March 3, 2025 • 27 mins
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Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Challenge: Take a moment to find your green pasture with the Lord.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hey everybody, welcome to Laughing Without Fear. It's been a minute.
(00:07):
Yes, it has. Ooh, we're back.
We are back. It's been like two years.
It's definitely past COVID.
Oh yeah, for sure.
But here we are.
Yes, and I would like to say that, I mean, first of all, let's apologize.
(00:29):
We had some major life events happen after we recorded our third podcast,
which is why we fell off the map.
Yes, we did major life events.
Yes, so we apologize for our little brief stint of way, but we are back
and we are going to hopefully start recording twice a month.
(00:55):
So every two weeks and we will hopefully be consistent now.
That's right. That's right.
Oh man, I am just glad. I feel refreshed. I mean, those two years, it was a lot of ups and downs, may I say.
Yes, and I definitely just want to go ahead and start.
So J-Woo, tell me what has been going on in your life? What is new? Catch me up.
(01:22):
Yeah, okay, so first of all, I no longer live in the United States.
Oh, she's gone. Everyone, she's gone. She's out of here.
Yeah, I am. I got married.
And yes, you did.
April 22nd, 2024.
(01:44):
So on 2023 January, I moved to the Netherlands to be closer to my boyfriend so we could decide if we wanted to get married.
And we did.
Congratulations. Thank you.
Wow, so it's almost going to be a year.
Yeah, really soon actually.
(02:05):
Amazing.
Time does fly.
It does.
Okay, Izzy, what about you? How has life been for you?
I think the major, major event, as you can probably hear things moving in the background, is I have a baby now.
So his name is David and he was also born in April, just 2024 was in April.
(02:33):
Yes, true.
The blessings here.
It was a wild ride.
That's him.
I would just like it noted that he is absolutely adorable and he is got chubby little cheeks and he is so cute.
The brownest, biggest eyes ever. He's so cute.
(02:56):
Thank you.
He has very, very, very big cheeks.
I'm so happy.
I'm so happy.
Literally that's the first thing that people say and comment on.
(03:18):
And we're happy. You know, it took a while. It's been a journey with the feeding.
I'm sure the mama's out there. No. And it was, it's been a journey.
So very happy that his, his journey with, with, with the cheeks, the puffed up swollen cheeks.
All right. You want to say bye?
Bye.
We'll see you soon. Okay.
Well, this is exciting that we're back.
(03:40):
I know it is. It's so exciting. I know I, I mean, honestly, it was kind of random how it all came together too.
Like I was randomly in my Spotify, like a couple of weeks ago, and I came across our podcast on my Spotify.
And I was like, Oh my gosh. And I went back in and listened to all the episodes.
(04:02):
And I was like, Oh, I miss that. I miss hanging out with Izzy. And I, we had such a good time doing it.
And I love getting to like, I don't know. I feel like also it draws me closer to the Lord too.
So I'm just so excited that we're doing this again.
Yeah. It sounds like some nostalgia, but also kind of God reawakening some things.
Of course, I love spending time with you. I know you're a little bit far distance wise, but you know, you're always close to my heart.
(04:29):
And so, yes, we'll be tons.
Well, glad we're back. And another thing that Jess and I talked about while kind of reconnecting in the last few weeks and, you know, just getting excited about connecting back on this is what are we,
what is something that the Lord has been speaking to us about and something that's been a highlight on our Bible readings.
(04:53):
And I could not go away, but from this one chapter slash book of the Bible is songs.
And that's in the last two years was definitely one of the books of the Bible that has carried me through one is super easy to just read the songs and get engaged.
(05:14):
And also probably the most famous one and probably I don't know this is debatable, but one of the most debated, most quoted verses of the Bible in general, a scripture is so we cannot look away from that one.
Okay, I think that I think this, this is something definitely that we can both resonate on.
(05:37):
Absolutely.
It's just so refreshing to read it so uplifting. I read it three times in a row out loud. And that day, I was like, this is the best day ever.
Wow, I'm feeling so much better. And especially it has been really rainy here in Seattle and they got really nasty. And the last couple days now it's been super sunny and feeling as if I don't know spring is here.
(06:05):
Yeah.
Yeah, David, exactly. And another thing is, I'm just so ready to feel refreshed and renewed, especially my Bible reading so.
Totally, I agree. I think especially after like the long winter. I don't know, I don't know about you but I feel like everybody seemed to have just a really rough winter. I know for me it was, it was pretty rough.
(06:28):
So, so the like idea of like being renewed and restoring my soul. I'm like, yes, Lord, I need that.
So, what is it like in the leather Netherlands right now. Tell me. Okay, it's rain the last two days, but there was like a couple of days of sun and I was like, Oh my gosh, the Lord is good. It is sunny. It was great.
(06:57):
Yeah, it's so nice. It's just as glimpses of sun when we're climate typically for winters just so cloudy makes a difference.
Yeah, you know the Netherlands and Seattle actually have like almost identical weather.
Wow. Wow.
I mean, I could see it for sure. I feel like I've had a friend's told me that too.
(07:20):
Yeah.
So, okay, is he you want to read Psalm 23 for everybody.
I would love to. Do I have it up and ready.
Absolutely not. David's looking at me like mommy, why do you don't have this ready.
I had it up. I had it up. And then I did with it. So, it's okay. Sorry, I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that.
(07:43):
That's all right. You know, it's okay.
All right, the Lord is my shepherd.
I like nothing he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters.
He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right path for his names sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil.
(08:07):
For you are with me your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
(08:28):
Beautiful.
So good.
Psalm of David.
I mean, I think for me specifically the two things that really stood out for me. Well, I talked about the like restoring my soul like after winter, definitely need that.
But the things that I really resonated like and really like I guess marinated with. I don't know how you say that was the your rod and your staff they comfort me.
(08:55):
I think specifically for me, like, I love correction and direction from the Lord.
Like I know that it's it's one of those things that like people don't like when they're wrong or like when they're getting corrected or being told what to do.
But I when it's from the Lord specifically, I love it. And like, gosh, I need to be told, hey, you're you're not in the right place here.
(09:22):
You need to go over here or you're not doing the right thing. You need to do this because I want to be in the Lord's will and people who want to be in the Lord's will you want to know if you're not in the right spot or if you're doing something wrong.
So I don't know for me it is a comfort for the Lord to just like give you those little taps or nudges in the right direction or just tell you when you need to be straightened out. You know what I mean.
(09:44):
Totally. Wow. And that is something a lot of the times we don't see anyone say maybe in a unless you're being super vulnerable. So I appreciate you mentioning that because I think it takes one a lot of maturity to say, oh, I want to be disciplined.
I want it the Lord in a good way, right. And I think part of being in love with Jesus. Yeah, you just want to your desire him to lead us lead right to one of us into what he's calling because we know that his ways are higher.
(10:19):
So what a wonderful approach and what a wonderful thing that in Psalm 23 we get to see that the shepherd, you know, the good shepherd has that rod, and has that staff. And I love that staff is also, I think of the staff of Moses a lot, and how much how many miracles can come out of staff and like a rod, you know, which I don't usually think
(10:47):
of tons but that is an image that I that I constantly think of when I think of Moses, I cannot look away but you know think of him and the staff that he had and which was a gift from God.
I love that so much. Another thing that stood out to me as well in that same verse was walking through the darkest valley, the valley, yeah, the shadow of death and so a lot of the times I think it's super easy for me to think, oh, I'm in the Lord right the Lord is my shepherd.
(11:27):
Surely I'm in green pastures but surely I also forget that there's this other verse that says we will walk through the valley of death, because part of that is just being in life and all of our valleys look different.
And some of those are the darkest ones we can ever walk through. And I get so much comfort in this that part of this verse to not almost like that second part says I will fear no evil so fear.
(11:57):
It reminded me fear is there fear is not something that God takes away. And the last part of that is that all of this happens because God trusts us and trust the process that we will basically make it about him, and we will surely be followed by his goodness and so it's so beautiful that once there's about there's
(12:24):
definitely valleys in our lives to there is fear, but there's no evil so that's also reassuring.
Yeah, like there we will have, we will not basically be conquered by fear like they're right.
But what conquers us is our is our shepherd is our Lord.
(12:45):
Yeah. Well, another another angle or way that I that I think about this too is like when it talks about even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me and then immediately after it says you're routing your staff they come from me.
So for talking about the rod and the staff being disciplined from the Lord, I think there's this like idea and this fear that if you stray off the path like you're just going to go off into the Indian, you know, to evil and like there's that fear that you know you're just going to wander off.
(13:17):
And there's this comfort that the Lord has this rod and the staff he'll pull you back over to the right side he'll tell you where to go.
So you don't have to be afraid of just wandering off into the evil Valley, you know what I mean, like the Lord's going to guide and direct you through it.
Totally. Yes. And I actually know there's a book I've spent a long time, but I remember there's a book that's called to some 23 shepherds perspective.
(13:45):
And yeah, it is very unique about thinking that one God is a shepherd and what that really looks like so highly recommend on a side note if you want to, you know, dig deeper on this.
But, and it's actually a really short read it's like a three hour read, like super.
(14:06):
Wow. Yeah.
Um, but I another thing that you reminded me of is that on verse five. So interesting that it says like you prepare a table before me in the presence of my.
Yeah.
And knowing that it's almost like the presence of the enemy is there again it really think about it until this.
(14:30):
Yeah, but it's.
It's him that where it's all because of the Lord that we're invited is preparing it for us.
And that those hard things don't mean that we're steered off and like what you said and like in the rock direction forgotten like the Lord continues to steer us back in so that is so beautiful thanks for bringing that up.
(14:55):
Yeah, and then it says at the very end and my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever so it's just a reminder like when we're in.
When our eyes are focused on God and when we're listening to his direction will be in the house of the Lord forever.
So,
Wow.
So cool.
Yeah, I feel really comforted today like exhale from just like, oh, like every time I read this. I cannot help feel more reassured every time.
(15:24):
And that's one of the reasons why I think reading this out loud over and over like that one time I was telling I was just like, yes, three times.
There's just something because you can we can always look online. There's so many things happening all the time.
Right.
And some of those things are not super encouraging but when we read a song like this knowing knowing how probably David was all the things like he went through.
(15:53):
King David right now there is so much reassurance and that the Lord is his shepherd I just I think it's so cool.
Last on a tiny little nugget and the reason why I'm reminded this is because I talked about the that book is that the author what I got the most out of that book is that he talked about how being a shepherd is super lowly job and not the most you know in the
(16:22):
in the church we think a lot of the times like leaders have more of a platform but shepherds back then that wasn't a very high esteemed job it was one of that's why David actually got it because he was the lowest the young.
Right.
And I think about how Jesus calls himself the good shepherd and how humble was and he could have came you know King style like how people thought about he what he was going to come in in that style and defeat the Roman.
(16:55):
Right.
It didn't it's it's like he's so he's just the fact that the Lord is our shepherd is we forget or I forget a lot of the time that it's God is really about my heart that also a lot it doesn't seem that it's a very exciting, you know platform and all these things are
(17:17):
happening like oh so shiny, you know,
this posture like God isn't like that God is calling us to this really specific quiet places and yet with so much grace like he he in this the last verse he says like he gives us goodness and love.
And so it's like in those in those not very yay you know what culture is looking for it right like a lot of times we look online it's
(17:44):
more followers who has the most attention. God is like there's surely goodness and love if you follow me.
Well and if you think about it like if you think about David's life and his life as a shepherd, those times when he was a shepherd and he spoke to the Lord and grew an intimacy with him, or what set him up for the rest of his life to be a leader.
(18:06):
Like it's what builds your character to be the kind of leader that you know David became.
Absolutely. And he really knew what that was like. So it's it's I love the imagery that he gave like the Lord is my shepherd.
Yeah, David really knew what that was like. So, yes, wonderful. Well, I know that we also have a I have a question for you for sure.
(18:35):
And one of the things that was also kind of in my head was that there is the place that he can actually refresh our soul.
Like you said, is there just is there like a time you feel like God has really refreshed your soul. And what did that what did that look like for you.
(18:59):
Yes, oh my gosh, the thing that comes to my mind immediately. Okay, so let me just paint a picture here for a second.
When I was 27, I had just stepped down from being the head of our media department for like six years. And I was like kind of writing solo for most of that, which was a lot I was pretty burnt out to be honest.
(19:26):
And I had to step down because it was I was not in a healthy place anymore. It had become more about serving and doing the work than it did about like doing it for the Lord and I kind of felt like I had been burnt out.
And so I stepped down from that. And then I also got called to missions. And so I went to New Zealand for a year to do why wham youth with the mission. And that first season of me being in why we're in New Zealand was the most refreshed I have ever been in my entire life.
(20:03):
I mean, to be fair part of it is New Zealand is absolutely beautiful and we literally had a waterfall on our campus. But I don't know there was such a sweet intimacy and time with the Lord, like he'd wake me up at 4am, which you know, if you is he you know me I'm not a morning person.
But I would get up and I would have this like beautiful time with the Lord and it was just like so refreshing to me.
(20:26):
What you got up early.
I did. I love that.
Oh, that's so cool. Wow. I obviously did not forget you went to why wham, but that's amazing. And the other thing I like super got distracted when you said I was writing solo for quite a while, because all I could think I was that song from Jason Derulo, right.
(20:54):
I can't do not seven seconds straight. I was just sorry, I think we had some tech issues there for a second. That's okay. But in my mind it was just playing writing solo.
My gosh, that's so funny. Yes. Okay, sorry. I mean it's laughing without.
(21:15):
Yes, absolutely.
We can. Okay, I have a question for you is he.
Okay, okay.
So, in those moments when you feel like life is chaos and you just don't have peace or you don't have rest like what do you do to like get away with the Lord or like what is it that you do to like find that your green pasture with the Lord or whatever you call it.
(21:40):
Yes. Okay, so I was just talking to this with a couple of other friends that are we get together on Thursdays.
Oh, actually Tuesdays, but then I get together with a couple of their friends on Thursdays to go on walks and a lot of us are new moms.
We talk about this walk is like what are you doing to come to Jesus and we're all you know tired we're trying to figure out because it's all super new to us.
(22:08):
But one of the things that I was telling or we were sharing and that I was sharing a not too long ago was actually, I just went back to sounds really not exciting.
And I think a lot of the times, things with the Lord don't sound that exciting, but they do bring so much joy to me and that's literally just reading my Bible like on the daily.
(22:34):
And but I have to read it in different things. I follow this Bible plan.
Sorry.
It's okay momentary break baby break.
Okay, well is he is taking a moment with the baby which this is real this is real life now this is we don't want to be polished and faked for you so that's fine things are going to happen.
(23:07):
Yes, you definitely put something in his mouth not joking.
Praise God.
What would like babies house start to putting things and I'm like, okay, I'll check on that.
Yes, absolutely.
Anyway, one of the things I was sharing was, see really my Bible reading is what takes me to back every single time because I was a new mom it can be scary and I'm sure anything just not just as your mom but there's so many things that I look on my or is not super fun sometimes to live in a big city and it's like, oh my gosh
(23:49):
I don't know.
Things those are real neighbors that need, you know, help and how do I talk about the first refresh and being that great fashion with the Lord to then go and be fed right by the Lord.
And I can also be also a mess all because right. And I cannot find anything else, but the scriptures like it sounds my Bible, my daily Bible reading is my go to. And but I can do it audibly, which I like, and then sometimes I switch it up and I do the journaling Bible.
(24:24):
I love that too, but I can never just do the same thing. So I'm just keeping it 100. Sometimes I just can't do the same exact thing with it. So I have to switch it out.
Over and over and over.
But I mean the Bible is like a such a great place to go to because I mean it literally is, it says like, you know, the word was God. So God is the word so it is alive. So it is feeding you so that totally makes sense why the Bible would be such a great place to go to when you need peace you need a rest from the Lord.
(24:58):
And you, you can find it in the in the pages of the Bible.
So, it makes sense.
Another thing too that my husband and I started doing at home is buying these.
They're these kits that are communion kits.
I literally got home one day and I was like, what, what is this box. It says, forget the name of the brand. But it's basically like, express godly bread or something like super silly and he was like, what's godly bread thing and he's like,
(25:32):
I'm going to do communion kits so we can do communion at home.
Oh my God.
I'm not going to lie though that grape juice does not taste good. But like all the preservatives.
All that to say, hey, it's once you bless it, it's holy. So, there you go.
That's right.
(25:53):
But that's another thing that I that we do as a family.
I love that.
Yeah.
Wonderful. Do you want to tell us about the challenge for this week?
Yes.
So, we just want to give you a little light challenge to for the next couple of weeks until we meet again.
(26:14):
Just to take a moment to find your green pasture with the Lord, like in all the chaos and the busy day with being a mom or whatever it is.
We understand that life is crazy, but sometimes you just need a moment to get with Jesus and find that green pasture.
So, we just challenge you to do that the next couple of weeks.
(26:36):
And we would love to hear from you to see if the Lord speaks to you about anything or if anything really moved you.
So, you can email us at laughingwithoutfear3125 at gmail.com.
Yes. And I would really love to hear what that is because like I said, I got to freshen things up, you know.
(27:04):
Sure.
So, we'd love to hear.
Always like new ideas.
Yes. Absolutely.
Oh, so fun.
I'm sending you so many big hugs to anyone listening.
I know why I'm just, I literally opened my arms like a weirdo over here.
No, I think that's cute.
Well, you know, for sure my sister's listening because she's her biggest fan.
(27:27):
Shout out to Lauren.
Well, this has been great first time back in a few years and we will come back in two weeks, we promise.
Alright, see you soon. Bye.
Bye.
Hey everybody, welcome to Laughing Without Fear. It's been a minute.
(00:07):
Yes, it has. Ooh, we're back.
We are back. It's been like two years.
It's definitely past COVID.
Oh yeah, for sure.
But here we are.
Yes, and I would like to say that, I mean, first of all, let's apologize.
(00:29):
We had some major life events happen after we recorded our third podcast,
which is why we fell off the map.
Yes, we did major life events.
Yes, so we apologize for our little brief stint of way, but we are back
and we are going to hopefully start recording twice a month.
(00:55):
So every two weeks and we will hopefully be consistent now.
That's right. That's right.
Oh man, I am just glad. I feel refreshed. I mean, those two years, it was a lot of ups and downs, may I say.
Yes, and I definitely just want to go ahead and start.
So J-Woo, tell me what has been going on in your life? What is new? Catch me up.
(01:22):
Yeah, okay, so first of all, I no longer live in the United States.
Oh, she's gone. Everyone, she's gone. She's out of here.
Yeah, I am. I got married.
And yes, you did.
April 22nd, 2024.
(01:44):
So on 2023 January, I moved to the Netherlands to be closer to my boyfriend so we could decide if we wanted to get married.
And we did.
Congratulations. Thank you.
Wow, so it's almost going to be a year.
Yeah, really soon actually.
(02:05):
Amazing.
Time does fly.
It does.
Okay, Izzy, what about you? How has life been for you?
I think the major, major event, as you can probably hear things moving in the background, is I have a baby now.
So his name is David and he was also born in April, just 2024 was in April.
(02:33):
Yes, true.
The blessings here.
It was a wild ride.
That's him.
I would just like it noted that he is absolutely adorable and he is got chubby little cheeks and he is so cute.
The brownest, biggest eyes ever. He's so cute.
(02:56):
Thank you.
He has very, very, very big cheeks.
I'm so happy.
I'm so happy.
Literally that's the first thing that people say and comment on.
(03:18):
And we're happy. You know, it took a while. It's been a journey with the feeding.
I'm sure the mama's out there. No. And it was, it's been a journey.
So very happy that his, his journey with, with, with the cheeks, the puffed up swollen cheeks.
All right. You want to say bye?
Bye.
We'll see you soon. Okay.
Well, this is exciting that we're back.
(03:40):
I know it is. It's so exciting. I know I, I mean, honestly, it was kind of random how it all came together too.
Like I was randomly in my Spotify, like a couple of weeks ago, and I came across our podcast on my Spotify.
And I was like, Oh my gosh. And I went back in and listened to all the episodes.
(04:02):
And I was like, Oh, I miss that. I miss hanging out with Izzy. And I, we had such a good time doing it.
And I love getting to like, I don't know. I feel like also it draws me closer to the Lord too.
So I'm just so excited that we're doing this again.
Yeah. It sounds like some nostalgia, but also kind of God reawakening some things.
Of course, I love spending time with you. I know you're a little bit far distance wise, but you know, you're always close to my heart.
(04:29):
And so, yes, we'll be tons.
Well, glad we're back. And another thing that Jess and I talked about while kind of reconnecting in the last few weeks and, you know, just getting excited about connecting back on this is what are we,
what is something that the Lord has been speaking to us about and something that's been a highlight on our Bible readings.
(04:53):
And I could not go away, but from this one chapter slash book of the Bible is songs.
And that's in the last two years was definitely one of the books of the Bible that has carried me through one is super easy to just read the songs and get engaged.
(05:14):
And also probably the most famous one and probably I don't know this is debatable, but one of the most debated, most quoted verses of the Bible in general, a scripture is so we cannot look away from that one.
Okay, I think that I think this, this is something definitely that we can both resonate on.
(05:37):
Absolutely.
It's just so refreshing to read it so uplifting. I read it three times in a row out loud. And that day, I was like, this is the best day ever.
Wow, I'm feeling so much better. And especially it has been really rainy here in Seattle and they got really nasty. And the last couple days now it's been super sunny and feeling as if I don't know spring is here.
(06:05):
Yeah.
Yeah, David, exactly. And another thing is, I'm just so ready to feel refreshed and renewed, especially my Bible reading so.
Totally, I agree. I think especially after like the long winter. I don't know, I don't know about you but I feel like everybody seemed to have just a really rough winter. I know for me it was, it was pretty rough.
(06:28):
So, so the like idea of like being renewed and restoring my soul. I'm like, yes, Lord, I need that.
