Today, I have the absolute pleasure of sharing my conversation with the one and only Douglas McKelvey. Douglas is a songwriter, author, and liturgy writer extraordinaire. I have never met someone like Douglas. His gift with words and passion for Christ cultivates a visceral invitation to be more present in this life, to find your fight again as you walk this weary way, and speaks to our hope of the next life with Jesus.

Douglas shares with me his story of what led him to Nashville, TN, his journey from songwriting to fiction writing and the idea of unpacking his belief that every moment in this life is sacramental, and sometimes words can help us to be present. Thus, the birth of Every Moment Holy. There are now 3 volumes of Every Moment Holy, each unique in how they offer opportunities for us to be awake to the moments we are living in. Whether that is something as simple as waking up in the morning and enjoying a sunrise, something unique like beginning a novel, or the keeping of bees, holiday celebrations, to going on a trip, there is a liturgy for it in one of these volumes. Many of these liturgies, especially in volume two, also hold space for the hard and holy moments around grief and lament, and even for those facing the end of their life. I cannot begin to express how much many of these liturgies have ministered to me as we’ve walked through many losses, and the anniversary of losses, over the last few years.

As it is that time of year, Douglas and I also talk about how to embrace the season of advent,  which asks our hearts to prepare Christ room, but also to ask “where is our hope?” as we wait for Jesus to come back again. He even blesses us with a reading of his “A Liturgy for the Start of the Christmas Season.” I hope all of this conversation serves as a blessing for you in this season. I hope it is serves as an invitation to prepare Him room not just for now, but for always. And I hope and pray, it reminds you that you are not alone in this life, no matter how it may seem, and Jesus is coming back for us. You matter. Your story matters. Merry Christmas!

Connecting with Douglas and Every Moment Holy:

Facebook

Instagram

Douglas’ Website

EMH Website

EMH Downloads, some free, some for purchase

EMH App

Please consider joining our Patreon community. If you have enjoyed what you have heard on the podcast today or from other episodes, we would so appreciate your support to keep the Simply Stories Podcast going. You can sign up for as little as $3 a month and each tier offers gifts that I hope will bless you in return. If you cannot financially commit at this time, please consider leaving us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts.  My family and I are so grateful for each of you and how you are part of our story.

Scripture References:

Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:36-Christ is the Lord over all 

Colossians 3:17-Whatever you do whether in word or deed

Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12- Being a living sacrifice 

Romans 8:22- Groaning and longing with creation 

Acts 2, Hebrews 10:19-25-The body of Christ in worship together

Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, Ephesians 4:7-13- 1 Timothy 4:14-, 1 Peter 4:10- We are given spiritual gifts and our gifts are for ministering 

Psalm 23:4- The valley of the shadow 

Psalm 91, Psalm 42, Psalm 55, Psalm 34- Psalms that express disappointment, fear, pain, heartbreak 

Lamentations 3:19-24-But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope… great is His faithfulness

Job 2:8-10- sitting on the ash heap

Job 13:15- Even so I believe you are faithful

Psalm 27:13-14- What would have become of me if I had not believed I would see the goodness of the Lord? Wait for and hope for the Lord

Revelation 12:12-13- come quickly 

John 1:5- The light has come and pierced the darkness

Daniel 2:44, Revelation 11:15-  Jesus is the King who will set all things right and establish a dwelling place on earth that never ends

Revelation 21:4- He will wipe every tear from your eyes

Habbakuk 1:2-How long oh Lord will you make me look at violence 

Luke 22:19-20-The Lord’s Supper

1 Corinthians 13:12, Hebrews 10:1-5- We see now with veiled faces and a dim picture

Revelation 19:6-9-The marriage supper of the lamb

John 1 (14)- the MSG- “Jesus moves into the neighborhood”

Luke 1-3-The Christmas story 

Isaiah 9:6- The Prince of Peace

1 Corinthians 16:23- Jesus is waiting with open arms

References:

Charlie and Andi Peacok- The Art House

Mechanical royalties for songwriters 

Coram deo 

Leslie Bustard

“In the Garden” 

Odessa Settles

Andrew Peterson 

Every Moment Holy Volume 1

Rabbit Room Press

“Liturgy for the Ritual of Morning Coffee”

Every Moment Holy: Death, Grief and Hope Volume 2

Ned Bustard 

Examples of the cries of the Psalmists are “alive to the hope and alive to the heartache” 

My personal favorite reel of the insanity of December 

Every Moment Holy: The Work of the People Volume 3

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog 

A self-proclaimed “accidental author”, Carole Holiday was living a very full life as a wife, mother, and nana, until one day, everything fell apart. Her marriage to her childhood sweetheart of over 35 years ended, followed by losing her job and ultimately filing for bankruptcy. Then she developed heart issues because of all the stress, and a continued windfall of loss, and grief in losing close loved ones, until it felt like there was absolutely nothing recognizable about the life she had known. 

In her book I Don’t Know Who I Am Anymore, Carole shares her story, but it is such a unique book that weaves honest reflections, practical applications of how to minister to those in grief,  beautiful applications from scripture, and recipes to share with others or to comfort your own heart.  She asks powerful questions about what we build our lives on, and find our identity in. These can be good things like relationships, careers, and even our health, but they are ultimately temporal. Christ alone is the cornerstone that can keep a life on a firm foundation. 

This is an episode for my friends who are asking God, “What do I do now?” when a dream has died. This is an episode for my single friends, my divorced friends, and my widowed friends who may feel unseen in their communities. This is an episode for those who have known any amount of grief or loss and need to know they are not going to disappear or drown in this season. There is hope for you, we can testify to it.  As long as you’re breathing, there is more for your story. You matter and your story matters. 

