Although I've stopped production of the Restory Show, from time to time I will bring you interviews as God brings amazing people and their stories my way. Today's bonus episode features one of those exceptional people and stories--sexual abuse victim advocate Jules Woodson.

This episode does contain triggers. It is not graphic but does involve a sexual abuse story.

After the #metoo movement came about right after Matt Lauer's predatory behavior came to light, Jules Woodson decided to contact her former youth pastor Andy Savage via email to see if he would acknowledge what happened in 1998 where he sexually assaulted her.

After no response, she shared her story here on January 5th. She thought maybe a hundred people would read it. But hundreds, then thousands, then many, many others read her story. Soon after, Andy admitted publicly that something had occurred, but after his confession that Sunday at High Point Church where he was a pastor, the church stood to their feet, giving him a standing ovation.

News entities from all over the world featured that part of the story, which inevitably led to most of the pastors directly involved (back in 1998 and currently at High Point Church) resigning.

Today's interview we hear Jules tell her story in her own words. You will hear her heart, her desire to glorify Jesus, and her passion for helping other abuse victims know they are not alone. She gives excellent advice, tells her story honestly (not without tears), and longs to see the church become a safe place for victims of abuse.

This is a story of abuse of power, cover up, shame, silence, and personal devastation. But it doesn't end there. In classic Restory fashion, God beautifully intervenes, giving Jules strength to tell the truth, face retaliation, and still stand strong.

I pray this episode deeply encourages you.

Today is the final episode of the Restory Show. Cue sadness!

For many reasons, I felt like this season of interview podcasting has come to an end for me, particularly since the great majority of the stories were ones I personally vetted, and I felt like I could no longer do that. I have received many requests for bigger name interviews, but those have never been my  heart for the Restory show. My desire has been that ordinary people would share their extraordinary stories with us. And they have. In over 100 episodes.

Thank you for being amazing listeners. Thank you for sharing your stories with me. It's humbling and appropriate. Thank you to all the guests over the years. There are so many powerful stories that I cannot name them without listing them all. You can always find a listing of them here because I'll continue to pay for hosting so you can listen. And, occasionally, I'll interview someone just for fun, so keep your feed if you'd like a bonus episode now and again.

[Tweet "Hear the FINAL EPISODE of the Restory show where I share a little more of my own story and what is next for me."]

As in all my episodes, I pray for you at the end. It's my sincere hope that you'll walk away from the Restory Show changed and challenged.

Request:

* If this episode has literally knocked your socks off (sorry if your feet are now cold), would you please consider telling your friends and enemies and pets?

* And leaving a review will help get the restory show in many more earbuds. Thanks in advance!

Sponsors:

YOU can be a sponsor of the Restory Show! Click the image below to become a patron of the Restory Show! You'll get a free (not seen anywhere else) art piece from me every month as a thank you. Stay tuned for new perks!

Or you can help keep the Restory show up and running by clicking on this free offer by Audible!

Get on the Show:

We'll be featuring your mini-story at the end of the Restory Show. If you'd like to be featured, record your voice below.

Jordan Fontenot is a friend and the son of one of my closest friends who died a few years ago. I wrote about Twilla here. Today Jordan talks about his own spiritual journey, how his mom's diagnosis intersected that, and how he ultimately made peace with God through it all. It's a good conversation, and one that I felt had the hushed tones of holy ground. You will be moved.

[Tweet "Hear Jordan Fontenot share what he learned about the reality of God in the midst of grief. It's a powerful story you won't want to miss."]

As in all my episodes, I pray for you at the end. It's my sincere hope that you'll walk away from the Restory Show changed and challenged.

Request:

* If this episode has literally knocked your socks off (sorry if your feet are now cold), would you please consider telling your friends and enemies and pets?

* And leaving a review will help get the restory show in many more earbuds. Thanks in advance!

Sponsors:

YOU can be a sponsor of the Restory Show! Click the image below to become a patron of the Restory Show! You'll get a free (not seen anywhere else) art piece from me every month as a thank you. Stay tuned for new perks!

Or you can help keep the Restory show up and running by clicking on this free offer by Audible!

Get on the Show:

We'll be featuring your mini-story at the end of the Restory Show. If you'd like to be featured, record your voice below.

Crystal Stine is an amazing person with a vivacious personality and a heartfelt relationship with Jesus. She is honest, dedicated, and infectious (in a good way). She recently released a book: Holy Hustle: Embracing a Work-Hard, Rest-Well Life.

Today we talk about work, comparison, contentment, and finding joy in the work God brings before you.

 

[Tweet "Hear @crystalstine give you life-altering information about finding contentment and purpose in your daily work. This story is so hands-on and full of hard-won wisdom. Enjoy!"]

As in all my episodes, I pray for you at the end. It's my sincere hope that you'll walk away from the Restory Show changed and challenged.

Request:

* If this episode has literally knocked your socks off (sorry if your feet are now cold), would you please consider telling your friends and enemies and pets?

* And leaving a review will help get the restory show in many more earbuds. Thanks in advance!

Sponsors:

YOU can be a sponsor of the Restory Show! Click the image below to become a patron of the Restory Show! You'll get a free (not seen anywhere else) art piece from me every month as a thank you. Stay tuned for new perks!

Or you can help keep the Restory show up and running by clicking on this free offer by Audible!

Get on the Show:

We'll be featuring your mini-story at the end of the Restory Show. If you'd like to be featured, record your voice below.

Kim Case is an incredible person I had the privilege of meeting in Missouri in the Spring. She endured one of the most horrific assaults as a young woman, and has spent her life speaking on behalf of victims. Please do yourself a favor and check out her website.

Watch more here:

[Tweet "Hear @kimrcase's incredible story of survival after attack, and the power of God's redemption. You will be encouraged and changed."]

As in all my episodes, I pray for you at the end. It's my sincere hope that you'll walk away from the Restory Show changed and challenged.

Request:

* If this episode has literally knocked your socks off (sorry if your feet are now cold), would you please consider telling your friends and enemies and pets?

* And leaving a review will help get the restory show in many more earbuds. Thanks in advance!

Sponsors:

YOU can be a sponsor of the Restory Show! Click the image below to become a patron of the Restory Show! You'll get a free (not seen anywhere else) art piece from me every month as a thank you. Stay tuned for new perks!

Or you can help keep the Restory show up and running by clicking on this free offer by Audible!

Get on the Show:

We'll be featuring your mini-story at the end of the Restory Show. If you'd like to be featured, record your voice below.

Marilyn Weisenburg is a mom, a youth worker, and an artist who has an incredibly difficult story to tell about grief. It's detailed more in her well-written memoir:

[Tweet "Hear a mom's story of walking through the loss of her son in Iraq."]

As in all my episodes, I pray for you at the end. It's my sincere hope that you'll walk away from the Restory Show changed and challenged.

Request:

* If this episode has literally knocked your socks off (sorry if your feet are now cold), would you please consider telling your friends and enemies and pets?

* And leaving a review will help get the restory show in many more earbuds. Thanks in advance!

Sponsors:

YOU can be a sponsor of the Restory Show! Click the image below to become a patron of the Restory Show! You'll get a free (not seen anywhere else) art piece from me every month as a thank you. Stay tuned for new perks!

Or you can help keep the Restory show up and running by clicking on this free offer by Audible!

Get on the Show:

We'll be featuring your mini-story at the end of the Restory Show. If you'd like to be featured, record your voice below.

Kimberly Dewberry is a blogger who writes about the importance of recovery. She shares an amazing story of connecting (again) with her father, which is the subject of her latest book:

[Tweet "Hear @Dewberry_author share an incredible story of re-connection with a long lost father."]

As in all my episodes, I pray for you at the end. It's my sincere hope that you'll walk away from the Restory Show changed and challenged.

Request:

* If this episode has literally knocked your socks off (sorry if your feet are now cold), would you please consider telling your friends and enemies and pets?

* And leaving a review will help get the restory show in many more earbuds. Thanks in advance!

