Sifted Wheat

Behind Closed Doors: How pornography fuels abuse

This conversation might not be popular, but it is a powerful one to expose the hidden dangers of pornography and its effect to unravel and oppress marriages, especially in the church. Tom talks about the real hook of pornography and how that being exposed can lead to better choices within the marriage and not precipitate the engagement of pornographic scenarios which are abusive in nature.
This conversation also discusses where the church has chosen to hide instead of confronting the messages of pornography that are eroding marriages and damaging the souls of women who have been taught to submit at all costs. My hope is that through this conversation, if will expose the lies and illuminate the truth, not to villainize men and women that find themselves struggling, but to release the captives of abusers and the minds of those that are being indoctrinated about sexuality in a way that will harm others.
 
You can find Tom through Banner Institute and find out more about his work through the Psalm 82 Initiative and where he is making an impact on women and men all over the world.
 
Feel free to contact us through siftedwheatpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.
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The messy truth about divorce

What is our issue with divorce anyway? Are our arguments situated in the CONTEXTUAL truth of God’s Word? I find all too often that our position with divorce is very much taken from scriptures that are not interpreted in context, which just adds to the complication and why so many feel trapped in unloving and unkind marriages.
This episode, we will look at the full context of the infamous verse “God hates divorce” so that it might be used as a source of compassion and healing (as intended) and not the battering ram or billy club it’s come to mean in some spiritual circles.
We will also look at the FULL definition of adultery and learn why we can’t trust only what we see to bring correction but how to inquire more deeply about what is unseen but just as sinful. My hope is that this conversation can shift our judgment, and instead of using divorce as a means to choose sides or cast blame, our actions and thoughts about the people involved will be lead of the Spirit and entered into with humility and grace.
 
For your own study, feel free to read the following scriptures:
Malachi 2:16
Ezra 10:19
Matthew 19:8
 
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Lexi's Wrestle - How pornography can be a life or death issue

This week we are engaging a raw and vulnerable conversation about pornography and childhood sexual abuse. It isn’t a topic that brightens up a room exactly, but we do our best to carve it out in a way that brings hope and healing to hurting souls that might listen.
Some questions we will address:
▶️ How has abuse and introduction to pornography affected you?
▶️ What is the hardest part of your journey?
▶️ What do you want others who share this same trauma to know?
 
Grab a cup of coffee or tea or iced cold water, pull up a chair, and listen in to Lexi’s sacred story and glean from her gentle wisdom. 
 
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Dear Counselor: How do we navigate pain and suffering in those around us with both spiritual and physical support?

This our last episode in the “Dear Counselor” series (at least for this season), and we will address the following issues that often surface in this space of healing and support:
🌀What does our role as followers of Jesus look like for those around us who are suffering?
🌀The importance of not being quick to operate against spiritual forces without first considering the soul connected, and the physical and emotional needs that are there.
🌀 A look at depression and anxiety and deliverance through the lens of the Word of God and personal experiences, to bring mercy and compassion. 
 
Thanks for joining us! And feel free to follow us on social media for more content 👇🏻
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Dear Counselor: What do we do with anxiety and depression as Christians?

Have you asked that question before? Are you struggling now?
Anxiety and depression can be debilitating, but we don't have to stay in that state. We can start to move through those episodes by exploring and inquiring to release the threatening messages they represent and move into more hope and joy.
As usual, we invite the Word of God to inform that process, without minimizing the experience or "praying it away" but acknowledging the presence of anxiety and depression are real and can be resolved and released more readily over time.
Keep listening to learn practical steps and exercises to learn the importance and the process of renewing your mind!
Have you left a rating or review? That 10 seconds or less would help us so much! Or even better, take that same time and share it with a friend that could use support with to work through depression and anxiety!
 
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Dear Counselor: How do I remove my anger?

Despite the original question sent in by the listener, "How do I remove my anger?" I dig into how to move through anger so that we don't feel stuck in it, act out of it in ways that hurt others, or keep the toxic habit of pushing it away.
 
In this conversation we will address:
What do we do with anger? Is it a sin? How do we know when our anger has crossed over into sin? Where does forgiveness help or hinder our anger?
 
Wherever you find yourself in this space of anger, you will hear something that can help you. I provide some practical steps to processing anger by exploring and investigating other more vulnerable feelings that might be attached, which actually increases empathy and our emotional intelligence as we make it a daily practice.
 
Have you left a rating or review? That 10 seconds or less would help us so much! Or even better, take that same time and share it with a friend that could use support with their anger!
 
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Dear Counselor: How do I love my toxic family members?

Struggling with family members? Not sure what steps to take or what it looks like to love and/or help someone who exhibits toxic behaviors? This conversation is important to listen to!
 
In this conversation we will address:
The difference between “unhealth” and “toxicity”
The difficulties of separation and validation
What is our role in loving a toxic family member?
What is the role of the community towards those estranged from their family?
 
Wherever you find yourself, I think you will hear something that will help you figure out your next steps or validate your choices to love with distance.
 
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Dear Counselor: Where was God when I was being molested?

This is a HARD question, but as a counselor I know it is a necessary one. We are starting a new series “Dear Counselor” where you asked me your questions, and I sat with the Lord and my experience as a counselor to bring you support and an answer that might instill hope. The truth is, you might not like the answer, you might struggle with the concept, and in either of those spaces, there is so much grace for you! I encourage you to listen with an open heart and open mind and not to just stop there but consider and journal what thoughts and feelings come up.
I’m not your “usual” podcast - I’m not here just to educate or inform but hopefully to impact your heart to heal. 
 
 
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Making our way back to healthy sexuality

We can’t end this series without talking about healthy sexuality, and in this conversation I provide a roadmap that can help us get back to it. We need to move through what pornography taught us, what trauma embedded and any other confusion that might be making it something different than it was meant to be. There are some points that might not be appreciated, that go against what culture tells us about sexuality and health. We discuss the role of marriage in intimacy and how it is more than just sex but “knowing” that builds trust and security and deeper affections, and we introduce an exercise that has been proven to help couples let down their guard and feel more seen with their partners to be vulnerable and more securely connected. You are invited to join the conversation an discover the path for yourself.
 
Scriptures included:
Genesis 6
Galatians 5:16-26
Genesis 4
 
Gratitude and thanks to our newest social media support - Adrienne Murray
 
You can find us on socials @siftedwheatpodcast or send us as email at siftedwheatpodcast@gmail.com

Exploring Platonic Intimacy - A Conversation with Dr. Brooke Keels

In this conversation, I’m joined by my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Brooke Keels,  Ph.D., LPC-MHSP, LPC-Supervisor. She is the Chief Clinical Officer at Lighthouse, located in Dallas Texas, where she works to create, implement, and oversee multiple programs. She has worked in the recovery industry in a professional capacity for over 16 years in a variety of roles. I know you will appreciate her wisdom on the topic of Platonic Intimacy, her personal journey of seeing its importance, and the advice she gives us to make it a bigger deal in our lives.
We discuss the pitfalls of aligning intimacy with only sexuality, and how done right, platonic intimacy is most stable of relationships. To be fair, we also discuss how it’s a sacrifice to be in relationship and that regardless of what culture tells us, it can’t be based only on what feels good. True depth of relationship is forged in tension and being sharpened.
Listen in and find out for yourself how you can develop healthier platonic intimacy and where you can start now to engage it differently and with more intentionality!
 
NOTE: The  Verse in Acts (2:43-45) is what Brooke is referring to when she points to sacrifice in community and relationship. And she also references the following source and quote:
“But fellowship is a sacrifice that goes beyond convenience.”
From The Kris Vallotton Podcast: Developing Healthy Communities
You can listen here : https://podcast.krisvallotton.com/developing-healthy-communities
 
Thanks so much for choosing then Sifted Wheat podcast! We are grateful for your support and your listenership. If you don’t mind, would you leave us a rating and/or review? And if this episode was significant, would you share it with a friend or two?
 
Until next time follow us on Instagram @siftedwheatpodcast or email us at siftedwheatpodcast@gmail.com 🌾🤎