Perspectives Into Practice: How to Walk with God in Real Life: Faith in Practice & Spiritual Growth

In today's episode, I sit down with Kate to talk about what it really looks like to trust God when life doesn’t go as planned. We dive into surrender, obedience, and learning to let go of control, especially in seasons that feel uncertain or uncomfortable. Kate shares how God has been teaching her to rely on Him fully, even when things don’t make sense, and how anchoring herself in Scripture and speaking truth over her life has shifted everything. We talk about the power of God’s promises, rooted in Numbers 23, and the reminder that if He said it, He will do it. He is steady, faithful, and unchanging. Kate Massey is a counselor with a heart for helping others walk in truth and healing. You can learn more about her at https://www.katemassey.org/. If you’ve ever felt a nudge to share your story, this is your invitation. Head to PerspectivesIntoPractice.com, I would love to connect with you.

Discover Faith-Filled Perspectives in daily life as Kathy and the host explore quiet moments with God shaping identity, purpose, and practical faith.

This conversation is for the woman who feels like she’s in the waiting. Not stuck. Not forgotten. Just… waiting. In this episode, Kristin and I talk about what it really looks like to walk with God in seasons that don’t make sense yet. The kind of waiting where you’re tempted to rush ahead, fix it yourself, or question if anything is happening at all. But what if waiting isn’t passive? What if it’s actually where God is doing some of His deepest work? We talk about learning to trust His timing, recognizing how He is moving right now, and staying anchored in Him instead of chasing outcomes. Through real life perspective and honest reflection, this conversation will gently shift how you see your current season. If you’ve been feeling impatient, uncertain, or quietly asking God “what are You doing?”, this episode will bring you back to truth. You’ll be reminded that waiting is not wasted, that God is working even when you can’t see it, and that there is purpose in not bypassing the process. From the example of Noah’s long obedience, to the promise of acceleration in Amos 9:13, to the reminder in Proverbs 3:5–6 to trust the Lord and not lean on your own understanding, this episode points you back to steady faith in the middle of uncertainty. Because He is working. Even here. Even now. You can connect with Kristin here: https://www.newwingscoaching.net/ And if you’ve ever felt that little nudge to share your story, this is your invitation. Perspectives Into Practice is a space for real women to talk about what God is doing in their lives right now. Not a polished testimony from the past, but a present, honest walk with Him. If that’s on your heart, you can head over to PerspectivesIntoPractice.com and reach out. I would love to connect with you.

Hey friends, I want to welcome you into a conversation that still has me smiling when I think about it. I sat down with Melissa who walked me through years of sickness a brain infection that left her with neurological damage and a slow steady healing that looked a lot like being rebuilt in a valley. Let me tell you this episode is full of ordinary moments where God shows up in remarkably patient ways. I remember the first time Melissa told me about waking up in the middle of the night and feeling so alone that she could hardly breathe. That was where God met her most often. Those sleepless hours turned into whispered prayers and scripture that felt more like a hand on her shoulder than a religious routine. Psalm 30 11 came alive where mourning is turned into dancing and joy is restored. You see I think God often rebuilds us from the inside out when we are forced to be still. We talked about horses and a ranch and yes synchronized skating sequins and surprisingly tender metaphors for healing. Melissa had never even touched a horse until her thirties yet God said use the horses. That led her to seek training in trauma recovery and to a ministry that now helps others find freedom. She told a story about a local news crew showing up when she had been dragging her feet about social media and how that gentle shove gave her supernatural peace to obey. Can I tell you something, friends? God nudges us, and sometimes he nudges us with a snowstorm and a camera crew. Here is the biblical truth I keep returning to as we talked. God is present in the valley and he is not surprised by our fears. Romans 8 28 is true but it does not mean easy. It means he weaves purpose into the pain and he gives us the means to keep walking. Melissa experienced that first in physical healing through a doctor and holistic care and then later in mental and spiritual healing when she faced buried childhood trauma. That two part work matters. So what can you put into practice this week from our conversation Make room for night prayers even if sleep is hard. Those quiet hours can become listening hours. Say yes to one small obedience you have been avoiding even if you feel like an imposter. Notice the ordinary things God uses to restore joy animals nature a phone call a scripture verse and give them space to work. Consider tangible steps toward inner healing for example find a trauma informed ministry or a trusted counselor and take one next step. We also talked about testimony not as bragging but as lifeline work. Melissa reminded me that sharing your story is for other people it is how you become someone else's rope when they are drowning. If you had told me a few years ago I would be watching horses help people find courage I might have laughed. But now I see it as one of those small strange ways God rebuilds joy. If you want practical hope for hard seasons this episode will sit with you like a friend who keeps showing up. I share questions I asked Melissa and the gentle ways God pushed her out of comfort so she could share the healing. I think you'll walk away with concrete next steps and a softer hope that healing and faith can coexist even when the timeline looks messy. Come listen to Melissa's full story on Perspectives Into Practice and hear the moments that gave her peace and the steps she took to obey. If this episode encourages you please listen share and leave feedback about this episode so we can continue to bring these conversations to more ladies who need them.

Can I tell you something? Hand to heart, I sat across from my new friend Sharon and I kept thinking, I want to be like her. She travels to nearly 60 countries, carries four devotional books on every trip, and before she even leaves she prays and asks God to guide her to the people who need those books. Let me tell you, that is holy habit in practice.Sharon taught me a simple, beautiful truth: our job is often just to say yes. She said yes to being a deacon moderator, and God used that yes to stir a deeper devotion to intercessory prayer. You hear stories like this and you think, could I do that? Here's the thing, you can. Sharon's obedience looked small and steady. She texted each person in her region a simple question, how can I pray for you today, and then she followed through by writing thoughtful prayers and keeping the conversation private and sacred.You see, there is real power in small faithful acts. Ecclesiastes 4:12 talks about a cord of three strands, and Sharon described the two people and God forming that strong bond. She kept her texts, she kept a spreadsheet, and she kept returning to prayers she had written. One woman put Sharon's card in her pocket before a cancer checkup and later told Sharon how much that tangible prayer meant. That is not coincidence. That is God showing up in the ordinary yes.I love that Sharon doesn't overcomplicate it. She told me she learned a practical system from a friend and then adapted it with an Excel sheet. She encourages speaking a prayer into your phone if writing is hard, and she reminds deacons to wait until they can send a thoughtful written prayer rather than a hurried promise. It's simple fidelity, not performance.If you want to put this into practice, try a few of the ways Sharon lives out prayerful obedience.Text one person today and ask how you can pray for them, then write one sentence and save it where you can find it later.Create a simple chart or contact list for ongoing prayers, even a blank note on your phone will do.When someone asks for prayer, respond with a written prayer rather than a quick yes and a forgetful heart.Follow up. Go back to the text stream, ask how it's going, and show that prayer formed a connection.I don't know about you, but this blesses me more than I expected. Most of the time, when I take a minute to pray and write it down for someone, I leave feeling encouraged and closer to God. Sharon's story reminded me that obedience doesn't need to look dramatic. It can be a five minute yes, a card held in a pocket, a verse offered at just the right time. God is faithful to use those small acts in ways we can't imagine.Friends, if this episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to listen, share it with someone who needs a little practical faith encouragement, and leave feedback about how a small yes changed your life. Your stories of faithful obedience inspire others and keep this work of prayer alive.

Hand to heart, friends, let me tell you about a conversation that has stayed with me. I was sitting across from Margie, a Texa Rican who just celebrated 25 years of marriage, and she described that strange, tender season when life looks fine on the outside but feels out of sorts inside. She and her husband had spent years raising four kids, bought a fixer-upper for all the right reasons, and were poised to finish a remodel. Then the kids left, they traveled, and God began to whisper something different. I remember thinking as she spoke, Can I tell you something? There is a holy hush that precedes some of the clearest instructions I have ever heard from God. Margie said the same thing: while on a long trip they intentionally stepped away from noise, and God used a Sunday morning in a local church to speak plainly - it was time to let the house go and move. That whisper turned into a firm yes and a sequence of events that felt nothing short of God moving a mountain. She walked me through the details: a dream trip to Fiji, a Sunday where the worship felt like a choir of heaven, the conviction to sell, a realtor who questioned them, and an offer the first day on market. The buyers had just welcomed a baby at 45 and were ready for that home to be their place of new life. Deadlines shifted, a closing was moved up, and Margie had two weeks and a conference to attend in the middle of it all. She told me about asking a friend who is a professional organizer to help and about learning the hard work of surrender. That line - I trust you, God, I surrender - landed with her like both a relief and a challenge. Biblical truth is woven through this story. We have to get quiet to hear God, and there's a Scripture that has guided me in those moments: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). We often say we trust God and then hold the steering wheel tighter. Margie’s story is a reminder that trust becomes practice when we loosen our grip and step where God points, even when it is inconvenient or scary. What can you put into practice from this episode? Here are a few tangible next steps Margie and I talked about during our conversation: Practically get quiet - schedule a weekend away or carve out daily silence to listen for God. Talk it through - bring one trusted friend or a spouse into the conversation and ask them to pray and speak truth. Create small deadlines - give God room to move and set small steps so you don’t cling to control. Ask for help - hire the organizer, call the realtor, and let community carry some of the load. I share this story because I think many of us feel misaligned and wonder whether God is asking us to move. Margie’s season shows that God’s whispers can become bold commands when we make space to hear him, and that obedience often leads to a peace you could not manufacture on your own. So come listen to this conversation with Margie on Perspectives Into Practice. Hear the full story, the messy details, and the quiet, faithful steps that led to a new chapter. If this episode encourages you, please share it with a friend and leave feedback so we can keep making practical, faith-filled content together.

Hey friends, welcome back. Can I tell you something? I remember the first time Pat and I sat down and compared football and ballet - an odd pairing, right? But that little, funny moment opened our conversation about seasons, roles, and how God reshapes us when the positions we once carried no longer fit. Here's the thing - I think most of us have a role that becomes part of our identity. For Pat it was a season of faithful leadership and pouring out into others. She told the story of seeing someone God was raising up, investing in her, and then the long work of letting go. I sat with that story and kept thinking about how God asks us to release what shaped our days so he can reveal who we are beneath the title. You see, Pat walked alongside the woman for almost two years while God was preparing her. That moment when Pat told her, I can see God is doing this in you, was tender and holy. But even as she rejoiced, Pat wrestled. She worried about friendship, about people thinking something was wrong, about how stepping aside would affect her own sense of purpose. Those fears sound familiar, don't they? We talked about the tension between pressure and peace. Pat called it a shift - she had to move from doing to witnessing. At first that felt risky. The first event her friend led stirred up jealousy, the what ifs, and so Pat had to pray honestly. She had been praying that God would sanctify her ego and her ambitions. I loved that phrase. She wanted her desire to matter to be cleaned up by grace so it would not derail what God was doing in someone else. Scripture kept showing up in our chat. Galatians 2:20 came to mind - I have been crucified with Christ and Christ lives in me. That truth reminds us our identity is not in a title or a task. It's rooted in Jesus. When roles shift, that root holds us steady. If you are in a season of stepping back or watching someone else step forward, here are a few practical things Pat and I talked about that you can put into practice right away Pray for clarity and humility, not just direction, and ask God to sanctify your desires Invest in the person taking the role, even if it means stepping out of the center Choose to be a witness - cheer, encourage, and speak truth into their growth Keep daily rhythms of the Word and prayer so you know who you are apart from what you do Set gentle boundaries so both you and the new leader can thrive When we practiced these things, what shifted for Pat was a deeper trust. She didn't lose meaning, she found new ways to serve and new rhythms to sit with Jesus. I think that is what God wants for each of us - not the loss of purpose, but the refinement of it. So friends, if you're watching a role change, or if you're the one stepping into something new, remember this - God is authoring the story. Your worth is held by him, not by applause or position. Be brave enough to let go, wise enough to prepare someone to lead, and gentle with yourself as God does his work. Thanks for listening to this conversation with Pat on Perspectives Into Practice. I hope her story encourages you to trust God with the shifting seasons of your life. Please listen, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave your feedback so we can keep these honest conversations going.

Hey friends, I'm so glad you're here. Can I tell you something? When I first listened to Kathleen tell about the season she walked through, hand to heart I felt that familiar tug. She described an unwanted divorce, fear that became a default rhythm, and then a gentle, steady turnaround as she began to hide scripture in her heart. I remember thinking, here's the thing we all need to hear: God is arranging pieces of our lives long before the picture becomes clear.Kathleen talked about simple, practical choices that shaped her faith. She started with small verses like, "When I am afraid I put my trust in you" (Psalm 56:3), and let those truths become a new habit of thought. Over time what was once a surface statement became a belief that changed how she woke up each morning. That practice shifted her from living in fear to living led by the Spirit.We also shared a story that made me smile. Kathleen told about a contractor who came asking for payment and how she almost sent him away. Immediately she heard a quiet prompting, do not say come back tomorrow when you already have it with you. That nudge matched scripture about not withholding good when you can act, and she went and paid him. It was a small moment, but it was a clear sign that when scripture is in your heart, God's voice becomes recognizable and obedience becomes simple.If I were to boil this episode down to what you can put into practice this week, it comes back to three things: memorize, meditate, and obey. Memorize a short verse, meditate on it until it lands, and practice obeying the small nudges you sense. That repetition rewrites the inner story you tell yourself. Romans 8:1 that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, and Psalm 46 that we will not fear though the earth give way, are examples of promises that protect and reframe your thinking when they become belief.Here are practical steps we talked about that I want to offer you nowStart small, pick one short verse that meets your fear or your needRepeat it each morning and night, let it be the thing that greets your dayWrite it down, say it out loud, tuck it into conversation when it fitsNotice gentle promptings and act, even on simple things like returning a call or settling a billBe patient, because belief grows through repetition not perfectionYou see, scripture memory and meditation are twin practices. When you hold Gods words in your heart they shape your desires and your responses. The abundance of your heart overflows in your words and actions, as Jesus taught, and that means you begin to live from what you trust instead of what you fear.I shared with Kathleen how this looks in everyday life, not as some lofty spiritual achievement but as small, faithful steps. Maybe you start with Psalm 23, or a promise like "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Maybe you choose a verse for your anxiety and place it where you'll see it. The goal isn't perfection, it's practice that makes God familiar so you can hear His voice.Friends, if you want one invitation from this episode, it's to take a verse and make it yours. Let it move from your head into your heart. Try the simple steps we talked about and notice how your responses change. I think you'll be surprised at how gentle and persistent God is when you make room for Him.I'd love for you to listen to this full conversation, share it with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave feedback about what verse you're memorizing or what God is teaching you. Join us on the episode, share this episode, and tell us what God is doing in your life.

Hey friends, Jessica here. Can I tell you something? The conversation I had with Val landed like a gentle but firm tap on my shoulder. We started with karaoke and laughter and ended up sitting in a quiet place where she admitted she felt stuck, heavy, and out of control. Hand to heart, that felt familiar to me and maybe it will feel familiar to you too.Val shared how someone prayed one simple word over her at a prayer event. She said clarity. She had never asked for clarity before. She had asked for wisdom and discernment, but clarity was different. It invited her to step forward without having every step spelled out. That moment changed her. She talked about losing control, how even after a tragic loss years ago she still tried to control outcomes, and how last year felt like swimming upstream. Then her hours at work were cut and the worry about money almost swallowed her, until she noticed grace showing up in small unexpected ways. You see, clarity did not mean every doubt disappeared. It meant she no longer carried the crushing weight of having to have every answer right this second.I kept thinking about the Israelites who could literally see God leading them in a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night and yet still struggled to trust. Exodus 13 21 helps us remember that presence does not erase human fear. But presence does invite a different posture. Proverbs 3 5 and 6 reminds us to trust the Lord instead of leaning on our own understanding. That trust looks like a next step, then another, instead of trying to map the whole path before we move.Here is what this episode brought me back to and what I want to offer you as practical steps you can try this week. These are small, honest, and doable ways to practice trusting God and asking for clarity instead of trying to manufacture it yourself.Ask someone to pray for clarity for you and then listen more than you explain. Val said the prayer she received shifted her trust more than any plan could have.Take one next right step you can actually do. Not a giant leap, just one obedient move that creates space for God to show the next thing.Let kids and people around you learn in safe ways. You do not have to die on every hill. Give space and hold steady boundaries when needed.Notice small confirmations. A calm heart, a timely conversation, a closed door that redirects you. These are often God's nudges and they build confidence over time.Here's the thing, ladies, faith is not a test you pass once. It is a practice you live daily. That practice includes honest lament, brave asking, and slow obedience. Val's story is not about immediate answers. It is about choosing to trust God even while the path looks unfinished. That choice frees you from the need to control outcomes and opens you to the freedom of following when God leads.I share more of Val's story, scripture that steadied us, and questions to help you identify one next step on the episode. If this resonates, I would love for you to listen, share this episode with a friend who needs permission to loosen her grip, and leave feedback so we can keep these conversations going and growing together.

Hey friends, I'm so glad you're here. In this episode of Perspectives Into Practice I sit down with my friend Lori and we talk about a kind of hurt that so many of us carry in silence, unforgiveness. Let me tell you, her story stuck with me - from marching band days to a hemorrhagic stroke at twenty nine, and what she learned about releasing people when they may never even know they hurt you. I remember the moment on the mic when Lori said she felt overlooked and that her identity had been quietly stolen by circumstances. Hand to heart, that landed with me because we've all had seasons where life changes faster than we can name it and we hide behind a smile. Can I tell you something? That frustration, that lump of resentment, rarely helps the person who hurt us. It binds us. Here's the thing - forgiveness is not pretending the pain never happened. It's an act of obedience to God and a step toward wholeness. We leaned into the Bible a few times in our conversation, and one passage I kept returning to was Ephesians 4:31-32, which calls us to put away bitterness and be kind and forgiving as God in Christ forgave us. That scripture isn't a demand to minimize pain. It's an invitation to trade the weight we were never meant to carry for the freedom God offers. When Lori described moving across the country, feeling like the new version of herself wasn't welcome, and then realizing the barriers she built were keeping her from new connections, I felt a tangible shift happen in the room. She didn't need an apology to move forward. She needed to choose obedience and to remember who she was in Christ. You see, identity matters. When identity is rooted in him, hurts lose their power to define us. If you're wondering what this looks like practically, we talked through steps you can try right away. Try these that helped Lori: Acknowledge the hurt honestly and name it to God or a trusted friend, rather than letting it simmer alone. Bring the situation before the Lord in prayer and ask for help to release the offense; ask for his perspective, not just your feelings. Choose obedience over emotion by making a concrete small step - a prayer, a boundary, or a change in routine that protects your heart. Reclaim your identity in Christ through simple reminders - scripture, short prayers, and the people who reflect God's love back to you. Practice forward-facing generosity even in small ways, because serving softens the hold of resentment. I also share a few personal reflections about how the band taught me perseverance and community, and how that picture of many messy people making beautiful music is a picture of God's work in us. We are meant to be remade, together. That idea changed the way Lori thought about the people who had unintentionally hurt her and it can change you too. Friends, if you feel stuck holding onto an offense, I want you to walk away from this episode with a tangible next step and the reminder that forgiveness is possible even when an apology never comes. You don't have to wait for repair to choose healing. I'm grateful for Lori's honesty and for the ways God shows up when we turn toward him. Thank you for listening to this honest conversation on Perspectives Into Practice. Please listen to the full episode, share it with someone who needs permission to let go, and leave feedback so we can keep bringing practical, faith-filled perspectives to life.

Hey friends, hand to heart, let me tell you about a conversation that stayed with me long after the microphones were off. I sat down with Marchette and we laughed about her fierce board game competitiveness, the chameleon game she dominated, and then we turned toward a quieter, weightier place where obedience and doubt meet. It felt like a living example of what it means to blend in with fear or step out in faith.I remember Marchette telling me about an afternoon at the library when a book on the fear of God landed in her lap. It pulled Esther forward into the center of her thoughts, that haunting moment when Esther could have stayed safe and silent or risked everything for her people. Esther 4:14 came alive for her and started to reframe how she viewed obedience. She confessed the back and forth in her mind, the nights wrestling with whether to say yes, and the very real fear of rejection.We talked about how emotions can become our gods when we let them lead. She said something simple and honest: if I let my emotions run the show then I am serving those emotions instead of God. That hit me. It is not a call to deny feeling, but to bring those feelings to the altar of faith so they no longer dictate our decisions. She found comfort in the image of Jesus cleansing the temple, that fierce focus on mission even while religious leaders rejected him. Luke 19:45-46 echoes in her story as a reminder that mission and emotion can coexist without emotion ruling.There was a tender thread through our talk about rejection. Marchette described the heaviness of being unsure how people would receive her yes. I asked her how she kept walking. She told me she surrendered the fear by naming it out loud, by praying in the middle of the night, and by reminding herself that obedience does not always come with immediate reward. Sometimes obedience is simply the faithful yes, even when the outcome is unclear.Here are a few practical ways we walked through in the episodeBring the feeling to God instead of hiding it; name the fear and offer it up in prayerRemember scripture that grounds you, like Esther 4:14 and the cleansing account in Luke 19, and read them againTake one small step of obedience this week, not to prove anything but to practice trusting God over your sightFind a friend or mentor to tell what you are feeling so emotions do not become islandsCan I tell you something My hope for you is not that you will never feel fear, but that fear will no longer steer your course. I really do believe God meets us in the middle of our messy feelings. He sees the nights you're wrestling, the embarrassed heart, the very human questions. And sometimes his answer is not an explanation but a simple request to say yes and keep walking.I shared this conversation because the tangible ways Marchette shifted her posture toward obedience encouraged me and I think it will encourage you too. If you are carrying a heavy what if, try one of the small steps we named. Try bringing that what if into prayer and see what happens when you act in faith even before you see the results.I hope this episode warms your heart and steadies your hands for the next step God is asking you to take. Please listen, share this episode with a friend, and leave feedback about this episode.

Hey friends, I'm so glad you're here. Let me tell you about a tiny, ordinary moment that turned into something quite holy. I was talking with Bethany, who was born at 24 and a half weeks and whose dad's wedding ring fit around her wrist. Hand to heart, that little fun fact is the doorway to the way God has shaped her sensitivity to the spiritual life. On a simple Zoom call she felt an urgent thought that jarred the conversation and later realized it wasn't from God.You see, that Zoom moment is the kind of thing we miss all the time. We let a single thought slide by, and before we know it our decisions bend in a different direction. Bethany and I talk about how subtle spiritual attacks can be. We look at King David in 2 Samuel 11 and 12 to see how one choice opened a door. We also talked about James 4:7 and the practice of submitting, resisting, and standing firm. Scripture helps us name the enemy's tactics and shows us restoration is possible when we turn back to God.I remember leaning in as Bethany described how her responses used to be quick and reactionary, sometimes spilling over into fear-filled dreams and a constant edgy chest feeling. But friends, here's the thing: God gives tools. The Bible does not leave us helpless. When we learn to pause and cross reference a verse, when we study a story like David's, when we practice the habits of prayer and intentional time with God, our default responses begin to change.So what does practical discernment look like in real life? Bethany and I walk through small, concrete moves you can make the next time a thought shows up. They are simple and repeatable. They are things you can begin to practice today.Pause for a few breaths to interrupt automatic reactionAsk a clarifying question aloud or in your heart where this thought came fromBring the thought to scripture by searching cross references or a familiar passageChoose one faithful response rather than following the first impulseWe also talk about the fruit that follows a life walking with Jesus. If a Christian's responses look the same as the world around them, there's a missed opportunity to reflect Christ. First John and other writings remind us that our fruit shows our formation. That doesn't mean perfection, but it does mean intention. You're allowed to be a learner. You're allowed to practice choosing differently.Throughout the episode Bethany shares honest moments about how God is changing her pattern of thinking and how He uses those moments to teach restoration. I share a few things I teach my kids about making choices now instead of letting old reactions keep steering the ship. We both want you to know that God is with you in the small shifts. You don't have to wait until you have it all figured out to start choosing faith in the moment.If this resonates, come listen to the full episode where we sit with scripture, the subtleties of spiritual attack, and concrete ways to practice trusting God when your thoughts feel loud. I'd love for you to listen, share this episode with someone who needs encouragement, and leave feedback so we can keep bringing these conversations back into practice together.

Friends, let me tell you when Desiree first told me parts of her story my hand to heart tightened and I remembered why I love this work so much. She showed up with a thrift store fun fact and a story about a picture she found that felt like a personal word from God. That picture is a hand signing I love you, full of bracelets and red nail polish that reminded her of the blood of Jesus. It was one of those ordinary moments that suddenly felt sacred. I want to take you into the messy, beautiful arc of Desiree's obedience because it looks like so many of our lives. As a child she sat between different expressions of faith and felt confusion. As a teen she felt lonely, isolated by hearing loss, and she walked away from faith for a season. That detour led to a desperate night and an unexpected pregnancy, and it was in that brokenness she lay before the Lord and saw him reach down to her. Can I tell you something? That moment of reaching back was the hinge for her life. She says God told her to keep the baby and that he would be both father and husband. I remember hearing that and thinking about how obedience often looks like one small, scary yes rather than a neat plan. Desiree didn't know how it would work out. She wrestled with depression, with days when God felt far away, and with voices telling her to give up. But she kept moving toward him. She did not give up. That persistence matters. Here is the biblical truth that held her and that I want to hand to you today. Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works for good in all things, even the things that don't make sense now. That does not mean pain is erased, but it does mean we are not alone in it. I think that promise allowed Desiree to trust again even when clarity and safety were absent. So how do we put this into practice in everyday life? I walked away from the studio noting three simple, practical rhythms that helped Desiree and can help you. Notice small promptings - God often nudges in ordinary places like a thrift store or a restless heart. Take the next right step - you don't need the whole map, just the next obedient move. Return when doubt comes - obedience is not perfect, it's persistent; keep showing up to God. Here's the thing, ladies. Obedience didn't look glamorous for Desiree. It looked like messy choices, hard mornings, and a steady reaching for God. And in those things she discovered identity in Christ, a reminder that because of Jesus' blood she is seen, held, and beloved. That thrift store picture became a tangible reminder that God shows up in small, strange, tender ways. If you're in a season of waiting, wrestling, or wondering whether God is really with you, remember this: God meets us where we are and invites us to keep taking steps, even if the steps are unsure. You may not see the whole story, but your next yes matters. I think you'll find encouragement in Desiree's honesty and the ways God kept proving himself faithful. I'd love for you to listen to this full conversation, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave feedback to let us know how it landed with you. Please listen, share, and leave feedback about this episode.

