In this episode Chris and Diane dig into the first chapter of Women Finishing Well defining what it means to build a legacy of faith.

Show Notes & Links

-This episode introduces a new series going through the book, Women Finishing Well.

-What is the Biblical foundation for leaving a legacy of faith?

-Our definition of leaving a legacy of faith: Romans 12:1, The Message

-Who are you leaving a legacy for?

-Step us to a new starting line. A slower speed is not quitting. Sometimes we need to change lanes, slow down, and listen.

-God's not done with us yet.

Scriptures from this week's show:

Exodus 20: 4-6

Romans 12:1

Joshua 23-24

Links:

If you'd like to get a book and study along with us, you can get one here (ebook and print book): https://amzn.to/2Kz1D61

-Priscilla Shirer's Bible study, One in a Million

-Connect with our Facebook community here

Dig Deeper into chapter one:

1. Read Deuteronomy 30:19-20. What does it look like for you to "choose life" so that those around you may loveGod and hold fast to Him?

2. Make a list of things that might be holding you back from finishing well. These may be things you cannot change as well as things you can.

You can join the discussion in the comments at womenfinishingwell.com/episode38

In this episode Chris and Diane debrief the Christmas holidays and talk about how to find solutions when things don't go as we expect.

Show Notes:

-Why are holidays so hard? Are we trying to juggle expectations of holidays past with the realities of holidays present?

-Our huge tip: Be Flexible! Don't let your traditions bring strife to the celebration. And don't feel like you're letting people down if you do things differently.

-Tips on bringing remedies to tough situations.

Diane's holiday tips:

1. Less is more.

2. Put together a gifts budget and stick to it--the gifts are not the celebration--people are.

3. Give gifts that create a memory.

4. Don't make a lot of plans for your guests.

5. Host a gathering on a different day other than the actual holiday.

6. Do something you want to do during the holiday season.

7. Don't have rigid mealtimes. Maybe having dessert together or afternoon cocoa and cookies is good when family members have other obligations.

Connect With Us:

Please join our community on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/womenfinishingwell/

If you liked the podcast, would you consider sharing it with a friend?

In this episode Chris and Diane explore how God uses trouble to draw us closer to Him.

Show Notes & Links:

-Why a loving God allows us to get intro trouble. (Rom. 8:28-35)

-God will "conceal you" in times of trouble (Ps. 27:4-5)

-The two kinds of trouble we get into and why one is harder for us to accept. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

-Take heart: joy is ahead!

-We can choose our response to trouble.

-"Take the next right step."

-How personalized scripture and worship music can help. Also, equip yourself with the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18)

Links:

-Click here for the list of personalized scriptures to help when trouble threatens.

-The Heartbeat of God book by Chris Baxter

In this episode Chris and Diane give you three questions to help clarify your calling from God.

Show Notes & Links

First Things First

-All believers are called according to God's purpose. (Rom. 8:28-30, Eph. 4:14, Php. 3:4)

-The two misunderstandings we have about being called:

1. Calling is only vocational, so only pastors, priests, and missionaries are called.

2. Our everyday (secular) life is separate from what God is calling us to do.

The Three Questions to Clarify Your Calling:

1. Do you believe God is calling ou to a deeper relationship with Him and what might that look like in your life?

2. What is your personal vision for the church (the worldwide, "Big C" church)? What might that look like in your life? How does your vision for the church relate to action for you in your local church?

3. What is your vision for the world? Your communities of influence? Your everyday, ordinary world and beyond?

Our challenge for you: Copy these questions into your journal and prayerfully consider them this week. Look over your answers and ask yourself what you need to do to put your vision and calling into practice.

Links:

-Episode 31 with Dona Kabeary on how to listen intently to God.

-Sign up for our newsletter here.

In this episode Chris and Diane introduce their first online study starting later this month and invite listeners to join the group.

Show Notes & Links:

-Diane's big January project (prayer request).

-The Women Finishing Well online study starts later this month. Sign-up to get in the study ends January 12.

-You'll need to be in the private Facebook group to join the live discussion forums every week. Study videos will be available by email. You'll get a link to the private Facebook group once you sign up. You will need a book and a journal for the study--either ebook or print book is fine.

Links:

Sign up for the online study by clicking here.

You can get your book on Amazon by clicking here.

In this New Year's Eve episode, Diane and Chris usher in a new decade with your chance to find out how you are uniquely and wonderfully made to serve God.

As they walk you through the first step of the Legacy Inventory from the Women Finishing Well Bible study, you'll discover your values, spiritual gifts, personality, passion, and strength with their one-of-a-kind inventory.

