Going Deeper

Justine Cheri Ordway
  • 4.9 (55)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

Gospel conversations that challenge cultural narratives—nothing is too taboo here. We bring wisdom, humility, and grace to topics like mental health, social media, money, spiritual disciplines, and more.

  1. 3d ago

    Does God Care How Productive You Are? with Reagan Rose

    What if productivity isn't about doing more, but about stewarding your life for God's glory? In this episode, Reagan Rose (founder of Redeeming Productivity) joins me to unpack what the Bible actually says about work, fruitfulness, and faithfulness. We get into why so much of modern productivity culture runs on a secular engine, how the heart behind our work matters more than the output, and practical ways to fight the distractions—phone addiction chief among them—that keep us from living intentionally. Whether you're drowning in a to-do list or wondering if God even cares how you spend your Tuesday afternoon, this conversation reframes the whole thing. In this episode: Why secular and biblical views of productivity ultimately collide Productivity as stewardship rather than self-interest How fruitfulness—not output—is the Bible's picture of a productive life The Holy Spirit as the power source for our work, not sheer self-discipline Redeeming mundane tasks through heart and attitude The real roots of procrastination, and practical ways to fight it Striving hard while still resting in grace Managing attention and digital distraction in a phone-addicted age Pruning commitments to live with purpose Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction and guest introduction 01:21 — Reagan's journey into Christian productivity 03:20 — Where secular and biblical views of productivity collide 06:20 — The lack of practical discipleship in the church 07:40 — Defining biblical productivity: stewardship vs. self-interest 10:12 — Living in the Spirit: fruitfulness and connection to Christ 11:38 — Does God care about productivity? Eternal vs. earthly focus 14:05 — The power source: Holy Spirit vs. self-discipline 17:26 — Redeeming mundane tasks: heart and attitude 20:13 — Living with an eternal mindset in daily life 23:01 — The problem of procrastination: heart and systems 26:44 — Practical strategies to overcome procrastination 36:37 — Balancing effort and grace: striving in the Spirit 39:29 — The ambition of the early church vs. modern ambition 45:42 — Managing attention and digital distractions 50:36 — Pruning commitments and living intentionally 55:17 — The call to serve and the mission from God 58:33 — The role of the church and spiritual gifts 01:00:03 — Living with purpose: the gospel and daily work 01:01:00 — Closing remarks and resources

  2. Aug 4

    A Better Way to Talk About Women's Roles in the Church with Jen Oshman

    What does God actually say about womanhood? In a culture where the answer shifts depending on who you ask—redefine it, reject it, celebrate it, reinvent it—this episode goes back to Scripture itself. Justine sits down with author and Bible teacher Jen Oshman to talk about her Bible study Very Good, which traces the entire storyline of Scripture to recover God's beautiful design for women. Whether you're single, married, working, raising children, or simply trying to follow Jesus faithfully, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and a fresh invitation to open the Bible for yourself. About Jen Oshman Jen Oshman has been married for 27 years and is a mother to four daughters. After 15 years on the mission field in Japan and the Czech Republic, she returned to Colorado, where she and her husband unexpectedly planted a church in their living room. Alongside her church work, Jen is passionate about writing and speaking. She's the author of several books and Bible studies, including Very Good and Created on Purpose: God's Design for Girls. What We Cover in This Episode A global perspective on gender roles. Fifteen years overseas gave Jen a vantage point most American Christians never get. In many parts of the world, the conversation centers on the call to evangelize and teach—not on debating the limits placed on women. Returning to the U.S., she was struck by how negative and restrictive the discussion had become, fixated on what women can't do rather than what they're called to. Why she wrote Very Good. Rather than telling women what to think, Jen invites them to explore Scripture for themselves. She hands readers the tools of hermeneutics so they can interpret the Bible in context and arrive at a confident, grounded understanding of God's design. Keeping secondary issues in their place. Jen makes the case that questions about women in ministry, while genuinely important, shouldn't overshadow the primary doctrines of salvation and the nature of God. She advocates for unity among believers who can support their convictions from Scripture, even when they land in different places. The women of Scripture you need to know. From Tamar and Rahab to Jesus' interactions with women in Luke, Jen highlights how God consistently uses complex, real women to advance His kingdom—and what their stories reveal about His design. Key Takeaways Biblical womanhood is rooted in Scripture and meant to be understood in a far broader context than cultural limitations.Engaging the Bible personally empowers women to find their own voices and convictions.Unity in the church means holding firmly to primary issues while making room for diverse views on secondary matters.Studying the whole Bible—not isolated proof-texts—is essential to understanding women's roles.Chapter Markers 00:00 — Introduction to biblical womanhood and God's design01:05 — Jen Oshman's background and call to ministry04:19 — Cultural differences in understanding women's roles05:46 — The importance of studying Scripture in context15:13 — Genesis and the creation of woman17:58 — The meaning of "helper" in biblical context19:52 — Partnership and responsibility in God's design28:53 — Stories of women in Scripture: Tamar and Rahab45:29 — Jesus' interactions with women in Luke52:36 — Living out your calling as a woman todayResources Mentioned Very Good Bible Study by Jen Oshman — find it on AmazonCreated on Purpose: God's Design for Girls — find it on AmazonConnect with Jen Oshman Website: jenoshman.comInstagram: @jenoshmanWant to dive deeper? Pick up Jen's Bible study Very Good for a comprehensive look at what God says about womanhood—and don't forget to subscribe to Going Deeper wherever you listen. --- Keywords biblical womanhood, God's design for women, what does the Bible say about women, women in Scripture, biblical womanhood Bible study, Christian womanhood, gender roles in the Bible, women in ministry, Genesis design for women, ezer helper Hebrew meaning, studying Scripture in context, Christian women podcast, unity in the church secondary issues, Tamar and Rahab Bible stories, single married working Christian women, recovering God's design for women

  3. Jul 28

    What Your Spiritual Disciplines are Missing: Dependency on God

    We treat spiritual disciplines like a self-improvement checklist—read the Bible, pray, show up—and then wonder why it all feels like one more thing to manage. This episode digs into what's actually missing: not more willpower or a better routine, but dependency on God. When we reframe prayer and Scripture as lifelines rather than optional habits, everything changes. In this episode: Why treating spiritual disciplines as optional turns them into a to-do listThe difference between self-improvement and genuine spiritual growthHow inconsistency often signals a dependency problem, not a discipline problemThe armor of God (Ephesians 6) as a framework for relying on His strengthEsther as a model of dependency—prayer and fasting before facing the king Key takeaways: Spiritual disciplines aren't optional habits; they're the means of connecting with GodDependency on God is the engine of real spiritual growthConsistency flows from reliance, not the other way aroundTimestamps: 1:08 — Intro: what spiritual disciplines are missing3:57 — Treating spiritual disciplines as optional habits8:08 — Main thesis: disciplines as a means to know God, not an end11:02 — Inconsistency traced to a lack of dependence on God14:44 — Disciplines as lifelines and weapons of warfare17:27 — Ephesians 6 and the armor of God21:17 — The example of Esther28:10 — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace33:30 — Dependency #1: depending on God in the valley36:37 — Dependency #2: depending on God for sanctification38:36 — Naming a sin struggle and pursuing change41:27 — Dane Ortlund's Deeper on despairing of self and opening to the Spirit46:00 — Dependency #3: depending on God through faith-building experiences53:53 — Jesus: "the Son can do nothing of his own accord"58:12 — Jesus as deeply dependent on the Father59:10 — Psalm 119's "give me life," the vine and branches, life in God's Word65:32 — Recap of the three dependency categories70:22 — Closing CTAs and book update71:51 — Bonus: practical prayer and Bible reading tools76:02 — Final wrap-up

  4. 12/17/2025

    Rethinking the Good Life: Comfort, Suffering, and the Presence of God with Shelbi Shutt

    In this episode of the Going Deeper podcast, I sit down with speaker Shelbi Shutt to talk about faith, suffering, and what real comfort looks like in a world obsessed with ease and leisure. Shelbi lives with muscular dystrophy, and her story has profoundly shaped the way she understands the good life, discipleship, and the presence of God. Her honesty pushes us to examine what we run to for comfort and whether those places actually bring life. We talk about how suffering exposes the beliefs we carry beneath the surface. She shares how her diagnosis forced her to confront the “Jesus plus” gospel she didn’t realize she held, and how choosing to participate in the sufferings of Christ has formed her spiritual maturity. She reminds us that true comfort is found in the presence of God. In a world filled with noise, discipling our attention becomes a real part of following Jesus. We explore how prayer reorients us, how lament and celebration can coexist, and how resurrection life isn’t just a future hope but a present reality that shapes our perspective today. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri Subscribe to The Digest: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa Connect with Shelbi: https://solo.to/shelbishutt Shelbi's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelbishutt/ Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction  04:19 — Shelbi’s Journey and Diagnosis  07:17 — Faith and Suffering  10:20 — The Good Life and the Jesus Plus Gospel  16:27 — The Role of Suffering in Spiritual Growth  19:16 — The Illusion of Worldly Comfort  25:14 — Prayer and True Comfort  28:20 — Paradise and the Hope of Restoration  31:34 — Living in the Resurrection Life  40:19 — Discipling Our Attention in a Distracted World  42:16 — Longing for the Presence of the Lord  44:55 — Lament and Celebration: Coexisting Realities  48:31 — Finding Comfort in Daily Struggles  52:43 — Current Projects and Future Aspirations

  5. 12/11/2025

    Longing for Home in a Rootless and Restless World with my Editor Eddie Larow

    In this episode of the Going Deeper podcast, I sit down with my own acquisitions editor, Eddie Larow of Baker Books. We talk about what an acquisitions editor actually does, how he helps authors connect with the readers who need their message, and how my own unexpected journey into authorship was guided by God’s timing. From there, we widen the conversation to the cultural landscape shaping Gen Z: their longing for home, the pull toward community, and the deep sense of spiritual homelessness many young adults feel in a secular age. We explore how modernity and mobility have created restlessness, why “nomadic modernity” captures so much of our cultural moment, and how the return to historic churches reveals a desire for structure, order, and rootedness. We end with a call to localism—pursuing embodied, committed community right where we live. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri Subscribe to The Digest: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa Eddie's Article "Gen Z Longs for Home": https://firstthings.com/gen-z-longs-for-home/  Eddie's Substack: https://substack.com/@eddielarow Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction  02:05 — Understanding the Role of an Acquisitions Editor  04:30 — The Journey to Authorship  09:45 — Cultural Observations: Gen Z’s Longing for Home  13:10 — The Impact of Modernity on Community and Belonging  19:07 — Exploring Nomadic Modernity and Its Implications  27:20 — Cultural Shifts and the Search for Authenticity  31:21 — Nostalgia and the Desire to Return to Simplicity  33:46 — The Skills Gap and Superficiality in Trad Aesthetics  37:32 — Spiritual Homelessness and the Need for Community  41:24 — The Search for Objective Truth in a Postmodern World  47:04 — The Longing for Tradition and Authenticity in Faith  52:51 — Ecumenical Unity and the Pursuit of Christ  01:00:47 — Localism and the Call to Community Engagement

  6. 11/26/2025

    A Devotional Reading of Philippians and How I'm Leaning Into Advent

    In this episode, I’m sharing why Advent has become such a meaningful season for me—one marked by anticipation, preparation, and a deliberate slowing down. I talk through some of the practices my family and I are leaning into this year, why I’m taking a step back from social media, and how intentional rhythms can make room for real peace and hope. I also walk through a reading from Philippians and reflect on the themes of humility, contentment, and the true cost of following Jesus. My prayer is that this conversation helps you sink deeper into Scripture and cultivate a heart that’s attentive to Christ as we move toward Christmas. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri Subscribe to The Digest: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Advent and Personal Reflection 06:12 – Embracing Advent: Intentional Practices 11:55 – Reading and Reflecting on Philippians 48:29 – Conclusion and Future Conversations

  7. 11/11/2025

    On Compassionate Wardrobes, Self-Righteousness, and What the Self-Esteem Movement Gets Wrong with Sharon Hodde Miller

    In this episode of Going Deeper, I talk with Sharon Hodde Miller about the growing problem of self-righteousness among Christians online, especially after Charlie Kirk's assassination. We unpack how the self-esteem movement has shaped how many believers think about identity and worth—and how it fosters the idea that we are called to self-discovery rather than self-denial. Sharon also shares biblical wisdom on modesty and humility in appearance, revealing that modesty may not be so much about covering up as about being intentional about dressing in a way that fosters compassion rather than comparison.  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri Subscribe to The Digest: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header Free of Me Book: https://sheworships.com/free-of-me/ Gazing at God Book: https://sheworships.com/gazing-at-god/ Follow Sharon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonhmiller/

  8. 11/05/2025

    The Wellness Gospel, Radical Faith, and What to Do When You Don't "Feel" God

    In this episode of Going Deeper, I’m unpacking the idea of the “Wellness Gospel”—the subtle belief that health and self-optimization can save us. I share about my own journey with health and wellness, and how something good slowly became an identity that distanced me from Jesus. I talk about how easy it is to elevate health, balance, and self-care above obedience and surrender, and how the true gospel of Jesus calls us into something far more radical. Through Scripture, I contrast the Wellness Gospel with the real gospel—the one that invites us to lose our lives for Christ’s sake and trust Him completely. I also answered a listener's question about feeling distant from God. I share how faith isn’t about chasing feelings but about knowing God and remembering His faithfulness, even when our emotions waver. My hope is that this episode helps you see the difference between caring for your body and worshiping it—and reminds you that real wellness begins with a soul anchored in Him. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustineCheri Subscribe to The Digest: https://justinecheri.kit.com/ab6b561afa Submit a question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlDg0tCmIGqGkh9vpzf99V3x76AnMeuGZKlaC-umTajMKinA/viewform?usp=header Chapters 00:00 — Today's Agenda 03:12 — My Wellness Story 12:45 — The Wellness Gospel 23:30 — A Biblical View of Health 32:18 — Radical Faith  38:50 — Listener Question: Feeling Distant from God Keywords wellness gospel, health, faith, Jesus, radical verses, self-help, spirituality, holistic health, personal journey, listener question

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4.9
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About

Gospel conversations that challenge cultural narratives—nothing is too taboo here. We bring wisdom, humility, and grace to topics like mental health, social media, money, spiritual disciplines, and more.

Information

  • Creator
    Justine Cheri Ordway
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Going Deeper
  • Show Website
    Going Deeper

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