This episode is a practical, hands-on application of some of the foundational ideas of living the inviting life as a Christian. (For more in-depth, biblical underpinning for this fun episode, see the related episodes below!) Find full show notes here . Key ideas: We need each other in the body of Christ. We’re going to have to work for it. My husband and I are currently three years into being the “new kids” in a very inter-connected community at Camp Bethel, in a southwest Virginian Appalachian ...
May 20, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Today I’m so excited to share with you my first interview with a brother in Christ! We got to be friends when Jahlil joined Jahlil is a follower of Christ, and a former student-athlete at University of Virginia at Wise, where he served as a diversity, equity, and inclusion intern at the college. While studying at UVA, he served in several off-campus Christian fellowship ministries including Mt. Olive Baptist Church college ministry, Camp Bethel Ministries, and Young Life in Wise, Virginia. He is...
May 01, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Each one of us needs to think about how to be a hospitable Christian on social media. For complete show notes, head to Everyday Welcome . In episode 41 , we talked about our need to be seen. When we’re irritated and rightly angry at others wanting to be “seen” in their sin, we need to remember that we all really want to be “seen,” and often our desire for it leads us to sin. We talked about social media and how it reflects this innate desire in each of us - but how God already sees us, and what ...
Apr 19, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 42
People have an inherent need to be seen. So it's no surprise that America, at the outcry of a small sect of the population, declared a "National Day of Transgender Visibility." It's no surprise that a president placed himself in a position of seeming support to declare a group people "visible," as if his statement issued support, love, and validation in a meaningful way. Christians raised an outcry, offended that this day took place this year on Resurrection Day. The disrespect! And they’re righ...
Apr 05, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 41
How can and should we love the body of Christ? Find full episode notes and scripture references on the Everyday Welcome website . We can love our brothers and sisters in Jesus in the easiest (but arguably the most powerful) way, by praying that churches and leaders worship in spirit and in truth boldly proclaim the gospel Let’s pray, intentionally, for our fellow Christians! This week, make it your aim to pray for every church you pass (and even every believer’s home!), that our brothers and sis...
Mar 29, 2024•5 min•Ep. 40
In this episode, we dig deeper into Colossians 3:16-17, as a defining passage for how to cling to Jesus and walk out the #invitinglife. (For full shownotes, head to Everyday Welcome Blog. ) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him....
Mar 23, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Today I want to talk about an unexpected way to create welcome in your church. It might seem counter-intuitive, but I think this is more effective in the long run than any cute gift or committee or other method. (See the full show notes on the blog .) In episode 37 (Better Than Elderberries with Noelle Talley), Noelle gave me interesting insight into her family's journey of becoming an integral part of a new church community. I realize, as I look back on our own family's experience, there is one...
Mar 08, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Today we welcome Noelle Talley, owner of Noelle’s Naturals. Noelle became a friend when I had the privilege of being her birth photographer ten years ago, and since then she’s had some wild adventures in business and in life. Today we talk about how God’s people showed her family welcome during a huge transition and how she’s living the “inviting life” through her successful natural products business. Find the full shownotes at Everyday Welcome . A few key takeaways from our conversation: We can...
Mar 02, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 37
What a gift to interview Tabitha Deller, fellow author, speaker and mom. Tabitha encourages us as she walks out a daily life of inviting, sharing the gospel, and "linking arms" with other women. Highlights from my time with Tabitha: Hospitality in any group of people doesn’t always come easily. We need to look for creative ways to expand our circle if God is calling us to do so. Talk over with your husband, if you’re married, about how often is comfortable for you both to host/gather, so you can...
Feb 22, 2024•28 min•Ep. 36
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10) God has called us into a special relationship with other believers, and He uses us in each other's lives as we live this #invitinglife. For complete shownotes, head to https://everydaywelcome.com/we-need-our-people-the-church ! In 1 Peter 2:16-17 we read: “Live as...
Feb 14, 2024•29 min
In episode 33, we dug into the idea of identity. We talked about who we are, if we are in Christ, as defined by scripture, and hinted at how that identity might shape how we view others. Today, let's talk about how being “in Christ” shapes how we view those who don’t yet know Him. In future episodes, we will also look at how we view our “family” of fellow believers, and circle back to how that affects this relationship. But for today, let’s talk about our friends, family, and others in our lives...
