Out of the Ordinary

Key Conversation Points: Let's take stock with some highs and lows, including dirty, dumb dogs, hypochondriacs, friends and tea. There's "not a lot not to love" about Christie's new book! If you haven't bought it yet, click here to read about reflecting God's majesty and glory as our Creator and a little bit of heaven on earth through flowers.  Lisa-Jo flew to Denver th...

Key Conversation Points: The podcast starts with Lisa-Jo desperately needing answers about finding equilibrium when she's drowning in life and she gets her answer! Find out how!  Lisa-Jo states that "God is not waterboarding us." Since he's not, then what's the purpose through this pain in the tsunami?  An excerpt is read from The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis , "The pray...

Key Conversation Points: It's possible to make sense of the weird parts of our stories.  No part of your past is insignificant.  God isn't just allowing randomness in our lives for no reason but he's making a pattern.  Do you see it in your life?   Christie and Lisa-Jo show us the courage and struggle of owning ALL the parts of our story. Anyone can be a gardener.  Trust Christie on th...

Key Conversation Points: Have you killed a house plant before? It actually doesn't mean you are doomed for garden making. Who knew?! No green thumb? There's grace here. Christie Purifoy has written a new book named " Garden Maker: Growing a Life of Beauty and Wonder with Flowers ." Thankfully, it's not just for those with a garden.  The great thing about Christie is that she&#3...

Key Conversation Points: What does it mean to pursue goodness? Have we slighted it?  Let's stay rooted in our deep and worthy ordinary virtues even though they aren't on a typical list for new year's resolutions.  "I'd really like to be like Ted Lasso ." Do you agree with Christie on this? Ted Lasso makes goodness and kindness appealing and powerful.  Tell us in the reviews...

Key Conversation Points: This year we have permission to know what happens isn't on us. Lying in bed in a hole is okay in this new year with the Lord. He doesn't need a clean pantry or tidy bedrooms to be present with you in the hole. Lisa-Jo said our body, day and new year is God's country. What does that mean?  Are you the King or Queen in your land?  Christie has a book coming out a...

Out of the Ordinary Winter Reflections: "Making friends and family comfortable is an art." What do you want people to feel when they enter your home? It's okay if there's chaos, we're talking about the heart of your home...in the ordinary and in the crazy! Winter is either your season or it's not. It can linger on or we can find some ways to find the joy in the middle of th...

Out of the Ordinary Winter Reflections: Where's Jesus on the days when it seems He has fallen asleep in the storm?  Jesus was asleep on the boat because he wasn't afraid of the waves. Let's lean into our dear friendships when it gets hard instead of leaning out. Especially now.  Especially after this year.  Can you be "prayer in action" in this season for someone?  Jesus didn&#...

Out of the Ordinary Winter Reflections: Guess what's under the barren branches and cold, hard dirt? There's bulbs underneath and they will bloom in time.  Fairy Tales can encourage our hearts. How? You'll hear about it in this episode.  Have you ever thought "if only my strength could match my determination?"  "Follow Me" will lead you home. Maybe not home for the holid...

Out of the Ordinary Reflections: This season is full of expectations but we aren't living the expectations we see on Hallmark.  We are living in real lives, needing a real Jesus in the darkness. We all need a balm of hope to nourish our hearts during this season that helps us take a deep breath.    Winter is a pause and gives us space to reflect on where we really are, not where consumer cultu...

Key Conversation Points Everyone wants to feel comfy this time of year and Lisa-Jo and Christie are the same! Grab something off this list just FOR YOU! You deserve it!  What products make you so happy? See if you hear about a new thing that will make your life better. There's super affordable options too!  Have you seen "Parks and Rec?" We can fill you in- Treat Yo Self origin here  ...

Key Conversation Points What would be one theme of your house? Can you guess a theme for Lisa-Jo and Christie's home? There's items in this podcast that are perfect gifts for you home. Please leave comments about what you love the most in your home as gift ideas for listeners! Does a person on your list need some practical gifts that will bring joy? Every gift on this week's episode fi...

Key Conversation Points: Do you plan ahead or are you a last minute shopper? Which one is Christie and Lisa-Jo?  Lisa-Jo and Christie have someone to add to your list this year! We can all do something to impact foster care and help children have a place to belong . Click here for the wishlist of items. Gift giving can be tricky depending on ages and where everyone on your list lives.  Lisa-Jo and...

Key Conversation Points: Lisa-Jo and Christie said "middle finger" on the podcast. What is up with this story?! Lisa-Jo shares about how we're supposed to love our neighbor when they're literally and actively trying to make our lives miserable. Christianeze isn't real life and the Good Samaritan parable is super difficult to live out. Feelings aren't relevant when we're...

Key Conversation Points: Faith and Halloween can be uncomfortable to talk about but Lisa-Jo and Christie talk through the tension of the American holiday with clarity and grace. As they reminisce about Halloween traditions, please share in the comments about how this holiday has united your neighborhood.  Who were Christie's neighbors in Chicago and how did Lisa-Jo never know this?!  Christie...

Key Conversation Points: What happens in South Africa at 11am and 4pm every day? Should Americans integrate this too?! How did only three choices at the store help Lisa-Jo breathe?  God's first language isn't English.  Putting on fresh eyes, helps us gain major perspective.  God's comfortable in all the new places we go, even the dark. When you're discouraged by a sliver of your st...

Key Conversation Points: Lisa-Jo's son passionately said, "Now listen, it's not as bad as you think." Mothers everywhere clutch their pearls at these words. The invisible work that no one sees matters.  Find solidarity in this episode for the work you do, whether you have kids or not.  Bearing witness to a human's life is a heavy gift. We can pause with intentional reflection b...

Key Conversation Points: Lisa-Jo learned new things about Christie, right along with the listeners today. Decades of friendship and there's still things to learn! Grab your tissues!  Sometimes Christie plants things and loses track of them...but God doesn't forget to finish our stories. How has a seed that was planted finally grown in Christie's life?  God is too creative and amazing t...

Key Conversation Points: What's your guess for Christie's new, life-giving rhythm that she didn't ask for but is receiving well?   Christie's grocery list befuddles Lisa-Jo and we can learn from this! Clue: There is such a thing as imposter olive oil and it may or may not be sitting in Lisa-Jo's pantry right now.  When do you have space in your week to free your brain?  Ideas a...

Key Conversation Points: Who remembers the tag line for our new and improved podcast? Lisa-Jo is working on it. We've all been there.  Join Lisa-Jo and Christie as they discuss the lowbar of hygiene, losing tempers at stupid socks and men who don't use their phones for incoming calls.  Christie, "The ordinary can feel like the quicksand that's got a hold of us." Our work can fe...

Key Conversation Points: Season 4 is here!! We're switching things up! Thanks for your survey responses because they've been so eye-opening and life-giving.  Listeners say they feel less alone when listening, love the authenticity and honesty.  Please share your lovely thoughts on the podcast reviews.  We're returning to our roots with the title "Out of the Ordinary" and growin...

Key Conversation Points: Why doesn't Lisa-Jo need a fake backdrop on her Zoom calls anymore?  We all have a room we'd like to switch up. We have ideas on how to choose some color!  How do you sidestep pain in your life? The joy we found in our weekend projects may help you too!  Listening to advice has its place and we need your input! Please take 60 seconds to give us your opinions here ....

Today's Out of the Ordinary Book: The Ministry of Ordinary Places: Waking Up to God's Goodness All Around You written and read by Shannan Martin. Visiting Author, Shannan Martin, shares a reading from her latest book! Feel free to visit Shannan online here for more on her books.  You can find her on IG as well here . Key Conversation Points: Shannan's book is a gracious and frank read...

Today's Out of the Ordinary Book: Back Roads to Belonging: Unexpected Paths to Finding Your Place and Your People, written and read by Kristen Strong. Visiting Author, Kristen Strong, shares a reading from her latest book! Feel free to visit Kristen online  here  for more on her books and her new devotional book coming out in October. Key Conversation Points: Have you struggled to fit in? Wond...

Today's Out of the Ordinary Book: God Speaks Through Wombs: Poems on God's Unexpected Coming is written and read by Drew Jackson.  Visiting Author, Drew Jackson shares a reading from his new book! You can find everything about Drew here . Preorder his book wherever books are sold! Coming September 14th 2021!  Key Conversation Points: Jackson is a pastor in NYC and he uses his gifts to weav...