Little Things With Amber Albee Swenson

We are taking a look at Titus chapter 2 and the apostle Paul's guidance for how men and women should act. Why should we care? Because the way we act and treat each other shows the world a whole lot about Christ. Amber wants to hear from you! If you have feedback or ideas, drop her a line at amber@timeofgrace.org If you have questions and want to know more about God, like what does he think of you,...

Have you ever considered the role that greed plays in your life? If you don't think this is a problem for you, you might want to give this a listen and make sure! Amber wants to hear from you! If you have feedback or ideas, drop her a line at amber@timeofgrace.org If you have questions and want to know more about God, like what does he think of you, what exactly was Jesus all about, how do you get...

As women, we have tremendous impact on our households. An encouraging, joy-filled attitude will be a blessing to those around us, but a critical, ungrateful spirit will tear our houses down. A simple change of perspective can change everything. (This episode originally ran in May 2023). Amber wants to hear from you! If you have feedback or ideas, drop her a line at amber@timeofgrace.org If you hav...

Do you find it difficult to share your faith? Amber sits down with Pastor Jonathan Hein for a timely and honest conversation about why sharing our faith feels harder than ever—and why it still matters more than you realize. They unpack the growing skepticism around church, the impact of spiritual hurt, and what it actually looks like to bring Jesus into everyday relationships. Through personal sto...

What does it mean to give generously to the church? In this insightful conversation with Amber and her guest, Josh Birkholz, you are invited to explore generosity and giving from a fresh, meaningful perspective grounded in faith and community. Josh, a fundraising consultant, reveals how giving is not merely an obligation but a source of genuine joy that connects people to something greater than th...

How do we define worship? Amber and her guest Brian Davison, lead singer of the band Koiné, explore that question. They discuss how Koiné puts modern spins on traditional hymns and what worship really means—both personally and in a church setting—stressing that worship doesn’t have to follow a strict format. The conversation also covers how different styles of worship can connect with different pe...

Youth ministry takes center stage as Amber sits down with Pastor James Buske, executive director of Lighthouse Youth Centers. They talk about the powerful ways faith and practical support intersect to help young people. Pastor Buske shares how his personal experiences and God’s guidance shaped a ministry that addresses complex challenges faced by young people in urban neighborhoods. The conversati...

We all have fears. But we don't have to let our fears control us. Amber sits down with Dr. Ashley Schoof of Christian Family Solutions to have a grounded conversation about fear as a natural part of being human, explained through both psychological insight and a faith perspective. Dr. Schoof shares clear, practical ways to respond to fear that emphasize connection and validation rather than dismis...

Trigger warning: Amber hosts a vital conversation about domestic abuse with Dr. Brandon Hayes of Christian Family Solutions and Lori Kinsley of Kingdom Workers. The conversation thoughtfully explores the complex realities of domestic abuse within faith communities, offering insight into recognizing signs and supporting those affected. With expertise and compassion, Dr. Hayes and Lori provide pract...

Amber is joined by Pastor Mike Novotny as they unpack a few of the subtle but powerful lies many Christians live by. From personal habits to cultural clichés, they explore "Sneaky Lies Christians Believe"—how small compromises can erode faith and relationships quietly. With a mix of humor and honesty, Amber and Pastor Mike challenge listeners to rethink what they've accepted as normal. It's an inv...

Unpack the tangled realities of toxic relationships with this raw, thoughtful conversation between Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson. They challenge the casual use of “toxic,” sharing real stories of emotional sabotage, relentless criticism, and the silent damage that wears on your spirit and mental health. Pastor Mike and Amber go beyond buzzwords to explore how to recognize when a relationship...

True value isn't about feelings or what others say about us but about the unique gifts God has given each of us. Amber and Pastor Mike share their personal struggles with self-esteem and confidence. They give practical advice on finding confidence through honest friendships and trusting in God's love, offering hope to anyone feeling uncertain about themselves.  We are pressing pause on "Little Thi...

When you stood at the altar and took your vows, neither one of you envisioned now being in what Pastor Mike calls a "C- marriage." So . . . how do couples end up there? And if you are there, how do you get out of this rut? Pastor Mike and Amber aren't afraid to dig into the issues that can cause marriages to get stuck. We are pressing pause on "Little Things" this month to give our staff a much-ne...