Feb 05, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 34
We know identity is a huge issue in our world today. What determines who you are and how you'll live? Dig in with me to answer the question of, "how do you identify?" (Find the full post with complete show notes on the Everyday Welcome blog !) Recently I found myself in maybe the most awkward 30 minutes in my adult life. And I know I can be dramatic, but it really felt that way. I was with a group of other believers and in this setting, I was the “new girl.” The people around me were talking abo...
Jan 24, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 33
In today’s episode we move to John 8. Jesus said, “I AM” the Light of the World! (Find the full show notes on the Everyday Welcome blog !) Reminder, each time He says I AM (and you can find seven of these statements in John), Jesus is telling us HE IS the God of the Old Testament, He is the Son of God, and He is the long-awaited Messiah who would fulfill every prophecy and complete the payment for sin for all who would repent and believe in Him. And John’s purpose in writing is to give us that i...
Dec 20, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 32
This week we’re headed to John 2, and we get to peek in on Jesus’ first miracle, with the recognition our Jesus is the Living Water and flowing wine. (Head here for complete show notes and make sure to download the printable journaling page to dig into these passages for yourself!) Note the word that this miracle (along others we see Jesus perform!) is called in scripture - a SIGN. This will clue us in to how John wants us to see this story. Let's see what we can take away about the God who came...
Dec 13, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 31
For full shownotes, see the Everyday Welcome blog ! If you'd like to join the free email series with a printable journaling page, sign up at Everyday Welcome . Jesus is the Bread of Life. This week as we dig into Advent, we recognize our longing for all to be made right in this world and we celebrate that God is not just our provider; IN CHRIST, HE IS OUR PROVISION. Read John 6:22-65! God wants us to work, but to seek Him, not “stuff,” even good stuff from Him. See also Isaiah 55:1-3. Our “work”...
Dec 06, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 30
We live in a world longing for light and hope. Much like people of all time, we recognize that all is not as it should be here in the Shadowlands, and we long for a new beginning. The sure hope we hold is that God has already brought that new beginning in Christ... and He promises to fulfill every longing, to make right every wrong, once and for all when He returns. The book of John shows us just who Jesus is, and calls us to believe Him fully so that we can have eternal life. We start our study...
Nov 29, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 29
This episode, let's just simmer in the Word and GIVE THANKS! While it's easy to be stressed and overwhelmed at the holidays, we can pause and set our hearts and minds on the things of God, allowing Him to shape how we think and act in this "inviting life," whether we are guests, or hosts, or walking solo this holiday season. Want more encouragement? Message me through Instagram or Facebook . And be sure to sign up for the free Advent study, " Longing and Light! " The following passages are read ...
Nov 21, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 28
This episode we'll cover a few great tips for your holiday meal planning/prep along with the last round of take-home ideas you can use whether you cook or not, to set the tone for your day (and especially at the holidays) that puts living the #invitinglife at the forefront. Let's get our heart and mind in the place to experience God’s grace and pour it out to others - whether you’re actually “hosting” in a traditional way, or not! Find the full shownotes here ! A Few great meal planning tips: Do...
Nov 15, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Do you want to grow in JOY and your relationship with Jesus this holiday season? Join the Advent study, Longing and Light , for free! For part 1 of this series on making the holidays truly sweet, see episode 26 of Everyday Welcome Podcast !) I'm convinced that the God who ordained feasts and celebrations wants us to seek and find Him, to share His goodness, with others during our holidays. We can create rhythms that celebrate, make memories, and invite others into the Kingdom life, with less str...
Nov 08, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Let's make this holiday season truly sweet! Before we get started, have you signed up to join us for the Advent study, Longing and Light? Along with weekly podcast episodes, I'll be sending out a printable scripture art and phone screensaver, along with weekly emails throughout December, devotional content and journaling pages. Sign up here to join us! Now, here are a few tips to get us started our series of making this holiday season sweet. :) ( And be sure to head to the blog for the full show...
