StoryTellers Live

When we face the death of our desires—or even death itself—what then? Where now?

Julie Cochran, of our Vestavia community, shows us that in seasons of suffering and surrender, praise can persist.

Following the unexpected loss of her infant daughter, Julie's mindset transformed as she focused on the Word, the Father, and his faithfulness.

In this episode, you will learn:

• A mind renewed by the Word relies on hope and withstands hurt.

• We name our hard stories "good" when we focus on who God is.

• Regularly celebrating his faithfulness helps us heal.

Links: 

Voyage to the Star Kingdom by Anne Riley

Jenn Louthan Interior Design

Sarah Beth Hagler Jewelry

King Cotton Fabrics

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Even those who belong to Christ can find themselves hard at work on the hunt for happiness. Becca Smith, of our Memphis community, brings a relatable story of relying on self for success and meaning.

But when Becca experienced a life-altering fall, the Lord literally and physically brought her low. In her year of healing, she put aside performance when the true object of her faith came into focus.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The Lord uses suffering to grow our faith and remind us of truth.
• He teaches us to trust Him—but it takes time and is often through trials.
• We are only ever truly known and successful in Christ.

LINKS:

Jenn Louthan Interior Design

Sarah Beth Hagler Jewelry @sbhjewerly

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Join us at the 2024 Stories of HOPE Luncheon

Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

For Erin Hamby, of our Homewood community, desperate times didn't call for desperate measures. Instead, the call came from the Lord—who personally spoke promises to Erin during a dangerous pregnancy.

Erin's story traces the sweet transition from head knowledge to heart knowledge. Listen and you will witness the Lord strengthening Erin's faith in amazing and surprising ways.

In this episode, you will learn:

• When we don't know what He is doing, we can know that He is faithful.

• The Lord meets us in times of desperation and dependence.

• He is a God of miracles and a God who speaks.

LINKS:

King Cotton Fabrics

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Today’s podcast is a beautiful reminder that no matter what you are going through, God always goes before you.

Elizabeth Ann Howell, from our Jackson, Mississippi community, shares her story of God’s sovereignty and provision before, during, and after a life or death situation with her husband. In her story, you will see how God always “works upstream” and consistently prepares you for what lies ahead in this journey of life.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• There is nothing you go through that God is not in the middle of.

• You can live a life of coincidences or a life of miracles.

• God is always working ahead of you on your behalf.

LINKS:

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Join us at the 2024 Stories of HOPE Luncheon

Choosing God Over Circumstances: Diane Bryson’s story:: [Episode 260]

Today’s podcast is an incredible reminder that God can take the ugliest of life circumstances and do immeasurably more than you could ask or imagine. 

Diane Bryson, from our Auburn/Opelika community group, shares her journey of radically trusting God through a season of severe health challenges and devastating heartbreak. This incredible story will help you see the goodness of the Lord and the power He has to bring healing in any physical, emotional, or spiritual battle. 

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• Every season of your life has a purpose. 

• In a difficult season, these three things can bring healing - Scripture (fights the lies), Praise music (focuses your eyes on Heaven), and People!

• Faith in God and His goodness is the ultimate healing agent.

LINKS

Listen to Episode 232 Sand Price (featured in our Patreon Marriage Series This Week)

Listen to Episode 216 Brendt Blanks (featured in our Patreon Marriage Series Next Week)

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

To celebrate this day of love, we are bringing you a special podcast on the power of community in your life.

Shannon and Aaron Eissler, from our community group in Tupelo, Mississippi, share their journey of finding each other, the highs and lows of their first few years of marriage, and the role their community of believers has played and continues to play in their lives.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: 

• Your past serves your purpose.

• Your insufficiency is where Christ is sufficient. 

• Life change often happens best when surrounded by community. 

LINKS

Restoration Ranch

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Does the Lord's timeline ever seem to stretch on and on? Gail Alverson of our Memphis community, reminds us not to give up.

With decades of dedication in the face of fear, Gail endured a tumultuous marriage to an angry and unbelieving spouse. Her story will teach you that even when the Lord does not immediately shift our circumstances, he still works to change us and those around us. 

In this episode, you will learn:

• The Lord's timing can be trusted, even when his work spans many years.

• Eventual freedom is found when we surrender to Jesus in faith.

• Persistent prayer opens Spiritual doors for us and for those we love

LINKS 

Listen to Episode 131- Katie Basden

"The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian

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In 2024, we are launching an extra episode each month called “First Monday Freebie,” and we are excited to kick things off with today’s podcast!  We all know February symbolizes a month of love, and what better way to start the month off than by reminding ourselves of the ultimate love Christ has for us?

Today’s freebie features Jeramy Meredith, from our community group in Fairhope, Alabama, who shares her journey from heartbreak to hope to healing to redemption. Her story will remind you of the importance of knowing the love of Christ is trustworthy, faithful, and always enough.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

There is a light at the end of any tunnel of despair due to the love of Christ.

Power and hope are found when you focus your mind on God‘s word.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬

"Your Life... Well Spent" by Russ Crosson

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24-year-old Lauren Bell, from our Homewood, Alabama community, shares her journey of living with caudal regression, a rare form of spina bifida, and how God gave her the freedom she so desperately wanted to walk in peace. Lauren will sweetly remind you that we are each made uniquely in the image of God, and we were each created to bring Him glory.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• God calls you to a life of freedom - one where you rest soundly in His plan for your life

• Every part of your body (even the parts you aren’t so thrilled with) was knitted together by God.

• God wants to meet you in the middle of your frustrations and speak truth to you.

Legacy School of Discipleship 

Song "Goodness of God"

Book The Final Quest

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Beth McCullen, from our community group in Oxford, Mississippi, shares her story of moving to a new city and questioning God as she watched her daughter go through a season of loneliness and depression. Beth ultimately shares how God faithfully brought both her and her daughter to a place of comfort, hope, and purpose.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• We overcome the enemy by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. Rev 12:11

• If you are a believer you HAVE a story because you’ve been saved by Jesus Christ.

• Living for Christ and raising your children to be set apart can be very painful, lonely, and isolating, but the cost is worth it!

LINKS 

"Though You Slay Me" by Shane and Shane featuring John Piper

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On today’s podcast, Toma Ford Knight, from our Auburn/Opelika community, shares her wisdom and her heart as she recounts God’s faithfulness through the suffering and pain she has experienced in life. This is a story packed full of Scripture and layered with God’s truth… get ready to refocus your eyes and live for eternity!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• God will always comfort you IN your time of need.
• Memorize Scripture! God’s Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).
• When bad news comes we have a choice to make right then… get mad at God or choose to trust even when we don’t understand.

Listen to Susan Simon's story

Listen to Allison Holt's story

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Sometimes, the path God calls you on is full of twists and turns.

Allison Holt, from our Trussville, Alabama, community group, shares her journey of being a professional dancer and how God called her to an entirely different direction. Her story will challenge you to trust in God’s timing in ALL aspects of your life because His best is always your best.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• Until you find Jesus, you will always chase something to fulfill you.

• Obedience to God’s calling can be a challenging path to take.

• Sometimes, you have to hit rock bottom in order for God to give you a firm place to stand.

RESOURCES

Listen to the hymn "Trust and Obey"

Shop for merch and register for the upcoming Discover Your Story online workshop

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

  Happy 2024!

We hope you have enjoyed a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends and are transitioning into the new year with great expectations of what God has in store for you!

Today’s podcast is the perfect story to reset your mind and focus your eyes on Jesus and the rest He is continually extending to you.

Courtney DeFeo, from Dallas, Texas, and host of the “Pardon the Mess” podcast, shares her journey of learning how to get off the treadmill of life and live from the peaceful vantage point of God’s perfect plan for her. If you are in a season of go, go, go, Courtney’s story will encourage you to slow down, be still with God, and listen intently for His guidance in your life.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• The importance of discerning between what you can do and what God actually wants you to do.

• True margin and resting is a powerful healing agent.

• You don’t have to work and strive to earn God’s love.

RESOURCES : 

Become a Monthly Ministry Partner

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Shop the STL Bible Studies (and register for the upcoming Discover Your Story workshop)

In this repost originally aired on 9/7/22, ESPN sports reporter, Lauren Sisler, shares how God carried her through the tragic loss of both her parents, and how he taught her to embrace her story and unlock the shackles of shame she had been carrying for years.

Register for the Discover Your Story workshop with Robyn!

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We are five days away from the celebration of Jesus’ birth! From the team at StoryTellers Live, we pray blessings over you during this season and wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Today’s podcast is a great reminder of the sovereignty of God’s plan and purpose for your life.

Kristen Caudle, from our Vestavia community, shares her journey of delivering four babies as a balanced translocation carrier (a rearrangement of chromosomes in her body) and how this affected each one of her children. Through her story, you will learn about her struggles as a carrier, but more importantly, you will see how sometimes God has uniquely built you for the challenges you will face in life.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• As the body of Christ, we were created to intercede for those who are struggling with the words to pray.

• Sometimes what you don’t want is exactly what you need.

• Don’t base your faith on the moments of life as God knows the entire story.

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Celebrate with us!

Today marks the 250th episode of StoryTellers Live, and we can’t wait for you to hear a podcast unlike any other!

We are excited to bring you a panel of past storytellers from our community group in Memphis, Tennessee - Kellie Turnage, Brandy Miller, and Nancy Holcomb share updates in their lives, what writing their story was like for them, and how God has used their story to teach them and others about who He is. Through their reflections, these women provide extensive wisdom and encouragement. Get yourself ready to take some notes!!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• Your story and the experiences you have walked through are all His story, and you are called to share it.

• A large part of seeing who God is comes through reflecting and remembering how He has been present in your past.

• The sovereignty of God in your life is the soft pillow you lay your head on at night.

LINKS

Nancy Holcomb's story (Episode 55)

Brandy Miller's story (Episode 60)

Kellie Turnage's story (Episode 85)

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As believers when a loved one passes, we have the blessed assurance not only of their healing but also of the hope that one day we will see them again. Today’s podcast is a beautiful reminder of those truths. 

Kelly Dailey, from our community group in Trussville, Alabama, shares her journey of seeing God’s providential hands throughout her life, especially as she walked alongside her husband during his battle with cancer. Through her story, you will be strengthened in your faith as you clearly see you serve a God Who provides long before you know what you need, and He will see you through until the end. 

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: 
- The Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
- Oftentimes the promptings felt in your heart are direct stirrings from the Holy Spirit inside of you. 
- God’s hands and feet are seen through the family and friends that surround us.

LINKS : 

Blessed Assurance hymn

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Shop for STL merch (including When God Shows Up Bible Studies!)

As we approach the Advent season, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we thought today’s podcast would be a perfect reminder of God’s pursuing love and peaceful guidance.

Former professional tennis player and founder of Dream Court, Jessica Weyreuter, from our community group in Montgomery, Alabama, shares her story of how she met God and how He has led her (and continues to lead her) to a life of purpose. Through her journey, you will be reminded that the callings God places on your life won’t always be easy, but He will always come alongside you and see you through.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• God always meets you exactly where you are.

• You don’t have to understand the Bible for God to speak to you and use you.

• The gift of peace is often what God uses when He is calling you (or not calling you) to something.

LINKS

DreamCourt in Montgomery

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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James‬ ‭1‬:‭2-4‬ ‭

Waiting 13 years for anything can be hard, to say the least, but when you’re waiting for your adopted child to come home, it can be devastatingly difficult.

Heather Junkin, from our community group in Homewood, Alabama, shares her and her husband’s journey of faith and obedience as they were called to adopt their son from Haiti. If you are in a season of persevering through a trial, this is a story you don’t want to miss!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• The call of obedience to God is not always an easy one to answer.

• If God called you, He will be faithful to show up.

• Surrounding yourself with the community of Christ always lightens the load when you are facing difficult trials and circumstances.

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Savannah Harrell, from our community group in Fairhope, Alabama, vulnerably shares her story of the difficulties her baby faced once born and then the struggles she faced while home and settling into motherhood. Her story reminds all of us of the importance of releasing our expectations to God and inviting Him into our reality.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

• Expectations you place on yourself can be detrimental to the reality God wants you to live in.

• A life of faith is a life of continual surrender.

• God longs for us to look to Him when we fall, not run away in shame, guilt, or embarrassment.

LINKS

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Check out StoryTellers Live's new merch!

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