Depth Podcast

What does the words “Emmanuel, God Is With Us,” mean to you? Are they words you remember at Christmas time or do you believe this message all year round?

I am so excited to share with you this week on the podcast about Erin Ulerich’s book, *In Unexpected Ways, Christmas In Everyday Life. We are going to talk about this message, God Is With Us, and how that applies every day, not just at the Holidays. Also, I love Erin’s honesty in this episode as she shares about a time when she felt alone -- she didn’t feel God with her. I cannot wait for you to hear the truths revealed to her during that time as well as our favorite devotionals from her book. I promise you do not want to miss the truth shared!

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Erin’s book: *In Unexpected Ways, Christmas In Everyday Life. In Everyday Life. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link: https://kingsumo.com/g/abrasb/in-unexpected-way-christmas-in-everyday-life

Book Recommendation:

• *In Want and Plenty by Meredith McDaniel

Erin Ulerich lives in a small community along the beautiful Natchez Trace with her husband, Stephen, and their three children. Erin enjoys speaking and writing in ways that encourage others to trust God more so that they can live a life of bold hope and unshakeable faith. Connect with Erin online at erinulerich.com, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube for hope-filled words and resources. 

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Has God ever used His Creation to reveal something about Him? Maybe it is His Nature or His Character?

I am so excited to highlight Dr. Matthew Sleeth’s book, *Reforesting Faith on the podcast this week. The sub-title is “What Trees Teach Us About the Nature of God and His Love for Us.” You know how much I love to talk about trees! And I love that this entire book is looking at the Bible through the lens of trees- it is so exciting! There is so much profound truth that Matthew shares in this book and I cannot wait for you to hear it.

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Matthew’s book: *Reforesting Faith. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link: https://kingsumo.com/g/usasqp/reforesting-faith-book-giveaway

Book Recommendations:

• *Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
• *The Man Who Planted Trees: a story by Jean Giono

Matthew Sleeth, M.D., a former emergency room physician and chief of the hospital medical staff, resigned from his position to teach, preach, and write about faith and health. Dr. Sleeth has spoken at more than one thousand churches, campuses, and events, including serving as a monthly guest preacher at the Washington National Cathedral.

Recognized by Newsweek as one of the nation's most influential Christian leaders, Dr. Sleeth is the executive director of Blessed Earth and author of numerous articles and books, He lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with Nancy, his wife of forty years. Their grown children serve with their families in full-time parish ministry and as medical missionaries in Africa. You can connect with Matthew on his Blessed Earth Web site.

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Have you ever been inspired by a child or impressed by the maturity of a teenager? Have you ever looked at their life and just been in awe with how God gifted them and how they are using those gifts to help others?

I cannot wait to share with you about Jessie Rees and the foundation that was inspired by her. This week on the podcast, I am talking with her father, Erik Rees and he is going to share Jessie’s story and how it birthed the Jessie Rees foundation that helps children fighting cancer. Their Joy Jars and phrase NEGU, Never Ever Give Up, has helped encourage and inspire many children who are walking this hard road as well as their families and siblings.

This Tuesday is Giving Tuesday, so I cannot wait to share with you about this amazing foundation and the inspiration behind it, Jessie Rees! Let me just say, this is a powerful testimony of how God brings purpose to our pain. I promise you do not want to miss one word; there is so much wisdom in this episode.

The Jessie Rees Foundation believes every child fighting cancer deserves joy, the opportunity to smile, and be encouraged to Never Ever Give Up. To learn more about the Jessie Rees Foundation, please visit their website: https://negu.org/ I highly recommend clicking the get involved tab to see all the ways you can help support this phenomenal foundation.

