WELCOME HEART: Living a Legacy Life

Sue Donaldson
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WELCOME HEART: Living a Legacy Life with Sue Donaldson from WelcomeHeart.com. Hear how to invest in what matters beyond ourselves. We have one life - let’s make the most of it by inviting others into God’s welcoming heart.

  1. 1d ago

    Ep 282 Peace For the Anxious Soul with Becky Keife

    Becky writes:  “For years, I thought my anxiety meant I was failing God--I believed if I just prayed harder, trusted more, or worked smarter, I could fix it. But I learned that Jesus isn’t asking me to prove anything—He’s inviting me to come, just as I am.” The theme of today's podcast is we can have peace in anxiety because we are not alone; Jesus is with us. Be encouraged as you listen and share with someone who may need this timely reminder.  Some gems from today's podcast:  I'm so prone to striving; peace comes from knowing Jesus is carrying the weight and leading the way forward.  Often anxiety stems from feelings of not having enough or not being enough.  My anxiety is a gift in the way God has used it as a vehicle for him to draw me closer to himself.  This book came from the message God had been writing in me for years. Anxiety is a continuum from everyday fears to debilitating stress and worry.  We need to go for support when our anxiety hits one of these two aspects: How severe? and How persistent? Self-care is not selfish. You can know that the way you feel today is not always going to feel this way. If your closest friend was feeling the way you feel when you are most anxious, what would you tell her to do? Do that for yourself.    Becky Keife is a Bible teacher, speaker, and author of books and Bible studies. Her newest release is a 100-day devotional: A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul. Becky is passionate about helping people hear God’s voice, embrace their true identity, and see God’s kindness even when life is messy. As a mental health advocate, Becky equips individuals and churches to understand anxiety biblically and experience Jesus wholly. She loves long naps, puffy clouds, and shady trails. Becky lives in Southern California with her husband and three always-hungry teenage sons.   website: https://www.beckykeife.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckykeife/

  2. Aug 10

    Ep 281 Rethinking Your Thinking with Angela Mackey

    Have you been surprised, perhaps, disappointed with the trials, twists and turns your life has taken whether it be illness, estrangement, grief or even infertility? Is facing one or more of those things with joy and peace and strength only a matter of rethinking your thinking?   Today our guest is Angela Mackey – an RN, mother of 3 and of a fairly recent orphan; her passion is encourage others to worship though the Word and glorify God with their daily lives. Some gems from our conversation: Changing our thought life through the Word leads to living a life of worship. As we think, so we are and so we do. I used to think that if I lived a certain good life, God was obliged to bless me. I needed to rethink my thinking. I had to ask myself: Do I want to know God better for who he is or just focus on how he's working in my life? God is bigger than any conflict or confusion in our minds and hearts. I was able to admit I'm mad at God but I still really needed him nearby.  Having a child doesn't solve all the feelings of infertility.  Understanding the Word shows us how to live. If I never have a child, I can ask God: "What are other ways I can nurture? How can I pour into the next generation?" Life is more than motherhood.    Leave a comment or email me at sue@welcomeheart.com to be entered to win a copy of Difficult to Conceive. Angela loves coming alongside people and helping them rethink their thinking through Scripture so they can experience God’s transforming power. On her podcast Life as Worship, she and her guests share honest stories of wrestling with God’s Word and living it out in real life. Angela brings joy, laughter, and a light touch to even the hardest conversations https://angelamackey.com/about-angela/   https://www.youtube.com/Rethinking_My_Thinking   https://www.facebook.com/AngelaMackeyChristianSpeaker   instagram.com/rethinking_my_thinking FREE 9-day Devotional based on Philippians 4:8.

  3. Jul 27

    Ep 280 You Don't Have to Walk Alone with Andrea Stunz

    Andrea Stunz has multiple lifetimes of stories that could be shared, but the stories that will likely pop up are those of living abroad and moving often (currently at her 30th address), travel/adventure, surviving betrayal in my marriage, and taking care of her body over the last year – and today we get to spend a little time on each. Andrea, married for 37 years, now divorced, shares experience and hope for the betrayed spouse, and her best wisdom is summed up with this: you don't have to walk alone. Part of healing after betrayal trauma is to figure out who you really are. Andrea shares that her life was hidden under just trying to cope and manage. She didn't even know her favorite ice cream. She does now! It's strawberries and cream. (:  Some gems from our conversation: You can leave a generational blessing rather than one of brokeness and betrayal.  To take care of yourself—body, soul, and spirit—is part of biblical stewardship.  Learn to make boundaries of protection vs fences. When tunneling downward emotionally, turn to the Psalms and write them out. It's a way of inviting God into your story.  I'm grateful for who I've become through these struggles and I know and love Jesus more than ever before.  Don't isolate when faced with a broken marriage; healing is streamlined when you find others of faith who are experiencing the same situation.  If we continue to blame others or focus on getting our needs met competely by others, we may be still in the victim-mindset, which hinders our growth process.  Satan gets a stronghold when we stay isolated in our pain.  Go to the Word and to a community. Please don't feel you have to walk alone.  Whatever we end up going through, if we choose faith, if we choose Jesus, we will see that he will be a part of our story and we are part of his.  Part of healing after betrayal trauma is to figure out who you really are. My life was hidden under just trying to cope and manage.     AndreaStunz.com Substack FB @AndreaStunz IG @AndreaStunz

  4. Jul 13

    Ep 279 An Engineer With a Servant Heart with Greg Johnson

    When you began to follow Christ did you ever think: I could never be a missionary—that’s not my thing. My thing is more in tech areas and tech areas aren’t in the Bible—why would God want me to serve? I think I’d best sit on the sidelines and give my offering on a regular basis! Today we get to hear from my friend, Greg Johnson, an electronic and computer engineer – a friend who reminded me sits on the opposite end of the same pew most Sundays but it’s funny how we don’t talk all that often. Too busy talking to other people! Greg and his wife Bonnie have 4 grown daughters. He grew up with a dad who modeled serving God and the church in practical ways, and Greg went along with him to sweep the leaves and clear the gutters at their local church. When he knew he wanted to become an engineer, his pastor thought he should go to Bible school instead. But Greg knew even then how God had wired him and he came on up to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, met his wife Bonnie in college leadership at our very own Grace Central Coast. When he retired 6 years ago from a very stressful job at the local nuclear power plant, Greg discovered even more ways to serve his Savior. Hear his story and be encouraged! Some gems from our conversation: It's such a blessing to give a gift to others that they could never repay—just like God giving us His Son, Jesus. Building homes in Mexico alongside all generations has taught me the importance and joy of building all sorts of new relationships. What's fun about serving God is that you don't have to be a pastor or a missionary; you just serve God with the gifts he's given you.  Samaritan's Purse shows people during a crisis that God hasn't forgotten them. I find joy in serving God outside the four walls of the church.  I'm in my happy place with I get to use my skill-set to help others and it's made me bolder in sharing the Gospel.  I've cried more with my 4 girls since working Samaritan's Purse than all their years growing up. God's given me a new heart of compassion.  I've mostly been to conflict zones so I can't give a lot of details but it's been amazing to work alongside all kinds of nationalities, professions and generations. Helping people is the bridge to sharing the Gospel. If you want to try something different and that will build your compassion, check out Samaritan's Purse     https://www.facebook.com/SamaritansPurse https://www.facebook.com/SamaritansPurseUSDisasterRelief  https://www.instagram.com/samaritanspurse/ https://www.samaritanspurse.org/  https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/dart-learn-more/    Amor Ministries website. https://amor.org/

  5. Jun 29

    Ep 278 God In and Through Your Story with Storyteller, Amanda Schaefer

    Do you ever think: I like hearing how God works in other people’s lives but I don’t think anyone would be interested in hearing my story with or without God – I mean, I’ve messed up, I keep messing up—how can I be sure God still wants to use me?   Today we have  Amanda Schaefer, podcaster, Bible teacher and author of Holy Plot Twists—God Is Still Writing Your Story. Once God came into Amanda's life, she hasn't wanted to stop talking about him and she does that best through telling her story. And says today that we can do the same. All our stories are powerful becasuse they show off God's beautiful work of redemption, transformation and love. What a way to live. You will be encouraged. Amanda is hosting a giveaway of her latest book - please comment below to be entered.  Some gems from our conversation: God gave me everything I needed while getting ready to meet Jesus. He takes all our individual stories to intersect with others to make one big God story. God interrupts my thoughts of sin and shame, and puts his hand under my chin to lift me up to remind me I'm doing a great job. God is constantly trying to get our attention so don't limit the way he may be speaking to you. It's not enough for me to be free—he wants everyone to be free! I'm a "scooper-upper", making sure people are connected to God and to one another—to make them feel welcomed, seen, heard and loved. God comes in and takes a story and does a flip to change it all around for His purposes and kingdom. Choose to look for the good, and it will change the way you view life all day long.  God does His best work while we wait.  Comment below to be entered to win Amanda's book. Amanda Schaefer is a podcast host, award-winning author, and speaker. She carries with her the goodness of looking through a lens of gratitude. The “A Cup of Gratitude” podcast is global, reaching over 147 countries and 3500 cities.      Connect with Amanda at www.acupofgratitude.org or on Social media.    www.instagram.com/acupof_gratitude www.facebook.com/amanda.f.schaefer www.acupofgratitude.org   https://youtube.com/@acupofgratitude?si=PF55x6T4ecrs7jdg

  6. Jun 15

    Ep 277 Adoption and Mentoring - Is This Our Legacy? with Jill and Todd Talley

    Have you ever thought about why adoption is so close to God’s heart? Maybe you know someone who was adopted or as a child you wish you were adopted (jk!) or perhaps you’ve thought at one time or another: Should we adopt? And what all will that mean to me and our family? Today we have our friends, Jill and Todd Talley, to talk about all things adoption as well as some mentoring topics. Todd and Jill Talley are the parents of three children, two through birth and one through adoption. In 2008 they were blessed to be able to fly to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and bring home their then 18-month-old son. Together as a family the Talleys have a passion for adoption, orphan care ministries and mentoring. So much so in 2009, Todd and Jill met with several families from Grace SLO who had adopted or fostered. Together these couples founded the Adoption and Foster Care Ministry at Grace Central Coast. The Talleys currently Co-Lead the Ministry.   Some gems from our conversation: From the first time we held baby Daniel in our arms, we loved him and knew that this was how our Father in heaven holds and loves us.  By entering in and serving our community, we show the Gospel in understated ways. Foster care and adoption starts with a loss—this child carries a great loss which we can't fully replace but God can through our efforts to love and come alongside as He does for us. Every child belongs in a loving family. The biggest challenge to doing foster care and mentoring is time management. We have to learn how to "layer in" a young person into our already busy schedule who just needs someone to show up and be there to listen. Being engaged in church community was invaluable to our venturing into adoption. Adoption and foster care is a picture of God's welcoming heart.  By utterly depending on God for grace and strength, we want to show the same grace to the lonely, the lost, and the child who needs a family.  The book Jill mentioned: There Is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene Baby Daniel! For information on the Foster and Orphan Care ministry, check HERE.

  7. Jun 1

    Ep 276 How to Deal With Difficult People Without Moving to Australia with Sue Donaldson

    I love people. Especially the loveable ones. I think I love people well until I come across a difficult person. Maybe you also keep a private list of those who-best-not-be-named, and pray you never see again. Even worse: you work alongside of them. Or much, much worse: you’re related to them. The funny thing is none of our secrets are secret to God. The other funny thing is He’s got a plan for how we deal with our difficult people. What can we do? Pretend they don’t bother us? Change locations? Speak the truth in love and the truth is: we don’t like them and we would love it if they left us alone? It’s not convenient to move to Australia to join Alexander on his no-good-very-bad day caused by a no-good, not-so-pleasant, irritating person. But it doesn’t stop us wishing we could be on the next plane. Today we talk about WHAT MAKES A DIFFICULT PERSON DIFFICULT? DEGREES OF DIFFICULTY—DO THEY MATTER? SIMPLE PRACTICES TO HELP US WITH OUR DIFFICULT PEOPLE Keeping my mouth shut is usually a good idea.  Some thoughts: You’ve heard the expression, “Hurt people hurt people.” I forget that fact when I’m the object of that hurt. When difficult people lash out, I want to listen with my heart, not just my ears, and think: I wonder what’s going on to make her act that way? Was there something in his past that’s causing this behavior? Cultivating a grown-up relationship with your most beloved may include painstaking prayers for wisdom and love, timing and tone. Degrees of difficulty do matter. On the one hand, we need to exercise patience and kind words. On the other end of the spectrum, extreme behavior warrants firm and healthy boundaries. Ask for the help you need. Some conversations don’t need to take place, especially when we begin with prayer. Forbearance is putting up with more than you are due (or that you THINK you are due!) The thing is we want everyone to forbear with us, but forget to forbear with everyone else. _____ Check out my new book HERE:

  8. May 18

    Ep 275 Start With Your Inadequacy—Overcoming Barriers to Hospitality with Dr. Janice Brown

    Do you feel inadequate regarding doing hospitality? That's the best way to feel! I know I talk a lot about hospitality and if you’ve been around awhile, you know why I do.  It’s not the same as entertaining. Do you understand the difference enough to go ahead and open your home, for heaven’s sake? Today we have Dr.Janice Brown to talk about rethinking Biblical hospitality.   Dr. Brown is a specialist in the work of C. S. Lewis and Dorothy L. Sayers. And she’s taught on the college level as well as High School English, some of the time for missionary kids in Papau New Guinea with Wycliffe Bible Translators. She's a wife of 56 years, mother of 3 and grandmother of 6. Origninally from Newfoundland, she currently resides in Pennsylvania.  Some gems from our conversation: We are more like God when we invite in our creativity, whether it's something physical we make as  in making dinner or in making someone feel loved and seen as God loves and sees us. Hospitality is to invite someone in—but in a wider, deeper sense, it's to give of yourself, your space, your focus, your concern and your attention. When we do hospitality, God uses us, the host, in a grand and simple way to provide stability for someone who hasn't had that resource growing up.  God uses what we have and makes that enough. There's a preciousness in the idea that out of our poverty or sense of inadequacy that God uses us.  Poverty fosters generosity of spirit and motivates us to share more. We honor others' individuality by inviting them into our homes even when it feels hard to "put up" with what we feel is strange or uncomfortable.  The meal is the vehicle to engage with others and foster intimacy.  Follow Dr. Brown on her writer's page on Facebook under Janice Hudson Brown. And find her books on her Amazon author page.    ___ Do you prefer watching while listening?  We are on YouTube:     Welcome Heart: Knowing & Showing the Heart of God

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WELCOME HEART: Living a Legacy Life with Sue Donaldson from WelcomeHeart.com. Hear how to invest in what matters beyond ourselves. We have one life - let’s make the most of it by inviting others into God’s welcoming heart.

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