Rough Drafts: How God Writes His Love in Our Stories

Every morning when I drop the kids off for school twelve seconds before the bell rings, I get to see this week's guest. She's been an educator for 17 years. She's lived in Minneapolis, Augusta, and the cradle of civilization, Dickson, TN. She is a guru of helping kids who are navigating trauma, because she knows that *nothing* in life ever goes the way you plan it. Jessica Southerland, thank you f...

Today's episode isn't so much a person's God story...but several God stories from three great organizations in Dickson. Paul Pitney represents the Dickson County Family YMCA. Margaret Cole is the guru of the CareNet Pregnancy Medical Center. Renee Boehm is czar of the Dickson County Help Center. And I'm really lucky to call all three friends and ministry partners. It's giving Tuesday, and you're c...

Nearly 50 of our friends join us for this Thanksgiving Special episode of Rough Drafts. What's a weird thing you're thankful for?

Griffin experienced a horrible fate - he was one of my youth ministry interns! So don't be surprised if he sounds beaten, broke down, and generally despairing of life itself. In this week's conversation, Griffin talks about "God story envy," finding God while fishing, the troubles of launching into life during covid, and his first years in full-time ministry.

You got to hear from his wife already this week...today you get a bonus episode...his side of the story! You'll enjoy hearing from Taylor Welch as he talks about his journey of faith. 

What does faith look like when you're not really in church and life is kind of unstable? How do you think of God when you don't know much about him? Kayla Welch tells us the story of the friendship she found with God even from a very young age.

Morgan is so much fun! She shares her story from at least three different angles...geographically, spiritually, and relationally. Spoiler? You get to hear about her amazing little boy and becoming a mom.

Charlie Dauphin is another Burns, Tennessee, legend. Were it not for his leadership, the church in Burns would have closed decades ago. Listen as Charlie shares stories from his journey and life and lessons he's learned along the way.

Caleb Sams is a PK! But don't hold that against him. He enjoys the blessings of what he calls "generational faithfulness," but don't think for a minute that this makes someone immune to spiritual struggles. In today's episode, Caleb shares what it was like in the middle of his trial that God used to knock him off the fence towards a deeper faith.

"All your promises are true." These words became pillars that served as anchors of hope and faith during an expectant mom's biggest trials.  You'll be encouraged today by Brittany Hunt's story and trust in a God who knows what he is doing, even when things are falling apart.

Someday when they write a history of Burns, TN, today's guest and his family will be on every page. He's a county commissioner, bus driver, coach, and a whole lot more. Today, Rusty Groves shares about a traumatic accident that reshaped his life and walk with God.

This week Amanda describes the ups and downs of a story where the only thing she knew for sure was what she didn't want her life to be like. She shares how she became a social worker, met "Comcast", and found her faith.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual trauma and behavior. You should listen before listening with your kids.   It's amazing how deeply we hide our trauma and our shame. Steve this week shares a story of learning to work through the puzzle pieces of his past, confronting the core ideas that stick with us and sabotage our relationships. In this episode, we talk about how fanta...

When we internalize the message that we are unlovable or that God is constantly angry at us, it makes a real mess in our lives. In this week's episode, Lisa Wesson shares how "gospel glasses" eventually opened her eyes to codependency and changed her entire way of doing life.   Show notes: During this week's show, Lisa mentioned a powerful book: The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning.

Randy Fuqua is the sort of guy who, when you see his name on caller ID, you smile. Randy has chosen joy, and his joy and his honesty are contagious. In this week's episode, he tells a story of an impossibly difficult journey. It's one nobody wants to walk. Even in the middle of the mess, he still looks for, and finds, Jesus.

Writing these descriptions is actually the hardest part of the podcast process each week. I want to tell you about the person...but I don't want to tell you too much about them to ruin the story! This week's guest has a beautiful soul and an incredible story. God has overcome incredible obstacles in her life, and I know you'll be blessed by hearing her. Welcome Danielle Gopp!

Warning: Phil's discusses some dark times and thoughts of self-harm. If that's not something you're ready to hear, you might skip this episode. From Siberia to Tennessee? That's quite the journey. There were plenty of other stops on the way. You'll hear Phil's honest struggles with life's ups and downs in this week's episode of Rough Drafts.

One of my favorite "God things" is how often he takes something so very random and uses it to accomplish something else.  Life is full of these stories: because I was late to work, I had a conversation I never would have expected, that caused something significant to happen.  Today's story is definitely one of those stories, and it all started at a ball game...

You've met Tyler...now it's time to meet part 2 of this week's couple's special....Bethany Quinn. Bethany grew up in White Bluff and never expected her journey would bring her full circle, back to teaching in the school where she was class president. God's plans never seem to go the direction we expect!

It's a special week of Rough Drafts....you get both halves of a Dickson County power couple: Tyler and Bethany Quinn! Bethany's episode releases Thursday. Tyler tells the story of how he came to know God, how a neighbor introduced him to church, and how eventually he found his place. What's really cool to me is that God is now using Tyler to help other people find their place. He leads the Gap min...

This week's guest is Emily Dawson. Well, I'm pretty sure it is. Because she and her sister are pretty sneaky and pretty clever. So there's a chance they tricked me! But I think this week's guest is Emily! Emily does a great job sharing her God story with us. My favorite part is her confidence that God is always with her. Emily, you're right! I hope you never forget that.

Mike is one of the guys I thought of when we first came up with this podcast idea. He could tell you a story about paint drying, and somehow, you'd laugh or cry. I couldn't wait to hear his God story. Mike shares from so many parts of his life. Getting back to church...the tough stuff of work and career...health challenges...so much more. But more than the stories themselves, you'll get to hear th...

It's back to school week! So here's another sweet moment with ROUGH DRAFTS KIDS! She's a swimmer. She loves to cheer. She loves her little sister.  In today's episode, she daydreams of heaven with us. She tells us how the animals are tame and things will just work out. I think you're going to love her heart and her mind. Welcome Sydney!

This week’s episode is a special edition of “The Cutting Room Floor” where things get a little out of hand as we celebrate THIRTY EPISODES of the Rough Drafts Podcast. As I’ve mentioned in several episodes, this podcast was the brainchild of Elizabeth (Liz) Kuhns who just wouldn’t take ‘no’ or ‘not yet’ for an answer. For years, Liz tried to convince me that a podcast was a good idea. In today’s s...

Listen past the closing credits for a little bonus on this week's episode! Sometimes God doesn't answer prayers in the ways that we expect. Sometimes, it seems like, he likes to surprise us with a wink and a nod. This week's guest shares her family's story--a journey of infertility and adoption--and how God was right there in every step of the journey. Thank you, Penny Langston, for sharing!