We each want to be a better listener and to be God's gaze on others as they tell their stories. Episode #46 gives us some practical strategies for doing this well.

The amazing guest on today's episode of the UnPerfect Podcast is Dr. Jackie Perry. A gifted communicator, Jackie is passionate about making theological, biological, and neurological concepts accessible. She draws from experiences as a graduate professor of clinical mental health counseling and more than 30 years of providing therapeutic services for adolescents, emergent adults, and families and clinical supervision for counselors in her role as Director of The SoulWell Center.

Jackie started The SoulWell Center out of a desire to integrate her experience as a counselor educator to equip everyday people to love others well. In episode #46, she shares insights about being a better listener through empathic listening.

For some specific strategies to being a better listener (by listening emphatically), check out episode #29 - Healthy Ways to Listen to the Stories Others Tell.

Jackie wrote a book we can ALL USE - Parenting the Heart of Your Teen, and you can buy it on Kindle or paperback here.

Thanks for taking my listener survey HERE.

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Do you ever notice your thoughts drifting when you sit down to read the Bible? Particularly in those familiar passages that you've visited countless times? Today, I'm presenting 10 creative approaches to connect with God's Word that might pique your interest. Tune in to today's rebroadcast of one of my top 8 downloaded podcast episodes from seasons 1 and 2…

Some links mentioned in this episode to help you read the Bible in a fresh way:

* For a printable download of the ideas mentioned in episode #45, click here.

* Here is my favorite audio Bible app - the ethnic voices and diverse music are very inspiring: Streetlights App

* Order Jackie Hill Perry's audio Bible here:  Jackie Hill Perry ESV audio bible.

* And finally, my favorite "Reader's Bible" (sans verse numbers and section headings) is The ESV Reader's Bible.

Some Scriptures heard in this episode:

• Hebrews 4:12
• Deuteronomy 17:18-19
• John 6:68
• Psalm 27:13
• Romans 15:13 
  
  

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Living in a broken world promises that we will experience hurt or pain. There are so many hurdles that push the pause button on our hope. But our God of restoration and faithfulness gives us tools for finding hope when life is hard.

In episode 44, I'll share the top 22 themes we've covered in the last year on The UnPefect Podcast. As we celebrate a year of living in the UnPerfect of the now and the not-yet, we'll remember encouragements and challenges that can enable us to live fully and with great hope. If you want to go back and dive in deeper, there are links to each episode that cover these topics in greater depth. Find the principles and links here.

Remember to fill out this quick survey so I can get to know you better as I serve you each week on the podcast!

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Loved this episode?! Leave a 5-star rating (and review)! Instructions here for the technologically challenged.

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Claim your free UnPerfect printable download, The UnPerfect Promises of God: Five Biblical Affirmations for Living in the Now and the Not Yet

I’d love to speak at your women’s event or retreat - check out my website!

*As an Amazon Associate, I make a few cents if you buy one of the books I've linked to above. Enjoy!

In this episode of the UnPerfect Podcast, we wrap up this series on fear. Thanks to some incredible gifts of God, we can kick worry and fear to the curb. He enables us to build a faith that is stronger than our fear!

Link to the listener survey - thanks so much for taking the time to participate!

In this episode, we will examine the last two God-given gifts that enable us to live fear-free. ***

What you'll hear about worry and fear - and how faith makes them powerless - in Episode #43:

• Why my daughter's chocolate chip cookies are ALWAYS better than mine - even tho we use the same recipe
• How to respond when God's protection doesn't seem very protective
• God's response during one of my absolute lowest moments
• My desired response when deliverance looks different than I hope
• A true story about a brave mama bird who epitomizes the final gift God gives us to scatter our fear of eternity
• What my mid-life crisis taught me about the eternal love of my Heavenly Father - and how it can drive out fear forever
• Questions and suggestions to utilize these gifts to their fullest potential in your faith and over your fear

***In Episode #41, I reintroduced you to a passage in Scripture that has been strengthening my faith and weakening my fear for months. I told you about the first of five gifts hiding in plain sight in Psalm 91 that God gives us to do away with our fear—God's presence. We unpacked what that looks like in real time and learned some practical strategies. So head back to episode #41 if you missed it.)

Then, in Episode 42, I shared with you the next two gifts mentioned in Psalm 91—God's pockets (abundant resources) and His person (character). Again, I shed new light on some mindset shifts and ways to live these out. Head back to that episode for more on kicking your worry and fear to the curb.

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*As an Amazon Associate, I make a few cents if you buy one of the books I've linked to above. Enjoy!

I am no stranger to stressing over the "what ifs" of life. But I've found five fear-starving gifts presented in Psalm 91 to be an absolute balm to my fearful, worried soul! In episode #41, we talked about the first one - God's presence. Today, we explore the next two extraordinary gifts God gives us to combat the natural inclinations of our faithless flesh. Whether you fear what could happen five years from now or five minutes from now, I think you'll find hope in today's episode!

In Episode #42 you'll find out:

• Some fun facts - a few phobias you may not know about and a word in Kinyarwandan we mistranslated from our Rwandan kids for years (just another addition to our parenting fails)
• What's in your "wallet" when it comes to fleeing fear
• Encouragement for times when prayer seems futile
• What truly knowing God's name has to do with drop-kicking fear
• The first person in Scripture to give God a name - and how you can, too
• Some questions to consider concerning your specific fears
• How to make a "Goliath" list, then replace it with a "God's-Got-This" list

Some scriptures mentioned in this episode:

• Deuteronomy 8:4
• Matthew 7:7-11
• Revelation 19:11
• Psalm 91:11-14

A special resource mentioned in today's episode for parents of high schoolers facing fears concerning their child's graduation or adult children reentering the home: Sending Your Senior. Check out this three-episode podcast series by Biltmore Church. (Spoiler alert: You'll hear a few more "unperfect" parenting stories by me and my hubs.)

Link to the listener survey - thanks so much for taking the time to participate!

Support the show

Loved this episode?! Leave a 5-star rating (and review)! Instructions here for the technologically challenged.

Join my newsletter and never miss an episode or update!

Claim your free UnPerfect printable download, The UnPerfect Promises of God: Five Biblical Affirmations for Living in the Now and the Not Yet

I’d love to speak at your women’s event or retreat - check out my website!

*As an Amazon Associate, I make a few cents if you buy one of the books I've linked to above. Enjoy!

Want to stop worrying and live fearless? You've come to the right place. In this 3-part podcast series we'll be looking to God's Word for 5 powerful ways to kick fear to the curb.

Over the next 3 episodes, we will explore some extraordinary gifts God gives us to combat the natural inclinations of our faithless flesh. Whether you fear what could happen five years from now or five minutes from now, I think you'll find hope in today's episode!

Episode #41 - A Practical Guide to Kicking Worry and Fear to the Curb

In this episode, I discuss:

• One way to battle our fleshly nature of fearfulness
• How birds help us understand God's protection
• What it actually means to make God our dwelling place
• How the movie Hitch taught me about the presence of God (no, really!)
• 3 questions to consider and suggestions for practicing more faith 

For more, check out the rest of this series:
Episode #42
Episode #43

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Loved this episode?! Leave a 5-star rating (and review)! Instructions here for the technologically challenged.

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Claim your free UnPerfect printable download, The UnPerfect Promises of God: Five Biblical Affirmations for Living in the Now and the Not Yet

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*As an Amazon Associate, I make a few cents if you buy one of the books I've linked to above. Enjoy!

In Episode #40, writer/speaker/ministry leader Jody Allen and I continue our conversation on making changes by trading one habit for another. 

In episode #39, she shared her personal journey into trading one habit for another and gifted us with the first two steps in the process. Head there now if you missed the first part of this mini-series on habits trading—find it here!

In today's episode, Jody gives us some practical steps for making trades in our habits to create real change. Next, she offers tried and true encouragement as we engage in the process.  Listen in to hear more on the following:

• Why we don't have to be victims of our choices
• The balance between our efforts and God's empowerment
• How the changes God makes in us are more permanent
• Why our motivation makes a difference in our success
• Recognizing how Satan plays both "sides" to keep you defeated
• How to use the three circles diagram to trade bad choices for healthy ones and perceive areas of caution (free printable download here)
• What the famous swimmer Florence Chadwick can teach us about staying the course

Finally, today's episode was packed full of wisdom from God's Word! Check them out for further study: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Psalm 121:1-2, John 8:32, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Peter 5:8, Psalm 28:7, Hebrews 12:1-2, Galatians 6:9

Grab your printable copy of the 3 Circles Diagram here - I'll send it straight to your inbox.

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Loved this episode?! Leave a 5-star rating (and review)! Instructions here for the technologically challenged.

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Claim your free UnPerfect printable download, The UnPerfect Promises of God: Five Biblical Affirmations for Living in the Now and the Not Yet

I’d love to speak at your women’s event or retreat - check out my website!

*As an Amazon Associate, I make a few cents if you buy one of the books I've linked to above. Enjoy!

What if that habit you know you need to curb could be changed by a more intentional system than just self-discipline or an act of the will? In episode #39 of The UN-Perfect Podcast, we'll learn how to trade one habit for a better one. Out with the old, in with the new! 

I thoroughly enjoyed my interview with speaker/writer/ministry leader Jody Allen in this episode. She is wise (she once talked a tow truck driver into NOT towing her car out of an illegal parking spot), witty (she constantly makes me laugh—often at myself), strong (she birthed twins—need I say more?), and she LOVES Jesus. Fortunately for you as listeners, she also loves spiritually pouring into the lives of women!

In this 2-episode series, Jody teaches us a new way to eliminate an old habit/behavior/mindset. Listen to hear Jody talk about:

• trades she has made in her own life
• the power of an outside voice
• seeking God for the trades we need to make
• why change is absolutely possible for the believer
• the enemy's role in holding us back from change

Be sure to stay tuned for the rest of Jody's interview in episode #40.

Want to hear more from Jody or have her speak for your women's event or retreat? Find her at her website, www.JodyAllenWrites.com.

Want a little more help changing some habits and mindsets that are keeping you from fully living the abundant life Jesus promises? Check out Embracing UN-Perfect, a 7-day email/recording dive that will give you Biblical insights and strategies to overcome the hurdles keeping you stuck.

Support the show

Loved this episode?! Leave a 5-star rating (and review)! Instructions here for the technologically challenged.

Join my newsletter and never miss an episode or update!

Claim your free UnPerfect printable download, The UnPerfect Promises of God: Five Biblical Affirmations for Living in the Now and the Not Yet

I’d love to speak at your women’s event or retreat - check out my website!

*As an Amazon Associate, I make a few cents if you buy one of the books I've linked to above. Enjoy!

As women, we often find ourselves stuck in the misery and disappointment of past regret. But God’s Word and the gospel of hope grant us a more productive and purposeful trajectory.

Today, we are once again diving into ditching our regret and embracing hope.

In episode #37 - How To Ditch Your Regret and Embrace Hope - part 1, we looked at two different types of regrets we often hold on to. We also found new narratives to replace the lies the enemy wants to keep us stuck in. Next, we discovered how and why the antithesis of regret - hope - gets the final say over our regret.

In episode #38, we will look at two last essential truths we must understand to move from regret to hope, which will answer these questions:

• What role does Jesus play in helping us move past our regrets?
• Who is a Biblical example of successfully putting regret behind him and moving forward in faithfulness?
• How does this example give us hope?
• What's the best strategy for leaving the paralyzing place of deep regret?

Finally, This episode was jam-packed with what God's Word says about regret AND hope, including these scriptures: 

• Romans 15:4, 13
• Philippians 3:13-15
• Romans 5:8
• Joel 2:25
• Ezekiel 36:26
• Isaiah 61:3
• 1 Peter 1 and 3
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-5
• 1 Samuel 15:35-16:1

More episodes like this one:
#18 - The UN-Perfect Women God Chooses
#31 - Restoration from Spiritual Brokenness in the Grace of Jesus
#33 - Hidden Relationship Wreckers

Support the show

Loved this episode?! Leave a 5-star rating (and review)! Instructions here for the technologically challenged.

Join my newsletter and never miss an episode or update!

Claim your free UnPerfect printable download, The UnPerfect Promises of God: Five Biblical Affirmations for Living in the Now and the Not Yet

I’d love to speak at your women’s event or retreat - check out my website!

*As an Amazon Associate, I make a few cents if you buy one of the books I've linked to above. Enjoy!

As women, we often find ourselves stuck in the misery and disappointment of past regret. But God's Word and the gospel of hope grant us a more productive and purposeful trajectory...

In episode #37 of The UN-Perfect Podcast, we begin a two-part series on handling regret through a Biblical lens. There are four fundamental truths we must realize and take to heart in order to move past a regret. This week we will discuss:

• How the enemy uses regret to distort the truth
• Two types of regret we all experience and two statements of assurance to remember when we begin to rehearse our regrets
• How the Greek word for hope in the New Testament shines light on our focus during times of regret or hope

Check out the following scriptures concerning regret and hope:

Ephesians 3:20

Philippians 3:13-15

Romans 15:4

Romans 15:13

Want to hear more on this topic? Check out the following episodes and resources...

Episode #27  - Overcoming Anger with Elizabeth of  Emotionally Healthy Legacy Podcast

Episode #31 - Restoration for Sexual Brokenness  with Teresa Whiting

Embracing UN-Perfect: A 7-Day Dive to Fully Living the Life You Were Dealt.
Each day of this email/recording resource covers topics like regret, comparison, insignificance, authenticity, worry, and more.

Grab your free copy of The UN-Perfect Promises of God here.  This is a free printable download of 5 Biblical meditations for living in the now and the not-yet.

Support the show

Loved this episode?! Leave a 5-star rating (and review)! Instructions here for the technologically challenged.

Join my newsletter and never miss an episode or update!

Claim your free UnPerfect printable download, The UnPerfect Promises of God: Five Biblical Affirmations for Living in the Now and the Not Yet

I’d love to speak at your women’s event or retreat - check out my website!

*As an Amazon Associate, I make a few cents if you buy one of the books I've linked to above. Enjoy!