Courageous Radiance

How to Enjoy a Lasting Marriage: Christ-made Soulmates

Marriage is not easy. Do you ever get tired of hearing this? It can be energy stealing for those married, and become the boogeyman for those whom are single. Either way it’s both deflating and accurate at the same time. The reality is, a season may be upon your marriage, or up ahead, that is going to test what your marriage is built on. There are many false beliefs about marriage and soulmates, and I was foolish enough to believe that there was some other guy out there that would do a better job at being my spouse than my husband. This is a lie that the enemy is baiting you with, and facilitating you to believe. A great marriage will never just “poof” appear, like Cinderella’s evening gown transformed. A good stable marriage has to be worked at.Have you removed divorce from the table? Do you have a vision for where your marriage is heading?What substance, or what’s the “guts” (sorry, ICU nurse here) of your marriage?Thanks for joining today as we discuss another part of John 4, the Woman at the Well. Don’t forget, if you have not yet, to subscribe and share with at least one other person. Thanks for listeningBrittany💜#getanchored#bossyourcross

Don’t Panic, Hide!

In the Midwest, I grew up undergoing tornado drills as. In school, we were trained, for this specific weather hazard, to hide under our desks for safety during a storm. Life has storms. Season by season, the journey of our lives are unpredictable and we are not in control. But, in Christ Jesus, we have safety through our intentional surrender. Colossians 3:1-3, our lives ended at the point of salvation, and began again in Christ. We are hidden in Christ, and manifest through Him. So, in the many life unknowns, remember that you are secure within the chaos, and that there is no need to panic! Please subscribe to stay current with new episodes and share this podcast with at least one other lady you may know! Thanks for listening!

It Didn’t Take All of That

No better way than to title this episode! I could say “How to Be Complete” or “Road to a Full Life.” But, what better than to call out what should not be. I went the difficult way in my decisions and I chose rebellion over Gods authority and surrender. Why? I was looking for a source without knowing the Source. John 4, the Samaritan Woman at the well is me, but back then. She was rejected, an outcast, and she was looking for security, love and worth but in all the wrong ways. How many times does the Holy Spirit whisper to you an invitation to take a narrow, yet protected and guided path, and you decide the wide and more easily traveled road? With good intentions, we think we know what is better for us, yet we often regret our choices. I am so grateful for the love and acceptance of a Savior that came for me, in my pit, and helped me find His way, which was better for me all along. Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share this station!

How to Stay Ambitious (Part 2)

This podcast is on my YouTube channel and the video can be viewed on the blog as well. We jump into another week on the podcast and blog with the second part to a discussion from last week.

Get Determined (Part 1)

God tests our hearts, in which our ambitions and interests are scrutinized under the magnifying lens of His will for our lives. We are given the opportunity to manage and oversee titles in our work places, homes and in the lives of others. God has given us assignments and work to do. But, when our plate is full with many things we both have to do and/or enjoy, what takes precedence over the other? How do you spread yourself in multiple directions?1 Thessalonians 2:4 - our first ambition is to work diligently for the Lord and not to please others. Our first alliance is not even to be consumed with ourselves, Mark 8:34-35, but to live surrendered and as disciples of Christ. Both this week and next, let’s talk and encourage one another to assess and reorient, if necessary, our Godly ambitions.

When Self-Reliance Fails: God Empowered

In John 21 we can read the account of Jesus's encounter with His disciples after His death and resurrection; He came back prior to His ascension and we find Him visiting those grieving His loss. His disciples returned back to their status quo, and went to do what they knew best pre-Jesus. Their hobby of fishing was a way to get their minds off their distress that Christ left and with no clear direction as to what to do next. Experienced fishermen had trouble fishing, all night they fished and caught nothing. Yet, when Jesus appears, and gives them some tips as to where to place their nets, immediately they are overtaken by fish; more fish than they can even bear. What happened different that had not already been tried pre-Jesus’s appearance?In Deuteronomy 1, the rebellion of the Israelites is recounted by Moses, and he reminds them that their wilderness journey was exacerbated because they would not humble themselves under the mighty hand of God. Their journey across the wilderness, from Horeb to Kadesh-Barnea SHOULD have been 11 days, but because of their disbelief and rebellion, God’s punishment was to leave them for a lifetime in the wilderness and not allowing them into the promise land. How disappointing! To be promised a future, but it is beyond the realm of belief. God would not allow them into this new land, yet they were determined to go anyways. They were insistent on making their own way and success into the new land without the presence and power of God. Friends, this is a dangerous and burdensome spiritual, mental and emotional place to be; without the power of Christ in our lives. Where is He asking or inviting us to cast our nets? Where is He wanting to fill in the gap? Our power is in Him going before us, securing around and covering from behind. Self-sufficiency, in the realm of our relationship with God, is a paradox. Surrender and humility is when we unlock God’s empowerment.

How to Keep All the Pieces Together

Got life crazy? What about busy, on top of busy? Can you relate to the lurking feeling of not measuring up? In the busy, chaos and demanding expectations on every side, God is whispering profound wisdom. But, you cannot hear Him because He will not compete with the noise in your life. Imagine, there is a trusted life route, whether we want it or not, that is being governed by a faithful and loving God, yet we don’t consult His Sovereignty or pause to consider His wisdom. In Psalm 46, God’s Sovereignty is the basis by which all things are held together. No matter how much is going on around or within our lives, He is our safe zone. In Christ, our peace and sanity are secure. In our times of busy, or inability to focus, God encourages us to “be still…” and to be strengthened by Him. For my busy moms, I understand the trenches, for the working women, I am with you on the level of busy brewing, and for the wives that are trying to be all she can be, listen I get it. But, God is still, in spite, calling for us all to elevate Him as our first things first. I want to encourage us all to start telling our busy, that God is first. Once we get aligned with Him, He will keep the rest in order. 💜

When Plans are Deferred-Altered Dreams

Self-Denial is arguably one of the most identifying characteristics of a disciple of Christ. As Christ followers, we are invited to a blueprint that Christ outlined as the way to best prosper as well as to reflect Him; John 12:23-27 depicts a passage that Jesus is teaching and preparing His disciples how to live.Let’s be honest, we all make plans and have beautiful dreams that may be very well meaning and even for others. Our lives are filled with hope to achieve great things and to live out our fullest lives. Jesus endorses us to be our best version and to embrace a life full of excellence, however He spins it a bit. Christ actually says that the road to success is not just in the dream making, it is in following Him and denying ourselves. Wait Jesus?! I cannot be hearing you correctly. These plans are for you, these dreams are God honoring and for others. Even in all that truth, if it’s foundation is not in full surrender to Him than there cannot be a God pleasing success on the other side of it. Jesus explains, our lives must model the Guide. This is a very difficult task! Do you ensure that God is pleased in your achievements? Do you accept His “yes, go” equal to His “no, wait”? Let’s jump into another discussion on the podcast about when dreams are broken or deferred. Thanks for joining! 💜

Can You Hear Me Now? Listening & Doing!

I have so many plans, maybe you can relate. When your schedule is full, work is busy, life and family demand a lot from you, what do you prioritize as “non-negotiable”? Have you guarded your time with God? Are there any time blocks that are centered around your listening for the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Our connection with Christ is a two-lane highway. We have a big part in managing the consistency and showing up. Do you show up? With no agenda.Simple obedience was modeled in the life of Christ. Abraham sacrificed his plan and comforts when God told him to kill Isaac; I’m the name of obedience. Application:1) When can you time block and carve out time for God? Consistently.2) Are you willing to listen and obey whatever He invites you to do?Thank you for listening! 💜

The Bridge called Obedience

This week we are reading in 1 Samuel 15 to understand and apply to our current everyday mishaps of faithfulness to our rational rather than trusting God’s plan and direction. In the chaos of today. With the fear based, anxiety driving conversations and in discomfort, I pray that you will double and triple check with the leading of the Holy Spirit. God honors obedience. No matter what time or money sacrifices have been made, if it is not in His leading, therefore His empowerment…you’re sailing to your own island, on a boat with one paddle. The safest place, in every season, circumstance and difficult valley and high mountain top is His will. Obey when it’s the hardest. Trust when you feel like you can’t anymore. He will strengthen you. He helps us in our weakness when our devotion is undeniably written over our hearts, even when we do not get it right all the time.Thank you for listening!