Hope Cast

Notes:
In today's discussion we approach the understanding that everyone must answer three questions that shape and form our lives. In order for healing and thriving in our lives we need to evaluate our hearts and ask the following questions:

1. What is truth.

2. What is the cost of living that truth?

3. What do we want to become twenty years from now (or at the end not our lives)?

Notes:
Most of Christendom often looks at the body as something bad, something to be conquered, or something to be repressed. Though there are aspects of all of these things which are true, we must remember that body is the way in which God chose to reveal His Son to each of us.

What are some of our false beliefs about the body?

What truths should we embrace about our bodies?

We live in a world where sex is considered THE definer of who we are and how we are. If we are not having it as we want it, we cannot possibly be happy. However, this belief runs counter to not only God's created intent, but the reality of how we live our lives. No one is getting everything they want or our world would be in chaos.

As Christ-followers, we are called to first submit our lives to the Lordship of Christ and find our identity, meaning and purpose in Him alone. Our sexuality, though an important aspect of our life, is but one expression of the image of God within us. It is restricted in expression to the union with another of the opposite sex and then, only within a marriage. But even then our body is not our own, it is the property of our spouse. We are therefore to be in a continual state of submission, first to the Lord and then to each other. This brings us to the concept of Sacred Sexuality - a process of entering into the divine nature that is our inheritance and allowing that divine nature to express itself in the completion of a male/female union in marriage. For those that are not married, the surrender of their sexual desires to the will of the Father is a sweet gift to God and an act of both their devotion and worship.

Don and Karen have been involved with an abuse recovery program for a number of year in their local church. In this episode they share the knowledge that they have gathered to encourage and strengthen our listeners. The path of healing is not a quick or easy journey but it is part of the redemption that Christ wants to do in your life. Join us as we learn more about healing and how that can play in our lives.

1. Abuse builds anger in the survivor that is either explosive, implosive, or both. Implosive anger often masquerades as other issues. The anger can also be buried so deeply that it is not even recognized, let alone felt.

2. Genuine healing is absolutely possible through
- Christ
- Forgiveness
- Truth

3. The battlefield in all of this is in the mind. The battle is for truth, not for power. The truth comes from God’s Word alone.

4. Abuse does not define the survivor. It is a part of his/her story and has been used by God to shape his/her for His purposes, but it is not the story.

5. In God’s sovereignty, pain is never, ever without purpose.

Don and Karen have been involved with an abuse recovery program for a number of year in their local church. In this episode they share the knowledge that they have gathered to encourage and strengthen our listeners. The path of healing is not a quick or easy journey but it is part of the redemption that Christ wants to do in your life. Join us as we learn more about healing and how that can play in our lives.

What is abuse?
- Abuse is all about power & control
- Abuse can be anything where the victim doesn't have a say in what is happening
- Physical abuse (Punching, Hitting, Slapping)
- Physiological & Emotional Abuse (Words used to degrade a persons heart, soul, and mind
- Spiritual Abuse (God's word is taken our of context for the purpose of control)
- Sexual Abuse (Undesired touching or any form of sexual act)

Abuse is not the survivor's fault
- It is the choice of the abuser and the abuser alone
- It is not your fault

Abuse is a thief that steals, kills, and destroys
- Loss of identity
- Loss of the truth of who God is
- Loss of personal worth and value

Abuse sets up roadblocks to healthy relationships and intimacy including, but not limited to:
- Immorality/promiscuity
- Emotional dependency (relational idolatry)
- Same sex attraction

Resources:
- Biblical Counseling
- Wounded heart - Dan Lender
- Jeremiah, Psalms, Job - Bible

Bonnie Scasta, Women's Director of Living Hope Ministries interviews Don and Karen who are the Men and Women group leaders for the Denton Satellite. Listen as they share their story of redemption and all that God has done in their lives.

In this episode the HopeCast dive into the topic of sexual brokenness from a parent's perspective and the importance to deal with it before it affects your children and your family.

Dealing with own sexual past and shame.
1. Be confessional with some you can trust (1 John 1:5-10 "walk in the light...")
2. Get support – counselor, community
3. Get educated—find out what resources are out there to help you

Questions to consider:
What was your first sexual experience? What attitudes did you have about it?
Do you have any sexual secrets?
Were you sexually abused? Did anyone force or cohere you into any sexual acts?
Do you view your body as a good thing?
Do you view sexual feelings as God given and good in the right contexts?
How do you view sexual arousal? What impacts these feelings?

In this episode the HopeCast discuss the human anatomy and sex and how and when should you define sexuality to your children and the importance to do so. Sexuality is a beautiful representation of God's design and creativity but in today's sex saturated world there are many twisted views. That is why It is so important that your children understand sexuality and how God designed it to be.

Notes:

1. This is a conversation we have to have.
2. Biblical Sexuality
3. What does the bible say?
4. Know what you Believe
5. Deal with own sexual past
6. Create an open environment where you kids can ask questions
7. Share own mistakes
8. Fears that may hold you back you
9. Questions to consider:

Resources:
- Mom, Dad, What’s sex? - Joel Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thompson
- God likes sex - Dan Allender

In this episode the HopeCast talk about all that God has done through Living Hope and the many lives that have been impacted through it's mission to proclaim God's truth as we journey with those seeking sexual and relational wholeness through a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Tune in as they talk about the upcoming vision for the ministry.

In this weeks Episode the HopeCast discuss a recent published article titled "Transgender man gives birth to non-binary partner's baby with female sperm donor". In a everchanging world filled with so much confusion, it is important that we understand how to navigate topics about sexuality and gender from a biblical standpoint. Join in as Ricky and Bonnie attempt to tackle this controversial topic and speak biblical truths about sexuality and the constant confusion in this world.

Link to article:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/transgender-man-gives-birth-non-21177808