Reflections UPCI

Writing is a craft—both art and discipline. It is a unique expression of your thoughts, emotions, hopes, dreams, and core beliefs about life, relationships, and your most important relationship, the one you have with God.

Join us for "Women Who Write" part one with Lee Ann Alexander. Lee Ann is the UPCI associate editor-in-chief and senior vice president of Pentecostal Resources Group. She has authored four books and hosts the Wholyness Podcast. She is a UPCI ordained minister and serves as discipleship director at her local church, The Sanctuary, in Hazelwood, Missouri.

RESOURCES:

Lee Ann Alexander reminds us that reading other writers’ stories can be a great source of encouragement and direction. She recommends the following:

From an Apostolic perspective, LaJoyce Martin’s Once Upon a Lifetime: A Sortabiography is a beautiful source of inspiration.

From a non-Apostolic viewpoint, One Writer’s Beginnings by Eudora Welty sheds light on the creative process of one of the literary community’s most talented fiction writers.

She also invites interested writers to explore publishing options with Pentecostal Publishing House at https://pentecostalpublishing.com/pages/site-publish-your-work. If you’re interested in writing for curriculum magazines, email [email protected].

LADIES MINISTRIES WRITING OPPORTUNITIES:

Reflections magazine articles can be sent to[email protected].

More to Life devotionals, articles, and Bible studies can be submitted at: ⁠https://www.moretolifetoday.net/write-for-us⁠/.

JOIN US AT "THE POWER OF THE WRITTEN WORD" Seminar at General Conference on October 3, 2024 in Long Beach, California. For more information, please visit:https://reflectionsupci.com/seminar.

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Karissa King joins us on the podcast for part two of "Loving the One You Married."

Karissa is married to Adam, her ministry and business partner. She is the devoted mother of Adeline and Forest. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California, and together with Adam, they have created the top-rated Dear Young Married Couple resource center, which provides counseling, coaching, retreats, conferences, courses, and a fun podcast. Karissa is on the path to completing a Ph.D. in Biblical Interpretation and Theology.

RESOURCE LINKS:https://dearyoungmarriedcouple.com

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God has a plan for marriage, and His plan focuses on sanctification and holiness rather than satisfaction and happiness.

My guest for the July and August episodes is Karissa King. She is married to Adam, her ministry and business partner. Karissa is the devoted mother of Adeline and Forest. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California, and together with Adam, they have created the top-rated Dear Young Married Couple resource center providing counseling, coaching, retreats, conferences, courses, and a fun podcast. Karissa is on the path to completing a Ph.D. in Biblical Interpretation and Theology.

RESOURCE LINKS:

https://dearyoungmarriedcouple.com

Current Reflections subscribers can log in to read the full article about this topic athttps://reflectionsupci.com/author/cmiller/.

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Abortion is a deeply personal and sensitive topic that affects many women. The statistics are high. Abortion is not limited to unchurched women. This topic touches the sister sharing your pew, the woman in your ladies’ ministry group. It is a decision that can leave emotional scars and feelings of guilt and shame. Yet, amid the pain, there is hope for healing and restoration.

Mothers who have experienced abortion may carry a burden that weighs heavily on their hearts. But the good news is that God’s love knows no bounds. He offers forgiveness, healing, and a chance for new beginnings. Through prayer, counseling, and support from others who have walked a similar path, women can find peace and healing in God’s embrace.

Adriana Camp is our guest for the June Let’s Talk episode on the Reflections UPCI podcast. She generously shares her story and her healing journey. Abortion recovery is available, and loving listening is an integral part of healing during the recovery experience. Adriana is a trained facilitator in abortion recovery. She is a credentialed UPCI minister, a wife, a mom, and a grandmother.

FOR INFORMATION ON BECOMING A POST-ABORTION RECOVERY PROGRAM LEADER:

Contact Adriana Camp by email at [email protected].

Current Reflections subscribers can log in to read the full article on this topic athttps://reflectionsupci.com/author/cmiller/. New subscribers are welcome to join the community athttps://reflectionsupci.com/membership-join/

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In this podcast episode, Dr. Cindy Miller interviews Dr. Jennifer McCurrach, who discusses the intricacies of blended families. Dr. McCurrach shares her personal journey as a stepmother, highlighting the emotional challenges that come with integrating into an existing family dynamic. She stresses the need for patience, communication, and a united parenting approach with her spouse. Dr. McCurrach also touches on the importance of timing in relationships, advising caution for women entering relationships with men who have children and the value of prioritizing family, which has positively influenced her ministry and personal life.

"You can't force family, and when you have not grown up with that family, you have to be patient and take time." - Dr. Jennifer McCurrach

Challenges of Blended Families (00:04:11). Dr. Jennifer McCurrach and Dr. Cindy Miller discuss the challenges of blending families and the importance of patience and building rapport, especially when both parents already have their own children.

Parenting in Blended Families (00:15:09). Dr. Jennifer McCurrach and Dr. Cindy Miller talk about navigating differences in parenting styles and making subtle changes in the family system over time.

Managing external relationships (00:21:18).Navigating external family dynamics and understanding the personal nature of reactions.

