Write What You See: Adoption, Revelation 1:10-11, and Sharing God's Stories

Finding Strength in Grief: Quiet Confidence in God with Raewyn Elsegood

Have you ever tried to fix everything yourself—frantically strategizing, problem‑solving, and praying—and still felt like your world was collapsing? In this episode, we sit with Isaiah 30:15 and discover how, even in the deepest grief, God invites us to be delivered not by striving, but by returning, resting, and finding quiet confidence in Him. Description In this Life as Worship episode, Angela talks with Australian chaplain and author Raewyn Elsegood about the tender but challenging invitation of Isaiah 30:15: “You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence.” Raewyn walks us through the context of Isaiah—God’s people in chaos, looking to Egypt and human solutions instead of trusting the Holy One of Israel—and why this verse has become an anchor for her as a grieving mother. She shares candidly about her daughter Amy’s sudden diagnosis of severe aplastic anemia, the grueling months of treatment and bone marrow transplant during COVID, and the unexpected virus that ultimately took Amy’s life. In the fog of loss, Raewyn describes how she could barely open her Bible, yet God met her through a daily worship song, her mother’s repeated reminder that “in quietness and confidence is your strength,” and the simple act of lying on the grass, looking up, and remembering who God is. If you feel overwhelmed, spiritually weary, or unsure how to trust God when life doesn’t make sense, this conversation will gently invite you to look up, slow down, and discover that real strength comes not from frantic effort, but from returning and resting in Him. Episode Highlights * How Isaiah’s audience mirrors us: God’s people in political and spiritual chaos, seeking security in human alliances instead of the Lord. * What “returning and resting” means in context—turning back to God, stopping our frantic plans, and letting Him re‑center our hearts. * Raewyn’s story of Amy’s diagnosis, hospital journey, and homegoing, and how this verse became a heartbeat prayer in ICU and beyond. * The role of lament: why honest questions, tears, and even anger can actually be part of returning to God instead of drifting from Him. * Practical ways to cultivate “quiet confidence” in everyday life—like finding literal quiet spaces, starting the day with worship, and noticing the small gifts of God’s presence in grief. Great Quotes * “My home became the quietest it had ever been—almost like a tomb—and the only person left to talk to was God.” * “In quietness and confidence is your strength, Raewyn. That’s the verse my mum kept speaking over me as I sat by Amy’s bed.” * “I trusted God. I didn’t have to like what He had done—but I knew I couldn’t walk this road without Him.” * “Lament doesn’t push you away from God; it keeps you close enough to sit with Him in the quiet and actually hear His heart.” * “Look up. Stop. Listen. Rest. Your strength is not in doing everything; it’s in returning to the One who already holds everything.” Resources Mentioned * Isaiah 30:15 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2030%3A15&version=CSB] – “You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence… but you were not willing.” * Worship music as daily nourishment [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3PlaqXYQru8sP67PVyab3d?si=27Z92j_aRpe3ds1x44PQnQ&nd=1&dlsi=34b9ea5e821e47db] – a friend sending Raewyn one worship song each morning to help her get out of bed and fix her eyes on God. * 21 Gifts: A Sacred Dance Through Grief and Healing [https://amzn.to/4ax3rrW] – Raewyn’s book, sharing 21 “gifts” God gave her through Amy’s life and homegoing, with space for readers to process their own grief. Amazon Affiliate link. I earn money on qualifying purchases. * Raewyn's YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@ChaplainsGriefInsights] * Raewyn's Website [https://www.raewynelsegood.com/] Related Episodes * Strength When Sorrow Wearies Our Souls with Jackie Freeman [https://angelamackey.com/strength-when-sorrow-wearies-our-souls/] – Finding God’s strength when grief and sorrow feel like more than you can bear. * Praising God When He Gives and When He Takes with Kelly Arena [https://angelamackey.com/praising-god-when-he-gives-and-when-he-takes/] – Learning to worship God honestly in both joy and deep loss. * God’s Creative Process for Rebuilding with Dawn Mann Sanders [https://angelamackey.com/gods-creative-process-for-rebuilding/] – Seeing how God gently rebuilds life after loss, disruption, or disappointment. Newsletter Invitation If Raewyn’s story and Isaiah 30:15 have reminded you that God invites you to return, rest, and find quiet confidence in Him—even in chaos—I’d love to keep encouraging you. Subscribe to the Life as Worship newsletter for weekly biblical encouragement, honest reflections, and a free devotional to help you worship God with your whole life, in every season: https://eepurl.com/h3Nafz [https://eepurl.com/h3Nafz].

When Obeying God Doesn't Make Sense: Following Him Wholeheartedly with Lynn Jackson

Do you ever look at your circumstances and think, “There’s no way I can do what God is asking—I’m too small, the obstacles are too big”? In this conversation on Caleb’s “different spirit” in Numbers 14:24, we explore how to trust and obey God wholeheartedly even when His ways don’t make sense and your heart feels tired. Description In this Life as Worship episode, Angela talks with author and ministry leader Lynn Jackson about what it means to be God’s servant with “a different spirit” who follows Him wholeheartedly, like Caleb in Numbers 14:24. Lynn explains the backdrop of Numbers—God rescuing Israel from slavery, giving them laws for everyday life, and calling them to trust Him as they stand on the edge of the Promised Land—and why Caleb’s response stands out when the other spies give in to fear. They discuss how God’s commands, celebrations like Passover, and even the parts of Scripture that are hard to swallow are invitations to trust His goodness as a wise and loving Master, not a distant taskmaster. Lynn shares simple, practical ways to let Scripture act like a mirror: naming where your heart resists being God’s servant, pausing instead of reacting, and asking Him to soften hard places so you can obey Him from the heart. If you feel spiritually weary, wrestling with doubt, or struggling to reconcile God’s goodness with what He’s asking of you, this episode will encourage you to bring your honest questions to Him and learn to follow with a different spirit. Episode Highlights * How Numbers fits into Israel’s story: rescued from slavery, learning how to live as God’s set‑apart people in the wilderness. * Caleb and the 12 spies: why 10 were overwhelmed by giants and fortified cities, but Caleb and Joshua trusted God’s promise and said, “We can take the land.” * What it means to be God’s servant instead of expecting Him to serve us—and why that posture actually leads to freedom and joy. * Letting Scripture expose where we’re fearful, comfortable, or clinging to control, and how to ask God to soften a hard heart. * Simple, everyday practices (like pausing before reacting and talking honestly with God) that help us grow a “different spirit” over time. Great Quotes * “My servant Caleb has a different spirit—and that’s what I want. I want my life to be a sweet aroma that goes up to Him, to bring Him pleasure.” * “Naturally, I’m just a scared little bunny rabbit. A different spirit really does come from the Lord.” * “I am God’s servant. He’s not my servant. I don’t get to boss Him around and tell Him what to do, even though you know I do—and He knows I have.” * “When my heart is hard, I go into another room, close the door, and say, ‘Father, will You soften my heart?’ Then I go fold the laundry and let the Spirit do His work.” * “It’s okay to say, ‘This really hurts and I don’t like it. Because of this, I have a hard time loving You wholeheartedly. Will You help me?’ He’s the One who removes a heart of stone and gives us a soft heart.” Resources Mentioned * Numbers 13–14 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2013-14&version=CSB] – The spies explore Canaan, 10 spread fear, and Caleb is commended for having a different spirit and following God fully. * Exodus 12 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%2012&version=CSB] – The Passover and the command to remember God’s rescue through the blood of the lamb. * Ezekiel 36:26 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2036%3A26&version=CSB] – God’s promise to remove a heart of stone and give a heart of flesh. * Lynn’s book: The Recipe [https://amzn.to/4uX1FJ3] – A gentle, practical method for women who feel too weary to open their Bibles, helping them find “spiritual food” in Scripture again. (Amazon Affiliate Link, I receive money for qualifying purchases) * Thrive Leadership Foundation – Ministry Lynn and her husband, Scott, founded to encourage pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders (thrivelead.org [https://thrivelead.org/]). * Lynn on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/lynn.jackson.56] Related Episodes  * God’s Covenant: A Thousand Generations [https://angelamackey.com/seeing-gods-faithfulness-how-to-trace-his-covenant-love-in-our-lives/] – Trusting God’s long‑faithful promises and obeying Him even when you can’t see the full story yet. * Permissible and Beneficial: How God Is Calling Us to Live in Freedom [https://angelamackey.com/permissible-and-beneficial-how-god-is-calling-us-to-live-in-freedom/] – Learning to live fully surrendered to God’s boundaries and calling, not just what feels safe or comfortable. * Gentleness and Respect: A Guide for Conversations [https://angelamackey.com/gentleness-and-respect-a-guide-for-conversations/]– Cultivating a “different spirit” in how we speak and respond to others, out of reverence for Christ Newsletter Invitation If this conversation stirred a desire to follow God with a “different spirit” in your own hard places, I’d love to keep walking with you. Subscribe to the Life as Worship newsletter for weekly biblical encouragement, honest reflections, and a free devotional to help you worship God with your whole life, in every season: https://eepurl.com/h3Nafz [https://eepurl.com/h3Nafz].

Led by Cords of Love: Trusting God's Guidance in Hard Seasons

Do you ever feel like you’re straining against God’s guidance, wondering why life is so hard if He really loves you? In this episode, we look at Hosea 11:4’s “cords of love” and discover how God gently leads, protects, and nourishes us—even in barren seasons like infertility, grief, and loss. Description In this Life as Worship episode, Angela talks with author, teacher, and former nurse practitioner Heather LaVigne about what it means to be led by God’s “cords of human kindness” and “ropes of love” in Hosea 11:4. Heather explains the context of Hosea—God’s people acting like an unfaithful spouse—and why this tender image of God bending down to feed His rebellious people is so stunning. Using pictures like a toddler on a leading cord and a child in a safety harness, they explore how God gives real freedom while still protecting and redirecting us toward what truly leads to life. Heather then shares from her own long journey with infertility and loss, where she often felt the tension between her plans and God’s timing, and how His “cords of love” held her even when she wrestled and doubted. If you’re in a barren or painful season and wondering whether God is really kind, this conversation will help you see His gentle, persistent care and invite you to rest in His leading. Episode Highlights * The story and context of Hosea: God uses Hosea’s marriage to picture Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness—and His faithful, pursuing love. * What “cords of human kindness” and “ropes of love” meant in the ancient world, and how the “leading cord” image of a toddler helps us see God’s gentle guidance. * How the yoke imagery points to both work and rest, and why Jesus’ “my yoke is easy” is such good news for weary hearts. * Heather’s story of infertility and loss, the tension of pulling against God’s cords, and learning to trust His love when life felt unfair. * Practical ways to cry out honestly to God, name your doubts, and keep coming to Him instead of misreading His character in seasons of silence or suffering. Great Quotes * “We think we’re running on our own, but God is behind us holding the cord, keeping us from falling on our faces.” * “Those cords don’t feel like love when life hurts—but over time, you see they were never there to harm you, only to keep you from destruction.” * “This isn’t a prosperity gospel. Jesus Himself had the hardest life; our hope isn’t in ease, but in His stunning grace.” * “Hard seasons are not proof that God has abandoned you; they’re often the places where He bends down, lifts you to His cheek, and feeds you exactly what you can handle.” Resources Mentioned * Hosea 11:4 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea%2011%3A4&version=CSB] – God leads His people with cords of human kindness, ties of love, lifting the yoke and bending down to feed them. * Matthew 11:28–30 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011%3A28%E2%80%9330&version=CSB] – Jesus’ invitation to take His easy yoke and find rest. * James 1:2–4 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201%3A2-4&version=CSB] – Trials as tools God uses to mature and refine us. * Psalm 23 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023&version=CSB] – The Lord as our shepherd who provides, guides, and gives rest. * Circle of Hope [https://www.twelve12ministries.org/circleofhope] – Online support community for women walking through infertility, pregnancy, and child loss. * Heather’s site & socials: * heatherlavigneauthor.com [https://heatherlavigneauthor.com/] * Instagram @heatherlavigneauthor [https://www.instagram.com/heatherlavigneauthor/] * Facebook: Heather LaVigne [https://www.facebook.com/heather.lavigne.5] Related Episodes * Ep. 21 – Held in His Hand [https://angelamackey.com/trading-fear-for-being-upheld-in-gods-hands/] (Kelly Hall) – Trusting God’s care in a painful season. * Ep. 8 – We Do Not Lose Heart [https://angelamackey.com/how-to-never-give-up-even-if-you-feel-broken/] (Laura Acuna) – Persevering when life feels heavy. * Ep. 27 – When Your World Ends: Beginning Again with God [https://angelamackey.com/gods-creative-process-for-rebuilding/](Dawn Mann Sanders) – Walking with God through grief and disruption. * Ep. 39 – Strength for Those Who Hope [https://angelamackey.com/strength-for-those-who-hope/] (Rebekah Storey) – Hope when you are waiting on God. * Ep. 50 – Prayer: An Invitation to Release Worry [https://angelamackey.com/prayer-an-invitation-to-release-worry/] (Rachel Wojo) – Releasing fear and control to God. Newsletter Invitation If you’re walking through a hard or confusing season and long to see how your life can still be worship, I’d love to keep encouraging you. Subscribe to the Life as Worship newsletter for weekly biblical encouragement, honest reflections, and a free devotional to help you worship God with your whole life, in every season: https://eepurl.com/h3Nafz [https://eepurl.com/h3Nafz].

From Trauma to Testimony: When God UsesYour Story with Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch

What if the parts of your story you most want to hide are the very places God wants to heal and use for His glory? In this conversation, you’ll hear how God met childhood cult survivor Mischelle Saunders‑Gottsch in her deepest pain and turned her trauma into a testimony that brings hope to others. Description In this Life as Worship episode, Angela talks with Mischelle Saunders‑Gottsch, founder and CEO of Altered Stories Ministry and host of The Altered Stories Show, about how God turns trauma into testimony. Mischelle shares her journey as a childhood cult survivor and how Jesus met her in deep emotional and spiritual pain, bringing healing as she began to tell her story. Together they explore why personal stories can soften hard hearts, how to notice where God has been at work in your own life, and practical ways to begin sharing what He has done—even when you still feel a bit fragile. Episode Highlights * How God used sharing her story to bring healing and launch Altered Stories Ministry. * Why testimonies often reach people more effectively than arguments. * Simple steps to notice and tell your own God stories as an act of worship. Great Quotes * “You cannot really argue with a person’s story.” * “Sometimes the heaviest chain is believing we have to do everything ourselves instead of leaning on the Lord.” * “This isn’t something special that Angela did or something special that Mischelle did. This is something special that God did.” Resources Mentioned * Luke 8:26–39 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%208%3A26%E2%80%9339&version=CSB]  * Psalm 23  [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023&version=CSB] * Altered Stories Ministry and The Altered Stories Show – helping women share their transformational God stories (alteredstories.org [https://alteredstories.org/]). * The Story Within You: The Healing Power of Your Story – 30‑day devotional by Mischelle Saunders‑Gottsch. Amazon Affiliate Link [https://amzn.to/4dHjwMG] Related Episodes * Absolutely NOTHING Can Keep You from God’s Love [https://angelamackey.com/absolutely-nothing-can-keep-you-from-gods-love/] – ep 54 Christina Custodio * Healing in His Wings: Spiritual Healing When God Seems Silent [https://angelamackey.com/healing-in-his-wings-spiritual-healing-when-god-seems-silent/]– ep 63 Virginia Grounds * Rooted in God’s Love: How Ephesians 3:17–19 Shapes Your Everyday Worship [https://angelamackey.com/rooted-in-gods-love-how-ephesians-317-19-shapes-your-everyday-worship/] – ep 65 Cynthia L Simmons Newsletter Invitation If this conversation helped you see your own story a little differently, I’d love to keep encouraging you. Subscribe to the Life as Worship newsletter for weekly biblical encouragement, honest reflections, and a free devotional to help you worship God with your whole life, in every season: https://eepurl.com/h3Nafz [https://eepurl.com/h3Nafz.].

