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Thanks for listening to this Summer Rewind episode of the Devoted Dreamers Podcast!

Follow ProGrace over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamprograce/

You’ll find the show notes from the original episode with Angie Weszely here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/31

Angie Weszely is a speaker, writer, strategist and dreamer. As the co-founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization ProGrace, she’s passionate about equipping Christians to shift how we talk and think about abortion and the ways we reach out to women who are facing unplanned pregnancy. But before all this, there was decade in which Angie believed her dream of working in ministry was dead. So if your dream feels lifeless, join me on this journey of watching God resurrect Angie’s dream and find a sweet reminder of His great love for you too!

Grab your copy of the journaling questions for this episode here: merrittonsa.com/store

Journal Your Dream:

All summer long I am re-sharing some of my favorite episodes that you may have missed the first time around, especially if you’re kinda new around here!

For every Summer Rewind episode, you can get a set of journaling questions to help you process your dream. The ENTIRE set for the whole summer is just $5 because I believe there is some deep internal work we all need to do before we’re able to fully pursue and invest in the dreams God has given us.

And I want to see you there, with the work DONE and ready to pursue that dream when fall 2020 rolls around. So grab the journaling packet in my store at merrittonsa.com/store and go a little deeper as you consider the next steps in your dream.

I’ll be back with new conversations in September 2020.

Until then, you can find me in the Devoted Dreamers Insiders’ Group on Facebook.

 

Leave your review of the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

Download the new 7-day devotional: 7 Truths to Silence the Voice of Self-Doubt and get started today. It’s a short and powerful guide to help you get unstuck and remember what’s true.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

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Thanks for listening to this Summer Rewind episode of the Devoted Dreamers Podcast!

You get all the latest news on Sharon Hodde Miller over on her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonhmiller/

You’ll find the show notes from the original episode with Sharon Hodde Miller here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/29

A Quick Summary: 

Sharon Hodde Miller is a teaching pastor at @brightcityrdu, an author, wife, mom, and PhD. In this episode from late 2016 she talks about the lengthy season of preparation God brought her through to write her first book. She shares about His pruning in her life and the impact of comparison, idolatry, and fear of man on her heart. She cautions us about making our dreams about us (instead of about God) and offers helpful advice about the voices to listen to as you’re pursuing your God-shaped dream.

Journal Your Dream:

All summer long I am re-sharing some of my favorite episodes that you may have missed the first time around, and especially for these summer episodes, I have compiled journaling questions to help you process your dream. I’m offering this set of journaling pages for just $5 because I believe there’s some deep internal work we need to do before we’re able to fully pursue and invest in the dreams God has given us. So, grab the journal packet in my store at merrittonsa.com/store and go a little deeper as you consider and begin to take the next steps in your dream.

I’ll be back with new conversations in September 2020.

Until then, you can find me in the Devoted Dreamers Insiders’ Group on Facebook.

 

Leave your review of the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts * Subscribe on Android

Download the new 7-day devotional: 7 Truths to Silence the Voice of Self-Doubt and get started today. It’s a short and powerful guide to help you get unstuck and remember what’s true.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us a text

Thanks for listening to this repeat episode of the Devoted Dreamers Podcast!

You will find the show notes from the original episode with Hannah Anderson here: https://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/23

All summer long I will be re-sharing some of my favorite episodes that you may have missed the first time around, and especially for these summer episodes I have compiled journaling questions to help you process your dream. I’m offering this set of journaling pages for just $5 because I believe there’s some deep internal work we need to do before we’re able to fully pursue and invest in the dreams God has given us. So, grab the journal packet in my store at merrittonsa.com/store and go a little deeper as you consider and begin to take the next steps in your dream.

I’ll be back with new conversations in September 2020.

Until then, you can find me in the Devoted Dreamers Insiders’ Group on Facebook.

Leave your review of the show on
Apple Podcasts or Stitcher

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts * Subscribe on Android

Download the new 7-day devotional: 7 Truths to Silence the Voice of Self-Doubt and get started today. It’s a short and powerful guide to help you get unstuck and remember what’s true.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us a text

Stephanie Pletka’s superpower is encouraging other women. She desires to support the busy, overwhelmed mom who feels held hostage by other people’s expectations of her. In this final interview of Season Seven, I hope you’ll laugh at Stephanie’s honest storytelling, be encouraged by her grace-filled presence, throw off all the ridiculous expectations and give yourself permission to be the woman God created you to be.

As we bring Season Seven to a close, may this final interview and Stephanie’s story serve a reminder that you don’t need anyone’s permission other than God to pursue your dream. You don’t have to “get certified” or “graduate first.” You don’t need a degree or diploma. All you need is a heart devoted to the Lord and a willingness to be obedient to what He’s called you to, even when it flies in the face of everything the world is telling you.

Stephanie’s stories were a reminder to me that I don’t have to be perfect or even get it right all the time. I just have to be faithful to Him and His calling, trusting that He will walk with me through the fire and the failures and He is the source of my identity, not my performance (good or bad).

As you join us in this conversation, I hope you’ll pay attention to the following:

• The importance of giving yourself breathing room.
• Why we need to partner with each other rather than comparing ourselves to others.
• How prone we are to believe we’re not enough.
• And her tips on how to “own the morning” so you can “own the day.”

You’ll find the show notes and all the ways to connect with Stephanie Pletka here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/155

 

NEXT STEPS:

If you’re new to the Devoted Dreamers Podcast or just trying to figure out what’s next after you’ve heard this one, check out my 30 Days of Prayer series or one of these recent episodes:

Episode 152 – What Happens When You Let God Define Your Worth with Courtney Reimer – released 5/13/2020

Episode 153 – If Lies Are Keeping You from Pursuing Your Dream with Jessica Hottle – released on 5/20/20

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Download the new 7-day devotional: 7 Truths to Silence the Voice of Self-Doubt and get started today. It’s a short and powerful guide to help you get unstuck and remember what’s true.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

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Have you ever had the perfect opportunity to share your dream and got tongue tied (or talked waaaay too long) trying to explain it to someone you just met?

This month I wanted to delve into the topic of how we talk about our dreams because I think it’s an important step as you work to define what exactly you do or are passionate about. Because having clarity about your dream helps you make decisions about your steps and helps share with others who might want to join you in the journey.

I’ve been working on the language of my God-shaped dream for probably two years now in a really intentional way. I tweak it all the time. It’s not perfect or finished—it might never be either of those things.

But a recent conversation with Esther Littlefield in her Confident Leader Catalyst program brought this back up for me. When I talk about my dream, people automatically assume that it is the podcast, but this podcast was never my end goal.

In our conversation, Esther used the word “vehicle” in talking about things like a podcast, a book or a blog, a nonprofit, or whatever it is you are compelled to produce or create. That thing is probably not the dream. That thing is just the vehicle by which we seek to fulfill the bigger dream – a dream that probably couldn’t be achieved overnight or in a few months or even over a few years.

Our dreams are bigger than us. In fact, our dreams, if they are from Him, are more like vision statements.

In this episode I talk about why you need to write a vision statement for your dream, how to do it and how I’m willing to help if you need it. This type of exercise has helped me so much in my dreaming process because it’s forced me to get really honest about the dream, my role in it, God’s role in it, and how I want to share it in the world. And doing all that work has helped me to be more precise in defining what the dream actually is.

I hope and pray that this exercise (and yes, there’s homework with this one) will remove some roadblocks for you and help you, at a minimum, be able to speak about your dream with confidence the next time someone asks, “So, what do you do?”

NEXT STEPS:

Download the new 7-day devotional: 7 Truths to Silence the Voice of Self-Doubt and get started today. It’s a short and powerful guide to help you get unstuck and remember what’s true.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

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Jessica Hottle’s passion is to see women set free from the lies of this world. She’s written several books on the topic of worth and hosts a podcast called What’s the Truth? tackling the lies we believe and how you can shift back to truth. In this interview we dig into the fear of being mediocre or irrelevant, knowing what season your dream is in and not running ahead of that, how to figure out if you’re striving for the wrong things, and Jessica’s best system for writing a book.

Jessica not only helps us figure out how to tackle the lies we are dealing with but she’s also really honest about the ones that have put up roadblocks on her journey. Wondering if anyone would be inspired by her work. Worrying that she’d show up mediocre. Trying on things that weren’t for her or weren’t the right timing. She’s real, she’s been through it, and she paves the way for us with her honesty about how she wrestled to find the truth about her own dream.

