The Protective Hand of God: Teresa Blaes' Inspiring Story
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Teresa Blaes' life journey is a testament to the protective hand of God, as she recounts the trials and tribulations that shaped her resilient spirit. From a childhood fraught with health struggles and family chaos to becoming a beacon of hope for others, Teresa’s story underscores the profound significance of recognizing God's presence even in life’s darkest moments. The episode dives into thought-provoking discussions about the nature of suffering and the transformative power of faith, all while encouraging listeners to share their own narratives. With a humorous and relatable exchange, Teresa and host T.S. Wright explore the uncomfortable topics that often go unaddressed in the church, making it clear that vulnerability can lead to empowerment. This episode is not just about Teresa's trials; it's a rallying cry for others to find their voice and purpose in the chaos of life.
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In a riveting exchange on Kingdom Crossroads, Teresa Blaes shares a life marked by adversity and divine guidance, illustrating how faith can thrive in the harshest of circumstances. From a childhood riddled with health complications and familial struggles to becoming an inspiring voice in the Christian community, Teresa’s narrative encapsulates the essence of resilience. T.S. Wright navigates through Teresa's profound insights on suffering and the enigmatic presence of God in times of despair. The duo explores the notion that struggles are not merely obstacles but opportunities for growth and transformation. Teresa's personal anecdotes, including encounters with divine protection, serve as poignant reminders of God's unwavering support. As the podcast progresses, listeners are encouraged to recognize the subtle ways in which God communicates amidst the noise of life, reinforcing the importance of faith and community in overcoming life's challenges. Additionally, Teresa's commitment to tackling difficult subjects within the church empowers others to share their journeys, fostering a culture of openness and understanding.
Takeaways:
- Teresa Blaes' life is a testament to God's unwavering protection and guidance through her tumultuous journey.
- The discussion highlights that faith often manifests profoundly in life's darkest moments, reminding us of God's presence.
- Teresa emphasizes the importance of sharing personal testimonies to help others find their voice and faith.
- The podcast tackles difficult questions about suffering, underscoring the belief that struggles can reveal God's glory.
- Recognizing God's voice in chaos is essential for navigating life's challenges and fostering a deeper faith.
- Teresa's upcoming projects aim to empower others to confront uncomfortable topics within the church community.
Transcript
Welcome to the show that combines biblical truth with the purpose of sparking revival.
Speaker A:Committed to spreading the gospel, this is your Kingdom Crossroads podcast.
Speaker A:And now your host, T.S.
Speaker A:wright.
Speaker A:Welcome, everyone, to the Kingdom Crossroads.
Speaker A:I'm your host, T.S.
Speaker A:wright, and I'm so glad you could join us today.
Speaker A:Before we dive into today's episode, if you haven't already, please take a moment to follow or subscribe and give us a like.
Speaker A:This ensures you won't miss out on any of our future episodes and your likes help us boost our visibility.
Speaker A:Thank you for being a part of the Kingdom Crossroads community.
Speaker A:Have you ever heard of the NFL?
Speaker A:Yes, you heard it right.
Speaker A:The National Football League.
Speaker A:Well, today's guest co hosts the Blaze and Gutsch podcast, which provides insightful NFL commentary while highlighting Christian players who live out their faith on and off the field.
Speaker A:Joining us today is Teresa Blaise.
Speaker A:Additionally, she hosts the Teresa Blaise show, where she shares her expertise in entrepreneurship, ministry and personal growth.
Speaker A:Teresa is also an accomplished author, podcaster, coach, speaker, and kingdom entrepreneur dedicated to helping others find and share their voice.
Speaker A:She is the founder and host of the Unresolved Life podcast where she explores deep questions of faith and life's challenges, offering hope and encouragement.
Speaker A:It is exciting to have her here today and we look forward to an inspiring and fruitful message.
Speaker A:Teresa, welcome to the show.
Speaker B:Well, thank you so much.
Speaker B:It's an honor to be here.
Speaker A:So now it's time for the opening kickoff.
Speaker A:I had to do it, so.
Speaker A:Couldn't resist.
Speaker B:Of course you did.
Speaker A:Of course.
Speaker A:I mean, hey, it's the NFL, baby.
Speaker A:So, Teresa, tell us more about your background and just help our listeners to really understand your journey.
Speaker B:Wow.
Speaker B:I guess you're throwing me the ball, I suppose.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Hey, we just hit you for a nice.
Speaker A:A nice 10 and in right there.
Speaker B:You're not a football fan at all, are you?
Speaker A:No, not at all.
Speaker B:Oh, my gosh.
Speaker B:First of all, there's a lot to.
Speaker B:To it.
Speaker B:I.
Speaker B:You know, if you look at what I do now, it's.
Speaker B:It's kind of crazy how I got here.
