Malaina Kirschner is a missionary currently serving in Marseille, France as she finishes her degree is in intercultural studies and Bible and theology. She works alongside Christian churches and ministries and building relationships there. I’ve brought Malaina on the show as a friend to share her testimony and how God has further opened her heart while living abroad.
Testimony (2:31)
Malaina grew up in a Christian home – her father being Catholic and her mother Lutheran. She was taught that truth comes from an ultimate creator, and through witnessing her brother’s testimony, started to move closer to God. She watched as her brother turned away from friends and activities that took him further away from God, and saw how he viewed God as our Father; a God that wants to walk beside us every day and have a personal relationship with us. The Holy Spirit infiltrated their entire family and they began to attend an interdenominational church with a vibrant group of teenagers and children all passionately following God and going on mission trips.
Missionary Work (17:49)
Malaina helps with ministries in Marseille and its surrounding towns, but she doesn’t do it alone. She is a part of a “Dream Team” composed of David, Nathan, Mandy, Cally and herself. They help form bonds with these churches and their communities while also teaching English to groups and one on one. Malaina has also started a snack time on Wednesday for anyone to come and visit the church, hoping it helps the community see the space as more than just a cathedral and the religion it houses – but more of a place to build relationships. To help develop a community that can come together to know each other and God more fully.
Adapting (25:54)
Malaina went into the internship with the mentality that she wasn’t going to try and make France the United States. Everyone on her team was called by God individually to go there, but now she sees His strategic planning on bringing this group together. She has had to rely more on others and become more vulnerable herself in the process. It’s shown her that a lot of her identity was wrapped up in the things she was doing for the Lord, instead of seeking that pure acceptance God offers all of us. She’s learned to accept that invitation and be okay with being in a season of growth, vulnerability, and learning.
Cross-Cultural Conversations (33:51)
One of the biggest conversations Malaina has had in France circles around the value of relationships – of how deep relationship is vital for us to grow with the Lord and stay connected through community. The Enemy finds it easier to attack us when we go it alone, and bonding to others seeking God’s word forms a barrier that’s much more difficult to penetrate.
Links
God created Melissa Crossland to create. She is the owner of The Farmhouse Native, a homeschooling mother, and a voice of wisdom and encouragement to women and girls on their journey of seeking an identity with Christ. Let’s hear her story.
Melissa's Testimony (2:33)
Melissa grew up in a house that didn’t go to church, but even so, her faith journey began at the age of eight. Even that young she was intrigued be feeling God’s presence. As Melissa puts it, she could feel God “wooing” her. She would catch rides with neighbors to go to church or even hop on the elderly bus that would come by. These people were crucial in helping her get to church and further her relationship with God so that at the age of 11 she could be baptized. Her testimony goes to show that while she didn’t have the “head knowledge” of God Melissa certainly had the “heart knowledge” to understand that God wanted to be in the forefront of her life, that God would never abandon her, and that all God wanted was to live in her heart.
On Experiencing the Father’s Love (6:07)
Melissa had to overcome many circumstances that were beyond her control on her faith journey, one of those being an abusive father. She has a message for anyone who is stuck in the same place trying to experience a father’s love. That message is that who you are dealing with or what your circumstances and surroundings do not have to define you. They do not have to break you. She has found that often God uses us most when we are at our most broken, weakest, and vulnerable states. It’s through this that his love and compassion and mercy can truly shine if you accept His love into your heart.
Encouraging Women & Girls (12:47)
Helping young women establish their identity with Christ and come to know God better is a major calling in Melissa’s life. She recalls one moment of quiet time where the Lord clearly spoke to her, “I need you to be who you needed when you were younger for other women and girls.” She works to help open the eyes of women and girls to see themselves as God sees them – His word and His scripture is for absolutely everyone.
From One Extreme to Another (16:41)
In my own journey, I’ve found myself pushing back at times against the outward notions of health and earning certain things that businesses like mine promote. I noticed I began to change and try to fit into a mold, not because anyone else was putting pressure on me, but because of my own perception of myself and an unsure identity. So I swung to the other side of the spectrum saying things like, “Well I’m not going to do my hair!” Still, this isn’t what I needed either – but the swing between extremes is something Melissa sees young women struggling with as well. She tells women and girls that when you focus on your inner parts first your outer parts will start to benefit greatly as well. They are not separate.
Seasons of Rest (20:49)
Many of us like to go 90 miles an hour whether it building businesses, relationships, health or family. So when something like an injury, financial hurdle, or death comes along it can be jarring to all of a sudden seems like you’re not moving. But rest is one of God’s gifts to us – there are times where we need to have a quiet and still spirit to fully receive His truth. Melissa wants you to accept these periods in your life and listen. God has a plan for you, and you’ll miss it if you stay so focused on just doing you.
Get ln Touch with Melissa
On today's episode of She Walks In Truth I have a meaningful conversation with author and speaker Melanie Redd. She is a woman who loves to encourage, equip, train and motivate women in all areas of their lives. Melanie also has great skills in helping others with their businesses. She’s been trekking up the social media mountain and lifting up the name of Jesus as high as she can while doing it.
Her Testimony
Melanie was blessed to be brought up in a Christian home and can’t remember a time when she wasn’t in church. Of course, she had heard the name of God and went to Sunday School, but she didn’t yet have a personal relationship with Jesus. After hearing someone else’s testimony at the age of 11, she talked with her parents to solidify her relationship with Christ – wanting to ensure she could spend eternity in Heaven with Him. So, she let Jesus into her heart that night and started a complete change in her life.
How to Win Your Child’s Heart For Life
Melanie that many of her daughter’s friends, at the age of 18, really cut off their relationship with their parents. So Melanie asked some ladies that mentored her about this and they said, “You have to win the hearts of your children.” Specifically from an early age, so that they want to come and see you once they’re out of the nest. There are some guiding principles on how to do this especially during middle school and high school when these relationships can get strained. Melanie wrote the book to help parents not lose this connection.
If you haven’t set out to do this, don’t panic. Melanie believes you’re never too old to work on regaining trust with your children. You need to build a bridge with love and relating to them, not lectures and complaints. Meet them where they’re at and find a commonality with them. Melanie sees some parents focus on winning the battle, not the war. They may get their child to stop from getting a tattoo or going to one party, but there is so much anger and hurt caused that they start to lose their child’s heart. Take the helicopter view and see how you can form your relationship for life without worrying too much about how long their hair is or how late they are staying up.
Stepping Closer to the Savior
This is a guide Melanie wrote for new believers or those who have been in church but never sought to grow their faith. It’s written to not be “churchy” so anyone 12 and up could pick it up and use it. It’s a self-teaching book that can be used to help your own discipleship in sharing God’s word with others – whether it’s on the street, in your church, or at home with your spouse and children.
Stop and Rest
Another point Melanie highlights is how easy it is to get burned out in ministry. If you don’t take care of yourself, how can you expect to help others? A big message we would like to share with you is to make sure you stop and rest. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you exercising at all? Are you getting away from your kids for a bit and having date nights? Make sure you have a full cup, as it’s a surefire way to help share what blessings God has given you with others.
Links
In the final part of the Better Together series with Carrie Robaina, Celina Baginski and Teresa Ann we are going out with fireworks!!! That’s right, we're talking about marriage. All three of us open up about the things the Lord has taught us about our marriages and relationships at large. Whether you’re married or not, you’ll be able to glean some truth from our conversation so don’t miss out.
Teresa Ann will be the first to admit that she has a huge crush on her husband. I love what she said about love not being this onetime thing; it’s an emotion you should be feeling over and over again, just like God’s love is always there. How we live our marriage on earth is usually a reflection of our intimacy with God. And, of course, things aren’t always easy. Teresa Ann has heard wives say they don’t want to be “cheerleaders” for their husbands if they don’t feel like it 100%, that they’re afraid of faking it. But the parallel here is our relationship with Christ – there are days when we’re strained and hurting but choose to believe anyway. Does that mean we’re faking it then? No! Aligning your heart with God is the same for your relationships. Seeing your significant other as a fellow brother and sister of Christ totally changes the paradigm and can set the course for you to breathe life into your partner every day.
Celina and her husband started off as friends, dating other people. Over time they grew closer and one day Celina realized he had all the qualities she was looking for in a spouse—something she only noticed because she had written down these qualities in her journal. Looking back on their wedding video, Celina noticed the pastor (who they had only met just before the ceremony) talked about forgiveness. While that seemed like a joy-killer at first, a few years in now she has realized that it makes more sense. As you grow with someone, sharing a life, sharing stresses, there’s going to be conflict. What Celina finds herself going back to time and time again is forgiveness, 70 times 7. Focusing on that forgiveness and what is true and noble is her key to maintaining the health of her marriage.
Thank you for listening to our Better Together series. If you loved it and would like to see more series like this one, let me know! Please support Celina and Teresa Ann. Teresa Ann can be found at (LetsTalkStudio.com) and Celina’s can be found at (PearlsInBloom.com).
Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community. Be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
In Part Three of the Better Together series, Celina Baginiski, Teresa Ann I open up the mic and talk about parenting. We all have kids of different ages and have learned all kinds of surprising things while raising them. You’ll hear Celina talk about how having her kids has been a catalyst for loving her husband more deeply. Teresa Ann goes in depth about removing the word “teenager” from our vocabularies and seeing them for what they really are; young adults.
Celina admits she had preconceived notions about boys when she was growing up, mainly because she was predominately raised around women. But after having her kids she began to realize how sensitive their hearts can be, and in turn, her husband's. But Celina is also a foster parent, something she also acknowledges as bringing her and her husband closer together because if you aren’t going to communicate and work together under the demanding circumstances, then it just isn’t going to work. She has seen firsthand how the gifts God has given her and her husband allow them to be there for their children in different ways. Of course, it’s not always easy. But the companionship Celina feels through her children have made her and her husband feel like they did when they were much younger—just hanging out and having a good time.
Teresa Ann knows that when the world labels something or someone a certain way, it can often be the work of the enemy himself. The initial reaction to hearing the word teenager is, "Yeah whatever. They’re going through changes and so I should just brush off who they are and what they have to say." But this silences their voices, and truly, we are all going through changes all the time. By viewing them as young adults and listening and yearning to understand them there is no way we can go about dishonoring who they are. When you treat them not as they are now, but who they will become, you also honor God’s heart and hope for them as well.
Next week I'll be back with Teresa and Celina for the final part of our Better Together series where we’ll be discussing marriage issues that we’ve all faced, so stay tuned, sister friends!
If you haven’t listened to the previous episode in this series, you can find it right here: Better Together: Part Two | Episode 041. In this series, Celina and Teresa share their journey together as paved by the singular love of God.
Want to get connected with Teresa and Celina? You can find them at LetsTalkStudio.com & PearlsInBloom.com!
Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
Women can have a tendency to downplay the gifts and abilities the Lord has bestowed them with. That’s why it is so incredible to see friends like Celina and Teresa Ann feed off of each other’s talents. In Part Two of the Better Together series I ask Celina and Teresa Ann about the conversations they are having with women today to encourage them, support them, and share God’s love and truth.
It’s not always easy to see yourself as God sees you. Celina was the one who stood up for Teresa Ann at school when she was teased for the way she looked. She knew Teresa Ann didn’t see herself in the way that God or herself did. Changing that perception can change so much about a person’s life – it’s like Teresa Ann came to understand to look at the cross not as being tied to our sin, but as a revelation of our value to God. When you can do that, you can start operating from a place of value instead of place of, “I have to do this or else.”
Our world is so performance driven that it can be an easy pitfall to believe the Lord is holding you to the same standards. But that is not the truth. This is the overall message for a Facebook group Teresa Ann and Celina are active in called Godly Chit Chat. Please check it out if you are needing support or have the courage to offer it as well.
Next week we will be back with Teresa Ann and Celina for Part 3 of our series where we’ll be discussing parenting issues that we’ve all faced... so stay tuned, sister friends!
If you haven’t listened to the previous episode in the Better Together series you can listen here! Together, Celina and Teresa share their journey together as paved by the singular love of God.
Want to get connected with Teresa and Selina? You can find them at LetsTalkStudio.com & PearlsInBloom.com !
Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
This episode of She Walks In Truth kicks off a four-part series with not just one, but two guests who share their testimonies. Teresa Ann is a previous guest and is the host of Let’s Talk with Teresa Ann on YouTube. In this series, her longtime friend Celina Baginski and amazing creative designer of Pearls in Bloom joins us for a three-way chit chat.
With these two together, I just know God is going to release something special for you in this episode.
Celina started her walk with God at a young age in a loving, but rocky home. She grew up believing that if bad things weren’t happening to her then God wasn’t testing her. Meaning God had either forgotten about her, or the bad things were coming soon. It wasn’t until her twenties that she began to question the paranoia and fear that she had as a basis with her relationship with God. She then found His love that would carry all the way through her first child and her battle with cancer. And through these struggles her friendship with Teresa stood as a steadfast monument to that love. Let their sisterhood inspire you to take step forward with faith first in you relationships with family, friends, and God.
If you haven’t listened to the previous episode with Teresa Ann, you can find it right here: Made New In Christ | Episode 014. It’s one of our most listened to episodes and for good reason. Her testimony shows her travels from a wayward daughter to being redeemed. Together, Selina and Teresa Ann share their journey together as paved by the singular love of God.
Want to get connected with Teresa and Selina? You can find them at LetsTalkStudio.com & PearlsInBloom.com !
Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth Robin Carr, owner of Gospel In Jar, joins the show to share her faith story and how she began to find purpose in her work. Robin's biggest encouragement to women is to hit your knees and pray and listen to God because He will not fail you!
"We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves." 2 Corinthians 4:7
Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth we’re talking fear and busting through it. Did you know there are over 4,000 types of fear that can be operating as anxiety? God gave us the emotion of fear, or “fight or flight” to alert us to danger.
The kind of fear NOT given to us by God doesn’t protect but brings destruction. It manifests itself in ways like stress, anxiety, fear of tomorrow, fear of failure and fear of the unkown. On this episode, we have a conversation about how with God’s help we can overcome so that we can live in faith and see the word of God come to pass in our lives. “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and love and of sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7
Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth Kasey Childers from Living Your Season joins the show to share her faith journey and chit chat about the biggest issue she sees women struggle with today; fear-based anxiety. Kasey is dedicated to guiding women back to the the Cross so that they can move forward in living their lives with God at the center.
Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth Carrie Robaina interviews Kailey Mattarella; a recent college grad who shares who faith journey and how she's learning to walk by faith. Kailey also shares impactful stories from sharing the gospel to folks the Lord has put in her path.
Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth Carrie Robaina gives us a checklist for being a hope-filled people in a hostile world. As we take a look at God's word we find that the battle isn't necessarily "out there" but rather something that we must deal with within us. This episode is inspired by a sermon given by Pastor Kevin Dibbley with Waterbrooke Church.
Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth Carrie Robaina shares about lessons we can learn from Moses as he went from resister to leader of the Exodus. If you are questioning your calling or the vision the Lord's given you, don't miss this episode!!!
Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth Brianna Skinner shares her faith journey and how she came to know the Lord in the midst of uncertainty. Hear the story of how this young woman went from being a church-goer to an activate participant in relationship with Jesus Christ.
Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth we're chatting about the stinkiness and messiness of life. It's two-fold. We explore how Jesus redeemed us from the messiness of our lives and also sends us out to help others in the midst of theirs. He modeled this for us during the time of his ministry here on earth.
Listen to this episode as we explore a familiar passage of scripture and how the Lord highlighted two very specific words that I had never before stood out. Join the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter for more encouragement over at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth you and I have a heart to heart about turning our hurts into praise and blessing. I recently experienced a heart-hurt that caused me to go deep with Lord. In this episode, I share with you how even though you may be going through a trial or hurt in a relationship whether it be marriage, friendship, family, parent/child stuff, ministry-related or workplace, there's one thing that remains the same; the LORD.
I talk about 3 things I try my best to do when I experience a hurt and surprise! It has nothing to do with anyone else but my own heart. I share with you how I processed through my recent hurt and was able to turn it into praise and blessing.
Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth I share with you what the Lord's been teaching me about walking into new territory as he's calling me into waters I've never been in before!! Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth I share with you myths about reaching the unreached and sharing the gospel. I also offer practical ways to write out your faith testimony so that when you're talking to someone you can share bits about what the Lord's done in your life as a way to encourage them in the Lord. Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth I share with you stories from the mission field and practical ways to reach the unreached. Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth Carrie Robaina interviews Stacy Myers of Humorous Homemaking. Stacy shares practical ways she approaches the Bible and life as well as her faith story. She can't remember a time in her life when she didn't know Jesus but that doesn't mean her life has been easy street. Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over in our Facebook community and be sure to sign up for the She Walks In Truth weekly newsletter at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth Carrie Robaina interviews author Rebecca Halton who shares her powerful redemption story after being involved in an extramarital affair. Rebecca has a passion for helping women break free from shame and guilt through the power of the gospel and living in right relationship with Jesus. This is not a topic many are willing to openly discuss and Rebecca has been courageous to step up and out to help other women. Listen to this episode and then continue the conversation over at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth I share with you a story from the mission field and how meeting a young woman who sat alone on a park bench impacted my heart. Listen to this episode to hear how God may be calling you to reach the lonely and broken. Continue the conversation over at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth I share with you attributes of Barnabas whose often called the "son encouragement." He spent his life and being one who would raise up the least of these into being effective disciples of Jesus. Take a listen to this episode about about Barnabas; a champion who championed champions! Continue the conversation over at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth I share with you a lesson from the marketplace about navigating through unfamiliar territory. A recent experience on a flight to Canada left me second-guessing a place I know God was sending me to. Hear how the Lord helped me navigate it and how he might be guiding you too. Listen and continue the conversation over at www.shewalksintruth.com.
On this episode of She Walks In Truth Carrie interviews children's author and missionary with the International House of Prayer in Kansas City Nayomi Thomas. Raised across three continents and a small island in the Netherlands Antilles, she now has a broad view of life and a passion for living in the Word and encouraging others to do the same. Listen and then continue the conversation over at www.shewalksintruth.com.