The Celebrate + Inspire Life Podcast

Tomorrow we celebrate the most significant “event” in the Christian faith—the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Because He lives, we can live. It is the foundation of our faith and hope. We of course remember and celebrate this every day but days of remembrance were very significant in Jesus's day and the Lord encouraged us to pass down our faith from generation to generation. One way that we do that is to have special days that we as Christians all over the world, pause, reflect and celebrate—like on Easter. I read 3 different journal entries from year’s past, 2 are included in Part II of my book, Forged by the Fire. The 3rd one is a special out of the vault as they like to call it. Purchase and Connect here: forgedbythefirebook.comDirectly from Amazon: Paperbook or Ebookhttps://amzn.to/4t2rfM8Follow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1?igsh=MXV6aW04ajQ1OXM1eA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

We are back from a hiatus I took while writing and publishing my book! Forged by the Fire: A Mother’s Journey Through Grief, Faith and Finding Purpose came out on November 25, 2025. Listen for behind the scenes details, me reading the entire introduction aloud and exciting announcements!Purchase and Connect here: forgedbythefirebook.comDirectly from Amazon: Paperbook or Ebookhttps://amzn.to/4t2rfM8Register for Lament Zoom Gathering on Tuesday February 3, 2026 @8pm est. https://celebrateandinspirelife.myflodesk.com/lamentFollow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1?igsh=MXV6aW04ajQ1OXM1eA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Today I want to talk to you about a story or parable that you are most likely familiar with if you have grown up in church, it is called the Prodigal son. I don’t want to just go thru it and recite it as we have done so many times but I want to share with you how I see myself in both the prodigal son and the older brother and how my prayer right now is for the Lord to develop the character of the Father in my own heart and life. Something that has stood out to me lately is when a couple different people have mentioned this parable and pointed out that the prodigal was treating his father as if he was already dead by asking for his inheritance. This is something I never really realized, but more on that later. A lot of the commentary that I am going to share is from the website, gotquestions.org, along with my own experiences. Connect with me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1?igsh=MXV6aW04ajQ1OXM1eA%3D%3D&utm_source=qrWebsite: celebrateandinspirelife.com

Today I want to discuss my trip that I took to Spain and Italy; I'm sure many of you are like wait when did she take that trip? Believe me it was a surprise for me too. It was one of the most spontaneous moments of my life and each detail was definitely orchestrated by the Lord. The lessons he taught me, the people I was able to meet, worship with and minister to, His amazing creation that I was able to witness with my own eyes and the beauty and talent that He has placed inside of man that is on display in the architecture, gardens, culture and love expressed thru food and fellowship. It was truly a small, of course tainted, glimpse of heaven, different tribes and languages joined together worshiping our saviour. Let’s connect: https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1?igsh=MXV6aW04ajQ1OXM1eA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

We are one month into 2024 and are inevitably analyzing all the habits, routines, goals, resolutions etc. that we decided to pursue or implement at the beginning of this year. This process has of course left us either feeling secure in our identity of someone who has been consistent or feeling like a failure because we are taught from early in life and it is engrained in our heart that our identity is the sum of the activities of what we do or do not do. As I was starting my new planner for this year, I started to label my roles or hats that I walk in, Where do I find my identity how do I walk in it?

Today I would like to share with you some experiences I have gone thru lately where I was reminded of my own humanity and who my safety, security and confidence is to lie in. And also give you some tips that have helped me remember a loved one that is no longer with us or treasure a season that has passed, during this time of year and all year. We also have something else to celebrate! Today is the 1 year anniversary of launching my podcast, Dec. 28th. If you have been around in previous years then you know this date is bitter sweet and it is good to have a birth of something special to celebrate. So happy 1 year to the Celebrate and Inspire Life Podcast! Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1/ Connect on my website: https://www.celebrateandinspirelife.com/

