Whole & Free Podcast
By Kathy Schwanke
Whole & Free PodcastMay 25, 2023
Hasten His Coming
In the Light of Advent for Christmas, we Advent for The Day Of The Lord. Can we hasten His coming as we wait for Him? In this episode, I encourage you to anticipate Jesus's second coming as you anticipate Christmas.
I mention:
Exploding Light
It's Advent, a time of LIGHT bursting forth in the darkness. In this episode I talk share the stunning beauty of the Christmas story and how the Holy Spirit in women made mighty waves. Sound waves, and prophetic songs. As women who walk with the Lord, we have this glory in us ready to burst forth into our own spiritual songs to impart LIGHT into the darkness and bring LIFE into the world.
In this episode:
The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp (it's only $10.99!)
Divine Conversations Bible Study by me. :)
The Shaking Reality Of Advent
I received permission to read one of my favorite readings from Watch For The Light, an Advent devotional by Plough Publishing.
Order Watch For The Light HERE.
If you are interested in my other favorite Advent devotionals, you can find them HERE.
Also, regarding the topic of God shaking us to wake us--as I was seeing it in March 2021, read a blog post I wrote HERE.
Victors In The Midst Of Strife
On this trip through the wilderness, we experience times of feeling pressed and crushed. This life is warfare, don't we know it? As believers in Jesus, we can have peace in the midst of life's worst--we can endure because of Jesus and what He's given us. Psalm 23:5a says He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. We need to get that visual, so we will experience this grace. Take a listen and feast in His presence in the midst of your strife.
Loving Your Church People
Drive the dark of doubt away by believing Jesus loves you, loving Jesus, obeying Him, and loving His Family--then you will be joyful as you adore Him.
Sounds like a simple song, doesn't it? It's not easy to love people but it's what Jesus prays we will do as a result of our love relationship with Him. Knowing His heart for us to pursue love with one another should move us toward one another instead of away or hiding.
In this episode, I share motivation and "how to" love people Jesus' way.
Awaken To The Value Of Conflict
Conflict, valuable? YES! YES! We need to change our thinking about conflict. None of us like it, but the alternatives are worse. Fight or flight is our natural response to disagreement. But for believers in Jesus, those are not acceptable responses. Not when He prays that His family will be of one Spirit, one mind, one Church. When we fight or flight, we aid the enemy in dividing instead of pleasing Jesus in uniting.
Listen in to find out how to press into conflict and gain spiritual ground instead of retreating and losing.
I didn't mention this, but TWO resources I have found valuable:
The Other Half of Church Podcast
Relational Wisdom by Ken Sande
(There is a ton of helpful teaching in both of those places!)
Awaken To The Way
This is my longest episode. Maybe one of the most intense episodes of the podcast. But life is life, as my mentor used to say. There is a necessity for intensity. Especially in this topic: The way of Jesus and the eternal impact of finding and following His way.
I read from Matthew 5:31-46 and Jeremiah 42:1-22 and 44:1-18.
Two songs I recently encountered serve this message.
Isaiah 53 by Aaron Shush
Still by Hillsong
Fear of God by Brooke Ligertwood
Awaken To Your Victory
God literally told me one day, “Kathy, you are not a victim of your thoughts.”
It was a word I desperately needed. Not only could I put a stop to rogue thoughts, but I could be free from fear, hiding, and shame.
The blood of Jesus is our victory over the darkness and we need constant reminders.
"Secrecy is to sickness as openness is to wholeness."
“Secrecy always provides fertile ground for shame to grow.” ~Beth Moore, Breaking Free Bible Study
Awaken To Your Treasure
We know, as believers, that we should treasure Jesus above all things. But what if we aren't there? How do we find Him to be the One dominating our lives? In this episode I give a few suggestions based on what I have been seeing in the Apostle Paul's fervent letters to the churches he fathers. Give a listen!
Awaken To The Holy Spirit In You
Hope and meaning come from knowing our identity and believing we have a distinct destiny--both are found in Jesus' gift to us: His Spirit
In a world of confusion, groping for hope, we need to know who we are and what we are made for. The Christmas songs tell the whole world what the answer is to our craving for belonging, our desperation for identity and our hunger to know we are designed for a destiny. Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her King! O come, O come, Immanuel! In this episode I dig into 2 Corinthians 3 which reveals the power within us to know who we are and the power we have to do what we were made to do: glorify God.
Awaken to Deliverance
You might have heard a bit about deliverance in the past year. You may have even seen that there was a movie in theaters supposing to deliver people from demons. I talk about what I discern there, and move on to the fact that our deliverance is done. We only need to stay close to Jesus and be transformed by His truth and love.
More on the topic, Is Deliverance Ministry Biblical?
My dear old blog: Bittersweet Farm Gift Shop
Ann Voskamp's Amazing book: WayMaker
Awaken To The Blessing Of Suffering
In our world, we do everything we can to avoid suffering. What if we are actually avoiding the biggest blessing God intends to give us? When I heard a Pastor say that we need to prepare our minds to embrace suffering, I realized something powerful. Somehow, having someone state the truth plainly resonates and firms up the truths that are waiting to be called out of our hearts. That is the aim of today's show. So you know. :)
Links mentioned:
Awaken To Your Calling
S2 Ep4 On the heels of our AWAKEN retreat, I found the stories of the speakers dovetailed with the Bible stories of Hannah and Esther in not only awakening to their calling, but in enduring suffering, in waiting for God to turn things around (which He always does for those who LOOK to Him!), and in pursuing hope and joy.
I mention Michael Card's song HOPE
And Corrie Stanway's ministry: Integrity and Grace
Awaken To Peace
It usually happens to me when circumstances are bearing down upon me from many directions, and I’m so busy taking care of things that I fail to mind my mind and I end up feeling like I might lose my mind. Can you relate? In today's show, I tell the story of the day I felt like the sky was falling and how the Lord rescued me from the ditch of fear and unbelief.
Awaken Your Song
S2 EP 2
Based on the similar words of two Psalms: 57:8 and Psalm 108:2 which say, "Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!" I did a little study on the value of singing. Then, I tested it. Listen for what I found. And then you will try it too! Here is the article I referenced on THE VALUE OF SINGING:
Awaken Your Heart
Thank you for joining me for SEASON 2 of Whole and Free! This season, I'm going to talk about awakening. Who couldn't use an ongoing revival? I believe God's plan for what we've been through--with the crown virus, political unrest, relational conflict and so much more--has always been to revive His Bride. In this episode, I talk about the first thing that needs awakening in every soul. The song I mentioned is AWAKEN by Natalie Grant
Blessing In The Battering
In this episode, I talk about the blessing of our pain when it brings us closer to Jesus.
DISCLAIMER: When I talk about the blessing of our pain, and when I use the word "battering" I don't in any way believe God condones anything that harms people. What I want to convey is the fact that God is always near when people sin against us, and He is able to not only comfort us, build us up, encourage us, heal us, and reveal His love to us, but to work it for our good and His glory. (You will see this in Romans 8) This theme is ALL THROUGH Scripture-most notably in the story of Joseph's betrayal and false accusation as well as our Savior's betrayal and false accusation. God makes it clear that all unconfessed sin will ultimately be judged.
I suggest you spend some time reading and digesting Romans 8.
Also, I announce that I am taking the month of July off and will resume with Season 2 of Whole and Free in August.
God Wants You To Be Confident In Hearing His Voice
Book me to speak.
Read more about conversations with God in my Bible study, Divine Conversations by ordering here. WATCH THE KARAR BALLET TRAILER HERE: youtu.be/I8TZIrdET2Y
Whole Instead of Holey
God created each of us in His image with certain needs which reflect Him. Every need we have is meant to be filled by Him. In this episode I give a contrast of the two ways to get our needs met: by leaning on our own understanding which leads to conflict, or by trusting in the Lord with all our hearts which leads to living a satisfying and fruitful life both here and in eternity. You can find my Bible study, Divine Conversations here.
Mentioned: Freedom In Christ Ministries
What Is Truth?
On this episode we dig into subtle lies and their power to steal from us.
Freedom's foundation is TRUTH. And the truth is ... If we believe truth is relative and that everyone can have their own truth, we will see (we are seeing this) people in bondage. Because, friends, there is no getting around this–lies lead to prison.
