Today's episode is taken from a recent session of my mentorship group. It is beautiful, personal, holy, and an ongoing, unfolding, life-changing revelation for me.

Honestly, I'm struggling to write a description for this episode because I'm an ooey gooey mess in His glory. I'll tell you this-- if you've experienced God's radical love and want more, this episode is for you. And if He seems distant and mysterious, and you're dry and weary, this episode is for you too. ;)

"I want and I choose what better leads to the deepening of God's life in me." This quote from St. Ignatius sums up what this episode is about.

Having just returned from 8.5 days on a silent retreat, I am soooo full and cannot wait to share this episode with you.

Do you future-trip? Do you live with one foot in today and one in tomorrow? Or next week? Next year?

Or are you living in the past, constantly thinking of what was? The Lord encountered me so sweetly with a word He wants me to share with you.

Join me on Episode 15 as we talking about living with God, "The Eternal Now," one moment at a time.

Please note, this episode is best watched on YouTube because I have a visual for you. You can find the episode here: https://youtu.be/Yup5QB2qDA4

Today I chatted with Rachel Faulkner-Brown of Be Still Ministries and co-host of the amazing There Is More podcast. We had so much fun talking before recording that our conversation continued on this podcast. We dive into a smorgasbord of thought that centers around catching a fresh vision for our lives.

You can find her here ⁠https://www.bestillministries.net/⁠

And don't forget to listen to the podcast here ⁠https://www.bestillministries.net/podcast⁠

For their 8-part video-based study designed to position you for an intimate encounter with the Father's love, go here⁠ https://fathershousestudy.com/⁠

Here is a bit about Rachel:

Rachel Faulkner Brown is a girl with a past like your worst nightmare and a present that is pretty darn fun. After marrying Rod in 2013, Rachel began Be Still Ministries in Atlanta, Ga. Never Alone Widows is the outreach ministry of Be Still Ministries. Rachel and her ministry partner, Karen McAdams, published their first Bible study in January 2021 called Father's House and the Never Alone team created a devotional for widows called 'His Name-Our Hope in Grief.' Father's House and How to Widow Well, a 20 video curriculum for widows, is now available on digital platforms reaching 4 million women and in 20,000 churches. Be Still Ministries has hosted over 1200 widows for their curated retreats over the last three years and received a grant from the Gary Sinise Foundation in 2020 to expand the outreach ministry for military and first responder widows. Although Rachel stays busy telling the story of Be Still Ministries and Never Alone Widows, she still would say her greatest role is that of wife and mother.

This episode is for those surrounded by chaos, afflicted by anxiety, or feeling dry and weary. God is not shocked by your emotions or confessions, and He wants to talk to you about them. He wants to heal you and set you free, not just so you can temporarily feel better but so that you can live free and release healing to others.

For help with anxiety, consider my audio soaking sessions, Be Still.

For my 5-Minute Reset on YouTube, click here.

For 2 hours of soft rain sound, click here.

For my worship playlist on YouTube, click here.

In today's episode, we have a time of soaking in the presence of God.

Be Still Soaking Sessions were created to help you navigate out of stress and anxiety and back into the presence of God.

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Both volumes contain two sessions (sold separately), each approximately thirty minutes long, set to soft music.

In the prophetic sessions, you will hear God's heart to encourage your soul and strengthen your spirit. In the prayer sessions, your spirit will rise in faith and hope, as you reconnect with the truth of His love. (Note: The Prayer & Encounter Session of Vol. 2 also includes an additional encounter time.)

Here is the link: https://www.gretchenrodriguez.com/help-for-anxiety

Today I bring a powerful friend on the podcast. I met Annette Biggers when we lived in Redding, CA, and the anointing of this woman, entrepreneur, creative, and minister impacts me every time we chat. I believe you will find yourself rising to new levels of glory as you listen to what she has to share today.

You can find Annette here:

https://www.dovecreekfilms.com/

https://www.annettebiggers.com/

For my audio-soaking sessions that help escort you out of anxiety and into the presence of God, click here:

https://www.gretchenrodriguez.com/help-for-anxiety

Today, I lead you into an encounter with the Lord who has a gift for you! Come see what it is and let His love enable you to see clearly.

Today, Karen McAdams and I talk about getting free from false identities and shame so we can be who our Father created us to be. Stay tuned to the end when Karen leads us into a powerful encounter with Jesus.

You can find Karen on Instagram here:

@KarenMcadams1111

@bestillministries

To learn more about her 8 week video-based bible study designed to position women for an intimate encounter with the Father’s heart, go here:

⁠www.fathershousestudy.com⁠

Here's more about Karen:

How does one write their own bio? I’ve lived in Atlanta for forever with my husband of 28 years, Kevin, and have 2 amazing sons Connor (27) and Cade (24). My family and friends would tell you that I am passionate about Jesus, Truth, vulnerability, and naps. Oh, and that I always know where to take a good Jesus-field-trip! I would say that they are pretty much right. But you have to know that’s not who I have always been. 

Although I walked the aisle and prayed “the prayer” at 17, I didn’t really know Christ. In fact, I didn’t know that you could. I was handed a bible, given the list of do’s and don’ts, and deduced that it was up to me to impress God. Let’s just say, it didn’t take very long to fail at that endeavor. 

By the time I was in my late 20’s, I had become a professional “hider” – I knew how to play the part on the outside, but I was completely falling apart on the inside. Childhood trauma, 2 failed engagements, and a backpack of shame and masks had taken their toll on me. I was convinced I was unlovable and a spectacular disappointment to God. Until. Well…you know what comes next. Until I met HIM. Like really met HIM. 

The words He spoke caught me off guard – they were breathtaking words for someone like me. That encounter with HIM became the catalyst for a journey into a life that I didn’t know was possible. I discovered that “good” isn’t really sufficient to describe just how good He really is! And that the abundant life isn’t a metaphor or a Christian slogan, but an invitation for all people, anywhere, anytime – as long as you are willing to come to HIM on his terms. He gives bear hugs and throws parties before listening to apologies. That’s the Papa God I know. Let’s just say I want you to know Him too. 

Oh and then there’s the other stuff…

Co-author of Father’s House, an 8 week video-based bible study designed to position women for an intimate encounter with the Father’s heart

Co-host of There is More Podcast

Director of Equipping for Be Still Ministries