Podcast appearances and mentions of melissa spoelstra

Starting March 27, our next online Bible study is The Gospel of John by Melissa Spoelstra! So we thought it would be fun to go back and listen to our conversation with Melissa to prepare for Easter and remember the sacrifice our Savior made. In this conversation, Melissa discusses the Gospel of John's unique aspects and provides a behind-the-scenes look at the writing and filming process of the Bible study. Reflecting on how the Gospel of John has personally marked her, she encourages us all to experience the peace and hope that Jesus offers.SHOW LINKSIsaiah Bible Study The Gospel of John Bible StudyThe Gospel of John Online Bible StudyRECOMMENDED: Sign up for The Gospel of John online Bible study!MARKED is a podcast from Lifeway Women: https://women.lifeway.com/blog/podcasts/.Hosted by Andrea Lennon and Elizabeth Hyndman.CONNECT WITH US!Follow Lifeway Women on Instagram.Join us at a Going Beyond Live event with Priscilla Shirer! Learn more at lifeway.com/goingbeyond. To learn more about the Grace Bible for Kids, visit lifeway.com/gracebible. Sign up for The Gospel of John online Bible study at lifewaywomen.com/gospelofjohnobs. Learn more about Feast Virtual with Kristi McLelland at lifeway.com/feastvirtual.

JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE! For some reason, sharing my alcohol story has always been easy for me. But today's podcast episode has been 42 years in the making. I've never told this story before. Today, I want to tell you all about how I rediscovered Jesus. It's a story of redemption, sobriety, and His unrelenting love that has shaped my life. This isn't a story of religious perfection; it's one of shame and brokenness and a profound reconnection with God that changed everything. Growing up, my mother's unwavering Christian faith was a constant in my life. She planted seeds of faith in my heart, even when I didn't fully realize it. When I went to college and ventured into early adulthood, those roots of faith began to feel distant. Life's demands and distractions pulled me away, and I drifted. Yet, I always felt a quiet, persistent call deep in my soul—a whisper that refused to let me go. In 2018, my world was upended. Losing my mom was a heartbreak I wasn't prepared for. That loss brought me to my knees. In my grief, I found myself turning back to the Bible, searching for comfort, answers, and—if I'm honest—a way to understand myself again. I didn't just read the words; I clung to them. Slowly, those seeds my mom had planted began to bloom. As I delved deeper into my faith, I wrestled with the tension between living in a performance-driven world and embracing the transformative power of grace. I'd spent so much of my life trying to prove myself—to be “good enough.” But God met me in the messiness of my real life. Here's what I've come to know: being a Christian isn't about rules or rituals. It's about a deeply personal relationship with Jesus. It's about freedom—the kind that heals your heart and fills your life with purpose. It's about saying “yes” to grace when everything in you wants to cling to control. Sobriety has been a significant part of my faith journey. For me, giving up alcohol wasn't just about breaking a habit; it was about stepping into a life of clarity and intentionality, free from the things that clouded my connection to God. If you're navigating your own sobriety journey, wrestling with questions of faith, or simply searching for encouragement, know this: God's grace is big enough for your doubts and your struggles. He has good plans and He can redeem your story, just like He did for me. Resources Mentioned: Why We Can Trust The Bible, Suzy Silk, Church of the City New York https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/church-of-the-city-new-york/id1245313998?i=1000652522766 The Gospel of John - Savoring the Peace of Jesus in a Chaotic World by Melissa Spoelstra https://a.co/d/7VgMw5Z Have you experienced a moment where faith changed everything? Join the conversation in our community at https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community.  Order Christy's book now available! Love Life Sober, A 40 Day Alcohol Fast To Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health and Renew Your Mind  Learn More about Coaching with Christy  Learn More about Coaching with Meade Connect with us on Instagram! @imnotsoberimfree @lovelifesoberwithchristy @butjesusdrankwine  You can find this episode on YouTube HERE.  The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.  

Life. It seems to move so fast, doesn't it? Our days are filled with noise, pressing deadlines, and ever-increasing demands. And with all that's going on in the world, worry and fear easily become our constant companions. So in the middle of all this chaos, is it even possible to experience peace in this world?” Well, good news, my friend! Jesus offers peace because He IS peace. And today's guest, author and Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra, reveals how it really is possible to slow down and linger with the living Word. You'll learn to imitate the pace of the Savior who never hurried but never failed to do everything God called Him to do. And you'll discover how growing in intimacy with Jesus will help you live, serve, and rest in His peace. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/322 Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

"I can actually hold on to peace and grief at the same time. I can hold on to peace and disappointment at the same time. I can savor the peace that Jesus offers me because of who he is, not because of what is going on in my life."— Melissa SpoelstraToday's Episode: Looking for real and lasting peace—peace that isn't dependent on perfect outcomes or shifting circumstances? Then stop right here and take a listen. Today Natalie and Vera are chatting with Melissa Spoelstra about peace. She helps us understand that Biblical peace isn't a tranquil state of circumstances, but a tranquil state of the soul. She helps us see how real and lasting peace is found in Jesus, and she gives us practical insights into how we can find our peace in him.  Today's Verse: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:7 The Dwell on These Things Series: We're talking about the 6 verses in our new Scripture memory Bible study with some of our favorite people! We're talking about joy, peace, a firm mind, and the nearness of God himself. And we're also talking with vulnerability and compassion about the things that plague our hearts, keep us up at night, and give us anxiety. Want more? Get the Dwell on These Things Bible study today!Today's guest: Melissa Spoelstra is a Bible teacher and author who is madly in love with Jesus. She is passionate about studying God's Word and helping women of all ages to seek Christ and know Him more intimately through serious Bible study. Melissa has a degree in Bible theology and has authored many Bible studies, including Isaiah: Striving Less and Trusting God More and The Gospel of John: Savoring the Peace of Jesus in a Chaotic World. Melissa enjoys spending time with her pastor husband, Sean, and their children: Zach & Morgan, Abby, Sara, Rachel, and Yoni.  Support Our Show: Review our show on Spotify or Apple.Links from today's show: Find out more about Melissa at MelissaSpoelstra.com. Get your own copy of the Dwell on These Things Bible study. Discover the simplest way to get God's Word in your head and heart: Dwell Differently's monthly membership!Support the show

A NEW SHOW IS COMING, and I'm your host, Brooke Collier! The Witty & Gritty Podcast is coming to a close after 5.5 years of podcasting. I'm niching down and rebranding with the new launch in Fall 2024! With over 300 episodes (that's a TON as far as podcast norms go), the Witty & Gritty Podcast has played in 6 continents, so many countries and states that the stats are through the roof, and has had 42,000 downloads. It has been a podcast that has been listened to all over the world, and has pointed people to Christ. We are so proud of the hard work that went into this show! CLICK FOR WITTY & GRITTY PODCAST LIBRARY Shout out to all the listeners all over the world! Thank you for sharing this podcast with others. Thank you for the reviews, messages, emails, that give us the courage and motivation to keep going. With fans like you, the show was able to have such a successful run! Thank you, listeners! There have been so many amazing interviewees on the podcast! A special thank you to the following who have been on the Witty & Gritty Podcast: Tara-Leigh Cobble, Melissa Spoelstra, Ashley Morgan Jackson, Autumn Miles, Tarryn Sarcone, Kat Armstrong, Michelle Neitert, Cally Logan, Betsy Adams, Anastasia Corbin, Cody Andras, Annie Weber, Julie Plagens, Tiffany Armstrong, Kayse Morris, Shelby Houston, Pierre Cannings, AJ Sherrill, Whitney Russel Stabile, Callie Amons, Josh Burns, Faren DeRieux, Jill McDill, David Griffin, Randy Wade, Paul McDill, Joe Paris, Casey Coats, Rocky Hernandez, Joey Hensley, Lauren Burks, Pam and Jerry Lewis, Lisa Schoenrock, Sherri LaBarbera, One Legacy Group, Jessica Day, Kelly Smith, Betty DeRieux, Rich and Aimee Hamsher, Keith Adams, Lindsay Paris, Janet Watson, Lauren Coats, Jeanne Frazier, Lisalette Hamon, Lonnie Pollard, Kristin and Blake Clickner, Janet Clancy, Stephanie Frentress, Carissa Hancock, Nancy Disterlic, Savannah Price, Karen Hanie, and more!  

 How has your jadedness kept you from seeing clearly? And how could simple faith open your eyes to the truth? Melissa Spoelstra and I are talking about a story in the Bible, where people were divided in how they saw Jesus after he leaned down and made mud by spitting in the dirt. The line dividing these people—and us today—will ultimately separate them into life and death, or heaven and hell-bound groups.  Guest: Melissa SpoelstraBible Passage: Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind - John 9:1 - 41 NLTGet your Freebie: False Narrative WatchlistResound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.ccMentioned ResourcesThe Gospel of John: Savoring Peace in a Chaotic World by Melissa SpoelstraMusic: Cade PopkinMelissa Spoelstra is a Christ-follower, who is madly in love with Jesus and addicted to the study of His Word. She is passionate about knowing Christ and inspiring other women to seek Him by opening their ears to listen to His Spirit, reading His Word curiously, asking questions, exercising good hermeneutics, and clinging tightly to God through the storms of life.Melissa is a wife to her awesome pastor husband Sean, and mother to Zach, Abby, Sara, and Rachel.She has a degree in Bible Theology from Moody Bible Institute, and is a contributor for Proverbs 31 ministries First Five app.Melissa has written ten Bible studies complete with teaching videos, leader's guide, and participant workbooks, plus several other books. Website: www.melissaspoelstra.comInstagram: @melissa.spoelstraFacebook: @authormelissaspoelstraTwitter: @melspoelstraLive Like It's True is part of the Resound Podcast Network. For more gospel centered resources visit ResoundMedia.cc . Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God. Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more. Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

The Gospel of John is unlike the other gospels in so many ways. When studying it, it's easy to notice the different experiences John included, and also note all the things he didn't include in comparison to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Why is this the case? What approach did John take in writing this fourth and last of the Gospels? On today's show you'll hear Melissa Spoelstra and the [MARKED] podcast team discuss the writing of John and the importance of diving deep into the study of the gospel.  [MARKED] is a podcast for women who are marked by a hunger for God's Word, a longing to impact culture, and a desire to discover and live out God's calling in their lives. Melissa discusses the unique aspect and provides behind-the-scenes look at the writing and filming process of her Bible Study, The Gospel of John. Reflecting on how the Gospel of John has personally marked her, she encourages us all to experience the peace and hope that Jesus offers. Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!SHOW LINKS: -Connect with Melissa -Connect with Angie-[MARKED] Podcast-The Gospel of John Bible Study -Isaiah Bible Study

JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE   We are thrilled to announce our very first BJDW Community book,  "The Gospel of John: Savoring the Peace of Jesus in a Chaotic World." To kick off this exciting venture, we've invited the brilliant author Melissa Spoelstra to join us on the podcast, where she shares her wisdom on how we can learn more about anchoring ourselves in peace amidst life's chaos.   Together, we explore the rich tapestry of John's gospel, delving into its profound significance and uncovering hidden treasures within its pages. We look closer at the transformative narrative of the wedding at Cana, where Jesus initiates His supernatural ministry. Melissa invites us to ponder the timeless wisdom encapsulated in Mary's poignant directive, "Do whatever He tells you," urging us to adopt a posture of obedience and trust in every aspect of our lives.   Melissa opens up about her own journey of falling in love with the Word of God and crafting insightful Bible studies that resonate with seekers of truth. With heartfelt authenticity, she underscores the importance of seeking intimacy with Jesus as the cornerstone of finding enduring peace, regardless of external circumstances or fleeting counterfeits. As we unpack the concept of peace as a person—Jesus Himself—Melissa offers practical strategies for slowing down, listening to God's voice, and savoring moments of intimacy with Him.   Join us as we share our personal reflections and strategies for cultivating peace in the midst of life's storms. From the significance of worship as a balm for worry to the transformative power of obedience and surrender, we pray this episode gives you hope and encouragement for navigating life's challenges with grace, resilience, and unwavering trust in the Prince of Peace.   You can learn more about Melissa's ministry at melissaspoelstra.com, follow her on instagram @melissa.spoelstra, and get her Gospel of John study right HERE.  Learn More about Coaching with Christy  Learn More about Coaching with Meade You can find this episode HERE on YouTube   00:00 Introduction: Unveiling the Journey to Sobriety and Faith 00:30 Meet Melissa Spoelstra: A Journey of Faith and Teaching 02:46 Melissa's Personal Journey: From Rural Texas to Theology and Beyond 07:55 Exploring the Stories That Keep Us Stuck 11:26 Finding Peace in Jesus: Insights from the Book of John 16:11 Savoring Intimacy with Jesus in Times of Pain 22:06 Practical Steps to Finding Peace and Combatting Nighttime Temptations 24:12 Introducing the But Jesus Drank Wine Community 25:31 Embracing Quiet and Intentionality 25:54 The Journey from Trying to Training 26:10 Finding Peace and Making Choices 27:42 The Power of Obedience and Its Impact 28:35 The Significance of Jesus's First Miracle 32:49 Personal Stories of Transformation 34:26 The Freedom Found in Obedience 35:26 The Essence of Worship and Its Effects 39:24 Exploring the Gospel of John 45:38 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.   #ChangingPerceptions #NoShame #AlcoholAndDrugs #SubjectiveLabels #getconnected #staycurious #changeyourthinkingchangeyourdrinking #sobriety #alcoholfree #soberliving #alcoholfreelife #thisnakedmind  #lovelifesober #imnotsoberimfree #getconnected  #grayareadrinking #grayareadrinking #butjesusdrankwine #staycurious #changeyourthinkingchangeyourdrinking #christianandsober #christianity #authenticliving #journeytosobriety #wineandotherstories #vulnerabilityinrecovery  

For Week 2 of our Matthew series, Raechel and Amanda are joined by guest Melissa Spoelstra to unpack the rich parables and teachings in this week's reading. They reflect on the wisdom we glean from how Jesus lived His life and interacted with others, and how we can model His example in our own lives. Open your Bibles with us this week! This episode corresponds to Week 2 of She Reads Truth's Matthew reading plan. You can read with the She Reads Truth community on our site, app, or with our Matthew printed or digital Daily Reading Guide.Big thanks to our episode sponsor!Healing Hands International: Head over to hhi.org/truth to learn how you can make an impact today!She Reads Truth on Instagram & FacebookRaechel Myers on InstagramAmanda Bible Williams on InstagramMelissa Spoelstra on Instagram and her websiteThe Gospel of John by Melissa Spoelestra*If you purchase something through our links, She Reads Truth may earn an affiliate commission.

Melissa Spoelstra is back with us this week to share details about her new Bible study on the Gospel of John! She discusses the Gospel of John's unique aspects and provides a behind-the-scenes look at the writing and filming process of the Bible study. Reflecting on how the Gospel of John has personally marked her, she encourages us all to experience the peace and hope that Jesus offers.SHOW LINKSIsaiah Bible Study The Gospel of John Bible Study MARKED is a podcast from Lifeway Women: https://women.lifeway.com/blog/podcasts/.Hosted by Kelly King and Elizabeth Hyndman.RECOMMENDED: Check out this excerpt from The Gospel of John Bible study!

