Gospel Spice | Awaken Delight in God through faith in Jesus Christ

Latest Episodes:

GGOD cover w STR name.jpg — **"Live your truth" and other lies | with apologist Alisa Childers** Sep 16, 2022
Show notes

Stephanie welcomes apologist and author Alisa Childers for a lively conversation about the absolute truth of the gospel in the context of the current views that emerge from progressive Christianity and deconstruction movements.
You have heard these. In our culture, we hear so much self-help and self-praise: “you are all you need”; “put yourself first;” “you are the hero of your own story”; “it’s all about you”; “you only live once”; “you can be your own best self”; “live your own truth”; “you do you;” “you are perfect just as you are.” And so much more… These meme-like, social-media friendly statements seem so nice and innocuous, but what if they were the beginning of a slippery slope towards unbiblical Christianity? Alisa is a powerful apologist who unwittingly embraced this faulty theology for a while, until she grounded herself in Christ again through thorough study and reflection. She tells us how she acquired what she calls her “guided, self-taught knowledge” and how she keeps up with what is happening in our rapidly changing world. She invites us in her journey and helps us identify red flags, and shares with us how she deepens her intimacy with God on a daily basis.
Alisa Childers says of herself, “As a lifelong church-goer, follower of Jesus, and former CCM recording artist with the Dove award-winning group ZOEgirl, I experienced a period of profound doubt about my faith in my mid-thirties. I felt as though I had been tossed in a stormy ocean of uncertainty with no life jacket or lifeboat in sight. I didn't know where to find answers to my questions, or if answers existed at all. Did I have to accept it all on some kind of blind faith? I began to investigate my faith intellectually—I took seminary classes and read everything I could get my hands on. This began my journey from unreasoned doubt into a vibrant, rational, and informed faith.”
You can also watch the live video of the conversation on our YouTube channel, and make sure to subscribe:
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/_d9yg3WDsjU?feature=oembed
**MEET ALISA**
https://www.alisachilders.com/
https://www.facebook.com/alisachilders
https://www.instagram.com/alisachilders/
**ABOUT “LIVE YOUR TRUTH AND OTHER LIES”**
buy here
Are you tired of feeling like you have to check social media to find out what you’re supposed to think? Are you weary of the latest self-help books that promise to set you free but only imprison you with laundry lists of studies to consider, positive affirmations to recite, and Facebook groups to join?
We’ve all seen the memes that populate the internet: live your truth, follow your heart, you only have one life to live. They sound nice and positive. But what if these slogans are actually lies that unhinge us from reality and leave us anxious and exhausted? Another Gospel? author Alisa Childers invites you to examine modern lies that are disguised as truths in today’s culture. Everyday messages of peace, fulfillment, and empowerment swirl around social media. On the surface, they seem like sentiments of freedom and hope, but in reality they are deeply deceptive.
In Live Your Truth (and Other Lies), Alisa will help you to:
· uncover the common lies repeated within progressive circles
· hold on to the soul-restoring truths that God’s Word offers
· be empowered to live the way your Creator designed you

Being the captain of your own destiny and striving to make your dreams a reality is a huge burden that you were never meant to bear. Discover true freedom instead.
**ABOUT “ANOTHER GOSPEL?”**
buy here
A movement seeks to redefine Christianity. Some think that it is a much-needed progressive reformation. Others believe that it is an attack on historic Christianity.
Alisa Childers never thought she would question her Christian faith. She was raised in a Christian home, where she had seen her mom and dad feed the hungry, clothe the homeless, and love the outcast. She had witnessed God at work and then had dedicated her own life to leading worship as part of the popular Christian band ZOEgirl. All that was deeply challenged when she met a progressive pastor who called himself a hopeful agnostic.
Another Gospel? describes the intellectual journey Alisa took over several years as she wrestled with a series of questions that struck at the core of the Christian faith. After everything she had ever believed about God, Jesus, and the Bible had been picked apart, she found herself at the brink of despair...until God rescued her, helping her to rebuild her faith, one solid brick at a time.
In a culture of endless questions, you need solid answers. If you or someone you love has encountered the ideas of progressive Christianity and aren’t sure how to respond, Alisa’s journey will show you how to determine - and rest in - what’s unmistakably true.
**ABOUT THE PARTICIPANT GUIDE TO “ANOTHER GOSPEL?”**
Another Gospel? Participant’s Guide is a six-session workbook designed for use with the companion DVD experience (sold separately). Based on the book Another Gospel? by popular author, blogger, speaker, and worship leader Alisa Childers, this is a great resource for anyone wanting to explore the nuanced topic of progressive Christianity. Designed to be used with groups or individually, Another Gospel? Participant’s Guide will
· Help you challenge the persuasive message of progressive Christianity by examining popular messages found in progressive books, blogs, social media platforms, and scholarship
· Teach you how to use discernment, think logically, and make biblically based observations
· Lead you to discover how deep, thrilling, and humbling the true gospel is
In a culture of endless questions, you need solid answers. If you or someone you love has encountered the ideas of progressive Christianity and isn’t sure how to respond, Alisa will show you how to determine―and rest in―what’s unmistakably true.
**NEW TO GOSPEL SPICE? YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!**
**Check out our free resources, and more, at https://www.gospelspice.com/start**
We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Here are a few suggestions:
Identity in the battle | Ephesians
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/
Malachi: Messenger to Messiah
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/
Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/
Come to the Table | The Feasts Jesus celebrated
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/
**GOD'S GLORY, OUR DELIGHT | THE GOSPEL SPICE SERIES**
Delighting in the glory of God. Does this concept strike you as reserved for spiritual contemplatives? What if, instead, it proved the highly practical, deeply foundational perspective you need right now?
Why does God’s glory even matter in our day and age? How can we learn from Jesus to make His glory our true North and lifelong quest? What keeps us from fully stepping into this God-ordained purpose for our life? How do we kindle delight for God on a daily basis? And, once we have embraced God’s glory as our heart’s true delight, how can we then come alongside others?
Join us to cultivate a sincere delight for God’s glory, rooted in an honest, hard look at the depth of our need, and in the much deeper Reality of His grace. Trace the glory of God through Scripture and in your own life. Behold the exact radiance of God’s glory, revealed in Jesus. Learn to see yourself as Christ does—through the lens of the Father’s love at the cross. Jesus offers to overwhelm our deadly self-centeredness with His resurrection power. He carries us every step of the way, even as He calls us to true humility on the path to glory.
Who has time to cultivate the delight that comes from pondering the glory of God? And yet, nothing could be more urgent today. Marthas and Marys, Peters and Johns—we are all invited to dare to dream of a lifestyle of God-centered delight. Nothing could be more practical.
Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog
Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Take back your joy | with Nicole Jacobsmeyer Sep 02, 2022

