When life teaches you to hide, Jesus invites you to heal. Author Clinton Parker joins Steve to share the story behind his new book, Beauty in the Dandelion: Shame Shattered by Grace and Love—from chaotic beginnings and early exposure to darkness, to the slow rescue of grace, safe people, and a Father who delights.

We talk practicals: naming shame vs. guilt, breaking isolation, finding “safe” community, parenting through pain, and why putting your story on paper can become the first step toward freedom.

📘 Get the book on Amazon: (link in show notes)

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Show notes

Guest: Clinton Parker, author of Beauty in the Dandelion: Shame Shattered by Grace and Love.

Buy the book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/3Xm4Plh

Amazon Kindle edition: https://a.co/d/dCdWf4H

Also at Barnes & Noble.

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Writing Your Story

01:35 Introduction to Clint Parker and His Journey

03:31 Clint's Background and the Inspiration Behind His Book

06:13 Childhood Chaos and Its Impact

10:13 The Role of Faith and Community in Healing

19:50 Finding Beauty in Dandelions: A Metaphor for Life

23:29 Overcoming Shame and Embracing Identity

28:55 The Journey of Growth and Maturity

34:40 The Importance of Safe Spaces and Community

39:35 The Impact of Sharing Your Story

44:44 Hope and Encouragement for Others

52:05 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

What does true freedom look like?

At age 15, Warner Batty was sentenced to life without parole for taking a life. Fifty years later, he walked out of a Pennsylvania prison—free not just in body, but in spirit.

In this raw and redemptive conversation, Steve sits down with Warner to talk about his journey from hopelessness and self-hatred to forgiveness and freedom in Christ. Hear how one man—“the hound from heaven”—persisted in sharing Jesus behind bars until the Holy Spirit broke through.

Warner shares the pivotal moment of his salvation, his decades-long walk with Christ while incarcerated, and his eventual release under the Miller v. Alabama Supreme Court ruling. This episode is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond redemption, and that freedom begins within.

Topics include:

Growing up in poverty and racism in the 1960s

Life without parole as a 15-year-old

A divine encounter with “the hound from heaven”

Meeting the family of his victim to offer forgiveness

Revival and ministry behind prison walls

Finding peace and purpose after 50 years

“Without Jesus Christ, you are missing something. Without Him, you are lost.” – Warner Batty

Chapters:

00:00 – Warner’s Early Life & Identity Struggles

02:16 – Introduction to Warner’s Story

04:01 – Who Warner Is Today

05:49 – Life Before the Crime

09:46 – The Crime & Life Sentence at 15

13:51 – The “Hound From Heaven” Appears

18:26 – The Holy Spirit Begins to Move

22:56 – Warner Surrenders to Christ

27:35 – A New Fire for the Gospel

30:20 – Growing, Maturing & Learning Love

39:13 – Reconciliation With His Mother

41:07 – Meeting the Victim’s Family

44:38 – Wrestling With Justice & Mercy

46:47 – Supreme Court Cases That Changed His Fate

53:22 – Release After 50 Years

54:04 – Experiencing Freedom on the Outside

56:34 – God’s Perfect Timing

59:19 – Trauma, Accountability & Healing

1:04:45 – Warner’s Powerful Closing Prayer

What happens when a pastor’s life falls apart—and God writes a better story?

In this raw and redemptive conversation, Steve sits down with Greg Lindsey, author of The Rest of Your Story: The Path to the Christian Life You Want, to talk about failure, forgiveness, and the long road to freedom. Greg shares openly about the affair that nearly ended his marriage and ministry—and how Jesus met him in the rubble to begin a rescue that changed everything.

Together, Steve and Greg unpack what it means to live from your story instead of running from it: how God redeems even our deepest failures, why the Church must learn to restore the fallen, and why intimacy with Jesus—not performance—is the true measure of success.

🔹 Facing your past without fear

🔹 How the Church can become a “MAS*H unit” for the wounded

🔹 The danger of identity rooted in performance

🔹 Experiencing—not just knowing—Jesus daily

🔹 Why your story isn’t over because your Author isn’t finished

Greg’s honesty will challenge and comfort you—and remind you that no matter where you’ve been, there’s more to the story God is writing.

🎧 Listen, share, and subscribe for more conversations on healing, identity, and transformation in Christ.

Guest: Greg Lindsey — Pastor, Discovery Church Colorado Springs | Author, The Rest of Your Story

https://a.co/d/aF0j7N0

Resources: https://www.glindsey.com/

Chapters

00:00 Embracing Brokenness: A Personal Journey

09:53 The Role of Story and Rescue in Healing

19:42 The Impact of Authenticity in Ministry

29:54 Finding Validation and Identity in Christ

31:53 Experiencing Jesus: Beyond Salvation

35:23 The Journey of Intimacy with God

39:01 Resilience and Perseverance in Faith

44:05 Your Story Isn't Over: Embracing Hope

51:32 The Impact of Obedience: A Call to Action