The Journey Expressed

In this final episode, Jenn and Mel reminisce about their journey with The Journey Expressed podcast. For this tender-hearted episode, they invite their friend and recent guest, Jennifer Putnam to walk down memory lane with them. We welcome you to join us as we share interesting stats from the last 4 years about TJEPodcast, memories, the impact this podcast has had on us, and lots of love and gratitude to the Lord and our listeners. Thank YOU for journeying with us! We've felt incredibly honored to be a part of your lives, providing encouragement about faith, friendship and "the more of God". If there is anything that you would like to share about how God has used TJE to impact your life, feel free to email us: journeyexpressed@gmail.com May God bless you as you pursue friendship with Him and others! Love, Jenn and Mel

In this episode, Jenn and Mel welcome back their good friend, Jennifer Putnam for Part 2 of their conversation on "Wrestling with God". If you missed Part 1, we encourage you to go back and listen to Episode 72 which beautifully segues into this episode on identity. Specifically, what the Bible teaches about being a woman/Ezer regardless of your circumstances (single, married, with children, without children, etc). Jennifer shares openly about her longing to be married and how God has walked with her through different seasons of disappointment and renewed hope. Listen in for encouragement and HOPE as Jennifer shares her story of wrestling with God throughout her life. Here are a few "nuggets" from this episode we thought you would be encouraged by: Psalm 115:2-11 Psalm 121:1-2 Psalm 124 Faith, hope & love - these three remain... Hope is the eternal buoyancy that transcends circumstances and position. -Jennifer Putnam Gentleness (and beauty) comes out of struggle. Book recommendation: Momentum by Colin S. Smith Thanks for joining us on The Journey Expressed!

In this episode Jenn and Mel welcome special guest and friend, Jennifer Putnam. Here, Jennifer vulnerably shares about her life's journey of discovering identity and purpose in God. Jennifer's life is a beautiful example of wrestling and surrender. Jennifer shares about a time when she struggled with negative thoughts over herself where she asked the Lord the question: "Who am I?" And He answered with a specific statement: “I made you to be a blessing” She encourages listeners to ask the same question - listening for God's response which can become our life's "anchor word". Jennifer shares about her passions: A desire for the people of God to be the people of God…to look like Christ: “I long for people to grow in the inner strength out of which the ability to be truly gentle with each other comes” She identifies with Jacob and the wrestling with the Lord that works out the inner longings of our hearts and who we are. She shares about different times she has "wrestled" with God and the breakthroughs that she has experienced. Genesis 32:22-32 Come back next week for Part 2 of our conversation with Jennifer Putnam!

In this episode Jenn and Mel share updates on where they've been and what God is teaching them in this season. They share vulnerably about what's been happening in their personal lives and how God is reminding them about the power of prayer. They talk about the latest findings linked to the Dead Sea Scrolls and how God could be using these fragments to speak to us today. Scriptures: Come back soon for an exciting and revelatory conversation on the Beauty of Womanhood with special guest Jennifer Putnam. Thanks for joining us on The Journey Expressed!

Part 3 of 3 Chris Willard is back for part 3 of our conversation about cultivating a lifestyle of beauty. Chris shares how she cultivates and tends to beauty within her relationships outside of her family. We share scripture and stories of how hospitality is a key for fostering healthy relationships. Chris also talks about being aware of the season you're in - we know this conversation (all 3 parts!) will inspire you to live a life of a Beauty Chaser! Scripture referenced: I Peter 4:7 I John 3:17-18 Ephesians 5:15 Favorite quote from this episode: "It's not about you, when you're inviting friends into your home. It's about serving them...and encouraging them..." -Chris Willard Tim Willard's Book: The Beauty Chasers available on Amazon and other book retailers Find Chris on Instagram: @splintersong Find Chris's newsletter & more: https://christinewillard.substack.com/ https://bio.site/Splintersong?fbclid=PAAaYqf-dMcrYOMH1HWEBTPG0ceXJ4BW9DVz5SjrMrc7b-flfGBDT_ObRm-cA Thanks so much for joining us on The Journey Expressed!

Part 2 of 3 In this episode, Chris Willard joins The Journey Expressed to continue sharing about how to cultivate a lifestyle of beauty. Chris shares simple, yet profound insights that she has discovered in her pursuit of cultivating beauty within her marriage which include: Learn the art of paying attention Be in the moment Live your real life together Put aside something in your day to be with your husband Grow in your own character and knowledge Chris also shares the backstory of how she began writing her newsletter/devotional called Mend. Favorite quotes from this episode: "If we don't live (this one) life as beautifully and bravely as we can, we're fools" Reference from Buechner's book: The Hungering Dark "There has to be mystery" Mark Foreman "As women especially, we have all these different roles and jobs that we're expected to be juggling and sometimes we get confidence with the more roles we have, the better we feel about ourselves, but what happens...when we pursue all these different activities it leads to a fragmentation of our souls and we don't really know who we are because we're so busy doing things that we haven't spent time in the Word....its the Word of God that mends....God picks up all these broken pieces and mends them and restores order in our hearts" - Chris "Our purpose is to live for glory. Its not to be pulled, its not to be splintered or shredded" - Chris Books referenced: The Hungering Dark by Frederick Buechner A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh Find Chris on Instagram: @splintersong Find Chris's newsletter & more: https://christinewillard.substack.com/ https://bio.site/Splintersong?fbclid=PAAaYqf-dMcrYOMH1HWEBTPG0ceXJ4BW9DVz5SjrMrc7b-flfGBDT_ObRm-cA Thank you for joining us on The Journey Expressed - come back next time for part 3 where Chris shares about cultivating beauty in friendship!

Part 1 of 3 Chris Willard joins The Journey Expressed to share about Beauty: how she cultivates beauty in her home, family, marriage and relationships. Chris shares her word of the year, "tend" and how God is teaching her the power and profoundness of being tender and how she tends to her relationships. Chris shares how she would describe beauty and the life of a beauty chaser. She encourages us with wisdom, eloquence and scripture about how beauty is demonstrated in her home through reasonableness in raising her 3 girls and how being reasonable "changes the culture in the home". Scripture mentioned: I Timothy 2:24 Psalm 115:5-8 Phil 4:5-9 ESV Favorite quotes: "The life of a beauty chaser is someone who sees” - Chris "We want to teach our girls to order their affections...we want them to love what is beautiful and hate what is profane" - Chris "The enemy of our children's souls is out there and he is after them....if we are not in the fight to teach them beauty, then they are going to fall" - Chris "In order to bring beauty into the home, it has to start with us" - Chris "You have to have a baseline....to show (our kids) what is true, what is noble, what is lovely" - Chris "Raising children is not a relaxing job" - Jenn (Marilynn Chadwick) Come back soon for Part 2 where Chris will share how she cultivates beauty within her marriage. Thanks for joining us on The Journey Expressed! Find Chris on Instagram: @splintersong Find Chris's newsletter & more: https://bio.site/Splintersong?fbclid=PAAaYqf-dMcrYOMH1HWEBTPG0ceXJ4BW9DVz5SjrMrc7b-flfGBDT_ObRm-cA

In this episode Mel and Jenn recap 2022 with fun stats about The Journey Expressed podcast as well as how their "words of the year" worked out for them. They share about intimate ways God used their words to bring them hope and encouragement throughout 2022. Mel and Jenn also talk about what they are learning now which includes a conversation about obedience, surrender, trusting God, miracles, wisdom and unpacking the word 'becoming' with a nod to the ongoing series called, Becoming Whole. A favorite 1-liner from this episode: "The gifts in us, unlock the gifts in each other" The episodes referred to with Kelanie Webb are episodes 19-21. Sign up for The Journey Expressed newsletter: hello@thejourneyexpressed.com to stay up to date when a new episode is released and other information. Thanks so much for joining us on The Journey Expressed!

In this episode Jenn and Mel wrap up their conversation on overcoming trauma with friend and licensed therapist Buffy Wimmer. Today, Buffy shares about what God is teaching her in this season and she shares the hope that Jesus offers in living a lifestyle that is filled with Holy Spirit. In part 1 Buffy defined trauma and how, if not addressed, can affect you in your body. Buffy also shared practical tools to help deal with stress and anxiety. In part 2 Buffy shared about the impact that trauma can have in our soul (mind, will and emotions) as well as our spirit, our connection with God. We hope you've found this conversation to be hope-giving and freedom-inducing! Buffy Wimmer's website: https://www.collaborativecounselinggroup.org/ Thanks for joining us on The Journey Expressed!

In this episode, Mel and Jenn continue their conversation with friend and licensed therapist Buffy Wimmer. In the previous episode Buffy shared what trauma is and how it can affect the body if not dealt with. In this episode, Buffy shares about the impact that trauma can have on the human soul and the spirit. In the next and final part of our conversation with Buffy she will share about what God is teaching her at this time and how there is always hope, healing, freedom and fullness of life when connected to God and being filled with His Spirit. Thank you so much for joining us on The Journey Expressed!

In this episode Mel and Jenn welcome their friend and licensed therapist Buffy Wimmer to talk about freedom and healing from trauma. Buffy shares how God led her into therapy as a second career and she begins to unpack little 't" trauma and big "T" trauma and how it can keep us from living a whole life. Buffy begins to share how trauma, if not addressed, effects us in body, soul and spirit with this episode focusing on the body, and the physical implications of trauma. In the next episode we'll talk about how trauma, if not dealt with, can impact our soul and our spirit which can keep us from having heathy connections with people, and with God. We're grateful you've joined us on the journey and we pray that these episodes bring hope and healing so that you can live a life that's becoming whole. Thanks for joining us on The Journey Expressed!

In this episode Mel and Jenn share about what's going on with The Journey Expressed and what's happening in their own lives. Please check out our Instagram account @thejourneyexpressed and click the link in our bio to subscribe to our new newsletter. We will begin sending an email when we release new episodes so be sure to sign up for our newsletter! Thanks for joining us on The Journey Expressed and we hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

In this episode Jenn and Mel share part 2 of their conversation on overcoming shame. Mel shares about how shame is connected to living in lack or scarcity. Jenn and Mel share personal ways they are learning to be aware of shame and how they are each overcoming this negative paradigm. They talk about how shame has impacted them in hopes to share about their journey of freedom and transformation through the power of vulnerability before Christ and each other. Scripture referenced: Romans 8 (The Passion Translation) Book referenced: Unpunishable: Ending our Love Affair with Punishment by Danny silk Thanks for joining us on The Journey Expressed!

In this episode Jenn and Mel talk about the power of shame and how it keeps you from living in your true identity as a child of God. They share stories of recognizing shame's power in their own lives and how to recognize the difference between shame and guilt. Book referenced: Unpunishable: Ending our Love Affair with Punishment by Danny silk Brene' Brown: Shame vs. Guilt https://brenebrown.com/articles/2013/01/15/shame-v-guilt/ Next week Jenn and Mel will dive into the source of shame and share more on being set free from the power of shame. Thanks for joining us on The Journey Expressed!

In this episode Mel and Jenn share part 2 of their conversation with Laura Anselm. Laura grew up in Colorado and was a senior at Columbine High School when the tragic school shooting occurred on April 20, 1999. In part 1 Laura shared details from that day and the night before about how God "set her aside" when the shootings took place. Laura also shared about overcoming additional traumas in her personal life that will produce hope and will empower you to lean into God as you walk out your journey. In this episode Laura shares incredible moments from her life about learning to hear God's voice and learning to trust God with her future. She shares about the significance in the meaning of names and discovering God's goodness that is threaded throughout each of our stories. Laura shares about her "year of the favor of the Lord" which included her engagement to her husband Nick, her marriage and the welcoming of their first child. Laura talks about overcoming several challenges with her first pregnancy, delivery and the first 18 months of their first-born's life. As well as other pieces of wisdom she has learned along the way. Laura's story is one of great redemption, wisdom learned and a childlike faith in her God. You are going to be encouraged as Laura shares how God has redeemed so many detailed areas of her life and it will spur you on to see how God truly works all things together "for good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purposes." (Romans 8:28). Thank you Laura for sharing so openly with all of us here on The Journey Expressed!

In this episode Mel and Jenn welcome their friend Laura Anselm to The Journey Expressed to share her powerful story of redemption. Laura grew up in Colorado and was a senior at Columbine High School when the tragic school shooting occurred on April 20, 1999. In this episode Laura shares details from that day and the night before about how God "set her aside" when the shootings took place. Laura also shares about overcoming additional traumas in her personal life that produce hope and will empower you to lean into God as you live out your journey. Thank you, Laura for your vulnerability and for courageously sharing your journey with us. In part 2 Laura will share about hearing God's voice and learning to trust God with her future. She shares about the significance in the meaning of names and discovering God's goodness that is threaded throughout each of our stories. *As promised from the introduction, here are links to Laura's favorite slippers (you may want to add these to your Christmas list!): 1) Tempur-Pedic Womens Windsock Scuff Slippers Casual - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N50ENOG/ref=cm_sw_r_api_i_MBJ7QSDRZ5D8K3FJHJY6_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1# 2) https://www.nordstrom.com/s/4366777 Thanks for joining us on The Journey Expressed! Come back next week for Part 2 of Laura's journey.

In this episode Jenn and Mel share about how to "wait well" with faith. Mel shares her journey about a season of waiting to travel to New Zealand to see family after 8 years. Jenn shares about a time when she experienced a crisis in her faith and what helped get her unstuck from a season of confusion. 1-liners shared in this episode: "Don't have faith in your faith, have faith in Jesus" - Jenn's dad "Don't have faith in who you aren't have faith in Who I Am" - Julie Collins "Don't have faith in who others are not...have faith in God" - Mel Boyd "Faith isn't the absence of fear, its trusting God in the face of fear. We keep trusting God when we don't know the outcome" - Clayton King Scripture mentioned Hebrews 3:13 Isaiah 40:31 - Qavah Thanks for joining us on The Journey Expressed!

In this episode Mel and Jenn conclude their conversation on 'Delight'. They share a few things from scripture about what God takes delight in and what the Bible exhorts us to take delight in. Scripture shared: Zephaniah 3:17 Isaiah 62:4 Jeremiah 9:24 Psalm 16:1-3 Psalm 37:4 Psalm 1:1-3 Psalm 119:92 Isaiah 58:13-14 Book referenced: Beauty Chasers by Tim Willard Beauty Chasers: Recapturing the Wonder of the Divine https://link.edgepilot.com/s/26920684/AS_X2Mz8KEmDFWwJlg42Ow?u=https://amzn.to/3ytwSsO Look for regular inspiration from Tim on Instagram @timothywillard

In this episode, Jenn and Mel share part 1 of what they felt God put on their hearts recently about delight and wonder. We define these terms and share scripture about delighting in God Scripture: Mark 4/Matthew 13- Parable of the sower and the soils Psalm 37:4 Quote: Crosswalk.com- “How can Christians “delight” themselves in the Lord? True delight in Him causes us to take our sights off what we want in order to long for what He desires. When we seek fulfillment in Christ, we will live true lives of delight. The concept of delighting in God is closely intertwined with intimacy with God. A desire for more of His presence. We want to know more, feel more, experience more, worship Him more, converse with Him more, and find more freedom from sin.” “Delighting in the Lord is a verb. We take action to have joy in Christ” Jenn and Mel talk about ways that they delight in the Lord Link for Tim Willard's Book: Beauty Chasers: Recapturing the Wonder of the Divine https://link.edgepilot.com/s/26920684/AS_X2Mz8KEmDFWwJlg42Ow?u=https://amzn.to/3ytwSsO Come back next week and join us for Part 2 as we continue our conversation on Delighting in the Lord and how He delights in us.

In this episode Jenn and Mel share part 3 of the Tend Your Roots series where they hone in on tending what roots you physically (body). This series is an introduction to the upcoming series called, Becoming Whole. In the Tend Your Roots series Jenn and Mel seek to define biblically what makes up a human and how we live whole lives. As Christians, we know that in Christ we are all complete, lacking nothing. But, how do we live that out in this world? Today, we scratch the surface of how we’re created with a physical body to interact in this physical world. Book: The Body Keeps the Score- Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D. Podcast: https://careynieuwhof.libsyn.com/cnlp-504-john-eldredge-on-the-surprising-symptoms-of-trauma-why-you-still-feel-depleted-and-the-challenges-of-deconstruction Scripture referenced: I Corinthians 3:16-17 “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” Psalm 139:14 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Galatians 6:8 TPT Galatians 5:19-22 TPT “sexual immorality, lustful thoughts, pornography, chasing after things instead of God (idolatry), manipulating others (witchcraft, or drug usage), hatred of those that get in your way (envy), senseless arguments, resentment when others are favored, temper tantrums, angry quarrels, only thinking of yourself, being in love with your own opinions, being envious of the blessings of others, murder, uncontrolled addictions, wild parties, and all other similar behavior. But, the fruit of the Spirit(life) is: Divine Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, a life of virtue (goodness), faith, gentleness, and strength of spirit” Romans 12:1-2 AMP “Therefore I urge you, [b]brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [c]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” Quotes from today’s episode: (https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-is-the-difference-between-the-body-soul-and-spirit.html) Crosswalk.com: “In simple terms—our bodies were made to carry us through this world. Each of us have a birthdate and an expiration date when we will leave these worn and weathered bodies for God’s Kingdom, should we choose to believe in Him!” - So it’s important to take care of it. John Paul Jackson: “we are a spirit who has a soul that is housed inside of a body”. Thanks for joining us on The Journey Expressed!