Welcome to another inspiring episode of Fierce Calling! Today, host Doris sits down with good friend Kristi Woods, an acclaimed author and speaker whose profound journey of faith and perseverance will leave you deeply moved. We delve into Kristi’s latest book, 101 Prayers for Military Wives, a heartfelt guide designed to help military spouses—and anyone seeking a deeper spiritual connection—grow closer to God through prayer. Kristi shares personal anecdotes, from how she met her husband through a pen pal program during Desert Storm, to the divine timing that led to her first book's publication after years of patience and faith. Doris and Kristi explore the intricate dynamics of developing a robust prayer life, the significance of understanding God’s character through scripture, and the transformative power of prayer. They also touch on Kristi's foray into fiction writing, emphasizing perseverance and obedience to God’s calling even when the path seems uncertain. If you’re seeking encouragement to deepen your faith, enrich your prayer life, or simply need a gentle reminder of God’s perfect timing, this episode is for you. Stay tuned as Kristi Woods shares her journey, offers valuable resources for women's groups, and provides that much-needed spiritual nourishment to fuel your walk with God. Don't miss it! Connect with Kristi! Kristi Woods, author and speaker, shares stories about Jesus, a few pretend couples, and other military and everyday heroes. Her award-winning work is published across the Internet and in print, including her recent gift book release,101 Prayers for Military Wives. Kristi, her Desert Storm pen pal-turned-husband, and three (now adult) children survived a nomadic, military lifestyle and have set roots in Oklahoma. There, she keeps a close watch for tornadoes and good chocolate. Website/Contact:KristiWoods.net  Newsletter Subscription: KristiWoods.net/subscribe/ Social: PinterestInstagramFacebook What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/ Let’s Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage! Love Fierce Calling? Following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for 2025! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event… Transcript Surrender the Joy Stealers Bible Study Intro ... Doris [00:01:45]:What is threatening to steal your joy? What is it that feels so heavy right now that you could barely stand? God has a plan, and his plan is to surrender it. Surrender it to him. It might be a prodigal. It might be a relationship, a marriage, something with your job. So many things. We have so many amazing blessings, but there are so many things in our life that threaten to steal our joy. I'm Doris Swift, author of the award winning 6 week Bible study, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You. And it helps women rediscover the overflowing, ever present Jesus joy within that fills, empowers, and ripens the fruit that God produces in our lives. Doris [00:02:36]:Using personal and biblical stories, I share how you can identify your joy stealers, surrender them to God, reawaken the joy within, and share the joy with others. You can do it on your own or with a group. Check it out, friends. Surrender the joy stealers. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. It's available on all the online retailers. It's time to take your joy back. Welcome back to the show. Now On with the Show ...

How can we impact future generations for Christ? It begins with discipling the young lives entrusted to us by God. Whether it's our kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, or kids at church, be encouraged that while the responsibility to disciple our kids and help our families grow in Jesus might seem overwhelming, it doesn't have to be. My guest this week is Christie Thomas, author of Little Habits Big Faith: How Simple Practices Help Your Family Grow in Jesus. She shares how little habits over time can make a huge impact on the lives of our families and those around us. Christie shares encouragement and amazing stories of how small beginnings and simple practices can make a huge difference, and tips on getting there. We talk about this and more! I know what Christie shares will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Christie Thomas. Connect with Christie! You can connect with Christie at littleshootsdeeproots.com, find her books, great resources, and her HopeGrown Faith membership community. You can also connect with her on Instagram @littleshootsdeeproots More About Christie Christie Thomas is a mom and writer and has been involved in children’s ministry for most of her life, including working as director of children’s ministry for more than a decade. Christie is now a family discipleship coach to many parents who need equipping, support, and encouragement. She deeply believes that every Christian parent can confidently nurture deep faith in their kids through little habits that add up over time. Her devotionals and children’s books help parents cultivate faith-filled moments. She loves making family faith fun and simple so that your kids love it, and you can feel confident that you're nurturing deep faith roots in your family. Christie lives with her husband and three boys in Alberta, Canada. What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/ Let's Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage! Love Fierce Calling? Following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women's Event? Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... I hope you'll join me next time, when I talk with another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then, friend, have a blessed week and I'll talk to you soon ... Doris

What happens when your story takes an unexpected turn? My guest this week is Dawn Damon. She shares her story of past childhood sexual abuse, a broken marriage, a devastating divorce, losing a position at a mega church, and how God redeemed every bit of it and showed her how to walk in her true super bloom. What is a super bloom? Listen in to hear what it is and how you can step into your super bloom purpose. We're talking about identity, purpose, and becoming a BraveHearted Woman. As Dawn says, "You're not finished. God has greatness in store for you." There are so many treasures in this conversation with Dawn, and we hope you are blessed and if you are, please share this episode with others to encourage them, too! I know what Dawn shares will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Dawn Damon, because every woman of God is a BraveHearted Woman. Connect with Dawn and Learn More About How to Step Into Your Super Bloom Purpose as a Brave Hearted Woman! You can connect with Dawn at braveheartedwoman.com and grab her book and resources! More About Dawn! Dawn Damon is an Influencer, Global Communicator, Podcaster, High Performance Coach, and Best-Selling Author whose 5 award- winning books, include When a Woman You Love Was Abused published by Kregel Publications, When the Woman Abused Was Me, The Freedom Challenge:60 Days to Untie the Cords that Bind You Redemption Press, the #1 Best-Selling Book The Freedom Challenge for Men: 60 Days to Untie the Cords that Bind You, and most recently, The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence & Vision in Midlife. Dawn is the founder and CEO of Brave New Dawn and the BraveHearted Woman, an enterprise and a non-profit designed to cultivate the vision of women dreamers, and equip them to live their best life. Dawn and hubby Paul live in Rockford, (Grand Rapids) MI. along with their children, 11 grandchildren and 2 grand dogs! Let's Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage! Love Fierce Calling? Following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women's Event? Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/ I hope you'll join me next time, when I talk with another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then, friend, have a blessed week and I'll talk to you soon ... Doris

We all want to be a blessing to others, but sometimes we're just not sure how to do it. What if we truly lived in the joy of Christ daily and made a huge difference in the lives of others. What if we moved beyond saying everything is okay when it's not, and really getting to the heart of the matter? We can learn how to make a difference by loving & blessing others well. My guest today is author, speaker, and co-founder of The Inspired Business, Becky Kopitzke. We're talking about how to love others well, how the marriage of a dear friend inspired her book, how to make a difference, build your blessing toolbox, and how she helps creatives strengthen their skills and earn an income. I know what Becky has to share will encourage, inspire, and challenge you--so listen in while I have a chat with Becky Kopitzke. By The Way... Please scroll down and find the link to VOTE for Fierce Calling in the Best Female Podcast category! Did you know Fierce Calling is on the Spark Network found on the Edifi App? Fierce Calling is one of many Christian podcasts available on the Edifi app. To listen to this podcast and other amazing Christian podcasts, go to the Apple or Google Play stores and download the app today! Favorite Quotes from How to Make a Difference by Loving & Blessings Others Well... "...'but tell me honestly, how's it really going?' and the floodgates would open and we'd have this beautiful conversation, and it was as though I had to invite them to join me in saying it's okay to have real struggles...""...our acts of kindness and service toward people is an expression of God's love to another person for a purpose, and that's why the book is titled Love Because, it's love for a reason, love on purpose for a purpose. There's a reason behind showing God's love to other people, and that is because the Bible tells us that is how people will know that we are disciples of Jesus--it's by how we love each other. We can show God to a hurting world by how we love each other..." --Becky Kopitzke What were your takeaways? Share them in the comments below. Want to learn more about how to make a difference? Connect with Becky! You can connect with Becky at beckykopitzke.com and theinspiredbusiness.co. There you'll find her books and other helpful resources! She is making a difference by loving others well! More about Becky... Becky Kopitzke Becky is the author of four traditionally published books including Love Because; The Cranky Mom Fix; The SuperMom Myth; and the upcoming 100 Moments With God for Kids devotional from Our Daily Bread. She is one of four original founders of Ministry to Business, the precursor to The Inspired Business, which is Becky's hub for all things digital products coaching. Becky and her husband Chad live the blessed life from home offices in northeast Wisconsin, where they share precious space with their two daughters, tables stacked with homework, and two devoted office dogs. Beyond work and family, Becky's second home is her church, where she leads women’s Bible studies, sings on the worship team, and is a regularly featured speaker for special events. She's a fangirl for matcha lattes, family game night, and pretty much anything chocolate.  Let's Stay Connected! Scroll down and grab my free resources. When you do you will also receive a monthly newsletter with encouragement and great resources! Love Fierce Calling? Following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or wherever you listen to Fierce Calling. It helps others discover the show too! Please VOTE for Fierce Calling for "Best Female Podcast"! Fierce Calling has been nominated for several podcast awards and is eligible for a Spark Fan Award! Please cast a vote for Fierce Calling here: Best Female Podcast category so more can find the show.

Are you fascinated by true crime stories? Unsolved mysteries? Me too! But what happens when true crime intersects with true faith? My guest today is Private Investigator, Lori Morrison. Hear how she became a P.I. and what she means when she hopes to encourage others to be a P.I too.--it's not what you think. We're talking about true crime stories, missing persons stories, and Lori's podcast, The Unlovely Truth. Because although we would want everything in this life to be lovely, there are a lot of unlovely and hard things in this broken world. The good news is we have the Good News and that's our greatest hope. I know what Lori has to share will encourage, inspire, and challenge you--so listen in while I have a chat with Lori Morrison. By The Way... Did you know Fierce Calling is on the Spark Network found on the Edifi App? Fierce Calling is one of many Christian podcasts available on the Edifi app. To listen to this podcast and other amazing Christian podcasts, go to the Apple or Google Play stores and download the app today! I hope today's show blessed you and inspired you to take some kind of action in being a "P.I." What were your takeaways? Share them in the comments below. Favorite Quotes from When True Crime Intersects with True Faith... "You're never too far down--you're never too far out, that the love of God cannot touch you and cannot make your life better..." --Lori Morrison Connect with Lori and hear more true crime stories! You can connect with Lori at theunlovelytruth.com There you'll find her social media links, blog, podcast, cool merch, and more! More about Lori... Lori Morrison Lori Morrison's life-long interest in the true crime genre led her in becoming a paralegal, a private investigator, and a podcaster. She combines them all to produce content that encourages Christians to become P.I.s - Persons of Impact. She wants more people to get out of the audience and into the action! Her faith is the most important part of who she is and she's found a unique way to combine it with her lifelong interest in true crime stories. Tune in to her podcast for compelling true crime stories, and learn what opportunities are out there for you to use your unique gifts and talents to get out of the audience and into the action through service. Let's Stay Connected! Scroll down and grab my free resources. When you do you will also receive a monthly newsletter with encouragement and great resources! My book mentioned in the show: Goodbye, Regret: Forgiving Yourself of Past Mistakes Love Fierce Calling? Following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser helps others discover the show too! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women's Event? Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... I love speaking God's truth into the lives of women! Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

What does it really mean to be beautiful? What defines our worth and value? My guest today is Kristen Clark, co-founder of Girl Defined Ministries. We're talking about the true beauty of God-defined womanhood because we've believed too many lies about what defines us. Kristen shares the heart journey God led her on in discovering what true beauty really means. Now she and her sister, Bethany, are sharing the God-defined truth about beauty, worth, value, sexuality, purpose, relationships, and more with women of all ages. The world would have us think we're defined by our appearance, relationships, accomplishments. When we believe that lie, we'll never be satisfied or discover our true purpose. Hear Kristen's story about being signed to a modeling agency, the heartbreaking season God brought her through, and why she is so passionate about women knowing what truly defines us. I know what she shares will encourage, inspire, and challenge you--so listen in while I have a chat with Kristen Clark. By The Way... Did you know Fierce Calling is on the Spark Network found on the Edifi App? Fierce Calling is one of many Christian podcasts available on the Edifi app. To listen to this podcast and other amazing Christian podcasts, go to the Apple or Google Play stores and download the app today! I hope today's show blessed you and resonated with you in a powerful way. What were your takeaways? Favorite Quotes from The True Beauty of God-Defined Womanhood... "I don't choose how God builds His Kingdom, He chooses how He's gonna build His Kingdom--my job is to be faithful however He sees fit...""The way we know it's a lie is it's not centered on us glorifying God...""Our purpose never changes." --Kristen Clark Connect with Kristen! You can connect with Kristen at girldefined.com. There you'll find links to everything she mentioned in the show, including books, courses, conferences, and social media links! More about Kristen... Kristen Clark Kristen Clark is married to her best friend, Zack, is co-founder of GirlDefined Ministries, and author of Girl Defined, Love Defined, and Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl’s Heart. She is passionate about promoting the message of God-defined womanhood through blogging, speaking, mentoring young women, and hosting Bible studies in her living room. In the end, she’s just a fun-lovin’ Texas girl who adores all things outdoors and drinks coffee whenever possible. Kristen Clark and sister, Bethany Beal have written countless blog posts on such topics as marriage, relationships, culture, feminism, fashion, and much more. Their posts have reached tens of thousands of women across the globe, encouraging and uplifting them with the truths of Scripture. Since launching Girl Defined Ministries in 2014, their goal has always been the same – to help modern girls understand and live out God’s timeless truth for womanhood. In a day and age when girls and women receive so many conflicting messages about their value, purpose, and identity, they desperately need to know that the only one who can define them is the One who created them. Let's Stay Connected! Scroll down and grab my free resources. When you do you will also receive a monthly newsletter with encouragement and great resources! Love Fierce Calling? Following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser helps others discover the show too! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women's Event? Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... I love speaking God's truth into the lives of women! Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

