Reframing Ministries

Jodie Ballenger spent her young life fighting authority and digging herself into a deep pit without the prospect of escape. Violence ensued as early battles with drugs and sexual abuse propelled her into a downward spiral. This eventually led to a SWAT team raiding her home, and she lost custody of her 9-month-old daughter. Jodie saw the remnants of a wasted life from behind the iron bars of two different prisons over the course of two years. She made a promise to herself that it was time to make a change. Join Colleen Swindoll-Thompson and guest Jodie Ballenger as they walk through and unpack her thrilling and heartbreaking story of agony and redemption, showing that a road that seems hopeless can lead to all you ever need. Listen in to hear: --An incredible story of redemption for everyone today --The struggles of a life marinated in trauma and abuse --How Jesus intersects our lives without us realizing it We pray that the story shared in this episode will strengthen your soul to know that God IS the God of the impossible. SHOW NOTES For more information about Jodie Ballenger go to jodieballenger.com. LET ME HEAR FROM YOU You can leave a comment by clicking here. Want more? Subscribe to Reframing Ministries for our latest content and to also receive instant access to our free 5-Day Patio Video Devo Series!

The hit that knocks you down is the one that you don’t see coming. Marilyn Nutter and April White know this reality all too well even though their stories of extreme heartbreak, disappointment and loss are very different. Join Colleen Swindoll Thompson as she has a real and raw conversation with these two ladies about how they trudged through the trenches, got back up, and saw glimpses of God along the way. Listen in to learn: —How loss changes us —Types of loss that you haven’t thought of, but are probably experiencing —Hurtful verses helpful responses to someone grieving —How God prepares us for the losses —What wrestling with God looks like for different people —Stories of God’s goodness while in the trenches We pray this conversation encourages your soul and gives you some strength for today and hope for tomorrow. SHOW NOTES Find out more about Marilyn Nutter and April White and their book Destination Hope: A Travel Companion When Life Falls Apart at MarilynNutter.com and AprilDawnWhite.com. Let Me Hear from You You can leave a comment by clicking here. Want more? Subscribe to Reframing Ministries for our latest content and to also receive instant access to our free 5-Day Patio Video Devo Series!

You probably have seen Priscilla Shirer speaking on a stage or read one of her many books or Bible studies. She is a powerhouse in the kingdom of God, yet behind the scenes she and her family have been dealing with incredible loss and grief over the last couple years. Join Colleen Swindoll Thompson and Priscilla Shirer for a candid conversation about the many facets of grief. Listen in to learn: The gifts we can give others on their grieving journey How grief is a process Why we are able to grieve with hope How to navigate work, life, and relationships while grieving The glimpses of God’s grace in the losses We pray this episode encourages your soul and spirit and helps you grip God’s anchor of hope in your grief. For more information about Priscilla Shirer and her ministry go to goingbeyond.com Let Me Hear from You You can leave a comment by clicking here. Want more? Subscribe to Reframing Ministries for our latest content and to also receive instant access to our free 5-Day Patio Video Devo Series!

Join Colleen Swindoll Thompson and Reframing Ministries Coordinator Tiffany Jo Baker on Colleen’s back porch for a real discussion about what to do when life doesn’t look like you expected. In this short but packed episode you will learn: *How to deal with thoughts and feelings*What the difference is between expectations and anticipation*How Jesus shows up in our mess*Why our choices are more powerful than our circumstances This is just day one of a five-day video patio devotional series. New subscribers get instant access with the video devotionals delivered directly to their inbox over five days (plus don’t miss the behind the scenes bloopers on day six). Find out more. We would love for you to join us in our free Community of Family Caregivers Facebook Group that was mentioned in this episode. Check it out.

Linda’s life was dramatically changed over a decade ago when a drunk driver struck their family van head-on going 80 mph, nearly killing them all. Among their injuries, Linda’s daughter, Jen, suffered a traumatic brain injury and wasn’t expected to live. Even though Jen still suffers from vision impairment and memory loss, God is using her story to change thousands of lives. Today Colleen, Linda, and Jen share a real and raw conversation about faith, healing, and forgiveness. Linda's and Jen’s faith, despite it all, is contagious. You will leave this episode changed. Listen in to learn: - What to do when you wrestle with bad things happening to good people - The choice we make in hard times - What forgiveness isn’t - How Jen’s spirit was alive, even when her mind and body couldn’t communicate - The three P’s to do during dark times - How the Holy Spirit isn’t disabled - What a “flip-flop” is and how Jen uses it to continue living every day - How trauma squeezes out what’s in you - How to reframe everyday life into divine missions SHOW NOTES You can find out more about Linda and Jen Barrick at Hopeoutloud.com, and you can purchase their latest book, Miracle for Jen. Want more? Subscribe to Reframing Ministries for our latest content and to also receive instant access to our free 5-Day Patio Video Devo Series!

