It's almost Christmas!!! Let's discuss the Biblical Christmas story, what it says, and what it doesn't. Was Jesus born into an empty barn with only Mary and Joseph there to deliver him? Or was he born into a home full of family there to welcome him? I know what the movies tell us....but was does the bible say? Listen in.

How do you feel about the word "obey"? I have no problem with it, I use it regularly but have also gotten into trouble with it. Maybe a better word is to "adhere" or "follow" rather than the 'O' Word - but the idea is still the same. The real question I want to talk about is:

Are we faithful?
What are we faithful to?
Are will willing to be faithful to God, even if there is a cost? (because there is)

Let me know what you think!

And if it's not too much to ask - will you leave me a review on whatever podcast listener you're using? Thanks so much!

Thank you to all that made it out to our 6th Annual Retreat talking about the Attributes of God (brief recap here).

We have an in person Advent Event through Lifeway coming up Sunday Dec. 1st! Get your ticket HERE - you can get more info on social media or my website.
www.erikamconner.com

Check out the interview with Jennifer Rothschild that I mention HERE

I was blessed to be able to teach at my home church this past weekend, if you'd like to see that message you can watch it HERE.

In preparing for the message, I had to RE-learn and be reminded about many of the truths I got to teach on (isn't that how God works?!). I had to ignore insecurities and obey God and go in Faith. I had to take my eyes off me, and put them back on HIM. In this episode I share the lessons that God taught me through this experience, and I pray they can be a blessing to you.

Reminder there are still spots available for this fall's women's retreat. Head on over to the website for details: www.erikamconner.com

When we get stuck in our own disappointment, the best way out is to shift our gaze. Take it off of ourselves, and put it on God. Get to know Him, and it will change everything.

I've heard this phrase, "yes & amen", for a little while now, and have wondered where it came from and what it means... and as it seems to keep showing up and becoming more popular, I figured it was time to look it up. What do you think it means? Let's talk about it.

I'm so excited for all of you to meet my friend and fellow bible teacher, Laura, hear about her ministry and her NEW book! You can check them out at  her website HERE or on amazon at this link

My home church, Fox River Christian in Waukesha, WI is hosting a High School girls conference November 4th, 2023 called Unshakeable! Laura and I will both be there so grab your high schooler and come with them to this amazing event - its for the girls AND the women who love them. Register HERE and come say Hi to me and Laura - can't wait to see you there.

A short discussion on the fruit of the spirit that I tend to overlook...self-control. AND an invitation for you to join us to refocus on God's work, regain some discipline and intern benefit from the self control---through the 77Discipline Challenge! Listen in for details and join the group on Facebook, we get started next week!

Indulge me! I see so many life lessons while I'm in the garden. That's where I pray, that's where I feel the closest to God, and I believe God designed it that way :) Three metaphors, one main take away - how is your intimacy in your relationship with the Lord?

We will continue to dive into what theology really is, and what it means to us...but in the meantime, what do you think of when you hear the word "theology"? Do you get excited? Or are you disinterested? Maybe even overwhelmed?

I don't really watch the news, there's too much depressing information. What do you do with the 'bad news' of this world? In your own life? What is going on in that head and heart of yours?
Let's look at 1 Peter 4 and talk about being stewards of God's Grace.

Psalm 1 calls on each of us to make a choice to live a life marked by righteousness or wickedness. It points us to the necessity to avoid wickedness and pursue righteousness by "delighting in the law of the Lord" and to "meditate on it day and night."

How do you do with meditating on the law of the Lord day and night? Me, not great. Let's Be Real with ourselves and ask, What DO we meditate on? What DOES delight us? And ask God for help to see those things, set them down, and turn to Him instead.

Information for the Women's Retreat can be found here.

You can join me in person for the Jesus and Women Study by registering here. and get your book ASAP here...

And last but not least, sing along through the Psalms with Poor Bishop Hooper at their website,   https://www.everypsalm.com/

My friend Jessica joins me for this episode to recount her session and talk at this last years #Letthewomenretreat weekend.  
Listen in as we discuss the importance of being in the word as preparation for the spiritual that is SURE to come.

