn back to God with sincere hearts. True conversion means harmony between the heart and the mind . . . when our thoughts and desires are aligned with God's truth. Jesus illustrates this in the Gospel by confronting the Pharisees, who accuse Him of casting out demons by the power of the devil. Their hearts recognize His goodness, yet their minds reject Him out of pride and deceit, revealing an inner division. Jesus teaches that a “house divided against itself cannot stand” and warns that a heart cleansed of evil must be filled with God's grace, or else greater evils will return. The Homily concludes with an invitation to examine our own hearts: Are we filled with the Spirit of God or with division? True conversion brings harmony within us and, through us, harmony to our families, Church, and world. Only Christ, who is Truth itself, can bring this lasting peace and unity. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: When the Heart and Mind Agree: Finding Peace in Christ ---------------------------------------------------- Art Work Christ And The Rich Young Ruler (cropped): German Painter: Heinrich Hoffman: 1899 ---------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Luke 11: 15-26 First Reading: Joel 1: 13-15; 2: 1-2
The Heat is On // Jason Lowry // Post Falls Campus by The Heart
Brad Barr is on the show this week, and I can't wait to share this interview with you!! Brad and his brother Andrew make up the amazing combo, The Barr Brothers, and they're psyched to be back with a new album coming out this Friday, October 17, entitled Let It Hiss. This amazing album features a variety of collaborations with friends including Elizabeth Powell (Land of Talk), Josie Adams (Arc Iris) and none other than Jim James of My Morning Jacket. Brad is a special human with incredible musical talents and a calm, confident and humble demeanor, and he talks to me about the long journey back after the pandemic. We discuss all the elements — personal and musical — that makes their expression just so unique. Brad is thoughtful and warm and I'm honored to call him a friend. The Barr Brothers is currently out on the road, playing in support of Mumford & Sons through mid-November, and then will hit the road in February to play headlining shows throughout the US. =========================================Chapters: 00:00 Episode Intro with Host Josh Rosenberg05:20 Introduction and Technical Setup 08:08 The Journey of Self-Discovery09:59 The Impact of the Pandemic on Music 17:07 Growing Up in Providence 25:46 Musical Education and Influences 27:29 The Heart of Rock and Personal Connections 34:07 Transitioning to Montreal: A New Chapter 40:27 From Improvisation to Structured Songwriting 43:31 Personal Growth Through Music 46:13 Collaborations and Guest Artists in New Music 54:10 The Journey of Songwriting and Healing58:20 Facing Life's Challenges Through Music 01:03:37 Relatability in Songwriting 01:05:48 The Future of Collaboration 01:07:24 Exploring Duo Dynamics in Performance 01:11:48 Innovative Guitar Techniques 01:18:31 The Unique Sound of The Barr Brothers 01:19:50 Episode Outro with Host Josh Rosenberg=============================================For The Barr Brothers tour info and tour dates, click hereFor more information on Roadcase:https://linktr.ee/roadcasepod and https://www.roadcasepod.comOr contact Roadcase by email: info@roadcasepod.comRoadcase theme music: "Eugene (Instrumental)" by Waltzer
On this week's episode we interview author, Willow Aster, and discuss her newest book Take this Heart which is book one in her new Windy Harbor series. We discuss her backlog, whats coming next, and what motivates Willow to continue to produce heartwarming stories.
In the campaign we deal with themes of body horror, cosmic horror, cptsd and ptsd, war, depression, debt, and more. Listener discretion is advised.The delvers get ever closer to the dragon's library. Will they be able to locate the missing witch?Heart is a game of delving underground into the meaty nightmare world under The Spire, to find treasure, yourself, and more. Heart and its supplements are available at Rook Rowan & Deckard in both print and PDF.Ben - GMAdam - Shattered Leaves Blown at Dawn aka Dawn - Aelfir Adventurer WitchEthan - Headless Ned - Drow Penitent DeadwalkerGreg - Blackmane - Gnoll Heartsong CleaverVince - Tahir the Red - Gnoll Enlightened Incarnadine
China's media landscape is shifting focus from traditional studios to artificial intelligence. The rapid ascent of "comic dramas," short form and automated productions, is revolutionizing the industry. This analysis explores how plummeting costs and massive scalability are fueling algorithmic storytelling and its wider implications. / Heart to Heart - please send your audio questions to roundtablepodcast@qq.com (14:48). On the show: Steve, Yushan & Guo Yan
This Sunday, Rev. Dr. Andriette invites us to take the next step beyond belief. Last week, we explored how consciousness shapes reality through the lens of “Believe It or See It?” This week, we turn to the creative power of imagination and feeling.Metaphysically, the combination of mental imagery and felt experience sets the Law of Mind in motion. When we imagine vividly and feel deeply, we align our inner state with the reality we seek to bring forth.Join us for a transformative talk that blends spiritual principle with practical application. Let's learn to inhabit our highest possibilities from the inside out.VISIT OUR WEBSITE! https://www.heartsoulcenter.orgYOUTH & FAMILY VILLAGE IS IN SESSION! 1st, 2nd & 3rd Sundays 10:00AM - 11:30AM.The IMAGINING JUSTICE COLLECTIVE is BACK! Join us on ZOOM for IJ on Wednesday nights and do your part to make a difference in the world: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84542927442#successONLINE GROUP PRAYER is available via ZOOM 10 minutes after Sunday Service AND on Wednesday mornings at 07:00am Pacific Time: Meeting ID 729 205 089 or by phone: +1-669-900-6833PRAYER REQUESTS LINE - 24/7 Prayer Request. Call 510-607-7747 or email prayerandcare@heartsoulcenter.orgPRAYER PODCAST - Listen to podcasts of laser prayers to support every aspect of your life. - https://www.heartsoulcenter.org/power...SACRED SERVICE VOLUNTEERING - Please join us in Sacred Service; we absolutely need you! https://www.heartsoulcenter.org/sacre...SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL - Click the SUBSCRIBE button and ring the Notifications Bell so that you're automatically notified about new videos and live streams on our channel: / @heartandsoulcenteroflight VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE to stay in style with all the latest Heart and Soul wearable merch: http://heartsoulcenter.org/onlinestorePLEASE GIVE! We hope you will financially support Heart and Soul Center of Light's ongoing mission of being a loving and compassionate, world-class teaching and empowerment ministry. You can graciously give to Heart and Soul today by clicking the link below. We thank you in advance for your generosity and your support. https://www.heartsoulcenter.org/giving/ways-to-give/#MetaphysicalTeaching #SpiritualPractice #LawOfMind #HeartAndSoulCenterOfLight #RevDrAndriette #ImagineItFeelIt #SundayTalk
Today's guest is literally out of this world.
Calling all wedding photographers! Ever had that “oh-no-did-I-forget-my-SD-cards?” panic the morning of a wedding? Today, Evie and Lindsey are saving your sanity with the ultimate wedding day checklist. They're walking you through everything, from what to prep the week before (hello, weather check and client emails!), how to charge, pack, and hydrate like a boss. You'll hear Lindsay's hilarious 2018 horror story about fake-shooting without SD cards, get tips for packing emergency kits that make you the day's hero, and learn why leaving way early can literally save the day. Whether you're a seasoned pro or gearing up for your first “I do,” this episode will have you feeling organized, confident, and ready to crush wedding season without the stress! Download the Wedding Day Checklist: https://theheartuniversity.com/checklist --------------------------------- Determine Your WHY Freebie: https://theheartuniversity.com/why --------------------------------- Website Templates: www.theheartuniversity.com/website-templates --------------------------------- Check Out Our Course Library: https://theheartuniversity.com/courses --------------------------------- Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theheartuniversitychannel?si=33lzxpBA9UxKlgTE --------------------------------- If you want to connect with us and other listeners in the Heart and Hustle community join our Facebook group here. --------------------------------- “PODCAST10” for 10% off anything from The Shop! www.theheartuniversity.com/shop --------------------------------- Follow along: www.instagram.com/mrslindseyroman www.instagram.com/evierupp www.instagram.com/theheartuniversity
Mephibosheth was one of the last surviving members of Saul's family—a man crippled in both feet, calling himself nothing more than “a dead dog.” Yet King David, remembering his covenant with Jonathan, sought him out—not for punishment, but for grace, welcoming him to dine at the king's table.In today's episode, we return to Paul's sermon series from the archives, David: A Matter of the Heart. This week, Paul shows how this small story of mercy becomes a powerful window into the grand story of Redemption.To hear more sermons from Paul, visit PaulTripp.com/Sermons.
