Reclaiming Hope

Listen in as Ben and Joy Hamilton (husband and wife) have an open conversation about their journey with infertility. They start by sharing their story of learning they had infertility and how that impacted their relationship as they both entered into a very difficult grieving process. Next, Ben and Joy discuss how infertility made it a challenge to be in relationships with others, including inside the church, and how the presence of compassionate listeners began to transform their pain as they borrowed hope from others. They also speak directly to couples who might be dealing with infertility, all mingled with their own story and experience. **This conversation is long, but certainly could be longer. This is a heavy topic, and we recognize there may be gaps or things that are not said. We hope the conversation is honoring and helpful to those who might be struggling here, and to those who may know and love someone who is**

Listen in as Ben has a special conversation with Todd and Kristin as they graciously walk us through some of their story and how Jesus has moved them from a place of shame and fear to freedom and hope. 

How do we listen well when we are sitting with someone else who is suffering and struggling with hope? What does it look like to faithfully journey with another on the road to reclaiming hope? Ben, Brenda, and Luke pick up the conversation (a continuation of Episode 12) to share personal stories and give practical helps. 

Perceived hopeless in another makes us uncomfortable. It's normal. So how should we respond when we encounter someone who is struggling? How can we work through our own discomfort so we don't inadvertently add to someone's burden? Listen in as Brenda, Ben, and Luke have an honest conversation about seeking to hold hope for another person. In this episode they focus on the traps to avoid.  

Ben and Brenda are back with a special guest, Luke Manna, to have an honest conversation about struggling with sin, the process of sanctification, and the Hope that undergirds it all. Here is the piece from the quote by Tim Keller: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-to-talk-sin-in-postmodern-age/Brenda also referenced a John Piper sermon, and you can find that here: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-greatest-thing-in-the-worldLastly, we commend this recent sermon from Citylight Church by Gavin Johnson

Ben and Brenda share some reflections and personal updates after about 6 weeks off from podcasting - training new care ministers, hosting a marriage conference, getting COVID, and vacation. They also reconsider what it means to be a "community of hope." Connect with us at hope@citylightomaha.org

As Brenda and Ben take some time off from the podcast, here is a recent talk given by Ben at a marriage conference in which he addresses some reasons of why we typically do not suffer well together, the role of shame, and how we can come together during hard times in our marriages. To watch this session and the rest of the conference, visit www.citylightomaha.org/marriageconference. We'll be back with new episodes in late April! 

Listen in as Ben and Brenda get real about shame and how they've come to understand and experience it (both personally and professionally), the story of shame throughout the Biblical narrative, and Jesus' ultimate victory and restoration of our Hope. 

Join co-hosts Brenda and Ben as they interview Robin about her experience having an abortion (25+ years ago), later becoming a Christian, and how God led her through a healing process of understanding and receiving forgiveness, and her journey from hopelessness to hope. For more on Robin's story and process of healing, you can find her blog here. She has a specific post where she encourages women to share their story (anonymously or not) which many have found help and hope through. Learn more about sharing your story in this way here. Robin invites you to reach out to her if you need help or someone to listen. Her email is surrenderingthesecret.robin@gmail.com. She referenced 2 studies that were particularly impactful for her. Both are available on Amazon and elsewhere. For women - Surrendering The Secret: Healing the Heartbreak of AbortionFor men - Surrendering the Heart of a Father: A Man's Guide to Abortion RecoveryFor more information on these resources and the ministry behind it, visit https://surrenderingthesecret.com/

God created us for connection, so what has gone wrong? Why do we often feel so disconnected from God, others, and even within our own selves?Join Brenda and Ben as they have an open conversation about disconnection - what it looks like in our relationship, contributing factors, how it ties in to hopelessness, and how to move toward reconnection and hope. 

Listen in as Ben interviews Reclaiming Hope co-host Brenda about her journey with depression, the various ways she's experienced a reclaiming of hope as God has pursued her, the difficultly of addressing mental health at times within the church, and counsel for those struggling themselves. 

What can Christians do with our emotions in the face of difficult or even seemingly impossible circumstances? What is the difference between biblical lament and complaining? Listen in as Reclaiming Hope co-hosts, Ben and Brenda have a powerful conversation sharing their understandings and experiences with lament, how they see it applies to the Christian life today, and how it can connect us to Hope. 

Ben interviews Joe about his unexpected struggle with anxiety, the accompanying wrestle with shame and identity in God, and how he continues to grasp a deeper understanding of Hope through his journey. 

What is hope for the Christian? Are there different types of hope? Listen in as co-hosts Ben and Brenda have an honest conversation about hope—what it is and why it can be hard, and the direction and desires of this new podcast.

Brenda interviews Reclaiming Hope host Ben Hamilton about his journey with chronic illness and his wrestle for hope in that ongoing struggle, as well as his advice for those in or near similar situations.