Woven in Truth Podcast

Challenges make life difficult, but overcoming them makes life meaningful. In this episode, Ruth Kang joins the pod squad to talk about the refreshing empowerment we can find through God's spirit to overcome life's challenges.
About the Speaker:
Ruth Kang was born in the Philippines and moved to Canada when she was 15 years old. She became a disciple of Jesus Christ in 1995 while attending the University of Toronto. She began serving in the full time ministry in 1999 and was married to Mark Kang in 2000. They have 3 wonderful boys with one about to go to college. Together they have led ministries in Toronto, Indiana, Wisconsin; and, they are currently leading the Detroit Church of Christ. Ruth loves going for nature walks, yoga, volleyball, card games and making things beautiful!
Episode Notes:

Everyone faces challenges — some more traumatic than others — but hardships none the less

• Question: How do we respond when we are hit hard? Where do our hearts and minds go when challenges come?

We can become prisoners to ourselves and the past. In the words of the apostle Paul in the book of Romans: “I’ve tried everything and nothing helped. I was at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me?”

Mind you this thinking is so pervasive - I have to constantly tether myself to what is true — about me and how God feels and thinks about me.

John 11- Mary and Martha’s story when their brother Lazarus died.

These two women lost their big brother who was their leader, protector and provider.

What can we learn from them?

Point #1 — Pour Out Your Heart to Jesus

We often equate hardships with Hardships = Being Unloved (or other lies) But this is not true John 11:4

When we don’t take time to talk over our issues with God we tend to conclude that God somehow forgot about us or that we don’t matter to Him.

But we see here that Jesus welcomes us as we are — even as we misinterpret him and our lives.

It’s okay to wrestle with your thoughts Growth starts when we face what’s on our hearts and minds—

And we must be careful to bring them to Jesus and not to false “gods” - Like food or Netflix.

Q. What thoughts/feelings are simmering in your life that you think are too much to expose? Too difficult to dive into? Maybe it’s time to go to Jesus with whatever that is for you.

Point #2 — Anchor Yourself in Christ - your perspective matters

The waves and winds will come — especially in the next few months. You need to anticipate this — be aware of your thoughts and emotions

We must beware of this — Trials can change the way we feel about God. So anchor yourself in what is true.

Q. What truths can we hold on to during hard times?

Point # 3 — Look for God in the challenges

Psalm 27

Friends, God is waiting to be with you in those hard places — but you must invite him and look for him. He wants to show you his love.

The world may be going crazy - we don’t have to. God is our hope. God is Defining himself to you

Practical — Journal, pray through your feelings and thoughts, confide in trusted and helpful friends; take time to listen to God

There is a choice — we can overcome. The greater the hardships, the more we need to pour out ourselves to Jesus; The more we must anchor ourselves in Christ and his words, and lastly, we must look for God in these challenging places.

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In this interview, Vania Salim from Jakarta joins the podcast to share about her life, her journey of faith, and her unshakeable conviction that God is Always God.

About the Speaker:

Vania has been a faithful follower of Jesus for over 25 years. She and her husband, Harliem, live in Indonesia and they have two adult daughters. Together, they oversee many Christian churches in predominantly Muslim & Buddhist nations and she also operates a private school to provide Christian-based, quality education for children in Jakarta.

Episode Notes:

There are many times in your life, when God becomes so real.

When God is God, He is the Ultimate- no matter what happens in our life.

We have some “moments of truth” in life when the quality of our faith is put to the test.

Colossians 3: 1-2- “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Question to Consider: Do I only trust God when things are good?

As long as we set our minds and hearts on God, we can handle anything that comes our way.

Circumstances can’t change convictions based on truth.

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In this interview, we glean some wisdom from Michele Carrillo who shares the convictions that have carried her through many uncertain times in her life: 9/11, Dengue Fever, a broken back, Hurricane Andrew, and more. Listen as we learn where to steer our anxious hearts in these uncertain times.

About the Guest
Michele Carrillo has served 30 years in the full-time ministry planting and leading churches in Mexico, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and across the US including New York, Florida, and California. Along with her husband Robert, she has raised three kids and loves oil and glass painting. She and Robert currently serve the Los Angeles Church of Christ.

Episode Notes

This time in life is so revealing of how easy it is to put our hope in things other than God... in infrastructure, in our plans, etc.

Consider: What are you letting linger in your heart?

• Be informed and wise, but don’t let it dominate your heart and mind.

Fill your mind with things above:

• Don’t forget to focus your mind on God
• Have deep and intentional quiet times
• Hebrews 10:22- Draw near to God with a sincere heart and with full assurance of what faith brings...

What we set our hearts on TAKES EFFORT

• Clinging to God, Meditating on Specific scriptures that minister to your current feelings and circumstance.

Hebrews 10: 22-23

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful...”

These are the times, these are the experiences, that really build our faith.

Where do we start?

• Sit silently. Ask God to show you what you need.
• Try to figure out what is in your heart- if you feel anxious, take some time to really identify what it is that you’re most afraid of.
• Look up scriptures that address the fears or feelings you have and then meditate on those.

Deuteronomy 4:7 & Matthew 1:23

Jesus is Immanuel- God WITH us.

• We don’t need to “find God” right now— he IS with us! God is NEAR. He is already HERE for us in these times of uncertainty.

An easy way to battle worry is with gratitude.

• “Worry refuses to share the heart with gratitude. One heartfelt “thank you” will suck the oxygen out of worry’s world.” - Max Lucado, Anxious For Nothing Book

Colossians 2:6-7 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

“We do not know what the future holds, but we do know Who holds the future.” -Linda Brumley

Isolation can magnify your fears, so please be intentional about staying connected with spiritual and encouraging influences. PLEASE CHECK ON YOUR FRIENDS- we need each other!

MICHELE’S MESSAGE TO THE MAMAS- If you are okay, then your kids are going to be okay. Take care of yourselves emotionally.

We’ve got to stay rooted in God in these times. When the winds come, we won’t fall if we have deep roots!

The pod squad is going to keep providing content for you all in these times, let us know what’s been helping you!

Link to Robert Carrillo’s Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7GClVSEV_NGmu56a81ie5A

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In this episode Megan Bliley from New Zealand joins the pod squad to discuss her convictions on our call to be modern day missionaries regardless of where we live or what life stage we are in as women. Her passion and perspective is refreshing, inpsiring, and a spiritual kick in the pants to get us re-focused in the amazing adventure God wants us to be on alongside our sisters in Christ.

About the Speaker:
Megan Bliley was born in the US and raised in Australia in a missionary family. She has been a disciple for 26 years. After working as a Pediatric nurse for 6 years, Megan went into the ministry in Virginia in the US with her husband Dave. She currently leads the church with her husband in Auckland, New Zealand and they have three children ages 4,6 and 9.

Episode Notes
-At baptism we become missionaries regardless if we get “sent out” or not, we become foreigners in this world- we have dual citizenship, here on Earth, and in Heaven where our true home is.

Luke 10:1-12

1) The Power of Two

-Find a friend to be a missionary with, God knows we are better in pairs! We need collaboration and camaraderie over common purpose.
-God wants to send you to all the “places”- within your geographic sphere, there are still “places” where people need to hear the gospel. We have so much work to do!
Q: Do you have a partner in the mission? Regardless of your life-stage, find a partner in the mission.

2) Lambs Among Wolves

-God wants us to be focused and feisty when it comes to the Mission.
-Focused: verse 4, Jesus trains his disciples, and us, to not be distracted.
-Jesus taught them to ignore the social etiquette of their culture in order to prioritize His purposes.
-If your time is filled with people, are those people being saved?
-It’s not easy, don’t expect it to be.
-God desires for us to become emotionally resilient: Satan would love to have us wallow or get inward focused.

3) The Kingdom of God is Near

-We have a powerful message that women are desperate to hear.
-Our Mission is not an activity or a compartment of our lives.

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We all crave deep and meaningful connections and friendships with other women. In this episode, DeShonda and Felicia lead our thoughts on the subject of fulfilling and faith-filled friendships. They take us through their journey of friendship and give us some great practicals and scriptures we can apply to our own friendships - or potential ones!
Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 27:9
Many women want great friendships, but they aren't willing to do their part to make it great.
Great friendships aren't a 50/50 thing, it's a 100/100- It takes giving 100%! This is true in any relationship.
John 6:14
If you want to have a friend you have to be a great friend.
We can be comfortable in our differences. It's more about being open and honest- sharing the deep parts of our hearts. But it's also about having fun and enjoying each other!
Four C's of Friendships:

1. Comrade: A person or friend you've been through battles and difficult times. (Ex. Moses and Aaron) Are we supporting our friends in their dreams and goals?
2. Confidant: Someone you share your soul with. (Ex. David and Jonathan)
3. Companion: Someone who goes along with you through life. A relationship that isn't just circumstantial. (Ex. Ruth and Naomi)
4. Coach: Mentor, Trainer, etc. Someone who helps you be your best. Sometimes we have to be secure enough to let our friend's shine.

All friendships aren't good friendships and biblical discernment is important. We shouldn't enter into friendships haphazardly.
Luke 23:12
Proverbs 12:26
Jeremiah 9:5
Proverbs 18:24
When evaluating a friendship or a potential one, ask yourself these questions:
1. What do we share in common?
2. Does this relationship bring about things that please God?
3. Do we help each other be our best or something else?
4. Am I compromising my convictions when I'm with this person?
5. Am I a good friend?
6. Is this relationship healthy?
Social media complicates this for many of us. It gives us the illusion of connection or friendship, but not the meaningful relationships.
Jesus is the master friend. He teaches us how to be and have that in our life.
John 15:13
It's in our sinful natures that make us want to be competitive, selfish and critical of our friendships. We have to be aware of this and die to these sins repeatedly in order to love our friends.
James 2:23
Faith and friendships go hand in hand.

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