So, what is it like in the leather Netherlands right now. Tell me. Okay, it's rain the last two days, but there was like a couple of days of sun and I was like, Oh my gosh, the Lord is good. It is sunny. It was great.
(06:57):
Yeah, it's so nice. It's just as glimpses of sun when we're climate typically for winters just so cloudy makes a difference.
Yeah, you know the Netherlands and Seattle actually have like almost identical weather.
Wow. Wow.
I mean, I could see it for sure. I feel like I've had a friend's told me that too.
(07:20):
Yeah.
So, okay, is he you want to read Psalm 23 for everybody.
I would love to. Do I have it up and ready.
Absolutely not. David's looking at me like mommy, why do you don't have this ready.
I had it up. I had it up. And then I did with it. So, it's okay. Sorry, I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that.
(07:43):
That's all right. You know, it's okay.
All right, the Lord is my shepherd.
I like nothing he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters.
He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right path for his names sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil.
(08:07):
For you are with me your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
(08:28):
Beautiful.
So good.
Psalm of David.
I mean, I think for me specifically the two things that really stood out for me. Well, I talked about the like restoring my soul like after winter, definitely need that.
But the things that I really resonated like and really like I guess marinated with. I don't know how you say that was the your rod and your staff they comfort me.
(08:55):
I think specifically for me, like, I love correction and direction from the Lord.
Like I know that it's it's one of those things that like people don't like when they're wrong or like when they're getting corrected or being told what to do.
But I when it's from the Lord specifically, I love it. And like, gosh, I need to be told, hey, you're you're not in the right place here.
(09:22):
You need to go over here or you're not doing the right thing. You need to do this because I want to be in the Lord's will and people who want to be in the Lord's will you want to know if you're not in the right spot or if you're doing something wrong.
So I don't know for me it is a comfort for the Lord to just like give you those little taps or nudges in the right direction or just tell you when you need to be straightened out. You know what I mean.
(09:44):
Totally. Wow. And that is something a lot of the times we don't see anyone say maybe in a unless you're being super vulnerable. So I appreciate you mentioning that because I think it takes one a lot of maturity to say, oh, I want to be disciplined.
I want it the Lord in a good way, right. And I think part of being in love with Jesus. Yeah, you just want to your desire him to lead us lead right to one of us into what he's calling because we know that his ways are higher.
(10:19):
So what a wonderful approach and what a wonderful thing that in Psalm 23 we get to see that the shepherd, you know, the good shepherd has that rod, and has that staff. And I love that staff is also, I think of the staff of Moses a lot, and how much how many miracles can come out of staff and like a rod, you know, which I don't usually think
(10:47):
of tons but that is an image that I that I constantly think of when I think of Moses, I cannot look away but you know think of him and the staff that he had and which was a gift from God.
I love that so much. Another thing that stood out to me as well in that same verse was walking through the darkest valley, the valley, yeah, the shadow of death and so a lot of the times I think it's super easy for me to think, oh, I'm in the Lord right the Lord is my shepherd.
(11:27):
Surely I'm in green pastures but surely I also forget that there's this other verse that says we will walk through the valley of death, because part of that is just being in life and all of our valleys look different.
And some of those are the darkest ones we can ever walk through. And I get so much comfort in this that part of this verse to not almost like that second part says I will fear no evil so fear.
(11:57):
It reminded me fear is there fear is not something that God takes away. And the last part of that is that all of this happens because God trusts us and trust the process that we will basically make it about him, and we will surely be followed by his goodness and so it's so beautiful that once there's about there's
(12:24):
definitely valleys in our lives to there is fear, but there's no evil so that's also reassuring.
Yeah, like there we will have, we will not basically be conquered by fear like they're right.
But what conquers us is our is our shepherd is our Lord.
(12:45):
Yeah. Well, another another angle or way that I that I think about this too is like when it talks about even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me and then immediately after it says you're routing your staff they come from me.
So for talking about the rod and the staff being disciplined from the Lord, I think there's this like idea and this fear that if you stray off the path like you're just going to go off into the Indian, you know, to evil and like there's that fear that you know you're just going to wander off.
(13:17):
And there's this comfort that the Lord has this rod and the staff he'll pull you back over to the right side he'll tell you where to go.
So you don't have to be afraid of just wandering off into the evil Valley, you know what I mean, like the Lord's going to guide and direct you through it.
Totally. Yes. And I actually know there's a book I've spent a long time, but I remember there's a book that's called to some 23 shepherds perspective.
(13:45):
And yeah, it is very unique about thinking that one God is a shepherd and what that really looks like so highly recommend on a side note if you want to, you know, dig deeper on this.
But, and it's actually a really short read it's like a three hour read, like super.
(14:06):
Wow. Yeah.
Um, but I another thing that you reminded me of is that on verse five. So interesting that it says like you prepare a table before me in the presence of my.
Yeah.
And knowing that it's almost like the presence of the enemy is there again it really think about it until this.
(14:30):
Yeah, but it's.
It's him that where it's all because of the Lord that we're invited is preparing it for us.
And that those hard things don't mean that we're steered off and like what you said and like in the rock direction forgotten like the Lord continues to steer us back in so that is so beautiful thanks for bringing that up.
(14:55):
Yeah, and then it says at the very end and my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever so it's just a reminder like when we're in.
When our eyes are focused on God and when we're listening to his direction will be in the house of the Lord forever.
So,
Wow.
So cool.
Yeah, I feel really comforted today like exhale from just like, oh, like every time I read this. I cannot help feel more reassured every time.
(15:24):
And that's one of the reasons why I think reading this out loud over and over like that one time I was telling I was just like, yes, three times.
There's just something because you can we can always look online. There's so many things happening all the time.
Right.
And some of those things are not super encouraging but when we read a song like this knowing knowing how probably David was all the things like he went through.
(15:53):
King David right now there is so much reassurance and that the Lord is his shepherd I just I think it's so cool.
Last on a tiny little nugget and the reason why I'm reminded this is because I talked about the that book is that the author what I got the most out of that book is that he talked about how being a shepherd is super lowly job and not the most you know in the
(16:22):
in the church we think a lot of the times like leaders have more of a platform but shepherds back then that wasn't a very high esteemed job it was one of that's why David actually got it because he was the lowest the young.
Right.
And I think about how Jesus calls himself the good shepherd and how humble was and he could have came you know King style like how people thought about he what he was going to come in in that style and defeat the Roman.
(16:55):
Right.
It didn't it's it's like he's so he's just the fact that the Lord is our shepherd is we forget or I forget a lot of the time that it's God is really about my heart that also a lot it doesn't seem that it's a very exciting, you know platform and all these things are
(17:17):
happening like oh so shiny, you know,
this posture like God isn't like that God is calling us to this really specific quiet places and yet with so much grace like he he in this the last verse he says like he gives us goodness and love.
And so it's like in those in those not very yay you know what culture is looking for it right like a lot of times we look online it's
(17:44):
more followers who has the most attention. God is like there's surely goodness and love if you follow me.
Well and if you think about it like if you think about David's life and his life as a shepherd, those times when he was a shepherd and he spoke to the Lord and grew an intimacy with him, or what set him up for the rest of his life to be a leader.
(18:06):
Like it's what builds your character to be the kind of leader that you know David became.
Absolutely. And he really knew what that was like. So it's it's I love the imagery that he gave like the Lord is my shepherd.
Yeah, David really knew what that was like. So, yes, wonderful. Well, I know that we also have a I have a question for you for sure.
(18:35):
And one of the things that was also kind of in my head was that there is the place that he can actually refresh our soul.
Like you said, is there just is there like a time you feel like God has really refreshed your soul. And what did that what did that look like for you.
(18:59):
Yes, oh my gosh, the thing that comes to my mind immediately. Okay, so let me just paint a picture here for a second.
When I was 27, I had just stepped down from being the head of our media department for like six years. And I was like kind of writing solo for most of that, which was a lot I was pretty burnt out to be honest.
(19:26):
And I had to step down because it was I was not in a healthy place anymore. It had become more about serving and doing the work than it did about like doing it for the Lord and I kind of felt like I had been burnt out.
And so I stepped down from that. And then I also got called to missions. And so I went to New Zealand for a year to do why wham youth with the mission. And that first season of me being in why we're in New Zealand was the most refreshed I have ever been in my entire life.
(20:03):
I mean, to be fair part of it is New Zealand is absolutely beautiful and we literally had a waterfall on our campus. But I don't know there was such a sweet intimacy and time with the Lord, like he'd wake me up at 4am, which you know, if you is he you know me I'm not a morning person.
But I would get up and I would have this like beautiful time with the Lord and it was just like so refreshing to me.
(20:26):
What you got up early.
I did. I love that.
Oh, that's so cool. Wow. I obviously did not forget you went to why wham, but that's amazing. And the other thing I like super got distracted when you said I was writing solo for quite a while, because all I could think I was that song from Jason Derulo, right.
