Reflections of The Lighthouse
Reflections of The Lighthouse is a podcast sharing the hope of the gospel for those struggling with life-altering addictions. Join us for real-life discussions on how the gospel transforms hearts.
30 Days in James
We're celebrating the launch of a brand new resource, 30 Days in James, written by our very own Dr. Brandon Bower. James is one of the most practical books in the New Testament and is helpful for anyone and everyone dealing with life altering sins. In this episode, Brandon and Jordan discuss the practicality of the book and how they are using this resource at The Lighthouse.
30 Days in James is the first in a series of six 30 Days books that will soon be available. The next one to be published will be 30 Days in Proverbs and will...
Gambling and Casinos
Brandon and Jordan dive into a serious conversation about the proposed casino in Allen County, Indiana. This episode focuses on the detrimental impact of gambling, especially on vulnerable communities, and highlights the importance of stewardship and responsibility from a biblical perspective. They discuss how casinos exploit those struggling with addiction and the consequences that come along with them.
Takeaways:
The Bible encourages wise and responsible management of finances. Gambling often involves the reckless or extravagant use of resources without planning for the future, which contradicts the biblical call to be prudent stewards of one's wealth.Gambling...Hope for the Controller
The concept of a controller - someone who seeks to control people, situations and circumstances - is not new to this podcast. In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse, Dr. Brandon Bower and Pastor Jordan Bradley revisit, not only what it means to be a controller, but to share the hope that is available for those who find themselves there.
Takeaways:
The desire for control is a sin and must be confessed.Surrendering your life to God’s control requires relinquishing your control and trusting Christ.Selfish goals lead to a selfish lifestyle.Roadblocks can be...The Perfectionist
For those who have perfectionistic tendencies, you know the tension it can cause in nearly every aspect of your life, as you constantly strive for it and never succeed in becoming it. In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse, Dr. Brandon Bower and Paster Jordan Bradley discuss the grip that perfectionism can have on an individual and the impact it can have on the people around them.
Takeaways:
The Perfectionist is performance orientedPerfectionism is an idol of the heartPerfectionists have a tendency to manipulate and control othersExcellence and perfection are very different pursuits...
The Self Life
This episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse delves into the concept of the "self life," exploring how our belief systems, often rooted in lies and selfish motives, dictate our actions and goals. It highlights how these self-centered pursuits, even those disguised as good, can lead us away from God's true purpose.
Takeaways:
The self life is governed by your belief systemSatan's lies lead to pursuing unbiblical goalsRoadblocks reveal your heartTrue life is found in surrendering yourself to God's controlGet in touch with our hosts:
Dr. Brandon Bower at bbower@lhfw.org<...
The Manipulation of People, Part 2
In this episode, Dr. Brandon Bower and Pastor Jordan Bradley discuss some of the character traits manipulative people tend to display and the reasons why they do so. This episode is the second part of a two-part series on how and why some people manipulate others. If you have not listened to part 1, be sure to do so then come back and listen to part two.
Takeaways:
A manipulator of people is often seen as unlovingManipulative people often shy away from meaningful relationships for fear of exposure, loss of control, and vulnerabilityAnger is a primary emotion...The Manipulation of People, Part 1
Dr. Brandon Bower and Pastor Jordan Bradley explore the motivations behind manipulative behavior, emphasizing that it stems from a desire to exert control over others in order to get our own way. This desire is linked to our human sinfulness and a lack of trust in God's divine plan.
Takeaways:
Manipulation can manifest in both overt and subtle ways, and can affect relationships profoundly.The manipulation of others is governed by unbelief in God and trust in self.Control is a bondage to pride and fear.True freedom lies in surrendering control to God, as He...What Do I Do Now? A Guide for Those Who Love an Addict
In this episode Dr. Brandon Bower highlights the impact of the work done at The Lighthouse in 2024 and introduces listeners to a new resource to help those who love someone struggling with addiction.
Takeaways:
The Lighthouse achieved an impressive 83% graduation rate in their six-month addiction program, significantly higher than the national average. The Lighthouse distributed over 51,000 pounds of food to families, sharing the Gospel with each family served. Dr. Brandon Bower emphasizes the importance of loving individuals struggling with addiction with the love of Jesus Christ. The new book What Do I Do Now? addresses common...Control
Are you a control freak? Have you ever tried to grasp for more control when a situation seemed to start slipping away? In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse Brandon and Duane explore the issue of control and the problems it poses for a believer.
