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Cheryl Scruggs – The Lost Art of Resting

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Lost Art of Resting—- I explore the essential yet often overlooked practice of resting, a cornerstone of thriving in all facets of life. Through personal reflection and experiences, I emphasize the multi-dimensional aspects of rest—spiritual, emotional, and physical—that together, support a vibrant and fulfilling existence.

  • Spiritual Rest: I delve into the importance of reconnecting with one’s spiritual roots to find peace and direction. I share how moments of solitude, prayer, and meditation not only rejuvenate the spirit but also fortify us against life’s tumults. It’s about creating spaces to listen and respond to what God might be whispering to our hearts.
  • Emotional Rest: Here, I discuss the necessity of emotional boundaries to maintain balance and health. I talk about the power of saying no and the freedom found in prioritizing personal mental health. Through practices like journaling and engaging in meaningful conversations, I’ve found ways to declutter my emotional world, making room for more authentic joy and less imposed stress.
  • Physical Rest: I emphasize how vital it is to respect our bodies through restorative practices. Whether it’s committing to regular sleep schedules, integrating gentle exercises like yoga, or simply taking time to breathe deeply, I highlight the importance of listening to our physical needs and responding with kindness and care.
  • Integrating Rest into Everyday Life: I conclude the chapter with practical strategies for incorporating rest into a bustling lifestyle. I share how small pockets of rest can be seamlessly woven into the fabric of our daily routines, enhancing overall well-being without compromising our commitments and productivity.

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145: Kelly Balarie

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Welcome Kelly Balarie to the Thriving Beyond Belief podcast!

Now more than ever, we need rest –a deep, trust-centered knowing of God’s goodness and peace.

Yet, these days, we are experiencing the opposite: Three out of five people admit to doing more than they can manage. Many are more fearful than ever because of  Covid-19. Great amounts of people are under the weight of massive financial burdens. Not only this, but family life, virtual schooling, safety discussions and workplaces are overtaking over sacred home spaces.

Here, we are doing and worrying, more than being with and loving God.  The pressure — is real.

Whereas, we once figured rest was at home, now we realize that quietly tucking ourselves away from projects, people, and the pressures of today, isn’t the whole answer…  We are still left feeling worried, exhausted, tired, and weary. Distance, days at home and constant solitude don’t fill the hole or the desires of our heart.

What is rest? Real rest is soul rest. Soul rest not found from exterior things, but through heartfelt focus, soul-full simplicity and wise communication – all with the goal of fostering love. In this, we can grab hold of what matters most. We become present to God. We find peace. We lay hold of God’s goodness. This is rest.

Bestselling author Kelly Balarie believes a more soul-full way of life is available for us all. In her latest book Rest Now: 7 Ways to Say No, Set Boundaries, and Seize Joy, Kelly offers practical “hows” to help rest become a living reality.

In our interview, you’ll learn to:

  • create boundaries that allow you to overflow with love
  • say no so you don’t hate yourself later
  • ditch passive-aggressive behaviors in favor of healthy conversations that lead to peace
  • embrace permission-giving thoughts to create mental space for God

Rest Now shows us that we no longer have to strive for rest, but we can love from it, like Jesus did. This not only brings rest, but joy – even in the most tumultuous season.

Balarie says,

“Rest and joy are fully available to us even in this season thanks to Jesus.”

 

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Related Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purposefulfaith

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellybalarie/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kellybalarie

Website:  https://purposefulfaith.com/

 

REPLAY: Louie Giglio

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As you know, I’ve been doing some replays these last couple weeks, and I couldn’t help but rerun my episode with Louie Giglio for this week. And so I’m super excited for you guys to either tune into this for the first time or maybe re-listen to everything he talked about in his recent episode. We spent some time discussing Louie’s new book, Not Forsaken, and we speak on the freedom that comes with finding our identity and being sons or daughters of the perfect father. The relationship of father and child is one that is vastly important in life, so I can’t wait for you to tune into this week’s replay!

Fatherhood. It’s an ever-growing issue of importance in our culture today. And who better to speak about that with than Louie Giglio? He is my guest on today’s episode of Thriving Beyond Belief!

Louie is a well known pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta and is the founder of Passion, a conference that is specifically geared toward 18-25 year olds who are setting up life for themselves for the first time. This conference is to help those in this season put Christ at the center of their lives and turn their focus on what is eternal rather than what is temporary. Louie is also a husband to his beautiful wife, Shelley, a speaker and an author.

We spend our time today talking specifically about the subject of Louie’s new book, Not Forsaken- fatherhood. We speak on the freedom that comes with finding our identity in being sons and daughters of the Perfect Father. This is a complicated subject, as we often project characteristics of our earthly fathers onto our Heavenly Father. That could be that He is absent, angry, distant, apathetic, and the list goes on. Louie talks about us beginning to see that those characteristics don’t exist in Heaven. He was Father first, which means He is perfect in fatherhood. The fall led to a broken view of what fatherhood needs to be.

We discuss the fact that the relationship of father and child is one that is vastly important to our life. It is one of the relationships on earth that effects us in such drastic ways. Our souls long for this relationship to feel whole.

Louie shares with us some amazing Scripture and wisdom on how to restore the relationship with our eternal Father, even when our earthly relationship may have  never been a positive one. Louie shares so vulnerably about his own father, the struggles in their own relationship, and how it led to remind him that nothing here is how it should be. Our souls are longing for the day when all will be restored.

We even speak some on mental health and how important it is to address any issues going on, the power of counseling, and the significance of authenticity.

What a blessing this episode is to me and I hope it is the same for you. May there be peace that comes to you after this episode!

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Highlights:

  • Fatherhood. It’s an ever-growing issue of importance in our culture today.
  • We even speak some on mental health and how important it is to address any issues going on, the power of counseling, and the significance of authenticity.
  • We discuss the fact that the relationship of father and child is one that is vastly important to our life.

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086: Louie Giglio

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Fatherhood. It’s an ever-growing issue of importance in our culture today. And who better to speak about that with than Louie Giglio? He is my guest on today’s episode of Thriving Beyond Belief!

Louie is a well known pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta and is the founder of Passion, a conference that is specifically geared toward 18-25 year olds who are setting up life for themselves for the first time. This conference is to help those in this season put Christ at the center of their lives and turn their focus on what is eternal rather than what is temporary. Louie is also a husband to his beautiful wife, Shelley, a speaker and an author.

We spend our time today talking specifically about the subject of Louie’s new book, Not Forsaken- fatherhood. We speak on the freedom that comes with finding our identity in being sons and daughters of the Perfect Father. This is a complicated subject, as we often project characteristics of our earthly fathers onto our Heavenly Father. That could be that He is absent, angry, distant, apathetic, and the list goes on. Louie talks about us beginning to see that those characteristics don’t exist in Heaven. He was Father first, which means He is perfect in fatherhood. The fall led to a broken view of what fatherhood needs to be.

We discuss the fact that the relationship of father and child is one that is vastly important to our life. It is one of the relationships on earth that effects us in such drastic ways. Our souls long for this relationship to feel whole.

Louie shares with us some amazing Scripture and wisdom on how to restore the relationship with our eternal Father, even when our earthly relationship may have  never been a positive one. Louie shares so vulnerably about his own father, the struggles in their own relationship, and how it led to remind him that nothing here is how it should be. Our souls are longing for the day when all will be restored.

We even speak some on mental health and how important it is to address any issues going on, the power of counseling, and the significance of authenticity.

What a blessing this episode is to me and I hope it is the same for you. May there be peace that comes to you after this episode!

LISTEN ON ITUNES

Highlights:

  • Fatherhood. It’s an ever-growing issue of importance in our culture today.
  • We even speak some on mental health and how important it is to address any issues going on, the power of counseling, and the significance of authenticity.
  • We discuss the fact that the relationship of father and child is one that is vastly important to our life.

Related Links:

083: Jordan Lee Dooley

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I got to spend an hour with one of my favorite people for this week’s episode of Thriving Beyond Belief: Jordan Lee Dooley! Wife, speaker, soon-to-be author (and fellow Enneagram 3), Jordan is sunshine personified. We take some time to talk about some themes in her upcoming book, Own Your Everyday.

It is refreshing to discuss contentment in a world that is shouting for us to find our purpose. We break down what true purpose is, that small, intentional steps make up the large leaps in our lives, and that although we are called to steward our lives well, it is okay to not be “hustling” 24/7 if it means we leave out the Lord in the process. Jordan so pointedly reminds us that knowing the Lord IS our calling. He is our purpose. We so often run around and try to seek out the “one thing” that we are called to, instead of seeing that the one thing we are called to is to be faithful. Let us not be deterred by the enemy to chase the hustle rather than walk with the Lord.

Jordan talks about the fact that doing what we are called to do is not limited to what we do professionally; we are called to love others well, we are called to be good stewards of the bodies we have been given, etc. When we finally understand that life is not lived to reach a particular pinnacle, but rather it is a beautiful journey, we experience true freedom! The journey is filled with the mundane path, which is the everyday that we are given the opportunity to be faithful with. The journey also includes places of wilderness, which is where we tend to learn the most. And the journey is filled with moments in the garden, which is where the Lord wants us to intentionally rest and spend time with him. These paths and places make up our life. Let us make the most of them.

There are so many wonderful pieces of advice and encouragement from Jordan in this episode that you will find yourself taking notes to take with you into your day. Here’s to owning our everyday!

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Highlights:

  • We break down what true purpose is.
  • When we finally understand that life is not lived to reach a particular pinnacle, but rather it is a beautiful journey, we experience true freedom.
  • We so often run around and try to seek out the “one thing” that we are called to, instead of seeing that the one thing we are called to is to be faithful.

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082: Dr. Will Cole

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Please give a warm welcome to a rare guest I have on Thriving Beyond Belief- a man! This week’s episode, I get to speak with Dr. Will Cole about all things health.

Dr. Will Cole is a doctor of functional medicine, author, husband, and father. He gives us a short overview of his upbringing and how it led him to committing his life to the well being and health of others.

As some of you know, overall health is a passion of mine (totally something I would also do if there was time!) and so this episode means a lot to me. The conversation with Dr. Cole is so eye-opening, because he discusses the shift we need to make in our minds about what being healthy truly is. We talk about what functional medicine is, what a good approach would be for all of us to take when it comes to our health, and how connected the parts of our body are to one another. Teaser: our brains and guts are very closely linked!

Dr. Cole describes thriving in his profession as “being able to hear patients say they feel they have their freedom back”. They have the freedom to play with their children or grandchildren, they no longer feel in a haze simply going through life, etc. Being able to help our bodies function the way the Lord intended them to is just as important to our lives as anything else. I even describe my own health journey and we talk about how seriously we should take the fact that the body is a temple for the Holy Spirit to thrive. It is not about punishing our bodies to another diet or putting ourselves down for the occasional indulgence. It is about a lifestyle of stewarding our bodies like we would steward our finances or our time.

I love these conversations because it reminds us that the Lord has made all things. For some reason, we give most things to the Lord, but how we treat our bodies is something we often exclude from what the Lord can control. Let that be something that we lay down before the Lord. He has promised that He would give us life, and life abundantly. This includes how we feel in our bodies!

I can’t wait for you to give this episode a listen. Let me know how it impacts you!

Dr. Will Cole, IFMCP, D.C., leading functional-medicine expert, consults people around the world via webcam and locally in Pittsburgh. He specializes in clinically investigating underlying factors of chronic disease and customizing health programs for thyroid issues, autoimmune conditions, hormonal dysfunctions, digestive disorders, and brain problems.

Dr. Cole was named one of the top 50 functional-medicine and integrative doctors in the nation and is a health expert and course instructor for the world’s largest wellness brands such as mindbodygreen and goop.

Dr. Will Cole, senior clinic director, is uniquely skilled and experienced at finding the root physiological, biochemical and hormonal causes underlying many diseases. Dr. Cole has broken free from the limiting approach of “standard care,” which most often calls upon drugs and hormones as a first defense against these diseases without a real inspection as to the root underlying causes and contributing factors to each individual’s presenting complaints.

Dr. Cole uses breakthrough diagnostic testing and analysis that’s rarely done in conventional settings to uncover the hidden causes of why people feel the way they feel. He also takes great pride in delivering personalized health care treatment to patients as well as providing an environment that supports and inspires patients to reverse their poor health.

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Highlights:

  • What functional medicine actually is and why we should consider it.
  • God calls us to take care of our bodies, the temple He has given us.
  • Excellent health includes physical, spiritual and emotional

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081: Jenny Randle

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Super excited to have Jenny Randle on the Thriving Beyond Belief podcast today!

As a speaker, author and creative ninja, Jenny Randle believes deeply in the power of story.

At the age of 18, she encountered the greatest love story ever told, the Gospel. The prayer that followed for her was simple: “God, use me to make an impact for you.”

Since that prayer, Jenny has worked as a video editor on billion dollar franchises in the heart of Hollywood. In 2009, She was recognized with one of the highest honors in the entertainment industry — an Emmy Award.
As a creative ninja, over a decade ago she found herself living in this performance mentality zone, riddled with anxiousness and comparison. God broke the chains of inadequacy, taught her about her identity in Jesus and brought her such freedom. In this space of freedom, God has equipped Jenny to challenge others to CREATE AND DREAM COURAGEOUSLY again.

Also to every wounded creative or procrastinating dreamer… Discover the freedom to create again. The world needs you to shine.

Creativity is a gift from God to each of us—including you.

Is a message weighing on your heart or stirring in your soul today, but you’re wondering how to communicate it?

This hands-on journey in Courageous Creative will give you the tools and encouragement you need to discover your God-given identity, cultivate your creativity, and express your thoughts. You’ll find fun, think-outside-the-box creative challenges that will spark your imagination and inspire you in fresh, new ways.

You’ll also learn the foundations of your creativity, find ways to overcome the obstacles that keep you from fully expressing yourself, and discover secrets to unleashing the courageous creative in you.

Experience creative and spiritual freedom in this one-of-a-kind interactive devotional.

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Highlights:

  • Jenny believes in the power of story—
    The greatest story ever told- the gospel.
  • What to do with insecurity and not feeling good enough.
  • Our creativity is our greatest weapon we can really hold on to and understand because God wants to use us as a solution-makers; God wants to give us vision.
  • As we age our creativity decreases because we are not being intentional. Stress and time are the two biggest creativity killers
  • Simple prayer: “God use me to make an impact!” God calls us to shine especially as a believer. But first we have to understand what our gifts are. Then we need to feel comfortable in our gifts in order to be able to express freely in that gift!

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080: Gwen Smith

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Gwen Smith’s tagline on her website says her purpose is “helping women know and trust God more”. After today’s episode of Thriving Beyond Belief, you will have no doubt that is what God has intended for her to do! Gwen is a delight, an 8w7 on the enneagram (if you know what that is) :), and has such an amazing story to tell.

Not only is Gwen a follower of Jesus, wife, and mother, she is also an author, speaker, podcaster, and coach. Gwen’s story is one where she is able to personally speak about the goodness, grace, and faithfulness of God. She speaks of young love, heartbreak, and amazingly beautiful redemption.

I don’t want to give away her whole story here, but it’s one that has her cling to the story of the prodigal son from Scripture. She shares what she describes as her “mess-timony”, and the fact that our sin is never going to be bigger than God’s grace in our life. We cannot outdo the power of the cross! Once Gwen returned to the Lord, she spent so much time trying to “earn” her way back into the good graces of the Lord. She volunteered for every role she could in the church, trying to work her way back into the arms of the Lord, until she realized she was already there. Christ then revealed to her that in the midst of trying to earn her salvation, she stopped dreaming about what the Lord was going to do in her life. She felt “disqualified” from the race. How many of us can relate to feeling this way from time to time?

But in His goodness, God showed her the grace that was given to her, the fact that we can never earn our salvation, and that with thriving ALWAYS comes honesty about our story. I love how she reminds us that His arms are never too short to save and His ears are never too dull to hear.

We talk about Gwen’s definition of thriving. One thing that stuck out to me about what she had to share was that she always referred to herself as someone who was “dizzy”. She loved to spin in circles as a girl, and that same mindset carried into adulthood. But she claims that this leads to chaos and it keeps our eyes from ever looking forward. Gwen believes thriving is being able to look straight ahead to eternity and to keep from spinning in mindless directions.

We even cope together as we discuss the season of empty nesting, bond over being fellow podcasters, and discuss how the Lord truly uses all of our mess to create something beautiful and new. I cannot wait for you to take a listen today!

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Highlights:

  • Gwen’s purpose: to know and trust God more
  • She shares what she describes as her “mess-timony”
  • A quote from Gwen: “In every season, we have different opportunities to grow, but then also pave the way for the next season.”

Related Links:

Gwen Smith ?
Speaker / Podcaster / Author / Worship Leader
Helping Women Know and Trust God More
Co-founder of Girlfriends in God
Host of the GRACEOLOGIE with Gwen Smith Podcast

078: Melanie Dale

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Today I am thrilled to have Melanie Dale on the podcast with me today!

Melanie’s life has been anything but what she expected- leading her to a ministry opportunity she never would have imagined for herself. Thus, her first book and website are entitled “Unexpected”. Melanie pictured her life going as most of us do- getting married, having children, etc. But after a battle with infertility, Melanie realized the Lord had more in store for her life than she knew.

We discuss major issues today that are all separate but all connected at the same time- marriage, intimacy, infertility, and parenting to name a few. Melanie discusses how her new saying is sur-thriving. She believes that life is never going to get to a place where everything is perfect, so we need to learn to thrive while we survive!

We really tackle the difficult issue of not being able to bear children, and what avenues come from that in people’s lives. One of Melanie’s books was written intentionally in the midst of a storm in her life, so that she could claim the goodness of the Lord in the middle of the unknown. So often, we see people who discuss their issues after they have seen redemption in their lives. But we sometimes need to know what to do and what to pray in the middle of an issue where we do not know the outcome. Melanie’s sincerity, vibrancy, and authenticity are truly refreshing in a world that tries so much to cover up failures and hardships.

Melanie gives some great advice on intentionality in marriage, how to build authentic friendships with other women in a similar life stage, how to balance the many hats most of us are wearing, and how to do it all with originality and a little humor!

I am so thankful to have spent today’s episode of Thriving Beyond Belief with Melanie, and I hope you are able to face the unexpected with ferocity, vulnerability, and to be able to laugh as you go.

 

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Highlights:

  • Melanie’s life has been anything but what she expected.
  • We discuss major issues today that are all separate but all connected at the same time- marriage, intimacy, infertility, and parenting to name a few.
  • We really tackle the difficult issue of not being able to bear children.

Related Links:

077: Toni J. Collier

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Toni Collier is a communicator, host and consultant at North Point Ministries (founded by Andy Stanley), on-camera personality at The reThink Group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes public school speaker and co-founder of The Resource Group: A faith based consulting firm.

With a degree in business logistics and entrepreneurship she has used her talents to grow churches, ministries & businesses in the areas of; student ministry, creative marketing, leadership, innovation and strategic planning.

Toni is known for her vibrant personality, charisma and all around welcoming spirit. You will frequently hear her shout the sentence; “Broken crayons still color!” as she has a passion to help women and teens believe in the idea that no matter their difficult story or walls of weakness, God still has an incredible plan to go along with the purpose He’s placed in their life. “Broken cryaons still color”…. a life mantra. A reminder that our past doesn’t have to define us. an interactive experience. a message of hope.

Toni is “Texas proud” of her Houston, TX roots, but currently resides in Atlanta, GA and loves spending time with her incredible husband and family!

In an interview with Toni, she was asked:

What is a good article or book you have read recently?

So Long Insecurity, by Beth Moore. Literally a game changer for women. READ IT!

Any motivational anecdotes to share?

COUNSELING. I can shout this from the rooftops! Counseling has totally changed my life. I’ve processed through trauma, insecurities, past relationships and so much more. It’s made me a better mom, wife, friend, Jesus-follower, and friend! So, go to counseling.

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Highlights:

  • Huge topic for women: “I am unworthy”….which then points to insecurity—-core lie
  • God wants us to THRIVE — we enter this space where we feel we are not deserving the best that God has for us! This leads to us not believing we can live above and beyond and not just exist! Its a balance between humility and confidence! He wants our lives to thrive.
  • She lived a life unprotected and not safe. Had huge responsibilities as a child so she tried to stay ahead of fear…making her being scared of fear! Being afraid is a journey and God will carry you!
  • Tough thing for Toni, being vulnerable and learning how to do that.

Related Links:

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