The Year I Read the Bible with Laurie Larsen

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Let's face it -- even though Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” ... I've never once seen a mountain throw itself in the sea.  How about you?

What does that mean?  That praying for miracles doesn't work?  No ... because we've either witnessed or heard of many miracles that did work.  

Laurie and her guest Jennifer Tirrell dig into this topic today, covering such questions as: 

• if I pray for a miracle and don't receive one, does it mean I did something wrong?  
• Does God get upset when we ask for things that are not part of his will?  
• And how can we up our chances that our prayers will be heard and fulfilled by our Almighty Father?

Jennifer describes her Generational Legacy project.  Click the link if you'd like more information.

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Laurie draws parallels between Jesus's three-year earthly ministry and a job she used to perform, as a project manager of large, complicated efforts.  Similarities do exist -- defining your scope, meeting regularly with your sponsor, developing and educating your core team, and staying determined to deliver the end product against all odds and adversity.  

However, where Laurie was managing projects that delivered systems and applications, Jesus was "managing a project" to deliver eternal redemption for all mankind.  Stay with us and see if you can "pick up what Laurie's putting down."  :) 

Laurie welcomes back return guest Beth Dulee, who was a friend and coworker back in their mutual project management days.  They'll talk shop, and Beth will help illuminate this unusual concept!

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In this look back over Laurie's third quarter of episodes, she shares several examples where her insightful guests have "blown her mind" with knowledge and interpretations she'd never heard of or thought of before!

Also -- a call to action!  Use the "Send Us a Text" link above, or the Contact form on Laurie's website  to share any new knowledge you've gained that has made a difference in your own Bible journey.

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This topic single-handedly garnered the most views and comments on my blog when I was posting my Bible findings once a week.  If that tells us anything, it's that this is a topic on the minds and in the curiosities of a great deal of believers!

The short answer to the question is ... no.  We won't still be married in heaven.  But our loving Father wouldn't just take that relationship away -- He is replacing it with something even better. Hopefully, if you came into this episode worried or stressed, you will leave relieved.

I have TWO special guests on this episode -- a married couple who had some great insight and thoughts about the topic ... David and Patty Haworth.  I have been friends with Patty for 30 years now! (WOW).  And David -- he's having a heck of a wonderful life between ushering for the Cubs at Wrigley Field (any baseball fans out there???) and pursuing his dream of writing novels.  Join us for our conversation!

Here are some links we reference in the chat:

David's book Your Precious Possessions

Proverbs 31:10-31

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PodcastThon?  What on earth is PodcastThon?

It's the biggest and most far-reaching charitable event in the Podcasting world and I'm thrilled that The Year I Read the Bible was invited to take part. On March 17 I'll dedicate an entire episode of the podcast to the charity of my choice, and 2000 other podcasters all over the world will be doing the same thing!  How exciting to take part in such a thrilling movement!

I chose a charity you've already heard about in episodes 23 and 26 -- Feed My Peeps!  I'll invite CEO and Founder Jacki Brey back to talk in more depth about how she started this wonderful charity and tell us stories about the people she's reached.

Stay tuned!  

#PodcastThon 

#FeedMyPeeps

#TheYearIReadtheBible

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Did Jesus ever get angry?  Of course, we're all familiar with the time he turned the tables in the Temple when the money changers were using the sacred ground for profit.  But what about the incident listed in each of the four gospels called his "Woes to the Pharisees" speech.  Jesus was angry that these men of God, these religious leaders were focused on all the wrong things, and completely disregarding the real message!

This episode shares a one-hit wonder by the artist Rockwell from 1980.  (If you know, you know!)  

Laurie's guest today is Jennifer E. Tirrell, a very diverse and prolific writer.  From novels to children's stories to blogs and devotionals, Jennifer handles it all with grace.

Here are some websites to check out for Jennifer:

Jennifer's website 

Little Sprout, her children's book

Jane's Secret, her novel

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Learn a little more about the unique character of John the Baptist.  God chose him to prepare the way for Jesus on earth, but of course, as all of us are, he was human. And to me, he came across as a little strange.  And a little uncertain.  Especially when he said things about Jesus such as "I didn't know him."  Huh?  He was related to Jesus, and I assume they knew each other growing up.

Anyway, listen to my thoughts on the matter and make up your own mind.  Then, I welcome back my lovely guest from last week, Dianne Miley.  She shares some wonderful insight on John to add to our understanding of this challenging Bible character.

Here's Dianne's website if you want to learn more about her books.

And here's that bonus episode I mention in the interview that tells you all about my fiction work.  I released it on December 30.

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Welcome back to new Bible study content after our short holiday break!  Here's wishing a super new year for all of us!

Laurie digs in deep about the Christian practice of baptism.  Why do we do it?  What's it for?  What does the Bible say about it? Why do various Christian denominations argue about when a person should be baptized?  If a believer dies before being baptized, will they go to heaven?

Laurie welcomes a very knowledgeable guest to help her navigate the "waters" of this topic!  Our warm welcome to Dianne Miley!  Dianne is an author of Christian fiction and the founder of the not-for-profit Sanctuary of Unborn Life in Charleston, SC.  She's done so much good in this world, and Laurie's blessed to call her a friend.

Check out Dianne's work at these links:

Dianne's website

Dianne's Amazon author page

Sanctuary of Unborn Life

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How does someone who had always dreamed of becoming an author, actually push through and get started?  For Laurie, it all came down to a visit to the Margaret Mitchell House in Atlanta, Georgia.  That one random decision changed her life in ways she could never imagine.

We're taking a break from the Bible essays this week to share more about Laurie's vast backlist of fiction.  Take a short listen and maybe you'll find a book or two to start off your New Year right!

Laurie's website is the best spot to learn anything you want to know about her books.

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Here's a repeat performance of the episode I previously did with Melissa Henderson (Oct 28) all about those elements that we've come to accept as modern Christians as it relates to the Christmas story -- but that modern Bible researchers are now thinking are NOT necessarily true.

It'll make you go "hmmmm" but remember that the true message of Christ's birth is just as meaningful, and just as true, and just as important as ever.

Enjoy! And merry Christmas everyone!