Key topics:
Characteristics of a control freakDangers of reliance on selfNew identity in ChristCheck out the Theocast podcast mentioned in this episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/theocast/id1071551885
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Thriftstore (Instagram)
<...Understanding Idolatry
Idolatry is a sin that began in the Garden of Eden and still rears its ugly head today. But what is idolatry? How do we recognize it and how do we guard against it? In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse, Brandon and Duane discuss the roots of idolatry and how it looks in our world today and offer some practical ideas to keep yourself from falling into it.
Key topics:
Understanding idolatryUnderstanding the gospelSpeaking truth to yourself to face idolatryCheck out this resource mentioned in this episode:
A Gospel...
Dealing with Anger
What makes you angry? How do you deal with that anger? Is it righteous or is it sinful. In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse Brandon welcomes guest co-host, Jordan Bradley, to discuss righteous anger vs sinful anger.
Key topics:
Righteous angerSinful anger leads to sinful actionsBiblical principles for dealing with angerDiscover the ministries The Lighthouse has to offer. Visit the links below.
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Thriftstore (Instagram)
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Music
Raise You...
Facing Emotional Pain
Life is hard and doesn't always make sense and therefore, each of us will experience some level of emotional pain. In this episode, Brandon and Duane discuss the difficulty of facing that pain and offer Biblical wisdom in how to do so.
Key topics:
Experiencing emotional painBiblical examplesHealthy ways to face that painFor more information visit our new web site www.lhfw.org
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Thriftstore (Instagram)
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Music
Raise You Up (30...
Making Biblical Decisions
Our actions demonstrate what we believe about God, and those actions stem from the everyday decisions we make. So when it comes to making those decisions, both big and small, we can lean into our own wisdom or the wisdom of the Lord. In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse, our hosts discuss why making biblical decisions matter.
Key topics:
Human wisdom vs Godly wisdomWhat to do when faced with a decisionCommand oriented vs pleasure oriented decision makingCheck out A Gospel Primer for Christians by Milton Vincent
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Pursuing Biblical Goals
We have all set goals or been encouraged to set goals. The problem is that often times we discover that achieving those goals does not bring the satisfaction and joy that we were seeking. In today's episode, Brandon and Duane discuss the difference between pursuing faulty goals that lead to more discontentment and pursuing biblical goals that bring joy.
Key topics:
Faulty goalsResults of faulty goalsGod's goals for you---
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Tools for Victory
God not only commands us to stand firm against the enemy, He has given us all the necessary tools to do so. Today we take a look at those tools found in Ephesians 6:11-18 as Brandon and Duane discuss the full armor of God.
Key topics:
The full armor of GodResisting temptationOur responsibilities---
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Website
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Thriftstore (Instagram)
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Music
Raise You Up (30 Sec)
Diego Mendez
Soundscape Media
Mentioned in...
Standing Firm Against Satan
James 4:7 tells us to resist the devil, but do you know who the devil really is? Is he the little red creature with horns and a pitchfork or is there much more to him? In this episode, Brandon and Duane share a biblical view of Satan, his character, his schemes and his downfall and point to the hope we have in the victory of Jesus.
Key topics:
Satan's characterSatan's defeatChrist's victoryGod's promisesI John 4:4 – greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world!
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...Biblical Fundraising
Kevin Trotter from The Trellis Group joins host Brandon Bower for this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse to discuss Biblical fundraising.
Key Topics:
Coaching people to raise funds to spur on God's KingdomBiblical examples of fundraisingPeople don't give because they haven't been askedShould we only ask other Christians to help fund Christian ministries?Questions to consider when fundraisingIn Summary: The goal of Christian fundraising is to meet a genuine need in God's kingdom by actively challenging donors to heartfelt, generous, cheerful giving.
Interested in hearing more about Biblical fundraising?
...The End of Fear
This week we pick up the conversation we started in our last episode about fear. If you missed that episode you can catch it here. In this second part of that conversation, our hosts share a few steps we can take toward releasing our fear.
Key topics:
Fear stems from prideA spirit of power, love, and a sound mindReleasing our fearNegative results of fearYour willingness to accept the consequences of your sin leads to obedience, confession, repentance, restitution, growth in integrity, and a clear conscience.
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The Beginning of Fear
This week we begin a two-part series on fear. On one hand we read, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." But on the other hand, Jesus command us many times in the New Testament to, "fear not." What's the difference and how do we learn to fear one and gain the courage to avoid the other?
Key topics:
The fear of the LordFear of anything elsePerfect love and the absence of fearBe sure to catch the next episode for the rest of the conversation.
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Rebellion
Brandon and Duane pick up where they left off in the previous episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse and discuss the consequences of pride that lead to rebellion. If you missed the last episode you can listen to it here.
Key topics:
RebellionHope RepentanceDuane shares his story of rebellion, repentance and restoration.
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Poverty Summit - April 18, 6pm at The Lighthouse Biblical Life Recovery Center
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Website
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Thriftstore (Instagram)
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Pride
CS Lewis wrote, “Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.” But what is pride and how does it manifest itself in our lives? In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse, our hosts, Brandon Bower and Duane Modlin, discuss the grip of pride in our lives and the consequences of embracing it.
Key topics:
Pride is trying to do life without God.How pride manifests itselfCombatting prideDestructive results of prideBut, God...We must realize that what/whoever controls us is “lord” of our life.
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Graciously Accepted
In this episode of "Reflections of The Lighthouse," we explore what it means to be graciously accepted by God. We discuss how, despite our past as enemies of God, we've been accepted and loved through Jesus' sacrifice. This acceptance isn't earned, but freely given, birthing a new relationship with God and impacting every aspect of our lives.
Key Topics:
A chosen peopleThe essence of the GospelA change in relationship statusThe Gospel and religionIf you or someone you know struggles with addiction and is looking for help, visit our website below or give us...
Heart Issues and the Gospel
At some point you have likely been encouraged to "follow your heart" or "listen to your heart." The problem with that encouragement is that our hearts are deceptive and can lead us astray and our heart issues are not always obvious.
The good news is that despite our heart issues, there is hope in the Gospel. In this episode, Brandon and Duane, discuss the power of the Gospel to transform our hearts.
Key Topics:
Our deceptive and deceitful heartsSin mars the image of God in usA relationship with Jesus gives us new purpose and...God's Ultimate Control
We all love to have a little control, some more than others, but when we're in control we usually make a mess of things. In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse we discuss God's ultimate control and why we can trust Him. And we'll learn that the will of God cannot be thwarted.
Key topics:
Heals a man born BlindPaul's physical afflictionAuthority of those God puts in controlThe example of JosephThe Lord ordains man's stepsIf you find this content valuable, please share it with your network and leave a rating and review...
God's Sovereignty in Adversity
Nothing happens outside of God's plan and His control. So why does He allow sin and suffering? Is there a plan? Is there a purpose? In this episode we look at the life of Job as we discuss God's Sovereignty in the midst of adversity.
Key topics:
• Is Jeremiah 29:11 for me?
• God's perfect plan
• What about sin?
• The example of Job
• God's promises through suffering
If you are interested in learning more about the services offered by The Lighthouse or would like to have someone pray for y...
Sin and Suffering
This week we're picking up where we left off in the last episode and continuing our discussion on sin and suffering. Brandon is joined once again by his wife Liz as they share both personal stories and biblical wisdom. You may discover there is purpose for your pain.
Key topics:
Sin and sufferingWhen forgiveness is requiredGod’s ultimate goal for every believerPurpose in the pain---
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Website
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Thriftstore (Instagram)
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Music
Raise You Up (30 Sec)
...God's Plan for Suffering
God is good and yet, there's no denying the reality of suffering. In this episode, Brandon is joined by his wife, Liz, to discuss God's plan for suffering even as they walk through a bit of it themselves.
Key topics:
Suffering due to circumstances beyond our controlSuffering due to sinful choicesSuffering for His eternal purposesIn our next episode we'll discuss sin and suffering.
If you enjoy Reflections of The Lighthouse or know someone who would, send it to a friend or share it on your social media.
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<...God's Sovereignty in Salvation
Salvation is a key aspect of the Christian belief system and as such, is a primary focus in our counseling sessions at The Lighthouse. In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse, we're discussing God's Sovereignty in salvation.
Key Topics:
The giver of lifeThe granter or repentance Godly sorrow vs worldly sorrowWill any who are chosen ever be lost?In our next episode we'll discuss Gods sovereignty in suffering.
If you enjoy Reflections of The Lighthouse or know someone who would, send it to a friend or share it on your social m...
Thrift Stores and Brick Makers - An Update from The Lighthouse
In this special episode, Brandon shares an update about one way The Lighthouse Thrift Stores inspired the purchase of a brick making machine on another continent, and the generosity of a donor who made it possible.
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Website
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Thriftstore (Instagram)
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Music
Raise You Up (30 Sec)
Diego Mendez
Soundscape Media
The Character of God
God's character and the work of The Lighthouse, how are they connected? In today's episode we discuss the sovereignty of God and why that is an important aspect in the addiction recovery process.
Key Topics:
Defining God's Sovereignty God's sovereignty over manGod's sovereignty over creationGod's sovereignty in our livesIf you enjoy Reflections of The Lighthouse or know someone who would, send it to a friend or share it on your social media.
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Website
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Thriftstore (Instagram)
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The Right View of God
Whether we want to admit it or not, the ways in which we act, think and speak say a lot about how we view God. In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse we explore how having a right view of God leads to a right view of ourselves and others and will greatly impact how we live.
Key topics:
The sovereignty of GodSeven reasons to understand God's sovereigntyAs you listen to this episode consider how your view of God has impacted the way you live, and how that may or may not...
The Mission of Matthew 25
The mission of The Lighthouse involves loving those who are often considered outcasts and strangers among us. This includes those with addictions, mental health concerns, broken relationships, those who are hungry, imprisoned, and under resourced. In this special episode, we discuss our mission and why we offer the services we do.
Key topics:
Matthew 25:31-40The 5 key focuses of The LighthousePrograms with purposeListen in and learn more about the classes we offer, the relationships we're building and the stories of lives that are being impacted. If you're local, we'd love for you to...
Expressing Biblical Love
Love is a word that we use to describe how we feel about many things. But biblical love is so much more than just a feeling. In this episode we discuss what biblical love is and how we should express it.
Key Topics:
Love as a commandLove as a decisionLove that is unconditionalIf you are interested in learning more about the services offered by The Lighthouse or would like to speak with someone about better biblical communication, reach out to us at any of the links below.
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Communicating Biblically
In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse, our hosts discuss the topic of communicating biblically. You will learn what it means, why it is important especially in the context of biblical counseling, as well as how to do it.
Key Topics:
Being a good listenerSetting aside vulgar and abusive languageResponding gently in loveIf you are interested in learning more about the services offered by The Lighthouse or would like to speak with someone about better biblical communication, reach out to us at any of the links below.
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Admonishing Others
In this episode, Brandon and Duane tackle the difficult topic of admonishing others. It's a responsibility that all followers of Jesus carry but one that many avoid. You will learn more about what it means to admonish a fellow believer, why it's so important, and how to do it lovingly and responsibly.
Key Topics:
What is admonishment – 2 Tim 4:2Who should be admonishedA word of caution about slanderThe four G's of AdmonishmentUltimately admonishing is an act of love with the goal of restoration to fellowship with other believers.
If you are interested in...
Reconciling Relationships
Broken relationships can be hard to mend no matter how heinous or innocent the offense might have been. But God is not satisfied with brokenness. He is in the business of reconciling relationships and invites us into that work alongside Him. In this episode, Brandon and Duane discuss the importance of reconciliation and offer a Biblical approach to walking through the that process.
Key Topics:
God commands reconciliation – Matthew 5:23-24, Romans 12:18What the call of reconciliation is notGod's plan of reconciliationSteps to reconciliationIf you are interested in learning more about the services offered by...
Creative Ways to Give
In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse, our host Brandon Bower sits down with Patrick O'Connell from Wealth Advisors Group and board member of The Lighthouse to discuss creative and non-traditional ways to give.
Key Topics:
Loving and givingBeing a wise stewardCreative ways to giveBeth's storyA cheerful giverWhether you're looking for new ways to give or you're simply curious about the topic, this episode is for you. Listen today and learn how you can be a wise steward of your resources and make a difference in the world.
If you...
Tobacco Free Living
Tobacco use is the cause of one of the most common addictions in the United States. In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse, Brandon and Duane discuss the impacts of nicotine addiction, consider how and when smoking becomes a sin and ultimately offer a case for tobacco free living.
Key Points:
The body is a templeIs smoking a sinEncouragement for those who have tried to quitThe sin of satisfactionGlorifying God with your bodyIf you need someone to talk to about tobacco free living, contact our office at the links below or call...
Confession as Part of Healing
Confession is a powerful and necessary step in the process of healing relationships damaged by sin. But it's rarely easy and almost never the first step we take. In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse, Brandon and Duane discuss the power of confession, why it is necessary and what prevents us from from doing it.
Key points:
The problem of sinAs a Christian ALL your past, present and future sins have been forgivenConfession maintains fellowship with God and othersConfessing our sins one to another provides accountabilityThe issue of prideThankfulness as part of confession...
Renewing Our Minds
Renewing our minds is a spiritual practice that helps us change our thought patterns, worldview and even our behaviors. In this episode of Reflections of The Lighthouse Brandon and Duane discuss why renewing the mind is a crucial component of the addition recovery program at The Lighthouse, and why it's just as crucial for any and all believers.
Key Points:
What does it mean to renew your mind?Recognize sinful thoughts stem from sinful thinking (Jeremiah 17:9)Obedience is evidence of SalvationPractice develops habitsHow we help men at The Lighthouse practice Godly habits---
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