The Trailmarker podcast will be paused for the time beating as I determine the format for the upcoming season. I apologize for any disappointment, but look forward to coming back at the appropriate time. While you wait, take a listen to some of our older conversations or any episodes you may have missed. Thanks!

In this episode, Paul McDonald concludes his conversation with Drs. Mike McDonald and Jeremy Allen.  They discuss the importance of availability and having a willingness to just show up.  How available are you? Are you willing to serve and do the little things now, or are you focused on a big vision or a big mountain?  God will build His Kingdom through us, through our willingness to serve where we are.

In this episode, Paul McDonald talks with Mike McDonald and Jeremy Allen about the flip side of adventure.  They had spoken previously of big, memorable events, but adventure can be found in the dailies as well.  If familiarity breeds contempt, we must have contempt for the contempt in order to love well. They also begin talking about their Kingdom adventure, and how their mission to Uganda came to be.  The conclusion of the conversation will be on next week's episode.

In this episode, Paul McDonald talks with Drs. Mike McDonald and Jeremy Allen about how to combat regret and stifle the urge to second guess.  Recognize that God is sovereign, and that our "bad times" are what forms us.  God uses the struggle to shape us and mature us, to help us learn to lean on Him.  Release the responsibility, and live in a child-like expectant faith.

In this episode, Paul McDonald continues his conversation with Drs. Mike McDonald and Jeremy Allen.  They discuss the challenges of arriving someplace that doesn't look like how you thought it would.  As physicians, they understand the danger of second guessing decisions.  There is a danger in assuming that a different decision would lead to a different or better outcome.  When looking back, you ask yourself, "Was what you did improper? Was it illegal? Were you negligent? Did you act outside your scope?"  If you can say no to these, then it isn't malpractice.  There is a danger in assuming all the responsibility is yours--it negates God's sovereignty.

In this episode, Paul McDonald talks with Drs. Mike McDonald and Jeremy Allen about their 20-year friendship, and how God has used their relationship as a lifeline through life's biggest battles.  It is important to find someone who is walking a parallel path, so you can help each other along the way (like Sam and Frodo in the Lord of the Rings).  Keep your eyes open for men who are farther along the path, and can help you navigate the challenges that you face.  The enemy wants you to be isolated, believing your problems and failures are bigger than anyone else can handle.  Be faithful in the seemingly mundane and trivial (show up for church, Bible study, little things), so that when the big things come, you have a lifeline.  Put yourself in position to receive God's lifelines.

Paul McDonald and Tina Yeager continue their discussion of Tina's book, Beautiful Warrior.  They discuss the toxicity of seeking approval from outside sources.  Tina describes the difference between shame and conviction, and offers suggestions to men for how to pursue the hearts of the women in their lives.

Tina is an award-winning author, speaker, licensed counselor, and life coach. She encourages audiences to fulfill their potential. She offers writing workshops through Serious Writer Academy, hosts the Flourish-Meant podcast, and is a mentor with Word Weavers International. Beautiful Warrior, her book on women’s esteem is available on Amazon. To connect with her, visit tinayeager.com.  

Other places you can find Tina:

Website: https://tinayeager.com/

Beautiful Warrior: Finding Victory Over the Lies Formed Against You (publisher site): https://www.newhopepublishers.com/shop/beautiful-warrior/

Flourish-Meant Podcast (also accessible from my website): https://tinayeager.podbean.com/

Inkspirations Online (devotional publication by writers for writers): https://www.inkspirationsonline.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyeagerwriting/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinayeager/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina.yeager.9/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tyeagerwrites

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TinaYeager

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tyeagerwrites/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3865622.Tina_Yeager

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tina-Yeager-M.A./e/B06Y4T4TMG/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Paul McDonald and Tina Yeager discuss her book, Beautiful Warrior.  They compare the world's definitions of beauty and success with God's definitions.  "Your life is the message God preaches."

Tina is an award-winning author, speaker, licensed counselor, and life coach. She encourages audiences to fulfill their potential. She offers writing workshops through Serious Writer Academy, hosts the Flourish-Meant podcast, and is a mentor with Word Weavers International. Beautiful Warrior, her book on women’s esteem is available on Amazon. To connect with her, visit tinayeager.com.  

Other places you can find Tina:

Website: https://tinayeager.com/

Beautiful Warrior: Finding Victory Over the Lies Formed Against You (publisher site): https://www.newhopepublishers.com/shop/beautiful-warrior/

Flourish-Meant Podcast (also accessible from my website): https://tinayeager.podbean.com/

Inkspirations Online (devotional publication by writers for writers): https://www.inkspirationsonline.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyeagerwriting/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinayeager/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina.yeager.9/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tyeagerwrites

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TinaYeager

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tyeagerwrites/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3865622.Tina_Yeager

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tina-Yeager-M.A./e/B06Y4T4TMG/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

In part two of the discussion, Paul McDonald and Allen Arnold talk about digging deeper into the words from God.  Once you receive your word, what do you do with it? How do you use it to grow deeper in your union with God?  That leads to a conversation about the definition of success, one that isn't dependent on reaction from others, but on whether or not you did it with God.  

Allen Arnold is the the Director of Content & Resources for Ransomed Heart Ministries and the author of The Story of With: A Better Way to Live, Love, and Create.

On this episode, Paul McDonald and Allen Arnold talk about the practice of advance words, seeking guidance from God for the upcoming year.  Allen recommends starting early to remove the pressure.  It's also important to go into the process without an agenda.  Avoid the "yep" in response to the guidance God gives--don't assume you know everything about it.  Spend time with the word, savor it.  Finally, write it down.  Remember it. Don't let it slip away.  The entire process is meant to lead to a conversation with God, to a deeper intimacy and relationship with Him.  

Allen Arnold is the the Director of Content & Resources for Ransomed Heart Ministries and the author of The Story of With: A Better Way to Live, Love, and Create.