Café Con Abby: Recent Episodes
Abby
What if what you have always believed in turned out to have some really twisted roots? Would you be willing to do the hard work of researching and reanalyzing all you held as truth? Could you do the digging up and tearing down of false teaching you had built your faith on without losing hope and trust in the one thing that has held up to scrutiny? I hope that you will listen to what I have to share and begin to see where some misunderstandings have rooted themselves in your heart and mind. Make sure you are reading it right.
Sometimes we search in vain for information that will help us feel validated, seen and understood. In vanity, we want to hear what will make us feel like we are on the right track, yet there may be a book filled with so much truth that it shows you the track you're on isn't right at all, but points you to a new way of life. Filled with hope in truth.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mrs-h2/message
When we go through hurt we tend to go one of two ways and sometimes, simultaneously going through mental gymnastics. Do you feel like you are going crazy trying to make sense of what you see, what you go through or perhaps what you have gone through? I get it...it is hard and we know it seems to be getting even worse. When you think of suffering you only see a limited view of the situation...believe me when I say, I have not perfected this type of sight...at all, confessions of a former optimistic. I always thought laughing and smoothing things over was the way to help solve the hard times and issues of life. Then as I grew older, I understood how naive I was. Things are not always "fixable", happy or "good times". I understood that I only had control of what I could do, not anyone else. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mrs-h2/message
Understanding the resurrection and how crucial it is to the Christian belief system is one way to bring hope to a person that has walked away from any belief system. There are plenty of resources out there if we take the time to look again.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mrs-h2/message
Coming out of a movement or belief system can seem so daunting and at times we just want to focus on the pain, but what if the entire purpose of the ordeal was to get you to a place of understanding and victory? In this episode I share my personal walk and what I struggled with to find the truth found in one place, The Word of God. I know, so many "experts" and so many "teachers" out there, how do we possibly know how to navigate through it? This episode will share a few resources I found personally and hope that you will make it a goal to walk this thing out with me!
Resources:
Dawn Hill podcast: https://lovesickscribe.com/
Costi Hinn interview: https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2019/07/god-greed-and-the-prosperity-gospel-an-interview-with-costi-w-hinn/
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Hello there, how about a heart check today? I was sitting here listening to Tim McGraw and his song, Humble and Kind...just kind of thinking of how pride really steals so much peace and joy from our lives. Here are a few verses dealing with that topic:
Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 16:5 “The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
I have been studying on one of the top arguments people have against believing in the Word of God. Do you know what it is? Yep, the problem of evil in this world and I sure can relate. I get it, now more than ever when I see all the things that children are going through and people that seem so undeserving for any challenge especially after just making it through one. Well, I came across a few interviews with a gentleman, Clay Jones. I was so intrigued that he took many years to study genocide and came to understand that the evil in many of the atrocities we know in history have come through the root nature we all look at in the mirror. It isn't until we are "born again" that we begin to "die to our selves" and then begin to live a life that isn't enslaved to sin but one that sees the beauty in serving Jesus. When we can look at ourselves without the spirit of pride, but be real and see that we are one choice away from becoming an adulterer, etc. do we begin to understand the need we all have to seek the freedom found in Christ.
Why would God detest the proud of heart? Think about a time you have done something wrong to someone, a look of disdain, a word of discouragement or revenge, an act of unkindness. Now, in your heart at the time, think how did that make you feel? Was a sense of I am in the right, they deserve to be treated this way...or even, nothing...no feeling at all, no conscious of the things done in times of pain and hurt and what repercussions may come? This pride builds a wall and distance that many times doesn't ever come down or even worse creates a sea of loneliness and separation from those we were created to love and cherish.
What is the solution to this then? Scripture is written for us to be able to see what was meant to be fruitful attributes in our lives and how living a life where we have set our own self interests and desires in a grave that we no longer visit. My friend, I ask that you begin to hope again and love again in a way that you can trust God, our Heavenly Father as one that has our best interests and knows what good really is. Pride keeps you bound to a life filled with many things, but not any that bring happiness or lifelong joy.
Resources:
Answering the Problems of Evil with Dr. Clay Jones. Retrieved from YouTube at https://youtu.be/lQlrClxwL0w
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Just a quick word of encouragement to those who may feel overwhelmed after coming out of any spiritual movements that have caused trauma and hurt.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mrs-h2/message
Sometimes family can come with challenges and many times we tend to look for people around us to try and fit a specific role we may find lacking there. Can I tell you that there is one thing you should be careful with? That thing is trying to find a spiritual parent in someone that, well is everything but that. I am speaking from my own experience here. You see I followed all the women "preachers" looking for that "mama bear". Like I seriously thought I would find a woman that loved God and had such an "anointing" that they would see how much I hungered for God myself that they were willing to "adopt" me. I am half way kidding, I mean I did want a spiritual mom and well....I looked in the worst places.
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Can I ask you something? Do you find peace to be something difficult to find? Is it something that you look for inside of yourself or do you find it within your environment? Perhaps you are one that manufactures your peace- you know, like creating an atmosphere with soft music or candles, etc. Well I have done many things to try and find this peace that seems to be on everyone's needs list. I mean I can't blame you, or anyone for that matter having a peaceful personality is pretty nice. The problem here though lies with our source.
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Confession. I tend to be a type that overanalyzes and many times thinks of the worse case scenario. I didn't always used to be, you see I was jaded...like I am sure some of you have been. Many towards life in general, but more specific to security and boy is the current world scenarios bringing up those issues of uneasiness and all the junk that comes with that.
So, how do you tend to cope with all these issues? How do you deal with your own life circumstances and challenges that come your way? I used to always believe that every person was innately good, you know thought of others before they thought of themselves...rude wake up call came in the last place I ever suspected it would. The place my weary heart would find solace from a broken place called home. You see, I grew up going to church and all the wonderful teachings I received gave me hope. As I grew into a young lady, I became enamored with the idea of a peaceful life without challenges and hurts because I was hurt and abandoned. Spiritually, I was seeking help for my "orphaned spirit". Those quotes are more meaningful than just showing their supposed meaning, no they come with an entire experience driven, feeling seeking and next miracle high way of living. More on that another time.
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Well I think we can agree that going through trauma causes our brain to do all sort of mental gymnastics. And I believe that I was in an Olympic style course in my last three to four years, not only due to coming out of WOF and Nar, etc., but also because the world itself had become one where realities were being questioned...and many times the answers I was provided did not satisfy my need for some resolution or ease of pain. Although our questions become those of why was this so or why me, it really becomes one of a greater scheme of things...as difficult as it may be to look past our own lives personally.
Being alone in my little space and time, I can sink into very depressing moments in my past, yet in those same depressing moments my mind can focus on the beauty found in motherhood and how sweet it was to be a young mom trying my hand at raising boys and creating a home. I dare only touch upon this because it causes us to understand that one may have circumstances where there is trauma and pain, yet still find some beautiful moment or hope hidden in that very same circumstance.
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When a person has been hurt in life, especially through a situation that was one where they were lied to, there comes a disillusionment towards all. This can turn someone into a very bitter and unforgiving person by asking things like, but what if I get hurt again? Lied to again? Taken advantage of again...Let's start with a standard that may seem out of the ordinary and to many, completely illogical.
Ephesians 4:31-32Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians is written to those in Ephesus that believed and placed their faith in living a lifestyle with a biblical worldview, so this book, first of all, is directed to those with similar faith. This is where your worldview may be challenged because while you may think that you have faith in the biblical worldview, our current society has had a sneaky way of corrupting this truth. We should live a life led by these standards and pray for wisdom in all situations. I am in no way advocating violence or even turning a blind eye to abuse, this is geared towards those that abide by biblical standards and allowing a place for justice in others.
I was very independent as a young lady growing up because I had to be. It is nothing that I am resentful about, I mean we can all look back and think of specific areas we wished were different, etc. the thing we must note is that we would not be the same individual had all of these things been avoided or taken away from our journey. With the truth of knowing that individuals in this world do not hold or even care to hold a biblical worldview, comes the awareness that their choices and repercussions will possibly have a negative impact on our world and those around them. We are told to recall we were also once like them, not caring for the eternal and truth, but loved living in darkness and fulfilling our selfish desires.
When a person is hurt, they may feel the urge to get even with the world, the person that hurt them, the group that hurt them (for example, the church- false teachers, or even turn their back on God) and anyone that may pose a possibility of hurting us, such as in relationships. I get it, really it is better to live alone than to live lonely in a relationship, at least that was a belief I had for several years. The fact is one could choose to become a hermit and not have any human interaction for the rest of our lives after this hurt, but there lies a great deal of misery and honestly, not much growth emotionally. We are living a life that has challenges and offers us many opportunities to want to call it quits, yet those that clearly seek clarity will be able to find it.
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Happiness is a serious problem, Dennis Prager (pgs. 78-86)
Dennis Prager, Happiness is a Serious Problem, pg. 78There are some clear rules about happiness. One is that you cannot be happy if your primary identity is that of a victim, even if you really are one.
In Prager's book he states some things that one may find hard to swallow, aren't some truth nuggets that way? I can recall a time when I was attending a revival in a Pentecostal church and I was bawling my eyes out, there I was playing my victim card...boy I was really wanting some attention, some pity. I had a friend that came over and hugged me and shared her father had left them when she was young and we cried and hugged, seeping in our glorious pit of despair.
While, I am by no means belittling the situations we both endured, our whole being was being stunted in this moment in life. Prager goes on to discuss reasons we may enjoy these pity parties and how many may not want to stop celebrating them. Here are the following he lists:
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Growing up Pentecostal, WOF and then dipping into NAR, let's just say I learned several "tricks" in keeping the enemy at bay. Nonetheless, the same battles and relentless worry over what door I had opened, what words I had spoken, even thoughts that I may have had that led to certain issues in my life preoccupied all I understood about the way things worked. I was taught that if I had fear that meant I had no faith. I understood due to my experiences that there were dark forces and I had to understand that by speaking to them, I held power to keep them from enacting any detrimental thing in my life and those that I loved and cared for. I understood that if I had certain feelings, I better go with what they were telling me because otherwise I was "quenching the spirit"....let me tell you, this was exhausting! I went to church anytime the door was opened and made sure my boys were with me because the "forsaking of gathering" was a sin we could not possibly commit as it would bring chaos to our home. Does any of this sound familiar? I believe you have come to the right place then. Let me warn you, it won't be easy to sift through all your misconceptions, but it is worth the struggle and work. Be a Berean sweet one- YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT. Blog post https://wp.me/pdHO9g-2h
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I am loved. I am strong. I am rich. I am....While all these affirmations sound good to a weary heart and soul, could we possibly be causing more damage than good? Listen today as I discuss Steven Bancarz and his take on this touchy subject. I have been there and done this all, so I understand it is hard to hear that it may turn out to be something much darker than what our intentions are. I pray you get something out of this episode.
Resource:
The Law of Attraction Debunked by Steven Bancarz
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As I work my way through emotions and such in this journey, I find a mothers heart for all those that have been wounded from false beliefs, teachings, etc. May something that is shared bring a sense of hope and love.
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Bueno, I know this might not be one topic some can relate to, I hope it reaches someone. I have found the following individual to be one that offers so much insight to coming out of the occult and things of the sort! Marcia has several youtube interviews available online and has her own website where she ministers to those who have come out of that lifestyle. If we dig a bit, we can see some similarities to the WOF and NAR movement. Sadly, when it comes to sickness and disease, many times I was taught to quote scripture as a sort of word spell to cancel out what was going on with my body or those I loved. I now see there are so many factors that come in to play when there is health issues- our fallen world...it has many individuals that feed us food that are not the best and then we pick up habits that may be harmful to our individual bodies. We are very unique, but the one thing we have in common is our Creator and His will to give us knowledge and wisdom. Seek out how what you are ingesting- both physically and spiritually may be what ails you! Love and hugs!
Marcia Montenegro- Tools of the Occult
Cultish: Answering the Claims to Witchtok
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What happens when we exchange truth for a lie? What happens when a mother or father are told they just don't have enough faith to "heal" their sick child, failing marriage, or get out of debt? Is it their lack of faith, fear-based confession, not fasting enough, reading the bible enough or living in sin that is the key? No, no and definitely not...Listen as I share some about scripture, false doctrine and the wonderful book from Walter Martin, really anything from him is extremely helpful. May you find peace in knowing the total truth of scripture and begin to see areas of your own belief system that need some uprooting and sifting. Don't get overwhelmed with it all, but continue to take a piece at a time and do the hard work. It is worth it.
Resources:
Romans 1
Martin, Walter. The Kingdom of the Cults. sixth edition. Bethany House, 2019.
Walter Martin's Last Time on TBN - THEY KICKED HIM OFF! EXPOSING CHARLATANS. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/lFK6vcpeqzY
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While the term narcissist has become a popular one to address anyone showing selfish desires or characteristics, we may stop and think of ourselves a bit more and see where do the root problems lie in one who continues to seek self over others. There is a correlation in our desire to have control and be the one making our life choices whether or not they may seem healthy for our own lives and those in them. Mental health is critical in understanding our own habits and maybe seek to correct them. I hope you begin to see we all have a need to control this aspect of our human nature and dig deep to uproot all the stuff that keeps us confused and not growing.
Resources: Dr. Todd Grande: retrieved from Youtube. What Causes Narcissistic Personality Disorder? (hyperlink)
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Many have suffered childhood trauma and its long lasting effects sometimes get called personality disorders with no resolution or hope to resolve them. In this episode the perspective is first acknowledging how trauma certainly affects a person's way of living and being, but not with no way out. I share a documentary I came across called, Interview with an Evil Child (And where she is today!). Upon trying to understand why someone with the same living conditions as another may end up in a very different place, I came across many common factors and noticed a few challenges that can give us a glimpse to why our worldview not only has personal consequences but many times, also affects those in our family and community.
Resources: Youtube. Interview with an Evil Child (And where she is today!) Psalms 42 https://www.gotquestions.org/new-age-movement.html The Gnostic Empire Strikes Back by Peter Jones
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Everyone has a story to tell and I believe when we take time to listen to others, we can get a glimpse of similarities and moments that can help us grow and reflect on our own journey applying new truths and even lessons. In a world where it seems to keep spinning out of control, I hope you can find some safety in knowing that you are not alone in this fight...in this walk as difficult and challenging as it may be. We are not meant to walk alone and especially, walk wounded without a way out or some relief to the one thing that brings the ultimate hope. I hope you will hear something in this story that will bring you some comfort.
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Understanding that even the historical church dealt with these false teachers helps us begin to see that it is very important to read and know the word not on a level that is mystical and leaves logic out, but one that involves logic and faith. I understand how hurt and loneliness can cause you to be skeptical, but in that truth is seeking to be understood and used as a way out of despair. My hope is that you will hear something that causes you to wonder enough to search it out. Don't give up and don't give in, there is so much to win in knowing and understanding a worldview tied to the creator of this marvelous world.
Resources:
Long4Truth Youtube channel: Are you hearing God's Voice. https://youtu.be/Gbwe5vsmGPU
Clark&Geisler. Apologetics in the New Age
Colossians 2- John MacArthur Bible Commentary
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Spiritual warfare is something that I had misunderstood and practiced so many heretical ways to deal with things that may have just been normal circumstances or consequences from choices. I am slightly embarrassed at how I was so quick in believing all these steps and prayers that promised to ward off evil and help me to be victorious. This isn't an easy subject to delve into, but it does shed light to all those "manmade religions"....before you go fighting anything, make sure you are equipped with the truth. It will be the one thing that holds all the power in a struggle. Knowing the finished work of Christ Jesus is key and resting in that truth will keep us from "running against the wind".
Resources:
Spiritual Warfare: https://youtu.be/-TGqj2R7izk
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Oh how easy it is to get pessimistic and want to just give up on understanding why the word of God even matters. The truth is we have to know authentic evidence and how it works to build an understanding of the world around us. Understanding this truth brings the only hope many can grasp. I get a little sentimental on this one so excuse the sniffles. The words stranger and loneliness have become something that many are struggling with and my heart is for you to get better and to know I see you. Sometimes it may be easier to talk to a stranger, but many times its just easier to know you are not alone. We have to hope again. It isn't easy work to unravel all our misconceptions, but it is worth it.
Resources:
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
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Our first Mystic Monday episode gives a bit of background from Calvary Bible Church and distinguishes how "God told me" is misused and abused in many circles today. Although we hear many use this phrase, we must be cautious in taking the advice or directions given. I was taught we were to be listening for God, but the clencher is many times that was outside of the written Word of God. Do you ever wonder why so many of these HVG- Hearing Voice of God (term from Jim Osman) speak from personal experiences more than the Bible? Why is it they can take a scripture here and there and form their own message? Let's begin to dig a bit deeper in to their philosophy and understand where yours is rooted also.
Added to the resources is Right Response Ministries, not shared in podcast but might shed more light to this. My Saturday Spotlight Resource Justin Peters is being interviewed and helps show other doctrines these leaders are a part of. It has really helped open my eyes and I pray it does yours also.
Resources:
What God says about charismatic theology, prosperity gospel and continuing prophetic revelation? DTBM. https://youtu.be/AyZbP8h1Ec0
Jim Osman, God Doesn't Whisper. Overview found on : https://youtu.be/7SwI-tcIyFQ
Right Response Ministries. Stop Saying "God Told Me":https://youtu.be/ceCWqOb77ms
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Sometimes we have certain beliefs and maybe traditions we follow without really understanding the origin. As a former "Word of Faither" I started seeing some personal biases and questioning why I believed things I was participating in. Praying for people in the hospital is not bad in itself, but understanding how prayer is supposed to function can be tricky. I do not dig deep with this at all- after all it is just a spotlight of a resource that has shed some light for me, but I encourage you to do so!
Resource:
Link to Session 1 : Justin Peters Clouds Without Water
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When starting a reading plan, do you hesitate and get overwhelmed due to not really understanding where to begin? In this episode, we will listen to some tips in making sure we understand there is a difference in descriptive vs prescriptive application of the Bible. Why does it matter, well many have misapplied the text and end up more frustrated and defeated. Let's begin to read it right.
Resources: Excerpt from youtube video One Passion Ministries, https://onepassionministries.org/ American Gospel http://www.americangospelfilm.com Exegesis and Eisegesis https://youtu.be/rk_Ca8FjSno
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Have you heard "as a man thinketh, so is he" and the whole positive thinking and positive confessions thing? Have you tried speaking things into being and been disappointed because it never seemed to work, or maybe at times it worked and then you were faced with moments of despair over not having any control regardless how many scriptures or positive thoughts you aimed at your situation? I hope this episode will help you begin to question this theory or belief system. It isn't fair to anyone struggling through any of life's hard situations and those pushing this teaching need to be avoided.
Resources: Long 4 Truth Podcast "Defusing Demonic Dirty Bombs Jan. 7, 2019 Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/qnzxKN8RUzk A Blog by Steven Kozar, March 10, 2016. Retrieved from: http://piratechristian.com/messedupchurch/2016/3/frequently-abused-and-misused-bible-verses
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
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With today's high interest in cults and their leaders, we can see some common characteristics among many of them, regardless of the ways it is presented. In this episode, I share how these come into play and where I began to see them in WOF belief systems. Are you wanting to change the world, get this "hidden knowledge" and do you like structure? Be careful, these are some of the attributing characteristics of many of the followers found in these groups and organizations.
Resources:
How to Identify a Cult, Right Response Ministries. Retrieved from : https://youtu.be/17b1H4HhPQM
https://bereanresearch.org/white-paper-word-of-faith/
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When we listen to that "still small voice" or even so called teachers, preachers, etc. we must understand if they are adding to the word of God and what we are called to do as we study. Salvation is encompassed in the work of Jesus on the cross, not what we did or can ever do. Do not allow others to twist the completed work of Christ into a burdensome and hamster wheel type of works based living. We are called to have fruit of the spirit and that will be evident in how we live.
Resource:
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/index.html
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As you begin to study the Word of God, do you struggle with wanting "something more"? When we look to "experience" God we often open the door to self delusion and mysticism. While I practiced many years of "listening to the still small voice" and "being led by God", I mistook those beliefs as true and real. Let's understand why this extrabiblical "knowledge" or experience can lead you to a life filled with doubt and confusion.
Resources:
Are you hearing God's Voice? The Dangers of Christian Mysticism, retrieved from: https://youtu.be/Gbwe5vsmGPU
American Gospel, God Doesn't Whisper, retrieved from: https://youtu.be/7SwI-tcIyFQ
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