Welcome back to the show! In today’s episode, I scratch the surface of suffering and what it means to suffer with God as we cope with stress, afflictions, and life struggles… I’ll explain how one’s theology affects the way a person copes in hard seasons, and how we can practically shift our focus back to our High Priest… If you feel like your world is getting rocked, you’re not alone. Today, we’re going to go a little deeper and wrestle together. Are you ready? Let’s get into it.   Listen to part one of our Theology Matters Series.   Get Connected: Learn more about Her Renewed Strength. Find out more about private coaching with Erika. Hang out with Erika on Instagram.

Welcome back to the show! I'm so glad you're here and excited to share this episode, which is filled with reflections, testimonies of God's faithfulness, stories of my struggles, and encouragement for YOU. If you're filled with faith, love the Bible, or wish those one or both of things applied to you, this episode is for you!   In this episode, I open up about why I've been missing and how all the chaos of 2025 helped me see that I don't actually trust God as much as I say I do. I then share my testimony about leaving my career in Corporate America and how the Lord worked through Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth's book, Lies Women Believe, to help me make that decision.   Throughout this episode, I sprinkled in some reflection questions that can help you process your own experiences and consider how the Lord might be working in your life to take you on a journey you probably haven't ever dreamt of. I pray this episode blesses you and that my testimony encourages you to trust the Lord more.   If you enjoyed today's episode, please consider leaving a positive review and 5-star rating on Apple or Spotify!   Stay Connected: Learn more about Her Renewed Strength. Discover how to grow in your faith and reach your God-sized goals with Erika! Connect with Erika on Instagram.

Welcome back to the show! In today’s episode, you’ll hear from a dear sister in the faith, Kristel Acevedo, who shared a little about her journey to Jesus and how the Lord met her in the desolate places of her own wilderness seasons. We also talked about a beautiful Bible study she wrote, titled,  A Way in the Wilderness: Meeting God in the Desolate Places of Scripture--A 6-Week Bible Study with Video Access. You can get a copy of the study in English OR in Spanish by heading to her website! We’re also giving away a copy of her study. All you have to do is leave a review on apple podcasts letting us know you listened to this episode, before submitting it, take a screenshot and email it to erika@herrenewedstrength.com. The first person to leave a review will receive this beautiful study in your language of choice! I hope you’re encouraged by this conversation! Let’s get into it!    Connect with Kristel on her website or on Instagram.

Welcome back to the show! Today’s episode is a special treat I reserved for this last week of Lent, which we call holy week. As we approach Resurrection Sunday and celebrate the FACT that our Lord, Jesus Christ, IS RISEN, I’m excited to share a conversation with Dr. Mike Licona on the Resurrection of Jesus.   Dr. Licona is no stranger to the show. I had the privilege of hosting him on the podcast during our All Things Apologetics Series when he answered the question “If the Bible is trustworthy, why are there contradictions in the gospel accounts?” Click here to revisit episode 239!   In today's episode, we unpack the evidence for the PHYSICAL resurrection of Jesus Christ. Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or someone seeking proof that Jesus truly IS the Son of God, I hope this episode is not only an encouragement to you, but also a helpful resource.    Before we dive into the discussion about Christ’s resurrection, I want to remind you that we are partnering with Let Them Live, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to saving lives from abortion by financially supporting women in crisis pregnancies. We are so excited to support Let Them Live in their truly pro-life mission and the work they do to protect the preborn. Our kickstarter campaign is live! We want to raise $5000 for Let Them Live and hope you’ll join us by donating today. Join us on this pro-life mission alongside Let Them Live.    CLICK HERE TO HELP US REACH OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL & JOIN THE MOVEMENT THAT IS SAVING BABIES FROM ABORTION!   Without further ado, let’s get into my conversation about the resurrection with Dr. Mike Licona.

Welcome back! In today's episode, I share a conversation I had with Emily Berning, president and co-founder of Let Them Live, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to saving lives from abortion by financially supporting women in crisis pregnancies. She has been involved with the pro-life movement for over eight years and her greatest passion in life is giving pregnant women the support they need to choose life.   We spoke about her journey as a pro-life Christian woman, and why she and her husband, Nathan Berning, decided to start Let Them Live. We also posted the question: are you really pro-life or are you just anti-abortion?    I'm excited to announce that Her Renewed Strength Co. formally partnered with Let Them Live as our adopted philanthropy!   Let Them Live is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to saving lives from abortion by financially supporting women in crisis pregnancies. Through the help of donors and partnered organizations, Let Them Live provides financial support, counseling, and coaching to help mothers choose life and keep their babies.   When you invest in any of our offers, including coaching and classes, 15% of your entire purchase will go directly to Let Them Live to support their work as they save lives from abortion.    To kick off this exciting chapter, we are hosting a virtual fundraiser! We've set a goal of raising $5000 to support the staff's mental health needs, especially as they take on the burdens of moms who navigate unplanned pregnancies and choose life instead of abortion. Please help us to reach this goal and support the Let Them Live staff!   CLICK HERE TO HELP US REACH OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL & JOIN THE MOVEMENT THAT IS SAVING BABIES FROM ABORTION!

Welcome back! In today's episode, I recap the FREE theology class I taught for Christian women last week, titled "Modern Heresies." This is the last segment of our Christian Theology Essentials Series. In this episode, you'll learn why the Council of Nicaea was important and what three heresies are still around today. I hope this blesses you, sharpens your discernment, and ignites a passion to learn more about Christian theology!   The "Modern Heresies" class replay is now available! CLICK HERE TO ACCESS IT NOW!   Connect with us: Learn more about Her Renewed Strength here!  Ready to reach your goals and keep Christ at the center? Learn more about private coaching here! Join our FREE Facebook group to connect with Erika and other Christian women.

Welcome back to the show! In today’s episode, I share a little about heresies and offer a RECENT example of WHY it’s so important to know what you believe so you can protect against heretical teachings and defend the Christian faith.   As a reminder, my FREE theology class, MODERN HERESIES is going down tomorrow at 1PM EST/10AM PST on Zoom. If you can’t join me live, register anyway and I will send you the replay! I’ll be sharing three modern heresies, their roots, and how to identify heretical teachings, no matter how much or little Bible or theology you know. Click the link in the show notes to register for the free class! I hope to see you there!   Alrighty, let’s get into today’s episode.     Books/Resources Mentioned: Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves   Don’t forget! Register for FREE theology class where I expose three modern heresies. The virtual class takes place March 26th. Can't make it? No worries! All registrants will receive an email with a link to view the 24-hour replay. Register for the FREE theology class here!   Join us inside The Community: https://herrenewedstrength.com/community     Want one-on-one coaching, accountability and personalized support? Connect with me to learn more! erika@herrenewedstrength.com 

Welcome back to the show! In today’s episode, I’m answering the question, “Where did the term ‘Trinity’ come from?” If you’re a new Christian or just not sure why this question would be posed, it’s because the term “Trinity” is not actually found in the Bible. In fact, that is a major contention of those who oppose the Trinitarian doctrine. My goal today is to share a little church history to help you understand how that term came to be used and adopted in Christian doctrine. If you’re a history buff like me today will be especially enjoyable. IF you aren’t, don’t worry! I’m just sharing a little of the global Church’s story and you’re invited to tune in. Are you ready? Let’s jump in.   Books/Resources Mentioned: Theology: The Basics by Alister McGrath Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves Against Praxeas by Tertullian   Don’t forget! Register for FREE theology class where I expose three modern heresies. The virtual class takes place March 26th. Can't make it? No worries! All registrants will receive an email with a link to view the 24-hour replay. Register for the FREE theology class here!   Join us inside The Community: https://herrenewedstrength.com/community     Want one-on-one coaching, accountability and personalized support? Connect with me to learn more! erika@herrenewedstrength.com 

Welcome back to the show! We're officially in part 3 of our Christian Theology Essentials Series, which is focused on the doctrine of the Trinity. Today's episode is short and to the point! If you want to know what NOT to say when explaining the Trinity as a Christian woman, this episode is for you. I pray the series blesses you. Let's get into it!   Register for the FREE class here!

Welcome back to the show! In today’s episode, we’re diving into part 2 of our Christian Theology Essentials Series. I’m answering the question: What do we really know about the Triune God? This question is important because when we understand what God has revealed to us about Himself, we are positioned to have a deeper reverence for Him and grow in our relationship with the Lord, both in our personal walks with Him and as believers who are part of a family of faith. One theme you’ll notice in today’s episode is that I will focus on biblical passages that support the term “trinity,” which was coined by Tertullian. I hope you’re ready! Let's gooooo.   Click here to register for FREE theology class where I expose three modern heresies.    Join us inside The Community: https://herrenewedstrength.com/community     Want one-on-one coaching, accountability and personalized support? Connect with me to learn more! erika@herrenewedstrength.com 

In this episode, we dive into the Doctrine of the Trinity, a core or essential belief of the Christian faith. This is part one of our Christian Theology Essentials Series, created specifically for Christian women.

Welcome back to the show! We are in week two of our Firm Foundations Series. In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Johnice Littlejohn to talk about remaining faithful during seasons of suffering.   Dr. Johnice F. Littlejohn, DO MPH, is currently a psychiatry resident physician in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy, where she majored in Biology and minored in Theatre. She earned her Masters of Public Health from Michigan State University and is also a graduate of Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her professional interests include geriatric psychiatry, as well as working to minimize disparities across racial and socioeconomic status in healthcare and in medical training. Most importantly, she has dedicated her life to Jesus and plans to use her gift of medical knowledge to serve His kingdom however He sees fit.   Johnice’s testimony of God’s goodness, gentleness and grace is one that had me in tears. She endured A LOT during crucial seasons of her life, at some points delaying or even seemingly interfering with her pursuit of psychiatry. What I absolutely love is how, through these divine delays, the Lord was actually working some things out and giving her the gift of time. Sometimes we are in a rush to accomplish the things the Lord has put on our hearts, but He knows best and His timing is perfect. Her testimony encouraged me to trust the Lord MORE and learn how to depend on Him for absolutely everything.   Click here to connect with Dr. Johnice Littlejohn on Instagram!   Resources referenced during the episode: Grief Share: https://www.griefshare.org/findagroup Teen Challenge: https://teenchallengeusa.org/centers/   Learn more about Her Renewed Strength, including private coaching and our online community: https://herrenewedstrength.com/ 

Welcome back to the show! We are in a new series called Firm Foundations. This series will feature real-life examples of believers who are rooted in Christ and living out their faith boldly, despite cultural temptations or tough circumstances.   In today’s episode, I sat with my theology professor, Dr. Glenn Kreider, about the cultural impact on Christians. We talked about being a Christian in today’s culture and why you don’t have to be filled with angst or fear.     Let me tell you a little about Dr. Kreider. Prior to teaching at Dallas Theological Seminary, Dr. Kreider served as Director of Christian Education and then as Senior Pastor in Cedar Hill, TX. His research and writing interests include Jonathan Edwards, theological method, theology and popular culture, and our eschatological hope. Dr. Kreider believes that grace really is amazing; it is a thought that will change the world. He is married to his best friend, Janice, and they have two grown children and one granddaughter, Marlo Grace. He and Janice enjoy live music, good stories, bold coffee, and spending time together and with their rescue dogs—a terrier/greyhound mix named Chloe and a black lab named Carlile.   I hope this episode encourages you to navigate culture with bold faith and a strong desire to represent the God we love and serve.    Connect with us: Access all 2024 RENEWED Conference content for just $39 by clicking here! Join The Community, a free Facebook group for women where we gather to virtually discuss all things Bible and theology. Learn about private coaching with Erika Diaz-Castro and find out how she can help you reach your goals while keeping Christ at the center.

