Show Notes

Introduction to God’s Rollercoaster 

The God's Rollercoaster podcast is hosted by Hazel Woodward. Hazel lives in Oxfordshire, England. She loves to learn about people’s stories, sharing in their journeys and fostering the belief that not only do our ups and downs make us who we are, but we should hold on to those things and be proud of our journey.

Come and join us – enjoy the ride!

In This Episode: Series 1, Episode 9 - Be Still 
 
Today's episode is the final one in Series 1 of the God's Rollercoaster podcast. Ending on a positive note, this episode focuses on how four guests have clung on to the rollercoaster ride of faith, with the understanding that God will walk beside them, regardless of what life throws at them.  Through worship music, Lydia and Matt tell us how they have gained new perspectives, using song lyrics to create visual representations that aid and support their faith. Matt shares his experience of God speaking to him with His perfect timing, reminding him that he was not alone in a time of sad reflection. This brings reassurance, and confidence that God has plans for each of us, and if we can trust in Him, we do not need to understand the hows or the whys.  Next, Lena shares her experiences of lockdown and how God helped her to be calm, enabling her to see the positives in situations that could have otherwise felt very stressful.  Finally, Caspian shares his experience working as a youth leader during the pandemic, and how a change of location has impacted his life and work positively. He shares the moment where he committed to giving his life to Jesus, and how rewarding he finds his role helping young people to feel unconditionally supported and loved by God and the youth group community. 

Trigger warning 

This episode includes discussion around baby loss, depression, lockdown and work stress. 

Resource Links 

• Today's guests refer to stillness and trusting in God. The following verse explores this: Psalm 46:10 'Be still, and know that I am God...' 
• Matt's worship music is available at  MJB Worship 
• Our guests work or worship at The People's Church Banbury 
• Lydia and Matt referred to the following worship songs:
  • Oceans - Where Feet May Fail by Hillsong United
  • New Wine by Hillsong Worship 
  • Surrounded (Fight My Battles) by Upperroom 

Show Notes

Introduction to God’s Rollercoaster 

The God's Rollercoaster podcast is hosted by Hazel Woodward. Hazel lives in Oxfordshire, England. She loves to learn about people’s stories, sharing in their journeys and fostering the belief that not only do our ups and downs make us who we are, but we should hold on to those things and be proud of our journey.

Come and join us – enjoy the ride!

In This Episode: Series 1, Episode 8 - A Gift From The Lord
 
Today's episode follows Jill, Claire and Ilona as they share stories of their encounters with God. We hear how our guests talk to God, and the spaces and activities they feel most at peace, giving them the clarity to pray.  We learn how people suffering from dementia are impacted by the power of singing, and how God talking from spirit to spirit enables song when our mind or body are less cooperative. We also discuss how God created children, and as a gift from the Lord, they are cherished in His eyes even before they are born. Ilona shares her son, Oscar's, simple prayer and how God's obvious answer to it allowed him to see God's presence tangibly. Next, Claire tells us what positives she has found during lockdown, from new connections, exercising and plans for a cookery club. She also shares the highs and lows of a recent diagnosis, and how her time with God in nature brings her happiness and calm during challenging times.  
 

Trigger warning 

This episode includes discussion around dementia, autism, alcohol use and lockdown. 

Resource Links 

• Psalm 8:2 mentioned in this episode explores the importance of children praising God. 
• Guest, Jill Newman is a former primary school music specialist who has written songs for schools/churches for Christmas, Easter and Harvest, which highlight the Christian focus behind each season. There is also a set of values - based songs for Collective Worship. Scores, lead sheets, lyrics and teachers' notes are free to download, see www.seasonofsinging.com. 
• Jill's  Season of Singing YouTube channel includes lyric videos of her songs. 

Connect with us 

• Have a question for Hazel or a suggestion for a topic for us to cover on the podcast? Tell us about it at [email protected]
• Join our mailing list here
• Visit our website, Facebook or Instagram

Credits 

Host: Hazel Woodward
Producer: Waymaker Consulting and Raindrop Sound Design
Editor: Waymaker Consulting
Music: Raindrop Sound Design

Show Notes

Introduction to God’s Rollercoaster 

The God's Rollercoaster podcast is hosted by Hazel Woodward. Hazel lives in Oxfordshire, England. She loves to learn about people’s stories, sharing in their journeys and fostering the belief that not only do our ups and downs make us who we are, but we should hold on to those things and be proud of our journey.

Come and join us – enjoy the ride!

In This Episode: Series 1, Episode 7 - God In the Dark Times

In today's episode, we hear from Matt and Lydia as they share their walk with God, and how their faith grew and developed with them. Matt tells us about how his love of music was born and how a special sibling relationship shaped who he is today, enabling him to understand how people are feeling, without relying on words to communicate.  Lydia and Matt share the devastating story of the death of their first daughter, Evelyn, 55 minutes after an incredibly traumatic birth. During their amazement and fear, physical pain and mental anguish, Lydia and Matt share how they turned to God in their desperation, praying for Him to help them. They share a personal and emotional account of their faith journey following Evelyn's death, channelling a fierce mother's love, learning to understand and connect with God and finding peace and shedding fear after some desperately dark days. 
 
At the end of the episode, Matt plays his song 55  a deeply raw and emotional song that he composed as part of his memory and love for Evelyn. 
 

Trigger warning 

This episode includes discussion around autism spectrum disorders, baby loss, post-natal depression and suicidal thoughts. 

Resource Links

• Sands provides bereavement support services both nationally through its Freephone helpline, mobile app, online community and resources, and locally through a UK-wide network of around 100 regional support groups
• Listen to Matt's song, 55, here

Connect with us 

• Have a question for Hazel or a suggestion for a topic for us to cover on the podcast? Tell us about it at [email protected]
• Join our mailing list here
• Visit our website, Facebook or Instagram

Credits 

Host: Hazel Woodward
Producer: Waymaker Consulting and Raindrop Sound Design
Editor: Waymaker Consulting
Music: Raindrop Sound Design

Show Notes

Introduction to God’s Rollercoaster 

The God's Rollercoaster podcast is hosted by Hazel Woodward. Hazel lives in Oxfordshire, England. She loves to learn about people’s stories, sharing in their journeys and fostering the belief that not only do our ups and downs make us who we are, but we should hold on to those things and be proud of our journey.

Come and join us – enjoy the ride!

In This Episode: Series 1, Episode 6 - The Sovereignty of God
 
In this episode, our guests share their stories of encounters of God – from the Swiss Alps to the market, to the kitchen, to the great outdoors. As we listen to the personal, candid accounts of how God has brought peace and love, we reflect on how our trust in Him as the supreme authority reassures us that all things are under His control.  Today's guests tell us about their experiences of the supernatural, challenging us to acknowledge that faith is being certain of what you cannot see. Having faith and trust in God's love, kindness and ability to keep His promises, helps us to grow our faith, and of course, faith needs to be exercised to grow. 

Trigger warning 

This episode includes discussion around illness and recovery, suicide, children being taken into care, drug abuse, addiction and rehabilitation, family issues, imprisonment and learning difficulties. 

Resource Links

A playlist of worship music is available free of charge here. 

The following verses are referred to in this episode: 

• John 15, v16: 'You did not choose me, but I chose you...' 
• Psalm 103, v5: 'Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.' 
• Hebrews 13: 'Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.' 

Connect with us 

• Have a question for Hazel or a suggestion for a topic for us to cover on the podcast? Tell us about it at [email protected]
• Join our mailing list here
• Visit our website, Facebook or Instagram

Credits 

Host: Hazel Woodward
Producer: Waymaker Consulting and Raindrop Sound Design
Editor: Waymaker Consulting
Music: Raindrop Sound Design

Show Notes

Introduction to God’s Rollercoaster 

The God's Rollercoaster podcast is hosted by Hazel Woodward. Hazel lives in Oxfordshire, England. She loves to learn about people’s stories, sharing in their journeys and fostering the belief that not only do our ups and downs make us who we are, but we should hold on to those things and be proud of our journey.

Come and join us – enjoy the ride!

