#132 Fear Factor

#132 Fear Factor

Devo #132: Fear Factor | Facing Your Biggest Fears with Faith Instead of Fear What happens when your spouse gets pulled into a live "Fear Factor" show at Universal Studios? In this episode of the Monumental Moments devotional series, I share a hilarious and unforgettable family vacation memory — my husband being chosen out of a crowd to compete in Fear Factor Live, facing his fear of heights, and walking away the champion (and proud owner of a well-earned t-shirt). That fun memory opens the door to a deeper conversation about fear — the kind we all carry, whether it's heights, snakes, public speaking, or the fear of stepping into something God is asking us to do. We look at Moses in Exodus 3 and 4, who was terrified to confront Pharaoh and even ran from a snake God turned his staff into — yet still chose, eventually, to walk in obedience. We also dig into Psalm 56:3-4, where David declares, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." This episode is a reminder that fear isn't something to be ashamed of — it's something to bring to God. He's not asking you to conquer your fears alone; He's asking you to trust Him and take the step of faith anyway. 🔑 In this episode: * A hilarious family story from Universal Studios' Fear Factor Live show * Why fear can either make us cower or push us toward courage * Moses' fear in Exodus 3-4 and the burning bush encounter * Psalm 56:3-4 and choosing trust over fear * How to respond when God's calling feels too big, costly, or impossible * A challenge to choose faith over fear today ✨ How can you make Monumental Moments and live to Multiply His Movement today? #Devotional #ChristianPodcast #FearFactor #FaithOverFear #Bible #ChristianLiving #Moses #Exodus #PsalmStudy #BibleStudy #MonumentalMoments #FaithJourney #OvercomingFear #ChristianFaith #TrustGod

#131 There’s Just Something About That Name

Devo #131: There's Just Something About That Name | The Power and Meaning Behind the Name of Jesus What's in a name? In this episode of the Monumental Moments devotional series, I share a deeply personal memory of my grandmother singing the name of Jesus while gardening and walking through her home — and how the way she spoke His name with reverence, love, and surrender shaped my understanding of who He is. We explore the classic 1970 Bill and Gloria Gaither hymn "There's Something About That Name" and what it means to truly call on the name of Jesus, not just in passing, but with intention and worship. We dig into the Scriptures where God Himself named Jesus: Luke 1:30-33, where the angel tells Mary her son will be called the Son of the Most High, and Matthew 1:20-24, where Joseph is told to name Him Jesus — "because He will save His people from their sins." We also touch on the name Immanuel, meaning "God is with us," and the Hebrew roots of the name Jesus (from Joshua, meaning "Yahweh saves"). In a world where the name of Jesus is so often spoken carelessly or in vain, this episode is an invitation to pause and ask: what does His name mean to you? When was the last time you called on it with reverence rather than reflex? 🔑 In this episode: * A personal story of growing up hearing the name of Jesus used two very different ways * The hymn "There's Something About That Name" by Bill and Gloria Gaither * Luke 1:30-33 — the angel's declaration of Jesus' name to Mary * Matthew 1:20-24 — Joseph's dream and the naming of Jesus and Immanuel * The meaning of the name Jesus (Hebrew: Joshua, "Yahweh saves") * How often Jesus' name appears in Scripture and why it matters * A call to speak His name with reverence in a world that often doesn't ✨ How can you make Monumental Moments and live to Multiply His Movement today? #Devotional #ChristianPodcast #NameOfJesus #Jesus #Bible #ChristianLiving #Worship #GaitherMusic #LukeChapter1 #MatthewChapter1 #BibleStudy #MonumentalMoments #FaithJourney #Immanuel #ChristianFaith

