Simply Stories Podcast

Today you guys are in for such a treat because our guest is the fantastic and beloved Jane Kirkpatrick. Jane is a master storyteller of 35 books, both fiction and non-fiction specializing in finding people, particularly women, in history we may not ordinarily get to hear about, and bringing their extraordinary lives into full color. 

Jane is a wealth of heart and knowledge, and she is definitely my people, because she loves Jesus, history, storytelling, bunny trails, and this episode is full of ALL those things. We talk about everything from the people she has written about, how God confirmed her calling as a writer later in life, how life is a constant process of adaptation to new seasons and new normals and wrestling out how every person must decide will we process that through a filter of hope or hopelessness. We also discuss her latest novel Something Worth Doing based on the life of suffragist and spitfire, Abigail Duniway who fought for women’s rights for 40 years, was an entrepreneur, a writer, a mother of 6, and a caretaker of a beloved husband.

Buckle up, y’all. This episode is full of heart and history you may have never heard of, and serves as a reminder that God is not finished with our story, no matter how things may seem. The samy is true for you, friend. Your story matters. 

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References and Resources:

-the message on Jane’s website

-Israel in exile (an encyclopedic look, Biblical study of it and the difference between the exile and the diaspora)

-Paul Tillich: human beings have to encounter 3 things to be fully human, living with uncertainty, we don’t control anything but our response, that we are mortal

-Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Ma Anand Sheelah and Rajneesh Compound (I REALLY don’t want to draw traffic to this horribly toxic and false religion’s actual website, because sadly it is still active and deceiving people around the globe. These are links from local Oregonian newspapers about the compound Jane and I discuss and the history of the Bhagwan. Which you can also hear/learn about just by watching the documentary listed further down.) 

-a child in the Rajneesh Compound

-A Land of Sheltered Promise

-the Young Life camp there: Washington Family Ranch

-the Holocaust

-“Wild, Wild, Country”- Documentary about the Bhagwan and the Rajneesh

-the word parable meaning, a story that comes alongside — we’re allowed to enter it from wherever we are

-greek word for comfort, άνεση =  to come along to the side

-“Women’s history must be invented; both uncovered and made up.” - Virginia Woolf

-Promises of Hope - A Devotional for Care Givers

-Her memoir

-Notable Oregonians

-Abigail Duniway and “The Farmer’s Wife”

-100 Years of Women’s Suffrage

-Structuring Your Novel

1. What’s my intention?
2. What do I feel deeply about? / What’s the attitude?
3. What’s my purpose in writing this book? / How do I hope a reader might be changed.

-Ben Duniway’s Obituary

-Abigail Duniway’s Obituary

-Natalie Curtis and The Indian’s Book

-The Code of Indian Offenses :: Read more here, here, and here.

-The nation I spoke of in Syracuse is the Onondaga Nation

-Read more here and here about the whitewashing and assimilation of the Native Americans

-St. Louis World’s Fair // Louisiana Purchase Exposition

-Genocide- the first time that word is truly used

-“race suicide” - people being asked to give up themselves by denying who they were

- Silent Words (I misquoted the children’s book title, but this link is to a novel that’s a story of a young Native American boy’s journey. The book I meant is this one: Stolen Words)

-Wounded Knee

-Cherokee Dakota

-Tear Soup

- “Hope is an orientation of the spirit. … but the absolute conviction that something is worth doing regardless of how it turns out.” Disturbing the Peace 

-Her latest novel (about Abigail and Ben) Something Worth Doing

Scripture References:

Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Numbers :: Israel’s wilderness journey

Joshua 1is where it begins, and then read through the book of Joshua here  :: the second generation wilderness and their journey into the promised land

Acts-the early church

2 Corinthians 12:7-10- thorn in our flesh

Joshua 24:15 - Whom do we serve? // We will ultimately worship something or someone

Isaiah 19:21 - The Lord will make Himself known

1 Corinthians 12, Epheisans 4, Colossians 3-Biblical unity

(A study of Deuteronomy) Israel before they go to the promise land, they sit down and tell their stories of God’s faithfulness

Deuteronomy 11:18- Put these on your forehead

1 Thessalonians 4:13- We are not without hope

Connecting with Jane:

-Getting access to her newsletter “Story Sparks”

-BookPub

-Good Reads

-Website

-Facebook

-Twitter

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

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

On today’s episode, I have the absolute pleasure of hosting the incredibly wise Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith. Dr. Saundra is an internal medicine physician, an author, and a speaker who specializes in the mind, body, spirit connection. Her most recent book, 'Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity', is an incredible resource that shares various perspectives on the 7 types of rest we need and how rest deficits affect the whole functioning person. It's a hearty dose of cool science and how God made us, with beautiful spiritual application. 

This episode feels so timely, because if there is one word I have heard come out of the mouths of people I love lately it is this: “I am so weary.” Is that you? Do you feel emotionally, spiritually or emotionally weary? Maybe even fighting off the burn out? Dr. Saundra and I talk about how we (especially as women) struggle with this area so much because of how much we wrestle with control, and she gifts us some practical ways to assess and deal with restoring your fullest self so you can live in the abundant life of Christ. 

No matter how weary you are, friend, you can find rest for your soul in Jesus. Whether that’s the weariness of isolation, or being hustled by the hustle, and everything in between, God cares about you, mind, body, heart, and spirit. If we don’t address these things and ask Him to show us where we have depleted our resources and need sacred rest, then how can we engage the work we were made for? Take it a little bit at a time, friend. Dr. Saundra is testifying where God intervened in her story, and is sharing what He showed her with you. There are great resources here, friends, to press into this area. It matters because you matter. Your story matters. 

I want to ask you guys for some grace on the front end because we struggled with some sound issues in this episode. It was nuts, the internet would not do its thing, and it only happened when she and I were trying to talk. Not today, Satan, not. Today. We have persevered, and I cannot wait for y’all to hear this conversation. 

Resources and References:

-lists of attributes of God

-meditating is Biblical

-His Kids Company alphabet place mat

-The Body Keeps the Score

-Boundaries

-sermon from my church (Fellowship Bible Church) on 9/13 about how we will face trials, but God is faithful

-J.I. Packer Knowing God

-Sing! Conference with Keith and Kristyn Getty

-Joni Eareckson Tada

-”Crown Him with Many Crowns”

-Dr. Saundra’s Rest Quiz

Scripture References:

Luke 10:27 -love the Lord your God

2 Corinthians 10:5-taking your thought captive

Colossians 1:16, 1:17/ Ephesians 1:11-God is sovereign (here is an article with more scriptures and insights)

Joshua 1:8/ Psalm 119:78-meditating on God’s word

Matthew 17 -the transfiguration

John 15-Jesus had the 12 disciples as close friends (more thoughts on that)

Luke 5:16-Jesus gets away to be with the Father

John 15:5-abiding

John 6:29 / John 13:1 -Jesus is trustworthy (more thoughts on that) - I especially love the AMP of John 6:29

Isaiah 30:15- quietness is your strength 

Psalm 37:4 -Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart

Psalm 112:7-hearts steadfast trusting in Him

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

Isaiah 53:3 -Jesus was a man of sorrows

Acts 10-Peter’s revelation about human beings different than him

Acts 12:1-2-Herod executes James

Acts 12:1-19 -Peter’s kidnapping and miraculous escape

John 10:10-abundant life

Job 35:16 -cannot pour out of emptiness

Psalm 16:11 / John 7:37-38 -living out of the overflow of the Spirit

John 10:10- Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 / John 14:16-Jesus as a comforter

Mark 10:13-16-Children came to Him

John 8:1-11/ John 4 / Luke 7:36-50 / -nameless women who came to Him (interesting reading about the woman with the issue of blood and the 3 Gospel accounts that tell her story)

John 14 / Acts 1:1-11 / Acts 2 -Jesus ascended and sent His Holy Spirit

Malachi 3:6 / Psalm 102:27 / Isaiah 4:28 / Psalm 18:31 / Hebrews 6:13-20 / Hebrews 13:8  -God cannot change (For more on this, this is a great article from Blue Letter Bible and also Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him: 10 Reasons Why God is Different Than Us (and why that’s a good thing). Chapter 6 is power packed about immutability (the word that means “unchanging over time or unable to be changed”)

Matthew 10:31 / 2 Corinthians 3:18 /Psalm 139:14 / Psalm 45:11-I don’t have to prove my worth 

Romans 5:8 -my worth was solidified on the cross

The Process Dr. Saundra leads you through in her book about each type of rest:

R- Recognize your current risk 

E- Evaluate your position

S-Science and the research related to the type of rest needed

T- Today’s application

Connecting with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith

Her other books

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Website

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

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

Y’all are in for such a treat because today I am chatting with the fiery and fabulous Tiffany Bluhm. Tiffany has worked in various ministry roles for a long time. She’s been a pastor, working in local and global outreach, with victims of human trafficking, the homeless population, and those who are incarcerated. These days, Tiffany is a podcaster, speaker, writer, and author who passionately loves the Lord and encouraging others, especially women, to step up and take their place wherever and however they’ve been gifted. 

This episode covers so much ground. We talk about everything from how to practically think through a calling or a passion you don’t quite know what to do with, facing the dark parts of your story, racial reconciliation, unpacking the concept of de-centering, and processing how 2020 may not be the dumpster fire we thought it was, but maybe it is the year of the Refiner’s Fire. 

As a woman of color, who grew up in a primarily white world, Tiffany shares how to be better neighbors to one another in the gift of our unique makeup, and humanizing other people’s experiences. Bridges are built when we listen to one another’s stories. While we are walking out this wild season, would we be willing to ask the Lord to search our hearts? Would we be willing to examine our hearts with the One who made it and ask where we maybe have allowed lies about ourselves, or our neighbors to affect how we interact in the world? Will we be willing to open our hands to see what the Lord may have for us in how He made us, and how He made for us to work together in His Kingdom? These are important questions that need honest examination from all of us, over and over again. 

I’ve put all the ways you can connect with Tiffany, her books, her podcast with Ash Abercrombie, and more in the show notes!

Resources: 

-Tiffany’s podcast with Ash Abercrombie Why Tho

-My episode with Ash Abercrombie

-Cordila Jochim - our episode (part 1 and 2) and connecting with Cor

-Traumatic brain injury and future casting

-Moses

-Julia Child

-Ruby Bridges

-Epstein

-Weinstein

-Nassar

-Hybels

-Crist

-The #MeeToo movement

-De-Centering- “The person telling the story has the most power. To de-center is to look at another’s experience and realize that you do not play a key role in the story. You sit and humbly listen to their story without making the story about you.” (You can read more about this via Latasha Morrison’s Be the Bridge book and program)

-pass the mic campaign

-will we follow Him in the wilderness or will we try to hightail it back to Egypt (looking at their story in the book of Numbers)

Scripture References:

2 Timothy 1:6 / 1 Timothy 4:14 / 1 Corinthians 12-  The calling and gifting put inside you

John 10:10- Jesus came to give us life to the full

Jeremiah 29:11- For the plans I have for you

Psalm 37:4- Delight yourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart

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

Matthew 7:15-20- You will know it by the fruit

Galatians 5:22-23-Fruits of the Spirit

Psalm 51:10- Create in me a clean heart, and restore a right spirit within me

Daniel 3:26-27 - you will not smell like smoke 

Hosea 2:14- lure her to the desert and speak tender to her there

Psalm 139:23-24- search me and know my heart; if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting

Episode Partner: Armor Up, Warrior Princess

Follow them on Instagram!

For questions about the boxes, ordering, and etc, email them at [email protected] 

Connecting with Tiffany:

Tiffany’s books, Bible studies

Prey Tell: Why we silence women who tell the truth (Comes out in March 2021)

Why Tho Podcast

Her newsletter (which is so good!)

Instagram

Facebook

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

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

As I have been praying for direction from God on this season of the podcast, I kept coming back to the heart of the matter: we as the people of God need to remember who we are and whose we are. When we can live from that knowledge, we can press in to the places where we have been placed and live out what we were created to do. As I’ve asked the Lord to show me who would be able to speak into these places with power, authority, honesty, and humility, one of the names that kept coming up for me over and over again is today’s guest: Phil Herndon.

Phil is a counselor that has dedicated his career to shepherding people who are battling anxiety and various types of addiction. He has such a powerful gift of taking big ideas about God, the needs of humanity, the mind, and body and breaking them down into bites that can not only be understood but consumed for soul nourishment. That is exactly what happens in this episode today. During this conversation, we break down what tends to drive the human heart, as well as how it works in the brain, and the assurance that God made us this way on purpose! We then wade through the deep waters of the various spiritual gifts and how we are each uniquely wired to reflect these gifts in our spheres of influence. 

I hope and pray that you’ll stick with us all the way to the end on this one. Even though it's a little long, its power packed around every corner. Phil just has so much wisdom and insight to share, I just couldn’t condense it down! Join us on the deep dive, take notes on what stands out to you, and let’s lay our hearts before our Creator, and ask Him to show us how to be who He made us to be.  

We need you, friend. We need your gifting. Come alive to His story. It matters. You matter.

*References:

-Fellowship Bible Church Rutherford County is the church we attend together :) 

**Phil just recently preached a POWERFUL word about The Sheep and the Shepherd in Chaotic Times. I’ve linked it here!

-limbic brain

-AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)

-Southwestern Seminary

-LPC compatible (licensed professional counselor)

-homiletics 

-Chip Dodd - His book The Voice of the Heart (which we mention!) is a game. changer.

-Stephen James - He has other works, but if you are a person with a little boy in your life, PLEASE get a copy of his book Wild Things. Its about raising boys. Lord, help us all. lol

-Young Life

-thinking brain

-”E.T. phone home”

-Aslan’s quote: “Aslan" said Lucy "you're bigger". "That is because you are older, little one" answered he. "Not because you are?" "I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.” ― C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian 

-codependency

-the written Law

-the Jewish oral law/Torah

-Corinth

-DTS- Dallas Theological Seminary

-Carson Newman

-exceptions to the draft for the Vietnam War

-SHAPE test (spiritual gifts test)

-Christine Caine’s A21 Campaign

-ecclesia- The Greek word for an assembly, especially the popular assembly of ancient Athens. // A community or a church.

-Heilsgeschichte -- German word for history, story. Literally means “salvation story” and “History as continued divine action on, for and with people”

-Raising the little light :: scene from Harry Potter 

-The Body Keeps The Score

*Scripture References:

Isaiah 14:27 / Job 42:2 -My ways are not thwarted 

Isaiah 41:10 / Isaiah 43:2 / Psalm 40:17/ 1 Peter 5:6-7-God cares for you

Jeremiah 29:11 / Psalm 57:2- -I’m made for something else

John 10:27- the sheep know my voice 

Psalm 139:14- fearfully and wonderfully made

Ecclesiastes 3:11-God has placed eternity in the hearts of men

Matthew 19:14-Let the little children come to me

Galatians 5:19-21-list of what we fall into

Galatians 2:11-14-Paul corrects Peter about codependency (his relationship with the Jews: be one guy)

1 Corinthians 12:12-31-the diversity of the body of Christ

-Psalm 139

-1 Corinthians 12- y’all are a MESS and also spiritual gifts :) 

-accept each other because God made you and brought you together

Romans 12:3-8-with another set of gift

Ephesians 2:8 -You were saved by the same grace

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

John 1:5 / Luke 1:76-79-hold a light against a dark background of the world 

Matthew 5:29- gouge out your eye (deal with your sin)

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

Luke 18:27- what is impossible for the Lord

Acts 2- Pentecost in Acts and the tongues of fire

1 Peter 2:5- we are an altar of living stones

Jeremiah 20:9 -If I don’t speak it burns in my bones

Psalm 23- The Lord is my shepherd

Hebrews 12:1-2- the course set out for her

Genesis 3-brokenness part of the world

1 Peter 1:20 / Ephesians 1:4 /His redemptive plan has always been part of the plan

John 14:27- Jesus never promised the absence of fear, He promised the absence of anxiety when we lean into Him

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 / Psalm 51:17 / Psalm 33:18-22 / 2 Chronicles 7:14 / / Deuteronomy 28:9/ Proverbs 3:5 / 2 Timothy 3:14-15- we can control how we respond to the Father

James 3 / Romans 12:2 / Romans 12:18/ Psalm 133:1 / Colossians 3:14 - we can control how we respond to people

*Full list of Spiritual Gifts (from 1 Corinthians, Romans, Ephesians, and 1 Peter)

Encouragement (sometimes called exhortation)

Giving

Leadership 

Mercy

Prophecy

Service (or serving)

Teaching

Apostleship

Pastoring

Evangelism

Administration

Discernment

Healing

Interpretation of Languages (often called Tongues)

Languages (Tongues)

Wisdom

Faith

Knowledge

Miracles

Connecting with Phil:

Sage Hill Counseling Facebook

Email Phil

Listen Phil’s latest sermon here.(His actual message starts about 47 minutes in to the service)

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:

Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)

Facebook

Twitter

Blog 

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

It's a good day to start Season Two of the Simply Stories Podcast!!! Before we dive into this season, I really wanted to take a moment with someone who has been in the trenches with me from the very beginning of this experience, to look back and also press in. My darling friend, April McKinney, and I spend some time in today’s episode talking about where we both have been the last couple of years, and the stories of God’s presence in our lives. Even before covid-19 invaded all of our worlds, April and I both have walked through seasons of shadow, and faith stretching. In this heart to heart coffee talk, so to speak, we invite you to pull up a chair and just listen to the testimony of two friends who love each other and love the Lord. 

During this chat, we also talk about current events and how we wrestle those out before God, and with the people around us. We discuss how to be led by love and hope, #momlife things, and how God’s Word and His presence shores us up to face the next day. It was also really important to me to leave you guys feeling encouraged as we all navigate this wild wilderness season.

We may be walking in unfamiliar territory, but we are still being led by the glory of God’s presence. We MUST call to mind who He always has been, and who He always will be. And so. We end this episode with scriptures that have meant a lot to us, as well as a blessing over all of us, written by my dear friend, Katie Covert.

I’m so grateful for another season in the Simply Stories world. Thank you for being here. Let’s do this. 

Resources:

-April’s cookbook The Outdoor Table

-Paula Deen

-Marco Polo 

-"Hope is a song in a weary throat," proclaimed the Rev. Pauli Murray 

-Congressman John Lewis

-Ravi Zacharias

-J.I. Packer

-”Is He Worthy”- Andrew Peterson

Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith and the 7 types of rest

Armor Up, Warrior Princess

Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University

-what happened at Willow Creek

Scripture References:

Hebrews 12:1 / Romans 5:3-4 / 1 Peter 5:10-  Building a stamina of endurance

Psalm 77:11- Remembering God’s deliverance from before

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

Malachi 3:6 // Hebrews 13:8- God has not changed

Psalm 42:1- As the deer pants for the water 

Romans 5:8 / Revelation 1:5- He loves us, chose to die for us, and washes us clean

Romans 15:13 / 1 Peter 1:3-4- Hope is not lost for anyone

Psalm 3:8 /Exodus 14:13-15  The salvation of the Lord 

Hebrews 10:23 / Psalm 9:10-  He is trustworthy

Jeremiah 29:11- The plans I have for you, to prosper you and not to harm you, but for hope and a future

John 10:11- He is a trustworthy shepherd 

Psalm 23- He walks with me through they Valley of the Shadow

Matthew 5:46-48 -” If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”

Ephesians 2:2-5- We are born sinful

Romans 6:23- The wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life

1 John 4:19- We love because He first He loved us 

Genesis 3:19- To dust we return

Psalm 73:26- My flesh and my heart may fail

Proverbs 16:18- Pride goes before the fall

2 Corinthians 1:3 / Psalm 34:18- God comforts

1 Corinthians 6:12- We will serve anything we give our hearts to

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

John 12:12-19- Jesus’ triumphal entry and looking for a Messiah

Romans 11- Open the door for Gentiles, to graft in to the body of Christ

John 4:14- Drink from the Water of Life

2 Thessalonians 3:3 / 2 Timothy 2:13 / Deuteronomy 7:9 (among many others): He is faithful

Genesis 50:20 - What the enemy uses for evil, the Lord turns for good

Story of Joseph

Genesis 37: Joseph’s Dream

Genesis 39: Potiphar’s Wife

Genesis 39:19-23- Joseph in prison

Acts 16:16-40-Paul in prison

-Barnabus -- I MISPOKE! Silas in prison. Barnabus, sadly, was definitely persecuted, but in other ways.

-Matthew 11:2-6-John the Baptist- reaching out to Jesus, 

-Matthew 14- John the Baptist being beheaded

-Genesis 44- Hiding the cup in Benjamin’s bag

-Esther 4:14- Mordechai in Esther, if you don’t do this, the Lord will raise up deliverance

Scriptures Read at the end of the episode:

Psalm 23- NLT

1 Peter 1:3-4 - NIV

Isaiah 40:28-31-NIV

Romans 8:9-17 -The Message

Connect with April:

Instagram

20,000 Words Podcast

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:

Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)

Facebook

Twitter

Blog 

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

Today is the final episode of our very first season! I can hardly believe it! The Lord is so funny, because as you may or may not remember, the very first episode was my interview with the absolutely amazing Shari Rigby, and she is back for our season finale episode today!  

In our first conversation, we talked about her experience acting in the movie, “Overcomer,” and how powerful the message of that movie on identity created such a timely ripple effect in her, and since then,she has written a powerful book called Consider the Lilies: Get Rooted in Your Destiny By Discovering God’s Plan. Shari is back today to tell us about this journey and the heart of her book. Shari is a woman who overflows with zeal and love for the Lord and His word. Shari shares about the pursuit of overcoming confusion and moving to clarity through diving into God’s word. We discuss battling for our identity by being grounded in who God says we are, instead of who the world says we are, because the world’s defining identifying factors are insatiable. When we know Whose we are, we can press into what we were made for. We also discuss a concept she unpacks in her book, where we look to scripture to differentiate purpose, calling, gifts and talents. 

Every single time I listen to this conversation, I feel so much more full than how I started. There is a campaign against you, and the Kingdom of God, to maim our identity, distract us from our purpose, make us doubt our calling, keep us from cultivating our talents, and to keep us in the dark about the gifts God gives us by His Spirit, as well as the weapons He provides for us to do all the fighting with.I feel like this conversation is the pep talk we need for where we are in 2020, but honestly, whenever you hear this, it's a pep talk for the ages. 

The Lord is not finished with us, friends. Not even a little bit. Let’s take heart, and press in to the Holy Ground where He has placed us for such a time as this. It matters, dear one. You matter. Your story matters.

Shari has also set us up SO well for season 2 and I can’t wait to tell you more about that! Next week, we’ll kick off season 2 with a special guest and me looking back at what God has done, and looking forward to where He’s leading us next, so be sure you are subscribed and you don’t miss out!

Episode Partner: Armor Up, Warrior Princess

Follow them on Instagram!

For questions about the boxes, ordering, and etc, email them at [email protected] 

References:

First Episode of the Podcast with Shari!

“Overcomer” movie 

The Kendricks

Women in my World

Shari’s book: Consider the Lilies: Get Rooted in Your Destiny By Discovering God’s Plan

Endometriosis

“October Baby”

King David and his many talents - shepherd // warrior // leader // prophet //  lyricist // musician (see more on this in my blog on further study from this episode)

King Solomon

Carson Newman

Pastor Mark Martin

Steve Berger- Grace Chapel in Leiper’s Fork

The Spiritual Gifts assessment

Scripture References:

Joshua 5:6- Israel in the desert

Psalm 107:2- Let the redeemed of the Lord say so

Isaiah 61:3- I turn those ashes into garland

Psalm 57:2 / 2 Timothy 1:9 - God created purposefully

Genesis 1:27- God created us in His image

1 Corinthians 12 // 1 Peter 4:11 // Romans 12:6-8 Spiritual Gifts

Psalm 139:14 - Perfectly and wonderfully made 

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

Jeremiah 29:11

Psalm 37:4- He will give you the desires of your heart

Mark 5:21-43 // John 19:25-27 // John 20:11-18 // Acts 10:34-35 // - Jesus has a heart and a mission for women

Acts 1:14 // Acts 2:1-4 // Acts 2:16-18 // Acts 2:43-47 // Romans 16:7 - Luke includes women, receiving the spirit and etc (these are just a few places in Acts! Keep digging and reading!- Also see my blog about women leaders in the church for the going deeper on this episode!) 

Matthew 16;24- Denying yourself and pick up your cross

Luke 16:10- when we’ve been faithful with little is faithful in much

Psalm 51:17- A broken and contrite heart

Romans 8:28 // 1 Corinthians 10:31-  Do it for His glory and our good

Numbers 13-14 Joshua and Caleb only ones who would be willing to go in

Joshua 2, (shout out to my girl, Rahab) 3 and 4- then they waited until they could go in

1 Peter 1:3-4- We have been given an inheritance

Psalm 18:30- They trusted He would keep His word

Ephesians 3:20- Will give you more than could ever ask or imagine

Proverbs 31:10-31 - Warrior women - the word “Chayil” is the word used here for valor or noble and is also translated in other places “warrior.” Read more about that here. 

Acts 2:44- They had all things in common

Living in unity (a whole list of verses!!)

Matthew 22:36-40 //  Luke 10:27 // Love God (Most important command) and love others (love your neighbor as yourself, the 2nd most important command)

Mark 16:15 // Matthew 28:16-20-  To go and tell

Matthew 11:28-30- His yoke is light

Exodus 3 // Exodus 7:7- Moses was no spring chicken when he became a leader of God’s people

Colossians 3:17- Whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord

Galatians 5:22-23-Fruits of the Spirit

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

Matthew 9:37- The harvest is plentiful and the workers are few

Isaiah 6:8-Here I am send me

Matthew 10:7- When you go out, let them know the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand

Ephesians 6:10-18-- The Armor of God, we are not at war with flesh and blood 

Ephesisans 6:10-13-- the Message version I read in the outro

Connecting with Shari:

Website

instagram

Facebook

Her other books Consider the Lilies book

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:

Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)

Facebook

Twitter

Blog 

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Today’s episode is with fellow podcaster, author, speaker, and just all around champion of living an abundant life, Jessica Hottle. Jessica shares with me the story that fuels her passion for women to know the truth about who God is and who He made them to be, because she grew up not knowing those truths at all. In her early adulthood, the Lord began a process of helping her understand the gift of a resurrected life that brings healing and freedom, and helped her to know her worth. She also shares how the Lord brought people along her path to speak life into her as she grew in her faith and redefined what it meant to love and be loved. 

“We come to know the Father and our worth when we know what His word says,” is one thing Jess shared in this conversation that stuck with me. While that sounds like something so simple, it's the simple things we lose sight of first when we’re in crisis. And whether your life has returned to some sort of semi-normal rhythm, or whether you are still trying to find purchase in a sea of uncertainty, we are all working through the effects of covid on what we know is true about our worth, how we process hard things, and so much more. I loved how Jess talks about the power of coming to know what God says is true, and the significance in her life in pursuing relationships that get down to the heart of the matter and speak life to her heart and echo those truths. There’s so much to marinate on in this conversation, friends, and I hope it leaves you encouraged as you navigate the now, and fix your face to the future. 

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Scripture References:

Romans 6- You have been transformed by God’s righteousness

1 John 4:19- The Lord loves you

Ephesians Chapters 1 and 2 - The Lord wants you and made you valuable/worthy

Romans 8:19-23- He wants to redeem all the broken things

Galatians 4:4- God sent His Son to set us free

Revelation 19:9- You’re invited to a feast

Matthew 13- The parable of the seed falling on soils

Proverbs 3:5- Trust in the Lord with all your heart

Proverbs 18:21/ James 3:10- The words we speak bring life and death, blessings and curses

Genesis 3- Eve in the Garden falling for a lie

Romans 14 / a list of others: Discerning the difference between a truth and a lie

Matthew 4:1-11 / Matthew 7:15/ Jude - The enemy brings lies through deception and intimidation - a lie leads us away from love

John 10:10- the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy

2 Timothy 1:9- Purpose, call and identity

Matthew 28:19-20- We’re called to share the Gospel

2 Corinthians 5:11-21- We’re called to be ministers of reconciliation

Ephesians 4:1- Aligning your life to the will of God

Romans 5:3-5- Perseverance not perfection

Philippians 1:9- The more His love abounds in love through the knowledge of Him

More thoughts on: We come to know the Father and our worth when we know what His word says

References:

Jess’ podcast episode where she interviews her spiritual Father, PJ, part 1 and 2. 

Kelsey Chapman and her book (the launch has been pushed to early 2021! Thanks, Covid)

Gloria Furman

Revelation Wellness

Prayers for engaging our bodies (and other free printables!)

Science experiment where you yell and curse at a tree and the other gets life spoken to it

Mirror neurons

Grounding exercises

window of tolerance

Connecting with Jessica:

Website

Her Podcast

Her Books

Facebook

Instagram

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:

Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)

Facebook

Twitter

Blog 

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On today’s episode I am chatting with a woman who wears many hats, Cindy Sproles. Cindy is an author, an editor, a ministry director, and does all of it with a faith as big as the mountain she calls home. As the faith stretching process of 2020 continues, this conversation felt like a drink of water in the wilderness. Cindy shares with us how the Lord has deepened her faith as she has worked in ministry and watched Him provide over and over again, and it was such a rich experience for me to remind me that the same God who has moved miraculously before still does just that.

Cindy’s most recent fiction work is called What Momma Left Behind takes place in the rural Appalachian Mountains which is an area near and dear to both of us, and you guys will get a kick out of how much my East Tennessee accent comes out in this episode. We talk a lot about the history and the heart of mountain people as well as the heart of her book’s story, which is actually adoption. Cindy’s powerful story shares what it was like for disease to run rampant on the mountain, which is wild because she had no idea this book was going to come out during a global pandemic, and then what happened to the children that were left behind before there were options like formal adoptions and orphanages. And while we have more systems in place now, there are so many children that are still longing to be loved and wait to be adopted.

Cindy is such a firecracker. She reminds me so much of the people I grew up around, and I just love it. Listen, friend, if you have a heart that has maybe been stirred by the concept of adoption or fostering, I’m putting some links in the show notes just for you! OR if you are interested in how you can partner with some of the other organizations mentioned in this episode like ASP, or even how to connect with Cindy as a writer, and faith encourager, I’ve put all that connection information in the show notes.

Resources:

Christian Devotions Ministry

Lighthouse Publishing

Blue Ridge Christian Writers’ Conference

Asheville Christian Writers’ Conference

Hope*Writers

Writing with Grace

The Autobiography of George Mueller

Her book What Momma Left Behind

Gatlinburg

Pigeon Forge

Townsend 

Snapping and canning green beans 

Springhouse

Smokehouse

Moonshine still

Fonde, KY -- This happens to be a project my sister worked on that shares the history of Fonde

Appalachian Service Project - ASP

Nashville Tornado

Cumberland Gap

Portwine Birthmark

Christy by Catherine Marshall

More information about telephones in the Smokeys

The Orphan Train

The Hope of Azure Springs - Rachel Fordham

My conversation with Rachel Fordham on adoption and foster parenting

Adoption and Foster Care resources

Scripture References:

John 2:1-11- Cupbearers who carry the water turned into wine

Psalm 23- The Lord is my shepherd

Luke 11:1-4- The Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 25:14-30- To him much is given much is required

1 Corinthians 12:12-31- The body of Christ is diverse

Psalm 121:2-4- My help comes from the Lord

Psalm 28:7- The Lord is my strength and my shield

Psalm 18:2- The Lord is my fortress

Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Luke 2:41-52- Mary and Joseph lost Jesus

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

Ephesians 1:5- We are adopted into the family of God

Romans 8:17 Adopted into His heirship

Ezekiel 36:26- a new heart and a new spirit

Psalm 51:10-19-Create in me a clean heart

Connecting with Cindy:

-Facebook

-Website

-Her books

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:

Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)

Facebook

Twitter

Blog 

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Today I’m chatting with the wonderful Susie Finkbeiner. Susie is an incredible Christian Fiction Author, and a woman who just radiates joy, love and hope. I actually got to talk to Susie when we were all in the thick of quarantine, and it feels so timely as many cities go back to that sort of a model, but everyone I know is processing the immediate future. Whether that is school decisions, community decisions, election oriented decisions, there is a lot of tension, a struggle with holding on to hope, and how to be present for one another with feelings and fears running rampant. Friends, this episode is for you. Susie shares really beautiful insight about trusting the Lord, especially when everything feels like it's falling apart. God’s trustworthiness and His goodness is bigger than the certainty of encountering the brokenness of the world, and that is something, as we wrestle with what’s around us, that we can put our hope in. It's the only thing that won’t change. 

During our chat you also get to hear more about the heart and the history of her newest book, The Stories That Bind Us. Susie shares how personal and even painful this story was for her to write, but when God asked her to write something very confronting for her, no matter how hard it felt, He met her in the Refiner’s fire. We also discuss the beauty and the mess of what it's like to be in the trenches with someone with a calling from the Lord, as well as when someone who is walking through a deep valley through hard seasons or struggling with mental health.  The Lord will provide encouragement, and support. When we are going through the deep valleys of life He delights in us, and draws us closer to the body of Christ, but we also have to be willing to receive it. Even though there is wrestling, the hope we have in Jesus is kept in a place no broken person or thing can ever touch. Sharing our stories, engaging one another’s lives, praying for and bearing with one another, these are some of the life-giving ways the Lord is close to the broken-hearted and rescues those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

I hope that you’ll pick up a copy of The Stories That Bind Us and check out Susie online and engage her other work too! In a space that can feel like a sea of chaos, she’s such a fun light. Hang in there, friends. Just like Susie says: “our heritage is shared through our stories.” Yours matters, friends. You matter.

Resources:

The Stories that Bind Us 

Detroit theme park being restored, aquarium around from the early 1900’s:: Belle Isle Aquarium (in this article, you can actually see the jade ceiling Susie mentions in our conversation) 

Jocelyn Green

Laura Frantz // Laura’s posts // (and our conversation!)

My conversation with Jennifer Greenberg, and the allorgorical conversation about suicide

Mental Health resources

Sarah Sundin (and our conversation!)

Annie F. Downs

Betsie Ten Boom

Corrie Ten Boom

Human Trafficking

Christian Fiction Readers’ Summit

Baker Book House

Beth White (hear her episode, and here’s the book I was reading! That series in my top 5 fave 2020 reads) 

Susie’s upcoming book, features the end of the Vietnam War, 3,000 orphans were airlifted from Saigon to the U.S., Australia, Canada for adoption. -- Called Operation Babylift

All Manner of Things by Susie

Vietnam War lasted from 1955-1975

The Vietnam War draft 

Battle of Okinawa

Scripture References:

Zephaniah 3:17

Genesis 3 - The rip from the garden

Romans 8:22- We long for things to be made right

Matthew 9:36- Jesus looks at them like sheep without a shepherd

So many He healed were overwhelmed by voices that were not their own

Luke 13:10-17- The woman who was bent over and the Lord made her straight (link to the sermon from our church- if you want to get straight to the sermon, cut to around 41 minutes in.)

Psalm 46:10- Be still and know that I am God

Ephesians 5:18-21- Building one another up, singing to one another 

1 Corinthians 9:24 / Philippians 3:12-17 / 2 Timothy 4:7-8-  Paul says it's a race

Psalm 107 / Matthew 5:16-  He uses our lives to draw people to Him

Philippians 4:6- Present your requests before God

1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxieties on Him 

Isaiah 41:13 / Psalm 121:1-2  / Romans 8:28- It is possible to come back from the struggle

Romans 8:37- In Christ we are more than overcomers

Genesis 1:27 / John 1:12-  It's His power to give us strength to believe that we are His image bearers 

Matthew 10:20 / Acts 2:1-42 / 1 Corinthians 12 -The Holy Spirit can give a unique experience to each person

Psalm 91 

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

2 Corinthians 4:18- This is not all there is

Luke 5:17-39- Be a stretcher bearer 

Connecting with Susie:

Facebook

Instagram

Website

Her books

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:

Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)

Facebook

Twitter

Blog 

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

Today on the podcast I have the fabulous Bethany Turner back for round 2!!! Bethany was one of my very first guests early in the season (episode 7, to be exact) and we got to talk about how she writes books that provide a space for pop culture and hard topics and faith to intersect with a lot of humor and heart. Bethany and I have bonded in a friendship solidified by a love for the Lord, stories and 90’s pop culture. So today, you get a little bit of all those things! 

In the first half of this episode, we talk about what it's been like to be creative with how we enjoy movies and books and what not, and how we engage our creativity differently. You’ll also hear us talk about her latest book Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish, and actually we had this conversation on Hadley’s book birthday which was fun to celebrate that with her. Then, thanks to some of her readers’ question submissions, I also got a chance to get to put Bethany in the “Renowned” hot seat (for all those #hadbeck readers out there!) to hear more of Bethany’s story as an author as well as her miraculous survival story of ovarian cancer. 

Then, in the second half of the episode, Bethany and I lay out our love for all things 90’s movies and television. I laughed SO HARD during this episode and it was just the kind of levity that I need during such a crazy season of time and we hope you get to enjoy that as well and maybe even pad your movie and tv viewing list as the Pandemic stretches on. There’s a lot of heart, there’s a lot of fun, and it's a good day to hang out with BT and me on Simply Stories. Thanks in advance for hanging out and laughing with us! 

For the record, you can find everything we mention in this episode (all the books, all the movie references, all of it) in the show notes as well as how to keep connected with Bethany! This will definitely go down as the longest set of show notes in the history of the podcast, but WORTH. IT. I may have also snuck in some additional content in there, so happy hunting! 

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Resources:

-Original episode with Bethany (episode #7!)

-The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck, Wooing Cadie McCaffrey, Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish

-article on straight to streaming because of Trolls, AMC won’t do Paramount movies

-Lori Beth of Elevating Motherhood’s post

-Food Network

-The Pioneer Woman

-Gordon Ramsay

-Damaris Phillips

-”Beat Bobby Flay” 

-Joanna Gaines

-Dolly Parton 

-Nashville, TN - Howdy, y’all ;) 

-Vanderbilt announcement about funding vaccine research, thanks, Dolly 

-Pancake Pantry

-Inside the Actor’s Studio

-Robin Leach - Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous clip to hear his voice

-James Lipton

-Susie Finkbeiner -- stay tuned to hear her episode here next week! :) We love ya, Susie!

-”Out of Africa” 

-”Save the Last Dance” Keri Washington (yes THAT Keri Washington)

-Ovarian Cancer

-His Kids Company placemat 

-Blockbuster (MAY IT RIP!!!!)

-Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon Game

-T.G.I.F.

Our Crazy Pants 90’s Movie and TV List  of References: 

-”Independence Day” - Bill Pullman’s speech (Jeff Goldblum, Will Smith, Harry Connick Jr.) 

-”Dave”, (Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver) “Air Force One,” (Harrison Ford) “The American President” (Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, Michael Douglas, Anna Deavere Smith (who ironically is in Dave, American President AND the West Wing), Annette Benning 

-”He’s got the power cause he’s in the shower” scene, “Oh no, poor Joe” scene with Anna Deavere Smith! Also… the magic trick moment is hands down one of my favorite other parts. 

- THE speech from the American President 

- “The West Wing”

-Aaron Sorkin

-”Shawshank Redemption” - Some of our favorite scenes: One, two, three, and four)

-Morgan Freeman -- THIS IS EPIC, such an interesting and FUNNY interview with Morgan Freeman about Shawshank

-Liam Neeson

-James Earl Jones 

-”Field of Dreams” 

-”Titanic” (“Nearer my God to Thee” scene, Victor Garber’s “I wish I’d built you a stronger ship”), Kathy Bates as Molly Brown, Tyne Daly)

- “Christy” 

-Tim Daly

-Tom Hanks 

-(Kirk from Gilmore Girls) - Sean Gunn

-Bonnie Hunt

-”Madame Secretary”

-”Bye Bye Birdie” TV movie (Jason Alexander, Vanessa Williams)

-”Dance With Me”

-Christine Ebersole 

-”You’ve Got Mail” 

-”Sleepless in Seattle”

-”Joe Verses the Volcano”

-Rosie O’Donnell in “Sleepless in Seattle”

- “Return to Me” (Minnie Driver, NOT Tim Daly,actually David Duchovny) I sadly couldn’t find the “Grace has Bob’s dead wife’s heart” scene on video but this trailer shows a lot of my other favorite moments!! -- annnd that’s technically from the year 2000. Whoops lol.

-”The Cutting Edge” 

-”Nell” (Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson and Jodie Foster)

-”Sliding Doors” (Gwyneth Paltrow) 

-”Guarding Tess” (Nicholas Cage, Shirley McLane)

-”Regarding Henry” (Harrison Ford) -- the guy who plays his nurse is named Bill Nunn! See his link below

-”Sister Act” - Bill Nunn

- “Home Alone” - (Catherine O’Hara)

- “Groundhog Day”

- “I Got You, Babe”- Sonny and Cher (scene for context) 

-”Cool Runnings” (“feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme”)

- “Renaissance Man” (Danny Devito, Gregory Hines, Mark Wahlberg) -- my two favorite scenes from this movie : one and two) 

- “Tap” (GAH this movie is amazing, (here’s one of my favorite scenes) but its from the 80’s so it didn’t get discussed!) 

- “While You Were Sleeping” 

-”Dead Poets Society” 

-”School Tides”

-”Rudy”

-”Mr. Holland’s Opus” (Richard Dreyfuss) 

-”Forrest Gump” (Gary Sinse, Robin Wright) 

-”Mrs. Doubtfire” (the “Matchmaker” scene and Robin Williams’ “helloooooo”)

-”Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (Sean Connery as King Richard, Morgan Freeman, Christian Slater))

-”First Knight” 

-”The Preacher’s Wife” (also, can we talk about this soundtrack!?)

-”Clueless”

-”Benny and Joon”

-”The Green Mile”

-”The Nightmare Before Christmas”

-”Tombstone”

-”Tommy Boy”

-”Pretty Woman”

-”Notting Hill”

-”Hook”

-”Romeo and Juliet”

-”The Sandlot”

-”Twister”

-”The Fifth Element”

-”Schindler’s List”

-”Fight Club”

-”Rookie of the Year”

-”Jumanji”

-”Braveheart”

-”10 Things I Hate About You”

-“Armageddon”

-”Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman”

-”Wings”

-”Saved by the Bell”

-”Buffy the Vampire Slayer”

-”Quantum Leap”

-”Daria”

-”Felicity”

-”My So Called Life”

-”Stark Trek: Deep Space 9”

-”Where in the World is Carmen San Diego”

-”Caroline in the City”

-”Step by Step” 

-”Family Matters”

-”Mad About You”

-”Murphy Brown”

Connecting with Bethany:

-Facebook (be sure and check out her Friday pop culture polls) 

-Twitter

-Instagram

-Website

Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:

Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)

Facebook

Twitter

Blog 

*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com