In this episode of Living the Grace Life, Jennifer Sakata reads the story of Jesus' birth from the Gospel of Matthew in three different translations. The focus is on quiet reflection and hearing God’s word as we prepare for Christmas.

Complete show notes here

Jennifer Sakata Advent Devotional: Make Room for the Quieter Voices of Christmas

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How do you trust God for good when everything looks so wrong? How do you hold onto hope when your world is falling apart? It's easy to forget the goodness of God when the brokenness in our world feels louder and bigger than hope.

In this episode of Living the Grace Life, host Jennifer Sakata sits down with Julie Sunne, whose multiple miscarriages, life's hard, and caregiving for her adult daughter with significant intellectual disabilities have led her to the substance of hope: God Himself.

Julie's latest book, Sometimes I Forget: 60 Reminders of Hope for Your Hard Days, outlines 60 characteristics of God that root us in hope despite difficult circumstances.

Together, we address the importance of letting go of our expectations about life, especially during acute trauma.

The next steps to hope include:

• prayer
• relaxation techniques
• Bible reading
• community
• transparency

By turning to the Bible and authentically crying out to God, we open ourselves up to the possibilities God can bring through our circumstances.

Listen in to discover how God's characteristics can turn impossibilities into possibilities, encouraging listeners to ask, 'What are you going to do with this now, Lord?'

Julie is also the author of Everyday Praise: Walking in Greater Peace. Julie's writing has been featured in print devotionals by Proverbs 31 Ministries and Guideposts; Celebrate Life Magazine' Proverbs 31 Ministries' Encouragement for Today, and several online sites. Julie and her husband, David, are parents to three grown sons and a daughter. They reside with their daughter in rural northeast Iowa.

Grace Quotes from Julie Sunne:

"I wasn't prepared to reconcile the God that I knew with the bad things that can happen in life."

"When life is hard and things turn tragic, we are quick to believe God has taken his eyes off us. But God is never stretched too thin. You always have God's undivided attention."

"As we continue to unwrap the gift of surrendered faith, some of what looks to be mean and ugly in our lives transforms into precious gifts that stretch, grow, and heal us."

Resources mentioned:

• Julie Sunne website
• Julie Sunne email: julie@juliesunne.com
• Julie Sunne's books
• FREE Resources Library

Complete show notes here

Advent Devotional: Make Room for the Quieter Voices of Christmas by Jennifer Sakata

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In her advent devotional, Seeking Joy through the Gospel of Luke, award-winning author Christine Trimpe speaks joy so listeners can too. Her motto: "Seek joy so we can speak joy."

Have you ever felt like you don't fit? Like you're taking one step forward and two steps backward? Do you feel weary while the rest of the world is poised for rejoicing?

In this episode of 'Living the Grace Life,' host Jennifer Sakata and guest Christine Trimpe, discuss Christine's transformative journey from a casual Christian to a seeking joy gal. Christine shares her struggle with weight, emotional and social belonging, and the pivotal moment on a mountain that led to her profound spiritual awakening to Jesus.

In their conversation, you'll hear:

• Christine's incredible journey of losing 100 pounds while discovering the real Jesus
• how to "read between the lines" to God's goodness during a dark space
• how to navigate the holidays while seeking joy
• how to engage in a meaningful Advent in preparation for the coming of Jesus
• where to discover your place at the table when you don't feel like you fit

Christine emphasizes the importance of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, seeking joy despite circumstances, and preparing our hearts for Christmas through Advent.

And yes! Christine returned to that mountain, conquered and climbed it. She is now an avid hiker. Listen in to hear the rest of Christine's story.

Grace Quotes from Christine Trimpe:

"We have a seat at the table. And if we can keep our eyes fixed there, that's where we fit."

"I can carry joy and sorrow in one hand and trust God's plan for every little thing in life."

"I have not found any other way to navigate a storm than finding the truth in his word."

Key Scripture from our conversation:

"But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God's grace that you have been saved." Ephesians 2: 4-5, NLT

Resources mentioned:

• Christine Trimpe website
• Christine Trimpe email: Christine@christinetrimpe.com
• Seeking Joy through the Gospel of Luke
• Seeking Joy Bonus Chapters
• Crush Cravings Guide

Complete show notes here

Connect with Jennifer:

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