In this episode of The Hope + Help Project, Christine Chappell interviews author Lydia Brownback. They discuss Lydia's book, Flourish: How the Love of Christ Frees Us from Self-Focus to help us discern the worldly influences that threaten to warp our understanding of what it really means to be a Christian. We’ll explore topics such as self-consciousness, self-care, self-improvement, and self-condemnation, and discover how the gospel of Jesus Christ equips us to enjoy true freedom in these areas.
Believing that discipleship is centered on us—that it's all about God helping us to be a better us—is why we are surprised to discover that it was Ben Franklin, not Jesus, who said, "God helps those who help themselves." Frankin's unbiblical adage is grounded in the belief that God does his part if we do ours, that God doesn't save individuals until they first choose to be saved, and that the channels of God's blessings remain open so long as we work hard to be decent people. And where this thinking dominates, so does a faith-quenching drive for self-improvement.
About the Podcast
The Hope + Help Project podcast offers compassionate biblical conversations about life's challenging problems. The purpose of the podcast is to share Christ-centered comfort and clarity for those seeking biblical solutions for the struggles they face. The podcast accomplishes this by offering a mix of interviews with seasoned biblical counseling professionals and ministry leaders on a variety of topics. Listeners can expect to receive biblical wisdom as well as practical steps for facing suffering, struggling and sin with courage and grace. Hosted by author/writer Christine M. Chappell.
About the Guest
Lydia Brownback is author of several books and speaker at women’s events internationally. She also presently works on the editorial team at Crossway Books. Lydia’s books include the On-the-Go Devotionals for women; Finding God in My Loneliness; and Sing a New Song: A Woman’s Guide to the Psalms, and others.
About the Book
Flourish: How the Love of Christ Frees Us from Self-Focus • We all long to live out our faith with daily joy, but so often that joy eludes us. Why is that? More often than we realize, it’s because we’ve absorbed messages that curve us in on ourselves. These messages have even crept into the church, disguised as truth. It’s time we learn to discern teaching that’s toxic from that which is true and pure.
Flourish equips us with tools to identify the lies that come at us about where to find real life. As we dig deep into what God says in his Word, we will learn to discern the worldly influences that threaten to warp our understanding of what it really means to be a Christian, and emerge with a faith that flourishes―full of the abundant life Jesus promises.
Flourish equips us with tools to identify the lies that come at us about where to find real life. As we dig deep into what God says in his Word, we will learn to discern the worldly influences that threaten to warp our understanding of what it really means to be a Christian, and emerge with a faith that flourishes―full of the abundant life Jesus promises.
Helpful Resources from Lydia
Are Your Resolutions All About You?
We all desire to conquer bad habits and to make choices for personal growth, but what motivates those goals? When it comes to our resolutions for this year — our personal goals — are we motivated by love for the Lord, or is it really more about improving ourselves?
The False Messages Facing Women Today
In this interview, Lydia highlights the false messages directed at Christian women today, reflecting on the increase of anxiety and depression among believers, the importance of discernment when it comes to the Christian leaders we follow, and the danger of a hyperexamined life.
How Idolizing Comfort Can Lull Us Into Spiritual Sleep
We’re all comfort junkies and we crave comfort from the minute we get up until the minute we go to bed. It’s not just in the big ways—we’re not all seeking to get the most money, have the best vacations, or eat in the most expensive restaurants. It’s the little comforts of day-to-day life that can derail us, becoming the coping mechanisms that get us through.
About Your Host
Christine M. Chappell
Writer & Podcast Host
Christine Chappell is the author of Clean Home, Messy Heart and is the host of The Hope + Help Project podcast. She writes frequently about depression, sorrow, grief, and motherhood at her blog, has completed biblical counseling certificates with the Institute for Biblical Counseling & Discipleship, and is currently pursuing certification with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. Christine's writing has been featured at Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, Risen Motherhood, Servants of Grace, Thrive Moms, Devotable, and For Every Mom.
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Or, if you know you want to receive them already–complete the form below.
