Your Biggest Breakthrough

There is no limit to what God can do with a life when a person is not in it for their own credit, but fully committed to glorifying God. Nate Burkhalter has an incredible story of perseverance and resilience through adversity and learning to fully surrender his life to God.

This episode will encourage you to dig deeper and press on in your own life. You may discover some of your own limiting beliefs where you can experience your very own big breakthrough!

In this episode, you will discover:

-"No Limit Nate" explains how we limit ourselves...04:45

-Nate's "Early Life Crisis": a heart cry to God, "There has to be more!"...09:20

-Giving everything to God might be the catalyst for real change...13:00

-Adversity through college prepares him for the future...16:50

-Stay faithful and God will put you in the place you need to be...19:00

-Severe burn injury threatens Nate's life and identity...21:30

-Finding gratitude even in the midst of hardship and trials...24:20

-How God used adversity to grow Nate's faith in him. "Don't be a victim."...25:25

-Spiritual boot camp with a pastor at a small church in Houston, TX...28:00

-Advice for those struggling with porn: break the cycle of shame...30:00

-How we are being programmed by our environment, pay attention!...34:15

-American Ninja Warrior finds Nate: a journey begins!...38:05

-Nate has a breakthrough about how to present himself to secure selection on the show...40:30

-Consecutive years of American Ninja Warrior, missing wins by one spot and enduring injuries...42:00

-Leaves his engineering job, God teaches him about being ALL IN...44:35

-Nate gets called to join a Survivor style show in Latin America...47:00

-"A Yes man for God," Nate's plans for 2022...49:45

Call to action:

No Limit Nate's Instagram

To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.com

To find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.

All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.

And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

God is the great author writing the chapters of our lives. Richard and Patricia Hipps have an incredible life story full of chapters of love, adventure, missions, service, loss, grief, and finding purpose through their pain. Richard is a retired pastor, but you will still sense his pastoral care and deep love for God's sheep as he shares his personal story with honesty and vulnerability.

He has a heart that remained tender and never hardened, despite great loss and suffering in his life and he shares his big breakthrough with suppressed grief that became depression and anxiety. Be encouraged by a man who not only survived tragedy, but thrived in life all because he zoomed out and remembered who was writing His story.

The Good Story with a Good Ending.

In this episode, you'll discover:

-Richard's faith journey: a nebulous belief in God, boring sermons planting seeds, and a girl with rules...04:00

-A mother battling breast cancer and the modeling of pastoral care from her roommate's clergy...07:30

-God is good all the time, but there is no guarantee life will always be good...11:00

-Losing a young child, seasons of deep grief, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit...14:00

-Answered prayers that their pain not be wasted: Richard and Patricia offer good counsel for other grieving parents after child loss...18:50

-Man makes his plans, but God orders his steps: signing blank contracts with trust God will fill in what is needed...21:30

-A little girl's love for C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" and Aslan's promise: There will be spring again...24:30

-Angels: "you're going to get better soon and this depression will leave you."...30:00

-God is very active in this world: small grace gifts in red birds and butterflies...33:00

-The meta-narrative of God's good story: all of our little stories are part of a bigger, and good, story...37:00

-Navigating God's call on their lives in this new season of retirement...40:45

-Life challenges our theology: Richard talks about the theology of election and his new book...43:20

Call to action:

With These Words: A Pastor's Best Guesses About God's Good Story

Richard's Website

To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.com

To find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com

All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with being more visible to more people. And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

What would you do if your heard the voice of the Lord say, "Your life is not your own. You are to leave your corporate job and enter full time ministry."?

This is exactly the call Mel and Cherie Jones responded to in their lives. They upgraded their American dream for whole-hearted kingdom living. Mel and Cherie are full time staff with Athletes in Action campus ministries at the University of Minnesota. Listen in to their inspiring story of faith in action, walking in God's sovereignty, and stewarding their God-given talents and treasures.

In this episode, you'll discover:

-"Here I am Lord." Cherie's story of faith...03:10

-"The good guy." Mel's story of faith...05:30

-Living the American dream: marriage, kids, house, climbing the corporate ladder...08:50

-Mel and Cherie's call to full time ministry...11:00

-Holy burdened hearts for college students...13:30

-A full year of volunteering on campus...15:00

-"Your life is not your own." God's sovereign call on their lives...18:00

-Former salaried corporate superstars embark on a journey to raise support for full time missions...21:20

-Learning to trust the Lord on a whole new level...25:00

-Changed hearts: new desires, loss of old desires, new priorities, and higher levels of stewardship...27:00

-Learn about the current challenges college students face today and Mel and Cherie's process of discipleship...29:00

-The Invite Challenge: Come in. Come Prepared...32:30

-Mel and Cherie's perspective on what is preventing people from hearing and responding to God's call today...35:30

Call to action:

Athlete's in Action Website

To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.com

To find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com

All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with being more visible to more people. And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

Pain is inherently uncomfortable, but what happens if you or someone you love has to deal with pain every single day? People say they will pray for you, and then they run for the hills. There is a grieving process over all that is lost under such circumstances. There is also a choice: what will my attitude be? Gordon and Cherise Selley choose to praise the Lord each and every day, in the midst of extreme pain. They have discovered that pain is an instrument which is used in sharing the sufferings of Christ. Listen in for a deeply honest conversation about the challenges of chronic pain for the one suffering and those supporting and loving them. Learn to stay out of judgement and remain in curiosity with people suffering with chronic pain. If you, or someone you love, is in pain, trust the Lord and surrender. He may have a plan for your pain to reach many others.

In this episode, you'll discover:

-how to walk out practical aspects of faith through pain...06:00

-the faith journey of a young man through multiple surgeries and losing everything...07:30

-learn how Gordon and Cherise met and fell in love...11:00

-identity crises through hardship as well as through merging lives together...16:00

-how to prevent bitterness, self-pity, and resentment when things don't go as planned...19:00

-what you should do with people who are uncomfortable with the pain and suffering of others...24:00

-what can you do to reach out to someone who is in great pain?...27:30

-How to practice practical positivity and hope with the wisdom of God...34:00

-Pain is a great teacher and God redeems those times...38:00

-Gordon's huge, courageous breakthrough regarding his body, the Holy Spirit's temple...42:00

-Discipline through pain: turn pain over to the Lord in exchange for His joy...46:00

-How growing up surrounded by a parent in chronic pain impacted their two sons...49:00

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Pursue Real Hope Gordon and Cherise's book

The Gordon and Cherise Show, their podcast. https://gordonandcherise.com/podcasts/

Call to action:

To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.com

To find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.

All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.

And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

Silence is deafening, until you attune to the Lord and listen for His voice. Todd traveled to a Benedictine monastery for 10 days recently to enter into some peace and quiet as he worked on his latest book. Embracing the rituals and spiritual disciplines of the monks during his stay, he struggled, surrendered, and gained meaningful life lessons he wants to share with you in this episode. 

**Editor's note: For some inexplicable reason, we had a bit of a technical snafu about 21 minutes into the episode. You can still hear and understand us just fine, but you'll notice a slight change in our voices. As they say in the biz, "The show must go on..."

In this episode, you will discover:

-Todd spends 10 days at a monastery for silence and writing...03:00

-Sometimes the best use of your time is to sit in silence and listen...07:00

-At first, silence can be a deafening distraction...10:30

-Long walks in the woods thinking about what matters the most...12:00

-Talking with God vs. talking to God...14:00

-Communal prayers and chanting with the monks; the value of rituals...16:00

-The realization of dependency on technology; acknowledging addiction...19:00

-What do you do when there is absolutely nothing to do? ...20:00

-The spiritual discipline of solitude grows compassion for the lonely...23:00

-Circus Ringmaster turned Benedictine monk (future podcast guest!)...25:00

-Sacred space; how the architecture and structure is inspiring...29:00

-Being uncomfortable in unfamiliar circumstances is extraordinarily tough...30:30

-Monastic life is not for Todd, and that is OK!...32:00

-Think before you speak, in fact... talk less!...34:00

-Genuine humility and kindness; a culture worth duplicating at home...36:00

Call to action:

To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.com

To find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.

All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.

And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

When a young basketball player suffered a serious back injury, the medicine he was prescribed initially helped relieve physical pain from the injury, and graduated over years to numb the God size void in his heart.

Listen to this stereotype shattering account of a long-term addiction; with the classic addiction markers of isolation, self-loathing, shame, projection, and denial; transformed by the steadfast love of a woman on a mission from the Holy Spirit.

There is always hope and freedom available through surrender to the one true God. If you, or someone you know, is flirting with addiction or held captive in its grip, find hope and encouragement in Christian's testimony.

In this episode, you'll learn:

-Addiction is bondage and will hold a firm grip on your life...03:30

-A wholesome, secular youth upheld false gods of family and sports...05:30

-The big questions of life plague a young man without satisfying answers...08:30

-Euphoria. The feeling of the first painkiller initiates the grip of addiction...10:45

-Common stereotypes of an "addict" are deceptive and allow the enemy to wage war on anyone, because addiction does not discriminate...12:25

-Addiction makes many excuses...16:45

-Addiction likes to hide; isolation and alienation help keep shameful secrets safe...19:30

-I Love Lucy. There is something noticeably different about this God-fearing woman...23:30

-Encounters with a Christ-like love are perspective shifting...27:30

-The Holy Spirit speaks; a specific charge to Lucy to reach Christian...29:00

-"Do it again tomorrow" Amazing advice when God doesn't respond immediately...32:00

-Setting healthy boundaries when the addict you love causes fear; "I'll help you, but from a distance." -Lucy...35:00

-Discover the best advice for those living with and loving addicts...37:30

-The ripple effect of Christian's surrender brings many good things...41:00

-Don't allow 'good' to rob you from your best; discover, develop and deploy your God-given gifts...43:20

-Deliverance from addiction is available to all through surrender and transformation; there is hope!...47:30

Resources mentioned:

7 Days of Creation worksheet: Text "7 Days" to (727)-472-3860

Call to action:

To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.com

To find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.

All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.

And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

In today's episode, we welcome Pam Lundell, a popular personality among those who listen to KTIS radio, the local Christian radio station in the Twin Cities.

Pam was devastated when her husband passed away after a drug overdose of prescription drugs in 2005. This loss left her angry, dejected. All the emotions one would expect a woman to experience - multiplied by 1,000 and you have what Pam felt.

But to her surprise, her sharing her grief publicly on the radio allowed her to be something of an inspiration for other women in the area who were mourning the loss of their husbands, seemingly before their time to leave the earth had come.

Pam's biggest takeaway from her loss? Forgiveness. Of the person whose actions resulted in loss of life. You can hate the drugs and still love the addict.

That and much more will be shared in today's episode!

In this episode, you'll discover:

-Pam's faith breakthrough...04:05

-How God's Spirit brought comfort after the death of Pam's first husband...08:08

-How Pam's grief was used as a tool to comfort others...13:53

-Advice for those grieving a great loss...21:15

-The transition between two families blending together...25:00

-Resources Pam relies on to keep on keepin' on...29:26

-The one word that would sum up Pam's life...31:55

-And much more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 16

https://myktis.com/programs/pam-lundell

https://www.widowmight.org

Call to action:

To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.com

To find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.

All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.

And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

Attitude. It's everything, right?

It's easy to recite a platitude like that when things are going well, or perhaps when we experience the inevitable speed bump in life.

How about when everything you've invested in a person's spiritual development goes awry as they make poor choice after poor choice? There's nothing you can do about it. After all, it's not like you can live someone's life for them.

In a situation like that, "attitude is everything" is not a platitude. It's the only way one can persevere through the situation.

Our guest today, Pastor Jerry Hobbs has experienced this firsthand, and will share how the only way to find peace through an otherwise hopeless situation with a loved one was to simply release the individual - and the situation - to God and allow Him to do his great work.

In our conversation with Pastor Jerry Hobbs, you'll hear:

-Pastor Jerry's spiritual journey and some personal breakthroughs he's experienced...05:06

-How to choose to not engage with a toxic situation in the home...12:30

-Taking authority over a situation that on the surface is desperate...22:12

-Moving forward without reflecting on what could have been done about a situation...27:30

-The best piece of advice Jerry has ever received...33:18

-Fun things about Jerry and a closing prayer...34:30

Call to action:

To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.com

To find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.

All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.

And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

Email addresses on scrap paper...

Courier pigeons on wayward cargo ships...

Mutual friends from the far corners of the earth...

Must make for one heck of a love story, right?

Well, it's interesting how our Father works things out in that way. Sometimes it's the way we would least expect it.

Our guests today, James Newcomb and Sana Dorry, couldn't be more different when it comes to lifestyle, background and family history. But they'll tell you that circumstances aside, God "arranged" their meeting and through relying on Him, has molded their souls into one flesh.

In this conversation with James and Sana, you'll learn:

-How to keep love alive and thriving while miles apart (physically or politically)...04:55

-An unremarkable first meeting...10:45

-Where Americans often get it wrong when it comes to the priorities in finding a mate...18:08

-Bracing for a marriage knowing they'll be apart from the outset...26:45

-Two separate souls become one flesh by making God the center of the relationship...33:30

-Privacy is sacred in a marriage...38:15

-And much more!

To learn more about James and Sana and their adventures, visit jamesandsana.com

Call to action:

To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.com

To find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.

All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.

And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!

"Forgive and forget." That's the advice we're given as children, and as adults.

But it's never quite that easy.

We're offended by someone close to us, and we take on the mentality of the wronged victim in need of justice against the person who has wronged us. We take our case to God, the righteous judge, and tell Him to fix it, in the name of Jesus!

But is that really the way we ought to think about such matters?

Our guest today, Cheryl Witham will say the mentality just described is that of a victim. It is giving your perpetrator untoward power over your soul and is blocking your God-given right to true freedom and peace in your soul.

Work out your own salvation, good Christian. Not that of the one who wronged you. For neglecting the need to forgive - even though you might never forget - will affect your own body, mind and soul for the worse.

In this conversation with Cheryl, you'll discover:

-How Cheryl realized that forgiveness is the true solution to our pain...05:00

-Excusing vs. accusing, and how the former blocks our ability to forgive...13:15

-The boots on the ground action steps of forgiveness...19:49

-Symptoms of unresolved and unforgiven offenses (spoiler alert, you might die)...23:05

-Forgiveness is not reconciliation; it precedes reconciliation...27:30

-What happens when you know in your heart you've forgiven the perpetrator...29:45

-The #1 thing people struggle to forgive...33:05

-How our own self-image (for better or worse) affects our ability to forgive and live a joyful life...37:45

Resources mentioned:

Cheryl's book: Freedom, Forgiveness, How

To learn more about Wendie and her Visibly Fit program, visit wendiepett.com

To find out more about Todd and his coaching program for men, find him on the web at toddisberner.com.

All the links you need to subscribe to the podcast are at both our websites! And if you feel so inclined, we'd be honored if you were to leave a rating and review of our show. It definitely helps with us being more visible to more people.

And if we like it, we might just read your review on the podcast!