Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast)

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 333: Sing 2019 Special with Fernando Ortega, Sandra McCracken, and Many, Many More...   Sing! Is A Conference for Pastors, Leaders and Musicians on Encouraging and Reforming Congregational Worship These conversations were recorded live at the 2019 conference with these amazing guests: Fernando Ortega     Sandra McCracken     Matt Papa   David Zimmer     Fred Heumann   Joshua Macleod and Instruments of Joy     Stephen J Nichols   Weston Skaggs     As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.    About Your Host: Rick Lee James Official Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com Get Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunder For Booking Inquiries  Click Here or contact Gary Stripling By Phone: 904.745.9151 By Email: gary@themanagementagency.com Management General Office Hours: Monday – 11Am – 5PM Tuesday – 11Am – 5PM Wednesday – Office closed Thursday – 11Am – 5PM Friday – 11AM – 5PM Saturday – 11AM – 5PM

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 332: Jennifer M. Greenberg - Not Forsaken: A Story of Life After Abuse: How Faith Brought One Woman From Victim to Survivor     —“Isn’t it tragic that in a world so beautiful and diverse, a defining feature we all have in common is pain?” Jennifer M. Greenberg knows pain all too well, having suffered psychological, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of her church-going father. At the age of 15, as she contemplated suicide with a razor to her arm, she heard the voice of God say to her, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” From that moment on, she knew she had a father in heaven who loved her. She knew she had a purpose in life on this earth.   In her new book, Not Forsaken: A Story of Life After Abuse: How Faith Brought One Woman From Victim to Survivor (The Good Book Company, Aug. 20, 2019), Greenberg shares how her faith brought her through the darkest of situations, time and time again, and how faith can enable survivors of all walks to navigate issues of guilt, forgiveness, love, and value.  She also encourages church leaders to take the necessary measures to protect the vulnerable amongst them.    About Jennifer M.Greenberg Jennifer Greenberg is a Christian, Texan, and stay-at-home mom of three who listens to heavy metal and likes black licorice. Also a singer, Jennifer’s music has been covered my numerous outlets such as Christianity Today, Houston Chronicle, and featured on NPR, FOX 26, and Great Day Houston.   Even through the darkest seasons of her life, God has been faithful and kept her hope alive. Her tenacious will to thrive, empathic ability to discern emotion in others, and skill at articulating complex feelings contribute to her hallmark voice as an author. Her new book, Not Forsaken, is a natural continuation of Jennifer’s prolific creativity and advocacy. Jennifer is passionate about praying with and supporting others who have faced similar situations. Connect with her online at JenniferGreenberg.net.   Jennifer M. Greeberg’s Web Site: https://jennifergreenberg.net/ Buy The Book Not Forsaken: A Story of Life After Abuse: How Faith Brought One Woman From Victim to Survivor: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1784984388/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1784984388&linkCode=as2&tag=rickleejame00-20&linkId=e55a5ee22fd79e3e96a285566220d6d3   As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.    About Your Host: Rick Lee James Official Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com Get Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunder For Booking Inquiries  Click Here or contact Gary Stripling By Phone: 904.745.9151 By Email: gary@themanagementagency.com Management General Office Hours: Monday – 11Am – 5PM Tuesday – 11Am – 5PM Wednesday – Office closed Thursday – 11Am – 5PM Friday – 11AM – 5PM Saturday – 11AM – 5PM

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 331: Signs of Life with Stephanie Lobdell     Signs of Life: Resurrecting Hope Out Of Ordinary Loss Every day we lose a little bit of something. Career plans wither. Friendships crumble. Our zeal for Jesus wanes. Whether it’s the demise of ideals and expectations, belief in the church, a previously healthy relationship, or our image of ourselves: we all experiences losses.  So does the God of the resurrection have anything to say to our hurts? Was Christ’s resurrection a once-and-done thing, or is there hope for healing and restoration now?  In Signs of Life, pastor and writer Stephanie Lobdell leads readers into the grand story of God’s saving action and resurrection power. Punctuated with stories of biblical figures such as Sarah, Naaman, Saul, and Anna—who faced ordinary deaths and also God’s reviving power —Signs of Life claims Jesus’ resurrection matters now. In candid and artful prose, Lobdell shares stories of her own depression, loss of confidence, and disillusionment with the church. Hope isn’t cheap, and you can’t muscle your way through to joy. There’s no sense in pretending everything is fine. Yet through it all, Lobdell claims, God breathes life into what seems beyond redemption. Through it all, the resurrection matters. Buy The Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1513805614/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1513805614&linkCode=as2&tag=rickleejame00-20&linkId=6b60648cca9822947f0ca931b3c1351d Stephanie Lobdell's Web Site: http://www.stephanielobdell.com/ As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.    About Your Host: Rick Lee James Official Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com Get Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunder For Booking Inquiries  Click Here or contact Gary Stripling By Phone: 904.745.9151 By Email: gary@themanagementagency.com Management General Office Hours: Monday – 11Am – 5PM Tuesday – 11Am – 5PM Wednesday – Office closed Thursday – 11Am – 5PM Friday – 11AM – 5PM Saturday – 11AM – 5PM

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 330: Ben DeLong - There's A God In My Closet: Encountering The Love Who Embraces Our Skeletons   There's a God in My Closet Encountering the Love Who Embraces Our Skeletons Author Ben DeLong Forward: Brad Jersak   Many have been taught to see God as a terrifying agent of wrath who spews anger at any sign of imperfection. At the same time, they’ve been taught that they are inherently flawed and devoid of goodness. Where does that leave us? For Ben DeLong, it left him hiding his skeletons from the monster he believed God to be. This proved to be a perfect recipe for anxiety, depression, and insecurity. But what if God accepts our skeletons? What if he actually embraces them in love? How would that change our outlook? For Ben, it changed everything. This book is about his journey to find what was always true: we are eternally embraced by God, skeletons and all, and he is never letting go   Buy The Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1532658710/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1532658710&linkCode=as2&tag=rickleejame00-20&linkId=a9a2f03a8b4aa7dac447d1327d0e8208 Ben DeLong’s Web Site: https://www.bdelong.com/ As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.    About Your Host: Rick Lee James Official Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com Get Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunder For Booking Inquiries  Click Here or contact Gary Stripling By Phone: 904.745.9151 By Email: gary@themanagementagency.com Management General Office Hours: Monday – 11Am – 5PM Tuesday – 11Am – 5PM Wednesday – Office closed Thursday – 11Am – 5PM Friday – 11AM – 5PM Saturday – 11AM – 5PM

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 329: Nikki Lerner and Multicultural Worship Ministry   Nikki Lerner is an artist, teacher, speaker, author and culture coach helping others engage with one another relationally and across culture lines.  Her passion is to see people come to an understanding of one another through music and conversation and learn to remain human with each other.  Nikki has been a driving force behind the Multicutural Worship Leaders Network and The MWLN’s 2019 Leadership Conference, One, happens this October 10th and 11th at Bridgeway Community Church Owings Mills, Maryland.   Nikki Lerner's Official Website: http://www.nikkilerner.com MWLN One Conference 2019: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/one-the-multicultural-worship-leaders-network-2019-conference-tickets-56253282081 As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.    About Your Host: Rick Lee James Official Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com Get Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunder  

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 328: A Third Way To Talk About Abortion - ProGrace CEO Angie Weszely According to Lifeway Research, 36% of women who get abortions are regular church attenders. Only 7% talk to anyone at their church before making that decision. Increasingly, Christians and churches are becoming silent in the abortion conversation. Many leaders have say this is because they wrestle with how to communicate God’s heart on this issue. The political dialogue frames the issue in a way that makes us feel we must choose between advocating for either the woman OR the child. But when we align with this either/or mentality, it actually limits our positive influence in our culture. Instead, we can start believing God to give us a creative solution based on His wisdom and provision - and His love for BOTH the woman and the child. My Guest Today on Voices In My Head is Angie Weszely. Angie Weszely is CEO Pro-Grace a faith-based nonprofit creating a third option in the abortion debate by equipping Christians with a new approach to the issue.   ProGrace Web Site: www.ProGrace.org New Conversations About Abortion (The ProGrace Podcast): https://prograce.org/the-prograce-podcast/ As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.    About Your Host: Rick Lee James Official Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com Get Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunder  

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 327: William Willimon - Accidental Preacher Dr. William Willimon is Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry and Director of the Doctor of Ministry at Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. He is an internationally renowned preacher and widely read author noted for his humor, his insight into the Christian faith, and his theological commitment. His many books have sold over a million copies. His latest book, a memoir titled Accidental Preacher, releases on July 17th, 2019. In Accidental Preacher, Dr. Willimon recounts memorable moments from his rich and full preaching life, with his signature wit and humor. Accidental Preacher portrays the adventure of a life caught up in the purposes of a God who calls unlikely people to engage in work greater than themselves. William Willimon, welcome back to Voices In My Head.   Buy The Book "Accidental Preacher" by William H. Willimon Here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802876447/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802876447&linkCode=as2&tag=rickleejame00-20&linkId=c1056361ae4483dcb50c1e6a18f4c7b7   Buy The Book "Out of the Depths: A Songwriter's Journey Through The Psalms" by Rick Lee James Here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J1V971M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00J1V971M&linkCode=as2&tag=rickleejame00-20&linkId=2084d8eb834a598c1489227d6c25327b As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.    About Your Host: Rick Lee James Official Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com Get Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunder  

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 326: Lyz Lenz - God Land In the wake of the 2016 election, Lyz Lenz watched as her country and her marriage were torn apart by the competing forces of faith and politics. A mother of two, a Christian, and a lifelong resident of middle America, Lenz was bewildered by the pain and loss around her—the empty churches and the broken hearts. What was happening to faith in the heartland? From drugstores in Sydney, Iowa, to skeet shooting in rural Illinois, to the mega churches of Minneapolis, Lenz set out to discover the changing forces of faith and tradition in God's country. Part journalism, part memoir, God Land is a journey into the heart of a deeply divided America. Lenz visits places of worship across the heartland and speaks to the everyday people who often struggle to keep their churches afloat and to cope in a land of instability. Through a thoughtful interrogation of the effects of faith and religion on our lives, our relationships, and our country, God Land investigates whether our divides can ever be bridged and if America can ever come together. Web Site For Lyz Lenz: https://lyzlenz.com/ Buy God Land On Amazon: https://amzn.to/2MUDdaM   As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.    About Your Host: Rick Lee James Official Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com Get Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunder  

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 325: The Jewish View of Creation This episode of Voices In My Head dives into the Creation/Evolution debate from a different perspective than most evangelicals endeavor, the Jewish Perspective.  So many of our debates and insecurities about things like creation and evolution could be ended if we simply consulted the Jewish faith to help us understand the book that was originally theirs.  This is an episode much from the Jewish perspective of the conversation using the scholarship of one of the greatest Old Testament scholars of our time, Walther Brueggeman, and a Jewish Rabbi who wrote the text still in use today for young Jewish people in their confirmation,  Roland Bertram Gittelsohn.     As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.        About Your Host: Rick Lee James Official Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com Get Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunder  

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 324: Lora Jones Shares How She Found Faith In The Midst of Tragedy   Lora Jones’s world shattered on Nov. 23, 2004, the night she survived but lost her husband and two children in a head-on collision. She secretly, desperately wished for death to claim her, too—how could she go on alone?—but a soft, faint voice sang to her in the midst of her deepest pain that night, the voice of God.   In her new book, Song of a Wounded Heart: Regaining Hope and Trust After Personal Tragedy: The Incredible True Life Story of a Woman Who Lost Everything (Morgan James Publishing, June 25, 2019), Jones shares her remarkable journey from death to hope and encourages readers to believe in the goodness of God, despite their circumstances.   Lora Jones Web Site: https://www.lorajones.org/   As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.  Rick Lee James Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com      About Your Host: Rick Lee James Official Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.com Get Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunder