Becoming Whole

Send us a textIn your journey towards sexual integrity, it matters what you’re looking at, it matters what you’re looking for. Focus on the Cross!In this episode, we hope to encourage you to fix your focus on the Cross.As you’re doing the work to become whole, to break old patterns, to make new choices; set your eyes on Jesus on the Cross. Don’t let shame or hopelessness take your eyes off the Salvation Jesus is offering you from the Cross. Focusing on the Cross with you!Highlights:It matters what we’re looking at. It matters what we’re looking for, and that’s absolutely true in our journey towards sexual integrity.If you’re a person who struggles with sexual sin, or you know somebody who does, I want to commend to you the importance of focusing your life around Jesus on the Cross.Keeping the Cross in front of us always acknowledges for us and reveals to us that we are not done yet, that there is forgiveness for us, that there is a place where our sin and failure goes. There’s a place where our shame belongs.Extras:Ephesians 5, Song of Solomon, Genesis 2 and 3 - For more on Jesus giving his body to his bride, the Church.Fleming Rutledge “The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ ”For more on this topic, check our latest article Failing or Thriving, Eyes on the CrossTranscription:Full Transcription Available hereSupport Becoming WholeFree Resources to help you on your journey to Becoming Whole 👉Men's Overcoming Lust & Temptation Devotional👉Women 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Women overcoming unwanted sexual Behavior)👉Compass 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Wives who are or have been impacted by partner betrayal)

Send us a textLet’s continue the conversation on Identity and Sexual Orientation. This matters because becoming whole includes radical change for our sexual orientation. But, we live in a sexually confused world, one that has decided on its own words and definitions.In this episode, Josh offers more on the topic through a Christian lens.  We’re diving deeper into Sexual Orientation, the concept of Change and Happiness. The bottom line is we all need to change our sexual orientation. You read that right. We all need for Jesus to come in and realign our desire to be more in line with His intent. Listen in.Highlights:Because we’re all living in a very sexually confused world, we all have a need for our sexual orientation to change. For Jesus to come in and realign, reorient our desires to more align with His intent.The world suggests happiness now, death later. But the way of the Christian is death now, happiness later.Can we support one another in our journey to being redeemed in this area of our lives, not separating ourselves as those who feel homosexual attractions and those who feel heterosexual attractions?Homework:Luke 7:36-50 “Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman” Notice what changed in her own sexual orientation. She was now orienting her passions, her desires, her heart, her loves towards Christ. For more on this topic, check our latest article The Not-So-Subtle Indicator of Sexual Orientation Transcription:Full Transcription Available hereSupport Becoming WholeFree Resources to help you on your journey to Becoming Whole 👉Men's Overcoming Lust & Temptation Devotional👉Women 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Women overcoming unwanted sexual Behavior)👉Compass 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Wives who are or have been impacted by partner betrayal)

Send us a textWe’re looking at Sexual Orientation in a special two-part series. If this feels personal, that’s okay. It’s important to recognize that sexual orientation is quite personal. But, the world has laid out it’s terms and it’s ideals for what sexual orientation means. Our culture tells us who we’re attracted to in fact, defines us. In this series, we’ll be discussing the cultural conversation set up with cultural standards and comparing it to what Jesus has to say about you. The world is feeding you a narrative. Jesus is inviting you into your identity.Highlights:A Definition: Sexual orientation is the direction of your sexual or romantic attractions.Culturally, we talk about sexual orientation not as something people experience, not just as a feeling that they’ve got but as a matter of identity, a matter of who a person isChristianity would teach that people are much, much more than the direction that their sexual, romantic desires point them.We have to recognize Christ’s perspective about sexual orientation is that every single one of us has a sexual orientation that needs His redemption. Every single one of us.Homework:Matthew 5:27-28John 4 Woman at the WellFor more on this topic, check our latest article Did Jesus Talk about Sexual Orientation?Transcription:Full Transcription Available hereSupport Becoming WholeFree Resources to help you on your journey to Becoming Whole 👉Men's Overcoming Lust & Temptation Devotional👉Women 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Women overcoming unwanted sexual Behavior)👉Compass 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Wives who are or have been impacted by partner betrayal)

Send us a textYour body is a glimpse of God himself, a Theology of the Body.“The human body includes right from the beginning... the capacity of expressing love, that love in which the person becomes a gift – and by means of this gift – fulfills the meaning of his being and existence.”That being said, where are you headed sexually?Together, let’s cast a clear vision for our sexuality the way God intended it. The theology of the body is larger than just a freedom from lust. The vision God has for you is to be sexually whole, as man or woman. Lord, give our bodies vision to reflect your glory.Highlights:What’s your vision of what it means for you to be a sexually whole person?“The body is not just biological, it’s theological.” - Christopher WestSex between a husband and wife is meant to communicate something about God’s love for his people.In God’s economy, wholeness means that person is becoming more of who they’re meant or designed to be, including to be as a male or female.Extras:"…the body, and it alone, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. It was created to transfer into the visible reality of the world, the mystery hidden since time immemorial in God, and thus to be a sign of it.” Theology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher WestGenesis 1 God creates Man and Woman“The human body includes right from the beginning... the capacity of expressing love, that love in which the person becomes a gift – and by means of this gift – fulfills the meaning of his being and existence.” – St. John Paull IIFor more on this topic, check our latest article What’s Your Vision of Sexuality?Transcription:Full Transcription Available hereSupport Becoming WholeFree Resources to help you on your journey to Becoming Whole 👉Men's Overcoming Lust & Temptation Devotional👉Women 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Women overcoming unwanted sexual Behavior)👉Compass 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Wives who are or have been impacted by partner betrayal)

Send us a textLooking up pornography, arranging an affair or hookup; these things cut you off from you. Unwanted sexual behaviors are an escape mechanism and their gift is dissociation. When you don’t know how to deal with the hardships in your life, dissociating through distraction can feel like an easy way out. But the further deep you are in your sexual sin, the farther you are walking away from you. This leaves you operating in this world with mere fragments of you. God made you body, mind, heart and soul. You can start reconnecting the fragments.  This is key in having a healthy sexual relationship with your spouse or future spouse. Learning how and why to face patterns of dissociation is an important first step towards becoming whole. Let’s get started.Highlights:“Dissociation seduces us out of the present moment and into the meaningless world of distraction.” - Jay StringerWe learn to run to sexual activity to dissociate from the difficult things in life.Sex within marriage is meant to be a time of deep, intimacy and connection not a time of dissociation.Homework:Let’s practice being present to the emotions we feel.  Grounding is a way to bridge the gap between brain and body and heart.  Practice Grounding in good feelings and bad feelings. Allow your body to feel the emotions as opposed to shutting them down. Practice belly breathing--place one hand on your stomach, and the other on your chest. Breathe slowly and deeply into your belly, trying to raise your hand like you are filling up a balloon or beach ball with air. Try to keep the hand on your chest still, breathing only into your stomach. Slowly breathe out, feeling the hand on your stomach lower like the balloon or ball is deflating. Notice how your breathing changes with the emotion.5 Senses - What do you see? What do you feel? What do you smell? What do you hear? What do you taste? Slow down and take notice of your senses during a time when you feel panic, fear or sadness.Extras:“Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing” by Jay StringerFor more on this topic, check our latest article Be Curious About What You FeelTranscription:Full Transcription Available hereSupport Becoming WholeFree Resources to help you on your journey to Becoming Whole 👉Men's Overcoming Lust & Temptation Devotional👉Women 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Women overcoming unwanted sexual Behavior)👉Compass 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Wives who are or have been impacted by partner betrayal)

Send us a textParents, we are living in a digitally connected, sexually saturated world. Being a mom or dad in this day and age can feel more like Pioneer Parenting.  We are the first generation to raise kids in a world that is globally connected, 24/7.   And the internet can be tough competition, especially when it comes to talking to our kids about sex. When you’re too tired or too uncomfortable to have “The Talk” with your son or daughter; the internet is always ready and willing to answer any question. No filter. The internet is never going to be stumped by their questions.  In fact, our kids have access to words and ideas we’ve never heard of. So Parenting Pioneers, how do we handle this? As your kids wonder, don’t let them wander. Questions about sex come from natural, normal curiosity. Your kids need you, not a search engine. Listen in for encouragement and look to the Homework section for practical tips to equip you as you navigate the world alongside your child.Highlights:We are the first generation to raise kids in world that is both digitally connected, sexually saturated.We as moms or dads, in this digital age, have to step up or game in regards to parenting kids in this generation.The internet’s never going to say “You’re too young to be asking that question.”Homework:Start having important, age-appropriate conversations with your kids while they’re young.More conversations, more comfort. While it may feel awkward and awful at first, don’t limit you or your child to just one intense conversation. Keep the dialogue open and ongoing. The more conversations you have with your child, the more relaxed you’ll both feel about them.Find adults in your community to help bear your insecurities and burdens, to practice conversations with them.Extras:Check out Josh's new book - Treading Boldly through a Pornographic World: A Field Guide for ParentsFor more on this topic, check our latest article Why Parents Are Better Than the InternetTranscription:Full Transcription Available hereSupport Becoming WholeFree Resources to help you on your journey to Becoming Whole 👉Men's Overcoming Lust & Temptation Devotional👉Women 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Women overcoming unwanted sexual Behavior)👉Compass 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Wives who are or have been impacted by partner betrayal)

Send us a textThe power to see and be seen is more than just opening our eyes. We easily diminish that power with our human tendencies towards lust or comparison or judgment. What is it like to see how Jesus sees? In this episode, we’ll examine our human vision versus Jesus’ all-powerful, all-knowing, loving vision. Jesus knows you through and through and loves you. Before hitting play, pray the words of a blind beggar and open your heart to learning how to see and be seen; “Lord I want to see.”Let's become whole together by seeing as He sees.Highlights:When we look at one another we have a tendency to compare each other.When we look at one another we evaluate - we’re either raising someone or lowering someone on some kind of scale.We consume one another with our eyes.Jesus sees it all and yet he doesn’t compare us, doesn’t evaluate us, doesn’t consume us.Homework:The prescription to see like Jesus is to take and eat. In order to become a person who sees like Jesus sees (who doesn’t compare, evaluate or consume others), let’s start by praying like Bartimaeus, “Lord, we want to see. Open our eyes to see.”Extras:Galatians 5:15 “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”For more on this topic, check our latest article Why Being Seen Is Scary Business.Transcription:Full Transcription Available hereSupport Becoming WholeFree Resources to help you on your journey to Becoming Whole 👉Men's Overcoming Lust & Temptation Devotional👉Women 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Women overcoming unwanted sexual Behavior)👉Compass 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Wives who are or have been impacted by partner betrayal)

Send us a textReality check friends, you have an enemy. An Enemy on the Prowl. The message in this episode isn’t meant to scare you. Our purpose is to issue a loud wake-up call for your heart, mind, soul, and body. More often than not, we don’t believe we have to deal with an actual enemy. But he is alive and active, taking shape in issues from our past and battles in our present. There’s only one creature made in the image and likeness of God- that’s you. Satan can’t stand that. He’s been on the prowl since Adam and Eve. Listen in to learn more about the enemy and prepare a battle plan.  Because you, friend, are designed with an authority and an invitation to fight him. Highlights:The enemy’s goal is to isolate us, to split us off from ourselves, from other people, and from God.It is helpful to recognize this is the enemy of my soul trying to steal my joy, my attention, and all the good and perfect gifts from the Father of Lights.If we are trying to grow in whatever area in our life and we are unaware or naively believing that the enemy is primarily going to leave us alone, sometimes we’ll end up vilifying ourselves or another person.  The accuser is lying and telling you that your sexual sin defines you.Homework:Questions to consider: Where in your life do you experience the sense that God is doing something mean to you? Or maybe that He’s holding out on you or not changing you in the way that you want or He’s leaving you alone? Could it be that the enemy is both attacking you in that area and then blaming God for it?BE ON THE ALERT: The devil is on the prowl. TAKE NOTICE: Ask yourself - Is this accusation? Is it temptation? Is it confusion? These can be the enemy trying to work in your life. COME AGAINST HIM. Pray; “In the name of Jesus, I silence this voice. I belong to Jesus. I don’t belong to you. In the name of Jesus, I rebuke you. I silence you in the name of Jesus.”Extras:James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.For more on this topic, check our latest article Can Pain Help You Quit Porn?Transcription:Full Transcription Available hereSupport Becoming WholeFree Resources to help you on your journey to Becoming Whole 👉Men's Overcoming Lust & Temptation Devotional👉Women 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Women overcoming unwanted sexual Behavior)👉Compass 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Wives who are or have been impacted by partner betrayal)

Send us a textYou’re doing good work to break the patterns. But what happens when your unwanted sexual behavior steps into the room, in the flesh, or comes up on the screen in full color? Alarms go off. Does your alarm scream “Danger” or yell “Go For it!”? Disarm the Alarm.Listen in as Josh explains these alarms; their distinctions, their source, and your response.  Your response to those alarms matters a great deal.  We’ll also explore the concept of walking in the flesh versus walking in the Spirit. When you find yourself falling in temptation and the alarms are sounding; we hope this episode gives you pause to say, “This time lord, I want to walk in Your spirit.”Join us as we Disarm the Alarms.Highlights:The alarm sounds very different but they’re both coming from the same source. And they’re both telling you to respond according to the flesh.“The Holy Spirit has the power to renew and breakthrough generational patterns of unhealthy and destructive behavior.”  - Kelly Minter referencing 2 Corinthians 10:3-5Be vigilant, not hyper-vigilant. Be sober, not scrupulous.Turn the volume down on the fleshly alarms and tune our ears into the calm, still voice of the Father.Homework:When you hear the Alarm:Take deep breathsTreat yourself with kindnessBe honest with the Lord “Lord You know the way I’ve done this before, I don’t want to go that way this time. Would you come?”Seek to open yourself to the power and presence of His spirit.Read John 7:53-8:11 “The Woman Caught in Adultery”Notice: Jesus doesn’t match their urgency. He bends down and writes in the dirt.In the urgency of the flesh, Jesus models the power of pause.The threat is diminished, there’s restoration, there’s dignity.Hear Jesus’ words: “I did not condemn you. Go and sin no more.”For more on this topic, check our latest article What to Do When Lust Sounds the AlarmTranscription:Full Transcription Available hereSupport Becoming WholeFree Resources to help you on your journey to Becoming Whole 👉Men's Overcoming Lust & Temptation Devotional👉Women 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Women overcoming unwanted sexual Behavior)👉Compass 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Wives who are or have been impacted by partner betrayal)

Send us a textLight is powerful. It can rise, grow, reflect, change, dim. Light can be intimidating, scary even when we consider it in the same breath of our secrets. Jesus, the light of the world, offers His light to you.  We invite you to listen to this episode to consider Jesus’ light for you in the dark, painful, scary things in your life. We’ll focus on John 3 and 4 comparing Jesus’ meetings with Nicodemus vs the Samaritan woman at the well. Let’s remember the promise when Jesus said He came into the world not to condemn it but to save it. The light Jesus offers is not a spotlight to glaringly expose your shame. We have a good God offering good light meant to heal you and make you whole.Let’s listen in.Highlights:When we have sin in our lives, things that have been done to us by others, or things that we have done, it can be really scary to be in the light with those things.Jesus doesn’t call us into the light because he wants to harm us. He calls us into the light, as painful as it can be to be there because He wants to heal us.Homework:What do you want to bring into the light? What do you have hiding?What if Jesus is inviting you into the light so you can be healed?For more on this topic, check our latest article Why You Are Meant to Brave the Dangerous LightTranscription:Full Transcription Available hereSupport Becoming WholeFree Resources to help you on your journey to Becoming Whole 👉Men's Overcoming Lust & Temptation Devotional👉Women 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Women overcoming unwanted sexual Behavior)👉Compass 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Wives who are or have been impacted by partner betrayal)