Unexpected with Hannah Love

Latest Episodes:

Episode 83 : Is Christian Yoga An Oxymoron? Mar 25, 2024

Show notes

Over the last year or so, I have noticed more and more the ease with which we roll into cultural “norms”. With that in mind, there are a few topics I thought it could be interesting to dip into. After all, as Christians, we should be be looking at culture with a Biblical world view. That’s not to say we should be judgy. I simply assert that we SHOULD be applying Biblical principles and a Biblical mindset to the culture we are so deeply entrenched in.

So. Here we are opening up this conversation with a bang. I’m back with my incredible friend and sister-in-law to discuss…. Yoga.

After pulling out some research and sharing some amazing testimonies, we are excited to share what we found about the origins of yoga. Our goal today is to shed light and provide some context around our own convictions! We hope to share a Biblical perspective for what is easily considered a cultural norm.

Join us today as we dive in to yoga and even a few other bonus topics (free of charge, ha)!

Episode 82 : Expectations Vs Standards - Let's Talk Relationships Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

There are a million things I would go back and tell my younger self. But here is one I wish I had an understanding of WAY sooner than I did. Standards and expectations are two very different things. Expectations in a relationship may mean compromise, in order to grow together as a couple. Standards, on the other hand, are fundamental and unchanging. Your standards are your core beliefs. They align with who you are, (and hopefully who God says you are). They align with what you want for your life, and what you are unwilling to settle for. Never adjust your standards because a man is unable or unwilling to meet them. Expectations are negotiable. Standards aren’t. Once you are able to make the distinction between the two, then you will be setting yourself up for a happier and healthier life.

As I got to thinking about this encouragement, I decided to take it a step further and delve into the Biblical principle behind it. After all, God gave us standards for a reason. And THEN I got to thinking about how people in the Bible were also full of expectations! It’s the whole reason I even have this podcast… God loves to work outside of our expectations. Working in the unexpected. Working according to HIS standards, not our expectations of Him or how we think He should operate.

Standard: An approved model.

serving as a basis of weight, measure, value, comparison, or judgment.
of recognized excellence or established authority:

Expectation: The act of anticipating something

I’m afraid however, that culture today has pushed this idea of holding high expectations rather than high standards. The wording is close but its a few degrees off and I personally feel like can be slippery slope to use the two terms interchangably.. see, I believe expectations really boil down to putting self desires over a true standard. Of course, we don’t want to view it that way, but at the root of it… thats pretty much it.

Here’s the truth: God’s word IS the standard by which we ought to live! Maybe that sounds presumptuous but let me explain why this is the only infallible practice. This quote sums it up beautifully: “the standard of right and wrong can only come from one who is perfect — our creator, the almighty God” (bible tools.org) SO if our personal standards are aligned with God, with who He is, what He says about us, what He wants for His children, there can be no error in holding on to them. They are perfect.

I also think it’s no coincidence that John chapter 1 begins the story of creation with this: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. See, this was Jesus. He was the Word made flesh. He is the manifested Word of God in human form! He was the ultimate standard.

I’m not saying its wrong to have your own opinions or desires. Not at all! God created us with imaginations, creativity, ideas, and most importantly, free-will. It is what we choose to align our will with, however that matters.

Expectations are something people have. We set them, we create them… and we get mad if others don’t meet that personal idea.

Ask yourself if you were to write out what your standards are in a relationship, if those are the things that are core to your beliefs and what God says about you? Then ask yourself what your expectations are. I’m not saying its wrong to have them. Of course we do! We are human! But what my hope is today, is that you’ll stop long enough to hold firmly to the standard God gives us as a guide to live by. That standard will protect you from mess and mistakes. Not all of them… but certainly ones God specifically identifies in His word. Expectations are negotiable and can allow space for compromise. After all, healthy relationships must do so to grow together! However, if you’ve looked made your list of STANDARD core values and someone is unable or unwilling to meet them… it may be time to reevaluate that relationship.

