Hey, I’m Shannon.
And I’ve been a Comparison Girl for as long as I can remember. Literally, my first memory at age four, is of feeling humiliated because someone found out that I could not read. Oh, the humiliation!
It seems silly now. Why was I so worried about being exposed as an illiterate preschooler? Yet some of my current struggles are just as absurd. Why do I worry about being exposed as a less-than-perfect mom? Or a middle-aged woman who struggles with her weight? Or a Christian who still sins?
The constant effort to prove that I measure up (or try to hide when I don’t), does not lead to a life of freedom and joy. Here’s what does: learning to live me-free. I hope you’ll stick around and join me in learning these lessons from Jesus on me-free living in a measure-up world!
Is this the first time we’ve met? Welcome! If you have more questions about me, come visit my “about me” page!
Do you compare yourself?
On social media, in the neighborhood, at church, or the school drop-off lane, do you drive yourself to prove that you measure up? Do you feel ashamed when you don’t? Measuring yourself against others isn’t healthy. And it isn’t God’s plan. In fact, the way of Jesus is completely upside down from this measure-up world. He invites us to follow him and be restored to freedom, confidence, and joy.
Join me, as I share what I’ve discovered about my own measure-up fears and get-ahead pride. In this six-week study, we’ll explore the conversations Jesus had and the stories he shared with people who—like us—were comparing themselves.
Let’s leave measure-up comparison behind and connect with those around us by choosing Jesus’s me-free way of living: lifting others up and pouring ourselves out!
Shannon Popkin helps us take a fresh and challenging look at the everyday mindsets we wrestle with. Showing us God’s higher ways straight from the life of Jesus, she calls us from our me-focused thinking to His kingdom-focused purposes. After this study and with the power of the Holy Spirit, I won’t allow those thoughts to stay around any longer.
If you struggle with measuring up. If you’re worried about what people think. If you dread someone seeing you in a less than ideal situation, then you’re human. We all struggle with comparing ourselves to others in some way. That means we all need Shannon’s honest and wise words on the pages of this book. I know I did and I’m betting you do, too!
Shannon Popkin has done it again! She has masterfully written another must read to speak to the struggles of our soul. Inviting us to look up and listen to the tender truths of God and learning to silence the lies of the enemy against us, Shannon shows us how to finally live freely in a cultural of continual comparison. For every woman who has an area of her life where she wonders if she is truly enough- here is your answer.
“Comparison. We all fight it. But for many of us, it feels like we are losing the battle. Why? Because what we need, to combat comparison, is not simply the knowledge that it hurts us, but the tools to resist it, and that is exactly what Shannon Popkin has given us. With fresh insight, biblical grounding, and light-hearted humor, Comparison Girl offers practical steps for curbing this temptation. If comparison is your struggle, this book is your guide!”
Leader’s Kit
Now Available!
- 6 Teaching Sessions, which correlate with the chapters of the book
- DVD + digital downloads
- One Comparison Girl book
- One Journaling Workbook
- Leader Discussion Guide
Each session is about 18 – 25 minutes long. Dive deeper into what Jesus teaches about the difference between comparison in the world and comparison in the Kingdom.
Sign up for leader updates.
Journaling Workbook
The companion Comparison Girl Workbook offers:
- A place to record your responses to the Bible study and application questions at the end of each lesson.
- Thought-provoking stories and journal prompts, which correlate to each chapter’s theme.
- Space for taking video session notes, plus the printed verses and additional observation study and discussion questions.
- Extra prayers, quotes, and verses to encourage you on your journey.
- Available either as part of the Leader’s Kit, or as a separate purchase.
Get the Comparison Girl Bonuses:
Comparison Girl Screen Savers – there are 12 in all!
Turn your comparison struggles over to the Lord.
An illustrative drawing in Philippians 2:7-9.
All of these & more!
Comparison Girl Chapters & Quotes:
Author and dear friend, Shannon Popkin, expertly and biblically walks us through several markers and mistakes of living according to comparison in this measure up world and gently points us to a better way. Written with humor and brutal honesty, Shannon sheds the pretense and fights for her readers’ hearts with biblical wisdom, humility and truth. Comparison Girl is a must-read for this generation of girls and the next.
With a humble pen and a bold honesty, Shannon invites us to look closely at our subtle “comparison game” and recognize the truth behind it— Comparison is not just a harmless habit; it’s an all-out attack on the life we’ve been created to live. Using the very words of Jesus, Shannon shows us how to trade the exhaustion of measure-up comparison for the exhilaration of me-free living. Get ready to wage war and take back the abundant life you were created to enjoy!
When he was in first grade, I sent Cade to school (Yes that’s @cadepopkin in the photo at about that age) with a backpack full of turkey plates and brown bags cut into ‘vests’ for the festivities, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
We had an argument about whether his lunch also belonged in his backpack, since there was to be a Feast.
I told him, “I believe your feast is just going to be a snack.” But he was remembering the turkey lunch meat sandwiches with corn chips and cranberry jello, served at the kindergarten Feast last year. Surely, the menu would be the same.
But, it was not. I was right and he was wrong. The Feast was only a snack.
That evening, he whispered to me that during the Feast, his eyes got very, very wet. When I asked why, he said it was because there were no grownups at the Feast in first grade.
In kindergarten, there had been grownups. He liked having grownups at the Feast.
I said, "Did you tell the teacher how you were feeling?" and he said, “No, I didn’t want to explode and start crying in front of everyone. I just wanted to come home and tell you.”
Bless his little first grade heart.
Will there be people with wet eyes at your feast this week? Will anyone be remembering last year’s feast, and noticing that things aren’t quite the same?
The Lord doesn’t promise that our life menu will match last year’s, or that every precious one will be at our table each year.
What he does promise is Himself. He never changes. Ever year he's the same.
One day, when he invites us to his own Feast, he will wipe every very, very wet eye, and tell us that we are finally home. Will you remember that today?
#thanksgiving #notlikelastyear #loss #holidaygrief #holidaysadness
Win a free "Live Like It's True" t-shirt! Leave a review at Apple Podcasts, and if I read it on an episode, you win!
(Also, if I've your review has already been read, can you DM me with your address and size? Thank you!)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-like-its-true/id1586053997
#freebie #winatee #applepodcasts #newpodcast #giveaway #winner
20 years. That’s how long we’ve been friends with the Gebhards.
We only lived near each other for a year—back when we had a 3 and 1 year old.
The night before we moved away, they took us out for dinner and told us they were expecting their first baby.
This week, while they were here visiting (home from Taiwan) that “baby” got accepted to the college of her choice! 👊🎉
You can’t make new old friends. #amiright Especially not ones who love the Lord and encourage you in your faith.
Do you have any friends you’ve known for 2+ decades?
#oldfriends #butweareyoung #homefromtaiwan #fullhouse #20yearfriendship #twodecades
"When we’re not getting what we want—instead of praying, we will binge eat, we will binge buy, we will binge watch and we will binge sleep. Because we’ve got this hunger deep inside of us that only God can fill. Instead of turning towards God, we find other ways to pacify ourselves." - Barb Roose
On episode 7 of Live Like It’s True, we’re talking about temptation and how to live like it’s true that—like Jesus—we have the power of the Spirit to overcome.
Will you live like this story in the wilderness is TRUE?
For a chance to win a copy of Surrendered, sign up for my Live Like It's True emails. There is a link in the shownotes.
Follow Barb @barbroose
#biblepodcast #livelikeitstrue #biblestorypodcast #biblereadings #biblereadingpodcast #readthebible #christianpodcast #christianpodcastsforwomen #newpodcast #christianpodcastcommunity #sparkmediapodcastnetwork #encouragement #podcastsforwomen #storiesofjesus #truebiblestories #truestory #biblediscusstiontopics #biblestudy #thestoryofthebible #beastoryteller #storyofthebible #dgroup #smallgroup #storying #barbroose #matthew4 #Jesusinthewilderness #temptationofJesus #temptedbythedevil #stonestobread
“I had to learn not to put my hope and trust that my life was going to have this great sunshiny ending here on earth. I am reminded that just like the promise land was the vision of God’s rest for his Israelite people, there is a land of promise for me in the future with God.” —Barb Roose
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Come listen to episode 7 of Live Like It’s True, as @barbroose and I talk through the True Story of the Wilderness. Do you know this story of Jesus being tempted after 40 days of fasting? Join us and treasure up this story for your next wilderness experience. (Or maybe you’re there, now.)
Find out more about Barb:
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https://barbroose.com⠀
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For a chance to win a copy of “Surrendered”, sign up for my Live Like It's True emails this week. (link in the shownotes)
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#biblepodcast #livelikeitstrue #biblestorypodcast #biblereadings #biblereadingpodcast #readthebible #christianpodcast #christianpodcastsforwomen #newpodcast #christianpodcastcommunity #sparkmediapodcastnetwork #encouragement #podcastsforwomen #storiesofjesus #truebiblestories #truestory #biblediscusstiontopics #biblestudy #thestoryofthebible #beastoryteller #storyofthebible #dgroup #smallgroup #storying #inthewilderness #surrendered #Jesusinthewilderness #temptationofJesus #temptedbythedevil #stonestobread ⠀
If you have a bad case of comparison syndrome, come listen in as I share my latest battle with envy with my friend, @asheritah . Maybe you can relate, somehow? ⠀
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You’ll love Asheritah’s podcast #prayersofrest . She is such a soothing soul, and always points us to the One who gives us rest. ⠀
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Don’t miss the bonus episode where Asheritah invites us to pray with her through the negative emotion of envy.
Will you let me know if you enjoyed it? Link in bio.
What makes you want to turn back home, and crawl under the covers of lazy pastimes? For me, this weekend, it was the crazy Michigan weather we had.
It was my last speaking overnight travel for 2021, and about four hours into my two our drive, I got scared. The snow was so thick and I was fishtailing all over, going only 5 miles per hour.
I swiped to close my audio book so I could concentrate, and accidentally closed my map as well. Then I got REALLY scared.
So there I was. No service. No visibility. No idea which road I was supposed to turn on in two miles.
I pulled into an isolated driveway and prayed. I also texted my husband to ask him to pray (and to tell him we need a different cell phone carrier).
I sat there, wondering how long before my gas would run out, and how long before the person in the house would come out, and what I would do if both happened at once... I kept checking for wifi, but there was none.
Honestly, I just wanted to be home, watching netflix with my husband. What in the world was I doing out here? Why couldn't I be home, like everybody else?
I decided to pull up a little closer to the house, and check again. Walla! Wifi found. Map reconnected. Thank you, God!
I backed out, and continued my route. Twenty minutes later, the roads were magically clear. No snow. No rain. The snow dripping off my bumper was the only evidence of what I'd been through.
Do you ever feel like nobody gets what you've been through?
Sometimes serving the Lord takes you places that no one can go. It requires tenacity, humility, and dependence on him—the one who really does understand!
Think how far Jesus traveled to get to us. Think how homesick he was for heaven. Think of his great love, which sent him into the darkness.
If he did all this to buy me a place in heaven, where there will be pleasures evermore, how can I do anything less than travel where he leads, and share the good news of knowing him?
Where will you keep heading this week? What keeps you going?
Have you ever been forced into an out-of-your-control wilderness where the comforts of life are beyond reach? And do you ever just want to binge your way through, reaching for whatever comfort you can find?⠀
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In episode 7, we're looking at the astonishing story from Matthew 4 where Jesus is in the wilderness and without food for forty days, and yet he still has the power to overcome temptation. ⠀
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At the end of this episode, I'm going to invite you to live like this story is true—both that Jesus had the power to overcome temptation in the wilderness through the power of the Holy Spirit, and so do you.⠀
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Barb @barbroose is a Bible teacher who loves following God more than anything else.⠀
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Find Barb on:⠀
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https://barbroose.com⠀
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For a chance to win a copy of Surrendered, sign up for Live Like It's True! There is a link in the shownotes.⠀
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#biblepodcast #livelikeitstrue #biblestorypodcast #biblereadings #biblereadingpodcast #readthebible #christianpodcast #christianpodcastsforwomen #newpodcast #christianpodcastcommunity #sparkmediapodcastnetwork #encouragement #podcastsforwomen #storiesofjesus #truebiblestories #truestory #biblediscusstiontopics #biblestudy #thestoryofthebible #beastoryteller #storyofthebible #dgroup #smallgroup #storying #inthewilderness #Jesusinthewilderness #temptationofJesus #temptedbythedevil #stonestobread ⠀
So proud of these two men—both veterans. My my dad served in the Navy and my husband served in the Coast Guard.
