Steps to Trusting

When we feel far from the mountain top experiences do we need to work hard to get back there?  Can we find God even in the valley experiences?  Join Alyson Rockhold and I as we discuss the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness and gentleness even in valley moments.  

Click here for a full transcript of the show. 

Journaling Questions:

·      What are some things that you can thank God for today?

·      Can you think of times in your life where you can look back and see the faithfulness of God?

·      As you look back do you have anything to thank God for in your valley moments?

·      What are your mountain top (Ebenezer) experiences that you look back on in your life?

·      Are you looking for God working in both macro and micro-moments?

·      Have you considered God wants a relationship with you?  How does this affect how you think about Him? 

Tips:

Gratitude list

Remembering and marking the big and little blessings from God

Mentioned in this episode:

Eugene Peterson

Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby           

Looking for a tool to help you engage more in God’s word? Sign up here to receive free Bible study and journaling tool to help explore your next step to trusting God more fully.

You can connect with Alyson Rockhold at alysonrockhold.com

 I want to hear from you!
 You can find me and join in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @stepstotrusting.

Hashtag your story of God’s faithfulness and stepping out in faith. #stepstotrusting

Verses mentioned in the episode:

·      Psalm 4:5

·      Psalm 66:18

·      Psalm 18:35 

·      Verses about remembering

·      Psalm 121:5

·      Joshua 4:21

Ephesians 2:10

Special thanks to Jim Dougherty for creating the music for the show! Check out his Album City of God on Spotify or Apple Music.

"Have you ever found yourself frustrated by the brokenness around you? You see your kids fighting and you can't seem to get them to stop. You see friendships that are broken and you can't seem to fix them.
If you've stood in this place, if you've wanted and wished and longed and grieved, because you couldn't be enough in these areas, then this episode is for you. 

Friends, this episode was born out of a struggle in my heart that I was feeling last week...
Still wanting to be enough, this struggle of thinking that if I act a certain way, a certain outcome will come..."

 

Click here for a full transcript of the show. 

Journaling Questions:

·      What’s something you have known in your head but God is working to teach it to your heart?  

·      What are you learning that seems harder or heavier as you are learning it?

·      Is there something you are seeking to give you identity or satisfaction that is falling short? What is it?

·      What are the milestones you mark in your of your faith?  Do you see something God is trying to work in you now?

·      Are you trying to be righteous enough?

Sign up here to receive your free, 5 day journaling tool to help explore your next step to of trust.  

 I want to hear from you!
 You can find me and join in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @stepstotrusting.

Hashtag your story of God’s faithfulness and stepping out in faith. #stepstotrusting

Verses mentioned in the episode:

·      Romans 1:25

·      Romans 1:16

·      Hebrews 11:5

·      Hebrews 12:1

·      Romans 4:2

·      11 verses about secure feet

·      II Timothy 2:13

Come join Eileen Hammerman and I as we discuss how easily we can look to God’s good gifts to bring us satisfaction instead of worshiping Him.  These idols can sneak in and hide.  Our gracious God can use anything to weed them out, even the discontentment we feel when they can’t satisfy.  If you have wondered why you can’t find contentment or wish your circumstances would change so that you could feel joy, this episode is for you.  

You can find Eileen at Finelinesinthefaith.com

Eileen’s blog posts where she shares some of her story.  

https://www.finelinesinthefaith.com/not-my-story/

https://www.finelinesinthefaith.com/not-my-story-part-2/

Click here for a full transcript of the show. 

Journaling Questions:

·      Am I looking for satisfaction in places other than God? 

·      Can good come from the suffering or hardship I feel?  

·      Am I willing to look for the good God is working even in struggle?

·      Am I discontent?  Why?  What am I looking to fill a need in my heart?  

·      What’s going on behind the crisis in my heart?

·      How could God be using this to encourage me to trust Him more deeply?

·      Where am I trusting in myself or others instead of trusting in God?

We often find ourselves in this place and it can be overwhelming.  I have gathered some verses and some questions into a journaling resource to help us process what’s next- how do we act in trust? 

Sign up here to receive your free, 5-day journaling tool to help explore your next step of trust.  

 I want to hear from you!
 You can find me and join in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @stepstotrusting.

Hashtag your story of God’s faithfulness and stepping out in faith. #stepstotrusting

Verses mentioned in the episode:

·      Romans 1:25

·      Philippians 1:6

·      God takes our sin and gives us his righteousness

·      Nothing new under the sun

·      Ephesians 2:10

Special thanks to Jim Dougherty for creating the music for the show! Check out his Album City of God on Spotify or Apple Music.

This one is personal.  I'm feeling the question of sufficiency in my heart.  

Do you relate? Are you striving to meet the expectations of yourself or others?  Do you wonder if you are enough? Join me as I process through if we can live up to this status of being enough.  While looking at two ways we fall short, we will also look at the hope available.   

Click here for a full transcript of the show. 

Journaling Questions:

·      Do you struggle with the question “am I enough?”  

·      Does your capacity or failure push you to strive or sin? 

