Simply Stories Podcast

Today I get to share my conversation with you with the wise and gracious John Basie. John is presently the Director of Impact 360 Institute's Masters program. The heart of the Impact 360 Institute is to "cultivate leaders who follow Jesus." John and the rest of the staff are passionate about discipleship and asking questions about what it looks like to be an apprentice of Jesus and becoming someone who is seeking to be like Jesus. Discipling Gen Z is the specific focus at the institute as well as with the book John edited and wrote in partnership with many other contributors called Know Be Live: A 360 Degree Approach Discipleship in a Post-Christian Era, as they are the next generation of leaders in this world and in the Kingdom of God. However, the gift of this book's message is something we all truly need to turn our hearts to.

The book examines that we are all discipled by something or someone. What are the forces that have discipled the next generation, and who are we allowing to continue to disciple us? He also walks us through what it means to say that we live in a "post-Christian culture," and with that what do we do about it? How do we engage the world in this state? We're called to pivot our methods, not diminish the message. This next generation is living bombarded by confusion and loud voices, we're called to disciple and care for them because they are the future, and being willing to engage them where they are, for who they are and what they are wrestling with.

And how do we do that? We live out what John calls "the Great Commandment Mandate:" to love God, and from that love, love people. As we grow in our knowledge of God, and become who He has made us to be, and putting legs on it, with a heart to serve others. This is such a powerful word, and I'm so excited to share it with you.

Additionally, we're going to talk more about so many things John mentioned in this episode over these next few weeks about what the Church looked like when it began, about the call of the great commission to go and share the Gospel has not changed, but the methods often need to. How do we engage discipleship and conversations that happen all around us and truly apply this pattern of know, be and live. I think this is going to be really helpful for a lot of us who feel the intensity of the pivot in the world, but want to actually press into application in their lives, relationships and conversations. We can do this, friends. With God's help. He holds our hope. And He freely lavishes it on you because you matter to Him. You matter. And your story matters. Thanks for hanging out with me and I'll see you next time.

Connecting with John and the Impact 360 Institute:

The book: Know, Be, Live: A 360 Degree Approach to Discipleship in a Post-Christian Era

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Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

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References:

Young Life

Dallas Willard "The Gospels of Sin Management" from The Divine Conspiracy

The Billy Graham Library

See the full interview I mentioned with Billy Graham here

Article about the disciples potentially were teenagers

Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalized gay marriage

Russell Moore- "Christianity is not the same thing as 'almost Christianity.'"

Willow Creek's study of church growth didn't have discipleship impact

Lee Strobel- The Case for Christ author (can also see his story in the movie!)

Kyle Strobel

Bill Hybels

Ravi Zacharias

Biola University

Augustine

Jonathon Morrow (his twitter and his book Welcome to College: A Christ Followers' Guide for the Journey)

Scripture References:

Matthew 6:5- Don't be like those pray to hear yourself

Romans 3:23-27, Romans 8:26- We are sinners who still struggle with sin

God's mercy

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

Titus 2- You're not too old to impact lives

Deuteronomy 7:7, Ephesians 1:4-5- God chose you because He loves you

Mark 2:13-17- Jesus called Levi and then said let's go hang out with your friends

Genesis 1:27- We are image bearers

Genesis 2:15-17- God gives Adam a job

Matthew 22:36-40- The Greatest Commandment

Luke 6:45- Out of the heart the mouth speaks

John 4:1-42- Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well

Luke 1:39-45- Elizabeth announces Jesus' Mary's womb

John 4:28-30, 39-42- The woman at the well going and telling about the Messiah

Luke 24:1-12, John 20- The women who came to the tomb going and telling the disciples Jesus is risen

John 14:15-17, John 15:26-27, 2 Timothy 1:7- We need the Holy Spirit to empower us

John 15- He is the Vine and we are the Branches

Acts 15- The fracturing over circumcision at the council at Jerusalem

Luke 10:27- Loving God with all your mind

Romans 12:2- Being transformed by the renewal of your mind

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Happy New Years Eve, y'all! I am thrilled to share my conversation with the absolutely fantastic JL Gerhardt with you because it feels like a powerful word to walk into this new year with. JL is a writer, storyteller, and teacher who really loves the Lord and helping others fall in love with the Him too. She shares with me her story of learning about God's love through stories, and experiencing the power of His faithfulness and learning to walk with Him in the dark, the weird, and the beautiful parts of life. One thing that I really treasure about JL is that she is unabashedly authentic and honest, even about the hard things. She sums up how she shares, and why she is willing to go so deep and wide with people in this way: "If I don't tell them the truth about the pain, then they may not believe me about the Good News." I just love that.

Our conversation in this episode dives into practical ideas of how to really fall in love with God and encounter Him in a more powerful way in these coming days, how and why that could feel weird for people, and what it might actually look like in the life of a believer. We unpack what it means to look at scripture in various seasons of life and how it impacts our vision of God and the circumstances we are living in, and just how relatable the people of scripture are to us in broken and our mess, and in that we get to see the insane kindness and mercy of God. JL also brings a really powerful word about the love of God and the Greatest Commandment, and how much we have to get the loving God and loving others thing in the proper order, or we're pouring out from an empty and ill equipped cup.