I’m proud of them both, and of the country they have served. Here’s my prayer:
🇺🇸God, bless America.
🇺🇸God prune and heal America.
🇺🇸God, be patient with America.
🇺🇸God, turn the hearts of Americans back to You.
🇺🇸God, use me—as an American—to lift your name high among the nations.
#veteransday #prouddaughter #proudwife #america #prayersforamerica
"This feeling of not being seen or known or understood may drive us into the lonely season, but we have a choice in that loneliness. We can either survive it, bemoan it, be miserable in it... Or we can do what Jesus did: Choose in. We can pursue our heavenly Father in the loneliness." - Alicia Bruxvoort"⠀
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Follow Alicia at @aliciabruxvoort⠀
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Have you listened to episode six of Live Like It’s True? (link in bio.)⠀
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I think you’re going to LOVE this amazing conversation with Alicia. More importantly we hope you’ll go live like the story at the well is TRUE! ⠀
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#biblepodcast #livelikeitstrue #biblestorypodcast #biblereadings #biblereadingpodcast #readthebible #christianpodcast #christianpodcastsforwomen #newpodcast #christianpodcastcommunity #sparkmediapodcastnetwork #encouragement #podcastsforwomen #storiesofjesus #truebiblestories #truestory #biblediscusstiontopics #biblestudy #thestoryofthebible #beastoryteller #storyofthebible #dgroup #smallgroup #storying #luke5 #lonelyplaces #aliciabruxvoort
4th grade, first game, he says to me, “We’re gonna play under those big lights and there’s gonna be an announcer and cheerleaders and I think a band…”
And I said, “No, bud. There won’t be any of those things… but it will still be fun!”
So we got there, and there were lights, an announcer 🎙, cheerleaders 📣 , and the band 🥁was even practicing in the background. 🤷🏼♀️
@grandvillefb , you know how to do football right!
It’s been such a joy to watch our boy grow into a man, out under those big lights. To the army of coaches and parents over the years: thanks for all that you’ve invested in our son. I can see so clearly how your influence and coaching has shaped who Cade is, both on and off the field.
@cadepopkin so proud of you, son. It’s been a delight to cheer you on from the stands. But my favorite is hearing about the standout moments and lessons you noticed, after the game. I have learned so much about life (and a little about football 😉) from watching you play.
Yes, football’s done. But what you learned will live on. Don’t ever stop giving your best, huddling up with coaches who are wise, and being a team player others can count on and laugh with.
And most importantly, don’t forget that life, too, has a clock that runs out—so never stop making yours count. #highschoolfootball
“Maybe we can’t avoid the loneliness. Maybe not many of us would choose loneliness. But when we find ourselves in those spaces, are we going to handle it as Jesus did? ⠀
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If he chose "in" during those spaces, and he chose in because he wanted to spend time with the Father being known, then that is a possibility for us during the loneliness.”⠀
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Come listen to episode 6 of my podcast: Live Like It’s True! I know you’re going to be so encouraged by this conversation with Alicia Bruxvoort.⠀
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Follow @aliciabruxvoort or read her devotionals at @proverbs31ministries
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#biblepodcast #livelikeitstrue #biblestorypodcast #biblereadings #biblereadingpodcast #readthebible #christianpodcast #christianpodcastsforwomen #newpodcast #christianpodcastcommunity #sparkmediapodcastnetwork #encouragement #podcastsforwomen #storiesofjesus #truebiblestories #truestory #biblediscusstiontopics #biblestudy #thestoryofthebible #beastoryteller #storyofthebible #dgroup #smallgroup #storying #luke5 #lonelyplaces #aliciabruxvoort
Have you read any of these? 📚
All “recommended reading” from @kellyneedham and friends at @stonegate_women for the women’s teaching residency. I’m so blessed to be following along from Michigan!
