Journeywomen

On today’s episode of the Journeywomen podcast, I chatted with Valerie Woerner of Val Marie Paper Company. We talked about everything from the purpose of prayer to how it works in conjunction with the other spiritual disciples. I confessed that prayer is one of the most humbling aspects of my walk with the Lord, and ya’ll, our conversation got me excited! I walked away encouraged to take advantage of the real privilege we have to grow in intimacy with God through prayer. Val said, “Jesus had to die on the cross so that we could be in communication with God. Without the cross, sin would separate us from God. There is no other way to have communication with God apart from the cross.” I am so thankful that Christ came so that we can be in true fellowship with God by the power of the Holy Spirit. What a gift to get to converse with him because of what Christ has done for us! So you’ll know her a little better, Valerie does life every day with her husband, Tyler, who is the owner of Pixelbrush Studios by day and a gourmet chef by night. She is momma to Vivi Mae and Vana. Her best friend was sort of built in but she wouldn’t trade her for any other, her twin sister Natalie! They live in Woerner Bungalow and are passionate about minimalistic living and finding margin in this busy-loving world. They live in Lafayette, Louisiana (also known as Cajun Country). She loves her life and where God has taken her, but He is far from done with her. Valerie doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out, but she’s happy to share her journey with us all! Her recent book, The Finishing School, is her journey and what she’d share with us if we were sitting on her porch drinking iced tea. I’m so excited for ya’ll to hear from her today! VAL’S RESOURCESPraying out loud in different tempos (loud and powerful, or quiet and restful)The Complete Works of E. M. Bounds on Prayer: Experience the Wonders of God through Prayer by E. M. BoundsToo Busy Not to Pray by Bill HybelsThe Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie OmartianThe Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie OmartianThe Power of a Praying Mom by Stormie OmartianPut prayer alerts in your calendar on your phone VAL’S SIMPLE JOYSWalking barefoot around her neighborhoodDark chocolate with toffeeScreened in porch OTHER RESOURCES MENTIONEDVal Marie Paper Prayer Journals66 Love Letters: A Conversation with God That Invites You into His Story by Larry CrabbThe One Year Book of Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament by Nancy Guthrie 23 | The Big Story of the Bible with Caroline Cobb CONNECT WITH VALWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter 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 this episode of the Journeywomen podcast, I chatted with my real-life friend Cierra Bragan about sharing life and the Gospel both locally and cross-culturally. We talked about everything from feeling the nervous jitters before we share our faith, to fighting off feelings of inadequacy and trusting that our confidence in sharing should rest in the conviction of who we know Christ to be and what he is capable of. Throughout the entire interview Cierra beautifully articulates the Gospel and encourages us to rest IN the Gospel at all times. She said, “What he requires he supplies, and he’s done that in Jesus. That’s just beautiful. It’s not Jesus plus, or Jesus in addition to my good works, or Jesus in addition to my Sunday School attendance. It is Christ alone.” CIERRA’S RESOURCESMissionary BiographiesThrough Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth ElliotJournals of Jim Elliot by Jim ElliotShadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot by Elisabeth ElliotTo the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson by Courtney AndersonJohn Hyde: Apostle of Prayer by Francis McGawLet the Nations Be Glad by John PiperCross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility by Duane Elmer The Valley of Vision (A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions) CIERRA’S SIMPLE JOYSWarm days to be outsideBubble bathChick-fil-a vanilla iced coffee OTHER RESOURCESEvangelism Explosion by D. James Kennedy Romans RoadDavid Platt - ThreadsOperation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every NationCrazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung CONNECT WITH CIERRAInstagramWherever I Lodge Instagram SPONSORSHIP DETAILSThere is no getting around them, relationships are a part of life, and they always will be. And at T Bar M Camps, they believe relationships have the power to change camper’s lives forever. Therefore, they make them count. They recruit passionate college students, screening them through an intense application and interview process, for your child’s care and safety. Their full time staff focuses their time and energy training and investing in the lives of these college staff equipping them to do the same for the best interest of your camper. They are confident the relationship between a camper and their camp “Coach” is a launching point for other healthy relationships to form, develop and thrive. Camp is one of the most lasting, rewarding experiences parents can give their children. At T Bar M, it builds self-esteem and gives kids a sense of independence all while growing their faith. Give your child an experience that matters. Invest in a week of camp. T Bar M has Day Camps in New Braunfels Texas, overnight camps for campers 1st – 11th grade, and even incredible Family Camps. Go check them out at tbarm.org/journeywomen to learn all about it. 