Yvette Hampton was not going to homeschool her kids. Hear what changed her mind as Yvette tells us all about how Schoolhouse Rocked--The Homeschool Revolution began! We're talking about why parents are the best teachers for their kids. Hear about the podcast and the movie, Homeschool Rocked--The Homeschool Revolution. It's sweeping the nation and dispelling the myths about homeschooling. Schoolhouse Rocked--The Homeschool Revolution Reviews “Schoolhouse Rocked will rock your educational world to the foundations and give you and your kids great hope for the future! The old-school paradigm has proven broken and a new way of learning is here. Don’t miss this important film!”--Kirk Cameron, Actor and Producer “This is not an exaggeration to say, this is the movement that is needed to save this country.” – Rick Green, Wallbuilders Connect with Yvette! Connect with Yvette at schoolhouserocked.com, the Schoolhouse Rocked--The Homeschool Revolution Podcast, and watch the Schoolhouse Rocked--The Homeschool Revolution Movie! More Ways to Connect... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SchoolhouseRockedYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SchoolhouseRocked Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schoolhouse_rocked/?hl=en More about Yvette... Yvette Hampton Yvette Hampton is the producer and host of the documentary, Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution and The Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast. As a mom who is concerned for the future of this generation, Yvette has a deep desire to see a culture shift by encouraging people through God’s Word. She and her husband, Garritt, have a passion for strengthening and equipping families and the homeschool community by teaching parents how to live out their convictions and point their children towards Christ. Her greatest joy is being a wife and mom. Learn more by visiting SchoolhouseRocked.com. If you love Fierce Calling, please leave a rating and review on Edifi, Apple Podcasts/iTunes, Podchaser or wherever you are listening to this podcast. And… Do you need a speaker for your next women’s event? Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event… I love speaking God’s truth into the lives of women! Free Gifts for You… Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God’s Perfect Peace to You! Doris Fierce Calling is part of the Spark Network available on the Edifi app! Download it for free at the Apple or Google Play stores and listen to Fierce Calling and other amazing Christian podcasts!

Is there a dream in your heart that you're waiting on God to bring to fruition? Has God given you a vision of a calling but you're not quite sure what it means? God plants those desires in your heart so He can fulfill them someday in the future. Maybe that future is tomorrow, next week, next year, or the next season of your life. And you know what? It's important to mention that it's biblical to be paid for what you do. My guest today is Katie Hornor, she talks about dreaming in the details and how God gives you dreams, equips you, and provides all you need for these dreams and visions He has given you. We can trust Him to bring those dreams and visions to life and we can trust in His timing. Hear how God walked Katie and her family through and out of a desert time in ministry and into a fruitful time of living out the vision He gave her as a child. Now God is using Katie to equip others in fulfilling their God-given dreams & visions Katie's ministry is flourishing and she is helping others see how making money in ministry is biblical. She teaches that in our ministries and businesses, God is the owner and He has chosen us as the CEO. Listen to the show and learn how God is the owner of your business and you are the CEO Your work is absolutely valuable and what you earn can be reinvested in Kingdom work. It is okay to be paid for the Kingdom work you do, those dreams and visions God has given you. Then you can give back to Him and reinvest the assets He entrusts to you back into His Kingdom work. I know what Katie has to share will encourage, inspire, and challenge you so listen in while I have a chat with Katie Hornor. Favorite Quotes from the show... "God plants those desires in your heart so that He can fulfil them someday in the future.""Dream with the details...""Waiting on the Lord means communing with the Lord, really.""God is the owner and He has chosen you on purpose to be the CEO of this business, of this company." --Katie Hornor Connect with Katie! You can connect with Katie at handprintlegacy.com "because no matter what you do you're making a mark on this generation and the ones to come." -- Katie Hornor Check out her podcast: For Your Success Podcast with Katie Hornor Grab her book Faith like Flamingos: The Christian Business Guide to Walking Out Your Faith in Bold Color. Instagram: @katiehornor FREE COURSE: Business with God that Katie mentioned the Show... Business with God Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. Isaiah 45:11 KJV More about Katie... Katie Hornor As a faith-based coach, Katie Hornor helps experts and coaches design, grow and delight in the business that allows you the lifestyle and legacy impact you desire without compromising your family or your faith. In her Master Teacher Accelerator program, she teaches you how to turn your online course into a high ticket offer and grow your income to $10k/month. Katie's gripping tale of leaving behind everything she knew to learn another language and serve in another country, to being betrayed by leadership and bootstrapping her way to building a six-figure international business, growing x5 during a global pandemic, and leading an international movement will leave your audience inspired and motivated to take action with their own transformational message that will change lives in our world for the better and leave a legacy into the future. If you love Fierce Calling, please leave a rating and review on Podchaser or wherever you are listening to this podcast. And... Do you need a speaker for your next women's event? Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event...

Porn addiction is an epidemic of epic proportions. The world will tell us it's harmless, normal, and helps spice up a marriage. But those are lies. Porn causes destruction, devastation, and is detrimental to marriages. Is a porn-free marriage possible for those who struggle with this addiction? Yes, there is hope for wives of porn addicts and you can fight for a porn-free marriage. My guest today is Rosie Makinney, founder of Fight for Love Ministries which helps wives of porn addicts to do just that. She helps women know they are not alone, empowers them with facts and resources, and enables them to effectively fight against porn and to fight for their marriages. Rosie Knows Because She's Been There Hear Rosie tell her own personal story of how porn tore apart her first marriage and threatened to do it again in her second. But she wasn't having it and that's when she fought back. Now her ministry, Fight for Love, is helping women find healing, and hope for a happy and porn-free marriage. There is hope and help for the wives of porn addicts Listen to the show and learn how porn actually rewires your brain Did you know pornography actually rewires your brain just like other addictive drugs? That's why this episode is not just for wives of porn addicts. There are alarming statistics that show teens, including teen girls, are viewing porn regularly. I know what Rosie has to share will encourage, inspire, and challenge you so listen in while I have a chat with Rosie Makinney. Favorite Quotes from the show... "You can have pornography or you can have me, but you cannot have both because I have been in this cycle before, I know where it leads, and I'm not doing it again...""and it hit me how many women are suffering in silence for years trying to fix this on their own..." --Rosie Makinney Connect with Rosie! You can connect with Rosie at fightforloveministries.org and find helpful resources. Grab her book, Fight for Love, published by Lifeway with forward by Josh McDowell. You'll also find the link there to her award-winning Fight for Love podcast, support group, and YouVersion 7 day devotional. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fightforloveministries/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fightforloveministries/ Twiter: https://twitter.com/RosieMakinney Also Mentioned in the Show... Fight the New Drug at fightthenewdrug.org and watch the video Brain Heart World and other videos at https://fightthenewdrug.org/videos/ More about Rosie... Rosie Makinney ROSIE MAKINNEY is a writer, speaker, and podcaster, who ten years ago entered the fight against her husband’s compulsive porn use. Through her faithful and uncompromising stance and his repentance, counseling, and group work, their marriage is now porn-free. From the very beginning of her journey, Rosie has been bold and relentless about reaching other wives struggling with porn-invaded marriages. There is now a thriving recovery community on the central coast of California, supervised by her husband, Mark, a certified sexual addiction therapist. Rosie is the founder of Fight For Love Ministries, which empowers women with both the facts and the faith to fight against porn addiction and its effects on them, their spouses, and their families. Connect with her at www.fightforloveministries.org.  If you love Fierce Calling, please leave a rating and review on Podchaser or wherever you are listening to this podcast. And... Do you need a speaker for your next women's event? Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... I love speaking God's truth into the lives of women! Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

Want to learn three simple practices to help cultivate an intimate relationship with God? Are you desperate for God and want to read His word but don't know where to begin? My guest today is Candice Reyes and she helps us discover these three simple practices we can easily make time for to cultivate an intimate relationship with God, the Lover of our souls. She shares about this and more in her book, Awake My Soul. A Heart for Living on Mission and Tilling the soil of the soul Candice has a heart and calling for not only cultivating an intimate relationship with God, but she also wants to help others do that too. She also has a heart for living on mission and helping others learn to prepare to meet with Him, to allow Him to pull the weeds from our dirt, and plant His word in our soil. How Can We Help Others Cultiate a Relationship with God? Has your disciple-making process looked more like catch and release rather than catch and disciple? Is God calling you to something you really don't want to do? Listen to how Candice experienced this and see now how God equipped and prepared her for what was to come. I know what Candice has to share will encourage, inspire, and challenge you so listen in while I have a chat with Candice Reyes. Fierce Calling is on the Spark Network and the Edifi App Fierce Calling is now part of the Edifi app! To listen to this podcast and other amazing Christian podcasts, go to the Apple or Google Play stores and download the app! Favorite Quotes from the show... "God was so faithful and He continued to seek me, and He brought me to Jeremiah 29: 13 where God tells us 'you will seek Me and find Me when you search for me with all your heart.' This is a promise...""...that's such a sweet moment when we are desparate for God because that's when we completely surrender, we're like, God I can't do this anymore, I need you...""...what He's asking you to do is to spend that time with Him--that quality time with Him and it can be as little as fifteen minutes." "...and it's in those fifteen minutes He equips me to continue throughout my day." --Candice Reyes Connect with Candice! You can connect with Candice at https://hooks2crook.com and check out the Red Rover Podcast mentioned in the show. Instagram: @candicerreyes and @hooks2crook Plus, check out more info on the Red Rover Conference 2022! Email: info@hooks2crook.com to find out how to purchase books in bulk More About Candice... Candice Reyes Candice Reyes is a Speaker, Podcast Host, and Author. Candice wrote two books both highlighting 3 Biblical Practices to ignite our relationship with God. Her first book, A 15 minute "Date" with God: Strengthen Your Relationship in 3 Ways, made the Top 100 Books sold on Amazon and won the 2021 Christian Indie Award for the Bible Study Category. Her second book, Awake My Soul: 3 Ways to Ignite Your Relationship with God guides men and women on a personal one-on-one with God in a minimum of 15 minutes. Candice is the Executive Director of Hooks2Crook Ministries, Inc. a Non-Profit organization. On top of all that she is a wife of a phenomenal artist, Elias Reyes, and a mother of three a-dork-able kids ages 23-14. Candice hopes to encourage, equip, and endorse others to step out in faith utilizing their God-given talents and gifts for His glory. Connect with me and if you love Fierce Calling, please leave a rating and review on Podchaser or wherever you are listening to this podcast. Thanks, friend! Following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser helps others discover the show too! Do you have a podcast? I'd love to be a guest if it's the right fit for your audience. I'd also love to connect with you, so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer,

Hey friends! Welcome to a special Fierce Calling episode featuring the Spark Media Christmas compilation special! Fierce Calling is part of the Spark Media Network and yours truly, Doris Swift host of the Fierce Calling Podcast, and many of your favorite podcast hosts participated to bring you this special and joyous message for the season! Listen in be blessed and enJOY! Merry Christmas and may the Lord richly bless you! Much Love in Christ the Lord, Doris Listen to Fierce Calling on the Edifi app along with other awesome Christian podcasts! Download the app at the Apple or Google Play stores today and start listening to messages of grace, truth, and hope!

Accidents happen every day and for some, it can be a matter of life or death. Even in the darkest times, there is hope and in this episode we're talking about finding hope after causing accidental death or injury. My guest today is Jennifer Eikenhorst and she knows this all too well because she's lived it. I could tell you more but I'd rather you hear her tell her story and how God has given her a mission to spread hope after devastation. Jennifer's story made an impact on me and I know what she has to share will encourage, inspire, and challenge you so listen in while I have a chat with Jennifer Eikenhorst. Fierce Calling is on the Spark Network and the Edifi App Fierce Calling is now part of the Edifi app! To listen to this podcast and other amazing Christian podcasts, go to the Apple or Google Play stores and download the app! Favorite Quotes from the show... "Lord, if you can use this mess to help one person, send me, I'll do it...""We can either be better or bitter...""My fear of being out of God's will was greater than persecution from the world." --Jennifer Eikenhorst Connect with Jennifer! You can connect with Jennifer at accidentalhope.com and check out the Accidental Hope Podcast mentioned in the show. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AccidentalHope Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accidentalhope/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/HopeAccidental Resource Jennifer mentions in the show: accidentalimpacts.org More about Jennifer... Jennifer Eikenhorst Jennifer Eikenhorst loves Jesus which she feels is essential in her healing and therefore she shares her beliefs freely. Her faith is the cornerstone of content for her blog and podcast. She's the wife of a multi-sport coach, Chris (who stole her heart in her senior year of high school), mom to 4 amazing kids, math teacher, blogger, podcast host (Accidental Hope), grad student, hope-seeker, and notorious over-sharer! She's also an advocate for CADIs (Causing Accidental Death or Injury). Besides Jesus and her family, she loves their golden-doodle Coda, dance fitness, making recipes her own, and Bible journaling. Accidental Hope Podcast Connect with me and if you love Fierce Calling, please leave a rating and review on Podchaser or wherever you are listening to this podcast. Thanks, friend! Following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser helps others discover the show too! Do you have a podcast? I'd love to be a guest if it's the right fit for your audience. I'd also love to connect with you, so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... I love speaking God's truth into the lives of women! Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

