Simply Stories Podcast

Today we are kicking off our Advent series with Dr. Chris Williamson who is a local Pastor of Strong Tower Bible Church in Franlkin, TN. Pastor Chris is just the best, he’s wise, he’s profound, he’s hilarious, and he just tells it like it is and y’all, we are going to CHURCH today. We talk about the double edge sword of this Christmas story, where there’s a romance to the story we like to stick to, the cuteness of Christ and the holy Hallmark, as Pastor Chris says, but there is also suffering in this story. And while that can sometimes be disconcerting, I think this year, more than ever before, I find that so comforting. That our Savior entered the atmosphere in a season of simultaneous joy and pain. 

We spend time unpacking what we know from the Word and what we can just imagine because of the context and from being human what it must have been like during those days where a messenger of Light burst onto a dormant scene while Zechariah was going on about his daily life, and God met him in the mundane, and then it all broke loose. But no matter how chaotic any of it appeared to be then, or how chaotic it is now, God’s will cannot be thwarted. It is not in jeopardy. The Savior is still coming, praise God, He will come again.

This is such a unique Advent season and we have a unique opportunity to respond to it as we long for the Light after such a dark year, during the darkest part of the year, we must fight for this hope, and we hope that this conversation can help hold the Light for y’all today. Wherever you are. However your day looks. I hope that every time you see a light turn on, you remember that His Light never fades, and He will fan even the smallest spark in you. You matter, friend. You are seen, you are known and you are so loved. Your story matters. 

*Our Advent series intro music is by Chris & Stephanie Teauge of Out of the Dust. We’re so grateful for their generosity in allowing us to share their song “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” Listen on Spotify to the rest of this song and the remainder of their Christmas EP here.

*Instrumental filler/outro music is from audionautix.com

*Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel-Facebook-Instagram-Shop here (this is our link that supports the podcast, thank you!)-Use the code SIMPLY15 for 15% off your purchase!

*The reading I shared in the outro is from Every Moment Holy: Volume 1 by Douglas McKelvey

References & Resources:-Dorena Williamson -- Part 1 and Part 2 episode of the SSP and her books: Colorfull, Thoughtfull, Gracefull -What is a tract :: Here are some examples of what they are-Run DMC-LL Cool J-Grand Master Flash-Beastie Boys-The Fat Boys-What is a concordance :: Here’s an example of one I use-Chris’ rap group Transformation Crusade-DCTalk - Toby Mac -”Hee Haw” -Minnie Pearl and Roy Clark-Experiencing God- Richard Blackaby-Strong Tower Bible Church in Franklin, TN -Tiffany Bluhm and Ashley Abercrombie-Tribe of Levi - descendants of Aaron- Priests - casting the lots for the priestly duties-Warren Wiersbe- God has a way of showing up in the mundane, none of us can steer a parked car, we can only steer a car that’s moving. -Solomon’s temple destroyed-Rudolph and the Reindeer and the Island of the Misfit Toys-Harold Wilmington-John Rankin- the light in the window for slaves crossing from Kentucky to Ohio -Mailing a hug-Jesus Storybook Bible version of the Christmas story (you can hear it again here)-My Advent conversation with my Dad

Scripture:Matthew 4:19-Jesus told them they need to be fishers of menExodus 30-Zachariah’s role as a priest to light the incenseMalachi 4 -  is the last book of the Old Testament and the last word from God for 400 years1 Corinthians 12:12-16:41-Biblical DiversityEphesians 4:32-have compassion and understandingPsalm 66:10-He’s always refining usPsalm 66:2 //Psalm 115:1 -He makes us better for His sakeMatthew 6:10-On Earth as it is in Heaven1 Corinthians 12:12-27-The body of Christ needs all its partsRomans 12:6-8-We all have gifts God has given us Colossians 1:16 // Romans 11:33-God is sovereignPsalm 47:8-God is on His throne Matthew 20:16 -The last will be first and the first will be last Ecclesiastes 12:14 / Romans 2:2 / James 2:13 / Revelation 20:12 - God is a judge, there is a judgement and will judge those who mistreat His creationDeuteronomy 32:4 /Job 34:12/ Psalm 9:7-8/ Psalm 99:4 /Isaiah 30:18 / Isaiah 61:8 /  -He’s a God of justiceEphesians 6:10-18-Armor of God (Breastplate of righteousness and Shoes of Peace)Amos 6:1-At ease in ZionLuke 2:8-20-the angels came and sang “glory in the highest”Matthew 2:16-18-Herod goes on a killing spree (and Jeremiah 31:15 about Rachel weeping)Ephesians 6:12-We are not war with flesh and bloodLuke 1:5-25-Zachariah and Elizabeth were childless and yet righteousPsalm 23-He can lead through the valley of the shadow and still have goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my lifeIsaiah 9:6 / Ephesians 2:13-18-He’s the prince of PeaceLuke 12:49-56-The Gospel will divide familiesRevelation 5-He is the Lamb AND the LionMatthew 2-the wise men bringing their best gifts Revelation 1:16-Jesus in revelation brings a double edge sword out of his mouthHebrews 4:12-Scripture is a double edged swordJohn 1:14-He is the Word made flesh Galatians 4:4-7-At the fullness of time, God sent His SonExodus 3-out tending sheep, and then a burning bush -- also where Moses argues with the Lord1 Samuel 17:34-50-killing a lion and a bear while tending sheep, and then kills GoliathRomans 12:1-be a living sacrifice Mark 3:35 / Luke 10:27 -do the known will of GodLuke 16:10-be faithful with little and you will become faithful with muchExodus 30:7-8-incense offered in the morning and evening2 Corinthians 2:15-a sweet smelling sacrifice Judges 6-Gideon and his multiple chancesLuke 1:22-Zechariah comes out mute and gesturing Genesis 12 and etc-Abraham and SarahLuke 1:63-65- “The name will be John” and then he gets to praise GodLuke 1:26-38-The angel comes to Mary when Elizabeth is 6 months along, fresh out of her seclusionLuke 1:15 / Luke 1:39-56 -John the Baptist is full of the Spirit in the womb and that overflows to Elizabeth and THAT overflows to Mary Luke 1:64-80-Zechariah’s praise to God when he could speak againMathew 2:13-Angel tells them to flee to Egypt, and again to go home after Herod dies (Matthew 2:19-23)Romans 5:5-Our hope will not be put to shame1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11-The Savior has come and is coming again Isaiah 61:3-There’s beauty still coming from the ashesHaggai 2 -The Jews came back to rebuild the temple (Zerubabel’s temple). The Jews who knew the old temple, cried when they saw the new because they thought it wasn’t beautiful. The Jews who were born in captivity cried because they had never seen something so beautiful. A greater glory is going to be on this shanty of a temple (built out of rubble) 2 Chronicles 7:14 // Judges 6:25-29 -Heal our land -- we have to take down some idolsPsalm 46:10-Be still and know who God isJohn 8:12-Light of the World Matthew 2:9-Follow the star-Revelation 1 - the lampstands, are just the bearers of the light, they don’t create the light, and we are called to bear the LightJohn 1:8-John was not the light, but called to bear witness to the LightMatthew 5:16-Let your light shine before men

