Depth & Connection to Jesus Through Christian Fiction: The Heart Behind the Novels with Robin Jones Gunn

Depth & Connection to Jesus Through Christian Fiction: The Heart Behind the Novels with Robin Jones Gunn

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999750/fan_mail/new] Happy last episode of Season 8 of the podcast!!  This week we get a behind the scenes look at why Christian Fiction novels make such an impact on our lives and why it's important to read them. Don't get me wrong I love non-fiction books and own a lot, but there is something special about fiction that meets us in new ways! Robin talks all about it today!  Robin Jones Gunn is the best-selling author of over 100 books, including the timeless Christy Miller series for teens. Her multi-award-winning Christian fiction includes the Glenbrooke, Sisterchicks and Suitcase Sisters series. Four of her novels have been made into Hallmark Christmas movies. Robin's popular non-fiction includes, "Victim of Grace" along with "Before You Meet Your Future Husband" and "Praying for Your Future Husband" both co-authored with Tricia Goyer. Her acclaimed gift book, "By the Sea" is a fan favorite. She speaks at international and local events. She and her husband have two grown children and live in California where she co-hosts the "Women Worth Knowing" podcast with Cheryl Brodersen. I absolutely love Robin's novels so I'm going to give you my top 5 (even though I love them all!) So if I were you I'd hit up my local library for these asap!  1. Suitcase Sisters: Tea with Elephants 2. Sisterchicks go Brit! 3. Sisterchicks Down Under 4. Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La 5. Suitcase Sisters: Gelato at the Villa Conversation Highlights: * Christian fiction novels help us see ourselves and relate to God in a new way * When it comes to hearing a story, things stick with us more and go deeply into our heart * A lot of us struggle with things but won’t go to church, won’t read our Bible or share about it, but we will read a novel * Jesus was the great story teller, why not read stories that draw us closer to him Connect with Robin! Robin's Website [https://www.robingunn.com/] Robin's Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-worth-knowing/id1507860438] Get Robin's Newest Book [https://amzn.to/4dzgpGj] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999750/support] Want to go deeper into the conversation? Get the weekly podcast e-newsletter HERE [https://link.kaladiane.com/widget/form/WkYPUnB4WCRw15MKdgmv] website: https://kaladiane.com [https://kaladiane.com] IG: @kaladianeyoder [https://www.instagram.com/kaladianeyoder/] FB: @kaladianeyoder [https://www.facebook.com/kala.diane.yoder/] Music: Happy Clappy Ukulele by Shane Ivers & Spark Of Inspiration by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com/]

If It’s Not Good, God’s Not Done Yet: A Testimony of Infertility and Surrender to God with Danae Lichtenberger

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999750/fan_mail/new] The title of this week's episode is applicable to every trial we face in life. If it's not good, God's not done yet. Is that just the truth? I can't count how many times I have felt hopeless while looking at a situation I'm facing just to look back 6 months or a year later to go, wow... look at what God has done!  Danae testifies to that and I'm so grateful she was willing to come on the podcast and share with us about this hard time in her life. She is a woman of God who loves the Lord with all of her heart and does her best to follow him. She is a wife and momma who is actively showing her family what it means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and say yes to him. She is a true friend and someone I admire.  Conversation Highlights: * Surrender is hard and it’s a daily choice, but it is worth it because God is faithful * We grow and change over time as we get closer to the Lord and that makes a huge impact on how we face trials * Community makes a difference, being connected to other believers helps in many different ways * The waiting is the hardest part but it sets us up for God’s perfect timing which is undeniably the best * Vulnerability about our struggles is important Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999750/support] Want to go deeper into the conversation? Get the weekly podcast e-newsletter HERE [https://link.kaladiane.com/widget/form/WkYPUnB4WCRw15MKdgmv] website: https://kaladiane.com [https://kaladiane.com] IG: @kaladianeyoder [https://www.instagram.com/kaladianeyoder/] FB: @kaladianeyoder [https://www.facebook.com/kala.diane.yoder/] Music: Happy Clappy Ukulele by Shane Ivers & Spark Of Inspiration by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com/]

Heart Gripping Stories That Inspire Our Faith and Build Our Confidence in Christ with Mark Ellis

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999750/fan_mail/new] Have you ever been having one of those days where things just don't seem like they will get better but then all of a sudden God intervenes with a story? You know, a story of someone who has seen the goodness of God and is testifying about it?  Mark is an expert at helping us hear these testimonies through the work that he does with God Reports!  Mark Ellis grew up in California and graduated from UC Berkeley. At age 29 he accepted Christ after reading Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell. Mark is a seasoned storyteller and journalist. After working in commercial real estate for 18 years and then serving in full-time ministry for nine years, Mark pursued a career in journalism. Since his first writing assignment in 1999, Ellis has personally witnessed the impact one’s personal story can have on others and how these first-hand accounts inspire faith and encourage trust in God. After a mission trip to the southern Philippines in 2004, Ellis felt God calling him to launch a new website that would shine a positive light on the stories of faithful missionaries around the globe. In 2009, he launched God Reports, which to-date has received more than 16 million views from over 200 countries. Conversation Highlights: * We need testimonies to remind us of God’s goodness and faithfulness in our lives * God stories are the best stories! * The Holy Spirit ministers to us every single day * We can be encouraged through hearing testimonies of others, we just have to be willing to listen Connect with Mark! Mark's Website [https://www.godreports.com/] God Reports on IG [https://www.instagram.com/godreports] Get Mark's Book [https://amzn.to/3PDw0Nc] Get the Book: Evidence that demands a verdict [https://amzn.to/4tt9JzG] ASSIST NEWS website [https://assistnews.net/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999750/support] Want to go deeper into the conversation? Get the weekly podcast e-newsletter HERE [https://link.kaladiane.com/widget/form/WkYPUnB4WCRw15MKdgmv] website: https://kaladiane.com [https://kaladiane.com] IG: @kaladianeyoder [https://www.instagram.com/kaladianeyoder/] FB: @kaladianeyoder [https://www.facebook.com/kala.diane.yoder/] Music: Happy Clappy Ukulele by Shane Ivers & Spark Of Inspiration by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com/]

Walking Through Life Changes While Staying Focused on Christ with Brenda Yoder

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999750/fan_mail/new] Change can be hard. Not just the things that are different but the hard part of trusting God in the midst of it, especially when things don't seem to make sense. Maybe it's a job loss, a death in the family, a relationship shift or a painful betrayal... or maybe it's something else entirely that you're facing that makes focusing on Christ feel difficult. No matter the situation, keeping our eyes on Jesus is key.  This week I had the wonderful opportunity to have one of my mentors share on this very topic. Brenda L. Yoder, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor, author, educator, parent, and grandparent. She grew up in the Shipshewana community, where simplicity, service, and faith weren't just ideals, they were the rhythm of daily life. Those values still run through everything she does. For over 25 years, she has served as a therapist, school counselor, and teacher, learning that the most meaningful change happens not in a hurry, but in unhurried, authentic connection. Conversation Highlights: * Life happens and things change but God has a beautiful plan in it all * We need to steward what God has given us and that takes a consistent shifting and looking at our values * Recognizing that there are endings God creates, we don’t plan them, but they are for a purpose * In the spaces that are uncomfortable we have to keep returning to God for his guidance & peace * God uses change to transform us more into his image & draw us closer Connect with Brenda! Brenda's Website [https://www.brendayoder.com/] Brenda on IG [https://www.instagram.com/brendayoderspeaks/] Get the Book! [https://amzn.to/42tvkgg] Brenda on Substack [https://substack.com/@brendalyoder] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999750/support] Want to go deeper into the conversation? Get the weekly podcast e-newsletter HERE [https://link.kaladiane.com/widget/form/WkYPUnB4WCRw15MKdgmv] website: https://kaladiane.com [https://kaladiane.com] IG: @kaladianeyoder [https://www.instagram.com/kaladianeyoder/] FB: @kaladianeyoder [https://www.facebook.com/kala.diane.yoder/] Music: Happy Clappy Ukulele by Shane Ivers & Spark Of Inspiration by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com/]

Challenging Common Spiritual Lies that Rob Our Intimacy with God with Gary Thomas

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999750/fan_mail/new] I don't know about you but I struggle with lies and the battle in my mind a lot. There are times when the enemy is so sneaky that I don't even recognize the lie... have you been there too? This week we are breaking up and ending our unhealthy relationship with lies and we are dismantling them once and for all.  That is where our wonderful guest Gary Thomas steps in. You may have heard of him but have you heard of his newest book? It's all about dismantling lies that Christians specifically believe. He broke down a few with me during the episode and it was pure gold!!! (more on this in the weekly newsletter! Sign up below!)  Gary Thomas is a bestselling author and international speaker whose ministry strives to bring people closer to Christ and closer to others. He has sold over 2 million copies of his books, translated into over a dozen languages, and won many awards, helping establish him as a thought leader in spiritual formation, marriage and parenting. Gary served on the teaching team at Second Baptist Church in Houston for 11 years and is currently teaching at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. His ministry has led him to speaking events in all 50 states and in nine different countries, including numerous television and radio programs. wisdom doesn't happen on accident, it's something that has to be pursued.  When we dismantle the lies, we can keep our eyes on Jesus more easily. This isn't easy and it's going to cause us to truly look at what we believe and what is truth but my goodness is it going to bless us and deepen our relationship with Christ in a way nothing else can! I hope you'll take on the challenge and go through Gary's book with an open heart and willing mind. This could be the shift in your life you've been waiting for.  Conversation Highlights: * Spiritual lies can be passed down and believed without us questioning them * Many Christians are spiritually reborn but not mentally transformed * Dismantling lies requires rejecting cultural values and actively pursuing biblical wisdom which Scripture values more than gold or silver * We can be addicted to comfort but God uses discomfort to build character and prepare us for ministry Connect with Gary! Gary's Website [https://garythomas.com/] Gary on IG [https://www.instagram.com/garythomasbooks/] Get the Book! [https://amzn.to/4el68Qo] Gary on Substack [http://www.garythomasbooks.substack.com/] Get the newsletter HERE! [https://kaladiane.com] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999750/support] Want to go deeper into the conversation? Get the weekly podcast e-newsletter HERE [https://link.kaladiane.com/widget/form/WkYPUnB4WCRw15MKdgmv] website: https://kaladiane.com [https://kaladiane.com] IG: @kaladianeyoder [https://www.instagram.com/kaladianeyoder/] FB: @kaladianeyoder [https://www.facebook.com/kala.diane.yoder/] Music: Happy Clappy Ukulele by Shane Ivers & Spark Of Inspiration by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com/]