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Lauren Gaskill

Encouraging women to live in faith and joy

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She Found Joy Podcast

FJ 04: Kimberly Ann Bonds: Finding Joy in Surrender + Learning Who We Are In Christ

March 23, 2016 • 15 Comments

Dear friends, today’s podcast might just be one of the most inspiring conversations I’ve ever had and I’m so excited to share it with you today.

kimberly ann finding joy episode 4

We all have memories that stay with us from our childhood, whether it was trips to the ice cream stand with friends, boat rides with gramma and grandpa, or making cookies with mama. While the latter memories are certainly precious and etched into my mind, there’s something else I remember about growing up, and that was listening to Kimberly Ann Bonds on the radio. Every time my family was in the car we had Pulse.FM on the radio and we always looked forward to this wonderful woman being the host.

Finding Joy is a podcast dedicated to bringing you encouragement and inspiration in all of life’s moments — the good, bad and everything in-between.

Kimberly Ann is the epitome of positivity — one of those people who is truly beautiful from the inside out. I am so excited to share our conversation with you today because this woman is so inspiring!

In this episode, Kimberly Ann and I talk about:

  • Her struggle with ADHD, drugs, an eating disorder and a suicide attempt.
  • How she learned to surrender the pain, heartbreak and struggles of her childhood and early adult years in exchange for God’s peace, love and grace.
  • Finding joy in surrender.
  • Finding our true identity in Christ alone and choosing to pursue wisdom, faith, knowledge, grace and love above all.
  • Imperfect progress and the redemption process.
  • Her ministry through Kimberly Ann Ministries and the Heart 2 Heart daily devotional program.

Kimberly Ann encourages us to embrace surrender, hold fast to what is good and trust in the One who holds our lives in His hands.

How to Listen to the Finding Joy Podcast

You can listen to the podcast here on this blog, or by subscribing to the podcast through iTunes.

Subscribe to the iTunes podcast HERE.

Review this Podcast

By rating this podcast or writing a short review, you can help others find the Finding Joy podcast more easily! Click here to head over to iTunes and rate Finding Joy.

FJ 03: Sarah Koontz: Finding Joy in Life's Limitations

March 9, 2016 • 27 Comments

Friends, you are in for a special treat today because my guest for Finding Joy Episode 3 is the beautiful and talented Sarah Koontz.

sarah koontz finding joy episode 3

In the course of a few weeks since recording this podcast, Sarah and I have become great friends — the kind of friends who spend more than an hour talking on the phone together — and I cannot tell you how much I cherish and love this woman! Today’s conversation certainly isn’t as long as some of our more recent talks, but it’s just as life-giving, as Sarah shares her story of seeking joy, health and contentment in the valleys of life.

Finding Joy is a podcast dedicated to bringing you encouragement and inspiration in all of life’s moments — the good, bad and everything in-between.

When she isn’t tending to her garden, family or friends, Sarah writes and inspires people to embrace the story God has inscribed on their hearts at GroundedAndSurrounded.com and SarahKoontz.com.

In this episode, Sarah and I talk about:

  • Her battle with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.
  • How the valleys of life can add richness and wisdom to our lives, while changing our perception and finding joy in limitations.
  • How a sacred retreat can help us recharge from the busyness of this world.
  • How a small, simple life can be full of contentment and purpose.

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FJ Episode 02: Taylor Kiser: Finding Joy In Christ Alone — Not a Perfect Body

February 24, 2016 • 17 Comments

Hello friends, and welcome to Episode 2 of the Finding Joy podcast!

taylor kiser finding joy 2

Finding Joy is a podcast dedicated to bringing you encouragement and inspiration in all of life’s moments — the good, bad and everything in-between.

Today’s episode features the lovely Taylor Kiser, who shares her journey toward healing from an eating disorder and how she is working on finding joy in Christ alone — not a perfect body.

Taylor is the lovely writer and photographer behind FoodFaithFitness.com — a blog dedicated to healthy recipes, exercise tips and faith inspiration. She has loved baking and cooking since she was a little girl, and her passion for food shines through every delicious recipe she posts.

In this episode, Taylor shares her story and talks about:

  • Her hospitalization from anorexia at age 12
  • Her journey with food since that hospitalization
  • How social media impacts our self-esteem
  • How our thoughts hold more power than we realize
  • Her favorite recipe from her blog: Healthy Blueberry Cheesecake Oatmeal!

Taylor encourages us all to keep fighting the good fight (even if it feels like we aren’t making any progress in our struggles) and to give ourselves a lot of grace along the way.Read More

Finding Joy Podcast Episode 1 Michele Cushatt: Finding Joy In An Undone Life

February 10, 2016 • 21 Comments

Happy Wednesday friends! And it’s a very happy day indeed because today marks the launch of Finding Joy: A podcast dedicated to bringing you encouragement and inspiration in all of life’s moments — the good, bad and everything in-between.

The podcast will run every other week, and you can subscribe to it via iTunes for free by clicking here!

The story behind Finding Joy

God’s been moving and shaking a lot of things up in my life lately, and most recently it’s my calling that’s transformed a little bit. You see, for all of my life I have been a writer — not a speaker. I have written thousands of stories and interviewed too many people to count, but I’ve never actually stood behind a podium or spoken to a crowd. I have plenty of stories to tell, but even though I’ve been feeling God calling me to start speaking, I’ve never had the courage to stand up and start talking. Until, by the grace of God, today. This podcast is my first brave step into the speaking world.

Many of you know I’m in the process of getting my first book published (still working on finding the right agent/publisher). And while I wait to hopefully one day get it published and speak to women about the book, in the meantime I’m going to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading and start speaking in other ways — mainly through this podcast.

What started out as a blog series months ago has turned into something greater thanks to you and many nudges from the Lord. To those of you who asked me to add podcasts to the blog back in January’s reader survey: THANK YOU. If it weren’t for you, I might not have ever taken this leap of faith … because starting a podcast isn’t easy. In fact it’s a lot of work. But you have to start somewhere, right?

So keeping that in mind, I ask you to bear with me as I figure this whole podcasting thing out. The audio might not be 100% perfect, I might have forgotten to sign off in this first podcast, and there might be some bumps along the way, but the most important thing is that the message of Christ and joy will remain loud and clear.

Today’s Episode

For encouragement and inspiration, tune in to the Finding Joy Podcast!

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michele cushatt

In this first podcast, I’m speaking with author and speaker Michele Cushatt about her faith journey and how she continues to draw near to Jesus, even after experiencing divorce, parenting adopted children and facing the brink of death while battling cancer three times. How do you go about finding joy when life falls apart? Listen to our conversation to hear from Michele’s experience.

In this episode, Michele shares her story including:

  • The difference between a formulaic and deep faith
  • Relying on Christ to be the source of joy in all things, at all times
  • Making room for rest and silence
  • Coping with grief and pain

Michele encourages us to lean into God and community in the middle of our pain and suffering — all the while trusting that He is working all things together for our good.

Michele is an amazing woman of faith and I am so excited to introduce her to you today. She is also getting ready to launch a five-week experience called “Undone Life Together: A 5-Week Conversation About the Unexpected Life.” If you’re going through something right now and you feel alone like you have no one to talk to, I really want to encourage you to take part in this digital small group.

Review this Podcast

By rating this podcast or writing a short review, you can help others find the Finding Joy podcast more easily! Click here to head over to iTunes and rate Finding Joy.

 

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A few weeks ago, the Lord told me to make a pictur A few weeks ago, the Lord told me to make a picture book of all of the ways He has shown Himself faithful in 2020. As I sat down to gather all the pictures together, I couldn’t help but weep. This year has been so many things, but more than anything, it has been the year I received an even greater revelation of the goodness and faithfulness of our great God. 

I don’t know what all will happen in 2021, but I know that my God will continue to show Himself faithful to His kids as He lavishes His love, blessings and goodness on us. 

How did God show Himself faithful to you this year? I would love to hear about it in the comments! 🌈
The birth of Jesus so threatened the powers of dar The birth of Jesus so threatened the powers of darkness that they colluded together to influence the leaders of that day to issue a decree to massacre thousands of innocent male babies. Because of this, Mary and Joseph had to flee to Egypt before eventually settling in Nazareth. 

If your life and future have felt under attack this year, take heart. The fight taking place has little to do with you and much to do with the advancement of the kingdom of God. You see, God has great plans for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). And oh, how bright the future is for those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ.

For the path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter until the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18).

Your life and your future was worth the blood of Christ then and it is worth whatever fight you are facing today. But remember, Paul didn't call it a "good fight of faith" for no reason. It's a good fight, because Christ has already won the victory. We are victors. We are overcomers. All we have to do is stand our ground — stand on what God has said and what He is saying to us now.

Beloved, as we look to 2021, may our hearts be set on one thing: to know Him more and glorify Him with our lives.

Jesus is our life. He is our very reason for being. Without His blood, we would still be trapped in sin, bondage, sickness, shame, and all other manners of darkness. But because of His blood, we have been set free, made righteous, healed, delivered, translated in the kingdom of His beloved Son, that is, the kingdom of light.

The enemy is terrified of you manifesting that truth to the world. That is why he has come against you the way that he has, both in the past and in 2020. But while the powers of darkness have been colluding together to cause massive opposition against the Word prevailing in your life, I declare over you today that as you stand on the Word, the Lord is working and moving on your behalf.

Don’t give up. Don’t give in to the opposition. Fix your eyes on Jesus and know your breakthrough is nigh.
More than 2,000 years ago, one teenage girl prepar More than 2,000 years ago, one teenage girl prepared to give birth to the Savior of the world, our Lord and King Jesus.

Today, I am reflecting on what a blessing it is to carry the promise of life during the Christmas season. I might not be carrying the Messiah, but who I am carrying is very special and has a unique destiny God fashioned just for him.

I remember even before we started trying to have a baby, I asked God who our first child would be. Over the course of the next several weeks and months, He started speaking about this child’s calling. He also gave me visions of their personality and physical characteristics. And so, before we even conceived, I knew what my God had spoken over this child, as well as my husband and I. Like Mary, I could say nothing but “be it unto us according to Your Will, Father.” Because our Father’s will is perfect and good like that. 

All of this reflection got me thinking about all the millions and billions of lives that have yet to be born. Each one has a unique destiny, calling and characteristics unlike anyone else on this planet. Each one is beloved of God, even if they never come to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Each one matters. Because each one represents LIFE made in the image of God Himself.

God is the author of life, and He intimately knows every soul before He knits them together in their mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). He knew and loved you before you were even a thought in your parents’ minds. He cared for you so much that when His first creations, Adam and Eve, fell, He immediately put a rescue plan into place — a plan that was fulfilled through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. His one life changed everything and showed us how much LIFE is worth to the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Let us count the cost and give thanks for every bit of LIFE we get to carry, enjoy and experience. For while the thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy, Jesus came to give us LIFE more abundantly (John 10:10). 

Hallelujah! For this, and so much more, we rejoice. 🥰
One year ago, this beautiful woman and sister in C One year ago, this beautiful woman and sister in Christ @rochelle.merrell joined me in the adventure of co-hosting the @shefoundjoy podcast. To think that by the end of 2020, we’d be broadcasting God’s Word to 5,000+ people a month ... it is something I could have never dreamed of but am so honored by.

Rochelle, podcasting with you is one of my greatest joys! I can’t wait to see where the Lord takes us in the future. 

Friends, our last episode of the year will air this coming Monday, December 21. You don’t want to miss it! Listen on iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify.
Really feeling like our little love is going to ar Really feeling like our little love is going to arrive sometime earlier in March as opposed to later in the month. There’s some debate over how far along I am ... but if my gut is correct, I am somewhere around 27-28 weeks. What do y’all think based on today’s bump pic?

Favorite things right now: His daily kicks, punches and somersaults, telling him how much I love him, reading the Word to him, imagining with The Holy Spirit what he will be like, getting all of the things for the nursery, meditating on every promise our family is still walking out with the Lord. 🌈💜💙
Reese is very confused as to why we are moving eve Reese is very confused as to why we are moving everything out of his bedroom (not to mention reassigning him to a new sleeping spot). Sorry love, it’s time to make room for your brother. I promise y’all will be best friends. 💙 #reesedoggrams
1 Corinthians 2:4 is a verse I have underlined in 1 Corinthians 2:4 is a verse I have underlined in every Bible translation that I own, but the Passion Translation pierces my heart in a way unlike any other.

I love this verse because it not only shows us what/who we should be putting our faith in, but it’s also a question we can ask ourselves as we walk through this life with Christ. Every day, in every situation, we can ask ourselves: Am I trusting in man’s wisdom or in the truth of God’s Word and the power that lives within me through the Holy Spirit? 

Pray with me: Father, thank You that I have eyes to see and ears to hear what you want to say to me today. Holy Spirit, please reveal any areas where I have been relying on man’s wisdom instead of Your truth. Help me understand with all of my heart what it means to trust in Your almighty power. In Jesus’ name, amen.
One year ago, I boarded a plane for Brazil to join One year ago, I boarded a plane for Brazil to join @global_awakening in ministering hope and healing to thousands of men and women. 

To say that this was the best trip of my life would be an understatement. Not only did I receive partial healing on the plane ride over, but I also made friendships that will last an eternity. Not to mention every moment of this trip felt like I was living a page from the book of Acts. 

And then there was the getting to spend a little more face time with someone I consider to be a spiritual father, @randyrayclark. Randy, you probably don’t even remember the prophetic word you released over me, but it has changed my life, and I will never be the same.

Before this trip, I was so nervous before praying for healing or prophesying over people in America ... but since coming home, the Lord has filled me with boldness to be His hands and feet wherever I go. If He says to talk to, pray for, or give something to someone, I don’t even hesitate. Because I have seen what He can do with an obedient heart who believes the simple gospel ... and oh, what incredible things He can do through us indeed. 

Church, the time to be His hands and feet is NOW. There are billions of people who need a touch from heaven today and you carry heaven within you through the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s true, Christ, the hope of glory, lives in you if you’ve said yes to Him and asked Him to make His home in you. The only question is whether or not we will yield our hearts, minds and lives to what God wants to do — not just in, but through us.

Lord, have Your way! Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
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