Ever been judged by church people? Jesus has, too. Today, my friend and pastor’s wife, Libby VanSolkema, is back to talk about how Jesus responded when legalism crept into the synagogue—the first-century version of church life. We’ll explore what judgment does to us—and how compassion restores us to the heart of God. Join us on Live Like It’s True. We titled part one of the conversation: The Truth About Pharisee-Types & How to Break Free Listen to part one on AppleListen to part one on Sp...

Have you been secretly judging some other mom, your sister, a neighbor or friend? Are you stuck in a constant rule-keeping mindset? Are you a judgy Pharisee-type who'd like to break free? My friend and pastor's wife Libby VanSolkema describes herself as a "Recovering Pharisee" and I can relate. In our conversation about Luke 6, we're exploring Jesus’ surprising response to the Pharisees after the disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath, Let's flip on the lights and expose our own legalism...

Do you assume that your mother-in-law / daughter-in-law relationship is doomed to fail? Are you avoiding her and pulling away? In this conversation, Stacey Reaoch joins me to explore the complex relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Sharing thoughts from her book, Making Room for Her, Stacey and I talk about some breakthrough practices from the Bible to create connection and cultivate love. Judgy Series Guest: Stacy Reaoch Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook...

Is your relationship with your mother-in-law or daughter-in-law difficult? Is she doing it all wrong? Are you fiercely tempted to judge? In this episode, Stacey Reaoch joins me for a heartfelt conversation about how expectations and backgrounds can threaten the tender relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Get some biblical wisdom on mending difficult relationships and cultivating peace. Judgy Series Guest: Stacy Reaoch Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook Recommend...

Are there certain people who disgust you? Are there those you have a hard time showing compassion to? What if God lavishes those loathsome people with His mercy? That's what happened to Jonah. Listen in on part two of my conversation with Erika VanHaitsma and learn from a prophet who was disgusted by God's mercy and blind to his own need for grace. Judgy Series Guest: Erika VanHaitsma Bible Passage: Jonah's Prayer & Displeasure - Jonah 2-4 (NASB) Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook R...

Why did Jonah run from God’s call—and what does that reveal about our own hearts? In this episode of Live Like It’s True, Erika Van Haitsma joins me to unpack the irony and intensity of Jonah’s story, exposing his deep resentment toward the Ninevites and resistance to God’s mercy. Together, we explore how this familiar narrative challenges us to confront our own grudges and ask whether we truly want God to be gracious—to everyone. Judgy Series Guest: Erika Van Haitsma Bible Passage: Jonah's D...

She thought the pain would end with her choice, but instead it lingered. And while she tried to push it aside, there came a time where she could do so no longer. In this episode, Tammy De Armas opens up about her journey through abortion, the shame that followed, and the slow road to healing. Listen in and discover how mercy transforms even our most broken stories. Judgy Series Guest: Tammy De Armas Bible Passage: Various Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook Recommended Resources: C...

She just wanted it to go away. She didn't want to be judged as one of "those" kind of girls. Yet in the parking lot of the abortion clinic, Tammy thought, "What have I done?" The new judgment and condemnation she felt didn't go away. In this episode, Tammy De Armas shares her personal journey through unplanned pregnancy, abortion, and the lasting impact on her life. Listen in and explore the weight of judgment and the healing of God's mercy. Judgy Series Guest: Tammy De Armas Bible Pas...

Beth's one foster daughter was more work than her other eight kids combined. She had tried everything... but she hadn't tried this. Hear about Beth's breakthrough that began with trading judgy criticism for curiosity and compassion. In this conversation, Beth Guckenberger reminds us that the gospel frees us to see people through God’s eyes, which shifts our hearts and our relationships and opens the door for influence. Judgy Series Guest: Beth Guckenberger Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Work...

What stories have you heard about God? Would you be shocked to know that He rescued one woman who was a prostitute from a city He was about to destroy? In this episode, Lisa Appelo and I explore Rahab’s bold faith, God’s stunning mercy, and the hope it offers to anyone with a broken past. Her story reminds us that no one is too far gone for God’s grace. Judgy Series Guest: Lisa Appelo Bible Passage: Rahab Hides the Spies - Joshua 2:1-13 NKJV Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workboo...

Do you feel "disqualified" from receiving God's mercy? Are you stuck in shame over your past, or particular sins? Or is there someone else you think of as disqualified? Lisa Appelo joins me for a conversation about Rahab, the prostitute, and the surprise of God's mercy when she chose to side with Him. This story shows that none of us is too far gone for God to redeem. Judgy Series Guest: Lisa Appelo Bible Passage: Rahab Hides the Spies - Joshua 2:1-13 NKJV Get your Free Resource: 20 Pag...

Have you been trying to influence the people around you by steamrolling over them? If you try to control and micromanage, they’ll resist your influence, not embrace it. But if your faith is in God, and you’re receiving wisdom from Him, you’ll become a faith-building asset to those you have influence over. I have Katie M. Reid, author of a new study, “God, What Do I Do?” with me today. We’re talking about the story of Deborah—a woman who was called a “Mother of Israel.” How did she invest in t...

How do we talk with our kids about salvation without overwhelming them or avoiding the hard stuff? In today’s conversation, I’m joined by Champ Thornton, author of 10 Questions About Salvation. We're talking about how to help kids understand faith, repentance, judgment, and mercy in a way that’s both truthful and tender. Champ shares from his own experience and gives practical encouragement for having those deep, meaningful conversations about the gospel right at home. Guest: Champ Thornton B...

What if I find the flood kind of offensive? What if it makes me uncomfortable? If Jesus is kind and forgiving, how can God just end everybody? Lindsay Schott joins me to explore the flood narrative, where God grieves over human wickedness but also offers mercy through rescue. Lindsay shares how God transformed her judgy heart and gave her more compassion, and we talked about how trust is admitting God knows more than we do. Guest: Lindsay Schott Bible Passage: Noah and the Flood -...

What happens when a woman deeply entrenched in New Age invites her new community of Christian friends over to her house filled with Hindu statues and oracle cards? In part 2 of my conversation with Kara Seymour, she shares about how her new relationship with Jesus changed everything—but not immediately. Kara talks about the beautiful community and sisterhood she's experienced, but also some responses of judgment. We're kicking off our Judgy series—looking at stories of judgment and mercy from...

Kara Seymour was deeply entrenched in the New Age movement, she was a Kundalini yogi, and was thoroughly convinced that Christians were judgmental, boring, and brainwashed. So she was as surprised as anyone when she met a group of Christian women who became her new best friends. I can't wait for you to hear her amazing story of transformation, the judgment she felt outside and inside the Church, and how her relationship with Jesus has changed her life. We're kicking off our Judgy Girl s...

When your heart is breaking, what does it look like to notice God's goodness? Can gratitude grow in the soil of deep grief? In this episode of the Live Like It's True podcast, I'm talking with Allison Brost—who lost a child—about how grief and gratitude can intertwine in the most unexpected ways. Listen in as we talk about the healing power of gratitude in the story of the one leper who turned back to thank Jesus. Even in your sorrow, there’s an invitation to return to God with a grateful hea...

What is the answer to your most desperate prayer? Could the answer to your complex situation actually be quite simple? Join us for part 2 of this episode on the Live Like It's True podcast, where Shannon and Rachel Wojo finish their conversation on the story of Hannah's complex prayer to the Lord. She is desperate. She is misjudged. And yet she sees that Lord is the answer for which she is looking. Where else can I listen to this podcast? Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast ...

Have you ever felt desperate in your times of trial or grief? Have you been mad or hopeless about your situation? Join us for part 1 of this episode on the Live Like It's True podcast, where Shannon interviews Rachel Wojo about the loss of her daughter and associated times of her desperately praying to the Lord. By looking at the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel, they see the beauty of Hannah's going to God with her pain and seeking His will her life. We hope this conversation will encourage you, ...

Does your girl know what her purpose is? Is she ready to take a stand for Jesus in a crazy-hair sort of way? If you're not sure and that sounds a little scary (for you and for her!), join me for a powerful conversation with Dannah Gresh. Dannah is passionate about helping your girl find her purpose by meeting a Person in the pages of her Bible. In this episode of Live Like It's True, we're talking about her latest True Girl Bible study, Esther: Becoming a Girl of Purpose which is written for ...