Let My Life Be A Light

Dating in today's day and age can be extremely difficult, especially as a Christian. Today, Cassidy talks with Holly Monette about her journey through singleness, dating, and how she eventually met the love of her life. Holly's story will encourage and inspire you to bring all your desires before the Lord and trust His timing and plan.

The sexual revolution changed public opinion on the meaning of marriage and sex. When this took place, Christians had to wade through new ideology and discern if more atheistic views of the human body and relationships could truly be in line with Scripture. Some Christians concluded that it's ok to separate sex from the fruitfulness of bringing about new human lives; other Christians determined that God made sexuality complex — with the elements of unity, procreation, and pleasure, instead of trying to isolate it to only derive pleasure.

Today, we're going to talk with Kayla Pomper about why she and her husband embraced that latter view — that sexuality isn't only about pleasure, but is inherently a fruitful, procreative act that can bring new lives into this world. Since getting married, Kayla and her husband Hayden have had three children. The process of growing their family has been very difficult. Kayla has suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum in every pregnancy, had an emergency C-section, and has experienced postpartum mental health challenges. Even so, Kayla and Hayden remain committed to the belief that God created sex as a procreative act — seeing this as an element made by God that deserves to be honored, instead of taking action to stop conception through medications or IUDs.

Their choice is not something all Christians have adopted, but I think Kayla's case for embracing a more holistic view of sexuality and the Theology of the Body can inspire all of us to think more deeply about our own sexual morals and philosophies. May we each examine our own beliefs and consider whether our view of marriage and sex is an ideology we believe because it is convenient and goes with the ways of our current cultural moment, or whether the views we hold actually align with eternal truth on how God made marriage and the body.

God made you uniquely and in His image. You have particular gifts, strengths, and desires that God intends to use for His eternal purposes. Today on the podcast, Cassidy talks with Victoria Johns about how Christians can engage in college and professional development in a way that magnifies God. Some Christians hold the view that all of our dreams are inherently not from God. Cassidy and Victoria present a different vision. What if some of the desires we have are not about us, but exist as a unique way to glorify God in our lives and serve people in need? We also discuss the challenges that are specific to young people — eighteen-year-old college students who may face temptations they have never before encountered as they start college. Cassidy and Victoria offer practical tips for living out your faith when you face pushback from those around you.

What is a sign that someone is a genuine Christian and that they truly do have the Holy Spirit abiding in them?

Scripture makes it clear that if a person has real faith and God is truly dwelling in them, they will be marked by the fruit of the Spirit. The book of Galatians helps us understand how to discern if a person is truly a Christian or not.

"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:19-24).

One of the fruits of the Spirit is kindness, which is part of the subject of today’s podcast episode.

I have invited my wonderful friend, Holly Monette, to join us for a conversation about healthy female friendships and the importance of kindness.

Sue Gage is a professional counselor and Christian who helps people heal from mental health challenges. In today's podcast, Cassidy talks with Sue about how people can recover from mental, emotional, and spiritual wounds. Their discussion includes examining theories in mental health that provide concrete steps people can take towards healing, such as Adverse Childhood Experiences, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Theory, Family Systems, and Internal Family Systems.