286. Embracing My God-Given Gender

This week we have a special episode of Hope Cast for you all!Richard and Marsha have been a part of Living Hope for years, and they are leaders in the DFW Friends and Family group.In this episode they speak on how to understand our friends and family who are struggling, as well as how to maintain healthy relationships with them and stay active and involved in their lives.

In this episode, Ricky and Bonnie talk about the devastating effects of leading a double life, and how, though bringing sin to light can be terrifying, it is also promised to be the most freeing thing we can ever do.

This week, Ricky and Bonnie discuss the ineffectiveness of responding to someone who struggles with a phrase like "Just don't be gay..." and how, more often than not, these feelings and struggles are not a choice, but the result of a long journey of unmet needs. They suggest and encourage more thoughtful responses that are more loving (though not affirming in the lifestyle) and that are more likely to open doors for spiritual support and encouragement rooted in truth.

This week, Ricky and Bonnie discuss the feeling of shame that often comes with same-sex attraction and the formative events that can feed into that struggle. They talk about how none of us are meant to live in that shame forever, and ways to overcome those shameful feelings.

In this episode, Ricky and Bonnie discuss the concept of gender dysphoria in our culture today, and both the rhetoric that feeds this confusion, and the truth that meets this confusion and provides clarity. They also talk about and encourage a wide spectrum of both male and female expression as depicted in Scripture itself.

In this episode, Ricky and Bonnie talk about strongholds and how they often arise in our lives and how we tend to feed them, but, conversely, how we can, with God's power, work to defeat them in our lives. North Texas Giving Day is September 18th, but you can start giving now! Find out more at northtexasgivingday.org

This week, Ricky and Bonnie tackle explaining what defensive detachment is. If you start to relate to their description, do not get uneasy, but keep listening - they will continue to discuss how even one of them relates strongly to the description as well and tips to create balance in relationships and cultivate friendships that are healthy. North Texas Giving Day is September 18th, but you can start giving now! Find out more at northtexasgivingday.org

Ricky and Bonnie discuss the struggle of not feeling perfectly created by God as the gender and the expression of the gender He created us to be and how that encourages us to believe that our gender is a mistake. They discuss the truth that Scripture proclaims about God's perfect design and that He has made us as we are to be a reflection of His image and how to reframe our minds to align with this truth.

Ricky and Bonnie discuss here the importance of "taking every thought captive to obey Christ" as directed in 2 Corinthians 10:5. They talk about why it is necessary and some practical steps to follow through - especially when it comes to thoughts about sexual and relational desires that are not in line with what God has designed for His children.

We are excited to announce that the Institute of Biblical Sexuality, the training arm of Living Hope Ministries, has launched the Rooted Counseling: The Center for Relational and Sexual Wholeness. Ricky and Bonnie sit down with Leah Niccolls, the Director of Rooted Counseling to talk about what Rooted Counseling will offer and how this counseling center will offer unique assistance for those dealing with sexual trauma.