There is a difference between the absence of fear and being "fearless". Kelly Balarie talks to The Open Door Sisterhood Podcast about what it means to fear just a little bit less with each decision and step, how worry and anxiety are rooted in fear, and how fear prevents us from loving others well. We hear about Kelly's journey to overcoming fear and about that one time her husband took her out to dinner and asked her what she was doing with her life. Kelly's book Fear Fighting was featured on The Today Show when Kathy Lee Gifford chose it as one of her favorite things of 2016! (Let's give a sisterhood cheer for that!)
Kelly says if God is love, Satan is fear. We must fight fear because it prevents us from living in God's freedom. We spend our time worrying about what we can't control instead of living in God's immediate grace. In this episode we cover the difference between saying "I'm sorry" and "Will you forgive me?", the importance of teaching our children forgiveness, and how living in grace can help us fight fear in our own heads. We also cover asking restaurants for their recipes, how a sunset top's off any moment and the ways different translations of the Bible speak to us in fresh language.
Please join us for this interview that is in true Open Door Sisterhood spirit, part inspirational, part practical, as we tackle the topic of fear and how it can manifest itself in different ways. And you don't want to miss the creamed corn discussion. Because who doesn't love some creamed corn goodness?
Shame is a buzz word in our culture, but do we really know what it is, and what it does to our inner self? What about our children? How does shame manifest itself in our kids, and does our parenting unintentionally foster that?
Psychologist and author Kelly Flanagan joins me to break down the nature of shame, and also to talk about how we can awaken to embrace our truest, worthiest selves and then allow ourselves to be embraced by others. One of my favorite conversations to date, and the very first male (!!!) on the podcast, Kelly helps us understand that healing and spiritual growth progress from worthiness, through belonging, and then into a sense of purpose.
You may also know Kelly from his letters to his daughter that went viral (see links in below). This conversation will not only inform and shape you, but if you have children, your parenting as well. Don’t miss it!
A Daddy’s Letter to His Little Girl (about her future husband)
Words from a Father to His Daughter (from the make-up aisle)
Mo Isom was a Division I college soccer player when she asked God to wreck her life. And that's exactly what he did. Mo was playing goalkeeper for Louisiana State University, her father had recently taken his own life and she was pondering the purpose in hers. She found herself upside down (literally!) in her car. The overwhelming encounter she had with God in the minutes immediately following this severe car accident gave her new eyes to see the life in front of her.
As a senior at LSU, she found herself in another whirlwind of sorts when she decided to be the first female to try out for an SEC football team. Whether a car crash or media storm, Mo learned to hold onto God in the middle of it, focusing in on her character, obedience and trust through every step. In this interview we hear Mo's story, her desire to go where God sends and her family life now.
We laughed through this great conversation, immediately feeling a kinship with Mo and we know you will too. Her open, straight talk immediately lets you know she is not holding back. We are sure you will love this episode of The Open Door Sisterhood Podcast.
You might be surprised to know the depths of Liz Curtis Higgs' story. This woman who has written more than 30 books, and is a popular conference speaker, had some difficult early adult years. Her attempts to find comfort and relief through self-destructive behaviors were interrupted when someone told her the truth of God's love. This truly was good news. It was life transforming, so much so, those around her took notice. She's been talking about Jesus and studying the characters of the Bible ever since.
In this episode of The Open Door Sisterhood Podcast we focus in on Liz's story, the Easter story, and how God used women specifically in Scripture and continues to use them around the world today. A conversation that reminds us that there is nothing, simply nothing, that disqualifies us from receiving God's love. From the story of the prodigal son, to Mary of Bethany, to the cross with Jesus' mother Mary, and finally Mary Magdalene, Liz reminds us over and over that God meets us where we are, is concerned for us in every circumstance and releases us to tell others about his forgiveness.
As we approach Easter we relish this conversation with Liz. She helps us see the human side of these characters as they encounter the holy in the middle of their pain. We hope you listen in and remember the Easter story is for you.
Do you want to learn to manage money better? Do you want to know how to make your money work for you? Financial expert and author Ericka Young is visiting with sisterhood today to help. Ericka is the president and founder of Tailor-Made Budgets which she opened in 2005 after she and her husband Chris were able to climb their way out of nearly $100,000 in debt. Ericka just released her new book, “Naked and Unashamed: 10 Money Conversations Every Couple Must Have” in February 2017, which hit the Amazon Bestseller List.
In the podcast we cover why women are such a critical factor in the family budget, what programs work best, what prevents us from getting the financial help we need, and how to have helpful conversations with your spouse about finances. We also cover how to teach our kids about managing money and what we can do to better educate them as they grow up.
Plus, don't miss Ericka's favorite budget-friendly go-to meals at the end of the episode. This is a practical and helpful episode that will move you toward greater financial freedom and strength.
Heather Avis has learned that the lucky few are people who find God's wonder in unexpected places. A mom of three, in this episode we hear about Heather's adoption journey, how Down Syndrome entered her life, and what her first book The Lucky Few is all about. A fresh, candid, joy-filled voice of parenting in the everyday, Heather will feel like an instant friend. She reminds us all that sometimes the fear of the unknown is much worse than the reality of what God has for us in it. In fact that very thing we fear can become the vehicle for us to experience more of God's grace.
A conversation every mom will be able to relate to, Heather is an advocate for adoption and for parenting kids with special needs. She has developed an Instagram account, Macy Makes My Day, intended to show the positive side of life with Down Syndrome. Through this account she has gained friends and community that have spilled into her physical life as well. We talk Sundance Film Festival swag (we all want to know, right?!), Trader Joe's, and California livin'.
Whether a mom of a typically developing child, or one with special needs, you will gain some encouragement and ideas about how you can advocate for all kids in your community. Whether a mom through birth or adoption, you will hear your own story in Heather's as she talks love and strong-willed kids. Whether a mom or not, you will be reminded that the lucky few find God in unexpected places.