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Julie Lefebure

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  1. Julie Lefebure
    We're still celebrating over here! Come join us! Julie's first book, Right Now Matters: Empowering Right-Now Women in a Culture of Distraction, released into the world last week, and we're still celebrating! Did you see it ranked as the #1 New Release in the Christian Family & Relationships category on Amazon on launch day?? In this episode, Julie sits down with her friend, Deb, and they discuss everything regarding Right Now Matters. Last week was Part 1, this week is Part 2. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. We're still celebrating over here, and I'm glad you are here to join in the fun! A week ago my first book, Right Now Matters: Empowering Right-Now Women in a Culture of Distraction released into the world. It's been quite a week. One big exciting piece is that it ranked as the #1 New Release in the Christian Family & Relationships category on Amazon on Tuesday! I was shocked and elated. God did it and I just stood back in awe. I continue to be in awe of how God uses the words He gave me in Right Now Matters to empower women to walk away from the distracted lives we're living and to draw near to Him in the process! So, thank you for celebrating with me the launch of Right Now Matters! Last week in Part 1 I shared a conversation I had with my friend Deb as we talked about all the things about Right Now Matters. (Link below.) Today I'm sharing Part 2 of our conversation. I pray it encourages you and inspires you to follow God and His leading for your life. He's got good plans for you, friend. We discuss everything from the title of the book, to sunrises and sunsets, to the subtitle, and what does it mean to be a right-now woman. Who is a right-now woman, anyway? I point you to someone in Scripture. The launch of Right Now Matters is incredibly exciting! I am sharing much of it on social media, so look for all the fun over there on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and Pinterest. Thank you for hanging with Deb and I today as we continue to celebrate the launch of Right Now Matters. My prayer is God uses any part of my story to encourage you to follow Him closely and to seek His will for your life. He may guide you to do unexpected and unplanned things, kinda like He did me. But no matter, He will guide you to what's best--His best. I'm cheering you on today, friend! God bless you! Links in this episode: Last week's episode: 115 Celebrating the Launch of Right Now Matters Part 1 Check out Right Now Matters at rightnowmatters.com You can find Right Now Matters on Amazon Find Right Now Matters on Barnes & Noble Find Right Now Matters on Books-A-Million Access my Free Resources that I've created for you to keep you encouraged all week long (bookmarks, printables, lockscreens, scavenger hunts, and more!)
  2. Julie Lefebure
    It's release day of Julie's first book! Come celebrate! It's release day for Right Now Matters: Empowering Right-Now Women in a Culture of Distraction, and we are celebrating! Come join the celebration! Julie sat down last week with her friend, Deb, and they discussed all the ins and outs of Right Now Matters. You'll get a sneak peak of what the excitement's all about regarding this book. You'll find some hope and encouragement too! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. It's an exciting day around here! I'm so glad you are here to participate in the fun! Today, my first book, Right Now Matters: Empowering Right-Now Women in a Culture of Distraction releases into the world, and let me tell you, I'm feeling all the feels! I pray God uses the words He gave me in Right Now Matters to empower women to walk away from the distracted lives we're living and to draw near to Him in the process! So, thank you for celebrating with me the launch of Right Now Matters! Last week I sat down with my wonderful friend, Deb Ballard, and we talked all the things about Right Now Matters. Deb has walked the entire writing journey with me, and she knows this book inside and out because she lived much of it with me. I'm sharing that conversation in this episode. We had such an uplifting time together! It's too long for one episode, so this week is Part 1 and next week we'll continue with Part 2. I pray you are blessed, encouraged, and inspired as you hear some of the behind-the-scenes testimony of how Right Now Matters came to be. May God use this conversation to spur you on in your own life as well. We talk about how I began writing, this book journey, and how God has taken me through it. We also laugh a lot and share some fun moments. (Guest episodes are longer than my solo episodes.) If you're interested in reading Right Now Matters, you can find it currently on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and through rightnowmatters.com. These links are in the show notes. Also if you found encouragement and hope through this episode today, would you please leave a rating and or review from where you're listening today? This helps others find this encouragement too. God has good plans for your life, friend. Living distracted isn't one of them. I invite you to tune in next week for Part 2. Thanks for celebrating with me! I appreciate you. God bless you! Links in this episode: Find Right Now Matters on Amazon Find Right Now Matters on Barnes & Noble Check out the fun and freebies at rightnowmatters.com Join the private Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook Access my Free Encouragement Resources (lockscreens, printables, bookmarks, fun stuff) just for you!
  3. Julie Lefebure
    The book to help us live undistracted lives. The book Julie just wrote, Right Now Matters: Empowering Right-Now Women in a Culture of Distraction, releases October 17. In this episode Julie shares the heart of Right Now Matters and some behind-the-scenes information regarding why it exists and who it's for. Listen in to be encouraged. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. You may or may not know I have written a book! One week from today, Right Now Matters: Empowering Right Now Women in a Culture of Distraction releases into the world. Let me tell you, friend, I'm feeling all the feels today... nervousness, excitement, hope, joy, and even a little apprehension. I've been sharing my words in the online world for many years, but for some reason, them being in a book feels so much bigger and different to me. But why me? It's hard for me to believe, quite honestly, that God would use someone like me to deliver this message of hope through Right Now Matters. But I guess, as I think about it today, He's always used people like me to do His work. Imperfect, unqualified, once-lost-but-now-found, stretched-beyond-what's-comfortable, who-don't-have-it-all-together kind of people. May this encourage you and remind you right out of the gate with the truth of how God uses ordinary people like me and you to do things we never thought we could do... for our growth, for the good of others, and for His glory. God has good plans for your life, friend, and He wants to use you in powerful and magnificent ways. What is God calling you to do today, friend, and how open is your heart to His calling? So, how did Right Now Matters come to be? This book is the book I wish I had a number of years ago when I was searching for help in how to live an undistracted life. I had one life-altering moment that I share in the Introduction that woke me up the the reality I was living. I wish I could describe for you the distracted life I was living back then. But maybe you kinda know, because maybe you're living a similar one now. I hope not, but if that's the case, you have hope! This is the basis of Right Now Matters. Through numerous attempts and failures, I came up with a tool box of sorts that I used to keep me present and help me overcome the distractions that plagued me daily. God helped me trade the life of discontent and discouragement because of distracted living for a life of hope and joy. And if He did this for me, He can do this for you. That's why Right Now Matters exists. And because God prompted me to write this book. The heart of Right Now Matters is this: to help women like me and you to live the abundant lives Jesus came to give us. If you're interested in checking it out, you can find more at rightnowmatters.com. The link is in the show notes, and you'll be able to find it on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Links in this episode: 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 Psalm 32:8 rightnowmatters.com Encouragement for Real Life Community Access my Free Resources to encourage your heart such as lockscreens, bookmarks, social posts, and printables
  4. Julie Lefebure
    Are we settling for good and missing what's great? Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. Before we know it, we turn around and realize we settled for good instead of embracing what's great. This is when good becomes the enemy of great. Julie shares a personal story and hope as we trust God in His perfect plans for our lives! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Daily we make numerous decisions, some to do good things, and others to do great things. And sometimes we don't know the difference until we make the decision, am I right? Well, today in this episode we're discussing this and how this might look in our lives, especially that scenario when good is the enemy of great. For years I participated in a 31-days writing challenge in October, where I wrote a blog post every day. I loved doing it, and each year I wrote on a special theme. It really helped strengthen my writing skills and grow me as a writer. I remember the first year I made the decision not to do it. It was an excruciating decision to make, and I drove myself crazy with the back-and-forth self talk. Do I do it, or do I not? Finally I just said no. It's clear now that was the best decision for me. I haven't done it since. But I remember something my sister-in-law said to me in a conversation about that time. She closed out our conversation with words that lingered long after. She said, "Now get going on YOUR book." I guess you could say I got distracted. Because I didn't get going on my book, until years later. This is when good can be the enemy of great. You know how this goes, don't you? When days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, and months into years. Yet, all the while, God has great plans for us that we don't step into. Or at least that was the case for me. You may or may not know I've finally written that book, yes, seven years later! It releases in just a couple weeks on October 17. I firmly believe 2023 was the year I was to write this book. After being told from a number of acquisition editors and literary agents that my platform wasn't big enough, I lost almost all hope last fall. Until something clicked in me in January. I was tired of good being the enemy of great in my life. How about you, friend. Where is good the enemy of great in your life? I also share a few Scriptures to encourages us and questions to ask God as we ponder when good is the enemy of great. In closing, let's not let good become the enemy of great. God's plans for us are perfect, and He knows what He's doing. Let's just step out and follow His lead. He will guide us every step of the way. I'm cheering you on, friend. God bless you! Links in this episode: Psalm 32:8 NLT Isaiah 41:10 ESV Joshua 1:9 NIV Could you use some encouragement? Access my Free Resources designed just for you! Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook
  5. Julie Lefebure
    This world is noisy. Learning how to live above it matters. This world is noisy. Some days it's hard to tune it all out. But what if we lived above the noise instead? In this episode, Julie shares her conversation with encourager, Terry Covey. They discuss what living above the noise means, why we would want to, and how to go about doing that. You'll be blessed as you listen! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. You are listening to episode 112 of the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast, titled Living Above the Noise with Terry Covey. Welcome to the podcast, and thanks for tuning in today! This world is noisy isn't it? How well are we doing at living above the noise these days? Or are we becoming overloaded and overwhelmed from it? I know from experience how easily this can happen, but living above the noise is a refreshing and beautiful way to live our lives in this real world. Well, friend, we are in for a treat today here as I share a powerful and uplifting conversation I had with the wonderful Terry Covey. I believe this will encourage your heart and spur you on in your real life today. Terry inspires us in living above the noise and walking in our callings. Get ready to be blessed today! Let's get right into this episode. Terry says some powerful and impactful statements, and she lets us peer into her heart and her world as she encourages women in their callings. She shares pieces of her story as she raised ten children, is a grandmother of 23, and homeschooled for 30 years. Terry shows us God can use us right where we are. Living above the noise helps us live out God's calling. Self-labeled as an independent spirit, Terry embraces us as imperfect women in an imperfect world, and reminds us God uses us in spite of the ways we don't do everything perfect. She is good at releasing the burden of perfectionism we often carry, and helps us to this in this episode. We end the episode in a fun way with a "this or that" series of questions. Friend, I pray this episode encourages your heart and helps you live above the noise of this world! Thanks for tuning in today, and for making a positive difference in this world. God bless you. Links in this episode: Living Above the Noise Podcast Terry Covey's website Access the Free Encouragement Resources I created for you on my site
  6. Julie Lefebure
    It's more than we think! How often do we complain? About the weather, the price of groceries, the lack of sleep we got last night, our current circumstances, or whatever? Do we ever stop to think about what we're really doing when we complain? This episode might just make us think twice before complaining the next time. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. A few weeks ago the weather turned extremely warm here in eastern Iowa, like 98 degrees warm for days. Just in time for the first week of school. Me being a summer-loving girl, I didn't mind the heat. But whether it was in person or through social media, I heard and saw numerous people complaining about the heat. The complaining really began to bother me, and it got me thinking. What are we really doing when we complain? Her words on her social media post said it all, "I hate this weather!" I guess I feel the same about winter, but last year Jennifer Dukes Lee, a self-declared winter evangelist and fellow Iowan, helped me see another side of winter I was missing. She helped me view winter as a gift. Even though Iowa winters can be brutal. Complaining about it doesn't help anyone feel better about it. Isn't that with anything in life? I can't think of a single instance where complaining helped someone feel better about something--anything! Complaining makes us feel worse. It is discouraging, disparaging, and down-right damaging. I'm not sure there's anything that can change a mood faster than complaining. Don't get me wrong. I can complain with the best of them. But I'm learning not to. I've been asking God for some time now to keep be from complaining. To help me be grateful in all circumstances and to look for the good. So often, however, it's easier for me to see the things that aren't so good. Is this the same for you? I'm reminded today of a group in the Bible who grumbled. Maybe you're thinking of this too. The account of this group of people gives us insight on what we are really doing when we complain. I also share the Bible verse that has the answer to overcoming complaining. Complaining is not good for us and it doesn't honor God. No matter if it's the weather, or the price of groceries, or how we're treated, or not getting enough sleep at night let's stop the complaining. Let's look for the good instead. And let's help each other learn this new way of living. Next time may we remember what we're really doing when we complain. In closing, friend, gratefulness is our calling. Not grumbling. Praising is our joy, not complaining. For what can you and I praise and thank God for today? Let's do that, instead. I'm with you in this. God bless you! Links in this episode: Definition of complain Antonyms/Synonyms of complain Exodus 16:6-8 ESV Numbers 14:26-30 ESV 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT Join the Right Now Matters Launch Team! Access the many Free Resources I've created for you to encourage your heart
  7. Julie Lefebure
    Encouragement matters, especially today on the National Day of Encouragement! Happy National Day of Encouragement! We celebrate as we devote an entire episode to the subject of this podcast: encouragement! This may just inspire you to be the most encouraging person you know. This makes a difference, for the receiver and the giver. Julie shares stories, ideas, and Bible verses all to encourage your heart today. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Did you know today is the National Day of Encouragement. You likely already know I'm all about encouragement, so friend, this is my day! Well, not really, but it's a day I don't want to pass over. So, we're dedicating today's episode to it. We're going to find out why encouragement is necessary and important! Happy National Day of Encouragement! Each year on September 12 the National Day of Encouragement is recognized and celebrated. It's a day dedicated to uplifting others around us and for making a positive impact in this world. So of course, the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast is celebrating this day! Encouragement gets its own day! Encourage is defined as: to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence, so encouragement is the act of encouraging. Encouragement is necessary and important. Not just for the one we encourage, but for ourselves. Why? Because we each crave encouragement. We each need it, really, every day. And encouragement is day- and life-changing. I tell you about a coach from my past whose encouragement and influence completely altered my life. You'll hear the story about Coach K. I want to be more like Coach K. It's hard to make it a day in this life without encouragement, isn't it? I mean, somedays are just downright difficult. It's especially on those days when encouragement is necessary and important, and we could use someone's words or actions of to inspire us and to spur us on. And sometimes it's on those days we need to give out that encouragement to encourage ourselves! I share a small list of ways we can encourage others today and five encouraging Bible verses to inspire us. Plus how encouragement benefits others and ourselves. We also learn about a man in the Bible who was known as the "son of encouragement." Encouragement is necessary and important to us all. I also have big news to share. I've written a book, and right now it's in the hands of the designers. Last week I shared the title of the book with my wonderful email community, and word is getting out! So I wanted to share it with you, too. It's titled, Right Now Matters, and it releases on October 17. I wrote this book to help women like you and me who struggle with living in the moment in this culture of distraction. More details are coming very soon, but you can find out more when you add your email to the Free Resources link in the show notes. I'll send you the scoop! Plus you'll have access to all the many resources I've created there to encourage your heart. When you show up, you encourage me. So I thank you. Hang out with me on social media, and let's encourage one another. Happy Day of Encouragement! God bless you! Links in this episode: National Day of Encouragement Definition of encourage Isaiah 41:10 NIV Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Psalm 32:8 NLT Romans 15:13 NIV Joshua 1:9 NIV Acts 11:21-26 NIV
  8. Julie Lefebure
    It may be different than what we think! When was the last time you chose to do something that challenged you? Or what's the thing on your heart you want to do, but your nervous or scared or not sure you can do it? This episode might give you the inspiration and prompting you need. Julie shares the secret to succeeding at something difficult, and it might not be what you expect. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. When was the last time you stepped out of what's comfortable to do something maybe you had never done before or to do something you've always wanted to do? Is there something on your heart or something deep down you secretly want to try, but you think it may be too difficult or that you don't have what it takes to do it? Well today's episode, I believe, will positively challenge us and maybe even motivate us all to step out and do that difficult thing, even with my raspy voice. A few weeks ago my adult daughter, Alissa, nonchalantly said to me, "I'm going to run a 5k Friday night." I wasn't aware she had returned to running. She had hidden the fact that she had been rising at 5 a.m. every day to walk, jog, and run outdoors through the summer. Finding that out, I was so proud of her for doing that, because I know the kind of effort that takes with two little ones under the age of 3, plus working full time and running a successful side business. That's a lot. She went on to say she had listened to a podcast recently about giving herself permission to "do hard things." The woman on the podcast encouraged the listeners to step out, to be brave, and do what's difficult. Her words impacted my daughter, so much so, she committed to running in a 5k race! The second one of her 29 years of life. I was there for the first one, and you bet I was going to be there for the second. She was inspired, committed, and a little nervous. This race was taking place in her small town during the Friday night of their annual summer celebration weekend. The fun thing for us was that the route of the race included going past her family's home. We could be her cheering section mid-route! We took our places in their front lawn. Our two-year-old grandson was giddy with excitement. We were ready. Pretty soon, we saw Alissa. As she turned the corner to jog past us, we all cheered and waved and screamed with excitement. You'll hear the full account and how this run affected her and others. I also share the secret to succeeding at something difficult. And it may be different than what you think. In closing, I pray we each give ourselves permission to step out and do that thing that makes us uncomfortable, that feels difficult or scary, that makes us a little nervous when we think about it. You can do it, friend. I'm cheering you on! God bless you. Links in this episode: Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG 2 Corinthians 5:7 VOICE Isaiah 41:10 ESV Encouragement for Real Life Community Access my fun and encouraging Free Resources on my site designed just for you!
  9. Julie Lefebure
    We can choose to live with clarity instead of clutter. Encouragement comes to us in many forms. In this episode you'll find it through our guest, Julie Lane, who is a professional organizer and decluttering expert. Julie blesses us with practical ideas, helpful tips, and a fresh perspective on decluttering our living spaces and lives. Her personality and love for God and others shines through her inspiring words. You won't want to miss this one! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Do you ever struggle with clutter in your living spaces? Do you wonder if you'll ever get your life organized or your living spaces organized? I'm thinking we each have that junk drawer or storage closet or room that's nagging at us, even when we're not consciously aware it is. Well, I've got good news! We have a special guest joining us today, one who is an expert on organizing, decluttering, and sparking joy in our homes and in our lives! I can't wait for you to meet Julie Lane! Join us for this next short while and not only will you learn some great tips and tricks, but I believe you'll enjoy Julie's refreshing demeanor and attitude just as much as I do. Julie shares how she began in her decluttering and organizing business and what God did to move her into that. It's a beautiful story! She also offers some great and practical tips for where to begin in decluttering our homes and why it's so important to do so. A decluttered life is a free life. And it's one that reminds us to steward our resources well. If you were encouraged today, would you please consider leaving a rating or review of this episode? This helps others find this encouragement too. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a new episode. (Remember, my episodes with guests are longer in duration compared to my weekly solo episodes.) One last thing: here's a sneak peak today! You may or may not know I've written a book, and it's releasing on October 17! I wrote it for you and for any woman who misses out on life's special moments due to the lure of distractions. We live in a culture of distraction, don't we?! I will share more details in the weeks to come, but since you are a listener to my podcast, I wanted to let you know this news right away. Full details will be shared with my email community, so if you'd like to be "in the know," click on the Free Resources link in the show notes to receive access to this. (Plus you'll also have access to all my Free Resources, too!) Thank you again for joining Julie and me today. I pray our time together encouraged you! God bless you! Links in this episode: Contact Julie Lane through her Facebook Page Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook Receive access to all the book details and my Free Resources here
  10. Julie Lefebure
