LeadingHearts
EDITORIAL STAFF
PUBLISHER/ADVERTISING Linda Evans Shepherd
EDITOR/ART DIRECTOR Amber Weigand-Buckley
LAYOUT EDITOR Tom Young
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Joy Dunlap, Rebecca White, Tom Young
PROMOTIONS Rebecca White
AWSA ADMINISTRATIVE ASST. Carla Wicks
CONTRIBUTORS Karin Beery, Lisa Burris Burns, Penelope Carlevato, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, Pam Farrel, Edie Melson, Katherine Pasour, Karen Porter, Rhonda Rhea, Cynthia L. Simmons
RIGHT TO THE HEART MEDIA NETWORK
ARISE DAILY Dr. Mel Tavares, Editor
RIGHT TO THE HEART BOARD
Linda Evans Shepherd (President), Dawn Scott Damon, Edie Melson, Linda Goldfarb, Sharon Norris Elliott, Karen Whiting and Joy A. Schneider
INFORMATION
Leading Hearts magazine for Christian Women is published bimonthly by Right to the Heart Ministries 2025. ISSN 2380-5455
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Leading Hearts | PO Box 6421, Longmont, CO 80501 email: ReachOut2Linda@gmail.com
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Photos courtesy of: Adobe. Bryan Chris Photography (Brenda Yoder), Canva, Matthew Berinato on Envato Elements (Rachel Purcell)
Copyright ©2025 Right to the Heart Ministries. All rights reserved. Copyrighted material reprinted with permission.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Spring into This Issue—
Cover Feature
10. UNCOMPLICATED SIMPLICITY IN THE SLOWDOWN
Karin Berry profiles Brenda Yoder’s path to a grounded lifestyle and her award-winning book on finding peace in a chaotic world.
Faith & Life
5. FROM THE PUBLISHER: THE CLARITY THAT COMES ON THE WAY DOWN
Linda Evans Shepherd shares how sometimes clarity arrives during life’s unexpected descents.
7. FROM THE EDITOR: THE CANOPY
Amber Weigand-Buckley on finding strength by planting our roots deep and becoming a place of shade for others.
8. CAN YOU MOVE ON?
Karen Porter’s journey from corporate success to discovering God’s purpose after job loss.
Special Features
14. WHY HAVE A CONFLICT COVENANT?
Pam Farrel offers practical tools for handling disagreements in marriage with grace and purpose.
21. IS GOD ANGRY?
Cynthia L. Simmons explores the balance between God’s holiness, love, and the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice.
34. YOU BE YOU BEING YOU
Rhonda Rhea on embracing your God-given identity and shedding false layers.
Practical Wisdom
18. LIFE BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL
Katherine Pasour’s guide for parents and mentors supporting young adults through major life transitions.
22. IMPOSSIBLE
Penelope Carlevato on finding hope in seemingly impossible situations and a recipe for “Impossible Quiche.”
24. AT THE EDGE OF SOMETHING NEW Lisa Burris Burns interviews country music star Rachel Purcell about faith, music, and embracing authentic identity.
27. HOW TO PRAY WHEN THE WATERS ARE MURKY Linda Evans Shepherd shares three prayers for navigating uncertain seasons.
28. BEING FULLY KNOWN: THE TENSION OF BECOMING
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith on breaking free from limiting boxes and embracing your multifaceted identity.
32. PRAYING FOR THE WORDS WE SHARE ONLINE Edie Melson provides Bible verses to pray over our digital communication.
Clarity often comes this way—not before we move, but as we move.
The Clarity That Comes on the Way Down
Clarity doesn’t always show up at the top of the mountain—sometimes it waits for you halfway down, breathless and freezing, with a lesson you didn’t expect to learn.
Years ago, I was skiing in Aspen when a storm rolled in. I found myself stuck on a chairlift in howling wind, with a wind chill of -20 degrees. As the wind whipped my chair sideways and the feeling left my hands and feet, a sudden moment of clarity hit me like the cold itself. I didn’t actually enjoy skiing. Not like I thought I did. And I certainly didn’t enjoy being suspended in the air in arctic temperatures.
By the time I finally skied down and found myself cradling a cup of hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire, it hit me—I was done chasing the adrenaline of the slopes. I wanted something different. Something warmer, quieter, deeper.
Now, instead of hitting the slopes on Saturdays, I hit the Word. I spend those mornings on my church’s prayer team, covering people in intercession and encouragement. It’s a rhythm I never could’ve imagined back on that frozen lift—but one I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Clarity often comes this way—not before we move, but as we move. Like Peter stepping out of the boat onto stormy water, the miracle isn’t just in seeing clearly— it’s in trusting that Jesus will meet us there. Peter didn’t wait for calm seas or perfect conditions. He responded to the voice of Jesus and took a bold, brave step into the unknown.
That’s what clarity often requires of us: not certainty, but surrender. Not a full plan, but a willing heart. And most of all, eyes locked on Jesus.
When Peter looked at the waves, he started to sink. But when he looked at Jesus, he walked on water. That’s a message we all need when life feels stormy or stuck— when the wind is howling and our footing feels unsteady. Clarity doesn’t always mean knowing exactly where we’re going. Sometimes it just means knowing Who we’re walking toward.
If you’re searching for clarity right now, I hope this issue meets you in the “inbetween.” You’ll find stories and insights from women who’ve navigated foggy seasons, unclear callings, and messy middles—and discovered that God doesn’t need perfect conditions to speak. Sometimes, all He needs is for us to take one faithful step.
And when we do? The view on the way down might just change everything.
EDITOR’S LETTER | AMBER WEIGAND-BUCKLEY
The Canopy
Have you ever been tired—deep in your soul?
The kind of tired that sleep doesn’t fix, where the weight of everything feels too heavy to carry? The world keeps demanding more, no matter how much you give, it never seems enough. You push forward, but the exhaustion lingers. Some days, it’s hard enough just to keep going, let alone find the strength to fight for something better.
In those moments, I have to remind myself—I get to choose where I plant my roots.
Jeremiah 17:7–8 says, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
When I preach, I’m preaching this message to my heart first—from a deep need to be reminded of what is true. Because the truth is, I do fear the heat. I do feel the weight of dry seasons. Trusting God doesn’t mean I never struggle—it means choosing,, again and again, to plant myself by the water, even when the drought creeps in.
And I admit in the heat of it, I lose sight of whose I am. I feel fear and frustration. My inability to change a situation makes me forget the steady source of hope beyond me. That’s why I have to write these truths down just so I can come back and reread them. Not because I don’t believe, but because I need to reconnect with what I know God wants me to be assured of.
And when I stay planted, something happens. My strength isn’t just for me—it becomes a refuge for others. When I stretch my roots deep, my branches reach wide. I don’t just survive; I become a canopy, a place of shade and rest for those who are weary too. Not because I have all the answers, but because I am drawing from the One who does.
If you’re weary or wondering how to keep standing, you’re not alone. But you are planted. You are held.
The world will keep pressing in. The drought will come. And some days, we will still feel the fear.
But we are planted. And we will not be uprooted. I pray you’ll connect with more of the truth your soul needs to connect with today in this issue of Leading Hearts
If you’re weary or wondering how to keep standing, you’re not alone.
BY KAREN PORTER KARENPORTER.COM
After years in the corporate world, fighting turf battles and pushing against the glass ceiling, my job was eliminated.
I missed the excitement and thrill of crafting, proposing, and following through on projects, business deals, and big sales. And I missed seeing people every day and dressing up—and my big private office. Deeply hurt by the pain of loss and angered at the injustice of being downsized out of my job, I couldn’t get a grip on what my new life would be.
Lost
in the Silence
My grandchildren were nearby, and those funny and interesting little personalities were sunshine in my dark world. I tried to organize our home and cook and go out into the new surroundings. But deep inside, my feelings were sad and empty. Broken. And it seemed to have no end.
Today, I’m fulfilling my God-given purpose more than I can explain. Someone asked me recently, “When did you know you could move on?”
determination. I walked away from the disappointment and hurt, opening a new door to the future.
When God Steps In
That’s my moment.
If you are enduring a tragedy or pain or hurt, ask God to bring you to that road with two turns. Then choose Him. He is faithful. I depend on it, and my trust in Him is valid because He always shows up; He is always faithful. “Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:23 NLT).
And when I hit bottom and defeat overwhelms, He is still there helping me.
Writing through the Weary
The only way to peace went directly through the hands of God.
I’d never been asked this question before, so I considered my answer. I know the only way to peace went directly through the hands of God who pulled me out of the pit and set my feet on solid ground, because He loves me so much and had a future and plan I had not even considered. But what was that one moment when I turned the page?
Two
Roads, One Choice
I believe it was one day when a lawyer discussed the probabilities of a lawsuit. He said, “I believe we will win, but you need to know it may take 10–15 years.” At that moment, I saw before me a road with two turns. I could turn one way and embroil myself into a long and likely vicious back-and-forth in the courts, or I could take the other road to see what God had planned for the rest of my life. It was a moment of decision and
I started a new company editing, coaching, and eventually publishing. Once, I couldn’t finish an editing job. The more I worked, the more the job seemed never ending. Each paragraph took longer than it should. Every page was filled with problems. My discouragement slid right down the slope into defeat. I did what I’m sometimes best suited for—I panicked. I felt the only choice was to quit.
Then God intervened.
In the case of the never-ending editing job, the deadline was extended. Really? God can do the impossible. Once when dealing with a difficult client, an email arrived telling me how happy and thrilled the client was to be working with me. Yes, really. When I want to quit, he infuses me with hope via a phone call or a text that lights my fire again.
When we feel defeated, God intervenes and entwines himself into our situation.
Sometimes constant, chronic, ever-present troubles feel pointless and never seem to end.
But James said, “Rejoice because when endurance is tested, we win over the trouble” (James 1:2–4, 12 My paraphrase). He will make you strong if you endure. And God-given strength is victory.
Brenda Yoder didn’t grow up in an uncomplicated home. Despite living in an Amish and Mennonite community, life was more “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” than country calm.
Not much changed when she married her high school sweetheart, a Mennonite dairy farmer. They started a family, built their careers, and stayed active—until Brenda decided she wanted more than simply doing less. She started on a path to uncomplicate her life, and today she’s helping others find the same path and peace.
Brenda had always been active, even growing up. The youngest of four daughters in a half-Italian family, she was very involved in activities: serving on student council, as a class officer, in National Honor Society, and competing with a nationally ranked cheer squad. Her sophomore year, she started dating her future husband, a star athlete and dairy farmer from the same small town of Shipshewana, Indiana.
Marriage, Milking & Mayhem
thin with responsibilities. I had only two years left with all four of my kids at home, and something needed to change—I needed to simplify my life.”
Brenda longed for a career with more flexibility. She made a bold move: resigning from her teaching job and pursuing a master’s degree in counseling. The shift gave her more time with her family—but it also sparked something deeper.
“The Mennonite faith and culture are a lifestyle where you live what you believe,” Brenda said. “Your decisions and values don’t change with every whim. I learned that when you live up to your values, you can trust God’s faithfulness in the process, even if it seems countercultural.”
The Uncomplicated Way
Uncomplicating life became more than just a goal— it became her calling. In her book Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life, Brenda outlines 10 essential mindsets and behaviors: contentment, resourcefulness, practicality, prudence, fidelity, forbearance and equanimity, stewardship, interdependence, groundedness and humility, foresight, heritage, and legacy.
I learned that when you live up to your values, you can trust God’s faithfulness in the process, even if it seems countercultural.
The active couple dated throughout high school and college, marrying the summer before Brenda’s senior year at Purdue University. Marriage and kids didn’t slow them down. Brenda got acclimated to the busy dairy farming life. Cows must be milked twice a day, every day. Her husband taught high school math and ran the dairy farm, while she stayed home with their four kids until they were old enough for her to return to work full-time as a history teacher. They were also active in church and community leadership, coaching, youth groups, and Bible studies.
The Switch-Up
It wasn’t until their oldest child was a sophomore in high school—and Brenda was overwhelmed by teaching and parenting—that she knew she needed something different.
“Ron was teaching and managing the dairy farm while we had a growing family of four children who were also active in sports, youth groups, and community events. I taught 180 students daily, and we were stretched
As she modeled these values, others began to notice.
