Perspective Shifts: The One Thing Desired

What does it mean to know the Lord as our Shepherd? How does His care lead to our contentment?

In this episode, we answer these questions as we consider Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."

If you long to find satisfaction in Him or are tired of searching for it elsewhere, this is for you!

This episode is part of the series entitled, "The Pathway of His Presence: A Look at Psalm 23."

In this introductory episode to the series, "The Pathway of His Presence: A Look at Psalm 23," we briefly consider the heart and life of David, who penned this beloved psalm, and lessons we can apply to our own lives.

To download the daily reading plan, Cultivating Gratitude, click here: https://theonethingdesired.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Cultivating-Gratitude-Revised.pdf

In this special episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Jessica Ludwig of Together Freedom. Together Freedom provides long-term care and support for American girls rescued from child sex slavery. Jessica shares information relevant for all who have children in their lives they care about as well as important statistics and signs. She also discusses the mission and tells inspiring stories of those Together Freedom has served. She concludes our conversation with ways we all can get involved and offers a hope-filled word for anyone who has felt discarded or forgotten.

I pray you are encouraged as we conclude our summer series. I can't think of a better way to end than with an encouragement to step into another's story in order to offer the hope that is found in Christ alone.

Tara Borgonah is a writer, speaker, teacher, and founder of the Girl Read Your Bible Study Group and the host of the Author in the Spotlight and the Christian Café Podcasts. Tara’s surprising journey began shortly after experiencing a traumatic life-changing accident. Instead of giving in to despair, she turned to her faith in God and His Word for solace and strength. During her recovery and year-long journey through the Bible, she experienced the transformative impact of the Bible in her life and felt compelled to share these life-changing truths with others.

In this episode, we are reminded that God's plans often unfold through circumstances and seasons that are initially unwanted, difficult, and marked by suffering. Through it all, however, He is working to unfold His plan, present to offer His grace, and faithful to reveal Himself.

If you are longing to see a glimpse of the unexpected beauty God can work through an unwanted season, this episode is for you! By the end, you will be encouraged to not only let God write your story, but to trust He has a purpose for each and every chapter within it.

Pamela Henkelman is a Life Coach for Midlife Moms, speaker, writer, and host of The Midlife Momma Podcast. She is passionate about encouraging moms of adult children as they navigate their changing roles in order to build stronger relationships with their grown children. As a mom of five grown kids and two grandsons, Pamela has first-hand experience with the challenges and joys of navigating the empty nest phase of life.

In this episode, Pamela addresses common challenges moms of adult children face and why it is important to go from holding our adult kids tightly to surrendering them to the Lord regularly. She challenges us to entrust them to God as He writes not only our story, but theirs. Pamela offers special encouragement to the moms who are in a season of transition due to a child going off to college or getting married.

Twyla Franz loves to help women uncomplicate missional neighboring as she encourages them to "make God big" right where they are in their everyday lives. Through writing and podcasting, she shares the heart as well as the how-to's of intentionally getting to know your neighbors.

In this episode, Twyla offers insight into why you don't need to go overseas to live out the Great Commission, how missional living can become a rhythm of life, and how to overcome commonly believed hindrances to knowing your neighbors well.

Jen Kosuda is passionate about encouraging women to connect Biblical truth to everyday life. Through writing and podcasting, she reminds her readers and listeners that no heart, mind, or situation is too difficult for the Lord to transform.

In this episode, Jen shares how she overcame a life of anxiety and worry through God's Word and why we shouldn't give up when discouragement sets in.

Rachael Adams loves to encourage women to live out their faith, inspiring them to believe that their everyday offering and "yes" to God truly matters. Through writing, speaking, and podcasting, she reminds her readers and listeners that just as nothing was too insignificant in Jesus's life, nothing is too insignificant in theirs.

In this episode, Rachael shares how the "good works" of Ephesians 2:10 are important regardless of how big or small they appear. If you long for the assurance that your life has purpose and significance, take a listen. You will find encouragement to give God what you have, right here and right now.

Grace McCready is passionate about sharing words of hope with those who are walking through seasons of darkness. Through her own eating disorder recovery, she learned the importance of having realistic expectations and seeing the value in her small, everyday choices. She discovered that even when she doubted God's presence or wondered why He wasn't working, He was with her all along.

Have you ever wondered what signs you should look for - or what you should do - if you suspect your child has an eating disorder?  Do you long to create a healthy home environment  yet struggle with your own body image?  And if your child is currently in treatment, are you desperate for hope and the assurance that healing is possible?

In this special episode in recognition of the annual National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, I have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Jessica Peck as she addresses these topics and many more.

Dr. Peck is the author of Behind Closed Doors: A Guide to Help Parents and Teens Navigate Through Life's Toughest Issues.  She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, and is a Baylor University professor.  She is married and is the mother of four teens.

Just as we receive comfort from our Heavenly Father in order to comfort others in their time of trouble, we experience the hope and healing of God in order to give Him glory and impart hope to the hopeless.  

In this episode, I share my testimony of finding hope, experiencing healing, and discovering the harmony that He alone brought from the shattered pieces of my life through my battle with anorexia.  

Whether you currently have or once had an eating disorder, have a friend or loved one struggling with one, or have experienced any kind of shattering in your own life, I pray this will remind you to look up instead of give up as it renews your belief that God is not done with you yet!

What are you waiting for?

Everyone is waiting for something: whether it is to meet your spouse, have a baby, buy a home, find a new job, achieve a dream - or yes, even, for a prayer to be answered -- we are all, to some degree or another, in a season of waiting.

The question isn't "if" we're waiting -- but "how" we're waiting: are we waiting well, gleaning everything there is from this particular season?  Or are we so discontent and disgruntled that we're missing the very thing the Lord is seeking to do in our hearts and lives right now?

In this episode I'm joined by special guest, Ashlyn Lanni, as we discuss all things waiting.  We uncover common lies we may believe and discuss the truth, hope, and purposes for these seasons.  By the end of the conversation, we pray you are encouraged through her story and reminded that God is still writing yours!

Connect with Ashlyn here:
http://www.AshlynLanni.com
http://www.Instagram.com/AshlynLanni
http://www.Facebook.com/AshlynLanni

In this episode we talk with Katie J. Trent, homeschooling mom and bestselling author of Dishing up Devotions: 36 Faith-Building Activities for Homeschooling Families.  Katie is a leader in the Christian homeschool community and draws on a wealth of knowledge and experience from over a decade of counseling, ministry, and church planting in order to equip women to grow their faith, strengthen their family, and simplify their homeschool.

You can connect with Katie at KatieJTrent.com, @KatieJTrent (Facebook and Instagram), and @GrowYourFaith (Pinterest).

In this episode, Cara discusses her recovery from anorexia with her mother in order to offer insight from the parent's perspective.

Could our busy seasons actually be used to expand our devotional life?
What happens to our "quiet times" when we don't have much time and it certainly isn't quiet?  
What can we learn from a widow's meager gift?

This episode is for those in busy, pressing seasons of life - new moms, caregivers, seasons of illness - or any who wish to be encouraged to move from "having devotions" to "living devotedly."

In this second and final episode taken from Luke 23, we consider the final three points of the series: the reality of the crucifixion, the results of the crucifixion, and our reaction to the crucifixion.  The heart of this episode is to examine the implications of the cross and to ask how will we respond. 

In the first part of this two-part series, we consider the reason for, and the road to, the crucifixion, taken from Luke 23.