#244 James Newberry How The Gospel Rewrote A Life Marked By Loss, Bullying, And Secret Struggle

We trace Matthew’s journey through a house fire, church leadership conflict, and a deeper surrender to sonship, contentment, and the “unattached life.” Loss becomes seed as he releases bitterness, receives love, and watches new freedom take root in others.• moving from legalism to identity and sonship• the evacuation, radical peace, and living unattached• humility in receiving help and generosity• leadership meetings, labels, and lack of due process• guarding conscience without becoming combative• embodied healing, confession, and letting go• gratitude, new community, and fresh gospel fruit💰 DONATE & SUPPORT our Ministry: lovereality.org/give👍 LIKE us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alovereality📷 FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riyoung31/📚 LEARN more at our site: lovereality.org

We trace James’s journey from premature birth and the loss of his twin to years of school struggles, bullying, hidden shame, and a relentless search for identity that finally lands in secure sonship and freedom in Christ. The story holds nothing back—confession, dismissal from a camp, suicidal lows, and the moment the voice of truth replaced a lifetime of lies.• early trauma, survival in NICU, family faith• ADHD and dyslexia, endless school switches• bullying, social anxiety, and isolation• puberty, same-sex attraction, and shame• church community as lifeline and codependency risks• GED and move to Houston for a fresh start• Antioch community care and culture shock• cycles of porn, perfectionism, and Romans 7 living• identity teaching, Dan Moeller, and Love Reality• habits vs sin mastery and practical coaching tools• redefining singleness and masculinity in Christ• learning to hear God’s voice and drop old labels• living from Romans 8 and secure sonship💰 DONATE & SUPPORT our Ministry: lovereality.org/give👍 LIKE us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alovereality📷 FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riyoung31/📚 LEARN more at our site: lovereality.org

We trace Byron’s journey through a powerful week of prayer, the quiet drift of friends, and the choice to let God defend him. Restoration shows up in a song, a beach, and a courage to move forward without bitterness.• recap of the week of prayer and early fruit• misunderstandings about theology and labels that stick• fractured friendships and limits of “giving space”• burnout, Sabbath rest and seeking God’s voice• Portland trip as reset and honest lament• God’s confirmation through Jesus Loves Me• released from role but not from calling• the beach gathering and symbolic washing away• grief for losses and gratitude for transformed lives• choosing reconciliation and trusting God to vindicate💰 DONATE & SUPPORT our Ministry: lovereality.org/give👍 LIKE us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alovereality📷 FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riyoung31/📚 LEARN more at our site: lovereality.org

We share Amy’s journey from childhood fear and OCD to a settled trust in Jesus that carried her through a false accusation against her dad and a sudden move. The story traces how legalism fell away, belief took root, and peace held under pressure.• early love for Jesus and seven years of undiagnosed strep• OCD patterns, nightly fear and the pull of control• legalism as safety, perfectionism in chores and prayer• a night in John 14 bringing assurance and calm• medical treatment easing OCD alongside growing faith• learning the gospel of grace through family and church• false accusation, investigations and financial threat• the decision to move and grieving close friendships• unexpected ease in starting over and a deeper hope• choosing prayer over panic and trust over control💰 DONATE & SUPPORT our Ministry: lovereality.org/give👍 LIKE us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alovereality📷 FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riyoung31/📚 LEARN more at our site: lovereality.org

We follow Shannon from a fearful, unstable childhood into years of illness, allergy, and anxiety, and then into a grounded life of identity, trust, and practical freedom. Scripture, confession, and a new view of God’s goodness move her from control to peace, from scarcity to sufficiency.• childhood turmoil, early faith, and fear shaped by trauma• murder of her mother, adoption by grandparents, perfectionism• years of illness: anaphylaxis, dysautonomia, vertigo, insomnia• food controls life, hoarding mindset, isolation and doubt• counseling, forgiveness, and letting go of judgment• reopening the Bible: promises, identity, righteousness• authority in Christ, armor of God, speaking scripture• “Olive Garden moment”: acting free while feeling afraid• healing as part of salvation, enemy has no authority• adoption wrestle reframed as trust, not punishment• practical steps: prayer, anointing, community, persistence💰 DONATE & SUPPORT our Ministry: lovereality.org/give👍 LIKE us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alovereality📷 FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riyoung31/📚 LEARN more at our site: lovereality.org

We trace Webster’s journey from a conservative Tongan Adventist home through rebellion, jail, and a degree no one would hire to a simple gospel that healed his identity and marriage. The turning point arrives when sonship replaces striving and Sabbath shifts from fear to joy.• growing up Tongan Adventist with strict norms• pastor’s kid pressure and hidden rebellion• drugs, drinking, and becoming a teen dad at 17• jail as a wake-up and unexpected door to college• degree earned, criminal record blocking jobs• providential roles in the church and at a K–12 school• serving hard from obligation, not rest• meeting Selena and facing doctrinal questions• fear-driven legalism around Sabbath and worth• a prodigal son message reframing identity• discovering testimonies that centered Romans and Colossians• freedom from sin as present reality in Christ• marriage restored by grace over performance• renewed desire to share good news, especially in Islander communities💰 DONATE & SUPPORT our Ministry: lovereality.org/give👍 LIKE us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alovereality📷 FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riyoung31/📚 LEARN more at our site: lovereality.org

We celebrate five years by returning to the first story that set our tone: Tyler’s journey from approval addiction and hidden porn use to a settled identity rooted in God’s love. The shift from behavior management to new life changes his marriage, his peace, and his idea of repentance.• why testimonies became our core format• family faith roots and an early shame script• porn at eleven and transactional forgiveness• striving, relapse, and the lie that guilt saves• Australia, a Hillsong altar call, and a mother’s messages• marriage begins, lines are crossed, consequences land• the real addiction is affirmation, not just lust• Romans 6 identity: dead to sin, alive in Christ• confession to Morgan, rupture, and a storm walk• learning love that needs nothing in return• living at peace without others’ approval• deconstructing old beliefs and rebuilding trust• the cost of obedience when reputation is on the line• cliffhanger: Morgan’s side and the miracle ahead💰 DONATE & SUPPORT our Ministry: lovereality.org/give👍 LIKE us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alovereality📷 FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riyoung31/📚 LEARN more at our site: lovereality.org

We trace Danilo’s journey from fear and performance to a living trust in Jesus only, moving from legalism to grace and from isolation to a wider family of faith. A child’s question, a fresh reading of Ephesians and Romans, and the courage to post the gospel changed his life.• growing up Adventist under fear and performance• panic, shame and identity as “sinner always”• a child’s question that sent him to grace• discovering “Jesus only” and assurance• Romans 6 and freedom from sin, new identity• posting online, backlash and not being ashamed• rejecting last generation theology while staying Adventist• unity beyond denominations and shared Sabbath rest• counsel to his younger self: don’t run from kindness💰 DONATE & SUPPORT our Ministry: lovereality.org/give👍 LIKE us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alovereality📷 FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riyoung31/📚 LEARN more at our site: lovereality.org

We trace Hollie's journey from fear-based faith and purity culture to a lived identity in Christ that quieted years of anxious loops. Sensitivity turns from burden to gift as she learns to want intimacy without making it her identity and to teach, create, and love from fullness, not lack.• reframing sensitivity as strength rooted in identity in Christ• naming purity culture myths and their impact on worth and desire• moving from anxiety, perfectionism, and rumination to peace• camp community, Scripture, and a worship moment that marked change• practicing Philippians 4 focus and rejecting self-condemnation• teaching and photography transformed by freedom and empathy• living single without lack while holding honest desire• embracing grief, joy, and resilience in a complicated world💰 DONATE & SUPPORT our Ministry: lovereality.org/give👍 LIKE us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alovereality📷 FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riyoung31/📚 LEARN more at our site: lovereality.org

Carl Syvertson shares his journey from understanding salvation intellectually to experiencing the transformative revelation that God has already freed him from sin and given him a new identity.• Carl's spiritual journey began with a family legacy of seeking closeness to Jesus• His great-great-grandfather was a Quaker missionary who became an Adventist after a dream showing others closer to Jesus• Carl describes himself as having been a "hothead" with a prideful attitude before understanding the gospel• During college at Andrews University, Carl encountered the writings of Jones and Wagner about righteousness by faith• For decades, Carl believed in salvation but still thought transformation required constantly asking the Holy Spirit for power• A breakthrough came when Carl realized God had already transformed him and given him the Holy Spirit• Carl found this truth confirmed in Scripture and in the writings he'd studied years before• The revelation changed Carl's relationships, particularly with his wife and daughter• Angry outbursts that once caused multi-day arguments became shorter and less destructive• Carl began recognizing the Holy Spirit's promptings to share these truths with others• Understanding comes through intimacy with God, not just intellectual knowledge• The gospel revelation isn't just a doorway to knowing God but must lead to ongoing relationship