PS. Many of these are new (or used!) purchases for me from @baker_book_house which is my local Christian bookstore—but since they do free shipping, they can be your local Christian bookstore, too! 😉
#amreading #wanttogrow #christianspeaker #bibleteacher #womenteachingwomen #teachtheword #weightytask #getequipped
Have you been feeling lonely recently? Do you ever feel misunderstood? Are there times you wonder if there's anywhere you really belong? If so, consider this: Jesus can relate.⠀
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I think you're going to find so much encouragement and help in this conversation with my friend, Alicia Bruxvoort as we talk about the true Story of Lonely Places on Luke 5:12–16.⠀
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Alicia @aliciabruxvoort speaks regularly at women’s events and writes for Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Encouragement for Today, an online devotional that daily reaches millions of women around the globe with bold hope and biblical truth.⠀
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A storyteller at heart, she loves to weave the wonder of scripture with the whimsy of ordinary life and help women connect with Jesus on the pages of His word.⠀
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I hope you'll be encouraged as Alicia and I talk through this story, and then I hope you'll take my challenge at the end: to live like the story is true.⠀
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#biblepodcast #livelikeitstrue #biblestorypodcast #biblereadings #biblereadingpodcast #readthebible #christianpodcast #christianpodcastsforwomen #newpodcast #christianpodcastcommunity #sparkmediapodcastnetwork #encouragement #podcastsforwomen #storiesofjesus #truebiblestories #truestory #biblediscusstiontopics #biblestudy #thestoryofthebible #beastoryteller #storyofthebible #dgroup #smallgroup #storying #luke5 #lonelyplaces #aliciabruxvoort⠀
“I don’t understand, Lord…”⠀
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I must have prayed this prayer 500x, as I processed a dreadfully painful situation a while back. ⠀
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It all started with a meeting at Starbucks. I walked in with a sunny expression and hopeful expectation. I walked out trying to mask the hurt, then spent the next months beneath a cloud of disillusionment and pain, praying, “I don’t understand, Lord…”, on a loop.⠀
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I didn’t notice it at the time, but my prayer was revealing something in my heart: ⠀
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I wanted to know. I wanted to understand so badly.⠀
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It was an unavoidable trial; that, I could see. What I couldn’t see was why. And how it happened. And for what purpose.⠀
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My response was to roll my sleeves up, get to the information and figure things out. But God seemed to be holding all the answers and reasons in a locked vault, which He refused to let me inside of.⠀
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Even now, as I reflect on those tearstained months of agony, I don’t have any new understanding. It’s not that I didn’t learn from my trial; I did. But God was asking me to move forward in faith, even when I didn’t (and don’t) have all the answers.⠀
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>James 1:5 doesn’t say, “If any of you lacks, come ask God and he’ll give it to you.” ⠀
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It says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” ⠀
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Friend, are you facing some painful trial? Are you praying, “God, I don’t understand…” ⠀
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Perhaps God is asking you (like me) to move forward in faith, without the answers you crave… ⠀
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Read more about what God has been showing me re:wisdom in my recent post, “Wisdom in the Garden”. ⠀
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#wisdomquotes #wisedompath #whygodwhy #idontunderstandthis #idontunderstandgod #butitrusthim
“The message of the Bible isn’t: Buck up and don’t be afraid. The message of the Bible is: Look at Me and I will help you deal with your fears.”⠀
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Come listen to episode 5 of my podcast: Live Like It’s True. I know you’ll be so encouraged as @kristen_wetherell as she shares the True Story of Fear, according to the Bible.
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You can find more of Krsiten’s writing and speaking by following @kristen_wetherell or her site:⠀
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https://kristenwetherell.com⠀
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#biblepodcast #livelikeitstrue #biblestorypodcast #biblereadings #biblereadingpodcast #readthebible #christianpodcast #christianpodcastsforwomen #newpodcast #christianpodcastcommunity #sparkmediapodcastnetwork #encouragement #podcastsforwomen #storiesofjesus #truebiblestories #truestory #biblediscusstiontopics #biblestudy #thestoryofthebible #beastoryteller #storyofthebible #dgroup #smallgroup #storying #fearnot #donotfear #kristenwetherell ⠀
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As the photo shows, I'm obviously having a great time hosting my new podcast, "Live Like It's True!" ⠀
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NOW ON YOUTUBE! Come on over and check out these clips with @kellyneedham @marydemuth and @ericawiggenhorn (Link in bio.)⠀
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#biblepodcast #livelikeitstrue #biblestorypodcast #biblereadings #biblereadingpodcast #readthebible #christianpodcast #christianpodcastsforwomen #newpodcast #christianpodcastcommunity #sparkmediapodcastnetwork⠀
#encouragement #podcastsforwomen #storiesofjesus #truebiblestories #truestory #biblediscusstiontopics #biblestudy #thestoryofthebible #beastoryteller #storyofthebible #dgroup #smallgroup #storying
Are you afraid of dying? What nagging fears hold you back in life? Do you worry about the things you can't control—Things that might hurt you, or the ones you love? ⠀
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In episode 5, I'm so honored to have my friend Kristen Wetherell, to talk about The True Story of Fear in Luke 12:4–7.⠀
@kristen_wetherell is a pastor’s wife, mother, writer, and speaker. She is the author of Humble Moms (April 2022), Fight Your Fears, co-author of the award-winning book Hope When It Hurts, and editor of 12 Faithful Women. Kristen lives in Chicago land with her husband Brad and two kids where they are members of The Orchard. ⠀
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Listen as Kristen shares about her own fears, and teaches us to fight our own by reminding ourselves of God’s story, which is so much bigger and goes so far beyond the things that we fear. ⠀
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Come get the true story of fear and then live like the story is true!⠀
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#biblepodcast #livelikeitstrue #biblestorypodcast #biblereadings #biblereadingpodcast #readthebible #christianpodcast #christianpodcastsforwomen #newpodcast #christianpodcastcommunity #sparkmediapodcastnetwork #encouragement #podcastsforwomen #storiesofjesus #truebiblestories #truestory #biblediscusstiontopics #biblestudy #thestoryofthebible #beastoryteller #storyofthebible #dgroup #smallgroup #storying #fearnot #donotfear #kristenwetherell ⠀
📸1. My first time celebrating his birthday as his new wife, I planned a getaway to Cedarburg, WI—complete with a carpet picnic upon our arrival.
📸 2-3. We stopped on the way for a mini hike in the woods.
📸 4. He was turning 31, I was 25.
It was definitely true love, and here’s the proof: Today was a birthday FAIL ❌ as his wife of 25 years dropped all the balls:
👉🏼I made blueberry muffins this morning and forgot to add the butter. 🤦♀️
👉🏼For a 🎁I gave him a generic non-birthday card and money (I’m finishing up quarantine). 🤦♀️🤦♀️
👉🏼For dinner, I said I would order takeout for him to pick up and then got sidetracked. 🤦♀️
👉🏼I finally ordered at 6:45 and sent @cadepopkin to pick it up but apparently I didn’t finish paying and they had no order! 😮🤦♀️🤦♀️
👉🏼At 7:40 I ordered ubereats, which somehow got cancelled without me realizing!! 😮😮🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
Which led to 9:15 pm and the proof that he truly loves me:
📸 5: He decided to heat up leftover soup and ate it out of a cool whip container—with a granola bar for his side. 😩😩😩🤦♀️🤦♀️ and said, “It’s okay, honey. Let’s just go out later this week.”
25 years of celebrating his birthday, and I’m more convinced than ever that Ken Popkin is a 🎁 from the Lord. 💕
Love you, honey. Happy birthday anyway. 💕
#birthdayfail #helovesmeanyway #year1 #year25
I had planned to be in Arkansas this weekend, but God had other plans. I’m sad to have missed what sounds like an amazing women’s conference at East Union Church in Hensley, AR! (Rain check? I was soooo looking forward to it!)
But I’m grateful to be feeling so much better after a week of Covid. Nice to be sitting in the living room with my guys—and with the fireplace on for the first time this year. 🍁