When finding grace in the unexpected stories we never expected to tell, we discover something significant. After the devastating loss of her son, Sarah Westall had a raw conversation with God telling Him, "This is not my story--this is not the story I thought I would be telling, this is not the story I want to tell--God, please take it back!" But Grief Became Her Deepest Grace Sarah shares how even though she walked through indescribable pain, her grief became her deepest grace. We also learn what blessed her in the darkest moments and what others did for her that she will never forget. Finding grace in the unexpected story she never expected to tell opened doors for others to tell their stories, too. I know what she has to share will encourage, inspire, and challenge you so listen in while I have a chat with Sarah Westfall. Favorite Quotes from the show... "...for me, thinking that I could have this controlled--thinking that I could have this sense of ya know, that I could do the right things, be the right person, and get the outcomes that I thought could have stability and this easy quote/unquote life...""It's been a journey of re-writing the story that I thought I would be telling...""...I don't know what to say but I just hurt with you." (When Sarah was quoting what friends said to her that meant so much) --Sarah Westfall Connect with Sarah! You can connect with Sarah at sarahewestfall.com and read the blog post This is Not My Story mentioned in the show. You will also find posts on child loss, infant loss, friendship, community, grief, prayer, and more. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahewestfallwriter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_westfall/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarah_westfall More about Sarah... Sarah Westfall is a writer, speaker, creator & contributor to the devotional Be Still: Leaning into God When Everything Falls Apart, and Director of Community for hope*writers. She's wife to Ben, mama to five boys, and loves real conversation over a cup of good coffee. Or bad coffee if that’s all you have. She's a woman thirsty for God and for a life flavored by connection and authenticity. Sarah believes that we were created for God and for each other and that by telling our stories we find common ground. Her narrative hasn’t gone as planned, but in that hollowed-out space, she continues to find an invitation into deeper Love. Be Still devotional Connect with me and if you love Fierce Calling, please leave a rating and review on Podchaser or wherever you are listening to this podcast. Thanks, friend! Following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser helps others discover the show too! I'd also love to connect with you, so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... I love speaking God's truth into the lives of women! Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

What do you do when your life takes a detour you never expected? What happens when life is disrupted by the diagnoses of a parent's terminal illness? My guest this week is Jen Babakhan. She shares her story which includes an unexpected detour from a working professional to stay-at-home mom, and an unexpected disruption when her mom received a terminal diagnosis. Jen is the author of Detoured: The Messy, Grace-Filled Journey from Working Professional to Stay-At-Home Mom and Disrupted: Finding Peace with a Parent's Terminal Illness. We touch on the first book, but mainly talk about what happens when you come face-to-face with the reality of a parent's terminal illness. She shares encouragement and what she's learned from not only her own journey, but the journey of others she interviewed for the book, plus mental health professionals. I know what Jen shares will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Jen Babakhan. Connect with Jen and Learn More About You can connect with Jen at jenbabakhan.com author of Disrupted: Finding Peace With A Parent's Terminal Illness & Detoured: The Messy, Grace-Filled Journey From Working Professional to Stay-at-Home Mom www.JenBabakhan.com Subscribe to Jenerally Speaking Breathe: A Health Anxiety Workbook (FREE!) Reader's Digest Author pageInstagram: @JenBabakhanFacebook:@JenBabakhanauthor More About Jen! Jen Babakhan is an author living in California with her husband and two young sons. Her books, Detoured: The Messy, Grace-Filled Journey From Working Professional to Stay-at-Home Mom(Harvest House Publishers, 2019), and Disrupted: Finding Peace With A Parent’s Terminal Illness (Bold Vision Books, 2023) emerged from a desire to serve others during difficult times in life. She loves sharing hilarious memes on social media, anything coffee-flavored, spending days at the beach, and has a slight obsession with dogs and animals in general. Her writing has appeared in Reader’s Digest, Guideposts, and various national news outlets. Visit Jen online at www.JenBabakhan.com, or find her on Instagram @jenbabakhan.  Let's Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage! Love Fierce Calling? Following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women's Event? Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/ I hope you'll join me next time, when I talk with another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then, friend, have a blessed week and I'll talk to you soon ... Doris Surrender the Joy Stealers book promo: Music by ElephantGreen on Pixabay

What if we all lived life on purpose with intentionality, vulnerability when necessary, and with the confidence that God provides to do so? My guest today is author, speaker, podcast host, and cancer survivor Amy Debrucque. We are talking about how women of all generations face similar struggles, what it looks like to live life on purpose, and how being a survivor began with surrender and led to vulnerability at the right time. Amy also shares about her book em.bold.en, which she co-wrote with her daughter Blair. Women of all ages can relate to this unique self-reflection journal covering topics like fear, growth, and temptation. Vulnerability and Confidence When is it okay to be vulnerable with our stories? When Amy was willing to step out of her comfort zone and share the vulnerable parts of her story, God gave her the confidence to do it in His timing. I know what Amy has to share will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Amy Debrucque... Favorite Quotes from the show... "It's really through Him that He gave me the confidence to share.. ""...the whole mission is and was for me, once I surrendered everything to God, was to start living on purpose instead of just having my fears, worries, and emotions run me and run my life--I wanted to be intentional about how I lived..." --Amy Debrucque Connect with Amy! You can connect with Amy at amydebrucque.com and grab the fantastic book she co-wrote with her daughter Blair, em.bold.en for yourself and as gifts. Then, go through the study with your daughter, granddaughter, niece, or another young woman you mentor. Find her confidence course mentioned in the show here: https://www.amydebrucque.com/confidence em·bold·en: to give (someone) the confidence and courageto do something or behave in a certain way. Grab em.bold.en! Plus, find her here: Listen to her Life on Purpose podcast: https://www.amydebrucque.com/podcast Website: https:www.surrenderyourfear.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/surrenderyourfear/?modal=admin_todo_tour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amydebrucque/ Linkedin ~ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-debrucque-144636179/ More about Amy... Amy Debrucque Amy Debrucque is a wife, mom of four, author, podcaster, and cancer survivor. She is the founder of the Life On Purpose Movement and host of the Life On Purpose Podcast, where she encourages women to live on purpose instead of fear. Amy's first book Embolden, co-written with her oldest daughter Blair, helps women discover the next brave steps and actions to conquer their fears and insecurities. Through this self-reflectionjournal, women learn more about the love of God and the transformation that can happen through His words as they grow in faith, friendship, andcommunity.Amy loves entertaining with family and friends. A self-proclaimed "beach junkie," health nut, and chocolate lover, she loves cooking, baking, attending her kids sporting events, and getting in weekly HIIT workoutswith her friend Alice. Connect with me and if you love Fierce Calling, please leave a review on Podchaser. Thanks, friend! If you like listening to Fierce Calling, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to follow, rate, and leave a review over at Podchaser! It helps others discover the show too! I'd also love to connect with you, so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

In the aftermath of spiritual abuse by toxic leaders of a cult, Athena Holtz's shattered life seemed hopeless. She desperately needed to be rescued and redeemed from the ruins of spiritual abuse. Deceived by Scientology, the New Age movement, and twelve years in a restrictive and legalistic cult, she lost everything--her marriage, relationships, home, business, money, and reputation--gone. But the devestation of spiritual abuse is not how this story ends... In this candid and inspirational episode, Athena shares how her shattered life was transformed. Hear how God restored what was taken from her, and how He gave her the desires of her heart, including the love of her life (see their sweet photo below!). Athena affectionately refers to her full-circle story as a Cinderella story and it is truly an amazing one! I know what Athena has to share will encourage, inspire, and challenge you so listen in while I have a chat with Athena Dean Holtz... Favorite Quotes from the show... "...everytime I had a thought--one of those thoughts that I was brainwashed into thinking--I'd say, 'Holy Spirit, what do You say?'""...it was my wounding that made me vulnerable to deception." --Athena Dean Holtz Connect with Athena! You can connect with Athena at athenadeanholtz.com and pick up her amazing book Full Circle: Coming Home to the Faithfulness of God where you'll find more of Athena's amazing God story of redemption and restoration. More About Athena... Athena Dean Holtz is a podcaster, former radio host, author, speaker, publisher, bookstore owner, and pastor’s wife. After 13 years of a “Job-like” experience where she lost everything she held dear, she found God redeeming her in ways she could never have expected. Through this intense period of suffering and healing from the fallout of toxic leadership and extreme spiritual abuse, God proved Himself faithful to walk with Athena through the valley of the shadow of (emotional) death and brought her into wholeness and restoration. Her modern-day Cinderella story is a testimony to the faithfulness of God. If you love Fierce Calling, please leave a review on Podchaser. Happy Thanksgiving, Friends! Have a Blessed One!! Photo by Ann on Unsplash Don't forget to grab my free gifts below... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 Much Love and Blessings, Doris

Need a little help with your Advent devotions? Well, I've got good news! Today we're talking about a countdown to Christmas advent journey through the Gospel of Luke. My guest today is author, speaker, and joy seeker, Christine Trimpe. You may recognize her name because she's been on the show before, but this time we're talking all things Christmas. We're also talking about Christine's brand new book that will help you discover deeper meaning and the awe-inspiring connection from Bethlehem to Calvary. Because Christmas means more than celebrating the birth of our Savior, it means we have a King who put on flesh, dwelt among us, went to the cross in our place, rose again, and He is coming back for His church. That's us, friend! Experiencing Advent and Joy Overflowing Christine wants to share how the world can experience overflowing joy. Her heart is to share her love of Jesus and her love of Christmas through helping others ditch the stress of commercialism and receive the peace that this season truly brings. I know what Christine has to share will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have another chat with Christine Trimpe... Favorite Quotes from the show... "One of my biggest passions out of this whole project is to get women in the word every day. ""You can do anything for 24 days." --Christine Trimpe The journey begins on December 1st in Luke chapter 1 and continues daily through the Gospel for 24 days plus a final Christmas devotion. Grab your devotional before the countdown! Connect with Christine! You can connect with Christine at christinetrimpe.com/joy and grab her amazing book Seeking Joy Through the Gospel of Luke: A Christmas to Calvary Advent Countdown for you and as gifts. Plus find her here: Contact email: Christine@christinetrimpe.comWebsite: www.christinetrimpe.comSocial media links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristineTrimpeLLCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachchristinetrimpe/Twitter: https://twitter.com/KetoChristineMIYouTube: @ChristineTrimpe https://youtube.com/christinetrimpePinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/joyfulketolife/ Listen to my previous episode with Christine On a previous Fierce Calling episode with Christine (mentioned in the show), we talked about her weight loss journey and more. Listen in... Satisfying Our Hunger with the Bread of Life. More about Christine... Christine Trimpe is an author, speaker, joy seeker, and weight-loss warrior. After losing over a hundred pounds in her joy-filled journey of healing, God instilled a passion within her to inspire, motivate, and encourage women to pursue healthy, holy living— body, mind, and spirit. Christine speaks and writes for women all over the world, sharing the freedom Christ offers when we choose the path of surrender and sacrifice. Connect with me and if you love Fierce Calling, please leave a review on Podchaser. Thanks, friend! If you like listening to Fierce Calling, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to follow, rate, and leave a review over at Podchaser! It helps others discover the show too! I'd also love to connect with you so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

Ever have doubts about your faith or find it hard to share the gospel with others? My guest today is all about helping us find answers to doubt and building confidence in our Christianity. It's important to know why we believe what we believe. A former atheist who came to faith, Mary Jo Sharp first encountered apologetics in her own spiritual search while seeking answers. Mary Jo is now an assistant professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist University and the founder and director of Confident Christianity Apologetics Ministry! What an amazing transformation and oh how God is using her to share His truth with others! The Confident Christianity Ministry focuses on addressing the hard questions of Christianity with love and logic through research, writing, training, and debate. But before we continue with the show--here's an important announcement... Operation Christmas Child has been reaching millions of children each year with the good news of Jesus Christ, through shoebox gifts. Even in the hardest to reach places of the world, churches are being planted and communities are transformed.  You can pack a shoebox this year and reach a child with the good news of Jesus! National Collection Week is November 15. To learn more visit samaritanspurse.org/occ Need a little help sharing your faith? I love how Mary Jo provides wisdom and guidance in navigating faith conversations, especially with those who may not believe what we believe. We tend to make sharing our faith so hard and even legalistic at times as if we have to do it to check off a box. I enjoyed hearing Mary Jo talk about the way faith conversations can be well, conversational! I know what she has to share will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Mary Jo Sharp... Favorite Quotes from the show... "We want to partner with God in like, lifegiving service to others... ""We really need to do more listening because people need that.""But I'll tell you what, you start telling God, 'Hey, put somebody in my path that wants to know you' and He will.""...being that redemptive, lifegiving sourcefor other people in the way that you're uniquely gifted--start there..." --Mary Jo Sharp Connect with Mary Jo! You can connect with Mary Jo at maryjosharp.com and confidentchristianity.com where you can also check out her resources and grab her Bible Study and books mentioned in the show. Plus, hop on over to Patreon where you'll find the podcast she has with her husband called The Pastor and the Professor. Other Cool Resources Mentioned in the Show Mary Jo and I mentioned Nabeel Qureshi's book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity We also mentioned Mikel Del Rosario aka the Apologetics Guy so check out his page, too! Good stuff! More about Mary Jo... Mary Jo is now an assistant professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist University and the founder and director of Confident Christianity Apologetics Ministry. She has been featured in Christianity Today’s cover story “The Unexpected Defenders” and is an international speaker on apologetics, focusing on love and logic to uncover truth.  She serves on faculty with Summit Ministries Student Conferences and is a published author with Kregel Publications, B&H Publications, and Zondervan. Mary Jo is the author of the top-selling Bible study, “Why Do You Believe That?” as well as Living in Truth with LifeWay Christian Resources. You can also check out Defending the Faith, and Come Let Us Reason of which she is a contributor. She recently released her book Why I Still Believe. She lives with her husband and family in Portland, Oregon. Connect with me and if you love Fierce Calling, please leave a review on Podchaser. Thanks, friend!

Have you ever felt like an imposter? Self-doubt is common among women and Imposter Syndrome is a thing. It's a debilitating, exaggerated sense of doubt that can keep us from walking with joy in the plans God has for us. When it hits it keeps us stuck but we don't have to stay stuck. So if you've ever been worried that people will find out who you really are and how you don't actually have what it takes to do what you're probably already actually doing, this episode is for you. And what about that striving, striving, striving game that keeps us running in circles and thoroughly exhausted? My guest today is author, speaker, and Bible teacher Erica Wiggnehorn. We're talking about this and more and stay tuned to learn how you can grab a free copy of Erica's new book Letting God Be Enough: Why Striving Keeps You Stuck and How Surrender Sets You Free, just released by Moody Publishers. But before we talk more about today's amazing show I have an important announcement... Operation Christmas Child has been reaching millions of children each year with the good news of Jesus Christ, through shoebox gifts. Even in the hardest to reach places of the world, churches are being planted and communities are transformed.  You can pack a shoebox this year and reach a child with the good news of Jesus! National Collection Week is November 15. To learn more visit samaritanspurse.org/occ So back to that self-doubt Imposter Syndrome thing... Erica shares how she experienced Imposter Syndrome before she even knew it was a thing, and she knew if she struggled with this lie, then other women probably did too. I know what she has to share will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Erica Wiggenhorn. A Favorite Quote from the show... "As I dove into Moses, I really began to take a good hard look at how God dealt with Moses and his fear of inadequacy--and our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever so how He dealt with Moses and the truth that He gave Moses, and the promises He gave Moses are the same truth and the same promises that He offers to us if we will embrace them. ""I don't call it confidence I call it Godfidence." --Erica Wiggenhorn Connect with Erica! You can connect with Erica at ericawiggenhorn.com where you can find her free download the Busy Woman's Bundle for Connecting with God. Want to win a free copy of Erica's new book? Here's how... I'd love to give away a couple of copies of Erica's new book, so to be entered into the drawing, scroll down and leave a comment about the show in the show notes comments section for this episode by Friday, November 12th. In your comment, share the main takeaway from the show that blessed you! More about Erica... Erica Wiggenhorn is an award-winning author and the founder of Every Life Ministries, bringing you the truths of Scripture to transform your life. By digging deeply into God’s Word, Every Life Ministries encourages you to discover your unique purpose, accept God’s promises, and live by His power. Erica is the author of three Bible studies released by Moody Publishers: An Unexplainable Life, The Unexplainable Church, and Unexplainable Jesus: Rediscovering the God You Thought You Knew, and her newest release, Letting God Be Enough: Why Striving Keeps You Stuck and How Surrender Sets You Free. A graduate and post-graduate of Azusa Pacific University, Erica lives in Phoenix with her best friend & husband, Jonathan, and their four children only two of which are human, and the others furry and adorable. Connect with me and if you love Fierce Calling, please leave a review on Podchaser. Thanks, friend! If you like listening to Fierce Calling, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to follow, rate, and leave a review over at Podchaser!

As a rule-following church girl, Tammy Herzig thought if she did everything according to the formula, she'd have the perfect Christian life. But life isn't perfect and formulas and rules aren't what Christianity is about. Christianity is about a relationship with Jesus. It's about being a disciple and making disciples. Because the rules of religion keep us bound but a relationship with Jesus makes us free... But before we talk about today's amazing show I have an important announcement... Operation Christmas Child has been reaching millions of children each year with the good news of Jesus Christ, through shoebox gifts. Even in the hardest to reach places of the world, churches are being planted and communities are transformed.  You can pack a shoebox this year and reach a child with the good news of Jesus! National Collection Week is November 15 To learn more visit samaritanspurse.org/occ What does it mean to lose religion? Today on Fierce Calling my friend, Tammy Herzig, shares how she found freedom when she lost religion and found intimacy in a relationship with her first love, Jesus Christ. I know what Tammy shares will inspire, encourage, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Tammy Herzig. A Favorite Quote from the show... "God uses our calling to bring healing into our lives." --Tammy Herzig Connect with Tammy! You can connect with Tammy at tammyherzig.com where you can find a free download of the 3 Daily Practices that can help cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus. Plus, grab her amazing journaling course and don't forget to use the discount code fierce for the $10 discount Tammy mentioned in the show! More about Tammy... Tammy Herzig is a wife, mom, speaker, writer, and has been a Bible teacher at heart for over 30 years. She’s written several Bible studies and loves to connect with women right where they are to communicate God’s grace and truth and facilitate their growth in relationship with Him. She is a frequent speaker at her church, and also serves as a board member and volunteer for Resource Health Pregnancy Center in her hometown of Kansas City. Tammy enjoys spending time with her husband of 38 years, their children and grandchildren, coffee with friends, reading, hiking, and playing with her dog, Samson. Tammy would love to hear from you so reach out and share how this episode blessed you! Connect with me! If you like listening to Fierce Calling, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to follow, rate, and leave a review over at Podchaser! It helps others discover the show too! I'd also love to connect with you so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

What happens when your faith feels flat? Today on Fierce Calling my friend, Yvette Walker, shares how as a young girl she felt close to God and heard from Him, but when she became an adult--silence. Hear how she reconnected with God and rediscovered the joy found in a flourishing relationship with Him. We can have a richer relationship with Christ and Yvette is called to share that joy with others. Yvette Walker is the founder of Positively Joy Ministries at positivelyjoy.com and is the host of the award-winning Positively Joy podcast. She's also is a college dean of students, so cool, and has been a newspaper editor, a news ombudsman, a reporter, and web manager. God has equipped her with amazing past and current experiences and we get to hear all about it. I know what Yvette shares will inspire, encourage, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Yvette Walker. Quotes from the show... "...I was a believer but I just did not understand the richness that the relationship could take on--I didn't know that; I didn't know what I was missing it.""True joy is not a feeling, it's not being happy, it's not being satisfied, or all those things that I was measuring before--it's understanding the love of God, abiding by His love and His desires, and understanding that that is what puts His joy inside you and that joy makes you complete." --Yvette Walker Connect with Yvette! You can connect with Yvette at positivelyjoy.com where you can find her free booklet, 5 Ways to Choose Joy plus other amazing resources and see her beautiful Bible journaling. Positively Joy Podcast More about Yvette... Yvette Walker is an award-winning journalist and educator. She is a writer, blogger, and lyricist of Christian songs. She married a Godly man named Tim, and they have three fur-kids: a black Labrador retriever named Lemon, a Maine Coon cat named Gato, and a Charcoal Tabby with green eyes named Jade. She is called to share God with others through the amazing way He has gifted her. Yvette would love to hear from you so reach out and share how this episode blessed you! Connect with me! If you like listening to Fierce Calling, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to follow, rate, and leave a review over at Podchaser! It helps others discover the show too! I'd also love to connect with you so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

What happens when you're forced to flee a place you love because it's no longer safe for you or your family? Today on Fierce Calling, I'm talking with my friend Rachel Pieh Jones. Rachel shares the hard parts of her story and some pretty amazing parts, too... Like how she started the Horn of Africa's only all-girls running team Girls Run 2, which keeps girls in school and provides running training. Rachel writes about the lovely things of Djibouti and life at the crossroads of faith and culture. She does all of this is under the umbrella of being a Christian in a Muslim country, loving Jesus, and loving her neighbor. I know what Rachel shares will inspire, encourage, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Rachel Pieh Jones. Connect with Rachel! You can connect with Rachel at rachelpiehjones.com where you can find her amazing books like this one... More about Rachel... Rachel Pieh Jones writes about life at the crossroads of faith and culture for the New York Times, Christianity Today, Runners World, and more. Her work is influenced by living in the Horn of Africa, raising Third Culture Kids, and adventurous exploration of the natural world. She is the author of Pillars and Stronger than Death. Visit her at www.rachelpiehjones.com Stay in touch with Rachel through Do Good Better, a Substack newsletter www.rachelpiehjones.substack.com Connect with me! If you like listening to Fierce Calling, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to follow, rate, and leave a review over at Podchaser! It helps others discover the show too! I'd also love to connect with you so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

Jodi thought she was having a heart attack at her college graduation... Today on Fierce Calling, we're talking about a serious and often debilitating mental health issue which is also often misunderstood--we're talking about anxiety. My guest today, Jodi Howe, has a heart for helping others find hope, healing, and peace in the midst of anxiety and mental storms. Jodi has a fierce calling from God to share this message because she has lived it. She shares encouraging and wise words that you need or someone you love needs to hear today. I know what Jodi shares will inspire, encourage, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Jodi Howe. Quotes from the Show "I didn't find God in the easy--I found Him in the hard of my life". "...it was that moment when I released myself to Christ." "God is ultimately what brings that peace through the mental storms that I deal with with anxiety and panic attacks..." - Jodi Howe Connect with Jodi! You can connect with Jodi at jodihowe.com and find her podcast there as well. More about Jodi... I am married to a cool, fun, techy husband named Ken.  We have been together for over 28 years and married for 24.  We got married very, very young. lol!  We have two beautiful daughters, a 20-year-old named Morgan Rose who is a gamin lovin, animal lovin' gal', tugging at my heart daily, she is a Kenny replicate and oh I so adore her.  My 15 year named Abigal Grace is a mini-me, singer, dancer, actress sweet as honey and my twinkle, twinkle little star.  My cup runneth over with love for these girls.  We also have a 110 pound German Shepherd named Loki and a feisty cat named Daisy (we call her Teeger for short) She is also "Crazy, Daisy."  am a huge fan of all kinds of music (especially Christian/Worship) and have spent my life studying music and performing as a female vocalist.  I currently lead worship in my church's worship band.  It's my happy place, no doubt.  I have also served as a guest on several podcasts. Connect with me! If you like listening to Fierce Calling, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to follow, rate, and leave a review over at Podchaser! It helps others discover the show too! I'd also love to connect with you so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

What happens when your child is bullied? Karen Whiting shares what she did and how she has a heart for helping moms to thrive, so they can help their families thrive. Because we need to be advocates for our kids. And how about that time when a hurricane took an unexpected turn, it's too late to evacuate, and you're literally looking it straight in the eye as you gather your kids and head for a closet? Karen may be a mathematician, but it's God whose been multiplying her books! Hear how these books can help you and your family grow in Christ and as a family. I know what she shares with us will inspire, encourage, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Karen Whiting. Quotes from the Show "I really want moms to thrive--I want to help them to help their families thrive." "...even my newest book, Growing a Mother's Heart, I'm really working on helping moms overcome the struggles and embrace the joys..." "...and that's what Jesus did, He asked questions when He was being bullied." - Karen Whiting Connect with Karen! You can connect with Karen at karenwhiting.com where you'll find her books, helpful resources, press kit, and coaching information. Check out her newest books: More about Karen (which means "pure" by the way!)... Karen Whiting writes to help build tomorrow’s wholesome families today. She lets creativity flow into her writing to encourage women, families, and children. She’s a certified writing and marketing coach, international speaker, former television host, and award-winning author of twenty-six books for women, children, military, and families. She’s a mom of five (including two rocket scientists) and a grandmother. Her adventures include camel riding in the Canary Islands, white water rafting in Australia, horseback riding in the ocean in Jamaica, scuba diving off Bermuda’s coast, and river cruising in China. Karen is also experienced with tragedies and struggles. She served as a caregiver for her husband until he passed away from breast cancer. She is a survivor of many natural disasters including major hurricanes, lightning strikes, spontaneous combustible fires, earthquake, derecho (Straight line tornado), droughts, and flooding. She loves to share how to choose hope and joy over stress, fear, and despair. Connect with me! If you like listening to Fierce Calling, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to follow, rate, and leave a review over at Podchaser! It helps others discover the show too! I'd also love to connect with you so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

Susan Neal lost her health at age 50. After seeing specialist after specialist, she began educating herself on the root causes of her conditions and how God designed our bodies to heal. She learned a plethora of valuable information and gained insight on how to transform her health. Then she started writing books and sharing what she learned so we could all discover how to look and feel younger, live healthier, and age gracefully. Susan is the author of several books including her best-selling book 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates, Solving the Gluten Puzzle: Discovering Gluten Sensitivity and Embracing the Gluten-Free Lifestyle, Eat God's Food: Kits Activity Guide to Healthy Eating , and her newly released 12 Ways to Age Gracefully: How to Look and Feel Younger. She is passionate about helping others improve their health. I know what Susan shares will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Susan Neal. Connect with Susan and Learn More About How to Look and Feel Younger, Live Healthier, and Age Gracefully! You can connect with Susan at susanuneal.com and find her books, coaching info, courses, including 7 Steps to Reclaim Your Health and Optimal Weight , social media links, and more! Who Loves a Good Quiz? Take the candiquiz.com to see if you have a possible candida issue in your gut. Did you know 10% of the population is gluten sensitive? Check out Susan's quiz glutenintolerancequiz.com, to find out if you might have a gluten disorder. The Scripture Susan Clung To During Her Health Crisis ... "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 More About Susan! Susan Neal RN has a masters in health science and an MBA. She lives her life with a passion to help others improve their health. After suffering a health crisis, she became an author and health coach to provide others with the tools they needed to heal their bodies and reclaim their ideal weight. She is a Certified Christian Health and Wellness Coach with the American Association of Christian Counselors. Previously, Susan worked as a Kidney Transplant Nurse at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, Assistant Administrator at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, and Quality Assurance Nurse at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida. She currently owns her own businesses and lives on five acres where she grows organic fruits and vegetables. Her award-winning #1 Amazon best-seller is 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates. The third book in her Healthy Living Series, Healthy Living Journal, won the Golden Scrolls award “Best Inspirational Gift Book.” Her newest release is 12 Ways to Age Gracefully: How to Look and Feel Younger. She's been featured in many media outlets including CTN's Bridges TV show, WATC-TV Atlanta Live and Friends & Neighbors, TCT's Julie and Friends, Charisma magazine, and numerous podcasts and radio shows. Learn more about Susan at SusanUNeal.com. On a personal note, Susan enjoys swimming, horseback riding, and gardening, and she is mom to three daughters.  Let's Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage! Love Fierce Calling? Following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women's Event? Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

Julie McGhghy's home was not just broken, it was shattered... Julie shares: "I am a product of not just a broken home, but a shattered home. Before I was 18 years old my mother had been married and divorced 4 times..." Join me as I talk with Julie, author of Hey Dad, It's Me! If you've ever struggled with how a loving God could let bad things happen, experienced a broken relationship with an earthly father, or struggled with imposter syndrome, you're in the right place. I know what Julie shares will inspire, encourage, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Julie McGhghy. Quotes from the Show "Ok, God, I have to deal with protection but after all these years, I don't know how--God.""...God is whispering, 'Ok, see that person? Go pray for that person.' And instead you stand there and you think God, is that you? Ya know, really? Who else is going to ask you to go pray for somebody? Is your flesh going to do that, is the enemy going to do that? No, ya know, it's God but I had no confidence in that..." - Julie McGhghy Connect with Julie! You can connect with Julie at Confidence in God and grab her free resource: How to Have Confidence in Your Prayer Life More about Julie... Julie McGhghy is a teacher, preacher, minister, and missionary. In 2019 she walked away from a lengthy career as an attorney and privacy officer to devote her life to ministry and writing. After her three children were grown, educated, and married, God provided an opportunity to serve as a missionary in Costa Rica. Julie now lives in Costa Rica with her husband, fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a full-time minister and writer. She serves an active and growing readership at ConfidenceinGod.com. Connect with me! If you like listening to Fierce Calling, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to follow, rate, and leave a review over at Podchaser! It helps others discover the show too! I'd also love to connect with you so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

What happens when the hards seasons of life ebb and flow? You trust God and pray, but what if it's even hard to pray and read the Bible? Sarah Keeling knows what that's like... Join me as I talk with Sarah Keeling, author of Psalm Prayers for Kids; A 40-Day Prayer Journal and Psalm Prayers for the Nations; Engage Your Family with 40 Scripture-Based Prayers. She shares about God's faithfulness in some really hard seasons, what she's learned about prayer, and how she's teaching others how to use Scripture to pray. I know what Sarah has to say will inspire, encourage, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Sarah Keeling. Quotes from the Show "There's just those moments when I think sometimes His presence comes fully closer when it's a serious crisis...""...there's just no hope without God's word, I mean it's so sobering to think about that millions of people don't have access to that around the world right now." - Sarah Keeling Connect with Sarah! You can connect with Sarah at www.sarah-keeling.com You will find the coolest resources and freebies there like free family verse guides, Sarah's books, and the Hearts at Rest Podcast! More about Sarah... Sarah Keeling is a wife and mother of two boys; she loves Jesus and is passionate about helping others connect deeply with Him. She is an advocate for the Bibleless, and she loves encouraging others by sharing what God is doing in her life.   She is the author of Psalm Prayers for Kids and Psalm Prayers for the Nations, and she hosts a podcast called Hearts at Rest with Sarah Keeling. Connect with me! If you like listening to Fierce Calling, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to follow, rate, and leave a review over at Podchaser! It helps others discover the show too! I'd also love to connect with you so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

Pregnant at 15, the course of a young girl's life was completely changed. Then at 16 and pregnant again, she experienced a tragic loss and post-partum depression. Join me as I talk with Laura Hughes, author and co-founder of A Movement of Love ministry, about the inspiration behind her book, Choose Zoe: A Story of UnPlanned Parenthood and the Case for Life. Learn how her own experiences of both joy and sorrow brought a new purpose into her life--ministering to others during the most vulnerable times of their lives offering help, hope, and healing. Did you know the most vulnerable of trafficked children are between two and twelve years old? What are the signs and how we can all be more aware of them so we can possibly save a child being trafficked? Laura shares this and more, including her heart for the sanctity of life, being a voice for the vulnerable, ministering to post-abortive women, and bringing awareness and combating human trafficking. I know what Laura shares will inspire, encourage, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Laura Hughes. Quotes from the Show "Fifty percent of girls pregnant as a teenager will be pregnant again within 24 months.""At the most important time of my life when religious leaders should have been there for me, they shamed me and shunned me." -Laura Hughes Connect with Laura! You can connect with Laura at choosezoe.com Facebook:   Laura Hughes Instagram: @laura_lynn-hughes More about Laura... Laura Lynn Hughes is a volunteer at her local Alpha Pregnancy Clinic and Alpha Mobile Unit, and is the co-founder of A Movement of Love ministry, serving as a speaker and teacher about pregnancy, fetal development, and post-abortion trauma and recovery. She is the author of the book Choose Zoe and runs a photography studio, Images by Hughes, in northern California. She has five children and eight grandchildren. Connect with me! If you like listening to Fierce Calling, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to follow, rate, and leave a review over at Podchaser! It helps others discover the show too! I'd also love to connect with you so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

"Sometimes God takes us out of that familiar, warm, and comfortable, and makes us jump off that cliff..." - Peg Arnold Are you ready to experience God's unforced rhythms in your life and embrace your God-given value? Have you met Esmerelda Evangelistic, Sylvia Supporter, Delores Distracted, and Penelope Pressure Pot? Who are these ladies? Join me as I talk with Peg Arnold, ministry leader and author of Devotions for the Distracted Heart, as she shares how God brought her through hard seasons, confirmed a big move, and gave her characters for her engaging drama ministry, right down to the costumes! I know what Peg shares will inspire, encourage, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Peg Arnold. You can list at dorisswift.com or wherever you listen to podcasts. Quotes from the Show "I think we all go through prodigal years.""When we walk through the valley He is with us, and sometimes we don't see that until we are on the other side and looking back on everything...""God can design unity within all these differences." -- Peg Arnold Connect with Peg! You can connect with Peg Arnold at pegarnold.org Facebook:   Peg Arnold and Wonder of Women Ministry Instagram: @arnoldpeg Grab her freebies on her site and join her email list! More about Peg... Peg Arnold, Speaker/Author, has both a degree in teaching and a Masters in counseling. She brings stories to life through her engaging drama ministry that encourages all to embrace their God-given value. Balancing the roles of wife and mom with counselor and teacher, gives her a unique perspective. Her favorite role now is that of “Nana”. She freely shares the joys and challenges of these life experiences in her writing and speaking. Connect with me! If you like listening to Fierce Calling, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to follow, rate, and leave a review over at Podchaser! It helps others discover the show too! I'd also love to connect with you so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

"So much of suffering people go through has nothing to do with a disease but has everything to do with bad stresses in their life, or messed-up relationships, or terrible habits that they're unwilling to change." - Dr. Donna Chacko On the outside, it looked like Dr. Donna Chacko had it all—a lucrative and rewarding career, a beautiful family, a comfortable home--but on the inside, Donna's life was in turmoil. Her marriage was on the brink, crises were brewing, and her heart was breaking, but God... Join me as I talk with Dr. Donna Chacko, author of Pilgrimage: A Doctor's Healing Journey, as she shares how a period of crisis in her marriage drew her back to God and drove her to surrender all to Him. This crisis led her on a journey to discovery... Through her own healing journey, she learned how vital it is to find serenity, health, and closeness to God. Now she is deeply called to help others along this same journey, a journey to peace, faith, and health. What happened when she surrendered all? Hear what unexpectedly happened when she surrendered her marriage and children to God. Dr. Donna and I also talk about her shocking discovery while working in her practice at a clinic. She shares all this and more and her story will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Dr. Donna Chacko... Quotes from the Show "I was a doctor, we were comfortable, and yet we were on the inside of our home, a big mess.""My return to the faith was one-hundred percent driven by desperation in my marriage.""The more you trust, the more you surrender." -- Donna Chacko, M.D. Connect with Dr. Donna Chacko! You can connect with Dr. Donna Chacko at serenityandhealth.com and email at dc@serenityandhealth.com. GRAB THE FREE CHAPTER MENTIONED IN THE SHOW BY CLICKING THIS LINK! Twitter: twitter.com/DonnaChacko Facebook:   Serenity and Health Linkedin:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnachacko/https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnachacko/ "Message for listeners: If you don’t feel too well, are tired, anxious, stuck in unhealthy habits, gaining weight, or just dragging….there are specific steps you can take that will positively help you find more serenity, health, and closeness to God." - Donna Chacko, M.D. More about Dr. Donna Chacko... Dr. Donna Chacko worked as a doctor for nearly forty years and now promotes health of body, mind, and spirit in a ministry called Serenity and Health. She offers programs, speaks, and blogs about many topics dealing with faith and health. Donna lives in Maryland with her husband and loves reading, gardening, and being a grandma. In June, her first book, Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing Journey will be published. She tells the story of how unbearable marital strife finally drove her to surrender and ultimately find her path to serenity, health, and God. Connect with me! I'd also love to connect with you so reach out to me here on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

On the fence about homeschooling the kids? Maybe you've already been doing it for years and need a fresh perspective. Join me as I talk with Durenda Wilson, author of The Four Hour School Day, as she shares what works, debunks the myths, and tells her story about homeschooling her eight children and loving it. Do you have what it takes to homeschool your kids? Maybe you're a grandparent who, due to difficult circumstances, stepped into the role of parent. Perhaps you've wanted to homeschool but have no idea where to start. Maybe you've been homeschooling for years and still wondering if you're doing it right? Or wrong? I've got the homeschooling guide for you and you'll want a copy when you hear what Durenda has to say... Photo courtesy of Zondervan Listen in as Durrenda shares her secret sauce and the 411 on how to experience an enjoyable homeschool experience. Connect with Durenda! Photo Credit: Julia Wilson You can connect with Durenda at durendawilson.com The Durenda Wilson Podcast Durenda Wilson is the owner/host of her podcast and is a wife to one for 31 years, mom to eight, nana to 6. She has homeschooled all of her kids from the beginning. She loves to share simple, effective approaches to motherhood, homeschooling and life in general. These tools are a result of many years walking with the Lord and finding freedom in letting His voice quiet all the others. (Durenda Wilson is a free podcast but donations are available at https://www.patreon.com/durendawilson) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/durenda.wilson.official  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/durendaleewilson/  What was your favorite quote from the show? Tell me in the comments below. More About Durenda... Photo Credit: Julia Wilson Durenda married Darryl in 1989, and she is a mom to eight kids born less than thirteen years apart. She always considered motherhood to be the ultimate career, but she had no idea of the countless ways it would deepen and humble her. Many, many times she found herself unsure and struggling, only to discover God's strength at the end of her rope. She realized she experienced the grace she desperately needed when she took the time to slow her heart and listen for His still, small voice. Her greatest joy is helping moms discover that grace as well--and with it the courage to put their full trust in Him as they learn to hear His voice above all others. Connect with Durenda at durendawilson.com. Connect with me! I'd also love to connect with you so reach out to me on my Contact Page! Check out my speaking page and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event. Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You! Doris

Ever feel like all your best days are behind you and the older you get, the harder it is to find your purpose? Maybe your nest is empty or you've just retired from a long-standing career. Perhaps you think it's too late in life to make a difference. Friend, that's not true. Yet, when our roles change we may find ourselves looking at a stranger in the mirror. How can we be used by God if we don't even know who we are anymore? Life took a detour. Now what? I have just the thing... A fabulous new book by my friend and author Deb DeArmond! Happy Book Launch Day to... We May Be Done, But We’re Not Finished challenges women 50 and older to examine how the rest of their life might just be the best-is-yet-to-come of their life! Guess What? I contributed a chapter and share all about the amazing things God has done in my life since turning 50 and beyond. Deb turns the tables on me and takes on the role of host, interviewing me about my chapter in the book. Way cool and super fun to do this flip of host and guest. What happened when my perfect plan fizzled out, and how God's perfect plan fit me like the glass slipper. We can age gracefully AND purposefully! Y'all, I'll be 60 in 6 months, and I and can attest that new adventures await those who follow Jesus. No turning back, as the hymn says, and no giving up. There's No Retirement from God's Kingdom Work There's no such thing as retirement in God's economy. Kingdom work never ends this side of heaven, and the need for our God-given gifts and service doesn't end on the other side of 50. So join Deb and me as we talk about the God's Girl life at 50 and beyond! Then grab Deb's new book, with 26 different authors chronicling real-life experiences and exciting new adventures with God. I am blessed and humbled to be a part of this amazing book project. Whether you cover the gray or rock it, you'll find so many things in this book you can relate to. Buy the book and share the joy. It makes a great gift! What was your favorite quote from the show? Tell me in the comments below. More About Deb Deb DeArmond is an expert in the fields of communication, relationship, and conflict resolution. A writer and popular speaker, Deb focuses on topics related to marriage and family. Her books include Related by Chance, Family by Choice, I Choose You Today: 31 Choices to Make Love Last, Don’t Go to Bed Angry: Stay Up and Fight, Bumper Sticker Be-Attitudes, and Her latest book, We May Be Done but We're Not Finished. You can connect with Deb at debdearmond.com.

What happens when we live out what we say we believe? In today's episode, Are We Living What We Say We Believe? Cindy DeBoer shares how she and her husband seemingly had it all--great kids, a beautiful home, luxury cars, family, friends, a great church, lucrative careers--yet there was something missing. Their marriage was good but not great, why? Because there were things in the past they needed to share with each other so they could work through it and move forward. It was then they were able to ask God this loaded question: "How shall we live if we really want to live what we say we believe?" When we ask God a question like that we need to be prepared for His answer. God did answer them in a powerful and unexpected way. Hear how God seemingly turned their lives upside down, when in fact as Cindy puts it, it was right side up. She also shares what God is teaching her about being thankful in hard seasons, including her serious and progressive lung disease. I know what Cindy has to share will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Cindy DeBoer. I hope what Cindy shared inspired and challenged you to walk deeper in God's word and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. What encouraged you most about Cindy's story? It reminded me of the story of the rich young ruler, only flipped. The man asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. He had kept all the commandments since his youth, yet when Jesus asked him to sell all his worldly possessions and follow Him, he could not part with his stuff. He could not part with the stuff he couldn't take with him into eternal life. We need to let that sink in a bit. Are we brave enough to ask God these kinds of questions and brave enough to be obedient when He answers? We would hope so but we'll never know until we ask. I pray we all have the boldness and courage to ask God how we should be living if we lived what we say we believe. Cindy's blog and title of her book/memoir were inspired by this quote: “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”—C.S. LEWIS Favorite Quotes from the show "...all we could think about was how to bless others, how to give more away, how to live more simply--how to live simply so others can simply live." - Cindy DeBoer "The world needs more brave Christians." - Cindy DeBoer Spread the Word Could you do me a huge favor, friend? Could you please share this episode with friends who need to hear Cindy's story? Connect with Cindy! You can connect with Cindy at cindydeboer.com and download her free resource to discover 12 Ways the pandemic is making you a better person. More About Cindy Cindy DeBoer is a blogger, psychiatric nurse, and recovering “unmissionary.” With her popular and timely blog, Far, Far Better Things, Cindy reveals the gritty, yet life-giving journey her family discovered as they began to live truer to their faith. Her blog centers on how she and her family gave up on the American Dream, left lucrative careers, lived in nearly 100% Muslim Morocco, and now follow Christ in the inner city of Grand Rapids. Her most popular blog post garnered over 150,000 hits from over 140 countries. She and her husband, Paul, are passionate about demystifying Islam, working with sustainable development programs in Central America, and living simply – so that others can simply live. They have two daughters at home and two married sons. Stay awhile... Listen to past episodes while walking, driving, cleaning, or relaxing with a cup of your favorite hot beverage. I would love to connect with you, so reach out to me on my contact page at dorisswift.com. Let me know which episodes are your favs and how you're taking action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Book me to speak at your next women's event!

Have you had difficult days when it's even hard to pray? In today's episode, How Applying God's Word Brings Hope in Crisis and Calm in Chaos, Grace Fox shares with us how to pray when you can't find the words, what happened when her newborn suffered a health crisis in Nepal, why we need to apply God's word to our everyday lives, and more! You'll love Grace's heart for the Lord and how she's helping women study God's word, pray through Scripture, and walk in God's truth, so listen in while I have a chat with Grace Fox... I hope what Grace shared inspired and challenged you to walk deeper in God's word and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. I love her two-word prayers, don't you? Sometimes we make things like prayer and reading God's word so complicated, and as Grace said, we feel the need to check off boxes on our never-ending to-do lists. But studying and growing in God's word are not tasks on our to-do lists they are treasures we have been entrusted with. Which is why I love Grace's passion for teaching God's word and helping women apply it to their lives. Favorite Quote from the show "...because nothing brings me greater joy than being able to communicate truth in a way that people go, 'aha, I get it! Now I get it!' and then learn to live it out." - Grace Fox Spread the Word Could you do me a huge favor, friend? Could you please share this episode with friends who need to hear about two-word prayers and other encouraging nuggets of truth Grace shared? Connect with Grace! You can connect with Grace at gracefox.com and check out her blog at gracefox.com/blog. Sign up for her blog posts, newsletters, and more! Check out all of Grace's amazing books at gracefox.com/books You can find the P31 First 5 Daily Bible Study App Grace writes for at first5.org. More About Grace Grace Fox is a career missionary, Bible teacher, author of ten books, contributor to numerous compilations, and a member of the First 5 writing team for P31 Ministries. Grace and her husband co-direct International Messengers Canada, a missionary sending agency with more than 220 staff in 28 countries. She loves simple things like Spending time with family, sailing in fair weather with her husband, practicing hospitality, baking treats to give to neighbors, her early mornings with the Lord, taking pictures of flowers, and watching bald eagles soar overhead. Thank you for taking time out of your day to spend it with us. It is truly humbling and an honor to welcome you into this space of women encouraging women in the Lord. Stay awhile... Listen to past episodes while walking, driving, cleaning, or relaxing with a cup of your favorite hot beverage. I would love to connect with you, so reach out to me on my contact page at dorisswift.com. Let me know which episodes are your favs and how you're taking action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Book me to speak at your next women's event! I would love to talk with you or the women who gathers your ladies for events. My desire is for women to walk away from your event encouraged and equipped with actionable steps to make positive changes in their lives. I also have some free resources for you at the bottom of the page, so scroll down and check them out! I hope you’ll join me next time when I invite another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then friend, have a blessed week and I’ll talk to you soon. Doris ♥

What happens when our best-laid plans--the ones we passionately pursue for God--unravel before our eyes? In today's episode, Living Surrendered to God's Plan, Donna Amidon shares how the plans we make, the ones we thought were solid and destined to be, may lead us on an unexpected journey in faith and God's faithfulness. I know what Donna shares today will inspire, encourage, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Donna Amidon... I hope what Donna shared inspired you to take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. When our plans seem to fizzle out and die, God has an abundantly better, life-giving plan He is waiting to unfold before our eyes and in our lives. Live surrendered to God's plan, trust the process, and enjoy the journey, friend. As Donna reminded us, God is always with us. Share this message with friends who need to hear this amazing truth today. Thank you for taking time out of your day to spend it with us. Favorite Quotes from the show... "...the heart of our Father, Who just wants us to love the one in His name."-Donna Amidon "...when we find ourselves in those times of uncertainty and pain and perplexing situations, that we can't base our conclusions on what we can see with our eyes, but we have to anchor our minds and harness our emotions to truth and God's Word." - Donna Amidon Connect with Donna! You can connect with Donna at ignitetheheart.org, www.donnaamidon.org, or www.facebook.org/ignitetheheart    Sign up for her newsletter on her website to get updates on her forthcoming Bible study. She can't wait to share it with you! I think you'll find the subject of the study fascinating once she is able to share more about it. A graduate from Southern Evangelical Seminary, Donna Amidon engages women in the rich truths of Scripture while weaving its application into the everyday rhythm of their life.  Since marrying her husband, Ryan, in 2001, Donna has served over 15 years in church staff positions of teaching, writing, radio ministry, small group ministry, worship, students, singles and marrieds ministry, and being a pastor’s wife.   While in music, Donna led worship for events involving Jack Graham, Al Mohler, Shari Rose Shepherd, and Elizabeth George. Donna was also the announcer/co-host on Back to the Bible radio - an international radio program. Currently, Donna is an active speaker for Stonecroft Ministries and women’s events/retreats. Ryan and Donna live in Richmond, Virginia, where Donna enjoys leading women’s Bible studies, speaking, writing, marveling at her teenage daughter’s art, watching her son’s soccer skills, and enjoying a date night with her husband amid the flurry of it all. Connect with her at www.donnaamidon.org or Ignite the Heart on Facebook.  Connect with Donna at: www.donnaamidon.org      www.facebook.org/ignitetheheart    Stay awhile... I would also love to connect with you, so reach out to me on my contact page at dorisswift.com. I'd also love to hear how Fierce Calling has encouraged and inspired you. Drop a message in the comments or via my contact page on dorisswift.com. It would bless me so much to hear what God is doing in your lives through this podcast. I hope you’ll join me next time when I invite another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then friend, have a blessed week and I’ll talk to you soon. Doris

Life is hard and there's no doubt about that as my friend, Cyndi Daves, well knows. She experienced abandonment and father wounds at a young age, among other heartbreaking circumstances, but God. We talk about how God redeems our stories and uses even the hard parts as He calls us to partner with Him in Kingdom work. We can trust that when we surrender to God He'll take care of the rest. Cyndi's fierce calling is helping others understand the simple truth of the Gospel. Plus, she shares some amazing ways God has used her to impact the lives of others. This impact has a ripple effect we are all part of. We can all listen for the voice of our Good Shepherd and walk in God's will. There are so many great nuggets of truth in this episode! Cyndi reminds us how God is in the big things and the small things, that there's a difference between saved and surrendered to God, and more. I know what Cyndi shares will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Cyndi Daves. Connect with Cyndi Daves and Learn More About When We Surrender to God He'll Take Care of the Rest and Her Ministry Jesus For Real Life! Connect with Cyndi at jesusforreallife.com and find her social media links, speaking page, and more! You can also email her at jesusforreallife@gmail.com. Listen to her Saturday morning radio show: Cyndi Daves is the Radio Show Host/Producer "Jesus For Real Life" WCDG 88.7/WUCG 93.1/WCRY 89.9 www.TodaysChristianCountry.com She is a Spirit-Filled Speaker and Teacher Sharing God's Message of Hope, Forgiveness and Salvation. Check out the show Saturday mornings at 8am, and listen to past shows via the Spotify link the radio station website provides. Listen to My Interview with Cyndi on Jesus for Real Life: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0vqWCbzBmlNpMcdPqujNgF More About Cyndi Like many, Cyndi's life has taken her through a multitude of phases.   A broken home, sexual abuse, failed marriages and the redemptive power of the Heavenly Father has formed her into the unique creation she is today. Standing tall and stepping into her calling, Cyndi loves using her gift of public speaking to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her "real life" engaging presentations are relatable, personally poignant, and point to the Truths of God's Word.  In addition to hosting and producing JESUS FOR REAL LIFE, a weekend radio talk show for women, Cyndi is pursuing a degree in Biblical Studies from Trinity Bible Institute.   On a personal level, Cyndi and her husband  Bill live in the mountains of western North Carolina and Northeast Georgia where they have been REALTORS since 2000.  They have four children, including two daughters currently serving in the US Navy and five grandchildren.   Let's Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage! Love Fierce Calling? Following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women's Event? Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/ I hope you'll join me next time, when I talk with another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then, friend, have a blessed week and I'll talk to you soon ... Doris Surrender the Joy Stealers book trailer: Music by Oleg Kyrylkovv from Pixabay

Healing Through Creativity The most difficult season in Mary Potter Kenyon's life was when she lost her mother, husband, and grandson in the span of 3 years. In today's episode, Hope & Healing for the Grieving Heart, hear how God led Mary on a journey to healing through creativity, then led her on a new journey in helping others heal. I know what Mary shares today will inspire, encourage, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Mary Potter Kenyon... I hope what Mary shared blessed your soul and refreshed your spirit. When hard seasons come, and they will, it is so important to have a firm foundation in Jesus. If you know some friends who would benefit from hearing this message, would you please share this episode with them? Favorite Quotes from the show... "...and I really believe that we are all here to help each other home." - Mary Potter Kenyon"God builds us and designs us for something from the moment we're born..." - Mary Potter Kenyon Connect with Mary! You can connect with Mary at www.marypotterkenyon.com and subscribe to her newsletter. Find Called to be Creative and all her other books by going to https://marypotterkenyon.wordpress.com/marys-books/ Mary Potter Kenyon graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Psychology and was certified as a grief counselor in 2017. She works as a program coordinator at Shalom Spirituality Center in Dubuque Iowa. She is a public speaker and workshop presenter on the topics of creativity, grief, and writing. A widely published writer in magazines, newspapers and anthologies, Mary is the author of seven books, including "Refined By Fire: A Journey of Grief and Grace," and the recently released "Called to Be Creative: A Guide to Reigniting Your Creativity." Mary founded the annual Hope & Healing Grief retreat and Faith Writers conference at Shalom. Stay awhile... I would also love to connect with you, so reach out to me on my contact page at dorisswift.com. I'd also love to hear how Fierce Calling has encouraged and inspired you. Drop a message in the comments or via my contact page on dorisswift.com. It would bless me so much to hear what God is doing in your lives through this podcast. I hope you’ll join me next time when I invite another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then friend, have a blessed week and I’ll talk to you soon. Doris