Everyone gets a turn in the rotation of painful situations, but there are varying degrees of trouble, big and small. When we haven't been through the fire, we may have a hard time understanding the painful burns of extreme loss. When the trouble is not in our lives, it takes intentional effort to have compassion, empathy, and true concern. This episode considers three ways that God increases our compassion for others, with the goal of becoming better about caring about others. "But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies." (Lamentations 3:32) Books, Bible Studies, and more in the Shop at Keep the Heart Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley Mentioned in the Episode: "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram Like Keep the Heart on Facebook
Fr. Anthony Wieck & Kris McGregor continue the the Spiritual Exercises. In part one of our conversation, Fr. Wieck discusses contemplation to attain the love of God. The post HSE12 – Contemplation to Attain the Love of God, pt. 1 – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This is not another pep talk about “faking it ‘til you make it.” This is about the kind of courage that moves you across the country with no safety net. The kind of self-trust that makes you leave a perfect-on-paper career to follow your SOUL.In this raw + unapologetic conversation, I'm breaking down why courage does the heavy lifting that confidence gets glorified for—and why TRUST is the bridge to both. I share the moves that scared me most, the moments my intuition screamed louder than logic, and the decisions that rewrote my entire reality.If you've been waiting for the confidence to show up before you make your next bold move—this is your wake-up call: choose courage first.MAYBE YOU NEEDED TO HEAR THIS TODAY:Courage is the REAL catalyst—confidence is just the proof you made it through.Your highest timeline will never be built on betraying your HEART.Intuition isn't reckless—it's your soul's GPS.Every bold choice reinforces your ability to trust yourSELF.Freedom requires risk. Playing safe is the fastest way to suffocate your dreams.⭐️YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS: Please: Subscribe + leave 5⭐️Star rating +review HEREEnjoy! xRxFIND ME ON:️INSTAGRAMSUBSTACKYOUTUBEXTHREADSFREE RESOURCES:
The crew discuss back to back CGs, and predict what Frontier could surprise us with in the final new feature of the year.Community Corner:Alec's interesting colonisation systems thread – https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/alecs-guide-to-interesting-colonisation-systems-and-stations.638893/“Heart in the Infinite | Out There” by Commander Exorcist – https://youtu.be/Z3nmL-Gnuo8“A Friendly Canyon Race in The Fatherhood Squadron” by DangerPencil – https://youtu.be/aHD6VREuHn0“A Beginner's Guide to Elite Dangerous in 2025” by Dituri's Elitehttps://youtu.be/f-eETEUQ8-Y“Sideshow” by Commander Tommen – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqGsnLqzkNe9eylrRMot0DwAwsVDJ9f8gElite Dangereuse Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/EliteDangereuseEDCoPilot discord:https://discord.com/channels/762683864589271060/1186680864915075183/142754135985357214
Although people often perceive fundraising as refined conversations and confident asks, the reality is far more complex. Many fundraisers often struggle with self-doubt, suspicious of whether they fit into the category of a ‘good fundraiser.' Whether it's redefining what skills matter, reframing the role of data, or turning challenges like lapsed donors into opportunities, this episode explores how shifting perspectives can open new possibilities. From embracing experimentation to dismantling the myths that hold back individuals and teams, this episode is packed with insights on how to reframe fundraising. Meet Karen Kelly, the Development Manager at the Anne Arundel County Food Bank in Crownsville, Maryland, where she oversees database management, recurring giving, and new donor outreach as part of a small but dedicated team. Karen co-founded and led Through the Heart with her husband, a nonprofit providing pregnancy loss resources and support, where she managed day-to-day operations for 10 years before joining the food bank. Holding a doctorate in educational leadership, she also has experience in higher education as both staff and an adjunct instructor. Fundraising for Karen was unexpected, like for most people, and has become her passion and expertise. She joined us today to explore how nonprofits can use data-driven strategies to strengthen fundraising efforts. In this episode, you will be able to: Understand how data can guide strategic fundraising decisions and boost donor engagement. Discover why re-engaging lapsed donors is worth the effort and how to do it effectively. Learn ways to shift from a scarcity mindset to seeing fundraising as an opportunity. Gain practical tips for tailoring donor communication to maximize impact. Learn why the myth of the “perfect extroverted fundraiser” is misleading. Get all the resources from today's episode here. Zeffy is a game-changing fundraising platform built exclusively for nonprofits. Unlike other platforms that take a cut of your hard work through credit card and transaction fees, Zeffy is 100% free from transaction and platform fees. That means every dollar you raise goes directly toward fueling your mission. Trusted by more than 50,000 nonprofits, Zeffy empowers organizations of every size to streamline their fundraising with tools to collect donations, sell tickets, and manage donors all in one place. Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_malloryerickson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthefundraising YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@malloryerickson7946 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/mallory-erickson-bressler/ Website: malloryerickson.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-fundraising/id1575421652 If you haven't already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link. If you're looking to raise more from the right funders, then you'll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point
In this episode of Status Check with Spivey, Mike interviews Elizabeth Vargas, journalist and television news anchor, on her journey to learning how to cope healthily with lifelong anxiety and panic attacks, on overcoming professional setbacks, and on advice for young people facing the stresses of the LSAT, law school admissions, law school, and finding legal employment.Elizabeth Vargas anchors “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” (weeknights, 7 p.m. ET), an hour-long weekday news program that debuted April 3, 2023 on NewsNation. Vargas has traveled the world covering breaking news stories, reporting in-depth investigations, and conducting newsmaker interviews. She previously hosted the hit newsmagazine show “20/20” on ABC for 15 years, served as Co-Anchor of ABC's World News Tonight, and was a news anchor and frequent host of “Good Morning America.” She also hosted A&E Investigates, a series of documentaries that still air on Hulu.In 2016, Vargas released her memoir, Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction, which spent several weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and won numerous awards. Vargas is a member of the board of directors for the non-profit Partnership to End Addiction and hosts “Heart of the Matter,” a podcast focused on addiction, recovery, and the stigma so many face in their effort to heal.Vargas mentions and recommends writer Mary Karr's books, The Liars' Club and Lit, in this episode.Mike also discusses our interview with Justin Ishbia, who was the last person admitted to Vanderbilt Law from the waitlist when he applied and now owns the Phoenix Suns.You can listen and subscribe to Status Check with Spivey on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. You can read a full transcript with timestamps here.
Send us a textMost companies say they care about engagement — but decades of data show those engagement scores barely move. Meanwhile, burnout has become a global epidemic.In this episode of FUTUREPROOF., we sit down with Mark C. Crowley, bestselling author of Lead from the Heart and the new book The Power of Employee Well-Being, to explore why the billion-dollar engagement industry has failed workers — and what science says actually drives performance.Crowley argues that engagement is a symptom, not a cause — and that well-being, not busyness, is the real engine of productivity. He shares evidence-backed ways leaders can track and improve well-being, hold managers accountable for the human side of leadership, and create workplaces where people genuinely thrive.We discuss:Why engagement surveys don't work (and what to measure instead)How well-being directly impacts innovation and retentionWhat post-pandemic workforces really want from leadershipThe neuroscience of motivation and connection at workHow to lead with authenticity without losing authorityIf you've ever wondered why “perks” don't fix burnout, or what the next era of human-centered leadership looks like, this episode will make you rethink what it means to truly lead people.
Adventure, faith, and the courage to let go of “shoulds”In an unforgettable conversation that blends adventure, faith, and the challenges of personal growth, Michelle LeBeau shares from the heart. From serving as a VIP escort at the 1984 Olympics, and hopping freight trains in college, Michelle's adventurous spirit shines through. She also shares about her family's ongoing involvement in the Olympics and her impactful work with Y Malawi, alongside a lighter moment—recently rocking out at a Rolling Stones cover band concert for a cause supporting youth homelessness.But this episode goes deeper than stories of adventure. Together we tackle the real struggles women face—fear of judgment, failure, and not meeting societal expectations. Michelle opens up about her own battles with self-doubt and the burden of “shoulds,” offering insight on how self-awareness, grace, and embracing vulnerability can transform not just ourselves but also the way we serve others. Together, they explore what it means to live with courage, push past fear, and reflect the love and inclusivity of Jesus.Michelle is our guest this week for Spicy Christian Women - Becoming All that and a Bag of Chips. Here is part two.he has been on the podcast before in A Hippy at Heart.You can find Michelle at San Diego Rescue Mission.Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms. Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramYouTubeIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes. We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by blogging, from the endless to-do list, the constant stream of advice, or the pressure to be present on every platform… then this conversation is for you. In this 200th episode of The Ultimate Blog Podcast, Amy and Jennifer share some encouragement and practical strategies about what blogging success really looks like – because you can have a successful blog and an enjoyable life!
We're in the middle of a spiritual revolution.More and more of us are waking up, questioning old systems, and feeling this pull to connect to something deeper. But let's be real: that awakening? It's not always easy—and it's definitely not always clear.With so much spiritual noise out there—from TikTok trends and “instant manifestation” promises to endless gurus and wellness products—how do you know what's real? How do you tell the difference between truth and trend? And most importantly… how do you trust yourself on your spiritual path?That's exactly what we're talking about today with the incredible Dr. Amy Robbins—clinical psychologist, spiritual teacher, and host of "Life, Death and The Space Between."Amy has a gift for blending science and spirituality in a way that feels grounded, empowering, and totally real. Together, we're getting into practical spirituality, exploring: What it means to truly listen to your intuitionHow to spot spiritual red flagsThe connection between psychological and spiritual self-trustHow to set healthy boundaries in both your life and your spiritual practiceWays to navigate the “spiritual clutter” with clarity and confidenceWhy the most important tool on your journey might just be your own inner compassIf you've ever thought: “Am I just making this up?”—this episode is for you.MORE FROM THIS EPISODEListen to "Life, Death, and The Space Between" wherever you get your podcasts.Find out more about working with dramyrobbins.com"Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart" by Dr. James Doty Visit seekingcentercommunity.com for more with Robyn + Karen and many of the guides on Seeking Center: The Podcast. You'll get access to live weekly sessions, intuitive guidance, daily inspiration, and a space to share your journey with like-minded people who just get it. Visit seekingcentercommunity.com for more with Robyn + Karen and many of the guides on Seeking Center: The Podcast. You'll get access to live weekly sessions, intuitive guidance, daily inspiration, and a space to share your journey with like-minded people who just get it. You can also follow Seeking Center on Instagram @theseekingcenter.
In this episode, Antonia and Andrew discuss the October 15, 2025 issue of JBJS, along with an added dose of entertainment and pop culture. Listen at the gym, on your commute, or whenever your case is on hold! Link: JBJS website: https://jbjs.org/issue.php Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by JBJS Clinical Classroom. Subspecialties: Trauma, Orthopaedic Essentials, Knee, Infection, Foot & Ankle, Spine, Shoulder, Elbow, Hip, Education & Training, Ethics Chapters (00:00:03) - Your Cases on Hold(00:01:28) - Top of the pile(00:02:35) - Pediatric Spine Frailty Index(00:04:03) - Pediatric Spine Frailty Index(00:11:54) - Symptoms of pediatric frailty(00:14:03) - Heart disease after total knee arthroplasty in Korea(00:21:16) - Total Knee Replacement, Revision for Infection (PGI)(00:26:24) - Knee arthroplasties 15 year mortality risk study(00:28:38) - Honorary Mention
It was a second straight 1-0 victory for the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field on Saturday, as the Rave Green topped Real Salt Lake on a Paul Rothrock game-winner. With fifth place in the West all but locked up, we'll discuss Seattle's prospective postseason opponents, and preview this weekend's Decision Day clash at New York City FC.Follow Lobbing Scorchers: YouTube Instagram Bluesky TikTok Ari Liljenwall Noah RiffeSPONSORSHaxan Ferments - Specializing in unique, small-batch fermented hot sauces and vinegars, Haxan Ferments is handcrafted in Georgetown and made with the best local ingredients from across the Pacific Northwest. Use Code LS for a FREE Hot Sauce w/ purchase!Sounder at Heart - Our network host and biggest supporter, Sounder at Heart covers the Seattle Sounders, Seattle Reign, and MUCH MORE! Subscribe and Support to the BEST independent Seattle Soccer coverage.Podium Edmonds - Located at 114 4th Ave N, just off Main Street in the heart of Downtown Edmonds, come shop and explore the best menswear in the Pacific Northwest. Tell them Lobbing Scorchers sent you!Full Pull Wines - Founded in 2009, they the best boutique wines of the world to members, with special focus on our home, the Pacific Northwest.My Data Removal - Data brokers are selling your personal information! Fight back with My Data Removal. Hunt down and scrub your sensitive information from the internet. Use code "LS" for $10 off your annual plan.Seattle Sounders Tickets - Get tickets to an upcoming match straight from the club and help support the show at the same time.MLS Season Pass - MLS Season Pass is back on Apple TV with access to every single MLS match—including Leagues Cup and the entire Audi MLS Cup Playoffs—with no blackouts! Subscribe today to support the show.MLS Store - New year, new gear! The 2025 MLS jerseys are here, and MLSStore is the ultimate destination for every fan. Every purchase helps support our show!Lobbing Scorchers is a production of Just Once Media.Lobbing Scorchers is a Seattle Sounders and MLS focused show brought to you by Sounder at Heart. Hosted by Major League Soccer's Ari Liljenwall and Producer Noah Riffe. Join us as we lob our scorching takes on the American soccer landscape, Seattle Sounders, Major League Soccer, USMNT and more.Contact: lobbingscorchers@justoncemedia.com
Episode 208 of The Hitstreak, a podcast where we talk about anything and everything! This week we are joined by Artist, Songwriter & Advocate, Struggle Jennings!Episode in a Glance:Check it out! In this episode of The Hitstreak, I get to engage in a deep conversation with Struggle Jennings, a multifaceted artist and advocate. We discuss the importance of pursuing dreams, the challenges of navigating the music industry as an independent artist, and the influence of family legacy. Struggle shares his personal journey, including his experiences with addiction, recovery, and the impact of his music on others. This episode also highlights the work of Smiles for Recovery and Dollars for a Heart, emphasizing the power of community support and the ripple effect of kindness in transforming lives.Key Points:- Always pursue your dreams despite obstacles.- Navigating the music industry requires resilience and creativity.- Storytelling in music connects deeply with audiences.- Community support is vital for recovery and growth.- Independent artists can thrive without major labels.- Personal growth is a continuous journey.- The ripple effect of kindness can transform communities.- It's never too late to change your life.About our guest: Grandson of the legendary Waylon Jennings, Struggle Jennings has built his own legacy by turning hardship into hope. His journey—from battles with addiction and prison time to becoming a voice of resilience—shows that redemption is always possible. Beyond the music, Struggle is dedicated to giving back. Through Smiles For Recovery, he helps restore dignity and confidence by providing dental care and support to those in recovery. He also partners with Dollars With a Heart, an organization fighting hunger and responding to urgent needs. Together, they bring both immediate help and long-term healing to those who need it most. Struggle's mission is simple yet powerful: break stigmas, restore hope, and use his platform to change lives.Follow and contact:Instagram: @iamstrugglestrugglejennings.com**Once the goal of 2.5 million members is met, 1,000 limited-edition T-shirts and the unreleased song will be sent, along with the first 1,000 full dental care awards!**Subscribe to Nick's top-rated podcast The Hitstreak on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/NickHiterFollow and Rate us on Spotify: https://spotify.com/NickHiterFollow and Rate us on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/NickHiterFollow and Rate us on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/NickHiter
In this talk, Hogen Roshi shares insights from a recent workshop at the monastery integrating Zen practice with Byron Katie's method of inquiry. He explores how questioning our fixed beliefs—about ourselves, others, and the world—opens freedom and flexibility, and how this investigation aligns with the heart of Zen's great inquiry: What is true? Drawing on examples from daily life, the teachings of Dao Wei, and Thich Nhat Hanh's reflections on impermanence, Hogen shows how seeing from many perspectives helps loosen identification and cultivate vow. Ultimately, he reminds us that because all things are impermanent, we have the creative potential to nurture love, equanimity, and our deepest aspiration in each moment.This talk was given during the Heart of Wisdom Sunday Evening program on September 7 2025. ★ Support this podcast ★
Heart of the House | Experience God | Tim Bittle by TFH SF
Jesus's love for children calls you to share his heart and kindness with every boy and girl you know. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Have you ever felt like you’ve been living as a version of yourself that isn’t quite you—the one who smiles when exhausted, says “I’m fine” when breaking, and keeps the peace even when your soul is screaming for truth? While most healing advice focuses on moving forward, real transformation happens when you come home to yourself. In this powerful episode, psychologist, author, and sacred artist Dr Thema Bryant reveals the journey from trauma to truth and what it truly means to reclaim your authentic self after years of people-pleasing and self-abandonment. The Healer Who Has Healed Dr Thema Bryant isn’t just a psychologist who studies healing—she’s a healer who has walked her own journey through trauma and transformation. As a survivor of sexual violence, she discovered that reclaiming her body through dance protected her relationship with herself during the healing process. With a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Duke University, post-doctoral training at Harvard Medical Centre’s Victims of Violence Program, and as the 2023 president of the American Psychological Association, Dr Thema combines academic excellence with deeply personal wisdom. Her recently released book, Matters of the Heart (Penguin Random House, February 2025), empowers readers to heal their relationships with themselves and others. What Homecoming Really Means Dr Thema’s most powerful insight: “To come home to myself is to tell myself the truth and to live based on that truth.” When we experience interpersonal trauma, we develop survival mechanisms that disconnect us from ourselves. We become experts at anticipating others’ needs, moulding ourselves to keep the peace, and sending our “representative” instead of our authentic self. This people-pleasing pattern may have kept us safe, but it keeps us living as side characters in our own lives. The Truth About Healing “Healing doesn’t always feel good in the moment. Healing can feel awkward. It can feel messy. I’ve even had some people say it feels fake because they’re used to faking it.” This discomfort triggers our deepest fears of abandonment and rejection. But here’s the liberating truth: you can be real and still be loved. While some people may walk away when you show up authentically, this creates space for genuine connections with kindred spirits who align with your true self. Trauma Affects You, But It Doesn’t Define You Dr Thema reveals how many of us unconsciously make the people who hurt us the central characters in our lives. “Everything we do is in response to them—’I hope they see me now. Wait till they see me now.’ So they’re still the centre of it. I’m trying to prove my worthiness to them.” The gift of healing is removing them from centre stage and showing up fully for your own life. From Surviving to Thriving Dr Thema draws a critical distinction using Maya Angelou’s wisdom: “Surviving is necessary, but thriving is elegant.” Survival is making it through each day. Thriving is developing your gifts, cultivating healthy relationships, building your strengths, and learning to be soft in places you’ve hardened. The journey requires moving beyond just relieving distress to experiencing genuine growth, purpose, and joy. Breaking Generational Patterns Some wounds we have, we actually inherited. Dr Thema encourages us to reflect on which lessons from our parents and ancestors are wisdom worth keeping, which need adjustment, and which should be released entirely. We can honour previous generations without duplicating patterns that no longer serve us. The Boundary Challenge On boundaries, Dr Thema offers revealing insight: from childhood, girls are conditioned through toys and social messaging to prioritise caretaking and self-sacrifice, while boys learn to advocate for themselves and pursue what they want. When you take care of yourself, people call it selfish—but that’s the conditioning we must unlearn. Three Golden Nuggets: Start Today Wake Up Before You Have to Get Up. Start your day nourishing yourself instead of rushing around feeling anxious. Create morning space for you. Check Your Circle: Be careful about who you keep in your inner circle. Choose people aligned with your healing who see your value and worth. Never Give Up on Chang.e You are not stuck. Whatever age you are, it’s not too late to grow, transform, and give yourself permission to try something different. About Dr Thema Bryant Dr Thema Bryant is a psychologist, author, professor, sacred artist, and minister leading the way in creating healthy relationships and healing trauma. She is a tenured professor at Pepperdine University, host of The Homecoming Podcast, and author of Matters of the Heart. Dr. Thema is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and leads the mental health ministry at First A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles. Key Takeaway Coming home to yourself isn’t about learning more tactics. It’s about doing the internal work to tell yourself the truth, reclaim your voice, and live from the center of your being. When you can be authentic instead of performing, you unlock a level of freedom that changes everything. You can watch the video of the conversation on YouTube Find Out More About Dr. Thema Bryant Website: drthema.com Follow Dr Thema on Instagram: @dr.thema Follow Dr Thema on Facebook Grab Your Copy of Dr. Bryant’s Latest Book: Matters of the Heart (available now)
For this new series, John and Allen invite five guests over five weeks to complete the following statement: “I just don't understand how people can survive without...” Sam Eldredge kicks off the opening episode with a surprising response. Sam is a licensed therapist, the director of Noble Workshops, and John's oldest son. You'll be intrigued by his insights into the human condition and the one thing he believes we most need to make it through the day.Show Notes: To find out more about Noble Workshops and upcoming events, visit nobleworkshops.com. The movie John references is Sing Sing. Sam's media recommendations include Gustav Holst's The Planets, “Jupiter”; Jensen McRae's song “My Ego Dies at the End”; William Shakespeare's The Tempest; the movie Arrival; the book The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt; the quote from Simone Weil (“There are only two things that pierce the human heart. One is beauty. The other is affliction.“); and the poem “The Peace of Wild Things,” by Wendell Berry._______________________________________________There is more.Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at Questions@WildatHeart.orgSupport the mission or find more on our website: WildAtHeart.org or on our app.Apple: Wild At Heart AppAndroid: Wild At Heart AppWatch on YouTubeThe stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available here.More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android.Apple: One Minute Pause AppAndroid: One Minute Pause App
Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. In today's conversation, Michael is joined by returning guest and renowned author John Eldredge, known to many as the author behind the bestselling book Wild at Heart. This time, John dives deep into the message of his latest book, Experience Jesus. Really. Together, Michael and John unravel the life-changing invitation to authentic, everyday communion with Jesus—beyond religious formulas, beyond inspiration, and into truly experiencing God's presence in a way that's both simple and profoundly transformative.They discuss why many believers feel let down by empty promises of intimacy with God, how technology and today's relentless pace are wounding the human soul, and why, now more than ever, we need ancient practices of deep attachment and interiority. John shares his heart for spiritual restoration—rooted in Isaiah 61 and a Gospel that offers not just rescue, but soul-deep wholeness and restoration for both men and women. The episode also explores the misunderstood beauty of Christian mysticism, the importance of “benevolent detachment,” and practical tools like the Pause app, which John's team created to guide people into genuine encounters with Jesus—accessible to everyone, everywhere.Support the showENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:- Follow us on YouTube - Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS- Like us on Facebook- Follow us on Instagram & Twitter- Follow Michael on Twitter- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com Thanks for listening!
We would love to pray for you! Please send us your requests here. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Most men fear heart disease, but what if the real danger isn't your cholesterol levels… it's the lies you've been told about them? In this powerful episode of The Super Human Life, Coach Frank Rich sits down with Dr. Stephen Hussey, functional medicine expert and author of Understanding the Heart, to expose the myths surrounding cholesterol, statins, and the true causes of heart attacks. After suffering a heart attack in his 30s, Dr. Hussey refused the conventional path of medication and surgery and instead discovered a revolutionary truth about how the heart actually works. He shares how the heart's primary role isn't to pump blood, but to create a vortex of energy that moves blood through structured water and infrared light. Together, Frank and Dr. Hussey explore the connection between modern lifestyle, environmental stressors, and the epidemic of chronic disease — along with the spiritual dimension of healing that Western medicine ignores. This conversation will challenge everything you've been taught about heart health — and show you how to reclaim your body's God-given ability to heal itself. Expect To Learn: Why cholesterol does NOT cause heart disease and what actually does The true function of the heart as an energetic vortex, not a mechanical pump How structured water and infrared light drive blood flow and cellular energy The real cause of heart attacks and why blockages alone don't explain them How environmental stress, EMFs, and modern lifestyles damage the heart Why Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is the real metric of nervous system health The connection between faith, stress, and physical healing How knowledge and personal responsibility can transform your health Practical lifestyle changes that can reverse heart disease naturally Connect with Dr. Stephen Hussey: Book - https://amzn.to/4mYsiZ5 Website - https://resourceyourhealth.com/ Coaching - https://stephenbhussey.com/register --- Connect with Frank and The Super Human Life on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachfrankrich/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/584284948647477/ Website: http://www.thesuperhumanlifepodcast.com/tshlhome YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjB4UrpxtNO2AFtDURMzoKQ
272. Pathway to Joy and Happiness in Parenting with Amy Rienow Psalm 144:15b NKJV, "Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!" *Transcription Below* Questions and Topics We Cover: Will you share your story of God revealing a spirit of perfectionism was sneaking into motherhood? How can we recognize our own spirit of perfectionism and what can we do about it? What is one thing you've found every mom needs more of and how can we get it? Thank You to Our Sponsor: MidwestFoodBank.org Amy Rienow's first ministry is loving her husband and nurturing faith in their seven children. She and Rob founded and lead Visionary Family Ministries, a ministry created to equip parents, encourage couples, and help families live for Christ. She attended the University of Illinois, followed by Wheaton College Graduate School, where she earned her MA in Clinical Psychology. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor. Amy has her hands full as a mom, partnering with Rob, and serving in the women's and worship ministries at church. Savvy Sauce Episodes Mentioned in Episode: Special Patreon Re-Release: Discipline that Disciples with Dr. Rob Rienow Five Love Languages with Dr. Gary Chapman 87 Visionary Parenting and Grand-Parenting with Dr. Rob Rienow 182 Things I Wish I'd Have Known Before My Child Became a Teenager with Dr. Gary Chapman 220 Cultivating Healthy Family Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman 245 Stories Series: Miracles Big and Small with Dr. Rob Rienow 230 Intentional Parenting in All Stages with Dr. Rob Rienow Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook, Instagram or Our Website Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast! Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.” Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Luke 15:10 “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“ Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“ Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” *Transcription* Music: (0:00 – 0:09) Laura Dugger: (0:11 - 1:43) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here. Thank you to an anonymous donor to Midwest Food Bank, who paid the sponsorship fee in hopes of spreading awareness. Learn more about this amazing nonprofit organization at MidwestFoodBank.org. I'm thrilled to get to introduce you to my inspiring guest for today, Amy Rienow. Now, that last name may sound familiar because Amy's husband, Dr. Rob Rienow, has been a previous guest multiple times, actually. So, I'll make sure and link his previous episodes in the show notes, along with other episodes that we recommend in this conversation. Amy and Rob are founders of Visionary Family Ministries, and they are parents to seven children. Amy is also an author, podcaster, and she's practiced as a licensed clinical professional counselor in the past, so she's going to combine all of this experience together, and her wisdom just pours out as now she's going to seek to encourage us to seek the Lord and follow His guidance, especially as parents in our parenting journey. Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Amy. Amy Rienow: (1:44 - 1:51) Hi Laura. I'm so glad to do this with you. It's been a while since we've talked about it, and I'm excited to be here today. Laura Dugger: (1:51 - 2:00) Well, I'm thrilled to have you join, and I'd love to just dive in and hear how did Jesus Christ become your personal Lord and Savior? Amy Rienow: (2:01 - 3:39) I love that you start with that question. I grew up in a home with a Christian mom and a non-Christian dad, but they had made an arrangement before they were even married. She did have the wisdom to ask her husband to give her the domain of that, like picking a church, and he was willing to go with us as a family to church, even though he was not a believer, and that was very clear. But she led me to the Lord when I was about four years old, and I grew up going to church, and that was my first. I feel like I never kind of have a lot of memory of not knowing Jesus, but I would say that my faith increased and became even more my own. I feel like it was always my own, but in high school, I went on a missions trip to Mexico, and I will never forget the experience of being in a very poor town in Mexico, and there was this horrible storm coming in, and all of us Americans were afraid of the storm, and we ran into the church while the service kept going on, and literally none of the Mexican people that were outside in the service, the storm didn't faze them at all. They just kept going on, and honestly, that was such a pivotal point in my life where I was like, that is the type of faith that I wanted to have. I mean, it really cemented. I feel like that's when the Holy Spirit just helped me to know that that's who I want to be. I want to be a person of that kind of faith in the Lord that is not budging when the storms come. Laura Dugger: (3:40 - 4:04) Love that. Thank you for sharing, and since that time, you've added some people to your family, so I'd love to get a snapshot of your family right now and then share some more about motherhood, specifically in one of your books you wrote about recognizing that you had a spirit of perfectionism. So, I'd love to hear more about that because I think it's very relatable. Amy Rienow: (4:05 - 6:43) Well, my family right now, I've been married to my husband Rob for 30 years. I have seven children, R.W., Lissy, J.D., Lainey, Millie, Ray, and Rush. And R.W. is turning 28 this year. He has one little boy. His name is Cliff, so that's my grandbaby number three. My daughter Lissy is married to Bond, and she's about to have baby number three, so that will be my fourth grandbaby. She has Avey, Bondy, and then this little new one on the way. And then my son J.D. just got married to Brooke last summer, so that is exciting. We're thrilled, thrilled, thrilled to have Brooke in our family. Lainey is graduating from Olivet. She graduated in three years, which we're really proud of. Millie is a junior. Ray is a freshman, and Rush is in fifth grade, and I still homeschool those three. They kind of do part-time at a Christian school here, and then I homeschool the rest of the time. So, that is my current family. It's expanding. As you will find out when you get to the stage, expansions come very quickly, and it's exciting, exciting times. But about that spirit of perfectionism, actually, even before I became a mom, I was convicted of a spirit of perfectionism because I had always been very critical of myself. I had a very critical spirit. Just I don't know if it was, you know, the peer pressure, what those components are. I'm a middle child, but I just tended to critique myself very harshly. And after I was married, even about a year, the Lord showed me how, because of my husband and I were becoming one flesh, I was really turning that critical spirit onto him. But then there was a book called The Fly Lady. She is a home organization. I think I mention it in my book, but that is when I really began to understand that I struggled with perfectionism, and that's often what kept me paralyzed. It often keep me with that, you know, I would say engaging with that critical spirit, communicating a lot of criticisms, whether it be to my children or to my husband. So, that was, you know, so it started early in marriage, but by the time I was well into motherhood, I was really starting to understand what this was. What the critical spirit was, and it really was a spirit of perfectionism. Laura Dugger: (6:44 - 6:52) Well, and the Lord met you there, and there is a story that you share related to picture frames. Would you be willing to tell that? Amy Rienow: (6:52 - 9:07) Yeah. So, my daughter, Lissy, was graduating from high school, and it was classic me. I was trying to like get this massive graduation party together, and I'm sort of a procrastinator and life is busy. So, it's like we are, okay, I got to get this done before this big party, this big event, and had a friend who was a decorator to kind of give me an idea of what to do. And so, my husband and really the whole family was kind of working overtime to get everything ready for this big event. And he had helped my, we had this huge wall that had to be that my decorator friend suggested a gallery wall. So, we had all of these pictures up and I was looking at it late at night, kind of exhausted. We're talking about past midnight and I know it wasn't just my husband helping. I had JD helping. I don't remember where I was, but we were just all working hard to get this ready for this party. And I was laying there as past midnight looking at that wall and so frustrated, like so frustrated because all those pictures I kept looking at like, Oh, this is going to be a mess. Like they're all, they're not like, you know, they're not command stripped. Right. And so they're all going to be, I just felt like, what have I done? It's looking crooked already. And it was so frustrating to me. And that is when the Holy spirit completely convicted me with just like, Amy, you should be looking what's in those pictures and not whether they're crooked or not crooked. Like, first of all, like all the family has been helping me with this vision. Right. And it's not really their vision. It's my vision. They've all been supportive of me in front of me. It was a wall of all the memories of all these beautiful pictures. And here I was so focused on my right angles and having it look perfect for the crowd coming in at the graduation party, as opposed to what everything on that wall represented. And so, it was a very convicting moment to me of just like, I have a choice. Am I going to embrace everything in those pictures and everything my family's done to help us get to this special day? Or am I going to come in and be fixated on how crooked those picture frames look to me right now? Laura Dugger: (9:07 - 9:19) Appreciate you sharing that. And I'm wondering for any parent, especially listening, if they find themselves identifying with that spirit of perfectionism, what can we do with that? Amy Rienow: (9:20 - 11:11) It's a challenging one because I think our culture promotes it. And I also think I'm on the flip side of the positive side of it. Let me just say, I believe there's a vision of perfect in our hearts because we were created for perfect. We're created for heaven. And the Bible says that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, or no mind has even conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. So, there's this drive for perfect that I think is very good and right. And so, we don't want to give up like excellence, or we don't want to give up that we have that drive. The problem is that the enemy, in fact, I've actually done more research on this. There's really can be a demonic spirit of perfectionism where we're trying to create heaven here. We're trying to think in our own flesh and our own strength that we can take care of all of our sin, take care of all of our flaws. We can take care of our children's flaws. We can take care of our husband's flaws. That is actually from the enemy in the sense that we believe in our own strength. And you can look at that through history. It's basically a form of humanism that we can fix everything in ourselves. God makes it very clear in scripture that that is not possible. So, I think understanding this tension, that it's okay to want things to be wonderful, that's not bad. But what's bad is when we leave God out of the picture and we put this pressure on ourselves and on the people around us to accomplish what only can God can do. And we don't accept God's timing. We don't have patience with who we are, our sinful nature and really put our trust in Christ and not in ourselves. Laura Dugger: (11:12 - 12:56) Let's take a quick break to hear a message from our sponsor. Midwest Food Bank exists to provide industry leading food relief to those in need while feeding them spiritually. They are a food charity with a desire to demonstrate God's love by providing help to those in need. Unlike other parts of the world where there's not enough food in America, the resources actually do exist. That's why food pantries and food banks like Midwest Food Bank are so important. The goods that they deliver to their agency partners help to supplement the food supply for families and individuals across our country, aiding those whose resources are beyond stretched. Midwest Food Bank also supports people globally through their locations in Haiti and East Africa, which are some of the areas hardest hit by hunger arising from poverty. This ministry reaches millions of people every year. And thanks to the Lord's provision, 99% of every donation goes directly toward providing food to people in need. The remaining 1% of income is used for fundraising, costs of leadership, oversight, and other administrative expenses. Donations, volunteers, and prayers are always appreciated for Midwest Food Bank. To learn more, visit midwestfoodbank.org, or listen to episode 83 of The Savvy Sauce, where the founder, David Kieser, shares miracles of God that he's witnessed through this nonprofit organization. I hope you check them out today. You also write in one of your books that there's one thing that you found every mother needs. So, what is it and how can we get it? Amy Rienow: (12:56 - 14:56) That one thing is joy, joy, joy. And, and I like to use the word happiness, honestly, because I feel like that happiness got a bad rap, I say, in Christian world for like a while, in my opinion. I don't know if it's still that way, but so often I heard sermon saying, you know, like we don't want happiness. We want joy. Like there's these two different major things, like, you know, almost like a rejection of happiness for this deeper spiritual joy. Well, finally, the Lord really convicted me that deep, deep inner joy that doesn't show is an oxymoron. Like, you really should see happiness. You should feel happiness. You should feel those things. If you ever come across someone's like, oh no, I have a deep joy, but like, there's no evidence of it. Well, that's a red flag. That's a problem. The Lord, you know, in the King James version, it actually says happier people whose God is the Lord. And I believe every mom desires that happiness. And sometimes they don't even really know that that's the most important element that they want in their home, you know, because it's so easy to get, I don't know, sidetracked on things that feel more important that you kind of forget how important happiness is. And, you know, we can take it for granted. I feel like very easily because often when our kids are little and we don't have not entered that world of, whether it be academic or whatever into the greater world, let's just say in your home, you can kind of have like a natural happiness and joy that's just there, but it's so easily stifled. When we start putting our self into the world of either comparing ourselves to other moms, comparing our kids to other kids, stressing about the expectations or what we think our kids need. We can often find that happiness slipping away. And I believe we do not want that to happen in our homes and in our hearts. Laura Dugger: (14:57 - 15:08) And so how can we get more of that, both as parents and how can we train our kids to be happy and joyful as well? Amy Rienow: (15:09 - 17:18) It's such a good question and a hard question. Cause I don't think it's just like we can snap our fingers and just do that. I think that it's really important that we are seeking the Lord and helping him order our priorities. You know, God gave us 10 commandments for a reason. And if you look at the first one, it says, “You know, you'll have no other gods before me, you'll keep him first.” And part of the reason why I think that commandment is both like the first and also in many ways, very abstract, like, you know what I mean? How do you even do that? You know, it's confusing, I think, but I think that's what the Lord wants is of a seeking of helping us keep him first. Because when we help to keep God first, number one, and number two, we don't have idols that we bow down to, that we place above him. Like, let's take an example of motherhood. Let's say the idol might be, um, I have to have super smart children. Let's put it that way. You know, your joy is going to be robbed when you keep sacrificing to that idol, because that's a trap. Like the enemy wants to trap you there to make the wrong sacrifices. And that is why I think God knows this. Like he's telling us right in those 10 commandments, you know, you need to keep me first. You can have no, do not worship to idols. Because when you're making the sacrifices to eternal God, who is the author of joy, the author of love, the author of peace, those are the things he gives back to you. No other idol can give you peace. No other idol can give you joy. So, I think when we look at the lack of joy that we see in a lot of our homes in our culture, it's because we've been ensnared into an idolatry where we're making the wrong sacrifices. We're sacrificing things that we don't realize the consequence of that until we're in it. And we're like, wait, this didn't produce the happiness and joy that I expected it to produce. Cause we were tricked. Laura Dugger: (17:19 - 17:27) Do you have any examples from your own life or friend's stories where that really comes to life? Amy Rienow: (17:27 - 21:22) Oh boy. There's lots of examples and lots of friends stories, but I'm going to say one that's more of a story that I'm well aware of and not, you know, personally walk hand with. But I think it's always struck with me because it was so painful story. You know, I grew up, I've raised a lot of athletes in my home and my son, especially my first born very athletic boy. And we were kind of at the beginning of the cusp of how important travel was, you know what I mean? Travel baseball and travel, you know, sports in general. And there's that pressure. You need to choose this. You need to do this or else you are going to, you know, ruin the advantages for your child. If you don't do this, even if choosing that is going to mean you're going to sacrifice family time, you're going to sacrifice finances. You are going to sacrifice your Sundays. I could go on and on. The world will tell you you have to do this in order to get to the prize that you're looking for, or your son is going to be disadvantaged. If you don't choose that. And it took a lot to be like, no, we're not going to make, we're not going to make that trade. And there was a lot of pressure. There's a lot of pressure with our son, you know what I mean? With him feeling sometimes neglected and having to deal in that relationship. So, it's not like that's immediate happiness or immediate joy, you know, but what did it did allow us to disciple him through all that. It allowed us to see God, you know, use him, whatever team he was on, give him a lot of joy in sports. The blessing of it is that we saw him in high school, you know, excel in baseball, always rise to the top, win character awards. He eventually did go on to play college baseball and AIA, not like D1, but he got to play, got to use that gift to pay for his education. But most importantly, he was a joyful, happy kid. Baseball didn't control his life. And I just praise God for that. And in contrast, he, at the same, his age, same age level, there were these two boys who were twins were very well known for being top, top, top, top players. And they were just elevated in many circles we were in. And, you know, you, when you're in the baseball world, baseball moms will understand this, you know who the top players are. You see the name, like, you know, when your son's in the paper for something, you know, he was listed in the number of top of DuPage kids. And obviously that's a feather in your cap and you're really proud of that. These boys were top of the top D1, but I'll never forget. They went to different D1 schools and one of them ended up taking his own life his freshman year. I believe it just the most devastating thing. I could not, I cannot speak to any of those situations. I don't know his family background. I do not know any history of at all. All I can say is it hit me really hard in the sense that these were the boys that so many parents were envying, envying of their success and of their status. And that was so jolting to, to know that they'd received, you know, hit so many of these incredible hurdles that every parent thinks they want their kids to achieve. But obviously there was something amiss because there was a lack of joy, lack of happiness. I don't know the whole story. But that just strikes me again of just how important it is to again, go back to keeping God first, make sure you're making the right sacrifices. Laura Dugger: (21:23 - 22:43) That's a good word. It's such a sobering story, but making sure we're making the right sacrifices or really listening to God's counsel. That reminds me where I was this morning, Psalm 25. I read it in the amplified version, but it was talking specifically that some of his guidance comes from his word. Like it's amazing. It's incredible. It's important to pray and to be around others who are godly and do other spiritual rhythms, but there's nothing like reading his word to hear from him. And let me try and find the verses. Verse 14 in the amplified version says, “The secret of the wise counsel of the Lord is for those who fear him and he will let them know his covenant and reveal to them through his word, it's deep inner meaning.” And the next verse, just the first part goes on to say, “My eyes are continually toward the Lord.” And that was such powerful takeaway this morning, but then I'm hearing it through the way that these lives played out. Because when you look, is it my understanding correct? That you did travel sports, but they were not, your children chose not to do Sundays. Amy Rienow: (22:44 - 25:52) Well, we did not even do travel sports for my oldest. It was back in the day when park district actually, you could, you know, like there were enough kids. So, we, my son did only park district all the way through eighth grade, but then he kind of, because he was like young for his age, he had one sort of gap year in between high school before he started like high school sports. And that's when he did play a travel sport. We found one that honestly was not good at all. I don't think the level was any better than park district, but they accepted the no Sunday situation. So, that's what we did. And you know, it was a losing team. Like he was on losing teams, like most of his baseball career until he got to high school. So, it really was you know, the opposite of what the world said he needed. And yet he was able to, to rise and, and achieve. And honestly his high school experience was being able to always, he was a starter all the time and he his teams won. So, it was like years of like, not, you know, kind of paying these prices I would say. And that's neither here or there. The winning or the losing is really not important. The important was keeping baseball in its proper place, enjoying the gifts that God has given you, not letting, listening to the world. I'll just throw this in because we are what you said about sound. First of all, I love the amplified version. So, that blessed me that you read the amplified, but you know, seeking the council, you, we must be as parents in his word, like regularly listening to how he's speaking to us because we also, it's so interesting. Rob and I live in a very interesting world. We had one foot, especially back then, one foot in the homeschool world, one foot in the public school area, public school community, lots of public school friends. And then also the Christian school is where my son played. But you know, if we'd go to homeschool conference, there were tons of messages that you should not have your kids in sports at all. Sports are wrong. Sports are a waste of time, you know? So, that was a strong message of sort of like condemnation almost for being in sports at all. So, my point is there was no one community that said, okay, this is the way, you know what I mean? We had to seek the Lord, you know, for ourselves, for our family, for our son, knowing this was his love and his giftedness and continue to look for wisdom and how he should grow in those gifts. You know, and how he wanted to use it in his life, but not let it take over his life. And isn't that the lesson for all of us? So, anyway, it depended on that seeking the counsel of him, both myself with my husband and then also with our W. It wasn't like we kept him out of the picture. We were praying the three of us for wisdom and all those things. Laura Dugger: (25:53 - 26:42) I love hearing that because you're right. It's not about black and white decision of travel sports are always wrong or always right. But the main takeaway is seek the Lord because he has wisdom for our individual unique situation. And I want to go back and close a few other loops. Sure. Please. One of those being that even with perfectionism or with comparison or when we're choosing godly values that may contradict worldly values, I'm hearing a theme that there's a, it's a fight and that there's a spiritual battle. And you even said you had researched some of this, Amy, how do you personally learn about that and be aware of the spiritual realm? Amy Rienow: (26:44 - 30:42) We, we really, I can't say it enough that we do need to be so aware of the spiritual realm. I didn't understand. I didn't understand in my early years of parenting at how important that was to pay attention to. And here's the thing there's, I feel like there's the Lord brings us on a path along the way with the knowledge we need at the time. And then he wants us to stretch and grow and learn a little bit more. So, there was a season in my life. When especially we began homeschooling, the Lord brought us into all these new teachings that we didn't really understand was so powerful. It was so wonderful. We were very blessed by all of those teaching and the conferences that we were attending. But what began to happen for me is that the perfectionism that I knew was there kind of gotten folded into that teaching because all of a sudden I kind of wore as a spiritual, like pride that I, I called it my noble list. Now I, when I talk about my book, Not So Perfect Mom, I, this is not in the book, but this is part of my talks. Like I kind of replaced the world's list of great athlete, great, you know, so smart, all those things with my noble list. My child will have wonderful character. My child will read God's word. My child will know what it means to serve, but you see what I mean? We're still dealing with a list. God had to call me out of that way of thinking back to the importance of a relationship with him, meaning for myself and meaning for my kids. Because when my oldest was 12, I was starting to see that we could be raising a Pharisee. If we keep focusing on this noble list, like if he knows all of his Proverbs, if he obeys perfectly, if he, you know what I mean? Like life is not supposed to be, God never called us to do that. He desires a daily relationship with us. And that's what he desires for our kids. So, that was beginning to suffocate my oldest for sure. And my, I would say, and my daughter right underneath him because they felt the weight of this, you know, we need to arise to this, this standard. So, like that perfectionism can take on this, this type of robe that makes you feel very noble about it. Especially if you're in certain circles, like spiritual circles, where if your kids look right, dress right. You know, say yes, ma'am and yes, sir. Then we're all assuming that they're wonderful and we're not really getting to the heart underneath, but that is, there's a tension and a spiritual battle. That's far. That's super important to pay attention to. And the way the Lord showed that to me is that I would often say the phrase in conversation. Oh, it's a battle. Oh, it's a battle. We're in a battle. I'm the Lord. I don't know what they gave me a vision. That's too strong word, but I had this sort of, I, I guess it's a vision. I imagine that I was on, I was sitting in a coffee, like at a table with a friend drinking coffee. And we were just, you know, chatting and yet that coffee table was in the middle of this bloody battlefield. And the Lord was just kind of showing me, this is how your attitude is about saying that it's in a battle. Like you're sitting here, just talking with your friends, drinking coffee and chatting and laughing. And this is the battlefield. It's all around you. What are you doing about the battle? You know, when you are following after the Lord, you need to expect opposition. You need to understand that your kids are under spiritual attack. And if we're not praying and putting on that full armor of God and recognizing it, we're not engaged in it. Laura Dugger: (30:42 - 31:41) When was the first time you listened to an episode of The Savvy Sauce? How did you hear about our podcast? Did a friend share it with you? Will you be willing to be that friend now and text five other friends or post on your socials? Anything about The Savvy Sauce that you love. If you share your favorite episodes, that is how we continue to expand our reach and get the good news of Jesus Christ in more ears across the world. So, we need your help. Another way to help us grow is to leave a five-star review on Apple podcasts. Each of these suggestions will cost you less than a minute, but it will be a great benefit to us. Thank you so much for being willing to be generous with your time and share. We appreciate you. When you go back to your family of origin, did your father ever find a saving faith in Jesus Christ as well? Amy Rienow: (31:41 - 33:11) He did. He did actually. That's such a wonderful question. And he did when my husband and I were married for about a year. And he, at Christmas day in front of our whole family, after we were sitting at the table at dinner, he kind of waited for all the gifts to be open and be at a different spot. And he said, “Well, I opened one more gift today and it was the gift of salvation.” Wow. I still tear up thinking about it and thinking about my older brother's response, who was not an emotional person. And I saw tears in my older brother's eyes, but I just want to even in saying that, that taught me a lot because even at the time when he accepted salvation, he even said, I don't necessarily believe all the Bible's true. He really, you know, he accepted in faith and now he doesn't, you know, the Lord took him from evolutions. Now he's probably more conservative or believes the Bible in a way that I would say many other Christians maybe wouldn't believe, but I'm saying that it was a process watching him grow. And my kids don't even understand that, that we call him Bop Bop. He used to be a man who, you know, let the communion plate pass every week. And he was not a believer because they see him so much as a spiritual leader now, but you see how faith moves and how faith changes us. And we need to be patient with God in ourselves, with our kids, you know, and trust in that walk with Him. Love it. Laura Dugger: (33:12 - 33:23) Well, I'm going to change gears here a little bit. Yeah. Will you explain attachment and share why you're so passionate about this topic? Amy Rienow: (33:24 - 37:18) That is, I do feel like I love talking about attachment. I feel like it's an underrated thing to talk about. Some of you might be familiar. I don't know if any of these names like Mary Ainsworth or the Harlow experience, you remember the monkey Harlow experience. It's most, most kids who've had like even a high school psychology class, know that the story of the monkey who has the wire surrogate mom with the bottle. And then has like the fuzzy mom that doesn't have the bottle and the monkey goes and gets its food from the bottle of the wire mom but continues to go over to the furry surrogate mom for comfort. That's some of the original psychology on attachment but I was started my professional job in a school with children with behavior disorders and autism. That's one of my first jobs. And, and because of that, I went to different seminars for continuing education. And one of them was a woman who specialized in attachment. And part of the reason she specialized in attachment because she'd adopted so many children and she was sort of a professional on adoption. And that's when I really did a deeper dive into attachment and specifically something called reactive attachment disorder. I can't go into that. It would be a long tangent. But she was such an eye-opening time. And this is even before I had children. But she said that, you know, she couldn't say everything she wanted to about attachment and the effects specifically of daycare on children, because it wasn't politically correct. That she would lose her funding basically, if she gave her true opinion on some of the things that our culture was doing to destroy attachment among families. And it was just very eye opening to me that, you know, when we get our baby development books, the time that I was having kids, it was What to Expect When You're Expecting and What to Expect for Your One Year Old and all these milestones that moms are looking for. And obviously moms generally love their kids. I will stand by that over and over, you know what I mean? That's the norm. And, you know, you're told to look for all of these milestones, but really attachment is not even mentioned in this book of how important it is. What are the signs of a securely attached child? And yet this is so significant. And it's not just in the Christian world that we can recognize this. This is universally known in the psychology world, how important attachment is. So, let's go back to that spiritual battle. Why is it that that is not discussed? Or why is that not focused in the development book? Or why is it that if you're going to adopt a child, you're going to learn all about attachment, but that's not something that you may necessarily come into contact with if you're just having your own children. But attachment is essential for all healthy relationships. And specifically attachment with the mother. I mean, we can use the term primary caregiver. Yes, to other people come in and be a primary care. I'm not saying that, you know. It's not just the mom, but this relationship with the mom, this, this attachment is so significant because God created it that way. And it, how that relationship and how that attachment happens will have this impact on all the other relationships that your child is going to have in their life. So, it's something that we need to be talking about. And I pray that it becomes more and more common for people to talk about it. Laura Dugger: (37:18 - 37:25) Well, and I'm even curious that speaker was that Karen Purvis? Amy Rienow: (37:25 - 38:04) Oh, I don't even remember her name. I apologize. She was not a Christian. She was not a believer. She, well, if she was, I don't know that. Cause I was, I was listening to her in a secular setting. You know, so she might've been, I don't, so I don't know, but I, the reason why it was so curious to me that the time most of the children on my case list that I had at this school were adopted. So, I found that so interesting, like, and that was why I went to her seminar to try to understand more that connection of the adoption. And you know, how did that play into some of the problems that these children were, were having. Laura Dugger: (38:05 - 38:20) Well, and just to go a little bit further with attachment, let's take it from the positive side. What are some proven examples or ways that we can form that healthy attachment with our children and that bonding? Amy Rienow: (38:21 - 40:38) Yeah, well, a lot of it is just a spending time with your child, you know, and that's why I want to be very gentle here. Cause the world that we live in, I mean, I know for a fact that there are so many moms in situations where they have to go back to work right away. There are difficult circumstances. And I'm, I am not here to say that then you don't have an attached relationship with child. Cause that is honestly not true. But I will say that if you have any opportunity to be home with your children, please, please, please take that opportunity because your children need that contact with you to form that attachment. I mean, the number one thing for attachment is presence, time, touch, eye contact, and smiles. I mean, like it is what the baby that interplay that's happening with the baby and the mother and, and the why babies love faces. I mean, like they, we need to have that time with our children. We need to be the ones to know our children the best that only comes with time. But even a mom who maybe for reasons have to be away from their baby, the important thing is that when you're with them, that you are engaged. You know, I even, I don't have my phone in front of me. Even the phone takes away attachment. You know, when you're looking at another screen, as opposed to paying attention to that communication with the baby long before they're communicating long for the communicating with words, they are interacting and communicating with you. So, God knew what he's doing when he created mothers with the ability to feed their babies. Nursing enables attachment, you know, because the baby is dependent on the mother. So, all of these things play into why God created our system the way it is because it was designed not to just physically feed our babies, but to emotionally create this attached, secured relationship where that enables a child to feel safe, feel security. Laura Dugger: (40:39 - 40:54) Well, that makes me think of another a word that you wisely encourage us. And that is the word affection. So, can you share why this is also important to shower on our children? Amy Rienow: (40:55 - 43:47) Yes. You know how it is when you become a mom, there's all these new parenting styles out there, things that you get bombarded with, or should I do this? Or, you know, and I think I was really impacted by a Bible, small group where a woman was talking about her six-month-old needing disciplining her six-month-old. And it hit me really negatively because I just heard a woman who had had like, I think she has 17 children who talked about, you know, there's, you cannot spoil and she used, you cannot spoil anybody under the age of two. I would say it's as much as under three with as far as attention and love and affection, affection, your children need your affection. Again, let's go to how this, how Satan, let's go back to that spiritual battle. We can keep going back. Cause I often find you can see God's truth with how it's perverted in the world. So, let's look at how we have a sex education system now in so many schools, including in Illinois that tries to teach younger children horrific adult sexual behaviors, correct? And they are manipulating what needs to, what children do need, which is positive, a non-sexual physical connection with their parents, with their siblings, with aunts and uncles. So, so in some ways I can remember early in my career and either in my development in getting my classes, my masters, you know, in some ways they demonize, you know, like parents are afraid to sometimes have too much physical touch or too much of this because it's almost like, Oh, we can't, you know, we have to make sure our children are more independent, you know, like, like for example, co-sleeping, which builds a lot of affection between parents, which is normal in most cultures and normal throughout history can be viewed as really negative. Like, you know, you gotta get your kid in another room and another, like pushing them out early and yet look at what we see from the world, which is an encroachment of inappropriate touch, inappropriate sexuality at younger and younger ages. And obviously kids who don't have positive, strong, physical affection are more inclined to fall for Satan's counterfeit. And desire and need touch, but they, they, it's been twisted from the world's perspective. Laura Dugger: (43:47 - 44:17) Does that make sense? Are you tracking with that? I am. And it's even making me think of a previous guest, Dr. Gary Chapman, talking about mostly the five love languages of in marriage and how those are displayed. But we also discussed with children and the parent child. And I'm just thinking as you're giving examples of affection, it, it even goes beyond the hugs and kisses and appropriate touch to acts of service and lighting up with them and spending that quality time and all those love languages. Amy Rienow: (44:18 - 46:16) That's right. As the kids get older, I mean, my, my, we joke about, you know, I have certain sons that, did not want to be touched at all when they were 13, 14. We laughed at my son J.D. like he would want to come give me hugs and he would want to, but it had to always be on his terms. Like I could never come up, you know what I mean? And how can you, my affection towards him was I'll get you a double cheeseburger. I will make you a milkshake. That was the way I communicated my affection to him, but it was also my presence in listening to him when he needed to be listening to. There's so many ways as we get older. Right. And I love Gary Chapman's work as far as like understanding our kids love, love languages, but I'll never forget, you know, I just had JD's wedding and he surprised me with the mother son dance and he had a song ready for me. I'm going to cry again, but it was this wonderful, he had told his siblings that he was probably going to cry on his wedding day when he saw Brooke and when he danced with his mom. And I had so many, and he was really hugging me and holding on and not afraid to be affectionate with me during that dance. And that's because affection has always been a normal part of our home and a normal part of our relationship. And so, I just want to encourage parents out there not to be afraid of both physical affection when they're young and don't push your child. If your child is needing you or wants hugs, I would say, don't hesitate to give those to them because there is a culture again that pushes kids like, Oh, you shouldn't need that now. You shouldn't, you're too old for that. Let them determine those boundaries. You give them the hugs and the affection as long as they still want it. Cause I promise you they're all going to come to a day