Fairy Tales and Other Realities

“Once upon a time in a faraway land…” is the language of fairy tales, and through them, a longing in the heart can well up. In this episode, Stasi shares that we identify with these stories because they speak to both our story and our identity—our longing to be pursued, fought for, and loved, and the truth that we are more than meets the eye. God’s promise is the promise of restoration, and in him, we can both discover and be restored to who we are truly meant to be. There is transformative power in understanding one's true self in the heart of God, allowing his voice to be the ultimate authority in defining our identity.…..SHOW NOTES:…..VERSES: Luke 19:10 (NLT) — For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.Matthew 3:16-17 (NLT) —  After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV) — The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.John 10:10 (NIV) — The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.Ezekiel 37:1-10 (NLT) — The Valley of Dry BonesLuke 1:34-37 (NKJV) — Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. For with God nothing will be impossible.”Matthew 19:25-26 (NLT) — The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”Ecclesiastes 9:4 (NLT) — Anyone who is among the living has hope…Isaiah 62:2-4 (NIV) — …you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord will take delight in you,  and your land will be married.Isaiah 62:12 — (NIV)  They will be called the Holy People,  the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After,Song of Song 7:10 (NIV) — I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me.…..Don’t Miss Out on the Next Episode – Subscribe for FreeSubscribe using your favorite podcast app:Spotify Podcasts – https://spoti.fi/42SsOipApple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42E0oZ1 Google Podcasts – http://wahe.art/3M81kxLAmazon Music & Audible – https://amzn.to/3M9u6hJ