Unveiling Grace Podcast

Agusta Harting continues her fascinating story, including sharing one of her most embarrassing moments - being wooed by a prominent Mormon lawyer who was also her Sunday School teacher and her husband's business partner (all behind her husband's back).  She also talks a bit about her first Mormon temple experience and what happens if your husband forgets crucial information. This is an episode you will want to hear all the way through and share broadly - thanks for doing so and being a part of the Unveiling Grace Podcast.

TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE Agusta Harting was Miss Iceland in 1956, married a US Navy Officer, and became a Mormon convert after moving to the United States. Over the next several podcast episodes she shares a fascinating story of she and her husband's journey in and then out of Mormonism and into a grace that healed their lives and allowed them to flourish for many years until Dan's death a couple of years ago.  QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE The Mormon people were so nice and so many things seemed to make sense ~ Agusta

In this week's episode Mary continues her story of a journey through broken relationships and a search for true community and connection - which she finally finds in a God who loves her for who she is and not what she does. Listen in and find encouragement and hope in Jesus who is able transform lives and relationships.

Mary shares a fascinating story of going from grace (raised as a pastor's daughter), then into a lesbian lifestyle, from there into Mormonism and finally back to grace.  It's a story of heartbreak, broken relationships, disillusionment, hurt, rejection, community and ultimately finding her life pursued by a God who never let her go.

TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE In the acceptance and resolution stage you begin to feel more stable and seek out relationships again. Respect and love are now more important than ever. Nothing matters more than Jesus. SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES In the Flesh… (Philippians 3) Suffering the loss of all things (Philippians 3:8-10) Characteristic of someone who loves (1 John 4:7-12, 18) QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE

There are physical symptoms that can come from grief or stress or a sense of hopelessness. Relational, emotional and physical things come from that stage of depression and you need to get out of it. The need to move forward and deciding how to move forward to acceptance is presented in this episode.

Join Lynn and Joel as they explore insights from life and scripture on the stages of grief as they relate to transition out of performance-based religion.  This week their focus transitions from the bargaining stage to what often comes after - depression.  It's a tough time and a rough subject, but Lynn shares from her own life how there is hope and healing that only grace and Jesus can bring.

TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE Some people experience several stages of grief while transitioning from a performance based religion. They are very real emotions that include shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Listen as Lynn Wilder shares the desperate need for help as she experienced these stages of grief and received a steady confidence of peace, trust and joy. SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

In this week's episode Lynn Wilder reviews the 7 Stages of Grief and we talk about how these relate to the transition out of performance-based religion.  This week we have a special focus on anger, and next week we'll continue the conversation looking other stages like denial, depression and acceptance.  In both episodes we talk about how grace can bring hope and healing to what is often a traumatic transition experience.

Lynn Wilder continues sharing her transition story out of performance-based religion to a grace-based faith in Jesus.  It's a fun and candid interview with a lot of helpful insights for people finding themselves in the uncertainty of religious transition. 

TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE Lynn shares from her life in performance-based religion, and how she thought she was good.  When she started reading the Bible all that changed. Jesus changed everything SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE What does gambling have to do with grace? What’s the risk? It’s all on the table, no negotiating. What’s the guarantee?   SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE Deciding to stand firm of proving what she believed through Mormonism, Lisa agreed to study the Bible confident she could defend her faith. The gods of her life began to be exposed by God for how weak, small and lifeless they were. December 20, 1990, all the chains and addictions fell off. Being compelled to love she had a desire to share with her parents, her family and all who would listen about the intimate God she had found. SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

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TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE Can I have a direct relationship with God without organized religion or the Church? We must figure out truth. Performance based religions have an authority based structure of who can hear from God. Jesus is our mediator, we have direct access no need for anyone else but is there a biblical paradigm from hearing from God? SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES