In today's Episode: The Christmas Story Welcome to the final day of the Have More Fun Advent series. I hope the past few weeks have been as meaningful for you as it has for me, as we’ve explored how Jesus shows up in all sorts of unexpected ways. For our last day together, I thought we’d read the most important words I can think to share, from Luke…

In today's Episode: A Bush in the Desert There's a plant mentioned in the Bible that is worth looking a little closer at. Here is what it says in Jeremiah 17: This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the desert; t…

In today's Episode: Three Gifts Do you ever struggle with the idea of giving gifts at Christmas? Maybe it feels too consumeristic, or like you are missing the real reason for the season? If so, then let’s look at two instances of gift-giving in the Bible. The most famous account we all know about is the presents the Magi brought to Jesus. They brou…

In today's Episode: Say Yes to Great Joy Today, we are going to talk about two central themes of the Christmas story that we don't talk about very often and then explore a challenge that might impact how we enjoy the next few days of celebration. One undeniable thing is that even before His birth, Jesus brought earth-shaking changes to everyone inc…

In today's Episode: You are Chosen In 1st century Israel there was a lengthy and very specific process kids would go through to determine their eligibility to study Scripture and be a disciple. It started with Torah school, known as Bet Sefer where boys between 6 and 10 years old started their education. On the first day of class, a rabbi would tak…

In today's episode... The Great Reversal What was it like for God to have His relationship with us cut off? We focus a lot on what sin meant for us, but what about God? He created us and wanted – probably even more than we do – to be in a relationship. But things got messed up in the Garden, and while God tried to maintain connection after Eden, it…

In today's episode... The Scapegoat There is one reference that I know of in the Bible to underwear, and today we are going to talk about it. It's in the book of Leviticus chapter 16 and it’s in reference to what the High Priest should wear into the Holy of Holies. It says, "This is how Aaron is to enter the Most Holy Place: He must first bring a y…

In today's episode... What do you want? Today we’ll talk about one simple concept and then wrap up with an opportunity to contemplate and pray about an important question from Jesus that might make us a little uncomfortable. The question is, ‘What do you want?’ Wanting is a tricky thing isn’t it? Sometimes we’re afraid of wanting the wrong thing. O…

In today's episode... Nothing New Under the Sun There is a verse in Ecclesiastes 1:9 that says: "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." In some ways, there is comfort in knowing that when the world feels crazy, we can be assured that what we are navigating has been experienced before…

In today's episode... The Other Side Jesus, in two accounts, miraculously feeds large crowds of people. The first time happens in the “land of the twelve.” It was where devout Jews from the 12 tribes of Israel lived and worshiped God. At the end of this account of feeding thousands, we read that there were twelve baskets full of leftovers, represen…

In today's episode... Split in Two As a kid did you ever talk about becoming blood brothers with a friend? Well, the concept comes from an ancient practice where people would "cut a covenant," meaning two people would cut their arms and suck a bit of one another's blood. The mingling of blood was considered a sacred bond and a solemn promise. This …

In today's episode... What has Gotten Into You Today we are going to start by reading a story found in Mark 14: "While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present …

In this episode... Say to this Mountain In the Christmas story, Herod the Great is best known for his attempt to assassinate the newborn Messiah. After a visit from the Magi, Herod orders all the infant boys under two to be massacred. It’s gruesome, and a result of his extreme paranoia. But one thing we don’t often discuss regarding Herod was that …

In today's episode we talk about "Do You See Anything" Today, we are discussing how Jesus uses spit to heal a man's eyes. Here is how it goes down in Mark 8: When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then He spit on the man's ey…

In today's epidode, we're talk about "You Already Know" Today is a little different. We’ll share one quick observation and then offer a practice to expand our Advent experience. Did you know that the disciples only asked Jesus to teach them one thing? They didn’t ask Him how to heal people. Or, to teach them to do something cool like turn water int…

In today's episode we talk about "Cover Your Head" One of the goals of this Advent series is to understand the social and cultural issues happening at the time of Jesus, so today we are going to look at a spicy issue of women showing their hair in church, and it comes out of Paul's letter to the people in Corinth. Daily Reading: 1 Corinthians 11 So…

In this episode, we dive into the unexpected ways God has revealed Himself throughout history, focusing on the Oracle of Delphi and the sybils depicted by Michelangelo on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. We explore the intriguing story of the Oracle of Delphi, a priestess who prophesied under the influence of mysterious vapors, and her surprising connec…

In this episode, we dig into the intriguing connection between Jesus, Nazareth, and a prophecy from Isaiah, shedding light on a perplexing passage in Matthew's account of Jesus' life. We explore the historical background of Nazareth, a seemingly insignificant village that emerged just a century before Jesus' birth, yet played a crucial role in fulf…

In this inspiring episode, we delve into the powerful story of the bleeding woman from Mark 5 and its deep connections to ancient Jewish customs and prophecy. The episode focuses on the daring act of the bleeding woman who, defying societal norms and legal restrictions, reaches out to touch the corner of Jesus' shawl. This moment of faith and despe…

Join us on a journey to ancient Athens, as we explore the intriguing story of the Apostle Paul on Mars Hill from Acts 17. In this episode, we uncover how Paul masterfully engaged with the diverse beliefs of Athens' philosophers at a time when the city was a melting pot of ideas and religions. This Christmas, let's take inspiration from Paul's appro…

In this festive episode, we unwrap the profound layers hidden within the classic Christmas hymn, 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.' Originating from the monastic traditions of the 8th or 9th century, this hymn has echoed through time, carrying with it a secret message of hope. We delve into the historical context of this hymn, understanding how it served …

Ever wondered why Bethlehem, the 'House of Bread', is so crucial to the Christmas story? Join us as we journey through the layers of Bethlehem's significance, starting from its literal Hebrew meaning to its deep-rooted biblical connections. We delve into the stories of Ruth and Boaz, King David, and the sacrificial lambs, all intertwined with Bethl…

Dive into a compelling episode where we explore a fascinating detail from the Bible's book of Romans. Paul, writing from Corinth, sends greetings from three men: Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus. But it's Erastus, the city treasurer, who steals the spotlight. For years, skeptics doubted the truth of Paul's words, questioning how a high-ranking official …

Join us in this episode as we dive into the lesser-told story of Zechariah, the unsung hero at the dawn of the Christmas narrative. We're talking about a priest, Zechariah, whose life takes an extraordinary turn inside the temple walls. Imagine waiting your whole life for something miraculous and then, boom, it happens! We explore his and Elizabeth…

Description: Don't miss this one... Mandy reads the first chapter of her new book "Have More Fun". This episode is filled with stories that will move and inspire you to be remarkable, stop feeling stuck and start enjoying life! Selected Links: Pick up your copy of Have More Fun Download the first chapter of the book on: Mandy's Website Show Notes: …

Description: In this episode, Mandy talks with Candace Cameron Bure about being a working mom, how the 7th book she wrote was the first book she dreamed of writing, the state of her dishwasher and her favorite moment ever on set. Selected Links: Candace’s Instagram Candace Center Stage MOMcon Registration MOPS Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine &…

Description: In this episode Mandy talks with Rafa Robert about love, money and dragons. Selected Links: brightpeak financial Love and Money Podcast Text "moneybetter" to 31996 for free resources Book: Happy Money www.RaiseGenerousKids.com The Paper Bag Princess Book MOPS Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorr…

Description: In this episode Mandy talks with Beth Bruno about creating rites of passage, what girls need from their moms and how to raise strong confident kids. Selected Links: Beth’s Instagram Beth’s new book Beth’s Site MOPS Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com Show Notes: 1:00 Intro…

Description: In this episode Mandy talks with Lisa Leonard about building a successful company, what to do when your marriage is falling apart, and how to bravely change up the rules you have for yourself. Selected Links: Lisa’s Instagram Lisa’s new book Lisa’s company Lisa’s favorite piece right now MOPS Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue…

Description: In this episode Mandy talks with Amanda Cant about what to say to someone who is grieving, how to become an advocate for your children and why telling your story helps others to own theirs. Selected Links: Amanda’s Facebook Page MOPS Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com Sho…

Description: In this episode Mandy talks with Hannah Brencher about writing letters to strangers building things out of love instead of fear and how to make friends in a new city. Selected Links: Hanna’s Website Hannah’s Instagram More Love Letters Hannah’s latest book “Come Matter Here: Your Invitation to Be Here in a Getting There World” MOPS Mus…

Description: In this episode Mandy talks with Jessica Honegger about how a pawn shop and adoption led her to start the most successful fair-trade jewelry company in the world. Also, why it’s important to value long-term efforts over short-term results. Selected Links: Jessica’s Website Jessica’s Instagram Noonday Collection Jessica’s latest book MO…

Description: In this episode Mandy talk with Myquillyn Smith about creating a cozy home that works and partners with you and everyone in it, they also discuss naked feet and why Myquillyn hates seeing toes, and how to decorate a place you rent. Selected Links: Myquillyn’s Instagram The Nester Website Pre-order the Cozy Minimalist Home Make sure to …

Description: In this episode Mandy talks with Ben Higgins from Season 20 of the Bachelor about his favorite moment from behind the scenes, they also discuss airplane etiquette, why he wears a retainer every night, along with Ben’s favorite practice for decompressing after a crazy day and his new adventure leading Generous Coffee. Selected Links: Be…

Description: In this episode Mandy talks with Justin Zoradi about doing work that matters, how to be a hero and what to do when you feel like a fraud. Selected Links: Justin’s website Justin’s Instagram Justin’s latest book Giving Fuel These Numbers Have Faces MOPS Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pe…

In this episode Mandy talks with Hillary McBride about what it means to be a powerful woman, the complexities of shame, and how our body image can impact our kids. Selected Links: Hillary’s website Hillary’s Instagram Hillary’s latest book MOPS Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" soundcloud.com/philipemorris & pema.bandcamp.com Show …

Description: In this episode Mandy talks with Danielle Strickland about being curious, going faster when you have a dream and why surrender is essential to freedom. Selected Links: Danielle’s website Danielle’s newest book “The Zombie Gospel: The Walking Dead and What It Means to be Human” Danielle’s Instagram Danielle’s other books Infinitum Brave…

Description: In this episode Mandy talks with Kirk Cameron about kids and cell phones, how his family sets healthy boundaries with technology and Kirk tells a ridiculously cute story about how he met his wife. Selected Links: Kirk’s website Connect Movie Kirk’s Instagram Mandy's New Book- Have More Fun! MOPS Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & B…

Description: In this episode Mandy talks with Erin Loechner about why getting up early is awesome, tips for having a healthy relationship with social media and how to change the rules when they aren’t working for you. Selected Links: Erin’s Website Erin’s Book - Chasing Slow Erin’s Instagram MOPS Music by: Phillip E Morris "Sunshine & Blue Skies" s…

Description: In this episode Mandy talks with Shannon Miles about multi-tasking, the time she met Richard Branson, and how to be a working mom in a new way. Listen in if you want to get back into the workforce, want to work for yourself or long for more flexibility in your job. Selected Links: Shannon’s Instagram Shannon’s website Shannon’s book Mu…

Description: In this episode Mandy talks with Rachel Hollis about her tips for having great sex, why we need to stop breaking promises to ourselves and how to live a life we actually enjoy. Listen to this if you need some motivation or just a little advice on being the best version of you. Selected Links: Rachel’s Instagram Rachel’s website Rachel’…

Description: In this episode Mandy talks with JJ and Dave Heller about how to balance work and being a mom, getting comfortable being different and how to work with a spouse. You will love JJ and Dave's lighthearted and fun nature as you listen in on a conversation about life on the road and what to do when things don't go as planned. Selected Link…

In this episode Mandy talks with Jennifer Fulwiler about doing it all, defining success, and how to pursue your passion while raising a family. Listen in if you feel guilty about working, or needing help, or if you feel like you are overanalyzing all your decisions and want more freedom to really live. Selected Links: http://jenniferfulwiler.com/ J…

In this episode Mandy talks with Harris iii about why being weird is great, how to regain wonder and why telling good stories to our kids is life-changing. Listen to this episode if you feel like you don’t fit in, are tired or worn down, or want to learn how to stop worrying and start living. Selected Links: https://harrisiii.com/ www.story2018.com…

In this episode Mandy talks with Amanda Inchaustegui about dealing with criticism, how to be empowered in your everyday life, and the one thing healthy people do. Listen to this episode if you want tricks for living your best life, are desperate for more joy and are ready to get curious about what is holding you back. Selected Links: If you would l…

On this episode Mandy talks with Candace Cameron Bure about her latest book, “Kind Is the New Classy”. Listen to this episode if you need some practical tips on handling your crazy life and dealing with close friends who differ from you. Selected Links: Candace's website Kind Is the New Classy- The Power of Living Graciously MOPS Music by: Phillip …

Francie and her husband decided to try an experiment. How would their home life change if they got rid of their T.V.? Francie shares the details of what a life minus Game of Thrones looks like. Listen to this if your home feels chaotic, you are tired of yelling at your kids and want to have more fun with them, you feel distracted all the time, or y…

Listen to this episode if you are in need of some creative ways to bring peace to the world around you. Mandy talks with Osheta Moore about having adventures, being a peace maker and raising world citizens. Osheta's infectious laugh and practical tips will inspire you to be a peacemaker in your everyday life. Selected Links: "Shalom Sistas: Living …

In this episode Mandy and her brother Charley talk with their mom Cindy, and Cindy’s best friend Jodi about how to find a best friend, be a good friend and develop framily. Listen to this if you are longing for deep friendship, want practical ideas on how to create meaningful moments, or want to hear personal and hilarious stories about life-long f…

Listen to this if you want an excuse to practice hygge, are interested in how to have a home people want to be at, or want practical tips for communicating with your kids. In this episode Krista Gilbert shares her ideas on reclaiming home, traditions and childhood along with offering ideas on the neuroscience of soul care and the importance of know…