Claim OwnershipThe Unfolding
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God is writing a great big story and you have a standing invitation to be a part of it. Every week, host Meridith Foster sits down with a guest to share their chapter in God's Unfolding story.
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Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. "Every cell in my body recognized that this was Jesus." Heidi Barr was sixteen when a traumatic horseback accident changed her life. She describes leaving her body, meeting Jesus face to face, and waking up with a faith she never saw coming. Growing up in a Jewish home that rejected Jesus, her experience stands out as both unexpected and deeply powerful. Read more in her book What I Saw in Heaven.
Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. What happens when a skeptical agnostic begins investigating near-death experiences? For bestselling author and pastor John Burke, that search changed everything. John's journey began as a teenager while his father was dying of cancer. After picking up a book about near-death experiences (NDEs), he spent decades studying thousands of NDE accounts from people around the world. Their stories of encountering a God of light, love, and overwhelming peace, led him to a deeper understanding of Scripture, the afterlife, and the reality of heaven. John Burke, author of Imagine Heaven and Imagine the God of Heaven, explains how science, faith, and evidence from NDEs intersect, and how his own path from doubt to belief became a powerful story of hope. If you're curious about life after death, what the Bible says about heaven, or how God pursues people through their questions, this episode offers real-life stories you won't forget. Show Notes: Imagine Heaven Book: https://www.amazon.com/Imagine-Heaven-Near-Death-Experiences-Exhilarating/dp/080101526X Website: https://imagineheaven.net/ Imagine Heaven Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnBurkeImagineHeaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnburkeofficial/
"Why Is Your Son Still Alive?" Susie Larson knows what it feels like to walk through a season where God seems distant and every day feels fragile. Between high-risk pregnancies, neurological symptoms, and two children fighting for breath, she cried out for God to speak and heard nothing. But then a nurse asked a question that revealed a miracle Susie never expected. This powerful story invites you to rest, be still, and remember that God is rarely absent, even when He seems quiet.
Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. At seventeen years old, a diving accident changed Joni Eareckson Tada's life forever. Paralyzed from the shoulders down, she sank into anger and depression, convinced her life was over. But in the midst of deep suffering and thoughts of suicide, Joni began to experience God in a way she never had before. What started as heartbreak became a story of transformation, from despair to hope, and from questioning God to trusting Him. Through her journey, Joni discovered that the places of our deepest pain can become the very places God uses for His greatest purpose. Today, through her ministry Joni and Friends, she shares that message of hope with millions of people around the world, offering practical help and the love of Jesus to those living with disabilities. Show Notes: Website: https://joniandfriends.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoniEarecksonTada Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joniandfriends/ Face of Anguish Drawing: https://joniandfriends.org/jonis-artwork/how-god-redeemed-my-life-in-the-face-of-anguish/
"I threw this Bible across the room and I said, 'God, if you're real, why won't you talk to me?'" He writes fiction stories about danger and survival, but this story is real. Years before the books and the success, Ryan Steck's life unraveled into silence, weakness, and a single cry to God. https://ryansteck.com/
LaMorris Crawford had every reason to believe his life was destined for despair. Growing up in the projects on the south side of Chicago, his story began with tragedy. His mother was murdered before he turned one; he never knew his father, and he was raised by his grandmother along with eight cousins. Surrounded by poverty, gangs, and hopelessness, LaMorris followed the only path he knew, until everything changed. When he encountered Jesus, his entire identity was transformed, from victim to beloved son of God, created on purpose and for a purpose. That new identity would later anchor him through one of the hardest tests of his life, when the woman he loved came from a family who refused to accept him. Rooted in who he was in Christ, LaMorris chose faith over anger and grace over bitterness. Today, LaMorris and his wife Megan serve as chaplains to the Carolina Panthers and lead Covenant Culture Ministry, helping couples build strong, Christ-centered marriages. Show Notes: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamorris_crawford/?hl=en Covenant Culture website: https://www.covenantcultureministries.com/ Covenant Culture podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@CovenantCulturePodcast Support LaMorris and Megan: https://subsplash.com/u/-KBRBBK/give?frequency=once&next_process_date=11/04/2025&amount=25.00&fund_id=e79e07ea-a5f1-425b-8520-2baa38a69ee7 Share your Angel Story: https://www.myfaithpodcasts.com/contact-us/
Years before becoming a Christian apologist, Alisa Childers sat in a church hearing her pastor question the Bible. As she puts it, "It propelled me into a faith crisis." That experience and the years she spent rebuilding her faith would one day become the foundation that held her when tragedy struck. Hear how truth and God's quiet presence sustained Alisa through grief, and why apologetics still matters for every believer. Also, find a list of great books on apologetics, at alisachilders.com/books. Hear more great stories of apologetics on the Wow God Stories podcast's latest episode.
Matt Forté knew his calling when he was just seven years old- to play in the NFL. What he didn't know was how much faith, perseverance, and surrender it would take to get there. Through injuries, setbacks, and seasons of doubt, Matt discovered that God's purpose was about more than football. It was about shaping his heart, not just his game. In his new book, Stay in the Game, Matt shares the lessons that carried him from a childhood dream to the NFL, and how faith, focus, and purpose can guide anyone through life's highs and lows. Today, the former Chicago Bears running back uses his platform to mentor others and live out his faith beyond the field. Hear how God led Matt from religion to relationship, and from chasing success to finding lasting purpose. Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. Show Notes: Book: https://www.tyndale.com/p/stay-in-the-game/9798400510786 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mforte22/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattforte22/ Sports Spectrum Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/sports_spectrum/?hl=en The Champion podcast: https://www.myfaithpodcasts.com/podcasts/the-champion-unlike-any-other/?t=1761583375786
John Prince never set out to sell olive oil. He just wanted to help people in Illinois, around the world, anywhere God pointed. When finances got tight, John feared his impact might be over. But God brought a new opportunity: importing Sabba Oil to help families in Lebanon keep working and providing for their loved ones. The results are not guaranteed. But John is choosing to trust God in the middle of it.
Rebecca Nichols Alonzo's childhood was built on faith and family, yet marked by fear. For years, her family was targeted by a man from their church who terrorized them with threats, harassment, and violence. Then one night, the unthinkable happened. Her mother was killed, and Rebecca's world was shattered. Years later, the man responsible reached out with a shocking question: "Will you forgive me?" That moment changed everything. Rebecca and her brother later shared their story on national television, publicly forgiving their mother's killer and showing the world what God's grace can do. Based on her bestselling book The Devil in Pew Number Seven, Rebecca's journey has inspired millions. It's a powerful story of pain, faith, and a forgiveness that could only come from God. Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. Show Notes: Website: http://www.rebeccaalonzo.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Pew-Number-Seven/dp/1414326599 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedevilinpewnumberseven
"God decided… I'm gonna have you be a play-by-play voice in the NFL… even though you've never done it in your life." Paul Allen didn't take the usual path to the broadcast booth. He went from horse racing to becoming the voice of the Minnesota Vikings. His passion made him go viral, but his greatest transformation didn't happen on the mic. It happened when Jesus became real to him after 52 years of belief without relationship. In this Unfolding Short Story, we share a powerful moment from The Champion: Unlike Any Other podcast, where Paul tells how God changed everything. Hear the full story of Paul Allen on this episode of The Champion: Unlike Any Other.
What do you do when life takes everything, your home, your job, even your hope? Cory Nickols knows those struggles intimately. Raised in a Christian home, he thought he understood who he was, but trauma, loss, and doubt left him questioning everything, including his value. One heartfelt prayer, "God, I want to know You," set him on a journey through what he calls The Breaking, The Crushing, and The Stripping. These seasons challenged everything he knew about God and himself, ultimately revealing his true identity: loved, chosen, and a child of God. Today, Cory helps rescue children trapped in human trafficking, showing how God can transform brokenness into purpose. Content caution: This episode includes references to suicidal ideation, childhood sexual abuse, and human trafficking. Show Notes: Website: https://corynickols.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corynickolsministries Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corynickols/ Destiny Rescue: https://www.destinyrescue.org/ Cory's book: https://www.amazon.com/More-God-Not-Done-You/dp/B0F4Z3QHHH
"My little boy, who was one, was in our goldfish pond." A fall afternoon on the farm turned from laughter to panic. When Sarah Philpott's one-year-old slipped toward danger, her four-year-old daughter heard a whisper from God that changed everything. This short story is about paying attention, seeing God's mercy, and staying present in the life He has given. Sarah's latest children's book: Wake Up, Little Seed Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.
When country artist Granger Smith and his wife, Amber Smith, lost their three-year-old son, River, their world shattered. In her darkest moments, Amber found herself on the bathroom floor, crying out to God, desperate for hope. That heartbreak became the beginning of redemption. Now the author of "The Girl on the Bathroom Floor" and host of the Arise with Amber podcast, Amber shares how God met her in unimaginable pain, how He brought beauty from ashes, and how she learned to live with both grief and joy. This episode of The Unfolding is a story of faith, healing, and the hope that only God can bring when life falls apart. Show Notes: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberemilysmith/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmithsTV Amber's Website: https://arisewithamber.com/ Amber's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Bathroom-Floor-Together-Everything/dp/1400347890 Granger's episode on The Unfolding: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/page-185-granger-smith-country-music-star-finds-faith/id1460841077?i=1000720200985 Water Safety resources: https://www.infantswim.com/ https://ndpa.org/ Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.
"I don't trust eyewitnesses. Eyewitnesses often lie." Homicide detective J. Warner Wallace was on a search for truth that changed his life. Reading the Gospels through the lens of investigation, he discovered that the eyewitness accounts of Jesus aligned just the way truthful testimony does. In this episode, the respected apologist and author of Cold Case Christianity shares how evidence led him to Christ and why every believer can become a thoughtful defender of the faith. Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.
Peter Burton was a young kid with a loving family and a faith-filled childhood, but by middle school, anxiety and OCD began to creep into his life. For years, therapy and treatment helped him manage, but by the time he hit adulthood, the weight of fear and panic attacks became overwhelming. As a worship pastor, he would lead people in songs about God's goodness, then get in his car and break down in tears. He begged God to heal him, but healing didn't come. In this episode of The Unfolding, Peter shares his journey through anxiety, the questions that challenged his faith, and the discovery of a God who sustains even in the hardest seasons. Peter is a singer, songwriter, and worship leader who recently signed with Integrity Music and Matthew West's Story House Collective. Show Notes: Website: https://www.peterburtonofficial.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterburtonmusic/ Craig Groeschel Book: https://www.craiggroeschel.com/books/winning-the-war-in-your-mind
"I love you, and there's nothing you can do about it." Kids make mistakes. Sometimes accidents leave scars that last forever. For John O'Leary, one choice with fire left him burned and disabled. What should have been only tragedy became a story of grace. His family and his community surrounded him, but it was his father's voice in the hospital that changed everything: "I have never been so proud of anyone in my entire life. I love you, and there's nothing you can do about it." That is grace. That is the gospel. John's journey is now a feature film, Soul on Fire starring William H. Macy, opening October 10. Learn more at soulonfiremovie.com.
Abused, rejected, and in foster care by 15, Phillis Dewitt's life was marked by childhood sexual abuse, trauma, and loss. By her teens, she was self-harming, suicidal, and convinced she was unwanted. But God wasn't finished with her story. Through a long journey of faith and healing, Phillis found belonging, became a foster mom to more than 100 children, and discovered how God can bring beauty out of even the darkest places. Phillis shares her journey in her book "I'm Still Standing" and on this episode of The Unfolding. If you've ever wondered if your pain could have a purpose, Phillis' powerful story will encourage you that trauma doesn't have to define you, and that God can redeem even the hardest chapters of your life. Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of childhood sexual abuse, self-harm, and trauma. It may not be suitable for younger listeners. Show Notes: Website: https://phillisdewitt.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phillis.dewitt Book: https://www.amazon.com/Im-Still-Standing-Turned-Purpose/dp/B0BCXKCTGP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdewitt/
"All these years later, that baseball has become an anchor for my faith." As a boy growing up in poverty on the South Side of Chicago, Mike Signorelli found escape in baseball. When his mom prayed a bold prayer for a signed White Sox ball, God answered in a way that would anchor Mike's faith for decades to come. Today, Mike leads V1 Church in New York, Miami, and Indiana, and he still carries that baseball as a reminder of God's faithfulness. Here's Mike's latest book, Fire Starters: Igniting Revivals and Sustaining Spiritual Awakening.
Content Warning: This episode deals with sexual addiction and mature themes; it may not be appropriate for younger listeners. Blaine Bartel was a rising star in Christian ministry, hosting the nationally televised Fire by Nite, writing best-selling books, and leading one of the largest weekly student gatherings in America. But behind the platform and applause, Blaine was trapped in a 23-year struggle with pornography and sexual addiction, living a secret double life that ultimately destroyed his career, marriage, and reputation. In this episode of The Unfolding, Blaine shares his journey from despair and scandal to true freedom. He talks about the devastating consequences for his family, church, and friends, and how, through God's grace, he was led not just to recovery, but to a resurrected life in Jesus. Today, Blaine helps men, ministers, and marriages break free from sexual addiction and walk in hope through House of Resurrection. Show Notes: Website: https://www.blainebartel.com/ Website: https://www.houseofresurrection.life/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blainebartel99/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@blainebtv6712
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dangerous theology. self love is not what Jesus taught. selfless-love is how he lived. we can rest in who we are in Christ, and we love others of Christ's love for us, but not out of our love for ourselves
This is a classic Godtail, the original author of fairytails! Thank you father for confirmation and communicating to our hearts and minds!
I love how the leadership of the church stood by and honored God's story! Thank you, thank you for sharing your story!
I needed to hear this today. I'm struggling and I feel so alone. I went to my 1st group bible study last night and someone asked if she could pray for me- that's the first time that's ever happened to me and I felt a little bit of weight lifting off of me. I've isolated myself for so long, I have anxiety of being in front of others so the fact that I heard God tell me to go and I did it, was an accomplishment. Thank you Lydia for telling your story.
thank you for sharing your story! I believe it's beautiful insight that many would benefit from hearing!!
As I listened to your story I was thinking about how grateful I am to God for helping me get help with depression and anxiety. I have a psychologist I see sometimes and I'm celebrating 8 years at C R next month. thanks for sharing your inspiring story of hope
I'm so excited to watch this!! THANK YOU ❤️
I have really enjoyed all the podcasts, but this one really resignated with my heart. I appreciate hearing other lifelong christian's experiences and how God led them through. Thank you for sharing your story!!! I don't know how you have such clarity!
Thamk you for sharing. What an amazing example of how forgiveness is a journey.
I too really believe God is moving and getting ready to do something big. I can't wait to see what he's going to do next!
Thank you for sharing your story, it really touched me.
what an amazing and beautiful testimony I'm so many different levels! God has something for everyone in this one, the birth mom, the adopted child, the adoptive parents, the perfectionist, the every day Christian, parenting, daily distractions that keep us from God's plans, even more I missed. Simple, honest, enjoyable, thank you for sharing!
thank you for sharing how God is working in the lives of do many belieberd