Gospel Spice | Awaken Delight in God through faith in Jesus Christ

We are in February. And February, in the United States in particular, has to do with Valentine's Day and romantic relationships in specifically, but more in general, relationships and friendships. And so I have an interesting conversation with Elizabeth Laing Thompson about her new book, “When a Friendship Falls Apart.” I absolutely fell in love with her! It's a thick volume, especially by modern day standards where it seems like, publishing houses give us shorter and shorter books. This is not the case. Her book is a massive compilation of all the tips, all the advice, everything you need to know if you've ever been in a friendship that ended badly or that is going poorly or that has hurt you in any way, shape, or form. Through this book Elizabeth hopes to minister to those who are experiencing this often undiagnosed, unrecognized grief of friendship loss or friendship breakup, as she calls it. There are difficult emotions that accompany friendship hardship. So, she and I talk about important things, like:-          friendship breakups: coping with loss and pain;-          healing and forgiveness: overcoming bitterness;-          Biblical wisdom: applying Scripture to relationships;-          trust and vulnerability: rebuilding connections;-          grieving and mourning: processing friendship loss;-          finding beauty in brokenness: embracing imperfections;-          prayer and guidance: seeking God's direction.Elizabeth acknowledges that the hardest part in navigating a friendship breakup is finding the right people to talk to about it. She acts as this one friend you need. She keeps you company. She points you to Gospel counsel as you navigate the loss of the friendship as it was. And then she offers wisdom for navigating future friendships after a loss because that's absolutely key. How do you even dare to open your heart again after it's been wounded?She is grounded in Scripture. She points to God's views on forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing after hurt. And then she gives us the best practical tools for navigating those conversations. How do you initiate a reconciliation conversation? What words can you use that are going to be most productive without escalating potential conflict? She is blending personal story, biblical examples, faith filled wisdom. I love all of the many, many interactions with Scripture that she gives us.She asks, how do we guard against the poison of bitterness so we can process the hurt and move forward? Elizabeth talks about when and how we can seek this reconciliation and what does look like. And this is anything but cliche. I promise you that. How do we know if the time has come to actually leave a friendship behind? How do we open up again and then trust our freshly wounded hearts to new friendships?Friendship loss is this unique kind of grief. It's a private and confusing kind of grief. And as we struggle to digest the pain and we wonder, how could this happen? What do I do now? Elizabeth is here to help hurting hearts find healing, find lessons to learn from the past, and stay open to new friendships in the future. Again, it's so full of hope. Some of the key advice I will remember from the book are,-          Learn to navigate and overcome the pain and challenges of friendship breakups with grace and biblical wisdom.-          Cultivate trust in relationships, acknowledging that past hurts can affect future connections but not define them.-          10. Find joy and hold onto positive memories even when some friendships can't be repaired, allowing healing to take place.-          Protect your heart in extreme friendship scenarios by seeking comfort in prayer and scripture.-          Give oneself permission to grieve and process the loss of friendships-          Seek beauty in broken friendships and adopt a more open-minded and accepting approach to making connections despite past hurts.-          Bring fears and insecurities to God as a source of courage and guidance in seeking and fostering friendships.-          Let God guide and protect in the process of building trust and forming meaningful connections.-          Look ahead to the eternal promise of friendships in heaven, where unity and safety abound.-          Reflect Jesus in current friendships and strive for unity, echoing His prayer for oneness in John 17.-          Categorize friendships and address potential misunderstandings by applying practical tips and Scripture.-          Understand and appreciate the concept of mismatched expectations in friendships to prevent conflicts and foster understanding.-          Seek divine guidance, wisdom, courage, and the capacity to love and care for others within friendships through prayer.-          Engage in the process of repairing broken relationships with humility, grace, and a desire for beauty in brokenness.-          Root out bitterness and unforgiveness from friendships, replacing them with prayer and forgiveness to facilitate reconciliation.-          Embrace the healing power of forgiveness and prayer, remembering that holding onto bitterness only causes further harm.-          Find comfort in God as the perfect friend and reflect His love and forgiveness in all friendships.-          Treasure and honor the meaningful memories made within brokenness, seeing them as precious testaments to the resilience of relationships.Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Struggling with temptation? Jesus shows off His identity and power in our wilderness. That's our theme today. Welcome!Hello my friends! Stephanie here. It is so, so good to get ready to dive into another Bible lesson today. I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and for being a part of the Gospel Spice podcast family. Your enthusiasm and engagement mean the world to us! We have no small topic ahead of us! We are exploring the temptation of Jesus and how it relates to our own struggles with sin and temptation. Last week, we discussed the necessity of God's perfect justice and the problem his love presents. We discovered that there is no cutoff or grading system for entering heaven. Instead, God, in His love, came up with a solution through Jesus on the cross.Today, we'll examine Matthew 4, where Jesus faces temptation in the wilderness. We'll see how Jesus, fully God and fully man, withstands the pressure and inspires us to true obedience and surrender. We'll also uncover the significance of the number 40 in Scripture and the parallels between Jesus' experience and Israel's wilderness journey.Through Matthew's account, we will see how Satan cunningly approached Jesus, acknowledging him as the Son of God, but attempting to entice Jesus to use His powers for personal gain. Jesus, however, remained true to His heaven-born calling and responded with divine wisdom, quoting from the book of Deuteronomy to ward off Satan's attacks.Matthew emphasizes Jesus' obedience to the commandments of the Deuteronomic covenant, highlighting that Jesus succeeded where Israel consistently failed. This passage serves as a reminder that no human can attain the perfection of God's standards. Yet, in facing temptation head-on, Jesus demonstrates His unmatched loyalty to God and establishes Himself as the only Savior.I warmly encourage you to listen to the full episode, as we unpack the profound implications of Jesus' temptation and its relevance to our lives today. Whether you are currently facing your own season of weakness or seeking inspiration for true obedience, I pray that our time together today will provide valuable insights and practical application points.As a podcast that strives to bring you thought-provoking content and deep dives into the Gospel, we want to invite you to join us on this transformative journey. Share this episode with your friends and family, engage in conversations around the significance of temptation and obedience, and continue to seek the truth that sets us free.We here are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support and cannot wait to embark on new explorations of the Gospel with you. So, grab your Bible and let's jump right in to this intriguing passage. Welcome to Gospel Spice.