God In The Ordinary

You’re never too old or too unwell to serve God; or to find new ways to reveal Him to others! Hazel Hare is our guest today and she shares how God took her from a place of sickness, to a place of service. You'll be encouraged as you learn about how her willingness to obey God in her retirement has taken her all over the world to serve Him. We hear how Hazel was able to use her professional skills as a Physio/Physical Therapist in surprising and impactful ways; she shares about her current work as part of the local Street Pastors team in Taunton, south-west England; and how this work has led to a couple of surprising meetings! (The bonus feature is Hazel’s beautiful Irish accent!).

Presented by Sharon Tedford. Produced by Gary Dell. Find out more about us at www.anchor.fm/god-in-the-ordinary and www.61-things.com/gito

You and I can partner with God to serve the world, no matter our age, ethnicity, or social status. He welcomes us all, including refugees. Our guest, Daniel Yang, knows this first-hand. He’s a second-generation Asian American. His Hmong family bravely fled from war-torn Laos after the 'Secret War' in the 1970’s. Daniel tells us their inspiring journey from refugees to church planters - one that will encourage you to look deeper into your own identity and calling. There truly is a role for each one of us in the Kingdom of God. He shares how he discovered the secret to communicating with others — including those from different cultures — in one simple step (here’s a hint: it will help you share the gospel with anyone, and it’s powerfully achievable); and, as Director of the Send Institute (a think tank for North American church planting out of Wheaton College), how he loves to equip people with the Biblical truth that we’re all made for community. You’ll also enjoy one of his lesser-known talents at the end of the podcast - so stick around because you’re going to love it!

Presented by Sharon Tedford. Produced by Gary Dell. Find out more about us at www.anchor.fm/god-in-the-ordinary and www.61-things.com/gito

Our guest for this edition is Fiona Thomas, a small business owner from near London, UK. Fiona tells of how holding hands with people, both literally and figuratively, has led to deeply impactful, Jesus-filled conversations; shares the very personal story of how she moved from feelings of disillusionment and shame, to finding genuine breakthrough in an authentic relationship with Jesus; and inspires us to allow creativity to be part of our faith journey, as we learn that we're truly cherished by our Creator Father God.

Presented by Sharon Tedford. Produced by Gary Dell. Find out more about us at www.anchor.fm/god-in-the-ordinary and www.61-things.com/gito

What if your love of music could lead to telling people about Jesus at a rock festival? What if wearing a high visibility vest led to leading people to faith? Would you do it? Today our guest is Tim Sudworth, an English Anglican vicar who loves heavy rock and who found himself attending Download Festival not only as a fan but also as an invited chaplain. Tim was surprised at how fluently God moved through his obedience, and all that transpired through him and the team during the event. Tim shares about how this chaplaincy led to another interesting personal invitation to a large festival led by British actor and comedian, Russell Brand. Tim was asked to come to represent Jesus – so he did! Certainly, an unusual request, but once again, as Tim and the team followed where Jesus led, they saw what God does when we submit to His leading. Tim tells us about how his willingness has brought about unexpected outcomes that bring glory to God at every turn, and how we can all find ways to reveal God to everyone we meet. This edition is full of conversation about how God can use us in unusual circumstances, and in unfamiliar places, as we go where He invites us to go.

Presented by Sharon Tedford. Produced by Gary Dell. Find out more about us at www.anchor.fm/god-in-the-ordinary and www.61-things.com/gito

Saving lives isn’t something most of us do all the time, but today’s guest makes a habit of it! She's a Christian Arab who grew up in Nazareth surrounded by people of many faiths. She found her passion when she joined Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency medical service and representative to the International Red Cross. Yasmeen Mazzawi joined MDA in her teenage years and was immediately impacted by the important work this organisation does across the community. Even though she's now living a European country while studying, she still volunteers with MDA every time she returns home. Yasmeen quickly learned that comforting compassion is a dialect that speaks across language barriers, and she's seen the power of Christ’s love reaching others regardless of their faith or mother tongue. Yasmeen knows her very actions can speak gospel truth as she literally binds up the brokenhearted in their moments of greatest need. She helps us understand how we can reach others who don’t share our Christian faith and helps us see how God can turn even the most difficult of situations into His opportunities. When we meet people with different cultures, languages, and beliefs we can find ways to reveal God to them. Yasmeen helps us understand why and how we can do that through love and compassion.

Presented by Sharon Tedford. Produced by Gary Dell. Find out more about us at www.anchor.fm/god-in-the-ordinary and www.61-things.com/gito

Have you ever been in a situation where there’s a clear need? Have you prayed about that, asking God to meet the need, only to be surprised when God asks you to be the one to provide the solution?! On this week’s edition we meet Jenni and Ben Tice, founders of Lily Pad Inc. There's a shortage of foster homes in the USA, and it’s difficult to place children quickly. Often children and youth must stay overnight in the offices of their care workers, while waiting for placement in a foster home. Image how that feels – already traumatised and now having to sleep on a blow-up bed or under a desk in a strange office. Case managers do their very best; but Jenni and Ben, experienced foster parents themselves, realised there could be a better way. They knew God was calling them to do something about this issue, and Lily Pad was born. With the help of volunteers, Lily Pad (a donation-funded charity) reveals God by establishing and maintaining a safe space for young people entering the foster care system. They create comfortable, secure, and familiar rooms where children and youth can have a soft place to land before they are placed into a foster home. This organisation is revealing God in extraordinary ways, using very ordinary means. As you listen to our conversation you'll be encouraged to allow God to use you in your ordinary, wherever that may be. There are no excuses – when God calls, we answer. Are you willing?