In episode 232, we interview Melissa Spoelstra, Christian author of "The Gospel of John: Savoring the Peace of Jesus in a Chaotic World." Melissa guides women on studying the Bible through her Bible study resources. Her most recent Bible study ( releasing March 2024) walks women through the book of John. "The Gospel of John with Melissa Spoelstra" is one of seven in our Author Mini Series 2023. CLICK FOR FULL SHOW NOTES Links from the Show Melissa's Instagram Melissa's Website Isaiah Bible Study Acts Bible Study 30 Days of Prayer Devo Melissa's Lifeway materials Christianbook.com Witty & Gritty Instagram Witty & Gritty Podcast on Apple Podcasts Author Mini Series 2023

This week on MARKED, Melissa Spoelstra joins us, and we switch it up a bit with Elizabeth interviewing both Kelly and Melissa about You Lead 2.0! Kelly and Melissa discuss the women's leadership training event You Lead 2.0—what kinds of topics will be covered, what excites them about the event, and who should come. You Lead 2.0 is a special 2-day You Lead event where you'll gain encouragement and be equipped by Lifeway Women authors and leadership experts. With real-life application and breakouts sessions to choose from, you can customize your You Lead experience to wherever God is calling you. Join us September 8–9, 2023! RESOURCES MENTIONED: Lifeway Women Academy Lifeway Women Events Isaiah Bible Study Book by Melissa Spoelstra The Gospel of John Bible Study Book by Melissa Spoelstra You Lead 2.0 You Lead MARKED is a podcast from Lifeway Women: https://women.lifeway.com/blog/podcasts/. Hosted by Kelly King and Elizabeth Hyndman. RECOMMENDED: Listen to our first MARKED interview with Melissa where we discussed the Isaiah Bible Study Book she wrote here. Plus, sign up for the free Lifeway Women online Bible study where we'll be studying Isaiah—a 7-session study by Melissa Spoelstra—starting on August 17. You'll be able to watch the weekly teaching videos for free until October 12, 2023! All you'll need is a copy of the Bible study book to follow along with the discussion. So join us! Melissa Spoelstra is a women's conference speaker, Bible teacher, and author who is madly in love with Jesus and passionate about helping others to seek Christ and know Him more intimately. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible Theology and is a contributor to Proverbs 31 ministries First Five app. She is the author of Isaiah: Striving Less and Trusting God More with Lifeway Women as well as eight other Bible studies and four books. Melissa makes her home in Waxahachie, Texas, with her pastor husband and has four adult-ish children.

Melissa Spoelstra is passionate about knowing Christ and inspiring other women to seek Him. With a degree in Bible Theology from Moody Bible Institute, she has been a contributor for Girlfriends in God online devotional, as well as written 9 Bible studies complete with teaching videos, leader's guide, and workbooks.

Melissa Spoelstra is passionate about knowing Christ and inspiring other women to seek Him. With a degree in Bible Theology from Moody Bible Institute, she has been a contributor for Girlfriends in God online devotional, as well as written 9 Bible studies complete with teaching videos, leader's guide, and workbooks.

Melissa Spoelstra is passionate about knowing Christ and inspiring other women to seek Him. With a degree in Bible Theology from Moody Bible Institute, she has been a contributor for Girlfriends in God online devotional, as well as written 9 Bible studies complete with teaching videos, leader's guide, and workbooks.

In episode 203, “Do All Things Through Christ", Brooke & Faren discuss the meaning of Philippians 4:13 in the Bible. Hear what Paul says to the Philippians about how we can do anything through the power of Christ. We use our © Read Pray Talk Tell Method to discover ways we can practically live this scripture out in everyday life. The Philippians mini series begins on episode 199 and goes through episode 203 of the Witty & Gritty podcast. CLICK FOR FULL SHOW NOTES Links From the Show Philippians Mini Series How to Be Spiritually Gritty, Episode 25 Move Mountains Literacy Galatians Mini Series, episodes 189-193 Ephesians Mini Series, episodes 194-198 Melissa Spoelstra's Isaiah Bible Study

Author and Bible Teacher, Melissa Spoelstra, talks with Tasha about her recent move (back) to Texas and her latest Bible study, Isaiah : Striving Less and Trusting God More. Melissa shares with listeners how God's Word has shaped her life and ministry, and some cool ways she has connected theology to her personal walk with the Lord.

Melissa Spoelstra is a women's conference speaker, Bible teacher, and author who is madly in love with Jesus and passionate about studying God's Word and helping women of all ages to seek Christ and know Him more intimately through serious Bible study. Melissa has a degree in Bible theology and is the author of several Bible studies and books, including her most recent Isaiah:Striving Less and Trusting God More published with Lifeway. She is a regular contributor to the Proverbs 31 First Five App and the Girlfriends in God online daily devotional. Melissa and I chat discuss what it looks like to trust God complete, why we can't earn God's Love, and our need to develop a bigger vision of who God is; with him being less of a microwave God and more of a crockpot God.Show NotesYouTube InterviewSupport the show

Today we sit down with Melissa Spoelstra, author of Lifeway Women's new Bible study, Isaiah. Join us as we talk about how Isaiah's message echoes into our lives today as […] The post MARKED | Melissa Spoelstra appeared first on Lifeway Women.

