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How does flourishing happen in our lives? How do we develop healthy practices when we often participate in things that draw us away from God and others? In this episode of Take Courage, I talk with my friend about a struggle of his that is common to men. Finding a way out of something dark when you are alone is really hard, but seeing the light within a community, helps us get to where we need to be. Photo by Hester Ras on Unsplash www.f3nation.com https://fightthenewdrug.org/about/

Everybody has been wounded. Some of our wounds leave a scar. They serve as reminders of the pain we've experienced. How do we get over the most difficult of wounds? In this episode, Matt interviews his friend Chip, whose mother died when he was seven and whose step-mother ended her life with suicide when he was thirty-one. He shares about his process of healing and what helped him to make it through. https://pres-outlook.org/2018/07/my-mom-and-me-theological-comfort-and-the-suicide-crisis/ Jerry Sittser – A Grace Disguised https://www.amazon.com/s?k=a+grace+disguised+by+jerry+sittser&hvadid=241613757089&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9013531&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=b&hvrand=5911938757132324551&hvtargid=kwd-4752852386&hydadcr=15555_10342232&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_8b8wq34so5_b Dr. Thomas Joiner, Professor at Florida State University "Myths About Suicide" https://www.amazon.com/Myths-about-Suicide-Thomas-Joiner/dp/0674061985

Sometimes we are hurting people and we don’t even know it. Living with Courage means being willing to accept responsibility for our own actions (or inactions) and then commiting to changing and bringing about change. On this episode, Matt talks with AmyJulia Becker, author of White Picket Fences, a nationally acclaimed book about the challenge of privilege. It’s not an easy subject but it’s something we must all think about. Take a Listen! Take Courage! www.amyjuliabecker.com White Picket Fences on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1631469207/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_ZcbcDb2BN3A8G

Sometimes in life we feel helpless. Where do you turn? What do you do? In this episode of Take Courage, Matt talks about being helpless and talks with a father whose daughter faces a terminal disease. Yet in the midst of struggle, his family not only finds help but as able to help others also. http://thegieselmann5.blogspot.com Miles for Milla - http://miles4milla.org Good Grief- https://www.goodgriefdoc.com/thegriefcenter https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Batten-Disease-Fact-Sheet Voyage to the Star Kingdom - https://www.amazon.com/Voyage-Star-Kingdom-Anne-Riley/dp/1519421532 https://www.amazon.com/Voyage-Star-Kingdom-Anne-Riley/dp/1519421532/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=voyage+of+the+star+kingdom&qid=1555693895&s=gateway&sr=8-1 Nationwide Children’s Hosptial - https://www.nationwidechildrens.org Wiseacre Brewing https://wiseacrebrew.com

Parenting is tough stuff. We love our children but sometimes live our own lives through them. When they make bad decisions it can be agonizing. Living with courage means learning how to train them up, let them go and entrust them to God. In this episode, Matt hears a powerful story of both agony and glory from one of his friends, Cole.

Sometimes it feels like we are at the end, with nowhere to turn, without any hope. In those moments, we need to be reminded that we should hold on. Holding on means we believe that better days are ahead even when things are bad right now. In this episode I interview my friend Jim, who has learned how to hold on despite suffering a great sorrow. He shares powerfully how God has been with him through the loss of his beloved wife of over 30 years. His story is a touching reminder of how we can hold on. Photo by Fancycrave on Unsplash

Matt Miller talks about the blessing of fathers. Everybody needs a loving father but not everyone gets one. In this episode, he interviews his friend Rondell Trevino, who shares his own story of a father he never knew and a step-father he loves but who had his own struggles. Hear how God moved in Rondell's life in a powerful way. Everyone has a father but not everyone has one that encouraged or loved them in a positive way. What do we do if our father wasn't what we hoped for? How can those of us who are fathers really be the kind of dad God intends. Take a listen! Take Courage. www.fathers.com www.theimmigrationproject.com

Sometimes we receive gifts we don't really want but sometimes those gifts turn out to be great blessings. In this episode, Matt Miller talks about how seeing what has been given to us as a gift changes our perspective. Matt's friend Cheryl also provides a Profile of Courage in sharing the story of facing breast cancer and seeing that great challenge as a gift. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org http://www.abcf.org http://www.memphisunionmission.org

On With You, Matt Miller shares the story of a girl with a blood disease which prevented her from being in the sun. Any exposure would cause great pain and meant her family had to alter their whole way of life. In this podcast we hear her story through the lens of her mom Polly. She shares about how important it was for them to know that God and others were with them. Matt talks about how important it is for all of us to know that Someone is saying I want to be With You. If you are interested in learning more about or supporting any of the organizations in the podcast. Please check the links below: https://porphyriafoundation.org American Porphyria Foundation https://www.aad.org/public/kids/camp-discovery Camp Discovery https://bethematch.org/ Bone marrow donation Photo by Josh Felise on Unsplash

Does God really work for the good of those who love him in ALL THINGS? When life gives us lemons, can we really make lemonade? Yes, we experience his blessings in the good things but what about the bad things? In this episode, Matt Miller talks about having the right perspective on difficulty. He also talks with his good friend Lynn, who shares her story of loss and how she sees God working in it. Take a listen! #takecourage Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash

Conflict is everywhere and some of us are better than others at resolving it. Join Matt Miller as he talks about a healthy way of resolving conflict that will encourage your life. He shares some wrong ways to resolve conflict and a healthy way. He also talks about how Martin Luther King, Jr was a great conflict engager and resolver. "A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr." "The Peacemaker" by Ken Sande, Photo by Henry Hustava on Unsplash

In this episode Matt considers what the purpose of the world is. In considering that question, he hopes you'll think about what your purpose in the world is. When you know the right story, you know how to respond to difficult things in life: losing a job, a difficult marriage, children who are struggling. He talks about the power of icebergs and the transformation of Ryan Leaf. Take a listen!

If you need to be encouraged (and you do) listen to Matt Miller as he talks about one key aspect of living with courage in a discouraging world. He shares the story of a woman who lived with courage despite losing everything and tells you how you can to.