WELCOME HEART: Living a Legacy Life

Ep 135 A Legacy of Meaningful Work with Michaela O‘Donnell

Michaela O'Donnell joins me today to talk about our work, our vocation, our calling - does it matter? And, do you feel like it doesn't and what to do about it?
She wrote a book about it and will be giving away two copies. Comment below to be entered in the giveaway.
Michaela tells her story of wanting to live seamlessly—integrating work, home and faith—and provides a guide of how to do so in her book, Make Work Matter: Your Guide to Meaningful Work in a Changing World. The Max Dupree Center for Leadership will be giving away two copies so be sure to comment here or on Instagram to be entered.
Michaela O'Donnell, PhD, is executive director of Fuller Seminary’s De Pree Center for Leadership. She is an entrepreneur, a teacher, and a sought-after speaker and consultant who regularly presents on the topics of vocation, career, and leadership to religious, secular, academic, and lay audiences.
Website: https://depree.org/
Twitter: @depreecenter
Instagram: @depreecenter
Facebook: @DePreeCenter
 
 
 
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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 134 A Legacy to Seek, Go, and Create with Tim Winders

Today Tim Winders, soft-spoken with a hint of his Georgia roots, shares his story of how God changed his heart, his vocation and his housing once he sat still long enough to listen to his Creator. He and his wife currently live in a 39 foot motor home on the edge of a river in Southern Utah. He runs a worldwide business coaching business and this week his book releases to the public: "COACH: A Story of Success Redefined" — a business novel with principles for life.
Tim is giving away a free chapter this week to our listeners. But if you order his book by Monday, May 16th, you can receive the Audible version FREE: click here to pre-order and receive the Audible version FREE.
Tim Winders is a strategic coach, author, and host of SeekGoCreate, a podcast and YouTube interview show. He has worked in the areas of leadership, business, and ministry for almost 40 years. Tim was the guy that looked like he had it all: the big house in a Country Club resort, two businesses valued at over a million dollars each, plus over $15 million in real estate. But, in 2008, the real estate markets crashed. After a slow and painful erosion of his companies, he and his wife were bankrupt and homeless living out of their Honda van by 2013.     Fast forward to today. Tim and his wife are still homeless, but they consider themselves essential nomads. They live, travel, and work in their 39-foot motorhome while enjoying the best locations North America has to offer. Through this journey, he is convinced that we must redefine success in order to live our best life. This topic is what he has explored with his guests on the SeekGoCreate podcast since 2019
 
Tim's legacy is one that every Christ-follower needs to include in his and her arsenal. You will be blessed!
Topics:
What is the ONE thing Christians need to do?
Why did Tim choose to write fiction?
What's one way God prepares us to be used by Him for the Kingdom?
What's TIME got to do with anything?
 
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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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Ep 133 A Legacy of Leaning Into God in the Midst of Pediatric Cancer with Lindsey Noland

Lindsey's world was turned upside-down when her dermatologist discovered her 7-year-old daughter, Claire, had cancer. After months of treatment, they rejoiced to learned she was cancer free and that life could resume normalcy. But then it didn't.
Hear a mother's heart today as Lindsey describes their family's story of pediatric cancer—what God continues to teach her about Himself and how she is leaning into Him in the midst of an unfinished journey.
 
Lindsey Noland is an experienced speaker, mother to a pediatric cancer patient, ambassador for Stanford’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, and runs a private wedding venue in San Luis Obispo, CA.  With a background in Communication Studies (BA Westmont College), and an honorary degree in cancer fighting (school of life), Lindsey knows the power of owning and telling our stories.
Lindsey is passionate about sharing her experience of leaning into her struggle, not her strength. Her stories will make you laugh and cry and remind you that there is power in weakness and joy in leaning into your struggle. When she isn’t working or hiking the trails of the Central Coast, Lindsey spends her time writing and rewriting her first book, traveling with her husband of 19 years, and jumping on the trampoline with her three children (14, 13 & 9). 
If you know of someone you could use Lindsey's words today, please share this podcast.
 
 
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People love to know and be known. From experience, I know these questions work for a fabulous family gathering.
 
