God, If you Love Me, Why is This Happening? {Vaneetha Risner}

Would you ask your twelve-year-old to bravely live her faith, in a time of crisis? In part two of our conversation, Heather Cofer shares the story of her twelfth birthday in Mongolia and how—even when she was so afraid—her dad commissioned her to walk by faith. She also tells about the crisis her husband's family (also missionaries in Mongolia) faced.

Heather's story is highlighted in my new Bible study, Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. Whether you're here because you're reading that book, or you're a regular listener, I hope you'll be inspired by this conversation.

Guest: Heather Cofer

Bible Passage: Genesis 12:1-4

Freebies:

• The Live Like It's True Workbook
• Praying the Promises

Resound Media: 

Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.

Mentioned Resources:

• Purchase on Amazon: Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith
• Learn More about my new study: Shaped by God's Promises

Music: Cade Popkin

Heather Cofer is a wife and mother of six living in northern Colorado with a passion for encouraging women to love Jesus. She is the author of Expectant: Cultivating a Vision for Christ-Centered Pregnancy, and has also written for Revive Our Hearts, Set Apart Ministries, Risen Motherhood, and Well-Watered Women. She enjoys fresh flowers, good coffee, and laughter with loved ones.

Connect with Heather Cofer:

Website: https://www.heathercofer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercofer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.a.cofer

Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith 
     {buy now}

Comparison Girl for Teens
     {buy now}

Get our free "Pray God's Promises" prayer guide.

Go to Shannonpopkin.com/PROMISES/ for more information on my neww Bible study, Shaped by God’s Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. 

What if God asked you to leave everything you love? Would you do it? Heather Cofer talks about her experiences as a child in Mongolia which still shape her life today.

Heather's story is highlighted in my new Bible study, Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. Whether you're here because you're reading that book, or you're a regular listener, I hope you'll be inspired by this conversation.

Guest: Heather Cofer

Bible Passage: Genesis 12:1-4

Freebies:

• The Live Like It's True Workbook
• Praying the Promises

Resound Media: 

Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.

Mentioned Resources:

• Purchase on Amazon: Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith
• Learn More about my new study: Shaped by God's Promises

Music: Cade Popkin

Heather Cofer

Heather Cofer is a wife and mother of six living in northern Colorado with a passion for encouraging women to love Jesus. She is the author of Expectant: Cultivating a Vision for Christ-Centered Pregnancy, and has also written for Revive Our Hearts, Set Apart Ministries, Risen Motherhood, and Well-Watered Women. She enjoys fresh flowers, good coffee, and laughter with loved ones.Connect with Heather Cofer

Website: https://www.heathercofer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercofer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.a.cofer

Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith 
     {buy now}

Comparison Girl for Teens
     {buy now}

Get our free "Pray God's Promises" prayer guide.

Go to Shannonpopkin.com/PROMISES/ for more information on my neww Bible study, Shaped by God’s Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. 

Refugees. Trafficking victims. Addicts. Adoption. Homeless. When faced with opportunities to show extravagant mercy, we think,

• But what if I go into debt? 
• This could be a trap. 
• If I bring her into my home, will we be safe? 
• What if there's corruption? 

Yet what sounds like the voice of wisdom, is actually the voice of fear.

I'm joined by Amy DiMarcangelo for a conversation about a man who wanted Jesus to give him a thin list of neighbors to love. But instead, Jesus invites the man—and us—into the story of "The Good Samaritan," where mercy is both risky and good.

Guest: Amy DiMarcangelo

Bible Passage: Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook

Mentioned Resources

• Go and Do Likewise: A Call to Follow Jesus in a Life of Mercy and Mission by Amy DiMarcangelo
• The Pour Over News Source
• Ministries of Mercy by Tim Keller

Resound Media: www.ResoundMedia.cc

Music: Cade Popkin

Amy DiMarcangelo

Amy DiMarcangelo is the author of Go and Do Likewise: A Call to Follow Jesus in a Life of Mercy and Mission and A Hunger for More: Finding Satisfaction in Jesus When the Good Life Doesn't Fill You. She is also a graduate student at Westminster Theological Seminary and lives in New Jersey with her husband and three children.

Connect with Amy:

Website: equippedformercy.com

Instagram: AmyDiMarcangelo

Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith 
     {buy now}

Comparison Girl for Teens
     {buy now}

Get our free "Pray God's Promises" prayer guide.

Go to Shannonpopkin.com/PROMISES/ for more information on my neww Bible study, Shaped by God’s Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. 

Visit ResoundMedia.cc for the Live Leadership Podcast, along with other Gospel centered resources.

Do you long to pass on your faith to your children, grandchildren, nieces and neighbors? How can you disciple the children you love in on-the-go moments of life? The stories in the Bible are simple enough to be grasped by children, yet profound enough for adults to spend their lives pondering.

In this bonus episode on the Live Like It's True podcast, my guest Trillia Newbell shares about her new children's book, Jesus and the Gift of Friendship, and we discuss how to disciple the children we love using stories.

