Podcasts about spiritually

In this second part of our series on “The Spiritually Healthy Leader: Finding Freedom from Self-Sabotage,” Dave Wiedis talks about what it means to live centered in the supremacy of Christ as the pathway to freedom, what to do with our longings, and how Christ's lordship supercharges our desires. A personal recommendation from ServingLeaders Founder and Executive Director, Dave Wiedis: “I like this episode because in it we explore the supremacy of Christ as our ruling passion and why that matters. Many Christians try to kill their desires or pathologize them. A more scriptural and comprehensive approach to desires and spiritual growth is reordering our desires under the supremacy of Christ.”Buy Dave's book here:On AmazonOn New Growth Press

Two-thirds of young adults (18–29) have walked away from church… but we're also seeing an all‑time high in Bible sales driven by young adults, plus millions returning to a personal commitment to Jesus. In this episode of youngadults.today, Josiah and Micah sit down with Daniel Young (Young Adults & Student Pastor at Eagle Brook Church) to talk about: His prodigal story and how Jesus recaptured his heart as a young adult Why the young adult years are the most spiritually dangerous years Real stats on deconstruction, disaffiliation, and the surprising comeback How Eagle Brook reaches young adults across 14 campuses Third spaces, after-parties, and creating transformational relationships How to disciple young adults so they don't just love youth group… they love the Church Daniel's top advice for young communicators: love the Bible, guard your private devotion, and love people well Whether you're a young adult, a pastor, or a ministry leader, this conversation will give you vision, language, and practical ideas for reaching the next generation.

Life is always moving somewhere, toward God or away from Him. We want to move in a spiritual direction, but it's impossible by our own effort or striving. In John 15, Jesus teaches that real growth is the fruit of remaining in Him, through surrender, through His pruning, and through an attentive trusting in him. Key Verses: John 15:1-5

In this episode, I talk about what my life looked like when I had none of them, and what happened when I started building 1 without the others. I found physical strength before I had mental health, which meant fitness became another place for old patterns to live. I could train hard, compete, look disciplined, and still use my body as a place for punishment, control, identity, and emotional regulation. Then I learned that mental health doesn't exist separately from physical health either. Sleep, nutrition, movement, hormones, relationships, your environment, and simply taking care of yourself can deeply affect how you think and feel. But even as my physical and mental health improved, there was still a part of my life they couldn't answer. For me, that was spiritual. My faith in Christ gave me an identity, hope, peace, and assurance that my body, accomplishments, emotions, and even my own understanding could never give me. This episode is about what changes when you stop treating these as separate parts of your life and learn to lead yourself as 1 whole person. Kate Hastings | Mental Health Coach

Spiritually exhausted? Therapist Faith Freed reveals why your spiritual practice might be the problem, and how to build one that actually fits your real life. What if the reason your spiritual life feels like a second job is because you've been following someone else's job description? In this episode of The Skeptic Metaphysicians, Will and Karen sit down with Faith Freed, licensed psychotherapist, spiritual guide, and author of DIY Spirituality: Chart Your Own Sacred Path, to explore one of the most overlooked causes of spiritual burnout: doing it wrong for you, not doing it wrong in general. Faith spent nearly two decades in clinical practice, trained at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, and has seen firsthand what happens when people treat their spiritual growth like a performance review. Spoiler: it doesn't end in enlightenment. It ends in a meditation cushion being used as a footrest. What you'll hear in this episode: Will opens up about something he's never discussed on the show before. after years of daily meditation, breathwork, sound baths, energy healings, and spiritual retreats, he still doesn't feel "further forward." Faith's response reframes the entire conversation: the goal was never a destination. It was always just a practice of touching in. Faith introduces her Divine Disco Ball framework, a four-part map of spiritual connection built around body and mind, soul and spirit, infinite source, and the natural world. The framework isn't diagnostic or prescriptive. it's a navigation tool. When one quadrant feels heavy or overworked, you simply rotate to another. Will also has a live breakthrough moment on air. connecting a spontaneous mystical experience he had years ago in the Atlanta airport to a pattern Faith identifies in real time: being alone in a crowd might actually be his spiritual sweet spot. It's one of those genuine, unscripted moments that makes this episode worth the full listen. Key topics covered:Why spiritual exhaustion is more common than spiritual failure, and how to tell the differenceThe "spiritual playlist" concept. keeping what lights you up, releasing what you force out of obligationWhy micro-rituals (as short as 60 seconds) can be more sustainable than elaborate daily practicesThe difference between spiritual presence and spiritual distraction, and how your intuition already knows which is whichWhat "authentic spirituality" actually means when the word has been flattened by wellness cultureHow a phone fast, a solo trip to an amusement park, or simply watching rain can be a legitimate spiritual practiceWhy Faith believes you don't have to do anything at all. and why that's both liberating and surprisingly hardAbout Faith Freed: Faith Freed is a licensed psychotherapist, spiritual guide, and the founder of Freed-Om. She holds a master's degree in clinical psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and has nearly two decades of clinical experience. Her newest book, DIY Spirituality: Chart Your Own Sacred Path (Collective Book Studio, 2026), offers an illustrated, accessible guide to building a personal spiritual practice outside of rigid religious or wellness frameworks. Faith offers spiritual guidance sessions to clients worldwide and can be reached at faithfreed.com. Connect with Faith Freed:Website: faithfreed.comBook: DIYspirituality.comInstagram: @faithfreed If this episode resonated with you, please take 60 seconds to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. It genuinely helps other seekers find the show, and Will and Karen read every single one. Watch this episode and more on New Reality TV, the free conscious streaming network available on Roku, Fire TV, iOS, Android, and the web at newrealitytv.com. No subscription. No gatekeeping. Just real conversations about consciousness, spirituality, and the questions that most platforms won't touch.The Skeptic Metaphysicians is a spiritual awakening podcast for open-minded thinkers who refuse to check their critical thinking at the door. Each episode explores consciousness expansion, enlightenment, soul purpose, and soul growth through honest, grounded conversation with leading voices in metaphysics, psychic phenomenon, quantum healing, and beyond. We dive deep into spiritual awakening, ascension, alignment, and the awakening process without the dogma. From mediumship and spirit guides to Arcturian contact, astrology, and the subconscious mind, we explore it all with curiosity, humor, and zero guru worship. Whether you're in the middle of your own awakening, questioning reality, or just spiritually curious, this is the podcast for seekers and skeptics alike.Subscribe, Rate & Review!If you found this episode enlightening, mind-expanding, or even just thought-provoking (see what we did there?), please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us bring more transformative guests and topics your way!Connect with Us: 

