Beyond Fear to Freedom: Recent Episodes
Beyond Fear to Freedom
BFF is all about healing generations through courageous community. We want to create safe, authentic relationships where women are free to expose lies they have believed and to live as the image of God.
Each week we discuss a different topic that gives women a better way to mentor the next generation, so each can be better than the one before.
Have you ever been out of alignment spiritually? I bet most of us have! Thankfully God’s grace is sufficient to help us walk out His word! and His mercies are new every day!
Join Vanessa and Amanda as they discuss “challenging yourself in the Word”.
#Beyondfeartofreedom #SeekfirsttheKingdom #BFF #LoveGodloveothers #FreedominHim #Community
Are you feeling stressed out trying to live up to all the expectations of the season? Are you feeling empty or lonely? Let us come and receive the gift God has given us this season Jesus Christ and His unending love.
Join Vanessa and Amanda as they discuss the reason for the season and the love of God!
#Beyondfeartofreedom #Jesuslovesyou #Jesusisthereasonfortheseason #BFF #MerryChristmas
Are you still faithful to God even when trials and tribulations come into you life? Or Do you shake you fist at heaven and question His goodness? There are examples all throughout the Word of God's faithfulness in trails.. look at Job!
We're LIVE and talking about Faithfulness! #beyondfeartofreedom #Godisgood #BFF #Jesuslovesyou #Faithful #Freedom
Are you trying to control your own life and failing? Do you have sin in your life that you know you need to let go of? God is calling us to let go surrender to His will!
We're live and talking about.. yup, you guessed it, Surrender!
#beyondfeartofreedom #Jesustakethewheel #BFF #Freedom #Surrender #FreedominHim
Listen to our Throwback Thursday Truth Talk as Debbie G and Sheridan exchange views on the season of SWEATHA WEATHA!!! 🤪😂🤩 #Beyondfeartofreedom #Itsfallyall #LOL #Sweaterweather #Jesuslovesyou #BFF
We've been talking about Fear again this year! Listen to this throw back of Debbie G and Vanessa as they talk about codependency and how it's fueled and motivated by our fears. Your fear is 100% dependent on you for its survival. What fears do you want to be free from? #beyondfeartofreedom #befree #fearisaliar #fear #fearnot #fearless #inventory #codependency #codependentnomore #freedom #recoverylife #recoveryispossible #MinistryOfLove #throwback #ThrowbackThursday
Have you ever asked yourself or God Why Am I Here? Do you feel like you’ve messed up too much to be used by God? In Christ everyone has a purpose! When you surrender your life to Jesus, He will use it all for His glory!
Join Vanessa and Amanda as they dig into the topic of purpose.
#BFF #Createdwithpurpose #Beyondfeartofreedom #Freedom #Jesuslovesyou
Do you tend to isolate? Have you ever backslid in your walk with God? Sometimes we need others to pray with us, encourage us and remind us of the truth! We need community! The bible is full of scriptures on the importance of community.
Join Vanessa and Amanda as they discuss… you guessed it COMMUNITY!
#Beyondfeartofreedom #Bettertogether #Wheretwoormorearegathered #BFF #Community
Do you ever find it hard to have faith? Have you ever doubted God? Do you ever think your way is better than God’s? He promises to direct our path as we trust in Him. His ways are higher than our ways and His plans are always better than ours.
Join Vanessa and Anitrese as they discuss the topic of not leaning on our own understanding.
#Beyondfeartofreedom #BFF #TrusintheLord #Hiswayisbetter #Fearnot #Jesuslovesyou
Do you have a hard time opening to others? Do you ever feel shame about what you’ve done or what’s happened to you? The Word tells us to confess our sins to one another so we can pray for one another and be healed!
Join Vanessa and Anna as they dig into the topic of strength and vulnerability.
#Beyondfeartofreedom #Confessyoursins #Freedom #BFF #Healed
Is Father’s Day a hard day for you? Maybe your dad isn’t around anymore or was never in the picture. Maybe you’re blessed enough to have a wonderful father in you life! Remember no matter what we have our Father in heaven that loves us unconditionally and has given us the sprit of adoption that we can call out Abba! Father! Join Vanessa and her husband Phillip for a very special Father’s Day message!
#Beyondfeartofreedom #Happyfathersday2023 #HappyfathersdayGod #Jesuslovesyou #Adopted #BFF
Are you struggling to forgive someone that hurt you? Do you ever wrestle with condemnation or thinking your not “ strong enough” to overcome? The remedy is God’s GRACE and the word of God is filled with scriptures on Grace! Jesus himself is God’s gift of Grace to us!
Join Vanessa and Anitrese as they get real and dig deep into the topic of God’s forgiveness and unmerited favor!
#Beyondfeartofreedom #Gracewinseverytime #Freedom #Forgiven #BFF #ThankyouJesu
Have you every treated God like a genie? Have you promised Him you will do this if He does that? Don’t be like Micha’s mom be like Ruth, faithful to follow YAYWEY!
Join Vanessa and Anitrese as the recap the powerful message Erica brought to our ladies last Friday!
