The Inspiration Behind Verses 'n' Flow
I was at home one evening in 2008, feeling low after a long day. One hostile emotion after another—disgust, disappointment, and a corrosive anger— competed for my heart without relent, a steady stream of malignant messages filling my mind.
The feelings and thoughts weren't new. In fact, this war waged within me regularly, mostly because, unbeknownst to me at the time, I was in the bondage of misalignment.
I had become a prisoner to a persona prescribed by others. I wore an identity forged under the pressure of years of criticism and dogmatism; my true self gagged by a need to conform. I had a life which seemed to fit, but it did not belong to me; one that was safe in its predictability, and yet terrifying in its confinement.
That night, however, rather than follow my usual course of loathing and self-pity, I had an urge to “try God” once again. It had been some time since I’d felt his presence, but I was desperate. I used my phone to search, “a way to listen to the bible.” It was in the list of results that I found the Daily Audio Bible, a podcast by Brian Hardin.
My heart surged with hope as I pressed "play.”
I climbed into bed and listened for hours, unable to break away, held fast and close by the voice of God, His message supplanting the insidious ones that had been swirling in my head earlier in that evening. He spoke to me, His word cutting through the chaos, offering a source of comfort and sense of clarity that I had not experienced in a long time.
The verses were like morsels to my malnourished soul, my craving for substance satisfied by the flow of unfiltered love that I could hear, taste, and feel.
The global campfire, as DAB listeners call the podcast, was and is raw, real, and powerful, a place where people who have never met each other have managed to build a haven of support and prayer.
It transformed both my life and the way I see God, and I will be forever thankful to the Hardin family for that.
The DAB is also a place where I found solace in the storms of life, and now, some fourteen years later, I feel called to bring solace to others through the same means, using my unique knowing, lens, and experience.
Beginning January 1st, I am raising my voice to bring the gift of God's spoken word delivered anew every, single, day in 2023 to anyone who wants to listen. Join me on the journey as we go on the adventure of a lifetime, reading through the Bible in a year.
Listen on –
Hi, I’m Jennifer and I’m a fun-loving, curious, whole-hearted, black woman being, who loves God and the spoken Word of God, and who also happens to be a writer, a wife, a mother, and an introvert.
I’m a believer in doing the work, that is, taking action to be healthy and whole, acknowledging others’ experiences alongside our own, and honoring the beauty of our existence by claiming and sharing the truth of our personal stories.
In addition to being host of this podcast, I'm also a professional content writer and coach for other writers. I'm passionate about finding meaning in suffering, storytelling as a path to self-awareness, and heart work as the way to healing.
The goal of the Verses 'n' Flow daily devotional podcast is to help you create a daily habit of engaging with the Bible and achieving personal growth through faith, focus, and flow.
I’m married to my best friend Shannon and a mother to six, including twins and a shorkie named Maverick. We’re a blended bunch but when you hear me talk about my kids, I’ll distinguish my biologicals from my bonuses only when it’s necessary for clarifying an experience I’m describing. When it’s not, you’ll hear me refer to each one as simply my son, without any prefixes. Their names are Naszir, Mackenzie, Kingston, Jaxon, and Jayce.
When I'm not working, I like hanging out with my gang of close friends (where the girls usually dominate the guys in Taboo), playing silly games like Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza with my family, and watching reruns of The Office.
Follow me
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Right now, via Spotify, but soon, it’ll be available on Apple, Google, and all the podcast platforms.
-
I like to slip my earbuds in press play before I even get out of bed, and then continue listening in the quiet of the morning before anyone else in the house is awake.
But real talk, on days when the first thing I have to do is a hard workout, Eric Thomas is my go-to morning podcast. On those days, I typically listen to my devotional once I’m done exercising.
As for you, do it whenever it feels most organic. The morning is a great time, as intentional time in the morning sets the tone for the whole day. But if you have a busy morning, listen before going to bed, or even when you’re taking a break in between tasks during the day. The time of day is not nearly as important as the habit itself. -
E’erbody. Seriously all are welcome here. But if I had to be specific, it’s for the person who wants a simple way to listen to the word of God, who wants to stay spiritually grounded and connected, and who wants to pair their spiritual practice with practical insights to live with more discipline, focus, and flow.
-
I'll be using the easier to understand translations, such as the New Living Translation, the English Standard Version, Today's New International Version, God's Word Version, and The Message. I chose these translations because as I say in the first episode, this is meant to be a companion to, not a substitute for, your deeper Bible study.
I've chosen some of the easier versions to make sure that no matter where you are in your walk with Christ, you can get a meaningful understanding of the scriptures, allowing you to receive both the spiritual nourishment of the Word, as well as its practical application for daily living. -
-
I'm honored that you'd even ask. ;-) First, pray for your girl. This podcast brings me so much joy, but it does take a considerable amount of work to stay afloat. And we're just getting started.
Second, share the love already! I want as many people as possible to join us on this biblical excursion, so this is one event where it's totally okay to bring a +1, or +2, or +30. I know how powerful a year in the word can be and I want others to know what that's like too.
Third, if you feel inclined to part with a portion of your pockets to partner with me financially--aww, you really know how to make a girl feel loved. I appreciate you. You can make a contribution here.
Any other questions? Hit me up at jennifer@versesnflow.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Right now, via Spotify, but soon, it’ll be available on Apple, Google, and all the podcast platforms.
-
I like to slip my earbuds in press play before I even get out of bed, and then continue listening in the quiet of the morning before anyone else in the house is awake.
But real talk, on days when the first thing I have to do is a hard workout, Eric Thomas is my go-to morning podcast. On those days, I typically listen to my devotional once I’m done exercising.
As for you, do it whenever it feels most organic. The morning is a great time, as intentional time in the morning sets the tone for the whole day. But if you have a busy morning, listen before going to bed, or even when you’re taking a break in between tasks during the day. The time of day is not nearly as important as the habit itself.
-
E’erbody. Seriously all are welcome here. But if I had to be specific, it’s for the person who wants a simple way to listen to the word of God, who wants to stay spiritually grounded and connected, and who wants to pair their spiritual practice with practical insights to live with more discipline, focus, and flow.
-
I'll be using the easier to understand translations, such as the New Living Translation, the English Standard Version, Today's New International Version, God's Word Version, and The Message. I chose these translations because as I say in the first episode, this is meant to be a companion to, not a substitute for, your deeper Bible study.
I've chosen some of the easier versions to make sure that no matter where you are in your walk with Christ, you can get a meaningful understanding of the scriptures, allowing you to receive both the spiritual nourishment of the Word, as well as its practical application for daily living.
-
I'm honored that you'd even ask. ;-) First, pray for your girl. This podcast brings me so much joy, but it does take a considerable amount of work to stay afloat. And we're just getting started.
Second, share the love already! I want as many people as possible to join us on this biblical excursion, so this is one event where it's totally okay to bring a +1, or +2, or +30. I know how powerful a year in the word can be and I want others to know what that's like too.
Third, if you feel inclined to part with a portion of your pockets to partner with me financially--aww, you really know how to make a girl feel loved. I appreciate you. You can make a contribution here.
Any other questions? Hit me up at jennifer@versesnflow.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
I like to slip my earbuds in press play before I even get out of bed, and then continue listening in the quiet of the morning before anyone else in the house is awake.
But real talk, on days when the first thing I have to do is a hard workout, Eric Thomas is my go-to morning podcast. On those days, I typically listen to my devotional once I’m done exercising.
As for you, do it whenever it feels most organic. The morning is a great time, as intentional time in the morning sets the tone for the whole day. But if you have a busy morning, listen before going to bed, or even when you’re taking a break in between tasks during the day. The time of day is not nearly as important as the habit itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
E’erbody. Seriously all are welcome here. But if I had to be specific, it’s for the person who wants a simple way to listen to the word of God, who wants to stay spiritually grounded and connected, and who wants to pair their spiritual practice with practical insights to live with more discipline, focus, and flow.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
I'll be using the easier to understand translations, such as the New Living Translation, the English Standard Version, Today's New International Version, God's Word Version, and The Message. I chose these translations because as I say in the first episode, this is meant to be a companion to, not a substitute for, your deeper Bible study.
I've chosen some of the easier versions to make sure that no matter where you are in your walk with Christ, you can get a meaningful understanding of the scriptures, allowing you to receive both the spiritual nourishment of the Word, as well as its practical application for daily living.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
I'm honored that you'd even ask. ;-) First, pray for your girl. This podcast brings me so much joy, but it does take a considerable amount of work to stay afloat. And we're just getting started.
Second, share the love already! I want as many people as possible to join us on this biblical excursion, so this is one event where it's totally okay to bring a +1, or +2, or +30. I know how powerful a year in the word can be and I want others to know what that's like too.
Third, if you feel inclined to part with a portion of your pockets to partner with me financially--aww, you really know how to make a girl feel loved. I appreciate you. You can make a contribution here.
Any other questions? Hit me up at jennifer@versesnflow.com.