The Heart of the Author

Vickie and Jasa are pushing pause on The Heart of the Author Podcast. Stayed tuned, we will be back. Meanwhile, enjoy the blooper reel. Many thanks to Kim McKenzie for her behind the scenes work.

Suffering Is Never for Nothing By Elisabeth Elliot   Elisabeth Elliot knows suffering. Her first husband was killed in the jungle by savages. Then her second husband died of cancer. In later years, she suffered from terrible dementia. She couldn’t even speak, but her eyes still sparkled with the love of Christ. She had peace because she knew that Suffering Is Never for Nothing. It’s through the deepest suffering that God has taught me the deepest lessons. — Elisabeth Elliot This short book, published four years after Elliot’s death in 2015, was adapted from a series of talks she had once given at a conference. And what a treasure trove of wisdom she has left for us. This is not a book of answers, but of hope, as she leads us through the roadmap from suffering to glory: The Terrible Truth – We live in a fallen world and there is suffering. The Message – God is God. He loves us, and He is in control. Acceptance – Knowing and trusting God’s Message helps us accept the Terrible Truth. Gratitude – Thank God no matter what you’re going through. Gratitude honors God and prepares the way for God to show us His salvation. Offering – Whatever God gives us is a gift to offer back to Him. Transfiguration – The exchange of suffering for glory. Elisabeth Elliot’s life is an example for us. She gave God the offering of her suffering, and He exchanged it and used it to bless the world. Listen to the podcast to hear much more, and then go read the book. It’s not just for those who have been through profound suffering, but for everyone. Elliot defines suffering as “either having what you don’t want or wanting what you don’t have.” And we all go through moments like these on a daily basis. Even the most trivial frustrations like getting stuck in traffic are small moments of suffering, and they are never for nothing. God will turn it ALL to glory when we accept it with gratitude and offer it back to Him.  

The Comeback By Louie Giglio   We all face trials in life. Sometimes our own choices get us into trouble, and sometimes life just blindsides us and derails us from the path we’re on. Life doesn’t turn out the way we planned, and God seems so far away. The fog thickens, the storm clouds roll, and the winds blow all around us. We look and we pray, but we can’t see the horizon or hear from God. We may feel let down, devastated, afraid, and even hopeless. We may doubt whether God even exists. The Comeback is full of stories of hope and redemption, of God bringing people’s lives back from disappointment and disaster. Just like all of our trials are different, our comebacks may not look the same either. God may help you overcome your circumstances so you can continue on, or He may completely change the course of your direction. Maybe our problems won’t be solved in this lifetime, but we realize God’s presence in the middle of the mess. One thing we can know: God is in control, and He is always good. Your comeback is in God’s plans right now. It’s never too late, and you’re never too far gone. We can’t see into the future, but God already knows the outcome. We don’t know what God is doing behind the scenes, but He is always doing something. If we can just grasp that, we can be free from feeling like we’re in charge and entrust our lives in the hands of a loving God. Our story is never just about us. It’s about God’s glory and the work He is doing in the world. And no circumstance can hinder God from accomplishing His plans and fulfilling His purposes.

Esther: Trusting God’s Plan by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth   In this Bible study on the Old Testament book of Esther, you’ll see the providence of God at work in the lives of His people. Even though God is mentioned nowhere in the story, His hand in it is unmistakable. Through a humble woman, God rescues His people from an ungodly king who sought to wipe them out of existence. In this study of Esther, you will learn to recognize God’s sovereign ways. The hope is that you will see His hand in your own life and trust His divine providence even in the midst of impossible circumstances. Some of the truths you can expect to find: You are in a battle. God has a sovereign plan. You are a part of God’s plan. God’s plan will never fail. It’s a beautiful thing to live under God’s caring providence. There is no situation so desperate God cannot redeem it. Don’t judge the outcome of the battle by the way things look right now. In the six-week study, each week is divided into five daily sessions and is suitable for either individual or group study. You can purchase the book or download the PDF along with accompanying audio files and additional resources at reviveourhearts.com.    