Guest: Trillia Newbell

Bible Passage: Jesus Calling His Disciples - John 15

Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook

Mentioned Resources

• Jesus and the Gift of Friendship
• Moody Publishers

Trillia Newbell is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, and children’s books, including God’s Very Good Idea; The Big Wide Welcome; and Creative God, Colorful Us. Newbell is the acquisitions director at Moody Publishers and lives with her husband, Thern, and two children near Nashville, Tennessee.

On the episode, we talked about her new book, Jesus and the Gift of Friendship.

Connect with Trillia:

Instagram: @trillianewbell

Twitter (X): @trillianewbell

Website: https://www.trillianewbell.com/

Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith 
     {buy now}

Comparison Girl for Teens
     {buy now}

Get our free "Pray God's Promises" prayer guide.

Go to Shannonpopkin.com/PROMISES/ for more information on my neww Bible study, Shaped by God’s Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. 

What is your weakness, and what does God think about it? Join Emily Jensen and me for a conversation about ineloquent Moses and his assignment from God that felt impossible. Learn how to live like it's true that your weakness isn't a problem for God.

Guest: Emily Jensen 

Bible Passage: Moses Given Powerful Signs - Exodus 4:10-17

Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook

Mentioned Resources

• He is Strong by Emily Jensen
• Risen Motherhood by Emily Jensen
• What You Need to Know About Your Identity Crisis - Burning Bush Episode on Live Like It's True

Emily Jensen

Emily A. Jensen is an author, a podcaster, and the cofounder and content director of Risen Motherhood. Her first book (coauthored with her podcast partner and sister-in-law) Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments, has sold more than 100,000 copies. Her latest book is He is Strong: Devotions for When You Feel Weak (October 2023). Emily lives in central Iowa, with her husband and their five children.

Connect with Emily:

Website: emilyajensen.com

Instagram: @emilyajensen

Podcast: Risen Motherhood

Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith 
     {buy now}

Comparison Girl for Teens
     {buy now}

Get our free "Pray God's Promises" prayer guide.

Go to Shannonpopkin.com/PROMISES/ for more information on my neww Bible study, Shaped by God’s Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. 

Visit ResoundMedia.cc for the Live Leadership Podcast, along with other Gospel centered resources.

Hey, it's Shannon for a quick update on what's next in 2024. I have several exciting things to announce, plus the roadmap for what's coming in the coming months. 

We're welcoming Emily Jensen, Trillia Newbell, and Amy DiMarcangelo for our J-Term Series!

Get updates from Shannon: Here

Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook

Resound Media

Transcript

Music: Cade Popkin

Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith 
     {buy now}

Comparison Girl for Teens
     {buy now}

Why, God? Why haven't you shown up for me? If you love me, God, how could you let this happen to me?

In today's episode, we're going to invite you to bring questions like these straight to Jesus. And I think you might be surprised by the answers to these questions, embedded in the story from John 11 that we're going to look at.

Guest: Vaneetha Risner

Bible Passage: The Story of Lazarus in John 11

Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook

Mentioned Resources

• Desperate for Hope by Vaneetha Risner
• The Scars that Have Shaped Me by Vaneetha Risner
• Funeral Sorrow and the Best Plot Twist Everwith Mary Kassian
• The Return of the King, Lord of the Rings, Book 3 by J.R. Tolkien

Vaneetha is passionate about helping people find hope in their suffering. All her books: the Bible Study, Desperate For Hope, her memoir, Walking Through Fire, and the devotional, The Scars That Have Shaped Me, encourage readers to turn to Christ in their pain. 

Her story includes childhood bullying, losing an infant son, developing post-polio syndrome, and going through an unwanted divorce. Some of her greatest joys are being a wife to Joel and a mother to Katie and Kristi and you can find her embarrassing them in Raleigh, NC. Vaneetha writes regularly for Desiring God, and has been featured on Family LifeToday, Joni & Friends, and Christianity Today.

Connect with Vaneetha

Website: Vaneetha.com

Facebook: VaneethaRisner

Instagram: @vaneetharisner

Twitter: @vaneetharisner

Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith 
     {buy now}

Comparison Girl for Teens
     {buy now}

Get our free "Pray God's Promises" prayer guide.

Go to Shannonpopkin.com/PROMISES/ for more information on my neww Bible study, Shaped by God’s Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. 

Visit ResoundMedia.cc for the Live Leadership Podcast, along with other Gospel centered resources.

"What do you want me to do for you?" When Jesus asked this question, first of his two disciples, and then of a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, their responses revealed their hearts. How would you answer? What might this reveal? Will you follow Jesus if you see a cross up ahead?

In this episode with Amber Cullum, we're looking at the story of Blind Bartimaeus, and how his response to this question, "What do you want?" was completely different from James and John's response in the scene before. So what can we learn from disciples who were blind, and a blind man who sees?

Listen in as we discuss how to live like it's true that there's a cross up ahead, but that Jesus is the Son of David who will ultimately heal all that is broken.

Amber Cullum is a physical therapist turned stay-at-home mom, podcast host, and speaker who has always loved connecting with people through their hardships, passions, and faith. She's the host of the "Grace Enough" podcast.

Guest: Amber Cullum

Bible Passage: Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus - Mark 10:46-52 ESV

Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook

Mentioned Resources

• Article: 12 Podcasts You Don’t Want To Miss
• Grace Enough Podcast - with Shannon as Guest
• Romans 8:28 - All Things for Good Bible Passage
• Jennifer Rothschild's 413 Podcast - With Shannon as Guest

Amber Cullum is a physical therapist turned stay-at-home mom, podcast host, and speaker who has always loved connecting with people through their hardships, passions, and faith.

After moving to Raleigh, NC with her husband and 3 young children she was encouraged to dream again in the midst of the daily grind.  That was the beginning of Grace Enough Podcast, a weekly show with 220+ episodes published that focuses on how God can use any story to impact His kingdom.

Grace Enough has been featured in Christianity Today as 1 of 12 Podcasts You Don’t Want To Miss.

Connect with Amber:

Website: GraceEnoughPodcast.com

Instagram: @graceenoughpodcast_amber

Podcast: Grace Enough Podcast

Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith 
     {buy now}

Comparison Girl for Teens
     {buy now}

Get our free "Pray God's Promises" prayer guide.

Go to Shannonpopkin.com/PROMISES/ for more information on my neww Bible study, Shaped by God’s Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. 

Visit ResoundMedia.cc for the Live Leadership Podcast, along with other Gospel centered resources.

A crying baby. A crocodile infested river. An evil king. And a woman of faith.

The story of Moses in the basket (or ark) is full of tension, suspense, and an amazing outcome. Though God's name is not mentioned, His sovereignty is seen in every detail—including the one where Jochebed gets to raise her own baby and tell him the stories of the God who has promised to deliver his people.

Is God distant and unaware? Has he forgotten you? Are facing your frantic fears without Him? Or is God ultimately in control, when you feel vulnerable and abandoned? This story answers those questions and more.

Guest: Cheryl Lutz

Bible Passage: The Birth of Moses - Exodus 2

Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook

Mentioned Resources

• Securely Held, Finding Significance & Security in the Shelter of God's Embrace by Cheryl Lutz

Cheryl Lutz is an inspirational speaker, certified lay counselor, pastor’s wife, and recovering people pleaser!

As the author of Securely Held, Finding Significance & Security in the Shelter of God’s Embrace—she helps Christian women break the power of other people's opinions and live confidently as God’s masterpiece.

Connect with Cheryl:

Website: CherylLutz.com

Facebook: Cheryl Lutz, Securely Held

Instagram: @SecurelyHeld_ministries

Youtube: Cheryl Lutz, Securely Held

Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith 
     {buy now}

Comparison Girl for Teens
     {buy now}

Get our free "Pray God's Promises" prayer guide.

Go to Shannonpopkin.com/PROMISES/ for more information on my neww Bible study, Shaped by God’s Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. 

Visit ResoundMedia.cc for the Live Leadership Podcast, along with other Gospel centered resources.

Twenty years after a wicked betrayal, the tables have turned, and Joseph holds the power over his brothers. So he chooses to... reconcile? This story helps us consider God's sovereignty, the wicked choices of people, and how the two can coexist in the same story. Join me for this interesting conversation with author, speaker, and podcaster, Jodie Niznik.

Guest: Jodie Niznik

Bible Passage: Joseph Provides for His Brothers and Family - Genesis 45:1-8

Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook

Mentioned Resources

• 3 Ways Comparison Derails Us - Shannon's Episode on the So Much More Podcast with Jodie
• Jesus Under Arrest, Yet in Complete Control {Lindsay Schott} - Lindsay Schott's Episode on Live Like It's True Podcast with Shannon
• Woman Who Identified the Wrong Man as Criminal - Story Mentioned by Shannon
• The Sound of Freedom Movie
• "Unpacking Forgiveness" by Chris Brauns
• Trust: A Study of Joseph for Persevering Through Life’s Challenges by Jodie Niznik

Jodie Niznik is a seminary-trained lover of God’s Word who has served in vocational ministry for over twelve years. She helps people create space for God in their lives through her Scripture meditation podcast and equips them to take another step with Jesus through her Real People, Real Faith Bible studies and teaching. 

Connect with Jodie:

Website: http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Instagram: creatingspaceforgod

Podcast: So Much More: Creating Space for God

Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith 
     {buy now}

Comparison Girl for Teens
     {buy now}

Get our free "Pray God's Promises" prayer guide.

Go to Shannonpopkin.com/PROMISES/ for more information on my neww Bible study, Shaped by God’s Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. 

Visit ResoundMedia.cc for the Live Leadership Podcast, along with other Gospel centered resources.