Speaker B:But you know, God, like when he puts a plan together, you know, he really does.
Speaker B:And so I'm a wife, I'm a mom of a special needs daugh.
Speaker B:My husband is all.
Speaker B:So I'm totally blind.
Speaker B:My husband is partially blind and then my daughter is partially blind and she has a lot of special needs.
Speaker B:So.
Speaker B:And then.
Speaker B:And then on top of that, you know, just to make things a little more fun, we have three cats that keep us in line.
Speaker A:So nice it's always fun.
Speaker A:Yeah, I've got a couple of dogs that keep me running here myself.
Speaker B:So regarding, you know, what I do, like, like, like you said, I'm an author on a 100x certified coach, and I'm actually working on getting certified, as in I actually am a life coach, but I'm getting certified, working on getting my certification.
Speaker B:So I just got to do the testing and all that kind of thing.
Speaker B:But really what my thing is about is I'm all about helping people find God in their story.
Speaker B:And then once they found God in that story, no matter how what it is, I help them share it.
Speaker B:And we do that through podcast production, book publishing, website development, video editing.
Speaker B:So those are the four pillars that we do once if they want to share the story.
Speaker B:I love to speak.
Speaker B:I love to speak on shows.
Speaker B:I love to speak wherever God opens up a door.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well, it sounds like you, you've got plenty going and keeps you going and keeps you busy, and it keeps you connected to so many people and gives you a voice that allows you to portray the message of the Lord to a variety of people.
Speaker A:And that's.
Speaker B:Oh, yes, that's awesome.
Speaker A:And I love listening to your story and reading about it when you sent me the information.
Speaker A:So here's a question for you.
Speaker A:How did God show his hand of protection in your life?
Speaker B:Well, actually, it started when I was a baby.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:So when I, when I was a baby, I could not move.
Speaker B:In fact, the doctors swore that I would not live past six months.
Speaker B:I was born with a lot of really bad heart defects.
Speaker B:In fact, my heart had a dime sized hole in it and it had a vein that had grown back into itself in the shape of a Y.
Speaker B:And so, you know, doctors were just like, you know, and there was a lot of other medical issues that I was dealing with.
Speaker B:And so my mom went to a chapel to pray.
Speaker B:And when she was praying, you know, because it's funny, you know, you could, you can say what you want and say God don't exist, but man, when the rubber hits the road, where you end up finding yourself on your knees in prayer.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:And that's where she was.
Speaker B:And so what happened was there was a guy that showed up and knelt down next to her to pray.
Speaker B:He was wearing the garb of, like a chaplain.
Speaker B:Like he had one of those clergy collar things.
Speaker B:And she said, she described an almost indescribable sense of peace when she went to find him.
Speaker B:The next morning, she went to the nurse's station and described to them what he looked like.
Speaker B:And their.
Speaker B:Their response was, there is no one that works at this hospital that.
Speaker B:That has that description.
Speaker B:So I believe that that man was an angel.
Speaker B:Because the Bible does say, you know, you got it, you gotta, you know, take note because you might be entertaining angels unaware.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:I fully.
Speaker B:Now, does that believe?
Speaker B:Does that mean that I got a free pass?
Speaker B:Hardly.
Speaker B:I grew up in and out of hospitals.
Speaker B:I've had over 200 eye operations alone.
Speaker B:I've had brain surgery, heart surgery, eight heart attacks since before the age of six.
Speaker B:And.
Speaker B:And that does not count all the other stuff that God allowed to come into my life.
Speaker B:I've seen a lot of domestic violence.
Speaker B:I've seen physical abuse.
Speaker B:And at the age of six, while recovering from open heart surgery, I witnessed the murder of my sister.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker B:So, yeah.
Speaker B:Is it is.
Speaker B:And so I grew up very angry at God.
Speaker B:If he existed, he probably didn't.
Speaker B:If he existed, he really didn't care about me and I didn't give a crap about him.
Speaker B:As long as we understood each other, we were fine.
Speaker B:That's where I started.
Speaker B:And I.
Speaker B:And we spent years.
Speaker B:We spent years running from state to state because we had another guy who was very abusive physically, emotionally, mentally.
Speaker B:And that did not end until my mom met him with a shotgun and said, if you refine us again, I'll kill you.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:I don't say that to say poor me.
Speaker B:I say that to say this is the backdrop of where God found me.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:When I was in.
Speaker B:I, you know, move.
Speaker B:I'm moving the story along because there's a lot to the story.
Speaker B:Moving the story along.
Speaker B:I was very, like I said, very anti God.
Speaker B:I was very angry.
Speaker B:And I grew up a very angry individual.
Speaker B:I was more.
Speaker B:My mom always taught me, don't ever start a fight, but you better damn well finish it.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:That's how I grew up.
Speaker B:And she taught me to fight and she taught me to defend myself.
Speaker B:And there were times I had to.
Speaker B:So when I ended up in high school, there was a teacher who started kind of noticing me and started talking to me and started sharing with me a little bit about her faith.
Speaker B:But I literally.
Speaker B:I earned the nickname Hellraiser in school.
Speaker B:I didn't quite cross the line, but I kind of touched the toe on it and went, you know, just enough to kind of.
Speaker B:Yeah, I'm the one to kind of, you know, muck things up a little bit.
Speaker B:Then I remember one encounter where this teacher was like, I know what that they nicknamed you and I don't like that.
Speaker B:And I'm going to pray for you.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker B:Okay, so I'm sitting there and I'm kind of laughing it off.
Speaker B:Yuck.
Speaker B:Yuck.
Speaker B:Whatever.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:Well, then came God.
Speaker B:I ended up.
Speaker B:I ended up because I went to the School for the Blind in.
Speaker B:In Tucson, Arizona.
Speaker B:And the way that school works is you stay at the school during the week in dorms, and then you go home on the weekends.
Speaker B:Well, one of the dorms we were out with.
Speaker B:I was out with some friends and we were out, you know, on the playground, just kind of doing our thing.
Speaker B:And one of the dorms that year was supposed to be vacant.
Speaker B:No one in there.
Speaker B:Well, we look over and we see a light on.
Speaker B:And it's pretty late for us and we're going, what's up with this?
Speaker B:Why is there a light on?
Speaker B:Naturally, we get curious.
Speaker B:Well, long story short, we're talking for a minute, we're on the porch, and I hear a voice.
Speaker B:And I will.
Speaker B:I swear I will never forget this.
Speaker B:Till.
Speaker B:Till.
Speaker B:Till I see.
Speaker B:I see, my Lord.
Speaker B:That voice was female, echoey and ethereal.
Speaker B:And it said, children, keep in mind there was nothing that we could see in that dorm.
Speaker B:And.
Speaker B:And the other thing they know is that the school was supposedly built on an Indian burial ground.
Speaker B:So now I'm thinking, do you guys just see that?
Speaker B:And they're like, yeah, I'm gone.
Speaker B:I remember running because I was scared half to death.
Speaker B:I don't know what it was I encountered or I didn't know at the time.
Speaker B:All I knew is I felt this sense of evil and I was scared.
Speaker A:Well.
Speaker B:Now, was that godly?
Speaker B:I believe God allowed me to encounter a demonic presence to show me that the supernatural is real.
Speaker B:What are you going to do with it?
Speaker A:That's right.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker B:But that was the only way he could get my attention because I wouldn't hear him otherwise.
Speaker B:And there may be someone out there right now that's going, yeah, I don't buy this God stuff.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:Are you really gonna run so hard that he has to knock you upside the head with a hammer?
Speaker A:No, that's right.
Speaker B:I really don't recommend that.
Speaker A:He wishes no one to perish.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:So he'll do whatever he has to to get your attention.
Speaker B:You know, for me, I had to come face to face with a demon before I would consider him.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker B:And even then, it took me months, if not a year later before I knelt down and said yes to Christ.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker B:That's where my story Starts, you know, and then I had to learn how to follow Christ and that's, that's a whole nother story because I became the only Christian in my family.
Speaker A:Oh wow.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker B:You know, and when you embrace the faith and there.
Speaker B:But all they see is you're just, you're now getting religious and don't push it.
Speaker B:You know, you're now having to walk that line of I don't want to screw things up, but I really want to follow my Lord.
Speaker A:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker A:Because they don't, they don't, they don't want to hear about it.
Speaker A:You know, their, their mind is not on earthly or their minds on earthly things.
Speaker A:Their mind and ungodly things.
Speaker B:Yep.
Speaker B:You know, that's it.
Speaker A:They, it's just strange to them and they don't have the Holy Spirit to discern things.
Speaker A:So the Bible and, and God's messaging and the Holy Spirit, that is all just like to them it's foreign.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:It's foreign garbage.
Speaker A:It's just.
Speaker B:Yep.
Speaker A:You know, it doesn't fit in their narrative.
Speaker A:But.
Speaker B:No, it doesn't.
Speaker A:Is what it, what it basically boils down to.
Speaker A:So.
Speaker B:Yes sir, I can relate to, you know, and so.
Speaker B:But you asked specifically about protection.
Speaker B:Well, let me tell you something.
Speaker B:I'll give you one story where God.
Speaker B:This is before I became a believer, but looking back on it now, I totally see his protection.
Speaker B:The enemy tried to kill me multiple times.
Speaker B:I'm not exaggerating.
Speaker B:I don't believe in exaggerating situations like that.
Speaker B:The enemy tried to kill me or at least take me out one situation.
Speaker B:When we, when I was about six or seven years old, I think we lived in, we lived in a ugly Pepto Bismol pink house back in the woods.
Speaker B:And so we were coming home one night and my dog was on, on the porch and he was going berserk.
Speaker B:You know, he was spinning the circles, completely freaking out and we're looking down at him going, what's wrong with you?
Speaker B:And I heard a scream from behind us.
Speaker B:Turn around, there is a mountain lion 10ft away from us, crouched and ready to charge.
Speaker A:Oh wow.
Speaker B:I promise you, if you've never heard a mountain lion up close, it is the most hair raising thing.
Speaker B:You will never forget it.
Speaker A:I would imagine not.
Speaker B:My mom grabbed the dog, opened the door, grabbed me, shoved me inside the house, got the door shut and that cat hit the door.
Speaker B:That cat hit the door so hard it cracked that door.
Speaker B:It was solid oak.
Speaker B:Cracked it from top to bottom.
Speaker A:Oh my word.
Speaker B:We found out she had Kittens in our barn.
Speaker A:Oh, no.
Speaker B:Why she didn't kill the goat, and why she didn't kill my mom when she was milking the goat, I don't know.
Speaker B:But she had kittens in her barn, so naturally we had to call the ranger and, you know, have her relocated, you know.
Speaker B:But I mean, think about it.
Speaker B:One second later, I would have become lunch.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:You know, God was there.
Speaker A:He made sure.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:One second later, another.
Speaker B:Another time we were driving, it was kind of late at night, and my mom slammed on the brakes, and there was a deer.
Speaker B:And so we hit this deer, and my mom shoved me down onto the floorboard of the car, and that deer's hooves came right into my seat where I was just seconds before.
Speaker A:Oh, my word.
Speaker B:You know, and that's just two stories.
Speaker B:There's other stories where I came close to death, including almost dying on a roller coaster.
Speaker A:Yeah, that wouldn't be fun.
Speaker B:Yeah, we went.
Speaker B:It was going upside down.
Speaker B:We got in, we were enjoying the ride, and then we.
Speaker B:And then, you know, they strapped down the bar and everything, Right?
Speaker B:Well, the bar literally fell off and fell to the ground.
Speaker A:Yeah, that's not good.
Speaker B:My mom slammed her.
Speaker B:Yeah, yeah, trust me, I know.
Speaker B:My mom literally slammed her elbow into my chest, grabbed onto the side bar and screamed, I've got you.
Speaker B:I've got you.
Speaker B:That's what I'm talking about when I talk about protection.
Speaker B:That's the kind of thing where you go, okay, there is a God, and he is a God of protection.
Speaker A:Yes, he is.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:So, Teresa, to kind of expand on this, you know, just in a general sense for our listeners, because this is the question I'm going to ask has stump pastors and theologians for centuries.
Speaker A:And it's.
Speaker A:And it's a really.
Speaker A:A very basic question.
Speaker A:Why does God let bad stuff happen?
Speaker B:First of all, you have to go back to the original story, okay?
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker B:Got to go back to the original story.
Speaker B:You.
Speaker B:It's.
Speaker B:It's.
Speaker B:It's not that God lets bad stuff happen, okay?
Speaker B:Yes, he does.
Speaker B:But who's the author?
Speaker A:That's exactly.
Speaker B:Who's the author of the bad.
Speaker B:Of all the crap that we go through, okay?
Speaker B:Because if you think about it, the enemy of our souls, the devil, okay?
Speaker B:He's known as the liar.
Speaker B:He's lying is his language.
Speaker B:He's known as a deceiver.
Speaker B:He longs to steal, kill, and destroy.
Speaker B:And what would he absolutely love to destroy?
Speaker B:The one thing that because he hates God so much, he wants to destroy.
Speaker B:The very thing God creating.
Speaker B:That being you and me.
Speaker A:Yep.
Speaker A:That's right.
Speaker B:Okay, so disrupt.
Speaker A:Disrupt his plan.
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker B:So here's the thing.
Speaker B:Why does God allow bad things to happen?
Speaker B:Well, he allows the enemy to run roughshod over people.
Speaker B:Why?
Speaker B:Because in that, God shows his glory if you allow him into that space, yes, this happened.
Speaker B:And yes, it sucks.
Speaker B:And yes, you want to scream, you want to throw your fist, you want to punch something.
Speaker B:Oh, I've been there.
Speaker B:I have so been there, it's not even funny.
Speaker B:But if you will allow God to come into that space with you.
Speaker B:Remember the three children?
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego.
Speaker B:They were like.
Speaker B:They were, like, hanging out in Babylon.
Speaker B:And.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:And they're like, we ain't going to do the bowing thing.
Speaker B:No, thanks.
Speaker B:You can go.
Speaker B:You.
Speaker B:You could turn us into crispy critters, but we don't do the bowing thing.
Speaker A:Nope.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:What happened?
Speaker B:When.
Speaker B:When the king tossed him in, where was.
Speaker B:Where was Christ?
Speaker B:Where was Christ?
Speaker B:Mm.
Speaker B:But think about it.
Speaker B:What did the king say?
Speaker B:Didn't we just throw three dudes in there?
Speaker B:Then why do I see four of them?
Speaker A:Mm.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:Where was God?
Speaker B:In the midst of your story?
Speaker B:Right there with you.
Speaker B:And believe me, I get it.
Speaker B:Sometimes it's hard to see Him.
Speaker B:I found it hard to see him when my mom died of either suicide or opiates overdose.
Speaker B:I don't know which one it is.
Speaker B:And to this day, I'm still working through that.
Speaker B:Just because I'm here on this podcast don't mean I got everything figured out.
Speaker B:I don't.
Speaker B:But I know God's there, and I know he's going to pull me through.
Speaker B:And I know for a fact that God will protect you, even in the darkest moments.
Speaker A:You're leading right into our next question.
Speaker A:So how does he show up in those darkest moments?
Speaker B:Sometimes he shows up with a word.
Speaker B:Like, you'll read his word, and sometimes the word will just leap off the page.
Speaker A:Yep.
Speaker B:Sometimes he shows up by your.
Speaker B:You're crying out.
Speaker B:You can't even think you, much less pray.
Speaker B:You can't string two words together because you are so heartbroken over what you're dealing with.
Speaker B:I mean, it's just outright killing you.
Speaker A:Yep.
Speaker B:And then someone calls you and goes, I felt led to call you and check on you.
Speaker B:Sometimes he shows up.
Speaker B:I just change in the circumstance.
Speaker B:But that's not all the time.
Speaker A:Nope.
Speaker B:And the thing is, he says he is the light of the world and there is no darkness in him.
Speaker B:But men love Darkness rather than light.
Speaker B:Okay, so here's the thing.
Speaker B:Sometimes he shows up to give you a little bit of light to see your way to the next step forward.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:I'm going to tell you right now, it's funny.
Speaker A:It's a little phrase that I like to think of and I've heard people say things, kind of paraphrasing here, but it always seems like the lies, the craziness and the rumors and all these.
Speaker A:The evil parts are screaming.
Speaker A:But God's is kind of a whisper.
Speaker B:A lot of times.
Speaker A:But you have to listen.
Speaker A:That's why he tells you to be still and know that I'm God.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:The thing is, is you'll know it's him.
Speaker A:That's the difference where all these other things, it's going to be confusion and chaos.
Speaker A:In that moment, you know it's him, and then you know it's peace, righteousness and holiness.
Speaker A:And you know that it's the foundation of everything.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:And it really comes down to.
Speaker B:It's like the world is screaming so bloody loud.
Speaker B:I mean, you can't think.
Speaker A:Nope.
Speaker B:But it's when you hear that voice and you just.
Speaker B:It's a.
Speaker B:Well, how do you know God's speaking to you?
Speaker B:You just know.
Speaker B:You just know.
Speaker B:You just know.
Speaker B:It's not something I can adequately describe because the Bible says my sheep know my voice.
Speaker B:I. I know them and they follow me.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:But here's the thing.
Speaker B:Do you know that with a shepherd.
Speaker B:So like a shepherd with.
Speaker B:When you're talking about sheep.
Speaker A:Sheep.
Speaker B:Which is dumb.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:They're dumb.
Speaker B:They're dumb.
Speaker B:They are directionally challenged.
Speaker B:When.
Speaker B:When you're talking about still water, you know, it says, he leads me by the still waters.
Speaker B:Do you know if they will not.
Speaker B:That they will not drink?
Speaker B:If water is running at a rapid rate, it has to be still.
Speaker B:They don't have any kind of defensive mechanism, so they have to be protected.
Speaker B:And then if you mingle a whole bunch of sheep from a different shepherd.
Speaker B:Different shepherds, that shepherd will sit there and call his call to his sheep, and they will break away and follow him.
Speaker B:That's why God says, my sheep know my voice.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well, I think you're answering the question, how did God draw you to himself?
Speaker B:You know, I'll tell you this.
Speaker B:I ended up staying with that same teacher friend that I told you about on the weekends because my family was moving to New Mexico.
Speaker B:And I ended up staying there and there and, you know, and as I'm staying there, you know, she was.
Speaker B:She was one of those, you know, at the time, I. I dubbed her Ash.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:She's religious.
Speaker B:Okay, cool.
Speaker B:I can work with this.
Speaker B:Well, she shared with me the gospel, and I didn't get.
Speaker B:I'm like, don't even talk to me about your God until you prove he exists.
Speaker B:Did I really believe he didn't exist?
Speaker B:No.
Speaker B:I was just angry as heck.
Speaker B:Is it at him.
Speaker B:And I wanted her to fail.
Speaker A:Yep.
Speaker B:She didn't.
Speaker B:And then she took me to a music store one day and showed with me, you know, some Christian music.
Speaker B:And I'm listening.
Speaker B:And I'm.
Speaker B:I grew up a country girl.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:I was not into the religious stuff, but I grew up a country girl, so I grew up in and out of bars because my mom did some bartending, and I spent plenty of quarters on video games and throwing darts and all that kind of thing.
Speaker A:Sure.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:But I actually ran across Stephen Curtis Chapman's song Speechless.
Speaker A:Oh, wow.
Speaker B:And I sat there, and for the first time, I understood.
Speaker B:The offer I got was like, oh, okay, this is interesting.
Speaker B:Did I suddenly have a come to Jesus moment right then?
Speaker B:Nope, I didn't.
Speaker B:But I had a lot to consider, a lot to think about.
Speaker B:And then I fly to Mexico, and I'm reading the Left behind series.
Speaker B:And I'm not a Christian, but I was reading one of the books out of the series, and I'm going, okay, that's an interesting bit of fiction.
Speaker B:He's gonna come and whisk all the goody two shoes away.
Speaker B:That's wonderful.
Speaker B:And then I asked my mom, have you ever heard about this?
Speaker B:No.
Speaker B:Yes.
Speaker B:Has so and so been teaching you religion?
Speaker B:We talked about.
Speaker B:I don't appreciate that.
Speaker B:I taught you about God.
Speaker B:Okay, then.
Speaker B:So if I ever do become this Christian, it's gonna be hell.
Speaker B:Okay, cool.
Speaker B:So I'm.
Speaker B:I'm.
Speaker B:I'm listening because that.
Speaker B:Now I'm in the stage of going from country, and I'm kind of dipping my toe into Christian radio because I'm trying to figure out what I'm thinking.
Speaker B:And I run across the show called Night Sounds by Bill Pierce.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker B:And he starts sharing the gospel, and he's like, I'm talking to someone who has heard this before.
Speaker B:What do you have to lose?
Speaker B:And he shares the gospel again.
Speaker B:I turned off the radio, I got on my knees, and I did business with God.
Speaker B:I don't remember the prayer.
Speaker B:I prayed.
Speaker B:I know everybody has this formula about how to win somebody.
Speaker B:Christ.
Speaker B:I don't remember what I prayed, but I knew that I had confessed my sin.
Speaker B:I knew that I had done business with God, and I knew that I was this Christian.
Speaker B:I didn't know what the heck that meant.
Speaker B:I didn't know nothing.
Speaker B:But I knew I wasn't the same.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker A:Unbelievable.
Speaker A:That's, you know, it's, it's amazing how God will work in somebody's life.
Speaker A:And even in the hardest, toughest cases, God wants to be the author of the story.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker A:To show up and show off and show his glory.
Speaker A:He does.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker A:And that's exactly what he's done in your story.
Speaker A:And I would just say this to me, this has been such an inspiring story just to listen to.
Speaker A:And I was just kind of caught up in the moment and just, just enjoyed listening.
Speaker A:You know, I'm usually doing all the talking and having to produce all the stuff, and it was kind of nice just to listen.
Speaker A:So.
Speaker A:We've obviously loved having you on the show, Teresa.
Speaker A:And I have a question, though.
Speaker A:How can someone connect with you or find the podcast, purchase your books, that sort of thing?
Speaker B:So I am actually working on a project.
Speaker B:It's called Protected, A Story of Survival, Faith and Redemption.
Speaker B:And so there's a lot more to the story that I haven't shared.
Speaker B:I've only shared with you a fraction.
Speaker B:Wow.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker A:You're just kind of, you're, hey, you're just kind of giving the little cliffhangers a little tidbits.
Speaker B:Just.
Speaker B:Yeah, just a little teaser.
Speaker A:The trailer.
Speaker A:How about the trailer?
Speaker A:There we go.
Speaker A:Trailer to the movie.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker B:But so I am working on finishing the story because I, there's some sections I'm trying to finish out.
Speaker B:Writing.
Speaker B:The book is going to be coming out in November.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker B:Kind of as a anniversary of my mom's birthday and, or her death.
Speaker B:And I feel like that's, it's, it's a way to kind of redeem that time.
Speaker A:Sure.
Speaker B:And so that project can be found@protectedbook.com.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker A:Awesome.
Speaker B:If you're interested in some of the shows that I do.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:If you're a sports fan, I got the NFL for you.
Speaker A:Yeah, there we go.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:I, I, let's face it, I'm an NFL hound.
Speaker B:My, my two favorite sports are basketball in the NFL.
Speaker B:So, you know, you know, I happen to be a Phoenix Suns fan, and yes, it's been painful.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Oh, yes.
Speaker A:I, I, you know what?
Speaker A:My condolences.
Speaker B:So it's been absolutely painful to watch them.
Speaker B:I'm.
Speaker A:In Minnesota anymore.
Speaker A:I'm a T. Wolves fan.
Speaker A:So I did live yeah, well, I developed that.
Speaker A:That hunger for them, but, yeah, you get it then.
Speaker B:Yep.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:And you're just going, there's been some painful moments.
Speaker B:Can we just please get into the playoffs and actually play like you give a care.
Speaker B:Just saying.
Speaker B:Yeah, I mean, you know, so.
Speaker B:But no, I.
Speaker B:My friend and I, we do an NFL podcast where we highlight the Cardinals, the Chiefs, and the Broncos.
Speaker A:Gotcha.
Speaker B:And because she is an avid Chiefs fan, I am a Cardinals fan.
Speaker B:And yes, that has been painful as well.
Speaker A:Hey, you had that year with Kurt Warner, and, I mean, but you guys ran up against my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers.
Speaker B:We will not talk about that game.
Speaker B:We are not talking about that game.
Speaker B:That was painful.
Speaker A:Oh, that interception right at the end of the half was the key to the game.
Speaker B:Oh, you are horrible.
Speaker B:You are just so mean.
Speaker A:The thing is, is I love Kurt Warner and I love his story.
Speaker B:Oh, God, yes.
Speaker B:Yes, he is.
Speaker B:He was.
Speaker B:You know, he's one of my all time favorite quarterbacks.
Speaker B:In fact, I met him in person.
Speaker A:Nice.
Speaker B:I met him so there.
Speaker B:Here we go.
Speaker B:My daughter is special needs, and we were training to take care of her because she had a trach and a G tube when she was a baby.
Speaker A:Oh, wow.
Speaker B:And Kurt Warner's wife, as well as Coach Whizzen Hunt's wife, came to take care of special needs kids because apparently Kurt and his wife have a.
Speaker B:Have a special needs child of their own.
Speaker A:Yes, they do.
Speaker A:Yep.
Speaker B:Well, I didn't know that at the time, but.
Speaker B:And.
Speaker B:And we mentioned that yet.
Speaker B:No, we're Cardinals fans.
Speaker B:We love the Cardinals.
Speaker B:And I was grabbing a much needed nap, and then my mom.
Speaker B:Or my mom, I wish, my husband wakes me up and goes, kurt Warner's here.
Speaker B:And I'm going, say what?
Speaker B:And because she said, I'm gonna see if he'll come with me next time I come to, you know, play with the kids and whatnot.
Speaker B:And I have a picture of him holding my daughter.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker B:So when I.
Speaker B:When I talk about football, football is kind of ingrained in me because I. I actually met John Elway as a kid.
Speaker A:Oh, wow.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:So football is kind of one of my things.
Speaker B:Like, I love it.
Speaker B:And it actually.
Speaker B:So when you talk about football and basketball, I got invited to a charity event where the police department was playing the Broncos in a basketball game.
Speaker B:So it kind of tied the two sports together, you know?
Speaker B:You know, so.
Speaker B:And then I got.
Speaker A:Yeah, I got to meet Peyton Manning one time.
Speaker A:He was.
Speaker A:That was pretty cool.
Speaker B:Yeah, I bet that would be cool.
Speaker B:You know, but I.
Speaker B:But, see, I really believe.
Speaker B:We love to highlight players in the league that are living their faith on and off the field.
Speaker B:We're just really big about that.
Speaker B:We'll highlight any team, any player that's doing it.
Speaker B:We just love it and we do it.
Speaker B:It's.
Speaker B:It's a lot of work because it means on my.
Speaker B:On Sundays, I'm busy watching games.
Speaker A:Yep.
Speaker B:Because I don't just highlight the players.
Speaker B:I also tear apart the games.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker B:And believe me.
Speaker A:And I'll just tell you, I know nothing about football.
Speaker A:You know, whether they're running the post pattern or the back shoulder pass, you know, running a fade, you know, they're.
Speaker A:They're running the, you know, spread option.
Speaker A:No, I know nothing about football, though.
Speaker B:Oh, I'm sure you don't.
Speaker B:I'm absolutely sure you don't.
Speaker B:I'm not a coach.
Speaker B:I don't.
Speaker B:I'm not.
Speaker B:I'm not as good as, say, a coach.
Speaker B:But I. I do my best to learn, and I always.
Speaker B:I'm always listening to shows and I try best to learn.
Speaker B:And.
Speaker B:And.
Speaker B:Okay, what's the difference between this and this?
Speaker B:And I. I don't quite know, but, like, you know, I know what it takes to win a game.
Speaker B:And having a poor offensive line really doesn't help you.
Speaker A:No, you.
Speaker A:You.
Speaker A:If you don't have an offensive line, you're not going to win a football game.
Speaker A:It's just not.
Speaker A:Not at the highest.
Speaker A:Yeah, no.
Speaker B:You know, so, yeah, I'm.
Speaker B:I'm.
Speaker B:I. I will.
Speaker B:I have no problem tearing apart the game.
Speaker B:I have no problem calling people on their stuff if they aren't playing to what I know they can.
Speaker A:And I. I personally love college football, too, and I follow it.
Speaker A:And, And I do keep up with the NFL, and obviously Pittsburgh's my favorite team, and unfortunately, the Arkansas Razorbacks are my favorite team in college football.
Speaker A:And it's just.
Speaker B:I actually like asu.
Speaker B:Yeah, I like asu.
Speaker B:They're actually, They're.
Speaker B:They're starting to actually, you know, you.
Speaker A:Guys had a great year last year.
Speaker B:Yes, we did.
Speaker B:I was very happy.
Speaker B:I was very happy.
Speaker A:Even a pretty good finish.
Speaker A:You had a shot against Texas.
Speaker A:And, I mean, Texas almost beat Ohio State.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:So.
Speaker B:Yeah, that was definitely interesting.
Speaker B:So.
Speaker B:But I mean, you know, I just love it.
Speaker B:And then, you know, I just.
Speaker B:I love the podcast.
Speaker B:I love to share, you know, what God is doing.
Speaker B:I love to, you know, I just love it.
Speaker B:I love to share about football.
Speaker B:And then I do the Unresolved Life podcast where we just Tackle subjects that make the church uncomfortable.
Speaker A:No, I think.
Speaker A:All right.
Speaker B:I mean, because like if we don't have an answer for such things as ghosts, UFOs, aliens, Bigfoot, or why God allows certain things to happen, if we don't have an answer for those things, those things that are being questioned, the world will.
Speaker B:And I guarantee you it won't be God or honoring.
Speaker A:No, it will not.
Speaker A:You're exactly right.
Speaker B:You know, are those things real?
Speaker B:I believe they are, yes.
Speaker B:But we better figure out are aliens really.
Speaker B:Yeah, but they're not extraterrestrial.
Speaker B:I do mainly believe they're extra dimensional, meaning they're demons posing aliens.
Speaker A:You know, and I've heard that from.
Speaker A:I've heard that not to get too deep into a theological discussion about this because we do have to start cutting this off.
Speaker A:We've a little bit over time and that's all right.
Speaker A:But hey, we've had a great discussion.
Speaker A:We can certainly bring you back on the show and discuss some of his other stuff.
Speaker B:I would love to, yeah.
Speaker A:But, but I've heard some of that theology and, and you know, I've, I've kind of just left it open ended and to allow more evidence to flow through for me to fit, you know, kind of decide where I am at on it.
Speaker A:So.
Speaker B:Well, consider this.
Speaker B:If you look at what they're talking about, if you look at what they talk about when they supposedly encounter people, and then you compare that to new age theology, it's pretty similar.
Speaker B:Mm.
Speaker B:Now why would that be possible?
Speaker B:Could it be maybe the enemy will use whatever he can to deceive people?
Speaker A:Of course he will.
Speaker A:You know that.
Speaker A:So as a Christian, we know that, that, that is always a possibility and we always have to be on our guard and guard our hearts.
Speaker A:I mean, that's.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker A:The Bible tells us do that.
Speaker A:So I do have to wrap it up here.
Speaker A:We will put all of this in the show notes along with the links to Theresa's book and podcast.
Speaker A:And we want you to be able to connect and be able to purchase Teresa's book and be able to connect with her and some of the things that she's doing.
Speaker A:And you know, she's got a great story and you know, maybe some point here, we'll bring her back on here in the next couple of months and have her do kind of a part two to the story.
Speaker A:So.
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker B:I'd love to.
Speaker A:We'd love to do that.
Speaker A:So.
Speaker A:But anyway, we want to thank you for tuning in to today's episode.
Speaker A:We appreciate you spending the time with us and being a part of the Kingdom Crossroads community.
Speaker A:If you enjoyed what you heard, we kindly ask you to hit the subscribe or Follow button and give us a like.
Speaker A:Your support allows us to keep producing content and sharing these experiences with you, ensuring we can continue to grow and bring you even more enriching content in the future.
Speaker A:On behalf of myself and Teresa, this is T.S.
Speaker A:wright.
Speaker A:Until next time, go forth in total surrender to the One who owns and reigns over all creation.
Speaker A:Let the great harvest begin.
