For the final episode of the year, we do a high-level recap of the six conversations that comprised this first season of Life Upside Down with Abel Speaks, sharing audio clips and highlight moments. If you’re been listening along, we hope you’ll enjoy revisiting some of the content that has encouraged and challenged in the first 11 episodes (and invite you to rate the podcast if you haven’t taken a moment to do so!). If you’re just jumping in, we hope this episode can give you a taste of what this podcast is all about and lead you to go back and soak up these testimonial interviews in full! Life Upside Down with Abel Speaks is powered by Christian Parenting, learn more at www.christianparenting.org/LifeUpsideDown

“After so much hard, why did you choose more hard?” This is the honest question Matt & Ginny Mooney were asked as they adopted their daughter with disabilities after losing their firstborn son. We continue our conversation with Matt as he speaks to that very question, and how they have walked through a lot of pain with a lot of joy… and with no regrets. We also dive into the broader conversation around disability and the American Church and what 99 Balloons is doing to drive that conversation forward. To learn more, visit www.99balloons.org and visit www.theatypicallife.com for Matt’s online hub. This podcast is powered by Christian Parenting, and you can learn more at www.christianparenting.org/lifeupsidedown

The reality of suffering in this life can lead us to question the reality of a good and loving God. But is it somehow possible to understand God less, and yet, come to know Him more? Is it possible that our greatest “good” is actually found in the hardest parts of life? This conversation is a special one for us, as we hear from a source that has shaped our journey of suffering. We know you will love Matt Mooney as much as we do and be encouraged by the work he and Ginny have set forth to accomplish through 99 Balloons. To learn more, visit www.99balloons.org and visit www.theatypicallife.com for Matt’s online hub. This podcast is powered by Christian Parenting, and you can learn more at www.christianparenting.org/lifeupsidedown

It’s no secret that men and women are very different. God designed it to be this way! And yet, as spouses and parents, these differences will present their fair share of relational challenges early and often. What do we do when we’re simply not on the same page? And how do we stay connected if our grief manifests itself in contrasting ways? Last episode, we heard Ryan and Ally Wall’s story and would highly recommend you give it a listen before. In this episode, we continue that conversation with a focus on pursuing and prioritizing one another in marriage through all of life’s ups and downs. This podcast is powered by Christian Parenting, and you can learn more at www.christianparenting.org/lifeupsidedown

There are times where we feel left wanting and left waiting. Sometimes these stretches seem to last for an eternity and leave us wondering if our heart’s longings will ever come to fruition. When will God just finally throw us a bone? Has He forgotten us? Or are we being punished for something? We sit down with Ryan and Ally Wall to hear about their experiences with abortion, adoption, infertility, and all of the conflicting emotions along the way. This podcast is powered by Christian Parenting, and you can learn more at www.christianparenting.org/lifeupsidedown

In this episode, we resume our conversation with Jonathan “JP” Pokluda about prayer. It’s one of the most foundational parts of walking with God, and yet, for many of us it’s also one of the most challenging parts. Last week we discussed three of the biggest barriers that keep us from a rich and consistent prayer life. This week, we lean fully and authentically into the tension when God doesn’t seem to answer our prayers, particularly in seasons of sorrow and suffering. Finally, we wrap up this two-part conversation with some highly practical advice for fostering a rich and consistent prayer life in any and every season. The Life Upside Down podcast is powered by Christian Parenting, and you can learn more at www.christianparenting.org/lifeupsidedown

Prayer. It’s one of the most foundational parts of walking with God, and yet, for many of us it’s also one of the most challenging parts. Jonathan “JP” Pokluda joins the podcast to talk about three of the main reasons we struggle to experience a rich and consistent prayer life. JP also shares his personal and pastoral reflections from praying with and for the Crawfords during their season with Abel. If you’ve ever hit this roadblock in connecting with God in difficult times, we believe you’ll resonate with this first portion of our two-part conversation with JP. The Life Upside Down podcast is powered by Christian Parenting, and you can learn more at www.christianparenting.org/lifeupsidedown

Does God promise prosperity and wellness to his people? And if that’s not what my life looks like, am I doing something wrong? In this episode, we visit with Sean DeMars of 6th Avenue Community Church in Decatur, AL. He shares his personal story of becoming a Christian, but quickly finding himself swept away by the American “prosperity gospel” and the “name it and claim it” word-of-faith movement. You’ll hear the lengths to which this skewed theology endangered Sean’s faith (as well as his physical life), and ultimately how his eyes became opened to the true “good news” of Jesus Christ. Looking at God’s Word and the ministry of God’s Son, we find that following Jesus does not promise us an easy road in this life… but it guarantees us so much more. The Life Upside Down podcast is powered by Christian Parenting, and you can learn more at www.christianparenting.org/lifeupsidedown. To access the powerful documentary mentioned in this episode, visit www.americangospelfilm.com 

We resume our conversation with Jacob & Melissa Robinson, tackling big questions about faith, prayer, comparison and control in the Christian life. Do the Scriptures speak to our unresolved sufferings? If we just have enough faith, will God inevitably change our circumstances? Hear some of the many lessons the Robinsons have learned as they’ve witnessed their son move from health to sickness to significant special needs and fought to cling to God’s promises at each step of the journey. The Life Upside Down podcast is powered by Christian Parenting, and you can learn more at www.christianparenting.org/lifeupsidedown. You can also register for the online Perfectly Imperfect Christian Parenting Event on Oct 23-24 using the link upsidedown.perfectlyimperfect.org/

In the first of a two-part conversation with Jacob & Melissa Robinson, we hear their story of watching their son move from health to sickness to significant special needs in a matter of days. The Robinsons open up about their rollercoaster ride of wrestling with God throughout their new normal, the lies they’ve been tempted to believe, and whether they believe God ever gives us more than we can handle.

The Life Upside Down podcast is powered by Christian Parenting, and you can learn more at www.christianparenting.org/lifeupsidedown.

You can also register for the online Perfectly Imperfect Christian Parenting Event on Oct 23-24 using the link upsidedown.perfectlyimperfect.org/

Why is this happening to me? (Walking with God through brain tumors, diabetes, crohn’s disease, lupus, and chronic pain)

Have you ever felt like the hits have kept on coming, one after another?

In this episode, the Crawfords sit down with Brett & Chrissy Billman to discuss their ongoing journey through multiple health issues and physical afflictions. From discovering a brain tumor while pregnant to battling diabetes and autoimmune diseases all before the age of 35, the Billmans share what their story so far has taught them about pain, perspective, comparison, faith, and the God who they have strived to seek in and through it all.

The Life Upside Down podcast is powered by Christian Parenting, and you can learn more at www.christianparenting.org/lifeupsidedown

Where do you turn when life turns upside-down? Welcome to the Life Upside-Down podcast hosted by Abel Speaks co-founders, Daniel and Kelly Crawford. In this inaugural episode, the Crawfords begin by sharing the primary “need” that led to the launch of the Life Upside-Down podcast. They go on to share their own personal journey about how life turned upside-down in 2015, and God has taken a story marked by sorrow and suffering and transformed it into a ministry marked by hope and joy. Finally, Danieland Kelly lay out the ultimate vision for this podcast and unpack what you can expect from the Life Upside-Down podcast. We pray this opening conversation will chart the course for many meaningful conversations with amazing guests in the weeks to come. This podcast is powered by Christian Parenting, and you can learn more at www.christianparenting.org/lifeupsidedown

When life turns upside down, we can see the world from a new perspective. No matter who you are, you have either walked through deep hardship, you are in a hard season as we speak, or you will be soon enough. Sorrow and suffering can feel deeply isolating, and it would be easy to believe that no one could possibly understand. But trust us, you are not alone. We believe every person can experience hope and joy, even in the midst of sorrow.

Hosts, Daniel and Kelly Crawford, have the privilege of walking with men and women through the valley of the shadow of death on a weekly basis through their ministry, Abel Speaks. In their own story of suffering and countless others, the Crawfords have seen the redemptive truth that God never wastes an ounce of our pain. Join them each week for authentic conversations and gospel hope for the hurting. Life Upside Down with Abel Speaks is powered by Christian Parenting, learn more at www.christianparenting.org/LifeUpsideDown