Only two years into her marriage, Laura Story’s husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Walking down the aisle she never expected her story to include being a life-long caregiver and primary bread winner. Today Colleen and Laura share a real and raw conversation on how she wrestled with her faith and life and God brought a ministry from her place of weakness.Listen in to learn: - How to handle when you don’t feel God with you - What God says about long-term disability - How to not give power to our feelings - How God’s good looks different than we think - Why sin is the biggest problem in our lives, not the “thing” we are dealing with - The reason for hope - Why you don’t need someone to fix “it,” you just need Someone SHOW NOTES: You can find out more about Laura Story and her latest book So Long, Normal here. LET ME HEAR FROM YOU. What was your biggest “aha” moment or takeaway from our conversation with Laura Story today?WANT MORE?Subscribe to Reframing Ministries for our latest content and to also receive instant access to our free 5-Day Patio Video Devo Series!

Do you wonder what the future holds? Are you longing for something but can’t put your finger on it? Do you feel unraveled by life’s unknowns? Today Colleen Swindoll Thompson talks with author and caregiver advocate, Jessica Ronne, as she shares some of her incredible story that includes losing a husband to brain cancer, raising a son with profound special needs, remarrying, and blending a family with seven children. Listen in to learn:• The gifts that come with caregiving• What to do with the unknowns of life• How to grieve and still live• Why you need grit and grace in today’s world Join us as Colleen talks with Jessica about her life story and her new book, Blended with Grit and Grace. SHOW NOTES: Connect with Jessica on her website, on Facebook, and on Instagram. You can purchase her book, Blended with Grit and Grace, on Amazon or an autographed book from her website.

Anxiety . . . it’s an invisible plague in the mind, a pervasive problem that permeates thought, an unsettling earthquake that rattles internal peace. Anxiety, as most know, is an obviously large problem in our world. Often we find ourselves entangled in webs of fear-laden thoughts, and instead of bringing our anxieties to the feet of the Lord, we habitually ruminate over what we cannot control—which only makes things worse. Amy Simpson knows this cycle all too well. Amy was raised in an unstable environment, which caused tremendous confusion and anxiety. As an adult, Amy has faced her anxiety head-on and offers us all a freeing hope found in Christ. Do you try to shut out anxiety by staying busy or attempting to fix what is uncomfortable or difficult? Without Christ, we will never find full rest and peace on this side of heaven. John 16:33 says: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (NLT) For those who struggle with anxiety, we must run to the truth which promises rest for the weary and peace for the anxious. If you have not already trusted Christ as your Savior, I ask you to lay down the fight, give your life and all its challenges to Christ, and trust Him as your Lord. Listen to this revisited dialogue between Colleen and Amy in order to learn more about a peace of mind that transcends all understanding. SHOW NOTES: You can find all of Amy’s information, resources, and ways to connect by going to her website.

Listen in as we revisit this incredible conversation between Colleen and Jan Silvious! We’re tackling topics today revolving around fear, resiliency, aging, and living biblically in the trials of fear. We hope this podcast provides helpful direction on how to lean on the Lord in your fears, grief, and uncertainty while encouraging you to take on tomorrow renewed and encouraged! SHOW NOTES: Connect with Jan Silvious on her website, request her for speaking or coaching, or purchase her books!

The last place we expect or desire our child to live out their days is in prison. Jason Kent, son of Gene and Carol Kent, was a parent’s dream to raise. Everything Jason did, he did with excellence. From graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy at the top of his class to marrying a beautiful woman, life for the Kent family was ideal. Until . . . something snapped and Jason was arrested for a crime Gene and Carol would never have expected. Their lives as they had known them were irreversibly changed. In this revisited interview between Colleen and Carol, Carol openly shares how they have not only rebuilt their lives but have reframed what it means to live fully amid unchanging, hard circumstances. Like Paul did, Jason Kent has a “captive” audience. Jason teaches hundreds of inmates God’s Word and classes on life skills, communication, and personal development. There is no valley too deep for God’s light to shine bright. Are you willing to open your hands, release what you value most, and allow God to replace your wants with His will? The story for Jason is not over; neither is yours. I hope to hear from you today. Finally, I pray you will take a moment to send Jason a note for all he is doing in spite of the darkness surrounding his life. SHOW NOTES: To connect with Carol or request her for speaking, visit her website. You can also see upcoming conferences where she will be speaking. Ministry to inmates through churches and organizations: Speak Up for Hope PO Box 6262 Lakeland, FL 33807www.SpeakUpforHope.org Greeting cards your church or community can send: American Rehabilitative Ministries has developed a line of name-brand greeting cards to send to inmates around the world. They offer a variety of categories (anniversary, birthday (adult and child), friendship, get well, sympathy, thank you, wedding, Christmas, Easter, Father’s Day, graduation, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Valentine’s Day). There is a $4.00 charge for each 100 cards, covering the cost of packaging and postage. Boxes of Hope: A branch of Carol’s ministry provides Boxes of Hope for Inmates. Find more information on this excellent program you and/or your church can partake in.