In today's episode I ponder the richness and complicated-ness (is that a word?) of life. Between feeling vulnerable, having to push through the drudgery of a tough weekend... to the joy of watching people fulfill their vocations effectively. And then I start talking about the richness and nuances of Scripture and how I'm learning so much about that in class right now. 

The second part is mostly about that and how there are various ways we can approach Scripture looking for meaning. What we bring with us to the table - our questions and life experiences and ideas - all factor into how we understand the meaning we get out of Bible passages. The theory behind how you interpret Scripture is called hermeneutics - that's the class I'm taking this semester. It's pretty great. 

Anyway, the hermeneutic we use to approach Scripture needs to be *the finished work of Christ on the cross.* When it is, then we can better see all of Scripture fit together to make sense concerning God and us and how all this rich, complicated stuff runs together. 

 

Thanks for listening!

 

To continue the conversation, find me on TWITTER, go to the facebook page, or email me! - [email protected].

Check out blog posts on www.shefindstruth.com!

Production Notes · music - Spoke in the Wheel by Electric Tangerine Audio at http://audiojungle.net/user/ElectricTangerine · Vocal Introduction by Kena Clark ·  Intro/Outro Production by Bradley Hofbauer

In which I take a few minutes to welcome the new listeners, and talk about why the church needs to be talking more about mental health. Then I tackle the concept of GRACE in our parenting and in our dealings with other humans (not God). 

Here's the post from Intentional Moms that includes me on a list of best podcasts for Moms! 

Here are the links to a few shows where I talk at length about how great the doctrine of vocation is. 

04: Knowing God's Will for Your Life

25: God's Plan vs. My Reality

30: Now What? 

Last week's blog post about depression got a decent amount of traffic and seemed to resonate with many people. 

Then I did a podcast about it where I focus more on the role of God's promises in my valley. 

Bottom line: Don't tell depressed people they just need to pray more. We all need to pray more.

GRACE

When the Bible uses the word 'grace' it tends to be talking about the Grace of God. So I define grace a few different ways and then mention how dead we were in our sin. 

link to movie scene on youtube

Ephesians 2:4-10 comes into play and so does Hebrews 4:16

Bottom line on grace and parenting: We can show mercy and grace to our kids while still having them face the consequences of their behavior. 

Bottom line on grace and the rest of our relationships: Our challenge as Christians is to model healthy relationships where we aren't acting as if there are no consequences for anything, but still live lives that reflect forgiveness, compassion, and love. That we recognize what a good thing 'boundaries' can be, but also when we make those boundaries we do not build them out of anger and resentment. And that we are willing to move boundaries as our relationships grow, heal, and develop. 

 

Reminder: I am not a professional. :) I just have a lot of opinions and I spend a decent amount of time in Scripture trying to figure out how all this fits together.

 

To continue the conversation, find me on TWITTER, go to the facebook page, or email me! - [email protected].

Check out blog posts on www.shefindstruth.com!

Production Notes · music - Spoke in the Wheel by Electric Tangerine Audio at http://audiojungle.net/user/ElectricTangerine · Vocal Introduction by Kena Clark ·  Intro/Outro Production by Bradley Hofbauer

 

This week I ignored the alarms going off in my head and I posted on the blog about how crappy I've been feeling and what kind of anxiety and maybe even depression I've been toying with. It's nothing like some people have to face, which is one reason I'm hesitant to even bring it up. Nevertheless, a few things talked me into it including getting to explain the silver lining - the promises of God that were in clear view pretty much the whole time I was feeling super lame. 

So here's the blog post and I talk more in depth about it on today's podcast, but the really great part of the podcast is what comes after when I get to talk about all the promises of God that come to light as we observe and celebrate Holy Week. (Admit it; it's hard not to celebrate the Lord's Supper on Maundy Thursday even though a few minutes later we are hearing about his arrest.) Anyway, so many good things Jesus' resurrection confirms for us!  

I mention a blog post I wrote about the Saturday of Easter weekend. Here is that link if you want to check it out. 

