And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7 NLT
Episode 92 - The Lemonade Boutique - Christine Sandberg
Oct 23, 2019
At The Lemonade Boutique, we invite ordinary women to become extraordinary world changers through purchasing our clothing with a cause. Our clothes and accessories are made by women facing extreme challenges such as human trafficking, abuse, addiction, disabilities, disease, extreme poverty, and more. We help these women take life’s lemons and make lemonade. We believe in holistic healing driven by fair and sustainable employment.
Episode 91 - Growing Up in Foster Care - Tori Petersen
Oct 16, 2019
My name is Victoria Petersen. I was born a Texan but raised as a Midwest girl in rural town Ohio. I ran track, competitively, as a sprinter for ten years. I majored in Christian studies and psychology at Hillsdale College. Now, I am married to my sweet husband, Jacob, and I am a mom to a baby boy, Leyonder.
My experience in foster care has fueled my life’s passion to raise up and nurture my own family, as well as advocate for the restoration of the family and vulnerable youth.
Episode 88 - Celebrating Season 2 - Teri Norby & Angela Smith
Aug 07, 2019
Episode 87 - Covey - Dre Barthel
Jul 31, 2019
Owner & Creative Director of Covey
Dre is a gifted entrepreneur with over 20 years of event planning experience. Her passion for events, effective branding, and strategy collides here with her deepest desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Crafting events with the host, business, and guests in mind is her mission, meaningful experiences are the strategy, gatherings with intention are the result.
Episode 83 - Mercy Hill Church - Megan Thorp
Jul 03, 2019
Megan Thorp is a pastor and director of community life at Mercy Hill - which means she has her hand in a little bit of everything. Her family includes her husband Chad and kids, Caleb, Reed, and Quinn.
Episode 79 - Open Hands Willing Heart - Vivian Mabuni
Jun 05, 2019
Vivian Mabuni is a dynamic Asian American author and speaker who is passionate about seeing God raise up a generation of leaders who will have a cultural and spiritual impact on campuses, families, churches and communities around the world.
After joining the staff with Cru 30 years ago, Vivian went on to serve on the campuses of UC Berkeley and UCLA. She served ten years with Epic, the Asian American ministry of Cru and currently works with Cru City partnering with leaders who seek to help serve the different communities in large metropolitan cities around the country.
As a speaker, Vivian is always an inspiration, Biblical sound and culturally relevant. She loves teaching about the bible, and its practical application to ministry and life. She has spoken at conferences, universities and churches across the country including the IF:Gathering, Women of Willow, UC Santa Barbara, Vanguard University, Biola University, QCommons, and she has been a keynote speaker at the CRU winter conferences in Portland, L.A., Denver, Indianapolis, Dallas and Atlanta.
Vivian lives in Southern California with her husband of 27 years, Darrin, and three wonderful kids, Jonathan, Michael, and Julia.
The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Episode 74 - What's Your Story? - Molley Moody
May 01, 2019
Jill Briscoe was born in Liverpool England in 1935. Educated at Cambridge she taught school for a number of years before marrying Stuart and raising their three children. In addition to sharing with her husband in ministry with Torchbearers and in pastoring a church in the United States for 30 years, Jill has written more than 40 books, traveled on every continent teaching and encouraging, served on the boards of Christianity Today and World Relief, and now acts as Executive Editor of a magazine for women called Just Between Us. Jill can be heard regularly on the worldwide media ministry called Telling the Truth. She is proud to be called “Nana” by 13 grandchildren.
5 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 NLT
17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops. James 5:17-18
Episode 67 - Spiritual Formation - Enneagram - Beth McCord - Part 2
Mar 13, 2019
Beth's favorite hobbies are studying and producing helpful Enneagram resources, fly fishing, and driving through the beautiful hillsides of Tennessee with her family.
Beth lives outside of Nashville and has been married to her best friend, Jeff, for 23 years (Type 6, Loyal Guardian). They have two children (Nate, 20-year-old and a Type 6 The Loyal Guardian and Libby an 18-year-old and a Type 2 The Supportive Advisor).
Combining the gospel and the Enneagram has been instrumental in Beth and Jeff's marriage and parenting.
Episode 66 - Spiritual Formation - Enneagram - Beth McCord - Part 1
Mar 06, 2019
Beth's favorite hobbies are studying and producing helpful Enneagram resources, fly fishing, and driving through the beautiful hillsides of Tennessee with her family.
Beth lives outside of Nashville and has been married to her best friend, Jeff, for 23 years (Type 6, Loyal Guardian). They have two children (Nate, 20-year-old and a Type 6 The Loyal Guardian and Libby an 18-year-old and a Type 2 The Supportive Advisor).
Combining the gospel and the Enneagram has been instrumental in Beth and Jeff's marriage and parenting.
Episode 64 - Spiritual Formation - Theology - Pastor Shawn Winters
Feb 20, 2019
Shawn’s committed to serving God by leading well, listening well, and preaching relevant, Biblical messages. Shawn and his wife Becky have been married since 1992 and have four children. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with Becky and the kids, running, coaching and taking loooong family road trips (Where the kids are trapped and have to talk!). If his beloved Kansas Jayhawks are playing basketball, he’ll cheer them to victory. He’s a graduate of Biola University, Bethel Theological Seminary, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Episode 63 - Spiritual Formation - Grit - Sunday Burquest - Part 2
Feb 13, 2019
Sunday Burquest is a breast cancer survivor, a competitor on the reality TV show Survivor and a woman that went without a bathroom for 35 days, she isthe ultimate grit girl. Sunday empowers women to discover what it means for them to be a grit girl too, a woman who’s got GUTS is RESILIENT, INFLUENTIAL and TOUGH.
Her message is simple, “Buck up buttercup, you’ve got grit!”
Episode 62 - Spiritual Formation - Grit - Sunday Burquest - Part 1
Feb 06, 2019
Sunday Burquest is a breast cancer survivor, a competitor on the reality TV show Survivor and a woman that went without a bathroom for 35 days, she isthe ultimate grit girl. Sunday empowers women to discover what it means for them to be a grit girl too, a woman who’s got GUTS is RESILIENT, INFLUENTIAL and TOUGH.
Her message is simple, “Buck up buttercup, you’ve got grit!”
Episode 61 - Spiritual Formation - Wonder - Grace P Cho
Jan 30, 2019
Grace P. Cho is a writer and editorial manager at (in)courage. In the middle of her years in church ministry, she sensed God moving her toward writing to use her words to lead others in a broader context. Aside from her work online, she does this through speaking, mentoring, and coaching. Her favorites include speaking truth through story, coffee of any kind, and desert landscapes.
Episode 59 - Spiritual Formation - Wrestling - Stephanie Spencer
Jan 16, 2019
Stephanie Spencer is a question asker who never stops peering into the essence of things. She applies that to her work as an enneagram coach, an artist, and a scripture teacher with the nonprofit 40 Orchards.
“I am not what I have. I am not what I do. I am not what others say about me. I am God’s beloved.” Jonathan Merritt quoting Henri Nouwen
“The first half of life is to recognize how deeply we are beloved. The task of the second half of life is to recognize that everyone else is too.” Stephanie quoting Richard Rohr
Episode 58 - Spiritual Formation - Angie Smith
Jan 09, 2019
Galatians 6:1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
Resources for transitioning to overseas The Third Culture Kid Experience: Growing Up Among Worlds by David C. Pollock (book) Reconciliation-making peace with the relationships where you are Affirmation-telling the people you’re leaving you love and appreciate them Farewell-honoring the goodbye to people, places, things you’re leaving behind Think Destination-how will this place be different, how will it be the same A Life Overseas (blog) The Culture Blend (blog) Velvet Ashes (blog)
Episode 35 - What Should I Know About Overseas Ministry? - Chris & Jenny Jolin - Part 1
Jun 06, 2018
Resources for transitioning to overseas The Third Culture Kid Experience: Growing Up Among Worlds by David C. Pollock (book) Reconciliation-making peace with the relationships where you are Affirmation-telling the people you’re leaving you love and appreciate them Farewell-honoring the goodbye to people, places, things you’re leaving behind Think Destination-how will this place be different, how will it be the same A Life Overseas (blog) The Culture Blend (blog) Velvet Ashes (blog)
Episode 34 - What Should I Know About Living With Mental Health Issues? - Dre Barthel & Annika Johnson
May 30, 2018
A point of clarification: During the podcast it was mentioned that research on therapy effectiveness demonstrates the best outcome is achieved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication. This research is in reference to treating depression specifically and does not pertain to therapy in general.
Episode 32 - What Should I Know About Adoption? - Krissy Durston (adoptive parent)
May 16, 2018
FINE PRINT You may enter 5/2/18-5/9/18 (11:59pm CST) Winners will be notified via email and announced on Instagram & Facebook Prizes will be mailed to an address in the continental USA
Camping highlights (I can suggest many more if needed):
For a less rustic experience (showers and water available): Temperance River State Park in Tofte. The pack-in sites are easy to access an offer better views/less people. Reservations required.
For more rustic but still quick access to your car: Poplar River Rustic Campground. This is on the Honeymoon Trail between the Sawbill and Caribou Trails in Lutsen. 4 well sized rustic campsites (no showers/water so bring your own) right on the Poplar River. First come, first serve.
For most rustic: Lake Agnes campsites on the Superior Hiking Trail in Lutsen. Public parking at Caribou Lake, cross the highway and take the SHT about 1.25 miles. There are two sites at the bottom of the lake where near where the trail first encounters it, and two more sites up at the top of the lake. No water/toilets. The views at the top of Lake Agnes are stunning and its a good beginner back-packing spot. Can continue on the trail from Agnes to Lutsen Mountains if feeling adventurous/in shape. SHT sites are first come first serve but I've never had a problem finding a site. Always good to have a back-up option though (such as the rustic campground listed above). *Carrying in water is heavy, water filtration systems suggested. Hatchets also suggested to get firewood.
Hiking highlights:
Oberg Mountain: an easy, short loop hike with spectacular views. Especially during fall colors. *Please watch young children/pets on this trail, sheer cliffs with very flimsy wood fences as boundaries.
Carlton Peak: slightly harder than Oberg due to some fun boulders on the trail, decent views.
White Sky Rock: A spur trail off the SHT right where you start from Caribou Lake to Lake Agnes. Very short hike but VERY steep. Great vista of Caribou Lake. Awesome sunrise spot.
Pincushion Trail System: Cool views overlooking Grand Marais from above, multiple trail options.
Kadunce River: Hop in the river (with water shoes or old tennis shoes) and climb up 3 waterfalls as you hike up the river, then take the trail back down. *Best to do with a friend just to be safe.
Grand Portage Falls: There are three sets of falls as you go deeper into the trail
Cascade River: Trail goes a long ways up the river. Go off trail and lay on a flat rock in the middle of the river for a break! Lookout Mountain is at the top
Eagle Mountain: A personal fav. Most of this long hike (7.5 - 8mi) is flat and easy, but the last bit as you ascend the mountain to the highest point in MN is pretty steep. A fun winter hike too if you have poles.
Episode 28 - What Should I Know About Divorce? - Ellie Herringshaw
Apr 18, 2018
This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother's certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Because of your sins you were sold; because of your transgressions your mother was sent away. Isa 50:1
I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery. Jer 3:8
The Haggadah (order of the service) Opening Hymn The First Cup (The Cup of Sanctification) The Second Cup (The Cup of Mercy) The Meal (see menu below) The Third Cup (The Cup of Redemption) The Fourth Cup (The Cup of Hope) Closing Hymn (The Hallel, Psalms 113-119)
1 I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. 2 Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! 3 Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of the LORD: “Please, LORD, save me!” Psalm 116:1-4 (NLT)
“Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Mark 14:36 (NLT)
23 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many. 25 I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.” 26 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. Mark 14:23-26 (NLT)
Baruch atah Adonai Ellohaynu mellach ha’olam bowray paree ha’adamah Blessed art Thou, eternal our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the earth.
Episode 24 - What Should I Know About Down Syndrome? - Carissa Carroll
Mar 21, 2018
Find out more about Carissa and Jack’s Basket and their work to celebrate babies born with Down syndrome at https://www.jacksbasket.org/
Episode 23 - What Should I Know About Women in the Sex Industry? - Keisha Polonio
Mar 14, 2018
Created http://www.createdwomen.com/ Created Tampa is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization committed to the restoration of vulnerable women involved in the sex industry to an understanding of their value, beauty, and destiny in Jesus Christ.
Episode 22 - New Series - What Should I Know?
Mar 07, 2018
Verses about endurance We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5
Advice for Unemployed Know who you are Know what you want Know how to go get it Know how to keep it Activity-get out of the house Attitude-you control your attitude
Advice for those walking with unemployed Practical help such as; gas gift cards, grocery gift cards, networking *If you give to someone who's unemployed, don't do it anonymously. You may perceive your anonymous gifts as being selfless, but it may make the receiver feel unworthy of your acknowledgment. There is already so much shame associated with unemployment, that if you give a card or money or groceries without signing your name, it may feel like you don’t want to be associated with the unemployed.
Bill's favorite scripture In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-8
Hymns from Bill’s service At the Name of Jesus Great is Thy Faithfulness In Christ Alone
Scriptures for comfort My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress. I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1 I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121
Poem by David Harkins You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all he's left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see him, or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember him only that he is gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back. Or you can do what he'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
The Thorn by Martha Snell Nicholson I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne And begged him for one priceless gift, which I could call my own. I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart I cried, “But Lord this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart. This is a strange, a hurtful gift, which Thou hast given me.” He said, “My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee.” I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore, As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more. I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace, He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.
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