Start Your Transformation Now    In this episode of The Jim Fortin Podcast, Jim makes the bold claim that everyone has been "spiritually mugged" before the age of seven. He explains how cultural and systematic brainwashing strip away divine authority in exchange for a corrupted "data package". He adds that this inherited package, made up of inherited fears, beliefs, and limitations, quietly defines who people think they are and what they believe they're allowed to have, keeping most people trapped in a human identity they never actually chose.    Using the classic story of fleas conditioned to stop jumping after repeatedly hitting a jar's lid, Jim illustrates how early conditioning can become invisible over time, and why even the personal development industry, his own included, can unintentionally reinforce the belief that something is broken and needs fixing. Instead, he offers a different path: stepping back from the human "character" into the role of observer, and letting infinite intelligence handle what the ego insists on controlling.    Listeners are invited to recognize their own data package and begin exiting the human lie that has kept them small.    What You'll Discover in This Episode:  (00:01) Spiritual mugging — Jim introduces the idea that everyone's consciousness was ambushed in childhood, leaving them trapped in an identity they didn't choose.  (03:45) The data package and the flea jar — Jim explains how inherited beliefs work like a corrupted file, using the famous flea experiment to show how conditioning becomes self-perpetuating.  (10:58) Why personal development can backfire — Jim reveals how mindset hacks and affirmations can unintentionally confirm the belief that something is wrong with you.  (13:14) Anita Moorjani's wisdom — Jim shares the insight that the easiest way to heal is to need no healing at all, and how the harder we work to fix something, the more we reinforce its presence.  (19:36) Becoming the observer — Jim teaches how to step outside the human identity and its dramas rather than trying to repair a character that was never truly you.  (23:57) Letting infinite intelligence run the show — Using the simple example of a healing cut, Jim shows why surrendering control, rather than forcing outcomes, is the way real transformation happens.    Listen, apply, and enjoy!    Transformational Takeaway  Every fear, limitation, and struggle carried into adulthood was handed down long before there was any ability to question it, a corrupted data package mistaken for identity. The way out isn't to work harder at fixing what feels broken. Real transformation begins the moment the human character relaxes, allowing the observer to step forward, and trusting infinite intelligence to do what the ego never could. The cut heals itself once left alone; so does everything else.  Mentioned Resources Dying To Be Me Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you make a purchas Let's Connect:  Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn    LIKED THE EPISODE?  If you're the kind of person who likes to help others, then share this with your friends and family. If you have found value, they will too. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts so we can reach more people.  Listening on Spotify? Please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!  With gratitude, Jim 

August 18, 2026Today's Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10 or 1 Corinthians 15:1-10Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 7:18-29; 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:16“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…” (Ephesians 2:8)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Lutherans love to say we are saved by grace through faith. But, as Luther would ask in his catechism, What does this mean? No text explains this better than Ephesians 2. Paul explains to his readers that before coming to Christ, spiritually, they were dead. Not neutral or pretty good, or able to help themselves if they tried harder or anything like that. No. Spiritually, they were dead, and they were damned. Like the rest of mankind, they were following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air- that spirit now at work in the sons of disobedience, and carrying out the desires of the flesh. (v. 2-3) These are the three great enemies of God: the world, the flesh, and the devil.The world is the pressure we feel from outside of ourselves, coming from our friends or what is advertised to us as a good time. We want to fit in and be accepted, so we listen to these voices instead of listening to God. The flesh is our own personal weaknesses. We all have temptations to which we are prone, but they aren't all the same. Some people are particularly tempted by pride, while others are driven by envy, and still others by lust, and so on. Lastly, there is “the prince of the power of the air,” or as he is better known, the devil. He is real, and as Luther said somewhere, he never takes a vacation. He's like a roaring lion prowling around, waiting to devour you. (1 Peter 5:8) He suggests evil thoughts to you, like he did to Adam and Eve, and like he did to Jesus. And except for Jesus, he has a perfect record of getting people to sin! The world, the flesh, and the devil have made us, along with the rest of mankind, objects of God's wrath. With these things stacked against us, constantly leading us to sin, we are dead. What chance does anyone have given this situation?“But God being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved…” (4-5) Why are some going to make it to heaven? Not because they were good enough. Not because they didn't sin, but because God is merciful and Christ our substitute was good enough. Amazingly, God loves sinners in spite of their sins. What's more, even though sinners are dead in their trespasses, He made some alive in Christ. That's what the Bible calls grace –God's undeserved kindness, His Gift of new life given to people who deserve to be dead.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.By grace! On this I'll rest when dying; In Jesus' promise I rejoice; For though I know my heart's condition, I also know my Savior's voice. My heart is glad, all grief has flown Since I am saved by grace alone. (LSB 566:2)Rev. Joel Shaltanis, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, TX.

Spiritual abuse doesn't begin with one bad person. It grows through a culture of approval, secrecy, fear, and loyalty that slowly teaches people to stay quiet, play along, and mistake control for faithfulness. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford break down the eight phases of a power-through-fear church and contrast them with the kind of community Jesus actually builds - a pocket of tov, where goodness, wholeness, and courage can exist without hype or performance.If you'd like to support the work at VOXOLOGY, and join us next month for the book club, you can join here: https://www.patreon.com/c/voxology/postsIf you're interested in Spiritual Coaching, you can email tim@voxpodcast.comTimestamps00:00 - Opening banter, kids back in school, and community updates02:01 - Spiritual coaching and the Patreon book club announcement03:49 - Frustration with corruption, outrage fatigue, and local engagement09:31 - Refugees in Tennessee and creating pockets of hope12:08 - A listener asks if introversion is sinful14:54 - Quiet time as formation for community, not a spiritual end point17:24 - Why introverts can still be harmed by solitude without structure18:38 - Why spiritual disciplines need purpose, framework, and discernment21:50 - Spiritual abuse is a culture, not just a bad person24:48 - Step one: power concentrated in one person26:14 - Insider approval, status enhancement, and filtered influence28:09 - Outsiders, status degradation, and fear of disapproval30:04 - Secrecy, image management, and what happens behind the wall32:59 - Banishment, loyalty tests, and being expelled from the circle34:29 - How church culture also shapes who gets seen as a leader36:34 - Compassion and empathy as the first marks of a healthy culture38:30 - Grace, failure tolerance, and hierarchy as responsibility41:25 - A bottom-shaped triangle: leadership exists for the community45:17 - Putting people ahead of the institution47:39 - Truth telling, confession, and why churches avoid self-exposure50:25 - Justice over loyalty culture and the misuse of Matthew 1852:26 - Power dispersed, not accumulated54:25 - Service over celebrity and power-under leadership56:18 - Overperforming, underperforming, and leaders inserting themselves between God and people58:08 - What heroes a culture celebrates and why ordinary faithfulness matters61:27 - How do you build a healthy church in a hype-driven world?62:55 - Practices of resistance: no hype language, no sermon-series hype machine65:42 - The woman caught in adultery as a model of calm, teaching, and restoration69:03 - Christ-likeness over leadership culture and the CEO model of church72:12 - Richard Foster's marks of spiritual power: love, humility, self-limitation, joy, vulnerability, submission, freedom73:11 - Mike's daughter testifies in a stalking case and the cost of being believed77:31 - Why he stays in an organized church and what a healthy community can look like80:33 - Why people won't stay just for hype, and the need for pockets of tove81:53 - Building boring, sustainable, life-giving communityAs always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.Our Merch Store! https://www.etsy.com/shop/VOXOLOGY?ref=shop_sugg_marketLearn more about the Voxology PodcastSubscribe on iTunes or SpotifySupport the Voxology Podcast on PatreonThe Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology RadioFollow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on FacebookFollow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerreMusic in this episode by Timothy John StaffordInstagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.” (Psalm 91:4–5 NLT) I read a story about a farmer who watched in dismay as his farm burned to the ground. After the fire, he walked around the charred rubble of his farm and found the body of a hen that had been burned in the fire. Frustrated, the farmer gave the hen a kick with his boot, and it turned over dead. But underneath was a little chick, who was still alive. When the fire ignited, the mother hen scurried over to her chick and wrapped her wings around him to protect him. She lost her life in the process, but her chick lived. The psalmist uses similar imagery to describe the safety and refuge that God’s people find in the Lord: “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day” (Psalm 91:4–5 NLT). The picture of a mother bird hovering around her young may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you consider your relationship with the Lord. But it’s a valid description—and a comforting one. God’s people can take refuge in the Almighty. He will put His wings around us. He will protect us. That means we can have courage, even when the world around us seems hostile and frightening. That courage comes not because of who we are, but because God is with us. His truth is our shield. He is always present to guide and protect us. Psalm 91:5 says, “Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day” (NLT). God will be with us day and night, come hell or high water, through thick and thin. Take special note of the psalmist’s use of the word arrow. The apostle Paul also uses it in Ephesians 6:16, where he warns us of “the fiery arrows of the devil” (nlt). In biblical times, arrows played a significant role in battle. Soldiers often would light their arrows and barrage their opponents with them. They would fire hundreds, even thousands, of flaming arrows. If you wanted to live, you had to protect yourself from those fiery missiles. Spiritually speaking, the devil fires flaming arrows at us as well. Some might be flaming arrows of fear. Others might be flaming arrows of impure thoughts or flaming arrows of hatred. Whatever the case, God promises to protect us from all of them. We will still suffer difficulties in life, of course. But God promises that He will be with us no matter what we go through. He will shield us, so we have no reason to fear. Reflection question: What kind of arrows does the devil fire at you? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean for a man to spiritually lead his family—and why does it matter? Spiritual leadership is not about control, dominance, or having the loudest voice in the home. It is about serving, sacrificing, teaching, protecting, and setting the spiritual direction through personal example.   A man cannot effectively lead spiritually if he is unwilling to first follow Christ himself. Spiritual leadership begins with a man's personal relationship with God—prayer, Scripture, obedience, repentance, humility, and a willingness to grow. You cannot lead your family somewhere you are unwilling to go yourself.   Featuring Kyle Reno 

Thank you for listening to today's message. Stay Connected With Us Using The Links Below: Stay in the know: nebc.ch/weekly Give: nebc.ch/give Need Prayer?: nebc.ch/prayer Made A Decision For Christ?: nebc.ch/decision Mobile App: nebc.ch/mobile Website: nebc.ch #YouBelongHere

Raj Prakash Paul || The Lord's Church India

Bro. Andrew Reimers preached a message entitled “Making a Difference in a Spiritually Dark Day" during the Wednesday Evening service on August 12, 2026, at North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, California. View Archived Services at nvbc.org.

This is Dr. Pete Norris from The Beauty of Grace Podcast. We would love to hear from you. Support the show

Send us Fan MailWe can clearly see the connection from the start and finish of Jesus' ministry and His work. Like a thread connecting the moments- The Spirit, Water, and The Blood declare the truth as witness upon the earth. From the beginning and to the end of His ministry, we can see this miracle of water into wine is far deeper than first glance. It bears great power and has more mystery in it than a simple trick with drinks. We find the microcosm of the path of salvation. #prophecy #watertowine #hiddentruth So, What's The Prophetic Chain of Event? - Purified with water in the vessels of purification used for ritual washing, turned into wine in the power of the Spirit in Christ Jesus. - Representing the three witnesses that agree: the spirit, water, and the blood. - The wine now representing the blood of Jesus, given to the wedding party to fulfill the tradition of the wedding feast without failure or incursion. - Spiritually speaking, sanctifying the entire wedding party to the culmination of the wedding vows. Representing the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.Website + PDFhttps://brotherlance.com/prophetic-mysteries-of-the-miracles-of-jesus/Watch The videohttps://youtu.be/gcwxIA84-_UNew IntroSupport the showBecome A SupporterJOIN US!> Main Website: https://brotherlance.com/> Free Book: http://weshallbelikehim.com/> Free Music: https://brotherlance.com/brother-lance-music/> Social - Gab: https://gab.com/BrotherLance

What happens when you stop imagining yourself in the future?In this episode of The Ansari Podcast, we explore Islamofuturism and the role of science fiction in shaping how Muslims imagine their faith, identity, and place in the future with Ahmed Elbenni. We discuss the influence of Dune, anime, Gulf futurism, and even aliens and the cosmos, while asking why Islam is so often presented in binary terms despite the breadth of its intellectual and spiritual tradition.We explore what an Islamic science fiction could look like and what happens when people are unable to write themselves into the future. Because when you cannot imagine yourself in the future, do you risk disappearing from it?JOIN OUR WEBSITE MEMBERSHIP! @ https://ansaripodcast.comThe Debt Clinic: https://www.mydebtclinic.com/ansariProvision Capital: https://www.provisioncapital.com00:00 What is Science Fiction?06:06 Ad08:12 Dune, Islamo-Futurism, and Islamic Science Fiction20:11 Why Do People of the Future Always Dress Like Muslims?31:53 Ad32:45 Defiant Optimism38:01 What If Someone Wants to Write?41:20 Muslims and Anime50:30 What is Gulf Futurism?55:41 Aliens, UFO's, and Islam01:06:07 Importance of Science Fiction01:20:51 Speed Round Questions01:24:30 Final Thoughts#islamofuturism #islamicsciencefiction #sciencefiction #futurism #islamicartListen on All Audio Platforms: https://tr.ee/JeX-ILYSyjFollow The Ansari PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/ansaripodcastTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theansaripodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ansaripodcast

Tonight we will be looking at being spiritually awake than others. Is it a good thing or a bad thing ? United Public Radio & UFO Paranormal Radio www.uprntalkradio.com

Eric joins Travis in the studio for a candid conversation at the intersection of church culture, tithing, and money. Eric hosts a podcast focused on mental, physical, and sexual abuse in religious environments, bringing a unique mix of survivor advocacy, theological curiosity, and lived experience inside fundamentalist spaces. His ability to dissect heavy topics with humor, clarity, and compassion makes this episode both challenging and incredibly engaging for anyone who's wrestled with faith, finances, or both. On this episode we talk about: The tension between Travis's “squeaky clean” money brand and Eric's work in the “shady underworld” of abusive religious environments Ministries to the homeless and why teaching homeless people to tithe 10% is F-tier financial advice How some pastors weaponize Old Testament tithing while ignoring other parts of the law The difference between genuine community generosity and multi-level marketing–style church economics Manipulative giving sermons, “windows of heaven,” and why telling single moms not to pay their light bill is predatory Prosperity gospel vs. independent Baptist messaging and how both can end up looking the same in practice Expository vs. topical preaching, cherry-picking verses, and using the Bible like page nine of Google to prove your point Top 3 Takeaways Tithing can be a meaningful personal decision, but when verses are used primarily to benefit the ministry instead of protecting vulnerable people, it's a red flag—especially for those already financially at risk. Many church “blessing” stories are actually examples of human community stepping up, not magical financial reciprocity; confusing the two can justify bad financial decisions and spiritual pressure around money. Any system where paying the pastor comes before paying bills—or where God's “protection” is framed as conditional on your giving—is less about faith and more about control, and that's dangerous for both your wallet and your wellbeing. Notable Quotes “You're telling me that a relational loving God is going to withhold protection from his children if they don't pay him money in order to have that protection?” “It's the church operating as a multi-level marketing company—take money from you, then give you business through their network and call it God's blessing.” “To suggest that the windows of heaven are closed to you because you paid a bill that you were contractually obligated to pay… that blows my mind.” Connect with Travis: Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Notice that he does not introduce himself here as “Paul, anapostle of Jesus Christ,” as he does in several of his other letters. Why? Probablybecause he did not need to defend his apostolic authority with these believers.They knew him. They loved him. Paul had personally brought the Gospel to them. Thenhe mentions two men who had served alongside him: “Paul, and Silvanus, andTimotheus.” Silvanus is the longer form of the name Silas. Silas hadtraveled with Paul on this second missionary journey. He had been there inPhilippi when Paul was beaten and thrown into prison. He was there at midnightwhen they prayed and sang praises to God. And now he had helped Paul establishthis church in Thessalonica. Timotheus, of course, is Timothy. Paul had metthis young man at Lystra and invited him to join the missionary team. Timothywould eventually become one of Paul's most trusted fellow workers. What awonderful picture of ministry. God'swork has always been about one generation passing the truth to anothergeneration. Butthen Paul says something especially important: “Unto the church of theThessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Theword “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia, which basically means acalled-out assembly. These people lived in Thessalonica, but spiritually theywere in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Think about that. Geographically,they were in Thessalonica. Spiritually, they were in Christ. Thessalonica was apagan city filled with idolatry and immorality. These new Christians weresurrounded by a culture that did not share their faith or their values. Theywere already experiencing opposition and persecution because they followedJesus. But their environment did not determine their identity. They were in Godthe Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Andthe same is true for us today. We live in a world that increasingly seems to bemoving farther away from God. We are surrounded by temptation. We hearphilosophies that contradict the Word of God. We see values changing around us.But the believer's identity is not determined by the world in which he lives. Weare in Christ. Paul uses that little expression again and again throughout hiswritings. Second Corinthians 5:17 says,“Thereforeif any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” Romans 8:1 says, “Thereis therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Oursecurity is not found in our circumstances. Our security is found in ourrelationship with Jesus Christ. You might say that these Thessalonian believershad two addresses. Their earthly address was Thessalonica. Their spiritualaddress was in Christ. And every believer has those same two addresses. We livesomewhere on this earth. We have a street address, a city, a state, and acountry. But if we have trusted Jesus Christ as our Savior, our most importantaddress is this: We are in Christ. ThenPaul gives them two wonderful words: “Grace be unto you, and peace.” Wejust finished our study of Philippians by noticing how often Paul begins andends his letters with grace. And here it is again. Grace. Then peace. Noticethe order. Grace comes before peace. We cannot experience the peace of Goduntil we have first experienced the grace of God. Grace is God giving us whatwe could never earn and could never deserve. Salvation is by grace. Forgivenessis by grace. Our relationship with God is by grace. Our strength for each dayis by grace. And when we experience God's grace, we can also experience God'speace. Grace and peace. Their circumstances might change.Their friends might turn against them. Persecution might increase. But theirposition in Christ was secure.  Andperhaps that is the great truth we should carry with us today. Our peace doesnot come from living in a peaceful world. Our peace comes from knowing that weare securely in Christ.

Spiritual drift doesn't happen overnight. In this study of 2 Peter 3:1–9, Peter gives every believer a practical pattern for remaining spiritually awake. Discover how to develop a sincere mind, stay continually stirred through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, keep first things first, and never allow God's truth to escape your notice.

Send us Fan MailMy intern for this past summer, Caden Bercik, shares a story about pulling off on the side of the road late at night because it was too dangerous for him to keep going. He needed to rest. Spiritually, we must learn the need for rest - as modeled by the Lord, and how important it is for our walk with Christ. #SetYourMindAbovePodcast

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This week, Thomas sits down with Ashanti Kunene, an activist, slam poet, writer, and the founder of Learning 2 Unlearn, for a conversation about spiritual alignment and integrity in leadership and the connection between individual healing and systems change.In a time when we're all faced with the repercussions of intergenerational trauma, oppressive systems, and unethical leadership, those of us who feel called to facilitate change must first confront our personal narratives, ethics, and shadow-self so that our actions align with our inner spiritual and moral compass.Ashanti and Thomas explore what that really looks like, what people in positions of power are truly responsible and accountable for, and what we can learn from the good AND the bad deeds of those who came before us.✨ Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube:

A child enters the world carrying extraordinary potential and almost no framework for understanding themselves. Every smile, every correction, every silence, every expression of approval or disappointment becomes part of the architecture through which they eventually interpret love, value, competence, and belonging. Development begins as dependence. Maturity requires a gradual movement toward self-authorship. Intimate relationships inherit that unfinished transition. They become the first place where two fully formed adults discover how much of their inner authority still depends upon another person's reflection. That discovery introduces one of the least examined paradoxes in human relationships. Love asks us to matter deeply to one another. Development asks us never to become the owner of another person's becoming. Many relationships quietly collapse these two realities into one. Accountability slowly transforms into supervision. Concern evolves into management. Guidance becomes correction. Before long, one partner occupies the invisible position of evaluator while the other unconsciously accepts the role of perpetual student. Both people lose something essential. One loses humility. The other loses sovereignty. The opposite arrangement proves equally costly. A relationship unwilling to confront distortion does not preserve peace. It merely postpones conflict until reality presents the invoice. Unchallenged defensiveness, rationalization, avoidance, dishonesty, resentment, addiction, emotional immaturity, and unconscious repetition rarely disappear through acceptance alone. Human beings require mirrors. Without reflection, self-deception often becomes indistinguishable from authenticity. The investigation therefore refuses both extremes. What kind of accountability protects dignity without protecting illusion? How does one expose contradiction without assigning identity? How does someone tell the truth without attempting to occupy the throne of another person's conscience? These questions extend beyond communication skills. They touch the deeper architecture of human development. Psychologically, every person requires enough challenge to expose unconscious patterns and enough freedom to integrate those discoveries voluntarily. Philosophically, wisdom cannot be transferred like property. It must become internally recognized before it becomes genuinely lived. Spiritually, transformation loses its integrity the moment it becomes coerced, because authentic awakening cannot be manufactured through external pressure. Anthropologically, every civilization has wrestled with the same enduring tension: communities survive by transmitting standards, yet individuals flourish by eventually internalizing those standards rather than merely obeying them. Perhaps intimate relationships reveal this tension more clearly than any other human institution. Perhaps accountability reaches its highest form when it no longer seeks compliance but clarity. Perhaps the healthiest partners refuse two temptations with equal discipline. They refuse to abandon one another to comforting illusions. They also refuse to become architects of one another's identities. A mirror performs one remarkable function. It reveals. It does not command. It does not negotiate. It does not force. It does not rewrite what stands before it. The person standing in front of the mirror remains completely free to acknowledge what they see, deny what they see, or walk away altogether. Could healthy love operate according to the same principle? Could the deepest purpose of relational accountability involve creating the conditions where truth becomes increasingly difficult to escape, while freedom remains completely intact? If so, perhaps the strongest relationships do not produce the most obedient partners. Perhaps they produce two people whose capacity for honest self-confrontation becomes so refined that each eventually needs less correction from the other because each has become increasingly accountable to the person staring back from the mirror.

The college years can be one of the most defining seasons in a young person's faith. So how can parents prepare their kids to stand firm long before they leave home?In this episode, Steph sits down with longtime college ministry leader Paul Worcester to discuss the spiritual habits that help faith last. They talk about the power of Scripture memory, daily time in God's Word, the challenges today's college students face, and practical ways parents can train, not just teach, their teens to follow Christ. Paul also shares how his new Bible study, Thrive, equips college students and young adults to build a faith that is grounded in Scripture and prepared to withstand the challenges of this pivotal season.Whether your child is heading to college soon or you still have years to prepare, this conversation will encourage you to invest in the kind of faith that enduresResources MentionedThrive Bible StudyInstagramGenSend PodcastCampus Multiplication NetworkThe Creation of UsHands-On BibleThe Adventure BibleGet your copy of our latest prayer journal Faith in Action: Prayers from James for the Next Generation today!The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Send us Fan MailVisualization gets lumped in with “manifesting,” hustle culture, and wishful thinking, but I want to reclaim it as something much older and much holier. When we understand it correctly, visualization isn't about trying to force the universe to hand us whatever we want. It's about aligning our mind, heart, and actions with God's will until our life starts to reflect what He has already promised faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. We walk through the scriptural pattern that God gives vision before He gives reality, then connect it to faith as “things not seen.” From there, we get practical about what “abundant life” really means. It's more than money. It's peace, joy, health, purpose, strong marriages, spiritual gifts, and wise financial stewardship that gives you power to bless others. That definition changes what we visualize: not possessions first, but becoming the kind of disciple who can be trusted with more. We also bring in neuroscience and elite performance: athletes, pilots, and emergency training show how mental rehearsal prepares you for pressure before it arrives. Spiritually, that's prayer, temple worship, scripture study, and covenants training our instincts so we don't invent faith in a crisis, we rely on the faith we've practiced. We close with a simple daily exercise and one hard question that keeps it real: after you visualize, what's the next faithful step you'll take today? Subscribe for more faith-centered tools, share this with someone who needs a clearer path forward, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What is one specific Christlike action you're choosing today?Support the showYou can reach me anytime at email: tandrewsen.monat@gmail.comInstagram @toddtalks_ig

This week on Stay True Podcast, Madi sits down with authors, pastors, speakers, and friends Jennie and Levi Lusko for a conversation about something so many of us are craving but struggle to find: true rest. In a world that constantly tells us to do more, hustle harder, and keep pushing, it's no wonder so many of us feel spiritually exhausted, anxious, and overwhelmed. Together, they talk about what to do when your mind won't stop spiraling, how to trust God when it feels like He's silent, and why following Jesus doesn't mean life will always be easy. Jennie and Levi also share practical wisdom on fighting entitlement and discovering the kind of soul-deep rest that only God can provide. If you've been feeling worn out, discouraged, or simply running on empty, this conversation will remind you where real peace is found.   As always... be sure to stay you and stay true!   Topics we dive into: -Why do we feel so spiritually exhausted? -What do you do when your mind won't stop spiraling? -How do you trust God when He doesn't seem to answer your prayers? -How do you fight entitlement and cultivate gratitude? -What does true rest for your soul actually look like? -Why is God more concerned with who you're becoming than what you're doing?   Helpful Resources: Blessed Are the Spiraling by Levi Lusko: https://a.co/d/06QIbde3 Fresh Mercies Every Day by Jennie Lusko: https://a.co/d/0ebGPB30 Dare To Be True by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/gdfpHX5 Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch Better Help: This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/STAYTRUE. Branch Basics: Get 15% off Branch Basics with the code STAYTRUE at branchbasics.com/STAYTRUE #branchbasicspod Liberty Healthshare: You can learn more at libertyhealthshare.org.  GCU: Visit gcu.edu to learn more.   Connect with Stay True!

A former Pfizer executive alleges governments are deceiving the public about COVID-19 vaccines, raising serious concerns about potential fatalities. The narrative from officials may be hiding a dangerous truth. #COVIDVaccine #Pfizer #HealthScandal #Misinformation #PublicHealth

Welcome to Gospel Rant, and our new series, Breaking Badly! Episode 7: Gideon – The Coward in the Winepress (Part 1 Today we arrive at the central narrative of the book of Judges. The story of Gideon. And if Judges has been showing us the downward spiral of Israel, Gideon represents something important. He represents Israel itself. Weak. Confused. Spiritually insensitive. Quick to blame God. And yet… still chosen. We will see what you think. And now, it’s your turn…

Are you an ambitious spiritual person who knows you are here for more money, more purpose, more freedom and a deeper connection with The Divine — but somehow you still feel underpaid, under-expressed and spiritually stifled? In this SpiritSpeaks Experience, Rosemary Nonny Knight shares a Divine Download about the nudges, whispers and impressions already trying to get your attention — and the hidden loyalties that may be keeping you stuck in a small cage that feels uncomfortable but familiar. This is for the spiritual person who wants to manifest money through their gifts, skills, spiritual wisdom, expertise and life experience, but keeps shrinking, editing, overthinking, hiding, over-giving or choosing obligation over purpose. In this video, we explore: ✅ Why loyalty to logic over Divine data can make you dismiss the ideas, nudges and money-making guidance already trying to reach you. ✅ How loyalty to respectability, acceptability and other people's expectations can keep you hiding your real self, softening your message and blocking deeper Divine connection. ✅ Why loyalty to obligation and smallness can drain the energy you need to master money manifestation, build purpose-led income and live luxuriously in your purpose. You are not here to stay loyal to the cage. You are here to listen to The Divine, trust the nudges, stop stifling yourself and create the money, purpose and freedom you actually desire. Get the **MONEY MANIFESTATION MASTERY & STRATEGIC DIVINE GUIDANCE Book** to understand the essential elements ambitious spiritual people need to manifest money and resources through their gifts, skills, spiritual wisdom, expertise and life experience. https://mibusiness.lpages.co/money #MoneyManifestation #DivineGuidance #SpiritualBusiness #PurposeLedIncome #ManifestationMastery #SpiritualGrowth #SelfAcceptance #SpiritualEntrepreneur #AbundanceMindset #LiveLifeDeliberately #DeliberateMillionaire

Fasting and Feasting: A Spiritually Balanced DietSeries: Good IntensionSpeaker: Dr. Wes FeltnerDate: 2nd August 2026Passage: Matthew 3:13-4:4

Send us Fan MailRomans 8 doesn't let us keep the comfortable middle category. We sit with Paul's words in Romans 8:5-6 and follow his insistence that there are two kinds of people: those “after the flesh” and those “after the Spirit.” Not two moods. Not a believer toggling between settings. Two realms, two masters, two orientations of the mind that show up in what we love, what we pursue, and what we call normal. We trace how this “two classes” theme runs across the whole Bible, from Genesis onward, and why Scripture keeps using paired contrasts like life and death, light and darkness, sheep and goats, wheat and tares. That isn't meant to feed pride; it's meant to clarify what regeneration actually means. If the Spirit gives new birth, the change isn't cosmetic. It's internal, deep-seated, and revealed in the governing direction of the mind. Then we slow down over Romans 8:6: “to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” We ask the blunt question the text forces: can someone be dead and alive at the same time? That leads straight into the controversial claim of the night: there is no such thing as a “carnal Christian.” We also tackle a common objection from 1 Corinthians 3:1 and explain why that verse trips people up when it's pulled away from clearer passages. If this challenged your categories, listen through and weigh the Scriptures with us. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves Romans, and leave a review with the verse you think best answers the “carnal Christian” question.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan Mail“Carnal Christian” might be one of the most damaging labels we casually throw around, because it sounds biblical while quietly reshaping what the Bible means by flesh, Spirit, and the mind. We walk through Romans 8 and ask a simple but uncomfortable question: is Paul describing a believer having a bad day, or is he describing an entirely different nature that stands in active opposition to God?From there we go straight to the text people always bring up 1 Corinthians 3. Paul calls the Corinthians “babes in Christ,” says he fed them milk, and says he has to speak to them “as carnal.” We slow the conversation down and show why that language is about how Paul addresses a church acting immature, divided, and flesh-driven not a permission slip for a permanent category of “carnal Christian.” The difference matters because Romans 8 ties “carnally minded” to death and describes the carnal mind as enmity against God, not a temporary “season.”We also get practical about how Christians handle messy lives in real time: how to confront sin without pretending we can infallibly judge who is saved, how to discern the difference between sinful division and necessary separation when truth is defended, and why “deconstruction” stories test our theology of assurance. If you care about spiritual growth, sanctification, Christian maturity, and biblical clarity on the flesh vs Spirit, this conversation is for you.Subscribe for more deep Bible study, share this with a friend who's heard the “carnal Christian” idea, and leave a review with your take: do you think the real issue is behavior, or what governs the heart?Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailRomans 8 doesn't let us hide behind religious optics. We talk through Paul's blunt diagnosis that the carnal mind is hostile to God and cannot submit to God's law, then we slow down to ask what that really means: the deepest problem is not a list of mistakes but a disposition, a nature, a realm. That's why looking holy, doing good works, or polishing behavior cannot make someone pleasing to God if grace has not first changed the heart. We also deal head-on with a modern confusion that keeps spreading online: the idea that Christians can reach a point of total sinlessness. We explain why Scripture describes ongoing sanctification, resident sin, and daily mortification, while also describing a real, unmistakable change in the believer. The Holy Spirit produces conviction, repentance, and a growing refusal to be comfortable in sin. That struggle is not proof you're lost; it can be evidence that you're alive. From there we move into assurance and identity: “they that are in the flesh cannot please God,” but believers are not in the flesh if the Spirit of God dwells in them. We connect Romans 8:9 to the bigger picture of salvation by grace, including election and predestination, and the unified work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: election, redemption, regeneration. If you want a clear, Bible-centered look at the spiritual mind, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and why grace changes what you are before it changes what you do, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Send us Fan MailFree will gets talked about like it's the engine of the Christian life, but Romans 8 won't let us stay vague. We take the text seriously: without faith it's impossible to please God, and without the Holy Spirit it's impossible to please God. That forces a better question than “How strong is my will?” What does God actually promise to do for the people he saves, and how do we know we belong to Christ? We walk through Romans 8:9–11 and camp out on the phrase “Spirit of Christ.” If the Spirit is present, we're Christ's. If the Spirit is absent, we're not. From there, we deal head-on with oneness theology by tracking how Scripture speaks of the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and Christ himself. We also use John 14 to show why Jesus says he must go so the Holy Spirit can come and testify to him, and why the Bible's theme of true witnesses makes far more sense in Trinitarian Christianity than in a one-person model of God. Then we bring it home to the hope every believer needs: the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us as a deposit and guarantee. That means the fight against sin isn't pointless, shame doesn't get the last word, and even death has an expiration date. We close with encouragement, prayer, and a reminder that God finishes what he begins, right through sanctification and all the way to bodily resurrection. If this strengthened you, subscribe for more Bible study, share it with a friend who needs assurance, and leave a review so more listeners can find these conversations.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Read OnlineOur Native PlacesJesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. Matthew 13:54–57Though this passage recounts the sorrowful rejection Jesus experienced in His hometown, it also reveals something deeper: the mystery of the Incarnation and the subtle spiritual danger that can arise from overfamiliarity. It invites us to see ourselves in the people of Nazareth—in our own “native place.”The Greek word translated as “native place” (patris) signifies more than geography. It denotes one's homeland and the cultural identity that shapes a person. Both meanings are important. Geographically, Nazareth was where Jesus lived, worked, and was intimately known. The people recognized His mother, Mary, and His extended family—referred to here as His “brothers” and “sisters,” a term which refers to His cousins and relatives. They had watched Him labor as a carpenter, gather with family and friends, and attend synagogue with them.Just as important was their cultural closeness. In small towns like Nazareth, people shared customs, values, religious traditions, and family histories. They were molded by the same feasts, the same teachers, and the same unspoken rules. This collective memory formed a lens through which everything—and everyone—was interpreted.When Jesus returned after beginning His public ministry, He no longer appeared to them as the humble craftsman they had always known. He stood before them as a man of divine authority, a miracle worker, and the long-awaited Messiah. To many, this was not merely surprising—it was unsettling. His new identity seemed incompatible with their memories of the boy they had watched grow up. Their vision of Him was too small to contain the mystery He now revealed. Thus, what should have been a moment of grace became instead a moment of resistance.Spiritually, our “native place” can be understood as all that is familiar to us—our upbringing, relationships, habits, expectations, and experiences. While these can often be good and formative, they can also become obstacles when God calls us beyond them. Like the people of Nazareth, we may cling to the familiar and resist the radical transformation Christ desires to accomplish in us. When He invites us to deeper faith, greater sacrifice, or unexpected mission, we may respond with doubt and hesitation.God's call always requires us to step beyond the boundaries of what we know. He draws us out of our comfort zones, out of our “native place,” into a new life in which we are called to carry Christ within us in a wholly new and astonishing way.At first, this can be shocking. Like the people of Nazareth, we may be tempted to reject the unfamiliar work God is doing in us, preferring the comfort of what is known to the challenge of what is holy. But grace does not always come in expected ways. Grace often enters quietly, veiled in the ordinary, requiring faith to see and courage to embrace.Reflect today on what can be, at times, an unsettling truth: God is calling you out of the ordinary and familiar into the extraordinary and new. Holiness always demands change—conversion of heart, transformation of mind, and renewal of life. Embrace that change. Resolve to welcome the unexpected. Be ready for the newness of the Gospel by allowing grace to cleanse every obstacle, every doubt, and every attachment that holds you back. In this way, Christ will gradually reveal the new person He is calling you to become—formed not by the limits of your “native place,” but by the boundless promise of His love and almighty power.My transformative Lord, I know that You are calling me out of my comfort zone, out of the familiar, and into the realm of the unknown. Please give me courage and trust so that nothing keeps me from doubting Your grace and plan for my life. Use me as You will and make me into a vessel of Your presence in this world. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: See page for author, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

What if you're curious about spirituality, but you don't actually know what you believe? Maybe you've moved away from traditional religion but still feel drawn to questions about meaning, connection, intuition, meditation, or whether there's something bigger than yourself. Or maybe you've never considered yourself "spiritual," but lately you've found yourself wondering about the deeper questions of life. In this episode of Centered in the City, we explore what it can look like to approach your spiritual life with curiosity. In this episode, we explore: What it means to be spiritually curious Why you don't need to know exactly what you believe to explore your spiritual life How meditation, nature, silence, grief, and everyday experiences can open the door to spiritual curiosity Simple ways to begin exploring your own spirituality without needing to subscribe to a particular religion or philosophy Most importantly, this episode is an invitation to ask better questions rather than rush toward answers. Interested in taking yourself on walking meditations? Download Centered Walks here.  Curious to join future mindfulness retreats? Join the waitlist here.  Share with me how your spirtual curiosity is coming alive by sending me a note here or DM me on Instagram @OneWade.   

Thought to share? Send me a text...Have you ever wondered why it's so hard to truly believe that you are loved, chosen, and enough—even when you know what Scripture says?Many Christians struggle with feelings of rejection, shame, or believing they aren't enough. In this replay of the opening episode of the Brokenness to Brilliance series, you'll discover how God's original design for humanity reveals your true identity and why understanding who you are in Christ is the foundation for lasting healing, freedom, and spiritual growth.Discover what Scripture reveals about your God-given identity and why you were created as "very good." Learn how brokenness, sin, and life's painful experiences can distort your view of yourself—and how Jesus restores what was lost. Walk away encouraged by powerful biblical truths that remind you that you are deeply loved, chosen, seen, forgiven, and never separated from God's love. Press play to begin a life-changing journey from brokenness to brilliance and rediscover the freedom, healing, and identity God has always intended for you.New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday mornings.To connect with Betsy for speaking, resources, or curriculum head to https://betsymarvin.com/contact-me/For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head tohttps://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/A Christian podcast centered on Jesus, the Bible, and God explores faith through the Old Testament and New Testament, sharing Bible stories and Bible explained insights to help women of faith and Jesus followers grow in faith, strengthen their relationship with God, and know God more deeply through Bible study, women Bible study, and practical Christianity, all while encouraging spiritual growth, understanding identity in Christ, and learning to understand Bible teachings to become closer to God.

Have you been reading the Word, praying, showing up at church, and still walking away feeling flat and far from God?Kathy Lindberg, founder of Watered by the Word, named something on the Treasured Wellness Show that I have watched play out in the lives of so many women I work with. Women come to her and say, “Kathy, I'm doing all the things. I'm going to church. I'm reading my Bible. I'm praying. I have my quiet time.” And they still feel empty. Still dissatisfied. Still stuck.I told Kathy something I believe with my whole heart. Spiritual fatigue is the most dangerous form of fatigue there is. When your body is tired, you feel it. When your mind is foggy, you notice it. But when your spirit runs dry while you keep performing the motions of faith, you can go a long time before anyone, including you, recognizes what is happening.The Trap of the Full ChecklistKathy calls it being a box checker, and she is honest that she has been there herself. The quiet time gets crossed off the list right alongside the emails, the school pickups, and the meetings. The heart posture underneath quietly slips away while the activity keeps going.Here is what most women never get told. A full checklist can sit right on top of an empty tank. You can be faithful in every observable way and still feel disconnected, because the doing was never the point. The relationship was. And that gap carries a real cost, one that often has a physical layer nobody is examining.When Your Faith Feels Flat, Look at Your Whole PersonI want to address something to the woman who has been praying harder, serving more, and secretly wondering whether her dryness means her faith is failing.Sometimes the spiritual flatness you feel has a root that reaches all the way into your body. When you have been running on chronic stress for years, your cortisol rhythm flattens, inflammation builds quietly, and your nervous system stays locked in a state of powering through. In that state, your capacity to feel almost anything, including the presence of God you know is there, gets muffled or muted.Here is the part most midlife women do not realize yet. What you are feeling is common, and it is a signal.The exhaustion, the flatness, the sense that something is off long before any lab test reading confirms it. In my experience most women are already roughly two-thirds of the way toward a diagnosis by the time their bloodwork flags it through a conventional reading.That means the tiredness you have been powering through sits inside a window where things are still very changeable. Common has quietly convinced a lot of women it is normal. It is common, and it is not normal, and this is exactly the moment where taking the reins changes the outcome.This is part of what I call High-Functioning Fatigue™, the invisible depletion of a woman whose drive has outpaced her body's current capacity. She looks capable on the outside because she is. Underneath, the tank is running dangerously low, and it touches every part of her, spirit included. The woman in that place is asking for answers, for language to understand what her body has been trying to tell her, so her spirit has room to breathe again.The Invitation Is Smaller Than You ThinkHave you been believing that reconnecting with God requires an hour you do not have?Kathy shared something freeing. Jesus is offering an invitation, and it holds whether you have five minutes or five hours. There is life to be given through the Word, through silence, through prayer, in whatever measure of time you can plug in today. It is never too late, and there is no expectation of perfection.This is the same principle I build into the lives of the women I guide. We create daily restore times, small intentional pauses to be with the Lord and to let the body settle out of emergency mode. Some days that looks like a cozy chair and a full cup of coffee.Most days it looks like five minutes before you open your laptop, listening to a Psalm, breathing slow, letting your nervous system come down. Scripture calls us to “be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Stillness is a practice you can steward, one small choice at a time.Kathy keeps Scripture note cards where she will see them, on the mirror, on the refrigerator, in the car during her commute. During her own fiery season, filling her mind with the things of God was literally life giving. That is stewardship of the mind, and it is a spiritual practice and a physiological one at the same time.What you feed your mind, your body listens to.You Were Made to Prosper as Your Soul ProspersThe verse that anchors everything I do is 3 John 1:2. “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”Read it slowly. Your health and your soul were designed to rise together. To be united. When one is depleted for long enough, the other feels the drought.So here is the question I want to leave with you. What if that emptiness you have been carrying is your whole person asking to be understood and cared for, while there is still time to respond well?You do not have to figure this out alone. Kathy said it plainly, and Scripture said it first in Genesis. We were made for community, not to walk this out in isolation. The same is true of your health. This is the season to take control and steward it with intention, before the window narrows.Ready to begin stewarding your health with specific intention?Subscribe to Treasured Wellness!Treasure your wellness!XO, Michelle.This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your physician before making changes to your diet, exercise, or supplement routine. Michelle McCoy is not a licensed physician or dietitian. Get full access to Treasured Wellness at treasuredwellness.substack.com/subscribe

Today I'm sitting down with my friend Kathy Lindberg to talk about God's call on our lives in this midlife season, and why answering it is never too late. Even if...those dreams have been deferred for a while now. God gives us the desires of our heart for a reason, and those desires do not retire at 40, 50, or 60. Feeling tired spiritually is real and often women feel they need to push through this fatigue even harder with more action. More doing. But your spirit whispers something different. If you are a high-achieving woman who has built a full life and still senses a quiet pull toward something deeper, you want to really lean into our conversation today. I have spent over a decade teaching God's daughters that we are called to steward our whole selves. Body, mind, and spirit. Treasuring your temple in midlife is not only physical. It begins with the health of your spirit and the consistency of your time in His Word. Kathy puts language to the question that reframes this entire season: "Where is the kingdom impact in what I am doing?" In this episode we get into: What Kathy is treasuring most in this season of life How her own story shaped her passion for discipling and equipping women What actually helps busy, distracted women reignite their love for God and build consistency in Scripture Why grounding yourself in the Word is foundational to maturing into your true identity in Christ I pray this blesses you and moves you to action! XO, Michelle   Connect with Kathy:  kathy@wateredbytheword.com https://www.facebook.com/kathy.lindberg.3/ https://wateredbytheword.com https://www.youtube.com/@wateredbytheword   Get your copy of the Whole Health Journal! The framework to understand what your body is really saying.   ***Join our community, Mind, Body. Restored.  to be supported, encouraged and educated as you take back your health WITH God at the center **Catch the Treasured Wellness Podcast on Substack  AND YouTube   *DISCLAIMER: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Contact your own physician for any medical concerns you have. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Treasured Wellness, LLC, guests or contributors be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.  

A detailed examination and comments, pastoral counsel, on the cases I have come across detailed since the Reformation on Spiritual Desertion, Melancholy, apostasy leading to despair. In the cases of Francis Spira, Debra Huish, Joane Drake, John Childs, and George Edwards. What can we learn from these stories?

Episode Summary: Have you ever sat down to pray and felt like your words were hitting the ceiling? Opened your Bible and felt nothing stir in your heart? Or gone through your day knowing all the “right” spiritual things to do, yet feeling strangely distant from God? If so, let me say this clearly right from the start: you are not alone, and you are not failing God. Spiritual dryness is far more common than we talk about, especially among believers who genuinely love the Lord and want to walk closely with Him. And yet, when it happens, many of us quietly wonder, What’s wrong with me? Why do I feel so disconnected? On this episode of Your Hope Filled Perspective, Rev. Jessica Van Roekel and I are having an honest, hope-filled conversation about what to do when you feel spiritually dry or distant from God, and how to walk through those seasons without shame, panic, or self-condemnation. Quotables from the episode: Let’s begin by naming something that often goes unspoken: spiritual dryness does not mean spiritual failure. Here’s something critical to understand: feelings are not the same as faith. God’s presence does not fluctuate based on our emotional experience. And that fear doesn’t come from theology. It comes from wiring. The human brain is designed to associate meaning with emotional feedback. When something once produced warmth, peace, or reassurance and suddenly doesn’t, the brain interprets that as loss, even if nothing has actually been taken away. This is why spiritual dryness doesn’t just feel neutral — it feels alarming. But here’s an important distinction: absence of emotional response is not absence of relationship. So, what you’re saying is that the dryness isn’t necessarily a spiritual message — it’s a nervous system signal. Often, yes. And when we misinterpret that signal spiritually, we add shame to exhaustion. This is where people start striving — more prayer, more discipline, more intensity — which ironically deepens the sense of distance. Because forced intimacy rarely restores connection. Sometimes God feels silent not because He’s absent, but because He’s inviting us into a deeper, quieter trust. There comes a point when faith matures beyond sensation. This doesn’t mean feelings are bad. It means feelings are no longer the foundation. Some of the deepest spiritual maturity is formed in seasons where God feels quiet. I challenge you instead of wishing away this dry season, to look at it as a gift. There comes a point when faith matures beyond sensation. This doesn’t mean feelings are bad. It means feelings are no longer the foundation. If God feels distant right now, resist the urge to diagnose yourself. Instead, consider this: What if this season isn’t about fixing your faith, but strengthening its foundation? Faith that endures silence is not weaker faith. It’s anchored faith! Scripture References: Psalm 42 “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God.” Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” Recommended Resources: Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything By Jessica Van Roekel Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Rev. Jessica Van Roekel: Website / Instagram / Facebook Connect with Dr. Bengtson: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Co-Host: Jessica Van Roekel is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who believes that through Jesus, personal histories don’t need to define the present or determine the future. She inspires, encourages, and equips others to look at life through the lenses of hope, trust, and God’s transforming grace. Jessica lives in rural Iowa surrounded by wide open spaces which remind her of God’s expansive love. She loves fun earrings, good coffee, and connecting with others. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We talk about healing as though it's inevitable. As though proximity to Scripture, therapy language, or Christian community automatically produces transformation. But God does not force anyone into wholeness. He invites. He confronts. He calls. And too many believers confuse awareness with growth. This week on Win Today, Debra Fileta joins me for a sober conversation about emotional health and spiritual maturity. We examine why so many Christians remain emotionally immature while sounding spiritually fluent, how "trauma-informed" has in some circles become trauma-defined identity, and why you cannot become spiritually mature if your mental and emotional life is neglected. Healing is not passive. It is participatory. If your faith is sincere but your reactions are volatile… if you know the right language but keep repeating the same patterns… or if you've mistaken self-protection for self-awareness, this episode will clarify what real growth actually requires. Guest Bio Debra Fileta is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in relationship, marital, mental, and emotional health. She is the author of five books, host of the Love + Relationships Podcast, and founder of TrueLoveDates.com, a widely read relationship advice platform reaching millions worldwide. Known for her candid yet compassionate voice, Debra integrates clinical insight with Christian faith to help individuals and couples pursue emotional health and stronger relationships. Her work has been featured in outlets including Christianity Today, Focus on the Family, Relevant Magazine, Crosswalk.com, Charisma Magazine, and more. Show Partner SafeSleeve designs a phone case that blocks up to 99% of harmful EMF radiation—so I'm not carrying that kind of exposure next to my body all day. It's sleek, durable, and most importantly, lab-tested by third parties. The results aren't hidden—they're published right on their site. And that matters because many so-called EMF blockers on the market either don't work or can't prove they do. We protect our hearts and minds—why wouldn't we protect our bodies too? Head to safesleevecases.com and use the code WINTODAY10 for 10% off your order. Episode Links Show Notes Buy my book "Healing What You Can't Erase" here! Invite me to speak at your church or event. Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Every time you listen to a Spiritually Stronger episode this year, you're hearing Riley Clemmons' voice in the intro and outro music! Last year, I got to sit down with Riley and Dave Haywood and write this song to go along with our podcast series and I am SOOO thrilled that we get to finally release the whole song to you. So wherever you listen to music - Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, wherever, you can now stream our song Spiritually Stronger that is beautifully recorded and performed by Riley Clemmons. . . . . Thank you to our sponsors: Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun⁠. The Wonder Project: Subscriber support makes more great content like I Gotta Ask with Annie F. Downs possible. The Wonder Project subscription on Prime Video is available in the U.S. for $8.99/month or $89.99/year after a 7-day free trial. Visit IGottaAsk.com to learn more! Capstone Wellness: Learn more at capstonewellness.com/thatsoundsfun. NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices