Life is full of ups and downs. In today's episode we get to hear how faith in Jesus helped Maureen in the ups and downs of her life. She shares how Jesus helped her fight through heartache, panic attacks, anxiety, and anger during several periods of unraveling. It is so important to remember that as Christians, Jesus does not always take the tough seasons away.. most of the time he uses those tough circumstances to draw us close to him and show us his greatness. I hope you are encouraged to keep fighting the battle as you listen to Maureen share her story.

Psalm 107

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—

Bobby is a talented musician, bold truth teller, a loving husband and a new daddy. In his story, Bobby shares how he was very content living in a lifestyle of selling and consuming marijuana when God's love for him suddenly broke through. Faith opened his eyes to his reality and need for grace. In the second half of the interview, Bobby shares a very relatable testimony of God's continued grace amidst his struggles with returning to sin and the resulting shame.

I think so many of us can relate to Bobby's experience of God's grace when we keep returning to the worldly fabricated pleasures of sin and needing to fight for faith. It reminds me of the scripture in which Paul encourages Timothy to fight the good fight of faith. Faith takes fighting for and praise be to Him who will present us before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy. I'm sure glad he doesn't give up on us!

My heart felt like it was going to stop a few times as I was listening to Stephanie share her story. Stephanie grew up in an atheist home with a neglectful drug addicted family. She mocked God for the early part of her life. In a turn of events, Stephanie got trapped in a horrible abusive marriage with a husband who forced her to read the Bible every day but twisted the words out of context to enslave her. A surprising concussion shook her out of believing the lie that her husband was her only hope. She shares how she woke up to the beautiful gospel message that she could be free and loved always forever. From all appearances, you would never know that Stephanie carried such a past with her, and I am so grateful that she courageously shares her painful story on this podcast.

In her early twenties, Brooke was a skeptic with no direction. She ended up working at a restaurant with 6 crazy Bible believers. Through their genuine interest, investment, and care for her, Brooke came to question her lack of belief. Over a period of a year and a half, Brooke came to see that the Bible was true and good for her.

In the second half of the interview, we dig into the chains that have shackled Brooke. She shares her experience in the bondage of comparison, which leaves her feeling defeated and worn. She beautifully expresses how knowing Christ makes a difference.

Brooke also explains how her history of growing up as a biracial girl in a predominately white community left her fighting for acceptance. She thought she needed to earn the approval of others. Brooke shares how embracing Jesus allowed her to know true love and acceptance.

I hope you are encouraged by Brooke's story!

Today I am introducing you to my friend, Amy Larson. Amy wears several hats as a church planter's wife, mom of 3 teenagers, ICU nurse, and friend. She tells us her story which includes fighting for control and fulfillment through drugs, alcohol, and relationships after the tragic loss of her mom early in life. Through her step-mom, Amy heard the whispers of God's love for her, but it wasn't until she was 21 in another bout of post-drinking vomiting on the bathroom floor, that she finally heard loud and clear that she was unconditionally loved. She embraced that love, repented and trusted in Jesus and has spent the next 21 years growing in faith. Through her current health trials, she is very aware that God is in control and good and has been able to see many blessings come out of sorrow and pain.

I hope you enjoy Amy's story!

In today's episode, I interview my friend Lori. She is a wife and a mom of 2 little ones with 2 on the way!! Lori did not grow up in church so we get to hear how she learned about God's love for her in youth group. A few years into being a Christian she got side tracked by an unhealthy high school relationship, then God used a car accident to pull her back to a deeper relationship with him. We hear how a big NO from God lead to a new open door that set her on an adventurous track.

Her adventurous track continues with her pregnancy of twins. Lori wraps her story up sharing of her current battles with the chains of discontentment and distraction.

I hope you are encouraged through Lori's story.

In this episode, I had the opportunity to interview Barry Still. I interviewed his wife in last week's episode and we learned that Kim and Barry have two children and are in the midst of making a huge move to the southern hemisphere in Rio Di Jinero Brazil!

Today Barry shares his story about how God got a hold of his life from an early age and the struggles he experienced as a young college student trying to follow Jesus. We get to see how God used the power of community and grace to break the chains of pornography in his life. It is quite moving to hear of the painful damaging effects on their marriage along with the healing balm of forgiveness between them.

In addition, last week we heard how God moved in Kim's heart to bring her a desire to share the Gospel with the people of Brazil, and this week Barry shares the other side of the story - how God rattled him out of his place of comfort as a high school chemistry teacher into a place of willingness to let God use his teaching skills in another country.

I hope you enjoy this interview!

Kim Still is a wife, a mom of 2, and a woman who has caught a vision for what God is doing in Brazil and has been patiently waiting for her chance to enter in to that mission. In this interview we get to hear her story of how God set her free from the bondage of sin. She grew up going to Unitarian Universalist churches exposed to all religions but with the understanding that Christianity is the one religion that definitely is not true. In college she found herself depressed, confused, and entangled in cutting and self-harm when Christ intervened, pointed her to truth, and set her free. On her journey as a new believer, we discover how Christ generated a deep love for the people in the slums of Rio De Janero Brazil and how a drug lord execution building is being turned into a place of light and truth in Brazil. 10 years later she is back with her husband and 2 kids. Be encouraged by Kim's story!

Today Jeremy Grove shares his story. Jeremy grew up in a loving home but through a series of events found himself running from God and towards drugs and girls. It wasn't until he had a run in with the cops and a prodigal son moment with his father that he truly understood God's grace. We get to hear his continued battle with drug use and how God broke the chains. Then Jeremy beautifully describes the vision that God has given him in moving his family across the globe to Japan.

Find out more about Jeremy and Leanna's journey to Japan at https://www.grovefam.com/

I hope you enjoy Jeremy's story!

This is the first episode of my first podcast!! I am so excited to share Leanna's story with you!

First of all, I love Leanna. She is such a bright light for Jesus and I find myself encouraged every time I talk with her. She is a wife and mom of 3 – 2 girls and one little baby boy. Her and her husband are on track to move to Japan before the end of the year to go live among the Japanese in Tokyo and be a light in a dark place.

Leanna's story is one of a little girl growing up going to church and hearing and knowing about God's love for her, but entering a season of rebellion and depression. She turned to love in all the wrong places, attempting to fill her life with unhealthy relationships, alcohol, and drugs. Finally, she hit rock bottom on a stranger's bathroom floor, unable to hear or move.. and at that point, she finally called out to the one who could save her. What an intense beautiful moment!

I hope you are encouraged by this story as much as I was!

If you want to learn more about the Leanna and Jeremy's journey towards Japan, check out their website: https://www.grovefam.com/