Looking Up with Kathy and Carla

Encouragement is so much more than saying "Good job!" It's more than a pat on the back. Those things matter, but true biblical encouragement goes deeper — it happens when we truly know someone, and when we notice the moments they're struggling or discouraged. Biblical encouragement gives strength to others when their own has run out. It isn't found on the surface; it has substance. This week, we're talking about what it looks like to encourage one another biblically. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this important topic!

Emily Hatfield needs no introduction to many of us—a beautiful Christian woman, friend, speaker, podcaster, preacher's wife, and mom of two precious children. But some may be unaware that she has battled severe, debilitating postpartum struggles.In this episode—one that will speak to every woman who is (or will be) a mother, loves a mother, or simply wants to know how to love and support one well—Emily opens up candidly about her journey. She offers wise, biblical guidance for walking alongside a sister facing postpartum depression or psychosis, and gently reminds us that even our best intentions can sometimes wound instead of heal. She points us toward a better, more Christlike way to care for one another—and reminds us that what we post online or say aloud can widen the very divide we're called to bridge.We believe this episode will be a lifeline to the many women suffering in silence or feeling hopeless—and just as valuable to the rest of us, as we seek to lift them up and remind them of God's love and their true worth. Please help us share this episode.

What if we all had the goal of creating a home where it's impossible not to think about God — where others can tell by our tone, our speech, and our attitudes that He lives among us, where our homes are saturated by the voice of God? Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all invited God into our homes and lives?That's the subject of this week's discussion. Kathy has a list of eleven ways we can easily invite God into our lives. We'd love to hear your ideas for making this a reality too!

Do you ever stop to count your blessings on a day when nothing is going on? You aren't preoccupied or worried about something. You don't have anything weighing on you. No one in your house is sick...no appliances are broken. It's what we might call "an ordinary day" - although we really should see them as extraordinary, and be thankful for them!This week's podcast is about being mindful of how we walk through our days - whether ordinary or not. We talk about how we should be sure to intentionally involve God in every single day, and be content in every situation, and approach trials (that WILL come at some point) with the right frame of mind. We hope you'll benefit from this discussion!

"May there be kindness in your gaze when you look within..." This is our starting point in this week's podcast: do you view yourself with kindness - even in your struggles and flaws? Are you overly hard on yourself, or do you give yourself grace? Also, how do you view others in THEIR problems? Have you worked to transform your heart and thoughts to see others as God sees them? And...are you mindful of your actual gaze...on your face? Do others see kindness radiating from your face? In this week's podcast we had a casual conversation about how we can work to make improvement in these areas and have the heart - and face - of Christ when we look upon ourselves and others.