Sponsors:

YOU can be a sponsor of the Restory Show! Click the image below to become a patron of the Restory Show! You'll get a free (not seen anywhere else) art piece from me every month as a thank you. Stay tuned for new perks!

Or you can help keep the Restory show up and running by clicking on this free offer by Audible!

Get on the Show:

We'll be featuring your mini-story at the end of the Restory Show. If you'd like to be featured, record your voice below.

Jodie Niznik is an executive pastor at Irving Bible Church. She and I have been friends since I spoke at their women's retreat a few years ago. We try to meet about twice a year over Mexican food to discuss our ministries, dreams, and theology. She's smart, encouraging, and she's walked an interesting journey as a woman who ministers to many. She's also the author of this book:

 

[Tweet "Hear @Jodieniz talk about her journey toward ministry in a church context. You'll be refreshed and encouraged."]

As in all my episodes, I pray for you at the end. It's my sincere hope that you'll walk away from the Restory Show changed and challenged.

Request:

* If this episode has literally knocked your socks off (sorry if your feet are now cold), would you please consider telling your friends and enemies and pets?

* And leaving a review will help get the restory show in many more earbuds. Thanks in advance!

Sponsors:

YOU can be a sponsor of the Restory Show! Click the image below to become a patron of the Restory Show! You'll get a free (not seen anywhere else) art piece from me every month as a thank you. Stay tuned for new perks!

Or you can help keep the Restory show up and running by clicking on this free offer by Audible!

Get on the Show:

We'll be featuring your mini-story at the end of the Restory Show. If you'd like to be featured, record your voice below.

Brandon Vestal is a dear friend of ours. He accompanied Patrick and me (with his wife Vonda, who was also on the Restory show and spoke at the Restory Conference) to Montreal on a mission trip. He's been a youth pastor, and now he's a coach and teacher. He is the married father of three, and he has a passion to love folks where they're at. He thinks deeply, and he has an important story to tell. I'm so excited to introduce him to you!

 

[Tweet "Hear Brandon Vestal share his story today on the Restory Show. What is it like to push against prejudice?"]

As in all my episodes, I pray for you at the end. It's my sincere hope that you'll walk away from the Restory Show changed and challenged.

Request:

* If this episode has literally knocked your socks off (sorry if your feet are now cold), would you please consider telling your friends and enemies and pets?

* And leaving a review will help get the restory show in many more earbuds. Thanks in advance!

Sponsors:

YOU can be a sponsor of the Restory Show! Click the image below to become a patron of the Restory Show! You'll get a free (not seen anywhere else) art piece from me every month as a thank you. Stay tuned for new perks!

Or you can help keep the Restory show up and running by clicking on this free offer by Audible!

Get on the Show:

We'll be featuring your mini-story at the end of the Restory Show. If you'd like to be featured, record your voice below.

Laura Husband is a vocalist and speaker who lives in the Houston area. Fifteen years ago, she lost her father, Colonel Rick Husband, when the space shuttle Columbia crashed sixteen minutes prior to its intended landing. Laura takes us back to that moment with poignancy and grit. She honestly shares her struggles, but she has also found Jesus in the midst of losing her father at twelve years old.

Her mother wrote a book about her father:

[Tweet "Hear Laura Husband, daughter of Colonel Rick Husband who died in the space shuttle Columbia disaster share her heart and a beautiful theology of suffering."]

As in all my episodes, I pray for you at the end. It's my sincere hope that you'll walk away from the Restory Show changed and challenged.

Request:

* If this episode has literally knocked your socks off (sorry if your feet are now cold), would you please consider telling your friends and enemies and pets?

* And leaving a review will help get the restory show in many more earbuds. Thanks in advance!

Sponsors:

YOU can be a sponsor of the Restory Show! Click the image below to become a patron of the Restory Show! You'll get a free (not seen anywhere else) art piece from me every month as a thank you. Stay tuned for new perks!

Or you can help keep the Restory show up and running by clicking on this free offer by Audible!

Get on the Show:

We'll be featuring your mini-story at the end of the Restory Show. If you'd like to be featured, record your voice below.