One of the biggest fears of many soon-to-be parents is that they might have a special needs child. Cherry was the same before God blessed her with Zachary, her son on the autism spectrum. Through her God Story, Cherry not only encourages parents with special needs children to lean into God’s plan for their child’s life, but she encourages all of us to embrace who God made our children to be. In this episode learn how to: See the good in hard circumstances Be our kid’s champion Let go of our expe...
May 18, 2021•26 min
“I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am convinced, is in you also.” 2 Tim. 1:5 “Where can a mother go to resign?” Have you ever felt this way? Like one more load of laundry, dishwasher load, or argument between siblings will be the end of you. Me too, friend! Those are the days when I need to remember to focus my eyes on Jesus and remember what he says about this all important job. It can be hard to find hope and meaning in t...
May 04, 2021•32 min
Please Note: The audio in this episode is distorted in places on my side. Augh! But the conversation was so good and Esther's story so encouraging, I didn't want you to miss out! So here it is, as Esther says, sometimes we just need to "wash over it with grace." I hope you still enjoy i t ! Ever feel like you’re about to have a nervous breakdown? Everyone who’s lived through the last year, I see you raising your hands. (*wink) In this month’s God Story, Esther Goetz shares how 15 years ago she a...
Apr 20, 2021•28 min
Do you feel guilty because you can’t always get up at 6 am for 30 minutes with God? Do you struggle to connect with God in the “right” way? I’ve got a secret. There is no right way. There are many ways to connect with and abide in God throughout our day. Depending on our lifestyle and season of life, we might need to change our expectations. And that’s okay! In this episode learn to: Release the quiet time guilt Be present with God Focus on God during different seasons Abide with God right where...
Apr 06, 2021•20 min
This month Laura shares the story of her modern-day miracle when she survived a terminal diagnosis by the power of God. After coming face-to-face with death, Laura shares how her relationship with God shifted from knowing God was there to now spending time with Him throughout her day. She also explains the importance and power of community and praying for each other. Resources: Dwell App Dangerous Prayers Craig Groeschel Bible Study Hub (Bible Hub App) Rhythms of Renewal Rebecca Lyons Pray the W...
Mar 23, 2021•20 min
We often hear Satan’s lies telling us we’re not enough, not doing “it” right, not…. Fill-in-the-blank. One of the best ways to fight those lies is to use God’s truth. Jesus even gives us this example in Luke 4 in the wilderness when he faces Satan. Memorizing God’s Word might seem tedious or something better for kids in Sunday School, but it can be a powerful tool to fight the lies, discover sin, and help us grow to be like Jesus. In this episode learn: Why memorizing scripture is important How ...
Mar 09, 2021•23 min
Sometimes we go through times of brokenness due to sickness and death. When we go through those seasons of loss, Sara reminds us that we can grieve differently. We have hope because of Jesus! Here she helps us learn how to champion hope and gives practical ways to live out that hope! I just loved talking to her and hearing her intentional, practical, loving approach to remembering our loved ones in special ways. In this episode learn how: To be a hope champion To remember and celebrate loved one...
Feb 23, 2021•37 min
Do you sit down to a family Bible study and your kids roll their eyes? Do they wiggle and run around when you try to read devotional? We know that getting our kids into God’s presence is essential to helping them develop a lifetime of faith, but we worry when they resist and struggle. God doesn’t want us to be anxious. He gives us hope! In this episode learn how to: Ask God for his help Focus on Jesus ourselves Invite our Kids into Jesus’ presence Resources NIV Dramatized Bible Canva Graphic sof...
Feb 09, 2021•23 min
Do you struggle to find time with God in the middle of your crazy, busy life? Are you running on fumes and wondering if there is hope for a deep relationship with God? There is! Join Christie Thomas and me as we discuss how to deepen your relationship with God even during the business of life. In this episode: Learn creative ways to read the Bible Discover how prayer can be a lifesaver Get permission to be flexible Resources Live Teaching with Christie and Tara: Thursday, Jan. 28th @ 7pm CST Pra...
Jan 26, 2021•30 min
Is one of your New Year’s resolutions or goals to spend time with God? Have you tried it before and struggled to be consistent and show up? Me too! In the ever-changing seasons of life, it can be hard to find what works in my time with Jesus and be consistent in it. This week’s episode is all about helping us make a plan and show up for our quiet time with Jesus. Join me! In this episode, learn how to: Find your why Where to start Make it tiny When to do it Prep your space Celebrate your success...
Jan 12, 2021•25 min
We know prayer is important, but it can be so hard to find the time to focus throughout our busy days! The laundry piles up, the dishes begin to stink, we trip over toys and socks and wonder if we’ll ever catch up. It’s like shoving snow in a snow storm! These tasks that might at first take us away from the throne of God can be the things that bring us to him. Learning to pray while doing my chores has changed my attitude about many of my daily tasks and given me more time to abide in Jesus. Win...
Dec 29, 2020•5 min
"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105, NIV During the Christmas season, it can seem like we’re being pulled in so many directions that we don’t have a moment of quiet to ourselves much less to slow down and get into God’s word. Listening to the Bible is a great way to get God’s word in your heart as you go throughout your day. This is one of my favorite ways to connect with Jesus and I think you’ll find it helpful, too! In this episode learn great tools and resourc...
Dec 15, 2020•5 min
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6, NIV With the year we’ve all had, we can struggle to focus on the good. It’s easier to see what is going wrong than what is going right. God knew that for us to lift our eyes to him it would take a sacrifice of praise. We would need to give thanks. In this episode learn: How giving thanks helps us overcome anxiety How giving thanks helps us focus on...
Dec 01, 2020•8 min
Right now as our kids boomerang in and out of distance learning or have transitioned completely to homeschooling, emotions can run high as we all make adjustments. There can be many tears from them and us! It leaves us wondering, how do we navigate these adjustments and handle the emotions in healthy ways? In this episode learn: How to Value emotions during the chaos Healthy ways to talk about and walk through feelings Tips for adjusting to new routines How to handle our many responsibilities Ho...
Nov 17, 2020•33 min
The sunlight streamed through the playroom window as I settled into my favorite chair. The smell of coffee greeted me like an old friend and I reached for my Bible. Then I heard it. The patter of little feet on the wood floor. My quiet time I had longed for was cut short once again. As busy moms, how do we find time to meet with Jesus, even in the middle of our busy days? How do we prioritize our relationship with God with a to-do list a mile long and surrounded by family? In this episode learn ...
Nov 03, 2020•23 min
So many times right now life seems chaotic and out of control. How are we to hold to God during those times when we feel like everything is slipping away? How are we to find time with him when we are overwhelmed? This week Stacey Thacker shares how she clung to God even when her husband had a sudden cardiac arrest and her daughter was diagnosed with an illness that led to regular doctor visits. Through it all she stuck close to God, but not in a way you might expect. In this episode learn: How t...
Oct 20, 2020•30 min
Exhaustion can zap our strength to pour into our families, ourselves, and our relationship with Jesus. When we can barely tuck our kids into bed at night, how are we supposed to read our Bible or spend time with God? There is hope! In this episode, we dive deep into those things that cause exhaustion--to-do lists, physical health, depression, children, and more!-- and find practical ways to get our minds and bodies the rest we so desperately crave. In this episode learn how to: Focus on what is ...
Oct 06, 2020•48 min
Have your plans been turned upside down? Did your hopes for 2020 vanish with the coming of COVID? Find hope as Doris Swift shares her God Story about how she learned to lean into him, especially when life didn’t go as planned. In this episode learn how God... Grows us through unexpected circumstances Cares about the details in our lives Equips us for his plan for our lives Meets our needs at exactly the right time Resources Youversion Bible App Abide: 40 Ways to Focus on Jesus Daily The Cultural...
Sep 22, 2020•35 min
Kim Wahl shares her God Story of when she found her 8 yr old daughter unresponsive from a diabetic coma. Through that time, her family learned how to focus on Jesus despite the chaos around them. During this time of quarantine and crazy school schedules related to COVID, it can be so easy to let the challenges distract us from Jesus. Kim teaches us how to rise above the storm and place Jesus at the center. In this episode learn to: Trust Jesus through the storms Find peace in His presence Discov...
Sep 08, 2020•32 min
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? Psalm 42:1-2, ESV Like the writer of Psalm 42, do you desire to meet with God, yet you struggle to fight off all the distractions in your day? Do you begin your day with the best of intentions but find them quickly pushed aside by mounds of laundry, kid interruptions, or even Facebook scrolling? Join me this week as we learn how to intentiona...
Sep 08, 2020•29 min
There are so many questions and unknowns this school year. It can cause us to feel stressed and overwhelmed. But there is hope! In the middle of the questions and the fear, we can lift our eyes to the one who has the answers. We can focus our gaze on Jesus. In this episode learn: My story of moving from dread to delight How God can give us hope Practical tips for focusing on Jesus Resources Million Praying Moms Community Everyday Prayers for Back to School...
Jul 29, 2020•18 min
Trying to focus our families on Jesus can be such a challenge! Meet Tara your host and find out how OverACup can help you feel encouraged, inspired, and equipped to help you and your family focus on Jesus.
Jul 07, 2020•4 min
