#248 Jonathan and Torie, Breaking Legalism: Love, Mission, And The Gospel That Actually Changes Lives

We share how a rule-shaped faith gave way to a Spirit-led life. Torie’s steady devotion and mission work collide with Jonathan’s raw honesty about addiction, and together we discover that grace, not effort, breaks chains and heals shame.• growing up Adventist, performance and reputation• mission years in Bolivia, language and leadership struggles• COVID challenges, visas, and resilience• Jonathan’s curiosity, partying, and rebaptism tension• legalism vs grace, confusion and burnout• the vulnerable email about porn and shame• gospel reframes in Romans and the epistles• freedom from law as Spirit-led life• community that feels like heaven on earth• loving counsel to our younger selves

We gather with a live room to explore why the gospel begins with rest, not effort, and hear how that truth lands in real lives. Testimonies trace freedom from control, loneliness, anxiety, people pleasing, and the fear of getting theology perfect.• rest as the starting point for spiritual life• Ephesians 2 and Hebrews 4 on seated identity• releasing control and OCD patterns• moving from loneliness to communion and connection• peace within storms through a still small voice• choosing safety over harmful opinions in faith communities• freedom from condemnation cycles and anxiety• centering Jesus over perfect doctrine• Hebrews deep dive on why God rested• ending people pleasing with beloved identity• discovering self by first knowing who Christ is💰 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

A raw journey from fear-based religion and authority wounds to healing, recovery, and identity as a beloved son. Tracy shares hard stories—addiction, grief, and legalism—and how Jesus redefined his name, his marriage, and his mission.• Early farm life shaping fear and attachment wounds• Boarding school legalism fueling secrecy and rebellion• College drift, contempt for authority, objectifying women• Nuclear site safety fight and first glimpses of God’s care• Pain meds, porn, and a terrifying wake-up moment• Counseling, Celebrate Recovery, and identity work• Forgiveness letters softening resentment toward family• Marriage grief after child loss and learning to stay• Healing from corporate Adventism toward Christ-centered faith• Baptizing his son into Christ, not a club• Living daily as a treasured son and offering the same hope💰 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 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