Pioneer with Gabrielle on an unscripted journey to unlock joy. Consistent in every episode are stories of hope, healing, and connection that will give birth to your own journey of self-discovery, relational good, and wholeness. Gabrielle is an intuitive storyteller sharing practical revelation from scripture and continual conversation with God. If you've struggled to hear God's voice and apply His truth to your life mindfully and holistically, this podcast is for you!
…
continue reading
1
Active Rest: When Knowing the Truth Isn't Enough
25:14
25:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:14
Welcome back to the final episode of Returning to Joy Season 4! The past several weeks have been so rich with reflections and new insights around the rest that Jesus offers, and the ways it can both heal us and empower us. In this final episode, we'll consider that simply knowing what Jesus says about rest is often not enough to keep us from being …
…
continue reading
Thanks for listening to the Returning to Joy podcast. This week's episode is an invitation to have faith again, and not just a belief in Jesus but also in his authority and his power. True rest requires a faith like the Centurion in Luke 7. One that chips away at our belief that we must always try harder and do more to accomplish anything, and one …
…
continue reading
1
Pushing Back the Darkness and Letting the Light In
25:39
25:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:39
Welcome to this episode of Returning to Joy. This week is both an encouragement and a challenge to not only let in the light of Jesus in your life but to also bring forth that light to the darkest places. It is not only about the decision to receive the light but also a participation that God invites us into, to bring that light into the darkness o…
…
continue reading
1
Finding Light in Disorientation: A Journey through Psalms 13
16:18
16:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:18
Drawing from the work of Old Testament theologian Walter Brueggemann, Gabrielle discusses the concept of orientation, disorientation, and new orientation as seen in the Psalms and in Jesus's life. These movements symbolize the human experience of comfort, crisis, and resolution. Brueggemann’s perspective emphasizes the realness and authenticity of …
…
continue reading
1
Entering in to Rest: The Active Pursuit and the Rest We Share (Part 2)
29:53
29:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:53
Thanks for tuning into this week's podcast! This episode we are continuing in our series, Sabbath Stories: Embracing Rest in a Restless World. Each episode we will unpack the sacred call to rest and renewal, as well as a practical practice to help you integrate rest rhythms into your life. This episode we'll continue to look deeper at the pilgrimag…
…
continue reading
1
Rest is Found: Entering in to the Freedom We Find for Ourselves and Others (Part 1)
47:44
47:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:44
Welcome back to Season 4 of the Returning to Joy Podcast! This week we continue in our new series, Sabbath Stories: Embracing Rest in a Restless World. Each episode we will unpack the sacred call to rest and renewal, as well as a practical practice to help you integrate rest rhythms into your life. This episode we'll dive into the kind of rest that…
…
continue reading
1
Beyond Burnout: Rediscovering God's Blueprint for Rest and Renewal
34:00
34:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:00
Welcome to Season 4 of the Returning to Joy Podcast! This week we continue with our new series, Sabbath Stories: Embracing Rest in a Restless World. Each episode we will unpack the sacred call to rest and renewal, as well as a practical practice to help you integrate rest rhythms into your life. This episode's key concept: Rest is Resistance. New e…
…
continue reading
1
Resting in Our Identity as Children of God with Rosalind Hervey
35:52
35:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:52
Welcome to Season 4 of the Returning to Joy Podcast! This week we are kicking off a new series, Sabbath Stories: Embracing Rest in a Restless World. Each episode will unpack the sacred call to rest and renewal, as well as a practical practice to help you integrate these rest rhythms into your life. This episode we sit down with Rosalind Hervey - a …
…
continue reading
1
Reimagining Church - Part 2: A Conversation with Taylor Rogers, Executive Director of Wildfire Network
25:38
25:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:38
Thank you for tuning in to Part 2 of our conversation with Taylor Rogers, Executive Director of Wildfire Network. Wildfire Network is a community that exists to help the dreams of Jesus come true— in and through His people. In this episode, we'll continue our conversation about reimagining the church as we know it. We'll begin to dive into not only…
…
continue reading
1
Reimagining Church - Part 1: A Conversation with Taylor Rogers, Executive Director of Wildfire Network
35:08
35:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:08
In our world today, "church" has become synonymous with a building, an institution, or a religious gathering. However, as we delve into the origins of the word "Ekklesia", that has often been translated to the word "church", we uncover a much more profound and transformative concept. Taylor Rogers is the executive director of Wildfire Network, a co…
…
continue reading
1
Resting on God’s Firm Foundation in Trials, Transitions, and Transformation with Denise Leonard
24:42
24:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:42
Thanks for joining us for this special episode of Returning to Joy. In this episode, we’ll sit down with Gabrielle’s mother, Denise Leonard. In a season that has felt tumultuous and challenging for Gabrielle and her family, Denise has shared a word from the Lord that we want to share with the listeners today. When God is preparing us for a new thin…
…
continue reading
1
Meeting People Where They Are - A Conversation with Mashaun Hirschler, Mission Leader of T.H.U.G.G.I.N for Christ
36:04
36:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:04
Thanks for tuning into this week’s podcast. In this episode, we’ll hear from Mashaun Hirschler, Mission Leader of T.H.U.G.G.I.N for Christ - a ministry that is aimed at serving those who are stuck on the streets. While mindful of the complicated psychological and sociological factors that contribute to addiction and homelessness, they seek to addre…
…
continue reading
1
Pursuing God's Justice With Compassion and Dependency on Jesus with Guest John Garland (Part 2)
34:34
34:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:34
This episode is a continued conversation with John Garland, pastor of the San Antonio Mennonite Church and Chaplain of the Interfaith Welcome Coalition. As you heard in the previous episode, much of his work and mission is dedicated to displaced and marginalized families in his area. As a result, he often has to confront questions that we would do …
…
continue reading
1
Decentering Yourself, Compassion Fatigue, & Bearing Witness with Special Guest John Garland (Part 1)
42:15
42:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:15
John Garland is the pastor of the San Antonio Mennonite Church and Chaplain of the Interfaith Welcome Coalition. John pastors from the discipline of “no action without prayer, no prayer without action.” His applied theology interprets Christianity as a trauma-transforming faith movement, he reads Scripture as divinely inspired through and for traum…
…
continue reading
Often in our culture and especially in the Western church, we tend to describe God in abstract terms and with intangible qualities, and can even find ourselves desiring information about God rather than a testimony about our relationship with Him. But the Lord is real and moving around us in ways we can know with our senses. He is speaking and reve…
…
continue reading
1
When "Focusing on Jesus" Causes Us to Miss Him Completely
34:28
34:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:28
Welcome to Season 3, friends! Thanks for tuning in. Our gaze should always be toward Jesus, but we must ask ourselves what version of Jesus are we trying to focus on? Are we worshipping the fullness of who He is, or are we trying to push attention towards a comfortable version of Him while ignoring the very brokenness He was sent to restore in the …
…
continue reading
1
Exceedingly More Than You Can Imagine | God's Not Limited By Your Ability to See
31:15
31:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:15
Beloveds, I've got good news! God's power isn't limited by your capability to anticipate or perceive His goodness. When you can't even imagine better, and your eyes can't see God's faithfulness on the horizon. You can rest assured in the truth that He is still able to do exceedingly more. In this episode, let's dive into this truth together. Script…
…
continue reading
1
Did God Abandon Us Here? Trusting God beside the Red Sea.
16:52
16:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:52
Are you feeling stuck? Is there a lack of clarity on how to move forward? Does it seem like there are impenetrable barriers between where you are and what God has promised for you? You are not alone! So many people who trust the Lord are uncertain right now. They feel like they are wandering aimlessly with no direction and no leader. Yet, Christ ha…
…
continue reading
1
The Heart Behind Returning to Joy Ministry
24:40
24:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:40
We've got a special guest! Executive Director of Wildfire Network, Taylor Rogers, steps behind the mic to interview Gabrielle Leonard, Director of Returning to Joy. In this episode you'll hear her heart and the why behind the ministry of Returning to Joy. Letter from the host: Dear Beloveds, Reflecting on and responding to the faithful and intellig…
…
continue reading
1
The Kind of Vulnerability that Strengthens and Secures You
27:44
27:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:44
In this episode Gabrielle has the pleasure of sitting down with Chandler Merritt for a conversation on vulnerability. Chandler is an administrative genius but more importantly she is an incredible human who has uniquely learned the role vulnerability plays in strengthening and securing her. You don't want to miss the visual picture she paints for h…
…
continue reading
