1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:03,520 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:05,480 --> 00:00:07,920 Speaker 2: So there's been a ton of resources that were really 3 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:11,200 Speaker 2: useful in the journey, but there's a ceiling to how 4 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:14,800 Speaker 2: much they can help. And when you have God in 5 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:18,440 Speaker 2: the mix, there's no ceiling. It's just like infinite possibility. 6 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:22,439 Speaker 2: And when we're talking about things like shame, like God 7 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:25,200 Speaker 2: sets us free, it's the blood of Christ that sets 8 00:00:25,239 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 2: us free from shame. 9 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:30,480 Speaker 1: This podcast is for the woman who loves Jesus or 10 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 1: who is longing to reconnect with him and who knows 11 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 1: deep down that alcohol is no longer serving her. I'm 12 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:39,440 Speaker 1: your host and your coach, Christy Osbourne. Here we'll talk honestly, 13 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:42,200 Speaker 1: with grace and truth about how stepping away from wine 14 00:00:42,360 --> 00:00:45,960 Speaker 1: opens the door to the love, joy, peace and connection 15 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: you've been searching for. Because those were never meant to 16 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:51,519 Speaker 1: be found in a bottle of wine, They're found in Jesus. 17 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:55,160 Speaker 1: Through scripture, coaching and neuroscience, I'll help you make sense 18 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 1: of your habits, your nervous system, and your heart so 19 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:01,360 Speaker 1: freedom feels possible and sust You don't have to do 20 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:07,200 Speaker 1: this alone, babe. Welcome to Love Life Sober. Today's episode 21 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:09,480 Speaker 1: is a really special one because you're not just hearing 22 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:12,759 Speaker 1: from me. You're meeting the incredible women who help carry 23 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:15,800 Speaker 1: the heart of Love Life Sober. I'm joined by our 24 00:01:15,880 --> 00:01:19,479 Speaker 1: Fast captains and coaches, the women praying for you by name, 25 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 1: cheering you on, and walking right beside you as you 26 00:01:22,840 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 1: take your brave steps towards freedom. As we prepare for 27 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 1: the upcoming lent forty day Fast, I wanted you to 28 00:01:29,319 --> 00:01:32,000 Speaker 1: get a behind the scenes look at this community and 29 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:34,560 Speaker 1: the women who make it such a safe, faith filled 30 00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 1: place to land. You'll hear their stories, their whys, and 31 00:01:38,319 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 1: their powerful ways They've watched God move when women don't 32 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:44,840 Speaker 1: just give up alcohol, but truly lay it down. Babe. 33 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:48,880 Speaker 1: This isn't just about restriction. It's an invitation, an invitation 34 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:51,360 Speaker 1: to draw closer to God, to live more awake, and 35 00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 1: to discover who He created you to be. If you're 36 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:58,480 Speaker 1: hovering over the joined button feeling equal parts curious and terrified, 37 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:01,080 Speaker 1: wondering if you're ready or if you even belong in 38 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:04,600 Speaker 1: a space like this, this episode is your personal invitation. 39 00:02:05,080 --> 00:02:10,800 Speaker 1: Let's dive in. Hello everyone, Welcome back to Love Life Sober. 40 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:15,239 Speaker 1: I'm so excited for this super special episode where we 41 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:19,760 Speaker 1: have most of our Fast captains here who are part 42 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:23,360 Speaker 1: of the amazing team at Love Life Sober and is 43 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:26,200 Speaker 1: so grateful for each one of you, for the gals 44 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:29,880 Speaker 1: that couldn't join us, that are helping lead this community. 45 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 1: Just watching you cheer on and pray for and encourage 46 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:36,440 Speaker 1: the women in this community for me has been such 47 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:39,960 Speaker 1: a gift and for them has been such a gift. 48 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:44,480 Speaker 1: And so we're gearing up for Lent and we're going 49 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:47,400 Speaker 1: to be kicking off on opening the space on the 50 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:51,840 Speaker 1: eighteenth of February with our coaching starting the following week, 51 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:54,800 Speaker 1: and so I just wanted to give the listeners an 52 00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:58,200 Speaker 1: opportunity to get to know you gals so they can 53 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:02,880 Speaker 1: hear from the beautiful face of the women in this community. 54 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 1: So I'll just open it up for quick introductions and 55 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:09,240 Speaker 1: then we can talk about what we've been doing. Who 56 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:10,079 Speaker 1: wants to start. 57 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:14,520 Speaker 2: I'm Brittany and I'm from Pittsburgh and I have known 58 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 2: Christy for about two and a half years now, and 59 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:19,800 Speaker 2: I'm one of the Fast captains. 60 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 1: And she's the head fastbassator. So you're listening to this 61 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:24,560 Speaker 1: and you want to run a fast in your church, 62 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:28,919 Speaker 1: Brittany is your gal? Okay, Sam, Hi, I'm Sam. I 63 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 1: live outside of Philadelphia. 64 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:34,519 Speaker 3: I've been alcohol free for almost four years, and I'm 65 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 3: excited to welcome you to the community. Hi. 66 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:40,040 Speaker 1: I'm Amber. I'm with Indiana and I have three kids. 67 00:03:40,240 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 3: Hi. 68 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:43,600 Speaker 4: I'm Chantel. I live in Montana. I've been alcohol free 69 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 4: since October of twenty twenty four, and I just keep saying, 70 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:48,760 Speaker 4: it's surreal to be part of this group as a 71 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 4: fast captain, because this is the group that really helped 72 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:54,880 Speaker 4: set me free and transform my heart along the journey. 73 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:57,440 Speaker 1: Happy to be here. I'm Susan Larkin. 74 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:00,800 Speaker 5: I live in Connecticut and I've been alcohol for reasons 75 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:03,440 Speaker 5: June first, twenty twenty and I'm thrilled to be able 76 00:04:03,480 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 5: to serve in this community helping Christian women get out 77 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 5: from under the little black cloud of alcohol. 78 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 6: Yeah, thank you, Susan Ashi. I'm Nikki from Michigan. I'm 79 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:18,520 Speaker 6: a mom to two grown kids and a grandma to 80 00:04:18,920 --> 00:04:24,039 Speaker 6: three granddaughters. And I started my alcohol pre journey July first, 81 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:28,000 Speaker 6: twenty nineteen and finally arrived September twenty first of this 82 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 6: past year of twenty twenty five. And I just am 83 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:34,800 Speaker 6: here to encourage everyone to keep pressing on in their journey. 84 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:38,440 Speaker 7: Happy to be here him Margie. I live in North Carolina. 85 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:43,559 Speaker 7: I am my grandmother to five grandkids. Had my last 86 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:46,920 Speaker 7: drink June of twenty twenty five, so I'm coming up 87 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 7: to my year. Life is amazing, fully lived with nothing 88 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 7: between God and myself. 89 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:56,120 Speaker 1: Hi. My name's Maureen Benkovic. 90 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:59,720 Speaker 8: I live in Annapolis, Maryland, and I'm dog mom to 91 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:03,280 Speaker 8: to Yorkie poos who keep me very very busy rule 92 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:06,320 Speaker 8: my life. I've been an alcohol freedom coach for g 93 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 8: I guess I'm going on three years, but I've been 94 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:12,159 Speaker 8: alcohol free four and a half years and I'm grateful 95 00:05:12,240 --> 00:05:14,719 Speaker 8: to be here. And I'll be coaching in the next 96 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:18,159 Speaker 8: Love Life Server lent Fast, so I'm looking forward to that. 97 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:23,760 Speaker 1: I'm Heather. I live in California again Christie for. 98 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:29,280 Speaker 9: Over six years, which is amazing, and I've been alcohol 99 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:34,160 Speaker 9: free for almost two Mom attorney busy and now it's 100 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 9: so much peace without alcohol. 101 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:39,920 Speaker 1: And our sororities were next door to each other at 102 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:42,600 Speaker 1: the USC, but we never met. But that's because I'm 103 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:45,559 Speaker 1: older than you. Right, We've decided that just a little, 104 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:49,760 Speaker 1: just a tidy bed. Hi, I'm Lindsay. I live in Minnesota. 105 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:54,440 Speaker 10: I have three kids, and I met Christy through doctor 106 00:05:54,520 --> 00:06:00,479 Speaker 10: Lee Warren. It's been a blessing and I've been sober 107 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:01,920 Speaker 10: since October of twenty four. 108 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:05,640 Speaker 1: Okay, well, I would just love to hear your gal's 109 00:06:05,720 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 1: perspective of, like, how do you feel about the community 110 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 1: and what makes it different at a lot of you 111 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 1: gals had other experiences outside obviously this community and what 112 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:18,880 Speaker 1: makes it special? What makes it different? 113 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:22,440 Speaker 7: What made it special to me and what made it 114 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 7: different was that everything boundaried in God's word and there's 115 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:33,640 Speaker 7: just no fail when God is en camped around us. 116 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 7: But to me, it was more like a safe boundary 117 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:40,480 Speaker 7: and everything bounced up against God and back to us. 118 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:44,400 Speaker 7: So there was always our true identity coming right back 119 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:47,120 Speaker 7: at us. We try, this true identity comes right back 120 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:51,240 Speaker 7: at us. So I didn't find that in any community outside. 121 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 7: I just have to say that because I tried for many, 122 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:58,479 Speaker 7: many years. And the God part is the part that 123 00:06:58,720 --> 00:06:59,520 Speaker 7: sets you free. 124 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:02,040 Speaker 1: Margie have such a way with words, and I don't 125 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:05,359 Speaker 1: think you know it, but like you really do, Babe. 126 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:08,320 Speaker 7: I didn't go to school, but that's my own insecurity. 127 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:11,600 Speaker 7: Go ahead, we love you for me. 128 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:19,080 Speaker 4: It was just such a mindset shift of truly understanding forgiveness, reconciliation, redemption, 129 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 4: all of those things with Jesus, and that I didn't 130 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 4: have to. I could give it to him truly and 131 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:29,840 Speaker 4: he forgave me, and I could let all of that go, 132 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:33,720 Speaker 4: any of that shame or those past hurdles, and truly 133 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 4: live as a new creation, like Sewod Corinthians five seventeen says, 134 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:40,800 Speaker 4: you know, the old has passed and new creation. And 135 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:42,920 Speaker 4: him and I the Holy Spirit got a hold of 136 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:46,240 Speaker 4: me in that in realizing that, and grabbed my heart 137 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:50,240 Speaker 4: and you know, just brought me into that freedom. I 138 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 4: love what you said there, and that too is like 139 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 4: what I think the difference is of this community with 140 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 4: like AA, which I've spent a lot of time in, 141 00:07:57,080 --> 00:08:01,200 Speaker 4: is that the freedom right the I the whole alcoholic 142 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 4: words did not resonate with me. I also don't do 143 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 4: math because I'm pretty sure I will die if I 144 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:09,360 Speaker 4: do math right, and so but I don't call myself 145 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 4: or I'm not living scared of math. 146 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:15,520 Speaker 9: I just it's not for me, and neither is alcohol. 