In this heartfelt episode of Faith Unfiltered, Amber reflects on the transformative journey of living for Jesus instead of conforming to worldly pressures. She shares personal experiences of shedding past identities tied to achievements, materialism, and societal expectations to embrace a faith-centered life. Amber discusses the importance of daily Bible reading, prayer, and discernment in building a relationship with Jesus. She emphasizes that true fulfillment stems from a spiritual connection with God, not from worldly accomplishments. Join Amber as she encourages listeners to seek wisdom, reject superficial goals, and focus on spiritual growth and the Great Commission.

Key Highlights:

[00:00 - 00:38] Introduction to Faith Unfiltered

[00:39 - 02:32] Amber's Personal Reflections and Updates

[02:33 - 05:00] The Importance of Reading the Bible

[05:01 - 07:31] Spiritual Insights from the Old and New Testaments

[07:32 - 12:34] The Trap of Worldly Values

[12:35 - 16:47] Striving for Intimacy with Jesus

[16:48 - 19:59] The Illusion of Success and Materialism

[20:00 - 20:17] The Inevitability of Death and Materialism

[20:18 - 20:47] The Spiritual Battle and Following Jesus

[20:48 - 21:22] Balancing Worldly Goals with Spiritual Mission

[21:23 - 22:45] Being an Apprentice of Jesus

[22:46 - 26:52] The Importance of Daily Surrender

[26:53 - 29:54] Seeking Wisdom and Discernment

[29:55 - 34:25] Practical Steps for Spiritual Growth

[34:26 - 35:42] Final Reflections and Encouragement

Tweetable Quotes:

“ There is light and there is dark, and there is a battle going on for our souls all the time.” - Ms. Amber

“ My life is yours no matter what.“ - Ms. Amber

“ the Bible is our beginning and our end of mankind.” - Ms. Amber

“ Loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is the work of our lives, daily surrender over daily striving.” - Ms. Amber

“  We are saturated with voices, social media, news, influencers, experts, ,the word, the Bible is our filter. Without it, everything blurs.” - Ms. Amber

“ The world will always demand more from you, but Jesus simply asks of for you.” - Ms. Amber

Reflection Prompt:

“Lord, show me where I’ve been striving for the world’s approval instead of yours. Help me release what doesn’t align with Your kingdom and live fully for you.”

If you want, I can also create a free “Kingdom Over Culture” PDF guide to go with this episode — including daily scripture readings and reflection questions for listeners to download. That would make this episode even more actionable. Would you like me to do that next?

In this episode of Faith Unfiltered, Angela and Amber address a deeply resonant topic for many: the struggles of being the strong one. They share personal experiences, from Angela's challenges with her son Angelo's medical diagnosis to Amber's anxiety over her own health concerns. They discuss the emotional and spiritual burnout that can come from always being the encourager and provide practical advice on how to step back, rest, and seek God's grace. Key topics include the importance of honesty about one’s struggles, the necessity of rest, and the value of community support.

Key Highlights:

[00:00 -00:38] Introduction to Faith Unfiltered

[00:39 - 01:57] Today's Deep Dive: The Strong One's Struggle

[01:58 - 04:36] Angela's Update: Navigating Health Challenges

[04:37 - 08:03] Amber's Anxiety and Emotional Turmoil

[08:04 - 12:50] The Weight of Always Being the Strong One

[12:51 - 21:00] Struggling to Ask for Help

[21:01 - 21:55] Signs of Spiritual and Emotional Burnout

[21:56 - 22:39] Struggling with Numbness and Compassion

[22:40 - 24:02] The Ups and Downs of a Christian Walk

[24:03 - 26:25] Dealing with Grief and Anger

[26:26 - 37:00] The Importance of Rest and Renewal

[37:01 - 40:09] Practical Ways to Step Back and Rest

[40:10 - 40:51] Final Reflections and Encouragement

Tweetable Quotes:

“ Believing vulnerability equals weakness.” - Ms. Angela

“ God is with us through the whole process. We just may not feel him all the time. That is the human experience.” - Ms. Amber

“ God never called us to be everything for everyone.” - Ms. Amber

“ The enemy does not want us to have a close relationship with Jesus.” - Ms. Amber

“ To the woman holding everything together. You are not alone. Even cheerleaders need time on the bench.” - Ms. Angela

“ You are not less spiritual, less strong, or less faithful because you're tired. You are human and God never asked you to carry it all.” - Ms. Amber

Reflection Prompt:

“God, I feel tired of being the strong one. Help me to release the pressure, lean on You, and let others in. Remind me that even in weakness, I am deeply loved.”

In this heartfelt solo episode of Faith Unfiltered, Amber hones in on the themes of free will, God's love, and letting go, especially as a parent. She emphasizes that, just as God grants us free will, parents need to let their children make their own decisions, face their own consequences, and ultimately learn and grow from their experiences. Amber shares her personal journey of faith, the emotions tied to her children leaving the nest, and the importance of placing trust in God's guidance and love. The episode is rich with scriptural references and personal anecdotes, serving to encourage and comfort listeners navigating similar life transitions.

Key Highlights:

[00:00 - 00:38] Introduction to Faith Unfiltered

[00:39 - 01:19] Amber Takes the Lead

[01:20 - 03:03] A Prayer for Guidance

[03:04 - 04:41] Let Them Fly: Free Will and Parenting

[04:42 - 06:59] The Role of Boundaries and Consequences

[07:00 - 09:02] The Challenges of Parenting Teenagers

[09:03 - 11:16] Free Will: The Hardest Kind of Love

[11:17 - 17:48] The Spiritual Realm and Human Choices

[17:49 - 19:33] Rediscovering Faith and Purpose

[19:34 - 19:48] Choosing Faith and Facing Judgment

[19:49 - 20:11] A Year of Spiritual Transformation

[20:12 - 20:36] Struggles and God's Presence

[20:37 - 23:28] Free Will and Consequences

[23:29 - 24:33] Lessons from the Prodigal Son

[24:34 - 25:11] Personal Journey and Redemption

[25:12 - 25:56] The Power of Community and Church

[25:57 - 26:39] Hearing God's Voice

[26:40 27:44] Embracing Missions and Opportunities

[27:45 - 32:18] Parenting and Letting Go

[32:19 - 33:24] Trusting God with Our Loved Ones

[33:25 - 34:15] Final Reflections and Encouragement

Tweetable Quotes:

“ Free will is a hard kind of love, but it's the kind God chooses for us.” - Ms. Amber

“ God will never stop chasing your heart.” - Ms. Amber

Journal this week:

“Lord, help me trust You with the people I love most. Even when I can’t protect them, remind me that You are with them. Help me release control and rest in Your love—just like You do for me.”