Have you ever studied the names of God in the Bible? Have you ever looked at Yahweh, Elohim, Jehovah Jireh, or El Shaddai and wondered what they meant? I am so excited to have Melissa Spoelstra on the podcast this week to talk about her Bible Study, *The Names of God: His Character Revealed. I love that as we study the names of God in the Bible, it reveals God's character.  Listen to what Melissa says, “One of the ways God makes Himself known to us is through His names in Scripture. While our names help identify and distinguish us, God's names go a step further: they reveal God to us. Studying God's names helps us grow in our understanding of His character.” It is going to give us a more complete view of God as we learned these names. I was fascinated with the study and learned so much. Melissa is full of wisdom and truth. Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Melissa's Bible Study: *The Names of God. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link: https://kingsumo.com/g/nuupwj/names-of-god-bible-study-giveaway Click this link to join my Depth Podcast Facebook Community. Book Recommendations: *What's So Amazing About Grace? By Philip Yancey *Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey *Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey *Rumors of Another World by Philip Yancey Melissa Spoelstra is a popular women's conference speaker, Bible teacher, and author who is madly in love with Jesus and passionate about studying God's Word and helping women of all ages to seek Christ and know Him more intimately through serious Bible study. Having a degree in Bible theology, she enjoys teaching God's Word to the body of Christ and traveling to diverse groups and churches across the nation and also to Nairobi, Kenya, for a women's prayer conference. Melissa is also the author of the Bible studies: *The Names of God: His Character Revealed *Isaiah: Striving Less and Trusting God More (Releasing in June) *Acts: Awakening to God in Everyday Life *Romans: Good News That Changes Everything *Elijah: Spiritual Stamina in Every Season *Numbers: Learning Contentment in a Culture of More *First Corinthians: Living Love When We Disagree *Joseph: The Journey to Forgiveness *Jeremiah: Daring To Hope in an Unstable World Melissa's books: *Dare to Hope *Total Family Makeover: 8 Practical Steps to Making Disciples at Home *Total Christmas Makeover: 31 Devotions to Celebrate with Purpose. She is a regular contributor to the Proverbs 31 First Five App and the Girlfriends in God online daily devotional. She has published articles in ParentLife, Women's Spectrum, and Just Between Us and writes her own regular blog in which she shares her musings about what God is teaching her on any given day. Melissa lives in Pickerington, Ohio, with her pastor husband, Sean, and their four kids: Zach, Abby, Sara, and Rachel. *Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

With so many young adults struggling with anxiety and depression as they return to school after the holidays, I wanted to release a bonus episode answering questions from author Melissa Spoelstra about parenting young adults who need to find a counselor. In this episode, we'll discuss some practical aspects such as insurance coverage and the variety of mental health professionals available to help your child as well as offer you some tips on questions to ask prospective counselors, when it's time to seek professional help, and how to encourage your child to get help without offending them. Key points from our conversation:

It's the final week of the 25 Days of Christmas! It's not too late to download your free eBook of devotions, family activities, and ways to serve (you can do them over the holiday still). Accessmore.com How can you enjoy more Christ this week and less crisis? Maybe you've tried doing a devotion but no one seemed to be listening. You're too busy planning the party to actually feel like celebrating anything. Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra is here to connect the celebrations of the Old Testament to today, share ideas that will work in your home to mark the holiday in a spiritual and joyful way, and find some rest (even this busy week!). We'll talk about: 5:20 Moving from duty to delight 8:20 Epic fail with family devotions. 9:50 How to get your high schoolers involved at Christmas 15:50 What are elements of Biblical celebration? 21:00 The value of Sabbath. Learn more about Melissa Spoelstra and her Bible studies at melissaspoelstra.com Learn more Arlene and her Happy Home University here: happyhomeuniversity.com

It's the final week of the 25 Days of Christmas! It's not too late to download your free eBook of devotions, family activities, and ways to serve (you can do them over the holiday still). Accessmore.com How can you enjoy more Christ this week and less crisis? Maybe you've tried doing a devotion but no one seemed to be listening. You're too busy planning the party to actually feel like celebrating anything. Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra is here to connect the celebrations of the Old Testament to today, share ideas that will work in your home to mark the holiday in a spiritual and joyful way, and find some rest (even this busy week!). We'll talk about: 5:20 Moving from duty to delight 8:20 Epic fail with family devotions. 9:50 How to get your high schoolers involved at Christmas 15:50 What are elements of Biblical celebration? 21:00 The value of Sabbath. Learn more about Melissa Spoelstra and her Bible studies at melissaspoelstra.com Learn more Arlene and her Happy Home University here: happyhomeuniversity.com

Mentioned in this episode: Total Christmas Makeover   Connect with Katy:  Website Instagram Facebook   Connect with Melissa: Website Instagram Facebook This podcast produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media.

The Sabbath day is Sunday for many Christians, but for others it’s Saturday. In either case, this special day of the week has a specific purpose. Dennis Rainey, John Piper, Melissa Spoelstra, and Hannah Anderson give their perspective on how to best honor the Sabbath and keep it holy.4 Show Notes and Resources Find resources from this podcast at https://shop.familylife.com/Products.aspx?categoryid=130. Download FamilyLife's new app! https://www.familylife.com/app/ Check out all that's available on the FamilyLife Podcast Network.  https://www.familylife.com/familylife-podcast-network/

Overview Lecture by Rhonda O'Brien

How often have you used what someone else is doing around you as a measuring stick for what you should be doing in your own life? From comparison to competitiveness, we often find ourselves looking to each other to define our calling when we should be looking to how God is calling us. Melissa Spoelstra and Julie Lyles Carr dig into this today with powerful encouragement and hope as we look at how we should be defining ourselves and our lives. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3a4CmxR

Complaining and contentment are both contagious.  And these days, it's easy to get caught up in complaining. But how do we choose contentment over complaining? On this episode of the podcast, Melissa Spoelstra walks us through the book of Numbers, where we see the Israelites wrestle with this same problem. She'll show us the secret to contentment in the Word of God, and how it renews our mind and transforms us from the inside out.  Related Resources: More than ever, we need a place to quietly learn God's Word so we can apply and share the Truth. Download our FREE First 5 app and start the first five minutes of your day with biblically based teachings that help you understand Scripture on your own! Join Melissa Spoelstra for a week of intentional contentment with her FREE 7-Day Contentment Project. If our podcast has made a difference in your life, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts. Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.

