Reframing Ministries

How do you move forward when your entire world just fell apart? After unexpectedly losing her husband in the middle of the night to natural causes, Lisa Appelo found herself a single mother of seven just trying to get out of bed. She struggled through the deep disappointment as she journeyed to lean on God for all things and teach her heart to beat again. Whether you have lost a loved one, a job, a dream, a friendship, a home, or your financial stability, you aren’t alone. Statistics show that 12.5 million people are grieving. Join Colleen Swindoll-Thompson as she talks with Lisa. They share biblical encouragement for all who grieve and how you can find your smile again. Listen in to learn: How grief isn’t a one-size-fits-all The importance of dealing with bitterness Tools for grief (including lamenting) What things may bring comfort and what may not Why Satan’s schemes are the biggest battle Learn more about Lisa Appelo and her story of grief, faith, and hope in her new book, Life Can Be Good Again: Putting Your World Back Together After It Falls Apart, at LisaAppelo.com.

Randy Hartley and his family were living the American dream. He was a successful financial planner in Nashville with a loving wife, three amazing children, and a beautiful home . . . until one day they found themselves with a daughter who was on drugs and missing. This incredible true story has so many twists and turns that only God could be piecing it together into a divine tapestry. Join Colleen and Randy as he shares about how God intertwined two families from across the globe, from their mud hut and mansion, to bring healing from family trauma and a lasting legacy. Listen in to learn: - Why shame is where the devil wants you- How helping others leads to healing- What to do when God leads but you don’t know why- The power of forgiveness

We are wrapping our arms around a subject that has no age limit, no time limit, and no generational limit. In this multigenerational dialogue between three Swindolls, we dissect and discuss the idea of transgenerational grace and its observable impact through time. Whether you’re in your 20s, 50s, or 80s, learning and living grace is always appropriate and always needed. Link arms with us as we explore the influence of grace in subjects like grace toward siblings with disabilities, gracious parenting, Paul’s transformation into a gracious change-agent, and grace-oriented vs. legalistically oriented families. Purchase The Grace Awakening book.

Stalking, rape, harassment, trauma, murder . . . these words represent the enormous reality that domestic violence has become a global epidemic. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence defines domestic violence as . . . Willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. The frequency and severity of domestic violence varies dramatically; for those with disabilities, the numbers skyrocket. Very few people can speak on this subject like Chris Keith. As a child, Chris was shot in the head by his father after his father had strangled his mother and shot his brother. Miraculously, Chris survived and is actively involved in helping survivors recover from their past. The church must stop denying and refusing to believe victims; we must become part of the solution, not part of the problem. LET ME HEAR FROM YOU Domestic violence is the biggest kept secret in the church today. In fact, it’s almost impossible to find pastors who discuss this and step in to help. Most victims will say that when they sought help from their church, they were “re-victimized” through questioning, betrayal, blame, and being labeled as a liar. The truth is that domestic abusers work in private; they . . . *Threaten *Dominate *Intimidate *Humiliate their victims behind closed doors They want to look good; abusers are experts at manipulation and portraying innocence. However, the damage and destruction they cause is tragic. If you have experienced abuse, please reach out to Insight for Living Ministries’ Reframing Ministries. We will listen, and we will believe you. We will help. Today is the day to make change happen. 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!

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!