Sifting Life

What if one of the greatest gaps in modern Christianity isn't our faith, but our discipleship?

In this episode, Jacquie and I sit down to unpack my recent experience at Hope of the Generations Ministries in Georgia and explore a conversation we believe the Church desperately needs to be having.

We have taught Christians how to attend church, read Scripture, pray, and believe.

But have we truly discipled believers to understand spiritual warfare and how to stand firm against the enemy?

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Yet how many believers have actually been equipped to understand what that means in everyday life?

How do we recognize the enemy's schemes?

How do fear, rejection, unforgiveness, accusation, and deception influence the way we think, respond, and live?

And how do we put on the full armour of God and stand firm in the authority of Jesus Christ?

Together, we explore what I experienced in Georgia, what challenged my understanding, and why we believe biblical discipleship must go deeper than simply knowing about God.

We cannot expect Christians to recognize and stand firm in spiritual battles if we have never equipped them to understand what Scripture teaches about those battles.

Spiritual warfare isn't about living in fear of the enemy. It's about knowing who we are in Christ, understanding His Word, and learning to walk in the freedom He has made possible.

Join Jacquie and me for a thought-provoking conversation about faith, spiritual warfare, discipleship, and the importance of equipping the Body of Christ.

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In this episode, Jacquie Godana and Dr. Jen Hewson dive into Fr. Josiah Trenham's powerful lecture series from Patristic Nectar, exploring the Orthodox Christian vision of the Church not as a courthouse but as a hospital - a place where broken and wounded souls come not to be condemned, but to be healed.

What We Cover:The root of all sin - How self-love (philautia) sits at the foundation of every passion, giving rise to anger, gluttony, despondency, avarice, and prideSin as sickness - Why the Fathers reframe sin in therapeutic rather than purely legal terms, and what that means for how we approach repentanceThe six spiritual pathologies - A walk through each passion, what it looks like in our daily lives, and the remedies the Church prescribes

The Parable of the Good Samaritan - How this beloved parable serves as a blueprint for the healing mission of the Church: seeing the wounded, drawing near, pouring in the oil and wine, and entrusting them to the inn for ongoing care

The Philokalia's treatment plan - Ancient wisdom on overcoming each passion: self-control, spiritual joy, compassion for the poor, love for all men, and humilityConsidering yourself the least - The scriptural foundation for humility as the cure for pride, drawing on Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 15:9 and Ephesians 3:8

Key Takeaway:The Church offers us not condemnation but a cure. Like the Good Samaritan, she meets us on the road, tends our wounds, and walks with us toward wholeness. Every sacrament, every fast, every prayer is medicine for the soul. The question is whether we are willing to be patients.

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In this profound episode, Jackie shares her remarkable experience completing a 40-day fast followed by a 21-day water fast. We dive into how fasting can silence the body’s cravings and amplify spiritual clarity. Together, we explore the power of fasting to connect deeply with spirit, helping us quiet the desires of the flesh and hear the soul’s true message. Get ready for a powerful reflection on fasting’s transformative potential!

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In this episode, we open up about the vital role of true discipleship within church communities. We reflect on the hunger of new believers, who, like newborns seek to be nurtured in faith. We dive deep into how churches can truly welcome and guide them.

We also reflect on weary church leaders who need renewal. Our Sifting Life ministries seek to dismantle gatekeeping, reorganize leadership by developing intergenerational models and offer deliverance to all, therefore restoring these leaders—so they can rebuild on Christ’s principles and shepherd with strength and grace. 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations' (Matthew 28:19).'

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In this episode, we have an honest and grounded conversation about deliverance—what it truly is, what it isn’t, and why it remains relevant for believers today.We explore the concept of altars, not only in a biblical sense, but in how they show up in modern life through repeated patterns, agreements, habits, and unexamined loyalties. Some altars are built intentionally. Others form quietly over time through fear, success, trauma, or survival.We also unpack idols—not as obvious false gods, but as anything that subtly takes priority over God: control, performance, approval, comfort, over-achieving, or even good things that become ultimate things.This episode isn’t about fear, condemnation, or extremes.It’s about awareness, humility, repentance, and freedom.If you’ve noticed cycles that keep repeating, resistance in certain areas of your life, or a sense that breakthrough feels close but never quite lands, this conversation offers clarity and invitation—not pressure.Deliverance begins with truth.Freedom begins with surrender.Alignment begins when the heart turns fully back to God.

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In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with Heather Obrien, host of the Heal With God podcast, for an honest and sacred conversation about what it truly means to heal God’s way.Heather is a prophetic healing coach, minister, author, and speaker who helps Christians heal by learning to hear God’s voice and partner with Him in the process of restoration. Her work is gentle, grounded, and profoundly led by the Holy Spirit—and in this episode, you’ll feel that from the very first moment.During our conversation, Heather lovingly guided me through layers the Lord had been inviting me to surrender: the idolization of over-achieving subtle pride hidden in “doing for God” instead of being with God deep-rooted fears of being seen, known, and fully yieldedThrough prophetic insight and deliverance ministry, Heather created a space that was safe, reverent, and deeply transformative. There was no striving—only truth, compassion, and God’s presence doing the real work.This episode is for anyone who:Feels exhausted from performing instead of resting in GodKnows healing is needed but doesn’t want another formulaDesires freedom without shameIs ready to let God lead the healing, not control it themselvesThis is not about self-improvement.This is about surrender.This is about healing that flows from intimacy with God.If you’ve been sensing the Lord inviting you to lay something down—your image, your outcomes, your need to be in control—this conversation may be the confirmation your spirit has been waiting for. Healing doesn’t come from trying harder. It comes from yielding deeper.

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In this episode of Sifting Life, we dive deep into the timeless teachings of Jesus and how He confronted the Pharisees of His day—challenging the systems of hypocrisy and empty ritual that had led people astray. Today, we see echoes of that same story: a revival of faith rising as people grow weary of modern systems of deception, greed, and gluttony.Join us for a heartfelt discussion about how this revival is unfolding. We'll talk about the deep hunger for truth, the turning away from empty promises, and the quest to rediscover genuine spiritual integrity in a world often clouded by material excess.Tune in and let’s sift through these layers together.

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 Thank you so much for joining us at Sifting Life. We hope that today's conversation brings you a bit of inspiration and a sense of community as we each continue sifting through our own lives. Let's remember to keep faith at the center and trust that God is guiding us in what we hold onto and what we must let go of.

If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to subscribe and join us again. Feel free to share your own sifting stories with us. We're always here to listen and grow together. Until next time, may you be blessed and may your heart be full of peace.

Want to connect with us?

Send us an email: [email protected]