#Beyondfeartofreedom #Yahwey #BFF #Jesus #Faithful #Freeindeed
Do you tend to just let things happen? Are you passive aggressive and tend to avoid conflict? You my friend may be dealing with passivity.. God is never passive or aggressive. He is devoted to us. Desiring to heal us, to bring us life and to give us hope.
Join Vanessa and Anitrese as they continue to dig up the root causes of Passivity! #Beyondfeartofreedom
#Jesuslovesyou #Walkinfaith #BFF #FreedominHim
Do you tend to Procrastinate? Did you know that NOT doing the thing you know you should do is sin? God reminds us throughout scripture to not be lazy! The Word says the Sprite is alive and active!!
Join Vanessa and Anitrese as they dig into the topic of passivity!
#Beyondfeartofreedom #Servethelord #Aliveandactive #BFF #FreedominHim #Jesuslovesyou #Healed
Do you struggle with isolation? Do you have a hard time reaching out for support? We need community family! In fact community was very import to Jesus! We need the body of Christ! Join Vanessa and Anna as the continue discussing the topic of community and support. #beyondfeartofreedom #Community #Bettertogether #Leanonme #Jesuslovesyou
Are you hanging out with people that encourage sin? or are you kickin it with people that hold you accountable? God sends people into or life to encourage and hold us accountable. He also calls us to do the same, but we can’t do this without community!
Join Vanessa and Anitrese as the discuss the good fruits of community.. Accountability, encouragement, and honoring! #BFF #Accountability #Beyondfeartofreedom #Community #Bettertogeth
It’s time for Truth Talk Thursday!! Do you put walls up and not let people in? Maybe you overshare and trust too easily? The bible teaches us to set healthy boundaries .. even God had boundaries!
Join Vanessa and Anitrese as they continue the discussion on pride and BOUNDARIES!
#Beyondfeartofreedom #healthyboundaries # BFF #Jesuslovesyou #Freedominhim
Have you ever examined yourself and the people in you circle? Codependent insecure people are often unsafe! Let’s steps towards security in Christ and freedom!
Join Debbie G and Vanessa as they discuss the topic of “Safe People”.
#BFF #FreedominHim #Beyondfeartofreedom #Safepeople #Jesuslovesyou
That’s right family sometimes we’re the problem amen?!
Join Debbie G and Vanessa for the LIVE recap of Truth Talk Thursday as they discussion on the ugly fruits of pride! #Beyondfeartofreedom
#Behumble #BFF #Jesuslovesyou #Freedominhim
Hey family it’s time for Truth Talk Thursday!! Join Debbie G and Vanessa for the LIVE recap! Listen as they dig deep into the topic of authenticity and being who God created you to be! Let’s take those masks off and be real, amen?!
#beyondfeartofreedom #bewhoGodcreatedyoutobe #BFF #FreedomInJesus #authenticity
Hey Family, it's time for Truth Talk Thursday!! Tune into the LIVE recap as Debbie G and Vanessa discuss the importance of casting the vision for the new year! Have you done this for 2023??
Listen as Maggie shares her POWRFUL testimony beginning with abuse, injustice and being kidnapped later finding triumph, freedom and redemption though Christ and community! #Beyondfeartofreedom #Testimonythursday #BFF #Testify #Freedom
What a night!!! Our BFF Family Christmas party was a BLAST and such a blessing to both those we served and those who served!! Join Debbie G and Vanessa as they testify of God's goodness and discuss the reason for the season! #BFF #Blessedtobeablessing #Beyondfeartofreedom #Jesusisthereason #MerryChristmas
Listen to our live recap as Debbie G and Vanessa finish discussing the bad fruits of shame "Secrecy and Avoidance"
Heyyy Family!! It’s that time for “Truth Talk Thursday”!! Tune into our LIVE recap as Debbie G and Vanessa discuss the “bad fruits” of rebellion and how to live righteously!
#Beyondfeartofreedom #Hisgraceissufficient #BFF #Freedom #Truthtalkthursday
Listen to our Throwback Thursday Truth Talk as Debbie G and Sheridan exchange views on the season of SWEATHA WEATHA!!! 🤪😂🤩
#Beyondfeartofreedom #Itsfallyall #LOL #Sweaterweather #Jesuslovesyou #BFF
Hi Family!! It’s that time for “Truth Talk Thursday”!! Tune into the recap of our LIVE podcast as Debbie G and Vanessa discuss the topic of “Open Door Sin” and living a life of obedience and holiness!
#Beyondfeartofreedom #Jesusdeliveres #BFF #Freedom #Truthtalkthursday
Tune into the replay of our LIVE " True Talk Thursday" Podcast. Listen as Debbie G and Vanessa discuss the touchy topic of injustice and learning how to stand on the promises and truth of the Word of God. #beyondfeartofreedom #TruthtalkThursday #Hispromisesaretrue #BFF #Jesusloveyou
Change can be scary but is inevitable. Walking with Jesus is often a walk of faith, and He will call us to step out of the boat and trust Him! Jesus promises us that His grace is sufficient for us, yes even in change!! Join Debbie G and Vanessa as they have an exciting announcement for a big change for BFF! #Beyondfeartofreedom #Walkbyfaith #BFF #Changeisgood #Christchurchcentral
Did you know that we can still love each other even if we don’t agree?? The world is more divided then ever! People have little tolerance for others that have different views. Jesus calls us to love one another as he has loved us (YES even if we don’t agree)!!! Scripture says love is patient and love is kind. Let’s be like Jesus and speak the truth in love, while showing others grace when they have views that don’t line up with the Word of God. Join Debbie G and Vanessa as they discuss the difficult topic of abortion and diverse opinions. #Beyondfeartofreedom #Loveoneanother #BFF #Loveinaction #Lifeisprecious
Meet Krystal, Her journey starts with the loss of her mother and with no coping skills for such a loss, led her to even more loss. The road many of us have traveled, a path of self-medicating which turned to addiction and for Krystal, led to her incarceration, codependency and toxic relationships. The Lord got Krystal’s attention while sitting in a jail cell. Today, Krystal has surrendered her will and life to Jesus Christ and engaged in community. He has provided her with the hope, healing, a reduced sentence with complete family restoration. God has GOOD PLANS FOR YOU! #Beyondfeartofreedom #Hopeafterdope #Community #Restoration #BFF
Do you have issues with authority? Is God asking you to be obedient in a certain area of your life? Is doing things your own way not working? God asks us to walk humbly with him by obeying him. Humbling ourselves and doing what honors God is not always easy... but is so worth it! Jesus says, “If you love me, you’ll obey me” and promises that as we humble ourselves before Him, He will lift us up! Join Debbie G and Vanessa as they dig deep into the topic of humility and obedience.
Have you tried to get sober in your own strength and keep failing? Have you been told “once an addict ALWAYS an addict?... In Christ we have a new identity and freedom. If we surrender our will to Jesus and stay in community, He will help us live and walk in sobriety! Let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds and remember with God all things are possible! Join Debbie G and Vanessa as the discuss addiction, temptation, and recovery through Jesus Christ.
Are you willing to surrender it ALL to Jesus? Are you still justifying your sinful actions as a believer? When we take a knee to Jesus we are indeed saved by grace! He is a just and forgiving God… but we are called to walk in holiness, to WALK OUT our salvation. Let’s surrender our sin to Jesus and allow Him to mold us, because His plans for you are good!
Join Debbie G and Vanessa as they discuss and dig into the difficult topic of sin and walking in obedience.
Do your outward actions represent your inward faith and what you believe? How do you respond when going through difficulties and loss? Are you obedient when God asks you to do something that doesn’t make sense in the natural? God knew what He was doing when he allowed satan to test Job! Job’s life was a great example on how to go through suffering and trials. Join Debbie G and Vanessa as they discuss “outward signs of inward belief” from Erica Wiggenhorn’s book Letting God Be Enough
Have you ever gotten ahead of God and realized you made a BIG mistake? Have you ever known you were outside of God's will and asked him to bless your situation KNOWING that you were going against His plan? God’s ways are always higher and better than our ways! His plans for your life are good! Let’s fully surrender everything to Him and get out of His way, Amen?!
Join Debbie G and Vanessa as they discuss “waiting for Gods best” from Erica Wiggenhorn’s book, Letting God Be Enough.
Did you know that your boundaries or lack of boundaries influence the people around you, either for the positive or negative? Setting boundaries is hard when you’re a people pleaser or struggling with codependency. God had one boundary for Adam and Eve in the garden, but they questioned His goodness. Be assured of who you are in Christ, and He will help you set healthy boundaries. Join Debbie G and Vanessa as they explore and discuss the good fruit of acceptance, healthy boundaries!
Are you struggling to experience victory in certain areas of your life? Have you noticed your own will just isn’t good enough? In Christ we can experience true freedom and be released from the bondage that holds us back. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free!! Join Debbie G and Vanessa as they explore and discuss the healthy fruits of freedom and goodness!
Do you have trouble trusting God? Are you insecure in your relationships with others? In Christ we have assurance! He is faithful, trustworthy, and His 7,487 promises are true! Join Debbie G and Vanessa as they discuss the awesome topic of acceptance, and the good fruits of assurance, security, and trust!
Listen to Vanessa as she shares a POWERFUL testimony of how Jesus literally brought her back to life. On This past Holy weekend, we acknowledged the death and celebrated the resurrection of Jesus! The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within you!! He can breathe His life in you and make you alive in Him!
We've all been judged and have judged others! Jesus said "judge not lest you be judged". Has feeling judged made you stay in a place of loneliness? Often, we choose to stay there! We are NEVER alone in Christ, He has a community of believers waiting to accept, embrace and love you!! Join Vanessa and Debbie G as they dig deep into the topic of rejection, judging and loneliness.
Meet Robin, a story that starts with family dysfunction, codependency and tragedy. She was searching and wanting the wholeness she saw in her sister. Robin found transformation, healing & redemption through Jesus which is impacting her family and the next generation.
Are you comparing yourself to someone or something? Are you a rageaholic? Who's to blame this time? Let’s take a look at ourselves. Join Debbie and Vanessa as they continue to explore the difficult root of rejection and the bad fruit of rage, competitiveness and blame gaming.
Do you find yourself defending yourself & your behavior? Do you get touchy when someone challenges your thinking? Getting a little too close to home?
Does life have you down and your feeling not as happy as the rest of your people? YOU my friend are not alone!
Join Debbie G and Vanessa as they dig into how and why we are not only defensive sometimes, but what might cause some of our depressive states of mind.
Remember, God is FOR YOU!
Where were you rejected as a child at home or on the playground? Have you rejected your own children by being too busy with your own life? Who are you truly trying to please and Why?
Join Debbie G and Vanessa as the dig deep into the root of Rejection and talk about people pleasing and mask wearing. It’s intense so hold on!
Honestly Lord? Really? Yes! Really! He has good plans for us. But can you accept the plans for your life, or will you challenge Him and do your own thing? Join Debbie and Vanessa as they get Honest and talk about Accepting the plans the Good Lord has for you.
Whose Grace? No friend, what’s Grace! Join Debbie G and Vanessa as we explore the multi facets of Amazing and Beautiful Grace!
In tradition with Valentine's Day, let's talk "love". What does "real love" really look like? We ain't talking "I love chocolate" here.
Join Debbie G & Vanessa as we dig into "what's love got to do with it?" And it goes like this for each one of us in any relationship that we tell someone "I love you".
Do you know anyone who is always playing the victim? Are there people in your lives that are always feeling sorry for themselves? Are there people that you love hiding in isolation? Well, if that is any of us…. And we all have used this “skill” at some point or another, then listen as Debbie G & Vanessa do some real talk about that. #DontPlayVictim #BitternessKills #IsolationHurts #NoPityPartiesHere #BFF #RealTalk
Are you bitter and you don't even know it? Are you blinded by bitterness? Let's take a look in the mirror and see the truth of what might be going on. Listen as Debbie G and Vanessa share about how bitterness not only destroys us, but it destroys the relationships around us.
Have you seen Him? Do you know Him? Do you trust Him? I believe that some have and MLK was one of them. Join Debbie G and Vanessa as they take a peek at the absolute freedom of a man who knew whose he was and lived his life declaring that.
Why do I keep doing the things I don’t want to do???? What’s my childhood got to do with any of this? Listen as Debbie G & Vanessa talk about the roots of crazy & unhealthy behavior. And remember, you are not alone in this!
Tired of the same old same old? Ready to get real and enjoy the good plans and the abundant Life that God has promised you? If not, let this be a challenge to learn more truth!!! Listen this week as Debbie G and Vanessa remind you the truth is that God Loves You!
Are you having trust issues? Has your faith become dull? Isn’t it barely there? Is it there but wavering? Or are you done with it? Why not start the New Year with giving Childlike faith a chance? Join us as we watch Vanessa with her daughter Halo ushering the New Year in for us! Short, sweet and so wonderful! Lord, help us to have faith like this precious little one. Trusting you with your direction and instruction. And help us to recognize you as the loving Heavenly Father you are. Help us to live, let go and let God.
Does Christmas feel empty this year? Has it lost its meaning? Too much stress? Out of money? Feeling lonely and stuck? Take a listen to Debbie G and Vanessa as they help bring back into focus the Christmas Story.
Welcome to the family!! LOL
We all have times when we want to run away…and the stress of the holidays might be one of those times!
Listen in as Debbie G & Vanessa talk about how to get through some of the most difficult challenges we might face during this time of season.
Drug addiction, prison, too many losses to imagine.
From a life of despair and hopelessness to a life of joy and reconciliation.
That is the goodness of our God.
Listen as Jamie along with some help from friends shares how someone stepped into her life and changed her future forever.
Do you remember that George Michael song about faith? "...Cause I gotta have faith-a, faith-a, faith. I gotta have faith-a, faith-a, FAITH! Bay'bae..." I know some of y'all were singing and swaying to that just now lol. Faith is the opposite of fear. It overrides and combats fear when it's activated. Faith also requires discipline! Fear shows up in our lives all the time. It's part of life. Do we stay in it? Or do we respond to it with faith? And what does that look like? Debbie G and Vanessa talk about it!
We know Halloween is over, but fear continues to exist everyday for most of us! Outward fear can be scary, yes. But the fear we experience on the inside can be MUCH scarier and really affect our lives outwardly. Debbie G and Vanessa talk about more characteristics of fear that are lurking in our lives. Some of these we aren't even aware of!
Meet Anitrese. Anitrese grew up in a family of parental addiction of alcoholism and heroin and a lot of abuse. Absent parents left Anitrese and her siblings often alone and the family in dire straits. She started smoking cigs and weed at the age of 11. With no role-modeling of a healthy household, she got married at 18 and life got out of control. With the heaviness of not knowing how to be a wife, or a mother, she started using drugs. Prison was in her future. What happened next? How did she get saved from this life of chaos and pain?
Perfectionism is a concealer, a way to cover up and hide behind ours fear. We look good on the outside but are dealing with a lot of inner turmoil that is motivating the way we act. But this is a false state of being. Have the courage to be imperfect! We can't live in freedom if we are living in fear. Debbie G and Vanessa explain to us why perfectionism is rooted in fear.
Your fear is 100% dependent on you for it's survival. Debbie G and Vanessa talk codependency and how it's fueled and motivated by our fears.
Meet Mischelle. Her childhood was chaotic, traumatic, fearful, and with the appearance of the family having it all together even among the abuse and alcoholism. She became very angry, emotionally unstable, with exhibitions of rage and had no problem sharing her opinions with others. At 18 and a high school dropout, she was an unwed early single mom living at home until her mother and 3rd time step-dad kicked her out of the house. Listen to what happens next...
Why was I created? What am I supposed to do with my life? Who am I supposed to be? What is the meaning of my life? These are all questions we ask ourselves. It is normal and healthy. Do you know your purpose? Purpose is the opposite of passivity and Debbie G and Vanessa share what purpose looks like.
Do you justify your behavior or own it? Do you feel hopeless, can't see an end to a situation or want to give up? Well, welcome to the club! Passivity is sneaky. It loves to keep us in that place of not doing anything different, keeping us captive! But there is FREEDOM! Debbie G and Vanessa talk about it for real.
Are you living as a passive spectator or an active participant? Debbie G and Vanessa take us through 3 more characteristics of passivity.
"Passivity is poison to progression and purpose." Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there. If you're struggling with procrastination, laziness or apathy, this podcast is for you! We all are stuck at times and in need of motivation to get that thing done that we've been putting off. What is the cause of our laziness, procrastinating and "doing it later"? What are we hiding from? What are we running from? What are we fearful of? We're starting the branch of PASSIVITY - passing up activity and motion. Debbie G and Vanessa talk about the first 3 fruits in our tree.
What do the roots of your life look like? What happened there? Debbie G and Vanessa take us back to the roots where it all starts. We're rooting for you!
When a herd sticks closely together, there is little chance for a predator to penetrate the protected group and take one down. If one strays and finds itself alone, the predator has a chance of devouring the stray and filling it's belly. Find out how this illustration is applicable to what happens after someone graduates a program. Or just any goal that we achieve! What happens next? What are we in pursuit of? What helps us to keep going? Debbie G and Vanessa share.
"I was yearning for a relationship with my father..." Traumatic and rough childhood, that's how Yvon grew up. Desperate to get out of the home situation, she left the house at 16 only to jump into the military and a violently abusive relationship and find herself in need of saving. Her revolving door of emotionally absent, alcoholic, affairs, and abusive relationships with men continued one after another, and she started to see the unhealthy pattern with men and the lies they spoke over her. No bank account, no car, had cancer, no job, and no place to live, Yvon is gifted a rental house to stay in, a friend loaned her a car and is going to food banks for over a year while she is getting chemotherapy. What about the kids? What about her relationship with God? What is Yvon doing now and how is she helping others?
There are so many sayings and slogans that involve HUNGER. How about these... Hungry? Grab a Snickers Only You Can Stop Hunger Hungry. Why Wait? Who Are You When You're Hungry? I'm Always Hungry or Tired or Both I'm Sorry For What I Said When I was Hungry In John 6:35 Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." Do you feel like you're always hungry? Starving? Looking for that next thing to fill you up? Jesus feeds the hungry with himself. His is a perfect love that never rejects us, no matter what our past sins are. He satisfies the deepest hungers of our soul and wants to help us. He is constantly working toward the healing and recovery of all the broken and starving people of this world, and he promises satisfaction for our souls. Are you ready to be satisfied?
Too far in... too far into what? Lies? Bad relationships? Addiction? Selfishness? Do we ever find ourselves too deep into something that's toxic and unhealthy? We could even be expecting something different to happen but without making a different choice. And we go deeper and deeper into the toxicity. Debbie G and Vanessa dive into the story of Sampson in Judges 16. Get your Bibles out and ready!
We're in Song of Songs and discovering the context of relationships and sex. Here we are able to see how Jesus and God created this beautiful intimate thing and how to cherish and handle our relationships when it comes to sex. If you are dating or in a romantic relationship right now, you are not alone in this battle. Take a listen and see what God has to say. What is He saying to you?
Vanessa rarely felt safe. She grew up in LA around gangs. Alone, angry and scared Vanessa was usually found herself around pretty difficult circumstances. At a very young age, she began to cope with substances provided at house parties. Ending up in Juvey in her early teens, she learned things that made her start thinking a little differently. What was it? What happened? What does her life look like now? Hear the rest of Vanessa's story and her motto she lives by that keeps her FREE!
Have you ever tried to go before God's timing in something and crashed and burn? Or waited in the timing of God and experienced something miraculous? Debbie G and Vanessa share stories of this.
Are we willing to take a look at and surrender things God is revealing to us? Debbie G and Vaneesa share 2 stories where God showed them areas that needed to be cleaned up. He says to us in His Word, "Do not fear, for I am with you...be strong and courageous and do not be dismayed". Letting go can be so terrifying but with the truth and love and His generous Spirit, we can surrender.
Are we on the road of surrender or on the road of resistance? The Bible says in Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." Renewal can only happen in surrender. Debbie G and Vanessa share the things that they've had to surrender to experience transformation. What area do you need to surrender, give up control and hand over to the care of God?
"Awfully hard for God to write your story when you refuse to hand over the pen." -Erica Wiggenhorn, Every Life Ministries, Author, Biblical Speaker and Teacher
Debbie G and Vanessa talk about the importance of surrender, handing over control and allowing God the right and authority to be the Author of our lives.
A couple of weeks ago, Prison Fellowship and Alongside Ministries teamed up with BFF to virtually minister to the ladies in orange in Perryville Prison. Since COVID began last year, these ladies have not had any contact with the outside. Volunteers stopped coming in. No family visits. Little connection. All breeding grounds for isolation and for the enemy to step into our head and try to mess things up. Debbie G and Vanessa recap what happened that night.
Unity is a courageous thing. Whether it's with one person or a group of people. Check out these examples...Being held accountable by others that love you to own and correct an unhealthy behavior. Saying "I'm wrong" and getting right with people. Supporting and being present with others. Did any of those scenarios bring up something inside of you? Did it make you feel a type of way? Unity requires humility. A choice to lay ourselves down at the feet of Jesus for the love of others. Debbie G and Vanessa have 3 characteristics of unity in community and relationships. And girrrrrl, does it take courage!
Do you ever feel spread thin? How about exhausted? Are your lines often blurred and crossing into each other? Healthy boundaries are good and necessary in all relationships and in all areas of our lives. When we recognize what it's like to be in healthy relationships and to organize our lives in a healthy and directed manner, we recognize that God has boundaries too. Remember they are not there to keep people out, but to keep YOU IN. Debbie G and Vanessa discuss 6 different types of boundaries in our lives to show us where we may need to start drawing some lines.
Debbie G and Sheridan talk about the property lines of life. Boundaries keep us safe. They keep us grounded and rooted. They keep us directed. They align with our goals, values and beliefs. They are the limits and rules we set for ourselves within relationships. They are our yes and no. They are necessary to the health of our relationships and the health of our sanity. We can't say enough about the importance of Boundaries!
I think we all want to be safe and healthy people. That's what we're working toward, right? And we all want to be surrounded by safe people and experience healthy relationships. In episode 12, Debbie G and Vanessa discussed the characteristics of safe and healthy people. But what happens when you are usually a safe person, life hits and your safety is jeopardized? Now you don't feel like a safe and healthy person. What do you do? Sheridan had this experience 2 weeks ago and shares how she overcame.
Vanessa is a new member of the BFF Team! Hear her story of redemption from a life of childhood trauma, anger, bitterness, turning to the streets and prison. What happened next? How did she change? What does her life look like now?
Many of us would like to think we are safe and healthy people to be around... but are we really? Debbie G and Vanessa give 3 easy ways to check if you are a Safe Person.
Codependent no more? Codependent some more? Maybe all the time? Debbie G and Sheridan take you through 15 traits of codependency and they are harmful! Maybe you have one or two. Or all of them. Either way codependency is unhealthy and destructive. Listen up because we 'betcha can't pick just one'!
"FOMO?! I do NOT have FOMO." said the woman anxiously awaiting for the next notification to come through.... while driving!! FOMO is a fear of missing out. Aside from increased feelings of unhappiness and a dissatisfaction with life, FOMO can lead to unhealthy attitudes and behaviors like insecurity and codependency. Dang. Debbie G and Sheridan rip open this real pandemic. Got FOMO?
"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who am I after all??" How many of us feel this way... where we look to other people and things to tell us who we are? Where we feel insecure? Fearful? How about anxious? Let's add, not good enough... as if we don't measure up? These are thoughts and feelings we all have at one time or another. Do we recognize when and why it's happening? How it affects our behavior and our relationships? Debbie G and Sheridan discuss more about insecurity and codependency. Insecurity can lead or create codependency because we start people pleasing and looking to others for our worth and value. It's a total identity breakdown and security breach. They talk about different scenarios to help recognize these unhealthy patterns. Do any of them sound sound familiar?
Who will protect us? Who will provide for us? Who will defend and save us? In who can we be completely confident and sure? Let me give you a hint... it ain't us. What's going on in the world right now, the circumstances of life, can not dictate our security! It's too unstable. Where then can we find freedom from insecurity while it's going down all around us? The fact is the minute we look to ourselves or other people for security, we will be let down and disappointed because we are broken and incomplete people. We can not be the creators or sustainers of our security.... cue our Savior, Jesus.
The world does such a good job at feeding our PRIDE, telling us to take care of self and live me-minded but it can turn into something so damaging that you find yourself in unhealthy relationships or maybe worse... alone. This week Debbie G and Sheridan talk about the branch of PRIDE and how it can show itself in our lives. They discuss common scenarios of some of the results of PRIDE: Argumentative, Self-sufficient and Unteachable. If you see yourself in any of these, let us know! You are not alone!
Debbie G interviews Steve Savant/Schneider, host of 180 YouTurn on KXXT 1010AM and 16 year prison ministry vet. Steve shares some of his blockbuster stories from ministering at Perryville Women's Prison, that changed him from the inside out. He saw never any of this coming.
We've been talking about authenticity in episodes 3 and 4. What it looks like and what it doesn't look like. One of the results that can validate your authenticity is unity. Unity is a good indicator of authentic love. In this episode we discuss what authentic love actually looks like. Again, we will take you through scenarios and discuss the difference.
Last episode we talked about what it means to be authentic. Let's talk about what it DOESN'T mean to be authentic. We'll take you through some examples and scenarios to check your authenticity.
It’s not over ‘til it’s over. Your past doesn’t disqualify you from your future. All saints have a past. All sinners have a future. Nothing’s off the table when God is involved. After serving her time, Christina’s halfway house required her to attend a women’s group(Beyond Fear To Freedom), which centered on restoration through Jesus. It turned out to be a sisterhood of redemption. She was not alone in dealing with her past. She now had a community of Christian women for fellowship, and later on a godly man who loved her. As the Bible says, “He can make up for the years that the locust ate.” Christina is a trophy of grace, proving once again that “No one’s outside the reach of God. No, not one!”
You can view the other episodes of Christina's story here: www.youtube.com/channel/UCWL-fDHmn7-0IjfE3WB-WKg
An Overlooked Interruption That Can Make Your 2021 Better! in this week's Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 58.
Handling and Surviving the Holidays While In Recovery in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 57.
Anyone out there feel like secrets keep you safe? How about avoiding things we know need to take care of, whether it be a conversation with a person we need to have or even some adult responsibility? This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 56 we discuss the last 2 fruits of shame: Secrecy and Avoidance.
When we feel shame, how do we respond? Does it separate and divide us from others and God? Do we compare ourselves to everyone and find that we never measure up? Been there, done that and it's not healthy. We all experience shame. It's part of life! This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 55 we discuss 2 more fruits of shame: Isolation and Comparing.
"YOU CAN'T HEAL WHAT YOU DON'T REVEAL"
Christina came to Beyond Fear To Freedom right out of prison. Looking to heal and find freedom from a lifetime of prostitution, drugs, unhealthy relationships and losing her children. She began digging up the unhealthy roots of her past and found answers to questions like "Why do I do the things that I do? and Who am I?" Watch to hear the rest of Christina's awesome journey!
WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR?
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 54 we talk about GRATITUDE. Gratitude can be defined as a readiness to show appreciation for; the opposite of complaining! This can be difficult sometimes when everything around us is going sideways. Including our family and friends. It's way easier to be grateful when all is going right! Am I right or am I right. Regardless of what's happening, it is better for us to choose to be grateful and thankful vs complaining and grumbling. A grateful heart brings peace, happiness and joy. Don't we all want more of that in our lives? Love all you!! We are so grateful for all y'all! Have a wonderful and grateful thanksgiving this year!
Do you struggle with shame? Do you get stuck beating yourself up in negative self-talk? Have you ever wanted to be free of it? This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 52 we are discussing the next branch in our tree series, SHAME. And we're talking about a specific fruit of shame, self-condemnation.
What comes to mind when you hear the word peace? What does that mean to you? How do we find it and keep it? This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 51 we are talking about PEACE, the opposite of rebellion.
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 50 we finish REBELLION. FINALLY!! We're discussing:
Sexual Purity
Independence
What does this have to do with rebellion, you ask? Let's talk about truth. The truth that will set you free!!
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 49 we continue talking about REBELLION. Here we discuss 2 more fruits: Confusion Hatred of Authority Do you often feel confused? What's up with that?! What does that look like in your life? Do you despise being told what to do? The truth will set you FREE!
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 48 we continue talking about REBELLION and the fruits or results that come from rebelling. There are 7 and we'll discuss the first 3: Drugs and Alcohol Disobedience Critical Speech Sound familiar? Which of these have you seen in your life? Do you like your rebellion? Does it serve you well?
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 47 we talk about the first branch in our tree: REBELLION. Rebellion is a refusal of obedience or order. Consider this quote by C.S. Lewis: "A creature rebelling against a creator is rebelling against the source of his own powers - including even his power to rebel. It is like the scent of a flower trying to destroy the flower." Where are you rebelling against our Creator and breaking order from the good plans He has for you?
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 46 we talk about a real root system that supports and nourishes us: ROOTED IN CHRIST.
We must be rooted and established in Him! The 3 roots we discuss are: 1. Truth 2. Word of God 3. Love This root system is healthy and real. It produces mature and healthy fruit...aka behavior. These are needed for absolute freedom, holiness and power! Do you believe this? Why or why not?
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 45 we talk about the 4th and final root: OPEN DOOR SIN. We do things we shouldn't do. We say things we shouldn't say. We hang out with people we shouldn't hang out with! Why the heck do we do this?! Why do we do things we know we shouldn't do? What does it accomplish? For what or who do you leave the door cracked? Who are you trying to let in? Are we TRULY living for Him or ourselves? CLOSE THE DOOR!!
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 44 we talk about the 3rd of the 4 roots: CURSES AND ASSIGNMENTS. Have you been name-called, labeled or assigned an identity that is a lie? Do you notice choices you've made and behaviors that could align with this lie? We all have experienced this! Curses and Assignments are words spoken over you as a child or even as an adult. These labels and names can shape our identity and motivate our choices in life. The TRUTH is what sets us FREE and the TRUTH is what God says about you, not other people!!
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 43 we talk about the 2nd of the 4 roots: GENERATIONAL PATTERNS. What hereditary unhealthy patterns do you have in your family? We all have them! Healthy and unhealthy beliefs, values, repeated behaviors and actions, even consequences of actions, all learned, imitated and passed down. You know how they say 'Oh it runs in the family'... this is where you say "not anymore"! Are you ready to see truth, break and change these unhealthy patterns?
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 42 we talk about the first of the four roots: INJUSTICES. We all experience injustices in our lives! Can you name one?
We ask 3 pertinent questions: What injustices have you experienced? How have those experiences shaped your thinking and behavior? How do we make sure that we don't become tainted by it?
Listen, life is full of unequality! Things are not fair. We get treated unjustly. We even treat others unjustly! And the Lord is still Just and Faithful and Good!! Praise God that we can ALWAYS lean on and DEPEND on Him!
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 41 we talk about UNDERSTANDING OUR ROOT SYSTEM. We define what a root is and discuss the 4 roots we believe our behavior can come from. They are: 1. Injustices 2. Generational Patterns 3. Curses and Assignments 4. Open Door Sin Instead of asking the question "Why you acting like that? Stop it!", we ask "What happened to you?" It's so important for us to be aware why we do the things we do and going back to the beginning is key.
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 40 we discuss FREEDOM AND SALVATION! Who would have thought those two actually go together?! Freedom is a result of salvation.
How do you receive salvation?
Do you know you even need to be saved or rescued?
What area in your life are you NOT experiencing true freedom?
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 39 we discuss FREEDOM! Do you ever wonder about your freedom? In Christ, we have been given the blessing of freedom. Not the freedom to do whatever we want to do, but the freedom to choose what is good and right. And let me tell you it takes courage to do that, as we see in the story of Esther!
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 38 we discuss 1 Samuel 16 where Samuel is sent to find the new King of Israel. He is not so pleased with what he sees. Do you see what God sees? Are you a gift taker?
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 37 we discuss the power of choice and reference 2 Corinthians 5:10 - "For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body."
Do you know what is good and just?
What does it mean to love mercy?
Can you walk humbly?
Do you know how to behave? In the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 36 we dive into Micah 6:8.
Do you struggle with giving? Is it hard for you to share? Are you a Giver or a Taker? Do you give with the expectation of getting something in return?
This week in the Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 35, we discuss all of this. It's not what you think! This will change your definition of giving!!
In this week's Beyond Fear To Freedom Podcast episode 34 we discuss RECONCILIATION. Bringing together two parties that are estranged or in dispute, requiring friendship and unity. God doesn't want us to live unreconciled and divided from each other. We talk about ACCEPTANCE and HUMILITY, two key components of reconciliation. And we ask 3 questions: How can we promote reconciliation? How or why does it even matter? What is God's direction in this?
Watch the show each week and let us know what you think at facebook.com/beyondfeartofreedom.
We all experience fear in some time and place in our lives and it can isolate and paralyze you, even keeping you from experiencing all that God wants for you and to teach you and grow you! Let us keep our eyes fixed on the greatness of our God rather than on the complexity of our fear and problems! God loves you and wants to hang out with you!
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Two women.
Two stories.
Lost.
Alone.
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Meet Ginger Tabot, singer and songwriter of our very own BFF Theme Song!
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We discuss more about generational patterns and the disease of Codependency!
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We talk about the unhealthy patterns that are handed down and learned that can keep us from receiving all that God has for us.
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We talk about the destruction of Curses and Assignments we all have experienced.
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Do you ever feel like quitting? Quitting sounds easier than working hard and sacrificing,,, but maybe not. Take a listen.
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You can't have one without the other! Take a listen.
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We talk about the opposite of rejection which is acceptance. We define acceptance. We discuss how to accept yourself then you can accept others. But what if I can't even accept me?
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We discuss rejection that leads to rage!
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More real talk on rejection and the 3 forms it comes in.
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We talk about Good Friday's service. We discussed Jesus's experience of rejection and what it all entailed.
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Rejection....it's part of life. What do you typically do to guard yourself against rejection?
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This week we talk about one of the fruits of the Spirit that happens when moving from bitterness to forgiveness...JOY!!
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Forgiveness is not about feelings. It's about obedience. Cathy Morgan's testimony on forgiveness last week was nothing short of inspirational!!
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Unrealistic expectations are unreal. They hurt us and others. We're talking about 9 ways we use the poison of unrealistic expectations on ourselves and our relationships.
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It's not what you think! Join us as we uproot this common misbelief and replace it with truth. We will discuss two steps to help you get there.
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We talk about the different kinds of grace that are available for us to receive.
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We discuss the why and how to move from a place of bitterness to forgiveness.
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We're back discussing being angry and bitter toward God and the 3 things that can heal bitterness.
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We're back talking more about bitterness and how it hides in our lives.
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We discuss something that we have all experienced. Bitterness can run and ruin your life and take you places that are not healthy.
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We review what happened Friday, January 24, 2020 as our community became more trauma informed.
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This is an abridged version of what the beginning of our Friday night community meetings are like!
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We're back with episode 9 of the talking about a New View for the year!
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We all want something different. Something better. More health. More peace. More Love. A smaller waist?? Let's find out what the difference between a resolution and determination looks like.
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