CCEF Podcast: Where Life & Scripture Meet

Discover the signs of a stagnant marriage, from subtle disconnection to low-grade resentment. Learn how intentionality and spiritual friendship can revive your relationship. Hear about the difference between a covenant and a contract, emphasizing the need for curiosity and community support. Small gestures of love and surprising your partner weekly can reignite connection. Cultivate friendship and engage emotionally, even in busy seasons. Embrace marriage as a journey of growth and invite others into your struggles for support.

Darby Strickland, a counselor specializing in grief and loss, joins Esther Liu, who offers a personal and theological perspective on spiritual care. They delve into the complexities of lingering grief, highlighting how it can resurface during significant life events. Community support is emphasized as crucial for navigating this journey. They also discuss the often unrealistic expectations around grief timelines, the importance of shared memories, and practical ways to support those grieving long-term. Ultimately, they remind listeners of God's unwavering presence in times of loss.

In this episode, CCEF faculty explore the topic of life transitions, sharing personal stories and insights on common struggles, temptations, and opportunities that arise during these changes. They discuss the importance of recognizing God's presence and providence through both big and small changes, and they share some encouragements they've found in Scripture. Mentioned in this episode: We're excited about the recent release of a handful of books from CCEF faculty: When It's Trauma: A Biblical Guide to Understanding Trauma & Walking Faithfully with Sufferers | Book by Darby Strickland A Big Change Happened: Helping Children Through Upheaval | Children's book by Darby Strickland Helping Your Children with Change: Holding Fast to God During Upheaval | Minibook by Darby Strickland Take Heart for Teens: Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith | Book by David Powlison

In this episode, CCEF faculty explore the profound doctrine of adoption into God's family, discussing its theological significance and personal implications. Our hosts reflect on their own experiences and the relational significance of understanding God as a loving Father. They discuss how we often struggle with an orphan mentality, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's identity as a beloved child of God. Finally, they highlight the future inheritance that comes with being adopted into God's family. Mentioned in this episode: The audio from our 2025 National Conference is available for purchase! All 27 sessions included. Learn more at ccef.org/2025.

In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss the importance of self-examination. They explore how self-examination is not merely a self-focused endeavor but a process that involves God and others. The conversation highlights the benefits of self-examination, including personal growth, awareness of one's weaknesses, and the recognition of God's grace. They also address common pitfalls, such as self-shaming and misguided approaches, and emphasize the need to also look for the good as part of the biblical self-examination process. Mentioned in this episode: Registration for courses is now open for the January 2026 term! This term we'll be offering Helping Relationships with Ed Welch, Scripture for Life & Ministry with Aaron Sironi, and Counseling in the Local Church with Michael Gembola. If you're looking for an opportunity for personal growth along with training to better serve those around you, we want to invite you to join us. You can learn more at ccef.org/school.

Darby Strickland and Esther Liu, both faculty members at CCEF, engage in a thoughtful discussion on the nuances of patience. They explore modern society's obsession with immediacy and how it affects our understanding of patience. Through personal anecdotes, they reveal the struggles of waiting and the transformative power of being patient in relationships. They emphasize patience as a pathway to personal growth and spiritual maturity, encouraging trust in God’s timing and learning to appreciate the present moment.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Darby Strickland, a counselor and CCEF faculty member, and Esther Liu, a colleague focused on spiritual growth, unravel the intricate nature of forgiveness. They debunk myths like 'forgive means forget,' and emphasize that forgiveness does not excuse wrongdoing or require reliving pain. The duo explores what makes forgiveness challenging, and offers practical advice for cultivating a forgiving spirit, highlighting the importance of relying on God's support throughout the process.

In this engaging discussion, Darby Strickland and Esther Liu, CCEF faculty members, delve into cultivating gratitude from a Christian perspective. They share practical strategies for integrating gratitude into daily life and highlight its transformative power amid a discontented culture. The conversation emphasizes how humility enhances appreciation for God's gifts while encouraging honest gratitude even during sorrow. Through playful reflections and biblical insights, they inspire listeners to recognize God's consistent presence and the beauty of gratitude in their spiritual journey.

Darby Strickland and Esther Liu join the conversation to unpack progressive sanctification and its significance in the believer's life. They dive into how our union with Christ forms a solid foundation for spiritual growth, emphasizing that this journey is not linear but filled with ups and downs. The duo discusses the challenges believers face, like battling sin, and how understanding one's identity in Christ brings hope. Their insightful perspectives remind listeners that while growth can be messy, God's unwavering love supports us along the way.

Esther Liu, a CCEF faculty member focusing on the experience of God’s silence, and Darby Strickland, also a faculty member who shares insights on abandonment, unravel the emotional complexities of feeling God is distant. They discuss how prolonged suffering can lead to doubt and isolation, while emphasizing that these struggles are common among Christians. Using the Psalms, they explore the transforming power of prayer and the importance of community, encouraging listeners to find hope and trust in God’s faithfulness, even in silence.