← In Totality with Megan Ashley
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- [00:01]
Megan Ashley
Hey there. Into Tality fam. We're grateful to have you on this journey with us today. We need your help with something super important. We're running a quick audience survey and we love to hear from you. It's a chance for you to shape the future of this podcast. Just head over to GUM FM Totality. It's super simple and your voice truly matters to us. Okay, let's be real for a second.
- [00:24]
Jay
You know it, we know it.
- [00:25]
Megan Ashley
There are ads on this podcast. We're working hard to make the experience better for you. And that starts starts with understanding you better. Who are you? What do you love? How can we create an even more enjoyable experience? Filling out this short survey is one way you can make a big impact. It's quick, easy and free. Seriously, it'll only take two minutes of your time. Plus, your feedback will help us keep delivering the content you love while making sure those ads feel less like interruptions and more like opportunities. So here's what we're asking. Just take a moment to visit GUM FM Totality. That's G U M F M Totality. T O T A L I T Y Share your thoughts, let your voice be heard and help us grow this incredible community. Thank you for being such an amazing part of our journey. We couldn't do it without you.
- [01:21]
Narrator/Advertiser
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- [02:14]
Jay
There are so many examples where Christ was doing ministry and immediately after he withdrew, right in Leviticus, the seventh year, he tells them that that whole year will be like a Sabbath year. Like you're not to harvest any crops or do any of that stuff. Like that year is a year of Sabbath, a whole year. And the Sabbath is really this training that the Lord does so that we depend on Him. It is for rest, it is for restoration. It is so that we can. He can restore us and and all the things. But it's also when you take, like, extended time, like me taking time away from the podcast, like, I have to learn to just trust the Lord and trust that I'm dependent on him and that he's my provider and that I'm not going to risk my. My. My intimacy and my relationship with him to maintain a dollar.
- [03:06]
Megan Ashley
Hey, you guys.
- [03:07]
Jay
Welcome to In Totality, a place where we celebrate authenticity and openness. We're here for those who are willing to explore, for those who embrace imperfections, and for those with open hearts and minds. I'm excited to embark on this journey with you. And while I can't predict every twist and turn, I'm certain that God will be by our side with every step of obedience. Welcome to In Totality with me, your host, Megan Ashley.
- [03:31]
Megan Ashley
What's up, you guys?
- [03:32]
Jay
Welcome back to another episode of In Totality. I'm your host, Megan Ashley. Yes, this is the same outfit I had on last week, because it's the same day recording this, but, yes, this is the same outfit I had last week. And I did not feel like going upstairs and changing because for what? It's okay. It's okay. Listen, before we get into all the things, before we get into all the things, I need you to pause this and go get your In Totality merch. We have. Listen, I own. I had In Totality Merch, and I only launched it at the X 242 conference. Now it is. It's available online.
- [04:13]
Megan Ashley
We have Village T shirts, so shout.
- [04:15]
Jay
Out to everybody that is a part of Patreon. I love you guys so much. We have a shirt that says the Village that is specifically for my Patreon community.
- [04:26]
Megan Ashley
If you're not a part of my.
- [04:27]
Jay
Patreon community, you can still get the shirt. But I got that it was inspired by them. I love them. And so I had a shirt dedicated specifically. Specifically for them. We have gray crew neck. I like crew necks. I have a crew neck on right now. This is not mine, but my line. But this is like, I love comfy crew necks. I love cozy clothes like that. We have Crown Him T shirts. If you are a part of 2819, y'all know we go in on the Crown Him. Ryan and Trey, they go in on that part. And so I was like, I have to have a shirt that says crown Him. And so it's holiday season, and so unto us a child was born. All the things I just felt like crown him was appropriate. We have a yes and amen shirt. So the promises of the Lord are yes and amen. I Love that scripture. I think that's in First Corinthians. I love that scripture. And so we did a shirt that says that. What else do we have? We have the hoodies, the In Totality hoodies. Everyone loves these hoodies. They're brown. I love the color. Has In Totality on the front and it has a scripture on the back. What is the scripture on the back? It says, trust in the Lord with all your heart and all your soul. Lean not into your own understanding and all your ways acknowledge him. I love that scripture. That was a scripture that I talked about when I first started In Totality, how that was a scripture that kind of carried me into this new venture of In Totality podcast. We have I Take my Faith Seriously snapbacks. I love. I love that hat is one of my favorite hats. And so we have a snapback and we have Lord and Savior in Totality beanies. So I y'all been asking me for beanie. So there's your beanie. What else do we have? I think that's it. Those are all the pieces. And so the crew neck is the Lord and Savior that was on the gray long sleeve shirts. They're now just on gray crew necks. So make sure you guys go get it. Like I said, pause this episode. Pause it. And then go to themagan ashley.com and get your In Totality merch. We will be starting to ship everything out starting the second week of December. And so if you've already purchased it for Black Friday, that is a pre sale, be patient. We're gonna get it all sent out to you guys. I'm really grateful. Like I said in the last episode, wearing faith based clothing and merch is another way of being able to spread the gospel. It is a way to start a conversation. I have gotten so many people where I wear my. I think I was at the airport and it was a guy behind me and I had my brown In Totality hoodie on. He was like, I love your hoodie. Like, I really love that. And it started a little conversation. And so, yeah, make sure you guys get your merch. We only have one more episode left until we take our holiday break. And so this episode, I just wanted to. Yeah. Let you guys know that we will be taking a holiday break. We have one more episode next week and then we're going to be taking a holiday break.
- [07:35]
Megan Ashley
So the holiday break, you'll hear from.
- [07:37]
Jay
Me, but you will not hear new episodes. You will not see me on social media. I am taking a sabbatical away from Social media. I am taking a break. It has been a lot this year. And, you know, I am. I believe that I'm a strong person, but I'm human. And it is hard sometimes to be on social media if I'm just being honest. When you're a public figure, it is. It is challenging to be on social media. And so just to make sure that my soul is okay, to make sure that my mental health is okay, to make sure that, you know, my relationship with the Lord remains intimate. And so to make sure all of those things are intact, I want to. I'm taking a sabbatical. I'm taking. I'm never taking time away from media like that. You guys know I'm really not super active on social media in the sense of posting, but I've never just, like, taken time to just not be on the app at all. To not be on Instagram, to not be on Facebook or Threads or Twitter or TikTok or whatever. I don't even know if it's Twitter anymore. X. Whatever. I've never just, like, removed the apps off my phone and just not gotten on at all. And so I am taking some time away from social media. I am taking time, time a holiday break. So you will not be getting, like I said, new episodes from me. I have been podcasting since 2022. Every week I have had an episode out. Not in totality, but even on my last podcast. I did that for a year and a half. And then now I'm doing. I did a year and a half of in totality. Like, it's been a lot. And I just believe that there is something holy and biblical to resting. We have to rest. I remember when we were in Houston with Jerry Flowers and his wife and they. They had a beautiful women's conference and his mom is beautiful mother. They had an amazing women's conference. And we were talking backstage and I was at the beginning parts of trying to decide if and when and how I was going to take this break or if I was going to take it. And I remember Jerry Flowers was like, you are going to be different when you come back, when you take this break. He was like, it's necessary. And not even just necessary for you, but it's necessary for the people that you disciple. Like, in this podcast. I believe that it's a form of discipleship. And so I just think that I am not stewarding your lives well. If I don't take a break and allow the Lord to replenish me and allow space for you to just Be with the Lord, where you're not depending on a podcast or you're not depending on content that you are. That you are just depending on the Lord, that you're getting your word from the Lord. And, and so don't get me wrong, like, I love that you guys tune in. Like, I, I'm so grateful that you guys tune in. But yeah, I just think that it's, it's just not wise to just keep going at this pace all the time. I mean, the holidays are important to me. I have my children for the holidays and I just want to be their mom. I just want to be God's daughter. Like, I just want to be at his feet and just be a daughter to him for, for a season. I want to be a friend. I want to be a daughter to my parents. I want to be a better discipler, like a personal discipler to the people in my life. Like, I just want to. Yeah. And so this holiday break, it just felt like the best time because this also allows people to just, you know, be with their families and spend time with their families. And we're all busy during the holidays anyway and, and come back in the new year fresh and re, you know, revived and all the things. So, yeah, that's, that's really my main. I, I didn't want it in, you know, the season and you guys be like, wait, where she go? Like, where is she coming back? I'm coming back with fresh episodes. I can't wait. I have such, I have amazing guests that I'm going to be interviewing for the new season of In Totality. And yeah, we're just making some changes and we're going to make things, you know, some will make some stuff better, some stuff will be the same. But hopefully we come back, Jay Jordan and I and the crew and all of us, we come back and we're refreshed and revived and all the things I do want to say. I will be active on Patreon and so for my Patreon community. Listen, I'm not going anywhere. Village. I love you guys. We will still be doing things, Bible studies. We're going to start a new book in January. I'm excited about that. Preparing for some, some intimate retreats for the new year, which I'm