Walking through painful or difficult seasons in our lives can sometimes leave us bitter, jaded and angry. Not Linda Rhodes though. She joins us on the podcast to talk about growing up in a small town, young love, the importance of family and making new friends. She also talks about addiction, about fighting for her marriage, about losing someone you love, about facing down serious illness and about discovering hope and joy in the faithfulness of God.

Linda mentioned He Still Moves Stones by Max Lucado. It's an easy read, but it's a powerful book. Check it out.

We talk about some hard stuff in this episode. If you need someone to pray for you, reach out to us.

For more information about our church, check out our website.

Collin Britt is going to be leading worship at DNOW, February 24-25. He joins us on the podcast to talk about music, songwriting and ministry. He also talks about the importance of filling out hearts with scripture, experiencing God's rescue from a self-destructive lifestyle, staying focused on following Christ in the middle of difficult circumstances and unhealthy influences, and the peace and hope that can only be discovered in the gospel. You're going to enjoy getting to know Collin a little better before DNOW.

Check out Collin's music!

Read the Bible with us! We're going to be reading and meditating on Philippians in the Deep Dive starting February 20.

Let us know how we can pray for you.

Check out our website for more information about First Shallowater.

You are not going to want to miss this conversation with Erica Bright. Erica grew up in Shallowater from fourth grade through high school. She talks about living through tragedy, surviving abuse, navigating the foster care system, and dealing with trauma. She also talks about the faithful love of God, about the transformative power of community and about giving her life to creating opportunities for others to experience those things. This is such an empowering and encouraging story. You are going to be so glad that you got to know a little more about Erica.

Erica's ministry is Reclaimed 43. Check out their website and discover ways that you can get involved. Sign up to be mentor!

Want to learn more about foster parenting? Go here or here.

Read the Bible with us! We're going to be reading and meditating on Philippians in the Deep Dive starting February 20.

Check out our website for more information about First Shallowater.

Tiffany joins the podcast for a conversation about the ups and downs of high school, that other university in College Station, the value of short-term mission trips, tattoos and growing up at First Shallowater. She also talks about learning to root her identity in Christ, how the gospel changes our perspective, the truths of God's word and working her way through change and the unknown as a perfectionist/control freak. Even though she is an Aggie, she has some pretty wise things to say.

Check out the book Gently and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane C. Ortlund. Tiffany mentioned that book in the podcast and you're going to want to read it.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” - Isaiah 52:7

For more information about our church, check out our website.

Anyone who finds themselves in the midst of a struggle will really be encouraged by this conversation with Gary Eastwood. He talks about raising a family, starting a business, learning to manage finances and dealing with crazy rodents in the middle of the night. He also talks about his relationship with his mom, growing up without a dad, dealing with hurt, walking through struggle and finding the faithfulness of God in the middle of it all.

Tell us how we can be praying for you.

Find out more about our mission trip to Belize!

Learn more about what God is doing at First Shallowater.

This week we welcome Justin Bloss who will be speaking at DNOW February 24 and 25. He talks about tennis, about small towns, about good friends and about starting a family. He also shares about turning to Christ, about struggling with addiction and about the transforming love of Jesus.

Tell us how we can pray for you.

Find out more about First Shallowater.

Carsen Miles talks about finding peace in the presence of Christ, about learning to receive God's love, and about trusting that God has everything under control. She shares her experiences growing up as a minister's kid, dealing with a life-altering illness, struggling through identity issues and learning to rest in the love of Christ.

Check out Brave Enough to be Broken by Toni Collier. Carsen recommended this book in the podcast. She also suggested Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst. Winning the War on Worry is a companion book to Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table both by Louie Giglio. Register for our women's bible study on Wednesday nights starting 1/11/2023 over The Cost of Control by Shannon Hodde Miller

2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

For more information about our church, check out our website.

Swade and Krystal Moyers join the podcast to talk about minivans, raising kids, teenage romance, and foster/adoption. They also talk about the amazing ways that God has blessed their family, the hope they have in the hard times and what it means to simply obey God.

This week we have an awesome conversation with Kim Sanders about foster parenting, about adoption, but also about boldly obeying God and surrendering to His will. We also talk about the joys and challenges that life often throws at us, as well as walking through sorrow and grief with our family. You are going to love this!

Want to know more about how you can get involved in caring for abused and/or neglected children? Here are some really great options for everyone!

Want to know more about foster parenting and/or adoption? Check out our ministry partners, Texas Girls and Boys Ranch and Buckner!

Want to know more about our church? Visit our website!

Carrie Williams talks about how God called her and her family to be a foster family, how He moved in them as they welcomed children into their home, how He eventually led them to adopt and what their family has learned on this amazing journey. You are going to be inspired by hearing what God has done in the Williams family!

Interested in foster care and/or adoption? Check out our ministry partners, Texas Girls and Boys Ranch and Buckner.

Looking for other ways to fulfill the scriptural mandate that we have to care for orphans? Start here.

For more information about First Shallowater, click here.