Treasuring God Above All: Learning to Desire Him First

Do you want to love God most, but find your heart pulled in a hundred directions—kids, ministry, health, even good dreams for the future? In this episode, Angela and guest Sue Donaldson walk through Psalm 73:25–26 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2073%3A25%E2%80%9326&version=CSB] and talk honestly about what it looks like to treasure God above everything else in real life, from singleness and marriage to parenting adult children and living a legacy life. Description In this story-rich conversation, Angela Mackey talks with speaker and author Sue Donaldson about Psalm 73:25–26: “Whom have I in heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.” Sue shares how these verses first convicted her in college—she knew they weren’t fully true of her yet, but she wanted them to be—and how God has used them to shape her through marriage, raising three daughters, and facing weakness and comparison. Together, Angela and Sue unpack Psalm 73’s movement from complaint to clarity in God’s presence and talk about learning the “sanctified no,” fighting social-media comparison, and living a legacy life that builds into people and God’s Word so that, increasingly, God Himself becomes our greatest treasure. Episode Highlights * Sue shares how Psalm 73:25–26 first convicted her in college and became an ongoing prayer: “These verses aren’t true of me yet—but I want them to be.” * Angela and Sue explore Psalm 73’s movement from complaint and comparison to clarity in God’s presence, where God Himself becomes the psalmist’s treasure and portion. * They talk about how treasuring God reshapes priorities in everyday life—learning the “sanctified no,” resisting comparison, and trusting God as the strength of our hearts when our flesh and emotions feel weak. Great Quotes * “These verses were not true of me yet—but I wanted them to be true.” * “We get worn out when we’re striving for things that don’t matter.” * “If it’s building into people or the Word, it lasts forever.” * “God just wants us to want Him.” * “Whom have I in heaven but Thee… He’s the only one I’ve got that I can talk to and depend on.” Resources Mentioned - Amazon Affiliate Links below * Psalm 73:25–26 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2073%3A25%E2%80%9326&version=CSB] * Colossians 3:1–4  [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203%3A1%E2%80%934%C2%A0&version=CSB] * Luke 10:38–42 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2010%3A38%E2%80%9342&version=CSB]  * Sue’s podcast: Welcome Heart: Living a Legacy Life  [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/welcome-heart-living-a-legacy-life/id1483405770] * Sue’s website: welcomeheart.com [https://welcomeheart.com/]  * Sue’s book: Never Alone: Stories of Invitation and Connection [https://amzn.to/4tIyLej] * Free resources Sue offers: * 30 conversation starters for meaningful [https://welcomeheart.myflodesk.com/v6wwjwq7hp], Christ-pointing connection at the table. * Simple recipes [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60db7ed16b275532b755c224] to make hospitality easier so hosts can focus on guests. Related Episodes * Steadfast Love of the Lord - ep 6 [https://angelamackey.com/steadfast-love-of-the-lord/] Kim Cusimano  * Grace Abounds All the More - ep 15 [https://angelamackey.com/finding-peace-because-grace-abounds/] Julie Sanders * Rooted and Built Up - ep 14 [https://angelamackey.com/continually-growing-deeper-in-relationship-with-jesus/] Lisa Meiners Newsletter Invitation If this conversation with Sue stirred in you a deeper desire to treasure God above everything else, I’d love to keep walking with you beyond the podcast. When you subscribe to my Life as Worship newsletter at http://eepurl.com/h3Nafz [http://eepurl.com/h3Nafz], you’ll receive ongoing biblical encouragement plus a free Philippians 4:8 devotional to help you rethink your thinking in light of God’s Word and learn to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.