Let's Talk About It!: Recent Episodes
Mark K. Benton II
Welcome to the “Let’s Talk About It” Podcast! The Podcast that empowers and develops you to stretch your mindset so you can live your life on purpose for Christ. Who is this Podcast for? Anyone! If you want to grow more in your Faith, you’re in the right place. If you’re uncertain and have Questions about your Faith, this is definitely for you! I and my guest discuss several timely topics and incorporate how we can approach them from a Christ centered view. You’ll be challenged to be the person God has called you to be, while not sacrificing the integrity of your faith. If you’re looking to be encouraged and empowered to live out your faith in practical ways, this is the place for you.If you want to hit me up, I can be found on Instagram @markkbenton2 and you can leave me a voice message at markkbentonii.com Can’t wait to grow and learn with you!
In this episode, we explore what it truly means to wait on the Lord and trust Him through seasons of transition. Waiting isn’t about standing still—it’s about strengthening your faith, aligning with God’s timing, and preparing your heart for what He has ahead. Whether you’re in a season of uncertainty, seeking direction, or stepping into something new, this conversation will encourage you to rest in God’s promises and move with wisdom when He says, “Go.”
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
In this episode, we discuss what the Bible teaches about responding to violence, unexpected tragedy and how to balance grief, anger, and truth without giving in to vengeance or hatred.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
🔥 Hard times test us, but with God, they also transform us. Discover how to grow your mental resilience, trust God in the storm, and walk in His strength no matter what you face. Life’s trials don’t have to break you, they can build you.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Wisdom is more than information—it’s the ability to align our lives with God’s truth. In this episode, we’ll talk about how pursuing godly wisdom helps us refocus on what truly matters, make intentional decisions, and live with purpose in every season. When we seek wisdom, we don’t just get answers; we learn to walk closely with Christ.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
In this episode, we talk about leading with wisdom, age, and intentionality through a Christ-centered lens. You'll be encouraged to assess where God has placed you, use your influence to serve others, and become the person you once needed. We also reflect on the midpoint of the year how to reset your goals and finish strong in faith. Grieve what was missing, trust God’s timing, and be a light where you are.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Could it be that your current wilderness is actually a place of hidden purpose? Join us as we unpack how God still uses these in-between spaces to teach, shape, and prepare us for what's ahead.
Before reaching the Promised Land, the Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness—not as punishment, but as preparation. In this episode, we explore how God used the desert to develop trust, reveal His provision, and transform hearts and He desires to do the same with you.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
When one season ends, another begins - but not without some emotional turbulence. In this episode, we talk about navigating endings, the tools that can help you process change by using the acronym C.A.R.T.S., and how even closed doors can be a blessing in disguise. If you're in a season of ending a Transition, this one's for you!
To watch and listen to Tim Ross's message, check it out on YouTube called "Watch the Signs"
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Life is full of transitions—whether it’s a loss of a job, a move, a relationship shift, an unexpected doctors report, the loss of a loved one or a deeper personal calling. But how do we navigate these changes with wisdom and grace?
In this episode, we dive into 6 Stages of navigating a seasonal change and how we can of embrace them with confidence. What does it look like to trust God in the process, and steward the opportunities and challenges that come with change?
Whether you’re stepping into something new or closing a chapter, this conversation will equip you with practical insights and encouragement to walk boldly into your next season.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
THROWBACK EPISODE! As we re-release our 1st ever VIDEO RECORDED Episode from OVER 3 YEARS AGO (January 2022). It's old but still applicable!
If you struggle with Routines, Habits and Disciplines, this listen is for you! In todays Session, you'll learn:
- Habits vs. Disciplines
- The Habit Loop
- How your Routines could be Your Barrier to Growth
- Routines, Habits and Disciplines aren't the goal Itself
Part of developing healthy Routines, Habits and Disciplines is by knowing who you are and your purpose in life. Be sure to check out those two earlier sessions called "Session 11: Who Are You?" and "Session 13: Purpose vs. Assignment".
Additional Book Resources:
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg https://www.amazon.com/Power-Habit-What-Life-Business/dp/081298160X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=L1GFGFPBS35U&keywords=the+power+of+habit&qid=1642617380&sprefix=the+power+of+habit%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1
The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster https://www.amazon.com/Power-Habit-What-Life-Business/dp/081298160X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=L1GFGFPBS35U&keywords=the+power+of+habit&qid=1642617380&sprefix=the+power+of+habit%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1
Recommended Series to Listen/View (Series is also Available on Podcast):
Habits by Craig Groeschel - 3 Part Series (https://www.life.church/media/habits/)
Self-Mastery by Erwin McManus (https://youtu.be/8D2zYSB-h4g?si=KfLViULX2D2Idges)
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
Instagram: @markkbenton2
Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
Website: https://www.markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please like, subscribe and share and leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Where have we been?! Why did we drop off?!
This is our 1st Episode Back with just the two of us. We unpack where we've been the lsat 8 months and the lessons learned over that time frame.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Are you struggling in your Marriage? Do you feel helpless in your relationship? In this Episode we talk about 3 things we believe it takes to have a Healthy Marriage, how to face Hardship and Overcome it.
Here are some of the Resources Brett and Erin referred to.
1. Affair Recovery
-
Re-Engage
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Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
In this episode, I go over 4 things we must do in order to grow in Confidence and Humility. You'll also learn the 3 things God does in response towards us when we take the first 4 steps.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Have you ever struggled with Goal Setting?
How do you know if you're achieving the right goals?
Have you ever thought to yourself, "I'm accomplishing a lot of things but am I accomplishing the RIGHT things?
In this episode, I go over 6 questions you should ask yourself along with the Lord in order to determine what goals you should set.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
What if the key to us having a better year is by knowing God's greatest desire of our heart? I can't promise you that this will be your best year yet. But what if I can guarantee you that you'll have more peace than ever before by knowing this one thing from God?
Check out this episode as we discover the #1 thing God desires most from you and how we can live from that place to experience more peace, clarity and guidance in our life than ever before.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @mark.k.benton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Do you find yourself struggling to connect with your loved ones such as your spouse? Kids? A family member or even a close friend? Maybe it's with someone at work. Your boss, Co-Worker or people you lead. Whomever it is, what if your struggle is simply because you don't know how they think.
Maybe you're a "Mind Person" trying to talk to a "Heart Person". Or you're a "Heart Person" trying to talk to a "Mind Person". Either way, we need to learn to speak the other persons language so we can connect and love others well.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @mark.k.benton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
If you find yourself mentally, emotionally and spiritually drained, you may need to learn how to implement self care. But how do we do that? There's a difference between Selfishness and Self-Stewardship. Join us in todays episode as we talk about how to implement self care in our lives, why it matters and how it can impact not only ourself, but the people around us.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @mark.k.benton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Marriage is more than a compromise, it's also sacrifice. In this episode we talk about reasons we got married, the gifts and benefits of it, our challenges, our top 3 lessons learned in marriage and discuss dating, singleness, finances and more!
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @mark.k.benton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
There are 2 things every single person on the planet not only craves but needs and that's ATTACHMENT & AUTHENTICITY (in that order). If we want to have Healthy Thriving Relationships (with family, friends, our spouse, dating etc.), we must be able to identify if we are in the right type of relationships. We must also need to identify if we're in unhealthy/toxic relationships. These two things are vital when it comes to having life giving relationships in our lives.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @mark.k.benton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
As we step into the New Year, here are 3 areas of focus to step into when it comes to 2024.
- "Who" Goal before a "Do" Goal
- Have a Stretch Goal
- Implement S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Goals
To watch or listen to the previous episode on "How 2023 Challenged Us" (EP #73)
Apple Podcast
Spotify
YouTube
If you want to listen to that sermon regarding us living well as we go into the New Year, listen to this message called "I am Bartimaeus" by Pastor Jelani Lewis available on YouTube
If you have additional thoughts or questions to share, please post in the comments below!
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
Instagram: @mark.k.benton2 @jubynotjudy
Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
Website: markkbenton2.com
Comment Below your Biggest Takeaway and please SHARE this if you gained any value from this Episode!
Every year we like to pause and reflect on the past year and address what we've learned so we can continue to live more intentional going into the New Year. These are questions we think would also add value to you and your family. We encourage you to use them with yours rather you're eating at the dinner table, on the road or flying to your next destination! Here are the questions we ask.
- When you look back on this past year, what are some things you’ve generally learned (personally, professionally, spiritually, a skillset, a new discipline etc.)?
- What 1-3 things have you learned about the Lord this past year?
- What have you learned about God’s Word? In what way(s) has it helped you? Share an example.
- What 1-3 things have you learned about yourself this past year?
