This episode of Where Faith Grows is all about missions. My view of missions before meeting Simone Ilia was pretty "in the box". If someone brought up being called into missions, my mind immediately went to a third world country, living in a hut, and telling people about Jesus. Today, Simone and I sit down and talk about the many facets of true mission work, including where you can start if you feel this is a calling for you!

To start, Simone and I chat about her last few years. We talk about her journey through medical school and what even led her to medical school in the first place. We talk about the ups and downs of that process, how she got where she is, and how she KNEW medical school was the place she needed to be.

Then, we get real about some tough stuff in our faith walks. We talk about what to do when God closes a door that you were SURE was the path you should be on. We talk about persevering and feeling confident in your faith as you follow the path you are passionate about, even when it isn't easy or straightforward.

We then discuss Simone's beautiful heart for missions. We talk about where it comes from for her, and how God lit a fire in her to help those less fortunate through her pursuit of medicine. We talk about how missions can look different for each person, then we get practical and talk about where you can start if you feel this is a calling for you.

I love Simone's heart to help people and her genuine compassion for others. I know it will shine through for you as you listen to this episode too.

This conversation truly changed my view on missions. I now see the broader scope of what is possible and how even I can start today to "flex my mission muscles" as Simone would say! Don't forget to subscribe and share this episode if you love it!

This episode of Where Faith Grows is all about mental health. Lexie and I recorded this one a while ago, but oh I cannot WAIT to share it with you now!

Lexie and I start by discussing her last few years. She is in her internship year of a graduate program in clinical mental health counseling at Auburn University. We discuss Lexie's experience as a Christian in a secular mental health program, including the challenges and benefits that go along with that.

Then, Lexie and I talk about the concept of "leaving your views at the door". We discuss how the church has dealt with mental health in recent years, and how Lexie sees room for improvement.

Lexie and I dive deep into the ways we potentially damage the healing of people in mental health crisis, from the concept of "just praying about it" to the idea that everything happens for a reason. We talk about finding a healthy balance between portraying Jesus' love while also giving tangible resources to promote a more positive mental health experience.

Finally, Lexie and I talk about how Jesus fits into true mental health healing, and Lexie gives real and practical resources to take your next step if you are finding yourself in need of support.

This episode means so much to me - to hear about Lexie's firsthand experience with mental health and to hear her story of overcoming moved me. I also am learning to think differently about how we, as Christians, deal with mental health. I can't wait for you to join us! Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and share it with a friend if you love it! If you share about this episode on social media, be sure to use #wherefaithgrowspodcast so I can see what you are learning and loving! You can also check out thehttps://laura.1stfaith.com/?p=946 ( full show notes for this episode here.)

This episode of Where Faith Grows is all about fear and is part of a special series called Family Style. In this series, I sit down with my family and we talk candidly about all things Faith - the big, the small, the difficult, and the challenging. We cover it all! And we never share our thoughts ahead of time, so you are getting are real thoughts...in real time!

Today's episode is myself, my sister Lexie, and my mom Jenn. and today, it's all about fear. In this season of life, fear is all around us. We are in the midst of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, so we thought this would be a perfect time to sit down together and talk about the different causes of fear, how fear has a different type of impact on each of us in our different phases of life, and how we can beat it once and for all.

First, we talk about how we all would define fear in the context of faith. Then, we dive straight in and talk about how fear can be both good and bad. We then talk about what the Bible says about fear.

We discuss this season specifically, and how each of us are personally responding to fear, then we talk all about what we are even supposed to do with fear in our lives. We also give real and tangible tips for tackling fear day by day if you feel like it has a hold on you.

This episode is incredibly real and vulnerable for each of us. We get real about the ways fear grips us, how we deal with it, and where it comes from for us all. We even dive into how we, as Christians, often see fear as a sinful feeling and how we can combat that thinking.

I know this episode will provide you encouragement, insight, and comfort no matter what season of life you are in. I can't wait for you to join us as we uncover fear and tackle it head on. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a new episode and share it if you love it!

This episode of Where Faith Grows is all about your calling. As Christians, I think it's very easy to get bogged down and stressed out wondering if we are adequately living out God's calling for our lives. So, today Sydney and I sat down and hashed it out!

This episode was originally supposed to be just one episode on this topic. But as Sydney and I started discussing your calling, we both quickly realized there was a lot to say. So, you'll notice this is a part 2 of 2! Don't forget to go back and listen to part 1 if you haven't already. It will give you some amazing insight into the backstory of Sydney's life and in it we start discussing the leaps of faith required to step out into your calling.

Today though, Sydney and I start off with talking about Sydney's childhood and growing up around music. We talk about how it quickly became more than a hobby and how she discovered music was in fact a major calling in her life from God.

We then discuss why music is important to faith. This is a big one! Here, Sydney said a lot that opened my eyes to thinking about music and worship in a totally different way. You'll love this part!

Sydney dives into the chemistry of our brains, how music moves us, and how worship opens up communication lines with God in a unique way.

Finally, we wrap up our conversation with some advice straight from Sydney to you as you search for your calling. She gives some tangible advice and tips for people looking to make a change in life.

This conversation truly rocked my world - I am now looking at music and worship with totally new eyes. I know you will feel the same when you listen! Remember, this is part 2 of our 2-part series, so don't forget to click go back and listen to part 1 as well! And don't forget to subscribe and share it if you love it!

