Finding time and creativity to connect with others can be tricky, even when we value building stronger relationships with friends or family. Today, co-hosts Shelly Snead and Jody Allen are taking some of the pressure off by giving you ideas for game night, inviting you to deeper connections around the table! Listen in to hear why game nights are a powerful way to deeper connections, and to learn some fresh ways to do game night—including a list of Jody and Shelly’s favorite games! Other...

How do we respond to suffering that changes the trajectory of our lives? How do we walk in joyful surrender to God when it feels like our life has fallen apart or our dreams have been dashed? Sheila Preston Fitzgerald, author of One Foot In Heaven, knows the struggle of trusting God in hard times and through trauma. But she daily chooses surrender and joy. And she’s here to share her story of hope to embolden us to do the same. Hang in there, sister. The God who stores your tears also holds y...

What does God say that should inform our theology of suffering? That’s the topic of today’s episode, as we dive into five assumptions we can make from what the Bible says about suffering. Want to meditate on some of the Scripture quoted in this episode? Take a look at these: · Matthew 11 · Romans 8 · Psalm 84:11 · 2 Corinthians 4 · Psalm 91 · Psalm 73 · &nbs...

If you desire to gain confidence in Christ, my guest, Lisa Allen, has so much truth to speak into your life today on the UnPerfect Podcast. She’ll answer questions like: · What is calling? · What is self-leadership? · What is confidence (and how do I get it)? · How do I harness my strengths and bring my best self into my other relationships and responsibilities? Listen in to hear the six pathways God has provided ...

Do you struggle to keep your dreams surrendered to God? If you’re like most women, we struggle to wait on God and let go of control in some regions of our heart. We can get frustrated and discouraged – especially when God closes doors or worse, when God says, “Wait.” But what if our waiting on God could become waiting with God? It’s possible, my friend, and the following conversation is going to give you some strategies, examples and ideas for doing just that! Let’s grow together as we ...

If you’re looking to discover the secret to truly resting in God – even in the middle of your chaos – you’re going to love the second half of my interview with Becky Thompson, author of Healing Rest. (If you missed part one, head back to Episode #121), Finding peace isn’t something we can only experience when we finally go on vacation or the kids are grown or the chaos has settled down—it’s a gift from the Holy Spirit, and God is inviting us to join Him there. Let’s uncover the secret togethe...

“If I can just get through this season, then I’ll experience rest.” If you’ve ever said or thought that statement, this episode has your name written all over it! Because healing rest—truly resting with God—is a gift for your present moment. We all know the feeling of desperately needing to experience rest. My guest today challenges the common misconception that rest is something to be earned or found only on "the other side" of a finished task. And she leads us on her journey to findin...

Do you ever feel that God is distant or “unimpressed” with you? Do you struggle to view God as a Father, based on your experiences with an earthly parent? I’ve been there. And I’ve found that only by truly understanding the character of God the Father can I live content, strong, and secure next to the very heart of God. Often, we are inadvertently looking to others to fill our crater-sized love gaps —gaps only satisfied by a perfect, compassionate, heavenly Father. We say, “I am enough,...

We’ve all been there. Day 187 of a bible reading plan, drowning in Levitical law or wondering how Nahum or Obadiah can speak into our lives today. Choosing the best bible reading plan can be hard and at times feel spiritually “dry.” If you’re looking for a plan for reading the bible or just need some new and fresh motivation for studying the bible in your current season, I’ve got you! Today on UnPerfect, my student pastor-son, Silas, and I discuss a variety of plans and other nuances of readi...

Our thoughts can propel us deeper into spiritual maturity, or they can keep us stuck in repetitive cycles of “stinking thinking.” Like you, I often find myself rehearsing negative thought patterns when I’m dealing with disappointments or challenges. But as today’s guest reminds us, we have a choice in which thoughts get to play on repeat. By telling ourselves the truth of our stories and of God’s Word, and replacing toxic positivity with biblical hope, we can create new neural pathways and cl...

Do you ever wonder about the narrative you are hearing on immigration and immigration policy? Maybe you’ve entertained the following questions: · Who is my neighbor? · How do I truly love like Jesus? · What does the Bible say about immigration? · What is really happening at the borders? · What is the impact on followers of Jesus? I’ve been where you are, my friend. It’s one of the reasons I hav...

Are you or someone you love hiding behind a shameful past or a faith you’re trying to earn by being good enough for God? Do you struggle with finding true freedom in Christ as you process your story? Today’s UnPerfect guest has known the shame of hiding and the grief of losing a spouse twice. But she learned to find her security in the gospel alone and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. And you can too, my friend! Listen in to hear her powerful story – and discover the power to share your ...

Do you have an anxious heart? What if I told you the key to knowing the peace of God is found in intimacy with God? Life is filled with tragedy, trauma, suffering, and waiting, but God longs to cover us with his wings and enable us to experience the peace of God that transcends all human understanding. It’s possible. And my guest today, Kara Stout, is sharing her story of the dependency on God that led her closer to the very heart of God. Xoxo, *Shelly* Connect with Kara here. Grab your...

Do you have hard questions for God that you’re afraid to ask him? Do doubts about God or tough Biblical questions make you anxious about owning your faith or trusting God in difficult times? What if instead of drawing you further away from God, your doubts could bring you into an intimate relationship with God? It’s not only possible, but it is how God designed us to face our biblical doubt and spiritual frustrations. If you’re like most women, this is a lifelong area of struggle. In to...

Are you struggling to lower stress levels and increase resilience? What if instead of being stressed out, you could learn to stress less? I’ve got great news for your anxious heart today: God has gifted us with spiritual and physiological ways to reduce stress and anxiety while becoming resilient in the process! If you're like most believers, you want to experience God’s peace that passes all understanding, even in the midst of chronic or acute stress. In today’s episode, Dr. Charles S...

Are you in a season that feels like the bottom has just dropped out from beneath you, and you’re either floating in uncertainty or drowning in difficulties that are entirely out of your control? Like you, I have struggled with truly resting in God during uncertain times in my life. Thankfully, God has given us an anchor in the midst of the storm, a basis for not only saying but also truly knowing that “God is my refuge,” as Psalm 46 promises. Whether you’re in a season of uncertai...

Have you ever wondered, “Why am I so angry?” What if instead of feeling frustrated and exasperated, you could be more present and positive with your family? It is possible! My guest today is helping us discover the reasons we experience mom anger and some very practical ways to improve emotional health, so that we can have healthier interactions with those we love. If you're like many moms, you long to know how to have more patience and a shorter fuse. In today’s episode, you’re going to lear...

Has busyness become a guest who has overstayed her welcome in your life and home? Discover the barriers that keep you from finding balance in episode #110 of the UnPerfect podcast. (Check out the first half of our conversation here). I know what it's like to live a hurried, overly busy life. But it's possible to jump off the hamster wheel and step calmly into purpose and rest. And Sandy is back to give us some practical strategies to do just that! We've got this! xoxo Shelly Head over t...

Has busyness become a guest who has overstayed her welcome in your life and home? Discover the barriers that keep you from finding balance. Today, I'm chatting with Sandy Cooper from the Balanced Momcast on all things busyness. She offers valuable insight into why we often become overly busy and how to gain a genuine understanding of our busyness personality. In this episode, we discuss the following insights about busyness: Physical, spiritual, and emotional effects of being too busyWh...

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