GirlfriendIT

Identity is a powerful thing. Knowing your true identity is even more power-filled and freeing. Too often we define ourselves by what we do rather than who we are.

On this show we talk about shedding the victim identity that often comes from the shame of sexual abuse. Healing is possible and attainable.

Our Guests:

Mary Ellen Mann: In From Pain to Power: Overcoming Sexual Trauma and Reclaiming Your True Identity Mary Ellen combines clinical expertise with profound Biblical truths. Her own personal experiences of having suffered through sexual violation, lends even more credibility and value to her fearless voice.

Mary Ellen is an outspoken opponent to the victim status many women bear in silence and shame. She seeks to not just encourage women, but to also equip them with the spiritual weapons they need to thrive as “Princess Warriors.”

Vanessa Pugh: Vanessa is the Assistant Director of Spouse and Family Support for Stadia. She has presented at several Exponential workshops, various women's events and is on the preaching team at Velocity.

Vanessa and her husband Scott planted Velocity Church in Cleveland, OH in 2009.

Loving is an Attitude!

What is your plan to love? What does loving your friend, your spouse, your family, even your enemy look like? We had two very special authors join our show. We have to warn you, our first two segments were rated, PG-13, as we had a very candid conversation about expectations and attitudes on sex - especially from a woman's point of view. You will lean into what author, Sheila Wray Gregoire had to say. She recently published, Nine Thoughts That Can Change Your Marriage.

Our second guest, Jill Buteyn, author of Just Show Up: the Dance of Walking Through Suffering Together talked on the sacredness of walking with a friend through terminal cancer. How do you love through the uncomfortableness?

Great insights from both of these guests.

Don’t you wish there was a formula or a pill for solutions and healing from the pains of life? We all have moments when we feel shattered, wounded and needing to piece together the broken pieces of our hearts and lives. It isn’t easy but there is healing and hope.

Our guests this week:

Drawing from 33 years of experience in writing and producing an on-air radio broadcast . . . Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in Hope through her novels, nonfiction books, devotionals as well as speaking for women’s events and retreats.

For anyone who has been battered and bruised by the storms of life, award-winning author Cynthia Ruchti has penned her new book, Tattered and Mended: the Art of Healing the Wounded Soul

Our next guest is Author and Speaker, Emily Rose Massey. She is a contributing writer to iBelieve.com, Start Marriage Right, and Family Christian as an affiliate reviewer and blogger of new products. Her writing has also been featured in Lifeway Women’s Journey Devotional Magazine and Shattered Magazine.

Her latest book is, Yielded in His Hands: Becoming a Vessel for God’s Glory.

Are you aware of the story you live and do you see it’s worth and value? In a day and age where truth is debated and experience reigns supreme, our stories speak volumes.

Our two guests today:

In 2010, Laurie Coombs was called to forgive the man who murdered her father. What happened as a result of that journey is now the subject of her new book, Letters from My Father’s Murderer (Kregel, 2015). Her story has also been featured in Billy Graham’s new film, Heaven, a part of the “My Hope with Billy Graham” national broadcast.

Laurie writes on her blog and is a regular writer for iBelieve.com and Crosswalk.com.

Joel Peabody: Where your story and Gods story converge. The Awaken Movement began as a organization designed to integrate music, art and worship as a catalyst to ignite church-goers into action-oriented faith. It is aimed at serving the local communities through acts of justice.

Has there been a time in your life when you uttered the words, “I will never” either out loud or to yourself? Many times these words can come back to haunt us! What could these words mean to you in various areas of your life, even in your marriage?

This week on Girlfriendit Radio we will be talking with author, Beth K. Vogt, who recently published her latest book, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, which is the first book in her new Destination Wedding Series. Following Beth we will be talking with ministry and community leader, Sarah Cantu, from our partner ministry of Bloom.

On Girlfriendit Radio This Week:

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of 14 historical romance, suspense and contemporary novels. We discussed the background and dynamics of her latest book, Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor (keeping family secrets, and a character with autism).

Dr. Natalie Eastman: is the author of Women, Leadership, and the Bible: How Do I Know What to Believe? A Practical Guide to Biblical Interpretation. Such a great discussion about fears women face when it comes to exploring the Bible about the topic of women in church leadership roles.

How good is God really??? Do you ever think this thought? We had such a great conversation with author, Jeremy Jernigan and his new book, Redeeming Pleasure. (Worthy Publishing, September 2015)

Pleasure offers many interpretations and often presents a struggle within today’s culture. Craving it, seeking it and understanding its intent from God is the focus of his book.

Also on the show was author, Anita Higman who is a CBA bestselling and award-winning author with 40 books published, several of which she co-authored. Her latest, Summer's List will make you reflect on your own life and where you are going, while enjoying a captivating "fairy tale" story.

Great conversation about giving each other permission to have fun living life. Lots of humor and authentic conversation.

More discussion about living in abandonment and joy with our guest New York Times bestseller author Liz Curtis Higgs! Liz is the author of 32 books with 4.5 million copies in print, including her million-selling series, Bad Girls of the Bible, and The Girl’s Still Got It.

Also joining us is Debbie Jones from our partner ministry, Bloom.

Great conversation about the realities of our culture where we lean in to living through other people stories and avoid our own. (Think reality TV) How does this affect us at our core?

Join us for some happiness as we chat with Hillary Manton Lodge, the author of Reservations for Two, A Table by the Window, Plain Jayne, a Carol Award Finalist, and Simply Sara, an ECPA Bestselling book.

We also have Sarah Sundin, the author of The Wings of the Nightingale series and Wings of Glory series. Sarah just launched her new World War II series, Waves of Freedom, with Through Waters Deep. Anchor in the Storm is expected to release in summer 2016.

Join us as we learn together how to apply our faith with Dr. Michelle Anthony, the vice president and publisher of learning resources at David C Cook and a popular speaker in the area of family ministry. (She is the author of Spiritual Parenting, The Big God Story and Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family.)

We also have Megan Marshman, the director of student resources and production for David C Cook and has led and challenged thousands of students in their faith at Christian Camps.