Have you met our cohost for season 6? Ty Scott King is currently being considered for a Grammy and we are praying and celebrating with her! You can find her newest album here.

 The Philistines came up again and spread out in Rephaim Valley. 23 So David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not attack directly, but circle around behind them and come at them opposite the balsam trees. 24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act decisively, for then the Lord will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 25 So David did exactly as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.

Selah: A Study of 1 and 2 Samuel is still available for preorder and it is my prayer that, together, we can fall even more deeply in love with the Scriptures. You can purchase it here on Amazon.

The study includes: 

• 6 video sessions (all between 9 and 14 minutes because you have your own questions to pray about and answer),
• 30 guided prayers (all around 7 minutes to help you dive into prayer),
• and 6 weeks of live study with me (and any others who have the opportunity to join us) every Tuesday, beginning September 26 at 6:30PM PST/9:30 PM EST.

Thinking about launching your own podcast? Want to see if there's a way to continue to host your podcast and do more while spending less? Click here for my 7 Podcasting Essentials!

Please don't forget to leave a Review on Apple Podcasts or Audible to show some love. 💗 I'm giving away a book to two of you who leave your IG handle.

Here's the Confident Collaborations Quiz

My newest devotional is available on the YouVersion Bible app! Will you subscribe to it? I have a feeling it will bless you!

A conversation about sexual abuse and restorative justice with Mary E. Demuth

We read about three important, yet difficult stories, throughout the books of 1 and 2 Samuel: Mychal, Bathsheba, and Tamar. And the one thing we realize when we read them is that these women's stories mattered to the Holy Spirit.

The passages surrounding these passages are not prescriptive. They are not passages to direct us about how to live today (unless it is to do the opposite). They are descriptive, meant to describe what happened to these women and the effect it had on all involved, and the Holy Spirit required the biographers to include them rather than gloss over them.

In spite of the pain, in spite of the struggle, and in spite of the abuse that we find there, we still see a God who cares, a God who redeems, a God who looks down from heaven and desires justice, a God who heals, and a God who loves in all of it.

This week, we are continuing to reflect on some of the themes in Session Four of Selah: Worship Invites Resilience in the Wilderness.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Today, Ty and I get to close out this season by featuring one woman who has impacted both of us. Today, I have the great joy to introduce you to Anisa L. Wesley, a best selling author, licensed clinical social work, and podcaster. Get connected to her because she is definitely a woman you should know.

Mary DEMUTH loves Jesus. And really that’s the most important thing about her. It’s not writing or speaking or praying or mommying or any other -ing you can find. She flat out loves Him. Why? Because he has utterly, truly, completely re-storied her. 

She’s been writing for 30+ years–half of them in obscurity. She mentored many writers during that time, and continues to do so through the Rockwall Christian Writers Group and some of her  instructional books. Since then she has written over 45 books, translated into five languages. You can see a listing of all her books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD, Lifeway and Parable.

Mary pioneered a literary agency in 2022, Mary DeMuth Literary, where she shepherds writers toward traditional publishing.

Today, we are talking to Mary about how to worship amidst untold stories of sexual abuse.

Want to find out what was going on in King David's life when he wrote the psalms He's known for? Grab your download here. 

A conversation about disability, restoration, and honor with Jennifer Ji-Hye Ko

Mephibosheth shows up in one of the sweetest scriptures in all of 1 and 2 Samuel, and yet the way he is treated over time also reminds us that we have much work to do in the body of Christ concerning our loved ones who are disabled.

This is one of THE most important conversations we have ever had on The Best Kept Secret. Thank you for being here.

This week, we are continuing to reflect on some of the themes in Session Four of Selah: Worship Invites Renewal.

And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.”

Today, Ty and I get to close out this season by featuring one woman who has impacted both of us. Today, I have the great joy to introduce you to Victoria Weatherspoon, someone who is consistently lifting others up. Get connected to her because she is definitely a woman you should know.

Jennifer Ji-Hye Ko (JenniferJiHyeKo.com) is a Disabled speaker, writer, poet, author of A Lamenter’s Pathway to Joy: Devotional Journal, founder of Disabled Christian Voices Ministry, and currently working towards becoming a certified Beyond Suffering (theology of disability) instructor with Joni and Friends Ministry. She has lived with multiple physical, developmental, and psychological disabilities since early childhood including the traumatic confusion of being a late-diagnosed Autistic. 

Armed with over a decade of theological and biblical counseling education, as well as mind-body self-study, Jennifer continues to learn by chronically dwelling on the sacred ground of desperate fellowship with Christ in his suffering. Jennifer — supported by her husband, daughter, BFF, and service dog, Natasha Romanoff — strives to uplift and embolden hurting people with the comfort she has received from God.

• David’s choice to keep his covenant to Jonathan is one of the sweetest stories in 1 and 2 Samuel. I’d love to ask what stands out to you about Mephibosheth’s restoration and what you think we can learn from it today.
• You often speak about how people should develop a theology of suffering. Can you tell us about this? 
• I was surprised to learn about the history of discrimination in the church against people with disabilities. Can you share a little about this history and the sin of partiality?
• What kinds of experiences have you bore witness to that show how someone might be welcome in theory but rejected in practice? 
• What scriptures inform your work? 
• What recommendations do you have for those who are struggling to worship through the challenges they have faced within their churches?

Want to find out what was going on in King David's life when he wrote the psalms He's known for? Grab your download here.