faithfulness Archives | Page 3 of 4 | Bridge of the Faithful

Abundant Life in Loss with Ashlee Filby

December 28, 2020 by Jenna No Comments

Bridge of the Faithful

Abundant Life in Loss with Ashlee Filby

00:00 / 43:28

In the last episode of the Infertility Series, Ashlee Filby discusses her story of failed fertility treatments, miscarriages, and finally her miracle baby who has had his own share of challenges. After losing five babies, John and Ashlee were blessed with Knox, who was born with an omphalocele and heart defect. An omphalocele is a congenital anomaly where abdominal organs are born outside of his body, requiring months in the NICU and several surgeries. After 10 months in the hospital, they made the hard decision to bring him home with a trach to help him breathe. Shortly after he came home, they had yet another miscarriage. Finally, in May of this year, they lost their baby girl at 13 weeks. Despite all of this, all of the trials, all of the pain, Ashlee is still determined to declare God’s faithfulness. She looks at all of her struggles and can recount all of the places she saw God with her. She also credits them for helping her become the best mom for Knox. In God’ poetic timing, this episode is releasing the week that she was scheduled for a C-section with her baby girl. Instead of delivering a baby, she is delivering a legacy of hope for those dealing with loss and disappointment. Her closing verse is what she used on the shirts to raise money for Ronald McDonald House in honor of Knox. She chooses to focus on the second half: that despite Satan’s attempts to disrupt their lives, they have faith that God is giving them an abundant life despite the loss. That is the hope that I am so excited to leave you with at the end of 2020.

John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

From Trial to Triumph with Elizabeth Meyers

December 14, 2020 by Jenna No Comments

Bridge of the Faithful

From Trial to Triumph with Elizabeth Meyers

00:00 / 31:58

While traveling in her second trimester, Elizabeth lost her son Timothy. This was the last straw that led to a lot of anxiety and depression and she began to have a lot of questions: Why would a good God let this happen? Where is God in all of this? Is God even real? Despite her wrestling, Elizabeth decided to “believe anyway,” and encourage others to do the same along the way. Through this journey, she’s learned that it’s ok to be upset with God, He’s heard it all before. However, in every situation, God has proven above and beyond how faithful He is and how He blesses our faithfulness in return. Above all, there is always hope.

Elizabeth is a Christian author, blogger, and speaker who is passionate about sharing important truths in relatable ways and putting big ideas into common language. Several years ago when her son died, her faith and reality collided leaving her broken, discouraged, and doubting everything she thought she knew. Going through and growing from that painful experience have taught her many things. A burden weighs heavy on her heart to reach out to other struggling sojourners like herself and offer them encouragement, support, and, most of all, hope.

Romans 8:37 – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Resources:
Her book Undefeated: From Trial to Triumph; How to Stop Fighting the Wrong Battles and Start Living Victoriously

Her Prayer Guide

Her podcast: Resilient Life Hacks

All her resources can be found on her website

Life After Infertility with Sarah Sisson-Rollandini

November 30, 2020 by Jenna No Comments

Bridge of the Faithful

Life After Infertility with Sarah Sisson-Rollandini

00:00 / 26:10

Sarah had a 10-year journey with infertility that included waiting, miscarriages, tubal pregnancies, and failed IVF. These circumstances brought lots of questions like Where are you, God? Are you Good? and What do I do next? Her book Life After Infertility documents her hurting, her humor, and her hope as she learned to see life through God’s dreams and not her own. Infertility was painful and hard, but she wouldn’t change a thing as she looks back to recognize God’s faithfulness and foresight in bringing her three beautiful children: two through adoption and one through surrogacy.

“I learned that God doesn’t close doors to open windows so much as smash the whole place to smithereens to make way for new dreams, His dreams for us. That is my story. After years of chronic grief that followed me around like a black cloud, I said yes to a new idea of family. Would you believe me if I told you that you are not alone? That God cares even more about the child you are waiting for than you do? My book, Life After Infertility: A Story of Hope for Those Who Wait, launched into the world on May 2, 2020. My deepest desire is that you will count me as a friend in your struggle as you hold my story in your hands and read the truth in its pages”

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Resources:
Check out Sarah’s Website here.
Her book: Life After Infertility

Embryo Adoption with Maria Lancaster

November 2, 2020 by Jenna No Comments

Bridge of the Faithful

Embryo Adoption with Maria Lancaster

00:00 / 38:56

Maria Lancaster is no stranger to the journey and pain of infertility. After having several miscarriages yet knowing in her heart that God was going to give her a baby, she wasn’t sure what was left. Then, her husband heard Dr. James Dobson on the radio discussing embryo adoption. As a pioneer in this ministry, Maria became the mother of her beautiful daughter and a legacy began. She founded Embryo Adoption Services of Cedar Park, Inc where it is her joy to match and join new families in miraculous new ways. Through her services, she honors the donor family by recognizing the pain and sacrifice they make; a true and selfless gift to the adopting families. She credits the Holy Spirit in being with her during the match process, guiding and providing the perfect timing, with a 12-year track record of protection along the way. Embryo adoption is a beautiful representation of being born again and adopted into God’s family. Listen to experience how God truly cares about these families and the babies they are bringing into the world together.

Psalm 64:9- Everyone shall stand in awe and confess the greatness of the miracle of God. They will realize what amazing things He does.