(20:54):
I can't do not seven seconds straight. I was just sorry, I think we had some tech issues there for a second. That's okay. But in my mind it was just playing writing solo.
My gosh, that's so funny. Yes. Okay, sorry. I mean it's laughing without.
(21:15):
Yes, absolutely.
We can. Okay, I have a question for you is he.
Okay, okay.
So, in those moments when you feel like life is chaos and you just don't have peace or you don't have rest like what do you do to like get away with the Lord or like what is it that you do to like find that your green pasture with the Lord or whatever you call it.
(21:40):
Yes. Okay, so I was just talking to this with a couple of other friends that are we get together on Thursdays.
Oh, actually Tuesdays, but then I get together with a couple of their friends on Thursdays to go on walks and a lot of us are new moms.
We talk about this walk is like what are you doing to come to Jesus and we're all you know tired we're trying to figure out because it's all super new to us.
(22:08):
But one of the things that I was telling or we were sharing and that I was sharing a not too long ago was actually, I just went back to sounds really not exciting.
And I think a lot of the times, things with the Lord don't sound that exciting, but they do bring so much joy to me and that's literally just reading my Bible like on the daily.
(22:34):
And but I have to read it in different things. I follow this Bible plan.
Sorry.
It's okay momentary break baby break.
Okay, well is he is taking a moment with the baby which this is real this is real life now this is we don't want to be polished and faked for you so that's fine things are going to happen.
(23:07):
Yes, you definitely put something in his mouth not joking.
Praise God.
What would like babies house start to putting things and I'm like, okay, I'll check on that.
Yes, absolutely.
Anyway, one of the things I was sharing was, see really my Bible reading is what takes me to back every single time because I was a new mom it can be scary and I'm sure anything just not just as your mom but there's so many things that I look on my or is not super fun sometimes to live in a big city and it's like, oh my gosh
(23:49):
I don't know.
Things those are real neighbors that need, you know, help and how do I talk about the first refresh and being that great fashion with the Lord to then go and be fed right by the Lord.
And I can also be also a mess all because right. And I cannot find anything else, but the scriptures like it sounds my Bible, my daily Bible reading is my go to. And but I can do it audibly, which I like, and then sometimes I switch it up and I do the journaling Bible.
(24:24):
I love that too, but I can never just do the same thing. So I'm just keeping it 100. Sometimes I just can't do the same exact thing with it. So I have to switch it out.
Over and over and over.
But I mean the Bible is like a such a great place to go to because I mean it literally is, it says like, you know, the word was God. So God is the word so it is alive. So it is feeding you so that totally makes sense why the Bible would be such a great place to go to when you need peace you need a rest from the Lord.
(24:58):
And you, you can find it in the in the pages of the Bible.
So, it makes sense.
Another thing too that my husband and I started doing at home is buying these.
They're these kits that are communion kits.
I literally got home one day and I was like, what, what is this box. It says, forget the name of the brand. But it's basically like, express godly bread or something like super silly and he was like, what's godly bread thing and he's like,
(25:32):
I'm going to do communion kits so we can do communion at home.
Oh my God.
I'm not going to lie though that grape juice does not taste good. But like all the preservatives.
All that to say, hey, it's once you bless it, it's holy. So, there you go.
That's right.
(25:53):
But that's another thing that I that we do as a family.
I love that.
Yeah.
Wonderful. Do you want to tell us about the challenge for this week?
Yes.
So, we just want to give you a little light challenge to for the next couple of weeks until we meet again.
(26:14):
Just to take a moment to find your green pasture with the Lord, like in all the chaos and the busy day with being a mom or whatever it is.
We understand that life is crazy, but sometimes you just need a moment to get with Jesus and find that green pasture.
So, we just challenge you to do that the next couple of weeks.
(26:36):
And we would love to hear from you to see if the Lord speaks to you about anything or if anything really moved you.
So, you can email us at laughingwithoutfear3125 at gmail.com.
Yes. And I would really love to hear what that is because like I said, I got to freshen things up, you know.
(27:04):
Sure.
So, we'd love to hear.
Always like new ideas.
Yes. Absolutely.
Oh, so fun.
I'm sending you so many big hugs to anyone listening.
I know why I'm just, I literally opened my arms like a weirdo over here.
No, I think that's cute.
Well, you know, for sure my sister's listening because she's her biggest fan.
(27:27):
Shout out to Lauren.
Well, this has been great first time back in a few years and we will come back in two weeks, we promise.
Alright, see you soon. Bye.
Bye.
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