Practical Faith Academy Podcast

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 3 - David Taylor, A Faith Pilgrim's Journey

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith.

David Taylor is a Christian from the Dallas-Fort Worth area who undertook a seven-day Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain this spring. David experienced both difficulties and blessings on this famous spiritual walk. He shares his journey and his observations on how the Camino maps to our seven-day practical faith on this episode of the Practical Faith Academy.

Highlights of the podcast: 

2:26 What does seven-day practical faith mean to David

3:43 About the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage

6:28 How he trained for the pilgrimage walk

8:44 How David’s walk changed with a new attitude on Day 3 after two difficult days

12:00 How the pilgrimage mirrored our surrender to Jesus

13:50 How self-doubts can wreck us, and how David dramatically triumphed over those doubts in a lasting way during the Camino

16:46 How the Camino’s lessons apply to our daily faith

David Taylor is a practicing Christian who wanted to enhance his faith journey by traveling the Camino de Santiago in Spain. He originally shared his observations on Facebook and now expands on those observations in this podcast.

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Cecil wants to give you a sample of his writing with a free mini-book gift, “Collections, Volume 1,” containing 31 of his most popular devotions and essays from years of social media posting. Register on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page at CecilTaylorMinistries.com through the pop-up window or the orange box, and he’ll send you a soft copy of the mini-book to your email inbox. You’ll also receive his two free monthly newsletters, Backstage Pass and Monthly Connections.

For more free content like this podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

+++++ SEE BELOW for an incredible sale on Cecil’s latest book! +++++

Cecil’s new book, “Unison Parenting”, is on sale for just $10 plus free shipping at https://www.ceciltayloracademy.com/link.php?id=3&h=19480d6cdc. In addition, you’ll receive more than $200 in free bonuses when you buy the book directly from Cecil! This offer is 60% off the price you would pay at the big bookseller sites.  Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at  https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

In June, Cecil and three collaborators are launching the Unison Parenting newsletter. Author and pastor Kim Meyers shares her parenting perspective; pediatric therapist and author Ginny Cruz offers “Diaper Days” advice; and Tawny Kinslow writes about parent-child relationships. Sign up for the newsletter at https://www.UnisonParenting.com#newsletter-registration.

Cecil’s award-winning books and video studies can be found and purchased through https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Every video study’s first lesson can be seen for free via the Free Content link above by clicking on “Sample Lessons.”

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes the following:

- “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” is about Christian parenting. Cecil provides proven parenting strategies with an underlying layer of parenting in unison through all the ages and stages of a child’s life. “Unison Parenting” has been honored with the 2025 Independent Press Award for Parenting/Family and the 2025 Living Water Award for Best Nonfiction.

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone” is about deepening faith. Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today.

- “The Next Thing” is about crisis responses. Cecil shares a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

- “Live Like You’re Loved” is about vibrant living. Cecil affirms the scriptural truths that God loves you, forgives you, sends you, and walks with you in eternal relationship. Then he shows how your life is transformed when you embed these truths into your daily faith and your soul.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 2 - Cathy Colver Garland, Intimacy With God

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith.

Cathy Colver Garland is the co-author, along with her father Randy Colver, of “Revelationship: Transformative Intimacy with Christ.” On today’s podcast, Garland describes the heart of the book, how God’s continual revealing of himself grows our relationship and leads to further revelations. Garland has a way of taking deep theological thoughts and translating them into practice. This episode will make you think and reflect on your own faith journey.

Highlights of the podcast:  

2:37 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Garland

6:25 Garland describes her faith deconstruction journey, asking questions about faith starting as a 13-year-old

10:05 Garland discusses her relationship with her father, with whom she co-wrote “Revelationship,” as well as her mother’s influence

11:41 The revealing ways of God are not obvious because we’re not trained to see them

13:44 A discussion on detecting God and examples of the means of revelation

18:28 On the joy of finding God and how God reveals himself to fill a lack within us

22:26 Why God reveals himself gradually

24:09 God is the antidote to what ails us because of omnipresence

27:57 Intimacy with God is intimidating, but God desires intimacy, and we see this in the Adam and Eve story

31:41 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

32:44 Garland’s best tip for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith

35:08 How to follow Garland and find her book

Cathy Colver Garland is a consultant and co-author of “Revelationship: Transformative Intimacy with Christ.” You can learn more about her work and ministry at https://www.Revelationship.net. Along with the book, Garland offers a study guide and a companion online course called “Reset,” a 7-week, Spirit-led journey to be reformed, reshaped, restored, and realigned to a truer, purer form... especially in light of divine truth. It’s ideal for those longing for a sacred pause and a deeper realignment with God. Explore it here: revelationship.net/reset

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Cecil wants to give you a sample of his writing with a free mini-book gift, “Collections, Volume 1,” containing 31 of his most popular devotions and essays from years of social media posting. Register on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page at CecilTaylorMinistries.com through the pop-up window or the orange box, and he’ll send you a soft copy of the mini-book to your email inbox. You’ll also receive his two free monthly newsletters, Backstage Pass and Monthly Connections.

For more free content like this podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

****** Cecil’s new book, “Unison Parenting”, is on sale for *** just $10 plus free shipping *** at https://www.UnisonParenting.com. In addition, you’ll receive more than $200 in free bonuses when you buy the book directly from Cecil! This offer is 60% off the price you would pay at the big bookseller sites.  Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at  https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s award-winning books and video studies can be found and purchased through https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Every video study’s first lesson can be seen for free via the Free Content link above by clicking on “Sample Lessons.”

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- In “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice,” Cecil provides proven parenting strategies with an underlying layer of parenting in unison through all the ages and stages of a child’s life. “Unison Parenting” has been honored with the 2025 Independent Press Award for Parenting/Family and the 2025 Living Water Award for nonfiction.

- In “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone,” Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today. You’ll uncover your own comfort zones and learn how to deepen your faith by getting uncomfortable for Jesus.

Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 1 - Amy Chastain

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith.

Amy Chastain has been a caregiver for fifteen years. Her experience and God’s nudging led her to write the book, “Enduring Together: Strength for the Weary Caregiver.” Chastain’s ministry is taking care of those who are taking care of others. In this podcast, Chastain explores the details of caregiving combined with sharing faith perspectives on the act of caring for others.

Highlights of the podcast: 

2:41  What does seven-day practical faith mean to Chastain

5:04   How being a long-time caregiver has impacted her faith journey

7:06  What does Chastain wish that others knew about caregiving?

8:48  How friends and family can support caregivers

11:29  Chastain discusses the concept of discerning vs. deciding, as well as how to discern the right helpers to trust.

16:51  How people can prepare themselves for caregiving

21:50  Advice for caregivers needing self-care

23:24  What does God do to help our self-care?

25:01  The hardest part of putting faith into practice

27:16  Chastain’s best tip for living a seven-day practical faith

28:35  How to follow Chastain and find her book

Amy Chastain is the author of “Enduring Together: Strength for the Weary Caregiver.” It is based on a season of difficulty in her own life. Her approach is Christian, showing people how to shift perspectives to look at caregiving situations as the Lord would look at them. Her book is available from her website and on all major bookseller sites. You can find her blogs and her caring-for-caregivers ministry at AmyChastain.com. She’s also on Instagram and Facebook as “Amy Chastain Author.”

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Cecil wants to give you a sample of his writing with a free mini-book gift, “Collections, Volume 1,” containing 31 of his most popular devotions and essays from years of social media posting. Register on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page at CecilTaylorMinistries.com through the pop-up window or the orange box, and he’ll send you a soft copy of the mini-book to your email inbox. You’ll also receive his two free monthly newsletters, Backstage Pass and Monthly Connections.

For more free content like this podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

>>>>> SEE BELOW for an incredible sale on Cecil’s latest book! <<<<<

Cecil’s new book, “Unison Parenting”, is on sale for just $10 plus free shipping at https://www.UnisonParenting.com. In addition, you’ll receive more than $200 in free bonuses when you buy the book directly from Cecil! This offer is 60% off the price you would pay at the big bookseller sites.  Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at  https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s award-winning books and video studies can be found and purchased through https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Every video study’s first lesson can be seen for free via the Free Content link above by clicking on “Sample Lessons.”

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes the following:

- “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” is about Christian parenting. Cecil provides proven parenting strategies with an underlying layer of parenting in unison through all the ages and stages of a child’s life. “Unison Parenting” has been honored with the 2025 Independent Press Award for Parenting/Family and the 2025 Living Water Award for Best Nonfiction.

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone” is about deepening faith. Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today.

- “The Next Thing” is about crisis responses. Cecil shares a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

- “Live Like You’re Loved” is about vibrant living. Cecil affirms the scriptural truths that God loves you, forgives you, sends you, and walks with you in eternal relationship. Then he shows how your life is transformed when you embed these truths into your daily faith and your soul.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 24 - Ana Megrelishvili, From Poverty to Prosperity to Faithful Service

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith.

Ana Megrelishvili lives in Atlanta and is the founder of Christian Professionals Network Worldwide. She has an incredible life story and faith journey to share. Ana began life in a nearly homeless situation with her atheist family in the streets of Russia. She later relocated to the United States for a college education and a successful professional career, with wealth acquisition on her mind. But finding that goal empty once achieved, Ana became a Christian with a passion for serving those who are homeless, as she nearly was.

A theme you’ll hear on this podcast is “relational poverty.” Ana believes that a lack of relationship and community is the #1 factor in homelessness. It’s a situation that we Christians can do something about.

Highlights of the podcast: 

2:41 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Ana?

3:46 Ana shares her origin story, growing up atheist (“Every single one of the Ten Commandments was broken in my family”) and nearly homeless in Russia, and how she came to the United States, where she has prospered and become a Christian.

11:01 Ana explains how relational poverty almost made her family homeless, and how relational support rescued them.

14:54 How the lack of church community contributes to relational poverty, which also has an economic impact on the country.

20:06 About the Christian Professionals Network Worldwide organization and how its mentoring program helps the homeless.

24:56 How her own faith has changed while serving others.

27:57 The hardest part about putting faith into practice.

32:03 Her best tip to develop and maintain a seven-day practical faith.

36:41 How people can get involved in the Christian Professionals Network Worldwide by starting a local chapter

Ana Megrelishvili is the founder of Christian Professionals Network Worldwide and the author of the book, “Finding Courage to Change.” She holds a Bachelors degree from Berea College and a MBA from the University of Kentucky. She seeks to expand the Christian Professionals Network Worldwide with new chapters dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships through a common faith, values, and service. You can learn more at https://CPNworldwide.com.

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Cecil wants to give you a sample of his writing with a free mini-book gift, “Collections, Volume 1,” containing 31 of his most popular devotions and essays from years of social media posting. Register on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page at CecilTaylorMinistries.com through the pop-up window or the orange box, and he’ll send you a soft copy of the mini-book to your email inbox. You’ll also receive his two free monthly newsletters, Backstage Pass and Monthly Connections.

For more free content like this podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at  https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s award-winning books and video studies can be found and purchased through https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Every video study’s first lesson can be seen for free via the Free Content link above by clicking on “Sample Lessons.”

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes the following:

- “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” is about Christian parenting. Cecil provides proven parenting strategies with an underlying layer of parenting in unison through all the ages and stages of a child’s life. “Unison Parenting” has been honored with the 2025 Independent Press Award for Parenting/Family and the 2025 Living Water Award for Best Nonfiction.

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone” is about deepening faith. Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today.

- “The Next Thing” is about crisis responses. Cecil shares a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

- “Live Like You’re Loved” is about vibrant living. Cecil affirms the scriptural truths that God loves you, forgives you, sends you, and walks with you in eternal relationship. Then he shows how your life is transformed when you embed these truths into your daily faith and your soul.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 23 - Gretchen Huesmann, What Teachers Teach Us About Faith

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith.

What do teachers teach us about faith? Gretchen Huesmann is a veteran teacher and pastor’s wife who is supporting fellow teachers with her new devotional book, “It’s a Good Day to Be a Teacher.” Huesmann gives us insights into the modern classroom, the role of parents, and how we can support our valuable teachers in this episode of the Practical Faith Academy. And she also shares her own story, how she has discerned God’s will and built a seven-day practical faith herself.

Highlights of the podcast:  

2:56 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Huesmann.

4:39 What Huesmann wants to convey to teachers through It’s a Good Day to Be a Teacher.

6:46 Why this title, It’s a Good Day to Be a Teacher?

11:44 How parents can support teachers.

17:41 What should teachers’ attitudes be toward holding the sacred trust of teaching the next generation?

19:58 What teachers teach the rest of us about living our faith

23:26 How can a teacher (or any of us outside the church) show their faith to others?

28:12 The hardest part of putting faith into practice

29:42 Huesmann’s best tip for living a seven-day practical faith

31:28 How to follow Huesmann and find her book

Gretchen Huesmann is a longtime teacher who recently released her book “It’s a Good Day to Be a Teacher: 52 Devotions to Equip and Encourage Educators,” published by Ironstream Media and found on major bookseller sites. Her website is GretchenHuesmann.com. You can find her author page on Facebook as “Gretchen Huesmann Speaker – Writer – Teacher.” She also is on Instagram and X.

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Cecil wants to give you a sample of his writing with a free mini-book gift, “Collections, Volume 1,” containing 31 of his most popular devotions and essays from years of social media posting. Register on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page at CecilTaylorMinistries.com through the pop-up window or the orange box, and he’ll send you a soft copy of the mini-book to your email inbox. You’ll also receive his two free monthly newsletters, Backstage Pass and Monthly Connections.

