Abiding Free | Biblical Truth & Encouragement

What would happen if you invited Jesus into the very spaces where fear is holding you back, and listened to what He said?

In this episode of the Abiding Free Podcast, Shannon Sergey and Kristin Nave, talk about some of the major lessons they’ve learned in the last year about truly hearing the voice of God, and walking in freedom.

In part one of this conversation, we’ll reflect on Shannon's profound experiences and insights gained through a church leaders' training on the power of simple, fearless obedience and unstructured ways of doing prayer in community..

We also talk about the delicate balance between church traditions and the divine commands that echo through the New Testament, as well as the topic of living out the "one anothers" that compel us to love and support one another - pushing us past our comfort zones.

Don't forget to share this episode, rate us, and join us for the next installment, where we’ll continue to unearth the essence of our identity in Christ and learn to truly hear from God. Now, let's get started.

Episode Highlights

• Both Shannon and Kristin in a season of major growth and change
• Sharing the gospel at a community barbecue.
• A different way to gather and pray with Pastor Rob: www.wearechurch.com
• Embracing Spiritual Gifts
• Spiritual healing
• Shannon's transformative experience in the Tenderloin District.
• Examining church traditions versus biblical commands.
• The “One Anothers”
• Jesus is knocking on the door

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

Don't forget to check out:

 The James Method and all the Bible study products they offer at www.thejamesmethod.com
On IG @the_james_method
Use code ABIDINGFREE to save 20% off your purchase!

*Disclosure: Some links are Amazon affiliate links and a small portion of your purchase will come back to us while your cost remains the same.

Producer:

• Provision Podcast Production

Have you ever felt alone or ashamed in your struggles with anxiety or depression? Have you ever thought that maybe God was disappointed in you for struggling with mental health?

In today's heartfelt and moving episode, Host Kristin Nave is joined by Lara d'Entremont, author and advocate for mental health within the Christian community. She shares her journey of facing anxiety and depression in motherhood, the importance of community support, and how seeking professional help is not in conflict with Christian faith.

As Lara talks about her book "A Mother Held: Essays on Motherhood and Anxiety," she reflects on the need to challenge mental health stigmas in the church and the liberating truth that professional counseling can actually align with Christian teachings.Together, we unpack the powerful ways psychology can intersect with the Bible and how our Christian faith can include embracing the medical aspects of mental health. 

This episode is a candid conversation on the beauty of being honest with God and finding His kindness in the midst of life's struggles.

Episode Highlights

• Introduce Lara d’Entremont
• Lara’s Testimony
• Not having the language of mental health as a Child
• Struggling with Anxiety during pregnancy
• Realizing it’s not a sin to struggle
• Kristin’s struggle with mental health
• The tension of mental health within Christian communities
• Medical professionals and the Doctrine of Common Grace
• The Importance of Christian Community 
• Opening up and asking for Help is Key
• Unlearning our wrong beliefs about God
• The story of a young mother and the inspiration for Lara’s book

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

More on Lara d'Entremont:

• Website: Lara d'Entremont (laradentremont.com)
• Social Media: Lara d'Entremont, Author (@lara_dentremont) • Instagram photos and videos
• Book: A Mother Held: Essays on Anxiety and Motherhood: Lara d'Entremont: 9798988870265: Amazon.com: Books

*Disclosure: Some links are Amazon affiliate links and a small portion of your purchase will come back to us while your cost remains the same.

What if there are divine encounters hiding within every moment, waiting to be discovered?

In this episode of the Abiding Free podcast, hosts Kristin Nave and Shannon Sergey share inspiring and diverse stories from their lives of how seemingly insignificant or challenging everyday events, can potentially turn into deeply meaningful and transformational encounters with the Lord. You’ll hear about two impactful conversations Kristin had about the meaning of life with two Uber drivers in London, as well as a humbling story of being pulled over for speeding on the way to church. These stories will inspire you to see how Jesus can use our messiness and everyday situations for a greater purpose. 

Join us as we dive into these captivating and uplifting anecdotes that demonstrate the power of inviting God into our daily lives. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be encouraged and inspired by the transformative impact of these seemingly ordinary experiences.

Episode Highlights

• Shannon’s first episode of the season
• Ecclesiastes and Divine Interventions recap
• Why it's important to share these stories
• Kristin’s Uber driver doesn't know the meaning of life
• Shannon's conversation at Forever Found gala
• God revealed in General and Personal
• Kristin's 2nd Uber driver is a Christian
• Kristin gets pulled over on the way to church
• Police Officer is shocked by Kristin’s response
• Teaching Kristin’s daughter about finding God in our weakness

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

*Disclosure: Some links are Amazon affiliate links and a small portion of your purchase will come back to us while your cost remains the same.

Producer:

• Provision Podcast Production

Quotes

• All things, including the mundane, inconveniences of everyday circumstances, can be transformed from a seemingly meaningless or even frustrating story to a meaningful story.
• I never knew you could be in a room full of non-believers and talk about Jesus like that.
• People wonder about the meaning of life, but nobody talks about it.
• God, whatever happens today, I want to point to You.

Have you ever wondered if your care and prayers for people who don’t know Jesus, really have any impact?

In this episode of the Abiding Free podcast, we explore the story of Jeff Allen, a comedian and former atheist who found freedom and purpose in life through the book of Ecclesiastes. In this interview he talks about the influence of his father’s antagonism towards religion and God and how that set him on a path of atheism and anger. He opens up about his struggles to be working comedian, husband and father and how he searched for relief through self-help and other religions, but how it was the words and genuine care of a Christian friend who ultimately led him on the path to the Bible and Jesus Christ.

We delve into the power of love, kindness, and the power of the Gospel in the quest for meaning that so many lost souls like Jeff, find themselves on.

Don’t miss this inspiring and heartfelt conversation with Jeff Allen, as he shares his journey from a “messed up to meaningful life”.
Guest Bio: 

Jeff Allen’s rapid-fire humor, which centers on marriage and family, is a hit with all ages. A live comedy favorite, Jeff has appeared on Dry Bar Comedy, Netflix, Amazon, Huckabee, Pureflix, Showtime, Comedy Central, VH1 and more. He starred in the critically acclaimed film, Apostles of Comedy, the syndicated comedy series, Bananas, his own one-hour comedy special, Happy Wife, Happy Life, and the Warner Bros. comedy film, Thou Shalt Laugh. Jeff has been featured on America’s Got Talent, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Dry Bar Comedy, Pureflix, Huckabee, Warner Bros., Bananas, Apostles of Comedy, Thou Shalt Laugh, and numerous other networks and shows. Jeff has also been featured at Montreal’s Just For Laughs festival and HBO’s Comedy Arts Festival. His Dry Bar Comedy videos have amassed over 400 million views on social media and other platforms, introducing him to tens of millions of new fans worldwide. At times both gut-wrenching and hilarious, Jeff’s new tour offers a unique glimpse into his crazy world.

Besides performing at churches, corporate functions, fundraisers, theaters and casinos, Jeff regularly appears on television, radio, and podcasts nationwide. Jeff is the best at what he does – making people laugh as hard as humanly possible. His Happy Wife, Happy Life® message of a marriage gone wrong and redeemed has given laughter and encouragement to millions of people. Jeff’s comedy drives home the humor in everyday family life and the joy derived from a healthy marriage.

Episode Highlights

• Introduction of Jeff Allen and His Book “Are We There Yet”
• Jeff’s Father Sets Him on a Course of Atheism
• Struggling with Alcoholism and being introduced to prayer through 12 Step Program
• Marriage and Being Confronted with One’s Weaknesses
• Parenting and Realizing the impact of Dysfunction on their Kids
• Searching for Meaning in Self-Help, New Age, Buddhism
• A Christian Comic Calls Jeff a Moron and Talks about the Bible
• Working at Domino’s Pizza, Almost Losing Family leads to Listening to Tapes on Ecclesiastes
• Becoming a Christian and Telling His Wife Tammy
• Impact of Christian faith on his relationships and comedy

Find More on Jeff Allen:

• Jeffallencomedy.com
• Book - Are We There Yet: My Journey from a Messed Up to Meaningful Life
• Tour Dates and Tickets

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree

Have you heard the story about the Christian who gave a eulogy at a funeral, then immediately died after he finished? 

But what makes this story even more amazing, is the words he said right before he suddenly passed away.

In this episode of Abiding Free, host Kristin Nave interviews a special guest, Jon Gerlach, who shares a deeply moving and inspiring story about his father's life and passing. Jon's father, Stan Gerlach, was a devout Christian who lived a life dedicated to serving and sharing the gospel. The story takes a surprising turn when Stan collapses and passes away immediately after delivering a eulogy at a funeral. Despite the tragic circumstances, Jon reflects on the profound impact of his father's life and final moments, and how it has touched millions of lives, leading many to faith and redemption. 

Join us as we delve into this powerful testimony of a life lived in devotion to Christ and the enduring ripple effect of one man's triumph in tragedy.

Episode Highlights

• A Story from Francis Chan
• Stan Gerlach’s Background
• Witnessing to Joe in the Hospital
• Stan’s Eulogy and Sudden Death
• Francis Chan’s Words of Comfort
• Lives Transformed by Stan’s Story
• Kristin Speaks at a Funeral

Find More on Stan Gerlach:

• Jon Gerlach Insurance Services

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

*Disclosure: Some links are Amazon affiliate links and a small portion of your purchase will come back to us while your cost remains the same.

Producer:

• Provision Podcast Production

We have been journeying through the book of Ecclesiastes for the past few episodes, and today we will be finishing by giving an overview of the remaining chapters, as well as reflecting on what it all means...both Ecclesiastes and life!

We will see that the preacher continues to wrestle and struggle through the frustrating and confusing aspects of life, but we get a deeper understanding of what he wants us to take from his message. The preacher continues to have an echo of sadness over the reality of all of life leading to death, and yet, the preacher knows there is eternal life and the only solution to this problem of death is turning to God before it’s too late. And turning to God doesn’t just make eternal life meaningful, it makes the here and the now meaningful through an eternal lens. From the life-changing decision to the mundane, all things are being made beautiful in its time, and all things are meaningful through God.

And Jesus’ death captures this tension that the preacher conveys, the horrible reality of death against the beautiful reality of eternal life. And the way to fulfill this desire for eternity that we all long for is in Jesus. He is our answer. And as the preacher pleads with those he preaches to, don’t delay. Don’t avoid the topic and reality of death, the frustrations of life. They point to our need for God and a Savior to rescue us from a meaningless life. Even those of us who have a relationship with God, the reality of how short life is should beckon us to ask ourselves, What am I truly living for? We don’t want to get to the end of our life and have an echo of regret and sadness like the preacher. Life is more meaningful and joyful through doing things that matter for eternity. Now is the time.
“Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”- C.T. Studd

Recommended Resources:
The man who was saved through Ecclesiastes (watch here): https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v3_aQLbddyc
Book of Ecclesiastes Summary | Watch an Overview Video (bibleproject.com)
Ecclesiastes Bible Reading Plan: She loves bible
Better: How Jesus Satisfies the Search for... by Chaddick, Tim (amazon.com)

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

This week we will spend our time on chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes, which has been called the thesis of the book. The preacher in Ecclesiastes shifts the reader from cynicism to hope as he continues to reflect on life, this time showing us that there is a season for everything and in these seasons, God is making "all things beautiful in its time."

Though life is confusing, hard, and often seems backward, the preacher will show us that God is working all things together and there is purpose in all of life.

We are so glad you are joining us for another week in this incredible book!

Recommended Resources:
The man who was saved through Ecclesiastes (watch here): https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v3_aQLbddyc
Book of Ecclesiastes Summary | Watch an Overview Video (bibleproject.com)
Ecclesiastes Bible Reading Plan: She loves bible
Better: How Jesus Satisfies the Search for... by Chaddick, Tim (amazon.com)

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

Last week we were introduced to some of the themes and overview of Ecclesiastes before diving in specifically to the book in this episode through chapters 1 and 2. We will be introduced to the preacher- the main voice in the book- who seems to be quite cynical about life and finds it extremely frustrating, difficult to understand, and can feel meaningless.
On today's episode we will walk with the preacher as he dives into 5 aspects of life, the history of mankind, the world and nature, wisdom, self-indulgence, and toil-our work. We will see that the preacher was a man who tasted the best that life in and of itself has to offer, but found the endless pursuit (and gain) of these things to be frustrating and even somewhat depressing.
So what is the point of the preacher's words, and life in general?
Join us as we dive into the first two chapters of this somewhat mysterious but incredible book. Though he appears cynical, the preacher was willing to ask some hard questions about life. Questions that maybe some of us should be willing to ask, because they can eventually point us to God Himself.
Recommended Resources:
The man who was saved through Ecclesiastes (watch here): https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v3_aQLbddyc
Book of Ecclesiastes Summary | Watch an Overview Video (bibleproject.com)
Ecclesiastes Bible Reading Plan: She loves bible
Better: How Jesus Satisfies the Search for... by Chaddick, Tim (amazon.com)

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

Have you ever gotten exactly what you wanted, it hasn't satisfied you the way you thought, and you've wondered, Is This It?

For 4 weeks we will be journeying through the book of Ecclesiastes, and we would love for you to join us! This is a book about a wise preacher who was given so much in life- wisdom, pleasures, experiences, so much more-and found that these things in and of themselves, were empty. Through a human lens, the preacher shows us that life is like a vapor or breath; we are shown that life is fleeting, hard to understand, and cannot be controlled!

But, because of God, we can find meaning and thankfulness for all things in life through a God-perspective.

The preacher in Ecclesiastes was willing to ask the hard questions. Questions that many of us might be afraid to ask but have wondered deep in our heart. But these questions can lead us to meaning, deep and eternal meaning that is found only in Jesus.

Recommended Resources:
Book of Ecclesiastes Summary | Watch an Overview Video (bibleproject.com)
Enduringword.com Commentary
Ecclesiastes Bible Reading Plan: She loves bible
Better: How Jesus Satisfies the Search for... by Chaddick, Tim (amazon.com)

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

Have you ever doubted the reliability of the Bible?

Our guest today, Mary Jo Sharp was raised in Portland, Oregon. Where she grew up, there wasn’t much talk about God or the Bible. The only Christianity she really saw on display was what was shown in the movies.

As she grew older, she started having questions about the meaning of life and began investigating for answers. Around this same time, her high school band director gave her a bible. She was about to graduate, and he knew that she would have questions. He told her to turn to the Bible for answers.

In college, Mary Jo started going to church. She was searching for answers and community, but not all of the experiences she had were good. Through her spiritual journey, she encountered apologetics. In her wrestling with her faith, apologetics provided some of the answers she was desperately searching for.

Mary Jo is now an assistant professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist University and the founder and director of Confident Christianity Apologetics Ministry. She has been featured in Christianity Today’s cover story “The Unexpected Defenders” and is an international speaker on apologetics, focusing on love and logic to uncover truth. She lives with her husband and family in Portland, Oregon.

We invite you to join us in listening to this incredible testimony and believe that it will stir hope in your heart.

Episode Highlights: 

• Introduction to Mary Jo Sharp
• Early Life
• How Mary Jo came to Christ
• Church hurt
• Journey to apologetics

Find more on Mary Jo Sharp & other Resources Mentioned:

• Find Mary Jo Sharp on Instagram
• Confident Christianity Website
• Why Do You Believe That? By Mary Jo Sharp
• Why I Still Believe by Mary Jo Sharp
• The Case for Christ by Lee Strobil
• True for You But Not for Me by Paul Copan
• Tactics by Gregory Koukl
• Bethinking.org

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

*Disclosure: Some links are Amazon affiliate links and a small portion of your purchase will come back to us while your cost remains the same.