Live Like It's True {Bible Podcast}

Have you been secretly judging some other mom, your sister, a neighbor or friend? Are you stuck in a constant rule-keeping mindset? Are you a judgy Pharisee-type who'd like to break free?  

My friend and pastor's wife Libby VanSolkema describes herself as a "Recovering Pharisee" and I can relate. In our conversation about Luke 6, we're exploring Jesus’ surprising response to the Pharisees after the disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath, Let's flip on the lights and expose our own legalism which is the first step to freedom and transformation. 

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Ever been judged by church people? Jesus has, too. Today, my friend and pastor’s wife, Libby VanSolkema, is back to talk about how Jesus responded when legalism crept into the synagogue—the first-century version of church life.

We’ll explore what judgment does to us—and how compassion restores us to the heart of God. Join us on Live Like It’s True.

We titled part one of the conversation: The Truth About Pharisee-Types & How to Break Free

Judgy Series

Guest: L...

Is your relationship with your mother-in-law or daughter-in-law difficult? Is she doing it all wrong? Are you fiercely tempted to judge?

In this episode, Stacey Reaoch joins me for a heartfelt conversation about how expectations and backgrounds can threaten the tender relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. 

Get some biblical wisdom on mending difficult relationships and cultivating peace.

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 If you're tired of being judged—or even more tired of being so judgy, grab a copy of my new book with Moody Publishers: Kinda Judgy: Finding Mercy for Myse...

Do you assume that your mother-in-law / daughter-in-law relationship is doomed to fail?  Are you avoiding her and pulling away?

In this conversation, Stacey Reaoch joins me to explore the complex relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. 

Sharing thoughts from her book, Making Room for Her, Stacey and I talk about some breakthrough practices from the Bible to create connection and cultivate love.

Purchase "Kinda Judgy"

 If you're tired of being judged—or even more tired of being so judgy, grab a copy of my new book with Moody Publishers: Kinda Judgy...

Why did Jonah run from God’s call—and what does that reveal about our own hearts?

In this episode of Live Like It’s True, Erika Van Haitsma joins me to unpack the irony and intensity of Jonah’s story, exposing his deep resentment toward the Ninevites and resistance to God’s mercy. Together, we explore how this familiar narrative challenges us to confront our own grudges and ask whether we truly want God to be gracious—to everyone.

Bible Passage: Jonah's Disobedience - Jonah 1 (NASB)

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Are there certain people who disgust you? Are there those you have a hard time showing compassion to? What if God lavishes those loathsome people with His mercy?

That's what happened to Jonah. Listen in on part two of my conversation with Erika VanHaitsma and learn from a prophet who was disgusted by God's mercy and blind to his own need for grace.

Bible Passage: Jonah's Prayer & Displeasure - Jonah 2-4 (NASB)

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She just wanted it to go away. She didn't want to be judged as one of "those" kind of girls. Yet in the parking lot of the abortion clinic, Tammy thought, "What have I done?" The new judgment and condemnation she felt didn't go away.  

In this episode, Tammy De Armas shares her personal journey through unplanned pregnancy, abortion, and the lasting impact on her life. Listen in and explore the weight of judgment and the healing of God's mercy.

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 If you're tired of being judged—or even more...

She thought the pain would end with her choice, but instead it lingered. And while she tried to push it aside, there came a time where she could do so no longer.

In this episode, Tammy De Armas opens up about her journey through abortion, the shame that followed, and the slow road to healing. Listen in and discover how mercy transforms even our most broken stories.

Purchase "Kinda Judgy"

 If you're tired of being judged—or even more tired of being so judgy, grab a copy of my new book wit...

Beth's one foster daughter was more work than her other eight kids combined. She had tried everything... but she hadn't tried this. Hear about Beth's breakthrough that began with trading judgy criticism for curiosity and compassion.

In this conversation, Beth Guckenberger reminds us that the gospel frees us to see people through God’s eyes, which shifts our hearts and our relationships and opens the door for influence.

Recommended Resources: 

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 If you're tired of being judg...

Do you feel "disqualified" from receiving God's mercy? Are you stuck in shame over your past, or particular sins? Or is there someone else you think of as disqualified? 

Lisa Appelo joins me for a conversation about Rahab, the prostitute, and the surprise of God's mercy when she chose to side with Him. This story shows that none of us is too far gone for God to redeem.

Bible Passage: Rahab Hides the Spies - Joshua 2:1-13 NKJV

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 What stories have you heard about God? Would you be shocked to know that He rescued one woman who was a prostitute from a city He was about to destroy? In this episode, Lisa Appelo and I explore Rahab’s bold faith, God’s stunning mercy, and the hope it offers to anyone with a broken past. Her story reminds us that no one is too far gone for God’s grace. 

Bible Passage: Rahab Hides the Spies - Joshua 2:1-13 NKJV

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What if I find the flood kind of offensive? What if it makes me uncomfortable? If Jesus is kind and forgiving, how can God just end everybody? 

Lindsay Schott joins me to explore the flood narrative, where God grieves over human wickedness but also offers mercy through rescue. Lindsay shares how God transformed her judgy heart and gave her more compassion, and we talked about how trust is admitting God knows more than we do. 

Bible Passage: Noah and the Flood - Genesis 6-9

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Kara Seymour was deeply entrenched in the New Age movement as a Kundalini yogi. She was also thoroughly convinced that Christians were judgmental, boring, and brainwashed. So she was as surprised as anyone when she met a group of Christian women who became her new best friends.

I can't wait for you to hear her amazing story of transformation, the judgment she felt outside and inside the Church, and how her relationship with Jesus has changed her life.

We're kicking off our Judgy series, where we're looking at stories of judgment and mercy from the...