Episode 170 :: Justin & J.L. Gerhardt:: Stories of Encountering God at the Intersection of Story and Worship

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, John 12:27,  John 16- Jesus grieved Ephesians 4:30- Holy Spirit grieves Genesis 1:27-We are made in God’s image Luke 24:13-35-Jesus and the Road to Emmaus Exodus 3- The burning bush that is aflame, but doesn't burn up Psalm 84 Psalm 130 (The Voice) Luke 1:5-19-Elizabeth and Zechariah References:  Videos of people seeing color for the first time (OK seriously grab your tissues)  My first interview with J.L.  Peaky Blinders 90’s Leo DiCaprio Avengers “assemble!” Fyre Festival  Kate Bowler This is the book of Kate’s I mentioned that was under my computer. I LOVE it.  Kuala Lumpur (in Malaysia) Holy Ghost Stories series episode with the Witch of Endor: The Lion, the Witch and the War Zone HGS series on Joseph: The Harbinger, The Fugitive and the Host- Part 1, 2 and 3 HGS episode on Noah and the Ark: The Optimist and the Only One A pie chart of the genres within the Bible Episode 3 of HGS- Ehud and Eglon: The Mastermind, the Southpaw and the Big Boy HGS Episode on Jacob: The Father and the Second Born Curt Thompson’s new book The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope Episode of HGS on Jonah: The Pushover, the Runaway and the Belly of the Beast (Part one and two) The Moses Season of Holy Ghost Stories The Exodus episode: Rite and Passage A Storied Family Holy Ghost Stories LIVE in Nashville: the Christmas show! Holy Ghost Stories Live in other cities The episode J.L. wrote for HGS on Eve: The Giver and the Taker What is Advent? 400 years of enslavement in Egypt 400 years of silence from God Rahab’s HGS Episode: The Dismantler, the Secret Agents, and the Woman on the Inside Tamar’s HGS Episode: The Kinsman, the Widow, and the Mark Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog