Simply Stories Podcast

Today I am chatting with one of my good friends Elizabeth Wyndham, but to pretty much everyone else, she's ELiz. So, as we are rounding out our 4 part Seeker series as we intentionally look at the questions and doubts people have about following God, I really wanted to spend time chatting with ELiz for a few different reasons. She has spent a lot of time as a student of the Middle East, and she lived there as a student in 2011. Eliz also is a woman of deep faith, and her love for the Lord and His Word is so beautiful to me, but she went through an experience of needing to make her faith her own and she spent a lot of time asking questions, listening and learning until as she says she found that :"Christianity was the only religion I couldn't disprove" And she shares that process with us, and also how searching for Christ and how He intersected with the world when He was on Earth continues to inform her faith and how she interacts with others still today.

So through her knowledge of cultures and their paradigms, her immersive experiences, her heart for the Word of God, and the Gospel, I asked Eliz to come on the podcast and take me to school and ohhh boy did she. This one is a little longer than our average episode, but I know for a fact that there is a word for someone in this episode today. Whether it's about learning things you didn't know before in regards to the world Jesus walked around in, how things are for Christians in other countries, bringing the Word of God even more fully alive, or an encouragement to you to dive deeper into your own faith journey, there's something for everyone in this conversation. I hope it meets you where you are.

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References:

MP Seminars

Ride a camel to Petra

Jordan

Egypt

The Arab Spring

Syrian Civil War

Egypt's military dictator was kicked out

Tahrir Square

Geography of Northern Africa, the Middle East and South Africa

"The Prince of Egypt"

Sinai peninsula

Turkey is the bridge between the Middle East and Europe

Chinatown in Egypt

"My Shot"- Hamilton

Garbage City

"Dhimmi/Dhimmis" 2nd class citizenship in Egypt //definition

City of the Dead

Caste system

Train cars for women

Islamic view of women

"Shame is only shame if its known" (why women don't share about sexual assault in the Middle East)

Early Christianity in ancient Rome, it was a known as the religion for women

Infanticide was common in ancient Rome, especially for girls

Hand of Fatima

Folk Islam

Muslim people who dream about Jesus

Our episode with Patrick Prill

Latasha Morrison and de-centering

The 3D Gospel by Jason Georges (contains the culture test)

Roland Mueller, Honor & Shame // The Messenger, The Message and the Community

Kenneth Bailey Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes

Michael Heiser - his books and his episode with me, also listen to his podcast

Mark Clark's The Problem of Jesus: Answering a Skeptic's Challenges to the Scandal of Jesus, and also my conversation with him

Bridges small group study- how to connect and ask good questions with Musilm people

J.D. Greear

Carl Medearis

Nonie Darwish- Wholly Different: Why I Chose Biblical Values Over Islamic Values

Scripture References:

Exodus 14- The Exodus story from Egypt

Matthew 2- Jesus went there for a time when He was a baby

John 4- Samaritan Women

Luke 8- Unclean woman (issue of blood)

Leviticus 15:19- A menstruating woman would defile who she touched

Ephesians 3:14-20, Romans 8:15, Romans 9:25-26, Galatians 3:26-27, 1 John 3:1- Adopted into the Family of God (sons and daughters of God)

Luke 24- "His resurrection was announced to the people whose testimony only counted for half" (the women)

Luke 8:26-39- living among the tombs, Legion, filled with demons and Jesus

Mark 5:1-20- Legion couldn't be bound

2 Timothy 2:11-13- more info and multiple Biblical references here: Jesus binds Satan with His death, He conquered Satan, He is King and we will rule with Him

Revelation 20- Demons will ultimately go to the eternal abyss

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

Ephesians 2:6-7- Jesus is in Heavenly Places

Matthew 3:2,Matthew 4:17,Mark 1:15- The Kingdom of God is at hand

Romans 8:17- Co-heirs with Christ

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

1 Corinthians 9:19-23- give up some to save many

1 Corinthians 6:12- Must not become a slave to anything

1 Peter 2:7-9- A rock of offense

Mark 2:13-17- Jesus eating with sinners

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

1 Corinthians 13- If I speak without love, I'm a clanging gong

Exodus 16:4- Mana in the desert for each day in the portion needed

Matthew 6:5-15- Give us this day our daily bread

Acts 2- Tongue of fire from the Holy Spirit

Hebrews 12:2- Jesus went to the cross despising its shame and now is seated at the right hand of the Father

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Pastor and author Mark Clark joins me on the podcast today for a timely and powerful conversation. Mark founded the Village Church in Vancouver back in 2010, and he shares today his powerful story of transformation from growing up as a skeptic to finding Christ and ultimately being called to ministry.

Mark said something in our conversation that led to one fascinating part of this conversation. He said, as a Canadian, when he speaks in America, he often says "I come to you from the future," and he unpacks what it looks like to live and pastor in post-Christian culture. He shares that there is a call to re-introduce Jesus to a culture who thinks they know what Jesus is about, but ultimately have made much of their decisions about Him based on the culture they find themselves in, the environment they've known or the broken choices of broken people in the Church. We talk about how many people wrestle with what they've seen and they walk away from faith all together, but how we can meet people where they are by reminding them who Christ truly is.

Mark has also written a book called The Problem of Jesus: Answering a Skeptic's Challenges to the Scandal of Jesus. His book attempts to clear away much of what hinders us from looking DIRECTLY at Jesus because of all the chaos around us. He says to "Let the work of Jesus scandalize you, instead of allowing us to be scandalized by those in the Church." He presents so many facets of Jesus, historically, culturally, and how His life turned the world upside down in the context of ancient Israel, but how that same power still changes lives today. The more clearly we see who Jesus is in scripture, the more clearly we can see Him now.

There is just so much to unpack here, and I think it's just a conversation that is right on time. Jesus knows the questions we have. He knows the brokenness we are surrounded by. He can take it, and He wants us to take these things to Him.

Connecting with Mark:

Book

Facebook

InstagramTwitter

Website

Connecting with Village Church

Recommended Bible Study Resource:

Daily Grace Co.

Podcast

Instagram

References:

-Augustine- "For now, treat the Scriptures of God as the face of God; melt in its presence" (Sermones 22, 7).

-C.S. Lewis-

-The Problem of God: Answering a Skeptic's Challenges to Christianity (Mark's first book)

-The Bible Recap with Tara Leigh Cobble

-"If God had perceived that our greatest need was economic, He would have sent an economist. If he had perceived that our greatest need was entertainment, he would have sent us a comedian or an artist. If God had perceived that our greatest need was political stability, he would have sent us a politician. If he had perceived that our greatest need was health, he would have sent us a doctor. But he perceived that our greatest need involved our sin, our alienation from him, our profound rebellion, our death, and he sent us a Savior." —D. A. Carson, A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and His Prayers (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992), 109.

**To hear from someone who has walked through a process of "deconstruction" and came out truly loving Jesus even more, listen to my conversation with Bunmi Laditan. (Not that she'd recommend her methods… but just a story that ultimately God made Himself known to her on her windy path).

Scripture References:

Genesis 5:32-10:1- Noah

Abraham

1 Corinthians 6:19- You are tabernacling with the Lord

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

Matthew 23

Joshua 5:13-6:27- Joshua (the fall of Jericho and the opportunity for repentance, Rahab, and etc.)

Matthew 5:44- "Love your enemy"

1 Corinthians 7- Husband and wife- one marriage

Matthew 3:2,Matthew 4:17,Mark 1:15- the Kingdom of God is at hand

Matthew 6:21- Where your treasure is, there your heart is

Luke 24:1-12-Jesus rose from the dead

1 Corinthians 16:22-23

Gospel of Mark

Gospel of John

Book of EphesiansDeuteronomy 4:29; Proverbs 8:17; Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9; Acts 17:24-28- If you seek Me you will find Me

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Suffering is part of life this side of Heaven. Walking with Christ is not about trying to will your emotions out of the equation, but to reconcile your experience with what God says is true. I love how Tyler defines doubt, he says: "Doubt is an event in the world that conflicts with the story that you believe." That will happen. It is inevitable. Jesus makes space for ALL of it. And while so much of the Church has struggled, we don't have to tear it all down and walk away from faith in the process, we can press in and learn how to reconstruct what has been broken and walk in the deep places that call us even deeper intimacy with Christ.

Several weeks ago when Tyler and I chatted, he was still praying through a big leap of faith and just about a month ago, he announced that he is stepping down at Oaks Church in Brooklyn and is currently transitioning into a position at Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon, to take over John Mark Comer's position as lead pastor. Man, what an incredible and challenging season for them as they boldly follow God's call! You can hear his heartfelt announcement on his Instagram page, and also, if you hop over to John Mark's Instagram page you can hear really great conversations between them as well about all the themes of Tyler's incredible book. I just think its fascinating to see this unfold for him, his family as the Lord asked him to share a book about diving deep with Him, and He called Him even deeper. Won't He do it. Be sure to check out our conversation, follow him online and if you think of it, pray for him and his sweet family in this season of transition.

I hope that no matter where you are today, you hear this conversation and you are encouraged and reminded that the Lord cares about you. That He wants to meet you in your story because it matters to Him. Your story matters. You matter. And even if you have struggled with faith communities in the past, it doesn't mean there's no place for you or your story. Don't lose heart, dear one. The Lord is with you.

Connecting with Tyler:

Instagram

Website

Church he's transitioning to in Portland, Oregon: Bridgetown Church

Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

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Facebook

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References:

-Oaks Church in Brooklyn, NY

-Todd Nettleton from Voice of the Martyrs sharing on the podcast

-The Problem of Pain == Mere Christianity

-A Grief Observed - personally facing suffering and hardship in a world where we believe incredible things about God which are true but we are experiencing things that hinder me from feeling and believing

-Niki Gumbdon- founded Alpha :: Previous generations asked: "Is it true? Now, it's is it real?".

-baby boomers

-Vietnam War

-Cold War

-The Great Depression

-Ravi Zacharias scandal

-The Wounded Healer - Henry Nouwen

-Walter Brueggemann

-David Benner for a story to provide meaning have to make suffering sufferable

-Victor Frankl (psychologist and concentration camp survivor) what gives our lives meaning is our experiences of suffering

-Monastic communities putting graveyards next to places of worship : "What you are, I used to be, what I am you will be."

-John Mark Comer

Scripture References:

Acts 2:36-47-When there was a struggle in the culture, the early Church engaged how to be the hands and feet of Jesus

The minor prophets:: (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi)

Micah 6:8--when you cannot worship through normal means, worship through justice.

Book of Amos

Book of Isaiah

John 6:1-14 -loaves and fish

1 Corinthians 12:12-31-learning to be the body of Christ

John 11:16-Thomas' faith (Thomas is ready to die with Jesus)

Luke 24, John 20:24-31-Thomas' moment of doubt

Luke 24:13-35-road to Emmaus

Matthew 28:16-20-the great commission

Luke 22:54-62 -Peter-denied Jesus

John 21:1-20-Then Peter receives grace

Acts 2:14-36-Peter leads Pentecost

Psalm 42:7-deep calls to deep

Ephesians 5-stay awake to what matters in life

Psalm 23-the valley of the shadow

Psalm 12-13, 44, 86, etc. -Psalms of Lament

Proverbs 27:1,James 4:13-14 -we're only promised today

-Jeremiah and Isaiah -surrounded by so much challenge, but were so awake to the presence of God

Jeremiah 31:3, Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 4 (and 3!) - (and many more verses) life is about intimacy with God

1 Corinthians 2:9-10, Revelation 21:3-4 -Heaven is unbroken intimacy with God

Psalm 16:11, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Ephesians 5:1-20, James 4:8, 1 John 1:9 -life is about becoming more like Jesus and doing the stuff He did in the world

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Today, we're starting a 4 week mini-series that intentionally looks at the role of questions and faith, and the art of wrestling, seeking, and the answers found in Christ. Today, I'm chatting with author Patrick Prill who has recently released a book called Things Atheists Say That Simply Make No Sense, and it examines many of the popular, and particularly scientific claims made by notable modern atheists and agnostics.

During our conversation, Patrick and I unpack the various scientific and non spiritual schools of thought, as well as the understandable and heartbreaking questions many wrestle with about God's goodness and suffering, and then how all of it stands up to the nuances of who God is, and seeking His heart in the midst of all the broken. This conversation is a powerful learning opportunity, a rallying cry for those who confess to know Christ, and a call to take all that we see, hear, and seek to the foot of the cross. I hope you lean into this conversation, no matter where you are in your faith. You and your questions are welcome here.

This Easter season is one like no other. We are well into a year of a global pandemic, and people are HURTING. There is suffering, tension, questions and accusations overflowing from every direction, and honestly, there is much about where we are that mirrors where Christ put on skin and came to Earth. And yet He came anyway. He chose to die anyway. And He chose to rise again. He can take our questions, because ultimately He is the answer.

Wherever you are this holy week, I hope and pray that you know how much you matter to the Lord. He came for you. He died for you. He rose from the dead for you. And if you choose Him too, He will give you more than you could ever ask for or imagine, even if and when you continue to wrestle on this side of Heaven. He is risen, friend. He is risen indeed. You matter. Your story matters.

Connecting with Patrick:

Book

Podcast Partner: Daily Grace Co.

Facebook

Instagram

Podcast

Store (Affiliate link that supports the podcast. Thank you!)

References:

Bowden Wyatt

Dallas Theological

Texas Christian

Richard Dawkins

Agnostic

Stephen Hawking

If the Earth is off a degree….

Scientific materialism

Determinism

Edward Hubble the universe is expanding

-"Contact"- her moment of knowing we're not alone

-The Bible Recap

-Friedrich Nietzsche

-Holocaust

-Spiritual Gifts test :)

-My church's sermon series on spiritual gifts

-Maundy Thursday

-30 years old is when Jewish Priests began to serve and it began with ceremonial washing

Scripture References:

-1 Peter 2 - "We're all supposed to be in the game (called to minister)

-2 Timothy 1:14- Guard the deposit entrusted to you

-1 Peter 4:10- we're called to use our gifts

-the Romans road

-Romans 3:22-24- there is sin and we need a Savior

-Exodus 9 - Pharaoh's hard heart, warnings given when the plagues were coming

-Galatians 5:13 / Joshua 24:15 / Mark 8:34 / Philippians 1:21- we have been given choices

-Mark 4:35-41- crying out to God in the storm "don't you care if we die?"

-Luke 15:11-32- The prodigal son parable

-Mark 16:15- we are invited to share the Gospel

-2 Timothy 3:16-17-we are equipped with resources to share the Gospel

-1 Timothy 2 Matthew 5:44- , pray for EVERYONE

-Proverbs 3:3-4-be faithful with those who are around you

-Luke 16:10- he who is faithful in little, is faithful in much

-Ephesians 4:1- live a life worthy of your calling

-Mark 12:30-31-love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself

-Matthew 26:17-29,Mark 14:12-25,Luke 22:7-30,John 13:18-30,John 13:1-17,John 13:31-35 - the last supper

-Matthew 26:36-43- Jesus goes and prays His guts out and His friends left Him

-Luke 13:33; Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22; Mark 8:31-Jesus made the call- 3 days from now, I'm going to rise from the dead

-John 6:38/John 10:10- Jesus came down to get us

-Ephesians 4:22-25- We receive citizenship in Heaven

-1 Corinthians 1:30 / We receive His righteousness

-Acts 2:38-39-We receive the Holy Spirit

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

-Isaiah 53- He was the suffering servant

-Hebrews 4:15- He is a High Priest that can sympathize

-Luke 9:58- the Son of Man had no place to lay his head

-Mark 3:31-34-struggle between Him and His earthly brothers and sisters

-Luke 22 - one of His closest friends is the one who sold Him out

-Matthew 3:13-17-Jesus' baptism

-Matthew 3:16/Acts 10:38- the Holy Spirit anointed Jesus

-Matthew 4:1/Luke 4:1- the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness

-Galatians 5:22-23- the fruits of the Spirit

-Romans 5:5- processing things through a lens of hope

-Exodus 13:21- led by the literal presence of God by fire and dust

-Acts 1- the followers come down from the Mount of Olives with an huge mission

-Acts 2:14-36-120 witnesses listening to Peter's sermon

-1 Corinthians 15:6 - Jesus appeared to 500 people after His resurrection

-Romans 1:14-17-the power of salvation to those who believe

-1 John 3:16, John 15:13- they laid down their lives for each other

-Acts 2:4- the tongue of fire falls on men and women to speak another language

-Genesis 11:1-9-pre- tower of Babel

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Today I have the absolute pleasure of sharing my conversation with the remarkable Linda Evans Shepherd. Linda is an award winning author, and speaker, and she's one fierce prayer warrior and the word of God just flows out of her in the most beautiful way. Linda has been through several Job like seasons in her life which have brought her to her knees during some dark nights of the soul. In those seasons, Linda was asking God a lot of the questions many of us have been asking during this insane year: Where is He? Does He love me? Does He care about me? She shares with us what she has learned about the power of prayer from her own experiences, and she goes deep and wide in how the Lord can and will meet us where we are because He met her too.

Her most recent book is called Praying through Every Emotion and that's exactly what it is. It's a book comprised of prayers that speak directly to the heart of the matter, no matter where they fall on the emotional spectrum. The everyday ones like joy, sadness, anger, annoyance, etc. all the way to the hard ones like bitterness, depression or suicidal ideation. This conversation was just so powerful because Linda's story is powerful, and the activity of God in her life is powerful. But she also shares how accessible God is to ANYONE. If you need some breath in your deflated faith, or a reminder of how to pray, or just a powerful word spoken over your day, this episode is for you.

There is something about spending time with some\one who has been to hell and back and their love for Jesus and their walk with them has only deepened that just feels like balm to a weary soul. I cannot suggest her book enough, it's a beautiful tool for such a time as this. Listen, friend. No matter where you are today, I want you to know that this is not how the story ends. There is still hope. God is still moving, He is still faithful, no matter how dark it feels. Don't give up. You matter. Your story matters.

Connecting with Linda:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Website

*Linda's special offer of extra prayers that didn't make it into her book!!

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Scripture References:

The book of Job- his losses, his wife says to curse God and die, his friends mock Him

Job 13:15- Even if He slay me, yet I will trust in Him

John 15:12- To love and be loved

Philippians 4:7- Peace that passes understanding

Lamentations 3:21-23- God is faithful (and a ton more!)

Mark 4:13-20-Parable of farmer and good seeds and soil

Matthew 13- The cares of this world choke the seedlings so they can't bear fruit

Galatians 5:22-23-Fruits of the Spirit

Luke 3:21-22, Matthew 3:16-17- When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended on Him

Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13- He then goes to wilderness to experience temptation

Matthew 26:36-56, Luke 22:39-46 - Jesus wept in the garden of Gethsemane

John 11- Jesus wept for Lazarus

Psalm 34:18,Hebrews 4:15, Romans 8:26 -Jesus is with us and experiences our pain with us (we have a High Priest who can sympathize, He prays for us in groanings we cannot even understand)

Romans 14:8-9- Asking Jesus to become Lord of our life

1 John 1:9- Asking Jesus to forgive us of our sins

John 15:4-11, John 16:12-15, Galatians 5:16-16, We begin a process of yielding to Him and the work of the Spirit in our lives

1 Peter 5:7- Yielding our cares to God

Psalm 46:10- Be still

Praying the Living Word to a Living God

Ephesians 6:10-18- Armor of God

Ephesians 4:22-24- Put on the righteousness of God

Judges 7, 2 Chronicles 20- God wiping out armies with no human help

2 Corinthians 12:7-10-Thorn in my flesh

Matthew 6:14-15, Matthew 18:21-22- We forgive as an act of obedience

Romans 8:28- work together for the good of those who love Him

Genesis 50:20- End of Joseph's story, what the enemy meant for evil, God used for good

Romans 8:37- We are more than conquerors in Christ

Psalm 51:10- Create in me a clean heart oh God

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18-Pray without ceasing

Matthew 25- The 10 Bridesmaids story

2 Timothy 3:1-4:5- Form of godliness, but denying His power (in the last days)

Genesis 22:14, Ezekiel 34:26-29, Psalm 104:27-28, Psalm 145:16,-God is our provider

Luke 11:1-13- Teach us how to pray

Ephesians 3:20- More than you could ask for or imagine

John 10:10- Jesus came that we would have life and life to the full

Isaiah 41:13, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 121:1 - We have help

Psalm 62:8, Psalm 91- We have a refuge

References:

Praying Through Every Emotion

Co-dependency is an addiction

Andrew Murray prayer- Moody Bible Institute "more Holy Spirit"

"God of my end" - Puritan prayers

Roseanna M. White books where the characters pray this prayer (also 3 of my favorite Christian fiction books EVER)

The Autobiography of George Mueller

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*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today, my girl, Tiffany Bluhm is back on the podcast! Tiffany's heart lives at the intersection of justice, women and faith, and her newest book Prey Tell: Why We Silence Women Who Tell the Truth and How Everyone Can Speak Up shines a light on issues women face, burdens women bear, fears women live with, dealing with secrets that lurk in dark places until exposed in detrimental ways, and what we, as people of faith, can do about it.

As a recovering people pleaser, this is a vulnerable moment for me. Talking about the big issues women are facing in sacred and secular spaces, examining narratives that have done more harm than good, its murky water. But this is important. Jesus asked big questions to reveal hearts and draw us closer to Him. As a woman, made in the image of God, who has struggled with confusing narratives, and is raising both a young lady and a young man, these things need to be brought out into the Light. I want to be willing to navigate murky waters so that we can seek God's heart and His wisdom here, do something with the questions in front of us, and make an impact for the present, and the next generation of image bearers, and Tiffany holds this space beautifully.

Tiffany's perspective about responding to news of a scandal in faith based spaces was really powerful. She said: Love is not divorced from justice. We have to look at this issue holistically. What does it look like to move forward as Christians in the midst of the carnage from a spiritual leader's fall? She mentioned great things like examining the differences in loyalty to conviction, and loyalty to a person or separating the message from the messenger. Just because broken people make broken choices doesn't get to take the power of the Gospel in your life. And it also doesn't mean that they won't ever be used by God again! But there are consequences to our actions. This is super hard, and uncomfortable, but that doesn't make it less important.

Praise God He isn't finished with any of us. Thanks for hanging in there with me in the deep end today, friend. You matter. Your story truly matters. See you next time.

Connecting with Tiffany:

Facebook

Instagram

Podcast : Why Tho

Twitter

YouTube

Latest book: Prey Tell: Why We Silence Women Who Tell the Truth and How Everyone Can Speak Up

References:

First time Tiffany was on the podcast

Our video conversation on my YouTube channel

YouVersion Bible Studies (one of the many! Search Tiffany's name on the app to find more!)

First 2 books and Bible Studies: She Dreams and Never Alone

Kat Harris

Article I mentioned about evangelical view of sex https://religionnews.com/2021/02/18/ravi-zacharias-carl-lentz-is-the-evangelical-view-of-sex-at-the-root-of-our-sex-scandals/

Ravi Zacharias scandal / I'm going to post two articles here, and then one for the following individuals. You are welcome to do your own research. xo

Bill Hybels

Willow Creek's history

Carl Lentz

John Crist- interestingly enough… it took quite a bit of digging to get an article on this very recent event. All I can could initially find was recent material since he's come back online, and his apology. Here is an article about what happened. Which. Is… interesting.

Andy Savage

The arrest of a 95 year old man who worked at a concentration camp

"Case for Christ" (book and movie) by Lee Strobel -- which are VERY good by the way

Scripture Resources:

John 10:10 - Abundant life that Jesus came and died for

Genesis 3- Eve's failure

Genesis 1

Psalm 121:1 - I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from

Genesis 3:17-19- Adam and Eve's curses from the garden

Hosea 1 -Gomer

2 Samuel 11- David and Bathsheeba

Genesis 16- Abraham and Sarah and Hagar

Genesis 12:10-20, Genesis 20- Sarah and Abraham - lying TWICE

1 Corinthians 11:3-16 / Ephesians 5:21-33 / (the biggie) 1 Timothy 2:11-15 - Paul's often cited passages about women (there are several that are addressing specific church and cultural issues, especially in Ephesus and Corinth)

Acts 2 / Acts 16 / Acts 18 / Acts 21:7-9/ Romans 16:3/ 2 Timothy 1:1-5 - Paul also fiercely encouraged and supported women

Luke 8:1-3 / John 4 / Luke 7:36-50 / Luke 4:38-40 / John 19:25-29 / Luke 23:28 / Luke 7:11-17 / - (see also below with bleeding woman, adulterous woman and moooooore. Do the research :) ) - Jesus's life and His encounters with women

1 Kings 18-19 / Revelation 2:20- Jezebel

Jeremiah 29:11 / Romans 8:28- God has made us for good purposes

Ephesians 4:1- Live a life worthy of their calling

Galatians 6:7-9-God wants there to be redemption, but there's also consequences.

2 Samuel 13-24-David's family is torn apart, his kingdom is torn apart, their son dies, and he doesn't get to build the Temple.

Matthew 1:6- Bathsheeba is in the line of Christ

1 Chronicles 28:6- Solomon, their son, goes on to be King and build the Temple

2 Samuel 12- Nathan the prophet calling out David

Mark 5:1-20-The demoniac

Mark 8:22-26- The blind man

John 8:1-11-The adulterous woman

Matthew 9:20-22- The woman with the issue of blood

Psalm 27:13-14-I still know God is good

1 Peter 5:8 (many verses here)- Satan's agenda to sow discord between us

Genesis 3:8-13-Blame shifting in the garden

Ephesians 5:14- Wake up, o sleeper

Matthew 5:44 / Romans 14:6-12- Praying for those who disagree with you

Matthew 21:12-13- Jesus flipping tables

Romans 10:11- The language of shame is not of the Lord

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*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today on the podcast I am chatting with the wonderful and beloved fiction novelist, Suzanne Woods Fisher. Suzanne is such a kind and genuine person, and she has a passion for getting to the heart of those who may be misunderstood, and parts of history that may not get as much press. During our conversation, she shares her story of how she came into the writing world to become the beloved author of many (as in over THIRTY) books, as well as what draws her into a story.

Her most recent book The Moonlight School shares a fictionalized account of the formidable Cora Wilson Stewart, who launched a grassroots movement to help those who didn't have easy access to education and to combat illiteracy. The story is incredible, the book itself is such a fascinating read, and it just feels right for this episode to land right in the middle of Women's History Month!

Suzanne is most well known for her many Amish fiction books, and she shared with me how her heart for story intersected with her family as Grandfather was "raised plain." He lived in an German Baptist community (a cousin of the Amish tradition, if you will,) where Suzanne was given accessibility to the people and strives to take readers "beyond the bonnets, beards and buggies." She also provides some interesting insight into why people may be so drawn to stories of Amish in the fiction world, or to their way of living and simple faith that is much stronger than it may appear.

Be sure and follow her, and pick up a copy of her beautiful book The Moonlight School, and find ways to listen to our conversation below.

Today's Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree with Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

Home buyer guide: http://bit.ly/buyersguidecrabtreehomes

Seller guide: http://bit.ly/sellerguidecrabtreehomes

Facebook

Instagram

Website

YouTube

Connecting with Suzanne:

Her books

Her most recent book: The Moonlight School

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

References:

Young Life

CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ)

Pioneer Woman Magazine

Magnolia Journal

Wired Magazine

Southern Living Magazine

Country Living Magazine

Martha Stewart Magazine

Highlights Magazine

The Amish

German Baptist

Amish Peace:Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World

Middle Easterners are a communal culture

Amish "Churches" are autonomous

Supreme court in 1972 about the Amish and Education // Wisconsin v. Yoder

LMU- Lincoln Memorial University

Hun-Dutch

Fonde, KY // Bell County

Scotch-Irish

Coal Mining Shutdowns

Christy- Catherine Marshall

Cumberland Gap

Cora Wilson Stewart

Illiteracy Rates in the United States

Appalachia Service Project

Dolly Parton (the one and only)

Imagination Library Program :: Books from Birth

Sevierville // Dollywood

Dolly's generosity to the people after the Gatlinburg

Organizations that Promote Literacy

The Little Engine That Could

Look Out, Kindergarten, Here I Come

How to start a Little Free Library

Birding

The story of cardinals

Cape Cod

Jane Kirkpatrick (her books on historic women) and our episode

Laura Frantz (our episode!)

Francine Rivers

Scripture References:

Acts 2:42-47-The original design of the church was communal

Jeremiah 29:11 / Ephesians 4:1 / Matthew 25:21- God has uniquely equipped you to engage what's in front of you

Psalm 139:14- You are uniquely and wonderfully made

Psalm 107:2- Your story matters, why not share it?

Isaiah 40:6-8 / Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word changes lives forever

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

Genesis 11:1-9- The tower of Babel

Acts 2:3- The Holy Spirit brings the fire of tongues

Isaiah 40:31- They that wait upon the Lord

Matthew 5:15 / John 12:35-36- Hold the Light

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)FacebookTwitterBlog

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today I get to share my conversation with the absolutely delightful Eryn Eddy. Eryn is a speaker, an author, a professional encourager, and is also the founder of So Worth Loving, which is a fashion brand and also an online community whose mission is to remind people of their value, and that they are indeed so worth loving! Eryn recently released her first book So Worth Loving: How Discovering Your True Value Changes Everything, and it is a beautiful book that shares Eryn's story of living through her broken heart after divorce, wrestling with God and in the process experiencing getting to know who He really is and his overwhelming and restorative love for her.

We talk about the struggle of quick fixes, instant gratification, satisfying legitimate needs illegitimately in different seasons ranging from rock bottom, to the places where we hide at the top. It all comes down to asking ourselves questions like: are we living a life that was not what you wanted for your life? Do you believe that you are loved by the Lord? What is it that you are seeking for it to define you life? Maybe there are places in your life where you feel so broken and depleted from this wilderness season, and you need spiritual intervention to even begin to pursue wholeness? I love how Eryn says: "The beauty in the breakdown was finally seeing that the life I was living was a lie, and I had the opportunity to put things back together with Truth."

Ultimately, no matter how far our hearts wander, we are ultimately still seeking Him, and the life that can only be found in Him, whether we realize it or not. And guess what? No matter what, it is always a life available to you because the truth is: you are so worth loving. When you can come to a place of believing this, not because of what you'd done or haven't done, but simply because the Lord wants you? That's a life changer. That's how much you matter. And your story matters. You're so worth loving.

PS: I serendipitously got to be the one who showed Eryn the physical copy of her book for the first time, and I'm so honored, but also don't mind our excited freak out mid conversation. Glory :)

Connecting with Eryn:

Book

Instagram

Facebook

Website

So Worth Loving Store

Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

Use the code SIMPLY15 for 15% off your purchase!

Instagram

Facebook

Our official link for shopping with Hopefuel (thank you for supporting them AND the podcast!)

Resources:

"You were not your idea"- Beth Moore

Beth Moore

Sharp Top Cove

Y.E.C.

Centrifuge

Purity Culture

With

"Gilmore Girls" Sookie and Smad

"Jingle Jangle"

"Make it Work Again" song from "Jingle Jangle"

Enneagram 2

Enneagram 7

Co-dependency

My-Space

God Hears Her Podcast

Elisa Morgan

MOPS

Our Daily Bread

Scripture References:

Ezekiel 37:26-28 / Jeremiah 32:38-40 / Leviticus 26:11-13- We were made to be with Him

1 John 4:19- We were made to know His love

Luke 4:1-13-Jesus' temptation and conversation between Himself and Satan

Luke 2:36-49 / Matthew 14:22-33 / John 6:16-26 - Jesus appears in places

Angels come

Matthew 3:13-17-His baptism from John the Baptist

Colossians 1:16-17 / Acts 17:28 / Proverbs 16:9-God is sovereign

Philippians 1:6- He will complete the work He began

Numbers 23:19 / Titus 1:2 / Hebrews 6:18 - God does not lie

Isaiah 55:9- His thoughts are higher than ours

Philippians 2:10-11-For God's glory (his holiness)

Jeremiah 29:11 - "I know the thoughts that You think towards me"

1 Peter 5:7- Cast all your anxieties on Him, He cares about your feelings

Ezekiel 36:26- Replace the heart of stone for a heart of flesh

1 Peter 3:22 / Proverbs 16-18 - He gets the last word

Nameless women in the NT: (just a few) - John 4 - Woman at the Well, John 8:1-11- Woman Caught in Adultery, Luke 7:36-50- Woman who Anointed Jesus' Feet

Colossians 3:12 / 1 John 4:7-8 / 1 John 3:1-2- You are beloved

2 Timothy 3:17- You are equipped

2 Timothy 1:14- You are entrusted

Isaiah 43:1- I have called you by name you are mine

2 Corinthians 5:17- You are a new creation in Christ

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)FacebookTwitterBlog

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today on the podcast, I'm excited to introduce you guys to debut author Jennifer Deibel. My conversation with Jennifer is a fun merging of a lot of things I love: history, learning about other cultures, the beauty of redemption, and the power of how we tell a story. Jennifer also shares her story of becoming an author, living in Ireland with her family and she shows off her amazing Irish Gaelic skills. Her beautiful book A Dance in Donegal, is a story that walks a character through incredible trials of faith, suffering, and reveals the layers of how one can receive love and experience redemption.

I hope that you love getting to know Jennifer in this episode, hearing the really cool facts about Ireland, the British Isles, their language, and some of the layers of what makes up the identity of a people. Most of all, I hope that you walk away feeling encouraged in some way. Whether that's the push towards perseverance to walk out your God dream, or if it's the reminder that there is no one and no situation that is beyond the redemption of the Lord, He cares about you, what's happening to you, and has plans for hope and a future for you. Take heart, dear ones.

Be sure and follow Jennifer, check out her beautiful book A Dance in Donegal and keep your eyes peeled for her 2022 release!

Connecting with Jennifer:

Her book : A Dance in Donegal

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Website // Subscribe to her "Newsies"

Sponsor for this Episode: Crabtree Homes by Exit Realty

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Youtube Channel

References:

The Better Mom Blog

Ruth Schwenk

Donegal

The thank you's in Irish gaelic: "go raibh mile maith agat" and the big one is "go raibh maith agaibh"

Wales/Welsh language

Republic of Ireland

Galway

Lit Fuse

"Brigadoon"

Gene Kelly

Battle of Culloden

Northern Ireland

Cromwell, banished them to hell or Connacht

Highlanders vs Lowlanders

6 Cornish languages

Hermione

Jaime Jo Wright

Courtney Walsh

Julie Klassen

Jocelyn Green

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

The "Redeeming Love" film

The Light at Wyndcliff - Sarah Ladd

"Mulan"

Anna & Elsa in "Frozen"

"Moana"

"Brave"

The Irish Potato Famine, "the soupers" (Christians who would only feed the hungry if they converted"

Cliffs of Insanity/Cliffs of Moher

"Knock on wood" - fairy trees

St. Brigid's Day

St. Patrick's Day

Richard Joyce: family who created the claddagh ring

The Irish War for Independence

Scripture References:

Ezekiel 36:26 / Luke 23:39-43 / Ephesians 1:7 / Psalm 103 - No one and nothing are unredeemable by the Lord

John 15:13- There is no greater love than the one who lays down His life

Psalm 40 /Psalm 63:3-4 / -Jesus is the lover of my soul

Revelation 19:7- I am His Bride

1 John 1:9 / Psalm 37:23-24 / We make mistakes, and we receive forgiveness

Romans 8:14 / Romans 8:26 / John 15:26- We are led by the Holy Spirit

Psalm 121: 7-8 / Psalm 34:22 / John 10:10 / John 14:3 - He's come to redeem me, now and forevermore

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)FacebookTwitterBlog

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today, I have the absolute pleasure of getting to share my conversation with the one and only Bunmi Laditan. Some of you may know Bunmi as the author, blogger and social media Honest Toddler personality. And while Bunmi has some HILARIOUS truths to share about children, surviving raising them, and parenthood, this season Bunmi is walking in now looks a little bit different. Her latest book, Dear God: Honest Prayers to a God who Listens, are beautiful heart cries from a woman who has been to hell and back trying to find what she truly believes in.

Bunmi shared with me her spiritual journey of completely running away from who she thought God was, and discovering He is more amazing and real than she could have ever dreamed. We talk (and laugh A LOT) about motherhood, mental health, the powerlessness of success, the dark places we can go looking for something to believe in, and so much more.

Her fire for the Gospel and the beauty of who Jesus really is just warmed me to my core. For those who have searched so many places for answers, who just keep waiting for the hard to relent, who have wounds from religion, or trauma from humans, who have fumbled through any kind of darkness, this conversation is for you. Bunmi is the most relatable human I've talked to in a hot minute when it comes to all things being a parent, combining your mental and spiritual health and clinging to Jesus because we are just a wreck without Him, and I pray this conversation meets you where you are.

Dear one: There is a Father in Heaven who loves you, He's not ignoring you, your pain, your question, and your confusion matters to Him. He can handle it all. He is not like the people who have skewed your perception of Him. Ask your questions, friend. He is a good Father, searching the horizon for you.

Connecting with Bunmi:

Books

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Website

Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

Use the code SIMPLY15 for 15% off your purchase!

Instagram

Facebook

Our official link for shopping with Hopefuel (thank you for supporting them AND the podcast!)

References:

Wood science

The Honest Toddler

Happiest Baby on the Block

The Beyonce' Meme

Confessions of a Domestic Failure

Dear God: Honest Prayers to a God Who Listens

Berkley/Oakland Area late 80's-early 90's

Orthodox Judaism

Reformed Judaism

Shabbat

Messianic Synagogues

Paganism

Wicca

Naturalism

Channeling

"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience." - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Dr. Michael Heiser- Demons, Unseen Realm, The Gospel in Stranger Things, our conversation

The book of Enoch

The Torah

Islam says He is "Isa"

Judaisim's view of Jesus

History of Moab and the Moabites

My conversation with Ally Fallon, and how the body processes trauma

Sissy Goff and Dave Thomas' podcast "Raising Boys and Girls"

Raising Worry Free Girls- Sissy Goff

Wild Things- Dave Thomas

Maverick City Music - "To You"

"ruach ha-kodesh" - Holy Spirit in Hebrew

Scripture References:

James 1:6-8-we are double sided in our sin

Leviticus 19:31, Isaiah 8:19, Deuteronomy 18:9-14- divination and don't mess with it

Ephesians 6:12-spiritual warfare

Ephesians 1--principals and authorities and principalities

-Genesis 6

Matthew 22:37-love the Lord with all your heart,mind, soul, and strength

2 Corinthians 10:5-take every thought captive

Luke 15:11-32-Prodigal Son

The book of Acts-how the early Church began, caught between two worlds of loving and observing Judaism and absolutely knowing and loving Jesus. Learning to live according to grace and not be controlled by the Law because Jesus came to fulfill the Law

Luke 9:58-foxes have dens, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head

John 15:4-11-abide in Me

1 John 3:1-There is a loving Father in Heaven who loves you

Psalm 121:1-2-God is not asleep

1 Peter 5:7 -God cares about You

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Romans 8:28-Everything has a purpose

Isaiah 61:3-He gives beauty for ashes

Matthew 26:46, John 14:15-17-We don't have to do hard things alone

Matthew 1, Jeremiah 23:5, Micah 5:2- Jesus is from the line of a MESSY man named David

Book of Ruth (also, our conversation on her story, a reading of the book here!)

Ephesians 6:10-18-Armor of God- the offensive and defensive weapon in the word of God

Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139-I knew you before you were in your Mother's womb

Jeremiah 29:11-I have plans for you not to harm you

Psalm 121-I lift my eyes up to the hills where does my help come from?

Matthew 18:21-22-How many times do I forgive? Seventy times seven

-He came to give us abundant life

Psalm 98-Mountains will bow down, the seas will roar

Psalm 24-Everything responds to the Lord, the Earth is the Lord's and all that is in

Psalm 22:3-He inhabit the praise of His people

Matthew 6:10-On Earth as it is in Heaven

John 3:34-The Holy Spirit has no bounds

1 Corinthians 1:27-confound the wise

Ephesians 2:10-you are a wholly loved masterpiece

-Psalm 40:1-4

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)FacebookTwitterBlog

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com