God In The Ordinary

Is it possible to be a Christian and suffer from bipolar disorder?  Can you take medicine and still believe in God’s ability to heal?  Can mental health difficulties exist in the life of a follower of Jesus?  Today’s guest is not ashamed of how God created her.  Amber Weigand-Buckley is open about her struggles with the complicated and life-interrupting symptoms of bipolar, and how both medication and her deep Christian faith work hand-in-hand.  Amber shares about the day she realised she needed some help and is transparent about her fight back to health; passes on some very practical tips that she’s put in place to help herself stay on track and stay well - many of which will be helpful for all of us; and discusses honestly how she’s been helped by the people around her.  As an industry leader Amber's learnt that this diagnosis does not disqualify her from the marketplace.  Her experience gives us a lot of ways that we can reach out to people suffering with the same condition.  The raw reality of this edition will help you to recognise the genuine struggle that many people with bipolar disorder go through, equip you to love those in your circle who need your practical support and your frequent prayers; and encourage you as Amber shares how her genuine relationship with Jesus makes all the difference.

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

If God’s given you a passion for something, you can be sure He’ll be able to use it for His Kingdom.  God is present in all areas of our lives – but are we willing to submit to His way in everything and see His will come to fruition?  Today’s guest is Shelley Small, the Southwest Colorado Springs Area Representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).  Shelley loved and excelled at sport from a young age.  She found joy in competing and being part of a team.  Her career has spanned from Baylor College Volleyball, to being on the coaching team of an Olympic Volleyball squad, to working with an international organisation that supports Christian sportsmen and women.  Shelley tells about how God is using all kinds of sport to reveal Himself through athletes who love and serve Jesus; makes some very interesting observations on Isaiah 61; and discusses how our will can get in line with God’s will.  We also chat about letting God be the leader - even in the context of sport.  Regardless of whether you enjoy sports or not, this edition will make you think about how you use your everyday life to reveal God to those around you.

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

How can I help people in my own community who are suffering when I’m suffering myself?  In July 2022, a terrible wildfire hit Wennington, a small village on the eastern edge of London, and destroyed many homes.  Our guest today chose to put aside her feelings of inadequacy and leant on her faith in God as she stepped in to help.  As vicar of both the church in Wennington and of that in the neighbouring village of Rainham, Rev. Elise Peterson felt the pain of the people and knew she needed to offer the hope of Jesus.  Elise shares how she found the strength to put aside her own fears and feelings of insufficiency, and what she did to support those who’d lost everything; tells of how she sat with the brokenhearted and how that simple act translates to the lives of every Believer.  Listen in as we discuss the importance of being present, and how casual conversations can bring sought-after compassion.  This story is one of the power of listening.  We talk about the beauty found in letting go and reveal how being flexible in different ways can be a great tool in sharing the Gospel.  This edition will get your mental wheels turning and help you to see how being ourselves allows us to reveal God to those in need.  And don’t miss the miraculous way that God protected and used the church building, right in the middle of the fire!

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

How can you help someone who tells you about their unexpected pregnancy?  If abortion isn’t the answer, what is?  In this latest edition, we talk with René Lackey, Executive Director of Amira’s House, a ministry to and home for young, pregnant women.  From a young age, René dreamed of helping orphans and displaced people.  And now, after decades of waiting, she’s watching God bring that dream to fruition as she serves unexpectedly expectant mothers.  Through an accepting and non-judgmental environment, René and all who serve with her, reveal the deep love of an all-sufficient Father God to the women in their care.  René tells us about some specific ways to support young, pregnant ladies and about how we can change lives through practical care; shares about her long nursing career and how she was able to show the unending love of Jesus with many of her patients and their families.  This conversation is significant and poignant amidst the changes and dialogue over abortion laws (in the USA) and will be sure to give you some helpful tools and prayer points, as we unpack an important, current issue. 

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

For those blessed to be parents, it can be a wonderful and full-on task.  Our guest today helps parents to think about effective ways to reveal God to their children – especially the young adults.  Linda Goldfarb is a board-certified Christian life-coach who’s raised four children of her own.  Her son was a junior golfer, and she spent many hours on and off the golf course coaching him in both sport and life lessons.  She shows us how easily God can be honoured, and faith can be shared, through athletics and other pastimes.  Linda shares transparently about the challenges faced when your adult child doesn’t share your foundational faith views and gives us some valuable advice on how to deal with that; and shares about the many exciting ways God is using her voice; and how it’s never too late to submit to God’s will for our lives.  Today’s show will give you practical tips, clear direction, and important talking points to help in the development of family relationships.  If you’re wondering how to encourage those you love, whilst calling them up to new levels of excellence, then do listen to this podcast.

