Is it possible to miss God’s plan? As the years went by raising children and working odd jobs, Tracey Gates felt there was more she could do with her skills and gifts. She thought maybe she would write a book one day, but she had no idea how to begin or what her topic would be. So she set aside that dream for another time. Occasionally it would come up in conversation with a friend or her spouse but there was never enough clarity to move forward. By age 50, though, she began to wonder if she’d totally missed what God had planned for her.
261 || What Does God Want You to Do With Your God-Shaped Dream? || Brittany Ann
How can your small first steps really make a difference? Brittany Ann began her writing and speaking career in the smallest of ways using what she already had—a bit of time while her baby slept and a computer. Instead of focusing on her lack she used what she had to start writing. Today she’s a bestselling author and founder of a popular Christian-living website for busy moms. This episode will remind you you’re not alone and teach you about trusting God with the future of your dream.
255 || Could Building the Right Team Be the Secret Sauce for Your Dream? || Lindsay May
What if your dream is already in the hearts of others? Have you ever considered that just because God gave you a dream that it doesn’t mean you were intended to fulfill it alone? Could there be others out there who have gifts and talents and experiences that you lack and who could be fantastic assets to your team and the fulfillment of your dream? Lindsay May is back to share why it was so important to build a team from the beginning and how she started with people who were right in front of her.
251 || Finding Beauty in the Messy Middle of Pursuing a God-Shaped Dream || Christine Marie Bailey
How do you adapt when your dream isn’t quite what you planned? Fear and perfectionism are two of the biggest enemies when it comes to pursuing a God-shaped dream. Maybe you’d prefer to have it all figured out before you begin. Or you’ve stepped out in the past but then retreated when things didn't work like you thought they would. My guest Christine Bailey knows all about stepping into a dream that is not fully figured out and the courage that comes from taking simple steps of obedience.
243 || How to Thrive Even While Feeling like a Foreigner in a Strange Land || Mabel Ninan
Mabel Ninan shares about realizing her identity as a spiritual immigrant and her dream to inspire believers to embrace their pilgrim journey and boldly pursue their heavenly calling. We talk about finding stability, permanence, and security when you’re feeling adrift in the world, knowing what you were made to do but having no idea where to begin, and how God meets you when you walk right out of your comfort zone.
205 || How We Partner With God to Fulfill His Purposes in the World || Julie Holmquist
Are you ever tempted to seek validation or affirmation from others? Julie Holmquist thought that she had rooted her identity deeply in Christ, but as soon as she started taking scary steps of faith toward a dream, she realized that she was looking to other people to give her what only He could. And that turned out to be a distraction from the true purpose He had put in her heart.
198 || How You Respond to Rejection Matters More Than Your Success || Heather Thompson Day
Although she is the author of seven published books, Dr. Heather Thompson Day has faced rejection after rejection in her dream of becoming a best-selling author. Her newest book It’s Not Your Turn is the story of how God has used repeated rejections to shape her character over the years and to help her realize that who she is when she’s not in the spotlight is far more important than who she will be when she is.
145 || How to Shift Your Dream When You Need To || Dianne Jago
As we face a global pandemic, it may feel incredibly difficult to dream right now or to act upon dreams already in motion because our lives and schedules are in total upheaval. This episode is a reminder that no matter what comes your way as you consider and pursue a God-shaped dream, everything is an opportunity to glorify God. Every fear, misstep, or disappointment reminds us that He is in charge and has His hands are upon it all, and every success is an opportunity to celebrate His goodness and grace.
121 || Listening to Your Feelings Can Sabotage Your Dream || Laura Harris
If you have a dream, don’t be surprised when discouragement shows up and threatens to destroy it. In this episode writer, mama, and former silent-struggler Laura Harris shares her vulnerable story about the night on the bathroom floor when she realized that she was on the verge of depression and could no longer hide it. You’ll learn how God brought her through it, used this difficulty to open her eyes to a greater purpose, and the steps you can take if you ever find yourself in a similar situation.
