Perfectionism can feel holy—but it’s keeping you trapped. In this episode, Ellen sits down with guest Bethany Broderick to talk about the hidden struggle of perfectionism in the Christian life. Together, they open up about their battles with inner critics, shame cycles, and the pressure to “get it all right.”

But there’s good news: God never asked us to be perfect—He invites us to be free. 💛

Join us as we explore how Scripture breaks the chains of performance and offers us something better: grace, surrender, and real identity in Christ.

Scriptures referenced:

• 1 Peter 1:16
• Hebrews 10
• Colossians 1:16-17
• Philippians 2:13

Perfected: Trading Shame and Striving for Wholeness in Christ

About Bethany:
Website | Instagram

Bethany's Favorite Bible Study Supplies:
ESV Illuminated Bible | ESV Scripture Journals | Blue Letter Bible

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Join our community! If you are a Christian woman seeking to know God deeper, study Scriptures, pray with and for others, strengthen your faith, and support other in doing the same, this is the place for you. 

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YouTube channel ☕ Instagram

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How can the Holy Spirit guide our study of the Bible? In this episode, New Testament scholar Dr. Holly Beers joins Ellen to discuss what it means to invite His presence into our time in Scripture. Using Colossians and Philemon as an example, Holly shows how scholarly tools and spiritual sensitivity go hand in hand when studying God's word.

Scriptures referenced:

• Luke 8
• 1 Corinthians 12-14
• Colossians 1:7
• Colossians 3:11
• Acts 14:22
• 1 Peter 3:17-18

Colossians and Philemon: A Transformative Bible Commentary for Spirit-Filled Christians

About Dr. Holly Beers:
Faculty Page | Messages 
Favorite Bible: NLT | NRSV
Favorite Journaling Supplies: Colored Markers | Colored Pens
Favorite Apps: Accordance | Bible Gateway

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Join our community! If you are a Christian woman seeking to know God deeper, study Scriptures, pray with and for others, strengthen your faith, and support other in doing the same, this is the place for you. 

Want to study God's Word for yourself? Try our In-Depth Bible Study Academy
Click here to try a free mini-course!

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What does it mean to set Christian boundaries rooted in God’s love, not just self-protection? In this episode, we explore how biblical boundaries aren't built around our desires or others’ demands, but around obedience to God. Discover why healing any relationship starts with aligning your heart with His: and how God's love empowers us to love others well. If you’re navigating forgiveness, betrayal, or burnout, this conversation will bring clarity and hope.

Scriptures mentioned:

• Mark 12:30
• Romans 7
• James 1:5
• John 13:35
• 1 John 4:9-11
• Matthew 11
• Deuteronomy 32:35
• Romans 12:17-19
• Matthew 5:23-24

Jada's book: A New Way to Love Your Neighbor

Learn more about Jada: Website │ Instagram

Jada's Favorites:
ESV Bible │YouVersion │Blue Letter Bible │Bible Hub │Logos Bible Software

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Join our community! If you are a Christian woman seeking to know God deeper, study Scriptures, pray with and for others, strengthen your faith, and support other in doing the same, this is the place for you. 

Want to study God's Word for yourself? Try our In-Depth Bible Study Academy
Click here to try a free mini-course!

Support the show

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Spiritual formation isn't about doing more for God, it's about being with him. In this episode, pastor and author Kyle Worley joins Ellen to discuss: 

• Navigating distraction in our spiritual lives
• How our habits shape us
• Perfectionism vs. process

This conversation is for anyone who needs a breakthrough in their walk with God! Grab your coffee and cozy up ☕

Scripture references: 

• Matthew 22:37
• Genesis 1-3
• Revelation 21-22
• Romans 1:22-25
• Psalm 16:11
• Mark 6:7-13
• Hebrews 10:14
• 1 John 2

Get your copy here: Formed for Fellowship: Becoming What You Behold

Learn more about Kyle: Website │ Instagram │ X

Kyle's Favorites:
CSB Bible │ ESV Bible │ Spiral-Bound Journaling Bible (ESV) │ iBayam Pens │Logos Bible Software │Dwell Audio Bible

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Join our community! If you are a Christian woman seeking to know God deeper, study Scriptures, pray with and for others, strengthen your faith, and support other in doing the same, this is the place for you. 

Want to study God's Word for yourself? Try our In-Depth Bible Study Academy
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Support the show

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Can the Psalms help with anxiety, grief, and emotional burnout? Rachel Schlesinger shares how reading the Psalms daily became a lifeline during motherhood and loss. Discover how these ancient prayers offer peace, healing, and spiritual grounding for modern mental health struggles. If you're seeking comfort, stillness, or deeper connection with God, this episode will guide you in using the Psalms as a pathway to emotional and spiritual wellness. 

Want to dive into the Psalms for yourself? Click here for our Psalms Devotional—on sale for a limited time only! 

Rachel's favorite Bible study tools:
Mom's Devotional Bible, NIV
Rifle Paper Co. Journal
Clear Post-It tabs

This episode was originally published on July 11th, 2024. 

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Join our community! If you are a Christian woman seeking to know God deeper, study Scriptures, pray with and for others, strengthen your faith, and support other in doing the same, this is the place for you. 

Want to study God's Word for yourself? Try our In-Depth Bible Study Academy
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This episode was first published on Feb. 1st, 2024.

Have you ever wondered if your life would have more significance if you were in ministry? 

In this episode, Ellen and guest Jordan Raynor challenge our idea that only explicitly spiritual activities matter to God.

They discuss:
• The biblical definition of "work" and why your job matters to the kingdom
• Why Christians are necessary to secular workplaces
• How we misunderstand the Great Commission
• Four ways your work matters eternally

Get a copy of "The Sacredness of Secular Work: Four Ways Your Job Matters for Eternity (Even When You're Not Sharing the Gospel)" to discover how your daily work contributes to God's eternal purposes!

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Join our community! If you are a Christian woman seeking to know God deeper, study Scriptures, pray with and for others, strengthen your faith, and support other in doing the same, this is the place for you. 

Want to study God's Word for yourself? Try our In-Depth Bible Study Academy
Click here to try a free mini-course!

Support the show

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In this episode we are joined by Philip Nation, Vice President and Publisher at Thomas Nelson Bibles, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The OPEN Bible! 

From exploring Philip's own story of faith, to advice on using topical indexes and Bible translations for encouragement and spiritual growth, this episode offers fresh inspiration to approach God's Word with intention and joy. Join us to discover how The OPEN Bible continues to make Scripture accessible and meaningful fifty years after its groundbreaking publication.

View The OPEN Bible

Follow Philip on X

Learn more about Thomas Nelson Bibles

Philip's favorite Bible

Philip's favorite journaling tools: Pigma Micron Pens │Mini-ruler │Interleaved Journaling Bible

Philip's favorite Bible study website

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Join our community! If you are a Christian woman seeking to know God deeper, study Scriptures, pray with and for others, strengthen your faith, and support other in doing the same, this is the place for you. 

Want to study God's Word for yourself? Try our In-Depth Bible Study Academy
Click here to try a free mini-course!

Support the show

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Glorify is the #1 Christian devotional app, and as a Coffee & Bible Time listener, you get 3 months of FREE access to Glorify Plus! Go to glorify-app.com/cbtpodcast to download the app and create your profile, then click on your icon, select "I HAVE A PROMO CODE", and enter POD2025Q1-Q2!

Motherhood and faith often feel impossible to balance when you're exhausted, stretched thin, and your Bible is collecting dust. We explore the beautiful yet challenging intersection of spiritual life and parenting, addressing the lies that make moms feel inadequate and offering practical wisdom for connecting with God in the chaos.

• The lie "I'm alone in this" and why community with other mothers is essential
• How social media comparison can drown out your God-given maternal instincts
• Why emotions like anger and frustration aren't moral failures but important signals
• Creative ways to experience God's presence during chaotic days with little ones

Mentioned in the show: 

The Practice of the Presence of God

Fight Right: How Successful Couples Turn Conflict Into Connection

Every Moment Holy prayers

Glorify prayers

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Want to study God's Word for yourself? Try our In-Depth Bible Study Academy
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Most of us approach relationships with a mix of excitement and anxiety, asking questions like: Is this the right person? Am I ready? What if it doesn't work out? In this deeply personal conversation, Ellen and Taylor strip away the polished veneer of "relationship advice" to share honest truths about their own journeys through dating, breakups, and spiritual growth.

Taylor opens up about her path from singleness through dating struggles to her current engagement, including a pivotal breakup that ultimately strengthened her relationship. Ellen reflects on her pre-Christian dating experiences and how faith transformed her understanding of marriage from a "cure for loneliness" to a divine tool for spiritual formation. Together, they explore how God uses relationships to shape us into His image.

Ellen and Taylor address big questions: How do we trust God's timing when everyone else seems to be finding love? What happens when our worth becomes tied to our relationship status? How do we recognize authentic red flags versus normal human imperfections? And perhaps most importantly, how do we cultivate relationships that genuinely reflect Christ's love?

Whether you're single and wondering if God has someone for you, dating and trying to honor God in your relationship, or married and seeking to grow, this conversation offers biblical wisdom wrapped in authentic personal experience. Grab your coffee and join us for this intimate look at how faith and love intertwine on the journey toward Christ-centered relationships.

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Join our community! If you are a Christian woman seeking to know God deeper, study Scriptures, pray with and for others, strengthen your faith, and support other in doing the same, this is the place for you. 

Want to study God's Word for yourself? Try our In-Depth Bible Study Academy
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Have you ever felt pressure to perform, produce, and push through exhaustion? In this soul-refreshing conversation, Ellen is joined by her daughter Taylor Krause (Coffee and Bible Time co-creator) to explore the transformative practice of Sabbath rest—a discipline that's increasingly counter-cultural yet desperately needed.

Taylor shares her own struggles with technology addiction and the sobering reality that the average person spends ten years of their life on screens. What might happen if we reclaimed even a fraction of that time for true rest?

Ellen and Taylor address the dangers of legalism, offer practical tips for different life seasons, and ultimately point to Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11: "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Ready to experience the transformative power of true rest? Grab your coffee and listen in, then share this episode with someone who needs permission to pause in our productivity-obsessed world. Rest will require intentionality and discipline, but it's a beautiful way to build trust in God's sovereignty and to savor his presence in our lives.

Show notes:  Pastor David Giese (of Village Church of Gurnee) gives a sermon on the Sabbath: https://www.youtube.com/live/MRaB8VxxxYc?si=l6hmoRdFh0n7qjQR

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Join our community! If you are a Christian woman seeking to know God deeper, study Scriptures, pray with and for others, strengthen your faith, and support other in doing the same, this is the place for you. 

Want to study God's Word for yourself? Try our In-Depth Bible Study Academy
Click here to try a free mini-course!

Support the show

📫 Subscribe to the Coffee and Bible Time newsletter

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