Conversations designed to help partner with God to take back your story
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Theology For The Rest of Us gives quick simple answers to some of the toughest and most asked questions about God, Christianity, and the Bible. We answer questions on a variety of topics related to theology in a way that any person can understand, not just theology experts. This podcast is hosted by author and pastor Kenny Ortiz. This show covers topics such as systematic theology, prayer, new covenants, baptism, tithing, love, sex, gambling, legalism, spiritual gifts, the resurrection of Je ...
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Have you ever hoped for something, but it didn’t happen? Did you hope for the wrong thing? Was God not faithful? What is hope? How does it work? And why does having hope matter so much to our well-being? Join Hope Talks each week to dive into everyday life topics and receive practical, biblical guidance to grow in your faith, hope, and love for the Lord, others, and yourself. With decades of experience in counseling, writing, training, and serving in ministry … Haley and Dustin will share wi ...
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An outreach of The Empty Chair Endeavor designed to support and equip survivors of child loss in rediscovering life, hope, and joy after unspeakable tragedy. Additionally, our mission involves educating the public about the life altering impact the death of a child has upon survivors, both parents and siblings, and equipping them to better support and minister to them. Join us as guests share their stories of heartbreaking loss and how God has shown up on their journeys to restore hope, mean ...
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Renewal Church exists for the Glory of God and the good of the neighborhood.
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How Aubrey Sampson Found Hope in Christ – Episode 14
47:28
47:28
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Special guest Aubrey Sampson joins Haley and Dustin to share her story of how she found hope in Christ while grieving multiple losses and major life changes. It’s an encouraging conversation of how the Lord meets us in our grief, along with practical steps on how to lament and grieve with hope. Aubrey co-hosts the Nothing is Wasted podcast and has …
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Episode 341 - Demystifying Evil with Ingrid Faro
1:02:21
1:02:21
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Warning: This episode discusses loss by suicide and may not be suitable for all listeners. What do we do when it comes to understanding God's role in the events of our lives? How do we interpret the pain we endure, the evil that exists in the world and God's sovereignty in it all? For author and professor of Old Testament Ingrid Faro, it was her ow…
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Apologetics: Giving Reasons for Our Hope – Episode 16
51:23
51:23
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The Bible says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). As believers we do not have a blind faith or a foundation-less hope. There are many reasons why the Christian faith is true and our hope is real. That’s what apologetics is all about – helping us defend and e…
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A Conversation with Kim Erickson, Austin's Mom
54:56
54:56
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"GOD rescued me when Austin went to Heaven by allowing me to understand that Heaven is a real place, more wonderful than we can imagine." Kim Erickson, noted speaker, and author of "Surviving Sorrow: A Mother's Guide to Living with Loss." Losing her beautiful 3 year old son, Austin, to a strep throat infection in April 2008, Kim's life was shattere…
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Episode 340 - Nothing is Wasted Book: More to the Story with Kristi Blackburn
1:26:28
1:26:28
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What does redemption look like in our stories of pain and suffering? How do we step into the story of someone we love and hold space for them? For Nothing is Wasted co-founder, Kristi Blackburn, learning to be a place of refuge and healing for her husband, Davey, and son, Weston, years after they lost their first wife and mom, Amanda, has been no s…
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How Eric Scalise Found Hope in Christ – Episode 15
53:53
53:53
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Special guest Dr. Eric Scalise, President of Hope for the Heart, joins Haley and Dustin to share his story of how he found hope in Christ amidst an unusual upbringing. The son of a diplomat, Eric lived in multiple countries and shared the unique experiences he had growing up and how the Lord often interrupted his plans and directed his steps. It’s …
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Episode 339 - Nothing is Wasted Book: More to the Story with Mack Brock
1:04:48
1:04:48
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How can music help us heal? What role does worship play in our most difficult seasons? Songwriter, worship leader and singer Mack Brock has written countless songs that have helped people connect with God. But there is one song that became a rally cry for Davey Blackburn after losing his wife, Amanda and their unborn child in a home invasion. It wa…
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Our Story Part 2 with Guest Host Danielle Zapchenck
42:25
42:25
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A continuation of Greg and Cathy Buffkin's story of losing our beautiful 26 year old son Ryan to suicide in October 2015. Ours is a journey from the brokenness of unspeakable loss and pain to experiencing GOD's goodness as He began making something beautiful from all those broken pieces and restoring meaning, purpose and hope to our lives. Please c…
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Episode 338 - Nothing is Wasted Book: More to the Story with Levi Lusko
56:11
56:11
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How do we begin to lead our generation through pain? What do we do with the tension of our heartache and the hope we have in Jesus? For author and pastor Levi Lusko, learning to grieve the loss of his daughter Lenya while leading others through their own pain has been a beautiful dance of both sorrow and hope. After losing Lenya from an asthma atta…
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Jesus is “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). The experience of loss is unique to each person, and it’s not easy navigating the complexity of grief. Yet in our pain, God comforts us and walks with us. Jesus understands grief and gives us hope. In this episode, Haley and Dustin share biblical truths that can anchor you in time…
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Episode 337 -Nothing is Wasted Book: More to the Story with Daniel and Brittany Brooker
59:08
59:08
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How do you learn to feel the pain instead of just filling it? What does surrender look like when we've entered a story that we never imagined for ourselves? On this first ever live Nothing is Wasted podcast episode from the Nothing is Wasted Book Launch event, Davey and Kristi Blackburn are joined by Daniel and Brittany Brooker to discuss the messy…
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On Hope Talks, we want to address real-life issues, so we want to hear from real people. In this episode, Haley and Dustin answer questions that listeners have submitted. They discuss how to cope with depression, practical do’s and don’ts for helping others struggling with mental health issues, as well as tips for reigniting your relationship with …
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Our Story with guest-host Danielle Zapchenck
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In this 2 part interview, our friend Danielle Zapchenck , host of The Parable Podcast, guest-hosts for me as we dive into the journey my wife Cathy and I have been living since October 25, 2015 when our beautiful 26 year old son Ryan took his own life. While our story is one of deep tragedy and brokenness, it's more than that. It's one where GOD en…
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Episode 336 - Nothing is Wasted Book: More to the Story with Kenneth Wagner
1:02:47
1:02:47
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What does true friendship look like in the midst of the darkest moments in our lives? How do we show up for our friends who are hurting after a tragedy? The Bible says, "A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17) It can be hard to find the kind of friend that will stick with you in difficulties, but for Davey…
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Do you ever feel like nothing you do is ever good enough? Like you can never meet the high expectations you set for yourself or the impossibly high standards others have placed on you? In this episode, Haley and Dustin discuss common characteristics and causes of perfectionism, along with practical steps to break free from perfectionistic tendencie…
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Episode 335 - Nothing is Wasted Book: More to the Story with Dr. John Walker
1:18:57
1:18:57
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What happens when we attempt to selectively numb our pain? How does a season in the wilderness of suffering transform us if we allow it? Dr. John Walker has been a guiding voice and encouragement to countless pastors who find themselves in the throes of trauma, tragedy or burnout. He has offered a safe landing place for those who are tasked with sh…
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How Chrystal Evans Hurst Found Hope in Christ – Episode 10
42:46
42:46
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Special guest Chrystal Evans Hurst joins Haley and Dustin to share her story of how she found hope while being a single mom and trying to figure out God’s plan. It’s an encouraging conversation with helpful insights of how the Lord puts all the puzzle pieces of life together to guide us toward our purpose and calling. Subscribe to the podcast and t…
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From a Crisis of Faith to a Discovery of Hope with Teresa Davis, R.N., Andrew's Mom
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43:18
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What do we do when our deepest fear suddenly becomes our new reality? How do we even begin to process and navigate the pain and grief we never could have imagined? This is where Teresa Davis found herself on November 28, 2018 when she learned that her 32 year old son, Andrew had died when the plane he was piloting crashed in a very remote area, lea…
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The gospel declares we are completely forgiven in Christ. Yet, we often struggle with a sense of guilt and shame – and it impacts our lives, decisions, and our walk with the Lord.In this episode, Haley and Dustin break down the difference between guilt and shame, along with the difference between true guilt and false guilt. With personal stories an…
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Episode 334 - Nothing is Wasted Book: More to the Story with Dave and Brenda Blackburn
1:27:56
1:27:56
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How do you help an adult child who is experiencing an unimaginable loss? What does it look like to parent our kids who are grown and who are walking through difficult seasons? For Davey's parents, Dave and Brenda Blackburn, navigating how to help Davey walk through his own grief while also taking the time to grieve their own pain of losing their da…
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Episode 333 - The Narrow Path with Rich Villodas
1:09:18
1:09:18
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What does God invite us into in our pain? How do we learn to bring our honest emotions and thoughts to God? Pastor and author Rich Villodas has learned and taught others the importance of choosing honesty through lament when it comes to engaging with feelings of grief, anxiety and every other emotion that is a part of the human condition. As he has…
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How Greg Stier Found Hope in Christ – Episode 8
41:42
41:42
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Special guest Greg Stier, founder of Dare2Share Ministries, joins Haley and Dustin to share his incredible story of how he found hope in Christ amidst a violent and chaotic childhood. After radically changing Greg’s life, the Lord moved powerfully through his whole family. Greg also shares how the Lord called him to start Dare2Share ministries to e…
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"Walking Through Fire" with Vaneetha Risner, Paul's Mom
46:18
46:18
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In this episode, well known author and speaker Vaneetha Risner and I talk about her long journey of loss and suffering beginning with childhood polio, several miscarriages, the death of her infant son Paul, post-polio syndrome, betrayal and abandonment by her first husband, and caring for young daughters alone while battling illness. We talk about …
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Episode 332 - The Gift of Limitations with Sara Hagerty
1:02:00
1:02:00
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What do we do with all of our limitations? How do we begin to reframe the limits of our bodies and our lives in a way that allows God to use the boundary lines He has placed around us? For speaker, author and mom of seven, Sara Hagerty, it was the many limits of her journey with infertility, motherhood, walking her kids through their own pain and g…
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Why am I here? What is my purpose? What does God want me to do? These can feel like big, overwhelming questions. In this episode, Haley and Dustin break down the difference between purpose and calling, along with common setbacks and misconceptions we face when finding our purpose. With personal stories, biblical insights, and practical questions, H…
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Episode 331 - The Power of Personal Revival with Lisa Whittle
1:09:41
1:09:41
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How do we live a more connected life with Jesus when this world offers so many distractions? What would it look like for individuals to experience personal revival in their own faith that could spark revival in other's lives as well? For author, podcaster and Bible teacher Lisa Whittle, it was her own journey towards seeking more of God that led he…
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Overcoming Your Fears with Faith - Episode 6
48:36
48:36
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Fear often holds us back from saying or doing the things that God has called us to do. In this episode, Haley and Dustin discuss how fear can impact our lives and walk with the Lord. With personal stories and biblical insights, they also share practical steps on overcoming fear and how fear can be an opportunity for greater faith and dependence on …
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A Conversation with Jenny Leavitt, Jacob's Mom
41:57
41:57
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Every year, approximately 11,000 people are killed by drunk drivers, an astounding number. Jenny Leavitt's 17 year old son, Jacob, was one of them in August, 2015. Miraculously, her 29 year old son, Caleb, survived, but was left with catastrophic injuries requiring a long period of healing and recovery. How do parents survive and navigate something…
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296: Calvinism vs. Arminianism: Are We Even Asking the Right Question?
17:37
17:37
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In this episode Kenny tackles one of the most heated debates amongst evangelicals: Calvinism vs. Arminianism. Kenny gives the history of Calvinism and Reformed theology, and then explains the Dutch Remonstrance movement that came out of the Reformed movement and would give birth to the theological system we now call Arminianism and led to the debat…
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295: What Are the 5 Points of Calvinism? What is TULIP?
22:29
22:29
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In this episode Kenny explains the historical origins and evolution of Calvinist soteriology. He then explains that the acronym TULIP is a helpful tool to remember the five main points of Calvinism: T- Total Depravity U- Unconditional Election L- Limited Atonement I- Irresistible Grace P-Perseverance of the Saints…
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Episode 330 - Helping Our Kids and Teens Navigate Anxiety with Dr. Chinwe Williams
1:04:17
1:04:17
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WARNING: This episode discusses teen suicide and may not be suitable for all audiences. How do we begin to understand the staggering increase in mental health issues amongst teens? Why are the suicide rates moving in an upward trend, especially amongst younger children? Our world has undoubtedly changed because of the advent of smart phones and soc…
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What do you do when you’re angry? How do you get it under control? In this episode, Haley and Dustin share how you can uncover the roots of your anger and provide practical steps from God’s Word on how to manage your anger. Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues w…
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Episode 329 - The Hidden Peace with Joel Muddamalle
1:04:42
1:04:42
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What does humility have to do with our suffering? How can it lead to what we long for most--peace? For theologian, author, and podcaster Joel Muddamalle, a study of humility led him to understand that processing our suffering begins with coming to the end of ourselves. As we release pride, we can experience a perspective shift that can help us bett…
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Decision Making and Discerning God’s Will – Episode 4
44:37
44:37
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What do you base your decisions on, and how do you discern God’s will for your life? Sometimes, we make decisions based on fear, guilt, shame … or what feels right, what has worked in the past, or what others want. In this episode, Haley and Dustin discuss these pitfalls and provide helpful insights from God’s Word on handling regret and unintended…
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Navigating the Devastation of Suicide with Tobe and Amy Witmer, Abbie’s parents
47:34
47:34
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As the day began to unfold on June 28, 2023, life as they knew it would never again be the same for Tobe and Amy as they learned their precious, beautiful 28 year old daughter Abbie had taken her own life after a long battle with depression and PTSD. Tobe and Amy had witnessed the pain and suffering of others as they grieved their loved ones in his…
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294: What are the Five Solas? Why do they Matter?
19:00
19:00
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In this episode Kenny explains the heart of Protestant theology, which can be summed up in five key theological statements known as “The Five Solas.” The Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation distinguished the 16th century Protestant Reformers from the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. They include: Sola scriptura (Scripture alone), Solus …
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Episode 328 - The Night is Normal with Dr. Alicia Britt Chole
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1:06:40
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What do we do when our faith feels like the darkness of night? How do we find our way through when God is hard to see or feel? Author and speaker Dr. Alicia Britt Chole was never afraid of asking questions. In fact, it was her own father's willingness to hear and respond to the many curiosities in her spirit that gave her a picture for God's willin…
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