Connecting with Carole: 

Book

Facebook

Instagram

Website

Please consider joining our Patreon community. If you have enjoyed what you have heard on the podcast today or from other episodes, we would so appreciate your support to keep the Simply Stories Podcast going. You can sign up for as little as $3 a month and each tier offers gifts that I hope will bless you in return. If you cannot financially commit at this time, please consider leaving us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts.  My family and I are so grateful for each of you and how you are part of our story. 

Scripture References:

1 Timothy 4:12-Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young 

Psalm 95:6-, Matthew 16:24,  James 4:7- We lay it down before the Lord 

Matthew 17:19-21-The mustard seed of faith

Galatians 5:22-23-Produce fruit in me 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8-There’s a time to tear down and to build  

Psalm 118:22, Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11-Jesus is the cornerstone that the builders rejected

Matthew 7:24-27-Building on the sand or the rock 

Luke 22:31-Being shifted like wheat

Luke 7:36-50-The woman who washes Jesus’ feet with her tears

Luke 7:11-16-The widow whose son had died

Mark 12:41-44-The woman with her small offering 

John 11-Mary and Martha at Lazarus’ tomb

Romans 8:22-29-Creation groans and longs to be restored

Romans 8:26 -The Holy Spirit speaks a language of lament

John 14:26-The Holy Spirit is our advocate

Habakkuk 1:2-4-How long Lord will you make me look at injustice and violence?

Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21–23-The heart is deceitful above all else

Psalm 6:6-David flooded his bed with tears

2 Samuel 12:1-25-When Nathan spoke to David, he  hit his face to the ground

Psalm 56:8-God gathers our tears in bottles

Matthew 21:12-17, John 2:13-25-Jesus goes charging into the Temple angry

John 2:15-17-Jesus sat and created a whip 

Philippians 1:6-God is not finished with your story 

Psalm 107:2-Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story 

References:

-Dr. Paul Conti’s book Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic 

-Seeing Beautiful Again- Lysa Terkeurst

-The women’s movement of the 60’s 

-Holocaust - hear the survivor’s stories 

-Celebrate Recovery 

-A.E. Graham’s episode where she shared about being in George W’s White House, and practicing scrutiny

-Bonnie Lewis- wrote a translation of the Bible called Timshel

-“Operation no more tears”- Sally Lloyd Jones

-Lament in the Bible 

-A “thin space” 

-Patricia Raybon’s episode 

-Jim Crow

-Julia Child

-Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You are- Lysa Terkeurst

- “Daniel Tiger”- “The Mixed Feelings” song

- “Bluey” 

- Life of the Beloved - Henri Nouwen

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog 

Over the last several years, I don’t think there is anyone who has not been touched by loss or some kind of grief.  Today's guest, author, and literary agent Mike Nappa is incredibly familiar with loss and living with grief. In 2016, he lost his beloved wife, Amy, to cancer. In his learning how to live life without her, God has shown him why grieving is such an important part of losing a loved one. As Mike says, he learned how to cry into his keyboard and produced one of the most poignant books that bears witness to grief that I have ever personally encountered. It is called Reflections for the Grieving Soul: Meditations and Scripture for Finding Hope After Loss.

We are often so uncomfortable with grief and treat it like it is a problem to be solved. However, God Himself, in all three persons of the Trinity, grieves, and we are made in His image. It isn’t sinful to grieve. Mike says: “There are things in this world worth loving enough to grieve, and if we don’t grieve well, we are taking away from the image of God within us.” Although, as we’ll discuss in this episode, there are ways to grieve well and there are also ways to grieve poorly and even destructively.  The depths of grief isn’t a place where we want to live permanently, but we have to hold space for it or it will make itself known in other ways. When we don’t walk this journey, we miss out on the blessings for those who mourn.

There are quite a few tears shed during this episode, but honest, perhaps blessed, tears. I would like to offer this episode as a benevolent witness and comfort to whoever might need it in this season. The Lord promises blessing and comfort for us, dear ones. He is near to you. You matter, and Your story matters. 

Connecting with Mike:

Books and other publications

Facebook

Website

Please consider joining our Patreon community. If you have enjoyed what you have heard on the podcast today or from other episodes, we would so appreciate your support to keep the Simply Stories Podcast going. You can sign up for as little as $3 a month and each tier offers gifts that I hope will bless you in return. If you cannot financially commit at this time, please consider leaving us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts.  My family and I are so grateful for each of you and how you are part of our story. 

Scripture References:

John 12:4-6- Judas was the treasurer

Ephesians 2:8-There’s nothing I can do to earn God’s love

John 15-Without Him we have nothing 

Psalm 121, John 14:26-We need help from the Helper

Genesis 6:6- God looks at the wickedness of man and is grieved

Matthew 26:38-Jesus says “My soul is crushed with grief”

Ephesians 4:30-Paul reminds us that we can grieve the Holy Spirit 

John 11:17-41-Jesus stood outside of Lazarus’ tomb and wept 

Matthew 5:4-Blessed are those who mourn

Matthew 5:1-11-  the beginning of the Beatitudes and their promises

Psalm 34:18-19-The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Hebrews 13:5-6-He will never leave me or forsake me 

Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28-God has a purpose and a plan for your life

Acts 17:28-In Christ we live and move and have our being 

References:

-Norman, OK

-Lebanon 

-Judas Iscariot’s story

-Hard Way Home 

-Dr. Gary Chapman

-Pixar

-An example of a book written by women on her journey home What We Wish Were True by Tallu Quinn 

- “What is grief if not love persevering?”- Wandavision

-If you’d like to see it, here is my Dad baptizing my daughter. 

-Hebrew  and Greek translations of “blessed” makarios

- “Ten Unexpected Benefits of Grieving Well” article by Mike

-Douglas McElvey and Every Moment Holy “Liturgy for Leavings”

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog 

Gary Miracle is an author and a speaker who passionately believes in the power of storytelling and how it unites us and spurs us on when life is tragically hard, and also reminds us who we are and who God made us to be. In this episode, he shares his story of growing immersed in church culture on Sunday but then suffered from an identity crisis the rest of the week as he chased perfection, and changed personas in order to be affirmed by anyone and everyone. Finally, later in his life and career, now a married man with kids, Gary reached his breaking point and reached out to his friend Bart Millard of the band “Mercy’s Me” who began to disciple Gary and guide him to a life-changing and intimate relationship with Jesus.

Not long after, in December 2019, Gary went from celebrating Christmas with his family feeling a little under the weather to being on his literal deathbed on New Year’s Eve. The first week of 2020 Gary’s life hung in the balance as teams of doctors worked on him and cared for him, and his loved ones stormed heaven for him. On January 10th, 2020, Gary opened his eyes, alive, but his body would never be the same, and his limbs were dying. Gary shares his journey of his 107 days stay in the hospital, reentering into his life without his legs and hands, and how God met him in all of it in our time together, but he goes more in-depth in his book No More Bad Days: Trading the Pursuit of Perfection for the Gift of Grace.

Gary is passionate about choosing to truly live instead of just being alive and doing that authentically with others. We were made in the image of a communal God, and as we face the intensity and heartbreak of our lives, He provides people to walk through hard things with us. However, that call to live in community requires risk and humility, but as Gary reminds us, when life is at its lowest moments, people God gives us can echo hope back to us.

This is a message for anyone who needs to know there is more left for them in this life. This is a message for those who need to remember God is still in the business of miracles. This is a message for someone who is walking through horrible circumstances but needs to be reminded that God still has good for them. You matter, and your story matters.

Connecting with Gary:

Book

Facebook

Instagram

Website

Please consider joining our Patreon community. If you have enjoyed what you have heard on the podcast today or from other episodes, we would so appreciate your support to keep the Simply Stories Podcast going. You can sign up for as little as $3 a month and each tier offers gifts that I hope will bless you in return. If you feel you cannot financially commit at this time, would you please consider leaving us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts? My family and I are so grateful for each of you and how you are part of our story. 

Scripture References: 

Romans 10:8-9, John 1:12-13, Galatians 4:4-6-,  There’s nothing I can do to make Jesus stop loving me

Galatians 2:20- It is no longer I who lives, but Christ in me

1 Samuel 17:36-54- David wrestled with lions as a shepherd before he faced Goliath 

Lamentations 3:22-23- His new mercies are new every day 

Job 1:21- The Lord gives and the Lord takes away

Job 42:5- All of my life I’ve heard about You, but now I’ve seen you with my eyes

John 16:33- In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world 

Luke 18:19, 1 John 1:5- God is truly good

Ephesians 3:16-19- I pray that He would strengthen you with power according to

Jeremiah 29:13- seek me and you will find me if you seek me with all of your heart 

John 3:16- For God so loved the world that He gave us His son

2 Peter 1:3- God has given you His power, and authority to live this life 

John 10:10 - The enemy is coming to steal, kill and destroy, but Christ came to give us life to the full 

Matthew 24:36-Nobody knows the day or the hour

Revelation 21:27- The Lamb’s book of life

John 14:3, Acts 1:11, Revelation 22- We’re going to Heaven

Exodus 3- Moses’ story in the Bible, he struggled to speak

Romans 6:17, chapter 7 Grace is not a license to sin

Romans 6:1-7-We are no longer slaves to sin

Psalm 139:14- Still fearfully and wonderfully made

Psalm 27:13- What would have become of me if I had not believed I would see the goodness of the Lord 

Revelation 19:10, and 12:11  A spirit of testimony

Philippians 1:6- God is not finished with me 

Exodus 14:13-Stand firm and you will see the deliverance of the Lord

Psalm 27:14 (AMP), Isaiah 40:30-31- I will hope, I will wait, I will long for the Lord 

2 Corinthians 12:9-11-I am weak but Christ is strong 

Ephesians 1:18-  This is the hope to which we’ve been called 

Jeremiah 29:11- God has plans for hope and a future

Micah 6:8- help us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God 

Mark 2:17, Matthew 10 Jesus came to heal the sick, and save the lost 

2 Corinthians 10:5- Take every thought captive

References:

Skillet

Audio Adrenaline 

Bart Millard 

Mercy Me

“I Can Only Imagine” movie

“Say I Won’t”

ECMO Machine

God kept transforming David’s life (The Uriah and Bathsheeba incident, leading Israel, strife and conflict in his family…) 

The Blue vs. Gold dress debate

Jada Edwards

The study I mentioned is When You Pray

Mark Stuart

The Christian shirts of the 90’s

“Almost Home” by Mercy Me

“Take heart” that Jesus uses is the same term “tharseō”  that Moses used with “stand firm” 

Ben Roethlisberger

Pat Riley

Shaquillel O’Neil

Kobe Bryant

Toby Mac’s Dove Awards acceptance speech 

Other ways to hear Gary speak

Gary speaking at his daughter’s graduation

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog 

Justin and J.L. Gerhardt are on the podcast today, and you will love hearing from them! There is an epic retelling of their meeting and falling in love complete with 90’s Hearthrob meet cute and all. More than that, Justin and J.L. share about their journey of God leading them both into ministry with words, calling their family to travel the world, and unleashing their creativity and courage to press into new ways to encounter God and His Word. This journey has given birth to various creative outlets for the Gerhardt family, but the one we talk about the most in this episode is Justin’s incredible podcast “Holy Ghost Stories.”