- What are you most looking forward to moving into the new year?
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @mark.k.benton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
It's the 3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE POD! We get pretty raw and vulnerable with what the Lord has done in our lives personally so we talk about Vulnerability, Reflection, Healing, Growth and what it truly looks like to allow God be the Lord of our life. We're so thankful for you and would love to hear your favorite moments and/or favorite episode!
And if you want to support our friend Sarah and her Bracelets, checkout her website at Stacked With Purpose We know this family personally and they are amazing people of God!
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @mark.k.benton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
This is our 2nd VLOG where we answer YOUR Questions! We talk about Church, Marriage, Relationships, Conflict Management, remaining Humble and so much more!
We officially have our 1st MERCH! We have designed and dropped our 1st T-Shirt to help fund our 1st Overseas 10-Day Missions trip to Nepal as a couple! We will be bringing business education, english education, and health education to the people tucked away in the Himalayan Mountains and the valley of Kathmandu. Our focus in education is to help prevent human trafficking that is so prevalent in the mountains. If you’d like to partner with us on our trip to Nepal, you can contribute financially at the following links!
Get your T-Shirt HERE or you can directly donate HERE!
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
Instagram: @mark.k.benton2 @jubynotjudy
Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
Website: markkbenton2.com
Comment Below your Biggest Takeaway and please SHARE this if you gained any value from this Episode!
As we look back over our 1 year move to Texas, we take the time to express our Gratitude and what does it look like to truly live a Surrendered life to God.
We are also doing our 1st Overseas 10-Day Missions trip to Nepal as a couple! We will be bringing business education, english education, and health education to the people tucked away in the Himalayan Mountains and the valley of Kathmandu. Our focus in education is to help prevent human trafficking that is so prevalent in the mountains. If you’d like to partner with us on our trip to Nepal, you can contribute financially at the following links! They are separate as we both have to be funded individually.
JUBY'S TRIP TO NEPAL
MARK'S TRIP TO NEPAL
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @mark.k.benton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Ever feel lost in life? What if you were actually closer to hitting your goals than you think? In this episode we talk about navigating through tough moments in life, how to reorient ourselves and set intentional direction to hit your goals in life.
We are also doing our 1st Overseas 10-Day Missions trip to Nepal as a couple! We will be bringing business education, english education, and health education to the people tucked away in the Himalayan Mountains and the valley of Kathmandu. Our focus in education is to help prevent human trafficking that is so prevalent in the mountains. If you’d like to partner with us on our trip to Nepal, you can contribute financially at the following links! They are separate as we both have to be funded individually.
JUBY'S TRIP TO NEPAL
MARK'S TRIP TO NEPAL
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @mark.k.benton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
We're back from our 2 month break! In this episode, we talk about how to hear from God, the gifts of the the Holy Spirit and what it looks like to also have Character.
We are also doing our 1st Overseas 10-Day Missions trip to Nepal as a couple! We will be bringing business education, english education, and health education to the people tucked away in the Himalayan Mountains and the valley of Kathmandu. Our focus in education is to help prevent human trafficking that is so prevalent in the mountains. If you’d like to partner with us on our trip to Nepal, you can contribute financially at the following links! They are separate as we both have to be funded individually.
JUBY'S TRIP TO NEPAL
MARK'S TRIP TO NEPAL
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @mark.k.benton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Are you Exhausted? Tired? Overwhelmed? Anxious? It might be time for you to get some REST and SOLITUDE. Give this episode a listen as we go over Biblical and Practical ways to live rested! We also give you some great filter questions to ask yourself when it comes to making decisions on receiving rest.
We are also doing our 1st Overseas 10-Day Missions trip to Nepal as a couple! We will be bringing business education, english education, and health education to the people tucked away in the Himalayan Mountains and the valley of Kathmandu. Our focus in education is to help prevent human trafficking that is so prevalent in the mountains. If you’d like to partner with us on our trip to Nepal, you can contribute financially by going to the following links below!
JUBY'S TRIP TO NEPAL
MARK'S TRIP TO NEPAL
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
How do you know if you have a Toxic Relationship?
How do you know if you have a Soul Tie?
What is a Soul Tie and how do we identify them?
If you find yourself constantly trying to be fulfilled by a significant other, parent, co-worker, boss, a close friend or a family member, you may have a Soul Tie and/or a Toxic Relationship. Check out this episode to find out how to identify it and get out of one so you can begin taking steps to becoming healthy and whole in the Lord.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy @beccasramirez
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
In this Episode, we talk on what it's looked like for us to reclaim our voice, our thoughts and our identity. We share how knowing Christ and seeing God as our Heavenly Father has shaped and informed our mindset towards ourselves.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
After my Mom just turned 60, she gives some great Wisdom as she reflects on lessons learned throughout her life and gives thoughts on how we can live without regret.
To catch the last episode we did on the Podcast, check it out on Apple orSpotify
"FEEL STUCK? IT'S TIME TO PIVOT" - EPISODE #512
Also, check out the other two messages from Tim Rivers and Erwin McManus Below
Tim Rivers - You May Have a LOT to Deal With
YouTube
Apple
Spotify
Erwin McManus - What Did You Expect | The Last Arrow
YouTube
Apple
Spotify
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
Instagram: @ltaipdcst @jubynotjudy
Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
Website: markkbenton2.com
Comment Below your Biggest Takeaway and please SHARE this if you gained any value from this Episode!
Welcome to our 1st ever VLOG-CAST of the "Let's Talk About It" Podcast!
In this episode, we roam the streets of Fort Worth and share our thoughts on Perspective and how it can shift our mindset.
Often times, we miss where we actually are in life because we don't have an accurate view of ourselves. But sometimes, all you need is to get a new perspective. Perspective has a way of shifting your focus as to where we are. The goal isn't to dismiss, ignore or belittle your feelings/emotions towards your situation, but to help you shift your mindset as to where you're at in life.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Too many of us walk through life without paying attention as to WHY we live and respond the way we do. Do you actually take the time to know yourself?
In this episode, I bring my friend and pastor Bruce Menefee on and he shares his journey as well as provide some wisdom and practical steps on what it looks like for us to journey with ourselves and do it with the Lord.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
4 Months ago during our Break, we put out a poll asking what topics would you like for us to talk about. One of our closest friends lost their sister 6 years ago and shared with us how hard it has been to reconnect with Christ. They asked us our thoughts on what does it look like for us to reconnect with God. Here are our thoughts.
Comment Below your Biggest Takeaway and let us know what other questions or topic ideas you have. Would love to hear them!
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Prayer is an Essential Part of our walk with the Lord. And part of our prayer time means we need to have Quiet Time. But what does that look like?
Join In on todays Episode as we go through what it means to:
1. Quiet Your Mind
2. Focus Your Mind
3. Pray Your Mind
4. Renew Your Mind
5 Words we should also consider Praying through is:
1. Spirit
2. Source
3. Center
4. Balance
5. Ground
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
We had quite the week in which our Insecurities almost got the best of us. What we realized is that it became an opportunity to expose them, bring them to the Lord and each other so we can learn from it. If we don't deal with our Insecurities, our Insecurities will deal with us. Dive in with us to hear what we learned and share with you on how you too can grow to address your Insecurities.
But before you hit play, visit our YouTube Channel and enjoy the Video Experience. To watch this particular episode, you can view it Here!
Here are some of the other honorable mentions and resources we recommend you to check out!
Tim Ross's Podcast called "The Basement". He's on:
- Apple Podcast
- Spotify
- YouTube
Here's the song "The Stand" by Hillsong United
Tyler Stanton "Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools" available on Amazon
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
In this episode, we answer YOUR Questions on Singleness, Dating and the early years of our Marriage!
But before you hit play, visit our YouTube Channel and enjoy the Video Experience. To watch this particular episode, you can view it Here!
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
In this episode, we share our LOVE Story and How we met! But before you hit play, visit our YouTube Channel and enjoy the Video Experience. To watch this particular episode, you can view it Here!
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
- What if your ability to value others is less about intentionality and more about seeing them through the eyes of God?
- What if making Habits is more about small changes instead of big changes?
- What if Balance is not a place of arrival, but a posture of constant management?
In this episode, we invite our friend Derek Dunn who gives us insight to valuing others, how we can start creating new habits and what it looks like to live a life that's "Balanced".
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy @dereksdunn
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
- YouTube:
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Are you frustrated in life because you don't know your next step?
Do you find yourself frustrated with God because you don't have answers?
What if I told you it's because He wants you to wait? And that in the Wait, you receive clarity. But when you receive clarity, will you Obey?
In this episode, we share our experience in what we learned on what it means to wait. Take a listen to this great message by Tim Ross called "Make Room, Week 3: Watch the Signs" available on:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
YouTube
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Welcome to the Season 3 Premiere of the “Let’s Talk About It” Podcast! We all look forward to a better and healthier future, but sometimes we don’t take a moment to reflect on the journey. It’s important to look backward in order so you can move forward. One of the best ways to assess yourself is through asking questions. We challenge you to not only ask these questions to yourself, but discuss it with others!
Here are some suggestions as to who you can do this with:
- Your Spouse
- Your Family over a meal
- Your Friends
- Your Small Group
- Your Journal
Below are the Questions that we’re asked during this episode. Screenshot these and use them to grow! Also, get creative and let the Holy Spirit move you and add additional questions during your time of discussion and journaling.
Ice Breaker: What was your most embarrassing moment of this past year?
- What 1-3 lessons have you learned this past year?
- As you reflect on the past year, what do you think the new year will be like for you?
- In 1 word, how would you describe your hopes for the upcoming year/future?
- What have you learned about God this past year?
- What would you tell yourself from 1 year ago?
- What was your song/anthem of the year? Why?
- What’s your Movie of the Year? Why?
- Do you have any New Years Traditions? What are they? Why?
- With everything that’s happened in the past year, if today was your last day, what encouragement/word would you have for the world right now?
Additional Questions:
- What did God reveal about you this past year (Healthy & Unhealthy)?
- Based on what God has taught you, Who does He want you to become?
- What ONE practical next step will you take to be the person God desires you to be?
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find us at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Hey LTAI Fam!
Juby and I are taking a Break! We'll be gone for a few weeks but don't you worry... we WILL be back! If you would, please be praying for us. Pray that we have a new mind, new heart, as well as new ways to serve and pour into you.
In the meantime, here are some of our personal favorite episodes.
Apple Podcast
11. Who Are You?
13. Your Purpose vs. Your Assignment
17. Becoming a Communicator
20. God... Remove my Cup of Suffering
30. How (not) to Save the World (w/ Hosanna Wong)
36. Routines, Habits and Disciplines
38. Live, Laugh, Fun (w/ Jarae Meriwether)
48. A Special Forces Mindset (w/ Isaiah Luce)
50. Halftime!
51. Feel Stuck? It's Time to Pivot (w. Dr. Kim Benton)
53. What's God's Will? | Conflict | Facts vs. Feelings
Spotify Podcast
11. Who Are You?
13. Your Purpose vs. Your Assignment
17. Becoming a Communicator
20. God... Remove my Cup of Suffering
30. How (not) to Save the World (w/ Hosanna Wong)
36. Routines, Habits and Disciplines
38. Live, Laugh, Fun (w/ Jarae Meriwether)
48. A Special Forces Mindset (w/ Isaiah Luce)
50. Halftime!
51. Feel Stuck? It's Time to Pivot
53. What's God's Will? | Conflict | Facts vs. Feelings
Any suggestions or thoughts for the show? Send me a voicemail at the website markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on the Website. We love you and will be with you again in a few weeks!
Have you ever asked yourself...
- How do I know if it's God's Voice or My Voice?
- How do I solve conflict?
- How do I manage my feelings versus the facts?
If you said "Yes" to any of these, this is for you!
We answer YOUR questions! The Fans! The Participators! The "Let's Talk About It" Family! Get ready as we dive into YOUR questions and share with you what we have learned regarding how to hear God's voice, managing conflict and how to pay attention to both our feelings and facts.
Additional Resources:
- Led by Tim Ross from Embassy City Church (Apple)
- Led by Tim Ross from Embassy City Church (Spotify)
- Effective Conflict Management from the Let's Talk About It Podcast (Apple)
- Effective Conflict Management from the Let's Talk About it Podcast (Spotify)
- God... Remove my Cup of SUFFERING from the Let's Talk About It Podcast (Apple)
- God... Remove my Cup of SUFFERING from the Let's Talk About It Podcast (Spotify)
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
- Are you struggling to believe God to do something big in your life?
- Are you struggling to believe God CAN do something big in your life?
These are valid questions and thoughts we all have. If you're wrestling with believing in the Lord to do something radical and big in your life, here's the question I'd ask...
"HOW'S YOUR HEART?!"
- Is it soft?
- Is it hard?
- Is it cynical?
- Is it critical?
If your heart isn’t in a place that’s receptive to the things of God, it’s probably because your heart has been open, receptive and consuming things outside of God. The only narrower of Gods restriction is our hearts. It’s NOT his Ability!
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Do you feel Stuck in life?
Do you think you've "missed it" in life?
Do you feel that you're too old to make a change?
If you answered "Yes" to any of those questions, then it's time for you to PIVOT! But how do we do that?!
You've been doing what you're doing for so long, you feel that it's too late. You think you've invested to much time, finances, resources and years into your craft, you think it'd be foolish to make a change. But nothing could be further from the truth!
I invite my Mom (Dr. Kim Lucas Benton) onto the show for this special episode. After serving in the same field for over 25 years, she decided to make a PIVOT. As long as you have breath in your lungs, it's NEVER too late.
Are you ready to make a PIVOT? Then hit that play Button and get ready to start making impactful decisions to change your life.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
We are celebrating our 50th episode of the Podcast! As we celebrate, we discuss what it means to go into a personal "Halftime" of our own life.
- Are you in a difficult season in life trying to figure some things out?
- Are you trying to figure out what's going on in your life?
- Are you trying to figure out what's next in life but uncertain?
What would it look like if you gave yourself your own personal HALFTIME?
The Purpose of Halftime is to assess previous plays and make necessary adjustments in order to win the game. And you can do the same thing in your own life.
Additional Resources to listen to are:
Apostles by Pastor Robert Morris at Gateway Church
Don't be Too High to Come in Low by Pastor Tim Ross at Embassy City Church
Reflection Questions to ask are:
- What are you learning about God in this season?
- What are you learning about yourself in this season?
- What Next Step (1-3) will you take to move forward in this season?
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Have you ever struggled with Knowing Who you Are?
Maybe it's because you've been given a certain name or title by someone else.
Maybe you were given unhealthy or unrealistic expectations as to WHAT or WHO you were supposed to be. Maybe you were given an expectation that was encouraging, but may just not line up with what you want to do or even more so, what God wants you to do.
Part of why we struggle with knowing who we are is because we are so caught up with the business of our lives. Business has a way of influencing us to live our life for ourselves and/or others and not God. But God has a NEW Narrative for you. But how do we discern that?
Take a listen to this message so you can discern who GOD says you are and take necessary steps in the direction as to who He says you are and not the opinion or yourself or others.
Additional Resources for todays message is to get the book "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" by John Mark Comer.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Are you currently experiencing hardship?
Are you mentally and spiritually depleted?
If you said "Yes" to any of those questions, this episode is for you!
I invite one of my closest friends onto the show, Isaiah Luce. Isaiah recently completed an 18 month rigorous program through the Army Special Forces and is now identified as a Green Beret. It was the most physical, mental and spiritual depleting experience of his life.
Though he is an Active Duty Army Service Member, he shares a LOT of lessons learned that can help all of us in the hardship and season of life we are currently in.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
After having our Two-Part Mental Health Episode, I wanted to follow-up on how can we maintain and increase our Spiritual Health.
One of the best ways we can increase our Spiritual Health is through Prayer. But then the questions we ask are:
- What is Prayer?
- How do I Pray?
- Am I praying Right?
Well... Prayer is simply talking to God. But How do we talk to Him? Take a listen to this episode and find out!
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy @jfripp3
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Join Us as we finish Part 2 of our conversation on Mental Health and Counseling!
If you're looking to take a next step with your Mental Health or need Counseling, check out Psychology Today
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy @jfripp3
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
She's Back! We bring back our good friend Dr. Jessica Fripp as we discuss an important and necessary topic!
We all have an idea as to what Mental Health and Counseling looks like. But some of us may have a common misconception as to WHAT it is and HOW we go about it.
We address questions such as:
- What is Mental Health?
- What is Counseling?
- How do I know if I need it?
- If I need Counseling, where do I start?
Take this journey with us as we dive into Mental Health and Counseling.
If you're looking to take a next step with your Mental Health or need Counseling, check out Psychology Today
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 @jubynotjudy @jfripp3
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Are you having a bad week?
Are you having a good week?
You're allowed to have bad days, but what do you do with them?
You're also allowed to have good days, but how are you capitalizing them?
In this episode, we talk about both! We discuss healthy practical steps in our approach to bad days and good days and how God is at the center of both.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
What are you currently seeking in life? Regardless if it's healthy for you, or unhealthy, whatever you focus on, you'll get.
All of us are seeking something in life, but are you seeking the right things? What you seek, you will find. If you stay on the path you're on, will you like what you'll find? If not, you need to seek something new.
Join us as we talk about the importance of seeking the right things that build our walk with Christ and not the things that distract us from Him.
Also, take a listen to my friends Andy Lehman and Joel Demott on The Dudes and Dads Podcast with their special guest Tim Miller: Inner Healing Prayer.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Have you ever felt Stuck in life?
Have you ever felt Stagnant?
Have you ever felt like you're in a constant cycle of the same thing and not going anywhere?
If you've answered "Yes" to any of these questions, this session is for you!
Join us as dive into how we can move from feeling stuck and stagnant. It's never too late to be restored and start a new season in your life with the Lord. He wants to meet you right where you are and help you embrace the challenges to step into Freedom!
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
In this episode, I sit down with my wife as we talk about one of the most important things all people on the planet can't live without, FRIENDS!
You may be someone who refers to themself as a "Loner" or an "Introvert". But guess what? Even you need friends! God created us to belong together in community and He will never call you to do something in life without the backing of His people.
If you've ever struggled to have friends in your life or some form of community, this episode is for you.
A lot of todays episode comes from Pastor Andy Stanley's famous series called "Guardrails". Our church did a version on and it's available at "Guardrails: Why Can't We Be Friends"
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: markkbenton2.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Are you stressed?
Are you worried?
Are you fearful?
Take a listen as I share my thoughts regarding how we are to respond with everything that is happening in Ukraine. As people of Faith, we are being given an opportunity to be accurate ambassadors of the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
In this session, Juby and I answer some Rapid Fire Questions from YOU! Our Fans! We talk about...
- The first season of Boba Fett
- What type of Animal we'd be or own as a pet
- Cancel Culture with Joe Rogan
- Relationships
- Values
and MORE!
To listen to other conversations regarding Cancel Culture and how Christians should respond regarding the challenges surrounding Joe Rogan, check out the following resources.
- Battle Ready: Explicit Content by Erwin and Aaron McManus (Apple Podcast)
- Battle Ready: Explicit Content by Erwin and Aaron McManus (Spotify)
- Joe Rogan vs. Neil Young by Ruslan (YouTube)
- Joe Rogan Apologizes for "Planet of the Apes" Remarks by Ruslan (Spotify)
- Joe Rogan Apologizes for "Planet of the Apes" Remarks by Ruslan (Apple Podcast)
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Here's a Fun Bonus Episode!!
One of my closest friends Jarae hops on to be a special guest host and ask me some fun questions. Sometimes you just gotta LIVE life with good people, LAUGH and have some FUN!
Enjoy this short, but VERY fun Episode!
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Do you struggle with Initiating, Building or Maintaining Relationships? Then this is the episode for you!
In this session, I sit down with one of the wisest people I personally know, my Pops! He gives us guidance, wisdom and insight on how to connect with people, ask questions, listen well and how we can follow up with the people we meet in life to add value to them. Because at the end of the day, it's not about us. It's about the people we can help today and the days ahead.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Happy New Year as we Premiere Season 2!!!
Instead of New Year Resolutions, we talk about Routines, Habits and Disciplines! In todays Session, you'll learn:
- Habits vs. Disciplines
- The Habit Loop
- How your Routines could be Your Barrier to Growth
- Routines, Habits and Disciplines aren't the goal Itself
Part of developing healthy Routines, Habits and Disciplines is by knowing who you are and your purpose in life. Be sure to check out those two earlier sessions called "Session 11: Who Are You?" and "Session 13: Purpose vs. Assignment".
Additional Book Resources:
- The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
- The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster (FREE on Hoopla)
Recommended Series to Listen/View (Series is also Available on Podcast):
- Habits by Craig Groeschel - 3 Part Series (Available on Podcast & Spotify)
- Fresh Start by Mike Burnette - 5 Part Series (Available on Podcast)
- Self-Mastery by Erwin McManus - 3 Part Series (Available on Podcast & Spotify)
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
We've officially come to the end of Season 1! And I can't Thank You enough!
Thank You for Listening!
Thank You for Supporting!
Thank You for Rating!
Thank You for Encouraging!
Be sure to take this time during the break to Reflect.
Information isn't Transformation. There is only Transformation when there is Application. So what do you need to apply? Ask yourself... "What have I learned, that I still need to apply?"
Season 2 will be back Mid January 2022!
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
In this Session, I sit down with my Wife and talk about Life. As we celebrate our 7 year Anniversary, we talk about...
- Marriage
- Singleness
- Relationships
- Emotions
- Growth
- Fun Facts
- Current lessons learned in life and how you can apply what we talk about in your own world.
Want to chat or have any suggestions for the show? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Have you ever asked yourself...
- Where can I go to IMPACT people?
- How can I make an IMPACT in the world?
- What can I do to IMPACT the people in my community?
In this session, I share my experience of going back to my hometown, and how I partnered with San Francisco City Impact to serve their community.
San Francisco holds the 6th highest homeless population in America. With over 8,000 homeless individuals, San Francisco City Impact provides a Christian Education (K-8th Grade), a Church to preach and share the gospel amongst those within their community and feeds over 500 homeless people a week.
But this is so much more about how this experience impacted me. It's also about how you can be an impact to others. Journey with me, as I share with you the top 10 lessons I learned from my trip back to San Francisco, and how you can take these same lessons and apply it in your community to make an IMPACT.
10 Ways to Impact Your City
- A "Just Cause"
- Serve with Joy
- See People as God see's them
- Learn People's Stories
- Pray the Scriptures
- START with what you KNOW
- People WANT the Gospel!
- Share the Gospel
- Be Holy Spirit Led
- Listen to Learn
Check out San Francisco City Impact and other links below for more information
- Mission Trips
- Ways to Give
- Sponsor a Child
- Internship
Want to chat? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
It's the 1 YEAR Anniversary of the "Let's Talk About It!" Podcast!
In this Special Session, we celebrate by reflecting on lessons learned in the past year.
We also discuss Fear, and how it can be the very thing that is blocking you from enjoying one of the greatest experiences of your life. Fear can actually point to the thing you desire most. Ask yourself...
- What if I did it scared?
- What if I did it unfinished?
Listen to this Special Session as we reflect, learn and talk through how to rejoice 1 year later, or remain stuck in fear?
Also check out Erwin McManus's Podcast called "Battle Ready" and his Episode on FACING YOUR FEARS available at Apple Podcast and Spotify
Want to chat? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
John Paxton, Steve Kerr, Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan. You may not know some of those names. But EVERYONE knows the name, "Michael Jordan".
He's an iconic player and is arguably the greatest NBA player of all time. Though he was the star player of his team, he needed a team to help him accomplish his goal. As successful as he is, Michael Jordan did not accomplish anything on his own. And guess what... neither can you.
Michael Jordan had a role to play. So did the members on his team. And so do you. But do you know the role you have to play and do you know the role of others on your team? Questions to ask yourself:
- Am I Open to the Role of others?
- Who’s Open?
- Will I submit to the role of others?
- What’s My Role?
Additional Next Steps to take:
- What needs to change in me so I can continue to serve faithfully?
- Do I have Joy when I serve in my role?
- How different could my life be if I decrease, so Jesus can increase?
Want to chat? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Do you have life giving friends?
Do you have people that push you towards your goals in life?
Do you have a strong community of people you can rely on in tough times of life?
If you’ve answered “No” to any of those questions, this session is for you! I invite two new friends Joel DeMott and Andy Lehman from the “Dudes and Dads Podcast”. Andy shares his story on the loss of his daughter, and through his vulnerability, saw the hand of God in his life take place through his friendship with Joel.
In this session, you'll learn about the importance of community, how to be vulnerable to build that community and some practical steps on what you can do to grow in those areas.
You can also follow Joel and Andy on instagram at Andy Lehman, Joel DeMott and The Dudes And Dads Podcast.
I did an episode on their Podcast called "Why it is Important to go to Church"
Checkout one of my favorite episodes by them called "Batman, Superman and Indiana Jones"
Want to chat? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Have you ever thought to yourself and asked:
- How do I share my Faith?
- Is my story worthy to impact someone else’s life?
- Does God really want to use me to lead others to Christ?
- Can God really use me to lead others to Christ?
If you answered “Yes” to any of those questions, this Session is for you!
Hosanna Wong joins me and shares her story, wisdom and insight on what it looks like for us to step into the person God has called us to be so we can share our faith with others.
Here are some questions that are asked that we should consider in our own personal time with God:
- God, what do you want me to do?
- God, what do you want me to say?
- What haven’t I done?
- What haven’t I said?
- What’s a life message God has given me that I can share?
To hear more from Hosanna, visit her website at https://www.hosannawong.com/links/
Be sure to purchase her newest book, “How (not) to Save the World” available on Amazon You can also follow her on Instagram at @hosanna.wong
Want to chat? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II
- Facebook: Group Page
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
What do you do when you come across someone who thinks different from you?
How do you respond when someone has a different opinion than you?
- Are you Democrat or Republican?
- Are you Pro Mask or Anti-Mask?
- Are you for the Vaccine or against the Vaccine?
We live in a day of such polarizing views, that if someone thinks different from us, we assume them to be our enemy. But not everything in life is Black and White. Not everything always has a clear Right and Wrong.
What if there was a second way of viewing things?
What if there was some GREY?
How different could our life be if we actually took the time to hear others perspective?
What if listening to someone else's perspective actually demonstrated that you care and love your neighbor?
Practical Questions
- Are you making yourself a servant to all people, or are you living in your rights?
- Are you doing EVERYTHING you can to find common ground with EVERYONE?
- Are you allowing your rights to get in the way from serving and loving others?
Practical Action Steps
- What’s my MOTIVE when I post or speak? Do I speak and post with hate? Or do I speak and post with a motive of the love of Christ? If its hate, I have good news.
- REPENT! GO to God. He’s a God who extends mercy, grace and healing for ALL people.
- Who do I need to CONNECT with that’s different from me?
- Politically
- Culturally
- Racially
- Generationally
- Gender
- Class
- What can I PRACTICALLY do to connect with those who are different from me?
- Prayer (FOR them or WITH them)
- Phone Call
- Text
- Conversation (Listen to their Story and Ask a LOT of Questions)
Additional Resources
- What's Your Foundation? by Mark K. Benton II (PODCAST) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-book-of-acts-whats-your-foundation/id959114805?i=1000527796452
- What's Your Foundation? by Mark K. Benton II (YOUTUBE) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY6XWQ1hq_c&t=1386s
- Parable of the Good Samaritan by Pastor Mike Burnette (PODCAST) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parables-parable-of-the-good-samaritan/id959114805?i=1000533464207
- Parable of the Good Samaritan by Pastor Mike Burnette (YOUTUBE) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1-J_t0sJMk
- Parable of the Two Sons by Pastor Mike Burnette (PODCAST) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parables-parable-of-the-two-sons/id959114805?i=1000532745216
- Parable of the Two Sons by Pastor Mike Burnette (YOUTUBE) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08salFbU3DI
Contact me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 https://www.instagram.com/markkbenton2/
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II https://www.facebook.com/mkbenton2
- Facebook: Group Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/351427136178806
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
If you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website.
Have you ever asked yourself any of these questions?
- How do I maintain a Christian Perspective when everyone thinks different from me?
- When culture thinks one way, how should I respond as a believer?
- Does my Faith have a place when culture says something completely different?
Join me and my wife Juby as we talk with our new friend Jamie Wu! She gives us some great insight on what it looks like to navigate cultural trends but maintain a healthy christian perspective!
You can follow and learn more about Jamie Wu at her Podcast called "Dear Younger Me" available at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-younger-me/id1448163114
Want to chat? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 https://www.instagram.com/markkbenton2/
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II https://www.facebook.com/mkbenton2
- Facebook: Group Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/351427136178806
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
With everything that's been happening in Afghanistan, we are flooded with several opinions and emotions. But what are we supposed to do with them? As people of Faith, we are called too...
- GO to God
- WORSHIP God
- PRAY to God
- THANK God
Check out my "Hope Playlist" via Spotify available at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4mYkfar9Sic9iC5IN3aHFb?si=8413b37046c64ff6
Struggling with Prayer? Be sure to download my Church's "Pray First" Guide at LifePoint Church available at https://lifepointchurch.tv/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/LPC-Pray-First-1.pdf
Check out my Pastor, Pastor Mike's Message on how the Church can make a difference in our world called "Questions I Ask About Our Faith in Jesus" available at the following links
- YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvPw0szsoHo
- Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-book-of-acts-questions-i-ask-about-our-faith-in-jesus/id959114805?i=1000532075613
Want to chat? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 https://www.instagram.com/markkbenton2/
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II https://www.facebook.com/mkbenton2
- Facebook: Group Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/351427136178806
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
In this session, we continue our conversation from “Session 24: Skill VS. Talent”. I received so much positive feedback from that session so thanks you for your input! I didn’t want to leave that topic alone yet because I felt there was more to add. What I had come to realize in addition to knowing your skill and talent is that repetition matters! Whatever you desire to accomplish in life, it will require you to be consistent.
Here are some things to think through:
- Who does God want you to become?
- What is He trying to teach you?
- Pray for the Practical
- Read Daniel 6:10 and Psalm 119:164
Additional Resources
- Read an Article on “Jesus Lifestyle of Prayer” written by Steve Shirley available at https://jesusalive.cc/times-jesus-prayed/
- Read “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction” by Eugene H. Peterson available on Hoopla at https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/11497657
- Read “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction” by Eugene H. Peterson available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0830848630?pf_rd_r=WDWP9S1STZGRAVRXER64&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=3ed610cf-0034-47c2-9a69-6119a2a003c7&pd_rd_w=Eaggu&pd_rd_wg=1hIgW&ref_=pd_gw_unk
Want to hear more detail and how to apply it in your life? Take a listen to this session. You don’t want to miss it!
Want to chat? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 https://www.instagram.com/markkbenton2/
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II https://www.facebook.com/mkbenton2
- Facebook: Group Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/351427136178806
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
If you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Surprise!
On July 30th 2021, I was reflecting on past journal entries. I wrote...
"Today I had an idea of doing a Podcast 2-3 years from now. Don't know if I'll do it but it's a fun thought." Guys, I wrote that July 28th 2018 which was over 3 years ago!
I had wondered, "What's holding me back from doing this?!" I had let fear and so many other reasons become an excuse as to why I wouldn't start a Podcast, but guess what... I did it! And it made me think of you!
What's holding you back from doing something God has placed in your heart?
Ask Yourself...
- What desires has God placed in your heart?
- What would you accomplish if you weren't scared?
- What could God do in your life f you trusted Him?
- What will you practically do to start?
Take a listen to this quick BONUS episode just for you!
And if you want to listen to that episode on Fear called "Facing Your Fears" by Aaron and Erwin McManus, it's available on Apple Podcast AND Spotify at the links below:
- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/battle-ready-with-erwin-aaron-mcmanus/id1300400330?i=1000526823506
- Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4BfreewDBt66udvUMdo7Um?si=KGhXETmUQheI5itPCbwpGA&dl_branch=1
Want to chat? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 https://www.instagram.com/markkbenton2/
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II https://www.facebook.com/mkbenton2
- Facebook: Group Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/351427136178806
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Have you ever thought about the difference between skill and talent? They’re both important, but knowing the difference can help guide us to live our life more intentionally. An article written by “Core Differences” addressed the differences between skills and talent (article available at the following link https://coredifferences.com/difference-between-talent-and-skill/). The five I specifically address are:
- Talent is the natural ability a person is born with while skill refers to competency learned.
- Talent tends to be hidden while skill is demonstrated.
- Talent requires coaching while skill requires training.
- Talent requires recognition while skill require development.
- Talent is possessed by few people whereas skill is possessed by many.
Practical Next Steps to apply and consider are:
1. Identify your Talent
2. Live in your Talent
3. Identify your Barriers4. Surrender it to God
Want to hear more detail about the differences and how to apply it in your life? Take a listen to this session. You don’t want to miss it!
Want to chat? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
· Instagram: @markkbenton2 https://www.instagram.com/markkbenton2/
· Facebook: Mark K. Benton II https://www.facebook.com/mkbenton2
· Facebook: Group Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/351427136178806
· Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
In this session, I have on my most favorite person in the world! My wife (Juby) takes over the Podcast! Juby sits down with me and asks several random questions. I don't discover the question until she asked it during the recording of this session. This entire episode is spontaneous and in the moment. We laugh and we talk about some deep things. From weddings and funerals, to road trips, our deepest regret, what we’re most excited about in life, and much more! Here's a sneak peek to some of the questions she asks:
- If you were to pass away right now, what’s something you’d regret?
- What are you most excited about in life right now?
- What technology do you wish was invented?
- Do you place your toilet paper over or under?
- What is something you like that most people don’t?
- Would you rather road trip with OJ Simpson, or Donald Trump?
To find out the answers and so much more, check it out!
Want to chat? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
- Instagram: @markkbenton2 https://www.instagram.com/markkbenton2/
- Facebook: Mark K. Benton II https://www.facebook.com/mkbenton2
- Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Have you ever had a moment where you had to engage in conflict but didn’t know how? Maybe the person you have to engage with is someone you care about like your spouse, a family member or a close friend. Maybe it’s a person you don’t have a close relationship with, but you see them on a consistent basis such as: a co-worker, your boss or your neighbor. Conflict management is hard, but it can be done.
In this session, I talk about expectation management:
1. Conscious
2. Realistic
3. Spoken
4. Agreed
…and four things every person should consider before engaging in effective conflict management:
1. Time
2. Place
3. Way
4. Intent
To grow in this area, here are more resources for you!
· The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast by Pete Scazzero: Why Clarifying Expectations Will Save Your Life and Leadership - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-emotionally-healthy-leader-podcast/id1064966935?i=1000471364583
· At the Table with Patrick Lencioni: Be a jerk - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-a-jerk/id1474171732?i=1000512442744
· Book Recommendation: “The Peacemaker” by Ken Sande available for FREE on Hoopla (with a Library Card) https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/13340653
· Book Recommendation: Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Fierce-Conversations-Achieving-Success-Conversation/dp/0425193373/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=fierce+conversation&qid=1623949053&sr=8-1
Want to chat? Let’s Talk! You can find me at:
· Instagram: @markkbenton2 https://www.instagram.com/markkbenton2/
· Facebook: Mark K. Benton II https://www.facebook.com/mkbenton2
· Website: https://www.markkbentonii.com
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast or on my Website. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Every now and then, I get the opportunity to sit down with a leader or person of influence. They are typically people who are further in life than I am whether it be in age, experience, positions or a position in their job. Whenever I meet with people that are ahead of me in a certain area of life that I consider to be successful, I ask one of my favorite questions. And that question is:
“Knowing what you know now, what are three things you wish you did at my age and Why?”
Tune into my conversation with CH (COL) B. Gregory Edison. He gives insight on three things he has always done at my age and continues to do so at this stage in his career. His three are:
1. Worship the Lord
2. Seek the Lord
3. Love your Family
His explanation on these three things can truly change the way you approach life. Interested? Then give this one a listen!
If you haven’t yet, don’t forget to follow me on instagram @markkbenton2. Take screenshots of you listening to the podcast, tag me in it and share your personal takeaway or a quote of something you liked from this!
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
Are you currently going through a season of hardship? Maybe you've lost a loved one, received some bad news, or someone wounded you. But how do we deal with all that? In todays talk, I discuss how we all can embrace our suffering just like Jesus.
We see how Jesus handled his hardships in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46). There are 8 things Jesus did.
- Go to a Quiet Place
- Go to God
- Humble Yourself Before God
- Trust God
- Be Honest and Vulnerable Before God
- Make Your Request Known
- Submit and Surrender to God
- Be Strengthened by God
Out of the 8 points, where do you need to start? Pick one and utilize this as a guide to embrace your suffering.
As a Christian, have you ever wondered how do we serve and love others that are different from you? In todays session, we address that through the perspective of a Chaplain.
I have the privilege of being able to serve our nation in the Reserves as a Chaplain in the Army. I sit down with some great friends of mine, and we unpack the role of a Chaplain, how what we do is applicable to all Christians, and how we can live out our faith well in a Multi-Cultural Worldview.
Join us for the second half of our conversation as we conclude our session together!
As a Christian, have you ever wondered how do we serve and love others that are different from you? In todays session, we address that through the perspective of a Chaplain.
I have the privilege of being able to serve our nation in the Reserves as a Chaplain in the Army. I sit down with some great friends of mine, and we unpack the role of a Chaplain, how what we do is applicable to all Christians, and how we can live out our faith well in a Multi-Cultural Worldview.
This is the first requested episode by You, the Fans of the “Let’s Talk About It!” Podcast! And it’s on Communication! All of us have something valuable that we can bring to others. But sometimes, we just don’t know how to share that information. In this episode, we go through steps on how you can share valuable information with other people to make an impact in their life.
Reasons why it’s important to communicate:
- Connect with Others
- Provide Relevant Information
- Your Voice Matters
- God’s Voice Matters
Vital Points to Communication:
- Grasping Introduction
- 1 Big Idea (Main Idea)
- Points to Communicate
- A Call to Action/Next Steps/The Way Forward
Personal Tips: Ways to engage and communicate with your personality.
- Storytelling
- Animated & Charismatic
- Calm
- Humor
- Hybrid
- Dialoging
This episode ends with 7 frequently asked questions when it comes to communicating. Be sure to take a listen to hear what they are!
For additional resources on how to become a better communicator, check out these other great podcasts available at the following links:
Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast: Communicating for a Changeo https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/andy-stanley-leadership-podcast/id290055666
The EntreLeadership Podcast: The No. 1 Skill You Need Now with Carmine Galloo https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-entreleadership-podcast/id435836905?i=1000419873925
Typology: Mike Pacchione on Public Speaking and the Enneagramo Part 1: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/typology/id1254061093?i=1000447522449
o Part 2: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/typology/id1254061093?i=1000448088214
If you haven’t yet, don’t forget to follow me on instagram @markkbentonii Take screenshots of you listening to the podcast, tag me in it and share your personal takeaway or a quote of something you liked from this!
And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please leave me a review on Apple Podcast. I’d be so grateful and appreciative of you!
All of us get discouraged in life. But what if you’re discouraged because you constantly compare yourself to others? In today’s talk, we address how to stay focused in our season of life by not comparing ourselves to others.
Today’s talk comes out from John 21:15-19. We learn from the conversation of Jesus with Peter that he desires to do three things in our lives:
- Jesus Loves
- Jesus Heals
- Jesus Leads
We see in John 21:20 – 23 how quickly Peter starts worrying about how John’s life will be in comparison to his. If we’re being honest, we do the same thing. We are a lot like Peter and compare ourselves to others around us. But what if we didn’t have to? What if we just, “Ran our Race?!”
Next Steps:
- Who or What is distracting you from running your race? Why?
- Repent: Go to God and ask for forgiveness. He is a patient, gracious, generous God and wants to love, heal and lead you.
- Out of the Love, Healing and Leadership of Christ, which one do you currently need the most? Pray about it and go all in on that one thing.
- Run Your Race! Hebrews 12:1-2
Would love for you to follow me on instagram @markkbentonii for more sneak peeks. You can also ask me any questions through instagram and tag me in your post and stories on IG! I would also really appreciate a review from you on Apple Podcast! It helps to get the podcast recognized and would be a huge blessing to me.
Thanks for tuning in and will catch you on the next one!
We conclude todays conversation on the difference between empowering or enabling. Below is a list of things and notes from todays conversation
“10 Ways to be Certain your Pastoral Care is Helpful” by Brad Hambrick
Full Article is available at https://www.careleader.org/10-ways-certain-pastoral-care-helpful/
- Avoid the rescuer mentality
- Don’t replace the legal system
- Know your role within your church or organization
- Never do what someone should do for themselves
- Create halfway steps
- Model a healthy life and relationship
- Know your limits
- Never allow team splitting to occur
- Don’t allow yourself to be motivated or manipulated by guilt
- Ask
Ask yourself (or with a friend) the following questions:
- Which one do you struggle with the most? Why?
- What’s a next step you can take to overcome it?
When guiding others, learn to ask yourself:
- Is this a consequence from a choice they have made?
- If so, how can I continue to remind them that God is continuously with them?
When guiding others, remember "The 5 States of Change"
- Pre-Contemplation: The individual is not interested at this stage. You can’t make someone interested. They have to want it themselves.
- Contemplation: The person is wondering and questioning if they need to change. They don’t know completely, but they are at least thinking about it. At this stage, you still can’t fully provide any action steps because they aren’t ready.
- Preparation: This is the turnaround point. They are beginning to make a decision in which they realize they need to change.
- Action: At this stage, the individual is more internal than external. They are beginning to make a commitment and are attempting to try to do something about it.
- Maintenance: It’s one thing to start it, it’s another thing to maintain it. It’s important for us to not take things personal or get offended when someone relapses. This is why it’s important to know your own personal struggles and triggers. When you are triggered or struggling with your issue, you must know what you are going to do moving forward, instead of relying on unhealthy coping mechanisms that have occurred in the past. Learn to ask yourself and others, “What am I/you going to do, instead of relying on past unhealthy coping mechanisms?”
When serving others, learn to ask yourself:
- Is this a consequence from a choice they have made?
- If so, how can I continue to remind them that God is continuously with them?
Next Steps
- Be Spirit Filled
- Be Spirit Led: Continued through ALL Steps
- Be Patient
- Identify your Intent: Am I doing this for them? Or Am I doing this for me?
- Identify your gifts, talents and personality type ( Read 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12)
- Identify your triggers, weaknesses and limits
- Admit your triggers, weaknesses and limits
- Surround yourself with and identify the people who are strong in your areas of weakness
If you're enjoying this podcast, please write us a review at Apple Podcast. It would be your greatest gift to me and helps to grow and expand the channel. Thanks so much for tuning in and we’re looking forward to having you join us on the next one!
All of us at some point have sat down with people we love, heard their story and don't always know if our feedback is helping the problem, or making it worse. If you're like me, at some point you've walked away from a conversation with someone and have asked one of the following questions...
- Did what I say make it better? Or did what I say make it worse?
- Did I help them with their problem? Or did I just make it worse?
- Did I say the right thing? Or did I say the wrong thing?
- Was I the right person to help with this?
- I really care about this person. But am I even qualified to help them?
And so many more!
In this conversation, I sit down with two very good friends of mine Alicia Flowers and Erin Smalley on this topic. As we speak with people on a daily basis to help them grow in their walk with God, this was a conversation that had come up, and we decided to talk about it! How do we know if we are Empowering the person, or Enabling?
Join us and listen to our conversation as we discern the difference!
Are you currently in a season of your life where you’re asking yourself, “What’s my Purpose?”. Or maybe you’re asking… “Why am I here?” or “Who am I?” Some of you may be asking or have asked, “What am I supposed to be doing right now?” “What’s my next career move?” Or… “What’s the next thing that I’m supposed to be doing?” Every single person at some point in life has asked those questions, and if you haven’t yet, don’t worry… you’ll get there!
But how are we supposed to navigate that? All of those questions have to do with one of two things to which I’d like to call it, “Purpose” or “Assignment”? Because there is a difference! Your purpose is who you are in Christ. And your assignment is how you carry that out based on the season of life God has you.
Here are some additional resources for you to look at and utilize to help you grow in this particular topic:
o Session 11: Who Are You? Downloadable Worksheet is available on my landing page at https://letstalkaboutitbymark.ck.page/5af3361b07
o Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast: “Q&A with Paula Faris: Calling vs. Career” Released October 15th, 2020 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/q-a-with-paula-faris-calling-vs-career/id1070649025?i=1000494832254
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @markkbenton2 Screenshot you listening to the Podcast and share it on your IG story and let me know what you're learning!
Happy New Year! You’ve made it to 2021! 2020 has been either one of, or the toughest year of our lives. As challenging as 2020 was and has been for all of us, what if we didn’t waste it? What if we used 2020 as an opportunity to reflect and look back on what took place and utilized it as a tool to move forward in a healthy life-giving way. There are 5 questions that we go through to help you, and they are:
· How has 2020 challenged you?
· What have you learned about God in 2020?
· What has God taught you about yourself in 2020?
· When it comes to your walk with God, who do you think He wants you to become (going into the New Year)?
· What 1 next step can you take (right now/today) to make that happen?
I encourage you to listen and do this with others! Do it with your family, friends, spouse, kids, co-workers or a best friend. Whenever you decide to do this, do it with people because there is power in accountability and community. Let’s decide right now, today to live with more intentionality and purpose going into the New Year!
In this session, we talk about one of my favorite discussions and that’s, “Who are you?”. In this talk, I give 3 specific things that will help you to discover and discern who you are and even more so, who you are in Christ. The three things to help you answer the question, "Who Are You?" are:
- Just Cause - Simon Sinek (What You Do)
- Vision - (How You Do It)
- Values - (Why You Do It)
To access the "Who Are You?" PDF Worksheet, Click on my landing page available at the following link https://letstalkaboutitbymark.ck.page/5af3361b07 The PDF Worksheet will be found at the top of the page (if you're on your phone), or bottom of the page (if you're on your computer) with a grey like button that reads...
"Who Are You?" Click Here to Receive the Worksheet
In this session, we continue our talk on suffering well, but this time we discuss on how we can help others through their pain. Below are a few way to support others through their grief.
1. Know your Limits
· Realize you are in danger of being pulled under someone else’s pain
· If you don’t understand where a person is and where they’re coming from, you can further complicate or delay their healing.
· Be sure their pain and suffering doesn’t lead you into secondary trauma.
2. Gain Biblical Understanding
· At the appropriate time, the scriptures can serve as a powerful way to give someone hope.
· Pray the scriptures over people in hard times.
-
Commit to being very Cautious Remember that an individual is completely overwhelmed when they are first going through a negative experience. Ask Clarifying Questions. Suggested Questions to ask are:
-
How have you been grieving?
- What have you been doing to cope with this?
- How have you been coping with this?
- What can I do to lighten your load?
- What I can do for you right now to help you? What Else?
- How can I serve you in this time? What Else?
4. Be a conduit for the calming grace of God
- Words need to be very few
- Be there as a presence for the Holy Spirit to come in and do his work.
5. Imitate the love and grace of God
- Remember that grace qualifies and characterizes our response. Pray that no words come out of your mouth that don't represent or minister grace.
6. Accept their words
- Be ok with letting them say with what they need to say instead of feeling the need to correct their thoughts.
- Don’t Fix it.
7. Affirm their dignity and value
- There is a time and season for every word and every concept you want to develop with an individual.
- Always affirms one’s pain before you guide them out of it.
An additional idea is to Text, Send an Audio and/or Video of you praying to others. Why?
o It holds you accountable
Too often we say we’ll pray for them and we simply forget. Texting, sending an audio or video of us praying for them keeps us honest and helps us to do it immediately.
o There’s Power in Prayer AND power in your Words
Prayer has the power to change things. So do your words. Prayer is a perfect opportunity to speak life into people with the word of God along with a word of personal encouragement from you.
o Praying WITH someone vs. Praying FOR someone.
It’s great to pray for people (and we should continue that). Praying with people is more personal. Texting or Recording a prayer request is a great effective way of letting people know you are thinking of them and stand with them in their trials and tribulations.
FOLLOW UP! This is by far the most important step. It’s great to do all the other things, but people will value and remember your consistency the most. Put it down in your calendar once a week to check on them (phone call, text, email etc.). Anytime that person or couple comes to mind, use that as a cue to just reach out and say, “I’m thinking of you. How are you?” Or, “You just came to mind, and I wanted you to know so I’m checking on you. How you been?” Those small things go a long way in how you can serve and be present with others.
We hope you found this helpful. We look forward to having you join us on the next one!
In this session, we conclude our talk on suffering well.
7 Steps to Biblical Well-Being
1. Ask God for Help: Don't be anxious about anything but pray and present your request to God (Philippians 4:4-7).
2. Praise and Worship: Praise and Worship changes ones focus from the problems faced to the only one that can help and deliver. Allow and let music help you cope with things in life. Create a playlist that focuses on God or songs that uplift you and give you hope.
3. Sense of Call: God desires all of us to know Him and make Him known. Don't ever have a time in your life when you're not sure if God called you to do it. Either God has called you or he hasn't. Knowing the Call of God on your life has the power to keep you through ANY and ALL Trauma or Suffering.
4. Working with God: Together, you can truly do all things through the strength of God. He will arm and strengthen you as you fight through the trauma and suffering so you can encounter and have deliverance (Philippians 4:10-13).
5. Lamenting and Venting: God invites us to vocally speak our frustration to the Him (Like King David throughout the book of Psalms). Believers can feel betrayed by God and God allows people to blame Him for their suffering. This doesn't make Him angry, because He’s big and gracious enough to take it.
6. Suffering: Suffering builds Character and in the midst of the Trauma, remember to trust that God walks with you through it. God employs suffering in a variety of ways. It's also the key to discipleship and molds the identity and mind of a person. Suffering makes you relatable to Christ and places you in a position to get completely dependent on God realizing his strength and power is truly more than enough. It may hurt you to watch your loved ones encounter suffering, but the reality is they need to encounter suffering too in order to get dependent on God and learn from their situation. We often have expectations of God that were never even Biblical. We like to have our own plan and when God doesn’t bless it, we get upset with Him. God is sovereign and He loves us. Faith holds true to that.
7. Assistance from Friends and Family: Suffering will take a team of people to help move others forward through their pain. Realize the people you open up to need to know how to help you cope. They can often help by placing themselves in danger and fight when the person has no strength. There is power, freedom, connection and protection in the Body of Christ and Believers.
There is a Biblical way to cope and if you do those principles well, you will thrive, and God will mend every crack you have making you better than before. To overcome suffering, you have to be able to provide people or receive an element of Hope. If there's no element of Hope attached to it, there won't be any progress. The loss of meaning is the doorway to death. Remember to be anchored in who God is and that He sovereignly rises above human agenda. Suffering is not wasted in the divine agenda of our maker.
Jesus also encountered suffering (Mathew 26:36-46 and Luke 22:42-44). Let that serve as a reminder that no one is immune to it. In fact, Jesus promises that we will have many trials and tribulations of many kind (John 16:33). Suffering is a catalyst that produces change in every area of our life.
Psalm 23 and Psalm 91 are great chapters to read and use as a prayer through suffering. Be encouraged and steward your suffering well.
Have you ever been in a season in life where you were just completely over it? You’re experiencing challenges, hardship, adversity, trials and you just don’t know what to do with it? Well, in this episode, we talk about suffering, the reasons why suffering exists and even more, how we can respond to it. Though life does have its own challenges, there is a healthy way to navigate our personal hardships. Join us in today’s talk to find out how we can grow in our adversity and life’s challenges.
In the concluding session of cultural differences, we have left a list of notes from today’s talk! Take time at your leisure to see some of what we talked about, what next steps you need to take, and how you can use them to connect with others and share the gospel.
Why is knowing these important?
- Culture impacts how we read the biblical text. When it comes to the things of God, you cannot be guided by culture.
- Culture impacts how we connect (or disconnect) others
- Culture impacts how we befriend (or unfriend) others
- Culture impacts how we we learn from others
- Culture impacts how we share with others
Next Steps
- Identify your Personality Type and the way you see the World. Part of your Personality and your Culture is the way you think. It’s important to remember that everyone has the capacity and has all three ways of thinking. It’s also common that every individual typically leads out of one more than the others. Remember, one way of thinking isn’t superior to the other way of thinking. What type of thinker are you?
The Conceptual Thinker
- Theoretical thinking.
- Likes an introduction that says exactly what you are point is.
- Clarity in communication with rational logic that moves to a conclusion.
- Clear effective and biblical preaching.
- Conceptual thinkers take experiences and classifies them scientifically, ethically or theologically and says, “I understand!”
The Intuitional Thinker
- Knowledge that emanates from inner experience and vision. Example: A Wife feels like her Husband is cheating on her. She has no physical evidence or proof but it's just a feeling that she has.
- They don’t reject science; they just see the spiritual first and the science second.
- They seek the ultimate reality that is hidden in the empirical.
- Avoids over intellectualization
- Avoids oversimplification
The Concrete (Relational) Thinker
- Life and reality are seen pictorially in terms of the active emotional relationships present in the concrete situation. These people think in pictures (whereas others think in words).
- Often times, they don’t need a point, the story speaks for itself.
- Verbally communicate by referring to symbols, stories, events, objects etc.
- Rely heavily on nonverbal communication: gesture and sign language, music, arts (sculpture, ceramics, paintings etc.), ritual drama and image projection.
- Myths, parables, proverbs, analogies connect very well.
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Like creative use of diagram, pictures and artifacts.
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Identify the healthy positive aspects of your culture (what you think is healthy) and identify the unhealthy aspects of your culture and cross both of them with the Bible.
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Lay aside your cultural differences and perspectives for the sake of others.
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Get into their World and be present! Get present in your:
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Church
- City
- Relationships
- Family
- Friends
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Work
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Repeat: This is the most important step. Just because you’ve done it all once, doesn’t mean it ends. This is a journey we stay on for life.
We hope you enjoyed today’s session! Remember, unpacking our cultural differences is a lifelong journey. Give yourself grace, be patient with yourself as you unpack your culture and the background of others so you can connect well in order to present the Gospel. Let’s be led by God and His Word instead of our cultural upbringing. We look forward to having you join on us on the next one!
Have you ever wondered why people think different from you? Have you ever thought to yourself, "Why don't they understand where I'm coming from?" Or... "If only I could understand where they're coming from, things would be easier." Well, what if I were to tell you there's a reason why those moments happen? And a huge part of those moments you encounter have to deal with cultural differences!
Culture is the way a group of people adapts. We adapt to things such as:
- Physical Environments
- Social Environments
- Cultural Environments
- Ideological Environments
- Spiritual Environments
There are a variety of things that shape the way we view the world. But what if those same things could also serve as blind spots as to why we disconnect with people? And the same things that shape our cultural upbringing, could also be the same thing that disconnects us from God and His Word. Sometimes, we respond to people and life events with our cultural perspective instead of God's perspective. So how do we live in the strengths and maintain a great healthy pride of our culture without being overrun by it? That's what this session is about!
Todays talk is all about identifying your cultural background. How it's both a strength and a blind spot, how we can identify that blind spot, and overcome it to connect with others for the sake of the gospel! Your culture matters and so does everyone else's! Join us as we talk about Cultural Differences!
Life has many challenges that many of us face. But what if the bigger challenge is that you have faced something that's a traumatic, but you didn't know, simply because you didn't know what to call it? In todays session, we talk about Mental Healthy and Christianity. We dive into the two types of trauma, the three types of psychopathology, and how we can have a healthy understanding of basic Mental Health and apply that in our walk with Christ. We hope you enjoy!
In this episode, we conclude our talk on Mental Health and wellness with Christianity. Below are potential next steps you can take, or how you can help others take in their journey with mental health.
Personal Next Steps:
· Pray and Believe for God to Heal You
· Be honest and vulnerable with your challenges and struggles to the Lord. Job did it (Book of Job). David did it (Book of Psalm). So did Jesus (Mathew 26:36-46 & Luke 22:39-46)
· Seek a Christian Counselor
· Normalize your personal situation
· Check in on yourself daily in 5 areas:
o Sleep: How much sleep have you had?
o Eat: What have you been eating?
o Water: How much water have you drank? (You may be dehydrated)
o Technology: How much screen time have you had on your computer and tv?
o Workout: Have you gone out for a 10-minute walk?
· Be patient with yourself. Wholeness and Deliverance isn’t always an event, more times than not, it’s a walk.
· Celebrate your small next steps. If you did something in healthy direction you hadn’t done before, that’s a Win!
Next Steps to Help Others:
· Be Present and Available to Others
· Your Relational Capital with people matters. Use it to love and comfort them.
· Be willing to listen to people by fighting the need to respond.
· Be a safe place for others. Affirm their challenge and pain (even if you disagree with it).
· Ask Clarifying Questions such as:
o I’m sorry you’re feeling that way. What else is on your mind?
o How can I help you in this challenging time?
o What can I do to serve you?
o What do you need from me that I can do for you?
· Pay attention to their tone, pitch and body language. 93% of what people communicate come from tone, pitch and body language. Which means only 7% has to do with their words.
· Know your limits. If someone else’s trauma triggers yours, give yourself permission to remove yourself from the situation or a conversation and gently guide them towards someone else.
· Don’t discount yourself and experience. Just because you didn’t go through their situation, doesn’t mean God can’t use you to help them for a moment or even a season.
· Encourage people to get a counselor. Help them find one through your local church or through the internet.
· Be patient with others. You don’t get to say when their grief is over, only they can. Let God heal them and let God use you to be a safe place to process their challenge.
· Celebrate your small next steps. If you did something in healthy direction you hadn’t done before, that’s a Win!
We hope you guys found this talk and information helpful and useful. If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a friend who you know would benefit from this. Also, give us a positive review, follow and subscribe so you know when a new episode drops and that you don’t miss a thing.
In this session, I continue my conversations with Juby and Jessica as we break down the remaining 9 basic features that will help us to read scripture in a more life giving way. We utilize a book called "Grasping God's Word" written by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays to guide our conversation.
The 9 Basic Features are:
1. Repetition of Words: Look for words and phrases that repeat.
2. Contrasts: Look for ideas, individuals, and/or items that are different from each other.
3. Comparisons: Look for ideas, individuals, and/or items that are similar to each other.
4. Lists: Note where the text mentions more than two items.
5. Cause and Effect: There may be more than one effect from a single cause mentioned in the text.
6. Figures of Speech: Look for expressions that convey an image, using words in a sense other than the literal sense.
7. Conjunctions: Notice terms that join units, like "and," "but," "for." Note what they are connecting.
8. Verbs: Note whether a verb is past, present, or future; active or passive; also look for imperatives.
9. Pronouns: Identify the antecedent for each pronoun.
In this session, I sit down with my wife Juby Benton and friend, Jessica Fripp as we continue to learn how to unpack our Bible. We break down 6 of 9 basic features that will help you to read scripture in a more life giving way. We utilize a book called "Grasping God's Word" written by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays to guide our conversation. Join us and enjoy your Talk!
In this episode, I sit down with my friend and intern Jessica Fripp as we unpack the second chapter of "Grasping God's Word" in order to develop healthier tools on how to read the Bible. Join us and enjoy our Talk!