Episode 81: When Passion Strikes - A Conversation with John R Miles Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

John Miles is a global keynote speaker, bestselling author, the host of the critically acclaimed and top rated podcast, "Passion Struck". John R. Miles brings to the table a distinguished 30-year career that spans across military leadership, entrepreneurship, global business and technology operations, life coaching, and strategic innovation. His leadership foundation was laid at the United States Naval Academy, marked by distinction as a Division 1 athlete, class secretary, and brigade honor staff member during a significant chapter of the academy’s history. His approach embodies the rigor of his naval training, enriched with a deep understanding of business dynamics and personal growth, guiding both individuals and corporations towards unparalleled success.

Episode 80: A New Name & A New Assignment Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

I don’t know about you, but as a mom, I understand that names are SO important. It’s funny, too because when you start having babies and you work on your ‘names’ list, you will always eliminate the ones you personally know. Like if you went to school with someone with that name or even had a bad run-in with someone with that name. It’s off the table. There are other names you may like..but then you look up the meaning. (This is where I confess that I’m a huge advocate of knowing what a name means). Honestly, there have been some I’ve been sad about once I looked up the meaning..because the name was cute but the meaning was not so cute!

Remember how much I talk about the power of words? Life and death is in the tongue. The words we speak are either life giving or deadly. That same principle applies to a name. So, if for instance, you’re wanting to name your child something and the meaning is negative… I would avoid it. Think about it, you’re calling that child by name every day of their life. Essentially, prophesying over them. Hannah means ‘Grace’ and my husband’s name, Shay, means ‘a gift’ (usually offered in homage). All good things (thankfully)!

Anyway, you may be wondering why I’m rambling on about names. Well, I do have a point. It is actually a pretty common theme in the Bible for people to be ‘renamed’. This either happens after an encounter with the Lord.. or when they are put on assignment. So anytime someone is given a new name in the Bible, just know that it is indicative of a major life change.

Sometimes, it feels like thats even what it would take in our own lives. A major change. A fresh start. An encounter or an assignment. Today, I want to share the story of a man in the Bible who’s life was radically transformed. He was made new. Redeemed. Forgiven. Renamed. And set on assignment. This man’s name was Saul. I’ll begin reading in Acts 9: 1-22

Another translation says He will cast our sins into the sea of forgetfulness. Meaning, once we ask for forgiveness, God will throw away our sin and never remember them again. Don’t make the mistake of thinking God holds your past over your head. You are a new man. And you are called on assignment, friends.

Just remember Paul. He went from hunting down Christ followers and murdering them, to becoming one of them. And leading countless into God’s kingdom for the remainder of his new life.

And today, I just wanted to end with this last quote from someone unknown: “The apostle Paul entered heaven to the cheers of those he martyred because thats how the gospel works.” How powerful is that? THAT is the redemptive picture of the gospel. May this be a reminder to ask God for a new name. A new assignment. And chase it with the boldness of one who has a clean slate. For the kingdom. I love y’all.. I hope this has been the reminder you needed today and that your week is beautiful.

Episode 79: His Will > My Will Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

It’s safe to say we have all experienced the hills and valleys of life. Some hills are higher than others just like some valleys are deeper. One of those deep places, for me, was over ten years ago. I’ll set the scene a bit…

In January of 2013, I won the title of Miss Arkansa USA. While the accomplishment itself was a high point, it was mixed with a complicated backdrop. For months leading up to the competition, I had been trying to extricate myself from a years-long abusive relationship. Once I won the title, the grip there only got tighter. I worked hard to disentangle from it though, eventually able to give my full focus to my new job for the year.

So fast forward towards the end of my year as Miss Arkansas. I actually ended up dating a really fun, really good guy. After years in a controlling, toxic relationship, it was a BREATH of fresh air. I went from feeling like I lived under someones thumb to finally feeling like I was in a ‘normal’ happy relationship. Like the kind all my other girlfriends were in!

As you can imagine, I was heartbroken when he decided to break it off. Now, mind you, I was also really thankful for his honesty. Like I said, he was a good guy and he did the right thing. In fact, the whole time we were dating, my only prayer had been “I want YOUR WILL GOD, and not my own.” I seriously remember walking or working out daily with that one prayer on repeat as I power walked the trails or lifted at the gym. So, when he ended it, I knew it was right. As sad as I was. I also knew I had peace because I had been asking God’s will over my own. And so it had to be. To this day, I still think of this as one of my loneliest valleys. Single, alone, broken, and totally dependent on God. In fact,

I would walk and pray. I would pour over a handful of promises in psalms. At this point in my life, I read the Bible but I wasn’t in the Word every day except in hard moments. And that same prayer was still in the background on repeat…God, YOUR WILL. Not my own.

It was like I innately knew that the guidepost to my life had shifted because, for the first time ever… I surrendered fully my life to God’s plan for me. I knew He had one. I read the Bible and went to church. But it wasn’t until I had to come to the end of myself and trying my own way..that I finally surrendered it over. That prayer, “I want YOUR WILL, GOD. Not my own.” I meant it with all my heart. I began praying it after that horrible relationship. I began praying it because I knew I was the one who got myself into that mess and moving forward I genuinely wanted God to take the reins. I prayed it through the ‘happy relationship’ even knowing it could end in heartbreak. And it did. But I never let that prayer go. I STILL KNEW. I STILL BELIEVED God’s will for my life was better than one I could achieve on my own.

I feel like y’all probably know the rest of the story… the part where Shay and I meet. I was deeply settled into my single girl, me-and-jesus and nobody else season. I loved it. I didn’t want to leave the peace of living in His will.. But, as it turns out, Shay was part of that good and perfect plan. I’m so thankful I held onto that prayer. I’m so thankful I surrendered my own will for my life in my early 20’s. I’m so glad I didn’t fight it. Or harden my heart. Or search for my value in another relationship. I’m SO glad in those dark days, I surrendered it all to find freedom and worth and identity in just being God’s daughter.

God’s will was better than my own and His will is better than yours, too. God’s word is true. Once you surrender it all to Him, you’ll find peace. Peace beyond understanding. As Ephesians so beautifully says: “the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life.” And so it will. My story won’t be yours. But I promise, yours will have some mountains and valley’s too. And it will also hold opportunities for surrender.

Episode 78: Face It (Hedging Bets & Wrestling God) Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever had something reallllly painful in your past you don’t like to think about? Or maybe its feelings of regret, shame, or guilt? Or maybe, its just a person or situation you’d like to forget about. But whatever it was, it was such a profound moment, you felt the only way to escape it was by running. Whether that be physically, like moving cities or states, OR simply by removing yourself from a certain place or group of people. You just… kind of ran away from it? I’ll be honest, I’ve done both. If there’s anything God has shown me in the last few years it’s that I’m really good at running and disassociating.

So today’s topic is one that will take us back to the beginning of the Bible. In an attempt to read the Bible in chronological order this year, I have found myself back in Genesis and I’ve come across a story that made me think of HOW applicable it is to each of us today. This is (part of) the story of Esau and Jacob.

Here are the takeaways I get from this story: As a broken people living in a broken world, we mess up. We make mistakes. Regardless of the size and scope of the pain, we all carry something. And many of us even run. But here’s the truth. God will call us back to the point of pain, fear, or shame to FACE IT. See, God loves us so much, that He will call you back to that very thing that almost broke you. He calls you back, not to hurt you, but to heal you. We must face it in order to walk fully into what God has for our future. It takes courage, discipline, and obedience. But do you know what the reward is? It is healing and freedom. We must face it to receive what is on the other side. The future God has for you. Your inheritance. Your peace. Your healing and your freedom.