Whether a literal jail cell or a soul-wasting disease of the heart and mind.
Face To Face With Fire
Do you know that if you are born again, your heart holds fire? And when you behold God, when you fellowship with Him who IS Fire, you are transformed by your intimacy with Him? The content of this episode is kind of my passion: to see your heart set on fire for God and for you to know how fiery His love is for you.
Scripture in this episode: John 17:1-26; Mark 11:16-18; Isaiah 56:4-8; Jeremiah 6:9-11
Here is a link to the commentary I mentioned.
Link to my Bible Study: Divine Conversations (I hope you will buy two and ask a friend to join you!)
Fix Your Eyes
In this episode, I talk about the metaphor of the eyes of our heart and how we can fix them.
Read about one way I have practically practiced FIXING MY EYES
Scriptures for your deeper dig:
Hebrews 12:1-3
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Live To Get Your Crown
In this episode, I address the why of staying in the fight for freedom and wholeness.
The Apostle Paul equates our journey with Jesus as a fight, as a race ... to hold on to faith. He talks about the crown of Righteousness that has kept him enduring to the end. Just as in athletic pursuits or in fighting a battle, looking forward to the rewards motivates us to do what we don't feel like doing. As people seeking to get free, we need to know how to stay in the fight or endure the race. Here are the five crowns we will recieve in eternity:
Imperishable Crown ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
Crown of Rejoicing ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
Crown of Righteousness ~ 2 Timothy 4:8
Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Crown of Glory ~ 1 Peter 5:4
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Crown of Life. ~ Revelation 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
https://www.gotquestions.org/heavenly-crowns.html
Believe You Are Royalty
There is a woman in scripture whose story is really a story of us all. Her story shows us something about the healing and wholeness that Jesus wants for each of us so intensely that He died on the cross for us. You will find a golden nugget of truth in this one! It's time to dust off your crown! I love to speak on this story. If you are interested in booking me, check my topics here.
Living At Home In God's Love
The greatest power in the universe . . . I'm telling you today . . . is the source of our wholeness and freedom.
The greatest power in the universe to set you free and make you whole . . . body, mind and soul . . . is nothing other that the LOVE of God. I've been telling you how important it is for your one beautiful life to "get it" YOU ARE LOVED! You are the beloved of God and that is the foundation you must live on if you are going to live a meaningful life. So, join me today to take a closer look at this amazing power: God's LOVE and how to "get it".
Mentioned in this episode:
Uprooting Lies To Get Free
Freedom comes from the Holy Spirit revealing what is in your heart. In this episode of Whole & Free, I share how He revealed … and healed my “addiction” to people-pleasing. I give you steps to take to get free from your stuck places.
RESOURCES:
The Uncommon Woman by Susie Larson
https://a.co/d/7GNXCTq
Scribbling In The Sand by Michael Card
https://a.co/d/hUv7HnO
Soul Care by Dr. Rob Reimer
https://a.co/d/0z1gCRQ
Stuff I’d Only Tell God by Jennifer Dukes Lee
https://a.co/d/e5b63zD
SCRIPTURE:
Philippians 2:3
Luke 6:45
The First Step To Freedom
On this episode, we define what we are seeking: FREEDOM
I share my most-stuck place.
We talk about the necessity of naming the lies we believe, and that even before we do that, we need to BELIEVE and receive God's love for us.
Scripture References:
Revelation 12:10 (Satan is the accuser)
1 John 3:8 (Satan has been sinning from the beginning)
John 8:32 (The TRUTH will set you free)
John 14:6 (Jesus IS the TRUTH)
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (Seek Him and you will find Him)
Psalm 118:6 and Hebrews 13:6 (The Lord is on my side, I shall not fear ...)
Romans 8:26-32 (The Spirit helps us)
I have a short series on my blog on getting free from anxiety.
You Can Be Whole & Free
Welcome and thank you for listening! In this episode, I introduce myself and share a bit about the pit I was in and how Jesus delivered me. My desire is to grab your hand and walk with you on your journey with Jesus. My aim is, yes, to help you be whole and free, but my goal is to help you hear "well done, faithful one" when you look at Jesus one Day.