The Messy Table with Jenn Jewell

How does someone survive unspeakable loss? How does a marriage push through impossible pain? How can a person still find hope in the face of their worst nightmare? Levi + Jennie Lusko, founders and pastors of Fresh Life Church, are all too familiar with tragedy—losing their five-year-old daughter, Lenya, to a fatal asthma attack just a few days before Christmas in 2012. Yet their faith is shockingly stronger and sweeter than ever before. Today at The Messy Table, Amy Groeschel and I are chatting with Jennie about her journey through grief, as well as her unshakeable hope and the not-so-far-off reality of heaven. Jennie is warm and gracious, offering her unique vantage point and refining our own eternal perspectives. Join us! [ FULL CONVERSATION NOTES + RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.JENNJEWELL.COM/EPISODE-49-JENNIE-LUSKO ]

Who else could use a fresh perspective on this chilly day in January?! I know I could. Today at The Messy Table, Kat Robinson and I are chatting with the wise and charming Germaine Mowery. Germaine is a homeschooling mama of five who, with her husband Monty, has been living and serving in Asia for nearly two decades. In this episode, Germaine is unveiling what home + hospitality has meant for her family as expats in a foreign land, as well as the universal truths that transcend the limits of location. "What am I doing today to lead my kids to the cross; to lead them to know Christ better and love him more?" —Germaine Mowery This conversation is fascinating, y'all. I can't wait for you to hear it. Grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and join us at The Messy Table! [FULL CONVERSATION NOTES + RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND AT JENNJEWELL.COM/EPISODE-48-GERMAINE-MOWERY]

Who else could use a fresh perspective on this chilly day in January?! I know I could. Today at The Messy Table, Kat Robinson and I are chatting with the wise and charming Germaine Mowery. Germaine is a homeschooling mama of five who, with her husband Monty, has been living and serving in Asia for nearly two decades. In this episode, Germaine is unveiling what home + hospitality has meant for her family as expats in a foreign land, as well as the universal truths that transcend the limits of location. "What am I doing today to lead my kids to the cross; to lead them to know Christ better and love him more?" —Germaine Mowery This conversation is fascinating, y'all. I can't wait for you to hear it. Grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and join us at The Messy Table! [FULL CONVERSATION NOTES + RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND AT JENNJEWELL.COM/EPISODE-48-GERMAINE-MOWERY]

Have you found yourself overwhelmed by heavy disappointment, heartbreaking betrayal, or excruciating loss? Have you quietly wondered if God is still good? If so, you're not alone. Today's guest at The Messy Table is bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa TerKeurst. In this episode, Lysa is chatting with Amy Groeschel and I about writing her latest book from real life in the ugly trenches. It's Not Supposed to Be This Way bleeds more than mere words—offering a lifeline of hope for those shattered by disappointment. "It takes just as much energy to be bitter as it does to let God make this a story of beauty."  Lysa TerKeurst Could you use a dose of encouragement today? Tag a friend/sister/coworker on Instagram and you'll both be entered to win Lysa's book. Plus, Grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and join us at The Messy Table!

Have you found yourself overwhelmed by heavy disappointment, heartbreaking betrayal, or excruciating loss? Have you quietly wondered if God is still good? If so, you're not alone. Today's guest at The Messy Table is bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa TerKeurst. In this episode, Lysa is chatting with Amy Groeschel and I about writing her latest book from real life in the ugly trenches. It's Not Supposed to Be This Way bleeds more than mere words—offering a lifeline of hope for those shattered by disappointment. "It takes just as much energy to be bitter as it does to let God make this a story of beauty."  Lysa TerKeurst Could you use a dose of encouragement today? Tag a friend/sister/coworker on Instagram and you'll both be entered to win Lysa's book. Plus, Grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and join us at The Messy Table!

Haaaaaaappy New Year, friends! We're running into 2019 with guns a'blazing as we kickoff a brand new season and episode at The Messy Table—an ordinary space for real women, imperfect stories, and the God who's at work in our mess. My guest today is Kara-Kae James—a sweet friend from those good ol' college days at Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes)! She's the Executive Director of Thrive Moms, a pastor's wife, and the bio + adoptive mama of four beautiful kids. Plus, she's launching her book baby into the world on THIS VERY DAY—Mom Up! "Motherhood is about thriving in the abundant life that Jesus Christ offers us." —Kara-Kae James Kara-Kae has journeyed from feeling stuck in survival mode to thriving with grace in the chaos of motherhood. Regardless of your status or season, this down-to-earth chat will leave you challenged and encouraged!

Haaaaaaappy New Year, friends! We're running into 2019 with guns a'blazing as we kickoff a brand new season and episode at The Messy Table—an ordinary space for real women, imperfect stories, and the God who's at work in our mess. My guest today is Kara-Kae James—a sweet friend from those good ol' college days at Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes)! She's the Executive Director of Thrive Moms, a pastor's wife, and the bio + adoptive mama of four beautiful kids. Plus, she's launching her book baby into the world on THIS VERY DAY—Mom Up! "Motherhood is about thriving in the abundant life that Jesus Christ offers us." —Kara-Kae James Kara-Kae has journeyed from feeling stuck in survival mode to thriving with grace in the chaos of motherhood. Regardless of your status or season, this down-to-earth chat will leave you challenged and encouraged!

How do you respond to stress? Do you jump into "busy mode," retreat in isolation, scream at the top of your lungs, or keep calm and carry on? Today at The Messy Table, Cindy Beall and I are chatting with the lovely Tiffany Cooper. Tiffany is a pastor's wife, mama of four, and co-founder of People's Church with her hubby, Herbert Cooper. In this episode, Tiffany's sharing how she's responded both poorly and productively to messy seasons of life, and some wisdom she's gained along the way. "If you don't quit, you win," she encourages the gal who's ready to give up. This is the grand finale for 2018, friends, and we are grateful for YOU. From our messy table to yours, we want to wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! FOR FULL CONVERSATION NOTES, VISIT WWW.JENNJEWELL.COM/EPISODE-45-TIFFANY-COOPER

How do you respond to stress? Do you jump into "busy mode," retreat in isolation, scream at the top of your lungs, or keep calm and carry on? Today at The Messy Table, Cindy Beall and I are chatting with the lovely Tiffany Cooper. Tiffany is a pastor's wife, mama of four, and co-founder of People's Church with her hubby, Herbert Cooper. In this episode, Tiffany's sharing how she's responded both poorly and productively to messy seasons of life, and some wisdom she's gained along the way. "If you don't quit, you win," she encourages the gal who's ready to give up. This is the grand finale for 2018, friends, and we are grateful for YOU. From our messy table to yours, we want to wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! FOR FULL CONVERSATION NOTES, VISIT WWW.JENNJEWELL.COM/EPISODE-45-TIFFANY-COOPER

Well, Thanksgiving is officially over and the Christmas season is here! But as my wise friend, Andra Pinkston, points out on today's episode at The Messy Table: "We spend the next month overspending, overeating, and overcommitting ourselves—then we expect to fix it all in January." But, instead, what if we put ourselves on the offensive vs. the defensive? What if we prepare our hearts + minds to create life-giving boundaries, pursue financial freedom, and still cultivate a meaningful Christmas without breaking the bank? As Andra said: "Jesus' sacrifice was too great for us to live an enslaved life." Andra is a pastor's wife, boy-mama of three, work-from-home CPA, and a homeschooling mastermind. She and her husband, Greg, have weathered the narrow path to becoming debt-free, and she's generously sharing some of her learned insight with us today. Y'all, I love this chat and I love, love, love her. So pop in those earbuds, grab your peppermint mocha, and join us at The Messy Table! [FOR FULL CONVERSATION NOTES + RESOURCES, VISIT WWW.JENNJEWELL.COM/EPISODE-44-ANDRA-PINKSTON]

Well, Thanksgiving is officially over and the Christmas season is here! But as my wise friend, Andra Pinkston, points out on today's episode at The Messy Table: "We spend the next month overspending, overeating, and overcommitting ourselves—then we expect to fix it all in January." But, instead, what if we put ourselves on the offensive vs. the defensive? What if we prepare our hearts + minds to create life-giving boundaries, pursue financial freedom, and still cultivate a meaningful Christmas without breaking the bank? As Andra said: "Jesus' sacrifice was too great for us to live an enslaved life." Andra is a pastor's wife, boy-mama of three, work-from-home CPA, and a homeschooling mastermind. She and her husband, Greg, have weathered the narrow path to becoming debt-free, and she's generously sharing some of her learned insight with us today. Y'all, I love this chat and I love, love, love her. So pop in those earbuds, grab your peppermint mocha, and join us at The Messy Table! [FOR FULL CONVERSATION NOTES + RESOURCES, VISIT WWW.JENNJEWELL.COM/EPISODE-44-ANDRA-PINKSTON]

No need for coffee today, friends—our favorite Aussie is in the house! When Christine Caine was recently in town, pouring wisdom into our Life.Church staff + spouses, as well as speaking to our entire church, Amy Groeschel and I got to steal her away for a face-to-face chat at The Messy Table. Y'ALL. If you want some tools to help you LIVE UNASHAMED from guilt + condemnation, if you want permission to RUN UNAPOLOGETICALLY into your God-given purpose—this episode is for you! Note: Exclusive confessions and book-giveaway details are toward the end, so don't sell yourself short. We're so grateful for the integrity, humility, and perseverance of both Chris and Nick. We're thankful for their ministries: A21, Propel Women, Zoe Church. I've already submitted a request to be their neighbor in heaven. We know you'll be so blessed by this episode, so pull up a chair and join us! [ FULL CONVERSATION NOTES: WWW.JENNJEWELL.COM/EPISODE-43-CHRISTINE-CAINE ]

No need for coffee today, friends—our favorite Aussie is in the house! When Christine Caine was recently in town, pouring wisdom into our Life.Church staff + spouses, as well as speaking to our entire church, Amy Groeschel and I got to steal her away for a face-to-face chat at The Messy Table. Y'ALL. If you want some tools to help you LIVE UNASHAMED from guilt + condemnation, if you want permission to RUN UNAPOLOGETICALLY into your God-given purpose—this episode is for you! Note: Exclusive confessions and book-giveaway details are toward the end, so don't sell yourself short. We're so grateful for the integrity, humility, and perseverance of both Chris and Nick. We're thankful for their ministries: A21, Propel Women, Zoe Church. I've already submitted a request to be their neighbor in heaven. We know you'll be so blessed by this episode, so pull up a chair and join us! [ FULL CONVERSATION NOTES: WWW.JENNJEWELL.COM/EPISODE-43-CHRISTINE-CAINE ]

Some goodbyes are expected and necessary, while others are abrupt and excruciating. At one point or another, we've all faced goodbye—to a season, relationship, or dream. In this soul-piercing episode at The Messy Table Podcast, Rachel Leslie is sharing her perspective on embracing goodbye. Goodbye to a fabricated perfection and filtered dreams. Goodbye to striving for God's approval instead of basking in His grace. And a heart-wrenching goodbye like no other—to her precious daughter, Audrey Claire, who graced this world for 81 days. Though it's not goodbye forever, it is goodbye for now. Yet Audrey's legacy, through her mama's words, somehow gives us a glimpse into heaven, a spark of clarity, and the vital reminder that this world is not our home. FOR FULL CONVERSATION NOTES + RESOURCES, VISIT WWW.JENNJEWELL.COM/EPISODE-42-RACHEL-LESLIE

Some goodbyes are expected and necessary, while others are abrupt and excruciating. At one point or another, we've all faced goodbye—to a season, relationship, or dream. In this soul-piercing episode at The Messy Table Podcast, Rachel Leslie is sharing her perspective on embracing goodbye. Goodbye to a fabricated perfection and filtered dreams. Goodbye to striving for God's approval instead of basking in His grace. And a heart-wrenching goodbye like no other—to her precious daughter, Audrey Claire, who graced this world for 81 days. Though it's not goodbye forever, it is goodbye for now. Yet Audrey's legacy, through her mama's words, somehow gives us a glimpse into heaven, a spark of clarity, and the vital reminder that this world is not our home. FOR FULL CONVERSATION NOTES + RESOURCES, VISIT WWW.JENNJEWELL.COM/EPISODE-42-RACHEL-LESLIE