    Are you in a starting-over season? How do you feel about starting over? Is it a good thing or not-so-good thing? A conversation Julie had last week helped her to see a different perspective regarding starting over, and she shares what she learned in this episode. It might just be the blessing you need today. If you're in a season of starting over or know someone who is, this is for you. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. How do you view starting over? Do you see it as a failure or as a result of failure or as a new beginning? Is it something positive or negative in your mind? Well, this is a season in which I believe many of us might find ourselves starting over or we might know someone who is. This is the subject of today's episode as we ponder what it means, what good can be found in it, and what God has to say about starting over. I have some extremely wise friends. One I met for dinner last week and she said something profound recounting a story from her workday. The words she said to someone keep repeating in my head still today. "May we never stop starting over." At first the sentence didn't sit well with me. I fought with it for a few minutes in my brain. Because sometimes, I guess, I have a negative connotation of starting over. It's what I did after I failed at something or what I do when something doesn't go as planned. It reminded me of what I had to do after my mom and dad passed away. I mean, come on, how do you start life over after someone so instrumental in your life is now gone? It's what we face after a divorce, a job loss, an illness, or whatever has laid us flat. It's in those instances where starting over seems way too daunting. Am I right? The more my friend shared, the more I began to see starting over in a different light. I realized then starting over is actually an unexpected gift! What about the person who struggles with an addiction and falls off the wagon or gives in to the temptation of the addiction? What if he or she didn't have the option to or chose not to start over? Would he or she just be stuck in that addiction? We wouldn't be the people we are today if we never started over. I thought about the numerous times I've started over in my life, with God, and how we get to start over each day. I also share a few scriptures that have to do with starting over. God is always with us, even when it's time to start over. And that right there gives us hope and encouragement. Links in this episode: Acts 3:19-20 MSG Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT Psalm 30:5 NIV Encouragement for Real Life Community Access my Free Resources on my site to encourage your heart
  11. Julie Lefebure
    Is this life really all about us? Is this life really all about us? Is it all about our wants, our desires, our plans, and our purposes? Or is it about something more? We ponder this subject in this episode and find truth for our real lives today. Plus, we learn three ways to keep God in His rightful place in our lives and us in ours. This might just be the reminder we need today. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. A sentence has been ruminating in my brain for the last few weeks. So much so, I made it the title of this episode. What do you think? Is life really all about us? Are we the center of attention in our lives-and are we supposed to be? Is it all about our goals, our dreams, our own successes? Or is it about something else? What do you think? Today we're looking at the possibility that life isn't maybe what we make it about. Maybe this life isn't really all about me and you? Right out of the gate, I need to confess. So often I make this life all about me. I don't think I'm the only one who struggles with this, however. I see it in my both my grandsons, too, now 2-1/2 and 1 year old. Life, in their little minds, revolves around them, and they make that known. One might have a toy in his hands and the other wants it, so he takes it. You know how this goes, don't you? The one with empty hands screams and cries. Or like when the older one wants cookies for breakfast instead of eggs and pancakes and raises his voice in frustration that Grandma won't give him what he wants. Do you struggle with this too? Maybe not wanting cookies for breakfast (or maybe you do), but do you struggle with making life about you, too? Max Lucado, in his book, It's Not About Me, says this, "We've been demanding our way and stamping our feet since infancy. Aren't we all born with a default drive set on selfishness?" He continues, "Self-promotion. Self-preservation. Self-centeredness. It's all about me!" Yep, I can relate with Max's words here. Life, some days, can be all about me. But it's not supposed to be. Nope. This life is not all about me. It's all about God, instead. And rightly so. God doesn't look to me when He considers the center of the universe. He doesn't trust me to hold this world together and everything in it. Nor does He consult with me how to handle the travesties and unfortunate events of life. (I'm so glad He doesn't!) I share two verses in this episode that point us to truth, and three ways we can keep God in His rightful place in our lives. I pray this reminded us of truth today. God is so good to us, isn't He? May God meet us where we are, encourage us, and lead us to lives that reflect everything of Him. God bless you. Links in this episode: Ephesians 1:20-22 MSG Max Lucado quote, It's Not About Me, Integrity Publishers, 2004, pages 6 and 7 Isaiah 46:9-11 NLT Romans 12:2 NLT Access my Free Resources to encourage your heart on your walk with God
  12. Julie Lefebure
    This hack can make all the difference in our relationships and in our lives. Do we naturally assume the best in others or the worse? Do we always treat others the way we want to be treated? Sometimes we could use a reminder to keep our relationships healthy and growing, and through an experience Julie shares in this episode, we will find that reminder and receive a timely relationship hack. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Do you and I naturally assume people have good intentions or do we lean towards assuming they have not-so-good ones? Do we assume the best in others or do we assume the worst? We're discussing this in today's episode, and if you're anything like me, sometimes I could use a reminder every now and then on how to keep the relationships in my life healthy and growing. I think we'll find that reminder today. Hang with me here for this next short while, and together we'll find help and hope for our real lives right now. In my monthly email to those in my email community last week, I shared how last month someone's words directed to me stung as I read them. This person came at me with firey, unkind words, and attacked my character and professionalism. I can never quite prepare myself for instances like this, and I don't think I'll ever enjoy such an encounter. After reading the gut-wrenching words, a familiar saying came to my mind. "Hurting people hurt people." And they do. I've lived on this earth long enough to understand the truth of that statement. So I reminded myself how this person much be hurting right now, and threw up a quick prayer on this one's behalf. But after that, I got to thinking. We as a generalized population are sometimes quick to assume the worst in others, aren't we? We often jump to a quick conclusion of someone's bad intention towards us. You and I can see this often on social media. Why is that? Why do we often assume the worst in others, instead of the best? We discuss some possible answers to that question, and I share a Bible verse that speaks to the hope we have and the solution for it. We can be the change we want to see in this world and in our relationships. Repeat after me: I will assume the best in others, not the worst. Let's be about treating others the way we want to be treated this week by assuming the best in them. I'm so glad we get to journey through this life together. Thanks for being here! God bless you. Links in this episode: Matthew 7:12 VOICE John 10:10 NIV Encouragement for Real Life Community Free Resources: receive access to my encouraging resources and be a part of my email community
  13. Julie Lefebure
