In His Grip

David The Shepherd Warrior This series focuses on the life of David. Why should we study the life of this man? David’s story is a picture of Messianic typology. We see in David the struggle against the flesh that is so typical in all of us. And we will see what a man after God’s own heart looks like. We start in 1 Samuel 16 where the Israelites cry for a king. It is a period of hopeless humanism,...

This series focuses on the life of David. Why should we study the life of this man? David’s story is a picture of Messianic typology. We see in David the struggle against the flesh that is so typical in all of us. And we will see what a man after God’s own heart looks like. We start in 1 Samuel 16 where the Israelites cry for a king. It is a period of hopeless humanism, void of leadership. The peo...

A little boy, abandoned by his mother, shifted from one abuse-filled foster home to another; bullied not only by kids but by some of his foster parents, beaten and sexually assaulted by numerous people tasked with being his protectors. How does this little boy find a way to grow into a man who trusts God and offers help and hope to others through his story? In this interview, Bob Petterson opens u...

A diagnosis of dementia in a loved one is frightening. Many spouses and family members face a “long goodbye” as they walk this pathway with their loved ones. In this interview Sharon Betters asks Dr. John Dunlop, author of Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia, to define dementia, the stages of dementia, what it is like to care for a loved one with dementia, and more. Dr. Dunlop’s compassion and p...

Children raised in the same family sometimes grow up with very different responses to life. Such is the story of Julie Malone and her beautiful daughter, Allie. Julie and her husband, Tim loved their lives as parents and Tim’s ministry to teens. But their idyllic life would take a turn into a foreign land of broken places. Julie says, “I am very thankful for my childhood as I came to know and love...

Infertility, ministry conflict, chronic pain – experiencing just one of these life crises can be all consuming. But all of them at the same time – and more? How does a woman not just survive, but thrive? Glenna Marshall, author of The Promise is His Presence, Why God is Always Enough, joins Sharon Betters to share her journey that has taken her to some very broken places. But as you will hear, she...

No matter your season of life, wherever God has placed you is your platform for glorifying Him. But sometimes, it’s really, really hard to see the rutted, muddy pathways of life as an opportunity to reflect Jesus, isn’t it? If you are in such a place, this special edition of the Help & Hope podcast is for you. Over the summer we held Beyond the Book, Ask the Author as a free virtual live event whe...

When forgiveness feels impossible! “I forgive you.” Simple words, and liberating ones – but hard, too. You may think the betrayal you have experienced is in the realm of the unforgivable. Wendy Alsup understands. She experienced severe church conflict while serving in the women’s ministry at Mars Hill Church, followed by an unwanted divorce. The losses of betrayal eventually forced her to move fro...

The Catholics call her the Mother of God. In protest, the Protestants ignore her. Mary, mother of Jesus. Who is she? What kind of woman did God choose to bear the Messiah? Was she really perfect, without sin? In this series, Dr. Betters gives the listener not only the historical context of Mary’s life, but challenges all to learn from the life lessons this woman has for each of us.

The Catholics call her the Mother of God. In protest, the Protestants ignore her. Mary, mother of Jesus. Who is she? What kind of woman did God choose to bear the Messiah? Was she really perfect, without sin? In this series, Dr. Betters gives the listener not only the historical context of Mary’s life, but challenges all to learn from the life lessons this woman has for each of us.

The Catholics call her the Mother of God. In protest, the Protestants ignore her. Mary, mother of Jesus. Who is she? What kind of woman did God choose to bear the Messiah? Was she really perfect, without sin? In this series, Dr. Betters gives the listener not only the historical context of Mary’s life, but challenges all to learn from the life lessons this woman has for each of us.

The Catholics call her the Mother of God. In protest, the Protestants ignore her. Mary, mother of Jesus. Who is she? What kind of woman did God choose to bear the Messiah? Was she really perfect, without sin? In this series, Dr. Betters gives the listener not only the historical context of Mary’s life, but challenges all to learn from the life lessons this woman has for each of us.

