Sifted Wheat

Let's talk about sex

In this conversation we are going to address how my own misuse and exposure to pornography has impacted my heart, my identity and my marriage.
 
I’m opening up space for us to sit with the following questions:
Where did you learn about sex?
How did you learn what it sounds like, looks like or should feel like? Were you told that porn and masturbation were just a rite of passage?
Were you encouraged to bring pleasure to yourself or to others? And then, how has that affected you? How has it impacted the way your see yourself or the way that you see others? How has it affected your marriage? Your relationships?
Do you feel like you can’t get enough or do you feel like you can’t do enough to stay sexually satisfied?
Per usual, we aren’t dancing around topics that need to be pulled apart and dissected by the light of Truth. So, if you are ready and need support and/ or healing in this space, “Let’s talk about sex.”
 
Scriptures discussed and encouraged to read for yourself:
Genesis 1-2
Leviticus 15
1 Corinthians 7:5
 
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Unwinding sexuality and spirituality

This is the final topic in the conversation of the two worlds we occupy - spiritual and physical, and the first topic in a conversation about sexuality. In this space, I have done a lot of deconstruction and repairing from my own personal trauma and misinformation, and my hope is that this conversation can help you sit with the following questions:
"Is this a trauma or hurt-based response?"
"Do I emphasize my sexual desires over spiritual needs?"
"Are there spaces where I can replace sexuality with deeper connection with God and others?"
"Am I giving access to the enemy through my sexual behaviors?"
 
Listen for more guidance and information to sift through those thoughts.
 
 

The Truth about Spiritual Warfare

Is this a topic that interests you or confuses you? It's true that not everything is a demon, but anything that creates divisiveness and pride and moves outside of the truth, tempting us into misconceptions about God and our identity in Him, this is spiritual gameplay. The spiritual world is very real and moves in and out of the things we do and say, and the more that we are aware of that the more we are empowered to resist it.
This week we are looking at the spiritual side of our battles. We often overlook this in the overwhelming sensation of emotions and physical experiences, but when we allow spiritual warfare to inform our choices, our thoughts and our actions, it can bring peace instead of defeat.
Scriptures referenced:
2 Kings 6
2 Chronicles 32:7-8; 15-22
John 19:11
Ephesians 6:10-18
 
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Your identity informs your life

We are continuing the conversation about being in a physical world and spiritual world, and this time we are considering how it relates to who we are and how that informs what we do!
We will look at the following question:
Who does God say you are?
I believe we are each born with a purpose that informs our identity, and that God-given identity informs the choices of our lives. We will look at scripture to flesh that out more, and I will share a dream that I had that really helped me to see myself and others differently!
Scriptures included for further reflection: 
Psalm 139
Jeremiah 1:5
Isaiah 49:5
Matthew 3:13-17; 4:1-11; 16:18
Acts 13:19
 
Feel free to email us at siftedwheatpodcast@gmail.com for any thoughts and/or topics you would like to see addressed in the future. 
 
 

The difference between healing and dealing (with demons)

Too often deliverance and casting out demons is misused and misunderstood. This is another space where the belief that we live in a spiritual and physical world matters and requires deeper perception and empathy to help the hurting around us and continue to support them. We look at the story of "the demoniac" and the woman at the well to understand more of where and how spiritual warfare can be hidden and not always the most obvious issue, and we see how Jesus encounters them and encourages us to engage them.
 
Scriptures referred to: 
Matthew 8:28-34
Mark 5:1-20
Luke 8:26-39
John 4:4-42
Luke 11:23-26
 
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A Tale of Two Worlds

Do you believe we live in two worlds? Regardless of whether you do or don't, this is a conversation about where that shift of worlds might have started and how knowing that can empower us to live more impactful lives. It's not that the spiritual world doesn't exist, and to be honest some can even be too focused on it, but rather, it's acknowledging that it's hidden and active regardless of our belief or unbelief.
Thankfully, as you will hear, Jesus opened it up to us again and gave us access to it, and creation waits in expectation for us to engage it.
Listen in and learn more!
 
Scriptures to look into: 
Genesis 3
Romans 5:12-19; 8:19-25
1 Corinthians 3:18
Luke 11:4
 
👉🏻 Feel free to contact us at siftedwheatpodcast@gmail.com or find us on social media! Rate, review and share to help us get the word out and support others to love and heal in Christ!
 
 

Love the Church

Do you love the church?
Even if (especially if)  that question makes you uncomfortable or even offends you, I encourage you to listen in! If we are going to make a difference in the world around us for the GOOD, then we must see the church for who she is (the good and the bad), who she is intended to be, and who she can become. Unsure of what I am talking about or curious to how you can learn to love and be loved in a flawed community of believers (and unbelievers as the case may be)? Then, keep engaging this conversation!
As usual, I highlight the issues AND give practical support for how to love the church well. I even share my own challenge to shift that has helped my difficulties with the church and healthier personal church expression.
 
Scriptural references to continue your study:
Matthew 13:24-43
Matthew 25:31-46
Mark 6:10-11
John 13:35
John 15:4-11
John 17:13
Colossians 3:16
Ephesians 4:14-16
Hebrews 10:24-25
 
Feel free to contact us at siftedwheatpodcast@gmail.com or find us on social media! Rate, review and share to help us getting the word out and supporting others to love and heal in Christ!

Love your enemies

Do you love your enemies? If that question makes you uncomfortable or even offends you, I want to challenge you to hit “play” and keep listening! If we are going to make a difference in the world around us for the GOOD, then we have to start seeing our enemies the way that Jesus taught us in Luke 10. He met the question about love and flipped it on it’s head in such a way that even those gathered were astounded and convicted.
 
As usual, this episode is a mix of real life, counseling experience and scriptural guidance to help us learn what it is to love our enemies and to love them safely and well (for more context listen back at the "Out of Order Series". The truth is, we are far too comfortable drawing lines and seeing our differences as problems instead of asking where Jesus might have us change our perspective. Hopefully this conversation will challenge us to ask more and assume less and gives practical ways we can begin to love better. I know that it did me!
 
Scriptural references to continue your study:
Luke 10
Psalm 19:13
Ephesians 6:12
Luke 6:32-35
Luke 23:26-47
 
Like what you hear? Leave a rating and/or review where you listen so that others can find us! Leave a comment because your feedback can shape future episodes!
 
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"Love your Friend"

We are moving deeper into the relationships of our lives, and how to love one another in order and safely, with a conversation about friends. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” We hear this a lot, but are we really considering what it means? Or if we are, do we think that somehow our relationships could be the exception?
 
In this episode, we talk about what “tension” might look like in a friendship and how allowing challenge, expressing boundaries and providing accountability is the best way to love one another well. As usual, I share a combination of my understanding of the Word, my experience as a counselor, and my own life story to help flesh out a better path of understanding what it is to “love your friends.”
 
Scriptures for deeper context:
Proverbs 27: 5-6, 17
Genesis 38
1 Samuel 20
 
Thanks and deepest gratitude for:
Tuxradio – audio production
Tina Marie Alvarenga – Logo design
 
You can follow me on Instagram:
@siftedwheatpodcast
Or email me at siftedwheatpodcast@gmail.com

Love your spouse

This is an episode that stepped all over my toes... but don't let that scare you away because even in creating the content, I experienced encouragement and empowerment to make changes in my marriage!
I take the time evaluate why Ephesians 5 feels threatening and the revelation the LORD gave me to help me distinguish His plan for love in my marriage versus what I fear that holds me back.
Not only do we discuss what loving our spouse includes and what we can do to improve our relationship, but I also provided very practical ways to shift our communication so that we are calling up our spouses and not criticizing and condemning them.
As always, I present opportunities to consider your role and engagement and provide guidance to move in a healthier direction, the way to love your spouse well!
Scriptures discussed:
Genesis 2
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Ephesians 5:21-25
Philippians 2:1-4
Luke 6:45
>> Sandpaper Marriage Podcast that talks about your "marriage mission":
⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/greg-mcgaha8/episodes/Episode-21-Does-Your-Marriage-Have-an-Identity-e2hq8v6⁠
Unending thanks and gratitude to:
Tuxradio - audio production
Tina Alverenga - logo design