WELCOME HEART: Living a Legacy Life

Ep 157 A Legacy of Radical Hospitality: Monday Night Dinners with the Cleaths

We don't all have to remodel our dining rooms just because we host 60 people every Monday night for dinner, but that's exactly what Tim and Allie Cleath set out to do when the guest list got bigger and bigger. Hear their story today of "radical hospitality." Try out Allie's biscuit recipe and invite someone over.
I love Allie Cleath's and her gracious giving heart for others. I reminded her recently of the time she handed me a pot roast in a plastic bag. “See?” she said, “I don’t do fancy. I just cook and give because of all God’s given me.” I was grateful that night so many years ago, and many are grateful every Monday night.
If you’re ever in San Luis Obispo, give me a call and we’ll head on over to the Cleath’s. We may need to wash dishes or fold up some chairs, but we’ll be blessed with radical hospitality for the glory of God
 
Allie’s Homemade Biscuits
 
Stir together:
2 cups flour
½ t. salt
¼ t. baking soda
2 ½ t. baking powder
 
Mix in with a fork:
1/4 c. shortening
 
Add:
3/4 c. buttermilk
 
Stir then knead 10 – 12 times on floured surface. Roll out to ½ inch thickness. Cut with biscuit cutter. Bake 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until puffed and golden.
 
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Free eBook 
What’s your #1 tip for making the holidays less stressful? How do you practice self-care during the holidays?
How do you get your family members & other helping hands more involved in holiday preparations?
What’s your #1 tip for saving money during the holidays (whether on gifts, food, decorations, or other things)?
 
Free eBook for Happier Holidays (: 

Ep 156 A Legacy of Living Awake with Anjuli Paschall

Mom of five, writer, speaker, spiritual director, Anjuli Pasquall, knew how it felt to always be running after a more-and a later-on and someday-I'll-catch-up kind of life and she knew it wasn't how God wanted life to be— for her, for anyone. She began a quest to find out what it meant to live fully awake—to God's presence, to love, to connection. And she wrote a gem of a book about it. 
Leave a comment here or on social media to be entered to win your own copy of AWAKE: Paying Attention to What Mattters Most in a World That's Pulling You Apart
"From a young  age, I trusted God. I knew He loved me in my head, but there was a disconnect because I didn’t believe He loved me in my heart. I knew a lot of the right answers, but deep down I was a disaster." -Anjuli
Learn more about Anjuli HERE, and her soul-care course HERE.
We chat about her fabulous "club" that supports moms who need more than the average support. Check it out: 
"I founded “The Moms We Love Club.” It is a social media campaign. We raise money and prayers for moms enduring long term hardship. Over the past two years we’ve raised over $200, 000 just by posting a picture. Join the club!"
Follow Anjuli on instagram @lovealways.anjuli
 
 

Ep 155 A Legacy and Lifetime of Discipleship with Cal Samuels

I taught high school with the wonderful and exuberant pastor, teacher Cal Samuels back in the day, and today he continues to teach, disciple and pour into young people with his whole heart and soul. A fellow Marine who had been saved a whole 5 days took it upon himself to read the verse, John 3:16 to Cal after a night on the town, and at that moment he believed and began a life steeped into and led by the Word of God. His legacy is one we all want to live. Enjoy my friend, Cal, who daily desires to imitate his Master, Jesus Christ in the 3 C's and teach, show and "let them go", growing deeper in faith and strength.
Cal, in his own words:
l was born in Fredericksburg, VA,  the youngest of four kids. Growing up in a small town was absolutely wonderful.
I spent four years in the Marines right after high school and became a Christian in the Marines while stationed in Japan in 1970. After getting out of the Marines in 1971, I stayed in California to work with The Navigators in a lay capacity doing military and collegiate ministries.
I married Pam while I was still in college, and later earned a Bachelors in English from Cal State Fullerton.
After graduation I taught at Whittier Christian High School for three years.
We moved to San Diego and I taught three years at Christian High in El Cajon.
Pam also was a teacher in the public schools.I left teaching and went to work in the corporate world as a training administrator and Human Resources manager.When I was 45 the Lord called me into ministry, so I stopped working and went to seminary to earn a Master of Divinity degree.
 
I pastored in San Diego and later relocated to Temecula to pastor Filipino-American churches.
I retired and served at our church doing discipleship and men's ministry for five years.
I had some friends who taught at Linfield Chritian High School and they encouraged me to do substitute teaching.I started subbing in September 2018, and after two weeks one of the Bible teachers suddenly moved to Texas. The school offered me the position, and I am finishing up my fourth year there. Linfield has been thrilling!
 
Pam and I have been married 46 years. We have three sons and three grandchildren.
Our youngest son went to be with the Lord two years ago.
 
You can follow Cal on Facebook where he continues to teach and disciple through posts and commentary. 
 
His heart's desire on a daily basis is to commit himself to the words in Isaiah 58:10 and 11—
 
AND IF YOU OFFER YOURSELF TO THE HUNGRY
AND SATISFY THE NEED OF THE AFFLICTED,
THEN YOUR LIGHT WILL RISE IN DARKNESS,
AND YOUR GLOOM WILL BECOME LIKE MIDDAY.
AND THE LORD WILL CONTINUALLY GUIDE YOU,
AND SATISFY YOUR DESIRE IN SCORCHED PLACES,
AND GIVE STRENGTH TO YOUR BONES;
AND YOU WILL BE LIKE A WATERED GARDEN,
AND LIKE A SPRING OF WATER WHOSE WATERS DO NOT FAIL.
Isaiah 58:10,11
 
 
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When asked, "What's the greatest commandment?" Jesus replied simply: "Love God, love your neighbor." I imagine He was thinking,"It's not rocket science" or "What's not to like?" or  "It's not complicated."
He was right, it's not complicated.
I make it complicated. I need to pray daily to uncomplicate what He says is best for me and best for others. So I wrote 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers, and once I pray them through, I start over again. 
You can too.
Sign up HERE to receive 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers to take the "complicated" out of the simple commands of Jesus. Love God. Love your neighbor. It's not complicated.
 
 
 
 
 

Ep 154 A Legacy of Curiosity—A Journey of Faith with Lore Ferguson Wilbert

Writer, thinker, self-named "chronic doubter", Lore Wilbert talks today about how asking questions are not only welcomed by God, but often essential to our journey of faith. Whether you are a staunch believer, never doubting, or more in a messy faith situation right now, you will find comfort, grace—even some answers to your questions—in our podcast conversation today.
Lore Ferguson Wilbert is a writer, thinker, learner, and author of the book, Handle With Care. She writes for She Reads Truth, Christianity Today, and more, as well as her own site, Sayable.net,as well as at LoreWilbert.com. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram @lorewilbert. She lives in New York and has a husband named Nate, a puppy named Harper Nelle, and too many books to read in one lifetime. Her wonderful new book is A CURIOUS FAITH: The Questions God Asks, We Ask, and We Wish Someone Would Ask Us.
I love her latest book, A CURIOUS FAITH: The Questions God Asks, We Ask, and We Wish Someone Would Ask Us. I thought I'd get this book for some friends, but the more I read it, I knew it was meant for me. Funny how the Lord does that. (My friends will still get a copy and you should, too.)
Lore says this about herself:
My life is small and simple. Grace is the marked measure of all things in me. God is the ultimate Creator and He’s crafted all things for His glory and my good. I learn this, albeit slowly at times.
I am a Christian for whom doubt has been a near constant thread. I am not funny or vivacious or the life of the party. I am the one who hangs out on the margins, the one who sounds slightly, maybe impressive until you meet me, the one people don’t recognize when they see me. And it has taken me nearly 40 years to finally be okay with that.
I have lived in ten states. Nowhere is quite home. The writer of Hebrews quotes the Lord as saying, “They’ll never get where they’re going, never able to sit down and rest.” A favorite author, Wendell Berry, says in one poem, “We must arrive at the ground beneath our feet,” and in another, “at peace, and in place.” I have done neither, not completely. I am perpetually homesick and I wonder if God did that to me on purpose, so I would never feel too much at home on this earth.
Some gems from Lore:
The Gospel is much more accessible and simple than we could ever imagine, and much more complex and majestic than we could ever imagine.
One of the most difficult parts of faith is getting honest about what we really want from God.
God is not interested in followers with all the right answers or even the right questions. He wants us to ask the quesitons, whatever we want, to lead us right to the locus of his love.
The Bible is a permission slip from God to ask questions.
Living my questions led me to more surety and stability.
 
You will love hearing Lore's legacy.
Enjoy and if you have questions? I'd love to hear them: sue@welcomeheart.com 
 

Ep 153 A Legacy of Recalling God’s Goodness in Anxiety and Isolation with Becky Keife

Becky Keife, wife and mom of 3 boys, talks today of her parenting struggles that led to writing her first book: No Better Mom for the Job: Parenting with Confidence, as well as her encouragement to people in all seasons of life that we have a God-given purpose: to display God's loving kindness whenever we get the opportunity. She speaks candidly of her own struggle with anxiety and depression, claiming that admitting and naming our struggles is the first step in coping and healing.  
We're thrilled to be offering two giveaways this week—so be sure to comment here or on Instagram to be entered.
Becky's latest books: The Simple Difference: How Every Small Kindness Makes a Big Difference and her companion Bible Study: Courageous Kindness: Live the Simple Difference Right Where You Are.
Author, speaker, Becky Keife is the Community Manager for DaySpring’s (in)courage, a widely followed online community where authentic women link arms to build community, celebrate diversity, and live courageously for Jesus.
Know a mom who needs encouragment?
Becky wants you to have the first two chapters of her new book, The Simple Difference: How Every Small Kindness Makes a Big Impact for FREE. Download it here: bethesimpledifference.com.
 
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When asked, "What's the greatest commandment?" Jesus replied simply: "Love God, love your neighbor." I imagine He was thinking,"It's not rocket science" or "What's not to like?" or  "It's not complicated."
He was right, it's not complicated.
I make it complicated. I need to pray daily to uncomplicate what He says is best for me and best for others. So I wrote 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers, and once I pray them through, I start over again. 
You can too.
Sign up HERE to receive 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers to take the "complicated" out of the simple commands of Jesus. Love God. Love your neighbor. It's not complicated.
 

Ep 152 A Legacy of Habits of Faith with Jen Pollock Michel

Jen Pollock Michele's legacy is about faith and the object of her faith; to stay close enough to Jesus— connected as a matter of habit—so that she knows His voice and obeys what she hears. Michele writes on faith in all her books and articles and the one we talk about today, A Habit of Faith--40 Days in the Bible to Find and Follow Jesus—is written for skeptics, seekers as well as old-timers like myself. She's offering a copy as a giveaway all week-long, so be sure to leave a comment to be entered by Sunday night. It's a Bible-reading experience for the convinced and the curious, in other words, everybody will benefit.
I LOVED THIS BOOK!
And, see where you can begin this habit journey on her website: A 5-Day Jumpstart to Your Habit Called Faith.
About Jen in her own words:
I’ve loved stories since childhood: the intrigue of my dad’s boyhood adventures with his dog, Chief; the friendship of books when I was—yet again—the new kid in town. I followed stories into university, then graduate school where I studied literature. After I became a mom, I passed years with my children, crowded around picture books and reading good stories.As a Christian, it’s always been the stories of Scripture that have interested me most. In the Bible, we come to discover that the events of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are the climax of God’s story. Though many turn to the Bible exclusively for instructions about what to believe and how to behave, I’ve come to think that it offers us something even more expansive and beautiful and imaginative.
Jen the author of four books: A Habit Called Faith, Surprised by Paradox (winner of Christianity Today’s 2020 Award of Merit for Beautiful Orthodoxy), Keeping Place, and Teach Us to Want (winner of Christianity Today’s 2015 Book of the Year). She's currently living in Ohio with her husband and their five children.
Some gems to contemplate while you figure out if today you'll begin your 40 days of reading, listening, talking to the God who is in pursuit of you:
If sin has to do with habits of autonomy, faith has to do with habits of dependence.
When meeting with God, have a plan so you don't need to "start again" each time you meet.
At God's initiative, he has made his home in us, and invites us to make our home in and with him. 
Jen's new book releases Decemeber in time for Christmas! But you can pre-order now:
In Good Time: 8 Habits for Reimagining Productivity, Resisting Hurry, and Practicing Peace
Whether we're trying to find time, save it, manage it, or make the most of it, one word defines our relationship with the clock: anxiety. Yet is productivity really the only grid for the good life? Have you ever imagined a life without hurry, relentless work, multitasking, or scarcity? A life that is characterized instead by presence, attention, rest, rootedness, fruitfulness, and generosity?This is the kind of life we are meant for, says Jen Pollock Michel. But if we want to experience freedom from time anxiety, we have to reimagine our relationship with time itself.In the pages of In Good Time, she invites you to disentangle your priorities from our modern assumptions and instead ground them in God's time. Then she shows you how to establish 8 life-giving habits that will release you from the false religion of productivity so you can develop a grounded, healthy, life-giving relationship with the clock.
 
 
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When asked, "What's the greatest commandment?" Jesus replied simply: "Love God, love your neighbor." I imagine He was thinking,"It's not rocket science" or "What's not to like?" or  "It's not complicated."
He was right, it's not complicated.
I make it complicated. I need to pray daily to uncomplicate what He says is best for me and best for others. So I wrote 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers, and once I pray them through, I start over again. 
You can too.
Sign up HERE to receive 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers to take the "complicated" out of the simple commands of Jesus. Love God. Love your neighbor. It's not complicated.
 

Ep 151 A Legacy of Going Into the Hard Places For Wholeness and Healing with Jolene Underwood

Jolene Underwood, MA, is a trauma and abuse informed mental health counselor as well as a spiritual and emotional growth coach. She believes a cultivated life is one that experiences more of God and more of the life we've been given by God.
Jolene helps individuals cultivate the courage, character, and connection they need to live as the person they're designed to be.
She's offering a one-page printable to all our listeners today to help us dig deeper into Scripture in a unique way. To download, click here: "Cultivate Connection with God." 
Jolene's personal journey towards emotional health, and training in Christian counseling, inform the practical support she provides for spiritual growth and emotional healing. Her tool, Unleash : Heart and Soul Care Sheets, has helped hundreds experience greater freedom and grow closer to God. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her enjoying the journey by laughing with loved ones or adding to her collection of vintage glassware with a 70s flair (see part of her collection on YouTube!)
Want more? Consider Unleash: Heart & Soul Care Sheets for a deeper connection by processing life’s challenges with God and learning to hear His voice in your life. A great gift for yourself and for a friend. 
Connect with her online via YouTube/Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest at @theJoleneU or via the Cultivated Life Newsletter.
 
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When asked, "What's the greatest commandment?" Jesus replied simply: "Love God, love your neighbor." I imagine He was thinking,"It's not rocket science" or "What's not to like?" or  "It's not complicated."
He was right, it's not complicated.
I make it complicated. I need to pray daily to uncomplicate what He says is best for me and best for others. So I wrote 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers, and once I pray them through, I start over again. 
You can too.
Sign up HERE to receive 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers to take the "complicated" out of the simple commands of Jesus. Love God. Love your neighbor. It's not complicated.
 
 
 
 

Ep 150 A Legacy of Prayer: 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers to Love God and Love Your Neighbor

Today we celebrate Ep 150 by turning our hearts and minds to our great Savior, Lord and King with "31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers." They are brief—brief holds my attention—I don't think it's my age, but it could be. And anytime I attend to my relationship with God, He pays attention.
God is so very good. He created us to relate with us, and praying is a great way to keep our relationship fresh and strong even when we don't feel fresh or strong.
If you'd like a prayer to drop in your inbox every day for 31 days, sign up here.
My relationship with God isn’t complicated. He makes things simple: “Love Me, Sue. That’s it. And, your neighbor. That’s all.”
He’s clear, even gentle, as He bids me follow and obey. I’m the one who makes it complicated.
 
Hear "31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers" on today's podcast episode. These simple prayers will help you love God more and your neighbors well.
Some excerpts:
Father, I’m always trying to figure out what’s next. This constant striving to know what’s around the corner shows I have trust issues. With You.
Lord, when I’m about to say something that isn’t really a good idea, please (please) keep these lips closed. Use duct tape, if necessary.
Dear Father, is it wrong to pray for something I want, but may not need? Like, a housekeeper?
Father, it’s totally beyond me how this problem I’m facing is going to get sorted out. I’ve run out of ideas. I’m pretty smart, but You’re wise. And, Your ideas are much bigger than mine. Why does that continue to surprise me?
 
When asked, "What's the greatest commandment?" Jesus replied simply: "Love God, love your neighbor." I imagine He was thinking,"It's not rocket science" or "What's not to like?" or  "It's not complicated."
He was right, it's not complicated.
I make it complicated. I need to pray daily to uncomplicate what He says is best for me and best for others. That's why I wrote 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers, and once I pray them through, I start over again. 
You can too.
Sign up HERE to receive 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers to take the "complicated" out of the simple commands of Jesus. Love God. Love your neighbor. It's not complicated.
 
Prayer Journal available in SHOP.
If interested in viewing the prayer journal that includes all 31 prayers, view in SHOP.
 
 

Ep 149 A Legacy of Doing the Work You Love with Brian Dixon

Author, speaker, co-founder of HopeWriters.com, entrepreneur and marketing mentor, Brian Dixon speaks today on how he is living out his legacy, for his three kids and the next generation.  
As Brian says, “We are only stewards of our message, not owners.”
I want to be a good steward of all God’s given me. Brian helps me figure out what that looks like. Get a pen. You’ll want to take notes.
As a coach, author and marketing mentor, Brian's biggest message is that God has called us to live boldly, adhere to Scripture, know God and make Him known—and not in a shy way. Check out his book, Start With Your People: The Daily Decision That Changes Everything.
Read more about Brian's journey and how he could serve you and your business well at briandixon.com. 
Brian offers a free 15-minute coaching call. Sign up on his website. Get a pen. Take notes.
Some gems:
What's simple to you is magic to others.
When people pay, they pay attention.
I want to be called a son of encouragement and live boldly bathed in God's Word.
 
How to invest in what matters beyond ourselves. We have one life – let’s make the most of it for God, others, and eternity.
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Need to increase your gathering skills? Try out one of my 25 Theme Gathering Ideas. Use one or several or use the list to launch your own creative spin. The point is people. Ask God. He knows and loves and cares.
 
 

Ep 148 A Legacy to Change the World By a Simple Invitation, Part 1

When we wake up each morning, do we actually think that what we do can change to world in some way? Most of us are grateful to change the sheets on a regular basis, clean the coffee pot with vinegar a few times a year, and water the plants when they show signs of an early death.
Yet, as followers of Jesus, we are not only called to an eternal purpose, to love God and our neighbor, we also get the privilege of partnering with the Son of God to change lives—one life, perhaps—all for His glory and our good and theirs.
Does that sound too hard? Too overwhelming? Too exhausting? It can to me, until I remember how Jesus spoke to many individuals, not only crowds of 5,000 and more. And He met needs one-on-one, as well as breaking bread and fish for hungry men and women and their kids on a mountain more than once. 
I've learned that inviting one person for a cup of coffee can change their world, one which seems frightening, one where they feel isolated when faced with difficulty, divorce, and desperate circumstances. God loves people, and He wants to use our tables and teapots to show people that He does. 
Your cup—coffee or tea, soup or water—can be an introduction to God that they've been looking for their whole lives. As my new sweatshirt reads, "My real home is heaven. I'm just here recruiting." (I don't usually wear that on a first time meet-up.)
Here are three stories of how God changed lives through a simple invitation. Maybe you've been the recipient of an invitation that changed your life. I'd love to hear about it. 
I'd also like to hear if you invite someone over and would like me to pray alongside. Email me: sue@welcomeheart.com. We're partners, after all. 
 
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