“Holy Ghost Stories” is a unique podcast that is more like an immersive narrated experience that takes stories from the Old Testament, unpacks them, and breathes life into the grit and shadow as well as the rapture and delight of God encountering His people. Justin’s heart for this podcast is to remind us that we have an inheritance of stories in scripture that we share in an immersive, but often adolescent way to children, to try and captivate them and introduce them to God. And then they grow up. And as Justin says “We stop telling the stories and stop teaching the stories. And a story taught is different than a story told.” There is absolutely fruit to be found in teaching! However, grown-ups can miss out on what these stories have always had for us when we face real suffering, real rejoicing, and everything in between unless we revisit what they really were: real events that happened with real people with a very real God.

Y’all hanging out with the Gerhardts is such a delight, and I can’t wait for you to get to know them a little better. If you loved this episode, or love Holy Ghost Stories you need to attend a live experience! And for my local friends, there is one coming up in Nashville in December! I really believe you will see the Old Testament in a more alive and engaging way, and it will help you prepare your heart for the coming of Christmas. I hope I see you there.

Connecting with the Gerhardts:

Hazefire Studios

Holy Ghost Stories Podcast 

J.L.’s Substack- “The Goodness”

Justin’s Substack “The Latest”

Holy Ghost Stories Instagram

J.L.’s Instagram and Books

Giving to Holy Ghost Stories one time or via Patreon

Please consider joining our Patreon community. If you have enjoyed what you have heard on the podcast today or from other episodes, we would so appreciate your support to keep the Simply Stories Podcast going. You can sign up for as little as $3 a month and each tier offers gifts that I hope will bless you in return. If you feel you cannot financially commit at this time, would you please consider leaving us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts? My family and I are so grateful for each of you and how you are part of our story.

Scripture References:

2 Corinthians 12:9- Strength in weakness

Hebrews 12:2- God is the author

Hebrews 4:12-The Bible is alive and active 

1 Samuel 28- The witch of Endor

Genesis 37-50- The Story of Joseph

Jonah 1-4- Jonah and the Whale

Genesis 6- Noah and the Ark

Genesis 39:12-18-Potiphar’s wife calling to Joseph

Judges 3:12-30- The story of Ehud and Eglon

Judges 1- The book of Judges

Genesis 25 (is where it starts)- The Story of Jacob

Genesis 32:22-31- Particularly when Jacob wrestles with the Angel 

Mark 10:51, John 5:1-15- Jesus asks “What do you want?”

Number 23:19, God is not a human, but He is a person

Matthew 2:16-18,  There are multiple genocides in the New Testament (encompasses Revelation)

Acts 8:1-2, Acts 9-  There is persecution in the New Testament

Job 1:21- God gives and takes away 

Genesis 6:6, Ezekiel 6:9, God’s heart grieves

Matthew 9:35-37, John 11:11-44, John 12:27,  John 16- Jesus grieved

Ephesians 4:30- Holy Spirit grieves

Genesis 1:27-We are made in God’s image

Luke 24:13-35-Jesus and the Road to Emmaus

Exodus 3- The burning bush that is aflame, but doesn't burn up

Psalm 84

Psalm 130 (The Voice)

Luke 1:5-19-Elizabeth and Zechariah

References: 

Videos of people seeing color for the first time (OK seriously grab your tissues) 

My first interview with J.L. 

Peaky Blinders

90’s Leo DiCaprio

Avengers “assemble!”

Fyre Festival 

Kate Bowler

This is the book of Kate’s I mentioned that was under my computer. I LOVE it. 

Kuala Lumpur (in Malaysia)

Holy Ghost Stories series episode with the Witch of Endor: The Lion, the Witch and the War Zone

HGS series on Joseph: The Harbinger, The Fugitive and the Host- Part 1, 2 and 3

HGS episode on Noah and the Ark: The Optimist and the Only One

A pie chart of the genres within the Bible

Episode 3 of HGS- Ehud and Eglon: The Mastermind, the Southpaw and the Big Boy

HGS Episode on Jacob: The Father and the Second Born

Curt Thompson’s new book The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope

Episode of HGS on Jonah: The Pushover, the Runaway and the Belly of the Beast (Part one and two)

The Moses Season of Holy Ghost Stories

The Exodus episode: Rite and Passage

A Storied Family

Holy Ghost Stories LIVE in Nashville: the Christmas show!

Holy Ghost Stories Live in other cities

The episode J.L. wrote for HGS on Eve: The Giver and the Taker

What is Advent?

400 years of enslavement in Egypt

400 years of silence from God

Rahab’s HGS Episode: The Dismantler, the Secret Agents, and the Woman on the Inside

Tamar’s HGS Episode: The Kinsman, the Widow, and the Mark

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog 

I am so excited to share with you a really special conversation with the incredibly talented Renaissance woman Nikki Anders. Nikki is an award-winning musician, songwriter, and music producer in the TV and film industry. She shares some of her experiences in the music industry as a solo artist and member of the music group Avalon, her and her husband Adam’s time working on “Glee” as well as many other films, and now are the creative team behind the new movie musical “The Journey to Bethlehem.”

Nikki shares how the Lord closed and opened so many doors over the last seventeen years from an idea about a Christmas movie the whole family could enjoy and focus on the true story of Christmas, all the way to bringing the music, script, and spectacular vision on their hearts to fruition. Placing themselves in the shoes of the real people who lived the days of Jesus’ coming into the world was a practice of holy imagination and allowing themselves to wonder how God wove this story together. The Christmas story is sometimes too familiar to those who have grown up hearing it. This movie and its music breathes so much life into the incredible true story of the God who loved us so much, He sent His Son as a baby, to a very real family, who faced very real risks, because we needed a Savior.

Ever since I had this conversation with Nikki, the music has brought up some really amazing conversation opportunities and questions from my two kids, and I already can tell our experience of Christmas and Advent this year will be different because of this movie, the music, and the way it has ignited the curiosity and imagination of my children. 

This world is weary and longs and groans to be restored. A Savior has come and made redemption and salvation available to all who call on Him. And I hope that wherever you are, I can whisper some hope to your heart today. You matter, friend. And your story matters.

Connecting with Nikki:

Anders Media

Adam’s Instagram

“Journey to Bethlehem”’s Instagram

“Journey to Bethlehem” soundtrack

Nikki’s Instagram

Twitter/ X

Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

Facebook

Instagram 

Tik Tok 

Website

YouTube

Please consider joining our Patreon community. If you have enjoyed what you have heard on the podcast today or from other episodes, we would so appreciate your support to keep the Simply Stories Podcast going. You can sign up for as little as $3 a month and each tier offers gifts that I hope will bless you in return. If you feel you cannot financially commit at this time, would you please consider leaving us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts? My family and I are so grateful for each of you and how you are part of our story.

Scripture References: 

Ephesians 4:1- Following the call of God

Matthew 13:1-9- Scattering seed living as God wants you to live

1 Corinthians 10:31- Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God

Daniel 1- Daniel and the exile in the Palace of Babylon

Daniel 3- Shadrach, Meshach and Abendengo’s God

Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2- Mary, Joseph, and the Christmas story that is in the pages of scripture

Luke 1:26-56 - Mary and an angel appeared to her

Matthew 2:16- The massacre of the innocents

1 John 1:7 (among others!)Jesus covers us with His blood

Matthew 6:13- Thine is the Kingdom 

Ecclesiastes 1:9- There is nothing new under the sun

Luke 1:20-25, Luke 1:57-80- Zechariah couldn’t speak

Isaiah 14:27-Nothing can stop the Lord

Luke 1:37- Nothing will be impossible with God 

Matthew 2- The wise men

Matthew 2:7-9-Conversations between the wise men and Herod

Ephesians 6:10-18-We are armed with the Armor of God

James 1:2-4- consider it all joy when you endure trials

Ephesians 6:12- We are not at war with flesh and blood 

Hebrews 9:28 (and many others)- He’s coming again

References:

Adam Anders

Avalon 

Steven Curtis Chapman 

See ALL of Niki’s accolades and credits here. It is a LONG list.

“Glee”

Belmont University

Avalon “A Maze of Grace”

“Adonai”

Lea Michelle

When you sing you vibrate your vagus nerve/singer's joy

Corey Monteith

Mark Salling

Naya Rivera 

“The Glee Project”

“Glee” First Season Soundtrack

“Glee” Second Season Soundtrack

“Faithfully” from Glee

“High School Musical” movies

Zac Efron 

“The Greatest Showman”

“If Only”

Dove Cameron

Lost Valley Ranch

The Navigators

Bob Foster

“West Side Story”

“Annie”

“Dawson’s Creek”

Her song from Dawson’s Creek “Only Give My Heart”

Paula Cole’s theme song from DC

“The Wedding Planner” movie

Jennifer Lopez

“Adore You” from TWP movie 

“Camp Rock”

“White Christmas”

“Meet Me in St. Louis”

“Elf”

Our past Advent series on the podcast 

Antonio Banderas 

The Dad from “Spy Kids” and “Puss in Boots”

Joel Smallbone - “In My Blood”

“The Chosen”

“It's Good to Be King”- Antonio Banderas

“The Passion” on Fox hosted by Tyler Perry

The wise men didn’t come right away

Charlie Brown reading the Christmas Story

“Mother to a Savior & King”

“Mary You’re Getting Married”

For King & Country

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog 

Travis Thompson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who practices in Middle Tennessee. He is a PhD candidate who works with clients from many backgrounds to find the deeper meaning of their struggles and embrace long-term recovery from the pains that they experienced.  His work is focused on being healed from past hurt and toward future success. During our conversation, Travis shares his journey of wrestling with his own mental health as a teenager, his recovery and healing journey, and entering the world of becoming a mental health professional serving and helping others like those who served and helped him.

We’ll talk today about the stigmas around mental health, counseling, and medication, particularly in Christian circles, and how to care for people struggling with addiction AND those walking through it with them. Travis has actually written a book specifically around that topic of understanding addiction and how it impacts those around an addict and it is called To Those Left Behind: Helping Partners and Families Understand and Heal from Addiction. He’ll unpack many of the themes from his book, the effect and aftermath on mental health and addiction from the pandemic, where we see mental health in the Bible and he offers hope to those who may be suffering in the cycle of addiction as well as encouragement for those in the residual waves of it with someone they love.

Modern mental health issues and recovery can seem overwhelming and confusing. I hope this conversation can serve you wherever you are in your journey, and perhaps Travis’ book might as well! No matter whether this journey is a part of your story, or someone you love, we are all wrestling with real issues bound up in these broken bodies. There is hope for all of us. As long as you’re breathing, God is not finished with you. You matter, and your story matters. 

Connecting with Travis: 

Book

Twitter (X)

Website

Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

Facebook

Instagram 

Tik Tok 

Website

YouTube

Please consider joining our Patreon community. If you have enjoyed what you have heard on the podcast today or from other episodes, we would so appreciate your support to keep the Simply Stories Podcast going. You can sign up for as little as $3 a month and each tier offers gifts that I hope will bless you in return. If you feel you cannot financially commit at this time, would you please consider leaving us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts? My family and I are so grateful for each of you and how you are part of our story.

Scripture References: 

Romans 8:28- God works all things together for good 

Psalm 107:2- Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story 

Psalm 142 (an example)King David struggling with mental health

Ephesians 4:17-32- Paul talks about putting off the old self, drunkenness for one

Job 16:2- Job’s friends and their bad advice

Gensis 3- Eve misquotes God’s word

Galatians 5:24-Paul talks about gnostic dualism

Matthew 17:20- Mustard seed 

Psalm 19:1- The Heavens are declaring the glory of God

Psalm 112:1-9 Psalm 37:4-, God made us to know delight

Hebrews 4:12- The word of God is alive and active

Genesis 19:30-38- Forgive me Noah!! It was LOT getting drunk off the boat and having sex with his kids. Whoops!

Genesis 6:1-8- Nephelim… so weird 

1 Samuel 17 (51-54) David cuts Goliath’s head off and keeps it as a trophy (ew)

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8- To everything there is a season

Philippians 1:6- This isn’t how the story ends

References:

-Little Free Library

-Foster Care in TN 

-Recidivism 

-”Bluey”

-Vanderbilt Mental Health facility

-OnSite 

-My conversation with Irene Rollins, her book Reframe Your Shame

-gnostic dualism

-Witchcraft in scripture

Job’s unhelpful friends 

-Book of Job from Bible Project (so insightful)

-Impact 360 Institute 

-Kathryn Maack talks about integrating your head and your heart

-”All truth is God’s truth”- Saint Augustine

“Every story whispers his name”- Sally Lloyd Jones

Louie Giglio’s testimony (and love for science)

Louie’s Devotionals for kids about science (there’s also a podcast) 

Dr. Michael Heiser- supernatural worldview theologian (this series is what I am currently listening to and its WILD)

-Dr. Heiser’s episode with me

-The video teaching with him and other supernatural worldview called “The Unseen Realm” theologians on some of the stuff I mentioned briefly about nephlim and Jericoh and whoa.

The World Turned Upside Down: Finding The Gospel in Stranger Things

-Big T trauma and Little t trauma

-The 4 responses- fight, flight, fawn and freeze

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog 

I have a powerhouse on the podcast in the form of Kelly Balarie. Kelly is an author and a speaker who is passionate about Jesus and the Word of God. She is a sister in the trenches and a self-proclaimed spiritual cheerleader. Every book she has written, she writes from a place of “this is where God has been faithful to me in this season.” Or “this is what God has been teaching me,” full of authenticity, and powerful scripture-saturated insights for women who desire to walk well and be filled to the fullness of God. 

In our conversation today, you’ll hear about her latest book Taking Every Thought Captive: Exchange Lies of the Enemy For the Mind of Christ. We unpack that term,“the mind of Christ,” and what it means, how to connect deeper into the heart of God as we yield our minds and hearts to His love, plans, and purposes for our lives. We go deep and wide about spiritual warfare and even the differences between spiritual possession and oppression.  We’ll talk about the goodness of God in the “even ifs” of life, how our thoughts in suffering can impact us, how God can and will meet us in the feelings He gave us, and so much more. Kelly’s love for the Lord and the power of His word is vivacious and galvanizing and I truly believe it will serve as a balm to your soul today. 

God is not finished with us. He is not finished with the Church. He is not finished with this world. Even when things are hard, or everything looks like it is past redemption, hope and His love get the final word. You matter, friend. Your story matters. 

Connecting with Kelly:

Current Book: Taking Every Thought Captive: Exchange Lies of the Enemy For the Mind of Christ

Facebook

Instagram

Website

For great resources for Bible study and getting into God’s word check out the Daily Grace Co!

Please consider joining our Patreon community. If you have enjoyed what you have heard on the podcast today or from other episodes, we would so appreciate your support to keep the Simply Stories Podcast going. You can sign up for as little as $3 a month and each tier offers gifts that I hope will bless you in return. If you feel you cannot financially commit at this time, would you please consider leaving us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts? My family and I are so grateful for each of you and how you are part of our story.

Scripture References:

Ephesians 3:19-21- Filled to the fullness of God

2 Corinthians 10:5- Take every thought captive 

Philippians 2:1-11, Ephesians 3:16-21- We are powerful in Christ Jesus 

Psalm 42:7- Deep calls to deep 

Matthew 4:1-11- Jesus in the wilderness 

Luke 4:1-14- Jesus was endowed with power (after His temptation)

1 Corinthians 11 

1 Corinthians 2:9- No eye has seen, no ear has heard what I have for You

Philippians 4:7- Beyond our understanding

1 Corinthians 2:10- These things are revealed by the Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:11, 2:12-13-Who can know the Lord’s thoughts… but we can understand these things for we have the mind of Christ 

Romans 5:8- Jesus died for us while we were still sinners

John 10:27- “The sheep that are my own hear and are listening to My voice and I know them and they follow me.”

1 Peter 5:7- Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you. 

Psalm 23:5- You set a table from me in the presence of my enemy

Psalm 27:13-14- What would have become of me if I had not believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living 

Jeremiah 29:11- Plans of a hope and for a future

2 Peter 1:3- You have everything you need in Christ

Matthew 14:22-34-Peter hops out of the boat 

Hebrews 12:1-3- He’s the Author and Perfector of our faith

2 Corinthians 5:17- I am a new creation 

Galatians 2:20- It is no longer I who live, but Christ in me

Romans 6:11- I am dead to the old and alive to the new

Romans 13:14, Colossians 3:12-15, Ephesians 6:10-18-Clothing ourselves in God’s word

Matthew 6:11- I receive today our daily bread 

Exodus 16- The manna in the wilderness, trusting every morning He would provide

2 Corinthians 3:18- We are being transformed into the image of Christ

Genesis 3- Eve’s desire to know what it was like on the other side of the bite

Ecclesiastes 3- There is a time for everything and every season under Heaven

John 16:33- In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world

1 Peter 1:12-Angels marvel at the mystery of the Gospel

Isaiah 14:27-Who can stop the Lord almighty? 