Listen, I know I’m talking to someone today. I don’t know how long your journey has been. Maybe you’re even like Jacob, who ran for 20 years! I don’t know who or what you’re running from. But I do know that God is asking you to face it. He is waiting to take your hand and walk with you. Just like Jacob. And it doesn’t have to be a graceful thing. It just needs to be done.

See, just like us, Jacob was human. In his story, you can see how his reaction is all over the place. First, he panics! He panics at the thought of facing his brother. And then… he prays. He literally repeats back to God what He promised him. He acknowledges that God has sent him back. He even reminds God that He promised him a future! (This was the right thing to do)! WE should do the same! But then… what does he do? He takes it back into his own hands. He starts planning what HE can do. He hedges his bets by sending herd after herd of livestock as gifts. In hopes of softening his brother’s heart. As if he didn’t just take the matter to God!! But.. such is our nature. This is where the final showdown happens. Jacob wrestles with God. And in the wrestling, he held on. For a blessing. He held on because he knew God was in it and if God was in it, His word was in it, too. His word for a future. When the wrestling was over, Jacob was given a new name.

Makes me think about us. About how sometimes when we face a thing. When we waffle back and forth, hedge our bets, wrestle with God…and come out the other side.. we are new. We are changed. We may walk with a limp, but we will never forget the path that brought us back. Back into the fullness and freedom God called us to all along. If that is you today, sweet friend, I pray you’ll have the courage this year to face it. It’s okay to feel all the things. It’s okay to panic, to pray, to plan, to wrestle.. just as long as you face it. Remember, God wouldn’t call you to it, if He wouldn’t see you through it. Not just see you through it but see you healed and restored. Just as Jacob was returned to his home land and restored back to his promised inheritance. There’s an inheritance for you. Just on the other side.

Episode 77: Pray THIS Prayer To See How God Will Change Your Marriage: with Erica Bankston Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

I’ve been wanting to sit down and do an episode about marriage and the the family unit. As someone who has looked up to this marriage, I knew that Erica was the perfect person to share her experience and heart on this. We touch on so many different topics from praying over your marriage to how society tries to tear down the beautiful thing God created. If you haven’t listened to our episode from last year together about parenting, it’s a must! Listen Here Conservative Parenting: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mKeoyE9K0hBPOM0U1gKmF?si=GN5liviRTMuipzwvLWXiIg https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SRXsS6mbMDKBWVLiWXVIP?si=rDz2nTeSReu50pifYJVRIA

Episode 76: Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

It’s a common sentiment and an often asked question. It is also the achilles heel of a lot of people who lost faith.

Here’s the short answer. Bad things happen to people, period. Good and bad people. Regardless of status, success, or background. Regardless of religion and despite it. Sickness doesn’t discriminate just like this sinful world doesn’t discriminate. The truth of the matter is, we live in a very broken world.

What once was a perfect garden, a veritable heaven on earth… was lost to humankind when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Adam affectively handed over his rights to darkness. God gave him the opportunity to steward a perfect world. He was actually given dominion over the works of God’s hands. But, because of disobedience, there was a great fall. We call it the fall because man fell from this perfect world into a broken one. His dominion was handed over to the one who deceived him in the first place. Satan.

There are so many takeaways here but the thing I want to point to right now is this.. God gave Adam and Eve free will. He didn’t force them to do anything. He set them into a perfect place and gave them boundaries to either keep or break. See, God wants His children to come to Him because they CHOOSE to. Because they choose Him and Love Him and seek Him. It is not a forced relationship. He actually chose us before the foundations of the world. Now, it is for us to choose Him back. Every day. Over and over. By the choices we make. The world is going to hit us with brokenness. What we choose to do about it and how we choose to respond is what really matters.

Here’s the other hard to hear part. Lest we forget. The world is still very broken. Satan still roams about as a lion looking to devour whom he may. He will hit you when and where he can whenever he can. He wants to steal and kill and destroy any goodness God has promised for you. He wants to steal hope, kill dreams, and destroy futures.

I know this may not be the answer so many are looking for today… But, such is the truth. God has a plan for our lives. But we have the freedom to follow Him or not. Not only that, but the enemy is still prowling around, looking to attack. The good news today is that Jesus came to redeem us from satan’s dominion. He came to redeem humanity. To restore us back to the Father. So our spirits are now free from the sting of death. If we have accepted Jesus as our Messiah, His own spirit has replaced the old man. This means we have the same authority as Christ because of the price He paid. We have authority over the enemy. And one day… when He returns, He will also restore the earth. The broken place we live in now. The Bible tells us it will be made new. Until then, this is what we can do.

We can live our lives one step at a time being led by the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit leads us unto ALL Truth. And so… we should follow. Today, I hope you’ll remember this: God is the creator of all. And like a work of art must be imagined before it is created, God knew about you before He even began forming you in your mother’s womb. With careful consideration, He designed you. Not only your physical traits, but the unique touches of humor, creativity, sensitivity, intellect, and passions. He knew it all and He formed you. He also knew (and presently knows) the story arc of your life. In fact, He’s laid out a dotted line map, just for you. If only you have the courage to pursue Him and his leading. If only you are able to surrender the missed turns and wreckage of a sinful world. Theres a one of a kind story waiting to be revealed. A picture of a life well lived. Your map is a testament to the freedom of choosing God. I love y’all. I hope this has been an encouragement today that while storms still arise, we aren’t in them alone. And with every misstep, there is grace for hearts turned back to Him.

Episode 75: Offended, Bitter And Jaded : Where Do We Go From Here? Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

A year or two back, we had this woman come up to the door of our house. She had a notepad, a three ring binder, and a pitch. She had obviously been walking door to door. The general idea was that a certain non-profit was supplying fresh local produce to the underserved communities in the area. The business plan made sense and I was also aware of the great needs of our town in that regard. The way the model worked was by buying produce in bulk. There were three levels of “giving” and the BIG observation for me was the notepad she had that was full of signatures from my neighbors (several of whose names I recognized). I visited with the woman, listening to her story and even got to share about my podcast. It was a lengthy exchange. I bought a package and shared some final words of encouragement before she left.

The following day, there was a post on a local neighborhood app that was alerting folks about this scam. My heart sank as I saw the name and a screenshot of the ‘company’s website’. I had been taken advantage of. My immediate response was embarrassment, but after I called and had the payment cancelled I remember talking to my husband and saying, with all my heart… You know? I would have given her the money. If I had known that she was struggling.. If she had been honest and genuine.. I would have given her that money. It made me sad. She had obviously been working with others who had dropped her and her companion on our street. The need was evident. And it just made me so so sad.

But what if… What if Jesus had hardened His heart? What if, after all the mocking, the ridicule, the rejection… what if after all that He endured, He turned and walked away. Because of a hard heart. You know He had every opportunity. (If you need a reminder, just go back and listen to episode number 26 on Rejection)!

You’ve got to step out of yourself and treat that person the way God himself would treat you. With kindness, compassion… and with grace. I’m not going to sugar coat it, its anything but natural. Truly, it is dying to yourself. Dying to the old man. You, as a Child of God and a co-heir with Jesus are made NEW. The price was paid for you. For your sin. For your shame, your mistakes, your failures and all of your iniquities. They were paid for with the blood of Jesus. You are redeemed and made a new man. That new man must then begin to respond according to the SPIRIT of God residing inside rather than responding with the mind or feelings of the old man. This is the act of sanctification. This is a part of the steady transformation to become more like Christ. To bring Heaven to Earth. To make Earth as it is in Heaven!

And I will end with this: because I think it’s a beautiful promise that God attaches, not only to wisdom, but also to acting according to His word: Proverbs 19:11 It means you, in your born again life, are able to display a bright and pure piece of God’s glory. He is made known in the situation… He is made known and that blesses whoever witnesses AND it blesses whoever acted in obedience to His word. Now that is a heck of a promise. Today, I just want to share this encouragement with each of you. Don’t allow the enemy to come in and make you bitter. Don’t allow the enemy to plant seeds of offense. Instead, live out the most shocking and unexpected truths. Love them. Pray for them. And watch, as God transforms your heart and your life because you chose to Honor HIM above your own feelings. When a hard heart is softened, God is able to come in and heal. And the fruit of that will reach far beyond you. I love y’all. I hope this message finds you right where you are today. God will be in it. He’ll work through you and change the lives of all who see..

Episode 74: Are You Your Issue? Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever noticed that the first thing people ask at a social event is “So, where are you from?” Followed up with a “What do you do?”.

It’s interesting to me because even on social media pages, our Bio’s declare the same. Where we are from. What we do. A few words to sum up our whole existence. But what if… just what if those very descriptions are the ones we’ve been using to identify who we are? Titles. Jobs. Throw in a location for context. But what if we’ve had it all wrong. If that’s the first thing we are saying about ourselves, that must also mean its the FIRST thing we believe about who we are. It must mean that thats our identity! Right? Wrong.

The thing is, we are doing ourselves a disservice if that’s the thing we are choosing to stand on. Identity isn’t what you do or even who you are to anyone else. Actually. Our true identity is that which relates us to our creator. It’s foundational. It should be the thing we respond with as we know it deep down. If God Himself asked you who you are, what would you tell Him? Would you say something like, “Well, I’m Sharon and I’m project coordinator at so and so offices…” I mean, I’m laughing but I sure hope you’ve got more in you than that!

If we asked our own children…who are you to me? I would hope they’d respond with “I’m your child”. So? Shouldn’t that be our first response, too? God calls us His. And while we may call ourselves ‘God’s children’ Sunday at church, the majority of people aren’t out here living like it. MOST people live by their professional title for the rest of the week. Others of us may not even go by the title we give ourselves but the title given to us by the world. Known by your story. Known by your past. Known by your shame, sickness, sins, or even by your situation. Maybe whatever life you’ve lived has become the thing to defines you.

I believe this is the number one mistake believers make in understanding their identity. Instead of referring to what God’s word says about them, they’ve spent a lifetime listening to OTHERS about who they should or shouldn’t be. And at some point, most of us have come INTO agreement about whatever that is. Think about school? If you didn’t play sports, were you really an outcast? Or did you just start believing that about yourself because thats what the social scene dictated? Maybe God would have liked to remind you that you were actually built different. Built to be set apart. Built with different interests and giftings to reach a purpose God crafted specifically for YOU.

See, I’ve come to realize we can’t walk fully in our God given authority unless we recognize ourselves the way God recognizes us. Not by who WE say we are. Not by who the world says we are. But by who God says we are. We can walk fully in all He desires for us if we understand our identity. If we understand our relationship to the King. If your father is the king, what does that make you? An heir. It makes you an heir. You’re an heir to His kingdom. A daughter who is loved. AND a daughter who is called to a life of more.

Today, I want to read a story to you about a woman who perfectly fits the description of someone who went by her worldly identity. She is a woman in the Bible who is never mentioned by name. She isn’t even mentioned by a title she holds. Rather, she is identified by the issue she has. Mark 5:21-43 TPT

Today, I want to challenge you to ask yourself the question: What have I been standing on? What identity have I been living by? Is it an identity given by the world? Is it status based on things I own? Is it the circles I am a part of? Or is it even a condemning name given by circumstances of a broken world? Whatever it is. Whoever you think you are.. I want to remind you you’re none of those things. God calls you His Child first. Hold fast to that and be encouraged that life WILL look different when you understand your born identity. I love you, friends. And God loves you most of all… I’ll see you back here next week!

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