If Nothing Changes...

Today's episode deals with some difficult topics and listener discretion is advised. According to the 2023's national survey data (988Help.org), about 14 million U.S. adults reported having serious thoughts of suicide. In 2022 49,000 Americans died by suicide, the highest number ever recorded. In my own life (Eric), my brother committed suicide. Sometimes circumstances and bad choices can lead to depression, and the enemy wants us to think that there is no hope. That's a lie! Today, Casey Temple shares the first part of his amazing story. There are some hard things to hear but, in the end, God can turn any life from hopeless to hopeful! If you are someone you know is having thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 right now or go to https://www.988Help.org 

Casey and his wife Tisha are involved in the Recovery Alive ministry and share the hope of Jesus everywhere they go. https://www.recoveryalive.com 

Have you ever ignored an issue in your life that you knew was a problem, but you simply disregarded it, thinking maybe it will just go away or possibly you’ll deal with it later? We call this behavior denial and depending on the issue it can have major consequences that eventually hurt you and possibly the people that you love. In this episode I talk about the 6 negative effects of denial and what happens when I ignore God. It's only when I turn and face God that I can fully step out of denial. This is an interesting topic but requires courage as we look inward at ourselves.

Some of the greatest Bible characters had the messiest lives, but God still used them. In fact, Paul said that it is in our weakness that we are made strong. This is counterintuitive and the enemy wants us to keep our sins, flaws and shortcomings secret. However, maybe God wants to use these secrets to perform an amazing miracle in your life. Mac & Mary Owen had some secrets, but it wasn't until those secrets were brought into the light that God could use those same secrets to perform so many miracles!

Mac is the Global Director for Celebrate Recovery and he and Mary serve hand-in-hand to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those who need healing from all kinds of hurts, bad habits and hang-ups.

Have you ever considered the choices you've made in your life and where they have led you? Do you feel that your choices have defined who you are and that those choices have predetermined your life? Ken Freeman shares how he was abused in every way a person can be abused and how he should have become an alcoholic and abuser himself. However, at age 16, he made a choice that ultimately changed his life forever! This is an amazing story that will inspire and bless your life. Ken Freeman is the author of: Rescued by the Cross, Choices 101, and Toilet Bowl Christianity.

There are many things that we can change through consistent behavior and discipline. However, there are other things that no matter how hard we try, we just can't change. This is when we need God's help, but how do we access his power? Is it possible to apply consistency to my relationship with God so that his power can change me? Hadley and I talk about this topic and have a GREAT discussion! If Nothing Changes... Nothing Changes!

We all want to be liked, respected, accepted. But sometimes, the desire to be approved by others becomes a quiet prison — a cell we decorate with smiles and success while slowly dying inside. We desire something that others and even ourselves can't provide. My guest, Julian, shares how on the outside, he looked like he had it all together. On the inside, addiction and emptiness was taking over. It wasn’t until everything fell apart that he discovered something life-changing — It wasn't about him. It’s about surrender. It’s about grace. It’s about letting God take the lead in a story that was never meant to center on us in the first place. Amazing life-change story!

What milestone events have happened in your life? Some milestones are positive, like a new job or graduation. However, some milestone events can be tragic and cause calamity in our lives. Is it possible that God wants to use these events to draw us closer to him? Is it possible that God wants to turn those ashes into beauty? Scott & Stephanie share how their lives spiraled out of control until one of those milestone events happened. It was a tragic event, but God was waiting to give them a miracle! Amazing story that will inspire positive change in your life.

We know how to heal a physical wound. We clean it, put a bandage on it and protect it until it heals. However, what about a heart-wound? This kind of wound can be caused by rejection, abuse, or judgement from others. If this kind of wound isn't treated properly it can get infected. Sometimes that infection spreads and it can show up in anger, addiction, bitterness, or isolation. Before we know it, that hurt begins to take over every part of our lives. How do we give God our emotional hurts? Steve Shates tells his life change story and how his childhood hurts led to addiction & anger. Only God could heal his hurts. This story will bless your heart!