Revelation 12:11-We triumph by the blood of the Lamb and the Spirit of testimony 

Job 13:15-Thou He slay me, I will trust in the name of the Lord 

Matthew 13- The enemy comes and eats the seed that’s been laid by the Lord 

Demon possession in scripture 

Ephesians 1, 3 -Holy Spirit is inside of those who believe in Jesus

Matthew 16:23- “Satan, get behind me”

Psalm 121:4- The Lord never sleeps or slumbers

Psalm 91 Rest 

Romans 8:28- God works all things together for the good of those who love Him

Proverbs 26:2- A curse without cause cannot alight

Psalm 24:3-4-Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Those with clean hands and a pure heart

Psalm 51:7- Wash me 

2 Timothy 1:7- We don’t have a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind

Romans 8:37-I am more than a conqueror in Christ

Proverbs 18:21- The power of life and death is in the power of the tongue 

Genesis 1, Psalm 33:9- God spoke the world into being

Nahum 1:1-7-, Isaiah 14:27- Who can stand against the Lord Almighty?

Ephesians 3:17-That Christ would be more and more at home in your hearts

Ephesians 3:14-21- The power to understand God’s love  (I LOVE this scripture as a prayer)

Exodus 3:14 · John 8:58, John 17- He is a triune God 

Romans 12:3-13-We need each other in community

2 Corinthians 12:6-10- Paul had a thorn in his flesh, God said His power is made known in His weakness

Isaiah 55:8-9-Our ways are not His ways

Psalm 139:14-We were perfectly and wonderfully made

Philippians 1:6- He is not finished with your story 

Psalm 23:6- Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of our lives

Psalm 37:4- Give the desires of our heart

Psalm 145:13, 2 Peter 3:9, Hebrews 10:23, Isaiah 55:11- He is faithful to His word 

Psalm 56:9- This I know, God is on my side

Galatians 5:22-24- Where the Spirit is there is no law

Psalms 33:18-22- Trust and obey

Isaiah 30:21-A voice behind me will say “this is the way walk in it”

References:

Nutella Latte

Fear Fighting

Battle Ready

Rest Now

Keep your head where your feet are (12 Step)

Spiritual possession vs oppression (spiritual warfare)

Real witchcraft in the world 

Witchcraft in scripture

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog 

Dr. Clarence Shuler is the President and CEO of his nonprofit BLR- which stands for Building Lasting Relationships. Their mission is to equip others for discipleship in various venues. He and his wife both speak and write about marriage, but also dealing with infidelity, and divorce, but they especially love to minister to singles in the church. Whatever it looks like, the Shulers are committed to “loving people with God’s love with no agenda and see what happens.”

During our conversation today, Dr. Shuler shared his story of coming to Christ through a relationship that would impact his life in many ways, through a young guy by the name of Gary Chapman. Yup, the Love Languages guy. I share that because their relationship gave birth to 50+ years of friendship and an opportunity to share how crossing those racial lines in the 1960s taught them both and continues to guide them in helping others learn how to embrace cross-cultural friendships today. Dr. Shuler himself does quite a bit of diversity training for companies, and for churches, and brings such gracious honesty to the table about what it has been like for him as a Black man in predominately white spaces.

His most recent book is a really powerful and raw look into his journey with depression and a sense of hopelessness. The book is called Finding Hope in Dark Places: Facing Loneliness, Depression, and Anxiety with the Power of Grace. He coauthored it with his therapist, Dr. Monique Smith Gadson, otherwise known as Dr. Mo. Their book is unique in that it gives an honest narrative of Clarence’s personal experiences as he walked out the darkest place of his life, but also shows his relationship with his counselor and how she was able to help him in that season. It is full of spiritual and mental health wisdom, it does not end tied in a bow, but it is overflowing with hope. Dr. Shuler hopes that sharing his journey will empower anyone, but especially Black men, to embrace vulnerability and find God’s power and healing in weakness.

I also want to echo this powerful reminder Dr. Shuler gives in this episode: Being in a dark place is not a sin. It is a place for the Lord to reveal Himself in a whole new way. We see throughout scripture about the Lord shepherding us in dark places, and in this world, we will know and have trouble, but we will never be alone and He will help us to find our hearts again there. He is not finished with you, friend. You matter and your story matters.

Connecting with Dr. Clarence Shuler:

Books

Facebook

Website

Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

Facebook

Instagram 

Tik Tok 

Website

YouTube

Please consider joining our Patreon community. If you have enjoyed what you have heard on the podcast today or from other episodes, we would so appreciate your support to keep the Simply Stories Podcast going. You can sign up for as little as $3 a month and each tier offers gifts that I hope will bless you in return. If you feel you cannot financially commit at this time, would you please consider leaving us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts? My family and I are so grateful for each of you and how you are part of our story. 

