Justin and J.L. Gerhardt are on the podcast today, and you will love hearing from them! There is an epic retelling of their meeting and falling in love complete with 90's Hearthrob meet cute and all. More than that, Justin and J.L. share about their journey of God leading them both into ministry with words, calling their family to travel the world, and unleashing their creativity and courage to press into new ways to encounter God and His Word. This journey has given birth to various creative outlets for the Gerhardt family, but the one we talk about the most in this episode is Justin's incredible podcast "Holy Ghost Stories."

"Holy Ghost Stories" is a unique podcast that is more like an immersive narrated experience that takes stories from the Old Testament, unpacks them, and breathes life into the grit and shadow as well as the rapture and delight of God encountering His people. Justin's heart for this podcast is to remind us that we have an inheritance of stories in scripture that we share in an immersive, but often adolescent way to children, to try and captivate them and introduce them to God. And then they grow up. And as Justin says "We stop telling the stories and stop teaching the stories. And a story taught is different than a story told." There is absolutely fruit to be found in teaching! However, grown-ups can miss out on what these stories have always had for us when we face real suffering, real rejoicing, and everything in between unless we revisit what they really were: real events that happened with real people with a very real God.

Y'all hanging out with the Gerhardts is such a delight, and I can't wait for you to get to know them a little better. If you loved this episode, or love Holy Ghost Stories you need to attend a live experience! And for my local friends, there is one coming up in Nashville in December! I really believe you will see the Old Testament in a more alive and engaging way, and it will help you prepare your heart for the coming of Christmas. I hope I see you there.

Connecting with the Gerhardts:

Hazefire Studios

Holy Ghost Stories Podcast

J.L.'s Substack- "The Goodness"

Justin's Substack "The Latest"

Holy Ghost Stories Instagram

J.L.'s Instagram and Books

Giving to Holy Ghost Stories one time or via Patreon

Please consider joining our Patreon community. If you have enjoyed what you have heard on the podcast today or from other episodes, we would so appreciate your support to keep the Simply Stories Podcast going. You can sign up for as little as $3 a month and each tier offers gifts that I hope will bless you in return. If you feel you cannot financially commit at this time, would you please consider leaving us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts? My family and I are so grateful for each of you and how you are part of our story.

Scripture References:

2 Corinthians 12:9- Strength in weakness

Hebrews 12:2- God is the author

Hebrews 4:12-The Bible is alive and active

1 Samuel 28- The witch of Endor

Genesis 37-50- The Story of Joseph

Jonah 1-4- Jonah and the Whale

Genesis 6- Noah and the Ark

Genesis 39:12-18-Potiphar's wife calling to Joseph

Judges 3:12-30- The story of Ehud and Eglon

Judges 1- The book of Judges

Genesis 25 (is where it starts)- The Story of Jacob

Genesis 32:22-31- Particularly when Jacob wrestles with the Angel

Mark 10:51, John 5:1-15- Jesus asks "What do you want?"

Number 23:19, God is not a human, but He is a person

Matthew 2:16-18, There are multiple genocides in the New Testament (encompasses Revelation)

Acts 8:1-2, Acts 9- There is persecution in the New Testament

Job 1:21- God gives and takes away

Genesis 6:6, Ezekiel 6:9, God's heart grieves

Matthew 9:35-37, John 11:11-44,