How many times in the past month have you felt overwhelmed, hurried, afraid you were falling behind before you even started? I'm right there with you, friend. That's why I know today's episode, From Hurried Heart to Growing Slow with Jennifer Dukes Lee is just the message God wants us to hear. We talk about Jennifer's journey from agnosticism to faith in Christ, what it takes to put the brakes on a hurried life, how a Growing Slow year on their fifth-generation family farm provides life lessons for all of us, and how that remarkable life we're chasing after? Well, it's the one we're already living in. I know what Jennifer shares today will inspire, encourage, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Jennifer Dukes Lee... I hope what Jennifer shared blessed your soul and refreshed your spirit. We all need reminding that God's timing is not just a catch-phrase, it's a purposeful path for our part in Kingdom work. It's time to trade in the fast-paced life for a Growing Slow with grace kind of life. If you know some friends who would benefit from hearing this message, would you share this episode with them? Favorite Quotes from the show... "It takes time to grow good things.""We need winter seasons to get those burdens that we carry, those rocks in the soil of our heart, to have God heave them upward, that He could pick them up and take them away so that come spring, we can begin to be productive again.""...for whatever reason, God created one-fourth of a growing season here, where we live, to be something that looks dead because that is the time when He is healing us."Jennifer Dukes Lee Are you ready to Grow Slow? You can pre-order Growing Slow and grab the amazing pre-order bonuses at growingslowbook.com. The videos are amazing and you'll love the journal and growth tracker! Connect with Jennifer! Jennifer Dukes Lee You can connect with Jennifer at jenniferdukeslee.com and subscribe to her Top Ten with Jen newsletter mentioned in the show at jenniferdukeslee.com/subscribe. You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram at @JenniferDukesLee. Jennifer Dukes Lee lives on the fifth-generation Lee family farm in Iowa, where she and her husband are raising crops, pigs, and two beautiful humans. Jennifer is the author of several books, including Growing Slow and It’s All Under Control. She loves queso and enjoys singing too loudly to songs with great harmony. Once upon a time, she didn’t believe in Jesus; now He’s her CEO. Stay awhile... I would also love to connect with you, so reach out to me on my contact page at dorisswift.com. Ready to crush doubt and step into your Fierce Calling? Grab my free ebook Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling! It's a quick and easy read and I share some of my grace story, too. Let me know if something in the book resonates with you in this season of life, whichever season that may be for you. cover photo by Thiago Matos I'd also love to hear how Fierce Calling has encouraged and inspired you. Drop a message in the comments or via my contact page on dorisswift.com. It would bless me so much to hear what God is doing in your lives through this podcast. I hope you’ll join me next time when I invite another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then friend, have a blessed week and I’ll talk to you soon. Doris

Are you in a relationship with a narcissist, psychopath, sociopath? Has domestic abuse touched your life in some way? In today’s episode, *From Victim to Victorious: Overcoming Domestic Abuse, I’m talking with my friend Charlene Quint. She shares her story of past abuse and how she now helps other women recognize, remove, and recover from domestic abuse. *Today's episode deals with details of domestic abuse and contains adult subject matter. Did you know? An astounding 35% of women experience rape, stalking and physical abuse in their lifetime, and 48% experience emotional and verbal abuse and/or coercive control. Charlene shares the hope that God can rescue them, redeem them, and put them in a place of peace and rest that is even better than before. That's how God works. If you or someone you know experienced a relationship with a narcissist, sociopath, psychopath, or other domestic abusers, you'll want to listen in. I know what she shares will encourage, inspire, challenge you, and it may even save someone's life, so listen in while I have a chat with Charlene Quint. Grab Charlene's book... She is the author of Overcoming the Narcissist, Sociopath, Psychopath, and Other Domestic Abusers: A Comprehensive Handbook to Recognize, Remove and Recover from Domestic Abuse, a road map to help victims of domestic abuse become the fearless victors that God designed them to be. Favorite Quote "I LOVE to bring women out of the darkness of abuse and walk with them as I see God's healing power work in them, until they are living lives of peace, grace, and abundance."Charlene Quint Charlene is a Certified Domestic Violence Professional, an advocate for victims of abuse, a facilitator of multiple support groups, and a domestic abuse survivor. She is the founder of AbuseCare.org, a nondenominational faith-based organization designed to provide hope and healing to women in their journey from victim to victorious and to educate and equip churches in caring for victims of domestic abuse. Connect with Charlene! You can connect with Charlene at abusecare.org or email her at abusecarenow@gmai.com. Stay awhile... I would also love to connect with you, so reach out to me on my contact page at dorisswift.com. In this world we will have trouble, but Jesus tells us to take heart because He has overcome the world. If you're fighting fear grab my... Fear-Fighting Scripture Verses I invite you to join my community of women who receive inspirational messages, helpful resources, and updates on podcast and book news! Thank You for Being Such a Blessing Thank you again for being a faithful listener of Fierce Calling! I'd love to hear how Fierce Calling has encouraged and inspired you. Drop a message in the comments or via my contact page on dorisswift.com. It would bless me so much to hear what God is doing in your lives. I hope you’ll join me next time when I invite another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then friend, have a blessed week and I’ll talk to you soon. Doris

How can we find God's faithfulness everywhere? (Friend, if you're viewing this post via email, the podcast player to listen to this episode can be found here ) In today’s episode, Finding God's Faithfulness Everywhere, I’m talking with my friend Jenna Erlandson. Jenna is a pastor's wife, oncology nurse, mama to 3 kiddos including one with special needs, and host of Bridge of the Faithful podcast. Jenna shares how God gave her the name of her podcast, how He provided financially, how and why He called her to step away from the nursing job she loved, and how we can find God's faithfulness in every situation. We also talk about identity, worth, and how that's defined, which is an area she's been leaning into and teaching over the past two years. I know what she shares will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Jenna Erlandson. Jenna Erlandson Jenna Erlandson is the host of Bridge of the Faithful podcast. She's an oncology nurse, pastor's wife, mama to 3, one of which has special needs, and is passionate about sharing what she's learned in all situations while finding God's Faithfulness everywhere. Favorite Quote from the Show "God uses our ordinary life to prove that He is faithful." ~ Jenna Erlandson Connect with Jenna! You can connect with Jenna at botfpodcast.com on Instagram and Facebook Bridge of the Faithful Podcast Stay awhile... I would also love to connect with you, so reach out to me on my contact page at dorisswift.com. In this world we will have trouble, but Jesus tells us to take heart because He has overcome the world. If you're fighting fear grab my... Fear-Fighting Scripture Verses I invite you to join my community of women who receive inspirational messages, helpful resources, and updates on podcast and book news! Thank You for Being Such a Blessing Thank you again for being a faithful listener of Fierce Calling! I'd love to hear how Fierce Calling has encouraged and inspired you. Drop a message in the comments or via my contact page on dorisswift.com. It would bless me so much to hear what God is doing in your lives. I hope you’ll join me next time when I invite another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then friend, have a blessed week and I’ll talk to you soon. Doris

Do you struggle with identity, weight, or seeking redemption after divorce? Have you been through a difficult season in your life? Then you're in the right place. In today’s episode, How to Own Your Gifting and Walk in Your Get Real Journey, I’m talking with my friend Mandy Sullivan. Mandy shares how God has redeemed her story of divorce and her struggles with weight, and how He redeems our stories, too. Get Real Journey and Weight Accountability We talk about her Get Real Journey, where she weighs in from her kitchen to be accountable and shares what God is teaching her. We also talk about her Nurture Her Soul events and how they are transforming the lives of women. I know you'll be blessed by Mandy's words today. What she shares will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Mandy Sullivan. More About Mandy... Favorite Quote from the Show "We are just like this huge collection of life-changers for God's glory."-Mandy Sullivan Connect with Mandy! Do you struggle with identity, weight, or seeking redemption after divorce? Have you been through a difficult season in your life? Connect with Mandy at nurturehersoul.com, and find information about her events and speaking topics. You can also find Mandy on her Facebook page, Nurture Her Soul, where she goes live every Thursday at 8:30 am Central Time, to weigh in and share what God has taught her through His Word that week. Mandy Sullivan Mandy Sullivan is a perfectly flawed and messy woman, whose daily goal is to live out the plan God created for her, a plan to be in relationship with him and to use her gifts so others may see the redemption and hope that only comes from a life with Jesus. Mandy has been in ministry for over 20 years. She is the co-creator of Nurture Her Soul Ministry, a speaker, and Bible study teacher. She serves as the Director of Discipleship and Family Ministries at her church and is currently finishing her Pastoral licensing. She's been married to her second husband, Tom, for 7 years and together they have 5 kids and one granddaughter, and a grandson on the way. Stay awhile... I would also love to connect with you, so reach out to me on my contact page at dorisswift.com. In this world we will have trouble, but Jesus tells us to take heart because He has overcome the world. If you're fighting fear grab my... Fear-Fighting Scripture Verses I invite you to join my community of women who receive inspirational messages, helpful resources, and updates on podcast and book news! Thank You for Being Such a Blessing Thank you again for being a faithful listener of Fierce Calling! I'd love to hear how Fierce Calling has encouraged and inspired you. Drop a message in the comments or via my contact page on dorisswift.com. It would bless me so much to hear what God is doing in your lives. I hope you’ll join me next time when I invite another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then friend, have a blessed week and I’ll talk to you soon. Doris

Have you or someone you know walked through the journey of infertility? In today’s episode, The God Who Sees Me: A Journey Through Infertility, I’m talking with my friend Laura Brandenburg. Laura shares her story of waiting, hoping, and trusting God with her deep longing for motherhood. We talk about her years of fertility treatments, adoption, and emergency surgery, and how in the midst of the struggle, God brought her peace. (Friend, if you're viewing this post via email, the podcast player to listen to this episode can be found here ) I know you'll be blessed by Laura's words today. She knows God's heart for her and she wants other women to know God's heart for them, too. What Laura has to say will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Laura Brandenburg. Laura Brandenburg Laura C. Brandenburg writes real-life stories of redemption, forgiveness, and grace. Her work has won first place in the RWA "Ignite the Flame" contest, and the ACFW Genesis contest, and was a finalist in First Impressions and a semi-finalist in Genesis. A lover of language and grammar, Laura spends her days trying to inspire college students to love writing as much as she does. She lives in rural West Texas with her handsome husband, their miracle baby girl, and an 80-pound Weimaraner. Favorite Quote from the Show "Life is not always pretty, but God is always good."- Laura C. Brandenburg Connect with Laura! You can connect with Laura at www.lauracbrandenburg.com, join her email list, read her blog, and pick up her free e-book, The Not Forgotten Ones, all found on her website. Stay awhile... I would also love to connect with you, so reach out to me on my contact page at dorisswift.com. In this world we will have trouble, but Jesus tells us to take heart because He has overcome the world. If you're fighting fear grab my... Fear-Fighting Scripture Verses I invite you to join my community of women who receive inspirational messages, helpful resources, and updates on podcast and book news! Thank You for Being Such a Blessing Thank you again for being a faithful listener of Fierce Calling! I'd love to hear how Fierce Calling has encouraged and inspired you. Drop a message in the comments or via my contact page on dorisswift.com. It would bless me so much to hear what God is doing in your lives. I hope you’ll join me next time when I invite another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then friend, have a blessed week and I’ll talk to you soon. Doris

Life is messy and with all the uncertainty in the air, fear and anxiety can slip in quietly when we're not looking. The good news? We're not gonna take it anymore... In today’s episode, How to Laugh Without Fear of the Future, I’m talking with my friend Jen Ervig. Jen shares her story about overcoming anxiety and how knowing the end game can bring incredible joy. We also talk about women in leadership, and how she uses her gifts as Connections Pastor at her church. (Friend, if you're viewing this post via email, the podcast player to listen to this episode can be found here) In her latest book, When My Mind Winds Up: A Pull No Punches Approach to Anxiety, Jen brings her faith and personal journey with open hands in hopes that she can take what's helped her and "pay it forward". I know you'll love her humble honesty and pull-no-punches approach to the hard things in life. What Jen has to say will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Jen Ervig. Jen Ervig Jen Ervig is a Seattle area pastor, wife, mom, event speaker, and award-nominated author. Her book, As My Mind Unwinds, has been heralded as a hilarious, non-fluffy, unique take on a devotional surprising even non-Christian readers again and again. Thanks for Listening! Favorite Quotes from the Show "There is a clear definition between conviction and condemnation..."- Jen Ervig "We overcomplicate things when they are really quite so simple; we know the end game..."- Jen Ervig Connect with Jen! You can connect with Jen at asmymindunwinds.com, on Instagram @jensmindunwinds and pick up her books! You can find them on her Amazon author page. Stay awhile... I would also love to connect with you, so reach out to me on my contact page at dorisswift.com. I invite you to join my community of women who receive inspirational messages, helpful resources, and updates on podcast and book news! When you join my email list for free, I’ll send you this free gift... Grab it here: Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith!, Thank You for Being Such a Blessing Thank you again for being a faithful listener of Fierce Calling! I'd love to hear how Fierce Calling has encouraged and inspired you. Drop a message in the comments or via my contact page on dorisswift.com. It would bless me so much to hear what God is doing in your lives. I hope you’ll join me next time when I invite another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then friend, have a blessed week and I’ll talk to you soon. Doris ♥