147 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 9: And that's where I wanted to get. I wanted to 148 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:20,560 Speaker 9: get to that place where I just focused on God 149 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:23,280 Speaker 9: and my family and those I love and then I 150 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:27,280 Speaker 9: didn't feel like I had this incurable disease that had 151 00:08:27,320 --> 00:08:30,880 Speaker 9: to control everything I did every day to protect myself 152 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:33,559 Speaker 9: from ever touching alcohol ever again. Right, And that was 153 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:36,320 Speaker 9: kind of it in the beginning. But now we're all 154 00:08:36,360 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 9: like living our lives and loving our lives as sure 155 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 9: we talk about alcohol. We talk about alcohol because we want. 156 00:08:41,559 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 9: This group here wants to help women get to where 157 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:47,720 Speaker 9: we are right. We see that freedom and that love 158 00:08:48,120 --> 00:08:51,400 Speaker 9: and security in christ that comes through it, which I 159 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:53,320 Speaker 9: think is what makes it so unique here. 160 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:56,480 Speaker 3: I think another thing that makes the community so special, 161 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:59,880 Speaker 3: and something I struggled with in the beginning, is just 162 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:03,720 Speaker 3: and kind of alone in the process because when I 163 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:07,439 Speaker 3: first started my journey and coaching with Christy, I didn't 164 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:10,600 Speaker 3: tell anybody that was actually before the community. So the 165 00:09:10,640 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 3: community is so great because you're surrounded by women who, 166 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:17,439 Speaker 3: no matter how much they're drinking, they know it's taking 167 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:19,360 Speaker 3: up more space in their heart than they want it to. 168 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:21,760 Speaker 3: It might be two glasses of wine a night, it 169 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:24,480 Speaker 3: could be two bottles of wine a night in my case, 170 00:09:24,559 --> 00:09:28,200 Speaker 3: but either way they just know that it's it's not 171 00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:31,439 Speaker 3: fitting in with the life that they want. So being 172 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 3: surrounded by other people all over the country and all 173 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:36,679 Speaker 3: over the world that have that same feeling as you has. 174 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:39,400 Speaker 1: Just I think what makes it so so special. 175 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'll chime in and say that I also came 176 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:46,840 Speaker 2: in kind of sober into community and you know, for 177 00:09:46,960 --> 00:09:51,040 Speaker 2: me that it's a place where you know, all roads 178 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:55,000 Speaker 2: lead to Jesus. That I, in general do not take 179 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:59,880 Speaker 2: advice from the secular world. You know, it's always run 180 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:05,040 Speaker 2: through the filter of scriptures and prayer, and I don't 181 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:08,760 Speaker 2: want advice from people who aren't doing the same. 182 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:11,480 Speaker 1: You know, there's a limit. 183 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:13,760 Speaker 2: I'm not saying anything in the secular world is like 184 00:10:13,880 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 2: unused sol There's been a ton of resources that were 185 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:19,720 Speaker 2: really useful in the journey, but there's a ceiling to 186 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:23,400 Speaker 2: how much they can help. And when you have God 187 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 2: in the mix, there's no ceiling. It's just like infinite possibility. 188 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 2: And when we're talking about things like shame, like God 189 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:33,440 Speaker 2: sets us free, it's it's the blood of Christ that 190 00:10:33,520 --> 00:10:36,440 Speaker 2: sets us free from shame. And when we're talking about 191 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 2: our identity, like which so much of this work around 192 00:10:40,559 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 2: alcohol is about identity, so much of it. You know 193 00:10:43,559 --> 00:10:46,200 Speaker 2: what Christy has a saying that's like you know, you 194 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:49,560 Speaker 2: give up alcohol and then the real work begins because 195 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:52,920 Speaker 2: you're basically figuring out like how God made you. A 196 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:56,880 Speaker 2: lot of us have never lived life results alcohol free, 197 00:10:57,080 --> 00:11:00,920 Speaker 2: and you're just discovering this identity with your hormones are 198 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 2: changing and your you know, your your life is there, 199 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:07,720 Speaker 2: your energy changes, your interest change suddenly discover all those 200 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:10,600 Speaker 2: things that you did when you had alcohol are really 201 00:11:10,679 --> 00:11:13,679 Speaker 2: not things you want to do anymore. And you know, 202 00:11:13,760 --> 00:11:17,440 Speaker 2: and it's just like where do you recenter yourself without it? 203 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:20,200 Speaker 2: And you know, to me, that's just the core of 204 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:23,840 Speaker 2: this community is like you know, when somebody posts something, 205 00:11:24,080 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 2: every answer, every response is prayer and scripture and encouragement 206 00:11:29,280 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 2: and like the Lord has you just reiterating truth over 207 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 2: each other, you know, constantly. 208 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'll chime in. 209 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:39,360 Speaker 8: What I love that I see is, you know, God 210 00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 8: says to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 211 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 8: And Christie's book Love Life Sober, every chapter is scripturally based. 212 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:52,760 Speaker 8: And then coming into this community and everybody sharing, having 213 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:57,400 Speaker 8: that important community factor and transforming our minds with every 214 00:11:57,480 --> 00:12:00,520 Speaker 8: daily reading and then sharing with each other and not 215 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 8: feeling alone. I just love what I'm seeing here in 216 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:06,640 Speaker 8: this community, and I wish I had had that when 217 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:09,160 Speaker 8: I was going through my own journey. So I'm really 218 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:11,000 Speaker 8: happy to be a part of what I see now. 219 00:12:11,880 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, can you imagine if we literally all 220 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:16,680 Speaker 1: had each other when we started? That would have been 221 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:19,440 Speaker 1: so amazing. I was just like when you said that, Marino, 222 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 1: I was like, can you imagine if this was the 223 00:12:20,840 --> 00:12:24,319 Speaker 1: room when we were at the beginning, Like, my gosh, 224 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 1: that would have been so cool. We'll be back right 225 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:31,000 Speaker 1: after a quick word from our sponsors. Babe, can I 226 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:33,360 Speaker 1: pause us just for a moment If you're listening to 227 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:35,840 Speaker 1: this and thinking I don't want to do this alone anymore. 228 00:12:36,040 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 1: I want to tell you about the Love Life Sober Community. 229 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 1: This is the space where the podcast turns into real 230 00:12:41,559 --> 00:12:45,840 Speaker 1: connection and real support. Inside the community, we gather weekly 231 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:49,400 Speaker 1: for live connection calls where you can listen, share, or 232 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:52,600 Speaker 1: simply be present. There's a beautiful leadership team holding this 233 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:56,120 Speaker 1: space with wisdom and care, a dedicated prayer request area 234 00:12:56,160 --> 00:12:59,760 Speaker 1: where you can be covered, regular masterclasses led by expert 235 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:02,360 Speaker 1: guest yes, and even a worship music playlist to help 236 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:05,760 Speaker 1: you reconnect when your nervous system needs it. Inside the community, 237 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:08,680 Speaker 1: there's also a dedicated coaching space called True Vine for 238 00:13:08,760 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 1: women who want even deeper support the love life. Sober 239 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 1: Community is a place to connect with like minded women 240 00:13:14,120 --> 00:13:15,760 Speaker 1: and open up in a way you might not be 241 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:18,360 Speaker 1: able to in your church or small group. This space 242 00:13:18,520 --> 00:13:21,520 Speaker 1: was created specifically for women who are questioning their relationship 243 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:24,160 Speaker 1: with alcohol and who want the kind of freedom that 244 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:27,240 Speaker 1: can only be found in Jesus. All the details to 245 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:29,080 Speaker 1: join us are at the link in the show notes. 246 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 1: I can't wait to meet you. All right, let's jump 247 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:34,120 Speaker 1: back into the episode. One of the things that I've 248 00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:38,040 Speaker 1: seen in our January Fast, which I'm excited to see 249 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:42,560 Speaker 1: in the Lent Fast, is gals who are at that like, 250 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:46,880 Speaker 1: you know, critical juncture of like it's five o'clock. We've 251 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:50,520 Speaker 1: seen posts of like gals literally sitting in the parking 252 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:54,240 Speaker 1: lot of the liquor store or like driving by it 253 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 1: or standing in front of the refrigerator or whatever it is, 254 00:13:57,360 --> 00:13:59,560 Speaker 1: and instead of pouring the drink or getting out of 255 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 1: the car, they go into the community and they're like, 256 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:05,760 Speaker 1: you know, I'm this is where I am, and just 257 00:14:06,360 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 1: the goals that and again, it's so cool because we 258 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:13,319 Speaker 1: do have people goals all over the world. There's someone awake, 259 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:16,640 Speaker 1: and there's someone there, and someone is there and they 260 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:21,240 Speaker 1: have prayed for these goals or helped them or encouraged them. 261 00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:23,320 Speaker 1: And I just want to know from you gals, like 262 00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:26,600 Speaker 1: what have you seen that you've just been like, Wow, 263 00:14:26,720 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 1: God is moving, this is so cool. In the fast. 264 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:33,920 Speaker 6: I've noticed that there might be a woman that is 265 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:37,920 Speaker 6: really struggling and everyone surrounds her and prays over her 266 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 6: and gives her truth, and then the next day she's 267 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:42,920 Speaker 6: the one encouraging. 