100th Episode - and we are finishing up the Advent Study and talking about biblical Love, and the New Year.
Do you pick a word or goal each year? I picked a word this year, listen in to find out what it is - what is yours?

Merry Christmas Eve! Week 3 of advent (2 weeks ago, because I'm behind) is the week to reflect on Joy. Not circumstantial happiness but a deep Joy that comes only because of Jesus.
How is your Joy? How are you doing? What are you looking at for Joy in your life? Jesus? Or something else?
Let us meditate on our focus this Christmas Eve...

Who doesn't want peace? Do you have it? What is the biblical definition of peace? What do you trade your God-given peace for?  Let's talk about it as we are preparing our hearts this advent season.

If you still want more talk on peace, you can listen to episode #15: "Peace"  as well as episode #34: "Christmas Lights and Christmas Peace".

Week 1 of Advent! Advent is my favorite time of year to study and come together with others to refocus on the season ahead of us. Let's talk about the Hope of Advent. The Hope that is a person, the Hope that is Jesus.

What do you hope in?

We just finished up our 4th Annual Women's Retreat, where we spent our weekend discussing Spiritual Warfare. In this episode, I'm recapping our introduction to the topic and will spend the next few weeks reviewing the lessons from the retreat.
If you couldn't join us this year, I hope you mark your calendars for next week, Sept 22-24, 2023!
There are additional opportunities coming this fall and winter to study together starting with Advent, a study on the book of Acts in January, and a weekend event simulcast of the IF Gathering on March 3&4th!

Stay tuned & follow along; we have lots of great things coming up!

Scatter by Anne Wilson

Get outside today, observe God's nature, meditate on and be awe-struck by the amazing glory that God show's us each and every day and often takes for granted. God's glory need not be taken for granted.

Reading in my favorite devotional this morning, Paul David Tripp's "New Morning Mercies", made me thoughtful about fear and faith. And how we make decisions based on one or the other, that fear really could be considered forgetfulness of God, that we meditate on our own selves, resources and capacities often times, instead of moving forward depending on God and meditating on his faithfulness.

I took a few weeks off to go serve at a summer camp, 'the best camp in the land', and am back recording.  I met Nolan at Northern Grace Youth Camp a few years ago and have had the opportunity to watch him grow in his faith and service to the Lord. Join me in a discussion with Nolan as we talk about serving, what it means to him, why he does, and how he is blessed.

If you are looking for a fantastic Christian summer camp for your kids, visit www.northerngraceyouthcamp.org
If you aren't looking for a camp for your kids, but ARE looking for an opportunity to financially support a wonderful faith based organization, I'm sure they would welcome that too.

The book of Proverbs. It encourages wisdom, knowledge, instruction and the fear of the Lord. What does that look like? How well do we seek knowledge and truth? Do we value these things? Or are we just moving through life?

God his taught me the hard way to evaluate my opinions. To see where they might actually be coming from? And am I actually entitled to them? Join me as we talk about our opinions, it is an interesting idea to meditate on, that is for sure!

I just finished up a 5 week book club at church reading Allie Beth Stuckey's book "you're not enough (and that's okay) Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love". We thoroughly enjoyed the book and had great discussion about some challenging topics.  I give my overall review of the book in this episode and encourage everyone to read it.

The book of Job reminds me how small I really am. How I don't really have any reason to try to fully understand why God does the things He does.  That at times He may have to put me in my place, like He did Job, by asking  'who do you think you are?'. It reminds me that I need to refocus,  shift my thoughts and efforts away from control,  and to focus on how great God is,  who He is, what He has done for me and will continue to do.

How do you do with that? Do you try to understand God in all things? Join me as we briefly talk about what that can look like in our hearts.

Registration opens tomorrow (June 25th) for the 4th Annual "Let The Women Retreat" weekend, where we will be talking about Spiritual Warfare.

You can find the registration page HERE  - I hope you can join us!