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In this powerful episode Becket Cook talks to Jason Mellard, a man whose journey from childhood trauma and same-sex attraction to healing, faith, and family will leave you deeply moved. Jason reveals how years of confusion and pain—rooted in sexual abuse and a fractured relationship with his father—ultimately inspired him to create his transformative “Four S Framework”: Separation, Sensation, Sin, and Story. This life-changing approach helps men better understand the roots of same-sex attraction and find restoration through truth, identity, and God’s grace.

As Jason recounts his father’s tragic struggle, his own path through recovery, and how he ultimately found freedom, purpose, and love through Christ, viewers are offered an authentic look at redemption in action. Today, Jason is a husband, father of three, and a coach helping men overcome shame, reconnect with God, and live lives full of purpose and possibility. His story is both heartbreaking and deeply hopeful—a testament to how God can transform even the most broken past into a radiant future.

Jason's Website: https://ownyouridentitynow.com

The Becket Cook Show Ep. 218

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Gratitude is a practice — one that requires slowing down and intentionally noticing God’s presence in both the big and small moments of life. In our nightly prayer and devotional, we reflect on the fact that while we often thank God for obvious blessings — our families, jobs, or church communities — we can easily overlook the quiet, everyday gifts that reveal His goodness just as powerfully.

Angie Grant shares how keeping a gratitude journal by her bedside has helped her cultivate awareness of God’s faithfulness. Each night, she recounts small but meaningful moments: her grandchildren’s laughter, a walk to the mailbox, or a sunset after a long day. These may seem simple, but they are reminders that God’s hand is always at work, painting beauty into the ordinary.

James 1:17 reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from God — not just the big, life-changing blessings, but also the gentle reminders of His nearness woven into our daily routines. When we pause long enough to notice, our perspective shifts. The rush slows. Our hearts quiet. We begin to see God’s fingerprints on everything.

Even in hard seasons, when reflection feels more difficult, gratitude helps us reorient our hearts. God never stops being good — even when we struggle to see it. His faithfulness is both grand and intimate, steady and personal. Slowing down to thank Him for the small, overlooked gifts keeps our hearts tender and our spirits rooted in His presence.

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“Every good and perfect gift is from above.”
— James 1:17

MAIN TAKEAWAYS

• Gratitude must be practiced with intention, not reserved for the obvious blessings.

• Every good thing — big or small — comes from God’s generous hand.

• Slowing down helps us recognize how God is actively at work in our everyday lives.

• Gratitude realigns our focus and helps us experience peace and joy in every season.

• God’s faithfulness is constant; He reveals His goodness in countless daily ways.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

• James 1:17

YOUR EVENING PRAYER

Jesus,
Thank You for all the ways You’ve been at work in my life today. Thank You for the quiet blessings — the ones I might have overlooked. Help me slow down long enough to recognize Your hand in every detail and to cherish Your goodness in both the big and small things. May gratitude fill my heart and shape my words tonight as I rest in

Is it possible to survive inside a whale for 3 days and 3 nights? Critics often claim the biblical story of Jonah is scientifically impossible, but what if there’s more to it? In this episode, William P. Cheshire, M.D., a neurologist and professor, offers a scientific analysis of the biblical story. He discusses what modern whale research reveals, whether science and faith are truly in conflict, and how we can make sense of the story of Jonah today.

READ: Has Science Swallowed the Myth of Jonah's Whale? (https://www.equip.org/articles/has-science-swallowed-the-myth-of-jonahs-whale/)

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Faith-based Christmas movies, Christian holiday films, and Karen Kingsbury’s inspirational storytelling take center stage as actress and singer Jana Kramer joins host Michael Foust to discuss The Christmas Ring — a heartfelt new film about hope, loss, and rediscovering love. Jana opens up about what drew her to this project, how her own journey through divorce and healing shaped her performance, and why faith-filled stories resonate so deeply during the holiday season.

From navigating grief onscreen to embracing new beginnings in real life, Jana shares candid reflections on motherhood, church community, and the quiet strength God provides in life’s hardest moments. This warm, emotional conversation blends Christmas comfort with real-life faith transformation.

Highlights

• Why Jana said “yes” to The Christmas Ring—and how Karen Kingsbury’s writing elevates the classic Christmas-movie formula.

• The balance of faith elements in storytelling without overwhelming the audience.

• Jana’s reflections on portraying grief, letting go, and learning to open her heart again.

• Behind-the-scenes insights on working with Kelsey Grammer and other veteran actors.

• How faith, divorce, and motherhood drew Jana deeper into church community and spiritual growth.

• Jana’s shift from touring musician to storyteller, and how acting remains her core passion.

• The message she hopes viewers take into the Christmas season: there is always hope, even in the heaviest seasons.

Resources & Mentioned Links

• The Christmas Ring – In theaters November 6

• ️ Jana Kramer Instagram

• Cross Point Church community

Join the Conversation

Where have you seen hope shine through a difficult season in your own life?
Share your story with us using #CrosswalkTalk and #LifeAudio

This episode is part 34 in a study of the gospel of Luke. Jesus talked about the Great Banquet. It will include some surprising people, while some people opt out. Jesus also talks about the cost of discipleship.

https://thebiblestudypodcast.com/luke-14-the-great-banquet/

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When tragedy strikes, adults struggle to make sense of it, but for children, the confusion and pain can feel overwhelming. In this deeply moving episode, Annie F. Downs sits down with Drs. Zach & Tim Clinton to talk about the story behind her new children’s book, Where Did TJ Go?, written after her family experienced the heartbreaking loss of her nephew, TJ. Together, they explore what it means to grieve honestly, talk to children about death and heaven, and embrace the kind of compassion that “suffers with.” Annie shares powerful insights on how to navigate the messiness of grief, the healing power of presence, and the truth that while loss changes everything, the hope of eternity changes how we see it. Whether you’re a parent, pastor, counselor, or simply someone walking through loss, this episode offers space for your sorrow and points your heart toward the unshakable hope we have in Christ.

Links: 

Visit Annie’s Website: https://www.anniefdowns.com/ 

Pick Your Copy of Where Did TJ Go?: https://wheredidtjgo.com/ 

Pick Up A Copy of One of Annie’s Other Best-Selling Books: https://www.anniefdowns.com/books/ 

Listen to her That Sounds Fun Podcast: https://www.anniefdowns.com/thatsoundsfun/ 

Listen to her Let’s Read The Gospels Podcast: https://www.anniefdowns.com/letsreadthegospels/ 

Listen to Annie’s miniBFF Podcast: https://www.anniefdowns.com/minibffpodcast/ 

Find Christ-Centered Care & Counsel Today: www.christiancareconnect.com 

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, my co-host Rev. Jessica Van Roekel joins me to explore the heart issue behind grumbling and complaining and how it reflects a lack of trust in God’s provision and plan.

Grumbling is self-focused and rooted in unmet expectations, comparison, stress, and a scarcity mindset, leading to drained joy, strained relationships, and a disconnection from God’s presence.

In contrast, lament allows us to honestly share our pain with God while trusting His sovereignty.

Together, we discuss practical ways to combat a grumbling spirit, such as focusing on blessings, practicing gratitude, and seeking accountability. By shifting our perspective from what we lack to what we have in Christ, we can experience renewed joy, peace, and a deeper dependence on God, even in life’s challenges. Join us for How God Views Grumbling and Complaining & How to Cultivate a Grateful Heart.

Quotables from the episode:

• God has the standards but I sometimes like to superimpose my standards on it and so then I struggle with perfectionism which is really driven out of insecurity and fear of rejection and I find myself getting into this grumbling cycle.
• Sometimes when I'm in that cycle and then I choose gratitude, it feels a little fake. I don't know if I'm really truly genuine. And so I'm trying to understand that when God has called me to a new thing, it's going to feel a little not real at the moment or it's not going to feel as authentic because I'm starting a new   habit.
• It's just like any time we try to establish a new habit. It takes time. It takes practice. It feels awkward at first and there are some personality types that lend themselves more quickly to grumbling and complaining and I think there are some personality types that lend themselves to always seeing the good in every situation and I want to be more like the latter than the former.
• God's heart for you is good he wants you to trust him he wants you to let the love for him flow from a heart of gratitude for what he's done.
• It is not just that grumbling reflects a lack of trust in God, but it really disdains him. And that's what really convicted me, is the fact that when I complain, I'm really disdaining God's work in my life because our circumstances flux from good to, they could be better, to I don't want to be here. Why am I here? And so when we then start complaining and grumbling against God, it really disdains the work that he's doing. There's a passage in Psalms that says that everything that touches our lives has to pass through his hands first. And when I, when I cut my hand, like a bowl like this, you know, there's, I think of God's hand being cupped. And I'm thinking, what is he actually also preventing from hitting my life? Because when we, when we cup our hands and water runs through them, there is a pool of water that stays in our hands.
• When we grumble and complain, it reminds me of when we give a gift to someone and they don't receive it with a heart of gratitude. How hurtful that can be when our heart is for them.
• Yet when we grumble and complain, it's like saying, "Yeah, that wasn't good enough, God. That's what I wanted." And who am I to tell God what to do? In fact, but we also have to give space for our heartaches too. Psalm 62:8 says to pour out your heart to God.
• To look at Lament at first glance, it could look like grumbling and complaining. It's a fine distinction. Grumbling and complaining come from a heart of, I deserve this. So, grumbling and complaining is very self -focused, but lament is approaching God honestly, sharing our pain but recognizing that he is sovereign and his will be done and it gives the essence of I don't like where I'm at but I trust that your way is best.
• Grumbling and complaining is self-driven with a heart that is not tru

Addiction shows up in many forms—substances, technology, unhealthy relationships, or habits that feel too strong to break. Science may suggest our struggles are woven into our DNA, but Scripture reminds us of a greater truth: our genetics are not our destiny.

Takeaways from this episode:

• Addiction takes many forms, but it doesn’t have to define your life.

• Science may speak of genetic tendencies, but Scripture speaks of transformation.

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us that in Christ, we are new creations.

• God’s Spirit empowers us to break cycles and build new, healthy patterns.

• Your identity is not in your past—you are free in Christ.

Don’t forget: You can also download our free devotional, “Mind, Body & Soul,” designed to help strengthen your walk with God through Scripture, prayer, and practical habits.

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Today’s Bible Verse:
"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon." — Psalm 92:12

This verse paints a picture of strength, endurance, and steady growth. Like palm trees that bend but do not break in the storm, the righteous remain rooted in God’s faithfulness. And like the mighty cedar — tall, resilient, and deeply planted — those who walk with God thrive through every season. Flourishing in God’s presence isn’t about speed or success by the world’s standards, but about growing strong and steadfast in His grace.

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Meet Today’s Host: Reverend Jessica Van Roekel

️ Listen to more daily devotionals with Jessica at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio

Rev. Jessica Van Roekel is a passionate Christian speaker, author, and worship pastor who shares how God brings beauty from brokenness. Her message centers on God’s power to rescue, restore, and renew, even after seasons of rejection or loss.

She is the author of Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything, a guide to seeing God’s purpose in life’s disappointments.

Jessica and her husband are raising a vibrant family, with two adult daughters, a college-aged son, and a high school daughter. You can explore her teachings, devotionals, and resources at WelcomeGrace.com.

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Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Lonein Lara, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Do you listen to wise advice? Meditate on Proverbs 15:31-32. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. 

For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace

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