Therefore, I Have Hope
Living in a Leah Marriage
Dave and Ann Wilson respond to a listener's difficult living situation by using the biblical story of Jacob's wife Leah, to offer hope and encouragement.
Overcoming Differences
It's often the little things that can annoy you about your mate. Widower and father of four Jonathan Pitts reminds us that the goal of the Christian life is to be filled with and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and to be conformed to the image of Christ as we live out the fruit of the spirit. Pitts shares how he was intentional in trying to die daily to his own wants in order to serve his wife and family, and illustrates this with a story from his marriage about changing a bad habit he had since childhood.
The Blessings of a Poured Out Marriage
Author Jonathan Pitts reflects on his marriage to his now deceased wife, Wynter, and the conflict that showed up early and often in their relationship. He recalls her telling him that her idea of a husband was a man who would spoil her like Richard Gere did for Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman" and his idea of a wife was someone who would care for him like his mom did. Neither were right. Pitts tells how they learned that for marriage to work, both husband and wife have to empty themselves of "me" so that they can love each other better and become a united "we."
An Unexpected Tragedy
Jonathan and Wynter Pitts had learned through trial and error what it took to have a great marriage. They felt like they had grown a lot spiritually and emotionally over the years, raising their four daughters, and were ready to share that knowledge in a book they had written called "Emptied." However, a few hours after Jonathan turned the manuscript into the publisher, Wynter died unexpectedly. Jonathan tells us more about that day, and how he and his girls are walking through that tragedy with hope and faith.
Finding Freedom By Inviting Others In
Mental health counselor Jay Stringer encourages those struggling with unwanted sexual behavior to invite others into their story. According to Stringer, half of those who struggle with pornography or infidelity felt they didn't have anyone to talk to. If they'll share their story and talk about their shame, they'll invite others in, and then they can start asking the hard questions like, "What is it in my story that pulls me into this behavior?"
Why Do I Stay?
Is there more to your unwanted sexual behavior than just being tempted? Mental health counselor Jay Stringer, author of the book, "Unbroken," delves into the topic of sexual brokenness and shares what he considers to be at the root of the issue. While a person's problem may seem to be all about lust, Stringer believes it may actually be about anger or rejection. Indulging in our sin only makes us feel worse. Stringer assures those who are hurting that God has so much more in store for us, as long as we are courageous enough to look at our past and develop new ways to handle our anxiety.
How Did I Get Here?
Licensed mental health counselor Jay Stringer talks about sexual brokenness and our culture's growing obsession with sex. A crisis, like the threat of divorce or the loss of a job, often drives people to seek help when their behavior is exposed, but often what they are taught is merely lust management--how to bounce your eyes, or avoid tempting situations--which doesn't get to the root issue. There is nothing random about a person's unique brand of sexual brokenness, and it's a counselor's job to uncover where that attraction comes from, and how to deal with it.
Believe in Your Kids
Mike Berry, author of "Confessions of an Adoptive Parent," gives an honest look at the challenging side of adoption. A father of eight adopted children, including four with fetal alcohol syndrome, Berry talks about the loss his kids have experienced and the overwhelming needs they face physically, emotionally, and mentally. Berry tells parents considering adoption that their number one need is for education and community, and promises there will be hardship alongside the joy. Berry shares what has kept him and his wife, Kristin, from giving up, and how Jesus has come alongside them.
Hope and Help From the Trenches
Author Mike Berry, a husband and father of eight adopted children, tells what led him and his wife to pursue adoption and foster parenting. When they first started their journey they didn't understand childhood trauma, but now they do. Berry encourages couples to adopt if they feel led, but warns them that at some point there will likely be a moment when they feel they are running into a wall. He believes it's critical for them to understand that kids in chronic trauma are functioning in survival mode, and don't always know why they act the way they do.
Longing for Motherhood
For 17-year-old Chelsea Sobolik, key signals of her passage into womanhood were late—very late. As she prepared to enter college, a visit with her physician revealed that she had been born without a uterus, confirming Chelsea's worst fear: She was permanently infertile. In this episode of Unfavorable Odds, Chelsea Sobolik reveals how this difficult diagnosis led her on a journey of self-discovery.