You Were Made for More

Mother's Day 2020 is right around the corner! This conversation on today's episode with Ashley Setterlind could not be more perfectly timed. Ashley is a follower of Jesus, pastor’s wife, mom, and worship leader.

She’s also the creator of an online community called Deeply Rooted Motherhood, where she believes that life is better when we encourage each other instead of compare each other. She hopes through writing and social media, moms can lean into the safety that comes from being vulnerable and imperfect together. I love that Ashley believes in the power of motherhood and believes that it was created to glorify God. We talk about parenting, marriage, the Gospel, and how all of those things fit together. I really believe we need more mom’s like her. Ashley is full of wisdom and I’m so excited for you to hear from her!

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode: 

• Ashley's Instagram
• Deeply Rooted Motherhood
• Deeply Rooted Motherhood Instagram
• Podcasts- Risen Motherhood

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.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

In this episode, we get the awesome opportunity to chat about a topic we haven’t covered ever on the podcast, but maybe you’ve heard us mention in a few interviews - the Enneagram! 

I wanted to offer y'all a fun episode to really dive into and process in the midst of quarantining and social distancing, so here we go... 

We’re going to chat with my twin sister, Meesh, who many of you know since she’s appeared on the podcast before and her friend, Kamala Palmer. Kamala has worked as a counselor and coach for over 12 years. She is trained in Grief Recovery, Gottman Couples Therapy and the Integrative Enneagram. She holds her PhD in Counselor Education and practices in Sewickley, PA, where she lives with her husband, Steve and their four kids. She and Meesh lead Enneagram groups within their community throughout the year because they believe in the power the Enneagram has to transform lives! Meesh is also a Certified Enneagram Coach through the organization “Your Enneagram Coach,” and most importantly, they both love Jesus, which means they are more than qualified to chat with us about how all of this relates to our walk with Christ.

You may think the Enneagram is just another personality test that is over-rated, you may not understand it and write it off, or you may think it puts you into boxes (which many of us do not like)! Either way, I really encourage you to open up your ears and your heart to a new way of thinking - take in the information they go over and then decide.

As Kamala says, "the Enneagram is not meant to put you in a box - it's showing you the box you're already in." 

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode: 

• The Integrative Enneagram Test 
• Your Enneagram Coach Test
• Books- The Road Back To You, The Wisdom of the Enneagram, Spiritual Rhythms of the Enneagram
• Podcasts- "The Typology" Podcast, "Your Enneagram Coach" 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.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and protection.” Psalm 91:4 (NIV)

Welcome to a special episode of the You Were Made for More podcast! If you’re a subscriber and you normally spend time with us, you probably have picked up on the fact that we release episodes once every 2 weeks - so, technically, this is a bonus episode for you guys! 

I was really feeling called to spend some time talking about everything happening in the world with COVID-19 - obviously we’ve been quarantined for around 4 weeks now and everyone is handling it differently. I know personally, I’ve dealt with all of the normal emotions - anger, uncertainty, impatience, loneliness, and sadness. All things which I’m sure if you’re honest, you’ve dealt with them, too. Then, there have been days where I feel great - content and thankful for the health of my family and I and able to focus on the Word of God instead of everything happening around me. 

Instead of just moving on with regularly scheduled programming, I wanted to take a moment and acknowledge the hard feelings while also offering you some encouragement that has been life-changing for me during this season. Join us as we come together and talk about God's promises resting on His principles, and how that should give us hope to approach this season with courage and approach His throne by praying boldly. I know you'll be as encouraged by this closer look at Psalm 91 as I was.

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode: 

• Song: Land of the Living (You Don't Lie), Church of the City

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.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

In this episode, Sammie talks with one of her former youth group students, turned friend🥰, about the power of an invitation, being faithful to our callings as youth leaders, and what it looks like to partner with parents as a youth leader. Sarah McSweeney is not only one of my dearest friends, but she also holds such a special place in my heart because she actually was one of the first youth group students I ever had when I became a youth leader my freshman year of college. Since then, she has graduated high school, started attending college herself, and has begun leading student ministry faithfully in the church she grew up in.

Sarah’s one of my greatest gifts, and our relationship reminds me of the redemptive work that can be done through broken people like myself, all because of Jesus. I asked Sarah to come on the podcast today to talk about the importance of youth leaders in the lives of students. I know and believe that God sees these relationships as being so, so important and I know that they can be life-changing. For me, relationships that were with older, wiser adults who weren’t my parents were CRITICAL to my spiritual and personal development.

We dive into the idea that being a youth leader looks a lot like being a disciple of Jesus... there are so many different aspects and roles that go into the calling that at times, it can feel hard, heavy, and challenging. If you're in need of encouragement in the season you're in (let's be honest, we're all struggling a little bit in the midst of the COVID-19 Crisis!), this is where you'll find some.

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.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Worldwide, 97 billion dollars per year goes into the sex industry. The average age of someone who enters the sex industry is 12 years old. 80% of human trafficking is done through the commercial sex industry (strip clubs, pornography, etc.).

Today, we’re going to have the opportunity to hear a conversation that I had with the founder of SoLoved - Mindy Summers. Mindy is a young wife and mother who six years ago began a ministry to people who are making a living in the sex-industry, which we now know as “SoLoved.” It's pretty clear once you get to know Mindy that she isn't doing this for the attention - she doesn't really desire any attention, so I was honored when I sent her an email and asked if she would be a guest on the You Were Made for More Podcast and... she said yes!

Mindy and her team reach out to women in their community who work in the sex industry. Their entire goal is to build relationships & sisterhood with the ladies in strip clubs. They want them to know they are loved, valued, seen & that we so enjoy who they are. Every month they bring gifts, homemade treats, handwritten love notes and homemade meals to each club. Mindy has seen the brokenness that sexual exploitation causes firsthand, and without judgement, she's made it her life mission to advocate for women and men who are enslaved to this industry that is full of darkness and danger. She believes deeply in justice and equality for ALL people and I think that's truly remarkable.

Here's a quote from Mindy that sums up a bit of her experience:
"This is the thing- I am not sheltered. I spend hours in strip clubs every month. Hours. I’ve been doing this for nearly 6 years. I’ve seen a lot of stuff. Our SoLoved team desires to build relationships with the precious women within the walls of these establishments. They are treasures. Most of them are there because of childhood trauma & abuse, lack of opportunity and/or manipulation or coercion. They didn’t dream of this. It isn’t empowering…it’s where they are and they are doing the best with what they’ve been dealt.…And the men. The men who go…most of them are sorting out their own brokenness within these walls. Porn addiction, broken relationships, loneliness, power trips & addiction are many of their stories."

Mindy and her team are living the Gospel that’s for sure - and after our conversation, I would consider her a friend and someone I admire. I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation, so just dive in!

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode: 

• Mindy's Blog
• Hymn "Rescue the Perishing"
• Polaris
• IAmATreasure.Com 
• Exodus Cry

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.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

"In my grief, ultimately, there is still a gift." -Cassidy Mills

In this episode, Sammie talks with Cassidy Mills about her experience with sexual assault, the healing that she's found in a relationship with Jesus, and ultimately, what it means to walk through life-altering trauma with your eyes on Him. 

I spent a long time praying about someone who could share their story with truth and vulnerability. Sexual brokenness is so evident in our culture and this is such an important topic; I reached out to Cassidy through a mutual friend, who accepted my invitation to share and chat with so much grace, being up front about how it would be challenging but she knew the Lord was calling her to do it. That’s when I knew Cassidy was definitely the person who was supposed to share on the You Were Made for More Podcast. I hope you love meeting her as much as I did, and I hope her testimony encourages you to lean into God, even when things don’t seem to make sense. 

Today’s conversation will be tough, so I encourage you that if you have experienced sexual assault, whether that be in a relationship or at random, please talk to someone about that - my hope is that Cassidy sharing her story will inspire others to share theirs. It’s so true when they say that the devil thrives in the darkness. He will convince you that it’s easier not to talk about it, not to share - but I can tell you personally that that’s one of the biggest lies that you can believe. As you share, light breaks into the darkness - and if you believe in the Bible, if you believe in the God who created all things and sustains all things, you know that HE IS LIGHT. He will break through whatever darkness you are experiencing if you give him the chance to. Never underestimate the power of reaching out to somebody who cares about you, will listen to you, and will walk with you. We weren’t meant to do this life alone. 

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode: 

• Cassidy's Email Address: [email protected]

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.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

In this episode, Sammie tackles the story of Job's life in the second part of our abundance series. If you missed the first episode, go ahead and listen to episode 19 before you hit play on this one! In that episode, Sammie's husband, Juan dives into an analogy of life being God's party - one where we're all invited, everything we could ever need or want is there, and God is the generous host. He talks about what abundance really means in the here and now, and it sets this week's episode up really well.

If you've ever felt like your life is the furthest thing from a party, this episode is for you. We all go through seasons where life seems to be throwing us all sorts of curve balls, we feel tested, and we're not really sure what's going on. Sammie takes the time to tackle an important question: when life doesn't feel like the party, does that mean that the Giver (God), isn't good and doesn't love us anymore?

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.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

In this episode, Sammie's husband, Juan Gallo, dives into what abundance actually means through an analogy of God being the generous host of a party that we're all invited to. If you've ever wondered what John 10:10 really means, what the name of this podcast is all about, and how we lean into abundance in the here and now, this episode is for YOU! Share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement because we're sure that it's going to speak to so many of you. 

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode: 

• The Bible Project's Series: Abundance or Scarcity
• The Bible Project's Series: God as the Generous Host 
• Illustrative Video on Generosity by the Bible Project

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.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Season 2 is BACK. PRAISE!

This week's episode is all about why you may have noticed we're a little bit MIA! This month is the March for Life (if you've never been, take a listen to this episode because we talk about it here) but if you have, you know it's an awesome, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sammie shares what God has put on her heart about identity, personhood, and how we're all called to believe and fight for who God made us to be.

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.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

In this episode, Sammie talks about reflecting on Advent, the coming of Jesus, and wraps up Season 1 of the podcast with a short reminder of what the Christmas season is all about.  We'll see you in January for Season 2 of the #YouWereMadeForMorePodcast!

PS: if you're looking for a great Advent devotional that's reusable throughout the years, check out Paul David Tripp's Devotional! My husband and I are walking through it this Advent season, and it's helped keep our minds on Jesus through everything that's going on in the holiday season.

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.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram