God In The Ordinary

Have you ever wanted to reach out to a homeless person, but didn’t know what to do?  Perhaps you’ve seen someone living on the streets, but you’ve been unsure how to reach out to them in the name of Jesus.  Can giving a hungry person a sandwich truly be revealing God to them?  Today's guest is Pastor Mick Fleming of Church On The Street MInistries, a faith-in-action charity based in the northwest of England, where Mick's introducing needy and broken people to the love and healing of Jesus.  Mick tells us how he came to know Jesus as an adult, leaving his life of drug addiction and crime to follow Christ; talks about his experience of meeting Jesus in a shop doorway, in the darkness of a freezing winter night; and shares how this inspired him to reach out to other people still stuck in poverty.  Necessity and compassion drove Mick to bring food and other supplies to people who were desperate for help in his own community.  The mission quickly grew into a now thriving and prominent ministry, even drawing the attention of British Royalty!  Join us and learn how the 'two-cup Gospel' will help you reach out to those in need in your own life and community.  You'll be inspired by Mick’s humility and enthusiasm.  I’ve learned a lot from this edition and so will 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

Can science and Christian faith live side-by-side?  Are our small personal efforts towards recycling really making any difference?  And does God want all my attention to be turned towards telling people about Jesus with words alone?  Bob Sluka, Lead Scientist of A Rocha USA’s Marine Conservation Program, joins us to talk about how he reveals God through his work.  Bob shares how he’s seen God’s fingerprints in creation and tells of his motivation behind serving God in this field of science; tells us about some simple steps we can all take to help heal our lands, from how we fertilize our lawns to what fish we purchase from the supermarket; and spurs us on to think more deeply about how God sees His creation and encourages us to consider how God created all things to worship Him as they flourish.  Bob is living a life that integrates his beliefs and love of the ocean in a way that brings blessing to people, nations, and the planet, and it’s inspiring.  This edition is being released close to Earth Day 2022 and helps us to consider how Christians ought to respond to the many issues surrounding pollution and conservation.  So listen to this episode and hear how Bob’s words of wisdom encourage you on to new thinking and maybe even fresh action.

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

Are you reluctant to share your God-given story with others?  Do you believe your work skills are irrelevant to the Gospel?  Today's guest, Patricia Durgin, shares some simple steps that help us to realise that if we're a Christian, we're chosen by God to share the Good News by serving others.  She is an online marketing specialist who uses her talents to help teach others how to meet their audiences and customers right where they are.  She believes we serve people best when we see them as Christ sees them.  Patricia helps us to think about how having a digital presence in a digital world is a strong force for the Kingdom of God - she believes it’s vital for Christians to 'show up' online and to reach out to other people who are there; she shares about how God has used what the world calls a 'disability' in her life: visual impairment has taught Patricia how to receive other people’s acts of service, which has in turn helped her become a skilled minister of service herself.  If you want to learn how to share the message and story that God has put within you, this edition is for you.  Patricia will light a fire of enthusiasm under you as you learn to respond to God’s words of direction and serve others in His name.

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 ever possible to be truly free from shame?  Is there a way out of the darkness created by abuse?  Our guest for this edition tells of how the light of Jesus has illuminated her after being trapped by the darkness of shame for decades.  She's been released from that trap and she now shares her powerful story through her stunningly soulful music with people all over the world.  Singer, songwriter and graphic designer, Loulita Gill, talks with host Sharon Tedford, about her journey from emotional confinement to spiritual release.  Loulita shares about how God has helped her turn tragedy into treasure through song; shares about how she loves to connect with her audiences by living an authentic life of integrity.  As a business owner, Loulita talks about her favourite business partner and gives some very helpful advice on how to provide a professional service that reveals God to every client, regardless of their faith perspective; and she discusses her songwriting process as well thoughts on how to parent with love and grace.  This edition is a wander through some deep topics via a path of joy and laughter.  So don’t miss Loulita’s interview – you'll be sure to find some encouragement in her words of wisdom.

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 wanted to know more about the host of God In The Ordinary?  Well, today’s the day you get to hear from her!  In this special edition, Sharon Tedford shares with a previous guest, Nicci Hejnar, about how she reveals God in the ordinary; and why 61 Things became the name of her ministry and how it was born.  They discuss a wide range of topics - from how Sharon handled a word of prophecy, to how she started songwriting quite a few years ago now!  Sharon shares some simple ways to pray for strangers; we find out what kind of character traits people need to be missionaries (spoiler alert: every follower of Jesus is a missionary!); and also hear about Sharon’s ‘team’ and how mutual support is so important to them all.  If you're a regular listener, you'll know every guest is asked to share a reflection on Isaiah 61 - but there's no exceptions, so it's Sharon’s turn to share today!  There’s something fun about getting to peak behind the curtain of our host’s life, so do join us as we get to know Sharon a little more.