As I talk with Jessica, I hope you’ll pay attention to the following:

• That the lies you’re wrestling with are an attack on your identity.
• The benefits of staying in your lane, focusing on one thing and not worrying about what “she” is doing.
• How to listen for what God is revealing to you about your dream.
• That the Father sees you!

You’ll find the show notes and all the ways to connect with Jessica Hottle, here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/153

 

NEXT STEPS:

If you’re new to the Devoted Dreamers Podcast or just trying to figure out what’s next after you’ve heard this one, check out my 30 Days of Prayer series or one of these recent episodes:

Episode 151 – 5 Steps to Shifting Your Dream During a Pandemic a solo episode with Merritt Onsa – released 5/6/2020

Episode 152 – What Happens When You Let God Define Your Worth with Courtney Reimer – released 5/13/2020

GET MORE INVOLVED...BECOME A DEVOTED DREAMERS PATRON

Download the new 7-day devotional: 7 Truths to Silence the Voice of Self-Doubt and get started today. It’s a short and powerful guide to help you get unstuck and remember what’s true.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

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Courtney Reimer is on a mission to not only help girls and women know and understand their worth but also to know why they have worth. This interview is a reminder that where we place our hope matters. As Christians we’ve likely heard or been part of conversations about our identity in Christ but living that out feels so complex. How do we place our identity in Him? What does that look like? How do we know if we’re even getting it right?

One of the reasons I wanted to interview Courtney and learn more about She Wears Worth is because of how highly I value women getting to the bottom of this identity question. Whether we’re aware of it or not, our identity shapes how we live, the choices we make, and the dreams we say yes to.

In four years of interviewing women about their God-shaped dreams, I have found that when we fully entrust our dreams and our lives to God and when we begin to care more about what He says about us than what the world says about us, then we’re able to rest in the security that this identity in Him provides. That kind of rest and trust steadies us so that instead of being swayed by the whims of a human audience, we can live for an audience of one.

As Courtney talks about launching God’s dream for her, I hope you’ll pay attention to the following:

• That God takes our passions and aligns them with His work in the world.
• There are so many empty encouragements in the world that won’t last, but as an image bearer of God, your beautiful because He says so.
• How getting off social media and rooting herself in the truth of God’s Word helped Courtney fight comparison.
• God uses imperfect people to do his perfect work.

You’ll find the show notes, a link to the She Wears Worth giveaway, and all the ways to connect with Courtney Reimer, here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/152

 

NEXT STEPS:

If you’re new to the Devoted Dreamers Podcast or just trying to figure out what’s next after you’ve heard this one, check out my 30 Days of Prayer series or one of these recent episodes:

Episode 150 – When You Struggle to Believe God is Good with Maria Hatch-Bowersock – released 4/29/2020

Download the new 7-day devotional: 7 Truths to Silence the Voice of Self-Doubt and get started today. It’s a short and powerful guide to help you get unstuck and remember what’s true.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

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Whether you’ve already started on your dream or you’re still in the starting blocks trying to figure out how to pivot as a result of changing circumstances, now is the time to think creatively about how to move forward and take messy action. What have you got to lose?

All around us people are creating new ways to encourage and inspire others, whether it’s a birthday car parade outside someone’s home, a neighborhood ritual like howling at the moon to remind one another that we’re not alone, or a brand new YouTube channel devoted to sharing the good news all around us even during these dark days.

The world around us feels a little crazy right now. Why NOT take this moment in time as your chance to kick start your dream? There is really no better time and, if the pandemic has reminded me of anything, it’s that life is short so there is certainly no time to waste.

God has given you gifts to use for his glory. If you’re not using those gifts, there’s a good chance you are being disobedient or at the very least avoidant. And if you’re avoiding starting out of fear, there is no biblical reason to allow fear to keep you from action. This is your one life? What if you lived it out and never pursued that dream?

You’ve been waiting on something, but the truth is, you’re never going to feel more prepared, educated, or ready. Those things are a façade and a stalling tactic. If the dream is there, it’s time for you to take the next step. Because the people your dream will serve need it to come to life!

There’s more in this episode about the Mastermind Group I’m launching on June 1st. I only have 10 spots available and I’d love to have you join me! Fill out this short Google form to let me know you’re interested.

 

NEXT STEPS:

You’ll find the show notes for this episode here.

