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

In this episode of Perspectives Into Practice, I sit down with my friend Heather for an honest conversation about what it looks like to trust God in the middle of life's uncertain seasons. Heather shares her journey of stepping away from a 25-year career, launching something new, navigating the transition of a child leaving for college, and walking through the recent loss of her father. Together, we talk about the tension between faith and doubt, learning to surrender control, and trusting God one step at a time when the future feels unclear. Heather shares powerful stories of God's faithfulness, the simple rhythms that help her stay grounded, and the reminders God has given her along the way that He is still present, still working, and still leading. If you've ever felt stuck in the messy middle, waiting for direction, grieving a loss, or wondering how to trust God when you can't see the whole path ahead, this conversation will encourage your heart. You'll be reminded that God rarely gives us the entire roadmap. Instead, He invites us to walk with Him one faithful step at a time. Key topics from this episode include:• Trusting God during major life transitions• Letting go of control and surrendering the outcome• Navigating grief with faith and hope• Recognizing God's presence in everyday moments• Building practical rhythms that strengthen your faith• Finding peace in seasons of uncertainty If this episode encouraged you, I'd love to invite you to share your story on the podcast. Some of the most powerful conversations come from ordinary women experiencing God's faithfulness in everyday life. And if you're longing for rest, renewal, and deeper connection with God, join me for the Wholeness in the Wilderness Retreat. Learn more about the retreat and how to become a guest on the podcast at PerspectivesIntoPractice.com.

Have you ever found yourself praying for a breakthrough, only to realize God was inviting you to ask a different question? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Heather for an honest conversation about comfort, peace, obedience, and the deeper work God wants to do in our hearts. What started as a struggle with health goals and consistency became a powerful lesson about hidden patterns, striving, and the subtle ways comfort can keep us from experiencing the freedom God has for us. Heather shares how God revealed an unexpected idol in her life, why she had been asking the wrong questions, and how everything began to change when she stopped focusing on the surface problem and started inviting God into the deeper issue. Together, we explore the difference between comfort and peace, why recurring struggles often point to something beneath the surface, and how repentance and forgiveness can lead to lasting freedom. We also talk about anxiety, fear, trusting God's process, and learning to recognize the cycles that keep showing up in our lives. Heather's vulnerability and practical wisdom offer encouragement for anyone who feels stuck, frustrated, weary, or unsure why they keep facing the same battles. If you've ever wondered why some prayers seem unanswered, why growth feels harder than it should, or how to move from striving into genuine peace, this conversation will encourage you to slow down, ask God deeper questions, and trust that He is always leading you toward freedom. As Heather reminds us, peace isn't always comfort. Sometimes the very thing God is using to grow us is the thing we're tempted to avoid. I'd love to hear what stood out to you from this conversation. And if God is teaching you something in your own life right now, I'd love to invite you to be a guest on the podcast and share your story. Sometimes the lesson you're learning is exactly what someone else needs to hear. Also, registration is still open for the Wholeness in the Wilderness Retreat, happening June 25-28 near the Oregon coast and California Redwoods. If you're feeling weary, stretched thin, spiritually dry, or simply longing for intentional time with God, I'd love to have you join us. Learn more at PerspectivesIntoPractice.com and click Retreat. Key Moments Heather shares how God revealed a hidden pattern connected to comfort. The surprising difference between comfort and true peace. Why asking better questions can lead to deeper breakthroughs. How fear, anxiety, and striving often point to deeper heart issues. A powerful story about choosing ministry over personal plans. What it means to notice unhealthy cycles and pray differently. Why repentance and forgiveness remain powerful tools for freedom. Practical encouragement for anyone feeling stuck in recurring struggles.

What do you do when you feel God asking you to move forward, but He doesn’t give you the full roadmap? In this episode of Perspectives Into Practice, you’ll hear an honest conversation with Sherrika about what it looks like to trust God one step at a time, even when the path feels uncertain. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re hearing God correctly, struggled with waiting, or wondered why His provision doesn’t look the way you expected, this episode will encourage you. Together, we explore the tension between obedience and control, faith and fear, and trusting God when circumstances seem to be falling apart instead of coming together. Sherrika shares powerful stories of stepping out in faith, launching an event with countless obstacles, navigating seasons of surrender, and learning that God’s faithfulness often looks very different than what we imagine. You’ll be reminded that God rarely asks you to understand the entire journey before taking action. More often, He invites you to trust Him with the next step. As Sherrika shares, sometimes the greatest act of faith is simply moving forward with what God has already shown you and trusting Him to reveal the rest in His timing. In this conversation, you'll discover: • How to trust God when His direction feels unclear • Why obedience often requires deeper surrender than expected • What to do when God's provision doesn't look like what you hoped for • How to recognize God's voice through relationship and time with Him • Why waiting for the full plan can keep you stuck • How worship, prayer, and Scripture sustain you during difficult seasons • The importance of taking the next faithful step, even when you're unsure If you're walking through a wilderness season, facing a major decision, or feeling called into something that stretches your faith, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone. God is faithful, even when you cannot see the whole picture. He is present in the unknown, and He will guide you one step at a time. If this episode encourages you, please share it with a friend who needs this reminder today. Have a story about what God is teaching you in this season? I'd love to hear it. Visit PerspectivesIntoPractice.com to learn more about being a guest on the podcast. And if you're longing for a chance to slow down, reconnect with God, and find renewal in the middle of your own wilderness season, I'd love to invite you to the Wholeness in the Wilderness Retreat, June 25-28. You can find all the details at PerspectivesIntoPractice.com under the Retreat tab.

What happens when you obey God, but life still feels confusing, disappointing, or painfully quiet? In this heartfelt episode of Perspectives Into Practice, I sit down with Brenda for an honest conversation about spiritual frustration, unanswered expectations, and learning how to seek God again in difficult seasons. In this episode, Brenda shares her journey of leaving a job in obedience to God, stepping into writing and ministry, and then wrestling with anger, disappointment, financial uncertainty, and feeling spiritually disconnected when things did not unfold the way she expected. Together, we talk about what it looks like to navigate seasons where prayer feels empty, Scripture feels distant, and God’s voice seems hard to hear. In this episode, we discuss: What to do when obedience does not lead to the outcome you expected How journaling and writing can help clear spiritual and emotional fog The danger of viewing our relationship with God as transactional Why community is essential during difficult faith seasons Lessons from Joshua 3 and 4 about waiting on God’s instruction How to recognize God’s presence in unexpected places Practical encouragement for women feeling spiritually stuck, weary, or disconnected This conversation is full of gentle wisdom, honest vulnerability, and practical faith for women walking through uncertainty, burnout, disappointment, or spiritual dryness. If you have ever wondered, “God, where are You?” this episode will remind you that He is often closer than we realize. If your heart has been craving renewal, rest, healing, or simply quiet time with the Lord, I would also love to personally invite you to my intimate women’s retreat, Wholeness in the Wilderness, happening this June 25-28, 2026 near the California redwoods along the Oregon coast. It will be a peaceful, Spirit-led weekend filled with meaningful connection, nourishing meals, ocean air, and space to breathe and reconnect with God. You can learn more at PerspectivesIntoPractice.com click the Retreat. And if you’ve been listening to the podcast thinking, “I have a story like that too,” I would love to hear from you. Perspectives Into Practice is all about real women sharing real stories of how God is working in everyday life. If you’d be interested in being a guest on the podcast, reach out through PerspectivesIntoPractice.com. Your story may encourage someone more than you know.

In this episode of Perspectives Into Practice, I sit down with Lorraine for a beautiful and honest conversation about faith, motherhood, surrender, and learning to trust God through changing seasons of life. We talk about what it looks like to let go of control, walk through transition without knowing the full path ahead, and stay grounded in prayer when life feels uncertain. We dive into the challenges of parenting adult children, learning how to release them to the Lord, and finding purpose in seasons that feel quieter than before. We also talk about discernment, gratitude, silence, journaling, and how God often speaks in subtle ways when we slow down enough to listen. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or unsure of what God is doing in your current season, I pray this conversation reminds you that you do not have to see the whole road ahead, just the next faithful step. In this episode, we talk about: • Navigating the empty nest transition with faith • Trusting God with your adult children • Letting go of control and unrealistic expectations • Learning to hear God’s voice in quiet moments • The importance of discernment before saying yes • Gratitude journaling and daily prayer rhythms • Parenting through every phase of life • Finding peace when life feels uncertain • Why small acts of obedience matter • Being gentle with yourself in difficult seasons If your soul is craving rest, renewal, and space to reconnect with God, I’d love to personally invite you to the Wholeness in the Wilderness Retreat happening June 25 through 28 near the California Redwoods and Oregon Coast. You can find all the details at PerspectivesIntoPractice.com under the RETREAT tab. And if God has been writing a story in your life and you’d like to share it, I’d love to invite you to be a guest on the podcast. Your story matters, and someone else may need the perspective God has given you.

In this episode of Perspectives Into Practice, I sit down with my sweet friend Susan for a heartfelt conversation about walking closely with Jesus in every season of life. Susan shares what it looks like to continue growing in faith after decades with the Lord, learning to recognize His voice in everyday moments, and trusting His guidance in both the big and small things. We talk about hearing God’s voice, speaking life over ourselves, finding purpose right where we are planted, and learning to bloom without striving for recognition. Susan shares wisdom about prayer, spiritual growth, identity in Christ, and how God’s love meets us personally and individually. This conversation is full of encouragement for anyone who has ever felt overlooked, uncertain, or simply hungry for a deeper relationship with God. If you’ve been longing for more peace, more awareness of God’s presence, or reassurance that He is still speaking and working in your life, this episode will remind you that faith is not something we outgrow. It deepens, softens, and grows as we continue to walk with Him. In this episode, we discuss: • How to recognize God’s voice in everyday life • Growing spiritually in every season • Speaking life over yourself through Scripture • Blooming where God has planted you • Finding peace, purpose, and identity in Christ • Letting go of condemnation and embracing God’s love • Walking by faith and trusting the Holy Spirit Whether you are in a season of growth, waiting, healing, or rediscovering your faith, I pray this conversation encourages you to lean in and listen for the Lord in the simple moments of your day. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement today. If you’ve ever thought about sharing your story and the ways God has worked through your life, I would truly love to have you as a guest on Perspectives Into Practice. These conversations are real, faith-filled, and centered around how small shifts in perspective can lead to meaningful change. And if you’re longing for rest, renewal, and deeper connection with the Lord, I’d love to invite you to the Wholeness in the Wilderness Retreat happening June 25–28. It’s going to be a beautiful time of reflection, encouragement, worship, and healing alongside other women walking through wilderness seasons. Visit PerspectivesIntoPractice.com and click on “Retreat” for all the details.

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.

Can I tell you something? I remember the first time I started noticing feathers everywhere. Hand to heart, it felt like a tiny, holy wink from God when I was in a season that felt stalled. In this episode I sit with my new friend Kristen and we talk about what waiting really feels like, the tension that stretches you, and how God speaks in small, ordinary ways while He is quietly preparing the next thing.Here's the thing I love about our conversation - we move from an honest, messy place into scripture and then into practice. Kristin calls her seasons "weight training" because waiting builds strength the way lifting does. She uses a slow cooker versus Instapot image (and yes, we both laughed because food analogies are my love language) to explain that some promises marinate. That metaphor stuck with me because it honored the slow, faithful work of God without pretending waiting is easy.We also talk about the ways God nudges us when we slow down. Kristin told the story about sitting in church hearing Isaiah 40:31 and then seeing three eagles on the drive home. That was a literal chin-check moment - God lifted her head and shifted her gaze. I told her about feathers appearing in my life, and how I keep them in my car as reminders that God is present, noticing the minute things.One of the most tender pieces of this episode is the language we use for how God speaks. Kristin calls some of those moments "God's lyrical alarms" - a song that wakes you gently with truth. We both agreed that the world teaches speed and immediacy, but God often shows up in pauses, nudges, and tiny signs. I asked hard questions out loud, like why some promises seem to come quickly for others. She answered with humility and the reminder that trust is the practice God is shaping.If you're wondering what to do when you're stuck between prayer and promise, we land on simple practices you can try this week. Try these few things I shared with Kristin and you can put into practice right awayLift your eyes - literally look up when you walk, notice what God might be pointing to.Keep a record - jot down small signs, songs, feathers, or moments that feel like God's whisper.Choose patience as training - treat waiting like strength building rather than punishment.Listen for lyrical reminders - a song, a phrase, a dream can re-center your heart toward trust.I weave scripture through the conversation and we reference Isaiah 40:31 as a promise that waiting is not wasted. You will hear vulnerability, honest questions, and the kind of encouragement that feels like a friend sitting across from you with a cup of tea. You see, I don't pretend waiting is painless, but I do believe God is at work inside it.If you're in a season of not-knowing, this episode is for you. It's practical, it is gentle, and it points you back to noticing the small, real ways God speaks. Come listen, take notes, and try one practical step this week. Please listen, share with a friend who needs this, and leave feedback about this episode so we can continue these conversations together.

Hey friends, hand to heart, I have to tell you how this conversation with Melissa stuck with me. She walked me through a season that began with a massive brain infection, years of neurological healing, and the slow work of God restoring joy in ways she never expected. What grabbed me was not the list of hardships, it was how God rebuilt her in the valley, how He used late night moments with Scripture, a call to obedience, and yes, horses on a ranch to bring back life.I remember Melissa sharing how she didn’t grow up in church, how she met Jesus when she met her husband, and then how illness became the place she could no longer keep God at arm’s length. She said when she woke up in the middle of the night, often the Lord would meet her there. Those quiet, tender interruptions shaped her faith and taught her to be led by the Holy Spirit. Can I tell you something? Those middle of the night moments have been the making of so many of us.Here’s the thing, healing wasn’t only about the physical. Melissa found a life saving infectious disease doctor who walked with her through late stage neurological Lyme disease, but God then asked her to press into mental and spiritual healing. He told her to use the horses. That sounded strange at first, but obedience led her to get certified in trauma recovery with Unbridled in Minnesota and to begin a ministry on the ranch. It was outside of her comfort zone, and she felt like an introvert being gently pushed. Sometimes God will do that - He will nudge, He will push, and then He will give the peace to take the step.Scripture kept coming up in our talk. I thought of Psalm 30:11 where God turns mourning into dancing and clothes us with joy. That truth threaded through Melissa’s story. She described supernatural peace the morning the local news arrived to film her with the horses - a push from God that also became a gift to help her move forward and to teach others how to choose joy while walking through hard seasons.If you want something you can put into practice, here are a few things Melissa and I talked through that you can try this week:Be still in the night - if sleep won’t come, spend a few minutes with Scripture and invite the Holy Spirit to speak.Say yes to small obedience - share one part of your story or one honest post, even if you’re scared.Use what you have - your gifts, your home, your experience can be a lifeline for someone else.Pursue whole healing - physical care and medical wisdom are important, but don’t skip the mental and spiritual work.You see, choosing joy is not pretending pain isn’t real. It’s trusting God in the middle of the muck and letting Him rebuild what feels broken. Melissa’s life on the ranch, her horses, and her obedience became tools God used to restore rhythm and hope. If you’re stuck, I want to whisper this to you: obedience opens doors, and God will provide the peace and the means to walk through them.I hope this episode gives you practical next steps and a fresh dose of courage. We talked about real things - diagnosis, therapy, training, fear, and the slow, beautiful work of God. Please listen to the full conversation with Melissa on this episode, share it with a friend who needs to hear about choosing joy, and leave feedback so we know how this spoke to your own life. Thank you for listening, sharing, and for the ways you encourage this community.

Hey friends, hand to heart, I want to tell you about a conversation that reminded me how much God can do through one small yes. I sat down with my new friend Sharon and she shared a quiet, ordinary practice that has become extraordinary. She travels the world and, for years, has simply packed four devotional books on every trip and prayed about who to give them to. That small act of obedience has opened doors, started friendships, and created ongoing prayer connections that bless her more than she ever expected.Can I tell you something? There was a moment in our talk that stopped me. Sharon told how, as a deacon moderator, she began texting everyone in her geographic region and asking, "How can I pray for you today?" She didn’t rush past the answers. She waited, sat down, wrote a thoughtful prayer, and sent it back. People responded with honest needs, wounds, and requests. One woman took a simple card to a cancer checkup and said it steadied her. That story stuck with me the whole week.There’s a biblical rhythm here. Ecclesiastes speaks about a three strand cord being not easily broken, and I keep coming back to that verse, Ecclesiastes 4:12. When we connect two hearts and lift them to God, something stronger forms. Obedience to God, even in tiny ways, ties us together in a bond that carries blessing beyond what we can see.Here's the thing I want you to try this week. You don’t have to overhaul your life. You can begin with a five minute yes. If someone asks you to pray, don’t say yes and hope you remember later. Text back, write a short prayer, or speak it into your phone and send the voice message. That small, immediate response makes the person feel seen, and it trains your heart to be faithful.I remember the awkwardness of thinking I needed a big platform to make a difference. Sharon’s gentle obedience reminded me that faith in practice looks ordinary. It looks like a chart that helps you pray for family, a spreadsheet that keeps you honest, or a devotional slipped into the hands of a stranger on a cruise. The outward action is small. The spiritual consequence is large.Try asking, How can I pray for you today? in a text or messageWhen someone answers, take a moment to write a prayer and send it backKeep a log or thread so you can follow up and ask, How is that going?These are simple steps, but they produce connection. They invite God to show up. They also protect you from the slipshod promise of saying, "I’ll pray for you," and never following through. Most of all, they remind us that obedience is how we show love to God and to one another.So I don’t know about you, but I feel encouraged to be faithful in the small things again. If you want a scripture to tuck in your heart while you start, hold on to Ecclesiastes 4:12 and let it remind you that our prayer connects us to God and to one another in a way that lasts.This episode of Perspectives Into Practice features Sharon’s stories, practical ideas you can use immediately, and gentle invitations to make prayer a habit that blesses you and others. I hope it encourages you to say yes when God nudges you, even if it’s only for five minutes. Please listen to the episode, share it with a friend who needs a gentle nudge, and leave feedback to let us know how saying yes is changing your life.

Can I tell you something? I love stories where God whispers first and then asks us to move. Ladies, friends, hand to heart, that’s exactly what happened for Margie, and as I listened to her tell it I felt that familiar mix of awe and hope. I remember sitting across from her and thinking, here is a woman who trusted long enough to be surprised by God. Margie is a Texa Rican, married 25 years, and a mom of four. For years her life looked a certain way - the house, the plans, the remodels, the busy-ness of family life. As the kids started to leave home she realized that the life that looked right on the outside wasn’t fully reflecting what she and her husband felt on the inside. They planned a dream trip to Fiji, and when they finally slowed down and really got quiet, God spoke. Not through a dramatic sign but through worship, community, and that gentle nudging that says, let it go. Sell the house. Move. You see, God often meets us in the ordinary quiet. In our conversation Margie said something simple and true: God speaks loudest when we actually get quiet. They were in a church where everyone from the youngest to the oldest was singing and it felt like the voice of God coming through that moment of worship. They came home convinced and then watched the logistics line up in ways that felt completely guided - an immediate offer, buyers with a newborn, contingency timelines that resolved in days, not months. It was one of those moments where the details felt signed, sealed, and so very sweet. Here's the thing I can't stop thinking about: obedience often feels risky and messy before it feels freeing. Margie told me about listing the house, juggling holidays, trusting friends who helped pack, and a friend who said, we either get stressed for nine days or get stressed for nine months. She chose the nine days. That practical friend-say was such a gift because obedience didn't mean reckless panic; it meant choosing trust over control and taking practical steps forward. Scripture kept coming to mind as I listened. Proverbs 3:5-6 invites us to trust the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to be still and know that He is God. Margie’s story is a tender example of both scriptures working together - stillness to hear, trust to act. If you want to put this into practice in your life, here are a few things I said to myself and to you as I reflected on her story: Carve out a real quiet - not short bursts of noise reduction but intentional time to listen. Pray with an open question like, what do you want me to let go of? Test what you hear against Scripture and community. Ask a trusted friend or pastor to listen to what you sense and to help you weigh it with biblical wisdom. Make a practical plan for the obedience you sense. Break it into small tasks so obedience becomes a series of doable steps instead of a looming leap. Let go of the need to control outcomes. Surrender looks like trusting God with the timing and the details, even when it stretches your comfort. Margie’s timeline was messy at times. The family had a conference, holiday travel, and unexpected deadlines. But she also had friends, a realtor who asked hard questions, and neighbors who showed up. Can I tell you something honest? Trusting God is rarely a solo sport. We need people to pray, to help pack boxes, to remind us of truth when we want to cling to the familiar. I think many of us will relate to that misaligned feeling Margie described - when life looks okay but doesn’t reflect your heart. If that’s you, maybe the first faithful thing isn’t to overhaul your whole life but to get quiet, ask God one question, and listen. You might be surprised how God meets you in the small moments and then changes the big picture. So what did I want you to take away from this episode? I want you to hear that God is presen...

Hey friends, hand to heart, this conversation landed gently and honestly with me. In this episode Pat and I talk about what it feels like when a role that shaped your rhythm is no longer yours. Let me tell you - that moment of release is not only about loss, it's about learning how to trust God differently and discovering who you are when titles change.I begin with a little fun fact because I love those moments that make us smile. Pat grew up in a football-loving family and then had a ballerina for a daughter. You see, that unexpected twist showed up in our conversation as a reminder that life’s seasons often bring surprising gifts and new rhythms. That little anecdote is a doorway to a deeper story about how God moves when we make room for someone else to step in.Pat walked with the Lord in a season of faithful service and leadership. Over time she sensed God raising someone else up - a woman she’d helped, trained, and cheered on. I remember asking Pat when she first knew God might be asking her to let go. Her answer was tender: she had seen God at work in another person and knew it was time to release the role. Emotions came up - fear of the unknown, worry about how others would view the transition, even concern for the friendship itself. Those are real, normal things we wrestle with.We talk about what it felt like to move from pressure to peace. For Pat that meant staying faithful in prayer, sitting with Jesus in the mornings, and intentionally choosing to be a witness rather than to direct the next season. She asked the Lord to sanctify her ego, to shape her ambitions so the posture would be humility and praise. That prayer felt like a hinge moment - it moved her from performance to presence.Scripture helped steady both of us. Proverbs 3 5-6 reminds me to trust the Lord with all my heart and not rely on my own understanding. That verse kept showing up as Pat described the delicate balance of supporting a friend while also stepping back. When we fix our eyes on the Father rather than on applause, identity stops being tied to a title and becomes rooted in who God says we are.Here are practical ways we learned to put perspective into practice:Pray first and often - make your morning time with Jesus the place you process feelings and decisions.Invite accountability - have one friend who will speak truth when your ego gets loud.Pass on what matters - share mentorship, not ownership, so the next leader can grow without people-pleasing.Be a witness - show up to cheer, not to control, and hold gratitude for what God does through others.Pat shared a raw moment about jealous thoughts before the first event she attended where the new leader led. Can I tell you something? That honesty was freeing. We both talked about how God meets us in those moments when we name the feeling and turn it over. That practice keeps faith from becoming self-centered and reorients our heart toward the Father.If you’re sitting with a role that’s shifting or an identity that feels uncertain, I want you to know I’m walking with you in spirit. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Keep coming to the Word, keep asking God to sanctify your desires, and keep being generous with what God has given you. There is life and joy on the other side of the letting go.Join Pat and me for this episode of Perspectives Into Practice to hear the full conversation, the tender stories, and the practical next steps you can try this week. Please listen, share with a friend who needs this, and leave us feedback about how this episode landed with you.

Friends, let me tell you about a conversation that landed in my heart and won't let go. I was talking with Kathleen, a woman who loves puzzles and God's word, and she used that puzzle image in such a tender way. You know that feeling when you look back and realize God was fitting the pieces together long before you knew the picture? Hand to heart, that is what this episode is about.I remember Kathleen sharing about an unwanted divorce she lived through and how scripture memory became the lifeline that pulled her out of fear. She said simple verses like When I am afraid I put my trust in you changed the shape of her mornings. Instead of waking up braced for battle, she began waking up with a Psalm or a promise tucked in her chest, and that shifted everything.Here's the thing, the Bible gives us language and rhythm so we can hear God more clearly. When scripture is internalized it becomes a filter for competing voices. As Romans 8:1 reminds us there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and that truth protects us from accusations that would steal our peace.One small story from Kathleen stuck with me. She told about a contractor who came looking for payment. On impulse she sent him away and then felt the quiet nudge not to withhold good when you have it in your power to act. She called him back and paid the balance. That moment came from a verse turned habit, which is exactly how Proverbs 3:27 shows us to steward what is in our hands. You see how practical faith looks in an ordinary kitchen conversation?If you want something you can do this week try these simple steps I talked about on the episodeChoose one short verse to memorize - something you can fit in your pocket or on a note cardRepeat it aloud in the morning and before bed until it starts to come to mind naturallyMeditate on the phrase - let it shape your thoughts for five minutes rather than racing through studyLook for one small obedience prompted by that verse and act on itNo grand program required - just faithful repetition and small response. Kathleen calls scripture memory and meditation twin powers. I think that's right because when what you believe is held in your heart it changes how you respond to fear and to people, and it deepens intimacy with God.We also talk about what to do when memorizing feels legalistic or boring. Be gentle with yourself. Start with verses that speak mercy and delight. Put them in places you already go like your phone lock screen or your kitchen timer. Little anchors make big differences over time.So what might you carry this week? Which verse will be the one you pull out when doubt whispers? Which short promise will you practice until it becomes a reflex? Can I tell you something, friends - God meets us in these small rhythms and uses them to turn awareness into practice.I hope this episode gives you both the encouragement and the practical next step to live more aware of God's presence. Come listen to the full conversation with Kathleen on Perspectives Into Practice. Please listen, share, and leave feedback about this episode.

Hey friends, hand to heart, let me tell you why this conversation landed like a tap on my shoulder. I invited Val to the podcast because she was living in that place where life felt heavy and confusing and every answer she tried to manufacture just made things worse. We talk about how she learned to loosen her grip and ask God for one surprising thing she had never asked for before—clarity. I remember sitting with her and feeling that familiar ache of wanting to control outcomes instead of trusting God's timing. Can I tell you something? Val's story is not a neat testimony of answers arriving like clockwork. It's messy, faithful, and very human. She described last year as a season of swimming against the current. Her health, job, and hope felt battered. At a prayer event she prayed for a friend and then, to her surprise, could not name a request for herself. The words that came out were clarity. When someone prayed that back over her she felt a weight lift, even though uncertainty remained. That moment captures a truth I keep coming back to as a follower of Jesus: sometimes faith asks us to step without having the whole plan in place. We talked about control in a way that felt honest and tender. Val shared that she has been a control person for most of her life, even in grief after losing a child 13 years ago. You see, control can become a false safety net. When her work hours were cut and money looked unstable she braced for a fight at home, but instead she discovered that God used that disruption to create new space and unexpected blessing. That was one of those gentle reminders that God often rearranges our plans so we can actually live the life he has for us. I pulled out a scripture with her about the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire that led the Israelites, because it fit so well. Exodus 13:21 shows a God who goes before his people visibly, and yet even seeing God with them did not keep them from fear or stubbornness. Val said that she doesn't have a pillar of fire, but she has learned to look for the little markers of God's presence and to let those markers guide her next steps. That felt like permission to me: permission to move without having every single answer, because God will be faithful step by step. Here are some practical ways we talked about putting this into practice in everyday life: Ask for clarity specifically - name it out loud and invite someone to pray it back to you. Create margin so you can notice God working - simplify a schedule, protect a morning, or pause before reacting. Practice small obedience - take the next right step even if the roadmap is fuzzy. Parent with grace - be your child’s mother not their martyr, allowing them safe space to grow. Lean into community - let trusted friends speak God's eyes and ears into confusing seasons. Here's the thing: faith is often quieter than we expect. It doesn't always arrive as a thunderclap, but God gives us what we need for the next step. If you feel stuck where control and fear are louder than God's voice, try praying for clarity and then watch for the small invitations to move. I really do think joy waits on the other side of that obedience. Friends, this episode is a gentle call to get out of your own way and to trust that God will lead you when you ask for clarity. I hope Val's honesty encourages you to ask for what you need and to accept help when it comes. Please listen to the conversation, share it with someone who needs to hear that they're not alone, and leave feedback about what spoke to you in this episode. I'd love to hear your takeaways and how God is inviting you to take your next right step.

Hey friends, hand to heart, this episode stayed with me long after we stopped recording. I remember the moment Lori first told me about marching band, the piccolo, and how that rhythm of showing up shaped her. Then she told me about the hemorrhagic stroke at 29, the move across country, and the quiet ache of losing a familiar self. Can I tell you something? That combination of small daily disciplines and a life shock is exactly the soil where unforgiveness can take root. Here's the thing I kept hearing in Lori's voice: she wasn't angry in a dramatic way. She felt overlooked, misunderstood, and sometimes bypassed. Those are the little cuts that add up. She carried a story about who she was and who other people were that shifted after loss. And that's where identity in Christ becomes more than a phrase. It's the steadying truth when the world redefines you. Biblical truth keeps showing up in our conversation. Ephesians 4:31-32 says to put away bitterness and be kind and forgiving. That verse isn't a checklist to shame you. It's a lifeline that God offers so you can be free to do the work he's called you to do. When I listen to Lori, I hear a woman who chose obedience even when apology never came. She chose the small, daily acts that rewired her heart toward wholeness. So what does that look like in practice? I want you to be able to take something from this episode and actually use it in your life. You're not getting platitudes. You're getting tender, real steps born from a lived story, from nights of wrestling and mornings of showing up anyway. Name the hurt. Say it out loud in prayer. When you name it, it stops hiding in the dark. Ask God what freedom looks like for you. Sometimes freedom looks like forgiveness, sometimes it looks like boundary, and sometimes it looks like brave acceptance. Decide before feelings do. Emotions will pull you back to resentment, but obedience to God moves you forward. Keep short accounts. Regularly confess the little resentments so they don't become a mountain. Invite service. Look for one small way to love where you once felt wounded. That rewrites the story. You see, Lori's story reminded me of band practice at dawn, the rigor, the showing up. That picture kept returning because the same discipline that made music out of many parts can make new life out of fractured belonging. She didn't wait for people to change. She let God change how she moved through the world. Along the way, we talk about identity, prayer, and the awkwardness of being vulnerable when you worry you might be unwanted. Have you ever held back because you thought your struggle would be too much for someone else? I do too, and I'm honest about that in this episode. Vulnerability doesn't mean careless exposure. It means choosing trusted people and choosing the Lord first. This episode is full of tender storytelling, biblical perspective, and practical encouragement you can try this week. If you're carrying an unnamed hurt, or if you feel stuck waiting for an apology that may never come, listen to Lori. You'll hear a woman who moved from carrying a weight to carrying God's call with both humility and courage. I'd love for you to join this conversation. Listen to the episode, share it with a friend who needs permission to let go, and leave feedback about what helped you most. Your listening matters to me and to Lori, and your words help other ladies take the next step toward wholeness.

Can I tell you something? From the moment Marchette and I started talking, I felt that hand-to-heart honesty that makes a conversation matter. She laughed about being fiercely competitive with board games, but the real game she wins at is choosing obedience when the scoreboard shows no visible reward. In this episode we sat in that hard place together - the place where God whispers a yes but your heart is full of questions.I remember the scene she described - a quiet afternoon at the library, a book about the fear of God, and the story of Esther landing right on her lap. Esther 4:14 came alive for her in a fresh way - the reality that God's positioning sometimes asks us to step where there is risk and no obvious personal gain. That concrete image helped her move from paralysis to a humble yes, even when doubts and fear of rejection loomed large.You see, we also talked about the cleansing of the temple (Luke 19:45-46) and how Jesus kept his mission even while people rejected him. Marchette shared how lying awake at night, wrestling with feelings of rejection, she found comfort in the fact that Jesus understood those emotions yet stayed focused. That didn’t cancel her feelings. Instead she learned to bring them to the Lord and not let them be the decision maker.Here's the thing I keep coming back to: faith isn't the absence of feeling. Faith is the decision to follow God when feelings press hard to the contrary. In our conversation we named how emotions can become a kind of idol if left unchecked. We also named the beautiful flip side - emotions offered to God can become fuel for obedience and compassion rather than barriers.From our chat, you’ll get practical, simple ways to put that perspective into practice in everyday life. These are the sorts of steps I wish someone had handed me in a tidy list when I was learning to say yes sooner. I offer them here the way Marchette lived them out.Name the feeling - speak it out and place it before God instead of letting it dictate your action.Remember your mission - remind yourself why God might be asking this of you and who might be impacted beyond you.Take the next small yes - obedience is often a series of tiny steps, not one giant leap.Practice quiet resolve - pray, trust, and keep showing up even if you don't get immediate affirmation.Friends, this episode is tender and real. We talk about fear of rejection, the temptation to trust what we see instead of what God has said, and how to keep showing up even when obedience looks like stepping into the unknown. I share questions I asked aloud, and Marchette shares honest moments where she almost quit but chose to trust instead.If you find yourself stuck between fear and a calling, this conversation will encourage you to bring your feelings to God, remember his promises, and obey the next thing he asks. You're not alone in that middle place, and God sees the honesty of your heart. We'd love for you to listen, share this episode with a friend who needs the encouragement, and leave feedback so we can keep bringing conversations that help faith meet real life.

Hey friends, I'm so glad you're here. Hand to heart, this episode came out of a tiny, ordinary moment on a Zoom call that turned into a window where God whispered a lesson I didn't want to miss. Bethany is my guest and she tells a story about a single thought that arrived like an invitation to react. That one moment became a mirror showing how often we let subtle thoughts steer our feet away from peace.I remember listening and thinking, Can I tell you something? The truth is, spiritual attacks often don't arrive with thunder. They arrive quiet, like an urgent thought, a tension in your chest, or a dream that leaves you unsettled. Bethany reminded me of 2 Samuel 11 where a single choice led David into a season of consequence. That scripture isn't a guilt trip; it's a teaching moment that shows how small choices can open doors when we are not paying attention.Here's the thing I loved about Bethany's sharing - she doesn't stop at the problem. She walked us through how she learned to tell the difference between a thought from God and a thought that needs to be tested. She talked about being born at 24 and a half weeks and how God used that story to give her perspective and compassion for others who feel stuck in negative cycles. You see, the enemy wants us to stay small and reactive. God wants us awake and intentional.I also brought up James 4:7 where we are invited to submit and resist. That practical posture matters here. It's not mystical. It's choices. It's small pauses. It's learning to cross reference scripture like Bethany does, to compare what a thought says with what God has already said about your identity and your fruit.If you want to put this into practice, try these simple steps I share in the episode with Bethany:Pause for five seconds before you react, breathe, and name the thought.Ask whether the thought aligns with scripture and the fruit of the Spirit.Tell the thought what the Bible says about you out loud or in prayer.Replace the grasping thought with one truth you can act on - a kind word, a helpful boundary, or a moment of rest.Keep a short list of verses nearby for the moments when your mind races.Friends, I don't pretend this is easy. We practice. We fail. We get up and practice again. Bethany shared how her dreams used to be dark and how reactionary responses used to rule her day. Now she chooses differently, and that freedom grows. I think you will find her honesty encouraging and her methods usable in your life tomorrow.So if you've been stuck wondering whether your thoughts are from God or not, this episode offers gentle tools, biblical context, and a real-life example to help you sharpen your discernment. You don't have to live in the same patterns. You get to choose differently, one thought at a time.I'd love for you to listen in, share this episode with someone who needs a little clarity, and leave feedback about what helped you most. Thanks for joining us on Perspectives Into Practice - press play, share, and let us know what moved you.

Friends, hand to heart, I remember sitting down with Desiree and feeling that hush of the Holy Spirit between us. Can I tell you something? Her story begins with something so ordinary it makes you smile: a thrift store find. She tells the story of walking into a consignment shop because she felt a prompting, and finding a picture that felt like a personal word from God about her identity and His sacrifice. That moment set the tone for a season where obedience looked nothing like she expected. I love that tangible moment because it shows how God meets us in small, very human places. Desiree walked through seasons of loneliness, wrestling, and even stepping away from faith as a teen. She ended up pregnant, scared, and full of opinions from everyone around her. In the middle of that mess she cried out, and she remembers a vision of Jesus reaching down, asking her to take His hand. He said keep the baby and promised to be father and husband in ways she could not yet see. That moment of saying yes was not a tidy proof that everything would be easy. It was messy and raw. She still wrestled, questioned, and sometimes wondered if God was really there. But she kept moving toward him. That steady, imperfect movement is one of the most faithful responses we have. It reminded me of Proverbs 3 5 6 where we are invited to trust the Lord with all our heart and not rely on our own understanding. Desiree's yes was not the end of doubt, it was the start of a faith that grows through the confusion. Here is what I kept hearing from her story and what I want you to take away. First, obedience often arrives without a full map. You won't always get the directions first. Second, God uses small, ordinary things to remind you of who you are. Third, wrestling does not mean failure. It often means you're alive in your faith. Practical next step one - keep showing up. Even tiny choices to turn toward God matter. Practical next step two - pay attention to small promptings. A store, a picture, a word can be the way God speaks. Practical next step three - find community who will walk with you when the steps feel unclear. Desiree was honest about depression and doubt. She said she had moments where she felt nothing had changed. That honesty matters because it gives us permission to be real with God and with each other. I want you to hear that faith does not eliminate hardship. It changes how we carry it. So what might this look like for you this week? Maybe you say yes to a small obedience - an apology, a phone call, a quiet hour with Scripture. Maybe you trust God with the next right step instead of demanding the whole plan. You don't have to know the final chapter to take the next page. As we close, I invite you to rest in the truth that God is present even when the path is unclear. If you find yourself wrestling, reach out, tell a friend, and keep leaning in. Desiree's story is a reminder that our yes is met by a God who keeps his promises and walks with us through the ordinary and the unexpected. Friends, I hope this episode encourages you to trust in small next steps and to hold on when you can't see the outcome. Listen to Desiree's story, share it with someone who needs to hear they're not alone, and leave feedback to let us know how this episode 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.