Subscribe to receive "6 Questions for a Meaningful Family Reunion" directly to your inbox.
 
Mark and I just got back from our Sibling Reunion #4 in Arkansas - we used these questions, spent time affirming each other and then praying over one another. A blast and blessing, as you can see. 
 
 
 
Kleenex and ping pong and eating and laughing were involved in equal measure.
 
 
 
Get your list of 6 Questions for a Meaningful Family Reunion HERE.
 

Ep 132 A Legacy of One Good Word with The Ruth Experience

I interviewed the three great women that make up The Ruth Experience back in 2019, Ep 40 - "A Legacy of Kindness" and now today we have two back again, Kendra Emery and Julie Fisk, who, with Kristin have co-authored another powerhouse of a book (WHICH THEY ARE GIVING AWAY THIS WEEK!) entitled: One Good Word a Day: 365 Invitations to Encourage, Deepen and Refine Your Faith.
Wow! Such a great idea to focus on just one word for your day. 
Today we discuss how their idea for leaving a legacy for their families turned into a kindness movement for this generation and the next, and how one word, whether a hard one like "lament" or one more welcoming like "inclusive"— can guide our hearts and deepen our faith, one day at a time. 
Check out The Ruth Experience on their website and follow on Instagram. Leave a comment on my insta this week or on my blog to be entered to win your own copy of their latest offering.
This is a great gift idea for Mother's Day for the woman who may have enough candles, candies and cannisters, order HERE. 
 
For more great legacy stories that show off God's welcoming heart, subscribe to WELCOME HEART: LIVING A LEGACY LIFE
 
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How to invest in what matters beyond ourselves. We have one life - let’s make the most of it for God, others, and eternity.
Subscribe:
Choose one of these popular free listening services, and subscribe there:
    
 
 

Ep 131 A Legacy of Truth Instead of the Lies We Tell Ourselves with Susan Vandenheuvel

Susan Vandenheuvel joins us today on Living a Legacy Life where she talks about living free from lies and in the freedom of our identity in Christ. God does a workin  us and then a work through us. Love it!
Susan was a great "stuffer" —she discovered she had "stuffed" down her wounds and hurts and lying messages told to her for many years until she couldn't ignore them any longer. God met her during a healing retreat and provided someone to walk alongside of her as she explored why she felt about herself the way she did, and then allowed the truth of God's word to transform and heal her. 
She now uses her freedom and healing as a platform to teach women that we don't need to hide or stuff, but, instead, live from our true identity in Christ. You will be encouraged as you listen.
Leave a comment on instagram or blog to be entered to recieve her 31 day devotional that speaks to living in the truth of God's Word:
The Confident Woman Within: 30 Day Devotional
Comment on blog, share on FB or comment on Instagram to be entered into giveaway - closes Friday at midnight.
Susan is a pastor, author, mentor, and founder of She Rises MN. She Rises exists to help women set aside anything keeping them from walking in the truth of who they are in Christ and discover their God-given potential. Susan also ministers within the federal and state prison settings, where she shares her story and the redeeming love of Jesus. Susan is also the host of the She Connects Podcast. I had the privilege of guesting on Susan's Podcast - take a listen here.
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/susan.vandenheuvel.90/
Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/susan_vandenheuvel/
Website link: https://www.sherisesmn.org/
Podcast link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-connects/id1508048601
 
 
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One simple way to spread God's message of love and forgiveness is to welcome others like He welcomed you. Join my series of doing simple hospitality, one task a day for 4 weeks:
Hospitality By the Day
What to do Today to Host Guests in a Month.
It's fun.
It's simple.
I promise. 
Sign up here and it will begin next Monday.
Can't wait to hear all about it!
 
 

Ep 130 A Legacy of A Place of Abundance with Cheri Gregory and Kathi Lipp

What a great duo we have today on Living a Legacy Life—so much wisdom, practical truth and joy. Cheri Gregory and Kathi Lipp come together to talk about their latest writing collaboration, An Abundant Place: Daily Retreats for the Woman Who Can't Get Away. A great Mother's Day gift for the women in your life, and you will also want this book for your quiet time basket.
Cheri and Kathi created a devotional that invites us to create a space to reconnect with our Saviour, feeding our soul and mind with truth, love in “small bites”, helping us glance at God's creation, while redirecting us to take the next step when we need redirecting (which I do need on a daily basis!)
Leave a comment on my blog show notes or on instagram to be entered to win a free copy of An Abundant Place.
Through Scripture and storytelling, Cheri Gregory delights in helping women draw closer to Jesus, the strength of every tender heart. She is the founder of Sensitive and Strong: the place for the HSP Christian woman to find connection; and the coauthor, with Kathi Lipp, of You Don’t Have to Try So Hard,Overwhelmed, and An Abundant Place. She and her college sweetheart, Daniel, have been married for more than three decades. They’ve spent the last 15 years living and serving on the campus of Monterey Bay Academy on the central California coast.
Check out Cheri's free HSP quiz - link below:
Facebook page — https://www.facebook.com/SensitiveAndStrong
Facebook group — https://www.facebook.com/groups/323525262143706
Website — https://sensitiveandstrong.com/
To receive FREE "Am I a Highly Sensitive Person?" self-quiz printable — https://sensitiveandstrong.com/join/
 
Kathi Lipp is the host of the Clutter Free Academy podcast, and the bestselling author of The Husband Project, Clutter Free, Ready for Anything and An Abundant Place. She and her husband, Roger, live in the mountains of northern California (near Placerville) where they run the Red House Writing Retreats. Using humor and wisdom, Kathi offers hope paired with practical steps to women looking to live with meaning.
Find Kathi at KathiLipp.com.
FB: www.facebook.com/AuthorKathiLippIG:  @kathilippFB Clutter Free Academy: www.facebook.com/groups/clutterfreeacademy
 
Kathi Lipp loves soup and loves sharing soup. Here's one of her favorites. I made a double batch last week (and shared it!)
TOMATO GIN SOUP
READY IN 50mins
SERVES 4
INGREDIENTS:
1 28 oz can peeled tomatoes
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1⁄8 teaspoon thyme
1⁄2 teaspoon paprika
1⁄8 teaspoon sugar
6 slices bacon, chopped
1⁄4 cup salted butter
4 ounces brown mushrooms, sliced
1⁄3 cup gin
1⁄2 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper
2 t chives, diced
DIRECTIONS:
Combine tomato, garlic, thyme, paprika, sugar in a blender and puree into a liquid.
In a soup pot, sauté bacon until crisp, drain on paper towels, but leave the drippings in the pot.
Add butter to pan with bacon drippings, melt butter, add mushrooms and sauté until golden.
Add gin and bacon, stir; add tomato sauce and simmer 15 minutes.
Add cream, season with salt and pepper, top with chives.
Serve as appetizer or alongside a hearty salad.
 
 
 
 
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Jesus said, "Love God and love your neighbor." You might love God but wonder about Part B.
 
You don't remember your neighbor's name or even which house they live in when you walk by with your puppy or they walk by with their puppy. You say "Hello" but you don't really know them. I can relate! We have 90 homes in our neighborhood, we've lived here over 30 years and I certainly don't know them all.
 
It sounds too hard to obey Christ's command to "go into all the world starting with Jerusalem." But I like to think my neighborhood is my Jerusalem. You, too?
 
You want to show your neighborhood God's love but you're not sure how to go about it. Click here today for 12 simple tips to help you invite your neighbors over for coffee. I include two delicious and easy recipes. Try them out and I'll come over! (I won't bring my puppy.)
 
 
 
 

Ep 129 A Legacy of Seeing God in Our Dailies with Diana Stuhr

I first met Diana Stuhr on a missionary trip with Practical Missionary Training. It was love and laughing at first sight. Diana has served with World Vision, Central American Mission and has worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators for the last 34 years. Currently, semi-retired in Waxhaw, NC, Diana oversees the events for seniors and she was born for it! Always with a good word of encouragment and a ready laugh, Diana's legacy is evident to all: to be a woman known for loving Jesus, talking about Him as a matter of course in the "dailies of life." 
What a great reminder to pray to God to open our eyes to how He works in and around us. And to be ready to talk about it out loud to anyone who may be listening. 
You will love Diana! I sure do. Sign up for her weekly email here: Monday Memories: diana_stuhr@wycliffe.org
 
Diana writes a weekly email with many of her "parables" as well as some of her photography. Here's a sampling:
Occasionally,  I encounter someone spectacularly rude, astonishingly so. I encountered someone like that this week at the synagogue (Luke 13:10-17) Jesus was teaching and sitting just a few rows away from me was a bent over and crippled woman. I wondered how Jesus came to be at the podium (perhaps the synagogue leader had invited Him to speak), when suddenly He called out to the crippled woman. He invited her to come forward. You could have heard a pin drop in the seconds it took her to rise to her feet and the minutes it took her to shuffle forward. I was embarrassed for her. She reached Him and He simply said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." 
There should have been laughter and clapping, but rudeness but a squelch to that straightaway as the synagogue leader rose up indignant and instead of speaking to Jesus who stirred his ire, he spoke to us. He scolded us as if we were the ones who caused the stir. He accused Jesus of breaking the law without speaking directly to Him. Rude, indeed. 
Stunned everyone was just trying to take it all in, when Jesus spoke directly back to the synagogue leaders. He called them hypocrites. In essence, He humiliated them. He had the last word, too, as far as I know. 
It just goes to show, you never know what might happen at church.  I left assured: 
Jesus cares about those in bondage whatever form it takes and regardless of who it is. 
Jesus has power over all bondages and with just a word He can bring healing. 
Jesus invites, but waits for those He's invited to come. 
Sometimes laws are meant to be "broken" because a higher law prevails (ie compassion and kindness).
I also left with some questions: 
What constitutes work? 
Why did this woman have to suffer for 18 years? 
The woman came forward without knowing what Jesus would do. Could I have been brave enough to do what she did? 
Shame is a powerful emotion. In essence the synagogue leader, while being rude to Jesus, was also shaming the woman. He was substituting the shame of her affliction with the shame of her healing, which had no basis in reality. How does one battle that kind of shame successfully? On the other hand, Jesus shamed the synagogue leaders, but their shame was based in reality. How does one battle that successfully? By repenting. 
Sign up for her weekly email here: Monday Memories: diana_stuhr@wycliffe.org
 
 
 

Ep 128 A Legacy of Right Thinking with Sheree Shannon

Sheree Shannon knows that what we think makes all the difference in how we live. "You can't change your life," she says, "without changing how you think about it." Good stuff. And practical. The more we know and believe what God says about Himself and ourselves, the more we can be Who God designed us to be and live with peace, strength and a security that all will be well in the end.
As believers, we want to look different from those who don't understand how much God loves them, but often we can "fit in" all too well to the rest of the world. Sheree noticed this and came to understand that this starts in the mind. When our minds are whole and in tune with God, we can fight the doubts and insecuirties that are common to all of us.
She wrote a book about it called: The Journey to Wholeness of Mind which sounds like a great place to start. She's offering a free copy this week—please comment here, on the blog or on instagram to be entered. I hope you win!
Sheree Shannon-Author, teacher, public speaker, coach, wife, mother and gigi but most importantly a child of God. She has lived a life of service empowering and equipping others to live their very best life. Her message is one of hope, vision, clarity, and yes, the know how to help transform any life, situation, or future all for the glory of God.
 
You can reach out to Sheree here
https://www.shereeshannon.com/
https://www.instagram.com/journeytowholenesswithsheree/
 
 
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One simple way to spread God's message of love and forgiveness is to welcome others like He welcomed you. Join my series to do simple hospitality, one task a day for 4 weeks:
Hospitality By the Day
What to do Today to Host Guests in a Month.
It's fun.
It's simple.
I promise. 
Sign up here and it will begin next Monday.
Can't wait to hear all about it!
 
 

Ep 127 A Legacy of Living Your Purpose with Tiffany Jo Baker

Today meet, Tiffany Jo Baker, a 3-time surrogate mother, life and project coach, and all-around encourager. I knew I loved her when I saw she signed off all her emails with "cheering you on!" No matter what season we are in or how far we have come or how far we've drifted, we all need someone in our corner "cheering us on." 
Hear Tiffany's story of surrogacy and how God used that to "birth" her ministry of holding others' dreams and helping them flourish. She reminds us that God made us differently to uphold His unique purposes.
You may be an arm, she's obviously a womb—and I may be a mouth. But what it is doesn't matter. What does matter is that we listen to God's voice, act in obedience and, take the next step in living out our God-designed life. 
Check out Tiffany's book: Soul-Care for Go-Getters, Refresh and Refocus in Five Minutes a Day, a 31-Day Devotional. I have many go-getter friends who may be getting this for Christmas or birthday - don't tell!
Tiffany will give one away this week--leave a comment on blog or instagram to be entered to win. I hope it's you!
Cheering you on,TiffanyTiffany Jo Baker MA, CLCCreator of the video podcast: All the Things TV plus instagram encouragement of womenwalking out their why - 
Need to know your "Why?" Contact Tiffany @ www.tiffanyjobaker.com3x Surrogate | Speaker | StrategizerUplifting the soul + success of women walking out their WHY at home + onlinewww.TiffanyJoBaker.com@TiffanyJoBaker  Instagram | FacebookHost of All the Things TV podcastAuthor of Soul-Care for Go-GettersCreator of purposeful productsLover of a good laugh
 
 
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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 126 A Legacy of Making Your Life Count for Eternity

Happy Spring! A new year is here—well it still feels like the year has just begun, even though it's March—and time doesn’t stop when I feel stuck, inadequate or needing longer showers (my shower is my “prayer closet” so we need more rain.)
I want to take stock, re-evaluate my days and months to make sure I’m investing in what counts.
How do we know what lasts? We read in I Peter,  “ . . . since you have been born again . . . through the living and abiding word of God . . . the word of the Lord remains forever.’  (I Peter 1:23-25 ESV)
No matter how small or insignificant our daily actions seem, living a life that counts means investing in people and the abiding word of God, and then leaving the results of those actions with Him. 
The Bible is clear that this life is brief, a “mist” we read in James 4:14 — a “blade of grass” says the Psalmist in Psalm 103. I forget that truth when caught up in my busy day, and stressed by all I’m not doing nor can’t do. God is gracious to remind me that when I bake with a young gal, meet a lonely friend for coffee, or listen to my children, I am investing in what’s eternal.
Listen today and be encouraged that we can live a life that counts for eternity when focused on God, His word and the people He brings our way every day. 
 
To help us determine what we should be doing, here are the questions I listed: 
TAKING STOCK: SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK
 
Think about your natural abilities and talents. What gives you joy? When do you feel God’s pleasure? An inordinate amount of self-examination can keep me stuck, but a healthy dose of self-knowledge helps me determine which direction to take.
 
Do I need to take a course, invest money or time so I can get better?
Should I try something I’ve never tried before?
Do I need to stop doing what I’m currently doing?
Have I exercised the sanctified “No” lately or am I running frantically from task-to-task in the name of Christian service? God calls us to be empowered by Him, not to be exhausted by perceived expectations of others or ourselves.
Do I have the courage to pray, “Lord, do you want me to stop what I'm doing right now and try something new?"
 
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A great way to invest in what counts is getting to know your neighbors.
Here are simple steps. Happy Hosting for Heaven's sake!
Jesus said, "Love God and love your neighbor." You might love God but wonder about Part II.
 
You don't remember your neighbor's name or even which house they live in when you walk by with your puppy or they walk by with their puppy. You say "Hello" but, you don't really know them. I can relate! We have 90 homes in our 'hood and we've lived here over 30 years.
 
It sounds too hard to obey Christ's command to "go into all the world starting with Jerusalem." But I like to think my neighborhood is my Jerusalem. You, too?
 
You want to show your neighborhood God's love but you're not sure how to go about it.
 
CLICK HERE today for simple steps to invite your neighbors over for coffee. I include two delicious and simple recipes. Try them out and I'll come over!