Beauty in the Brokenness- Christian Women (Bible Study, Faith, Sexuality, Freedom from Shame)

Have you ever seen that popular sign "She Believed She Could, So She Did"?  Does that message resonate with you, or do you ever wonder if it is really true?  Women are told that we can do and be whatever we want.  It is a message of female empowerment.  But what is female empowerment, and is it biblical?  Today I have a conversation with my friend and author Becky Beresford, who shares a...

I so deeply respect Kristi McLelland and the work she does. She has written a Bible Study that is dear to my heart, Jesus and Women: In the First Century and Now. So, it might not surprise you that I did a little happy dance when she agreed to be on today’s podcast. If you’ve ever struggled to understand the Bible or felt intimidated by it, Kristi extends a beautiful invitation to the way we appro...

Today, we kick off a new series. Come to the table is an invitation to you, the listener. I want you to know there is a place for you. God is looking at you and pursuing you with his arms wide open. His heart is for you! Over the next several weeks, we're going to talk with women about God's heart toward his brave, broken, beautiful daughters. I'm excited to welcome you in! Click he...

Sign up here for the Intentional Living Workshop Do you feel like you’re somehow behind already, and it’s still January? When January arrived, I thought,  “Wait! I‘m not ready for this!” Have you made and already broken your resolutions? Have you set out to crush your goals this year, or do you feel like your goals are crushing you?  Do you feel Like you haven’t recovered from the craziness of the...

In an effort to serve you well, I will be taking the month of January to reflect on this past year, assess the present, set intentions for the future, and determine purposeful practices to move forward in this ministry. I'll miss you and will be back in just a few weeks! Thanks for listening! If you like the podcast, you will love Teresa's weekly podcast update .  Sign up here. Order Gra...

How do you define love? I think love can be defined by presence.  That’s why my favorite name for Jesus, which we hear often during Advent but not very much at other times of the year, is "Immanuel” (God with us).  Christ coming to earth to dwell among us is the perfect embodiment of what love is. Today is our final Advent episode and the last episode of 2023. Resource mentioned: Countdown to...

Joy is our most vulnerable emotion. Most of us hold it at a distance for fear of the disappointment that might follow.  Join me as I speak with author, speaker, and therapist Nicole Zasowski who challenges us to find the courage to embrace joy. I won't be doing an advent reading today. Instead, I'm going to infuse this episode with so much JOY by sharing my conversation with Nicole.  Abo...

I think the promise of God's peace is meant to be ours even when life is busy and hectic. When the kids are sick and the car breaks down. And especially during those times when we need it most - when we walk through grief and loss, face a  scary diagnosis, or are working through relational heartbreak. That is when the peace of god is most needed.  Resources: Nativity Garland created by Casey...

Advent is about far more than chocolate-filled calendars. It is a season steeped in hope. Join me as I read a chapter from Rachel Fahrenbach's new devotional - Dwell: An Advent Celebration Guide and Liturgy.  Preview the book: https://dwelladventstudy.com Rachel's Devotional: Dwell: An Advent Study & Liturgy Dwell: Advent Celebration Guide & Liturgy (for use with groups) More abo...

We’re closing out the HELD series with a conversation with Jenny Zentz. We talk about the importance and the power of God’s Word to hold us in our darkest hours. This is something Jenny experienced firsthand. And she lives to tell others how to apply God’s Word to their everyday stuff. We get really practical about ways to incorporate the Bible into our very busy lives. Mentioned on the show:    ...

Beth Claes has a website titled Wrestled Faith. This has been her lived experience. Beth was a psychology professor for ten years and has shifted her profession to Biblical Counseling. We have a fascinating conversation about Beth’s journey, the importance of worldview, how to counsel others, what the Bible says about people’s real-life problems, and, of course, hope! As we spoke, I was struck by...

Show Notes: There are times in life when our course of action is clear. There are other times when fear is palpable, and we have no idea what to do. Maybe you're in a situation like that right now. I certainly have been in recent days. Today, we're going to look at a story about one of those times when we look around and we have no idea what to do. You can find the edited version of the...

What if your greatest heartbreak catapults you to your greatest growth? This is the question Jodi Snowdon asks in her book, Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength. Join me as I discuss with Jodi the myriad of ways God grows us during difficult days. Episode 44      About Jodi: Jodi Snowdon is an author, podcaster, and speaker who helps women grow deeper in their faith and stronger in their...

Have you ever felt like you’ve been discarded? Maybe someone who once loved you- a spouse, a child, a friend- has walked out of your life. In situations like this, it’s easy to ask, “Where is God?” The story of Hagar beautifully answers this question. She teaches us that when the whole world walks away… God comes looking for us!! Find this story in Scripture: Genesis 16 Genesis 21:1-21 Mentioned o...

Have you ever felt like you were merely surviving, not thriving? Meet Nikki Hardy, a cancer thriver who transformed her life and learned how to truly live despite her circumstances. Her story is one of faith, resilience, and hope and she shares it beautifully in her book Breathe Again. But this episode isn’t just for cancer patients or survivors, it’s for anyone going through a hard time be it in...

Enter the world of two daughters whose lives have been transformed by their encounters with Jesus. We've been talking about what it's like when God holds you together when life falls apart,  or when things aren't going the way you hoped or the way you planned. We've talked about how we are held in God's mighty arms. He carries us and hides us under the shadow of His wings....

Lisa Appelo woke up one summer morning to the sound of her husband's last breath. Instantly, she became a single mom of seven children. And though God wrote a chapter into Lisa's story she never would have chosen, she has found a way to fight for defiant joy.  Now, Lisa tenderly and passionately comes alongside others who are walking through loss —whether because of the death of a loved...

We live in a world driven by the desire to be seen and celebrated. We want to be extraordinary. Our world tries to convince us that our value lies in how we perform, what we look like, or how talented we are. But when we study scripture, it becomes evident that God delights in using ordinary people.  As we wrap up the book of Ruth, we see God using two ordinary women to build His kingdom in ways t...

Have you ever wondered, “Does God know or care about me? Does he even love me?” Today, we hear God answer that question with a resounding “Yes”! as we continue to unpack the story of Ruth and Naomi.  Listen in as God offers to take us under the shelter of His wings. Mentioned on the show: Episode 1: Everyone Has a Story to Tell Episode 2: God of Scandalous Grace - Tamar’s Story Want to win a copy...

We sometimes think of life as a fairy tale. We desperately want to experience our happily ever after. But the truth is: Life is war. And we are equipped because we are warriors. But more important than our ability to withstand the battles of life is the undeniable truth that we are held secure in the arms of our victorious Savior. Today, we continue the story of Ruth & Naomi and see them as wa...

Have you ever been angry with God? Have you ever wondered if He sees, knows, or even cares about your life? Have you questioned His love? If so, the story of Ruth & Naomi will resonate with you. This episode is the first in a series entitled Held. What does it mean to be held? Today, we look at a story in the Bible about the kindness of God that holds you together when everything in your life...

Today, we talk about important questions to ask yourself when you're deciding what comes next. I share my process with you and tell you a little bit about what is coming up in season 2 of Find Hope Here. Grab the free reflection questions. Did you share this podcast with a friend? Send your screenshot to me at teresa@teresawhiting.com for an entry to win a copy of Graced: How God Redeems and...

For the month of August, I am sharing some of my favorite Psalms. I hope these simple readings of God's Word breathe life into your weary soul. Music: Years by Keith Kenniff Thanks for listening! If you like the podcast, you will love Teresa's weekly podcast update .  Sign up here. Order Graced: How God Redeems and Restores the Broken Book Teresa to speak at an upcoming event! Music: Hom...

For the month of August, I am sharing some of my favorite Psalms. I hope these simple readings of God's Word breathe life into your weary soul. Music: Years by Keith Kenniff Thanks for listening! If you like the podcast, you will love Teresa's weekly podcast update .  Sign up here. Order Graced: How God Redeems and Restores the Broken Book Teresa to speak at an upcoming event! Music: Hom...

My friend Jenny  Zentz is a kindred spirit with a heart for helping women connect the Word of God to their everyday stuff. I was recently interviewed by Jenny on her podcast: The Intertwined Life. Today, we're sharing that episode with you. We talk about how God led me to write Graced: How God Redeems and Restores the Broken and discuss God's beautiful, redemptive work in the lives of wo...