Conflict at home?  At work?  In your faith community? 

You might be surprised at what lies at the core of most conflicts. 

Jen Fraser joins the Door to Peace podcast to share practical tools of what she has learned about psychological phenomena that occur in conflict. She is passionate to meet people where they are and bring peace and understanding to the root of the anxieties and worries during conflict. 

Jen masterfully says that “Conflict can be a way of stabilizing the system”. Jen shares her experience of conflict at a church she attended and what helped her learn where spiritual maturity fits into working through conflict with those we care about. She touches on the importance of communication, commonalities and connection. Holding space and making space for a neutral and powerful God is the ultimate pathway to moving from conflict to peace. 

Jen Fraser is a pastor at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara, Ca.  and is originally from Phoenix, AZ. Jen’s passion and care for getting to know people is palpable in her words. Jen takes a counseling framework to navigate her personal and professional worlds to empower those around her and hold space for Christ in her relationships. 

Jon Ritner advocates for a shift from some traditional Christian behaviors to living more like Jesus — connecting with people with genuine curiosity to better understand their needs and longings. 

Drawing from personal experience, Ritner discusses how to interact with those who feel alienated by the church, showing them respect and love. His radical love for people is evident in his dedication to spreading the peace of Christ.

 “Let’s take off our ‘Junior Holy Spirit’ badge!” 

"Our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee," wrote St. Augustine in his Confessions

Finding peace in the presence of God is not always easy within Christianity.   

Many have discovered that in order to experience God's love, peace and forgiveness we need to untangle ourselves from different streams of Christianity that have been more concerned about power, prestige and control. Fawn Parish speaks about her experience detangling her experiences of the church with her profound experience of Christ. Her experience fuels her passion for people to know the Peace of Christ and "knowing Jesus as He knows Himself". 

Fawn Parish is someone who loves God, and loves people. She is an author and speaker. She has a heart for people in need and is passionate about caring for those who are (re)discovering Jesus. She describes herself as a platypus. 

Fawn Parish's blog can be followed on her website: https://www.fawnparish.com

Do you want to being your day with a fresh and restored mind that will influence all that you do?

Do you want to start each day with a God-given confidence and expectation? 

In this podcast, you'll learn a simple process of beginning the day by planting "seeds" (ancient wisdom) that will set your attitude to face whatever the day may bring. 

In your work, in your relationships, in your solo time, you'll discover more satisfaction and peace as you allow these ancient truths of scripture to influence your mind and heart. 

Day by day, you can be better in every way. 

Rev. Garrett Andrew is back!  And he brought a friend and co-writer with him.

Out of passion to help those isolated during the pandemic, Linda strongly encouraged Garrett to write a book with her to help those experiencing fear, depression and anger. 

Their newly published book  "Peace Be With You: Tools and Thoughts to Guide You from Anxiety to Serenity," published in 2023,  is bringing hope and healing to many. 

Linda and Garrett have a strong passion to help people discover serenity but they come from it from two very different perspectives. 

Garrett has expertise in the "what" questions of life, or the overarching meaning and goals of people try to understand and employ.  Linda is seasoned with deep experience in the "how" questions of life, with thousands of training and counseling sessions that have helped people find transformation.

In this podcast, you'll enjoy their friendship as you discover ways to experience the peace that God has for you. 

Diagnosed in April 2011  with stage 4 breast cancer, which spread to her lymph nodes and liver.  Amy was told, "get your affairs in order."    The cancer would eventually spread to lymph nodes near her heart, lungs, skin,  bones and even to her brain.   

Thirteen years later,  Amy shares how the boundless and unmeasured love of Jesus carried her through the ups and downs on the cancer roller coaster.    As a young mom she wrote, "It seems like warfare, killing cancer, keeping toddlers alive, seeing God come thru in the big and the mundane things."  

In this podcast, Amy's life reveals the truth behind the old hymn, "O, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus," and the peace that is possible in the darkest of times. 

Knowing, hearing and acting on God's direction brings peace not only in your life but in the lives of others.   In this podcast, you'll see how it can literally save lives.

As a surfer and father, John has learned over the years to pay attention  to God's direction and to act on what he senses God calling him to do.   His experiences will inspire and encourage you.   

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge God and God will keep your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6. 

Changing lives one wave at a time,

Surfing, surf culture, the surf industry defined John Viella's life for many years.     God planted a seed in John's life at a very young age that would take John's love for surfing and use it to help kids in the foster care system to grow as individuals and discover God's love while on a surf board. 

In this podcast you'll not only hear about MTCSurf, but you'll be inspired to discover God's calling in your own life.    God will use you to become an initiator of God's peace in the lives of others.

To learn more about More Than Conquerors Surf check out their website:
More Than Conquerors Surf (mtcsurf.org)

When Larry Smith received the phone call from his daughter that his 18 year old granddaughter had died in a car accident - he felt horror.

In this intimate and meaningful podcast,   Larry Smith and Pastor Tom explore the impact and reality of grief.   You'll also hear helpful insights into how to be with others who are walking through unexpected death.

In addition to his extensive business consulting career, Larry has served  for over twenty-five years with Scholar Leaders International.   He has also been active with Fuller Seminary in both the Institute for Religion and Public Life and as a Trustee.      He presently lives in Italy with his wife, Victoria. 

If you would like to read Larry's article about experience with grief, which was published in Plough Magazine, you can find it at:  Another Grief Observed: Remembering my granddaughter Sydney by Larry A. Smith (plough.com)

Listen to this every week.  

Rev. Lorenda Barber speaks from experience when she says, "Check the record of your life.   You'll see that you have survived and that God has a plan for you and that plan is good."

If you are looking for something more, God has that for you.  If you are looking for the ability to live a better life, God has that for you.    Rev Lorenda will often pray, "God, if you don't help me, I'll fail, I'm good at that."  That simple prayer turns her eyes away from her and on to the plan and purpose God has for her.

God will do the same for you. 

Get ready to have your mind and heart stimulated to not only survive but to thrive.   God's message to you is, "It's personal.  You and me - you don't have to do this alone."