Well Worn Pages Book Club Podcast

Hi Readers!Thanks for sticking with us through the first season of Well Worn Pages! We’ve had so much fun creating these episodes, and we’ve learned a lot – about podcasting, about these books, and honestly, about ourselves. We’re still figuring it out and we’d love to hear from you. What’s working? What could be better? Your feedback is important.We’re excited to start our second book this week: Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonism by John Piper.Read the Introduction, Chapters 1 & 2, and take a peek at the Appendix. Then tune in to the episode and tell us what you think!Now On With The ShowWe have a confession: this week’s reading was challenging.Right from the start, John Piper goes after the big questions – sin, evil, and God’s sovereignty. He posed some serious questions that drove us both back to Scripture. To ask ourselves: Wait. Do I actually believe this?And that’s a good thing. That’s the whole point.No matter what we think of Piper’s theology or title, we both came to some important conclusions. Wrestling with the hard questions of our faith isn’t optional – it’s how we grow. We study. We think. We push back. And, ultimately, we find our answers in the truth of Scripture.That’s the reason we started this podcast – to stretch us and have those conversations in community, where we don’t have to wrestle alone.We’re just getting started with this one, and we want to hear from you. Are you reading along? What did you think of Piper’s opening chapters? What are you hoping to take away from this book?Jump into the conversation by leaving a comment below.Think About It:Both Christy and Lori talked about sitting in the tension of not having all the answers — especially when it comes to hard questions like God’s sovereignty and the existence of evil. Lori put it this way: the things we know about God are what hold us through the things we don’t understand. What are the “knowns” you’re holding onto right now, and where are you still wrestling with the unknown?We read every comment!Suggested Reading Schedule & Episode GuideEpisode 5 (This episode): Christian Hedonism: Why We Almost Put The Book Down (Intro, Chapters 1 & 2, and Appendix)Episode 6: The Hard Way: Joy, Love, and What the Cross Teaches Us About Both (Chapters 3 & 4)Episode 7: Before You Pick Up Your Phone: A Conversation About Scripture and Prayer (Chapters 5 & 6)Episode 8: Where Is Your Heart: An Honest Conversation About Money, Marriage & Who We’re Really Living For (Chapters 7 & 8)Episode 9: With Persecutions: The Part of the Promise We Skip Over (Chapters 9 & 10)Episode SummaryIn this debut episode on Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist by John Piper, Christy and Lori lay important groundwork before diving in — establishing that they approach every book as instructed by Acts 17, holding it up against Scripture as the authority for every question. They unpack Piper’s term “Christian hedonism,” wrestle with whether joy is a fruit of salvation or a requirement for it, grapple honestly with the question of God’s sovereignty and evil, and land on two standout ideas from chapters one and two: the Hebrew word for “delight” as luxuriant self-indulgence in God’s presence, and conversion evidenced by treating God himself — not his gifts — as the treasure worth everything.6 Key Takeaways* Read everything as a Berean (see Acts 17). Piper’s work — like any book outside Scripture — should be held against the Bible itself.* “Christian hedonism” is a provocative term with a legitimate point. We had to dig deep to wrap our minds around accepting this term. But the core idea — that finding your deepest joy in God is not optional or peripheral — is worth considering, even if the label creates friction.* The Hebrew word for “delight” (Psalm 37:4) refers to luxuriant self-indulgence. Delighting in God isn’t a mild preference — it’s an extravagant, fully immersed communion with an unlimited, eternal God.* God’s sovereignty and evil can exist together without requiring an explanation. What we know about God — that he is good, faithful, and redemptive — holds us through what we don’t know. It’s ok to sit in the tension of not understanding.* The real test of conversion: would you want heaven without God? Piper’s question from p. 63 anchored the episode’s close. It cuts past behavior and belief-language straight to heart motivation — do you want God, or do you want what God gives?Next Week: Join us as we continue our discussion on Desiring God. We’ll be covering chapters 3 & 4 on the topic of worship and love. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wellwornpages.substack.com

Do you ever feel alone? Do you ever ask yourself what difference can I make in the world around me when I’m just one person?This is the question Brother Andrew asked that set in motion a lifetime of ministry in countries closed to the Gospel. He chose to follow God no matter where it led him, and seventy years later, the work he began is still going strong.This week, as we wrap up our four-week discussion of God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew, Lori and I asked ourselves this question: What can I do?Here’s what we kept coming back to: Andrew didn’t start with a grand strategy. He started with a yes. What looked like extraordinary courage was actually ordinary faithfulness. His life was a model of quiet obedience. And God did the rest.We came into this book expecting an adventure story. What we got was a mirror.Because the truth is, most of us are still holding onto our “yes, but.” Yes, but I’m not qualified. Yes, but I don’t have the resources. Yes, but my life is ordinary. Andrew had every one of those excuses — and he laid them all down by the side of a canal one afternoon and never picked them back up.The mission field God has placed in front of you is real — even if it never requires a passport. Your neighborhood, your workplace, your family table. The person sitting across from you who is desperate for someone to notice. That’s not a small assignment. That is the assignment.Obedience is just doing something. It’s you being willing.So we want to ask you what we’ve been asking ourselves: Are you willing to go where God calls — whether that’s across the world or across the street? What would it look like to let the Holy Spirit work through your willingness?SummaryIn the fourth and final episode of their God’s Smuggler discussion, Lori and Christy explore how one ordinary person, willing to follow God wherever He leads, can impact the persecuted church around the world and in their own backyard.Key takeaways:* The question “What can one person do?” was the catalyst for Brother Andrew’s ministry.* God uses us most when we feel weakest and least equipped.* Ministry opportunities exist in your own community, even if you never cross a border.* Persecution takes many forms, but indifference may be the most dangerous threat the church faces.* God is never defeated, no matter what opposition He encounters.Reader Guide Download:Suggested Reading ScheduleEach episode for God’s Smuggler will discuss a theme woven throughout Brother Andrew’s life. This is a suggested guide for reading if you want to create your own discussion with friends.Episode 1: Background of Brother Andrew’s Life — Chapters 1-7Episode 2: Trusting God When All The Evidence Says “No” — Chapters 8-13Episode 3: Praying It Through — Chapters 14-18Episode 4: One Person Can Make a Difference — Chapters 19-EpilogueWe’d Love to Hear From You!We’re making a list of Listener Favorites. Send us your favorite quote from God’s Smuggler - OR one thing that stood out to you from our previous episodes. We will share this list in an upcoming newsletter. To be included, please leave your short response in the comments below or send us an email at [email protected] Next BookNext month we’ll be reading Desiring God by John Piper.“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” This simple but powerful statement has been a cornerstone of John Piper’s ministry for nearly 40 years. Laying out the principles behind this “Christian Hedonism” Desiring God has proved to be a source of rich theological insight for countless readers through the years, guiding them to the fullness of joy found in Christ.Get your copy HERE!All product links are affiliate links. Purchasing products from the links on this page helps support our ministry. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wellwornpages.substack.com

Hi Friends! We are so grateful for your support through the last few weeks! Our new baby podcast is doing well, growing nicely, and we have you to thank for that!Today’s podcast made me (Christy) ask myself a pretty hard question:Why is prayer sometimes my last resort?When I’ve exhausted every option — when the plan has failed and the backup plan has failed — that’s when I realized that I finally get quiet and talk to God. But it’s not because I expect him to answer. I’m often genuinely shocked when he does.That’s a hard thing to admit. But I suspect I’m not alone.There have been times when I begged God for answers and they just weren’t there. And other times I’ve barely whispered a request and the answer came immediately. But there’s no formula for prayer. No method that “works.” In fact, it’s not really about us at all.Reading God’s Smuggler was a wakeup call for both Lori and me. Brother Andrew didn’t treat prayer like a contingency plan. It was a way of life. As natural as breathing. At times he prayed what he called “flash prayers” — a quick, under-the-breath recognition of God’s authority in the middle of difficult moments. Not a formal petition. Not a last resort. Just a constant, almost instinctive turning toward God. It’s what Paul meant when he said pray always. Not occasionally. Not as an act of desperation. Always. Philippians 4:6-7 — “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” This kind of prayer is not about a list of demands. It’s about a relationship. Like a good Father, God wants us to share our struggles with him—the anxiety we wrestle with, the hurts we harbor, and the joys we experience. We’re still learning. Still reminding ourselves to pray first. To rest in his peace and trust him with the plan.Praying with Expectation: Lessons from God’s SmugglerSummaryIn Episode Three of the Well Worn Pages Book Club, hosts Christy Miller-Bell and Lori Behrens dig into one of the most challenging questions a believer can ask: when I pray, do I actually expect God to answer, or am I living with an attitude of lack?Key takeaways:* How we pray reveals how much we actually trust God.* Brother Andrew modeled “flash prayers” — short, constant, breath-level prayers throughout the day — as a way of living out “pray without ceasing.”* Praying specifically, without dictating to God how to answer, is a mark of real faith.* Praying in teams — one person speaking, one praying — is a powerful and practical pattern.* Living in an “attitude of lack” is a form of distrust, even when it looks like humility.* God’s answers are not always what we expect, but they are always trustworthy.* Surrendering a blessing can bring more peace than holding on to it.We’d Love to Hear From You!How has God answered prayers in your own life in unexpected ways? Comment below or email us at [email protected] our next episode: How can one person make a difference?Our Next BookNext month we’ll be reading Desiring God by John Piper. “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” This simple but powerful statement has been a cornerstone of John Piper’s ministry for nearly 40 years. Laying out the principles behind this “Christian Hedonism” Desiring God has proved to be a source of rich theological insight for countless readers through the years, guiding them to the fullness of joy found in Christ.Get your copy HERE!All product links are affiliate links. Purchasing products from the links on this page helps support our ministry. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wellwornpages.substack.com

Part 2 of 4Christy Miller-Bell and Lori Behrens dig into Episode 2 of the Well Worn Pages Book Club, continuing their discussion of God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew. This conversation focuses on what it really means to trust God for daily needs, how obedience and trust are inseparable, and what it looks like to act in faith even when circumstances seem to say no.Reader Guide Download: Suggested Reading ScheduleEach episode for God’s Smuggler will discuss a theme woven throughout Brother Andrew’s life. This is a suggested guide for reading if you want to create your own discussion with friends.Episode 1: Background of Brother Andrew’s Life — Chapters 1-7Episode 2: Trusting God When All The Evidence Says “No” — Chapters 8-13Episode 3: Praying It Through — Chapters 14-18Episode 4: God’s Sovereignty & The Persecuted Church — Chapters 19-EpilogueKey Takeaways From Episode 2* Trusting God is not just a feeling. It shows up in how we respond when plans fall apart.* Brother Andrew’s trust grew through small, repeated experiences of God’s provision.* Every person’s obedience matters. God often works through a chain of ordinary people who each say yes.* Trust and obedience go hand in hand. You can’t truly obey God if you don’t trust him.Do We Really Trust God for Our Daily Needs?The central question running through this episode is a personal and uncomfortable one. Do we actually trust God, or do we just say we do?Christy: If you ask me, I would say, yeah, of course I trust God. But when it comes to everyday life, do I really? A lot of examples in this book have opened my eyes to the fact that I say I trust him, but when it comes down to my gut reaction, I rely on my own abilities.The distinction Brother Andrew makes on page 72 is worth thinking about: It was that I needed the security of a relationship.The main point is trusting God, building the relationship with him, and letting him provide however He chooses.Every Person’s Obedience Is Part the PlanChristy: Every person’s obedience is important in the plan of God. It’s not just whether Andrew was obedient, but all of these other people in his life had to be obedient too. This quote represents the mindset that I want to have: “That’s the excitement in obedience, finding out later what God had in mind.”This idea also shows up in how the Hopkins family modeled faith for young Andrew. When he arrived at their home, Mrs. Hopkins told him there was a drunk man asleep in his bed. Her response was not panic. She simply said that when he woke up, they would find him food and clothes, and she didn’t know where those would come from, but God would supply.Christy: They were modeling obedience for him. And I think even in our own obedience, we are always a model for other people, whether we know it or not.When All the Evidence Says NoOne of the most striking moments in this section of the book comes early in Andrew’s ministry, around page 62. In a single day, three doors slam shut at once. His girlfriend ends their relationship because she wants no part of the ministry life. His English teacher admits she never actually learned to speak English properly. And a letter arrives rejecting Andrew’s application to school.Lori: If that were me, I would have said, God, I must have heard you wrong. I would start second-guessing everything and making my own plans to go a different direction.Christy: Andrew had such a close relationship with the Lord that he knew His voice. He knew what God was saying to him, even when it didn’t make logical sense. And he was willing to say, okay Lord, I hear you, and I’m going to be obedient, even if I don’t know what the next step is.Trust and Obedience Are InseparableThe thread running through everything Brother Andrew experienced is this: trust and obedience cannot be separated. If you really believe God is who he says he is, and that he will do what he says he will do, then you will act on that belief.Andrew’s faith grew the way most faith does, not in one dramatic moment, but through small repeated experiences of God coming through. Each provision, each answered prayer, each unexpected door opening strengthened him for the next step.Next week, Christy and Lori go deeper into Brother Andrew’s prayer life, looking at specific moments when he prayed and how God answered. The key question to sit with until then is this: * When I pray, do I expect God to answer, or do I live in an attitude of lack?Join the Conversation!Do you trust God when life doesn’t look like you expected? Leave us a comment at wellwornpages.substack.com or email us at [email protected] NEXT BOOK: Desiring God by John Piper“Thus says the Lord: stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” — Jeremiah 6:16 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wellwornpages.substack.com

God Doesn’t Waste Anything: Lessons from God’s Smuggler by Brother AndrewPart OneGet your reader guide for God’s Smuggler here.SummaryChristy Miller-Bell and Lori Behrens kick off the Well Worn Pages Book Club with their first discussion of God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew, a Dutch missionary who smuggled Bibles into closed countries and founded Open Doors Ministry. They explore how God used every detail of Andrew’s early life to shape him for a ministry he couldn’t yet imagine.Key takeaways:* God begins drawing people to himself long before they are ready to respond.* Surrender is both gradual and intentional. There is a process, but there is also a moment.* Saying yes to God means dropping the “yes, but” qualifications.* We often miss God’s movement because we are looking for something more spectacular.* Faithfulness in small, ordinary assignments prepares us for larger ones.* God uses unexpected people to move us forward.---Who Was Brother Andrew?Brother Andrew was a Dutch missionary born in Holland in 1928. He became famous for smuggling Bibles into countries where they were banned and went on to found Open Doors Ministry. His autobiography, God’s Smuggler, was first published in 1967. He passed away in 2022 at the age of 94.---An Adventure-Seeking Kid Shaped by WarAndrew grew up dreaming of being a spy. That hunger for adventure never left him. When Germany invaded Holland in 1942, that restless personality eventually led him into the army.Before he shipped out, his mother pressed her Bible into his hands.Christy: “She says, ‘Andrew, will you take this with you?’ And of course I said yes. ‘Will you read it, Andrew?’ And he says, ‘Can you ever say no to your mother? You can do no, but you can’t say no.’ So he took the Bible, put it on the bottom of his duffel bag as far down as it would go, and forgot about it.”The irony is hard to miss. The man who would later risk his life carrying Bibles across borders stuffed his first one as deep as it would go.---God Was Always Drawing HimEven before Andrew came to faith, God was weaving people and circumstances around him. A woman named Thile, a pen pal and believer, pushed him to read the Bible. When he was shot in the ankle and hospitalized, a friend named Jan quietly retrieved that buried Bible and left it at his bedside. The nuns caring for him pointed him toward it. One day he asked a nun why she was so cheerful. She replied, “It’s the love of Christ,” and tapped the little Bible sitting right there.Lori: “Even in every little moment of his life, God was drawing him into a relationship.”---The Monkey Story and a Moment He IgnoredOne of the most striking scenes comes from his hospital bed. A nun named Sister Patrice told him how natives catch monkeys by placing a pebble inside a coconut with a hole just big enough for a paw. The monkey grabs the pebble but cannot pull his fist back out. He will never let go, so he is easily caught.She looked at Andrew and asked, “Are you holding on to something, Andrew? Something that’s keeping you from your freedom?” Then she was gone.Andrew knew exactly what she meant. His response? He got roaring drunk with army survivors to celebrate his 21st birthday.He was still running.---The Step of YesSurrender came gradually, then all at once. Andrew attended a church service, heard the song “Let My People Go,” and connected it to the monkey story. He dove into Bible study but still hadn’t surrendered. Then one quiet night, lying in bed staring at the ceiling, everything settled.“All at once, very quietly, I let go of my ego. I turned myself over to God, lock, stock, and adventure. There wasn’t much faith in my prayer. I just said, ‘Lord, if you will show me the way, I will follow you. Amen.’ It was as simple as that.”But the surrender kept going. Later, walking by a canal, he prayed through every excuse he had been clinging to.“My yes to God had always been a yes, but. Yes, but I’m not educated. Yes, but I’m lame. And with the next breath, I did say yes. I said it in a brand new way without qualification.”He called it the step of yes. When he stood up and walked forward, God healed his injured ankle.Christy: “A pastor friend of mine used to say, ‘Put your yes on the table.’ Obedience is not you doing something. It’s you being willing to do the thing and letting God work.”---Don’t Miss the Small ThingsAfter surrendering his life to God, Andrew expected something grand. He took a job at a chocolate factory and dreamed the night before that coworkers would crowd around him, recognize he had something different, and kneel in repentance together. That is not what happened.What did happen was quieter and more lasting. He met his future wife there. He led his first person to salvation there. He learned how to witness without making a show of it. That low-profile skill turned out to be essential for smuggling Bibles across hostile borders later on.Lori: “Had he been seeking the grand thing and not gone to the chocolate factory, think of what he would have missed in the training God would use.”This is the pattern throughout Andrew’s story. A magazine article about a youth rally in Warsaw caught his eye and launched his international ministry. An ordinary man named Karl De Graff taught him to drive when he didn’t even know he needed to learn. Small people in small towns doing quiet, faithful work made everything else possible.As one mentor told Andrew: “Time and place are our own limitations, Andy. We mustn’t impose them upon God.”---Next week, Christy and Lori ask: would you have the courage to follow God when all the evidence says no? Subscribe and share our podcast at wellwornpages.substack.com.“Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” — Jeremiah 6:16— This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wellwornpages.substack.com

Welcome to Well Worn Pages Book Club: Where Christian Classics Meet Everyday Conversation!Subscribe and join in the conversation! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wellwornpages.substack.com