and they're not gonna want it. And you don't need to worry about if they're looking for that for you, it's a need that, that you can still meet. Laura Dugger: (46:17 - 46:34) Well, and one other piece of parenting. I know we oftentimes hear mom guilt. I don't know if dads experienced the same thing, but how can we overcome that? And what do you see as being at the root of struggling with sometimes that false guilt? Amy Rienow: (46:35 - 49:52) Yes. Well, that I think comes so much again. Well, for me, it came internalized. I had, I carried some internalized guilt with me, but that's compounded by a culture that puts so many expectations and demands on us as mothers. Where we are bombarded with another ideal, another sense of where we're falling short. And again, I know I keep coming back to the spiritual attack, but the point is I want to lay it out there that sometimes, sometimes moms can feel like, especially in an area, this sounds interesting, but because so many more children have been in daycare or exposed to a lot more developmental things at young ages. If you are like home with your kids, if you feel like, well, gosh, I'm not providing a craft every day. I'm not, you know, I'm not reading. I went to the library and it literally had this whole campaign on a thousand books before kindergarten. Like, are you kidding me? And that's the kind of thing. It's like, you're just having a normal mom day and all of a sudden you walk into the library and you get bombarded with what? I'm supposed to read my child a thousand books before, like a new standard that's just put in front of you. And the enemy uses that to, to make women feel that they're not enough, you know? And first of all, we have to go back to God's word. That says, “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” And to really understand that, yes, we need to be open to be convicted to sin. But when we are convicted of something that our heavenly father wants us to change, we will experience a freedom and a lightning when we repent. And it'll be like a burden lifted up. And as soon as you have that revenge, you feel like you've been given a gift. It's not something that's a burden. So, that is always my guide for women. Like if you are under something that you feel like is a burden that you're carrying around, um, this sense that you're not doing enough or that you're a bad mom, that is not coming from your Heavenly Father. You need to reject that in the name of Jesus Christ, because this sense is clearly from the accuser. The Bible says Satan is an accuser and he stands accusing us, but Jesus is there to, you know, to say, no, that's my child. They're covered by my love covered by my grace. So, we don't want to live under that over that guilt, bad mom guilt shadow for whatever, you know, God knows our faults. He doesn't expect us not to have faults, and your children are going to have faults and your husband are going to have faults. So, if we think that the Lord is, you know, carrying around our faults, hanging over this, we need to, we need to be reminded that that's not from him and we have to reject it. And again, we're talking about a spiritual battle. You might have to reject the same lie 20 times a day until you find real freedom from falling for that guilt trap. Laura Dugger: (49:53 - 50:12) Well, and along those lines, as you talk about engaging in the battle, you encourage us as children to woo our children in this same way that the Lord draws us close to him. So, how can we go and do likewise as the Lord does? Amy Rienow: (50:12 - 52:09) Woo our children's hearts. Like I think it's important to know that the relationship that we have, our kids will, the more we model our relationship, our parenting off of how our heavenly father parents us, the easier it will be for our kids to kind of what I, I have a visual in my mind that I'm walking with my child's hand and I'm holding Jesus hand and I'm gradually through this parenting, trying to connect my child's hand to Jesus hands. Like that's the picture that I want to be guiding my parenting, not I'm trying to raise you to be X, Y, Z, da, da, da, da, da. I'm trying to lead you to your Heavenly Savior. So, you're going to walk with Him. So, Jesus is, you know, there's many components of our relationship with Jesus and the Heavenly Father and Holy spirit. But one of them is that God woos the hearts of his people. When you read scripture, He desired, He's always telling them you walk with Me. “My burden is easy. My yoke is light.” You know what I mean? He's, He's showing us this freedom and this love and grace. He's not coming with a sense of, see, you're doing this and this and this and this and this. And that's why. You know what I mean? Like you see God's everlasting love for his people. And we want to woo our children with that same kind of everlasting love. You know, I always say, say you can, you can demand your kids to obey you. You can demand your kids to respect you, but no one can demand love. Even our Heavenly Father doesn't demand love. He gives us free will and choice to choose to love him. And so, we want to remember that with our kids to woo them. We want them to choose to love us. So, we woo our hearts. You already mentioned Gary Chapman by understanding our kids' love languages. You know, realizing that's part of our job as a parent is to woo their hearts. Laura Dugger: (52:10 - 53:13) So, I love how you're drawing this out as the Lord being the best parent ever and that we can learn from Him. That was something that I felt like he was really teaching me in my quiet time this week. And I wanted to take it one step further. So, for me applying that, I just made a note on my phone and now anytime I come across a parenting scripture, I want to put it in this same list and go back and review it and be prayerful that the Lord can change me to be more like Him as a parent. So, I'm just going to share the first verse that inspired me to do this this week is Luke 6:36 and the amplified version again, “Be merciful, responsive, compassionate, tender, just as your Heavenly Father is merciful.” And so, Amy, just as He's a great parent and we can learn from Him, I appreciate you just drawing us back, pointing us to the heart of the Father. And if we want to continue learning from you after this chat, where would you like to direct us? Amy Rienow: (53:13 - 55:30) Well, I'd love you to come to our website at visionaryfam.com and listen to us at our podcast, Family Vision. You know, we named it Family Vision kind of like television because television really changed the American family. It did when it first introduced on to the scene and our heart is that family vision. Our podcasts would help give your family a new vision, a vision from God's word for all that he wants to do in your family. You can also find our books well on our website, but also on Amazon. We have, I brought a couple today, but Not So Perfect Mom: Learning to Embrace What Matters Most, which is what you're talking about today. And this book is very close to my heart because it really was wonderful. It was the easiest book I've ever written because I just felt like it was being able to talk about how God has worked in my own life and my own journey. And it just was the like culmination of so many conversations I've had with moms like all over the country, but really overseas and over the world. And we're all battling some of the same exact things. So, I just, I would encourage you to pick up Not So Perfect Mom: Learning to Embrace What Matters Most. And then the other book that is, it's not new, it's called Shine Embracing God's Heart for You. I'm actually leading a group of women through it on a zoom study right now. Um, but I actually wrote this, originally back in 2005 when I was a youth pastor's wife. Um, but really it's all about kind of what I talked about earlier of just, recognizing how to, to trust and believe the Lord. I said, you know, wholeheartedly with our head and our hearts and our hands and, and really going back to, you know, keeping God first, identifying idols in our life. So, we, you know, the more that we get our own relationship with the Lord centered and we kind of figured that part out. I feel like everything flows from that in our homes, in our marriage, in our other relationships. So, I highly recommend, um, picking up this shine and there's a prayer journal to go with it. There's a leader's guide. If you'd like to lead a group and that's all on Amazon or at our website. Laura Dugger: (55:31 - 55:48) Wonderful. As always we'll add the links to that in the show notes for today's episode and Amy, you already know that we're called The Savvy Sauce because Savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, what is your Savvy Sauce? Amy Rienow: (55:48 - 57:06) I love that question. My Savvy Sauce is actually mentioned in Not So Perfect Mom, but it's when the Lord gave me that quote, “whatever is worth doing is worth doing poorly.” I feel that perfectionism kept me paralyzed so often. If I couldn't do things exactly the way I thought that they should be in my head, then I was kind of pathetic and wasn't going to do it at all. And so, my encouragement in any area, if you know something is worth doing. Let me give you a practical example really quick on this, even when it comes to like, um, when you're struggling with your marriage. I know I had some issues in my marriage with my husband where I was getting to the point where I didn't even really want to go out on a date, you know, because it was just discouraging and whatever's worth doing is worth doing poorly. So, knowing that, you know, even when my relationships aren't living up to my expectations, or even when I'm feeling hurt, the Lord tells us to press on. Don't, don't stop doing what you know, God wants you to do, um, because you don't think it's living up to your expectations. Do it. Just do it. Laura Dugger: (57:07 - 57:38) That's a good word. And Amy, you have so much to share. Our family has benefited so much from the ministry and work that you and Rob do through Visionary Families. And I am just so grateful for your time and you just to share all of this parenting wisdom. It felt like a mentoring conversation. I loved hearing all the ways that you've been intentional in what you've learned from the Lord. So, thank you for seeking Him. Thank you for sharing with us and thank you for being my guest. Amy Rienow: (57:39 - 57:58) Thank you, Laura, for having me. It's been a delight. I love connecting hearts with people who are like-minded. I love what you're doing with The Savvy Sauce. In fact, my neighbor is one of your devoted followers, and she was so excited to hear about your podcast. So, thank you so much for having me and it's truly an honor and a pleasure to be here. Laura Dugger: (57:59 - 1:01:13) One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news. Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved. We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him. That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin. This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you. Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him. And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started. First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it. You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you. We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process. And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today. And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.
Get your notebook ready because Matt Redman will be dropping worship theology gold as he talks about his career and unpacks the stories behind his "Heart of Worship"
This milestone 200th(!!!) episode of The Heart of Healthcare Podcast features none other than Dr. Tom X. Lee, the serial physician-founder behind Epocrates (acquired for $293M), One Medical (acquired by Amazon for $3.9B), and now Galileo, a tech-enabled medical group aiming to rewire care delivery from the ground up.We cover: