I've been through my own test of endurance over the past seven months which has led to me needing to fill you in on some personal details that are making it necessary for me to step away from Cloud of Witnesses for awhile. Join my husband and I as we update you on the trials of life and the goodness of God. 

In this episode I mentioned how supprtive my family has been. I also want to eternally thank my church family and friends. You know who you are, and you have been such a rock to me. Praise the Lord! 

Join me for my interview with Dr. Mark and Adrienne Farnham, two believers who have been tested by incredible medical trials and other deep waters. They have come through fully confident that God exists and that He cares. 

Among many responsibilities, Mark is the founder and director of Apologetics for the Church. He is also the host of the podcast "Every Believer Confident." 

Here are links to engage with both:

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If I'm honest I can think of no deeper trial than the one Sarah Mayne and her family have been through. The darkness of suicide stole their son, but it did not steal their hope and trust in the Light and Goodness of Christ. Join me today to learn how you can lament with hope and how the Gospel is the Anchor for all of us, all the time. 

Ministries Recommended by Sarah:

• While We Are Waiting is a terrific Christian grief support group on Facebook. They have retreats for parents who have lost a child, and they release weekly grief support podcasts. They also have a separate group and retreats specifically tailored to loss by suicide.

Because Kids Grieve is a group in Twin Falls, Idaho. They offer grief support for families and specifically children. They run free monthly day camps and have a week-long summer camp for bereaved children and teens. The group is run by chaplains and healthcare workers from around Idaho.

Books Mentioned:

• B.B. Warfield's The Emotional Life of Our Lord

Link for Sarah's Session Notes: Click here to find pinned post.

     Does God care when cruel people hunt you down and/or reject you? Absolutely! Join me for session three of ladies' retreat where we explored how King David cried out to God in the midst of being devastated by the people around him. Psalm 31 was our context.

     Believer, may you be comforted by the truth that God is your Refuge and find faith to be courageous when people seem to have counted you out. 

Books mentioned in today's episode: 

• Dane Ortlund's Gentle and Lowly 

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This second session of Ladies' Retreat focuses on Psalm 27 and explores the topic that even though King David was being hunted down by his enemies, he was able to praise the Lord because He knew God was His Rock & Refuge. He gazed upon the Lord and once again called upon the Lord. Can we do that? One hundred percent...absolutely! Especially in the midst of spiritual warfare. (Eph. 6:10-18).

Books mentioned in today's episode: 

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I had the privilege of being the guest speaker for a ladies' retreat at Red Cliff Bible Camp in the breathtaking Wind River Mountain Range. Join me for the first session where we explored King David's Psalm 18. Discover the truth that because of God, our Rock and Refuge, we are saved from the enemy within! 

Access the file from my workshop "Hopeful Endurance" here. (Correction: The passage referring to how our affliction results in glory should be             2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

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What a joy it is to begin another journey with you!

Join my husband and I as we talk about what's in store for Season Three and lessons learned from Seasons One and Two. Our time was short, but super sweet as we discussed tools for hopeful endurance. 

Here are the passages referenced in today's episode. Believer, may they spur you on.

Lam. 3:21-26 (His love never ceases.)

 Matt. 28:20, Josh. 1:9 (He is always with you.)

 Jn. 6:37 (He will never reject you.)

 II Cor. 4:16-18 (Your affliction will result in glory.)

Eph. 3:20,21 (God is able to do way more than you ask or think.)

Is. 25:4 (God is your Refuge & Strength.)

Gen. 6:22 (Obey during your trial.)

Phil. 4:6,7 (Don’t be anxious. Pray about it. God will give you peace.)

Ps. 27:13 (Believe in the goodness of the Lord.)

Ps. 27:14 (Wait on the Lord.)

Ps. 91:1 (Abide in the Lord.)

II Cor. 12:9 (God’s grace is sufficient.)

Prov. 3:5,6 (Trust in the Lord.)

Ps. 90:12 (Number your days.)

Rev. 7:9-17 (Remember the hope of Heaven.)

Matt. 5:10-12 (The persecuted will be blessed.)

Eph. 4:32 (Forgiveness is healing.) 

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Our last episode ended with Captain Louie Zamperini in the Pacific Ocean fighting for his life after his B-24 bomber crashed while he and his crewmen were on a rescue mission. We'll pick up from there to learn the rest of his story.

If Episode twenty-nine ended in tragedy, then Episode thirty ends in victory! Find out what became Louie's greatest fuel for endurance after he turned to Christ for salvation.

Link mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvH1O7vi1hc&t=1260s

Click here to support Cloud of Witnesses: www.enduringwitnesses.com 

This episode starts with the harrowing survival of Captain Louie Zamperini when his B-24 bomber went down in the Pacific. It then moves through his life as a child, an Olympiad, and a bombadier for the United States during WWII. Follow along with every detail as we are reminded very poignantly that God is aware of every step that we take. He is there for it all!

Companion Episode: Ep. 5 For the Sake of the Gospel

Click here to support Cloud of Witnesses: www.enduringwitnesses.com 

It's hard to believe that India, now the most populated country in the world, is home to 1.43 billion people! After gaining so much insight into the life of Amy Carmichael, who was a missionary to India during the late 1800's to the mid 1900's (Episode 27), I found myself wanting to learn what the country is like in our modern era.

I invited Dr. Kevin and Lisa Dinwiddie to tell us all about their Indian experiences while they participated in a combined total of 17 mission trips. Because of their medical experience and their love for the Lord, they were used by God to help the wounded in body and soul. I pray that our discussion spurs you on to simply obey the Lord. He loves to multiply our "loaves and fishes." 

Click here to support Cloud of Witnesses: www.enduringwitnesses.com