When you wipe out — spiritually, emotionally, physically — what's your first instinct? Hide the mess? Downplay the damage? Worry about who saw it?
You're not alone.

In this episode, we talk about falling — full-blown, gear-scattering, pride-shattering collapse — and how Jesus, the ultimate First Responder, moves toward us without hesitation. No lectures. No crossed arms. Just sirens blazing and compassion ready.

We dive deep into Luke 15: the lost sheep, the prodigal son, and what they show us about the character of Jesus and the heart of the Father. Jesus doesn't sit back waiting for you to clean yourself up; He moves first, meeting you in the broken glass and blood. The church was never meant to be a courthouse — it was meant to be a hospital. A place for the bleeding, the hurting, the ones who can't fix themselves.

But there's another side of God's love that's harder to swallow: sometimes, the Father lets us fall. He lets us stumble hard enough to remember where home really is. Not out of cruelty, but out of deep, ferocious love that’s after our true healing — not just our comfort.

We talk about why vulnerability feels like weakness but is actually courage (hint: it’s because we were made for real strength, not fake perfection). We look at what happens when we stop asking "How bad did that look?" and start asking "Where does the healing start?"

And we wrap it all up with hope:
When you fall, Jesus is already en route.
And the Father?
He's already standing at the edge of the driveway, porch light on, heart wide open, ready to run.

You’re still breathing.
And you’re still His.

Highlights:

• Why Jesus moves first when we fall (Luke 15:1–7)

• What the Prodigal Son shows us about God's fierce love (Luke 15:11–32)

• The difference between guilt and healing

• Why God sometimes lets you hit the ground — and how that's actually grace

• Real-life first responder stories that mirror the Gospel

• Encouragement for when you’re face-down in failure

Scripture References:

• Luke 15:1–32

• John 10:11

• Mark 2:17

• Psalm 34:18

• 1 John 3:1

• Romans 5:3–4, Romans 5:8

If you're tired, bleeding, or just pretending you're fine — this one’s for you.

In this deeply moving reflection, we revisit the emotional depths of Matthew 26-38, exploring Jesus' profound moment of vulnerability and anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane. Here, we witness Christ facing the immense weight of humanity's suffering and His own impending sacrifice. Jesus, fully aware of the pain ahead, courageously submits to His Father's will with the words, "Not as I will, but as You will."

This pivotal moment reveals Jesus as the first true "first responder." With unwavering love and selflessness, He willingly stepped into the chaos and trauma of the human condition, answering our greatest cries for help. He confronted unimaginable pain, carrying every broken life, wounded heart, and lost hope on His shoulders.

Jesus did not merely respond to our call—He took our place, standing between humanity and destruction. His act of supreme sacrifice brings healing, comfort, and redemption to us all. Today, His legacy profoundly resonates within every first responder—every police officer, firefighter, paramedic, and dispatcher—who courageously confronts danger and suffering to save and protect others.

As you face your personal battles and challenges, know you are never alone. Jesus, the original first responder, walks alongside you, understanding your burdens and pain intimately. He offers strength, hope, and the assurance that you are seen, known, and deeply loved by the One who first answered humanity's call for rescue.

Carry this powerful truth with you always: you are held by the greatest First Responder of all, who gave everything so you could find hope, strength, and comfort in your journey.

What happens when the uniform is gone, but the weight of duty still lingers?

In this deeply personal episode, I share a story that starts in a Kohl’s parking lot—just a normal Saturday—and quickly becomes something much more: a confrontation with old instincts, buried trauma, and the quiet realization that I’m still scanning the world like I’m on a call.

After 20 years in law enforcement, it’s hard to just be. Even off the clock, the brain stays in survival mode. But in that moment, I remembered—I’m not on duty anymore. And I don't have to carry this alone.

This episode explores:

• PTSD and hyper-vigilance after retirement

• The emotional weight of constantly being “the strong one”

• The surprising impact of a short book: The Knight in Rusty Armor

• A mountaintop moment with Romans 13:12 that changed everything

• What it means to trade the armor of survival for the armor of light

We talk about learning to be curious, not judgmental, about your own triggers. About prayer that’s real—not polished or perfect, but honest and raw. And about surrounding yourself with people who don’t try to fix you, but just sit with you.

You’re not alone in this. Not then. Not now. Not ever.

🛠 This week’s challenge: Take off one piece of the armor. Just one. Maybe it’s reaching out. Maybe it’s letting go of control. Maybe it’s telling the truth about where you’re really at.

👊 Stay in the fight, but fight differently—with grace, with truth, and with the God who’s been with you the whole time.

📬 Connect or send a prayer request:
www.missionredeemed.org
lightcatchermn@gmail.com
Facebook: @missionredeemed

“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” —Romans 13:12

Ever feel like you're stuck in survival mode—with connection just out of reach? You’re not alone. This episode dives into what happens when the walls we build to protect ourselves start keeping us from the connection we deeply need. Whether you're a first responder battling PTSD, a parent hiding behind “I’m fine,” or just someone quietly overwhelmed by life—this one's for you.

Host and fellow struggler walks through the messy middle of healing, sharing personal stories (and even a bit about expired meds and sinus rinse fails) with humor and raw honesty. From EMDR therapy to a 30-day PTSD retreat in the Utah mountains, it’s a no-BS conversation about healing through vulnerability, prayer, and one honest connection at a time.

We talk about:

• Why connection can feel dangerous when survival becomes your default

• The science and Scripture behind why we’re wired for community

• How trauma reshapes our brain—and how connection rewires it

• What real, gritty prayer can do for a mind stuck in chaos

• And how healing doesn’t require a crowd—just a small, brave step toward someone

This isn’t just about breaking isolation; it’s about breaking the lie that you have to stay stuck there. It’s about being real, being seen, and showing up—imperfectly, but together.

So if today all you can do is hit play and breathe? That’s enough. That’s connection. And it’s a damn good start.

In this episode of Mission Redeemed, we talk about the hard stuff—identity, struggle, purpose, and why walking through the mess doesn't mean God has abandoned us. In fact, it might just mean He’s up to something bigger.

We kick things off with a reminder to check in with ourselves: Are we breathing? Are we grounded? Are we putting on our own oxygen mask first? Then, we dive deep into the story of John the Baptist and the power of knowing your purpose—even when it means playing the background.

From there, we shift into what it feels like when life spins out of control. When nothing makes sense. When trauma, loss, and broken identity leave us asking, “Who am I without this?” But instead of staying in that spiral, we explore what Scripture says about being made in God’s image and how this broken world was never the original plan—so yeah, it’s okay that it feels hard.

And then… there’s the story.

Let’s just say it involves a domestic call, a love triangle, pants coming off (twice), and a scene that could only be described as “National Geographic: Pickup Truck Edition.” But in the chaos? Perspective. Humor. And a moment where God’s grace showed up—right in the middle of a situation that smelled like beer, heartbreak, and bad decisions.

This isn’t just a story for the sake of laughs (though there are plenty). It’s about how God uses even this—the wild nights, the broken people, and the “what even is happening right now” moments—to show us that healing can start anywhere. That joy isn’t cancelled by pain. And that sometimes, laughter is the holiest thing you can offer in a mess.

We wrap with a look at why “the hard is what makes it great,” as Tom Hanks once said. Why Jesus didn’t skip the pain. And why we shouldn't either.

If you’re in a season where the hits keep coming, where purpose feels fuzzy, or where you’re wondering if God really can use your mess for something meaningful—this one’s for you.

Takeaways:

• Why identity has to be rooted in more than what you do.

• How faith gives us permission to laugh, even when it’s hard.

• What it means to find purpose in the struggle, not after it.

• And why the weirdest, wildest nights might be the ones God uses most.

Listener Challenge:
What if what’s in front of you ends up being so much more than what’s behind you?

PTSD is not a life sentence. In this episode of Mission: Redeemed, we get real about the battles first responders face—trauma, burnout, and the crushing weight of guilt and shame. Shawn shares his raw experience with EMDR therapy, the mental exhaustion that follows, and how even a trip to Costco can turn into a battlefield.

But here’s the truth: healing is real. We break down the science and the faith behind recovery, from therapy statistics to the biblical struggles of David. If you’ve ever felt lost, stuck, or too broken to move forward, this episode is for you.

You are not alone. You are not beyond help. And your mission? It’s not over. Let’s fight for healing together.

PTSD doesn’t just come from one moment—it builds over years of trauma, stress, and survival mode. As first responders, we face things most people will never understand, but when the calls stop, the memories don’t. In this episode of Mission:Redeemed, we dive deep into the reality of PTSD, how it rewires the brain, and why first responders struggle to seek help.

We’ll also look at King David, a warrior who faced battle, loss, guilt, and overwhelming emotions. Through his raw honesty in the Psalms, we see how faith, surrender, and seeking God’s presence helped him navigate his struggles.

But faith alone wasn’t enough for me—I had to take real steps to heal. I’ll share my personal journey, including my inpatient stay in Utah, and the practical tools that have helped me manage PTSD, like breathwork, ice baths, and faith-driven resilience.

If you’re carrying the weight of trauma, feeling disconnected, or struggling to find your way forward, you’re not alone. Healing is possible, and your mission isn’t over—it’s just been redeemed.

Listen in and take the first step toward reclaiming your mind, your faith, and your life.

Mission:Redeemed is a podcast for first responders and those who have dedicated their lives to service, now searching for purpose beyond the badge. Hosted by Shawn, a former police officer, deputy, and 911 dispatcher, this show dives into faith, resilience, and the challenges of transition when the radios go silent. Through real conversations and powerful stories, we explore how God redeems our past and leads us into a new mission. If you’re feeling lost, uncertain, or wondering what comes next, you’re not alone. Join us as we reclaim purpose, restore faith, and move forward—together. Your mission isn’t over. It’s just been redeemed.