Ordinary People Extraordinary Things

Ever noticed how society often equates an easy life with success, while faith teaches us to embrace life's challenges? We shine a light on the paradox of the American dream's promise of comfort versus the gospel's call to embrace our crosses. Reflect with us on Luke 9:23 and John 16:33, as we discuss the transformative power of facing adversity head-on. This episode is a heartfelt p...

Do we gossip more than we share the gospel? Join me on a reflective journey as we confront the stark reality of our words. Are we known for uplifting others, or do our conversations often tear down those around us? This episode encourages deep self-examination, challenging us to consider whether our words align with the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfuln...

What if we could identify and dismantle the modern-day "high places" that hold us back from living balanced, meaningful lives? This episode takes a unique turn as we pause our usual guest interviews to reflect on a recurring theme from 2 Kings in the Old Testament. Nancy draws parallels between the ancient Israelites' struggle with idol worship and today's tendencies to either...

“When the world gives you no hope whatsoever in a situation you have 2 options: you can completely turn away from God. Or you can say, The world gives me no hope, so I’m going to hang on to the one thing that will.”  ~Amber Hayes Navigating parenthood is often compared to embarking on an epic journey, filled with unexpected twists and turns. In our latest podcast episode, we delve into a family&ap...

Have you ever wondered how personal narratives shape our connections and build resilient communities? In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Gabriela, a scrappy and empathetic attorney whose journey of faith and determination will leave you inspired. Gabriela opens up about the pivotal role of community and storytelling in her life, sharing how her faith has been a beacon of hope during c...

Have you ever stood at the crossroads of fear and faith, feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders? Our brave guest, Lincoln, guides us through these very intersections as he shares his stirring tale of early fatherhood, profound loss, and the rediscovery of grace. His voice, laced with raw emotion, paints a vivid picture of the turning point in his life that reignited his faith, which had...

Have you ever sat down for a lunch that altered the trajectory of your life? Our guest Ann would answer with a resounding "yes," as she shares the unfolding of her remarkable journey from a simple meal to dedicating herself to the service of Haiti's most vulnerable. Ann's narrative is a stirring testament to the power of turning ordinary encounters into paths of profound change...

This episode is a call to action—a reminder to look beyond ourselves and our immediate circles, to extend kindness to strangers, and to recognize the humanity in everyone we meet. It is a prompt to practice compassion and to understand that, in doing so, we not only transform the lives of others but also ourselves. In our fast-paced world, where time often feels like a scarce commodity, the episod...

In a profoundly moving episode of the podcast "Ordinary People Extraordinary Things," we meet Laura Husband, whose life was irreversibly changed by the Columbia space shuttle disaster. Laura's narrative provides a candid and intimate examination of grief and the resilience that often goes unseen but is incredibly powerful. Her reflections on navigating this journey reveal a strong,...

Nancy's story starts with her parents' tumultuous past, carrying a weight of generational pain, which she has learned to transmute into a source of strength and empathy. Her early years were marred by loss and the struggle to fit in, which led her down a path fraught with poor choices and pain. However, it was through this darkness that Nancy's determination, once seen as stubbornne...

Dawna Hetzler brings her unique blend of real estate savvy and ministry zeal to our latest heart-to-heart, delving into her inspiring tale and the wisdom nestled in the pages of her book "Free to Receive." Each chapter of our conversation unravels the complexities of human connection, with Dawna’s personal anecdotes offering a beacon of light for navigating marriage and the importance of...

-Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads between the familiar faith of your upbringing and the uncharted waters of your personal beliefs? As a pastor's daughter, Cartier grew up in church. Her story is a testament to the courage it takes to step back, question, and seek a faith that is not just inherited but earnestly owned. ❓“My parents gave me the space to ask questions - no matter wh...

When life throws an insurmountable challenge in your path, how do you respond?  Kelly, our extraordinary guest, is a beacon of resilience, sharing her journey through cystic fibrosis and motherhood all while under the ticking clock of a terminal diagnosis. Her account, filled with hope and faith, will not just move you; it will offer a glimpse into the incredible milestones she's achieved – i...

Navigating the complexities of faith and identity can be a solitary journey, but Lauren's story is a testament to the transformative power of community and personal conviction. As our guest on Ordinary People Extraordinary Things, she opens up about her path from a non-religious upbringing to a profound embrace of Christianity, highlighting the moments of tranquility and truth that marked her...

I have been wanting to do this topic for years & here it is!  We tackle some hard, good questions in this episode… ❓Why are people afraid of death? ❓What lessons have you learned from being a hospice chaplain? ❓Why does God allow suffering? Joe is an eloquent speaker & has so much knowledge to share - here’s just a few things you’ll hear: 🗣️“Part of what we do in hospice is try to norma...

Jocelyn is in high school & plays Women’s semi-pro Tackle Football for Mile High Blaze We talk playing semi-pro football: 🏈“I try to use sports to lead other people to faith.” 🏈“I don’t know where you are in your faith. All I know is it’s my job to help you know you have a greater purpose than whatever sport you are in or whatever academic you’re in.” 🏈“Even though football is what I’m most...

Honestly when I was introduced to Dawn & what she would share on the podcast I thought, YUCK - I don’t want to talk about this! This doesn’t apply to me. Can’t we talk about anything else that’s not so hard & dark?  But, I learned from Dawn “Fentanyl is an epidemic that is impacting every area of our community. It is a human problem.  Fentanyl is in 7 out of 10 street pills.”    The world...

▶️ "Instead of a handout, it’s an empowerment model." ▶️ "We can’t change hearts - knowing what God has called us to and trusting Him in that.  We go back over to the scripture that talks about: 'we can plant the seeds, we can water the seeds, but it is only God who gives the growth.'  We keep trusting God - if He’s stirring this in our hearts, He’s also stirring in the pe...

➡️ Jeseray is a fantastic storyteller - you will go through the emotions with her as she takes you on the 40+ year journey to find her brother. ➡️ “My mom was very open that she was not able to give him the life she wanted, so he was put up for adoption. I tried looking for him - I couldn’t find him. I would try, wouldn’t get anywhere, and would give up. Maybe he’s not even alive. Maybe he doesn’t...

Sammie passed away July 2020, the day after her 15th birthday, after a car accident BUT out of Tragedy came Sammie’s Sunshine: Offering a Raye of Hope https://www.sammiessunshine.org   Here’s just a few things you’ll hear from Christy…  💬 “I prayed to God: I wanted His will to be done, which is super hard knowing His will might not be your will.”  💬 “Time doesn’t make it better. Better is not th...

Merry Christmas! 🎄 Thank you for joining me on this special day. 🎶 Enjoy a brand-new Christmas song from Emily Hope "WHAT CHILD IS THIS - O COME O COME EMMANUEL" "I decided to cover these classic Christmas songs in a mashup as a way to enhance the focus on Jesus Christ who is the true reason for the season." ~Emily Hope Credits: Vocals/Lyrical Arrangement: Emily Hope  Piano -...

Jennifer candidly shares about  losing her husband, Ryan, in the line of duty at the age of 36 remarriage & blended family friendship with husband’s ex-wife   ❤️ “God’s word is perfect. Then the world steps in and says we’re entitled.” ❤️ “My stepdaughters didn’t have to like me. They didn’t have to love me, because they didn’t choose me.” ❤️ “I didn’t let her fear of loving me stop me from lo...

It’s been a year and a half since Noble was on the podcast & a lot has happened - listen to get an update on how Noble is doing!  Our #1 listened to episode…here it is…Noble was 16 when he sustained a spinal cord injury that instantly changed his life from an ordinary, cross country running, teenager to a quadriplegic. 🏃 🏃‍♂️ “This isn’t just about me - it’s about everyone. If I give up who’...

No matter where you are & what you’re going through - Becky’s story will impact you & you will walk away with new insights to implement in your life today. ✍️Forgiveness: “I had to forgive him. It wasn’t going to bring my mom back. It wasn’t going to restore everything that was lost. Definitely wasn’t going to restore our relationship - it was going to make it worse. There was nothing good...

Don’t miss this time to be still & meditate on God’s Word.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Years can bring on a wide-range of emotions. This podcast gives me a much needed break. 🧘‍♀️ Time to remember what is most important in my life & keeping my eyes on Jesus during this holiday season. *For more show information checkout episode #36 You can find “Ordinary People Extraordinary Thing...