Nov 01, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Because we have been reconciled to God and have HOPE through Christ, we are called to the ministry of reconciliation. Why do we pursue people at all? Because we have HOPE in what God has done in Jesus… and we have been called to reconcile as we have been reconciled. We pursue others, because Christ pursued us! Do you ever listen to a sermon and while you're listening, related passages are popping into your head? For me, this always leads to the most fun time of meandering through the Word later,...
Oct 18, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Do you ever think about who you want to be when you’re 75? How will you become that person? In this episode of Everyday Welcome Podcast, Kimberly Campbell of Kimberly Campbell Home joins me to talk about a really cool tradition called Word and Table, and about how we’ll become the women God has called us to be… at any age! (Find the complete show notes here !) Here are some highlights from this episode: Slowing down to create something, to learn something new, even if it’s imperfect, can be a bl...
Oct 18, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 23
I have a special request for you! I’d like to invite you to write a review/leave a rating for Everyday Welcome Podcast. Leaving a review helps others find the podcast and helps me know what I’m sharing is useful to you! Today I'm also sharing a little announcement/invitation. Are you interested in an Advent group study to help you prepare your heart and mind to really celebrate this Christmas? I’m going to be leading us this season through “Longing and Light,” an advent study in John. Each week ...
Oct 11, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 22
If we want to pursue community in truth and love, we have to refine our focus. If we want to love people the way God has called us to love them, we have to change our perspective - to see through the lens of His truth and love. God has called all believers to pursue relationships with others for His glory and their good. Change your perspective (more on these points in the full show notes ): Look up. Look around. Look in. Look ahead. EPISODES TO LISTEN TO: Ask Good Questions - Invite Genuine Com...
Oct 04, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Asking good questions can be one of the best ways to pursue genuine relationship that glorifies God, and it helps us build healthy community. Asking good questions can help us really get to know someone, and foster mutually beneficial conversation! Ways we can ask really good questions to invite genuine community: Have a goal, but not an agenda. Be open and honest (but not self-centered). Be genuinely curious. Be brief and open-ended. Be ok with quiet. PRAY Want to go deeper? Check the full show...
Sep 27, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Spoiler alert: Kera was married to the same man twice. And that’s not the half of the story God is writing in her life! In this episode, Kera shares the story of how God gave her the gifts of desperation and community, to call her to Himself. It’s one that shows us the power of creating community that’s centered in God’s word, of His redeeming power when all hope seems lost, and of the joy that comes through hardship, when He restores more than we could imagine. Kera reminds us how powerful it c...
Sep 20, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Rhonda brings wisdom in this episode, with a punch (and a lot of love!) for younger and older women, single and married, moms and spiritual sisters. Here are a few highlights: Feel like you don’t have wisdom? Rhonda says, “I can teach more passionately from my failures than my successes.” When we are honest about our failures, it gives us the ability to literally impact the trajectory of someone else’s life. “Older” ladies, invest in those a few steps behind you! Here are a few ways you can do t...
Sep 13, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 18
This episode was recorded in the fall, when many are going back to school or refreshing our schedules after summer. Maybe you’re in that seasonal switch, or just feeling overwhelmed with the demands of everyday life. Maybe you’re even feeling really accomplished, but need to remember God’s goodness even on the “mountain tops.” No matter the time of year, we all need to practice the power of pause, to open our eyes and ears and re-set our hearts on God’s sovereignty in a world that often seems ou...
Sep 08, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 17
This episode is a sweet story of God's redemption through marriage, addiction, a blended family and the fellowship of other women. Carolann Sheppard is a biblical counselor, certified through Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. Be sure to visit Carolann's site for her free download “The Lies We Believe and the Promises of God - Truth Over Temptation” (see show notes for the link!). Highlights from this episode: “There’s nothing like digging into the word with a group of ladies, praying...
Aug 30, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 16
This episode of “Home as Church” is part of a series on creating welcome at home, where we’re exploring ways we can use our homes to “awaken the palate and nourish the soul.” If you haven’t listened to episode 14, I encourage you to head there first! We set up this episode and series there when we talked about beauty and worship. The ideas of staying at home for church and “doing home church” have grown in the past few years. While scripture is clear that gathering together with other believers ...
Aug 25, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 15
