Embracing Brokenness Ministries

As Vice President of Programs at Water Street Mission, Colleen Adams joins Jack Crowley, President, to share a story of restoration with one of their former guests. See how God transformed Sharon's life, as He does with so many through the ministry of WSM. For most of us, it's difficult to love the marginalized and those experiencing homelessness in our society. We don't understand the struggles. In this episode of our podcast (also available in video form on Spotify and our YouTube Channel), we explore one woman’s story of feeling trapped and ending up without a home. But we also share how she made it out of that spider’s web.

Steve is joined by special guest, Allen Arnold, to discuss the message and meaning behind his latest book, The Eden Option, Choosing a Story 1 Life in a Story 2 World. Allen is the Executive Director of Content at Wild at Heart and is a noted creativity speaker, coach and author. His focus is helping people actively pursue their creativity with God. As a former Fiction Publisher with Thomas Nelson, he oversaw the launch of more than 500 novels—and now invites others to step more fully into their Story by showing them how to pursue their dreams and talents together with God. He is the acclaimed author of The Story of With, Chaos Can't, and Waves of Creativity. He loves blue oceans, black coffee, hot salsa, and big ideas. Discover more at www.withallen.com

On today's Podcast, Steve joins Cristin Germaine on a regional radio program she hosts. WPFG's Community Issues and Missions is a program where people in our community share their personal journey, their ministry, or their organization.  During the interview, Steve provides personal insights on his spiritual journey but also that of Embracing Brokenness Ministries and the calling God has given both him and his wife, Colleen.

Continuing on in our series of interviews with friends and allies, sharing God Stories from the past and present. Stories where our lives have been forever changed by a God who loves us and saved us each one. On today's podcast, Steve is joined by Author, Speaker, and Mom of many, Cathie Rosado. We'll discuss her book, among other topics, Choosing Plan A - A Mother's Adventure with Adoption, Acceptance after Miscarriage, and, Acknowledging the Miracle of Children Cathie was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where more than 250 years of her family history is strongly rooted. “Be fruitful and multiply” was very practical advice for this largely agrarian society. Cathie’s immediate family would depart from that tradition as her parents met in college and moved toward professional office occupations. She and her younger brother enjoyed a middle-class life, and though their parents divorced, it was amicable, and life was pretty good. Cathie graduated from a public high school and defied what some saw as odds stacked against her, eventually graduating with a bachelor’s of science in economics with a concentration in accounting and entrepreneurial management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She headed into her professional career with many expectations for what life would look like, and then the year 2000 changed everything. In that one year, she went from being a single professional finishing her Penn State MBA to a married working mother experiencing a whirlwind of change. “Be fruitful and multiply” would not look the same for her as it did for her ancestors. Expectations of how things were going to be would have to be tossed out the window as a whole new adventure lay ahead—one where she would have to keep moving forward even when the steps were difficult or unclear. Today, Cathie continues to work full time in a professional role while juggling parenting and embracing her passion for volunteering and impacting people. She is trying to figure out her developing grandparent role while the nest is still pretty full. While this book may be her story, the prayer is that it encourages and positively impacts you as you live your story. Cathie welcomes your feedback and would love to hear from you. To connect with her by email: contact@ChoosingPlanA  Everybody has a story. Some we'd rather not tell, others we can't keep quiet about. Or at least not quiet about God's goodness in our lives, especially when the difference He makes has an everlasting impact. We're never the same because of Him. This is some of Cathie's story.

Happy New Year everyone. We're back to our series of interviews with friends and allies, sharing God Stories from the past and present. Stories where our lives have been forever changed by a God who loves us and saved us each one. On today's podcast, Steve is joined by Singer/Songwriter, Author, & Speaker, Cristin Germaine. Cristin is the Founder and Event Planner of "Dream BIG! Ignite Your Passion." She works full-time at Christ Community Church as the Office Director and is a single Mom to an amazing son who is 19. She is certified as a public speaker through The John Maxwell Team and was previously enrolled in the Nashville Artist Development University as a singer and songwriter. Cristin has published three anthology books, "The Beauty in My Mess," "The Best Advice I Never Got : Wisdom for Our Daughters," and "Parentpreneur Survival Guide: Co-Author Edition." In May of 2019, Cristin released her first single, "Dream BIG!" which is based on her life and journals. She will be releasing another song in 2023 about domestic violence and her journey walking through that experience in her marriage. She is praying this new song will bring hope to women who have walked the same road and bring healing and wholeness. Learn more about Cristin and her passion for Christ at her website; Dream BIG! Ignite Your Passion https://dreambigigniteyourpassion.com/ Everybody has a story. Some we'd rather not tell, others we can't keep quiet about. Or at least not quiet about God's goodness in our lives, especially when the difference He makes has an everlasting impact. We're never the same because of Him. This is Cristin's story.

Happy New Year everyone. Can you believe it? Princes’ song is rattling around in our head, 1999, released in 1982. Had to open with a few bars in the intro. 2022 is a done deal – in the books as they say - and we now look forward to the uncertainty waiting for us in 2023. Are you excited? The way you answer that question says a lot about where your heart is right now. And that’s not passing judgment. It’s just the truth. Steve provides a few suggestions on how to approach the new year.

We all have a story. If you're a friend of Jesus you've felt the power of God's presence in your life and been changed forever. In this series, Steve interviews ordinary people sharing extraordinary moments when God intersects their lives in unexpected ways.  Join us in today's podcast as we give God the glory in our redemption story and how He impacts our daily life.

Everyone has a story. In this series, we introduce you to God's people sharing God's stories in each of their lives. Craig tells of his incarceration and how Jesus met him in that place and changed his life. Listen in and be blessed by the amazing ways that God intersects our lives, in the good, bad, and ugly. But He gets the glory in our story.

If we don't talk it out, we'll act it out. What does it mean to be a peacemaker? What does the Bible say about conflict, and how we should best resolve our differences? We dig deeper into the subject of peacemaking on today's video podcast.

Brokenness is the state in which we enter this world. No one escapes the ravages of sin. What we do with that is paramount in our healing journey toward wholeness in Christ. On today's podcast, Michael Kurtz joins Steve to have a conversation on what it even means to embrace your brokenness and why you would even yield to the notion that embracing our condition of brokenness is a good idea. Music and Lyrics by Roots and Recognition Featuring Dominique Calvillo   Licensed for Use Adobe Stock Asset ID: #356515268

God is at work all the time. That means many different things to many different people. What often is missing in our understanding of that truth is the ability to notice Him. To notice Him in nearly every aspect of our lives as Believers. He wants to be in relationship with us constantly. Not just in an emergency. Even in the simple things. In today’s podcast, Steve discusses hearing from God from a different perspective.

It’s been a rough couple of years. Most of us have experienced some level of trauma around a host of issues that can go unnoticed – until – something sets us off.  What is that something for you? What pushes your buttons and elicits an unexpected reaction?   Sometimes the reaction may be termed an overreaction. Many times our responses to the simplest annoyances can have severe consequences. Mostly those consequences are internal and need to be processed with a safe person in a safe community.   None is safer than God.   In today’s podcast, Steve provides multiple examples of buttons being pushed, in his life and others. Better yet, a few observations to consider as you process what’s happening in and around you.

For many of us, the notion of dying to self is a foreign one. What does that even mean? Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Luke quoting Jesus said, "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" The idea of denying our own self interests is at the core of our Christian belief system. It starts with a posture of humility and understanding that our life is not our own as Christ followers. In today's Podcast Joe D'Orsie and Steve Adams go deeper into that conversation.

In today's Podcast, we examine the sometimes devastating fact that we believe lies about God. When lies are adopted as truth the consequences show up in dysfunctional behaviors and in ways that lead to confusion and mistrust. God is not a God of confusion. He's a God of Love not fear. We are created in His image and with His attributes. Those attributes have become distorted by sin and an enemy that would have us believe lies about God, ourselves, and others in an effort to isolate us from the truth of who God says we are. It's part of a master plan of deceit to keep us from pursuing an intimate relationship with our Creator and Savior.

Being tempted is not a sin. Being tested can be challenging. How we respond to temptations and testing defines us. We must understand that we were not made for this world. We were made to exist in perfect harmony with Him. That is the only way toward wholeness and freedom in Christ. We have an enemy bent on taking us out. We must not be complacent about that fact. Don’t let the enemy win. Don’t let the enemy sideline you from your calling and purpose, even when that liar would have you believe differently. Don't listen to or live in the false belief that your life doesn’t matter and you might as well just quit. Pack it in for a better way of life. That better way doesn’t exist apart from God. In today's podcast, Steve shares a recent experience targeting him for a takedown.

Garnering and harboring excessive wealth is something that has been nibbling at my conscience for a while. I can’t escape the gnawing feeling. The unfathomable amount of money resident not only in this country but around the world and the huge disparaging gap between those with and those without is striking. God has a lot to say about finances in his Word. In fact, money and possessions are the second most referenced topic in the Bible – money is mentioned more than 800 times. How we treat the poor, how we manage our finances, and our accountability in doing so in this life is paramount. Over the years I have come across a number of very rich Christians. Some of them are among the godliest and most committed believers I have known. Their riches are not necessarily a sign of God’s blessing – but neither are they something bad. The key thing is how you see your money, and what you do with it. In today's podcast, we take a deeper look at wealth and how God views it.

In this final podcast episode on Identity Matters, we focus on safe people. We all desire to have close relationships with people we trust. People we know that are willing to battle it out in life by our side and have our backs. What would you consider to be attributes of safe people? We'll explore this topic in detail and more as we wrap up this series of teaching on the all-important subject of Identity in Christ.

In this podcast, we cover the topic of intimacy with God through hearing His voice. What might that look like for you?  Is it through scripture, others, that still small voice inside you namely the Holy Spirit? Does God speak to you through circumstances or unique moments in time? It's a topic not often discussed in church but one of the most critical parts of our spiritual journey toward wholeness in Christ.

Every day we experience brokenness in the form of consequences as a result of what is often called, original sin. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil all hell broke loose. Literally. Satan got exactly what he wanted.  Here's the good news. God always wins. He's the Creator of all and knows all. He wired each of our brains to heal from wounds that have been inflicted upon us. Yet, we still suffer the losses from being separated from God.  In today's podcast, we take a brief look at what the cost looks like in each of our lives. 

In case you weren't aware of it, a war broke out in Heaven on the heels of creation. When Lucifer rebelled and took 1/3 of the angels with him he landed on planet earth. Unfortunately, we then became the target of his evil ways and have been dealing with the consequences ever since. In this podcast, Steve talks about the impact that Satan has on our identity as he reviews the sequence of events that led to the fall of man. Thankfully God provided a way back to Him through the saving grace of His son Jesus Christ.

When it comes to matters of identity it's vitally important that we understand who we are. Not just how we view ourselves but more importantly how God sees us. After all, He did create us in His image and likeness - with traits and characteristics that model His goodness. All was distorted when we decide we wanted to be like God. But restoration is coming.  In this episode, we go deeper into what Genesis 1 and 2 say about us and our God-given identity. 

In our second of a multi-podcast series on Identity, we examine how critically important it is to understand who God is and why what we believe about Him really does matter. Much of our impressions of who He is and how He sees us are formed at a very young age. How that translates into our day-to-day lives forms our ability to grow in our faith and in the knowledge of what a loving relationship with God should be. 

Identity Matters seem to be one of the hottest topics on the planet and has been for some time. At Embracing Brokenness Ministries we teach, speak, and write about this subject matter on a regular basis, and is at the heart of our ministry.  On this week's Podcast you're introduced to an 8-week curriculum that is presented in person and will be online at some point in the future. Our prayer is that you'll continue your own personal journey of discovery around the true self that God created in you as you sure up your Identity in Christ.

In today's Podcast, Steve had the privilege of speaking with J.R. Woodgates. The author of Daily Light on the Prisoner's Path, and former Voice of America on-air personality. J.R. graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in broadcast journalism. He enjoyed a long radio career, internationally for 27 years at the Voice of America, locally in Washington, DC for 13 years at WETA part-time. He was live on-air with VOA when the planes exploded into the Twin Towers, in PA, and the Pentagon on 9/11, and the world experienced the most horrific terror attack ever seen on U.S. soil. Now, as an advocate for restorative justice, it’s his goal for prisoners everywhere to learn about and experience the relief, restoration, and empowerment they can enjoy as repentant, forgiven, and blessed sons of God. Tune in and be blessed yourself by J.R.'s story of restoration. How God carried him through his own healing journey and the consequences he experienced that landed him in Federal Prison. God wins though, every time. To purchase J.R. Woodgates book, Daily Light on the Prisoners Path visit https://www.dlpp.info/

Choices have consequences. Some are more devastating than others. In today's podcast, Steve shares more about his own healing journey that started some 30 years ago with a 90-day stint in Federal Prison. A lifelong believer in Jesus was tempted by what the world had to offer and it landed him in a very precarious situation. But redemption awaited. He only needed to look up and lookout. This is the beginning of that story that would lead to a book currently awaiting publication, 90 Days on the Inside - Short-timers Journey of Brokenness, Surrender, & Healing. Read more here www.90DaysInside.com 

In today's podcast, we discuss the consequences of sin that so easily befell us. Steve begins and ends with Colleen presenting in between. They look at a different perspective on how behaviors in this life are linked to the decisions made by our ancestors, Adam and Eve. Wounds inflicted by others, and our own bad choices left us in a bit of a predicament. But God gave us a choice to return "back to the Garden", restored in Him. Please join us as we go deeper into our healing journey prescribed for all Believers by our Savior.

