Ed Welch and Amber discuss coming at those living with a psychiatric diagnosis from broader category of "in this world you will have trouble" and how instances of suffering in the Bible can be applied to mental health. They also discuss, the place medication holds in the life of the sufferer and how Jesus speaks into the pain. Questions Discussed During Psychiatric Diagnosis & God's Word: You have been counseling for over 40 years and on staff with CCEF for the same amount of time. What are some shifts you've witnessed in regards to how Christians talk about, interact, and treat psychiatric diagnoses or mental illnesses?  When it comes to talking about it from a pulpit, are there biblical examples that can be used to call it what it is, even though that's not necessarily the exact "words" that may be written in the word? In your newest book, I Have a Psychiatric diagnosis: What Does the Bible say?, You begin by bridging the divide between the psychological world and the spiritual world. Why do people often draw a line between the two? And how do you help people to bridge the divide? What do you mean by we are embodied souls? As someone who lives with depression I found your description of the physical body experiencing weakness, yet being able to be strengthened--in some cases with medication, incredibly helpful. So much so I read the chapter to my husband. Will you share that with our listeners to help remove some of the stigma around those who take medication, while also helping those who suffer not view medication as the CURE? When does anxiety move beyond "normal" to something more serious? How does trauma need to be treated a bit differently? You end addressing narcissism. How is narcissism different from the others and how do we even begin to interact with those living with narcissism in a life-giving way? Show Notes cont. Resources Mentioned: Book: I Have a Psychiatric Diagnosis: What Does the Bible Say by Ed Welch A Small Book for the Anxious Heart by Ed Welch Depression: Looking Up From the Stubborn Darkness by Ed Welch Other books by Ed Welch Related Episodes: 204: Caris Snider | Battling Anxiety 166: Lori Wildenberg | Helping Children with Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation 171: Nicole Zasowski | Courage to Celebrate Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Become a Grace Enough supporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Caris Snider and Amber discuss her experience with anxiety and how she is learning to shine light in the darkness for adults, tweens, teens and children through her devotional Anxiety Elephants. Questions Discussed During Battling Anxiety: Share a little of your early faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus? I don't know the details of your story, but what I do know sounds eerily familiar. While mine was crying uncontrollably on the floor while my 3 year old and newborn played nearby, yours was an anxiety attack while your daughter played nearby. Take us back to that time in your life and share what life was like and how you were coping. In addition to panic attacks, you were not eating due to the anxiety and fear, which is often a symptom of anxiety far less talked about. Will you speak to that symptom and your experience? What drove you to finally seek help and whose help did you seek? Seeking the help of a doctor and counselor are becoming less stigmatized, but as followers of Jesus we can still believe lies like, "I must not have enough faith" and "If I pray, this will go away." Did you believe those lies or others and how did you overcome them? You talk a lot about the freedom that comes from speaking openly about your experience vs. hiding and I 100% agree. It is another tool we have to fight against anxiety and depression. Not constantly bemoaning our illness, but shining light into the darkness, so others can pray and encourage. How has speaking openly about your journey with anxiety brought freedom? You've written Anxiety Elephants: A 31 day devotional to help stomp out your anxiety and now have a 90 day tween version for both girls and boys. Share a bit about your journey of writing the devotional and how you've seen God use your experience for good. If someone purchases your book, what can they expect? SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned: Book: Anxiety Elephants: 31 Day Devotional to Help Stomp Out Your Anxiety by Caris Snider Book: Anxiety Elephants for Tween Girls: 90 Day Devotional Book: Anxiety Elephants for Tween Boys: 90 Day Devotional  Related Episodes: 63: Mazi Robinson | Managing Anxiety in the Unknown 166: Lori Wildenberg | Helping Children with Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation 171: Nicole Zasowski | Courage to Celebrate Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Become a Grace Enough supporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joni Eareckson Tada and Amber discuss how robust hymns of the faith "stokes her hope" during periods of intense pain and suffering. Questions Discussed During Songs of Suffering & Hymns of Hope: Having lived as a quadriplegic for over 50 years, how would you say your view of suffering and our suffering Christ has changed? When it comes to spiritual disciplines and daily rhythms, what have been some of your anchors? You've recently released Songs of Suffering: 25 Hymns and Devotions for Weary Souls in which you write, "The song must possess enough spiritual muscle to barge into my soul and shake awake a hopeful response. It must be a hymn whose lyrics raise me onto a different plane spiritually." Flesh that out a bit for us and maybe share a few examples. I am going to share a few Hymn titles from your book. Share the first few thoughts that come to mind when you hear the title: It Is Well With My Soul Where You There (When They Crucified My Lord)? When I Survey The Wondrous Cross Standing On The Promises When We All Get To Heaven In the midst of breathing problems, breast cancer, and chronic pain, how do you strengthen yourself with Jesus' example in the upper room? Let's close with the work you have and continue to do to improve the lives of those living with disabilities. You've said, "people living with disabilities need more than just smooth sidewalks, lowered drinking fountains, and exit ramps." What else do they need and how are you on the front lines of those efforts? Show Notes cont. Resources Mentioned: Book: Songs of Suffering: 25 Hymns and Devotions for Weary Souls by Joni Eareckson Tada Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Become a Grace Enough supporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tyler Staton, Amber, and Sam discuss prayer as an invitation to intimacy, how prayer is to risk trusting someone who might let you down, and three Biblical prayers for when you're feeling dry and weary.  Questions Discussed During Prayer As An Invitation to Intimacy: Share a little about how your journey with Jesus began? You share about the summer you spent walking around your middle school praying. Share a little of that journey with us and what kept you showing up day in and day out? As we dive into this conversation about prayer, I ask this with love for the body of Christ and humor. I have a friend who pastors and has found countless cringe worthy stories from opening the church to public prayer. What is one of the funniest/most awkward prayer stories you have? Page 5 of Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools you write, "Most of us get about knee deep in the Christian life, discover that the water feels fine and stop there. We never swim in the depths of the divine intimacy Jesus won for us." How would you describe some of what we're missing when we stay knee deep? You also write, "To pray is to risk trusting someone who might let you down. To pray is to get our hopes up. And we've learned to avoid that. So we avoid prayer." Dig into that a little for us. For the chronically religious, what guidance would you offer when prayer becomes a chore instead of a joy? ..... SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned: Book: Praying Like Monks: Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Become a Grace Enough supporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Enter to win The Good & Beautiful Series through Dec. 10th, 2022 James Bryan Smith and Amber discuss how his friendship with Dallas Willard and Rich Mullins shaped his spiritual life. Then, they dive in to The Good and Beautiful series which encourages the follower of Jesus to live out the Gospel change in our daily lives by understanding who God is, what it means to live in the kingdom of God on earth, as an individual and in community, and who Jesus created you to be. Questions Discussed During The Good & Beautiful Life: Your spiritual journey has been influenced greatly by personal friendships with people like Dallas Willard, Richard Foster and Rich Mullins. Share a bit of your faith journey and how these men helped shape your walk with Jesus. When you think about the Kingdom of Heaven, how would you describe it? Like many, God has used Willard's teachings in a powerful way in both my husband and his best friend Josh's lives. One of the questions Josh suggested I ask of you is, "What is your most cherished Dallas Willard memory?" You've written many books, but let's focus on The Good and Beautiful series, starting with The Good and Beautiful God. You begin with "the path to spiritual transformation begins with what we think about God." What are some common false thoughts we have about God and what are truths about God that we see Jesus reveal? In The Good and Beautiful Life you lay out these false notions of happiness and success that we've bought into by replacing them with Jesus' narratives about life in the kingdom of God. Will you flesh that out a bit for us? In The Good and Beautiful Community you focus on bringing spiritual formation and community engagement together. What are some spiritual practices that can help us avoid compartmentalizing our life with Jesus and our social justice efforts? Another question from Josh (along those same lines), How does being virtuous translate to more than "just being nice" or "calm and peaceful"? And you end the series with The Good and Beautiful You addressing toxic self narratives that hinder our life with Christ. What are some of the toxic narratives you spoke over yourself and how did those come into view as you wrote this book? Let's close with a few more questions from my husband's best friend Josh :) What advice would you give to a young parent who wants to lead their children in the way of Christ? What advice do you have for pastors or spiritual leaders who are facing burnout? Show Notes cont. Resources Mentioned: Book: The Good and Beautiful God Book: The Good and Beautiful Life Book: The Good and Beautiful Community Book: The Good and Beautiful You Book: Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster Book: Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard Related Episodes: 152: Sharon Garlough Brown | Spiritual Practices & Formation 29: Jan Johnson | Spiritual Direction, Hearing God’s Voice 73: Bethany Allen | Pastor of Spiritual Formation & Leadership Development 161: John Eldredge | Practice. Pause. Be Present. IVPress Offer 30% off + Free Shipping on all Good and Beautiful titles at ivpress.com Dec. 6th-Dec. 20th, 2022 Code: ENOUGH22 Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Become a Grace Enough supporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To celebrate this 200th episode, I invited my friend and host of the Untangled Faith podcast, Amy Fritz on the show to help me answer a few questions Grace Enough listeners submitted. I hope the answers give you a little peak behind the curtain of Grace Enough. Questions Discussed During the 200th Episode Celebration: Have all of your guests been eager to be interviewed? -Michele Bowman How do you find such great guests? -Belinda Letchford What have you learned about yourself through this process? -Amy Fritz How do you handle it when you're interviewing someone you disagree with? -Sarah DeSalvo What are your tips for time management with homeschool/kids and podcasting/media? -Jennifer Eikenhorst What's your most downloaded episode? Why do you think it was that popular? Do you have a favorite guest? Who? What's your dream for this podcast? What are your favorite and least favorite parts of podcasting? Describe your listener. How has the podcasting experience changed you since the Amber of 199 episodes ago? Show Notes cont. Episodes Referenced: 184: Amy Fritz | Untangling Faith After Ramsey Solutions 41: Susan Alexander Yates | Thriving in Transition 183: Lina Abujamra | Fractured Faith 104: Susie Rowan | Bible Study Fellowship, Executive Director 102: Christopher Yuan | Transformation & Holy Sexuality Sponsor: FREE advent Study: Family Christmas in the Psalms Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Become a Grace Enough supporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lysa TerKeurst and Amber discuss Lysa's new book, Good Boundaries and Goodbyes. Lysa shares about the boundaries God originally set for us, levels of access and responsibility, and a boundary that has been placed on her that is both hard and healthy. Questions Discussed During Boundaries and Goodbyes: You begin Good Boundaries and Goodbyes with "And as we open up to each other, the deeper we connect, the more vulnerable we become. The more vulnerable we become, the more exposed the tender places inside of us become. This exposure is risky. When we dare to be so very known, we risk being so very hurt." Share as much or as little about your personal experience that led to the writing of this book and why the risk of being hurt is worth it? As we begin to discuss boundaries, why do many people believe they are “unchristian”? Has there been a time in your life when you've been on the receiving end of someone setting a boundary? And how did that impact you then vs. now? Let's close by talking about "healthy honesty" You write "Healthy honesty isn't trying to hurt us. It's trying to heal us." What does healthy honesty mean? SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned: Book: Good Boundaries and Goodbyes by Lysa TerKeurst Sponsor: FREE advent Study: Family Christmas in the Psalms Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Juli Slattery and Amber discuss discussed some of the unbalanced messages Christians received during 90's purity culture, the dangers of reducing intimacy down to a formula, some ways her understanding of God and sex have evolved over the years and what covenant has to do with it. Related Episodes: 197: Rachel Joy Welcher | Talking Back to Purity Culture 196: Dean Inserra | Is the Bible’s Plan for Sexuality Outdated? 119: Shelia Gregoire | Exposing Lies Christians Believe About Sex 91: Mary Flo Ridley | Let's Talk Birds & Bees 54: Nick Stumbo | Discovering Freedom From Pornography Questions Discussed During Life After Losing Your Memory: As someone who has spent well over a decade working exclusively in the arena of Christian sexuality, what were some of the unbalanced messages Christians received during that time? How do you define sexual integrity? What has been some of the fall out of the unbalanced messaging from purity culture? You wrote, "My understanding of God and sex has dramatically evolved over the decades. I can see that metamorphosis in the emphasis and nuances in what I wrote twenty years ago versus what I’m writing and teaching today. My journey has brought me closer to the heart of God." Will you share some