In this episode of the Grace Raised Podcast, host Riah Jaffrey speaks with Randi Wright about her journey of faith, the challenges of balancing life and responsibilities, and the importance of understanding God's purpose in our lives. Randi shares her personal testimony, including her experiences with loss and grief, and how these events have shaped her faith. The conversation emphasizes the significance of trusting God, the role of humility in our lives, and the importance of surrendering control to God, especially in parenting and life's challenges.

Randi Wright is a Jesus follower, wife, and homeschooling mom,baker, who also loves to serve the people of her church. Her joy is often found while encouraging other women by sharing her story of loss, how she found hope, and trusted that God is still good even in the trial.

About

Join Riah Jaffrey for a podcast series where we draw on our personal stories, examine the truth of God’s word, and identify the lies, false identities, and unbiblical beliefs that keep us from walking whole heartedly in the power of our new life through the gift of Grace in Jesus. Join us as we share what it is to walk in relationship with Jesus; where we discover new life in death and step into the supernatural power of God’s Grace and Glory.

Support the show

If you would like to share your story you can submit a request on our website at thegraceraisedpodcast.com, or send us an email at thegraceraisedpodcast@gmail.com. If you would like to donate to help support the ministry you can click the donate link in the show notes or go to thegraceraisedpodcast.com/donate.

Summary

In this heartfelt episode of the Grace Raised podcast, host Riah Jaffrey shares the transformative journey of fostering and adopting Olive Hope. She reflects on the challenges and blessings that come with opening their home to a child in need, emphasizing the growth and lessons learned by her family throughout the process. Riah discusses the importance of faith, discipline, and the impact of hard experiences on personal and familial growth, ultimately celebrating Olive's adoption and the joy she has brought to their lives.

About

Join Riah Jaffrey for a podcast series where we draw on our personal stories, examine the truth of God’s word, and identify the lies, false identities, and unbiblical beliefs that keep us from walking whole heartedly in the power of our new life through the gift of Grace in Jesus. Join us as we share what it is to walk in relationship with Jesus; where we discover new life in death and step into the supernatural power of God’s Grace and Glory.

Support the show

If you would like to share your story you can submit a request on our website at thegraceraisedpodcast.com, or send us an email at thegraceraisedpodcast@gmail.com. If you would like to donate to help support the ministry you can click the donate link in the show notes or go to thegraceraisedpodcast.com/donate.

Summary

In this episode, Riah Jaffrey invites her sister-in-law Addie Jaffrey to share her personal experiences growing up in a Christian home and to discuss the importance of spiritual growth. In addition they discuss the impact of the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) in nurturing faith among children. She shares personal insights on the role of CEF in evangelizing and discipling children, and the challenges and triumphs of integrating faith into everyday life.

Addie Jaffrey

I grew up in a Christian home as the only daughter and sister to 4 brothers. I gave my life to the Lord at 6 years old and began walking with Him with conviction by the time I was 12. I started serving in children’s ministry as a young teen and began ministry training at 15. Recently I have graduated from Wisconsin's Maranatha Baptist College with a BS in Elementary and Special education. Today I worked with Eastern Maine Child Evangelism Fellowship as a ministry partner and enjoy my time with family as an Auntie to 7.

Resources

To Learn more about CEF or to get plugged in see the links below:

Eastern Maine CEF website: https://www.cefofmaine.org/chapters/cef-of-eastern-maine/

Maine CEF website: https://www.cefofmaine.org/

CEF International Website: https://www.cefonline.com/

UNITE: https://unite.cefonline.com/

About

Join Riah Jaffrey for a podcast series where we draw on our personal stories, examine the truth of God’s word, and identify the lies, false identities, and unbiblical beliefs that keep us from walking whole heartedly in the power of our new life

through the gift of Grace in Jesus. Join us as we share what it is to walk in relationship with Jesus; where we discover new life in death and step into the supernatural power of God’s Grace and Glory.

Support the show

If you would like to share your story you can submit a request on our website at thegraceraisedpodcast.com, or send us an email at thegraceraisedpodcast@gmail.com. If you would like to donate to help support the ministry you can click the donate link in the show notes or go to thegraceraisedpodcast.com/donate.

Summary

In this episode of the Grace Raised podcast, host Riah Jaffrey speaks with Sally Ives about her profound journey of faith, suffering, and redemption. Sally shares her early experiences of hearing God's voice, her struggles with grief after losing her son, and the transformative power of prayer and community. Through her testimony, Sally emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God, the ongoing journey of grief, and how our experiences can be used to comfort and help others. The conversation highlights the beauty of finding hope and joy amidst suffering, and the assurance that we are never alone in our struggles.

Sally Ives

I am the second oldest of 5 children, initially raised in Massachusetts until as an early teen, my family began moving back and forth across the country. I had primarily attended congregational churches and was briefly introduced to churches of other denominations, many of which I served in by teaching youth groups and Sunday schools. I attended undergraduate and graduate schools in New England, attaining degrees in Educational and School Psychology, and married my first husband in 1981, moving in 1982 to Bar Harbor where I have since lived. My children were born in 1987 and 1990, and in 1991 I became a single mom when my first husband left for "greener pastures". Through my married years, I had attended church only intermittently, but then began attending a local Lutheran church. In 1993 I accompanied a friend one morning to a campground service in which the message pricked my heart and, while I had been sure that I was a Christian, I had questions. At the urging of my friend, I sought out the pastor, Chuck Ives who had spoken that morning. We set up a time to meet up for a hike, since that was a favorite leisure activity for the both of us, and along the trail leading up to Beech Mountain, I gave my heart to the Lord Jesus. Chuck and I quickly became best of friends and 6 months later, in February 1994 we were married. We continued to raise our boys (his daughter completing her nursing degree). In 2010 I tragically lost my 19 year old son, a loss that changed me, yet drew me even closer to Jesus. Chuck and I have often served together through marriage ministries, and since the loss of my son, I have been called to serve other grieving moms. Together, Chuck and I have 5 grandchildren (his daughter's 2 girls and my son's 2 girls and 1 son); we have also "adopted" a young woman with 3 children. The Lord has most recently called me into women's ministry as biblical counselor through Healing Hearts, as mentor for the Rock School of Ministry, and leader within the Rock Church. I look forward to the Lord's continuing to grow me and expand my ministries as I now enter into retirement from my day employment.

About

Join Riah Jaffrey for a podcast series where we draw on our personal stories, examine the truth of God’s word, and identify the lies, false identities, and unbiblical beliefs that keep us from walking whole heartedly in the power of our new life through the gift of Grace in Jesus. Join us as we share what it is to walk in relationship with Jesus; where we discover new life in death and step into the supernatural power of God’s Grace and Glory.

If you would like to share your story you can submit a request on our website at thegraceraisedpodcast.com, or send us an email at thegraceraisedpodcast@gmail.com. If you would like to donate to help support the ministry you can click the donate link in the show notes or go to thegraceraisedpodcast.com/donate.

Summary

In this episode of the Grace Raised Podcast, Riah Jaffrey raises a plea to the church to step into a more radical form of humility in relationships. She emphasizes the need for humility, love, and accountability, drawing on personal experiences and scriptural teachings. As the conversation elaborates on the cost of the cross and the accountability needed for our sanctifying growth in community, Riah encourages listeners to reflect on their own relationships and to strive for a Christ-like love that prioritizes the well-being of others over self-preservation. In the face of relational conflict, wounded by the people we love, how are we called to live? In a culture that emphasizes "self help", self-identities" and "boundaries" and falls into habits of using trigger words to control the relationships we exist with, Riah cries out to the church to remember our identity in Christ and the life we lost as we gave it to follow after Jesus.

About

Join Riah Jaffrey for a podcast series where we draw on our personal stories, examine the truth of God’s word, and identify the lies, false identities, and unbiblical beliefs that keep us from walking whole heartedly in the power of our new life through the gift of Grace in Jesus. Join us as we share what it is to walk in relationship with Jesus; where we discover new life in death and step into the supernatural power of God’s Grace and Glory.

Takeaways

• The death of self is crucial in relationships.
• Christians are called to a higher standard in love.
• Love is a choice, not just a feeling.
• Forgiveness does not always mean restoration.
• We must be willing to lay down our rights for others.
• Relationships are messy and require humility.
• Scripture should guide our responses to hurt.
• We need to bear with one another in love.
• Self-care should not overshadow selflessness.
• Revival in relationships is essential for the church.

Resources

My Utmost For His Highest - Oswald Chambers

Ephesians 5:1-2

John 13:34-35

Matthew 5:44

Ephesians 4:2

Colossians 3:12

Galatians 5:22

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Galatians 5:24

If you would like to share your story you can submit a request on our website at thegraceraisedpodcast.com, or send us an email at thegraceraisedpodcast@gmail.com. If you would like to donate to help support the ministry you can click the donate link in the show notes or go to thegraceraisedpodcast.com/donate.

Summary

In this episode on The Grace Raised podcast, host Riah Jaffrey interviews Jeff Green, a fellow alumni of Rock School of Ministry, a father of two boys, husband to his wife of 16 years. In this moving conversation Jeff shares his powerful testimony of how the Lord relentlessly pursued him, provided for him and cared for him through his wife which ultimately led him to faith. Jeff discusses his life before Christ, the struggles he faced as an unbelieving spouse, and the pivotal moments that led to his surrender to God. He emphasizes the importance of love, patience, and community in navigating faith and relationships, offering encouragement to those in similar situations.

Takeaways

• Jeff's journey to faith began with a loving spouse.
• Transformation is an inside-out process.
• Surrendering to God leads to true change.
• Patience and long-suffering are vital in relationships.
• Community plays a crucial role in spiritual growth.
• Faith is not blind; it is evidence-based.
• Don't give up on your spouse's journey to faith.
• Every believer has a unique story of redemption.
• God's timing is perfect in our lives.
• True joy comes from a relationship with Christ.

Jeff Green

I am Jeff Green and I have been married for 16 years and have 2 boys. I have been following Christ for a little over 2 years and the turn around has been incredible. I have finished year 1 of The Rock School of Ministry and am enrolled in the second year. My favorite scripture verse is Isaiah 40:29-31 it is a passage about God providing strength to those who are weary and who lack it. It emphasizes that God empowers and increases the strength of the weak. Also that those who trust in the Lord will find renewed strength, allowing them to overcome challenges they couldn't before.

About

Join Riah Jaffrey for a podcast series where we draw on our personal stories, examine the truth of God’s word, and identify the lies, false identities, and unbiblical beliefs that keep us from walking whole heartedly in the power of our new life

through the gift of Grace in Jesus. Join us as we share what it is to walk in relationship with Jesus; where we discover new life in death and step into the supernatural power of God’s Grace and Glory.

If you would like to share your story you can submit a request on our website at thegraceraisedpodcast.com, or send us an email at thegraceraisedpodcast@gmail.com. If you would like to donate to help support the ministry you can click the donate link in the show notes or go to thegraceraisedpodcast.com/donate.

Summary

In this episode Riah Jaffrey and guest Kierstin O'Brien explore the themes of faith, personal journeys, and the importance of relationships in spiritual growth. Kirestin shares her story of coming to faith, the challenges she faced, and how her experiences shaped her understanding of God and her role as a mother and mentor. The conversation emphasizes the significance of community, encouragement, and the ongoing journey of faith. We delve into the world of apologetics and its crucial role in deepening our understanding of faith. Join us as we explore how apologetics provides a framework for defending beliefs, fostering meaningful dialogue, and strengthening personal convictions. Whether you're a seasoned believer or new to the journey, this episode offers valuable insights into the intersection of reason and faith. Tune in to discover how apologetics can enrich your spiritual life and equip you to engage thoughtfully with others.

Kierstin O’Brien

I’m a wholehearted follower of Jesus, a devoted wife, loving homeschool mom to my four kids, lead worshipper, extreme extrovert, word-nerd, and lover of the Word. I call myself the Coffee Date Disciple because I think that my calling to encourage, build up, and spur other believers on over coffee is what the Lord has placed on my heart. I’m down for talking about Jesus, apologetics, theology, scrunchy mom tips, marriage, parenting, homeschooling, and everything in between.

Resources

Download Our Full Resource Guide:

Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies by Hillary Morgan Ferrer

Alisa Childers https://alisachilders.com/

Lee Strobel https://leestrobel.com/

Tim Barnett https://www.str.org/tim-barnett

The Deconstruction of Christianity by Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett

Philippians 1:6

About

Join Riah Jaffrey for a podcast series where we draw on our personal stories, examine the truth of God’s word, and identify the lies, false identities, and unbiblical beliefs that keep us from walking whole heartedly in the power of our new life

through the gift of Grace in Jesus. Join us as we share what it is to walk in relationship with Jesus; where we discover new life in death and step into the supernatural power of God’s Grace and Glory.

If you would like to share your story you can submit a request on our website at thegraceraisedpodcast.com, or send us an email at thegraceraisedpodcast@gmail.com. If you would like to donate to help support the ministry you can click the donate link in the show notes or go to thegraceraisedpodcast.com/donate.

Summary

In this episode of The Grace Raised Podcast, host Riah Jaffrey speaks with her mentor, Alicia Pineo, about her faith journey, the importance of mentorship, and the role of community in faith. Alicia shares her experiences growing up in a Christian home, navigating trials during her teenage years, and how God has been present in her pain. They discuss the significance of scripture in understanding God's character, the dangers of false beliefs, and the importance of discernment. Alicia emphasizes the need for new believers to engage with their faith actively and the transformative power of a relationship with God.

Alecia Pineo

From her early years growing up in Chesterville Maine, Alecia Pineo knew that serving others was what she was born to do. Taking care of her Great Grandmother (who lived to 105) in her Grandparents home was the beginning of a journey that ultimately ended in her bringing Visiting Angels to Bangor, ME. After high school, Alecia proudly served her country in the United States Air Force. Alecia supported the Airmen in the very critical, but often overlooked, field of Accounting and Finance. Little did she know how valuable her skills would be when she would eventually decide to open her own business. After the Air Force, Alecia tapped into her desire to serve others once again. She pursued her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse. Through positions at various hospitals, and as a Public Health Nurse with the State of Maine, Alecia mastered her craft and was able to help many, many people—whether through treatment or education.

Alecia learned over the years that seniors hold a very special place in her heart. When she heard a Visiting Angels advertisement on the radio, she knew it was an answer to prayer. She opened a Visiting Angels franchise in Bangor, Maine in June of 2016. Providing premier quality in-home care for her community is a true honor and privilege for her. Helping seniors age more gracefully and maintain the dignity they have earned is something she truly cherishes.

Alecia lives in Hampden with her husband Toby. She has four children, a daughter in law and two grandchildren. Her faith in Jesus and her love of her family are her two passions outside of her work. To God be all the glory.

Resources

Knowing God by J.I. Packer

About

Join Riah Jaffrey for a podcast series where we draw on our personal stories, examine the truth of God’s word, and identify the lies, false identities, and unbiblical beliefs that keep us from walking whole heartedly in the power of our new life

through the gift of Grace in Jesus. Join us as we share what it is to walk in relationship with Jesus; where we discover new life in death and step into the supernatural power of God’s Grace and Glory.

If you would like to share your story you can submit a request on our website at thegraceraisedpodcast.com, or send us an email at thegraceraisedpodcast@gmail.com. If you would like to donate to help support the ministry you can click the donate link in the show notes or go to thegraceraisedpodcast.com/donate.