268 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:46,920 Speaker 1: And I think there's just women at every stage of life, 269 00:14:46,920 --> 00:14:50,280 Speaker 1: which is so great because they're all I mean, there's 270 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:55,120 Speaker 1: women who have children, don't have children, our grandmothers, have 271 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:58,480 Speaker 1: young kids at home, work full time, don't work at all, 272 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:01,720 Speaker 1: or work part time, so they're sort of of there's 273 00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:04,040 Speaker 1: women just like you, depending on where you are in 274 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:05,920 Speaker 1: your life, which I think is really great too. 275 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 8: Yeah, I see I see women being really courageous coming 276 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:12,240 Speaker 8: on and they'll share a particularly difficult moment that they're 277 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:14,160 Speaker 8: going through and I know it took a lot to 278 00:15:14,440 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 8: type that, to put that in there, and then you 279 00:15:17,520 --> 00:15:19,600 Speaker 8: see all these other women go me too. I feel 280 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:22,560 Speaker 8: that way too. Yes, I totally get it. So when 281 00:15:22,600 --> 00:15:25,960 Speaker 8: someone is courageous and steps out, all the other women 282 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:28,680 Speaker 8: in the community, you know, come alongside and support them. 283 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 8: So it's a really beautiful thing to see. Yeah, I 284 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:32,520 Speaker 8: totally relate to that. 285 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:34,520 Speaker 1: Marine. I'm new to the community. 286 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:38,320 Speaker 5: I just started being a Fast ambassador this month, and 287 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:42,000 Speaker 5: I was just so it feels like you're just in 288 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:46,160 Speaker 5: being You're in the loving arms of Jesus when you post, right, 289 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:49,920 Speaker 5: like all the women that come and surround you Fast fascets, 290 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:53,360 Speaker 5: but also women in the Fast that come come along 291 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:56,640 Speaker 5: and bolster you. And like you said, Marine, when it 292 00:15:56,720 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 5: takes a lot to post, but like that breaks the 293 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:04,000 Speaker 5: shame and then God's light, can you know, come into that. 294 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:07,400 Speaker 5: But just I just see so much love, so much love, 295 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 5: and it's his kindness that leads to repentance, not beating 296 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 5: ourselves up. I tried, that doesn't hurt, right, It's not 297 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:18,520 Speaker 5: you know, we cannot shame ourselves into a better place. 298 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:21,280 Speaker 5: It's love. We love ourselves to a better place. We 299 00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:24,960 Speaker 5: love our we let Jesus love us to a better place. 300 00:16:25,080 --> 00:16:27,800 Speaker 5: And I just see that love in all of the 301 00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:31,440 Speaker 5: posts and in this community. And I've coached in a 302 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:34,560 Speaker 5: lot of different communities and this one has all the things. 303 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:37,920 Speaker 5: It has the content for renewing your mind, It has 304 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:42,320 Speaker 5: community for coming along alongside each other, and it also 305 00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:46,080 Speaker 5: has coaching, so it has everything you need right here. 306 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:51,400 Speaker 1: And Jesus most importantly, I was just thinking of let's 307 00:16:51,480 --> 00:16:55,200 Speaker 1: encourage the gal right now. Who is like, ugh, I 308 00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:57,400 Speaker 1: did one of your fast I read the book, or 309 00:16:57,440 --> 00:16:59,840 Speaker 1: I listened to the book, or I did your fast 310 00:16:59,880 --> 00:17:02,520 Speaker 1: life last year, And like here you are like talking 311 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:07,320 Speaker 1: about another fast again, Christie, Like why should the gals 312 00:17:07,520 --> 00:17:08,080 Speaker 1: not give. 313 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:13,720 Speaker 7: Up because it took me too fast to get it? Yeah, 314 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:19,280 Speaker 7: I was too fast later and the true vine for 315 00:17:19,320 --> 00:17:20,359 Speaker 7: a few months as well. 316 00:17:20,680 --> 00:17:23,480 Speaker 1: Join all of it, be a part of all of it. 317 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:24,960 Speaker 1: It's the seed, right Christy. 318 00:17:25,119 --> 00:17:27,879 Speaker 9: I planted a lemon tree the first time I did 319 00:17:27,880 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 9: one hundred day alcohol free and figured I was reformed 320 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:33,120 Speaker 9: and knew how to be a normal drinker. 321 00:17:33,280 --> 00:17:34,440 Speaker 1: We all know how that turned out. 322 00:17:34,640 --> 00:17:37,480 Speaker 9: And then I didn't That lemon tree did not bear 323 00:17:37,560 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 9: fruit until I became actually sober three years later. 324 00:17:42,119 --> 00:17:43,160 Speaker 1: Twenty twenty one. 325 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:47,439 Speaker 9: I stopped drinking in twenty twenty four, So then I 326 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 9: loved that little lemon tree. 327 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:51,600 Speaker 1: And just a reminder, you panted the seed, but you 328 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:52,880 Speaker 1: have to water, water it. 329 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:54,400 Speaker 9: You know, you may have to prune it, you may 330 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:56,159 Speaker 9: have to do some other things to get it to 331 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:59,600 Speaker 9: keep growing. And now I have sweet lemons and a 332 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:01,119 Speaker 9: sweet life of sobriety. 333 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:02,440 Speaker 1: So just give it time. 334 00:18:02,800 --> 00:18:04,680 Speaker 8: You know what I wanted to share, and I pray 335 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:06,520 Speaker 8: it all the time. Now still I'm like, God, thank 336 00:18:06,560 --> 00:18:09,440 Speaker 8: you for never giving up on me. As get a 337 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:12,960 Speaker 8: little emotional, because you know, I had many stops and starts, 338 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:18,320 Speaker 8: many trials. It was years, and then when I started coaching, 339 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:21,439 Speaker 8: it took you know, a couple times in that to 340 00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:24,080 Speaker 8: get it, but you learn every time. So nothing is 341 00:18:24,119 --> 00:18:27,840 Speaker 8: a waste, nothing is a failure, especially in God's hands. Right, 342 00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:31,400 Speaker 8: So I just know that if you keep turning to him, 343 00:18:31,840 --> 00:18:34,199 Speaker 8: he's not going to give up on you. Even if 344 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:36,040 Speaker 8: you're not turning to him, he doesn't give up on us. 345 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:38,760 Speaker 8: You know it's worth it. Going through one fast too fast, 346 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:42,200 Speaker 8: you always learn, you grow and you change, and being 347 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:45,359 Speaker 8: in this community it just helps so much. I remember 348 00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:48,960 Speaker 8: you saying, Christy, you can't unlearn these things. So even 349 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:52,480 Speaker 8: if it takes a couple fasts, you're learning something new 350 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:56,320 Speaker 8: every time. And even if you don't you're not drinking 351 00:18:56,359 --> 00:18:58,840 Speaker 8: the same way you did because you have that information 352 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:00,719 Speaker 8: and you can never unlearn and what you know. 353 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:06,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, to me, it's all about competing desires too, 354 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:12,239 Speaker 2: because you know that desire to have sobriety and have 355 00:19:12,320 --> 00:19:16,000 Speaker 2: that freedom is not going to go away. And I 356 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 2: always I think the image that comes to mind for 357 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:21,240 Speaker 2: me because I coached athletes for such a long time, 358 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:24,480 Speaker 2: is that like when you look at the Olympics are 359 00:19:24,480 --> 00:19:27,879 Speaker 2: coming up, you look at this Olympic athlete that didn't 360 00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:32,160 Speaker 2: happen forty days ago, that happened with like Heather is saying, 361 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:37,000 Speaker 2: is seed planted and many hours of training and retraining. 362 00:19:37,119 --> 00:19:40,120 Speaker 2: I've been an athlete that had to be entirely retrained 363 00:19:40,240 --> 00:19:42,560 Speaker 2: and I play this horrible game called golf where I 364 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:47,520 Speaker 2: have to retrain all the time, and it just takes 365 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:50,240 Speaker 2: it takes time and effort. But you know, for me, 366 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:52,359 Speaker 2: I just think of all those times I've been trying 367 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:55,360 Speaker 2: since I was like twenty one. Twenty one is when 368 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:57,840 Speaker 2: drinking loss is luster for me. And uh, now I'm 369 00:19:57,880 --> 00:20:00,800 Speaker 2: thirty nine, I reach sobriety, I think at thirty and 370 00:20:01,840 --> 00:20:04,440 Speaker 2: you know, I just look back at all that those 371 00:20:04,520 --> 00:20:07,520 Speaker 2: times I tried. Those times I tried, they just built 372 00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:11,400 Speaker 2: a greater desire in me. And that desire I think 373 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 2: has really come into a fullness not from reaching sobriety, 374 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:18,800 Speaker 2: but in being a community, in a community like this, 375 00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:22,600 Speaker 2: where I'm helping and where I'm really passionate about reaching churches, 376 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:25,240 Speaker 2: and where I led a fast in my own church 377 00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:29,600 Speaker 2: and saw a life changed. And you know it just 378 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:34,160 Speaker 2: God's timing is always just so much greater and more meaningful, 379 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:38,240 Speaker 2: and we mistake it for him, you know, telling us 380 00:20:38,280 --> 00:20:40,359 Speaker 2: to get it together, why can't you do this, Why 381 00:20:40,359 --> 00:20:41,639 Speaker 2: aren't you obeying me? 382 00:20:41,760 --> 00:20:44,200 Speaker 1: And stuff like that, and we've just we've got it wrong. 383 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:46,760 Speaker 2: And I think every woman on this side of things 384 00:20:46,840 --> 00:20:49,520 Speaker 2: would say that that, like, Nope, it was God's grace 385 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:53,160 Speaker 2: in that mix. This timing was actually really perfect, and 386 00:20:53,880 --> 00:20:55,880 Speaker 2: you know, hanging on was so worth it. 387 00:20:56,640 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 4: Yeah, I'll just real quick say on the timing thing, 388 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:00,360 Speaker 4: like I had to just tell myself in the really 389 00:21:00,440 --> 00:21:03,560 Speaker 4: hard days, like you know, I didn't get here overnight, 390 00:21:03,640 --> 00:21:08,879 Speaker 4: Like this is a lot of years of habits and experiences, 391 00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:11,600 Speaker 4: so it's going to take time to transform this and 392 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:13,760 Speaker 4: just keep trusting the women in the group that are 393 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:15,280 Speaker 4: saying like, if he can do it for me, he 394 00:21:15,320 --> 00:21:17,399 Speaker 4: can do it for you. And it just gave me 395 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:23,040 Speaker 4: so much hope, like just true hope that Okay, He's 396 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:26,679 Speaker 4: done this for all other women and they resonate and 397 00:21:26,720 --> 00:21:30,280 Speaker 4: relate to this experience, And before I had never known 398 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 4: of other women that were relating the same. Everybody that 399 00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:36,560 Speaker 4: I was around was drinking, you know, and not trying 400 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:41,119 Speaker 4: to quit. And so just so many AHA moments for 401 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:45,560 Speaker 4: me in the group, and just so many good things. 402 00:21:45,960 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 1: I won't take more time to go through them all, 403 00:21:48,920 --> 00:21:52,520 Speaker 1: but this begs the question for anybody that wants to 404 00:21:52,600 --> 00:21:55,120 Speaker 1: answer it, and I have a feeling I know your answers, 405 00:21:55,119 --> 00:22:00,000 Speaker 1: but would anybody change the timing of your alcohol exitdent 406 00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:03,520 Speaker 1: or any or any part of it? Like would you change? 407 00:22:03,720 --> 00:22:05,679 Speaker 1: Would you have changed even if you were at this 408 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:08,840 Speaker 1: for years? Would you have changed the timing or any 409 00:22:08,920 --> 00:22:12,159 Speaker 1: of the circumstances now that you're here? I mean kind 410 00:22:12,160 --> 00:22:15,280 Speaker 1: of I could have done without a bottom, you know, 411 00:22:15,440 --> 00:22:18,200 Speaker 1: I'm yeah, But look at what you learned, and look 412 00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:20,399 Speaker 1: at if you can relate to and look at like 413 00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:21,720 Speaker 1: your story. 