of those changes with us? As your understanding of God's Word has grown, what would you now say to someone who says, "Why should I stay pure? That's so old school." I am going to say a few common phrases we hear regarding sexual purity. I would like for you to respond to them by first sharing what pops in your head and then sharing how you address these phrases in your writing, speaking, podcasting, etc. :) -Dress modestly to prevent your brother from stumbling. -Save sex for marriage. -Men are more sexual than women. -God created sex to expand the family What would you say to the man or woman listening who is single or widowed about sexual purity? Show Notes cont. Resources Mentioned: Book: God, Sex, and Your Marriage by Dr. Juli Slattery Book: Rethinking Sexuality by Dr. Juli Slattery Book: Sex and The Single Girl by Dr. Juli Slattery Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rachel Welcher and Amber discuss holding up God's sexual ethic while proclaiming the truth that Jesus forgives and how purity is not a badge of honor that promises us a spouse, a great marriage or a fulfilled sex life. Questions Discussed During Talking Back to Purity Culture: (8:37) As a young, Christian female growing up in the 90's you read books like I Kissed Dating Goodbye, When God Writes Your Love Story, among others. What messages did you begin to internalize in your youth about Christian sexuality and marriage? (13:23) What are some of the things that God does teach about purity in marriage from his word that differ from some of the messages authors would share? 918:07) Regarding your book, Talking Back to Purity Culture, you said, "My goal is not to create a new sexual ethic but to help the church return to a more faithful, orthodox understanding of the Bible says about sexuality and the grace and forgiveness we have through Jesus Christ." Will you expound on that a bit? (22:46) You write, "We wore purity rings as badges of honor, forgetting that it is Jesus who cleanses us from all unrighteousness. The Christian pursuit of sexual purity is biblical, but it must flow out of a recognition that it is Jesus who makes us pure." How does that shift change everything? (25:42) Christian teachings on purity will often place more responsibility on women to preserve the purity of both genders through modest dressing, body language, and so on. Where does this fall short and what are some more healthy ways we can discuss these topics with girls today? (34:13) Reading books in a group can help facilitate conversation on hard topics. How did you encouraged those conversations when you were teaching? (36:43) I deeply appreciate that you end each chapter with discussion questions and an activity. With that said, when readers get to the end of your book, what lessons do you hope they will have learned about sexual purity? SHOW NOTES cont.  Resources Mentioned: Book: Talking Back to Purity Culture by Rachel Joy Welcher Related Episodes: 196: Dean Inserra | Is the Bible's Plan for Sexuality Outdated? 102: Christopher Yuan | Transformation and Holy Sexuality 125: Laura Perry | Transgender to Transformed 119: Shelia Gregoire | Exposing Lies Christians Believe About Sex Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dean Inserra and Amber discuss why the Bible's plan for sexuality isn't outdated and the major flaw of 90's purity culture that lead to some of the backlash we see today. Questions Discussed During Is the Bible's Plan for Sexuality Outdated? (4:49) Your newest book, Pure, digs into God's design regarding sexuality and how it is not outdated, irrelevant or oppressive. What is purity culture? (10:32) You share the Biblical roots of purity culture and point out one MAJOR flaw. What are some of those roots and what is the major flaw that has led to the backlash we see today? (25:49) You, then, highlight 7 lies the world tells us about relationships and sexuality. Things like, "Sex is Expected", "Cohabitation Makes Sense", "Porn is the Norm" and "Gay is Okay". What are some ways we, as followers of Jesus, can navigate conversations about these cultural norms in a way that communicates truth and love? (32:27) What is the message from your book for people who are single? (35:09) What is your biggest hope for your book, Pure? SHOW NOTES cont.   Resources Mentioned: Book: Pure: Why the Bible's Plan for Sexuality Isn't Outdated, Irrelevant, or Oppressive by Dean Inserra Union with Christ Doctrine FREE 4 Week Gratitude Practice Related Episodes: 102: Christopher Yuan | Transformation and Holy Sexuality 125: Laura Perry | Transgender to Transformed 119: Shelia Gregoire | Exposing Lies Christians Believe About Sex Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Erica Wiggenhorn and Amber discuss the all too common feeling among Christian women "the Bible is boring", why she writes Bible studies, and her encouragement for those who currently struggle with reading the Bible. Questions Discussed During Is the Bible Boring?: (9:02) Like so many of us, you opened your Bible, but the struggle to understand left you feeling a bit discouraged. What helped you persevere in reading and learning to study?  (14:11) When did you start writing? Why Bible studies? (20:06) When going through the study, what was the tension between "I'm checking all the boxes" and "this is not the God I know"? (24:41) What has been some of the feedback you've recieved from women going through An Unexpected Revival? (28:51) What would you say to the Christian mom who is embarrassed to say she isn't spending time in God's Word daily? (34:08) What about the teenager? What would you say to her? (38:46) There came a point in your faith journey, where you felt the call to write and teach. Share a bit of that journey with us and how you ended up teaching women the Word of God in prison. SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned: ericawiggenhorn.com Bible Study: An Unexpected Revival: Experiencing God's Goodness through Disappointment and Doubt by Erica Wiggenhorn Book: Letting God Be Enough: Why Striving Keeps You Stuck & How Surrender Sets You Free by Erica Wiggenhorn Bible Study: Unexplainable Jesus by Erica Wiggenhorn Bible Study: Unexplainable Church by Erica Wiggenhorn Related Episodes: 104: Susie Rowan | Bible Study Fellowship 108: Amy Hale | How Bible Study Changed My Life 99: Jen Wilkin | Women of the Word Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rebecca McLaughlin and Amber discuss the value of intellectual curiosity for the Christian, engaging secular literature to enrich one’s belief in Jesus, sexual ethics in our post Christian world, and more. Questions Discussed During Intellects Are Christians Too: (3:50) You've said, "My parents gave me such a strong sense growing up that Christians should be the most intellectually curious people in town. I was not in any way raised with the anti intellectualism that can be characteristic of American evangelicalism..." Will you expound on that a little bit and why you have found that to be crucial to your faith when people do object to it? (11:20) Something I appreciate about your work as an Apologist is the humility with which you engage difficult questions of the faith. It is a tone that is often missing in the world of Christian apologetics. What's it like to engage in the world of apologetics with more of a humble heart toward the difficult topics? (17:51) How do you encourage Christians to engage thoughtfully on the topic, of purity, same sex attraction, etc. in our current culture? (29:52) What did you hope the reader would take away from one of your more recent books, Jesus Through the Eyes of Women? (33:30) Why do you believe engaging in secular stories, as well as the Bible, enriches your belief in Jesus vs. leading you astray? (37:59) Let's close with, outside of God's Word, what are some books/authors/fellow Christians who have helped shape you into the follower of Jesus you are today? SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned: Book: Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion by Rebecca McLaughlin Book: 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) About Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin Book: The Secular Creed: Engaging 5 Contemporary Claims by Rebecca McLaughlin Book: Is Christmas Unbelievable by Rebecca McLaughlin Book: Jesus Through The Eyes of Women: How the First Female Disciples Help Us Know and Love the Lord by Rebecca McLaughlin Book: Confronting Jesus: 9 Encounters with the Hero of the Gospels by Rebecca McLaughlin Book: The Pop Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage Their World for Christ This episode is dedicated to: Melinda Patrick, host and creator of The Bridge Between Us podcast Janell Wood, host and creator of Finding Something Real podcast Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lisa Saruga and Amber discuss the sexual violence she experienced as a college student and the way God is using the experience to bring change. Sexual Violence Victim and Reform Advocate Questions Discussed: (2:32) As a college student in the early 1980's you experienced a traumatic life changing event. Take us back and share as much or as little about that experience with us. (4:37) What were the days and weeks like following?   (9:47) Christ does begin to become a friend to you. What was that process like? (13:11) Your perpetrator remained unknown for 35 years. What was day to day life like for you during those years of waiting? And how did you discover his identity? (16:47) Your cold case was reopened and eventually solved. Share that part of your story with us? (21:59) When and how did it end? (24:45) Did your perpetrator ever face justice? (26:38) What was the tension like in your relationship with Christ at that time? (29:39) You've said, "...[H]ealing can be attained even when the world offers no happy ending." What do you mean by that? (32:51) Now you are someone who advocates on the behalf of other survivors of sexual violence. Talk a little bit about your advocacy work, what you do and how it has been a part of your healing process? (39:08) Does he know who you are? (41:14) What keeps you pressing on when the journey is so difficult? (44:02) Let's close with how you've experienced the grace of God in the midst of such trauma? Show Notes Cont. Related Episodes: 94: Mary DeMuth | Hope After Sexual Abuse 179: Sonya Brunner | Abuse, Human Trafficking, & Redemption 31: Lara & Hayley | Layers of Dignity Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott Sauls and Amber discuss the message behind his newest book, Beautiful People Don't Just Happen. Scott also shares some of the shifts he's experienced in the church over the last 25 years as a pastor, what it means to bring our not enoughness to God, and how we can abide in Christ. Beautiful People Don't Just Happen Questions Discussed: (0:45) You have been in pastoral ministry for 25 years. Did you begin at Redeemer Pres in New York or elsewhere? Share a bit of your pastoral journey with us and some of the major shifts you have witnessed in the church throughout the years. (6:15) I read a review of Beautiful People Don't Just Happen and it sums up my experience reading the book. Wes Van Fleet wrote, "Goodness! Sauls always writes such helpful and caring books. This one spoke to me as if he and I were sitting down together talking about all the things that haunt me, while being reminded of all I believe and hope for. You may need some tissues with this one but I highly recommend it." This is a loaded question, but what do you mean by beautiful people don't just happen? (13:45) You spend several pages sharing how the darker and sadder seasons of life have expanded your belief in and experience of the goodness of God. What are a few ways you have personally experienced the goodness of God after seasons of darkness? (16:42) "The thing God wants most from you is an admission of your not-enough-ness." Unpack that a bit for us. (22:10) How do you explain abiding in Jesus to others and how are you intentional about its practice? (26:44) You share about your personal struggle with anxiety and depression and how debilitating it can be. What have you found helpful when experiencing seasons of "no comfort in God's promises from Scripture' and the struggle to pray? (31:22) As we close, speak to the listener who is struggling to believe that God redeems regret, hurt and/or fear. SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned: Book: Beautiful People Don't Just Happen by Scott Sauls Elisabeth Kubler Ross (credited for quote "Beautiful people don't just happen") Related Episodes: 158: Mary Marantz | Broken & Beautiful 177: Pete Greig | Hearing God's Voice 97: Hannah Anderson | Goodness & The Lost Art of Discernment Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marcy Gregg and Amber discuss the story behind her memoir, Blank Canvas. Marcy shares the fear of waking up with no memory of the last 13 years, the radical way God's grace crashed into her world, surrendering her alcohol addiction, and how oil painting connects her to God. Questions Discussed During Life After Losing Your Memory: (3:55) At age 30, you went to deliver your 3rd child and life forever changed. Share a bit of that story with us. (12:32) You eventually returned home to a life you had no memory of. What were those first few years like as you returned to mother, wife, etc? (12:52) Eventually, the fatigue from hiding caught up to you and you turned to alcohol. Now, not only are you hiding your lack of memory, but a secret addiction. What did day to day life look like during that time? (14:26) What's your relationship with God like during this time? (17:04) What happened when God came crashing into your world? (20:31) Part of your healing journey was rediscovering your love and talent for painting? How has painting been a part of your healing journey?  (22:48) What is it about art that expands your view of God? (24:07) Even as a renowned oil painter, you have encountered health scares that threatened to end your career. Let's end with how you continue to trust God even when it's hard? (27:54) What was your hope for people who read Blank Canvas? (29:33) How would you express the grace and tenderness of God in your life? SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned: Book: Blank Canvas by Marcy Gregg marcygreggart.com Related Episodes: 169: Sherry Hoppen | Getting Sober & Walking With Jesus 84: Sandy Cullum | When Your Faith Walk Changes Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joshua Sherif and Amber discuss his life as a Muslim boy in Egypt, his immigration to the United States, coming to faith in Jesus, and casting a wider net for discipleship in our communities. Josh shares his experience as a US immigrant and as a pastor of a church representing more than 30 nationalities, and speaking 20 languages in his new book, The Stranger At Our Shore: How Immigrants and Refugees Strengthen the Church. Immigrants, Refugees, and The Church Questions Discussed: (1:41) To lay a foundation for our conversation today, share a little about your childhood. Where did you grow up? What was family life and faith life like? (4:25) Your family eventually immigrated to the United States. What brought your family here and what were those first few years as an immigrant like for you and your family? (12:21) What was it that caused you to leave Isalm for Christianity? (14:59) fYour book, The Stranger at Our Shore: How Immigrants and Refugees Strengthen the Church, is in large part your story, but it is also a call to Christians to reconsider the strangers at our shore or living next door and our call to discipleship. What are some of the problems you see in the Church today, regarding how we relate to immigrants and refugees? (28:04) This is not only your personal experience, but you founded and pastored a church in Albany Park, Chicago, IL which is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the U.S. for a decade. What were some of the challenges and successes of leading a diverse church? (38:50) All too often, as a member of the local church, I forget I am a missionary. I forget that a large portion of Scripture is the story of Israel living as refugees and immigrants. Why is it vital to care for the immigrant and refugee like we see them cared for in Scripture? SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned: Book: The Stranger At Our Shore: How Immigrants and Refugees Strengthen the Church by Joshua Sherif 8 Books That Were Influential In Ways That Surprised Me Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Debra Moerke and Amber discuss discuss the story behind her memoir, Murder, Motherhood and Miraculous Grace. Debra and her husband served as foster parents for a number of children. But Deborah became especially close to one little girl through a series of difficult and horrific circumstances, she found herself taking a phone call from the birth mother from prisons. What developed is the story Deborah tells today. It truly is a story of the miraculous grace of God and the steps of obedience that were far from easy Murder, Motherhood,& Miraculous Grace Questions Discussed: (1:39) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus? (5:20) You and your husband fostered high risk children for 18 years. Take us back to when you first become foster parents. What led you to begin fostering and what were those first few years like in your home? (7:57) The memoir you released in 2019, Murder, Motherhood and Miraculous Grace, shares the portions of your journey with one of your foster children and her mother. Will you share that story with us? (12:21) What are things that social services can do better, so that things like this don't happen? (14:16) What was the impact on your own biological children and your family as a whole? (15:55) The horrific loss led to a range of emotions, but you were faced with a decision when you received a call from jail. Share that experience with us and how the grace of God led you to surrender? (22:10) Was it this experience that led you into prison ministry? And what were some things you discovered as you began to walk with women in prison, including the birth mom who murdered one of your foster daughters? (24:02) As God continued to draw you into places that were not easy to walk in, how did you see him really meet you? (28:20) Have you continued a relationship with Hannah's mother? (35:58) Were there times when that was happening that you you doubted? (40:28) What encouragement, dare I say advice, do you give foster families today? (44:45) Do you have a relationship with some of the children who came in and out of your home? (47:37) You have worked for a pregnancy resource center and you have fostered children. What do you see as the potential impacts of Roe vs. Wade being overturned? SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned: Book: Murder, Motherhood, and Miraculous Grace by Debra Moerke debramoerke.com Related Episodes: 48: Tori Hope Petersen | Hope for the Foster Child 37: Dr. Lindsay Hinson | Foster Parenting 105: Cheri Jimenez | What is A Safe Family? Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Keri Spring and Amber discuss the loss of Keri's son Greg to suicide, his experience with bullying, her journey of forgiveness, and the Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship Fund she founded in his honor. If you or anyone you know, is experiencing suicidal thoughts, or emotional distress, call 988 for help Hope After Suicide Loss Questions Discussed: (1:33) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus? (3:10) Your family experienced a life changing event that no one hopes to experience. The loss of your son, Greg, to suicide. Share a little about your family and life up until Greg took his life. (6:29) Will you share, as much as you feel comfortable, about that day and the few days that followed? (13:11) In hindsight, can you look back now and see some signs that you didn't recognize at the time or even now? (14:38) Would you say one of the hardest parts is not having answers to why Greg took his life? (19:50) If your daughter would feel comfortable with you sharing, how did she deal with the loss? (22:17) Share about the bullying Greg experienced. (29:27) I'm going to ask a tough question, and please feel free to pass, but do you find yourself ever having to go back and forgive Greg again? (30:19) What would you like to share with parents when it comes to teen suicide? (36:05) You've set up and are passionate about the Gregory Spring Perseverance Scholarship Fund. Share a little about that with us. Show Notes Cont. Related Episodes: 118: Rashawn Copeland | When God Enters Your Mess 166: Lori Wildenberg | Helping Children With Anxiety, Depression, & Suicidal Ideation If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, call 988 for help. KeriSpringministries.com Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship Fund Come be a part of the Grace Enough Gang Follow Grace Enough: Instagram | Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wade Mullen and Amber discuss when impression management behavior becomes dangerous, how to address abusive behavior early on, and his personal experience when sharing abuse that was impacting the students he served.  Power, Image Management, & The Church Questions Discussed: (2:42) Share a little of your faith journey with us. When did you begin walking with Jesus? (4:20) It was your work in the local church that first introduced you to the needs of abuse victims and the potential for institutions to protect abuser(s) instead of victim(s). Will you share a little of that experience with us and what that experience led you to pursue? (9:17) How do you respond to, "I don't know why someone would speak out against an organization that is doing such great work"? (14:22) As you studied behavior, you came across impression management strategies. Define that for our listeners and how can the application of the strategies be harmful to the body of Christ? Don't we all use these strategies? What are some ways the body of Christ, particularly church leaders can avoid falling into their snare? (23:44) Talk a little about what we often see behind the curtain vs. on the stage. (26:54) Your book, Something's Not Right, has this description that I think will resonate with listeners. "Maybe you don’t know for sure: all you know is something feels off when you think about a certain relationship or interaction with an institution or organization. You feel alone and confused―but calling it “abuse” feels extreme and unsettling, a label for what happens to other people but not you. Yet you can’t shake the feeling: something’s not right." When that feeling arises in someone, how would you encourage them to move forward in identifying what's "not right"? (31:13) We have this tendency to not believe victims or to downplay the level of abuse. Why is that? And do we now run the risk of over inflating conflict as abuse or harm? (40:31) If someone is listening and they find themselves in the crossroads of standing up and walking away from spiritual abuse/harm or staying quiet, what would you say to them? Show Notes Cont. FREE Spiritual Hurt Resource page Related Episodes: 183: Lina AbuJamra | Fractured Faith 184: Amy Fritz | Untangling Faith After Ramsey Solutions 185: Katelyn Beaty | Celebrities for Jesus 186: Dr. Diane Langberg | Listening to Abuse and Trauma Survivors 106: Scot McKnight & Laura Barringer | Church Culture: Goodness vs. Abuse of Power 94: Mary DeMuth | Hope After Sexual Abuse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Diane Langberg and Amber discuss how her 50 year career working with trauma and abuse victims began, the similarity she encountered between veterans of war and abused women, the current reckoning of power abuse in the church, and pastors as shepherds. Listening To Abuse and Trauma Survivors Questions Discussed: (3:20) Your career as a Christian psychologist began 50 years ago. And for those who are not familiar with your work, would you share your experience with your supervisor years ago who advised you not to listen to a woman who said, "My father did weird things to me"? (7:07) You began listening to the trauma and PTSD women and veterans were experiencing long before the term was used and the diagnosis existed. What were those first 10-20 years like? (8:38) What are some of the biggest lessons you've learned about treating people who have been abused? Have PTSD? Survivors?  (10:10) Not only has your work included women and veterans, but pastors, leaders around the world. What have you learned about abuse and trauma on a global scale? (13:27) There were decades where pastors, clergy, church leaders who were accused of sexual abuse would have been referred to as having an affair Why is that not an appropriate term to use when pastor, clergy, youth leader, church leader has a sexual encounter with someone in their care? Why is that abuse vs. an affair? (19:08) Do you think the current rise in church abuse is just a trend or a genuine problem you see in our churches? Are people jumping on the #metoo, #churchtoo movement and it will fade? (22:54) How can you tell in a he said, she said situation who is the victim and who is the abuser?  (26:05) What type of work does G.R.A.C.E. do? How are they helping promote healthy and safe environments in our churches? (29:10) As we close, what do you see as the day in, day out way to move forward, free and unified in Christ? SHOW NOTES cont. Resources Mentioned (affiliate links): netgrace.org FREE Spiritual Hurt Resource page Book: Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church by Dr. Diane Langberg Related Episodes: 183: Lina AbuJamra | Fractured Faith 184: Amy Fritz | Untangling Faith After Ramsey Solutions 185: Katelyn Beaty | Celebrities for Jesus 106: Scot McKnight & Laura Barringer | Church Culture: Goodness vs. Abuse of Power 94: Mary DeMuth | Hope After Sexual Abuse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices