Becoming Whole

Send us a textWhy is it so hard to walk away from something that hurts us? Is it the pull of the familiar or the fear of the unknown? Unwanted sexual addiction holds us captive, yet we are called to freedom.In this episode, we’ll explore a 5 Step look at finding that freedom. Dan Keefer, a counselor, and member of the Regeneration Ministries Team joins Josh and Kit to expand on “Leaving Egypt finding God in the Wilderness Places” by Dr. Chuck DeGroat.The teaching comes from looking at the Israelites journey from captivity to freedom and what we can learn from it. The Bible shows us getting from Point A to Point B is not always easy. Thank God for that.This conversation examines the Israelites – the slavery they were walking away from, their meandering through a desert, and how it mirrors our walk away from the bonds of addiction and the lostness we can feel as we keep moving further away from it.Looking back at their walk is an encouragement compelling us forward when, like them, we have no idea what’s ahead.You’ll want to listen in as Keefer also shares practical tips and a prayer for your journey ahead.Pushing past the promises of the addiction and Finding Freedom is the focus of today’s episode of “Becoming Whole.”Highlights:we find security in what’s familiar even when it may be at the cost of our freedomthere was a real desire, even at that point, to return to what they knew even though they were enslaved. And so in the same way when we’re addressing unwanted behaviors and we’re looking forward it can be scary because all we see is what’s right in front of usThere was a work that God was wanting to do in them and through them and it was a journey of transformationQuestions:What scares you the most about life beyond your addiction?What would you miss the most if you were to give up your behavior/habit?Write a “Dear John” letter to break up with the behavior/pattern you want to release.Resources/Extras:Leaving Egypt finding God in the Wilderness Places Dr. Chuck DeGroatSick from Freedom Jim DownsRomans 5:3-5Transcription:Full Transcription Available hereOriginal music by Shannon Smith. Audio engineering by Gabriel @ DelMar Sound Recording.Support 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 text15 percent of Christian women say they watch porn at least once a month.Many are ashamed to reach out for help because they believe that pornography addiction is a man’s problem.Pornography addiction is a human problem.The need to feel cherished, seen, and loved is something we all need to hear. When we don't, we try to get it elsewhere. This week, join Josh and Kit as they welcome Kyle Bowman from our Regeneration staff onto Becoming Whole to speak to all of the Women Who Struggle with Porn.Highlights:“In confession, we break through to the genuine community of the cross of Jesus Christ; in confession, we affirm our cross.”“for many years, even centuries, it was a commonly held belief that women did not become alcoholics or addicts.”Questions:How did you begin viewing pornography?What are some of the lies you believe about yourself attached to this viewing of pornography?Do you want to release the shame of watching pornography?Resources/Extras:Oasis - Online Group for Women Struggling With PornTranscription:Full Transcription Available hereOriginal music by Shannon Smith. Audio engineering by Gabriel @ DelMar Sound Recording.Support 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 textRevealExposedDesireThese are evocative words in the realm of pornography and lust.Put Reveal, Exposed, and Desire in the realm of Jesus’ love and light – and the lens is shattered. Maybe you’re hiding an addiction to the pull of lust. Or maybe your secret is hidden in the imaginary world pornography offers.Jesus sees you. And, Jesus sees beyond the hiding, beyond the secret and loves you.We offer this episode as a session of Spiritual Coaching. Listen in as Josh and Kit encourage you to keep working past the fear of rejection to the realization that Jesus sees you and loves you.Letting Jesus see you as you are is an important step to freedom, to healing. Redemptive Seeing is not an easy thing.We get that.It’s also not a one-time thing. The work of reimagining how you are seen and how to see takes just that, work. Learning to see ourselves the way Jesus sees us, despite our sexual sin, is the work of “Becoming Whole.”Highlights:Jesus is always seeing something that other people around him aren’t seeing.He sees the true self, His original design is people. He sees the power of His redemption moving through the person.when we’re in the midst of sin and shame is the very moment to invite him inQuestions:You might only think about your addiction to lust and pornography as a need for forgiveness. What if you were to think about that brokenness as a chance for healing?Resources/Extras:One on One CoachingRescue