Hope for The Holidays: an Interview with Bruce Martin #adventday9
Allow me to introduce you today to my friend Bruce Martin.
Wise pastor, counselor, mentor, and friend– I cannot wait for you to lean in and listen to Bruce discuss how to handle the holidays when things are hard.
And not just during the holidays. How do you find hope during times of suffering?
Bruce has lived this. Through his struggle with anxiety and depression, Bruce has found hope and healing.
I have had the blessing of listening to his talk, ” The scars of suffering” at several different events, and have seen first hand how God is using this message to transform lives with the power of hope.
Are you struggling with grief during this holiday season?
Do you struggle with anxiety or depression?
Bruce is a deep well of wisdom and joy to help you through by sharing the hope we have in Christ, all the while giving space for the very real struggle.
This podcast interview goes perfectly with our theme for this week of Advent if you are following along our coming alive at Advent journey. (You can still grab a copy of The King is Coming: Coming Alive at Advent if you would like to join in)
It’s week two of advent and we are watching with hope this week.
We start out taking a dive into the story of Ruth. The story of Ruth has the making of a Hallmark movie with some extra hard twists.
Naomi and her husband move to Moab because of a famine in the land of Bethlehem.
Ironically the name Bethlehem means the city of bread.
Naoami and her husband go in search for bread.
While there Naomi’s two sons take wives from the Moabite people.
Then tragedy strikes. Naomi’s husband dies, then her sons.
Naomi is left a grieving mother and widow. Talk about scars of suffering. She even asked that her name be changed to Mara, which means bitter.
She returns back to Bethleham grieving all of the way. Ruth decides to come back with her.
They are again searching for bread.
I love the just so happened moment when Ruth ends up in Boaz’s field. He is actually related to them and ends up being a kinman redeemer for them.
I have very quickly told this story and I do not want you to miss any of the details– so I encourage you, read the book of Ruth.
Ruth and Naomi find hope in their suffering. They find a God who directs their justs so happened moments. They found the bread of life.
I am praying for you as you walk through this season that you find hope. Healing. And give your heart space for all of the feels.
Because the bread of life was broken for us, we can find life.
I love the reminder today that God orchestrates the ” just so happened” momens in our lives.
He is directing you. He will provide for you. He is a kinsman-redeemer for you, and He is the broken bread of life for YOU.
This is a Christmas story worth celebrating.
“The King is Coming: Coming Alive at Advent page 37”
Can I encourage you if you are struggling please grab a copy of Bruce’s Book Desperate for Hope: Hanging on and Finding God During Life’s Hardest times for yourself or to gift to someone who needs hope?
I cannot encourage you enough to pray about bringing Bruce and the Scars of Hope Tour to you and your friends
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Show Notes:
Jenn is welcoming Pastor, Bruce Martin, to her show today as her guest.
Connect with Bruce:
Connect with Jenn:
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