Moments that Matter

This week, as we embark on the second episode of our special series, Books that Matter, we have the great privilege of speaking with Dr. Jonathan Sircy.  A dear friend, colleague, professor, and previous guest on this podcast, Dr. Sircy shares one of his favorite books, the J.D. Salinger novel, Franny and Zooey.  Perhaps as you listen you will find as much meaning as he has through this tale of two sisters searching for purpose, significance, and direction.  Visit Amazon or your favorite book retailer for more information on the author and to secure your own copy.

In a new spinoff series, Moments that Matter is focusing a number of episodes toward books that have had a significant impact in the lives of those around us.  In our first installment, Dr. Teresa Williams shares about a book that she recently read called Messy Minimalism: Realistic Strategies for the Rest of Us by Rachelle Crawford.  This is a book that provides practical wisdom toward decluttering a busy life when time is a premium and reveals that it is possible to live as a minimalist even with a growing family and busy calendar.  More than anything this book seeks to create a life that makes ample space and time for the important things.  Teresa shares the impact that it has made in her own life and that of her family.  You can find your own copy on Amazon in both a digital or print form.

This is the second of a two part episode this week featuring Dr. Paul Shotsberger and his interview with Dr. Oleksandr (Sasha) Vasylevskyy, a dear friend and Ukrainian citizen.  Sasha was in the United States when the attacks on his home country began and his family has now fled to safety in Poland.  You will not only hear the perspective of one closest to the tragedies unfolding in Ukraine but also how Putin is viewed with his years of aggressive build-up to this present war.

As the war with Russia rages on, Ukraine remains in every headline and news story.  Get the latest updates with Dr. Paul Shotsberger along with what continued fighting means for Ukraine, Russia, and the world.  This is the first of a two part episode, finishing with a special interview with Sasha, a friend and Ukrainian citizen, displaced due to the ongoing attack on Ukraine.

In this episode, we have the privilege of talking with Lauren Schaupp, daughter of missionaries to East Africa, who spent her early years in the vast expanses of Kenya and Ethiopia. She attended Southern Wesleyan University, majoring in biology, and has a passion for all things outdoors. Lauren belongs to a rare group of elites who have thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and has all the stories to go along with her great journey. Join us today as we travel along the trail with Lauren for all 2,193.1 miles of wild adventure and be sure to catch her additional long-distance hiking plans in the future.

Over the last few weeks Ukraine has become increasingly front and center in global news, especially as the present target of Russia’s aggression.  For those who know Dr. Paul Shotsberger or have been following this podcast, you are aware of his serving as a missionary in Ukraine from 2002 until 2009.  As events have unfolded overseas, I have not only found his wisdom to be incredibly perceptive but also his foretelling of events has been eerily accurate.  Today we have a chance to talk with Dr. Shotsberger and gain a better understanding of what is happening behind the front lines in Ukraine. To support ongoing relief efforts in Ukraine, consider visiting Ministry to Educate and Equip International, Transforming Nations, or Verified Ways to Help in Ukraine from Euromaidan Press.

With all eyes on Ukraine and Russia, our very own Dr. Paul Shotsberger was recently interviewed regarding the ongoing crisis. For those who are followers of this podcast you are well aware of Dr. Shotsberger’s time as a missionary in Ukraine from 2002 until 2009. He maintains a number of friends there in his continued service with the organization in which he served and has been receiving frequent updates of the conditions with Kyiv.  Today he was interviewed by Dr. Mark Wilson and provides some clarity on the situation in Ukraine as well as how best to pray for those in the path of danger. You can find the map he referenced at the following link: Russian Incursion within Ukraine.

Our guest this week is Dr. David Conley, Lecturer in Performing Arts at Clemson University. He earned his doctorate at Covenant Seminary, where he completed a dissertation on the theology of Tolkien, Lewis and others. He was also a double major in Music and English Literature, the first which has been his vocation, and the second has been his avocation. In his vocation, he is choral director of and lead arranger for the pop ensembles TakeNote and Tigeroar at Clemson, as well as an Instructor of Music Theory, Pop Choral Arranging and Music Appreciation. In his avocation, he is the founder of Inklings Abroad, and for the past 20 years he has led groups across the pond to tour places like Oxford, Cornwall, Scotland, Ireland and other Inklings-connected sites around Europe, digging deep into the history of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and all things Inklings.  For more information on Dr. Conley and the trips he leads, feel free to visit Inklings Abroad and their Facebook page of the same name.

This week we join a previously recorded talk with a dear friend and former guest on this podcast, Natasha Dongell. This past week Natasha addressed the students at Southern Wesleyan University in their weekly chapel service as she expanded upon a chapter from Dr. Paul Shotsbergers newest book, A Love Letter to Twentysomethings Everywhere. As you listen you will hear her heart and desire for God’s greatest work to fill His people in these present days.

Dr. Paul Shotsberger, on the heels of our recent interview regarding his new book, A Love Letter to Twentysomethings Everywhere, had the opportunity to address the students at Southern Wesleyan University for their weekly chapel service. Today we get to hear some of his most transformative stories shared in a new light along with God’s heart for his people as they attempt to adult well. To get your own copy of his latest book, visit WIPF and Stock Publishers or Amazon.