Lately I have been into PODCASTS, and I mean podcastS (emphasis on its plural form)! If you love listening to audio books or just listening to people talking, Podcasts are great! I can read your mind, now you're asking: Why I listen to podcasts? How do I choose podcasts? What podcasts do I listen to? Or what are podcasts, really?
Let's start with this.
If you have a smart phone, specifically an iPhone, the podcasts app should be pre-set on your screen (unless you removed it purposely) and down below is a picture of the podcast app (just in case you are not aware like my techy handicapped hubby, WINK).
PODCASTS are digital audios that you can subscribe and listen to in your own convenience. You can listen directly from an iphone/ipad app or if you do not have either, you can listen from any smart phone, laptop or computer through the website. The convenience of having the app is that you can browse different genres of podcasts easily through one window. If you have found the one you like to listen, it is always advisable to subscribe to it so that you will be prompted when the latest episode becomes available. Another advantage of having the app is that you can set your own collection of podcasts you subscribed to...then everything is just ione click awayws. Look here's my own collection of Podcasts....
How did I get started with Podcasts?
How did I? Our previous pastor started making the Sunday messages available online via podcast. It is very handy, and because I work weekend sometimes, it helps me to follow through from the previous message especially if it's a series I don't want to miss.
I then started listening to a podcasts about famous people (learned a lot about Churchill there!), then I moved into Science with discoveries in the past century, then i tried something political (just listened to two episodes and that's it - gave it up), then a sports podcast that didn't appeal to me so much.
Then I became part of Proverbs 31 Ministries and I learned about women leaders who have podcasts like Nicki Koziarz, who has this gift in story telling. She also has this giggly, happy personality that is so infectious even just from her podcasts. They have a fixer upper farm in North Carolina and have this one of a kind love for their farm animals, sometimes you'll think her animal stories are out of this world but still very cute. Apart from all that, she can deliver a really good conversation with her guests and still make a good case for knowing Jesus.
From those two podcasts, I started surfing around, exploring all kinds of podcasts and checking some other genres.
What podcasts do I listen to?
My favorite ones are Max Lucado's "Daily Devotions". They are literally one-minute devotionals but mind you, it is full-packed! Packed with God's truth from His word with reminders and help in our continuous walk with Jesus everyday. And his favorite topic lately.....GRACE ..... and I just couldn't get enough!
"Jesus Over Everything (JOE)" by Lisa Whittle, an author, a Proverbs 31 speaker, Bible teacher and founder of Ministry Strong. She has a three-day a week podcasts that comprise of an intro to the guest host, an interview and on Thursdays she has this "5-Word Prayer" which is the same title of one of her books. I love those 5-Word Prayers because they are truths that speak to my everyday life. She loves Jesus and it shows on her podcasts, one question she asks her guests towards the end of the interview is: "What is the last word you would tell Jesus if you see Him now?'
Earlier I have mentioned about Nicki Koziarz and hers is entitled "Lessons on the Farm" with a little news and update about their fixer upper in North Carolina (which is immaculate as far as I have seen on IG stories) and their farm animals, she also interview guests. Each season she has a topic to work around with her special friends. She also has this "Lessons in Life" that she asks her guests that varies from funny to life hacks to life lessons...and are always a learning curve for me.
Angie Elkins has her "Chatologie" podcast. I like her shows because she is just so encouraging and yet direct. She mainly talks to her guests about how God has made a difference in their lives. I discovered her one day when I was looking for Whitney Capps podcast or guesting after her new book "Sick Of Me" came out. Angie sat down with Whitney and recorded a series featuring this said book. It is like an extra study guide for reading it and I love it. They were a gem together. The laughter was so good, their chemistry is perfect and the Jesus teachings are just amazing.
Last but not the least, I just love that I was with this one from the very start and their podcast has been a year on air. I love how Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast has evolved and developed just in 12 months. Love the girls (Meredith Brock and Kayle Olson) breakdown the teaching and talk about how it applies to their own life thus setting an example for me to do the same.
There are quite a few that I have just started following but all very promising podcasts like - "MARKED" by Lifeway Women; "That Sounds Fun" (and it does totally!) by Annie F. Downs; "The Martha and Mary Show" is a good conversation between two women that have different view on things and all; and my latest find is "Moms in Prayer (MIP) International" (this one is a no-brainer, if you are a mom, you have kids, you worry about your kids' everyday and their future, you love praying [even if you don't] or you just want someone to pray for your kids.....then this is it)! This is a good resource for finding christian support for our growing kids too.
Open that app on your phone, just browse with your own interest and see what pops out. The choices of what to listen to is really under your fingertips but always remember one pastor consistently reminds me that "We have to be so careful what we listen to and if we want the truth, if we want GOD's truth just open our Bible and study. It is still the best source." Remember these people talking behind a mic are just ordinary people that most of the time give their own opinion on everything..it is still your choice what to listen to or whether to listen to one. Listening to podcast might not be for you, but for me, i totally love it
How do I choose what I listen to?
Talking about an insatiable appetite for GOD's word and people that love GOD and His word, that's how I got into this. So, when I go and browse for podcasts here's a few pointers -
I browse down below the current podcast I am subscribe to and usually it will lead me to podcasts of the same genre.
I check on their web page and look at what the podcast is all about, what they are talking about, what their christian belief is (no mention of being a Jesus follower? that's out!)
I also would get recommendations on the Instagram I follow, sort of in the same circle of people or christian organizations that I love to follow.
I also read their podcast reviews (like you would read product reviews on Amazon, or do you....NOT?)
I look for podcasts that meet my current needs mostly spiritual and personal, too. For example, I found Moms In Prayer (MIP) because I want to learn how to specifically pray for my growing son being exposed to everything and so vulnerable while out there in school. I would love to keep him at home and seal him away from all these influences (but that is not feasible! just NOT!). But MIP is not just about that, I found out, it also gives ideas and information on christian organizations for christian parents who are struggling or looking for support from Christian groups. I love Max Lucado and found out that he has this one-minute daily devotionals and it wakes me up every morning...that is sort of my morning mantra. Knowing Faith is a new podcast I found (and now I just heard about Bible Binge) that I feel will help me look at and study the Bible in a new and better way. I am well aware though that the best way to study GOD's word is to read and study the Bible directly, but like i said these are just supplements. So if you decide to embark on podcasts, do not make it your ONLY basis of truth because the whole truth is written in the Bible.
I love listening to women of faith talk about their ministries, their spiritual journey, their GOD stories, their testimonies and how they can spur me to grow and look more like Jesus everyday.
Why podcast?
It is a spiritual supplement for me. Like vitamins, it helps boost up my love for Jesus and keep me focused on Jesus together with the regular diet of GOD's Word. It is not my main source of nutrients but rather it just helps, adds up an extra element, but still my main source of spiritual nutrient is GOD's Word- the BIBLE.
"It helps us feel less alone in the world when you hear other people's stories." -by ANGIE ELKINS #MARKEDpodcast
It is my go-to when doing chores, keeps me company. Just like how Angie Elkins said that Podcasts 'makes you feel less alone'. My mornings are usually filled with house chores before I plan to lay down after a night shift...and while trying to finish as much as I can before my nap time, I turn on my podcast and put it on the wi-fi speaker and go about my morning. Listening keeps me attentive, it also energizes me as most of the ones I follow are quite energetic and joyful personalities (Ooooh, just try listening to Annie F. Downs and there's no dull moment.)
I learn more about the world and the christian world growing around me. Sometimes you need something or someone to reaffirm that you are not alone. You are not alone in your faith, in your situation, in your ministry, in your struggles even, in your triumph over evil, in your prayer circle, and then you find a community of believers to belong to.
I love my PODCAST line up because they all point me to Jesus! Again, I will repeat it! Not all podcast will do this, and if you are searching for the truth and about GOD, read and study the BIBLE that is still the best way to start your journey.
It fills up my time with worthwhile things. I always crave learning, whether it is learning new information, knowledge or skills, this is another way of learning for me.
So have I sold podcasts well with you? Give it a try, there is nothing to lose but more to gain. If you rather listen than read, this is a good past time. If you are not into music, then try podcasts. Some says you learn and retain more by reading than listening, but I say the more senses we use the better the understanding and comprehension. I am an avid reader and now I am also a curious listener.
Try PODCASTS! You might just like it.
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#Podcasts #MARKEDPodcast #P31MinistriesPodcast #Chatologie #MaxLucado #MIP #LessonsfromtheFarm #FixerUpperFarm #P31Ministries #JesusOverEverything #MarthaMaryShow #ThatSoundsFunPodcast #MySundayThoughts
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