by Jeff | Jun 26, 2016
Who’s on this episode?
Jeff Strommen @jstrommen | Dave Wager @wagerdaw
Podcast: Download
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.
by Jeff | Jun 19, 2016
Who’s on this episode?
Jeff Strommen @jstrommen | Dave Wager @wagerdaw | Terra Kay @terrakfree
Podcast: Download
On this Father’s Day, we are thinking of the fathers in Orlando grieving the loss of their son or daughter. The headlines rip at the heart of every father of the senseless shootings of Christina Grimmie and the patrons at Pulse, and the toddler killed by an alligator at Walt Disney World.
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Show Notes
Pulse shooting in Orlando is being called the biggest terror attack on the US since 9/11. How do we process tragedy like this as it impacts an entire nation? Here are 5 ways Christians can respond
The truth is, we don’t really know why the shootings happened, except that we live in a world full of sin around people who have their eyes set on destruction. Some think it had something to do with ISIS or simply out of hatred for LGBT people. Who knows, really? These shootings have no rationale. And how we respond is critically important. Our only remedy is to call this nation back to God.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu gave an appropriate response in light of the attack on Pulse.
[threecol_one]
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Remembering Elisabeth Elliot and her legacy despite living through tragedy
Books by Elisabeth Elliot
Elisabeth Elliot was one of the most influential Christian women of our time. For a half century, her best selling books, timeless teachings and courageous faith have influenced believers and seekers of Jesus Christ throughout the world. She used her experiences as a daughter, wife, mother, widow, and missionary to bring the message of Christ to countless women and men around the world.
Read John Piper’s thoughts in the days after she passed in 2015.[/threecol_two_last]
Check it out
Ephesians 5 | Titus 3
There are enough things that divide us, that create a barrier of connection and affect interpersonal relationships. If tragedy has any upside, it’s that those barriers can come down and we can mourn with those who mourn. Differences don’t matter. Love does. Love matters. And love will win. Faith, hope and love remain. The greatest of these is love. And the truth is, we will get through. We are going to make it. -Jeff
by Jeff | Jun 12, 2016
Who’s on this episode?
Jeff Strommen @jstrommen | Dave Wager @wagerdaw | Terra Kay @terrakfree
Podcast: Download
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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Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the podcast for free on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Tune In Radio! Make sure to leave a ★★★★★ review and consider supporting the show.
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.
by Jeff | Jun 5, 2016
Who’s on this episode?
Jeff Strommen @jstrommen | Dave Wager @wagerdaw | Todd @toddmcilhany
Podcast: Download
Every person is searching for intimacy. But what is intimacy? Here’s an idea, the next person you see, ask them to define that word. You can reasonably expect the ones who are willing to attempt to answer will say something about sex, generally between a man and a woman. And really, they couldn’t be more wrong. This week, Jeff and Dave welcome back Todd to the show to break down what it means to have intimate relationships.
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Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the podcast for free on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Tune In Radio! Make sure to leave a ★★★★★ review and consider supporting the show.
Show Notes
Welcome back, Todd!
Todd is an NBI Graduate serving as the Media Specialist at Silver Birch Ranch. He was on the show with us back when we first started. He and his wife, Sarah, will be expecting their first child in July.
This TED Talk is amazing. Robert Waldinger talks about one of the most comprehensive longitudinal studies on lifetime happiness. From their website:
What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it’s fame and money, you’re not alone – but, according to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, you’re mistaken. As the director of a 75-year-old study on adult development, Waldinger has unprecedented access to data on true happiness and satisfaction. In this talk, he shares three important lessons learned from the study as well as some practical, old-as-the-hills wisdom on how to build a fulfilling, long life.
What’s the big idea?
- Intimacy is about developing and growing deep bonds with another person. It is about closeness and familiarity. Members of the same gender can (and should) have intimate relationships. The greater the number of deep bonds we have with people, the more we understand love. However, in a culture where “everything is sexual,” we are not connecting with those around us in a way that is healthy. When we only equate intimacy with sex, we know not the true purpose and meaning of both intimacy and sex.
- Deep affection or bonds with a person of the same gender does not change your sexual orientation. At HopeNet 360, we are inclusive of people from all backgrounds, regardless of who they are or how they self-identify. There are no checkboxes to mark if you are gay, straight, transgendered, etc. All of humanity needs hope. All of humanity is despairing because of their inability to perfect themselves, even with the help of other people. Every person is made to bond with God and bond with people. Sexual orientation, as big of a deal as people make it to be today, is actually a really small part of who we are as humans.
[Tweet “”When you don’t acknowledge people’s differences and strengths, it holds everybody back.” -Todd #HNRTB”]
“I’m not gay, but…”
Jean Paul-Bedard writes:
I was taking inventory of the meaningful friendships in my life, and it became clear to me that although I have many male friends, all of these relationships are collegial, superficial, or competitive. […] Herein lies the problem, and I believe it raises two questions. First, why as a society do we equate intimacy and vulnerability with sex? Two, why have we associated strong ties between men as either indicative of homosexuality or propagation of institutionalized patriarchy?
Aristotle referred to Platonic friendships between men as the societal “ideal”. In the 19th century, male friendships were more sentimental and were marked with endearing language that by today’s standards, would be construed as “queer.”
Somewhere along the way, it became more difficult for men to turn to other men for the intimacy we all long for in a meaningful relationship. […] Men now view one another as competitors rather than colleagues.
Links & Articles
What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness | TED Talk
I’m Not Gay But I’d Like To Have An Intimate Relationship With A Man | Jean-Paul Bedard (Huffington Post Canada)
Intimacy With God | OpenBible.info
Hope for Those Who Don’t Want to Parade with Pride
Trey Pearson, a Popular Christian Rocker, Tells Fans He’s Gay | NY Times
It’s time for Summer Camp at Silver Birch Ranch!
by Jeff | May 29, 2016
Who’s on this episode?
Jeff Strommen @jstrommen | Dave Wager @wagerdaw | Pastor Kirk Gerbers @kirkgerbers | Sarah Gerbers @sarahbeth_gerbers
Podcast: Download
Take a look around. Someone somewhere is taking a selfie right now. They might be wearing a Chewbacca mask, too. Chances are, they’re taking 100 photos just for one measly Instagram. That’s what life has become – one measly, filtered, selfie-centered photo. Is there anyone who will risk it all to live an unfiltered life? This week, Jeff and Dave sit down with Kirk and Sarah Gerbers, youth pastors from Destiny Church in De Pere, Wisconsin.
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Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the podcast for free on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Tune In Radio! Make sure to leave a ★★★★★ review and consider supporting the show.
Show Notes
Upcoming Events
May | Mental Health Month
We are partnering with the Don’t Let Go Campaign in raising awareness about mental health during the month of May. Learn more
Kirk & Sarah Gerbers
Kirk is a youth pastor of over 10 years. Born and raised in Green Bay, Kirk spent some years in Flint, Michigan and has been youth pastoring in De Pere, Wisconsin since 2013. He is on Twitter, but as you will find out in this week’s episode, he would rather be face-to-face than thumb-to-thumb.
Sarah is a professional photographer and owns Selah Photography. Born in Milwaukee, she met Kirk in college and the rest is history. In her time on social media, Sarah has found the good and the bad. She was in it for the wrong reasons and then started over.
Conversation Starters
Do you think the average person who is on a social media site spends too much, too little, or just the right amount of time using it?
What is the point of social media? Why is so much time and energy invested in snapping, gramming, liking, commenting, sharing? Is it all healthy?
What would you do with your time without social media?
How has our society changed since social media really took off in the mid-2000’s?
Could it be that my attitude or outlook on life has been based on how people think of me on social media?
Things to consider
Candace Payne, better known as the Chewbacca Mom, went unfiltered on Facebook and has inspired over 150 million people!
As humans we love to hide.
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by Jeff | May 22, 2016
Who’s on this episode?
Jeff Strommen @jstrommen | Dave Wager @wagerdaw
Podcast: Download
This week, Jeff and DW sit down with Mike Jewell of Relational Integrity, LLC to talk about how we can be set free from the lies that we believe.
Subscribe & Support the Podcast
Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the podcast for free on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Tune In Radio! Make sure to leave a ★★★★★ review and consider supporting the show.
Show Notes
Upcoming Events
May | Mental Health Month
We are partnering with the Don’t Let Go Campaign in raising awareness about mental health during the month of May. Learn more
Guest info
Mike Jewell is the Founder of Relational Integrity LLC and Co-Founder of Trek Productions LLC, which produced The Trek program. He is also the creator of “The Bridge”. Mike serves on various nonprofit boards with a purpose of seeing lives transformed and relationships healed. He has extensive knowledge and experience in teaching, conflict resolution, personnel management, speaking and has led workshops for churches, married couples, veterans and more.
Whether it is your work, marriage, family or social relationships, there are certain truths that apply to all relationships. But, if we believe a lie instead of the truth, then we have difficulty relating to others, even with the ones we love most. Relational Integrity can assist you in discovering the Truth that sets you free from the lies you unknowingly believe. The Trek program was developed to look back onto the path you walked in life and discover the lies. Then you can exchange the truth for the lie and relationships will improve.
The Trek
The Trek is an online self-discovery video series that educates participants about themselves, their behaviors, and their emotional reactions toward situations and people they encounter every day. This self-discovery curriculum assists adults, parents, spouses, children, and families identify and celebrate the strengths in their lives while providing tools to recognizing and improve those areas where you feel improvement is needed.
The Trek can be used successfully by a wide range of people. Individuals, couples, and families can find answers, while non-profits, schools, youth organizations, governmental agencies and other service programs can serve their community with this curriculum.
More info
