Unashamed and Free

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 16:34

I wish that I could say my words have always been gracious but they haven't been. My words have torn others down and shamed them in moments of my anger. Today, I discuss how the gift of apology frees you and the person receiving it.

Resources Mentioned

• Be Still Be Free: Episode #98: Be Righteous
• John 8:1-11

Want to contact me? Email me at [email protected]

In Part II of my interview with my hubby, Jon Kelly, he shares how God used prison to save him and break his pattern of running from his problems. Jon discovers how to walk out his faith while incarcerated and adjust to his new life after being released. Listen as we recount how we met and how God used our broken past to make us one.

Resources Mentioned

• Episode 3: Angela Pryor
• Between Pain and Grace: A Biblical Theology of Suffering by Andrew Schmutzer
• Naming Our Abuse: God's Pathways to Healing for Male Sexual Abuse Survivors by Andrew Schmutzer
• Desiring God by John Piper

Want to contact me? Email me at [email protected]

Meet my other half, Jon Kelly! This man is one of the greatest gifts the Lord has ever given me. You have often heard me mention him in previous podcasts and today you will hear his story. Jon shares how the shame of poverty lead him down a dangerous path of selling drugs and sexual brokenness. His choices eventually landed him in prison. Jon's story is heartbreaking but also a beautiful display of Christ's redemption.

Resources Mentioned

• Gosnell: The Trail of America's Biggest Serial Killer

Want to contact me? Email me at [email protected]

Freedom. Most of us want it but are not willing to walk the difficult road required to truly be free. Listen as I share how I recently found freedom through reuniting with my father.

Resources Mentioned

• Exodus 2:23-24
• Exodus 14:13
• Isaiah 61
• A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke
• This Is Us
• Rishi Tea Turmeric Ginger
• Millennium Park
• Good Good Father by Bethel Church (I think this is originally by Chris Tomlin but I like this version)
• Everlasting God by William Murphy
• Moving Forward by Israel Houghton
• "How to Experience the Grace of God" by Jon Kelly (A sermon on Titus 3:1-7)

Want to contact me? Email me at [email protected]

Have you ever wondered how the men in your life deal with their shame?

Today's guest, Michael Pryor, shares how witnessing his parents domestic violence and being molested created unhealthy patterns of anger and man pleasing in his life that were not dealt with until years later after becoming a Christian and getting married.

Michael Lejuan Pryor was born and raised in Chicago with summers spent in Mississippi and Tennessee. The Lord engaged and saved Michael's (Mike's) heart in 2003. This encounter prepared Mike for freedom from the bondage of shame and sin. The Lord then floored Mike by giving him a wife, Angela L. Pryor. They have been happily and humbly married for over 13 years. Mike is a father of two children and one grandchild. God saw fit to allow Mike and Angie to be apart of a team that started a church on the Westside of Chicago, Chicago West Bible Church, under the leadership of Pastor Jon Kelly. Mike has a heart for the healing of God's people, especially His shepherds.

Resources Mentioned

• Shame Interrupted by Ed Welch
• The Journal of Biblical Counseling published by Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)

Want to contact me? Email me at [email protected]

Today I interview my first guest on the podcast, Angela Pryor. Angela (Angie) was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. She has been married to her husband, Michael (Mike), for 13 years. Angie has two children, Patience and Isaiah. She is also the proud grandmother of her beautiful grandchild, MacKenzie. She attends Chicago West Bible Church with her family where she serves on staff as the Ministry Assistant. Mike and Angie also serve as leaders of the prayer team.

Angie has an incredible story of overcoming molestation, domestic violence and journeying out of the shame of abortion. Listen in as Angie shares how she has learned to walk in freedom from the shame in her life.

Resources Mentioned

• Listen to Chicago West Bible Church sermons here
• The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer
• Priscilla Shirer's Gideon Bible Study: Your Weakness. God's Strength.
• Breaking Free by Beth Moore
• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero

Want to contact me? Email me at [email protected]

I love the season of Fall because of the crisp air and the beautiful way the leaves transform. Transformation doesn't just happen with nature but it also happens inside of us. Listen as I share how God is using this season to change me.

Resources Mentioned

• How to Forgive...When You Don't Feel Like It by June Hunt
• The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Want to contact me? Email me at [email protected]

Many of us don't like to discuss our shame or how it entered our lives but today I am feeling brave. Listen as I share how shame entered my life and the redemption I found in Jesus.

Resources Mentioned

• L!VE Cafe
• The Daily Audio Bible
• Read Genesis here
• Fearless: Lessons from the Life of Gideon Sermon Series by Jon Kelly
• Priscilla Shirer's Gideon Bible Study: Your Weakness. God's Strength.
• No Longer Slaves by Bethel Music

Want to contact me? Email me at [email protected]

A preview of a new podcast about journeying out of shame into freedom.