Real Talk With Rachael Podcast

In December, we spend every Monday morning in a series where we process and pray through the year. Each week, the focus will be different, but the theme of processing and praying will remain the same. We started this series by looking at the goodness of God by reflecting on our victories and last week we reflected on boundaries. Today, we are pausing to process answered prayers. Process: What prayers have I seen answered this year? Write them down. What am I still praying for? Don’t quit. Pray, “Jesus, what bold prayers do you want me to pray this coming year?” Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Resource: Do you still need a Christmas gift for someone? Two resources mentioned in today’s episode that would make great gifts are the Radjoy Surrender Cross and my book, Image Restored. Give it as a gift and invite them to join you in a small group to read it and pray together.

This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I'm speaking once again with Lee Strobel. Lee is a New York Times bestselling author whose books have sold millions of copies worldwide. He earned a journalism degree at the University of Missouri and was awarded a Ford Foundation fellowship to study at Yale Law School, where he received a Master of Studies in Law degree. He was a journalist for fourteen years at the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers, winning Illinois’ top honors for investigative reporting (which he shared with a team he led) and public service journalism from United Press International. Lee also taught First Amendment Law at Roosevelt University. A former atheist, he served as a teaching pastor at three of America’s largest churches. Today he’s founding director of the Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University. Lee and his wife, Leslie, have been married for more than fifty years and live in Texas. Their daughter, Alison, and son, Kyle, are also authors

In December, we spend every Monday morning in a series where we process and pray through the year. Each week, the focus will be different, but the theme of processing and praying will remain the same. We started this series by looking at the goodness of God by reflecting on our victories. In this episode, we are pausing to process our personal boundaries this year. Pray: “Jesus, what boundaries do you want to encourage me to set in my life?” Process: What boundaries did I establish that went well this year? What unspoken boundaries did I find myself frustrated with when people broke them? Sometimes, a boundary is not a boundary unless it is spoken.  What areas of my life might need new boundaries this coming year? Boundaries can change with seasons. Resource: Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life by Dr. Henry Cloud

Back by popular demand is our annual Process and Pray series! If you’re new here, in December, we spend every Monday morning in a series where we process and pray through the year. Each week the focus will be different, but the theme of processing and praying will remain the same. As a therapist, I believe in the power of pausing and reflecting so we can embrace the present and look forward to the future. We are starting this series by looking at the goodness of God. Today we are looking at what worked and what victories we experienced this year. Process: What victories or breakthroughs came this year? There is nothing too small to celebrate. What went well that I want to carry into the new year? (Consider how time was spent, relationships you want to invest in, etc). Thank God for these victories with your voice. Tell someone about the goodness of God. Resource: One of my victories this year was my book, Image Restored. If you don’t yet have a copy, learn more or grab one at imagerestoredbook.com.

This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I'm speaking with J. Warner Wallace. He is a Dateline featured Cold-Case Detective, Author, Speaker, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and Adjunct Professor of Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology (Biola University) and Southern Evangelical Seminary. Key Points from Our Conversation: As a detective, J. Warner couldn't commit to Christianity without being convinced it was objectively true. In his book Cold-Case Christianity, he applies ten common rules of evidence he used as a non-believer to make the case for Christianity. There are two broad categories of evidence - direct and indirect. Direct evidence includes an eyewitness account; broad (or circumstantial) is everything else, including what is there and what's missing. They are not different in terms of quality. You can make a solid case with completely indirect evidence, but we have an unreasonable expectation of evidence. Jesus was an evidentialist. He provided both forms of evidence th

We are in the Friendship Series. The first week I asked you to draw a friendship timeline. That laid the foundation of looking at past and current friendships, as well as noticing healthy and unhealthy themes in this area. The next two weeks we discussed gossip and jealousy. We are finishing the series by discussing grace and healthy communication. Scripture: John 1:16-17, "For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." Have you received God’s grace? Or are you still living under condemnation and unrealistic expectations for yourself? You can’t extend what you haven’t received. Grace does not give permission for people to walk all over you like a doormat. Honest communication gives space for grace while also setting spoken boundaries. Process: Do I need to receive God’s grace? Who in my life extends me grace? Who do I need to practice extending grace to? Challenge: Pray, "God, I receive Your grace today." Resource:

We are currently in the Friendship Series. The first week I asked you to draw a friendship timeline. That laid the foundation of looking at past and current friendships, as well as noticing healthy and unhealthy themes in this area. Last week we discussed gossip. This week we are going after another sin that is sure to bring friendships down - jealousy. Andy Stanley describes the problem with jealousy in his book Enemies of the Heart - "Jealousy is dangerous. It’s dangerous because it shapes our attitudes toward other people. It’s hard to actively love someone you’re jealous of. It’s hard to serve (or submit to) someone who’s a constant reminder of what you’re not. Eventually, jealousy takes control of our attitudes toward people who have done nothing more than pull ahead of us in a race they’re not even aware of." Scripture: Proverbs 27:4, "Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?" James 3:13-18, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good lif