Welcome back to the show! In this episode, I sat down with Shanda Fulbright. Shanda is no stranger to the show. You may remember her from part 5 of our Theology Matters Series: Should You Know How To Defend Your Faith as a Christian Woman? . . . If you missed that episode, let me tell you a little about Shanda…   Shanda Fulbright is a wife, mom to three boys, and the host of the Her Faith Inspires podcast where she takes cultural issues and tackles them with biblical truth. She is the co-author of Let’s Get Real: Examining the Evidence for God with Dr. Frank Turek, as well as Train Your Brain: An Introduction to Logic and Baseline Apologetics. She is the author and creator of Baseline Apologetics, a curriculum for adults who want to learn apologetics and the Bible.She teaches students of all ages the basics of Christian apologetics, and stresses the importance of biblical literacy as the path to a biblical worldview.    I’m going to link it here in the description. Make sure you go and listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/223-theology-matters-series-part-five-should-you-know/id1593824616?i=1000654033944    In today's episode, we get into the topic of worldview, including what it is, what primary worldviews are dominating the western world, why we need to be aware of the origins of what we believe, and how easy it is to blend other worldviews with Christianity to create something that isn't biblical.   There are so many topics we get into even within this specific discussion, and I’m really excited for you to listen in.    Connect with Shanda: Check out her website: https://www.shandafulbright.com/ Follow Shanda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shandafulbright/    More from Her Renewed Strength Co. Catch the replays from 2024 RENEWED Conference for just $39 by clicking here! Join us (free!) inside The Community: https://herrenewedstrength.com/community  Learn more about private coaching: https://herrenewedstrength.com/coaching 

We are a few days away from the start of the 2024 RENEWED Conference. Today, I want to share a little behind the scenes about what happened in my life (in 2023) that led to me choosing this year’s theme: waiting well.  If you are not already registered, this is a must-listen for you, as I’ll share exactly what to expect, including a breakdown of each speaker, session, and all the bonuses you get when you get lifetime access.   The window for free registration expired, but you can purchase LIFETIME access to the conference content for just $39! https://herrenewedstrength.thrivecart.com/2024-renewed-conference-lifetime-access/    You ready? Let's do it!

Welcome back to another episode of Her Renewed Strength–The Podcast! We are in week TWO of our All Things Apologetics Series and today’s episode features a conversation between myself and Ricky Arnel. We spoke about worldview formation, the different worldviews that are prominent in today’s culture, discipleship, and how to raise kids in the faith.   Ricky was born and raised in Muskogee Oklahoma. He moved to South Florida right out of high school to pursue his education and follow Jesus with his newly committed faith. He eventually stepped onto staff at Christ Fellowship Church where he spent 10 years as a student pastor, he earned his bachelor's degree in ministry leadership and a masters degree in theological studies. He is married to Abriel and they have 2 young boys. Ricky currently serves as a board member of multiple ministries and is continuing to pursue his formal education in apologetics. You can learn more about him, read his blog, and contact him at rickyarnel.com   If you’re a parent or person who has any influence on the younger generations, my hope is that you’re more informed about the different worldviews shaping the minds of young people today and encouraged to engage in the tough conversations with confidence, curiosity, and gentleness.   Connect with Ricky: https://rickyarnel.com    DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR 2024 RENEWED CONFERENCE! Beginning Monday, November 4th, you get five days of FREE sessions from ten speakers focused on the topic of WAITING WELL as a Christian woman.  Register for free today: https://herrenewedstrength.com/conference 

Welcome back to the show! In this episode, I sat to speak with Dr. Mike Licona, a New Testament scholar, professor of New Testament studies, author and speaker. We discussed his most recent book, Jesus, Contradicted: Why the Gospels Tell the Same Story Differently, which addresses contradictions in the gospels and offers, what he believes to be, more plausible approaches to understanding those differences.   If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to leave a review for the show on Apple Podcasts and email a screenshot of your review to erika@herrenewedstrength.com to be entered to win a copy of Dr. Licona’s book. Without further ado, here’s my conversation with the one and only, Dr. Mike Licona. Connect with Dr. Licona: Dr. Licona’s Website Dr. Licona’s YouTube Channel Resources referenced throughout this episode: Dr. Licona’s paper on the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock free book Learn about studying Apologetics at Houston Christian University ********************* Here’s your quick reminder to register for 2024 RENEWED Conference, absolutely free!   Registering gets you 30 days of free access to all ten sessions, including my live session, titled, “Awaiting Eternity: Living in the Tension of the Already and Not Yet.” During this session, I’ll  unpack the tension believers experience as sojourners in a world that isn't our home, how this affects our daily lives, and what we can do to navigate this tension in God-honoring ways. You’ll have access to that replay for 30 days, too! Not only do you get ten sessions, absolutely free, you will also receive a gift from each speaker. A free conference? With more free stuff? Yes, please! We start November 4th! Head to https://herrenewedstrength.com/conference  for the full speaker schedule and to get registered for free!    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Welcome back to the show and to our final episode in the Cancer Survivor Series. This episode is very special because, as you may know, October is officially breast cancer awareness month and I wanted to bring someone onto the show who has walked through the refining fire of breast cancer.  So, I decided to bring on my friend, podcasting peer, and our sister in Christ, Tanya Engesether.   Tanya is no stranger to the HRS Community! She was a guest speaker for 2023 RENEWED Conference. Her session was titled “From Bashful to Bold in Leadership: Making the Journey from Head to Heart” and it was extremely encouraging, especially for women in leadership roles. This is your friendly reminder to register, absolutely free! REgistering gets you 30 days of free access to all ten sessions, including my live session, titled, “Awaiting Eternity: Living in the Tension of the Already and Not Yet,” during which I’ll  unpack the tension believers experience as sojourners in a world that isn't our home, how this affects our daily lives, and what we can do to navigate this tension in God-honoring ways. You’ll have access to that replay for 30 days, too! We start November 4th! Head to herrenewedstrength.com/conference for full speaker schedule and to get registered for free!   In this conversation with Tanya, we actually went completely unscripted lol not even an outline, which is not common for me. Tanya shared how she found the mass, the road to getting diagnosed with breast cancer, what her treatment included, and how her life completely changed for the better. This was actually quite therapeutic, which Tanya mentions during our conversation. There were moments when we admitted things we hadn’t publicly said . . . or in some cases, ever said. Tanya also shared her advice for anyone who navigating a rough road.   For those who don’t know Tanya, let me tell you a little about her.   Guest’s bio: Tanya Engesether is a wife, mom, leader, Certified Christian Life Coach, podcaster, and breast cancer survivor.      Tanya is a self-described, recovering, people-pleaser who spent most of her life and career trying to find worthiness through achievement.  She spent decades pouring herself into her work, only to find herself feeling unfulfilled and burned out.  It wasn’t until she truly claimed her identity in Christ and started to understand what it means to be a Child of God that she found freedom from approval seeking.  God has shown her a new way of living and leading, in partnership with Him.    Tanya is passionate about helping other women gain a heart-knowledge of who they are in Christ, become fueled by grace and find freedom from people-pleasing so that they can create more time for the things that matter most.   Connect with Tanya: https://gracefilledleader.com    Register for 2024 RENEWED Conference...FREE! https://herrenewedstrength.com/conference   Did you love the episode? Let us know! Leave a rating and review on Apple by clicking here,   I love to hear from listeners! Shoot me an email! erika@herrenewedstrength.com 

We are in part 3 of the Cancer Survivor Series, and today I am speaking about the struggles of cancer survivorship, how God’s grace can be repulsive (yes, I said REPULSIVE), and how negative feelings stem from a distorted view of God. Throughout this episode, I unpack the struggles of surviving cancer and how God's loving kindness was painful to receive.   2024 RENEWED Conference registration is now open! Join us for this FREE virtual experience from 11/4/2024 through 11/8/2024! Register today at https://herrenewedstrength.com/conference    Private coaching rates just dropped! Ready to finally crush those goals you've been struggling to meet? Take advantage of new coaching rates and get the support you need now! Click here to learn more: https://herrenewedstrength.com/coaching 

Welcome back to the Cancer Survivor Series! We are in part two and today I will continue to share about my walk through cancer. I’ll focus on 2021 and the six-month period during which I went through chemotherapy. As you listen to the five things I did during chemo to grow in my faith, you’ll also notice this time was a concerted effort to reduce physical and spiritual toxins as I surrendered to the Lord during that time. This episode is meant to be descriptive, not prescriptive. I’m not on a mission to convert or convince anyone to navigate their health journeys in a particular way. I do think there’s value in sharing what the Lord did through my experience, so I pray this is a blessing to you! Let’s jump in!   Join us inside The Community: https://herrenewedstrength.com/community   Want one-on-one coaching, accountability and personalized support? Connect with me to learn more! erika@herrenewedstrength.com