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2 episodes with stephen minister
Shawn Patrick Whittington is an Exorcist, Seminarian, ghostbuster, lecturer and teacher of paranormal studies and spiritual warfare. Shawn, and his wife, Sharon, (who is a Stephen Minister in the Lutheran Church and intuitive) are both survivors of extreme demonic attacks and together have over 40 years of in-the-field experience. They founded and operate Ghost-B-Gone, which is a spiritual warfare service based in Las Vegas, Nevada assisting with paranormal problems of various types and severity. Shawn is a cast member on Eli Roth Presents: The Legion of Exorcists (June 2023) on Travel Channel and Max. This show shares the real-life experiences of six exorcists. He hosts “Rev. Shawn Whittington's Paranormal Ministry” podcast, which is live on Facebook and available on YouTube.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.
Shawn Patrick Whittington is an Exorcist, Seminarian, ghostbuster, lecturer and teacher of paranormal studies and spiritual warfare. Shawn, and his wife, Sharon, (who is a Stephen Minister in the Lutheran Church and intuitive) are both survivors of extreme demonic attacks and together have over 40 years of in-the-field experience. They founded and operate Ghost-B-Gone, which is a spiritual warfare service based in Las Vegas, Nevada assisting with paranormal problems of various types and severity. Shawn is a cast member on Eli Roth Presents: The Legion of Exorcists (June 2023) on Travel Channel and Max. This show shares the real-life experiences of six exorcists. He hosts “Rev. Shawn Whittington's Paranormal Ministry” podcast, which is live on Facebook and available on YouTube.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.
Mark 10:35-45James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” Jesus said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink and to be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” They answered him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink the cup that I drink and be baptized with the baptism with which I have been baptized. But to sit at my right hand or my left is not mine to decide. It is for those for whom it has been prepared.”When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they regard as their rulers lord it over them; and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you. For whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant. And whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve; and to give his life a ransom for many.” Their nerve is laughable. To ask Jesus, so boldly … with so little shame … to get the best seats in the Kingdom? I'm as embarrassed for these jokers, James and John, as the other 10 disciples were angry at them for it.But you might say it's as endearing as it is surprising to know they would be so bold. Endearing – maybe – because they're doing that “faith like a child” thing Jesus mentions in some other Gospel stories we've heard, lately. You know, “whoever doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, will never enter it.” James and John sound to me like those little kids in school who ask to be first in line; who beg to get the best snack; who shoot their hand in the air and bounce around in their seat, hoping the teacher will call on them to do – or to get – whatever the next best things might be.And we can't know for sure, but I imagine Jesus might have been both endeared and exasperated by it, too, like any good teacher. “What is it you want me to do for you?” he asks them back. And when they request the best seats in the kingdom – when they tell him they want to be front and center on the other side of God's heaven – Jesus tells them they don't understand what it is they're talking about; that they really have no idea what they're asking for.Because, when Jesus says they will “drink the cup” that he drinks, he's not talking only about the cup of wine they'll share at the next wedding in Cana, or at the table of the Last Supper, even. The cup he's really talking about is the one he prays about in the Garden of Gethsemane just before his arrest and crucifixion. (“Father, if it be your will, let this cup pass from me.”) It was a cup full of suffering and struggle Jesus wasn't sure even he could drink, in all its fullness.And the baptism he's talking about isn't just that holy moment in the river with John the Baptist, when he came up from the water, when the dove descended, and when the voice from heaven declared him to be God's beloved Son. All of that was and would be part of it. But James and John didn't know, they couldn't imagine – or they had forgotten about – the temptation in the wilderness that followed the beauty of that moment in the river and, of course, the promised suffering and death that were to come along with that baptism, too. Just like James and John, none of this is what we always want to hear. None of this is how the world operates. All of this is summed up in the promise we've heard so many times before – and in the way Jesus wraps it all up for the disciples this morning: “whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant. And whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. …the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve; and to give his life a ransom for many.”A front row seat in God's kingdom means becoming a servant. Glory is achieved by becoming a slave. It means heading to the end of the line. It means giving more than you take; it means sharing more than you ask for yourself; it means not being served, but serving. And it's not about making a reservation on the other side of heaven. It's all about sharing and experiencing the Kingdom of God on earth, as it is in heaven, first.I've been fascinated and captivated and heartbroken to follow the story of Hersh Goldberg-Polin over the course of the last year. He was one of the Israeli-Americans captured and held hostage by Hamas over in Israel, a year ago, October 7th. He was at that Nova musical festival when the attack started and he took cover, with a group of others, packed into one of the cement bomb shelters that are surprisingly common-place in Israel; they sit like park benches or bus stops along the side of the road. Anyway, Hersh's parents have been some of the more outspoken advocates for their son and the other hostages in Gaza. Maybe you've seen them. I think his mom, aptly named Rachel, is the one who started the trend of wearing a piece of tape on her shirt to mark the number of days since the attack and to count the number of days that her son and others were being held captive. (Rachel, in the Biblical narrative, remember, is the matriarch who wept for her children taken captive by the Babylonians.) Dmitry Solovyov / NBC News Well, this Rachel's 23-year-old son Hersh is a hero by all accounts because, just before his capture on October 7, 2023, he was trapped in one of those bomb shelters with a handful of others and, as the attackers lobbed as many as 11 grenades into the shelter's open door, one after another, Hersh risked his life over and over and over by grabbing and throwing the grenades back until one exploded and blew his arm off below the elbow. He was ultimately captured and hauled away to Gaza.And it was heart-wrenching over the course of the last year to see his parents interviewed and marching, giving speeches and making appeals to governments and politicians, each day marked by the climbing numbers scrawled onto the masking tape that they wore so faithfully in his honor. Hersh was found dead on day 330 – about a month shy of one full year in captivity. We want to be first, but we think that means being the fastest. We want to know peace and comfort, but we think that means having more power and money and stuff. We want to walk more closely with Jesus but we're not always willing to follow where he leads. We want to be successful, but we use all the wrong measuring sticks to determine what that means.What Jesus shows us, and what people like Hersh Goldberg-Polin lived, is what it looks like to serve rather than to be served; to choose others over and above ourselves; to give instead of take; to become a suffering servant like we heard about from the prophet Isaiah a minute ago.What Jesus shows us, and what Hersh-Goldberg-Polin lived in ways I can't fathom, is that to sit at the right hand of God isn't just a position to which we will be promoted someday. To sit at the right hand of God is a position to which each and every one of us is called to experience, somehow, right where we live, on this side of heaven, not just the next. This is where we are called to drink the cup. Here is where we're invited to live out the calling of our baptism.And as hard as that is sometimes. As much courage and faith and generosity and sacrifice as that may invite us to, we are blessed with this God – in Jesus – who never calls us to something God hasn't already done, first, for our sake: to give generously … to sacrifice … to suffer … to die, even.(I'm in no way suggesting that God ordained or orchestrated the suffering and death of Hersh Goldberg-Polin or any of those captured or killed in the October 7th attacks in Israel, or since. I am saying that Hersh responded like a saint … like a selfless servant … in that bomb shelter, likely inspired by the Jewish faith he shared with the likes of James and John and Jesus.)And that's Jesus' invitation to James and John – and to each of us, just the same – as we live in the strange pull of God's Kingdom … on this side of heaven and the next. And there are a million ways we can practice drinking this cup and answering the call of our baptism that don't look anything like the struggle and suffering of a hostage in the war-torn middle east, thanks be to God!I think it means giving away our money. I think it means helping refugees. I think it means building homes in Haiti, helping the SonRise Bible Study, serving as a Stephen Minister, working in the food pantry, spending time with the Agape ministry's sex workers downtown.I think it means cleaning the bathrooms at church, mowing the lawn at church, doing yard work around the church. I think it means working in the nursery and teaching Sunday School at church, too.I think it means saying “I'm sorry,” and proving it. I think it means saying “I forgive you,” and meaning it.I think it means sitting with the lonely kid in the cafeteria or picking the last kid, first, on the playground some of the time, too.Because we are called to be servants. We are called not to ask “what can I get?”, but “what can I give?”, instead, and “how much?” and, “who needs it most?” … like Jesus did when he climbed onto a cross and out of a tomb and into our hearts, minds, and lives so that we would share the grace of God in as many ways as we can manage – and so that, through sharing it – humbly, selflessly, generously, bravely, even, without hope for recognition or reward – we will experience God's kind of glory most fully ourselves – and for the benefit and blessing of somebody else, in Jesus' name.Amen
Shawn Patrick Whittington is an Exorcist, Seminarian, ghostbuster, lecturer and teacher of paranormal studies and spiritual warfare. Shawn, and his wife, Sharon, (who is a Stephen Minister in the Lutheran Church and intuitive) are both survivors of extreme demonic attacks and together have over 40 years of in-the-field experience. They founded and operate Ghost-B-Gone, which is a spiritual warfare service based in Las Vegas, Nevada assisting with paranormal problems of various types and severity. Shawn is a cast member on Eli Roth Presents: The Legion of Exorcists (June 2023) on Travel Channel and Max. This show shares the real-life experiences of six exorcists. He hosts “Rev. Shawn Whittington's Paranormal Ministry” podcast, which is live on Facebook and available on YouTube.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.