The Lord will make room for you. This episode is a overview of Genesis 26. Observing what we notice to be true about God and His children as they respond to His command to dwell in the land. Scripture: Genesis Chapter 26 Letter from the host: Dear Beloveds, Reflecting on and responding to the faithful and intelligent love of God has been therapeuti…
…
continue reading
1
For Those Who Are Grieving: A Guided Prayer
28:25
28:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:25
This episode is uniquely for those who are grieving. It's for those who know they are carrying pain but don't have the words or the strength to vocalize it yet. It's for those who know their heart is broken and their mind is confused. I get it. I'm there too. So in this episode I'm spending time praying for you...for us. I invite you to just receiv…
…
continue reading
1
His Story: God's Been Good for A Long Time
21:24
21:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:24
He is God of the generations. His goodness goes beyond are daily experiences. His goodness stretches back beyond our timeline. Christ has the authority to say on the cross "It is finished" because of who He's been, who He is, and who He forever will be. When we position ourselves under the truth that God's goodness isn't dependent upon our experien…
…
continue reading
Are you feeling stuck? Paralyzed and weighed down by your dreams and hopes for the future? Maybe you're longing to birth something beautiful, but you're hitting a wall? If so, this episode is for you: The achiever. The one longing to build something significant but feeling shut down in the process. It may surprise you, but you're not creating treas…
…
continue reading
Scriptures mentioned: Psalms 46: 1 - 7 TPT God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble— more than enough and always available whenever I need you. So we will never fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earthquakes and shakes, moving mountai…
…
continue reading
1
Dealing with Anxiety and Panic Attacks in 2020 with Ashley Rogers
27:54
27:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:54
Ashley Rogers, founder and director of Created Art Ministry, joins Gabrielle Leonard this week to discuss anxiety and her experience with increased panic attacks in 2020. She gives wisdom on how to move past the shame and what it looks like to connect with Jesus amid anxiety practically. The amount of insight provided in this conversation is unreal…
…
continue reading
1
I Confess: A Talk On Repentance, Self-Justification, and the Need To Be Right
27:42
27:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:42
Well, I'd say it's about time! It's been weeks since I've posted a new podcast episode. In this episode I'm sharing the why. I've been wrestling a lot lately. But it's time to get back to sharing on this platform. I invite you to listen to this first episode back. You'll hear my heart and my confession and repentance. It's a raw episode. Not polish…
…
continue reading
Contrary to popular belief, rest is not just pausing from activity. Biblical rest is an exchange. Jesus said, "I will give you rest." Rest is a gift. It's a symptom of someone who has been with Jesus. In today's show, I share how I recently practiced rest. I end the episode with an activation (guided prayer time) to help you connect with God and ex…
…
continue reading
1
The Lord Always Accomplishes His Word: Looking To A Trustworthy God
11:23
11:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:23
You can count on God to be faithful to what He has promised. He is trustworthy. In this season, I am eagerly anticipating the fulfillment of His promises to me. I once heard someone say, "Your joy will mirror your hope", I get that now. These last few weeks, I've experienced a more resilient and consistent joy. In this episode, I'll share my source…
…
continue reading
1
Living In The Delight Of God: A Message Spoken at Awake Women's Gathering on 3/4/2020
29:12
29:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:12
In this episode, you'll hear a recording of a message I gave on March 4, 2020, at ONE's Awake women's gathering. As I prepped for this talk God promised me that each listener would experience a personal and intimate moment with Him. That's what I'm praying still for all who listen to this episode. He desires you. You are His delight and I pray that…
…
continue reading
1
5 Things About Gabrielle: Sharing A Little More About Myself & Why I started The Podcast
16:49
16:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:49
Okay, this is an overdue episode. In this episode, the simple and the sacred collide as I share a little bit more about myself and why I started the Returning To Joy Podcast. Scriptures mentioned: Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a fu…
…
continue reading
1
Navigating The Unknown and Becoming Expectant of Good
17:21
17:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:21
Hope is the joyful anticipation of Good. Hope is expectant and it remains regardless of the current conditions. We all know this to be true, yet when we're navigating unknown territory and can't see the road ahead clearly we sometimes default to our own speculations or reasonings that are devoid of hope. They're rooted in fear and past disappointme…
…
continue reading
1
Learning to Include Jesus: Are You Having A Discussion About Him or With Him?
11:50
11:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:50
Two disciples were on the road to Emmaus discussing the events of the crucifixion. Jesus was on their lips yet they walked in despair. But why? In this episode, Gabrielle encourages us to recognize the difference between having a discussion about Jesus and having a conversation that includes Jesus. Scriptures mentioned: Luke 24:13-18 TPT Later that…
…
continue reading
1
The Kissing Hand: Experiencing The Confirmation of God's Presence
21:07
21:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:07
I'm grateful for the incredible lengths The Father goes to demonstrate His love for us. Nothing can restrict it. He doesn't merely proclaim His love; He goes the distance to ensure we experience it uniquely directed towards us. In this episode, Gabrielle shares a story about how God used the children's book, "The Kissing Hand," written by Audrey Pe…
…
continue reading
1
How the Gospel Reveals The Nature of God's Voice
17:45
17:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:45
Thoughts come quickly to our minds throughout each day. Some are fleeting, gone just as swiftly as they came. Others linger, and if left unchecked, will take up residence in our mind. We're commanded in scripture to take captive every thought that stands against the knowledge of God. In this episode, Gabrielle shares her process for identifying her…
…
continue reading
1
Becoming Aware of Your Heavenly Reality: A Word for During the Coronavirus Pandemic
16:20
16:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:20
Our inheritance right now is that we are seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. Our world may be disrupted and in chaos due to the Coronavirus but we must be a people that are connected to and reflective of the atmosphere of heaven. In this episode, Gabrielle brings a powerful and practical word on how to become aware of and mirror the realit…
…
continue reading
1
Can We Hear God's Voice? Learning How To Recognize God's Voice
18:03
18:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:03
God is constantly communicating with us. Through scripture, creation, His people, and directly to our own hearts. What takes practice is learning how to recognize His communication. In this episode, Gabrielle will share what she's learned from helping people connect with Jesus and will share a practical exercise for recognizing how you are ALREADY …
…
continue reading
1
Experiencing Not Just Declaring Psalms 91
16:44
16:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:44
What a day we are living in! Whenever there is an occasion for fear there is an even greater occasion for faith. I'm so grateful that we are revisiting Psalms 91. I'm praying that at this time we will move from visiting with God to remaining in Him. Psalms 91 is a promise to the believer who "rests", "lives", or "sits" in the shelter of God Most Hi…
…
continue reading
1
Response To The Coronavirus: Prayer & Encouragement
16:23
16:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:23
Join Gabrielle Leonard, Ashley Rogers, and Taylor Rogers in a special prayer and encouragement to the body in this time of sickness, uncertainty, and fear. Let us seek Immanuel, God with us, together. Scriptures mentioned: Habakkuk 3 NLT Philippians 2:5-11 NIV Special Guests: Taylor Rogers - Director of Wildfire Network (http://wildfire.church/inde…
…
continue reading
1
Let Him Love You - Practicing Receiving The Father's Love
15:48
15:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:48
The Father will fight to no end to demonstrate His love for us. We are transformed when we receive this love. But receiving the love of the Father isn't a one and done encounter. Steadily receiving the love of God is necessary for continual healing and transformation. In this episode, Gabrielle shares how she practices noticing when she is struggli…
…
continue reading
Are you living life feeling at a deficit? Always needing your cup refilled by approval, affirmation, and validation? Scripture has a solution for that. In this episode, Gabrielle shares how a mindset of lack has shown up in her life and discusses how to walk out in the fullness of Christ practically. Scriptures mentioned: "And now out of his fullne…
…
continue reading
Risk is the possibility that something unpleasant or unwelcome will happen. Hope is the joyful anticipation of good. We can be so aware and responsive to what we're at risk of that we lose sight of our hope. In this episode, Gabrielle starts a discussion on what is hope. Scriptures mentioned: Hebrews 6:18 - 20 TPT So it is impossible for God to lie…
…
continue reading
Fear is disruptive, sudden, and for some constant. We all experience it. But do you know how to overcome it? Deuteronomy 20:1 provides practical wisdom for the process of overcoming. Join me as I unpack this single yet powerful verse. Scriptures mentioned: “When you go out into war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots, and an army larg…
…
continue reading
1
For My Husband: A Special Spoken Word For Valentine's Day
5:44
5:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:44
Valentine’s Day. A day that sparks joy and excitement in some and frustration and disillusionment in others. No matter where you find yourself on this spectrum. This episode is a word for you, for men and women to grab hold of and embrace. Full Spoken Word: "For My Husband" The world says you don’t exist. That a man clothed in righteousness won’t a…
…
continue reading
Count it all Joy! A command in scripture that is often misunderstood. No, the burden is not on us to summon up joy. Praise God, that's Jesus' job! Our role is to introduce our trials to Jesus. Bring them before Him in dialogue. Journey with me today as I discuss how Jesus modeled this for us and how we can effectively "Count it all joy." Scriptures…
…
continue reading
Got time for another story? Great! I’ve got time to share one. On this particular morning, my plan was simple, get my car’s oil changed and be productive while I waited. It turned out to be a more productive morning than anticipated, just in a different way. In this episode, I touch on feeling overwhelmed and what causes fear to take a back seat. S…
…
continue reading
1
The Intentionality of God—Gabrielle's Story
12:20
12:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:20
You know those life-altering moments in the Bible when a person encounters the presence of Jesus. I've had a moment like that. I've had several. In this episode, I'll share one of my most significant moments of encounter with Jesus. New episodes every Tuesday! Thanks for subscribing and leaving a review! Please feel free to share with your family a…
…
continue reading