Sacred Story Podcast

Laura and Sarah talk about damaging messages she received growing up  which made her feel like she didn't measure up or needed to project a certain image in order to be accepted. Sarah shares examples of the words spoken by her mother which emphasized the priority of her appearance and weight. Over time, Sarah's began to believe lies about herself, God, and others and shares the lies including how believing them affected her social, spiritual, and emotional life. Sarah's path to healing included turning to the Lord to receive His view of her, taking her hurt to Him, pursuing counseling, and being in community with friends and family who could encourage her. Sarah's prayer to see her mother as God does brought further restoration as her mother confided in her about painful things in her past which were not dealt with. The beauty of ongoing restoration of what the enemy intended for evil and the rebuilding of their relationship within healthy boundaries round out the conversation. Sarah shares the healing she received from reflecting upon and sharing her story. Read and pass on Sarah's written story, Weighed Down.  Connect with Laura through the contact form on Sacred Story.

Laura talks with Autumn Crew about her journey of coming to faith in Jesus as a young woman who  found safe people to process her doubts and questions. She shares her story of being called into the battle against sex trafficking in Cambodia and the Middle East. Working in Iraq during the height of the refugee crisis, Autumn talks about facing personal safety, addressing the needs of the vulnerable, and learning how to protect against and prevent trafficking. Through this conversation, the complexity of trafficking and the fight against the forces of darkness are brought to life. Autumn and Laura celebrate the joy of God's deliverance and healing in individual lives who are transformed.  

Laura talks with Ashlee whose story of turning to Jesus while in college and discovering God leading her to reach out to Muslim women in the Middle East is highlighted in Episode #7. In this conversation, Ashlee shares an exciting personal update as well as a ministry update about how God is growing His church Iran. Even though believers face hardship and persecution, the Spirit of God is moving in amazing ways. Highlighting God's greater story around the world  reminds us that we live in the midst of a grand epic. Reviews are our friend so we'd love for you to leave a review for the Sacred Story podcast so others can know their story matters and God's greater story is unfolding around the world. 

Laura's conversation with Melanie begins with Melanie sharing her story of a growing friendship which caused her heart break when her friend pulls away. She describes how the friend let her into her life and seemed to embrace shared beliefs about God and the walk of faith. When the friend decides to take a path that was in contrast to her former stance, the result is hurt and wounds from the interaction. Melanie reflects on managing expectations in friendship and examining motives for giving to others.  When there's shared Biblical conviction among sisters in Christ that a friend chooses to ignore, the disparity can cause hurt and misunderstanding.  Melanie and Laura talk about the powerful temptation to compromise in the area of sexual purity and how women can live this out in a world which promotes the opposite.  The conversation wraps up with Melanie describing how she moved through hurt and found a place of peace including wisdom in how to respond when someone wounds you and doesn't realize it. Visit the Sacred Story website to read stories of women overcoming hurt and betrayal through the strength of Christ. Reviews are our friend and we'd love for you to leave a review about the Sacred Story podcast so other women know their story matters. Follow us on instagram, @sacredstoryministries. 

Laura asks Suzan about her struggle to conceive. After giving birth to a beautiful and healthy girl, Suzan describes her emotional and physical  roller coaster including feeling disconnected to her newborn and being unable to sleep and cope with regular life. She discovers she is battling postpartum depression and seeks God's wisdom through medical intervention. Suzan describes some unhelpful responses from people even though unintentional. She also offers insight about how to support someone who is battling depression and how to think about God when depression is debilitating. Laura and Suzan's conversation includes planting seeds about the chapters of women's stories when interacting with others. Visit the Sacred Story website to read Suzan's story called Post Partum Panic and make a donation to receive a care package. A care package includes a printed copy of Suzan's story, a guided journal, Scripture cards, a bookmark, and a pen. Give a care package as a gift to yourself as you process your story or give to a friend. Reviews are our friend so we'd love for you to leave a review of the Sacred Story Podcast so other women can know their story matters. 

Laura talks with Paige about her beautiful story of her world turning upside down when she loses her husband  to cancer as a mother of two young daughters and a third on the way. Paige describes how God met her in her grief and in the unknown of what the future will look like. She talks about her crisis of belief to stand on the promises in the Word of God when there's temptation to shut down and blame God. Paige and Laura talk about walking through loss and coming alongside those who are grieving. Another unexpected turn in Paige's story brings about a new chapter of beauty which she could never have imagined. Visit the Sacred Story website to read Paige's story called Just A Regular Mama. Make a donation of any amount to receive a care package for yourself or a friend. A care package includes a guided journal, Scripture memory cards, a pen, bookmark, and a printed copy of Paige's story. Purchase the Bible study Living Your Story: 10 Biblical Principles That Matter on Amazon. Reviews are our friend and we'd love for you to leave a review about The Sacred Story podcast so other women know their story matters. 

Laura's conversation with Michelle begins with her story of coming to faith as a college student. Michelle describes her life change and being introduced to God's greater story around the world. Her course took an unexpected turn when facing a time of transition in her career and realizing God is leading her to move overseas. Michelle shares about the barriers to making such a big leap such a finances, language barrier, peoples' perceptions, and learning to get along with the "handful of Americans" she worked alongside. Michelle and Laura discuss the reality of fear and feelings of inadequacy when sharing faith in Jesus with others including being equipped and how to think about serving God when there are not a lot of "results." This turning point in Michelle's story becomes a launching pad for a new dreams and direction from the Lord. Visit the Sacred Story website to read more stories of life change and how the Greatest Story Ever Told is changing lives each day. Keep in touch with Sacred Story by following us on Instagram, @sacredstoryministries

Laura talks with Amber about her disillusionment after meeting and marrying her husband while they both attended seminary. She shares her struggle to relate as they faced tension on even small things - like where to put the bread! Amber describes her emotional connection to another man which became something she felt like she couldn't be without. Her story continues with how the Lord met her when her marriage was dead and how she pursued wholeness. The conversation between Laura and Amber includes the difficulty of a spouse who doesn't want to look at himself/herself and the fear of being stuck. Amber's story is a beautiful example of God's grace and power when life feels impossible. Visit the Sacred Story website to make a donation and receive a care package with Amber's story contained in it. Place the words "Amber's story" in donor notes. A care package includes a guided Sacred story journal, book mark, pen, and Scripture cards ($30 value with shipping and handling). Stay in touch with Sacred Story by following us on Instagram, @sacredstoryministries.

Helpless, frightened, confused, and frustrated. Addiction threatened to claim Laura's daughter while she and her husband struggled to know how to support her. Laura shares how their efforts to help became futile as their entire family experienced pain and fear; then the battle of making the decision to enlist the help of a treatment center. Laura describes how her faith and trust in God grew as she found a new place of surrender in the unknown. The conversation includes the reality of offering to God those we love, speaking hope in the middle of chaotic circumstances, and responding when the loved one doesn't seem to want help. Visit the Sacred Story website to make a donation and receive a care package with Laura's story contained in it. Place the words "Laura's story" in donor notes. A care package includes a guided Sacred story journal, book mark, pen, and Scripture cards ($30 value with shipping and handling). Stay in touch with Sacred Story on Instagram, @sacredstoryministries.

Laura's conversation begins with Renee's story of leaving her life behind in the United States to live on a Caribbean island in her late 20's. Renee's dream of island life unfolds with a new place to live, adopting a dog, and meeting a boyfriend. As her boyfriend becomes more violent, Renee faces the reality that this chapter of her story is not turning out the way she imagined. Renee recounts how God rescued her and her dog from harm. The woo-ing heart of God is displayed in a powerful way through Renee's story. Laura and Renee talk about women in abusive relationships, how to respond when in an abusive relationship, and how to support someone who you suspect is being abused. A desire to escape into different circumstances can be a temptation to live independent of God's plan which can unfold in unexpected difficulty and suffering. Visit the Sacred Story website to make a donation and receive a care package with Renee's story contained in it. A care package includes a guided Sacred story journal, book mark, pen, and Scripture cards ($30 value with shipping and handling). Stay in touch with Sacred Story on Instagram, @sacredstoryministries.