Connecting Across: Hurt - Justin SchleuterIt can feel impossible to connect with someone who has hurt us. Does God want us to connect with people who have hurt us, people who are still hurting us? Christians struggle with the answer to these questions because the answers aren't easy. With that said, some of the most challenging questions yield the richest results when we take the time and effort to make the connection.Let us know your thoughts by reaching out and joining the conversation with your questions and comments using the information below:Text/Voicemail: 407-965-1607Email: podcast@wholelife.church#ThisIsWholeLifeSTEPHEN MINISTERS AT WHOLELIFE: If you would like to inquire about becoming a Stephen Minister at WholeLife Church or if you'd like someone that will listen and walk with you through a difficult time please go to our website: https://wholelife.church/stephenministries or email stephenministries@wholelife.church.SUBSCRIBE NOW to our weekly companion podcast, Speaking of Grace, to listen to the message this episode is based on and where our pastors and guest speakers invite you into a lifelong friendship with God. Never miss another message or series again! Take it with you in the car, at home, on your phone, on your smartwatch, and in your earbuds, wherever life takes you!This Is WholeLife features Pastors Ken Wetmore, and Melanie Bockmann, with Communication Director Randy Magray as the host. It is available everywhere you listen to podcasts! If you've enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform and share it with your family, friends, and social media, where you will find us at the following links! Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Thank you for listening! To learn more about our podcasts at WholeLife Church, visit the Podcasts page on our website.NEXT WEEK: 3/7/24 - Connecting Across: Making the Connection Across Religious Beliefs - Speaker Ken WetmoreLearn more about WholeLife Church.Find out what's happening at WholeLife Church by visiting our Events Calendar!#WholeLifePodcast #ThisIsWholeLife #Connect
Shawn Patrick Whittington is an Exorcist, Seminarian, ghostbuster, lecturer and teacher of paranormal studies and spiritual warfare. Shawn, and his wife, Sharon, (who is a Stephen Minister in the Lutheran Church and intuitive) are both survivors of extreme demonic attacks and together have over 40 years of in-the-field experience. They founded and operate Ghost-B-Gone, which is a spiritual warfare service based in Las Vegas, Nevada assisting with paranormal problems of various types and severity. Shawn is a cast member on Eli Roth Presents: The Legion of Exorcists (June 2023) on Travel Channel and Max. This show shares the real-life experiences of six exorcists. He hosts “Rev. Shawn Whittington's Paranormal Ministry” podcast, which is live on Facebook and available on YouTube.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.
Welcome to a diverse and engaging episode of Northside NOW, where we delve into the heart of compassionate care with our special guests, Stephen Ministry Coordinator Rowland Fisher and dedicated Stephen Minister Marsha Gaskill. Discover the essence of Stephen Ministry as we unveil the impactful work of lay members trained for 50 hours to provide Christian care during life's challenges—be it loss, loneliness, job loss, or more. In this insightful episode, we explore the core principles of Stephen Ministry, emphasizing the utmost importance of confidentiality in maintaining trust and fostering a caring community. If you or someone you know could benefit from a Stephen Minister, listen in for details on how to connect with Rowland Fisher at rfisher@eplus.net or 731-267-6559. But that's not all! Our conversation takes unexpected turns as we dive into the world of NFL conspiracies, share survival stories from the recent blizzard, and more! Join us for a dynamic blend of heartwarming narratives, thought-provoking discussions, and lighthearted moments that showcase the vibrant spirit of Northside Church. ☛ Did you know that you can be part of future podcast conversations too? Send in a comment, show idea or a question: https://anchor.fm/northsidenow/message Connect with us online: ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northsidejackson ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northsidenowpodcast ►Website: https://www.northsidejackson.com ►Podcast: https://anchor.fm/northsidenow #NorthsideNOWPodcast #NorthsideChurch #StephenMinistry #NorthsideJackson --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/northsidenow/message
Matthew 5: 1-12When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Say the name, toll the bell, light the candle. It may seem like a strange tradition, at least from the outside. But the church has been celebrating this day, in some way or another, for over 1700 years. Meta Herrick Carlson writes movingly about this day in her book Speak it Plain and I share her words, call it a prayer or poem, with you this morning. She writes, “I listen for it tolling from steeples in the sky. The bells stir the air between here and heartache. For a moment, the mystery satisfies, and we are all together. I hang onto memories and promises with my fingernails just barely - not because I am certain, but because it is all that's left. Because if I let go, I will fall and break apart.Perhaps, someone will speak of my Beloved today and then I will not be so alone. Hearing the name aloud makes it real, shares the weight like a new song I think I've always known. There are candles to light, the quiet resistance of remembering.”It is comforting to hear something so accurately describe what or how you feel. Carlson does that for me with her description of mourning: it's sad like heartache, it's a heaviness that weighs on you until tears or tiredness take over; its the griping of memory for dear life, its a loneliness we can't quite shake. Yet Jesus says blessed are those who mourn. That's the thing about a beatitude… it's contrary to what we think its going to say or should say. Blessed are those who mourn is not what we expected. Mourning doesn't feel like a blessing. You don't need me to tell you that. You have lost a loved one before, maybe it was this year or the last or 20 years ago; regardless of when, the mourning is still there. We all mourn but we might not all mourn the same. Maybe you've been on the receiving end, hopefully not here, of someone saying “its been x number of years, don't you think its time for closure?” But that's not really how it works is it? The feeling of loss may not ever leave. Today though is about the promise of comfort Jesus talks of. Today is a day set aside to speak about your beloved, to remember them, and by doing so, receive a little bit of comfort in the midst of mourning. Remembering may seem insignificant, a way of living in the past and not present in the hear and now. Frederick Buechner says there are two kinds of remembering. “One way is to make an excursion from the living present back into the dead past.” Like a longing to live in the days already gone.“The other way is to summon the dead past back into the living present. The young widow remembers her husband, and he is there beside her.” That's the kind of remembering Jesus had in mind when seated at the last supper, he said to his disciples and to all of us, do this in remembrance of me. In our remembrance of that night, of that meal, Jesus and all the company of heaven, all those we have lost, including your beloved, are right beside you at this meal.That's the kind of remembering we are doing today when we say their names, ring the bell, and light the candles. So often we don't ask about someone else's beloved, the people or person they've lost because we think it'll make them upset, that it will draw back unwanted memories, that it's salt in a still healing wound. But here, in this community, on this day, to speak the name is not salt but a soothing salve. Because when you say to someone, tell me about your beloved, and a story is shared, we who mourn are less alone. When you say, I remember when they did that or when they said this, you help the weight of grief be shared with another set of shoulders. “Perhaps, someone will speak of my Beloved today and then I will not be so alone.”That's one of the reasons I find funerals so moving. This may sound morbid, but I don't intend for it to. Some of the most formative, insightful, grace-filled moments in my first year here at Cross of Grace have been the funerals and memorials. I never met Jim Smith, or Chuck Hershberger or Janis Janelsons. And I met with Bev Bancroft and Mike McCoy too few times. I did not have the pleasure to know them as many of you did. Yet, leading up to and at their funerals, I heard many stories and memories, about when they were a child or a young adult, about what led them here and what they did for work, what and who they were proud of. It gave me a fuller picture of not only that person, but of those who loved them and a deeper understanding of this community. On those days we are unafraid to speak their names and share their stories. And those gathered were comforted. That's the promise; blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Of all the beatitudes, this is one where you can make that promise happen, here and now. You can help give someone else that comfort, if even for a moment, simply by speaking of their beloved. So today ask someone else about their beloved. Invite someone to share that memory they are holding onto with just their fingertips, and share the weight of mourning. Even better, make this a practice throughout the holiday season. It may seem early to talk about the holidays, but don't act like some of you don't already have your Christmas decorations out. You know who you are (we do too). In this season the weight and loneliness can feel acute and overbearing, but you can be the promised comfort Jesus speaks of to someone else. In doing so you too will get a fuller picture not only of that person, but of those who loved them. And if that sounds like you receive a lot of joy in being that comfort for someone else, consider being a Stephen minister. If you need that comfort, consider getting a Stephen Minister, thats what they do!And while that comfort may only be temporary, today is also about holding on to the promise that one day, we will receive the full comfort of being reunited with all our beloved ones, forevermore. As Meta wrote, our quiet resistance to death is remembering. But Jesus' quiet resistance was his work on the cross, where, as the spiritual reminds us, he never said a mumblin word. And it's through his work that we are forgiven and the promise to be with God and loved one's is made ours. Receive that promise as a gift this morning. That your beloved is a saint, not because they lived a nearly perfect life, but because as Luther liked to say they are a forgiven sinner. In our tradition that's what makes a saint, and we can trust that all saints now rest with God and one day so will you. That too is the promise of comfort Christ makes to us in this beatitude.Today is not simply saying the name, tolling the bells and lighting the candles. It's much more than that. It's holding on to our memories, to our beloved, and to Christ's promise with all we have, if even by the tips of our fingers. It is the practice of quiet resistance to death and all that separates us from God and one another. So I invite you to practice the quiet resistance of remembering. Who is your beloved? As we sing our hymn of the day, come light a candle for them, remember them, and be comforted by the promise that you, dear saint, will be with them once again. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Have you talked about God today? I'm not referring to talking TO Him in prayer, but rather talking ABOUT Him to others. Is God the subject of your conversations? Do you feel confident when talking about Him? Our guest, Kay Spann Byrd is the author of Have You Talked About God Today? This dynamic book explains why it's important to talk about God and equips us to do so intelligently and confidently. Kay is a Sumter, SC native, now residing in Columbia, SC. She has served as a Chaplain Extern at Prismus Health Baptist Medical Center, commissioned for three years as a Stephen Minister by the Palmetto Health Richland Memorial Hospital, an Army Education Counselor, and a professor of Business. She is the founder and president of Women's Ministries, Women of Power International, Inc., publishing editor of Women's Ministries, Women of Power Magazine, and host of a sister radio program. An Ordained Evangelist, she currently serves as the Audio-Visual Tech and Associate Minister at Life Changing Ministries in Irmo, SC. This episode was broadcast live on Facebook on August 11, 2023. Join the conversation as we dive deep into this topic. Learn what inspired Kay to write her book and receive helpful tips to support you on your journey to talk about God more. Connect with Kay on Facebook @Kay Spann Byrd. Purchase your copy of Have You Talked About God Today? on Amazon. Follow Sherry on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube @SherrySpeaksLife. Visit sherryspeakslife.com to learn about our mission, products, and services. Enroll in Sherry's Overcoming Self-Sabotage Course at bit.ly/overcome-sabotage.
Join me on The Missing Peace with Exorcist Shawn Patrick Whittington! Shawn Patrick Whittington is an Exorcist, Seminarian (United States Old Catholic Church), ghostbuster, lecturer, and teacher of paranormal studies and spiritual warfare. Shawn, and his wife, Sharon, (who is a Stephen Minister in the Lutheran Church and intuitive) are both survivors of extreme demonic attacks and together have over 40 years of in-the-field experience. They founded and operate Ghost-B-Gone which is a spiritual warfare service based in Las Vegas, Nevada assisting with paranormal problems of various types and severity. Shawn is a cast member on Eli Roth Presents: The Legion of Exorcists (June 2023) on Travel Channel and Max. This show shares the real-life experiences of six exorcists. He hosts “Rev. Shawn Whittington's Paranormal Ministry” podcast which is live on Facebook and available on YouTube. Books: GOD, GHOSTS, AND THE PARANORMAL MINISTRY: A Supernatural and Spiritual Autobiography by Rev. Shawn P. Whittington (Stellium Books March 17, 2019) is a raw and truthful account of his experiences. GOD, GHOSTS, AND THE PARANORMAL MINISTRY 2: Chronicles of an American Exorcist The second book in the series factual accounts of dealing with demonic cases. (Stellium Books May 26, 2023) For more information: Ghost B Gone website https://www.ghost-b-gone.biz/ Contact: Phone: 702.416.6288 Email: Shawn@ghost-b-gone.biz Please like/share/subscribe to my Facebook Group & Youtube Channel @themissingpeacewithtrishmo to get notifications about any upcoming broadcasts and events! Listen to my new station @trishmo on AMP! and coming soon - www.lenoralore.com
Join me on The Missing Peace with Exorcist Shawn Patrick Whittington! Shawn Patrick Whittington is an Exorcist, Seminarian (United States Old Catholic Church), ghostbuster, lecturer, and teacher of paranormal studies and spiritual warfare. Shawn, and his wife, Sharon, (who is a Stephen Minister in the Lutheran Church and intuitive) are both survivors of extreme demonic attacks and together have over 40 years of in-the-field experience. They founded and operate Ghost-B-Gone which is a spiritual warfare service based in Las Vegas, Nevada assisting with paranormal problems of various types and severity. Shawn is a cast member on Eli Roth Presents: The Legion of Exorcists (June 2023) on Travel Channel and Max. This show shares the real-life experiences of six exorcists. He hosts “Rev. Shawn Whittington's Paranormal Ministry” podcast which is live on Facebook and available on YouTube. Books: GOD, GHOSTS, AND THE PARANORMAL MINISTRY: A Supernatural and Spiritual Autobiography by Rev. Shawn P. Whittington (Stellium Books March 17, 2019) is a raw and truthful account of his experiences. GOD, GHOSTS, AND THE PARANORMAL MINISTRY 2: Chronicles of an American Exorcist The second book in the series factual accounts of dealing with demonic cases. (Stellium Books May 26, 2023) For more information: Ghost B Gone website https://www.ghost-b-gone.biz/ Contact: Phone: 702.416.6288 Email: Shawn@ghost-b-gone.biz Please like/share/subscribe to my Facebook Group & Youtube Channel to get notified about any upcoming broadcasts and events! Listen to my new station @trishmo on AMP!