Book Recommendation:

*Living the Life You Were Meant To Live by Tom Patterson

Erik Rees has dedicated himself to empowering people to find and fulfill their God-given purpose in life for more than 25 years. Rees began his career in 1993 as a pastor, strategist and trainer at world-renowned Saddleback Church, where he helped grow the congregation from 3,000 to more than 30,000 followers over a 20-year period. During this amazing time Rees helped train church leaders around the world on keys to building an "Empowering Church Culture". In addition, he wrote several best selling's books: SHAPE: Finding & Fulfilling Your Purpose In Life; Only You Can Be You: 21 Days to Living Your Purpose; Tilt: Small Leadership Changes for Big Results and Your Life Review. Upon losing his daughter, Jessie, to inoperable brain cancer on January 5, 2012, he and his wife Stacey formed the Jessie Rees Foundation and has functioned as a member of the Board to ensure that children fighting cancer have the support and resources they need to “Never Ever Give Up.” He shares this inspiring message in his newest book Never Ever Give Up: The Inspiring Story of Jessie and her JoyJars. Under the daily leadership of his wife, the Jessie Rees Foundation has raised over $25,000,000 dollars in donations to care for children impacted by cancer. They have also stuffed and sent over 350,000 JoyJars to children fighting cancer in all 50 states and 41 countries. He and his wife live in Orange County, Calif. with their two other children, Shaya and JT, and their dogs.

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing the book recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Do you want your life to make a difference? Do you want to have an impact on others? What if I told you that every small act of kindness makes a big impact?

This is the theme of the book, *The Simple Difference and I am so excited to have the author, Becky Keife, on the podcast this week. We are going to talk about the big impact from small kindness. I love the Simple Difference Prayer that she shares with us as well as what to do with our “Not Enoughs”. I know that is a common struggle. We think we don’t have enough time or resources and I love what Becky has to say about it. There is so much truth she offers on this episode; you don’t want to miss it.

Also, I am so excited for two people to win a set of Becky’s books: *The Simple Difference and the Bible Study, *Courageous Kindness. All the details of the book giveaways are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link.

Book Recommendations:

• *One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
• *The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Becky Keife is the Community Manager for (in)courage, a popular speaker, and the author of The Simple Difference: How Every Small Kindness Makes a Big Impact and the companion Bible Study, Courageous Kindness. She and her husband live near Los Angeles where they enjoy hiking sunny trails with their three spirited sons. Connect with Becky on Instagram @beckykeife or at beckykeife.com.

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Do you have a special Christmas tradition to help your kids understand that Jesus is the real reason for Christmas?

Let me tell you about Advent Blocks. This week on the Depth Podcast, I am so excited to talk with Clayton Greene and Chris Pappalardo, the creators of the Advent Blocks and the accompanying book, The King is Coming. We are going to talk about their products today and how they really do help our kids understand the true meaning of Christmas.

I so wish I had the Advent Blocks back when my kids were young. They are phenomenal. Honestly as a parent, you are going to learn just as much as your kids. The book, The King is Coming has so much truth in it and the message, Emmanuel, God is With Us, is throughout the blocks and in the book. So, I cannot wait to highlight the Advent Blocks today and hear more from Chris and Clayton on why they designed these blocks as well as some of their favorite devotionals from the book.

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a set of the Advent Blocks. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link.

Book Recommendations:

• *Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
• *Making Sense of God by Tim Keller (prequel to *The Reason for God)
• *How We Love Our Kids by Milan and Kay Yerkovich (Check out Depth Podcast Episode 2 to hear more about the book)
• *Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst (Check out Depth Podcast Episode 1 to hear more about the book)

The Advent Blocks team is a fun bunch: Clayton Greene, Chris Pappalardo, Brain Turney, and Lindsey Love. (We call ourselves the Blockheads!) We are a group of friends who make products that are beautiful, tangible, meaningful, and fun. We exist to help families start—and continue—the good kind of habits, cultivating meaningful moments in homes across the nation.  You can connect with them on their website.

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Do you do anything special for Veteran’s Day to show honor and respect to those who have served our country?

Veteran’s Day is just around the corner so I would love for this episode to help give you some great ideas on how to show respect and honor to not only the service men and women who have sacrificed but also to their families! So, to help us today to better understand what it’s like to be in the military, I invited my friend Jay Pratt. Not only is she going to share with us about her service in the Air Force, but she is also going to tell us about being a military spouse.  

What she shared was so eye-opening to me and I hope it brings awareness to you – of just how much these men and women have sacrificed as they have missed Holidays with their loved ones, missed celebrations as well as missed hard times as well like funerals. Also, I love the insight and perspective she brings in being a military spouse and all the challenges that go along with that. There is so much goodness in this episode and my hope is that as you listen, it will give you some great ideas of how you can show honor and respect to our Veterans, not just this week for Veteran’s Day but all year long.

Book Recommendations:

• *The Power is Within You by Louise Hay
• *Three Feet From Gold by Sharon Lechter, Dr. Greg Reid, and Napoleon Hill

Jay Pratt is a poet, writer, public speaker, health & wellness coach, former military spouse, and proud veteran of the United States Air Force. As a mother to eight children, including four foster children, she serves as encouragement and a positive light to mothers and women all over the world. Jay Pratt has been a Victims’ Advocate for over twelve years; delivering mentorship, empowerment, and an active voice of truth. Overcoming various abusive situations, divorce, multiple miscarriages, infertility, debt, health scares, and relationship issues, Jay humbly exemplifies a “But God” testimony. Her mission is to remind everyone that anyone can be used by God, and no one knows how their journey is meant to end. Jay and her family now reside back in her hometown, Independence, MO. You can connect with Jay on social media on both Instagram and Facebook.

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Do you struggle with hospitality? Opening up your home? Knowing what to cook? How to decorate? Maybe you are a natural at hospitality and want more ideas!

I am so excited to have Abby Turner on the podcast this week. We will be talking about her new cookbook, *The Living Table: Recipes and Devotions for Everyday Get-Togethers.  What I love about her book is that it is more than just a cookbook. It actually has devotions as well as ideas for fun gatherings. I also love the title of her cookbook and we are going to dive deeper into what does that mean, The Living Table. We will also discuss the amazing ideas in her cookbook and share a favorite food choice from each section. You do not want to miss what Abby shares about hospitality and cultivating God-centered friendships!

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Abby’s cook book: *The Living Table. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link

Book Recommendation:

• *Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Abby Turner is a young professional who is single and loving life as a food blogger, speaker, and writer. Born into a large family, she grew up in Central Arkansas, where she learned the importance of community and Biblical hospitality at a young age. After completing undergraduate degrees at Ouachita Baptist University and obtaining her Master's from Baylor, Abby lived in 6 states in 5 years, learning that community is essential to a healthy relationship with Christ. Over the last few years, Abby has spoken at college/universities, churches, companies and has been featured on regional TV shows and podcasts. Abby's passion is to encourage women to stop wasting time waiting for the perfect family, house, or table and to start opening their homes, cooking for friends and building community. You can learn more about Abby and enjoy even more recipes by visiting her website at atabletopaffair.com or on Instagram.

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Have you ever thought about praying Scripture over your life? I mean actually taking Bible Verses and using them as your prayer. You could pray for yourself, your kids, your family, or your loved ones. 

I think this is such a great idea which is why I love the book by Jodie Berndt, *Praying the Scriptures for Your Life: 31 Days of Abiding in the Presence, Provision, and Power of God. I am so excited to have Jodie on the podcast this week as we talk about abiding, Bible memorization, and practical ways to transform our prayer life. Not only does Jodie show us how to turn Bible Verses into prayers, but she also has such great wisdom for moms. I love the truth and advice she offers. I learned so much for her and I cannot wait for you to learn from her too!

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Jodie’s book: *Praying the Scriptures for Your Life. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link: https://jodirosser.com/giveaways/praying-the-scriptures-for-your-life-book-giveaway/

Jodie shared about a resource on her website. Here is a link to the Prayer Calendars that she created.

