Embracing Brokenness

What do Mr. Rogers, the founder of LEGO, and a civil rights legend have in common? They were all "mere Christians" doing extraordinary things through ordinary work.

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness Podcast, Steve welcomes back bestselling author Jordan Raynor to dive into his latest book, 5 Mere Christians—a fresh, binge-worthy collection of biographies showing how everyday believers glorify God in powerful, practical ways.

From Fred Rogers’ Christlike presence to Fannie Lou Hamer’s fearless justice, Jordan shares untold stories that will leave you inspired, challenged, and maybe even in tears (in the best way).

You’ll hear:

✅ Why “secular” work is sacred

✅ How to eliminate hurry and live like Jesus

✅ What CS Lewis, a former atheist, teaches us about discipleship

✅ How your daily work—no matter what it is—matters for eternity

🔥 Plus: Get the scoop on a once-in-a-lifetime giveaway trip to England & Denmark—walk in the footsteps of Lewis and LEGO!

Don’t miss this episode if you’re ready to discover purpose in your 9-to-5, and see how your own brokenness is the starting point for something beautiful.

📘 Pre-order "5 Mere Christians" and enter the epic trip giveaway ➡️ https://www.jordanraynor.com/

🌐 Explore more at https://embracingbrokenness.org/

🔥 You’ve Been Tricked! Are You Living by the World’s Rules Without Even Realizing It? 🔥

Society is more divided than ever—politically, socially, and even within the Church. The world demands that you pick a side, fight to be right, and put yourself first. But what if that’s the exact opposite of how we were designed to live?

In this podcast episode, Steve & Colleen expose the deception behind the world’s system and reveal the Kingdom way—a way of living that leads to freedom, peace, and purpose.

They dive deep into:

✅ Why polarization is destroying relationships—and what to do about it.

✅ The hidden cultural mandate that was given to humanity (but hijacked by the enemy).

✅ Four game-changing mindset shifts that will transform how you see identity, freedom, love, and success.

✅ How to break free from the world’s grip and start living by Kingdom principles TODAY.

Are you really living by Kingdom values—or have you unknowingly adopted the world’s mindset?

Watch or Listen now to find out! 🎙👇

Click Here for a 7-Day Devotional Relating to this Podcast:

https://embracingbrokenness.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Kingdom-vs-World-Rules-A-7-Day-Devotional.pdf

Ever feel like you’re wearing a mask—pretending to be someone you’re not just to fit in? In this powerful episode of the Embracing Brokenness Podcast, Steve and Colleen expose the hidden battle for your identity and how the enemy uses lies, fear, and past wounds to keep you stuck in a false self.

🔥 Discover how social media, people-pleasing, and cultural pressures warp your self-image.
📖 Learn why anchoring your identity in God’s truth is the key to freedom.
💡 Unmask the exhausting facade of confidence and step into authenticity and healing.
⚔️ Fight back against the enemy’s identity theft with faith, scripture, and the power of renewal.

Your identity was never meant to be dictated by the world. It’s time to reclaim who you truly are in Christ. 🎧✨ Listen now!

To go deeper with a 5-day devotional and/or an individual/group study guide, click the link to a free downloadable PDF. Free Devotional and Study Guide

Key Scriptures to Meditate On

• Genesis 1:27 – "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (Your identity is rooted in God’s design.)

• John 1:12 – "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (You are a child of God.)

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 – "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (Your past does not define you.)

• Ephesians 2:10 – "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (You have purpose.)

• Galatians 2:20 – "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." (Your identity is in Christ, not in your past or performance.)

• 1 Peter 2:9 – "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession." (You are chosen, holy, and deeply loved.)

Shame is a relentless enemy, but it doesn’t have to define you. In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness Podcast, Steve and Colleen Adams dive deep into the roots of shame—how it takes hold, how it distorts our identity, and how we can finally break free. They share raw personal stories of struggle and redemption, exposing shame as a weapon of the enemy while revealing the overwhelming power of God’s grace to silence it.

Don’t just listen—experience the breakthrough. Watch now and take your next step toward true freedom in Christ.

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, hosts Steve and Colleen discuss the importance of staying true to the gospel amidst a deception-filled world.

The conversation delves into the challenges of identifying false teachers and the need for believers to contend for their faith.

They explore the characteristics of false teachings, the impact of materialism in the church, and the underlying pride and rebellion that often drive these issues. In this conversation, the speakers explore the themes of contending for the faith, the struggle against societal decline, and the importance of understanding and resisting deceptive teachings within the church.

They discuss the implications of postmodernism on truth and morality, the distinction between condemnation and contention, and practical steps for individuals to deepen their faith and engage with others in meaningful discipleship.

The conversation emphasizes the need for a strong biblical foundation and community support in navigating contemporary challenges to the Christian faith.

Chapters00:00 Introduction and Ministry Update03:21 Staying True to the Gospel in a Deceptive World12:20 Contending for the Faith19:39 Identifying False Teachers27:20 The Heart of False Teachings and Rebellion28:57 The Struggle Against Flesh and Society's Decline31:08 Contending for the Faith: Definitions and Implications34:29 Condemnation vs. Contention: Understanding Our Role38:06 Navigating Postmodernism and Truth42:40 Identifying Deceptive Teachings in the Church51:13 Practical Steps for Contending in Our Lives

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, hosts Steve and Colleen discuss the theme of intimacy with God, drawing parallels to the Garden of Eden. They explore the significance of the torn veil at Jesus' crucifixion, which symbolizes the restoration of direct access to God.

The conversation delves into the challenges of maintaining intimacy with God in a performance-driven religious culture, the importance of recognizing echoes of Eden in our lives, and the need to understand God's love and authority.

Steve and Colleen provide practical steps for listeners to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, emphasizing the promise of restoration and the hope of eternal communion with Him.

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, Steve, Colleen, and Michael discuss the significance of consecrating the new year to the Lord. They explore the importance of daily consecration, understanding its meaning, and the scriptural foundations that support this practice. The conversation also includes practical steps for consecration, the significance of seeking a word or theme for the year, and personal experiences that highlight the transformative power of this spiritual discipline.

Download Practical Steps to Consecrate the Year Here: https://embracingbrokenness.org/download-practical-steps-to-consecrate-the-year/

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, Steve, Colleen, and Michael explore the topic of desire and its connection to the heart. They discuss how societal messages shape our understanding of desire, often leading to misalignment with God’s intentions.

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness podcast, hosts Steve and Michael explore the biblical concept of 'minding your own business' as they delve into 1 Thessalonians 4.

They discuss the importance of leading a quiet life amidst chaos, managing life a bit like a corporation, and the significance of stewardship and balance in various life areas.

The conversation emphasizes God's creative authority in our lives, the need to avoid distractions and comparisons, and ultimately living a life that pleases God through love and stewardship.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Journey

02:55 Minding Your Own Business: A Biblical Perspective

06:11 Leading a Quiet Life in a Chaotic World

08:50 Managing Life Like a Corporation

11:53 The Importance of Balance in Life

15:05 Stewardship and Responsibility

17:51 God's Creative Authority in Our Lives

21:09 Avoiding Distractions and Comparisons

24:05 Living a Life that Pleases God

26:58 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of our podcast Steve and Colleen explore the themes of safety, trust, and the importance of surrounding oneself with safe people. They delve into childhood experiences that shape our understanding of safety, the significance of having trustworthy counselors, and the impact of family dynamics on our ability to trust others.

The metaphor of a 'glass ball' is introduced to illustrate the fragility of trust and the need to be cautious about whom we allow into our lives. The discussion also highlights the traits of unsafe individuals and the importance of recognizing these behaviors to foster healthier relationships.

In this conversation, Steve and Colleen delve into the complexities of spiritual abuse, the importance of identifying safe individuals in one's life, and the role of Christ in the healing journey. They discuss the attributes that define a safe person, the necessity of holding space for others, and practical steps toward personal healing and growth.

The conversation emphasizes the need for authentic relationships and the transformative power of forgiveness and understanding.

Download Safe and Unsafe People Attributes Here: https://embracingbrokenness.org/download-safe-and-unsafe-people-attributes/

Chapters

00:00 Finding Safe Spaces in Childhood

01:56 The Importance of Safe Counselors

04:10 Identifying Safe and Unsafe People

06:05 The Impact of Family Patterns on Trust

09:56 The Glass Ball Metaphor for Trust

18:06 Recognizing Unsafe Behaviors in Relationships

19:58 Defining Unsafe People and Their Traits

28:41 Understanding Power Dynamics in Spiritual Abuse

32:02 Identifying Safe vs. Unsafe People

33:30 The Role of Christ in Healing

41:55 Attributes of a Safe Person

49:51 The Importance of Holding Space

54:34 Practical Steps Towards Healing and Safety