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Books

The Gift of Being Yourself by David Benner

 "Grant, Lord, that I may know myself that I may know thee." Augustine Much is said in Christian circles about knowing God. But Christians throughout the ages have agreed that there cannot be deep knowledge of God without deep knowledge of the self. Discerning your true self is inextricably related to discerning God's purposes for you. Paradoxically, the more you become like Christ, the more you become authentically yourself… David G. Benner illuminates the spirituality of self-discovery. He exposes the false selves that you may hide behind and calls you to discover the true self that emerges from your uniqueness in Christ.

The Thing Beneath the Thing by Steve Carter

Journey with a seasoned fellow traveler who has learned how to ask key questions that help unlock the places where we’ve buried things. Then dig deep, invite healing, and learn new ways to operate so that we may begin to experience the life of freedom Jesus has promised us. The process lies in discovering our triggers: the setup that sets us off hideouts: where we go to escape the pain of our story insecurities: the false stories we create about ourselves narratives: the false stories we create about others grace: the place where we discover how to become whole, holy, and spiritually healthy

Podcast

Living Centered Podcast Episode - Living Centered While Acknowledging Our Painful Past

Many of us have been told, "Don't dwell in the past." But the truth about trauma is that if we don't acknowledge, name, and honor our past pain, it will negatively impact our emotional, mental, and even physical health. Dr. Dan Allender and Cathy Loerzel, MA, co-founders of the Allender Center in Seattle, discuss their new book Redeeming Heartache and the power of engaging and examining the painful parts of our stories to find healing and redemption

Spiritual Practices

The Welcome Prayer - Prayer this prayer aloud each day for the next few weeks. Pay attention to the places God is growing your awareness and the places you struggle to release to Him. Ask Him to increase your awareness as you surrender to Him.

Welcome, welcome, welcome.

I welcome everything that comes to me in this moment because I know it is for my healing.

I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons, situations and conditions.

I let go of my desire for security. I let go of my desire for approval. I let go of my desire for control.

I let go of my desire to change any situation, condition, person, or myself.

I open to the love and presence of God

and the healing action and grace within.

–Mary Mrozowski 1925-1993

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Books

Soul of Shame by Dr. Curt Thompson

Whether we realize it or not, shame affects every aspect of our personal lives and vocational endeavors. It seeks to destroy our identity in Christ, replacing it with a damaged version of ourselves that results in unhealed pain and brokenness. But God is telling a different story for your life. Thompson's expertise and compassion will help you identify your own pains and struggles and find freedom from the lifelong negative messages that bind you. Rewrite the story of your life and embrace healing and wholeness as you discover and defeat shame's insidious agenda.

Podcast

TED Talk - Listening to Shame by Brené Brown - Shame is an unspoken epidemic, the secret behind many forms of broken behavior. Brené Brown, whose earlier talk on vulnerability became a viral hit, explores what can happen when people confront their shame head-on. Her own humor, humanity and vulnerability shine through every word.

Spiritual Practices

The speaker mentioned that shame needs 3 things to grow: secrecy, silence and judgment. Take time this week to be with God and consider these three questions:

What secret needs to be brought out into the light?

What shameful memory or activity needs to be spoken?

What shame do you carry that needs to experience God’s forgiveness and mercy?

Now go share your answer with someone you can trust.