Being in full-time ministry is not a 9-5 kind of job. It can be taxing on your family and even tough on your marriage. Eric Miller will talk with Sean and Melissa Spoelstra about how they navigate and live in the cross section of ministry and family life. The couple will shed some light on what health and balance might look like in that.

We grow closer to God when we know His names. Meiissa Spoelstra joins Gwen to talk about why knowing the names of God can make a big difference when it comes to things of faith. Take the FREE 5-Day Psalm Challenge at www.PsalmChallenge.com Episode show notes: www.gwensmith.net/graceologie/117 Graceologie on INSTA: @graceologie Graceologie on FB: www.facebook.com/graceologie Gwen on INSTA: @GwenSmithMusic Gwen on FB: www.facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic

Are you feeling scared, frustrated, or insecure about the world that you live in? How in the world do we stay hopeful and positive with so much negativity around us? On today's episode of the Better Together podcast, I'm talking with one of my longtime friends, Melissa Spoelstra. She's a powerful Bible teacher as well as well-known speaker and author about her brand new Bible study, Romans: The Good News that Changes Everything. Melissa and I sat down to talk just a few days after I returned home from El Paso, TX where I'd traveled to welcome home my oldest daughter, Kate, after her 9-month deployment to the Middle East. If you're connected to me on social media, you saw that on my last morning in El Paso, we were at the mall close to the Wal-Mart where the tragic mass shooting happened. In fact, the store we were shopping in went on lockdown and for several minutes we were deeply concerned that the shooter was in our area.  As I reflect on the tragedy of El Paso, the shooting in Dayton less than 12 hours later, and all of the other rapid-fire madness happening in our world, I've had to intentionally focus on God's good news. Perhaps today's podcast episode is what YOU need to focus on God's good news instead of being overwhelmed while watching our national news. In today's podcast Melissa shows up as our Bible teacher and good friend to share with us about: How do we hold onto God's hope when we see so much bad news? How do we know when we're headed in the right direction in life? For our personal struggles with hardship, heartache or sin, what does God say to us that reminds us of just how much we matter to Him? CONNECT WITH MELISSA - Website |  Facebook | Instagram About Melissa Spoelstra:  First and foremost I am a Christ-follower. I am madly in love with Jesus and addicted to the study of His Word. I am passionate about knowing Christ and inspiring other women to seek Him by opening our ears to listen to His Spirit, reading His Word curiously, asking questions, exercising good hermeneutics, and clinging tightly to God through the storms of life. Talking about this stuff is much easier than actually living it out in everyday life. As wife to my awesome church planter husband Sean, and mother to four great kids, Zach(22), Abby(19), Sara(19), and Rachel(16), I am working out my faith on a daily basis. Between sports practices, doctor's appointments, church stuff, and the minutia of everyday life, I need God's Word to draw me back to the things of first importance. Other stuff about me. I have a degree in Bible Theology from Moody Bible Institute. I'm a regular contributor to Girlfriends in God online devotional and Proverbs 31 Ministries First Five App. I've written 6 women's Bible studies (Jeremiah, Joseph, First Corinthians, Numbers, Elijah, and Romans) as well as Total Family Makeover (2016), Total Christmas Makeover (2017), 30 Days of Prayer for Spiritual Stamina (2018), and Dare to Hope(2019). I'm following God through every door He opens and pray that all glory in these endeavors is His alone. About your Better Together Podcast Host... Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference, and the UMC Leadership Institute. Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: I'm Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God's Delay (Sept 2019) and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage, and Women of Faith. An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb is the proud mother of three adult daughters. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

Could you use a big dose of hope in your home?  Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra is here to help.  Her newest book, "Dare to Hope: Living Intentionally in an Unstable World" is based on the book of Jeremiah.  Listening is a mega theme in Jeremiah and it can be a mega theme in your home.  Learn how to listen to God and your kids more closely and watch things change for the better.  

Melissa Spoelstra, Kate Battistelli, Becky Kopitzke, David Curry, Ron Bracy, Matt Williams

Melissa Spoelstra, Kate Battistelli, Becky Kopitzke, David Curry, Ron Bracy, Matt Williams

This month we have learned why our hope might have let us down. It was in the wrong place. And we discovered the hope God has for us and how to access it through a hope I call, “Hope Reinvented”. And today, I double dog dare you. I dare you to hope when it seems crazy to do so. And to help us in this quest, we have Melissa Spoelstra with us, the Author of “Dare to Hope: Living Intentionally in an Unstable World”.

Guests: Joel Noble, Spencer Brown, and Melissa Spoelstra. Topic: Urgent Alert From Samaritans Ministries International; State Exemption For ALL Health Care Sharing Ministries in California is in Jeopardy of Being ELIMINATED From California State Law by Their Full Budget Committee. Commencement Season and Conservative Speakers are Nowhere to be Found and Not Losing Hope in a Sometimes Hopeless World.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest on episode #39 of the Graceologie with Gwen Smith podcast is Melissa Spoelstra, author of a new book, DARE to HOPE. Looking at today’s world, HOPE usually isn’t the first word that comes to mind. On a personal front, marriages fail, bank accounts run low, friendships end, and the everyday demands of a fast-paced life gets us down. Melissa unpacks a hope-filled message that will remind you God is rich in mercy and love and has good plans for His people. Episode show notes:  www.gwensmith.net/graceologie/39 Graceologie on INSTA:  @graceologie Graceologie on FB: www.facebook.com/graceologie Graceologie Podcast website: www.gwensmith.net/graceologie SPONSOR:  www.FabFitFun.com / use code GRACEOLOGIE for 20% off your first box! SPONSOR: www.CovenantEyes.com  /  use code GRACEOLOGIE at checkout to get your first 30 days FREE! Gwen Smith on INSTA:  @GwenSmithMusic Gwen Smith on FB:  www.facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic  

The holiday season often brings festive activities and get-togethers for many, but it also means that finding time to rest can pose as a challenge. Join Michelle Nietert as she speaks with author and sister, Melissa Spoelstra of Total Family Makeover, on what Scripture says about rest and what restorative activities may look like for you and your family, especially during the busy holiday season. Melissa explores what true rest may look like for families and how modeling restorative activities for your children can impact not only them, but the entire family as well. More importantly, she places importance on finding rest in your relationship with Jesus and how he modeled that for us. Jesus took time to rest during his ministry and so should you! Notes from the show: Why is rest so important? What does it look like in your family? Rest often gets the most pushback from children—but it's essential to create that margin that works for your family to allow your soul to be restored through rest. God took the last day to rest when he created the world—he modeled rest for us! The fourth commandment also told us to take Sabbath. Jesus was never racing from one thing to another and had a relaxed attitude toward life. Even though we're not bound to Sabbath by law since Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath, it's still important to take time to rest. We need to value rest in a culture that values productivity. Don't confuse rest with leisure. Ask yourself, does my soul feel restored? Is it just escape or truly restful? Find what works! Proverbs 14:30 states a relaxed attitude lengthens life! Questions explored: Does this activity draw me closer to the Lord or further? How does this leave my mind, body, soul, and spirit at the end of it? Did it produce anything? True rest doesn't produce anything but solely resting. What are you modeling for your child? Connect with Melissa website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest

Today we’ll talk with Melissa Spoelstra, author of “Total Christmas Makeover: 31 Devotions to Celebrate with Purpose” (Abingdon) and introduce KPDQs weekend program, The Christian Outlook, featuring local and national Salem talk hosts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is your Christmas season marked by stress instead of calm?  How can you focus on what's really important (the birth of Christ) and pass that along to your kids?  Melissa Spoelstra shares practical tips to help you this season from her book, "Total Christmas Makeover: 31 Devotions to Celebrate with Purpose."  

For many christians, the Sabbath day is Sunday, but for others it's Saturday. In either case, this special day of the week has a specific purpose. Dennis Rainey, John Piper, Melissa Spoelstra, and Hannah Anderson give their perspective on how to best honor the Sabbath and keep it holy.

Andrea Logan-White, Melissa Spoelstra, Mark Nation, Chelsea Crockett, Bruce Hausknecht, Harry Jackson

Andrea Logan-White, Melissa Spoelstra, Mark Nation, Chelsea Crockett, Bruce Hausknecht, Harry Jackson

An interview with Melissa Spoelstra Christmas Makeover In the bustle of the Christmas season, it can be easy to get swept up in all of the things to do: decorating, cooking, socializing, and shopping. However, it is important to pause and remember the priority should be to spend time celebrating Christ’s birth and not forgetting to invite Jesus to His own party. In Total Christmas Makeover: 31 Devotions to Celebrate with Purpose Melissa Spoelstra provides a practical approach to helping families learn what it means to truly celebrate the Savior. Q: Some people thrive on the holiday season while others dread it. What factors differentiate the enthusiasts from those who would rather skip the holidays? is our attitude that differentiates us. Those who want to skip it may have significant fac

How do we learn contentment in a culture that is always pushing us to pursue more? What are we missing out on if we're always searching for the next best thing? Author Melissa Spoelstra shares lessons that we can learn from her new Bible study, Numbers: Learning Contentment in a Culture of More about the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. While God planned to bring them to the Promised Land, their arrival was delayed because they complained too much. Listen as we talk about why we default to complaining  - even though we know shouldn't. What are some of the secrets to contentment that we can learn from God's word?  Here are the takeaways from today's episode: 1. We can learn to "secret" to contentment, even if everything in our lives are upside-down. 2. Join Melissa's Contentment Project - Have you been complaining a lot lately? Learn to move from complaining to contentment by participating in Melissa's "Contentment Project" starting in early September. Click here to sign up today!  3. Check out Melissa's new Bible study, Numbers: Learning Contentment in a Culture of More. Available at all Christian retailers. 

Lesson 6 -- Real Life

Lesson 5 -- Living Love

Lesson 4 -- Beyond Ourselves

Lesson 3 -- Everybody's Doing It - Lecture by Cheryl Pacilio

Week 2 Growing Up 1 Corinthians 3-5 by Chris Anthony

Lesson 1: In Christ Alone lecture by Cheryl Pacilio

Living Love When We Disagree--Introduction by Chris Anthony

As James Dobson once said, child rearing isn't for cowards. A parent's choices impact a child for the rest of his life. Melissa Spoelstra gives tips on childrearing from her own experiences.

