Happy Father's Day! In this special episode of Faith Unfiltered Life, Leon and John pull back the curtain on the messy reality behind those perfect family social media pictures. Joined by special guests Pastor Paul Foslien of Naples Church and Creative Director Danny Hill, we dive deep into the real, unspoken challenges of biblical fatherhood.

From navigating the guilt of past decisions and unconventional parenthood to managing the balancing act of a successful career while staying present at home, this episode offers raw, honest grace for every dad. Whether you are a single father raising daughters in or a dad waiting on God to move in your home, remember: you and your family are not out of reach.

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The episode explores the tension between believing in God and actually trusting Him, especially when life is painful, prayers feel unanswered, anxiety rises, or past hurt makes surrender feel unsafe. The hosts discuss why this topic feels “heavy,” how trust can be challenged by personal control issues and human experiences, and how trust often involves inviting God into day-to-day areas, not just the “impossible.” They define belief versus trust through actions, vulnerability, and “dying to self,” share personal examples involving work, parenting, relationships after divorce, miscarriage, finances, and a long journey around sexuality and learning truth. They emphasize waiting without timelines, using scripture (Proverbs 3:5–6, 2 Corinthians 10:5), surrounding yourself with wise support, managing thoughts and feelings, and remembering God’s track record and the hope of eternity.

00:00 Belief Versus Trust

02:52 Why Trust Feels Heavy

04:54 Levels of Trust and Control

09:07 Defining Belief and Trust

13:21 Trust Through Parenting

17:46 Trust After Relationship Hurt

21:58 Waiting and God’s Timeline

25:46 Practical Ways to Keep Trusting

27:47 Inviting God Into Work

28:57 Sounding Boards And Scripture

30:41 Old Tricks New Tools

32:28 Taking Thoughts Captive

32:46 Control Careers Trust God

35:45 God Versus Your Feelings

36:45 Peace In Hard Seasons

38:02 Faith Mile Markers

40:50 Faith And Works Together

41:55 Patience Builds Endurance

43:42 Healing Eternity Perspective

49:00 Saying I Dont Know

49:41 Eternity Starts Now

50:43 Freedom From Status

51:33 Wrap Up And Resources

The hosts discuss the pain of unanswered prayer and the misconception that faith is a currency used to “buy” miracles, emphasizing that God’s silence isn’t God’s absence and doesn’t reflect a person’s spiritual worth. They explore what prayer is—an ongoing conversation and lifeline rather than a rigid ritual—sharing approaches like the ACTS model, journaling, silent prayer, and praying continually as an open line of communication. They address why prayers may seem unanswered, including prayers not aligning with Scripture, unrealistic expectations, or God’s “no” or “not yet,” and describe hearing God through peace, trusted believers, and especially God’s Word. They also discuss using Scripture and spoken prayer to resist fear and anxiety and recommend Psalms as a guide for raw, honest prayer.

00:00 When God Feels Silent

02:03 Faith Is Not Currency

03:50 What Prayer Really Is

04:23 ACTS And Growing Up

08:22 Pray Without Ceasing

16:19 Do Prayers Need Words

19:00 Audible Prayer And Decorum

25:25 Why Prayers Go Unanswered

29:28 When Silence Feels Like Ghosting

30:55 When God Feels Silent

33:00 How God Speaks Today

35:51 Recognizing His Voice

37:16 Hearing God in Scripture

40:56 Prayer Mentors and Growth

42:22 Is There a Right Prayer

45:18 Fighting Anxiety with Truth

51:26 Spiritual Warfare Explained

54:36 Praying the Word Out Loud

01:00:55 Psalms as Prayer Guide

01:02:44 Final Wrap and Resources

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It’s a quiet hurt when the place that was supposed to be a sanctuary becomes a source of pain. In this episode, titled To the person who was let down by Christians (There is Hope), we pull back the curtain on church hurt. We are addressing the hypocrisy, the legalism, and the relational fractures that leave so many walking away from the faith entirely.

If you are currently wrestling with doubt, anger, or sadness toward the church, pull up a chair. There is no judgment here—only room for honesty and a reminder that your spiritual journey isn't over.

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In this episode of Faith Unfiltered, we tackle the "modern crisis of manhood" by stripping away societal confusion and returning to a foundational, biblical blueprint. As cultural expectations for men continue to shift, many feel aimless or stuck between being overly assertive and entirely passive. We dive deep into the Five Pillars of Biblical Manhood to help men reclaim their divine purpose and lead their families with both authority and humility.

Explore the five pillars of biblical manhood—Provider, Protector, Priest, Prophet, and Servant King. Learn how to lead your family with spiritual purpose, humility, and intentionality in this episode.

In part two of Faith Unfiltered Life’s series “This Isn’t the Motherhood That You Post About,” Karen and Jojo continue their conversation with Sarah Bell about unexpected motherhood as a birth mom. Sarah describes preparing to meet her daughter Abby decades after an adoption, wrestling with internal shame over past choices, and hearing messages about freedom from shame that helped her reframe Abby as a whole person rather than a reminder of actions. She recounts meeting Abby, learning to share her story, and seeing God’s redemption throughout her trauma and decisions, connecting it to Rahab’s redemption arc. Sarah discusses ongoing grief from leaving the hospital without a baby, encourages birth moms to seek community and help, highlights Brave Love as a resource, and shares how her blended family embraced Abby and how Abby’s son is an unexpected gift.

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Is Mother’s Day complicated for you? You’re not alone. In this episode of Faith Unfiltered Life, Sarah Bell joins us to share a story that isn't "Instagram-worthy" but is deeply fueled by faith. From the trauma of date rape to the selfless act of adoption, Sarah discusses the 26-year journey of healing and the unexpected way God reconnected her with her daughter through 23andMe. Join us for an unfiltered look at motherhood, redemption, and the "next right step."

Motherhood and Adoption

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#motherhood #mothersday #adoption #trauma #loss #restoration

Most ancient genealogies followed a strict rule: No women allowed. So why did the Gospel writers go out of their way to include five specific women in Jesus’ family tree?

The answer isn't just "history"—it’s a scandal of grace.

In Part 1 of our "Unlikely Women" series, we’re looking at Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. These weren't "perfect" Sunday school characters; they were survivors, outsiders, and bold risk-takers who carried the lineage of the Messiah when the world told them they didn't belong.

If you’ve ever felt like your past or your labels disqualify you from God’s plan, this episode is for you. Jesus didn't just come for the broken—He came from them.

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