Finding God in Our Pain

Melinda Patrick - Christian Mom Whose Child has Same-Sex Attraction

Melinda Patrick - Christian Mom Whose Child has Same Sex Attraction

My guest, Melinda Patrick, is a Christian whose daughter came to her in 2011 saying she has same-sex attraction. Melinda, a devoted Christian for many years, was teaching women's Bible studies on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings, was highly involved in the women's ministry team on a rather large church, and she ran a ministry in her own home.

I was interested in this conversation for several reasons, two of which are, the church struggles with being in the world and not of the world and Christians, including myself, have a hard time speaking truth in love.

How do we truly love like Christ and yet not compromise the truth in the process? And why are we making it so hard?

I wanted to hear from the heart of a mother, a Christian mother, who can't simply throw scripture around to make herself feel better or who has some distance on the particular topic of same-sex attraction; a mom who loves her daughter dearly and would lay down her life for her without hesitation, but whose heart also knows that to love as Christ is to choose the purest form of the highest love. 

Live Loved and Thrive! @ alifothrive.com

Stay connected with Melinda Patrick on her website: melindapatrick.org

Transcript: https://www.happyscribe.com/transcriptions/f7574bb1aae948cb8db4a8737677a882/edit_v2

 

Bio:

Melinda Patrick has been the Director of Parent Support for His Wonderful Works (https://hiswonderfulworks.com/) since 2013. Having a child herself who has been involved in Same-Sex Attraction (SSA) for more than 9 years, Melinda is all too familiar with the grief and loss of hope this can bring to a family. By way of her own healing and the healing of her relationship with her daughter, she is now passionate about offering the same hope to other parents and family members.

Through her speaking, podcasting, and writing, God is using Melinda to touch the hearts of parents with the healing power of His Word.  She has a great desire to lead other parents into a joyful relationship with the God who has been so faithful to honor His Word in her life.  Her passion is to inspire and equip others to bear fruit in every season of life, even the most painful.  

On the south side of Atlanta, Georgia, is where you will find Melinda and her husband, Ron. Her kitchen is notorious for impromptu dance parties, and her porch is loved for long talks, slow swinging, and sweet tea. The outdoors is where she loves to spend most of her time reading, hiking, and enjoying lazy lake days.

Sarah Geringer - Hope in A Difficult Marriage

Sarah Geringer - Hope in an Abusive Marriage

My conversation with guest, Sarah Geringer is focused on giving hope to the woman who finds herself in an abusive marriage. She's not talking about the various things that we all have to put up with when married, she's talking about real abuse be it physical, emotional, mental etc. 

When faced with abuse her heart was to please God by honoring the vows she had made to her husband and in front of the guests who witnessed her pledge, not to mention in the sight of the God who takes a vow very seriously. She wanted to be able to look at God and say, I have truly tried everything within my human ability to make this marriage work. 

Sarah talks about her 20 year journey, what she discovered about herself, about God and his intention for marriage.  She shares resources, mistakes, revelation practices and insight that allows others to potentially take a shortcut through their journey. 

She defines love bombing, how our gift of choice can be a gift we give ourselves. And she explains this quote from one of Henry Cloud and John Thompson's books on why it was a stumbling block for her, “Become so strong that they can no longer hurt you and become so loving that they cannot resist you.” 

You'll want to hear her take on Dr. John Gutman's analysis of the Four Horsemen, which are actually four attitudes and the actions that back them up. Sarah helps us understand that when these four attitudes are present, the marriage is doomed. Additionally, she tells us why she thinks contempt is the worst one of the four.

The list of the books and the authors, and the various resources she talks about are available in the podcast notes themselves or on my website.

Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com

Her Website: https://www.sarahgeringer.com/

Resources Mentioned in Sarah's interview: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/rui3xx/Sarah_Geringer_Links6av2z.pdf

Transcript: https://www.happyscribe.com/transcriptions/edd353c763864659984d41b31e420478/edit_v2

Bio: Married in the millennium to my first kiss.
Mother of three beautiful children.
B.A. in English, B.F.A. in graphic design and illustration.
Must begin the day with hot tea, local honey, and my One Year Bible.
With flowers on the table, I’m fully alive.
Living in my dream home in the woods.
Dark chocolate is my daily pleasure.
Terrified by spiders, heights, and carnival rides.

I share thoughts, pictures and curated posts every day on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well. You’ll find many of my posts on Pinterest too.

 

Lady Kavan - Her Husband was Murdered in a Home Invasion

Lady Kavan - The Murder of Her Husband

Kavan and I had an immediate connection because sadly, she and I know what it is like to lose a spouse.  Painful as mine was and can still be, I had the luxury of knowing a massive heart attack was what took my husband from me. I say luxury because in comparison to the way Kavan had to say good-bye to her beloved, I definitely consider it a level of peace and comfort in his departure.

Her husband was murdered in the wee hours of the morning during a home invasion.

Kavan's scream woke her husband. A devoted family man of God and honorable husband ran toward his wife knowing something was terribly wrong. In the struggle a shot rang out and he fell to the floor.  But the invasion did not stop there. Kavan was made to leave him laying in the floor as she was separated from him. Others began to wake in the house. Was her newborn still in his crib? What would happen if he wakes and she's not able to get to him?

Kavan felt as though her heart was devastated beyond repair. Healing would surely be on the level of a miracle. But miracles are God's business and He didn't seem to care on the night she lost her husband.

How could her heart heal if she was too busy running away from God? Would God just let her run and hope she'd come back? Did He even care that the grief was too much to process? What did He have to say for Himself by taking one of His most devoted earthly saints? Where was He anyway when evil broke into their house?

Even though Kavan's shattered heart kept her running from God, He kept pursuing her. He'd turn her escape plans into blessings. He sent provision from unlikely people. He expedited the process for her to leave her home town.

As we talked, the most precious thing to me was when she shared about posing a challenge to her followers. She asked them to find something to be thankful for on the worst day of their life. She took that challenge herself and she discovered proof that even though the intruder used his gift of choice to kill, steal and destroy, God was present. 

As you listen to Kavan's journey into grief, the struggle through and then her restoration, you'll get to see that we are never alone. Despite what it may feel like or look like, the fact remains God is present at all times and in everything. God's presence isn't to condone the senseless act but to be with us in the reality of this life...He has promised never to leave us. No. Matter. What. 

Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com

Transcript Can be Found Here

Here are some of the ways you can connect with Lady Kavan:

Check out her website: https://ladykavanwrites.com/

For booking email: ladykavanwrites@gmail.com

Follow Lady Kavan on Instagram @ladykavanwrites; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladykavanwrites/ or on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQIkfRdG6daH5R1oLxv1i-A

Bio: Kavanaugh Dickson-Williams is a Christian Best Selling Author, Speaker and Blogger for “Lady Kavan Writes.” Her writing navigates complex emotions to provide hope and encouragement based on experience and scripture.

 

Jenna Erlandson - Learning Identity Through Her Special Needs Son

Jenna Erlandson - Identity and Special Needs Son

My time with Jenna Erlandson, learning about her sweet family left me feeling immense appreciation for the intimacy with which God knows us. Jeanna is married and has 3 children one of which is special needs.

She and her husband got married knowing infertility was a reality that they would have to face. Then the impossible happened and she gave birth to a precious baby boy, Eli. A few months old and they began to notice some developmental concerns and through their inquiry found out he is special needs.

We talked about the power of surrender and she made a distinction between struggle vs letting go and she referred us to a book by Nancy Guthrie, God Does His Best Work with Empty.

She moved me when she said that the most painful thing for her right now is watching her son realize he's different. And she shared how God is glorified through Eli's life.

Jenna also tackled some tough topics like did she or her husband sin or do something to offend God that Eli would be born with special needs. We tenderly touched on the topic of grieving all that she had envisioned for her first born son.

As she and I talked about the various challenges that an active family faces, the questions she struggles with raising children, grieving what she originally envisioned for her family, I realized she was describing a strong understanding of who she is in Christ through the love that God has for Eli.

There are so few things more beautiful than that! Enjoy this conversation with a precious, humble heart that chooses to be vulnerable to the good God she professes.

Live Loved and Thrive @ alifeofthrive.com

Transcript: https://www.happyscribe.com/transcriptions/7ad4dd49fc8a4fa19a5be9851f6c9eef/edit_v2

Instagram: @botfpodcast

Facebook either Jenna Erlandson or Botfpodcast

Website: www.botfpodcast.com

Email: jenna@botfpodcast.com 

BIO: Jenna Erlandson is the host for the Bridge of the Faithful Podcast. Her passions include diving deeper into understanding what faithfulness looks like in everyday lives as well as finding a rooted security of our identity in Christ. You can usually find her on adventures with her family, experimenting in the kitchen, or nose deep in a book—or three. Hop on to www.botfpodcast.com to hear some of her encouraging episodes. She would also love to hear from you, you can reach her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/botfpodcast or Instagram @botfpodcast.

Crystal Daye - Despite deep pain Crystal found wholeness and her true identity

Crystal Daye - Finding Wholeness and True Identity

Crystal Daye grew up in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Kingston Jamaica. The environment in which we find ourselves can present us with many challenges and Crystal was no exception experiencing many things meant to leave the mark of guilt and shame on her life. Molestation, pregnancy at 16, an abortion, rejection, the death of a beloved friend and an identity crisis. But God came to give us new life, new identity, new love. When she found Christ she found wholeness and restoration but did it prepare her for the devastating loss of her baby sister?

Listen in to see what beautiful revelation God has given her in the midst of deep suffering and real pain. What does it look like for God to prepare a table for Crystal in the presence of her enemy, Satan?

Crystal shares her traumatic story from a place of security, her identity in the One who gave purpose to her pain, healing for her heart and a future she never imagined.

Side note: You will hear Crystal refer to the CSE test. It stands for Caribbean Secondary Education and is a test used in Jamaica to determine further schooling or job prospects.

Live Loved and Thrive @ alifeofthrive.com

Transcript of today's episode: https://www.happyscribe.com/transcriptions/99df046e524f44f7be038c87df649756/edit_v2

You can connect with Crystal in any one of these places:

Her Podcast: Diary of a Jesus Girl  (her intro music will make you dance) - Here's Soundcloud but you can listen on your favorite podcast format: https://soundcloud.com/crystal-s-daye/intro-the-diary-of-a-jesus

Website: CrystalDaye.com

You can find her books on her website (which may benefit her directly) but for convenience here is a link to Amazon (I receive no monetary gain if you purchase through this link): https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Daye/e/B077PHFSL2?ref_=dbs_p_pbk_r00_abau_000000

 

Bio: Crystal Shachene Daye is a Minister, International Certified Christian Life Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Award-Winning 2 times Best- Selling Author, Dynamic Entrepreneur, Mother and an all-around Jesus girl. After experiencing the redeeming power of Christ in her life, there was no way she could shut up about that- it’s the core of who she is. It is this power and passion that drives her life and has caused her to have a strong desire to see other women live life on purpose and experience all God has for them.

Alan Crookham - Missionaries and why they choose to risk pain and suffering for the Gospel.

Alan Crookham - Laying Life and Comforts on the Line for Christ.

In today's conversation with Missionary Alan Crookham we discussed the various aspects of a missionaries life and why they continually choose to put themselves and those whom they love deeply into extreme conditions for the Gospel. The brief time that I had with Alan gave me a new appreciation of what it means to share in the sufferings of Christ.

We had a great conversation on things like what it's like to stare death in the face, that even witch doctors seek the healing power of the Christian God, kidnapping of children to fund militia and terrorist activity, miracles and countless super natural events. I also asked him his thoughts on why no man will have an excuse on the day we all stand before Christ and what he thought God's heart for a missionary might be.  

I feel sure you will be as captivated by our conversation as I was. So much so here is a few of the ways you can contact Alan and stay up to date with all he's up to.

Live Loved and Thrive @ alifeofthrive.com

Micro Bio: Alan Crookham is the Executive Director of Found Ministries, missionary, revivalist, conference speaker, husband, father, and above all, friend of Jesus.

Alan hosts his own podcast, Revival Carriers https://blubrry.com/krookham/72307254/37-charles-kruger-loveborn/

Website: https://www.foundministries.org/contact

About: https://www.foundministries.org/our-story

Transcript for today's episode: https://www.happyscribe.com/transcriptions/58c58ea3dbae48edb8b3d18ba00b107f/edit_v2

Suzanne Burns - Crisis Pregnancy and Foundation House Ministries

Suzanne Burns - Crisis Pregnancy

Suzanne Burns is my guest today and she is the Founder and Executive Director of Foundation House Ministries. In our conversation she shares her heart for young women who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy with little to no options.

As believers in Christ we know that life begins at conception and that life in the womb is sacred. But let's get real, when your circumstance is less than desirable, if your options are non-existent or you have little to no support, not every pregnancy is perceived as a blessing. 

So what does it truly look like to come along side a young woman to offer real time resources and real life answers to real life pain and suffering? 

Suzanne's passion comes from the personal experience of her own crisis pregnancy. Knowing the hurdles, challenges and all around red tape, she founded a ministry that meets young women where they are, providing resources, information, assistance etc.

As you listen in I think you'll notice what stands out about Suzanne. It's her heart posture of being humble, nonjudgemental, loving and yet firm. If you're like me you can tell you're not going to get anything over on her and yet she's going to love you with the truth no matter how hard that might be to hear. 

Suzanne truly gets the heart of God because she is steadfast in her encouragement and knows the deep value of being trustworthy. She genuinely wants to give each woman a glimpse of the Father's heart and let them know there is never anything we can do that would cause God to give up on us. We can never go too far. He will always pursue us with the hope that we will let Him love us. No. Matter. What.

Listen and discover that Suzanne's heart, hands and feet look very similar to those of the Christ.

Live Loved and Thrive @ alifeofthrive.com

Transcript: https://www.happyscribe.com/transcriptions/4fb8635c5ed543028ae41b7d546b9f08/edit_v2

Where to connect with Suzanne: 

Suzanne@traumainformedchurch.com

TraumaInformedChurch.com

On FB and IG: @yourtraumainformedchurch

Suzanne is the host of the Trauma Informed Church Podcast - her topics are on trauma, ministry start-up etc. You can find and listen to this on your preferred app but here is one for a quick connect: https://anchor.fm/trauminformedchurch/episodes/Mini-Series-1--Developing-Your-Ministry-em41fd

BIO: Suzanne Burns is Founder and Executive Director of Foundation House Ministries, a faith-based maternity home and training program for pregnant and parenting women in critical situations. They operate a job-training program, which provides hands-on job experience through the production and sale of natural skin care products. Suzanne has a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Studies from Lee University, Cleveland, TN and is a Certified Family Trauma Professional and serves as a member of the Leadership Council of the National Maternity Housing Coalition. Suzanne regularly speaks regionally and nationally on the multi-faceted topics of chronic trauma, chronic poverty, addiction and the women that Foundation House serves. She provides executive coaching and training on these and other topics through her speaker’s website, at becharitywise.com

Suzanne and her husband, Tim, reside in Cleveland, TN, with their younger son, Ethan. Their older son, Suzanne’s own crisis pregnancy, is a US Marine, serving stateside with his wife.

Meredith Sage Kendall - After Her Affair

Meredith Sage Kendall - Healing From Her Affair

Is there any hope for us when we find ourselves in the aftermath of a devastating decision? What if you've had an affair ... committed adultery? Very few will have mercy. Whether you hear it verbally or not, your own internal talk will twist and turn your heart, reverberating, "you've made your bed now lie in it."

If you're living with guilt and shame from a decision that you regret, my guest Meredith Sage Kendall will encourage your heart with her story of God's tenderness as she and her husband struggled to recovery from her affair.

Despite less than helpful advice and non-existent recovery assistance they stumbled blindly through the next several years of marriage hurt and not talking about it. But God.

He was always there, present and calling her to Himself. He never stopped pursuing her heart despite her survival skills and a weak identity. He wanted to rewrite all of the hurt for both she and her husband. God wanted Meredith to know Him through relationship skills and a strong identity.

Listen in as Meredith shares how God had a plan of redemption for her. She eventually learned how to let Him heal her and use her pain for more than a painful life lesson. In the midst of living life God revealed His heart for her and continually repurposes her pain as she continues to share all that she's learned about who the God of the Holy Bible is when it comes to guilt and shame.

Live Loved and Thrive @ alifeofthrive.com

 

Transcript for today's episode: https://www.happyscribe.com/transcriptions/9cfd01a2442c495b9d77318c166deca8/edit_v2

Want to connect with Meredith?

Email: meredithsagkendall@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meredithsagekendall

Instagram: @meredithsagekendall https://www.instagram.com/meredithsagekendall/

Podcast - Finding Your Purpose
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-your-purpose/id1433938037?ign-mpt=uo%3D4&mt=2

 

Bio: Meredith Kendall had the dream life, but God had other plans. He called her away from a successful career to be the Co-Founder of Advancing the Gospel. Up until its closing in 2019, AtG served those who are often forgotten; those Jesus would call “the least of these”. As a nationally recognized sales leader, Meredith learned how to build bridges and make connections with the heart of what people need. She uses that same ability to cut through the tough layer we use to protect ourselves and help people understand the root causes of their struggles and find freedom through Christ.

In January of 2011, Meredith was attacked by a gang member. She would quickly learn that it was a warning to stop offering freedom to those held in bondage of abuse, addiction and negative cycles. That attack made Meredith even more aware of the awesome calling on her life and how serious it is to be on the front lines for Jesus. After a few months of recovery Meredith was back in the jails knowing that her attacker, who was never caught, may one day walk into her class.

Over the last decade Meredith has co-authored with her husband a set of life-recovery curriculum called the 180 Program. Her first work of fiction, My GiGi’s House: Finding Hope, was released October 1st 2019. And currently she is working on Part II.