Curious Living

Is it acceptable to question God or Christianity if you call yourself a Christian? Does doubt mean you're not truly a Christian? Should faith be so unwavering that questioning is off-limits?

These were questions I wrestled with in my youth, and I believe that misconception still lingers today. In this episode, our guest will help us explore the beauty of curiosity and how asking questions can deepen our faith.

Guest Info

Mandy Pallock passionately believes that lives will change as people engage with God’s Word. She is happily married to the man of her dreams, Peter, and they are raising three children together in South Texas. She’s a writer, speaker, and podcaster at presentlyengaged.com.

Mandy is a co-creator of Life Purpose Planning, a tool to help high schoolers and young adults understand and live out their God-given life purposes. She knows that discovering our purpose starts with asking a good question.

Mandy has over 20 years of professional experience in print and digital communication in the non-profit sphere. She has written for and supported Bible Study Fellowship, Splendeur Magazine, Character Training Institute (now Strata Leadership), and more. And she’s cheering for you as you live out your God-given life purpose!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mandy_pallock/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/presentlyengaged Presently Engaged Podcast

In this episode, we will hear from an incredibly brave woman who endured a devastating tragedy. She not only endured, but she grew closer to God and found an incredible hope throughout her experience. She shares all of this with us in this episode so we hope you'll check it out!

Guest Info

Debbie Wilkins Baisden, mom of four boys, was widowed without warning. The depth of pain was only matched by the depth of God’s faithfulness. A former teacher, this remarried widow is a mompreneur with a passion for helping women thrive. In 2013 she co-created Momsanity, an online community seeking balance in Motherhood, Faith, Fitness, and Nutrition. In 2014 she established Fit With Deb, an online health resource for Nutrition and Exercise. Described as profoundly opinionated, invitingly authentic, and downright sarcastic, her passion is uplifting others in a way that reflects Jesus. She writes in a down-to-earth style that both teaches and affirms the reader. She promotes balanced living amidst chaos for busy women who love Christ. Wondering what “free time” is, Debbie lives in North Carolina with her new husband Jason and sons (Paul, Brad, Andrew, and Joshua). http://www.mymomsanity.com http://www.fitwithdeb.com http://www.debbiewilkinsbaisden.com

If you are listening to this episode and were born before the turn of the 21st century, then you may be looking at today's youth and wondering the same thing. How in the world can we help this younger generation be their absolute best when they are being raised in unprecedented times (COVID, technology, etc.) Our guest on this episode is not just talking about helping youth, he IS helping youth today and has a great deal of wisdom to share with all of us.

Guest Info

Motivational consultant, international speaker, and author Ahmard Vital has empowered people globally with his inspirational guidance and tips for self-development. Ahmard provides his audiences with the tools needed to achieve personal success, utilize willpower and determination, and develop strategies that will allow people of all ages to achieve personal and professional excellence. After nearly a decade of studying the performance habits of high-achieving athletes, Ahmard has developed programs of inspiration and motivation that are beneficial to individuals, professionals, companies, and organizations worldwide. In 2011, Ahmard published Awaken the Baller Within, which was quickly labeled as the “athlete’s life manual” by some pundits in sports media. This book was taught in more than a dozen colleges and close to fifty athletic departments and sports camps. As a mental performance coach, Ahmard helped secure more than $6 million dollars in scholarship monies and worked with athletes at the Division I level and the National Football League. Not long after a successful career as a college football recruiting analyst with Scout.com, a Fox Sports affiliate, Ahmard founded That Guy Media Group and expanded his platform to small business and nonprofit organizations where he focused on dream building, goal setting, and a relentless pursuit of the aforementioned. By teaching his audiences to recognize their strengths, and capitalize on the power that everyone harnesses within, individuals can realize previously unimagined levels of personal happiness and success. Ahmard is becoming one of the most sought-after motivational speakers in the world, working in countries like Zambia and Abu Dhabi (UAE). In the United States, he’s inspired professionals at companies like the Boys and Girls Club, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the Salvation Army. His college clients include Prairie View A&M, Houston Community College and West Texas A&M. He published his second book, I Am More Than Enough, in April 2019 to address many of his clients’ confidence challenges in their personal and professional lives. When Ahmard is not traveling, speaking, or writing, he works as a humanitarian and teen ministry leader, volunteering his time to inspire youth to envision their futures beyond their challenges and circumstances. He is also an avid reader and fitness coach, teaching cycling classes in North Houston.

https://www.ahmardvital.com/

This episode is full of lively conversation with a pastor from Mooresville North Carolina who is bringing white and black churches together for the purpose of finding common ground and a unified message of anti-racism. Pastor Lawrence is incredibly wise and provides some powerful insights not only as a black pastor who serves a racially diverse congregation, but as a devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Lawrence Williams is a native of Queens, New York and accepted Christ and became heavily involved in youth and adult ministry at an early age. In 2004, Pastor Lawrence and his family relocated to Mooresville, North Carolina. In December 2005, he founded and established Lake Norman Christian Outreach Church and in 2015 the ministry transitioned into Higher Purpose Church.

Show Notes:

Racial Equity Institute Workshops mentioned in the podcast

https://www.racialequityinstitute.com/ourservices

Communication is hard - especially when you're married. Not only do we bring different personalities to the table, but we bring all sorts of different ways to think, feel, and do. No wonder it's such a challenge at times to communicate effectively to the one you spend the most time with! Our guests on this episode bring not only a ton of wisdom to the conversation, but they bring their own personal experiences as a married couple who has worked hard to figure this out for themselves.

Guest Information

Pastors Wes and Toni Ruth Smith are the senior co-pastors of Williamson's Chapel United Methodist Church. They have been married for 18 years and bring with them a great knowledge of experience and pastoral wisdom to share. You can find out more about Wes and Toni ruth by clicking HERE.