    In case you could use a reminder today. Do you ever wonder if God really knows you? Does He see what you're going through? Does He even care? Especially when you are walking through difficult circumstances? I think we each ask questions and wonder, at some point or another. This episode originally aired as episode 61, but because it's one of the most popular episodes of our our first 100, we are bringing it back today for us as a reminder. God knows us, He sees us, and He most certainly cares. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Do you ever question if God sees you or if He cares about you? Well, this week we continue to celebrate a milestone we achieved last month on the podcast: 100 episodes! For these last four weeks we have reached back into the archives to highlight the most popular and most played episodes out of these 100. This is the final week in this celebration series, and next week we'll resume with a brand-new episode. Today we're highlighting episode 61, originally titled, Here's the Truth: God Sees You and He Cares. It’s no wonder this episode has been played a bunch, because I think we each, at one point or another, wonder if God cares about us and cares about what we're walking through. I pray this encourages your heart today. Feel free to share it with someone else who could use this encouragement, too. Have you ever asked questions like: Does God really care about me and what I’m going through? Or am I invisible to Him? Does He hear me when I pray? Or do my words fall on deaf ears? Does God see how I’m struggling? Or is He making me go through this because of my past mistakes? I’m guessing we’ve all asked these or similar questions. And there’s nothing wrong with asking them. In fact, it’s in the asking where we find the answers. It’s in the asking where we learn truth. And it’s in the asking where we are met with reality of who God really is. The truth of the matter is this: God knows you, sees you, hears you, and He cares. And, thankfully, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done or haven’t done. As an earthly father would be, His gaze is on and His ears are tuned in to His children. He is neither blind nor deaf to our needs. What concerns us concerns Him. Likewise, He is never too busy or too tired or too anything to meet us in the circumstances we are in. You and I are never alone, never out of God’s sight, and never beyond His earshot. How do I know? Well, simply, because the Bible tells me so. All throughout scripture, we see how God intervened and acted on behalf of His people. So, if He did all this for them, why would He not act on our behalf, too? In this episode we look at one of the amazing stories in the Bible where God met a woman and her son in the wilderness and cared for them there. It’s the story of Hagar and Ishmael, and consequently, we ponder how we can apply the lessons we learn from this story to our own lives. Click on the player above to listen to the full 17-minute episode. No matter what you may be walking through or experiencing, I pray this story of Hagar and Ishmael encourages your heart. I pray it reminds you how much God cares for you. God sees you, friend. He loves you so very much. Hang on to this today and every day. God bless you. Links in this episode: Genesis 21:8-21 NIV Genesis 16 NIV John 7:37-38 NIV 1 Peter 5:7 VOICE Encouragement for Real Life Community Find encouraging free Resources here, designed to inspire you daily
  14. Julie Lefebure
    Sometimes we could use a reminder. Are you walking through uncertain times? Looking at the headlines and the brokenness around you, are you wondering if everything will really be okay? This episode is for you. It originally aired as episode 28, but because it's one of the most popular episodes of our first 100, we are bringing it back today for us as a reminder. It really will be okay. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Three weeks ago we celebrated a milestone on the podcast: 100 episodes! To continue celebrating this milestone, we are reaching back into the archives this week to one of the most popular and most played episodes out of these 100: episode number 28, originally titled It's All Going to Be Okay. It's no wonder this episode has been played a bunch, I believe every now and then we can use a reminder that it is all going to be okay. Next week we will be highlighting another popular past episode. I pray these encourage your heart and add a lift to your step. If you're wondering will it really be okay?, then this episode is timely. Share it with someone else who could use it as well. Let's get to it. Life is an adventure, isn’t it? In this adventure we each experience ups and downs, high mountain top places where we feel on top of the world, and low valleys where dark days reside. Sometimes we experience both in the very same day, or in the very same minute! One thing is for sure, we love the sunshiny days, and the dark, rainy days? Well, not so much, but those days help us appreciate the sunshiny days, don’t they? The thing is, though, when we’re walking through uncertain times we can begin to wonder, will we be okay? We question, will this situation end up okay? Will my children be okay? Wil everything it really be okay? Maybe you’re wondering this right now. Maybe you’re finding yourself in a dark season, in the middle of a very trying time, in awful circumstances where no relief is in sight. Even though I can’t physically sit with you today, I pray God meets you through this podcast to encourage your heart. To point you to His truth, and to pass on His strength for your soul, no matter what you may be going through. So, why at times does life have to be so difficult? Thankfully, we don’t have to look too far for the answer. We can open our Bibles and flip through the first few pages to find it. The Bible begins with the book of Genesis, and we see God’s design in the garden of Eden was perfection in every sense of the word. He created it all and saw it was good. But man stepped in in Genesis 3 and chose a snack from the tree that was off-limits, prompted by the enemy of our souls. Consequently, everything changed in that bite. Including the world we live in today. God didn’t leave us without hope, however. As a result, we have reason to believe it will really be okay. And I share why in this week’s episode. Links in this episode: John 3:16 NLT Revelation 21:1-5 NIV John 16:33 NIV Romans 8:18 NIV Mark 5:25-34 NIV Mark 5:34 VOICE Encouragement for Real Life Community Facebook group
  15. Julie Lefebure
    If you're feeling overwhelmed right now, this episode is for you! We are bombarded with bad news. We have deadlines to meet and responsibilities to care for. We are trying to to it all in the limited amount of time we have in each day. It can all get a bit overwhelming, can't it? If you're feeling overwhelmed today, this episode will encourage your heart. Listen in to find what to do when life is overwhelming. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Two weeks ago we celebrated a milestone on the podcast: 100 episodes! To continue celebrating this milestone, we are reaching back into the archives this week to one of the most popular and most played episodes out of these 100: episode number 4, originally titled Living Overwhelmed? If So, This Is For You. It's no wonder this episode has been played a lot, because I believe many women, just like you and me, may be in a state of living overwhelmed. Thankfully, we have hope to overcome this! For next two weeks, I will also be highlighting a popular past episode. I pray these encourage your heart and add a lift to your step. If life is overwhelming, let's get into this episode to find encouragement for our real lives right now. If life is overwhelming right now, you're in good company. It is for many of us, but we don’t have to keep living that way. I believe we can choose differently. Sadly, I’ve had much experience with living overwhelmed in my years. So much so, I’ve learned a way to diagnose it. I share this simple way in the episode, and it has to do with asking myself some questions when I begin to feel stressed, overwhelmed, or out of sorts. I ask myself questions such as: What’s causing me to feel this way? Why am I stressed, or overwhelmed, or feeling out of sorts? What’s creating these overwhelming feelings? Then I try to dig a bit deeper to find the cause by narrowing my questions down a little farther. Is it what’s going on around me? (My environment, the world, people around me?) Is it what’s going on in me? (Internal agitation, sin, not using my time/resources wisely? Have I said yes to too much? (Taking on more than I’m called to do?) Is my schedule too full? (Does something need to go?) Why am I not filled with peace? (Pray, ask God) If we’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed, it’s an indication something needs to change. I suggest asking God. The thing is, God will show us what to do or what change needs to be made when we ask. He won’t leave us to figure it out on our own. God will guide us to the answer. And when the answer comes, we can trust Him to help us many any changes and that He will give us His peace again. When life is overwhelming, will we choose to remain overwhelmed or will we choose to invite in God’s peace? It may not be easy to change the way we’re living, but I believe we can do it with His help. Links in this episode: Isaiah 26:3 VOICE 5 Ways to Stop Living Overwhelmed printable on my Resources page Encouragement for Real Life Community Facebook group Access my Free Resources (printables, lock screens, social posts, and all the fun stuff) to encourage your heart
  16. Julie Lefebure
    Because who wants to live a fake and perfect life, anyway? On this side of heaven, we're well aware we can't live the perfect life no matter how hard we try. But actually, that's a good thing. Because if our lives were perfect, would we even need Jesus?? We're highlighting a popular episode this week which speaks to this, episode 2: The Imperfect Real Life. Listen and be encouraged! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Last week we celebrated a milestone on the podcast: 100 episodes! It's actually hard for me to believe how fast the time has gone. With adding a new episode each week, we've covered much territory and have grown in numerous ways together. To celebrate this milestone, we are reaching back into the archives this week to one of the most popular and most played episodes out of these 100: episode number 2, titled The Imperfect Real Life. To continue the celebration, also for the next three weeks I will be highlighting a popular past episode. I pray these encourage your heart. So, without further ado, let's find some help and hope as we remind ourselves how life is real and imperfect, and friend, that's a good thing. Life is real and imperfect. Because who wants to live a fake and perfect one? Well, perfect sounds pretty good to this recovering perfectionist, but we know living on this side of heaven, we can't live the perfect life no matter how hard we try. But actually, that's a good thing. Because if our lives were perfect, would we even need Jesus?? As I was preparing for this episode, I was reminded of a friendship from long ago. This friend appeared to live the perfect life. I share about it in the episode and the lessons I learned from this relationship. No one’s life is perfect, no matter how it may appear. No one is exempt from real life, no matter how hard we try to avoid it. Living an imperfect real life is much better than living a pretend life. What is a real life, anyway? Oxford Languages defines it as, “life as it is lived in reality, involving unwelcome as well as welcome experiences, as distinct from a fictional world.” Maybe someone you know appears to be living the perfect life. And quite possibly you wonder, what’s wrong with me? Even though deep down you know no one has the perfect life, you begin to wonder why is my life not perfect like hers? We each live imperfect real lives, and as Jesus said, we each experience trouble in them in John 16:33. But, the hope we have is He has overcome everything we go through. Isn’t that the best news? So, friend, yes, life is real and imperfect. Let's embrace these lives together. May we share them with each other. May we be authentic and transparent with one another. And may we always thank God for our imperfect, yet beautiful, real lives. Links in this episode: Follow me on Instagram @julielefebure Beth Moore’s Instagram Access my free Resources including fun printables, lock screens, social posts, and lots of encouragement Join the private Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook
  17. Julie Lefebure
    We're not just celebrating 100 episodes, we are also celebrating you! Toss the confetti and inflate the balloons! We are celebrating 100 episodes today! But more important than that, we are celebrating YOU! Do you know how amazing you are? In case you forgot or need a reminder, listen in and be encouraged. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. We're tossing confetti and inflating balloons here today! We're having one big party! Well, not really, but inside I sure am! Can you believe this is episode 100 of the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast? I can't. Well, I guess I can and I can't. Both. Because to me, it doesn't seem like we've been here for 100 episodes. Time goes by so fast these days, doesn't it? Yet, we've journeyed through much in 100 episodes, haven't we??! Everything from why I began the podcast, to talking about seasons of transitions, to learning about distractions, to walking through trying circumstances, to sharing personal stories of hope and encouragement. We've experienced a lot together, and if you haven't listened to all 100 episodes, that's okay. But they are available if you ever want to go back and check them out. In fact, I invite you to. Because you'll gather a little more info as to why this podcast exists and my heart for God and for you. But more than celebrating this milestone episode, I'd rather celebrate you. Why? Because truly, you are the reason why this podcast exists. A number of you asked if I ever thought about doing a podcast, which at the time, I hadn't. So, God used you to plant seeds in my heart. It's because of you that my mind was opened to the idea of a podcast as I followed God's prompting. It's because of you I keep showing up here each week. Because, no matter how cheesy or weird it may sound, you matter to me. You are the reason I do what I do. (Well, and because God has called me to do so.) So, yes, you are worth celebrating. Do you know how amazing you are? If it's okay, I'll remind you today. Simply because God created you amazing. You are unique, one of a kind, and special. No one looks like you, acts like you, is blessed with the same gifts and talents as you. You are God's amazing creation. In fact, His Word tells us just how amazing He created you. I share scripture regarding how God made you and what He thinks of you. Plus a list of what else God's Word says about you. Thank you for showing up here week in and week out. Thank you for allowing me to journey though life with you. I thank you for giving me the extra reason to keep doing what I'm doing. Like I say often, I'm glad we get to do this real life together. I celebrate you today in this 100th episode! Thanks for being here! God bless you. Links in this episode Psalm 139:13-16 NLT Psalm 139:17-18 NLT Encouragement for Real Life Community Access the Embracing Who You Are printable and other Free Resources on my site
  18. Julie Lefebure
    Because God can use anything for good, including heartbreak. None of us are immune to heartbreak. Because we live in a broken world, we each experience brokenness and heartbreak. If you're walking through a heartbreaking time right now, or if someone you know is, this episode will offer you hope, promise, and encouragement as Jodi Rosser shares some of her story with us. You won't want to miss this one! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. You are in for a treat today! Once a month I host a guest on the podcast, and I am thrilled to share with you the hope-giving conversation I had with someone who's a lovely friend, a beautiful soul, a vibrant human being, a fellow writer, podcaster, and speaker, whose story encourages and inspires many, including me. This amazing woman is none other than the wonderful Jodi Rosser. If you don't know Jodi, you soon will through this episode, and I think you'll find encouragement and hope as she shares some of her story. Heartbreak is not the end of your story, friend. And just for fun, I'm giving away a signed copy of Jodi's book, Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength, so be sure to register to win at the link in the show notes. Heartbreak is not the end of your story. It's not. It may feel like it is right now, but it's not. If you're experiencing heartbreak of any kind, this episode is especially for you. But the thing is, because we live in a broken world, we each experience brokenness and heartache in it. Unfortunately, it's something we each have in common. We each are familiar with heartbreak, right? Whether that's from a broken relationship, broken dreams, or broken promises. Or any of these or none of these! God, however, specializes in brokenness and heartbreak. Because He never leaves us in it, but He gives us His strength and to be what Jodi calls a "hopelifter" to others. Jodi is a living example of this. God has used her heartbreak to help others in their own heartbreaks. God is in the process of redeeming your story right now. You just may not be able to see it yet. How has this conversation encouraged your heart today? How is Jodi's story inspiring you and giving you hope for your future and in your current circumstances? Jodi's story reminds us that heartbreak isn't the end of our stories when God's involved. He uses our heartbreaks for our growth, for the good of others, and for His glory. Just like He did--and is doing--in Jodi's story, and just like He does in ours. Take courage today, friend. If you're experiencing heartbreak in this season, or know someone who is (share this with him/her), please know God is with you, and remember heartbreak is not the end of your story. Amen? Amen. Thank you for being here today. I'm cheering you on! God bless you. Links in this episode: Connect with Jodi Rosser Register to win a signed copy of Jody's book Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength Find hope in our Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook Access free encouraging Resources, designed just for you on my site.
  19. Julie Lefebure
    Because how we live matters. We each desire to live our best lives, right? But oftentimes something stands in our way of doing so. In this episode Julie shares the secrets how to live your best life this summer, and it's probably not what you think. Listen in to find out! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Maybe it's the sunshine. Or the fun activities. Or the bicycling. Maybe it's the warm weather. Or the more relaxed pace. Or the evenings on our back deck. Maybe it's because of all of these. I don't know. But yes, summer is my absolute favorite season. I never want to be found sleepwalking through this life I’ve been given. Never. We talk about this often around here regarding the truth of how we live this life, matters in the next. What we do today, makes a difference for eternity. I don’t want life to pass me by. At the end of my life, I want there to be no regrets. I'm guessing you are the same. Live with no regrets. This is what I consider the first secret to live your best life this summer. And by this I don't mean to live your best life this summer in what the world considers best, but in what God considers best. We ponder questions to ask ourselves, and I share five psalms to pray to live your best life this summer. (You'll find the free printable on my Resources on my site. The link is in the show notes.) Living your best life this summer isn't complicated. It just takes some effort. But the effort is so worth it! Friend, we can either allow life to pass us by this summer, or we can choose to live undistracted with no regrets. I say we choose the latter! Following God in prayer and through scripture is key. I invite you to follow me on social media and together we'll encourage one another as we venture through this summer. Join me with the hashtag #summerofnoregrets so we'll be able to find each other and cheer each other on. I can't wait to journey through this season with you, living the life of abundance Jesus came to give us! I'm cheering you on as you life your best life this summer! God bless you! Links in this episode: Psalm 90:12 TLB John 10:10 VOICE Psalm 90:17 MSG Psalm 19:14 GW Psalm 16:11 VOICE Psalm 37:23-24 VOICE Access the free printable of these verses and more in my Free Resources Join the conversation in the Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook #summerofnoregrets
  20. Julie Lefebure
    Because we follow where we focus. This one truth is vitally important when it comes to distractions and overcoming them: our focus matters. In this episode we look at a biblical example regarding keeping our focus on Jesus versus focusing on distraction. This matters because we follow where we focus! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Distractions in life are everywhere, aren't they? We've discussed many of them in past episodes. This is something I'm sold out on in helping women like you and me overcome distractions in our lives so we can live the abundant lives Jesus came to give us. So much so, I'm writing a book about it which will release in October of this year. But the truth I'm learning over and over when it comes to distractions is this: our focus matters. Each morning I'm asking God to teach me what I need to yet learn about distractions, and let me tell you, I'm learning a lot. I call it my 40 days of living undistracted, and today I'm on day 7. I pop in on Instagram every now and then to share some of what I'm learning. Over the weekend, God led me to an account in the Bible that puts in perspective how serious distractions in life are, and how important it is we learn how to overcome them. This story also enlightened me a powerful truth. Our focus matters. We look at a story you may or may not be familiar with. It's about Peter and how he allows distractions to take his focus off of Jesus. It's found in the book of Matthew, chapter 14. Jesus had just fed 5,000 men, not including the women and children in the crowd, with just five loaves of bread and two fish. He sent the people to their homes and the disciples into a boat to go to the other side of the lake. Jesus went up into the hills by himself to pray. This is when it gets interesting. I can relate to Peter. Maybe you can, too. How often am I excitedly walking with Jesus, when all of a sudden I see the winds and the waves of this life. The unpleasant circumstances, the negative comments of another, the bad news, or the reminder of a health issue. And all of a sudden I, like Peter, get scared and begin to sink. All because I took my focus off of Jesus. Friend, our focus matters. More than we realize or understand. We discuss how the enemy of our souls desires to keep us away from Jesus and His call on our lives, and we look at four ways to overcome life's distractions, taken from the verses in Matthew 14. Yes, our focus matters. Let's put it back on where it belongs and keep it there. On Jesus. Thanks for being here, friend. Stay focused! God bless you. Links in this episode: Matthew 14:22-33 NLT Hebrews 12:1-2a NLT Encouragement for Real Life Community Access the free encouraging Resources I've designed for you (printables, lock screens, social posts, and fun tools).
  21. Julie Lefebure
    We're given one life to live. Let's make it count. Do you ever think about how much time you have left on this earth? Do you ever pause and question what you're doing with the life you've been given? Julie shares about a recent question asked of her that became a wake up call of sorts. We are given one life to live, so this episode will help us make it count. Listen in to learn how to make the most of right now. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. I had a realization the other day that became my focus for the last number of days, and I believe it's something we could use a reminder of every now and then. So, it's the perfect subject for the podcast today. If you're interested in embracing the moment and learning how to make the most of right now, then this episode is for you. You might also want to share it with a friend who could use this encouragement as well. Someone asked me the other day how old my mom was when she passed from this earth to her eternal home. She was 74. In that moment when I answered, I was reminded of my current age. I mentally subtracted it from my mom's, and a lump instantly formed in my throat. Now, I don't mean to be a downer here, but this got me thinking. I have no idea when the Lord will take me home, because none of us do. But say He calls me home at the same age He did my mother, and well, this reality wakes me up. This possibility motivates me to stop living this life as if I have all the time in the world. Because frankly, I don't! You and I get one chance to live this life on earth, and friend, this is it! We don't get a do-over, or the opportunity to begin life again. This life is the one we're given to live abundantly. In the way Jesus came to give us life. But not only that, what we do on earth matters into eternity. How we live today and what we do with the gifts God has given us make a different now and later. Have you thought about this at all recently? Because sometimes I believe we need a reminder of our mortality every now and then. We need to remember that we're not guaranteed tomorrow or the next minute. This matters. Our lives matter. Right now matters. I share three ways to make the most of right now. Along with the questions I'm asking myself this week. Maybe you'll want to answer them as well. You and I can't begin to guess how long we'll be here on this earth, but what we can do is make the most of the time we're given. To make the most of today. To make the most of right now. Because this matters. I'm cheering you on today and praying for you. God bless you! Links in this episode: John 9:4 TLB James 4:14 VOICE Contact Julie here Join my exclusive email community here so you can have access to insider info and first-hand encouragement. Encouragement for Real Life Community Access my Free Resources to encourage your heart (social posts, printables, bookmarks, scavenger hunts)
  22. Julie Lefebure
    Including Stuff I'd Only Tell God, her new book! This episode is a big one, as we invite our first-ever guest, Jennifer Dukes Lee, to the podcast! You'll be inspired as she and Julie discuss real life, the hope we have, and Jennifer's new book, Stuff I'd Only Tell God. You won't want to miss this one! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. This is kind of a monumental day on the podcast, because this episode contains our first-ever interview! And you already know who it's with because you saw it in the title. Yes, it's with none other than the wonderful Jennifer Dukes Lee! Fellow Iowan, rural life girl, and real life woman. I'm completely excited about sharing our conversation with you, but I'm more excited about it for you, because you're in for a treat. We discuss so many wonderful things in this episode such as real life, hope and encouragement, and her new book that released earlier this month. Which I'm giving a copy away! Link is in the show notes. Ready to be inspired and blessed today? Well, listen in and enjoy! We each have stuff in our lives that we'd only tell God, right? Like our secrets, our mistakes no one else knows about, our hopes, and our dreams. Like who we really are, because after all, no one knows us better than the One who created us. Yes, we each have stuff we'd only tell God. I've been a fan of Jennifer's for many years, and we've met in person a few times. In her latest book, Stuff I'd Only Tell God, Jennifer gives us opportunities to share our stuff in black and white, on the pages of this book. Let me tell you, I've had it for just a few weeks, and the prompts inside the book are wonderfully thought provoking and are taking me to places I haven't thought of for a long time or ever before! In our conversation we talk about some of these prompts and we hear Jennifer's take on them as well. I think you'll enjoy hearing how Jennifer answers some of the prompts! May God encourage your heart in the days to come as you recall Jennifer's words of hope and inspiration in our conversation. Go out and be a light for Him today. God bless you! Links in the episode: Visit Jennifer's website and get to know her better Purchase Stuff I'd Only Tell God (affiliate link) Enter the drawing to win Jennifer's new book, Stuff I'd Only Tell God Encouragement for Real Life Community Find encouraging Free Resources on my site to inspire you and bless you.
  23. Julie Lefebure
    Is it you or someone else? People say they control their destinies. But do they? Some of us have let others control our destinies. But can they? In this episode we discuss who is really in control as Julie shares an impactful story that was prompted from a TV show. You'll find good news in it! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Over the weekend I got to thinking about our destinies. Do we each have one? Who controls them? What does God have to say about them? Have we let others dictate them? You name it, if it had to do with destinies, I probably thought about it. And it all stemmed from something I caught on a TV show. Who controls your destiny? Is it others? You? God? This matters. We'll dig into God's Word to see what He has to say about it, too. So, who controls your destiny? Do you? Do others? Does God? I'm not referring to luck, or fortune, or karma. I'm referring to Oxford Language's definition of destiny: the events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future. Did you watch American Idol this season? It just ended this past Sunday evening. We aren't big TV-watching people here, but this show is one I enjoy watching. And this season was filled with many stories of people who inspired me. Including the winner, Iam Tongi. I was rooting for both he and the runner up, Megan Danielle, so I was glad they were both in the finals of the show. But a certain story emerged, beginning with Megan's in-person audition. I guess you could say Megan is a big fan of Christian music artist, Lauren Daigle, and sang one of her songs in the audition. Somehow, Lauren happened to come to Megan's audition and she surprised her by coming in the room and singing with her. Megan was invited to go to Hollywood for the show. On Sunday evening's finale they flashed back to that audition moment before Megan and Lauren took the stage together to sing another one of Lauren's songs. They also showed a short clip of when Lauren was a contestant on American Idol years ago. What?? She was a prior contestant? Is that where she got her start in Christian music? If you know me, I took to the internet and searched. And what I found encouraged me so. I think it'll encourage you as well! God is the One who controls your destiny and mine. We're in good hands, friend. God bless you! Links in this episode: Lauren Daigle Jeremiah 29:11 NIV Psalm 138:8 NLT Romans 8:28 ESV Encouragement for Real Life Community Access my free Resources designed to encourage your heart and add a lift to your step!
  24. Julie Lefebure
    How to handle the distraction of others with kindness and grace. Are you distracted by others? People in our lives can be both blessings and distractions, and in this episode we look at how to graciously handle this distraction. It takes more care and kindness than other external distractions, but one big key makes all the difference. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. We continue to discuss the varying distractions that plague us on any given day, and today we're peering into the distraction of others. Yes, people can be both big distractions and big blessings in our lives, cant they? And it's wise to keep this truth in perspective. This distraction of others is a big one for many of us, and the thing is, some of us may not even realize it. You're focused on a task at work and someone disrupts your workflow. You're reading something important and one of your children bounds in the room, and in a high-pitched squeal yells, "Mom!" The distraction of others may affect us more than we realize. Or you're making dinner and a friend texts you and asks, "Do you have time for a phone call now?" Or you just got settled in for the night and you hear a knock on your door. This distraction of others is what I consider an external distraction. It's a distraction that originates outside of ourselves. And it's a unique distraction, because we can't just block people out of our lives or turn them off, like can with other external distractions like our phones or the t.v. So, this distraction takes a bit more discernment, care, and yes, love than dealing other external distractions. But I could spend all day listing example after example of how other people distract us. Don't get me wrong here. This isn't always a bad thing. It's just the way it is. Because we do life with other people. We live with other people. We work with other people. And we are thankful for the blessings of these people in our lives. (At least for the most part we are, right?) Because when someone distracts us, they want our attention now. They want us in that very moment. The distraction of others says, "Notice me now." And many of us do. I know I do. But do we always need to? Is there a way we could delay the "notice me now" to "I'll notice you in a moment?" We ponder this further, look at an example in the Bible, and share five ways to overcome this distraction of others with grace and kindness. The distraction of others doesn't have to be a relationship breaker if we handle it right and seek God first. But just like any other distraction, this matters. I pray for God to give you and me His wisdom and discernment in this area. Thanks for being here today. I'm cheering you on. God bless you! Links in this episode: Nehemiah 6:3 NLT 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT Access my free Resources here Encouragement for Real Life Community
  25. Julie Lefebure
    Because we may not know or can get distracted and forget. We are encouraged to live abundant lives, but what is an abundant life and how to we go about living one? Is abundance based on acquiring more things or living the perfect life? Or is it something else? We dive deep into this episode to find out and find hope! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes. Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. I help women live encouraged and less distracted so they can live abundant and joy-filled lives. This is my purpose statement. This is what I do, my focus, my mission. But I got to thinking the other day, what is abundant life, and how to we as women live one? This led me to explore that a little more. I knew the answer, but maybe the answer isn't so clear to everyone or maybe we sometimes get distracted and forget. So, what it an abundant life? Before we can live an abundant life, we must define it first. When you think of an abundant life, what comes to mind? Is it the abundance we find in this world? Like owning fancy things? Like having the perfect job or spouse? Maybe it's raising perfect kids or being in control of life (are either even possible??)? Or maybe it's striving for that dream, making lots of money, or winning the lottery? Between you and me, I've been known to think of an abundant life in these ways. For so many years, abundance, in my mind was found in these things. Or does an abundant life to you mean something else? Maybe it has nothing to do with owning, or possessing, or striving, or winning? Maybe it has nothing to do with this world entirely? It matters what we believe abundant life to be, because whatever we believe, that's what we'll pursue. That's what we'll hold dear. We look at what God, in His Word, has to say about this, and we ponder many scriptures. We also look at the word 'abundance' in the original language, and we find truth as we do. And we find the foundation of an abundant life begins with Jesus. You'll find hope and encouragement for right now! You and I can choose how we live this life on earth, but I pray we choose a life of abundance. The life Jesus came to give us. That's filled with His joy, His presence, His peace, and provision. And I pray we share this gift with another today. It matters now and it matters in eternity. May we encourage one another to keep our eyes lifted to the heavenly things, not focused on what we see here. And may we remember what's temporary and what's eternal. God bless you! Links in this episode: John 10:10 VOICE Episode 86, The Distraction of a Busy Mind Says, "Think About This" 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT Colossians 3:2 AMP (I realized late that I misquoted this verse in the episode.) Hebrews 13:14 NLT John 17:3 NIV Encouragement for Real Life Community Access my many Free Resources designed to encourage your heart
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