Mental Health

Dawan confesses that she is a recovering perfectionist. She spent her life trying to present an image of a perfect person. Until the day before her college graduation, she was exposed.

Dawan Hill

What Are You Hiding

There is a way to reframe our idea of stress, we can actually use it for fueling. 2009 was the most stressful year for CB, his world seemed to be crumbling down, and he was at his limit for stress. He got stuck in the “what ifs” and anxious for the next worse thing to happen. 

CB Barthlow

Pastor

Stress For Strength

Brittni took an online job right after giving birth to her daughter. With the stressful combination of a new baby and a job, Brittni developed chronic anxiety and panic attacks. She kept trying to pray the anxiety away, but nothing helped.  

Brittni De La Mora

Storms and Breakthroughs

You're stressing because you are not resting. Brian confesses that he got caught up trying to build a perfect life, marriage, kids, and house and burned out. 

Brian Bullock

Pastor | Author

You Need to Rest

Brian remembers how his father would take his gaming system and sell it for drugs. His father abused drugs which led to much pain and frustration for Brian

Recovery & Reflection

Do you like the grind? Brian says he was on “team no sleep?” Going going going can lead to burnout. It's not healthy and sustainable. Our culture seems to praise the power of hustle. Brian confesses that it left him with a callous heart.

Stop & Rest

Going Deeper

DaWan teaches that Jewish tradition records that Leah and Rachel were probably twins, yet Leah had been hated by her father, husband, and sister all because the Bible says she had a “weak eye.” 

See What He Has For You

While Brittni was high on crystal meth drugs, she tried to commit suicide by cutting her wrists with scissors after she witnessed her boyfriend being stabbed to death in front of her. And yet, God is still near.


Darkness and His Nearness

Rashawn Copeland pulled up to a hardware store and the scene broke his heart. Join him as he shares an emotional story of healing and restoration: an example for all of us that we don’t have to wait for permission to help others.

Rashawn Copeland

Author | Former Hype Man for Soulja Boy

You Already Have Permission to Love People

So many times we can focus on the bad and the negative in our lives that we miss the good that’s going on. That was made clear to Kevin at a store in the mall. He explains why we need to shift our perspective, and what it does for us when we do.

Kevin Gerald

Pastor | Communicator

Finding the Good

Gabrielle knows what it’s like to have unmet expectations. It happens in life, in our work, and in our relationships. She explains a key lesson she learned, and tells a funny story to illustrate it.

Gabrielle Bosché

TEDx presenter | Bestselling author | Co-Founder of The Purpose Company

The Weight of Unmet Expectations

On live TV, Kirsten had one of the most embarrassing things happen to her. Through her experience, she reminds us not take ourselves too seriously. It's actually a concept found in scripture. She explains.

Kirsten Haglund

Communications Consultant | Digital Media Strategist

Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

Grief and Loss

Why has God not answered all of our prayers?  DeWan’s aunt was stricken with Multiple sclerosis. Her family did all of the things that the Bible tells us to do believing that she would be healed, yet she suffered for many years until she died.


Even When We Can't See

Brittni watched her boyfriend die during a gang assassination. The authorities placed her in the hotel while they searched for the murderers.

Healing in the Hurt

Facing the pain of infertility, Brian isolated. He shared this with his pastor, who showed him empathy because he and his wife had also faced infertility. Sometimes a leader wants to show they are Superman and not Clark Kent.



Vulnerability

In the middle of the pandemic, unexplainable loss happened to Kirsten and her family. She offers real encouragement for anyone who may be asking God the question, “Why?”

When You Don't Have An Answer (duplicate)

We’ve all been disappointed. Failed jobs, failed marriages, failed businesses. So what do we do when that happens? What can actually bring comfort in those moments? Dan Lian revisits a story from the Bible that can give you hope.

Dan Lian

Pastor | Speaker

When You're Disappointed

When Jon found himself in a hospital room in the middle of COVID watching his step-dad pass away, he expected his anxiety to flare up. But it didn’t. For him, it gave new meaning to a popular verse, and it gives hope for all of us.

Jon Seidl

Speaker | Author

An Unexaplainable Peace

Addiction and Struggles

For seven years Brittni acted in porn films. One day she felt prompted to bring her Bible to read on her way to film a porn scene. She started reading in the Book of Revelation about Jezebel who led people into immorality, and she realized that she was doing the same thing.

Faith in Doubt

Brittni used heroin and crystal meth and cocaine and all kinds of different pills to deal with the pain of being in porn.  So when she quit, Brittni was afraid of going through withdrawal. Then the Lord gave her a little seed of hope that she was not going to get sick if she flushed all her drugs down the toilet. 

No Seriously There Is Sensitive Content

His mother was a model of resilence.  When her husband died in an accident she relapse into addiction but found redemption in a rehab center. 

Andrew F Carter

Pastor | Content Creator

Resiliency After the Fall

Andrew used to have one speed, grind mode. He brought that same attitude with him when he entered into ministry and shortly after he found himself burned out.

Shortcomings of The Grind

Andrew comes from a long line of drug dealers and hustlers. He felt it was a cycle impossible to break free from.

Addiction For Good

Gabrielle struggled for years to make sense of her dad’s alcoholism. It led her to put up walls to keep from getting hurt. That’s when she sensed God asking her an important question that changed all of her relationships. 

When Your Loved One Hurts You

Motivation

CB remembers the first time he got an opportunity to preach in front of a large crowd, he thought he was going to be Crown Jewel from drug addict to megachurch pastor.  All eyes were on CB. Then it happened and he felt so empty. 

The Pursuit of Emptiness

When Brian and his wife decided it was time to have children, they were disappointed with their apparent infertility and began questioning God. Until Brian decided to sing.


See Darkness Speak Light

Son of a pimp and prostitute. Born addicted to drugs, homeless most of his childhood. Andrew chose not to allow it to define him.

More Consistency

Andrew grew up in foster care. Some would looked at as a disadvantage, but it actually produced a heart of discipline and incredible results.

The Power of Discipline and Consistency

Life's troubles and problems can be framed by knowing that God has an eternal inheritance waiting for us. 

Emily Vogeltanz

Communicator

Eternal Inheritance

Conflict

DeWan shares a story about her fear of water and passing a swimming class to graduate college. She explains how she does not like being in water, but would not allow this course keep her from completing her college degree.



Persevere in Faith

CB confesses that he gets into the most trouble when he feels the need to get the last word. When this happens, he practices typing out what he wants to say and then deletes it. He has found that backspacing that email has served me far better than trying to get the last word.

Power of the Backspace

Brittni’s mother said she wished was never born.  Her entire youth was seeking acceptance until one day, she stumbled into a strip club drunk and was cheered when she jumped on stage and started dancing.  Some producers recruited her to become a porn star by promising her fame.

Tipping Point

Brian tells a story about how his friend’s dad gave him a hat. When he went to school, some bullies took his hat. When he returned home without his hat, his dad asked him what happened. He told him to stay home. Later he came back with his son’s hat and hats from every kid in the neighborhood.


Fearless

Brian felt ignored and left out as a middle child, so one day, he jumped over the back fence and ran away from home. He didn’t know where to go; he simply hoped someone would come after him.   


Rally & Isolation

Relationships and Family

We live in a society where “all work - no sleep” is the mantra. As a mom of 5 kids, DaWan felt divided to care for her family while God tugged on her heart to minister. She felt there was not enough time to do “it all.” Her mother grabbed her by the shoulders and told her to “stop trying to be me!” She had a different call in her life that she needed to fulfill.

Put Him First

When Brittni first became a Christian her life was filled with negative relationships that she needed to separate herself from. She didn't see herself as lovable and valuable and attracted men who didn’t value her.


Distraction May Lead to Inaction

After Brittni left the porn industry and started following Jesus, she began to date a guy that would eventually become her husband. While they were dating they were intentional about  practicing sexual purity. 

Falsely Accused Divinely Defended

Injustice

DaWan was groomed and baited in college by someone who pretended to be her friend in order to sexually assault her, leaving her devastated and suicidal. 


Bring the Darkness to Light

Larry grew up in an area where name-calling and de-humanizing others was normal. But in a moment, something happened that led to him feeling convicted. He offers us a reminder that everyone has dignity and value.

Larry Mayes

Senior VP for Government and Community Relations at Catholic Charities

Finding Dignity In Everyone

Daniel Harrell lived a mile away from where George Floyd was murdered. In the aftermath, he worked hard to understand what the community was going through. Daniel Harrell takes us on an eye opening journey of seeing others through God's eyes. 

Daniel Harrell

Pastor | Former Editor-in-Chief at Christianity Today

Opening Your Eyes To Injustice

When comedian Michael Jr. first appeared on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, he told a story that made millions of people laugh. Here he gives the full, emotional version. He explains how God has used that story to help others, and how he can use your pain for the same purpose.

Michael Jr

Comedian | Actor

Your Pain Has a Purpose

Misunderstandings happen all the time, but what do you do when lies are told about you? How do you clear your name and not become bitter? Billy unpacks an unbelievable story and lesson of how he learned to forgive, even when those responsible showed no remorse.

Billy Hallowell

MS | Journalist | Author

Dealing With False Accusations

A teacher invited new-nazi's to speak to his high school class. To say the least, it was uncomfortable. Tim recounts that moment and explains what it looks like to fight hate with love.



Tim Ross

International Speaker | Podcast Host

Fighting Hate With Love

Identity

For DaWan the euphoric feeling of acceptance she experienced at her grade school contest was like a shot of cocaine that she thought she had to keep going by continuing a big lie. The negative consequences of her actions impacted her family and the entire grade school.

Accepted and Loved

When DaWan preaches, she does not see herself as a woman preaching, a mother preaching, or a wife preaching. She feels that she is a person God has chosen to use to preach the Gospel. However, some pointed out that she was a woman, a Black woman, a mother, and a wife and said she should not be behind a pulpit.

Following His Calling

Imagine leaving porn and then going to church and being recognized by some of the men there. Brittni accepted an invitation to share her story at a conference. Her message was downloaded onto YouTube and was viewed by millions in just a week.  Now everybody at her church is going to know all about her past.

Who's to Shame?

While Brian’s son was in preschool, his teacher questioned him why every time he was asked what his name was, he would answer that it was “Pastor Brian.”  No matter what others tried to get him to say about himself, Brian called his son “Pastor Brian” so that he would always know that his father gave him this name.

Victorious Friends

As a child when Andrew first tried to play basketball he could not make a basket, his father said "I thought you were my son." It crushed him to think that he was not good enough.

God Looks At The Heart

Purpose

The Lord began to deal with DaWan’s heart that it was time to leave her dream job. To leave the income, the influence, and the access that this job had given her. And then she began dreaming about what would occur if she stayed.

Obedience Over Sacrifice

CB got a late start as a Pastor, unlike others who knew they wanted to do this from a young age. CB felt it was too late to start. He missed too much ground, and there was too much ground to cover. He felt he couldn't ever catch up. 



Work Versus Rest

Brittni returns to a porn conference to tell others why she quit porn to follow Jesus.  She shares with another girl how while she was in the porn industry how she was so broken and contemplated suicide every single day until she took the step of faith and she quit and started her relationship with Jesus.

Turning Your Mess Into a Message

Brian told his CrossFit trainer that his leg would not let him complete a basic exercise. The trainer disagreed and told him that the problem was not his leg but his focus. Once he fixed his eyes on something he was able to do it. 


Purpose Driven

What do you do with your dream when your reality is a nightmare? It sucks to wait when others around you seem to be promoted. It is hard when you know that God has promised you something special that has been delayed. 

Rest & Faith

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