414 00:22:21,320 --> 00:22:25,000 Speaker 9: Babe, and listen, it's God's planned, So I'm not it 415 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:27,720 Speaker 9: is what it is, right, and I know, I know 416 00:22:27,800 --> 00:22:30,160 Speaker 9: I'm never drinking again, and I know who I am, 417 00:22:30,240 --> 00:22:31,960 Speaker 9: and I usually need like a big kick in the 418 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:37,480 Speaker 9: face to get past my stubbornness. But like get use 419 00:22:37,520 --> 00:22:39,919 Speaker 9: the off ramp. You don't need a rock bottom, like 420 00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:44,960 Speaker 9: use the If you're here, you know something's up, Like 421 00:22:45,080 --> 00:22:48,159 Speaker 9: you know you're being pulled to go somewhere else. So 422 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:50,720 Speaker 9: that would just be my thing? Is that alcohol? Did 423 00:22:50,720 --> 00:22:53,280 Speaker 9: you just not serve you anymore? And you can be done. 424 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:57,040 Speaker 9: You don't need to be a rock bottom drinker. You 425 00:22:57,080 --> 00:23:00,239 Speaker 9: don't need to be think label yourself as an alcoholic, right, 426 00:23:00,359 --> 00:23:04,119 Speaker 9: like just get off that toll road. But yeah, it 427 00:23:04,160 --> 00:23:06,480 Speaker 9: was God's plan and it is who I am that 428 00:23:06,680 --> 00:23:08,240 Speaker 9: you know I could have done about it. 429 00:23:08,359 --> 00:23:10,560 Speaker 1: What is one thing or two things, or however many 430 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:12,600 Speaker 1: things you want to say that you would say to 431 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:16,680 Speaker 1: the gal who is scared about joining a community, scared 432 00:23:16,880 --> 00:23:19,920 Speaker 1: about deciding they want to do a forty day fast, 433 00:23:19,960 --> 00:23:20,840 Speaker 1: What would you say to her? 434 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:25,359 Speaker 2: I think will make you comfortable really quickly. The things 435 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:27,720 Speaker 2: that get shared. I mean, I don't have a filter. 436 00:23:28,160 --> 00:23:30,600 Speaker 2: I don't know when people are like, oh, you're so vulnerable, 437 00:23:30,680 --> 00:23:32,920 Speaker 2: I'm not. I just don't have a filter, like I'll 438 00:23:32,920 --> 00:23:36,440 Speaker 2: share it and there's probably nothing that anybody's going to say. 439 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:40,359 Speaker 2: I don't know outdo somebody else's like vulnerability or what 440 00:23:40,359 --> 00:23:43,399 Speaker 2: we're sharing. We have seen some sensitive things here in 441 00:23:43,440 --> 00:23:48,040 Speaker 2: the first month of this community and in this fast, 442 00:23:48,119 --> 00:23:52,439 Speaker 2: we have seen some really personal, private, deep things, and 443 00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:56,200 Speaker 2: it's been met with nothing but grace and love and 444 00:23:56,359 --> 00:23:57,359 Speaker 2: no reason to be afraid. 445 00:23:57,400 --> 00:23:59,960 Speaker 1: Well, we'll make you feel right at home, Margie. Yeah, gohe. 446 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:05,480 Speaker 7: I would say that the fear is your enemy because 447 00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:10,720 Speaker 7: there is no fail and you learned such amazing truths 448 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:13,840 Speaker 7: about God and our identity, So fear is the enemy. 449 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 1: Really, there's push past that fear. Just come in and 450 00:24:17,680 --> 00:24:20,120 Speaker 1: you can come in fearful, right, like you can come 451 00:24:20,160 --> 00:24:23,159 Speaker 1: in and say I am so scared, and we'll be like, okay, 452 00:24:23,240 --> 00:24:25,840 Speaker 1: we were too when we were sitting there in that 453 00:24:25,960 --> 00:24:28,720 Speaker 1: same space. You know, I'm still scared. 454 00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:31,800 Speaker 6: The first time I did a FAST, I remember I 455 00:24:32,280 --> 00:24:35,119 Speaker 6: my finger hovered over the button and I pressed it, 456 00:24:35,160 --> 00:24:37,800 Speaker 6: and my husband walked in and I slammed the laptop 457 00:24:37,880 --> 00:24:40,080 Speaker 6: down like I felt like I had done something wrong. 458 00:24:40,119 --> 00:24:44,280 Speaker 1: I was that afraid. But perfect love drives out all fear. 459 00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:47,240 Speaker 6: And over time and coming into the presence of Jesus 460 00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:49,040 Speaker 6: on that fear does wash away. 461 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:52,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, thank you for caring that, Nikki. I think we've 462 00:24:52,119 --> 00:24:55,480 Speaker 1: all been hovering over the button at some point, whether 463 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:59,560 Speaker 1: it was a Google search bar or you know, we 464 00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:01,920 Speaker 1: can I can relate to that. Yeah. 465 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:04,280 Speaker 8: I was just going to say I was terrified because 466 00:25:04,320 --> 00:25:08,320 Speaker 8: I thought, well, who will I be if I'm not drinking? Yeah, 467 00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:11,520 Speaker 8: how will I be able to be and socialize and 468 00:25:12,080 --> 00:25:14,200 Speaker 8: you know, be with my friends and my husband all 469 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:17,679 Speaker 8: these you see, all these common concerns come up. But 470 00:25:17,760 --> 00:25:21,200 Speaker 8: it's it's then trusting, you know, in God that He's 471 00:25:21,240 --> 00:25:24,200 Speaker 8: going to show you who you really are. And we've 472 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:26,280 Speaker 8: we talk about it in here and in coaching that 473 00:25:26,640 --> 00:25:29,919 Speaker 8: you know, we give alcohol so many jobs. So taking 474 00:25:29,960 --> 00:25:32,720 Speaker 8: this break and you say, what would you say to someone? 475 00:25:33,359 --> 00:25:36,240 Speaker 8: Remember it's forty days. We're not using words like never 476 00:25:36,680 --> 00:25:40,400 Speaker 8: and always. It's an experiment. You're you're going to trust, 477 00:25:40,960 --> 00:25:44,200 Speaker 8: take a break, be with trusted women in this community 478 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:46,760 Speaker 8: who have been through it, who have the same kind 479 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:50,320 Speaker 8: of struggles. And it's about identity because we were all 480 00:25:50,359 --> 00:25:54,760 Speaker 8: identifying as drinkers and learning your identity in Christ and 481 00:25:54,880 --> 00:25:58,040 Speaker 8: also in this community. So I would just say, just 482 00:25:58,080 --> 00:26:01,240 Speaker 8: remember it's forty days, give it a whirl. You can 483 00:26:01,240 --> 00:26:03,720 Speaker 8: go back to drinking, right, but you might learn something 484 00:26:03,760 --> 00:26:06,560 Speaker 8: amazing about yourself and God in the process. 485 00:26:07,760 --> 00:26:09,399 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's so good, Marien, thank you. 486 00:26:10,280 --> 00:26:12,280 Speaker 4: Yeah, trust that if He brought you here, if you're 487 00:26:12,320 --> 00:26:15,000 Speaker 4: listening to this, if you're searching anything, just trust that 488 00:26:15,119 --> 00:26:16,400 Speaker 4: nudge and go with it. 489 00:26:16,480 --> 00:26:20,200 Speaker 3: I avoided the nudge from Jesus for six years. Yeah, 490 00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:20,680 Speaker 3: I got. 491 00:26:20,760 --> 00:26:24,120 Speaker 5: I joined a program that I did for a year, 492 00:26:24,560 --> 00:26:26,800 Speaker 5: and I remember the night before it was supposed to start, 493 00:26:26,840 --> 00:26:27,600 Speaker 5: I almost quit. 494 00:26:27,960 --> 00:26:31,160 Speaker 1: I literally was like so terrified of being. 