“As empty nesters, we currently host an Airbnb suite in our house,” she explained. “A few years ago, guests leaving remarked, ‘You’re so rich. I envy you.’”
“I was surprised at the comment because living in a rural setting in a small town in northern Indiana is not what most people aspire to. Growing up here, I envied people who lived in more diverse and vibrant communities. It was then that I realized the simpler, more grounded lifestyle I’d been living is something people crave and desire in their fast-paced lives.”
A Book—and a Movement
That moment of clarity inspired her to help others embrace the lifestyle she had come to love. Her book, which won the 2024 Golden Scroll Non-fiction Book of the Year, includes biblical insights, practical steps, and reflection questions to guide readers into a less chaotic way of living.
CONTINUED ON P. 13
Though Brenda is a wife and working mother, Uncomplicated isn’t just for moms. It’s been embraced by college students, small business owners, and anyone looking for sustainable, peace-centered living.
Living in Slow Down Mode
When it comes to making the shift toward simplicity, Brenda offers one key piece of advice:
“I’d encourage everyone not to compromise their quiet time with God, to practice Bible reading and prayer, even journaling, and to do it consistently. God’s Word and conversation with Jesus Christ give peace, clarity, and wisdom for all areas of life.”
Better than Busy
Today, Brenda works part-time as an elementary school counselor and spends time speaking, writing, and enjoying her grandchildren. She’s living the simple, fulfilling life she once craved—and hopes her journey will inspire others to do the same.
“I’d love to see Uncomplicated snowball into a backto-basics, common-sense movement that models a grounded, sustainable, balanced lifestyle for the current generation. I want people to be empowered to know how important and influential our ordinary lives can be.
“Researching for, applying the advice in, and writing this book has compelled me to live more intentionally, clarify my values for this season in life, and continue embodying each principle, especially as our culture seems to become increasingly chaotic. I am dedicated to focusing on what truly matters—people, relationships, and leaving a legacy that guides others toward Christ and intrinsic values.”
I realized the simpler, more grounded lifestyle I’d been living is something people crave and desire in their fast-paced lives.
Why Have a Conflict Covenant?
BY PAM FARREL LOVE-WISE.COM
Often engaged couples, newlyweds or couples whose marriages seem to be “on the rocks” ask us, “What
ONE THING keeps your marriage more harmonious?
In The 10 Best Decisions a Couple Can Make, we offer many ways to avoid and, when necessary, handle disagreements. One we have seen most helpful in our own marriage and thousands of couples is the Conflict Covenant. This will help you decide the “rules of engagement” or how you will handle issues when you are not seeing “eye to eye.” Creating one is a great date night activity, and it is best done when you are NOT in a conflict! Answer the questions below (It is best if each of you make notes in a journal for each question as you go along.) Then, at the end, we give you a few ideas on how to write up the conflict covenant more creatively!
Third party help can range from nearly free (as often offered in a local church setting), or a sliding scale (some Christian counselors or non-profit counseling centers offer this). Or you might need the more intensive weekend or weeklong (or longer) getaways often run in a safe and serene setting by a very experienced expert(s). Focus on the Family has partnered with the National Institute of Marriage to give this vital help to troubled marriages. In addition, check with Family Life Today and Mark and Jill Savage’s Marriage Ministry Intensives.
Often your local pastor, the author of your favorite marriage book, or American Association of Christian Counselors can help you discern the best option for your situation. Check their websites or email experts through their site to see if they have recommendations for you.
Let go of frantic fights and build a covenant of calm—your love is worth the effort
What actions will or won’t you do? (How will you cool off if discussing escalates to yelling? How will you avoid physical violence?)
What words will or won’t you use? (We recommend no swearing or belittling, and we recommend taking the word divorce out of vocabulary, etc.)
When will you call in help? (And who will you call: a counselor? your pastor? a mentor couple?)
At what point will each of you “blow the whistle” and seek legal and spiritual help if violations occur?
Most couples struggle to know when to call for outside help. We suggest that your marriage needs outside help to FIX it if one or all these things exist:
Fighting more than getting along
Intimacy has ceased
eXiting the marriage feels like the last resort
Try to protect the privacy of your marriage and give optimum opportunity for change by carefully selecting people to help who keep confidence.
On our Love-wise.com website, we have penned an article with more information and help on what to do if your marriage is feeling like it is On the Rocks.
Also, our book, The Secret Language of Successful Couples is an 8-week guide looking at the common areas of conflict and how to find unity. Love, Honor and Forgive is an in-depth rebuilding tool chest for troubled marriages.
A Word Picture for Hope
Do you two have a favorite sport or activity? Sometimes enjoying that activity helps remind you both that you do like each other! That activity can also be used to format the agreement. For example, one clever couple uses boxing:
CONTINUED FROM P. 15
First: Go to the Mat: Decide to open conversations with prayer.
Second: Go to our corner: Separate for a little while (hour or so to calm down) if we feel we might say something we’d regret.
Third: Call in the referee: If we can’t solve the issue in three “rounds” of discussion, then call in a third party: mentor, pastor, or specialist in conflict.
Fourth: Go into training: Attend a yearly marriage event to “stay in shape” for love.
Is there a clever idea you want to incorporate to add in a little levity or humor? Humor is a great stress de-stressor if used carefully. Some of our friends when they sense tempers are rising say, “Want a candy bar?” Then they take the time to chew a fun-sized bar. That is about the right amount of time for them to cool down. (A sweet way to count to ten!)
Is there a favorite verse you both can memorize that will be a communications guideline? A frequently cited one is:
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26–27 ESV).
We know that this might feel impossible when you have work the next day or kids to care for, so if your disagreement can’t be settled in one sitting, we simply reschedule, and close in prayer with a sentence of affirmation like “We will get through this with God’s help.” Then keep rescheduling, keep praying and keep saying, ‘I love you” until you are madly in love
Instead of fighting each other, fight FOR your marriage.
again and want to seal your unity with some “red hot monogamy”!
Write Up Your Covenant
For ease begin it with something like: We, Pam and Bill Farrel, promise to . . . NEVER
-Hit.
-Swear.
-Yell.
-Say the word divorce.
-Use words that belittle or scar.
-Use words I would be sorry I’d said if you died.
-Use vocabulary that rationalizes bad behavior.
ALWAYS
-Say “I love you.”
-Say “I am sorry. Please forgive me.”
-Forgive and give grace and mercy.
-Use words that speak for my own feelings.
-Use words that give hope and life.
-Hold hands (It is just less likely one of us would throw something!)
-Pray and ask for God’s help.
-Reschedule and keep rescheduling until we can agree.
-Be humble enough to ask for help.
-Attend marriage enrichment classes, conferences and getaways.
As a safeguard to your love, look to mentors who have survived a few storms; time with them will give you hope. Pam asked her grandparents’ advice for long-lasting love on their 60th wedding anniversary. Her grandma looked at her grandpa with a twinkle in her eye and replied, “Honey, pure grit and determination!”
Instead of fighting each other, fight FOR your marriage. Make it a covenant that you WILL love “for better or for worse.” If you follow your conflict covenant, you will see things go from worse to better!
Pam and Bill Farrel are co-directors of Love-wise. Authors of 61 books including bestselling, Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti.
A template for A Conflict Covenant is available at www.Love-Wise.com
Life Beyond High School
A Guide for Parents & Mentors
Supporting Young Adults in Transition
BY KATHERINE PASOUR
In late spring this year, over three million high school seniors will graduate and step into a new world.
Most of these young adults enter the workforce or continue their education. Both paths may involve challenging transitions, painful obstacles, and difficult adjustments to sudden independence and greater responsibility.
When Independence Hits Hard
The mother stared down, her hands twisting and turning in her lap. She lifted eyes overflowing with tears and choked back a sob. “We didn’t know anything was wrong. He just stopped calling.” Her stoical husband, jaw clenched in suppressed emotion, grasped her hand and held on.
“We don’t know what to do or how to help him.”
In his first semester, their son became overwhelmed. Unable to effectively manage his time to complete the tasks required of a college freshman, he gave up, stopped attending classes, and withdrew from school.
Watch for These Red Flags
Whether our young adult enters college or the workforce, there are signs to watch for to judge whether they are successfully embracing adulthood, independence, and responsibilities—or not. Parents, family, and mentors should watch for changes. Is their
child becoming withdrawn, communicating less (or not at all), or being vague when contact does occur?
Our young adults want to embrace their independence. None of us want to admit we’re struggling. Whether college students or newly employed members of the workforce, these courageous, but sometimes terrified, young people want to convince parents and loved ones that all is well.
How can we offer support? Approach our young adults with love, not pressure. Make clear our willingness to listen without judgment. Keep the lines of communication open. Recognize that our young adults will make mistakes. Encourage them to learn from the lessons that missteps teach. Offer advice if asked, but keep the wisdom shared low key, rather than in an authoritarian tone.
Encouraging vs. Controlling
Career steps or continuing education may take our loved one away from daily face-to-face contact. We can support our young adults by consistent communication; by text, email, calls, and visits (not too often). Remember the importance of listening. Keep a balance between letting your child know of your love and concern, while avoiding hovering.
face these challenges, too, in the workforce and as college students. Often we’re tempted to give advice such as, “When I was your age, I did—” or “This is what you should do—” Your wisdom is important, but often our young people just need a listening ear.
Just as the young college student who faced overwhelming responsibilities and gave up—at first, our young adults will likely face their own overwhelming challenge at some point. Again, it is important to listen and encourage. If they talk through the issue, some impediments may become clear to them. Are they—
• Socializing too much?
• Missing classes?
• Not managing their time well?
• Falling behind in their assignments?
• Avoiding seeking help—tutoring, study habits, counseling?
You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to show up, listen, and love.
• Adding too many extracurricular activities?
Thankfully, the young man mentioned above had a supportive family, sought counseling, and worked with college personnel to develop an action plan that fostered his success in school. He took a little longer, but he persevered and completed his college degree.
The Power of Prayer, Presence, and Perseverance
This separation time is a great opportunity to send your young adult a daily uplifting devotion or Bible verse. Care packages with their favorite snacks, fruits, and cookies are always welcome. Add a gift card to their favorite restaurant to give them an extra surprise.
If your loved one is away at school or work, encourage them to seek community involvement. Churches often have support groups for college students and small group gatherings for young adults. College students can check for these groups during their campus visits in the spring and summer prior to the start of classes in the fall.
Be the Safe Place
No matter our age and experience, there are times when we just want to give up. Our young adults will
We all need encouragement, a listening ear, and the knowledge that someone cares. Our young adults are especially vulnerable to feelings of discouragement and stress about the challenges they face. As parents, family, mentors, and caring individuals, we can open our hearts when our young adults need a caring listener.
Distance doesn’t lessen our impact to support our young adults, no matter where they are. Our prayers, encouragement and support matter. We can pray for perseverance, discernment in their decisions, motivation to do their best, and the courage to maintain their faith through adversity.
Together, we all can make a positive difference on their journey.
Q ? The Big with Cynthia L. Simmons
CLSIMMONS.COM
Q: Is God angry?
A: Today, some intellectuals dislike the teaching that Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins.
They say a loving God would never abuse His Son to the point of death. To them, only a barbarian would demand human sacrifice, like monsters in a sci-fi movie. Instead, they believe Jesus died to demonstrate self-sacrifice and a better lifestyle. I think they misunderstand God of the Scriptures. Let’s talk about who He is.
God Is Holy
First, examine God’s holiness. Look at the passage in Isaiah, chapter six, which describes an intense vision of God’s glory. Angels flying around the throne use their extra wings to shield themselves from the brilliance of the sovereign. As they fly, they shout, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3 ESV).
Notice God is not just holy: He is holy, holy, holy. That’s important because holiness is the only attribute spoken three times. The repetition highlights their message. The angels’ voices cause the ground to shake. How frightening! As Isaiah observes this scene, he calls down a curse upon himself. We know from other passages
that a sinful person cannot survive complete holiness. When Moses asked to see God’s face, the Lord replied, “… man shall not see me and live” (Exodus 33:20 ESV).
In Isaiah’s case, an angel purified his lips with a coal from the altar. Ouch! Think of the need for such searing pain. Most Bible scholars believe Isaiah saw a preincarnate vision of Jesus rather than God the Father.
