Have you ever found yourself right in the middle of a really heated argument with your partner and suddenly you realize that your heart is racing? You get that tunnel vision, and you realize you actually care way more about winning the debate than you do about actually solving the problem. 

The adrenaline is pumping, you are digging your heels in and proving that you are right just becomes the absolute center of the universe. We transition instantaneously from, you and me against this problem to just me against you. Your ego is completely steering the ship at that point. 

But what if the very act of trying to win that argument and recruiting people to help you win it, is the exact thing silently eroding the foundation of your relationship? 

It is a common and wearying frustration: the feeling of being "stuck" in a cycle of marital conflict where every disagreement feels like a trial. Many couples treat marriage as a performance or a battleground to be won, but this approach misses the fundamental, spiritual purpose of your union. 

A healthy marriage is not a stage for being right; it is designed by God to be a "safe place to grow" spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

So today we want to continue with Part II of "Marriage, Caring Enough to Listen", sharing core insights on how implementing spiritual boundaries, practicing emotional transparency, and taking personal responsibility, can fundamentally rewire the way you communicate with the people you love most. 

Download this episode.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278662/episodes/19780506-marriage-caring-enough-to-listen-part-2.mp3?download=true

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us:  [email protected]

Visit our website: Alpha 7 Ministries 

Embrace a lifestyle centered around faith with our insightful resources and support. Whether you're exploring the Word of God, seeking biblically based counseling, or want to enhance your spiritual journey, we're here for you.

🌟 Counseling and Guidance: Biblically based support for life's challenges.

📚 Books and Resources: Enrich your faith, marriage, and life.

🎵 Music and Podcast: Uplift your spirit with inspirational music, advice, and                                                  insight.

Let us aid you in your walk with the Lord and help you to do what the Lord requires of us, which is:

"To act justly and to LOVE mercy and to WALK humbly with our GOD." 

MICAH 6

If you haven't already, make a commitment today, and start Walking in the Light.
                                             
                                     To God Be the Glory!

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In the modern social landscape, there is perhaps no label more radioactive than “judgmental.” To be called judgmental today is to be branded as intolerant, narrow-minded, or unkind. It's the label that nobody seems to want.

We live in an era where “rocking the boat” is considered a social cardinal sin, and many believers find themselves paralyzed by the fear of exclusion. We worry that if we stand on our principles, we’ll be moved to the back of the room, denied the “high chairs,” or labeled as “negative.”

But here is the truth we often forget: the Christian walk is a daily lifestyle designed to embrace the principles of God’s Word. That Word is our “Life Manual,” and it doesn’t call us to a life of passive silence. It calls us to discernment. When we look through the lens of the Word, we discover a startling paradox: true judgment, practiced righteously, is not an act of hate—it is an essential act of love and spiritual survival.

 If the "Life Manual" is meant to be our guide, are we avoiding judgment to be loving, or are we avoiding it just to be comfortable? 

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: (1 Peter 4:17)

 I confess I am judgmental, and so are "You".

The question is: is your judgment righteous?

Listen as we dive deeper into Part II of "I Confess That I Am Judgmental - The Call to Righteous Judgment".

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Download this episode.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278662/episodes/19732176-i-confess-that-i-am-judgmental-part-ii-the-call-to-righteous-judgment.mp3?download=true

Be sure to get a copy of the book:

 I Confess That I Am Judgmental! - Kindle edition by Ogans, DeBorrah K. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us:  [email protected]

Visit our website: Alpha 7 Ministries 

Embrace a lifestyle centered around faith with our insightful resources and support. Whether you're exploring the Word of God, seeking biblically based counseling, or want to enhance your spiritual journey, we're here for you.

🌟 Counseling and Guidance: Biblically based support for life's challenges.

📚 Books and Resources: Enrich your faith, marriage, and life.

🎵 Music and Podcast: Uplift your spirit with inspirational music, advice, and                                                  insight.

Let us aid you in your walk with the Lord and help you to do what the Lord requires of us, which is:

"To act justly and to LOVE mercy and to WALK humbly with our GOD." 

MICAH 6

If you haven't already, make a commitment today, and start Walking in the Light.
                                             
                                     To God Be the Glory!

Be sure to Subscribe to this P...

 If you think about the unspoken social contract of modern 21st century life, there is this one rule that just kind of towers above almost all the others. It's the ultimate non-aggression pact.  We are supposed to just "live and let live".

If you want to completely destroy the atmosphere in a room, there is one specific label you can slap on someone.  You call them "judgmental". 

It immediately paints this picture of someone who is rigid, arrogant, and just fundamentally out of touch with what we consider the highest modern virtue. Which is just letting people be who they are, "you do you, I'll do me".

We are frequently bombarded with the command to "judge not," a phrase often stripped of its context and used to silence conviction, stall discernment, and flatten moral landscapes. This creates a profound paradox: while society—and even many within the Church—demands an end to judgment, we find ourselves making judgments every single day simply to survive.

 To navigate life in our modern world, we must constantly determine if a path is true, of if a choice is safe. To stop judging is, quite literally, to stop navigating. If we are to find our way through a culture that is increasingly out of control, we must move past the social fear of a label and embrace the spiritual necessity of godly discernment.

Biblical judgment is a necessary form of spiritual discernment rather than a tool for harsh condemnation. While society often views being judgmental as a negative trait, we assert that believers are called to evaluate life through scripture to navigate a chaotic world. 

Listen to this episode, “I Confess That I Am Judgmental. Then ask yourself: are you brave enough to be called "judgmental" for the sake of the Truth?

Download this episode.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278662/episodes/19704193-i-confess-that-i-am-judgmental.mp3?download=true

Be sure to get a copy of the book:

 I Confess That I Am Judgmental! - Kindle edition by Ogans, DeBorrah K. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Subscribe to this Podcast.  Never miss an episode.

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us:  [email protected]

Visit our website: Alpha 7 Ministries 

Embrace a lifestyle centered around faith with our insightful resources and support. Whether you're exploring the Word of God, seeking biblically based counseling, or want to enhance your spiritual journey, we're here for you.

🌟 Counseling and Guidance: Biblically based support for life's challenges.

📚 Books and Resources: Enrich your faith, marriage, and life.

🎵 Music and Podcast: Uplift your spirit with inspirational music, advice, and                                                  insight.

Let us aid you in your walk with the Lord and help you to do what the Lord requires of us, which is:

"To act justly and to LOVE mercy and to WALK humbly with our GOD." 

MICAH 6

If you haven't already, make a commitment today, and start Walking in the Light.
                                             
                                     To God Be the Glory!

Be sure to Subscribe to this P...

Accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior is the foundational step toward a life of spiritual maturity and purposeful growth. This is the single most important decision a person can make. 

Salvation offers immense security. However, the reality of spiritual maturity is far more demanding. While salvation is a foundational step and a precious gift that offers immense security, it is not an invitation to passivity.

Many people view the decision to accept faith as reaching a final destination, where one can finally relax and be free from struggle. 

Instead, it marks the beginning of a "rigorous commitment" to the renewing of the mind. Because the moment you make that decision, the moment you commit to living the Christian life, the environment around you shifts. You immediately become an open target for spiritual warfare. 

Divine wisdom and discernment are necessary when facing earthly challenges or spiritual warfare. 

Listen as we expound on “His Word In Your Life” 

Download this episode:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278662/episodes/19666906-his-word-in-your-life.mp3?download=true

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us:  [email protected]

Visit our website: Alpha 7 Ministries 

Embrace a lifestyle centered around faith with our insightful resources and support. Whether you're exploring the Word of God, seeking biblically based counseling, or want to enhance your spiritual journey, we're here for you.

🌟 Counseling and Guidance: Biblically based support for life's challenges.

📚 Books and Resources: Enrich your faith, marriage, and life.

🎵 Music and Podcast: Uplift your spirit with inspirational music, advice, and                                                  insight.

Let us aid you in your walk with the Lord and help you to do what the Lord requires of us, which is:

"To act justly and to LOVE mercy and to WALK humbly with our GOD." 

MICAH 6

If you haven't already, make a commitment today, and start Walking in the Light.
                                             
                                     To God Be the Glory!

Be sure to Subscribe to this P...

In this episode we discuss two essential tools needed for a successful marriage. They are: Effective Communication and Active Listening. 

Many couples today navigate a haunting paradox: they share a mortgage, a bed, and a last name, yet they live as total strangers.  

While the "Manufacturer"—our Creator—meticulously designed marriage to be the ultimate fulfilling companionship, for too many, the experience has devolved into a cycle of drudgery. Instead of a partnership that breathes life, it feels like a restrictive life sentence. 

The breakthrough begins when we audit our alignment with the Manufacturer’s blueprint.  

When God first established the marital union, He began with a being of intelligence. Adam was not a caveman.  

 Why do we settle for such dysfunction?  

 The answer is found in the way we communicate—or fail to communicate. 

Listen as we take a deep dive into “Marriage - Caring Enough To Listen: How to Fix the Communication Gap - Part I.  

 Download this episode: 

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278662/episodes/19636692-marriage-caring-enough-to-listen-how-to-fix-the-communication-gap-part-1.mp3?download=true

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us:  [email protected]

Visit our website: Alpha 7 Ministries 

Embrace a lifestyle centered around faith with our insightful resources and support. Whether you're exploring the Word of God, seeking biblically based counseling, or want to enhance your spiritual journey, we're here for you.

🌟 Counseling and Guidance: Biblically based support for life's challenges.

📚 Books and Resources: Enrich your faith, marriage, and life.

🎵 Music and Podcast: Uplift your spirit with inspirational music, advice, and                                                  insight.

Let us aid you in your walk with the Lord and help you to do what the Lord requires of us, which is:

"To act justly and to LOVE mercy and to WALK humbly with our GOD." 

MICAH 6

If you haven't already, make a commitment today, and start Walking in the Light.
                                             
                                     To God Be the Glory!

Be sure to Subscribe to this P...

When we talk about human change, like, really changing a deeply ingrained habit or a toxic behavioral pattern, we so often treat it like this simple, almost mechanical social transaction.

You make a mistake, you feel a wave of bad emotion about it, you look the person you hurt in the eye and say, you know, "I'm sorry", and boom, the slate is supposedly wiped clean.

We treat apologies like a magical eraser. We do. It's neat, it's polite, and frankly, it's highly functional for just keeping the peace in everyday society.

We have all been there: a heated argument reaches a boiling point, or we realize we’ve made a mistake that threatens our reputation, and we reflexively reach for those two magic words "I’m sorry."

In many cases, we aren't actually looking for transformation, we are looking for a pressure valve. We use an apology as a social tool to manage discomfort or end a conflict as quickly as possible.

However, there is a profound difference between a social nicety and "True Repentance".

Repentance is not a temporary pause in behavior, but a radical shift in direction. It is a fundamental repatterning of the soul. To move beyond the trap of the empty apology, we must shift our focus from outward appearances to inward, spiritual transformation.

Don’t let sorry become a sorry meaningless word. 

Listen as we discuss “The Heart of True Repentance - Beyond the Apology”.

Download this episode:

 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278662/episodes/19603222-the-heart-of-true-repentance-beyond-the-apology.mp3?download=true

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us:  [email protected]

Visit our website: Alpha 7 Ministries 

Embrace a lifestyle centered around faith with our insightful resources and support. Whether you're exploring the Word of God, seeking biblically based counseling, or want to enhance your spiritual journey, we're here for you.

🌟 Counseling and Guidance: Biblically based support for life's challenges.

📚 Books and Resources: Enrich your faith, marriage, and life.

🎵 Music and Podcast: Uplift your spirit with inspirational music, advice, and                                                  insight.

Let us aid you in your walk with the Lord and help you to do what the Lord requires of us, which is:

"To act justly and to LOVE mercy and to WALK humbly with our GOD." 

MICAH 6

If you haven't already, make a commitment today, and start Walking in the Light.
                                             
                                     To God Be the Glory!

Be sure to Subscribe to this P...

Depression is a pervasive shadow that stretches across every demographic, often triggered by the weight of trauma, prolonged stress, or the exhaustion of chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Yet, for many—especially those walking a path of faith—there remains a quiet, agonizing curiosity: Why is this happening to me? 

To understand depression is to acknowledge that we are more than just biological machines; we are "living breathing dust"—fragile, complex, and deeply interconnected. To treat the chemistry of the brain without tending to the thirst of the spirit is to apply a bandage while the soul still weeps. 

We can move toward a healing that honors both the clinical reality of our minds and the spiritual depth of our hearts. 

Listen as we share insight about Depression: Spiritual Relief and unmask the hidden roots of depression,  and the path to spiritual restoration.

Download this episode:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278662/episodes/19570976-depression-spiritual-relief.mp3?download=true

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us:  [email protected]

Visit our website: Alpha 7 Ministries 

Embrace a lifestyle centered around faith with our insightful resources and support. Whether you're exploring the Word of God, seeking biblically based counseling, or want to enhance your spiritual journey, we're here for you.

🌟 Counseling and Guidance: Biblically based support for life's challenges.

📚 Books and Resources: Enrich your faith, marriage, and life.

🎵 Music and Podcast: Uplift your spirit with inspirational music, advice, and                                                  insight.

Let us aid you in your walk with the Lord and help you to do what the Lord requires of us, which is:

"To act justly and to LOVE mercy and to WALK humbly with our GOD." 

MICAH 6

If you haven't already, make a commitment today, and start Walking in the Light.
                                             
                                     To God Be the Glory!

Be sure to Subscribe to this P...

Codependency is a phrase that gets tossed around in pop psychology constantly. You see it on social media, infographics, self-help aisles everywhere. It's a huge buzzword.  

But in this episode, we take that familiar buzzword and put it under a highly specific, very focused lens. We examine how codependency operates specifically within Christian families and faith communities. 

Codependency is a compulsive cycle of control. Those affected often use excessive busyness and people-pleasing to mask deep-seated insecurities and a lack of true intimacy with God.  

Within many of our congregations, there is a quiet but devastating "famine in the area of healthy nurturing."  We often see pews filled with high-achieving, active members who appear to be the pillars of the church, yet they are starving for genuine connection.  

Despite their constant service and outward success, these individuals frequently feel empty, unloved, and deeply insecure. Suffering from a profound low self-esteem that fuels an insatiable need for approval.  

Listen as we share how to overcome codependency, emphasizing that spiritual freedom is found by prioritizing a relationship with the Creator over the unhealthy need for human approval. 

Download this episode:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278662/episodes/19529425-codependency-within-christian-families-faith-communities.mp3?download=true

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us:  [email protected]

Visit our website: Alpha 7 Ministries 

Embrace a lifestyle centered around faith with our insightful resources and support. Whether you're exploring the Word of God, seeking biblically based counseling, or want to enhance your spiritual journey, we're here for you.

🌟 Counseling and Guidance: Biblically based support for life's challenges.

📚 Books and Resources: Enrich your faith, marriage, and life.

🎵 Music and Podcast: Uplift your spirit with inspirational music, advice, and                                                  insight.

Let us aid you in your walk with the Lord and help you to do what the Lord requires of us, which is:

"To act justly and to LOVE mercy and to WALK humbly with our GOD." 

MICAH 6

If you haven't already, make a commitment today, and start Walking in the Light.
                                             
                                     To God Be the Glory!

Be sure to Subscribe to this P...

Psalm 30 is a song of praise, celebrating divine deliverance and restoration. Central to this overview is the warning against self-reliance, specifically referencing King David’s mistake in conducting a census instead of trusting in God’s strength.   

There is a silent, creeping anxiety that drives us to count. We believe that if we can quantify our security—measuring the digits in a bank account, the reach of our influence, or the tally of our accolades—we can insulate ourselves against the unknown. We manufacture a sense of safety through these metrics, forgetting that numbers are often a thin veil over a deep-seated fear of powerlessness. 

 While human security is fragile and fleeting, God's faithfulness provides a permanent foundation for those who live by faith.  

 Listen as we explore King David’s transition from a state of deep emotional despair and physical illness to a place of exuberant joy through sincere repentance. 

Download this episode:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278662/episodes/19497929-psalm-30-beyond-the-numbers-the-blessedness-of-answered-prayer.mp3?download=true

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us:  [email protected]

Visit our website: Alpha 7 Ministries 

Embrace a lifestyle centered around faith with our insightful resources and support. Whether you're exploring the Word of God, seeking biblically based counseling, or want to enhance your spiritual journey, we're here for you.

🌟 Counseling and Guidance: Biblically based support for life's challenges.

📚 Books and Resources: Enrich your faith, marriage, and life.

🎵 Music and Podcast: Uplift your spirit with inspirational music, advice, and                                                  insight.

Let us aid you in your walk with the Lord and help you to do what the Lord requires of us, which is:

"To act justly and to LOVE mercy and to WALK humbly with our GOD." 

MICAH 6

If you haven't already, make a commitment today, and start Walking in the Light.
                                             
                                     To God Be the Glory!

Be sure to Subscribe to this P...

We are living in an era defined by swift transitions. From the halls of the White House to the pews of the Church, and across the contested borders of Israel, a sense of "much ado about something" permeates our daily lives. In this climate of political upheaval and personal unrest, many find themselves seeking words that can withstand the storm. 

Psalm 121 serves as that refuge. For those navigating the perils of life, it offers more than just comfort; it provides a strategic framework for finding peace when the world feels like a battlefield. 

 It highlights God’s role as an unwavering protector for those who worship Him. It emphasizes the deep faith and courage of King David, who maintained a profound relationship with the Lord despite the physical and spiritual battles he faced.  

 In this episode, we want to encourage you to adopt a similar audacious trust in the Divine. Listen and know that our Creator is a tireless guardian who never sleeps. He is our "shade" and "keeper" throughout all of life's transitions.  

 God is the help for all of those who praise HIM. 

Download this episode:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278662/episodes/19463621-psalm-121-god-is-the-help-for-those-who-praise-him.mp3?download=true

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us:  [email protected]

Visit our website: Alpha 7 Ministries 

Embrace a lifestyle centered around faith with our insightful resources and support. Whether you're exploring the Word of God, seeking biblically based counseling, or want to enhance your spiritual journey, we're here for you.

🌟 Counseling and Guidance: Biblically based support for life's challenges.

📚 Books and Resources: Enrich your faith, marriage, and life.

🎵 Music and Podcast: Uplift your spirit with inspirational music, advice, and                                                  insight.

Let us aid you in your walk with the Lord and help you to do what the Lord requires of us, which is:

"To act justly and to LOVE mercy and to WALK humbly with our GOD." 

MICAH 6

If you haven't already, make a commitment today, and start Walking in the Light.
                                             
                                     To God Be the Glory!

Be sure to Subscribe to this P...