Today we are going to discuss purity culture of the 90s and early 2000s, the lies that were created in my own heart and mind from that time and its effects on my adult life in my marriage. How we live out our sexuality in an expression that is not focused on the dos and don’ts of sex, but fully living as a unique expression of God’s image. And finally what I want to change in teaching my girls going forward. Podcasts: Francie Winslow - Heaven in Your Home - #165, 164, 143, 87 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heaven-in-your-home/id1493541368 Heart of Dating - 7/12, 7/5, 6/28 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heart-of-dating/id1358733969 Java with Juli - #388 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/java-with-juli/id1116000318 Crappy Christian Podcast - #256, 237, 264 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/confessions-of-a-crappy-christian-podcast/id1440149171 Books: Love & Sex - A Christian guide to healthy intimacy https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/12044230 The Sex Talk You Never Had - https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/product/the-sex-talk-you-never-had/ Organizations: Instagram Handles @MoralRevolution @SexEdReclaimed @AuthenticIntimacy My website: https://www.celebrateandinspirelife.com/ Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1/

Let’s dive into the deep end with forgiveness, this is not an easy subject to unpack. There are so many layers to it and it is a continual process and not something that happens all at once or only has to occur one time. The things we need to forgive or release in our lives are often direct things done by another person against us but sometimes it is things out of that person’s control that affected us in a certain way or things in their control that they never knew hurt us like that. This forgiveness at times can come thru conversations with them but often it is only between you and God as you release that offense from your own heart. I will explain my own experience with each of these types as we go along. In the Bible, Matthew 18:21- 22 says, “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” I’ve learnt recently that this pretty much means in the Jewish culture, an infinite amount. RESOURCES: Live Like You've Never Been Hurt - Jenzten Franklin https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/11957689 Restart Your Heart - 30 Day Devotional LLYNBH - Jenzten Franklin https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/12285355 Forgiving What You Can't Forget - Lysa Terkeurst https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/13218109 Revive Our Hearts - Forgiveness Series - Part 1 of 5 https://www.reviveourhearts.com/podcast/revive-our-hearts/forgiveness-the-pain-reliever/ Relatable Podcast - Forgiveness - Part 1 of 2 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relatable-with-allie-beth-stuckey/id1359249098?i=1000627771131 Vous Church - Forgiveness - Part 1 of 6 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vous-church/id1042709241?i=1000624340289

Hello Friends and Welcome to Season 2 of the Celebrate + Inspire Life Podcast. I’m expectant for how the Lord is going to speak to us this season thru His Word and how He is going to use my words to make His glory and goodness known. Today I’m going to give you a little life update and a preview of what to expect this season, fully knowing that the Lord directs the topics on this podcast and I am just His vessel to use as He pleases. This season we are diving into grace for the past, present and future, forgiveness and healing from the layers all in between. As I think about these topics, they are not easy to think about and unpack but I believe as we bring them into the light, that is where healing and freedom in Christ is found. Family Cruise video - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwB-u2TrK0f/?igshid=NzZhOTFlYzFmZQ== Update video on Robert and I - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvlscLuvxD7/?igshid=NzZhOTFlYzFmZQ== Website - celebrateandinspirelife.com

 At the beginning of April, I encouraged us to take some time to reflect on the first 3 months of 2023, review the goals or rhythms we had set for ourselves, how they were serving us or how our consistency was and how that was affecting our life in a positive or negative way. And bc life never goes exactly as we plan, how has new or surprise events, experiences or relationships shifted or realigned our focus or rhythm.  I think a few good questions to start with is: What is moving you closer to your goal?  What is expanding your skill set or ministry? What is building on previous foundations? What needs your time or attention? I would love to hear how you use these questions to examine a specific area in your life or big picture. You can send me a message on celebrateandinspirelife.com or comment on a post on my IG or FB or send me a private message.  Oh and by the way, this is episode #10! Hooray for that! website: celebrateandinspirelife.com https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1/