Everybody Always  By Bob Goff   Love isn’t something we fall into; love is someone we become.  In his second book, New York Times bestselling author Bob Goff, shows us what it looks like to become love. As Christians, we are called, above all else, to love God and to love one another. But in the world today, Christians are often known more for what they are against than for their love. We point out the sin of nonbelievers and argue for our Christian principles instead of reaching out and loving the individual nonbeliever. “It’s easy to agree with what Jesus said. What’s hard is actually doing what Jesus did.”  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35 English Standard Version (ESV)  To love as Jesus loves is to become love. Give away love like you’re made of it. Feed the hungry. Visit the prisoners. Befriend sinners. Spend time with those who are different than you, even the ones you don't like. Welcome strange people into your life. Meet them where they are. Bring Jesus to them not just in your words but in your actions. Treat the trolls with compassion and grace. Bob Goff’s entertaining storytelling inspires radical love and shows how we can all live and love like Jesus when we let our guard down and step out in faith. Join Vickie and Jasa on the podcast to hear more, and pick up your copy of Everybody, Always here.      

Today we have a special guest on the podcast, Rachel C. Swanson, the author of Refine and Restore. Rachel is a dental hygienist turned best-selling author, national speaker, podcaster, and accredited Christian life coach. She and her husband, along with their “wannabe triplets” just moved from southern California to rural Idaho where they are rebuilding a broken-down ranch into a wedding and retreat center.   Refine and Restore: Revive Your Heart and Release Your Purpose By Rachel C. Swanson   If you ever feel dry and distant in your walk with God, you’re not alone. In Refine and Restore, Rachel Swanson addresses the elephant in the room that we all experience, but few talk about. Ignoring the dry spells can leave us feeling alone and stuck. Only by acknowledging and walking through them will we discover the abundant life that Jesus talks about all throughout Scripture. How do we do this? It’s a process: Refine   Refining is an act of confession. When we confess our sins, big and small, God strips away the things that hinder us. Restore   Restoration comes by truth. We’re all prone to believing lies about ourselves and God that leave us discouraged and disillusioned. Only one thing can restore us—the truth of God’s Word.  Revive When we confess our sins and weaknesses and restore our hearts and minds to the truth, our lives are revived and freed to live the abundant life. Release Through the process of refining, restoration, and revival, we are able to release our purpose in the world.  Tune into the podcast to hear the interview with Rachel Swanson and learn more about her story and the book. She is offering three sample chapters for free if you’d like to try the book. Follow her on social media or join her email list below to receive this offer.   Listen on iTunes  Visit Rachel’s website Join her email list Follow her on social media    

The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi  By Kathie Lee Gifford with Rabbi Jason Sobel   In The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi, Kathie Lee Gifford shares how experiencing Israel firsthand has deepened her faith. As she describes her own journey through the Holy Land, Messianic Rabbi Jason Sobel expounds on the language and culture to enhance our understanding of: The Rock: Jesus Christ, the Messiah The Road: Israel, the Promised Land The Rabbi: The Bible, the Word of God   As one of the tour guides explained, “…the Bible was written by Middle Easterners for Middle Easterners. But we try to understand it with a Western mindset. We try to apply our own principles and our Western understanding to a culture that is completely foreign to us.” By walking the same paths in the Bible and studying the language, culture, and history of the Middle East, we can develop a deeper understanding and faith. But it’s not just a lesson in social studies or religion. Kathie Lee’s husband, Frank Gifford, after a lifetime of Christian religion, realized for the first time a very personal relationship with Jesus when he visited Israel. Join Vickie and Jasa on the podcast to hear some of Vickie’s personal experiences in Israel and her thoughts on the book. There is nothing like walking “The Road” (Israel) yourself in person. But if you don’t have the opportunity to visit and experience Israel for yourself, this book will effectually take you there.

The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World By Rosaria Butterfield   In her newest book, author Rosaria Butterfield challenges Christians to practice "radically ordinary" hospitality. She reflects on the way she came to Christ through the simple hospitality of strangers who invited her into their home and became her friend. As a liberal English professor who identified as a lesbian, Butterfield’s intent was to dispute the Bible and the Christians who preached it. But Ken and Floy Smith didn’t preach to her. They didn’t even recite the gospel or invite her to church. Instead, they spent two years serving her in their home, getting to know her, listening, answering her questions, and caring for her. “I wasn’t their project,” she said, “I was their neighbor.”  So, what is this “radically ordinary” hospitality that Butterfield writes about, and why aren’t more Christians practicing it? It is “using your Christian home in a daily way that seeks to make strangers neighbors, and neighbors family of God.” Real hospitality is rooted in our love for God, the body of Christ, and a desire for our neighbors to know the salvation of Jesus. It’s easy for us to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ, but caring for our unbelieving neighbors is out of our comfort zone. We don’t want to be associated with sinners, but we’ve got to change our thinking. “Our home is not our castle,” says Butterfield, “but a hospital.”  Listen to the podcast to hear more, including five myths about hospitality and two commitments to keep as we go out into the world and serve our neighbors for Christ. Click here to listen on iTunes, and please take a moment to leave a review while you're there so more people can find us.  Podcast archives      

