Journeywomen

On today’s episode of the Journeywomen podcast, I’m chatting with Matt Lantz about serving the Body of Christ with our spiritual gifts. Matt gave us an overview of the purpose and function of each of the spiritual gifts and how we can go about identifying our gifts and use them to serve in our local churches. What’s the purpose of stewarding our gifts for the glory of God?Matt is a husband, father, and pastor who lives in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife and three children. He’s a graduate of TCU and Dallas Theological Seminary and has been working in full-time ministry since 2000 preparing the way for the Lord Jesus in the lives of men and women. Matt was the founding director of a discipleship program called the Forge at Pine Cove where he spent 12 years helping young men and women learn their identity and steward it well. He has recently moved on from the Forge and is now serving as the Recruitment and Development Pastor and the Associate Pastor of the West Campus at Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth, TX. MATT’S RESOURCESTalk to your churchServeAsk a mentor for their insight DEVELOPING AN IDENTITY STATEMENT“It’s less about crafting a cool sounding statement, than it is about understanding in humility who you are and how God designed you (Ephesians 2:10). The identity statement is essentially not a discovery of who you are as much as a declaration of what God has done in creating you. You cannot do that by yourself.”With the help of others, begin to determine these three elements of an identity statement: You are designed in this way… To work with these kinds of people… To accomplish this goal “An identity statement is a statement about design, who the design is for, and what the design is meant to accomplish specifically for the kingdom within the Body of Christ.” CONNECT WITH MATTWebsiteInstagramTwitter DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What are spiritual gifts? What are the areas in your life that you are naturally good at that you find yourself using for your own purposes? How can knowing that help you see your spiritual gifts? What spiritual gifts do you see in the lives of those around you? What gifts have others seen in you over the course of your life as a Christian? What would it look like to grow in and develop your gifts for the glory of God? What are you going to do or implement as a result of what you’ve learned this week?  SPONSORSHIP DETAILS FOR MORE:Subscribe: iTunes | AndroidFollow Us: Website | Instagram | FacebookSupport the podcast by writing a review*Affiliate links used are used where appropriate. Thank you for supporting the products that support Journeywomen!

On today’s episode of the Journeywomen podcast, I chatted with Kristie Anyabwile about what to do when church gets hard. We ran the gamut on what kind of stuff makes church difficult and why it’s important that we press in, even when it’s challenging.Kristie is a pastor's wife, mom, Bible teacher and author of His Testimonies, My Heritage: Women of Color on the Word of God, which will be released in September. She works with the Charles Simeon Trust as the Associate Director of Women's Workshops, helping to equip women Bible teachers. She joyfully supports her husband of 27 years, Thabiti, as he pastors Anacostia River Church in Washington, DC. KRISTIE’S RESOURCES What Is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti M. Anyabwile The Compelling Community: Where God's Power Makes a Church Attractive by Mark Dever Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus by Mark Dever Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change by Paul David Tripp KRISTIE’S SIMPLE JOYSEarl Grey teaSnickersCooking DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Use 3-5 words to describe your personal experience with church over your lifetime. What would it look like to engage in church while working through the things that can make church hard? How can you exhort and encourage those in your circle to engage in church when it is hard? How have you seen God’s provision for you through hard times? What role did the Church play? How have you seen God use your pain and hard times to minister to others? What are you going to do or implement as a result of what you’ve learned this week?  SPONSORSHIP DETAILSFOR MORE:Subscribe: iTunes | AndroidFollow Us: Website | Instagram | FacebookSupport the podcast by writing a review*Affiliate links used are used where appropriate. Thank you for supporting the products that support Journeywomen!

On today’s episode of the Journeywomen podcast, I’m chatting with Dr. Michael Haykin about church history! Dr. Haykin is the chair and professor of Church History at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY and Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies. DR.HAYKIN’S RESOURCES The Journal of Esther Edwards Burr, 1754-1757 Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More by Karen Swallow Prior Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon by Ray Rhodes Reformation Women: Sixteenth-Century Figures Who Shaped Christianity's Rebirthby Rebecca VanDoodewaard Eight Women of Faith by Dr. Michael Haykin No Other Foundation: The Church Through Twenty Centuries by Jeremy C. Jackson Reformation Heritage Books for Children by Simonetta Carr Empowered: How God Shaped 11 Women's Lives by Catherine Parks DR.HAYKIN’S SIMPLE JOYSHistory, libraries, book storesSpending time with his wifeSpending time with his adult children  WOMEN TO LEARN ABOUTEsther Edwards Burr (1732-1758)Perpetua (Died 203)Monica mother of Augustine (332-387)Macrina (330-379)Julian of Norwich (1342-1416)Idelette Stordeur de Bure Calvin (1509-1549)Brilliana Harley (1598-1643)Anne Dutton (1692–1765)Anne Steele (1717–1778)Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784)Selina Hastings (1707-1791)Josephine Butler (1828-1906)Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015)Henrietta Mears (1890-1963) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Why is it important to value church history? What is something you learned regarding church history? Identify an area of life where learning about history changed your view of the present? How is your view of the gospel strengthened by history? How has your view of the church been challenged by this episode? What are you going to do or implement as a result of what you’ve learned this week?  SPONSORSHIP DETAILS FOR MORE:Subscribe: iTunes | AndroidFollow Us: Website | Instagram | FacebookSupport the podcast by writing a review*Affiliate links used are used where appropriate. Thank you for supporting the products that support Journeywomen!

On today’s episode of the Journeywomen podcast, I’m chatting with Sandra McCracken about worshipping the Lord together in the context of corporate worship. We talk about what worship is, and what it isn’t, and ultimately, that it’s not about us. If you don’t know her, Sandra’s prolific contributions as a songwriter, modern-day hymn writer, and record producer has brought grace and clarity to her soulful, folk-gospel sound. Whether in a theater or in a chapel, she is a dynamic performer who blurs the lines of what church music sounds like, captivating and inviting audiences to sing along. While many of her songs like “We Will Feast In The House Of Zion” and “Thy Mercy My God” have settled into regular rotation in Christian worship services internationally, she has also had songs recorded by All Sons And Daughters, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, Audrey Assad, A Rocha Compilation, Bifrost Arts, Caedmon’s Call and others. She is further a founding member of Indelible Grace Music and Rain For Roots (children’s music) and has been a guest writer for Art House America, She Reads Truth, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, RELEVANT Magazine and more. SANDRA’S RESOURCES Desiring the Kingdom by James K.A. Smith A Royal “Waste” of Time by Marva Dawn For the Beauty of the Church by W. David O. Taylor SANDRA’S SIMPLE JOYSEnglish tea with honey and milkWalk in the woodsThe ocean CONNECT WITH SANDRAWebsiteFacebookInstagram DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What is hospitality in light of the gospel? What would it look like for you to be hospitable at church and in life? We all have days when we don’t feel like worshipping, particularly with other believers in the context of corporate worship. How do our emotions affect our worship? How does the gospel unite us and enable us to worship together despite varying preferences? What are you going to do or implement as a result of what you’ve learned this week?  SPONSORSHIP DETAILS FOR MORE:Subscribe: iTunes | AndroidFollow Us: Website | Instagram | FacebookSupport the podcast by writing a review*Affiliate links used are used where appropriate. Thank you for supporting the products that support Journeywomen!

On today’s episode of the Journeywomen podcast, I’m chatting with Dr. Mark Dever about finding a healthy church. So you’ll know him a little better, Dr. Mark has served as the senior pastor of CHBC (Capitol Hill Baptist Church) since 1994 and as president of 9Marks (a ministry to churches and church leaders) since its founding in 1998. He’s married to Connie and they have two adult children, both married, and one grandchild. Dr. Mark has authored a number of books, including 9 Marks of a Healthy Church. Whether you’re on the hunt for a church or if you’re already involved somewhere, we think you’ll walk away from this conversation with Mark encouraged to follow Jesus with his people for his glory. MARK’S RESOURCES9Marks Church Search Nine Marks of a Healthy ChurchThe Church: The Gospel Made VisibleMorning and Evening by Charles SpurgeonThe Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & DevotionsThe Christian Ministry by Charles Bridges MARK’S SIMPLE JOYSWifeKids and grandkidsReading historyPeopleArchitecture SCRIPTURE REFERENCESGalatians 5John 13:34-35Hebrews 10:19-25Hebrews 121 Corinthians 11:28 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What are the elements of a healthy church? Why is it important to exercise community within the context of a local church? What is the difference between a healthy and unhealthy church? What is the gospel and what does that look like presented in the local church? What are you going to do or implement as a result of what you’ve learned this week?  SPONSORSHIP DETAILSFOR MORE:Subscribe: iTunes | AndroidFollow Us: Website | Instagram | FacebookSupport the podcast by writing a review*Affiliate links used are used where appropriate. Thank you for supporting the products that support Journeywomen!

On today’s episode of the Journeywomen podcast, I’m chatting with Susan Hunt about the local church! One of our mutual friends rightly stated that Susan bleeds ecclesiology, or the theology of the church. After talking with her, I couldn’t agree more. She said, “I can barely speak the word ‘church’ without weeping in wonder at the very idea! The Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, the family of God! The church is the people of God in all times and in all places! We’re those who were chosen in Christ in eternity past! We’re being redeemed, adopted, and sanctified in him! The church is those who are indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit! Think of that! The very Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead! We’re the ones with the potential to make Jesus known! To reflect the glory of God in a dark, broken world! So, the church is the people who have been entrusted with the living Word of the living God.” SUSAN’S RESOURCESThe BibleConsider the historic creeds (like Westminster Confession of Faith and the Heidelberg Catechism)Discover a biblical perspective of our womanhood and God’s calling for us as women in our churchFind a small group of women to dig into the Word with other women SCRIPTURE REFERENCESEphesians 4:111 Peter 2:9Numbers 2:2Acts 2Hebrews 10:22Philippians 3John 17 - Jesus’ prayerPsalm 92 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What is the local church? What is the purpose of the local church? How were you uniquely designed to be a part of the local church? What are some of the joys and hardships of being involved in the local church? How have you been shaped by covenant community? What are you going to do or implement as a result of what you’ve learned this week?  SPONSORSHIP DETAILS FOR MORE:Subscribe: iTunes | AndroidFollow Us: Website | Instagram | FacebookSupport the podcast by writing a review*Affiliate links used are used where appropriate. Thank you for supporting the products that support Journeywomen!

Today I’m chatting with Gloria Furman on the global Church. So you’ll know her a little better, Gloria (MACE, Dallas Theological Seminary) is a wife, mother of four, cross-cultural worker, editor, and writer. In 2008 her family moved to the Middle East to plant Redeemer Church of Dubai where her husband, Dave, serves as the pastor. Gloria’s one of those women who oozes Scripture when she speaks. Throughout our friendship, many of the nuggets of wisdom she’s shared with me have really helped to reorient my thinking towards eternity. GLORIA’S RESOURCESThe Temple and the Church’s Mission by G.K. BealeOperation WorldWindow on the World (for kids)The Church: The Gospel Made Visible by Mark DeverEvangelism as Exiles by Elliot ClarkJoyfully Spreading the Word ADVICE YOU’D GIVE 25-YEAR-OLD GLORIAGod’s faithfulness in the past is a model and a promise for his faithfulness in the future, but he is too creative to do the same thing the same way twice. So no matter what comes it is God who does not change. There is no more steadying truth than looking at the unchanging character of God. SCRIPTURE REFERENCESEphesians 5Acts 2Lamentations 3:22Exodus 19Ephesians 2:102 Corinthians 5:17HebrewsJohn 10 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What is the definition of the local church and the global Church? What makes the Church unique from other institutions? (Matthew 16:17-19) How does the gospel unite us as the Church? What would be different about your life if you had a Scripture-based imagination? What could you do to orient your mind to see the world as God does? How has God uniquely designed you and currently situated you to engage in the global Church? What are you going to do or implement as a result of what you’ve learned this week?  CONNECT WITH GLORIAWebsiteInstagramTwitter SPONSORSHIP DETAILS FOR MORE:Subscribe: iTunes | AndroidFollow Us: Website | Instagram | FacebookSupport the podcast by writing a review*Affiliate links used are used where appropriate. Thank you for supporting the products that support Journeywomen!

On today’s episode of the Journeywomen I’m chatting with my very own Brooks Beless! If this is your first episode and you have no idea who that is, Brooks is my husband of seven years as of today! Today we answered questions you submitted on Instagram about our love story, our family, and upcoming plans for Journeywomen since this is our very last episode before my maternity leave!  Episode 74 on the Will of God with Jen Wilkin Episode 65 on Same Sex Attraction, Identity, and the Christian with Jackie Hill Perry Episode 34 on Spiritual Disciplines with Brad Evangelista Episode 61 on Growing in Godliness with Nana Dolce CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEASBonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric MetaxasMartin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World by Eric MetaxasA gift toward his hobbyTime away with guy friends RESOURCES Episode 55 on Loving Our Dads Well with Jerad LopesYou Need A Budget BROOK’S SIMPLE JOYSWhen his daughters greet him getting home from workWell balanced budgetTime with guys SPONSORSHIP DETAILS FOR MORE:Subscribe: iTunes | AndroidFollow Us: Website | Instagram | FacebookSupport the podcast by writing a review*Affiliate links used are used where appropriate. Thank you for supporting the products that support Journeywomen!

On today’s episode of the Journeywomen podcast I’m chatting with Betsy Gómez about remembering. We talked about everything from why it’s important for us to practice the discipline of remembrance to how actually doing so impacts our everyday lives. We really hope you’ll find this conversation helpful as you remember, reflect upon, and rejoice in the reality of the gospel as you look back on your year.So you’ll know her a little better, Betsy has a passion to help others savor the gospel. She manages the blogs and supervises media for Aviva Nuestros Corazones, the Revive Our Hearts Hispanic outreach. She’s pursuing a master’s degree in Ministry to Women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Betsy, her husband, Moisés, and their two sons, Josué and Samuel are soon transitioning to Irving, Texas; where Moises will serve as a Pastor. BETSY’S RESOURCESMeditating, memorizing, journaling to remember truthsThe Advent calendar with the Jesus Storybook Bible New Morning Mercies for a daily gospel reminderRevive our Hearts podcast BETSY’S SIMPLE JOYSTraveling with her familyMovie nights with hot cocoa and warm breadTeaching and writing SCRIPTURE REFERENCESDeuteronomy 4:9Genesis 8:1Numbers 16:30Psalm 77:11Psalm 103Luke 22:191 Corinthians 11 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS When are you most prone to experience spiritual forgetfulness? How can you practice the discipline of remembrance (daily, weekly, and seasonally)? How can your local church help you remember the gospel? What are you going to do or implement as a result of what you’ve learned this week?  CONNECT WITH BETSYWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter SPONSORSHIP DETAILS FOR MORE:Subscribe: iTunes | AndroidFollow Us: Website | Instagram | FacebookSupport the podcast by writing a review*Affiliate links used are used where appropriate. Thank you for supporting the products that support Journeywomen!

On today’s episode of the Journeywomen podcast, I brought back my friend Amy Waters to discuss navigating the holidays when it just feels hard! We covered it all, from unmet holiday expectations to weightier stuff, like gathering together after the loss of a loved one. Amy offers us lots of tips from her perspective as a counselor, and of course, she points us to the hope we have in Jesus as we’re in the thick of the holiday season.So you’ll know her a little better, Amy is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Women’s Bible Study leader, disciple maker, and self-proclaimed theology junkie. Amy spent nearly 10 years on staff at Pine Cove as a Conference Director and it was there that God gave her a passion for ministering to women and families. She earned a Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2011 and is currently counseling at the Alethia Counseling Center in Tyler, TX. I cannot wait for you to hear from Amy today! AMY’S RESOURCESCounselingTreasuring God in our Traditions by Noel Piper (free PDF!)Talk through your expectations with a trusted friend AMY’S SIMPLE JOYSPie Breakfast at ThanksgivingCup of coffee with her mom and sisters for “happy time” at ChristmasCooking CONNECT WITH AMYWebsiteInstagramTwitter SCRIPTURE REFERENCES1 Peter 1:13Romans 8:32Jeremiah 15 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Do you anticipate anything being difficult this holiday season? If so, what? What are the scripts you desire to change? What is this holiday actually about? How can we glorify God as we go about this holiday season? Where can you see the hand of God in your holidays already? Pray and ask him to give you eyes to see him working in and through the coming weeks.  SPONSORSHIP DETAILS FOR MORE:Subscribe: iTunes | AndroidFollow Us: Website | Instagram | FacebookSupport the podcast by writing a review*Affiliate links used are used where appropriate. Thank you for supporting the products that support Journeywomen!