#130 Count Your Blessings

Devo #130: Count Your Blessings | Why You Need to Start Counting (and Writing Down) Your Blessings Today Were you ever told as a child to "count your blessings"? In this episode of the Monumental Moments devotional series, I share how a morning reading in John 1:16-17 turned into spontaneous worship — and led me to two powerful songs that capture the heart of gratitude: "Counting My Blessings" by Seph Schlueter and "Miracles" by Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music. We talk about how easily song lyrics stick in our minds compared to Scripture, and why that's worth paying attention to. Then we dig into the Old Testament tradition of memorial stones — physical reminders God's people built so they'd never forget His faithfulness. From Joshua's twelve stones at the Jordan River (Joshua 4), to Jacob's pillar at Bethel (Genesis 28), to Samuel's stone called Ebenezer (1 Samuel 7), these "stones of remembrance" challenge us to mark our own blessings and miracles instead of letting them fade from memory. Psalm 68:19 reminds us that God "daily loads us with benefits" — so this episode ends with a practical challenge: grab a pen and paper right now and start writing down the blessings and miracles in your life. Don't just count them — thank God for them too. 🔑 In this episode: * John 1:16-17 and the overflow of God's grace in our lives * "Counting My Blessings" by Seph Schlueter and "Miracles" by Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music * Why we memorize song lyrics faster than Scripture — and what to do about it * Biblical memorial stones: Joshua 4, Genesis 28 (Jacob at Bethel), and 1 Samuel 7 (Ebenezer) * Psalm 68:19 and God's daily blessings * A simple journaling challenge to start counting your own blessings today ✨ How can you make Monumental Moments and live to Multiply His Movement today? #Devotional #ChristianPodcast #CountYourBlessings #Gratitude #Bible #ChristianLiving #Worship #ElevationWorship #MaverickCityMusic #PsalmStudy #BibleStudy #MonumentalMoments #FaithJourney #Thankfulness #ChristianMusic Subscribe for weekly devotionals on faith, life, and Scripture. Want this saved as a file too, or is pasting it here enough going forward?

#129 Last Call

Devo #129: Last Call | A Firefighter's Funeral, the Sound of the "Last Call," and What It Means to Live Sober-Minded What does a 21-gun salute, bagpipes, and a haunting radio dispatch called the "Last Call" teach us about life, death, and faith? In this episode of the Monumental Moments devotional series, I share my experience attending the funeral of a beloved WWII Army veteran and 40-year firefighter — a man who served 23 years as Fire Chief and was deeply respected in his community. For the first time, I witnessed a first responder's "Last Call" (also known as End of Watch or Last Alarm) — the ceremonial radio dispatch where a station dispatcher calls a fallen firefighter's name and badge number three times, then officially signs them off duty forever. It's a tradition that grips your heart and forces you to confront mortality in a way few other moments can. This graveside experience led me straight to Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 and its sobering wisdom that it's "better to spend your time at funerals than at parties" — because sorrow has a refining influence on us. We unpack what it means to live with a sober mind, reflect on legacy, and prepare for the day we hear (or long to hear) the words of Matthew 25:21: "Well done, good and faithful servant." Whether you've lost a loved one, attended a funeral recently, or simply want to grow in your walk with Christ, this episode is a powerful reminder: don't wait for your own "Last Call" to get right with God. 🔑 In this episode: * The moving story of a firefighter's funeral and military honors * What the "Last Call" / "End of Watch" radio tradition means and why it matters * Biblical wisdom from Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 on death, sorrow, and reflection * Matthew 25:21 and living as a "good and faithful servant" * How to live a sober-minded, faith-filled life starting today ✨ How can you make Monumental Moments and live to Multiply His Movement today? #Devotional #ChristianPodcast #Faith #Ecclesiastes #LastCall #FirefighterTribute #Bible #ChristianLiving #Grief #Legacy #MonumentalMoments #FaithJourney #BibleStudy #EndOfWatch #SoberMinded Let me know if you'd like it shorter, want me to adjust the hashtags/keywords, or tweak the tone.

#128 Stay Awhile

A cute "Stay Awhile" sign with some not-so-cute fine print sparks a powerful question in this episode of Monumental Moments: are we truly willing to linger in God's presence, or are we rushing off the moment we've gotten what we came for? Looking at Exodus 33:7-11, this devotional highlights Joshua's example — the one who stayed behind at the tent of meeting, unwilling to miss a single word from the Lord even after Moses had already gone. It's a beautiful picture of hunger for God's presence that goes beyond the minimum. If your relationship with God often feels rushed or transactional, this episode is an invitation to slow down, stay a little longer, and position your heart to receive more of Him.