Restore The Glory Podcast

Jake and Bob sit down for an honest conversation with Hilde, a woman who would have once called herself a 'gay Catholic.' Hilde's lifelong attraction to the truth made her feel intensely divided between the Catholic faith she was raised with and a lifestyle of same-sex relationships. Then, a spontaneous trip to Medjugorje changed everything. Now, Hilde defines herself more through her identity as a daughter of God than her sexual desires. Hilde's unflinching retelling of her story is a beautiful example of how God always pursues us.

Key Quote:

Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction. - Deus Caritas Est (Benedict XVI)

Key Points:

• While wrestling with some deep questions, Hilde found a copy of 'Be Healed' on campus and ended up connecting with Bob for the first time
• Through her friendship and conversation with Bob, Hilde slowly grew trust and encountered inner healing
• Hilde shares her upbringing as the youngest in a large, orthodox Catholic family
• During a time of difficulty in her relationship with her mom, Hilde was innocently drawn into a relationship with an older woman which became sexual
• Hilde wrestled with questions of her identity and conscience while entertaining same-sex relationships, and some poor spiritual advice furthered her exploration
• In a moment of turmoil and prayer, Hilde felt drawn to go to Medjugorje and it was a transformative experience
• Hilde exhorts priests and spiritual leaders to share the truth in love about the Church's teaching, beginning with finding our identity as sons and daughters rather than focussing on our attractions
• Hilde continues her story, sharing what happened after Medjugorje and how she feels a strong new desire to become a saint, but doesn't feel called to marriage
• Each layer of healing comes with facing different shame but also experiencing deeper relationship with Jesus and new freedom

Practical Application:

1. Listen to this episode with a pen and paper in hand. What stands out to you? Make notes about key ideas that stand out to you. Reflect on why you highlighted those particular themes.

Resources:

• Be Healed, Dr Bob Schuchts (book)
• Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers (book)

Connect with Restore the Glory:

• Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast
• Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod
• Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast

Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

Audio editing by Forte Catholic

This episode, Jake and Bob sit down with AJ Benjamin, the author of "When the Son Frees You." They discuss his journey of healing that led to his writing a book. AJ discusses his childhood wounds, the pathway of his healing and how it led to a fulfilled life with his wife.

Key Quote:

"The purification of our hearts has to do with paternal or maternal images, stemming from our personal and cultural history, and influencing our relationship with God." (CCC 2779)

Key Points:

-AJ's journey of same-sex attraction.

-His insistence on not labelling people as gay or straight because in his mind labels box people in and people are more than their sexual orientation.

-A discussion of gender/sexual fluidity

-Working through wounds from childhood to find healing

Practical Application:

1. Look into the work of Desert Stream Ministries and Living Waters small groups.
2. Reflect on your own relationship with your mother and father and how it influenced your view of God and your experience your sexuality.
3. Explore one of the resources below.

Resources:

• When the Son Frees You: A Catholic Man's Journey of Healing From Same-Sex Attraction (Book by A.J. Benjamin)
• Desert Stream Living Waters
• Theology of the Body, Pope John Paull II (writings)
• Theology of the Body Institute (ministry from Christopher West)

Connect with Restore the Glory:

• Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast
• Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod
• Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast

Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

Audio editing by Forte Catholic

This week in our series on same-sex attraction, Jake and Bob speak with Andrew Comiskey, founder of Desert Stream Ministries. Desert Stream helps people of all every sexual orientation begin to heal areas of sexual brokenness. Andrew brings his humor, passion, faith and care to this conversation. Andrew desires to offer a safe space within the Church to those who are seeking integration, wholeness and healing in areas of sexuality and we hope you experience the Father's merciful heart through him in this episode.

Key Quote:

The heart is our hidden center, beyond the grasp of our reason and of others; only the Spirit of God can fathom the human heart and know it fully. - CCC 2563

Key Points:

• Andrew introduces himself and his ministry
• The common ground of sexual healing no matter your sexual orientation and/or brokenness
• Why small groups at Living Waters are made up of women and men working through a variety of brokenness toward greater integration
• Andrew expresses his desire to see the Church be known for being a place that is safe, merciful and healing
• Andrew shares his testimony of experiencing same-sex attraction and encountering evangelical Christianity in his youth which set him on a path to reconcile his desires to Christ
• Andrew and Bob discuss some formative writings on this subject, especially those of Leanne Payne - they address why she's sometimes seen as controversial
• Andrew addresses some cultural shifts that have occurred in our view of homosexuality as well as enduring truths
• Jake and Bob summarize their conversation with Andrew and offer further clarification and explanation of what was discussed

Practical Application:

1. Look into the work of Desert Stream Ministries and Living Waters small groups.
2. Reflect on your own relationship with your masculinity or femininity.
3. Explore one of the resources below.

Resources:

• Andrew Comiskey
• Desert Stream Living Waters
• Theology of the Body, Pope John Paull II (writings)
• Theology of the Body Institute (ministry from Christopher West)
• Leanne Payne
• Crisis in Masculinity, Leanne Payne (book)
• Broken Image, Leanne Payne (book)
• The Healing Presence, Leanne Payne (book)
• Restoring the Christian Soul, Leanne Payne (book)

Connect with Restore the Glory:

• Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast
• Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod
• Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast

Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

Audio editing by Forte Catholic

Jake and Bob begin a series on same-sex attraction with the desire to bring hope, clarity and understanding to this topic and the Church. Why this series? We have seen this topic impact many people who are trying to navigate this conversation well. As we move forward, we want to be sensitive and use great reverence toward the people that this directly affects, including our listeners. We believe that love and charity are essential in this discussion, as well as humility in the pursuit of truth. The depths of the human heart are holy ground.

Key Quote:

The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. - CCC 2358

Key Points:

• Jake and Bob introduce the topic, acknowledging that it is sensitive and may bring up many feelings for people
• We believe that the Church teaches infallibly what is true, and we also believe that this topic can be discussed in the Church with greater charity and humility
• Desires themselves are not inherently wrong, and disordered desires extend beyond same-sex attraction
• We define what is meant by 'psychological genesis' and why the Catechism of the Catholic Church does not attempt to explain a psychological genesis for same-sex attraction
• How to simultaneously honor the objective reality of who we are and the subjective reality of what we experience in our sexuality
• Trauma is inflicted on those who experience homosexuality when they are not treated with dignity
• Behind every disordered desire is a search for something good, for love
• Jake and Bob acknowledge the mystery and the unknown behind several dimensions of this topic

Practical Application:

1. Read and reflect on the section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding the Sixth Commandment.

Resources:

• Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 2331-2359
• Episode 41: Sexual Healing (Part 5)

Connect with Restore the Glory:

• Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast
• Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod
• Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast

Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

Audio editing by Forte Catholic

In this episode, Jake and Bob speak with Renee Lemire, a podcast listener who used Dr. Bob's book, "Be Restored" as a guide for a personal healing retreat that led to tremendous healing. Her story has aspects that are common to us all, and we pray that this gives you hope that healing in your own life is possible and doesn't need to be costly or complicated.

Key Quote:

"And they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured." - Matthew 14:36

Key Points:

• Renee shares how she went from a destructive party lifestyle in highschool to finding comfort in the Church and ultimately experiencing an encounter with Jesus at Florida State University that changed her life
• After the initial conversion of her heart, Renee experienced a feeling of disintegration that she needed healing in other areas of her life
• "Be Restored" gave Renee words to understand her wounds and what needed to be healed
• Renee shares the origin of the wounds in her identity as a daughter
• Renee recounts her experience of going on a personal retreat and using Dr. Bob's book as a guide to healing
• Renee shares insight into what she tangibly did during her retreat and how she let the Holy Spirit lead

Practical Application:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to be your guide in the healing process.
2. Consider taking time out of the year ahead to use "Be Restored" as a guide for personal healing.
3. If you can't take a day of time to conduct a personal retreat, simply read through "Be Restored" at home.

