Help & Hope

Send us a textDid you know that only 12 percent of child sexual abuse is ever reported to the authorities and fewer than 4 in 10 rapes are reported to the police? Additionally, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18. These numbers include people in our local churches. In this Help and Hope resource Sharon Betters and Ellen Dykas discuss these horrifying statistics in the context of how the church can help create an environment where abuse victims feel safe and helped. This is not an easy topic to discuss nor is it easy to hear, especially if you are a victim of sexual abuse. But it is imperative that we hear from people like Ellen who are passionate about going into the dark places with the light of Jesus and inviting others to go with her to offer the hope and help only Jesus gives.Support the show

Send us a textAll of us face choices every day, but some face life-changing choices much earlier than others. Jonathan Gonzalez lived with painful circumstances throughout his childhood that forced him to take on adult decisions far sooner than he was ready. When Jonathan was seventeen years old, everything changed. In this conversation with Chuck Betters, Jonathan describes the horrifying accident that left him bleeding out in the backseat of a car. In desperation he prayed a prayer that would change everything.Support the show

Send us a textHave you ever been away from home and all you wanted was to go home, to your familiar surroundings, you family – your bed? You feel homesick. In this conversation with Sharon Betters Elyse Fitzpatrick describes how a difficult time in her life resulted in her longing for something more. She concluded she was homesick for heaven. Elyse helps us better understand how a biblical view of heaven can be a source of great comfort when life turns upside down. She encourages us to learn more about our eternal destination, just as we would if we were planning a visit to another country. Rather than eating grapes and being fanned by angels during an eternal worship service, Elyse paints a picture of a perfected earth, a real, physical place that we will explore and enjoy with real bodies in a world where there is no more sickness, death or tears.Support the show

Send us a text“I end every day feeling defeated because I lost my temper with my kids, vowing tomorrow will be better, but it usually isn’t.”“I don’t want my kids to be “less than” their friends. I also want them to stand out as college applicants. But I don’t think I can keep up with this schedule of activities. They are ages 5 & 9.”“Whenever my child fails at something, I’m the one who feels guilty and judged.”“When is it my turn? I look forward to an hour of quiet time after the kids are in bed and no matter how hard I try, something robs me of my time”Christina Fox addresses these parenting concerns and much more in this conversation with Sharon Betters and Melissa Weisenfels. How can good parenting motives turn into idols? What should we do when we discover that our motives for doing good things for our kids just might be wrong? Christina is the author of Idols of a Mother’s Heart and numerous other books and articlesSupport the show

Send us a textAgainst the backdrop of the Sonoran Desert, Lynne Hartke asks her own hard questions as cancer arrives like a thief. As Lynne wrestles with a tumble of tangled emotions, a shaken faith, and self-doubt cancer is now not only threatening her own life, but, in a surprising twist, the lives of both her parents as well.In this conversation with Sharon Betters, Lynne gives us a glimpse into her journey to understand God’s ways as well as a picture of how the legacy of faith passed on to her by her parents helped her experience God’s love and presence in the darkest of times. Lynne encourages us to know we are never alone, no matter how desolate the desert may feel and we are never forgotten by our Father in Heaven.Connect with Lynne at Lynnehartke.comhttps://www.amazon.com/Under-Desert-Sky-Redefining-Hardest/dp/0800727746Support the show

Send us a textA diagnosis of dementia in a loved one is frightening. Many spouses and family members face a “long goodbye” as they walk this pathway with their loved ones. In this interview Sharon Betters asks Dr. John Dunlop, author of Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia, to define dementia, the stages of dementia, what it is like to care for a loved one with dementia, and more. Dr. Dunlop’s compassion and passion for equipping and caring for older people comes through in his responses. He reminds us that every person is made in the image of God and that truth needs to be the grid through which we view those with dementia and the kind of care we give.Support the show

Send us a textDid you know that every year about 100,000 men are widowed? Though a widow’s grief is just as deep as a widower, men often respond differently to the loss of their wives. In this moving conversation Dr. Chuck Betters talks with Dr. Jim Myer who lost his first wife. Jim shares the story of his family’s sorrow and cautions listeners that though someone who is broken might look whole on the outside, grief and depression might be ever present companions. Jim describes the depression he experienced and how his journey produced in him a passion for offering help to others who are grieving. Jim also shares how the Lord is redeeming his pain through his marriage to Kathy.The website for The Discipleship Counseling Resource (DCR) is:http://poconoefc.org/?page_id=597Support the show

Send us a textWhen Marissa Henley learned on the day before she turned 34 that she had a rare form of a deadly, aggressive cancer, her first thoughts were of her young children. Would she live long enough to take her youngest to kindergarten. Her diagnosis sent her on a journey to find the best treatment which meant long separations from her family. In her book, Loving Your Friend Through Cancer, Marissa weaves her story in the context of how to walk with a friend through the battle of her life. Marissa equips us to not only know how to respond practically but how to better understand the questions and fears of a cancer fighter. In her conversation with Sharon Betters, also a cancer survivor, Marissa gives listeners a taste of the treasures in her book and her passion for equipping those who love cancer fighters to walk with them in the battle for their lives.Support the show

Send us a textWhen Lovette told her mother she was pregnant, her mother dragged her to an abortion clinic despite protests and tears. A few months later, Lovette was again pregnant, and though she cried, she followed the routine and returned to the abortion clinic. In this conversation with Sharon Betters Lovette shares her story with hopes her journey into healing will help other women avoid the pain and grief she experienced after her abortions. Not only will the woman struggling to recover from an abortion receive hope from Lovette’s words, listeners will be better equipped to help a friend who faces a crisis pregnancy.Support the show

Send us a textWe’re all waiting for something. It might be a spouse or a baby. It might be healing or a home. Regardless of what we're waiting for, it’s easy to feel discontent when things aren’t going as planned and our dreams are delayed—especially when questions of 'Why?' and 'How long?' remain unanswered. In her conversation with Sharon Betters, Betsy Childs Howard reminds us that God uses seasons of waiting to teach us patience and make us more like Himself. Yet there is an even greater treasure to be found in our waiting rooms. Sanctification is not the only purpose God has in mind. When we wait faithfully with unmet longings, we become a powerful picture of the bride of Christ waiting for the day when he returns and God’s kingdom reigns. (Seasons of Waiting – Walking by Faith When Dreams are Delayed by Betsy Childs Howard)Support the show

Send us a textIn 2009, Claire Culwell found out she was an abortion survivor. Claire’s birth mother was 13 years old at the time she became pregnant with Claire. Her mother took her to an abortion clinic where she had a surgical abortion. A few weeks later, she realized her belly was still growing and her mother took her back to the abortion clinic. She learned she had been pregnant with twins. One baby was aborted. Claire survived.In this conversation with Sharon Betters Claire shares the poignant moments she learned she was an abortion survivor and how she responded to her birth mother. Claire challenges listeners to recognize the horror of abortion by presenting her own life as one of value and impact.Support the show

Send us a textSuicide was the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of 47,000 people.Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 54. There were more than twice as many suicides (47,173) in the United States than there were homicides (19,510). Sadly, suicide is trending upward, increasing 31% in the past eighteen years. Suicide among males is nearly fourt times higher than among females.(Source) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) WISQARS Leading Causes of Death Reports in 2017)These statistics are startling. Judy Springer doesn’t need statistics to reveal the anguish and pain of mental illness and suicide. In this conversation with Sharon Betters, she tells how she has lived it and continues to live with the aftermath of suicide. After a lifetime of the unrelenting pain of mental illness, Judy’s beloved husband, Scott, took

Send us a textIn this inspiring podcast former baseball star, Dave Dravecky and Dr. Chuck F. Betters talk about how cancer destroyed Dave’s successful baseball career and Dave’s struggle to deal with not only the loss of his career but understanding his true identity.In the 1980s Dave Dravecky was a long-sought-after relief specialist. His pitching helped key the San Diego Padres' World Series run. After a few years in San Diego, Dravecky moved on to San Francisco, where he was a key part of their World Series run.However, things in 1989 would take a bitter turn for the Youngstown, Ohio native. Experiencing weakness in his pitching arm, he was examined by the Giants team doctor. The doctor noticed Purpose Aa lump in Dravecky's arm and sent him to a specialist in New York. It was there that Dravecky learned his pitching arm was ripe with cancer. Draveckey underwent treatment in hopes on returning to baseball.In September of 1989, Dravecky returned to the pitching mound, mere months after undergoing t

Send us a textLong term illness has more than one victim. Naturally, the priority of energy and time must be the person who is ill. But what about the rest of the family, especially the spouse who walks beside the sick loved one? In this podcast, Jan Dravecky speaks candidly to Sharon Betters about how her husband Dave’s loss of his arm to cancer plunged her into a deep depression. Dave was a pitcher for the Giants when he received the diagnosis of cancer. Their journey captured the attention of the world when against all odds, Dave came back to the pitcher’s mound, and then gasped in horror when his arm snapped while pitching. The cancer had returned. Living with cancer is painful, but even more painful on a world stage. Jan’s body, heart and soul finally cried, “Enough” and Jan found herself on a long, hard journey to find her way out of deep depression. Jan and Dave share their journey through books, speaking and an outreach to hurting people called Endurance. Learn more about their ministry at Endurance.o

Send us a textSherry and Mike Kendrick heard the word “terminal” when Mike was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. Mike prayed he would live long enough to walk his daughter down the aisle. God granted him that desire and five years later, after his daughter’s wedding, Mike stepped from earth into heaven.In this poignant conversation with Sharon Betters, a little over a year after the death of her beloved pastor husband, Sherry shares how Mike helped prepare her to be intentional in life after his absence. Sherry took practical steps to allow her room to lean into the pain but also to open her heart and hands to the treasures God gives through others. Her story will not only encourage widows but anyone who struggles with this foreign land of grief.Support the show

Send us a textWhether you are in a waiting room right now because of cancer, stroke, traumatic injury, a child struggling to hold on to life, a health crisis of any kind, you know the emotions of waiting – fear of the unknown, sadness over knowing life will never be the same, anger – you name it. Yet in the midst of it all, Elizabeth reminds us of of the certain hope and peace of the gospel.Waiting. We don’t like it. We wouldn’t choose it. Yet in the middle of that waiting room, there is hope in Jesus. This conversation between Sharon Betters, Melissa Weisenfels and Elizabeth Turnage will help turn your heart toward Him if you are in that waiting room or equip you to offer help and hope to a waiting friend.Support the show

Send us a textSharon Betters interviews GRAMMY winner Laura Story who shares details of how her life took an unexpected turn when her husband, Martin, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The fairytale life she had dreamed of was no longer possible, yet Laura found a "better broken' with Jesus. Laura's story will remind listeners while your situation might never change or get better, with Jesus YOU can.Support the show

Send us a text“Edith, we urge you to learn Braille, train with a white cane, and learn to cook blindfolded...” These warnings from Doctors and a Rehab team along with major eye surgery and regular vision-loss monitoring by top specialists at Johns Hopkins University Hospital struck fear in Edith Yoder’s heart.. As a single Christian woman living alone in the mountains of Western Maryland she had already dealt with total vision loss in one eye. Now, the gravity of the possibility of total blindness was yet another blow as Edith felt even her “new normal” begin to crumble. In recent years her dream job as a CNA had already come to a screeching halt and it was obvious that not only physically but also spiritually, the decisions she would make in the following weeks would be crucial in this fight to retain her physical sight and her spiritual vision. In Christ, Edith has found purpose for her pain, strength sufficient for the struggles, and blessings beyond measure as she shares her message of hope to “Walk by f

Send us a textTwenty-nine year old Erin Kauffman was enjoying the fruit of years of education and working. She loved her newly purchased home and bought a new car that she could load up with equipment when traveling to school sponsored music events. Erin filled her time with work, music, friends and ministry. Then the unthinkable happened. A driver fell asleep at the wheel and at sixty miles per hour slammed head first into Erin’s car. In this moving conversation with Sharon Betters, Erin describes the devastation of realizing the bottom half of her body was crushed, the long rehab, and how this accident changed the direction of her life. Though Erin continues to struggle with long term pain and acknowledges that her medical care is like a part time job, she offers hope to anyone in similar circumstances. Erin’s story also will inspire listeners to trust that when everything feels impossible, that’s when we can see the Lord’s grace and strength in ways we never imagined possible.Support the show

Send us a text“I end every day feeling defeated because I lost my temper with my kids, vowing tomorrow will be better, but it usually isn’t.”“I don’t want my kids to be “less than” their friends. I also want them to stand out as college applicants. But I don’t think I can keep up with this schedule of activities. They are ages 5 & 9.”“Whenever my child fails at something, I’m the one who feels guilty and judged.”“When is it my turn? I look forward to an hour of quiet time after the kids are in bed and no matter how hard I try, something robs me of my time”Christina Fox addresses these parenting concerns and much more in this conversation with Sharon Betters and Melissa Weisenfels. How can good parenting motives turn into idols? What should we do when we discover that our motives for doing good things for our kids just might be wrong? Christina is the author of Idols of a Mother’s Heart and numerous other books and articles. Connect with Christina at christinafox.comSupport the show