Book Recommendations:

• *Pray Confidently & Consistently by Valerie Woerner
• *How to Pray by Pete Greig

To join my new Depth Podcast Community Group, click on https://www.facebook.com/groups/depthpodcast

JODIE BERNDT is the author of the bestselling Praying the Scriptures book series. A speaker and Bible teacher, Jodie is a repeat guest on programs like Focus on the Family, the 700 Club, and a variety of popular podcasts, and she has been a contributing writer for Fox News, Club31Women, Ann Voskamp’s daily devotional, and Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Jodie writes about prayer and other family topics in her email newsletter and on Instagram. To download the collection of free resources (including printable prayer cards and calendars),  please visit JodieBerndt.com.

Jodie and her husband, Robbie, have four adult children and live in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

How do you respond when life does not go as you planned? Maybe right now you are in the middle of grief. Or maybe there is a relationship in your life that is not going as you hoped it would. Maybe there are circumstances or a transition—something that is not how you hoped it would be.

What if we looked at those circumstances as an invitation—an invitation to lean into God! I love this word, invitation, in Bekah Pogue’s book, *Choosing Real. The subtitle is An Invitation to Celebrate When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned. I think so many of us can relate to that, so I cannot wait to talk to Bekah on the podcast and dive deeper into her book today. I love the wisdom she shares this episode especially the part about transitions. I promise you do not want to miss what she says!

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Bekah’s book: *Choosing Real.

All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link: https://jodirosser.com/giveaways/choosing-real-book-giveaway/

Book Recommendations:

• *The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
• *The Empath's Survival Guide by Judith Orloff
• *Delicious by Ruth Reichl

Bekah Jane Pogue is the founder of Pasture Experience, where she offers a hospitable space for intimate retreats, spiritual direction, and creative expressions in the form of poetry and home design. She is also certified as a Grief Recovery Method Specialist. She enjoys off-road wildflower picking, exploring Nashville with her hubby and sons, and believes that listening is healing. Connect with Bekah on IG at @pastureexperience or visit her website at pastureexperience.com.

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Have you ever prayed for a miracle? Maybe for healing for a friend, a loved one, or even yourself? Maybe that miracle did not happen- I know a lot of times we can be frustrated.

This is why I love the words that Elizabeth Leon shared this week on the podcast. She said, “The miracle you get is not always the miracle you prayed for.”  I think there is so much wisdom in her words, especially after you hear her story. We are going to be talking about her book,*Let Yourself Be Loved: Big Lessons from a Little Life.

Oct. 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, so I asked Elizabeth to share her story of John Paul Raphael’s life and how God took her greatest heartbreak and catapulted her to her greatest growth. There is so much truth that Elizabeth shares and I am so thankful she is not wasting her pain, but instead using it to help another hurting heart. I promise you do not want to miss one word of what she shares this week on the podcast.

Also, I am so excited for someone to win an advanced copy of Elizabeth’s book: *Let Yourself Be Loved: Big Lessons from a Little Life. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodirosser.com or you can click this direct link: https://jodirosser.com/giveaways/let-yourself-be-loved-book-giveaway/

Book Recommendations

• *An Exact Replica of a Figment of my Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken
• *I Will Carry You by Angie Smith
• *Once More We Saw Stars by Jason Greene
• *Rare Bird by Anna Whiston-Donaldson

Elizabeth Leon is a Catholic writer, speaker, and musician from Ashburn, Virginia and the author of *Let Yourself Be Loved: Big Lessons from a Little Life. She has been a leader in ministry and faith formation for more than twenty-five years and desires to inspire others to find freedom and healing through Christ. Her gift is her willingness to be vulnerable and love with a heart wide-open despite the brokenness of divorce, death, and abuse. She and her husband Ralph are the parents of 10 children, 5 of hers, 4 of his, and their son, John Paul Raphael who died in 2018. In her book, Elizabeth cracks open the landscape of grief to reveal a love story. She invites readers deeply into her personal journey and invites them to consider their own uncertainty and suffering as a pathway to joy. She is a frequent speaker at women’s events in Northern Virginia and is pursuing her Masters in Social Work at George Mason University. You can find her online at www.elizabethleon.org or www.letyourselfbeloved.com.

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!