Bold, Brave & Beautiful Podcast with Barb Roose

“Being strong isn’t about perfection and it’s not about having it all together. It’s about having the tools to shift and turn it around when we’re feeling overwhelmed, distracted and looking for a pathway out.”

-Susan Seay

How do you define a "strong woman"?

This is one of those phrases that represents what we want to be, but often we never quite feel strong, especially when our lives are filled with struggle. Strong isn't having it all together and strong isn't perfection. In my experience, I've learned that strength is often something that I can't always see in myself, but I can make decisions that will make me strong - whether I feel it or not.

On today's Better Together podcast, my friend Susan Seay shares the three decisions that can start making today that will infuse your life with strength. Best of all, today's conversation is deep and 'fo real! As a wife and homeschool mother of 7, Susan talks about tough family challenges that their family has navigated such as parenting, marriage struggles and work-life balance issues. 

She's the author of Intentional Parenting: Parenting on Purpose When Life Gets Busy and speaks nationally at conferences and events. Susan hosts a highly engaging podcast called the "Mentor 4 Moms" podcast.

Imagine what it would feel like each day for you to wake up with the:

Strength to face any challenge;

Strength to overcome failure;

Strength to go for your dreams;

Strength to trust God no matter what happens!

If you want to have this kind of strength, buckle up and press play for today's conversation. You deserve to invest these 30 minutes in yourself, your life and your future.

What are the three decisions that strong women must make? 

1. A strong woman establish an answer to the question “Who is God?” (Warning: This question has two different meaning, so listen as Susan brilliantly explains!)
2. A strong woman determines what it means to live intentionally in her present moment.
3. A strong woman are committed to trusting that better days are ahead

RESOURCES FROM TODAY'S PODCAST

Connect with Susan on Facebook  |  Instagram

Susan's Mentor 4 Mom Podcast

Better Together Episode - "Intentional Motherhood" Podcast 

Better Together Episode - "You aren't a bad mom" Podcast

About today's guest: 

Susan Seay has a highly engaging podcast- "Mentor 4 Moms" and she's also the Author of The Intentional Parent: Parenting On Purpose When Life Gets Busy.

As a wife and mom to 7, she understands the challenges of trying to raise kids in a noisy and distracted world. Her mission is to help families create a culture in their homes that is both on purpose and full of purpose. It’s what Susan refers to as - Intentional Parenting. Her commitment to being a Mentor 4 Moms on Intentional Parenting has given her the opportunity to share with women both locally and Internationally reaching women all over the globe. Every time Susan speaks her goal is to provide encouragement combined with helpful practical tools.

You can find out more about her work and stay connected by visiting SusanSeay.com

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 Blessings in God's Delay 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 lives in NW Ohio and she's the proud mother of three adult daughters. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

**TRIGGER ALERT** Today’s podcast episode contains highly sensitive content that may cause distress or anxiety depending on your background or current situation.

The recent suicide death of billionaire financier and alleged sexual predator, Jeffrey Epstein has escalated the public’s debate about justice for sexual abuse victims. Behind the headlines are countless, nameless faces of humans who’ve suffered humanity's most intimate violation at the hands of another, yet suffer once again because their courage to voice their pain or story is often questioned, even dismissed.

“Are you sure that happened?”

“What were you wearing?”

“Are you making this up to get attention?”

“Why didn’t you say anything before?”

Rocked by high-profile sexual misconduct allegations, the evangelical church’s shortcomings in responding to and protecting the victims of sexual abuse within their walls were largely thrust into the limelight in 2018.

Mary DeMuth, an advocate, survivor of sexual abuse, and a popular evangelical author, helps church leaders identify and enact biblically infused responses in order to truly welcome and care for those who’ve survived abuse—and are leaving the church in droves—in We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis (Harvest House Publishers, Aug. 13, 2019).

On today’s episode of the Better Together podcast, Mary shares her story of being sexually abused as a child, how others responded, and most of all, Mary shares how discovering the gospel saved her life. Now a passionate advocate for sexual abuse victims, Mary talks about her experience at this year’s landmark Southern Baptist Convention, including a harrowing tale of what it took for her to get there. I watched the drama play out in real time on Facebook. Friends, it was like everything evil was trying to keep her from getting there!

As hard as it is to listen to Mary’s story and as painful as it is to acknowledge how often Christians and church leaders have failed to listen to, acknowledge, and assist sex abuse victims, Mary’s message today is grounded by hope that we can do better!

“My hope in writing this book is to slowly change the dynamic of trust by encouraging the church to become a consistent place full of kindness and safety for those who have been exploited,” writes DeMuth. “My holy longing is that we can create such a haven for the sexually broken that they’ll be able to be loved, feel joy, and revel in relationship.”

RESOURCES FOR THOSE WHO’VE FACE SEXUAL ABUSE – YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

• SURVIVOR’S RESOURCES - https://www.wetoo.org/21days
• CHURCH RESOURCES - https://www.wetoo.org/churches/guide/
• VIDEO: Mary’s letter to the boys who molested her - https://www.wetoo.org/the-letter-i-wrote-5-years-later/
• Link to Southern Baptist Convention Report: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/faqs-southern-baptist-release-critical-report-sexual-abuse/

About Today's Better Together Guest:

Mary DeMuth is an author, speaker, and podcaster who is passionate about helping you live a re-storied life. A survivor of neglect and sexual abuse, Mary was gloriously rescued by Jesus when she was 15. She has spent her life healing from trauma so she can help others not feel so alone. She is the wife of Patrick and mom of three adult children. For more information, visit www.wetoo.org.

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. 

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.

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.

Is the empty nest on the horizon?

Are you trying to figure out how to let go or figure out who you are now that the kids are grown?

If so, you're in the right place!

Welcome to a new season of the Better Together Podcast where we find the hope, the help, as well as practical next steps so that we can all get better together!

To kick of off our new season, I'm talking with my friend, Jill Savage about the empty nest season of life. This year, my last child moved out of the house and after nearly 27 years of raising children, I loved this conversation with my wise and fun friend!

Jill is the author of the new book, Empty Nest, Full Life: Discovering God's Best for Your Next (August 2019). In today's episode, Jill shares the follow with us:

• Wisdom:  Jill tells us what empty nest moms need to let go of and what to hold on to. 
• Encouragement: Are you struggling with tough situations and feeling discouraged? Jill talks about how she navigates parenting adult children dealing with mental illness, homosexuality, and children far from God.
• Finally, Jill shares relationship-saving practical ideas to keep your relationship with your kids even when they're making decisions you don't agree with.
• GET AWAY! Listen for details on Jill's Empty Nest Mom Retreat on October 25-27, 2019 at the Chaira Retreat Center. You totally want to check more details out at www.emptynestbook.com.

CONNECT WITH JILL!

You can find Jill online at www.jillsavage.org and www.NoMorePerfect.com.

About today's guest...

Jill Savage is an author, speaker, and coach who is passionate about encouraging and empowering others. A graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis, IN, and founder of Hearts at Home, a ministry that has served moms for 24 years. Jill now travels the world as an author and speaker. Called one of today’s most exciting Christian female speakers, Jill’s honest, engaging communication is strengthened by her ability to make her audience laugh while they learn.

Founder of the online Inspire Speaker Course, Jill is the author of seven books and the co-author of five including the bestselling No More Perfect Moms, No More Perfect Kids, No More Perfect Marriages, and her newest release Empty Nest, Full Life. She and her husband Mark have five children, four grandchildren, and a whole herd of barn cats.

About your Better Together podcast host...

Barb Roose 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 release: I'm Waiting God: Finding Blessing in God's Delay Bible Study, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle Bible study and Winning the Worry Battle book.  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.

Barb lives in NW Ohio. She's the proud mother of three adult daughters. Her perfect day includes a long walk, reading a book, and enjoying a big bowl of chocolate peanut butter ice cream.  Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

What makes your home beautiful is YOU!

-Tracy Steel

Do you love design shows like “Fixer Upper” or anything else on HGTV? Most of us would love for Joanna Gaines or the Property Brothers to stop by and give our homes a fresh look! However, I’m talking with my friend and fabulous interior designer, Tracy Steel about how you can freshen up your heart and your home this summer.

Make sure to check out the photos of Tracy’s beautiful home on the blog page. Not only is she a military wife, mother of two, and a talented designer, but Tracy just graduated from Phoenix Seminary with a Master’s Degree in Biblical and Theological Studies in May 2019. She loves teaching God’s Word and equipping people to fully embrace the space they’re living in.

In today’s Better Together podcast, Tracy shares five ways to freshen your heart and home by combining wisdom from God’s Word with practical design advice:

1. Look up (ceilings/Colossians 3:1-4)
2. Clean up (declutter/Colossians 3:5-8)
3. Brighten/Change up: (re-polish/repaint/refurbish walls/doors, change out accessories/Colossians 3:12-14)
4. Hang up: (picture wall/ Colossians 3:15)
5. Open up (doors/windows/Colossians 3:16)

Tracy’s new book, A Redesigned Life: Uncovering God’s Purpose When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned releases this August 2019. Listen to the podcast to learn more about some of the free and fun giveaways Tracy will offer – like a FREE design consult!

CONNECT WITH TRACY STEEL  Website |  Facebook  |  Instagram  | Twitter

About Today's Guest Tracy Steel...

Tracy Steel graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in Interior Design in 1998. Eager to change her clients’ lives by improving the interior space they occupied, she thought she had the blueprints for her future completed. In the midst of designing corporate spaces and sorting through fabric samples, Tracy fell in love with Jesus Christ and He changed everything. Since 2001 Tracy has been involved in youth and women’s ministry and served as the Director of Female Students from Scottsdale Bible Church from 2005–2007. In May 2019, Tracy graduated from Phoenix Seminary with a Master’s Degree in Biblical and Theological studies, and is the author of Images of His Beauty and A Redesigned Life. But Tracy is most proud of her military man and of her two spirited kiddos that call her mama. To learn more about Tracy, please visit tracymsteel.com

About your Better Together 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: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called 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 lives in NW Ohio and she is the proud mother of three adult daughters. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

"MOM! What are we going to today?"

It's summertime, mamas! Either your kids are out of school for the summer or you're counting down the days, summertime is a HUGE change for a family schedule.

If you want to have a great summer with your kids without losing your mind, join me for my conversation today with speaker, author and mom of five, Katie M. Reid. 

On today's Better Together podcast, Katie shares five fabulous tips for you can set your family up for success this summer. 

Katie is a national speaker, singer/songwriter, and author of Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done. She holds a Masters Degree in Secondary Education and has been published on sites like: Focus on the Family, TODAY's Parenting Team Blog, Crosswalk, Proverbs 31, and HuffPost. Katie is a fan of musicals and cut-to-the-chase conversations over tea.  

During today's conversation, Katie shares the following five ideas:

1. Choose a landing spot in the house for summertime gear

2. Create a family summer activity list

3. Give everyone a morning chore

4. Stick with summer meals

5. Participate in a family reading challenge

To help moms kick the summer off right, Katie has recently launched a new video series titled, "Stress Less, Smile More" that you can find out more about by clicking here.

CONNECT WITH KATIE     Website  |   Facebook  |  Instagram  | Twitter  |  Pinterest

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: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called 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 and her family live in NW Ohio. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

“Single women, we must refute ALL the lies that we’ve started to believe.”

I had a sensational conversation with speaker, author and single parent coach, Kaywanda Lamb. We met last fall while speaking at a conference in Louisiana. Within seconds of meeting Kaywanda, I knew that I’d made a new friend. She’s beautiful, brilliant, authentic and deeply wise.

A high school Spanish teacher by day, Kaywanda has raised two handsome sons on her own. She began coaching single parents while her boys were young and to support her family, Kaywanda returned to school to advance her education and obtain a Masters in Spanish.

 During our conversation today, Kaywanda is going to speak right to heart of single women who are searching, wondering and maybe afraid that they’ll never find a wonderful man who’ll love and cherish them. In fact, Kaywanda shares five lies that women often believe. Here they are:

Lie #1. “I don’t think that anyone will ever want me.”

Lie #2. “I feel like married women have it better than single women.”

Lie #3. “I’ll never get married because I’m too old.”

Lie #4. “A guy isn’t going to want me because I’ve been single too long.”

Lie #5. “Because I have kids, no one will want to marry me.”

If you are or have believed any of these lies, you MUST listen to this episode because Kaywanda walks you through these lies with God’s truth and practical advice to help you walk in freedom!

In this episode, there is so much encouragement to single women who are feeling down and rejected because they are alone. Here’s some of the encouragement that Kaywanda shares:

• You have to live like what you have is enough right now;
• You are worthy;
• You have everything you need right now because God loves you and He is looking out for you.

 CONNECT WITH KAYWANDA  Website  |  Facebook  | Instagram 

Kaywanda Lamb is an author, speaker, blogger, soon to be podcaster, and The Winning Single Mom. Her journey to being a sought out speaker, encourager to single moms everywhere, and a transformational business coach began when her boys were just 2 years old and 2 months. Kaywanda had a choice to make: to stay in a relationship that didn’t honor her or to raise her boys as a single mom. She decided to #doitanyway and has spent the last 16 years showing other women they, too, can parent, thrive, and win. She returned to college 4 times in that span, holds a Masters in Spanish Literature, runs 3 businesses, and is a certified principal. Her motto is “do it anyway!” because you can dream about it or you can be about it. Check out her website for upcoming events and coaching information.

Are you a mom who is constantly giving? Giving your time, energy, and emotions to your kids, spouse, your job and your community? 

This episode the Better Together podcast is for all the moms out there who feel like they are along in the jungle of managing kids, homes, unrealistic expectations and the pressure to be all things to all people. Motherhood is no joke - and it ain't for wimps!

I remember going almost 13 years without a FULL NIGHT'S SLEEP. I was a zombie y'all. There were the times when I was so distracted that I forgot to send in a form...or forgot to pick up a kid after school. I beat myself up endlessly over the times when I lost my temper or I chose to run errands instead of sit down and read a book with my kids.  

After all of the ups and downs of motherhood, do you want to know the best lesson that I've learned? It's actually something that I repeat to myself many days of the week - and I hope that you might do the same. Here it is: "Barb, be kind to yourself. You're doing the best that you can." 

You are doing the best that you can. But, during the Better Together podcast, this is a place where you can learn how to get better in the places that you know that you need to get better.

Today's conversation is with Kristen Funston, author of the new book, More for Mom: Living the Whole and Holy Life - Isn't that a great title! In this really real convo, Kristen and I discuss why moms often feel like they are left out of Jesus' abundant life promise in John 10:10. We also talk about how to keep from losing it big over everyday things like when the kids leave their shoes in the middle of the floor (even though you've told them for the 100th time to pick.them.up!)

Sweet mom, you haven't done anything for yourself today, listen to today's conversation. It's my gift to you!

P.S. In the podcast intro, I also share a fun tip of what I used to do when I got tired of hearing my kids constantly "MOM!" You can use this tip, too. And you're welcome - ha!

PODCAST RESOURCES:

Kristin Funston   Website |  Facebook  | Instagram

More for Mom: Living Your Whole and Holy Life  

About Kristin:

With a passion for writing, Kristin Funston encourages women in a way that is relatable and practical, with a healthy dose of humor. In addition to be a writer, Funston is a member and employee of Hope Presbyterian Church and works as the Marriage and Family Coordinator and a leader in the women’s ministry.

Convinced “balance” is a myth, Funston is also passionate about helping and encouraging women to embrace their current season and experience God in the everyday. She shares her humor and writing on motherhood on her blog and has been featured on multiple other blogs including The Better Mom, City Moms Blog, TODAY Parenting, and Scary Mommy.

Funston has a master’s degree in Communication Studies from New Mexico State University. A mom to three girls and not-so-domestic wife to an entrepreneurial athlete, Funston and her family live outside of Memphis, TN. "More for Mom" is her first book. Learn more at KristinFunston.com. She is also active on Facebook (KristinDFunston) and Instagram (@kfunston).

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: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. 

 An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb and her family live in NW Ohio. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

What do we do when God says no to what we've been praying for?

If you've clicked over to this podcast, let me tell you right now: You're supposed to be here right now. I don't even know about your life. But, I know that you need to click play on this episode and hear what my friend, Janet McHenry, has to say. She's the best-selling author of the book, Prayer walk, and the author of the newest book, The Complete Prayers of Jesus.

Today, Janet speaks powerful, divine wisdom into the hard question: What do we do when God says no?

He didn't heal your loved one;

He didn't stop your parent from abandoning you;

He allowed the divorce to happen;

He hasn't rescued your child from drugs;

He's allowed your financial or legal trouble to cost you everything.

You aren't alone if you're confused or angry because God hasn't answered your prayer the way that you'd hoped. There are verses in the Bible about God giving us the desires of our heart and God invites us to ask Him for anything. Yet, how do we reconcile God's command for us to pray and ask Him for anything, but He doesn't give us everything that we want. It's confusing, right?

As she walks us through Jesus' prayers, including the prayer where God says no to Jesus, Janet explains God's ultimate purpose for us in prayer. Her teaching is so, so, good! If you are hurting or angry at God, BUT you want to have a relationship with Him, then listen. If you're angry with God and not quite ready for her message today, that's okay. You can email me at [email protected] and share your story with me. I'd love to pray for you.

In today's episode, Janet and I discuss:

• The two-sided coin prayer that Jesus prayed - and we can pray this, too!
• Three actions that Jesus took when God said no to Jesus' prayer - and we must do this, too!
• Janet shares the story of what happened in her life when God said no and even as the worst case scenario happened, Janet discovered the blessing that happened even when God said no.

About Janet McHenry    Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

Facebook Live Program: The Prayer Experiment at 12 PM PST

Israel Trip for Christian Writers/Speakers

The Complete Prayers of Jesus by Janet McHenry

Janet McHenry is an award-winning speaker and the author of 24 books, including the bestselling Prayer Walk and her newest, The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus. Director of the prayer ministries at The Bridge Church in Reno, she prayer walks with her community in the Sierra Valley in northern California, where she and her rancher, husband Craig raised four children.

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 the releases Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle Bible Study and Winning the Worry Battle book. An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb lives with her family in NW Ohio. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.

Do you struggle with being a Christian who loves Jesus BUT still suffers with depression? If so, STOP RIGHT NOW and listen to today's Better Together podcast!

“I asked God to take it away a lot. And He didn’t.

So I had to rethink what He might mean by leaving it there.”

-Melissa Maimone, author of The Radiant Midnight

 Melissa Maimone is a Christian speaker and writer who teaches women that an authentic life in Christ can be messy and magnificent at the exact same time. With her unique blend of theology, humor and insight, Melissa provides down-to-earth lessons, practical applications, and life-changing perspectives to real women who are living real lives in the midst of real problems.

Using scripture, art, storytelling and lessons from her own battle with depression, Melissa demonstrates that the light of JOY can be found even in dark places.

Friends, I LOVED my conversation with Melissa because we're talk about depression, mental health and how to live WELL in hard times. So, so good! And I’ve read and proudly endorsed her new book, The Radiant Midnight: Depression, Grace and the Gifts of a Dark Place. It’s a must-now read if you’ve struggled with depression or just being in a hard place in life. Melissa shows us how God brings beauty and grace into the darkness of Midnight; sometimes we just need someone who has been there too helpus discover it.

Here are some highlights from our conversation today:

• That God isn't waiting for us to get it together.
• That there is no darkness too dark for God.
• That the purpose of suffering isn't simply to get out of it. 
• That we can have Joy in the midst of difficulty.

CONNECT WITH MELISSA    Website  |    Facebook   |   Instagram

The Radiant Midnight by Melissa Maimone

Melissa Maimone is a Christian speaker and writer who teaches women that an authentic life in Christ can be messy and magnificent at the exact same time. With her unique blend of theology, humor, and insight, Melissa provides down-to-earth lessons, practical applications, and life-changing perspectives to real women who are living real lives in the midst of real problems.

About your Better Together 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.

She is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Bible study called Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. 

An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb lives in NW Ohio. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.