Hope Unyielding

Laurie Fowler was content with her quiet life in rural Maine with three kids, twenty acres of land, and a garden. So when her husband returned from an unexpected trip to Ecuador with a strong calling to go back as a missionary, her heart resisted. In lieu of a tenth wedding anniversary vacation, she reluctantly accompanied her husband to Ecuador to experience the country. On this trip, she had a powerful encounter with God in an airplane flying over the Amazon River, in which he assured her not only that this was his plan for her, but that she would be happy. Laurie and her family lived in Ecuador for fourteen years as missionaries, and God was faithful to his promise in the airplane. And ultimately, He showed her that he always has something better planned for us than we could imagine.

Laurie is a follower of Jesus and has used her gifts in her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, writer, Bible teacher, speaker, musician, missionary, pastor’s wife, small group host, mentor, and friend. She enjoys walking in all seasons, hospitality, reading, and quiet early mornings observing how God works in everyday life through what she observes out her kitchen window. You can find her observations and encouragement on Instagram.

On today's episode, Shane O'Neill shares about how Jesus saved him out of drug addiction and transformed his life. Jesus showed Himself to Shane as the God who is not indifferent to our pain, but who feels with us when we hurt. His story is one of beautiful transformation, and you don't want to miss it!

Shane O’Neill is a follower of Jesus who loves reading, writing, building friendships, climbing, and the summer season. Shane is a missionary kid who was born in the Philippines, though he didn’t meet Jesus until age 19. Since that time Shane has gotten an undergraduate degree in biblical studies and a masters degree in apologetics. Shane works as the editorial director for a sexual integrity non-profit called Proven Ministries and hosts a podcast called The Naked Gospel.

Link to sermon by Charles Spurgeon mentioned in the episode: The Compassion of Jesus

What is it like to have a near death experience? 
If we saw more miracles in the West, would more believe? 
Why is it so hard to love others, and what do we do about it? 
Does true freedom lie in self-actualization? 
My favorite author, Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, answers all of these questions and more in this very special episode of Hope Unyielding.  

Special thanks to Bruce Johnson for playing the role of Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Music: Jeanne in a Waltz, Adobe Stock Music 

I struggled with chronic depression for the better part of my twenties, and in that struggle, one of my most frequent emotions was shame. I especially experienced shame when I counted my blessings and still found myself unable to find joy in the many gifts God had given me.

Today, I share 3 things I learned about fighting depression when the practice of gratefulness backfired.  I pray that my story would both encourage you and help you find a way forward if you are struggling with depression.

If you think this episode would encourage someone you love, please pass it along. For more stories of God’s faithfulness in the midst of dark and difficult times, subscribe on Apple Podcasts and follow the Hope Unyielding Podcast on Instagram. 

Writer and artist Veronica McDonald shares her journey from atheism to becoming a follower of Jesus. Her story is one of beautiful transformation, and whether you are a Christian, an atheist, or an agnostic, there’s something in here for you today!

Veronica McDonald is a published fiction writer, poet, artist, and editor, with an M.A. in Literature. Veronica became a born-again Christian in July 2016 when Jesus saved her from anxiety, depression, and a nihilistic worldview. In 2019, Veronica started a literary and art journal called Heart of Flesh, where she publishes Christian-themed literature, poetry, art, and photography from writers and artists around the world. She just recently began working on editing and publishing a literary magazine for children, called Pure in Heart Stories. Veronica currently lives in Mobile, Alabama with her husband and three children.  Check out her work at http://veronicamcdonald.com/

Veronica’s story points so clearly to the goodness and beauty of Jesus, and I want to get her story out to as many people as possible! So if you have a minute, please share this episode on your favorite social media platform. 

Peace is something that we all desire, yet often feels elusive in today’s world. Even before the pandemic hit, the fast pace of American culture combined with the ever-increasing usage of technology has many of us feeling frantic and frazzled. Cheryl Elton has made it a life goal to pursue Christ’s perfect peace, and today she shares what she has learned through Scripture and experience about finding peace in a chaotic world. 

Cheryl is an award-winning author, an accomplished freelance writer, a speaker, and a blogger. Active in Christian ministry since high school, she’s gained much experience teaching, counseling, and sharing God’s truth with people of all ages and walks of life.

Cheryl served as a home fellowship leader for 25 years, and spent several years on the mission field in a leadership role.

Today, her efforts as a communicator focus on encouraging Christians toward a deeper, richer relationship with God.

An avid figure skater, Cheryl also has produced instructional DVDs for ice dancing. Off the ice she enjoys music, reading, playing the piano, bike riding, stage shows, caramel lattes, and spending time with her family.

I’m excited to be giving away one copy of Cheryl’s book Pathway of Peace. If you’d like to enter, shoot me an email at [email protected] with “peace” in the subject line. Make sure to enter by midnight on March 25, 2021, and I’ll put you in the drawing.

Learn more about Cheryl at www.cherylelton.com   

Her book, Pathway of Peace: Living in a Growing Relationship with Christ, is available on her website, and can be ordered through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.  

Cheryl is available to speak at churches, women’s conferences, small groups, or book clubs in the Albany/Upstate New York area.  

On this episode, I share stories of God's miraculous intervention while I battled deep depression during my time teaching in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia.
 
God had called me to Russia at age twelve, and since then, it had been a place of awe and purpose, of romance and transcendence. But my fifth time there, I was surprised  and disillusioned when my joy was smothered by depression.

But God pierced the darkness, illuminating my path through Tatarstan with the continual revelation of His care for me through specific, truly divine interventions.

In this episode, I talk all about these divine interventions that bear witness to what a personal God He is.

If you want to read more about my time in Tatarstan, here are some of my favorite blog posts I wrote while I was there:

On Loneliness

The Land of Seven Fridays

Russia: The Best Boot Camp for People-Pleasers

Alicia Purdy shares her story about God’s faithfulness in her life as an unwed mother who longed to be married. She grew up as a pastor’s kid in a very sheltered home. In college, she found that her sheltered childhood led to immaturity in relationships that resulted in heartbreak and rebounding, and in graduate school, she got pregnant while unmarried. Alicia shares her journey from searching for identity and fulfillment in what didn’t satisfy to finally surrendering her will and desires to the Lord, how He transformed her from the inside out, and how He answered the many cries of her heart—on every front.

Alicia Purdy is a full-time writer, musician, and speaker with an M.A. in Journalism. Her passion is to write about real life and a real faith in a real Jesus to inspire, encourage and entertain people from all walks of life.You can learn more about Alicia’s work including her book, The Way of the Worshipper, at her worship-based blog: TheWayoftheWorshipper.com and at https://purdyalicia.com/

If you're a millennial or Gen-Z, you may feel like you are constantly in transition. My friend and roommate, Rebecca Loomis, knows this feeling well, having moved and changed jobs multiple times in the last year and a half.

Rebecca shares her story of walking through constant transition and how God showed Himself faithful in every unexpected twist and turn along the way. She also gives some great book recommendations!

*PSA*: Becca is also an amazing photographer. Make sure to check out her work at rebeccaloomisphotography.com or on Instagram @rebeccaloomisphotography.

I love a good love story, especially when God's fingerprints are all over it! In this special Valentine's Day episode, my friends Dan and Fatin Chevrette share their beautiful, unexpected love story and offer hope, encouragement, and wisdom to those struggling in the waiting.