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Helping Christians who feel disconnected find their way home to Love.From years of experience Anna Harris has come to see that coming into the revelation of God as a loving, perfect Father is the foundation for life and healing. Her passion and ministry is to help both Christians and Christian leaders recover from religious & relationship trauma finding their first love again. She is the founder of Defined by God Ministries and is a certified trauma & resiliency life coach. Her informed and insightful teaching, intertwined with her own life story allows others to receive God’s healing love in their lives more readily. Anna spent many years as the senior leader of a Catch the Fire church, during which time she also founded and lead their school of ministry. She is the proud mom of 4 adult children and lives in central Texas with her two Maltese “babies”.
Episodes
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
What did Jesus REALLY say about forgiveness? We trust that this teaching will bring you a lot of freedom when it comes to the forgiveness message that many of us have been taught in the church.
This is an open, honest conversation about the responsibility of both parties when it comes to forgiveness. I'm sure we've all been taught the famous passage about forgiveness in Matthew 18. We are told to forgive - YES! But sometimes this teaching is taken out of context.
Some teachings imply that as Christians we should "shove the offense under the rug" so to speak and just simply forgive, over and over and possibly stay in an abusive situation. When in fact, we need to speak up and confront wrongful actions.
Modern day teachings on forgiveness tend to be very heavy on the victim's responsibility to forgive, but not enough emphasis on accountability of the one who's causing the offense. What is their responsibility? There are two sides to this coin.
In this episode, Anna talks about current forgiveness teachings and some of the problems with them, and about thinking about forgiveness when Jesus was on the earth. And, we're honored to have Diana back as a returning guest on our podcast. She shares some of her story in this episode, as well.
In this podcast we see that the Bible instructs us to confront the abuser or offender and how it's actually a loving act to do so. It is beneficial for the offender because it offers them an opportunity to realize they are wrong and change their ways.
To read Anna's blog, "When forgiveness teaching is harmful". Click here: https://definedbygod.com/when-forgiveness-teaching-is-harmful/
To watch Diana's previous podcasts, ""When the abuser is both your husband and Pastor", Click here: https://youtu.be/bsbFCF7egqo
For full episode, podcast and shownotes, visit: www.definedbygod.com/episode27
#definedbygod #forgiveness #forgivenessteaching #traumarecovery #religioustrauma #spiritualabuse #abuse #bibleteaching #definedbygodministries #annaharris #jewishculture
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
In this episode we look at EMDR therapy. What is it?, How does it work? What are the benefits? And is it "Christian friendly"? Our guest today is Esly Carvalho, Ph.D., T.E.P., and she explains EMDR in such a clear, simple way. If you've been wondering if it's something you should try, or want to understand it better, you'll want to listen to/watch this podcast. Esly is the Founder and Director of the TraumaClinic Group. She is the author of many books, some of which have hit Amazon Bestsellers' lists, such as Healing the Folks Who Live Inside,(reviewed in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research (2013) and Heal Your Brain, Heal Your Body.
With over 40 years of experience, Esly is a certified trainer of EMDR therapy (EGN), Brainspotting (Brainspotting Institute) and Psychodrama (American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy, which she passed with distinction).
From 2004, to the present time, Esly has been involved in expanding the use and training of EMDR therapy around the world. She has been instrumental, directly or indirectly, in the implementation of this approach initially in Brasil and Latin America (Ecuador, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Venezuela) as well as Spain and Portugal. Robbie Dunton (Executive Director, EMDR Institute) once described her as the "Mother of EMDR Latin America" (personal communication, 2013) .
To find out more about Esly's work, visit her website: www.traumaclinicinternational.com
Her FREE Kindle manual for women who are coming out of domestic violence, can be found here: https://a.co/d/61Qiy4X
For her online course, visit: www.traumaclinicinternational.com/course/pipa
#definedbygod #traumarecovery #emdrtherapy #emdr #abuse #traumacoach #ptsd #cptsd #definedbygodministries #esly #healing #psychodramatherapy
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
**This is an episode you do not want to miss!! It also includes a real-time exercise that you can do at home as you watch!**
This conversation offers so much FREEDOM from religious messaging and brings the conversation and focus back to Jesus - the one who heals us.
In this episode we talk with Melinda Wilson about spiritual abuse and religious trauma. Have you ever thought about receiving inner healing but feel unsafe to do so? Encountering the person of JESUS is what brings the healing.
Melinda teaches Immanuel Approach, a healing modality which helps remove blockages that hinders deeper intimacy with Jesus. "When we encounter the living presence of Jesus and experience His presence, His "Glad-to-be-with-us-ness"... the definition of joy, then we receive healing. Attachment wounds and traumas of all kinds are healed by encountering the love of Jesus."
The Immanuel Approach is trauma informed and is based on brain science. You will learn how to change your neural pathways and change the way you handle situations in your life. We also discuss some of the myths of heart healing, what it is and what it isn't.
Melinda is co-founder of Face to Face Ministries, and has had the privilege of experiencing life as a missionary and student overseas for years. She has always had a heart to share who the real Jesus is with others in one capacity or another. After experiencing her own transformative heart healing over the years, she knew her calling was to see people set free to walk in their God-given design and in their true heart. She is passionate about teaching, training, and equipping men and women with practical skills and tools which bring healing and transformation to their everyday lives.
To find out more about face to face ministries, click here: www.facetofaceminitries.org
For full podcast details, click here: www.definedbygod.com/episode25
#definedbygod #traumarecovery #religioustrauma #spiritualabuse #traumacoach #ptsd #cptsd #definedbygodministries #facetoface #facetofaceministries #melindawilson #annaharris #innerhealing #jesus #god #recovery #meditation #prayer #christawareness
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Janice went from being in full time ministry, ministering all over the world with her husband, to one day just saying "I just can't do this anymore". Little did she know she was in for an 11 year long journey of deconstructing her faith and learning for the first time who she REALLY was. She had tried to fit in to the various molds that she was given, first in her very conservative church growing up, and later into minister molds. She felt she didn't know the real Janice.
What happens when you find yourself hitting a wall? When you have nothing left to give mentally, physically, or spiritually? "I didn't feel as if I had anything to say anymore, and if I did open my mouth to speak, I felt like a fraud. I think looking back, I was getting in touch with the fact that I did not know who I was, and I couldn't function in that atmosphere anymore".
For those 11 years, God took her on a journey of self discovery, but more importantly, a discovery about who He was to her. It was during that time that God met her, in a time when she had nothing left to "give" God. She explains how God lovingly came to her and said "Let's find something that works for you". God was gracious and kind. Janice felt like she didn't need to pretend anymore and that she could take off the old "clothes" that didn't fit her anymore.
"I didn't know who I was... I was too tired, I didn't have it in me anymore... I felt nothing. But I felt a huge sense of relief... the only way I can describe it is like going into a Spiritual coma." If you find yourself in a place where you're burnt out and no longer recognize the place you're in, or who you are for that matter, let God come to you and do what he needs and wants to do. You might not know where you're going, but He's in control and will take care of you in the journey. "I have a new level of freedom that I can't even describe".
To read Janice's Blog, click here: https://definedbygod.com/what-deconstructing-my-faith-taught-me/
For full episode details, click here: www.definedbygod.com/episode24
#definedbygod #recovery #definedbygodministries #ianross #janiceross #rest #godslove #spiritualrest #ministry #howtoreset #restore #authenticself #trueyou #burnout #spiritualabuse #deconstruction
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! Upcoming Retreat with Anna and Mark coming October 2023! Sign up for the waitlist and receive more details here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/648fd58af94b5294ed86b5af
What do you do when "trying harder" doesn't work? When Christianity becomes about your effort and what you're "doing" for God, instead of what He's already done, it robs you from experiencing the fullness of what true relationship with God can be like. Mark talks about how when we become "failure" focused, it prevents us from actually enjoying our relationship with God and having peace in our lives.
Unfortunately, there are many preachers and churches teaching that our fundamental identify is one of "sin", when in fact, we are Sons and Daughters first, made in God's image. When we change our perspective and take the focus off sin, and onto our TRUE identity as His beloved child, our lives change radically.
For full episode details and information about the retreat, click here: www.definedbygod.com/retreat
#definedbygod #findinghome #definedbygodministries #retreat #markhead #annaharris #fatherheart #loveofgod #godslove #spiritualrest #fatherheartofgod
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
TRIGGER WARNING - This podcast episode contains stories of sexual abuse and sexual assault.
Naomi shares her courageous story of survival and healing from growing up in a sexually abusive home and later becoming a victim of sexual assault. When Naomi's mother found out about the sexual abuse happening, the abuser was taken out of the home briefly to receive help and healing. However, religious leaders pressured her mother to stay married and to quickly let the abuser back in the home, and the abuse continued. Later, when Naomi's mother filed for divorce, the family was kicked out and ex-communicated from the church.
As a young adult, Naomi was a victim of a sexual assault by the son of a church leader. She tells the unbelievable story of being blamed for the assault by church leaders because there was alcohol involved and she "shouldn't have been drinking". Church leaders bullied her to drop the charges and harassed her when she refused. It's by God's grace that Naomi today is healed and still in love with Christ and the church.
She eventually learned to trust church leaders again and found some amazing men and women of God who walked along side her as she went on her healing journey and who had encouraged her to seek professional (along with spiritual) help. Naomi helps people recognize spiritual abuse, and offers hope to those who have experienced abuse and encourages them to: GET OUT. GET SAFE. SEEK HELP. (Develop a safety plan if this is a domestic relationship and you feel unsafe.)
If you feel you are in an unsafe domestic relationship, in the U.S. contact www.thehotline.org or call 800.799.SAFE (7233) for help making a safety plan.
If you are in Australia, you can call or online chat with counsellors at 1800RESPECT (1.800.737.732) or chat online via the website www.1800respect.org.au
Today, Naomi is a qualified teacher, wife, mother, prophetic voice and author/blogger. Her passion lies in awakening individuals to their identity in Christ, unlocking destinies and encouraging others to live a purpose-filled life. She lives in Brisbane, Australia with her beautiful family. With a heart for speaking the truth in love, Naomi runs an online prophetic and teaching ministry, Naomi Byers Ministries. She has a deep love and reverence for scripture and a heart that burns to represent Christ to a broken world.
To learn more about her ministry, visit her website here: www.naomibyersministries.com
If you would like to book an appointment with Anna Harris for a coaching/inner healing session, you can do so here: www.definedbygod.com/bookings/
For full episode details, go to www.definedbygod.com/episode23/
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Shannon and her husband were radically changed when they encountered the love of the Father. Together they started "Project 319" a ministry that shares stories of how the Father's love has changed people's hearts and lives, and they do it through documentaries, and teachings.
They also do mission work all over the world. In this episode Shannon shares the power of the simple gospel and dives deep into the revelation of the Father's love and what it means to be a true daughter of God.
She also talks about how to deal with grief/loss and how the Father loves to come along side and "sit" with us in our pain. There is no timeline to grieving, though it's usually human nature to want to rush through it.
God is gentle and knows what areas and things in our lives that need to "die" and when. Let the Father take care of it and "clean your garden" so that the new can grow and spring up. As Denise Jordan of Fatherheart Ministries says, "Never waste a good death".
To learn more about Shannon's ministry, visit her website: https://www.project319.org/
To view the full episode on our website, visit www.definedbygod.com/episode22
#definedbygod #traumarecovery #religioustrauma #spiritualabuse #traumacoach #ptsd #cptsd #definedbygodministries #storytime #testimony #creative #videomaker #documentary #podcast #ministry #loveofgod #jesus #god #simplegospel #gospel
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Have you ever noticed your body shrink back or get tense around certain people? It could be a trauma response. Your body doesn't lie and is always speaking. It's smarter and more intuitive than we often give it credit for.
In this podcast episode Tabitha talks about different ways that trauma can be stored in the body and how traumatic events can have long lasting negative effects on your mental and physical health. She also talks about grounding techniques and other ways for us to come back into our bodies when we feel disregulated or triggered. Having had her own experiences with spiritual abuse, Tabitha is able to offer various solutions if you find yourself in this same situation.
Tabitha is a trauma specialist & Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, & Licensed Professional Counselor, a passionate Christian woman who loves God.
She teaches ground-breaking therapeutic skills using bible-based truths. "I know God is the one who brings true, complete healing and life, so I took the time to incorporate scriptures and faith into these incredible skills for myself. God used it to bring about powerful change in my life." God is in the business of restoration! He is able AND willing to heal us when we come to him and ask Him for help.
For more about Tabitha, visit her website here: https://www.tabithawestbrook.com/
To learn more about her practice, click here: https://thejourneyandtheprocess.com/
For more information about Anna Harris, click here: www.definedbygod.com
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Desiree Simons is a Certified Trauma and Resilience Life Coach. She's a wife and mother of 2 and has been rescued by Jesus from addiction, death, fear, bad habits and many other things. Desiree has had a life of ups and downs and has been through various severe traumas.
She went through a painful divorce and was headed down a complete path of destruction until she gave her life fully to Jesus.
"I spent many years in a very dark place, being trafficked, experienced satanic rituals, mental health torment and struggled with addiction since the age of 12. As a teenager between the ages of 12 and 17 I was placed within 7 different mental hospitals and was diagnosed with PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Bipolar, Borderline Split Personality Disorder and Insomnia. I was prescribed 13 pills twice a day while also doing street drugs. At the age of 18 I moved into my Granny B’s home who was struggling with Dementia. She truly helped transform a lot of the things regarding mental health for me."
In her early 20's she became pregnant with her first son. Although still being very unstable, she knew being a mother would change her life. Shortly after delivering her son, she became pregnant with my daughter. At that point she struggled with postpartum depression.
She began drinking and smoking weed after her second child and had back surgery as well due to the back to back pregnancies and how it affected her back. The traumas didn't stop there, she ended up dying for 5 minutes at home at one point, but thankfully her mother prayed and she came back to life on the spot!
She had her kids taken from her and that's when she knew enough was enough. She reached out for some help and got it. Listen to her remarkable story of trauma and God's redemptive power!
"If there is one thing I could give to anyone is that truly giving your life to Jesus and allowing him to work within your heart will truly change everything for the better. It may be painful and a process but it is well worth it. I owe him every part of my life and I am so happy I can now walk in freedom today from all of the labels, false identities and strongholds. I am a new creation in Christ Jesus!"
To visit Mercy Gate's website, click here: https://mercygateministries.com/
To download the FREE "Who I am in Christ" resource, click here: www.definedbygod.com/whoiaminchrist
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Watch as Jon Archambault and Anna Harris have a candid discussion about Attention Deficit Disorder and how the diagnosis seems to be increasing in adults, especially females. They discuss the similarities and differences between PTSD and ADD.
Jon Archambault is a retired Corporal from the Canadian Armed Forces and also spent 6 years in Law Enforcement. He was diagnosed with PTSD and Depression after his time in the military and police service, but he says that his diagnoses do not define him. He is now a trained Trauma and Resiliency Life Coach, as well as an entrepreneur.
He has written a book called Operation: Wired Differently, and helps other first responders who also have PTSD. You can find his book here: www.wireddifferently.co
“As I wrote, I also realized that the stigma around mental illness was extremely present within the uniform and in society; I wrote Operation: Wired differently as a way to educate society about the demons that are brought back home after seeing horrible things that most of society could not imagine. Operation: Wired Differently also allows me to shine a light on invisible injuries and the men and women who battle them daily.”
#wireddifferently #trauma #traumarecovery #definedbygod #definedbygodministries #PTSD #CPTSD #veteran #exmilitary #expolice #Depression #firstresponders #posttraumaticstressdisorder #Attentiondeficitdisorder #ADD #ADHD #adultADD