Today on the show Dr. Alicia Britt Chole shares with us how disillusionment is not the negative idea we've often assumed it to be. Disillusionment means our illusions about God, us, and others are being taken away - and that's a good thing, y'all! But it can be a painful process. Often physical suffering throws us into the cycle of disillusionment, and Dr. Alicia shares about her own recurrences of cancer on the show today.
Like her books are some of the most cherished works of wisdom on my bookshelf now, so this episode is one of my favorites of all time. I hope you enjoy her as much as I did!
The Night is Normal by Alicia Britt Chole
Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole
40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole
Tammy Comer lived with severe chronic illness for over a decade. She experienced its affects in her body, her mind, and in her walk with God. Through that journey, she learned what it truly meant to trust God. After such a long journey with illness, a few years ago God dramatically healed Tammy's body. In this episode, Tammy shares how God has met her in radical kindness and generosity through the healing part of her journey.
This is the second part of this interview; to listen to the first half of the episode, head to Episode 127 of this podcast.
Links from our conversation:
Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
Another book on the topic of demonology that I recommend: What Demons Can Do to Saints by Merrill Unger
Tammy Comer lived with severe chronic illness for over a decade. She experienced its affects in her body, her mind, and in her walk with God. Through that journey, she learned what it truly meant to trust God.
This is the first part of this interview; part two will be published next week, where Tammy shares how she was dramatically healed by God from her illness. Stay tuned!
You can check out some of her husband's books that I mentioned in the introduction below:
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
We have one of our favorite guests back on the show for the second time! Author and speaker Vaneetha Risner recently released a fantastic Bible study about the questions we ask in suffering, loss, and longing. Join us today as I talk to her about why it’s good to ask questions in suffering, what her past and present experiences with profound suffering have taught her, and how the peace God has given her in the storm takes away her fear of the worst happening in the future. Get your notes ready - this is a quotable one that I think you’ll want to process for many days after you listen.
Desperate for Hope Bible Study
Vaneetha’s Memoir, Walking Through Fire
The Scars That Have Shaped Me by Vaneetha Risner
Hey friends! Listen to this episode to hear some things I've been learning recently as well as some updates on what's next for the podcast.
If you're looking for more ways to connect to The Heal Ministry, you can subscribe to our newsletter here and you can order our Through the Fog Bible study here.
We cherish your prayers and support.
“Do you want Story 1 or Story 2?” When God asked Allen this question, he weighed his options. What did God mean? Should he cancel his surgery and see what God was inviting him into? Using the nodules in his throat as the backdrop, Allen takes us through the dramatic lesson God taught him about our stories with God. Plus, he put it all in an INCREDIBLE book called the Eden Option that you can find below. If you’re at an impasse in your suffering journey or you could use a little encouragement to press in again to what God has for you, this episode is for you. Check out this interview with author, speaker, and innovative coach Allen Arnold.
PRE-ORDER Through the Fog: A Bible Study on God's Goodness Amidst Physical Suffering
Use code “TTFHEAL25” for 25% off! (Code good until November 7, 2023)
The Eden Option by Allen Arnold
Allen’s Free Newsletter
Why does Christ’s resurrection matter to you, right now, in your current circumstances? What does Christ’s resurrection really mean for His followers? And what does it look like for your own body to be resurrected with Christ one day? Jeff Brannon and I delve into these questions and more today as we discuss his book about the theology of resurrection. This is a good episode to nerd out on, but it is also an episode to give your faith the weighty grounding of the hope of redemption amidst your suffering.
The Hope of Life After Death: A Biblical Theology of Resurrection by Jeff Brannon
Jennifer Ji-Hye Ko is a disabled writer, author, poet, and speaker. Her full-time job is managing her intensive treatments for Lyme Disease, several co-infections, comorbid conditions, as well as Lyme and Autism-related psychosis. In addition to all of that, Jennifer is working to help bridge the gap between the Church and the disability community to avoid exclusion and unintentional spiritual or religious abuse. Curious how she came to do all this? Jennifer shares her story on the pod today, including her deep dive into Scripture herself and how God gives her hope on a daily basis. Check out her book, A Lamenter’s Pathway to Joy, and her website below!
PRE-ORDER Through the Fog: A Bible Study on God's Goodness Amidst Physical Suffering
Use code “TTFHEAL25” for 25% off! (Code good until November 7, 2023)
A Lamenter’s Pathway to Joy by Jennifer Ji-Hye Ko
Disability and the Church by Lamar Hardwick
Lamar Hardwick Heal Ministry Podcast Episode
Do you ever struggle to have the motivation to get out of bed in the morning. Well Alan Noble wrote a book about it, and he joins us today to talk about the burden of living. Don’t worry - it’s an encouraging conversation. We just talk honestly about the responsibility and gift of living, as well as how it is genuinely hard to view life in such a way sometimes. This is an honest conversation about mental illness, physical suffering, and just the plain ole difficulties of normal life. Heads up - we talk specifically about suicidal ideation for a bit in this conversation, so if that’s a trigger for you then maybe take a pass on this episode. I think it’s an important topic, so we try to have gentle grace for the conversation while also giving people hope who are in the darkest places.
