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Rolf Jacobson had cancer as a teenager and survived, but it led to the amputation of both his legs. Years later, his brother Karl and their friend Mike were also diagnosed with cancer, and the three began writing a book about their experiences. While Karl passed away before it was finished, Rolf and Mike completed it—an honest, heartfelt, and humor‑filled look at the pain of cancer. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Zgm4dS 

Prepare your heart for Christmas by walking through the Gospel of Luke — one chapter each day. We're already a few days in, but it isn't too late to join us on this journey... We're giving you the gift of the first episode to give you a little taste of what's to come. If you'd like to continue the journey, find and follow our "Luke: A 24-Day Journey to Christmas" podcast mini-series on Purposely.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Merry Christmas from Purposely! Podcast Info: Luke: A 24 Day Journey to Christmas Follow on AppleFollow on SpotifyFollow on YouTubeFollow on Amazon/AudibleFollow on iHeart

Sometimes life takes a turn we never expected, and it can feel overwhelming. I never imagined Parkinson’s would become part of my story, but here I am—learning to walk this road with faith instead of fear. The diagnosis shook me, but Psalm 23 has been my anchor, reminding me that God is with me in every valley. Even when my strength fails, His grace carries me, and I’ve found hope not just for myself, but to share with others who are struggling too. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/47ZCpJ8

Lara Silverman has a rare neurological disorder. She lives in a state of constant and severe vertigo. It has cost her her career, and left her mostly homebound. Tragically, the disorder is not the only source of grief in her life. She also lost her husband of one year to cancer. Yet, it would be hard not to describe Lara as a joyful person.  She shares about her journey in her new books Singing Through Fire: Finding Surprising Joy in Life’s Darkest Trials. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/46N65sq 

Matt McCullough is pastor at Edgefield Church in Nashville, and author of Remember Heaven; Meditations on the World to Come for Life in the Meantime. He talks about how remembering the promises of Heaven can put a different perspective on hard times we go through now. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/47zdqMY 

Nathan Sutherland realized his compulsive video gaming had gotten to the point where he didn’t just enjoy playing, he needed to play to be okay. So he stopped. And hasn’t gone back. He’s turned it into a ministry which includes the Gospel Tech podcast, which helps guide families to healthy use of all tech. You can hear Gospel Tech right here on Purposely.

Cindy Brinker Simmons is back! Don't miss our first conversation in episode 32. This time we focused in on moving from grief to action. God wants to do something good with the thing that is causing you pain. And it's possible that the person He wants to work through is you! Show Notes: https://bit.ly/47rPJpy 

Please note that this episode includes references to the horrors of war. Listener discretion is advised. Christians in Ukraine have come under attack by the Russian military. Karl Ahlgren has been there serving as a chaplain and has seen it first hand. He talks about the Christians in Ukraine, many of whom are courageously holding on to their faith in Jesus. You'll also hear about the new documentary film, A Faith Under Siege. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3IMBaD3  Karl Ahlgren brings over 40 years of experience in government, politics, and advocacy. A seasoned advisor to members of Congress and a licensed Chaplain in Ukraine, Karl’s commitment to Ukraine is unwavering. Since his first visit in 2023, he has actively worked to highlight the war’s impact, provide humanitarian support, and amplify the voices of Ukrainians on the world stage. Karl Ahlgren first traveled to Ukraine in October 2023. During his nine-day visit, he toured various regions of the country to gain firsthand insight into the impacts of the war. Since then, he has returned to Ukraine multiple times participating in local prayer gatherings and national breakfasts in Odesa, Ismail, and Kyiv; and in September 2024, he collaborated with a documentary filmmaking team to shed light on Russia’s targeted attacks against evangelical believers and churches. https://www.faithundersiege.com/home In April 2025 he spent 3 weeks in Ukraine visiting military hospitals and front line soldiers to pray with them. He visited Sumy eight days prior to the Palm Sunday attack and returned the day after to offer support and encouragement. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/05/ukrainians-mourn-evangelical-family-killed-while-going-to-church/?utm_medium=widgetsocial Ahlgren is a licensed Chaplain in Ukraine with the Christian Rescue Service of the Military Chaplain Corps. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Ukrainian Week, held the first week in February in Washington, D.C., and also serves on the policy committee of the American Coalition for Ukraine, an alliance of over 100 U.S.-based organizations. In the fall of 2024 Ahlgren established the Ukraine Action Plan, a 501(c)(3).

When Ashley lost her daughter Bridget to a miscarriage, it was devestating for her and her husband Matt. Since then, she has been committed to helping other moms who are grieving miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. Her story, may help you work through yours. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Gy04W2 

Note: Please be aware that this podcast includes descriptions of the horrors of war. Be careful of young ears around you when listening, or put your earbuds in. Mikhail Pavenko has been serving the Ukranian military as a chaplain. Mikhail has been on the front lines of that devastating war, and has seen the horrors and the miracles up close, as he works to point those in the line of fire to Jesus.  Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4kLE0WJ 

Making decisions can cause a lot of stress. Little ones like where are we going to eat tonight, or what movie do you want to watch, can be frustrating and irritating. But when there is more at stake, making a decision can cause anxiety. You so badly want to get it right. You don’t want to disappoint those around you, or worse, God. Rather than overthinking things to the point of analysis paralysis, Katie Reid has a new Bible Study called “God, What Do I do?” It’s based on the first five chapters of Judges and it’s written to help you through dilemmas, and hard decisions. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/45Ml5X4 

Note: This episode contains depictions of violence and abuse. It is not recommended for kids, and listener discretion is advised. Kimberly Haar has lived a nightmare. She was beaten and kidnapped by her ex-husband, and witnessed him shooting the man she was dating. Kimberly is sharing her story and helping others through her work as a licensed counselor, and her new book Healing from Life’s Deepest Hurts, Reclaiming Your Life After Grief, Loss, or Trauma. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3ZkM4W3 

Imagine losing the person you're closest to in the whole world. That's what happened with AJ Strout when she lost her husband Steve to cancer. Where do you go from from there? How do you continue to live your life? This is AJ's story about grief and faith, and light overcoming darkness. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3S2KXGo 

Has what's happened in your life up to now left you a bit perplexed? Niki Hardy, is a speaker, podcaster, and author of "God, Can We Chat? A Daringly Honest Guide to Growing Closer to God One Doubt at a Time." In this episode, we don't have the answers to things that only God knows (obviously), but we do talk about how we can respond to our doubts. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3YU1CPY 

If you or someone you love has suffered from a neurological disorder, you may have asked yourself "Am I Just My Brain?" Sharon Dirckx has written a book by that name. Spoiler alert: she says the answer is no! Sharon has a PhD in Brain Imaging from Cambridge and also works with the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4jdJI2Q