excited. And so, yeah, I'll still be active on, on Patreon. We'll still have the docu series. There's so much that is about to happen with the docu series, you guys. We haven't even touched all the behind the scenes things of Acts 242. And that's coming, if not this week, next week. And so I don't want you guys to miss that. Make sure you join Patreon today. You do not want to miss all the behind the scenes stuff that happened at Acts 242. And there's so much stuff. Jay has so much footage of stuff, guys. So don't, don't fret. We'll be on Patreon. You'll see Jay, you'll see Jordan, you'll see the boys, you'll see myself. We'll be doing our Bible studies and all the things. Yeah, it, Patreon will still be, will still be hype and still be active and all the things. But I, I did want to, I did want to talk about a little bit about why resting was so important and why like sometimes withdrawing is so important. And really just simply, I was looking at a lot of scriptures and looking at my example of Christ, right? He is our example for everything. And I was just looking at the example of him. And not because we compare ourselves to Christ, we don't like, it's not that, but just looking at his life and using his life as an example of how we can take some of those principles and apply it to our own life. But there are so many examples where Christ was doing ministry and immediately after he withdrew, right? And so you have Luke 15, where the, where it says the report of him grew, he withdrew. So as the report, as he's doing this ministry, as he's healing and doing all the things and the report of him grew, he withdraws and goes and spends time with his father. Matthew 14:13, when, when the report of John the Baptist, when his head gets cut off, right? And the report of John the Baptist, what happens immediately after Jesus withdraws? So even in times of grieving, so not just in spiritual or successful ministry moments, but even in times of grieving, Jesus withdrew, right? Jesus withdraws to prepare, like to pray and prepare his people. So in Mark 16:46, Jesus sends the disciples on the boat and then he goes and prays and intercedes for them. He goes away from them and prays and intercedes, right? Luke 4:42, after healing Simon Peter's mom, right?
- [15:21]
Megan Ashley
He heals her.
- [15:22]
Jay
And then people all hear about it, he goes and withdraws. And so it's just an example of, yeah, go take a break. And every time he withdraws, it's not like he just goes and like twiddles his thumbs, but he's, he's spending time.
- [15:36]
Megan Ashley
With his father spark something uncommon this holiday with just the right gift from Uncommon Goods. The busy holiday season is here, and Uncommon Goods makes it less stressful with incredible handpicked gifts from everyone on your.
- [15:51]
Jay
List, all in one spot.
- [15:53]
Megan Ashley
Gifts that spark, joy, wonder, delight. And that. That's exactly what I wanted feeling. They scour the globe for original, handmade, absolutely remarkable things. Somehow they know exactly the perfect gift for every single person you know. Here's a few of my favorite gifts.
- [16:10]
Jay
That I found on their site. So, guys, listen.
- [16:13]
Megan Ashley
My favorite types of gifts are gifts that are sentimental.
- [16:15]
Jay
I love sentimental gifts. I love gifts that have a meaning behind it.
- [16:20]
Megan Ashley
Something that maybe pulls from my childhood or something that pulls from, I don't know, my favorite color, anything like that. Anything that's sentimental. That's my favorite type of gifts. When you shop at Uncommon Goods, you're supporting artists and small independent businesses. Many of their handcrafted products are made in small batches, so shop now before they sell out. This holiday season, Uncommon Goods looks for products that are high quality, unique, and often handmade or made in the US they have the most meaningful out of.
- [16:50]
Jay
The ordinary gifts anywhere.
- [16:53]
Megan Ashley
They even have gifts you can personalize.
- [16:56]
Jay
I love a personalized gift. Okay.
- [16:58]
Megan Ashley
From holiday host to hostess gift, to the coolest finds for kids to hits for everyone. From the book lovers to the die hard sports fan, Uncommon Goods has something for everyone. Not the same old selections you can find just anywhere. And with every purchase you make at Uncommon Goods, they give back a dollar to a nonprofit partner of your choice. They've donated more than $3 million to date.