Happy New Year and welcome to the first episode of Fierce Calling 2021! What better way to start off this new year then to hear how God captured the heart of a French atheist teen, who thought her only purpose for coming to the US was to learn English. But God had other plans for Stephanie... In today’s episode, A Journey from Atheism to Savoring Gospel Spice, I’m talking with my friend Stephanie Rousselle. (Friend, if you're viewing this post via email, the podcast player to listen to this episode can be found here) From Atheism to Christianity, Stephanie shares her journey of discovering the many layers of spice the Gospel offers, and how her Gospel Spice Ministry is helping others taste and see that the Lord is good. I know what Stephanie has to say will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Stephanie Rousselle... Thanks for Listening! Favorite Quotes from the Show "Are you going to just ignore and shove to the side what you have discovered to be true historically, but you can't make sense of spiritually, or are you going to dare to take a step of faith?"Stephanie Rousselle, Gospel Spice Ministries "He will meet us wherever we are; there is no place He will not travel for us..."Stephanie Rousselle, Gospel Spice Ministries Connect with Stephanie! You can connect with Stephanie at gospelspice.com where you'll find info about Gospel Spice Ministries and the Gospel Spice Podcast. She'd love to hear from you! Stephanie is passionate about helping others see that God is beautiful, enthralling, and so much more than we could ever imagine. She delights in coming alongside followers of Jesus, using her gifts to help them walk deeper and taste new spices in their intimacy with Him. Her fierce calling is to inspire others to pursue God fiercely. Grab Stephanie's 100% French Recipe! Remember that French recipe Stephanie talked about in the show? As promised, the link below contains the recipe booklet she mentioned: http://gospelspice.com/fiercecalling/ Please download it and let us know how it turns out! Stephanie Rousselle is the founder of Gospel Spice Ministries. Her motto is, “God’s glory, our delight!” She is a wife, mom, podcaster, public speaker, Bible teacher, former women’s ministry director and strategy consultant. And she is 100% French. Born and raised in France, she has lived for her One over the last two decades on three continents, four countries and five cities through six professional roles. Her current Gospel Spice Ministries Team is made of seven women! She thrives on Bible-centered inspirational writing and speaking, and dark chocolate. She has been teaching Scripture to thousands over the last 20 years in France, the UK, Africa and the US, and now to thousands more on all six continents through the Gospel Spice Podcast. Stay awhile... I would also love to connect with you, so reach out to me on my contact page at dorisswift.com. I invite you to join my community of women who receive inspirational messages, helpful resources, and updates on podcast and book news! When you join my email list for free, I’ll send you this free gift... Grab it here: Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith!, This free resource helps you share the gospel. Maybe grab a recipe from The Gingham Apron or The Gathering Table book and invite a friend in for food and faith night. Thank You for Being Such a Blessing Thank you again for being a faithful listener of Fierce Calling! I'd love to hear how Fierce Calling has encouraged and inspired you. Drop a message in the comments or via my contact page on dorisswift.com. It would bless me so much to hear what God is doing in your lives. I hope you’ll join me next time when I invite another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then friend, have a blessed week and I’ll talk to you soon. Doris ♥

In today’s episode, Gathering at the Table: Food, Faith, Farm, & Family, I’m talking with my friend Molly Herrick. (Friend, if you're viewing this post via email, the podcast player to listen to this episode can be found here ) Molly lives on a farm in Iowa with the man of her dreams, two wonderful children, and some cattle and chickens! She's a blogger, author, speaker, and has a degree in interior design. She shares her gifts and talents by making things beautiful, and as a follower of Jesus, her desire is to share Christ's love with those who the Lord places in her path. Molly, her mother-in-law, and sisters-in-law all contribute to their website, The Gingham Apron, where they share about food, faith, farm, & family. They released their first book, The Gathering Table in October 2020. We are talking homemade O'Henry bars, y'all! Spiced apple cider also comes up in the conversation. You'll hear how Molly came to faith in Christ, too and I know what Molly has to say will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Molly Herrick. Thanks for Listening! A Favorite Quote from the Show "The Lord was just tugging on my heart, and I knew what I wanted to do." - Molly Herrick I hope what Molly shared spoke to your heart and encouraged you to take action where God is calling you to serve. Molly and the women in her family are blessing others by sharing their God-given gifts. Friend, you have amazing God-given gifts too. Speaking of gifts... The Gathering Table Makes the perfect Gift! Find links to purchase the book from your favorite retail at https://www.theginghamapron.com/the-gathering-table-book/ You can connect with Molly at theginghamapron.com on Facebook, and Instagram . Grab the book at your favorite retailer or grab The Gathering Table on Amazon. Stay awhile... I would also love to connect with you, so reach out to me on my contact page at dorisswift.com. I invite you to join my community of women who receive inspirational messages, helpful resources, and updates on podcast and book news! When you join my email list for free, I’ll send you this free gift... Grab it here: Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith!, This free resource helps you share the gospel. Maybe grab a recipe from The Gingham Apron or The Gathering Table book and invite a friend in for food and faith night. Thank You for Being Such a Blessing Thank you again for being a faithful listener of Fierce Calling! I want to take this moment to wish you and your family a Merry & Blessed Christmas! As we celebrate Emmanuel, God with Us, may we bask in His presence because not only was He with us then, He is still with us now. Fierce Calling will be taking a break during the week of Christmas and New Year's, but I look forward to welcoming you back in the new year! In the meantime, there are 50 episodes to listen to. I'd love to hear how Fierce Calling has encouraged and inspired you. Drop a message in the comments or via my contact page on dorisswift.com. It would bless me so much to hear what God is doing in your lives. I hope you’ll join me next time when I invite another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then friend, have a blessed week, a very Merry Christmas, and I’ll talk to you soon. Doris ♥

In today’s episode, Listening for God’s Direction, I’m talking with my friend Alisa Hope Wagner. Alisa is a wife, mom, and award-winning author and today she shares about listening for God’s voice, what happens when we answer His call, and how she wound up on not one but two reality TV shows! I know what Alisa has to say will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Alisa Hope Wagner. (Friend, if you're viewing this post via email, the podcast player to listen to this episode can be found here) Some Favorite Quotes from the Show "God Sees who we will become." - Alisa Hope Wagner "God has a breadcrumb path of resources just for you." - Alisa Hope Wagner Thanks for Listening! I hope what Alisa shared spoke to your heart and encouraged you to take action where God is calling you to serve. Because like Alisa said, our highest calling is to serve and Jesus showed us how to do it well. We may doubt we’re the girl for the job, but God sees the girl He created for the job. And He won’t leave us out there alone, He brings resources and relationships to meet our every need. Connect with Alisa and Grab her Books! Photo credit: Adrian Garza You can connect with Alisa at alisahopewagner.com, on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find her all her books on Amazon and be encouraged by the words God has inspired her to write. Stay awhile... I would also love to connect with you, so reach out to me on my contact page at dorisswift.com. I invite you to join my community of women who receive inspirational messages, helpful resources, and updates on podcast and book news! When you join my email list for free, I’ll send you this free gift... Grab it here: Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith!, This free resource helps you share the gospel, because just like that story of the girl who led a lost soul to Christ who in turn led millions of lost souls to Christ, we never know the impact sharing the gospel with just one person can make. There’s a hurting world out there and people need to hear about the hope they have in Christ. They need God's freedom, peace, and joy... Every lost person matters to God and He wants them found. But life can be hard sometimes and we may struggle with finding joy in the midst of our circumstances. Friend, that joy is still there and we just need to be reminded to reawaken to the Jesus joy in us. What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? If burdens are weighing heavy on your heart, sharing what threatens to steal your joy can be so freeing. I’ll be talking more about that soon and offering a free, 6-day guide in how to surrender your joy stealers to God and live the joyful life you were born to live. Truth is, your joy cannot be stolen from you, but life’s circumstances can make it feel like that way sometimes. But God wants you joyful and He is faithful to do it. I hope you’ll join me next time when I invite another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then friend, have a blessed week and I’ll talk to you soon. Blessings! Doris ♥

How have we allowed catchy cultural phrases to infuse our mindset? How can truth change culture and our perception? In this episode, I'm talking with friend Becky Beresford. She shares her story of striving to be enough on her own, which led to shame and feeling like a failure. Then she had a mind shift when she changed up the words to a well-known phrase, discovering how the truth changes culture and lives. Her fierce calling is helping women embrace Christ-centered empowerment, and to know Him as Savior of their stories. We're talking about her new book, She Believed HE Could So She Did, a familiar cultural phrase with one important, Christ-centered twist. Hear about how truth impacts culture and how this book concept came to be. I know what Becky shares will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Becky Beresford. Connect with Becky Beresford and Learn More About How Truth Changes Culture! Grab Her New Book She Believed He Could So She Did Connect with Becky at BeckyBeresford.com and become a part of her Empowered Email Tribe or follow her on Instagram and Facebook. Moody Publishers: https://www.moodypublishers.com/she-believed-he-could-so-she-did Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/She-Believed-Could-Did-Christ-Centered/dp/080242998X/ More About Becky BECKY BERESFORD lives in North Carolina and is happily outnumbered by her husband and three wonderful boys. She is an author, speaker and coach with a Master's Certificate in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship from Moody Theological Seminary. Becky loves encouraging God’s Daughters to embrace Christ-centered empowerment through the truth found in the gospel. Her work has been featured in large online communities including Crosswalk, (in)courage, iBelieve, HuffPost, DaySpring, and she recently became a writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries’ First 5 writing team. Becky’s book with Moody Publishers, She Believed HE Could, So She Did, released in March. Let's Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage! Love Fierce Calling? Following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women's Event? Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/ I hope you'll join me next time, when I talk with another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then, friend, have a blessed week and I'll talk to you soon ... Doris Surrender the Joy Stealers book trailer: Music by Oleg Kyrylkovv from Pixabay

"I fell away from God due to my experience as a childhood cult survivor and the abuse and disappointments I encountered. I hated Christians and Christianity for a very long time. By God’s grace, I came back to my faith at the age of 29." - Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch on her emotional healing. (Friend, if you're viewing this post via email, the podcast player to listen to this episode can be found here ) In today’s episode, The Emotional Healing of a Childhood Cult Survivor, I’m talking with my friend Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch. Mischelle gave her life to Jesus at the age of 5, but fell away when her life fell apart after leaving an abusive cult. Listen in as we talk about her redemption story and how God is now using Mischelle to help women share their God stories. She is reaching a multitude of women through her Altered Stories Ministry and Altered Stories Podcast. Her heart is to see women healed and free through the sharing of their stories and the deliverance of God's grace. A Great Quote from Mischelle: "Our stories are a gift to the receiver--it's a calling..." Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch Thanks for Listening! I hope Mischelle's story of being a redeemed and healed survivor inspired you today. Is God calling you to share your altered story? Connect with Mischelle! Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch You can connect with Mischelle and find her podcast at alteredstories.org, on the Altered Stories Ministry Facebook Page, on Instagram, and email msaundersgottsch@gmail.com. Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch is the CEO/Founder of Altered Stories Ministry and  Podcast Host of the Altered Stories Show.  She is a wife to Mark, mother to her adult daughter, Tawny, Gigi to Bentley Rose, aunt, friend, dog Mama to Beau and Bell, speaker, ministry and business leader and is passionate about helping women to share their God stories to help women overcome their struggles. Stay awhile... Explore my website dorisswift.com and hang out for a while. Check out these free resources, like my Fear Fighting Bible Verses, and my ebook, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling. Need help sharing your faith with others? Join my email list and receive my free resource, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith. When you subscribe you'll automatically receive my free monthly newsletter with valuable resources you'll love. Read my past blog posts and listen to previous podcast episodes all in one place on dorisswift.com! Blessings! Doris

In today’s episode, The Heart of the Family, I’m talking with my friend, Deb DeArmond. Deb is an expert in the fields of communication, relationship and conflict resolution. We could all use a little help in those departments, right? (Friend, if you're viewing this post via email, the podcast player to listen to this episode can be found here) Listen in as we talk about relationships, calling, and how Deb never aspired to be a writer. Hear how she received the call to write because it will encourage you, especially if you're wondering what God is calling you to do. A Great Quote from Deb "We are called to greatness in Him, greatness to bring Him glory. We have the opportunity to impact the world - or at least the section He's called us to. Living integrity-driven, connections-focused lives draw people to ask, 'How did you do that?' or 'How did you make it through that?' Story is vital, it's always about His story and how it's impacted us. That's how we reach them - story." - Deb DeArmond Thanks for Listening! I hope Deb's story inspired you today. Is God calling you to marriage and/or family ministry? Connect with Deb and Grab her Books! Deb DeArmond You can connect with Deb DeArmond at debdearmond.com Deb DeArmond is an expert in the fields of communication, relationship and conflict resolution. A writer and popular speaker, Deb focuses on topics related to the marriage and family. Her books include: Related by Chance, Family by Choice , I Choose You Today: 31 Choices to Make Love Last , and Don’t Go to Bed Angry: Stay Up and Fight. Her latest book, Bumper Sticker Be-Attitudes, is a humor-tinged devotional for the busy believer seeking deep truths with a chuckle on the side. Stay awhile... Explore my website dorisswift.com and hang out for a while. Check out these free resources, like my Fear Fighting Bible Verses, and my ebook, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling. Need help sharing your faith with others? Join my email list and receive my free resource, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith. When you subscribe you'll automatically receive my free monthly newsletter with valuable resources you'll love. Read my past blog posts and listen to previous podcast episodes all in one place on dorisswift.com! Blessings! Doris

In today’s episode, Telling Stories ~ Changing Stories, I’m talking with my friend, Ronne Rock. Ronne is a storyteller who tells stories that change the stories of others. (Friend, if you're viewing this post via email, the podcast player to listen in can be found here ) Ronne offers battle-tested wisdom about leadership, advocacy marketing, and finding God in the most beautiful and painful of circumstances. The Book She is the author of One Woman Can Change the World: Reclaiming Your God-Designed Influence and Impact Right Where You Are (Revell Publishing) Favorite Quote from Ronne "Every piece of your journey is a piece of a redemptive story that can change the story of somebody else." - Ronne rock Thanks for Listening! I hope Ronne's story inspired you today. Is God calling you to serve with Orphan Outreach or some other ministry to children? Connect with Ronne! Kate Hurley You can connect with Ronne at ronnerock.com and onewomancanchangetheworld.com Ronne Rock weaves themes of transformative hope and grace-filled leadership into everything she shares on page and stage. She’s an award-winning marketing executive who travels around the world to gather words and images that inspire others to action with Orphan Outreach, a global nonprofit dedicated to serving the orphaned and vulnerable. She and her husband live in the Texas Hill Country. Stay awhile... Explore my website dorisswift.com and hang out for a while. Check out these free resources, like my Fear Fighting Bible Verses, and my ebook, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling. Need help sharing your faith with others? Join my email list and receive my free resource, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith. When you subscribe you'll automatically receive my free monthly newsletter with valuable resources you'll love. Read my past blog posts and listen to previous podcast episodes all in one place on dorisswift.com! Blessings! Doris