Join me on The Missing Peace with Exorcist Shawn Patrick Whittington! Shawn Patrick Whittington is an Exorcist, Seminarian (United States Old Catholic Church), ghostbuster, lecturer, and teacher of paranormal studies and spiritual warfare. Shawn, and his wife, Sharon, (who is a Stephen Minister in the Lutheran Church and intuitive) are both survivors of extreme demonic attacks and together have over 40 years of in-the-field experience. They founded and operate Ghost-B-Gone which is a spiritual warfare service based in Las Vegas, Nevada assisting with paranormal problems of various types and severity. Shawn is a cast member on Eli Roth Presents: The Legion of Exorcists (June 2023) on Travel Channel and Max. This show shares the real-life experiences of six exorcists. He hosts “Rev. Shawn Whittington's Paranormal Ministry” podcast which is live on Facebook and available on YouTube. Books: GOD, GHOSTS, AND THE PARANORMAL MINISTRY: A Supernatural and Spiritual Autobiography by Rev. Shawn P. Whittington (Stellium Books March 17, 2019) is a raw and truthful account of his experiences. GOD, GHOSTS, AND THE PARANORMAL MINISTRY 2: Chronicles of an American Exorcist The second book in the series factual accounts of dealing with demonic cases. (Stellium Books May 26, 2023) For more information: Ghost B Gone website https://www.ghost-b-gone.biz/ Contact: Phone: 702.416.6288 Email: Shawn@ghost-b-gone.biz Please like/share/subscribe to my Facebook Group & Youtube Channel to get notified about any upcoming broadcasts and events! Listen to my new station @trishmo on AMP!
John 14:1-3“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. I don't know if I'm here tonight because of a wilderness or because I'm bewildered. And maybe it doesn't matter. O those wildernesses. Scripture says Elijah RAN to his, and even Jesus was LED to one. I was DROPPED into my wilderness last year, first when Susan died, and then deeper into it just a month later when Mary died. Susan and Mary didn't know each other, but it looked like they planned their exit strategy together. I had texted Susan multiple times without a reply. My last text cheerfully said, “Susan, are you there?” She no longer was. Mary and I were arranging lunch for a Tuesday, but on Sunday Mary died in her kitchen. Without warning, they just disappeared. I was and still am bewildered.Of the many synonyms for “wilderness,” I chose the word “empty.” The deep, decades-long, trusted friendships I had with these women each ended so abruptly, they left me lost in an emptiness, of grief. I love them still and will always be homesick for them, even as my grief changes, because being in their lives was anything BUT empty.Susan was warmth and lofty ideals, gentleness, calm, and refinement. Living in a tiny traditional home with her tapestries, carvings, music, books, and friends filled with life, it's no wonder I thrived on her laughter and her bright conversations, about faith and justice, about love and deep soul-searching, about the heart stuff and hard stuff of life. Ever caring, she Facetimed her grandchildren when they came home after school to their empty house, faithfully grandparenting from 200 miles away. I especially loved that she watched Cross of Grace services on YouTube so often that she even knew some of you who served by name. She loved people tenderly, including me…and you.Mary, on the other hand, was everything earthy and creative, funny, colorful, and outrageous! Her small double-wide home in the country overflowed with rescued dogs, cats, and grown kids. I cherish the way she usually started our conversations with an abrupt, “Hey, DK, I have an idea.” And she always did. Her friends still talk about the time she was in the bar where her son was a bouncer, and a wild brawl broke out. Mary suddenly rushed into the middle of it, (and Mary was not one to rush anywhere,) and began pushing drunk guys out of the way to get to her son, all the while shouting to him, “Are you ok?!? Are you OK?!?” She never once considered that her son was a Green Beret in the military and probably didn't really need her help. Mary loved fiercely. She would have rescued just me the same.Maybe you can see my empty holes no one will ever fill the same way. I tell you all this tonight, not about grief especially, but wondering if maybe you have been bewildered and lost in a wilderness too. If not in one of grief, then maybe in a loss of another relationship, or one lacking, of health, a job, a loss of a home, a dream, of time passing, a loss of purpose, or the road not taken. Maybe it's a longing for an undefined something missing. If you don't have a story to tell yet, you probably will. Together in this world, it's hard to have a life without a wilderness, eventually. My wilderness felt like this picture behind me. * Our baptismal fount at CoG, is usually filled with fresh, life-restoring, touchable water, but looked like this last Lent. Could it have been any drier, or less nourishing, or less life-filled? I mean, Jesus was there, in the middle of my wilderness, just like the cross is in the photo. No one had to say to me, “Have hope in the resurrection.” That wouldn't help. I knew that. I never doubted it in my head ever, but I was achingly sad anyway. I noticed more of the cold, hard stones, than the warmth of grace and love I knew was there. I was empty. I felt like Elijah in the lesson, looking for God in multiple places, certain God would show up, but not quite finding Him like I hoped. A wilderness can be a lonely place. Can anyone ever really know exactly what you are missing? Really? The coldest time in my wilderness was during Advent, hearing a Wednesday message about how a different Mary, pregnant mother of Jesus, went to her wonderful, wise Aunt Elizabeth for support and love. Imagining that relationship, my tears ran. I hurt. I needed my go-to Aunt Elizabeths for ideas and creativity, for memories made together, and the joy of long-time belonging. I would have cried with Mary about Susan, and with Susan about Mary, but I could do neither. I needed my Aunt Elizabeths. Do you know what that longing is like, no matter your wilderness?All that made the late Christmas Eve service sermon especially touching, reaching deep within my being, and settling there. That night, the reason for Christmas all sounded different. Compassion as I saw it on the video that night looked different. Things changed. • I understood why Jesus actually WANTED to live in the same kind of vulnerable human mess I was In…..so that He could recognize and be the compassion I needed. He could say, “Dianne, I've been there too. Really.”• I understood that Jesus experienced courage, in order to give ME courage…. so I could be courageously compassionate to others. He could say, “Go ahead and try it, Dianne. I've done that too. Really.”• I understood how Jesus came to love people through all their wildernesses… so we could love a person through a wilderness too. He could say, “Yep. I've shown you how. And still do. Really.” Jesus was replacing this cold stone * cross with His warm Presence again. I surely don't know how it was happening, but it was. Really. I knew Jesus lived with MY particular grief, MY experiences with MY special friends, MY emptiness too. My very real compassionate Jesus knew what I was missing and was sad right along with me the whole time. He could say, “Dianne, I get it. Really.” and totally mean it. Mary and Susan left, but Jesus never did. I didn't know it while in my wilderness, but I was being cared for. I wonder, when Elijah ran fear of his life, did he realize how he was also being cared for? Or did he see it in HINDSIGHT? He was given courage, direction, and support while he was trying to find home again. He found Grace in his wilderness. In HINDSIGHT, I know Grace was always there for me too. Like our Lenten song has said repeatedly, more or less, ´Elijah and I may have had to wait, may have had to pray more than we usually do.” No voice or manna or burning bushes came to me in my wilderness. I wish. But there WERE words, emails, hugs, and conversations. Earthly ones. There was Grace when I realized, in HINDSIGHT, that in my Stephen Minister training, I had already heard about, read about, and practiced grief situations and had been given the privilege to walk it with others BEFORE I was dropped into my own. Jesus led me gently into my grief and I didn't even know it. There were lovely souls around who were sad with me, and said so. People gave me God's Word and their words. People sang song lyrics, even sad ones, and served me bread and wine, and did some serious listening that I'm sure Jesus overheard. Some people were put in my path, or on YouTube, authors and teachers, friends and strangers alike. In HINDSIGHT I think Jesus knew I had to walk differently with Him for a while, before I could see His invitation to take His hand again. And so He gave me PEOPLE. I was tended to, held up, and provided for in my wilderness, by the warm love of Jesus, through people. It took time, and listening. ”I may have had to wait. I may have had to pray more that I usually do.” When I thought the happy Jesus of Christmas and Easter sometimes looked pretty puny in my wilderness, I was sustained and tended to anyway. Really. How cool is it that our God loved me enough to provide, and provide and provide, even when I wasn't ready to see it. Exodus 15: 13 says about our