The last several minutes of the show I talk about a survey I recently created and I've had over 100 people take, asking about Devotionals. I'm curious what people are looking for especially because I have a burning desire to create some! I'd love it if you took the survey. You can find it on the blog post called About Devotionals. 

Thanks for listening! 

 

To continue the conversation, find me on TWITTER, go to the facebook page, or email me! - [email protected].

Check out blog posts on www.shefindstruth.com!

Production Notes · music - Spoke in the Wheel by Electric Tangerine Audio at http://audiojungle.net/user/ElectricTangerine · Vocal Introduction by Kena Clark ·  Intro/Outro Production by Bradley Hofbauer

Today's episode attempts to look at John 15:1-11. I used to cringe when I heard the word "abide." Why? Because it scared me. Take a listen to find out what my messed up deal was. 

I mention some writing stuff at the start of the show including Joanna Penn's website www.thecreativepenn.com and her book The Successful Author Mindset which I'm recommending even though I'm not all the way through it yet. But so far so good. 

Then I dive into the passage and begin to scratch the surface (these verses are packed with layers!) including:

• define abide
• If "the Word was God" then that means staying close to Him has everything to do with Scripture in our lives.
• unpacking "the Father is the gardener"

Let me know what you think!

***

To continue the conversation, find me on TWITTER, go to the facebook page, or email me! - [email protected].

Check out blog posts on www.shefindstruth.com!

Production Notes · music - Spoke in the Wheel by Electric Tangerine Audio at http://audiojungle.net/user/ElectricTangerine · Vocal Introduction by Kena Clark ·  Intro/Outro Production by Bradley Hofbauer

Lent has me reflecting on Jesus and His life here on earth. His humanity. 

There's a lot to being human, isn't there?!

So I share some very real life stories you might be able to relate to. 

Then look at how the real life story of Jesus is so relevant in light of our humanity. 

He knows how it is to be human, because He was human too. 

The two natures of Christ are mind blowing.

But still true. 

 

 

To continue the conversation, find me on TWITTER, go to the facebook page, or email me! - [email protected].

Check out blog posts on www.shefindstruth.com!

Production Notes · music - Spoke in the Wheel by Electric Tangerine Audio at http://audiojungle.net/user/ElectricTangerine · Vocal Introduction by Kena Clark ·  Intro/Outro Production by Bradley Hofbauer

This is episode #2 in my series about sexual assault where we dive into the spiritual implications of it. Episode #1 can be found here!

This is a deep, complicated topic, so I brought in someone with experience in the trenches, Heidi Goehmann (pronounced gae-man! which I got wrong) author, social worker, and deaconess. Heidi has written and produced so much great material for all of us and you should definitely check her out at www.ilovemyshepherd.com, and on Facebook, and on Twitter! Also during the show we make reference to her Bible study Think on These, so here’s the link and you should check that out too.

We invite you to contact either of us or leave comments on the blog with more questions you have about this topic. We want to start a conversation for the benefit of all and would love to have your input as to what this should look like going further. More importantly, if you are hurting and looking for answers, please let us know and we can offer up what resources we can. Also if you have found good resources concerning this topic, share those in the comments or on social media for the benefit of the audience!

I’m going to offer more detailed shownotes than usual, because there is so much great information here I’d love for you to snag a little if you don’t get the chance to listen. I’m going with bullet point format. Here comes. Get ready.

Overarching question we are sorting through: How do these dark experiences impact us and intersect with/reflect the hope of Christ?

• The struggle of shame. We all suffer in some way.
  • The brokenness of sin seems to infiltrate our womanhood especially and create an unhealthy internal dialogue.
  • Wouldn’t it be great if we could see ourselves and our brokenness the way Christ does?

• Why aren’t we talking about this stuff? How do we get painful topics to the table?
  • It’s not just sexual assault: marriage struggles, parenting, disabilities, mental health
  • We need to share our own experiences and
  • Recognize the discomfort/pain of sin

• Healing starts with addressing the topic
  • Putting light on the pain and sin because LIGHT OVERCOMES DARKNESS
  • One of Satan’s goals is to keep this stuff in the dark
  • Having conversations: “Here are my struggles, what are yours?” - bookends
  • Treatment is important but community can be equally important
  • Our natural reaction is to hide just like Adam and Eve did

• God doesn’t love us any less when our sin is revealed

• We are all asking God why he allows sin and brokenness, but especially when we’ve been violated we wonder: Why does God allow this? Why wasn’t I protected?
  • Give people a space to voice that question: what happened here?
  • We have to recognize sin is allowed here, we hate that, and often admit “I don’t know.”
  • Sit in the pain together
  • Christ has the victory. He does save.

• God is so much bigger than us and he sees everything differently than we do.
  • Sin sometimes happens TO us not by us.
  • Still CONFESSION is powerful
  • Confession can mean “vocalizing” something
  • He CAN heal. It is mysterious.
  • Confession helps get it out in the open. Harder for Satan to use against me.
  • Relationship is powerful
  • Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

• Physical
  • Sexual sin is really hard for us to deal with.
  • Satan is attacking us PHYSICALLY
  • Our bodies are our temples where the Holy Spirit resides
  • That’s how much he values us!
  • When our bodies are invaded it complicates our relationships with ourselves and our God

• Sin ripples
  • Impacts are exponential in many areas of our lives
  • This is why continual conversation is necessary

• Shame
  • Triggers are real
  • Share the struggle. Voice your response.
  • Natalie Greenfield - Twitter link. She is engaging in conversation about how sexual assault in one's past impacts marriage.

• Healing
  • God brings healing DAILY and ETERNALLY
  • Romans 12:1 - We offer him a living sacrifice,
  • knowing we are not enough, but here is what we DO have.
  • He showers down joy and comfort in response
  • Isaiah 61:3 - beauty from ashes

• Attention everyone: Hold tight to each other.
  • Relationships can be so complicated. Don’t give up on them and those relationships.
  • Pursue each other as God has pursued you.

If you have suggestions for resources, questions, or something to contribute to the conversation, please share in the comments, find us on social media, or send an email! (links are at the top and bottom of this post)

 

 

To continue the conversation, find me on TWITTER, go to the facebook page, or email me! - [email protected].

Check out blog posts on www.shefindstruth.com!

Production Notes · music - Spoke in the Wheel by Electric Tangerine Audio at http://audiojungle.net/user/ElectricTangerine · Vocal Introduction by Kena Clark ·  Intro/Outro Production by Bradley Hofbauer

 

I saw a very nice happy meme that said YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH and was supposed to make me feel better and encourage me after I had a rough time with something. 

But it just makes me feel squirmy. 

Because I know I'm NOT good enough. 

In this episode I explore this question of being good enough and of course that leads us to dip into the 2 kinds of righteousness and also I go on a rant about how women's Bible studies should not be created in a hole but should have some church oversight. (I know you would have thought after last week I'd be done talking about this, but it's like the flood gates were opened...) But mostly I explore the concept of "good enough" and what it means and we have a good enough time doing it. (I'm sorry I'm such a nerd I can't help it!)

Scripture references:

Mark 10:18

Matthew 25:34-40

Ephesians 2:10

2 Corinthians 5:21

You should definitely listen to last week's podcast on women's Bible studies in case you missed what all the fuss was about

Also, if you don't know what I mean by "decision theology," you should look into that and find out where you land on it. Read this great piece by Brian Wolfmueller and find out why Lutheran's aren't big fans. So much Scripture. I love it!

 

Thanks for listening!!

 

To continue the conversation, find me on TWITTER, go to the facebook page, or email me! - [email protected].

Check out blog posts on www.shefindstruth.com!

Production Notes · music - Spoke in the Wheel by Electric Tangerine Audio at http://audiojungle.net/user/ElectricTangerine · Vocal Introduction by Kena Clark ·  Intro/Outro Production by Bradley Hofbauer

 

 

Women's Bible studies are a surprisingly controversial topic in Christian conversations. You'd think they would be a no-brainer, but instead it can be divisive and complicated. 

In today's episode I address the elephant in the room when it comes to popular authors like Beth Moore and Sara Young and what place they should and shouldn't have in Bible based churches. I explain the problematic theology that pops up in women's groups around the country and also why it IS so attractive. We look at a list of suggested criteria for vetting a Bible study you might use and I have some tips for leaders too. 

Suggested guidelines:

1. Ask your pastor for suggestions and/or to vet the resource you are considering.
2. Does the material frame the conversation around a theology of the cross? Or a theology of glory?
3. What role does Scripture play? Is the Bible a book of rules or the story of our rescue?
4. There should be law AND Gospel both. So something about sin and also something about Jesus saving us from that sin. What is the suggested answer to the sin problem? [red flags]
5. Does author distinguish between passive righteousness and active righteousness?
6. Does the study see Jesus as a coach? A magic helper? Or a Savior?
7. What is the author’s view of the Means of Grace? Is the author anti-sacramental?

The links:

Lisa Cooper's paper - "An Evaluation of Beth Moore's The Patriarchs study in View of the Two Kinds of Righteousness"

Lisa's List  - Evaluating Christian Women's Bible Studies

Katie Schuermann

Heidi Goehmann

Donna Pyle

Oh I forgot to mention on the show that the CPH LifeLight studies are a good solid study of Scripture. Not gender-specific, just for all believers! 

Thanks for listening! Share with a friend and be sure to subscribe to the show!

To continue the conversation, find me on TWITTER, go to the facebook page, or email me! - [email protected].

Check out blog posts on www.shefindstruth.com!

Production Notes · music - Spoke in the Wheel by Electric Tangerine Audio at http://audiojungle.net/user/ElectricTangerine · Vocal Introduction by Kena Clark ·  Intro/Outro Production by Bradley Hofbauer

 

 

How is God WITH me? Recently when I was trying to clarify what my podcast and blog are all about, I ended up with a chart. 

It's been pretty helpful in reminding me of all that God offers me and how I have access to those things in the incredible physical world he has created. 

This episode focuses in on those 5 means of grace in the middle. Listen to the show and decide whether I'm a heretic or not. Also, I go on a rant about all the crazy things people are saying on the internet that we kindof like the sound of - "claiming my marriage for God!" but that don't really make that much sense and can lead us down a dangerous path of looking inward instead of to God. I agree being conscious of our sins and issues is helpful, but just because I write it down on a notecard doesn't mean God is going to "fix" it the way I want Him to. Just sayin. 

During the show I said I'd have more links in the show notes to other shows/blogposts about these topics. Here they are:

For more on Baptism, check out this podcast episode... and this blog post...

For more on Confession, check out this podcast episode... and this blog post...

For more on the Lord's Supper and the means of grace, here's a podcast...

For more on Fellowship, here's a podcast..and a blog post..

For more on my obsession with Scripture..here's a podcast.. and a blog post..

 

Thanks for listening! 

To continue the conversation, find me on TWITTER, go to the facebook page, or email me! - [email protected].

Check out blog posts on www.shefindstruth.com!

Production Notes · music - Spoke in the Wheel by Electric Tangerine Audio at http://audiojungle.net/user/ElectricTangerine · Vocal Introduction by Kena Clark ·  Intro/Outro Production by Bradley Hofbauer

 

 

I'm back from holidaytime and I'm so glad to get things going for 2017! Today's show is me checking in and talking us through some things about reflecting on 2016 - in good ways - and looking ahead at the coming year. I share some of my resolutions and how I'm afraid of failure. At the end I throw in a bit about sanctification. It's great! Check it out. 

Oh and here's the book I mention - it's great too!

Galatians: Selections from Martin Luther

 

 

To continue the conversation, find me on TWITTER, go to the facebook page, or email me! - [email protected].

Check out blog posts on www.shefindstruth.com!

Production Notes · music - Spoke in the Wheel by Electric Tangerine Audio at http://audiojungle.net/user/ElectricTangerine · Vocal Introduction by Kena Clark ·  Intro/Outro Production by Bradley Hofbauer