Scripture References:

Matthew 28:19-20- Making disciples 

Genesis 1:26-28

Colossians 2:10- You are complete in Christ 

Genesis 3- Men’s curse/purpose from the Garden 

John 14:27- The world gives peace that doesn’t satisfy 

Isaiah 45:3- “I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”

Isaiah 43-46

2 Corinthians 1-4

Psalm 63, Psalm 57, Psalm 142-David was in a dark place hiding in caves

1 Samuel 24- When David didn’t kill Saul 

Revelations 3:7-8-I can shut a door no one can open and open doors no one can shut

Acts 2- the tongues of fire and each in their own language understanding one another

Genesis 11:1-9-Tower of Babel

John 13:35- They will know Me by your love

1 Chronicles 12:32- Men and women of Issacar and know what time it is 

2 Corinthians 1:9- Indeed we felt within ourselves we would die… but we believe in the God who raises the dead

James 1:2-4- Suffering isn’t punishment 

John 16:33- In this world you will have trouble 

1 Peter1:6-7 , Zechariah 13:9-  you are going to have many trials, the fire will refine you

Romans 5:3-5- Suffering produces character, which produces…

Philippians 1:6- The Lord isn’t finished with you

Revelation 21- This isn’t how the story ends 

2 Corinthians 1:10- On Him we have set our hope

Colossians 3:23-24- We do not find our significance in men but in the Lord 

Hebrews 13:5- We’re never alone 

Lamentations 3:19-25

Psalm 23

Psalm 27:13-14-What would have become of me had I not believed I would see the goodnes of the Lord in the land of the living

References:

Brandi Wilson’s episode where she shares about her divorce

Brown v. Board

Desegregation in the South was still SLOW. 

Gary Chapman

Black Panther Party

KKK Parades

Finding Hope in Dark Places 

Dr. Mo- aka Dr. Monique Smith Gadson

No More Faking Fine: Ending the Pretending by Esther Fleece

Gary and Clarence sharing about their relationship

The book they wrote: Life Changing Cross Cultural Relationships: How You Can Help Heal Racial Divides, One Relationship At A Time

Stephen Kendrick

Charles Stanley

Hymns about victory from white protestant churches

Songs from the Black church about suffering, survival and lament. 

The #1 group battling depression in America is Black men

Research shows that when people are able to talk about suicidal ideation, they are less likely to follow through with it. 

Statistics show that in the coming years, the vast majority of America will be brown (Michelle Ami Reyes speaks on this as well on our podcast and in her work)

Apartheid ended, what happened?

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog 

Today I have the absolute joy of sharing with you my conversation with Kayla Craig. Kayla is a modern liturgist as the woman behind Liturgies for Parents online. She is a Mama of 4, a supportive pastor’s wife, and just this week she released her second book Every Season Sacred. In our conversation today, you’ll get to hear Kayla’s heart as she shares about what it looks like to pursue an honest and abundant life full of wonder and work. In all the spaces she occupies, she offers an open invitation to be curious, to express our questions, doubts, or confusion as we walk out our faith journeys, and to see the Lord make Himself known no matter where we are.

Her first book To Light Their Way is a book of liturgies for everyday life and real-life parenting feelings, celebrations, issues, and places that are hard to parent through. (It is a personal favorite in my home and in walking life out with my friends and family). Her most recent book Every Season Sacred is an offering to still engage your faith life in your parenting journey and faith conversations with your kids, no matter where they lie. This book isn’t a formulaic way to do faith and family. It is what Kayla would call a “hand hold” for wherever you are. It is for you as well as your kiddos. It is practical and applicable, but also invitational and gracious. What you find in these pages is flexible for application while living your actual life and can easily be incorporated in an intentional, but parent life-sized way. There are prayers for all kinds of life experiences, and hold space for each of your unique kids to respond (or not respond) uniquely. I can’t wait for you to hear more about it and just find yourself encouraged by Kayla today.

You don’t have to do this parenting thing perfectly or shoot just the living life thing, perfectly. As Kayla reminded us, we are all in process and working out the hard things in our life, whether people realize it or share it or not. You are not alone, God is with you. And you matter. Your story matters.

Connecting with Kayla:

Facebook

Liturgies for Parents’ Instagram

Kayla’s Instagram

Podcast

Website

Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

Facebook

Instagram 

Tik Tok 

Website

YouTube

Please consider joining our Patreon community. If you have enjoyed what you have heard on the podcast today or from other episodes, we would so appreciate your support to keep the Simply Stories Podcast going. You can sign up for as little as $3 a month and each tier offers gifts that I hope will bless you in return. If you feel you cannot financially commit at this time, would you please consider leaving us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts? My family and I are so grateful for each of you and how you are part of our story. 

Scripture References:

Ephesians 3:20-21.Psalm 113:4-6-God is bigger than anything we could fathom

Psalm 139:23-24-He already knows our questions or doubts or fears

James 4:6--God is so gracious

Zephaniah 3:17, Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 139:7-12 -God is with us

Colossians 2:2, Ephesians 3-We can rest in the mystery of Christ

1 Corinthians 3:9-Co-laborer for the Gospel

Matthew 6:9-13-The Lord’s Prayer

Isaiah 6:3- -There is glory happening around us all the time (the Earth is filled with His glory)

1 Corinthians 12:12-27-We are ALL part of the family of God

Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 7:9 -God is the God of all tribes of all tongues and nations

Jeremiah 31:3,, John 3:16- -God loves you

1 John 3:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:5,  God calls you a beloved child

Jeremiah 29:11-We don’t know what the future holds, but He does

Philippians 1:6-The story isn’t over 

References:

-Kayla’s first episode on the podcast 

-To Light Their Way her first book (which is SO good)

-The “Craigmore”

-”Home Alone” house

-MySpace (RIP)

-Liturgy for talking about racism with your kids

-Liturgy for School Shooting 

-Liturgy for When Child Sees Something Scary on the News

-Every Season Sacred

-The Church Calendar (a GREAT resource for incorporating this into your life! And an episode from us explaining the Church Calendar) 

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog