Stirring Grey Spaces

Dr. Evan Marbury has the unique experience of being a pastor who is also a licensed mental health care professional. He brings both worlds together using verbiage we can all understand through a Biblical lens. You can find his approach to this valuable integrated model of care in his new book "Understanding Trauma and Resilience: A Guide for Counselors, Caregivers and Ministers". Regardless if you...

It was enlightening to spend time chatting with Dr. Kelly Kapic about humility, suffering and how to be a lover of God by embracing finitude. We explore themes of psychology and theology finding their intersections in the Christian life. I felt encouraged and lighter after this conversation. I felt like many hard and heavy aspects of life are actually quite simple as I learn and grow to be like Je...

Katie is a 5th generation pastor's wife, a worship director, author, and a pioneer for Wives of Elders in the PCA. We use some denominational jargon which I'll attempt to clarify in the resources. Talking with Katie is like taking a deep breath during a stressful day. She has experienced grief and suffering while serving the local church. She talks about holding these roles simultaneously...

We all have ways our humanness wreaks havoc in our lives every day. Most of us try to suppress it out of fear someone will see our weakness and be aware that we are imperfect. Or we ourselves will have to face how we are not God. Matthew O’Hearn carries the effects of a fallen world with every step. The unique way he moves through the world is a reminder to us all we are also weak. God’s faithful...

I met Bridgett because of this podcast which seems like a milestone and a big step in podcast growth! It is rare to discuss important topics that mean a lot to us and agree with every thought or perspective. I wonder if some listeners may even feel unsettled during this episode. But if we only learn from those we completely aligned with, we will be mentally and emotional stunted Christians. I was...

HERE IT IS! My thoughts about the most recent episodes. An unintentional theme seems to keep popping up in my mind as I've chatted with you all about this season. Coming soon is a my first co-host who I met through Stirring Grey Spaces! Crazy!!! Stay tuned! Resources: I often struggle to keep straight what I've heard or read from which source but it's a safe bet my most brilliant thoug...

If you're looking for an honest, authentic, transparent conversation about fighting addiction look no further. One primary difficulty for those caught in sex addiction is the fear of being found out. There is tremendous stigma in Christian Culture that prohibits Jesus loving folk from finding support. Jay's openness in this conversation is a gift to all of us. Our shame keeps us bound, dro...

Faith in the midst of unimaginable loss is proof that hope springs eternal. Katherine Teague’s words in this podcast remove every ounce of possible pretense. I felt free of having to prove anything after I spoke with her. To speak about a living, caring, gracious God after her devastating loss emboldens me to love, to be free, to walk in joy and not be afraid. Katherine’s brother Will and his batt...

I changed my approach to reading Scripture after this chat. Lisa’s encouragement to slow down made an instant shift simplifying my attempt to absorb Biblical truth. We chat about her journey as a mom, a wife and a seminary student. How God has blessed our church with her gift of teaching and the robust mini retreats she and I have started for the women at Rock Creek Fellowship! If you're in Chatta...

Licensed Therapist Abby Horton processes how life and emotions can overwhelm us resulting in self harm. And how we can come alongside those we love who battle and fight for recovery. We need people to know us deeply so they are alerted when we need to be chased down. We need to know there are those in our life who will “stay in the room” as Curt Thompson says, even when it gets sticky. The people...

Join me on this humbling journey of self actualization. If you caught the previous episode about Friendship, please please please listen to these clarifications. You should also most definitely read Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. Episode art is stock photo but I plan to replace it with an original image asap!

If you know Grant Lowe, you have experienced the truest version of friendship. You have had your words held in confidence. You have had your thoughts and feelings believed and affirmed for the sole reason that they are yours. You’ve been assured in your image bearing and have been emboldened to continue to venture down life’s path with confidence. I value my friendship with Grant and am both humbl...

For my 50th birthday I asked my kids to record this episode. I knew it would be fun. I was not prepared for the depth of knowledge, wisdom and incredible insight this crew would bring. Maybe that's a mom fail. I don't think we're ever ready for our kids to mature and grow as much as they do as quickly as they do it. At our friend’s wedding last weekend the Father of the Bride shared a prayer. Jare...

Elodia Flynn's story of origin is a remarkable combination of divine intervention and spunky sass. Despite bayonets in her face and a severe language barrier she came to the United States at the age of 18 and has lived out her calling with confidence and grace. You do not want to miss this lady's tenacious perspective on faithful obedience to a loving Shepherd. If you're interested in Four:One Jou...

In this Afterthoughts episode I circle back to the topic of relational rupture and repair. In all relationships, not just marriage, disruption is often a healthy process for mutual growth. It can also signal unhealthy relational dynamics. Deciphering the difference can be tricky so I provide three guideposts to keep you on the right track! ENJOY! Resources: I pull a lot from our very ⁠first episod...

If you want the cold hard facts of 28 years relational experience, here you go! I’m grateful to my better half for his honest, kind generosity in this conversation. Marriage may be the relationship most dependent on our ability to address rupture. But every relationship will experience the need for repair. How we go about it brings glory to a Holy God and goodness to our deepest spaces.  Andy and...

Still basking in the delight of my conversation with the brilliant Liz Edrington. In this short afterthought I dig in deeper to some of the topics we cover. Specifically in the fine line every person in every relationship is tempted to cross. Often unknowingly we hop over from healthy to unhealthy. From fulfillment in obedience to the isolation of living in a vacuum.  Resources: Front Porch Circle...

If I sound too hyped in this episode it was because I was so thrilled to process with my co-host Liz Edrington. Liz and I discuss how anxiety, loneliness, disconnection or shame should not be avoided. Avoidance only perpetuates the most difficult aspects of this life. Why is community important for the Christian life? Quite simply, our need for community is in our DNA. We were created to need othe...

Thanks to my buddy Bennett I realized some clarification might be helpful. Add a story about my week in Florida and an illustration about a tree and here we are...our first "Afterthoughts" episode. I pulled a lot of descriptive insight from Adam Young's podcast linked below. The Place We Find Ourselves Keep stirring!

Jesus’ quoted Deuteronomy specifying how to love the Lord with separate aspects of our being: heart, mind, soul and strength. He specifies these separate parts of ourselves because it’s important. His desire is for us to be aware of each separate piece so we can maintain an integrated state. My friend Courtney and I process together how spiritual growth stems from emotional awareness, physiologica...

THANK YOU! For believing in the potential value of this podcast enough to sacrifice 7 minutes and 48 seconds of your easy listening time. I'd love your questions, thoughts, ideas, suggestions, opinions, shares, likes, etc!