Simply Stories Podcast

Today on the podcast we have fiction and non-fiction author, speaker and just incredible woman of deep faith, Tessa Afshar. Tessa grew up in a nominally Muslim family in the Middle East, and after her family's fracturing, she moved to England where she lost her culture, her language, everything she knew and experienced a total identity shift. Then, as a young adult, she found herself broken-hearted, divorced, and confused about what was next for her life. and Jesus met her in a dream and began to woo her to Him. During our conversation Tessa shares her incredible journey with us, as well as where God has led her in her calling, and how He makes Himself known to her even still.

Tessa also offers a beautiful and unique perspective on the fracturing in the Church in the west, and especially how it plays out on screens whether that's live news or newsfeeds. No matter what we are seeing, and no matter how we feel, as followers of Jesus, we are not in control of others, but we can control our response to them and to the Savior. Tessa gives a powerful reminder that the measure of the Church is the person behind the scenes that never makes it on the news. Being genuine and honest, carrying out small acts of kindness and faithfulness in Jesus' name will still change the world for the Gospel. These things matter to Him, and it matters to every person you encounter who is desperately looking for a place to be loved and to belong.

Tessa is one of those people that her love of the Word and her love of the Lord can set a fire in your bones, and this conversation today, is a such a time as this moment. If you need a reminder about who Jesus really is, the power, the love, and the peace only He can give, this episode is for you. If you have had things happen, experienced loss or heartbreak in your life or maybe you're there right now and you need to be reminded of who God is, and how valuable you are to the One who made you, this is an episode for you. I hope this lands on you like a balm to wound because it most certainly did for me. Take heart, friends. You matter, and your story matters.

Connecting with Tessa:

Her books

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Website

References:

-The 5 tenets of Islam

-Episode of the podcast where we discuss cultural paradigms

-The Qur'an, written only in Arabic

-Leo Tolstoy

-Her story based on the book of Ruth, Pearl in the Sand

-Jane Austen

-Charlotte Bronte

-Kingdom of Kush // Modern day Sudan, south of Egypt

-Francine Rivers' and the Lineage of Grace series

-Our reading of Ruth and discussion about it on the podcast to celebrate Pentecost

-Jesus is the son of David, He is the promised One.

-Tessa's Bible study The Way Home: God's Invitation to New Beginnings // Here is a link to the video introduction to it as well

-A link to her YouVersion Bible study on Priscilla and Aquila "Cultivating a Forever Faith"

Scripture References:

Job 11:7-9, Psalm 147:5, Isaiah 40:28- God has no limit

Luke 1:37- Nothing is impossible with God

Matthew 19:26- Everything will be possible with God

Romans 8:1,Psalm 103:12- Shame is not of the Lord

Hebrews 12:2-, 1 John 3:1, John 15:13- Romantic love is not the love that saves you

Isaiah 53:2- Jesus' appearance was unremarkable

Matthew 16- Jesus is not who people thought He should be

Romans 4:21, Hebrews 10:23, more here - Whatever He promised He meant to keep

Matthew 4:19, John 12:26- Follow me

John 14:27- A peace only Jesus gives

Romans 6:23, 1 Peter 2:24- We can't pay the price for our sin

Psalm 119:11- Have the word hidden in your heart

Acts 2:42-47- Being the Church: living open hearted, proclaiming who He is

1 Peter 4:8-9- Hospitality from the Church

Ephesians 6:18, James 5:13-20, Philippians 1:3-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18- Prayers from the saints

Nehemiah 8:10- Let the joy of the Lord be your strength

Isaiah 14:27- Nothing can stop the Lord

Matthew 16:18- Nothing can stand against the Church

Matthew 5:16- Let your light shine before men

Romans 5:5-11- Your hope will not be put to shame

Psalm 71:14, Romans 8:31-39- There is a hope that brings life

Psalm 33:18-22- An act of obedience

Joshua 2- Rahab living in the wall

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24- He prepares you for your calling

Philippians 4:11-13- Contentment in every circumstance

Psalm 27:14, Isaiah 40:31- Wait on the Lord

I am who God says I am

Colossians 2:6-23- The fullness of life in Christ

Revelation 21:4- Only in Heaven is there only love and no more tears

John 16:33, 2 Corinthians 4:8-12, Hebrews 10:23- You will have trouble and storms, but there is hope

Jeremiah 29:11- There is a tomorrow and a restoration

Matthew 1:1-16- Christ's lineage

The book of Judges

The book of Ruth starts with a famine, but the last word is the name David. That person is an answer to the famine,

John 6:35- Jesus is the bread of life

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

Acts 18:2-11, 1 Corinthians 16:19, 2 Timothy 4:19- Priscilla and Aquila

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

Psalm 112:7- // AMP translation I used- He will have no fear of bad news, his heart is steadfast trusting the Lord

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today we have on children's minister, author, and founder of Little Shoots, Deep Roots, Christie Thomas. Christie is a woman who is passionate about equipping families to engage their hearts with the Gospel. Her children's books give amazing verbiage for how to deal with big issues in the lives of children, which is so helpful in general, but especially now living in a season that is full of such uncertainty that our children experience in their worlds too. Christie's latest book is a Mother Son Prayer Journal. As a mother of several young boys, Christie shares about the challenge of raising young men to be God chasers who practice repentance, humility, strength, respect for others, how to go to God with the good things and the bad things, and remembering God is the One who is faithful and who holds all things together.

Christie's method in all she does in her ministry and her writing is to take things back to small steps that sow Truth. In a world where we as adults are often trying to find quick ways to handle more, this is such a good reminder to slow down, and focus on the small, but mighty. While we're doing that, we can more clearly see it's God that holds all things together and we can point the kids in our lives to do the same. One of my biggest takeaways from talking with Christie was just how much little habits make a huge difference in so many aspects of life, but especially in parenting and communicating about the Gospel.

We also dive into how men and women can partner in spiritually leading and nurturing a home. Christie points out that as Christians we are called to make disciples. As followers of Christ and parents; that includes our children. We discuss what discipleship from both parents may look like in a manner that honors God, and compliments how every parent and every partnership is uniquely and wonderfully made.

I hope this will be an encouraging episode for those of us out there trying to figure out how to respond to the world around us as adults, let alone how to communicate about it with littles, but ultimately I hope this helps point you to Jesus, and remind you He is trustworthy no matter where you are. You matter. Your story matters.

---

Connecting with Christie:

Facebook

Instagram // LSDR Instagram

Website

Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

Use the code SIMPLY15 at check out for 15% off your purchase

Store (Affiliate link)

Facebook

Instagram

References:

Little Shoots, Deep Roots

Wise for Salvation

Quinn's Promise Rock

Quinn Says Goodbye

Momma Son Prayer Journal

The Bible Recap - Book and Podcast

John Mark's mother's home is the house where people were gathered when people were praying for Peter, also possibly where the last supper was held

Building Faith at Home

The original form of Proverbs 31 is an acrostic poem

Erin Moon's response to the funky woman tweet

The Bible Binge

How you can start little from her website

"Raise A Hallelujah" - Bethel

"I Thank God" Maverick City Music

Trillia Newbell's childrens' books: God's Very Good Idea and Creative God, Colorful Us

Dorena Williamson's books: Colorfull, Thoughtfull, Gracefull, Pre-Orders!: The Celebration Place and Crowned with Glory

The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross - Carl Laferton

Phil Vischer videos

VeggieTales

Right Now Media

When a student followed a rabbi, they followed them so closely

"The Chosen"

Scripture:

Colossians 1:17- God holds all things together

Job 1:21- God gives and takes away

John 11:38-44- Jesus at Lazarus' tomb

Luke 18:18-30, 1 Corinthians 13:12-, Ephesians 2:6-9, 1 Timothy 6:18-19- The kingdom is only partly here

Psalm 27:13-14, Job 13:15, Daniel 3:17-18, Romans 8:28 -When everything hurts God is still good

Isaiah 41:10, Hebrews 13:5-6, Psalm 23-God is still near

Psalm 34:10, Matthew 7:11, Luke 12:24, John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Philippians 4:19- God is still providing

John 16:33, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalm 23 -God comforts us

Psalm 30:1-5, Psalm 30:11-12- Joy does come in the mourning

Isaiah 40:11- carries a lamb on his shoulders

1 and 2 Samuel - life of David (Bible Project's video on these books are super helpful)

1 and 2 Chronicles - life of David (Bible Project's video on these books are super helpful)

The Psalms (Bible Project)

1 Samuel 17- David & Goliath

Amos (Bible Project again ;))

1 Chronicles 13- David tries to go get the ark and it doesn't go well

1 Samuel 18-30- especially 27-29- David the land pirate (bad news bears)

1 Samuel 13:14,Acts 13:22 - God calls David to be a man after His own heart

Proverbs 22:6, Romans 10:14-15, Titus 2:3, I have to learn to help them recognize His voice

1 Corinthians 11:3-16, Ephesians 5:21-33- The man is head of the household

Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 2:2- We're called to make disciples

2 Timothy 1:5- Lois and Eunice and Timothy

Acts 12:1-17- Peter escapes prison and comes to believers praying

1 Kings 11:1-2- Do not marry a Moabite woman. Don't marry an Ammonite woman Proverbs 31:10-31

Romans 16:7 Junia (also an interesting fact, some scholars believe she's Joanna, also mentioned in Luke 8:1-3)

Judges 4- Deborah

Romans 16:1-2-Phoebe

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

Psalm 118:24- This is the day the Lord has made Galatians 5:22-23-Fruit of the Spirit

John 15- Abiding in the Vine

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 book editor, author, professional encourager and just all around amazing human, Amanda Cleary Eastep. I got to meet Amanda several years ago at a writing conference when she was part of a panel representing Moody Publishing. During this conversation she shares what it's like to be a book editor at Moody Publishers, as well as a middle-grade books author, which means she writes books for kids ages 8-12, and we look at what draws us as people to stories that captivate children and adults alike with their unique humor, whimsy, wonder, fun and freedom.

We talk quite a bit about the concept of the moral imagination, and how stories can touch parts of us and unlock parts of our imagination and our faith, how we engage good and evil and more. The master of this process is Jesus Himself. His stories affect us emotionally, intellectually, and hold space for us to place ourselves in a story and decide who we will be because of it.

Amanda is such a kind and wise woman who is still figuring out how to surrender her life and her dreams to Jesus, and I loved getting to hear how modeling honesty, humility, and just imperfectly but persistently expressing love to the kids in your life matters more than we know. As a Mom, step-Mom, working Mom, and all the things, I love Amanda's reminder that kids may bear witness to some of your greatest failures, but they also can have a front row seat to grace and redemption in your life and that's a story they need to know.

I also appreciate how Amanda brought up how to engage kids who are NOT readers with stories whether that's about discussing movies, stories of people in your family or historical stories from where you're from or somewhere they're not, we are surrounded by stories that can engage the hearts and faith of kids.

We also round out this episode with my daughter coming on, again, to interview "Ms. Amanda," and it's sweet and hilarious to hear our girl's insights. Amanda very patiently talked with NB and me about her real life experiences with tornados, feelings and faith and it's just the sweetest.

I hope you'll love this episode, here is my conversation with Amanda Cleary Eastep.

Episode Partner: Armor Up, Warrior Princess

Instagram

Facebook

Connecting with Amanda:

-The Tree Street Kid series

-Facebook

-Instagram

References:

-Ann Swindell and the Writing with Grace Conference

-Moody Publishers

-Maggie Combs - Motherhood Without All the Rules

- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle

-Founders week at Moody Bible College

-Jamie Janosz and "Today in the Word"

-Roseanna M. White, our conversation, her book we mention Dreams of Savannah

-Trillia Newbill

-The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

-The new edition of Little Pilgrim's Progress (illustrated edition and its GORGEOUS)

-Tending the Heart of Virtue: How Classic Stories Awaken a Child's Moral Imagination

by Vigen Guroian

-Dr. Russell Moore- not just instructing a child about morals, but engaging their imagination and giving them a vision of something better

-Frederick Buechner- described it "story has value in itself"

-Marvel series

-Harry Potter series

-Dorena Williamson's conversation with me part 1 and 2

-The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis

-Trillia's books for kids

-15 beats method from Save the Cat Writes a Novel

-"Bueller, Bueller" Ferris Bueller's Day Off

-Our conversation with Mr. Randall Goodgame

-Star Wars Battlefront 2

-bomb shelter

-The "Twister" cow moment

-"Food, FOOOOOOD" from "Twister"

-the Dinner at "Aunt Meg's" house from "Twister"

-"While You Were Sleeping"

-The Hunt for Fang

-The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

-the audible presentation of Jack vs. the Tornado

-Zach Cantrell // other books he's narrated

-The science and history facts printables from Jack vs. The Tornado

-The Flying Flamingo Sisters book

-"Life Lessons for Anxious Kids" devotional

Scripture

Hebrews 10:24-25/ 1 Thessalonians 5:11-spurring one another on

Romans 12:21-overcome evil with evil but overcome evil with good

Luke 15:11-32-The prodigal son parable

Genesis 1 - "in the beginning…"

The book of Revelation

Revelation 19:7-10-a literal or metaphorical feast

Isaiah 65:17-19-the new heavens and the new Earth

John 15:4-7 / Colossians 1:27-28-the best thing in me is Christ in me

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

Psalm 91:4 -we are sheltered by God

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Hi friends! I'm so excited to be back with you for season THREE of the podcast! I cannot believe we are 2 years and 3 seasons in, but man the Lord is wild, isn't He? To start off this season, we have the absolutely wonderful and wildly talented Randall Goodgame. Mr. Randall is a little bit of a celebrity around my house because of how much my children love his music and his show, "Slugs and Bugs". If you've never heard of it, the show itself is a lot like a Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood type environment where Mr. Randall and his real life friends and family, Andrew Peterson, Dr. Russell Moore, Scott Hamilton, Ellie Holcomb, Sissy Goff, Dorena Williamson and many, many more visit him and his puppet friends, the slugs and bugs at their workshop where they learn life lessons, talk about the mysteries of the Gospel, and how God can make Himself known in any of it as we all grow up together. The songs they share on the show and from the albums are saturated in God's Word which makes scripture memorization so accessible even for the youngest of children, as well as ways to help talk about hard and big topics happening in the world, mixed in with a whole lot of silliness too.

In our conversation today, we get to hear about how Randall's struggle to engage conversations about the Gospel with his own children birthed in him a pursuit to use humor, story and song to engage them, and ultimately engage His own heart about these important things because it's worth the work. This conversation isn't just for parents or people with kids in their lives, we talk about how people who do not have kids in their lives can still impact those around them, and encourage ALL of us to press into the truth of Christ as we navigate hard things.

When I was praying and thinking about how to start this season off, it just kept coming to me how important it was to engage the future of the Kingdom of God. I feel like there are so many of us that feel like we have to just get through the young years of kids, whether in passing in other environments or in our own homes, and then when they're older we can attempt to navigate big things with them. But the truth is, our kids haven't been hidden from big things. Life happens to them, just like it does to us. This pandemic has happened to them, as it's happening to us. Not to mention, how we engage our own hearts, pours out onto those we encounter and so it just felt so important to me, especially for the many kids that are getting ready to go back to school, to talk about these things, and present people and ideas to our simply stories family so that we might feel more equipped to press in where it feels awkward or hard. When we can break that down to a child's level, you might be surprised how much that impacts how you interact with adults as well.

Jesus said to come to Him with faith like a child. Whether there are children in your life or not, you are HIS child. For those who have said yes to Jesus, you are a son or a daughter of the Most High God. You are perfectly and wonderfully made to display His creativity, and His love to the world. No matter where you've been, or what you're going through now, that gift to you cannot be taken away. What might it be like to ask your heart how to approach the Lord, let alone your neighbors like a child? I think that's probably going to provide a unique answer for everyone, but I think it's an interesting question to contemplate. You have a good Father who loves to engage with you. Even if it feels like there is nothing delightful in your life, He wants to hear about it. Maybe start right there. It matters to Him because your story matters to Him. You matter.

References:

"Catapultanaugahikawallawallarickitikianapoodloodlakastanvilletown" song

"Fruits of the Spirit" - Slugs and Bugs

Right Now Media

Andrew Peterson

Slugs and Bugs Lullabies album

VeggieTales

One of their songs from VT

Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood

Mr. Andrew with the Christmas songs we like is his "Behold the Lamb of God" album

"Operation No More Tears" - Sally Lloyd Jones

"Tell it to Jesus"- Slugs and Bugs

Sissy Goff on "Slugs and Bugs" about technology is called "Modern Kid" I was only able to find it on Amazon Prime!

Sissy Goff's books Raising Worry Free Girls and Braver, Stronger, Smarter

Dorena Williamson's episode of "Slugs and Bugs"

Dorena's 2 episodes with us, Part 1 and Part 2

Dorena's books: Colorfull, Thoughtfull, and Gracefull

"Under Where" from "Slugs and Bugs"

"Ninja"- from "Slugs and Bugs"

"Sweet Baby Boy" from "Slugs and Bugs"

"Bring Me A Heifer"- from "Sing the Bible Volume 4" from Slugs and Bugs

The WingFeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

"Bears Have No Cares" - Slugs and Bugs

"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" - Mary Poppins

DC Superhero Girls

Dragon Girl : The Secret Valley

Dragon Kingdom of Wrenley

Dog Man Series

Phoebe and The Unicorn Series

Narwhal Unicorn of the Sea Series

Cat Kid Comic Club Series

"Star Wars" (mostly "Jedi Academy" comics at our house currently)

"Pangolins" - Slugs and Bugs

"Under Where" live with Mr. Randall and someone who is not Andrew Peterson but we thought he was live on a church tour :)

Scripture References:

Galatians 5:22-23-Fruits of the Spirit

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

He wants to help us be like Him (a list of verses!)

1 Thessalonians 5:10- He came so that we could live life with Him

Scripture tells us how we are to be to each other (a list of verses!)

Psalm 139:14- We are uniquely and wonderfully made

Ephesians 4- We are called to live in unity

Galatians 6:2- We are called to bear one another's burdens

Matthew 16:24-26- Pick up a cross and follow Him

Micah 6:8- Walk humbly

Matthew 20:16- The first shall be last

Philippians 2:3-Value others above yourselves

John 10:10 / John 14:6- The Gospel is the way to life

Matthew 18:3/Matthew 19:14 /Mark 10:13-16/ Luke 18:17/ Romans 8:16-18, Galatians 4:6-10, 1 John 3:1- Children are the picture of how the Lord sees us (this is a whole other thought to flesh out some time. So much of the Old Testament uses this verbiage about being God's children, His sheep, His prized possession like a Father. Here's an article where TGC discusses God the Father a bit)

Philippians 1:6- The Lord isn't finished with any of us

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

Hebrews 12:1-3- Removing stumbling blocks

Psalm 139:23-Search me and know me

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

John 2:1-11- Water into wine

Genesis 15:9- The story of bring me a heifer and Abram's promise

Zephaniah 3:17

Connecting with Randall:

Slugs and Bugs

Watch Slugs and Bugs Season 1 and/or Season 2 on Amazon Prime

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Spotify

Today is the very last episode of season 2 of the podcast!! And man, is this one incredible episode for us to put a period on the sentence of this season. I'm chatting today with author and pastor Michael Sherrard. Michael and I have a power packed conversation that springs off the heart of his two books Relational Apologetics: Defending the Christian Faith with Holiness, Respect, and Truth and Why You Matter: How Your Quest for Meaning is Meaningless Without God. Michael breaks down for us why there is so much meaning behind knowing the heart of who God is, which impacts knowing our own selves and enhances our ability to love our neighbor and carry the Light for the Gospel in a way that fights against the darkness. We also tackle what so many of us wrestle with when we experience hardship, betrayal or suffering, how the Lord can and will make Himself known in it, and as Michael says "understanding why we matter is an anchor that will help us when we experience the waves of hardship."

This message is more timely than I can even begin to convey, and even though we recorded it back in the winter, I knew in the marrow of my bones, it was a conversation to save for right now. I don't know where you are, but I feel like we are in a season where the Lord is asking His people to trim the lamps and keep them burning. I know so many who are weary. I know so many who are frustrated with fellow believers or people who they think are the source of all wrong. Take it all to the Lord. Let Him refine your heart, let Him reveal to you what He sees, then ask Him to show you the stories you need to know Him AND His creation better.

I think one of my favorite (of the many) profound points Michael made in this conversation was this one: If we want to share the Truth of the Gospel with people, we have to be equipped with a language that can meet them where they are and the very real things they are struggling with. "We can't give textbook answers, when people don't hold textbook beliefs." Why relationships matter, loving our neighbor is really all about and how we have a call to love the people we don't agree with.

I pray that as you go into wherever you are, you can courageously pray for the Lord to light this kind of fire in you, or to help you tenderly breathe life back into the dwindling embers of the fire you once had. The Lord is not through with your story and all of it matters to Him.

Connecting with Michael:

Why You Matter

Relational Apologetics

Facebook

Instagram

Website

Episode Sponsor: Hopeful

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References:

Crosspoint in Georgia

Reasonable Faith -William Lane Craig

Apologetics- apologia

The Bible Recap

Dominion-Tom Holland- his commentary on how Jesus's teaching changed the world

Scripture References:

1 Peter 3:15 - always be able to give a defense for the hope within you

Acts 15:2 / Acts 17:2 / "Argue, reason, explain," in the book of Acts

Ephesians 4:1-6-the Word says to pursue unity, come around one another and bear one another's burdens

Acts 15-the council at Jerusalem what to do about the Gentiles / How do we practice Judaism, argument over circumcision, etc.

Luke 5:17-39- Paralytic man coming through the roof

Ephesians 4:15-Love their neighbor with gentleness and respect and conversation

Luke 24:13-29- The 2 men on the road to Emmaus

Hebrews 10:24-25- Spur one another on

Luke 22- Jesus knew betrayal

Hebrews 4:15- We have a high priest who can sympathize

2 Timothy 4:16-18- Paul saying "I've been left I"m not alone"

God is good

God is loving

2 Timothy 4:8- "I received my crown of righteousness"

Isaiah 40:31- "They that wait upon the Lord"

Romans 8:28 / Psalm 57:2- Our lives have purpose

Genesis 1:1-2 / John 1:1-5- God chose to create

Genesis 1:26-31- We are significant because we are made in God's image

Leviticus 25-27- Leviticus where so much is taken care of if you keep your promise, but if you break it then… and yet there's always a way back

Genesis 15:1-15- The covenant where the splitting of animals happens

Matthew 26:36-46- Jesus lonely in the garden

John 14:15-31 // Acts 2:1-41- The Holy Spirit came and now we will never be alone ever again

Matthew 5:43-48- Love your enemies

Psalm 57:4 (one of MANY)- Psalms and David talking about being surrounded by enemies

John 13:35- The world will know Him by our love

Matthew 27:11-26- The leaders of the Law inciting people to murder

Luke 22:54; Matthew 26:57; Mark 14:53; and John 18:12- Sneaking around at night with an illegal trial

John 3:1-21 - Nicodemus approaching to Jesus

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

Matthew 5:3-8- Message translation of the Beatitudes from the outro

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 with y'all a really incredible conversation with my friends Brett and Jana Aplin. Brett and Jana are the dynamic duo that make up Aplins in the Alps, and they share the super sweet story behind their God dreams, and also their passion for travel and the international church.

This episode unpacks the power of the Gospel in the lives of those who say yes to Jesus. Bret and Jana's story is such a powerful picture of the Spirit of God at work around the world in these days following Pentecost and celebrating the birth of the Church. Brett and Jana's story is such an inspiring, powerful, and encouraging picture of the Spirit of God at work around the world in these days following Pentecost and celebrating the birth of the Church.

Since our chat a few weeks ago, they are now indeed in Switzerland, sharing their adventures on their instagram page, and they launched their YouTube page! You can find links to connect with them, and even find ways to support them in the show notes. And they can always use prayer!!

While you're praying for them, I wonder if you would be bold enough to ask the Lord where He might be leading you? Could He be prompting you to find ways to press in to where you are, or might He be calling you to go somewhere and be present there? I love how they point out in this conversation that there's so much beauty in both the commission to "go and tell", and also the invitation to "come and see." The Lord will make Himself known in your story, just as He has in theirs.

Connecting with Brett & Jana:

Instagram

YouTube

Support Brett & Jana while they travel!

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

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

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

Facebook

Instagram

Website

YouTube

References:

Zeta Tau Alpha

Alpha Delta Pi (OBIC, y'all!)

Switzerland

Tour de France

Rick Steves

The Death of Princess Diana

Rick Steves' books

Buckingham Palace (and the changing of the guard)

Anthony Edwards (Goose in "Top Gun" and Dr. Green on "ER")

Hyde Park

Winston Churchill's War Rooms in London

Rome International Church

International Baptist Convention

Our reading of Ruth from last year (Episode 38)

Festival of Weeks (now called Shavuot)

Passover

International Baptist Church in Paris, France (Emmanuel International Church)

Montenegro

French Alps

CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ)

Pastor Mark Clark's conversation on the podcast (Episode 83)

Gospel Fluency- Jeff Vanderstelt

Risen Motherhood- the podcast, and their book

Sound of Music house in Austria- Schloss Leopoldskron

Scripture References:

Matthew 4:18-22/ John 21:2-8 - The disciples were not all fishermen (Only John, James, Peter and Andrew POSSIBLY Thomas, Nathaniel and Philip because they were helping fish when Jesus appears to them on the beach)

Luke 6:12-16 /Luke 5:27-32- Simon the Zealot (zealous to overthrow the government) and Matthew (or Levi) the Tax Collector for Rome

Acts 1-2- Pentecost : Jesus gathered people at the Mount of Olives and ascended into Heaven AND when the tongues of fire came down upon His followers (men AND women- see vs. ___ )

Zechariah 14:4- Mount of Olives- where Jesus will appear again

Luke 22:39-46- Where He prayed His guts out for us

Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8- Go and make disciples of all nations Samaria, etc

Matthew 27:62-66-Jesus was crucified over Passover

Acts 17 - when people are on the perimeter of the synagogue "God-fearing Greeks"

Galatians 5:1-25-Freedom has a purpose

Revelation 7:9- Every tribe, every nation

1 Corinthians 12:12-27- Diversity highlights the creativity of God

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

Ephesians 4:1- Live lives worthy of your calling

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

Genesis 1:27 / Romans 8:29- You are an image bearer of the Living God

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

Luke 15:3–7- Leaving the 99 to find the 1Luke 23:39–43- The sinner on the cross next to Him

Romans 5:8 / 1 John 4:10-/ John 3:16- He died for us because He loves us (you! Yes, you!)

John 15:5- We are completely dependent on Him

James 5:16- Prayer is so powerful

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18- Pray without ceasing

Acts 10:9-16- Peter having the vision on the roof

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*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today I'm chatting with the wise and incredibly kind Christina Suzann Nelson. Christina is an incredible author, and through connecting with her and learning about some of the story behind her most recent book,The Way it Should Be I got to hear her heart and got a glimpse of journey as an adoptive and foster parent. In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, and because I think there is such a need for more stories like Christina and her families story to be told, she shares with us all about their journey of becoming the parents of 6 children, and seeing the Lord make Himself known in their story. Then, she shares how all of that translated into a heart that longed for hope filled stories to be written and how she began her journey as an author writing books that hold space for faith deepening, developing languages of compassion, and giving opportunities to process things in life such as addiction, broken hearts, disease, messy families, but remind us that God can and does still bring beauty from the ashes.

Christina is so kind and so warm and honest, and I just think you're going to love hearing from her. It's an amazing gift to believe in the possibility of life change, cultivating hearts of compassion, and watching God at work, and her stories and even our time together today, cultivate such a beautiful space to process all of those things, and more.

I know so many people that are walking through situations that we touched on today, and praying through what God would have them do next. Whether that's caretaking, adopting, fostering, or even figuring out how to love a family member or friend who has been overtaken by addiction, or overwhelmed by the world they're living in and you don't know how to respond to them, The Lord is near. I do not in any way say that lightly. I have been in some of those pits, and I know the pain. This is not how the story ends and there is so much hope and even joy still to be found.

If you are interested in fostering or adopting or learning more about any of it, I've included some resources in the show notes for you. As with many scary things, I just want to remind you of something I heard a long time ago that always encourages me when I stare at my empty hands and seemingly impossible situations: the Lord does not call the equipped, He equips the called. Connecting with Christina:

Facebook

Her books

Instagram

Twitter

Website

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

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

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

Facebook

Instagram

Website

YouTube

References:

Praying with Our Feet

Lindsey Krinks and Open Table Nashville

My conversation with Lindsey (it's just one episode back!)

Jane Kirkpatrick

Something Worth Doing

My episode with Jane Kirkpatrick (Episode 53)

Rajneesh in Oregon

"Wild, Wild Country"

A Land of Sheltered Promise

My conversation with Shawn Smucker where we discuss the philosopher who shares findings of how the brain processes history and story.

The Giver

Parkinson's Disease

Foster Care Resources:

ACES Training (This is where one of my best friends who is a foster mother said to start.)

Trauma Informed Training for Foster Care Families

Therapeutic Interventions

Youth Villages

National Foster Parent Association

Scripture References:

Isaiah 30:21- Responding to the prompting of the Lord

Romans 3- We live in a broken sin-wrecked world

2 Corinthians 10:5- Take every thought captive

Romans 5:3-5-Fighting with hope and persevere

Psalm 139:7-13- The Lord will meet us anywhere we are

Ephesians 1, Isaiah 43:19- There is nothing and no one beyond redemption of the Lord (and practically the whole Bible is the story echoing this very truth.)

Psalm 25:1-3, Romans 5:3-11, Romans 10:13, Colossians 1:27- There is hope for everyone

1 Timothy 4:12-16 // Titus 2:3-5- One generation of women pouring into another and you're never too young or too old to be used by the Lord (not to mention, David and Esther were incredibly young in their "giant" moments, Moses and Noah were incredibly old. Just to name a few)

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today I'm honored to share my conversation with the incredible Lindsey Krink. Lindsey is a street chaplain, author, housing rights advocate and the co-founder of Open Table Nashville, an interfaith outreach non-profit serving the homeless community. Her beautiful and poignant book Praying With Our Feet: Pursuing Justice and Healing on the Streets shares her faith journey and personal evolution as she began to see the Gospel come alive under bridges, and the words of the Old Testament prophets make themselves known in tent cities, and in the shivering shoulders of those caring for one another trying to survive on the fringes of society.

In this powerful episode, Lindsey shares with us a little bit about the stigmas and assumptions that are made about people experiencing homelessness, as well as some of the stories she has seen and experienced, and where she has seen God's heart for people come alive on the fringes with the least of these.

There are so many narratives that surround lives that we don't fully understand, and Lindsey brings the practical and the prayer provoking of how we can intersect this particular crisis that affects so many. From how we can better treat fellow image bearers with dignity to practical ideas for what to keep in your car, and how to get involved in your own neighborhood, there is so much packed into this episode. Lindsey's heart is for us all to take the opportunity to examine our call from Christ to love our neighbor, to nurture a fire in our belly and in our bones to light up the world for justice and love in Jesus' name. As we talk about often on this podcast, there is no limit to what the Lord can do with a heart surrendered to Him. I hope and pray that this episode presents good questions for you to consider, and also presents opportunities for you to engage God's creation in a more full and compassionate way, however God may lead you to do so in your own season, place and time. You matter. Your neighbor, houseless or homed, matters. Your story matters.

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Connecting with Lindsey Krinks (and Open Table Nashville):

-Instagram

-Her book: Praying With Our Feet: Pursuing Justice and Healing on the Streets

-Instagram for Open Table

-Facebook for Open Table

-Where to Turn Nashville Help Guide

-Open Table Nashville // their amazon wishlist // how to volunteer with them

-"The Contributor" her husband's newspaper that provides jobs (and dignity) for neighbors experiencing homelessness

Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

Store Link

Instagram

Facebook

Use the code SIMPLY15 for 15% off your purchase!

References:

"Reckless Love"

"Beautiful, Scandalous Night"

Civil Rights Movement

Nashville lunch counter sit ins

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

Frederick Douglas

St. Teresa of Avila (being the hands and feet of Jesus -- see the whole essay at the end!)

Dr. Cornel West "Justice is what love looks like in public."

The enneagram

Community Resource Center

Bombing in Nashville Christmas Day 2020

Tornado in Nashville March 2020

Eviction moratorium, but still an eviction crisis

The Village at Glencliff- Micro-homes in partnership with Glencliff UMC

Room in the Inn

Greenhouse Ministries

Last Call 4 Grace

Journey Home

GraceFull:Growing a Heart That Cares for Our Neighbors by Dorena Williamson

ColorFull: Celebrating the Colors God Gave Us by Dorena Williamson

ThoughtFull: Discovering the Unique Gifts in Each of Us by Dorena Williamson

(you can hear more from Dorena during our conversation in episode 11 and 12 of the podcast)

Safe Haven Family Shelters

A fantastic article about Lindsey and her book from the "Nashville Scene"

Scripture References:

Mark 12:31 -Loving our neighbors (along with 100 others)

Deuteronomy 10:18, Deuteronomy 14:28-29, Isaiah 1:17, James 1:27- (It was Deuteronomy not Numbers, sorry!)- sharing about social justice and provision for widows

Psalm 33:5 (one of MANY) God has a significant heart for justice -- scriptural deep dive here

Psalm 90:12-Grant me a heart of wisdom and teach me to number my days

Acts 2-5 (and most of the book really!) - the Church's development

1 Corinthians 12-We each have spiritual gifts

Luke 10:25-37-The Good Samaritan

Amos 5:24-Let justice roll down like a mighty river

Isaiah 58:6-The kind of fasting I want for you is justice

Isaiah 58:7-Pay your workers and don't turn away from your own flesh and blood

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

Acts 17:26-28, Galatians 5:13, Hebrews 10:23-25 -the Lord made us to dwell with Him and in a way that points each other to Him and then serve one another

Acts 2:42-46- they constantly provided for one another

-Mark 5 // Mark 1:41 -"Lord if you are willing" -- indignant -- moved from the very gut in compassion and pity and hated that this was happening to him - (Greek wording explained here)

Matthew 9:36-Moved with compassion like sheep without a shepherd

Proverbs 19:17, 1 John 3:17-18 ,Psalm 82:3, James 2:15-16 -serve the poor

Psalm 42:7- deep calls to deep

Christ has no body but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

Yours are the eyes with which he looks

Compassion on this world,

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,

Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,

Yours are the eyes, you are his body.

Christ has no body now but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

Yours are the eyes with which he looks

compassion on this world.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

— St. Teresa of Ávila

"The kingdom of God is not just somewhere we go when we die, it's something we bring about in the here and now by the way we live together."- Lindsey Krinks

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today on the podcast I am chatting with Roseanna M. White, who is not only one of my favorite christian fiction authors, but she has a heart for stories that share little known parts of history, and remind us about how we grow as people and in our faith. In this episode you're going to get a mixture of some of my favorite things: faith building stories, thoughts on cultivating compassion for other people, fun history lessons and lots of moments of hope.

One of the most powerful take-aways from this conversation to me was this: History happens in the everyday decisions. That is something Roseanna echoes in her stories, but also how she encourages us all to engage our lives. You may not feel like what you do or the decisions you make matter very much, but as my friends at the Daily Grace Co always say "today matters for eternity" Whether that's the work you do, the forgiveness you give, the compassion you show your children, or the efforts you make to listen to someone's story that you don't understand, all of those things matter. Ebenezer moments in people's lives where the Lord makes Himself known, and sometimes even changes the course of a story, happen every day, when someone chooses to press in where its hard, or says yes when it may not make sense. The Lord is the God of our end.

So whether you are new to Roseanna's work, or you're as excited as I was to get to know her a little better, or if you're a history nerd that wants to hear some incredible things about America's first spy ring, or WWI Codebreakers, or you just love to hear a good, hope filled conversation, there is something in this conversation for you.

By the way, Roseanna's latest book was released just this week!! You can hear about its unique story of mystery, treasure, and caribbean-esque English isles too. I just got my copy, I can't wait to dive in!

Connecting with Roseanna:

Facebook

Instagram

Newsletter

Pinterest

Website

Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

Store Link

Instagram

Facebook

Use the code SIMPLY15 for 15% off your purchase!

References:

-Ella and Cayton's book

-Marietta's book (3rd in Culper Ring Series)

-Shadows over England series

-WWI

-WWII

-The Civil War

-her latest Savannah book, Dreams of Savannah, working through what's happening to brothers and sisters of color

-her book with the Spanish flu in it, A Portrait of Loyalty

-Cindy Sproles- What Momma Left Behind

-the orphan train

-luminaries in DC for victims of covid

-NYT cover with 500,000 covid deaths

-Charles Dickens changes the world highlighting orphans, poor working conditions, social reform, etc.

-Harriet Beecher Stowe with Uncle Tom's Cabin

-Codebreakers (Her series, and who they really were- the people of 'room 40')

-Ladies of the Manor (Brooke's story, then Rowena and Ella)

-Cotswolds

-Cornwall

-Love Finds You in Annapolis

-Brad Meltzer's "Decoded" (Here is the actual episode!)

-George Washington and the Culper Ring (From Mount Vernon) The Culper Spy Ring (History Channel)

-Abraham Woodhull (and also this one) and Robert Townsend (The linked NYT article about Robert is really good!)

-The brothers Jay (James and John Jay) invented invisible ink - (Letters from John Jay to Washington)

-Benedict Arnold

-Congressman Benjamin Talmedge

-War of 1812

-Knights of the Golden Circle, precursor to the KKK (also, another REALLY good book involving this group All Through the Night by Tara Johnson)

-finding confederate gold

-systemic racism- a really good video that explains it powerfully

-Reconstruction (we also talk about this a good bit in my conversation with Beth White in episode 39)

-White Citizens Council

-The Great Migration

-Cities of primarily Black citizens that were firebombed by soldiers in the 1920's

-"Digging out Roots" - Roseanna's blog post

-Puritan Prayers: The Valley of Vision and Piercing Heaven

-"God of my end"

-A Stray Drop of Blood

-Secrets of the Isles- The Nature of a Lady

-The Isles of Scilly

-Seeing the Story

Scripture References:

Mark 12:31-called to love our neighbors

Matthew 5:43-48 -love our enemies

1 Samuel 8-17 // 1 Samuel 18-24 // 1 Samuel 25-31 -King Saul

Psalm 139:14 -who God says you are

Judges 6 -Gideon, in a winepress

Judges 6:24-31-tear down the altars to the false gods your father has built

Luke 15:11-32 (Prodigal Son), Matthew 13:44 (Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl), Matthew 7:1-5 (The Lamp) -Examples of Jesus' parables, here's a more consolidated list

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*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

Today on the podcast I am diving deep with Kat Harris. Kat (aka the Refined Woman) shares her story of moving from photographer and fashion blogger, to coach and author, podcaster, and communicator tackling huge issues like singleness and sensuality, sex and dating and Christianity, and pursuing the heart of God as a woman who ultimately wants to honor Him with her life. Kat brings such powerful, honest and raw perspective in this conversation and in her book that just released last week Sexless in the City: A Sometimes Sassy, Sometimes Painful, Always Honest Look at Dating, Desire and Sex

We talk about the narratives that have permeated the church over the last decades, the confusion for women in particular that's come from them, and her desire for there to be conversation that creates a culture of honor between men and women, without casting shame or judgement on either party, while also not casting all responsibility for purity for all people entirely on the shoulders of women… I mean. We just deep dive and its powerful. She shares about how the rules of purity culture created an environment of "rules without vision", and that the Bible actually has A LOT to say about sex and relationships if we are willing to dive in and hear God's perspective on it (which Kat is 100% down for and does beautifully in her book.)

I also want to thank some of my precious single friends who provided some questions for me to ask Kat in regards to navigating dating as a Believer in a world of apps, hookup culture and more. I can't wait for y'all to hear what all she had to say, and her powerful questions for married friends and how we can better support, love, and encourage our single friends.

Wherever this episode found you today, friend, I hope that you know how loved you are. We have a God who cares about you as a whole person, and He has good for you. Christ came so that we may have life and life to the full. That doesn't have conditions based on your relationship status. Whether you are single, dating, married, divorced: you matter. Your story matters.

Connecting with Kat:

Facebook

Instagram

Podcast- "The Refined Collective"

Website

Episode Sponsor: Hopefuel

Store Link

Instagram

Facebook

Use the code SIMPLY15 for 15% off your purchase!

Resources:

-The Refined Woman

-Usher's wedding (2008)

-Nikon

-Her book Sexless in the City: A Sometimes Sassy, Sometimes Painful, Always Honest Look at Dating, Desire and Sex

-Purity culture

-True Love Waits

-I Kissed Dating Goodbye

-Joshua Harris leaving the church

-Peggy Orenstein (writer for New York Times, Girls and Sex)

-Deborah Hirsch

-Coldplay

-Bethel Worship

-Maverick City Worship

-Tim Keller

-enneagram 2

Scripture References:

Matthew 21:12-13,Mark 11:15-18, Ephesians 4:26- Jesus was angry and didn't sin

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

Romans 3:22, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21- The only thing that makes us pure/whole is God

Genesis 1:26

Song of Songs

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

2 Corinthians 12:7-9- The thorn in your flesh

Ephesians 5

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

*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com