Taking the Tov Way

What does it look like to live a life of faith that outlives you? In this episode of Taking the Tov Way , we explore the pace of promise through the lives of Abraham, Sarah, Caleb, and Joshua. From the importance of pacing to the first purchase of the promised land, this conversation unpacks how God develops enduring faith through seasons of waiting, testing, grief, obedience, and perseverance. Sa...

What do you do when God asks you to trust Him beyond what makes sense? In this episode, we walk through one of the most challenging and powerful moments in Abraham’s journey — Genesis 22, where God tests Abraham’s faith by asking him to surrender Isaac, the very promise he waited years to receive. Together, we unpack what it means for faith to be confirmed through testing , how God uses trials to...

What if the most transformative moments in your life aren’t the loud, obvious ones—but the quiet, painful, in-between spaces? In this episode of Taking the Tov Way , Maya walks through the tension of grief, surrender, and trust as seen in Abraham’s story in Genesis 21. Together, we explore what it means to release what we’ve held onto, how God meets us in unexpected ways, and why even the hardest...

We often celebrate the promise—but overlook the process it takes to get there. In this episode, we take a deeper look at the tension in Abraham and Sarah’s story after Isaac is born. What happens when what God promised finally comes… but what we produced in our own strength is still present? This conversation explores the contrast between faith and striving, promise and performance, and Spirit and...

What if the hardest season of your life… is actually training? In this episode, I share the story of completing my first marathon—and how God used every mile to teach me what real faith looks like. From setbacks and doubt to breakthrough and joy, this journey became more than a race… it became a revelation. Through the story of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 21, we unpack what it means to trust God’...

Fear doesn’t always look like fear. Sometimes it sounds wise. Logical. Responsible. Sometimes it even sounds true… just not the whole truth. In this episode, we’re unpacking how fear often shows up as half-truths —subtle thoughts that feel right but quietly pull us out of trusting God. Through the story of Abraham in Genesis 20, we explore how fear led him back into a familiar pattern, even after...

Can I be honest with you for a second? There may be a version of your name that you’ve been answering to for years — maybe even decades — that God never gave you. The version that says you’re too far behind. Too broken. Too late. Too much of your past to have much of a future. And here’s the wild thing… You’ve probably been saying it out loud. Maybe not in those exact words. But in the way you int...

Life doesn’t always go according to plan—and faith doesn’t exempt us from pressure, resistance, or unexpected change. In this episode, we explore what it means to pivot well when life throws defenses our way. Using a basketball analogy, we talk about how God shapes our faith through opposition, setbacks, and pivots—not to break us, but to prepare us. Just like in the game, pivoting well requires a...

In this episode of Taking the Tov Way , we continue the conversation from Genesis 15 and lean into the part we often skip — the questions. Before God passed between the pieces of the sacrifice as a smoking firepot and blazing torch… Abram asked something deeply human: “How can I be sure?” If you’ve ever believed God — and still wrestled with doubt… If you’ve trusted Him — but quietly wondered when...

Episode Summary: Has God ever had to reintroduce Himself to you? In this episode, we walk through Abraham’s journey from Genesis 15 to Genesis 22 — from promise, to waiting, to failure, to revelation, to surrender. When Abram and Sarai tried to “help” God fulfill His promise, it wasn’t the end of the story. God didn’t respond with shame — He responded with revelation. “I am El Shaddai.” God Almigh...

Has life ever forced you to slow down—when you didn’t ask for it? In this episode, I’m opening up about grief, comparison, and learning how to remain rooted in God during seasons of stillness. We explore what Scripture says about fruitfulness, why winter seasons aren’t wasted, and how God continues working in us—even when nothing seems to be happening. If you’re feeling tired, uncertain, or discon...

This week, we are taking it back to the first full episode of Taking the Tov Way! We have several new followers of the podcast and for that I am so grateful! God is doing some good things while we are on this journey of becoming who He has created us to be. In this episode, I define what it means to take The Tov Way— a play on the word tollway , this is the path that God desires for us to take as...

In this episode of Taking the Tov Way , MJ reflects on one of the most personal and powerful moments in the Gospels—Jesus’ conversation with Peter in John 21. After Peter’s denial during Jesus’ trial, we find him back where it all began: fishing. But Jesus doesn’t leave Peter in his failure. Instead, He restores him through a deeply intentional exchange: “Do you love me?” MJ opens up about her own...

🎙️ Podcast Episode Summary: What do you do when the thing you were hoping for doesn’t happen the way you expected? When your prayer is met with silence or your faith feels buried under disappointment? In this vulnerable episode, I share the tension of living between grief and faith, doubt and trust—through my own story of loss and how God met me with a resurrected hope. We look at Mary Magdalene’s...

📝 Episode Summary: In this episode, we walk through one of the most dramatic, soul-piercing exchanges in the Gospel — Jesus standing before Pilate in John 18–19. But this wasn’t just Pilate’s moment of decision… it reflects our moment too. Pilate asks the question we all must face: “Who is Jesus… really?” This episode reminds us that we are all like Pilate and Peter at times — hesitant, unsure, a...

🧾 Episode Summary In this powerful episode, MJ dives deep into the spiritual reality behind our daily struggles and the weight of the divine assignments we carry. Drawing from John 18 and Jesus’ surrender in the Garden of Gethsemane, she challenges listeners to live spiritually awake and fully surrendered. It’s not just about enduring suffering—it’s about recognizing the cup you’ve been given com...

In this vulnerable episode, Maya shares the story of her second half marathon—not just as a physical accomplishment, but as a deeply spiritual milestone. With powerful reflections, personal testimonies, and moments of profound revelation, she brings listeners into the real-time journey of faith, endurance, grief, healing, and unity . Rooted in John 17 , Maya highlights the High Priestly Prayer , w...

The Tov Way | A Christian Blog about The Good Life God's Way is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber! In this powerful and deeply personal episode, MJ explores what it means to rejoice in the midst of suffering. Rooted in Scripture and shaped by real-life experiences, she walks through the spiritual maturity required...

The Vine and the Garden: The Choice to Remain The Tov Way | A Christian Blog about The Good Life God's Way is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Episode Summary: In this episode of Taking the Tov Way , we return to the garden — not just a flashback to the garden of Eden, but the garden Jesus invites us into in John...

In this episode, we dive deep into Jesus’ comforting words in John 14:1 — “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.” This is more than just a suggestion! It’s a divine prescription for a heart weighed down by fear, anxiety, uncertainty, or pain. Jesus doesn’t point us toward striving, fixing, or figuring it out on our own. Instead, He calls us to believe — to be stil...

As Heard on the Taking the Tov Way Podcast In this heartfelt episode, MJ reflects on John 13 and Jesus’ act of love and humility in washing the disciples’ feet. This moment, full of emotion, misunderstanding, and divine intention, calls us into a deeper intimacy with God — one marked by surrender, trust, and reflection of His character. Peter’s reaction mirrors so many of ours: resistance to God’s...

Scripture Focus: John 12 In this episode of Taking the Tov Way, we dive into John 12 and unpack one of the most challenging teachings of Jesus: “The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:25) We explore what it really means to “hate” your life in this world and how this radical call to surrender is the very heart o...

The Tov Way | A Christian Blog about The Good Life God's Way is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Our minds are a battlefield — filled with doubts, insecurities, and cultural noise pulling us away from God’s truth. In this episode, we dive into Romans 12 and explore what it really means to renew your mind and surr...

Did you know God has a love language? It’s not acts of service or words of affirmation — it’s faith . In this episode, we explore how God desires our love to be expressed through faith, obedience, and faithfulness to Him — even when life doesn’t make sense. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith, it’s impossible to please God. When we begin to understand His love for us more deeply, we become...

In this episode, we explore Jesus’ declaration in John 10 that He is the Door —the only way to salvation, protection, and the abundant life. In ancient sheep pens, the shepherd became the door , laying across the entrance to guard the sheep. In the same way, Jesus keeps us in His will, His peace, and His provision , while protecting us from dangers seen and unseen. We unpack how accepting His righ...