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 think of yourself as an adventurer?  Perhaps you enjoy extreme sports or take delight in activities that keep you on the edge of your seat?  In this episode Sharon Tedford talks with avid adventurer, author and podcaster, Ryan George, who helps us to learn that living a Jesus life is the most exciting voyage we’ll ever make.  He has found he's able to communicate more honestly with God as he undertakes adrenaline-charged experiences and invigorating pursuits.  Ryan tells us some tales of where God has met him in his moments of surrender and how something as simple as thankfulness has become a frequent part of his daily practice; about his newest and most exhilarating adventure of adoption, sharing the uplifting story of how that came about for him and his wife.  God interrupted the life direction that Ryan had so carefully laid out for himself, and this new role of being a dad has shown that God loves to out-dream us.  We learn how submitting to God’s way leads to some beautiful and life-changing outcomes.  Ryan talks about how he reveals God to others whilst on the side of mountains, and how he frequently discusses the truth of Jesus in his church parking lot.  He clearly has a passion for sharing the gospel and has learned how to recognize and respond to the voice of God no matter where he is.  Even if you don’t identify yourself as someone who enjoys adventure, Ryan helps us see that the Christian life is an adventure and that following God’s plans for us with honest vulnerability, will lead to a life that reveals God to others.  This episode will encourage you to pray more intentionally and to step outside of your comfort zone as you see where Jesus meets us in the adventure of Christian faith.

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 possible that marriage is a tool God uses to reveal Himself to us?  Can God help us to grow through what we learn from being a good spouse?  In this episode of God In The Ordinary, professional counselors Chris & Jamie Bailey, who’ve helped countless people find new hope and freedom, bring some deep wisdom and help us to think about how God shows up in our marriages.  Chris & Jamie share important and practical steps for moving from being broken hearted to healed; talk about the root of many of our marital stressors and how to deal with them; and we also touch on how to love a spouse through chronic sickness, and how good grandparenting is another way to build strong marriages.  Chris and Jamie Bailey have a real heart for marriages and are passionate about helping people rebuild what was once ruined.  They believe in the power of love – God’s love - and have experienced how bringing Jesus’ love into a marriage can change a generation.  Their ministry, Expedition Marriage, encourages us to enjoy the journey and you'll certainly enjoy this great edition.

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 declared that you're not creative?  Do you believe that creativity is for other people who can do all that fancy stuff?  Perhaps you struggle to believe that creativity is of any use to God?  Well, we’d like to help you change your mind!  Our guest today lets us see how to use many different strings of creativity to reveal God to those around us, and how God can use it to reveal Himself to us, too.  Fiona Stewart is, among other things, a British playwright, podcast host, poet, and the creative director of Foolproof Creative Arts.  Fiona tells us about how her life has taken some surprising twists and turns, leading her to where she is today; shares about how creativity really matters and how even our own foolishness can be used by God: her faith and delight in Jesus are obvious and infectious!  Do join us in this episode as Fiona and host, Sharon Tedford, take an inspiring wander around the world of theatre, parables, mystery, and communication.  Learn how good communication skills are important as we share the good news of Jesus.  And stick around to the very end for an extra special treat from our guest with a beautiful 'Scottish burr' - you won’t be disappointed!

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 long to be able to share the truth of Jesus during the Christmas season?  Our special edition shares the stories of people who are revealing God intentionally at this time of year.  We’re excited to chat with guests who are doing their part to help their communities see more of Jesus: a group of ladies blessing new mothers in a fun way; a man who’s meeting needs in his community; a lady who’s learned to find the joy of Jesus; and a mother who worked on something exciting with her young daughter.  We also hear from our host and producer, Sharon Tedford and Gary Dell, and their thoughts on how to share 'God in The Ordinary'.  Our prayer is that hearing from people who are loving others on purpose will encourage you to do the same.  So join us and get ready to be inspired by these dynamic guests as we help you to find ways to reveal God this Christmas.

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 if the problems of climate change are really something worth engaging with?  Are you considering how you can respond to questions about ecology, lower carbon living, and creation in general?  Do you think about how Jesus might react to issues of stewarding the world He gave us?  This week’s guest can help you reflect on all that and more.  Brittany Michalski is a conservation ecologist for Arocha USA, and a project coordinator of Climate Stewards.  Brittany shares how she blesses both her neighbours and the planet by being mindful and intentional about how she treats all of creation; helps us remember and recognise how God reveals Himself through creation; and comes to the measured conclusion that Christians should be joining in with the fight against global warming - her studies of marine ecosystems make her acutely aware of the negative impact of various pollutants.  You’ll be encouraged as we learn about the strong links between faith and science, and will be equipped by the many resources she shares.  Christians ought to be challenged to think and talk about environmental sustainability and Brittany lovingly guides us as we discuss this important topic.

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