Audra Jennings

Part 2 of an Interview Stacey Thacker, Author of Threadbare Prayer What do you pray when the words just won’t come? When you’ve been on your knees in prayer and your jeans start to show wear, what else can you possibly say? Sometimes we can be worn to the point we simply don’t have the words to express our pain, worry or fears. Those are our threadbare prayers. Stacey Thacker started writing her own threadbare prayers in her journal during her Bible study time. The prayers were very personal, but as she began to share them on her blog and social media, her friends and readers encouraged her to turn them into her next book. Throughout the pages of Threadbare Prayer: Prayers for Hearts that Feel Hidden, Hurt, or Hopeless (Abingdon Press) , readers will see glimpses of some of the authors most threadbare moments. Through these 100 short but heartfelt devotions readers will find inspiration and words to pray during difficult times. Q: How is it possible to pray when you don’t have...

Part 1 of an Interview Stacey Thacker, Author of Threadbare Prayer Life sometimes brings difficult situations or circumstances that can leave us feeling run-down, drained, worn-out, and threadbare. Illness, the death of a family member, the loss of a job, natural disasters, a pandemic. The events of this year have left us struggling in ways we cannot articulate. These are the times we most desperately need prayer, but they can also be the times we simply don’t have the words to form a prayer. How do you pray when you can’t find the words? In  Threadbare Prayer: Prayers for Hearts that Feel Hidden, Hurt, or Hopeless (Abingdon Press) , Stacey Thacker presents 100 simple yet heartfelt devotions to guide readers on the days they don’t know what to pray. Each entry in this attractive, gift-worthy devotional contains a Bible verse, a brief thought, and a simple, concise prayer to encourage the reader’s heart. Q: What is a threadbare prayer? A threadbare prayer is a simple pra...

One of the things people are missing most during the various phases of quarantine, safer at home and social distancing is the opportunity to meet with fellow Christians. Even when we aren't able to come together in person, that's no reason to skip out on group Bible studies. There are plenty of ways to gather online! In fact, to help groups stay connected and continue to study the Bible together during this time of social-distancing, Abingdon Women and  Amplify Media  are making the video sessions for both of these new Bible Studies available for free for group members to watch at home from any device. Sessions will be available free of charge through June 30, 2020. The authors are also connecting live with readers online! Barb Roose has leading readers via Facebook Live and Zoom and Amberly Neese will be leading a study on Facebook each Thursday in June.  The Belonging Project by Amberly Neese Discover true community. Has the pursuit o...

God Gave Us a Hunger for Deeper Connections Amberly Neese guides women on the search for authentic community The pursuit of what the world perceives as the “perfect life” leaves us feeling depleted, disappointed, dissatisfied, and disconnected. If we would be open and honest with those around us, we would discover we are not the only ones tired of being lonely and left out at work, home, church, and online. God created each and every one of us with a hunger for true community, deeper connection with him, and friendships that are greater than “likes” on social media. As she was touring the nation, speaker and comedian Amberly Neese found this sense of loneliness and disconnect to be present for women across the board—single or married, rich or poor, with or without children. That is the reason she set out to write The Belonging Project: Finding Your Tribe and Learning to Thrive. In this four-week study, Neese provides biblical and practical help for cultivating meaningful rel...

To help groups stay connected and continue to study the Bible together during this time of social-distancing, Abingdon Women and  Amplify Media  are making the video sessions for Barb Roose's new Bible study, Surrendered , available for free for group members to watch at home from any device. Sessions will be available free of charge through June 30, 2020. Preview the first session here and learn more about the book below! Surrendered by Barb Roose Learn How to Surrender Like Jesus. Are you facing a problem in life that you just can't fix, no matter what you do? Perhaps you've heard the phrase "Let go and let God." But it's easier said than done. Is it possible that giving up on what you can't change is God's path to peace for your life? In this six-week Bible study of Jesus in the wilderness, Barb explores Jesus' time of testing and contrasts it with the Israelites' failures in the wilderness. As you learn from Jesus' ...

Part 2 of an Interview with Barb Roose, Author of I’m Waiting, God Do you ever feel like God is taking too long to answer your prayers? Have you ever taken matters into your own hands, only to discover that you’ve made the situation worse? In her new four-week Bible study, I’m Waiting, God , (Abingdon Press) Barb Roose invites us to explore the stories of women in the Bible who had to wait on God. If you’ve felt anxious, angry, discouraged or depressed because God isn’t giving you what you want, their stories will breathe fresh hope and practical next steps in your life. As a reforming control lover, Barb mixes in her personal stories of learning how to wait for God during long seasons of unanswered prayers, family difficulties, and challenging times in ministry. Together readers will discover that there is goodness and blessing to be found in times of waiting, including a closer relationship with God than they’ve ever dared to dream. Q: Which women from the Bible...

How do you stop a worry? by Barb Roose, author of Winning the Worry Battle For those who struggle with worry and anxiety, each day can feel as if they are fighting a losing battle. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults age 18 and older, or 18% of the population. Research also reveals that women are twice as likely to be affected by Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and specific phobias. From personal experience, author Barb Roose understands what it means to battle with worry. She has written Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua (Abingdon Press) to help other women gain victory over their anxieties.   The following article was written by Barb Roose based on her book.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Do you every wonder if you can stop a worry? Yes, you can! Think abou...