For more free content like this podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at  https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s award-winning books and video studies can be found and purchased through https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Every video study’s first lesson can be seen for free via the Free Content link above by clicking on “Sample Lessons.”

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes the following:

- “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” is about Christian parenting. Cecil provides proven parenting strategies with an underlying layer of parenting in unison through all the ages and stages of a child’s life. “Unison Parenting” has been honored with the 2025 Independent Press Award for Parenting/Family and the 2025 Living Water Award for Best Nonfiction.

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone” is about deepening faith. Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today.

- “The Next Thing” is about crisis responses. Cecil shares a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

- “Live Like You’re Loved” is about vibrant living. Cecil affirms the scriptural truths that God loves you, forgives you, sends you, and walks with you in eternal relationship. Then he shows how your life is transformed when you embed these truths into your daily faith and your soul.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 22, Karen Dittman, Wellbeing in All Circumstances

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith.

Enduring family difficulties and tragedies, Karen Dittman relied on scripture and prayer to learn the secret of finding wellbeing in all circumstances. The result is a book she co-authored with her husband, Michael, entitled “Thriving Grace,” to achieve lasting change in the shadow of God’s grace. Dittman shares her learnings on this episode of the Practical Faith Academy podcast.

Highlights of the podcast:

2:32 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Dittman

4:03 Dittman shares her family’s back story and the incredible trauma they have been through, which informed her book.

7:37 How did she find peace and rest in the middle of trauma and trials?

11:24 How living her book’s principles helped Dittman transmit the ideas to readers

13:51 Dittman explains one of her key concepts, The Grace Cycle, and how changing from the inside out leads to true transformation.

19:27 Dittman shows how different kinds of wellness interact within us

21:07 Tips to weave wellness concepts into our lives

24:01 The hardest part of putting faith into practice

25:18 Dittman’s best tip for living a seven-day practical faith

26:41 How to follow Dittman and find her book

Karen Dittman is a mother, grandmother, and author who co-wrote with her husband, “Thriving Grace: Unleashing Wellness from a Biblical Perspective.” The book and its Bible study companion are available through her website, KarenADittman.com, and major booksellers. See her website for this quiz, “How Fast Is Your Hamster Wheel Spinning?” At its end, Dittman shares practical ideas to incorporate into your life and options for how she can support you.

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Please register for Cecil’s two free monthly newsletters on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page. When you do, you’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time, and two monthly newsletters, Backstage Pass and Monthly Connection. Currently the free gift is “Collections, Volume 1,” containing 31 of his most popular devotions and essays from years of online posting.

For more free content like this podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at  https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s award-winning books and video studies can be found and purchased through https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Every video study’s first lesson can be seen for free via the Free Content link above by clicking on “Sample Lessons.”

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes the following:

- “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” is about Christian parenting. Cecil provides proven parenting strategies with an underlying layer of parenting in unison through all the ages and stages of a child’s life. “Unison Parenting” has been honored with the 2025 Independent Press Award for Parenting/Family and the 2025 Living Water Award for Best Nonfiction.

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone” is about deepening faith. Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today.

- “The Next Thing” is about crisis responses. Cecil shares a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

- “Live Like You’re Loved” is about vibrant living. Cecil affirms the scriptural truths that God loves you, forgives you, sends you, and walks with you in eternal relationship. Then he shows how your life is transformed when you embed these truths into your daily faith and your soul.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 21 - Constance Hastings, Answering Jesus's Challenges

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith.

Constance Hastings is a church deacon and mental health counselor who was raised outside of a church environment, so she understands both the outsider and the insider perspectives on faith. Hastings’ book, “The Trouble with Jesus: Considerations before You Walk Away” shows how Jesus encountered trouble but also caused trouble throughout his life, and how his life, death, and resurrection still cause trouble today.

Highlights of the podcast: 

2:18 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Hastings

3:27 Her origin story as a Christian outsider in a non-religious family and how Christian school gave her a start on faith

6:33 On her current role as a church deacon who works in mental health

7:46 Her understanding of the prodigal experience

9:53 Since her book is entitled, “The Trouble with Jesus,” what does Hastings want people to know about Jesus?

11:45 Hastings explains the book’s subtitle regarding considerations before we walk away from Jesus, mapping it to the story of the Rich Young Ruler

15:33 How she addresses both non-believers and believers in her book

17:46 How Hastings sees Jesus challenging believers, such as in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and how Jesus challenged her views on race

23:26 How Jesus challenges us in this day and time

27:58 How faith exists in tension with fear, and how we can gain strength in hard times

31:17 What is the hardest part about putting faith into practice?

32:29 How to follow Hastings and find her book

 

Constance Hastings is an author, church deacon, and mental health counselor who wrote “The Trouble with Jesus: Considerations before You Walk Away.”  Her weekly blog is a companion to the book and can be accessed at ConstanceHastings.com. Constance recommends purchasing the book from a local bookstore in order to introduce the book to other people while it sits on the shelf.

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Please register for Cecil’s free monthly newsletters on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page. You’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time, and two monthly newsletters, Backstage Pass and Monthly Connection.

For more free content like this from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at  https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s award-winning books and video studies can be found and purchased through https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Every video study’s first lesson can be seen for free via the Free Content link above by clicking on “Sample Lessons.”

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- In “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (book and eWorkbook available now; book study Leader Guide and first video study available later in 2025), Cecil provides proven parenting strategies with an underlying layer of parenting in unison through all the ages and stages of a child’s life. “Unison Parenting” has been honored with the 2025 Independent Press Award for Parenting/Family.

- In “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone” (book, six-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide), Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today. You’ll uncover your own comfort zones and learn how to deepen your faith by getting uncomfortable for Jesus.

- “The Next Thing” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide) supplies a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

Practical Faith Academy - Episode 20 - Courtney Dailey, God-Powered Service in Hurricane Relief

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith.

Courtney Dailey is an east Tennessee author who, along with her husband and many others, answered the call to serve when Hurricane Helene blew through her region last year. In addition to getting her own hands dirty, Dailey has been posting Facebook videos of the progress, sharing “God Stories” of how prayer and faith have brought people together to serve those whose lives were upended by the hurricane. Her first video has received five million views.

Highlights of the podcast: 

2:54 What does seven-day practical faith mean to Courtney? She also shares how she and her husband launched the reconstruction project for their friend Jerry.

11:20 What strikes Courtney about sacrifice being part of the faith experience of the relief effort.

14:43 How service unites us across the Great Cultural Divide we’re experiencing right now.

16:49 What is the scope of the relief effort she and her church and helpers have undertaken?

19:50 One of Courtney’s favorite God Stories of how a Kentucky church miraculously came through with exactly what the relief effort needed, when they needed it.

24:06 Courtney shares project progress online, but what people really want are the God Stories and the awareness of God’s presence.

28:35 How Courtney has been equipped by God for the organizational tasks she has taken on.

32:19 What lesson she has taken away that we can all apply to our faith journeys

36:31 Her best tip to develop and maintain a seven-day practical faith

38:17 What can people do to help this effort and help the people of eastern Tennessee. NOTE: Courtney asks specifically for sheds. These may or may not still be needed at the time you listen.

Courtney Dailey is a novelist who is also writing a book based on the hurricane relief experiences in eastern Tennessee. You can learn more about the East Tennessee Flood Recovery effort by visiting the Author Courtney Dailey Facebook page or her church’s page at https://www.jesusiscentral.com/. Click on the box reading “East Tennessee Flood Recovery” to donate to the Flood Relief Fund via Central Community Christian Church in Johnson City, TN. The link to help the Kentucky church mentioned in the podcast is https://www.givelify.com/donate/meades-branch-freewill-baptist-church-louisa-ky-2j7wy5MTQ5OTI5Nw==

Learn more about Courtney’s award-winning writing at AuthorCourtneyDailey.com.

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. Please register for Cecil’s free monthly newsletters on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page. You’ll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time, and two monthly newsletters, Backstage Pass and Monthly Connection.

For more free content like this from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s parenting advice can be found at his new website, https://www.UnisonParenting.com, at  https://www.instagram.com/unison_parenting/ and at https://www.pinterest.com/CecilTaylorMinistries.

Cecil’s award-winning books and video studies can be found and purchased through https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Every video study’s first lesson can be seen for free via the Free Content link above by clicking on “Sample Lessons.”

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- In “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (book and eWorkbook available now; book study Leader Guide and first video study available later in 2025), Cecil provides proven parenting strategies with an underlying layer of parenting in unison through all the ages and stages of a child’s life. “Unison Parenting” has been honored with the 2025 Independent Press Award for Parenting/Family.

- In “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone” (book, six-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide), Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today. You’ll uncover your own comfort zones and learn how to deepen your faith by getting uncomfortable for Jesus.

- “The Next Thing” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide) supplies a four-part Christian model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

- “Live Like You’re Loved” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide) affirms that God loves you, forgives you, sends you, and walks with you in eternal relationship. You’ll learn how to embed each of these scriptural truths into your daily life.