Today's episode wraps up our three-week "Religion to Relationship" series, and, once again, it focuses our eyes on the beauty of God's grace and how this gift plays a key role in our relationship with Him.

Courtney Ballard, from our Tupelo, Mississippi community, grew up as a pastor's kid, always aware of God and His existence, and working hard to be the "angel child" others expected her to be. However, this self-imposed title created a life pattern for Courtney of living for people and their applause, rather than living for God alone. She soon found herself at a crossroads—would she choose God's grace or her own efforts and good intentions? Listen and find out what the Lord revealed!

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VERSE OF THE WEEK:

"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

This week be self-aware of the intentions in your heart and ask - am I living out of God's grace or am I living for the applause of people?

Links:

Listen to this song by Lauren Daigle- Losing My Religion

Listen to a similar story: Courtney Doyle- Ep. 71: Removing the Masks

Download a phone background of the weekly verse HERE! (click the link and hold down on the photo to save to your phone)

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Courtney or any of our past storytellers!!

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a Story Within the Story with Courtney!

Join us live on Thursday, November 6th at 7:00 PM at Samford University Wright Center for a night of worship and fellowship with Ellie Holcomb presented by Portraits of Hope! Register here and use promo code ELLIE10 for 10% off at checkout!

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website.

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live's weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings.

Today's podcast places us in the middle of our three-week series "Religion to Relationship", and it's a story many of us can fall victim to - "if I'm just good enough for God, I'll earn His favor and His blessing over my life."

Rachel Temple, from our Pinehurst, North Carolina community, shares her story of growing up under the pressures of having a mother who was an alcoholic and a father who was an enabler, and subsequently succumbing to the role of caretaker in her family while believing the lie that if she could do all the right things for God life would be easier. This theological misunderstanding led Rachel down a path of comparison, depression, insecurity, and despair until the Lord met her and asked, "Will you be defined by your victimhood or by My grace?" - a question that, as you'll hear, changed the trajectory of Rachel's life.

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VERSE OF THE WEEK:

"Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees." Psalm 119:66-68

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

Where are you comparing the goodness of God in your life to the goodness of God in the lives of others? This week shift your thoughts to gratitude and the gift of God's unmerited grace.

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Links:

Breaking Free by Beth Moore

Listen to this song by Lauren Daigle- Losing My Religion

Listen to a similar story: Ep. 30- Amy Williams: Faith Above Works

Download a phone background of the weekly verse HERE! (click the link and hold down on the photo to save to your phone)

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Rachel and all of our past storytellers!!

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a Q & A with Rachel from the Raleigh community.

Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshops being offered online on October 29th at 9:30-12:30 CST and in-person on November 12th at 5:30-8:00 PM CST

Join us live on Thursday, November 6th at 7:00 PM at Samford University Wright Center for a night of worship and fellowship with Ellie Holcomb presented by Portraits of Hope! Register here and use promo code ELLIE10 for 10% off at checkout!

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website.

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live's weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings.

10/15/2025

Today, we are excited to kick off a three-week series of stories, entitled "Religion to Relationship" with Jesus Christ.

Linda Friedman, from our Raleigh, North Carolina community, shares her powerful journey of growing up in Taiwan with a Taoist and Buddhist foundation, how her upbringing led her to search for community and happiness within the Mormon church, and ultimately how Jesus opened her eyes to the truths of Who He is. This is a story of God's pursuing love and His desire for every child to discover the rest and freedom found only in Him.

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VERSE OF THE WEEK:

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

Jesus didn't call you to perform. He called you to rest in Him. How can you experience His rest this week?

Links:

Listen to this song by Lauren Daigle by Losing My Religion

Listen to a similar story: Ep. 268- Sajeda Wilson: "My Journey to Jesus:: From Islam to Christianity"

Download a phone background of the weekly verse HERE! (click the link and hold down on the photo to save to your phone)

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Linda and all of our past storytellers!!

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a Continue the Conversation with the podcast hosts discussing this first episode in the "Religion to Relationship" series.

Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshop being offered online on October 29th, 9:30-12:30 CST

Join us live on Thursday, November 6th, at 7:00 PM at Samford University Wright Center for a night of worship and fellowship with Ellie Holcomb, presented by Portraits of Hope! Register here and use promo code ELLIE10 for 10% off at checkout!!!

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website.

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live's weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings.

Today's episode on the podcast is unlike any other we have had, and it's one you definitely don't want to miss!

Alesha Hollinger, from our West Cobb community just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, shares her unbelievable story of being shot in the face by a gunman on May 3, 2023 - a day she also experienced the supernatural, peaceful presence of the Lord. Alesha's journey and outlook on life after that fateful encounter will challenge you in your own faith and inspire you to live every moment in hope-filled gratitude.

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VERSE OF THE WEEK:

"No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me." Isaiah 54:17

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

Practice faith over fear. Believe in the greatness of God.

LINKS:

Listen to a similar story: Mary- Ep. 3 "From Tragedy to Peace"

Download a phone background of the weekly verse HERE! (click the link and hold down on the photo to save to your phone)

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Alesha and all of our past storytellers!!

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content!

Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshop being offered online on October 29th, 9:30-12:30 CST

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website.

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live's weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings.

Living with physical, mental, or emotional pain can leave us questioning God's love and goodness for our lives, but as today's "First Monday Story" reminds us, all pain matters to God, as it's an invitation to know and be known by Him.

Listen in as Lindsay Wells, from our Charleston, South Carolina community, shares her journey of living with chronic back pain and how coming to terms with her suffering is what led her to truly understand and experience God's presence. This is a story that will remind you that the Lord is in the midst of your pain, and, as Lindsay so sweetly says, "that's a really beautiful thing."
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Listen to a similar story: Sheryl Trawick- Ep. 330: "The Healing Power of Scripture"

Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Lindsay and all of our past storytellers!!

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content

Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshop being offered online on October 29th, 9:30-12:30 CST

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website.

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live's weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings AND our Sustain the Stories Campaign!

All of us have a tendency to fall into a pattern of living from a false sense of control. But when the unexpected circumstances of life hit, we are reminded very quickly of our dependency on the Lord.

Today's storyteller, Mary Bradley Anderson, from our Mountain Brook, Alabama community, talks candidly about her journey of surrendering her plans to the Lord. This is a story about God's sovereignty, His all-sufficient grace and ever-present Spirit, and His omnipotent power as the Creator and Sustainer of life. Get ready to be inspired to live with your eyes focused on Jesus.

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VERSE OF THE WEEK:

Psalm 139:5, 16 "You hem me in, behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me… All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

CHALLENGE:

"Anytime resentment creeps in, it's a reminder to turn to Jesus."

Where are you harboring resentment or jealousy? This week, allow any of those moments to turn your eyes back to Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith.

Learn more about our Sustain the Stories Campaign and how to become a Story Champion by a recurring donation or simply give once in honor of Mary Bradley and our past storytellers!!

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including a bonus story from Danna Homan of our Mountain Brook community.

Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshop being offered online on October 29th, 9:30-12:30 CST

Download a phone background of the weekly verse HERE! (Click the link and hold down on the photo to save to your phone.)

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website.

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live's weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings AND Sustain the Stories Campaign!

Trusting God in our darkest seasons of life and believing He is working all things for good can be a struggle for many of us. However, today's storyteller, Alissa Parrish, from our Montgomery, Alabama community, reminds us that it's during the difficult, the hard, and the waiting that God longs for you to seek His presence, ask for His guidance, and surrender to His will.

While this is a story of loss and grief, it's also one of hope and redemption as Alissa reminds us that God's promises and plans are always bigger than our problems and pain.

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VERSE OF THE WEEK:

Psalm 130:5: "I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His Word I put my hope."

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

Are you in a season of waiting, longing for God to answer your prayers more quickly or help you out of a dark season? How can you turn your waiting into worship?

Listen to a similar story: Kitty Hurdle- Ep. 274: "Will You Trust Me?"

Learn more about our Sustain the Stories Campaign and how to become a Story Champion by a recurring donation or simply give once in honor of Alissa and our past storytellers!!

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including highlights of our past bonus stories with Katie & Libby!

Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshop being offered online on October 29th, 9:30-12:30 CST

Download a phone background of the weekly verse HERE! (click the link and hold down on the photo to save to your phone)

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website.

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live's weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings AND our Sustain the Stories Campaign!

Life can change in an instant. And, in that moment, the illusion of control can either take you down a path of fear and worry or a path of surrender and peace.

In today's podcast, Laurie Brooker, from our community group in Trussville, Alabama, shares her story of how the Lord guided her to trust His sovereign plan as He strengthened and upheld her through the loss of her husband and a cancer diagnosis of her own (all in the same year). Laurie will courageously remind you that while life can sometimes place unwanted titles on you, God can bring joy out of the pain and goodness into your story.
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Verse of the Week:

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Challenge of the Week:

Laurie spoke often of how her community surrounded her in the suffering her family was experiencing. What can you do for someone who is struggling this week? Be the hands and feet of Christ to them!

Listen to a similar story: Lori Anderson- Ep. 75: "The Transforming Power of Grief"

Learn more about our Sustain the Stories Campaign and how to become a Story Champion by a recurring donation or simply give once in honor of Laurie and our past storytellers!!

Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content

Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshop being offered online on October 29th, 9:30-12:30 CST

Download a phone background of the weekly verse HERE! (click the link and hold down on the photo to save to your phone)

Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series

Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website.

Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live's weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings AND our Sustain the Stories Campaign!