Live Like It's True {Bible Podcast}

Here's part six of a fictional story I wrote called The Two Doors and the Merciful Judge. It's an allegory that serves as a companion to Kinda Judgy : Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible —my new book releasing with Moody Publishers!! (Order your copy here .) Through the imaginative setting of the Grand Courtroom of the World, revisit the same six Bible stories...

Here's part five of a fictional story I wrote called The Two Doors and the Merciful Judge. It's an allegory that serves as a companion to Kinda Judgy : Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible —my new book releasing with Moody Publishers!! (Order your copy here .) Through the imaginative setting of the Grand Courtroom of the World, revisit the same six Bible storie...

Here's part four of a fictional story I wrote called The Two Doors and the Merciful Judge. It's an allegory that serves as a companion to Kinda Judgy : Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible —my new book releasing with Moody Publishers!! (Order your copy here .) Through the imaginative setting of the Grand Courtroom of the World, revisit the same six Bible storie...

Here's part three of a fictional story I wrote called The Two Doors and the Merciful Judge. It's an allegory that serves as a companion to Kinda Judgy : Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible —my new book releasing with Moody Publishers!! (Order your copy here .) Through the imaginative setting of the Grand Courtroom of the World, revisit the same six Bible stori...

Here's part two of a fictional story I wrote called The Two Doors and the Merciful Judge. It's an allegory that serves as a companion to Kinda Judgy : Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible —my new book releasing with Moody Publishers!! (Order your copy here .) Order Kinda Judgy Watch the Replay of our Girls' Night Celebration! The Two Doors & the Mercif...

What if the people most certain they see Jesus are the ones missing Him entirely? In this episode of the Live Like It's True podcast, Glenna Marshall and I dive into John 9, exploring the healing of the man born blind and the danger of rule-driven faith. Together, we unpack spiritual blindness, church power dynamics, and the freedom found in humility and grace. Purchase "Kinda Judgy&quot...

Tomorrow is launch day for Kinda Judgy: Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible —my new book releasing with Moody Publishers. I'm celebrating by sharing something special with you! Over the next six episodes, I'll be sharing The Two Doors and the Merciful Judge , an allegory I wrote as a companion to Kinda Judgy . Through the imaginative setting of the Grand Court...

Judgy people distance themselves and look down on others. But the surprise in the Bible is what actually makes someone righteous. In this episode of Live Like It's True, Felicity Carswell and I talk about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector from Luke 18 and share some of our own stories of being confronted with self-reliance. The truth is, none of us are righteous. We all need mercy. And when...

Going "no contact" is a trend today—the idea that adult kids must cut ties with their parents for the sake of healing and self-care. But how does that line up with Jesus’ command to "not judge" and "be merciful" (Luke 6:36)? In this episode, relationship experts Bill and Pam Farrel share biblical wisdom and real-life insight on how to honestly evaluate your parents wi...

You’ve heard of boundaries and canceling relationships because “I have to do what’s best for me.” But are these boundaries—or walls? Bill and Pam Farrel show us a new, cancel-free way to do boundaries as they tell the story of pursuing relationship with Pam’s alcoholic father and Bill’s very controlling mom. In a world of people going "no contact" and burning bridges between generations,...

At one point, Bill was so angry with his mom that he decided to go, "no contact." But here's the story of what stopped him and what happened when he and Pam chose to love (not cancel) parents who would have been considered "toxic" by many.  Listen as Bill and Pam share a beautiful multi-generational story of redemption, love, and hope.    Links to all three parts of this E...

Have you been secretly judging some other mom, your sister, a neighbor or friend? Are you stuck in a constant rule-keeping mindset? Are you a judgy Pharisee-type who'd like to break free?   My friend and pastor's wife Libby VanSolkema describes herself as a "Recovering Pharisee" and I can relate. In our conversation about Luke 6, we're exploring Jesus’ surprising response...

Ever been judged by church people? Jesus has, too. Today, my friend and pastor’s wife, Libby VanSolkema, is back to talk about how Jesus responded when legalism crept into the synagogue—the first-century version of church life. We’ll explore what judgment does to us—and how compassion restores us to the heart of God. Join us on Live Like It’s True. We titled part one of the conversation: The Truth...

Is your relationship with your mother-in-law or daughter-in-law difficult? Is she doing it all wrong? Are you fiercely tempted to judge? In this episode, Stacey Reaoch joins me for a heartfelt conversation about how expectations and backgrounds can threaten the tender relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.  Get some biblical wisdom on mending difficult relationships and cultivatin...

Do you assume that your mother-in-law / daughter-in-law relationship is doomed to fail?  Are you avoiding her and pulling away? In this conversation, Stacey Reaoch joins me to explore the complex relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.  Sharing thoughts from her book, Making Room for Her, Stacey and I talk about some breakthrough practices from the Bible to create connection and cu...

Why did Jonah run from God’s call—and what does that reveal about our own hearts? In this episode of Live Like It’s True , Erika Van Haitsma joins me to unpack the irony and intensity of Jonah’s story, exposing his deep resentment toward the Ninevites and resistance to God’s mercy. Together, we explore how this familiar narrative challenges us to confront our own grudges and ask whether we truly w...

Are there certain people who disgust you? Are there those you have a hard time showing compassion to? What if God lavishes those loathsome people with His mercy? That's what happened to Jonah. Listen in on part two of my conversation with Erika VanHaitsma and learn from a prophet who was disgusted by God's mercy and blind to his own need for grace. Bible Passage: Jonah's Prayer &amp...

She just wanted it to go away. She didn't want to be judged as one of "those" kind of girls. Yet in the parking lot of the abortion clinic, Tammy thought, "What have I done?" The new judgment and condemnation she felt didn't go away.   In this episode, Tammy De Armas shares her personal journey through unplanned pregnancy, abortion, and the lasting impact on her life....

She thought the pain would end with her choice, but instead it lingered. And while she tried to push it aside, there came a time where she could do so no longer. In this episode, Tammy De Armas opens up about her journey through abortion, the shame that followed, and the slow road to healing. Listen in and discover how mercy transforms even our most broken stories. Purchase "Kinda Judgy"...

Beth's one foster daughter was more work than her other eight kids combined. She had tried everything... but she hadn't tried this. Hear about Beth's breakthrough that began with trading judgy criticism for curiosity and compassion. In this conversation, Beth Guckenberger reminds us that the gospel frees us to see people through God’s eyes, which shifts our hearts and our relationsh...

Do you feel "disqualified" from receiving God's mercy? Are you stuck in shame over your past, or particular sins? Or is there someone else you think of as disqualified?  Lisa Appelo joins me for a conversation about Rahab, the prostitute, and the surprise of God's mercy when she chose to side with Him. This story shows that none of us is too far gone for God to redeem. Bible Pa...

 What stories have you heard about God? Would you be shocked to know that He rescued one woman who was a prostitute from a city He was about to destroy? In this episode, Lisa Appelo and I explore Rahab’s bold faith, God’s stunning mercy, and the hope it offers to anyone with a broken past. Her story reminds us that no one is too far gone for God’s grace.  Bible Passage : Rahab Hides the Spies - Jo...

What if I find the flood kind of offensive? What if it makes me uncomfortable? If Jesus is kind and forgiving, how can God just end everybody?  Lindsay Schott joins me to explore the flood narrative, where God grieves over human wickedness but also offers mercy through rescue. Lindsay shares how God transformed her judgy heart and gave her more compassion, and we talked about how trust is admittin...

Kara Seymour was deeply entrenched in the New Age movement as a Kundalini yogi. She was also thoroughly convinced that Christians were judgmental, boring, and brainwashed. So she was as surprised as anyone when she met a group of Christian women who became her new best friends. I can't wait for you to hear her amazing story of transformation, the judgment she felt outside and inside the Churc...

What happens when a woman deeply entrenched in New Age invites her new community of Christian friends over to her house filled with Hindu statues and oracle cards? In part 2 of my conversation with Kara Seymour, she shares about how her new relationship with Jesus changed everything—but not immediately. Kara talks about the beautiful community and sisterhood she's experienced, but also some r...