#53: Delete + Reset: Race, Racism, and Your Role in Racial Reconciliation with Dr. Lucretia Berry

It all counts. Every act the Lord asks you to do is valuable. He sees it all. It all matters. All the work given to you by God and done in love is meaningful. 

I’m really good at discounting or downplaying the good ways God wired me, how He’s forming me through trials, and the work I do, the roles I hold, and how I show up in the world. And y’all, I believe that discounting is an effective - but totally flimsy - tactic of our enemy, who wants us quiet and isolated and stuck because we’re questioning our value and the goodness of God. 

Y’all, Jesus sees it all. He delights in all the good you do in His name and out of love. He sees your sacrifice right now. He sees your heart trying to figure out life and how to love your people well. He knows your intentions, and God desires to help you every step of the way. All the work given to you by God and done in love is meaningful. 

Mentioned in the podcast 

The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

• Four Years of Podcasting Giveaway
• Safe People by Drs. Townsend and Cloud
• #194: What I Want You To Know: Grace and truth
• Lauren Gaines
• Twyla Franz
• Amber Palmer
• Katie Scott
• Mandy Pallock
• Marnie Hammar
• Kirk Freeman
• Jen Babakhan
• Yohonna Smith

Here’s how to connect with Jill

• Website 
• GraceInRealLifePodcast.com 
• Instagram 
• Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email 

Our God is a God of grace and truth. But what does this mean for us in our busy and full lives? Listen to what it means for our God to be a God of AND. 

If you’ve been around the Grace In Real Life podcast long enough, you’ve heard me share that our God is a God of AND: 

• He’s grace AND truth

• Mercy AND holy justice 

• Love AND perfect judgment

• Man of Sorrows AND Prince of Peace

• Offensive AND attractive

What does this concept of God’s AND-ness mean for our everyday, walking-around lives? This is good and true, but what do we do with it?

The reality that we love and worship our God of AND coupled with the truth that we are people of AND impacts three areas:

1. How we work out our salvation
2. How we live
3. How we embrace our humanity 

In today’s episode, you’ll learn about the grace and truth of our God, that:

• The grace of salvation is to be received AND lived. 
• Christ-followers are not individualistic islands to ourselves but interwoven parts that create a whole.
• Grace calls us higher; to see that life and that our own selves are more nuanced than we ever thought possible. To see that God’s ways are higher and bigger than we could ever imagine.

Mentioned in the podcast 

The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

• Four Years of Podcasting Giveaway
• The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan
• Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren

Here’s how to connect with Jill

• Website 
• GraceInRealLifePodcast.com 
• Instagram 
• Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email

What is disciple-making? How do we do it? What does it look like to make disciples when your schedule is full? And how can you possibly disciple your teenagers? 

When I really stop and think about it, going and making disciples sounds intimidating. How do I do it? What does it even look like? Is it One More Thing to add to my already full schedule?

But as today’s guest points out, disciple-making is as easy and light as enjoying and following Jesus and helping others enjoy and follow Jesus. Discipleship is a gift from Jesus that we get to receive. It’s not a “have to” situation; it’s a “look what I get to do with my Father” situation.  

Because making disciples can feel big and weighty, I invited pastor and author Kirk Freeman to the show. 

In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you learn about how disciple-making relates to spiritual health. You’ll learn:

• Starting points for disciple-making,
• How to make disciples when you’re low on time,
• And how to spiritually lead your teenager.

Mentioned in the podcast 

The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

• A Holy Hush
• Threads by Kirk Freeman
• #70: Helping your kids enjoy Jesus with Kirk + Debbie Freeman [Grace in Parenting series]
• #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God’s love with Dr. Curt Thompson
• #189: Spiritual Health: How to be compassionate to yourself with Kendra Adachi
• #190: Spiritual Health: How to honor God with Jordan Raynor
• #191: Spiritual Health: The benefits of studying theology with Jen Wilkin
• #192: Spiritual Health: The power of questions with Mandy Pallock

Here’s how to connect with Kirk Freeman

• Instagram
• Website
• Threads by Kirk Freeman

Here’s how to connect with Jill

• Website 
• GraceInRealLifePodcast.com 
• Instagram 
• Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email 

When we were in college, Ryan gave me the nickname “The Interrogator” because I love asking questions. People are truly fascinating to me, and God gave us such an incredible world to discover, it seems impossible for me to not ask eleventybillion questions in a day.

But as today’s guest points out, if all we do is ask questions, we’re just delving into trivia instead of a person's heart.

Because asking and responding to questions is an art in which many of us would like to grow, I invited Mandy Pallock to the show.

In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you use the power of questions to cultivate spiritual health. You’ll learn:

• How questions draw you into deep community,
• Why questions are powerful,
• One pro tip on how to ask questions your kids will actually answer,
• And a sure-fire question to kick-start any conversation.  

Mentioned in the podcast 

The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

• #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God’s love with Dr. Curt Thompson
• #189: Spiritual Health: How to be compassionate to yourself with Kendra Adachi
• #190: Spiritual Health: How to honor God with Jordan Raynor
• #191: Spiritual Health: The benefits of studying theology with Jen Wilkin
• The Question Habit by Mandy Pallock
• A Holy Hush

Here’s how to connect with Mandy Pallock

• Instagram
• Website
• Podcast

Here’s how to connect with Jill

• Website 
• GraceInRealLifePodcast.com 
• Instagram 
• Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email 

What are the benefits of studying theology? Isn’t theology for those in seminary or pastors? Do you need to study it? The truth is this: You are a theologian.

If you’re like me, you’re like, “Am I a theologian? I’m pretty sure theologians went to seminary and read ancient texts and write papers about abstract attributes of God. I’m pretty sure I’m not one.”

Through this conversation, Jen Wilkin will convince you of how you really, truly are a theologian in your right-now life and why that’s important for today’s world and generations to come. (Y’all, some of the stats Jen shares about what current evangelicals believe about basic Christian doctrine are shocking.)

If you’ve ever doubted that you’re a theologian, that it’s above your pay grade, that it’s all head-knowledge and no experience, or that it’s too academic for your liking, please listen to Jen’s wisdom on why theology matters in your everyday, busy and full life.

Theology may feel like a big topic, so I’m thankful Jen is here to walk us through the importance of it.

In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you learn how to honor God. You’ll learn:

• What theology is,
• What are first-tier theological issues,
• What to do (and not do!) when you disagree with someone on a theological point,
• And the value of having theological conversations with our brothers in Christ.

Mentioned in the podcast 

The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

• You Are a Theologian by J.T. English and Jen Wilkin
• Inductive Bible Study
• Knowing Faith podcast
• R.C. Sproul
• Systemic Theology by Louis Berkof
• #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God’s love with Dr. Curt Thompson
• #189: Spiritual Health: How to be compassionate to yourself with Kendra Adachi
• ​​#190: Spiritual Health: How to honor God with Jordan Raynor

Here’s how to connect with Jen Wilkin

• Instagram
• Website
• Podcast

Here’s how to connect with Jill

• Website 
• GraceInRealLifePodcast.com 
• Instagram 
• Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email 

We’re talking about becoming spiritually healthy by recognizing how sacred our work is – no matter what we do – and how our work matters for eternity.

Some of you might hear that and think, “But I’m not in full-time ministry. I’m not a missionary or on a church’s staff or recording a worship album. How is my work sacred?” Or maybe you think, “Well, maybe my work is important because it’s where I get to share the gospel.”

I hope you receive the light Jordan sheds on how important your work is – whether you’re a spiritual director or a teacher’s aide, whether you’re a women’s ministry leader or a hairstylist, whether you’re a speaker or a marketing coordinator.

Work – done in partnership with God – is the oldest spiritual discipline there is, and it’s one we don’t talk much about. I deeply want you to know that God created the concept of work before sin ever entered the world and that your work is tied to the redemptive power of the gospel of Jesus. I hope you are freed from feeling as if your work is only important if you’re sharing the gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission. 

Friends, Jordan and I believe in the power and importance of the Great Commission. People come to a relationship with Jesus because someone who knows Jesus tells them about Jesus.

And also, so often, we feel the weight or obligation or guilt because we don’t share the gospel in every interaction we have. 

What would it be like to know that God designed you to participate in the Great Commission AND His command to us to fill and subdue the earth, to participate in creating good and useful and beautiful things with Him?

How free would you feel to know that the work you’re doing right now matters for all eternity, and it makes God smile when you partner with Him in that work – whether you evangelized today or not?

What would it be like to only feel free to do the good works God prepared in advance for you to do before the creation of the world?

How loud would you exhale if you remembered the beautiful gift that is Sabbath rest?

Jordan and I talk about the beauty, sacredness, and eternal value of our work, whether it’s prosecuting human traffickers, teaching at cosmetology school, writing grants, or selling real estate.

In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you learn how to honor God. You’ll learn:

• four ways your work matters for eternity,
• what to do when the Great Commission feels heavy,
• and why Sabbath is good for your soul and goals.

Mentioned in the podcast 

The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

• Redeeming Your Time by Jordan Raynor
• The Sacredness of Secular Work by Jordan Raynor
• Enneagram Three
• Sabbath
• #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God’s love with Dr. Curt Thompson
• #189: Spiritual Health: How to be compassionate to yourself with Kendra Adachi

Here’s how to connect with Jordan Raynor

• Instagram
• Website
• Podcast

Here’s how to connect with Jill

• Website 
• GraceInRealLifePodcast.com 
• Instagram 
• Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email 

Have you ever wondered how to be compassionate to yourself? What would it look like to live in grace? Listen to Kendra Adachi on Grace In Real Life.

This entire podcast is predicated on answering the question, “How do we live in and give out grace in our busy and full lives?” And one of the most generous, practical, action-oriented grace-girls I know is The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi. 

Kendra believes and practices self-compassion, contentedness, rest, and grace. Because living in grace and from grace is a bit tricky for those of us who love a to-do list and efficiency, Kendra joins the show.

In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you learn how to be compassionate to yourself. You’ll learn:

• how to be compassionate to yourself while getting stuff done,
• one simple way to halt comparison
• and naming what matters

Mentioned in the podcast 

The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

• The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi
• The Lazy Genius Kitchen by Kendra Adachi
• Enneagram One
• #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God’s love with Dr. Curt Thompson

Here’s how to connect with Kendra Adachi

• Instagram
• Website
• Podcast

Here’s how to connect with Jill

• Website 
• GraceInRealLifePodcast.com 
• Instagram 
• Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email 

If we do not know Jesus' love on a deeply personal level and encounter His love in our busy and full, real lives, then the spiritual disciplines devolve into legalism and empty works. Without recognizing how much we are loved and cared for, everything else we do in that relationship is a striving attempt to be loved. 

Because experiencing God’s love for us is a gift we want to receive AND struggle with experiencing, I’ve invited Dr. Curt Thompson to join the show. 

In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as we process moving God’s love from head to heart. You’ll learn:

• How to move Jesus’s love for you from your head down to your heart
• How to experience grace in your real life,
• How solitude soothes your soul.
• And one simple exercise to help you pay attention to what you’re paying attention to. 

Mentioned in the podcast 

The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

• The Chosen
• Into the Silent Land by Martin Laird
• The Deepest Place by Dr. Curt Thompson
• Anatomy of the Soul by Dr. Curt Thompson
• #97: Spiritual Health: Studying the Bible with Amber Palmer
• #98: Spiritual Health: Praying to connect with the heart of Christ with Kimberly Coyle
• #99: Spiritual Health: Celebrating Sabbath with Mark Buchanan
• #100: Spiritual Health: Imitating Christ as we suffer with author K.J. Ramsey
• #101: Spiritual Health: Hearing from God for freedom with Jennifer Barnett
• #144: Spiritual Health: Paying attention with Anjuli Paschall
• #145: Spiritual Health: Spending time with Jesus with Arabah Joy and Jen Evangelista
• #146: Spiritual Health: Embracing a lifestyle of rest with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
• #147: One ridiculously easy way to spread the gospel with Twyla Franz
• #148: Easy ways to study the Word of God every woman can use w/Portia Collins
• #149: How to find community: 3 easy places to find it with Rachael Wade
• #150: Questions to ask God, yourself, and others w/Lore Ferguson Wilbert
• #151: Cultivating a life of prayer with Asheritah Ciuciu
• #152: Pouring out your heart to the Lord with Jennifer Dukes Lee

Here’s how to connect with Dr. Curt Thompson

• Instagram
• Website
• Podcast
• The Center for Being Known

Here’s how to connect with Jill

• Website 
• GraceInRealLifePodcast.com 
• Instagram 
• Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email 

How can you start the new year with grace? What does that look like? Whether you’re starting a new year, a new job, or a new season, listen in. 

May we not be women who squash or silence this gift, but may we be women who partner with Christ to become new in the ways He wants to shape and form us.

To that end, I’ve curated past Grace In Real Life episodes and resources in one place just for you. When you want to embrace newness in practical and actionable ways, come here and find what you need.

We’re breaking down how to give yourself grace in the new year into three categories:

1. Let’s get back to the fundamentals
2. When you’re ready to set goals
3. When you walk into the new year tired

Let’s get back to the fundamentals

• Episode 153: What is Grace?
• Episode 50: Preparing Your Heart for the New Year
• Episode 64: How to Declutter Your Soul and Renew Your Heart with author and interior designer Valerie Griffin

When you’re ready to set goals

• What if you weren’t bullied by your goals?
• Episode #88: What to do when you fear naming what you want 
• Episode #52: How your Enneagram type impacts your goals

When you walk into the new year tired

• Episode #46: When you just want to put on your comfy pants and disengage with people
• Episode #48: Kind words and truth for the woman tired at the end of the year
• Episode #55: Productivity, Exhaustion, and Balancing Your Passions with Christa Hutchins

Bonus resources for how to start the new year with grace

• Episode #79: Grief, grace, and hope when you enter a new season
• Gentle questions to ask yourself as you end the year + start anew
• Five resources to help you assess you

Here’s how to connect with Jill

• Website 
• GraceInRealLifePodcast.com 
• Instagram 
• Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email

Have you ever wondered how to have peace with God? Or how you can live in peace with others? If your life lacks peace and you’re looking for encouragement, listen in. 

In today’s Advent episode, we take a look at what it means to be at peace with God and others.

How to have peace with God

Once sin entered the world, we humans were at war with God. Not that God was at war with us, but that we chose our way over His, our thoughts over His, our agenda over His. And there was no peace in the hearts of people.

So, God, in His goodness, made a way for peace to be restored between us. The Lord’s plan since Genesis 3:15 is to reconcile us to Himself through His Son. His Son, Jesus, came at just the right time in history. He was born to the right parents In the right town with just the right visitors: shepherds and wise men. 

Our Savior was placed in a cradle by His mother and sent to the cross by His Father at just the perfect time.

Jesus’s birth is tied to blessing. His blessing is found in His death and resurrection. And in His salvation, we find our peace. For those who know Jesus as their Savior, we are now at peace with God.

As Mentioned in the Podcast

The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

• #144: Spiritual Health: Paying attention with Anjuli Paschall
• #183: Advent: We have hope
• #184: Advent: Faith: How do we exercise our faith?
• #185: Advent: Joy: Finding joy in the little things

Here’s how to connect with Jill

• Website 
• GraceInRealLifePodcast.com 
• Instagram 
• Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email