* Conversations with Christian Women * Hosts: Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes chat to women from Australia and around the world about faith, life and ministry. Ordinary women trusting an extraordinary God makes for inspirational stories and great wisdom shared about all aspects of life as a Christian woman.
Episodes
Friday Oct 30, 2020
Friday Oct 30, 2020
When Ann’s young husband died suddenly of a cardiac arrest, her world was understandably rocked. In today’s episode, Ann Austin talks to Taryn Hayes about what she means by a startling statement that she often makes when reflecting on that time. She talks also of her years as a missionary in Kenya and South Africa, as well as her current journey of caring for her husband, Tom, during a difficult cancer diagnosis and treatment.
EPISODE NOTES:
Ann Austin counts herself a homemaker, a Bible study leader, and a women’s mentor. But, she has also lived much of her life as a missionary in Kenya and South Africa for 25 years, along with her husband Tom. This included training others in chronological Bible storying workshops in Kenya and South Africa and leading oral inductive Bible studies for women prisoners in South Africa. Ann counts this experience as the most cross-cultural ministry experience of her 25 years on the mission field and one where she has never before felt so reliant on the Holy Spirit. Ann came to faith in Christ while in university through reading the book of Romans. She was struck by her sinfulness and need for a Saviour. Since then, the book of Romans has been a source of comfort and strength in many of her life situations. Ann is the mother of two adult daughters and grandmother to five littlies.
NOTE FROM SHOW HOST:
Many years ago, when I first met today’s guest, she said something that has stuck with me ever since. It was that the emergency room is no place to figure out one's theology. She said this when telling me about the traumatic event of losing her first husband to a sudden cardiac arrest at a very young age. In our chat today, Ann will tell us the story and what she meant when she said that. You will notice a few things in our chat today - one will be Ann’s beautiful Southern American accent. The other will be the not so beautiful audio glitches. As with many of our latest interviews, we have used Zoom and this time it was particularly glitchy. But, we’ve cleaned it up as best as possible and hopefully Ann’s stories and wisdom will be what you most remember of this delightful and encouraging conversation.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
A Sacred Sorrow - Michael Card
SHOW SNIPPETS:
“I’ve seen God heal and I’ve seen God not heal. I’ve seen it both ways. But it’s the same Lord. And His grace has been there.”
“I had nobody telling me that before God I needed to acknowledge my sin and bow before Him.”
“That’s really the one thing (the story of her husband’s death) that I’m always happy to do even though it’s very difficult.”
“He (her late husband) went to sleep and his heart stopped.”
“I remember thinking ‘Has God for a second taken His eyes away from us?’”
“I knew that God is sovereign and that He is in control.”
“He has an eternal perspective on goodness and I can only see the human side of it.”
“The emergency room is no place to figure out your theology.”
“If I would peg my Christian walk on my circumstances then I would have a rollercoaster of a life of faith.”
Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com
Wednesday Oct 14, 2020
Wednesday Oct 14, 2020
Chris O, as she is affectionately known by many, is someone who is passionate about her love for Jesus, and she is super enthusiastic about seeing young people move closer to trusting in Jesus. In this face-to-face conversation, host Tori Walker finds out how playing volleyball led Chris to ask those deep philosophical questions that ended with her trusting in Jesus for her salvation. Chris talks about the significant role that Scripture Union has played in her life, and her work as a school chaplain, both the formal aspects and the ‘creative loitering’ that she engages in.
EPISODE NOTES:
Chris O'Gorman grew up in Brisbane and trained as a Maths/Science teacher at the University of Queensland. After teaching for three years in the government system, she joined the staff of Scripture Union Queensland and worked as a Schools Ministry Worker, setting up and resourcing voluntary Christian groups in schools, running a vacation camping programme, and helping set up chaplaincy in government schools.
After 12 years at SU Queensland, Chris went back teaching Maths, Science and Christian Education at Brisbane Boys’ College. She was also on the pastoral care team at BBC as a Head of House and remained at BBC for 11 years. In 2007, Chris was appointed as Senior Chaplain at Somerville House, where she is kept busy teaching Christian Education, taking Chapel Services and assembly devotions, pastoral care, and developing the Christian life of the school, amongst other things.
Chris is passionate about helping people to connect more closely with Jesus Christ, and to understand God’s grace as expressed through Christ’s life, death and resurrection. Her life and ministry is driven by the motto “Know Jesus and make Him Known”.
Chris is a credentialed pastor in her denomination.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
SHOW SNIPPETS:
“I was nurtured very much by our Christian fellowship at school.”
“I want more of that. That’s a great thing to do. To talk about God and to talk about how the Christian faith is reasonable.”
“Keith Drinkle’s vision was that every young person in Queensland would hear the gospel, and it’s a vision that he’s passed on to me.”
“We can preach the gospel and teach the Bible and that’s really our focus.” (as a School Chaplain)
“Proclamation of the gospel is the heart of what we do.” (as a School Chaplain)
“My goal is to see people come closer to God, wherever they are on the spectrum.”
“I want to see kids come to know the Lord and grow in their faith and be replicating.”
“I’ve been using Scripture Union notes for a very long time, of course.”
“When you’re a single person, it does force you to rely on God more too - it’s not always an easy thing, but it is a good thing.”
Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com
Wednesday Sep 30, 2020
Wednesday Sep 30, 2020
Barbara Reaoch chats to Taryn Hayes about her new Christmas family devotional A Better Than Anything Christmas and how she came to be a writing grandma. Barbara also shares her journey to faith in Jesus, her involvement in Bible Study Fellowship including years as a missionary in Cape Town and as the Children's Director in Texas.
EPISODE NOTES:
Barbara and her husband lived in Michigan before moving to Cape Town, South Africa, to teach Bible Study Fellowship classes. They also worked with the Rafiki Foundation to train young women in job and life skills. With her grandchildren far away, Barbara began to write Bible studies for them to bridge the distance.
After returning to the US, Barbara directed the Children’s Division of Bible Study Fellowship International. Barbara now lives in Minneapolis, MN, where she is learning to love snow again! She and her family are privileged to be a part of the wonderful body of believers at Bethlehem Baptist Church.
One of Barbara's favourite Bible passages is Acts 1:8. She says, “Because God has let me be part of His ministry to the ends of the earth."
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
A Better Than Anything Christmas" to be released 1 October 2020
A Jesus Christmas (book review)
SHOW SNIPPETS:
"Living and teaching overseas I learned in a new way that God's Word can reach children in every situation. I've seen the power of God's Word help children around the world — from Africa to Asia, India to the Alps, poor or rich. Whatever the challenge - God has given parents the privilege and power to reach their children with the transforming truth of his Word."
On reading the Bible for herself for the first time: “I felt like I had been invited to a banquet with all sorts of delicious foods and I just wanted to eat it all up.”
“I knew I had been given a lot of food but I didn’t understand the nutrition of it very much. I didn’t know what I needed to stay healthy as a Christian.”
"I can still remember markers along the way that I would hear from people who were obviously Christian that sunk into my brain and eventually ended in my heart."
"I was pretty bent on living the way I wanted to live."
"When you give kids a big picture like that then they can understand the individual stories more clearly."
"We also talk about who Jesus is - why he is the tabernacle; why he is the bread. It helps kids to understand how the Old Testament connects with the New Testament."
"In my heart is a passion to make parents successful in the job that they have … there’s nothing that gives me more pleasure than to equip parents in this task of discipling their children."
"A Better than Anything Christmas is a 25-day exploration about Jesus’ life. The Bible tells us that Christmas is all about the gifts that Jesus came to give to us."
"Statistically, most people who are in Christ, look back on a time between the ages of 10 and 12 in their childhood as a time when they came to embrace Christ as their saviour."
"I am asking God to teach me more and more what it means too abide in him and live in his presence every minute of everyday."
"I want my life to be him - I want him to be in me and through me. I don’t want to just know about it, I really want to live in him more completely so I’m still learning."
"I call that reverse mentoring, because I learn so much from (younger) people … a lot of the passion (they) have in (their) walk."
Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com
Tuesday Sep 15, 2020
Tuesday Sep 15, 2020
In this episode, the main feature is from the GROW Women's Conference in Brisbane when Tori interviewed three Christian women about living their lives in the light of the gospel. Recorded live at the 2019 GROW Conference, this episode is shorter than most. However, keep listening, because after the GROW interview, Tori shares some exciting news about the podcast platform and she introduces listeners to Katie - The Lydia Project's very own podcast assistant who has been working hard behind the scenes helping to keep this podcast chugging along.
EPISODE NOTES:
In this episode, the main feature is from the GROW Women's Conference in Brisbane when Tori interviewed three Christian women about living their lives in the light of the gospel. Recorded live at the 2019 GROW Conference, this episode is shorter than most. However, keep listening, because after the GROW interview, Tori shares some exciting news about the podcast platform and she introduces listeners to Katie - The Lydia Project's very own podcast assistant who has been working hard behind the scenes helping to keep this podcast chugging along.
***
Kylie has four children in primary school and is a member of City North Baptist where she’s involved in Sunday school teaching. Her superpower of choice would be invisibility so that she could occasionally hide from her kids.
Val works in the One Williams street tower. She goes to Central Church and her super power would be the power of high metabolism so she could eat whatever she liked and not have to work it off
Dena has been a member of Grace Bible Church since it began. Her husband is the founding pastor and together they’ve been involved there. They have four adult children. If she could have a super power it would be the super fast running speed of Dash from The Incredibles so that she could dash all the way around the world seeing friends and family and be back in time for dinner.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
GROW Chats 2020: Short podcasts to fix your thoughts on Jesus.
SHOW SNIPPETS:
Kylie: “It’s an ongoing process. His word is still convicting and it still offers a lot of mercy and a lot of grace.”
Dena: “I’m thankful for the freedom that comes in Christ.”
Val: “I’m tempted at times to be lukewarm and ashamed of the gospel.”
Val: “Your workplace is sometimes your main ministry because you’re there all the time.”
Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com
Saturday Aug 29, 2020
Saturday Aug 29, 2020
Claire Smith is a New Testament scholar, women’s Bible teacher, and the author of God’s Good Design: What the Bible really says about Men and Women. Listen as Claire talks to Tori Walker about these topics as well as the value of other aspects of ministry.
EPISODE NOTES
Claire Smith is married to Rob, and attends St Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral, Sydney. They have a married son. Claire is a New Testament scholar, women’s Bible teacher, and the author of God’s Good Design: What the Bible really says about Men and Women, 2nd ed. (Matthias Media, 2019), and contributor to the ESV Women’s Devotional Bible (Crossway, 2014) and Word-filled Women’s Ministry: Loving and Serving the Church (eds. Gloria Furman and Kathleen Nielson, Crossway, 2015). Claire serves on TGCA editorial panel, working to develop women writers and content.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
SHOW SNIPPETS:
"I went home that night thinking “I can’t possibly become a Christian"."
"He stuck in there with me for six years, sharing the gospel with me as my life progressively fell apart."
"The whole subjective view of gender identity is entirely at odds with the embodied view of personhood you see in Scripture."
"I do think committees are a form of ministry."
"The Gospel Coalition Australia is a way of helping those different gospel networks talk to one another and resources one another with articles, podcasts & resources….trying to serve Christian people with good evangelical thought-provoking material that is going to help them."
"What we all want to be as Christian people is faithful servants of Christ - what better summation of our lives could there be than that we’ve poured ourselves out for Christ."
Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com
Friday Aug 14, 2020
Friday Aug 14, 2020
Dr Carolyn Russell's expertise and experience in mental health care makes this episode especially informative and encouraging. Listen as she shares with Taryn Hayes about faith, family and her pathway into medicine and ministry.
EPISODE NOTES:
Dr Carolyn Russell is a medical doctor and qualified counsellor who spends much of her time either in counselling or in teaching others about mental health and counselling. Carolyn is married and has three children that are all grown up and independent. She recently became a grandmother and loves to spend her time sewing and kayaking or spending time with her granddaughter. Carolyn attends Mitchelton Presbyterian Church (MPC) and is a GP Counsellor and Relationship Therapist. She loves to watch people grow within themselves and as a result start to trust in Jesus.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Queensland Theological College
SHOW SNIPPETS:
For the first time she put mercy and justice together for me, in God. And I was stunned. It’s not all about having fun or knowing this God who is a grandfather. I had to wrestle with the fact that God is a judge and I was a sinner.
A community mental health practice where we could be Christians not just in name but Christians in practice. Having a place where we could invite people who did have mental health struggles and who could not feel embarrassed to raise the fact that they wanted to trust God at the same time.
Our journey of transformation is one where we think we are less dented and we realise that we are more dented and damaged and that grace allows us and our relationships to function even though we are pretty bad at them …
The more flawed we are the more we know how wonderful it is what the Lord has done for us and that he wants to walk beside us. Even though we are still flawed human beings, he gives us his presence. How remarkable is that?
Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com
Wednesday Jul 29, 2020
Wednesday Jul 29, 2020
Host Tori Walker recently travelled to China and took the opportunity to catch up with Sally* about her life and work over the last 20 years in a large city in China. Sally and her husband are involved in leadership development with a Christian organisation, and they have many opportunities to share their faith in Jesus and encourage Chinese Christians to grow in leading others to Christ and growing in maturity in Him.
