The Refuge Podcast with Jennifer Elwood

Do you get excited about books you can’t put down? Me too! In between podcast seasons, I’ll be creating bonus author episodes from time to time to help you find refuge in His Word through new, must-read books to add to your reading stack. This is the first one! My dear friend Stacey March just published her first book, Chosen: The Fire of Intimacy with the Lord of Harvest. I just had to tell you all about it! In this episode, we discussed: Her years-long journey to finish, polish, and publish this book Stacey’s journey of God bringing her into a relationship with greater intimacy than she ever imagined The importance of living with and for Jesus How much we enjoy small, intimate communities of women to cultivate faith The passion and purpose behind her co-ministry with Tabatha Haines at Havar International Check out Stacey’s book Chosen: The Fire of Intimacy with the Lord of Harvest on Amazon.com. Connect with Stacey and grab a copy of her free resource Hard Wired for Friendship (co-authored with Tabatha Haines) at https://havarinternational.com Instagram @stacey_march3 and Facebook @staceymarch Check out the Hey, Var! podcast at https://havarinternational.com/podcast or the video version on YouTube Whether she’s on a stage, behind a mic, or tucked away on her couch in the quiet, Stacey March’s passion is to live in intimate relationship with God and others wherever He calls her to be. She is forever learning to be wife, mom, friend, and lover of the One who saved her life. Intro Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/jonny-boyle/a-little-bit-of-fun

On today's podcast, host Jennifer Elwood reads Scripture to illuminate the bonus gift of peace for Christmas Day. To connect with Jennifer, you can head to her website https://jenniferelwood.com. Sign up for her newsletter to be informed of future podcast seasons! 

The gift of Resurrection, Eternal Life, opens today with guest Tammy Valdivia. After discussing the beauty of candlelight Christmas Eve service, she expounds on what a beautiful gift resurrection is to us, not just because of Christ’s sacrifice, but how we have the privilege of enjoying resurrection in our own lives as we walk in obedience and faith. You can click on these links to connect with Tammy and her ministry endeavors on Facebook & Instagram. Counting Up To Christmas: 24 Gifts from the Gospel of Luke is available on Amazon.com. You can enjoy daily accountability to read a chapter a day of Luke in the Counting Up To Christmas Facebook Group and on Instagram @jenniferelwoodauthor. And you can check out my new collaboration, Counting Up To Christmas in Uganda and the USA: A Recipe & Devotional eBook at https://mailchi.mp/d987f948a94c/seed-of-hope-ebook-fund-raiser. Bio: Walking through a radical transformation 15 years ago, Tammy Valdivia totally realigned her life and mission. She now walks through the highs and lows of life with her eyes firmly fixed on Jesus. Milky coffee, dark chocolate, belly laughs, and deep conversations bring such delight to these earthly days. But nothing thrills her soul more than spurring others on in living vibrantly for Christ.

Today’s gift, Jesus’ Obedience, is opened today by Shiela Daniel. After discussing the annual tradition of reading the biblical account of Jesus’ birth, we talk about how fear and insecurities can impact our steps of obedience to the leading of the Living God. Whatever call you may have on your life, and may be hesitating in, we hope you are encouraged to take a few baby steps. Our prayer for you today is that you will step into the bravery of obeying God when challenges arise. To connect with Sheila, head over to https://www.faithfamilyfriendship.com. You can also connect with her on social media at  https://www.facebook.com/sheiladanielblog and https://www.instagram.com/sheiladanielwrites/.  Her book, Escape and Rescue: A Story About Love, Grace, and Redemption is available at amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.  Counting Up To Christmas: 24 Gifts from the Gospel of Luke is available on Amazon.com. You can enjoy daily accountability to read a chapter a day of Luke in the Counting Up To Christmas Facebook Group and on Instagram @jenniferelwoodauthor. nd you can check out my new collaboration, Counting Up To Christmas in Uganda and the USA: A Recipe & Devotional eBook at https://mailchi.mp/d987f948a94c/seed-of-hope-ebook-fund-raiser. Bio: Sheila Daniel is a wife, a mom, and a Mim. She has been married to her husband, Brad, for thirty-four years, and has had the privilege of homeschooling all five of their children.  Sheila began her public writing journey shortly after joining the “grandma” club six years ago, and recently released her debut novella, Escape and Rescue. When Sheila is not busy with her family or working on her latest writing project, she enjoys blogging at https://www.faithfamilyfriendship.com.

For today’s episode, Jennifer invited her pastor Nate Wright to open the gift of communion. After talking about what a Christmas traditionalist he is, and ponder an illumination of Communion present in sacred art, he unfolds the gift with a lot of heart. Communion is a sacred, wonderful gift that opens so beautifully when shared communally with reverence and appreciation of all Jesus accomplished on the cross. Thank you again to Nate and if you’re in the Yakima Valley and want to connect with our church, check out https://mbcyakima.com. Counting Up To Christmas: 24 Gifts from the Gospel of Luke is available on Amazon.com. You can enjoy daily accountability to read a chapter a day of Luke in the Counting Up To Christmas Facebook Group and on Instagram @jenniferelwoodauthor. And you can check out my new collaboration, Counting Up To Christmas in Uganda and the USA: A Recipe & Devotional eBook at https://mailchi.mp/d987f948a94c/seed-of-hope-ebook-fund-raiser.

On today’s show we have a very special guest: Santa himself! Santa Corky Kinter loves Jesus and opened the gift of our future home by pointing us to our true north star, the light of the world—Jesus. Listen in as we tear up contemplating the amazing gift God sent us in His son. You can keep up to date with Santa Corky and book future virtual and in-person visits on his Facebook Page: @christmasadventureswithsanta and https://www.facebook.com/santa.corky.9 Counting Up To Christmas: 24 Gifts from the Gospel of Luke is available on Amazon.com. You can enjoy daily accountability to read a chapter a day of Luke in the Counting Up To Christmas Facebook Group and on Instagram @jenniferelwoodauthor. And you can check out my new collaboration, Counting Up To Christmas in Uganda and the USA: A Recipe & Devotional eBook at https://mailchi.mp/d987f948a94c/seed-of-hope-ebook-fund-raiser.

I’m so glad author Marcy Bursac could break away from the beauty pageant circuit to help us open the gift of Jesus the Cornerstone. After discussing her tacky Christmas tree and ”Santaur” ornament, she shares how the habit of morning devotionals begins the day for her family on the solid foundation and cornerstone of Christ. Our prayer for us is that we would intentionally connect with the Living God in HIs Word regularly and remember who our secure foundation is: Christ. You can connect with Marcy, her book, Podcast, and socials at https://forgottenadoptionoption.com. Counting Up To Christmas: 24 Gifts from the Gospel of Luke is available on Amazon.com You can enjoy daily accountability to read a chapter a day of Luke in the Counting Up To Christmas Facebook Group and on Instagram @jenniferelwoodauthor. Bio: Adoption was Marcy’s Plan A. While remote schooling her children during the pandemic, Marcy felt compassion for the remaining 120,000 U.S. children who are waiting in foster care to be adopted. So she wrote a book (The Forgotten Adoption Option: A How-To and Self-Reflection Guide for Pursuing Foster Care Adoption), launched a podcast (The Forgotten Adoption Option Podcast), and is on a quest to find forever families as United States of America’s Mrs. Ohio. She is educating the country on who waiting children are and how foster care adoption is the fastest and most affordable way to adopt children with a financial cost of $0 - $2,500 per child.

For today’s episode, Danielle Poorman is here to open the gift of transformation. After discussing their family’s tradition of celebrating the 12 days of Christmas, she walks through how a personal tragedy caused the greatest spiritual transformation she experienced. Our prayer for us is that we keep God’s transformational power at the forefront of our hearts and minds as we experience the ups and downs of the rest of the holiday season. You can connect with Danielle and receive updates about her upcoming devotional and podcast episodes for her Renewing Motherhood ministry at https://daniellehope.com. You can also find her on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest @mrsdaniellehope. Counting Up To Christmas: 24 Gifts from the Gospel of Luke is available on Amazon.com. You can enjoy daily accountability to read a chapter a day of Luke in the Counting Up To Christmas Facebook Group and on Instagram @jenniferelwoodauthor. Bio: Danielle Poorman is wife to an amazing husband of 14 years, mother to two lovely children, and a “once upon a time classroom teacher turned stay at home mom.” Her days are spent teaching my children and drinking plenty of coffee! She wants mothers everywhere to know there is a purpose in what we do. Behind the “picking up,” teaching, training, working, cooking, etc, there is a purpose. There is value and there is virtue. She invites you to join her to walk together and learn from one another along the way and encourage one another to draw closer to God in our motherhood.

Thank you again to Susan Hoekstra for helping us open the gift of humility. After discussing a musical Christmas tradition, we move into discussing three areas requiring humility in our lives: making mistakes, recognizing we are limited, and sin. Our prayer is that we can take a firm grasp onto humility and notice how that can bring a Christ-centered focus to our lives. You can connect with Susan at her website, https://susankhoekstra.com and her book, A Firm Grasp: Feeling Validated in a Notice-Me World is available at Amazon.com. Counting Up To Christmas: 24 Gifts from the Gospel of Luke is available on Amazon.com. You can enjoy daily accountability to read a chapter a day of Luke in the Counting Up To Christmas Facebook Group and on Instagram @jenniferelwoodauthor. And you can check out my new collaboration, Counting Up To Christmas in Uganda and the USA: A Recipe & Devotional eBook at https://mailchi.mp/d987f948a94c/seed-of-hope-ebook-fund-raiser. Bio: Susan Hoekstra is a musician, lay counselor, author, song-writer, speaker, ministry leader, and host of THE NOTICE Podcast. She started A FIRM GRASP Ministries to encourage others to gain a firm grasp on God's mercy, leading them to notice the way God notices. She has been featured in Just Between Us magazine and Christian Devotions. Her book A FIRM GRASP: Feeling Validated in a Notice-Me World explores our need for acknowledgment and approval and how the God of mercy satisfies! Sharing her diverse testimony and encouraging others towards a deeper understanding of God's mercy is her passion.

I loved opening the gift of preparation with my sister Danae Weber! Listen in as we lament the lack of Christmas PJs growing up, and discuss the important of preparing our heart, minds—and expectations—for Christmas Day. Our prayer for you is that no matter what Christmas looks like for you this year that your expectations are Christ-centered. You can follow Danae on Instagram Counting Up To Christmas: 24 Gifts from the Gospel of Luke is available on Amazon.com. You can enjoy daily accountability to read a chapter a day of Luke in the Counting Up To Christmas Facebook Group and on Instagram @jenniferelwoodauthor. And you can check out my new collaboration, Counting Up To Christmas in Uganda and the USA: A Recipe & Devotional eBook at https://mailchi.mp/d987f948a94c/seed-of-hope-ebook-fund-raiser. Bio: Danae Weber lives in Yakima, WA and is a special education K-5 teacher. Her daughter Gracie is 11 years old (who by the way was very involved in the production of my Christmas devotional book.) When she has free time, she enjoys reading and playing the ukulele. She also loves studying the Bible and growing in her relationship with God.