God Is Love
Second, God is love. C.S. Lewis pointed out love has no meaning without someone to love. Before the foundation of the world, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit existed in perfect love and harmony. God created Adam and Eve, knowing they would defile themselves with sin. When they rebelled, God longed to draw them back into the warmth He enjoyed with the Trinity. But God’s holiness demanded a sacrifice for sin.
“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 ESV).
Isaiah explained further, “But he was pierced for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5 ESV). Jesus went to the cross willingly to forgive the debt we owe. Hebrews says it was Jesus “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2 ESV).
What amazing love Jesus displayed to allow evil men to flog Him and put Him to death.
One Perfect Sacrifice
Finally, we don’t have a vicious idol who requires constant sacrifice. Jesus paid for sin once and for all. Afterward, He rose, conquering death and assuring our destiny.
Romans tells us He ”was declared to be the Son of God in power … by his resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4 ESV). We rejoice in a holy God who provides forgiveness and hope. “Death is swallowed up in victory! ... But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54, 57 ESV).
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 NIV
She did more in a day from a wheelchair than most people accomplish with functional limbs.
BY PENELOPE CARLEVATO PENELOPECARLEVATO.COM
This time of the year can seem very dreary, and with each new snowstorm or tornado warning, the days of spring and summer seem so far away. All the dead trees and the brown lawns don’t give much hope of seeing any flower bulbs popping up soon. But, slowly, as the days grow longer (we gain about 2–3 minutes a day), we begin seeing the sun more often, and our hope is restored … spring will soon be here.
A Life That Defied the Odds
Life is very much about seasons, and just last week, I thought about a young mom I met many years ago. She was an inspiration to me and thousands of others as she lived her life in a wheelchair. Four years before I met her, she had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and was given a death sentence of two to five years. Just last week, she went home to Jesus, living an impossible lifespan of 27 more years.
She was a great source of encouragement to her four children, whom she homeschooled for many years, and anyone fortunate to meet her. She never let her disease control her life, but showed her love of Jesus in countless ways, always with the other person in mind. As a former college state track champion, she made every effort to be a cheerleader for her kids in the many sports they competed in. She had the heart of a coach, not only on the field. Still, she dedicated her strength to encouraging others who were also ALS patients by being active in political causes for research, having support groups, and traveling to ALS events across the country. Her husband of 36 years remarked
that she did more in a day from a wheelchair than most people accomplish with functional limbs. But most of all, she showed the love of Christ in the way she lived her life, which most people would consider impossible.
God Still Works Miracles
Our Bibles are full of stories that sound impossible to most of us. Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel, Jesus feeding the 5,000, Peter walking on water, Lazarus raised from the dead, and now another beautiful story of my friend. God continues to perform miracles that, to us, seem impossible. I am always so disappointed when friends and family continue to deny their need for Jesus, even when they hear stories like the one I just shared. So, what can we do, as fellow believers in Jesus Christ? The Scripture in Colossians 3:17 instructs us to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. So for me, and maybe also for you, it means opening my home and using my hospitality gift. Perhaps it’s just a cup of tea and a Girl Scout cookie or inviting neighbors over for dinner; I always want to do it in the name of Jesus.
I am so thankful for my friend who showed me that nothing is impossible when Jesus is walking the road with us.
A Legacy of Hospitality
My mother was not a great cook, but she loved sharing her hospitality gift. I remember one day she shared a new and amazing recipe with me. It was over 30 years ago, Bisquick had this recipe on the back of the package: Impossible Quiche!
What makes it impossible is that you don’t have to make a crust; it appears magically as you bake. She never grew tired of making this, and I still follow the directions on the worn and torn cut-out from the package. It is a fun recipe, and by adding a tossed green salad, your guests will think you spent the day in the kitchen!! Make it with ham and cheese, or do a vegetarian version.
I also add chopped spinach into the tin.
Bisquick Impossible Quiche
1 ½ cup cubed smoked ham or bacon
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
¼ cup chopped green onions
½ cup Bisquick mix
1 cup milk
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper
2 eggs
1 tomato sliced for garnish
Heat oven to 400ºF. Grease a 9-inch pie tin.
Place the ham, cheese, and onions in the bottom of the pan.
Mix the Bisquick, milk, salt, pepper, and eggs until blended.
Pour the mix over the ingredients in a pie tin.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool, then cut into wedges and serve.
Garnish with the tomato slices.
Find more of Penelope’s recipes at leadinghearts.com
At the Edge of Something New Country Music Star Rachel Purcell-
BY LISA BURRIS BURNS COFFEECHATLADIES.COM
Standing on the precipice of change, singersongwriter Rachel Purcell sits down with Leading Hearts to give us a peek into God’s faithfulness.
While having had the opportunity to do some cool things within the country music industry (like working with award-winning producer Dann Huff, playing the Grand Ole Opry and opening for country music great Reba McEntire to name a few), her current footsteps fill her with a renewed sense of excitement and peace as she embraces her authentically God-designed self. Her latest musical offerings share heartfelt sentiments encouraging others to do the same.
Taking the Next Best Step
Rachel shares, “I think often about one of my mentor’s favorite quotes. It’s from Elizabeth Elliott. God is always leading us along, and when you don’t know what to do, this quote says to ‘do the next thing.’ And I feel like that, right now. Where I am currently is not a testament to me at all; it’s the Lord. He’s led me to this point, and I trust Him and His wisdom to help me do the next best thing.”
even through the years of distraction she experienced in her young adulthood. Feeling the stress of trying to figure it all out, and at the same time cultivating a sincere love for music, Rachel began singing at local venues and event opportunities.
Rachel tells us of one example: “There was a great hotel with a golf course near my home in Alabama. People would come to stay there, and I happened to be singing in the hotel restaurant my senior year of high school. One day, while golfing, a Sony country music rep from Nashville, who was looking for new artists, heard me sing. I was 17 then and did not know what I was doing with my life! But I believe that God divinely had us meet.”
Re-Anchored in Faith
Where I am currently is not a testament to me at all, it’s the Lord. He’s led me to this point and I trust him and his wisdom, to help me do the next best thing.
During her junior year at college, Rachel attributes the re-grounding of her faith to God’s perfect timing. She was experiencing a world and life so different from her upbringing, and her heart felt the heaviness of her decisions. A lifechanging, no-turning-back moment came when she least expected it. “I remember sitting in my car, feeling at rock bottom. So alone and so isolated. I was thinking about the things I’d done. I was so ashamed and I hated myself.
Trusting Jesus is something Rachel witnessed often growing up within the walls of her childhood home. Having lived in an environment of faith, God continues to give her perspective concerning His overall plan for her life. She recalls, “It’s so cool to see the answered prayers of a praying mom throughout my life. I’m very much the result of that. We went to church Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night—I loved church! It was just one of my favorite places. Being able to grow up in that kind of atmosphere, I don’t take it for granted. And I wouldn’t trade that for the world.”
Looking back, it’s evident that God has always led her,
“As I was crying in the car, I heard the voice of God … just speaking to my heart like He does, saying, “I love you. I forgive you.” And just that quickly, Rachel’s response to God’s presence was life-changing at a much deeper level. It wasn’t a moment based on her upbringing, her parents’ faith, or even the sweet childhood realization of who Christ was to her at the age of 6. “I was just like, wow, if this is You, God, I’m not going to be half in ever again. I want to be all in with You. I want a real relationship … and that day changed my life forever.”
Following college, with her identity grounded in Jesus, Rachel reached back out to the music exec she had met as a teenager in that hotel restaurant. She made the decision to move to Nashville and pursue music
I was just like, wow, if this is You, God, I’m not going to be half in ever again. I want to be all in with You. I want a real relationship … and that day changed my life forever.
on a professional level. Making the city her new home and signing with her first label, she began the work of discovering who she was as an artist. Part of that process included learning the art of songwriting with some of the best in the music industry. The singer says, “I feel like country music found me.” With her southern background and writing style, Rachel saw the release of several country singles.
A New Song for A New Day
Much has changed for Rachel since those early career days. She met, fell in love and married her husband, Noah. She has grown not only as an artist, but also in what she believes God has called her to walk in currently. Singing country music has been a blessing, yet Rachel finds herself in a season of transition. Her passion for songwriting is to create music that more honestly expresses where her heart is.
Rachel’s newest music brings her full circle as the lyrics lift up God and tell others of His goodness. Her style creates a fun fusion of musical expression, pulling from the influence of country, pop, R&B and gospel music. You can now enjoy her three-song, three-video Live from Muscle Shoals EP, recorded at the Fame Recording Studios, just down the road from where she grew up in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Be on the lookout for even more new music soon!
“I just want to stay in a lane that will continue to honor the Lord,” Rachel reveals. “One of the most common themes in my life has been that God works in mysterious ways. I look back and I’m like, ‘You were working with this girl’ and He’s held me through all of it. And I’m just thankful.”
Click on picture above to watch Rachel’s latest video, “Show Up” from Live From Muscle Shoals (https://bit. ly/ShowUpVideo). To find out more about her, go to rachelpurcell.com
BY LINDA EVANS SHEPHERD GOTTOPRAY.COM
How to Pray When the Waters Are Murky
When you’re wading through muddy waters, longing for clarity,
it can feel like there’s nothing firm to stand on—only murky answers and shifting ground.
You take a step forward, hoping for direction, but instead you slip, sliding farther from the hopes you’ve carried in your heart.
That’s exactly how I felt after turning in the manuscript for the prayer book of my heart. I believed in the message. I knew it could help people. I even imagined it might become a favorite among readers navigating uncertain seasons. But I never dreamed the publisher would lay off their entire editorial team and replace them with people who had no connection to my work.
Then came the phone call.
wondering which direction to go—here are three prayers that helped me navigate my muddy waters.
1. “Lord, help!”
Simple. Raw. Desperate. But that’s often exactly where God meets us. As Jeremiah 33:3 promises, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” When we cry out, God answers—with wisdom, clarity, and peace.
2. “I give this situation to You.”
Because whether we realize it or not, we were never really in control. God’s detours aren’t punishments— they’re protection. Sometimes He lets us hit a wall, so we won’t fall off a cliff.
Flat on our backs, looking up, we’re finally able to look toward heaven and we’re still enough to listen.
A new staff member, unfamiliar with my previous books, blurted, “Honestly, this book was so bad, you should never write again.”
Just like that, all the hope I had poured into the pages seemed to wash away. The waters weren’t just murky—I had slipped and landed flat on my back.
But sometimes, that’s the very position that leads to clarity.
Flat on our backs, looking up, we’re finally able to look toward heaven and we’re still enough to listen. This is the “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” posture of prayer. The very posture that opens our ability to accept new direction from the Lord.
If you’re in a similar place—neck-deep in uncertainty,
3. “Please turn my confusion into clarity, and my disaster into a blessing.”
That was my honest prayer. And God moved. He released me from that contract and led me to a publisher who believed in the book. That same project—When You Don’t Know What to Pray became one of their top sellers that season. To this day, it’s still my best-selling book out of the forty I’ve written.
Yes, when I lost my publisher, I shed tears. Yes, I spent nights on my knees. But the journey deepened my faith. It reminded me that God not only meets us in disaster—He walks with us into the resulting blessings as well.
So, if you’re standing in muddy waters right now, unsure which way is forward, don’t give up. Clarity doesn’t always come all at once. But it will come.
One prayer at a time.
Linda Evans Shepherd is the publisher of Leading Hearts and the author of Praying through Hard Times from Baker Revel. www.GotToPray.com
Being Fully Known-
The Tension of Becoming
BY DR. SAUNDRA DALTON-SMITH
Somewhere between the hustle of life’s demands and the lack of quiet moments for your soul, you may have lost something of great worth.
For some, it has been lost for so long they no longer recall possessing this treasure. Others have lost the ability to recognize its value. This lost treasure is your identity.
When Growth Meets Resistance
People have tried to tame it by refusing to allow you room for growth. Vision quenchers have tried to extinguish it. Destiny thieves have been attacking it. But still, the fullness of your identity remains in the fabric of your being. Inside of you resides an innate treasure that is unexplainable and unreproducible. Your identity is as unique as your fingerprint and a paradox. It is both sensitive and strong, powerful and yielded, at peace and at war within you.
This exquisite treasure confirms in your innermost being that your life has purpose—you have purpose. It provides the peace of knowing who you are amid the tension of the unknowns of life.
