Send The Parable Podcast a Text

Today I am sharing one of my last messages for our Summer Sermon Series.  We will be back to our regularly scheduled programming next week. Thanks for switching gears a bit to allow us at The Parable Podcast a little space to enjoy these last few days with our kids before school starts. This message was a previous message I shared at our home church of West Ridge.  I hope you enjoy this message today and it encourages you wherever you are.

Message Notes

“Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.” Exodus 22:22

Tamar harbored deep resentment toward her father-in-law because she knew by this time that Shelah had grown up, but she had not been given to him in marriage as Judah had promised. Genesis 38:14

13… Tamar learned that her father-in-law would be coming to Timnah to shear his sheep, 14 she took off her widow’s clothes, put on a veil to conceal her true identity, and sat down at the entrance to Enaim along the road to Timnah. … 15 When Judah passed by and saw her, he thought she was a prostitute because she had her face covered. 16 He decided to proposition her. Genesis 38:13-16

It was the owner of these items who made me pregnant. Please, take a close look and tell me whose personal seal, cord, and walking stick these are. Genesis 38:25

“Jesus: Let the first stone be thrown by the one among you who has not sinned." John 8:11 

1.Deny, Deny, Deny 

2.Shifting Blame

3.Own up to it

“Tamar is more righteous than him”

A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows. - Psalm 68:5

“Certainly the faithful love of the LORD hasn’t ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through! Lamentations 3:22   

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8  

Reflection Questions
1. Journal about a time that seemed so obscure and out of whack in your life and looking back now you can see God's hand at work for a certain reason in your life?

2. A prayer for yourself this week:
God thank you that I can be saved by your unconditional Grace. I believe you love me more than I can comprehend. God thank you for sending your son Jesus so he could die for me. I lay everything at your feet and give my life to you. All I can say is thank you. Amen.

Connect with Danielle | Instagram | Facebook  

How to support The Parable Podcast

• #1 Subscribe or Follow the show so you don't miss the next episode of  The Parable Podcast through your favorite podcast app (i.e. iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher).    
• #2 Share this show with a friend, this is a perfect opportunity to start your own Parable Conversation together.  
• #3 Are you in need of a speaker for your Church, Women's Group, or event? Contact Danielle to learn more.

Support the show

Ways to Support The Parable Podcast

#1 Subscribe or Follow the podcast to ensure you catch every episode of The Parable Podcast on your preferred podcast platform (such as iTunes, Spotify).

#2 Recommend this podcast to a friend, providing a great chance to begin your own Parable Conversation.

#3 Looking for a speaker for your Church, Women's Group, or event? Contact Danielle to learn more.

Send The Parable Podcast a Text

Today I am sharing one of my messages for our Summer Sermon Series and there will be a few sprinkled over the course of the summer with a couple from the archives as well.  Thanks for switching gears a bit to allow us at The Parable Podcast a little space to enjoy playing games with our kids, sipping iced coffees, and relaxing on our back porch. This message was a previous message I shared at our home church of West Ridge.  I hope you enjoy this message today and it encourages you wherever you are.

Author Brené Brown says, "People are hardwired for connection."

We can give the gift of listening

Ways we can be a better listener to others:

1.Pick the right time to talk

2.Ditch distractions 

3.Listen with ears to hear and a heart of compassion.

4.Speak truth into their life 

When Jesus saw Mary’s profound grief and the moaning and weeping of her companions, He was deeply moved by their pain in His spirit and was intensely troubled. As they walked, Jesus wept; and everyone noticed how much Jesus must have loved Lazarus. John 11:33-36

Sympathy is when someone is going through something and you comfort or support them.  

Empathy is more than just acknowledgment, it is when we can put ourselves in someone else’s shoes or we have experienced a similar situation.  

We need to empathize according to their needs, not what you think they need.” 
Danielle Coke | @ohhappydani

"I Can't Carry It For You, But I Can Carry You!" 
– Sam Gamgee , Lord of the Rings, Return of the King

Ways to be more empathetic:

1. Proximity 

2. Asking 1 more question  “tell me more.”  

3. Share emotion

Then Jesus, who was intensely troubled by all of this, approached the tomb—a small cave covered by a massive stone. Remember, I told you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God. They removed the stone, and Jesus lifted His eyes toward heaven. Father, I am grateful that You have heard Me.  I know that You are always listening, but I proclaim it loudly so that everyone here will believe You have sent Me. After these words, He called out in a thunderous voice. Lazarus, come out! Then, the man who was dead walked out of his tomb bound from head to toe in a burial shroud. John 11:38-44 

Reflection Questions
1. When was a time you needed others in your life and journal about that time. 

2. Who can you give life to this week?

Connect with Danielle | Instagram | Facebook  

Support the show

Ways to Support The Parable Podcast

#1 Subscribe or Follow the podcast to ensure you catch every episode of The Parable Podcast on your preferred podcast platform (such as iTunes, Spotify).

#2 Recommend this podcast to a friend, providing a great chance to begin your own Parable Conversation.

#3 Looking for a speaker for your Church, Women's Group, or event? Contact Danielle to learn more.

Send The Parable Podcast a Text

Well, here we are at the 100th EPISODE of The Parable Podcast!  GAAHHH! Whether this is your first, tenth, or one-hundredth episode, thank you for being a listener of The Parable Podcast. The fact that your ears have heard these parable stories and you have seen God in your own, is remarkable. 

If you are like me, you have probably asked the question, "God, why did this happen in this way? And how are You going to use it?" Whether big or small I think we can all use our stories to grow and mold our faith every day if we are willing participants.  How can we be more open to the moments we have each day and the lessons inside of them?  Granted sometimes a broken dishwasher is just a broken dishwasher.  However, as we look back on our time and reflection with God and the Holy Spirit, they allow us clarity and hope for what is to come. As always, God is so good that he allows us to be a part of His story. And that is a big AMEN.

Reflection Questions
1. What is one of your parable stories for you in this last season that you can uncover?  Try your hand at journaling about something that is out of the box like falling over a dishwasher.  

2. After you take some time to reflect, can you utilize anything you learned and apply it to your life?

Connect with Danielle | Instagram | Facebook  

Support the show

Ways to Support The Parable Podcast

#1 Subscribe or Follow the podcast to ensure you catch every episode of The Parable Podcast on your preferred podcast platform (such as iTunes, Spotify).

#2 Recommend this podcast to a friend, providing a great chance to begin your own Parable Conversation.

#3 Looking for a speaker for your Church, Women's Group, or event? Contact Danielle to learn more.

Send The Parable Podcast a Text

Today I am sharing one of my messages for our Summer Sermon Series and there will be a few sprinkled over the course of the summer with a couple from the archives that as well.  Thanks for switching gears a bit to allow us at The Parable Podcast a little space to enjoy playing games with our kids, sipping iced coffees and relaxing on our back porch. This message was a previous message I shared at our home church of West Ridge.  I hope you enjoy this message today and it encourages you wherever you are.

Message Notes

In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly. 1 Samuel 1:10

“LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life...” 1 Samuel 1:11 

“Just because we’re Christians, doesn’t mean we’re healthy. In the same way that our bodies can fail us physically, our minds can do the same – it’s the reality of a broken world. Mental and emotional health issues still happen for those of us that call ourselves Christians." 
- Counselor Deborah Fileta

As she prayed silently before the Eternal One, the priest Eli watched her mouth: Hannah’s lips were moving, but since she was praying silently, he could not hear her words. So Eli thought she was drunk. 1 Samuel 1:12-13

“just a woman with a wounded spirit. I have been pouring out the pain in my soul before the Eternal One. 16 Please don’t consider your servant some worthless woman just because I have been speaking for so long out of worry and exasperation. 1 Samuel 1:15-16

What is that thorn for you?

“Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” 1 Samuel 1:17

"we can have confidence in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us." 1 John 5:14   

“My heart rejoices in the LORD. My strength rises up in the LORD! My mouth mocks my enemies because I rejoice in your deliverance. 2 No one is holy like the LORD—no, no one except you! There is no rock like our God! 1 Samuel 2:1-2

Reflection Questions
1. Are you real or are you faking it?

2. Is there something you need to sacrifice this week?

3. Praise Him even in the tough times.

Connect with Danielle | Instagram | Facebook  

Support the show

Ways to Support The Parable Podcast

#1 Subscribe or Follow the podcast to ensure you catch every episode of The Parable Podcast on your preferred podcast platform (such as iTunes, Spotify).

#2 Recommend this podcast to a friend, providing a great chance to begin your own Parable Conversation.

#3 Looking for a speaker for your Church, Women's Group, or event? Contact Danielle to learn more.

Send The Parable Podcast a Text

Are you, not one to surrender easily? Many of us never want to wave our white flag because we don't want to ask for help.  Meet the CEO of Just One International and Kids Ministry Director Maddie Trncic and what surrender looked like in her life.

If I really want Him to take control, it might mean He is moving me in a different direction than planned. And that is really hard to accept, because I like to plan. I like to be in control. I have to ask myself, 'Am I okay God, if your going to do something different than I want today?' - Maddie Trncic

Conversation Points

• Growing up with a Jewish and Christian parent
• Living in Honduras
• Surrendering to God is not easy
• Physical Posture of prayer
• Releasing Control
• Just One International and finding purpose
• Am I okay with God changing plans or dreams
• Living our life with Jesus

What a joy to connect with Maddie and hear not only her heart for the people of Honduras but what God has taught her throughout the course of her life. Remember your parable showcases how He is always there when you surrender.

Reflection Questions
1. How is God calling you to surrender this week? Do you need to be more flexible, pray with open hands mentality, or something else?

2. Journal about one person that has built into your faith (positive or Negative) and how God has used that for his Good.

Connect with Maddie
Just One International | website 

Support the show

Ways to Support The Parable Podcast

#1 Subscribe or Follow the podcast to ensure you catch every episode of The Parable Podcast on your preferred podcast platform (such as iTunes, Spotify).

#2 Recommend this podcast to a friend, providing a great chance to begin your own Parable Conversation.

#3 Looking for a speaker for your Church, Women's Group, or event? Contact Danielle to learn more.

Send The Parable Podcast a Text

Today I am sharing one of my messages for our Summer Sermon Series and there will be a few sprinkled over the course of the summer with a couple from the archives as well.  Thanks for switching gears a bit to allow us at The Parable Podcast a little space to enjoy playing games with our kids, sipping iced coffees, and relaxing on our back porch. This message was from a relational series we had at our home church of West Ridge and I had the privilege of sharing.   I hope you enjoy this message today and it encourages you wherever you are.

Message Notes

• The point of the ten commandments is to show us how much we need Him. - Angie Smith
• Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12 
• We all need to be parented.

43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.  44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house.” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
 Luke 2:43-52  

• As we get to a place of parenting our parents, if honor, respect, and true authority are there, your return on investment is going to be tenfold. 

Reflection Questions
1. How can we honor our parents this week? 

2. How can you be open-handed with your relationship 

3.  Pray about everything 

Connect with Danielle | Instagram | Facebook  

Support the show

Ways to Support The Parable Podcast

#1 Subscribe or Follow the podcast to ensure you catch every episode of The Parable Podcast on your preferred podcast platform (such as iTunes, Spotify).

#2 Recommend this podcast to a friend, providing a great chance to begin your own Parable Conversation.

#3 Looking for a speaker for your Church, Women's Group, or event? Contact Danielle to learn more.

Send The Parable Podcast a Text

Have you ever had a season where you feel completely absent from God in your life? I know I have and it is hard to walk through that.  Meet my guest Lindsey Jodts, Groups Life Pastor at Willow Creek South Barrington Campus. She is a writer, sometimes academic, teacher, strategic consultant, yogi, and self-proclaimed nerd. As an Enneagram 4, she has a special love for contemplative spiritual practices and enjoys writing poetry and personalized liturgy. Lindsey shares what it looks like to discover her own expression of faith in this episode.  Just a note for the listener, Lindsey briefly mentions self-harm, so if that is triggering or if you have little ears around (timestamp 15:47 - 16:33). 

Conversation Points

• The Glorious Parts of us that God give us
• Different Expressions and Practices of our faith
• Coming alive in our passions and giftings
• Ectopic Pregnancy Loss
• Encouragement to Working Moms 
• Building Camaraderie with one another over competition
• Female Pastors in the Church
• High functioning Depression
• Creativity in our faith

Grateful for the way Lindsey shared her story and shared some of the moments that have made her into the woman she is today. Remember your parable showcases how he has provided you with glorious attributes

Reflection Questions
1. What is glorious about you?

2. What is stirring in you that could come out in a creative way to draw closer to God?  Think outside of the box. 

Connect with Lindsey | Instagram  

Support the show

Ways to Support The Parable Podcast

#1 Subscribe or Follow the podcast to ensure you catch every episode of The Parable Podcast on your preferred podcast platform (such as iTunes, Spotify).

#2 Recommend this podcast to a friend, providing a great chance to begin your own Parable Conversation.

#3 Looking for a speaker for your Church, Women's Group, or event? Contact Danielle to learn more.

Send The Parable Podcast a Text

Have you ever thought about what it looks like to stay intentionally small in your life?  We are going to dig into that, on this episode of the Parable Podcast, I’m your host Danielle Zapchenk.  Right now you are going to meet Luke Kuepfer, Campus Pastor of The Bridge, speaker, and coach share about how Biblical alignment became so important to him 

Jesus said, "Greater works your are going to do when I go back to the Father." That is phenomenal to me. He set them up for success. It was about a movement. - Luke Kuepfer

Luke also helps non-profit and business leaders understand how to maximize their God-given potential to lead and serve others. What does leadership look like for each one of us and how did Jesus set himself up as the role model? I hope you remember Your parable showcases how He has provided you with glorious attributes.

Talking Points

• Smuggling Bibles in the cover of night
• Biblical Alignment
• Unreached People Groups
• Leaving the comfort zone
• Living a life of adventure
• What is the Mennonite Faith?
• What God has done in Luke's life

Reflection Questions
1. What does it look like to stay intentionally small in your life?

2. In what ways have you aligned yourself with the Bible so you are pouring out into the world?  And if you can’t think of any, prayerfully consider some spaces for yourself.

Connect with Luke
Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Website 

Truth Made Simple
Reverb Network

Asia Harvest

How to support The Parable Podcast

• #1 Subscribe or Follow the show so you don't miss the next episode of  The Parable Podcast through your favorite podcast app (i.e. iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher).    
• #2 Share this show with a friend, this is a perfect opportunity to start your own Parable Conversation together.  
• #3 Are you in need of a speaker for your Church, Women's Group, or event? Contact Danielle to learn more.

Support the show

Ways to Support The Parable Podcast

#1 Subscribe or Follow the podcast to ensure you catch every episode of The Parable Podcast on your preferred podcast platform (such as iTunes, Spotify).

#2 Recommend this podcast to a friend, providing a great chance to begin your own Parable Conversation.

#3 Looking for a speaker for your Church, Women's Group, or event? Contact Danielle to learn more.

Send The Parable Podcast a Text

Have you ever felt like the rug has been pulled out from under you by God?  Meet Jodi Otto who is the First Impression and Connections Director at National Community Church in DC who shares how God used an unlikely dream of hers for so much more. I know for myself it can seem selfish or unnecessary to come to God with the things rolling in my head. However, if He loves us as his own, why wouldn't he listen and celebrate all that you are?

There is a God of the universe who cares what we write down in the pages of our journal. - Jodi Otto

Jodi goes on to share that, "God is writing a good story for you and nothing is wasted in the end."  Her parable story is one that encourages you to keep going and look for His faithfulness when it is hard to find it. I hope you remember this week that your parable showcases the answered and unanswered prayers. 

Talking Points

• Celebrate the markers along the way
• Reminders of where God is working, when the days are hard
• Jodi's important faith lessons
• Surviving the loss of a good friend
• Sitting in discontentment
• A reminder to look at the faithfulness of God's character
• Intentional actions to love others well goes a long way

Reflection Questions
1. How have you been dreaming lately? Put a pen to paper for a few days or start a note on your phone and just see where those dreams take you.

2. If you are in a season of discontentment right, how can you anchor yourself to God and continue to hold on to him when it feels overwhelming? Tell him about it, he wants to hear from you.

Connect with Jodi | Instagram

Support the show

Ways to Support The Parable Podcast

#1 Subscribe or Follow the podcast to ensure you catch every episode of The Parable Podcast on your preferred podcast platform (such as iTunes, Spotify).

#2 Recommend this podcast to a friend, providing a great chance to begin your own Parable Conversation.

#3 Looking for a speaker for your Church, Women's Group, or event? Contact Danielle to learn more.

Send The Parable Podcast a Text

Have you ever had a conversation where someone said, "I see this in you."? Sometimes it comes out of nowhere or you are kinda shocked because certain qualities you see in yourself are just everyday.  Meet Kristi Bramlett who is a certified movement coach and professor at Columbia College who helps communicators have a greater impact the world. Kristi shares what it looks like to let go in her parable story.

"It's time for me to let this other thing go.  And I think it is Erwin McManus who said, 'spiritual maturity is the length of time from hearing from God and then doing what he says.' And I am not spiritually mature." - Kristi Bramlett

Episode Talking Points

• our responsibility vs God's responsibility
• Letting it All Go (Yes, with a reference to Elsa)
• Deciphering and Discerning God's voice
• God orchestrates everything
• I feel like a horrible human
• How to release what has been said to them
• Discovering who God created you innately

Plus, it is so amazing to hear about our mind-body connection from Kristi's perspective. God is so good by being in the details of everything we do.  Grateful for Kristi to share what it looks like to walk in a new direction in her life. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Parable Podcast.

Reflection Questions

1. How Have you been listening to the people God has specifically placed in your life that see something in you? If you don’t have anyone like that, pray about God showing you those connections.

2. It is easy to emulate others because we love, admire, or desire to be like them.  However, God asks us to be our authentic selves in Him - no one else.  How can you not hold on to that back this week?

Connect with Kristi

Website | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Email 

Support the show

Ways to Support The Parable Podcast

#1 Subscribe or Follow the podcast to ensure you catch every episode of The Parable Podcast on your preferred podcast platform (such as iTunes, Spotify).

#2 Recommend this podcast to a friend, providing a great chance to begin your own Parable Conversation.

#3 Looking for a speaker for your Church, Women's Group, or event? Contact Danielle to learn more.