
You Don't Have To Be Perfect Podcast with Vanessa Luu
By Vanessa Luu
This podcast started as a resource for recovering perfectionists but has expanded into a place for all to come and be themselves and share their struggles and victories, giving God glory.
The You Don’t Have to Be Perfect Podcast has been described as, Uplifting, Food for the soul, Reassuring, truth-telling, positive, vulnerable, life-changing, real, and a light at the end of the tunnel. I’m so glad you’re here. I hope you’ll share this space with a friend!

You Don't Have To Be Perfect Podcast with Vanessa LuuNov 12, 2021

I Didn't Know I Was an Artist!
Inside today’s podcast, I have with me DJ Hejtmanek. DJ has newly retired and now paints full-time. Her mixed media process has emerged and coalesced into mostly an abstract realism style including birds,(I’m sure you know I love that) animals, and portraits, as well as nonrepresentational abstracts. She’s moved from painting on her kitchen counter to an actual studio where she paints most days.
It was an honor and a privilege to interview an artist whose art hangs on my wall. You’ve seen it if you watch my live daily Bible readings. I know you will enjoy this episode with artist, DJ Hejtmanek!
Connect with her here!
Website: djhejt.com
IG: Instagram.com/djhejtmanek
FB: “I didn’t know I was an artist” - @djhejtmanek
Inside today’s podcast, I have with me DJ Hejtmanek. DJ has newly retired and now paints full-time. Her mixed media process has emerged and coalesced into mostly an abstract realism style including birds,(I’m sure you know I love that) animals, and portraits, as well as nonrepresentational abstracts. She’s moved from painting on her kitchen counter to an actual studio where she paints most days.
It was an honor and a privilege to interview an artist whose art hangs on my wall. You’ve seen it if you watch my live daily Bible readings. I know you will enjoy this episode with artist, DJ Hejtmanek!
Connect with her here!
Website: djhejt.com
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

Embrace The Mundane
You will LOVE this episode! What a great interview!!
Hannah was such a wonderful guest! We talked about so many amazing things like what does trusting God look like??
Tune in today and join the uplifting conversation !
More about @princesshannahwrites
Hannah Pettefer is a 26-year-old Louisiana small business owner, ballet instructor, and marketer. Her first book "Open Hands" will be released this holiday season, and it is a testimony of how to trust God with the desires and disappointments of life. Hannah is the gatherer of her friend group, always hosting a party or celebrating something. Her favorite things are sunsets, the Psalms, and a good 3:00 cup of coffee. Keep up with her on Instagram @Princesshannahwrites and TikTok.
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

It's Never Too Late to Create
Today's guest is Susan Ely. I've been a fan of her work for a long time and am thrilled to have her on the podcast. This episode will inspire you and make you think in a good way.
Join the conversation and be blessed!
More about Susan: My passion for art blossomed a few years ago, a surprising shift from my identity as a writer and speaker. Struck by a temporary loss of words, I embarked on an exploration of curiosity and experimentation, choosing these as my "words of the year." An untouched palette of watercolors beckoned, Instagram photos urged me to paint, and soon, I found myself immersed in art, painting flowers and whimsical birds late into the night. This newfound fascination evolved from watercolors to acrylics and collage, delighting me and my growing audience. Though I'm a latecomer to the art world, it brings me immense joy, especially as I've recently ventured into crafting unique earrings from my artwork, thanks to my daughter's suggestion.
Connect with Susan:
Website: Latebloomergallery.com
IG: Latebloomerartgallery
Facebook: Susanmariniely ( personal) and Latebloomerartgallery
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

Is Everyone an Artist?
Her book, ‘Flaming Arrows’ is releasing soon. It helps women overcome the lies of the enemy in order to step forward into where God is calling them. My website is www.charlenewarren.com
And my art website www.cwarrenfineart.com
My Facebook page is under Charlene Warren
And my Instagram is @cwarrencoaching
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:
anchor.fm/vanessa-luu

Artist Series 2: Does God Care About Art?
The apathy of humanity as a collective is enough to suffocate the life out of me, which is why I love artists. Art is proof to me that there are humans who want to do more than numb through each day for no greater pay out than to survive it.
- What kind of art do you make?
- When did you first start making art and what inspired it?
- What’s your personal definition of art?
- Do you feel art nourishes your soul?
- Where can we find your art and support you?
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:
Are Seasons of Mourning Good?
Contrary to popular belief, God expects us to mourn. Did you know that? In Joel chapter 1, God gave Joel a devastating message to share with his people, expecting them to mourn. Until the day I started reading Joel, I had never realized that mourning was something God wanted us to do.
During devastating times, Christians are often told to find the positive and move on. I've often preached positivity to family and friends but have now reconsidered. I realize that mourning is a necessary part of the process intended to bring us to repentance, where God will restore us.
The desire to ignore sorrow and jump to the next high makes logical sense. Humans hate pain, but our avoidance of pain has created a new ugly in society and among the body of Christ. There's not a soul that enjoys feeling loss because, fundamentally, loss is traumatic. Loss changes us, but I'm entertaining the idea that if we allow ourselves the time and space to mourn, we might be closer to God and His unmatched power to restore.
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

Artist Series: Do You Know the Character of God?
Annie Weber. I looked through your book and am excited for fellow believers to read it! Your desire for your readers is the same as mine! You want others to know God better so that they can find a healthy awareness of the vast differences between living in the world and living for the Lord, and that is a message the masses need today! So let's talk a bit about Astounding Truths. You have it broken up into 4 parts: The character of God, God’s Desire for His People, Curious Parts of the Bible, and God Equips His people and I have to say, you’ve hit the nail on the head with these categories. God has my heart focused on these areas as well and even in this order! You’ve done a great job here. We MUST know the character of God even to begin living a life that pleases him.
Meet my guest:
Annie Weber Annie Weber Is a writer known for her uncompromising approach to sharing God’s Word.
She lives with a keen awareness of how the Truth of Scripture has led her to put her faith in Christ. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of the Bible by writing and speaking about God's Word in an easy-to-understand language.
Her Book: Astounding Truths of the Bible: A bite-size journey towards understanding the worlds best selling book.
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

Final, Why Do You Go to Church
In a time and culture that avoids commitment, it's impressive that people still attend church weekly. So what keeps them going?
We'll answer this question and more in the final episode of the Why Do You Go to Church series, on the You Don't Have to Be Perfect podcast.
I've attended a church service my entire life, and the reason has varied over the years, so I used the You Don't Have to Be Perfect podcast as a platform for this research. If you haven't listened to these interviews yet please do. It may give you insight into your own reasons for attending church.
In each interview, there were strong consistencies. For instance, most answered that they went to church for fellowship and to worship God.
From infancy through college, I attended a weekly church service (and usually one midweek). I genuinely loved being there. I loved the people, the singing, and the message of Christ's love. Oddly enough, I hadn't really cultivated a personal relationship with God yet. I heard people talk about it but wasn't really sure how to have it.
As a young mother, my personal relationship with God began to grow, and I knew what it meant to know Him intimately. Oddly enough, that's when I began to dislike attending church. If you don't know by now, I have practiced a perfectionistic way of thinking (my entire life), contributing to my dislike for church.
Perfectionists are known to find problems and quickly implement a plan to solve said problem so that the situation can be "perfect." I soon realized I couldn't fix the church no matter how hard I tried, leading to a weekly dread. As we'd creep closer to Sunday each week, I'd get increasingly uncomfortable, but I'd still go.
I continued to attend church to be obedient toward God and in support of my husband and children. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)" -Hebrews 10:25. This verse specifically encouraged me to keep going and not give up even though I felt like I was in a congregation of pretenders. I know God is not fooled by those who pretend, but for some reason, they don't seem to realize that.
Jesus said that they would know we are Christians by our love. More specifically, He said, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." -John 13:35. All I saw were people functioning by worldly methods and calling it Christianity, or worse, love. I wasn't fooled. God has opened my eyes to who He is through the power of His Holy Word, and I could no longer be fooled.
I had gone to church with these people for almost twenty years, and I started wondering, why do they come? What do they believe about the church that has them showing up every week?
As I began this series, my family and I began a beautiful transition that breathed fresh air into my soul. Amazingly, the series spanned from the beginning of that transition to where I am now: from California to Montana!
I enjoyed every interview and wanted to share some of my favorite parts. My guest Kandee shared that her favorite reason for attending church was to see what God was doing in people's lives because it encouraged her and spurred her on in her faith. I love that, and as we gather together in the Spirit, it should encourage and strengthen our faith. When you meet at the church to fellowship, do you feel encouraged?

Katie, Why Do You Go To Church?
What do you believe about Jesus?
How do you define church?
How long have you been attending church?
Why do you go to church?
More about my guest Katie Ruga:
Katie is a Christian wife and mama to 3. She hosts a podcast for mamas called renewing your motherhood that encourages mamas to pursue biblical motherhood. She also has a one month discipleship program for mamas called renewing your identity. She loves to encourage other mamas to seek God and His word. She enjoys spending time with the Lord every morning with a cup of coffee, loves to swim with her kids, boating with her family and more.
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:
Addicted to Busyness
The pace at which we live our lives is insane. It's unbelievable how busy we keep ourselves, whether believers or not. It's one of the ways the world has influenced us. We have been convinced that busyness, for the kingdom's sake, is not only okay but required, which is false.
Why is it so hard for us to rest if rest is necessary? It's because we are addicted to busyness, and like any addiction, it's hard to break even though it has little to no payout.
We stay busy so that we don't have to think or feel. We stay busy to synthesize a sense of purpose. We wear busyness as a badge of honor, and we all are worn out from it, but we can't seem to get off the never-ending merry-go-round. I know because I am stuck on this merry-go-round too. We stay busy because we're afraid of what will happen if we don't.
When you break it down, busyness is the sin of worry; busyness is a lack of trust. I know it's painful to hear because it's painful for me to write it out. Don't be downhearted, though; this painful truth doesn't mean we don't trust God at all. It means we are still being sanctified (a work in progress). We are still learning and growing. We can praise God for that!
I know that Jesus wants me to rest, to practice a Sabbath, a day set apart to sit with Him, worship Him, and let Him restore me for the next week to come, but I can't seem to give up all my work. I think if I could sincerely keep a true Sabbath, I probably wouldn't be so tired during the week. What do you think?
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

Roberta, why do you go to church?
Inside today's podcast, I have with me Roberta Thorndike. Roberta is a Christian editor that works with authors and writers of clean content, and today she’s here to answer the question: Why do you go to church?
What do you believe about Jesus?
How do you define church?
How long have you been attending church?
Why do you go to church?
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

Mia, why do you go to church?
Inside today’s podcast, I have with me Mia Solange. She’s a freelance photographer, jewelry artisan, world traveler, and a beautiful soul.
She's with us today to answer the question: why do you go to church?
1. What do you believe about Jesus?
2. How long have you been attending church?
3. How do you define church?
4. Why do you go to church?
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

Kylee, why do you go to church?
This episode is part of the Why Do You Go to Church series.
Inside today's podcast, I have with me, Kylee Ghabour. Kylee is a supermom of two, one of Southern California's best elementary school teachers and one of my dearest friends. She loves playing all sports and enjoys reading.
Questions in this episode.
- What do you believe about Jesus?
- How long have you attended church?
- How do you define church?
- Why do you go to church?
- Do you always enjoy going?
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

Melissa, why do you go to church?
Inside today's podcast, I have with me, Melissa Robinson. Melissa Robinson is a wife, and mom of two boys and serves in women's ministry. She enjoys nature photography & writing for her blog, My hills and valleys which is a place to find encouragement in spiritual growth through the power of God’s Word. My hills and valleys is a community of women after the heart of God who seeks to encourage and build one another up through the hills and valleys of life.
Today she's here to discuss with me why she goes to church!
Have you ever thought about why you attend church week after week? Is it just something you do on Sunday, or does it have an intentional purpose?
Connect with Melissa on IG: @myhillsandvalleys
or on her blog: https://myhillsandvalleys.com/
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

Julie, Why do you go to church?
Episode 5 of the Why Do You Go to Church series!
Questions:
1. What do you believe about Jesus?
2. How long have you been attending church?
3. Why do you go to church?
4. Do you enjoy going to church?
About Julie:
Today’s guest is my good friend Julie Johnson. Julie is a wife and new Mom to her son Christopher as well as a COTA therapist. She lives with her family in American Canyon, California.
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:
Want to be a guest? Email me at Vanessa@bodysoulandmind.info

Blair, why do you go to church?
Have you ever been through a hardship? Besides our conversation about why she goes to church, my guest Blair Curtis can relate. She’s just released her debut book, Shipwrecker, A chilling true story of betrayal and how a brave young woman found her way out of the storm.
Her goal with this book is to encourage others to navigate life’s storms with God, even if they've previously walked away from Him.
More about Blair:
Blair Curtis, M.Ed. is a combat veteran of the United States Navy. She is a Certified Veterans Yoga Project Teacher and published author of the book Shipwrecker. She is also a Special Education Teacher in Minnesota and loves helping children thrive. She and her husband have three small children and one on the way. She continues to serve The Kingdom as an ordained minister officiating weddings throughout the United States.
Shipwrecker https://a.co/d/iJGySzX
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

Jen, why do you go to church?
Inside today’s podcast, I have back with me Jennifer Kosuda. Jen is the founder of The Art of a Messy House, and is a wife, mom, teacher, author, and now podcaster. After thirty years of battling depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and other battles such as PTSD, she was set free. At that moment, she promised never to stop sharing about God’s love and Truths. The Art of a Messy House four-part book series, blog, and podcast is her journey to do just that. She's with us today to answer the question: why do you go to church?
Connect with Jen!
Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/theartofamessyhouse
(Includes published books)
Instagram: @theartofamessyhouse
YouTube
https://youtube.com/@theartofamessyhouse
Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-a-messy-house/id1677030475
Spotify Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/52ApyVUl51HMdsUjXgVFoR?si=y-1FlekWQXe1o7UjwW242g
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

Why Do You Go to Church? Ep. 2
My guest today is Tricia Wahr.
Tricia Wahr is a long-time friend, wife, and mom of 7 kids who works in the financial sector! She enjoys coffee, spending time with her family, and being on the worship team at her church.
Questions: 1. What do you believe about Jesus?
I believe Jesus is the Son of God. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can come to the Father except through Jesus. He is the reason I live, and I want to honor and glorify Him in all I do. He loves greater than anyone I've ever known, and all His ways are good. He's the Creator of the Universe and everything in it. He's all-knowing, all-powerful, the forever high priest who has taken away the world's sins for those who accept Him. He's even more than everything I just said.
2. How long have you been attending church? I've been attending church since I was an infant. I loved growing up in the church; I felt surrounded by love and beauty. But that changed for me in my adult years. And it's one of the reasons I pose this question today. Why do you go to church? I'm excited to hear everyone's answers who are willing to speak up. I've wanted to ask this for a long time because I believe there are many who show up to church out of habit but don't really have an intentional reason for being there.
3. Why do you go to church? I used to go to church because I loved the people, the music and the teachings. Now I go to church out of obedience. Yes, I'm being very candid here because this podcast is about authenticity. I believe Christians today are doing church wrong. They are not meeting with the intentions that God laid out for us in the New Testament. I believe God is using me to help the church return to its intended purpose.
4. Do you enjoy attending? I used to, and hopefully I will enjoy it again.
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

Why Do you Go To Church? Ep. 1
Questions: 1. What do you believe about Jesus?
I believe Jesus is the Son of God. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can come to the Father except through Jesus. He is the reason I live, and I want to honor and glorify Him in all I do. He loves greater than anyone I've ever known, and all His ways are good. He's the Creator of the Universe and everything in it. He's all-knowing, all-powerful, the forever high priest who has taken away the world's sins for those who accept Him. He's even more than everything I just said.
2. How long have you been attending church? I've been attending church since I was an infant. I loved growing up in the church; I felt surrounded by love and beauty. But that changed for me in my adult years. And it's one of the reasons I pose this question today. Why do you go to church? I'm excited to hear everyone's answers who are willing to speak up. I've wanted to ask this for a long time because I believe there are many who show up to church out of habit but don't really have an intentional reason for being there.
3. Why do you go to church? I used to go to church because I loved the people, the music and the teachings. Now I go to church out of obedience. Yes, I'm being very candid here because this podcast is about authenticity. I believe Christians today are doing church wrong. They are not meeting with the intentions that God laid out for us in the New Testament. I believe God is using me to help the church return to its intended purpose.
4. Do you enjoy attending? I used to, and hopefully I will enjoy it again.
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

Why Do You Go to Church?
Hey friends, so the You Don't Have to Be Perfect podcast is starting a brand new series called why do you go to church? I will be interviewing people from all over the globe to ask them why going to church is important to them. What are the reasons for showing up week after week, year after year, generation to generation?
I hope you'll tune into these episodes and glean a lot. Also, I would love to have you be a guest. Email me at vanessa@bodysoulandmind.info and say I'd like to be a guest in the new series. (Or drop a comment below)

The Pure Ones
Inside today’s podcast I am thrilled to interview my favorite fiction author, Danielle Harrington.
Danielle Harrington is a stay-at-home mom, award-winning author, and hardcore science nerd. She earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Biola University and taught high school chemistry for five years before becoming a full-time writer. Her inner fangirl perks up at the mention of Quidditch, BookTok, Middle Earth, and the perfect hand-crafted chai tea latte.
Danielle lives in Idaho with her husband, daughter, and three cats. Her current mission: Give readers twists they don't see coming and imaginings that keep them thinking long after the story
ends.
Danielle, I am THRILLED to have you with me today. Thank you so much for agreeing to come back to the podcast.
- Last year you quit your fulltime teaching job, had a baby and move to Idaho! That was a lot! Can you share with us how those decisions came to be?
- Were you scared about quitting your teaching career and moving out of state?
- Was prayer involved in this decision? Was it an act of faith
- What was it like to crank out the 3rd book of your series with a new baby and no teaching job?
- What is your favorite thing about writing these fabulous novels?
- What advice would you give to those who are considering a big life change?
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

Who Are You?
Pretend you are not about to read a chapter of one of the most famous Bible stories. I'm inviting you to read Chapter 5 with fresh eyes. As I read through the story again, I was amused. The words and actions of each person are so telling. If you get intentional, you can look at your life and plot in these characters.
Pharaoh- The threatened leader.
Moses- The obedient yet concerned servant.
Aaron- The helper.
Hebrew servants- The majority of the population.
God- The all-knowing, all-powerful being.
Have you ever witnessed a threatened leader? I'm sure you have! Might you have one in your family or at your job? Maybe this character is in your church. At the very least, you've witnessed a threatened leader in a movie or television show. The threatened leader is motivated by fear. Everything they do directly responds to the fear of losing their power.
Do you have a Moses in your life? A person who is obedient to God but also gets confused and concerned when things don't seem to be going too well. Perhaps, in your story, you are Moses?
If you are Moses, who is your Aaron? Who is that person in your life that isn't perfect but does their best to have your back?
We are the Hebrew people/slaves/servants in this story. Believe it.
Most of our discontent with painful circumstances or unmet expectations involves timing. We view life much differently than God. He has the pleasure and the privilege to live outside of time while we don't. This truth has caused me to become angry more times than I can count, but the discrepancy between our timelines is an opportunity to grow in faith and trust Him.
Moses obeyed God even though he felt unqualified; what God asked of him was no small feat. God called Moses to deliver the Hebrew people from Egypt! Moses didn't go to school for this. He didn't study ancient texts and uncover some secret missions to carry out. He had run away from a murder he had committed and was content to live under the radar as a shepherd among the Midians.
God promised Moses that He would be with him, but Moses counted it a failure when Pharaoh increased the labor for the Hebrew people. He asked God, why did you do this to your people!? This a valid question and one I can relate to well. Here's what I noticed, though, in chapter 3, verse 12, God says, "Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain."
God's promise, in chapter 3, does not include multiple victories but one victory at the end. This means God will be with Moses throughout the entirety of the deliverance. God even told Moses precisely what would happen with Pharoah. Moses knew that Pharoah would not accept his terms immediately because God told him so in chapter 4, verses 21-23. But when the opposition took place, Moses freaked. To this, I reply, "Same."
Freaking out at the first site of opposition is my norm. You think I would have learned by now, but like Moses, I am drawn to ask God why?
Thoughtful Pause
Do you trust God even when things get scary? Spend time in prayer now and be honest with God about your insecurities.
God is trustworthy, and He’s also gracious with our insecurities. As you close this chapter today, remember all the ways that God has come through for you in His perfect timing and ask Him to help you remember those the next time things get scary.
You can use the Exodus story to help strengthen your faith. God does exactly what He promises to do every time.
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:
Productive According To Who?
Today's episode is called productive according to ot who? It's for all those women out there who find every minute accounted for, no margin of time in sight, and feel perpetually empty because it's never enough. There's never enough accomplished to earn a time of solace or rest, and any time that we forcefully carve out is lacking peace because we're afraid that we are dropping the ball. How could we possibly let go? God has ordained us to do these things, and we don't want to let Him down, right?
So I've been bouncing these thoughts around in prayer and in-between tasks and asking God to help me see that He is all I need. He has it all taken care of, and I get to be along for the ride and take it all in. Yes, work does get done, but from a place of rest and peace. I will tell you I'm not there at the moment but I'm confident that God is on the job.
Today God brought me to the story of Mary and Martha. It was part of the reading I did this week in the Live Daily Bible reading I do Monday through Friday on Ig. So now I'll take you there. Luke 10:38-42.
I'm confident you know this story well. You may have mentally painted Martha in a bad light, or maybe you relate to Martha and wish that Jesus didn't rebuke Martha (even though He did so graciously). The point of this story is to teach us that spending time with Jesus is more important than anything we do.
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:

How Well Do You Know Jesus?
Our chat was so long that I broke it up into two episodes, and I know you'll love them both. This is part 2.
Today we cover, the Yuck and the Muck, Don’t Worry About Tomorrow, and Not Everyone Will Enter Heaven.
Don't forget to grab Michelle's devotional of Matthew chapter 6. Grab your copy today!
6 Days with Matthew 6: A six-day journey through Matthew 6
The ebook is currently available. Please leave a review!
https://a.co/d/9mUypHp
Kindle Vella - The Secrets of Claymore Castle
Think Stranger Things meets Mission Impossible meets Odd Squad meets Indiana Jones.
www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B098Q39DG5
My website and blog www.dawnmichellemichals.com
Sign up to be in my Friends Circle! dawnmichellemichals.activehosted.com/f/1
And I'm on Instagram @dmmwrites
www.instagram.com/dmmwrites
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Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:
anchor.fm/vanessa-luu

Give All Your Desires to God
Inside today's podcast, we have Dawn Michelle Michals returning! Michelle and I have a deep Spirit-filled conversation.
Our chat was so long that I broke it up into two episodes, and I know you'll love them both. Today we cover what God does with our desires as well as Michelle's devotional of Matthew chapter 6. Grab your copy!
6 Days with Matthew 6: A six-day journey through Matthew 6
The ebook is currently available. Please leave a review!
Kindle Vella - The Secrets of Claymore Castle
Think Stranger Things meets Mission Impossible meets Odd Squad meets Indiana Jones.
https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B098Q39DG5
My website and blog www.dawnmichellemichals.com
Sign up to be in my Friends Circle! https://dawnmichellemichals.activehosted.com/f/1
And I'm on Instagram @dmmwrites
************************
Other Resources:
You Don't Have To Be Perfect by Vanessa Luu
Truth and Tools Workbook by Vanessa Luu
The Relevant Old Testament by Vanessa Luu
To Support
Leave a review and help spread the word about this uplifting podcast. You can also support it financially here:
Comparison Can be Left Out of the Journey
I heard the Holy Spirit interrupt me gently and say, "That's my plan for them, but it's not my plan for you." I smiled and thanked God for His swift response so I wouldn't have to roll around with doubt for hours/days/weeks.
The other night Annie F Downs promoted two powerful books that are only available for pre-order. I followed her tags and investigated these new books to see if they'd be anything I'd enjoy. These authors may be the real deal, which is very exciting! They may be the people I've hoped for in the current Christian culture. But then, an ugly familiar voice turned this encouragement into fear and doubt.
The ugly voice questioned me. Aren't these the same ideas you always talk about but only a few listen to? I respond, "Yes, this is exactly what I am talking about; this is good! These people may get the word out further than me." Then the ugly voice says, "Why do big names with big influence promote these people?" I respond, "I'm not sure. It could probably be me if I worked harder on networking and building my platform."
As soon as I heard the word, platform, I knew this was not the voice of God. I stopped my thoughts and prayed. "Lord, you having me writing articles and self-publishing my 4th book. Am I doing it all wrong? Should I have spent more time building up my platform or pitching to agents..." [ God interrupts] "That's my plan for them, but it's not my plan for you."
I was so grateful for God's interruption that night few tears squeaked out. I'm so grateful that God is a close God, not a faraway God. "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." -James 4:8, ESV.
Friends, whatever you do, do it for the Lord and trust Him to guide you each step of the way. When you walk with God, comparison can be left out of the journey.
Psalms 37:5 says, "Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you." (NLT)

What Kind of Mom Are You?
Inside today’s podcast, I have with me Katie Ruga. Katie is a Christian wife and an elementary educator who turned homeschool mama to her 3 children. She’s passionate about encouraging other mamas to pursue biblical motherhood and is working on her own exciting project to accomplish just that.
Questions we discussed
- How would you define the toxic mom culture?
- How would you define biblical motherhood?
- What is the biggest difference between biblical motherhood and anything else?
- What would the first step be in making this trade?
- How can we support you and stay connected to your journey?
What's the first step in trading toxic motherhood for biblical motherhood?
- Your heart needs to turn toward God.
- God's Word needs to be read.
- Applying what God's Word says with the help of the Holy Spir