Sifted Wheat

”Older Brother Syndrome”

This conversation is the second in a series that highlights
God’s love for his kids and moves through the parable of “The Prodigal Son” from the younger brother to the older brother. Ultimately, it is about God’s “sustaining” love, the kind of love that we often overlook and take for granted and minimize in light of what it seems God is doing for others.  
 
Resources to follow up with:
“Prodigal God” – Tim Keller
Luke 15: 13-7; 11-32
 
Continual and unending thanks to:
 Rob Tucker – audio production
Tina Marie Alvarenga – logo/ design

”Reckless” Love

This conversation is about God’s “reckless love.” I realize that can be a controversial statement, but I’m not talking about the character of God, rather, His love for us. In life experiences and in the Word of God, over and over there is this expression of love where God shows up in spaces the “respectable” wouldn’t find themselves, yet, God is there. The word “prodigal” means reckless, not wayward as many have come to define it. I mention Tim Keller’s work where he proposes that the parable could be just as easily titled “Prodigal Father.”   Maybe there is another term for that kind of love that you prefer to use, but regardless, as explained here, God’s love toward people can surely defined as “reckless.”
 
Resources to follow up with:
“Prodigal God” – Tim Keller
Luke 15: 11-32
 
Continual and unending thanks to:
Rob Tucker – audio production
Tina Marie Alvarenga – logo/ design
 

”You are Mine” - Overcoming Rejection

Today’s conversation is about the fear of rejection and the
pattern of comparison. It’s a problem that affects us all, and the answer is “love.” Fear informs comparison, but love informs belonging, something that all of us need, and all of us seek – to be loved and to be known. There is only One Who can perfectly meet that need and is our Perfect Parent. Be encouraged and empowered to shift out of the condemnation of rejection into a Father’s love!
 
Scriptures mentioned for follow up:
Genesis 16:13
Psalm 139
Psalm 34:15
Isaiah 41:10
Micah 7:18
Psalm 51:17
John 3:16-17
Genesis 3 (of course!)
1 John 4:18
 
 A few scriptures where
Jesus points out our “enemy”:
Mark 4:15
Matthew 10:28
Matthew 13:24-30, 38-39
John 17:15
 
Continual and unending thanks to:
 Rob Tucker – audio production
Tina Marie Alvarenga – logo/ design

A friendly conversation

This episode is special to me because 1) I didn't plan it and I didn't write it, and 2) it became a beautiful conversation with my good friend and safe space, Shantray Smith. She invites me to elaborate on the term "detangle," what I mean by not being an island and the difference between self-sufficiency and independence, and how we can operate in grace even in encountering another's struggle. She also sets the space for me to break down what she designated as 3 themes of my work: Freedom from shame, not making God the villain of our story, and overcoming a victim mentality.
Her hope was that it would give you a look into my heart and mind to build trust and reveal the purpose of this podcast, and I am honored that she loves me enough to come up with questions that help highlight those things!
We invite you to listen in and join the conversation!
Continued gratitude to:
Rob Tucker - audio production
Tina Marie Alverenga - Logo design
Shantray Smith - for all the things

The Art of Deception

The art of deception mostly lies in the fact that it is hidden. We don't always know if we are seeing clearly or if we have been enticed into a strategy to "dup" us. I've been there, and this episode is about where it all started (yep, Genesis 3 again) and how we can break off the charm (because it takes vulnerability and courage, but it can be done), and how the Good Shepherd comforts us and redeems us "in the presence of our enemies."
Scriptures addressed and mentioned for further reading:
James 1:14-15
Genesis 3
Hebrews 4:15-16
Psalm 23:5
Special and unending thanks to:
Tuxradio - production
Tina Marie Alverenga - logo

Who’s in your ear?

In this episode I share the analogy of noise cancelling ear phones and how we can sometimes limit wisdom and counsel when we only listen to what we want to hear and also might miss warnings that we need to hear to help us navigate life better!
I not only address the listener but also the speaker, because how we say things is just as important as what we need to say. Deception gains access when we allow our desires to lead us and we resist input from those that might be seeing what we can't or won't.
I also point out how we might distinguish the Voice of God from the twisted words of the enemy of our souls. I hope you'll listen to gain more understanding in how to open our ears to receive sound counsel and keep us in a position to resist deception.
Scriptures to read:
James 1:14-15
Proverbs 12:15
Unending gratitude to:
Tina Marie Alverenga - logo and graphics
Tuxradio - production

You’re not invisible

At one time or another, maybe even right now, you have had that sense no one sees you, the fear surfaces that you are alone, invisible. This episode explores that fear and exposes it as a lie through the stories of Hagar and Nathanial, and of course, my own.
Listen in and be encouraged to believe that you are not invisible.
Scriptures to read:
Genesis 16 & 20
John 1:45-51
Psalm 103:13-14
Special and unending thanks to:
Tuxradio - production
Tina Marie Alverenga - logo

The Blame Game (Part Deux)

I promise that we will get to the topic of not being invisible and the God who sees, but I felt it was important to revisit this topic again!
This episode we will engage an overview of our last episode on blame and pick back up where we left off, at the beginning of my healing not the end. We will also look at David and what it meant to be "a man after God's own heart" and the misunderstanding of The Garden, and how we interpret God's actions might be what keeps us from Him in our own failures and struggle. God created us for connection and always invites us to walk back in.
Scriptures we focus on:
Genesis 3 & 4
Psalm 34:23-24
Special mention and unending gratitude for:
Tuxradio (production)
Tina Marie Alverenga (graphics/logo)

The Blame Game

It can be easy to blame yourself, someone else, or even God for how you got to where you are. The problem is that easy isn’t always best. When you shift into blame over responsibility, it can set you up for failure and impede the process of healing. Listen to learn more about the result of blame and how to shift out of it!

What’s the deal with sifting?

This episode centers in on the process of sifting, what is the purpose? Who decides the process? Who even gives permission? Where does our past pain resurface to complicate matters, and how does that understanding empower us? We will look at Peter and Jesus (Luke 22:31-32) and Job to unpack some truths that might have formerly been hidden.
Scriptures to explore:
Luke 22: 31-32, Job, Psalm 51:10-13, and John 12:24
Special thanks to:
Tina Marie Alvarenga - logo creation
Tuxradio - production/editing