Unfolding Short Stories: "Mom was number one in the world in tennis." Cindy Brinker Simmons
Release Date: 10/15/2024
Unfolding Short Stories: "In everything, give thanks." Rhonda Stoppe During Her Son's Severe Epilepsy
The Unfolding
"In everything, give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." These words from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 came to mind for Rhonda at her breaking point as her son battled severe epilepsy. Through heartbreak and surrender, she discovered how God brought purpose and beauty even in the hardest moments.
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Page 220: Dallas Jenkins: The Story Behind The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Unfolding
For years, Dallas Jenkins had a weekly notification on his phone, “Pray for Pageant.” Dallas is the creator and director of The Chosen, the first-ever multi-season show about Jesus. Twenty years ago, Dallas read a beloved children’s novel called, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and fell in love with it. He just knew he was meant to make that book into a movie. It wasn’t just a hope or a dream. To Dallas, it felt like a calling. But over and over, for years, Dallas was told “no.” There simply seemed to be no way. This is a story about...
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Unfolding Short Stories: "...your tears don’t fall on the ground—God holds them.” Mey Deras
The Unfolding
Mey Deras' story is about overcoming—surviving childhood abuse, losing her mother, navigating her daughter’s life-threatening health crisis, and enduring immigration struggles. Through it all, she’s seen God’s faithfulness in remarkable ways. Now a biblical counselor, Mey helps others find hope and healing. She also invites listeners to her free virtual event (Nov. 22-24), Comforted by His Love, where women can learn practical tools to experience God’s comfort and strength. You can .
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Unfolding Short Stories: "Come back before winter" - Deitrich Bonhoeffer asks God what to do, as told by Christian Historian Joe Thomas
The Unfolding
Christian historian Joe Thomas shares the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's struggle to discern God's will during a critical moment in history. As World War II loomed, Bonhoeffer faced a life-altering decision: remain safely in America or return to Nazi Germany to stand with his church. Discover how became a divine call that shaped his courageous path. Do you have a story where you needed to hear from God in a critical moment? Tell us about it when you click the . Here's a link to Joe's podcast if you want to go deeper into the life of Deitrich Bonhoeffer:
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Page 219: Raechel Myers: She Reads Truth and the Sustaining Power of God's Word
The Unfolding
Raechel Myers grew up surrounded by God’s word. At home, school, and church she was learning about the truth of God’s great big story. As a young adult, Raechel and her husband walked through unimaginable grief. The Bible became both a refuge and a lifeline. That season of sorrow shaped her perspective on God's faithfulness, the beauty of community, and the truth that God's Word meets us in the darkest moments. Raechel Myers is the co-founder and CEO of , a dynamic community of women dedicated to connecting with God through Scripture. Raechel’s experience...
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Unfolding Short Stories: “That’s not my twenty.” God Provides for Mary Lou
The Unfolding
In 2010, newly single and struggling to put food on the table for her son, Mary Lou experienced God's extraordinary provision. From finding perfect grocery coupons at just the right time to witnessing a miracle harvest from an unexpected plum tree, God showed up in powerful ways. Even as she considered becoming a prepper, God demonstrated His ability to provide instant financial blessings, teaching her to trust Him completely. Through it all, Mary Lou learned that God is the ultimate provider, and he can provide, whether it's big or small, to meet our needs.
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Page 218: Faith Eury Cho: How the Wilderness Helps Us Experience Friendship with God
The Unfolding
In times of joy, thankfulness comes easy. But if you are in a place where you’ve been crushed by circumstances beyond your control, it’s much harder to feel grateful. Faith Eury Cho has been there- those seasons where it feels like you are in the wilderness and your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling. She’s walked through enough to know that the journey is about so much more than simply getting to the Promised Land. Faith Eury Cho has been a gospel preacher since she was 19. She is a co-pastor with her husband David of She is the author of You can learn more...
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Unfolding Short Stories: "I was throwing away decks of tarot cards..." Makenzie Weatherford
The Unfolding
"I was throwing away decks of tarot cards...and I realized my life is changed forever. It had to be all about Jesus. That stuff was destroying me. Only Jesus could truly set me free from the darkness I had welcomed." The Bible talks about sins that can feel mysterious or confusing—like its warnings about witchcraft. Are practices like astrology, crystals, and tarot cards truly dangerous, or just harmless explorations? In this episode, Mackenzie Weatherford shares her story of growing up in a Christian home, only to drift into astrology and fortune-telling after a painful breakup. As she...
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Page 217:Jep and Jessica Robertson: Duck Dynasty Family’s Journey of Faith and Adoption
The Unfolding
When Jessica Robertson first raised the question of adopting a child, her husband Jep wasn’t on board. They already had busy lives with four children and filming their extended family’s hit reality series, Duck Dynasty. But after a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, Jep’s heart was changed. Since bringing home Jules Augustus Robertson, their family has experienced the joys and challenges of adoption, including overcoming sensory issues and questions about race. Through it all, the Robertsons have found strength in their faith. Jep and Jessica are the authors of , a...
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Unfolding Short Stories: "God, I want to be like that tree" Joni Rosebrock
The Unfolding
shares how, in the midst of depression, a comment from her husband led her into deeper intimacy with God. She fell in love with God’s Word, immersing herself in scripture in a way that transformed her life and strengthened her faith. From this journey, she believes God led her to what she calls the WRAP method: Write, Read, Apply, and Pray—a powerful practice that brought healing and renewed purpose while reading God's word. Now, Joni leads others into this getting deeper into God's word. Joni wrote a , and also has a , all about how WRAP can deepen your own walk with God.
info_outlineCindy Brinker Simmons opens up about her journey through grief, and not staying stuck in it. Losing her mother, tennis legend Maureen Connolly, to cancer at a young age, Cindy thought God hated her, but eventually found that God loved her deeply. She shares how this profound spiritual transformation gave her strength to face further hardships, including her husband’s cancer battle. Cindy emphasizes the importance of choosing joy amidst adversity, building supportive relationships, and turning grief into purpose. As the founder of Wipe Out Kids Cancer, Cindy reflects on how her trials sharpened her focus on helping others, reminding us that even in life’s darkest moments, we can find restoration and hope. In her book, Restored: Reconnecting Life's Broken Pieces, she explores how God uses trials to refine us for a greater purpose.