Recovering Redemption (Part 2)  By Matt Chandler and Michael Snetzer   Last week in part one, we talked about the bad news and the good news of the gospel. The bad news is we can’t earn it, and the good news is we don’t have to. So why do we keep trying? It’s human nature to want to be self-reliant. It’s pride—the root of all sin—that makes us keep trying to earn approval from others and from God. We want to be good. We want to think that what we do pleases Him and that we deserve the good gifts He gives us. That is not the gospel. The idea that “good little boys and girls go to Heaven” is popular but unbiblical. In reality, it is sinners transformed by the gospel of Christ who go to Heaven. He changes us, so that we live to please God not to earn our way in, but as an expression of worship and gratitude that we are already redeemed. Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” – Galatians 3:11 We need to keep the gospel securely in our heads. We can’t find satisfaction in anything but God. And we don’t need validation from anyone but Him. Because of His acceptance of us, we can walk in perfect balance of humility and confidence. Not self-confidence, but confidence in Christ and His redeeming grace. God restores what cannot be restored. He takes what is and broken and beyond hope, and He infuses His own life into dead spaces, not just once, but again and again, ever renewing, ever redeeming, ever satisfying. That is the gospel.    

Recovering Redemption  By Matt Chandler and Michael Snetzer   Do you know the gospel? This book is for you if: You’ve never heard of the gospel You’ve heard of it but don’t know what it means You know what it means but don’t believe You know what it means and do believe Yes, it’s for everyone! No matter where you stand with the gospel of Christ, your understanding of it can always grow deeper. Recovering Redemption challenges your mind in a logical, thoughtful, and biblical way, answering the question: What is the gospel? The Bible calls it the “good news.” But in order to see the good news for what it is, we have to understand the bad news. We’re all sinners, and nothing we can possibly do can save us from the consequences of our sin — eternal death. Only one thing can save us, and that is the gospel of Christ. “Well, I’m already saved,” you may be thinking. But the gospel is so much more than a one-time redemption. It is daily. We need the grace of the gospel every single day in order to walk in the freedom of redemption. Otherwise, we fall into our old patterns of sin. We turn to ourselves. We try to do good, to look good, to earn God’s grace. When we inevitably fail, we feel guilty and defeated. So, we try harder. It’s a never-ending cycle of failure because it’s a battle we cannot win for a freedom we cannot earn. That’s the bad news. The good news is, we don’t have to earn it! It is finished and done. Jesus paid the price, and there is nothing more we need to do to earn it. Join Vickie and Jasa on the podcast to hear more on Recovering Redemption. There is so much good stuff that the episode had to be split into two parts. Tune in next week for part two.  

Unshakable Hope by Max Lucado   Is the empty tomb good news or bad news? It’s good news, right? We know the tomb is empty because Jesus is alive. But have you ever thought about how Mary Magdalene felt when she found the tomb empty? She panicked. She thought the body of her beloved Jesus had been stolen. Mary Magdalene didn’t yet know that Jesus had risen from the dead.   How often in life do we panic or despair when something bad happens? Sometimes it’s so bad that it seems nothing good could ever come of it. Like Mary Magdalene, we don’t know the end of the story. We can’t see what God sees, but we can trust what He says.   And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28   “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”John 16:33   So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. Hebrews 6:18   For every problem in life, God has given us a promise. The question isn’t: Will God keep His promises? The question is: Will we build our lives on it? Will we flounder in our circumstances, or will we stand on the promises of God?   Join Vickie and Jasa on the podcast to hear their thoughts on the book.   Click here to listen on iTunes, and please leave a review to help others find us.   Find previous podcasts here.

The Art of Turning From Sin to Christ for a Joyfully Clear Conscience by Kevin DeYoung    We don’t talk much about the conscience, do we? But the Bible has a lot to say about it. The conscience can seem mysterious if we’re not sure how to listen to it, if we can trust it, or what role it should play in our lives. Author Kevin DeYoung reminds us that the conscience is not something to be puzzled over but is a God-given gift. This little 40-page book answers three questions: What is the conscience? How can we have a clear conscience? Why does it matter? The conscience is our built-in moral compass that tells us the difference between good and bad. It operates in close connection with the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us of wrong and defend what is right. All mankind is born with that innate conscience, but our moral compass can get off-kilter when we’re not following Christ. Most of us know the story of Pinocchio, the wooden puppet whose nose grew longer every time he told a lie. Because Pinocchio wasn’t human, Jiminy Cricket served as his conscience. But Pinocchio didn’t listen to his conscience and eventually turned into a donkey. By ignoring his conscience, he became like a beast. DeYoung says, “Having a conscience is a mark of a feeling human being. Knowing right from wrong makes us functioning adults. To have a malfunctioning conscience is to be less than human.”  In the book, DeYoung describes four different kinds of a misfiring conscience:  Evil conscience – when you know it’s wrong but do it anyway and feel bad about it Seared conscience – when there’s no feeling left (like frostbitten hands—when the pain stops and numbness sets in is when the real danger begins)  Defiled conscience – when you start calling good bad and bad good  Weak conscience – when you think things are wrong that aren’t   Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.   So, how can we live with a pure and clear conscience?  Turn from sin Turn to Christ          

Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret  by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor Edited and Revised by Gregg Lewis   Today’s podcast topic is a biography of Hudson Taylor, a man remembered for his life of faith, prayer, and mission service. Taylor was an English missionary to China in the 1800s who founded the China Inland Mission (now OMF International). He is known today as one of the greatest missionaries of all time, but he never claimed to be great. He simply served a great and faithful God.  As a teenager, Taylor was an unbeliever until, through the fervent prayers of his mother, he was converted to Christ while reading a gospel tract. The words that captivated him were “the finished work of Christ” as he suddenly realized what Christ had done for him. Young Hudson Taylor had a heart for missions and began to prepare long before he knew where he would go. Though he had plenty, he fasted from the comforts of this world and lived on as little as possible. He considered it a joy to trust God alone for all his needs. Taylor made his first voyage to China at age 21 and spent nearly his entire adult life in missions. Throughout his life of service, he endured hardship and criticism by trusting God and abiding in Christ. John 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. Hudson Taylor is known for the quote: “Learn to move man, through God, by prayer alone.” He lived his life and ministry this way, and his story is an example to us all. Listen to the podcast to hear some of Hudson Taylor’s personal stories of struggle and faith.  Click here to listen on iTunes, and while you’re there, please leave a review. It helps more people find us!  Podcast archives          

Dressing the Wound by Vickie Petz Henderson   In today’s podcast, host Vickie Petz Henderson gets personal. She opens up about why she wrote Dressing the Wound and shares some of her own struggles with unforgiveness. When illness blindsided and ended her career, not everyone was supportive, and Vickie was left feeling betrayed. She found herself replaying the hurtful scenario over and over in her mind. The wound in her heart festered and grew, consuming her thoughts, until she recognized the real source of her ongoing pain: unforgiveness.   Betrayal is a wound inflicted by others. Unforgiveness is self-inflicted. @VickiePetzH #TheHeartoftheAuthor #podcast #DressingtheWound   We’ve all been hurt, and in order to heal, we must forgive. It’s not an easy thing to do. Forgiveness is not a one-time event, but a process. Sometimes, it’s a lifelong process because we have a tendency to relapse. Something triggers the memory, and it’s easy to start ruminating on it again. We nurse that wound, and it grows bigger and becomes infected with the bitterness that we feed it.    Be careful what you feed. It might grow. @VickiePetzH #TheHeartoftheAuthor #podcast #DressingtheWound   The Bible describes bitterness as a “root” that defiles many (Heb.12:15). Roots grow deep underground and are hard to pull up. We don’t see the roots, but we see what they produce. People around us see the effects of bitterness when it spews out of us. We have to nip it in the bud before it takes root, and the only remedy for bitterness is forgiveness. Unless we forgive, we will never be free from the pain or bitterness of our wounded hearts.   Unforgiveness destroys the offended, not the offender. @VickiePetzH #TheHeartoftheAuthor #podcast #DressingtheWound   Join Vickie and cohost Jasa Babb on the podcast as they share some of the practical steps we can take toward forgiveness and freedom. 

Good News for Weary Women  By Elyse M. Fitzpatrick   Is the Proverbs 31 woman an inspiration to you? Or is she breathing down your neck? If it feels more like the latter, you’re not alone. Author Elyse Fitzpatrick dedicates this book to the “wearied, burdened, wounded, and struggling women who love their Lord but can’t seem to find the joy, peace, or freedom they’ve heard so much about.” She has good news for those in bondage to their to-do lists and weighed down by expectations they’ll never live up to. God doesn’t judge us by how successful we are with our to-do lists. Instead, He calls us to faith. The problem with Proverbs 31 is that we make it into something it was never meant to be – a checklist used to measure ourselves (or others) against. The woman described in the proverb isn’t a godly woman because she does all these things, but she does these things because she’s a godly woman. She seeks after God first, He provides, and the things she accomplishes are the result. Also, she doesn’t do it all each and every day! These are virtues she’s developed over a lifetime of following and serving God.  The Christian culture can seem demanding and impossible, but there is hope. That hope is in the gospel. We don’t have to measure up because Jesus has already redeemed us. He already loves us and isn’t going to love us any more than He already does. When we put unrealistic expectations on ourselves and others and measure our worth or godliness by our to-do lists, we’re adding requirements to the gospel that aren’t there. As the author points out again and again: You are accepted, and you are loved because of Jesus. The end. When your list of to-dos becomes overwhelming, ask yourself, "Is all that I'm doing God-honoring, or is it just conforming?" Get up each day and ask God what He is calling you to do.  Listen to the podcast for more Click here to listen on iTunes Podcast archives  

THE ROAD BACK TO YOU: AN ENNEAGRAM JOURNEY TO SELF-DISCOVERY BY IAN MORGAN CRON AND SUZANNE STABILE   The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing system, and The Road Back to You explains how it works and applies it to the Christian life. This is part three, the last of the Enneagram series. See part one here and part two here. To review, there are nine personality types, divided into: Heart personalities – Types 2, 3, and 4 Gut personalities – Types 8, 9, and 1 Head personalities – Types 5, 6, and 7 Today, we’re talking about the “head” personality types. TYPE 5 – THE INVESTIGATOR General characteristics: More intellectual than emotional, value thoughts over feelings Very private, independent, and socially withdrawn Learn everything possible about subjects that interest them Healthy Type 5’s: Have balance between participation and observation Engage with others comfortably Have a lot of knowledge and are willing to share it with others Average Type 5’s: Have a scarcity mentality Hoard their time, space, affection, etc. Observe and don’t participate Unhealthy Type 5’s: Are worried about their security, independence, and privacy Don’t want to depend on anyone for anything Become defensive and push people away TYPE 6 – THE LOYALIST General characteristics: Loyal, understanding, funny, and compassionate Anxious and insecure, don’t like unpredictability Slow to trust but feel comfortable around people who are like them Healthy Type 6’s: Trust their own experiences and realize that certainty and accurate predictability are not likely Are productive, loyal, honest, and reliable Have come to believe that in the end, everything will be all right Average Type 6’s: Question everything and struggle to get the worst case scenario out of their head With authority, can either be overly skeptical or overly subservient Are very loyal and committed Unhealthy Type 6’s: Find danger in every corner Have anxiety that borders paranoia Think the world is unfair and that people cannot be trusted TYPE 7 – THE ENTHUSIAST General characteristics: Fun, popular, optimistic, spontaneous, adventuresome Not good at finishing things, get bored and move on to the next thing Avoid heavy conversations, confrontations, and commitments Healthy Type 7’s: Are aware that the energy they invest in happiness is not the same as the gift of joy that comes from the Lord Embrace all their emotions and accept life as it is Can take disappointment and incorporate it into the whole of their life instead of just ignoring it Average Type 7’s: Avoid sadness and try to reframe almost everything that’s sad Want everything to be painted through rose-colored glasses Unhealthy Type 7’s: Think they’ve been dealt an unfair hand and pity themselves Are risk takers, always looking for the next thrill Can get involved in irresponsible, harmful, or addictive behavior because they’re seeking instant gratification This is just an abbreviated outline. Listen to the podcast for more detail, including tips for spiritual transformation and famous people of each personality type. Listen to the podcast Listen on iTunes Podcast archives    

THE ROAD BACK TO YOU: AN ENNEAGRAM JOURNEY TO SELF-DISCOVERY  BY IAN MORGAN CRON AND SUZANNE STABILE  The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing system, and The Road Back to You explains how it works and applies it to the Christian life.   This is part two of the Enneagram series. See part one here. To review, there are nine personality types, divided into: Heart personalities – Types 2, 3, and 4 Gut personalities – Types 8, 9, and 1 Head personalities – Types 5, 6, and 7 In part one, we covered the “gut” personality types, and in part two, we’re talking about the “heart” types.   TYPE 2 – THE HELPER   General characteristics: Knows and takes care of the needs and desires of others More comfortable giving than receiving and doesn’t know when to say no Needs to feel accepted and appreciated by others Healthy Type 2’s: Can name their own needs and feelings without fear of losing relationships Have appropriate boundaries and know what is and what isn’t theirs to take care of Are aware of the true self that exists beyond their relationships Average Type 2’s: Are convinced that the expression of their needs and feelings will threaten the stability of their relationships Want something in return for their generosity whether they admit it or not Don’t appear to expect anything from others but secretly think, “If I can see your needs, you should be able to see mine.” Unhealthy Type 2’s: Are codependent In their desire to be loved, will accept almost any substitute (appreciation, neediness, companionship, etc.) Can be insecure, manipulative, and often play the role of a martyr TYPE 3 – THE PERFORMER General characteristics: Thrives on efficiency, productivity, and being acknowledged as the best Would rather lead than follow Competitive to a fault Healthy Type 3’s: Have transcended the goal of just looking good and impressing others Are truly loved and known for who they are, not what they’ve accomplished Feel valuable already, so they work toward a common good Average Type 3’s: Are overachieving, highly-driven workaholics Have a need to perform that transcends everything else See love as something to be earned Unhealthy Type 3’s: Find failure totally unacceptable and don’t admit their mistakes Are desperate for attention Can be petty, mean, vengeful, and act like they’re better than everyone else TYPE 4 – THE ROMANTIC General characteristics: Embraces uniqueness, feels different and misunderstood Comfortable with melancholy and annoyed by overly cheerful people Emotionally intense, complicated, sensitive, and self-conscious Healthy Type 4’s: Have a large emotional range but mange it well Don’t speak or act on every single feeling they have Understand that they don’t have to be special to win God’s unconditional love Average Type 4’s: Struggle with accepting themselves as they are Seek to find their identity by exaggerating their uniqueness Want to be wanted and pull people in but then get nervous and push them away Unhealthy Type 4’s: Tend to be manipulative Play the role of the victim in order to maintain relationships This is just an abbreviated outline. Listen to the podcast for more detail, including tips for spiritual transformation and famous people of each personality type. Tune in next week for part three!   Listen to the podcast Listen on iTunes Podcast archives  

The Road Back to You  by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile    The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing system, and The Road Back to Youexplains how it works and applies it to the Christian life. The nine personality types are based on coping mechanisms each person develops as a child in response to wounding words or messages, which color the way a person perceives the world. The Enneagram is not just a tool for self-discovery, but an eye opener to how others see the world. It helps us understand ourselves, empathize with others, and learn what to work on to mature spiritually. The authors remind us, though, that no matter what our personality, our goal is to look like Christ.     There are nine personality types, divided into: 3 heart personalities – Types 2, 3, and 4 3 gut personalities – Types 8, 9, and 1 3 head personalities – Types 5, 6, and 7 There is too much information to cover in one podcast, so we’re breaking it down into three parts, starting with the “gut” personalities.   Type 8 - The challenger              General characteristics:          Blunt, aggressive, don’t beat around the bush          Make decisions fast and from the gut          Welcome opposition, enjoy a good verbal skirmish   Healthy Type 8s:          Make great friends and exceptional leaders          Champion for those who cannot fight on their own behalf          Collaborate and value the contributions of others   Average Type 8s: Tend to be steamrollers rather than diplomats   Unhealthy Type 8s Are preoccupied with the idea that they are going to be betrayed Tend to be suspicious and slow to trust If wronged, will resort to revenge     Type 9 - The peacemaker   General characteristics: Don’t like conflict, go with the flow, want everyone to be happy Not self-starters, tend to procrastinate Don’t like big social gatherings, but really enjoy the outdoors   Healthy Type 9s: Make good mediators, can harmonize an irreconcilable situation Can see everyone’s different perspectives Are unselfish, flexible, and inclusive of others            Average Type 9s:          Seem sweet and easygoing, but tend to be stubborn          Are totally out of touch with their anger Overlook themselves, feel unimportant, don’t ask for much   Unhealthy Type 9s: Have trouble making decisions Become overly dependent Tend to engage in numbing behaviors to dull negative feelings     Type 1 - The Perfectionist   General characteristics: Driven to do what is right and want others to do what is right Self-disciplined, perfectionistic, detail oriented See the world as black and white, right or wrong   Healthy Type 1s are: Committed to a life a service and integrity Balanced and responsible Able to forgive themselves and others for being imperfect   Average Type 1s: Tend to judge and compare Struggle to accept imperfection that is inevitable   Unhealthy Type 1s: Fixate on small imperfections Obsess with micromanaging Assert control over others to relieve their own inner turmoil   This is just an abbreviated outline. Listen to the podcast for more detail, including tips for self-improvement and famous people of each personality type. Tune in next week for part two!    

Choosing Forgiveness: Your Journey to Freedom  By  Nancy Leigh DeMoss   Forgiveness (or unforgiveness) is a topic many of us don’t really like to talk about. We may even feel that it’s not an issue for us. But very few people in the world harbor zero bitterness in their hearts over some form of injustice. We’ve all been hurt. Have you ever felt irritated or lashed out at someone and didn’t even know why? Could it be that something sparked a bit of bitterness or resentment smoldering beneath the surface of your heart? There are two ways to respond to hurt and injustice. You can either keep count, or you can let go.   Living with Unforgiveness  Often, we think we’ve forgiven when we’ve really only pushed the hurt down and ignored it or denied it. In the foreword of the book, David Jeremiah says, “The effort to stuff our hurts below the reach of conscious memory is like trying to hold a fully inflated beach ball under water. The slightest shift in pressure and off it goes, shooting off beyond control.” If this happens to you, consider it an opportunity to face the hurt for what it is and to ask God to help you forgive. Otherwise, bitterness festers and grows and corrupts the heart.  Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die.   Choosing to Forgive  God cares about our hurts. He doesn’t ask us to bury them and pretend they never happened, but He does ask us to forgive. He commands it. But He doesn’t expect us to do it on our own power. He gives us the grace we need to forgive when we ask for it. We just have to make the choice and be willing to let go and trust God to bring justice in His way, in His time.  The outcome of our lives is not determined by what happens to us, but how we respond to what happens to us.– Nancy Leigh DeMoss  

  Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds  by Jen Wilkin   Do you know a lot of Bible stories but aren’t sure how they all fit together? You’re not alone. Author Jen Wilkin realized when asked to lead a Bible study that she knew a lot about the Bible, but she didn’t really know the Bible. She found herself not knowing how to study the Bible on her own. It can feel overwhelming not knowing where to start or how to go about it, but the old Chinese proverb puts it into perspective: “How do you move a mountain? One spoonful of dirt at a time.” This book is for people who are ready to start digging.  Wilkin realized two fundamental things she had wrong about the Bible:  Failing to understand (or forgetting) that the Bible is about God. As humans, we tend to make the Bible about us. We turn to it for comfort, to tell us what to do, or to support our own agenda. The underlying attitude is, “How can the Bible serve me?” While the Bible is a source of comfort and instruction, it is not about us. It’s about God. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible clearly reveals who God is on every page. And the purpose of reading and studying it is to know Him.  Depending on feelings when reading the Bible. Most of us are probably guilty of this at times. Our emotions don’t always line up with what the Bible says. We don’t always feel the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that the Bible says are the fruits of the Spirit (Galations 5:22-23). Sometimes we don’t feel like reading the Bible at all. But Romans 12:2 tells us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The path to transformation runs from the mind to the heart, not the other way around. We have to be obedient until the heart feels it.   The heart cannot love what the mind does not know. @jenniferwilkin #WomenoftheWord #TheHeartoftheAuthor #podcast   The book offers much more insight, including how to study with purpose, perspective, patience, process, and prayer, and how to pull it all together. The last chapter offers extra help for teachers. In the end, it’s all about seeking His face.   Listen to the podcast as Vickie and Jasa share their personal insights about the book.  Click here to listen in iTunes and leave a review if you like the show. Find previous podcasts here.