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 Stephanie Reynolds about relational intimacy, or intimacy within the context of all of our relationships. Stephanie has been married almost 40 years! She and her husband, Rick, work with couples who are recovering from infidelity through the ministry of Affair Recovery. This conversation with Stephanie wraps up our series on relationships that we’ve had going on for the past four weeks. Through conversations with guests about intimacy with God, singleness, dating, and marriage, we’ve learned that being known involves risk, but we can take risks in knowing and being known by others because of Christ! Through faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we can experience intimacy with the Father. That intimacy with God fully satisfies us and enables us to experience intimacy with others, whether it be through marriage or through Christian community, even though we will inevitably experience pain that comes from broken people knowing and loving broken people. As we walk in intimate relationships with others, we are able to forgive one another and experience reconciliation because of the Good News of the Gospel! It is only in Christ that we can experience true intimacy with God and others, despite ourselves. This whole series has stirred my affection for Jesus, ya’ll! I hope it’s done that for you too, and this episode is no exception.STEPHANIE'S RESOURCESVisit a therapistFind a marriage enrichment programFind a support groupDance in the Rain website / The Scars that Have Shaped Me by Vaneetha Rendall Risner CONNECT WITH STEPHANIEAffair Recovery Website 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 this episode of the Journeywomen podcast I had the privilege of chatting with Carla Weathersbee, a family friend and expert on marriage. We talked about everything from the purpose of marriage and how marriage points us to the Gospel to fighting for oneness within our unique marriages. Carla and her husband Byron founded Legacy Family Ministries to pass Biblical principles from one generation to another through marriage preparation classes and Family Camps. Carla serves as Executive Director of Summers Mill Retreat and Conference Center. She leads the women’s ministry in their church, teaches a weekly Bible study, and disciples young women. Together, the Weathersbees have written and developed various marriage prep resources over the past 20 years while working directly with pre-engaged and engaged couples. All of that to say, Carla’s got a lot to say about marriage and I cannot wait for ya’ll to get to hear from her! CARLA’S RESOURCES What’s It Like to Be Married to Me? by Linda Dillow Sacred Marriage by Gary ThomasE.V. Hill preaching his wife’s funeral CARLA’S SIMPLE JOYSHaving people in my homeGolf cart rides / being in natureKombucha and Brookside Chocolate CONNECT WITH CARLAWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter SPONSORSHIP DETAILSYou know that building community is good for both people and business. But many apartment residents are completely disconnected from their neighbors. Apartment Life places CARES Teams to live onsite in apartments to welcome new residents, plan social events, and look for ways to love their neighbors as themselves. Because of our CARES Teams, apartment owners see improved resident satisfaction, retention, and online reputation. It also changes lives. www.apartmentlife.org SPONSORSHIP DETAILSElisabeth Young of ElisaAnne Calligraphy always knew that God blessed her with artistic talent and a heart for entrepreneurship. Since 2014 she has been pursuing her love of calligraphy and design by offering custom wedding invitations for the elegant and timeless bride. After your wedding, the flowers will fade, the cake will be eaten, and your dress will be pressed and delicately boxed for safekeeping; but your wedding invitations will be one of the tangible heirlooms that forever remind you of the special and holy celebration you had that day! From custom wedding crests featuring artwork that represents you and your fiancé, to breathtaking venue illustrations, Elisabeth can create multiple different elements for your invitations that will make them special, personal, and, dare I say, simply too beautiful for your guests to throw away. For 10% off any of Elisabeth’s custom wedding invitation packages, make sure to mention that you heard about ElisaAnne Calligraphy on the Journeywomen podcast. Visit www.elisaannecalligraphy.com today to submit a wedding invitation inquiry and receive your free consultation & quote! 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! 

In light of the upcoming holiday, I decided to bring one of the coolest single ladies I know to chat about singleness. Happy Valentines Day, single ladies! Today’s guest, Becca Harris, is 36, single, loves Jesus, and is mama to two young men that she adopted out of foster care who are now 20 and 17 years old. Becca’s boys moved in when they were 14 and 11. They were 16 and 13 when she adopted them. Becca and I talked about everything from Jesus’ life as a single man to what it looks like to submit our desires to the Lord without shutting the doors on our dreams. Even if you’re not single, you’ll want to stick around to learn how we can love our single friends better, but beyond that, Becca’s story is an incredible one to hear in general, regardless of your current season. I’m certain it will stir your affections for Jesus and inspire you to walk in obedience to whatever He asks of you.I walked away from this conversation inspired to happily follow Jesus in whatever it is that He sets before me. I hope you find Becca’s obedience to Christ just as inspiring as I do! This conversation is actually the second of five episodes we’re putting out on the topic of relationships. If you’re new, be sure to hop back to last week’s episode with Kim Vollendorf on Intimacy with God and subscribe to the podcast to catch next week’s episode on dating! To continue discussing relationships in light of the Gospel throughout the week, find us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter! Thanks so much for allowing us to journey alongside you! Have a great week! We can’t wait to see you here, next Monday. BECCA’S RESOURCESWhen People Are Big and God Is Small by Edward T. Welch Not Yet Married by Marshall Segal (audiobook)A Praying Life by Paul Miller  BECCA’S SIMPLE JOYSKidsBeing active and being outsideBeing with friends over a good meal and games  CONNECT WITH BECCAFacebookInstagramTwitter SPONSORSHIP DETAILSYou know that building community is good for both people and business. But many apartment residents are completely disconnected from their neighbors. Apartment Life places CARES Teams to live onsite in apartments to welcome new residents, plan social events, and look for ways to love their neighbors as themselves. Because of our CARES Teams, apartment owners see improved resident satisfaction, retention, and online reputation. It also changes lives. www.apartmentlife.org 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 this episode of the Journeywomen podcast, I chatted with Kim Vollendorf about intimacy with God. This is the first of five episodes that we’re releasing on the topic of relationships, just in time for February, the all-too-anticipated month of love, which, can we all just be honest with ourselves and admit that we long to experience?On today’s episode, Kim and I discussed the foundation for true, selfless love, which is intimacy with God. Intimacy, or into-me-you-see, is a thread that weaves its way through each of the conversations we’re releasing on the topic of relationships, but it’s worth noting that this thread existed before humanity ever came into being, as God Himself experienced intimacy with the persons of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. The Trinity eternally existed in relationship. Meaning, God didn’t create humanity because He was lonely or in need because there is rich fellowship within the members of the Trinity. He made us in His image and after His likeness and because of that, we were created to be in intimate relationships too, just like Him. That’s why He said, “It is not good that man should be alone.”So God created Eve, a helpmate for Adam, someone like him, someone with whom Adam would experience knowing and being known. But not long after Adam and Eve were created, something terrible happened to this divine image when they disobeyed God’s command not to eat of the fruit of the forbidden tree. When they took and ate of the tree, the image of God in humans was twisted and damaged. We are still his image-bearers, but that image has been perverted throughout generations. We’re all longing for the image to be restored to its original beauty, but God intends to go beyond even what Adam and Eve experienced in the garden by conforming us into the image of Christ as we experience intimacy with Him.There is nothing casual about the way in which God knows us. Scripture says that He has searched and known us, He knows when we sit and when we rise, He discerns our thoughts from afar. He searches out our path and our lying down; He is acquainted with all our ways. Even before a word is on our tongues He knows it. He knows all things, including absolutely everything about us. The reason He searches and knows us is because He loves us. So much so, that He sent His Son down to earth to die so that we could enter into relationship with Him, by the power of His Spirit, and once again experience intimacy with Him.The cry of the human heart is to belong, to be loved, and to experience the ultimate intimacy that can only be found in relationship with God. By the power of the Spirit, our identification, our oneness, and our intimacy with Jesus conforms us into His image, which deepens and enriches our human relationships too! If we know that we’re loved by the Sovereign God, it frees us up to be open and intimate in our personal relationships as well. Today Kim and I talk about how we enter into relationship with God by the power of His Spirit, through relationship with His Son, and how knowing who God is actually cultivates intimacy with Him and with others. This is a huge topic and by no means is this conversation exhaustive, but we hope it will offer some practical tools to help you posture yourself towards intimacy with God.On a personal level, you may not go about this by creating a handy alphabet like Kim did, but I want to encourage you to invest time getting to know God through His Word, whatever that looks like for you. KIM'S RESOURCES Daily time in God’s WordKim’s ABC Bookmark Sex and the Single Girl by Dr. Juli Slattery (resources on intimacy from biblical perspective)  CONNECT WITH KIMWebsiteInstagramTwitter 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 Kristin Schmucker about one of my absolute favorite topics (which if you’ve been around for longer than 2 seconds you can probably already guess is…) Biblical literacy. We discussed everything from why we, as women, need the Bible, to what it might look like to gracefully prioritize this spiritual discipline from the Gospel. As a wife and a mama to three precious girls and one adorable little boy, Kristin knows the challenges that come with demanding life seasons. Through it all, Kristin’s passion for equipping and encouraging women to know and love God's Word remains the same, because she knows from experience that studying Scripture changes lives. The desire of her heart is to help women see who God is and that the truth of His Word actually changes everything. I hope this episode leaves you all inspired and challenged to pick up your Bible, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been studying it for years. After listening to this episode, you will absolutely walk away with some helpful tools for your pursuit of Biblical literacy, but even more than that, I pray you will strive for Biblical literacy from a place of rest, believing that if you are in Christ, nothing can make you more loved than you are already are in Him. Not even the pursuit of something as excellent as Biblical literacy will make any of us more presentable to God. We are saved by works, but it is Christ’s works! Resting in what Christ has done for us brings a deep, soulful kind of rest that enables us to strive towards godliness as we study God’s Word. KRISTIN’S RESOURCESGet plugged into a solid, Gospel-centered church and study the Word in communityDaily Grace Company on Facebook Blue Letter Bible AppThe Daily Grace Company KRISTIN’S SIMPLE JOYSSunday afternoons Volcano candles from AnthroTheological conversations OTHER RESOURCES Relating to our Emotions with Amy Waters | Ep. 06Journeywomen Bible Study Resources CONNECT WITH KRISTINWebsiteFacebookInstagramThe Daily Grace Co Instagram Journeywomen comes alongside women to move them to know and love God and his Word, to find hope in the gospel, and to invest deeply in their local churches as they go out on mission for the glory of God.We would love for you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to Journeywomen at journeywomenpodcast.com/give. FOR MORE Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook Share the podcast by writing a review Interviews do not imply Journeywomen’s endorsement of all writings and positions of the interviewee or any other resources mentioned. 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 Maggie Combs about the deep desires of our hearts that cause real grief when they remain unfulfilled. Maggie is the author of UnsuperMommy and mama to her three busy boys: Isaac, Zander, and Judah. She blames their unending energy and solid build completely on her tall, active husband, Wes. Maggie and I talked about everything from why God allows some of our desires to go unmet to where the Gospel meets us in those unmet expectations. She said,“Only in nearness to God will we have all of our desire fulfilled. I like to call this holy discontent. This means that the purpose of this unmet desire is to constantly remind you that only God will satisfy the unending desire of your heart. Elizabeth Elliot says, ‘Heaven is not here, it’s there. If we were given all that we wanted here our hearts would settle for this world and not the next.’ So this holy discontentment is a kindness to keep us longing for more of God.” Maggie literally had me saying, “Amen,” throughout the podcast which thankfully, doesn’t happen often, but I know you guys will be fist pumping with me as she gracefully and powerfully brings the truth on this episode. I hope ya’ll enjoy it as much as I did!MAGGIE’S RESOURCES Words Worth Noting Grief and Sorrow Cards Sovereign by Chris Tomlin God is Good by Dustin Kensrue Biblical Counseling CCEF Faith Biblical Counseling Conference OTHER RESOURCES Gospel Treason by Brad Bigney Gospel Treason Sermon by Brad Bigney The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis Embrace the Life God has Given You Video by John Piper YouVersion App Bible.is App CONNECT WITH MAGGIE Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Journeywomen comes alongside women to move them to know and love God and his Word, to find hope in the gospel, and to invest deeply in their local churches as they go out on mission for the glory of God.We would love for you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to Journeywomen at journeywomenpodcast.com/give. FOR MORE Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook Share the podcast by writing a review Interviews do not imply Journeywomen’s endorsement of all writings and positions of the interviewee or any other resources mentioned. Affiliate links used are used where appropriate. Thank you for supporting the products that support Journeywomen!

On this episode of the Journeywomen podcast, I chatted with Ashlee Gadd about stewarding our gifts. We talked about everything from how to determine what our giftings actually are to how we can use them for God’s glory and not our own. Ashlee is a wife, mother, self-taught writer and photographer from Sacramento, California. When she’s not dancing in the kitchen with her two boys, she loves curling up with a good book, lounging in the sunshine, and making friends on the Internet. Ashlee loves writing about everything from motherhood and marriage to friendship and faith. Running Coffee + Crumbs is her dream job, x 100. Listen to what she said when I asked her about using our gifts in spite of insecurity we might feel. “We were talking about the fall in Genesis when Adam and Eve are hiding from God and then Adam finally shows his face and explains to God that they were hiding because they were naked. Then God says, ‘Who told you that?’ Four words. It’s such a simple question, but it’s one that I can actually return to over and over again when I’m feeling insecurity and those lies are creeping in and strangling me… If I start putting an actual voice to the lies that I am hearing it becomes easier to know what, and more important who, to believe.” I really appreciated Ashlee’s vulnerability, particularly on the topic of stewarding our gifts. If you’d like to connect with Ashlee for more wisdom nuggets like these or listen to the Coffee and Crumbs podcast you can find all of that information listed on our website.ASHLEE’S RESOURCES “A Million Little Ways” by Emily P. Freeman Enneagram Asking your church what you can do for them ASHLEE’S SIMPLE JOYS Popcorn Candelles Trader Joe’s Flowers OTHER RESOURCES "The Magic of Motherhood" by Ashlee Gadd “The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness” by Timothy Keller “Free of Me” by Sharon Hodde Miller Journeywomen comes alongside women to move them to know and love God and his Word, to find hope in the gospel, and to invest deeply in their local churches as they go out on mission for the glory of God.We would love for you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to Journeywomen at journeywomenpodcast.com/give. FOR MORE Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook Share the podcast by writing a review Interviews do not imply Journeywomen’s endorsement of all writings and positions of the interviewee or any other resources mentioned. Affiliate links used are used where appropriate. Thank you for supporting the products that support Journeywomen!

On this episode of the Journeywomen podcast, I chatted with my friend, Kimberly Wootten, about all things Christmas! Kimbo and I took the three simple joys concept and extended it to three things about Christmas, like three Christmas traditions, three things we want our kids to know about Christmas, and for all of you last-minute shoppers, three gifts you can give, no purchase required. As wonderful as the gifts, traditions, and symbolism around Christmas can be, we’re right there with you feeling on the brink of overwhelmed and over-programmed. If you’re burned out by all that you’ve committed to, we want to encourage you with the grace of the true Christmas message: we don’t have to do it all because Christ has done it all for us. Praise the Lord that even in the hustle of the holidays we are presented with practical opportunities to embrace the actual meaning of Christmas as we look away from ourselves and look to Jesus. We hope you feel encouraged to do that even now!Journeywomen comes alongside women to move them to know and love God and his Word, to find hope in the gospel, and to invest deeply in their local churches as they go out on mission for the glory of God.We would love for you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to Journeywomen at journeywomenpodcast.com/give. FOR MORE Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook Share the podcast by writing a review Interviews do not imply Journeywomen’s endorsement of all writings and positions of the interviewee or any other resources mentioned. Affiliate links used are used where appropriate. Thank you for supporting the products that support Journeywomen!