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This might seem an unexpected topic for a Podcast from a healing ministry, but we all have to face the reality of unanswered prayer and ongoing healing needs. Andy and Cath are joined by Peter Brokaar (Ellel Exec member and leader of Ellel Scotland) to chat about how we handle these times when God does not heal us in the way we want Him to, when we want Him to! We can be left with real question marks about ourselves (have I done something wrong?) or about God (does He not care about me?). As we navigate these genuine questions we are reminded of the goodness and faithfulness of the God of Hope, even when we cannot fully understand His ways.

Time to take a little deeper look at our hearts and ponder the question “Do I live under the pressure of wrong expectations from other people or over myself?”, “Do I hold others to unreasonable expectations?”, “Could I be projecting my expectations onto God that come from my past experiences of life?”. So many deep questions… but as you listen along to Andy & Cath as they chat about this big issue, maybe the Lord will show you something to work on with Him. 

All of us go through times in our lives when we wonder where God is, is He listening, has He given up on me, and it feels more of a challenge to find the times to spend with Him. At times like this it is easy for us to hear the enemy’s whisperings – “He’s gone off you” “God isn’t real” “Watch some TV or do some work instead of reading the Bible”. On this podcast Andy & Cath take a real look at what could be some of the reasons for the dryness – simple things we can all look at and pray into, but balance it with the reality that sometimes we have to rise above our feelings and even when God doesn’t feel close, we have to trust and remember who He is and what His promises are. He will never leave us or forsake us and He is the same yesterday today and forever!

Listen along as Andy and Cath sit down with Peter and Fiona Horrobin (Founder and International Directors of Ellel Ministries) to glean some insights into their walk with the Lord over many years pioneering and leading the ministry around the world. Peter and Fi have “walked the walk” and not just “talked the talk”! In this podcast they share some of the nuggets from their own life experience that can inspire and help us as we seek to follow Him. No matter how young or old, we all have a part to play in His Body and we hope you will be encouraged and inspired as you listen alongside.

As human beings it is a reality of our lives that at some point we will wrestle with anxiety. Some of us struggle with it a lot, others just have moments or seasons. Today Andy and Cath chat about the shame and burden we can feel when we are anxious as Christians, and share their own experiences with anxiety – as well as how God is teaching them about peace and trusting Him. Listen along and be encouraged that you are not alone, but also that God doesn’t leave us where we are and He does have answers and hope!

Today’s podcast is a little different as Andy & Cath are joined by Tim and Rachel Hughes. Tim and Rachel are the Pastors of Gas Street Church (https://gasstreet.church/) in Birmingham and Tim you will know as a popular international worship leader whose songs have touched all our lives and led us into God’s presence. When Cath heard Rachel’s podcast for women (The Orchard - https://theorchardwomen.com/) and after listening to their sermons online, Andy and Cath got in touch to invite them to chat about all things “Belonging”. Listen along as they chat about why we all need to know we belong and how we can be an active part in making others know they are part of God’s family and have their own place and part to play.

If we lived in a perfect world with perfect people it would be easy to trust! Unfortunately, the reality is that we all fall short and trusting each other can be a challenge... even more so when we have been hurt in relationships and suffered betrayal of all kinds. Yet God made us for relationships and they are worth the risk factor involved. So how do we become a person who makes others feel safe, and also be a person who dares to keep reaching out and trusting? Join Andy & Cath as they chat with Lindsey Hanekom (Ellel Executive Leader) about this tricky issue and seek the Lord's heart as we navigate a real struggle in a real world. Visit our website.

'What is God’s path for my life?' 'Am I doing what God wants me to do?' 'How do I really know I am where I should be?' These are some of the very real questions that can fill our minds as we go through life trying to follow the Lord's direction. What are the dangers to missing His direction and what does the Lord really look for in the hearts of those who are walking His ways? Why not listen along as Andy and Cath chat about the reality of these questions and the insecurity that can grip our hearts in thinking maybe we are getting it wrong.

Many of us have built up our own inner self-protections to guard places of our hearts where we have been hurt or overstepped, or we feel afraid and insecure. For whatever reason those self-protections are in place, we now live a life that is controlled and restricted to avoid anyone getting under the radar and either hurting us or seeing what is really there. In this episode Andy and Cath chat about how we can let God past our internal walls and guards and into the places of hurt, fear etc, and see Him bring true healing. He gently knocks on the door of our self-protections – if we let Him - He can bring life and freedom as He becomes our new much-better protector!

We can often feel OK about our lives and who we are… until we compare ourselves to others! Comparisons are a dangerous snare because they easily make room for jealousy and envy. Discontent can be a powerful force in our lives, but what is really going on inside us that causes that longing for what others have? How do we get to that place of freedom knowing peace in simply being ME and living my life today? Join Andy and Cath as they wrestle through this issue and try to find the Lord’s heart at the centre.