OnlineJohn 4:1-26 Woman at the WellGenesis 3:9 “God called out to the man, “Where are you?”Transcription:Full Transcription Available hereOriginal music by Shannon Smith. Audio engineering by Gabriel @ DelMar Sound Recording.Support 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 textBefore you hit play, take a deep breath in asking God for courage and kindness for yourself. Exhale to release anything you believe about sexual sin and shame.This next hour is not your typical Christian approach to sexual brokenness. In our interview with therapist, author, and speaker, Jay Stringer pushes against the expected talk of repentance and sin. Instead, you’ll hear about honesty and honor. If you condemn yourself in what seems like an endless cycle of triggers and shame, then settle in. We will explore the power you have in facing the past and dig into beliefs that “shame convinces us that we are unwanted and we pursue behavior that confirms it.”This conversation is startling and refreshing.As hard as it sounds, facing your pain is the way to fighting for your freedom. So often, Stringer says, we want to skip to the part where God saves the day. The problem is we end up missing the gift of endurance modeled by Jesus.This conversation is rich with wisdom emphasizing the importance of working backward to follow the roadmap laid out by your lust. Tracing the story back through your lust to find a way to honor you. It’s time to invest your loyalty in you.We pray and hope this serves you as a companion to starting your own conversation, to connecting the dots on your past to bring healing into your future.You deserve it.Shifting the story on shame, this is your next step on “Becoming Whole.”Highlights:I can try and stop this behavior and try and white knuckle this thing and pray that the gospel would eventually change my heart or I can allow the gospel to actually allow me to be curious about things that I don’t want to have to facegive me my own way but also give me a place where I don’t have to feel the emptiness and pain of my lifeIn many ways, we create a court of law with all this evidence that actually supports the verdict against ourselvesQuestions:Can you think of 1 or 2 people you can count on to help you challenge repetition and shame?Think back to a time where you knew a lot of harm -whether that was abuse, bullying, or disengagement- does your heart break for him or her? Does your heart want goodness? Or is your heart still ashamed of what they did?Try to answer these questions God asks to Honor your story: Why are you angry? Where do you come from? Where are you going? Jesus asks, “What is it you want me to do for you?”Resources/Extras: Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to HealingSexual Behavior Self AssessmentThe Journey Course“I had been my whole life a bell, and never knew it until at that moment I was lifted and struck.” ― Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek“If you don’t act like prey, they won’t treat you like prey.” - Andy Casagrande, on photographing sharks“Blessed are those wFree 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 textIntimacy is a word, an idea, that the world reduces to nothing more than sex. But, there is so much more. In this episode, we’re taking Intimacy out of the bedroom and exploring ways to bring life to your relationship. We get it. Marriage is work. Keeping a marriage healthy is hard when a career, to-do lists, kids and busy-ness distract us. It’s further complicated by personality differences and our own unique stores and the baggage we bring into it. We encourage you to take the next 30 minutes to learn about 7 layers or aspects of Intimacy. Each one is a unique and necessary piece to making the connection you have with your spouse even stronger.Grab a paper and pencil - you’ll want to take notes. Learning how to invest in all the layers of intimacy is your next step in “Becoming Whole.”Highlights:The lack of emotional intimacy can easily dry out a marriage and leave you with a roommate instead of a husband or a wife.Pay attention to how you’re different and honor it but also move towards each otherGods design that a husband and wife coming together in a sexual union would be the one way that new life would be created on the earth that’s pretty profoundQuestions:List some ways you and your spouse are different. Now, what are some ways you can honor those differences?Be honest, do you offer a hug, a kiss, or hold hands hoping that gesture will lead to sex?How vulnerable are you with your spouse? A big part of that answer can be found in your “family of origin.” Growing up, did your family lead with emotions, or was your family more intimidated by feelings?Transcription:Full Transcription Available hereOriginal music by Shannon Smith. Audio engineering by Gabriel @ DelMar Sound Recording.Support 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 first impression of God was formed by your father.That’s a heavy statement packed with loads of feelings and questions. And your relationship with your dad deserves unpacking.Let’s talk through this together. Listen in as Josh and Kit discuss how your relationship with your father impacts both your relationships with the men in your life and your relationship with God. Facing the good as well as the bad of this fundamental relationship is an essential piece of your “becoming whole.”Highlights:Kids are like wet cement. And what we experience begins to be formed or begins to be a forming agent for the cement and as we grow up it dries and hardens.Our earthly dads are created by God to give us our first sense of what it really means to relate with God.I was looking and thinking well if that’s what it means to be a man then I don’t want to be that I don’t want to do thatQuestions:What did you NEED to hear from your Dad?What similarities do you see between your impression of God and your connection to your dad?One of my favorite ways that Jesus shows us the heart of our Heavenly Father is in the story of Lazarus. Jesus is crying for the loss of his friend Lazarus, for the grief around him. And as he is walking towards the tomb, to call Lazarus out from the dead; he stops and says, “Father I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here…”  Jesus takes the time to show us the heart of our Heavenly Father. What does this small scene tell you about God?Transcription:Full Transcription Available hereOriginal music by Shannon Smith. Audio engineering by Gabriel @ DelMar Sound Recording.Support 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 textEach of us is looking for relationships that help us feel seen and known and loved. A spiritual friendship can be a safe place to bring all of who you are, to receive understanding and support during life’s struggles, and to enjoy the goodness of life as well. Join Kit and friends today as they talk about the gift of spiritual friendship.Highlights:"…Spiritual friendship begins in God, continues in God, and is perfected in God…""…this is not all of who you are, but where you are today…"Questions:Do you have an ache for a friendship with someone like this?Is the Lord calling you to take the first step?Would you be willing to pray for these friends to come close?Transcription:Full Transcription Available hereOriginal music by Shannon Smith. Audio engineering by Gabriel @ DelMar Sound Recording.Support the Show!Free 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 textOften we don’t understand how our past impacts our lives and struggles and challenges that we’re currently having. Spending time with God, getting to know and understand our stories, can help us be aware of and heal from past experiences.Highlights:“what kinds of things might have happened, that have created some of the ways they think about themselves or life…”“our stories, each one is unique and has a purpose”“we don’t know the questions to ask, the doors to stop at that are significant…”Questions:Do you believe your story matters?What is the biggest barrier to sharing your story?Have you brought your full story to the Lord?Mentions:CoachingTranscription:Full Transcription Available hereOriginal music by Shannon Smith. Audio engineering by Gabriel @ DelMar Sound Recording.Support the Show!Free 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 textJoin Josh and Kit as they speak with Juli Slattery about the framework we are so in need of to discuss sexuality comfortably wherever we are.This week we will aim to tackle items 3 and 4 of the 4 part list below.The 4 Paradigm Shifts of Healthy Sexuality:Moving Away From Being Silent About SexualityEvery Sexual Issue Is Also a Spiritual IssueWe Are All Sexually BrokenTruth and Love Must Coexist in All Our Discussions About Sexuality.Guests:Dr. Juli SlatteryMentions:Authentic IntimacyJava w/ Juli PodcastTranscription:Full Transcription Available hereOriginal music by Shannon Smith. Audio engineering by Gabriel @ DelMar Sound Recording.Support the Show!Free 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 textJoin Josh and Kit as they speak with Juli Slattery about the framework we are so in need of to discuss sexuality comfortably wherever we are.This week we will aim to tackle items 1 and 2 of the 4 part list below.The 4 Paradigm Shifts of Healthy Sexuality:Moving Away From Being Silent About SexualityEvery Sexual Issue Is Also a Spiritual IssueWe Are All Sexually BrokenTruth and Love Must Coexist in All Our Discussions About Sexuality.Guests:Dr. Juli SlatteryMentions:Authentic IntimacyJava w/ Juli PodcastTranscription:Full Transcription Available hereOriginal music by Shannon Smith. Audio engineering by Gabriel @ DelMar Sound Recording.Support the Show!Free 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)