Marriage strengthening Podcast with Pat and Kim as they explore the essential biblical foundations for a strong and lasting marriage. The session kicks off with Pat emphasizing the importance of building a marriage on God's Word, as it's designed to withstand societal pressures and personal differences. Through engaging anecdotes and spiritual insights, they address common marriage myths, like the ideas that marriage is meant to make one happy or complete.

Pat shares personal stories, including his experience with a swing set construction, to illustrate the challenges and growth opportunities that marriage presents. The couple discusses how different personalities and strengths in a marriage can complement each other, rather than causing division, likening it to the convergence of two mighty rivers creating a more powerful flow.

Central to their message is the concept of covenant over contract, highlighting the importance of viewing marriage as a sacred promise rather than just a legal agreement. The episode encourages listeners to prioritize cherishing their partners over mere commitment, and to view marriage as a reflection of Christ's relationship with the Church.

In this episode, we reunite with Pat, a mentor and friend, who shares a profound message on faith, transformation, and understanding our true identity in Christ. Pat delves into the significance of being 'in Christ' and explains how this spiritual truth reshapes our understanding of ourselves beyond worldly labels and struggles. He highlights the importance of seeing ourselves as new creatures and how faith brings us into union with Jesus.

Through engaging illustrations, Pat helps us grasp the concept of spiritual blessings and challenges us to re-evaluate how we identify ourselves. We are encouraged to view ourselves as saints, not sinners, and to live victoriously in the spiritual freedom that Christ provides.

The episode also includes a moving testimony by Zach, who shares his personal journey from addiction and brokenness to finding freedom and purpose in faith. His story exemplifies the transformative power of embracing one's identity in Christ.

Join us for Rooted: Week 10 from Community Bible Church in Strongs, Michigan! In this powerful message from Colossians 2:10, we continue our series on strongholds, delving into the lies the evil one plants in our minds. Whether you're a teenager battling insecurities, a parent navigating challenges, or a senior seeking purpose, discover how Christ has already made you complete in Him. Learn to fight like Jesus, rooted and built up in faith, and understand that your worth before God is not based on performance, but on His perfect grace. Tune in and let God's truth set you free from the burden of control and performance-based living. In this inspiring episode, we delve into the concept of spiritual strongholds and how they can influence our lives by distorting our beliefs. Discover the profound truth of being rooted in Christ and how Scripture serves as a powerful weapon to combat these mental barriers. Whether you're grappling with self-worth, seeking purpose, or battling life's challenges, this discussion sheds light on the liberating truth that God’s love is not performance-based. Join us as we unravel the importance of living in submission to God’s authority, highlighting the transformative power of His word and the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives.

In this powerful installment of the CBC Interview Series, we sit down with Pastor Ben Pent, who bravely shares his journey of confronting personal strongholds. Born on the Amazon mission field, Pastor Ben recounts his early life, conversion, and the lifelong battle with anger that once led to him being expelled from school. He sheds light on the crucial importance of transparency and humility in the Christian walk, explaining how admitting our weaknesses and "dirt" is the first step towards allowing God's transformative power to work through us. This conversation is a testament to the ongoing process of sanctification, offering encouragement that God uses our scars to connect with others and bring Him glory, even into our later years.

• Pastor Ben Pent was born in the Amazon jungle to missionary parents.
• He experienced a conversion that was initially emotional but lacked true change.
• Strongholds can affect anyone, including those in ministry.
• Honesty with oneself is crucial for spiritual growth.
• Transformation in Christ is a process, not an instant change.
• Scripture plays a vital role in spiritual nourishment and growth.
• Trials are not a punishment from God but part of the journey.
• Past hurts can shape us, but they don't define us.
• Discipleship involves sharing struggles and supporting one another.
• God's grace is sufficient for our weaknesses and failures.

• From the Amazon to the Pulpit: Pastor Ben's Journey
• Overcoming Strongholds: A Pastor's Testimony

• "We were born in an Indian tribe"
• "I had to be honest with myself"
• "You're never gonna amount to anything"

"Let the Word of Christ dwell richly among you". This is the call in "Rooted: Dwell Richly, Live Openly," as Pastor Josh Shelpman exposes the stronghold of spiritual isolation. Discover that God desires His truth to profoundly remodel your entire life – not just for Sunday, but every day. Featuring a raw and inspiring testimony, this episode emphasizes that our personal journey with Christ is meant to impact our community. Learn why sharing your "scars" and allowing God's power to shine through your weaknesses is vital for collective growth and demonstrating His transforming grace.

Are you truly certain of God's love for you? In this powerful episode of "Rooted," Pastor Josh Shelpman confronts the stronghold of doubt, particularly the insidious lie that you can't be 100% sure of God's forgiveness and love. Drawing profound truth from Colossians 3:1-4 , Pastor Josh reveals what it means to be "hidden with Christ in God". This isn't a temporary state, but a permanent, unshakeable reality. Discover how your life is eternally concealed in Him, completely independent of your past actions or perceived flaws. This liberating truth changes everything – your worries, your seeking of human approval, and your daily walk. If you've struggled with certainty about your salvation or felt unlovable, prepare for this message to demolish that stronghold and bring absolute clarity and confidence in your identity in Christ.

In "Rooted: Grace in Weakness," Pastor Josh Shelpman explores the biblical truth that God's power is perfected in our weaknesses. This episode tackles the common experience of questioning God during life's trials and the desire for control. Drawing from Paul's personal struggle with a "thorn in the flesh" , Pastor Josh unpacks Jesus' liberating response: "My grace is sufficient for you". Discover how your moments of perceived inadequacy become a powerful display of God's strength and an invitation for His presence to reside richly within you.

Join Pastor Josh Shelpman in "Rooted Wk. 6," where we delve into the profound teachings from Paul's letter to the church at Colossae. This powerful message equips us to identify and demolish the strongholds that often plague our minds and lives. We'll explore the five core aspects of our identity in Christ: how we are

rescued from darkness, redeemed through forgiveness, how Christ reigns supreme over all creation, how we are reconciled to God, and how we are deeply rooted in Him. Discover how these truths empower you to overcome feelings of overwhelm, combat the destructive habit of comparison, and shatter the lie that you are unlovable, allowing you to live a life overflowing with gratitude and God-dependence.