EPISODE NOTES:
Sally Smith* lives and works in China as a life coach and a missionary. She works with her husband and has three teenage children. As a missionary, one of Sally’s favourite ministry experiences is doing small group bible studies with unbelievers. She says “I love to see them encounter Jesus in the Word.” Another one of her favourite things to do is to relax with a book in hand or to spend the day at a beach.
A Bible passage that Sally says inspires her to keep going and fix her eyes on Jesus is Hebrews 12:1-2:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
SHOW SNIPPETS:
"We will always be foreigners."
"If the government were to say you cannot share your faith, then I think that does directly contradict Scripture."
"And it just rips your heart out when people leave again."
"I think there are lots of blessings living the life that we do, for marriage and for family."
*not her real name
Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Kim Gibson's journey with ovarian cancer has taught her many things about God and herself. Listen as she speaks with Taryn Hayes about her journey to faith, student ministry, cancer, books and much more.
EPISODE NOTES:
Kim Gibson grew up on a farm in country New South Wales. For the past eight years she has been working in university ministry with the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES). At present and for the past four years, her work has been at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. Kim is married to Richard, Principal of Brisbane School of Theology and together they attend Moorooka Presbyterian Church. Kim has 3 adult step-children, 1 grandson, 4 nephews and 1 niece – all at the young age of almost 40. Kim’s journey includes a diagnosis of ovarian cancer 4 years ago as well as ongoing treatment. Kim also serves on the GROW Women’s Conference Committee and can be found giving book reviews over at the 2020 GROW Chats podcast.
From the host:
Kim Gibson is someone who has known pain and suffering intimately. In fact, even though she feels quite well now, she is still walking the road of cancer and has been for a few years. I think that one of the most striking parts of her testimony of walking this road is not that she has felt that she has suffered well, but rather that even while she has been in deepest despair, that God is still God and that is something to rejoice in. She tells a story in this episode of her husband’s wise words during a time of great pain. She says,
“One time really early on, I had complications with surgery. We (Richard and I) were reading through 2 Corinthians together, where Paul says, “praise be to the God of all comfort.” And … I kind of whisper-yelled … “Where’s the comfort? I know that God doesn’t lie, but where is the comfort? I am not feeling it! How is this true?” And (my husband) said, “it’s a comfort that stands outside you and your circumstances. It’s not necessarily a comfort you can feel. But it is a comfort that at a real point in history, on a real hill, the son of God gave up his life for you so that you could be safe. And you might not be able to feel it right now, but it actually has to be a comfort that sits outside you and your feelings for it to be a real comfort.”
Kim says that it took some time for that to resonate deeply, but the truth of it has held her firmly during this difficult journey.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Full of Promise (Interactive Bible Study Series from Matthias Media) by Phil Campbell and Bryson Smith
Guidance and the Voice of God, by Phillip Jensen and Tony Payne
Just Do Something, by Kevin de Young
Fearing God … so we don’t have to be afraid, David Mears
The Plausibility Problem: The Church and Same-Sex Attraction, Ed Shaw
A Little Book on the Christian Life, John Calvin (trans. Denlinger & Parsons)
SHOW SNIPPETS:
"I had this repeated experience from late primary school to uni … I would think, if I died right now, would God welcome me into heaven, or would he have to say that I’m sorry, but because of your sins I will have to turn you away? … It would end the same way … with me promising to try harder."
"All of a sudden, the penny dropped. Oh! It doesn’t depend on me! … Jesus is completely sufficient where I am insufficient! He was completely perfect where I am imperfect!"
"A staff worker opened up the book of Ephesians and said we are going to work our way through the book of Ephesians verse by verse. And I went, “You’re kidding me! I’ve never seen this done before! That makes so much sense!” I had never seen anyone teach through the Bible like that … it was like I had been starving my whole life and then someone finally fed me!"
"At the start of 2016, I found out that I had a pelvic mass… I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Stage 3 (and) grade 3 cancer… It was aggressive."
"I was 35, I was in medical menopause, I was never going to be able to have children. And I was facing a cancer prognosis where only 40% of women with my diagnosis and my type of cancer are alive in 5 years time… The grief and the fear hit me like a truck."
"One time, really early on, I had complications with surgery. We (Richard and I) were reading through 2 Corinthians together, where Paul says, “praise be to the God of all comfort.” And … I kind of whisper-yelled … “Where’s the comfort? I know that God doesn’t lie, but where is the comfort? I am not feeling it! How is this true?” And (my husband) said, “it’s a comfort that stands outside you and your circumstances. It’s not necessarily a comfort you can feel. But it is a comfort that at a real point in history, on a real hill, the son of God gave up his life for you so that you could be safe. And you might not be able to feel it right now, but it actually has to be a comfort that sits outside you and your feelings for it to be a real comfort.”
"When we fear God, it helps us grapple with our other fears."
"That’s how we want to read books anyway. Every Christian book you read is not the Bible. And even if it is your favourite author from your favourite publishing company, you still have to read it with discernment, and read it with wisdom, and read it comparing it to Scripture. So, yeah, you don’t have to start burning books because there is one chapter in it that is not great. And you don’t have to believe that everything is perfect about the books that you do love."
Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com
Monday Jun 29, 2020
Monday Jun 29, 2020
Host Tori Walker met with Sue Abbott while she travelled with her husband to run the Everyday Evangelism course in Brisbane. Tori and Sue chat about evangelism and how Sue is spending her retirement years. Listen in as Tori gleans some of Sue's wisdom gathered over many years of serving Jesus in different contexts.
EPISODE NOTES:
Sue Abbott is married to Stephen, and has three adult children. She has happily supported her husband through his theological study and his work in Sydney Anglican Churches. She delights in hospitality ministry, and is now travelling around Australia with Stephen in their retirement teaching the Everyday Evangelism.
One of Sue’s favourite Bible passages is Psalm 46:10 “Be Still and know that I am God.” She says, “It is a great reminder that I am not in control and that my striving or becoming anxious about something won’t change things. It’s a very great comfort to remember that God is the Lord of all and I can rest in Him in any circumstance. It’s when I’m “still” that I can get perspective and can be assured God will work out His purposes.”
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
SHOW SNIPPETS:
On evangelism: “Going into your everyday world deliberately and looking for opportunities.”
On retirement/travelling for her husband’s ministry: “Okay, God. This is where I am, how do you want me to serve?”
On changing situations: “I’m not flexible, but I’m adaptable.”
“It doesn’t matter how fast we run or what we do, we can’t change the long term plan of God, nor is there any need to.”
Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser:
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
Voice work, a psychotic episode, MTS, biblical peacemaking - these are just a few of the topics discussed in episode 47. Jennifer Mary shares how the truth of God’s Word and promises brought her through some of the darkest times in her life and how she has the joy of sharing the truth with her family and through her ministry.
EPISODE NOTES:
According to Jennifer Mary, her earliest memories include spending countless hours speaking into a tape recorder for the sheer joy of hearing her own voice! It is no surprise that she now contributes towards the family’s income through her work as a voice actor. Married with three kids, Jen is in the throes of life with a young family. In Jen’s case, that also includes homeschooling, working, and serving in ministry. Jen’s favourite ministry experiences include deep conversations with her children, especially when they make Bible observations and connections. Jen also serves on the GROW Women’s Convention committee and in her church home, St Lucia Bible Church.
One of Jen’s favourite Bible passages is Titus 3:5. She says, “At a time when I felt fruitless and empty to the point where I was questioning my Christian identity, this verse lifted me out of doubt and reminded me that God saved me based on his love and kindness, not my own good works (or lack of).”
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
GROW Chats 2020: Short podcasts to fix your thoughts on Jesus
Christine Dillon: Telling the Gospel Through Story and the Grace series of novels
Keep Calm and Play Books podcast
Jennifer Mary Voice Artist Demos
SHOW SNIPPETS:
"Ken Sande’s book ‘The Peacemaker’ has been really helpful, and in particular the idea that the point of peacemaking is to glorify God. I’ve found this especially comforting when the reality of achieving a reconciled relationship looks unattainable – you know, when everything humanly possible has been done towards restoration, yet things become worse than they were before."
"I’m the eldest of 3 children, I knew in theory that I was sinful, but I was just so used to being the good kid – I was blind to the self-righteousness in me and I felt approval or recognition was owed to me. Looking back, I see how God gave me the exact failures, humiliation and trials to free me from living under the power and domination of these struggles."
"During that time, I had an acute psychotic episode … there were ambulance and police involved. It was a hard time, I think the lead up to it was the hardest thing. I look back with such gratitude to that experience."
"Well, from the time I could talk I think I loved the idea of being recorded. My mum would put me in front of an old tape deck and I would yabber away until the tape ran out, just for the sheer joy of it. I didn’t know about voiceover as a job until much later in life."
Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com