Show Notes & Links

Your legacy inventory link is here: https://womenfinishingwell.com/legacy-inventory/

-Discovering who you are is the first of five steps in the legacy inventory that is a bonus online chapter in the Bible study. In this podcast, Diane and Chris will walk you through Step One.

In the course of this step, you'll take four required tests:

1. Your Values

2. Your Spiritual Gifts

3. Your Personality

4. Your Passion

5. (Optional) Your Strengths

-Each free online assessment has been thoroughly researched and recommended. Listen as Diane and Chris share some of their personal results.

Go to the bonus chapter and start the Legacy Inventory:

https://womenfinishingwell.com/legacy-inventory/

Be sure and get a copy of the Bible study and sign-up for the online study that starts in January. You can sign up here:

https://forms.aweber.com/form/39/1747609039.htm

You'll have to confirm you subscription in a follow-up email so be sure and check your spam if you don't see the follow-up email in your Inbox.

Scripture verses in this episode: Rom. 12: 3-8, 1 Cor. 12: 1-26

Helps us spread the word about the podcast: Send the link of this episode to a friend or post it on your Facebook profile. Thanks for that!

In this episode Chris and Diane explore Romans 12:1-2 (The Message) and what it means to take our everyday ordinary life and present it to God.

Show Notes & Links:

-Scripture: Romans 12: 1 (The Message):

"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him."

-What does it mean to present our lives to God?

-What does the phrase, "everyday ordinary life" mean?

- How to embrace the life that God gives us starting with the people and communities he has already placed in our lives.

Links:

-Be sure and sign-up for our online study of Women Finishing Well in early 2020. This list is the only way to get in the study. Click to get on the list: https://forms.aweber.com/form/39/1747609039.htm

-Don't miss our 2019 Advent daily devotions on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/womenfinishingwell/

Can You Help Other Women Find Us?

Would you consider recommending our podcast to a friend or leaving us a review on iTunes? Post a link to our latest podcast on your Facebook or Instagram page!

In this episode Chris and Diane interview longtime friend Dona Kabeary about how a life-altering change brought a new focus in her journey to serve God and finish well.

Show Notes & Links:

-How God turned a tragic loss in a new path.

-How a change or loss can help us depend on God in new ways.

-What happened when God asked Dona to put down her Bible, her journal, and her pen and just listen.

-Special encouragement for those going through changing times and wondering what's next.

Links:

-Click here to sign up for our Women Finishing Well online Bible study in 2020.

-Join our Facebook community here.

-Get your copy of the Women Finishing Well Bible study here.

In this episode Chris and Diane give recommendations for books you should read in 2020 to go deeper in your relationship with God in your next decade!

Show Notes & Links

-Books to read in 2020 to go deeper with God. Some new, some classics.

Links

-Books we try and re-read annually

Diane: Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian

I Am Not but I Know I Am by Louie Giglio

Chris: Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen

Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson

20,000 Days and Counting by Robert D. Smith

Classics I recommend (Diane)

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger

Love Does by Bob Goff

New books I recommend (Chris)

One in a Million by Priscilla Shirer

Holy Roar by Chris Tomlin

Free of Me by Sharon Hodde Miller

Honorable Mentions:

Strengths Finder 2.0 & Emotional Intelligence

Emboldened by Tara Beth Leach

Malcolm Gladwell books

Clutter Free by Cathy Lipp

True Religion by Palmer Chinchen

Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade (The Five Love Languages and the Alzhemier's Journey) by Gary Chapman, Debbie Barr, and Edward Shaw

Connect With Us:

Please join tour community on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/womenfinishingwell/

Join our email list and get upcoming announcements about events, online Bible studies, and monthly giveaways: https://forms.aweber.com/form/40/1204767040.htm

Leave us a comment on the website podcast page and tell us what you're reading! https://womenfinishingwell.com/episode30/

Have you got a copy of our new Bible study? Get one here: https://amzn.to/2Kz1D61

In this show Chris and Diane talk about how to make a morning time with God work in just ten minutes or less, and what the purpose for that time is.

Links & Show Notes:

-Why a morning routine is challenging, but necessary.

-How devotions open the door to an all-day connection with God.

-It's not about how much time you spend, it's about establishing a habit.

-The First Things Morning Routine (Five Ws):

• Wake-up Call
• Water
• Word
• Wait & Pray
• Worship

-Be confident that whatever you're reading in the Word is for you from God for today.

Links (click 'em, they're live):

-Chris Baxter's morning devotional

-Proverbs 31 First 5 app info

-YouVersion Bible app info

-YouTube channels you should check out:

• Hillsong
• Jesus Culture
• Elevation Worship
• Chris Tomlin

-Connect with our community on Facebook here

-Get your copy of our new Bible study here (ebook just 99 cents)

-Let us know (in the comments) what you're reading in the morning.