MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose

I’ve had the privilege of interviewing Pastor Max Lucado many times over the years, and somehow it never gets old. He’s someone so many of us have admired for years and years, which means I decided it was time to ask him a few questions I’ve been saving. You’re welcome. 😊 
Today Pastor Max tells us the spiritual habit that has shaped his faith more than any other, what he wishes every 40-year-old knew, what every 70-year-old needs to remember, which Bible character he most wants to sit down with in heaven, and what he would preach if he only had one sermon left. 
I know, right? 
We also have such a meaningful conversation about courage—what it looks like to stay steady when you feel outnumbered, discouraged, exhausted, or like you’re the only one trying to live faithfully. Max takes us into the life of Elijah and reminds us that courage isn’t about never struggling, but knowing where to anchor your faith when you do.
This is such a special conversation with one of my spiritual heroes. I can’t wait for you to listen. And pretty please, share it with a friend too!

All Things Cynthia 
Unbreakable Courage: Strong Faith in an Age of Anxiety, Chaos, and Exhaustion by Max Lucado
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Last week on MESSmerized, I talked about what happens when you’ve prayed and prayed . . . and nothing seems to change. You know God is good. You know He hears you. But sometimes it still feels like He’s nowhere to be found.
That’s why this week’s conversation with Tammy Trent feels so timely.
Tammy lost her husband in a tragic diving accident in Jamaica on September 11, 2001, and that loss began a very real journey of asking God where He was in the middle of unimaginable pain.
Today we’re talking about what Tammy has learned in the 25 years since then—how to trust God when you can’t feel Him, why hard questions don’t mean you have weak faith, why truth has to carry us when our feelings can’t, and how to let go of the life we thought we were supposed to have. She also shares some incredibly specific ways God met her in the middle of her grief.
If you’ve ever thought, “God, do You see me? Do You hear me? Where are You in this?” this conversation is for you.
Also, if someone came to mind while you were reading this, send it their way pretty please!

Where are You Now God? By Tammy Trent 
All things Cynthia Yanof

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Tell me I’m not alone. Have you ever prayed for something so long that you’ve started wondering, “Are You there, God? It’s me, Cynthia.”
Today we’re talking about Habakkuk and what prayer looks like when God feels silent, His answer makes no sense, or nothing seems to be changing.
Habakkuk gives us three things to hold onto:
Honesty. God can handle the real prayer—the frustrated, confused, “Where are You?” prayer.
Higher ground. Sometimes we need to get out of the weeds, quiet the noise, and let God’s Word—not our circumstances—shape what we believe.
Hope. Habakkuk doesn’t end with everything fixed. He ends with confidence that God is still sovereign and will give him the footing to walk whatever terrain is ahead.
If you’re waiting, wondering, or wrestling with God right now, today’s show is for you.

P.S. — If you haven’t filled out the MESSmerized survey, will you do that pretty please? It’s right here!
P.P.S. — If you enjoyed today’s show, will you share it with your besties?

All things Cynthia

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I recorded this interview right before meeting some friends for lunch, and I could not stop talking about it. By the time lunch was over, they had all bought the book. That’s how much this conversation got me.
And so . . . I’m thrilled to have Dr. Kathy Koch on the show today. The last time she was here, the response from you guys was incredible, and she was gracious enough to come back—even after I mistakenly called her dead one time. 😂
Today we’re talking about her book 8 Great Smarts, and I’m telling you, this one has changed the way I look at my kids—and myself.
Dr. Kathy walks us through the eight different “smarts,” how to recognize them, and why understanding the way God wired us can be so freeing. We talk about why struggling in school does NOT mean you aren’t smart, how some of the things that drive us crazy about our kids may actually point to their strengths, and even how understanding your smarts can help you recognize the ways you naturally relate to and connect with God.
Plus, I share how I passed the bar exam but never managed to pass a piano theory test after nine years of lessons. Make it make sense.
Turns out, life smarts a little less when you understand how you’re smart. See what I did there? 😂 And PLEASE share this one with a friend. I really think every parent—and honestly every adult—needs this word from Dr. Kathy. 

All things Cynthia
8 Great Smarts by Dr. Kathy
Dr. Kathy’s Website

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WE’RE BACK! After taking August off, MESSmerized is officially back for a brand-new fall season. I’ve got lots to catch you up on in the intro, and first I just want to say thank you for giving me a little space to step away and recharge. It was so needed, and now we’re coming back firing with some incredible guests this fall.
And there was really only one way to kick things off: my dear close personal friend Candace Cameron Bure. And by “close personal friend,” I mean we’ve never actually met in person, talk about once a year, and I remain fully committed to making this friendship happen.
Candace and I talk about everything from becoming “Candy Graham” to two new grandbabies, what she’d tell her younger self about parenting, and why busyness can quietly steal our hope. We also talk about her new devotional, Wild Hope, the Scripture she memorized before heading into the Malaysian jungle for Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, and of course, her Christmas movies. Plus, because apparently I learned nothing from last time, I put her through another Full House trivia game.
One more thing before you go: later this week I’m sending out a survey, as promised, because I really want your feedback on the show—what you’re loving, what you want more of, what you want less of, all of it. If you haven’t already, head to cynthiayanof.com and enter your email so you can be part of all the MESSmerized happenings.
Grateful for you friends . . . can’t wait to kick things off!

Wild Hope: A 30-Day Devotional to Overcome Life’s Challenges by Candace
Candace’s Live Tour

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