We are just one week away from Christmas, and we have the perfect story to celebrate how the Light of the world can bring hope and healing in the darkest of situations!

Patti Davis, from our Raleigh, NC community group, experienced unimaginable abuse and neglect as a child and as an adult. As a result, Patti absorbed lies deep into her heart and soul. Yet, in the middle of spiritual darkness and dark nights in general, the Lord put Himself between Patti and her depression. When she felt the most alone, He provided a specific plan, some great friends, and His healing presence.

You will be truly touched to hear quotes from Patti’s time-worn journal as she recounts a season when she learned to ask for help and how friends showed up in droves! Spoiler alert: this story is an all-out spiritual battle, and God wins.

In this episode, you will learn:

– You are weak, and He is strong. You will receive His power when you focus on Him.

– Sometimes, God empties us out to make room for something new. He longs to renew, restore, and regenerate you.

– Bring your disappointments to God, get real with Him, and ask all the questions. He will speak to you.  You are never alone!

Links:

Listen to a similar story:  Ep. 290 - Jenny Strickland:  “God’s Healing in a Story of Mental Illness.”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Patti

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including Amy Grote’s discussion with Ashley McMakin of Ashley Mac’s Kitchen!  Some valuable insights on how to elevate your holiday gatherings (keeping it easy and enjoyable!) await you!

Shop for our When God Show Up Bible Study series

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates!

Today, we hear from past storyteller Brynn Rogel Knox, who shared her story of recovery from addiction in Episode 120. Four years later, Brynn’s once troubled life has been enhanced by sobriety—but troubles have come in a different form.

In one year’s time, Brynn saw the loss of her father and father-in-law and a pregnancy. Tragedy, regrets, and unknowns threatened to topple her peace and derail her progress. But God.

In would-be moments of weakness, the Lord detoured Brynn’s thoughts and replaced her desires with His strength. He even blessed her with new and rich relationships and experiences. These days, instead of being numb, Brynn faces all the feelings. Listen and learn how God continues to write Brynn’s story (and yours!).

In this episode, you will learn:

– Struggles will come your way that you may never understand, and that’s okay.

– Walking with the Lord allows you to put your priorities in place.

– Beautiful things emerge when you face your hardships in light of His faithfulness.

Links:

Listen to Brynn’s original story:  Ep. 120-  “God is Not Disappointed in You”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Brynn

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including Amy Grote’s discussion with Alieta Casey on stress-free, budget-friendly tips and tricks for Christmas decorating!

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series, including the third in the trilogy recently released, Discovering God in Stories of Faith!

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates.  You’ll also find details on the new workshop Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story

12/4/2024 StoryTellers Live is launching our 300th episode today (yes, you read that right!), and we’re praising the Lord for what he’s done through the ministry. All week long our team has been remembering the good while anticipating the great things to come. And this blessed rhythm of looking back and looking forward is just what you’ll hear from Laurel Henson, of West Cobb, in her story about love after loss.

When Laurel’s first husband died of cancer, she became a widowed mother of three at age 36. Laurel was grieving but grinding, saying “I’ve got this” to God on the regular. As the Lord redemptively paved the way for new love, Ephesians 3:20 shone brightly in her world: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

Listen to Laurel and you'll breathe in the precious providence of God. After all, He is sovereign over not just the bitter details of life, but the sweetest ones, too.

In this episode, you will learn:

– The Lord is always working in your waiting.

– He can redeem the hardships in your life and work them for good.

– When we partner with God by trusting in Him, He will do much more than we think or imagine.

Links:

LIsten to a similar story: Ep. 1- Sarah Beth Hagler:  “Finding Joy After Losing Her Husband”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Laurel

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a bonus story from Tupelo native Francis Johnson!  And… surprises are coming this month for our insiders!

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study Series 

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates!

It’s first Monday freebie time, and we are delighted to debut our Tulsa community with a story from Kenzie Hightower!

Kenzie’s typical life took a detour due to her brother’s sudden and life-threatening heart condition. During his three-month hospitalization, she quickly assumed the role of support person and found the new job to be heartwarming, hard, and, well, busy. Kenzie initially buckled under the weight of coordinating all the things and keeping it all together.

Still, when she was riding life's highs and lows, the Lord was actively proving Himself to be the one to handle it all. Kenzie grew to rest easy in His sustaining power as she sought to support her people.

In this episode, you will learn:

– Even the best support person needs the support of Christ when trials come.

– Looking on the bright side with a brave face can be exhausting. The Lord alone will sustain you.

– You can’t do it all, but He can.

Links:

Listen to a similar story~ Renee - Ep. 92:  "Love Matters- The Story of an Alzheimer's Caregiver"

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Kenzie.

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content.

Follow us on social media (@storytellers_live and facebook.com/StoryTellers Live Ministry) to find out more about the giveaway on Wednesday to celebrate our 300th episode!

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible study series.

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates!

Following the Lord’s call can be heavy yet heartwarming. Hear it from Kate Shaw, of our Jackson, Mississippi community, whose foster care journey butted up against a busy schedule and desire to plan. Still, Kate saw each fostering up-and-down as another opportunity to glorify God.

From challenging her Type A personality to training her to be “interruptible”, fostering children, Kate says, taught her family to be compassionate and empathetic. And when she prayed for direction, the Lord made his plans abundantly clear.

In this episode, you will learn:

– When you seek the Lord’s will for your life, you can rest in His purposes.

– The Lord may call you to obedience—even when your plate is already full.

