If it is true that God is a male, then His Divinity or Deity is expressed in His masculinity. Yet I am a woman, and there are parts of my body; such as my breasts, my vagina, and my womb that are telling a story about God that I have never learned or understood. This is an exploration of the significance of a womb that must shed and bleed before it can create. How will we engage our body which cyclically bleeds most of our life and can build and birth a human soul? How will we honor the living womb, that lives and sometimes dies within us? This is a book about the theology found in the cycle of the womb, which births both life and death. Every day each one of us is invited to create, and every day we make a decision knowing that from our creation can come death or life. Women's voices have been silenced for a long time as society and the church has quieted their bodies. Will we courageously choose to listen to the sound of your voice, the song of your womb, and speak for the world to hear?- Dr. Bauman

In this episode, Andy previews the upcoming season of the show and provides a brief health update.

Three years ago today Andy was at Duke Cancer Center recovering from his HIPEC surgery. Today he is running around and coaching his kids soccer/football team.

Please leave a review on Facebook or Apple Podcasts if you like what you hear. Also share the show with your friends, or enemies!

The Winter Faith Podcast believes all people have seasons of Winter Faith and that doubt is an essential part of faith.

Follow @winterfaithpodcast.

Podcast music by Josh Cleveland.

Podcast artwork by Sarah Dolislager.

Created by Andrew Frazier in 2017.

The Winter Faith Podcast believes all people have seasons of Winter Faith and that doubt is an essential part of faith. Listen to The Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and all other major podcast sites. Support the show on Patreon for more in-depth content and full length interviews.

The Winter Faith Podcast believes all people have seasons of Winter Faith and that doubt is an essential part of faith. Listen to The Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and all other major podcast sites. Support the show on Patreon for more in-depth content and full length interviews.

The Winter Faith Podcast believes all people have seasons of Winter Faith and that doubt is an essential part of faith. Listen to The Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and all other major podcast sites. Support the show on Patreon for more in-depth content and full length interviews.

Book Tagline

It's bedtime again, but Isaiah can't sleep. It seems he's got too many things on his mind: things he's worried about. So Mom helps Isaiah imagine what it would be like if each of his worries were a block that he could stash in his backpack.

As Isaiah imagines hiking through the woods carrying his worry pack, he discovers the joy and relief of trusting Jesus with everything--especially those worries.

The Winter Faith Podcast creates conversations on God, grief, and emotional growth. Birthed by Andrew Frazier in 2017. Check out Andrew's website - andrewfrazierwrites.com.

Follow @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Support the show on Patreon. Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Podcast artwork by Sarah Dolislager.

Here is an article about IFS from 2019.

 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shouldstorm/201906/the-voices-in-your-head

The Winter Faith Podcast creates conversations on God, grief, and emotional growth. Birthed by Andrew Frazier in 2017. Check out more at Andy's Website.Follow @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Support the show on Patreon. Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Podcast artwork by Sarah Dolislager.

Psychotherapists & Authors Dr. Christy V. Bauman, LMHC and Andrew J. Bauman, MA, LMHC have started the CCC to provide high-quality experiential, narrative-based psychotherapy from a Christian worldview. To fully engage both heartache and glory without easy answers. The CCC believes you cannot enter into liberation without gut-wrenching pain, we follow both a crucified and resurrected God.

Our purpose is to walk with those who are wanting transformation and healing. Those who feel lost in their faith and/or stuck in their pain, and are running out of options. We work with both individuals and couples in crisis, those impacted by unwanted sexual behaviors and trauma.

Andrew and Christy Bauman - A Brave Lament

A Brave Lament Documentary is a film about the loss of their first son. It is a trailer which offers a small window into the relationships and rituals which aided this couple in their grief and sorrow. #abravelament #grief #stillborn

Therapy Shorts - Their marriage podcast. 

Theology of the Womb- Christy's book on understanding God through a woman's body.

Marriage Counseling

Men and Woman Retreats

The Winter Faith Podcast creates conversations on God, grief, and emotional growth. Birthed by Andrew Frazier in 2017. Follow @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Support the show on Patreon.

About Thomas Jay Oord

Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. Oord is a best-selling and award-winning author, having written or edited more than twenty-five books. He directs a doctoral program at Northwind Theological Seminary and the Center for Open and Relational Theology. A twelve-time Faculty Award-winning professor, Oord teaches at institutions around the globe. Oord is known for his contributions to research on love, open and relational theology, science and religion, and the implications of freedom and relationships for transformation.

The Winter Faith Podcast creates conversations on God, grief, and emotional growth. Birthed by Andrew Frazier in 2017.

Follow @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. Subscribe to the Winter Faith Newsletter. 

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. The Podcast Music is by Josh Cleveland and digital art by Dom Montagne.

The cancer was found on my appendix, which was removed last week. Thankfully, the cancer is low-grade and very treatable. This type of cancer is very rare. Of course, I would get one of the rarest cancers, because I am an enneagram 4 and I have to be so different. I have to undergo more surgery and chemotherapy in about six weeks at the Duke Cancer Center. Dr. Dan Blazer III is my Oncologist, who is an expert in this cancer treatment. Dr. Blazer is rare.

I felt shock, sadness, and fear when I first received my diagnosis. Follow me on my CaringBridge page for all medical details.

I reminded of the words of C.S. Lewis in his book A Grief Observed, “No one ever told me grief felt so much like fear.” Lewis wrote those words in a journal after his wife died. He published the journal under a false name, N.W. Clerk, because he was afraid people would judge him for his honest words. He was rare.

I also assume it’s rare for my surgeon to be my friend from 3rd grade elementary school, Dr. Linda Youngwirth. I had not seen Linda in over 20 years and we live 1,000 miles away from our very small school in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Yet, we both ended up in the same room this week. Dr. Youngwirth had to deliver the harsh reality to us. My team of doctors includes: Dr. Linda Youngwirth, Dr. Dan McKearney, and Dr. Erica McKearney. My team of doctors are rare. They are rare for their ability to interweave medical knowledge and compassion. I am unsure how I can pay them back in full? Should I offer them free spiritual counseling for life?

This week was rare. The past week has been the most scary, sad, exhausting, painful, and joyous week of my life. I feel loved in a powerful way by my wife, parents, sister, children, and the my faith community.

So many friends have sent me their support through meaningful books, favorite songs, tasty ice cream, homemade snickerdoodle cookies, bottles of Gatorade, prayers, Dad jokes, encouraging texts, kind emails, sweet cards, short but meaningful phone calls, and funny tweets.

I am so thankful for all of them.

One symbol of God is a lion. A lion does not know fear. A lion is the king of the jungle. Our God is a lion. Our God will fight cancer with us and eventually kill cancer like a lion its prey. Lions might get bloody and bruised during a fight but they always are the ones standing upright at the end of the battle. God is brave. I am brave. You are brave, too.

So may we all live with bravery this week. May we all live like a lion as we fight the battle of good vs evil. May we all keep doing good, even when we are exhausted.

Artwork by Scott Erikson.

About Rachael:

Rachael is an Ordained Pastor, Missionary, a published author, a mom to three beautiful girls, and is married to her best friend Tim.  Want to read some of her stuff?  Check out the links below:

Rachael’s newest book, She Hears: Learning to Listen to Jesus will be coming out June 2021.  Stay tuned for more info!

Rachael’s first solo book is a resource to equip those called to children’s ministry to get outside the four walls of the church and reach out to the kids in their community.  Find Go here:

Go: Beginning a Kids’ Outreach Ministry

You can read about the battle to maintain the right to minister the gospel on the Alliance Defending Freedom Website here: ADF helps church spread the gospel

Rachael was a contributing author to a resource library for Kidmin Nation.  Those can be found here:

Inspired: Unlocking Your Creativity

Rock Stars: Inspiring a Team of Unstoppable Volunteers

Lean In: Leverage Your Influence for Ministry Impact

Stronger (Volume 1): Increase Your Personal Depth and Wisdom

The Winter Faith Podcast offers spiritual stories and emotional encouragement to those experiencing faith, apathy, and everything in between. Birthed by Andrew Frazier in 2017. Follow @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Support the show on Patreon.

Last year, I was able to take her parenting class. Last week she graciously came on my podcast to talk parenting. In our conversation, she often expressed compassion and empathy, being a mom of four kids herself, that this past year has been very difficult for children and their emotions.

