Libsyn Directory

How God Makes Sense of the Unexpected- A Story of Adoption, IVF, and Gestational Surrogacy:: Jessica Gilmer

Release Date: 11/13/2024

Trust in the Lord - A Story of Forgiveness, Healing, and Reconciliation: Stephanie Gaiters’ Story :: [Episode 350]

StoryTellers Live

It’s our 350th episode, and we have the perfect story to focus your eyes on the hope found in Jesus!! Love, forgiveness, and restoration are three words that could sum up the heart of the cross, and they are also three words that could sum up today’s message. Stephanie Gaiters, from our West Cobb community (just outside of Atlanta, Georgia), shares her compelling story of how the Lord used the most challenging and painful experience of her life to bring reconciliation and healing to her family. Her words will inspire you to trust the Lord with all your heart, encourage...

God Will Be Glorified: A Story of Prayer and Healing:: Karen Edwards :: [Episode 349]

StoryTellers Live

When you are led into the dark, unforeseen valleys of life, it’s easy to allow fear to paralyze you. But, as today’s storyteller reminds us, it’s in those moments that the presence of God draws near through His Spirit and His community. Karen Edwards, who spoke at our Homewood, Alabama live gathering, shares details from the week her life took a sudden turn when her husband suffered an unexpected aneurysm and needed emergency surgery. Surrounded by powerful prayer warriors, Karen expounds on the grace and provision of God, emphasizing that there is no challenge in your life...

Taking Your Thoughts Captive: Piper Rinehart’s Story :: [Episode 348]

StoryTellers Live

God’s Word tells us to take every thought captive to Christ, encouraging us to submit our minds to the truth, freedom, and hope found in Jesus. Today’s podcast is a beautiful reminder of the healing power of Scripture when the enemy attacks our minds. Piper Rinehart, from our Tulsa, Oklahoma community team, vulnerably shares her story of how the Lord graciously met her in a season of spiritual warfare as she was being bombarded by extremely fearful and intrusive thoughts. As Piper recounts the battle in her brain, you are going to see firsthand how the armor of God protected and...

First Monday Story: God Prepares You - A Story About the Loss of a Child :: Joni Cheney :: [Episode 347]

StoryTellers Live

In the midst of intense brokenness, it can be extremely difficult to feel the presence of the Lord. Today’s “First Monday Story”is a sweet reminder to recognize that even in the most heartbreaking of circumstances, the Lord is with you. Joni Cheney, from our community group in Fairhope, Alabama, joyfully expresses her faith and walk with the Lord during the most difficult time of her life. In this hope-filled story, Joni will point you to the unwavering truth found in Deuteronomy 31:8: “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor...

From a Life of Effort to a Life of Grace: Courtney Ballard :: [Episode 346]

StoryTellers Live

Today’s episode wraps up our three-week “Religion to Relationship” series, and, once again, it focuses our eyes on the beauty of God’s grace and how this gift plays a key role in our relationship with Him. Courtney Ballard, from our Tupelo, Mississippi community, grew up as a pastor’s kid, always aware of God and His existence, and working hard to be the “angel child” others expected her to be. However, this self-imposed title created a life pattern for Courtney of living for people and their applause, rather than living for God alone. She soon found herself at a...

Defined by His Grace: Rachel Temple’s Story :: [Episode 345]

StoryTellers Live

Today’s podcast places us in the middle of our three-week series “Religion to Relationship”, and it’s a story many of us can fall victim to - “if I’m just good enough for God, I’ll earn His favor and His blessing over my life.” Rachel Temple, from our Pinehurst, North Carolina community, shares her story of growing up under the pressures of having a mother who was an alcoholic and a father who was an enabler, and subsequently succumbing to the role of caretaker in her family while believing the lie that if she could do all the right things for God life would be...

Freedom Found - A Journey from Mormonism to Christianity: Linda Friedman’s Story :: [Episode 344]

StoryTellers Live

10/15/2025 Today, we are excited to kick off a three-week series of stories, entitled “Religion to Relationship" with Jesus Christ. Linda Friedman, from our Raleigh, North Carolina community, shares her powerful journey of growing up in Taiwan with a Taoist and Buddhist foundation, how her upbringing led her to search for community and happiness within the Mormon church, and ultimately how Jesus opened her eyes to the truths of Who He is. This is a story of God‘s pursuing love and His desire for every child to discover the rest and freedom found only in Him. ...

The Peace That Passes Understanding: Alesha Hollinger’s Story :: [Episode 343]

StoryTellers Live

Today’s episode on the podcast is unlike any other we have had, and it’s one you definitely don’t want to miss! Alesha Hollinger, from our West Cobb community just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, shares her unbelievable story of being shot in the face by a gunman on May 3, 2023 - a day she also experienced the supernatural, peaceful presence of the Lord. Alesha’s journey and outlook on life after that fateful encounter will challenge you in your own faith and inspire you to live every moment in hope-filled gratitude. ...

All Pain Matters to God: Lindsay Wells’ Story :: [Episode 342]

StoryTellers Live

Living with physical, mental, or emotional pain can leave us questioning God’s love and goodness for our lives, but as today’s “First Monday Story” reminds us, all pain matters to God, as it’s an invitation to know and be known by Him. Listen in as Lindsay Wells, from our Charleston, South Carolina community, shares her journey of living with chronic back pain and how coming to terms with her suffering is what led her to truly understand and experience God’s presence. This is a story that will remind you that the Lord is in the midst of your pain, and, as Lindsay...

Choosing Surrender Over Control: Mary Bradley Anderson’s Story :: [Episode 341]

StoryTellers Live

All of us have a tendency to fall into a pattern of living from a false sense of control. But when the unexpected circumstances of life hit, we are reminded very quickly of our dependency on the Lord. Today’s storyteller, Mary Bradley Anderson, from our Mountain Brook, Alabama community, talks candidly about her journey of surrendering her plans to the Lord. This is a story about God‘s sovereignty, His all-sufficient grace and ever-present Spirit, and His omnipotent power as the Creator and Sustainer of life. Get ready to be inspired to live with your eyes focused on...

More Episodes

Through a sudden diagnosis in high school to a career detour in college to adoption and IVF in marriage to a ministry calling that made it all make sense, this story is one of God weaving His sovereignty and goodness in unexpected ways.

Jessica Gilmer, from our community group in West Cobb, Georgia (a suburb outside of Atlanta), shares her journey of learning to trust God’s plans for her life in the midst of disappointments and realizing that sometimes the unknowns of life can also be His perfectly wrapped gifts set to open at a later date.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

- The detours of your life can lead you to God’s ultimate path for you.

- In the moments where you are carrying heavy burdens, go to Jesus - He will give you rest.

- God alone is the Creator of life!

Links:

Listen to a similar story~ Kitty Hurdle- Ep. 274: “Will You Trust Me?”

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Jessica.

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a Story Within the Story with Jessica about Mustard Seeds ministry, AND…

Have you ever wanted to attend a StoryTellers Live gathering but don’t have a city near you? We are thrilled to offer our Patreon members the opportunity to virtually attend our Tulsa live gathering via Zoom on November 19th at 7:15 PM. Not a Patreon member? Join here today, and you’ll receive all the details!

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible study series - the third in the series, Discovering God in Stories of Faith, is now available!!!

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