Some stats state that 50% of married couples in churches have experienced sexual betrayal in their marriage. When a wife learns about her husband’s sexual betrayal, in the blink of an eye, a bomb detonates and blows up her marriage. The very foundations on which she built her home shatter and she can barely breathe, let alone find her way out from under the rubble. Ellen Dykas has walked with hund...

Pam Benton started noticing small changes in her pastor husband. Though Wilson had retired, he had agreed to serve as interim pastor in another church for eighteen months. Eighteen months turned into five years. Pam’s concerns grew when Wilson started using notes for his sermons. Since both of their mothers had Alzheimer’s, Pam and Wilson did not hesitate to get their doctor’s opinion, hoping for...

Thousands of families quietly and lovingly care for children with special needs. Though the days are often long and hard, many find joy in their calling and would not trade their calling for anything. Kara Dedert and her family reflect this joy in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of caring for their son and brother, Calvin. In her introduction to her blog, Kara writes, “You’ll find me writin...

There is so much we do not know about mental illness, including deep depression that results in the inability to even get out of bed, let alone function in daily life. Many more people than we realize struggle every day to do the next thing with their wills because sadness, a lack of joy, and purpose reign in their hearts. They have tried everything to get better but nothing helps. Add to this equ...

Imagine you have one child, a beautiful daughter whose life reflects her deep love for Jesus. You and your wife work for a Christian organization, offering the help and hope of the Gospel, seeing every day as an opportunity to encourage and love others. And then you get that phone call that is every parent’s nightmare. Your only child, 17 years old, has been in a fatal car accident. Fast forward t...

On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men. About 2 in 4 women have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. This includes a range of behaviors (e.g. slapping, shoving, pushing) and in some cases might not be considered "domestic violence." T...

Well meaning people sometimes exhort adopted children to be thankful for the many privileges they have as a result of having a “forever family.” This resource encourages that gratitude, but also acknowledges coexisting with a grateful heart is often a broken heart, a result of feeling abandoned by their birth parents. In keeping with our goal to produce and distribute resources that address life c...

Each year about 50,000 children die in the United States. While a profound loss for parents, what about their siblings? Doug MacGray, was eleven years old when he lost his sixteen-year-old brother, Ricky. How does an eleven-year-old grieve? How is the grief journey of a sibling different than the grief journey of parents? In this sometimes emotional conversation, Doug shares with Dr. Chuck F. Bett...

Rachel, founder of the Brave Mamas online community, validates bereaved parents in their pain, encourages them as they adjust to their new normal, and provides advice for sharing your loss with family, caring for your spouse, and recovering a postpartum body. She is a mother who lost 5 children, yet filled with hope.

In 2016 about 20% of US adults had chronic pain – that’s about 50,000,000. Eight percent of those adults had high-impact pain – that’s about 20,000,000 people with debilitating chronic pain. People suffering from high -impact pain often suffer in isolation and without much understanding or sympathy. They don’t have a cast or any visible sign of injury, yet their pain changes the way they live life...

In 2016 about 20% of US adults had chronic pain – that’s about 50,000,000. Eight percent of those adults had high-impact pain – that’s about 20,000,000 people with debilitating chronic pain. People suffering from high -impact pain often suffer in isolation and without much understanding or sympathy. They don’t have a cast or any visible sign of injury, yet their pain changes the way they live life...

Where does a dad go for comfort when he is grieving a miscarriage? We seldom hear this question, let alone even think about the need if we have never experienced a miscarriage. Eric Schumacher, author of Ours: Biblical Comfort for Men Grieving Miscarriage talks to Sharon Betters about the grief a dad feels when his wife has a miscarriage. He addresses questions like, how does a dad help his wife,...

There will always be a struggle between good and evil in our lives. The godly kings of Israel allowed compromise in their lives which resulted in a downward spiral through generations. The consequence of their sin is seen in their children and grandchildren. Are you willing to confess, renounce, and turn away from little areas of compromise in your life? The lives of your children and grandchildre...