You guys are just going to love JL, her books, especially the new one Look to Love: A Better Way to Read the Bible, her work with her husband Justin on his podcast "Holy Ghost Stories" and I hope all of it points you to the heart of God, in His word, by His Spirit. As Paul shares in Ephesians, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19)

No matter where this finds you, here at the end of the year, or the beginning of a new one: you matter, and your story matters.

Connecting with JL:

Newest Book: Look to Love: A Better Way to Read the Bible

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Newsletter (like seriously I REALLY love it)

Website

Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

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References:

-Swallowed Up by JL Gerhardt

-The Body Keeps the Score

-Think Good: How to Get Rid of Anxiety, Guilt, Despair & the Like to Finally Find Peace of Mind by JL Gerhardt

-Crazy Love - Francis Chan

-Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer to the Heart of God by Brent Curtis and John Eldridge -Love Does by Bob Goff

-Big love for young Leo DiCaprio and "Romeo + Juliet"

-Brene Brown- empathy and listening to stories

-Her husband's AMAZING- hands down my favorite podcast find this year- podcast Holy Ghost Stories with Justin Gerhardt

-Amanda Bible Williams

-"Holy Ghost Stories" Season 2, episode 10: The Giver and the Taker (the one JL wrote about Eve)

Scripture References:

Matthew 17:1-13- The transfiguration with Elijah and Moses

1 Kings 19:1-18- Elijah in the cave wanting to die

Exodus 17 (vs4) Exodus 32- (to name a couple) Moses freaking out "please do something with these people"

Exodus 17:8-16- Moses can't even hold his own arms up

Numbers 20:1-13-Moses striking a stone that cost him the promise land

Numbers 27:12-23- Moses getting only a glimpse of the promised land

He keeps His promises (tons of verses!)

Deuteronomy 31:6- He will never leave you or forsake you

Ruth 1:16-17-He will be your God

The book of Psalms

Matthew 22:36-40, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30- The greatest command: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength

Acts 17:28, Colossians 1:17- God holds all things together, lives and moves and has its being

1 Peter 5:7- God cares about us

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18- Pray without ceasing

1 Timothy 1:17- All glory and honor to God

John 14:15- If you love me you will obey My commands

Psalm 42:7- Deep calls to deep

Acts 7:55-56,Romans 8:34,Ephesians 1:20,Colossians 3:1,Hebrews 1:3,Hebrews 8:1,Hebrews 10:12,Hebrews 12:2,1 Peter 3:22,Revelation 3:21,Matthew 22:44,Acts 2:33- Heaven is the place where He is

Revelation 21:4- Heaven is the place where there is no pain and no tears of pain

1 Corinthians 13 - love of God

Matthew 12:34, Matthew 12:39, Matthew 23:37-39, Luke 11:29, Luke 19:41-44- You wicked generation! Jesus callin' people out because they knew better

Matthew 6:21- Where your treasure is, your heart will be also

Romans 12:2- Being transformed by the renewal of your mind

2 Corinthians 4:18, Hebrews 12:2- Fix your eyes

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

Ephesians 3:17-19

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today I have the absolute pleasure of sharing my conversation with the wonderful Beth Wayland. Beth has been in relational ministry for a very long time first with Campus Crusade for Christ, which is now called CRU and for the last five years she has been working with a ministry she founded called WITH where she ministers to those working in churches, para church ministries and more. Beth is a woman who is deeply passionate about caring for people's hearts where they are, and especially pressing into places where the pain is intense, relationships may be struggling, and people may not totally know where they belong in the Christian space. From that same space, Beth is both honest (and hilarious) in sharing insights from her journey as a single woman in her 40's, as well as walking out her experience of finding a place in the Church again after some deep hurt.

Beth is the perfect person to speak into the darkest week of the year, but also herald the process of the Light coming. Jesus came to practice the ministry of presence in each of our unique seasons, and we need to look at how Jesus was with people in tumultuous seasons, including His own birth in Bethlehem. When we look. When we practice healthy curiosity, the results can be truly breathtaking, and life changing. She also provides some incredible questions for us to ponder where we are in our thought process, our pain, and even some practical things that she's worked through in her relationship with the Lord and with others that I really believe can minister to many in this season.

Friend, I hope as you walk into your Christmas weekend, that you take a deep breath. Wherever you are, you are not alone. Whether for the first time, or for the 50th time, I hope that you are able to take a moment to consider the incredible audacity of God becoming limited and small and vulnerable, the God man. It just overwhelms me with awe and gratitude when I think about Christ coming to be with us down here… meeting messy people where they are, getting to the core of people's broken hearts… what a wild and loving God who would do such a thing.

And that is why we celebrate Christmas. He came down to become like you, to show you compassion and empathy, to show you how to love others, no matter how different you are. And then, he paid the ultimate price for you. He took on sin and death, and won. By His death that He chose, His burial that entombed the curse that had held the Earth in its grip for so long, and then He was resurrected, totally 100% alive, and through His sacrifice, all of it, we too now get to be 100% alive. The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is our great High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses, our struggles and our sufferings. He knows that life is hard. Jesus said "in this world you will have trouble, but take heart for He has overcome the world." The Light of the world came to overpower the world of darkness. And He has, friend. Take heart. And Merry Christmas. You matter, and your story matters.

Connecting with Beth:

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*Check out her Events page to see information about her Soul Care Retreat and her Rest in the Wrestle Retreat

Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

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References:

-"curse of the bambino"

-Jackie Hill Perry's post on singleness

-Dr. Larry Crabb

-Campus Crusade (now CRU)

-"Is He Worthy?" - Andrew Peterson

-Fleming Rutledge- "Advent begins in the dark"

-"shalom"- wholeness, salvation

-The Samaritan community that still lives in Jerusalem

-Tara Leigh Cobble's Bible Recap book and podcast

-Mount Gerizim, not Mount Moriah :)

-Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur

-David Whyte- honesty is a fear of facing what's inside of us

-C.S Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien's friendship

-Biola seminary program

Scripture References:

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

Lamentations 3:19-25, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-Seeing hope and suffering in the same verses

Mark 4:38-the disciples asking do you even care if we drown

John 20:19-29-the disciples are hiding

John 20:19-21-first thing that Jesus says to them is "peace"

Luke 10:25-37 -The Good Samaritan story

2 Chronicles 10-13-The fractured kingdom of Israel, where it starts

Acts 1:8-The great commission and Samaria

Jeremiah 21-27-They all go into exile ultimately

Zechariah 14:4-Where we believe Jesus will return (on the Mount of Olives)

John 4-The Samaritan Woman / Women at the Well

Matthew 22:36-40-, Luke 10:25-37-The greatest commandment

Hosea 2:14 - "I will lure her into the dessert and speak tenderly to her there."

Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1- -The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness

Psalm 139:23-24-search me and know me God

The book of Psalms (video from Bible Project)

Philippians 4:8-Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely

Jeremiah 31:31-34,Ezekiel 36:24-28-We have been given a new covenant heart

1 John 4:19, Galatians 5:22-23 -We have been given a capacity to love

Acts 2 - the Holy Spirit comes

The Book of Acts (also, feel free to enjoy this Bible Project video)

John 21:20-22 -Peter asking about John, while Jesus is literally telling him He'll be the head of the Church

Hebrews 4:14-16- Jesus is our great High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses

John 16:33 -Jesus said "in this world you will have trouble, but take heart for He has overcome the world."

John 1:5-The Light of the world came to overpower the world of darkness.

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today I get to share my conversation with incredibly sweet Denisse Copeland. Denisse is a wife, a Mom, and an author of Set Apart: Stop Comparing, Own Your Giftedness, and Rest in Jesus. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico and at the age of 16 she and her sister moved to the U.S. with essentially no English, and with no sense of belonging along with a gigantic amount of culture shock. Denisse struggled to find her place, and eventually began looking for it in toxic relationships, partying, and more. One night though, in her desperation and broken heartedness, Denisse cried out to God and He began to make Himself known to her. She found that through the gift of Jesus' love for her and His desire to have a relationship with her life would never be the same,and now she spends her days sharing that same truth to other women around the world through her ministry Set Apart Daughters.

This episode is one for those of us who struggle to believe that God really loves us, no matter who we are, where we've been or what we've done. Or for the one who is struggling to believe you do truly have a purpose in life. Denisse encourages us to remember who Jesus has been to us, and look at the gift of love that came down to be with us and sent the Spirit to dwell within our very skin, and made you on purpose, for a purpose.

While we spend the first half of this conversation about having a right vision of he Lord, or of yourself, then in the second half, we will think through how to practice God's presence with others. However, with Christmas right around the corner, we talk about how to honor people, no matter our relationship status with them, practice boundaries, and also be led by the Spirit in order to love God and love people in a Spirit-led manner for your heart, and those you encounter. I hope this episode encourages you and equips you as you walk out your days.

There is so much left in your story friend. You have a purpose. And you matter. Your story matters.

Connecting with Denisse:

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Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

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References:

-Francis Chan

-"This Little Light of Mine"

-Boundaries : When to Say Yes, How to Say No to take Control of Your Life

-The meme with the sheep (you're welcome)

-The shepherds of Christmas possibly were shepherds that watched over the passover lambs

-Hear more from street chaplain Lindsey Krinks about the power of "seeing" people experiencing homelessness in our conversation here and her incredible book Praying with Our Feet: Pursuing Justice and Healing on the Streets.

-Sermon on "love" from Fellowship Bible Church Murfreesboro, TN by Monty Waldron

Scripture References:

Psalm 34:8-Taste and see that the Lord is good

1 Peter 2:9- He calls us out of the darkness and into the Light

John 8:12- He is the Light of the World

Matthew 5:14- A city on a hill cannot be hidden

John 4- The Samaritan Woman

Matthew 8:27- The disciples, who is this man?

John 15- Abiding in Jesus

Galatians 1:10, Colossians 3:23-24- Seeking only God's approval

Matthew 14:13-21- The Lord will provide with what you have

Luke 9- When He sent the 12 out with very little, but He provided

Deuteronomy 29:5- Israel's clothes or shoes didn't wear out, the Lord provided

Luke 2:1-20- The shepherds running to find Jesus

Matthew 12:21- Jesus came to bring hope

John 3:16- Love came down

Matthew 1:23- Emmanuel, God with us

John 14:15-31, Galatians 2:20-Christ is in me (through the Holy Spirit)

Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:1-8- Honoring your family, no matter

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

1 John 3:18- Don't just love with your words, but by your actions

Philippians 4:8-9- Whatever is true, noble, lovely… think about these things

Romans 5:10, Colossians 1:21-23, You were once enemies of God

John 10:10-The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, but He came to have life to the full

John 10:1-18- the father of lies being your father, My sheep know my voice

Ephesians 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:5- Now we are children of the Light/Day

2 Corinthians 3:18 -Being transformed into the image of Christ

Ephesians 4:20-24- Shedding the old skin

Luke 2:4-7- There was no room for Mary and Joseph

Luke 2:8-20-The angels of Christmas (with the shepherds)

Luke 10:38-42- Mary and Martha

Genesis 16:13- Hagar-you are the God who sees me

Luke 1:37 Ephesians 3:20- The Lord can do anything

Matthew 11:15- He who would have ears to hear, let him hear

Acts 2- The spoke in languages the crowd could understand (via tongues and the tongues of fire)

Deuteronomy 14:2, Ephesians 1:4-8- You are set apart

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today, we are going to talk more about unpacking the gift of Emmanuel, God with us, with one of my absolute favorite people, Dorena Williamson. Exactly one hundred episodes ago, Dorena became a part of the simply stories life. She's a children's book author, a writer, a pastor's wife and incredible preacher herself whose passion for God's people and pursuing Biblically diverse unity in the body of Christ has impacted so many people, including myself, and my family. Her books provide verbiage for examining the language we use about our fellow image bearers and modeling those things to our children so that we can better love and serve like Jesus. We talk about what that looks like in this season, the incredible sacrifice of Christ's coming at Christmas, and so much more.

Looking back on what all you'll get to hear in this episode, I just am personally remembering these few takeaways from this conversation:

-The call to portray a gospel-centered view of others when we give and serve others around the holidays. That we don't place ourselves higher than others, we just learn how to see and engage felt needs in the communities where we live, and love and serve them like a true neighbor. One major way we can do this is by carefully choosing our words and offering a perspective for our children that shows care for others; those that we are serving are or who we may see that are struggling are also part of the body of Christ.

-Pressing into uncomfortable conversations with the children in our lives about what they are inevitably going to encounter or have already encountered with a Gospel centered perspective. Dorena reminds us so beautifully "we are the people of God, we can do this," And whether its about how we treat others, skin color, sex, friends who have different abilities or a whole long list of other things happening in life, if we don't engage with our children about these things, something or someone will. The Lord will equip us, and He will meet us in it.

-We break down a good bit of the conversation with Jesus around the story of the Good Samaritan and the heart behind the question "who is my neighbor?" I'm still processing who are my neighbors because the Lord has put them in my path, not because they're the most comfortable people I feel prepared to connect with, but because the Lord saw fit to place them and me for such a time as this. Will I say yes?

This is such a rich conversation, and I cannot wait for you to hear it. I hope and pray that wherever you are, you find new ways to experience Emmanuel, God with us. I pray that we all choose to press into His presence, and choose to grow because of the light He shines in the dark. God's not finished with any of us. You matter, friend. And your story matters.

Connecting with Dorena:

Books: Colorfull, Thoughtfull, Gracefull, The Celebration Place (Her newest Crowned with Glory coming in 2022!) Here's a link pre-order The Story of Juneteenth!

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Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

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

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

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References:

-Mr. Randall (aka Randall Goodgame from "Slugs and Bugs") and Dorena on this episode of S&B and his episode with me

-My episode with Dr. Chris Williamson (her husband) from last Christmas (Episode 64)

-The first time that Dorena and I hung out was episode 10 and 11

-Dr. Chris' rap group (I just love this)

-Their church Strong Tower Bible Church in Franklin, TN

-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

-Memes of the worship hands

-Michelle Reyes, our episode 104 and our instagram conversation talking about having a multicultural Christmas

-The Red Road

-Adam (my brother in law) and I chatting about Indigenous Peoples history and current issues on instagram live

-Fuller Story historic markers in TN, and the U.S. Colored Troop soldier statue

-What happened in Charlottesville, VA

-"Glory"

-The origin of the USCT after the Emancipation Proclamation

-Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies (the first one), the newest one is Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality: Empowering Your Kids to Understand and Live Out God's Design

-Juneteenth (just made a federal holiday!)

Scripture References:

Isaiah 43:1-7-God created us uniquely to express His glory

Genesis 1:28-31-We are all made in God's image

Eph 2:14-Eph 2:15-Jesus broke down dividing walls

John 14:16, Acts 2-We were given the Holy Spirit

Matthew 4:18-22,Mark 1:16-20,Luke 5:1-11, John 1:35-51-God raised up leaders (calling of the disciples and starting the church)

Matthew 6:10-Experiencing the Kingdom of God on Earth as it is in Heaven

Hebrews 13:8-Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever

Jesus died and rose from the grave (lots of verses)

Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2-The Christmas story

Genesis 38-Tamar

Joshua 2, 6:16-19,6:23 -Rahab

2 Samuel 11-David and Bathsheeba

Ruth

Matthew 1-Jesus' lineage

Luke 2:41-52 Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; John 2:12; John 7:3; John 7:5; John 7:10;-struggles with Jesus' earthly parents and siblings

1 Corinthians 15:7 Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5; Galatians 1:19 -redemption because his brothers James (actually named Jacob… more on that here) and Jude (author of the book of Jude)

John 19:25-27-Jesus cared for his mother from the cross

Acts 1 and 2 - birth of the Church and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:44-47 -how they broke bread and they cared for each other / they sold their possessions and shared with those who didn't have

Acts 6:1-7-the widows that were being passed over

Matthew 16:24-26-deny ourselves and take up the cross and follow Jesus

Luke 10:25-37-"but who is my neighbor?" (which is part of the conversation with the love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and The Good Samaritan)

Psalm 139:23-24-search me and know my heart

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

Matthew 5:27-28-You haven't murdered, but have you hated? You haven't committed adultery, but have you known lust?

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today, I'm chatting with Allison Hottinger and Lisa Kalberer who are the two sisters that created the Giving Manger. The giving manger is an Advent activity for anyone who is looking for a way to connect kindness, generosity and giving with Christmas and the Gospel, and creates space for people young and old to intentionally experience the beauty and the gift of serving one another right where they are. We'll unpack the heart of where this idea came from, how it works, and how it has impacted their lives all throughout this episode.

It's been really interesting as the Lord has laid out this semester of the podcast, to see the consistent themes that come up. Simple kindness serving as a way to share Jesus with the world, breathe hope into the dark places around us, and to breed much needed compassion in all of our hearts keeps coming up again and again and again. So what does it look like to see Emmanuel, God with us in these days? I think kindness, acts of service, and intentionally teaching them to the little people in our lives is a really really good place to start. I don't want this to be something that wears you out even more this Christmas season. I'm praying that this lands on a discerning spirit for what's best for you and your home, but its never a bad time to intentionally practice loving like Jesus. It doesn't have to be Pinterest perfect, or instagrammable, just... start small. This is an invitation to encounter God by emulating His heart right where you are. I think it will breathe life into your weariness more than you could ever realize. I'm right there with you, friend. Remember, Christ came down to be with you as you are, where you are. You matter, and your story matters.

Connecting with Allison and Lisa and the Giving Manger:

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Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

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

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

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References:

Ann Voskamp's Advent book, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift

Kindness prompts from GM

Dorena Williamson (our episodes, Part 1 and 2, tune in next week for volume 3!)

Becky Keife's episode and her book The Simple Difference

Service Project Opportunities from the Giving Manger website

Scripture References:

Matthew 1:18-24, Matthew 2, Luke 1-2- The Nativity story

Matthew 2:11- The wise men brought gifts to Jesus

Matthew 25:40 - what you've done to the least of these, you've done to Me

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

Psalm 139:23-24- Search me and know my heart

Galatians 5:22-23- Fruit of the Spirit

Acts 20:35- The joy of giving over receiving

Lamentations 3:22, Hebrews 13:8- God's love never changes

Mark 12:41-44-The woman giving her only coin in the Temple

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today I am sharing my conversation with the absolutely wonderful Becky Keife. Becky is wife, a Mom to 3 boys, an author and the community manager of the online (in)courage community. Today, Becky and I are talking about the topic of her latest book The Simple Difference: How Every Small Kindness Makes a Big Impact. Kindness is something we desperately need and is a powerful gift that is underutilized and underestimated, and Becky lays out beautifully in her book and in this conversation the power of it, and how it ultimately reflects the heart of God.

The idea of this book came from a small act of kindness years ago, but this book was written while watching the LACK of kindness in the world, the challenge of being kind quarantined at home with her family, and its just really beautiful and authentic. God knows we're going to struggle with this. He knows the world is broken, and I especially wanted to share this now because so many people are smack in the middle of navigating the holidays and in the current environment of the world and even in the Church, it feels really really difficult to just even know how to people, and for many, what to make of God in the midst of it. So we're going to talk about that.

We also share some thoughts and suggestions for how to go into the holidays with a heart that asks questions first such as can I give this image bearer the dignity of compassion and kindness regardless of how we agree or disagree? On the other hand, we also want to hold proper space for asking good questions about necessary boundaries because those are real and important and healthy where appropriate.

This is hard and holy work, y'all. I know the weariness is palpable in so many that I know, including myself. I hope this ministers to you, encourages you, challenges you, and equips you right where you are today. I really believe, the Lord is making Himself known in so many dark places, and as we transition into a season of the darkest part of the year, and we usher in space for Immanuel, God with us, I just wonder how we could powerfully proclaim His with-ness on this Earth with acts of compassion and kindness? No matter how big, or how small, I hope that wherever you try this out in your life, that is transforms YOU and makes the Lord feel closer and kinder in your own life. Because we all need that. We need to encounter God's kindness, and to see His presence in our lives and in the lives of those around us because it has the power to transform all of us. He's not finished here, friends. This is not how the story ends. Just remember: you matter, your story matters.

Connecting with Becky:

Books

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Website

Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

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

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

Facebook

Instagram

Website

YouTube

References:

(in)courage

Dayspring

Lisa Jo Baker

Courageous Kindness: Live the Simple Difference Right Where You Are (bible study Becky wrote to accompany The Simple Difference:How Every Small Kindness Makes a Big Impact.)

Great article from Bible Study tool on : Neighbor was a more general term for person. Neighbor and non neighbor would be synonymous with Jew and Gentile (non-Jew)

Who are the Samaritans?

(in)courage walking through kindness

Scripture References:

-Psalm 100:5, Galatians 5:22-23, Titus 3:4-6 (to name a few)- Our God is kind

-Psalm 25:3, 2 Timothy 1:7- He does not speak to us through shame

-Hebrews 12:6, Revelation 3:19 (to name a couple!)- He disciplines, corrects and encourages us to repentance

-Genesis 16:13- The first person who ever names Hagar and calls Him "El Roi"- "The God who sees me" Full story is Genesis 16 and also Genesis 21:8-20-- I mixed these 2 stories together when I talked about it. So sorry!

-Romans 2:4- The kindness of God leads us to repentance

-Luke 10:25-37- The Good Samaritan

-Matthew 22:36-40- Second greatest commandment- love your neighbor

-Leviticus 26:1, Deuteronomy 12:4, and then THIS is a list of so many of the times that share a loaded history of trying to get the Jews to stop worshiping idols of other cultures

-Hagar (see above), Rahab, Ruth, A Cannanite woman, the Samaritan woman, An Ethiopian Eunuch, THE EARLY CHURCH- (etc, etc) -We see God fold in people from other cultures

-1 Kings 12- The division of Northern and Southern Kingdom

-Matthew 9:10-17,Mark 2:15-22,Luke 5:29-39- Jesus eats with "sinners"

-Matthew 9:35-38, John 21:15-25, Acts 1:8, Acts 2, Acts 4:23-37- God invites us to show His care out of the overflow of the Holy Spirit

-Romans 12:18-Inasmuch as it depends on you live peaceably with everyone

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

-Isaiah 6, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, - Christ's ambassadors

-Matthew 5:13-16-We are Christ's Light bearers

-Luke 16:10- Being faithful with little

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

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Today I have the absolute pleasure of sharing with you my conversation that I got to have with the wonderful Kayla Craig. Kayla is the author and creator of Liturgies for Parents, as well as her recent book To Light the Way: A Collection of Prayers and Liturgies for Parents. Today, Kayla shares the introduction of liturgical prayers into her faith life as she was up to her eyes in a situation where one of her children's lives was hanging in the balance. Someone gave her a book of prayers that helped anchor her in that season when she was exhausted, scared, wrestling and desperately needed the Lord, but didn't know how to find the words to pray. The prayers she found in that book of those who had been heartbroken and in desperate need of hope from the Father before, gave her the words she needed right when she needed them.

From that experience, she began to pour out her heart and write real life prayers, for real life people walking through the good, bad and the ugly of being a broken human raising broken humans. Kayla invites us to soak in the deep love of God, and to see it in all things because His presence is in all things. Kayla also shares what her experience of being a parent of a blended family with a medically fragile daughter, as well as her black, brown and white siblings, and how her faith has been pushed to parent by faith, and to show that faith to her kids.

As you walk into your Thanksgiving week, I hope this episode encourages you and helps you to know that no matter what you are walking in to this holiday season, you'll know how much God loves you, is near to you, and that you are not alone. I pray wherever this episode finds you friend, that you remember 3 things: The Lord will complete the work He has begun in you. It is never too late for that journey to begin in you. You matter, and your story matters.

Connecting with Kayla:

Book : To Light the Way: A Collection of Prayers and Liturgies for Parents

Facebook

Her instagram

Liturgies for Parents Instagram

Podcast

Podcast Instagram

Website

Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

Facebook

Instagram

Link to shop

SIMPLY15 for 15% off your purchase

References:

Smad on "Gilmore Girls"

Every Moment Holy by Douglas McKelvey

The Book of Common Prayer

Colorfull- Dorena Williamson

Thoughtfull - Dorena Williamson

Gracefull - Dorena Williamson

My episode with Dorena Williamson part 1 and part 2

G-Tube

Norman Rockwell's Thanksgiving painting "Freedom from Want"

Plumline- the standard for measuring the temple

John Pavlovitz (their episode)

Father Greg Boyle (their episode)

Lisa Sharon Harper (their episode)

Latasha Morrison (their episode)

Her prayer for Afghanistan

Scripture References:

Matthew 17:20- Faith of a mustard seed

Numbers 16- Aaron walked and interceded between the living and the dead

2 Chronicles 20:12- "We don't know what to do, but our eyes are on You"

God is still sovereign (a great list and commentary on this :))

Matthew 6:9-13-The Lord's prayer

Exodus 17:8-16-Friends that hold your arms up (from Moses' story)

Romans 8:26-27-The Holy Spirit prays for us

Mark 12:30-31- Love your neighbor

Galatians 5:22-23- Fruits of the Spirit

Isaiah 53:4-Christ took on our sufferings

Hebrews 4:15- We have a High Priest who sympathizes

Luke 13:22-30-What does it mean for us to live where the first is last?

Luke 24:5-7-Why do you look for the living among the dead?

Luke 10:25-37-Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today I am sitting down with the incredible Kat Armas. Kat is a Cuban-American author and podcaster who is passionate about elevating the voices of women of color, asking big questions and wrestling with American culture to have a more clear view of God and how He makes Himself known through people and their experiences. She invites readers into the wrestle of our ideas about wisdom, or ideas we have developed about what makes someone a "theologian," and perhaps how we limit who is influential in our faith development in beautiful book Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us About Wisdom, Persistence and Strength. After being raised in Miami, Florida, surrounded by Cuban culture, and then moving to predominantly white evangelical world in seminary, Kat struggled to find her footing as a woman in male-dominated space, and as a woman of color, raised by women, and called by God to use her gifts for His glory.

We'll talk about things like: What do you do when your life doesn't pan out into what may be described as a typical "American" family or faith? How do you really wrestle with the Christianity that has been passed down to you when that's its history? We'll define some buzzword terms and try to take the sting out of them that can keep us from actually having productive conversations about them like patriarchal vs. matriarchal society, a colonized Jesus vs. Jesus in the context of the Bible. Decolonizing, Deconstruction, etc.

We're going deep, friends. This is an opportunity for you to sit at a table where you may not be the most comfortable, but where there is such beauty to behold, things to learn about a culture unique from your own, and a fuller picture of how God makes Himself known in other communities in the world, and how He may have something to share specifically with you about who YOU were uniquely made to be in our homes, in our faith families and the body of Christ as a whole.

Reading Kat's book, and spending time with her has really stretched me. One thing that encourages me so much is that God is there in the midst of our complicated and messy stories of being a human. Jesus meets ALL of us exactly where we are, Living in the middle place, where so much of what we have known and seen, where we're from, and being willing to process a more robust view of God, and seeing Him through the eyes of our friends and neighbors in scripture has just made God all the more powerful, merciful and beautiful to me. It makes the call to go and share the Gospel with ALL nations so much more powerful and dare I say possible? When we are willing to learn about what life may look like for various nations, tribes, tongues and cultures unique from mine, then there is compassion to come together as we are, where we are, and there we can talk about Jesus. There, we can see how much all our stories matter. Your story matters, friend. You matter.

Connecting with Kat:

Book

Facebook

Instagram

Podcast - "The Protagonistas"

Twitter

Website

Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

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

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

Facebook

Instagram

Website

YouTube

References:

-Dr. Michelle Reyes

- the idea that white people do or don't have a culture

-"Machismo" - (literally defined as sexism / dictionary defines it as "strong or aggressive masculine pride")

-Martin Luther King Jr. - discussing the concept of "class" in America

-Patriarchy- "rules of the father"

-Dr. Miguel De La Torre, The Jesus of "los humildes" (the humble)

-un baile divino- "a divine dance" (where we dance in the middle_

-"El mundo zurdo" - the left-handed world (on the other hand)

-Rome conquered Greece (for the record lol)

-Willie James Jennings- After Whiteness: An Education in Belogning

-Jemar Tisby

-The AND Campaign

-What is systemic racism? (What is redlining? Addressed in the video and also here)

-What's happening in Canada unveiling the mass graves at residential schools (See our insta live about this and listen to my episode with Jane Kirkpatrick as well)

-Holocaust History (just scratchin the surface here)

-The mass exodus from the western Church // (Also an interesting article specifically about single women leaving the Church)-Barbara Brown Taylor - The Preaching Life

-The book of Habbakuk is all a minor prophet wrestling with God

-The Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Church's Complicity in Racism- Jemar Tisby

-Blessing and baptisms for enslaved people during slavery, was different for them than white people because it defined your freedom and salvation under your master, not just Christ

-Episode where we discuss cultural paradigms

-The mantilla

-The exilic Cuban community

-What happened with Fidel Castro

-"subiendo" - survival day to day

-John MacAruthur and "go home" -- Just a little editor thought drop here. I am not a" throw the baby out with the bathwater" person. I think this was a really unfortunate moment in JM's ministry. The Lord can use anything for good, and I've seen Him do it. What happened that day through his comments is still hurtful on so many levels to me personally and so many women that I know and love in this ministry life, and had truly astounding ripple effects I am still feeling in my own life and faith community. I left it as part of the conversation with Kat because I think it's important to hear the hurts of people, but I also don't mean to leave it in there to act as a "cancelling" of someone who I do believe is passionate about God's Word, he's just also human, and God is God in his life, and is still bringing the work in him to completion. Additionally, I don't know who Kat's hermeneutics professor was that said what he said to her, but I pray the Lord meets him and shows him the gift that the daughters of Eve offer to the Kingdom of God no matter where God leads them and regardless of their marital status. We're all being stretched. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and says "I will complete the work I began in them." Further up, and further in.-xo, Em

*UPDATED NEWS ON THE CUBAN CRISIS AND WAYS TO SUPPORT CUBAN PEOPLE DIRECTLY:

-Monday the 15th- there was a worldwide march for Cuban freedom.-N15 // NBC's aritcle-- You can also see a lot more current updates from the instagram accounts and Twitter accounts posted below. Its honestly challenging to get updated news accounts at the moment.

-As things stand as the date of publishing this podcast, Wednesday 11/17

-NYT Article from Sunday 11/14about the food shortage, internet censoring and more that has sparked the huge planned protest for 11/15.

-Washington Post article about the lengths the Cuban government are going to in order to discourage participation in the 11/15 demonstration and the role of U.S. politics and current policies happening on the hill affecting the Cuban people.

-Marissa Daniela- a Cuban creator who is passionate about connecting what's happening in Cuba to the world and to the Cuban diaspora.

-Recent footage in Cuba

-The #freecuba hashtag from Twitter.

-The #N15Cuba hashtag from Twitter

-SOSCuba

-Support the search for the hundreds of missing people

-Human rights violations in Cuba

Scripture References:

Genesis 16, Genesis 38, Exodus 1:15-21, Joshua 2, Judges 4, Ruth and Naomi, 2 Samuel 11-12, Luke 18:1-8, Luke 8:3, Acts 16 (JUST TO NAME A FEW!!!!) - Women using the wisdom they gained from survival and God blessing it, using it,

Jesus reflects the humble -- link to 100 verses about this

Luke 2:1-20-Jesus was born in a stable/cave, etc.

Matthew 2-His parents were young people fleeing their land

Revelation 19:11-Jesus in Revelation- the rider in white who is faithful and true

Jesus appears in the Old Testament in so many places (Awesome scripture list and commentary)

God really cares about the righteousness of his kids (Big list!)

Book of Ezekiel - (Watch this super helpful Bible Project video about this) Babylon is coming and making it really ugly, God meets them in exile

The book of Esther happens in exile (hear us talk about it and read the book aloud on the podcast)

Mark 3:13-19,Matthew 10:1-4,Luke 6:12-16- -Jesus' disciples were a diverse group of people

Ruth and Naomi,-Ruth and Naomi

Genesis 38-Tamar

Genealogy of Jesus with the women, (links to all of them in the top reference)-The women in the genealogy of Jesus and their complicated stories of survivalMatthew 7:24-26-Built on rock or on sand?

Psalm 103:6, Micah 6:8, Hosea 12:6, Psalm 37:27-40, Amos 5 -God is passionate about justice Deuteronomy 15:7-11, Deuteronomy 24:17-21, Psalm 82:3, Isaiah 1:17, Luke 14:12-14 (just as a few examples) -God is passionate about caring for women, orphans and those in the marginsActs 15: the council of Jerusalem (is circumcision necessary, do you have to stop being a Jew, etc.)

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today I am chatting with much beloved fiction author Regina Scott. Regina is the author of more than FIFTY books, and she has lived such a cool life. She's a wife and a mother, she's a scientist, she's an author, she's a woman with a killer costume collection, but most of all she is someone whose kindness and sense of wonder about the world is contagious.

During our conversation, Regina shares her fascinating story with us and how it has shaped her vision of the world, and the worlds she creates in her books. We also do some major history nerding out, particularly about women's history on the West Coast and pursuing the right to vote. You'll get a kick out of some of the crazy reasons society believed women shouldn't vote, and the unique ways women went about showing that they indeed could do many things others believed they couldn't do. She also shares all kinds of super fascinating history that she has come across in her research for her historical fiction works, especially about the early development of National Parks in the U.S.. We discuss how God uses creation, history, and anything and everything to speak to us and how we can encounter Him uniquely and intentionally because He is in all things.

Regina is just so lovely. She instantly feels like a warm friend, who loves stories, history and has such a sweet sense of wonder about her, so I know you guys are just going to love hanging out with her and learning from her. Maybe you'll learn something you didn't know, or maybe you'll be encouraged to not give up on the dream that's still in your heart. Maybe you need a push to pursue some wonder in your days. Wherever this finds you, I hope you know how much you matter. You are here on this earth on purpose, and as long as you're breathing, your story isn't over. You matter, friend. Your story matters.

Connecting with Regina:

Facebook

Pinterest

Website (where she does most of her communicating and has the free resources and stories!)

Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

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

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

Facebook

Instagram

Website

YouTube

References:

The Unflappable Miss Fairchild

A View Most Glorious

Elizabeth Cady Stanton and gathering attention for the right to vote

Mt. Rainier

Fay Fuller - the 1st woman to climb Mt. Rainier in 1890

The group of women who climbed together in 1910

Women got the right to vote federally in 1920

Historic arguments about why women shouldn't have been allowed to vote because they couldn't handle it (eye roll)

God revealing Himself in Creation

The Panic of 1893

"Indian Henry"

Yosemite

Yellowstone

The Alpine Meadows

Smoky Mountain fire

The Grand Canyon

A Distance Too Grand

Nothing Short of Wondrous

How going outside can help your mental and physical health

Star Trek :)

Scripture References:

Genesis 3- the origin of tension between men and women

Psalm 139:14- God made you uniquely

Jeremiah 1:5, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, Psalm 33:11 God has a purpose for you

1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:3-8- God gives everyone spiritual gifts

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com