Life As Worship

Suffering and Eternal Glory, How Can Suffering Bring Glory?

What does it mean that suffering can bring eternal glory and how can that help us face suffering now?
Join us this week as we seek to discover just that.
Angela welcomes Christian author, lawyer, comedian, and jazz singer Lara Silverman to discuss an eternal perspective on suffering. Diagnosed with a rare, debilitating illness, widowed after a bittersweet love story, and now a vibrant online storyteller, Lara shares how God meets us in the valley and how clinging to His promise of glory and redemption can sustain joy—right now, not just someday.
Episode Highlights
 The context of 2 Corinthians: Paul’s letter to a suffering church, stressing perseverance and the eternal hope that outlasts every earthly trial.
Light and momentary affliction: How Paul calls deep, daily pain “light” in light of eternity, not to minimize it, but to magnify what’s coming.
The unseen and eternal: Why fixing our eyes on the invisible promises of God—faith, hope, love, and ultimate redemption—transforms our perspective. 
Lara’s story: Chronic illness derailing a high-powered legal career, the loss of her beloved husband to cancer, and unexpected platforms for testimony, comedy, and deep faith.
Practical encouragement: Honest wrestling with God, humor through grief, and God’s promise that not a single tear or tragedy is wasted, but is prepared as glory for us.
Great Quotes
“If you’re in the fire and still smiling, the only answer is: God is with me. Glory is coming.”
“Paul knew suffering. He isn’t minimizing your pain—he’s magnifying how incomparable eternity will be.”
“God’s economy is upside down. He takes our deepest losses and turns them into beauty, joy, and eternal glory.”
“Every millisecond of your pain is doing something. God will not waste it.”
“He isn’t just the God of someday—He gives us gifts, joy, and even laughter in the hardest places, right now.”
 
Resources Mentioned
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Lara’s Book: Singing through Fire. Affiliate Link
Instagram: @singingthroughfire_author 
Book trailer: Singing through Fire 
Comedy links: The Silverman Show
Related Episodes
Ep. 29: The Lord Gives and Takes Away (Kelly Arena) 
Ep. 13: Sowing Tears and Reaping Joy (Kristi Lowe) 
Ep. 27: God's Creative Process When Your World Ends (Dawn Mann Sanders) 
 
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Delighting in God and Receiving the Desires of Our Hearts

Does it seem like a pipe dream that God would give us the desires of our hearts, just for delighting in Him?
Join me this week as Maureen Miller and I discuss what Psalm 37:4 really means and how it changed Maureen's life.
This week I welcome writer, chaplain, and new novelist Maureen Miller to discuss Psalm 37:4. Maureen unpacks how this beloved verse is not a promise of “gimme, gimme prayers,” but an invitation to intimate relationship with God, allowing Him to shape our desires and bring deeper fulfillment than we could ever imagine. From her story of infertility to the simple joys found on her farm with grandchildren, Maureen testifies that God’s best often looks different—but always better—than what we picture for ourselves.
 
Episode Highlights
Psalm 37’s context: an instructional psalm written as an acrostic, contrasting the fleeting success of evildoers with the enduring inheritance and joy of the righteous.
Verses 1-3: “Fret not” over the prosperity of the wicked; trust, do good, dwell with faithfulness—this context shapes how we read verse 4.
“Delight yourself in the Lord”: means pursuing deep relationship and intimacy with God, allowing Him to reshape our dreams and desires.
Maureen’s story: how God transformed a heart’s cry for children from clenched-fist prayers to open-handed surrender, leading to joyful motherhood through His timing and means.
Practical encouragement: When God’s answer seems “no” or “not yet,” keep pressing into Him, surround yourself with community, safeguard what you read/listen to, and anchor yourself in gratitude and worship.
Great Quotes
“Delight means more than thinking, ‘God is awesome.’ It’s knowing Him so intimately that His desires become ours.”
“I used to clench my dream for children tightly in my fists, but God taught me to open my hands—as I delighted in Him, He changed me.”
“God will plant desires in us that are more beautiful than anything we could dream for ourselves.”
“Praise is the ladder out of despair. What we listen to and focus on can lift us or keep us stuck.”
“God’s best always fits us perfectly—even when it looks different than we hoped, when we delight in Him, He gives us Himself, and that’s enough.”
Resources Mentioned
Scripture: Psalm 37:4
Maureen’s Website: maureenmillerauthor.com
Email: maureen.miller913@gmail.com
Blog: Windows and Wallflowers
Novel: Gideon’s Book (Maureen Miller, 2024) (affiliate link)
Reference: Jeremiah 29:11, Hebrews 12, Psalm 139
Related Episodes
Ep. 26: Shelter Under the Lord's Wings (Meg Wilson) 
Ep. 22: God's Gift of All We Need (Susie Crosby) 
Ep. 4: Anticipating God's Goodness on Earth (Sara Cormany) 
 
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What Does God Require? Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

Sometimes it is hard to know what God wants from us...but He has told us. Join us as we discuss doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly.
Angela is joined by Australian award-winning children’s author Penny Reeve to discuss Micah 6:8. Penny shares how this passage has shaped her ministry, advocacy work, and the “small sphere” acts of justice and mercy in everyday life. The conversation dives deeply into what justice, mercy, and humble walking look like—not just globally, but at home, in community, and in personal worship.
 
Episode Highlights
The context of Micah: a minor prophet writing to Israel during a time of disobedience and idolatry, balancing prophecies of judgment with redemption, and pointing forward to Jesus.
Micah 6’s “courtroom scene,” where God lays out his case and asks for the true heart of faith, not empty religious ritual.
“Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly”: why these three belong together, and how justice and mercy are team players, both on a grand scale (advocacy, missions) and smaller “home” spheres (budgeting, relationships, kindness to those around us).
Penny’s stories: mission work, writing on child labor and adoption, learning to let go, and how the verse has shifted through seasons of life.
Practical encouragement: Noticing is key—allowing God to shape our hearts through His Word, authentic community, and action even in small spheres.
Great Quotes
“Micah’s heart message is: Even when God brings judgment, His goal is always redemption. He’s always asking—‘will you come back?’”
“Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly—these aren’t actions, they’re a way of being in the world. Let God show you where justice and mercy are needed, and lean in.”
“Mercy is more than forgiveness; it’s compassion rolled up with kindness—responding to both the big and small needs of others.”
“If we’re not noticing, we won’t respond. Walking humbly means slowing down and asking, ‘God, what do you want me to see—and do—today?’”
“Jesus didn’t just raise awareness—He came down, gave everything, and calls us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly, wherever we are.”
 
Resources Mentioned
Scripture: Micah 6:8
Penny’s Website: pennyreeve.com
Penny's Book Topics: Child labor, foster care, adoption, children’s devotional, etc.
Book referenced: “God’s Abundant Mercy” by Lori Roeleveld (April 2026)
Related Episodes
Ep. 24: Going and Telling So Others Will Know (Travis Young) 
Ep. 5: Chosen to Produce Fruit (Na'Kedra Rodgers) 
Ep. 27: When Your World Ends (Dawn Mann Sanders) 
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How to Run the Race Well

I know that most of you are not fans of running. But God has given us each a race to run. The question is how can we run it well? 
Angela welcomes Dr. Whit Jordan—professor, deacon, husband, and father—to discuss one of Scripture’s most encouraging passages: Hebrews 12:1-2. Together, they explore what it means to run with endurance, to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and to embrace the unique power and grace that Jesus brings. Dr. Whit shares wisdom from his roles as educator, coach, and parent, along with practical encouragement for building a resilient and Christ-centered life.
 
Episode Highlights
The message of Hebrews: “Jesus is better”—better than angels, prophets, priests, and old sacrifices; His completed work and ongoing intercession make Him the ideal focus for our lives.
Hebrews 11 provides the backdrop—a “cloud of witnesses” whose faith endured suffering, waiting, and hardship, all pointing to something better that we now have in Christ.
Surrounded by witnesses: The faith of Bible heroes and fellow believers inspires and encourages us.
Lay aside every weight and sin: Let go of whatever hinders, from greed to bitterness, to the love of money, with the Spirit’s help and wisdom.
Run with endurance: Life and faith aren’t sprints but long, sometimes grueling races; perseverance and perseverance in community are essential.
Fix your eyes on Jesus: He is both the founder (author) and perfecter (finisher) of faith. His example, endurance, and joy—even through the cross—show us what is possible.
Practical real-life applications: From parenting, coaching, and teaching to facing grief and loss, resilience grows through small daily steps—Word, worship, and Christian community.
Great Quotes
“In Hebrews, Jesus is always better—better than angels, better than Moses, better than the old sacrifices. He’s the better sacrifice, the better way.”
“We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses—not just in the Bible, but from our own faith community—and we need their encouragement to keep running.”
“The discipline of showing up in the Word, in worship, and with God’s people sometimes precedes the feeling. Endurance is built over time.”
“To run the race, you’ve got to let go of the weight. The things that cling—sin, bitterness, distractions—Jesus calls us to lay them aside for something better.”
“Transformation comes through looking to Jesus. We don’t just want to inform minds, but transform souls.”
Resources Mentioned
Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2, Hebrews 11, Galatians 5
Website: drwhitbooks.com
Instagram/Facebook: @drwhitbooks
Related Episodes
Ep. 25: Publishing God's Good Works (Crystal Mayo)
Ep. 22: God's Gift of All We Need (Susie Crosby) 
Ep. 12: Holding Faith Unswervingly (Holly Piorkowski)
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Living the Abundant Life in Jesus

Have you ever wonder what the abundant life Jesus offers really is and how to live it? 
 
