Adorned Podcast

On this week’s episode of the Adorned Podcast we tackled some questions that you, our amazing listeners submitted and it was so much fun!!!  We talk about everything from what the church’s role should be when it comes to addressing tough subjects such as pornography, to date night ideas, to our best “life advice” and much more in between.  Thank you to everyone that sent in questions.  Like we’ve said many times, we are learning and growing alongside all of you and it was such a joy to really dig into these important topics! 

Quotes:

“When you are a Christian you have a mission.  You get to spend your life getting to know God and make Him known.” 

“It’s important that we come alongside each other and point each other back to the truth.” 

“Addressing guilt makes YOU look better, but addressing conviction makes GOD look better.”  

“Reading your Bible is a sure way to meet with God.” 

“The man and the woman have were created unique by God, both in the image of God, equal in dignity, value, and worth.  But they have been meant to complement one another, not to compete against one another.  The weaknesses of the the one are strengthened by the strengths of the other.  The strengths of the other are made even stronger by the strengths of the other.  This is a complementarian relationship.  Where the men are being men and the women are being women.  When that happens you have the type of human flourishing that the Bible commends and that if we would be willing to walk in it our joy will increase and God’s glory will be seen all the more brightly and our hearts would be more satisfied in Him.” -Matt Chandler 

*The beautiful music heard on today’s episode is by Katie Cobbs*

This week as we wrap up our series on community, we had the privilege of hearing Rocky Bush share her heart and tell her story about how God used her community in a time of pain and suffering.  We are so very thankful to Rocky for being vulnerable and even making us cry because we believe that this episode is so very important no matter what season of life you are in.  Like we discuss in the episode, James 1 says “consider it pure joy WHENever you face trials of many kinds.”  Everyone is going to walk through seasons of difficulty.  Whether you are the one relying on your community to lift you up or maybe it’s your turn to be that community for someone else, the Bible is clear that we need each other.  We should be there to constantly point each other back to the cross and back to God.  Living in true, godly community can be messy at times, but when it functions as it should , it can really be oh so beautiful!   

Quotes:

“We may feel like we’re at the end of our rope, but we’re never at the end of out hope.  That hope is found in God and community is there to remind us of that.  Community is there to constantly remind us of the cross and to help us stay focused on God.  They are there to celebrate the good times, but they’re also there for the times of suffering and they continue to point us back to the cross, to lift us up with their prayers and to be there for us.”   

“Asking for help doesn’t make you weak, asking for help makes you stronger because you are defeating the enemy in that moment.” 

“It’s ok to not be ok” 

“In those times of suffering you can lose sight of what is true, so spending time in The Word reminds you of what really is true.  It gives you something that’s not shifting even when it feels like everything else is.”  

“Suffering, pain and death are part of this world in which live. If we look at that suffering and judge the character of God by it then we are missing the point. It is what God has done about it that shows the heart of God.”

Resources:

ESV Study Bible 

*The beautiful music heard on today’s episode is by Katie Cobbs*

In this week’s episode we’re continuing our series on community by discussing community within the Body of Christ. Sometimes we become so focused on our individual churches that we forget we are a part of a much bigger community of believers. The Bible speaks to this topic so much! Join us as we dive into why being in community with the Body of Christ is important as well as how to practically live this out.

Quotes:

“Christian community exists when believers connect with each other in authentic and loving ways that encourage growth in Christ. They engage in transparent relationships that cultivate celebrate and make evident Christ’s love for all the world” Adelle Calhoun

“As believers we all have the same identity in Christ. Our foundation is the gospel and our mission is to spread that gospel. “

“Just because someone doesn’t agree with you doesn’t mean that they aren’t part of the body of Christ. You are still to love them as brothers and sisters.”

“It is in the midst of a difference that we have our golden opportunity. When everything is going well and we are all standing around in a nice little circle, there is not much to be seen by the world. But when we come to the place where there is a real difference, and we exhibit uncompromised principles but at the same time observable love, then there is something that the world can see, something they can use to judge that these really are Christians, and that Jesus has indeed been sent by the Father.” -Francis Schaeffer

“The Church as one unified body is the bride of Christ.” 

“Where the Spirit of God is there must be love, and if I have once known and recognized any man to be my brother in Christ Jesus, the love of Christ constraineth me no more to think of him as a stranger or foreigner, but a fellow citizen with the saints. Now I hate High Churchism as my soul hates Satan; but I love George Herbert, although George Herbert is a desperately High Churchman. I hate his High Churchism, but I love George Herbert from my very soul, and I have a warm corner in my heart for every man who is like him. Let me find a man who loves my Lord Jesus Christ as George Herbert did and I do not ask myself whether I shall love him or not; there is no room for question, for I cannot help myself; unless I can leave off loving Jesus Christ, I cannot cease loving those who love him.”

-Charles Spurgeon

“If we run from everything that seems different to us, we might be missing out on a blessing.”

Resources:

Why You Must Pursue Church Unity - Article by Chris Casaldo 

What is Christian Unity - Article by John Piper 

ESV Study Bible 

*The beautiful music heard on today’s episode is by Katie Cobbs*

We are continuing our series on community by discussing accountability with our sweet friend, Hannah Kalk. This is a tough subject, but Hannah helps us break it down in a biblical and grace-filled way. This episode is full of so much wisdom on why accountability is important, where it’s found in the Bible, and how we can speak the truth in love to those within our community.

Quotes:

“Accountability is speaking the truth in love with the intention of inspiring growth and maturity and fulfilling the mission given by Christ”

“Accountability should not be given with the intention to cause harm, but the intention to give grace.”

“Am I trying to make disciples of who I am or am I trying to make disciples of Christ?”

“Judgemental and hypocritical is not a specific stance on a sin, but it is an attitude” 

“You are not God. You are not there to convict them, but you are there to share words with them.”

“You can’t be open to accountability and clinging to pride at the same time.”

Resources:

Speaking the Truth in Love by Ruth N. Koch and Kenneth C. Haugk

Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

Eternal Security is a Community Project by John Piper 

*The beautiful music heard on today’s episode is by Katie Cobbs*

In today’s episode we are continuing our series on community by talking with our sweet friend, Crystal Eudy about discipleship.  Through our conversation we discuss what discipleship means, where it is found in the Bible, and why it’s so important in our lives as women.  We talk about what it looks like to be discipled by someone further along in life, or their walk with Jesus, as well as the importance of reaching back to pull someone alongside you.  Discipleship doesn’t always have to be a formal process, but can be a very practical day to day practice within your relationships.  We would love for you to listen in on our conversation with Crystal!        

Quotes:

“It’s not always about what you say, but it’s about what you do and about leading by example.”

“Leading people to Christ and helping believers grow to be like Him.  Both of these things are discipleship.” 

“We weren’t meant to be alone.  We were meant to live in fellowship and discipleship with others.”  

“Our goal is to spread His word and to get as many people to know Jesus as possible.  It’s then equipping them to do the same thing.”

“Jesus evangelized by building disciples.  Build and grow, build and grow.”  

“The Bible doesn’t say convert believers and then stop.  It says to make disciples and to teach them.” (ref. Matt 28:19-20) 

“We should always be reaching forward to someone who knows a little more and we should also be reaching back to pull someone along beside us.”  

References:

ESV Study Bible 

The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster 

*The beautiful music heard on today’s episode is by Katie Cobbs*

In episode 25, our last in our series on the spiritual disciplines, we talk about the discipline of community.  This specific discipline is one that Erin is very passionate (and maybe a little intense) about and she was excited to share how God has used her community to draw her closer to Him.  We realize that finding community isn’t always easy and it might even be uncomfortable at times, but the Bible makes it clear that it is very important for a believers to live in community with other believers.  Why is this important?  How does community point us to the Gospel?  What do we do if we’re not as outgoing as Erin? We would love for you to listen in as we discuss these questions and more! 

Quotes:

“Christian community exists when believers connect with each other in authentic and loving ways that encourage growth in Christ.  They engage in transparent relationships that cultivate, celebrate, and make evident Christ’s love for all the world.” -Adele Calhoun 

“That’s ultimately all you have to tell them, God is better than that sin that you’re walking in, God is better than that pride.  God is better.”

“We should always be reminding each other of the Gospel, both to humble one another and to encourage one another.”

If we’re rooting our community in who God is and not in who we are, it’s easier to find.”

Resources:

Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhoun

ESV Study Bible 

*The beautiful music heard on today’s episode is by Katie Cobbs*

In episode 24 (the 7th in our series on the spiritual disciplines) we dive into the discipline of confession.  We are being completely honest when we say that this episode was challenging to prepare for.  Confession is not easy because no one likes talking about or admitting to their sin.  It is something that the Bible says we should do, therefore we believe it’s important.  Why is it important for a believer to confess their sins not only to God, but to other believers as well?  What is the difference between confession and repentance?  How can something that begins with so much sorrow ultimately lead to healing and joy?  We would love for you to listen in on our very candid conversation about Confession! 

Quotes:

“Confession embraces Christ’s gift of forgiveness and restoration while setting us on the path to renewal and change.” -Adele Calhoun

“He who is alone with his sin is utterly alone. . . . But it is the grace of the gospel, which is so hard for the pious to understand, that confronts us with the truth and says: You are a sinner, a great, desperate sinner; now come as the sinner you are, to the God who loves you.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

“We can come to God as the sinners that we are because he LOVES us!”

“It is fitting that by the confession of our own wretchedness, we show forth the goodness and mercy of our God, among ourselves and before the whole world” -John Calvin 

“It is not sin, but grace that will make me know myself as a sinner.” -Andrew Murray 

Resources:

Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul 

Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem 

The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster 

The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhoun 

Humility by Andrew Murray 

Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

How Important is it to Confess my Sins to Someone Other than God? By John Piper

*The beautiful music heard on today’s episode is by Katie Cobbs*

Our 6th episode in our series on the spiritual disciplines is all about having “an attitude of gratitude.”  Yes, we know that’s cheesy and no, we don’t care :)  Most of us know that being thankful is important, but do we really understand why?  Really digging into this discipline has taught us so much about how gratitude can guard our souls and continually point us back to the gospel.  If we all decided to strive for a heart of true thankfulness it would change so much for not only ourselves, but our families, and all who come in contact with us.  It’s not always easy, but an attitude of gratitude is definitely something that we desire for our lives and we pray that you will too! 

Quotes:

“Gratitude is such a great way to advance the kingdom and spread the gospel because if we’re standing out then people what to know what it is that allows us to have gratefulness during a time of suffering and that allows us to share the gospel.”

“There’s a tension we have to walk in between joy and sorrow, especially in suffering, where we can feel sorrow and pain and yet we  can still still have joy and gratitude in knowing that our eternity rests in Him and our identity is found in Christ alone.”

“By being thankful over and over it will rewire our brains to be thankful first instead of negative.”

“Even when it seems like there is nothing else to be thankful for, we can always be thankful for Jesus.” 

Resources:

Guard Yourself with Gratitude sermon by John Piper 

The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhoun 

ESV Study Bible 

*The beautiful music heard on today’s episode is by Katie Cobbs*

Our 5th episode in our series on the Spiritual Disciplines is all about the discipline of simplicity.  This is something that has been on Kacie’s mind and heart for a while now so she was excited to share what The Lord has been teaching her about simplicity.  Don’t worry, living simply doesn’t always mean giving up everything and moving to the jungle.  Jesus talks about this topic a lot in the Bible so join us as we seek to understand what living a life of simplicity really means!  

Quotes: 

“Simplicity cultivates the great art of letting go.  Simplicity aims at loosening inordinate attachment to owning and having.  Simplicity brings freedom and with it generosity.”  - The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, Adele Calhoun  

“So the aim is always the great eternal good and advance of the kingdom in people’s hearts and lives. A wartime lifestyle does not romanticize about simple living as if the world in its lost condition benefited from my growing vegetables in the back yard or my having only two pairs of jeans I wear every other day. That does no good for the world at all, necessarily. A wartime lifestyle may spend a great deal of money to accomplish some great good for the world and, in the process, that expense may look like something Jesus never did. In fact, he didn’t. But that difference, I think, is incidental if the deeper commitments are the same: God and heaven and people over self and this world and material possessions.” -John Piper 

“The more I can declutter my head, the more I can focus on God and the gospel.”

“A lot of times we think that having more things will fulfill in a way that it’s not going to.  We’re looking for a fulfillment that will only come from Jesus.” 

“We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” -Tim Keller 

“May God give you - and me - the courage, the wisdom, the strength always to hold the kingdom of God as the number one priority of our lives.  To do so is to live simply.” -Richard Foster  

Resources: 

The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster 

The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhoun 

Desiring God by John Piper 

The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn 

Imperfect Courage by Jessica Honegger 

*The beautiful music heard on today’s episode is by Katie Cobbs*

On our 4th episode in our series on the spiritual disciplines we had a wonderful conversation with our friend, Jules Weir about the discipline of fasting.  Fasting is mentioned time and time again in the Bible, but yet it doesn’t seem to be a common practice in our culture today.  Why is this?  Does fasting always mean that you have to give up food?  What is the true purpose of fasting?  We both learned so much during our conversation with Jules and we pray that you do as well.   

Quotes:

Fasting is abstaining from any good gift from God that we can become reliant upon (such as food, caffeine or technology). It’s not just abstaining, but it is filling that time with other disciplines such as prayer, worship, or meditation.  -Jules Weir 

Spiritual disciplines allow us to put ourselves before God for transformation.  -Jules Weir 

In fasting we very quickly become acquainted with our limits and our weakness and this humbles us and allows God’s power to move in our lives and for us to rely on it in a unique way.  -Jules Weir 

In this age there is an ache inside every Christian that Jesus is not here as fully and intimately and as powerfully and as gloriously as we want him to be and we hunger for so much more.  That is why we fast.  -John Piper

“Fasting is a way of really quickly bringing me to a place of desperation where I am literally needing him in such huge ways that my physical need is putting me in tune with my spiritual need for him.”  -Jules Weir

Resources: 

The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster 

The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard 

A Hunger for God by John Piper 

*The beautiful music heard on today’s episode is by Katie Cobbs*