Episodes
Do people in mixed-orientation marriages have a different Bible they live by? Do they have a different set of marital guidelines?
In a word: No.
We don't. It only seems that way because we--married and single--have been missing the point not only of married life but of LIFE.
Life isn't about us. Is isn't about our happiness. It isn't about communication. It isn't about more dates. It isn't about fulfilling our needs. Life is all about Jesus. F
or the next seven weeks we will be walking through Francis and Lisa Chan's book, "You and Me Forever," to see how we have missed this. We will get gr...
We go a bit off the rails with this one. Matt, Steve, and I (Laurie) talk about our best Christmas presents ever, and then we devolve...yet again...into angst/joy about Trans-Siberian Orchestra. If you've never listened to us, this is a great start to see if you like us. Merry Christmas!
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If you choose a life of vulnerability, you choose a life of continuously coming out--no matter your story, no matter your vulnerable places, no matter your struggle.
You are always coming out into authenticity.
Today, I (Laurie) share one of the first times I came out to a friend. And this is cool: This friend, Amber McClurg, is on the show! Hear Amber and I talk about that first (quite awkward) coming out experience, and what good came from it in spite of the awkwardness.
Additionally, Matt, Producer Steve, Amber and I chat about our words for 2018, things we don't like sharing, how to k...
Are you a leader? (Is everyone a leader?)
Do you ever feel lonely as a leader? Why is that? What can we do about it?
We talk about loneliness on the podcast today as well as big changes that are happening at HIMH (no Matt??!), people who like the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (ew), and visit Gory Island as opposed to Goofball Island to brag about how we got our childhood scars. (Thanks for carrying me like a lamb in Jesus's arms, sixth-oldest sibling, Suzie!)
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Let's talk temptation!
Often, temptation is viewed as the line before falling into sin. But is there another way to look at temptation that is not so laden in shame and fear?
Things we also discussed were Matt's silent retreat (where Laurie didn't respect his silent boundaries!), what do we hope for the new year, and best dates ever.
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“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15).
In counseling, Matt uses what he calls, “The Ja...
It's easy to look around the world and become discouraged. The polarities on any conversation can make a person either want to stand up and scream or dig their heads in the sand and hide.
Is there any gift to choosing neither option? Is there another way to weather the storm of extremes?
Matthew Krieg is gone this week but Matthew Tuininga is here as a special guest! He is a professor of moral theology at Calvin Seminary, and is a courageous, authentic, intelligent thinker.
We talk extremes we see both politically and in the Church. We share where it concerns us and the good that can come ...
Happy Thanksgiving to you all in the U.S! We are so thankful for YOU, our listeners! We wish we could spend time hearing what all of you are thankful for around a giant thanksgiving table. Perhaps that's our longing for heaven talking...
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Sometimes, Millennials can look at the Christians before them and judge those who have believed a gospel of, "If I pursue God, I will have a lot of money and never get sick."
However, Millennials can have their own version of a "health and wealth gospel" in the way we believe, "If I pursue God, I will be happy." But is this true?
With SPECIAL GUEST Greg Coles (author of 'Single Gay Christian') we talk about this question as well as our favorite parts of the Caring Well Conference and Christmas traditions.
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How can we as the Church look more like the Church? It starts with looking at what we have misperceived to be the ultimate connector for too long: sex. We need to confess our idolatry of sex, and lean into relationships in a new way.
The crew also discussed worst dates and Christmas favorites. (Hallmark movies? Yay? Nay?)
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How can we cultivate intimacy in marriage when we're in a tough season?
But wait! This track is not just for married folk. People who are in relationships of any nature will benefit from practical ways to lean into relationships when they are not easy. Also discussed are things to bring on a desert island (hint: bag o' books) and swallowing the first five sentences you want to say when someone triggers you.
[Please note we talk about sticking with marriage no matter what, but know if you are in an abusive relationship, we are not encouraging staying. Please read this article "Enough is Enou...
Laurie's "Spiritual Dumbledore" is in the house! Often when Laurie speaks she talks about her mentor/counselor, Carolyn Schroeder. Carolyn was instrumental in Laurie's decision to follow Christ no matter what. Matt, Laurie, Producer Steve, and Carolyn talk Heart to Heart Prayer, how to find your own spiritual Dumbledore (AKA...a good counselor or mentor), and discuss what they wish they hadn't quit from childhood.
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How do we forgive each other in a way that's less gritting our teeth when the offender is around, and more genuinely loving the offender?
Matt and Laurie pick up the story when Laurie had a hard time forgiving Matt after he came forward with secret porn use. Also heard this week is a story about when Laurie wasn't served her favorite ice cream treat because it had too many calories. (Oh, California!)
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Episode 10, y'all! To celebrate the team did a Dad Joke Competition! (Watch it on YouTube to see their expressions here). Laurie, Matt, and Producer Steve also talk fasting fails, the angst about how no one can ever be happy or sad enough with you, "what is lament?" and Laurie's specific lament after Matt came forward with his pornography addiction.
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Pastor Marvin Williams of Trinity Church in East Lansing, MI joins Matt and Laurie on location (or off location?) at Our Daily Bread studios. (Thanks, ODB!) Things discussed are The Daily Examen, favorite and least favorite chores, true self/false self, and when the Holy Spirit convicts you to go back and apologize for something no one knows you did wrong. Thanks for your authenticity and courage as always, Pastor Marvin.
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Oh, Pastor David Beelen. Wisdom exudes from you. Matt, Laurie, and Producer Steve sat down to chat with Senior Pastor David Beelen of Madison Square Church in Grand Rapids, MI (and the chairman of the board of HIMH), to hear how Pillar People in his life push him onto more Christlikeness. The crew also discussed how much Dave sounds like Harrison Ford, and who they each would choose to play themselves in a movie.
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Welcome back! Laurie, Matt, and Producer Steve discuss whether or not we can hate people with a holy hate. They also chatted about what the crew might want to do if they weren't in the job they were in, Dwight K. Schrute, dungarees, Mutual of Omaha (listen to the whole podcast for a secret track!), and how we can love everyone from Neo-Nazis to each other in the room.
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I Have you ever felt "other"? Have you ever "othered" someone else?
After Laurie, Matt, and Steve recorded this podcast and the next one, the three of them stared at one another saying, "Wow." They have never had so much fun and felt such a Holy Spirit movement while talking on a microphone. The focus of this episode is feeling "other" (ie. when you feel like you don't belong). The group will not simply throw logs on a fire of Church-angsting; they will turn the the conversation back around to how they "other" others. They also talk about clown music (Goofball Island got a soundbite!), Cinc...
Who is Producer Steve?
When Producer Steve agreed to be a part of the HIMH podcast, he thought he would simply push buttons and do a little editing. Oh, no. Not when you're hanging out with Matt and Laurie. You got to talk deep. And they are grateful for it.
In this episode, Steve shares his story of finding God as he wrestled through addiction, pain, and the hole in his heart. (Also: The crew talks about personal idiosyncrasies such as including mispronouncing words, never touching metal, and Wicked Witch of the Westing their shoes.)
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What is that hole in my heart?
Ever wonder why we act out in certain behaviors? This week, Matt explains the concept of Core Needs--along with how we can use them to identify places in our hearts we need to invite God into! Join us as we listen and learn!
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Learn more about the Core Needs Model here.
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What's the Story, Laurie?
Today, we hear Laurie's story...thus far. (Aren't we all in process?) Matt, Laurie, and Producer Steve also discuss every day moments when we know we are loved, where we would like to apparate (or use Floo powder), and letting yourself be messy
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Welcome to the very first Hole in My Heart Podcast!
Join Matt, Laurie, and Producer Steve as they introduce and get to know each other with a variety of questions on all levels--from personality types to high school jams to the cultivation of deep joy in everyday life. In this living-room-style hangout time with the founders of HIMH, we begin all over again the conversation about how the gospel is good news to everyone, everyday.
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Welcome back! In this podcast we talk Star Wars books, what does it mean to be "deep," escapism, and hear Matt's story...thus far.
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