What do we do with the complicated emotions that often arise in life? Feelings that we’ve been taught we shouldn’t feel as Christians? A lot of us push them down and pretend they don’t matter. Others of us get stuck in the pain. But the Bible suggest a better way: “Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8).

How do we do that? I’m so glad you asked!

Anjuli’s Paschall’s book, Feel: A Collection of Liturgies Offering Hope for Every Complicated Emotion, has been such a gift to me. And I absolutely LOVE our tender and raw conversation. We were both in tears as we talked about the disappointments and hurts that we’ve faced. Anjuli assures us that rather than tidying up our emotions, we can be real and raw with God as well. Her book helps us

Key Takeaways:

This is such an important conversation, you guys. And this book could literally change your life.

Stuffing and denying our emotions only makes them come out sideways in anxiety, depression and issues with our health. How much better to bring them all to Jesus. Anjuli’s book helps us do just that!

Anjuli’s Book: Feel: A Collection of Liturgies Offering Hope for Every Complicated Emotion

Anjuli’s Other Books:

Awake: Paying Attention to What Matters Most in a World That’s Pulling You Apart

Stay: Discovering Grace, Freedom, and Wholeness Where You Never Imagined Looking

Joanna’s Latest Book: Embracing Trust: The Art of Letting Go and Holding On to a Forever-Faithful God

Joanna’s YouTube Channel

[Disclosure: I make a small commission from affiliate links used in this post.]

It’s easy to feel alarmed when we read the headlines…

Especially when it comes to the immigration crisis. Current estimates suggest over 100 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes. Many of them desperate to enter the United States – legally or illegally – which causes many people a lot of concern.

But what if we could balance the need for secure borders with compassion? What if we could engage with the crisis in a way that reflects the Christian values we cherish?

In this episode of The Living Room, author and human dignity advocate, Bri Stensrud shares from her book, Start With Welcome: the Journey Toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation. She gives practical tips on how to align your heart with God’s heart for hurting people yet still advocate for secure and safe borders.

Key Takeaways:

Rather than getting caught up in politics and safeguarding “The American Way,” let’s open our eyes to the opportunities to love those around us. It was the tangible, yet practical love of God shown by Christians that changed the world 2000 years ago. And I believe that’s how God wants to change the world today.

Bri’s Book: Start With Welcome: the Journey Toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation

Bri’s Ministry: Women of Welcome

Bri’s Facebook Pages: Women of Welcome & Private Facebook Group

Joanna’s Latest Book: Embracing Trust: The Art of Letting Go and Holding On to a Forever-Faithful God

Joanna’s YouTube Channel

[Disclosure: I make a small commission from affiliate links used in this post.]

Key Takeaways:

If you’re ready to experience the freedom and peace of an unplugged life, check out the links below. Start today—and see discover the gift of quiet.

Hannah’s Book: The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World

Hannah’s 1000-Hour Challenge

Joanna’s Latest Book: Embracing Trust: The Art of Letting Go and Holding On to a Forever-Faithful God

Joanna’s YouTube Channel

[Disclosure: I make a small commission from affiliate links used in this post.]

You’re not alone. Many of us find ourselves caught in cycles of self-improvement and frustration, longing for transformation but feeling stuck. In this conversation with Christian psychologist, Dr. Merry Lin, she shares insights from Re-Becoming: Come Out of Hiding to Live as Your God-Given Essential Self offer a fresh perspective on breaking free from the patterns that hold us back.

Key Takeaways:

This journey may be slow, but it’s one worth taking—and Jesus will be faithful to lead us every step of the way!

Dr. Merry’s Book: Rebecoming: Come Out of Hiding to Live as Your God-Given Essential Self

Dr. Merry’s Podcast: The Fully Lived Life

Joanna’s Latest Book: Embracing Trust: The Art of Letting Go and Holding On to a Forever-Faithful God

Joanna’s YouTube Channel

[Disclosure: I make a small commission from affiliate links used in this post.]

Of course, that’s often easier said than done. But even when life is hard, we are all surrounded by blessings. We just need the Lord’s help to see them.

In this episode of The Living Room podcast, my very wise and wonderful guest, Sally Clarkson, shares the lessons she’s learned along the way. Especially during her time living in Oxford, England. Her new book, Well Lived, documents her journey in beautiful pictures and moving text.

I can’t wait for you to hear Sally’s rich wisdom and reminders that the life we’ve been given is more beautiful than we know.

Sally’s Book: Well-Lived: Shaping a Legacy of Gratitude and Grace

Sally’s Other Books on Amazon

Sally’s Podcast: At Home with Sally

Joanna’s Latest Book: Embracing Trust: The Art of Letting Go and Holding On to a Forever-Faithful God

Joanna’s YouTube Channel

[Disclosure: I make a small commission from affiliate links used in this post.]

When John and I married more than forty years ago – (wow, time goes fast!) – I was pretty sure everything would be smooth sailing. We both loved the Lord and had so much in common, how could it be anything but heaven-on-earth?

In this episode of The Living Room podcast, Chelsea Damon, the author of the new book, I Thought This Would Make Me Happy: How to Fight Less, Forgive Faster, and Cultivate Joy in Marriage, and I talk about our own marital journeys and the incredible wisdom she shares in the book about building a strong, joy-filled marriage that’s grounded in God and the beautiful refining that comes when we let God get His hands on us.

Key Takeaways: 

Whether you’re married or not, I promise you’ll benefit from this conversation! Discover how to navigate expectations, communicate effectively, and keep Christ at the center of all your relationships.

Chelsea’s Book: I Thought This Would Make Me Happy: How to Fight Less, Forgive Faster, and Cultivate Joy in Marriage

Chelsea’s Ministry: Living the Sweet Wife

Joanna’s Latest Book: Embracing Trust: The Art of Letting Go and Holding On to a Forever-Faithful God

Joanna’s YouTube Channel

[Disclosure: I make a small commission from affiliate links used in this post.]

Chris and Julie Bennett stand firm on the importance of family as designed by God. We talk about so many things in this episode of The Living Room, because family is more than the people that live in your house. It extends to the family of God and the love we are to demonstrate to the world around us.

Chris and Julie share truths from their book, Fighting for Family: The Relentless Pursuit of Building Belonging, including:

I love Chris and Julie’s honesty as they share God’s faithfulness in the difficult times and the important part each of us play in the Family of God. Let’s keep pressing on together!

Chris & Julie’s Book: Fighting for Family: The Relentless Pursuit of Building Belonging

Chris & Julie’s Podcast: Finding Family Podcast

Joanna’s Latest Book: Embracing Trust: The Art of Letting Go and Holding On to a Forever-Faithful God

Joanna’s YouTube Channel

[Disclosure: I make a small commission from affiliate links used in this post.]

It’s easy to lose yourself in trying to be everything people need you to be. But that isn’t what God intended. When He called you to serve His people, He called you to be YOU!

In this episode of The Living Room, I dive deep with the amazing women behind a popular ministry podcast as we talk about their new book – Pastor’s Wives Tell All: Navigating Real Church Life with Honesty. Stephanie, Jessica, Jenna and I talk about the realities of being a pastor’s wife as we explore topics like:

Whether you’re a pastor’s wife or want to know how to love and support the ministry women in your life – this interview is for you!

The Book: Pastor’s Wives Tell All: Navigating Real Church Life with Honesty

The Podcast: Pastor’s Wives Tell All

Facebook Group: Pastor’s Wives Tell All Community

Joanna’s Latest Book: Embracing Trust: The Art of Letting Go and Holding On to a Forever-Faithful God

Joanna’s YouTube Channel

[Disclosure: I make a small commission from affiliate links used in this post.]

In this episode of The Living Room podcast, Courtney Joseph Fallick shares the painful yet profound journey she experienced when her seemingly perfect life was dismantled by her husband’s unfaithfulness.

Her book, Still Standing: How to Live in God’s Light While Wrestling with the Dark, offers hope and encouragement to anyone grappling with unexpected challenges. Topics discussed include:

No matter what you’re going through, Courtney’s story is a reminder that even when life takes unexpected turns, God walks with us every step of the way.

Courtney’s Book: Still Standing: How to Live in God’s Light While Wrestling with the Dark

Courtney’s Ministry: Women Living Well & Good Morning Girls

Joanna’s Latest Book: Embracing Trust: The Art of Letting Go and Holding On to a Forever-Faithful God

Joanna’s YouTube Channel

[Disclosure: I make a small commission from affiliate links used in this post.]

Even as Christians, we can spend so much time trying to please God, we miss the joy of simply being His child.

In this episode of The Living Room, Caroline Saunders and I have a delightful discussion about the God and His heart toward us. We talk about our own spiritual journeys, but Caroline also shares powerful truths from her new Bible study, Come Home: Tracing God’s Promise of Home Through Scripture. She outlines steps to a deeper friendship with Jesus and offers advice like:

Hope you enjoy the interview like I did!

Caroline’s Study: Come Home – Bible Study with Video Access

Children’s Book: Kids in the Bible: A Storybook Bible About God’s Children

Joanna’s Latest Book: Embracing Trust: The Art of Letting Go and Holding On to a Forever-Faithful God

Joanna’s YouTube Channel

[Disclosure: I make a small commission from affiliate links used in this post.]