House on Fire

House on Fire

By Bethel ChurchReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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House on Fire episodes

  • Ep. 47 – From the Skies to Surrender: A Story of Calling and Family (Part 2) (feat. Russ Sahr)
    In part two of our conversation with Russ Sahr, we move beyond the beginnings of his story and into the heart of what it has looked like to walk in obedience to God through adoption.
    Russ shares more deeply about the journey of adopting four children with special needs—what it looked like to trust God in the unknown, navigate challenges, and depend on Him in ways he never had before. What began as a calling has become a daily walk of faith, where strength, patience, and grace are continually shaped by the Lord.
    Through both the difficulties and the joys, Russ reflects on how God has been faithful in every step. He opens up about how this journey has stretched his understanding of family, deepened his relationship with God, and revealed more of God’s character along the way.
    This episode is a powerful reminder that obedience is not always easy—but it is always worth it. As Russ shares his story, you’ll be encouraged to trust God in the places where He is calling you, even when the path ahead is uncertain.
     
    What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
    • What it looked like for Russ and his wife to step into adoption
    • The realities and challenges of raising children with special needs
    • How God met them in seasons of uncertainty and difficulty
    • Ways their faith was stretched and deepened through the journey
    • What God has revealed about His character through their experience
    • How their understanding of family, love, and obedience has grown
    • Reflections on God’s faithfulness throughout their story
    • Encouragement for those stepping into difficult or unknown callings
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      1 hr 14 min
    • Ep. 46 – From the Skies to Surrender: A Story of Calling and Family (Part 1) (feat. Russ Sahr)
      In this episode, we sit down with Russ Sahr to hear his story—from decades of serving as a pilot in the United States Air Force to building a family and beginning a journey that would eventually lead to adoption.
      Russ shares about his 30-year flying career, including 24 years of active flying, where he piloted aircraft such as the T-38, T-33, F-4, C-130, and F-16. He reflects on his time serving in the Air Force, returning for a second stint, and finishing his final 17 years in the North Dakota Air National Guard, known as the “Happy Hooligans,” where he retired as a Colonel.
      Beyond his military career, Russ opens up about family life—raising two of his own children and what those years taught him about leadership, responsibility, and love. Through that season, God was quietly shaping his heart for something more.
      As the Lord continued to work in his life, Russ and his wife began stepping into a new calling—one that would lead them to adopt four children with special needs. What started as faithfulness in one season grew into a deeper surrender, as they trusted God with a bigger vision for their family than they had originally planned.
      This episode captures the foundation of Russ’s story—the experiences, decisions, and moments where God was at work long before the full picture was clear.
      Whether you’re reflecting on your own life journey or learning to trust God through different seasons, this conversation is a reminder that He is faithful in every chapter.
       
      What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
      • Russ’s 30-year career in the United States Air Force
      • His experience flying aircraft including the T-38, T-33, F-4, C-130, and F-16
      • His years in active duty and his final 17 years with the ND Air National Guard (“Happy Hooligans”)
      • Lessons learned through leadership, discipline, and service
      • His journey into marriage and raising two of his own children
      • How God began shaping his heart toward adoption
      • The early steps toward adopting four children with special needs
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        1 hr 9 min
      • Ep. 45 – You’re Not Alone: Building Bridges to Help People Thrive (feat. Ceanna Logan)
        In this episode, we sit down with Ceanna Logan to talk about the heart behind resource coordination and why no one in the church should have to walk through life alone.
        Ceanna shares her passion for helping connect people to the right support so they can thrive mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. From navigating seasons of crisis to walking alongside people in everyday challenges, she explains how the church can be a bridge — not just a building — for those who need care.
        This conversation highlights the beauty of holistic ministry and reminds us that asking for help is not weakness, but wisdom. Whether you are in a season of need or simply want to better care for others, this episode will encourage you to see the church as a place of connection, compassion, and Christ-centered support.
        You are not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
        What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
        • Ceanna’s story of faith and how God led her into resource coordination
        • What a resource coordinator actually does and why it matters
        • Why the church must care about mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health
        • Common fears that keep people from asking for help
        • How life groups and relationships play a role in helping people flourish
        • The importance of confidentiality, discernment, and compassion in care ministry
        • Encouragement for anyone hesitant to reach out for support
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          1 hr 6 min
        • Ep. 44 – Personality Styles & Their Impact on Meaningful Relationships (feat. Marcia Moberg)
          In this episode, we sit down with Marcia Moberg to explore how understanding personality styles can deepen the way we relate to one another. Marcia brings years of wisdom in leadership, discipleship, and relational coaching, helping us see how God has uniquely wired each person—and how that wiring shapes our communication, conflict, and connection.
           
          From the strengths and blind spots of different personality types to the ways the gospel transforms how we show up in our relationships, this conversation will help you better understand yourself and the people you love. Whether you’re navigating friendships, marriage, family dynamics, or ministry teams, Marcia’s insights will equip you to build healthier, more Christ-centered relationships.
           
          What you’ll hear in this episode:
          - An introduction to personality styles and why they matter
          - How our wiring impacts communication, conflict, and emotional responses
          - The common strengths and pitfalls of various personality types
          - How understanding others can help us love more intentionally
          - Why self-awareness is a spiritual practice—not just a psychological one
          - How the gospel reshapes unhealthy patterns in relationships
          - Practical ways to cultivate grace, empathy, and unity across personality differences
           
          1 hr
        • Ep. 43 – Operation Christmas Child — From a Shoebox to a Story of Hope (feat. Peg Seidel & Kulda Aamir)
          What happens when a simple act of generosity comes full circle? In this episode, we sit down with Peg Seidel and Kulda Aamir to explore the powerful impact of Operation Christmas Child—from the perspective of both the giver and the receiver.
          Peg shares what it looks like to oversee and organize Operation Christmas Child here at Bethel Church, while Kulda reflects on her childhood experience of receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. Together, their stories beautifully illustrate how God uses ordinary obedience and simple gifts to bring hope, joy, and the message of the gospel to children around the world.
          This conversation is a reminder that we may never fully see the impact of our faithfulness—but God does.
          What you’ll hear in this episode:
          • An overview of Operation Christmas Child and Bethel’s involvement
          • Peg’s heart and vision behind organizing this ministry
          • Kulda’s personal story of receiving a shoebox as a child
          • The powerful connection between generosity and gospel impact
          • How God uses small acts of obedience in big, lasting ways
          • Encouragement to trust God with the results of our faithfulness
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            55 min
          • Ep. 42 – Anchored in Grace, Staying Spiritually Rooted Through Life’s Demands (feat. Steve Lind)
            Life often pulls us in a hundred different directions—work, family, responsibilities, and unexpected challenges. In the midst of it all, how do we stay grounded in our faith? In this episode, we sit down with Steve Lind to talk about what it means to be anchored in grace. Steve shares personal stories, biblical wisdom, and practical encouragement for remaining spiritually rooted when life feels overwhelming.
            Whether you’re walking through busyness, navigating stress, or simply longing for a deeper connection with God, this conversation will point you back to His sustaining presence and unshakable grace.
             
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          • Ep. 41 – PowerFitness and God’s Calling — Equipped for More (feat. Shawn Lind)

            Sometimes God calls us into places we never expected; roles we wouldn’t have chosen or areas where we don’t feel naturally gifted. Yet, He equips those He calls. In this episode, we sit down with Shawn Lind to explore the story behind PowerFitness, a class with a unique dual purpose: strengthening both the body and the spirit.

            Shawn shares how God led her into this ministry, what it has taught him about faith, calling, and dependence on the Lord, and the surprising ways God shows up when we step forward in obedience. This conversation is an encouragement to anyone who feels unqualified, reminding us that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.

            What you’ll hear in this episode:

            • The story behind PowerFitness and its dual purpose
            • How God equips those He calls — even in areas of weakness
            • Lessons on faith, obedience, and dependence on God
            • The role of community and encouragement in the class
            • How physical training parallels spiritual growth
            • Encouragement for anyone hesitant about stepping into God’s call
              • 36 min
            • Ep. 40 – Holding on to God in the Hard Places (feat. Abby Lind)
              In this episode, we sit down with Abby Lind to talk about what it means to trust God when life feels heavy and uncertain. Abby opens up about her journey of faith through college, the challenges of navigating friendships, and the deep grief of losing a friend to suicide. She shares how the Lord has met her in seasons of loneliness, loss, and change—and how His presence has become her anchor in the hardest places. From holding fast to Scripture to learning the gift of community, Abby’s story is a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and love. Whether you’re walking through grief, struggling with relationships, or simply needing encouragement to keep holding on, this conversation will strengthen your hope and point you back to Christ.
              What you’ll hear in this episode:
              - Abby’s story of becoming a believer and finding her place in community at Bethel
              - What trusting God has looked like for her in college and her sorority
              - How the Lord carried her through the pain of broken friendships and deep loss
              - The Scriptures and promises of God that sustained her in grief
              - Lessons on friendship, faith, and the presence of God in hard seasons
              - Encouragement for those walking through grief, loneliness, or relationship struggles
               
              Tune in and be reminded that even in the hardest seasons, God is near—and His faithfulness never fails.
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            • Ep. 39 – Called to Serve: Sharing the Gospel at Cooperstown Bible Camp (feat. Bennett Gerlach)
              In this episode, Bennett shares about his summer serving as a camp counselor at Cooperstown Bible Camp, where he spent his days teaching kids about Jesus, building relationships, and watching God work in powerful ways. He opens up about the joys and challenges of camp life, the Scriptures that encouraged him, and the moments that reminded him of God’s faithfulness. Bennett’s story is a testimony of how the Lord uses young people to make an eternal impact, and his experience will encourage you to trust God’s calling and step boldly into opportunities to serve. What would it look like for you to do something like this next summer—serving at Cooperstown Bible Camp? If you’re interested in exploring that opportunity, please check out their website to learn more. www.cooperstownbiblecamp.com
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            • Ep. 38 – Our Story of God’s Faithfulness (feat. David Nelson)

              In this episode, David recounts the moment he was called by God to put his faith and trust in Jesus as his Savior—and how that decision transformed the direction of his life. He opens up about his family, his walk with Christ over the years, and the ways God has faithfully led him step by step.

              David also shares about his growing passion for missions; how God stirred his heart for the nations, and what it has looked like to follow that call. His story is both personal and inspiring, reminding us of the importance of surrendering fully to God’s leading and trusting Him with our future.

              Whether you’re curious about missions, wrestling with your own faith journey, or looking for encouragement to keep following Jesus, David’s story will challenge and inspire you to live with greater obedience and purpose.

              57 min

            About House on Fire

            From the publisher's feed

            Ever feel like your "house is on fire?" Yeah, us too! And we want our homes to burn for Jesus, so join us as we learn together from others at Bethel Church in Fargo. Our NextGen team is excited to…