Resources:
www.adoptembryos.org
www.donateembryos.org

Infertility is Never the End of the Story

October 19, 2020 by Jenna No Comments

Bridge of the Faithful

Infertility is Never the End of the Story

00:00 / 22:52

According to the CDC, approximately 13% of women between 15-44 years of age suffer from issues affecting fertility, ranging from endometriosis, PCOS, to the unknown.
- I was blown away after polling my Facebook friends, I had never realized how many brave people were facing it and willing to raise their hands. I know that there are many more out there that are afraid to talk about it.
This episode is dedicated to those people struggling to understand why, feeling “less than,” or having an identity crisis through this journey. You are all important to God, the one who carries you through who made you, who knows you and loves you more than you could ever understand.
How do I know? Because I’ve had my own journey in the lonely and painful land. For over three years (which I realize is not as long as some of you) I wrestled with all of these issues, including keeping a journal as I dealt with my anger and grief.
- The words of my journal are not easy to share. They show a lot of the ugly that God needed to deal with (and still does).
- However, God grabbed my heart and reminded me that He’s got this.
Infertility is not a subject that is ignored in the Bible:
- Sarah (wife of Abraham)
  - Genesis 12 God promised Abraham that he would be “the father of many nations” and “extremely fruitful.”
  - There was a waiting period. The promise was not fulfilled until we get to Genesis 21, 25 years later. God does not shy away from letting us know about the wait.
  - Sarah made mistakes during the waiting period, losing hope, and forgetting the promise.
    - But God still kept His promise.
    - God’s faithfulness does NOT depend on ours.
- Rebekah (wife of Isaac)
  - Genesis 25:21 – Isaac pleaded with the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children. The LORD answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins.
  - Isaac and Rebekah traveled through 19 years of infertility because they had their sons.
  - Isaac was more patient: he had seen God answer these prayers first hand. He was the answer to one of these prayers.
  - Our God is generous.
    - Isaac pleaded for a child. He got double that.
    - Psalm 23:5 – You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
    - John 3:16 – For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
    - God’s blessings and promises are extravagant.
- Leah and Rachel (wives of Jacob)
  - This story is interesting because it includes the competitiveness of these women, something we all deal with today.
- - Genesis 30:1 – When Rachel saw that she wasn’t having any children for Jacob, she became jealous of her sister. She pleaded with Jacob “give me children, or I’ll die!”
    - It seems dramatic, but we’ve all been there, right?
    - Rachel knew the pain of infertility, and the Bible doesn’t shy away from that.
  - When we give in to the lie that our value and worthiness depends on our fertility, it changes our outlook and our choices.
    - In this story, it began a war between sisters, seen in Genesis 30. Between the lines, you can see there was hostility, pride, fighting, and bragging mixed in and fueled by the pain.
    - Rachel gave her maid to Jacob to get sons.
    - Leah did the same when she stopped having children.
    - Despite the competition and tension ruling this house, God was still working.
  - The naming of children is incredibly important in the Old Testament. They were either chosen to commemorate something (like Isaac, based on the laughter of Sarah) or as a declaration of God’s faithfulness like Samuel (see further down).
    - After giving her servant to Jacob, Rachel names the child Napthali. Genesis 30:8- “I have struggled hard with my sister, and I am winning!”
    - God worked in Rachel’s heart and answered her prayers. She named her son. Genesis 30:22-24 “God has removed my disgrace,” she said. And she named him Joseph, for she said “May the LORD add yet another son to my family.”
      - The name Joseph means “he will add.” In the time between Napthali’s birth and the birth of Joseph, Rachel was able to see God’s love and promises, and know that she could declare that He had more in store for her.
  - Tamar (daughter in law of Judah)
    - This marks the 4th generation of infertility in this family. It is definitely not conventional.
    - Genesis 38 gives us this juxtaposition story.
      - Tamar was married to Judah’s oldest son. He died before they had children, so his brother was obligated to give them a son. He refused, prevented her from getting pregnant, and he died as well. Afraid that she was a curse, Judah sent her away.
      - Tamar was forced to take things into her own hand, pretended to be a prostitute, and had relations with Judah.
      - This resulted in her becoming pregnant with twins.
      - This story is told in the middle of the story of Joseph in Egypt. Both Tamar and Joseph did nothing wrong but were blamed and punished for it. Judah and Potiphar’s wife were both inadvertently used by God turning their selfishness into blessing the entire world.
      - God is simultaneously able to give justice AND grace.
        Psalm 89:14- Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
        Hebrews 4:16 – So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.
        These are NOT contradicting verses. These are two facets of the character of God- He is both just AND merciful. He makes wrongs right while also being completely gracious.
        Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of both God’s just making right the wrong of all our sins) and God’s mercy (grace toward us, His beloved creation).
  - Hannah
    - In Samuel 1, Hannah goes to the closest place she can get to God: the temple. She prays so fervently that Eli the priest thinks that she is drunk! In this prayer, she begs God for a son. She doesn’t stop there though, she tells God that she will dedicate her child completely to Him.
    - She names her son Samuel, meaning “God heard.”
    - Samuel became the prophet anointing Saul and David to be the kings of Israel.
  - Manoah’s Wife
    - Judges 13 tells a story about a man named Manoah and his wife. The Angel of the Lord visits her, telling her that she will bear a son and that he is to be set apart.
    - This son was Samson (as in Samson and Delilah), who had the famous strength and hair.
    - Samson ended up killing thousands of Philistines and therefore giving the Israelites a huge victory.
  - The Shunamite Woman
    - 2 Kings 4 tells the story of the Elisha and the Shunamite woman.
    - This woman built on to her and her husband’s house just so Elisha would have a room when he visited their area.
    - When Elisha asked her what he could give her to repay, she didn’t ask for anything.
    - Elisha’s servant realized that she didn’t have a child, so he suggested this as a blessing.
      - She was so afraid of the hope of having a child that she couldn’t even bear the idea of that conversation.
    - She did end up having a son, who ended up dying while still young.
      - She ran straight to Elisha. 2 Kings 4:28 – “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘don’t raise my hopes?'”
      - This woman was often afraid to speak her hopes and desires in fear of the pain that would come. if God did not grant them.
      - Despite her fears to actually voice her hopes, she knew that she could go to the place that God proved to her that He knows her heart and cares about what she holds in it. She knew she could fully trust God to know what she wasn’t able to let go of and that He could do something with that pain.
  - Elizabeth
    - Luke 1 tells us the story of Elizabeth, the wife of Levitical priest Zechariah.
    - Luke 1:6- Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and decrees blamelessly.
    - In the culture of this time of history, physical ailments such and infertility were considered to be a consequence of sin. The above verse proves that this was not the case.
    - Later, when Jesus was healing a blind man, he explains in John 9:3- “neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
    - Gabriel the angel announced to Zechariah that Elizabeth would give birth to a son and name him John. However, due to their age, Zechariah did not believe and therefore lost his ability to speak.
      - Despite Zechariah’s unbelief, God was still faithful to His promise.
    - When Elizabeth heard the prophecy she said in Luke 1:25 – The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken my disgrace among the people.”
      - There has to be so much behind this quote. There was so much shame being childless, especially in their higher position as priest and wife. There were likely lots of comments both privately and to her face. We all know how that feels.
  - Mary
    - I realize her story is not exactly infertility, but it is still a story of God’s victory and power over our fertility, no matter how impossible the situation may seem.
God knows that we live in a fallen world and meets us in that, all while doing whatever it takes to move us toward restoration.
- In the book Grace Like Scarlett, Adriel discusses her pain of miscarriage. In it she says “I wanted to linger in the romance, believing perfection was within my reach. But seeing the lifeless ultrasound screen was a stark reminder that we still live. in the tensions between now and not yet. Jesus has come but he is still coming. Restoration has drawn near but it’s still approaching. Heaven is at hand but it’s still descending. Every tear will be wiped away but for now, we still have a reason to cry.”
- I’m not sure where you find yourself in this story. But no matter where you are, INFERTILITY IS NEVER THE END OF THE STORY.
- In the book Surprised by Motherhood, Lisa-Jo Baker tells a story about a man who randomly came up to her and said “God wants you to know that whether you have children or not, He loves you for you.”
- Every time I look at these stories of infertility, I see God preparing to show Himself in a big way. And in all of it, He is showing you that He loves you for you.
- God has proven Himself victorious 100% over these fractures of His original conception of our world.
- Infertility was NOT the end of the story for Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Tamar, Hannah, Monah’s wife, the Shunamite woman, the mother of Samson, Elizabeth, Mary, and it will not be the end of the story for you.
- I am NOT promising that you will have children. I am NOT promising that if you have children you will suddenly be fulfilled and life will be perfect.
- What God does promise is Ephesians 3:20-21 – Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever. Amen!
I know it is hard to wait, that there is pain, doubt, despair, and so many questions.
- There is so much more. And God absolutely and abundantly holds that “more” for you victoriously in His hands.
- God has proven that He is faithful over infertility time and time again. Infertility never has and never will be the end of the story.
Romans 5:3-5 – Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Is God Still Faithful in Politics? With Glen Duerr

October 5, 2020 by Jenna No Comments

Bridge of the Faithful

Is God Still Faithful in Politics? With Glen Duerr

00:00 / 50:18

Is there any hope left in the atmosphere of politics these days? With the 2020 election coming up in the next month, it’s easy to have anxiety as we wait to see how the world changes through our choice of president. If you find yourself in this place, listen to Glen’s wisdom as he discusses the reality of how the world is now compared to history, some of the challenges we face today, and the sovereignty of God over all of it. He was able to summarize his ability to see God’s faithfulness in politics through these actions: having God dictate our perspectives, to not focus on the “what ifs” but the “what is,” always be thankful for what we do have, and remind ourselves of what God has done in the past.

Dr. Glen Duerr was born in the United Kingdom, moved to Canada as a teenager, and then to the United States to obtain his Ph.D. His teaching and research interests include nationalism and secession, political violence (nuclear weapons and terrorism), and Christianity and politics. Along with being an associate professor of international studies at Cedarville University, Dr. Duerr is the editor of Secessionism and Terrorism (Routledge, 2018) and author of Secessionism and the European Union (Lexington Books, 2015); his forthcoming book, Patriotism and the Cross will be published by Resource Publications in late 2020. He serves as Policy Fellow for the Wallace Institute for Arctic Security, which advocates for a robust U.S. policy for the Arctic. In addition to his academic duties, he is an “elected official” and currently serves as City Council Member in Beavercreek, Ohio.

Psalm 74:17a NLT: You set the boundaries of the earth.

From Burden to Creation with Chris Staron

September 21, 2020 by Jenna No Comments

Bridge of the Faithful

From Burden to Creation with Chris Staron

00:00 / 50:01

Chris Staron started his creative career as a child learning to entertain and explore life with his twin brother. As he grew, he tried different outlets to his extensive channels of inspiration. From longing to help connect people that have different backgrounds and cultures to trying to understand the true history of his own, God has burdened Chris to use his talents for His glory. Chris discusses how he struggles with the varied success levels of his creations, the bumps and detours along the way, and how God has faithfully lead him through it all. Chris was generous enough to share his heart, his struggles, and remind us that seeking counseling does not make a person “less than” or stigmatized; actually quite the opposite – he reminds us that self-care is so incredibly important in strengthening and bolstering our ability to truly follow what God asks us to do. Chris has created things ranging from full-length movies like Bringing Up Bobby and Between the Walls; books like Cradle Robber; to his beautifully edited and crafted Truce Podcast. Like in Ezekiel chapter 3, Chris reminds us that when God burdens us to say something, we are just as responsible for the content until we reveal it to the listener. That is why he takes it so seriously to faithfully move from the burdens God gives him to the creations God leads him to produce.

Psalm 46:

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
²Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.^[c]

⁴There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
⁶Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields^[d] with fire.
¹⁰He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Connect with Chris Staron:
https://www.facebook.com/trucepodcast
https://www.instagram.com/trucepodcast/

Thrown off Script: Mike Domeny

September 6, 2020 by Jenna No Comments

Bridge of the Faithful

Thrown off Script: Mike Domeny

00:00 / 47:33

Mike Domeny graduated from Cedarville University in Ohio in 2009 with a BA in Organization Communication with minors in Theatre, Psychology, and Bible. As the title of his new book Throw off Script suggests, his life didn’t necessarily go the way he expected. From 2009 to 2011, Mike and his wife traveled the country, living out of suitcases and driving a cargo van to host character-building assemblies in public schools. In 2011 he joined 321 Improv, a hilarious traveling improv comedy ministry (not exactly where he expected to land). Since starting, God has shown him how the tactics of improv can be used in our lives as we face those unexpected moments (*cough* 2020 *cough*). True to form, God showed his sense of humor through Mike by having his book release right in the middle of a global pandemic, where He could bless so many through the wisdom of Mike’s words.

Proverbs 16:9 – The heart of the man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Connect with Mike:
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikedomenyimprov
On Instagram: @mikedomeny

Created to Create: Engineer Jay Kinsinger

August 23, 2020 by Jenna No Comments

Bridge of the Faithful

Created to Create: Engineer Jay Kinsinger

00:00 / 28:25

Jay Kinsinger was created to build. From an early age, he loved being able to put things together and would much rather build his own toys than buy them. As he grew, he found himself working in a tool shop, and that’s exactly where God met him: where he specifically created him to create. After dedicating his life to Jesus in that shop, Jay began his journey in learning how to worship the way God made him to. To him, true worship includes using how his mind works with engineering and building beautiful bicycles out of the original composite: wood. He also is an engineering professor at Cedarville University where he helps others hone and grow in their God-given abilities to create through building. Like most creatives, Jay struggles with perfectionism and distraction, but he is ever learning that God faithfully dwells in our midst as we explore His character through our brilliant ability to create.

Exodus 31:3 – I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.

Check out Jay’s beautiful wooden bicycles at Sojourn Cyclery

Created to Create: Painter Fiona Miller

August 8, 2020 by Jenna No Comments

Bridge of the Faithful

Created to Create: Painter Fiona Miller

00:00 / 29:50

Fiona Miller is a watercolor artist. Her vibrant and lively style stems from Fiona’s curiosity about the world: she has traveled extensively in the UK, US, Europe & Asia and she loves to seek out new vistas that celebrate both the extraordinary and everyday aspects of life. Her watercolors share a common thread: the humanity within us expressed through the space around us.

In this episode, Fiona discusses how being creative gives her the freedom to reflect Him through her own creations. This gives her the ability to be closer to Him, to be more like Him, but also to be more human. To her, art has been a release of emotions as well as an act of worship. If she is being honest, she struggles with separating her identity from her talent but also finds that it gives her the freedom to truly explore who God created her to be.

Psalm 8:3-5 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

Connect with Fiona:
www.fionamiller.net
www.etsy.com/shop/fionamiller
Instagram: @fionamillerart

Page 3 of 4«1 234 »

Abundant Life in Loss with Ashlee Filby

From Trial to Triumph with Elizabeth Meyers

Life After Infertility with Sarah Sisson-Rollandini

Embryo Adoption with Maria Lancaster

Infertility is Never the End of the Story

Is God Still Faithful in Politics? With Glen Duerr

From Burden to Creation with Chris Staron

Thrown off Script: Mike Domeny

Created to Create: Engineer Jay Kinsinger

Created to Create: Painter Fiona Miller

Subscribe

Follow Us On Social Media

Recent Episodes