Balancing career and family (00:26:52).Transitioning from a career to family responsibilities and the impact on personal and professional life.

Joining a stepfamily (00:30:52).Advice for women considering a future with a man who has children and the need for patience and adaptation.

Signs of readiness for a new relationship (00:32:31). Identifying signs of readiness for a new relationship in the context of divorce or loss.

Recognizing Relationship Challenges (00:35:39):Understand the different challenges in relationships after the loss of a spouse or divorce and the significance of recognizing and addressing these issues.

Counting the Cost (00:36:19) Importance of considering the impact on children and seeking wisdom before committing to a new relationship.

Challenges in Second Marriages (00:39:01). Addressing the challenges and bumps in the road in second marriages and the role of faith and personal growth in navigating these challenges.

Current Reflections subscribers can log in to read the full article on this topic athttps://reflectionsupci.com/author/cmiller/. New subscribers are welcome to join the community athttps://reflectionsupci.com/membership-join/.

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On today's podcast, Jennie Russell, a credentialed UPCI Minister, counselor, and the executive vice president of Urshan College and Urshan Graduate School of Theology stops by to discuss following your calling, creating a plan, and waiting on God's timing.

To read supplementary content about our podcast episodes, subscribe to Reflections magazine at⁠⁠https://reflectionsupci.com/membership-join/⁠⁠⁠⁠. Current subscribers can view the full article athttps://reflectionsupci.com/2024/02/her-story-your-story/.

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March is Women’s History Month in North America. On the March podcast, I talk with Dr. Evelyn Drury, a woman who has spent her life seeing and meeting unique needs in the church and community. She is one of my heroes. Dr. Drury, co-founder of New Beginnings Children and Family Services, shares what she has learned about being a trailblazer over the years. We talk about doing ministry outside the four walls of the church. We discuss the real issues when we open our eyes and hearts to the needs surrounding us.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS ON THIS PODCAST:

11:55 God puts a desire in our hearts and the right people in our paths.

13:57 Every community in every city has needs.

14:40 Ministry is about having an open heart to being inconvenienced.

19:53 When you look back on your life and see what you have accomplished, you know it was God.

22:57 We need to know who to listen to and what to let go of.

28:14 Go make history. Add another chapter to your story.

To read full articles about our podcast episodes, subscribe to Reflections magazine: ⁠⁠https://reflectionsupci.com/membership-join/⁠⁠⁠⁠. Current subscribers, please log in to view the full article at https://reflectionsupci.com.

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How do we stop evaluating beauty by a number on a scale, a hairstyle, wrinkles, and scars? How do we realign faulty thinking with God’s truth? How do we break free from the lie, “Unless you are this…you are not enough?” Join us for the final episode of the "Redefining Beautiful" podcast series today with guests Duana Sargent and Ashton Qual.

Duana Sargent lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband, Darin. Duana and Darin travel the United States, teaching at marriage retreats and ministering in churches. Together, they have three children and two bonus children, Carson and Emily Sargent, Hunter and Ashton Qual, and Averie Sargent.

Ashton Qual is the creator and co-owner, with her husband Hunter, of Ash + Stone Skincare. They reside in Saint Louis, Missouri. She and her husband are expecting their first child in April 2024.

Shop https://ashandstoneskincare.com and use the LETSTALK15 discount code at checkout. Thank you, Ashton!

To read full articles about our podcast episodes, subscribe to Reflections magazine: ⁠⁠https://reflectionsupci.com/membership-join/⁠⁠⁠⁠. Current subscribers, please log in to view the full article at https://reflectionsupci.com/2023/12/redefining-beautiful/.

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We're continuing our "Redefining Beautiful" podcast series today, with part two featuring guests Duana Sargent and Ashton Qual.

Duana Sargent lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband, Darin. Duana and Darin travel the United States, teaching at marriage retreats and ministering in churches. Together, they have three children and two bonus children, Carson and Emily Sargent, Hunter and Ashton Qual, and Averie Sargent.

Ashton Qual is the creator and co-owner, with her husband Hunter, of Ash + Stone Skincare. They reside in Saint Louis, Missouri. She and her husband are expecting their first child in April 2024.

Shophttps://ashandstoneskincare.com and use the LETSTALK15 discount code at checkout. Thank you, Ashton!

To read full articles about our podcast episodes, subscribe to Reflections magazine: ⁠⁠https://reflectionsupci.com/membership-join/⁠⁠⁠⁠. Current subscribers, please log in to view the full article athttps://reflectionsupci.com/2023/12/redefining-beautiful/.

Download the Let's Talk Guide:https://reflectionsupci.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Lets-Talk-Guide-EP-10.pdf

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Today's guest:

Nancy Grandquist is an author, recording artist, UGST student, adoring wife of Richard M, and loving mother and grandmother. They are thriving in their current season of life, traveling theworld to minister in churches and to couples and families serving in ministry.

To read full articles about our podcast episodes, subscribe to Reflections magazine:⁠https://reflectionsupci.com/membership-join/⁠

Download the Let's Talk Guide: https://reflectionsupci.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Lets-Talk-Guide-EP-10.pdf

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