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

On God in The Ordinary we talk a lot about how our regular days and roles help us to reveal God to those around us.  But can this still be the case at big Christian conferences and larger gatherings of Jesus-followers?  In this edition, we chat with Paul Harcourt, National Leader of New Wine, a yearly Bible festival in the UK.  Paul helps us to think about how we can encourage each other through big get-togethers; shares how we can take what we learn at such meetings back to our day-to-day living; and we talk about how to discern and listen out for the voice of the Holy Spirit, and how we can become the kind of people who respond to His directions.  Paul helps us to think about the importance of demonstrating the Gospel, not just proclaiming it, and gives some great advice on how to start each day.  We also discuss the new adventure that Paul’s autistic son is beginning; and we reflect on how parents need to trust God in all stages of their children’s lives.  Join us as and be encouraged through this edition, then head on over to New Wine’s website (you’ll find the link in the show notes) to find some inspiring and motivating teaching on joining God in building His Kingdom, right where you are.

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 would you do if your ‘ordinary’ suddenly became visiting an adult child in prison?  Do you think it might shake your faith in God to have a loved one incarcerated?  Today, Sharon Tedford chats with Carol Kent, an international speaker and author, who is living this reality today.  Carol and her husband have lived through the trauma of watching their grown-up son arrested and convicted of a serious crime.  Carol tells us about how she had to dig in deep to her already established faith in God, to be able to continue trusting her Heavenly Father when things didn’t turn out the way they'd hoped; shares the best way to follow God when things feel dark and gloomy; and explains how she still has hope in a situation that may appear bleak to others.  We learn about how we can reveal God to people who are in prison, with lots of practical tips and examples of what to send; and how to encourage those who are imprisoned.  This edition is packed full of hope-filled faith and will reassure and inspire you when you’re facing seemingly impossible circumstances of your own.

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

There’s nothing more ordinary than gathering around the table with friends and family.  But it’s something that's been put on the back burner by many of us.  Do you think family dinner times are important?  Have you ever invited friends over for something as simple as a coffee and a chat?  Are get-togethers something God can use as an ordinary way to reveal Himself through you to others?  Our guest, Betsy Pendergrass, is passionate about encouraging others to gather.  Betsy gives us some very practical tips for how to invite others into our homes and lives so that we can share Jesus with them; shares about the importance of family relationships; and how the Bible needs to be central to everything we do.  Connection is important to Betsy, and she helps us think about creative but straightforward ways to share the love of Jesus with friends and family.  The power of books and reading, and how God is using Betsy’s renewed love for painting to reveal Himself to her and through her, also get a mention!  If you’ve been wanting to connect with friends and neighbours on a new level, and you’ve been wondering how to do that, then this edition is for you.  Betsy’s uncomplicated gathering ideas will give you lots to think about.  You’re going to love the joy that pours out of Betsy, too!

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

Do you ever wonder how to connect with people who aren't in your age bracket?  Is it necessary to reach out to other age groups with the gospel?  And do you ever think about how you can meet the many needs of the vastly diverse people in your community?  Our guest for today’s edition is Joe Hobday - a youth pioneer - who’s learnt how to reach out to the young people in his neighbourhood.  In fact, Joe is determined that all the people of his community will know God’s love as he works on ways to provide for both their practical and spiritual needs.  Joe shares about the restoration project he's heading up for his church parish - something which literally embodies the words of Isaiah 61; shares how he’s bringing mixed age groups of people together around one mission; and gives us a fresh perspective on a popular song from a modern-day musical.  The surprising and insightful angle will give you pause for thought and you’ll probably never listen to the song in the same way again.  Joe’s humility and enthusiasm are infectious, and you’ll be sure to be moved to action after listening to his chat with host, Sharon Tedford.

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

Do animals go to heaven?  Does God care about how we treat his creatures?  How does God reveal Himself to us through pets and livestock?  In this edition our guest is seasoned veterinarian, Dr Kimberly DeLaughter, or Dr. D as she’s known to her clients!  Dr. D - Kim - tells us about how she reveals God through the ups and downs of caring for animals; talks about a fun link between Isaiah 61 and the humble bumble bee; and shares how God shows up in the most difficult moments of a vet’s day.  We also hear about the most important tool that Dr. D carries in her vet toolbelt – prayer!  Dr. D is a great example of someone who looks for God in the ordinary rhythm of her day, as well as being someone who seeks opportunities to share the truth of Jesus with others.  The stories she tells will encourage you regardless of what kind of daily activity you conduct.  The compassion in Kim's heart, and her intentional desire to follow Jesus in every moment of her day is clear, and will inspire you to both seek and reveal God in your ordinary. 

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