Closer to God Bible Studies with Barb Raveling
The Christian Habits Podcast
Today is the day! My from the series is now available. Philippians is one of my favorite New Testament books of the Bible. The beauty of it is that Paul is writing from prison and teaching Christians wonderful lessons such as how to find contentment in any circumstance, always putting God first, and making our lives about Him. This is a book to study in any season of life! We flip things around today on the Christian Habits Podcast (links below), and instead of interviewing someone else, I am the one being interviewed about my new book. What We Discussed on the Podcast Why I wrote a...
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Healing What You Can't Erase with Christopher Cook
The Christian Habits Podcast
In today's culture, there is a mental health crisis. So many are looking for answers, yet much of the advice given does not provide sustainable relief. However, we know that the only way to true and lasting peace is to know the Prince of Peace! On the Christian Habits Podcast today (links below), my guest, discusses this very topic and his new book . What We Discussed on the Podcast The culture's current mental health crisis Common advice that simply doesn't work "Anxiety is just an alarm." What does this statement mean? What is true peace? What are practical ways to fix our focus on Jesus?...
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14 Practical Ways to Get Closer to God
The Christian Habits Podcast
Do you ever feel distant from God? Do you long to be close to Him? In today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast we'll talk about 14 practical things you can do to get closer to God. Before we look at ways to get closer to God, though, I thought it might be helpful to give some questions we can use to think about our relationship with Him: What would it look like to have a close walk with God? Is a consistently close walk with God possible? Why do you want a close walk with God? What is one thing that keeps you from having a close walk with God? What is one step you could take to have a...
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John Mark Comer: Practicing the Way
The Christian Habits Podcast
Do you find yourself simply going through the motions in your Christian walk? Do you long for a deeply intentional and powerful relationship with God? If so, you will inspired and challenged by this episode of The Christian Habits Podcast (links below). My guest today, John Mark Comer, talks about a whole-life, immersive approach to your faith found in his new book, . What We Discussed on the Podcast The difference a Christian and an apprentice of Jesus How fierce intentionality in your walk with Jesus changes everything The keystone habits of a practicing Christian One...
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Living with Joy in a Stressful World with Brant Hansen
The Christian Habits Podcast
It's easy to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious when we focus on the turmoil in the world (or our own lives). Media and culture don't help because they are constantly feeding us worrisome things. However, there is hope! My guest on the podcast today, , (links below) has an encouraging new book set to release in just two weeks: . Brant reminds us that we truly can have peace and abiding joy - no matter our circumstances - if Jesus is the center of our lives. What We Discussed on the Podcast How to become joyful when that isn't your natural bent How to "outsource" our worries What it truly...
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Memorizing Scripture with Glenna Marshall
The Christian Habits Podcast
If you're someone (like me) who has struggled for years to commit God's Word to memory, you will want to listen to my latest episode of The Christian Habits Podcast (links below). My guest, , has a new book out about the power and unexpected blessings of memorizing scripture. It has been life-changing for her, and as I am reading her book myself, I can already tell it will be life-changing for me! What We Discussed on the Podcast The reason that Glenna began memorizing scripture The WHY behind scripture memorization The brain science of repetition and memory The case for memorization of long...
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Practicing the Presence of Jesus with Joni Eareckson Tada
The Christian Habits Podcast
Do stressful situations steal your peace? Have you allowed the disappointments in your life to keep you from feeling close to Jesus? Do you wish to experience the calm you feel in your quiet moments with God all throughout your day? In my interview on the Christian Habits Podcast (links below), Joni Eareckson Tada shares wisdom from her personal life experiences about learning to stay close to Jesus all throughout the day. We also discuss her newest book, What We Discussed on the Podcast How a tragic accident early in Joni's life began to change her relationship with Jesus Why Joni can be...
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Susie Larson: Staying Strong in Battle
The Christian Habits Podcast
Has the joy and peace in your life been replaced by stress and strife? Is your inner narrative filling you with thoughts of despair? Do you find yourself questioning God's goodness? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you may be in the midst of a spiritual battle. My guest today on the Christian Habits Podcast (links below), , shares such valuable wisdom from her very personal experiences in spiritual warfare, and from her book . What We Discussed on the Podcast How to discern the schemes of the enemy The negative effect of apathy and passivity in the Christian...
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Dannah Gresh: Finding Healing for Your Marriage
The Christian Habits Podcast
Marriage is hard, we all agree. And when a spouse has an addiction to pornography, a marriage can be stretched to its breaking point. However, when God is involved, there is always hope! On today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast (links below), my guest, shares about this particular struggle in her own marriage which was the inspiration for her newest book, What We Discussed on the Podcast The painful cycle of pornography addiction How the effects of sexual sin are different than other sins The essential action that is the doorway to healing in a marriage The two choices we are...
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Sarah J. Hauser: Finding Rest When Life is Hard
The Christian Habits Podcast
Are you going through a hard season right now? Does God feel silent? , my guest on the Christian Habits Podcast (links below), is no stranger to these difficulties. In our interview, she shares about her new book, , and about the difficult season she went through to learn the truths she writes about. What We Discussed on the Podcast Sarah's battle with depression How a perfectionist mindset can manifest in unexpected (and harmful) ways The antidote to perfectionism How we should respond to God's offer of rest found in What we should do when God feels silent in our suffering How trials often...
info_outlineA couple of months ago a reader wrote to me, asking if I had ever considered writing a Bible study on depression. I hadn't, but I was interested in the subject so I asked her if she would be willing to visit over the phone about it.
She was, and we had such a great conversation that I was wishing I had taped it. So we decided to call each other again and tape it this time.
Unfortunately, we both live in small towns with slow internet so the quality of the sound recording wasn't always that great. I had to slice and dice it a bit, and every once in awhile you'll hear a small glitch in the recording, but when it happens it's just for a few seconds so if you keep listening, it will get better.
In this conversation we talk about:
- How sexual abuse in childhood may cause you to stuff emotions.
- Why you may not be very good at recognizing your emotions.
- How to figure out what emotion you're experiencing.
- Some emotions that may be causing your depression.
- The importance of going to God as soon as possible when something bad happens.
We had two more conversations after this one, which I'll try to fit into the next podcast. If you struggle with depression or how to recognize your emotions, I think this podcast will be helpful to you.