iRefresh Podcast

In this episode of the iRefresh Podcast, Debbie Barker shares an honest, vulnerable message on navigating transition, redeeming the time God has given us, and growing in sensitivity to His voice. Drawing from Ephesians 5, Psalm 90, and Ephesians 1-3, Debbie reflects on turning 65 and stepping into a new, unexpected season of ministry — one with more margin, more listening, and a deeper trust in God's timing rather than her own striving. She talks candidly about disappointment when prayers seem unanswered, the pressure to "make things happen" instead of resting in God's plan, and what it means to truly surrender your will, mind, and emotions to Christ each day. This message is a gentle but powerful reminder: your life is not your own, your days are numbered by a loving Father, and no matter your age or season, God still has a specific, purposeful plan for your voice and your life. 00:00 Introduction: Learning to Hear God's Voice in Every Season 00:24 The Reality of Being Human: Led by Spirit Not Emotions 02:40 Surrendered Life: When God's Plan Looks Different Than Expected 03:37 The Season Change: Recognizing New Rhythms and Margins 04:52 The Prayer That Changed Everything: Redeeming the Time 08:21 Walking Circumspectly: Making the Most of Every Day 09:45 Your Specific Place in the Body of Christ 10:25 Numbering Our Days: Gaining a Heart of Wisdom 12:36 God's Predestined Plan: You Are His Handiwork 15:05 Growing in Confidence to Hear God's Voice 19:21 Trusting God Through Disappointment and Unanswered Prayer 20:22 Bought With a Price: Living a Surrendered Life 21:50 Binding Your Will: Daily Surrender and Alignment 23:00 Life as a Vapor: The Urgency of Today 24:32 The Impact of Age: Your Voice Matters More Than Ever 25:20 Finding Margin: Hearing God in New Ways 29:05 Clearing the Plate: When God Refreshes and Refires 29:54 The Secret Place: Fresh Revelation and Living Light 31:41 Activation: Hearing and Acting on God's Voice 33:44 Closing: Keep Pursuing the God Who Changes Everything Website: https://www.irefresh.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irefresh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irefreshministry/

What does it really mean when Jesus says "I am"? In this episode of the iRefresh Podcast, Carrie Kittinger unpacks her seven-week Bible study, Behold, a deep dive into the "I Am" statements of Jesus found only in the Gospel of John — the light of the world, the bread of life, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and more. Carrie shares the powerful, full-circle story behind the study's title — how she taught it live for the first time just one day after her own father passed away and beheld Jesus face to face. Together, she and Sheryl walk through each "I Am" statement, exploring what it means to invite Jesus into ordinary moments, to "partake" of Him instead of filling up on emptiness, to know Him as the Good Shepherd who calls us by name, and to abide in Him as the vine and the branches. This conversation will help you see Christ with fresh eyes — and invite you to truly behold who He says He is. 00:00 Introduction: Jesus Reveals Himself Through the I Am Statements 00:19 Welcome Keri Kittinger and the Heart Behind Behold 05:06 Week One: An Invitation to Encounter Jesus in Normal Moments 06:55 Finding Jesus in Nature and Overcoming Distractions 10:32 Week Two: The Invitation to Partake of Jesus, the Bread of Life 12:50 What Are You Filling Up On: Spiritual Nourishment vs Empty Calories 14:28 Week Three: The Invitation to Follow Jesus, the Light of the World 16:18 Week Four: Knowing Jesus as the Good Shepherd 18:26 Week Five: Living in the Resurrection Life 21:55 Week Six: Believing Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life 24:27 Jesus Breaks Every Barrier: The Woman at the Well 25:08 Week Seven: The Invitation to Remain in Jesus, the True Vine 26:52 Closing: An Invitation to Know Jesus and Be Known by Him Website: https://www.irefresh.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irefresh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irefreshministry/

In this episode of the iRefresh Podcast, Brandy Williams and Rochelle Benton have a conversation about recognizing the "beckoning" of the Holy Spirit and learning to respond, even when it means stepping out of comfort and into the unknown. Together, they unpack what it means to truly draw near to God — comparing it to looking at something from a distance versus up close, and how the things we're far from always look smaller than they really are. They talk honestly about distraction, surrender, identity in Christ, and the discipline of consistency, sharing personal stories along the way, including a powerful moment when God spoke directly into a season of deep hardship. The episode closes with a bold challenge: spend one hour a day with God, distraction-free, for the next 30 days. Whether you've never heard God's voice clearly or you're in a season of hungering for more, this conversation will encourage you to draw closer — because He promises to draw close in return. 00:00 Introduction: The Beckoning of the Holy Spirit 01:16 The Lonely Place: Answering God's Call to Go Deeper 03:57 Draw Nigh to Me: Experiencing God's Closeness 06:26 Intentional Intimacy: Commanding Your Soul to Praise 09:08 Pay Attention to the Attention God Pays to You 11:11 Present Your Body: The Great Exchange of Surrender 14:42 What Altar Are You Building: Examining Our Priorities 16:56 Back to Basics: Living Like Jesus 20:12 What About Me: God's Heart in Our Busyness 23:33 The One Hour Challenge: An Invitation to Transformation Website: https://www.irefresh.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irefresh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irefreshministry/

What do you do when your prayers haven't been answered the way you hoped — and you're still waiting? In this episode of the iRefresh Podcast, authors Danny and Carrie Kittinger open up about Danny's new book, Dead Ends, Detours, and a World of Wonders, a five-year labor of love born out of decades of walking with God through both mystery and miracle. Danny and Carrie get honest about the tension every believer faces: trusting a God who has "never failed" while still carrying real, unanswered questions. They dive into the book of Job, the honesty of David's Psalms, the pain of being misunderstood, the discipline of letting go, and one of the hardest topics in faith — church hurt, and how believers on both sides of the pulpit can move toward healing. They also unpack the theme of waiting, using the metaphor of farming and the seasons to explain why some of life's deepest breakthroughs come only after long seasons of anticipation. This conversation doesn't offer easy answers — it offers something better: permission to sit in the mystery of faith while still trusting the character of God. 00:00 Introduction: Trusting God When We Can't See the Answer 00:30 The Five-Year Journey: Writing About Prayer 02:40 The Mystery of Prayer: Communing With an Invisible God 04:45 Why Lord Do You Stand Far Off: Wrestling With Unanswered Prayer 06:27 Where Else Can We Go: Clinging to God in the Questions 10:36 Job's Suffering and God's Mysterious Ways 11:42 The Wonder of It All: When God Opens Our Eyes 17:30 Letting Go and Facing Church Hurt 26:33 Waiting: The Hardest and Most Necessary Season 31:23 Distractions and Staying Focused on What Matters 35:38 Healing Church Hurt: Grace, Family, and Unity 43:29 Closing: Finding Hope and Getting the Book Website: https://www.irefresh.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irefresh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irefreshministry/

Can prayer really change an entire industry? In this episode of the iRefresh Podcast, Karen Covell — founder of the Hollywood Prayer Network — shares 25 years of remarkable stories about the power of intercessory prayer in one of the world's most influential mission fields: Hollywood. Karen opens up about starting a prayer ministry that began small and has grown into 170 chapters across 40 countries, and shares a jaw-dropping personal testimony of how a group of friends' Sunday prayer coincided with the miraculous healing of her son's brain tumor. She also talks candidly about walking through her own son's painful season of hurt and disconnection from the church, the mission statement that has anchored 42 years of marriage, and a powerful story of an actor whose obedience on a difficult film set led directly to someone else's salvation. This conversation is packed with encouragement for anyone who feels like their prayers go unanswered, anyone building community in a hard place, or anyone wondering if God is really moving behind the scenes. 00:00 Introduction: Changing Hollywood Through Prayer 00:30 Welcome and Meeting Karen: Sisters in Prayer 02:02 Finding Your One Big Thing: Purpose and Calling 02:52 Breaking the Lie: Hollywood as a Mission Field 04:10 Prayer Is the Greater Work 07:10 Marriage Mission Statement: United Purpose 08:54 Three Pillars: Challenge, Community, and Sharing Faith 11:20 Praying for the House Next Door: La Brie Vision 12:57 When Christians Hurt Christians: Walking Through Pain 14:56 Curiosity Over Judgment: Responding with Grace 16:40 The Brain Tumor Miracle: Prayer Changes Everything 19:13 Prayers Like Meteors: Heaven Hears and Responds 21:21 Faithfulness in the Wait: Trusting God's Timing 22:01 God Turns Everything to Good: The Adventure of Faith 22:26 Hollywood as Mission Field: Strategic Positioning 23:41 The Power of Connection: Global Prayer Network 25:31 Hollywood Jesus and You: The Book and Devotional 27:31 Ways to Connect: App, Chapters, and Prayer Partnerships 34:44 God Is Moving in Hollywood: Hope and Transformation 36:07 The Vampire Show Miracle: Obedience Opens Doors 39:48 Take Back Territory: Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus 40:19 Show Up and Obey: The Greatest Reward 41:33 Support the Mission: Plant Seeds for Global Impact 43:19 Closing: Keep Showing Up Every Day Website: https://www.irefresh.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irefresh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irefreshministry/