In our first video podcast on Spotify, recorded during a recent class Steve taught alongside Colleen, he shares his story in testimony to the grace that God poured into his life many years ago, continuing to do so every single day. We jump right in without an intro and outro to this episode. Please provide feedback on your experience with this podcast on video through Anchor and Spotify. If you're listening on other platforms you'll get the audio. This story is chronicled in an upcoming book that Steve authored entitled 90 Days on the Inside, A Short-Timers Journey of Brokenness, Surrender, & Healing God will do amazing things in a life yielded to Him. Our prayer is that you'll be blessed by hearing one man's story outlined in the context of this teaching in our class entitled Identity Matters.

World events and the Russian invasion of Ukraine are cause for all Christ-followers to pause and pray for those impacted by this crisis. From the people of Ukraine and Russia to the world leaders engaged in a resolution toward peace. Steve introduces us to a guided prayer from John Eldredge, as we together ask God to intervene in this horrific situation.

Chaos and a spirit of confusion reign among us all like we haven't seen for quite some time. Look at COVID. Look at Ukraine and the aggression being shown by Russia.  How do we interpret what's happening around us in a productive and meaningful way? As Believers in Jesus Christ, there is only one way to do so even though the enemy of God's people has other plans. In Part 2 of this 2 Part series, Steve and Colleen further their conversation about the importance of understanding our days and the appropriate response to the confusion that surrounds each of us in a world where the focus is on what's temporary, not eternal.

You may recall a song The Temptations made famous years ago entitled Ball of Confusion. It's not a stretch to equate that same title to conditions on the ground on this ball of dirt we call planet earth. Chaos and a spirit of confusion reign among us all like we haven't seen for quite some time. How do we interpret what's happening here in a productive and meaningful way? As Believers in Jesus Christ, there is only one way to do so even though the enemy of God's people has other plans. In this 2 part series, Steve and Colleen have a conversation about the importance of understanding our days and the appropriate response to the confusion that surrounds each of us in a world where the focus is on what's temporary, not eternal.

How we view God has a tremendous impact on how we view ourselves and others. He certainly is the Great Script Writer. We see familiar scenes from our life stories in every good film. From the foundation of the world, He knew each of us. Unique in our gifting and eventual calling in this life.  Our beliefs are formed at a young age. If we would recognize God as a God of love our relationship with Him and others would be transformed forever. Steve shares a recent teaching he did on this subject - contrasting the worldview we get from infancy to the transforming realization that God Is Love.

Have you experienced a setback lately? Setbacks may be defined in various ways but the word itself conjures up negative thoughts. There's not a human being walking the planet that hasn't experienced some sort of setback. How should we respond? Can we grow through them and come out the other side a better person for it? We'll answer this and other questions in this podcast with a real-life example and a few from God's Word.

As our 2021 came to a close and we look forward to what's next in 2022 we have the opportunity to ponder what God has in store for our lives in this coming year. To vision with Him what might be ahead in our relationship with Him, our family, our vocation, and perhaps ministry. In this Podcast, Steve asks us to revisit the highlights of 2021 with gratitude and look ahead with anticipation consecrating 2022 to God. We'll go deeper into how God might speak to you throughout the year ahead.

As Christmas arrives and 2021 comes to a close what should be our posture and focus as we move forward, not only on the calendar but in our daily lives? Let's explore that question in more depth in this Podcast.

This time of the year we think of Turkey and Thanksgiving, followed closely by Christmas and New Year.  A lot of celebrating, eating and time with family and friends. But.... it's not that way for everyone. Yet, we all have one thing we can do to help ourselves and others, extend gratitude. There is always something or someone to be thankful for, especially our Creator God. Tune into this podcast for a little encouragement and a couple of suggestions for a little gratitude.

In today's Podcast, Steve delves deeper into the practice of being in God's presence. What does that look like for each of us? Like the mental preparedness of Navy Seals, we need the same discipline in our spiritual lives.  Entering the battle for our hearts and minds we must be equipped by developing a personal intimacy with our Creator God. The one that formed us and desires to know us and be known for His love for each of us. Let's explore that together today.

Every Believer is a work in progress. Uniquely ordained to be in relationship with God and loving others as He commands. Our enemy seeks to sideline us in the journey. Don't let discouragement, driven by the wounds of your past, give him a foothold in your life. We are all unfinished works of art that God desires to complete before he returns or you stand in His presence. In this Podcast, Steve tells his story of redemption and reclamation chronicled in a new book to be released in 2022 - 90 Days on the Inside - highlighting what's available for every follower of Jesus Christ.

Our hearts have been assaulted during these last 18 months. The enemy is attempting to derail us from our calling and our own individual healing journeys.  In this episode, we talk about the danger of leaving God out of the equation and taking control of our own lives. 

In today's podcast, I offer up a tribute to a woman who was truly MY hero of the faith. She raised me to love God and love others. What more could a child ask for but to know Jesus at a young age and live a life dedicated to serving Him?  No one does is it perfectly but I prefer to honor this 100-year-old woman in a way that respects her legacy of love for all she knew - who finally got what she longed for. To be with Jesus in a healed up body without pain, suffering, or angst. No more walker, no more tears, no more uncertainty. Just being in the presence of God waiting for the rest of us. Thank you, Mom. See ya real soon.

In this upside-down Kingdom that Jesus brought to earth, we have an enemy that seeks to kill and destroy each of us in an effort to derail our healing journey and purpose in life. We must realize we're in a war for our minds and bring truth to the lies that Satan is spreading about us. In today's podcast, we dig deeper into the victory that awaits in our pursuit of life in Christ.

That dash on our tombstone - you know, the one that represents the life we lived between our start date and our end date? What we do during that time has eternal implications. Mark Twain put it so aptly. “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” The “why” has everything to do with the legacy we leave and the influence of our dash. In today's Podcast we delve deeper into the importance of our Legacy and how God orchestrates our purpose in life.

The question of how and if God speaks is a common one. Our relationship with Him is first and foremost in how that question gets answered. God does speak and we can hear His voice - in many different ways. On today's podcast, Steve explores the many facets of God's promptings and His communication with us, providing insight into how you too can experience intimacy with God in the way He was always intended.  Walking and talking with Him daily is possible. We simply need to develop a relationship with Him that allows us to do so.

Are we living in an alternate reality? Is truth and morality relative? The research is shocking for many of us. In today's podcast, we'll answer these and a few other questions regarding the current and confused culture we're living in. Absolute truth is God's truth. It exists in His inerrant Word - His scripture. How we interpret that may differ due to many influences. Many of those influences are attacking the core of our Christian belief system. What do we do about it, if anything?  Let's have that conversation as you listen in.

The pace of life has taken its toll on all of us. Nearly without exception. BUT, God walks “slowly” because he is love. If he is not love he would have gone much faster. Love has its speed. It is an inner speed. It is a spiritual speed. It is a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we are accustomed. It is “slow” yet it is lord over all other speeds since it is the speed of love. There’s a reason people talk about “walking with God,” not “running with God.” It’s because God is love. Join Steve in this Podcast to delve deeper into this subject and the necessity of slowing our pace of life. Credit to John Mark Comer and his book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. Opening from www.practicingtheway.org

As we consider the impact of one of the most traumatic global experiences of our lifetime it's important to recognize the implications for each one of us. PTSD is a real thing. On some level, we all have experienced the stress around uncertainty during this pandemic and the fallout should not be taken lightly. The antidote to fear is love. God is love and He desires to meet each of us at this moment and heal the wounds and care for our souls.  Steve explores the truth behind it all and how God will re-interpret our trauma and heal our hearts.

The Bible talks about God's view of lukewarm believers. It's clear in Revelation what He thinks of that. We live in a divided nation. The enemy is looking to assault our hearts and therefore our commitment to faith in Christ. He's also intent on derailing our ability to share that faith with an unsaved world. Steve examines the challenge of living a different way. One totally sold out toward intimacy with God and our fellow man. Loving as Jesus showed us. Uncompromised by the conditions around us in a world gone mad. What's the solution? Listen in to this week's Podcast. 

We all need people in relationships that are safe. Safe to talk with and converse about the most difficult issues that surround our daily lives. From there we can develop a safe community of several folks willing to walk alongside us helping in any way the Holy Spirit guides. People that we can trust to have our back without judgment are often hard to find. But God..... will do that for us. He'll guide us to those that He deems safe. In this Podcast, Colleen does a deep dive into the concept of Safe People and Safe Community in the context of developing trust with our fellow man.

So what is progressive Christianity? It sounds like it could be a good thing. Making progress in our relationship with God perhaps. But progress is a neutral word. You can progress toward falling off a cliff or toward life, health, and healing. How we do that as believers is a critical decision. Many have strayed from the foundations of the faith. In today's Podcast Steve examines the truth of scripture and the danger in any other teaching that would deviate from that truth.

The most significant event in human history took place roughly 2,000 years ago yesterday. The resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior.  On this Podcast, Steve reviews the events leading up to this life-saving moment. 

In this second of a two-part podcast, we delve deeper into our journey of wholeness through Christ. Colleen provides her take in explaining Barna's research in this 10-Stop Transformational process. Six years after beginning what he assumed would be a relatively typical research process that sought to better understand how God transforms people’s lives, researcher George Barna discovered that he had tackled a deeply challenging and amazingly revealing journey. The product of his effort was the ability to identify some of the developmental processes, experiences, and obstacles that are common across the lives of Americans of all backgrounds. He contends that while the details of people’s developmental stories differ, everyone is on a spiritual journey and there is sufficient similarity in those journeys that we can describe a normative life path – a map that can help people make greater progress if their goal is to become more Christ-like.

In this two-part podcast, we explore the journey toward wholeness in Christ - toward the place of exhibiting a deeply profound love of God and others. It's a process highlighted by embracing our own brokenness and discovering a different path. Six years after beginning what he assumed would be a relatively typical research process that sought to better understand how God transforms people’s lives, researcher George Barna discovered that he had tackled a deeply challenging and amazingly revealing journey. The product of his effort was the ability to identify some of the developmental processes, experiences, and obstacles that are common across the lives of Americans of all backgrounds. He contends that while the details of people’s developmental stories differ, everyone is on a spiritual journey and there is sufficient similarity in those journeys that we can describe a normative life path – a map that can help people make greater progress if their goal is to become more Christ-like.

Thousands of years ago Adam and Eve made a choice. Knowing what we know now we likely would have chosen differently. Unfortunately, there were consequences to the freedom allowing them to decide to sin against their Creator. That didn't work out so well. But there's so much for us to learn about God, our view of Him, our view of ourselves, and the patterns of behavior we've been experiencing ever since. Getting close to the wounds that drive us and our "isms" used to anesthetize the pain can be challenging. Consider the healing that will take place. We see it in scripture and we see it in our own lives and those whom God brings to us as we walk out this journey. Pay attention to what He wants to say to you through Colleen's teaching. It may just get you jump-started on your journey.

Our enemy continues his efforts to steal not only our joy but our connection with the One who brings that joy. The times call for an all-out frontal attack against the one doing that attacking. There are a host of ways to accomplish that but it starts first by deepening our relationship with Christ. By attending to our own Soul Care above all else. How do we do that? First by recognizing it's an issue and secondly by renewing our commitment to doing something about it. Pause for one. Connect for another. Let's talk about it in today's Podcast. 

How is your heart these days? During this COVID season, many have fallen into despair - downright depression. The opportunity exists for all of us to fall to temptation in behaviors that will yield anything but hope. What is your messiah? What have you turned to in an effort to anesthetize yourself from the hurt and pain that surrounds this world gone mad? Division, isolation, sickness, death. All signs expected from an unseen enemy doing everything possible to derail our healing journey in Christ. Let's talk about it on today's Podcast.  For more on this subject and many others that will aid in your transformational journey with Christ visit our website at www.embracingbrokenness.org Be sure and sign up for our emails and visit our social media links for more content.

In this episode of the Podcast, we discuss the vital nature of securing safe people in our lives. People we can trust with our deepest concerns as we walk in our own healing journey with Christ. God calls us to community and Godly relationships that help us find our way through the rough terrains of life. Colleen uses an analogy you'll find interesting called the Glass Ball. Who can you entrust with your very unique and very special Glass Ball? For more on this subject and many others that will aid in your transformational journey with Christ visit our website at www.embracingbrokenness.org Be sure and sign up for our emails and visit our social media links for more content.  Blessings to you as we enter the year of our Lord 2021.

In this episode Colleen is interviewed by our dear friend John who is currently enrolled in a Counseling Program at a local Christian College. The questions will provide answers around a faith-based counseling model from a different perspective.  In addition to her contribution to Embracing Brokenness Ministries Colleen is VP of Programs at Water Street Gospel Rescue Mission in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Prior to that, she was Executive Vice President for a national Health Care consulting firm and Adjunct Professor at Eastern University. She is a licensed clinical social worker and earned her MBA at Eastern University, a Masters in Social Work at Temple University, and a Bachelors in Social Work at Messiah College.

From our church family to yours - Enjoy this brief message from our Senior Pastor Beau Eckert and a duet of the all-time classic - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Meditate on the music and let the spirit of the holiday season overtake your senses. Merry Christmas to you all and a special blessing to you and yours.  An excerpt from the Calvary Church Christmas Special.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.” Revelation 2:17 In this Podcast, Steve explores the idea of God's unique calling for our lives. The notion that He has a specific "name" for each of us and what that really means. Mark Twain is often credited with saying, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Let's ask God what He has in store for each of us and pursue that life in Christ.

When we made the decision to choose our plan over God's plan the consequences were devastating. But God provided a way back. A way for us to return to Him, know Him, and know ourselves for who He created us to be. To love Him and to love others. Here's an excerpt by Colleen from a class we teach in our ministry that will encourage you to see the truth behind our freedom and our restoration. 

The pace of life in the 21st Century is breakneck. How do we steward our attention and our affections in an appropriate manner as a believer in Christ? Let's explore this idea a little further with some practical suggestions to disconnect from this world and reconnect with God's heart.

God put something on my heart to share with you on this Election Day 2020. No matter the outcome, He’s still on the throne and loves each one of us. Let’s be about His business and love others.

The impact of sexual brokenness and pornography on our society as a whole may very well be one of the most unrecognized crises to exist in modern society. Between the broken relationships,  sexual sin, victims of the industry, and the trickle-down effect of those demanding use and services we have an epidemic of epic proportions on our hands. What can we do? In this episode, Steve and Colleen discuss this issue in more detail.

We live in a deeply divided country. We may be looking in the wrong place for the solutions. God calls us to examine our own hearts. To consider whether there be any "wicked ways" in us. Of course there is. It's why we need a Savior. But what if our hearts were capable of changing? Can this world then be a better place? Steve challenges us to think differently and look for solutions within ourselves not pointing the finger at others.

It's been a challenging year for all of us with many unexpected events. None of it surprises God though. We have an opportunity to participate in one of the greatest movements this planet has seen. That movement begins in our hearts. It begins by strengthening our union with God. By developing a deep intimacy with Him. Steve explores the obstacles the enemy uses to thwart our efforts but also the practices that can become a part of your everyday experience along your transformational journey. 

Each of us encounters wounding and trauma in our lives. No exceptions. How we respond to those negative influences set up the rest of our days on this planet.   God wants to heal the broken places. The places where our identity was hijacked. Where the enemy loves to reside, reminding of us all the mistakes of our past and bad things that were done to or around us.   We MUST address the wounds on the inside; the ones that aren't as evident but are acted on in very dysfunctional ways. Jesus is the answer. Allow Him to re-interpret those circumstances, correct the lies we believe about ourselves, and provide the path toward transformation and freedom. The recognition of who we really are. His children. Loved unconditionally. No exception.  #treeofbrokenness #woundsandtraumas #healinginhim #unconditionallove 

Pastor Joe Focht, of Calvary Chapel Philadelphia, reminds us that we have the responsibility of running our own race. Not someone else's race. We MUST resist the temptation to engage in the comparison game. Walkout THIS day as God has marked out for you. Finish the race well. Run, don't mosey through this journey called life, exercise your faith, and be blessed beyond your wildest dreams. 

Colleen & Steve hosted a workshop at the "Dream BIG" 2019 conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on "Visioning with God". It's simple yet we make it so complex. We are all made with intentional purpose by God. Discovering that purpose is exactly what He intends for each and every one of us. But it requires an intimate relationship with Him.  Learn more on how to do just that on this podcast of our live workshop. Jeremiah 29:11

The impact of sexual brokenness and pornography on our society as a whole may very well be one of the most unrecognized crises to exist in modern society. Between the broken relationships,  sexual sin, victims of the industry and the trickle down effect of those demanding use and services we have an epidemic of epic proportions on our hands. What can we do? Let's talk about it and consider the option presented here. 

