Most Christians in America cannot comprehend the persecution happening to Christians around the world. Sure, we might read an article, see a social media post about praying for the Persecuted Church, but most will scroll on by. We don't hear about it from the pulpit like we should, and it's certainly not a headline grabber for the media. This is why I'm so humbled to have been asked to do a LR podcast episode with a Ukrainian Pastor (Igor) and Chaplin (Mark). Their personal stories and encounter...
Jul 10, 2024•20 min•Ep. 22
Season 3, episode 1 is a round-table discussion about faith and fostering in SC. Three foster moms, (Amy Bowen, Lacey Hines, Debbie Smith) talk about their amazing stories of fostering, how their faith directs their steps, and the joys and frustrations they've experienced in being a foster family. All three families have also adopted children they have fostered. I consider these women and their husbands heroes of the faith. They have stepped up to literally rescue and change the lives of orphans...
Sep 07, 2022•52 min•Ep. 21
Part One: Open the Word - Exposing the Enemy of the Light Follow along as we examine Ephesians 6:12, 5:8b, 11 to discover who the real enemy of our souls is, and how we push back against this present darkness with the Light of Christ. Part Two: A Conversation with author, Charles Martin - For more info, go to https://www.charlesmartinbooks.com/ This conversation is one of my favorites so far. Charles Martin is the real deal. He loves Christ, his family, and writes amazing fiction that points to ...
Nov 10, 2021•58 min•Ep. 20
Part One of this Living Real episode dives into the significance of Israel. Why is this tiny nation surrounded by regimes who want it to fall of such biblically prophetic importance? My guest in Part Two challenged me to go deeper into "Why Israel?," because a particular piece from her art collection wrecked me. Psalm 8:2 helps explain why. Part Two is my conversation with a divinely gifted artist, Mary Burkett. She'll tell you she's not an artist, but her work says differently. She never tried ...
Aug 25, 2021•59 min•Ep. 19
What is an influencer? An influencer is one who impacts the decisions of others. As influencers for Christ, we have an awesome responsibility and privilege to impact the decisions others make in response to God's calling on and purpose for their lives. We all have been entrusted with a circle of influence. Some circles are small, others are large, but every circle is of utmost importance. In Part One, we take a look at a strong plea through prayer from a man who's life has been defined by pain, ...
Jun 16, 2021•53 min•Ep. 18
What do you think of when you hear the word "mercy"? In Part One of the podcast, we open the Word of God and talk about this amazing gift. Lamentations 3: 22-23 are verses often quoted when speaking about God's mercy. These powerful verses must have deeply impacted Thomas Obadiah Chisholm when he wrote the lyrics, Morning by morning, new mercies I see, in the timeless hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness. In Part Two of this episode, you'll hear from a real life, death row inmate about God's incredib...
May 03, 2021•53 min•Ep. 17
Part 1: We're opening the Word to Psalm 139: 13-16. This is the framing of every one of our stories. These verses explain how we are formed by our Creator, intricately and intimately. No two people are exactly the same. We're fashioned by God's hands in the wombs of our mothers for His purpose and glory. Each conception is God-breathed, no matter the circumstances surrounding our conception. Life is a gift from God, precious and purposed to point to God's Son, Jesus Christ. Adoption was God's id...
Mar 06, 2021•53 min•Ep. 16
Welcome to Season 2, Episode One of the Living Real Podcast! This season we will bring you two parts of each episode. Part one is opening the Scriptures together, and Part 2 is the interview portion with someone seeking to live real faith in real life. Part One: A Look Into Psalm 3. David is in a tug-o-war with his mind and emotions. He's being pursued by his enemies, and though everything looks bleak and full of despair, David's faith is strong. He knows and understands God's faithfulness and H...
Jan 20, 2021•51 min•Ep. 15
This episode concludes our first season of the Living Real Podcast. And my, what a year it has been! Shout outs to all who've had a hand in helping to bring our podcast to life, and to those who've been my guests. Everyone was amazing! In this episode, you'll hear straight from me, your host and Editor-in-Chief of Living Real Magazine. I'm speaking about how to see past the obvious of 2020 and focus on what God has accomplished even in the midst of suffering. He is ever faithful, ever present, G...
Dec 10, 2020•18 min•Ep. 14
What a joy to spend time in conversation with Lere` Robinson at The Barn. Sitting with her in her spacious barn kitchen where she hosts cooking classes, gives health talks, and entertains family and friends was such a sweet time of refreshment. Lere` is a frequent guest on WIS-TV as a regular nutritionist consultant, and she's also a consistent contributor to Living Real Magazine providing us with healthy living articles and recipes. You will inspired by her incredible personal story and how her...
Nov 10, 2020•44 min•Ep. 13
I'm honored to be able to chat with a spiritual mentor of mine and my husband's. Wayne, and his wife Linda, have been such godly examples for us in how to live out real faith well in every aspect of life. His undeniable love for Christ, His Church, and the Word are what draws me to his counsel and great wisdom. He's a modern-day watchman for the Church, sounding the alarm and pointing to where we've gotten off track, and it's my pleasure to welcome him to the LR podcast. Dr. Edwards books, Silen...
Oct 10, 2020•45 min•Ep. 12
I'm deeply honored to be sitting around the counter at Genesis' Studios for this episode, picking the brains of some very wise guys. How often does one get to sit down with three men of integrity, faith, and influence and talk about real faith? Now, these guys are not perfect (I know their wives are shouting an Amen on that), but they are certainly full of experience and wisdom. They all own their own businesses, are family men, spiritual leaders in their church, and servants in the community. T...
Sep 11, 2020•56 min•Ep. 11
This LR podcast has very special meaning for me. My very best friend, Angela Brown, agreed to chat with me about her faith and how it impacts every aspect of her life. She has been like a sister as much as a best friend. We've done much of our adult lives together. For over 25 years, whether it's been singing and leading in worship, raising children, studying and sharing what God is teaching us through His Word, we have challenged and encouraged each other in our faith walks with the Lord. We've...
Aug 11, 2020•45 min•Ep. 10
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you (Psalm 9:9-10, ESV). After reading about and doing some research for a high school project on abortion, Aimee Murphy felt strongly she needed to do something to help girls and young women in crisis pregnancy situations. Today, Aimee has volunteered for 30 years with Daybreak Ministries (a faith-based pregnancy medi...
Jul 10, 2020•35 min•Ep. 9
I met Dr. Chancey through a writer's workshop online a few months ago. Since then we have collaborated about his upcoming book project to help pastors and teachers present the birth of Christ in a fresh way during the Christmas season. If you know me, Christmas is my FAVORITE time of year! I am so humbled he asked me to endorse it. Dr. Chancey is the Senior Pastor at Mcdonough Road Baptist Church in Fayettteville, Georgia, a husband, father, and grandfather, an author, a contributing writer for ...
Jun 10, 2020•41 min•Ep. 8
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue (Proverbs 31:26 ESV). The influence of a godly mom can powerfully impact the lives of not only her own children, but the lives of anyone who knows her well. The legacy she leaves along the trail of life is faith, truth, strength, and courage, built on the foundation of, and her relationship with, Jesus Christ. She loves well, is kind, compassionate, and puts the needs of others before her own. Lara Gopp, one of my ver...
May 10, 2020•39 min•Ep. 7
Is your devotional life hum-drum, boring, or even non-existent? Allow me to introduce you to my friend and author, Lori Hatcher. If you desire an uncommon devotional life, you need Lori's new book, being released this month, called Refresh Your Faith - uncommon devotions from every book of the Bible, published by Our Daily Bread Publishing. It. Is. AWESOME! Available on Amazon.com Listen to this episode to see how you could win a gift package including Lori's new book! Lori is an amazing story-t...
Apr 10, 2020•50 min•Ep. 6
In this episode, you'll meet Katie Wilkins: a wife, a mom to three young children (one is adopted), and a home school mom from South Carolina. Katie has a unique story about the power of forgiveness. She shares with us how an unforgiving spirit can immobilize us, not only spiritually, but physically as well. I met Katie a couple of years ago through our church, and we instantly connected. I'm adopted and she and her husband, Todd, have adopted a child. Katie and I both have experience with an un...
Mar 11, 2020•34 min•Ep. 5
Though McKinsey Cook went to live with Jesus at the tender age of 20, the seed God planted in her heart has not returned void. Just two years before her tragic, single car accident, McKinsey had fully surrendered heart to Jesus Christ. She was living out a bold faith and had planned to return to Uganda to fulfill her dream of adopting 18 boys. Instead, God used her death to resurrect her mom, Amy's reluctant faith, and has since planted the seed in her mom's heart to move the dream forward with ...
Feb 10, 2020•44 min•Ep. 4
In our very first episode we get up-close and personal with CEO, Jen Thompson of Lighthouse for Life about her faith, joy, struggles, and hope. January is Human Trafficking Awareness month, and since Living Real Magazine supports this amazing non-profit/ministry, I elected to interview Jen to kick off our first season. If you would like to know more about the work of L4L or how to get involved, please go to www.LighthouseforLife.org . During our conversation, Jen references the following verse a...
Jan 10, 2020•33 min•Ep. 3
Merry Christmas from Living Real Magazine! As we celebrate 10 years of sharing real stories of real people with a real faith in Jesus Christ, we are gifting you with something new and fresh! The Living Real Podcast. Melanie Shull, your host and Editor-in-Chief of Living Real Magazine, will have real and honest conversations about the struggles and challenges we face in everyday life and how we can overcome through our faith in Christ. People are looking for authentic relationships and there's no...
Dec 10, 2019•1 min•Ep. 2
