Simply Stories Podcast

Today I am chatting with speaker and author Michelle Reyes. Michelle's ministry lives at the intersection of faith, culture, and justice. She is the Vice President and co-founder of the Asian-American Christian Collaborative, and she and her husband, Aaron, planted a church in East Austin, TX where she serves as the scholar in residence. Michelle and Aaron lead their church body to serve the vulnerable in their community as the hands and feet of Jesus and share the hope of Christ wherever they go. Her book Becoming All Things: How Small Changes Lead to Lasting Connections Across Cultures is an incredible deep dive into the role of diversity in the Bible and how it was celebrated in the early church.

During our conversation today, Michelle unpacks for us what the 1st century Church looked like when Paul was addressing becoming all things to all people uniquely for who they are for the sake of the Gospel, but not to compromise the message of the Gospel, but to recognize and respect that no two people are the same no matter their ethnicity, cultural identity, and celebrate the unique design of each person made in the image of God.

Michelle's voice is so valued in my life. She is always honest, always points to Jesus, and is always holding space for whoever has ears to hear to deep dive in scripture and to hear the stories in real life from other cultural perspectives. One thing she shares in this conversation that I think is so powerful is this: "Unity is not about conformity, unity is learning to make space for all of our differences and embrace them." It's about removing divisions and hostilities between peoples, and that when we do that work, it's going to be uncomfortable because people are people, but "the pursuit of unity demands that we say 'how much cultural discomfort am I willing to forbear for the sake of the Gospel?'"

This is such an incredible conversation, friends. Come dive in deep with us! The Lord isn't finished with any of us, and He has so much more to show us when we celebrate the story He is telling in each unique representation of His creativity in creation. And that means you too. YOU matter, your neighbor matters, and your story matters.

Connecting with Michelle:

Asian American Christian Collaborative (AACC)

Book

Book on Audible (which is how I read it! So good.)

Instagram

Facebook

Quick links to some of the resources she offers that were mentioned

Twitter

Website

Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

Facebook

Instagram

Link to shop

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References:

-Forced laborers who built the railroad in Uganda

-Genocide in Uganda under President

-German/Protestant reformation and Martin Luther

-Hope Community Church

-Vida House

-Hidden Children of the Holocaust

-The internment camp in New York for Jewish refugees during WWII

-The Jewish peoples of the 1st century

-Who are the Pharisees?

-Gamaliel (Paul's mentor)

-Who are the Sadducees?

-Who were the Jewish Zealots?

-Who are the Samaritans? (This stems from the division of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms and a very small portion of them still live in Israel today. See this recent article).

-The Jewish Diaspora

-Eric Metaxas and white Jesus

-"that" picture of Jesus, which is actually a painting by Warner Sallman called "Head of Christ"

-An article about how Jesus began to be seen as white and European in art

-A really great article about white privilege in the Church by Jemar Tisby

-George Floyd's murder

-Murder of 6 Asian- American women in Atlanta

-Upholding the orthodoxy

Scripture References:

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

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

1 Corinthians 9:20- To the Jews I became like a Jew

Genesis 1:27- We are all made in the image of God

Galatians 3:26-29 - there is neither Jew nor Greek, etc.

Genesis 11:1-9- The tower of Babel

Acts 2:1-31- Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 2- Paul would never distort the Gospel or appease people

Matthew 8, Matthew 9:10-17,Mark 2:15-22,Luke 5:29-39, Luke 19:1-10, Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8, John 13- Jesus adapted Himself in so many situations, but didn't compromise the truth

1 Corinthians 6:12- I may be free to do anything, but I must not become a slave to anything

Matthew 10:2-4-The general makeup of Jesus' disciples was culturally diverse

John 13:35 - they will know we are Christians by our love

James 1:19- be slow to speak, quick to listen

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today on the podcast we have speaker, author, mentor, and spiritual support leader for the YouVersion Bible app, Cindy Beall. She is also a woman who has been through incredible seasons of heartbreak after her husband revealed his unfaithfulness to her with multiple women, he was deep into an addiction to pornography, and one of the women he had slept with was pregnant. Cindy shares with us with such beautiful honesty where God met her in her heartbreak, and what the journey looked like when she felt called to stay with her husband as God restored her his's life, her life, and their fractured family. Ten years later, Cindy wrote a book called Healing Your Marriage When I Trust is Broken: Finding Forgiveness and Restoration, and now ten years after its first release, and 20 years after that heartbreaking season of their lives, the book is being re-released with updated insights from its original publication in order to counsel and care for those who are living in similar seasons of heartbreak.

Not everyone's story is like Cindy's, and we discuss that at length, but everyone will experience some type of betrayal and suffering, and I hope and pray that this message from Cindy can infuse hope into your soul that the Lord is near to you. We also talk about the powerful impact of porn and pornography addiction for men and for women, and how the human brain and body can so easily become entangled by it, as well as what it's like to hear from God, the power of the Word, prayer, living in community and how the Lord can be close to the brokenhearted.

Listen, friend, I just want to reiterate something Cindy says in her powerful book and it's this: "I can't promise you that God will restore to you what has been lost, but please know He will restore you." Don't lose heart, friends. Keep going. Ask for help. Cry out to the Lord. Take a nap. Make the call. Whatever your next right step is, the Lord can and will meet you in it. Further up and further in; that's where we draw closer to Him. You matter, friend. Your story matters.

Connecting with Cindy:

20th Anniversary of Healing Your Marriage When I Trust is Broken: Finding Forgiveness and Restoration

Facebook

Instagram

Website

Episode Sponsor: His Kids Company

Use the code SIMPLY20 for 20% off your purchase!

Facebook

Instagram

Shop!

References:

LifeChurch in Oklahoma

Creators of the YouVersion Bible App

The Bible Recap

Tara Leigh Cobble's episode 60

Suicidal Ideation

Craig Groeschel

Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle

Kristin Schmucker with Daily Grace Co.

Hunter Beless with "Journeywomen" Podcast

Research on the effects of pornography

Connecting with her YouVersion Team

Resources to Help with Porn Addiction:

Covenant Eyes

XXX Church

Family Life

Scripture References:

Romans 10:9-10 -It is with your heart that you believe, and with your mouth you profess

Luke 1:37, Luke 21:33- The Word of God will never fail

Habakkuk 2:3- the vision yet for the appointed time

Galatians 6:9- don't grow weary in doing goods

Psalm 107:2- Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their storyJoel 2:25 - "He will restore the years the locusts have eaten"

Job 42:7-17- where everything was reversed and restored

Psalm 23:3-He will restore the soul

Ephesians 1:3-14, 2 - You are who you are because of who God says you are.

2 Corinthians 12:9-His grace is sufficient, His power is made perfect in my weakness

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (Message translation)- My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Hebrews 12:1- Throw off everything hinders you

Deuteronomy 6:4-7,Matthew 22:37-40,Mark 12:30-31,Luke 10:27- Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, mind, soul and strength

Galatians 5- We feed our flesh or we feed our spirit

Psalm 34:18- He is close to the brokenhearted

John 10:10- The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy

Ephesians 6:10-18- Armor up! (Armor of God)

Matthew 9:35-38- The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today on the podcast, we have a much beloved returning guest, Jane Kirkpatrick. Jane was my guest on episode 53. Her books explore women in history that may not be more readily featured in the average history book. Her most recent book The Healing of Natalie Curtis, is based on a woman who left New York City after a successful professional music career, but experienced a meltdown, and headed west in pursuit of healing her body and soul. What Natalie Curtis found there was a people group that used music in every part of their life, and it spoke to her weary soul… but she soon learned, sharing their music was illegal because of something called the Code of Offenses. These laws which were established in 1883 were designed to erase, silence and assimilate to the point of destruction Indigenous Peoples' practices and any part of their way of life. Natalie ultimately received permission from the U.S. government to record some of their songs and practices so that they would not be lost forever.

Jane shares a fictionalized account of Natalie's life and experiences, as well as chronicling much of the often untold or ignored experience of Indigenous Peoples, including the atrocities surrounding boarding schools, where the literal motto was "kill the Indian, save the man." Mixed with some of her own personal experiences with the Indigenous Peoples in her life from when she worked with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, this book and our conversation is incredibly eye opening about this complicated and painful part of our American history that is still carrying many lingering effects today. Jane and I discuss questions such as what do we do with all of this presently, especially as white Christians, and how do we better engage the ministry of presence and share the gift of empathy. These are deep and often uncomfortable places to dive into, friends, but these stories matter, and the stories of the past and the present of all God's image bearers matters.

This week in our kitchen I wrote down the verse from Matthew 5 that says: "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Then I asked the question of myself and the kids "How can I be the light of Christ this week?" In that same vein, I know that learning about the dark things people have done in Jesus' name can be really difficult. But I really believe that when we learn about people's experiences, it can help us shine a brighter light for Christ because we can share about who God truly is and how He intersects every type of pain on Earth, and every single story can find hope in Jesus. There is so much to learn, not just about this, but in so many areas of life. So we keep telling our stories, we keep listening to these stories, and we remind each other that they matter. You matter. And your story matters.

Connecting with Jane:

Books

Most recent book: The Healing of Natalie Curtis

Facebook

Videos of her Teaching

Website

References:

Jane's first visit on the podcast, episode 53

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs

Natalie Curtis

Blackfoot Nation

The Indian Code of Offenses

Cherokee Nation

Trail of Tears

Abraham Lincoln's autopsy (Natalie's father was Army Surgeon Edward Curtis)

The Snake Dance

Stacey Abrams

The book I shared the story from is Our Time is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America, the story of the Peltiers

Residential Schools // Boarding Schools -- This article is from the NY Times BEFORE the mass grave findings truly began. It estimates in the hundreds… we know now its in the thousands

Natalie's book she wrote (the real Natalie): The Indians' book; an offering by the American Indians of Indian lore, musical and narrative, to form a record of the songs and legends of their race

Rwanda and South African Apartheid

The findings of the mass graves from the residential schools in Canada (and they're just getting started, that doesn't even count what hasn't happened in the U.S.) : Just in Canada, the latest count of recovered bodies: 6,509

The Secretary of Interior: Deb Haaland

Upworthy

The Good News Movement

Qualla Boundary

A Tiny Toe-Dip into Resources and Ways you can learn about the history of the Indigenous Peoples and Residential Schools in particular:

Film & TV:

- "Unseen Tears"

- "We Were Children"

- "Unspoken: America's Native American Boarding Schools"

- "Our Spirits Don't Speak English"

- "Dawnland"

Articles:

Boarding School Healing(dot)org

Indigineous Peoples' Day

NABS

Scientific American

BBC

New York Times

CBC

*If you'd ever like to find out if you are living on tribal land and which nation it belonged to go here.

Other Books for Adults and Kids:

-Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing, Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery- Mark Charles and Soong-Chan Rah

-Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God- Kaitlin B. Curtice

• Kids
• • We are the Water Protectors- Written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade
  • Stolen Words - Written by Melanie Florence and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
  • Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story- Written by Kevin Noble Maillard and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
  • When We Were Alone - Written by David Alexander Robertson and illustrated by Julie Flett

IP Instagram Accounts to Follow for Learning:

-- Let me say that there are a lot of Indigineous Peoples that really, really, really struggle with Christianity because of their history and intergenerational trauma from the methods being used, namely the Doctrine of Discovery and the abuses of Residential Schools, to assimilate them into white culture in the name of Jesus. With the exception of Red Road, most of these accounts do not encounter the world from a Biblical worldview. However. I have learned a lot about their history, their present, and what it looks like when they encounter the world, particularly white Christians and it is very humbling, eye opening, and it has pushed me to try and navigate this conversation differently. Xo- Em

Red Road Official (Also featured on Annie F Downs' podcast this week!)

Native American Indian Association of Tennessee

National Museum of the American Indian

James Jones -He uses his platform to share his own experience, the significance and history of various tribal dances, and more.

The Indigineous Foundation- Shares a lot about the experience of women and children.

Neon Moon Hi*Voltage Saloon- A local to TN business that is the first IP owned coffee house in the area. They support products made by other IP, particularly coffee.

Scripture References:

Matthew 4:1-11, Matthew 12,Matthew 23,Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-18, -moments where Jesus confronted people

Luke 19 ,Matthew 9:10-17,Mark 2:15-22,Luke 5:29-39-Jesus came alongside the every day people He encountered

Matthew 5:14-16-The Light inside of us

Mark 12:30-Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength

Mark 12:31-Love your neighbor as yourself

Ephesians 6:12-we have one enemy who seeks to destroy

Matthew 5:14-16- You are the light of the world

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today we are doing something a little different in order to raise an Ebenezer because of what God has done over the last 100 episodes. One of my dearest friends and I sat down at her kitchen table and just… talked. As someone who has walked with me through all of the life that's happened since we began the podcast, April McKinney was the perfect person to talk about where we've been and where we're going.

We talk about things like the effect of covid on us personally, the world, our communities, the Church, and what that has taught us, and I answer some questions friends and listeners have sent in, and man, they did not hold back! All of the stories we've encountered on the podcast have revealed in some measure how the stories of those around us can inform our compassion, broaden our perspective, and give us a more intentional glimpse into God's vision of His upside down Kingdom if we let them.

Our longing for resolution, the need for perseverance, and living in a season where we are all desperately seeking hope has postured us to either give into the fight or flight that wrecks our struggle for control or it helps us see how much we need to surrender to the One that holds all things together. The digging deeper into our faith, into the Word, seeking repentance, holding on to a teachable spirit, and learning more about who God is so we can trust Him more is hard, holy, and necessary work.

Thank you for all the time you've spent with me over the last 3 seasons and all the episodes that have led us here, friend. I'm excited about what's coming next and where God is leading, and how He's growing me as well. If there's an episode you've really liked or maybe learned something from the guest, I'd love to hear about it! Feel free to send me a message any time, or share about it through a review! I'm grateful for all of these stories and I want you to know you matter, friend. Your story matters.

References:

-my Dad on the podcast episode 12

-"The Morning Show"

-Ashley Abercrombie - episode 2 and episode 96

The Promised Land

The Babylonian Captivity

The last time April was on the podcast episode 49

Jackie Hill Perry

"Is He Worthy" - Andrew Peterson

"No One's Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus" -

What is an "Ebenezer"

"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"

Dorena Williamson - Episodes 10 and 11

Dr. Michael Heiser - Episode 41

Todd Nettleton- VOM Radio- Episode 71

Tessa Afshar - Episode 94

Marian Jordan Ellis - Episode 100

Kayla Craig aka Liturgies for Parents (episode coming soon!) - her amazing new book "To Light Their Way"

Jennifer Greenberg (abuse survivor)- Episode 4

20,000 Words with April McKinney

"Colorfull" by Dorena Williamson

Dr. Chris Williamson- Episode 64

Lindsey Krinks- Episode 87 / IGTV Discussion

Kristi McLelland

Rachelle Dekker - Episode 56

Sarah and Beth of Pantsuit Politics- Episode 6

"Every story whispers His name" - Jesus Storybook Bible - Sally Lloyd Jones

Scripture References:

The Book of Ruth

The Book of Esther

Hebrews 4:12- The Bible is alive and active

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

Romans 5:3-5-Perseverance that produces hope

John 11- Jesus wept outside of Lazarus' tomb

Hebrews 4:15- High Priest who can sympathize

Matthew 27:46- Jesus feeling Fatherless on the cross

Matthew 12:22-32, Luke 11:14-23, Mark 11:27-12:17, John 8:1-11 (just to name a few)- Jesus knows what it looks like for people to struggle with religious leaders

Mark 12:13-17- Jesus knows what it looks like for people to struggle with the government (also, GREAT article here)

John 3:1-9, Matthew 11, Mark 4:35-41 , Mark 10:17-27, Jesus knows what it looks like for people to question everything

Matthew 8, Matthew 9:36, Matthew 9:20-22,Mark 5:25-34,Luke 8:43-48 -Jesus knows what it looks like for people to long for resolution to their pain

Isaiah 53- Jesus wasn't the type of Messiah people were looking for

1 Samuel 2:2 (to start, and then here's a whole list!) God is holy

2 Corinthians 5:21- There is no sin in God (great article here)

Psalm 34:18 - God is close to the brokenhearted

Genesis 35, 1 Samuel 7:12, Joshua 4- Ebenezer examples

Joel 2:25-32, Isaiah 30:18-26, Romans 8:18-24- God's longing to restore

Matthew 11:28-30 / 1 Peter 5:7- God cares about what hurts us

Romans 12:15- Mourn with those who mourn

Revelation 21:4- Heaven is the place that does not have pain

John 2:23-25- Jesus doesn't reveal who He is bc He knew their hearts

Luke 2:21-38- Simeon coming to the Temple (not when he was born but when he came to be circumcised- sorry!)

Deuteronomy 18:11 / Numbers 18:21- The Levites were not given land, their inheritance was serving the Lord. Their provision came from the offerings of the people

Exodus 16- The manna that each family receives is unique

Matthew 25:14-30- The Parable of the Talents

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today is our 100th episode!!!!! How in the world did that happen?!?! I can hardly believe it. My guest today feels like such a perfect person to celebrate the great things God has done with. I'm chatting today with speaker, author, and powerhouse Bible Study teacher, Marian Jordan Ellis. Marian's ministry and podcast lives under the umbrella of This Redeemed Life. That's the banner over her life, and today she shares with us how far God has brought her from a story story immersed in trauma, chasing after the darkness, trying to drown her emptiness in success, sex, money, and lifestyle that looked amazing to the world, but left her feeling empty al the time. After a desperate prayer one night in a bar, she was radically transformed and redeemed by Christ, and now is called to share that life changing gift with women around the world.

I hope that today's conversation leaves you hungry and thirsty for more of Jesus. I know that we feel surrounded by a lot of hard and confusing things right now, but God's ability to transform lives has not changed. The lies that we believe about our bodies, our pasts, our identities, our failures, whatever it is we have allowed to define us and declare our worth is not up for debate in Jesus' eyes. You are His beloved one that He treasures. You are His masterpiece. There is no place you've gone too that's too far gone for Him.

Take it from a woman who used to believe her life meant nothing and could never be used by God, looked for love in toxic places, you matter to Him. This, wherever you are today, this is not how the story ends, friend. And if you are living in a place that testifies God's redemption in your life, praise Him! Tell Him how grateful you are again today and then tell someone what God has done for you. You have no idea who may need to hear that because their hope is gone and the Holy Spirit may use your story to breathe life into their hope again.

This is why we do this, friends. These are why the redeemed of the Lord are called to tell their story. It's an incredibly beautiful gift to share this space with y'all and raise Ebenezers with people like Marian, The truth is there are no simple stories. But God can and will use ANY story to simply make Himself known to His creation over and over and over again. Thank you for being here with me. Thank you for YOUR story. Thank you for sharing these stories here on the podcast. Thank you to everyone who has come and shared their story so far, and the many more to come. You matter, and your story matters. For His glory.

Connecting with Marian:

Bible Studies and Books

Facebook

Instagram

Podcast

This Redeemed Life

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References:

"Sex and the City"

"Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"- U2There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made know through Jesus Christ."- Blaise Pascal

"Reckless Love"

C.S. Lewis quote about God making His home in us

Shalom

Spiritual Gift Inventory

The Great Awakening

The London Bombings

Her "For His Glory" Bible Study

Wilderness Skills for Women

Acts of the Apostles

"Clean" by Natalie Grant

Scripture References:

Proverbs 14:12- There's a way that seems right to man that, but it leads to death

Jeremiah 2:13, 17:13, Zechariah 14:8-9, John 4:7-15, 7:3-8 , Revelation 21:6-8- Living water

2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 65:3, Isaiah 43:25, Ephesians 2:8, Hebrews 8:12 , 1 John 2:2 He forgave me

Matthew 11: 28-30, Mark 2:17, John 13:34, Colossians 1:11-14- He healed me

John 4- The woman at the well

Psalm 34:8- Taste and see that He is good

Matthew 18:12- Leave the 99

Gomer in Hosea

John 13

John 1:14- The Word became flesh

Matthew 9:35-38- The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few

2 Corinthians 5:11-21 - Ambassadors of Christ

Ruth 1 - Ruth was from Moab

John 8:32- You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free

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

John 8:44, John 10:10,Luke 22:31,1 Peter 5:8 - The father of lies vs. the voice of Truth

The book of Ephesians

Ephesians 1:1-18

Ephesians 2:10- You're God's masterpiece

John 8:1-11- The adulterous woman

Matthew 4:1-11- Jesus in the wilderness

Job 23:10, Proverbs 17:3, Psalm 66:10, Isaiah 48:10, Zechariah 13:9, 1 Peter 1:7, The Refiner's Fire

Psalm 37

Psalm 34:18- God is close to the brokenhearted and near to those who are crushed in Spirit

Philippians 1:6- This is not how the story ends

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

Matthew 16:18-19, Revelation 19-22- The Church is not going anywhere

Isaiah 14:27, Matthew 19:26- Nothing and no one can stop the Lord

Joel 2:25-32- He will restore the years the locusts have eaten

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today on the podcast is author, teacher and creative Daniel Bowman Jr. Dan recently released his incredible book detailing his story of discovering he is autistic as an adult. On the Spectrum: Autism, Faith & the Gifts of Neurodiversity. gives an inside look at Dan's struggle as a neurodiverse person living in a neurotypical world, and the constant fight of trying to force his mind and his body to work in a way that it is not wired to. The world often frames people on the spectrum as a problem to be fixed instead of a person to be understood, and in our conversation, as well as his book, Dan shares what this journey has been like for him and also how God has shown him the gifts that his uniqueness offers in his life through the creative arts, how he teaches and more.

All of us, neurotypical or neurodiverse are perfectly and wonderfully made, on purpose by God, and when we live fully in who we are and who we were created to be we can draw nearer to Him and invite others to do likewise alongside us. I really love Dan's perspectives on life, and he's the professor we all want because he loves to teach us not only ways to dive deep in the learning process, but wants to push us to be the best version of ourselves as we learn.

I love this beautiful summation from his book: "The last thing anyone on the spectrum needs is a limited-and limiting- range of images in the public's awareness about what it means to be autistic. While I celebrate any austic person who has earned acclaim, I also see an urgent need to move beyond a handful of iconic narratives. So let us continue to add our voices, perspectives, and unique stories. Let us give one another the gift of our diversity, and in doing so, reveal our shared dignity." Amen and amen.

You matter, friend. Your story matters. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.

Connecting with Dan:

Book

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Website

Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

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Facebook

Instagram

Website

YouTube

References:

Taylor University

Middlemarch - George Elliot

The Animal Family - Randall Jarrell

List of Autistic traits (a generally more compassionate list, vs. one like this)

ADHD

Tourettes

Comorbidities

Bi-polar

"Atypical" (show on Netflix)

"Temple Grandin"

#ownvoices

Chinua Achebe - Things Fall Apart

Onondaga Nation

Lacrosse Team

The mass graves at former residential schools (up to over 6,000 bodies found now)

"Hotel Rwanda"

Don Cheadle

"Just Mercy" and Bryan Stevenson

"Roots"

"Schindler's List"

Russ Ramsey's book The Passion of the King of Glory

Enneagram

The Relief Journal

Scripture References:

Full list of Jesus teaching through story aka His parables

John 4- The woman at the well

Psalm 139:14- We are uniquely and wonderfully made

Acts 15- (pretty much the whole book of Acts) The early Church where Gentiles and Jews were learning how to follow Christ together

2 Corinthians 12:8-10- God's strength is made perfect in our weakness

John 13:35 / 1 John 4:7-12- 1 John 4:19, We're called to love everyone

Matthew 22:36-40 / Galatians 5:14- The law can be summed up in Love God and love your neighbor

Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 7: 36-50, John 12:1-8- The woman who anoints Jesus' feet

Mark 16 (This contains the Great Commission, but I mean to say Mark 14 on the podcast. Whoops!)

Revelation 7:9-10- Every tribe, nation, tongue, will say Jesus is Lord

Exodus 7:7- How old Moses was when he began to walk in His calling

John 2:13-16- Turn over tables in Jesus' name

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today on the podcast is the incredible and much beloved author Jody Hedlund. Jody is the author of a vast array of books ranging in topics, locations, historical people, and places in time. One of her latest novels engages the mystery of the miracles that took place in Canterbury England during the Middle Ages. Come Back to Me is full of early church history, mixed with a little bit of fantasy, the Tree of Life from the Garden of Eden and Revelation, and sifting through what's fact and fiction is absolutely fascinating. Jody is spectacularly gifted at using stories to capture the attention of our hearts, and highlighting where God has moved in the past to help us see where He is moving now.

This is one of those episodes where you I got to unpack all the things that just bring me a lot of joy: the power of the Gospel, the power of stories, what history teaches us (and how much I still don't know about history) and how allllll of that applies to everyday life. So much of the Church's history carries deep wounds, but the Gospel survives throughout history even when broken people twist it to their own advantage, because the gift of Christ cannot be tarnished and His Word cannot be stopped. (All the praise hands!)

Jody is just a fascinating woman of faith, and she brings such fascinating insight into how stories hold space for conversations in everyday life. As a Mom of multiple teens and a youth small group leader, she offers poignant perspective about conversations with the next generation about hard things. They are growing up under tremendous pressure, and confusion about who they are, what constitutes a healthy relationship just to name a few things. The importance of knowing God's Word, and developing a relationship with the Lord so that Spirit can lead you in times of plenty and times of famine is imperative in the lives of all people. If we don't know how to find and drink from the water of life, we'll end up digging our own cisterns and that does not lead to the abundant life Christ died to give us. (Jeremiah 2:13, John 10:10)

I hope and pray that we will seek the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength so that those things can be so real in us, it overflows onto others, our neighbors, of all ages, and all struggles. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story. Tell of what God has done in your life. Tell of where you've struggled, wrestled and questioned, and then share where God met you in it. It means more than you will ever know. Because you matter friend, your story matters.

Connecting with Jody:

-Books

-Facebook

-Jody's Reader Room

-Instagram

-Pinterest

-Twitter

-Website

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Resources:

-"Talking to Jesus"- Maverick City Music featuring Brandon Lake

-John Bunyan- her book The Preacher's Bride

-Bio-fiction

-Erin Bartels and the "Michigan Mitten"

-Bride ships (not exclusive to this area, but here's a historical idea) - her books

-Orphan Trains- her books

-Her Young Adult fiction, Fairest Maiden Series and Lost Princesses, etc.

-Martin Luther // her book: Luther and Katharina

-John Newton // her book: Newton and Polly

-Heidi Chivaroli (one of my favorite dual timeline authors)

-The Middle Ages

-"Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" (my personal favorite version of the options out there. The Disney version not withstanding)

-"Outlander"

-Holy Water, St. Thomas ampullas and then the pilgrim ones (I think and details of their history)

-Canterbury Cathedral (this also shares a lot about Thomas) and the "miracle windows"

-realistic visions with the Holy Water from the life of Christ

-"life giving" water research, legends about fountain of youth, etc.

-Wallsingham miracles / archives

-Canterbury miracles

-Hundred Years War between England and France

-Peasants Revolt against the nobility and the clergy / Wat Tyler's Rebellion

-The Crusades

-King Richard I ( the Lionheart )

-the other King Richard II (a TWEEN King. Crazy)

-Dr. Bryan Litfin (our episode, his books, and his study of the Early Church)

-the Christian persecution by Rome

-Constantine and his conversion to Christianity

-John Wycliffe, the translator of the Bible from Latin to English

-first 3 YA books with Zondervan's study guides, here is one of them for An Uncertain Choice

-Purity Culture issues (an example)- ( Additionally Tiffany Bluhm and I talk about this at length in our conversation Episode 79. Her book Prey Tell also talks about this as well.)

-Never Leave Me- pre-order here

-Her new YA series, Knights of the Brethren books 1 and 2 releases November and December

-Cowboy for Keeps, released in January, and the second one The Heart of a Cowboy comes out October 2nd!

Scripture References:

Genesis 2:9, Genesis 3:22-24-"The Tree of Life" from the Garden of Eden

Genesis 2:8-17, Genesis 3-"The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" in the Garden of Eden, and the fall

1 Thessalonians 4:17, 1 John 2:17 -Living forever redeemed with Him

Revelations 22:1-3-Revelation speaks of a tree of life in Heaven

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 and 11:18, Psalm 119:11, Colossians 3:16-Hiding God's word in your heart

Proverbs 3:5-6, Phillippians 4:8, James 1:5 -being able to distinguish what's true

John 8:31-32-the truth will set you free

Ephesians 4:1-live life worthy of your calling

Isaiah 30:21-following the voice of the Spirit

Acts 9 / Acts 22:6-21 -Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus and his conversion

Ephesians 6:17-the Word is our sword

John 14:26-The Holy Spirit would come and remind us of what Jesus said

Hebrews 4:12-the Word of God is alive

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

Genesis 1:27, Ephesians 2:10, Psalm 18:19, Psalm 147:11, Isaiah 62:3-5, Zephaniah 3:17, -we are special to God

Joel 2:13,Hosea 6:6, Ezekiel 36:26,Psalm 51 -God does not promise blessing for good behavior, He is after our hearts

-we persevere (a great list of verses from an interesting source lol)

Lamentations 3:22-23, Psalm 33:4 -we can trust Him

Isaiah 55:8-9,-His ways are higher than ours

Hebrews 11:1-Faith comes down to believing that He is doing something we can't see

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

Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:26, 1 Corinthians 2:11, -God knows what each person needs to hear

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Today on the podcast we have Dr. Tiffany Tajiri who is a veteran of the Air Force, an Army and Air Force psychologist, and the current Chief of the largest behavioral health clinic at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX. She and her team work with active duty armed forces, veterans and their families to help them prepare for the missions and deployments and cope with the trauma of their experiences and how they impact them spiritually, emotionally and how that manifests in their bodies and reaches into every part of their lives and relationships.

Dr. Tiffany is passionate about helping others find healing and she does so in this fascinating space where science and faith cooperate because the Creator is the Author of both. She shares with us today incredibly insightful science of how the brain, mind, soul all work together and how God wired us to heal. Then, she reminds us how scripture is layered with verbiage that talks about God's word and the body. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength." (Matthew 22:37) "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2 - just to name a couple.) God knows our bodies! He made them! He also knows that what we will endure on Earth takes an incredible toll on our bodies, our minds, hearts and our faith, and so we need His word hidden within us so that when the lies of the enemy come, we have an answer,, a sword to wield to defend ourselves and to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

This conversation and the topics Dr. Tiffany and I cover are not exclusive to veterans, but I do believe it felt important to share this episode this week because we just experienced the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the affects of the exit from Afghanistan is ongoing, and there's just A LOT that continues to come to the surface for the armed forces community, for veterans and for those who fight their own battles with trauma of all types. We need tools to know how to respond to the war we are in that is not of flesh and blood, but also to serve those who give their all on all different types of front lines. This is swimming in the deep end of the pool friends, but it's not a place the Lord is unfamiliar with, and wherever He is, that's where we want to be.

The presence of God is so close to you, even in this very moment. The only thing that will fill the void created by pain and trauma is Jesus, y'all. Mental Illness, depression and anxiety, suicidal ideation, these are all VERY real things that attack our body and every part of our existence. When you are sick, you get medicine, you get help. While you are healing your body and addressing the neurons in your brain, your soul and your mind still needs to be addressed and filled with what is true to address the cracks in the foundation of what your life is built on. The Spirit can lead you to that place, and be near to You in the journey of healing your whole self. I love that Dr. Tiffany shared with us that both the physical and the mental/spiritual elements of who we are matter and all of it deserves the attention of healing.

You matter, friend. Your story matters.

Connecting with Dr. Tiffany:

Book // Peace After Combat : Healing the Spiritual and Psychological Wounds of War

Instagram

Website

YouTube

Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

Facebook

Instagram

Link to shop

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References:

Branches of the Armed Forces

Moral injury

Neuroplasticity

Rhythms of Restoration

Bilateral stimulation

Butterfly hug tap// video

REM sleep

Dr. Kelly Cole's study

Robert Bannister

Scripture References:

Isaiah 43:19 - Makes a way in the wasteland

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

John 13:35- Seeing others through their love

Psalm 119:105- A light to our path

Romans 8:37-39- Nothing height nor depth

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 4:30, Revelation 12:11- Bought and sealed by the blood of the Lamb

John 14:27, John 16:33, Philippians 4:7- The peace of Christ

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

James 1:17- Every perfect thing is from above

John 10:10- The thief comes to steal and destroy

Genesis 2:18 / Jeremiah 31:3- God created us to be in relationship and to know love (this is a really insightful article about being made for relationship)

God gave us free will (Lots of verses)

Hebrews 5:7-8-Jesus had a choice, but He submitted to the will of the Father (also in Luke 22 below)

Luke 22:42- Lord if you'll take this cup from me

John 10:10 / 2 Corinthians 5:15 / Romans 5:8- Jesus died that we may have life

Romans 8:1-17- Living by the flesh vs. living by the Spirit

Exodus 20-The 10 Commandments

Genesis 1:27- We are made in the image of God

Matthew 28:19, Luke 3:22- God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

Psalm 23:4- Though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death

2 Corinthians 3:18- Take us from blessing to blessing, glory to glory

Deuteronomy 30:19- I put before you blessing or cursing, life or death

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

John 15- I am the True Vine, you are the branches

Jeremiah 17:5-9 - the tree that plants itself deep down into the water

Ephesians 1:7-10- The Lord is the author of redemption

Lamentations 3:22-23- The Lord's mercies are new every morning

Matthew 11:20-30- Unforced rhythms of grace

Ephesians 3:20- More than you can ever ask or imagine

James 1:12- Given everyone the crown of life who endures

The eyes of Christ like fire or diamonds

2 Timothy 4:7-8-I have run the race

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

Psalms 46:10- Be still and know that He is God

You are worthy of love (so many verses!)

Galatians 3:26 / 2 Corinthians 6:18 / 1 John 3:1 -You are a son or a daughter of God

John 15:13- There is no greater love than this than one who lays down their life for a friend

1 Peter 2:19-25 / Hebrews 2:9-14- Jesus suffered

Proverbs 18:21 / James 3:1-12- Our words hold the power of life and death

Ephesians 6:11- Stand firm against the devil

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

Matthew 5:13-16- Being salt and light

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

Ephesians 2

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Ashley Abercrombie is back on the podcast!!. Every time I encounter Ashley, whether that's online, reading her books or Bible studies, I end up shoutin' like I'm at a big tent revival. Y'all, this woman passionately cares about the Kingdom of God, the body of Christ, and encouraging us to know and serve God and His Church as our fullest selves and learning how to love one another better. Her most recent book, Love is the Resistance: Learn to Disagree, Resolve the Conflicts You've Been Avoiding, and Create Real Change is such an important word for this season in time.

As the sons and daughters of God, we are a people of hope. However, a lot of the Church is not currently known by their love, their mercy, or their welcome. But Jesus is the epitome of all of those things. As His kids, we have to evaluate what we are presenting about the Gospel. When people are able to encounter God, that's where life change can happen. I hope and pray that we are willing to dive in here. Our world is hungry for what the Savior provides, and our souls are weary and need to be refreshed too.

We give a healthy dose of time to look at the story of Jonah and where we find ourselves in it. From that posture, we ask questions like "what is the difference between standing up for God's word, and doing so at the expense of His creation?" Truth telling is not about yelling at or shaming people. How do we practice mercy, empathy and compassion, but also figure out how to process and place boundaries. Do we evaluate the words we use in the name of Jesus? Are we willing to ask God to search us out and know us and show us what we He sees in us? Who do we label and treat as an enemy? We also discuss how healthy conflict is a skill we have to learn, and it can be learned even if we've never seen it modeled to us in our personal lives or families of origin.

Listen friends, I want you to hear me when I say this, even though I say it a lot, it's so so true. You matter. Your story matters. Don't grow weary of doing good, and remember that this, all the "this" that surrounds us right now, is not how the story ends. Let's press in, and see where the Lord may call us to grow and learn today as we strive to live like people of hope.

Connecting with Ashley:

Ashley's Books

Ashley's podcast she co-hosts with Tiffany Bluhm

Bible Study course for Love is the Resistance

Facebook

Instagram

Website

YouVersion Bible Studies

Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

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Instagram

Link to shop

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References:

Ashley's first book Rise of the Truth Teller

My first conversation with Ashley, episode 2 of the podcast

Tiffany Bluhm - episode 51 and 79 where we chat, and our video chat on my youtube page

"The World Turned Upside Down"

Ahmaud Arberry

Breonna Taylor

George Floyd

Time's Up Movement

Me Too Movement

Disciple means "learner"

The Sanhedrin

The original 12 disciples: a hodge podge crew

"The Chosen"

A dude being swallowed by a whale REALLY recently

The Bible Recap

The Bible Project's video on Jonah

Walter Brueggeman, his interview with Krista Tippett (On Being Podcast) Phyllis Trible "womb like mother love"

Healthy Differentiation (a great resource for this I Think You're Wrong, But I'm Listening: A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations by Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland)

Healthy Boundaries (great resource for this: Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to say No and Take Control of Your Life by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. Charles Townsend

If God is Good: Faith in the Middle of Suffering and Evil by Randy Alcorn :: A great resource for struggling with bad things happening and God's goodness

Indigenous People and their grief in unearthing their buried past

Sabbath is a big deal

Mentor Monday on Ashley's instagram!

My conversation (episode 57) with Ashley Elizabeth Graham Johnson

Latin of "scrutiny"

Scripture References:

John 14:6, John 1- The truth comes from Christ

John 8:31-32- That truth sets us free

Ephesians 5:17-21, Hebrews 10:24-25- Speaking life and love over people

Matthew 11:15- Let he who has ears to hear

Matthew 5:6- Hunger and thirst for righteousness

Matthew 4:18-23, Matthew 8:27,Mark 4:33-34, -The disciples were drawn to Jesus

Mark 6:7-13- 12 men turned the world upside down bc they said 'yes' to Jesus

Matthew 15:7-9 (and then the bombs of Matthew 5:17-19 and Luke 4:16-30) Jesus knew the Law- sooo many examples, but here's just one

Not all priests in leadership were bad : Nicodemus- John 3 // Gamaliel- Acts 5

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

God is sovereign (a whole list for you )

2 Chronicles 7:14- God has called His people back again and again - again, so many examples, but here's one to start with

Romans 5:5- Hope does not put us to shame

Romans 5:3-5- Suffering produces perseverance → character→ hope

Mark 12:29-31- Neighborly love

Matthew 5:43-48- Love our enemies

Jonah

Joel 2- God historically, even when carrying out major judgement, gives space for the opportunity to repent (Jonah's story + this one scripture are just 2 of MANY examples)

Jonah 3:3- 3 days to walk through the town

Matthew 12:40- 3 days in the whale, 3 days in the grave for Jesus

Jonah chapter 4

Exodus 34:6-7, Psalm 145:8-9, Psalm 86:15- God has mercy for you (scratches the surface of scriptures on mercy)

God can take your anger- see practically the entire book of Psalms and the book of Habakkuk

Acts 9:1- Uttered murderous threats under his breath

Ezekiel 33:10-12, John 11:38-44- God hates death too

Psalm 34:18, Matthew 5:4- He mourns with those who mourn

Exodus 14:14, Zephaniah 3:17, Romans 8:31-39- He is God who battles evil (there were so many passages that could talk about this, but I narrowed it down to a few)

Romans 6:23- The wages of sin is death

2 Corinthians 5:15, Romans 5:8 - Jesus died and rose again to save those who could not save themselves

Acts 8:26-40- Philip encounters the Ethiopian eunuch

The Lord the loves you- a whole list of good scriptures about it :)

1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:10-18-We have one enemy, an enemy of our soul

Deuteronomy 12:3, Judges 6 (Gideon had to tear down the idols of his father before he could walk in the calling the Lord gave him. I love his whole story in this chapter though) Psalm 96:5, Isaiah 44:9-20, Ezekiel 14:3- Lord, where have I built idols?

Psalm 16:5-6- The Lord has drawn lines for me in pleasant places

2 Timothy 2:1-3- Live a peaceful and quiet life

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Today I am chatting with author, speaker, filmmaker, artist, musician, and just an all around renaissance woman, Rebecca Friedlander. During our conversation, Rebecca shares about waiting on the Lord in wilderness seasons and what it looks like to cultivate an intimate relationship with the Lord and then be willing to move when He says "move." Her latest book The Divine Adventure: Spiritual Practices for a Modern-Day Disciple dives into this, and also looks at what spiritual practices or disciplines even are and how they move us into a place of preparation in order to embrace the divine adventure God has for our life. When we pursue God in an intentional way, we heighten our awareness of the activity of God all around us, and we begin to draw our attention away from working for the approval of people, and instead living from a place of knowing just how loved we are by Him.

Rebecca is such a soothing and lovely person, with such a beautiful heart. I hope that you enjoy our conversation and maybe feel intrigued to dive into your own divine adventure. I love how Rebecca points out that we need hope that walking with the Lord is practical in how to meet the genuine needs that exist in our heart. It can be hard, but not because He isn't available to us. He helps us interact with the world around us. And I just want to say, if a relationship with God has a funky taste in your mouth right now due to how some Christians behave, don't bank all your assumptions about who God is based on human behavior. Look to His word. Seek Him out He will make Himself known to you. Ultimately, we all have a desire to live a life that matters, to love well and walk in truth, and Jesus is the hope that anchors all of these things together. If you're looking for ways to figure out what that might look like, we have other episodes in this podcast that speak to how to get started, but I also will say Rebecca's book may be a great place for you to start as well. You can find ways to connect with all those resources in our show notes or over on my blog!

By the way, on the other end of the conversation, Rebecca has a masters in Celtic History and she shares with me some of the incredible things she's learned from Early Church history and what can we learn from them, and it's fascinating. Y'all know I love to nerd out!! You guys are going to love Rebecca and I hope this conversation encourages you right where you are today. This journey matters, friend. Don't lose heart. You matter. Your story matters.

Connecting with Rebecca:

Instagram

Facebook

Website

YouTube

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Facebook

Instagram

Website

YouTube

References:

Deadwood, TX

Her latest book: The Divine Adventure: Spiritual Practices for a Modern-Day Disciple

The Bible Recap (book and podcast) with Tara Leigh Cobble

This is the God of covenant (a great resource to see how God made promises in the very beginning He keeps today)

"Radical Makeovers"

Celebration of Disciplines (the book I mentioned that I studied that was very good, but is definitely was a challenge)

The early Celtic saints

"Celtic Pilgrimage"

"Thin Places"

Saint Patrick's story

A thin place

Bryan Litfin (My episode with him)

Constantine's conversion

The early church's model that appears more catholic

Mass-persecution of Christians

Red Martyrs, Green Martyrs, White Martyrs

The sanctity of cemeteries in the Early Church // the Roman catacombs

"Fairies"

Saint Patrick's writings

The early celtic church's prayer book

Saint Nicholas' history

Podcast Episodes on where to start with faith. Honestly we talk about this a lot in so many of our episodes, but it's more poignant in these!

Episode 2 with Ashley Abercrombie

Episode 17 with Hope and Christine of At His Feet Studies

Episode 47 with Jessica Hottle

Episode 48 with Shari Rigby

Episode 50 with Phil Herndon

Episode 82 with Tyler Staton

Episode 84 with Elizabeth Wyndham

Episode 94 with Tessa Afshar

Scripture References:

Jeremiah 18- The potter and the clay

Isaiah 40:30-31/Psalm 27:14- Wait on the Lord Exodus 40:36, Acts 1:8- God is always moving

Genesis 1:2- He is the Spirit that hovered over the face of the waters when creating

John 13:23- John the Beloved leaning on the Lord

Hosea 2:14- I will allure to the dessert and speak tenderly to her there

Fasting (a big list of verses!)

Spiritual Disciplines (list of verses)

John 1:10-13, John 6:40, 1 John 3:1,1 John 4:19, James 4:8, Revelation 3:20- God wants to be in relationship with us

John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4-5, 1 Peter 3:18-22- God of the universe gave up everything for us

Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 2:11,Titus 3:3-7, Romans 6:1-23, Receive the gift of grace

1 Corinthians 12:27- The body of Christ

Matthew 16:18- The gates of hell will not be able to withstand it

John 14:16, Acts 1-2- When Jesus handed the Spirit out (after His ascension)

Acts 13:4- When the Holy Spirit began to go across the globe

1 Samuel 15:11-35 ICB-Stories of kings or leaders in the old testament allowing idol worship "just in case" (there are SO many, this is just one)

Philippians 1:21- To live is Christ and to die is gain

God is who He says He is (a list :))

2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Hebrews 10:23- The hope we need in Christ

Acts 2

2 Kings 21, 2 Kings 22-23- (insert name here) king followed the way of the Lord, but his son… etc (SO many kings did this, but here's an example of an evil King, whose son was good)

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