Show notes

Stephanie welcomes like-minded soul sister Nicole Jacobsmeyer for a raw, deep conversation about pain, suffering, God’s role in it, and ours. Though they just met over this conversation, they clicked in deep ways. Throughout a decade of trials—from assault and depression to miscarriage and cancer— Nicole Jacobsmeyer really began to wonder: Is God giving me more than I can handle?

Nicole's books is indirectly a powerful answer to the problem of evil and suffering in the world. While it is not a book for Christian apologetics, stephanie highly recommends it for anyone who seeks to answer these questions for themselves or for a loved one.

In Take Back Your Joy, Nicole shares her story of questioning God - but falling more in love with Him than ever. Without sugarcoating her own struggles or yours, she equips you in your darkest moments to:

· Embrace a clear sense of purpose.

· Stay grounded in God’s Word.

· Serve others with gratitude.

· Choose forgiveness—again and again.

· Discover the freedom of giving up control…and more!

Nicole says, “We are not defined by the trials we face, and you are not alone in your suffering, doubts, and questions. I’ve been there. Take Back Your Joy invites you to see your life through a fresh lens as you glimpse the big picture of God’s work. Because I honestly believe that sometimes one of the greatest gifts is to have more than we can handle—so we can find a deeper joy in Christ who can handle it all.”

Nicole wrote this book for you if...

You’re wondering where is God in your pain

You’re struggling to find hope and joy

You’re questioning your faith

You’ve experienced deep pain and suffering that doesn’t make sense with what you read in the Bible

You’ve lost your sense of purpose in life

So join Stephanie and Nicole today for a hard but powerful conversation about God’s sovereignty in our trials.

MEET NICOLE JACOBSMEYER

Hi! I’m Nicole and I am so happy you found my little space on the internet. Make sure you find me on Instagram or drop a comment here so I can get to know you!

A little bit about me…

Besides my relationship with Christ, the most important people in my life are: my husband Andrew, my three sons Wesley, Reid and Nate, and our newest bundle of love, Maddie! I love people, comfy clothes, chocolate chips cookies, babies in diapers, watching my kids play sports, writing, and a good glass of red wine.

Since becoming a mom almost 8 years ago, my life mantra has been: Embrace the Chaos! With a husband in the medical field, four kids under 8, and lots of moves in between, I needed an outlet to write. The Embracing Chaos blog was started in 2016. Four years later, I launched nicolejacobsmeyer.com as my author hub.

When it comes to ministry outside of the home, I have a passion for helping women walk in victory, joy, and faith in the face of trials, sorrow, and suffering. I want to help women understand that God is good no matter what life brings and that it’s possible to find lasting joy in Him.

In other HUGE news, my first book is coming out October 4th, 2022, and I’d LOVE to have you be a part of the launch team. Stay tuned!

https://www.nicolejacobsmeyer.com/

https://www.instagram.com/nicole.jacobsmeyer/

https://www.facebook.com/nicole.jacobsmeyer1

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

This conversation is part of 3-episode Gospel Spice Summer Inspirations with partner David C Cook. Go to https://davidccook.org/ and https://davidccook.org/esther-press/ for more

NEW TO GOSPEL SPICE? YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!

Check out our free resources, and more, at https://www.gospelspice.com/start

We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Here are a few suggestions:

Identity in the battle | Ephesians

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/

Malachi: Messenger to Messiah

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/

Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/

Come to the Table | The Feasts Jesus celebrated

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/

We invite you to enjoy a Christ-centered summer by experiencing Jesus through the lens of the body of Christ. We bring you a diversity of viewpoints on several issues, and invite you to discover Jesus through their own journey with Him.

