In this heartfelt episode (S2E23) we’re asking the big questions: What truly has your heart? What sits on the throne of your life? We’ll explore what we worship and prioritize, and how these choices shape our lives. We discuss the idols we often unknowingly worship, even when our intention is to put God first. Dive in with us as we uncover how to live out of love rather than fear, the importance of seeking God first, and practical steps to keep God at the center of our hearts.

Key Takeaways:

* Heart Check: What do you worry about the most? Are you living out of fear or love? Often, our fears disguise themselves as love, but perfect love casts out all fear.

* Prioritize God: Even good things can become idols if they take God's place. Like I shared in my journey, even working to fulfill God's calling can become an idol if it overshadows our relationship with Him.

* Trust in God's Timing: We can grow impatient and create idols out of our desires. Remember the story of Baal? Taking control because God seemed too slow. Let’s trust in God’s timing and promises, even when we don’t see immediate results.

* Time, Energy, and Attention (TEA): Reflect on where you invest your TEA. Are you pouring it into things that truly matter? This world offers so much, yet often leaves us feeling empty and chasing after things that don’t satisfy.

* Seek God Wholeheartedly: We’ll never find true fulfillment when idols occupy our hearts. Scriptures remind us that God is near when we seek Him with all our heart (James 4:8, Jeremiah 29:13, Revelation 3:20). God isn’t elusive; the more we seek Him, the more we find Him.

* Living in Love: When God is on the throne, the fruits of our lives are evident. Living from a place of love, not fear, brings discernment, wisdom, and joy. The things we once obsessed over lose their grip, and our priorities become clear.

* Steps to Remove Idols: Awareness is the first step. Recognize when an idol surfaces, confess it, and seek accountability. Invite others on this journey—whether it’s a mental health professional, trusted friend, pastor, or resource group. We’re not meant to do this alone.

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In Episode 22 of Season 2, Raul Ochoa opens up about growing up just outside of Chicago as the son of Mexican immigrant parents. He dives into the challenges he faced, from financial struggles to cultural identity conflicts. Raul gets real about the tough parts of navigating marriage without Jesus and the incredible transformation when Jesus is at the center. His journey is a testament to the power of faith, reshaping his approach to ministry and life. Raul’s story beautifully highlights the importance of being with God over merely doing for Him, shedding light on the complexities of the human heart and the beauty of embracing unique perspectives.

Key Takeaways and Moments From This Episode:

* Raul's upbringing in a multicultural environment shaped his perspectives on identity and community.

* The pivotal moment in 2012, guided by the Holy Spirit, led to a transformative journey of faith for Raul and his wife.

* Balancing family and ministry became a priority for Raul, highlighting the importance of prioritizing relationships.

* Raul emphasizes the need for understanding and acceptance in relationships to foster growth and unity.

* The journey of unraveling past influences and embracing a balanced, healthy faith approach is central to Raul's story.

Raul Ochoa, born to Mexican immigrant parents in California, later moved to Waukegan, Illinois, where he grew up in a predominantly black community. He faced financial struggles, cultural identity conflicts, and challenges in his upbringing. After a transformative experience in 2012, prompted by the Holy Spirit, he and his wife committed their lives to Jesus. Raul has held leadership roles in his church, prioritizing family over ministry. He advocates for a balanced, healthy approach to faith and ministry and focuses on uniting churches and supporting church leaders through the Mosaic Initiative. To learn more, visit : https://www.mosaicministries.org

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In this episode, we dive into how life's toughest moments can lead to finding purpose and meaning. Ramonita and Erin share personal stories of loss, grief, and challenging times, showing how these experiences can shape our journey towards resilience and purpose. We talk about enduring tough times with the help of faith, hope, and community support to get through life's uncertainties.

Throughout the discussion, Ramonita and Erin draw from biblical stories and personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of embracing vulnerability, seeking growth in adversity, and trusting in God's ability to redeem difficult circumstances. The conversation highlights the transformative power of pain and resilience in shaping our paths, inspiring listeners to tackle life's challenges with courage and faith. Remember: God ALWAYS replenishes.

Key Takeaways:

* Embracing hardships as opportunities for growth and transformation

* Recognizing the cyclical nature of life's seasons and finding hope in challenging times

* Leveraging personal losses and setbacks to drive purpose and resilience

* Discovering the beauty of redemption and restoration through faith and community support

* Navigating grief and pain to uncover deeper meaning and authenticity in life

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Join us Season 2, Episode 20 with our dear friend, Zanele Mutepfa-Rhone, as she shares her incredible story of resilience and strength. Growing up in Zimbabwe, Zanele learned the importance of community from her mother, whose teachings left a lasting impact on her faith. Despite the heart-wrenching loss of her mother at a young age, Zanele's journey is a testament to the power of faith, relationships, and perseverance. Zanele also opens up about her experiences growing up in an adoptive home, where she faced unique challenges and found unexpected blessings. Through these experiences, she learned profound lessons about resilience and belonging, discovering that family is not just defined by blood but by love and support. Zanele proudly embraces her heritage and roots, creating spaces of belonging through her focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. Tune in as we explore her life journey of spiritual growth, the transformative influence of her mother's wisdom, and the life-changing lessons learned along the way!

Key Takeaways:

* Zanele's early upbringing in Zimbabwe instilled in her a deep appreciation for the power of community and strong relationships.

* The loss of her mother at a young age profoundly influenced Zanele's faith journey, leading her to embrace resilience and the unwavering belief in God's provision.

* The Book of Job played a pivotal role in Zanele's spiritual foundation, reflecting on themes of loss, replenishment, and unwavering faith.

* Zanele's story is a testament to the enduring power of faith, resilience, and the profound impact of strong familial bonds.

Zanele is married to the love of her life, Drae and currently lives in Portland, OR. Her career spans roles at Sesame Street, CNN, and a leadership position at Adidas, where she championed diversity and inclusion. Zanele spends her time developing innovative concepts for her consulting projects, traveling the world to learn about new cultures, providing opportunities for underrepresented talent, and building community. She is the founder of “Here To Stay” - a women’s speaker series celebrating the stories of change-making women in the world. Here To Stay is committed to championing women that are not only thought leaders in their fields of profession, but local pioneers with global impact. to empower women of color in driven by her commitment to DEI work and the enduring lessons from her mother.

To connect with Zanele and find out more about her incredible work, go to: https://www.brandzanele.com

Follow her on Instagram: @itszanele

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Season 2, Episode 19 discusses the real struggles of spiritual warfare, addiction, and the importance of facing our pain in order to heal. Ramonita and Erin candidly share their recent battles with spiritual warfare, highlighting the need for authentic vulnerability. They focus on the misconceptions of addiction and the way forward in order to heal. Drawing from their experiences and guest insights, they explore the major impacts of addiction and the significance of seeking connection and community in healing. Don’t miss this incredible episode that will leave you hopeful in whatever you are walking through.

Key Takeaways:

* Spiritual warfare is a real and challenging aspect of life that requires authentic vulnerability and reliance on God's strength.

* Addiction often stems from a desire to avoid pain, and healing begins by facing and feeling the pain rather than numbing it.

* Community, service, and connection play crucial roles in overcoming addiction and finding hope and healing.

* The opposite of addiction is not sobriety but connection, emphasizing the importance of relationships and support in recovery.

* Taking shortcuts to avoid pain only prolongs the healing process, highlighting the necessity of facing pain and seeking help and community for recovery.

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In episode 18, Jordan Rogers shares his powerful story of addiction, incarceration, and redemption. Growing up in a loving and supportive family, Jordan found himself drawn to drugs and alcohol at a young age. Despite multiple attempts at rehab and legal challenges, he struggled with addiction throughout his adolescence. It was during a period of incarceration that Jordan had a moment of clarity and realized he needed to address the deeper issues behind his addiction. He committed to healing and sought help through rehab and community. After his release, Jordan rebuilt his life, pursued education and career opportunities, and dedicated himself to helping others through their own recovery journeys. Jordan’s story reminds us that there is ALWAYS hope.

Key Takeaways:

* Addiction can stem from a variety of factors, including trauma, insecurity, and a lack of positive outlets.

* The justice system often fails to address the root causes of addiction and instead focuses on punishment rather than rehabilitation.

* Recovery is a lifelong journey, and it requires self-accountability, community support, and a commitment to healing.

* Healing from addiction involves facing and processing emotions rather than numbing them with drugs or alcohol.

* Sharing our stories and supporting others in their recovery can be a powerful tool for transformation and healing.

Jordan Rogers is a dedicated father, husband, and mentor who has dedicated his life to helping others through his own story of addiction and recovery. He has been sober for 21 years and has used his experiences to inspire and support others in their own journeys. Jordan is passionate about advocating for criminal justice reform and addressing the challenges within the justice system. He believes in the power of community and the transformative nature of sharing our stories.

To connect with Jordan, follow him on Instagram @jordanrogers

Or visit his website; https://www.jordanrogers.xyz

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In episode 17, Ramonita and Erin candidly share their personal battles with anxiety, reflecting on how family history, life experiences and unrealistic expectations have influenced their mental health. They explore various coping mechanisms, including therapy, exercise, journaling, and spirituality, while confronting the challenges of medication and the stigma of mental health within Christian communities. We hope this episode is an offering of hope and strategies to listeners grappling with similar issues, emphasizing the importance of personalized approaches to managing anxiety and the role of faith in their healing journey.

Key Takeaways:

* Exploring anxiety as a spiritual attack and its impact on faith and reliance on God.

* Recognizing anxiety's impact on behavior, self-preservation, and the constant pursuit of safety AND discovering the connection between control, perfectionism, and anxiety triggers.

* The benefits of therapy and practical tools for managing anxious thoughts and emotions.

* The significance of speaking out anxious thoughts and rewriting the internal narrative for mental well-being.

* Addressing anxiety within the church and the impact of faith and spiritual warfare.

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In this episode, Emily Birrell shares her story of overcoming fear, anxiety, and the reshaping of her distorted views of God. Growing up in a home with a father battling addiction and mental health issues, Emily struggled to understand God's love and experienced a distorted view of Him. However, through prayer and seeking, she began to experience God's love and grace in a new way. Her story is full of moments of God grace and sweetness in her life and a testament of the ways that God becomes for us what we may lack at times on earth. Emily's story is a testament to the healing power of God and the importance of community in our journey of faith.

Key Takeaways:

* Growing up in a home with addiction and mental health issues can distort our view of God and create fear and anxiety.

* Serving others can be a healing experience and help shift our focus and perspective of God.

* God reveals Himself as a perfect Heavenly Father through His love, pursuit, and faithfulness.

* Fear is NOT our identity!

* Overcoming fear and anxiety involves surrendering control and trusting in God's perfect love.

Connect with Emily:

https://www.ebirrell.com

Instagram: @TheEmilyBirrell

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