PRE-ORDER Through the Fog: A Bible Study on God's Goodness Amidst Physical Suffering
Use code “TTFHEAL25” for 25% off! (Code good until November 7, 2023)
Faith is a factor in healing, but there is complexity and nuance within that statement. One thing we do know is that Jesus told us to have the faith of a child. Lacy Finn Borgo wrote a book on just that, and today she shows us what the innocence and faith of children have to teach us amidst our suffering. Lacy also talks to us about her children’s book, All Will Be Well, which she wrote to help children process the loss of someone dear in their lives. This is a great episode that might surprise you! Take a listen today and check out Lacy’s resources below.
PRE-ORDER Through the Fog: A Bible Study on God's Goodness Amidst Physical Suffering
Use code “TTFHEAL25” for 25% off! (Code good until November 7, 2023)
Faith Like a Child by Lacy Finn Borgo
All Will be Well by Lacy Finn Borgo
After nearly a decade of struggling through infertility, Laura Brandenburg still believes that even through the hardest chapters of our lives, God writes good endings. If you’ve been waiting on healing, waiting for God to show you His goodness amidst your pain, or just asking God to give you the patience to wait on His timing, then this is the episode for you. Laura shares the lessons her season of waiting taught her (they’re GOOD, y’all), as well as how her body was healed when her husband started praying specifically over her each night (but catch-that’s still not all there is to the story - you’ll have to listen to see what I mean). Plus, one of the great redemptions of her pain is her debut nonfiction book that comes out TODAY: Not Forgotten: Unraveling Questions of Faith and Fertility. Check it out below!
PRE-ORDER Through the Fog: A Bible Study on God's Goodness Amidst Physical Suffering
Use code “TTFHEAL25” for 25% off! (Code good until November 7, 2023)
Not Forgotten: Unraveling Questions of Faith and Ferility by Laura C. Brandenburg
Dr. Richard Tran was on his way down a mountain biking trail when he accidentally took a much harder path than he had to. Since Dr. Tran is a chiropractor, he knew when he crashed that it wasn’t good. But becoming a Christian recently in his adult life, he took the accident as an opportunity to trust God’s provision more fully. Not only was God with him as he walked down the mountain, but God was also present through a horrible infection of his wounds and a nasty bout of pain-med related mental illness. I think you guys are going to love Dr. Tran’s episode - what a witness of faith and God’s grace through it all!
PRE-ORDER Through the Fog: A Bible Study on God's Goodness Amidst Physical Suffering
Use code “TTFHEAL25” for 25% off! (Code good until November 7, 2023)
Dr. Tran’s Chiropractic Clinic
Mike Fennema’s episode (other mountain biking accident episode)
Shontel-Jackson Taylor is a mother, daughter, U.S. Air Force Veteran, and a woman of God who has had her share of pain. She joins us on the podcast today to share about her journey through endometriosis, fibromyalgia, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Shontel shares how before she really understood God’s grace, she didn’t think He wanted her pain or her mess. But now that she knows Christ personally, He’s redeemed all of her pain into beautiful things - one of which is a ministry! Shontel is now a Christian Life & Empowerment Coach as well as a Christian Care Counselor. I think you’ll be encouraged by the beautiful way God has redeemed her deep pain. Check out her resources below!
PRE-ORDER Through the Fog: A Bible Study on God's Goodness Amidst Physical Suffering
Use code “TTFHEAL25” for 25% off! (Code good until November 7, 2023)
Shontel’s Free 15 Minute Purpose Call
I am thrilled to introduce you today to one of the sweetest and on-fire women in my church community, Denise Moyer. She has a spirit that is always wanting more of whatever God has for her, and that shows up in the story she shares on the podcast today.
Denise and I were both present at a healing training our church put on in December of 2022. At this event, we were seeking to practice in a healthy way and low-risk environment what it looked like to ask God for miraculous healing. Denise shares in this episode how her shoulder was healed miraculously, not as a result of being prayed for at the event, but as a result of her own experience with God in the audience at the event. As of this interview, recorded four months after this event took place, Denise has been pain-free since that moment.
PRE-ORDER Through the Fog: A Bible Study on God's Goodness Amidst Physical Suffering
Use code “TTFHEAL25” for 25% off! (Code good until November 7, 2023)
Today I got to talk with one of the best people I know, Gerald Griffin. We talk about what it looks like to view God as a good Father, to climb up into His lap and tell Him not only what you need, but also what you want, and then to be disappointed when He chooses something different for your life. In Gerald’s life, one season of trial came when he had many years of recurring sinusitis and horrible sinus infections. These sinus infections became debilitating, leaving him unable to breathe well and affecting his sleep and quality of life. Join us to discover what Gerald learned through this season of his life and how it applies to your current season today.
PRE-ORDER Through the Fog: A Bible Study on God's Goodness Amidst Physical Suffering
Use code “TTFHEAL25” for 25% off! (Code good until November 7, 2023)
Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey
Hey friends! We're publishing a bonus episode today because Bonnie's book came out this month and because I want you all to have this resource before I reference it in my sermon for the Diamonds Conference in June. Enjoy!
Bonnie Gray is the author of multiple books including Sweet Like Jasmine, an ECPA 2022 Christian Book Award Finalist. She’s also a soul care coach and a podcast host. Today on the show she joins us to talk about her newest book, Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less andTransform Chaos to Calm. Bonnie has recovered from PTSD and is passionate about helping people flourish through soul care with God. Through the first year of the pandemic, Bonnie’s hair started falling out, she got stress injuries to her hands, and she was facing chronic sleep deprivation and fibromyalgia. This book is what came out of her fight for freedom amidst her pain, and it was a freedom hard-earned and so beneficial to those of us who can learn from her journey. In our conversation today, Bonnie gives us loads of practical tips and the science behind them (get your notepads ready – it’s that kind of an episode!) to calm our minds amidst the stress that any kind of chronic pain or physical limitation brings into our lives.
LINKS:
Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast
As Tera continues to adjust to her new life as a mom, we'll be continuing the podcast in seasons! Season 3 of the Heal Podcast will launch on September 25, 2023. In this episode, Tera shares some updates for the Heal Ministry as well as a few lessons God has taught her in the past few months. We're grateful for you and we'll see you in September!
Links from this episode:
The Cost of Control by Sharon Hodde Miller
To stay connected with the Heal Ministry over the break in podcast episodes:
-Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so if there are any surprise episodes or if there is an announcement, you'll be the first to hear about it. Plus, when we return in September your phone will send you a notification with that first episode in Season Three!
-Re-listen to any episodes you haven't heard in the 100+ interviews already published
-Join us on Instagram at @heal_ministry
-Join our online Heal Community for support and encouragement: https://www.thehealministry.com/heal-community
-Do the Chronic Pain to Constant Praise Devotional on YouVersion, written by Tera Bradham DeNeui: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/20333-from-chronic-pain-to-constant-praise
-Check out our host's memoir, Swimming for Freedom: https://amzn.com/dp/1424558921/
-Head to our website for more resources: https://www.thehealministry.com/resources
We'll see everyone in September!
Author and creator Rachel Marie King joins us today to talk about how one can both create and partake in the creations of others when something in our bodies has made the act of creating difficult, what it looks like to fight back against an illness or pain stealing the childlike faith and joy that Jesus invites us into as followers of his Kingdom, and what the practical steps are to both accept the limitations of our bodies while also giving ourselves permission to create, fail, and enjoy life in new ways. Check out her book and other resources below!
We’ll have one more short episode in Season Two next week where Tera explains the plan for Season Three of the podcast moving forward. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss any episodes!
Links from our conversation with Rachel:
Whatever kind of pain you’re in today, I’m guessing that you’ve either cried a lot of tears or you’ve wanted to. That’s why I brought on author S.A. Morrison to talk about the theology behind our tears. What does it look like to embody a healthy spiritual discipline of tears amidst our daily trials? Sarah shows us how when we choose to embrace the companion of tears in our journeys of suffering and hope, they both bring us closer to God and closer to the human experience we were made to have. Check out her book and resources below, and enjoy the episode!
Sarah’s Blog: https://www.writeful.blog/
With Those Who Weep: A Theology of Tears: https://amzn.com/dp/1736744607/
Sarah’s IG: @_samorrison_
Tera’s IG: @terabradham
Heal’s IG: @heal_ministry
Tera’s Website: https://www.terabradham.com/
Heal’s Website: https://www.thehealministry.com/
Presbyterian minister Marjorie Thompson joins us today to talk to us about courage, hope, and curiosity amidst our pain and grief. How do we have courage when facing loss? How do we not become fearful when we are brave enough to become curious about our pain? We talk about these questions as well as themes like care versus cure in Marjorie’s book, Courage for Caregivers. In the book, Marjorie builds on the work of her spiritual mentor, Henri J.M. Nouwen, to address the demanding physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of caregiving and care receiving, while also illuminating the gifts each can bring into our lives. Check out some of the resources we talk about below, and enjoy the peace and wisdom Marjorie brings to the pod today!
Courage for Caregivers on IVP: https://www.ivpress.com/courage-for-caregivers
Courage for Caregivers on Amazon: https://amzn.com//dp/1514005565/
“The Wounded Healer” by Henri Nouwen: https://amzn.com/dp/0385148038/
“Life of the Beloved” by Henri Nouwen: https://amzn.com/dp/0824519868/
Ignatian Retreats: https://www.ignatianonlineretreat.com/
Tera IG: @terabradham
Heal IG: @heal_ministry
Tera’s Website: terabradham.com
Heal’s Website: thehealministry.com