The Good News that Changes Everything | Interview with Melissa Spoelstra
Better Together with Barb Roose
Release Date: 08/08/2019
When Past Hurts Start Hurting Again | Interview with Michelle Nietert
Better Together with Barb Roose
As much as we love that God can heal us from our hurts in the past, what do we do when past hurts start hurting again? Does this mean that we aren’t healed or that God didn’t do His job? Today, Barb has a powerful conversation with licensed professional counselor and best-selling author Michelle Nietert. Michelle and Barb have been friends for years and she shares helpful and encouraging insights for those who don’t understand how or why past wounds can open up again. Michelle recently lost her father and personally, she’s rewalking the journey from her childhood trauma again as well....
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Invitations to Abundance: How the Feasts in the Bible Connect to Your Faith Today | Interview with Alicia Akins
Better Together with Barb Roose
Have you ever read about one of the feasts in the Bible and thought to yourself, "What is that all about?" Well, in today's episode, Barb speaks with author and recovering expat Alicia Akins about how the feasts of the Bible relate to us today and how we can live with faith in the truth that we are called to live an abundant life. RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Alicia Akins is a writer and recovering expat based in Washington DC. She is a student at Reformed Theological Seminary and serves as a deaconess at her church. She’s the author...
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SPECIAL RELEASE: The Accidental Homesteader: What Chickens and Compost Taught Kathi Lipp about Creating Home | Interview with Kathi Lipp
Better Together with Barb Roose
Becoming a homesteader may sound totally out of reach, but chances are you may already enjoy some of those activities in your day-to-day life. Do you enjoy whipping up a home cooked meal, taking care of your house plants, or creating a cozy home for your family? Well in this episode, our special guest proves that there is a little bit of homesteader in all of us. In today's conversation, Barb speaks with author and friend Kathi Lipp about her move from Silicon Valley to the mountains of California and her journey to becoming an accidental homesteader. Even if you don't aspire to grow...
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God, Where's My Man? | Interview with Sade Solomon
Better Together with Barb Roose
For the past decade, Christ follower and social media influencer Sade Solomon has been praying and waiting on God for her Mr. Fabulous and Forever. At the same time, she’s wrestled with topics around sex, singleness and abstinence. In 2013, Sade began openly sharing her life changing commitment to abstinence on social media. In today’s conversation, Barb and Sade talk about the beauty of God’s blessing in trusting Him, but also the ups and downs of waiting to see how God’s promises will come to pass. Sade’s message will uplift and encourage single Christian women who’ve been on...
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Guarding Against Temptation In Marriage | Interview with Sarah Wells
Better Together with Barb Roose
Guarding our hearts against temptation is not just something we should strive for before the day we finally get to say "I do". Temptations to sin and compromise can continue into marriage, and as women we need to be aware and on guard. In today's conversation, Barb speaks with author Sarah Wells about two tough seasons in her marriage when she was tempted to stray away from keeping her vows, and how we can all resist our own temptations to sin whether physically, emotionally, or mentally. Whether you are in a season of wrestling right now or not, this honest and vulnerable conversation...
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When You’re Tired of Trying and Discover God Loves You Anyways | Interview with Ashley Morgan Jackson
Better Together with Barb Roose
When we are walking through seasons of loneliness, weariness, or feeling abandoned by those we love, it can feel like no matter how hard we try to manage the pain, things just aren't getting better. In today's episode, Barb speaks with author Ashley Morgan Jackson about her season of struggling with mental health and how God showed her that He was always present even when she felt invisible to everyone around her. If you are feeling alone or unseen, this episode is for you. RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Ashley Morgan Jackson is...
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The Race Wise Family | Interview with Michelle Reyes
Better Together with Barb Roose
Across the country we’re still wrestling with how to talk about race well. Where do we even begin the conversation on a topic that is so big and heavy? If you are a parent or grandparent, how do you respond to your children’s questions and how often should you talk about race in your home? Today, Barb is talking with Dr. Michelle Ami Reyes, co-author of the book The Race Wise Family, a 2023 recipient of the Christianity Today Book Award. During today’s conversation, you will learn a roadmap for how to talk about race in your home as well as many practical tips and fantastic resources to...
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Hope for When Your Dad Has Let You Down | Interview with Kia Stephens
Better Together with Barb Roose
When our earthly fathers hurt, harm or abandon us, it can leave a deep wound that feels like it will never fully heal. In today's episode, Barb chats with author Kia Stephens about her experience with an absent father in her life, and the beautiful hope and healing that all women can experience, even if their relationship with their father is never fully restored. We don't have to stay wounded forever, and that is GOOD news! Join us for this hopeful conversation and share it with a friend who needs it. Let's all get better together. RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE ABOUT...