Resources:

• St. Paul's Outreach (SPO)
• Brotherhood of Hope
• Be Restored, Dr. Bob Schuchts (book)
• Episodes 57 & 58: The Healing Process, Restore the Glory
• Florida State University - Catholic Student Union

Connect with Restore the Glory:

• Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast
• Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod
• Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast

Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

Audio editing by Forte Catholic

Jake and Bob walk step-by-step through the practicals of the healing process using the Immanuel Approach. This episode is packed with practical content that you'll want to revisit again and again.

Note to listeners: there was an issue with Jake's audio in this episode and we are working to fix this for future recordings. Thanks for your patience.

Key Quote:

[In the Immanuel process], the goal of healing is connection with God - Jake

Key Points:

• The disposition of our hearts and receptivity to grace
• How self awareness helps us respect the process
• Our interpretation of events matter - do we fear our triggers or see them as God wanting to heal us?
• A complete walk-through of the steps in the healing process, based on the Immanuel Approach (see the practical application)
• We can have pre-verbal memories that are attached to wounds
• Types of barriers: vows, judgements, lack of forgiveness, unconfessed sin
• Renunciation of vows and the announcing of God's truth/ blessing

Practical Application:

1. Draw your attention to God. Recall a positive memory of connection with God or others and allow it to overflow in an expression of gratitude to Him. This is called the 'Immanuel Moment.'
2. Now, bring to mind a moment of recent distress or disconnection. What is it that you're feeling in that moment? What are you 'believing in the feelings'?
3. Ask Jesus to show you the root of the distress; don't try to figure it out yourself.
4. Identify the painful experience and corresponding belief.
5. Ask the Lord to reveal what He desires for you to know.
6. If you begin to feel 'stuck' in the process, there is likely a barrier present. Address the barrier using a corresponding technique such as renunciation.
7. Test the fruit: go back to the original memory and original distress and sense if there is peace. If difficult emotion is still present, go back and repeat the relevant steps.

Resources:

• The Immanuel Approach
• Anatomy of a Wound (Restore the Glory series)
• Be Healed, Dr. Bob Schuchts (book) and the seven signs of healing
• Be Restored, Dr. Bob Schuchts (book) and appendix with healing prayer scripts
• Be Transformed, Dr. Bob Schuchts (book)
• Healing content on the Hallow App with Dr. Bob Schuchts and Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT
• Healing the Whole Person (retreat)

Connect with Restore the Glory:

• Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast
• Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod
• Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast

Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

Audio editing by Forte Catholic

Jake and Dr. Bob get practical about the healing process and provide examples of what it looks like to allow Christ to be the Healer.

Note to listeners: there was an issue with Jake's audio in this episode and we are working to fix this for future recordings. Thanks for your patience.

Key Points:

• Examples of inner healing happen throughout Scripture
• The pattern of healing through Christ looks like this:
• Always begins with an encounter with Jesus, Him seeing the person and their true dignity
• Jesus speaks the truth with hope and love
• Jesus offers himself as a remedy
• The Raising of Lazarus is a great analogy of our woundedness and healing through Christ
• There has to be awareness and desire for healing to take place. This takes humility.
• We have to understand what what it means to be human in order to enter into healing
• Begin the process of healing by deepening self-awareness and identifying where you are currently struggling
• Let Jesus be the Healer, rather than worshiping the process
• Some insights and specific examples modeling prayer ministry as part of the healing process
• Examples of internal barriers to healing

Practical Application:

Begin your healing journey by praying about questions that Dr. Bob posed:

1. Where am I struggling in my relationships?
2. Where are the areas of habitual sin?
3. Where are the desires that are disordered in my life, even if I'm not acting on them?
4. Where am I struggling emotionally in situations?

Resources:

• Episode 55: Security, Maturity, Purity (Part 3)

Connect with Restore the Glory:

• Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast
• Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod
• Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast

Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

Editing by Forte Catholic

Jake and Dr. Bob are joined by two special guests: Fr. Burke Masters and Dr. Tom Nelson. As experts in their respective fields, the four men discuss integrated healing of the whole person: body, soul and spirit. They draw on their experience of working together at healing retreats through the JPII Healing Center and share how integrated healing has changed the way they minister. We hope this blesses you!

Key Points:

• Healing has to do with wholeness and communion - no matter what angle you're approaching healing from (body, soul, spirit), it's important to keep the whole person in mind
• Sculpting, 'Visio Divina' and the power of touch for integrated healing
• Dr. Tom and Fr. Burke's experience with leading healing retreats based on Dr. Bob's model
• Dr. Tom discovered integrated healing as a skeptic who attended a retreat from Dr. Bob
• Fr. Burke also discovered integrated healing Dr. Bob's and his book 'Be Healed'
• Dr. Tom and Fr. Burke share how practicing integrated healing has brought them joy in their fields

Practical Application:

1. Consider whether you give weight to one area of healing over the others: body, soul and spirit (mind). How could you approach your own healing or the journeys of those around you in a more integrated way?
2. Explore a new method of prayer using Visio Divina.

Resources:

• Be Healed, Dr. Bob Schuchts (book)
• Visio Divina

Connect with Restore the Glory:

• Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast
• Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod
• Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast

Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

Editing by Forte Catholic

Note to listeners: there was an issue with Jake's audio in this episode and we are working to fix this for future recordings. Thanks for listening!

Jake and Bob conclude the series on Security, Maturity, Purity, by talking about Purity. The development of this area is about much more than sexuality. Purity begins when we orient ourselves towards love by both seeing God and seeing like God. This episode challenges us to see ourselves and others more through God's eyes with the healing gaze of love.

Guiding Quote:

Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. - Matthew 5:8

Key Points:

• How the Gospel story of the Healing of the Blind Man of Bethsaida illustrates Security, Maturity and Purity
• Purity of heart means seeing God and seeing like Him.
• Seeing like God means not just seeing someone's brokenness but seeing them in their wholeness… this includes ourselves
• When we talk about purity, we need to look at the heart not just actions
• We must encounter God in his fullness through security and maturity before we can truly embrace the wholeness of God's love for us
• At the root of an addiction or impurity is an absence of love. When we invite God (love) into our impurity there can be healing. Do we trust him enough for this?
• It's inadequate to simply talk about 'right or wrong' in the Church
• An indicator of purity is the quality of relationship we offer to others: being able to admonish another and at the same time love them through a problem they have
• Impurity is any deviation from love
• The power of the healing gaze of Jesus

Practical Application:

1. Where is there addiction or impurity in my life? Where am I not living in freedom, and what does it mean to hold Jesus's hand in that area?
2. What does it look like to admonish others and be ready to love them through their struggles?

Resources:

• None this week

Connect with Restore the Glory:

• Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast
• Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod
• Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast

Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

Editing by ForteCatholic.com

Jake and Bob continue their series on Security, Maturity and Purity by looking at the difference between false maturity vs maturing into our true selves through yoking ourselves to Christ.

Guiding Quote:

The real Son of God is at your side. He is beginning to turn you into the same kind of thing as Himself. He is beginning, so to speak, to "inject" His kind of life and thought into you; beginning to turn the tin soldier into a live man. The part of you that does not like it is the part that is still tin. - CS Lewis, Mere Christianity

Key Points:

• Why Maturity comes after Security in the order of healing
• The true purpose of healing is to help us love well, rather than to make life easier
• We find ourselves when we make a gift of ourselves, and this sacrifice requires maturity
• False maturity can come from woundedness. We want to mature past the false self into our true selves.
• Jake breaks open the analogy of Jesus's yoke which helps us understand submission to Christ as a path to maturity
• Jake and Bob each share from their stories about their personal journeys to maturity

Practical Application:

1. If you haven't listened to Part 1 on Security, go back and begin with that as the foundational episode of the series.
2. Consider the analogy of the yoke. How might your frustrations in the Christian life or healing journey point toward an area of your life in need of maturity?
3. Pray for Godly mentors (or ask someone you know for wisdom and guidance) who can help you mature in areas of false maturity.

Resources:

• Security, Maturity Purity (Part 1)

Connect with Restore the Glory:

• Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast
• Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod
• Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast

Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

Editing by ForteCatholic.com