God doesn’t make mistakes. He isn’t startled by “accidents.” Nothing has ever suddenly occurred to Him. But He is big enough to handle whatever gets thrown His way.

Grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and join Cindy Beall and me as we chat with Lis Marin at The Messy Table. Lis is a worship-loving, salsa-dancing, truth-speaking pastor’s wife and mama of two with a STORY TO TELL.

“There’s a victory story to tell here—from this messy, messy event.”  Lis Marin

You see, Lis is the product of sexual abuse. Some would label her as unplanned. Unwanted, even. But, in truth, Lis is tangible evidence of God’s unwarranted grace. Purposefully appointed; deliberately designed. AND you’re getting a two-for-one special! The backstory of Lis’ incredibly strong single mama, who had a massive influence on the direction of Lis’ life.

What the enemy intends for evil, God can use for good. Don’t miss this redemptive episode at The Messy Table Podcast!

Life.Church | Life.Church Sisters

2020 Life.Church Sisters Event

YouVersion Bible App | Bible App for Kids

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  Genesis 50:20

The post EP. 89 | Lis Marin [God Doesn’t Make Mistakes] appeared first on Jenn Jewell.

Long before a global pandemic, before this hyper-intense political climate, before world-wide anxiety was pounding in our ears, before receiving some personally devastating news, Shelly Miller was etching timeless words onto the pages of her new book, Searching for Certainty.

Today’s episode at The Messy Table isn’t highlighting a story from the past, but one that’s unfolding in real time, right now. In recent weeks, doctors have given Shelly the heart-wrenching prognosis of terminal cancer —12 fleeting months to live.

Just typing such news leaves me undone. What I would give to be tromping around Italy again with this gorgeous soul! (See: #tuscanywritersretreat.) And though we’ll continue to PLEAD for a miracle, we are, once again, faced with our own mortality. We are, once again, challenged to surrender our own precious plans.

Yet, even here, hope can be found.

Shelly’s compelling book—Searching for Certainty—launches TODAY, smack in the middle of this wildly unsettled season. And the irony of such timing is not lost on her. In fact, I asked if she’d rather cancel our recording, but she insisted. She insisted on living out her hope and clinging to her Savior with every breath she’s got.

If you’ve found yourself searching for God in the (many) disruptions of life, we want to invite you to join us at The Messy Table.

Shelly Miller: Website | Books | Sabbath Society | Coaching

Searching for Certainty: Finding God in the Disruptions of Life by Shelly Miller

This Day and Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

Praying Through Psalms by Cindy Hamilton | The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

The Passion Translation – The Bible for a New Generation

Life.Church | Life.Church Sisters | YouVersion Bible App

The post EP. 88 | Shelly Miller [Searching for Certainty] appeared first on Jenn Jewell.

2020 has been a RIDE, hasn’t it? A global pandemic, racial unrest, and nonstop political tension. East coast hurricanes, west coast wildfires, and African dust storms. Plus, more intimate battles being fought in homes.

And that’s exactly why we should look to JESUS, as well as to those who have LOOKED TO JESUS while persevering on rocky terrain. Women like Ali Bergin.

In today’s conversation with Amy Groeschel and Jenn Jewell, Ali says…

Ali’s one of those people who can light up any room. You’d never know that she’s endured massive challenges, overcome significant hardships, and weathered many messes. She’s navigated a dysfunctional childhood, an unexpected divorce, single-mom life, and final months with a dying parent.

If you could use a shot of perseverance, we’d love for you to join us at The Messy Table Podcast!

Happiness is an Inside Job by John Powell | Unexpected by Christine Caine

Hope Heals and Suffer Strong by Katherine and Jay Wolfe

Suffering by Paul David Trip | The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

The Bible Recap Bible Plan and The Bible Recap Podcast with Tara-Leigh Cobble

Sermon on the Mount (from Matthew 5): The Beatitudes

The Bible Project and The Bible Project Podcast with Tim Mackie + John Collins

Life.Church | Life.Church Sisters | YouVersion Bible App

The post EP. 87 | Ali Bergin [A Call to Persevere] appeared first on Jenn Jewell.

At the tender age of 15, Avery Brooks lost her dad, older sister, and younger brother in one tragic moment—while simultaneously fighting for her own life.

How does someone navigate such immense grief? How does someone process such faith-boggling questions? How does someone begin to heal after living through something so horrific?

Avery is a wife, teacher, survivor, adrenaline junky, and world traveler who’s uncovered relentless joy in the face of heartbreak. You don’t want to miss this episode at The Messy Table Podcast!

2 Corinthians 12:9-11 | Romans 15:13 | Romans 8:17-19 | Revelation 12:11

He Loves Me! by Wayne Jacobson | Trust His Heart by Babbie Mason

Life.Church | Life.Church Sisters | YouVersion Bible App | Bible App for Kids

The post EP. 86 | Avery Brooks [Relentless Joy in the Face of Heartbreak] appeared first on Jenn Jewell.

Is it possible to come back from a past that’s littered with pain? Drugs, abuse, affairs, divorce, and other immense heartache?

Y’all, Cheryl Meares is living proof that God’s in the business of REDEMPTION. He not only tolerates those who are still in process, but He pursues those who are still in process.

Are you nearly out of hope? Have you wondered if you could ever forgive, or truly be forgiven? Is your marriage hanging on by a teeny, measly thread? If you’ve found yourself still in process or searching for hope in the meantime…

You’ve come to the right place. Join Cindy Beall and Jenn Jewell for a chat with Cheryl at The Messy Table!

