WELCOME HEART: Living a Legacy Life

Ep 231 Storytelling and Sanctuary with Susy Flory

Thinking of writing your story? Susy Flory thinks you should begin, like today.
Currently in seminary working on her doctoral degree, Susy Flory directs the West Coast Christian Writers Conference, and knows a good story when she hears it. Raised by an Irish mother who could tell a good yarn, Susy is a 17 book New York Times best-selling author whose favorite books are memoirs. Today we discuss how she came to co-write her lovely book, Sanctuary about a young man named Patrick who lost his way and the rescue donkeys that led him home. 
She's offering a free copy this week - leave a comment to be entered.
Susy leads Everything Memoir, both a free facebook group with loads of quality free offerings, as well as a year long coaching group on how to write your memoir which will be starting up again this coming January. Learn more about both on her website: susyflory.com and find all her links HERE.
Some gems:
I find people endlessly fascinating and I love helping them tell their stories in any form but especially in written form.
From getting to know Patrick and how God met him in all his struggles, I came to appreciate in a deeper, broader way that those who follow Christ are all a part of one church. 
From Patrick's story we see again how God doesn't give up on us no matter how many times we fail. 
Words have an eternal quality to them, which is reason enough to begin writing your story.
Everyone who loves God has a God-story that needs to be told, even if only for one person to hear it. 
Patrick felt accepted and unconditional love from one particular donkey named Aran and that helped him feel less alone and eventually led towards his healing. 
Writing our stories gives us joy in that it helps us feel like there's a reason for why things have happened in our lives. 

Ep 230 Walking With the One Who Is Not Worried About a Thing with Megan Fate Marshman

Megan Fate Marshman tells us what to do when we don't have all the things figured out: go to Jesus and tell him that we don't. And then we go to him again and tell him again. We need reminding. We are prone to think we are in control and what a gift from God that we are not. 
I just finished reading an advance copy of Megan's latest book, RELAXED: WALKING WITH THE ONE WHO IS NOT WORRIED ABOUT A THING and I'd love to say that I'm totally relaxed AND not worried about a thing. But I'm more relaxed and I'm less worried. So good. Buy one for yourself (if you don't win the giveaway) and one for that friend who may be worried—oh, that's every friend, or most anyway. 
Megan, a single mom of two young boys—her dear husband Randy went to be with the Lord at age 36—writes from what she is learning about grief and worry and autonomy and coming to Jesus over and over again. A knowledgeable and charismatic teacher of the Word, Megan pastors at Willow Creek Community Church, Chicago, runs the women's ministry at Hume Lake Christian Camp and is the women's pastor at Arbor Road Church, Long Beach, CA. 
Megan’s website
Megan on IG
Megan on Facebook
Megan on X
Buy Link
 
Some gems from our conversation:
We don't need to do more; rather, we need to be intentional about showing love right where we are.
God's gift to us is that we don't need to trust in ourselves.
Risk-taking is Christlikeness because you are setting yourself up to need him and the prompts almost always lead to love.
Anxiety signals me where I'm trying to get my security.
We experience a sanctification gap and we go about it all the wrong way to close that gap without God.
Grief has taught me to pay more attention to what really matters and less attention on those things that don't. 
We are called to be God's hands and feet to anyone he brings our way. 
We are not working on making a perfect family; rather on doing things right.
Anxiety alerts us that something is going on in the dashboard of our soul. 

Ep 229 Hope in God (Sometimes We Forget Who Our God Is) with Julie Sunne

We all have a story to tell and when we tell it, we can encourage someone else who may need to know and trust God a little bit more.
Julie Sunne expected certain things from God and when they didn't happen, she realized she didn't really know this God she was raised to believe in. Married 36 years, a mother of 4, Julie experienced 5 miscarriages and 4 live births in a stretch of 8 years. Their third child and only girl, Rachel, was diagnosed as intellecturally disabled and will need to be cared for her entire life. Rachel, age 26 but developmentally only age 3, continues to teach Julie about trusting and knowing God in his entierty. 
Julie's book points our minds and hearts to God and you'll want to get one for yourself and anyone you know who is struggling with hope. She's giving away a copy this week so be sure to comment here or on social media for your name to be entered. 
SOMETIMES I FORGET: 60 REMINDERS OF HOPE FOR YOUR HARD DAYS, a concise and helpful devotional to direct our minds and hearts to the nature of God. As Julie says, we don't just wish for something, we hope in God who is immutable and never-changing. 
In the pages of this book, you will discover:
--more about who God is
--how God relates to us as His children
--why we can believe God’s promises
--truths to remember
--a simple, yet meaningful way to pray through the valleys
Life will throw you curveballs, but in the character of God lies hope. Because of who God is, you can trustHim in your most desperate moments.
 
Some gems from our conversation:
When God didn't answer my prayers, I just felt that his blessings pertained to other people, not me. 
I had to learn that my expectations of God were not always his plan for me and thereby, not his best for me as well. 
The main cure for "forgetting Who God is" is to read the Word of God which reminds us who we can trust. 
We will never completely understand the ways of God so we have to get to a point where we surrender ourselves completely to God.
We can't just take one attribute of God without all the rest as one nature, perfect and unchanging, loving and almighty. 
My legacy is to trust my hard places to the Lord and surrender my understanding to His. 
 
Follow Julie at juliesunne.com.

Ep 228 Life Plans and God's Surprises with Sue Donaldson

I’m not sure why we bother arguing with God. God being God comes with an unfair advantage but I imagine I’m not the only one who tries. There’s that Jonah fellow from Nineveh. He argued but he ended up—well you probably know where he ended up. Even Jesus who had a special connection, you might say, debated with his Father about the wisdom of what he was about to go through right before the cross. He went anyway. Alone, for the most part.
I should have known better than to argue. There’s no point. But processing out loud is my favorite and God already knew what was in my head. And, while arguing takes two and I did most of the talking, I did get an answer
At 30 I wasn’t worried about gray hair. I had a great life. I just didn’t want to grow old alone. I had a plan to love and serve God—but not by myself. Phone calls can mess up the best of plans.
YOUR TURN
Do you have a plan for your life? What does it include?
 
When your plans take a “wrong turn” in your view, how do you deal with your disappointment?
 
Have you ever argued with God? If not, you can try it out today. (I'll wait...)
 
 
How did that turn out for you?
If we remember He’s our perfect Father—and loves us even more than our own dads—and that he knows what’s ahead, we can relax. Instead of stewing we can wonder how He’s going to surprise us with something we would never think up on our own.
That’s one of the fun parts about following God—the surprise factor. It gets me every time.
TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD
“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:18).
 
TELL GOD WHAT’S GOING ON (write your prayer or pray the one below):
 
Lord, God,
Thank you that you love me and that you are love so that you can’t betray. Help me place the truth of your character over my feelings. I surrender my plans to you. May I look to you in trust and expectation. I love surprises. Thank you and amen.
 

Ep 227 Build Your Faith, Track God's Presence with Lori Margo

Lori Margo wife and mother of three adult children, knows what it means to stay awake all night and worry - like all good mothers do! She knew God loved and cared for her—even while facing cancer four times and losing her mom at a young age. But her faith stalled out one day and she prayed, "Lord, I need to know you are with me. Show me ways you are present here in these struggles." And that began her process of tracking God, keeping short lists, recording how He's answering prayers, big and small. She prayed: God I just want to know that you are with me. If you answer my prayer or if you don't—I'm still going to trust you, no matter what."
Lori writes:
Life is hard AND God is incredible.
Both phrases are true and happening simultaneously: Life is hard. God is incredible.
That’s my story.
I’ve had hard things come my way AND I’ve experienced the faithfulness of God alongside the pain and suffering. He met me where I was and brought peace as I held the pieces of a life I never imagined for myself.
 
Some gems:
Life is hard AND God is incredible.
To track how God is present helps keep me emotionally resilient.
I acknowledge my fears but when I look for how God is working on my behalf, worry turns more easily to worship. 
Psalm 73 is where I go for help: God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 
I didn't want to just say the words, "God I trust you"—I wanted to get into the habit of observing His miraculous presence in my trials and difficulties. 
Sometimes I stall out and I just say, "God I need to hear from You" and then I keep a pad of paper and a pencil nearby.
You CAN have a deeper connection with God, even when life is hard. Take the quiz HERE.
Learn more from Lori at lorimargo.com.
 

Ep 226 Enjoying the Bible Not Just Studying the Bible with Keith Ferrin

Speaker, author, Keith Ferrin heard someone tell or perform the entire book of Luke on stage for two hours straight. He made a lunch date with the presenter for that next day, a lunch date which lasted nine hours. For the last two decades, Keith's been presenting Scripture by the book as a storyteller. "The Bible is not only meant to be studied, understood and obeyed", Keith says, "it's meant to be enjoyed." We discuss the Thdifference as well as what it means to internalize the word vs memorizing the words.
Keith is passionate about helping people know and love God's word and offers great series on YouTube as well as on his website. Keith is offering my Welcome Heart listeners a half-off coupon for two of his great resources: get both for the price of one.
One course is called Relational Bible Study. www.keithferrin.com/rbs
The other is called The Simplest Way to Internalize the Bible www.keithferrin.com/internalize
Use this LINK to get them both for the price of one.
His free resource is: The Simplest Way to Study the Bible. LINK HERE.
Some gems:
People are under the false belief that massive parts of Scripture is confusing so they don't even attempt to read it.
The main difference between Christianity and all other religions is this: the Creator saw that His creation was in trouble and He set out to rescue and fix what they can't fix on their own.
The Bible is not only true, it's also powerful and amazing and transforming and meant to be enjoyed.
I realized that God's Word isn't just to be studied verse-by-verse like little sound bites; rather it's to engage my mind, emotions and soul and that's made all the difference.
To internalize Scripture is the know the Word; to memorize Scripture is to know the words. 
The more relational we are with Scripture, the more information we will retain.
Our primary purpose in reading the Bible is to hang out with Jesus.
 
To learn more about Keith and how to learn to enjoy the Bible, follow Keith on all social platforms @keithferrin or his website: keithferrin.com.

Ep 225 Writing as a Redemptive Act with Award-Winning Author, Bret Lott

Bret Lott knows how to make a woman cry. Possibly a man, too, but I'm not sure. I know he's cried (sobbed, he admitted) when reading Leif Enger's book, Peace Like a River. I already liked Bret Lott but that made me like him even more. 
Bret Lott, award-winning author of now 16 books (both fiction and non-fiction) didn't start out to become a writer and, in fact, met obstacles along the way. I'm glad he persevered; if you've read Jewel, one of Oprah's Book Club selections, then I'm sure you're glad as well. He wanted to ride a horse and be a Park Ranger. Grateful that didn't pan out. 
Fun sidenote: Since I'm also from Southern California, it was a delight to find out that Bret used to work at Knott's Berry Farm at the candy apple booth and once-a-month he made waffles for Mr. Knott. 
 
Bret is giving away a signed copy of his latest book out this month entitled: GATHER THE OLIVES, On Food and Hope and the Holy Land  - comment below or on social media to be entered!
Born in Los Angeles in 1958, Lott grew up in Buena Park, CA and Phoenix, AZ before returning to California to live in Huntington Beach, CA. He met and married his wife of 40 years, Melanie Swank Lott, at First Baptist Church of Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley. A graduate of Cal State, Long Beach(1981), Lott headed to Massachusetts for graduate school at UMass Amhurst. He received his MFA in 1984 and landed his first teaching position at Ohio State Univ. In 1986, Lott joined the English Department at the College of Charleston, where he is now a tenured professor and director of the new MFA program and leads writers retreats to Italy.
Find out more about his writing retreats here: https://bretlottwriting.com
Be sure to comment below to be entered to win: Gather the Olives.
Some gems:
The difference between a good writer and a bad writer: the bad writer says, "Here I am, I have something to say." The good writer writes a good story and you're not aware he or she even exists.
I write to try and understand things, why people do what they do and what happened to their lives.
I shared a short story with a girl I liked. She wasn't impressed. I knew right then that I loved her. 
Jewel was based on my grandmother's life. She had 6 kids and the 6th, my aunt, was Down Syndrome. 
You're given what you're given in life; the writer's job and joy is to write the pages torn from that life and try to understand it better.
The best art fills us with wonder and glory and mystery and beauty which are all manifestations of God. 
 

Ep 224 Jesus is Enough in the Darkness with Connie Lawson

Connie Lawson, wife and mother of three little girls has suffered more than most. When asked, "Do you ever wonder why you went through so many trials?" she replied, "Not anymore. When you really push into Jesus and decide that He's enough, you find out that He really is enough." 
Misdiagnosed at age 11 with a mental illness that didn't get changed around until her late 20's, Connie could be bitter over all those lost years. Instead, she's turned her pain into an opportunity to help others trust the God that she's come to know and love, even in and in spite of the darkness. Hear more of Connie's story on her podcast, Weeds, Seeds and Beautiful Things. 
Some gems: 
I don't understand the why behind my trials, but I do know that God is good, no matter what.
If you aren't anchored to the truth, you'll drown, and the truth is that God is loves you and is present in your suffering. 
My mission is to help others come to know the God I've learned to trust. 
When you pray for more faith in God rather than praying for a changed outcome—it changes you.
My suffering is a doorway to see the face of God. 
An entitled anger says, "I don't deserve this pain" and keeps me from seeing God's hand. 
For more encouragment, follow Connie at WeedsSeedsandBeautifulThings.com.

Ep 223 Wit and Wisdom From the Back 40 Podcast and the Golden Girls

My friend and fellow podcaster, Mary Hess of The Back 40, invited me and 3 other gals (from the back 40!) to chat on her podcast.
Here's what Mary had to say about all of us crazy and fun ladies:
Ever found yourself in a predicament because your body is going through changes you don't quite understand? Or perhaps you're struggling to find your identity amidst the pressures of social media, comparison, and the expectation to constantly achieve? Well, ladies, you're not alone. I'm accompanied by four incredibly inspiring women - Sue Donaldson, Ruthie Gray, Susan Macias, and Carol Feil - who have each navigated their unique journeys and have come to share their wisdom on these common, yet often overlooked subjects.Our conversation doesn't shy away from the personal, the profound, or the downright hilarious. We candidly tackle the often-ignored topic of menopause and each share our own experiences with hormone replacement and our strategies for coping with life's inevitable transitions. I think you'll find comfort and camaraderie in our tales of overcoming fears, breaking free from societal timelines, and taking action, no matter what stage of life you're in. But that's not all. We dive deep into the challenges of finding your true identity in a world that demands comparison. We discuss the power of authentic communication, and the importance of being true to yourself. Wherever you are in your faith journey, whether you feel you're just starting out or you've been walking the path for decades, this episode is for you. So, get comfortable, grab a cuppa, and join us for a conversation that will have you nodding in agreement, laughing out loud, and maybe even shedding a tear or two. You won't want to miss it.Connect with Sue Donaldson: https://welcomeheart.com/Connect with Susan Macias: https://www.susankmacias.com/Connect with Ruthie Gray: https://authenticonlinemarketing.com/Connect with Carol Feil: https://carolfeil.com/
Find our host, Mary here at The Back 40
Some gems (we do think we are funny...)
I had to make a choice, to say this is my new season, and I'm going to assume that God didn't make me faulty. It's not bad. Hot flashes are never fun.
I just want to be so in sync with what the Lord is doing in my life, so that, if I snap at someone, that I can do short accounts—to get our relationship back on track as soon as possible—like with God and my children and my husband.
Because we can now walk around with, you know, computers in our back pockets, I think we have to really really guard our hearts and minds to what we allow to settle in and take up that space.
I think sometimes it's easy for me even to get into the mindset of oh my gosh, I'm in my 50s now and what do I have to show for it? What do I have to show that I've been doing ministry or I'm successful in some arena or some way?
I don't know that comparison ever really goes away and I kind of thought it would.
To be surrounded by people who inspire you is is self-serving sanctification. To go into community on a regular basis and say have someone say, "You're not late, Susan, you're blessed. You're doing what God wants you to do today."
When we start feeling lonely or down about what we're doing or anything to do with our second half of life, the worst thing we can do is stay to ourselves.
 

Ep 222 Treasure in the Wilderness with Scott Savage

Scott Savage, pastor, husband of a judge and father of 3, realized one day in a church meeting that he was in the wilderness of burnout. What followed was 9 months of finding and knowing God on a deeper level and he's here today to share with us part of what he learned. You may not be in a wilderness yourself right now, but you may know someone who could use Scott's encouragement. He's offering a free resource which you can access here: Don't Give Up When It's Time To Change: 10 Things You Need to Hear When You're Ready to Quit.
Scott and his wife, Danalyn often say, "Everyone has a story if we stop long enough to listen." Perhaps that's the main thing you need today: someone to listen to your story. You can connect with Scott here. 
Some gems from today:
 
What if you started looking for God's kindness in your wilderness where He leads you tenderly closer to Himself.
We can wake up and discover that we are somewhere where we never intended to be and find we are in a wilderness. 
Friendships forged in the hard places can be our deepest and most life-giving relationships. 
I knew I was burned out from focusing on my public life more than tending to my private life with God.
Burnout is something we have more control over; wilderness can often be the result of outside circumstances. 
My prayer is that people will connect to me in my stories so that they will connect with God. 
When feeling burned out we can claim the promise we are not alone: God hasn't left and He can provide others to accompany us in the hardest of times. 
Scott Savage is a pastor, author, and speaker with the best last name ever! As a seasoned Millennial pastor, Scott has served churches for nearly 20 years. He currently leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona. His writing has been read by over a million people in places like Our Daily Bread, RELEVANT Magazine, Air1 Radio, and the YouVersion Bible App: here's a sample.
Through his writing and speaking, Scott loves helping people who are navigating difficult situations to find hope and healing. He is married to Danalyn, aka Judge Savage, and they’re raising three brilliant children. You can learn more about Scott at ScottSavageLive.com or follow him on social media (@scottsavagelive).