Life As Worship

Advent: A Season Expectant with Love

In week four of the Advent series, Angela turns to the theme of love—not the sentimental, movie-style romance of Christmas rom-coms, but the deep, sacrificial love that costs something. Drawing on examples from stories like Harry Potter and, more importantly, from Scripture, she reflects on the God who is love, who knows our worst and still chose to step out of eternity, take on a frail human body, live the life we couldn’t live, and die the death we deserved. This episode invites listeners to sit in awe of that love, to trust it even in hard seasons, and to let it overflow into the way we love others.
 
Episode Highlights
Honest look at how our culture cheapens the word “love” and why our hearts long for a deeper, sacrificial love that says, “You are so valuable I will give up something for your good.”
Reflection on how human love—romantic, parental, or friendship—can be beautiful but also deeply imperfect, and why we can’t use those failures as the measuring stick for God’s love.
Remembering that God sees every part of us—our deepest fears, our darkest sins, the messes we hide—and still chose to die for us “while we were enemies,” giving us Christ’s righteousness as a gift.
Considering the mystery and humility of the Incarnation: Jesus spending nine months in a womb, coming as a fragile baby who needed to be fed, changed, carried, and protected.
Encouragement that even when life feels like it has “been out to get you and eat you alive,” God’s love has not changed, and His mercy, grace, and compassion are still aimed toward His people.
A beautiful reminder from Isaiah 30:18 that the Lord is “waiting to show you mercy and is rising up to show you compassion,” revealing His heart and character.
Closing prayer asking God’s love to sustain us, shape the way we walk through this world, and overflow so that others can know His love too.
Great Quotes from the Episode
“Somewhere deep down in our hearts, we long for a love like that—a love that isn’t about ‘what can I get for myself.’”
“God knows it all, and He still died for us.”
“So often we limit God’s love to what we understand or see on this planet.”
“He loves us so much that He moved heaven and earth to come to this planet, to live the life we couldn’t live and to die the death that we deserved.”
“Even if He’s allowing us to go through hard times, we can trust His love.”
“May we never, ever, ever lose the wonder of God’s love.”
Scripture Mentioned
1 John 4:7-21 
Romans 5:10
Isaiah 30:18
Related Episodes
Advent Week 1: Hope in the Dark 
Advent Week 2: Peace in the Discomfort 
Advent Week 3: Joy in the Broken World 
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Advent: A Season Expectant with Joy

Joy in Advent isn’t about pretending everything is okay; it’s about anchoring our hearts in the good news of Jesus right in the middle of a broken world.
 
Description
In week three of the Life as Worship Advent series, Angela reflects on the theme of joy and asks how it could possibly coexist with deep suffering, grief, and global brokenness. Looking at the shepherds in Luke 2—frightened, ordinary people on the bottom rung of society—she traces the angel’s announcement of “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” and unpacks what that means for us today. This episode invites listeners to find joy not in changed circumstances, but in the Savior who stepped into our darkness, gave us a right relationship with God, and promises to make all things new.
 
Episode Highlights
Honest acknowledgment that joy can feel impossible when life is marked by trials, violence, injustice, and personal pain.
A look at Luke 2:9–12 and the angel’s message to shepherds—why it matters that the first “good news of great joy” was announced to the lowly, not the powerful.
Clarifying that this joy isn’t a fake smile or denial of sorrow; it is rooted in the birth of a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord, who came for all people.
Exploring “anticipatory joy”: joy that looks ahead to eternity when all things will be made right, and “present joy”: the real, here-and-now joy of knowing and partnering with God today.
Encouragement that believers can experience joy even while grieving, questioning, and walking through wilderness seasons—because God is with us, loves us, and is at work in ways we can’t yet see.
A closing prayer asking God to help us rejoice in who He is, what He has done, what He will do, and what He is doing now in the dark.
Great Quotes from the Episode
“The angel was not telling the shepherds, ‘Hey, I’m gonna change your circumstances.’… He was telling the shepherds that he has great news—that Jesus was born.”
“We all need a God who is willing to step down from eternity into our lives… to live the life we couldn’t live, to die the death we deserve to die.”
“Not only do we get anticipatory joy that can leak into joy now, we also get to experience joy now because we have a relationship… We have a God who loves us and is working for us.”
“May we never grow tired or weary of that joy. May we always be in wonder of the love that God has given us.”
Scriptures Mentioned
James 1:2 
Luke 2:9–12 
Related Episodes
Advent Week 1: Hope in the Dark 
Advent Week 2: Peace in the Discomfort 
Ep. 40 with Jose Carrillo - Victory Through the Love of God
Ep. 22 with Susie Crosby – God's Gift of All We Need
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Advent: A Season Expectant with Peace