– He will equip and sustain you as He carries out His plans for your life, because He is faithful. Links:

Listen to a similar story~ Laura Rowe- Ep. 27: “Love is a Verb: A Foster Care Story”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Kate.

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content.

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible study series, including the newly released Discovering God in Stories of Faith!

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates~ including information on our soon-to-be released workshop Finding God in the Details!

Tara Davis, of our Mountain Brook, Alabama community, experienced a childhood with some emotional and physical abandonment. As a result, learning independence and self-reliance came easily. But unlearning them? Not easy at all.

In the midst of relationship hurts, financial rock-bottoms, and even the murder of her mother, Tara finally found that surrendering in suffering is the true way to peace. Listen and learn that freedom comes when you trust God with your deepest despair and live with dependence on Him.

In this episode, you will learn:

– When you have the right view of your circumstances, peace and hope are possible.

– Self-reliant roads lead to dead ends. Full trust in God leads to freedom.

– The Lord is near you, and He hears your prayers.

Links:

Listen to a similar story~ Laura Quick- Ep.118: “Breaking Free From the Burden of Shame”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Tara.

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a Story Within the Story with Fairhope native Brooke Preus from Ep. 291: “Finding Purpose in Suffering- Walking Through a Child’s Cancer Diagnosis and Remission.”

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible study series.The third in the series, Discovering God in Stories of Faith, is now available!!!

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates ~ including information on our new workshop, Finding God in the Details, coming soon!

Through a sudden diagnosis in high school to a career detour in college to adoption and IVF in marriage to a ministry calling that made it all make sense, this story is one of God weaving His sovereignty and goodness in unexpected ways.

Jessica Gilmer, from our community group in West Cobb, Georgia (a suburb outside of Atlanta), shares her journey of learning to trust God’s plans for her life in the midst of disappointments and realizing that sometimes the unknowns of life can also be His perfectly wrapped gifts set to open at a later date.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

- The detours of your life can lead you to God’s ultimate path for you.

- In the moments where you are carrying heavy burdens, go to Jesus - He will give you rest.

- God alone is the Creator of life! 

Links: 

Listen to a similar story~ Kitty Hurdle- Ep. 274: “Will You Trust Me?”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Jessica.

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a Story Within the Story with Jessica about Mustard Seeds ministry, AND…

Have you ever wanted to attend a StoryTellers Live gathering but don’t have a city near you?  We are thrilled to offer our Patreon members the opportunity to virtually attend our Tulsa live gathering via Zoom on November 19th at 7:15 PM.  Not a Patreon member?  Join here today, and you’ll receive all the details!

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible study series - the third in the series, Discovering God in Stories of Faith, is now available!!!

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates!

God reminds us over and over again in His Word to not be afraid and that He alone is our Provider and Sustainer. Today’s episode is an unbelievable picture of these truths.

Elizabeth Garner, from our community group in Memphis, Tennessee, shares her journey of walking through the loss of her first husband to cancer and her second husband to a plane crash. In the midst of this unthinkable suffering and pain, Elizabeth beautifully reminds us of the power of God’s peace, the promise of His daily mercies, and the fullness of life found only in the Word of God.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

- Even in the midst of tragedy, God is weaving a tapestry for His glory to be revealed in your life.

-  When you store up God’s Word in your heart, it will never return void.

- In your suffering God longs to comfort you so that you can then be a comfort to others. (2 Cor. 1:4)

Links:

Listen to a similar story~ Rachel Faulkner Brown- Ep. 97: “Your Pain is Your Superpower”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Elizabeth

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content.

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible study series

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates.

For today’s first Monday freebie we have a new story from our brand new community group in Raleigh, North Carolina!

Angie shares her heartfelt story as she gives us a glimpse into the beautiful role her father has played in her spiritual life over the years, while also vulnerably revealing the insecurities she fights on a daily basis as she compares that same spiritual life with his and those around her.  This story will remind you that comparison is in fact the thief of joy, you must take your thoughts captive to Christ and stop listening to the lies of the enemy, and most importantly, ALL the Lord really wants from you is relationship.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

- Everyone’s spiritual walk is unique to the personality and gifts God has bestowed on that person.

- No one’s spiritual walk is superior to another’s in the eyes of the Lord.

- Relationship with the Lord is all about talking AND listening… prayer and reading His Word. 

Links: 

Listen to a similar story as Angie’s~ Martha Dazzio- Ep. 80: “Striving to Be Known”

Praying Circles Around Your Children by Mark Batterson

“The Truth” by Megan Woods

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Angie Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including an interview with Karen Sabo,  the team leader in StoryTellers Live’s new Raleigh, NC community!

  Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible study series

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates!

Ashley Byrom, from our Homewood, Alabama community, shares her story of walking through childhood trauma and tragedy, as well as how God has met her and shaped her over the years as a result.  From learning to trust God with her own children to letting go of a destructive relationship with her mother, Ashley helps us to understand we should never judge a book by its cover as we are all a work in progress…and we should always lead with compassion as we never know the path someone has walked.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

- There are moments when painful memories from childhood trauma can be stored in your spirit and emerge later in life.

- If you keep things in the dark, they will often stay dark. Bring your darkness to the light by sharing your struggles with a trusted, godly friend.

- In the reconciliation of a relationship, it takes both parties to participate for healing to occur.

Links: Listen to a similar story as Ashley’s ~ Sana Latrease- Ep. 110: “Foster Care to Freedom”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Ashley

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a bonus story from Statesboro, GA native Liz Corbett

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible study series

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live’s weekly newsletter for updates!