A More Beautiful Question Podcast

One of the biggest questions we worry about is, does our life actually matter? Most of us won’t live lives of huge significance, finding a cure for cancer or landing a plane full of people in an ice storm. So it’s natural to wonder if we aren’t in the spotlight or on the front page of the newspaper, does what we do each day really matter? At the end of our lives, will we be able to look back and see that we made a difference somehow? 

Even the Bible seems to hint at the idea that we are pretty insignificant. In James, it says “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” And in Genesis, it says, “for dust you are and to dust you will return.” 

We also know that God has created us individually, that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that he knows the very number of hairs on our heads. So at the same time we are nothing, we are walking miracles! So what is the truth? That is what Callie and I are going to talk about today in Ep. 44... listen in!

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Today, I want to take a step back and talk about questions as a whole. As you know, this show is all about the power of questions. I believe in the power of questions as a way to steer our thinking. Our brains have no ability to go anywhere but where we tell them. And we guide them based on the questions we ask.

Our typical approach each week is to take a common question and look at how we can shift it in a way that allows you to be more empowered and live a life closer to Christ’s. But what I really want to do is empower you — to give you the skills in your own life to ask better questions so when I’m not here in your ears, you can make these shifts for yourself. 

So this week, I’m going to give you some guidelines for the kinds of questions you ask. That way, when you catch yourself heading in a negative direction, you can course correct. 

Let’s dive in.

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Have you ever wanted something so badly in your life that you begged God? You would have given anything for the relationship to be restored, for the life to be spared, for the miracle to occur. And somehow, despite your pleadings, despite the earnestness of your prayers, it seems like God is not listening. And that’s our question today — why isn’t God answering my prayers?  

When you’re left in your grief and anger, how do you process that, as you wonder where God and his grace were in all of this pain and hurt. 

I’m sure you, like me, have had unanswered prayers. And that’s the question we’re diving into this week — why is God ignoring my prayers? Join me to unpack this topic and see what we find!

Listen here. 

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The question we're starting with today is, "How can I keep from failing?" Failure is such a scary word for a lot of people, me included. But what's underneath that fear of failure? What does God have to say about failure? And is it actually good to avoid failing?

Co-host Callie Ehmann and I talk a little bit about what failure means and what the Bible says about failure, and how we can take a different type of angle on our question to help us be more empowered and more Christ-like, and help us shine brighter for God. 

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Sports has been a hot topic in the news. 

• LeBron James and his comments about race and discrimination. 

• Arguments for and against allowing biological boys to compete with girls

• The Supreme court ruling about NCAA compensation of athletes

• A newly appointed member of the track and field Olympic team turning her back on the flag when the national anthem was played at the Olympic trials

• Players opting out of the Olympics in Tokyo, and people wondering if the USA should compete at all in the winter games in China

All this got me wondering, do we pay too much attention to sports? Has it become an idol in our culture? That’s what co-host Callie Ehmann and I will discuss in this week’s episode of A More Beautiful Question. What’s good and not-so-good about playing, watching, and supporting our kids in sports… and how can sports help us glorify God?

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In this week's episode, I want to change up our approach a little bit. We’ve so far been talking about questions we ask ourselves… but in this episode, I want to focus on questions I think God will be asking us. 

Now, I want to make it clear that this is all conjecture. I’m not a biblical scholar, and some of what I’m going to be talking about is my best guess of what God might ask us when we come face-to-face with him, based upon what I know about his nature. So please, please test this against what you know about the Bible. My intent is simply to get us thinking about what God might want to ask us when we meet him. 

Listen here. 

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Does it seem to you like the prevailing emotion people feel these days is OFFENSE? Everywhere we turn, there are people (maybe even us…) who are offended by actions and words, intended and not. 

As Christians, we don’t seek to offend anyone. Yet at the same time, it can seem that our very existence brings offense, and that trying to live God’s truth is not politically correct. So how do we navigate the minefield of others’ feelings while living out our truth? What does God say about offending others and being offended? And how can we be less offended — and offensive? 

Tune in as everyone’s favorite co-host Callie Ehmann and I dive into this interesting and very relevant topic. 

Listen here. 

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This episode marks my 37th episode here at A More Beautiful Question!

Some of you have been with me from the very beginning. Others of you may be listening for the first time! But now that we’ve been at this for eight months, I thought it might be fun to revisit what this show is all about, including why it’s called A More Beautiful Question, and how that relates to the concept of becoming a Joy Rebel. 

If you’re new, this will be a great introduction to the community we’re building here, and if you’ve been around for awhile, it’ll be a great reminder of where we’ve been and where we’re going. 

Stay tuned for a refresher on living life boldly for Christ, and how to walk out your faith, even when times get tough. 

Listen here. 

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It's so easy to lose track of who we are and where we find our identity. So many voices from the world want to define us. But the problem is that when we base our identity on who or what the world says we are, we're building on sand. 

Just look at fashion. What the world expects us to be changes as often as do trends in hairstyles and skirt lengths! As soon as we grow out our bangs, we're told our part is wrong, our hair color is off, and we need to have a visible thigh gap. 

This game of catch-up is particularly hard on young women. And that's why I've invited everyone's favorite co-host Callie Ehmann to join me for this episode of A More Beautiful Question. You're gonna love this conversation!

Listen here. 

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Last week we started a powerful series on a great question: “What is stealing my joy?” and of course, the more beautiful and empowering question of, “What am I going to DO about it?” There are so many potential pitfalls, sand traps, and quagmires that are just waiting to trip us up and bring us down.

We Joy Rebels know that the enemy — and our own insecurities, fear, and pride — are just waiting to attack! And that’s why we’re hitting hard on these topics. I want you to have a very specific process for when you’re facing doubt, fear, or anything else that can interrupt the battle for your joy. I want you to have a battle plan, a strategy for when your joy is being threatened. 

This week,  in Ep. 35 of A More Beautiful Question, we’re going to continue with five more joy thieves and how to fight back against them. 

Listen here: 

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