Faithful Friday #12: Abide in Me
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 15:1-5, where Jesus says: "I am the vine; you are the branches." Branches don't struggle to produce fruit—they simply stay connected to the vine. The same is true for us. When we remain connected to Christ through prayer, Scripture, worship, and obedience, He produces fruit in our lives. When we drift away, we often find ourselves striving, exhausted, and spiritually dry. As you listen, consider this reflection question: What is helping you stay connected to Christ, and what may be pulling you away from Him? After the Scripture...
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Kelly Stiles: From Perfection to Grace
Why I Believe
What if you stopped trying to prove you were good enough, and learned to rest in God's grace instead? In this episode of Why I Believe, Michelle Von Ruden sits down with Kelly Stiles, wife, mother, ministry leader, and seminary student, for an honest conversation about trauma, identity, surrender, perfection, and discovering who God created you to be. As a teenager, Kelly made a decision: she would not become a statistic. She wasn't going to allow the trauma and instability of her past to determine her future. So she pushed. She achieved. She worked hard to stay on the "right" side of the...
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Faithful Friday #11: The Peace Jesus Gives
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on one powerful verse from John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." Jesus doesn't promise us a life without uncertainty, fear, or difficult circumstances. Instead, He offers us something the world cannot give, a peace that isn't dependent on everything around us going according to plan. What are you carrying today that Jesus is asking you to place in His hands? As you listen, consider this reflection question: What worry, fear, or burden do you need to surrender to Jesus today? After the Scripture reading, you'll have...
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Kurt Luidhardt: God Is a 4th Quarter Comeback
Why I Believe
What happens when your plan… doesn’t go the way you expected? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Kurt Luidhardt, entrepreneur, business owner, husband, and father, to talk about success, identity, and learning to trust God with the outcome. Kurt grew up with a strong foundation of faith. But like many high achievers, he spent years chasing goals, building a business, and trying to control the outcome. And when things didn’t go according to plan… Frustration followed. Missed opportunities. Business struggles. Plans falling apart. But looking back, Kurt can now see...
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Faithful Friday #10: The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 14:1-7, where Jesus offers comfort to His disciples with these words: "Let not your hearts be troubled." He reminds them, and us, that even when the future feels uncertain, we can trust Him. Jesus doesn't simply show us the way; He is the Way. He is the Truth. He is the Life. How often do we try to control the outcome instead of trusting the One who already knows the destination? As you listen, consider this reflection question: What situation are you trying to control instead of trusting God to lead? After the Scripture reading,...
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Maureen Silveyra: Do You Know Jesus
Why I Believe
What would you do… if your life was in danger and you had nowhere to turn? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Maureen Silveyra, author, speaker, and faith leader, to share a story of fear, faith, and a moment that changed everything. While walking alone on a quiet college campus… Maureen was attacked. No warning. No escape. No control. Beaten, disoriented, and tied up… she realized she might not survive. And in that moment… She prayed. A simple prayer: “God, help me.” What happened next was something she never expected. A thought came to her mind—clear, calm, and...
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Faithful Friday #9: Love One Another
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 13:34-35, where Jesus gives His disciples a new commandment: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Jesus doesn't simply ask us to love those who are easy to love. He calls us to love others with the same grace, compassion, and selflessness He has shown us. Our love is one of the clearest ways the world sees Christ through us. As you listen, consider this reflection question: Who is God calling me to love more intentionally this week, especially someone who may be difficult to love? After the...
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Will Robbins: Christ Is My Caddy
Why I Believe
What would you do if your life changed in an instant? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Will Robbins, golf coach, entrepreneur, and man of faith, to share a story of survival, surrender, and transformation. In 2004, on the final day of his honeymoon in Thailand, Will and his wife were caught in the devastating tsunami that claimed over 200,000 lives. With no warning… Everything changed. Swept underwater. Separated. Certain he was about to die. But somehow… he survived. And so did his wife. That moment should have changed everything. But like many of us… he tried to take...
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Faithful Friday #8: Resurrection and Life
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 11:25-26, where Jesus makes one of His most powerful declarations: "I am the resurrection and the life." These words were spoken to Martha in the midst of grief, disappointment, and loss. They serve as a reminder that Jesus brings hope into our darkest moments and new life into places that seem beyond repair. Sometimes we find ourselves facing situations that feel hopeless, a broken relationship, a lost dream, a season of burnout, uncertainty, fear, or pain. Yet Jesus invites us to trust that He is still at work, bringing life...
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Karen Robinson: Trusting God Through It All
Why I Believe
What does it really look like to trust God… through every season of life? In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Karen Robinson to talk about faith, resilience, and what it means to keep showing up, even when life doesn’t go as planned. Karen’s story is one of perseverance. Through challenges, uncertainty, and moments that required deep trust, she has continued to lean into her faith and rely on God as her foundation. Not just in the big moments… but in the everyday decisions, struggles, and growth along the way. We talk about: What it means to truly trust God, not just say...
info_outlineWhat does it look like to build your life on faith… in the middle of constant change?
In this episode of Why I Believe, I sit down with Yannick Hicks, man of faith, immigrant, and lifelong learner, to talk about identity, perseverance, and what it means to trust God through every transition.
Originally from Cameroon, Yannick moved to the United States as a teenager, stepping into a completely new culture, environment, and way of life.
From culture shock and uncertainty…
to navigating high school, education, and career…
to building a life in a place that once felt unfamiliar.
His journey hasn’t been defined by one moment.
It’s been shaped by many.
We talk about:
- Adjusting to a new country, culture, and identity
- The challenges of starting over and finding your place
- How faith became the foundation through every season
- Growing through discomfort, change, and uncertainty
- The importance of perspective, growth, and continuous learning
- Living with purpose and asking: “How can I make the world better?”
Yannick’s story is a reminder that faith isn’t just something you turn to in difficult moments;
It’s something you build your life on.
If you’ve ever felt out of place, faced a major transition, or wondered how to stay grounded through change—this episode will meet you right where you are.
You can reach Yanick Hicks at Yanick Hicks, PharmD | LinkedIn
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👉 Apply here: https://www.michellevonruden.com/whyibelieve-apply
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Remember, you don’t have to be perfect to be called.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to say yes.
God will meet you right where you are.