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with author, Natalie Runion. In 2019 after watching many of her peers walk away from the church and their faith, Natalie began Raised to Stay, a ministry for those who have wandered, wondered, and wrestled with the Church and the challenges of full-time ministry. Known for her black boxes of hard truth on social media for the Church and church leaders, her heart is to see a generation finish their race as they partner with a good Father who is faithful to complete the work He began in each of us. Key Points from Our Conversation: It can be difficult to distinguish between church hurt and church abuse as the line will be different for everyone based on past traumas. Abuse is any harm that causes psychological damage. You can be assured that as part of the Church, you will be hurt and it will take hard work to resolve, but if we stick with it, we can experience the hope and the holy. He is faithful and He will finish what He has started. Celebrity culture has bec

We are currenly in the Friendship Series. Last week I asked you to draw a friendship timeline. That laid the foundation for looking at past and current friendships as well as noticing healthy and unhealthy themes in this area. Speaking of unhealthy, let’s address one toxic trait that will bring every friendship crashing down- GOSSIP. Scripture: Proverbs 26:22 (MSG), "Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you want junk like that in your belly?" Process: Who do I need to stop gossiping about? Is my main form of communication with friends gossip? Challenge: Be mindful of leading with gossip. When you are tempted to gossip, ask, "What do I really need in this moment?"  Resource: In my book, Image Restored, the last counselor cornerstone activity is called the "Community Wheel." If you don’t have the book, go to ImageRestoredBook.com to learn more and purchase a copy. If you aren’t yet subscribed to my email newsletter, do that today as we are emailing a pdf download of the community wheel to the comm

This week we're starting new series on Talk Therapy all about friendship.  Scripture: Proverbs 18:24,"Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family." Process:  Draw a friend timeline What themes did you notice in your friendships? Who do you need to forgive? Challenge: Forgive whoever God asks you to release. Bless them. Consider writing them a letter you never mail or use the “empty chair” technique and read the letter aloud to them, then shred it. Resource: In my book, Image Restored, the last counselor cornerstone activity is called the "Community Wheel." If you don’t have the book, go to ImageRestoredBook.com to learn more and purchase a copy. If you aren’t yet subscribed to my email newsletter, do that today as we are emailing a pdf download of the community wheel to the community. Go to rachaelgilbert.com click the freebies tab and subscribe to the community there.

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm chatting with someone whose words changed my life, Dannah Gresh. Dannah is the founder of True Girl, bringing moms and daughters closer to each other and closer to Jesus, and co-host of the Revive Our Hearts podcast. Dannah has authored over 27 books including And the Bride Wore White, Lies Young Women Believe (with Nancy Leigh DeMoss) and Lies Girls Believe. More than 20,000 leaders and 100,000 moms have taught her curriculum and over 500,000 people have attended her live events and retreats. Dannah and her husband, Bob, live on a hobby farm in central Pennsylvania. They have four adult children and four grandchildren. Key Points from Our Conversation: Dannah wrote Happily Even After about her and her husband's experience after he revealed an addiction to pornography - a more common problem than we typically believe, even in established marriages. It's easy to be upset with our spouse's actions, but they're often not personal, rather they are a coping mechanism learne

Last week on Talk Therapy, I asked kind of a strange question - what are you wearing? If you missed that episode, please go back and listen. This week, I have another question for you - do you have a mental shield? Throughout scripture we are reminded about the importance of the Lord acting as our shield. The Hebrew word for shield is rooted in a verb meaning "to defend, cover, or surround." I love this because the fact that it is a verb shows that God is actively defending us. Pick up your mental shield by asking the Lord to protect your mind as you surrounded by negative people or environments. Sometimes we can’t change the environment but we can put up a mental shield against it. Resource: Please take advantage of the free resources offered on the "Freebies" page of RachaelGilbert.com

Today is not a series, but is in line with the "Finish Strong" theme. I felt God tell me to ask, “What are you wearing?”  Ephesians 6:13, "Put on the full armor of God, so that… you may be able to stand your ground."  Process: What are you wearing? Are you daily putting on the full armor of God? Resource: Go to imagerestoredbook.com to learn more and purchase a copy today.

This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I’m chatting with Katy McCown. Katy is a writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries, host of the Best Day Ever podcast, and author of She Smiles without Fear. Katy left her job as a television news reporter to join her husband, Luke, on their adventure in the National Football League. Luke and Katy have six children. Key Points from Our Conversation: There’s a difference between a life that’s handled and a life that’s whole. A life that is whole is attainable and God has given us what we need to fulfill that life.  Our quest to keep it together eventually causes us to fall apart. Belonging begins with brokenness. If you’ll admit it, we share a common brokenness. When we understand we’re all broken, it dissipates the feeling of not belonging. Our common brokenness leads us to Jesus; that’s where our belonging begins. We don’t know when life will get difficult, but when it does, it’s important who we have with us. You may not feel like you have time to invest in others, but there wi

rOur series this month is called “Finish Strong.” The first week, I shared a funny story about how my marathon coach taught me the value of RPE (a.k.a. rate of perceived exertion) so I could finish my race strong. If you missed that episode, please go back and listen as it laid the foundation for this series. We are discussing our spiritual RPE: Rejoice, Pray/Practice, and Embrace Embrace: Paul says in Philippians 4:11-12, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." And just after this sermon, he says the verse we have all recited from Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” This verse is so much more than a cute coffee mug inspiration. It’s a reminder that our spiritual RPE (rejoice, pray/practice, embrace) empowers us to receive the strength we need in Christ to keep moving forward. Embracing helps us

Our series this month is called “Finish Strong.” Last week, I shared a funny story about how my marathon coach taught me the value of RPE (a.k.a. rate of perceived exertion) so I could finish my race strong. If you missed that episode, please go back and listen as it laid the foundation for this series. We are discussing our spiritual RPE: Rejoice, Pray/Practice, and Embrace Pray & Practice I hope you listened to our guest interview with Mary Jo Pierce a few weeks ago because we discussed being consistent prayer warriors. Philippians 4:6 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul goes on to remind us in Philippians 4:8 to practice what we witnessed him do, thinking only on things that are true and worthy of praise. He knew to be finishers, we would have to learn the art of taking our

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm chatting with Holly Wagner. Holly and her husband, Philip, are the senior founding pastors of Oasis Church – a growing, multi-cultural, church located in Los Angeles. They have been married for over 38 years, love life, and enjoy spending time with their two adult children, Jordan and Paris, and their 4 grandchildren! Holly is passionate about seeing the Church grow strong and relevant to the culture surrounding it and for women to become who God has designed them to become. She founded She Rises (formerly GodChicks), and has empowered thousands of women around the world. Holly has appeared on many television shows and is currently one of the hosts of TBN’s Better Together. She has written several books; her newest is Find Your Brave, an honest look at navigating storms, and has been an encouragement to the thousands who have read it. Key Points from Our Conversation: Starters' and finishers' strengths and weaknesses will complement one another. Sometimes God instructs

Today starts a new series called Finish Strong. Growing up, I wasn’t much of an athlete. I ran track because all my friends were on the team. I was so slow that on one particular long run, even my coaches packed up and went home by the time I finished the course. With this glimpse of my running background, you can imagine my surprise when God called me to run a marathon.  Running a marathon sounds like a strange “call,” but in hindsight, God was teaching me several spiritual lessons by getting my attention through doing something bigger than anything I could do in my strength. I have learned much about running since completing this race and several others. RPE (rate of perceived exertion) is what my coach used that day to get me in the right group so I could finish my race. We are all in a spiritual race. The best way to run with endurance in order to finish strong is to stay in tune with our spiritual RPE. In this scenario, RPE stands for Rejoice, Pray/Practice, and Embrace. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in

We are in a three-part series where I am sharing three questions you can reflect on when things seem off but you can’t quite pinpoint what it is. These come from the back of my book, Image Restored, but I am expounding them here. So far we've explored the questions "How is your heart?" and "How are your words?" This week I want you to consider, "What foundation am I standing on?" (If you missed it, I recommend that you go back and listen to my Stand Firm Series.) Read: Matthew 7:24, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." Exodus 14:13, "Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again." 2 Chronicles 20:17, "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out t

This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I'm chatting with Mary Jo Pierce. Mary Jo served as pastor of prayer and Intercession at Gateway Church for 17 years and is passionate about helping you find your voice in and through prayer! An accomplished author and public speaker, Mary Jo combines her love of prayer, scriptures, and baking bread through her ACTS 2:42 seminars. Her books Let It Rise, Adventures in Prayer, and Follow Me, have unlocked the joy of living prayer for readers across the world. Key Points from Our Conversation: Prayer is so much more than what we do or say, it’s who we are. It’s the essence of abiding in God. Prayer is often put in a religious box, but each of us has a prayer life that’s unique to us. Prayers aren’t always words. Prayer connects people to God. Engaging God in your tasks, whether they're hobbies, errands, etc., transforms those acts into worship because they glorify Him. There’s so much to pray about that we can get overwhelmed, but we are uniquely created to carry Go