ATW - Conversation with Beth Alexander

06/26/24 • 79 min

Summary

In this episode, Melissa Lapin interviews her friend Beth Alexander. Beth shares her background and testimony, explaining that she did not grow up in a faith-based household and had limited exposure to church. However, at the age of 19, she had a powerful encounter with Jesus' love and decided to become a Christian. Beth then discusses her journey of navigating the expectations and pressures of religion, as well as her search for purpose and identity. Despite the challenges, she has found peace and confidence in following God's leading. Beth Alexander shares her experience of feeling lost and losing her identity after becoming a Christian and being thrust into a leadership position as a pastor's wife. She struggled with the contradictions and expectations placed on her. However, she had a transformative experience with the Holy Spirit, which led her to discover her purpose in education. Beth became a teacher and eventually had a dream to start her own school. Initially overwhelmed by the idea, she found inspiration during the COVID-19 pandemic when schools went online. Beth realized that her school could be virtual, and she embraced the opportunity. In this conversation, Beth Alexander shares her journey of starting Thalia Academy, an online school that focuses on kingdom values and emotional intelligence. She talks about the challenges she faced as a teacher during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it led her to start her own school. Beth emphasizes the importance of healing and processing past experiences and finding confidence in one's identity. She encourages listeners to step out in faith, even if it seems scary, and to surround themselves with the right people and resources. Beth also highlights the need for individuality and authenticity in a world that often promotes conformity.

Takeaways

-Beth Alexander did not grow up in a faith-based household and had limited exposure to church.
-At the age of 19, Beth had a powerful encounter with Jesus' love and decided to become a Christian.
-Beth faced challenges in navigating the expectations and pressures of religion, but ultimately found peace and confidence in following God's leading.
-Beth's journey highlights the importance of community and being seen and understood by others. Becoming a Christian and being thrust into a leadership position can lead to a loss of identity and confusion.
-Private moments with God are important for personal growth and understanding.
-Discovering your purpose may require going through different experiences and seasons of life.
-Sometimes, dreams and callings may seem overwhelming, but they can be realized in unexpected ways. Take the time to heal and process past experiences in a healthy way, surrounded by the right people and resources.
-Step out in faith, even if it seems scary, and rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
-Embrace your uniqueness and don't conform to societal expectations.
-Start with small steps and allow your dream or purpose to grow over time.
-Believe in yourself and have confidence in who you are.
-Don't be afraid of judgment or failure; just trust God and take action.

Summary

Takeaways

Previous Episode

ATW - Time with Justin Fahrenbruch

Summary

In this conversation, Melissa Lapin interviews Justin Fahrenbruch, an evangelist from Saginaw, Michigan. Justin shares his journey from growing up in a Lutheran church to struggling with drug addiction for 14 years. He had a transformative encounter with Jesus in a parking lot, which led to his deliverance from addiction. Justin discovered his calling as an evangelist and began sharing his testimony and the love of Jesus with others. He emphasizes the importance of kingdom identity and understanding the principles of the kingdom. Justin's wife, Candace, has been a strong supporter throughout his journey. In this conversation, Justin Fahrenbruch shares his personal journey of transformation from drug addiction to a deep encounter with God. He emphasizes the importance of finding one's identity in Christ and discovering one's purpose. Justin also discusses the challenges he faced when sharing his revelations with the church and the need to break free from religious constraints. He encourages listeners to keep seeking and digging deeper into the truth of God's character and to love and accept all people, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds.

Takeaways

-Justin's journey from addiction to evangelism highlights the transformative power of encountering Jesus. -Identity and confidence in who God says we are play a crucial role in overcoming addiction and fulfilling our calling.

-Understanding kingdom principles empowers believers to operate in every sphere of life and reach people in diverse settings.

-Having a supportive spouse and family is essential in the process of transformation and ministry. Finding one's identity in Christ is crucial for personal transformation and purpose.

-Sharing personal revelations and encounters with God may be met with resistance and criticism from religious communities.

-It is important to break free from religious constraints and embrace the truth of God's character and love for all people.

-Continually seek and dig deeper into the truth of God's character and the kingdom.

Next Episode

ATW - Conversation with Rod Williams

Summary

In this conversation, Melissa Lapin interviews Rod Williams, who shares his journey of faith and the different perspectives he gained from his experiences in various churches and ministries. Rod talks about encountering the love of God through a pastor who made him feel seen and loved. He also discusses his involvement in the Jesus movement and the impact of the charismatic movement on his faith. Rod shares how he experienced a pivotal moment of feeling the presence of God during a difficult time in his life. He emphasizes the importance of being conscious of God's nearness and overcoming shame and guilt. The principal themes of the conversation include the beauty of the body of Christ and working together, the influence of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of embracing both sound doctrine and supernatural experiences. The speakers discuss their personal journeys and encounters with God, highlighting the need to let go of religious and political divisions and embrace love, unity, and individuality within the context of union with God. They emphasize the importance of discerning influences and voices in our lives, focusing on whether they make Jesus bigger or smaller. In this conversation, Rod Williams emphasizes the nearness of God and the unity of the Trinity. He highlights that Jesus is not separate from the Father, but rather, when you see Jesus, you see the Father. Williams challenges the idea that God is distant and angry, and instead presents a loving and merciful God who desires to be close to us. He encourages listeners to focus on Jesus and the Trinity, and to find community and support in their journey of understanding and experiencing God's love.

Takeaways

-Rod Williams shares his journey of faith and the different perspectives he gained from his experiences in various churches and ministries.
-Encountering the love of God through a pastor who made him feel seen and loved was a pivotal moment for Rod.
-The Jesus movement and the charismatic movement had a significant impact on Rod's faith, leading him to experience the goodness of God and see miracles.
-Rod emphasizes the importance of being conscious of God's nearness and overcoming shame and guilt. The body of Christ is beautiful and it is important to work together in unity.
-The Holy Spirit has a powerful influence and can bring about profound encounters with God.
-It is important to embrace both sound doctrine and supernatural experiences.
-Religious and political divisions can hinder our understanding of God and our ability to love others.
-Discerning influences and voices in our lives is crucial, and we should focus on whether they make Jesus bigger or smaller. God is not distant or separate from us; He is near and desires to be close to us.
-When we see Jesus, we see the Father and the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is always present and unified.
-The early fathers and those who were close to Jesus understood that God is good, loving, and for us.
-Fear is not our friend; perfect love casts out fear. We should focus on the love of God and let it cast out our fear.