Faithful Friday #15: Built to Be One
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 17:20–23, where Jesus prays not only for His disciples, but for all who would believe in Him. His prayer wasn't for comfort or success. It was for unity. Jesus prayed that we would be one, united in Him and united with one another, so that the world would know God's love through the way we love each other. In a world that often feels divided, we have an opportunity to become bridge builders, reflecting Christ's love in our families, churches, workplaces, and communities. As you listen, consider this reflection question: How can...
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Darren LaCroix: When Failure Becomes Your Calling
Why I Believe
What if the thing you're failing at today is somehow connected to where God is taking you tomorrow? Darren LaCroix knows something about failure. Long before he became a World Champion of Public Speaking, professional speaker, coach, and mentor to speakers around the world, Darren had to be willing to be bad at something before he could become great at it. In this episode of Why I Believe, Darren joins Michelle Von Ruden for a conversation that goes beyond speaking and success. It's about the journey. The failures. The people God puts in our path. The willingness to keep learning when it would...
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Faithful Friday #14: Take Courage
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on one of the most hope-filled promises Jesus gives us in John 16:33: "In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world." Jesus never promised a life free from hardship. He promised something even better—His presence, His peace, and the assurance that He has already won the victory. Whatever you're facing today, remember that your circumstances don't have the final word. Christ does. As you listen, consider this reflection question: Where do you need to take courage today, knowing that Christ has...
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Philippa Channer: When God Says, “Trust Me”
Why I Believe
What do you do when you've prayed for an answer, but God's answer doesn't look anything like you expected? In this episode of Why I Believe, Michelle Von Ruden sits down with Philippa Channer for an honest conversation about prayer, waiting, transition, and learning to trust God when you can't see what He's doing. Philippa shares how faith has been woven throughout her life, but also how her relationship with God has grown and changed through different seasons. There have been prayers that seemed unanswered. Times when she questioned what God was doing. Moments when she wanted clarity but...
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Faithful Friday #13: Abide in My Love
Why I Believe
Welcome to Faithful Friday. This week, we're reflecting on John 15:9-12, where Jesus invites us to remain in His love. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." For many of us, love has become something we feel we need to earn. We believe if we work harder, accomplish more, or become "better," then maybe God will love us more. But that's not what Jesus says. His love isn't based on our performance, it's rooted in who He is. He invites us to rest in that love, allowing it to transform our hearts and fill us with His joy. As you listen, consider this reflection...
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Bob “BZ” Fabien Zinga: My Name Is Faith, My Name Is Hope
Why I Believe
Bob “BZ” Fabien Zinga: My Name Is Faith, My Name Is Hope What if the name you were given at birth became the testimony you would live out for the rest of your life? In this episode of Why I Believe, Michelle Von Ruden sits down with Bob “BZ” Fabien Zinga; Navy veteran, pastor, cybersecurity leader, coach, husband, father, and man whose story has been shaped by faith from the very beginning. Born in the Republic of the Congo, Bob was a desperately sick child. His older brother had died young, and Bob's mother feared she might lose another son. Doctors couldn't explain what was wrong,...
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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...
info_outlineWelcome 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 Scripture reading, you'll have an opportunity to pause for personal prayer and reflection before returning to pray the Our Father together.
Scripture:
John 13:34-35
Reflection Question:
Who is God calling me to love more intentionally this week, especially someone who may be difficult to love?
This week, ask God to soften your heart, open your eyes to the needs of others, and give you the courage to love as Jesus loves. Even one small act of kindness can reflect His love in a powerful way.
Thank you for joining me for Faithful Friday.
Want to share your story?
Michelle is currently accepting guest applications for Why I Believe.
👉 Apply here: https://www.michellevonruden.com/whyibelieve-apply
Ready to take the next step?
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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.