#136: Hope Within Us

#136: Hope Within Us

Who’s on this episode?

Jeff Strommen @jstrommen | Dave Wager @wagerdaw


This week, Jeff and Dave invite Amanda to share her story with us about how she found hope. As she searched for relationships and fun in college, she found profound emptiness. Partying. Lust. It all left her confused.

 

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Show Notes

Hope is an anchor for our soul. See Hebrews 6.

#134: The Stages of the Friend Zone

#134: The Stages of the Friend Zone

Who’s on this episode?

Jeff Strommen @jstrommen | Dave Wager @wagerdaw | Terra Kay @terrakfree


Contrary to popular belief (ie. culture) the “Friend Zone” is not a good place to be. I tend to disagree. Friendship is essential to a full life. But sometimes friends can be confusing. This week, Jeff and DW sit down with Terra Kay to peel back the layers of relationships in our follow up to last week’s episode on intimacy. We’re looking at Powell’s five levels of communication and relating them to relationships.


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Show Notes

John Powell’s 5 Levels of Communication (we put counted from 1 to 5, instead of 5 to 1 on the episode. We are sorry.)

Level 5: Small Talk. This is surface communication, like “How are you?” as you pass someone on the street. There’s nothing wrong with it. It helps to break the ice, but if communication remains on this level, it can be frustrating. Authentic intimacy requires greater depth, and tough truths require much greater depth.

Level 4: Factual Conversation. This is when the conversation stays at a head level. It lacks feeling. At this level you might describe all the rational reasons why something is true for you, but not explain why you care so much or how it affects you personally. Again, facts are important in conversation. But including emotions takes communication to a new level.

Level 3: Ideas and Opinions. This is where authenticity and intimacy begin. You start to expose yourself at this level, sharing opinions and hopes that go beyond the factual. Its amazing how much ice is broken at this level, when we really hear each others hopes (and fears) and dreams.

Level 2: Feelings and Emotions. This is where tough truth is expressed, as well as exciting vision. This is when you describe why you feel the way you feel. You describe what is going on inside you, including feelings of frustration, anger, resentment, or happiness.

Level 1: Deep Insight. This is the gold of communication where you bring together facts, opinions, feelings and depth. You speak honestly AND kindly, clear about who you are but not needing others to agree. When you connect at this level with another person, or a group of people, you have really struck the gold of authentic intimacy.

 

‘Scary Close-Reflections For Finding True Intimacy’ Bible Reading Plan

Donald Miller released a Bible reading plan to go along with his book, Scary Close: Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy.

#075: The Value Of Good Friends

#075: The Value Of Good Friends

Whether life has been fantabulous for you lately or not, most of us would agree that a good friend helps make things a little more so. Jeff, DW and Jason are back to share some insights about making great friends. Joining them this week is Maria Hameister from Cru.

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mariahameister[toggle title_open=”Maria Hameister” title_closed=”Maria Hameister” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Continue…” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Intern at Cru

Maria is on staff with Cru here in Northeast Wisconsin. She is involved in helping young adults find hope and build genuine relationships at various college and high school campuses. Maria joined Cru after graduating from St. Norbert College in 2013 and spends time mentoring young women and coordinating events with Cru.

Maria has also been featured on Moments of Hope with executive director, Jeff Strommen. [/toggle]

 

On the Show

[contact-form to=’hope@hopenet360.com’ subject=’Re: Who would you be friends with?’][contact-field label=’If you could be friends with Taylor Swift%26#x002c; Donald Trump or Flo from the insurance commercials%26#x002c; who would you pick and why?’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

Fifteen Reasons we all Need Friends

[Tweet “To have good friends, we must be a good friend. #HNRTB”]

[Tweet “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future. #HNRTB”]