Connecting with Pastor Chris: FacebookInstagramStrong Tower Bible ChurchTwitter

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

Happy Thanksgiving week, friends!! Today on the podcast, we have the wonderful and wise, Karen Ehman. Karen is a seasoned author of many books, and Bible Studies. She’s also a speaker and writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries, among others, as well as a wife, a mother, and the list goes on and on of the hats she wears. Karen loves to use her words to tell other people about Jesus and to encourage women to work through their priorities so that their lives can reflect the Gospel. 

Her latest book, Reach Out, Gather In, is all about hospitality, and I thought not only is this message from her perfectly timed going into the holidays, it's perfectly timed because I think we all need a refresher on what it means to be hospitable toward one another. We talk about how things look different, but the heart can still be the same during this covid version of the holiday as well as how Jesus modeled hospitality and more. 

This conversation carries so many great reminders and insights that can be tucked into our hearts as we walk into this loaded holiday season. I think my favorites were about processing what it means to entertain people, and to show them hospitality. And then, I want to be a better “noticer.” When my daughter and I pray on the way to school, one thing we say is that we ask God to give us eyes to see one another the way He sees them. I pray that no matter what you are walking into this Thanksgiving, or any other average day, you are able to do that for someone else AND that someone else can do that for you too. They matter, you matter. All our stories matter.

Episode Partner:

Armor Up, Warrior Princess

Instagram

Facebook

Jamie Ivey’s Episode featuring them on her gift guide!

References:

-Proverbs 31 Ministries (Karen’s page)

-First Five App (from Proverbs 31 Ministries)

-Keep It Shut

-Her study of Philippians :: What Matters Most

-Reach Out, Gather In: 40 Days to Opening Your Heart and Home

-Make Their Day: 101 Simple, Powerful Ways to Love Others Well -her February release!

-white chocolate covered oreos (you’re welcome)

-When Making Others Happy is Making You Miserable: How to Break the Habit of People Pleasing and Live Your Life -her August release!!! 

Local Ways (for Tennesseeans) to Partner with Ministries/Meet Needs 

Homeless Shelter in Murfreesboro

Last Call 4 Grace - Ministry to Homeless and Disadvantaged in Murfreesboro

Women’s Shelter in Murfreesboro

ASP- Appalachia Service Project

Men of Valor

International Ways to Partner with Ministries/Meet Needs

-Food for the Hungry :: Donate wells

-Other donations or Christmas gifts that can be given to help others around the globe through Compassion International (this is one thing we love to do every year!)

-Writing letters to Christians persecuted for their faith through Open Doors

-Prayer Partners with Voice of the Martyrs or send Christmas Care Packs

-Hannah Brencher’s The World Needs More Love Letters

Scripture References:

John 1:8 -Bear the light of Christ

John 13:34-35 /1 John 4:19 -we model the heart of Christ with how we love and how we treat everyone

Acts 28 -Paul shipwrecked on Malta and the locals showed him hospitality

(LOTS of Scriptures!) -Hospitality is a spiritual gift

Luke 10:38-42-Mary and Martha

Romans 12:13- “Practice hospitality”

Colossians 3:12 - Putting on compassion and putting on kindness

Matthew 9:36 // Psalm 86:15-  Seeing people the way He sees them 

Psalm 16:6- The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places

1 Corinthians 12- Spiritual Gifts

Matthew 6:11- daily bread

Mark 12:31- Love your neighbor as yourself

Galatians 6:2- Bear one another’s burdens

Connecting with Karen:

Books

Instagram

Website

Facebook

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

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

Today I am chatting with a brand new author, Amanda Cox  who wrote one of my favorite books I’ve read this year, The Edge of Belonging. Amanda is a wife, and a Mom, with years of walking in ministry and counseling under her belt. In the last few years of her life as she stepped into her Motherhood role and pulled back from other things, she began to wrestle with who she was, and where she belonged. She, like many of us, best processes her relationship with God through her writing and as she poured her heart out onto the page stories began to emerge.

In this conversation we talk about what God did with those stories, the wild journey of how she ultimately got published, and how we find our identity in Christ alone. This is such an insightful conversation that I think really speaks to this global season of identity crisis and change, and can provide a sweet word of encouragement to those of us trying to take a grip with weary hands.

Everyone I know is trying to figure out a whole new sense of self in this extremely different world. But God has not changed. His call for us to go and tell His story and to live in our giftings, that hasn’t changed either. We belong to Him, and we are His children. That is a beautiful truth to cling to, and when we walk in light of it that’s where we can learn to believe it. 

I hope you guys will connect with Amanda and PLEASE do yourself a favor and get a copy of The Edge of Belonging and give it as a gift to anyone and everyone. It's such a fantastic story, and I can’t recommend it enough. 

Sponsor Info:

This episode is sponsored by: Hopeful

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Shop their products here (this is an affiliate link and it helps support the podcast, thank you!)

Use the code SIMPLY15 for 15% off your purchase!

References:

Interview with Billy Graham

Young Life

Conversation on SSP with Counselor Phil Herndon

Hopefuel and the Hope Planner

“Trolls 2” soundtrack

Scripture References:

1 John 4:4- You belong

Psalm 139:14 / 1 Peter 4:10-11 He made you to do these things uniquely and your voice matters

John 3:30 -Your purpose isn't to glorify yourself, its to glorify God

Psalm 115:1- Abiding with Christ

Hebrews 12:1- Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses

How the Church began in the book of Acts

Ephesians 5: How do we speak life to one another

Proverbs 31

Philippians 2:17- Pour yourself out like a drink offering

Psalm 119:133-Order our steps in Your Word

Matthew 6:11-Give us this day our daily bread

James 1:17-Every perfect gift is from above

1 Corinthians 12- Types of spiritual gifts

Matthew 8:3- Jesus touching those who had not been touched

Mark 5:34- Calling an outcasted woman daughter

Isaiah 6:8- Here I am, Lord

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

John 15:5- Apart from Me you can do nothing

Zephaniah 3:17- He will quiet you with His love

Mark 4:35-41- He can calm the storm

Ruth 4:18-22/Matthew 1:5- Boaz is Rahab’s son

Connecting with Amanda:

Her book

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Website

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

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

Today on the podcast, I have one incredible episode for you as I am chatting with author, speaker, teacher and host of the Bible Recap Podcast, Tara Leigh Cobble. Tara Leigh is a woman whose love for the Lord and His Word are contagious. Her podcast, and new Bible Recap book that came out just last week, are specifically designed to help others unpack the entire narrative of the Bible and bring it to life.  

Tara Leigh shares with me the story of how her relationship with scripture was stripped down to a realization of using it to get what she wanted from God and finding things that we had to do instead of learning about Him and moving into a real relationship with Him. When Tara Leigh began to read the WHOLE Bible, she began to see things she never saw before and that was hard to stomach sometimes, and then she was encouraged to keep going and press through to the other side. To unpack the hard parts of scripture and that the Lord would meet her there. And that’s what she did, and now what she spends her life doing with others. 

Y’all, I know everyone listening to this is full of feelings. If you listen to this episode on the back end of 2020, or some other time, there is just a lot happening in the world, and there is never a bad time to learn about who God is and how to learn about unpacking the word of God so we can overflow with hope. This is a life giving practice no matter where you are, and for where we sit right now, this is just.. Right on time. We need to be sure we are aligning our hearts with Christ above all else, and this conversation is like a mini-master class on how to truly dwell in the Word of God. What a great way to search and find evidence and encouragement that God is not finished with your life, and that He will do what He says. He will complete the work He began in you. He will never leave us or forsake us. 

No matter where you are today, friend: hopeful or restless, encouraged or anxious, know that you are seen, known, and loved, and you matter. Your story matters. 

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This Episode is Sponsored by: Hopefuel Check them out here. (This link is an affiliate link that helps support the podcast. Thank you!) Use the code SIMPLY15 for 15% off your purchase! Follow them on Instagram.

Resources:

Pat Summitt

Phillip Fulmer 

Dallas Cowboys

D-Group

The Bible Recap

The Bible Recap Book 

The episode I mention about praying within the Trinity of the Bible Recap (Luke 11)

Jones Literary

Daily Grace Co.

Purity Culture

The God Shot

The valley of our sin and the mountain of His grace 

Hannah Anderson’s book Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul

Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Carson Newman University

Mulan “dishonor” moment

Ali Worthington’s episode on the SSP

In case anyone needed a definition of anthropomorphic (like I did) -- having human characteristics.

Definition of Holiness -- set apart 

Scripture References:

Daniel 2:44- God’s Kingdom will stand

Matthew 6:9-13-Jesus modeled how we pray

Hebrews 4:12- Scripture is a double edged sword

Psalm 37:4- Delight yourself in the Lord

Romans 8:37-39 /Psalm 107:1-3- God’s love for you isn’t going anywhere

Matthew 7:11 / James 1:17- God is a protective Father who wants good things for His children

Genesis 1:26-2:1- We are called to reflect God’s image

Psalm 62:8- He’s trustworthy

Psalm 33:4- He’s faithful

Genesis 2:4-3:24 - Adam and Eve

1 John 3:4-18- We have a nature that pursues lawlessness

Psalm 16:5-6-The boundary lines have fallen for us in pleasant places

James 4:8 / Matthew 1:23- The God of the universe draws near to you

Psalm 19- The God of the universe wants to be known by you

Revelation 3:20 / 1 Peter 5:7- The God of the universe wants to spend time with you and likes you

James 1:17- Every good and perfect gift is from above

Philippians 1:6- He completes the work

Philippians 2:13- To will and to work according to His good pleasure 

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

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

Isaiah 40:31- They that wait upon the Lord 

Job 42:2- My work will not thwarted 

Isaiah 55:11- My word will not return to me void

Jeremiah 29:11- i know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you

Psalm 138:8- He doesn’t abandon the work of His hands

Habakkuk 1:13- God can’t be in the presence of sin

Job 1:6- Satan comes into the throne room

Romans 5:1-2- He imparts holiness to us and He declares us righteous 

1 Corinthians 1:30- He declares us holy because of Christ

Exodus 40:34-38- Sets up camp in the wilderness

Galatians 3:13-15-Jesus paid for our sins

Ephesians 1:5- That’s how we are adopted into the family of God

Matthew 8:3- When Jesus touched the leper

Exodus 34- Moses’ moment with the Lord

1 Kings 19:11-13-Elijah- and the Lord passes by

Exodus 33:20- No one can see God and live (which is why He’s covered) 

2 Corinthians 5:21- Jesus took on sin

Isaiah 6- Isaiah falling face down

Daniel 8:17-- Daniel falling face down

Matthew 21:2-13 // Mark 11:15-18- He will turn over the tables to get near us

Connecting with TLC!

Other Tara Leigh books

Podcast

YouTube

Website

DGroups

Instagram

Facebook

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

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

Today I am chatting with the absolutely wonderful Nicole Zasowski. Nicole is a family and marriage therapist who wrote a book this year called From Lost to Found: Giving Up What You Think You Want for What Will Set You Free. In her book, she shares about her struggle with perfectionism, and living a performance based life, and it's all on my shoulders faith and entered a season of loss and change that stripped her of the empty things she had placed her hope in.

Nicole specifically struggled with the incredibly hard road of multiple miscarriages and infertility before experiencing the miracle births of her two boys, and she candidly shares about that unique grief experience and how the Lord met her in it. 

From Lost to Found, as well as this conversation, is a message of hope that redemption is possible even if it feels like everything is ruined. As I prayed about where this conversation should fall in this season, even before Nicole and I talked, I just felt so clearly that the Lord wanted our conversation to fall this week following the Election in the U.S. This episode is an attempt to lay a balm on weary souls as we move forward no matter what happens next. 

Nicole and I have both known unique, but soul crushing grief and loss. We know that the weight of brokenness can be so stifling, but we also know that our Creator stepped down from Heaven and took on skin, and died and rose again so that we would NEVER have to be alone in our grief ever again, and that we would have a Hope that cannot be taken. No matter where this finds you today, this is not how the story ends. I hope you can feel encouraged today, friend. Find ways to listen at the linkinbio

This episode is sponsored by: Hopefuel

Connect with them on Instagram, find their products here, and you can get 15% off your purchase by using the code SIMPLY15

Resources:

CS Lewis: we are far too easily pleased

Balanced translocation

IVF

IVF loss (a unique grief)

“Is He Worthy”- Andrew Peterson

*For more resources on miscarriage and child loss, see The Joyful Mourning

Scripture References:

Ecclesiastes 3 /Galatians 6:7 - Seasons of sowing and reaping

Galatians 2:20 / Acts 14:21-22 / 2 Corinthians 4 / Romans 8:18-27- Suffering is part of life with Christ

Isaiah 61:3- Beauty from ashes

Psalm 100:5- He is still good

Esther 4:14- For such a time as this

2 Corinthians 12:7-9- Paul and the thorn in his flesh

Hebrews 10:23- Tethered to the hope of Christ

Galatians 6:17/ Luke 24:39/ John 20:20 Christ still bore scars

2 Corinthians 12:9- His power is made known in our weakness

Psalm 107:2- The redeemed tell their story

John 11- Weeping at Lazarus’ tomb

Revelation 22:1-5- We were made for garden life

Revelation 21:5- The Lord longs to restore, but it will not be until the moment He declares “now’ I will make all things new

John 11:35- Jesus wept

Matthew 27:32-56 / Luke 24- The miracle of Jesus’ death and resurrection

Hebrews 2:5-18 / John 1:14-  Jesus was fully God and fully man

Matthew 27:46 - He felt the separation from His Father

John 3:16-18 /1 John 4:7-21-  He loves us so much

John 14:16 / John 16:7-He wanted to send us the Counselor

Romans 8:23 -The groaning as they waited on the Messiah

John 17:13/ John 15:11- Jesus came to say you have peace and joy now

Matthew 18:12- Leave the 99 to go after the 1

1 John 3:3- He is the one who holds our hope

Ecclesiastes 1:9 - There’s nothing new under the sun

Psalm 139:23-Search me, and try me, God

Psalm 47:8 / Daniel 7:9-10 The Lord is still on His throne

Hebrew 13:8 / James 1:17- God’s character is the same today, yesterday, and forever

Hebrews 1:12- His living Word, it is alive and active

Revelation 22: 1-7- What is dark today won’t be dark forever

2 Corinthians 4 /Matthew 5:14-16- The Light inside of us we will carry it forward

Isaiah 14:27- Nothing and no one can stop the Lord

Psalm 103 :: scripture at the end from the Passion Tranlation

Connecting with Nicole:

Her book

Her website

Instagram

Facebook

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

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

Today on the podcast you get to hear from the hilarious and incredibly profound Pastor Nick Person. Nick is a Father, a husband, and a teaching pastor at New Vision Baptist Church in our local community. He is a man who loves the Lord and the Word of God, and in this episode, there is so much meat, that I would definitely call it a note taker of equal amounts of challenge and encouragement. 

Nick shares an incredible word about the ministry of being a husband and a Father, and then he also unpacks what that role looks like as the head of a bi-racial family during a time of racial unrest. We also talk about the painful, but somewhat necessary refinement that 2020 has brought, and the Gospel-centered call for reconciliation and pursuing unity as the body of Christ no matter what we look like, how we vote, or anything that makes us different because we are all made by the Father, saved by the Son and filled with the Holy Spirit. 

This is one power packed conversation, y’all, and listen if you don’t have time to hear it all, fast forward if you have to and get to the last 10 or 15 minutes where Nick talks about what is true about God, and true about you and I no matter what happens on Election Day. Then, Nick leaves us all with a blessing and a prayerful petition for the hearts of those chasing after God’s Kingdom. 

Nick says,“you don’t have to think like me, and vote like me to sit at the table of the King with me.” And I want to sit at the table with you, friend. This conversation is an incredibly profound Gospel-centered perspective about how to walk in these coming days leading to the election, but even more so in the after, and I’m honored and humbled to share it with you.

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*This episode was sponsored by : Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

• Listeners can go to www.crabtreehomestn.com or http://bit.ly/mulitpleoffers to receive the free e-book "7 Tips to Beating Out Multiple-Offers on the Home of Your Dreams"

Facebook.com/tonycrabtreehomes

instagram.com/tonycrabtreehomes

youtube.com/c/tonyteaches

References:

-PCA

-New Vision Baptist Church (I LOVE this church. It feels like a second home to us, as we have tons of friends that attend there, but their preschool program has marked our children forever, and we love them so much!)

-Video about systemic racism 

-Civil Rights Movement

-Ahmad Arbury

-George Floyd 

-MLK’s Letters from Birmingham Jail :: -”I long for the days when the Church would be a thermostat that would set the temperature of society, instead of being a thermometer that records what society is.”

-Be the Bridge- Latasha Morrison

-Breonna Taylor

-injustice anywhere, messes with justice everywhere (MLK)

-Phil Herndon’s episode

- “check your heart”  (not bc I support Crist, for the record, but because this is funny annnnd true)

-Jesus Storybook Bible --God’s great rescue plan 

-Our Advent series with my Daddy reading the Christmas story

-”Reckless Love” 

Scripture References:

Psalm 33:18-22-obedience to the Spirit

Hebrews 12:1-2-fix your eyes on Jesus 

Ephesians 2:14-18-reconciled one to another

Ephesians 1:11-14-carrying the hope of glory

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 -being jars of clay 

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

2 Corinthians 5:18-I have been reconciled to the King 

John 8:1-11 (just as one example)-Jesus kind of bothered everyone (called the sinners to more, called the religious out to walk the talk)

James 1:19-quick to listen and slow to speak 

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

1 Corinthians 12:12-31- unity in the Body of Christ

John 12:42-There were Pharisees that followed Christ

Romans 14:11 / Philippians 2:10-11 -every knee will bow and every tongue will confess

Colossians 3:12-17 Therefore as God’s chosen people clothes yourselves with…

2 Timothy 3:10-17-apprenticeship to Christ

2 Corinthians 5:20-ambassadors of Christ

Acts 11:19 / Acts 17:6 -the church started with people scattered under persecution, and yet the world was changed

John 14-God is a triune God

Hebrews 10:25-it is good to gather together

Mark 2-the guys tearing the roof off to get their friend to Jesus 

-the AMP translation of Colossians 3:12-16 :: patience --“which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper”

1 Corinthians 12-we all have gifting 

Romans 12:15-18-weep with those who weep

2 Corinthians 2:15-gives off the aroma of Christ

John 11-Mary, Martha and Lazarus

John 11:25-He is the resurrection and the life

Genesis 11:7-confuse your tongue like Babel

1 Corinthians 1:10-  be united in mind and thought

1 Corinthians 1:10-31 :: one of you says I’ll follow this person, and I’ll follow this person and the rest of the letter is about following Christ

Acts 15:36-41 -Paul, Barnabas, and Mark and their disagreement

Matthew 18:15-17-When in conflict, go to your brother 

Hebrews 13:14-This world is not our home 

2 Timothy 4:11-Mark comes to Paul in prison near the end of his life

Ephesians 6:16-when the arrows come

John 6:29-called to believe in the One He sent

Psalm 139:14-perfectly and wonderfully made

Ephesians 6:11-stand firm against the schemes of the Devil

Psalm 139:23-search me and try me, Lord

Matthew 2-the wise men followed the Star to Herod’s palace first. They weren’t lost, they followed the light to where they were led. 

Hebrews 10:23 - hold steadfast 

Romans 5:8 /1 John 3:2 / 1 John 4:9-11we are loved by the King

Matthew 28:6 / Luke 24:5-the tomb is empty

Ephesians 2 / Romans 6:23-our biggest need, our debt, has been paid in full and there is no balance

1 Peter 5:7/ John 3:16 -Jesus is fond of you

Philippians 2:1-11-Jesus left His crown in Heaven and came to get His hands dirty so we could be made clean

Luke 15:11-32-We have a Father who comes running

Hebrews 13:8-He’s the same yesterday, today and forever

Exodus 3:14-He is the “I Am”

John 14:26-God gave us a Helper in Holy Spirit 

Proverbs 9:10-the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

Acts 2:21-all who call on Him will be saved

John 15:15-We can call Him friend

Connecting with Nick Person:

Hear him preach

Facebook

Instagram

Visit his church, New Vision Baptist

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

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

Hey friends, these next couple of weeks, we’re going to have some very intentional conversations around current events. I don’t want to do that in order to be trendy or because I want to tell you what to do or think. I want to press into these tough conversations and hear from people’s experiences, and see what they can share with us about who God is, who He’ll always be, and what is true about us, and our call as His children, no matter what. 

So today, we are chatting with a woman who I have looked up to for a very long time, Ashley Elizabeth Graham Johnson, but most of us in the Middle Tennessee world in particular, know her as AE Graham.  AE is a woman of deep faith, but also a great affection, and yet tempered, perspective about democracy, and uses words with more intention and beauty than pretty much anyone I personally know. AE worked as a speech writer at the White House under President George W. Bush, and has worked with other political figures on capitol Hill, and local politics as well. She lives her life from a passionate, but grace filled posture, and she shares from that place, alongside her own experiences in government, and invites others into it on social media, and I am always so grateful for it. 

AE and I spend a lot of time today talking about what it looks like to be a good citizen of this country, but more importantly to find our identity as children of God, citizens of the Kingdom of God, and Gosepl-minded neighbors to those around us.  As someone who has worked in various political roles, AE offers some really interesting insights into what it means to engage where we are as a people. We also discuss, as two women raised Southern Baptist, the confusing struggle of our faith being tied to our patriotism, and that is not an act of worship, nor does it affect your identity in Christ, to exercise your right to vote as the Holy Spirit leads you to vote. 

In general, conversations about politics stretch me. But you know what? Right now, it's too important to not talk about, not because I want to get up on a soapbox and add to this current cacophony, but because I want to get down to the heart of the matter about what we are still called to do to further the Gospel of Christ, no matter what happens on America’s upcoming election day. I want to talk about it, because I’m more concerned about our hearts in this story than anything else. 

I hope and I pray, friends, that this episode is encouraging and also thought provoking for you, it certainly was and continues to be for me. Though there may be a crazy chapter in our story unfolding, His story isn’t over, and it is no more chaotic to Him than it was to speak to a storm and say “ssshhhh.” 

*This episode was sponsored by : Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

• Listeners can go to www.crabtreehomestn.com or http://bit.ly/mulitpleoffers to receive the free e-book "7 Tips to Beating Out Multiple-Offers on the Home of Your Dreams"

Facebook.com/tonycrabtreehomes

instagram.com/tonycrabtreehomes

youtube.com/c/tonyteaches

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Reference:

SGA at MTSU

43- President George W. Bush

41-President George Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush

Frederick Douglas

16- Abraham Lincoln

Killed in action letters

“Hamilton”- “The Room Where it Happens”

Catholic Church- their own nation state

The Greatest Generation

Pope John Paul II “we must call out was is good and what is evil”

Via media- all things in moderation, both virtue and vice 

“The Star Spangled Banner”

Lauren Ruth Martin - A Novel Life (podcast) and Novel Counseling (you can find our episode here!)

Beth Moore’s sharing on these topics

“King Ralph” 

Red-lining

MTSU

NASA 

Pantsuit Politics Podcast (also can hear my conversation with them on episode six of the SSP)I Think You’re Wrong, But I’m Listening: A Grace-Filled Guide to Political Conversations

Howard Baker: “You come to the table knowing you could be wrong.”

Voting Particular Resources:

-Register to Vote

-If you don’t know where to start, start with what you don’t believe so you can see how what you believe is being portrayed. 

-Press Releases from candidates

-Subscribe to their newsletters

-Be cautious/wary of things that include fundraising links.

-DON’T GET ALL YOUR INFORMATION FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

-Em would also recommend the episode of the Podcast “Why Tho” :: Faith and Politics : Why Being Pro- Birth is Not Enough Tho. You can also hear deeper conversations with the co-hosts of that podcast and me on episode two of the SSP  with Ash Abercrombie and episode 51 with Tiffany Bluhm. 

Scripture:

Genesis 1 // John 1: God spoke things into being

Nameless women in scripture (to name a few) :: John 8:1-11 (Adulterous Woman), John 4:1-42 (Woman at the Well or Samaritan Woman), Mark 5:25-34 (Woman with the Issue of Blood), Luke 7:11-17 (the Widow of Nain), etc etc 

1 Corinthians 8:3 - You are known by the Lord

Mark 12:31- Love our neighbor

Genesis 1:27-We were made with the DNA of God

Revelation 3:16 - Lukewarm and spit out

Mark 12:17- Give to Caesar what is Caesar's

1 Peter 2:18 // Colossians 3:23-24- Honor leaders/masters

John 17:21 // Ephesians 4:1-3- Praying for the universality of the church (unity in the body)-- not the same thing as universalism

Luke 10:27 - Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 // John 1:12- We are all part of the body of Christ, the family of God, you are a child of God

1 Corinthians 6:19 // John 14:26-  We have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us

Judges 21:25 - “there was no ruler in Israel and everyone did what was right in their own eyes.”

Book of Ruth

Isaiah 61:1 // Jeremiah 32:17 //  Colossians 1:16 //  God is sovereign

John 7:17 // Galatians 5:13- God has given us free will 

Proverbs 21:1- The heart of the King sits in the hand of God

John 14:6- Jesus Christ is Truth

Proverbs 9:10 // James 3:13-18- Seek the Lord for wisdom 

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Connecting with AE Graham Johnson:

Facebook

Twitter

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

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

Today on the podcast we have the incredible Rachelle Dekker. Rachelle is an award winning author of suspense and science fiction novels, and also is the daughter of author Ted Dekker. Her most recent novel Nine is a heart pounding journey of exploring identity, grappling with hope, and longing for redemption even if you’re not sure it's possible. We talk about how the themes from this book echo loud and clear across hearts beating around the world, because

in order to see light clearly, the dark has to be pretty dark. And yet, Christ is the Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. Rachelle is a woman who LOVES the Lord and I loved getting to talk with her about who He is, the Light of the Gospel, and the power that holds no matter what.

Rachelle and I also talk a lot about what it was like to grow up as a child in love with stories, and the tension of living with, and loving, a parent who longed to protect his child from his calling, because he was, and still is, a pioneer of a genre. In that, he has faced much adversity, and parents like to protect their children from pain. And yet, Rachelle shares his calling. Listening to the beauty of the Lord’s work in Rachelle and Ted’s life through her journey of carving her own path, discovering her voice, and proving it was where God was leading her too, even to the point where they could co-author books together, was a truly beautiful story to unpack with her.

Additionally, Rachelle and I are kindred spirits who truly believe music helps inform life (aka there’s a playlist for this episode). Also, if you grew up with some early 90’s Christian music you’re gonna love this. (I made some playlists for y’all!) Oh man, y’all, this is SUCH a good episode. Whether that’s processing where we find our identity, being attentive to what battles we are fighting and who exactly we are fighting with, to processing what we hear God calling us to no matter what anyone else says, I hope this ministers to you wherever you are today, and I hope that you remember that no matter how dark it is, we can ALWAYS look for the Light.

*Playlist for this Episode annnnnd an homage to 90’s Christian music!

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This episode is sponsored by: Hopefuel

Connect with them on Instagram, find their products here, and you can get 15% off your purchase by using the code SIMPLY15

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References:

Trevecca University

The Hardy Boys

Nancy Drew

The Chronicles of Narnia

The Boxcar Children

The Magician’s Nephew

Ted Dekker

Avalon

Crystal Lewis

Jackie Velasquez

Stacie Orrico

Natalie Grant

Point of Grace

Twila Paris

Cademon’s Call

“Adonai” by Avalon

Selah

“The Blessing”- Symphonic version

Rebecca St James

“Iris” and “Baby’s Black Balloon” - Goo Goo Dolls

“City of Angels” soundtrack

“Uninvited” by Alanis Morissette

My Spotify playlists

Hans Zimmer

Nickel Creek

Goat Rodeo Sessions

John Williams

Puccini

Girl Behind the Red Rope

“The Hunger Games” soundtrack

“The Chronicles of Narnia” soundtrack

“The Prince of Egypt” soundtrack

“When You Believe”- Whitney and Maria

Whitney Houston

“The Bodyguard” soundtrack

“The Preacher’s Wife” soundtrack

“Vision Of Love” - Mariah Carey

C.S. Lewis

Frank Peretti

The SEER Trilogy

Anything you give your attention, your time to, is an idol ---> Great study on this Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller

Jackie Hill Perry’s Bible Study on the book of Jude“Agape” love

Keep the Tiny Humans alive mug from Target

The exciting news about what’s next for Ted and Rachelle will be announced VERY soon! Be sure you’re following them on social media!

The letter from a Mother that gave the women right to vote (at least in Tennessee)

Scripture References:

John 12:35-36 // 1 John 1:5 - In his light there is no darkness

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

1 Peter 5:8 - We have something like a lion seeking to devour

Ephesians 6:10-18- We have an enemy of our soul

1 Peter 1:13-Hope still exists 

1 Timothy 1:15- Redemption is still possible (chief of sinners)

2 Corinthians 5:17- We can be made new right now

Called to our true identity in Christ (great article walking through several scriptures on this from Thomas Nelson)

Isaiah 54:17- Nothing that comes against me will stand

John 9:1-12- Healing the blind with the mud on his eyes 

1 Corinthians 15:55- Death, where is your sting?

Lamentations 3:23- His mercies are new every morning, great is HIS faithfulness

Ephesians 14:12- Israelites and their weird amnesia about Egypt 

Matthew 7:13-14- The call is one of narrow path

James 4:7-10-The call is one of surrender

Ephesians 1:5-We are trying to adopt the character of Christ

Hebrews 12:1-3-Throw off our hindrances

Romans 8:13- Die to the flesh and live by the Spirit 

Luke 10:27- Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength

Psalm 139:14- He made us uniquely 

Ephesians 4:8, 1 Corinthians 12- He made us with gifts

Mark 12:30-31- Love your neighbor as yourself and love our God above all else

2 Timothy 1:7- Not give in to fear

Jude 1:1- We are KEPT

Numbers 6:24-26- The Lord bless you and keep you

Romans 8:31-39- We are more than conquerors in Christ

Philippians 1:6- Our Father is not finished

Hebrews 13:5- He will not leave us

Romans 8:28-He works all things for good

Galatians 6:7- What you sow you will reap

John 18:36, Ephesians 2:19- We are citizens of the Kingdom of God

Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15- We are called to go and tell

Colossians 3:16- Sing songs of truth to each other

Connecting with Rachelle:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Website

Books

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

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

Today on the podcast we have the wise and wonderful, Alli Worthington. Alli is a speaker, an author, a fellow podcaster, as well as a wife and Mom of FIVE boys (she gives me a little pep talk about raising my one because, Jesus, take the wheel lol). Her most recent book Standing Strong: A Woman's Guide to Overcoming Adversity and Living with Confidence is probably my favorite non-fiction book I’ve read this year. It's a powerful word about leaning in to who the Lord is, and standing strong in HIM. That does NOT mean depending on something else we need to muster up to make it through, it's about truly living the lives He made us for by His strength. 

Alli and I also talk about how being a hard worker, and a purposeful steward of what has been entrusted to us, is different from the break neck hustle of living out of our own limited supply that was never created to carry such things outside of God’s endless portion of provision. We dive deep into that as well as how covid has changed so much, but also how nothing about God’s plans for us has changed. 

If you need to hear a powerful word of empowerment in who you still are despite how this all feels, encouragement about who God is, no matter how it all looks right now, then this episode is for you. Find ways to connect with Alli, access to all the scripture and references we make in the episode below.

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This episode is sponsored by: Hopefuel

Connect with them on Instagram, find their products here, and you can get 15% off your purchase by using the code SIMPLY15

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Reference and Resources:

-Called Creatives

-Lisa Whittle

-Alli’s latest book Standing Strong: A Woman's Guide to Overcoming Adversity and Living with Confidence

-Discipleship Focus :: Dollywood and Silver Dollar City

-Discovery Study

-Redeeming Love

-Emily P. Freeman’s The Next Right Thing

-Take Alli’s quiz to find your superpower! (Aka the great gift God has given you) :: Text Superpower 55444

-Spiritual Gift episodes (Shari Rigby, Phil Herndon)

Scripture References:

Isaiah 40:28-31, Isaiah 41:10-13, Philippians 4:13- He is the source of our strength

Romans 11:33, Job 28:28, Proverbs 2:6, Daniel 2:20 -He is the source of our wisdom

Joshua 1:9-11, John 14:27 -the source of courage

Romans 11:36, Ephesians 6:10, 2 Timothy 1:7 -the source of power

2 Corinthians 4:7-11- jars of clay

Psalm 34:18-God is close to the brokenhearted

Psalm 13-How long, oh Lord?

Genesis 5:32-10:1-Noah’s story

Matthew 28:19-20 -Called to go and tell and make disciples

John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-God sent His son

Psalm 139:14-He made me on purpose

Habakkuk 2:14, Exodus 33:12-23, Ephesians 4:10 -He wants to show me His glory

Isaiah 54:5, Psalm 69:6, 1 Corinthians 4:14, 2 Corinthians 10:8, Joel 2:26 -God doesn’t shame us

Luke 10:27-Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself

Jeremiah 17:9-the heart is deceitful above all else

-Jesus had feelings (anger, sad, smad (aka sad and mad) compassion, etc. just as small examples!)

-The book of Psalms

Hebrews 12:2-Fix our eyes on Him

Romans 8:28-He will use all things for our good and for His glory

Jeremiah 1:12, Isaiah 55:11, 1 Corinthians 15:58-nothing is wasted

Isaiah 61:3-beauty from ashes

Isaiah 43:16-19-He makes a way where there is no way // See I am doing a new thing, now it springs up

Psalm 16:6-the boundary lines have fallen for us in pleasant places

John 16:33 / Psalm 31:24-take heart

Romans 5:3-5, James 1:1-13-we grow through suffering

Hebrews 12:12-He will strengthen us

Jeremiah 29:11-He has great plans for our lives

Psalm 94:14, Deuteronomy 31:6  -God does not abandon His children

Hebrews 10:23-He is faithful

Joshua 23:14, 1 Kings 8:56, Ezekiel 12:28, Philippians 1:6, Luke 1:45 -He will fulfill the promises He’s made to us

Matthew 14:13-21-He broke the bread and fed the hungry with one little lunch

Connecting with Alli:

Her Podcast

Her books:: Fierce Faith, Breaking Busy, The Year of Living Happy

Facebook

Instagram

Website

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

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

Today on the podcast we have the absolutely lovely Joanna Politano. Joanna is a fiction author who writes stories full of characters wrestling with hard things with humor and heart, but she shares in this conversation that her novels are an outpouring of her asking God questions about things she’s processing in her own life and they wrestle it out together through the stories.

Her latest book The Love Note carries so many themes of unpacking people and their stories and why they do what they do as well as wrestling with calling, relational reconciliation, processing disappointment, and knowing your significance is ultimately found in a relationship with the Lord. 

Joanna is not only a masterful storyteller, but I love hearing how she talks about the Lord. It's a clear and genuine outpouring of her heart. People like Joanna and how they speak about God, have always pushed me to want to know Him more. During our talk, we dive into what it may look like to hear from God, and how to grow a relationship with Him, and get into the Word, in the middle of a very full life. These show notes are full of resources that we mention (and some extras!) that I hope help point you to places to get you into the Word and take the hard, and the good to Him.

We (and by the we, I mean me) also go off on a history nerd bunny trail towards the end, but it’s relevant. I swear 😂 Be sure and connect with Joanna online, and check out her books, and you can pre-order her most recent book, The Love Note, and you can find links for all of that below!

Resources and References:

The Love Note

Victoria Holt

Dorothy Eden 

Jane Austen

Charles Dickens

Anne Bronte

Jane Eyre- Charlotte Bronte

Wuthering Heights- Emily Bronte

Prayers of Jane Austen

The evolution to women becoming nurses/doctors

Kristy Cambron-  Verse Mapping

BSF

Risen Motherhood and their free printables

Beth Moore

Priscilla Shirer

Jackie Hill Perry’s Jude Study

CBS

History of asylums and wrongful commuting

History’s cool kids

Black coffee with white friends

1st African American published poet :: Phyllis Wheatley

Whitney Plantation

Scripture References:

Proverbs 3:9-give Him the first fruits

Book of Psalms 

Gospel of Luke

Wilderness life (Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and the first part of Joshua)

Psalm 30:1-5- But the Lord gives us joy

Book of Isaiah

1 Corinthians 12/Psalm 139:14- We are wired and gifted uniquely

James 1:1-13-God can use trials and experiences to draw us to Him

Lamentations 3:22-23- New mercies every morning

2 Corinthians 4:7-11- Jars of Clay and being perplexed, the power of the Gospel

Proverbs 9:10--seeking and fearing the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

Additional Bible Study Resources: (Blog forthcoming!)

-“The longing to be known is a gift that can only be met satisfactorily in Christ.”-

-At His Feet Studies (we also have a great conversation about how to get into the Word on your own here)

-Daily Grace Co (affiliate link)

-She Reads Truth

-Well Watered Women

Connecting with Joanna:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Website

Her books!

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)FacebookTwitterBlog (you can also email me via my site!)

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com