Shifting Seasons, Shifting Selves
Parents become empty nesters. Wives become widows. Employees retire. The young age, titles change, and roles shift. We live in a world that is constantly changing. The tension of shifting seasons can leave you feeling like you are about to snap, or it can pull you into the place of purpose and destiny.
When life surprises you with change, it can be hard to determine if you are at your breaking point or at the point of breaking through into a deeper understanding of who you are. You may sense a divine invitation
to something, but you do not know the details of the journey or even if it is one you dare embark upon. This is the pressure of becoming. Much like a grain of sand turns into a pearl through pressure and aggravation, the process of becoming will not always be comfortable. The tension arises between how you view yourself and how an infinite, all-knowing God sees you, an unraveling of the old that will set the stage for the new. Before we enter the wide-open spaces of grace to be fully who we are, there must be a dismantling of old identities, limiting beliefs, and constraining labels.
Beyond the Lie of “One Thing”
“What if there isn’t one thing?!”
This heart’s cry was a turning point in my understanding of becoming and embracing my God-given identity. I sat in a wicker chair outside a small coffee house chatting with a friend. The temperature had already hit the nineties, making iced coffee the only reasonable option. With her iced white chocolate mocha in hand, my friend leaned back in her chair with a deep sigh. Her hot pink and orange kimono blew in the breeze as she laid bare her soul.
enjoyed. I had well-defined roles within the box. I felt confident and secure. The box removed the need for me to grow in my knowledge of myself and God. But seasons change and failure to change with them can leave you wanting, empty, and depleted. When you find yourself in a box without the ability to grow, it becomes a tomb.
No Shame in the Box, But Don’t Stay There
What boxes have you found yourself in? These boxes can be in the form of a title, career, position, hobby, or anything else that describes what you do but not who you are. What labels have been bestowed upon you by others?
Consider the ways people refer to you in conversation. Maybe you’ve been identified as “the pastor’s wife” or “Joey’s mom” or some other descriptor that places limits on your identity or is dependent upon a specific season. These boxes can be comforting. But when the season changes, it can leave you feeling as if one or more boxes have been stripped away.
...if I am passionate about one thing and yet also feel called to be a part of something else completely unrelated? How am I supposed to choose?
“Every coach I have ever worked with tells me I must determine the one thing God has placed me on this earth to do,” she said. “But what if there isn’t just one thing? What if there are multiple things? What if I am passionate about one thing and yet also feel called to be a part of something else completely unrelated? How am I supposed to choose?”
Her question tore into my soul, reverberating in the air around me. I too had believed the lie of “one thing.” At the time of our coffee date, I had been working fulltime for 20 years in clinical practice as a board-certified internal medicine physician. Since the age of five, all I ever wanted was to be a doctor. It was all I had ever known as a career, and it had become my identity.
Whether I was socializing in the foyer at my church, sitting in the stands at my son’s basketball games, or pushing a cart through the aisles of the grocery store, I was acknowledged by all who knew me as “Doc.” I do not think some of those who greeted me even knew my first name!
Medicine was not only my career; it was the box others placed me in. Don’t get me wrong—it was a box I
This is where the tension arises. At times our boxes no longer serve us in a new season. A career, title, role, degree, or label may outlive its usefulness. Consider the boxes you’ve enjoyed during seasons of your life. These roles or titles or descriptors may have made you feel important or known. There is no shame in the box. The confinement of the box, however, can lead to stagnation, unfulfillment, restlessness, and depression. The problem is not the box—it is our belief that we must choose only one.
The Stirring That Won’t Be Silenced
What if there is not only one thing? That is the question I want you to consider. What if the tension you have been feeling is the pressure of being shoved into a box you have outgrown? What if this dissatisfaction is the holy stirring of a spirit that knows it has untapped treasures? What if the restlessness is not a need to be filled but a need to be emptied of what has been buried inside?
Excerpted with permission from Being Fully Known by Dr. Saundra DaltonSmith.
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BY EDIE MELSON
As a ministry leader I feel the weight of being an ambassador for my Jesus— especially in regard to the words I share online. And I feel the weight of knowing I’m not worthy to represent Him—by myself. But God never sends us out into the world, alone, to accomplish what He has planned for us. NEVER. Instead, He comes with us, giving us the strength and the guidance we so desperately need.
And that’s why I’ve found it so important to pray for myself, as well as the words I share. These are some of the verses I pray, to make sure I’m walking closely with Him as I write with Jesus.
Bible Verses for Writers to Pray Over Themselves
1. I pray I remember my calling and who called me: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESV
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, James 1:2 ESV
4. I pray for courage:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NASB
5. I pray I won’t give in to discouragement:
Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31 NASB
The Lord will also be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble; And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, Lord, have not abandoned those who seek You. Psalm 9:9-10 NASB
There is a happy freedom in being who you really are. It opens your eyes all the more to the unconditional love of a heavenly Father who knows you completely.
For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose. Philippians 2:13 HCSB
2. I pray I remember what that calling is: Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. Revelation 1:19 ESV
Then the Lord answered me and said, “Write down the vision And inscribe it clearly on tablets, So that one who reads it may run. Habakkuk 2:2 NASB
3. I pray I do the work with joy:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 ESV
6. That I always rely on God and don’t try to write in my own abilities: Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! 1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV
7. That I am content to wait on God’s timing and trust Him with my words:
Commit your works to the Lord, And your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3 NASB
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 ESV
Our calling to serve those God has put in our path is an honor. It’s also impossible to do in our own strength. However, when we lean into God and work from a foundation of His Spirit and truth, we can persevere.
Someone called me Super Woman the other day and I received it. Practically caped it. It was completely undeserved and the cape altogether ill-fitting, and still I received it.
Just so’s you know, though, anytime I’m acting like I have everything all together, feel free to remind me that sometimes I still sing the song to find my way to the book of Ezra (she said, trying to smooth out the capewrinkles).
Too Many “Me’s” in This Closet
I wonder if I’ve always been this … this … what’s the word? “Layered” maybe?
Public me. Private me. Overconfident me and insecure me. Church me and Walmart me.
Too many me’s. It can get crowded up in here, what with me trying to be the me who may also be trying to be some other me.
Probably one of the best examples of layered self came from one of my favorite threeyear-olds this week. She was having her ballerina dolly sing the books of the Bible in monster voice. Talk about your layers.
weaknesses with assorted fake versions of ourselves.
My God knows the real me. He knows the real you.
“Lord, you have searched me and known me … you are aware of all my ways” (Psalm 139:1, 3 HCSB).
He never asks you to put on a mask or a cape or anything phony that might give others an impression of you that’s not really you.
Layers of Love and Grace
I believe He blesses every minute we’re not wasting with all the effort it takes to try to keep up appearances, and He gives us beautiful ways to redeem those minutes for His glory.
There is a happy freedom in being who you really are. It opens your eyes all the more to the unconditional love of a heavenly Father who knows you completely. Layers on layers of love and grace and freedom.
God made you, you.
No matter which me I am, I’m going to laugh at that. All of the MEs laughed in chorus..
I almost kept it together—until I heard the balletmonster sing,
“… Leviticus, Numbers, Toot-around-a-me….”
Because seriously, no matter which me I am, I’m going to laugh at that. All of the MEs laughed in chorus.
No Masks Necessary
I have some good news for all of us. All of the MEs, and all of the YOUs.
We have a heavenly Father who will never ask us to be anyone other than who we are. What a relief!
We don’t have to sing every life-note perfectly to be accepted by Him. We don’t have to mask our
“For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made” (Psalm 139:13–14 HSBC).
He sees past any wanky capes or false layers, all the way to the heart of you.
He calls you, the one He created and adores, to shrug out of those ill-fitting layers and embrace who you were made to be.
He is the only one who can empower us to live satisfied in exactly who we are.
The Real Superpower
And our omnipotent God empowers with realest power.
So there actually are superpowers involved in all this. Just not mine.
I’m singing an extra chorus of hallelujahs over that. Never mind what might be going on around-a-me.
Experienced Communicator -
W H A T ' S B E I N G S A I D
. . .
Joy Dunlap’s "Speaking Joyfully" messages always encourage and uplift, bringing hope and truth in each one. She takes everyday things we often overlook or coun as “that’s just the way it is” and turns them into opportunities fo her readers to experience more fulfilled lives.
Practical, thoughtful, and always applicable, Joy has a remarkable way of bringing biblical truth to light by sharing the observations she makes in daily life.
I marvel at how (Joy) has taken personal experiences and turned them into teaching moments...an most importantly kept it interesting and funny, albeit at (her) own expense in some cases
Award-winning Blogger - Speaking Joyfully
Certified P.O.W.E.R. Speaker - Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA)
Worked as VP, Radio Operations - National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) broadcast, print and podium
(Speaking Joyfully") is thoughtfu and fun, and always a reminder o our Loving God and His presence both the simple and the miraculo
Meet the Team
meet the editor
meet the publisher
LINDA EVANS SHEPHERD @LINDASHEPHERD is publisher of Leading Hearts magazine. She is also a best-selling author, an in-demand speaker, YouTuber and president of Right to the Heart ministries. She is founder of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA). She lives in Colorado with husband, Paul, and son, Jimmy. Subscribe to her “Prayer Investigator” show on YouTube and visit her at www.lindashepherd.com as well as gottopray.com
AMBER WEIGAND-BUCKLEY @BAREFACEDGIRL is managing editor and art director for Leading Hearts magazine and brand manager for AWSA. She is a writer, speaker, book cover designer and multi-award-winning editor, having spent 26 years in the magazine industry. Amber is owner of #barefacedcreative, providing branding support for authors, speakers, businesses and missionaries. She and her Brit-native husband, Philip, live in Missouri with two of their daughters: Imogen and Penelope. Their oldest, Saffron, is a student at Missouri State. Amber’s award-winning book, Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success and My Discovery and Next Steps Journal (Bold Vision Books), coauthored with Lisa Burris Burns, features the stories of over 30 world-changing women. The duo co-hosts “Coffee Chat with Amber & Lisa: Real Life. Real Influence. No Makeup Required” which is available on all podcast networks. Find out more at www.coffeechatladies.com.
contributors
KARIN BEERY writes contemporary stories with a healthy dose of romance. If she’s not writing fiction, she’s editing or teaching others at conferences and through the PEN Institute. www.karinbeery.com
LISA BURRIS BURNS is an award-winning author and co-host of the Coffee Chat with Amber & Lisa podcast. She and her husband, Randy, have served in marriage and family ministry since 1988.
PENELOPE CARLEVATO is the author of The Art of Afternoon Tea: From the Era of Downton Abbey and the Titanic as well as Tea on the Titanic, First Class Etiquette, and her latest, The Tea Lover’s Journal www.penelopecarlevato.com
DR. SAUNDRA DALTON-SMITH is an internal medicine physician, author, and speaker. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Baker College and Davenport University in Michigan. Dr. Dalton-Smith is the founder of the I Choose My Best Life ministry. www.ichoosemybestlife.com
PAM FARREL is an international speaker, author of 59 books, including her newest, Discovering Good News In John: A Creative Bible Study. Pam and her husband, Bill, are co-directors of Love-Wise, a ministry to enrich, educate, and encourage people’s most vital relationships. www.love-wise.com
EDIE MELSON is an author, blogger, and speaker who has penned numerous books, including While My Child Is Away,
a book of prayers for when we’re apart. Her top-ranked blog for writers, “The Write Conversation,” reaches thousands each month, and she’s the Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. www.ediemelson.com
KATHERINE PASOUR is an author, teacher, and speaker with a passion for wellness. She seeks to nurture children and adults of all ages to achieve and maintain better health. Her Bible Studies focus on developing a closer relationship with Jesus while working toward making choices that will lead to a healthier life-style. www.katherinepasour.com
KAREN PORTER is an international speaker, the author of seven books, and a successful business woman. She is the former president of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, serves on several boards, and coaches aspiring writers and speakers. www.karenporter.com
RHONDA RHEA is an author, humor columnist, and TV personality. Her newest release, with co-authors Monica Schmelter and Kaley Rhea, is Messy to Meaningful—My Purse Runneth Over www.rhondarhea.com
CYNTHIA L. SIMMONS is the mother of five grown children, past president of Christian Authors Guild, radio host, media coach. She writes both fiction and non-fiction and loves history. She ministers to women of all ages but has a special place in her heart for young mothers and homeschool mothers. www.clsimmons.com
