Breaking Bread Podcast

The words we use matter: alcoholic, depressed, narcissist, bipolar - these are all examples of labels we use to describe people. Labels stick - for good or bad. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Ted Witzig Jr. helps straighten us out with what sometimes turns into adult name-calling. There is a difference between using labels "for" or "against" people. When labels are used responsibly, they shoul...

Our young people transition into adulthood gradually and with assistance. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Kathy Knochel explains the role community plays in this process. She highlights the responsibility that is ours and equips us with the tool set needed to get the job done. Connect with the young people in your life. Know them. Listen to them. Care for them. Challenge them. Equip them. Give...

Forgive, overlook and acknowledge - three verbs that give the embittered a path to freedom. None are easy. In in this episode of Breaking Bread, Craig Stickling brings them near and demonstrates the path out from his own life experience.   Show notes   Bitterness has a root: The root starts with hurt. Hurt that is not properly cared for. This hurt leads to anger. Anger left to seethe and build ove...

Hurt, not properly cared for, can turn to bitterness. Bitterness, not properly cared for, defiles much. In this episode series, Craig Stickling addresses properly caring for hurt and bitterness.  

Do we love each other because we agree? Or is our love based on something deeper? Surprisingly, conflict exposes the answer. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Matt Kaufmann and Brian Sutter address the nature of conflict and highlight the role our consciences play. God has given everyone a conscience. The conscience gives us a sense of right and wrong. We should listen to our conscience. Our cons...

God wants us to know Him. He wants our thoughts towards Him and our feelings about Him to be guided by truth. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Ted Witzig Jr. helps us evaluate our God image and provides tips on how to have an increasingly more accurate view of God. It is important to note: There are common inaccurate God images. Below are a few examples: "The God of Impossible Expectations" – Go...

Revealing God the Father to human beings was one of the purposes of Christ's ministry. He wanted His hearers to know God and to view Him accurately. In this episode, Ted Witzig Jr. explains how our God image is formed and the impact that it has on us. While we will never understand God perfectly in this life, we can work to be sure we are not viewing Him through distorted lenses. It is important t...

Am I okay? What do people think of me? Should I be happy with myself? These self- questions highlight insecurity. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Brian Sutter walks us through the finer points of insecurity and presents to us true security. Insecurities are common among all ages. While the things we seek security in change over time, the fact remains that security is a common human desire. Inse...

Sometimes interactions are charged with emotion. Often, we react to the escalation only to make it worse. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Kaleb Beyer helps us let the steam out of the charged moment so we can have rational dialogue. The key to doing this is called "validation." Validation in interpersonal interactions. What it is. What it does. What it looks like. When do you use it? What it is...

Seeking satisfaction happens on many levels, on an array of topics, moment by moment with all of us. Quenching appetites is a daily job. Psalm 90:14 offers four surprising facts about the satisfaction that comes from God. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Arlan Miller and Matt Kaufmann highlight these surprising qualities and muse on how beautifully welcome each one is. So much time, effort and e...

Jesus lived among us. He taught us. But more importantly, he exampled for us "the way." Now we have a chance to follow His lead. But how? In this episode of Breaking Bread , Katie Miller and Marcia Koch share their top three lessons learned from mentoring others. Notes:   ·           Mentoring is more relational than educational. o      Be vulnerable and trustworthy. ·           Everyone is unique...

3…2…1… no launch. This is the experience of many parents hoping to launch their kids into this wide world. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Craig Stickling and Roger Gasser give sound counsel to parents who have kids on the launching pad. Systems Check for Launch. For Kids: Do they have roots? Do they have wings? Can they evaluate their thoughts? Can they regulate their emotions? Have they been...

3...2...1... no launch. This is the experience of many parents hoping to launch their kids into this wide world. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Craig Stickling and Roger Gasser give sound counsel to parents who have kids on the launching pad. Systems Check for Launch. For Kids: Do they have roots? Do they have wings? Can they evaluate their thoughts? Can they regulate their emotions? Have they...

Infertility is a private loss many couples experience. In this episode of  Breaking Bread , Tyler and Casey Zimmerman share their story. Their journey will accent the uniqueness of the infertility pain. It will resonate with the losses that are common among us and it will heighten God's unique and common love to all His children. Like a fingerprint, infertility pain is common to all sorts of pain...

Infertility is a private loss many couples experience. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Tyler and Casey Zimmerman share their story. Their journey will accent the uniqueness of the infertility pain. It will resonate with the losses that are common among us and it will heighten God's unique and common love to all His children.   Like a fingerprint, infertility pain is common to all sorts of pain...

Our teenage kids are under construction and construction zones are messy.  In this episode of  Breaking Bread , Kathy Knochel and Jeff Waibel give us a few tips for understanding these formative years. Knowing a few things can go a long way in helping us get through the construction. Remember you were a teen once. Attempt to put yourself in their shoes. Remember to hear the message behind their be...

Our teenage kids are under construction and construction zones are messy.  In this episode of Breaking Bread, Kathy Knochel and Jeff Waibel give us a few tips for understanding these formative years. Knowing a few things can go a long way in helping us get through the construction. Remember you were a teen once. Attempt to put yourself in their shoes. Remember to hear the message behind their beha...

Shaming our kids - good intentions, yet with unintended poor consequences. We've all done it. Parenting out of exasperation. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Craig Stickling and Brian Sutter take a careful look at the messages we are sending our kids. Fortunately, a very healthy and redemptive future is possible.   What is Shame? Effects of Shame Examples of Parental Shame High-stakes Moments fo...

When the last of the children leave the home, couples enter the "empty nest" phase of marriage. For some, this moment is met with welcome anticipation. For others trepidation. But for all, the moment marks a transition. All transitions require a certain level of relational care. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Roger Gasser and Kaleb Beyer speak into the care needed to thrive in this transition....

Signposts are helpful and orienting. They are helpful in guiding us from point A to point B. They are orienting because they assure us we are still on the right road. In this podcast series, Kaleb Beyer walks us through six signposts on the road to recovery from sexual betrayal. These signposts are both helpful and orienting. Six Signposts: Appropriate disclosure: Betrayal plays on the illusion of...

Signposts are helpful and orienting. They are helpful in guiding us from point A to point B. They are orienting because they assure us we are still on the right road. In this podcast series, Kaleb Beyer walks us through six signposts on the road to recovery from sexual betrayal. These signposts are both helpful and orienting. Six Signposts: Appropriate disclosure: Betrayal plays on the illusion of...

Believers care about calling. Is God calling me to this assignment? In this episode of Breaking Bread, Amber Miller (Missionary Care Director) helps us see calling as more than the assignment. She gives 5 suggestions for understanding what it means to be called. Five important perspectives on following God's call: There is purpose in the process of working out one's calling. God is not only intere...

Meditation is in vogue. Mindfulness is in fashion. yet, the Scriptures have spoken to this discipline for several millennia. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Brian Sutter walks us through the what, why and how of meditation. Show notes: Question Answer What is meditation? Meditation is deliberately setting our mind on a certain thing and remaining with our mind set upon it. Why should we meditat...

Behind our vices is often a lie we believe. Reversing the lie goes a long way in reversing the vice. In this episode of Breaking Bread , Arlan and Matt speak to the health that comes by way of truth. As truth embodied, Christ wants to upset our lies. PROBLEM STATEMENT: We live in a broken world and wounds happen. Furthermore, wounds compound and compact on top of each other. They build up over tim...

There is a path through grief. Helping our grieving teens make progress along that path is so important. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Kathy Knochel and Craig Stickling give us practical tips on doing just that. Things to remember as you walk with a grieving teen: Acknowledge the difficulty. Listen to their thoughts and feelings. Ask for permission. Remember anniversaries. Remember the intens...