The Brilliant Pause

In this insightful interview, Melissa Robertson takes listeners on her journey from conservative Christianity to an inclusive, evolving faith. With her extensive repertoire of reading, Melissa paints a refreshing picture of feminism and shares why she thinks Jesus was a feminist. We also discuss the BEAUTY of CHANGE and why it is necessary for the church.

She also mentions a few authors whose books have been life-changing for her. Those authors are: Anne Lamott, Rachel Held Evans, Kate Bowler, Bell Hooks, Kaitlin Curtice, Ross Gay and Sue Monk Kidd.

My website is under construction. Questions? Send me an email: [email protected]

Remember to slow down, take a breath and shift your focus to what matters so you can LOVE THIS LIFE YOU LIVE!

In this vulnerable conversation about what it means to live authentically and find purpose, Shane Rossow opens up about his evolving faith journey and how it shaped his lens of being gay. Shane provides encouragement to both kids and parents who might be struggling with what to do once a family member comes out. We discuss how messages from faith followers either hider or help someone's views about God in that process.

Note from interviewer, Jessie Elenbaas: This interview brought me to tears. I knew in my soul that it was a conversation that needed to "come out." Thank you for listening with an open heart and a lens of LOVE.

Reflecting on the four stages of uncertainty, artist Teresa Elenbaas opens up about the importance of CREATIVITY in the midst of CHAOS and DESERT seasons. In a vulnerable discussion of the healing benefits of creativity, you'll come away feeling INSPIRED to create and see that it's never a waste of time.

Check out Teresa's soulful abstract art at www.teresaelenbaas.com and watch her creative process unfold by following her on Instagram @teresaelenbaasart.

How does listening impact true understanding and decision-making? What does it mean to live in the freedom of God, even with our identity? What is the "door" before joy, really? And in the epilogue, I'll give you a metaphor for uncertainty that can help whenever you stand at your next crossroads.

These questions and more will be explored in the FINAL episode of The Door Before Joy, a true story about a career transition that turned into a faith journey through uncertainty.

After the epilogue, I'll tell you what to expect next. And you won't want to miss the song at the end! If you have any questions or feedback about this story, email the host/author at [email protected].

It's been my pleasure reading to you in season 3. If you've enjoyed the story, please pass it along to your friends and family. Leave a review on I-Tunes. And don't forget to take a PAUSE today. You. Are. Worth it!

Why is going back to the basics of faith important? How can flaws become beautiful? And how does listening for Jesus's voice impact making decisions?

These questions and more are explored in Chapters 35-37 of The Door Before Joy, the story we are reading in season 3. It's a true story about the role uncertainty plays in the life of faith when stuck in the midst of transition and waiting. We explore FOUR STAGES of UNCERTAINTY that lead to spiritual awakening.

This story will resonate most with striving-achievers and mothers juggling work-life-family decisions as well as anyone feeling burnt out on religion and wondering what shape faith takes when life doesn't make sense.

Questions or comments? Email the author and podcast host, Jessie, at [email protected]. Remember to take a pause today. YOU ARE WORTH IT!

This season falls into the category of story-telling, spiritual formation, HOPE and renewal.

How did the beginning of the pandemic spark insight into four stages of uncertainty? What light shines brightest in darkness? And what show prompted a total rethink of Jesus's role in a faith journey.

This and more will be discussed in CH 32-34 of The Door Before Joy, a faith journey through uncertainty, which we are reading like an audio book for season 3.

This podcast is for busy humans who need a gentle reminder to slow down and be present. Season 3 will resonate most with moms struggling with work-family decision fatigue as well as those feeling burnt out on religion and needing spiritual renewal.

In the story we are reading, I discovered four stages of uncertainty while searching for purpose and meaning during a prolonged career transition. I also discovered what my faith meant to me. I hope my experience encourages you wherever you are in your journey (and in moments of uncertainty).

What can a different "call" look like? What's the benefit of remembering when it comes to taking steps in an unknown direction? And what does it mean to live in the FREEDOM of GOD?

These are a few questions that arise in Chapters 29-31 of The Door Before Joy, which is a true story about journeying through uncertainty that we're listening to like an audio book in season 3. In this story, I present four stages of uncertainty that I discovered while searching for purpose and meaning during a prolonged career transition.

Striving-achievers and moms/parents juggling work and family will relate most to my plight. I hope to encourage you in your faith journey, especially when life doesn't make sense or go the way you planned. FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to this podcast so you can stay up to date when new episodes are released.

This season falls into the category of story-telling, spiritual formation, HOPE and renewal.

How does a story about JOY start in frustration? What did the end of 2019 bring? What is the moment that presents the door? And what is required to walk through it?

These are the concluding chapters in the DESERT stage of The Door Before Joy- a true story about journeying through uncertainty, where faith is brought to the ultimate test.

In this audio book season of this podcast, I explore four stages of uncertainty that I discovered while searching for purpose and meaning during a prolonged career transition. I hope to encourage you in your faith journey, especially when life doesn't make sense or go the way you planned.

FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to this podcast so you can stay up to date when new episodes are released.

Striving-achievers and moms/parents juggling work and family will relate to my plight. And those seeking a closer walk with God will hopefully come away feeling renewed with peace and wonder.

This season falls into the category of story-telling, spiritual formation, HOPE and renewal.

Why the conundrum with church? What's so important about the MIDDLE of anything? And what to do when God isn't giving you what you ask for? These are a few of that arise during Chapters 22-24 of The Door Before Joy, which is a true story about journeying through uncertainty that I am reading like an audio book for season 3.

In this story, I explore four stages of uncertainty that I discovered while searching for purpose and meaning during a prolonged career transition. I hope to encourage you in your faith journey, especially when life doesn't make sense or go the way you planned. FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to this podcast so you can stay up to date when new episodes are released.

Striving-achievers and moms/parents juggling work and family will relate to my plight. And those seeking a closer walk with God will hopefully come away feeling renewed with peace and wonder.

This season falls into the category of story-telling, spiritual formation, HOPE and renewal.

How is waiting in faith like Halloween? Why the great expectations for turning 40? And what's the benefit of taking something apart?

These are some of the questions we ponder in this episode, which introduces stage three of the journey.

In The Door Before Joy, I take you through four stages of uncertainty that I discovered while searching for purpose and meaning during a prolonged career transition. I hope to encourage you in your faith journey, especially when life doesn't make sense or go the way you planned. FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to this podcast so you can stay up to date when new episodes are released.

Striving-achievers and moms/parents juggling work and family will relate to my plight. And those seeking a closer walk with God will come away feeling renewed with peace and wonder.

This season falls into the category of story-telling, spiritual formation, HOPE and renewal.