We are pressing pause on "Little Things" this month to give our staff a much-needed rest. In the meantime, we're introducing you to "Taboo Talk," a monthly podcast conversation from Amber and Pastor Mike from his podcast "Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny." They talk about topics many Christians don't want to talk about. We hope you enjoy these conversations.  Pastor Mike and Amber tackle t...

Today you'll get a chance to meet Christine Doebler. She and her husband, Pastor Matt Doebler, are missionaries in Australia. She'll talk about the journey that took their family from Texas to Hong Kong to Thailand—and now to Australia. We'll talk about clinging to what matters and walking alongside people whatever season they are in. Amber talked about the series she did on marriage. You can view...

Today you'll hear an interview with Marilyn Sievert, a Bible studier, prayer warrior, and mentor to many. If you're looking to fall more in love with the Word or to pray more boldly, look no further. Amber wants to hear from you! If you have feedback or ideas, drop her a line at amber@timeofgrace.org If you have questions and want to know more about God, like what does he think of you, what exactl...

Pastor Jeremy Mattek joins Amber to share his insights on leadership and faith. With over 20 years of pastoral experience, Pastor Jeremy dives into navigating the complexities of family and church leadership. Discover how to foster a supportive environment, build up those around you, and ensure the dynamics of respect and encouragement thrive in your relationships. Whether you’re a leader seeking...

Liz Schroeder shares the struggle that brought about a dramatic life change in 2021. Amber and Liz talk shame, accountability, and moving out of the brokenness in order to rescue others. Amber wants to hear from you! If you have feedback or ideas, drop her a line at amber@timeofgrace.org If you have questions and want to know more about God, like what does he think of you, what exactly was Jesus a...

Bridget Weber talks about her trip to the red-light district in India where she serves women who are caught in human trafficking as sex slaves. To find out more about how you can help with Bridget's work, email her at bweber@bethlehem-wels.org. Amber wants to hear from you! If you have feedback or ideas, drop her a line at amber@timeofgrace.org If you have questions and want to know more about God...

The final part of this four-part series will remind us that a good wife is a good neighbor. But what does that mean, and what does that look like in practical terms? Amber wants to hear from you! If you have feedback or ideas, drop her a line at amber@timeofgrace.org If you have questions and want to know more about God, like what does he think of you, what exactly was Jesus all about, how do you...

In the third part of this four-part series on Proverbs 31, we'll look at the qualities of a good mom. Don't worry; there's no mom guilt here, only suggestions and opportunities for how to parent with eternal significance. Amber wants to hear from you! If you have feedback or ideas, drop her a line at amber@timeofgrace.org If you have questions and want to know more about God, like what does he thi...

What does a Christian man look for in a wife? In the second part of this four-part series on Proverbs 31, we'll examine the verses that pertain to marriage to see! Not surprisingly, it has far less to do with having your nails done and being the right size and more to do with how you treat him and how you look out for him each day. Amber wants to hear from you! If you have feedback or ideas, drop...

This is the first of a four-part series on the Proverbs 31 woman. Don't run away. She's not an elusive woman, too perfect for any of us to aspire to be. She's a woman just like you and me, doing a lot of the things we already do. Amber wants to hear from you! If you have feedback or ideas, drop her a line at amber@timeofgrace.org If you have questions and want to know more about God, like what doe...

Any chance you are sabotaging your own happiness? Are you trying to control things you weren't meant to control? Are you praying for the people who are making decisions that affect you rather than letting their decisions create chaos in your life? Get your copy of "The Key to Confidence" at timeofgrace.org! A special announcement for all you "Little Things" listeners! We will release the audiobook...

Knowing your identity in Christ changes everything. You don't have to wonder if you will ever be good enough to earn God's favor. If you're his child, he loves you, gave his Son for you, and gives you access to anything you could possibly need. Get your copy of "The Key to Confidence" at timeofgrace.org! A special announcement for all you "Little Things" listeners! We will release the audiobook ve...