Put first things first, and He’ll take care of the rest.

Emma Waters has implemented this quote from C.S. Lewis into her life and the flourishing of the fruit from it is beautiful. 

It is impossible to do justice to every detail of Lead Like Jael, but such a book is an essential how-to guide to create a world after feminism - one that honors women and gives space for us to use the gifts that God has given us. 

Waters' new book, Lead Like Jael, asks the question: What if the pursuit of “having it all” is costing women the very things they were made to love?

In a culture that insists women must choose between two extremes—become a “girl boss” or embrace a “tradwife” ideal—many find themselves longing for something deeper. Neither path fully answers the yearning for purpose, wisdom, and a life aligned with God’s design.

Lead Like Jael offers a better way with PRACTICAL steps to start living out this design - which is what I love about it! Idealistic and realistic - hallelujah! 

Written for women in every stage of life, Lead Like Jael rejects simplistic cultural labels and invites readers into biblical maturity. Waters makes the case for the Tent Peg Strategy, offering seven principles for living wisely in a disordered age:

• Discernment shaped by God’s Word
• Shrewdness guided by conviction and courage
• Resourcefulness grounded in duty to one’s home
• Hospitality as a life-giving and life-saving force 
• Marriage that embraces husbands as battle-mates, not rivals
• Motherhood as warfare wielding self-sacrificial love 
• Wise counsel from faithful women

Whether you’re just beginning your journey or guiding others along theirs, this book meets you where you are and speaks with strength, clarity, and hope. God’s Word leaves no room for passivity: “The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down” (Proverbs 14:1).

Emma Waters is a Policy Analyst for the Center for Technology and the Human Person at The Heritage Foundation. Her work focuses on family, bioethics, and reproductive technology. She is a former Visiting Fellow with Independent Women’s Forum and a contributing author with World Magazine. Emma graduated valedictorian of Lee University with a double major in Political Science and Biblical & Theological Studies. Today, she lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their two children. Follow her on X @emlwaters.

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode:

• Lead Like Jael

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Ask yourself the question - "How is God parenting you?"

This one question will determine how you live your every day, especially as a mom. It will make all the difference in your parenting. 

In this episode, we talk about a variety of things, but highlight motherhood and the gift that it is: 

• God doesn’t waste or halt your dreams - He just reframes them and gives you a new mission field to live them out in. 
• Inviting your kids into everything - especially the mundane.
• How you model, discipline, and pray are greatly intertwined with your own relationship with God. 

Jessie Dains is a Registered Nurse with a Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, whom also is one of my dearest friends. Jessie says, "I prayed once and told God I would do the hardest thing for Him, whatever He asked. He made me a wife and a mom and led me to stay home with my kids and homeschool them." That's essentially who she is. And she absolutely crushes everything that she does. I can't wait for you to hear from her! 

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

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What does it look like to live with open hands and an open heart - especially during times of uncertainty? 

This month we are bringing you a special conversation about hope, uncertainty, and faith, from Dr. Chaley Knight. 

Chaley has been a longtime member of the Waynesburg University campus as both a student and a counselor, which is how I met her. For my husband and I’s first three years of marriage, we lived in the little town just north of the PA/WV border called Waynesburg, and it brought so many great people into our circle. At the time, Juan was a youth pastor and we served the students of our church every Sunday at youth group. Chaley’s three kiddos were regulars there and we came to know and love them - they are so grown up now, and since we’ve moved away, we kept in touch via Facebook - the upside of social media! Chaley completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology from WU in 2004, earned her Master’s degree in counseling psychology in 2007. While a graduate student, she served as a resident director and resided in the residence hall with students. Before officially joining the Waynesburg University counseling staff, she worked within the community as a mental health therapist and addictions counselor. 

Chaley recently shared her testimony at Waynesburg University’s chapel the other week and I came across it on my feed when she shared it to encourage others through the joy and the heartaches of her story. The way that she spoke triggered a realization inside of me - how often we hold back our stories because we are too afraid to speak with a trembling voice. Chaley shared her story with trembling, holding back tears, but did so while pointing to the God who wrote her story and writes all of ours. He is good. He is with us. In all of the uncertainty. 

It should be noted that Chaley's original presentation of this message was given at Waynesburg University's Chapel as part of their Testimony Tuesday series. She graciously re-recorded her testimony for us to be blessed with on the You Were Made for More Podcast.

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

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November is Adoption Awareness Month! 

This month specifically is meant to raise awareness about adoption, celebrate families formed through adoption, and highlight the need for permanent homes for children in foster care.

On this episode of the podcast, Sammie's friend and coworker, Johnston Moore, sits down and has a conversation with Chris Johnson, a pastor and adoptive dad who works with church engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.

The two discuss Chris's background, family life, and testimony - which inevitably dives into a conversation related to God’s call to the Church, and to individual Christians, to care for vulnerable children and their families, whether biological, adoptive, or foster. 

Johnston Moore serves as the Adoption/Orphan Care Consultant for Anglicans for Life and has been featured on the You Were Made for More podcast before - the perfect reason to invite him in to host an episode! Johnston is charismatic, generous, and has a heart for all of God's children.

Chris Johnson serves as the Sr. Director of Church Partnerships & External Advocacy at Lifeline Children’s Services. With over two decades of pastoral experience and a background as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Faith and Community Based Initiatives, Chris is a seasoned leader and advocate for vulnerable children and families.

A native of metro Atlanta, Georgia, Chris now resides in Birmingham, Alabama, with his wife, Alicia. Together, they have 10 children, seven of whom were adopted from foster care, and are proud grandparents, including two grandchildren adopted through foster care. Their commitment to serving children extends to fostering over 40 children throughout the years, embodying their dedication to family and community.

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

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I am so thrilled to bring you this conversation today with my new friend, Ali! Chatting with Ali about her new book and about parenting really felt like a hug from the Lord in my own season of parenting little ones an being so intentional about the culture in our home. My prayer is that this book and her wisdom would bless you immensely! 

Ali Gilkeson is the author of Keeping the Light, and the New York Times bestselling book, My Lighthouse, as well as an internationally-known performer and speaker. She has traveled the world playing music and sharing stories with the band Rend Collective and is part of Rend Co. Kids, Rend Collective’s ministry creating music that both kids and adults can enjoy. She is a mother of three kids, raising them all on the road since six weeks of age. Ali grew up in Northern Ireland in a time of conflict and uncertainty, a childhood spent always looking over her shoulder but also learning to laugh in the middle of the chaos. Gifted as a communicator, she started traveling around Ireland as a speaker in her early twenties, taking any chance she could to encourage and embolden the young people she met. Ali currently lives in Nashville, TN with her family and is the kind of woman who makes jokes that most people don’t expect, tells captivating stories like you’re round the campfire, and is deeply passionate about raising good humans. 

“Son, it’s not our job as lighthouse keepers to decide who does and who does not deserve the light. Our job is to shine the light, no matter what.”
(Quote from Keeping the Light)

In this book, children will learn…

• The importance of showing grace and empathy towards others
• How to view difficult people (like bullies) through the eyes of love and understanding
• How they possess a special ability to share kindness to the world
• How to be brave when feeling intimidated or insecure

Be sure to head over and get your copy, today! 

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

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This month's episode of the podcast is going to be formatted a little bit differently than our typical conversations. My prayer is that formatting an episode this way would challenge you to be vulnerable; find someone you trust to pray, ponder, and walk through this set of questions with you. 

Here's the truth: the way we view our bodies is not a shallow, surface issue for the immature or the vain. The way we view our bodies is a deeply spiritual issue because our bodies are made by God, in the image of God, and they are where we encounter God for now.

Body image IS a deeply spiritual issue.

After listening to this episode, here is a list of questions to walk through in your small groups, with a mentor, or quietly and independently with God:

1) What do you believe are the leading causes of body image struggles for young girls in our culture today?

2) WHY is it vital that we answer the hard questions, like - do I like this body and will I respect this body?

3) Advice for parents trying to help a teenager who struggles with "bad" or negative feelings about her physical appearance? IE: Our daughter has a poor body image and a distressingly negative view of herself, but she won't talk about it. How do we bring this up without smothering her, alienating her or otherwise hurting our relationship?

4) What are practical ways to teach kids to honor and respect their bodies, without body shaming? Some examples that I've come to appreciate: eating healthy foods that make me feel good, taste good, and give me energy - prioritizing sleep and rest - being active every day - focusing on holistic health (physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being) more than just the physical. 

Here are some resources we think will help to guide you in your conversations: 

• What God Has to Say about Our Bodies: How the Gospel Is Good News for Our Physical Selves 
• Breaking Free from Body Shame: Dare to Reclaim What God Has Named Good

Lastly, if you don't have anyone to walk through these questions with - WE would love to do that with you. Send us an email at [email protected] to connect. 

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

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On today's episode of the podcast, we have a conversation about faith and disability with Sammie's good friend, Gianna Zemet. Gianna is a middle school special education math teacher in the Upper St. Clair School District located in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition to teaching, Gianna faithfully serves in her church's Autism Ministry and Student Ministry alongside her husband, Jeremiah. She clearly believes that God has placed a clear calling on her life to teach kids with disabilities and to mentor students/young adults. 

Our hope is that this conversation would encourage you to think deeply about your theology of disability. How does the Gospel inform the way we think about disability? Though we all have different abilities, our stories are the same. We’re more alike than we think. We are all made in the image of God. We all share a story of struggle and find hope in the gospel of Jesus. You'll hear us talk about how to cultivate compassion paired with dignity, how to emphasize "people first language," and practical ways to lean into your community.

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode: 

• North Way Christian Community's Autism Ministry
• "People First Language"

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

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In this episode, I wanted to take some time to really dive into what Sexual Risk Avoidance Education is all about - and some common myths that need debunked as we enter the new school year. 

If you have a child attending public school this year, please, please, take the time to ask questions to your district about what type of sexual education your teens are receiving. In many states, there are laws in place that do not require schools to disclose that information to parents, even though you are the primary caregivers and ones who are responsible for raising these teens. 

In public health, a risk avoidance approach is always given primacy when addressing health risk behaviors. In the 1960s, for example, the message regarding smoking wasn't: “Don’t begin smoking, but if you are already smoking, it is important to stop.” That would be silly, as I'd say to my almost-5-year old. The message was simple: do not smoke because there are consequences and you could die. See the example below. If we're honest, this model should be applied to sex education as well. My prayer is that this episode would encourage you to invest in your child's education and fight for their hearts in this way. 

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode: 

• Example of Anti-Smoking Ad
• Sources for All Cited Facts

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

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In Christian theology, fatherhood holds profound significance, mirroring God's own role as the ultimate Father and provider. It encompasses not only physical provision and protection but also spiritual guidance, moral instruction, and the modeling of God's love and character. As if that wasn't a high enough calling, earthly fathers are called to reflect the love, discipline, and faithfulness of God the Father, shaping their children's lives and pointing them towards a relationship with God through modeling what obedience looks like. 

This month, we honored dad's on Father's Day, and we wanted to recognize that on the podcast - so, who better to ask to chat about fatherhood than my husband (I may be biased, but I think he is the best dad I know!) and our good friend who is about to become a dad himself? Juan and Ceddie are good friends, servant leaders, humble followers of Jesus, and aim to obey and please the Lord in everything they do. They're also no strangers to podcasting - they host their own podcast - The Upside Down Podcast - where they host thought-provoking questions about life and faith. 

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode: 

• The Upside Down Podcast (The Christian podcast of big questions and even bigger discussions :-))

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

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May is all about moms as we celebrate Mother’s Day! In this episode, we hear from Sammie’s friend & first time mom, Mandi Boreing, about her transition into motherhood this past year and how Jesus has worked in & through her in this season. 

Mandi married her husband, Andrew, a little over two years ago and since then they’ve lived in three houses in three cities, welcomed their first baby boy in April of 2024 and are expecting baby boy #2 in just a few months! As someone who has longed to be a mom for as long as she can remember, the reality of postpartum and parenting hit her harder than she expected. She credits only the Lord’s strength for getting her through and reminding her that she was made for this.

If you are someone who longs for a relationship, marriage, motherhood, or anything in between, we pray this conversation blesses you & encourages you to wait on the Lord and always trust Him and His timing. 

We chat about:

- What motherhood has taught us about the Gospel 

- What advice we would give to moms-to-be or women wishing to be moms 

- Being in a season of waiting for marriage or a family 

- Resources for encouragement 

My own experience has been one of growth. It happens little by little. Day by day. Mundane moment by mundane moment. It happens by digging our roots deeper into God’s Word and who we have known him to be. It happens by reaching up, asking him to sustain us in our weakness and limitations. And it happens by looking out, faithfully doing the next hard thing and trusting him to bring us “from strength to strength” (Psalm 84:7). May this episode serve as an encouragement to you in your own motherhood journey - He is with you and for you! 

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode: 

• Risen Motherhood Ministry
• Every Moment Holy (so good!) - Instagram

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

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