495 00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:33,960 Speaker 5: Seen and our brain and this is what we learn 496 00:26:34,320 --> 00:26:37,040 Speaker 5: in renewing of our mind. Our brain doesn't like change, 497 00:26:37,080 --> 00:26:40,080 Speaker 5: so it's gonna panic in a moment. So don't listen 498 00:26:40,119 --> 00:26:42,640 Speaker 5: to that part of your brain. Listen to the God 499 00:26:42,720 --> 00:26:45,480 Speaker 5: part of your brain. And there's so much love here. 500 00:26:45,680 --> 00:26:49,160 Speaker 5: Like Nikki said, his perfect love casts out all fears. 501 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:52,199 Speaker 5: So just clinging to that scripture too, you know. But 502 00:26:52,280 --> 00:26:55,359 Speaker 5: the me too really helps once you get into the community. 503 00:26:55,560 --> 00:26:59,040 Speaker 5: Like Brittany said, we got you, so resist if like 504 00:26:59,080 --> 00:27:01,520 Speaker 5: the night before you're like I'm getting cancel and I think, oh, 505 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:03,120 Speaker 5: my gosh, where would I be if I've done that. 506 00:27:03,280 --> 00:27:05,280 Speaker 1: Now I'm almost six years alcohol free. 507 00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:09,560 Speaker 5: Thank God that I just went for it, you know, scared. 508 00:27:09,880 --> 00:27:11,560 Speaker 1: I was just gonna say, don't give up before the 509 00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:12,960 Speaker 1: magic happens. Hard. 510 00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:16,119 Speaker 9: In the beginning, it's scary. I was pissed. I was 511 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:18,760 Speaker 9: so mad, like, why can't I be a normal drinker? 512 00:27:18,840 --> 00:27:21,520 Speaker 9: Why am I here? I can never drink again, you know. 513 00:27:21,640 --> 00:27:23,439 Speaker 9: And in the beginning it's hard. 514 00:27:23,560 --> 00:27:26,960 Speaker 11: It totally is hard, and then it becomes so easy 515 00:27:27,119 --> 00:27:30,439 Speaker 11: and so good. But you've got to put in the work, 516 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:33,000 Speaker 11: do the work to get over that hump and wait 517 00:27:33,040 --> 00:27:35,639 Speaker 11: for the magic to happen, because it totally happens. I 518 00:27:35,640 --> 00:27:37,080 Speaker 11: would love that pink cloud again. 519 00:27:37,520 --> 00:27:40,640 Speaker 9: I think I remember that where we were like, whoa, 520 00:27:40,920 --> 00:27:42,000 Speaker 9: I am invincible. 521 00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:45,760 Speaker 1: Right now, We'll be back right after a click word 522 00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:49,440 Speaker 1: from our sponsors, Brittany Stylan. 523 00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:52,280 Speaker 2: You know, I think about this a lot in terms 524 00:27:52,280 --> 00:27:56,200 Speaker 2: of the scriptures and in terms of the Old Testament. 525 00:27:56,520 --> 00:27:59,760 Speaker 2: All through the Old Testament that people of Israel are 526 00:27:59,760 --> 00:28:05,280 Speaker 2: called to observe festivals and months and times where they 527 00:28:05,480 --> 00:28:10,840 Speaker 2: just draw near to God. And I you know, there's 528 00:28:10,960 --> 00:28:13,159 Speaker 2: many times that we can do a fast but I 529 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:16,840 Speaker 2: think Lent is a particularly special time where we join 530 00:28:17,080 --> 00:28:21,040 Speaker 2: with Christians all around the world to give something up, 531 00:28:21,119 --> 00:28:24,680 Speaker 2: something that takes up too much time, too much thought process, 532 00:28:25,920 --> 00:28:29,480 Speaker 2: you know, too much of our emotional capital and bandwidth, 533 00:28:30,680 --> 00:28:34,359 Speaker 2: and we reserve that time to draw near to God. 534 00:28:34,600 --> 00:28:38,360 Speaker 2: And we know it's a time that God especially draws 535 00:28:38,440 --> 00:28:41,400 Speaker 2: near to us. My favorite week of the whole year 536 00:28:41,560 --> 00:28:45,720 Speaker 2: is Holy Week and there is something that stirs in 537 00:28:45,800 --> 00:28:48,360 Speaker 2: my soul in that time. And I can tell you 538 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:53,440 Speaker 2: I just think God does something really really special when 539 00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:56,040 Speaker 2: we come to Him in community, and that when we 540 00:28:56,160 --> 00:28:59,800 Speaker 2: gather spiritually, we know, you know, there's the when to 541 00:29:00,160 --> 00:29:02,880 Speaker 2: more gathering his name, but we can do that as 542 00:29:02,960 --> 00:29:08,320 Speaker 2: a whole community of Christians wherever we are. And that's 543 00:29:08,360 --> 00:29:11,120 Speaker 2: what the Lent and season is for us, you know, 544 00:29:12,040 --> 00:29:16,760 Speaker 2: unlike Advent, there's just more space and Lent. Unless you're 545 00:29:16,800 --> 00:29:20,440 Speaker 2: like a CPA or something, I'm so sorry, but you know, 546 00:29:20,600 --> 00:29:24,800 Speaker 2: if you're you know, if you're just out there in 547 00:29:24,840 --> 00:29:27,240 Speaker 2: the world, that it's usually it's usually a time that 548 00:29:27,320 --> 00:29:31,160 Speaker 2: has a lot more space than something like preparing for Christmas. 549 00:29:31,160 --> 00:29:33,960 Speaker 2: And so I just think it's such an important time 550 00:29:34,040 --> 00:29:36,960 Speaker 2: to join in give up something that's really taking up 551 00:29:37,000 --> 00:29:39,640 Speaker 2: too much time, and for so many of us, that's alcohol. 552 00:29:40,200 --> 00:29:43,320 Speaker 1: I love you, gals, Thank you for listening. All of 553 00:29:43,360 --> 00:29:45,880 Speaker 1: the links to join us for lent and in the 554 00:29:45,880 --> 00:29:48,160 Speaker 1: community will be in the show notes. You can come 555 00:29:48,200 --> 00:29:50,160 Speaker 1: hang out with all the beautiful gals on this call 556 00:29:50,400 --> 00:29:53,680 Speaker 1: and some that candn't make this call. We cannot wait 557 00:29:53,720 --> 00:29:55,520 Speaker 1: to meet you. We cannot wait to pray for you. 558 00:29:55,600 --> 00:29:58,640 Speaker 1: One of the other things well mention really quickly is 559 00:29:58,760 --> 00:30:01,360 Speaker 1: when you come into the community for a fast, we 560 00:30:01,480 --> 00:30:03,840 Speaker 1: pray for you by name, which is something that is 561 00:30:03,880 --> 00:30:07,280 Speaker 1: really special. So we hope to see you there. All right. 562 00:30:07,400 --> 00:30:13,000 Speaker 1: Thanks gals, Thank you for spending this time with me 563 00:30:13,040 --> 00:30:16,400 Speaker 1: on Love Life Sober. If today's conversation stirred something in 564 00:30:16,440 --> 00:30:19,040 Speaker 1: your heart, don't rush past it, take it to prayer. 565 00:30:19,440 --> 00:30:22,760 Speaker 1: If you're feeling ready for deeper connection and support, I'd 566 00:30:22,800 --> 00:30:25,280 Speaker 1: love to invite you into the Love Life Sober community, 567 00:30:25,480 --> 00:30:29,160 Speaker 1: a grace filled, shame free space where real connection grows 568 00:30:29,480 --> 00:30:32,440 Speaker 1: and lasting change takes root. You can find the link 569 00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:36,200 Speaker 1: to join us in the show notes. Love Life Sober 570 00:30:36,280 --> 00:30:39,320 Speaker 1: is part of the Life Audio Podcast Network, where faith 571 00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:42,360 Speaker 1: centered podcasts help you grow deeper in your walk with Christ. 572 00:30:42,720 --> 00:30:46,640 Speaker 1: You can find more faith centered podcasts at lifeaudio dot com. 573 00:30:47,080 --> 00:30:50,560 Speaker 1: Until next time, be gentle with yourself, stay curious, and 574 00:30:50,600 --> 00:30:53,680 Speaker 1: trust God's promises. He has freedom waiting for you.