Angela welcomes award-winning author, speaker, and retreat founder Robin Gerblick to discuss John 10:10. Robin shares her own story of deep loss, God’s faithful abundance, and the unmistakable ways God made this verse (and its promise) personal to her. Together, they explore the meaning of true abundance and how to notice God’s “more than enough” even in hard seasons.
 
Episode Highlights
Context of John: Written by the Apostle John to reveal Jesus as fully God and fully man; John’s gospel highlights seven signs/miracles and seven “I Am” statements, emphasizing the divinity and authority of Christ.
John 10—the context: Jesus sets himself apart from the thief (the enemy), who steals, kills, and destroys, while Jesus gives abundant, overflowing life; this is true both eternally and in the everyday.
Robin’s personal story: Her “river moment” of desperation and lament, and how God met her in her deepest valley with the promise of John 10:10—confirmed and repeated through unforgettable “10:10” signs everywhere.
Honest perspective: Abundance might look small or different from what we expect, but God brings fullness and goodness even in dry seasons, guiding us to notice his presence and gifts.
Great Quotes
“The enemy was real then—and he’s real now. But Jesus’s promise of abundance is true in every season—not just eternally, but for today.”
“Believing is seeing. Once you believe, you begin to see the abundance God has placed before you.”
“If the enemy can’t keep us from being saved, he’ll do anything to undermine our freedom—but we have the greater promise.”
“There are so many little things God puts in our path that bring blessing, joy, and abundance; we just need eyes to see them.”
“Jesus’s abundant life isn’t just for the future—it’s for the valley, for lament, and for everyday moments if we keep leaning into him.”
Resources Mentioned
Scripture: John 10:10
Robin’s Website: robingerblick.com
Book: Giving Up Grace: A Spiritual Rebranding of the Soul (Nonfiction Book of the Year, 2025)
Ministry: Exodus Women’s Retreats
Related Episodes
Ep. 23: Our Source of Living Water (Lisa Granger)
Ep. 15: Grace Abounds All the More (Julie Sanders) 
Ep. 2: Living by the Spirit (Cally Logan) 
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Permissible and Beneficial: How God is Calling us to Live in Freedom

Have you ever struggled to decide what is the best decision? In some ways you want someone to give you all the answers and yet that checklist becomes a heavy burden. This week on the podcast we discuss how God is calling us to freedom as we discover the difference between what is beneficial and what is permissible.
Angela is joined by Brandice Lardner—certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, bestselling author, and “Jesus girl”—for a fresh, freedom-filled conversation about 1 Corinthians 6:12. Brandice unpacks how to move from diet rules and self-mastery to a life ruled by Christ’s grace, and how this principle applies far beyond food to every area where something threatens to master us. If you’ve ever struggled with food, perfectionism, or finding your worth, this episode will refocus you on how freedom in Christ leads to true health and deep peace.
 
Episode Highlights
Freedom in Christ doesn’t mean living by rules or by license, but daily surrender and walking in the Spirit—letting His fruit guide both practical and personal choices.
How to know what’s beneficial: Does it foster the fruit of the Spirit? Is it loving, peace-producing, fueled by self-control, or bringing others closer to Christ?
Real-life stories of getting it wrong (and why freedom in Christ means it’s okay to learn and grow!)
Key takeaway: true spiritual and physical health flows from relationship with God, not rule-keeping or self-mastery.
Great Quotes
“I realized I had the right to do anything—but that freedom is actually a higher standard, a call to glorify God, not myself.”
“If you’re feeding yourself—or living—through the lens of love, joy, peace, and self-control, you’ll find what’s truly beneficial.”
“It comes down to: is what I’m doing dominated by Jesus, or am I mastered by something else?”
“God calls our bodies His temple, so our worth and choices aren’t about food, but who He says we are.”
“The closer we get to God’s peace, the more distasteful anything else feels. Focus on the solution, not the problem.”
Resources Mentioned
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-13
Brandice’s Website: gracefilledplate.com
Brandice on Facebook
Brandice on Instagram
Coaching Program
Related Episodes
Ep. 8: We Do Not Lose Heart (Laura Acuna) 
Ep. 14: Rooted and Built Up (Lisa Meiners) 
Ep. 27: When Your World Ends (Dawn Mann Sanders) 
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But First God's Kingdom: Processing and Growing through Hard Seasons

Have you ever wondered how you will make it through a difficult season? Join me as we discuss how seeking God's kingdom first changes everything.
Angela welcomes trainer and faith-filled speaker Natalie Harris to discuss Matthew 6:33. Natalie shares how realignment to God’s priorities—and not her own anxiety or striving—brought her hope, healing, and new direction after personal upheaval. The conversation explores God’s promises, what kingdom living practically looks like, and offers encouragement for anyone longing for authentic faith in daily life.
 
Episode Highlights
Matthew’s context: Jesus as Messiah, fulfilling prophecy, and providing practical wisdom for living out kingdom values.
This verse sits in the Sermon on the Mount—in a section where Jesus addresses worry about provision, urging listeners instead to make God’s reign and standards their first priority.
“Kingdom” means putting God’s will and ways first; “righteousness” is practical obedience and love, even when it’s hard.
Natalie’s story: seeking God became crucial after a 35-year relationship ended; aligning daily with God’s priorities brought comfort, purpose, and provision, though the journey was slow and often required faith step by step.
Practical encouragement: seeking first means daily (even moment-by-moment) realignment, honest prayer, gratitude, and integrating faith into all parts of life.
Great Quotes
“When I am seeking his kingdom and his righteousness, he will add to me what I need—emotionally, spiritually, in every area.”
“Kingdom living means making God’s purpose my priority, and trusting he’ll take care of the rest.”
“My own efforts brought me anxiety and depression, but when I truly put God first, he delivered comfort, clarity, and blessing.”
“Sometimes realignment is needed every minute, not just every day—and God is gentle and patient as we come back.”
“God shows up in the little things—are we looking for him?”
Resources Mentioned
Scripture: Matthew 6:33
Natalie's Website: inspiredpathways.net
Email: natalie@inspiredpathways.net
The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5-7
Related Episodes
Ep. 8: We Do Not Lose Heart (Laura Acuna)
Ep. 14: Rooted and Built Up (Lisa Meiners)
Ep. 27: When Your World Ends (Dawn Mann Sanders)
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Trusting God: Our Rock and Refuge

Have you ever felt like life was hitting you like a hurricane? Did you long for something solid to stand upon or a refuge to run to?
Author and travel enthusiast Shelley Picard joins Angela for a vibrant, hope-filled conversation anchored in Psalm 18:2—“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer…” Shelley shares how, after a traumatic brain injury, God became her true refuge and deliverer—not just in theory, but in daily, practical, sometimes messy reality. This episode lights the way for anyone longing to “choose happy” and live out their God-given purpose, no matter life’s unexpected detours.
Episode Highlights
Angela and Shelly unpack the psalm’s rich background—a song of victory and gratitude written by David after deliverance from enemies and the hand of Saul, filled with big emotions, honesty, and worship.
The “horn of salvation”—a symbol of strength, power, and divine anointing.
Practical Wisdom: They explore the difference between simply knowing about God as refuge and actually crawling into that “cave” of safety—how authentic worship and trust begin by recognizing our dependence, not performance.
Shelly shares her story of falling, brain injury, and year-long rehabilitation. God stripped away her self-reliance and old identity, taught her new dependence, and awakened her to deeper ministry and joy alongside her husband, family, and community.
Great Quotes
“Every person walking the face of this earth is looking for joy … I choose to look for God’s joy in the day.”
“It’s not just that He’ll take care of you; you truly physically, emotionally, and spiritually feel His care.”
“I knew that He’d brought me to this, even if I didn’t understand it, and He was going to ride it with me all the way through.”
“God will never ask you to do something alone. Nothing He calls you to is ever without His presence and power.”
“If we’re not fulfilling our fullest role in Christ’s kingdom, the body is weaker … Ask Him, What next, Lord?—then step out in joy.”
Resources Mentioned
Scripture Focus: Psalm 18:2
Website: shelleypicard.com
Email: spicard1116@gmail.com
Armor of God: Ephesians 6:10-18
Related Episodes
Ep. 21: “Held in His Hand” (Kelly Hall)
Ep. 8: “We Do Not Lose Heart” (Laura Acuna)
Ep. 27: “When Your World Ends: Beginning Again with God” (Dawn Mann Sanders)
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Praising God When He Gives and When He Takes

What is your response when life is really hard? Do you shake your fist at God? Stiff-arm Him? Or do you worship Him even in the darkest times? Join me this week as Kelly Arena and I discuss how to worship God even in the darkness.
Angela welcomes Florida-based speaker and ministry leader Kelly Arena for a powerful conversation anchored in Job 1:20-21. Kelly’s story of chronic illness, grief, and everyday surrender brings authenticity and hope to those navigating loss and uncertainty. Together, they unpack the raw lament and astonishing worship of Job, discover the miracle of praising God in pain, and offer practical ways to move “from weary to worship,” no matter the season.
 
Episode Highlights
Angela and Kelly explore the Book of Job—how it reveals God’s sovereignty, Job’s real wrestling with grief, and the permission God gives to lament honestly.
The conversation centers on Job 1:20-21, where Job, after losing his livelihood and all his children, mourns deeply but turns to worship, declaring, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Kelly describes chronic pain and repeated griefs, sharing how turning regularly to gratitude, worship music, and honest prayer built the backbone she needed to continue saying, “blessed be His name” through suffering.
Listeners are encouraged that worship in pain isn’t a work of willpower—it’s possible by God’s Spirit, sometimes minute-by-minute.
Great Quotes
“No matter what weary things we’re facing, God is always worthy of our worship.”
“Worship in the hard is built in the ordinary. If you practice worship in the good, you have a backbone for the grief.”
“Sometimes all I could do was play worship music and let it wash over me—He met me there, and that memory became an anchor.”
“It’s not that we always want to, but we choose by God’s grace to say, ‘Blessed be the name of the Lord.’”
“Gratitude lists—even for just small things or for God’s character—will keep your heart soft and help you move from weary to worship.”
Resources Mentioned
Scripture Focus: Job 1:20-21 
Kelly’s website: fromwearytoworship.com
Instagram: @from_weary_to_worship
Worship Song: “Blessed Be Your Name” by Matt Redman
Related Episodes
Ep. 18: “Hope, Persevering, AND Devotion to Prayer” (Nicole Clark)
Ep. 8: “Sowing Tears and Reaping Joy” (Kristi Lowe) 
Ep. 15: “Being Upheld by His Hand" (Kelly Hall) 
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Forgiving as the Lord Forgave

Do you struggle to forgive? Maybe you have been through something horrific and you cannot imagine offering forgiveness. Join Deedy Tripp and I as we discuss forgiving through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Deedy Tripp—conference speaker, Bible teacher, and survivor—is Angela’s guest for a vulnerable conversation about Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:14-15. Deedy shares her deeply personal journey from a childhood marked by abuse and betrayal to a life transformed by the freeing power of forgiveness. She explains that forgiveness isn’t optional for believers—but it isn’t easy, either. Through honest stories and biblical insight, this episode offers help, hope, and wisdom for anyone wrestling with the call to forgive.
 
Episode Highlights
Angela and Deedy read Matthew 6:14-15, clarifying what Jesus did—and did not—mean by linking our forgiveness of others with God’s forgiveness of us.
Deedy opens up about her experience of childhood sexual abuse, her initial refusal to forgive, and how years of wrestling with God and His Word led her to real freedom and even reconciliation.
The conversation covers key truths:
Forgiveness is for your freedom and healing, not your abuser’s benefit.
Forgiveness does NOT mean returning to an unsafe situation or excusing injustice; boundaries and justice are both biblical.
True forgiveness is a choice and a process, not a one-time feeling—and it may take years and daily surrender.
God uses our surrendered pain for the healing of others, sometimes in ways far beyond what we could imagine.
Great Quotes 
“If we refuse to forgive, we’re saying we’re better than Jesus. He forgave us for everything—we can’t act as if we’re above forgiveness.”
“Forgiveness is for you… Holding onto anger and hatred is like putting a basket over the light Christ wants to shine in our hearts.”
“Forgiveness isn’t a checklist. It’s an act of love for Jesus because of what He’s done for us.”
“It is okay to seek justice for yourself or your children. Forgiveness does not excuse the crime.”
“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die… You’re only hurting yourself.”
Resources Mentioned
Scripture Focus: Matthew 6:14-15 
Parable Referenced: The Unforgiving Servant - Matthew 18:21-35
Support & Contact: Deedy Tripp - deedy@deedytripp.com
Related Episodes
Ep. 9: “God Sings Over You” (Karen Dorsey) 
Ep. 20: “We Can Through Jesus” (Janet McHenry) 
Ep. 7: “Never Giving Up” (Laura Acuna) 
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