Anyone that has been betrayed or cheated on knows the struggle of healing in that space. In this episode, we join Wes and Renee again as they share how they learned (and are still learning) to reconnect and rebuild after 3 affairs.

As you will learn, it is not a step 1-2-3 of how to forgive and trust again, it is a consistent and intentional process of humility and faith, that is often interrupted by triggers and fear. What one couple needs to heal might be very different from another, and the source of stability is not in the relationship between you and your spouse, but in your relationship with God as your source no matter what happens.

This is the last BONUS episode of the season, and I hope, as with every episode, you are encouraged and inspired by their story. I know that it is one that is helping so many others who are making their way through betrayal and unfaithfulness and into the eternal faithfulness of Father God.

Stay tuned for our next season on Identity and when it will be released next year!

Leave a rating and/or review where you listen so that others can find us!

Thanks so much for a successful and encouraging second season of Sifted Wheat!

This week in another bonus episode, I am joining my sister and brother in law, Wes and Renee Pippin, as they share their story.

In this conversation they will share about the slow burn of outside attractions, where disconnection and compartmentalization lead to more temptation, and how resentment and bitterness, not dealt with and healed, can turn around and make the same choices.

It isn't easy to put your failures out there, but there is so much good that comes from sharing our stories and how they continually point to God's faithfulness, not ours.

For more information: If you would like support from Renee and Wes for mentorship or accountability, email siftedwheatpodcast@gmail.com.

"How did I get here?"

If you have found yourself in the midst of an extramarital affair, at some point you asked this question.

We can’t leave a season on sexuality without opening up the closet of infidelity in a more personal space, especially since we have spent so much time highlighting the dangers of pornography. In this episode, I will shed some light on the following topics:

1) Adultery starts with a lack of boundaries, and ruptured boundaries in childhood often create confusion around sexual engagements as adults.

2) Grooming is the process of gaining trust and creating a narrative that provides more opportunity for sexual engagement.

I am a firm believer that the more we know, the more we can protect ourselves from deception and manipulation of others or just the enemy of the soul. I am here to talk about hard topics and bring new perspectives to where boundaries and ruptures can create long-term relational impact.

If you like what you hear, if you have gained any support or guidance or wisdom from engaging this episode, please drop a rating or review, and if you think others need the same insight, please share it with them!

Follow me on social media @siftedwheatpodcast or my website lesliealamb.com for access to blog, other episodes, and my teen book series!

I believe that sex was meant to be good, but with the prospect of big money and ravenous appetites for pleasure in our culture, it’s looking more and more unsafe.

Because of that, let’s take one more deep dive into the nuances of sexuality and the importance of using your voice to find healing. Jesus was protective of women and when He called out adultery and lust, it appeared to be with the function and heart of a loving Father or a concerned older brother. Where culture was taking advantage and objectifying women, He was pointing to our souls and to our value. But what if the culture objectifying women is in the church? Where do we go for safety then?

🤝 Join me as we look at Matthew 5:28 from that lens - Where we discover the line of lust and idolatry and where we learn how to initiate more safety in our sexual experiences. We don’t have to obey the voice of an objectifying culture. We can lean into the heart of our Savior and find freedom for our souls.

⭐️ Feel free to leave a rating or review wherever you found this episode and share it with those who might need hope and support in this space of sexuality.

🔎 You can find @siftedwheatpodcast on Instagram or at my blog lesliealamb.com or through emailing me at siftedwheatpodcast@gmail.com

Catch you next season! Where we address how and where we are tempted to lose our identities.

This episode is another invitation into the intellect and wisdom that is Tom Pryde’s brain. Tom is the High Conflict Coach through Banner Institute and an expert in the abuse dynamics in relationships. As a friend and someone who is equally as passionate about loving people safely, he did the hard thing of sitting with me in my struggles and questions and reminded me that both sexes have sensibilities.

Because of that, this is a conversation for both men and women. I think if we could lean in and listen to what it actually is to be equal and how to “GIVE” to one another safely and with full permission, without pressure but with invitation, to create a language of intimacy with actions and words before it becomes a physical engagement, a lot of the confusion, shame and fear would leave this space, returning sex back to feeling like a gift and not an intimidating weapon between partners.

Scriptures referred to and discussed:

Genesis 2:25

Ephesians 5:20-21

Philippians 2:3

You can find Tom through Banner Institute to find out more about his work through the Psalm 82 Initiative and/or to inquire about getting support services.

And, feel free to contact us at siftedwheatpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.

Or, follow us on social media:

@siftedwheatpodcast or @bannerinstitute on Instagram

In this episode you will hear what can negatively inform our relationship choices: family dynamics, past trauma, fear of failure, emotional immaturity and a disconnected sense of identity.

Shantray does a beautiful job of highlighting how each of these things led to choices that resulted in pain and suffering. She also shares about the “rescue” of God to call her back to life, how He met her in the dead of the night and required her to do the brave and hard thing, and how that act of obedience, repentance and faithfulness has strengthened her faith and empowered her to be a source of hope for others who are in healing from divorce. And if you haven't gone through divorce, this is also a source for support in our role as friends and family and how to meet those we love in their struggle and grief as we hear how Shantray’s story can encourage our choices, too!

Scriptures used and shared for hope and encouragement:

Psalm 23:1-6

Psalm 27:1, 13-14

Psalm 116:1-9

Isaiah 61:7

Proverbs 13:12

Colossians 2:6-8

Mark 12:30-31

Ephesians 6:16-21

Ephesians 3:12

You can reach Shantray for more information at the address below:

shantraysmith@kingdomlegacyc3.com

Please leave a review or rating to keep seeing great content!

When I sat down to write this episode, I was hesitant. I knew it would be difficult to navigate without a clear direction and landed on education and exhortation. I think we need to hear about how the world has invaded our personhood, how the environment might lend to sexual interruptions, and mostly how attraction can be the line where we can stay in the space of temptation instead of moving into sin and lifestyle. Just the fact that we have to call it “sin” probably offends some, and I can’t help that. And, in sitting with this content, what makes it overwhelmingly difficult to release is not that we don’t know what the Bible says, but because we love people! We love those who struggle with it. We love those who have embraced it. We love those who whole-heartedly believe it is their identity. And so does God. Truly. Deeply. So instead of avoiding or blindly embracing what we don’t fully understand, let’s talk about it and discover more about that fine but significant line between temptation and sin.

Scriptures referenced:

1 Corinthians 6:18

Deuteronomy 30:19

Matthew 5:29-30

Matthew 22:37-40

James 1:14-15

For more content, feel free to follow along on Instagram @siftedwheatpodcast

or email us at siftedwheatpodcast@gmail.com

This conversation might not be popular, but it is a powerful one to expose the hidden dangers of pornography and its effect to unravel and oppress marriages, especially in the church. Tom talks about the real hook of pornography and how that being exposed can lead to better choices within the marriage and not precipitate the engagement of pornographic scenarios which are abusive in nature.

This conversation also discusses where the church has chosen to hide instead of confronting the messages of pornography that are eroding marriages and damaging the souls of women who have been taught to submit at all costs. My hope is that through this conversation, if will expose the lies and illuminate the truth, not to villainize men and women that find themselves struggling, but to release the captives of abusers and the minds of those that are being indoctrinated about sexuality in a way that will harm others.

You can find Tom through Banner Institute and find out more about his work through the Psalm 82 Initiative and where he is making an impact on women and men all over the world.

Feel free to contact us through siftedwheatpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.

Follow us on social media @siftedwheatpodcast and @bannerinstitute