Broken and Mended board member and fundraising consultant, Glenn Newton, talks about his long battle with severe back pain. Not many years after finding relief through a successful back surgery, Glenn was faced with an even more painful disease called Trigeminal Neuralgia. Glenn shares how it impacted his life, ministry, and relationship with God. Glenn's story is one of persistence and hope, even when it appears all hope is gone.

Trigger Warning: Suicide is discussed in this episode. If you need help, please call the suicide and crisis lifeline at 988 (for U.S. Residents).

Website about T.N. and why it is linked to suicide, but also why there is hope: https://arizonapain.com/trigeminal-neuralgia-suicide-disease/

Book by Glenn Newton: Conversations With God

Event page for Broken and Mended Seminar at Agape Church of Christ in St. Johns, Fl.

Broken and Mended Free Virtual Conference Registration Page

Broken and Mended Donation Page

Episode Host: David Heflin

Edited by John Shields

Produced by Broken and Mended Incorporated

In this episode, Broken and Mended Executive Director, David Heflin, shares four ways from Scripture that Jesus identifies with sinners to fulfill his promise to be with us. Even on the days we suffer the most, Jesus is with us. Sometimes our experience may confirm this, and sometimes that experience proves elusive. That's why we start with Jesus' promise (Matt. 28:20) and not our experience. Still, a greater experience of that promise is likely to follow when we commit ourselves to believing it.

Scriptures Referenced in the podcast:

Matt. 1:22-23

Matt. 28:20

John 1:1, 14

1 Pet. 3:18

Rom. 6:23

John 1:29

Matt. 3:13-16

Matt. 4:1-11

Heb. 4:15

Phil. 2:5-11

John 14:23

David also announces a virtual conference hosted by Broken and Mended on 10/18 with speakers: Dave Furman, Vaneetha Risner, Shannon Cramer, and Aren and Trina Bahadourian! More details will be announced soon.

Host; David Heflin

Editor: John Shields

Lauren Watt has dealt with devastating chronic illnesses and pain since her early teenage years. After experiencing a massive disruption in her life, she graduated from high school at the age of 23. Lauren still struggles with some chronic conditions, but her life is greatly improved. She has been helped through a therapy called "brain rewiring."

In this episode, Lauren shares her heartbreaking story, but also how God walked with her through her darkest days, and how lament helped her (and can help us) stay connected to God. Lauren shares how scripture has helped her stay rooted in God's promises and His character, and how we can continue to follow Jesus, regardless of our circumstances.

Lauren's Substack; https://laurenspen.substack.com/

Dr. Lee Warren's podcast (brain rewiring and neuroplasticity): https://www.wleewarrenmd.com/podcast/

Sermon by Tim Keller mentioned by Lauren: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulmaUtbayGY&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD

Books recommended by Lauren: https://www.amazon.com/Hope-When-Hurts-reflections-suffering/dp/1784980730

https://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Gospel-Devotional-Connecting-Scripture/dp/1433593483

Host: David Heflin

Producer: Andres Ruiz

Editor: John Shields

Rachel Lundy has lived with various chronic medical conditions--all under the umbrella term, dysautonomia--since she was a teenager, robbing her of a normal teenage life and a promising athletic career as a swimmer. Rachel began her website and blog in 2007. Today, it is a hopeful collection of blog posts, book recommendations, and other resources for people with chronic health conditions.

Rachel is now a wife and mother of four. She still struggles immensely with chronic illnesses, chronic fatigue, and disability. Yet, her story and witness to God's faithfulness in her struggles are very inspirational and encouraging to our own painful journeys.

Rachel has written two books (Hope For The Hard Days and Chronic Illness and Friendship), both of which have free PDF versions available here: https://www.cranberryteatime.com/p/books.html.

Paperback and Kindle versions of Hope For the Hard Days can be found on Amazon.

Rachel's two favorite books: When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty: Tada, Joni Eareckson, Estes, Steve: 9780310238355: Amazon.com: Books

Heaven by Randy Alcorn

Also mentioned by Rachel: Together Through the Storms: Sarah Walton, Jeff Walton: 9781784984724: Amazon.com: Books

Rachel is also a regular Diamonds Conference speaker.

Host: David Heflin

Editor: John Shields

Dr. Timothy Gunnells, professor, preacher, and president of Broken and Mended Incorporated, shares from his struggles with the changes and stresses brought on by chronic illness in his Diamonds Conference 2025 talk.

Diamond's Conference all-access pass to the 2025 Diamonds Conference and other past events can be purchased here: https://diamondsconference.org/past-events.

Past blog post from Tim: https://brokenandmended.org/traveling-together-on-the-path-of-chronic-illness-by-timothy-gunnells/

Past podcast interview with Tim: https://brokenandmended.org/episode/chronic-pain-career-and-family-life-a-conversation-with-timothy-gunnells/

Intro: David Heflin

Editor: John Shields

Professor, counselor, and author Nate Brooks shares about his new book, Disrupted Journey: Walking With Your Loved One Through Chronic Pain and Illness..

Nate shares what he has discovered on his journey in supporting his wife, Kate, through her chronic health conditions. We cover the importance of faithful lament, finding ways to still have fun together as families, creating an atmosphere of accountability and confession, rebuilding a more meaningful community that you lost, and more!

Links mentioned in the show:

Nate's faculty page: Nate Brooks - Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Nate's two blog posts that led to him writing the book: https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2022/11/21/when-your-spouse-suffers-from-chronic-pain-or-illness-part-one/

https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2022/11/23/when-your-spouse-suffers-from-chronic-pain-or-illness-part-two/

I'm Exhausted by David Powlison

Emily Maurits page for "Watchers" (those supporting loved ones through chronic health problems).

Emily Maurits Interview on In The Seams

Interview with two husbands of spouses living with chronic pain and illness

Nate and Kate's website

Counseling Website

1 John 1:8-9 NIV - If we claim to be without sin, we - Bible Gateway

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video) on Vimeo

Host: David Heflin, Producer: Andres Ruiz, Editor: John Shield

This is the talk David gave for the Diamonds Conference on 1/24/25. How do you have joy in the midst of pain? Is happiness the same thing as biblical joy? How has the prosperity gospel harmed our ability to experience joy? How can Tolkien's vision of fellowship help us find courage and experience joy? David tackles these questions and more in this session. Here's the link for the all-access pass to listen to all the sessions from the conference: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/diamonds-2025-courage-in-chronic-illness-tickets-1217186089359?aff=oddtdtcreator

Edited by John Shields

In our final episode of 2024, we review the interviews and themes from all the episodes of 2024. Some of the dominant themes that emerge throughout all the conversations: embracing weakness as knowing the power of God, the overlap between chronic illness and mental illness, the need for the church to re-imagine its theology of suffering, practical resources for addressing chronic conditions (mental or physical), and God raising up people to help people who are hurting. Please see previous episode show notes to find links or resource mentioned.

I did say I would like to Let's Start Talking (a missions ministry I was involved in) and Terry Powell's recent post about dealing with depression that was recently published on our website.

Donate to Broken and Mended

Scripture discussed in the episode: 2 Cor. 12:1-10

Diamond's Conference registrations 2025

We will see you in 2025 with more interviews and episodes! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! (And please subscribe/follow and review!)

Mandy comes on In The Seams and shares her story of battling chronic pain for the past 13 years and how God has used her as an author to help others on this journey. Her children's book Soft Hugs For Mommy and her upcoming devotional book take unique approaches to help parents talk to their children about their chronic health issues and using music in a unique way to help us focus on God in the midst of our pain.

Scriptures referenced: Ps. 119, 2 Cor. 12:6-10

Blessings By Laura Story(on stage with Joni Eareckson Tada)

www.mandyandmichele.com - Women's health, my journey with pain, book reviews, devotions, and more www.mandyfarmer.com - S.O.F.T. H.U.G.S. - Tips and resources for the chronically ill, plus updates on new books coming.

Soft Hugs For Mommy www.softhugsformommy.com

Holly the Holstein Talks About Milk Cows. Holly has a farm club online at www.thefarmersplace.com. Sign up for free downloadable coloring pages, farm jokes, and more.

There is farm swag available on Mandy's Etsy account. (puzzles, shirts, cups, etc) https://legacygiftscreations.etsy.com

Amber has a multi-faceted ministry to help people with their mental health struggles as well as people living with chronic health conditions. Her website is here. Check out her resources and dance ministry (Light in the Darkness).

In this conversation Amber shares her own painful struggle with mental and physical challenges and how God uses her pain to touch the lives of other struggling people. We also talk about how the church and Christians can be more helpful, instead of harmful, in serving those with mental illnesses. Amber also shares about her struggle with endometriosis.

Other resources mentioned in the podcast:

Mental Health Education & Certification resources: AACC

Mental Health First Aid USA

National Council For Mental Wellbeing

BCCTR-IBCC

Book Amber discussed: I Love Jesus But I Want to Die

Diamonds Conference

Host: David Heflin, Producer: Andres Ruiz, Editor: John Shields