Lord, “In your unfailing love, you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength, you will guide them to Your Holy Dwelling.” I believe that. And more.In His unfailing love, I believe God leads and guides us to emerge differently from our wildernesses, no matter our wilderness, no matter how long it takes. I believe God's love and strength provided Jesus with the vulnerability, courage, and compassion He needed just to get through His own life, death and resurrection. And He emerged differently, for us.I believe Jesus left all that behind in each of us. Vulnerability, courage and compassion, is in, us. I am reminded about that often at Cog, even this Lent. I believe we need that vulnerability, courage, and compassion to walk with each other in the wilderness, as we are called to do. I don't believe it looks the same for everyone or happens in the same timeframe. In fact, sometimes I wonder if maybe we are ALL in a wilderness ALL the time and maybe don't see it; all the time maybe searching for a way to fully live as God intends. Maybe we are ALL still aching for some holes in our lives to be filled…mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual. While in Our own daily wilderness, we are called to walk with others, as much as we are able, anyway.I believe God has called me to walk with others through their wildernesses and I've missed the opportunities.I believe we each are to look for them, and when we find them…. I believe we are called to love through those hard times, love through it all, through messy empty places. Just keep loving.Because I believe that when one of us walks another through a wilderness, every single time that happens, we are ALL, ALL of us, a step closer to being, led, home…… through the love of God and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
John 1:29-42The next day [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.”And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them,“Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon.One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). Thursday night was midterm exam night for our Bethel Bible Study class – you may have heard some weeping and gnashing of teeth from them in recent weeks because of it. I haven't graded the exams yet, but they're always more worried about it than they need to be. So, in an attempt to remind a very anxious class about what we're really doing here – and about what really matters in all of this – I asked them a question for “Extra, Extra Credit” on their mid-term exam. And their answers ended up being excellent sermon fodder for this morning. The question was simple: “Unrelated to the Bethel Bible Study, share something meaningful you have experienced or enjoyed or been inspired by as part of our life together at Cross of Grace.” As I'd hoped, the answers moved me and inspired me and turned out to be a great connection to this week's gospel.Someone said it feels like home here…where kids are loved, family is supported, God's grace and mercy are witnessed and love is felt. And they said how moving and meaningful it has been for their kids to see their dad serving here.Someone said that, because of what we do here, they have grown to be more open and accepting and comfortable having hard conversations with people and that they can show love and compassion to people who struggle in ways they haven't always been able to do.A couple people said something about the overall feeling of warmth and welcome at Cross of Grace that matters to them.Another person explained how they hadn't ever been particularly involved at Cross of Grace until one Sunday morning when someone asked them to fill in for someone who didn't show up. All it took, they explained, was for someone to ask. And ever since, this person has been as involved as anyone in what we're up to around here.Someone else remembered how deliberately and kindly they were welcomed the very first time they showed up – and how they continually feel welcomed, acknowledged and seen here.Lots of people like how involved and connected kids are allowed to be, some mentioned the bells, the band, the friendships; others mentioned our outward focus on mission and ministry; some talked about relevant teaching and preaching; one person mentioned a card they got in the mail and a very specific invitation to serve as a Stephen Minister; someone else said that we “choose life” around here in all the ways – spiritually, mentally, mindfully; worshiping, serving, giving, empowering.That's all great stuff… holy stuff… moving things that remind me of how and why it's good to be the church around here. But for me, what was mentioned in those answers to my “extra, extra credit question” was just as telling as what wasn't mentioned.No one said anything about doctrine or dogma or denominations. No one said a word about the abstract rules and self-righteousness that so many Christians fight about out there in the world. No one said a thing that had to be thought about or reasoned or rationalized in too many ways. It was all stuff that had to be experienced, witnessed, seen, heard, felt in some way.It's why it all connected so mightily with what the disciples of John the Baptist were hungry for when they first saw Jesus and started to follow him, for a change, in this morning's Gospel. John points them in the right direction, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” And they just follow.They meet up with Jesus, and they call him Rabbi, which means “teacher,” like maybe they were expecting a lecture or a reading or a sermon or a midterm exam, perhaps. But Jesus doesn't do any of that. He says, “what are you looking for?” and then “come and see.”“Come and see.” And that's what they do.And, who knows what happened that afternoon at 4 o'clock when they went to stay with Jesus. But ultimately, as they followed him around Galilee, they saw him heal and forgive and tell great stories. They watched him live and move and breathe among the people. They watched him touch lepers and be touched with the oil and tears and hair of a sinful woman. They saw him love others, purely and plainly. They watched him suffer and struggle and sacrifice and die – and they suffered the sting of that loss as a result. And they felt the joy of his redemption, on the other side the empty tomb, even more. And all of this moved them, transformed them, and changed the world around them, too, by the grace they learned to receive and share because of all they experienced. And that's still God's hope for us as followers of Jesus on the other side of Christmas: that we would come and see – which so many of us have, based on the simple, holy, profound experiences we can share about our time here. And God's hope is that, once we've come and seen, that we will go and show, too, so that others might be changed by the same grace we have known.Rob Bell, has a great way of explaining this. He says, “Jesus shows us that ultimate truth and mystery are located in bodies and matter and lips and arms and music and grass and water and eyes and relationships.” In other words, God is in what can be tasted, touched, heard, seen, felt and shared. Not so much in what can be read about or described with all the right words. Or passed on by way of a midterm exam.And one of my favorite things Rob Bell says is this: “It's one thing to stand there in a lab coat with a clipboard, recording data about lips. It's another thing to be kissed.”“It's one thing to stand there in a lab coat with a clipboard, recording data about lips. It's another thing [altogether] to be kissed.”It's one thing to stand here in our white robes or our fancy clothes, with our hymnals and our bulletins in one hand and our best intentions in the other. It's another thing altogether, to be loving and forgiving, to be sacrificing and sharing, to be tasting and offering up the fullness of God's kind of grace and mercy with the world.Whether it's the bread and wine of communion; or the excitement of a kid, overjoyed to get “The Box” (you should have seen and heard Jackson Hall last weekend at second service); or whether it's the water that runs down the cheeks of a baptized child; or the tears that fall from the eyes of a proud parent; or the sound of a song that hits, just so; or the fullness of grace that “just is” – or should be – in places like this … the stuff of life and faith that matters most, just has to be experienced and shared to make a difference. You just have to come and see it – as much as anything – in order to believe it, or buy it, or be changed by it in some way.This life of faith is meant to be felt – which God proved by showing up in the skin and bones of Jesus. This life of faith is meant to be practiced – not just preached about. This life of faith is meant to be shared through worship, learning and service. This faith matters most – for us and for others – when we come and see it in flesh and blood, through sweat and tears, in laughter and love and when we go and show and become it, too, in all of those ways, for the sake of the world.Amen
In this episode, Alex sits down with Jason Rudeen, who a person in long term recovery. Jason is the CO host of the Way Out Podcast. He is a recovery advocate, a peer recovery specialist, and a Stephen Minister. In this episode Jason and Alex speak about his sober journey, and also the role that faith has played in his recovery.
Sermon: Ministering to the Emotionally Impacted: Stephen Ministry Scripture: Luke 10:25-37 Speaker: Rev. Dan Wunderlich Description: Stephen Ministry's mission is to bring Christ to a hurting world through one-on-one meetings, allowing emotionally impacted people to know the peace and power of Christ's healing. We'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this healing ministry and how to introduce this benefit to those who are hurting as well as how to answer Christ's invitation to get involved as a Stephen Minister.
In this episode Rich Gorecki talks about men and their need for authentic relationships with other men. Who do you have in your inner circle? Rich Gorecki is a self-professed “regular kind of guy” who writes from his own struggles with work-life balance that teetered on depression and his experiences with friendships. Rich's concept of “GodBuddies” led to his personal blog and recent book about a man's need for deeper, more authentic friendships based on raising boys, the cultural issues for men, participating in Bible studies and study retreats, and speaking on the topic of friendships. Rich is an elder at his local Presbyterian Church, trained Stephen Minister, and leader of its men's group. He is a former Assistant Scoutmaster, coached his kids' teams, and volunteered with various local organizations. Rich lives in the western suburbs of Chicago and is married to his high school sweetheart, Cyndi, with whom they raised three boys into young adult men. Boots on the Ground Identify who functions as your Paul, Barnabas and Timothy? Get Your Copy Now! of Tell Them, What Great Fathers Tell Their Sons and Daughters www.meninthearena.org Men in the Arena Books and Swag Support the Podcast
Mark 10:35-45James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” Jesus said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink and to be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” They answered him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink the cup that I drink and be baptized with the baptism with which I have been baptized. But to sit at my right hand or my left is not mine to decide. It is for those for whom it has been prepared.”When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they regard as their rulers lord it over them; and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you. For whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant. And whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve; and to give his life a ransom for many.”I often feel like Jesus regrets some of the things he says sometimes. Like that time he said, “Ask, and it will be given to you…” Or when he said, “everyone who asks receives...” Or, that time he promised, “I will do whatever you ask in my name…”Because James and John, the Sons of Zebedee, really take him up on that kind of thing this morning, don't they? They sound like a couple of the most spoiled-rotten kids you ever met, in this Gospel, right? They are selfish and entitled and not even trying to hide it. They're the kind of entitled that has no shame. They don't even know they should try to hide it. And I want to be mad at them for that, like the other ten disciples were, but maybe I shouldn't blame them. Maybe they were just taking Jesus up on his offer, holding him to his word when they ask, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” There's no hemming and hawing… there's no beating around the bush… there's no bargaining, even, as far as we can tell. “Teacher, we want you to do for us … whatever we ask of you.”And we can't tell it from here, but I imagine Jesus must be a little exasperated by it. “What is it you want me to do for you?” he asks them back. And when they request the best seats in the kingdom – when they tell him they want to be front and center on the other side of God's heaven – Jesus tells them they don't understand what it is they're talking about; that they really have no idea what they're asking for.See, when Jesus says they will “drink the cup” that he drinks, and “be baptized with the baptism with which he's been baptized,” he's not talking only about the cup of wine they'll share at the table of the Last Supper sometime soon – as if they could have known that was even coming. No, the cup he's really talking about is the one he prays about in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest and crucifixion. (“Father, if it be your will, let this cup pass from me.”) It was a cup full of suffering and struggle he wasn't sure even he could drink, in all its fullness.And the baptism he's talking about isn't just that holy moment in the river with his cousin, John the Baptist, when he came up from the water, when the dove descended, and when the voice from heaven declared him to be God's beloved Son. All of that was and would be part of it. But James and John didn't know, they couldn't imagine – or had forgotten about – the temptation that followed the beauty of that moment in the river and, of course, the promised suffering and death that were to come along with that baptism, too. Just like James and John, none of this is what we always want to hear. None of this is how the world operates. All of this is summed up in the promise we heard last week, in the scripture just before this one, when Jesus tells the disciples that “many who are first will be last and the last will be first.” Because a front row seat in God's kingdom means becoming a servant. Glory is achieved by becoming a slave. It means heading to the end of the line. It means giving more than you take; sharing more than you ask for yourself; not being served, but serving. Those sitting at the right and at the left of Jesus, “in his glory,” remember, were a couple of criminals – convicted, crucified, and condemned to die, just like he did, on the cross at Calvary. Maximilian Kolbe I just recently read about a man named Maximilian Kolbe who was born in Poland in 1894, and who, after experiencing a vision of the Virgin Mary at the age of 12, signed up for a life of humility, purity, holiness, and martyrdom. (What were you doing when you were 12?)Anyway, Kolbe eventually became a Franciscan friar, earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy, and built monasteries in Japan and India. And when the Nazis invaded Poland, Kolbe was told he could earn enhanced rights and social privileges – that he could get a better seat, move to the front of the line, you might say – in exchange for signing a document that acknowledged his German heritage, which he refused to do. He also refused to stop publishing religious texts, books, and essays, which were critical of Hitler and the Nazis and their evil, oppressive regime.Eventually, he was arrested by the Gestapo and imprisoned at Auschwitz, where he continued to live out his calling to purity, love, compassion, and all the rest – for which he suffered mightily.In July, 1941, ten prisoners escaped from Auschwitz and, in order to deter more of that in the future, ten other prisoners were chosen to be deliberately starved to death in an underground bunker. When one of those ten protested that he had a wife and children, Maximilian Kolbe volunteered to take his place – and to receive his punishment, instead.According to witnesses, Maximilian Kolbe led the condemned men in regular prayer throughout their punishment, starvation, and demise in that bunker. And Kolbe, himself, lasted for two weeks of that torture and was the last of the condemned men to die, requiring, ultimately, a lethal injection which – again, according to witnesses – he accepted peaceably with courage and grace.We want to be first, but we think that means being the fastest. We want to know peace and comfort, but we think that means having more power and money and stuff. We want to walk more closely with Jesus but we're not always willing to follow where he leads. We want to be successful, but we use all the wrong measuring sticks to determine what that means for ourselves.What Jesus shows us, and what people like Maximilian Kolbe lived, is what it looks like to serve rather than to be served; to choose others over and above ourselves; to give instead of take; to find victory in loss; to become a slave, a suffering servant like we heard about from the prophet Isaiah a minute ago.What Jesus shows us, and what Maximilian Kolbe learned and lived in ways I can't fathom, is that to sit at the right hand of Jesus isn't just a position to which we will be promoted someday. To sit at the right hand of Jesus is a position to which each and every one of us is called to experience, somehow, right where we live, on this side of heaven. This is where we are called to drink the cup. Here is where we're invited to live out the calling of our baptism.And as hard as that is sometimes. As much courage and faith and generosity and sacrifice as that may invite us to at times, we are blessed with this God – in Jesus – who never calls us to something God hasn't already done, first, for our sake: to give generously … to sacrifice … to suffer … to die, even.And that's Jesus invitation to James and John – and to each of us, too – as we live in the strange pull between the Kingdom of God and this world that surrounds us. And there are a million ways we can practice answering the call of our baptism that don't look anything like starvation and martyrdom in a Nazi death-camp, thanks be to God.I think it means giving away our money. I think it means helping refugees. I think it means building homes in Haiti, helping the Sonrise Bible Study, serving as a Stephen Minister. I think it means saying “I'm sorry,” and proving it. I think it means saying “I forgive you,” and meaning it. I think it means cleaning the bathrooms at church, mowing the lawn at church, and doing yard work around the church. I think it means working in the nursery and teaching Sunday School at church, too. I think it means sitting with the lonely kid in the cafeteria or picking the last kid, first, on the playground some of the time, too.Because we are called to be servants. We are called not to ask “what can I get?”, but “what can I give?,” instead, and “how much?” and, “to whom?” … like Jesus did when he climbed onto a cross and out of a tomb and into our hearts so that we would share the grace of God in as many ways as we can manage – and so that, through sharing it – humbly, selflessly, generously, without hope for worldly gain, recognition, or reward – we might experience God's kind of glory most fully ourselves – and for the benefit and blessing of somebody else, in Jesus' name.Amen
Mary Sheridan Floyd is a self-described "dilletante' and ‘sometimes practitioner' of theological, metaphysical and Eastern philosophies," as well as a Stephen Minister to those in need of an ear without judgement. She also ran two programs through the Georgia Department of Corrections - one at a pre-release house for work-program eligible inmates. What she doesn't put on her resume is the fact that she's been the prescient witness to multiple deaths, as well as near-death situations, in which she instinctually knew what to do and helped save lives!Find us, follow us, like us, and subscribe!Web: mikeyopp.comTwitter: @coffintalkpod IG: @coffintalkpodcastFB: coffintalkpodcastSupport the show Get full access to The Casual Casuist at mikeyopp.substack.com/subscribe
Episode 7: Navigating Divorce, Showing Up for Yourself and Starting a New Aligned Relationships with Claudia Adalgisa . Her Story and journey. Being an energy healer and psychic/intuitive. Navigating Divorce and uncoupling from a marriage that was not for her highest good. The emotional work around decoupling/divorcing and how to navigate. Becoming aware of the toxic traits in partnerships and choosing self. Lean and learn to love ourselves and show up for ourselves. Learning to trust self. Starting a new partnership and calling in an aligned partner when you least expect it. Showing up as yourself in partnerships. Relationships mirror us and bring triggers that activate things within us that we need to work on. Healing is a cyclical thing and giving ourselves grace and not hold ourselves back from experiences. What you focus on will grow and finding gratitude in the lesson or situation. . There may be language not suitable for children. . Claudia is a highly intuitive empath healer who is a Reiki Master Teacher, Akashic Records practitioner, Stephen Minister, Tarot Interpreter, and currently in Yoga Teacher Training. She is a triple fire sign, manifesting generator, and Life Path 9 who loves reading and has an insatiable appetite for metaphysical knowledge and discovery. Claudia was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in the Bronx, NY. Most of her spiritual practices were developed in Colorado Springs, CO. As a Soul Coach, Claudia supports people in their awakening, and spiritual journeys to anchor in their highest selves and align with their soul purpose. . Connect with Claudia: https://www.instagram.com/Claudia_is_amor https://www.instagram.com/amorpersonified . Connect with Mary Miranda on Instagram and Facebook Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femininetruthpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FeminineTruthPodcast Instagram Personal: https://www.instagram.com/marymirandacoaching Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/marymirandacoach Facebook Public: https://www.facebook.com/marymirandacoaching . If you desire private coaching, please fill out the application below or email mary@marymirandacoaching.com https://bit.ly/PrivateCoachingApplication1 . ***Disclaimer: Mary Miranda is not a licensed professional and this podcast is not intended to provide medical or mental health guidance and is not designed to treat, diagnose or prevent disease. Mary Miranda is not a medical doctor, licensed healthcare practitioner, licensed therapist, licensed counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking medical help. Consult first with a licensed healthcare professional before altering or discontinuing any current treatment or care, or starting any diet, exercise, medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health condition that requires medical attention. These are Mary Miranda's personal beliefs and experiences.
About Ann Ann has been married to her husband, Dave, for 53 years and together they have five adult children, three of whom have special needs, and three grandsons, one who has autism. They are also caregivers for Dave's sister who has developmental disabilities and their youngest son Matthew also 32 who is deaf and has autism. Ann has a Masters degree in education and also has degrees in paralegal, deaf studies/interpreting. Additionally, Ann has worked as an advocate and has volunteered in different capacities with local, regional and state organizations that support people with disabilities such as Board of Visitors, Parent to Parent, Independent Living Organizations, Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, and Family Support services. In their former church, Ann served as an interpreter and as a parish advocate for people with disabilities. In her current church, she interprets, sings with the praise team, and is a Stephen Minister. Favorite Quotes“We are serving God when we serve our children.” -Ann Scherff "I think it’s looking more at the big picture, and looking at the possibilities, and seeing not the disabilities, but seeing the abilities…and seeing them as a person and not as a label.” -Ann Scherff
Minister Zach takes a deep dive into the narrative of Stephen from Acts. An early follower of Christ, Stephen's character and his qualities show us how to talk and walk with Boldness, Peace, and Purpose. Acts: 6:1-15, Acts 7:1-50, Acts 7:51-60, Acts 8:1-5 Click here for this weeks notes.
When a trial hits, we all need a little extra help. Stephen Ministries is the answer to that need here at Spring Hills. During this podcast Garett sits down with Garrett Ward and John Barrett to discuss the ways you can either become a Stephen Minister or receive counseling and support during your trial.
Learn how Jane focuses and overcomes to create a purposeful life. Jane lived in Germany for 25 years, where she worked as a professional musician, playing the French horn. Jane is a Certified Mediator, a business owner with LegalShield, a certified speaker, trainer, and coach through the John Maxwell Team, a Big Sister (Big Brother Big Sister org), and a Stephen Minister.
Reverend Shawn Whittington is an Ordained and trained Registered Exorcism - Deliverance Minister. His wife Sharon is a near death experience survivor, a certified Stephen Minister through her Lutheran faith, and a sensitive/ intuitive. (Both have suffered and survived severe demonic attacks.) They are a husband and wife ghost busting team based in Las Vegas, Nevada with over 40 years combined experience. Rev. Shawn joins us today to talk about his beginnings, fight with evil, and how he has survived and helped others! Support our sponsors for great deals! Are you playing along with Beyond the Darkness on the Podcast One/ Betonline.AG Sportsnet Challenge?! Each Week Dave and Tim are picking the winners of five NFL gam,es and playing against the hosts of different Podcast One shows! If you play aloing with Dave and Tim on BetOnline.AG, and they win the week, you qualify to be one of five winners splitting a $500 weekly prize! To sign up go to https://promotions.betonline.ag/podcastone You know that person who's just a gift enigma, completely impossible to shop for? Bombas is the gift even that person will love. Go to BOMBAS.com/DARKNESS TODAY, and get twenty percent off your first purchase! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Reverend Shawn Whittington is an Ordained and trained Registered Exorcism - Deliverance Minister. His wife Sharon is a near death experience survivor, a certified Stephen Minister through her Lutheran faith, and a sensitive/ intuitive. (Both have suffered and survived severe demonic attacks.) They are a husband and wife ghost busting team based in Las Vegas, Nevada with over 40 years combined experience. Rev. Shawn joins us today to talk about his beginnings, fight with evil, and how he has survived and helped others! Support our sponsors for great deals! Are you playing along with Beyond the Darkness on the Podcast One/ Betonline.AG Sportsnet Challenge?! Each Week Dave and Tim are picking the winners of five NFL gam,es and playing against the hosts of different Podcast One shows! If you play aloing with Dave and Tim on BetOnline.AG, and they win the week, you qualify to be one of five winners splitting a $500 weekly prize! To sign up go to https://promotions.betonline.ag/podcastone You know that person who’s just a gift enigma, completely impossible to shop for? Bombas is the gift even that person will love. Go to BOMBAS.com/DARKNESS TODAY, and get twenty percent off your first purchase! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pastor Jon Haug sits down with Lyla Hanson while she explains how being a Stephen Minister lead her to receiving spiritual companionship from the Stephen Ministry and then later becoming a Stephen Leader.
Going through divorce is a very powerful experience that shapes our characters. It is a time when we are tested to the core, challenged, and prepared for something greater. But divorce does not define us. Divorce is an event that we go through in life. Today’s guest is Dori Pulse, the founder of Girl for God Ministries and author of Everything Changed When I Said 'I Do'. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Theology, is a part of a step family for almost 20 years, facilitates divorce care programs at churches, a coach, a Stephen Minister, servant leader, and knows how it is to be in your shoes being married and divorced twice herself. We touch on so many topics which can actually be separate episodes or multi-day workshops. This episode is so insightful, inspiring, and uplifting. Here are some things we discussed: Divorce is the time to be extremely selfish. You need to take care of yourself first, so you can turn and take care of your children and the people around you Setting boundaries is very powerful. It all starts with being very clear about your values and what's important to you, setting these boundaries, communicating them, and most importantly enforcing them. Nobody knows our boundaries unless we tell them what they are. We're the only ones who can decide what those boundaries are for us. It is important to have accountability partners. Godly accountability can come in and give you fresh ideas that can help you see a different twist on things, will hold you accountable, be there to listen without judgement, and would always have your best interest in mind. Have a positive personal recorder. The only thing we can control is ourselves. During divorce when we doubt ourselves and are immersed in a lot of negativity, having positive self talk is extremely important. Spend a lot of time in scripture. When our strength is depleted, we can always rely on scripture to help us get by. “I am God's creation. I am his. He has a plan for me. There is no other man, but Jesus.” Always be reminded of your gifts and talents. Journaling is one way to bring them to our conscious mind and be aware of them. When you know your strengths, you have the opportunity to be able to utilize and strengthen them. The power of silence. This does not mean allowing and staying in an abusive situation but walking away, hanging up the phone, not responding to texts, not having to prove anything and not letting anyone press your buttons. Going through divorce is tough. It takes time and an entire community of people to come alongside and support you. And women come out of the other side personally, sometimes professionally, spiritually, emotionally, stronger than when they started the process. Divorce is a long journey, and you need to get all the support you require. That is the intention of Women's Financial Wellness Center. We provide support and can direct you to all of the people that you would need through the divorce process - Attorneys, CPAs, therapists, etc. We’ll help you find the team of people that can support you. Resources Mentioned: Everything Changed When I Said 'I Do' on Amazon www.divorcecare.org Recommended Bible Verses: Psalm 119 and Philippians 4:13 Dori Pulse Girl for God Ministries 360.430.1444 dori.pls@live.com www.stepfamilyrx.com --- Visit The Women's Financial Wellness Center for a full directory listing of experts. https://www.womensfinancialwellnesscenter.com/our-supporters Be sure to reach out if you would like to connect personally with The Women’s Financial Wellness Center. You can visit our website at https://www.womensfinancialwellnesscenter.comor grab a complimentary 30-minute consult at http://bit.ly/dashboardwfwc.
This Sunday a special commissioning service was held to recognize those in our church body who have become certified Stephen Ministers. Guest speaker Kay Stewart gave information of what Stephen Ministry is, who it is for, and what it takes to be a Stephen Minister.
This Sunday a special commissioning service was held to recognize those in our church body who have become certified Stephen Ministers. Guest speaker Kay Stewart gave information of what Stephen Ministry is, who it is for, and what it takes to be a Stephen Minister.
Host Emma Boa-Durgammah is blessed to welcome Guest Michael Bronson, a Christ Follower and Kingdom Worker first. In this episode Michael will continue to explain incredible journey with Jesus through illness and how God has used it to manifest Himself through him unto others. God is currently positioning Michael as an Infectious Representative for Christ in his local Church, in music as both a phenomenal musician and teacher, as a prayer warrior, and in information technology. Michael was raised in the church, but drifted away during college. During his late twenties, MBody of Christ, Chronic illness, Jesus, John the Baptist, Diane Doumas, Rest, Spiritual Renewal, Spiritual Truth, Be Still, Conversation, Christian, Ministry, Elder, Elder Consulting, Motivation, Help for Depression, Jesus, Christ, God, Work, Church, Organization, Job, Great Commission, Believer, Pastor, Compassion, Serving God, Loving People, Prayer, Holy Spirit, God, Savior, Evangelism, Discipleship, Disciples, Matthew 28, Authority, Guidance, Direction, Process, Christ Follower, Emma Boa-Durgammah, Kingdom Work, Kingdom Work for Christ, God’s Workplace, Michael Bronson, Bronson,ichael began to experience complications from the Type-1 Diabetes he contracted at age 5. Ultimately this brought him back to the Lord. Since then, Michael has become a Stephen Minister, Renewing Prayer minister, and served as a Deacon in his local church. He has a passion for serving and caring for others who are struggling with disease & illness. Host, Emma Boa-Durgammah would love to hear from you through email after the show contact@kingdomworkforchrist.com.
Host Emma Boa-Durgammah is blessed to welcome this series’ Guest Co-Host, Diane Doumas and Guest Michael Bronson, Christ Followers and Kingdom Workers first. In this episode we will hear Michael’s incredible journey with Jesus through illness and how God has used it to manifest Himself through him unto others. God is currently positioning Michael as an Infectious Representative for Christ in his local Church, in music as both a phenomenal musician and teacher, as a prayer warrior, and in information technology. Michael has worked as an Information Technology professional for 25 years, first in the private sector and later in government. Currently Michael provides consulting services to businesses working to modernize computer systems. Michael also has a passion for music, and plays guitar professionally with the Richard Walton Group, a jazz ensemble out of Baltimore. He also plays bass with his church praise band and occasionally collaborates with other groups. Michael is also a music teacher and provides guitar & bass lessons to students from a variety of backgrounds & skill levels. Michael was raised in the church, but drifted away during college. During his late twenties, Michael began to experience complications from the Type-1 Diabetes he contracted at age 5. Ultimately this brought him back to the Lord. Since then, Michael has become a Stephen Minister, Renewing Prayer minister, and served as a Deacon in his local church. He has a passion for serving and caring for others who are struggling with disease & illness. Host, Emma Boa-Durgammah would love to hear from you through email after the show contact@kingdomworkforchrist.com.
Stephen Minister Commissions & New Preaching Minister Announcement
Anna Roark is energized by the words “why not?” And she has experienced much joy and success following her why-not instincts. For instance, Anna set aside her sociology degree to accomplish goals in major market TV as an award-winning broadcast journalist. During the ‘90s she continued winning awards as a producer/director/writer of corporate multi-media projects. Clients enjoyed working with her so much that one of them, the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Texas, recruited her to a fulltime position leading its system-wide public relations group…and promoted her from manager to director in no time due to the unprecedented results her team accomplished. Anna has placed client news stories locally, regionally, nationally, and even internationally. Client stories have appeared on CNN, NBC's Today Show, ABC's Good Morning America, the CBS Morning Show, Associated Press, and more. Then, in 2005 she became a foster parent to her now adopted daughter, and a very significant professional shift occurred. A lifelong interest in the wisdom of alternative healing led her to another passion, another calling. Anna works one-on-one with clients to unblock energy and restore balance. She is a certified practitioner of Esogetic ColorPuncture, which is a remarkably effective, non-invasive advancement on acupuncture. ColorPuncture uses focused colored light to clear energy blockages and restore balance. With her clients, she finds herself still a communicator, only now it's at the “bio-cellular level”. Anna's community interests past and present include volunteering at Texas Children's Hospital, serving as a Stephen Minister, serving on the Red Cross Public Affairs Task Force, volunteering at Taping for the Blind Radio, being a foster parent, and serving on her daughter's PTO.
Special guest Pat Bubash, counselor, author, speaker, and Stephen Minister specializing in positive marriage outcomes joins Donna Marie to share key tips and lessons from her book “Successful Second Marriages.” The divorce rate from first marriages is approaching 50% while the divorce rate of second marriages is approaching 75%. Clearly not a good track record here. So what can you … Read more about this episode...
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