"See A Need. Take Action."

My guest for today's episode is absolutely no one. Friends, it's just me. I wanted to discuss a topic that's been on my heart for the last several months.

Over the summer I was asked to write an article for the Christmas issue of World Vision magazine and talk about how all of us can do something powerful in the world when we operate from a place of radical generosity.

"See A Need. Take Action."  My guest for today's episode is absolutely no one. Friends, it's just me. I wanted to discuss a topic that's been on my heart for the last several months.  Over the summer I was asked to write an article for the Christmas issue of World Vision magazine and talk about how all of us can do something powerful in the world when we operate from a place of radical generosity. As I brainstormed what to write about, I thought about a sweet little book Rooney has in her room about St. Nicholas of Myra. We read it here and there throughout the year, but now it carries a special meaning for our family this holiday season. The book tells the story of the 4th century Christian bishop who inspired the Christmas gift-giving character of Santa Claus. Born in Patara, a land that is part of present-day Turkey, circa 280 A.D., a man left with a large sum of money when his parents passed away used it to help the poor. After his own death in 344, the legend of his generosity grew. St. Nicholas transformed into the fabled character Santa Claus, the beloved old man who brings presents to children around the world on Christmas Eve. Over the years, while advertising and culture have popularized the image of the jolly, red-suited sleigh operator, many influences have made Santa what he is today. It's surprising how easy it can be to get caught up in the commercialization of Christmas and lose sight of what is truly important. I'm guilty of working tirelessly to try and set the right tone and atmosphere for my family during the holiday, without thinking beyond what lies inside and what hangs outside the four walls of our home. We end up devoting a lot of time and energy into placing decorations, preparing events, preserving traditions and planning meaningful experiences for those closest to us, all the while missing the real blessing that comes from thinking like the original St. Nick. If we aren't careful, our attention can quickly switch to a focus on what we want, leaving little room for thinking of others and what they need. This year, our family decided to take a few intentional steps back to realign our hearts with the true meaning of Christmas and the spirit of the legendary gift-giver. We wanted to make some changes this holiday season to awaken the joy that comes with generosity. It was time to decide, as a family, how we could ask, "What can we give?" instead of, "What can we get?" So we decided to do what I'm calling a SANTA Switch.  See A Need. Take Action. We're going to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas by:  1) encouraging each other to notice the needs of others and then 2) empowering each other to meet those needs Check out today's episode to find out how you can make the SANTA Switch a fun and intentional Christmas tradition that flips the focus from "What can I get?" to "What can I GIVE?"

“Jesus is everything. The faster you figure out that you can’t do it on your own, and that you need him, the far better off you’ll be.”

Today’s guest is Christy Fay. Alongside her husband, Christy co-pastors Arcadia City Church in the Phoenix area. She loves seeing people engage with Jesus and their communities. There is nothing she would rather do than partner with God in the restorative work He is doing in the world.

"Jesus is everything. The faster you figure out that you can't do it on your own, and that you need him, the far better off you'll be." Today's guest is Christy Fay. Alongside her husband, Christy co-pastors Arcadia City Church in the Phoenix area. She loves seeing people engage with Jesus and their communities.  There is nothing she would rather do than partner with God in the restorative work He is doing in the world.  She's got four children and a husband who make her world go round. Other than her role as God's daughter, image-bearer, and Kingdom warrior, she feels most proud to be a wife and mom.  She's the author of two studies, Reclaimed: Uncovering Your Worth, which centers on the five women in the lineage of Jesus and I Have To: Chasing What Sets Your Soul on Fire, a journey through the Scriptures that helps us find that "thing" that God designed us to do. Christy discusses the challenges she faced during her younger years and how they prepared her for life as an adult woman who wants to walk in her purpose. She has a lot of advice for the moms out there who want to guide their children to pursue their kingdom assignments and prioritize eternity over earthly success.

