Her God Speaks

In this episode Aprile serves up a quick rundown of the upcoming Bible studies and our next Come to the Table event. Bible studies launch January 14th and 15th!You can register for Bible studies here and purchase tickets for Come to the Table here. We can't wait to see you!Facebook // Instagram

In this episode we begin our journey through the rich, life-changing truths of the book of Romans. For more information on our women's Bible study classes, click here.To purchase tickets for the Come to the Table event coming up on January 31st, click here.For more resources specifically related to the Romans for Real Life study including listening guides, workbook link, and homework schedule, click here.If you would like to interact with others who are doing to the study online,  join our Facebook group. Just type "Romans for Real Life" in the Facebook search box  or click here and request to join. Interact with us on social media!Facebook // Instagram

In this episode we continue our journey through the rich, life-changing truths of the book of Romans. We are on a quest to fully understand just how GOOD the good news of the gospel really is, but before we can do that we have to understand just how BAD the bad news really is. This episode is sure to leave you in awe of our glorious God and His oh-so-amazing grace!For more information on our women's Bible study classes, click here.To purchase tickets for the Come to the Table event coming up on January 31st, click here.For more resources specifically related to the Romans for Real Life study, including listening guides, workbook link, and homework schedule, click here.If you would like to interact with others who are doing to the study online,  join our Facebook group. Just type "Romans for Real Life" in the Facebook search box  or click here and request to join.Interact with us on social media!Facebook // Instagram

In this episode we continue our journey through the rich, life-changing truths of the book of Romans. We are on a quest to fully understand just how GOOD the good news of the gospel really is, but before we can do that we have to understand just how BAD the bad news really is. But even in the bad news part of the letter, the goodness, grace, and immeasurable kindness of our God shines forth so brilliantly!For more information on our women's Bible study classes, click here.Tickets for Come to the Table on January 31st can no longer be purchased online, but please call the women's ministry office at 813-689-4229 to find out if there are still seats available.For more resources specifically related to the Romans for Real Life study, including listening guides, workbook link, and homework schedule, click here.If you would like to interact with others who are doing to the study online,  join our Facebook group. Just type "Romans for Real Life" in the Facebook search box  or click here and request to join.Interact with us on social media!Facebook // Instagram

In this episode we continue our journey through the rich, life-changing truths of the book of Romans and we're happy to say that we finally get to the GOOD news part of the letter! In fact, it's the best news EVER!For more information on our women's Bible study classes, click here.For more resources specifically related to the Romans for Real Life study, including listening guides, workbook link, and homework schedule, click here.If you would like to interact with others who are doing to the study online,  join our Facebook group. Just type "Romans for Real Life" in the Facebook search box  or click here and request to join.Interact with us on social media!Facebook // Instagram

In this episode we continue our journey through the rich, life-changing truths of the book of Romans as we stop and MARVEL at the magnificent implications of justification.For more information on our women's Bible study classes, click here.For more resources specifically related to the Romans for Real Life study, including listening guides, workbook link, and homework schedule, click here.If you would like to interact with others who are doing to the study online,  join our Facebook group. Just type "Romans for Real Life" in the Facebook search box  or click here and request to join.If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here. Interact with us on social media!Facebook // Instagram

In this episode we continue our journey through the rich, life-changing truths of the book of Romans as we seek to understand how the gospel changes our relationship with sin. If you've ever felt powerless to change, or believed the lie that "this is just the way I am," Romans 6 is a much-needed reminder that in Christ, you are indeed a new creation with a whole new capacity to walk in the freedom of wholeheartedly serving Jesus.For more information on our women's Bible study classes, click here.For more resources specifically related to the Romans for Real Life study, including listening guides, workbook link, and homework schedule, click here.If you would like to interact with others who are doing to the study online,  join our Facebook group. Just type "Romans for Real Life" in the Facebook search box  or click here and request to join.If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here.Interact with us on social media!Facebook // Instagram

In this episode we continue our journey through the rich, life-changing truths of the book of Romans as we seek to understand how the gospel enables us to daily overcome the struggle with indwelling sin. It's an important reminder that surface-level behavior modification isn't going to fix our heart-level problem. More rules won't transform us . . . but a relationship with the living God will! And that's what the Christian life is. For more information on our women's Bible study classes, click here.For more resources specifically related to the Romans for Real Life study, including listening guides, workbook link, videos, and homework schedule, click here.If you would like to interact with others who are doing to the study online,  join our Facebook group. Just type "Romans for Real Life" in the Facebook search box  or click here and request to join.If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here.Interact with us on social media!Facebook // Instagram

In this episode we continue our journey through the rich, life-changing truths of the book of Romans as we seek to re-calibrate our perspective on the scary "what ifs" of life with the  rock-solid assurance of the gospel. For more information on our women's Bible study classes, click here.For more resources specifically related to the Romans for Real Life study, including listening guides, workbook link, videos, and homework schedule, click here.If you would like to interact with others who are doing to the study online,  join our Facebook group. Just type "Romans for Real Life" in the Facebook search box  or click here and request to join.If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here.Interact with us on social media!Facebook // Instagram

In this episode we continue our journey through the rich, life-changing truths of the book of Romans as we seek to understand that regardless of how things might look to us, we can know for sure that God has, is, and will always be FAITHFUL to keep His promises. For more information on our women's Bible study classes, click here.For more resources specifically related to the Romans for Real Life study, including listening guides, workbook link, videos, and homework schedule, click here.If you would like to interact with others who are doing to the study online,  join our Facebook group. Just type "Romans for Real Life" in the Facebook search box  or click here and request to join.If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here.Interact with us on social media!Facebook // Instagram

In this episode we move from the doctrinal part of the letter to the practical part of the letter. We see how the gospel impacts our everyday lives, especially our relationships. We also get a clear view of God's will for each of lives. Turns out, it's not nearly as complicated as we make it!For more information on our women's Bible study classes, click here.For more resources specifically related to the Romans for Real Life study, including listening guides, workbook link, videos, and homework schedule, click here.If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here.Interact with us on social media!Facebook // Instagram

Halloween, Santa, alcohol, Harry Potter, politics, how to dress for church, worship style . . . If you put five solid, Bible-believing, Jesus-loving Christians in a room with these topics, you’ll probably hear five different opinions. And there’s a decent chance that somebody will come out with a black eye! So what do we do? How do we deal with our different convictions? How do we achieve unity when there’s not a whole lot of uniformity?That’s what this episode is all about. For more information on our women's Bible study classes, click here.For more resources specifically related to the Romans for Real Life study, including listening guides, workbook link, videos, and homework schedule, click here.If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here.Interact with us on social media!Facebook // Instagram

In this final session of our Romans for Real Life study, we gain some insight into the life of Paul and the early church that helps us better understand God's desire for each of us to be vitally connected to our own local churches. Be prepared to get a little (or a lot!) sentimental about all the people that God has used in YOUR life to love, encourage, and support you on your journey with the Lord. For more information on our women's Bible study classes, click here.For more resources specifically related to the Romans for Real Life study, including listening guides, workbook link, videos, and homework schedule, click here.If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here.Interact with us on social media!Facebook // Instagram

More than ever (thanks to COVID-19) life is a whole bunch of ordinary moments all strung together: dishes, laundry, school, work, scroll, hide from your kids, eat, sleep, repeat. Most of us don't even have a reason to get out of our pajamas anymore.But what if we chose to celebrate these ordinary moments? What if we learned how to cultivate a garden of joy from the soil of our messy mundane? What if even the really hard things could reap a harvest far more satisfying than the fleeting happiness we keep grasping for?In this JOY FULL podcast series Amy and Aprile will be chatting about these questions and tackling the three main "joy killers" we all deal with on the daily: unrealistic expectations, unhealthy comparison, and looking back or looking ahead (that "anywhere but here" mentality).One of the biggest takeaways from this kick-off episode is the definition of Christian joy: a happiness of soul that is produced by the Holy Spirit as He enables us to see and savor the beauty of Christ both in the Word of God and the world around us. This definition means that we can experience joy even when our circumstances are less than ideal. Because true, sustainable joy is tethered to the unchanging character and promises of God. It's found in seeking our Savior, not situations. Scriptures mentioned in this episode: Psalm 118:24; Galatians 5:22; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 1:8; Psalm 119:92; Jeremiah 15:16Discussion questions: Grab a cup of coffee, call/Zoom a friend or two, and pretend you're at a really great hipster coffee shop...- What are some of your simple, circumstance-based joys right now? In other words, what's making you happy these days? - How has COVID-19 affected your joy?- How have you seen the joy paradox in your own life? In other words, when have you experienced supernatural joy in the midst of sorrow? How did it happen?- Amy and Aprile shared how they're fighting for joy in this hard season. How about you?- Which of the three "joy killers" resonates with you the most: unrealistic expectations, unhealthy comparison, or looking back/looking ahead? - How have you seen this joy thief show up in your life recently?If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here.Interact with us on social media! Pretty please! We love to hear from you!Facebook // Instagram

In this episode, Amy and Aprile talk about unrealistic expectations: why we have them, what they do to our joy, and how we can begin to overcome them. It has been said that the gap between our expectations and reality is our misery factor, and it's way too easy to get stuck there! Especially now as we're processing an unprecedented number of cancellations and disappointments thanks to COVID-19. Thankfully, God has graciously provided everything we need to re-calibrate our expectations and experience a life that is joy FULL no matter what the circumstance. Scriptures mentioned in this episode: Genesis 3; James 1:2-4; James 4:13-15; Romans 8:28Discussion questions:Grab a cup of coffee, call/Zoom a friend or two, and pretend you're at a really great hipster coffee shop...- What simple joy has made you happy this week?- How has an unrealistic expectation affected your joy recently?- Who or what are you most tempted to expect too much of?- Why do you think we so easily forget that we're fallen people living in a fallen world?- How have your expectations of God been unrealistic? - How do you practically seek to re-calibrate your expectations day by day?- How have you seen God be faithful to you in this area of unrealistic expectations?Whipped coffee recipe:  https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/whipped-coffee/If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here.Interact with us on social media! Pretty please! We love to hear from you!Facebook // Instagram

Living in a digital age where social media allows us to peek into the lives of friends and strangers alike, there's no shortage of opportunities for unhealthy, joy-crushing comparison to rear its ugly head. After sharing their own struggles with social media comparison and talking a little bit about what's going on below the surface, Amy and Aprile walk through a list of practical ways to overcome unhealthy comparison as we engage with social media:1) Scroll prayerfully.2) Be choosy about who you follow.3) Limit your screen time.4) Constantly remind yourself that what you see is someone's highlight reel.5) Show up satisfied.Scriptures mentioned in this episode: 1 Corinthians 11:1; Genesis 2:23; 2 Corinthians 3:4, 5; Psalm 107:9Discussion Questions:- What simple joy has made you happy this week?- How has God used the healthy side of comparison to nurture your spiritual growth?- How have you recently experienced unhealthy comparison? How did it make you feel?- What did this reveal about your heart? - How has God used social media for good in your life?- How has it been harmful?- What adjustments can you make to your social media habits to help minimize the temptation to compare yourself to others in an unhealthy way?If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here.Interact with us on social media! We love to hear from you!Facebook // Instagram 

In this final episode of our Joy Full series, Amy and Aprile talk about the longing so many of us feel to either go back to the "good ole days" when things weren't so complicated or to fast forward to the next season, which we're convinced will be way easier and more fulfilling. This looking back and/or looking ahead can have a huge impact on our joy because it often blinds us to the goodness and faithfulness of God in the present. In this conversation we hash out why we do this, how it affects us, and what we can do to overcome it. The exhortation of this episode is NOT to love the season you're in. (That's easy to say when life is going great, but let's be real - for many of us, it isn't.) The exhortation of this episode is to love the God who has ordained the season you're in; to trust that He's working ALL things, including the really hard things, for your ultimate good and His glory. We will experience joy to the extent that we trust our Good Shepherd to love and lead us faithfully.Scriptures mentioned in this episode: Genesis 37-50 (the Joseph narrative); Exodus 16:3; Philippians 3:13-14; Romans 8:29; Philippians 1:6Resources mentioned in this episode:None Like Him by Jen Wilkin Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah HurnardDiscussion Questions:- When in your life have you felt really tempted to look back or ahead with a longing to escape your current season?- What effect did this have on your joy in the present?- How has being molded and refined to be more like Jesus proven to be a better prize than the ease and comfort we so deeply crave? What makes it better?- What aspects of God's character are you clinging to the most in your present season?- What are you most thankful for right now?***SUMMER BOOK CLUB***Starting on June 4th we are going to be reading and discussing Beth Moore's latest book Chasing Vines which is all about living a fruitful, meaningful life through abiding in Jesus. You can purchase a hard or Kindle copy by clicking here. No need to read any of it prior to the June 4th kick-off. We'll start chapter 1 after that episode. If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here.Interact with us on social media! We love to hear from you!Facebook // Instagram

Summer is officially here and we're super excited to bring a summer book club to the podcast! In this episode, Aprile and Amy give a quick summary of our book selection, Chasing Vines, and lay out how the book club is going to work. Below you will find a link to purchase the book as well as the reading schedule. For next week, read chapters 1-3. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE talk back to us on our social media pages! It would be so fun to include some of your comments in our conversations. Scroll down for the links to our socials. To purchase a book, click here. Reading Schedule:Part 1 (chapters 1-3) will be discussed on June 11th.Part 2 (chapters 4-7) will be discussed on June 18th.Part 3 (chapters 8-11) will be discussed on June 25th.Part 4 (chapters 12-16) will be discussed on July 2nd.Part 5 (chapters 17-19) will be discussed on July 9th. Of course, you are more than welcome to read at your own pace. You can access all past episodes anytime. If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here.Interact with us on social media! We love to hear from you!Facebook // Instagram

Summer is officially here and we're super excited to bring a summer book club to the podcast! In this episode, Aprile and Amy chat all about chapters 1-3 of Beth Moore's Chasing Vines, sharing what stood out most to them and and how God is making the truths come alive amidst the beautiful mess of real life. Below you will find a link to purchase the book as well as the reading schedule. For next week, read chapters 4-7. Here are this week's discussion questions for those who are reading along with a friend or two:- What truth about God (His character and/or His ways) stands out the most to you after reading chapters 1-3?- In the introduction Beth writes, "God wants you to flourish in Him. Every last thing is intended for that purpose" (pg. 8). Is it easy or hard for you to believe this? Why?- On page 16 Beth highlights the fact that planting and growing is "spectacularly deliberate." How does this impact your perspective on difficult circumstances that are really hard to make sense of?- Amy and Aprile both shared about season of uprooting and replanting. What uprooting have you experienced? - In your search for a sense of worth and significance, do you focus more on yourself (skills, accomplishments, personal affirmations)  or on the person and work of Jesus and your rootedness in Him?- What is your biggest takeaway from chapters 1-3?PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE talk back to us on our social media pages! We thoroughly enjoyed sharing a couple of your comments in this episode and would LOVE to keep it up!  Scroll down for the links to our socials.To purchase a book, click here.Reading Schedule:Part 1 (chapters 1-3) will be discussed on June 11th.Part 2 (chapters 4-7) will be discussed on June 18th.Part 3 (chapters 8-11) will be discussed on June 25th.Part 4 (chapters 12-16) will be discussed on July 2nd.Part 5 (chapters 17-19) will be discussed on July 9th.Of course, you are more than welcome to read at your own pace. You can access all past episodes anytime.If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here.Interact with us on social media! We love to hear from you!Facebook // Instagram

***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!***We're SUPER excited to host a live and in person (well, sort of) book club meeting via Zoom on Thursday, June 25th at 7:30 pm. For safety/privacy we are not publishing the Zoom ID and password here. We're asking that you send us a private message via Facebook or Instagram (scroll down for links) requesting the Zoom info and we'll get it to you ASAP. The meeting will last no longer than 45 minutes (we will be setting a timer!) and you won't be pressured to contribute if chatting it up isn't your thing. We can't wait to see some actual faces!!! (This will not replace the podcast discussion - that will air next Thursday as planned.)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Summer is officially here and we're super excited to bring a summer book club to the podcast! In this episode, Aprile and Amy chat all about chapters 4-7 of Beth Moore's Chasing Vines, sharing what stood out most to them and and how God is making the truths come alive amidst the beautiful mess of real life. Below you will find a link to purchase the book as well as the reading schedule. For next week, read chapters 8-11. Here are this week's discussion questions for those who are reading along with a friend or two:-Is the concept of God rejoicing over you with singing easy or hard for you to imagine? Why?-How does Israel’s complete failure to produce sweet fruit (see Is. 5:4-7) contribute to your understanding of Jesus as the TRUE Vine?-Why do you think those of us who are passionate about biblical truth are particularly vulnerable to some of the bad fruit she mentions in chapter 5?-Read Psalm 19:12. What do you learn from David’s question?-What role does humility play in fruit inspection?-How is humility cultivated? -Have you ever felt like you were planted in the wrong place? How does the concept of aspect discussed in chapter 6 encourage you? -How have you specifically seen God use “rocks” (trials) to produce a harvest of fruit in your life?PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE talk back to us on our social media pages! We thoroughly enjoyed sharing a couple of your comments in this episode and would LOVE to keep it up!  Scroll down for the links to our socials.To purchase a book, click here.Reading Schedule:Part 1 (chapters 1-3) will be discussed on June 11th.Part 2 (chapters 4-7) will be discussed on June 18th.Part 3 (chapters 8-11) will be discussed on June 25th.Part 4 (chapters 12-16) will be discussed on July 2nd.Part 5 (chapters 17-19) will be discussed on July 9th.Of course, you are more than welcome to read at your own pace. You can access all past episodes anytime.If you would like more information about Bell Shoals Baptist Church, click here.Interact with us on social media! We love to hear from you!Facebook // Instagram