Hey friends, I am so glad you're here. Can I tell you something? When Andrea first said yes to coming on the podcast, I felt that familiar mix of curiosity and relief. Her story landed with me like a hand to heart because it echoes so many lives I've seen where bright, shiny spiritual practices slowly leave a person dry instead of full.I remember the part she told me about growing up with music, being curious, and how trauma nudged her toward answers that felt immediate but weren't life giving. She lost her father young and later her husband unexpectedly. Those losses became doorways to psychic readings, tarot, crystals, the law of attraction, and all the new age language that promises control and peace. You hear the longing in her voice. You see how easy it is to be seduced by practices that make sense to the mind but don't actually bring wholeness.Here's the thing that stopped me in our conversation. Andrea described a morning in February of 2021 when she came out of her silent practice and felt God speak one sentence to her. He told her this is her year to unlearn. That phrase is a gift and a challenge. It reminded me of Hosea 4:6 where God warns that people perish for lack of knowledge. Andrea's lack was not ignorance of facts alone, it was not yet knowing the deeper life available in Christ.We talked about what it looks like to have faith that is real and practical. She told stories about Clubhouse rooms and finding Christians who spoke Scripture into the cracks of her life. She told of waking up to worship without alarms and how scripture sung can get under your skin in a new way. That small moment of being invited into community helped her move from seeking to belonging.If you are listening and you feel pulled between spiritual systems and a hunger for God, I want you to know I see you. You can practice trusting God in small, tangible ways that change your inner landscape. Andrea's turn toward faith wasn't a single dramatic event so much as a series of gentle course corrections rooted in truth and companionship.Practical steps we pulled from Andrea's storySlow down the shiny searches and notice what you are longing for. Name the need.Create a simple rhythm of scripture and short prayers. Start with Psalms or gospel verses that sit well in your mouth.Find a safe community that will speak biblical truth and pray with you aloud.Give God permission to unlearn habits. Expect replacement with something better, not emptiness.Practice small acts of obedience that teach your heart to trust, like thanksgiving each morning or a five minute prayer break.You see, faith grows in ordinary practice not in clever techniques. Andrea's transformation involved grief work, honest confession of what she had embraced, and steady surrender into relationship with Jesus. That is the wholeness we long for. That is real faith in practice.I share this episode because I want you to leave with hope and a few doable next steps. If you feel unsure where to start, try Psalm readings sung or spoken, tell one trusted friend about what you're doubting, and let God guide the unlearning process. Growth in faith is often quieter than we expect but it is no less real.Thank you for listening to this conversation with Andrea on Perspectives Into Practice. Please listen to the full episode, share it with friends who might need encouragement, and leave feedback so we can keep bringing honest, practical stories of walking with God. I'd love to hear what you learned and what steps you're taking next.

Hand to heart, let me tell you about a conversation that stuck with me long after the microphones were off. I was sitting with my friend Tara who, if you asked her about hobbies, would tell you she loves fishing, camping, and the quiet that comes when you sit still and cast a line. That small picture of peace stands in beautiful contrast to the season that shaped her yes to ministry. Can I tell you something? Tara did not arrive at a confident yes overnight. She walked through a life altering car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury. She wrestled with language, balance, vision, anxiety, and depression. Those hard realities cleared every distraction and brought her face to face with a God who was patient and faithful. Through that slow, humbling preparation she began to see that God was not asking for perfect, he was asking for willing. I remember listening to her describe how God had prepared her without rushing. She talked about seasons of being pushed into solitude so that she could hear voice over noise. That preparation is often invisible and unglamorous. But friends, the scripture that kept coming up in my mind as Tara spoke was 2 Corinthians 12 9 where God says my grace is sufficient and my power is made perfect in weakness. That truth shaped her yes and it can shape yours. We talked about the specific moment that felt like permission to step forward. Tara had been a teacher for 15 years and was used to scripting everything. She prepared notes and outlines and then a women's retreat came. She had two sessions prepared and no time to finish the third because life had been messy and her mother had been very sick. She stepped up anyway, asked God to speak through her, and for the first time she got out of her own way. What came out was less scripted and more Spirit led and it became the most powerful of her messages. Here's the thing I want you to hold onto. Saying yes does not mean you suddenly feel ready. Sometimes saying yes is a series of smaller surrenders. If you want to put this into practice, try a few tangible steps that helped Tara and could help you. Pray smaller prayers if you need to - ask for a willing heart rather than perfect words Return to scripture daily - let promises anchor you when fear speaks Take one small yes - try a short talk, a small group, a single volunteer slot Invite community to speak into your discernment and to hold you accountable Expect weakness - remember that God’s power shows up most clearly there I share this with the same warmth I felt sitting across from Tara. We want tidy timelines and clean narratives, but God often prepares us in seasons that feel messy. What matters is that we show up and trust in a God whose grace meets us right where we are. I think you will find encouragement in Tara's courage and in the way God turned limitation into an open door. If this episode resonated, please listen, share it with a friend, and leave feedback about what encouraged you today. I’d love to know how you’re learning to say yes in the middle of uncertainty and how this conversation landed with you. Listen, share, and leave feedback about this episode.

Hey friends, happy new year. I'm so glad you're here as we slow down together for a minute and remember what God's been doing among us. Can I tell you something? Listening back through season one felt like reading handwritten letters from God, each one pointing me to the small ways He's been faithful in ordinary life. Hand to heart, that has been my favorite part of this whole podcast experience.I remember the exact moment I realized this space was working. We hit listeners in over 17 countries and over 1,500 clicks and listens, and I sat there feeling humbled and a little stunned. Here's the thing, I always said if this reached one person it would be worth it, but God has been graciously doing more. You sharing episodes, texting a friend, and naming what He's doing in your life has been the music in my day.You see, this podcast exists because perspectives shape how we live and practice is where faith becomes real. We don't stop at inspiration. We ask the practical question how do we live this out now? That question is what shaped season one and what will steer season two.Over and over guests reminded me of big truths. Alana taught me that blessing can come with weight and responsibility yet God still multiplies our obedience. Amanda showed how learning to hear God's voice changes the way we say yes and no. Danielle reminded me that grief does not disqualify you from purpose. Brianna's gentle nudge to begin with worship rather than striving keeps coming back to me. Michelle challenged me to ask God to let us see others through His eyes, and that changes everything.One thread I keep coming back to is this promise of presence even when clarity is absent. Proverbs 3 5 and 6 has been a guide for me lately. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding. That trust looks like small steps of obedience even when we don't have the whole map.If you're wondering whether you have a story to share, let me give you practical prompts that helped others speak up. Sit with these and see what rises.What has God been teaching you lately?Where have you noticed a shift in how you respond or trust Him?What feels different in your faith than six months ago?Where might God be asking you to take a small next step?These are not heavy or dramatic things. Sometimes it looks like learning to rest without guilt, setting one healthy boundary, or choosing obedience in a small unseen moment. If that feels small, good. Those small things are the practice that shapes the life of faith.Can I be honest? Many women say they don't have a story or they don't feel ready. Friend, you already are chosen. Your voice matters even if it shakes. God qualifies the called. If you want help noticing what God is doing in your life, reach out. I love coaching and sitting with women to name the God's work that's already happening.So as season two begins, my prayer is simple. I want this to stay a place where we notice God in the daily, put faith into practice, and lean into one another as the body of Christ. If this episode nudged something in you, would you listen, share with a friend, and leave feedback? It helps others find the encouragement they need, and it helps me keep showing up for you. Thanks for being here. Please listen, share, and leave feedback about this episode.

Hey friends, welcome back to Perspectives Into Practice. Can I tell you something? As the year was closing and a brand new one sat right around the corner I felt my heart stirring. Hand to heart, I realized I had been living in a comfortable version of faith that looked like attendance and agreement but felt hollow on the inside. I remember showing up, dressing the part, leading groups, and yet feeling distant from the Lord. That slow fade felt icky and I knew something had to change.Here's the thing, walking with God is not meant to be passive. In this episode I share how the Lord impressed on me that He wants all of us, not a little part tucked away for convenience. I talk about Revelation 3:16 and how the scripture calls out lukewarm faith. That verse struck me hard. It felt like a loving wake up call to stop coasting and start standing - to stop performing for people and to begin living from the inside out.I tell the story of what that looked like for me. I was doing all the church things, but inwardly I felt spiritually empty. When I finally stopped to pray and asked God what He wanted, He said He wanted more. That invitation to more forced me out of a comfort that was keeping me small. When I surrendered and chose to stand, it shifted everything - my marriage, my parenting, my friendships. Some relationships were pruned because they had stayed for convenience, and that was painful and good at the same time.If you're listening and thinking that sounds a lot like where you are, I want to offer practical next steps you can put into practice right away. These are simple, faithful rhythms that helped me move from passive to active faith.Start small with consistent scripture time, not binge reading but steady hiding scripture in your heart.Pray with authority and honesty. Name what you believe and ask God to help you stand.Pay attention instead of coasting. Notice where you are comfortable and ask God if comfort has become a barrier.Re-evaluate friendships that keep you safe but not growing. It is okay to let some relationships change.Say yes to God even when it is inconvenient. Obedience is often uncomfortable at first but leads to real change.I share how this looked in everyday life, not as a checklist but as real, messy obedience. You don't have to wait for January 1st to take one brave step. Maybe you start with a single prayer of surrender, or a commitment to memorize a verse this week. Maybe you choose one conversation to change, one habit to stop, one habit to begin.I want to encourage you, ladies, that choosing to stand is worth it. It will stretch you, and it will refine you, and on the other side you will find a truer, richer relationship with Jesus. I don't have all the answers for exactly how God will move in your life, but I can tell you from my own story that when I stopped being passive, God showed up in ways I didn't expect.Thanks for listening to this part of our year-end series on religion versus relationship and what it looks like to be a woman who stands. If this episode stirred something in you, take one of the practical steps today. Then come back and tell me about it. Please listen, share this episode with a friend, and leave feedback so I know how this is landing in your life.

Hey friends, hand to heart, can I tell you something? Brianna and I started this episode with a little laugh about thrift store treasure hunting. I remember sitting across from her, hearing about the patience it takes to find a good piece, and it felt so much like how God prepares us quietly in the fields. That image kept settling with me throughout our conversation about David and what it means to be a warrior woman in Christ.We walk through David's story in 1 Samuel 17 and talk about how a shepherd boy became the face of courage for a people who felt paralyzed by fear. David wasn't polished for battle by human standards. He was overlooked, teased by his brothers, and even ill fitted for the king's armor. Yet he trusted God, grabbed a sling and a stone, and showed up. Here's the thing - that story isn't just ancient biography. It becomes a present-tense invitation to walk by faith when everything around you says you are too small or ill equipped.Scripture anchors our chat. We land in Ephesians 6 and talk about putting on the armor of God. That passage reminded us that sometimes the armor looks like prayer, like Scripture memorized in the midnight hour, like the steady courage to show up for others. David's training was in the fields protecting his sheep. His everyday tasks were preparing him for a specific call. I kept thinking about how God uses the mundane to prepare the mighty.I share a personal example from my own life - times when I felt tiny and unwilling to take center stage. I felt like a shepherd not a soldier. Ladies, friends, I know that tension. We favor the safe path. But when the call comes, listening is the first brave act. David listened even when everyone else told him no. That listening birthed obedience, and obedience put him on the field.Practically, Brianna and I wanted this episode to leave you with tangible next steps. So we talked through things you can do this week to cultivate that warrior posture without turning into someone you are not. It starts small and builds. You don't need someone else's armor. You need the tools God gives you, however humble they look.Guard your quiet time - let Scripture and prayer shape your first responses.Practice small acts of courage - speak truth, offer help, hold a boundary.Remember past victories - God has shown up before, he remembers.Refuse borrowed identities - don't wear another person's expectations as your armor.I also want to say this plainly: courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is obedience in the face of fear. You can still be tender, you can still be gentle, and you can still be a warrior. When we trust in God rather than our own size or resume, the story changes. You become the one someone else reads about and says, I want to know how she kept going.So as you walk out your calling, pick up your sling. It might be a Bible and a prayer, a phone call to a hurting friend, or a firm no that protects your family. Walk by faith. Let this episode be a hand on your shoulder telling you that God is preparing you in small, ordinary places for a holy purpose.If this conversation resonated, join us for the full episode where Brianna and I share more stories, scripture, and encouragement. Listen, share with a friend, and leave feedback about this episode so we can keep bringing faith into practice together.

Hey friends, hand to heart, this episode landed deep for me. My sister Brianna joined me and we started with a little laugh about the plastic fork she carries in her purse - she has a phobia of metal on her teeth - and that easy, ordinary detail gave way to a much bigger conversation about how church can look good on the outside and feel empty on the inside.Can I tell you something? The phrase religion versus relationship isn't just a sermon title for us. Brianna shared a season that felt like a breakup - twelve years in a church where she served, led young adults and children's ministry, and then began to see people she loved show their true colors. They were showing up to fill seats, not hearts, and that realization has a weight to it. I felt that with her.Here's the thing: scripture matters. We talked about Proverbs 27:17, iron sharpens iron, because part of the pain comes when those around us who are supposed to sharpen and encourage us are using faith as a label instead of a living connection. We also talked about the Pharisees, because sometimes people around the pews know the language but not the heartbeat. There is a difference between quoting a verse and being shaped by the Spirit.I remember asking Brianna about the moment she knew she couldn't keep pretending. For her it was a women's conference where the room pulsed with hungry hearts and the Holy Spirit moved - it was the contrast that woke her up. For my part, traveling and trying churches across the country has shown me how often sermons are motivational speeches instead of scripture-driven truth. When worship is shallow and teaching is thin, your soul notices.So what can you do if you recognize this in your life? What helped Brianna and what I keep returning to are small, practical steps you can try this week.Pray honestly and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what you need, not what looks good.Evaluate your community - are people sharpening you or just filling seats?Look for churches where scripture is read and applied, not just paraphrased.Give yourself permission not to fake it - faith needs authenticity, not performance.Find one tangible way to serve where you can both receive and give support.Those moves aren't dramatic. They're not a checklist to prove you're holy. They're invitations to let your relationship with God shape the rhythms of your week instead of letting external expectations drive you. If you're in a season of disappointment or confusion, remember that leaving a place that hurts you doesn't mean leaving God. It can mean stepping toward a fuller experience of the Holy Spirit and truth.I share this as someone who wants faith to be real in everyday life. If you're tired of religion and longing for a relationship, I'm with you. In this episode Brianna and I tell stories, name the hard feelings, and point to practices that helped us stay connected to Jesus even when the people around us didn't match our longing.Please listen, share, and leave feedback about this episode.

Hey friends, I'm so glad you're here. Let me tell you about a conversation that started with a summertime drive, a whisper from the Holy Spirit, and a Roblox game that looked harmless until it didn't. I was with my friend Emily, who I've known since college, and her story about discovering dark imagery in a popular game grabbed my heart. We talk about restoration, grace, and what it looks like to actually guard our children in real life, not just in theory. I remember Emily telling me how she had been diligent with parental settings and how she let her oldest son practice spiritual discernment with boundaries in place. When he mentioned a new game called 99 Nights in the Forest, she did what many of us do and trusted the safeguards. But there was a soft Holy Spirit warning - the deer walked on its hind legs - and that tiny whisper should have been enough. It wasn't. A few months later, after nightmares and unsettling moments, Emily listened to that inner alarm and watched the game. What she saw was dark imagery, occult-style scenes, and elements that were not honoring to God. Here's the thing, ladies - guilt showed up first. She asked, how could I let this happen? But friends, grace met that guilt. The Holy Spirit reminded her that warnings had come, and he met her with a gentle call to turn something hard into something helpful. That is the posture I want us to take. We give ourselves grace and then we go do the work of protecting and teaching. You see, Emily used that moment to open a real conversation with her kids. She walked them through what she saw and asked a simple but powerful question: who is on the throne of your heart? When her children answered Jesus, she used the imagery to help them identify distortions and to learn the word stop. Stop became a spiritual safety word - a way for them to pause, ask their mama, and check their hearts before continuing. Scripture warns that when people have no king, they do what seems right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). We are called to lead our children toward the King, not toward whatever is trending. That looks like patient conversations, consistent boundaries, and teaching discernment. It also looks like allowing kids to practice faith while they still have training wheels spiritually - riding beside them until they can actually stop, name what feels off, and choose rightly. Practical steps from our conversation you can start using today: Use the strictest parental controls and regularly review game content. Watch new games together before allowing play and discuss any imagery you see. Require kids to ask permission for new games and friends online, and follow up. Teach a safety word like stop for immediate discernment and pause. Frame boundaries around what honors God, not simply what is forbidden. Can I tell you something? This isn't about fear. It's about stewardship. It's about helping our children learn to see through distortions and to choose what aligns with Jesus. Be patient with yourself when you miss something. Give grace, repent where needed, and then step forward with practical vigilance. If this episode encourages you, join us. Listen to the full conversation with Emily on the Perspectives Into Practice podcast, share it with a mama who needs encouragement, and please leave feedback about this episode. I'd love to hear how you're applying these ideas in your home.

Hey friends, hand to heart, this conversation with Allison stayed with me for days. I remember pulling into a little shopping center with the windows down and feeling the kind of hush that invites God in. Allison describes that exact moment when a call to something new landed on her like a gentle but undeniable conviction. She tried bargaining and hesitating, and then God kept nudging - so she listened.Can I tell you something? There is a tender power in quiet obedience. We talk about obedience like a series of actions, but in this episode Allison and I keep returning to a quieter truth - obedience often looks like slowing down, being still, and letting God do the transforming work inside us. Psalm 46:10 came up in our conversation - be still and know that I am God - and it felt like the map for the season she walked through.Allison shares how the idea for her podcast Run Your Story arrived unexpectedly and how her husband, a practical, faithful man, supported her by buying the domain before she could talk herself out of it. That tension - the part of us that says I am not qualified and the part that senses God has given a mission - is so real. She leaned into prayer, trusted the confirmation of godly friends, and found that saying yes looked less like ambition and more like surrender.We also dug into something sacred that happens when people share their stories in community. Allison talks about runners who have carried heavy things - addiction, depression, feelings of unworthiness - and how sharing those stories changed the way she sees others. She said God sees us as who we'll be one day, not only who we are now. That perspective shifts how we love, listen, and carry one another.Practical ways Allison practiced surrender - create quiet margins in your day, bring small prayers into ordinary routines, and let running or a steady rhythm be your worship time.How community became a healing space - invite others to tell their stories, build simple rituals of listening, and refuse to rush the telling.Steps to respond when God nudges you - name the prompting, bring it to trusted people, pray with honesty, then take one small obedient step.Throughout the episode I share questions to help you apply this: What quiet margin can you create this week? Who is a safe person to share a small step with? Where have you been asking God for permission to be still instead of do more? These are the kinds of practical, tender prompts Allison and I wrestle with.My hope for you after listening is that you carry less performance and more presence. This episode is for women who want faith that works in real life, who want practical rhythms that lead to healing, and who long for community that sees them fully. I think you’ll find both permission and encouragement in Allison’s story and in the small, tangible practices we talk about.Please listen to this conversation, share it with someone who needs a reminder that God meets us in the quiet, and leave feedback to let us know how the episode landed with you. We'd love to hear your thoughts and stories.

Hey friends, Jessica here. Can I tell you something? I love hearing how ordinary people lead with extraordinary kindness. In this episode I sit with Michelle, the gentle force behind the Skoolie Swarm Nomad community, and we talk about what it looks like to lead with grace, compassion, and healthy boundaries. I start with a little scene because you should know the woman I invited is the calmest person and also a rock crawler from the 90s. Yes, she drives Jeeps up near-vertical climbs in Moab and somehow keeps her patience in a campsite full of different personalities. Here’s the thing about community leadership - it’s gloriously messy. Michelle told the story of the Swarm starting in a parking lot idea, turning into a camping weekend, and growing from 22 rigs to over 300 while still keeping the same feel. You see that word rig? That’s what our people call their buses, vans, RVs, whatever they live in. I love that detail because it roots the conversation in real-life rhythms, not abstract theory. I remember asking Michelle how she stays kind when leadership gets hard. She shared a gut-level moment when she had to protect the safety of others. Someone made people feel uncomfortable and Michelle had to say no to that person coming to an event. She didn’t act on rumor. She checked with three other people, reached out to leaders of related communities, and asked God for discernment. That careful, prayerful, neighbor-loving approach is how boundaries and compassion walk together. We weave Scripture through that story. Galatians 6:2 talks about carrying one another’s burdens and that helped shape how Michelle framed the decision. It’s not about punishing or public shaming. It’s about making space where women and single people can feel safe, honored, and welcome. Leadership that loves is protective and tender at the same time. If you want to put this into practice tomorrow, here are a few small steps we talked about during the episode: Listen first, then verify. Ask others and gather context before deciding. Pray for discernment and humility, not for confirmation bias. Set caps and structures that preserve the community's core feel as you grow. Invite feedback and create clear ways for people to speak up when they feel unsafe. Those are practical, actionable choices. They’re not flashy, but they build trust over time. I asked Michelle about growth management and she said they cap numbers intentionally so the event can keep its heart. That’s leadership saying no so the wider yes can stay healthy. Friends, if you lead anything or care about the people in your life, this episode will encourage you to hold both mercy and discipline in the same hand. I share some of my own awkward leadership flubs too, because I don’t want this to sound perfect. Can I tell you something? God meets us in the middle of the hard choices, and we can learn to lead in a way that honors people and honors truth. So come sit with us, hear Michelle’s stories of rigs and rock crawling and tender leadership, and walk away with practical steps you can try this week. Please listen, share this episode with a friend, and leave feedback so we can keep these conversations going and get better together.

In this tender conversation, I sit down with Carol as she shares the story of adopting Moise, a little boy with complex medical needs, and the long road their family walked through loss, caregiving, and grief. We talk honestly about suffering, trust in God, and the kind of faith growth that happens when you are living one day and one minute at a time. Carol opens up about the hard decisions, the seasons of waiting, and what it looked like to surrender her will to God while still showing up with love. She also shares what life with God has looked like after Moise’s passing, including the ache of losing a child, the untangling of identity, and the steady hope of heaven. If you are facing real-life challenges, this episode is a gentle reminder that God is near, and he is still at work. If you have a story to share or want to reach out, please contact us.

This is a tender conversation about healing and faith after abortion, and what it can look like to trust in God again. If you have little ones nearby, you may want to listen with headphones. My friend Jamie shares her story with honesty and hope. We talk about the weight of shame, the slow process of healing, and the freedom that comes when we stop trying to carry it all alone. We also talk about what it means to walk with God in real life, to surrender, and to receive forgiveness as something God truly gives. If abortion is part of your story, you are not disqualified from God’s love. You are not too far gone. Jesus meets us in our brokenness, and He can lead you toward wholeness one step at a time. If you are ready to take a next step and want help finding support and resources, please reach out. You do not have to walk through this alone.

What happens when you feel disconnected in marriage, carrying grief, and wondering if anything can change? In this episode, I sit down with Elisa to talk about trust in God in the middle of real faith and real-life challenges. Elisa shares the tender moment when God met her in an ordinary place and asked her to try again. We talk about suffering, loss, and what it looked like to surrender and take one practical step that began rebuilding connection. You will hear how a 60-day challenge became a turning point, not just for intimacy, but for reordering priorities and choosing a life with God inside everyday marriage decisions. Elisa also shares simple, doable ideas for date nights, putting your spouse on the calendar, getting off your phones, and starting meaningful conversations again. If you feel stuck in distance or sameness, I hope this episode reminds you that God is present, and small acts of obedience can lead to real growth over time. If you want to share your own story or reach out, contact us.

In this episode, I sit down with Shayna to talk about finding faith after loss. Shayna shares her story of stillbirth, the grief that followed, and the slow rebuilding that came after. We talk honestly about suffering, and what it looks like to keep moving when you feel like you cannot. Shayna also shares how gratitude, community, prayer, and Bible study helped her reconnect with real faith. We talk about trust in God when life feels out of control, and how God can meet you with grace before you even have words for belief. Shayna offers a simple journal prompt for anyone walking through healing, uncertainty, or deep sorrow. If you are walking through loss, or you love someone who is, I hope this conversation brings faith encouragement and a steady reminder that you are not alone. If you want to share your story on the podcast, you can reach out.

Divorce can shake your sense of safety, identity, and hope. In this episode of Perspectives Into Practice, Andy shares her story of heartbreak and the slow work of learning trust in God when nothing on the outside was changing. We talk about what it looks like to walk with God in the middle of suffering, and how surrender can open the door to real healing. Andy describes crying out to Jesus in the everyday places, in the closet, in the car, in the quiet moments where you are just trying to make it through the night. We talk about the difference between pleading for our plan and choosing trusting God with His plan. We also discuss control, learning to listen, and how God meets us with peace, not shame. If you are facing real-life challenges, or you feel scared to let go, I hope this conversation brings faith encouragement and a steady reminder that you are not alone. If you have a story you want to share on the show, please reach out. Your perspective might be exactly what someone needs today.

Money anxiety can feel loud, especially in seasons of life uncertainty. In this episode of Perspectives Into Practice, I sit down with Dominika to talk about what it looks like to trust in God when income feels unstable and fear starts steering your choices. This is not a strategy conversation. It is a real faith conversation about peace, prayer, and what the Bible says when you are tempted to panic. Dominika shares a recent story from her business journey where she hit a slow month, wrestled with anxiety, and had to decide between self-reliance and trusting God. We talk through how to return to God’s perspective, how to quiet distractions so you can actually listen, and why Scripture, especially “be anxious for nothing,” speaks directly to finances too. We also touch the Book of Proverbs and how biblical wisdom brings clarity to everyday christianity and faith in real life. If you are trying to grow closer to God in your money mindset, this conversation will help you breathe again and take one simple next step toward trusting God. If today’s episode stirred something in you and you want to share your story, reach out. I would love to hear from you.

What do you do when your body says stop, but God says keep going?In this episode, Lauren shares her story of suffering through a sudden health crisis that took away her ability to walk and speak almost overnight. In the middle of fear and unanswered questions, she chose trust in God. She held tight to Scripture, kept showing up one step at a time, and learned what obedience to God can look like when life feels fragile. We also talk about healing and faith, and how faith growth is often forged in the seasons we never would have chosen.If you are facing real-life challenges, navigating life uncertainty, or trying to stay steady when circumstances feel loud, I hope this conversation brings you real encouragement. You are not alone. God is still present, and your faith can grow even here.If you have a story of God meeting you in a hard season, I would love to hear from you. Please contact us and share what you have walked through.

If you have ever felt like you are doing all the right things, but still feel far from God, this conversation is for you. Emily shares her story of miscarriage, grief, and suffering, and the hard questions that followed. We talk honestly about what it looks like to rebuild real faith, learn trust in God again, and take your next step to walk with God when you feel numb, angry, or unsure. Emily also shares the simple, biblical practice that helped her reconnect with God through Scripture, journaling, and everyday moments she calls everyday epiphanies. We talk about spiritual growth that is not performative, and what it looks like to live faith in real life with authenticity. We also touch on therapy, marriage strain after loss, and why honesty can be a turning point in your faith walk. If today’s episode brings up something tender for you, you do not have to carry it alone. If you want to share your story or ask a question for a future episode, please contact us.

Homeschooling can bring up big questions, big emotions, and a lot of pressure. In this episode, I sit down with my friend Bethany to talk about trust in God when the plan you had for your family changes. Bethany shares how a reluctant, COVID-era start led her into a deeper walk with God, and how surrender reshaped her parenting, her expectations, and her daily life with God.We talk about what it looks like to keep walking by faith when you feel unsure, when you are stretched thin, and when you realize you cannot do it in your own strength. Bethany also shares practical ways she found support through community, built a hybrid rhythm for her family, and learned to release control without giving up on growth in faith.If you are in a season of life uncertainty, wondering if you heard God right, or simply needing faith encouragement for the day you are in, this conversation is for you.If you have a question or want to share your story, contact us.

Have you ever felt like God said yes, but you are still living in the not quite? In this episode, I talk about what to do in that in-between place. The season where you are waiting, wondering if you are ready, and questioning if you are qualified. We are going to come back to trust in God and what it looks like to walk with God when the next step feels unclear. I share part of my own story. I thought my path was set in birth work. Then God called me into ministry, writing, and speaking. It came through small steps of obedience, a lot of uncertainty, and more than a few setbacks. Looking back, I can see how those moments built real faith and growth in faith, one decision at a time. We will also sit with Scripture that steadies our hearts when we feel weak or unqualified, and we will talk about how God meets us in surrender, not perfection. If you need faith encouragement for your faith walk, this is for you. If you are in a yes but not quite season and you want prayer, or you want to share what you said yes to this week, contact us.

What do you do with real faith when life turns overnight, and you are living with medical unknowns you never asked for? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Anna to talk about suffering, trust in God, and the long road of special needs parenting. Anna shares the moment she learned something was wrong in pregnancy, the shock of the NICU, and how her perspective shifted as new diagnoses and surgeries kept coming. We talk honestly about fear, exhaustion, and the daily choices that keep you grounded when tomorrow feels uncertain. Anna also opens up about the scriptures that held her up, including the God who sees, and the steady reminder that the Lord was with Joseph. If you are carrying something heavy, I hope this conversation helps you breathe, pray again, and keep taking the next faithful step. If this episode encouraged you and you want to share your story or ask a question for a future episode, reach out.

What does obedience to God look like when you are sharing your faith online and the criticism is loud? In this episode, I sit down with Kelsey to talk about walking with God in uncomfortable moments. We get honest about the tension between your flesh wanting to stay quiet and the Holy Spirit prompting you to obey. If you have ever felt nervous to post what God is putting on your heart, this conversation is for you.We talk about how to discern conviction versus people pleasing, how to respond with grace when comments turn harsh, and why caring for your temple can be an act of worship instead of an idol. Kelsey also shares what helps her persevere through depression, spiritual attack, and the pressure of being watched. We end with a hope-filled reminder that obedience is often not just for you. God uses it to reach someone else.If you need prayer or want to share what God is doing in your life, reach out.

In this tender episode of Perspectives Into Practice, my daughter Hadessa joins me to share part of our family’s recent season of suffering and what it looked like to practice trust in God in the middle of it. We talk about the fear of the ER, painful needles, multiple transfusions, and the long hours that can make a hospital room feel so heavy. You will also hear about healing and faith in small, real ways. A child’s prayer. A joke told to every nurse. A moment of calm in the middle of uncertainty. Hadessa reminds us that real faith can be simple, and that God is close even when our bodies are weak and our hearts are tired. If you are walking through illness, caring for someone you love, or trying to hold onto hope when you do not have answers, I pray this conversation gives you faith encouragement for today. If you want to share your story or ask a question for a future episode, please contact us.

What does it really mean to honor your parents when there has been pain? In part two of this conversation, Christina and I open the bible and talk through a biblical approach to boundaries, forgiveness, and what it looks like to walk with God in real life.We look at Jesus and his interactions with Mary and his family, and we tease out the difference between pleasing parents and honoring them. We talk about why obedience to God matters most, how to define a boundary in a clear and healthy way, and how healing can include both compassion and distance. If you feel stuck between faith and family expectations, I hope this brings you practical clarity and real faith encouragement.If you are in an unsafe or abusive situation, please reach out to someone who can help you right away. You are not broken for needing support. If you want to share what this brought up for you, or ask a question for a future episode, contact us.

What does it mean to honor your father and mother when that relationship includes real pain or abuse? In this part one conversation, Christina and I take a biblical perspective on the fifth commandment, and we slow down long enough to name the fear-based teachings many of us grew up with. We talk about how distorted theology can shape your view of God, your view of yourself, and what you think obedience to God is supposed to look like.We explore the difference between pleasing parents and honoring them, especially when compliance was tied to safety. We talk about the original context of the commandment, why it can feel so confusing in adult life, and why God’s presence is still real in the middle of grief and messy family dynamics. This episode is honest about suffering, and it is also hope-forward about healing and faith.If this topic touches a tender place for you and you want to reach out, you can contact us.

If you are walking through miscarriage or pregnancy loss, you are not alone. In this episode, I sit down with my friend Ashley to talk honestly about suffering, trust in God, and what it can feel like to go spiritually dry after loss. We share about that “nothingness” space of grief, when prayers feel stuck, the Bible feels quiet, and you wonder if God is still near.Ashley tells the story of two miscarriages and how God met her in weakness through Scripture, through community, and through small, tangible reminders of his care. We talk about Romans 8:26, what it means to keep showing up when you cannot find the words, and why your feelings are real but they are not the final truth.This conversation is gentle, practical, and hope-forward. If you are trying to grow closer to God in a hard season, my prayer is that you leave with a steadier perspective and simple next steps for your faith walk.If this episode brings up tender emotions and you want support, please contact us.

