What if you were being lied to? Would you want to know? We're going to talk in this episode about listening to the true story, found in the Bible so that we're able to spot the false narratives of the world.

Bible Passage: John 18:1-11 NASB

Freebie:  Get your free Live Like It's True Workbook 

Mentioned Resources: 

• Pointing Fingers, Throwing Rocks Article
• Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control From Seven Women in the Bible
• Get the full-length show notes.

Music: Cade Popkin Music 

The True Story of the Arrest

Whenever you hear the word, "worldview", please know that you're most likely hearing about false narratives and true ones. Jeff Myers says that worldview is “a pattern of ideas, beliefs, convictions, and habits that help us make sense of God, the world, and our relationship to God and the world.”

So our worldview is the story we tell ourselves to make sense of the world we're part of. Worldview is a storytelling word. And so very many people are telling themselves a story that is rooted in a lie, or a false narrative.

So how can we make sure we have the story straight? Well, just like in the story with my son, we first have to consider we might be believing a lie. And then we have to put our story next to the true story—which I hope you believe is the Bible. But even if you don't yet believe the Bible, I would challenge you to read the stories and lay them next to the story you're telling. See which one makes more sense. Many times, when we just take a moment to think about the narratives we're telling ourselves, it doesn't take much to be convinced that we're believing a lie.

 Read more in the full show notes here. 

Care to Share? 

Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with a friend and/or leave your review on Apple Podcasts for a chance to win a "Live Like It's True" t-shirt!

Have a suggestion? You can contact me here. I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks so much for listening! 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

When somebody is being arrested, who's the person with the power? Who seems to be in control? Ordinarily, you'd think it was the guy putting the handcuffs on, right? Not the one with his hands behind his back. But when Jesus of Nazareth comes out into the open and faces hundreds of soldiers who are waiting to arrest him, it might look at first glance like he's just stepped into a trap, but I think by the end of this conversation you're going to see that—even in his arrest, Jesus was completely in control.

And at the end of this episode, I'm going to invite you to live like that is true.

I’m thankful that I got to sit down with my new friend Lindsay Schott to talk about The True Story of the Arrest, captured in John 18:1-11.

Guest: Lindsay Schott

Bible Passage: John 18:1-11.

Freebie:  Get your free Live Like It's True Workbook 

Mentioned Resources: 

• Trying: Reflections on Faith Through Infertility, Miscarriage, and Loss.
• Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control From Seven Women in the Bible
• Get the full-length show notes.

Music: Cade Popkin Music

Guest: Lindsay Schott

Lindsay is a watercolorist, Bible teacher, and co-creator of the Women's Teaching Program at Stonegate Church. She has a passion for women to be equipped to know the scripture and teach it effectively to others. Lindsay's also the co-author of Trying: Reflections on Faith Through Infertility, Miscarriage, and Loss. She had her husband, Landon, live in the Dallas area with their four children, Hannah, Ruby, Piper and Ben.

Find more from Lindsay:  

• lschottartistry.com
• Book: Trying: Reflections on Faith Through Infertility, Miscarriage, and Loss.
• Instagram
• Facebook

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

How do you behave during suspenseful movie scenes? I tend to make lots of noise, and call out to the characters on screen who can't hear me (which drives my kids nuts). Today we're going to revisit and retell the suspenseful scene where Jesus is seated next to the one who will betray him: Judas.

Bible Passage: John 13:17-30

Freebie:  Get your free Live Like It's True Workbook 

Mentioned Resources: 

• Article and video about the seating arrangement of the last supper
• Instructions for observing Passover
• Offering of the Sop
• Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World
• Get the full-length show notes.

Music: Cade Popkin Music 

The True Story of Judas

From a storytelling perspective, this is an amazing scene of suspense. There's a dinner party. The Rabbi and his followers have gathered in an upper room, and we're looking in—knowing that something is about to happen. Our author, John, has already let us know that Judas is going to betray Jesus, and Satan has entered him.

But then, as we watch the scene unfold, we see Jesus seat Judas beside him in the seat of honor at the feast. 

I've linked to a video that really helped me understand the customary way of seating around a triclinium, which was a low u-shaped table that had cushions around it. The guests would lean in on their left sides, and their seating arrangement was according to greatness.

Read more in the full show notes here. 

Care to Share? 

Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with a friend and/or leave your review on Apple Podcasts for a chance to win a "Live Like It's True" t-shirt!

Have a suggestion? You can contact me here. I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks so much for listening! 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Have you ever watched someone betray Jesus? Have you felt the pain and shock of watching someone among you—someone who seemed to be a follower of God—turn against Him? This can be confusing and disorienting, but what if it's true that Jesus knows exactly what is in each of our hearts?  As we talk about the True Story of Judas, that's what we're going to find. And amazingly, even the story of Judas can be fuel for our faith. 

Guest: Lee Nienhuis

Bible Passage: John 13:17-30

Free Resource:  Get your "Live Like It's True Workbook" 

Mentioned Resources: 

• Brave Moms, Brave Kids by Lee Nienhuis
• Countercultural Parenting by Lee Nienhuis
• Comparison Girl by Shannon Popkin
• Control Girl by Shannon Popkin
• Get the full-length show notes.

Music: Cade Popkin Music

 Lee Nienhuis

Lee has been engaging people through the Word for close to two decades. It has been her honor to speak at Youth and Women’s events, conferences, workshops, and church events.  Lee is an author and passionate Bible teacher.  She is a Communications Specialist for Moms in Prayer International and the first Host of the Moms in Prayer Podcast and the Co-host of The Martha and Mary Show.

Lee's books, Brave Moms, Brave Kids (2018) and Countercultural Parenting (2020), published by Harvest House, have helped countless parents gain a biblical perspective on parenting a godly and countercultural generation. Lee and her husband, Mike, have been married 21 years. Mike and Lee have four great kids who make her need Jesus. Lee loves hot cups of coffee, laughing till her sides ache, and Jesus. 

Find more from Lee:  

• LeeNienhuis.com
• Podcasts: Moms in Prayer International Podcast and The Martha and Mary Show
• Books: Brave Moms, Brave Kids and Countercultural Parenting
• Instagram
• Facebook

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Here in this True Story of Easter Series, we're talking about the King who is a Lamb; Jesus is the lamb who dies so the people go free. Today, we're going to talk about several metaphors that the Bible uses, which I hope will shed new light on this amazing story which I'm going to retell—with Jesus gathering his disciples in the upper room to celebrate the Passover, the night before his crucifixion.

Bible Passage: Luke 22:7-20

Freebie:  Get your free Live Like It's True Workbook 

Mentioned Resources: 

•  The True Story of the Lamb with Erin Davis
• Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World
• Get the full-length show notes.

 Music: Cade Popkin Music

The True Story of the Lamb

Here in the True Story of the Lamb, Jesus is showing us that he is the Lamb of God, who rescues his people. Understanding this image is a little more complicated, though. With a vine and branches, we immediately understand the metaphor. But we don't look at a lamb with its fluffy white wool and say, "Yes, I see! A lamb is a deliverer." To understand the metaphor, we have to understand the history of the nation of Israel. We have to look back at an event called the Passover.

I hope you were able to listen to my conversation with Erin Davis, where we talked about this at length. It was such a rich conversation!

Here's how an image of a lamb connects to the concept of deliverance, you have to know about the Israelites who were slaves in Egypt for four hundred years. And you have to know about how—per God's instructions—they all smeared the blood of the lamb on the door that they escaped through the next day. Without the lamb's blood, the angel would not have passed over. They would have experienced death in their household, not deliverance and freedom.

Read more in the full show notes here.

 Care to Share?

Hey, if you're loving the podcast, would you consider taking two minutes (here's a link to Apple Podcasts) to rate and review? This allows it to be seen by others (and it's a huge encouragement to me!).

Have a suggestion? You can contact me here. I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks so much for listening! 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

If you were invited to a special dinner party, where the honored guests gathering around the table are all friends of Jesus who will be participating in a symbolic reenactment of the most important day in the history of the world, would you go? 

What I've just described is communion, or the "meal of remembrance" which Jesus instated, during a very special dinner party he shared with his disciples the night before he was crucified.

On season two of Live Like It's True, we're talking about the True Story of Easter, and in this episode, we're going to talk about that dinner party (some call it the Last Supper), found in Luke 22.

Guest: Erin Davis

Bible Passage: Luke 22:7-20

Freebie:  Get your free Live Like It's True Workbook 

Mentioned Resources: 

• 7 Feasts (See instructions below on how to win)
• Comparison Girl by Shannon Popkin
• Grounded Videocast (with Revive Our Hearts)
• The Deep Well Podcast
• Fasting and Feasting by Erin Davis
•  Get the full-length show notes. 

 Music: Cade Popkin Music

Erin Davis

Erin is a writer and teacher passionately committed to getting women of all ages to the deep well of God's Word. She is the author of more than a dozen books and Bible studies, including Connected, Beyond Bath Time, and 7 Feasts and the host of The Deep Well podcast and Grounded videocast with Revive Our Hearts. When she’s not writing, you can find Erin chasing chickens and children on her small farm in the Midwest.

Find more from Erin:  

• ErinDavis.org
• Grounded Videocast (with Revive Our Hearts)
• The Deep Well Podcast
• Instagram
• Facebook

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

How do you respond when God allows you to get hurt? How do you pray after he fails to prevent the pain you're experiencing? Or when he fails to do the thing that would seem most consistent with his kind and loving character?

Bible Passage: John 11:38-44 and12:10-11 

Freebie:  Get your free False Narrative Watchlist 

Mentioned Resources: 

• Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control From Seven Women in the Bible
• Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World
• Get the full-length show notes.

 Music: Cade Popkin Music

The True Story of Lazarus

The two women in our story today are experiencing this very thing. Mary and Martha both know Jesus could have prevented their brother from dying, but he didn't show up. Then when he shows up four days late, they say, "Jesus, if you were here..." They don't say but seem to imply: "Why didn't you come? Don't you care?"

In this True Story of Easter Series we're talking through some pieces of the story which make us look at Jesus with jaw-dropping astonishment. He doesn't do what we expect him to do. And this story is no exception. I'm going to be talking through some of the story elements that we find in John 11 and 12, and then I'll be retelling the True Story of Lazarus.

Read more in the full show notes here.

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Are you going through something really painful right now? Are you wondering, "Why, Jesus? Why didn't you intervene?"

There are two sisters named Mary and Martha, in our story today, who are asking that very question after the death of their brother, Lazarus. As we discuss the plot twists found in this True Story of Lazarus from John 11:38-44 and12:10-11, I think you're going to notice that Jesus loved these sisters, and Jesus knew how their story was going to turn out. 

What if this was true about you, as well?  

Guest: Mary Kassian

Bible Passage: John 11:38-44 and12:10-11 

Free Resource:  Live Like It's True Workbook 

Mentioned Resources: 

• The Right Kind of Confidence
• Girls Gone Wise
• Divine Design

Extended Shownotes: Episode 12

About: Live Like It's True Podcast

About: Host Shannon Popkin

 Music: Cade Popkin Music

We are kicking off a brand new season of Live Like It's True! Each week, we'll be looking at one part of the Easter story. 

You might be thinking, "Wait, I didn't think the story of Lazarus had anything to do with Easter..." Well, I didn't either, until I took a closer look. But by the end of our conversation, I hope you'll see that what happens in response to the healing of Lazarus were the carefully laid dominos which began to topple and lead to the cross.

Mary A. Kassian is an award-winning author and Bible teacher who speaks to women around the world about living out their faith and especially what it means to be a woman according to God's design. She has published several books and Bible studies including The Right Kind of Confident, The Right Kind of Strong, Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild and Conversation Peace. Mary and her family reside in Canada.

Find more from Mary:  

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter

GET YOUR FREE LIVE LIKE IT'S TRUE WORKBOOK

More from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True. 

Get the FREE Judgy Heart Check and check out Shannon's new book Kinda Judgy. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Hey, hey! Welcome back to another season of Live Like It's True! This season, we're discussing the True Story of Easter. 

Where else can I listen to the podcast?

Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple, Google, Spotify, and more.

FREE RESOURCE: The Live Like It's True Workbook

Mentioned:

• • "About Me" (Which includes a new family photo.)
  • Extended shownotes.
  • Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World
  • Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control From Seven Women in the Bible
  • Finding the Lost by Kenneth Bailey
  • Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg

Music: Cade Popkin Music

Have you ever wondered why Jesus didn't tie everything together for his disciples? Why did Jesus not simply say, "I'm God's Son. I'm here to die for you so that you can be reconciled with God and have eternal life"? That's the question I'm exploring, as we kick off a new season of the podcast, focused on the True Story of Easter.

Get the extended shownotes here.

Care to Share?

Hey, if you're loving the podcast, would you consider taking two minutes (here's a link to Apple Podcasts) to rate and review? This allows it to be seen by others (and it's a huge encouragement to me!).

GET YOUR FREE LIVE LIKE IT'S TRUE WORKBOOK

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

How can you stir up curiosity in someone who thinks the story of Jesus is irrelevant to their lives—especially at Christmas time?

We're welcoming Darin and Joy Stevens, who live in the UK, where it's not that people are against God; they just don't think he's relevant. So what can we learn from their experience as we engage an increasingly post-Christian culture and yet still seek to stir souls with the True Story of Jesus Christ? 

Guest: Darin and Joy Stevens

• Instagram
• Facebook

Mentioned Resources:

• StarttoStir
• Five Ways to Keep the Conversation Going at "Start to Stir"
• Gospel Fluency by Jeff Vanderstelt
• I told a story about "Running from Faucet to Faucet" which you can read here.

Music: Cade Popkin Music 

Sharing the Story at Christmas

In this bonus Christmas episode, we're going to focus in on sharing the story of the Bible with others. This time of year offers us some unique opportunities. 

I told a story about my son going from faucet to faucet, looking for hot water. That's what people do, don't they? And Christmas is a time when people are more aware than usual of their empty bucket, and their endless  frustration—partly because of what they think Christmas should be like.

So as we interact with extended family, or attend parties, or connect with neighbors, how can we look for opportunities this Christmas to talk about the true story of God? How can we make the story relevant?

Guest Darin and Joy Stevens
Darin and Joy have served in youth ministries in the UK for over twenty years and have  launched a new "StarttoStir" ministry, helping everyday people like us stir up curiosity in those who are seemingly disinterested in faith. How can we ask good questions and keep the conversation going (instead of shutting it down)? And how do we find a point of relevancy, for even bringing up something related to the Gospel?

Make sure you stick around till the end where Darin shared five different things we can look for to stir up conversations about faith.

LIVE the Story

One of the ways you live like the story is true is by having an urgency to share it with others. If it's true that people we love are lost, and that their sin separates them from God, won't we do whatever we can to help them find the true story? As Darin said, each person has a soul. We can count on that! So let's find ways to stir up curiosity, this Christmas, in the people God has places in our paths. Let's use good questions, and look for points of relevancy. Let's invite people into the story at God so much wants them to know.

Full Shownotes

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.