Listen in as Ben and Joy Hamilton (husband and wife) have an open conversation about their journey with infertility. They start by sharing their story of learning they had infertility and how that impacted their relationship as they both entered into a very difficult grieving process. Next, Ben and Joy discuss how infertility made it a challenge to be in relationships with others, including inside the church, and how the presence of compassionate listeners began to transform their pain as they borrowed hope from others. They also speak directly to couples who might be dealing with infertility, all mingled with their own story and experience. 

**This conversation is long, but certainly could be longer. This is a heavy topic, and we recognize there may be gaps or things that are not said. We hope the conversation is honoring and helpful to those who might be struggling here, and to those who may know and love someone who is**

Listen in as Ben has a special conversation with Todd and Kristin as they graciously walk us through some of their story and how Jesus has moved them from a place of shame and fear to freedom and hope. 

Perceived hopeless in another makes us uncomfortable. It's normal. So how should we respond when we encounter someone who is struggling? How can we work through our own discomfort so we don't inadvertently add to someone's burden? Listen in as Brenda, Ben, and Luke have an honest conversation about seeking to hold hope for another person. In this episode they focus on the traps to avoid.  

How do we listen well when we are sitting with someone else who is suffering and struggling with hope? What does it look like to faithfully journey with another on the road to reclaiming hope? Ben, Brenda, and Luke pick up the conversation (a continuation of Episode 12) to share personal stories and give practical helps. 

Ben and Brenda are back with a special guest, Luke Manna, to have an honest conversation about struggling with sin, the process of sanctification, and the Hope that undergirds it all.

Here is the piece from the quote by Tim Keller: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-to-talk-sin-in-postmodern-age/

Brenda also referenced a John Piper sermon, and you can find that here: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-greatest-thing-in-the-world

Lastly, we commend this recent sermon from Citylight Church by Gavin Johnson

Ben and Brenda share some reflections and personal updates after about 6 weeks off from podcasting - training new care ministers, hosting a marriage conference, getting COVID, and vacation. They also reconsider what it means to be a "community of hope." 

Connect with us at hope@citylightomaha.org

As Brenda and Ben take some time off from the podcast, here is a recent talk given by Ben at a marriage conference in which he addresses some reasons of why we typically do not suffer well together, the role of shame, and how we can come together during hard times in our marriages. To watch this session and the rest of the conference, visit www.citylightomaha.org/marriageconference. We'll be back with new episodes in late April! 

Listen in as Ben and Brenda get real about shame and how they've come to understand and experience it (both personally and professionally), the story of shame throughout the Biblical narrative, and Jesus' ultimate victory and restoration of our Hope.