LifeAudio

Have you ever kept your feelings hidden because you thought voicing them was weakness? Or felt silenced by shame, fear, or the thought, “I shouldn’t complain”?

Friend, with God, your feelings matter. In this week’s episode, Bonnie shares her powerful story of returning to what once felt like a place of silence as a child and how it became the stage where she testified to God’s healing and love.

You’ll discover why hiding your feelings keeps your body stuck in stress, and how naming them becomes the doorway to peace, healing, and joy. Through scripture, science, and a simple soul care practice, Bonnie will help you release the weight of silence and draw closer to God.

Key Takeaways:
 Why silence isn’t strength — and how God calls you to bring your whole heart to Him
 Turning points in Bonnie’s story: how panic attacks became peace through writing her God-stories
 The science: hiding emotions raises cortisol, while naming them lowers stress and releases “peace & joy” chemicals
 Why scripture shows us that voicing feelings — like David in the Psalms or Jesus weeping — is part of true faith
 A simple writing practice to help you name your feelings, remember God’s goodness, and experience peace

 Breath Prayer:
Inhale: I will remember the deeds of the Lord
Exhale: I will remember your miracles of long ago.

 Scripture:
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” — Psalm 77:11–12

 → Early Bird LAST DAY Save $30! "Writing Your God-Story with Jesus" to heal anxiety, grow peace, and leave a legacy of faith.

 Save $30 when you register today! Register today at mysoulcareschool.com
 → Take the FREE Soul Care Quiz at soulcarequiz.com
Get your personal wellness assessment and learn which area of soul care you need most.

Connect with Bonnie:

  Join the Soul Care Newsletter:
https://thebonniegray.com/subscribe

  Watch Weekly YouTube Devotionals:
https://youtube.com/thebonniegray

  Bestselling Books by Bonnie:
https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd

 Follow Bonnie on Instagram & Facebook:
@thebonniegray

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In our busy lives, it is difficult at times to keep prayer a priority. Still, the power of prayer is not lost on our hectic schedules and prayer always serves to grant us the power we need to maintain the full lives God has blessed us with. In today’s episode, learn 3 simple strategies you can implement today to make prayer a priority.

Resources Mentions in This Podcast:
Download Christina's Free 5 Day Prayer Guide to help you put into practice the powerful habit of prayer.

Connect with Christina Paterson: https://www.belovedwomen.org

Study the Bible with Christina and Beloved Women at https://www.belovedwomen.org/join

Scriptures in the Podcast are from ESV.

Episode Image Credit: Getty/riedjal

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In this episode, we talk about the difference between earthly fathers and our perfect Heavenly Father. For some, the word “father” brings comfort and love. For others, it brings memories of absence, pain, or disappointment. But here’s the truth: God is not a reflection of the father you had—He is the Father you’ve always needed.

Scripture reminds us that He is “a father to the fatherless.” His love is gentle, patient, and without end. 

Key Takeaways:

• God is not a reflection of your earthly father, but the perfect Father.

• He is a Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5).

• His love is patient, gentle, and never-ending.

• You are not overlooked—you are chosen and held by God.

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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Learn more about HEARTBEAT- https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/heartbeat

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Every Christian parent’s worst fear is watching their child walk away from the faith. But what if the journey of the prodigal is not the end, but the battleground where God can write a powerful redemption story?

In this poignant and hope-filled episode, Catherine tackles one of the most heart-wrenching topics for families: How to battle—and hope—for prodigal children. Whether your own child has strayed, or you’re supporting a loved one through this trial, this conversation delivers comfort, clarity, and a lifeline of practical guidance.

Catherine is joined by special guest Laine Lawson Craft, a bestselling author, speaker, and spiritual warrior for parents of prodigals. Lane’s book, The Parent’s Battle Plan: Warfare Strategies to Win Back Your Prodigal is grounded in her raw, personal experience raising three prodigal teens—each with their own struggles, battles, and miraculous moments of deliverance.

Key Insights & Takeaways:

• You are NOT alone. Both Catherine and Lane share how parents of prodigals often experience deep guilt and stigma. Lane candidly recalls her initial panic and shock, but repeatedly urges, “You are not alone.”
• Trade panic for strategy. The enemy seeks to devour, but parents are not helpless. Lane and Catherine outline a “battle plan” rooted in prayer, surrender, and practical spiritual authority.
• Guilt does not belong to you. As Lane puts it, “Blaming ourselves only serves to beat ourselves up a little more over things that are not under our control. The other party participating with our children is Satan. If we need to lay blame, that is where it should go.”
• The battle is spiritual—and winnable. An eye-opening segment breaks down how parents must recognize the true enemy and begin waging war in the spirit, not in the flesh.
• The authority of a parent in prayer is unmatched. Catherine and Lane both describe the transformative power of praying the Word over your children and exercising God-given parental authority. Lane’s vivid “paintbrush” imagery (covering her children with the blood of Jesus in prayer) is a practical tool for all parents.
• Surrender is partnership, not defeat. The hardest step—actually handing our children over to the Lord—is where God’s power steps in. Lane poignantly shares, “When our children are hurting...we must surrender them to God in an altar-like place.”

This episode is packed with resources, hope, and hard-won wisdom, reminding every listener that God sees every tear and is always working—often behind the scenes—for redemption. If you’re weary or burdened on the prodigal journey, you’ll leave with renewed strength, proven battle strategies, and the knowledge that your prayers matter.

About the Guest:
Lane Lawson Craft is a bestselling author, speaker, and the creator of The Parent’s Battle Plan: Warfare Strategies to Win Back Your Prodigal. As a mother who fought—and won—the battle for her three children, Lane’s voice is trusted, authentic, and brimming with hope for families facing the heartbreak of a prodigal season.

Resource Highlight:
Download Catherine’s free Prodigal Bundle at catherinesegars.com—practical scriptures, articles, and more to help you pray powerfully and strategically over your wandering child.

 

Don’t forget to tune in for Part Two of this “best of” series, where Catherine and Lane go even deeper into setting boundaries, handling outside judgment, and finding support for your toughest seasons as a Christian parent.

SUBSCRIBE, DOWNLOAD your free prodigal resources, and share this episode with someon

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 Bonnie Curry, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. When you are brokenhearted, God is near to you. Meditate on Isaiah 57:15. 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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Sleep better and Stress Less— with Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. We hope this biblical sleep meditation, narrated by Ben Little, helps your body relax and your mind rest on the truth found in scripture. Experience peace and unity by walking together in the gospel. This sleep story shares Bible verses of joy and hope, inviting you to find strength alongside others on life's journey.

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

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A Prayer to Fill the Void

Just like a home needs a solid foundation to withstand storms, our lives need the firm foundation of Christ to endure trials and hardships.In this episode by Nicolet Bell, we’ll consider how building on Christ brings strength, hope, and community support in every season—and how to invite him to fill in the hidden voids of our lives, making us steady and secure in Him.

Reference: Matthew 7:24-27

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for being with me even under pressure. Thank You for always holding me through the worst of times. Help me to build my life on Your foundation. With You, I can get through anything. Help me to trust You at all times. In Your name, amen.

LINKS:

How to Pray God's Word For Your Children Guide

Follow Everyday Prayers @MillionPrayingMoms

Get today's devotion and prayer in written form to keep for future use! 

Support the ministry with your $5 monthly gift through Patreon.

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Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if rest isn’t a luxury—but essential to your calling? In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling talks with Travis West, author of The Sabbath Way, about how Sabbath can renew leaders from the inside out. Far from being just a “day off,” Sabbath is a way of living that restores joy, deepens trust in God, and sustains our calling in a productivity-driven culture.

 

We’ll explore why Sabbath is a quiet but powerful form of leadership, how it reshapes our relationship with time, and why it’s key to resisting burnout. Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or simply longing for a more unhurried pace with God, this conversation will inspire you to let grace set the pace.

In this episode:

• Why Sabbath is more than a day of rest
• How Sabbath restores joy, gratitude, and delight
• The dangers of “false rest” and how to avoid them
• Moving from urgency to abundance in leadership
• Practical steps to start a Sabbath rhythm this week

For more help in practicing the Sabbath, visit Travis West’s website for a free resource at https://www.travis-west.com/practices.

 

Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website. 

Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care

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Whether you’re asking “Do I drink to slow down?” or “How do I build healthier rhythms without adding more to-do lists,” this episode is practical, encouraging, and full of real-life examples that’ll give you ideas you can try this week.

We’re back with Lauren, this time digging into pace, rhythms, and how busyness intertwined with drinking and why alcohol felt like the only “off” switch

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Lauren’s personal story: the fall that stopped her in her tracks, the cascade of overwhelm that followed, and how pace contributed to her drinking.
• Why hurry is spiritually dangerous, and how hurry and sin produce the same effect: cutting us off from God, others, and our own souls.
• The subtle trap: “I drink to slow down” — why it feels helpful in the moment and why it actually fuels worse sleep, anxiety, and overwhelm.
• Practical rhythm wins: Morning prayer + journaling, needlepoint Sabbath-ish screen breaks, shifting chores off Sundays, and asking “What can I offload?”
• The myth of productivity-as-worth: why busyness can be an avoidance strategy and how to start disentangling worth from to-do lists.
• Real hope for “boredom” fears: boredom at first is normal — it’s not the same as peace — and the horizon of meaningful, non-alcoholic rest gets easier with practice.

Lauren’s other episodes:

Lauren’s Freedom From Alcohol Beginning Story 

Letting Go of Moderation As The Goal

Resources Mentioned:

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer

Join our community: https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community

Order your copy of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

Instagram: @butjesusdrankwine

We’re on YouTube too—come hang out!The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

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This guided Christian meditation on Ezekiel 36:25–27 invites you to pause, breathe, and open your heart to God’s transforming work.

Through Scripture meditation, reflection, and guided prayer, you’ll be reminded that God promises to remove our stony, stubborn hearts and give us tender, responsive ones.

This meditation connects with Step Six of the 12 Steps, which says: “We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”

Step Six is all about willingness — being ready for God to do what only He can do. Transformation doesn’t come from trying harder or following a self-improvement plan. It comes from opening ourselves to the Spirit and allowing God to change us from the inside out.

Even though God does the transforming, we still have a part to play. We participate by showing up, making space for Scripture meditation, confessing to someone trustworthy, and surrounding ourselves with people who point us to Jesus. But the heavy lifting belongs to God. He is the One who changes hearts.

Take a deep breath, and let this meditation on Ezekiel 36 remind you:

God is bigger than your sin.

Jesus is better than every substitute we chase.

And the Spirit is stronger than anything that pulls us away. 

God is ready to transform even the most hardened parts of your heart into something new and tender.

 

Helpful Links:

Download your FREE companion journal for Rooted and Grounded: Scripture Meditations for Every Step of the Journey here.
This journal includes:
• All the Scriptures for this series
• Weekly reflection prompts
• Space to record what God is revealing to you

You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik

Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Guided Scripture Meditation Journal here.

Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.

Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com.

Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

 

Meditation Scripture: Ezekiel 36:25–27 (NLT)

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols.
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.”

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