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The 3 Signs That You're Spiritually Malnourished and How To Fill Up With God Again | Interview with Amy Seiffert
Better Together with Barb Roose
Are you feeling spiritually malnourished? Like no matter how hard you try to make it through life, you still feel empty, tired, overwhelmed or exhausted? In today's episode, Barb speaks with author Amy Seiffert about how we can experience life, fullness and satisfaction in Christ. In a world that is preoccupied with staying busy and checking a neverending to-do list, Amy challenges us to practice rest, remember the steadfast love and care of our God, and experience true peace and nourishment in Him. Take a deep breath, grab your favorite cup of tea or coffee, and join us for this encouraging...
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Do You Need Jesus to Fix Your Thoughts? | Interview with Denise Pass
Better Together with Barb Roose
Would you say that your thoughts are more positive or negative? Too often we underestimate the damage that negative thinking and toxic beliefs have on our faith. Barb’s guest author, speaker and music artist Denise Pass discusses how to overcome negative mindsets and position ourselves fully in God’s truth and how we can live that out. As one who has faced some of life’s greatest disappointments and heartaches, Denise offers powerful Scriptural insights and hope for you today. RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Biblical mindset coach, author,...
info_outlineAre you feeling scared, frustrated, or insecure about the world that you live in?
How in the world do we stay hopeful and positive with so much negativity around us?
On today's episode of the Better Together podcast, I'm talking with one of my longtime friends, Melissa Spoelstra. She's a powerful Bible teacher as well as well-known speaker and author about her brand new Bible study, Romans: The Good News that Changes Everything.
Melissa and I sat down to talk just a few days after I returned home from El Paso, TX where I'd traveled to welcome home my oldest daughter, Kate, after her 9-month deployment to the Middle East. If you're connected to me on social media, you saw that on my last morning in El Paso, we were at the mall close to the Wal-Mart where the tragic mass shooting happened. In fact, the store we were shopping in went on lockdown and for several minutes we were deeply concerned that the shooter was in our area.
As I reflect on the tragedy of El Paso, the shooting in Dayton less than 12 hours later, and all of the other rapid-fire madness happening in our world, I've had to intentionally focus on God's good news. Perhaps today's podcast episode is what YOU need to focus on God's good news instead of being overwhelmed while watching our national news.
In today's podcast Melissa shows up as our Bible teacher and good friend to share with us about:
- How do we hold onto God's hope when we see so much bad news?
- How do we know when we're headed in the right direction in life?
- For our personal struggles with hardship, heartache or sin, what does God say to us that reminds us of just how much we matter to Him?
CONNECT WITH MELISSA - Website | Facebook | Instagram
About Melissa Spoelstra:
First and foremost I am a Christ-follower. I am madly in love with Jesus and addicted to the study of His Word. I am passionate about knowing Christ and inspiring other women to seek Him by opening our ears to listen to His Spirit, reading His Word curiously, asking questions, exercising good hermeneutics, and clinging tightly to God through the storms of life. Talking about this stuff is much easier than actually living it out in everyday life.
As wife to my awesome church planter husband Sean, and mother to four great kids, Zach(22), Abby(19), Sara(19), and Rachel(16), I am working out my faith on a daily basis. Between sports practices, doctor's appointments, church stuff, and the minutia of everyday life, I need God's Word to draw me back to the things of first importance.
Other stuff about me. I have a degree in Bible Theology from Moody Bible Institute. I'm a regular contributor to Girlfriends in God online devotional and Proverbs 31 Ministries First Five App. I've written 6 women's Bible studies (Jeremiah, Joseph, First Corinthians, Numbers, Elijah, and Romans) as well as Total Family Makeover (2016), Total Christmas Makeover (2017), 30 Days of Prayer for Spiritual Stamina (2018), and Dare to Hope(2019). I'm following God through every door He opens and pray that all glory in these endeavors is His alone.
About your Better Together Podcast Host...
Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about equipping women to win at life with Christ-empowered strength and dignity. Barb loves speaking at women’s conference and leadership events such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference, and the UMC Leadership Institute.
Barb is the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including her newest releases: I'm Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God's Delay (Sept 2019) and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Barb’s writing has been featured in magazines or blogs such as Simple Truth Magazine, iBelieve.com, Crosswalk.com, More to Life Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Cherished, InCourage, and Women of Faith.
An avid traveler, reader, and lover of all things chocolate-peanut butter, Barb is the proud mother of three adult daughters. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.