Presented by Sharon Tedford. Produced by Gary Dell. Find out more about us at www.anchor.fm/god-in-the-ordinary and www.61-things.com/gito

Have you had your heart broken by the things that break God's heart? Have you felt the Holy Spirit leading you to do something in reponse to that? Have you answered that call? That's the story behind how - and where - this week's guest has been serving God for over 20 years. Peter Thomas serves with international mission agency YWAM (Youth With A Mission) as Director of their ministry in Fortaleza, Brasil. But Peter's story started when he was just 13, when his heart was broken by a 'God encounter' in Mexico. Peter shares his journey from then to how he serves God now; tells us about his early work in Brasil with street kids - and of the heartbreak that accompanied that at times. Also known as JOCUM Fortaleza, Peter talks of the work they do now and its focus on mobilizing and training missionaries and its goal to reach families, communities and unprivileged groups. Using a fishing analogy, Peter shares some practical tips about 'cause and effect' - if we constantly meet similarly effected people, perhaps we shoud look 'upstream' as to what is causing that effect, and work to reveal God into those places and situations to bring about change. He has also just published his first book, To Climb A Mountain (River Birch Press), with two more books due soon. Peter's emotional response to the situations he's encountered, and how his heart can be affected by the Holy Spirit, is clear to hear. Some of his experiences of serving God in Brasil over the years have been painful and the situations traumatic. This might be upsetting to some, so listener discretion is advised.

Presented by Sharon Tedford. Produced by Gary Dell. Find out more about us at www.anchor.fm/god-in-the-ordinary and www.61-things.com/gito

Have you ever wondered if there’s a Christian service that provides help to people in physical and emotional need within the community? Is there a way for nurses to use their hard-earned skills outside of a hospital or doctor’s surgery? For this week’s edition, host Sharon Tedford chats with Barbara Griffiths, a regional nurse coordinator with Parish Nursing Ministries UK. Barbara shares with us how she’s using her nursing prowess within her own neighbourhood and beyond; helps us to think about how we can share the gospel by noticing the needs of people around us, and engaging with them in the way Jesus would have. This important ministry serves people in a myriad of ways. From people suffering with depression or anxiety, to those who’ve received a cancer diagnosis, or maybe even members of the community who desperately need grief support. Parish Nurses work to improve the lives of people in the UK through whole person health care. And they’re making sure that churches and Christian organisations in every region of the UK are supported to host high quality, sustainable, accredited nursing services that facilitate wholistic health and wellbeing for local people. If you work in a medical field, you’ll find this conversation enlightening and hope filled. If you’re not, you’ll get lots of simple, actionable tips on how to care for those around you in genuinely helpful ways. There’s something here for everyone!

Presented by Sharon Tedford. Produced by Gary Dell. Find out more about us at www.anchor.fm/god-in-the-ordinary and www.61-things.com/gito

Have you ever searched for happiness in something specific only to find it doesn’t make you happy after all? Perhaps you’ve found comfort in solitude in the past, but now it feels toxic to you. On this edition of God In The Ordinary we speak with Tina Yeager, an award-winning author, speaker, Flourish-Meant podcast host, and certified life coach. Tina helps us to think about how we can move from solitude to meaningful relationships, and how we can invite others to join us as we build connections with those around us; we discuss competitiveness and how Christians can live within that realm in a Godly and Christ-honouring way; and she helps us think about the importance of humility and how that can invade all areas of our lives as we intentionally live in ways that reveal God to others. You’ll hear a fresh perspective on the fact that Jesus promises to make all things new as Tina reminds us of where we, as Christians, stand in Christ. She also shares about her new book, Upcycled: Crafted for a Purpose, and some of the ways we can use creativity to solidify the truths of Jesus. This edition will help you pinpoint where you might have 'unhealthy' mind habits and enable you to recognise how deep your attach to Jesus is, as we remember that He is the Source of our strength.

Presented by Sharon Tedford. Produced by Gary Dell. Find out more about us at www.anchor.fm/god-in-the-ordinary and www.61-things.com/gito

Is it really possible to help the most vulnerable and abused people in the world? Christians are called by Jesus to pursue His instructions and to care for the broken - but how do we do that well? In this edition of God In The Ordinary, Sharon Tedford talks with Jacob Sims, International Justice Mission’s Country Director for Cambodia, who helps us think more deeply about what it looks like to truly come alongside people who are in need. Jake shares about how sometimes we don’t have to say a word about our Christian faith, and instead simply act in the way that Jesus would have (that’s evangelism!); he talks about how releasing control of our own desires, and letting go of the strong grip we sometimes have on how we want our future to unfold, can enable us to walk in true freedom for ourselves and others. The need to get beyond where we feel comfortable is a surprising lesson Jake learned from a hobby and something we can all be encouraged to lean into. This edition will help you think about how caring for others can stretch into every area of your day; and how living a life, where Christ is the Hero of the story, will bring amazing results for us and those we interact with.

Presented by Sharon Tedford. Produced by Gary Dell. Find out more about us at www.anchor.fm/god-in-the-ordinary and www.61-things.com/gito