Can you believe that we are already in the month of April? Q1, as we say in the business world, is done and now is a great time to reflect, refocus, reevaluate goals, habits or routines. What changes have occurred in the last few months that moved you toward your purpose or away from it? I think we have to remember that life is unpredictable, always changing, comes in seasons and requires flexibility at times. Plans don’t always go according to how we plan but taking the time to reflect is important. Making sure that you are keeping your priorities, your main responsibilities at the top of the list. Even good things(other than God and his word), need to be moderated at times.  At the beginning of this year, I set out as my 3 rhythms for a firm foundation to be focusing on Matters of eternity - knowing God and making him known, Clarity + Planning and Health. Time to revisit these and evaluate where I am and where I want to move towards.  And in perfect timing, to increase my focus on health, our resident Holistic Health Coach, Maxine Tomlinson is back today to pour into us and invite us all to a Spring Cleanse giving attention and mindfulness to rest, breath, movement, meditation, prayer, journaling and clean eating. This will be FREE to all my listeners and I hope you will join us! Here is our conversation explaining why a Spring cleanse is important, how it will benefit you and more details on what will be covered. Enjoy! https://www.instagram.com/themetanoialife/ https://www.instagram.com/maximumwisdom/ Register for FREE Spring Cleanse: https://boards.com/a/x1fQHQ.SdOz2l https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1/ https://www.celebrateandinspirelife.com/

Today I want to talk to you about feeling unqualified or disqualified to walk in the calling that the Lord has placed on your life. Then I want to give you a brief update on what’s been happening in my life and what’s happening this week. I pray that the Lord uses my words to draw you to Himself and in Him you find freedom, security and identity.

Today we are in the middle of tax season, filing my own taxes alone for the first time in 20 years and answering some audience questions as well. Of course I am not an expert on tax law, so Robert Marksmeier Jr. CPA, who is a family member of one of my best friends, a tax code expert with his own firm and a fellow Christian with a heart to serve the Lord and others, was gracious enough to give us a few minutes of his time. Some topics covered: *My 17 yr old has her first job but still lives at home.  *Martial status for tax purposes. *The benefit of a side business. Contact:  [email protected] https://marksmeier.com/ Connect with me: https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1/ https://www.celebrateandinspirelife.com/

This week we’re digging a little bit deeper on my church upbringing and what that culture was like. In a post on Instagram I shared a little bit of what I remember of my early years in church and how I perceived things and maybe how my perception wasn’t completely reality. Looking back is usually clearer, bc they say hindsight is 20/20 but I wouldn’t necessarily say 20/20 bc there’s still things about certain situations that we don’t know. Maybe you will be able to relate to some things and maybe you have a completely different story. But even more than that I just want to talk about how faithful God has been to pursue me and I think if we all look at our stories no matter what the journey has been, we see times where he has providentially been pursuing us and now he holds us close, even when we may start to stray. Reflect, release and forgive the past, evaluate and pray about the present according to the word of God and trust Him with the future. Connect with me: Instagram: https://instagram.com/deborah_simpson1?igshid=NzAzN2Q1NTE= Website: https://www.celebrateandinspirelife.com

It’s crazy to think about how three years have already passed, that’s 1/3 of the time that I had Jonathan on this earth with me. In that three years, I now have an adult daughter, another daughter that will be touring colleges next year, I am officially the status of single on every form I fill out, and the gray hairs are becoming increasingly abundant.  How will we stand the test of time, the exciting journeys and the times when we feel downtrodden and overwhelmed by the waves? This can only be done by grounding ourselves in the word of God, placing our identity and foundation in Him. Knowing his character, promises and how the story ends, with him returning as victor. This will fortify us and in the times when there are happy and sad, we know that we can take both to him and he will carry us.  I pray friends that this truth becomes more real to you than anything else in this world, that you place your trust in Him and his everlasting goodness. And no matter where life takes you, what you accomplish or what or who you lose along the way, that you will surrender to the Giver of eternal life. Putting your trust in Him and his goodness. Andrew Peterson - Always Good: https://youtu.be/u9qTxAUrFD4 Connect with me here:  https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1/ https://www.celebrateandinspirelife.com/

Welcome to the weekend edition of the podcast! I didn’t record an episode last week because I ended up going to Columbus Ohio to be with my brother, Simon. His life has changed in an instant; at the beginning of January he was in Jamaica on vacation and one week later being admitted to a hospital for open heart surgery. While I was sitting in the hospital I was really thinking about health - physical + spiritual. The Bible says that you cannot serve two masters, we discuss examining our heart and gain useful, practical tips from our resident Holistic Health coach, Maxine Tomlinson, on staying healthy during the winter season.  Connect with me:  https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1/  https://www.celebrateandinspirelife.com/  Maxine Tomlinson: https://www.instagram.com/maximumwisdom/  Simon Tomlinson’s post: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoLg-72gOIq/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

The week that I started to talk about rhythms, you could say that I failed at a rhythm I’m trying to set. But one of the best things about rhythms is that they are filled with grace. They set a framework for what you think will help you accomplish the big picture but you may discover a new rhythm along the way too. So today I want to dig more into the journey the Lord is taking me on in what he wants me to share and my most important rhythms I’m putting into place today, this week, this month. And we will see what next month holds. I would so appreciate your prayers for my brother, that he would put his complete confidence in the Lord and that he would declare the goodness of the Lord for the rest of his days.   Connect with me:  https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1/  https://www.celebrateandinspirelife.com/  6 Tips to Establish a Bible Study Rhythm: https://www.instagram.com/p/CnhWrebsDiv/  Chronological Bible Club: https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/ Purpose Planner: https://a.co/d/dM36uU6 $10 off Supplements: https://modere.co/3sxKEI7

Tonight I am coming to you from a very special bathroom floor, this episode is going to talk a little bit about the memory lane I am going down on my visit, as I’m more able to reflect on my time in Jamaica as a child and then we will transition to how my journey has led me to a few tips for intentional time with your child or family. This is by no means an exhaustive list but just some things I hold dear and try to keep in mind. Let’s connect here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1/ online: https://www.celebrateandinspirelife.com/

On today’s episode I am going to give you a little behind the scenes of the pictures on my podcast cover, which if you know me then you know that I can find a special meaning in almost anything. Usually I select things with specific little hidden messages, lots of inside jokes with myself. This maybe be proof that I am either crazy or that I am a genius, I’ll let you make your own decision on that one… We also talk about the significance of Dec 28th. Episode 2 will broadcast from an exciting location next week, if you want to be notified and help to increase the visibility of this podcast I would really appreciate if you rate, subscribe or leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1/ Blog: https://www.celebrateandinspirelife.com/

Hello friends, welcome to The Celebrate + Inspire Life Podcast, I am your host Deborah Simpson. This podcast has been in the works for a while now and I have so many different thoughts and ideas of where I would like to take it, but like a lot of things in my life right now, I go back and forth on how to tackle it all, I’m sure you guys can relate. So I decided to just take a step and trust the Lord to give me the next step. Many people would say, wait you don’t have a launch team or a layed out plan or all the fancy equipment; no I don’t but I have a heart dedicated to the Lord and if even 1 person comes to know Him through hearing my voice, then His purpose for that 1 person will have been fulfilled. My ultimate goal on this podcast is to Celebrate the Lord’s faithfulness in every season and area of life. To inspire you to seek Him, the giver of Life, in stewarding all He has given you and in pursuing all He has for you to do in building His Kingdom. Episode 1 will be coming out soon and if you want to be notified and help to increase the visibility of this podcast I would really appreciate if you rate, subscribe or leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Connect with me here: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/deborah_simpson1/ Website/Blog:https://www.celebrateandinspirelife.com/