Women Encouraged

In today’s episode, Bethany talks with Katie Faris about her book He Will Be Enough: How God Takes You By the Hand Through Your Hardest Days. Listen in to this conversation as Bethany and Katie discuss the Faris’s story of running to the Lord as they faced a difficult diagnosis in their children and how the Lord has met them and been trustworthy in the mist of pain and trials. Support the show

Author Christina Fox joins Bethany in today's episode to discuss her newest book "Like Our Father" and chat about how we can look to our Father in Heaven's example to shape our parenting. Support the show

In this devotional episode, Bethany discusses how God's comfort for us is sufficient because His word and promises are sufficient. In the midst of any and all suffering, we can know that not only does Christ share his comfort with us (2 Corinthians 1:3-11), we serve the God who resurrects! Support the show

By God's grace, we're back with another season to share with you! Today's episode is a conversation with author and blogger Tim Challies on "The Means of Grace". God initiates and establishes a relationship with His people but how does he maintain the relationship and nourish it? And what ought our responses and responsibilities be in view of God’s initiation and care for this relationship? What are some different views of the means of grace and some common misunderstandings about this topic? Bethany talks with Tim about these topics, and he tells us about his newest book, Knowing and Enjoying God. Support the show

In this episode, Abigail Dodds joins Bethany to talk about the importance of good theology for Christian women. Abigail and Bethany discuss differences between complementarian and egalitarian theology as it relates to our understanding of who God is, what it means to be a Titus 2 woman, and so much more. Support the show

Writer and Bible teacher Nana Dolce joins Bethany on the podcast to talk about what it means to be good theologians and how important it is to be conscious of our theology as mothers. As Christian women, our mothering does not begin and end with us. It begins with knowing and believing the one true God, loving him, and parenting out of the overflow of what he has done in our hearts. We're praying this episode encourages you to consider the impact of your theology on your mothering. Please note: we apologize for the sound issues with this episode. Unfortunately, Bethany's mic did not pick up properly, but we hope the content is still a blessing to you. Support the show

Joanna Kimbrel and Stephanie Boyle of the Daily Grace Co. Podcast join Bethany to talk about how we should be readers and students of the word of God. They discuss how our theology informs our Bible reading and whether we read scripture in a God-centered or a self-centered way. Joanna and Stephanie also share some tips for both new and seasoned readers for becoming more faithful readers of the Word. Support the show

Ruth Chou Simons joins Bethany to talk about how our beliefs about God impact the way we love our neighbor. She and Bethany discuss the biblical definition of love, the importance of engaging in Christian fellowship, and how we should practice repentance and forgiveness in our relationships. Support the show

Pastor Mark Jones, author of "Living for God," joins Bethany on the podcast to kick off our series on the importance of good theology in every area of our lives. This conversation centers on what Christians mean when we talk about doctrine and theology, and how what we believe about God shapes the way we live. Support the show

Laura Klassen, founder of Choice 42, joins the show to talk with Bethany about her work sharing the hard truth with women about abortion. Our prayer is that this conversation with Laura will encourage you to be fearless as you love others well by speaking God’s truth, and as you speak up on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. Support the show

We're wrapping up our Matters of the Heart series with this conversation with Lindsey Tollefson. She shares her own story of how the Lord has taught her patience and worked in her life while she has waited for him. She also helps us to correct common misconceptions about patience and talks about some specific Scriptures that encourage our hearts to cling to God's character while we wait for Him. Lindsey also answers specific questions from some listeners about patience and she offers all of us excellent and practical encouragement for whatever season we're in. Support the show

Chelsea Stanley joins Bethany for a conversation about why we can be sure God is trustworthy, and how being sure of God's faithfulness also enables us to trust other people. Chelsea also offers insight into how a relationship can be rebuilt after trust has been broken. Support the show

Katie Westenberg joins the show to talk about her book I Choose Brave and what it truly means to fear God and embrace holy courage. She and Bethany also discuss why it’s so dangerous for us to adopt a worldly definition of courage and why Christian women are often pulled toward wanting to fit in and be acceptable to the world. Support the show

Alisa Childers joins Bethany for a conversation on doubt and unbelief. Alisa shares about her book Another Gospel, which tells the story of her encounter with progressive Christianity, and how that led to the deconstruction and eventual reconstruction of her faith. She and Bethany discuss the difference between doubt and unbelief, as well as how progressive Christianity falls short of the true gospel. Alisa’s message offers encouragement and hope for every Christian, but will especially minister to the Christian who is struggling to hold on to their faith, or who has a loved one in the process of deconstructing. Support the show

Lauren Washer joins Bethany for a conversation about keeping our hearts diligently. They discuss what this looks like in the Christian’s daily life and how Christ has modeled diligence for us in the way he lived. Lauren shares encouragement from the Scriptures for the woman who is questioning whether her work is pleasing to God, and for the one who feels too busy and overwhelmed to be diligent. Support the show

Bethany is joined by Courtney Reissig for a conversation about the Psalms. Courtney gives us an overview of the structure of the book of Psalms and the types of different Psalms, as well how they offer us encouragement and hope for every season of life. Courtney shares from her own experience how God has used the Psalms to uphold her during trials. She and Bethany discuss what the Psalms teach us about our emotions. Support the show

In this episode, Allie Beth Stuckey joins the show to talk about self love and her book You're Not Enough (And That's Okay). Allie shares why it's a liberating truth that we're not enough, and how to face our feelings biblically and determine whether they're valid. She shares vulnerably from her own story of trying to live in her own sufficiency and ultimately receiving the truth of God's grace and sufficiency for her. Support the show

In this episode of our Matters of the Heart series, Abbey Wedgeworth joins Bethany today to talk about grief and loss and the importance of processing both through Scripture and understanding God's character. Abbey is the author of Held: 31 Biblical Reflections on God's Comfort and Care in the Sorrow of Miscarriage. This excellent resource walks you through Psalm 139 and helps you to center your heart on the truth of who God is and how he cares for you, helping you grieve with hope. Support the show

We're kicking off this new season and our "Matters of the Heart" series with this conversation with Christine Hoover, talking about idolatry and allegiance to Christ. Christine shares about how idolatry is a heart issue and explains the wholehearted allegiance Jesus calls us to. Listen to hear her explain what it means to live for the kingdom of God versus the kingdom of self. Support the show

Today, author Betsy Childs Howard joins Bethany to talk about the value of forming our moral imagination through literature. Betsy explains what moral formation is and she has some wonderful insight that will help you consider your family's book and media choices (as well as your own). She also some encouragement to help you develop conversations with your children about what they're reading and how it's shaping them. Support the show