Light In Your Corner

Join Lauren and Monica as we answer 2 new questions pulled from the brown bag.  

1.) What is one thing God is asking you to give up to follow Him?
2.) If you could combine 3 places to make your perfect place, where would you pick?

Sure, John the Baptist was a cool weird nomad who didn’t care what anyone thought of him–but how did his words impact his listeners and what do they mean for us today? Friends, they mean a LOT. Here are just some  of the things we discuss in today’s episode:

• The craziness of taking credit for things that are gifts.
• The importance of teaching our kids (and adults) to share.
• The blessings of living contrary to our flesh.

AND

• Using gratitude as a tool to overcome injustice.

*And an extra little note for our friends listening in public places: people have shared that listening to our podcast causes them to burst into tears or laughter at any given moment. If you are around strangers, or are lifting heavy weights or operating heavy machinery–you have been warned*

ALSO:

• How 5 minutes of concentrating on gratitude can open your eyes to the unfathomable ways God provides for you.
• What it looks like to live your life as a series of experiments.
• How Lauren and Monica approach (or rather, don’t approach) genealogies. It’s fine. We’re fine.

Scripture: Luke 3

Additional sources:

A.J. Jacobs- Thanks a Thousand: https://www.amazon.com/Thanks-Thousand-Gratitude-Journey-Books-ebook/dp/B07CMMHGNN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3H60ZL3P3XG26&keywords=thanks+a+thousand&qid=1694535056&sprefix=thanks+a+thousand%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-1

Calamity Ware: https://calamityware.com/

A.J. Jacobs’s TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/a_j_jacobs_my_journey_to_thank_all_the_people_responsible_for_my_morning_coffee

Your body changes your mind. Your mind changes your behavior. And your behavior changes your outcome. —Lilly learned at Wake Forest running camp. 

Who doesn't like to play "Truth?"  

Join Lauren and Monica as we answer questions pulled out of the "Brown Bag."

Send your answers to the questions to us!  Or post them on our Instagram page.

This week all signs point to LUKE! We are starting a new season in Light In Your Corner where we walk through the book of Luke, and today we spend some extra time with Doubting Zechariah who teaches us some good things about:
- How NOT to respond to angels
- The blessings behind our afflictions and limitations
- The importance of feeding your mind the "good stuff" so you don't live in fear.
- And looking to God when the future is unknown!

Also:
- Do British accents really make stories more credible?
- What is just a thought and what is actually true?
- Instagram preacher accreditation and the importance of preaching the truth in love.

Scripture: Luke 1 (all the parts about Zechariah and his song)

Media:
"Testament" Movie from Angel Studios https://youtu.be/FbbhXnRPhI4?si=Nh-y6b2gQPxt2qJh

Philippians 4:8 "8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Modern Family (Season 7, Episode 19) - S7 E19: Claire and the kids hide a stray dog from Phil, and Gloria invites a new couple over even though Jay says he doesn't want new friends. Meanwhile, Cameron rents out the upstairs apartment to a Christian rock band.

Only Murders in the Building Season 3 https://youtu.be/aaifwVfAf4E?si=FL7EBw2iIlrzcSFn

What does it look like to be sheep under the care of our shepherd?
It looks like:
Having what you need for this day.
Co-working with God.
Mandatory and merciful resting.
Feasting on God's love.
And experiencing eternal goodness starting right now!

Also, stick around after the episode for some BONUS opinions about HGTV stars, renovation shows, and comfort watching!

Additional Light: You are already a masterpiece- YOU ARE.
Do not fear spotlight-eating in front of your haters.
Auntie Anne's insights!

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Media:
Matt Chandler "Psalm 23" Bible Study from RightNow Media
Jordan Raynor "Mere Christians" Podcast (specific episode Anne Beiler- Founder of Auntie Anne's)
"Redeeming Your Time" Book by Jordan Raynor
The Office "Job Fair" Episode (Season 4, Episode 17)
"Slotherhouse" Movie (Out in theaters 2023)
"Hoomania" Movie (1985)
"Better Off...Flipping the Switch on Technology" Book by Eric Brende
"Extreme Makeover- Home Edition" TV Show ABC
"Battle on the Beach" TV Show HGTV
"She and Him" Band

• Trials–we all have them.
• And everyone has advice on how to handle them.
• But how do we know who to listen to? How do we know who is right?
• How do we keep our sanity and peace when things around us aren’t going well? Someone just tell us the right thing to do so we can fix this and move on to something more pleasant!!
• Well the book of James has some direction for us and it isn’t easy, but it is right. 
• Today we are going to talk about how our trials draw us closer to God, and how that is a really good thing for all kinds of reasons, not just for eternity, but even now in our present circumstances.

Also:
Monica’s Souvenir sickness
Wisdom versus answers
Beliefs and actions
God’s tough love

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Media: "Wall-E" Disney/Pixar movie of 2008

Today we are sharing just a taste of how Heidy paraphrases Bible stories as a means of digesting the Word and soothing her mind.  Naturally, she chooses a story of envy, deceit and murder from 1st Kings.  ENJOY!

Scripture: 1 Kings 21

We have some very special guests with us today!

What does it look like to make space for genuine converstaions with our kids?  Today it looks like inviting some of our children into the studio (read: Monica's kitchen) for some Q & A about the Bible in their lives, which streaming services they like best, something they each appreciate about their mom, and much more!  We hope you find it entertaining to listen to the thoughts of these amazing young people.

Action Bible: https://www.amazon.com/Action-Bible-Doug-Mauss/dp/0781444993/ref=asc_df_0781444993/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312178232056&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8042509090679162478&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019035&hvtargid=pla-433865918285&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=60258870937&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312178232056&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8042509090679162478&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019035&hvtargid=pla-433865918285

Hannah Barbera "The Greatest Adventure" Bible Stories https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ6OgzPoBu0

Superbook on RightNow Media: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/230513

Bluey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsFR71pDMXE

Curious George https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sdFtx5gCoI

Only Murders in the Building https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaifwVfAf4E

The Chosen https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjRrI733s2AAxULIrMAHXxlCJAYABAAGgJ5bQ&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz8emBhDrARIsANNJjS5T1--TqJANhr_sO2AJc4d8jmdVux329HxYXGNJDVZmZ4zbrhOlbbEaAqy9EALw_wcB&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESbOD2NoxHA7OMoQNKAVvFa2KyXUV-memxlBN8tKAp0mTW0d3I2G40kYEfxCpXuZnLTddG72MGM7vys_pXaKctCzFmpl2ofK30wi1vcAYIf7NfQLodg6ghL9CHG48ZfaJFhiUcNmAh1zzkIdWUFg&sig=AOD64_3cp9OevPQm7RUMbOzc1F8a3ALJcA&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwi-6Ib33s2AAxXBmYkEHQKkAPEQ0Qx6BAgMEAM&nis=8

Dreams are fun. It’s exciting to plan and contemplate a future where things just work out.  But what happens when the dream fails? 
When the trip is canceled. 
When the “sure thing” falls through.
The relationship just won’t work.
The loved one just won’t get better.
The job isn’t what you thought it would be.

What happens then? 

Thanks for joining us today as we talk about a very dramatic passage in the Bible where things really don’t go as planned, and about what it teaches us about living with God.

Also: Randomly relevant 90's movie references, the Mary-Martha spectrum, and coming to terms with our own forgetfulness.

Scripture: John 19:31-37

Links to Media:
"Holy Posts" Podcast  with VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-holy-post/id591157388
"Legends Of The Fall" Movie: https://youtu.be/QmfxbiMbASI
"Tommy Boy"  video clip: "I Killed My Sale" https://youtu.be/c1EyN9xTK94
Story of Mary & Martha: Luke 10:38-42 and a quiz to see where you land on the spectrum: https://www.strategicrenewal.com/a-five-question-test-are-you-a-martha-or-a-mary/

“Follow me.” Easy enough instructions, until we forget, forsake, or fall flat on our face.

What happens when the call to follow Jesus leads us into territories that cause us to question, to fear, and even to deny His love, wisdom, or power? Can He really use us when we have messed up too many times to count?

Well we have good news for you–God already knows all this and He loves you anyway. Join us today as we discuss the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, and see it played out Jesus-style.

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Media Discussed:
Shauna Niequist "Cold Tangerines" https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Tangerines-Celebrating-Extraordinary-Everyday/dp/031036082X/ref=asc_df_031036082X/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=564641513751&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17368499307243427324&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019035&hvtargid=pla-1363960350168&psc=1

Matt Maher "Take It Easy" song: https://youtu.be/fxPhR_6p6w4

"The Bear" https://youtu.be/gBmkI4jlaIo