In This Episode: Series 1, Episode 5 - Meet Us Where We Are

In this episode, we listen to 6 guests as they share stories of their encounters with God. We hear how we can determine God's messages to us through our dreams, even if not immediately, the Lord eventually helps us discover what He is saying to us. Mark shares how the word of God came alive through prayer,  allowing him to grow in hearing the prophetic word. He also gives us some insight into his role working with prisoners, and the impact that faith can have on people, reminding us that the Lord meets us where we are.  Regardless of our situation, our backgrounds and our environment, He loves us and communicates with us in ways we can understand.

Trigger warning 

This episode includes discussion around death and prison. 

Resource Links

The Divinity Code to Understanding Your Dreams and Visions, is a Bible-based guide to interpreting your dreams, revealing the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Our guests referred to the following two Bible verses:
Psalm 139
Isaiah 50:4

Connect with us  

• Have a question for Hazel or a suggestion for a topic for us to cover on the podcast? Tell us about it at [email protected]
• Join our mailing list here
• Visit our website, Facebook or Instagram

Credits
Host: Hazel Woodward
Producer: Waymaker Consulting and Raindrop Sound Design
Editor: Waymaker Consulting
Music: Raindrop Sound Design

Show Notes

Introduction to God’s Rollercoaster 

The God's Rollercoaster podcast is hosted by Hazel Woodward. Hazel lives in Oxfordshire, England. She loves to learn about people’s stories, sharing in their journeys and fostering the belief that not only do our ups and downs make us who we are, but we should hold on to those things and be proud of our journey.

Come and join us – enjoy the ride!

In This Episode: Series 1, Episode 4 - God's Will

In this episode, we hear stories from four guests: Lydia, Lena, Nikki and Ilona. Each of them shares their story as they ride the rollercoaster of faith, from stress at work to dog walking dilemmas. As Lydia tells us her story of the ups and downs of working life, we hear how God has been her light in the darkness, her way maker. Nikki and Ilona tell us about how God's immediate answers to their prayers show His care and intervention, even in the most unexpected situations. We also hear how He has reassured Lena to stop making plans, reminding us to surrender to God's will.  

Trigger warning 

This episode includes discussion around stress. 

Resource Links

For information on how to cope with stress at work, a heavy workload, difficult work-life balance or a lack of support in the workplace, Mind share some useful tips in this article.

For a 'fresh, challenging and compassionate response to busyness, based on the way of life Jesus offered his disciples', The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry offers a 'practical, personal, and challenging call to imagine new ways that our lives can imitate Jesus'. 

Connect with us 

• Have a question for Hazel or a suggestion for a topic for us to cover on the podcast? Tell us about it at [email protected]
• Join our mailing list here
• Visit our website, Facebook or Instagram

Credits 

Host: Hazel Woodward
Producer: Waymaker Consulting and Raindrop Sound Design
Editor: Waymaker Consulting
Music: Raindrop Sound Design

Show Notes

Introduction to God’s Rollercoaster 

The God’s Rollercoaster podcast is hosted by Hazel Woodward. Hazel lives in Oxfordshire, England. She loves to learn about people’s stories, sharing in their journeys and fostering the belief that not only do our ups and downs make us who we are, but we should hold on to those things and be proud of our journey.

Come and join us – enjoy the ride!

In This Episode: Series 1, Episode 3 – God’s Plan

In this episode, we follow Janice’s story from her first encounter with God, all the way through to her becoming a vicar. Janice shares her family’s reaction to her faith journey, along with how her family life unfolded. After hearing God’s word that she should become a vicar, Janice reveals how she gave her life to Jesus, sharing her candid account of the ups and downs of her journey to becoming a vicar during a time when the ordination of women was not permitted. Discover how God’s timing is always perfect, and by practising patience, we can be reassured that His plan for us will bring us to where we need to be. 

Trigger warning 

This episode includes discussion around marital and family difficulties and gender inequality. 

Resource Links

For mental health support, the Association of Christian Counsellors can help you find a Christian counsellor, supervisor or counselling organisation.

For some practical tips to understanding God’s plan for your marriage, this article might be useful. 

