The Good Day
By Candace Cofer
The Good DayMay 14, 2024
Vance & Kari Holder: Welcome to the Family
This week we get to hear from a family I respect greatly, The Holder Family. Vance and Kari Holder share of how God built their family partially through adoption, and though God’s timing for growing their family was different than their own, it was all on purpose. They share their experience of raising a child with Down Syndrome to help us see how “we are more alike than different” towards others with special needs.
Through their story, I pray you are given courage for the thing on your heart - maybe it goes against opinions in your circle, maybe it doesn’t make sense to everyone else but you know you are supposed to do this. As Vance reminds us, “get out of the boat” - it’s through our dependence on God where we are strengthened. Today, we’re talking about:
- Adoption …and a surprise immediately after signing the papers and God’s timing and faithfulness
- The joys and challenges which come with parenting a child with Down Syndrome
- How God has used this journey to deepen their faith and understanding of Him
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
Megan Wilczek: Welcome to the Family
My friend, Megan Wilczek, is joining us to share how God has grown her family through foster care and adoption. It’s so neat to hear how this was not on her radar until she became a follower of Christ. Her eyes were opened and she and her husband chose to trust God as they took steps of obedience in this.
Whether it’s adoption or something completely unrelated that God is calling you to do, I encourage you to join us today and find courage for your next right step of obedience. Today, we’re talking about:
- Foster care to adoption story
- The joys and challenges of blending adopted and biological children
- How God uses family to deepen our faith and understanding of Him
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
Jenny Albers: Peace After Pregnancy Loss
Jenny is the author of Courageously Expecting and contributor for Pregnancy After Loss Support and Her View From Home. She is also the founder of Still Loved, a community which seeks to amplify the voices of loss parents. Jenny is passionate about sharing her experience with pregnancy loss and life after to encourage other women during their own difficult loss journeys. Jenny is sharing her journey of multiple failed pregnancies and how desperate she was for God’s peace through the grief and also when she and her husband found themselves expecting again. Today, we're talking about:
- Courageously expecting good after experiencing loss, specifically in pregnancy
- Surrender - not a once and done but a daily thing - what this looks like
- Practical ways to be supportive and sensitive to another in a failed pregnancy or pregnancy after loss
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Samantha Cabrera: Peace in Marriage and Motherhood while Battling Mental Illness
Samantha Cabrera is the author of The Doctor’s Wife and is joining us to share her battle with mental illness and the impact it has had on her life, both as a wife and a mom. Samantha is also the founder and editor of Calla Press. She is a writer, artist, and certified (7-12) English teacher living in the Texas countryside with her loving husband and their children. She is a strong advocate for mental illness to become a normal conversation in the Christian Church. An excerpt from her memoir won an honorable mention at the WriterCon 2021 contest. If you or someone you know is battling mental illness, it is our prayer you/they will find be reminded to hold onto hope, knowing God is near. Today, we're talking about:
- An unexpected diagnosis in the first year of marriage
- The emotions while processing major depressive disorder (MDD) and traits of borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Experiencing God’s peace in marriage and motherhood in the midst of mental illness
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Candice R. Reyes: Peace as a Survivor of Assault
Candice R. Reyes is the author of Awake My Soul and also the Executive Director of Hooks2Crook Ministries and the founder of Her Well, which serves to guide survivors of unhealthy sexual relationships to overcome the fear of their past and heal mentally, physically, and spiritually. Whatever pain and trauma is in our past, we’ll learn we must take the time to embrace this pain and process this fully to be able to heal from it. As a two-time survivor of sexual assault, Candice shares how the pain she endured as a teenager resurfaced when she became a mother of a teenage daughter and how she learned to trust God. Today, we're talking about:
- Embracing the pain from our past to experience healing and purpose
- Experiencing peace in motherhood
- How to trust God with a “hands-down” approach
Check out herwell.org
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Kimberly Stuart: Peace (& Grace) in Motherhood
Kimberly Stuart is a writer, speaker, podcaster, and dark chocolate obsessive. She is the author of eight novels, which have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Huff Post, and the Chicago Sun-Times. She and New York Times-bestselling author Bob Goff have coached hundreds of aspiring authors through their executive coaching, online courses, podcast, and live events in the San Diego area. Stuart has made her home in Minneapolis, Houston, Chicago, Costa Rica, Nebraska, and Iowa, where she now lives with her brave husband and three wily children.
This week, we’re starting to see how this topic of peace intersects with motherhood, and I’m thrilled Kim, a woman who has been studying this ancient and monumental topic of grace for her new book, Star for Jesus (And Other Jobs I Quit), is the mom we get to learn from today. We’re talking about:
- God’s best idea: Grace …the no-strings-attached kind
- The danger of falling into routine in our faith
- Peace in motherhood - the false hopes we’re tempted to cling to and the sturdy hope we need
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
Stacee Goetzinger: Peace in the Struggle with Mental Illness
Stacee Goetzinger is the author of the book, You Are Worth Saving: Letters of Hope from a Desperate Heart, and is sharing what peace looks like for her in “the middle” of the struggle with anorexia and mental illness. After years of letting an eating disorder and other mental illness challenges “speak” for her, Stacee is passionate about speaking words of life and sharing the hope through resilience and depths of God’s sustaining grace and love experienced throughout her ongoing recovery journey. She shares hope and encouragement for those who struggle with mental health and for those who love and support them on her podcast, Speak Out Loud, which she co-hosts with her husband, Doug. Today, we're talking about:
- Stacee’s experience with anorexia and mental illness
- Feeling pressures from all sides - is there peace even here?
- What it looks like to surrender today - one day, one moment, one bite at a time
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Lisa Appelo: Peace in Our Easter Saturday
Lisa Appelo is the author of Life Can Be Good Again, which she wrote from her experience as a recent widow and single mom to seven children. She shares all of the good lessons God is teaching as He is so true and faithful to her and her family. She is joining to offer hope from her journey in this Easter Saturday space of deep grief and despair. Today, we're talking about:
- Living out the Easter Saturday - how to experience hope and enduring peace through loss
- Navigating the emotions which surface from grief
- The mercy of God and how this can look very different than we expect
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Elisa Morgan: Finding Peace in Our Own Garden of Gethsemane
Elisa Morgan was named by Christianity Today as one of the top fifty women influencing today’s church and culture. She has authored over twenty-five books, including the one we're talking about today, When We Pray Like Jesus: Courageously Honest & Fearlessly Abandoned Before God. For twenty years, she has served as CEO of MOPS International and now is President Emerita. You can connect with her at godhearsher.org or on any podcast platform. Today, we're talking about:
- How Elisa unknowingly helped me through one of my most difficult times
- What does it look like to pray Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane today?
- How do we pray with authenticity and abandon simultaneously?
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Mary Jo Pierce: The Bread of Life is Our Peace
Mary Jo Pierce is the author of Let It Rise and invites us into her kitchen as she bakes bread to help us experience a deeper intimacy with our Savior through prayer. She’s helping us see how bread and prayer are not as different as they initially seem. As we prepare our hearts for Easter, we remember when Christ laid down His life for us, so that we can rise with Him. The title of her book says it all: Let It Rise! In this, she use bread making to paint this very beautiful picture of our prayers rising. Today, we're talking about:
- What can we learn about a life of prayer while baking bread in the kitchen?
- How to practice the 2-way conversation of prayer, both speaking and listening
- Is Sabbath an outdated tradition or a very practical and necessary rhythm?
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Calyn & Blythe Daniel: Peace for Kids - In Friendship
Blythe and Calyn Daniel are a mother and daughter who love books and have a mission to strengthen relationships with families and friends. In their book, Let's Be Friends: A Tween Devotional on Finding and Keeping Strong Friendships, Calyn brings the youthful perspective of what trials tweens and teens are experiencing in their friendships today while Blythe shares wisdom of having also endured challenges as a young girl and teen as well as what it looks like to help your child navigate these joys and disappointments with the truth of God’s Word. Today, we're talking about:
- How we can help tweens and teens can experience peace in their friendships
- How gossip steals peace in friendship and what we can do to kindly stop gossip when we encounter it
- The role parents play in modeling these truths for their kids
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Abbey Feldkamp: Peace for Kids - Uniquely Created
Abbey Feldkamp is the International Firebird Award-Winning Author for Best Children's Board Book — Wonderful, Marvelous, Magnificent You. When she’s not writing, she serves as a wife, mom and flower farmer at Sunny Hill Flower Farm where she calls home with the pups, chickens and bees. She lives to create beauty in this world with the talents that God has graciously given her to help children grow in peace with their identity and how God created them to be unique - in every culture and every ability. Today, we're talking about:
- How do we help children grow in peace with their identity, who God created them to be - unique, in every culture and every ability
- The inspiration behind this International Firebird Award for Best Children's Board Book, Wonderful, Marvelous, Magnificent You
- Supporting mental health in our children and helping them learn how to celebrate differences in each other
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Erica Renaud: Equipping Kids with Prayer for Peace
Erica Renaud is a mom of five and the author of Pray with Me: Help Children Engage in Authentic and Powerful Prayer. She's sharing how she has learned to engage young minds with the truth of scripture and spiritual disciplines in an age-appropriate way so they can know God's peace. Today, we're talking about:
- Learning “God is enough” and the impact this has on our minds and emotions
- Teaching kids how to pray - explanations, preparations and creative ways to “pray without ceasing”
- The powerful shift that starts inward and grows outward as we begin to recognize “prayer is a place”
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Caris Snider: Peace for Our Anxious Kids
Caris Snider is the author of Anxiety Elephants 31 Day Devotional, a devotion specifically written for tween boys and another for tween girls, as well as the picture book, There’s an Elephant on My Chest. When not writing, Caris speaks in schools to students on coping skills for anxiety and trains teachers on how to help children with anxiety. She is sharing hard-won insight from her own journey and resources to help you walk this journey from anxiousness to peace with the young hearts in your circle. Today, we're talking about:
- How do we help our kids identify and overcome anxiety?
- Symptoms of anxiety in tweens (ages 8-12) and practical tools for guardians to enter into this space with them with confidence and empathy
- Equipping early childhood kids (ages 4-8) with images and age-appropriate words to explain their anxious feelings as well as next steps and safe people to talk to about it
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Keri Eichberger: Peace of Mind
Keri Eichberger is the author of Win Over Worry, and she's sharing her own journey of being overwhelmed by worry to truly winning. Her own roller coaster of life trials, redeemed by a relationship with the Lord, fueled her desire to help others discover and experience the fullness of life found in Jesus, and she longs for more of us to join her in this victory. Today, we’re talking about:
- Worry - is this something we must always deal with or is it something we can “unlearn”?
- The root of worry - how understanding this is the first step to experiencing freedom and God’s peace
- Practical steps you can start today to win over the worry entangling you
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Carol McLeod: Our Foundation for Peace
Carol McLeod is a best-selling author and popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor and is a prolific author and loves digging for truth in the Word of God. Today, we’re talking specifically about her book, Timeless: The Living and Enduring Word of God, and learning:
- The precursor to experiencing God’s peace
- Why it’s important to read scripture and how this is relevant to our day-to-day lives
- What it means and looks like to have your identity rooted in God and how this changes everything
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Cara Blondo: Peace in God's Presence
Peace, we want it so badly. As our friend Cara Blondo reminds us, the peace we experience today is proportionate to the time we spend in God’s presence. Whether through teaching Bible studies, speaking to groups in person or online, or writing devotionals or other Christ-centered resources, Cara is passionate about helping women connect biblical truths to their everyday lives. Through her blog, The One Thing Desired, and podcast, Perspective Shifts, she hopes to encourage women to shift their perspective upward and come to know Him as their greatest desire. Today, we're talking about:
- Life is busy vs. Life is full
- What we’re really asking when we ask God, “Where are You?”
- What is God’s presence like? How can we experience it right now, right here?
Additional Resources from Cara:
- Moving From ‘Having Devotions’ to Living Devotedly
- Why ‘God With Us’ Matters (Part 1)
- Why ‘God With Us’ Matters (Part 2)
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Missy Eversole: Finding Inner Peace
Missy is the author of Transformed Not Conformed: Embracing a Life-Changing Approach to Spiritual Habits and is passionate about sharing honest personal stories and relatable examples from Scripture to offer a respite from society’s demands to be Pinterest perfect. Drawing from the hills and valleys of her own transformation journey, Missy paves the way for igniting (or reigniting) a love for Christ and a hunger for Him that is truly life-changing. …because this is where we begin to trade the inner train wreck of our day for a song of peace, a song we don’t just sing but a song we know. Though this world is not as I would have it, we sing, “it is well with my soul.” Today, we’re talking about:
- The Pinterest-perfect outside and the inner train wreck inside
- Spiritual habits and how you can fit these into your daily do-ings and be-ings
- Holding fast to the “it is well with my soul” peace and why we long for this
Listen to Missy's Podcast, Bold Faith Now
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Nichole Suvar: A Pathway to Peace
Nichole Suvar is an author and speaker who is passionate about striving to live an intentional life. Through years of struggling with anxiety, Nichole has found help and solace in focusing on small moments of intentional living in everyday life. She has found that even the struggle of anxiety can be a tool to help point us to our Savior and live a life that brings Him glory. Today, we're working through her book, Numbering Our Days: Combating Anxiety in the Power of Small Intentional Moments and we're talking about:
- Breaking free from a life in “maintenance mode” by focusing on the 7 areas of an intentional life - our hearts, thoughts, money, relationships, health, home and time
- 3-step process to help us lay down anxiety and guide us into intentionality
- “Numbering our days” - Moses’ heart behind this truth and how this can serve as a pathway to peace for us
Also, check out Nichole's new course, Peace and Purpose.
C A N D A C E C O F E R author + speaker
Nicole Zasowski: A New Year of Peace in Joy
Nicole Zasowski is an author and therapist who like many knows what it’s like to live a life terrified of celebrating. After experiencing prolonged seasons of hurt and disappointment, she had become highly suspicious of joy, afraid to enjoy the good things in life for fear they would be snatched away. We're diving into her book, What If It’s Wonderful?: An Invitation to Release Your Fears, Choose Joy, and Find the Courage to Celebrate, and being challenged to pursue a life of anticipation and celebration. Today, we're talking about:
- Why the search for joy is both challenging and essential
- How our peace can be threatened in joyous times and what we can do about this
- Pursuing a life of anticipation - starts by retraining your brain to celebrate
C A N D A C E C O F E R author + speaker
An Introduction to Season 4: "My Peace I Give to You"
As I was praying over this next year of our time together, the one word the Lord continually pressed upon my heart was “peace.” I believe God wants to usher us into His peace this year. We'll learn if we want peace, we must get close to the source of peace, we must enter into the presence of peace. And, that, my friend, is what season 4 of The Good Day is all about. Today, we're talking about:
- How do we experience God’s peace even when our circumstances are not peaceful?
- Accessing the peace of Christ and what this means for us today
- How can we become seekers and bestowers of peace?
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
12 Books of 2023
It's that time again... time to share the stories we've read and wisdom we've gained in the last year. I continued my commitment to read at least one book a month, and now I want to share my favorites with you. Today, we're talking about:
- How we can cultivate curiosity and learn from the experience of others
- Secular stories of bunnies and even cowdogs we grew up with which we can use to strengthen our faith and our relationships with others
- Wisdom to grow our faith, relationships, finances, and purpose.
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
One Word-ish for 2023: Undistracted and Unoffended
What if I were to tell you instead of making goals and resolutions for the New Year, you simply take one or two weeks and choose one word. If faith guides you like it does me, I'd encourage you to pray about what this one word should be for you this year.In previous years, I've grown in areas of "authenticity" and been led in ways I never expected through "open" then "no." This last year, my word was "undistracted" but it grew to something more, much much more, something which inspired these tulips to be placed by my front door... Today, we're talking about:
- An alternative to setting resolutions to help you grow this year
- What living an undistracted life requires of us
- A radical commitment which will change your life and impact all of your relationships for the better
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Home for the Holidays: A House of Homonyms
It's one of our favorite times of the year! As we prepare for the gift of Christmas, may we prepare our hearts to experience the fullness of the gift of Christ even through our secular holiday traditions. Today, we're talking about:
- 5 words of Scripture we overlook but have immense depth for the story of Christmas
- Significance of Bethlehem as the setting for Jesus’ birth
- 1 man we never think of at Christmas - is Goliath a Christmas character?
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Home for the Holidays: kingdoms vs. Kingdom
It's one of our favorite times of the year! As we prepare for the gift of Christmas, may we prepare our hearts to experience the fullness of the gift of Christ even through our secular holiday traditions. Today, we're talking about:
- Our subconscious vocation as builders - what and why we do it
- Impact of 1 man (never featured in a nativity scene)
- The parallels of the worldly kingdom and the Kingdom of heaven, the striking contradictions of Caesar's reign to Christ's reign
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Home for the Holidays: A Ticket of Our Own
It's one of our favorite times of the year! As we prepare for the gift of Christmas, may we prepare our hearts to experience the fullness of the gift of Christ even through our secular holiday traditions. Today, we're talking about:
- What happens when you put 2 million pounds of ice and a love for trains together - absolutely incredible sculptures!
- How the message in The Polar Express can help prepare our hearts for Christmas
- The significance of a stamped ticket for you and for me right now
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Home for the Holidays: S-elf on the Shelf
It's one of our favorite times of the year! As we prepare for the gift of Christmas, may we prepare our hearts to experience the fullness of the gift of Christ even through our secular holiday traditions. Today, we're talking about:
- How the fun tradition of Elf on the Shelf can help remind us to live out the gift of Christmas
- Preferring one another and healthy boundaries, how these work together
- Practical ways you can prefer those around you this Christmas
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
Mabel Ninan: Longing for Home
Mabel Ninan is the multi award-winning author of Far from Home. Born and raised in Hyderabad, India, her upbringing as a Christian made her a minority, putting her at odds with the dominant culture. As host of the YouTube podcast, Immigrant Faith Stories, she shares inspiring testimonies of immigrants, refugees, missionaries, third culture kids, and those who minister in cross-cultural settings. Today, we're talking about:
- Growing up in India as a Christian, how this experience helped her "live in the world but not of the world"
- Challenges as an immigrant—separation from all things familiar, fracturing of identity, a sense of “homelessness"
- Having different beliefs from our friends - do we have to agree to be friends?
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
Terry Feix: Overcoming Anxious Thoughts by Stewarding Our Emotions
Terry Feix serves as a Pastor at Crossings Community Church as well as the co-host of the So We Speak podcast. His background in Mathematics and Biblical Languages as well as Information Technology and Executive Sales, though not a typical path for a pastor, God has used to prepare Him uniquely for it. He has a passion to help The Bible come alive for people. Today, we're talking about:
- Our different journeys to faith and how both the head and the heart are necessary in leading us to a greater understanding of grace and truth
- What is contentment and how do we become content in all circumstances?
- Emotional reactions - how to disciple our emotions
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
Christy Boleware: Overcoming Attacks with Surrender
Christy Boleware is a speaker, Founder & President of Fearless Unite as well as the author of Nervous Breakthrough. After enduring a severe panic and anxiety disorder in 2011, she learned her superwoman tendencies and constant striving for success made her powerless to combat the beast of panic and anxiety. In her own words, "my superwoman cape strangled me." Today, we're talking about:
- From a superhero climb up the success ladder to facing clinical depression and panic attack - how she experienced breakthrough from a nervous breakdown
- The power of surrender - finding peace when we let go of control and seek God for help
- Smoke alarms - learning to pay attention and respond to these indicators
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
Todd Isberner & Wendie Pett: Overcoming the Past & Differences in Marriage
Todd Isberner and Wendie Pett are a husband and wife duo, and co-hosts of the podcast: Your Biggest Breakthrough. With a Master of Divinity, Todd authored What Every Man Needs to Know: How to Master Faith, Family, Fitness and Finance. Wendie teaches the balance of mind, body and spirit through her Visibly Fit™ wellness program. She also serves as a naturopathic doctor, wife, mother, author, speaker, and TV host. Today, we're talking about:
- Can you have differences and still be soul mates with your spouse?
- Building a blended family and how to cultivate a “spirit mate” bond in your relationship
- The power of surrender and what to do when waiting for a breakthrough
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
Rebecca George: Overcoming Doubt
Rebecca George is the author of Do the Thing: Gospel-Centered Goals, Gumption, and Grace for the Go-Getter Girl as well as the host of the Radical Radiance podcast and founder of Radical Radiance®. Her greatest joy in life is discipling others to pursue their passions in a way that builds the Kingdom. Today, we're talking about:
- What to do when we feel "stuck" and fatigued by the laundry list of excuses
- We “steward” our finances but what about our calling? How do we live this out?
- That thing on your heart - how do you overcome doubt and gain clarity so you can actually do it
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
Amy Elaine: Overcoming with Prayer
Amy Elaine is the author of Becoming a Victory Girl. She is an inspirational speaker, former radio show host, gifted Bible teacher, and host of the The Grace Frontier Podcast. Her ministry is devoted to helping women with heart-shattered lives become whole again in Christ. Today, we're talking about:
- All things southern like pecan pie and fried okra
- What to do when chaos ensues in the form of diagnosis or loss or trials of every kind. How we can overcome the battles in our circumstances when we pray with authority
- What it looks like to identify and claim the influence God has given you
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
Melanie Redd: Overcoming Worry
Melanie Redd is the author of Just Rest: A 90-Day Devotional Journal. As a speaker and active blogger, Melanie uses all her resources including social media as an opportunity to encourage. Her topics center around hope, home and health. Today, we're talking about:
- Gaining hard-won wisdom from Peanuts cartoons
- Simply telling ourselves not to worry doesn't work very well, but declaring truth over ourselves does. Learn how to practice this in your daily life.
- The most important practice for young adult women to do in their 20’s and 30's
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
Dr. Kim Allen: Overcoming Insecurity
As the author of Crushing Insecurity, Dr. Kim Allen is sharing how we can identify and overcome the voice of insecurity so we can more fully step into the purpose God has for us. With her doctorate in Theology and professional background, she has served in IT, Education, and Spiritual Leadership. Her passion is developing and presenting curricula and also mentoring women who need technical skills to return to the workplace. Today, we're talking about:
- When we're rebuilding a life or relationship, how to overcome the insecurity of re-entry
- If we will start by meeting practical needs of others, God will use us to serve their supernatural needs as well
- Storms in life - how God uses these to redirect us and reset our priorities
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
Misty Phillip: Overcoming Grief
Misty Phillip is a speaker and the author of the award-winning #1 Amazon New Release Bible Study, The Struggle is Real: But so is God. As founder of Spark Media, she helps equips Christian Communicators and podcasters and also serves as host of the By His Grace Podcast ranked in the top 1.5 percent of all podcasts. Today, we are talking about:
- When the struggle is REAL and we wonder: Can God really use this for His glory and my good?
- The heartache, pain, and suffering this side of heaven can cripple us, but it doesn’t have to. How do we overcome?
- What it looks like to activate God's Word in our lives
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
At the End of My Rope
I carry stress the same way I carry groceries - all in the same load. Thinking I'm a skilled waitress, I'll balance this plate of stress like this, top it with this bowl of worry and this fork of anxiety and this spoon of grief - all just-so. Except it doesn't end just-so. It ends with me feeling overwhelmed. If you feel overwhelmed by life's circumstances right now, tune into this episode. Today, we're talking about:
- Stress - in all its forms - and how we're doing "handling" it
- The "I'm at the end of my rope with ____" moments in life
- Why staring at the end of our ropes is the best place we can be
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
A New Face Around Here (The Good Day Turns 3!)
As The Good Day turns THREE (3 whole years, can you believe it?!), the biggest change is... there's a new face around here! So, I figured it's time you meet 'Dubya, aka Will! To help lead us through some reflection of our last two years, our good friend and a featured writer for our Summer in the Psalms series is joining us - Mr. Luke Helms. Today, we're talking about:
- Dating - what it looked like for us and the invitation that changes everything
- Engaged - the wedding planning/showers and a whole lot more behind the scenes
- Married - 3 months of marriage and what we’re learning already as newlyweds
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
Summer in the Psalms - Psalm 19: When I Feel Distracted by Lisa Torres
One of our biggest dilemmas: life pulls us in a million and one directions. How do overcome this trap of distraction? Lisa Torres is sharing her reflection of Psalm 19 with us to help us do just that. Lisa is a motivational speaker, certified wellness coach as well as former international nonprofit fundraiser. She recently launched her executive coaching business where she helps staff of growing nonprofits to serve with excellence. She is passionate about helping women 40 and over to embrace optimal health—mind, body, and soul. Her life experiences have led to her calling to reach women who are hiding in the shadows of brokenness and help them restore their identity in Christ. Today, we're talking about:
- Farmer's markets in the summer and the search for the sweetest local honey
- One of our biggest dilemmas: life pulls us in a million and one directions
- How to practically trade a "come and do" in our time with God for "come and be"
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
website | instagram | youtube | facebook
Summer in the Psalms - Psalm 12: When I Need a Safe Haven by Nikki Evanson
What do we do when we feel evil has won? We need a safe haven - where can we go? In sharing her reflection of Psalm 12 with us, Nikki Evanson is reminding us God is our protector. A Christian writer, Nikki's mission is to help and equip Christian women to live for Jesus by following Matthew 22:37-39. She is a wife and mother to two beautiful children. Today, we're talking about:
- Careless words and selfish acts - unfortunately it's not just a recess thing.
- What do we do when it feels evil has won?
- The protection we cling to and how this safe haven has the power to change our circumstances and heal our wounds
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
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Summer in the Psalms - Psalm 5: When I Feel Overwhelmed and Under Attack by Tischa van de Reep
Roasting s'mores and experiencing spiritual triumph - what if there's more overlap than we initially considered? In sharing her reflection of Psalm 5 with us, Tischa van de Reep is helping us see the importance of watching when we feel overwhelmed and under attack. Tischa is a Christian writer and speaker, founder of The Well Communicators and The Branch Women's Gathering. Her role as a mental health and autism mom further fuels her passion for women to find strength in Christ. Her work in ministry extends from homeless women in Houston, to expat wives in Budapest, Hungary, to rural villagers in Malawi, Africa, and women across the US. Today, we're talking about:
- Praying and watching - David's strategy which led to spiritual triumph!
- What does it look like to pray then "watch"? How do we apply this to our daily life?
- What does this require of us and how does it increase our joy?
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
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Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 148 - When I Don't Feel Like Rejoicing by Athena Ramsey
Athena Ramsey is the co-host of the podcast: Torn: Finding a Mom Life Balance and author of small group studies and founder of Esperanza ministry. Through this, she serves to equip women with knowledge of the word of God so they can be encouraged in their daily lives and extend a hand to walk in unity + love with other women in Christ. Today, she's sharing her reflection of Psalm 148 with us, specifically:
- An activity to add to your summer bucket list for fun memories and to help strengthen your faith at the same time
- The power of seeing, hearing and feeling God's glory and our response to this
- How we can lead our hearts to praise when it feels praise is stifled within us
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
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Summer in the Psalms - Psalm 141: When I Feel Confused and Doubt My Calling by Lori McRae
"God, did I hear you incorrectly?" Have these or similar words entered your thoughts or mouth? Lori McRae is sharing her reflection of Psalm 141 with us and helping us experience God's peace in the midst of confusing circumstances. Based in Alabama, Lori desires to bring God glory in all she does and help others grow in their relationship with Jesus. Passionate about serving Jesus and telling others the difference He has made and continues to make in her life, she shares her walk with Christ as daily encouragement on social media through Shine Bright for God’s Glory. Today, we're talking about:
- When confusion causes us to question, "God, did I hear you incorrectly?"
- How to find strength when you are facing opposition so you are not struck down by it
- What it looks like to have God as your go-to first responder in times of trial
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
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Summer in the Psalms - Psalm 134: When I Am Restless and Sleepless by Kara O'Byrne
Could God really use my restless, sleepless night for my good, someone else's good and His glory? If so, how? Kara O'Byrne is sharing her reflection of Psalm 134 with us to help us seek a higher perspective in these times. Kara is a contributing author to the Proverbs 31 devotional: Hope When Your Heart is Heavy as well as a wife, mother, and former teacher who has experienced the powerful, redemptive work of God in her marriage and life. As a lover of words and God’s Word, she desires to encourage others with His truth through the ups and downs of everyday life. Today, we're talking about:
- Caffeine and bedtime probs, but also the biggest hindrance to our sleep
- How we can respond during the unwanted, restless nights
- A special echo which results from our obedience in this and the dual benefit it unfolds
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
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Summer in the Psalms - Psalm 127: When I Wonder If Prayer Really Matters by Jennifer Wier
Do you find yourself wishing or praying? What's the difference? Is there a difference? Jennifer Wier is helping us sort through these questions as she shares her reflection of Psalm 127 with us. Jennifer is a writer, counselor, and follower of Jesus dedicated to pointing people’s hearts toward Home. With a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, she has worked with those in need of mental health support. She also serves as Vice President of Spiritual Life for the chapel women’s ministry at Eielson Air Force Base. Today, we're talking about:
- Do our prayers really make a difference?
- The power of inviting God into our cares and our work and our lives through prayer
- Why prayer is important and how it grows and changes us
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
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Summer in the Psalms - Psalm 120: When Words Hurt by Candice Reyes
What do we do when words hurt deeply? How can we use our tongue to prevent more pain? Candice Reyes is sharing her reflection of Psalm 120 with us to help us discover how we can respond when words hurt us. Candice is a speaker, host of The Red Rover podcast, Award-Winning Author, Basic Self-Defense Instructor, and Founder/Executive Director of Hooks2Crook Ministries. As a 2x survivor of sexual assault, she understands the importance of overcoming the fear of the past and walking with Jesus through recovery. Candice coaches women through the victim-to-survivor process, helping them reclaim their hope, regain their voice, and resist their urge to isolate. Today, we're talking about:
- Sticks, stones, and lies we've believed for too long
- The power of the tongue and how we can experience freedom from the painful words of others
- A powerful shield you can access when words hurt and a redeeming response to prevent inflicting more pain
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
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Summer in the Psalms - Psalm 113: When I'm Asking Why by Cara Blondo
When our why's becomes whines because our circumstances are anything but praiseworthy. There's a psalm for that! In sharing her reflection of Psalm 113 with us, Cara Blondo is helping us process through these doubts with praise. Cara is an author, Bible study teacher, and speaker as well as the host of the Perspective Shifts podcast and founder of The One Thing Desired ministry. She is passionate about helping women connect biblical truths to their everyday lives, helping them learn how to shift their perspective upward and come to know Him as their greatest desire. Today, we're talking about:
- When our why's becomes whines because our circumstances are anything but praiseworthy
- How this word may not be evident in our words but still just as apparent in our lives
- A promise we can cling to when we feel “stooped down” from our heavy loads
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
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Summer in the Psalms - Psalm 106: When I Am Forgetful of the Lord's Provision for Me by Nichole Suvar
We've likely heard of "child-like faith" but what does that look like and how can we apply it today? In sharing her reflection of Psalm 106 with us, Nichole Suvar is helping us learn how. She is the author of Numbering Our Days: Combating Anxiety in the Power of Small Intentional Moments, Prepare Him Room: an Intentional Advent, and Victory in the Wilderness: an Intentional Easter. A recovering perfectionist, anxiety-fighter, and seeker of all things declared good, Nichole desires for others to know they are created for a purpose and even the struggle of anxiety can be a tool to help point us to our Savior and live a life that brings Him glory. Today, we're talking about:
- The funny (and profound) things children do and what we need to learn from them
- How we're not all that different from the Israelites of long ago and what this reveals of the condition of the human heart
- How a step towards humility is just one question away
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
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Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 99 - When I Need to Feel and See God's Love for Me by Luke Helms
Luke Helms has an insatiable desire to learn and help others understand how our earthly sufferings are justified in light of an eternity with Christ. He serves as an associate attorney at a law firm in his community of Oklahoma City, OK and also serves on the Board of Directors of Willow Pregnancy Support. Today, he's sharing his reflection of Psalm 99 with us, specifically:
- Summertime, sunshine and UY Scuti (aka the largest known star in the universe!)
- The magnitude and wonder of God - described in scripture and experienced in creation
- How the splendor of the sun can serve as a tangible reminder of God's great love for us
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
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Summer in the Psalms - Psalm 90: 5,993 Days: When I Am Waiting on God to Answer My Prayer
How do we become wise and not get so exhausted and worn out from our circumstances? Kicking off this summer's series, Summer in the Psalms, by leaning on the prayer of a man who was intimately familiar with waiting on God so we can remain steadfast as we wait on the Lord in our lives. Through a reflection of Psalm 90, we will be challenged to seek a higher perspective and focus on what matters most. Today, we're talking about:
- 5,993 days and the significance of this number to the love story Will and I share
- How to seek a higher perspective so you don't get worn down and exhausted by circumstances
- The secret to being most present in our lives and how we can apply this to the difficult situations in our path today
C A N D A C E C O F E R
author + speaker
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