In week two of the Life as Worship Advent series, Angela turns to the theme of peace—shalom—in a world that feels anything but peaceful. She unpacks the rich biblical meaning of peace as wholeness rather than the mere absence of conflict, using vivid sports imagery and powerful Scriptures from Isaiah 11, John 16, and Romans 5. With honesty about her own recent struggles, she invites listeners to rest in God’s character, experience Christ’s peace in the middle of suffering, and long with hope for the day when Jesus returns and makes all things whole.
 
Episode Highlights
Naming the struggle: why peace is hard to come by in relationships, politics, our walk with God, and even within ourselves.
Exploring “shalom”: peace as a complex system firing on all cylinders—everything working together as it should.
Reading and reflecting on Isaiah 11:1–10 and the promised King from the line of Jesse who will bring perfect justice, heal creation, and unite even natural enemies in peace.
Jesus’ promise in John 16:33 that we “will have suffering in this world,” yet can have peace in Him because He has conquered the world.
Romans 5:1 and the good news that, being justified by faith, we already have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Learning to “rest in the discomfort”: trusting God’s faithfulness, justice, and purposes even when life feels off, and believing He never wastes our tears or our pain.
A closing Advent prayer asking God to guard our hearts and minds with His peace that passes understanding as we wait for Christ’s return.
Great Quotes from the Episode
“That word peace doesn’t just mean the absence of conflict. It really has this idea of wholeness… that nothing is off.”
“We are looking forward to the wholeness of all of creation… made complete and whole by having the fullness of the knowledge of the Lord here.”
“Wait a second—Jesus is saying that we can have peace even in the midst of suffering.”
“God doesn’t waste any hard time. He doesn’t waste any tears. He’s going to use it all for His glory and for my good.”
Scriptures Mentioned
Isaiah 11:1–10 
John 16:33
Romans 5:1
(Referenced in closing prayer) Philippians 4:7 
Related Episodes
Advent Week 1: Hope in the Dark 
Ep. 26 with Meg Wilson - Finding Shelter Under the Wings of God
Ep. 18 with Nicole Clark - Rejoicing, Persevering in Affliction and Devotion to Prayer in Hard Times
Ep. 41 with Jackie Freeman - Strength When Grief Wearies Our Souls
 
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Advent: A Season Expectant with Hope

Does this Advent season feel heavy and hopeless?
In this Advent episode of Life as Worship, Angela reflects honestly on the tension of the “week of hope” when life feels anything but hopeful. She talks about walking through a season where “the darkness seems to hang tight,” even as we sing about “a thrill of hope” and wait for the baby born in Bethlehem. Through Isaiah 9, John 14, and Lamentations 3, Angela gently reminds listeners that Advent is about waiting in the dark with expectation—trusting that the light has come in Jesus and that He will come again.
 
Episode Highlights
Naming the reality: what it’s like to enter Advent when your heart is heavy, hope feels distant, and there are “hard times that have no easy answers.”
What Advent really is: a season of preparing our hearts and waiting expectantly for the Lord’s coming—remembering that He came once and will come again.
Isaiah 9:2 and the promise that “the people walking in darkness have seen a great light”—fulfilled in Jesus, God with us, stepping into our darkness.
Jesus’ words in John 14:2–3 and the sure hope that He is preparing a place and will come back to take us to be with Him.
Learning from Lamentations 3: the practice of honest lament, remembering suffering, then calling to mind God’s steadfast love, new mercies, and great faithfulness.
A gentle invitation: don’t “stiff arm God” in seasons of grief; draw near, lament honestly, and keep looking for even the smallest light of hope.
Great Quotes from the Episode
“We know this side of that prophecy…that light was Jesus—God with us—stepping out of eternity and putting on human flesh.”
“We have a hope that says that even in the dark hard times, we trust God to be who He says He is.”
“If your life is hard, if you are struggling in the dark, do not stiff arm God and stay away from Him. Instead, cry out to Him and lament in pain, in grief.”
“Even in the darkness, you will never stop looking for that small light of hope… The Lord is coming; let us be expectant.”
Scriptures Mentioned
Isaiah 9:2 
John 14:2–3 
Lamentations 3:19–24 
Related Episodes
•Ep. 33 with Robin Gerblick (John 10:10) 
•Ep. 41 with Jackie Freeman (Psalm 119:28) 
•Ep. 30 with Shelly Picard (Psalm 18:2) 
•Ep. 10 with Kathy Howard (Galatians 2:20) 
 
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Gentleness and Respect: A Guide for Conversations

Conversations about our worldviews can be challenging. Learn how to navigate these conversations well by approaching them with gentleness and respect.
Angela welcomes Jennifer Slattery, author, speaker, and co-host of the Faith Over Fear podcast, for a lively and deeply honest discussion on sharing faith in a skeptical world. Together, they unpack 1 Peter 3:15—how to honor Christ in your heart, be ready to share your hope, and speak truth with gentleness and respect. Jennifer shares stories about her faith journey, lessons learned as a mom and podcast host, and the beauty of hard conversations marked by humility, patience, and trust in God’s timing.
 
Episode Highlights
Together, Angela and Jennifer break down the context and content of 1 Peter 3:15, noting the deep need for hope, humility, and kindness—especially when faith makes you stand out.
Real talk on the challenge of living with “gentleness and respect,” what it looks like to check our pride, and why answering questions is less about having all the information and more about walking faithfully with Christ.
Angela offers a powerful nurse’s perspective: “When you come in with gentleness, that doesn’t mean you’re not saying the hard things… But you’re doing it with gentle hands.”
Their honest, humorous approach encourages listeners to embrace questions, honor God with honest doubt, and let the Holy Spirit guide both our words and our silence.
Great Quotes from the Episode
“I am experiencing incredible joy texting with a young adult family member who is actually an atheist… we are having the most intellectually stimulating…bonding conversation, even though we view the world completely differently.”
“In your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. So in my heart, is Jesus the boss? Am I letting him guide and rule my thinking, my actions, my priorities?”
“Pride feels good in the moment and it has terrible results, destructive results. But if I could remember, I don’t want to be standing in opposition to my Father.”
“It’s our hope that leads to the questions, not our anger, not our fear. And, please don’t mishear me—fear is a natural response… but our fear should drive us to Jesus, not to panic.”
“We often want to say, I have to tell you all the things…I have to tell you now. And we end up talking about 10,000 issues instead of one or two.”
Resources Mentioned
Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 3:15
Jennifer’s Website: jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com
Podcasts: Faith Over Fear, Your Daily Bible Verse
Related Episodes
Ep. 35: Love Mercy, Do Justly, Walk Humbly (Penny Reeve)
Ep. 24: Telling and Going So Others May Believe (Travis Young)
Ep. 25: Publishing God's Good Works (Crystal Mayo) 
Ep. 15: Grace Abounds All the More (Julie Sanders) 
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Peace that Passes Understanding

Have you ever wondered how to experience peace when life feels like a tilt-a-whirl spinning out of control?
Angela is joined by bestselling author, humorist, and speaker Debora Coty, whose “Bless Your Heart” devotional and beloved “Too Blessed to Be Stressed” series encourages millions. Together, they dive into Philippians 4:6-7, sharing honest stories of loss, anxiety, reluctant obedience, and the supernatural peace God brings—even when life is messy, prayers feel unanswered, or hope seems far off. You’ll also hear how Debora’s “resurrection dog” reminds her of God’s ongoing miracles, big and small.
 
Episode Highlights
Debora shares how “Papa God’s” peace is different from anything the world offers.
First-hand, on-the-ground perspective from her recent visit to ancient Philippi—praying and worshiping near the places Paul ministered, suffered, and wrote his famous letter.
Real talk on walking through depression, loss, and multiple tragedies—and how reluctant obedience, angry Psalms, and Christian music became lifelines as God “restored me to him.”
A step-by-step unpacking of Philippians 4:6-7, focusing on God’s “covenant” to meet our anxiety with supernatural peace as we pray, give thanks, and persevere.
Encouragement for those struggling with anxious thoughts, the place of community (BFFs—Blessed Friends Forever) and how God meets us, often through others, in the process.
Great Quotes 
“I practiced what I call now, reluctant obedience. I didn’t feel like it, I didn’t want to do it. I was angry. I was bitter, but I opened my Bible to the Psalms and I read the angry Psalms and I made them my prayers.”
“I think that scripture became very meaningful to me. I posted it in my car on sticky notes everywhere, all over the house, everywhere I went.”
“It’s a process like everything else that’s worthwhile, I think, in life. It’s a process, but it has to start with us initiating the process.”
“They give us their hope when we have none. They pray for us. When we are dry, they’re the ones that help hold us up… I strongly, strongly advise that, anyone listening… find yourself at least one heart sister. Two or three are even better.”
“God is the God of miracles. Miracles come in all sizes and shapes and colors, and sometimes we miss ‘em if we’re not looking for ’em.”
Resources Mentioned
Scripture Focus: Philippians 4:6-7
Debora’s Website: deboracoty.com
Books: Bless Your Heart; Too Blessed to Be Stressed (series)
Related Episodes
Ep. 16: Courageously Trusting God (Sarah Griffiths Hu)
Ep. 36: Delighting in God, Receiving Our Desires (Maureen Miller)
•Ep. 12: Holding Faith Unswervingly (Holly Piorkowski)
•Ep. 31: Seeking God's Kingdom First (Natalie Harris)
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Strength When Sorrow Wearies Our Souls

Has sorrow ever left you feeling weak? In this episode you will discover strength when grief wearies our souls.
Angela welcomes author, speaker, and encourager Jackie Freeman to this episode of Life as Worship. Jackie is known for her heartfelt storytelling, spiritual wisdom, and unexpected joy found on the pickleball court and in God’s Word. Together, they dive into Psalm 119:28, exploring how Scripture brings strength in grief, how music can help heal the soul, and how honest faith can carry you through life’s deepest seasons of loss and renewal.
 
Episode Highlights
Jackie shares how finding pickleball brought laughter and community back into her life after losing her husband.
A fresh look at Psalm 119:28 and why Scripture is a unique comfort when we are weary, grieving, or anxious.
Honest conversation about losing loved ones, facing big life transitions, and learning to let God and His Word reshape our hearts.
Music, worship, and community as daily tools God uses to encourage us and keep us going when we feel stuck.
Jackie’s practical tips for letting God’s promises give you the courage to heal, reach out, and encourage others.
Great Quotes 
“I learned to laugh again and to connect with people and really to live again.”
 
“I have to be honest with you, Angela. I came to know the Lord as at a young age, and I had a lot of head knowledge… but it was way later in my life that my heart became fully aware of what God’s word say to me.”
 
“Encourage me with your word and, as an encourager… we need encouragement at all phases of our lives, but particularly in our deep sorrows.”
 
“Music has always been a balm for my weary soul, especially the songs that are grounded in God’s word like my Southern gospel music background.”
 
“Lord, I don’t know what to do or how to do, but I trust that you do.”
Resources Mentioned
Scripture Focus: Psalm 119:28
Jackie’s Website: jackiefreemanauthor.com
Books: Pickleball Parables: Inspiration On and Off the Court, Bend Your Knees, Louise!
Related Episodes
Ep. 30: Trusting God as Our Rock and Refuge (Shelley Picard)
Ep. 13: Sowing in Tears Reaping Joy (Kristi Lowe) 
Ep. 4: Anticipating God's Goodness on Earth (Sara Cormany)
Ep. 27: When Your World Ends: Beginning Again with God (Dawn Mann Sanders) 
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Victory through the Love of God

Have you ever wondered if God really loves you? This week Jose Carrillo and I discuss how we are more than conquerors through the love of God.
 
On this episode of Life as Worship, Angela sits down with Jose Carrillo, Sterling College campus pastor and local church pastor. Jose shares from Romans 8:37 on being “more than conquerors” through Christ’s love, exploring what victory really means in the midst of hardship. Their candid conversation dives deep into experiencing God’s grace, overcoming trials, and living confidently in God’s unshakeable love today.
 
Episode Highlights
Jose and Angela unpack key truths from Romans 8, including no condemnation for believers and God’s steadfast love that cannot be broken.
Real talk on what it means to be a conqueror through Christ—not based on our strength but God’s powerful grace.
Jose shares personal testimony of growing through childhood hardship, forgiving family wounds, and embracing God’s healing.
Encouragement for listeners struggling today: your trials can become your testimony and you are never separated from God’s love.
Great Quotes
“If God is for us, who can be against us? He gave His Son – that shows His relentless love for us.”
“Victory in Christ means standing strong through suffering, knowing God fights alongside us.”
“Your story, no matter how broken, is part of God’s redemptive plan.”
“We are more than conquerors because of Christ’s love, not our own power.”
Resources Mentioned
•Scripture: Romans 8:37
•Sterling College: sterling.edu
•Contact Jose Carrillo: jose.carrillo@sterling.edu
 
Related Episodes
Ep. 6: The Stedfast Love of the Lord (Kim Cusimano) 
Ep. 21: Being Upheld by His Hand (Kelly Hall) 
Ep. 3: Faith, Grace, and Salvation (Cortney Stanton) 
Ep. 15: Grace Abounds All the More (Julie Sanders) 
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Strength for Those Who Hope

Ever felt worn out or wondered if you could truly let go of past hurts? On this episode of Life as Worship, Angela welcomes speaker and storyteller Rebekah Storey to dive deep into Isaiah 40:30-31—a powerful promise about finding new strength and hope when you’re exhausted or facing the challenge of forgiveness. Listen in for Scripture insight, real-life encouragement, and practical steps for embracing freedom and walking with renewed purpose, no matter your background or season of life.
 
Episode Highlights
Explore the historical and spiritual context of Isaiah: what it means to rely on God’s strength when your own efforts just aren’t enough.
Honest conversation about what to do when you’ve reached your limit—why everyone gets weary and the hope available for those who are ready to keep going.
Practical encouragement on how to forgive, overcome bitterness, and let God’s strength carry you into new opportunities and healed relationships.
Inspiring examples of using renewed strength to serve others, pursue new callings, and live out your purpose—even on the tough days.
Great Quotes
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength—God always supplies what we need for what’s next.
Forgiveness set me free from chains I never realized I was carrying.
True strength isn’t about pushing harder—it’s letting God be your source when you can’t go on.
If you seek God’s direction, He’ll show you where to serve, how to heal, and how to keep moving forward.
Resources Mentioned
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 40:30-31
Rebekah’s Website: rebekahstorey.com
Facebook: Rebekah Storey
Related Episodes
Ep. 12: Holding Faith Unswervingly (Holly Piorkowski) 
Ep. 28: When Forgiveness Feels Impossible (Deedy Tripp) 
Ep. 18: Hope, Persevering, AND Devotion to Prayer (Nicole Clark) 
Ep. 22: God’s Gift of All We Need (Susie Crosby) 
Ep. 14: Rooted and Built Up (Lisa Meiners) 
 
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Grace for Us, the Thirsty

Has life ever left you thirsty? Like joy and peace are for others and you are on the outside looking in? 
Angela is joined by grace-filled truth-teller and podcast host Jennifer Sakata to reflect on the transformative power of grace in the story of the woman at the well (John 4:28). Jennifer unpacks how a single verse unlocks a message of liberation, forgiveness, humility, and new life. Together, they explore how real worship begins when grace becomes lived experience: freely received, then freely given.
Episode Highlights
 Context of John’s gospel: Rich with stories designed to help readers believe that Jesus is the Christ; packed with honest portrayals of Jesus’ encounters with outcasts, seekers, and the hungry-hearted.
Woman at the well: Jesus intentionally meets a marginalized, wounded Samaritan woman at noon and offers her radical acceptance, a new identity, and living water that satisfies every thirst.
The water jar: Why leaving her important, practical lifeline signified a whole new dependence on Jesus as her source and a willingness to tell her story, even to those who had wounded her.
Jennifer’s story: Forgiving her mother after a fractured, painful childhood—how grace, extended in costly, ongoing humility, led to her own mother’s redemption and salvation.
Practical encouragement: Grace is for you, and for “them.” Forgiveness is a process, not a graduation. Each act of receiving and extending grace rewrites our own and others’ stories.
Great Quotes
“She left her water jar because she picked up a new lifeline: life with the Messiah who saw the real her.”
“Only by God’s forward movement toward us—the substance of grace—can we move toward those who’ve hurt us most.”
“None of us have it all figured out. We’re not graduates of grace; we’re all thirsty people invited to the well.”
“If we ever forget that we’re saved by grace, we’ll never be able to bring other thirsty people along.”
“Forgiveness doesn’t always mean reconciliation or safety, but grace empowers us to wish our enemies well and release them.”
Resources Mentioned
Scripture: John 4:1-45; Colossians 3:13
Podcast: Living the Grace Life with Jennifer Sakata
Website: jennifersakata.com
IG/Facebook/YouTube: @jennifersakata
Devotionals: El Roi: The God Who Sees; Trusting God: 31 Days, 31 Women, 31 Stories, One God
Jennifer's newsletter
Related Episodes
Ep. 28: Forgive as the Lord Forgave (Deedy Tripp)
Ep. 23: Source of Living Water (Lisa Granger) 
Ep. 13: Grace Abounds all the More (Julie Sanders) 
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