·      Do you feel pressure to do more or be better?  

·      Do you think we can meet up to the standard of being enough?

·      Is there a specific area in your life where God is revealing your lack?  

·      In this pain, are you striving or surrendering? 

·      What would you see different if you saw your lack as a gift that reveals our need for a faithful Savior?

·      Where are you tempted to reach for more than you are able?  

·      Are you able to rest in the truth that we are poor in spirit and have a need, but God meets us in our weakness with His faithfulness?  

If you are interested in more journaling questions sign up here to receive a journaling tool to help explore your next step to trusting God more fully.

 I want to hear from you!
 You can find me and join in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @stepstotrusting.

Hashtag your story of God’s faithfulness and stepping out in faith. #stepstotrusting

Verses mentioned in the episode:

·      James 1:17

·      Genesis 1:26,31

·      Genesis 3

·      Romans 11:5

·      Romans 14:23

Ever struggle with knowing God’s will for you? How about the willingness to walk in it?  Join Suzette Katopodes and I as we discuss some of the challenges that come even when you step out into something he has planned for you.  Suzette is a wife and a mom.  About three years ago, she stepped into a full-time caregiver for her adult sister with down syndrome and Alzheimer’s.  Just because she is sure that God called her to this role doesn’t make the challenges go away.  Suzette shared she still needs to ask for God’s guidance and willingness daily.  I needed the encouragement that even in the plans God has for us we need to seek him every day for wisdom and willingness.  What to hear more tips for caregivers?  Click here to get The Family Caregiver Survivor Guide.  

Click here for a full transcript of the show. 

Verses mentioned in the episode:

·      Matthew 6:33

·      Timothy 1:7

·      Acts 16:7-9

Journaling Questions:

·      Am I willing to ask God to soften my heart?

·      Are you trying to earn the status of good by your actions?

·      Do you struggle to ask for help?  Why?

·      In trying to seek God’s will - how do you test your plans? if they are met by resistance?  What is the resistance? 

Do life’s circumstances leave you wondering what is God’s will?  How do you deal with this or handle that?  Where do you go from here? What is your next step?

We often find ourselves in this place and it can be overwhelming.  I have gathered some verses and some questions into a journaling resource to help us process what’s next- how do we act in trust? 

Sign up here to receive your free, 5-day journaling tool to help explore your next step of trust.  

 I want to hear from you!
 You can find me and join in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @stepstotrusting.

Hashtag your story of God’s faithfulness and stepping out in faith. #stepstotrusting

Connect with Suzette Katopodes @myconcretedove on Instagram

Check out her writing at myconcretedove.com 

Tips:

Write a verse on a sticky note and take it with you.

Change focus from what we are doing to what God is doing.

Ephesians 2:10

Special thanks to Jim Dougherty for creating the music for the show! Check out his Album City of God on Spotify or Apple Music.

If you have ever measured your good days and bad days by your accomplishments or lack thereof, come and listen to the lesson I needed to learn about trusting God with my time.  

Click here for a full transcript of the show. 

Quotes “Jesus, did a work so that we don’t have to live by our work”- Becky Keife Episode 34

Journaling Questions:

·      Do you have achievements or successes you are clinging to for value?

·      Are your actions motivated by what others think? Are you acting to be seen?

·      What would it take in your life to help you see your weakness and your need for God?

·      What can you learn from your weakness or from your lack?

·      Are you looking for steps of accomplishment or steps of trust in your life?

·      Where can you  see God working in your life?

Looking to explore your next step of trust?  I have gathered some verses and some questions into a journaling resource to help us process what’s next- how do we act in trust? 

Sign up here to receive your free, 5 day journaling tool to help explore your next step to of trust.  

 I want to hear from you!
 You can find me and join in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @stepstotrusting.

Hashtag your story of God’s faithfulness and stepping out in faith. #stepstotrusting

Verses mentioned in the episode:

·      Matthew 6:4, 6, 18

·      1 Corinthians 1:26 ff

·      James 1:17

·      Psalm 116

·      Ephesians 2 :8-10

Episodes mentioned

Episode 15- God’s compassion

Special thanks to Jim Dougherty for creating the music for the show! Check out his Album City of God on Spotify or Apple Music.

Join Becky Keife and I as we discuss if our actions define us.  This is a temptation easy to fall into but looking at God’s character can remind us we can be defined by his grace and kindness. 

Click here for a full transcript of the show. 

Journaling Questions:

·      Do you find that your identity is tied to your behavior either positively or negatively?

·      How would reflecting on God as compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love and kindness affect our behavior?  

·      How does knowing God’s character affect the way we see the Lord, the way we see ourselves and the way we live and treat others?

If you are interested in more journaling questions sign up here to receive a journaling tool to help explore your next step to trusting God more fully.

Becky’s tips for preparing to act in trust in hard circumstances. 

1-    Spend time in God’s word, memorize. 

2-    Practice remembering God’s actions in your life – gratitude list

 I want to hear from you!
 You can find me and join in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @stepstotrusting.

Hashtag your story of God’s faithfulness and stepping out in faith. #stepstotrusting

Verses mentioned in the episode:

·      Exodus3:13-15 – God reveals his Name

·      James 1:19 – “Quick to listen low to speak, slow to become angry”

·      Psalm 103:12 – “As far as the east is from the west” 

·      Ephesians 4:24-32- “put on…” 

·      Matthew 6:23- “Get behind me satan”

·      John 13:8 Peter doesn’t want Jesus to wash his feet. 

·      Peter being used mightily

·      Philippians 3:4 Paul boasting

Want to connect with Becky?

Website: https://www.beckykeife.com/

You can find her on Instagram or facebook @beckykeife

Becky’s Tips to prepare for trusting God:

Being in God word

Gratitude list 

Own your part in mistakes and sin

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Becky’s books

The simple difference

Courageous kindness

No Better Mom for the Job

Ephesians 2:10

Special thanks to Jim Dougherty for creating the music for the show! Check out his Album City of God on Spotify or Apple Music.

Join me as I contemplate how God’s presence helps us lay aside our desire to do enough to earn status and value.  We can trade this attempt at self-sufficiency for God’s sufficient grace that meets our weakness.   We don’t have to hide our weakness, God’s grace is enough! We can trust God to turn our hearts to Him and use us our despite our weaknesses.  We can trust Him that spending time in God’s presence will overflow into our lives.  

Click here for a full transcript of the show. 

Journaling Questions:

·      Do you try to make sacrifices in your own strength?  Do you try to achieve or be sufficient in your own strength?

·      Are God’s invitations to rest and rely on Him enough to turn your heart to him?

·      What are the areas where you have sought your own way or agenda?

·      Do you try to hide your weaknesses or make up for them with achievements?

·      Would you be willing to pray for yourself or a loved one that God would do what it takes to turn your heart to Him and/or that His words would be enough? 

·      What is your plan for sitting in God’s presence and letting him fill you?

Looking for a tool to help you engage more in God’s word? Sign up here to receive free Bible study and journaling tool to help explore your next step to trusting God more fully.  

 I want to hear from you!
 You can find me and join in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @stepstotrusting.

Hashtag your story of God’s faithfulness and stepping out in faith. #stepstotrusting

Verses mentioned in the episode:

·      Psalm 23

·      2 Corinthians 12:9

·      John 15:1-5

·      Psalm 81:13-14

·      Psalm 81:10-11

·      Matthew 11:28-30

·      Joshua 22:5

·      James 1:1

·      1 Peter 2:24

Ephesians 2:10

Special thanks to Jim Dougherty for creating the music for the show! 

Do you find the struggles of life pushing you to want to step ahead of the circumstances where God has you?  Are you struggling through being present in those challenges or struggling to find joy?  Listen in to hear how God used resting in his presence and wrestling through these challenges with God instead of alone to transform Anna’s depression and angst into joy.  

Click here for a full transcript of the show. 

Journaling Questions:

·      What is going on in your life that may be distracting you from the truth of God’s presence?

·      Would you be willing to ask God to help you be aware of his presence?

·      Are you willing to share your heart with God?

·      Do you think he can handle the honesty of how you feel?

·      What is your next step to trusting God more fully?

Want more journaling questions? Sign up here to receive your free, 5-day journaling tool to help explore your next step to trusting God more fully.

 I want to hear from you!
 You can find me and join in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @stepstotrusting.

Hashtag your story of God’s faithfulness and stepping out in faith. #stepstotrusting

Verses mentioned in the episode:

·      John – abide 

·      Exodus 16:21

·      Psalm 42

·      Psalm 44

·      John 15

·      Lamentations 3:22-23

·      Matthew 11:28-30

·      1 Peter 5:7

·      Psalm 23

Ephesians 2:10

Special thanks to Jim Dougherty for creating the music for the show! Check out his Album City of God on Spotify or Apple Music.

 “We trust God for the strength to do [the actions he calls us to]. And for the inspiration to be able to know what the right thing is to do at the right time.”- Michele Morin

Join me in looking into Psalm 81 and considering how to stay on the right path as we are tempted by the satisfaction of the world.   

Click here for a full transcript of the show. 

Journaling Questions:

·      How do we find what God is calling us to?

·      Do you find yourself seeking the answer or the outcome rather than seeking God?

·      When we find ourselves seeking something other than God what is the next step of trust?

·      Do you have a friend you can discuss these types of topics with?  Are you willing to be able to discuss your questions or your weaknesses?

·      What Characteristics of God do you see in Psalm 81?

Interested in a guide to help you spend time with the Lord and consider according to the character and will of the one that loves us, what is your next step of trust? sign up here to receive this journaling tool in your inbox.

 I want to hear from you!
 You can find me and join in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @stepstotrusting.

Hashtag your story of God’s faithfulness and stepping out in faith. #stepstotrusting

Verses mentioned in the episode:

·      Psalm 81

·      Matthew 7:9 ff

·      Ephesians 2:10