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogIdentity in the battle | Ephesianshttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/Malachi: Messenger to Messiahhttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/Wisdom from the Book of Proverbshttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/Come to the Table | The Feasts Jesus celebratedhttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us. 1- If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It’s at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don’t want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There’s exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you!4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you!So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions:1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you’re going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we’ve put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it’s one of the easiest ways to share the gospel!4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogBonjour! Gospel Spice exists to inspire our generation to delight in God. We do this through the podcast, online Bible studies, leadership trainings, and more. We want to serve Christ-followers who seek to live a life spiced with the gospel. We want to love God, because He first loved us. We want to experience the fullness of life with Him—and not be content with stale, boring, leftover faith. Jesus tells us that the most important thing is to love the Lord our God, so we take Him seriously. He adds that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Now, there are many ways to do that, but I have always personally felt deep compassion for victims of human trafficking – it is modern day slavery, and it revolts the heart of God. And so, they are our particular neighbors here at Gospel Spice. We want to play our part in raising awareness and then financially supporting those who fight this great evil.  Now we would love to invite you to join the team in one of three ways:1, pray Gospel Spice forward – pray for our guests, our listeners and participants, and for us too!2, play Gospel Spice forward by telling your friends about us, and by please leaving positive reviews and comments on your podcast listening app;and 3rd, PAY GospelSpice forward. Less than 1% of our listeners are supporting us financially. We need your help! Please pay Gospel Spice forward today. It can be a one-time donation, or a monthly one, for the amount of your choice. Your donation is fully tax-deductible in the US. Plus, once we cover our costs, a significant portion of your donation will be given back to Christian organizations that fight human trafficking, and that we vet thoroughly. So, you can know that every dime you give is used for the Kingdom of God. Every little bit helps. So, be part of the spice of the gospel by becoming a financial partner today!Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Step into a journey of brokenness, healing, and hope with Laney Rene as she shares her powerful story with you and me this week! Laney beautifully articulates her struggles with questioning God's healing and how God redeemed her belief in it. Her story displays the profound ways in which God uses pain and suffering to exhibit His glory and grace.She tells us about her transformative encounters with God and how she felt His presence redefining her identity and value through pivotal life moments. Her vulnerability encourages me to seek such transformative experiences with my precious King! She emphasizes the importance of shifting from a performance-centered life to a grace-centered one, encouraging us to find refuge in God and derive confidence from our relationship with Him.Our conversation touches on the theme of finding wholeness and redemption amidst brokenness, mirrored by Laney's experiences of peace and joy even in the face of loss and pain. Laney expresses her heartfelt prayer for her daughter to inherit her lessons without enduring the same pain. The power of a mother's prayer is truly inspiring! We talk about fatherhood, earthly relationships, and the beauty of finding redemption and healing despite challenging circumstances. Laney's story exemplifies the resilience and hope captured in 2nd Corinthians 4:8—being hard-pressed but not crushed. It's a testament to the enduring power of faith and the unwavering love of God.Here are some of my personal takeaways from this conversation; they focus on Laney’s message about the importance of hope, community, prayer, personal transformation, and seeking intimacy with God as foundational principles for living a purposeful and grace-filled life. I am sharing as many as I could think of, hoping a couple of them will really speak to you!-          Believe in hope even in moments of perplexity and lack of understanding.-          Embrace the truth that God can redeem and restore belief in healing, even in the face of doubt and questioning.-          Recognize that God uses our pain and suffering to display His glory and extends grace based on our needs.-          Find strength and wisdom in the community of believers, learning from each other's journeys and experiences.-          Extend blessings and prayers of grace over relationships, seeking God's love and healing for others.-          Embrace personal life experiences, as they can be transformative and lead to encounters with God's presence and grace.-          Look for moments where God redefines identity and value, recognizing the transforming power of His love.-          Emphasize internal transformation by seeking God's presence, despite outward appearances or circumstances.-          Share prayers of love and healing for women in different seasons of life, asking for peace, health, and the understanding of being God's beloved daughters.-          Seek to understand and share personal stories, acknowledging that everyone has a unique relationship with their earthly father.-          Recognize that God can redeem and heal any story, regardless of the influence of our earthly fathers.-          Embrace the journey of shifting from a performance-focused mindset to a grace-filled lifestyle, letting go of perfectionism and striving.-          Find refuge and confidence in a relationship with God rather than in following specific steps or formulas.-          Embrace the posture of a child seeking intimacy with God, recognizing the pure trust and love in being His child.CONNECT WITH LANEY RENELaney is a wife, mom, and founder of The One He Loves, a ministry which exists so every woman can be refreshed, encouraged, and reminded of Jesus’ loving-kindness toward them. Laney is known for sharing the goodness of Jesus in a way that is not just inviting but also captivating. After walking through a painful season and into a redemption story only Jesus could come up with, Laney couldn’t keep the good news to herself. Today, as a worship artist, author, and speaker, Laney continues to find creative ways to share the heart of Jesus with everyone she can!https://laneyrene.com/MORE ABOUT THE BOOKFrom the book: “The truth is, though you may not feel like it now, you’re in a beautiful place. Whether it’s for the first time or whether it’s for the hundredth time, it’s never a bad idea to ask your Father, to ask Jesus, to remind you who you are.”Drawing from relevant scripture and not shying away from the hard questions—or pretending she has all the answers— Laney shares the experiences that have shaped her into who she is today.“My hope for you — no matter what stage or season of life you’re in, no matter your upbringing or background — is that the words in this book would refresh your soul.” – LaneyThis book provides a picture of the Father’s faithfulness and deep love for every Daughter. It is an invitation to receive a God-given identity, to walk in the inheritance of who you already are.https://laneyrene.com/shopWe invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogIdentity in the battle | Ephesianshttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/Malachi: Messenger to Messiahhttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/Wisdom from the Book of Proverbshttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/Come to the Table | The Feasts Jesus celebratedhttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Bonjour! Stephanie here. I invite you to join me today on a nostalgic trip to my grandmother's attic, where the scent of dried lavender transported me to the enchanting landscapes of the south of France. But as we explore the allure of lavender, we discover that sometimes its promises can be misleading. Just like the pursuit of independence, when detached from God, can leave us empty-handed.Drawing from personal experiences and family history, I invite you to discuss the inherited traits and tendencies that shape our lives. What have we received from our ancestors, and what are we passing down to future generations? Let’s explore the dangers of trying to measure up to a standard of goodness and the toxic effects of pride and shame. Our modern culture, saturated with self-centered ideologies, contrasts sharply with the biblical perspective on sin and righteousness. Through the lens of the Old Testament, we discover the importance of aligning ourselves with God's ways rather than seeking our own.I want us to highlight Jesus' interpretation of the 10 commandments, because He reminds us that we have all fallen short and broken each one. Temptation, like the scent of lavender, surrounds us, and our natural inclination to believe we can be good enough on our own is a consequence of sin passed down through generations.Our 21st-century Western culture tends to be self-centered and narcissistic, but the Bible paints a different picture. It emphasizes that God's standards are what truly matter, regardless of our feelings of success or failure. Murder and anger, adultery and white lies, all bear the poison that separates us from God. The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden reveals the danger of seeking independence from God. By desiring their own way, they ingested the forbidden fruit, causing separation from the goodness and trustworthiness of God. Choosing our own way over God's leads us down a path of evil, twistedness, and untrustworthiness.So, if you're curious how misapplied lavender relates to our pursuit of independence from God, join me on this highly personal journey. Let's open the family album of the Old Testament together and uncover the truth about sin, good deeds, and the hope offered by the Gospel message.Remember, temptation is often laced with lavender, enticing us to believe that we can rule our lives better than God can. But in truth, true hope, peace, and fulfillment can only be found in surrendering to His ways.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO PARTNER WITH GOSPEL SPICE TODAY!First, PAY Gospel Spice Forward: Give a tax-deductible gift so others can experience our ministry for free, just like you! You can pay it forward with any debit, credit card, or via PayPal. See below for more details about your impact.Also, PLAY Gospel Spice Forward: SHARE the podcast and the studies with your friends and family. FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW on your favorite podcast app (leave a comment + a star rating on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Pandora, IHeart, Google Podcast, etc…). It REALLY is the best way to help others find this content-rich podcast. And, last but not least, PRAY Gospel Spice Forward: We pray for you weekly. We covet your prayers for our ministry, the thousands we reach, and our team! Contact us to let us know you are praying for us!NEW!Another way to partner with us is to purchase our workbooks and online Bible studies. We keep them at the lowest possible cost, but they require a lot of work from us! For example, - a complete Bible Study requires an average of 500 man-hours. - a workbook for a series requires almost 100 man-hours.MORE ABOUT PARTNERING WITH US FINANCIALLY:Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status.Our goal is to provide in-depth, high-quality, free Bible resources for all. They are free, but expensive to create! We need your financial support to keep producing and distributing them. Please pay Gospel Spice forward today! For example, a podcast episode takes close to 10 hours of work (and we release 2 each week). They come to you completely free, but we would truly love your support.We want the money to go to those who really need it. Once our operating costs are paid, 100% of your donation is redistributed to our partners who fight human trafficking. Each year, we aim to give as much as we can. For example, Stephanie works more than full time for Gospel Spice, entirely for free. All board members and volunteers are donating time. We limit our operational expenses to the bare minimum.Your pay-it-forward donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170.We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. Thank you!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogDo you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us. 1- If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It’s at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don’t want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There’s exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you!4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you!So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions:1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you’re going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we’ve put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it’s one of the easiest ways to share the gospel!4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogWe offer high-quality, full color, gorgeous PDF downloadable workbooks to come alongside each episode of this original series of Gospel Spice, Jesus Rabbi and Lord. These workbooks allow you to build your library of in-depth Biblical studies and content to maximize your time in Scripture and amplify your intimacy with God. For each episode, we offer:- an episode summary- a listening guide- key takeaways from the episode- key quotes- Bible verses to enhance your experience- up to 10 questions per episode to take charge of your quiet time- topics for further research, based on the episode content.There are 3 workbooks, each containing over 10 episodes to cover the entire series. You can buy them separately, or as a bundle for an amazing price!Go now to https://www.gospelspice.com/jesus for the details and to purchase your Jesus Rabbi and Lord workbooks!Bonjour! Gospel Spice exists to inspire our generation to delight in God. We do this through the podcast, online Bible studies, leadership trainings, and more. We want to serve Christ-followers who seek to live a life spiced with the gospel. We want to love God, because He first loved us. We want to experience the fullness of life with Him—and not be content with stale, boring, leftover faith. Jesus tells us that the most important thing is to love the Lord our God, so we take Him seriously. He adds that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Now, there are many ways to do that, but I have always personally felt deep compassion for victims of human trafficking – it is modern day slavery, and it revolts the heart of God. And so, they are our particular neighbors here at Gospel Spice. We want to play our part in raising awareness and then financially supporting those who fight this great evil.  Now we would love to invite you to join the team in one of three ways:1, pray Gospel Spice forward – pray for our guests, our listeners and participants, and for us too!2, play Gospel Spice forward by telling your friends about us, and by please leaving positive reviews and comments on your podcast listening app;and 3rd, PAY GospelSpice forward. Less than 1% of our listeners are supporting us financially. We need your help! Please pay Gospel Spice forward today. It can be a one-time donation, or a monthly one, for the amount of your choice. Your donation is fully tax-deductible in the US. Plus, once we cover our costs, a significant portion of your donation will be given back to Christian organizations that fight human trafficking, and that we vet thoroughly. So, you can know that every dime you give is used for the Kingdom of God. Every little bit helps. So, be part of the spice of the gospel by becoming a financial partner today!Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

I am beyond thrilled to welcome special guest Joshua Aaron who invites us on a journey through the heart of worship, deep family stories, and living out faith in the midst of conflict. Joshua emphasizes the need to slow down and truly focus on worshipping God in Spirit and truth.From heart-wrenching family stories to personal faith journeys, Joshua Aaron shares his rich family history, including his grandmother's escape from the Holocaust, and her struggle with Christianity when her own daughter, Joshua’ mother, decided to trust Yeshua. It's a deeply touching and thought-provoking moment.Joshua Aaron's deep passion for worship is truly inspiring. He is passionate to share the love of God through music, and his dedication to Gather the Nations, a worship conference aiming to unite people from various backgrounds and cultures. He's a true ambassador of love and unity in Yeshua!Joshua Aaron began by emphasizing the necessity of slowing down the pace of worship and focusing on the primary goal of worshipping God in spirit and truth. He expressed his concerns about the overwhelming emphasis on new songs and the commercialization of worship, fearing that it might lead to a loss of focus on the true purpose of worship. This thought-provoking insight invites us to reevaluate our approach to worship and emphasizes the importance of centering our worship on God's essence.The conversation pivoted to the mix of old and new songs in worship, highlighting the importance of connecting the past and present in worship. Joshua shared a personal experience of being deeply moved by an old hymn and questioned the unremitting need for the constant production of new songs. It's a poignant reminder of the timeless beauty and depth of traditional hymns, and the need to integrate them with contemporary expressions of worship. Should we be seeking again the depth and understanding from the hymns of old? He shares concern about the industry of worship and the rush for new songs, questioning whether it takes away from the true purpose of worship. Can you relate? Have you ever felt that some worship songs are just missing the mark? Joshua expresses the value of seeking God in Scripture and worship, and cautions against self-centered worship songs. I agree with him on his personal preference for the mix of old and new songs in worship, stressing the importance of connecting past and present in our worship.Finally, Joshua invited us to enter the emotional strain of living in a conflict zone, recounting the challenges faced by his family in Israel. The personal anecdotes of his daughter serving in the IDF and his poignant recollection of an intense moment before a war broke out offer a glimpse into the emotional turmoil experienced by families living in areas of conflict. It serves as a reminder of the resilience and faith required to navigate such challenging circumstances, and the crucial support for families and individuals living amidst conflict. Our prayers go out to Israel and the people of Gaza in this conflict.The conversation wraps up with heartfelt prayers for Joshua Aaron's family and a moving moment where he blesses the audience. His touching presence and dedication to serving God are truly awe-inspiring.Profound, worshipful, heartwarming, and deeply thought-provoking. That’s how I would describe this conversation. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have!MEET JOSHUA AARONJoshua Aaron is an award-winning American-Israeli independent singer and songwriter recently listed as one of the Jewish Global 100 influencers. He resides near the Sea of Galilee with his wife Jeannie, and their 5 children, their eldest child now serving in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces).Joshua is the founder of "Gather the Nations", an international non-profit hosting an annual conference, music outreach, and music mentorship program. Since 2009 he's hosted an annual Worship in Israel tour, bringing cohorts of believers on an unforgettable journey to the Holy Land, from Jerusalem to his backyard, the Galilee.His music, sung in English and Hebrew, blends a wide array of sounds including traditional Jewish genres reaching millions of listeners of all nations, and languages.https://www.joshuaaaron.tv/The Blessing in Hebrew by Joshua Aaron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzqrWae5lK4Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Bonjour! Stephanie here. I really hope this new episode finds you well and nourished with the Spirit of the Gospel. I am honored and delighted to bring you a new episode of the Gospel Spice podcast, diving deeper into the topic of baptism.In our previous episode, we uncovered the deeper meaning of baptism and explored its significance in the life of Jesus. This week, we continue our journey of discovery and unpack the rich symbolism and connections surrounding baptism. We pick up where we left off with the baptism of Jesus, and dive into the Trinity's presence and the symbolism of the dove as the Holy Spirit. But the connections don't stop there! The prophet Jonah comes into the picture to give us profound parallels between Jonah's encounter with water and Jesus' baptism.As we delve into Matthew 12, we remember how Jesus refers to Jonah as the ultimate sign, connecting His impending death and resurrection to that of Jonah's three days in the belly of the fish. I invite you to take a fresh look at the significance of this connection and how it points to the central message of God's grace and salvation offered to all through Jesus Christ.Remember, the Gospel Spice podcast is all about digging deeper into the mysteries of the gospel and applying its truths to our everyday lives. So, join us on this journey of faith as we uncover the treasures hidden within the Scriptures.If you have any questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes, feel free to reach out. We love hearing from our listeners and tailoring our content to meet your needs! Thank you for being a part of the Gospel Spice community. May the love and grace of the Gospel continue to spice up your life!Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogIdentity in the battle | Ephesianshttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/Malachi: Messenger to Messiahhttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/Wisdom from the Book of Proverbshttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/Come to the Table | The Feasts Jesus celebratedhttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us. 1- If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It’s at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don’t want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There’s exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you!4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you!So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions:1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you’re going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we’ve put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it’s one of the easiest ways to share the gospel!4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogWe offer high-quality, full color, gorgeous PDF downloadable workbooks to come alongside each episode of this original series of Gospel Spice, Jesus Rabbi and Lord. These workbooks allow you to build your library of in-depth Biblical studies and content to maximize your time in Scripture and amplify your intimacy with God. For each episode, we offer:- an episode summary- a listening guide- key takeaways from the episode- key quotes- Bible verses to enhance your experience- up to 10 questions per episode to take charge of your quiet time- topics for further research, based on the episode content.There are 3 workbooks, each containing over 10 episodes to cover the entire series. You can buy them separately, or as a bundle for an amazing price!Go now to https://www.gospelspice.com/jesus for the details and to purchase your Jesus Rabbi and Lord workbooks!Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

I love few things more than a conversation with someone I highly respect, and am always learning from. Susie Larson is right at the top of the list for me. She is a best-selling author, popular radio host, and Bible teacher, and most of all, she is full of hard-earned wisdom and a tangible love for those of us who are on the frontlines of battle. That is you and me! So, it is a great joy for me to spend an hour with her in your company today. We have a raw, honest, deep conversation that will bring you hope, fuel your faith, and most definitely invite you to reframe your story with God’s perspective!In her latest book, Susie reveals something she’s struggled with for a long time – something to which many Christians can relate: “I’ve lived much of my adult life bracing for impact. I love Jesus. I worship Him, enjoy Him, and spend hours in His Word. How is it possible to pursue Jesus earnestly yet simultaneously live with elbows locked? Though I loved my times with Jesus, I had developed a posture of self-protection, just waiting for the next storm to hit. Then, one day, God showed me my heart… I realized that because of my chronic battle with illness, I was disappointed in Him. Hurt by Him. Not enough to walk away from Him (where would I go?) but enough to rob me of the gift of expectancy. So I’ve spent the last couple of years earnestly cultivating an expectant heart around God’s goodness. And it’s changed everything!”Here are some elements you can look forward to learning from this episode:-          Discover the transformative power of imprinting God's love, marveling at His mercies, and rehearsing His miracles in your life.-          Gain insights into reframing your story with God's perspective and stewarding your words for positivity and empowerment.-          Understand the impact of fear and trauma on our lives, and learn how to overcome and face these challenges with perseverance.-          Uncover the importance of unity and collaboration in the Kingdom, breaking away from competition and embracing community.-          Explore the concept of living in holy expectancy and seeking guidance from the Lord as you navigate life's challenges.Want more? Here are some of the topics Susie and I covered today:-          Overcoming physical and spiritual challengesSusie’s battle with chronic Lyme disease and exposure to black mold resulted in a devastating relapse eight years ago. The impact was profound, leading to memory loss, difficulty speaking, and a struggle with fear and worry that caused a spiritual shift. Despite her love for God, she found herself in a place of deep mistrust. However, through this harrowing experience, she underwent a spiritual transformation, recognizing the need to appreciate God's miracles, marvel at His mercies, and imprint His loving kindness on her heart.-          The power of positive physiological changes through faithAs Susie applied herself to appreciate God's miracles and imprint His love on her heart, she experienced positive physiological changes, increased vitality, resilience, and strength. This emphasizes the powerful connection between our thoughts and physiological reactions, underscoring the impact of imprinting God's love on one's heart. Susie Larson's journey serves as a testament to the profound relationship between faith, mindset, and the body's response.-          Trusting in God's promisesWe switched to a discussion of the Israelites' lack of faith in God's promises, highlighting the importance of meeting God's promises with unwavering faith. Drawing from the book of Psalms, Susie share excerpts that reflect on the Israelites' grumbling and God's response, emphasizing the significance of faith and trust in God's goodness. Susie underscored the essential nature of embracing God's promises with faith, and how this paves the way for receiving His goodness.-          Embracing God's perspective in difficult seasonsThroughout the conversation, Susie candidly shares personal struggles with physical health, financial hardships, and spiritual depletion. Amidst the challenges, she experienced a profound sense of God's silence, questioning His plans. However, as God reassured her of a new season and the fulfillment of His promises, Susie’s heart was renewed with hope and faith. This serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of reframing our stories with God's perspective, especially during seasons of adversity.-          The power of our wordsSusie reflects on the potent impact of words, realizing the significance of her own negative affirmations and the need to guard against speaking negatively. The conversation touches on the biblical and scientific evidence supporting the power of words, underscoring the importance of addressing heart issues and stewarding our words with intention and wisdom.-          Unity and collaboration in the Kingdom:Susie shares her struggles with entering ministry and navigating the competitive nature and territorial behavior in the industry. Emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration in the Kingdom, she speaks against individualism and competition, championing the spirit of collaboration and support within the body of Christ.-          Living in Holy expectancy:Susie Larson's journey of faith, resilience, and spiritual growth is a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's love and the unwavering strength found in Him. Her willingness to share her struggles, triumphs, and deep insights transcends the podcast, offering a profound guide for navigating life's challenges with faith, hope, and a steadfast belief in God's goodness. The conversation today ends with a prayer focused on living in holy expectancy, capturing the essence of hope, faith, and anticipation for God's goodness and provision.To summarize, here are priceless nuggets of wisdom from my conversation with Susie today:-          Marvel at God's mercies, imprint His loving kindness on your heart, and appreciate His miracles to receive His goodness when it comes.-          Understand the connection between thoughts and physiological reactions, and seek to imprint God's love on your heart for positive physiological changes.-          Reframe your stories with God's perspective, dealing with the heart issues and stewarding your words for positive impact.-          Seek to live a life for God's glory, knowing His love, and sharing your experiences to help others navigate their difficulties.-          Embrace a philosophy of abundance over scarcity, realizing the importance of unity and collaboration in the Kingdom, instead of individualism and competition.-          Overcome fear and refuse to let it hinder your purpose, recognizing the impact of fear and the importance of reaching others for God.-          Seek guidance from the Lord and face your fears, acknowledging them but not allowing them to hinder your potential.-          Refuse to live in perpetual insecurity and fear, understanding God's promises and meeting them with faith.-          Acknowledge your missteps, mistakes, and sins, and believe that God can use them for your good and His glory when you love Him and are called according to His purpose.-          Live in holy expectancy, being ready to meet Jesus and living a life for His glory.MORE ABOUT SUSIE LARSONSusie Larson is a bestselling author, national speaker, and host of the popular radio show Susie Larson Live. Whether behind a desk or behind a mic, Susie lives out her passion to see people everywhere awakened to the depth of God's love, the value of their soul, and the height of their calling in Christ Jesus. Find her at https://www.susielarson.com/about/A two-time finalist for the prestigious John C. Maxwell Transformational Leadership Award, Susie is the author of over 20 books and devotionals, and her Daily Blessings reach over half a million people each week on social media. Her radio show is heard daily on the Faith Radio Network, as well as around the world through her podcast, which has more than 7 million downloads. A popular media guest and guest host, Susie has appeared on shows like Focus on the Family, Life Today, and Family Life Today. In addition to her work and ministry, Susie loves to laugh and relax with her family. She and her husband, Kevin, have been married since 1985. Together they have three wonderful (and hilarious) sons, three beautiful daughters-in-law, a growing bunch of delightful grandchildren, one adorable Golden Mountain Doodle named Bella-Joy.MORE ABOUT THE BOOK, “WAKING UP TO THE GOODNESS OF GOD”In Waking Up to the Goodness of God: 40 Days Towards Healing and Wholeness, Susie has been purposeful in her choice of readings, reflections, and prayers, all designed to awaken readers to God’s goodness and retrain their hearts and minds to believe for God’s best:-          The opening prayer is designed to help grow the reader’s faith and secure their footing.-          The short devotion on that day’s topic points towards God’s beautiful intentions towards His children.-          The day’s closing faith declaration and “brain-retrain” statement are meant to be said, prayed and rehearsed throughout the day. We tend to default to positions of fear, discouragement, and hopelessness. We have to practice a posture of faith, hope and love. Rehearsing God’s goodness will feel like nourishment for the soul because God has wired us for hope!Scripture highlights the significance of forty days as typical length fora pilgrimage or spiritual journey toward a more profound dependence and reliance on God (Genesis 7:4; Exodus 34:28; Matthew 4:1–2). However, Susie stresses that there’s “no need to be restricted to forty days here. What if you decided to set out on this journey but gave yourself permission to go slow, to linger over the truths that resonate with you, and to allow those truths to seep deeply into your soul and cells? I’d rather you take your time as you read these devotions and experience transformational change as you go than to rush through these pages and miss God’s invitation to you. Move at the pace of God’s grace and you’ll move from a posture of bracing for impact to one of holy expectancy. It’ll change your life.”Join Susie Larson on a transformative pilgrimage in Waking Up to the Goodness of God, exploring God’s invitation to flourish, heal, and know His peace in a way that changes us forever.Buy the book here: https://www.susielarson.com/susies-book-store We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogIdentity in the battle | Ephesianshttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/Malachi: Messenger to Messiahhttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/Wisdom from the Book of Proverbshttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/Come to the Table | The Feasts Jesus celebratedhttps://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Hi! Stephanie here. I am so glad you joined us today for a special dive (no pun intended!) into the experience and meaning of baptism. I want us to explore the parallel between the dyeing of fabric with a new color and our own transformation through baptism. Just as the fabric takes on a new identity and value, so do we as we embrace the added worth found in Christ. We become members of God's family, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and equipped to live out our faith in the world.Consider the message behind baptism: As believers, we are called to don the colors of our favorite team - Team Jesus! Baptism represents our identification with Jesus Christ, His message of grace and salvation, and His cause to share the good news with the whole world. It's a public declaration of our faith and a symbol of our new identity in Christ.But what about Jesus' baptism? He had no need for purification or repentance, as He was without sin. So, why did He choose to be baptized? It marked the beginning of His earthly ministry and revealed His role as the chosen Son, marked by God's love and the delight of His life.I also want to invite you to ponder anew the importance of delighting in the glory of God and making Jesus the delight of our lives. Baptism serves as a reminder of God's deep joy and love for us, just as He declared Jesus to be the delight of His own being.Remember, as we proudly wear our brightly colored jerseys, let's continue to identify with Jesus, His message, and His cause. Let's live out our new identity and share the good news with the world. Together, we can make Jesus the delight of our lives, just as He is the delight of the Father.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!Grab your headphones, hit play, and let Gospel Spice be the catalyst for encountering Jesus in a way you've never experienced before!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO PARTNER WITH GOSPEL SPICE TODAY!First, PAY Gospel Spice Forward: Give a tax-deductible gift so others can experience our ministry for free, just like you! You can pay it forward with any debit, credit card, or via PayPal. See below for more details about your impact.Also, PLAY Gospel Spice Forward: SHARE the podcast and the studies with your friends and family. FOLLOW, RATE & REVIEW on your favorite podcast app (leave a comment + a star rating on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Pandora, IHeart, Google Podcast, etc…). It REALLY is the best way to help others find this content-rich podcast. And, last but not least, PRAY Gospel Spice Forward: We pray for you weekly. We covet your prayers for our ministry, the thousands we reach, and our team! Contact us to let us know you are praying for us!NEW!Another way to partner with us is to purchase our workbooks and online Bible studies. We keep them at the lowest possible cost, but they require a lot of work from us! For example, - a complete Bible Study requires an average of 500 man-hours. - a workbook for a series requires almost 100 man-hours.MORE ABOUT PARTNERING WITH US FINANCIALLY:Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status.Our goal is to provide in-depth, high-quality, free Bible resources for all. They are free, but expensive to create! We need your financial support to keep producing and distributing them. Please pay Gospel Spice forward today! For example, a podcast episode takes close to 10 hours of work (and we release 2 each week). They come to you completely free, but we would truly love your support.We want the money to go to those who really need it. Once our operating costs are paid, 100% of your donation is redistributed to our partners who fight human trafficking. Each year, we aim to give as much as we can. For example, Stephanie works more than full time for Gospel Spice, entirely for free. All board members and volunteers are donating time. We limit our operational expenses to the bare minimum.Your pay-it-forward donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170.We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. Thank you!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogDo you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us. 1- If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It’s at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don’t want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There’s exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you!4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you!So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions:1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you’re going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we’ve put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it’s one of the easiest ways to share the gospel!4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogWe offer high-quality, full color, gorgeous PDF downloadable workbooks to come alongside each episode of this original series of Gospel Spice, Jesus Rabbi and Lord. These workbooks allow you to build your library of in-depth Biblical studies and content to maximize your time in Scripture and amplify your intimacy with God. For each episode, we offer:- an episode summary- a listening guide- key takeaways from the episode- key quotes- Bible verses to enhance your experience- up to 10 questions per episode to take charge of your quiet time- topics for further research, based on the episode content.There are 3 workbooks, each containing over 10 episodes to cover the entire series. You can buy them separately, or as a bundle for an amazing price!Go now to https://www.gospelspice.com/jesus for the details and to purchase your Jesus Rabbi and Lord workbooks!Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Have you ever thought about how your personality affects your prayer life? Today, I welcome a dear personal friend and inspiring author on the show, Janet McHenry. She is releasing a groundbreaking book on the connection between personality and prayer. Get ready for some mind-blowing insights!Janet reminds us that prayer is not just about getting answers, but about having ACCESS to God. It's about developing a prayer lifestyle, not just having a prayer life. In her book, "Praying Personalities, Finding Your Natural Prayer Style," Janet explores how different personality types connect with prayer.She looks at generational practices and even considers different learning styles. Janet studied Abraham, Moses, David, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, among others. Their unique prayer styles inspire us to explore and find our own God-given DNA of prayer, so to speak.Curious about your prayer personality? Janet’s book offers a praying personalities quiz to help you identify your unique style. Are you a problem solver, a friend of God, an organized prayer warrior, or a peace seeker? Let's find out!Known for her inspiring book, “Prayerwalking,” Janet saw the need to provide alternatives for those who couldn't physically walk. Thus, the idea for "Praying Personalities" was born! Janet McHenry shares her journey and how prayer changes not only situations but also OURSELVES.Preordering Janet’ McHenry’s book guarantees being the FIRST to receive it! So you can take the praying quiz beforehand and dive straight into discovering your praying personality. Mark your calendars for the release of "Praying Personalities, Finding Your Natural Prayer Style" on February 13th, 2024! Preorder now to ensure you receive this transformative book right on time. Don't miss out!Prayer is a powerful tool that shapes our lives, and Janet’s new book is a roadmap to unlocking the full potential of your prayer life. Now, it's time for you to explore your own praying personality! Let's go change the world, one prayer at a time!FIND OUT YOUR PRAYER PERSONALITYYou should pray in the morning.""You should write out your prayers.""You should make prayer lists and pray through them every day.""You should pray with others or out loud." We've all heard the "you shoulds" of prayer from pulpits, presenters, and well-meaning friends. But what do you do when the "right way" to pray feels like a struggle?When you take the Praying Personality Quiz, you will find out what kind of praying style is most natural for you--based on your God-given personality.Click here: https://prayingpersonalities.com/MORE ABOUT THE BOOK, PRAYING PERSONALITIESDiscover your God-given prayer DNA and the particular way God designed you to connect with Him through prayer!You should pray in the morning. You should write out your prayers. You should make prayer lists and pray through them every day. You should pray with others or out loud. We've all heard the "you shoulds" of prayer from pulpits, presenters, and well-meaning friends. But when none of these ways to pray feel natural, what's next?In this book the author helps readers determine their particular praying personality by examining the praying styles of biblical people, spiritual gifts, and various ideas about personality, including the classic temperaments, the Enneagram, and more. McHenry includes scores of bulleted suggestions for developing a praying lifestyle that works for individuals. She has also created a Praying Personality Quiz for readers (available in the book and online) to help narrow down the style that will most naturally fit into how they process a prayer life.Preorder here: https://prayingpersonalities.com/KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS CONVERSATION1️⃣ Tailor Your Prayers: Janet suggests that prayer is not a one-size-fits-all approach. By understanding your personality type, you can discover a prayer style that resonates with you. Whether you're a problem solver, a friend of God, or a peace seeker, there's a way to pray that feels natural and authentic to you.2️⃣ Develop a Praying Lifestyle: It's not just about having a prayer life; it's about integrating prayer into every aspect of your life. Janet emphasizes the importance of cultivating a praying lifestyle that goes beyond scheduled prayer times. Find ways to incorporate prayer into your daily routines and activities.3️⃣ Learn from Biblical Models: Janet's book dives into biblical characters and their prayer styles, providing inspiration and guidance. From Abraham to Esther, each person had a unique approach to prayer. By studying their examples, we can glean wisdom and apply it to our own prayer lives.MEET JANET MCHENRYJanet McHenry is a national speaker and author of 24 books—including the bestselling PrayerWalk and her most recent, The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus. Her business name is Looking Up! because she loves encouraging others to turn to God through a praying lifestyle. Her prayerwalking has been featured in magazines such as Health and Woman’s Day, and she has been interviewed widely about prayer and prayerwalking. A recently retired English teacher and academic advisor, Janet and her husband Craig raised their four children in the Sierra Valley, where she loves walking with her Personal Trainer, Jesus.Often described as a  life juggler, upon graduation with a degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, Janet McHenry worked as a newspaper reporter and high school English teacher while raising four kids with her high school sweetheart husband Craig (aka The Rancher).Post-college and post-Army, they settled down in the Sierra Valley in northern California. They raise beef cattle in a county without a single stoplight and love sharing the outdoors with their nine grandchildren.Janet looks for ways to serve leadership and others when she speaks at retreats and conferences. She also serves as prayer coordinator at The Bridge Church in Reno, on the advisory council of First Place for Health, and on the state leadership team for the National Day of Prayer.She is a writer, speaker, life and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Certified Coach as well as the founder of the Sierra Valley Writers Retreat.She also loves hosting friends new and seasoned at her Sierra Valley Writers Retreats . . . or just for a cup of something yummy. And she looks forward to knowing you better!Find out more at https://www.janetmchenry.com/ Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us. 1- If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It’s at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don’t want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There’s exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you!4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you!So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions:1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you’re going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we’ve put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it’s one of the easiest ways to share the gospel!4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you!Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogSupport us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Jason VanRuler doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the walk, emphasizing the importance of identifying and challenging our own self-perceptions. He's all about questioning the evidence behind those perceptions and boy, does that hit home for many of us! One of Jason's key messages? Find safe people to share and seek support from. Starting small and accessible rather than diving headfirst into vulnerability is essential. Learning curves! We've all been there!Let's talk about Jason's personal journey... From seeking support in all the wrong places to finding the right people who lifted him up, he's been there and back. His wife played a pivotal role in his journey, proving the power of a strong support system. Jason VanRuler also touches on his relationship with God, from strain to seeing His presence in his life. He emphasizes prayer as a safe space for vulnerability, intertwining it with the deep connection between vulnerability and love. Can I get an amen?!"Do the next right thing, have courage, and connect." Jason's advice is all about taking those small, courageous steps towards connecting with others. It all boils down to having the bravery to reach out, especially with difficult past experiences in tow. Jason's fascination with understanding and helping people led him to become a therapist. He's all about encouraging others to reassess their beliefs and seek validation to unlock their true worth. You are so much more than you realize!Questions, questions, questions! We highlight the value of asking, learning, and growing through the wisdom of others. Unleash that inquisitive nature for your own benefit and the good of those around you!Family, love, and connection take center stage as we discuss the role of parents in empowering children. We touch on the healing power of these moments and how children can teach us adults a thing or two about vulnerability and curiosity.And of course, there's some light-hearted banter about soccer teams because who doesn't love a good laugh? It's all about embracing the process, growth, and finding trust in God as a friend and coach on this wild ride called life. There's also a soul-stirring story about a song initially representing heartache, which transformed into a symbol of hope and healing. Perspective shifts are everything, and hope truly shines in the moments when we need it most.This conversation is a powerful reminder of the beauty and strength found in vulnerability and connection. Let's keep this energy alive and embrace the journey of growth, love, and understanding. You are never alone! Key takeaways from the conversation1. Embrace Vulnerability: Jason VanRuler stressed the significance of identifying and questioning our self-perceptions. He encouraged finding safe people to share and seek support from, highlighting the power of vulnerability in connecting with God and others.2. Foster Authentic Connections: Our lives are defined by our relationships and our ability to connect with others. Jason emphasized the value of seeking support from trustworthy individuals and the importance of community in personal growth.3. Courage in Personal Growth: By sharing his personal journey and the obstacles he faced in becoming a therapist, Jason emphasized the importance of courage, connection, and seeking wisdom from others. His story serves as an inspiration for embracing vulnerability and pursuing growth.MORE ABOUT THE BOOK, GET PAST YOUR PASTLicensed therapist Jason VanRuler personally knows how difficult it can be to look at your brokenness, heal and move forward. He grew up surrounded by abuse, addiction, chaos and conflict. One morning after a night out drinking and using drugs, VanRuler was alone in an apartment he couldn’t afford due to having an unstable job and a substantial amount of debt. He felt broken and hated himself for falling into the same patterns he saw as a child and swore never to be a part of. After years of avoiding his pain, he eventually reached the point where he was able to get professional help and started to feel hope for the first time.The battle of healing from the past is a long and hard journey. In his new book, Get Past Your Past: How Facing Your Broken Places Leads to True Connection, VanRuler invites readers to address past pain and hurt and embrace love and connection through personal stories, biblical wisdom and his clinical experience as a therapist. He offers empathy, grace and a hand to hold as he shares his own trauma and struggles with alcohol, drug use and depression combined with his professional knowledge from over a decade helping patients face their brokenness and find healing and authentic connection. “I spent so many years letting things that had happened in the past make me feel broken and run the show, and I know it’s not easy to shine a light on those places,” writes VanRuler. “I wrote this book for everyone, not only as a guide as they navigate these stages but also as a reference for the times when they feel stuck and alone. I want readers to know that they are not alone in their journey or the exception to the rule.”Purchase the book here: https://www.jasonvr.com/book MEET JASON VANRULERJason VanRuler began his career in 2011 and has worked with many populations over the years, ranging from persons who are incarcerated to top CEOs, performers and artists, and just about everyone in between. Jason has extensive experience as a clinician, coach, and speaker and operates a multistate private practice. In 2018, Jason joined Bethesda Workshops in Nashville, TN, where he serves as a group leader and facilitator. Jason is known for his ability to relate and connect with his clients and offer hope to those who have felt hopeless. He has an engaged and rapidly growing online audience for his insightful, short videos sharing practical tips for psychological care, self-help, and healthy relationships.Jason enjoys spending time with his wife and three children playing games and traveling. In his spare time, Jason enjoys cycling, running, music, fly fishing, and all things personal development related.You will find Jason at https://www.jasonvr.com/The perfect gift for everyone - apparel, drinkware, stickers and more for all the women, men and kids in your life!https://www.gospelspice.com/merchGo to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blogDo you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us. 1- If you’ve enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It’s at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don’t want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? 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