To believe there are no victims in the porn industry is a complete fallacy. Sex workers are forced to do unimaginable acts - getting locked into a way of life that devastates the conscience AND the body. We must understand the reality of this world seeking Gods wisdom in combating the evil forces that lead to participating in this most heinous assault on our identity. 

It's hard to comprehend the impact that pornography has on our brain and our ability to connect with the wounds that drive us to such dysfunctional behavior. There's hope in rewiring the circuitry to think and act differently through the healing power of Christ. #pornandthebrain #sexualbrokenness #embracingbrokenness 

The introduction of such divisive behavior as the use of pornography in a marriage relationship has devastating consequences on that relationship. We explore what's behind it and the impact of our sexual brokenness in this particular context. We invite you to provide feedback and any experiences you may have had where God healed the wounds that led to porn use in your life or the lives of those around you. 

God intended for each of us to experience intimacy in marriage, second only to intimacy with Him. The purpose of this intimacy is to bond each couple together in the pursuit of oneness in Him. Unfortunately, it all goes sideways when our enemy steps into the battle for our soul.  Our sexual brokenness leads us to fulfill selfish desires that rip at the fabric of our marriages. Steve and Colleen take a look at what causes that brokenness and the remedy to heal the wounds that drive us to fill the spot only reserved for God with the desires of OUR heart, not His. 

God gave us a model for intimacy in marriage and what covenant really looks like. should look like. Unfortunately, the enemy had other plans - to distort what God intended to be uniquely available to each married couple. What was once sacred is now unsacred in this world. Yet, there's always a way back.

The first in a multi-part series on Sexual Brokenness. God created us to partner well. To honor, protect and love one another. But our enemy will do anything possible to hijack one of the most beautiful gifts God gave us - our sexuality. Inside of marriage in the appropriate way, it's a gift that keeps on giving. We're going to explore what went wrong. 

The topic of sexual brokenness and the "church" body has been ignored for far too long. We must face the challenges head-on. We'll be tackling the hard questions in this series over the coming weeks and months. Please pray that Gods people press into this subject and seek the spiritual healing that's available only through Jesus. 

The "impostor" invades every one of our lives. It's our fig leaf. It's the false-self created to prove the age-old question - Do we have what it takes? But God has a different plan. One that allows us to live out of our true-self. The self that each one of us was created for. 

It's easy to underestimate the wiles of the enemy. He would love to derail us. One thing always leads to another. Guard your heart and your mind. A trip to the shore proved it. Temptation abounds, but God wins. 

There's so much "healing" available when we decide to press into the Christian journey. One rooted in the truth about who we are. The New Me - saved by Christ and in Him. Steve asks a couple questions for you to consider as you go deeper into this journey.

We live in a world at war. The enemy lives to deceive us into believing we just don't matter. Our identity in Christ is irrelevant. Here's a brief excerpt from "Embracing Brokenness", our upcoming book, that tackles the significance of our journey toward healing in Him. 

Sometimes the lessons of life come in the simplest forms. In this weeks podcast, we look at Rafiki and Simba in "The Lion King". They give us a glimpse into our journey of discovery. God calls us up, in this adventurous life, to uncover our true identity in Him. Yet the world distracts us from that calling. Discovering who we are in Him becomes a trek through a seemingly never-ending maze. It doesn't have to be that hard. Look inside. He's in You. 

 What would it look like for you to Wait WITH God not FOR God? Abiding in Him such that anxiety over your future is a distant memory? Steve takes a deeper dive into this concept.

We live in a world where safety and security is paramount. But what about people? Who can you trust? Who can't you trust? The attributes of safe people need to be explored. Colleen and Steve teach a course on Identity in Christ. Listen in to this short segment on the subject of trust and safety in relationships.

Is it possible that a season of change is coming? Are you willing to lay down what may seem right now for the greater good God has for you and those around you? Let's explore that as Steve digs deeper into these questions. #yesterdaysmanna #ischangecoming #embracingbrokenness 

We're doing something different in 2019. Bringing video and audio content around the weekly blog topic. It'll be available on our website at www.embracingbrokenness.org in the media section, on Anchor as a podcast, SoundCloud audio, and on our YouTube Channel. Won't you join us? #ebmvlog #embaudiopodcast#embracingbrokenness