March Madness is great fun with basketball, buzzer beaters and crazy championship games. But, this March, let's talk about something even greater: March MISSION Madness. In this new collection of conversations, we focus on living crazy amazing lives for Jesus - - - and weave in some testimonies from history to inspire us.
In this episode, join Tosha Williams and Wendy Hickox for an inspiring introduction into living all out for Jesus. We will look at four amazing, inspiring women who experienced the power of God in their lives. The world may have seen them as "foolish," but their stories reverberate through history as examples to follow.
Listen in, then spend some time with Jesus in this conversation guide considering the theme verse for our March MISSION Madness series:
"The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)
(Then be sure to listen in to the rest of the March MISSION Madness podcasts!) Also, you can read the introduction to this series at https://familydiscipleme.org/an-intro-to-march-mission-madness/
______________________
The Family Disciple Me ministry exists to catalyze devotion driven discipleship in our homes and around the world. We believe that discipleship starts with a conversation, and FDM provides free, easily-accessible, biblical resources to encourage these meaningful conversations along life's way. Sign up through our website to be "the first to know" about upcoming releases and resources (including the FDM App - coming soon!!!) You can also follow Family Disciple Me on social media.
Family Disciple Me is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry, and all donations are tax deductible. More information, blogs, statement of faith and contact info can be found at familydiscipleme.org
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Family Disciple Me.
It's March and at least at myhouse it is March madness.
It's full of brackets andbuzzer beaters and basketball
intensity.
It keeps my family glued to thescreen, that's right, tasha.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
It is that time of the year.
It is teams pushing themselvesto the limit, training,
strategizing and givingeverything.
They've got Fans go wild.
I know you see it at your house.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
We do, I see it at my house and over the years,
because my husband is such acrazy March Madness maniac, I've
started calling it MarchSadness Ooh.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
I can totally empathize with that statement,
although we don't watchbasketball too much in our house
mostly it's soccer but I canappreciate where you're coming
from.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Well, I was thinking about the fact that this year
for March Madness, that maybewith Family Disciple Me, we
could take it just a little bitdifferent direction.
So, wendy, thank you forjoining me here in my clophus.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
I have to tell you it's the first time I've been
actually in this clophus.
As a matter of fact, I thinkthe last time that we were
together we were in mydaughter's closet yes, which is
very different than your clophus.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Yes, yes, I think we recorded an episode in season
one in your daughter's closet.
It has been a while.
Way back during quarantine.
It has been a while, but herewe are.
Here we are.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
And you're right.
This is the kind of madnessthat happens in this month for
everyone that is a basketballfan that has that TV on all day
long.
But I think that we're going tojump into something different,
like let's leave this as a jumpinto something else.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
That's right.
I want us to talk about MarchMission Madness.
This month.
I'm so excited about thestories that we're going to talk
about the true stories ofhistorical godly women, as well
as how we're going to use thisto help us understand scripture
better.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
It's a kind of madness that doesn't end with a
championship trophy, but with aneternal reward.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
That's right.
That's what we want to talkabout in this conversation
series and, wendy, as you know,in everything that we do, family
Disciple Me always encouragesus to seek Him and then turn
around and speak Him.
So as we learn these truths andas we look at these amazing,
crazy, faith-filled lives, thenwe have the opportunity to turn
(02:39):
around and share these thingsthat point us to Jesus with the
next generation.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Absolutely that act of discipleship.
It will make eternal rewards inheaven.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
That's right and it'll build relationship here.
So thank you for joining mehere in this clubhouse.
And well, let's cue the podcastintro and then we'll be right
back to talk about thisintroduction into our March
Mission Madness series ofconversations.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Welcome to the Family Disciple Me podcast.
If you have a real relationshipwith Jesus, then you're in the
right place to be encouraged,challenged and blessed as you
seek Him, speak Him.
The mission of the FamilyDisciple Me ministry is to
inspire devotion-drivendiscipleship, which is something
we believe every Christfollower can do.
(03:30):
Discipleship starts with aconversation, so let's get going
with that right now.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Wendy, here we are in my tiny little co-office on a
Saturday afternoon.
There's a thousand other thingswe could be doing, but instead
we're in this tiny little spacegetting ready to record this
podcast series.
I think that that is somethingthat you could call foolish.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
It could be foolish.
If you saw this little spacethat we're crammed into, people
might call it foolish.
That we're crammed into, peoplemight call it foolish.
I know we have been waiting formonths, if not a couple years,
to find the time to really havethis conversation with one
another, to put it out therethat this is what we do is have
conversations, and here we arehere.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
We are In this little space.
In this little space, I noticedthat when I stepped out to the
front and looked out the window,it's snowing outside.
So on this snowy afternoon,here we are in this little space
, finally getting to do what wehave talked about doing for so
long, and that is engagingmeaningful conversations in
(04:39):
order to encourage other peopleto have meaningful conversations
.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
These conversations can really be the jumping board
of bringing people to havemeaningful conversations.
These conversations can reallybe the jumping board of bringing
people to Christ, allowing themto see who Christ is and
showing them how to get there.
This is what people are longingfor.
I've been listening to.
People want to haveconversations and it's hard,
especially in today's societywhere we have all the social
(05:03):
media and people think they'rehaving conversations, but are
they really having trueconversations with one another?
Speaker 1 (05:10):
I don't know Well, we get to help inspire those
conversations as family DiscipleMe team members, and I just
want to highlight my friendWendy.
She is a mom of three.
She is a police officer's wife.
She is an extraordinary teacher.
She loves the Lord.
This woman is amazing.
Also, she has served with me inthe Family Disciple Me ministry
(05:34):
.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
For what six years now, six years, I think.
That Family Disciple Me hasbeen around for seven years now
and I remember so clearly theday that you had, you know the
Lord had brought this nonprofitministry to your mind.
You knew where you were goingand you would ask me to be part
of it.
I remember at the time thinking, oh, I want to, I'm going to
(05:55):
pray about it, and it justwasn't the right time.
So I think I leaped in a yearafter and so thankful that I am
here now and part of thisnonprofit organization that is
just teaching people how to seekhim and then turn around and
speak it to all those that areentrusted to us, our children,
(06:15):
everyone that's around.
So I thank you for theopportunity to be part and to
not give up on me after Istepped away for a little bit
and just needed to get groundedin where I was.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Well, and you know, Wendy, I really think that that
speaks into this topic thatwe're going to talk about this
month, because I think that onereason that you initially said
no to the invitation to be onthe Family Disciple Me ministry
team was because you felt maybea little intimidated by the
conversations.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Absolutely.
Actually, at the time, sevenyears ago, my children were
younger seven years younger thanthey are now and I remember
being in the thick of it, likewe were carpooling, we were
going to activities and justbeing so in the middle of
raising my children, and notalways feeling like I was doing
the best job of it.
(07:10):
Who would I be to talk tosomebody about discipling their
children?
And yet God came to me a yearlater and was like you are, you
are the mama that needs to hearthis.
You are the mama that needs toreach out, because you are
relatable, because no one isperfect.
That's right.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
That's right.
And for you, listener, whereveryou are along life's journey
right now, the reason we'resitting here is not because
we're experts.
The reason we're sitting hereis not because we're experts but
because we believe sopassionately in the fact that
God has entrusted people toevery single one of us.
So if you're sitting therelistening to this as a mama or
(07:52):
as a grandma, or as a big sisteror dad, whoever it is, however
you approach this conversation,the reason that we're sitting
here, the reason we're a part ofFamily, disciple Me and do this
podcast and all the differentthings with FDM, is to encourage
and equip and inspire all of usthat our stories matter, our
(08:12):
Jesus stories matter.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Our Jesus stories do absolutely matter.
And I think with that I want tosay you are listening to two
women that come from verydifferent backgrounds, in the
sense that, tasha, you are avery accomplished pastor's wife
that has a million things onyour plate.
You have five grown childrennow.
I think one that is really is18, getting ready to graduate
(08:36):
from high school, and myselfbeing a mother that has three
children but I didn't grow up inthe church Very different.
I look at you and I think, ohmy goodness, she has it all
together.
She walks through the churchand a perception can be very
different than how things comeacross.
We all have something to bringto the table.
(09:16):
That's right, might bedifferent, but we're both in
this together and that's what Iwant to bring to this table.
That listen to where you are,see where you are.
This is for everyone.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
That's right.
Be encouraged.
The world sees certain thingsabout our lives as Christians.
The world sees these things asfoolish things like
self-sacrifice, humility,faithfulness, prayer.
These things seem foolish tothe world and yet we live these
(09:46):
out, even though they cost us somuch.
But here's the thing, and thisis what I want us to really
settle in our hearts and ourminds as we go into this
collection of conversations whatthe world calls foolish God
calls powerful that is sopowerful.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Just that statement in itself really reminds me of 1
Corinthians 1.18.
For the message of the cross isfoolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who arebeing saved, it is the power of
God.
So that foolishness out there,that's what we're going to talk
about.
How are we foolish for Christ?
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Because that's really the power I love this tie in to
March Mission Madness, because,in other words, god's game plan
doesn't make sense to the world, but his strategy always wins
in the end.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
Isn't that?
Speaker 1 (10:39):
good, wendy, it's so good.
That encourages me so much.
So this month, all month long,we're going to be looking at the
lives of some different womenin history who were absolutely
crazy mad in the world's eyes,but whose faith echoes to us
even today, but whose faithechoes to us even today.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
It's their determination.
Their sacrifice, theircommitment to Jesus would have
made no sense to most peoplearound them, but God used them
in powerful ways.
Yes.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
Two of them, wendy, are women that I have thought
about for a long time, and thentwo of them were unexpected
surprises for me this past year.
Two of them were unexpectedsurprises for me this past year.
So in this March MissionMadness series, we're going to
start with one of my favoriteheroes of the faith, and that is
(11:29):
Harriet.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Tubman.
Oh, what a perfect time to bestudying that, digging deeper
into it, as an elementaryteacher.
Actually, at this point I'mcoaching teachers how to teach,
but right now we're reallystudying Black History Month and
digging in.
How have people made adifference?
And to start with HarrietTubman, I can think of no better
(11:50):
way than to see how she made adifference, for Jesus.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
She was a woman of faith, and sometimes I think
that can get lost in thedialogue, but she was a woman of
faith, so we're going to talkabout her as we launch March
Mission Madness.
And then we're going to go toone of my favorite, most
inspirational women, and hername is Monica.
She is not well known, but shewas the mother of St Augustine,
(12:16):
who is one of history's mostfamous theologians.
Monica was an amazing woman whoprayed without ceasing, and she
inspires me so much to pray forprodigals.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Well, I know that she inspires you because two years
ago we were at a retreat at ourchurch and I remember you
talking so fervently aboutMonica and how she prayed and
she never ceased in that prayerfor her prodigal son and boy.
What a story she has and what astory it comes out to be to
(12:49):
talk about her and dig into herlife is inspiring.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
Yes, I can't get away from how inspirational her
story is to me, so I love thatso much that we get to share
that.
And then our last two womenthat we're going to highlight,
or maybe the next two women, whoknows?
Maybe we'll keep going withthis series, but the next two
women were ones that I did notknow about until I had this
amazing opportunity to go to theUnited Kingdom last year, and
(13:16):
these two women that I learnedabout along the way their names
are Mary Slessor and MargaretWilson and Wendy.
I can't wait to share theirstories, because these women
have impacted my heart and mylife so much, and I believe that
as their stories are sharedmore and more, I believe that
they'll just echo into otherlives as well.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
I can't wait for our listeners to hear about these
women's lives.
You've just touched the surfacewith me about their lives.
I remember you coming back fromyour trip and talking
specifically about these womenand how their stories just
impacted you.
I thought how in the world youwere just there, for I think you
were there for two weekspossibly, yes, and you came back
(14:00):
, and so to speak about thesewomen will again bring
inspiration to those of you thatare listening to our podcast,
and it certainly has brought alot of encouragement in my life
and I am excited to dig intotheir life and see where they
went with their faith.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
That's right.
That's right.
I love that, wendy.
I love that Each of these women, honestly, they could have
taken the easy road, but theychose faith over fear, they
chose sacrifice over safety andthey chose eternal conversations
and focus over comfort, andthat's why I believe their faith
(14:40):
still speaks their stories seemto just really challenge us.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
What are we willing to sacrifice for Jesus?
What are we willing to do forJesus?
What foolish thing is Godcalling us to, just like these?
Speaker 1 (14:55):
women.
I think that as we dive intoeach of these stories this month
, the Holy Spirit is going tohighlight different ways that he
wants us to obediently followHim, ways that may seem foolish
and crazy to everybody else butthat, absolutely going back to
our theme verse for this wholecollection of conversations is
(15:18):
the power of God.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
Absolutely.
When I think about that, I'mthinking maybe it's sharing the
gospel when it feels awkward,maybe it's standing for truth
when the world really calls uscrazy.
Maybe it's choosing obediencewhen it actually cost us
something.
Because in God's eyes, wendy,this kind of madness is actually
(15:42):
wisdom, that is so deep, to putit in that regard, because,
truly, the world does see it asfoolishness.
And well, we're diving intothis March Madness, let's do it.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Let's do it.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
So let's get ready for a March filled with some
incredible stories that willinspire us to live boldly with
Jesus, and here's the challengeEach week, as we highlight these
women, ask yourself, what wouldit look like for me to live
with that kind of determination,with that kind of commitment,
with that kind of faith?
Speaker 1 (16:17):
And friend.
We want to hear from you alongthe way.
We have social media, we haveemail.
Reach out to us.
Leave a message on yourfavorite podcast platform.
If there's an episode thatimpacts you, share it with a
friend.
Put something on social media,invite other people in.
But, wendy, here's the mainthing that we always say as you
(16:39):
seek him, turn around and speakhim.
The best thing that could comeout of you listening to this
podcast episode is that you leaninto Jesus more than ever
before and then you turn aroundand you share that with someone
else, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
I want us to just step into this madness of the
gospel together, because whatseems like foolishness to the
world is actually the power ofGod.
And we're here and we want tojump in together, amen.
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Well, I would love to close this episode with prayer.
Father God, thank you, thankyou for your word.
Father God, thank you, thankyou for your word.
Thank you that you call us andinvite us into an extraordinary
life of faith.
Sometimes it does feel likemadness.
Sometimes we know that otherslook at us like we are crazy,
(17:33):
and yet, jesus, there's no placewe would rather be than out on
the court and in the game withyou.
And we know it's not a game.
This is eternity we're talkingabout.
But, jesus, you are, you areour coach, you are our leader,
you are our guide, and we arethrilled to be on Team Jesus.
(17:54):
So help us as we lean into thisseries this month, for your
glory, for our good and the goodof all of those that you've
entrusted to us.
Amen, amen, amen.
Be encouraged, friend, untilnext time.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
Thanks for joining us in this podcast episode.
You can find the MatchingConversation Guide in the show
notes.
To get the latest updates aboutthe Family Disciple Me ministry
, as well as word about oursoon-to-be-released app, sign up
to be the first to know atfamilydisciplemeorg.
Also, if you enjoyed thispodcast, help us get the word
(18:32):
out by leaving us a review onyour favorite podcast platform.
God bless you, friend.
Now go seek him.
Speak him.
Welcome to Family Disciple Me.
It's March and at least at myhouse it is March madness.
It's full of brackets andbuzzer beaters and basketball
intensity.
It keeps my family glued to thescreen, that's right, tasha.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
It is that time of the year.
It is teams pushing themselvesto the limit, training,
strategizing and givingeverything.
They've got Fans go wild.
I know you see it at your house.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
We do, I see it at my house and over the years,
because my husband is such acrazy March Madness maniac, I've
started calling it MarchSadness Ooh.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
I can totally empathize with that statement,
although we don't watchbasketball too much in our house
mostly it's soccer but I canappreciate where you're coming
from.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Well, I was thinking about the fact that this year
for March Madness, that maybewith Family Disciple Me, we
could take it just a little bitdifferent direction.
So, wendy, thank you forjoining me here in my clophus.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
I have to tell you it's the first time I've been
actually in this clophus.
As a matter of fact, I thinkthe last time that we were
together we were in mydaughter's closet yes, which is
very different than your clophus.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Yes, yes, I think we recorded an episode in season
one in your daughter's closet.
It has been a while.
Way back during quarantine.
It has been a while, but herewe are.
Here we are.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
And you're right.
This is the kind of madnessthat happens in this month for
everyone that is a basketballfan that has that TV on all day
long.
But I think that we're going tojump into something different,
like let's leave this as a jumpinto something else.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
That's right.
I want us to talk about MarchMission Madness.
This month.
I'm so excited about thestories that we're going to talk
about the true stories ofhistorical godly women, as well
as how we're going to use thisto help us understand scripture
better.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
It's a kind of madness that doesn't end with a
championship trophy, but with aneternal reward.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
That's right.
That's what we want to talkabout in this conversation
series and, wendy, as you know,in everything that we do, family
Disciple Me always encouragesus to seek Him and then turn
around and speak Him.
So as we learn these truths andas we look at these amazing,
crazy, faith-filled lives, thenwe have the opportunity to turn
(02:39):
around and share these thingsthat point us to Jesus with the
next generation.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Absolutely that act of discipleship.
It will make eternal rewards inheaven.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
That's right and it'll build relationship here.
So thank you for joining mehere in this clubhouse.
And well, let's cue the podcastintro and then we'll be right
back to talk about thisintroduction into our March
Mission Madness series ofconversations.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Welcome to the Family Disciple Me podcast.
If you have a real relationshipwith Jesus, then you're in the
right place to be encouraged,challenged and blessed as you
seek Him, speak Him.
The mission of the FamilyDisciple Me ministry is to
inspire devotion-drivendiscipleship, which is something
we believe every Christfollower can do.
(03:30):
Discipleship starts with aconversation, so let's get going
with that right now.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Wendy, here we are in my tiny little co-office on a
Saturday afternoon.
There's a thousand other thingswe could be doing, but instead
we're in this tiny little spacegetting ready to record this
podcast series.
I think that that is somethingthat you could call foolish.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
It could be foolish.
If you saw this little spacethat we're crammed into, people
might call it foolish.
That we're crammed into, peoplemight call it foolish.
I know we have been waiting formonths, if not a couple years,
to find the time to really havethis conversation with one
another, to put it out therethat this is what we do is have
conversations, and here we arehere.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
We are In this little space.
In this little space, I noticedthat when I stepped out to the
front and looked out the window,it's snowing outside.
So on this snowy afternoon,here we are in this little space
, finally getting to do what wehave talked about doing for so
long, and that is engagingmeaningful conversations in
(04:39):
order to encourage other peopleto have meaningful conversations
.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
These conversations can really be the jumping board
of bringing people to havemeaningful conversations.
These conversations can reallybe the jumping board of bringing
people to Christ, allowing themto see who Christ is and
showing them how to get there.
This is what people are longingfor.
I've been listening to.
People want to haveconversations and it's hard,
especially in today's societywhere we have all the social
(05:03):
media and people think they'rehaving conversations, but are
they really having trueconversations with one another?
Speaker 1 (05:10):
I don't know Well, we get to help inspire those
conversations as family DiscipleMe team members, and I just
want to highlight my friendWendy.
She is a mom of three.
She is a police officer's wife.
She is an extraordinary teacher.
She loves the Lord.
This woman is amazing.
Also, she has served with me inthe Family Disciple Me ministry
(05:34):
.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
For what six years now, six years, I think.
That Family Disciple Me hasbeen around for seven years now
and I remember so clearly theday that you had, you know the
Lord had brought this nonprofitministry to your mind.
You knew where you were goingand you would ask me to be part
of it.
I remember at the time thinking, oh, I want to, I'm going to
(05:55):
pray about it, and it justwasn't the right time.
So I think I leaped in a yearafter and so thankful that I am
here now and part of thisnonprofit organization that is
just teaching people how to seekhim and then turn around and
speak it to all those that areentrusted to us, our children,
(06:15):
everyone that's around.
So I thank you for theopportunity to be part and to
not give up on me after Istepped away for a little bit
and just needed to get groundedin where I was.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Well, and you know, Wendy, I really think that that
speaks into this topic thatwe're going to talk about this
month, because I think that onereason that you initially said
no to the invitation to be onthe Family Disciple Me ministry
team was because you felt maybea little intimidated by the
conversations.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Absolutely.
Actually, at the time, sevenyears ago, my children were
younger seven years younger thanthey are now and I remember
being in the thick of it, likewe were carpooling, we were
going to activities and justbeing so in the middle of
raising my children, and notalways feeling like I was doing
the best job of it.
(07:10):
Who would I be to talk tosomebody about discipling their
children?
And yet God came to me a yearlater and was like you are, you
are the mama that needs to hearthis.
You are the mama that needs toreach out, because you are
relatable, because no one isperfect.
That's right.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
That's right.
And for you, listener, whereveryou are along life's journey
right now, the reason we'resitting here is not because
we're experts.
The reason we're sitting hereis not because we're experts but
because we believe sopassionately in the fact that
God has entrusted people toevery single one of us.
So if you're sitting therelistening to this as a mama or
(07:52):
as a grandma, or as a big sisteror dad, whoever it is, however
you approach this conversation,the reason that we're sitting
here, the reason we're a part ofFamily, disciple Me and do this
podcast and all the differentthings with FDM, is to encourage
and equip and inspire all of usthat our stories matter, our
(08:12):
Jesus stories matter.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Our Jesus stories do absolutely matter.
And I think with that I want tosay you are listening to two
women that come from verydifferent backgrounds, in the
sense that, tasha, you are avery accomplished pastor's wife
that has a million things onyour plate.
You have five grown childrennow.
I think one that is really is18, getting ready to graduate
(08:36):
from high school, and myselfbeing a mother that has three
children but I didn't grow up inthe church Very different.
I look at you and I think, ohmy goodness, she has it all
together.
She walks through the churchand a perception can be very
different than how things comeacross.
We all have something to bringto the table.
(09:16):
That's right, might bedifferent, but we're both in
this together and that's what Iwant to bring to this table.
That listen to where you are,see where you are.
This is for everyone.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
That's right.
Be encouraged.
The world sees certain thingsabout our lives as Christians.
The world sees these things asfoolish things like
self-sacrifice, humility,faithfulness, prayer.
These things seem foolish tothe world and yet we live these
(09:46):
out, even though they cost us somuch.
But here's the thing, and thisis what I want us to really
settle in our hearts and ourminds as we go into this
collection of conversations whatthe world calls foolish God
calls powerful that is sopowerful.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Just that statement in itself really reminds me of 1
Corinthians 1.18.
For the message of the cross isfoolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who arebeing saved, it is the power of
God.
So that foolishness out there,that's what we're going to talk
about.
How are we foolish for Christ?
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Because that's really the power I love this tie in to
March Mission Madness, because,in other words, god's game plan
doesn't make sense to the world, but his strategy always wins
in the end.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
Isn't that?
Speaker 1 (10:39):
good, wendy, it's so good.
That encourages me so much.
So this month, all month long,we're going to be looking at the
lives of some different womenin history who were absolutely
crazy mad in the world's eyes,but whose faith echoes to us
even today, but whose faithechoes to us even today.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
It's their determination.
Their sacrifice, theircommitment to Jesus would have
made no sense to most peoplearound them, but God used them
in powerful ways.
Yes.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
Two of them, wendy, are women that I have thought
about for a long time, and thentwo of them were unexpected
surprises for me this past year.
Two of them were unexpectedsurprises for me this past year.
So in this March MissionMadness series, we're going to
start with one of my favoriteheroes of the faith, and that is
(11:29):
Harriet.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Tubman.
Oh, what a perfect time to bestudying that, digging deeper
into it, as an elementaryteacher.
Actually, at this point I'mcoaching teachers how to teach,
but right now we're reallystudying Black History Month and
digging in.
How have people made adifference?
And to start with HarrietTubman, I can think of no better
(11:50):
way than to see how she made adifference, for Jesus.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
She was a woman of faith, and sometimes I think
that can get lost in thedialogue, but she was a woman of
faith, so we're going to talkabout her as we launch March
Mission Madness.
And then we're going to go toone of my favorite, most
inspirational women, and hername is Monica.
She is not well known, but shewas the mother of St Augustine,
(12:16):
who is one of history's mostfamous theologians.
Monica was an amazing woman whoprayed without ceasing, and she
inspires me so much to pray forprodigals.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Well, I know that she inspires you because two years
ago we were at a retreat at ourchurch and I remember you
talking so fervently aboutMonica and how she prayed and
she never ceased in that prayerfor her prodigal son and boy.
What a story she has and what astory it comes out to be to
(12:49):
talk about her and dig into herlife is inspiring.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
Yes, I can't get away from how inspirational her
story is to me, so I love thatso much that we get to share
that.
And then our last two womenthat we're going to highlight,
or maybe the next two women, whoknows?
Maybe we'll keep going withthis series, but the next two
women were ones that I did notknow about until I had this
amazing opportunity to go to theUnited Kingdom last year, and
(13:16):
these two women that I learnedabout along the way their names
are Mary Slessor and MargaretWilson and Wendy.
I can't wait to share theirstories, because these women
have impacted my heart and mylife so much, and I believe that
as their stories are sharedmore and more, I believe that
they'll just echo into otherlives as well.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
I can't wait for our listeners to hear about these
women's lives.
You've just touched the surfacewith me about their lives.
I remember you coming back fromyour trip and talking
specifically about these womenand how their stories just
impacted you.
I thought how in the world youwere just there, for I think you
were there for two weekspossibly, yes, and you came back
(14:00):
, and so to speak about thesewomen will again bring
inspiration to those of you thatare listening to our podcast,
and it certainly has brought alot of encouragement in my life
and I am excited to dig intotheir life and see where they
went with their faith.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
That's right.
That's right.
I love that, wendy.
I love that Each of these women, honestly, they could have
taken the easy road, but theychose faith over fear, they
chose sacrifice over safety andthey chose eternal conversations
and focus over comfort, andthat's why I believe their faith
(14:40):
still speaks their stories seemto just really challenge us.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
What are we willing to sacrifice for Jesus?
What are we willing to do forJesus?
What foolish thing is Godcalling us to, just like these?
Speaker 1 (14:55):
women.
I think that as we dive intoeach of these stories this month
, the Holy Spirit is going tohighlight different ways that he
wants us to obediently followHim, ways that may seem foolish
and crazy to everybody else butthat, absolutely going back to
our theme verse for this wholecollection of conversations is
(15:18):
the power of God.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
Absolutely.
When I think about that, I'mthinking maybe it's sharing the
gospel when it feels awkward,maybe it's standing for truth
when the world really calls uscrazy.
Maybe it's choosing obediencewhen it actually cost us
something.
Because in God's eyes, wendy,this kind of madness is actually
(15:42):
wisdom, that is so deep, to putit in that regard, because,
truly, the world does see it asfoolishness.
And well, we're diving intothis March Madness, let's do it.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Let's do it.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
So let's get ready for a March filled with some
incredible stories that willinspire us to live boldly with
Jesus, and here's the challengeEach week, as we highlight these
women, ask yourself, what wouldit look like for me to live
with that kind of determination,with that kind of commitment,
with that kind of faith?
Speaker 1 (16:17):
And friend.
We want to hear from you alongthe way.
We have social media, we haveemail.
Reach out to us.
Leave a message on yourfavorite podcast platform.
If there's an episode thatimpacts you, share it with a
friend.
Put something on social media,invite other people in.
But, wendy, here's the mainthing that we always say as you
(16:39):
seek him, turn around and speakhim.
The best thing that could comeout of you listening to this
podcast episode is that you leaninto Jesus more than ever
before and then you turn aroundand you share that with someone
else, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
I want us to just step into this madness of the
gospel together, because whatseems like foolishness to the
world is actually the power ofGod.
And we're here and we want tojump in together, amen.
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Well, I would love to close this episode with prayer.
Father God, thank you, thankyou for your word.
Father God, thank you, thankyou for your word.
Thank you that you call us andinvite us into an extraordinary
life of faith.
Sometimes it does feel likemadness.
Sometimes we know that otherslook at us like we are crazy,
(17:33):
and yet, jesus, there's no placewe would rather be than out on
the court and in the game withyou.
And we know it's not a game.
This is eternity we're talkingabout.
But, jesus, you are, you areour coach, you are our leader,
you are our guide, and we arethrilled to be on Team Jesus.
(17:54):
So help us as we lean into thisseries this month, for your
glory, for our good and the goodof all of those that you've
entrusted to us.
Amen, amen, amen.
Be encouraged, friend, untilnext time.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
Thanks for joining us in this podcast episode.
You can find the MatchingConversation Guide in the show
notes.
To get the latest updates aboutthe Family Disciple Me ministry
, as well as word about oursoon-to-be-released app, sign up
to be the first to know atfamilydisciplemeorg.
Also, if you enjoyed thispodcast, help us get the word
(18:32):
out by leaving us a review onyour favorite podcast platform.
God bless you, friend.
Now go seek him.
Speak him.
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