Are you tired of watching people fight with each other? Do you get discouraged when you see Christians unfriending each other, not just on social media, but in families and friendships?  If so, then you’ll be encouraged by today’s podcast. I’m sitting down for an important conversation with Bible study teacher and author, Melissa Spoelstra for a kingdom conversation on the Bible teaches Christians to handle disagreement. She recently released a Bible study on the book of 1 Corinthians, a New Testament letter written to church leaders trying to deal with the fighting and drama in their churches. Sound familiar? Melissa is the author of the Bible study, 1 Corinthians : Living Love When We Disagree. This is such a well-timed topic for our culture today, especially for Christians. How do we love each other even though we don’t share the same perspective or convictions? We do know this: That when Christians disagree poorly, the gospel message gets lost and lost people stay lost without that message of hope. Friends, we’ve got to change this! In today’s podcast, Melissa shares powerful content on living love by sharing: How Jesus proposed instead of imposed himself on others; How we establish middle ground or common ground when we’re in the midst of a disagreement; How Paul’s counsel to the leaders of the Corinthian church provides encourage and practical advice for us to apply to our lives today. Find out more about Melissa's book and Bible studies by clicking here. About Melissa... Melissa Spoelstra is a popular women’s conference speaker, Bible teacher, and writer who is madly in love with Jesus and passionate about helping women of all ages to seek Christ and know Him more intimately through serious Bible study. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible Theology and enjoys teaching God's Word to diverse groups and churches within the body of Christ. She is the author of the First Corinthians: Living Love When We Disagree, Joseph: The Journey to Forgiveness, Jeremiah: Daring to Hope in an Unstable World Bible studies, and Total Family Makeover: 8 Steps to Making Disciples at Home book. She lives in Dublin, Ohio, with her pastor husband and four kids.  Find her on Twitter @melspoelstra and Instagram @daring2hope, and follow her blog at MelissaSpoelstra.com.

Have you ever felt like your child was your parenting report card? If he or she was doing well in school, then you felt great. But, if your precious cherub was causing the teacher to pull her hair out, then you were failing. How do we snap out of making our kids our “report card” and instead love and raise them as God calls us to do? Proverbs 22:6 tells us to direct our children onto the right path so that when they are old, they will not leave it. If the Bible tells us to teach our kids God’s ways, how do we teach when we’re not always sure on how God wants us to live? Today’s guest, Melissa Spoelstra coaches moms through eight areas that we need to teach our children so that they can develop their own relationship with God. As the mother of four kids, aged 20, 16-year old twins and 14, Melissa understands the difficulties and hard decisions that go along with parenting. According to Melissa, parenting is never about perfect, but intentionally planning out how to disciple our children so that they can learn to love Jesus. In her book, Total Family Makeover, Melissa discusses how Jesus modeled certain disciplines, like prayer, mentoring and service. Then, Jesus taught the disciples how to integrate those same disciplines into their lives. Melissa will share her experiences as a mom, stories about how she’s “failed forward” as a parent and encouragement for any mom who’s at the end of her rope. In today’s podcast, listen to my interview with Melissa as we discuss: Why we make our children into our parenting report card; How not to disciple your children into worriers; The CRUCIAL importance of finding a mentor mom to help you stay sane during your parenting years; The differences between parenting young kids and parenting older kids; Melissa Spoelstra’s Website Melissa’s Recommend Parenting Resources: Total Family Makeover: 8 Practical Steps to Making Disciples at Home by Melissa Spoelstra Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids by Kara Powell and Chap Clark For Parents Only: Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid – Shaunti Feldhahn Scream Free Parenting – Hal Edward Runkel        

In this episode I chat with Bible teacher and speaker, Melissa Spoelstra on all things calling and how the Lord led her into what she does now.Melissa really gets into what it costs to follow Jesus into what He is calling us to. Sometimes it is easy to look at the glamour and flashy side of the ministry we feel God is calling us to, or even just the best sides of living life with Christ, but there is also a side that will cost us.It can be so easy to want to give up and stop pressing on when things get challenging and difficult for as we follow the Lord as if we are doing it all wrong or it is simply not meant for us, but when Jesus calls you to it, you follow Him at all costs. We get knocked down, we live in doubt, we cry our eyes out and then we wipe our tears away and get back to walking by faith with our Lord.Melissa Spoelstra is a women’s conference speaker, Bible teacher and author who is madly in love with Jesus and passionate about helping others to seek Christ and know Him more intimately. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible Theology and is a contributor to Girlfriends in God online devotional as well as Proverbs 31 Ministries First 5 app. She is the author of seven Bible studies (The Names of God, Romans, Elijah, Numbers, First Corinthians, Joseph, and Jeremiah) and four books (Total Family Makeover, Total Christmas Makeover, 30 Days of Prayer for Spiritual Stamina and Dare to Hope). Melissa makes her home in Pickerington, OH, with her pastor husband and four kids.You can connect with her on Instagram at :https://www.instagram.com/daring2hope/on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/authormelissaspoelstraand find more information about her speaking and resources at:http://melissaspoelstra.com/We want to support all you are called to do, here are some ways to connect…Follow the podcast on Instagram:CALLED TO BUILD Free Workbook:WHAT AM I CALLED TO?Follow Ashley on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ashley.morgan.jackson/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/called-to-build/donations