Upstream Pursuit
The leadership podcast for Christian women going against the current. The Upstream Pursuit calls women to go against the current by measuring everything against the Truth of God’s word. Join Narcely every other Monday for energizing conversations and practical tips on how to live and lead in pursuit of unchanging Christian values. To learn more about joining our community, visit us at narcelyruiz.com or on our Facebook or Instagram!
Episodes
190 episodes
Hungry for His Word: Gen Z Voices on Surrender and Spiritual Rhythm
In this episode, we continue our conversation with four incredible Gen Z girls from my church. This time we are hearing from Sebathany and Karina. Both young women share how Christ became real to them in powerful and personal ways.The au...
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Season 9
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Episode 39
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14:58
When Jesus Becomes Personal: A Conversation with Gen Z
I sat down with four amazing teenage girls—Yasmine, Mikaela, Sebathany, and Ana Karina—to talk about what it looks like to Pursue Christ, community and change in their generation. In this first episode, Yasmine and Mikaela share how Christ b...
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Season 9
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Episode 38
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14:53
A Tribute to My Pastors with Voices from the Next Generation
We’re stepping away from our regular programming for a special episode in honor of Pastor Appreciation Month. I sat down with four Gen Z girls from our church to share heartfelt encouragement and gratitude for our pastors. Their words bea...
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Season 9
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Episode 37
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6:10
I Visited Charlie Kirk’s Memorial at TPUSA… and This Is What I Saw
I had the opportunity to visit the memorial set up outside the Turning Point USA building in Phoenix, Arizona. In this episode, I talk about what I saw, felt, and experienced, share some thoughts on the memorial service and reflect on how Go...
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Season 9
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Episode 36
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12:54
Repentant Lament: When Sin Breaks More Than Just You (Psalm 51:18–19)
In this closing episode of our Repentant Lament series, we explore the final verses of Psalm 51, where David’s prayer shifts from personal forgiveness to the restoration of God’s people. Sin is never just private—it weakens famil...
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Season 9
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Episode 35
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14:59
Repentant Lament: The Sacrifice God Actually Wants (Psalm 51:13–17)
What if the very thing you’ve been running from, your guilt, your failure, your brokenness, was the one thing God actually wanted you to bring Him? Forgiven people become worshipers and witnesses. In this episode, we explore how David moves ...
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Season 9
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Episode 34
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14:51
Repentant Lament: When Tragedy Forces Us to Look Inward (Psalm 51:7–12)
In a world full of division, anger, and grief, how do we respond as followers of Christ? In this episode, we reflect on the tragic death of Charlie Kirk not to dwell on politics, but to examine our own hearts and the sin that dulls our aware...
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Season 9
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Episode 33
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14:58
Repentant Lament: The Freedom of Coming Clean (Psalm 51:3–6)
No excuses. No blame-shifting. Just honest confession before God. In this episode, we continue our journey through Psalm 51, David’s raw and honest prayer of repentance after his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah. We unpack David’s words in ve...
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Season 9
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Episode 32
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14:59
Repentant Lament: Mercy for the Broken (Psalm 51:1–2)
In this episode, we begin our journey through Psalm 51 with David’s opening cry: “Have mercy on me, O God.” After being confronted with his sin, David doesn’t excuse or justify himself; he throws himself on the mercy o...
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Season 9
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Episode 31
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14:59
Repentant Lament: A Journey through Psalm 51
What does true repentance look like? Before we dive into Psalm 51, this introduction sets the stage with David’s backstory, the structure of the psalm, and the themes of mercy, confession, renewal, worship, and corporate revival. Discover wh...
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Season 9
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Episode 30
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14:59
Practicing Lament: Bringing Our Sorrows Before God
In this follow-up episode, we move from understanding biblical lament to practicing it. Drawing from the pattern in Psalm 13, we explore how to bring our grief, confusion, and pain honestly before the Lord—whether alone or in community. Lame...
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Season 9
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Episode 29
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14:57
When God Feels Silent: Learning from Psalm 13
In this episode, we turn to Psalm 13 as a guide for biblical lament, bringing our raw and honest questions before God. I share my personal struggle in the aftermath of the recent devastating floods in Kerrville, Texas, where many lives, incl...
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Season 9
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Episode 28
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14:57
Refreshed, Refocused & Ready: What God’s Been Doing
fter a short sabbatical, I’m back refreshed, realigned and ready for what God is leading me into next. In this short episode, I share what I’ve been up to during my break and how God is shifting my focus. Let’s talk about what it means to tr...
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Season 9
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Episode 27
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11:17
Making Room for the Vine: A Mid-Year Reset
Six months into this podcast journey, I’m taking a moment to pause not out of burnout, but obedience. In today’s short and heartfelt episode, I share what God’s been stirring in me: a call to step away for the month of July, not to rest from th...
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Season 9
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Episode 26
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9:49
How the Church Can Respond to Rising Global Tensions
As U.S. airstrikes on Iran escalate global tensions, how should the Church in America respond? In this short but timely episode, we explore how to pursue peace, stand with the global Church, and keep our eyes fixed on the mission of Christ i...
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Season 9
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Episode 25
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14:15
Finding Healing After Spiritual Wounds (Part 3): The Way Forward
Church hurt doesn’t have to be the end of your faith story. In this final part of the series, we turn to Scripture for hope and guidance, exploring the story of Elijah, a prophet who knew the weight of discouragement. If you’ve ...
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Season 9
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Episode 24
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14:16
Finding Healing After Spiritual Wounds (Part 2): Biblical Accountability
In Part 1, we explored the pain of church hurt—the deep wounds that can come from betrayal, gossip, manipulation, or leadership gone wrong. But not every uncomfortable experience in church is abuse. In this episode, we’ll dive into the differen...
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Season 9
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Episode 23
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16:39
Finding Healing After Spiritual Wounds (Part 1): Church Hurt
Church hurt is real, and it runs deep. Maybe it came through betrayal, abuse of power, gossip, or spiritual manipulation. Maybe you gave your heart to fellow believer or community that didn’t protect it. In this part 1 of this episode, we di...
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Season 9
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Episode 22
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19:21
When Leaders Fall: One Woman’s Story of Faith After Church Hurt
In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with my friend, Glenda Medina, as she shares her honest reaction after learning of the allegations against her former pastor, Robert Morris of Gateway Church. She opens up about the confusion, pain, and pro...
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Season 9
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Episode 21
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44:28
The Martha Trap: When God’s Not Impressed with Our Hustle
In this episode, we explore a truth that hits close to home for many of us: the danger of being so busy for God that we forget to be with Him. Drawing from Luke 10:38–42, we revisit the story of Martha and Mary—two sisters, two postures, one ch...
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Season 9
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Episode 20
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19:14
From Struggle to Surrender: My Husband’s Story of Redemption
In this intimate episode, I introduce you to my husband—the man who captured my heart and has lived a powerful testimony of transformation. Long before we met, he faced and overcame the dark grip of addiction. In this conversation, he shares th...
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Season 9
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Episode 19
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42:36
When Love Is Blind, but Values Aren't: Faith, Conviction, and Choosing Wisely
Welcome back, Pursuers! After a refreshing sabbatical, I’m diving into a conversation I couldn’t wait to have. In this episode, I unpack the latest season of Love Is Blind and why it stirred up so much buzz in the conservative and Chri...
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Season 9
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Episode 18
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29:19
Pentecost: The Power Has Come
In this episode, we dive into the powerful moment of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and launched the Church into action. It’s not just a historical event—it’s a transformative moment that still impacts us today.<...
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Season 9
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Episode 17
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9:59
Easter Isn’t Over: Walking as People of Resurrection
Easter isn’t the end of the story; it’s the beginning of our calling. In this devotional episode, we reflect on what it means to live in light of the empty tomb. Through Acts 1:6–11 and Colossians 3:1–4, we’re reminded that the resurrection ...
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Season 9
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Episode 16
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14:05
From Cheers to Chants: Palm Sunday Devotional
In Matthew 21, Jesus enters Jerusalem to cheers and palm branches—but what begins as celebration quickly turns toward the cross. This devotional episode invites you to reflect on why we follow Jesus. Is it for what He can do for us… or for <...
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Season 9
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Episode 15
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10:11