I love talking about grace. Not only is that the crux of my health ministry, I even named my dog Grace. I got to thinking, though: what exactly is grace? If I’m going to talk about it, it certainly warrants an episode during this In the Word series. It’s such a simple word but is so complex. Quite honestly, I don’t feel I have the spiritual wisdom to talk robustly about it.

Good thing I have a smart, funny, and resourceful friend who can! Today I interview a life-long friend of mine, Emily Baker. Emily has walked through seminary with her pastor husband, Ryan, and has recently completed the first certification of the Allender Center’s Narrative based Trauma care (Counseling program) which has taught her how to explore her own life story and help others with theirs.(See below for more about Emily.)

Emily provides a richness of biblical and spiritual wisdom that is partnered with a realness we can all appreciate. This episode is a little long, but I know you’ll value every minute of it. 

Emily and I, circa 1985(???)

In today’s episode we discuss:

• The basics of the word “grace” and finding understanding in it by understanding the opposite: shame.
• The Cross Chart: How our awareness and need for grace increases as we grow in our relationship with Christ.
• Story work, what it is, and how stories from growing up impact our ability to give and receive grace.
• The concept of “cheap grace.”
• Why a formula isn’t the answer.
• And so much more!

Resources and links mentioned:

• “Pretty little girl from Chile” by the Avett Brothers
• Cross Chart by Paul Miller

(credit: A Praying Life by Paul Miller)

Scriptures mentioned

• Hebrews 12:2 – looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
• Galations 6:15 – For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
• Isaiah 43 – a love letter from God
• Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
• Mark 9:24 – Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
• Genesis 37-50 – Story of Joseph
• Romans 6, 7, 8 – sums up our faith

Other book recommendations and resources by Emily:

• A Praying Life by Paul Miller which has the “cross chart” 
• From Fear to Freedom by Paul Miller’s mother (my spiritual hero) Rosemarie Miller (wife of well-known author and preacher Jack Miller)
• The Healing Path or Bold Love by Dan Allender (any book I’d recommend, but these two are my favorite)
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der Kolk MD (This is very eye opening to the effects trauma, sadness and stress have on our bodies.)
• The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast by Adam Young 
• Any sermon or book by Tim Keller especially “Prodigal God”
• “The Soul of Shame” by Curt Thompson

About Emily:

Emily Baker is a wife to her high school sweetheart who is now the Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Stillwater. She is the mother of 4 children ranging in age from 9 to 19. She has been a fitness instructor and personal trainer for 17 years. 

She is the creator of her own company EBdesigns that provides fashionable earrings at affordable prices, she has made and sold over 15,000 pairs since starting in late 2017…it has been a HUGE gift from God! She has always been passionate about living out of the power of gospel and walking along-side people in their journeys. 

She has recently completed the first certification of the Allender Center’s Narrative based Trauma care (Counseling program) which has taught her how to explore her own life story and help others with theirs. She would love in the future to be in full-time therapy to some degree and watching to see how things develop. 

Connect with Emily:

www.shopEBDesigns.com

Instagram:@emilybaker_ebdesigns

Facebook: Emily Vann Baker

Want more?

Wednesdays at 8am join me for a deeper discussion and anything I want to expand on or clarify. Watch Goofs and Grace through the free Graced Health Podcast Group. Get access below!

Click here to join the Graced Health Podcast Facebook Group!

Have a graced day,

Amy