In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, author Martha Van Buskirk joins host Elizabeth Pittman to talk about her new book Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Grace: God's Purpose in Your Every Day. During the conversation, Martha shares how you can make a difference in your very own family, neighborhood, and community through small but Spirit-led acts.

Pre-order the book on cph.org. Available November 7!

Show Notes
Can ordinary lives be extraordinary? In this episode, writer, speaker, and author Martha Van Buskirk passionately and graciously shares how you can make a difference in your everyday life.

During the episode, Martha talks about her new book looks into how when we seek to glorify and serve God through our "small" everyday actions, we can make a big impact in others' lives—no matter who we are, where we live, or where God takes us. She also talks about how she first started writing the book, what it means to be spiritually anchored, how we can shine the light throughout the holiday season and the many gatherings that come with it, and more.

Questions

• Talk about how the COVID-19 pandemic got you started thinking about writing this book, and how you think others may have related to how you were feeling at the time.
• How have you seen or witnessed actions of other people that turned out to be extraordinary?
• You mentioned being “spiritually anchored” in the book. Talk about what that means and how we can be sure we are spiritually anchored.
• How can we make sure to reserve time for our routines?
• What advice do you have for someone who is struggling and how do you remind them where they’re anchored during those times?
• For many of our listeners, one of the areas we serve is in the local congregation. When it comes to how we are helping in our local congregation, why should kindness be kept at the center of our interactions?
• What would you have wanted younger Martha of 20 years ago to know or resonate with from this book?
• What would you say to someone who has tried to help someone and has been burned in the past?
• Families will be gathering again soon during the holiday season. It can be easy to put our guards down and snap at somebody at these gatherings. How can we be intentional during these events and make sure we are shining a light?
• Leave our listeners with an action challenge with how they can find their purpose in their every day.

About the Guest

Martha Van Buskirk is a professional writer, encouraging speaker, and new author living in Houston. She and her husband, Raymond, are proud parents of three and doting grandparents. Martha loves Jesus, her family, reading, strong coffee, abstract art, long walks, and the mountains. She holds a BA in journalism from Valparaiso University and certification in nonprofit leadership from Rice University.