The Messy Table with Jenn Jewell

There's just something about honest conversation and real-life stories that gets into our souls, exposes an inner courage, and spurs us on toward hope. And today's episode with Meryl George is no exception! Meryl is the wife of Alan George (our favorite Church Online pastor), a biological + adoptive mama of three, an intricate part of of our Operations Team at Life.Church, an avid foodie, and simply a one-of-a-kind woman. We're covering a wide range of important topics in this chat, from work/home "balance" (which isn't a real thing, by the way) to adoption to depression to aging parents to personal health struggles to finding purpose in this beautiful mess called life. We're so grateful for Meryl's voice at The Messy Table, and we'd love for you to join us!

There's just something about honest conversation and real-life stories that gets into our souls, exposes an inner courage, and spurs us on toward hope. And today's episode with Meryl George is no exception! Meryl is the wife of Alan George (our favorite Church Online pastor), a biological + adoptive mama of three, an intricate part of of our Operations Team at Life.Church, an avid foodie, and simply a one-of-a-kind woman. We're covering a wide range of important topics in this chat, from work/home "balance" (which isn't a real thing, by the way) to adoption to depression to aging parents to personal health struggles to finding purpose in this beautiful mess called life. We're so grateful for Meryl's voice at The Messy Table, and we'd love for you to join us!

Life can disappoint us. People can hurt us. Health can abandon us. The unknown can scare us. Waiting can annoy us. Striving can discourage us. Perfection can paralyze us. But there's an anchor for our souls that never fails. Lauren Chandler is a pastor's wife, mom of three, author, song writer, horse lover, and worship leader who is no stranger to unexpected storms or overwhelming waves. From facing her husband's brain cancer to admitting her addiction to people-pleasing and perfection, Lauren has learned to cling to the unchanging, unfading, steadfast love of the Lord. "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" Psalms 107:1 Lauren is wise, humble, and so down-to-earth, which is exactly why this conversation feels like a warm cup of coffee in your favorite chair. Amy Groeschel and I absolutely loved chatting with her. So pop in your earbuds, pull up a chair, and join us at The Messy Table!

Life can disappoint us. People can hurt us. Health can abandon us. The unknown can scare us. Waiting can annoy us. Striving can discourage us. Perfection can paralyze us. But there's an anchor for our souls that never fails. Lauren Chandler is a pastor's wife, mom of three, author, song writer, horse lover, and worship leader who is no stranger to unexpected storms or overwhelming waves. From facing her husband's brain cancer to admitting her addiction to people-pleasing and perfection, Lauren has learned to cling to the unchanging, unfading, steadfast love of the Lord. "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" Psalms 107:1 Lauren is wise, humble, and so down-to-earth, which is exactly why this conversation feels like a warm cup of coffee in your favorite chair. Amy Groeschel and I absolutely loved chatting with her. So pop in your earbuds, pull up a chair, and join us at The Messy Table!

Have you ever made plans in your head, but they didn't play out as you hoped? Have you ever been defined by the world's labels or even your own mistakes—instead of by God? Y'all, Jillian Zavacky has BEEN THERE and is vulnerably sharing her story with us today at The Messy Table! Jillian is the LifeGroups/LifeMissions Project Leader at one of our Life.Church locations, as well as a kitty mama, bold writer, loyal friend, and lover of God's Word. At 32 and single, she's sharing what it's meant for God to redefine EVERYTHING about her, even His purpose in her singleness. She wants to encourage you: Don't waste your season—whatever that season is! Don't do this crazy life alone! Instead of striving, choose surrender! Instead of listening to the lies of the enemy, let God REDEEM + REDEFINE you for His glory! If that doesn't get you fired up, you might need to check your pulse. So grab (or reheat) your coffee, pull up a chair, and join us at The Messy Table!

Have you ever made plans in your head, but they didn't play out as you hoped? Have you ever been defined by the world's labels or even your own mistakes—instead of by God? Y'all, Jillian Zavacky has BEEN THERE and is vulnerably sharing her story with us today at The Messy Table! Jillian is the LifeGroups/LifeMissions Project Leader at one of our Life.Church locations, as well as a kitty mama, bold writer, loyal friend, and lover of God's Word. At 32 and single, she's sharing what it's meant for God to redefine EVERYTHING about her, even His purpose in her singleness. She wants to encourage you: Don't waste your season—whatever that season is! Don't do this crazy life alone! Instead of striving, choose surrender! Instead of listening to the lies of the enemy, let God REDEEM + REDEFINE you for His glory! If that doesn't get you fired up, you might need to check your pulse. So grab (or reheat) your coffee, pull up a chair, and join us at The Messy Table!

Anyone else like being in control? I know I do! But what happens when life spirals out of your grasp and you're left with more questions than answers? What happens when the rubber meets the road—when your faith smashes into your reality? Today, Cindy Beall and I are chatting with our friend, Nicole Knox, who's weathered many seasons of illness and unknown. Yet she still clings to hope. There's much to learn from this pastor's wife, mama of five, and joy-filled encourager. So grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and join us at The Messy Table!

Anyone else like being in control? I know I do! But what happens when life spirals out of your grasp and you're left with more questions than answers? What happens when the rubber meets the road—when your faith smashes into your reality? Today, Cindy Beall and I are chatting with our friend, Nicole Knox, who's weathered many seasons of illness and unknown. Yet she still clings to hope. There's much to learn from this pastor's wife, mama of five, and joy-filled encourager. So grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and join us at The Messy Table!

I have been anxiously awaiting this episode, y'all! Not only are we kicking off the fall semester at The Messy Table Podcast, but this conversation is particularly special to me because Robin Wall was MY mentor growing up, as well as an example + resource for me still today. Robin is the wife of Chris Wall, mama to three nearly-grown kids, an elementary music teacher (hello, Teacher of the Year!), and simply one of the wisest women I know. We're chatting all about mentoring, motherhood, and how an awkward situation ignited a rekindled passion for creating wise boundaries in which strong marriages can thrive. You're going to love it... and her. So pop in those earbuds and join us!

I have been anxiously awaiting this episode, y'all! Not only are we kicking off the fall semester at The Messy Table Podcast, but this conversation is particularly special to me because Robin Wall was MY mentor growing up, as well as an example + resource for me still today. Robin is the wife of Chris Wall, mama to three nearly-grown kids, an elementary music teacher (hello, Teacher of the Year!), and simply one of the wisest women I know. We're chatting all about mentoring, motherhood, and how an awkward situation ignited a rekindled passion for creating wise boundaries in which strong marriages can thrive. You're going to love it... and her. So pop in those earbuds and join us!

Welcome to The Messy Table! An ordinary space for real women, imperfect stories, and the God who's at work in our mess. Today's guest for Episode 36 is the brave and beautiful Anita Wyatt—wife to one, mom of 6, lover of the outdoors, and a woman who's not afraid to join God in the greatest mission on earth. Anita and her husband Wayne have not only adopted a precious boy from Ukraine with special needs, but they've also pursued his biological mother—who they discovered was living in a pig barn in exchange for a meal a day and a roof over her head. "Not on their watch," they decided. Join us as we uncover this unconventional story of God's relentless love!

Welcome to The Messy Table! An ordinary space for real women, imperfect stories, and the God who's at work in our mess. Today's guest for Episode 36 is the brave and beautiful Anita Wyatt—wife to one, mom of 6, lover of the outdoors, and a woman who's not afraid to join God in the greatest mission on earth. Anita and her husband Wayne have not only adopted a precious boy from Ukraine with special needs, but they've also pursued his biological mother—who they discovered was living in a pig barn in exchange for a meal a day and a roof over her head. "Not on their watch," they decided. Join us as we uncover this unconventional story of God's relentless love!

What would it take to actually renew your mind? What kind of mind shift has the power to yield massive results—even restore a marriage? If you're facing the impossible or ready to throw in the towel, my friend Mary Kuti has BEEN THERE. Mary is wife to her worship-pastor husband, Chris, and mama to two handsome boys + one brand spankin' new baby girl who just made her grand debut last week. Together, Chris and Mary lead one of our Life.Church locations in powerful worship every single week. But, as usual, there's a story behind the glory. In this episode, Mary is chatting with Cindy Beall and I about something incredibly messy that happened early on in their marriage, when two people running in opposite directions eventually led to unfaithfulness. BUT GOD. By His grace, God didn't allow their story to end there. Today, Mary is offering gobs of learned wisdom, timeless tips, and buckets of hope for allowing God to renew ALL THE THINGS. Will you join us?!

What would it take to actually renew your mind? What kind of mind shift has the power to yield massive results—even restore a marriage? If you're facing the impossible or ready to throw in the towel, my friend Mary Kuti has BEEN THERE. Mary is wife to her worship-pastor husband, Chris, and mama to two handsome boys + one brand spankin' new baby girl who just made her grand debut last week. Together, Chris and Mary lead one of our Life.Church locations in powerful worship every single week. But, as usual, there's a story behind the glory. In this episode, Mary is chatting with Cindy Beall and I about something incredibly messy that happened early on in their marriage, when two people running in opposite directions eventually led to unfaithfulness. BUT GOD. By His grace, God didn't allow their story to end there. Today, Mary is offering gobs of learned wisdom, timeless tips, and buckets of hope for allowing God to renew ALL THE THINGS. Will you join us?!

You guys! Today's episode at The Messy Table is straight FIRE. Lisa Bevere is chatting with Amy Groeschel and I about how God is using her past and present messes for His glory, plus her latest book, Adamant: Finding Truth in a Universe of Opinions. "When I have an encounter with Jesus, I have an encounter with Truth." —Lisa Bevere Lisa is the wife of John Bevere, mama to four grown boys, co-founder of Messenger International, a New York Times bestselling author and stunning blend of both sugar + spice. I pray that we'll all be a little closer to the Truth (Jesus!) at the end of this powerful episode. So grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and join us!