Our Summer series invite you to ponder important topics for daily living. Stephanie and her occasional guests tell us about the importance of our definition of success, the key elements of leadership roles, the traps of comparison, the importance of theology, and much more! These stand-along episodes are meant to encourage you and challenge you to experience deeper fruitfulness in your various roles and ministries, in all the relationships and areas of your life. The topics we discuss are eternal and apply to both genders, across time and space and culture and age. So, join us for deep conversations with inspiring Christ-followers, conversations that will flavor your summer with the Gospel.

Conversations about culture, leadership, success, dating, gender, and struggles with comparison, pride, and more: that is your Gospel Spice summer!

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Navigating the dating game | with Ainsley Britain Aug 19, 2022

Show notes

Stephanie welcomes Ainsley Britain to discuss teen and college dating. This conversation also welcomes anyone who plays an active role in the life of a teen or college girl--parents, mentors, friends, youth group leaders! In this Gospel Spice episode of our "Summer Inspirations with publisher David C Cook”, Ainsley explains that many young women enter or stay in relationships out of fear of being alone, shame, or insecurity which may cause them to lower their standards or expectations. What they find are men they normally would never have tolerated. Men they would have told their friends to avoid. What they find are BooBoo Dudes. While the term BooBoo Dude might be light-hearted, the concept behind them and the damage they cause women is serious. This term describes a man who portrays narcissistic and abusive behavior, which leads to confusion, shame, and eventual isolation.

In her book, Ainsley describes red flags and also green flags - what to identify as harmful behavior, and what to look for in a healthy dating relationship. She explains to her teen and college-aged readers that they are worth fighting for--she connects them to Jesus in authentic, deep ways and challenges them to work through their pain towards wholesome healing. She and Stephanie also discuss the lies that these dear girls believe, and how being deeply rooted in our identity in Christ is the key to fulfilled living. Finally, Ainsley invites her audience to lend a hand and help someone else through their pain. She paints a stunning picture of grace and the purpose and power of a Christ-sized vision for her girls. She describes what dating can be, and gives advice to mentors of all ages!

Before Ainsley ends the conversation by praying a beautiful blessing over you as you listen, she ends with practical tips to mentor teens and young adults:

- establish the rules: trust is key!

- ask the question WHY

- be open to flexible conversations!

- know the resources available to you

- sometimes, go to the professionals!

- warn them that you will disappoint them, and remind them that anything good is not from you as the leader, but from the Lord!

Related through Ainsley’s humorous and vulnerable personal experiences, in the book you’ll learn about:

- the often-unbelievable behaviors of BooBoo Dudes

- how to exit a futureless relationship with higher standards

- keeping or restoring your identity through Jesus

- and reaching others trapped with BooBoo Dudes

With wisdom rooted in the gospel, Ainsley tenderly brings the reader along her own journey toward confidence found only in Jesus. She embraced her identity and left BooBoo Dudes behind. Every woman can do the same.

CONNECT WITH AINSLEY BRITAIN:

Ainsley Britain has helped thousands of young adults embrace their confidence, date healthy, and discover their identity in Christ through her written words, podcast, and speaking engagements. Through extensive training from Belmont University, She Speaks Studio, Youth Speaker University, Compel Training, and more, she has advanced her God-given mission to help young adults all over the country. She is an Enneagram Coach through YourEnneagramCoach.com and is as real as one can get when it comes to talking about hard topics and fighting for oneself. Ainsley and her husband travel often and currently live in her home state of Louisiana.

buy the book: "Don't Date a Booboo Dude" on Amazon

website: http://www.ainsleybritain.com/

Facebook: Media and Parents Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MediaAndParents

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ainsleyb/

Conversations about culture, leadership, success, dating, gender, and struggles with comparison, pride, and more: that is your Gospel Spice summer!

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

A personal conversation with Stephanie and Roslyn | Summer Inspirations Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

Get ready for an out-of-the-ordinary conversation today! Stephanie is joined by dear friend and fellow Gospel Spice team member Roslyn Evans to discuss all things Jesus and Gospel Spice. This conversation is like a family reunion, and you are invited! They start off with a fun digression into the world of summer living, apologetics and personal passions, and then also raising kids, laundry lists and more. Then Stephanie gets pretty vulnerable and transparent as Ros asks her all the questions on her mind. A smattering:

What are the concerns you see in the coming year for our world?

How are you getting ready? And what is your advice for us?

How are you doing personally? Give us an update on you and your family.

For those of our listeners who are relatively new to Gospel Spice, can you give us your backstory from atheism to faith? And how did you end up in the US anyway?

What is your heart for Gospel Spice this year?

Stephanie and Ros end with an invitation to YOU our beloved audience, to connect with us because, as Stephanie says, it makes her day!

THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO PARTNER WITH GOSPEL SPICE TODAY!

First, PAY Gospel Spice Forward: Give a tax-deductible gift so others can experience our ministry for free, just like you! You can pay it forward with any debit, credit card, or via PayPal. See below for more details about your impact.

Also, PLAY Gospel Spice Forward: SHARE the podcast and the studies with your friends and family. FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW on your favorite podcast app (leave a comment + a star rating on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Pandora, IHeart, Google Podcast, etc…). It REALLY is the best way to help others find this content-rich podcast.

And, last but not least, PRAY Gospel Spice Forward: We pray for you weekly. We covet your prayers for our ministry, the thousands we reach, and our team! Contact us to let us know you are praying for us!

NEW!

Another way to partner with us is to purchase our workbooks and online Bible studies. We keep them at the lowest possible cost, but they require a lot of work from us! For example,

- a complete Bible Study requires an average of 500 man-hours.