- [17:24]
Jay
That's a lot.
- [17:25]
Megan Ashley
To get 15% off your next gift, go to UncommonGoods.com totality that's UncommonGoods.com totality for 15% off. Listen, do not miss out on this limited time offer. Uncommon Goods were all out of the ordinary. You know when you get cornered at the function by that one family member. Yeah.
- [17:47]
Jay
You know, the one where you feel like you have to bend the truth.
- [17:50]
Megan Ashley
A little bit because they constantly put you on the spot by asking you questions like when you're getting married or whatever. To that promotion you didn't get. Only for them to really not listen.
- [18:01]
Jay
To you and silently judge you.
- [18:04]
Megan Ashley
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- [19:23]
Jay
That's it.
- [19:24]
Megan Ashley
You can even score same day appointments. I use Zocdoc and you should too. Go to Zocdoc.com totality and download the Zocdoc app for free. Then find and book a top rated doctor today. That's Z O c d o c.com totality zocdoc.com totality all right guys, back to the show.
- [19:47]
Jay
Spending intimate time with him, being replenished, praying, interceding on the behalf of others, right? And so I just think that it is so, so, so, so important. Even when I look at, even in the Old Testament, I think I was reading Exodus 20 and even Leviticus 24, like there is always like God instructs them to take a Sabbath in Leviticus, he takes a the seventh year. He tells them that that whole year will be like a Sabbath year. Like you're not to harvest any crops or do any of that stuff. Like that year is a year of Sabbath, a whole year. And the Sabbath is really this training that the Lord does so that we depend on him, so that we rest. Like it is for rest, it is for restoration. It is so that we can, he can restore us and, and all the things. But it's also when you take like extended time, like me taking time away from the podcast, like that means that there's income that won't come in and I have to be okay with that. I have, I have to learn to just trust the Lord and trust that I'm dependent on him and that he's my provider and that I'm not going to risk my intimacy and My relationship with him to maintain a dollar. I just can't. I can't. I have, like this year has been a lot. And the mere fact that I sat there for three hours on Tick Tock and looked at every bad thing that was ever said about me was a very good indication that I needed to take a time away. That was such a, a different form of self harm to sit there and repeat bad things that, like, look at all the bad things that people are saying about you. I think Jackie brought it up. She was like, that's like self harm. And I was like, yeah, like I felt convicted by that. Like, that's no different than when I used to self harm myself physically. It's like, okay, that's an indication. It's time to withdraw. It's time to withdraw. And I love that we have the example that Jesus did that because as the report of him grew, right, people esteemed him, but then also people hated him. Like people said great things about him that grew and also the criticism grew and no matter which one it was, he withdrew to spend time with the Lord. And so in this season, that is all I'm going to do. I'm just going to spend time with God. I'm going to be a mom, I'm going to be a daughter, I'm going to be a friend. I'm going to just be with the Lord. I'm going to do things that I enjoy. I'm going to have fun. I'm going to make cookies and put Christmas decorations up and I'm, you know, I'm going to do all the, all the things and I'm going to spend time with the Lord and I'm going to come back and with a, with a fresh word, come back being, you know, just fresh and restored and, you know, just, yeah, not so sleepy. I'm sleepy. I'm sleepy. And, and I think people think that it's so easy just to jump on here and be like, oh, I'm just gonna do a podcast. I'm just sit and chit chat. No, like, podcasting is hard work. It's a lot that goes into it. Managing people, managing all the things. There's a lot that goes into it. And so I'm just going to enjoy having a, a short season and it's not even that long, guys. Literally, I'll be back like literally before in the new year. But you know, just enjoying a short season of just being Megan and you know, yeah, I'm going to be still working on tons of stuff, still doing like I said, still doing stuff on Patreon, still working on stuff, but not. You just won't hear an episode from me every single week, you know, for a short season. And that's okay. And God is still good, and God is still on the throne. And like Jackie said, like, if the algorithm changes, then it changes, and God is still my provider. He's still my source, he's still going to give me all that I need, and it's. It's going to be all good. But, yeah, I. I guess I wanted to encourage you guys to take time, too. Like, ask the Lord for yourselves. Like, you know, God, how much have you guys ever just looked at the time that you spend on social media on your phone? You know, how it tracks it for you? Like, all the apps that you do. Like, go look at it and then ask the Lord. Lord, do I need to give this up for a minute? Do I need to take December away from social media? Because what I'm noticing right now, I don't know if you guys are noticing it, but there's such a influx of criticism right now. Like, things are progressively becoming more negative. Like, you can't do two scrolls without somebody talking about somebody, and it can become very toxic. It can become very draining. I've even had to. I've even had to guard myself from looking at criticism that I even agree with. Even that the Lord convicting me. Like, yeah, I don't even want you engaging really, in stuff that you agree with if it's. If it comes across as criticism. I've even had to guard myself of that. And so, yeah, I would. I would encourage you to take inventory and ask yourself, do I need to take some time away from social media? How. Take inventory of how you feel as you're scrolling on social media. Am I even taking physical inventory of your body? Am I frowning? Does my head hurt? Do I feel angry? Do I feel encouraged? Do I feel inspired? What am I being inspired by? What am I being encouraged by? What is making me smile? Because if somebody critiquing and criticizing and dogging somebody is making you happy, that's something that you need to evaluate. That's something that you need to take to the Lord.
- [26:18]
Megan Ashley
Take inventory of some of the things.
- [26:20]
Jay
That you've said online. Have I. Have I criticized more than I have encouraged? Have I critiqued more than I have applauded? Right. The Bible says that we should outdo each other in love, we should outdo each other in praise. Like, we should outdo one another. So, yeah, I'm going To take a couple. Couple months, maybe a month or two away from social media and just. Yeah. Not be so. Have. Not allow so much criticism to have access to me or me to have access to that. Because it can be very. Yeah, Detrimental. It can be very toxic. It can be very discouraging. Like, it is some of the. Chris, a lot of the criticism is just so discouraging, and there are so many people who just feel like they are so accurate. And you can start to, like, when you hear this criticism so much, you can start to be like, well, are they telling. It's like, wait a minute. They don't know me. Like, they don't know me. And so, yeah, I just think taking some time away from social media will be beneficial for my life, for my mental health. And I would encourage you to pray and ask the Lord if that would be the same for you because, yeah, these social media streets are getting kind of crazy. But I do want to, on a positive note, just celebrate all the amazing things that have happened this year. I can't even remember all the stuff. This feels like such a. Like the year went by very fast, but there was a lot that happened this year. So, yeah, Jay and Jordan will have to help me in some of the stuff that happened this year because I actually don't remember. Well, that was at the end of the year. Jordan said Acts 242. That's all that happened this year. Yeah. Let's start January maybe. Oh, yeah, this. In January we started. We. God led us to 2819. We are so grateful for that. Like, that was really. And I'm so glad that that was like, at the top of the year, like starting off the year with a solid church. Yeah. The first Sunday of the month, we were. Was it the first Sunday of the month? I thought the first time we went was Access. Yeah, it was Access. And then. Yeah, so, yeah, we went to Access and then the following Sunday went to church. And this was all in January. And we started off the year with, yeah, God bringing us to a solid church with solid teaching, with a solid pastor. So shout out to Phil, Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell and Lena Mitchell. We love you guys. We honor you. We are so grateful for your. For your leadership, for how you. Yeah, your. Your sacrifice, your dedication and all the things. Like, we just honor you guys and we love our 2819 church. So everybody at 2928 19. We love you guys, everyone. I was literally at church today or last Sunday and. And I was when we were in. In service, like when we were in the gathering. I was just like, man, I really just love my church and I love their. The people in the church, like, being able to be there and, like, hug people and, you know, like, Rhonda, who's over the. The prayer team, Like, I just love her. She's like a big sis. And I'm like, I just love the people in this church. I love our church. And Carlina and Trey and Ryan and Chastity and just everybody. I just, like, love. I just love our church. And yeah, I just. It was just good to start off the year with that. So we started off the year with a new church. I turned 34 and my birthday was pretty chill, right? Yeah. We had the birthday at the house. Ashley came. Me and Jackie were still kind of becoming friends and becoming close, and she came and we just kind of had like a nice little dinner. Jay cooked. He made some lamb chops and some asparagus and mashed potatoes and all this stuff, and it was good. So I had a birthday. What else happened? Did he start early this year?
- [31:03]
Megan Ashley
Oh, yeah, because he did do.
- [31:04]
Jay
Yeah. Eli started basketball because I know he did the summer thing. Of course. Jonah stayed in in baseball. Caleb turns. Well, that was this year. Later this year. Yeah. My kids kept growing. That's a consistent thing. Yeah, they grew a lot this year. I think this was the year that I really felt like I can significantly see a difference in them.
- [31:30]
Megan Ashley
As we head into the holiday season, every dollar counts. From travel expenses to never ending names to cross off on your gift list. We could all use some extra cash.
- [31:39]
Jay
Back in our pockets.
- [31:40]
Megan Ashley
That's where Upside app comes in. The Upside app gives you opportunities to earn. After filling up your tank, going out to eat, or grocery shopping. Top earners on Upside are getting as much as 300 cash back every month. You guys, listen. Upside offsets inflated prices by giving you cash back on purchases. I use upside when I'm filling up at the gas station, and who doesn't want to save money there? With all this extra cash back, I'm gonna purchase something nice. I'm gonna get myself a Christmas gift this year. To get started, download the free Upside app. Use my promo code totality, and get an extra 25 cent back for every gallon on your first tank of gas. Next, claim an offer for whatever you're buying on upside. Then pay as usual with a credit or debit card. Follow the steps in the app and get paid. In comparison to credit card rewards or loyalty programs, you can earn three times.
- [32:37]
Jay
More cash back on upside.
- [32:39]
Megan Ashley
Upside doesn't sell your personal information to third parties. They know that your information is a vital part of their trusted relationship with you. Upside users are earning hundreds of dollars a year. That's probably why they have a 4.8.
- [32:54]
Jay
Star rating on the App Store.
- [32:56]
Megan Ashley
Download the free Upside app and use promo code Totality to get an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas. That's an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas using promo code Totality. Alright, guys, back to the show. Alright guys. This episode is brought to you by Glorify, the number one Christian daily devotional app. Do you want to grow in your relationship with God but don't know how? Or maybe you find yourself opening the Bible with no idea where to start?
- [33:27]
Jay
I get it. I've been there.
- [33:29]
Megan Ashley
Luckily, that's where Glorify comes in. Glorify is the number one Christian daily devotional app. With Glorify, you can start your morning by reading the Bible. Passes of diving into Glorify's daily devotional and wrapping up with an immersive experience called Daily Walk with God. And if you need to take a few minutes to yourself in the middle of a busy day, try one of Glorify's guided meditations or listen to a curated worship playlist for some quiet reflection to end the day. Enjoy Glorify's sleep meditation to help you wind down and put your mind and heart at ease. Whether you're a committed Christian or simply curious about faith, Glorify has something for you. Join over 20 million people who have downloaded the Glorify app.
- [34:15]
Jay
Right now, Glorify is offering you a free 14 day free trial when you visit glorify-app.com totality right now to download the glorify app.
- [34:25]
Megan Ashley
That's glorify-app.com totality. It's free glorified-app.com totality all right guys, back to the show.
- [34:35]
Jay
Oh yeah, Jonah got baptized. That was over the summer. Yep, Jonah got baptized and that was really cool. I've seen, I think, I think I talked about this before, but I feel like I've seen the most change in Jonah this year, just maturity wise. Like, I feel like last year we were all just over him. Like everything Jonah did, we were all just over it. And then this year has been, you know, he's still a kid, but there's just been a lot of mature maturity in him this year and a lot of growth. And so I'm really, really proud of him. I'm proud of all of my children. Like, I'm. I'm so proud of all of them. All of my kids. They're just great. And so, yeah, the. Jonah got baptized in the summer. What else happened in the summer? We had so many trips. Where did we go? I had a lot of speaking engagements this year. Jay said I led worship at Reform. Her is hilarious, bro.
- [35:33]
Megan Ashley
I did not.
- [35:34]
Jay
I did not lead worship. Christabel Clack led worship. I did not. But that was. Yeah, I think that was one of, like, a significant speaking engagement where I. Because I was just being. It was. Yeah, the Lord. I was really needing the Lord. And I felt like the Lord was telling me earlier that. That morning, like, you know, he had brought that song to my heart. Agnes Day. And he brought the song to my heart, and then he was like, when I tell you, you know, as Christabel to sing it. And it became like a very reverential worship moment in that, like, the room shifted, and it became just a moment of reverence and worship. And it was a beautiful, beautiful moment. And I was so happy to be there with Brandon and Christabel Clack, who I went to Bible college with as well. And. Yeah, back in Ohio. So that was cool. What else happened? I did a. I did other podcasts. I got to be featured on some. Some other big platforms this year. So that was, you know, that was interesting, to say the least. And what else did we do? Yeah, we did. We did the gun range. We celebrated Jackie's birthday in Cabo. We went to Canada. We went to New York, like, 15 times. It felt like we went to New York a few times. We saw my favorite artist, Yeba. We. Yeah, I got baptized. Jay got baptized. Jordan got baptized. We all got baptized together. And that was definitely a significant, like, memorable moment for all of us. And that was special and beautiful. And I love that we. We planned for Acts 242 that. I mean, one of the biggest conferences that I feel like has happened this year, and people are still talking about it, and it's. It was just amazing. And it taught me so much. It taught me a lot about ministry. It taught me a lot about myself. It taught me a lot about leadership. It taught me significantly about spiritual warfare, that's for sure. Yeah. And it taught me. It taught me how to endure times of, you know, like, spirit, what feels like a spiritual drought. Like, I feel like I learned how to persevere through that, and I'm learning still. So that was. So that was a thing. We went to London and Paris and I talked about that on the last episode, we went to London and Paris, and that was. That was so fun. I got to take my mom and, you know, kind of just spoil her and let her have a good time. Taking her to Paris in London, and, you know, it was just a good time. It's been, you know, as. As much as there has been a lot of challenges in this year, it really has been full. It's been a full year. Like, it's not just been full of hardship, but it's been full of joy and. And success and all the things, like, God has just been good and faithful. And, you know, I think what defines success for me, when I look at the year and I'm like, has this been a successful year? And it's not so much that the podcast has grown, that the Patreon community has grown or that, you know, the numbers are up and all the things, but when I look at. When I look at the people in my life and I've. And I see them growing in the Lord, that is what defines success for me. Like, are we making more disciples, right? Is the gospel spreading? Are the people in my Patreon community, are they loving God more? Are they leaning into him more? Is Jay and Jordan, are they growing in Christ? Are they remaining in Christ, abiding in him, loving him more, growing and maturing in him more? Like, when I see, like, are my kids loving the Lord? Are they growing and maturing? And like, that is the success to me, not so much that the numbers are growing, but that people are growing closer to the Lord, that they're drawing closer and closer to him and near and near to him. That's really defines the success for me. And this year really does. When I look back on it. And as much, like I said, as much as it's been difficult, it really has been full of joy. You know what I mean? I. I gained a friend that has been significant in my life and something that I didn't think that I would have again. And so I'm blessed by that. I have, you know, solid people in my life. Jay and Jordan, they're. They have remained solid in my closest people, my closest confidants, my closest friends, my brother, my sister. Like, they are my family. I have them. And in, you know, I'm just. I look around, my kids are healthy. My kids love the Lord. They love me. You know, they're. They're. Well, if I can get them to love each other, maybe that's the goal for 2025. Because, boy, I'm like, if I can get them to just get along with one another like, good God. But yeah, I just. I look back on this year and I'm like, as much as I. It would be easy for me to find things to complain about. I just am so full of gratitude. Like, God has just been good. He really has just been good and faithful and kind and loving and gracious and merciful. And he has provided every need, every desire, every. Like, he has just been good. And I. I could not fathom complaining more than I am showing gratitude for all that he has done. And so I'm looking forward to 2025 being more of, like, growing more. Growing more with my intimacy with the Lord, growing more with you guys, growing more with my Patreon community, growing and maturing more and finding my, you know, my place and. And allowing the Lord to guide me with ministry and show me how. How, like, where am I? What am I supposed to do in ministry? But, yeah, like, I'm. I'm really excited for what this new year will be. I don't think that it will be absent of trials or absence of suffering or challenges, but I think what this year has done has really gave. Given me a lesson and prepared me to know how to endure and how to persevere. And so I'm grateful for that. Even with all the hard stuff, it really has produced good things in me and it's allowed me to be more dependent on the Lord. And so I get to go out of this year being grateful just as I was last year. I'm grateful. I don't know again what the next year will hold, but I do know that I will remain in him and that I will remain led by him. And I won't be led by my flesh, but I'll be led by the Spirit. And so, yeah, I'm just excited. I'm excited for you guys and what the Lord will do and bring you in the new year. I'm excited for us to come back together and be refreshed and renewed and restored and ready to do great, great things in 2025 to make more disciples, to spread the gospel, to make all of hell nervous. That's what I. That's what I plan doing in 2025. I plan on continue to proclaim the name of Jesus and spread the gospel and make disciples of all nations. And that's what I want to do. That's what I'm looking forward to. So, yeah, I hope you guys have the best holiday. I pray that you have the most amazing Christmas and New Year I pray that the Lord. Yeah. That you just have more intimacy with him and that you're ready for 2025. I. So you guys know I do a journal prompt. Haha. I didn't forget this time. I did it on my own. I didn't forget. But I want you guys to really ask yourself, Lord, and, and pray. Not ask yourself, but pray and ask the Lord God, you know, with all. Take inventory of all the things that has, that has happened in 2024. Express your gratitude. Find, like, run. Like, keep searching for things to be grateful for. Like, remind yourself of all the great things that God has done. And nothing's, nothing is too small. So like, even like God, thank you for allowing my eyes to work. Like, because you know, I went blind this year. So I'm grateful for. I like my eyesight, right? So like God, thank you for letting my eyes work. Thank you for my, my organs and, and my limbs and my muscles. Right? Like don't, don't think anything is too common or too small. Like literally search for all the things possible to be grateful for. What can I prepare myself for for 2025? What are you, Lord? Search my heart, Lord, guide me, give me wisdom, discernment on how to move in 2025. Like, prepare me, prepare my heart. Like, what do you have for me in this new year? What. What, what do you want me to do in this new year? What things do I need to let go of in 2025? What things do I need to pick up more in 2025? Like, ask the Lord, I think when we go into the new year thinking like, oh, here's my New Year's resolution. I'm going to do this, I'm going to do that. But how often do we just sit and ask the Lord for direction, God, what do you want me to do? What business venture do you want me to start? What, what friendships do I need to, you know, dig into more, invest more time in? What friendships do I need to pull back from a little bit?
- [45:41]
Megan Ashley
Is this the year, Lord, that you.
- [45:42]
Jay
Want me to date? Or is this the year that you want me to just consecrate my life to you? You know, I, I pray and ask the Lord, Lord, do you want me to stay in this, in this house? Do you want me to move? Do you want me to, like, pray and ask the Lord? Anything that you are, that you naturally, in your mind are trying to prepare yourself for? Invite the Lord into that conversation and ask him, what does God, what do you want for me? How do you want me to be prepared. And so yeah, I love you guys again. I pray that you have the best Christmas ever. I pray that you have the most am New Year. And I'm so looking forward to seeing you in the new year in 2025. I cannot believe 2024 is almost over and we are starting a whole new year together. I, I could not have imagined that my life would be what it was last year. And so we really do serve a God that does exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ever ask or think. And I'm so excited for what this new year is going to bring and so make sure that you are. Listen, if you, if you don't see me, I'm okay. I'm. I'm just on Patreon. I'm not. You're not gonna get an episode. You won't see me on social media, but you will see me on Patreon. So if you want to continue to kind of just stay in the loop of all the things that I have going on, make sure you join my Patreon community right now. Patreon.com patreon.com Megan Ashley yeah, you can join me there or the docu series will still be continuing. You might even get some sneak peeks of some of the guests that I might have on for the New year. So yeah, make sure you check out the merch. Go to www.themaganachley.com Grab your in Totality merch. You can gift it even to a friend or a family member. It will, it will make for a great holiday gift. And we have some more exciting things coming up in 2025. So make sure your post notifications are on. Make sure you're subscribed to the YouTube, make sure you're subscribed to Patreon and all the things. And yeah, I will see you guys in 2025. I love you so much. Thank you for joining me every single week for an episode in 2024 and I will see you in the new year. Hey you guys, before you go, I just wanted to say how grateful I am for your love and support. If you've enjoyed this episode, please take a moment and share it with a friend or family member. If you could do me one huge favor, head over to Apple Podcast and leave a five star rating and a heartfelt review. It helps others just like you discover the podcast. You guys, let's continue to spread the inspiration. For more about me and the podcast, visit ww themaganashley.com until next time, stay encouraged that you are so valued and so loved.