In this episode you will hear what can negatively inform our relationship choices: family dynamics, past trauma, fear of failure, emotional immaturity and a disconnected sense of identity.

Shantray does a beautiful job of highlighting how each of these things led to choices that resulted in pain and suffering. She also shares about the “rescue” of God to call her back to life, how He met her in the dead of the night and required her to do the brave and hard thing, and how that act of obedience, repentance and faithfulness has strengthened her faith and empowered her to be a source of hope for others who are in healing from divorce. And if you haven't gone through divorce, this is also a source for support in our role as friends and family and how to meet those we love in their struggle and grief as we hear how Shantray’s story can encourage our choices, too!

Scriptures used and shared for hope and encouragement:

Psalm 23:1-6

Psalm 27:1, 13-14

Psalm 116:1-9

Isaiah 61:7

Proverbs 13:12

Colossians 2:6-8

Mark 12:30-31

Ephesians 6:16-21

Ephesians 3:12

You can reach Shantray for more information at the address below:

shantraysmith@kingdomlegacyc3.com

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When I sat down to write this episode, I was hesitant. I knew it would be difficult to navigate without a clear direction and landed on education and exhortation. I think we need to hear about how the world has invaded our personhood, how the environment might lend to sexual interruptions, and mostly how attraction can be the line where we can stay in the space of temptation instead of moving into sin and lifestyle. Just the fact that we have to call it “sin” probably offends some, and I can’t help that. And, in sitting with this content, what makes it overwhelmingly difficult to release is not that we don’t know what the Bible says, but because we love people! We love those who struggle with it. We love those who have embraced it. We love those who whole-heartedly believe it is their identity. And so does God. Truly. Deeply. So instead of avoiding or blindly embracing what we don’t fully understand, let’s talk about it and discover more about that fine but significant line between temptation and sin.

Scriptures referenced:

1 Corinthians 6:18

Deuteronomy 30:19

Matthew 5:29-30

Matthew 22:37-40

James 1:14-15

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This conversation might not be popular, but it is a powerful one to expose the hidden dangers of pornography and its effect to unravel and oppress marriages, especially in the church. Tom talks about the real hook of pornography and how that being exposed can lead to better choices within the marriage and not precipitate the engagement of pornographic scenarios which are abusive in nature.

This conversation also discusses where the church has chosen to hide instead of confronting the messages of pornography that are eroding marriages and damaging the souls of women who have been taught to submit at all costs. My hope is that through this conversation, if will expose the lies and illuminate the truth, not to villainize men and women that find themselves struggling, but to release the captives of abusers and the minds of those that are being indoctrinated about sexuality in a way that will harm others.

You can find Tom through Banner Institute and find out more about his work through the Psalm 82 Initiative and where he is making an impact on women and men all over the world.

Feel free to contact us through siftedwheatpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.

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What is our issue with divorce anyway? Are our arguments situated in the CONTEXTUAL truth of God’s Word? I find all too often that our position with divorce is very much taken from scriptures that are not interpreted in context, which just adds to the complication and why so many feel trapped in unloving and unkind marriages.

This episode, we will look at the full context of the infamous verse “God hates divorce” so that it might be used as a source of compassion and healing (as intended) and not the battering ram or billy club it’s come to mean in some spiritual circles.

We will also look at the FULL definition of adultery and learn why we can’t trust only what we see to bring correction but how to inquire more deeply about what is unseen but just as sinful. My hope is that this conversation can shift our judgment, and instead of using divorce as a means to choose sides or cast blame, our actions and thoughts about the people involved will be lead of the Spirit and entered into with humility and grace.

For your own study, feel free to read the following scriptures:

Malachi 2:16

Ezra 10:19

Matthew 19:8

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lesliealamb.com

Or email us at siftedwheatpodcast@gmail.com

This week we are engaging a raw and vulnerable conversation about pornography and childhood sexual abuse. It isn’t a topic that brightens up a room exactly, but we do our best to carve it out in a way that brings hope and healing to hurting souls that might listen.

Some questions we will address:

▶️ How has abuse and introduction to pornography affected you?

▶️ What is the hardest part of your journey?

▶️ What do you want others who share this same trauma to know?

Grab a cup of coffee or tea or iced cold water, pull up a chair, and listen in to Lexi’s sacred story and glean from her gentle wisdom.

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This our last episode in the “Dear Counselor” series (at least for this season), and we will address the following issues that often surface in this space of healing and support:

🌀What does our role as followers of Jesus look like for those around us who are suffering?

🌀The importance of not being quick to operate against spiritual forces without first considering the soul connected, and the physical and emotional needs that are there.

🌀 A look at depression and anxiety and deliverance through the lens of the Word of God and personal experiences, to bring mercy and compassion.

Thanks for joining us! And feel free to follow us on social media for more content 👇🏻

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Have you asked that question before? Are you struggling now?

Anxiety and depression can be debilitating, but we don't have to stay in that state. We can start to move through those episodes by exploring and inquiring to release the threatening messages they represent and move into more hope and joy.

As usual, we invite the Word of God to inform that process, without minimizing the experience or "praying it away" but acknowledging the presence of anxiety and depression are real and can be resolved and released more readily over time.

Keep listening to learn practical steps and exercises to learn the importance and the process of renewing your mind!

Have you left a rating or review? That 10 seconds or less would help us so much! Or even better, take that same time and share it with a friend that could use support with to work through depression and anxiety!

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Despite the original question sent in by the listener, "How do I remove my anger?" I dig into how to move through anger so that we don't feel stuck in it, act out of it in ways that hurt others, or keep the toxic habit of pushing it away.

In this conversation we will address:

What do we do with anger? Is it a sin? How do we know when our anger has crossed over into sin? Where does forgiveness help or hinder our anger?

Wherever you find yourself in this space of anger, you will hear something that can help you. I provide some practical steps to processing anger by exploring and investigating other more vulnerable feelings that might be attached, which actually increases empathy and our emotional intelligence as we make it a daily practice.

Have you left a rating or review? That 10 seconds or less would help us so much! Or even better, take that same time and share it with a friend that could use support with their anger!

Want to connect? Here’s some options:

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/siftedwheatpodcast

Follow and subscribe on Podbean:

https://siftedwheatpodcast.podbean.com/