AuthorDino Katsiametis

Marcus Slaton (33)

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#90 Pastor Grew Up With Abuse and Thoughts of Suicide – Eric Heard

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Eric Heard came from a family full of drugs and hate.  As a 17 year old child he considered throwing himself in front of a truck.   He was an unwanted child who was a product of his parents infidelity.  His mom was an alcoholic who had been molested by her step-dad and tried to abort Eric 3 times. He never felt connected to his parents.   He began drinking in 3rd grade and the drugs came around the 6th grade and began selling marijuana in 7th grade.  The addiction was medicating pain and it kept escalating because the drugs only can cut the pain temporarily and then you feel the pain worse when you wake up.

 

When you look at his childhood it seems improbable that Eric would become a well respected Pastor, but that’s exactly what he did.  In this show Eric talks about the men in his life that helped him heal from his sexual deviance, his fear of scarcity and his belief that he wasn’t worthy of God’s love..  There is a ripple effect of sin and so you must uproot the sins in your life.  The vigilance of keeping up the calling of God and the belief that you are Chosen, Holy and Loved by God will give you the strength to be the man you want to be.  This is Eric’s testimony.

 

Recommended Book – “Silence of Adam” by Dr. Larry Crabb


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Marcus Slaton (30)

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#89 When Your Wife Stops Believing In Jesus – Ryan Tirona

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        1. Ryan is a Pastor and is married with three kids, but this is a very different marriage than his first one.  In  2003 as a young pastor his wife of only 4 months said she didn’t want to follow Jesus anymore.  The spiritual rift kept pulled them apart and was followed by chaos that could only be healed by time, introspection and a stronger relationship with Christ.  

          In this episode Ryan talks about the struggles and pressures in the lives of a pastor and pastor’s wife.  He discusses his own arrogance, regret and how he learned to change his approach in his second marriage to one of humility.  Today, Ryan never wants his wife to be the first to apologize.  If his child is hard-hearted he gives him the law, if their broken-hearted he gives grace and he wants them to understand that it is Jesus who knows all, not there father.  This is Ryan’s testimony

          “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” – Psalms 16:11

          You can reach Ryan by email at  rtirona@thechapelfh.org
          Recommended Book – “Prodigal God” by Tim Keller “Three Free Sins” by Steve Brown



For past shows and to learn more about the God’s Men of Influence community, check us out at www.godsmenofinfluence.org

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Marcus Slaton (29)

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#88 Addiction and Finding God in Prison – Brian Johnson

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        1. Brian Johnson is a very different man today than he once was.  Brian suffers from a mental disorder and addictive personality which pulled him away from Jesus during the darkest times in his life.  It wasn’t until his last prison sentence that he finally understood why he was making such bad choices and how God could lead him toward the life he wanted.  This is his testimony“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future – Jeremiah 29:11
          1. Biggest Weakness – The shame of his past still affects Brian.  It makes it more difficult to focus on all the good he has in his life.  It is difficult for him to forgive himself.
          2. Biggest Strength – Love.  God taught him to love himself and love others.  He gives love now as much as is possible.
          3. Dark Time – Raised Christian with good parents.  There are things in his family like addiction and mental illness that ultimately became the problem for Brian.  He began abusing his ADD medication in high school.  Once he went off to college he began partying and had a manic episode which was the onset of bipolar disorder.  That was the start of some really bad decisions.  Brian relied on Marijuana as a stability, but when he stopped using the bipolar really advanced.
          4. In college Brian took way too much medication in an attempt to commit suicide due to his disorder.
          5. He spent a long time trying to self medicate away from his bouts of depression.
          6. Brian became a missionary which was helpful. but when he came back he fell into bouts of depression.  He underwent electroshock therapy which helped to get past the depression, but did not help the addiction.
          7. His first arrest was during a manic episode.  Brian had began taking Meth and stole a car to sell in Mexico.  He was sent to jail for 6 months.
          8. There were many times he experienced jail in Mexico and had gotten back alive.
          9. In 2010 he was arrested again and sent to prison for 16 months.  This time in prison God finally got his attention.  Brian is grateful that he was arrested, because he got sober.
          10. Spending time with his bible aided in his recovery more than anything else.
          11. Brian was unprepared to be in prison, but he believes that God has plans and based on Brian’s actions, he needed to be there.   He had to learn what led him there and how he could avoid returning.  Once he started walking with God, he felt a little protected.
          12. Once he got out anger was a new struggle for Brian.  Prison had changed him.  His anger led to a 3 day relapse in Mexico.  Fortunately he made it back.
          13. His life today is very good and it’s all because of Jesus.  Brian had always had the conviction that he wouldn’t make it, so he is constantly aware of everything he has.
          14. Brian has a fiance and is getting married soon.
          15. His parents learned about co dependency and put their foot down which also was key in his recovery.
          16. Best Advice – Have a conversation with God about why your life is happening the way it is.
          17. Recommended Book – “The Meaning of Marriage” – Christian Geller

           

For past shows and to learn more about the God’s Men of Influence community, check us out at www.godsmenofinfluence.org

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Marcus Slaton (25)

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#86 The Mystery Behind Finding His Biological Parents – Paul Aubin Part 2

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      1. God has a purpose for your life regardless of whether you’re adopted or not.  Paul Aubin is a Chair person for a faith-based organization named Convene focused on CEO’s building Christian based businesses and comes on to tell the remarkable story and mystery behind his adoption.“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ – Mathew 25:21
          1. Married to a Women’s Pastor who works with couples named Margaret.  Together they have 7 children.
          2. Biggest Weakness – Because of his adoption he seeks validation and acceptance through sports  and work.  Now he gets affirmation from God, but he still struggles.
          3. Biggest Strength – God has made it clear that he is to lead other men to be men of God.  To lead men from pride to humility.
          4. Dark Time – in 2000 things went bad for about 5 years.  When Paul lost his job, he lost his identity.  He went through financial issues, divorce, health problems and a loss of friendships.  The missing piece was a connection with Godly men.
          5. Soon after Paul was saved he met his wife Margaret who is a women’s pastor.  He desperately didn’t want to be less than in his faith.
          6. In 1991 he discovered that his cholesterol was very high.  His liver was creating too much and he needed to find his birth parents so that he could be properly treated.
          7. While at a business function he was given a sign from God in the form of an adoption seminar.  As it turned out there was a cover up to protect his birth father.
          8. Paul tracked down his mother and talked to her for 45 minutes on the phone.  He flew 3000 miles to meet his mom and she said she couldn’t.  He had no idea how many people could be hurt.
          9. The investigator helping Paul named Nancy, decided that there has been a cover up.  She had a thought and found a man who was a family friend, that looked exactly like him.  The man named Ted  was a Catholic Priest.
          10. He met with his family friend Father Ted for the first time and noticed the low cholesterol lunch.  Paul, addressed it with Father Ted and slowly the information came out that he’s found his birth mother.  Paul felt God’s hand on the meeting.
          11. When he got back to the hotel there was a message from Father Ted who wanted to spend more time with him.  They got together the next day and just spent time getting to know each other.  Paul drove away still not confirming.
          12. After Paul told his aunt Kris his suspicions, she went to her brother Father Ted and got him to eventually reach out to Paul and remove the mystery.
          13. Father Ted met with Paul again and gave him the whole story.  Father Ted told the bishop and was sent to Vietnam and became a chaplain war hero on the front lines.
          14. Paul later went to Harvard Business School and finally reached back out to his mom and met her for the first time.  He had a picture of his mom in his mind and when he met her she was completely different.  She was very attractive in a business suit and they sat down in a coffee shop at the hotel for 3 hours.  This was closure for Paul.
          15. “Secrets of the Father” – by Paul Aubin is his book about his story.  It took him 20 years to write.
          16. Advice for those who were adopted – Before you go on a search understand why you are doing it.  There are other lives at stake so tread lightly.  Pray about it as well and ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit.
          17. Paul used to think he was a mistake, but now knows that God does not bring children into the world by mistake.
          18. Recommended Book – “The Purpose Driven Life” – Rick Warren “The Critical Journey” – by Janet O. Hagberg, Robert A. Guelich
          19. aubin76@gmail.com

 

For past shows and to learn more about the God’s Men of Influence community, check us out at www.godsmenofinfluence.org

Join us on Facebook for our daily devotionals and updates and please like our page www.facebook.com/GodsMenOfInfluence

Help us spread the Word and please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. Tell us what insights you took from this episode.

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