She said children will have a great range of emotions for many, many years following this pandemic. She hopes parents learn to “be the hands” to their kids. Being the hands means being a safe place where kids can express all their emotions.

Jenn promotes the Circle of Security model. This model allows kids to explore the world and then return home to the hands of secure and emotionally available parents. The model calls for parents to be bigger, stronger, wiser, and kind. The class is offered online and I strongly encourage all parents to take Jenn’s class. A link to the class can be found on her website.

May you be a parent who is bigger, stronger, wiser, and kind.

The Winter Faith Podcast offers spiritual stories and emotional encouragement to those experiencing faith, apathy, and everything in between. Birthed by Andrew Frazier in 2017. Follow @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Support the show on Patreon.

Listen to Meghan Tschanz’s story, which is attached in the audio file in this newsletter.

Another part of the shame stems from their church upbringing in purity culture. The stories are so sad to me. As young women they were told they, “must not be a stumbling block” to the men in their youth groups. They were told they must cover up and hide their bodies. What does that cause a person to think about their body?

These teachings caused me to reflect on the treatment of woman in our world today. In the world today 1 out of 3 women are beaten and/or sexual abused. This is heartbreaking to read and write.

Meghan Tschanz, a recent guest on my podcast, writes,

“The truth is that women are the largest group of oppressed people on the planet, and that is something we should all care about. I’ve found that too often the Church is not concerned with the inequity of women. In fact, I’ve found that feminism has become a dirty word, and I’ve been told that I can’t be a feminist and a Christian. I’m here to prove that notion wrong. Jesus empowered, honored, protected, celebrated, respected, and learned from women in his time. Sadly, much of the church fails to do the same by banning women from teaching or preaching or holding roles outside of motherhood. This is to mention nothing of sexual abuse that runs rampant in some churches. I think we miss God’s heart when we refuse to empower or listen to women, more than that, I think we cause a lot of pain. An unequal and less-than view of women contributes to a host of injustices, and that is why I fight for feminism and women’s equality. Because the truth is we can’t help women overseas until we change the way we treat them in our own culture. In many cases, our western society is literally exporting injustice.”

I do not want to promote a message of exporting injustice and too often I have been a part of the problem when it comes to my treatment of women. For years I treated woman poorly through my use of pornography. I was a part of devaluing woman globally. I am asking for forgiveness now and I am seeking to understand how to honor woman in my life the way Jesus did.

Kat Harris writes, “Jesus wasn’t afraid to be physically close to a woman…Jesus cared about her heart and restoring her humanity that had been stripped away by legalism and oppression.”

In this quote, Kat is describing Jesus’ treatment of the Samaritan woman. In all the stories of Jesus I never once read of him shaming a woman’s body. I do hear him calling out people for lusting but never does he tell woman they are responsible for causing men to sin because of their own skin. I do believe God loves our skin and bodies. Too often Christian men and woman have became disembodied people. We must love and bless our bodies and embrace a new theology of the body.

So may the church create a new theology of the body. May the church teach and preach against the oppression of women. May the church honor a woman’s whole self, mind and body. May the modern church value women the same way Jesus did. May men, like myself, repent of devaluing women’s bodies and instead choose to honor women.

In closing, I humble ask you to support the Red Thread Movement, an organization focused on honoring women. Find more about their work by clicking the link above.

As my son nears his second birthday this quote came to me. I want my son to be a man of courage and boldness. I want my son to be willing to fight for what is just. I want my son to be strong and kind. I want my son to realize failure is not failure but a time of growth.

May we all be people willing to face challenges and be willing to follow the example of the man in the arena.

Pastor Abby Norman is here to tell us that we can talk to God like that. In her fresh, tell-it-like-it-is voice, she unpacks the power of lament, providing us with the tools and the grace-filled permission to heal the problems we have been ignoring for too long. She shows us how to express our laments to God and to each other when things are definitely not okay. And through this process we will discover a richer connection with God--who has wanted nothing more than our whole selves from the start.

The Winter Faith Podcast provides weekly spiritual stories and emotional encouragement to those experiencing faith, apathy, and everything in between. Follow @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Support the show on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.

Recently, I read the book Theology of the Womb by Christy Bauman. In her book, Christy lays out a detailed metaphor for learning about the nature of God through the body of a woman. For Christy, after the death of her son Brave, she could not find comfort in a God who was only male. She said she needed the love and comfort of a Mother God. The death of Brave was the beginning of her journey to write this book. In my conversations with Christy I found such wisdom and grace as she talked about God as Woman. I found comfort in her words. She reminded me God is referred to as a woman often in the Old Testament, especially in Isaiah. For example,

Isaiah 66: 9 - 13

9 Shall I open the womb and not deliver? says the Lord; shall I, the one who delivers, shut the womb? says your God. 

10 Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her— 

11 that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom. 

12 For thus says the Lord: I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees. 

13 As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. 

Christy is a professional counselor and she work can be found on her website. She offers books, classes, marriage counseling, and individual/group counseling. She has many books and podcasts that all provided excellent content. Her podcast Womaneering explores deep topics and stories about woman and I highly recommend it for men, like myself, who need to grow in their understanding of womanhood. I also highly recommend her work for woman who have endured great pain in the journey to motherhood and for couples who experience infertility.

May you find hope in the stories of woman around you. May you have wisdom in the words of Christy. May you find love and peace in arms of God today. May you find comfort in God as Mother this day.

Watch Gary's Celebration of Life. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgA6Epld97c

The Winter Faith Podcast seeks to provide weekly theological hope and emotional encouragement for those experiencing spiritual homelessness. Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Podcast artwork by Dom Frazier. Purchase her artwork on Etsy. Follow @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Support the show on Patreon.

About Andria

My own story has cultivated curiosity and passion centered around the resiliency of the human person: mind-body-spirit. This awareness guides my approach within the field of trauma therapy, resiliency, and post-traumatic growth.

I am a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Professional Counselor and Mental Health Specialist Provider (LPC/MHSP #4456) with a Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Memphis. I am a Certified Experiential Therapist (CET-1 #1058) and utilize the expressive arts as part of my practice. Additionally, I hold a Master of Arts (MA) in Speech Communication & Theater Arts and was trained in professional performance from the American Musical Dramatic Academy, New York City/Los Angeles.

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. 

Follow @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon

Earl Carr is a friend who is wrestling with the current politics of our time. He writes as a Christian, an American, and a son of immigrants.

He recently was on the Winter Faith Podcast; the interview is attached to this post.

I am so impressed with Earl’s work as a financial advisor on Wall Street, a husband, a parent, and a writer; yet, I am more impressed with his compassionate heart and creative mind. His words make me reflect on my responsibility as a Christian in our current cultural climate.

Below is a recent article by Earl.

Contextualizing Faith, The China Virus, and Black Lives Matter

To begin the article Earl writes:

“Being half Black (my father hails from the Island of Jamaica) and half Chinese (my grandparents are from Southern China in Guangdong province) my reality distilling race relations living in America is unique in traversing multiple cultures. Growing up in New York City, I struggled with my cultural identity. At school, kids would often make fun of me calling me names like “Rasta Chink,” or saying things like “hey, mon, want some pork fried rice,” in a pejorative Chinese and Jamaican accent.”

Earl writes with a vulnerability that I seek to have in my own writing. Earl writes critically of the politics of our times form his perspective as a multiracial Christian. He questions the actions of the church leaders and their unwillingness to stand up for causes impacting many African and Asian Americans. He motivates me to reflect more deeply on the politics and the causes that I support.

He concludes stating his concerns for America’s future because of our lack of unity and empathy for others. I share the same concerns as Earl in these causes. He calls me and others to be more thoughtful in our language, especially at this time.

So…

May we be thoughtful people who provoke peace with our actions.

May we let God mold and shape our hearts and minds when we need to change our prejudices against people from different backgrounds.

May we be people who offer healing support to people around us who are hurting.

 Read his article below. 

 “And then they came after me: Contextualizing Faith, The China Virus & black lives matter” 

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music. Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon.

