Captivated

We all have a core need to belong. As infants, we seek this secure belonging through our parents and caregivers, primarily from our mothers, and this attachment frames our sense of belonging throughout our lives. Join Stasi as she shares this hopeful message on what it means to belong to God, who is our El Shaddi—the One who provides all that we need, who cares for us, and who lovingly says to us, Daughter, you are mine, and you belong. God is our essential attachment, and our soul coming home. Show Notes:Verses: Romans 12:5 (NIV) — ​​so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.Psalm 23:1 (TPT) —  Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough. Isaiah 44:5 (NIV) — ​​Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and will take the name Israel.Deuteronomy 8:7-9 (NIV) — ​​For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.Quote: J. I. Packer from Knowing God “What matters supremely, therefore, is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it—the fact that He knows me. I am graven on the palms of His hands; I am never out of His mind. “

Join Stasi in this hope-filled conversation with guest Kia Stephens, a writer, podcaster and creator of Entrusted Women a ministry devoted to equipping Christian communicators of color. Kia has a passion for illuminating the Father love of God. The relationship with our earthly father, good or bad, has a huge effect on our hearts, and often healing is needed. Kia shares her story, walking with God in forgiveness, and her journey of answering God's call to engage with women and their father wounds, offering them hope and encouragement to help them heal. About Kia: Kia Stephens is a wife and mom of two who is passionate about helping women know God as Father. For this reason, she created The Father Swap Blog to help women exchange their father wounds for the love of God the Father. Kia is also the founder of Entrusted Women, which she created to equip Christian women communicators of color. In addition to these ministries, Kia faithfully serves in Bible Study Fellowship and her local church in Atlanta, Georgia. When Kia is not writing or serving women, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. Kia will be releasing her first book, Overcoming Father Wounds, on March 7, 2023.Website: https://www.kiastephens.com/Entrusted Women website: https://www.entrustedwomen.com/Fatherswap Blog: https://www.fatherswap.com/Verses: James 4:10 (NIV) — Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.Psalms 37:4 (NIV) — Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.Psalms 147:3 (NIV) — He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

By remembering what is true, we hold onto the Promise that everlasting joy is our inheritance. As we step into Easter, Stasi reminds us that even in the midst of overwhelming heartbreak, Jesus is victorious, and in that, our hope rests. Friends, sorrow, pain, and loss do not have the final word nor does it define us. We will overcome because Jesus has overcome.SHOW NOTES:Verses: Hebrews 10:23 (NIV) — Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV) — …Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) — The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Psalms 56:8 (NLT) — You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.Matthew 7:25 (NIV) — The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.Psalms 32:11 (NIV) — Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! Psalms 96:11 (NIV) — Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Joshua 4:5-9 (NIV) — Reference to the story of remembering stones Joel 1:3 (NIV) — Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. John 16:24 (NIV) — Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:22 (NLT) — So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.Song Reference:It Is Well With My Soul penned by Horatio Spafford Books:One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp — ”Eucharisteo (Thanksgiving) always precedes the miracle.”Defiant Joy by Stasi Eldredge 

Cherie Snyder joins Stasi in this week's podcast for an honest conversation, filled with mercy and kindness, on anxiety. Anxiety is rooted in the debilitating fear that we are unworthy, unloved, and imperfect. Our human condition has made this feel unsafe, and so we often turn to false lovers to be soothed. But take heart: these feelings are not what is wrong with us, but what is right. Jesus has not abandoned us here. Through his mercy we can know we are seen by God and secure in his love.Show Notes:Verses: Psalm 31:9-12 (NIV) — Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow,    my soul and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends—those who see me on the street flee from me. I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.Philippians 4:6 (NIV) — Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.Books:The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge

To come alongside someone on their journey of suffering is an honor and sacred ground. In today’s podcast, Stasi is joined by her friend Gayleen Gardner who has traveled this road with many. Gayleen shares tangible ideas she has learned through her own battle with cancer as well as holy stories of walking beloveds up to the doorway of Heaven. Gayleen offers ideas of how to love, encourage, and bring hope as people move from life to Life.Show Notes:Verses: John 14:3 (KJV) — And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself Resources:Every Moment Holy, Vol. 2: Death, Grief, & Hope by Douglas Kaine McKelvey; Reading from pg. 113 — A Liturgy for Beginning a Bedside VigilAll Things New by John EldredgeHeaven: A Comprehensive Guide to Everything the Bible Says About Our Eternal Home by Randy AlcornMinistry for gift boxes of hope: Endurance with Jan & Dave Dravecky

To know someone deeply is a great honor. Jesus knows us inside and out and wants to be known by us intimately as well. In today’s podcast, Stasi talks about what it means to draw close to Jesus with intention. Friends, Jesus longs for our whole heart, our undivided love, and for our attention to be captured by who he is. We have a choice to make. God is inviting us to enjoy the vast riches of his heart by coming closer. Will you?  SHOW NOTES:Yada` (יָדַע ; yâda) Hebrew: To be made known, be or become known, be revealed – to make oneself known – to be perceived – to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing)Pause App by Wild at Heart Ministries; PauseApp.comHenry Nouwen reading: Our God is a compassionate God. Henri Nouwen Society. January 7, 2022. https://henrinouwen.org/meditations/god-is-a-compassionate-god/Epic by John Eldredge: For more information on Stasi’s reference to living in Act 3 https://churchsource.com/products/epic-the-story-god-is-tellingVERSES: Hosiah 2:19-20 (NIV) I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.Luke 10:38-42; (NIV) The story at Mary and Martha’s homeMark 14:1-9  (NIV) The story of Mary and the alabaster jar1 John 4:19 (NIV) 19 We love because he first loved us.John 17:3 (NIV) Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV) …Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you…?Romans 8:10 (NIV) But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.Galatians 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.Colossians 1:27 (NIV) To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.Romans 8:11 (NIV) And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

In today’s podcast, Stasi sits down with pastor and author Melanie Boudreau to talk about the unexpected life. Naturally, we pray and work towards the life that we hope for, but how do we respond when God gives us something other than what we planned for? It's hard to surrender our self-life and step out of our comfort zone, but with our identity deeply rooted in Christ, there is no limit to what he can do with us and through us—even when life is challenging. Show Notes:MelanieBoudreau.com@melanie_boudreauMelanie's Book: Toppling the Idols of IdealPsalm 103:19-21The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strengthwho carry out His word,who hearken to the voice of His command.Bless the LORD, all His hosts,you servants who do His will.

Join Stasi in this delightful conversation with Elizabeth Tabish. Elizabeth is best known for her portrayal of Mary Magdalene in the series The Chosen. She graciously shares her story, some of which helped her to connect with Mary Magdalene, to bring hope to others. Mary Magdalene’s story is our story, as Jesus’ intimate and fierce love helps flush out our humanity, and he kindly comes to change the trajectory of each of our lives with mercy. Show Notes:The Chosen: thechosen.tv/appElizabeth Tabish Links and Bio:ElizabethTabish.com@elizabethtabishElizabeth Tabish is an actress and filmmaker based in Los Angeles known for her portrayal as Mary Magdalene in The Chosen. She received her M.A. in Theater and B.A. in Film Studies from Oklahoma State University where she studied experimental and classic film and theater ​through a psychoanalytic lens. Elizabeth has produced and directed a number of award-winning short films that focus on female archetypes and explore a variety of vintage aesthetics. She is the Co-Creator and Art Director of Austin Arthouse Film Festival, ​one of the Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals on Film Freeway, now in its 5th year.

God dreams big, and he invites us to dream big with him—the desires in our hearts unique to each of us have been planted by him. Dreaming with God allows us to access these places in our hearts where desire dwells and to hear his voice. It awakens hope and possibility and allows us to see ourselves as he sees us. After all, nothing is too big for God, including our deepest desires.Show Notes:Books: Becoming Myself by Stasi EldredgeHappy Birthday to You! By Dr. Seuss: “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you.”Scripture:2 Corinthians 3:18 — And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.Song of Songs 4:1 — You are beautiful, my darling, beautiful beyond words. Your eyes are like doves(00:15:53)  Take some time and allow your thoughts to dream with God. Sit with God and ask him to reveal and awaken your heart's desires. Here are some questions you can ask him to help you explore. It’s ok if it’s difficult to name the desire, but ask God to access to places where these desires are planted:What do you feel makes you particularly you?What do you like?What do you daydream about?If you could do anything, knowing it would go swimmingly well, what would it be?What do you want to be true of yourself?What do you want the impact of your life to be?Ask God, "what do you want for me?"

God intimately knows the longings of our hearts and desires for us to know him. In today’s podcast, Stasi talks with Jill Hardin from the Daily Audio Bible. Jill’s journey in following God's invitation to read the Bible daily on her DAB Chronological podcast is one of experiencing immense blessing after she submitted to God’s calling. Friends, God sees the full potential of who we are, and He will lead us into things beyond our imagination. The God of More has so much more for us when we submit ourselves to His Calling.Show Notes:Jill Hardin (Parr)dailyaudiobible.com#jillparr@officialjillparrJohn 1:1 — In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.Song: Nothing Else by Cody Carnes