What do you do with grief that feels too heavy to name, or too complicated to explain? In this episode, Danielle shares her story of suffering after the sudden loss of her mom, and how trust in God began to grow in the middle of shock, sadness, and unanswered questions. We talk about what grief can look like beyond losing a person. We talk about the loss of seasons, relationships, health, home, and expectations. Danielle shares the simple, honest perspective that helped her stop staying stuck, and how God used her story to bring healing and faith to others through a devotional she never planned to write. If you are trying to walk with God through grief, I hope this conversation gives you language, hope, and a next step. You are not disqualified because you are hurting. God can meet you right here, and He can grow something steady in you as you keep walking. If you want to share what you are carrying, or you want support as you take your next step, reach out.

Gratitude is not always easy, especially in suffering. In this episode, I sit down with my friend Alana to talk about what it looks like to trust in God when life does not turn out the way you prayed it would. We talk honestly about divorce, disappointment, and the moment your heart realizes some things may not be restored this side of heaven.Alana shares how a perspective shift helped her keep walking with God in a painful season. We talk about being thankful in the storm, not for the storm. We also talk about how our words shape our hearts, how gratitude can fight pride, and how choosing gratitude can protect your joy when life feels overwhelming.If you are facing real-life challenges and you need faith encouragement for your faith walk, I hope this conversation meets you with clarity and hope. If you want to share your story or ask a question for a future episode, reach out.

What if spiritual growth starts with stepping outside? In this episode, I am joined by my friend Tiffany, a mom of four who has visited 48 national parks with her family. We talk about what it looks like to walk with God in creation, even when the hike is hard, the weather is not cooperating, or the kids are sure they are done. We also share simple ways to unplug, slow down, and notice God’s creativity and care, whether you are in Glacier or in your own backyard. We cover how time outside can shift your perspective, why it helps us feel grounded, and how enjoying God’s world can help us grow closer to God in everyday life. If you are looking for faith encouragement that is practical and doable, this conversation will meet you right where you are. If you want to share a story, ask a question, or tell us what you would love to hear next, reach out.

What if your calling does not include motherhood, and you still want a full, faithful life with God? In this episode of our spiritual growth podcast, I sit down with my friend Christina to talk about womanhood, identity in Christ, and wholeness for childfree women in the church. We talk honestly about the questions people ask, the assumptions that can sting, and what it looks like to walk with God with real faith when your life does not match the expected script. Christina shares how healing has shaped her choices, how she and her husband have grown closer to God together, and why childfree women can be a gift to christian community. We also offer practical ways churches can make space without pushing women into boxes. If you have ever felt unseen, pressured, or “less than,” this conversation is for you. If you are a mom, it is for you too. There is room for faith in real life, and God meets us in every path. If this episode brought something up for you and you want to share your story, reach out.

When you are in suffering, trust in God can feel hard to hold. In this episode, I share what our family has been walking through in real time as my daughter faces a rare autoimmune anemia diagnosis and we live in the unknowns. I talk honestly about those dry seasons where reading the Bible feels quiet, prayers feel unanswered, and you still keep showing up. We look at a few biblical anchors that have carried me, like Psalm 13, Psalm 34:18, Romans 8, and the quiet whisper God used with Elijah. I also share simple, practical things that are helping me keep a steady perspective when life uncertainty is loud: walking, worship in the background, asking for help, resting when I need to, and thanking God for one small moment of grace every day. If you are walking through real-life challenges and you need faith encouragement, I want you to hear this clearly: peace does not always show up with clarity, but God is still near. If you want me to pray with you, please reach out.

Hearing God’s voice is not just for pastors or prophets. It is part of real faith and life with God for everyday people. In this episode, I talk with our friend Alana about what it can look like to walk with God in daily life, with discernment and obedience to God. We get practical about how God speaks through the Bible, and also through seeing, hearing, knowing, and feeling. Alana shares how she learned to ask, “Is this from God, from me, or from the enemy?” and how to slow down, test what you sense against Scripture, and seek wise community. We also talk about spiritual warfare, emotional overwhelm, and why growth in faith usually happens through practice, humility, and support. If you are in survival mode, we say it clearly: start with the Word. If you are ready to grow, invite the Holy Spirit to help you recognize God’s voice and trust in God one step at a time. If you want support and community as you learn to hear God and walk it out, reach out.

What do you do when your life changes in a split second? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Tiffany to talk about suffering, trust in God, and the perspective that carried her family through the loss of their brand new home in a house fire. Tiffany shares what happened the morning of the fire, what it felt like to stand helpless and watch their home burn, and how Christian community showed up with real, practical care. We also talk about what Scripture teaches us about suffering and trusting God, and why stories like Job and Joseph can steady our hearts when we do not understand the why. If you are walking through real-life challenges, rebuilding after loss, or just trying to hold on to real faith in a hard season, I hope this conversation helps you take the next step with God. If you want to share your story or ask a question for a future episode, reach out.

Most of our walk with God is built in the ordinary. In this episode, I sit down with my sister Bri to talk about faith in practice in the small moments. We share simple, real-life examples of trusting God while driving, finding gratitude in everyday provision, and choosing obedience to God when nobody is watching. We also talk honestly about how small moments can include hard days too. If you are battling anxiety, heavy thoughts, or just trying to take the next right step, you are not alone. We talk about how worship can shift your spiritual perspective, invite God’s presence today, and help you keep walking with God one choice at a time. If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs faith encouragement. And if you want to reach out, contact us.

What does a biblical marriage look like when real life gets loud, schedules get full, and feelings start running the show? In this episode of Perspectives Into Practice, I sit down with my friend Shannon from 24/7 Marriage to talk about faith in practice inside your relationship. We talk about building a strong foundation from the Bible, not from the world’s shifting definition of love and commitment. Shannon shares what it looks like to walk with God as a couple through everyday pressures, and why daily habits like prayer, technology boundaries, and worship can change the atmosphere of a home. We also talk about covenant. Not a contract. Covenant love means there is no back door. It is a choice to keep showing up, especially in the valley. Shannon explains how husbands can lead with steadiness, how wives can pray with wisdom and humility, and why Christian community matters when you feel stuck or alone. Finally, we unpack the difference between compassion and empathy, and how empathy can transform the way you love your spouse in suffering, stress, addiction, depression, and uncertainty. This is hope-forward, practical, and honest. You are not meant to do marriage alone. If you want to share a question or a topic you would love us to cover next, contact us.

Your past is part of your story, but it does not get to name you. In this episode of Perspectives Into Practice, I sit down with my sister Brianna to talk about identity in Christ, healing, and trust in God when shame and old labels try to take over. Brianna shares pieces of her testimony, including seasons of homelessness, addiction, and mental health struggles, and how God met her there and led her into a new life. We talk about what it can look like to walk with God in real faith, especially when you feel stuck in your thoughts. We also get practical about spiritual growth: simple prayers in everyday moments, remembering what God has already brought you through, and speaking life instead of repeating the enemy’s accusations. If you are working through your past, carrying guilt, or trying to believe that you can be made new, this conversation is for you. You are not disqualified. God is still writing your story. If you want to share your story or ask a question for a future episode, contact us.

What do you do when God asks you to surrender something that feels like safety? In this episode, I sit down again with my friend Amanda to talk about trust in God when obedience feels costly and uncertain. We share what it looked like for her to leave a high paying job, step into a long waiting season, and keep walking by faith in real life even when the numbers did not add up.Amanda opens up about the pruning that happened in her heart. She talks honestly about anger, the pull toward comfort, and the kind of spiritual growth that often comes through pressure. We also talk about why community matters, how to guard what you are letting into your mind and spirit, and how Scripture can steady you when you are walking through a valley.If you are in a season of uncertainty, I hope this conversation helps you take one next step. God is trustworthy, even when the path feels confusing.If you have a question or want to share what you are walking through, reach out.

If you feel overwhelmed and like you have nothing left to give, this conversation is for you. Jessica and her friend Alana share a biblical perspective on what it can look like to walk with God through divorce and still find steady ground. We talk honestly about grief, disappointment, and the pressure to hurry up and be okay. We also talk about trust in God when your plans break apart and you are not sure what you can carry.Alana shares practical pictures that helped her shift from overwhelmed to overflowing, like letting God rebuild what is broken, adjusting expectations, and learning to sit with the Lord in the ashes without shame. You will also hear why worship matters, how the Bible helps you discern conviction from accusation, and why small steps of obedience can rebuild your faith walk over time.If you are walking through a hard season and you need faith encouragement, you are not alone. If you want to reach out, contact us.