"If you just show up, lead yourself to Jesus, surrender your daughter, and do the best that you can, that is all the Lord asks of us." Today's guest is Stacey Thacker. We had Stacey on the show last year and she's back to share some updates with us. Stacey's a wife and the mother of four girls. The author of six books, she is also a Bible teacher and loves to connect with women and encourage them in their walks with God. You can find her blogging at staceythacker.com and hanging out on Instagram (@staceythacker), usually with a cup of coffee in her hand. Last time Stacey and I saw each other was the first time we had ever actually met in person. I was in Dallas speaking for Dare to Dream and she happened to be there speaking at First Euless Church and I got to attend. It was also the last time we both got to see our dear friend, Wynter, in person. I just cherish that night so deeply. Stacey's been through a lot in the last couple of years. Her husband, Mike, experienced an extreme medical emergency early last year, and we talked about how God showed up as Stacey did her best to navigate herself and her daughters through so many unknowns. Her personal and professional responsibilities shifted a lot over the last several months, and she released the second resource in the Girlfriends' Guide to the Bible study last month, "When Grace Walks In," which focuses on the book of Ephesians. Stacey expertly teaches through Paul's letter so that women can better understand the story of God's rescue of His people, but also how the gospel should affect our lives and inform our decisions.

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”

 

Today’s guest is Yewande O’Neal, a passionate advocate for people to discover who they were created to be. Yewande loves to see people walk in their God given purpose and do it with excellence. She lives to seek God’s kingdom first, and doing so has transformed her life in many ways, which you’ll hear about today.

 

Yewande started her career in the corporate world with the General Electric Company. She earned numerous awards and certifications in her 12 years with GE. She climbed the leadership ladder and became Executive General Manager, leading over 200 employees all over the world.

 

After working in the corporate world for several years, Yewande felt God tug her heart and she founded Women of Kairos in 2015 – Non-profit organization focused on helping women move into and in their purpose. I’m honored to be speaking at this year’s Women of Kairos conference on October 13th in Atlanta.  

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it."   Today's guest is Yewande O'Neal, a passionate advocate for people to discover who they were created to be. Yewande loves to see people walk in their God given purpose and do it with excellence. She lives to seek God's kingdom first, and doing so has transformed her life in many ways, which you'll hear about today.   Yewande started her career in the corporate world with the General Electric Company. She earned numerous awards and certifications in her 12 years with GE. She climbed the leadership ladder and became Executive General Manager, leading over 200 employees all over the world.   After working in the corporate world for several years, Yewande felt God tug her heart and she founded Women of Kairos in 2015 - Non-profit organization focused on helping women move into and in their purpose. I'm honored to be speaking at this year's Women of Kairos conference on October 13th in Atlanta.

"For the sake of your kids, your future kids, you have to stop." 

 

Today’s guest is Sarah Bragg. Sarah lives in Georgia with her husband Scott and their two beautiful girls, Sinclair and Rory. She worked in full-time ministry for more than 8 years and then alongside those who are in the ministry trenches for more than 10 years with Orange. She’s a graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary and author of the book, Body. Beauty. Boys. The Truth About Girls and How We See Ourselves. 

 

She is currently Orange’s content director for the Live a Better Story small group curriculum. You can also find her on iTunes hosting one of my favorite podcasts -- Surviving Sarah -- where she has great conversations with different people in order to help women enjoy and survive where they are in life. 

 

During today’s episode, Sarah and I catch up about what’s going on over at the Bragg house for back to school, what the transitions to the 3rd and 5th grades has been like for her girls, and the simple motto she used to send her kids off to school this year: “Be brave. Be kind.”

 

Sarah unpacks her earlier challenges with identity and body image and reveals how the Lord walked alongside her through periods of struggle. She also shares how her writing and professional work impacts her approach to parenting her girls.

 

There is a ton of wisdom in this week’s interview. Don’t miss it!

"For the sake of your kids, your future kids, you have to stop."    Today's guest is Sarah Bragg. Sarah lives in Georgia with her husband Scott and their two beautiful girls, Sinclair and Rory. She worked in full-time ministry for more than 8 years and then alongside those who are in the ministry trenches for more than 10 years with Orange. She's a graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary and author of the book, Body. Beauty. Boys. The Truth About Girls and How We See Ourselves.    She is currently Orange's content director for the Live a Better Story small group curriculum. You can also find her on iTunes hosting one of my favorite podcasts -- Surviving Sarah -- where she has great conversations with different people in order to help women enjoy and survive where they are in life.    During today's episode, Sarah and I catch up about what's going on over at the Bragg house for back to school, what the transitions to the 3rd and 5th grades has been like for her girls, and the simple motto she used to send her kids off to school this year: "Be brave. Be kind."   Sarah unpacks her earlier challenges with identity and body image and reveals how the Lord walked alongside her through periods of struggle. She also shares how her writing and professional work impacts her approach to parenting her girls.   There is a ton of wisdom in this week's interview. Don't miss it!