085 || How God's Word Can Breathe Life into Your Dream || Heather Holleman
In this interview, Heather Holleman reminds us that we can be deceived into thinking there’s life in the dream, instead of finding life in the Dream Maker. She shares the incredible power and joy we can find in living for the praise of God’s glory, and she reveals her daily practice of confessing the sin of self-exaltation. Finally, she talks about how the Lord may bring us through a season of preparation before we really see our dream come to fruition and what we can do in the meantime.
067 || How to Keep Your Faith While Waiting on Your Dream || Beth Ratzlaff
In this episode, Beth Ratzlaff talks about the long years she has waited on her dream to be a writer, how God has grown her through the pain of life and through waiting on her dream. She also shares the 5 promises from scripture she uses on a daily basis to draw closer to the Lord. A blogger, waiting-author, spiritual director and ministry leader, Beth calls herself and “ordinary clay-pot woman who is being crafted by an extraordinary potter.” I know you’re going to love hearing her story, especially if waiting is a part of yours.
066 || Proof that God is in the Details || Jeannie Blackmer
In this interview, Jeannie Blackmer talks about how her dream to write complemented her desire to work from home once she had young children. She shares some of the early baby steps that helped get her feet wet in the writing/publishing world, and what you need to know if you want to self-publish a book, like she did with her newest book, Talking to Jesus.
064 || Taking Your Dream One Step at a Time || Trillia Newbell
Trillia Newbell is the author of Enjoy: Finding the Freedom to Delight Daily in God's Good Gifts (2016), Fear and Faith: Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves (2015), United: Captured by God's Vision for Diversity (2014) and a children’s book, God’s Very Good Idea: A True Story of God’s Delightfully Different Family (September, 2017). Her writings on issues of faith, family, and diversity have been published in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Desiring God, Christianity Today, Relevant Magazine, The Gospel Coalition, and more. She is currently Director of Community Outreach for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission for the Southern Baptist Convention.
061 || Finding the Hope You Need When You Doubt Yourself || Darcy Wiley
Darcy Wiley is a writer who digs to find the transforming work of God in unexpected places. She is co-writer of the book “The Yes Effect: Accepting God’s Invitation to Transform the World Around You” (with Moody Publishers) in partnership with Luis Bush, the missions strategist who originated the 10/40 Window Movement. She is an explorer at heart. As a youth, she traveled to observe movements of God and serve on mission in various regions of the world. Nowadays, her primary mission is to raise her kids to be curious and compassionate citizens of the world. Her writing casts light on beauty and brokenness and helps readers cultivate deep, vibrant relationships with God and others.
Devoted Dreamers: 42 - Shanon Roberts: Self-published | Devotional Writer | Leaving a Legacy
Shanon is the author of a newly published devotional book called Rise Up! Devotions. She's a gal who married her high school sweetheart and now lives in Columbia City, IN with their two teenage daughters. When they’re not attending girls’ soccer or basketball games, they’re playing recreational sports, or cuddled up with a good movie. She's worked as an orthopedic designer for nearly seventeen years, and co-invented a handful of patents in that time. About nine years ago, Shanon consciously committed her life to Christ and has been relying on Him to lead, guide, and grow her ever since. As her love for Him has grown, so has her love for her husband, daughters, and others; she now finds herself standing with arms wide open simply saying, “here I am, this life is Yours.”
Momentum: Episode #23 - Hannah Anderson
Six years ago, Hannah Anderson slowly began to cultivate a career as a writer. It was not something she ever anticipated doing, but with young children at home she found herself wondering how to steward her gifting. She committed to God that she’d give two years to learning the trade and leave the results in His hands. Today she’s the author of two books: Made for More and the newly released Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul (Moody).
You could win a set of Hannah's books, Made for More and Humble Roots, by entering the giveaway here, prior to 11:59 p.m. EST on November 22, 2016.