Livin' What You're Given

The host of Truce - History of the Christian Church Podcast, Chris Staron, joins me to talk about what we need to know of the good stuff and bad stuff of Christianity. We haven't been acting very Christ-like in the past few years, Chris tells us. We sometimes do things and make choices but we may not know why. We're going to try and unpack some of that for you today.

We need to know our past in order to understand where we are now, according to Chris. He helps us examine terms like evangelical and fundamental from an historical lens as well as what they mean today. He encourages us to do the work of the Lord and not react to the extreme theologies that have always been around and probably always was will be. There is no real answer in the extreme belief systems. Most people are in the middle, with only about 23% comprising the extreme ends.

He shares his personal belief that if we love others, and discourage fear, we can begin to heal our relationships, especially within the church. Chris challenges us to dialogue with those who think differently from us and to relinquish the need to have the last word. 

In sharing a few tips to walk life as compassionate Christian, Chris suggests we look at how we can talk with and maybe serve those who do not think like, look like and/or worship like us. We are invited to give as our Lord Jesus modeled giving.

Chris Staron is the host of the Truce Podcast; a history show that explores the Christian Church. He’s also the author of the novel “Cradle Robber” and the writer/director of the Christian films “Between the Walls” and “Bringing up Bobby”.  You can hear the Truce Podcast on any platform offering podcasts including Apple, Stitcher and Spotify.

To get his book "Cradle Robber" you can find it wherever you get e-books.

To reach out to Stephen Ray Watts, the musician performing "If You Only Knew" on this episode, go to https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com

Reverend Mark Sowersby talks openly about his choice to forgive and his choice to write a book so others can also walk into the freedom of forgiveness. He says that when he started on this journey he was overwhelmed by the mountain of pain and sorrow. As he learned to lean more on God, he saw that God's mountain of grace, mercy and love were bigger than the mountain of the elements of his abusive past.

He shares how his pain, anger and hurt were all-consuming for part of his life. But he chose to trust one small step, one small pebble at a time. He tells us about his decision to relinquish the victim status in order to walk into freedom. 

He shares some trail markers (practical steps) for us on the path to forgiveness, Including:
Prayer
Love
Trust
Submission
Confidence
Freedom from anger and resentment

To catch up with Rev. Sowersby and/or purchase his book go to Amazon or https://www.forgivingthenightmare.com/

To reach out to Stephen Ray Watts, the musician performing "If You Only Knew" on this episode, go to https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com

In part one of a two-part interview, Reverend Mark Sowersby shares his story of a childhood riddled with abuse of all sorts. He shares about his powerlessness and confusion associated with that abuse. He talks about his struggle with facing the truth of what had happened to him and how his identity was shaped as a victim with a chip on his shoulder. He speaks honestly about his struggle with pride, anger and unwillingness to trust.

In this session Mark shares some information about the myths around forgiveness. And he openly shares why he saw the need to forgive those who had abused him and why he chose to write this book.

We explore these topics and more that are found within the pages of his first book "Forgiving the Nightmare." You can find a link below if you are interested in purchasing this book.

To catch up with Rev. Sowersby and/or purchase his book go to Amazon or https://www.forgivingthenightmare.com/

To reach out to Stephen Ray Watts, the musician performing "If You Only Knew" on this episode, go to https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com 

My guest today, Michelle Lazurek, shares her personal walk with anxiety that led her into understanding her need for total surrender to God. The idea that we are to surrender is indeed a struggle for many people, as is anxiety. 

Through authentic testimony, she helps us understand that it is okay not to be okay. She offers encouragement through her new book, "I Surrender All (Sort of)" for living an honest walk that, although difficult, is the best way to heal and then be an authentic voice for others struggling with healing too.

She speaks about the importance of reaching out for help from professional counseling and the two very important lessons she learned in this process that led to wisdom around surrendering. Showing her vulnerability around what she learned when releasing performance, perfection and pride, she shows that true surrender can be accomplished with God's help and our willingness to do the work. She also shares some practical steps for people who want to begin to adopt a life of surrender.

To learn more about the multiple-genre work Michelle has published including "I Surrender All (Sort of)” go to her website at http://www.michellelazurek.com.  You will find ways there to connect with Michelle, read her blog and purchase her books.

To reach out to Stephen Ray Watts, the musician performing "If You Only Knew" on this episode, go to https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com 

As Easter is just around the corner, we pause to reflect on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this episode Pastor of the Montrose United Methodist Church, Lisa Petty, and I discuss the word resurrection.

According the dictionary the word resurrection means to find something that has been forgotten or lost, or to give new life into something that has died. Is it possible this concept can be used in our daily lives as we choose to resurrect our minds, our attitudes, our souls? Is it possible that we even need to look more closely into this concept?

Sharing insights from a recent message delivered to her congregation, on February 13, 2022, Pastor Lisa poses some questions and even some challenges for us to consider doing just that. Could our lives, relationships and the world be a better place if we were aware that sometimes we need to adjust these areas of our lives for the better?

To find out more about MUMC go to https://www.montroseumc.org/

To hear more of Pastor Lisa's messages online go to https://www.facebook.com/montroseumc.org

To reach out to Stephen Ray Watts, the musician performing "If You Only Knew" on this episode, go to https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com

This week James Early and I ask the question, "Who is this guy, Jesus?" from a modern day perspective. The answers we share are based on our own observations and opinions, only.  But in this friendly and interactive conversation we still want to discuss this from the perspectives of:

Religious leaders of the day.
Politicians 
Business leaders
Followers of Jesus

We are not going to answer the question for the listener. More importantly, we challenge the listener to answer for themselves, "Who is this guy, Jesus?"

To learn more about James Early and his podcast, check him out at https://thebiblespeakstoyou.com/podcast. And he has a special gift for those who have listened to this episode on my podcast if you go to his website https://thebiblespeakstoyou.com/livin/

To reach out to Stephen Ray Watts, the musician performing "If You Only Knew" on this episode, he can be found at: https://dotseroband.com

 The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com 

In this episode my friend James Early and I explore the age old question of "Who is this guy, Jesus?" Different times, different cultures, different people and different religions all have different answers to this question.

This week we pretend we are at the very first Palm Sunday. We walk into the streets of Jerusalem and find a man riding on a donkey, people shouting and waving palm branches. We start asking people what is going on and who this guy on the donkey is. We want to know why everyone is here and what all the fuss is about.  We ask:

Religious leaders of the day.
Politicians - Representatives of Rome
Business leaders
Followers of Jesus

We are not going to answer the question for the listener. But we will share information from what we have available from the Bible. More importantly, we challenge the listener to answer for themselves, "Who is this guy, Jesus?"

To learn more about James Early and his podcast, check him out at https://thebiblespeakstoyou.com/podcast. And he has a special gift for those who have listened to this episode on my podcast if you go to his website https://thebiblespeakstoyou.com/livin/

To reach out to Stephen Ray Watts, the musician performing "If You Only Knew" on this episode, he can be found at: https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com

In our everyday lives, it is hard to imagine what we do or say can and probably does touch souls. On this episode I share the legacy of a pioneer in sacred dance, a woman who was my teacher and mentor. In many ways she deeply touched my soul. And she taught me that the dance can be used as expression to touch the souls of others.

She not only taught me how to do the most soul satisfying dance I've ever done, she showed me how to take no for an answer gracefully and to continue in my own journey as a pioneer in this art form.  Although not often seen as an acceptable worship art when I first started in early 2000's, it is now being offered as prayer, praise and worship in hundreds of congregations in the United States and worldwide.

Please join me as I offer a tribute to a beautiful soul who was sent to earth to touch the souls of many in a powerful way for the glory of God. I pray her story will inspire you to touch the souls of others with your words, actions and mostly with your art.

The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com  

To reach out to Stephen Ray Watts, the musician performing "If You Only Knew" on this episode, he can be found at: https://dotseroband.com

We live in a world where we are called upon to make choices on a daily and maybe even an hourly basis. During the last two years, we have all felt restrictions for our ability to make decisions. But even in the face of restrictions, there are still many decisions we can, should and will be making.

But sometimes our decisions are made on the basis of patterns established from various input sources. These may include childhood memories or teachings. 

Join me as I open season two of Livin' What You're Given with a personal story about one of the messages I received as a young child about why I was not recognized by God. Having carried that message for many years, it was the love of Christian friends and a selfless mentor that helped me move into the reality that I am in fact loved and recognized by God. So are you.

Perhaps this story will strike a chord with one of the listeners out there too. Perhaps it will inspire a person to move toward unpacking the untrue messages and opening themselves to the true messages.

The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com 

To reach out to Stephen Ray Watts, the musician performing "If You Only Knew" on this episode, he can be found at: https://dotseroband.com

I spent ten years as Captain of the Elves on the team called Rebels Without a Claus. During that time, I was privileged to be with some of the most selfless, generous, loving women I've ever known. We were volunteers in making merry, bringing cheer and joy to each Christmas Season in and around the Denver Metro Area. There are hundreds of stories of our adventures that we could share. And in this episode, we have chosen to share a few of those in an effort to help others see that, although we are entertainers to a point, our real job was to bring smiles, hope and joy to the Christmas Holidays that often can be riddled with stress. As the job evolved over a decade, it became clear that this was a ministry of sorts in our communities.

The ladies joining me on this episode bring tales of some of the funniest and the most touching moments they experienced while in costumes as Santa's helpers. As they continue the legacy, even though the Capt. has retired, it is the hope of the team that we not only relate why we do this special work, but that we will inspire listeners to be in service, and maybe even ministry, in some way in your communities too.

Blessings and Merry Christmas from Rebels Without a Claus and their retired Captain.

The song for this episode is called, "The Perfect Gift" and is provided by Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero. Their contact information can be found at https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com