Advent Reflections: Whispers of Hope from Mary's Story
Release Date: 12/01/2024
When Worry Takes Over: Breaking the Anxiety Spiral
Peace in His Presence
In a world of constant uncertainty and overwhelming news cycles, it's no wonder anxiety feels like it's taking over. Many of us find our worry spirals spinning completely out of control, leaving us exhausted and afraid. What do you do when fear hijacks your body at 1 AM, trying to control something happening 4,000 miles away? In this episode, I share my raw, honest story of the night I tried to manage my son's flight delay from Iowa - and what it taught me about breaking free from the anxiety patterns that keep us trapped. In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why your worry thoughts are like...
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Mama, When You Can't Hold Them in Your Arms, Hold Them in Your Prayers
Peace in His Presence
Does your mama heart ache when your child leaves? You're not alone. If you've ever watched your child drive away and felt your heart break a little, this episode is for you. Michelle shares her tender goodbye with her son Matthew as he heads to his senior year of college, and offers three practical tools to help you navigate the beautiful, painful journey of letting go with love. What You'll Learn: ✨ Why being a "50-50 mom" is actually perfect (and gives you permission to stop trying to be perfect) ✨ The hero vs. victim mindset - how treating your child as the hero of their story...
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Finding Rest For Your Soul In the Middle of the Storm.
Peace in His Presence
Are you exhausted from trying to control the storms in your life? Searching for rest that seems impossible to find when everything feels chaotic? In this episode, you'll discover how to find genuine rest for your soul - not after the storm passes, but right in the middle of it..." In this episode, author and certified Christian life coach Michelle Diercks shares the life-changing difference between external control and internal safety. Through a powerful story from her days as a 19-year-old camp counselor caught in an unexpected storm, Michelle reveals why our attempts to create safety...
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Hope for When You Can't Fix What Feels Broken
Peace in His Presence
Hope for When You Can't Fix What Feels Broken Show Notes Episode Summary Has your heart ever felt so broken that you didn't know how you were going to move forward? In this deeply personal episode, Michelle shares a story from her book Promised Hope about a season when her heart felt completely shattered - and what God did in that broken place. If you're struggling with overwhelming heartbreak, whether from recent tragedies like the devastating Texas floods, personal loss, church hurt, or circumstances that feel impossible, this episode offers hope and a path forward when everything feels...
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When Worry Won't Stop: How God Renews Your Mind
Peace in His Presence
Do you find yourself caught in a cycle of worry that seems impossible to break? In this episode of the Peace in His Presence podcast, Michelle Diercks shares her personal journey with anxious thoughts and reveals powerful biblical truths about breaking free from worry patterns. Through personal stories, scripture insights, and practical tools, Michelle explains how our brains create "worry ruts" and—most importantly—how God's Word provides the pathway to renewing our minds. Discover how neuroplasticity aligns with biblical truth and learn specific practices to transform your...
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Choosing Silence, Finding Strength: When God Fights Our Battles
Peace in His Presence
Episode Summary In this powerful episode of the Peace in His Presence podcast, Michelle Dericks explores how choosing strategic silence can become a source of strength when facing false accusations and shame. Drawing from her personal experience with false accusations and the biblical story of Rahab, Michelle reveals how El Chay (The Living God) fights our battles and brings redemption from the most broken places in our lives. As Mother's Day approaches, this timely message offers hope for anyone carrying burdens of shame, inadequacy, or painful circumstances they didn't choose. Key Moments...
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Finding Peace in the Unknown: How God Helps Us in Uncertainty
Peace in His Presence
Finding Peace in the Unknown: How God Helps Us in Uncertainty Episode Notes: In this transformative episode, Michelle Diercks explores how we can discover deep, lasting peace even during life's most uncertain seasons through understanding the powerful Hebrew name of God "El Chay" (the Living God). Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to finding peace in uncertainty 01:06 - Addressing the mixed emotions of life transitions 02:05 - Introduction to El Chay (the Living God) 03:00 - The Israelites' journey into the unknown promised land 04:11 - Michelle's personal story of being...
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Good Friday Reflection: It is Finished!
Peace in His Presence
Good Friday Reflection: "It Is Finished" In this special Good Friday episode, Michelle invites listeners to reflect on Jesus's sacrifice on the cross and the profound meaning behind His final words, "It is finished." Episode Highlights: Michelle explores the physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering that Jesus endured on the cross The meaning behind Jesus's powerful declaration "It is finished" (tetelestai in Greek) as a victor's cry Reflection on how Jesus's sacrifice paid our debt in full and secured our salvation The assurance that, through faith in Jesus, believers will never...
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Holy Week Reflection: Jesus in the Garden
Peace in His Presence
Holy Week Reflection: Jesus in the Garden Episode Overview In this special Holy Week episode, Michelle Dericks offers a powerful reflection on Jesus's time in the Garden of Gethsemane. Through scripture and personal insights, Michelle helps listeners understand the depth of Christ's suffering and the incredible love behind His sacrifice. Scripture Focus Luke 22:39-46 (with references to parallel accounts in Matthew 26 and Mark 14) Key Points Jesus experienced extreme anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing the immense suffering He was about to face His agony was so intense that His sweat...
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Prayer for Peace
Peace in His Presence
A short bonus episode.
info_outlineJoin authors Michelle Diercks and Pastor Andrew Jones for a special Advent series that weaves together themes from their upcoming books from Concordia Publishing House. Michelle explores how God's promises bring peace in all circumstances in "Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" (releasing January 7, 2025). Pastor Andy's book "10 Lies Satan Loves to Tell" (releasing January 14, 2025) unmasks the deceptions that often shake our trust in God's faithfulness. To celebrate their book launches, these two authors have created "Advent Reflections," a thoughtful series examining how Satan's lies try to distract us from hope. At the same time, God's promises remain unshakeable - just as they did for Mary and Elizabeth. Through these conversations, Michelle and Andy demonstrate how the truths of God's Word strengthen, our hearts, reminding us that God still makes the impossible possible.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Mary's encounter with Gabriel and her faith response
- The 400-year period of silence between the Old and New Testaments
- How Satan's lies of "you cannot trust God" and "you must save yourself" affect us
- Finding peace during difficult family gatherings, especially during holiday seasons
- The importance of remembering God's presence (Emmanuel) during Advent
Featured Books:
- "Ten Lies Satan Loves to Tell" by Pastor Andrew R. Jones
- "Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" by Michelle Diercks
- Both available through Amazon and Concordia Publishing House (CPH), with free first chapters available on their website
- Read First Chapter of Ten Lifes Satan Loves to Tell
- Read First Chapter of Promised Hope
Scripture Reference:
- Luke Chapter 1 - Mary's Story
Resources Mentioned:
- CPH website for previewing both books' first chapters
- Both books available through Concordia Publish