Unashamed and Free

Many Christian women, including leaders, have had an abortion. Some before they met Christ, while others had theirs after becoming a believer. The shame of having an abortion can quietly eat away at our intimacy with the Lord and others. Francheska and I have an honest conversation about her abortion and the journey of healing the Lord took her through. She captured this journey in her vulnerable book, Be Loved, Beloved.

Francheska Bezares grew up in Humboldt Park and has lived in Chicago all her life. She is a former CPS educator and community activist. Now a single mother to two sweet girls, the author of Be Loved, Beloved. She is a photographer and designer for JORIE.CO, and an aspiring entrepreneur. Jesus pursued Francheska at 15 years old, was saved shortly after, and has been following Him imperfectly but faithfully ever since.

Get connected with Francheska:

Website: https://www.francheskasoffering.com/

Instagram: francheska.bezares

YouTube: ‪@FrancheskasOffering‬

Email: [email protected]

Resources mentioned:

My Husband's Abortion Story

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A brief reflection for the final days of 2025.

FREE DEVOTIONAL: Jesus, Do You Care? 3 Ways to Locate Jesus in Your Storm

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It is easy to bless the Lord when life feels great, but what happens when life feels heavy? Do you stop praising God in your valley? It is tempting to withhold our praise in the valley because of doubt or anger. Leaning into praise may feel strenuous, but Psalm 103 offers a beautiful template to guide our hearts to praise regardless of our circumstances.

Listen to Danielle Kelly's audio devotional, Bless His Holy Name, to help you praise God no matter the trial you are facing.

Resource Mentioned:

• Psalm 103

• Daily Audio Bible

FREE DEVOTIONAL: Jesus, Do You Care? 3 Ways to Locate Jesus in Your Storm

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Visit me at https://www.unashamedandfree.com/

Who or what are you wrestling with today? Are you wrestling with an insecurity or a sin struggle? Are you wrestling with a relational conflict or a challenge at work?

We may think our struggle is one thing, but something else is the source. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that our wrestle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.

Listen to Danielle Kelly's audio devotional, The Wrestle, to learn the true source of your struggle and how you can prepare to fight against it.

FREE DEVOTIONAL: Jesus, Do You Care? 3 Ways to Locate Jesus in Your Storm

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Visit me at https://www.unashamedandfree.com/

When hunger strikes, where do you turn? Do you grab a nutritious meal or a sugary snack? Do you recognize your hunger as safe? In John 6:35, Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again."

Oftentimes, we seek to fulfill our spiritual hunger in illegitimate ways. Listen to Danielle Kelly's audio devotional, A Safe Hunger, to learn how to let Jesus satisfy your deepest hunger.

Reflection Questions:

Resources Mentioned:

• Hunger by CeCe Winans

FREE DEVOTIONAL: Jesus, Do You Care? 3 Ways to Locate Jesus in Your Storm

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Visit me at https://www.unashamedandfree.com/

October is Pastor Appreciation Month but many congregations are unaware of this special time to honor and encourage our pastors. Listen in as I share three inspiring principles from the life of Moses for pastors.

Resources Mentioned:

FREE DEVOTIONAL: Jesus, Do You Care? 3 Ways to Locate Jesus in Your Storm

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Visit me at https://www.unashamedandfree.com/

Anne Polencheck is the Executive Director of New Name NFP, a ministry founded in 2009 that reaches out to women sexually exploited and trafficked in the Chicagoland area. Anne has served with New Name since the beginning and has been leading the ministry since 2010. Anne has a bachelor of science in Electrical Engineering and worked as a software engineer for over 20 years. In 2013, she left her corporate job to stay home with her youngest daughter, allowing her more time to serve with New Name. Anne has a heart for women to know how much Jesus loves them, right where they are at, and that they have great worth and value.

In this episode, Anne shares her personal story of overcoming alcohol abuse and an eating disorder. Anne received a new mind and a renewed heart through the power of Christ and His love. She shares what sparked her passion to walk with women who are sexually exploited and trafficked. Anne provides insight into how women enter trafficking, the signs of trafficking, the process of healing, and practical tips for individuals and churches who desire to love women in the sex industry.

Connect with Anne:

• New Name

• Bridal Boutique by New Name

Resources Mentioned:

• Terrify No More: Young Girls Held Captive and the Daring Undercover Operation to Win Their Freedom by Gary A. Haugen

• National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888

• Unlocking the Wounded Heart by Priscilla Lack

• Escaping the Devil's Bedroom by Dawn Herzog Jewell

• International Justice Mission

• Scars & Stilettos by Harmony Dust

This Week's Belt of Truth: "The base of the cross is flat. Anyone can come to Jesus. The gift is free and is not based on you. The only thing based on you is to accept the free gift right where you are at. There is nothing you have to do in this moment differently.

He does not make mistakes. God created you in His image. I care what's happened to you. I am sad about the suffering that you've been through, but that does not define who you are. Know that Jesus bore all of that on the cross.

We can't understand this because we're human. But when He died on the cross, He died for every situation that you've been in, every torture, every abuse you've had to endure. He knows exactly what you are feeling and how it's affecting you. He knows the path out of darkness, and that is the truth."- Anne Polencheck

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Megan Bloedel is a Christian writer and podcaster currently living in Wisconsin with her husband. She graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a Ministry to Women and Bible degree. Megan enjoys writing and speaking about mental health and faith. She co-hosts her podcast, Let's Talk About It, with her friend Jacque Anderson. The heart of the podcast is to talk freely about messy, "awkward," hard, or controversial topics to shine light in areas of darkness and find healing. The podcast also hopes to promote godly and fruitful discussion & disagreement.

In this episode, Megan speaks candidly about her struggle with anxiety and sexual shame and how it impacted her faith and relationship with others. She talks about the Lord used the potential of a called-off engagement and therapy to help break her free from areas of bondage. God's hand is evident throughout Megan's journey as you listen in.

Connect with Megan:

• Megan's Instagram

• Megan's Blog

• Let's Talk About It Podcast

• Let's Talk About it YouTube

Resources Mentioned:

• The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast with Adam Young

• Eve's Revenge: Women and a Spirituality of the Body by Lilian Calles Barger

This Week's Belt of Truth: "So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

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Aasha Marie is a Christian Hip hop artist curating clean content for the culture based in the city of Chicago. From Englewood, she focuses on physical and spiritual transformation by using her musical gifts of song, poetry, rap and rhyme to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her heart is for evangelism and discipleship within the local church and she is committed to using her gifts to serve the body of Christ. She is currently promoting her album entitled WYWS (While You Were Sleeping) and her upcoming gospel EP.

In this episode, Aasha invites us into her healing journey from the pain of molestation and her parent's divorce. She discusses how these experiences impacted her relationship with God. Aasha's story is one of hardship but one of redemption.

Listen in as Aasha shares how she went from practicing empty religion to using her gifts to create for God's glory.

Connect with Aasha:

• Aasha's Website
• Listen to Aasha's Music
• Instagram
• Watch Aasha on YouTube

Resources Mentioned

• Check out Aasha's latest single, For Everything
• Aasha's video that inspired me to return to podcasting
• WWYS Mini Documentary on Aasha Marie
• Punch and The Bee
• Water to Wine Song
• Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua by Barb Roose
• Morning and Evening Daily Devotional by Charles Spurgeon

This Week's Belt of Truth: "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 Want to contact me?

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6 Reasons Why We Don't Finish

1. We focus more on our doubt or our lack of skill instead of the God who called us. (Check out Moses in Exodus 3)
2. We diminish the task and think it is beneath us. (Check out the life of David. Start in I Samuel 16 and read Psalm 78:72.)
3. We are too busy comparing or competing with others.
4. We are afraid of people or desire their approval instead of God's approval.
5. We lack discipline or we are lazy.
6. We are trying to be perfect. (Check out Hebrews 12:2 and Galatians 3:3)

6 Ways We Can Move Forward

1. Identify one task God has given you that you have neglected. Identify the reason why you have not finished.
2. Spend time in confession and repentance.
3. Ask God for help to complete the task and for His strength to empower you.
4. Make a plan to obey. What is one small step you can make today?
5. Get a scripture to hold onto for encouragement and to help renew your mind.
6. Share your plan with someone who will help you walk in obedience and keep you accountable.

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