Easter is the perfect time to spring into hope! New beginnings and joy are just what we need.

We are all pretty sick of the dark cloud of COVID. Is it just me or does everyone seem ready for a little sunshine?

Then this week, a storm tore through and knocked down one of my favorite habitats in my yard: The honey bee tree. You never know what will happen next.

Are we prepared to handle inevitable change with joy? How do we shake off a long, dull season of anxiety and isolation?

Today, Andy Clapp joins us to tell his story. You’re going to love the way he embraces daily opportunities, creating joy all around him.  

Of course, Jesus is more than a story you hear at Easter. His life, His death, and His resurrection can change everything, if we let them. Find more about a relationship with the living Savior, Jesus.

“What I’ve realized over the years is that if you walk through the doors God opens, He’ll just open more. A lot of times he’ll just open bigger and better ones. You just keep walking through them,” Andy begins.

Weeding the Garden

Andy compares prioritizing joy to “weeding the garden.”

“We fall victim to wasted time, wasted opportunities, and busted relationships because there’s no intentionality in it,” reports Andy.

Andy explains how he began to trust God with not only outcomes or answers to prayer, but also the process of being close to God as well. 

“I began to weed some of that stuff out of my life,” he says. “You know, Jesus had to withdraw from the crowds at times and pray. If He needed that connection with the Father, how much more do we need it?  I learned to rely more on Christ and spending that time really getting away from it all.”

Numbering Our Days for New Beginnings and Joy

Life can get overwhelming even when it’s good stuff swamping us. So, how do we find joy even when priorities overwhelm us?

For example, I’ve waited a lifetime to be a grandmother, so I don’t want to miss a single moment with my grandchildren. All eight of them, so far. Yet, writing books means blocking out hours at a time. 

“I think the Lord helps us with understanding. He really did change the way I live,” explains Andy, quoting Psalm 90.

“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”~Psalm 90:12 

Since God knows how long we’ll be here on this earth, Andy offers this prayer:

“You (God) know what You have planned for me to accomplish. Now give me the wisdom to use my time to do Your will.”

Intentionality: Negotiating Well

Then, Andy also cites his own wife, Crystal as a terrific example of helping him prioritize with intentionality.

“The beautiful thing is that she makes sure I don’t have blinders to her, to my children. To the things she needs done in that week. It has helped out marriage,” reports Andy.

Early in their marriage Andy realized ministry was swallowing up all their family time, so they reorganized. 

“Be intentional. Be honest and up front. Because if we (husbands) are left to figure it out on our own, we don’t do a very good job of that. I’m speaking from experience,” he laughs.

I wrote a whole chapter called, Negotiate Like An Oil Tycoon, in Marriage Conversations. (Read the first chapter of Marriage Conversations for free.)

So, I was really glad to hear Andy support my negotiating theory. Asking specifically for what you need, makes for better relationships!

“I believe it wholeheartedly. In the pastor’s role, I’m trying to negotiate,” Andy affirms.

With a growing congregation of 200 currently, Andy tries to meet a lot of needs each week. But he doesn’t always know what’s going on. 

“Even in my home life, even with friends, I tell people, ‘intentionally tell me what you need because that way I can be there.’ My wife’s a champ at it,” says Andy. 

In the interview, Andy shared some cool ways his young family intentionally makes time for ministry beyond their church. Just for the fun of it. for more on lifestyle ministry, check out our interview with Meals from Mars author, Ben Sciacca.

Springtime for Your Spirit

You could call Andy Clapp a scholar. But God has gifted Andy with a great brain and a down-home kind of heart. 

He’s published over 250 different books and articles, including winning awards for the novel and the screenplay of Midnight, Christmas Eve. Andy and his wife, Crystal, have three kiddos.

Lately, he teamed up with  Michele Medlock Adams on their project, Springtime for Your Spirit: 90 Devotions of Hope, Joy & New Beginnings. (For those who listened to my interviews with Michelle about Sassy Faith, here’s an update: Her grandson, Bear, is four now and thriving!)

The Cross and Our Worthiness

“I struggled with feeling like I was worth anything. Things just kinda seemed hopeless,” Andy explains about an early point in his life. “But the fact was He (Jesus) injected hope. And He injected the sense of worth back in my life by dragging me back to the cross and showing me I was worth it. That’s a message He has for everybody out there.” 

Certainly, Jesus’ cross reminds us we are something in God’s eyes, according to Andy.

“Something of great value, enough that He would give up His own Son for you,” he emphasizes.

People Around Us Suffer

This season, an unexpected theme of suicide emerged in our Fireside Talk Radio interviews. It’s been an eye-opener for me. Several amazing, successful guests have surprised me with stories about a suicide moment in their background.

As much as on-air surprises make me uncomfortable, I’m really grateful for their authenticity. Why? Because privately, I’ve had friends share they were struggling. People are really suffering.

Perhaps you, too, are looking for help. If so, I bet Andy’s ideas today will encourage you immensely. Plus, we have other related podcasts to share with parents and siblings who lose a loved one to suicide. 

“Unfortunately it’s (suicide) a problem in North Carolina as well. In fact, The University of North Carolina in the fall semester, had a couple of students who took their lives and another attempt. It just hits home to you,” says Andy.

Clearly, feeling overwhelmed, worthless, hopeless, anxious, or depressed is a common experience all people face along the way at some time. When we feel overwhelmed, we are NOT alone. 

For more encouragement, check out our interviews with Tamara Clymer, Michelle Lazurek, and Kristin Faith Evans. Then, feel free to share them with your friends. 

Brokenness and New Beginnings

“And it’s (suicide) part of my background, to be honest with you,” reports Andy, “In December 4th of 1998 I had decided to take my own life. But for an intervention of God, that would have been the last night of my life. But in Isaiah, the Bible says the Lord has the reach to reach you where you are. His arm is long enough to reach you where you are.”

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save…” ~Isaiah 59:1a NKJV, for just one of many examples. 

Next week, Andy shares wisdom on to turn the corner on brokenness to reclaim joy. Plus, he shares a personal story of how God healed the ache in his heart. 

More Joy

Fireside Talk Radio exists to change the culture one positive message at a time. Our purpose is to empower women to be champions of their universe through tender conversational adventures. We catapult experts’ stories and wisdom via podcasts and social media. So, I recommend resources all the time, just for you. 

Remember, Andy and Michelle Medlock Adams, have a new book out that will knock your socks off. if you are ready to open your mind and soul to some bright spring sunshine, check out Springtime for Your Spirit: 90 Devotions of Hope, Joy & New Beginnings.

In our next episode, we’re gonna talk about what it means to Plant the Word, Work the Word, and Pray the Word. I cannot wait for Andy to share his thoughts on those life-changing steps! So watch for next week’s episode, called A New Season of Hope: 3 Tips to Refresh With Joy. 

Thank you for reading and listening today! Please share any or all of this with your friends. We find starting the conversation is the hard part. Once we start talking, great things happen. Life-changing things!

🐣 Happy Resurrection Day from Our Family to Yours! 🐣

We count YOU every time we count our blessings!

🙂

Cathy

P.S. Andy got me missing North Carolina. Naturally, I’m sending a special shout out to my dear North Carolina friend, Mary Eloise. Hugs to you and all your family, dear friend!

Plus, a special thanks to our friends at ETWG for laughing with me at last Monday’s meeting. What a treat to be together! They have regular meetings filled with laughter, training, and lots of fellow writers in East Texas.

We LOVE to hear from YOU!

How does Jesus’ resurrection change everything for you? What are your favorite sacred stories to share? Which priorities will you change this Spring?

May we pray together?

Dear good Father, we praise You! Only the King of Heaven could put death in its place! You alone are the Author and Giver of Life! You restore our soul. From You, we learn to live with purpose. Teach us to number our days, to prioritize our time here. Thank You for bringing Andy on the show to bless us. Help us honor You in our families, among our friends. Open our eyes to the ways You want to bless complete strangers with joy from YOU! We want new beginnings in every aspect of life. New growth, please, dear Lord. Teach us to abide in Your beautiful Spirit. Bless us now because that is Your heart’s desire. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

❤️ You’re Invited! ❤️

If Newcomer describes you, great news! I’ll be joining Newcomers on May 13th to talk about “How Conversational Adventures Create Authentic Friendships.” Don’t miss it, even if you’re an old timer!

Joy and Blessing via Upcoming Podcasts!

Don’t miss upcoming Fireside Talk Radio guests including the marvelous Becky Carpenter, and a surprise from one of my favorite people Lindsey Bell. Plus, a treat from What About Her author, Gina Butler. All coming up in this Spring of new beginnings!

Then, there’s Erectile Disfunction. Talk about a nail biter! Just in time for Father’s Day, Dr. Jim McAndrews joins us to answer real questions men have been wanting us to ask. I was waiting until I had an authority who didn’t have pills or procedures to sell.

You’re gonna love Jim, recently retired urologist and such a great guy. He even shares about his personal experience with prostate cancer. (We’ll get him back for more on that soon!) He is a treasure trove factual, compassionate information. Perfect for starting a confidential conversation with your spouse.

Finally, thank YOU for being an integral part of the Fireside team! We are grateful for each and every time you share these heroic people with you friends. Seriously grateful.

My Books LOVE Going Home with YOU!

My books LOVE going to your home, Bible Study, or Book Club. They come in multiples to share with your friends and family. Plus, sometimes they bring me along, too. Books really hate sitting on the shelf getting dusty.

To make it easy for you to order, you can get The Well: the art of drawing out authentic conversations here.

And find Marriage Conversations: from coexisting to cherished easily, too. Men also love this book. Crazy! Who ever heard of a Marriage Book men like? Find it here. Read the first chapter FREE here.

Finally, Our Bees

Our bees’ home landed on my front porch. Already two bee keeping friends have come by to help us find a new home for my special buzzy friends! I will miss them very much! 🐝 🐝 🐝 Next week, an update on our bees with pix.

Cathy Krafve, host of Fireside Talk Radio and author of The Well: The Art of Drawing Out Authentic Conversations and Marriage Conversation: From Coexisting to Cherished. We welcome your stories, ideas, and questions at https://cathykrafve.com/contact-cathy-krafve/. 

❤️ Truth with a Texas Twang! ❤️