Surrounded by distractions, it can be difficult to find the stillness needed to renew and restore our soul.

In this episode of The Living Room with Joanna Weaver, Sarah Clarkson talk about her book, Reclaiming Quiet: Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention (coming November 2024). She gives practical tips for reclaiming quiet. But most of all, she shares the tender love God has for us. Wooing and calling us away from noise to a deeper friendship with Him.

Sarah’s Book: Reclaiming Quiet: Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention

Previous Book: This Beautiful Truth: How God’s Goodness Breaks into Our Darkness

Previous Episode: TLR 074: God’s Goodness in the Dark with Sarah Clarkson

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

Joanna’s YouTube Channel

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Does it feel like you’re in “a-fib” – ping-ponging off one responsibility to another? Or have you flat-lined and feel a little dead?

Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith has been where you’ve been and in this episode of The Living Room Podcast, she’s shares lessons from her book, Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity. You were not made to go full tilt and burn out for Jesus. He created you for an abundant life. And that includes cultivating a rest that renews and restores your soul.

Check out Dr. Saundra’s “Rest Quiz.” It will help you gauge where you fall in seven specific areas. (And be sure to tune in to next week’s YouTube video where I’ll unpack how I’m going to apply the “7 Types of Rest” this summer!)

Dr Saundra’s Book: Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity

Dr Saundra’s Quiz: The Rest Quiz

Dr Saundra’s Other Book: Set Free to Live Free

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

Joanna’s YouTube Channel

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But God invites us to calm our hearts and still our soul by learning to rest in Him. No matter what we face.

In this episode of The Living Room with Joanna Weaver, best-selling author Linda Dillow shares how God has taught her to trust Him more – and the beautiful ministry He’s opened to her in war-torn countries like Ukraine.

This interview had me in tears – it’s just that good. Hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Linda’s Book: Calm My Anxious Heart

Other Books:

What’s It Like to Be Married to Me?

Creative Counterpart

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Even as Christians, fear of rejection, insecurity and the snare of compare often make us hold each other at a distance.

In this episode, Jenn Schultz and I talk about her new study, She’s Not Your Enemy: Conquering Our Insecurities So We Can Build God’s Kingdom Together. Satan loves to divide and conquer, but God wants us to push back the obstacles and step into the sweet sisterhood He wants for His daughters.

Jenn’s Book: She’s Not Your Enemy: Conquering Our Insecurities So We Can Build God’s Kingdom Together

(Book Purchase Includes 10-session Video Bible Study)

Jenn’s Website Resources

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

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Is God calling you to take a leap of faith?

It’s risky stepping out when God calls…but its even riskier not to obey.

In this episode of The Living Room, Rachel G. Scott shares from her book, Taking the 5 Leaps of Faith: Experiencing God’s Faithfulness as You Respond to His Call. She shares from her own journey and shows us how to prepare, plan and execute the leap God is asking us to take.

“Taking leaps always includes risks and tons of unknowns,” Rachel says, “but I want you to remember that the risk is worth Heaven’s reward.”

Rachel’s Book: Taking the 5 Leaps of Faith: Experiencing God’s Faithfulness as You Respond to His Call.

Podcast: Taking the Leap with Rachel G. Scott

Quiz: The 5 Leaps Quiz

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

Website | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn

But God promises to be with us every step of the way. In today’s episode of The Living Room, Andi Andrew shares from her book, Braving Change: Release the Past, Welcome Growth, and Trust Where God is Leading You.

Andi and I talk about the massive transitions the Lord has taken us through – and how we can fully engage in the journey. Whether it’s moving across the country or navigating the loss of someone we loved, we can count on the Lord to help us brave change.

Book: Braving Change: Release the Past, Welcome Growth, and Trust Where God is Leading You

Previous Episode: TLR 076: Uncomplicating Friendship

Previous Book: Friendship—It’s Complicated: Avoid the Drama, Create Authentic Connection and Fulfill Your Purpose Together

Podcast: Coffee With Andi

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

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

But sometimes we live as though He’s far away. A destination we have to reach rather than a Friend who lives within us.

In this episode of The Living Room, Joni Eareckson Tada and I talk Brother Lawrences’ classic book and how he practiced the presence of God in such a way it changed his life. Joni talks about practical ways we cultivate the Lord’s presence in the midst of everyday life.

Her new devotional, The Practice of the Presence of Jesus: Daily Meditations on the Nearness of Our Savior, has ministered to me deeply – but it’s Joni herself that inspires me to go deeper with Jesus.

Much like Brother Lawrence, Joni’s books and life has blazed a trail to friendship with Jesus that generations will follow.

Joni’s Book: The Practice of the Presence of Jesus: Daily Meditations on the Nearness of Our Savior

Brother Lawrence Book: The Practice of the Presence of God

Joni’s Previous Interview: TLR 082: The Beautiful Faithfulness of God with Joni Eareckson Tada

Joni’s Ministry: Joni & Friends

Joanna’s Newest 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.]

Website | Facebook | Instagram

In a world filled with distractions, our appetite for God can be sedated with lesser things. But God is stirring a hunger in the heart of His people. Can you feel it? A holy dissatisfaction that’s awakening a desire to pursue God in a deeper way than ever before. But how to do it? That is the question.

In this episode of The Living Room with Joanna Weaver, Lisa Whittle shares how God used a similar desperation to take her on a journey that led to her book, I Want God: How to Love Him with All Your Heart and Revive Your Soul.

We go so many beautiful places in this conversation – I hope you enjoy!

Lisa’s Book: I Want God: How to Love Him with All Your Heart and Revive Your Soul

Lisa’s Previous Interview: TLR 043: Jesus Over Everything with Lisa Whittle

Lisa’s Ministry: Called Creatives

Joanna’s Newest 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.]

Website | Instagram | Facebook

But Oswald Chambers’ classic devotional might not have ever been written had it not been for his wife. What a loss that would have been! For through the sermons she compiled, Oswald Chambers has been my spiritual mentor for nearly forty years.

In this episode of The Living Room, biographer Michelle Ule shares the incredible story behind this classic devotional and Biddy Chambers – the woman who captured her husband’s words and shared them with the world.

It is an inspiring episode in so many ways! I hope you are challenged like I was to use my giftings for God’s glory – no matter the pain and sacrifice that might be involved.

Michelle’s book: Mrs. Oswald Chambers: The Woman behind the World’s Bestselling Devotional

My Utmost for His Highest: Classic Edition / Updated Language Edition

Michelle’s Guest Post: Mrs. Oswald Chambers | Guest Michelle Ule

Joanna’s Newest 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.]

Website | Facebook | Instagram

We’re surrounded by messages from culture…

Messages that tell us that beauty is the highest goal. That if we’d only wear the right clothes, but the right beauty products, then we’d feel fulfilled.

But the world’s definition of beauty is not only skewed…it can be downright dangerous. Not only to our mental health and physical bodies, but to our spiritual life as well.

In this episode of The Living Room with Joanna Weaver, family therapist and author, Melissa Johnson, shares from her new book: Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless.

I hope you share this episode with a friend!

Melissa’s Book: Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless.

Melissa’s Podcast: Impossible Beauty

Joanna’s Newest 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.]

Website | Instagram