- a workbook for a series requires almost 100 man-hours.

MORE ABOUT PARTNERING WITH US FINANCIALLY:

Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status.

Our goal is to provide in-depth, high-quality, free Bible resources for all. They are free, but expensive to create! We need your financial support to keep producing and distributing them. Please pay Gospel Spice forward today! For example, a podcast episode takes close to 10 hours of work (and we release 2 each week). They come to you completely free, but we would truly love your support.

We want the money to go to those who really need it. Once our operating costs are paid, 100% of your donation is redistributed to our partners who fight human trafficking. Each year, we aim to give as much as we can. For example, Stephanie works more than full time for Gospel Spice, entirely for free. All board members and volunteers are donating time. We limit our operational expenses to the bare minimum.

Your pay-it-forward donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170.

We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. Thank you!

Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog

Conversations about culture, leadership, success, dating, gender, and struggles with comparison, pride, and more: that is your Gospel Spice summer!

This month we are celebrating the anniversary of Gospel Spice! We launched our first episode in 2019, when we faithfully and haltingly followed God's pretty clear directions!

Would you please take a moment to celebrate with us? There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us.

1- If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It’s at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don’t want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup

2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There’s exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice

3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you!

4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you!

So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do 1 or more of the following suggestions:

1- signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you’re going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup

2- find us on YouTube, and see what content we’ve put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice

3- rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it’s one of the easiest ways to share the gospel!

4- and finally, tell us how we can pray for you!

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Identify & battle anxiety, depression and relational concerns | Christ-centered soul wellness Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

Have you recently wondered if you are going crazy, or if it is the world around us that has gone mad? Today, Stephanie welcomes dear friend and Gospel Spice team member Lindsay, who is a Christian psychotherapist with over 20 years of professional experience helping believers and non-believers through the struggles of life. Lindsay shares that she is seeing a greater than ever proportion of patients who struggle with anxiety, depression, and/or boundary concerns, and a lot of teenagers too. So, she describes for us some of the symptoms of these presentations in order to help each one of us assess if we are experiencing some form of anxiety or depression, or go to the root of some of our relational tensions. She then takes us to the origin of the problem in Genesis 3 before she offers simple, practical DIY tips to overcome early stages of anxiety, depression and relational boundary issues. You will leave this conversation, having identified if you are even mildly struggling with these issues, and having practical, daily tips to start or continue the journey out of these difficult struggles.

Lindsay gives us permission to struggle, and hope to know it is only temporary. She reminds us of our deep identity IN CHRIST, in the great I AM in whose strength we rest. She reminds us of our role to be ambassadors and stand-ins for God to one another as image bearers. So, if you or a loved one are struggling with any of these descriptions, you will be encouraged as you are reminded of you true and deepest identity.

The seemingly simple choices that Lindsay offers as practical solutions are indeed simple - but the key is in their daily, consistent implementation. It is simple, but not necessarily easy - which is why we need community with one another and most of all, with God Himself. We will discover once again that it all boils down to who we know and experience God to be.

Lindsay referenced a most useful book, BOUNDARIES by Cloud and Townsend. In August 2022, it is on sale at Christianbook.com for $5!!! So grab it now. Otherwise, here is also an amazon link to purchase it: https://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Updated-Expanded-When-Control/dp/0310351804/

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Disclaimer - you may need professional help, and we warmly encourage you to seek it if you need it!

Conversations about culture, leadership, success, dating, gender, and struggles with comparison, pride, and more: that is your Gospel Spice summer!

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Cultivate 3 secrets to a successful summer | with Shadia Hrichi, Shannon Popkin & Marci Seither Jul 29, 2022

Show notes

How can you make sure you have a well-spent summer? For today's episode, Stephanie has curated three of her most important not-so-secret secrets for a successful summer in particular, and a successful life in general:

- Read your Bible to grow closer to the Lord and develop intimacy with Him;

- Don't compare to others, but seek to serve them in humility;

- Take time to rest, worship, and laugh.

For each of these, Stephanie welcomes a dear friend to highlight each element today. So you're getting THREE conversations in this one episode! It is our special Summer gift to you, our beloved audience.

First Stephanie welcomes Shadia Hrichi who shares with us her own journey towards deep intimacy with God. They discuss Hagar, a very special woman in the Bible who gets to give God one of His names - "the God who sees me." They also mostly focus on Tamar, whose powerful story of brokenness is redeemed by the only One who is able to deliver us from our bondage, fear, and trials. Do you need to be reminded that God is FOR you? You are not alone, and He is in every detail of your life. He is especially attentive when things are not going as you want them to - which is probably the case for most of us right now, in this season of the world when everything seems upside down and when it might feel that God is distant! He is closer than ever to the brokenhearted.

Then Stephanie welcomes Shannon Popkin who reminds us that we are all attacked by the very real enemy of our soul who seeks to distract us from the Lord. Using the same old tricks that have worked for thousands of years, the devil seeks to entice us to compare to one another because that is exactly what he did with God - he wanted to be better than God Himself. We live in a culture that tells us that, unless we are number one, we are worthless. This is deeply damaging to the very fabric of our soul. With her book "Comparison Girl", Shannon reminds us that the cure towards wholesome healing is simple - yet not easy: we are never happier than when we take our eyes off of ourselves, and focus on another. Humility and other-centered service is the simple yet overlooked secret to a fulfilling life. Jesus role-modeled it for us, and invites us to step closer to His heart through selfless humility. How simple, yet how profound!

Finally, Stephanie is thrilled to welcome Marci Seither who invites you to join her for a summer of pondering the goodness of God through rest, laughter and meditation. In her new devotional, Lakeside Retreat, Marci beckons us to experience God in the daily, to embrace Him in the simple, and to delight in Him in every moment. Her book is the perfect summer getaway to come back refreshed, renewed, and more in love with God than ever.

MEET MARCI SEITHER

Marci Seither’s writing career began after her humor article was published in a small-town newspaper. Since then she has authored two books and hundreds of articles for local papers, as well as for Guideposts, Light & Life, and Focus on the Family. She is a creative storyteller who has shared her love of stories with hundreds of schoolchildren as well as those attending one of her workshops. Besides writing, she enjoys trying new recipes, food photography, and capturing drone footage. Her biggest joy, besides being married to John for more than three and a half decades and raising six kids, is being grandma to six of the cutest kiddos in this hemisphere. Marci makes her home in the Nashville, Tennessee, area with John and their very spoiled miniature schnauzer—Pepper.

website: http://marciseither.com/

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/marci.seither

Instagram @marci_seither

MEET SHANNON POPKIN

Shannon Popkin is a writer, speaker, and Bible teacher who loves to blend her gifts for storytelling and humor with her passion for Jesus. Shannon regularly speaks at Christian women's events and retreats, inviting women to live like God's Word is true. Shannon is the author of Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on MeFree Living in a Measure-Up World, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible, and co-author of Influence (Building a Platform That Elevates Jesus (Not Me). She's been featured on FamilyLife Today, Revive Our Hearts, and Proverbs 31. Popkin and her husband Ken have been married for twenty-five years and live in West Michigan. They have three young adult children, and two shih tzus, who (unlike the kids) have no plans of moving out.

Website: https://www.shannonpopkin.com/

Podcast https://www.shannonpopkin.com/bible-podcast/

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shanpopkin/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonpopkin/

Twitter: @shannonpopkin

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ShannonPopkin/boards

MEET SHADIA HRICHI

Shadia is a passionate Bible teacher, author and speaker who has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. She holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary and is author of several books and Bible studies. After seminary, Shadia began writing the Bible study series, BEHIND THE SEEN: Exploring the Bible’s Unsung Heroes. Gritty stories of real people with impossible challenges whose encounters with God open our eyes to His awesome power and love working behind the seen. Explore these stories through Shadia’s Bible Studies.

website: https://www.shadiahrichi.com/

Social media:

https://www.facebook.com/Shadia.Hrichi.Author.Speaker

https://twitter.com/ShadiaHrichi

https://www.pinterest.com/shadiahrichi/_created

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4633012

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadiahrichi

https://www.instagram.com/shadiahrichi

https://www.amazon.com/Shadia-Hrichi/e/B00DZ0LUWE

https://www.youtube.com/c/shadiahrichi

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/shadia-hrichi

Conversations about culture, leadership, success, dating, gender, and struggles with comparison, pride, and more: that is your Gospel Spice summer!

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

What does it mean to lead well? | Summer Inspirations with Stephanie Jul 22, 2022

Show notes

Today's theme is leadership. We are all leaders, in one capacity or another. If you don't think you are ever in a position of leadership, think again! Leadership does not necessarily mean a large organisation. You lead as a parent, as a student, as a peer, and in many areas that might not feel like leadership as the world defines it! For example, a mother who is potty-training her child has to exhibit a certain and real set of leadership skills. A teacher in the classroom, or a small group leader at church, all have to learn how to improve their leadership skills. So... What is a good leader--and how can you spot a bad leader a mile away? What are the various traits of leadership, and how do they differ from styles of leadership? How can you learn from good and bad leaders? How do you identity bad leadership? How do you handle the various responsibilities that comes with your leadership?

Stephanie gave this presentation to a group of Gospel Spice leadership trainees. You will get to hear their questions in the Q&A session at the end of this episode. If you are interested to participate in the next GospelSpice leadership training, email us at contact@gospelspice.com. We hope to hold the next sessions in early 2023. If you wish to access the video that contains the deck of slides that Stephanie used, become a member at gospelspice.com (it's free) and you will find it on our member community board in "Stephanie's library."

DISCOVER THE GOSPEL SPICE MINISTRIES

The Gospel Spice Podcast is part of a larger range of tools given to you by Gospel Spice Ministries.

In a nutshell, we exist to inspire Christ-followers to delight in God.

In more details: we provide resources to empower Christian leaders across generational, social, ethnic and geographical boundaries towards more intimacy with Jesus Christ and discipleship effectiveness through a Biblical Christocentric foundation. The Gospel-Spice Ministries provide a safe environment for spiritual and community growth empowering people to know Christ more intimately, serve one another more powerfully, and reach the world for Jesus.

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Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status. Your donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170. We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. All donations above our minimal operating costs go to Christian organizations fighting human trafficking.

Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog

(*ListenNotes ranking, 2023)

THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO PARTNER WITH GOSPEL SPICE TODAY!

NEW!

Another way to partner with us is to purchase our workbooks and online Bible studies. We keep them at the lowest possible cost, but they require a lot of work from us! For example,

- a complete Bible Study requires an average of 500 man-hours.

- a workbook for a series requires almost 100 man-hours.

MORE ABOUT PARTNERING WITH US FINANCIALLY:

Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status.

Your pay-it-forward donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170.

We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. Thank you!

Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog

Conversations about culture, leadership, success, dating, gender, and struggles with comparison, pride, and more: that is your Gospel Spice summer!

Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us.

1- If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It’s at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don’t want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup

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3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you!

4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you!

So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions:

1- signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you’re going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup

2- find us on YouTube, and see what content we’ve put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice

3- rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it’s one of the easiest ways to share the gospel!

4- and finally, tell us how we can pray for you!

Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

**Neither complementarian nor egalitarian | Summer Inspirations with Dr. Michelle Lee Barnewall** Jul 15, 2022
Show notes

What are your thoughts on the importance of understanding culture to experience the teachings of Jesus at a deeper level? And, what about the gender debate in the church? And, pray tell, what on earth do these two questions have in common? Get ready for a meaty conversation today! Stephanie welcomes Dr Michelle Lee Barnewall, who is associate professor of biblical and theological studies at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. A Korean-American who grew up in Minnesotta and have lived throughout the US, she has a unique perspective on culture and is the author of several books, two of which we are discussing today. One is about the evangelical gender debate around egalitarianism and complementarism; the other is about entering the parables of Jesus as He intended. What do these two topics have in common? Several things we discuss:
- a humble approach to culture,
- a spirit of teachability,
- the ministry of reconciliation,
- a focus away from individualism, and towards a spirit of community.
This conversation will most likely challenge your perspective, and we hope and pray it is the springboard to growth, and deeper intimacy with the Spirit of the living God! As Michelle says, "let's welcome the tension so that we will grow through it. Let's be comfortable with tension."
This conversation feels a little like a seminary class under Michelle's expert teaching... and that is something to enjoy deeply!
**MEET MICHELLE LEE BARNEWALL**
Michelle Lee-Barnewall (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is associate professor of biblical and theological studies at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, in La Mirada, California. Besides the two books we are discussing in this episode, she is also the author of Paul, the Stoics, and the Body of Christ.
Her next book? She brings her reflections on growing up as a minority race in America. It's a combination of personal experience and Biblical New Testament theology and it will come out in the future!
**ABOUT “NEITHER COMPLEMENTARIAN NOR EGALITARIAN: A Kingdom corrective to the evangelical gender debate"**
Regarding gender relations, the evangelical world is divided between complementarians and egalitarians. While both perspectives have much to contribute, the discussion has reached a stalemate. Michelle Lee-Barnewall critiques both sides of the debate, challenging the standard premises and arguments and offering new insight into a perennially divisive issue in the church. She brings fresh biblical exegesis to bear on our cultural situation, presenting an alternative way to move the discussion forward based on a corporate perspective and on kingdom values.
Buy the book on Amazon now
"Imagine using core biblical themes like corporateness, servant leadership, mutuality, and unity to discuss issues of the relationship of men and women to one another in the church. Imagine focusing not on power or rights but on the example of Christ. If you imagine reframing the gender discussion in helpful ways, then you will be interested in Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian. When one serves while leading and pays special attention to corporate versus individual themes, things are transformed from the way the world (and sometimes the way the church on both sides of the debate) talks about them. Read this book no matter which side of the debate you are on--and think afresh."
**--Darrell L. Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary**
"The church's debate over gender and leadership has become an intractable problem because we have adopted the model of the world, where leadership is about equality, rights, privilege, power, and position. Michelle Lee-Barnewall calls for a radical paradigm shift that adopts the upside-down values of the kingdom of God, where humility, love, service, unity, and responsibility replace power, privilege, and position as the guiding principles for true servant leadership. If put into practice, this book would transform not only the gender debate but also the prevailing model for all Christian leadership."
**--Mark L. Strauss, Bethel Seminary San Diego**
"This well-written book offers a gentle word of correction to sincere Christ followers who are honestly trying to search for biblical truth. It's a perspective-giving message that describes in biblical terms the only way to establish church unity, and it issues a quiet, radical call for pastors and church elders to imitate Christ and the apostles and recall the real cost of discipleship. I highly recommend it as a required textbook for seminary leadership courses."
**--Sarah Sumner, author of Men and Women in the Church: Building Consensus on Christian Leadership**
"In a debate often polarized by shrill rhetoric, Lee-Barnewall rightly urges us instead to take each passage and argument on its own terms and to put kingdom principles first. Regardless of whether one agrees with every detail of Lee-Barnewall's reconstruction, her spirit and larger vision offer a constructive way forward, including a willingness to hear and learn from those with whom we may not agree on every point."
**--Craig S. Keener, Asbury Theological Seminary**
**ABOUT “SURPRISED BY THE PARABLES: GROWING IN GRACE THROUGH THE STORIES OF JESUS.”**
Jesus' parables can't simply be interpreted--they must be experienced.
In the Gospels, Jesus used parables to teach transformative lessons and convey deep spiritual truths about the kingdom of God. But he often used them to confront and challenge his audience as well, forcing his listeners to open or close their hearts to the kingdom.
Jesus understood the power of stories, but we lose things in translation when we try to interpret those same stories thousands of years removed from their original context. The unexpected twists and surprises in the parables might be missed by a modern audience because we're unfamiliar with the underlying points of reference.
In Surprised by the Parables, Michelle Lee-Barnewall explores the ancient context for Jesus' parables. These stories of grace reveal mysteries central to God's character, and understanding the ancient world behind them will help us see the parables from a new perspective.
Buy the book on Amazon now
“The parables are some of the most important teachings we have from Jesus, but many modern readers of the Gospels find them puzzling. Why did Jesus teach like this? What was his message? Lee-Barnewall packs deep wisdom into this concise book, shedding light on context and unpacking how the parables are stories of divine grace.” **―Nijay K. Gupta, associate professor of New Testament, Portland Seminary**
“Written with passion and candor, Michelle Lee-Barnewall investigates the parables’ historical setting and invites readers to ponder their teachings in light of their own circumstances. She explains the puzzles in the parables as she develops their lessons on discipleship. This beautifully written exploration of the parables draws the reader to the feet of Jesus.” **―Lynn Cohick, provost and dean, professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary**
**NEW TO GOSPEL SPICE? YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!**
**Check out our free resources, and more, at https://www.gospelspice.com/start**
We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Here are a few suggestions:
Identity in the battle | Ephesians
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/
Malachi: Messenger to Messiah
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/
Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/
Come to the Table | The Feasts Jesus celebrated
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/
We invite you to enjoy a Christ-centered summer by experiencing Jesus through the lens of the body of Christ. We bring you a diversity of viewpoints on several issues, and invite you to discover Jesus through their own journey with Him.
Our Summer series invite you to ponder important topics for daily living. Stephanie and her occasional guests tell us about the importance of our definition of success, the key elements of leadership roles, the traps of comparison, the importance of theology, and much more! These stand-along episodes are meant to encourage you and challenge you to experience deeper fruitfulness in your various roles and ministries, in all the relationships and areas of your life. The topics we discuss are eternal and apply to both genders, across time and space and culture and age. So, join us for deep conversations with inspiring Christ-followers, conversations that will flavor your summer with the Gospel.
Conversations about culture, leadership, success, dating, gender, and struggles with comparison, pride, and more: that is your Gospel Spice summer!
Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

51Y5+28lQaL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg — **Neither complementarian nor egalitarian | Summer Inspirations with Dr. Michelle Lee Barnewall** Jul 15, 2022
Show notes

What are your thoughts on the importance of understanding culture to experience the teachings of Jesus at a deeper level? And, what about the gender debate in the church? And, pray tell, what on earth do these two questions have in common? Get ready for a meaty conversation today! Stephanie welcomes Dr Michelle Lee Barnewall, who is associate professor of biblical and theological studies at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. A Korean-American who grew up in Minnesotta and have lived throughout the US, she has a unique perspective on culture and is the author of several books, two of which we are discussing today. One is about the evangelical gender debate around egalitarianism and complementarism; the other is about entering the parables of Jesus as He intended. What do these two topics have in common? Several things we discuss:
- a humble approach to culture,
- a spirit of teachability,
- the ministry of reconciliation,
- a focus away from individualism, and towards a spirit of community.
This conversation will most likely challenge your perspective, and we hope and pray it is the springboard to growth, and deeper intimacy with the Spirit of the living God! As Michelle says, "let's welcome the tension so that we will grow through it. Let's be comfortable with tension."
This conversation feels a little like a seminary class under Michelle's expert teaching... and that is something to enjoy deeply!
**MEET MICHELLE LEE BARNEWALL**
Michelle Lee-Barnewall (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is associate professor of biblical and theological studies at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, in La Mirada, California. Besides the two books we are discussing in this episode, she is also the author of Paul, the Stoics, and the Body of Christ.
Her next book? She brings her reflections on growing up as a minority race in America. It's a combination of personal experience and Biblical New Testament theology and it will come out in the future!
**ABOUT “NEITHER COMPLEMENTARIAN NOR EGALITARIAN: A Kingdom corrective to the evangelical gender debate"**
Regarding gender relations, the evangelical world is divided between complementarians and egalitarians. While both perspectives have much to contribute, the discussion has reached a stalemate. Michelle Lee-Barnewall critiques both sides of the debate, challenging the standard premises and arguments and offering new insight into a perennially divisive issue in the church. She brings fresh biblical exegesis to bear on our cultural situation, presenting an alternative way to move the discussion forward based on a corporate perspective and on kingdom values.
Buy the book on Amazon now
"Imagine using core biblical themes like corporateness, servant leadership, mutuality, and unity to discuss issues of the relationship of men and women to one another in the church. Imagine focusing not on power or rights but on the example of Christ. If you imagine reframing the gender discussion in helpful ways, then you will be interested in Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian. When one serves while leading and pays special attention to corporate versus individual themes, things are transformed from the way the world (and sometimes the way the church on both sides of the debate) talks about them. Read this book no matter which side of the debate you are on--and think afresh."
**--Darrell L. Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary**
"The church's debate over gender and leadership has become an intractable problem because we have adopted the model of the world, where leadership is about equality, rights, privilege, power, and position. Michelle Lee-Barnewall calls for a radical paradigm shift that adopts the upside-down values of the kingdom of God, where humility, love, service, unity, and responsibility replace power, privilege, and position as the guiding principles for true servant leadership. If put into practice, this book would transform not only the gender debate but also the prevailing model for all Christian leadership."
**--Mark L. Strauss, Bethel Seminary San Diego**
"This well-written book offers a gentle word of correction to sincere Christ followers who are honestly trying to search for biblical truth. It's a perspective-giving message that describes in biblical terms the only way to establish church unity, and it issues a quiet, radical call for pastors and church elders to imitate Christ and the apostles and recall the real cost of discipleship. I highly recommend it as a required textbook for seminary leadership courses."
**--Sarah Sumner, author of Men and Women in the Church: Building Consensus on Christian Leadership**
"In a debate often polarized by shrill rhetoric, Lee-Barnewall rightly urges us instead to take each passage and argument on its own terms and to put kingdom principles first. Regardless of whether one agrees with every detail of Lee-Barnewall's reconstruction, her spirit and larger vision offer a constructive way forward, including a willingness to hear and learn from those with whom we may not agree on every point."
**--Craig S. Keener, Asbury Theological Seminary**
**ABOUT “SURPRISED BY THE PARABLES: GROWING IN GRACE THROUGH THE STORIES OF JESUS.”**
Jesus' parables can't simply be interpreted--they must be experienced.
In the Gospels, Jesus used parables to teach transformative lessons and convey deep spiritual truths about the kingdom of God. But he often used them to confront and challenge his audience as well, forcing his listeners to open or close their hearts to the kingdom.
Jesus understood the power of stories, but we lose things in translation when we try to interpret those same stories thousands of years removed from their original context. The unexpected twists and surprises in the parables might be missed by a modern audience because we're unfamiliar with the underlying points of reference.
In Surprised by the Parables, Michelle Lee-Barnewall explores the ancient context for Jesus' parables. These stories of grace reveal mysteries central to God's character, and understanding the ancient world behind them will help us see the parables from a new perspective.
Buy the book on Amazon now
“The parables are some of the most important teachings we have from Jesus, but many modern readers of the Gospels find them puzzling. Why did Jesus teach like this? What was his message? Lee-Barnewall packs deep wisdom into this concise book, shedding light on context and unpacking how the parables are stories of divine grace.” **―Nijay K. Gupta, associate professor of New Testament, Portland Seminary**
“Written with passion and candor, Michelle Lee-Barnewall investigates the parables’ historical setting and invites readers to ponder their teachings in light of their own circumstances. She explains the puzzles in the parables as she develops their lessons on discipleship. This beautifully written exploration of the parables draws the reader to the feet of Jesus.” **―Lynn Cohick, provost and dean, professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary**
**NEW TO GOSPEL SPICE? YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!**
**Check out our free resources, and more, at https://www.gospelspice.com/start**
We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Here are a few suggestions:
Identity in the battle | Ephesians
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/
Malachi: Messenger to Messiah
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/
Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/
Come to the Table | The Feasts Jesus celebrated
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/
We invite you to enjoy a Christ-centered summer by experiencing Jesus through the lens of the body of Christ. We bring you a diversity of viewpoints on several issues, and invite you to discover Jesus through their own journey with Him.
Our Summer series invite you to ponder important topics for daily living. Stephanie and her occasional guests tell us about the importance of our definition of success, the key elements of leadership roles, the traps of comparison, the importance of theology, and much more! These stand-along episodes are meant to encourage you and challenge you to experience deeper fruitfulness in your various roles and ministries, in all the relationships and areas of your life. The topics we discuss are eternal and apply to both genders, across time and space and culture and age. So, join us for deep conversations with inspiring Christ-followers, conversations that will flavor your summer with the Gospel.
Conversations about culture, leadership, success, dating, gender, and struggles with comparison, pride, and more: that is your Gospel Spice summer!
Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

How would you define success? | Summer Inspirations with Stephanie Jul 08, 2022

Show notes

What is success? The world would have you embrace a particular definition. Even some teachings within Christendom might fall seriously short of the mark. What is the Biblical standard of success? Today's theme is success, its definition and application. Through her personal story and testimony, Stephanie invites you to embrace the most satisfying definition of success, and to apply it daily: You will measure success by the delight you take in God's glory! And when that becomes your quest, you are poised for a delightful, wildly successful life for the Kingdom.

“God’s glory, our delight” is Stephanie’s motto and the beating heart of Gospel Spice Ministries, rooted in her personal encounter with God as a French teenage atheist. As believers, we face the daily challenge to ascribe glory where it belongs, and to delight in the process. What can we learn from Jesus to make His glory our true North and lifelong quest? How do we spice up our words to present them as a daily offering of delight to the glory of God? God sprinkles our stories with a dash of spice—and inimitable flair. Through her personal testimony and ever-growing devotion to Christ, Stephanie humbly invites you to delight in God’s glory today and every day.

THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO PARTNER WITH GOSPEL SPICE TODAY!

NEW!

Another way to partner with us is to purchase our workbooks and online Bible studies. We keep them at the lowest possible cost, but they require a lot of work from us! For example,

- a complete Bible Study requires an average of 500 man-hours.

- a workbook for a series requires almost 100 man-hours.

MORE ABOUT PARTNERING WITH US FINANCIALLY:

Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status.

Your pay-it-forward donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170.

We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. Thank you!

Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog

Conversations about culture, leadership, success, dating, gender, and struggles with comparison, pride, and more: that is your Gospel Spice summer!

Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

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