Freely Given

Katie Koplin and Gretchen Ronnevik sit down and talk about the Here We Still Stand Conference, on the theme of "The Bondange of the Will," and then talk about the new podcast structure they've been brainstorming for weeks. We are moving to a "seasons" format, where each season will have various kinds of episodes, from guests, to book club, and more. The first season coming out is on the theme of "Forgiveness" 
Show Notes:
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What's New from 1517:
Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

More from the hosts:
Gretchen Ronnevik

Katie Koplin

Upcoming Book Club Books:
"Jayber Crow" by Wendell Berry
"How to Stay Married" by Scott Key
Upcoming Movie discussion:
"K-Pop Demon Hunters"
Registration is open for the 2026 "Here We Still Stand" on the theme of Scriputures.

Gretchen and Katie share their favorite things these days, and then, as fall scheduling is looming, they talk about the longing for a good Bible study. at church. How do we reach the women who are longing for a Bible study, but are swamped by family obligations?
 
We are all searching for a magical recipe for engagement, and so many things are out of our hands. It's important that we clarify our goals. Are we wanting to get things back to the way they used to be? Are we searching for authentic friendships? Are we needing to be fed? 
 
There's not a grand answer, but a micro one, of looking for the needs of those right in front of us, instead of some faceless "culture." 
Show Notes:
Support 1517 Podcast Network

1517 Podcasts

1517 on Youtube

1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

1517 Events Schedule

1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:
Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes

Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi

More from the hosts:
Gretchen Ronnevik

Katie Koplin

Magnus Persson talks from Mount Carmel Family Camp on the purpose of the church
Gretchen Ronnevik's Gospel Mentoring training videos

Does it feel like kids sports are taking over your family life? Katie Koplin and Gretchen Ronnevik talk about the realities of the commitments of kids sports and the impact that has on their families. All the meets, all the performances, all the races--and the pressure for parents to be at everything, and how it becomes a part time job.
They talk about the pressures on parents, the impact on marriages, and the impact that can have on discipleship.
They talk about values, moms perspectives vs dads perspectives, and the main question: where is Christian freedom in this, and how do we reach families stuck in this cycle?
Show Notes:
Support 1517 Podcast Network

1517 Podcasts

1517 on Youtube

1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

1517 Events Schedule

1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:
Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes

Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi

More from the hosts:
Gretchen Ronnevik

Katie Koplin

Our friend, Pastor Luke Kjolhaug just released a book that we are so excited about. Since we live within driving distance from him, we attended his book launch in Alexandria, MN, at Cherry Street Books, and recorded a podcast before the audience there. (There's a bit of background noise at the beginning, but the conversation is so worth it!)
The topic of Sinner/Saint is at it's root, a conversation on sanctification, and what it means for a Christian to struggle with sin. This doctrine impacts how we view ourselves, how we view others, and ulitimately, how we view God.
Though this topic is often discussed in academic circles. After all "The Simul" which it's called, is shorthand said in Latin, which is translated "Simultaneously Sinner and Saint." However, Luke takes a very pastoral tone with this doctrine, and makes it applicable to everyday life. He isn't writing about some philisophical theory, but puts heart and reality into this doctrine, rooted in scripture, and delivering peace.
Show Notes:
Support 1517 Podcast Network

1517 Podcasts

1517 on Youtube

1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

1517 Events Schedule

1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:
Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes

Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi

More from the hosts:
Gretchen Ronnevik

Katie Koplin

Tanner Olson is a poet, author, and speaker. He has a book soon to be released with Zonderkids, on all the things we can pray to God.
His poetry is extremely accessible, not high or academic, but lowly and comforting. Reading it feels like receiving comfort from a friend. His first children's book reflects that, as he's encouraging children on bringing all of their cares to God.
In this interview, he talks about the struggle he and his wife have with infertility, and watching all of their friends have kids, and getting to know their kids, and wanting to create a gift for these families in their lives. 
Since then, they adopted their son, and he's become a father, and he talks about learning through all of this more about who God is, and his heart for us.
Poetry and children's books overlap so much as they both require carefully chosen, few words that are packed with meaning and reach the heart. And as a bonus, as adults read books to children, it impacts them as well. 
Tanner is one of our favorite people, and chatting with him is always full of laughter as well as profound thoughts. 
Show Notes:
Support 1517 Podcast Network

1517 Podcasts

1517 on Youtube

1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

1517 Events Schedule

1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:
Celebrate 2,000 Episodes of Christian History Almanac!

The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes

Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi

More from the hosts:
Gretchen Ronnevik

Katie Koplin

Tanner's website
Tanner's new book:  All The Things I Say To God