Ep. 47: The Light Bringer (John 1-4)

Sometimes the stories in the Bible fail to move our hearts. Or more accurately, we fail to be moved by them. When this happened to me with the crucifixion story, I asked God to please soften my heart toward his word and he did! This episode is the story of how that happened and what I learned. Pour yourself a cup as we LOOK at John 19:1-16 together. Resources: It Wasn’t Roaring It Was Weeping by Lisa Jo Baker Abide: 40 Ways to Focus on Jesus Daily Summer in the Psalms Over A Cup Bible Study

In this podcast episode, we explore how Jesus relates to our daily struggles as wives, moms, and women. We often feel busy and unappreciated, but Jesus shows us that he understands. Looking at John 13, we see how Jesus served others because he knew where he came from, who he was, and where he was going. We can learn from him and serve others from those same places.

Let’s LOOK together: Listen John 10:1-16 Observe V. 1-5: Shepherd  Follow because they know his voice – we must spend time with Jesus to know his voice Jesus leads them – he never asks anything of us that he hasn’t done himself (John 13) V. 6-10: Gate Back then sometimes the shepherd laid across the sheep pen at the gate. (https://ourdailybread.org/article/jesus-said-i-am-the-gate/) He was protecting his flock and only allowing in who and what he deemed best for them.  He also lets them out to find safe pasture and abundant life  Zoe life vs physical life (Empowered notes – Lori Varnell)  V. 11-13: Good Shepherd Sacrifices life for the sheep. He’s willing to give everything. V. 14-16: Good Shepherd He knows his sheep intimately  We can know him “just as my Father knows me and I know the Father.” Wow!  Bringing everyone together (us!) under him. Open Prayer–Take time to sit quietly with God, pray, and worship him. Keep If you’re not in God’s word regularly, start there. Join our online study at taralcole.com/join or in the show notes to get started. Start with us in the middle of John this month. There’s no such thing as too late! That way you can begin to know Jesus’ voice and follow him. If you are regularly in the word, excellent! Begin to decipher Jesus’ voice from the voice of the world and Satan (the adversary–as explained in a Bible Project video linked in the shownotes). When you hear you’re inner soundtrack, compare it to know what you know to be true from what you know of Jesus' voice. Does it sound like what you know of God? Or does it not?  Resources Join the online study - taralcole.com/join  Our Daily Bread “Jesus Said I am the Gate” article  Bible Project Video - The Sata and Demons - Understand Evil Spiritual Beings in the Bible

Let’s LOOK: L - John 6:32-40 & 47-51 O - Bread - back then it was more nourishing. Think of the artisan and whole grain breads today. Interesting to note that many cultures have a bread type food as a main staple of their culture: bread, tortillas, pasta, fry bread… It is needed for life. He gave his life for us. Acts 2:38 tells us: 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. We remember each Sunday by eating the Lord’s Supper - Communion. Throughout the OT we see God giving the people celebrations to help them remember. The same is true for the Lord’s Supper. We need help remembering.  O - Prayer…. K - Spend time with Jesus today. Don’t let Satan trick you into thinking you’re too busy to spend time with Jesus. You’re too busy NOT to spend time with him. Can be listening to the Bible Do just a verse - might use the memory verses I give to newsletter subscribers each month  Resources: Learn about Ancient Bread University of Pennsylvania  Join the monthly Newsletter LOOK Bible Study method Youtube videos Abide book

So often we feel as if we're walking in darkness. In John 1 Jesus is described as the "true light" who gives light to everyone. Then throughout the rest of John, we see Jesus live out what it means to "be the light." In this episode, learn How Jesus is the light Why Jesus being the light matters to Moms today How we can be the light Resources: Get your copy of our John Bible Study Over A Cup Patreon LIVE Bible Study Ep. 46: How to Make Your Bible Study Habit Stick

If you’re like my family and struggle to find a place in your life for Bible Study because you’ve never tried before or you’ve tried and failed. Listen to this month’s Over A Cup podcast episode. Learn to choose a Bible study habit that fits you Decided how to make it tiny Discover where to insert it in your day so it has sticking power Decided how to fight distractions Celebrate because you earned it! As I explain in the podcast, this method helps more than any other I’ve tried, even when given my toughest task–cleaning my kitchen!  Tiny Habits Recipe:  When I do….. I will do…. I will celebrate by….. Resources Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg Join the monthly Newsletter for the Bible study and more! Blue Letter Bible app YouVersion app for kids YouVersion app Workshop: How to Make Bible Study Stick

So many of us feel overwhelmed by our schedules. They are cluttered with so many tasks and to-dos that we feel exhausted and overwhelmed.  Listen this month as I share the steps I just went through to move my schedule from chaos to calm. You can begin this process by the end of today!  Key Verse: Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” 3 Steps to Get Started List it all out Pray about your list Choose what to keep, delegate, or release Resources Join OverACup Newsletter - AND Get 5 Free Foundation of Faith Prayers Join the OverACup Patreon Community  

What do you do when your kids are fighting, again? How does the Spirit meet us in those moments? Listen in as Christie Thomas and Tara L. Cole share what they are learning and how the Spirit can help us in the middle of our daily lives as moms.  They also give many ideas for how to focus your family on Jesus in the season your family finds themselves in right now. Show Takeaways:  Practical tips for how to help your children grow in the fruit of the Spirit How to be a peacemaker vs a peacekeeper  How to release the parenting shame and think through your doover  Show Links: Fruit Full: 100 Family Experiences for Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit Little Shoots Deep Roots Bible Recap Blessings Challenge Soloman Says Daily Bread My Brother’s Keeper  Tiny Habits BJ Fogg OverACup Patreon Partners  

What do we do when our children struggle with their identity and image? Where do we turn? We turn to the truth and what God says about them.  In this episode, we dive deep into five foundational prayers based on God’s Word. Learn how to pray for our children’s: Self-worth Image Fruitfulness Values If you want these “Foundation Prayers” as lock screens for your mobile device, go to taralcole.com. Resources:  Everyday Prayers for the School Year Abide: 40 Ways to Focus on Jesus Daily Sacred Pathways for Kids  

I recently got that text from a friend. “Your son hurt my son….”  No one ever wants that text. Even if our kids fight with their siblings, we hope they will control themselves in public, especially with good friends.  Thankfully, it was resolved quickly and all friendships (adults and children) are still intact, but how do we help our children develop lasting character? Self-control and all the others?  This month’s episode helps to answer those questions and more. My guest Kimberly Amici is a Family Culture Coach and co-host of the Build Your Best Family podcast. Through our conversation you’ll learn:  How to begin to create a family culture in your home What family culture looks like practically  5 questions to ask as you develop a family culture  If you find this episode helpful, connect with Kimberly at: KimberlyAmici.com  Buildyourbestfamily.com Kimberly Amici-Instagram Want to find the resources we discussed? I’ve got you!  The Bible Recap Emotionally Healthy Relationships