Healing Your Marriage When Trust Is Broken and Rebuilding a Marriage Better Than New by Cindy Beall

The Bondage Breaker and Victory Over the Darkness by Neil T. Anderson

Hope for the Separated by Gary Chapman | I Won’t Move by Life.Church Worship

Life.Church | Life.Church Sisters | Life.Church Message Series: Emotions

Psalms 46:10 | Isaiah 54:17 | Romans 8:28 | Psalms 139:14

Want to hear more episodes like this one? Check out Ep. 11 with Cindy Beall [Better Than New] and Ep. 23 with Shanna Crawford [Scandalous Grace]

The post EP. 85 | Cheryl Meares [Hope in the Meantime] appeared first on Jenn Jewell.

Anyone out there enjoy your control, uh, possibly a bit too much? Or wish you had more control? Or miss having even a semblance of control? (#2020)

Y’all, Tara White is an incredible wife, mama, foster mama, and pastor at Life.Church—who’s here to give our perspectives a nice, hefty shake. Today at The Messy Table, we’re chatting about her roller-coaster year of fostering extra kiddos AND navigating a brain-tumor diagnosis (!!) while in the middle of a global pandemic. Aka: allllll the things she can’t control.

We could all use a perspective check, couldn’t we? Plus a tangible reminder of who’s really in charge. Which is why you should join us at The Messy Table!

The Fight to Flourish by Jennie Lusko | Another in the Fire by Hillsong UNITED

Life.Church | Life.Church Sisters | YouVersion Bible App | Bible App for Kids

The Messy Table with Whiteney Reid [Ep. 3: Anxiety, Depression, and Hope]

Would you consider leaving a review for us in Apple Podcasts? We would sooo appreciate it. It’s a simple way to help more women find these stories of hope! 

The post EP. 84 | Tara White [Losing Control + Gaining Perspective] appeared first on Jenn Jewell.

For today’s episode at The Messy Table, we want to introduce you to the Dedra Smith! Dedra is fun, fiery, and full of faith.

She’s also PASSIONATE about loving, encouraging, and advocating for those who’ve been abused, rejected, overlooked, and abandoned—because, unfortunately, she’s been there too.

In this conversation, Dedra is unpacking her tender-yet-powerful story with Amy Groeschel and me, plus sharing some additional insight on what God’s taught her about singleness, loneliness, and that impossible quest for perfection.

Even in our mess, Jesus NEVER stops chasing us. We’d love for you to join us at The Messy Table!

Life.Church | Life.Church Sisters | Chazown Experience

Captivated by John + Stasi Eldredge

YouVersion Bible App | The Bible App for Kids

The post EP. 83 | Dedra Smith [Chased by God] appeared first on Jenn Jewell.

What do tribal villages, old-fashioned birthing huts, and Bible translation all have in common? Well, we’re covering ALL OF IT today at The Messy Table Podcast!

Jill Sanders—along with her husband, BJ, and three kiddos—is a missionary who’s been living in a remote mountain village in Papua New Guinea for the last five years. A village where there are no cars, no streets, no grocery stores, no modern doctors… not even (gasp!) drive-thru Chick-fil-A or Amazon Prime deliveries.

And not only that, but the Wantakia people have never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel (the Good News about Jesus + the Kingdom of God) in their own language—until now.

Jill’s perspective is absolutely FASCINATING. One that will stretch our minds, enlarge our hearts, and invite us to EACH play our own little part in the greatest mission on earth. Join us!

Reach Wantakia | Ethnos360

Calm My Anxious Heart | YouVersion Bible

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-8

Want more episodes like this one? Check out Ep. 48 with Germaine Mowery [Home + Hospitality in a Foreign Land]

The post EP. 82 | Jill Sanders [To the Ends of the Earth] appeared first on Jenn Jewell.

We’re nearly bursting with emotion over today’s episode at The Messy Table—Ep. 81: A Conversation About Racism, Justice, and the Heart of God.

A massive THANK YOU to LaTonya Pratt, Stasha Malone, and Sharon Hester for humbly AND boldly sharing your unique perspectives—so that we can ALL continue growing in empathy, understanding, and love.

It’s a little longer than a typical episode, but we believe it is worth your time. Join us!

White Fragility | Woke Church | The Color of Compromise

Black is a Rainbow Color | A Girl Like Me

A Conversation on Race + Restoration with Christine Caine + Dr. Anita Phillips

Be the Bridge with LaTasha Morrison: Resources | Book | Facebook Group

YouVersion Bible App | Bible App for Kids | Life.Church

The post EP. 81 | LaTonya Pratt, Stasha Malone, & Sharon Hester [A Conversation About Racism] appeared first on Jenn Jewell.

We were made to worship—not just with our voices, but also with our lives. But how do we authentically praise God when we’re overcome with anxiety, struggling with depression, or dealing with an overall feeling of hopelessness?

Because of her underlying passion to help others connect with God, Cassidy Estevez writes, sings, and produces stunning content for Life.Church Worship. But as someone who’s experienced many dark days herself, it’s been a journey of pressing in, paying attention, and WORSHIPPING ANYWAY.

In today’s conversation at The Messy Table, Cassidy is chatting with Cindy Beall and Jenn Jewell, where she shares, “When I’m in those darkest seasons is when I’ve seen God’s face most clearly.” Join us!

Life.Church | Life.Church Worship | Life.Church Sisters

WATCH: Count Me In // Switch

WATCH: I Won’t Move // Life.Church Worship

WATCH: Heaven’s All Around // Life.Church Worship

Life.Church Worship on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube

YouVersion Bible App | Bible App for Kids | Bible Plans on Depression

If you’ve find yourself in an especially hard place, take some time to listen to this: Ep. 61 with Molly Allen [Choosing Life When Things Get Dark]

The post EP. 80 | Cassidy Estevez [Worship Anyway] appeared first on Jenn Jewell.