Live Loved

If you've ever been hurt or betrayed by someone close, you know how painful that can be. But if we're not careful, we can easily react out of that pain, letting pride lead us into building our own plan of defense or maybe even seeking revenge. So how do we react to injustice and challenging circumstances? Today Julie and Amy discuss some Do's and Don'ts that they've learne...

Whether you realize it or not, your words matter! In fact, the Bible tells us that the power of life and death is in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).  So how can we choose words  that give life and build up those around us?  A great place to start is by  asking ourselves, what is the motive behind the words we speak? In today's episode, Julie and Amy discuss the power of our voice and the example...

What does it mean to submit? You may be surprised at the Biblical meaning, and maybe even more importantly, what it DOESN't mean. In today's episode, Julie and Amy continue their discussion on Codependency and how we as believers can grow in dealing with difficult relationships. You will learn you have a choice and a voice as we unpack the Biblical account of Abigail, a beautiful, intell...

When it comes to family dysfunction- you have a choice! You don't have to live in a cycle of codependency.  Instead, you can choose to love others while separating from the cycle of sin. In today's episode, Julie and Amy unpack the meaning of codependency, while looking to the Bible account of the story of Abigail, a woman married to a drunk "fool".  How did she handle her diff...

In today's episode Julie & Amy share their thoughts on the New Year and why this year, they are both feeling a departure from the old way of setting goals and seeking a word for the year. Instead, they are shedding the resolutions and surrendering the striving.   Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us to forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing.  To subscribe and f...

In this final episode of "The Great Gift Exchange" we discuss the most important Gift the wisemen brought to Jesus. Unlike the other gifts they brought, it didn't come in a jar, it could not be bought or sold in the market. It could not be stolen or forced. It could only be given. It was the gift of worship from the heart. Did you know that your worship is one of the most precious g...

With Christmas just days away, we invite you to prepare your hearts for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.  In Julie's new book, The Great Gift Exchange, she unpacks the meaning behind the gifts the wisemen brought to Jesus, including myrrh. In today's episode we take a deep dive into this curious spice that doesn't exactly seem like an appropriate baby gift. But what you'l...

What is frankincense?  You may use it in your home diffuser, but the incense has a far deeper value to the world than just an essential oil.  In today's episode, we discuss Julie's Christmas devotional "The Great Gift Exchange" and unpack the story behind the gifts that the wisemen gave to Jesus, including frankincense, which at one time was burned at the alter in the Temple of...

As you make your gift lists and set out to finish your Christmas shopping, we invite you slow down and turn with us to the story of the wisemen and the gifts they brought to baby Jesus. One of those gifts was gold, but why? What did it symbolize? Join us as we discuss Julie's Christmas devotional, "The Great Gift Exchange" as she unpacks the deeper meaning of the wisemen's gift...

As war continues in the Middle East, how should we as Christians respond? We know that we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem, but how should we be praying for innocent Arabs? In today's episode we dive into the story of Hagar, a woman who the Bible tells us, gave birth to Abraham's son Ishmael, who would later become father of the Arab nation. What do we need to know about Hagar and...

It may seem too good to be true, but God's grace is bigger than your mistakes! In fact, God's amazing grace is the free and unmerited favor of God- and here's the really amazing part- you can't earn it or deserve it. It is a gift. So what happens when we blow it with God and make a mess of our lives? Thankfully, God's faithfulness is not dependent on our performance. In th...

Is anything too hard for God? We know the answer, yet we still find it difficult to give total control over to God of the impossible. Why is that? In today's episode, Julie and Amy identify 8 common roots of compromise while also discussing the consequences of our efforts to take control. Many of the messes we cause come from an insufficient trust in God. How can we grow in trusting Him?  Wha...

No matter what is going on in your life, chances are you are waiting on God to move in your favor on something. The Bible refers to waiting on God well over a hundred times. Yet, waiting can be one of the hardest things for us to do in today's world of instant gratification. Unfortunately, when we get impatient, we move in to trying to take control and do things in our own strength and that c...

With so much happening in our world, it may sometimes look like the enemy is winning,  but make no mistake, God always gets the victory!  In today's episode, Julie and Amy discuss the book of Esther and how God delivered the Jewish people from an evil plot to bring about their destruction. He delivered them IN the war, not FROM the war. Time and time again in scripture, God shows up just when...

In today's culture, women have more of a voice and a choice than ever before, but we must know how to rise up in our identity, calling and purpose, without sliding into the ditch of pride. In today's episode, Julie and Amy look to the example of Esther, and how she exercised powerful influence by walking in dignity and respect. Respect is a beautiful thing, but unfortunately, it's b...

As the war in Israel continues to escalate, we find ourselves living in a pivotal time in history when the past and the present seem to be converging. This isn't the first time the enemy, working through corrupt leaders, has called for the destruction of the Jewish people.  In the book of Esther, the Jews were on the brink of destruction until a woman, positioned for "such a time as this...

You've probably noticed... there is an undercurrent of division in today's culture,  aimed at dividing people by political ideology, denomination, race,  gender... the list goes on and on. But Jesus tells us that we are to be united and ONE in Him? (Galatians 3:26)   In today's episode, Julie & Amy share some thoughts and insights on resisting rivalry of all kinds, even amongst...

In John 16:33, Jesus tells us, "In this world you will have trouble....".  As much as you'd like to avoid it,  you will likely encounter difficult circumstances sometime in your journey. How do we trust God when it feels like our world is falling apart? In today's episode, Julie shares a very personal story of  a time she walked through a heartbreaking loss and her realization...

With the perpetual cycle of bad news constantly coming at us through the media, it's important that we filter things through God's perspective. We all need a lens cleanse! What does that mean? It is taking our focus off the bad news... and tuning in to His good news!  Adding God  and His person and His promises to our perspective of our past, present and future, while also seeking his wi...

In the very first commandment, God tells us to have no other god's before him, yet we often look to the things of this world for our security, identity, fulfillment, peace, joy and satisfaction.  In today's episode, we discuss the common "idols" of our time? More importantly, we talk about ways to guard our hearts against worshiping the gift instead of the giver.   To subscribe...

A staggering number of people(70- 80%) say they consider their families dysfunctional.  So how do we, as believers,  navigate the tension between loving others, and guarding our hearts.  Is setting boundaries with family selfish? OR, can it actually be considered loving? In today's episode we dive in to the messy subject of difficult family dynamics and how we as believers can respond in love...

Life comes at us with all sorts of disappointments, distractions and daily challenges. If we're not intentional, we can fall into reactionary living that will undoubtedly steal our joy, peace and contentment. In today's episode, we share our own stories of struggling with discontentment,  as we unpack the roots and give you practical ways to cultivate more gratitude.  To subscribe and fo...

In part 2 of our discussion on generational curses, we focus on how to break free and stay free from generational dysfunction and sin. How can you sever and come out of agreement with generational strongholds?  Are there things in your family line that can be celebrated and built upon? Once you get free, it's important to stay free so we also discuss how to guard your healing and stay aware o...

Look around and it's easy to find people who have more  (fill in the blank) than you. More money. More success. More influence. More friends. The list goes on and on.   Comparison is a trap of the enemy, designed to steal our contentment, joy and peace. Unfortunately, social media has only fueled the flames of this stronghold. In today's episode we discuss the roots of comparison and how...

They say the best conversations are challenging ones, so in this episode,  Julie and Amy lean in to the difficult topic of family dysfunction and how we might be repeating the sinful behaviors of our past. What does the Bible say about generational curses?  More importantly, how do we break free of cycles of sin that seem to carry down from our parents and grandparents?  Get ready for some self re...