This year has depressed me. Before 2020, I thought we lived in a selfish and individualistic nation and unfortunately the past year has overwhelming proved my point. In the past year, Amazon doubled its profits and the poor got poorer and sicker. Generally speaking, as a nation we have displayed a depressing lack of sympathy and empathy. The past twelve months makes me so sad. We have seen a record number of deaths. We have seen a record number of homelessness. We have seen innocent lives lost. We have seen great racial and social unrest. We have experienced pain and suffering. We are a hurting nation and people on the outside and bottom of our economy have been the most devastated by this pandemic. See the link below.

The Color of Coronavirus

The racial divide in this nation is striking. We must do better to serve people of color in our nation. The innocent deaths of so many black and brown individuals in this nation in the past year is depressing. The church is one organization that must lead to promote racial equity. Ideally if the church lead others will follow. The church must do better.

My views on racial equity stem from God through the actions of Jesus. God judged Israel by how they treated the aliens and poor in their lands. Likewise Jesus judged people by how they treated the the outcasts of society; the poor, the crippled, the lame, the sick, the hurting, and the blind. I am called to be and must be loving to those on the outside, the bottom, and outskirts of my community who are economically, physically, and emotionally hurting. I am reminded of this passage as I reflected on this issue.

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.  But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

(Luke 14)

May we be people who care about the outcasts in our society. May we not shame others for being sick and poor. May we be moved by compassion to do our part to bring about healing in our communities.

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between.  Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music. Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify.  Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

Good afternoon, everyone!

I am so grateful for each one of you and how you have increased my faith in the past week. I have received only positive feedback so far, so that’s nice to hear!

This week I would like to provide a book suggestion for all of you;

Scarred Hope by Beverly and Josh Ross.

The book contains the journey that a mother and son have taken together, along with the whole Ross family, that reveals how God can use grief and pain to bring joy and hope. Grief may bring with it scars but scars only occur after healing. I strongly recommend this book. This book and its authors have been a part of my winter faith journey and I am grateful for all of their hard work.

Attached to this newsletter is an interview and conversation I had with Beverly and Josh on The Winter Faith Podcast last month.

If you are experiencing a season of grief, this book may be painful for you.

If you are experiencing a season of joy, this book may be humbling for you.

If you are experiencing a season of both or neither, this book may be joyful for you.

May you join me on this journey and bring your whole self; the pain, the grief, and hopefully the joy that comes with authentic faith.

If you are receiving this email then you are important to me!

Additionally, you are a significant part of my spiritual formation.

Some of you started praying for me when I was a little boy running around 1185 Farmington Ave and some of you have only known me as a dad with two kids and a mortgage. One of you gave birth to me. Thanks Mom!

I am very grateful for all of you.

Winter Faith Weekly will be a short note of encouragement, audio recording, or theological reflection that will be sent directly to your inbox each week.

Feel free to unsubscribe at anytime, or share with a friend!

This week I have a short essay that I wrote for the Roadstead Project, which is an awesome organization created by my friend Kara.

WINTER

I like seeing my breath in the frigid air. It makes me feel alive. I grew up in Wisconsin. I am used to cold, dark nights with gray skies. Ironically, the coldest winter days in Wisconsin are often sunny because clouds bring protection from sub-zero temperatures.

Seasons come and go. Seasons change. Winter is cold. Spring brings warmth. Each season has pros and cons, but I have always liked Winter. It reminds me of home.

Seasons of faith come and go. Likewise seasons of doubt come and go. Too many people don’t teach that.  When spiritual leaders and churches ignore this simple truth people are filled with guilt and same for simply traveling a normal spiritual journey.  Faith is not linear. Faith is like a wave in the sea. It goes up and down all the time. It has a rhythm. The seasons provide change, life, death, growth, and rebirth. 

Faith changes, grows, dies, and rebirths. Faith is not about staying in one season but being able to experience all of it. Doubt is always a part of true  faith.  Without darkness we couldn’t tell what light is therefore God made both the light and the dark. Therefore I believe faith and doubt are opposite sides of the same coin known as authentic spirituality.

Winter Faith is the feeling of doubt and hopelessness. Winter Faith is when you feel distant from God. This distance from God is confusing and hard and frustrates the soul. Yet this winter faith teaches that deep doubt is a necessary part of authentic faith.

I stay in season of Winter Faith all year long. Not all believers do. Yet, all believers must endure Winter Faith at some point in their journey. Maybe it’s a brief moment like one year in college that life just seemed off. For others, Winter Faith may be a year or two after the death of a child or a divorce. All believers must wrestle with Winter Faith if they want to be a mature believer. Maturity comes through hardships. Winter Faith often is a lonely and difficult walk. In this season God feels distant from you. It feels like God doesn’t care about your pain or the world’s pain and suffering. It feels like death. It feels like neglect. It is cold and dark like Winter.

I wrestle daily with the darkness I see in the world. I am used to being discouraged. I don't find peace in the chaos but I am home when I acknowledge my doubt. I see severe famine, global poverty, growing homelessness, racism, spiritual poverty, economic inequality, and unnecessary death. I visit these subjects often and my soul wrestles with God daily in these matters.

Why is life unfair? What do some eat and others starve? Why did God set up the cosmos this way? Is God for me or against me? These questions pain me to write but they are real.

May you join me on this journey and bring your whole self; the pain, the grief, and hopefully the joy from living into your authentic faith.

Scarred Hope: A Mother and Son Learn to Carry Grief and Live with Joy

Life is often like a game of cards; we're sometimes dealt a lousy hand. So, in life, it becomes a matter of what we're going to do with it. How are we going to choose to be faithful with the hand we've been dealt? We may not be able to control the outcome, but we can control how we choose to cling to hope, joy, adventure, and courage.



A scar is a healed wound. Often, we don't ever let our wounds become scars because we keep picking at them. We don't give them time to properly heal. Yet, we believe that we're at our best when our scars become stories of redemption, hope, restoration, and courage.

"As Beverly and Josh share their hearts and story through Scarred Hope, they add validity to the grief process and offer blessings to bereaved children and their families. Thank you for using your personal story and journey and providing others with the gift of hope and healing! On behalf of many, thank you!"

Vicki Jay, CEO, National Alliance for Grieving Children

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music. Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music. Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

 Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between.  Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music. Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter.  Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music. Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music. Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between.  Follow @winterfaithandy and @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music. Podcast coffee by J Brooks Coffee Roasters. J. Brooks Coffee Roasters was founded in 2010. What is a Roastinality? Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon.

Hi, I'm Megan, I'm glad you're here.

I started writing when my spouse and I decided to move halfway across the country to live in a disinvested neighborhood and work as children's pastors. I used to post recipes, and pictures of the kids we worked with, and cute young married people stuff.

After my daughter was born I started questioning my beliefs, and haven’t stopped asking questions since. These days I write my way through those questions about faith, and life, and who God is, and why people who say they love God don’t act like it sometimes. My first book, Born Again and Again, is a collection of my thoughts on lots of these questions.

I hold a Masters of Divinity, and am an unabashed nerd, which means I write with an eye on the academic side of things, but I think theology should dance with us, not put us to sleep. I think the deep, complex theologies in old, dusty books should be accessible for all people, even if they don’t read German. (I think the best theology wasn’t done by dead German guys anyway.)

I’m an extrovert to the core and love to talk about these ideas in real life. I’ve spoken at MOPS groups, the Milwaukee Multicultural Worship Leaders Network, the Christian Community Development Association’s National Conference, Northern Seminary, and at the Women Doing Theology Conference. I’d love to come and hang out with your group, congregation or organization, please click on the “speaking” link to find out more.

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. Follow @winterfaithandy and @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook.

Friends, may hope and joy find you this day as Andrew and Jonathan sit with each other in their grief. 

Clint, this one is for you! One love.

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between.

Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Podcast coffee by J Brooks Coffee Roasters. J. Brooks Coffee Roasters was founded in 2010. What is a Roastinality?

Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook.

Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter.

Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon.

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between.

Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Podcast coffee by J Brooks Coffee Roasters. J. Brooks Coffee Roasters was founded in 2010. What is a Roastinality?

Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook.

Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter.

Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon.

Jenny's Hope https://jennys-hope.org/#theneed

No one should ever have to grieve alone. There is healing found when we share our stories, our fears, and our memories. In 2017 we discovered Wise County Christian Counseling had 59 families with children needing grief counseling on the wait list. We could hardly bear it that 59 sets of parents were on the edge of their seats waiting for a call for help. We prayed, we dreamed, we sought advice. We decided to open Jenny’s Hope, a free grief center for children and adults.

No grief journey is the same. What is the same is the need for support. Jenny’s Hope is a place for healing and support found in hope, love and compassion.

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between.

Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Podcast coffee by J Brooks Coffee Roasters. J. Brooks Coffee Roasters was founded in 2010 by coffee lovers who couldn't stay out of the business. With over a decade of experience producing artisan coffees, we've melded our passion and potential to create J. Brooks. We believe that everyone has their own Roastinality. Which best fits you? Our coffees are labeled as Light & Easy, Medium & Smooth, or Dark & Bold. What is a Roastinality?

Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon.

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between.

 Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music.

 Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. 

Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter.

 Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. 

Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon.

Spiritual formation in the tradition of Jesus Christ is the process of transformation of the inmost dimension of the human being, the heart, which is the same as the spirit or will. It is being formed (really, transformed) in such a way that its natural expression comes to be the deeds of Christ done in the power of Christ.- Dallas Willard.

No pope, Bible, quote, psychological technique, book, guru can do your journey for you. - Rachard Rohr

Quaker theologian Richard Foster in his book, Celebration of Discipline,

includes several internal, external, and corporate disciplines one should engage in through his or her Christian life.

These include the followinginternal disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, and Study.

External disciplines include: Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, and Service.

Finally, corporate disciplines, those that are completed within the body of the church are confession, worship, guidance, and celebration.

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. 

Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music.

 Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. 

Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. 

Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. 

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music. Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between.

Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter.

Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify.

Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

On last week's episode Andrew discussed what is the church and gave his three core beliefs.

This week he teaches that the church is made up of "losers". Confused? Listen and hear what he has to say. 

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. 

Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music. 

Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter. 

Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. 

Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

Merry Christmas!

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music. Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or wherever you get your podcasts. Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

In this bonus episode, Andy and Kara list their five favorite reasons why they are thankful for church. I hope you enjoy! 

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. Podcast music by Josh Cleveland.

 Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music. 

Follow @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook.

 Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter. 

Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. 

Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music. Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook. Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

In this episode,  we give our introduction to the Enneagram. Kara is an expert on the Enneagram with actually education background. Andy just chimes in with his secret facebook group because that's where he gets his Enneagram knowledge. The Enneagram is all over social media and so we wanted to add your names to the list of those who talk way too much about the sacred and somewhat spiritual personality  test.

Resources:

The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge: Chestnut

The Road by to You: Cron and Stabile (Book and Podcast)

The Path Between Us: Stabile

Enneagram: A Christian Perspective by Father Richard Rohr

Typology by Ian Cron (Website and Podcast)

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between.

Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook.

Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter.

Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify.

Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

Enneagram 901 helps host events, create community, connect people to coaches, and use the Enneagram to better Memphis by creating empathy for others and developing ourselves.

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between.

Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook.

Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter.

Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify.

Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between.

Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook.

Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter.

Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify.

Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

Listen to Ben's lecture from Campus for Christ Conference: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2018-class-theological-vision-among-student-movements/id1441022899?i=1000425219875

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between.

Podcast music by Josh Cleveland. Purchase his album Root of a Man on Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook.

Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter.

Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify.

Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

Do you ever feel disconnected from everyone and everything?

Do you ever need friends?

Do you ever feel alone?

In this episode, Andy discusses the needs for friends and how difficult living in isolation can be. 

He also gives a painful example from his own life of his own isolation, grief, and pain.

May you build strong friendships today and join in on today's podcast.

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. 

Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook.

Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter.

Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. 

Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

Hope you enjoy friends!

Can Siri bring you Shalom? - written by Andy Frazier

Who of you by scrolling on Instagram can add an hour to your day ?

Who of you can send a tweet and add more happiness to your day?

Who of you can get so many likes on Facebook you feel something ; like closeness to the divine?

Who of you can get self esteem boosts from a selfie stick?

I can’t but

ONLY GOD CAN CHANGE ME

Who of you embraces courage behind a screen?

Who of you has FOMO because of Hulu?

Who of you gains knowledge from Netflix ?

Who of you receives wisdom from World Wide Web?

Can you say stop to HBO GO?

I wont but

ONLY GOD CAN CHANGE ME 

Who of you finds two day shipping too slow?

Who of you wish Siri could bring Shalom?

Who of you prays to Steve Jobs thanking him for the iPhone?

Who of you binges the Bible app?

I don’t but

ONLY GOD CAN CHANGE ME FULLY

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between. 

Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook.

Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter.

Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. 

Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

Ben loves his crazy hippy Christian family, but he does have a higher heart rate because of his three kids! He loves planting gardens. He does yoga and laughs a lot. He enjoys life with his lovely wife and kids. Andy and Ben discuss WCYC, York College Soccer, and the time Ben lived out his faith in Japan for almost a decade. Basically Ben is awesome and so is this episode.  We even have have a special guest! Enjoy friends!

Follow Ben on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Podcast music is from Josh Cleveland. Buy Josh's music on iTunes and Amazon!

Follow Andy on Facebook. 

@winterfaithandy on Twitter.

Subscribe to The Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, and Spotify. 

Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, too!

Support the Show by becoming a Patron. On Patreon you will review bonus episodes and free ebooks. Join for only $1 a month. 

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between.

Follow @winterfaithandy and @winterfaithpodcast on Instagram, Twitter, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook.

Jess's Website: www.jessicalystudio.com

Podcast Music: www.joshcleveland.com 

Subscribe to The Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, and Spotify. 

Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook.

Follow @winterfaithandy on Twitter and Instagram. 

Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, too!

Support the Show by becoming a Patron. On Patreon you will review bonus episodes and free ebooks. Join for only $1 a month. 

 In teaching his family and church family about his scars in faith Josh is able to connect deeply with many who seek out God despite pain and suffering and scars.. He preaches with passion and joy and is also willing to talk about difficult topics from the pulpit like the #metoo, immigration, politics, and mental health. He has been a minister at Sycamore View for 11 years. Josh and his wife have two boys and resides in the heart of the city of Memphis, a city Josh and his family deeply care about. Friends, I hope you enjoy this episode; its' a great one.

Josh’s sermons can be heard on the Sycamore View Podcast and SycamoreView.org.

Buy Josh's Books on Amazon: Scarred Faith, Bringing Heaven to Earth, and Reentry. 

Podcast Music: www.joshcleveland.com 

Subscribe to The Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, and Spotify. 

Follow  @winterfaithpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook.

Follow @winterfaithandy on Twitter and Instagram. 

Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, too!

Support the Show by becoming a Patron. On Patreon you will review bonus episodes and free ebooks. Join for only $1 a month. 

Greg Parks website:  towardatheologyofgrief.blogspot.com 

Follow Andy @winterfaithandy Instagram and Twitter.

Subscribe to the Winter Faith Podcast on Apple, Anchor, or Spotify. 

Support the show for as little as $1 a month on Patreon. 

https://www.patreon.com/winterfaithandy

Shawn Frazier is the worship minister at the North Boulevard Church of Christ in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 

The show also supports Bethany Adoption Agency and Christian Services.

The Winter Faith Podcast is focused on creating conversations to promote emotional and spiritual growth through tough conversations about faith, apathy, and everything in between.

Follow @winterfaithandy and @winterfaithpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and join the Winter Faith Podcast on Facebook

In this episode, Stephanie gives insight into grief, suicide, pain, loss, and how to handle emotions in healthy ways.  I encourage all to read about her website, too. I provided a link above for her website. She also talks about the shame and guilt behind many people's mental health issues in the church and gives her advice on how to help others in grief.

More about Moore Counseling Services and Stephanie Moore

As I help others explore healing in all areas of wellness, I use my professional mental health background as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and believer in creative approaches to help anyone wanting an opportunity to heal from trauma, mental health concerns, and overall emotional and personal healing. One option that is unique to my individual practice is that I will incorporate faith-based therapy when requested, as there is much research that there is healing power when in touch with our spirituality.  I also provide online counseling services when requested.  I specialize in working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families wanting to work on overcoming trauma, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, other mental illnesses, relationship issues, marriage counseling, family issues/dynamics, women's issues, domestic violence concerns, ,and other life challenges.

 the Winter Faith Podcast  is a production of Anchor Podcasts

Podcast Music: Josh Cleveland

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 Support the Show by becoming a Patron. www.patreon.com/join/winterfaithandy