"Stories don't give answers, but they do offer perspective."-Dan Allender

In this ground-breaking resource, you will hear the stories of four men. Not because they are extraordinary men, but because their stories will lend perspective to your life and purpose.

Bart Hansen, Craig McConnell, Gary Barkalow, and John Eldredge begin by tracing desire throughout their lives--the awakening, deepening, and fulfillment of desire, leading to the roles they are in today. Desire, however, is never enough. ... God must also heal our wounded heart.  So each man also tracks God's pursuit of healing and restoration in their lives. 

A third factor in understanding and living out our purpose/calling is spiritual warfare. We have an enemy who, fearing the weightiness of our life, barrages us with accusation, condemnation, and confusion very specific to our role. If we do not understand his attack and resist, we will be taken out in this battle over our heart and for the hearts of others. Gary, John, Bart, and Craig talk about the spiritual assault they must continually fight and the breakthrough they have found.

Preserved in a 2 CD set, not only will these men's stories and questions give you personal perspective, they will give you insight into the life and calling of others.

We are created for intimacy with God.  It’s what our hearts long for.  And that intimacy includes a conversational relationship with him.

All of those wonderful stories we read about in Scripture, where “The Lord said to Moses” and “Moses said to the Lord,” where King David “inquired of the Lord”—those are examples of what a normal relationship with God looks like.  He longs to speak, and it is our right and privilege to hear his voice.  For as Jesus said:

“his sheep will follow him because they know his voice.... I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and my sheep know me....  They too will listen to my voice.”  (John 10: 4, 14, 16)

In this unrehearsed conversation, John Eldredge, Craig McConnell, and Gary Barkalow discuss why and how we are invited into this closest of fellowships with God and how to develop a conversational intimacy with him. The men explain the centrality of the Word of God, but also how to learn to listen to discern the voice of the Lord when he speaks to us personally. Both are essential for the Christian life.  Both are vital as we navigate through this dangerous world. ... 

Developing a conversational relationship with God will revolutionize your life!

There are “major” and “minor” themes found in scripture. The major theme is resurrection, life, breakthrough, triumph. The minor theme is crucifixion, suffering, darkness, loss. Both have a place in scripture, because both have a place in our lives. Yet, one is to be major, the other minor. Sadly, in our post-modern culture the minor theme has become the major theme. It’s cool to talk about confusion, the “dark night of the soul,” how hard life is. It feels “relevant” and much safer to talk about our struggles than it does to talk about breakthrough.

Part of why we don’t talk about breakthrough is that it sounds Pollyanna-ish in a world crushed by the amount of suffering ours has right now. But, perhaps, the deeper reason is that we don’t have breakthrough stories to tell. For if we did, wouldn’t we want to offer them to those in sure dire need? This next Conversation with Ransomed Heart is about the place of suffering and breakthrough.

When suffering comes, it bears the question--What does this expose in me? Some need for deeper holiness? Some need for healing? We watch to see if God is after something and also watch closely for the intentions of the enemy. Through some repentance and healing, or whatever else God uses in our lives, we look for breakthrough. When breakthrough tarries, we ask, "What is in the way?" We aren’t saying that all suffering can be ended in this life. But we will never know how much can be until we avoid hopelessly yielding to things as they are. We must look for life--and the breakthrough that comes as a result.

Is your heart good or bad?  Can you trust that God will speak to you in your heart? That your desires can be from God?  Scripture teaches that the heart is central to our lives.  Yet, many Christians find it hard to even talk about matters of the heart; undoubtedly, they know the verse in Jeremiah 17:9 that says the heart is "desperately wicked." 

So, how can we talk about loving God with all our heart?  About living "from the heart"? ... Because there is good news that has been stolen from the "Good News": 
The Gospel teaches that the work of Jesus Christ reaches even to the human heart.

This may be the most important CD ever released by Ransomed Heart, because its implications are so far-reaching to so many areas of our lives--to our relationships, our calling, and our walk with God.  We invite you to come and discover what God meant when he promised to set a new heart within us (Ez 36:26) ... and what Jesus offered when he talked about the "good and noble heart" (Luke 8:15). 

The truth will set you free.  Truly.

When you bring a child into the world, your heart steps into a role and a journey unlike any other. Someone once said: Being a mother, having a child ... is like having your heart walking around on the outside of your body. In fact, navigating the tough and often unfamiliar waters of shepherding the heart of your child can be lonely, painful, and confusing.

It can also bring some of the greatest joys you will ever know.

Join John and Stasi Eldredge, Lori McConnell, and Leigh Barkalow as they talk about what a mother's heart faces, endures, wonders, and needs during the years of raising children from birth through their teens. ... We think you will find this conversation immensely encouraging.