Episode 56 :: Rachelle Dekker :: Stories of Light in the Darkest of Nights
Today on the podcast we have the incredible Rachelle Dekker. Rachelle is an award winning author of suspense and science fiction novels, and also is the daughter of author Ted Dekker. Her most recent novel Nine is a heart pounding journey of exploring identity, grappling with hope, and longing for redemption even if you’re not sure it's possible. We talk about how the themes from this book echo loud and clear across hearts beating around the world, because
in order to see light clearly, the dark has to be pretty dark. And yet, Christ is the Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. Rachelle is a woman who LOVES the Lord and I loved getting to talk with her about who He is, the Light of the Gospel, and the power that holds no matter what.
Rachelle and I also talk a lot about what it was like to grow up as a child in love with stories, and the tension of living with, and loving, a parent who longed to protect his child from his calling, because he was, and still is, a pioneer of a genre. In that, he has faced much adversity, and parents like to protect their children from pain. And yet, Rachelle shares his calling. Listening to the beauty of the Lord’s work in Rachelle and Ted’s life through her journey of carving her own path, discovering her voice, and proving it was where God was leading her too, even to the point where they could co-author books together, was a truly beautiful story to unpack with her.
Additionally, Rachelle and I are kindred spirits who truly believe music helps inform life (aka there’s a playlist for this episode). Also, if you grew up with some early 90’s Christian music you’re gonna love this. (I made some playlists for y’all!) Oh man, y’all, this is SUCH a good episode. Whether that’s processing where we find our identity, being attentive to what battles we are fighting and who exactly we are fighting with, to processing what we hear God calling us to no matter what anyone else says, I hope this ministers to you wherever you are today, and I hope that you remember that no matter how dark it is, we can ALWAYS look for the Light.
*Playlist for this Episode annnnnd an homage to 90’s Christian music!
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This episode is sponsored by: Hopefuel
Connect with them on Instagram, find their products here, and you can get 15% off your purchase by using the code SIMPLY15
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References:
“The Blessing”- Symphonic version
“Iris” and “Baby’s Black Balloon” - Goo Goo Dolls
“Uninvited” by Alanis Morissette
“The Hunger Games” soundtrack
“The Chronicles of Narnia” soundtrack
“The Prince of Egypt” soundtrack
“When You Believe”- Whitney and Maria
“The Bodyguard” soundtrack
“The Preacher’s Wife” soundtrack
“Vision Of Love” - Mariah Carey
Anything you give your attention, your time to, is an idol ---> Great study on this Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller
Jackie Hill Perry’s Bible Study on the book of Jude“Agape” love
Keep the Tiny Humans alive mug from Target
The exciting news about what’s next for Ted and Rachelle will be announced VERY soon! Be sure you’re following them on social media!
The letter from a Mother that gave the women right to vote (at least in Tennessee)
Scripture References:
John 12:35-36 // 1 John 1:5 - In his light there is no darkness
Ephesians 6:12 - We are not at war with flesh and blood
1 Peter 5:8 - We have something like a lion seeking to devour
Ephesians 6:10-18- We have an enemy of our soul
1 Peter 1:13-Hope still exists
1 Timothy 1:15- Redemption is still possible (chief of sinners)
2 Corinthians 5:17- We can be made new right now
Called to our true identity in Christ (great article walking through several scriptures on this from Thomas Nelson)
Isaiah 54:17- Nothing that comes against me will stand
John 9:1-12- Healing the blind with the mud on his eyes
1 Corinthians 15:55- Death, where is your sting?
Lamentations 3:23- His mercies are new every morning, great is HIS faithfulness
Ephesians 14:12- Israelites and their weird amnesia about Egypt
Matthew 7:13-14- The call is one of narrow path
James 4:7-10-The call is one of surrender
Ephesians 1:5-We are trying to adopt the character of Christ
Hebrews 12:1-3-Throw off our hindrances
Romans 8:13- Die to the flesh and live by the Spirit
Luke 10:27- Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength
Psalm 139:14- He made us uniquely
Ephesians 4:8, 1 Corinthians 12- He made us with gifts
Mark 12:30-31- Love your neighbor as yourself and love our God above all else
2 Timothy 1:7- Not give in to fear
Jude 1:1- We are KEPT
Numbers 6:24-26- The Lord bless you and keep you
Romans 8:31-39- We are more than conquerors in Christ
Philippians 1:6- Our Father is not finished
Hebrews 13:5- He will not leave us
Romans 8:28-He works all things for good
Galatians 6:7- What you sow you will reap
John 18:36, Ephesians 2:19- We are citizens of the Kingdom of God
Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15- We are called to go and tell
Colossians 3:16- Sing songs of truth to each other
Connecting with Rachelle:
Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:
Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)
Facebook
Twitter
Blog
*Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com