This episode of Where Faith Grows is all about your calling. As Christians, I think it's very easy to get bogged down and stressed out wondering if we are adequately living out God's calling for our lives. So, today Sydney and I sat down and hashed it out!

This episode was originally supposed to be just one episode on this topic. But as Sydney and I started discussing your calling, we both quickly realized there was a lot to say. So, you'll notice this is a part 1 of 2! Stay tuned - the next part releases in 2 weeks!

Sydney and I start off with a fun discussion about Google maps and a game I LOVE to play, Geoguessr. Then, we dive into the main topic of convo, your calling and God's plan for our lives. Sydney and I discuss the challenges associated with moving away from home (especially when you're the first one to do so!).

We then talk about her recent history, moving to the Nashville area and meeting and marrying her husband, Ryan. Then, we dive into the stigma of breakups in Christian culture before talking about her time as a teacher.

Next, we chat about making changes in occupation. In this case, we discuss making moves in occupation when you feel like where you are is not your calling, which can be a major step of faith for people. We discuss the discernment required of decisions like this and how they can cause our faith to grow tremendously. Finally, we wrap up with a fun conversation about the Enneagram!

I LOVED this conversation with Sydney. And, as you know, this is just part 1! Next time, we continue our discussion about your calling as we dive into music and how Sydney began pursuing this passion. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the next episode. And don't forget to share it if you love it!

This episode of Where Faith Grows is all about shame. What a fun topic! (ha!)

Jenn and I start by defining what shame is. We talk about the difference between guilt and shame, and how both are a constant struggle for Christians, as we identify ourselves as sinners in need of grace.

We talk about why the concept of shame is so important, and we discuss where it comes from, whether our shame is something we heap on ourselves, or whether it was placed on us by a situation in our lives.

Jenn and I then talk about how we can overcome shame, and how it truly isn't helpful to us as we try to proclaim the gospel and share the good news of Jesus. We talk about instances of shame in the Bible too.

Finally, we talk about something that touched my heart in such a special way - we talk about giving other people space to relinquish their shame with us. We talk about how important it is to allow people to open up and be vulnerable, to let go of the shame and guilt they feel by showing their truest self to us.

This one is just beautiful - if you're anything like me, you too have struggled with guilt and shame in your life. Let's tackle it together with Jenn.

ABOUT JENN:

Jenn Walden is a blogger and speaker who can be found at Jenn’s Closet, her on-line home where she is passionate about building a sisterhood of fashionable faith.

She was a high school teacher for fifteen years, and is now a homeschool mom actively involved in local homeschool co-ops and tutorials with her two youngest boys.

We’ll be talking today about one of Jenn’s greatest passions--bringing hope to women who suffer from shame from episodes and experiences over which they had no control. Jenn has some powerful insights into why and how shame engulfs us. And, she brings to us a faith-driven path to victory over these feelings.

Jenn and her husband Kirk live just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. They have five children, one grandchild, and a faithful dachshund named Aubie.

It's the very first episode of Where Faith Grows! I'm so happy you found your way here.

I LEFT RELIGION BEHIND AND FOUND FAITH.

Let me go ahead and tell you that this story isn’t perfect. I’m in no way sitting on my podium or high horse and telling you what you should do or what will work for you, but I am inspired to share my own journey with you and, in a lot of ways, I’m asking you to go on a journey with me.

In this episode, I tackle explaining how the shackles of my religion started to take a toll on me. I was so caught up in checking the boxes of religion and doing and saying all the right things, that I lost track of my faith somewhere along the way.

I had religion, and I was really good at it, but somewhere along the way, I lost the heart of it all. I lost faith.

and so I left it all behind...but let me share with you what I FOUND in the process.

I FOUND RICHNESS OF FAITH

I found faith in my everyday life in a new, vibrant, radical, and life-changing way that I KNOW is out there for each and every one of us.

I found faith running at the park with my brother.

I found faith in deep talks with friends and strangers alike.

I found faith cooking.

I found faith laughing with a stranger at the grocery store.

I found faith looking into the eyes of people and listening to the hearts of people I would have IGNORED before.

I found faith on my yoga mat, in music I never would have allowed myself to listen to before, in books that I read for pleasure and not out of obligation, in pews and chairs in churches all over my area, and everywhere in between.

I'M ON A MISSION

So, I’m going on a mission and I want you to join me.

Where Faith Grows is all about finding all the places and spaces in life where faith can grow.

Im sitting down with women from all over the country and I’m sharing their stories with you. Their stories of joy, of sadness, of heartache, of victory, of adventure, of passion, of learning, and so much more. Together, we are going to look near and far for faith in every nook and cranny. Together we are going to share their stories of faith found in the every day, faith found in the big moments, the small moments, and the totally unexpected ones.

Because where faith is found, more faith can be cultivated, and even more faith can be shared and grown all over again.

YOU'RE INVITED

I want to know where faith can grow. And I want you to join me.

I’m learning something beautiful. God grants us the richness of faith and his presence ANYWHERE we choose to look for it.

This episode is raw, real, and vulnerable for me. But it's important for me to share it because it's my honest story and I want you to join me on this incredible adventure as we find Where Faith Grows. So give it a listen and don't forget to share it if you love it!