Growing Women of Faith Podcast

 What is stopping you from talking to God?   Praying to God is supposed to be an open conversation.  However how often do you find yourself avoiding God because you don't think you will pray the right way.  We are all important to God.  No matter who you are or where you come from.  There is no special way, all you have to do is just start talking.

Do you ever feel like you can’t meet up to what the world says you should be? Well, you’re not alone! Many of us face this but most never share about it.

Karen Blankenship took some time at our Bloom To Be conference to share what it means to becoming a woman after God’s own heart. You don’t want to miss this!

Verse Reference:

Proverbs 31:25  “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”

Ephesians 6:10 tells us how to do that. "Be strong in The Lord and in the strength of His might.”

Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing”

Connect with Karen Blankenship at:

Website: www.karenblankenshiplive.com

When the world seemed to be against Mischelle God was protecting her.  Even though she walked away from Christ for a season God knew the great plans that were ahead of her.  Hear how God softened Mischelle's heart so that she could find her way back to him.

What in your life have you yet to give to God?

What battle are you facing currently?  

Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch is the CEO/Founder of Altered Stories Ministry and Podcast Host of the Altered Stories Show.

Mischelle highly enjoys serving in Women’s Ministry volunteer roles and served as a volunteer board member for R&R Retreat Ministries in Denver, Colorado.  She has spoken at several women’s events, taught several Bible Studies at her former churches in Denver and Colorado Springs, has been part of several women’s organizations and served on the Women of Compassion’s leadership team while working at Compassion International in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  While serving on this team, her global vision for Altered Stories Ministry began.

“The call on her life to help women share their inspirational God stories stems from her experience of emotional healing that resulted when sharing her childhood cult survival story with others and seeing how her story affected those who heard it.”

How to contact with Mischelle

How many times have you found yourself saying you cant do that?  

How many times have you found yourself questioning what you feel called to be?

Its time to turn away from what the world says you should be and become that warrior God has made you to be.  

Here from Portia and her thoughts on just these questions and more! 

Portia has been in ministry for 12 years and leads alongside her husband Clinton Allen at River Valley Church in Minnesota under their lead Pastors Rob & Becca Ketterling. She’s spoken to groups both nationally and internationally. She is a co-host of the podcast, “She Speaks Stories” and knows that stories change lives. She is also a certified Clifton Strengths Communicator and is passionate about uplifting and empowering people, especially women, in both secular and sacred spaces.

She and her husband the love of her life have three amazing Boys 10, 9, & 4 yrs old. They live in Minneapolis, MN and there is way more to the state than cold weather.

When you become friends with Portia, you’re a friend for life, and she loves you. It’s a phrase she often uses with her friends. She truly wants to be your friend, and if you’re listening to this, you are on your way.

Her goal as your friend is to cheer you on into what God has created you to be and remind you of the truth, we so often forget...God is absolutely FOR YOU because he LOVES YOU.

We are all warriors but sometimes it can take time to see that through events to take place in our own lives to see it. What is stopping you from allowing God to use you?  Do you feel unworthily, unloved or unwanted?   Casey dives deep into how God showed her what person from the Bible she most relates to and it is simply beautiful. She shares about how her past made her feel like God could not use her.  

Mom, I have a question: why are boys more important than girls? All we ever learn about in church are boys.”

Lauren Nelson was saddened to hear her daughter ask that question and decided to do something about it and came up with “Sheroes of the Bible.”

I am married to a pastor. He has been a pastor for several years, but two years ago we started a new church, The River Church, here in Tacoma, WA, and it has been quite the adventure! We have two beautiful children, a 9-year-old boy named Noah and a 13-year-old girl named Kyah.

There is a warrior in each of us but sometimes it just takes someone in our lives to show us what God has planned for us.  Alexis Butterfield came from the corporate world to work along side her husband as a volunteer.  In 2020 she felt God calling her to become the CEO of Heart N Hand Ministries.  She faced many trials along the way but has changed the face of who the ministry is and it is simply beautiful.  She is full of life and has such an amazing heart for the the community of Belton, MO.  

Verse in reference Joshua 1:9

There is a warrior within each of us.  What is stopping you from being that person God made you to be?

1. You have to lead from a voice that is stronger than your own.  The voice that comes from God.
2. Be a woman warrior that encourages and celebrates other women in their lives.  Build them up!
3. Just stand up and do it! 

Verse References: 

• Judges 4 and 5
• John 10:27
• 1 John 4:4

Are you listening to others or to God.

Diane Petrie is passionate about the global church and philanthropic efforts to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and heal the sick. Diane's husband Sean Petrie is a pastor and together they founded Real Life Church KC in December 2016.   Sean has a passion for the local and global church, developing leaders, and for reaching those who are far from God. Together, they planted a church that exists to move cities through revival, restore communities through hope, and empower all generations to find life and purpose in Jesus. Sean and Diane have a passion to see people who are far from God discover real life and purpose in Jesus.

What No One Ever Told ME- 8 Things I Discovered About Women and Leadership presents a look at two different views of women and leadership in the church from a Biblical and historical perspective. It is not a book just for women, but for those who desire to help the church grow and thrive beyond the current generation following God's direction in equipping and raising up spiritual leaders.

Karen is an author, speaker and teacher. Karen currently serves as Program Director for The Sending Project, a mission organization in Kansas City. 

What does it mean to be the light?  

How do you show in action what it means to be the light for God?
Be a beacon of truth-don't shut your light off from the rest of the world to see.

As a young girl, I saw a beautiful woman on TV with long, blond, curly locks. She told me if I used her shampoo, I would be just as happy and beautiful as she was. Turns out, she lied…

"When you know who you truly are, why you are here and why you have a body it makes such a difference."  Stephanie Snow

Is your body a temple or a prison to you?  

How do you change your thoughts?

ABC's concept

1. Accept: appreciate your body
2. Befriend: be a friend to yourself
3. Care: nourish your body

Reference verse:

 Psalms 139:14

What does it mean to rest?  Well that is a very good question.  

We know that rest looks different for everyone and we also understand that life stops us from finding rest.  

Verses: John 16:33, Mark 6:32, Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 55:6 and Genesis 2:2-3.

We would love to hear how you are currently Resting In Today or how you plan to.

Take away: Set a time limit for social media or just take it off all together. Set a timer at some point in the day to remind you to rest. Each day will look different, especially if you have kids. Just be willing to be flexible and I promise you that resting will become apart your day.

Also if you ever want to chat just message us or email us. And a hashtag #restintoday #Growingwomenoffaith

Special end of the year edition!!!  

Has your year looked differently than you had planned? 

I am guessing yes!  I am guessing everyone has experienced some change in some way, whether it is good or bad. 

The same is true for us!  Sherry and I have seen God work in our own lives.  Plans have been changed but we have grown so much through it.

Verses Referred:  Luke 15:4 and Matthew 6:34

As a momma I think about what Mary faced in light of making the choice to trust in God. She faced so many trails that I cant even begin to imagine. But yet still trusted God through everything he did.  What if you allowed God to lead you in your life just as Mary allowed God to lead her?  What would your life look like right now?  Would you be where you are right now?  

Verses for reference:

Luke 1:28-55 and Proverbs 3:3-5

Inga Lizdenyte was born in Vilnius, Lithuania.  At the young age of 22 Inga was faced with the crossroads of her destiny, she decided to fight for her life. She firmly believed that with God’s help she could reclaim her independence and was ready to work relentlessly to achieve her vision. Going against the circumstances and opinions of others, she aimed for goals that seemed beyond her grasp. Local prosthetic specialists tried to convince her that she would never be able to walk with artificial legs because of her physical condition it would be impossible. But she told them that she WOULD walk and would even dance, and they would see it. In spite of much advice – to come to terms with a “disabled lifestyle” – she researched online about prosthetic legs worldwide, emailing prosthetic companies. This way, the Lord connects her with an American prosthetic specialist, who believed that her dream was possible and decided to help her. He invited her to come to California, USA and made artificial legs for her as a donation.  

After hard and relentless work, Inga fulfilled her vow. I walked and danced, just as I said I would.

Since 2005 Inga has been living independently in California. She is self-sufficient in spite of her physical limitations, work, travel, and build relationships, all the while helping others. For 13 years she worked as the Public Relations & Volunteer Coordinator at Disability Services & Legal Center (DSLC).  Now her mission is to share a message of hope and help others. Today she is a Keynote Speaker on Inspiration, Empowerment, and Christian faith.  Certified Life Coach, and Author of the book “UNSTOPPABLE. It’s a Choice”.  Inga mission is to inspire others with her story, share the message of inspiration and faith,  and empower individuals to persevere, overcome, and achieve.

Verse Refences: Hebrews 11:1 and Deuteronomy 8.

Connect with Inga Lizdenyte

Deborah Brunner is a Confidence & Empowerment coach who believes women who have been in toxic relationships can use their painful past as fuel to heal and crush self-doubt so that they can stand confidently in their worth and start creating the dynamic life they desire.

After a near death experience, she was deeply motivated to change her life. She traded in her life of domestic violence and substance abuse for an incredible fulfilling life. Deborah’s story, at least parts of it, is all too familiar in modern society. Where her story differs from most is not her will to live, which is remarkable, but beyond this point to a place where she picked up the pieces, reconnected with family, gained a degree, and continues to flourish, putting tough life lessons into meaningful action. It is a story of triumph.

Deborah’s natural ability to engage and inspire will benefit anyone seeking to adapt, overcome, and excel over adversity. Her motivating story and impassioned plea is that you too can rewrite your own narrative. Deborah shares her insights and wisdom with women survivors to help them navigate the minefields of adversity into stepping stones of success.

She believes we should assist and applaud the will to survive, take time to listen, and stand and cheer those who triumph in the face of insurmountable adversity.

Deborah is the bestselling author of the book, “You Deserve This Not That: Living an Abundant Life after Near Death, Abuse and Addiction” She is a veteran of the U.S. Army, a wife, and the proud mother of two boys. Deborah received her Bachelor's Degree in Social Change at the University of Green Bay, WI.

She has been involved in Toastmasters, a public speaking organization, for the past 9 years and during that time has held many positions at both the Area and District Level. She enjoys inspiring women to turn adversity into success through her coaching programs and speaking events.

She firmly believes strongly all women are worthy:

Worthy of being safe

Worthy of being respected

Worthy of being loved

Worthy of living the dynamic life they desire.

Proverbs 27:17- "As Iron Sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend."  

Periods of productivity: How understanding and managing the energetics of your menstrual cycle will help to increase your productivity and profits while decreasing how much you work.

Dorit’s Bio:

Dorit Palvanov is a registered holistic nutritionist and thought leader in the female-centric approach to healing.

Her mission is empowering women to recover from burnout so they can live, love, parent and work with confidence, energy and passion.

Dorit is the founder and voice behind the popular podcast for women Confident, Energized and Sexy Mama where she explores the life-long relationship women have with burnout and the stumbling blocks that hold women back from confidence, energy and passion in how they live, love, parent and work.

When Dorit isn’t being a typical mom by taking her kids to and from, you’ll find her curled up on the couch with her husband talking long hours about life or singing to her guitar.

To learn more about Dorit check her out in her hangout places.

Sherry shares about being Uniquely Fashioned in the season(s) where God has you.   God has purposed your past journey, your present for right now, right where you are, and the right time. He always has your future purposed for you. Through your journey(s) that God has you on he is developing the women of God you are and giving you the tools so that you can glorify him in all that you do. 

Bible References:  Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 & Ephesians 2:10  

If you were able to go back in your past, would you do it all over again?

Is there anything you would change?

What are some regrets?

What are your victories you have been through?

Summary from episode with Vada Scott- In these uncertain times we need to know that we can turn to someone who will never change...God doesn't change and His Word is full of promises we can stand on. I have seen His faithfulness over the years. I encourage others to seek His promises and then believe them. He is faithful.

Vada Scott is Co-founder, together with her husband Galen, of Hearts Ablaze Ministries and WEGO. Hearts Ablaze Ministries began over 35 years ago when the Scotts first went to Mexico. Since then, they have traveled to over 15 countries preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. The Scotts now reside in Florida where they not only go for short term mission trips but encourage others to go with them for one to two weeks. WEGO was developed for just that reason; a way to get people on the foreign field for a short time so that they can experience first-hand what it is like. Vada’s husband has also written two books: “The Revelation of the New Covenant” and “Jesus, Our High Priest”

If you would like to purchase any of their books you can visit their website or purchase on Amazon.

We want to welcome you to Growing Women of Faith Podcast.  Our mission is to be a platform for women to share how God is growing them in their life.  We encourage, inspire and empower women across the globe to experience a deeper relationship with Jesus. We are dedicated to strengthening women of faith. Together we can grow by sharing authentic testimonies and devotionals of women whose personal experiences in their everyday lives can encourage and equip women with confidence so that together we can grow the kingdom of God with glory.