 Connect with us 

• Have a question for Hazel or a suggestion for a topic for us to cover on the podcast? Tell us about it at [email protected]
• Join our mailing list here
• Visit our website, Facebook or Instagram

Credits 

Host: Hazel Woodward
Producer: Waymaker Consulting and Raindrop Sound Design
Editor: Waymaker Consulting
Music: Raindrop Sound Design

Show Notes

Introduction to God’s Rollercoaster 

The God's Rollercoaster podcast is hosted by Hazel Woodward. Hazel lives in Oxfordshire, England. She loves to learn about people’s stories, sharing in their journeys and fostering the belief that not only do our ups and downs make us who we are, but we should hold on to those things and be proud of our journey.

Come and join us – enjoy the ride!

In This Episode: Series 1, Episode 2 - The Power of God

In this episode, we hear about encounters of God through love, despair, connection and separation, as we follow guests through the euphoric highs, and the devastating lows of life's thrills and spills.  Meet Margaret and David, whose journeys took them on many twists and turns, finding and being reminded of their faith as they saw God's hand at work. Discover how their paths crossed, allowing them both to find love. Next, John and Rosemary share their introductions to God, faith journeys and how they found salvation and peace, from darkness to light during a particularly challenging time. Discover how God's healing power shows his grace, power, honour and glory, whatever the circumstances. 

Trigger warning 

This episode includes discussion around death and baby loss, separation and illness. 

Resource Links

For mental health support, the Association of Christian Counsellors can help you find a Christian counsellor, supervisor or counselling organisation.

For an Oxfordshire-based Christian bereavement counsellor, who is ACC accredited, Kay at K Roach Counselling provides a safe space to feel heard and understood. 

For support with baby loss, Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK. Sands ensure anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need it.

Connect with us 

• Have a question for Hazel or a suggestion for a topic for us to cover on the podcast? Tell us about it at [email protected]
• Join our mailing list here
• Visit our website, Facebook or Instagram

Credits 

Host: Hazel Woodward
Producer: Waymaker Consulting and Raindrop Sound Design
Editor: Waymaker Consulting
Music: Raindrop Sound Design

Show Notes

Introduction to God’s Rollercoaster 

The God's Rollercoaster podcast is hosted by Hazel Woodward. Hazel lives in Oxfordshire, England. She loves to learn about people’s stories, sharing in their journeys and fostering the belief that not only do our ups and downs make us who we are, but we should hold on to those things and be proud of our journey.

The idea for the God's Rollercoaster podcast was inspired by the first lockdown of 2020. When speaking with God during this difficult time, He asked Hazel what she most enjoyed doing. As Hazel thought about this question, she reflected on her joy of sharing stories and the powerful impact of doing so. With this, the idea for the God’s Rollercoaster podcast was born.

After reflecting on her own faith journey, and acknowledging the rollercoaster ride of discovery, amazement, highs and lows, Hazel started to gather stories from friends, and even people she’d never met, about their journey and encounters with God in their everyday lives. Inspired by these stories, Hazel set up the God’s Rollercoaster podcast to enable her to share these stories with the world. Hazel encourages her guests to share their stories with openness and authenticity, offering encouragement to other people on their faith adventure, riding the rollercoaster of thrills and spills.

Come and join us – enjoy the ride!

In This Episode: Series 1, Episode 1 - God As Our Father

This episode includes stories from three guests as they each share their stories of how God has interacted with them, showing His deep care for the big dips on our journey, but also the small things that are meaningful to us personally. Join us as we follow Denise, Lena and Nikki as they share talk to us about how they have encountered God through his many ways of talking to us, His healing and forgiving nature and the ways He purposefully reminds us He is there.

Trigger warning 

This episode includes discussion around suicidal thoughts, domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Resource Links

For a down to earth introduction to equip and inspire your prayer life, Pete Greig's book How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People is full of honest, hard-won wisdom interspersed and real-life stories.

To grown and deepen prayer life for you and your community, The Prayer Courseruns an eight week programme covering topics such as unanswered prayer, contemplation and spiritual welfare.

For mental health support, the Association of Christian Counsellors can help you find a Christian counsellor, supervisor or counselling organisation.

Connect with us 

• Have a question for Hazel or a suggestion for a topic for us to cover on the podcast? Tell us about it at [email protected]
• Join our mailing list here
• Visit our website, Facebook or Instagram

Credits 

Host: Hazel Woodward
Producer: Waymaker Consulting and Raindrop Sound Design
Editor: Waymaker Consulting
Music: Raindrop Sound Design