To learn more about the Summer Mastermind Group I'm launching June 1st, fill out this short Google interest form. 

If you’re new to the Devoted Dreamers Podcast and you want to check out some of my other solo episodes, start here:

Episode 107 – You are a Daughter of the Most High King

Download the new 7-day devotional: 7 Truths to Silence the Voice of Self-Doubt and get started today. It’s a short and powerful guide to help you get unstuck and remember what’s true.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us a text

Whatever your circumstances right now, I pray this honest conversation about learning to trust God’s goodness gives you hope to persist and present your requests to the Lord. There is no worry too big for him; there is no amount of doubt He cannot handle. Maria’s story will help you press into Jesus and come out on the other side of today’s concerns with a deeper trust in God and a desire to abide with Him in all things.

Weakness, grief, loss, and pain are not topics we love to talk about. Profound pain makes me want to run and hide and isolate from even the people who love me most. When Maria lost her parents in a plane crash, the story of her brother surviving his second plane crash made their story very public; but publicity was not the world in which she wanted to work out her feelings and questions for God.

This beautiful and honest conversation about finding God’s goodness amidst terribly loss feels timely given the season of loss, grief and struggle in our nation right now due to the coronavirus pandemic. No matter how these circumstances have touched you – very much or very little – I pray that the moments you spend listening to Maria’s journey to believing God’s goodness for herself will move you to trusting in Him more as well.

Specifically, pay attention to the following in this episode:

• That it’s okay to question God; your questions are not a threat to Him.
• What it means to delight in weakness and trust His strength
• How grief can lead the way for important discoveries in your faith.
• What it looks like to “practice” God’s truth and His character and how that grows your trust for Him.

You’ll find the show notes and all the ways to connect with Maria Hatch-Bowersock, here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/150

NEXT STEPS:

If you’re new to the Devoted Dreamers Podcast or just trying to figure out what’s next after you’ve heard this one, check out my 30 Days of Prayer series or one of these recent episodes:

Episode 148 – How to Get Past Worry and Fear so You Can Love and Serve with Alexandra Kaval – released 4/8/2020

Episode 149 – God Uses Hard

Download the new 7-day devotional: 7 Truths to Silence the Voice of Self-Doubt and get started today. It’s a short and powerful guide to help you get unstuck and remember what’s true.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Send us a text

When your circumstances feel overwhelming, it is difficult to imagine the abundant life Jesus offers or even to believe that it is available to you. This very struggle inspired Kara-Kae James to launch Thrive Moms, a ministry to encourage overwhelmed moms to believe that Jesus has something more for them besides exhaustion and isolation. In pursuit of this dream, Jesus also transformed Kara-Kae’s heart.

God works through our valleys, and if we’re not in a valley right now, I don’t know what else to call it. But He is at work, in the same way that He met Kara-Kae right where she was in the dark days of mothering tiny children and struggling with post-partum depression and anxiety. He’s always there; but sometimes we forget how to look for Him.

Whatever your current circumstances, if you feel alone, overwhelmed, not knowing which way to turn next, I urge you to listen for the bold encouragement from the woman who told Kara-Kae, “You can find abundant life right where you are” and believe He is for you and will make it known to you as you seek Him with all of your heart.

In addition, pay attention for the following wisdom in this episode:

• The reminder that whatever challenge you’re facing right now, pandemic-related or otherwise, allow the Lord carry you through it.
• That one way out of the fear of failure is to be authentic and show your true self.
• Take time to rest. Sabbath is so important for you and your dream. Don’t put it off, saying, “I’ll sabbath later” because later might never come. Establish the habit now.

You’ll find the show notes and all the ways to connect with Kara-Kae James, here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/149

 

NEXT STEPS:

If you’re new to the Devoted Dreamers Podcast or just trying to figure out what’s next after you’ve heard this one, check out my 30 Days of Prayer series or one of these recent episodes:

Episode 147 – How to Get Past Your Mindset to Share Your Dream, a Strategy Session with Ashley Johnson – released 4/1/2020

Episode 148 – How to Get Past Worry and Fear so You Can Love and Serve w

Download the new 7-day devotional: 7 Truths to Silence the Voice of Self-Doubt and get started today. It’s a short and powerful guide to help you get unstuck and remember what’s true.

🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday

NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
Join the Dream Believers community

MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.