The Love Offering

What if my hope only leads to disappointment? What if I embrace joy only to have it ripped from my hands? What if my celebration is the cause of others' sadness? What if my joy takes me away from the God I knew so well in my pain?Author and marriage and family therapist Nicole Zasowski knows what it's like to take a blow that makes it difficult to look to the future with expectation and ask herself these questions. Yet, as she found the courage to celebrate, she discovered God is as present in our joy as He is in our pain.Yes, God's purpose for us is worked out in our struggles. But what if it is also worked out in our dreams and our delighted joy? In What If It's Wonderful? Nicole helps you:▫️overcome the fears that keep you from looking toward the future with joy;▫️let go of the lies you've believed about happiness and embrace celebration as a part of spiritual growth;▫️approach life with an expectant heart and courage to trust God's good gifts. With a psychological and spiritual case for celebrating, Nicole challenges you to let go of the habit of practicing disappointment and fully embrace joy, beckoning you to ask yourself a new question: What if it's wonderful?“This week’s love offering is to give affirmation. Express your thanksgiving and gratitude for others in your life.”Connect with Nicole:https://www.nicolezasowski.comSupport the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Internationally bestselling author Francine Rivers is on the show today sharing the impact of a story and about God’s redeeming love. Francine had a successful writing career in the general market for several years becoming a born-again Christian; she then wrote Redeeming Love as her statement of faith. A retelling of the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea set during the time of the California Gold Rush, Redeeming Love is now considered by many to be a classic work of Christian fiction and it continues to be one of the industry’s top-selling titles year after year. Since Redeeming Love, Francine has published numerous bestselling novels with Christian themes—including The Masterpiece, Bridge to Haven, and A Voice in the Wind —and she has continued to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the world. Francine and her husband live in Northern California and enjoy time spent with their grown children and grandchildren. She uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord, and she desires that through her work she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is doing in her life.“Be a love offering by allowing God to live through you. He makes all of us unique. Allow God to shine through you wherever you are.” Connect with Francine:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrancineRivers Twitter: https://twitter.com/FrancineRivers Website: www.FrancineRivers.comSupport the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A true story about making the most of your one incredible life–With an overwhelming mix of pride, excitement, and terror, Stacey and her children held hands and watched the rocket ignite and lift off for a nine-month mission to the International Space Station.This is the story of the astronaut’s wife—a journey full of unexpected twists and turns. While her husband orbited the Earth, Stacey was about to embark on a knock-your-socks-off adventure right here at home. Experience this deeply meaningful season with Stacey—full of unique challenges and surreal opportunities—and discover rich lessons in:▫️preparing for any mission or adventure life throws at youtrusting God when you feel weak or alone▫️rediscovering your fun side when you’ve been trapped in survival mode too long▫️choosing hope in the face of fear and uncertaintyContaining behind-the-scenes glimpses into a side of space flight that most will never experience, Stacey shares a funny, poignant, and meaningful exploration of living life to the fullest—no matter where you roam.To be a love offering: “There are so many scary things in the world. The best thing we can be right now is something different. Let’s offer hope. Every day is one step closer to something new.”Connect with Stacey:@staceymorgan2000www.staceymorgan2000.comSupport the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

To ask for help feels like defeat. Yet when we try to do life all by our own strength, we end up depleted, lonely, and ineffective. Heather MacFadyen wants you to know that you are not meant to go it alone. She's on the show sharing how we can be empowered by God, supported by others, and connect in our relationships. With encouragement and insight, she helps you foster the key relationships you need to be the woman you want to be.“Love one another is a command. Love one another as I have loved you. He did so with strength and vulnerability. If you are going to follow His command we must be willing to bravely be vulnerable too.”Connect with Heather:https://dontmomalone.com@dontmomaloneSupport the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Two's company, especially for those who love each other. So what happens when--due to retirement, working from home, or even running a business together--spouses find that being in the same space all the time is awkward, complex, annoying, and just plain challenging? How can partners co-exist without co-exhausting each other? Cynthia Ruchti and Becky Melby have written Spouse in the House. They know all too well how adjusting to a new, all-the-time closeness can cause the bliss of marriage to form blisters. Drawing from their experiences, and from men and women across the country in the same situation, they take a deep breath and dive into the root causes of the discomfort. Join us in today’s episode as Cynthia digs into the ways God's Word addresses the topic, and offers practical tips for learning the spiritual, emotional, relational, and even physical steps that can help us replace irritation with peace. To be a love offering: “Have an attitude that keeps investing in making your relationships better. Here I am Lord. Show me today how to show love to this man I live with.”Connect with Cynthia:www.cynthiaruchti.comwww.hemmedinhope.comSupport the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As believers, we often struggle to let go of the things that keep us from reaching out to God. Valerie Woerner is on the show today teaching us that we don't have to limp through our prayer lives carrying the weight of every distraction. We can learn to pray boldly to the God of the universe who is beckoning us to come sit with him, share our needs and our hearts, and simply know him. Prayer invites action into our lives by the God who is more powerful than we are on our own. What weights do we need to take off so they don’t hold us back from a deeper conversation with God? What distractions are holding us back from running freely with our Father? Let’s get rid of the burdens that are suffocating our prayer lives and leaving us gasping for Jesus so we can experience true joy in prayer that we never thought possible. Because, ultimately, prayer changes everything. A vibrant, unstuck prayer life can begin for you right now.“We can love other people by lifting people up in prayer.”Connect with Valerie:www.valmariepaper.comPrayer in a Noisy World podcastSupport the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Unfortunately, many people have a shallow, superficial idea of what marriage is. As a result, many marriages don’t last, and many more married couples are trudging along looking for something more. Love Like You Mean It gives husbands and wives a biblical understanding of what real love looks like in marriage by unpacking the ten attributes of genuine love listed in 1 Corinthians 13. Bob Lepine, marriage and family expert and host of the nationally syndicated radio program FamilyLife Today, is on the show today helping husbands and wives discover that it’s not primarily emotions that define marital love, but actions and decisions that fuel emotions and cause marital love to grow. “We can be love offerings by realizing our biggest issue is our addiction to self. Today is not about me. It is about serving God and serving others. That is my mission. Not my agenda, but God’s agenda puts us into position to be a love offering.”Connect with Bob:www.familylifetoday.comwww.redeemerlr.orgSupport the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The enemy wants to steal and destroy your destiny, but you've already been made victorious in Jesus Christ. Now is the time, master the skills needed to defend your territory and walk in your full destiny by becoming a Victory Girl. Amy Elaine Martinez is on the show today helping us to:Suit up for battle, get your brave on, and walk in confidence as a warrior of victory.Pray with power, authority, and accuracy, hitting the mark every time by mastering the Art of the Aim.Stake, claim, and keep the territory you’ve conquered while staking your claim in The Kingdom. Bask in the bounty of the battle as you take back what the enemy’s stolen. After this episode we pray you are more confident about your spiritual inheritance and spiritual identity and know Who’s really fighting your battles. As you battle to become who God made you to be and start believing in His Word, you’ll begin to see yourself as a Victory Girl.“To be a love offering be the person you needed. Love like you needed to be loved.”Connect with Amy Elaine:www.amyelaine.com@amyelainewritesSupport the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

It is so hard to juggle work, home, and spiritual life. How can we be effective in our work, and stay committed to the Gospel? How can we be dedicated to our family, when our jobs are so demanding? Why are we working so hard, and still so unfulfilled? We see a culture that promotes success at all costs, and working women are falling for it. It's happening every day. Priorities are shifting. Things are getting done . . . but are we doing what matters most? She Works His Way founders Somer Phoebus and Michelle Myers are on the show today telling the story of how they traded the lies of the world for the truth of our loving Father--the lessons they learned that challenged culture's "good things" so they could find the greatest thing. Join us for a conversation that pushes back against our culture with a Gospel-centered approach to work and womanhood, for the glory of God and the good of others. Let's get to work. His way.“You have to consider Jesus and then practice His presence.” Somer Phoebus“Love is the verb that keeps the church in check. Love is a decision and choice. If you want to increase your significance, increase your love.” Michelle Myers Connect:Sheworkshisway.com@sheworkshiswaySupport the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We were made for connection with other women. Yet too often our friendships are marked by drama, competition, betrayal, or unforgiveness. We can cause one another deep pain, creating wounds in need of healing, when what we really long to do is cheer each other on and fulfill our God-breathed purpose--together. Andi Andrew is on the show today helping us to navigate the complications that can come in friendships with other women. Join us as she empowers you to do the work by first facing yourself and untangling the mess, then seeking reconciliation for genuine connection. You can build healthy, authentic friendships, even when it's been painful or complicated in the past. “To be a love offering is when we think about what we need and hope someone would do for us and how we can do that same thing for someone else.”Connect with Andi:www.andiandrew.com@andiandrewSupport the Show: https://rachaelkadams.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.