Testimonies

What do we really lose when love ends? It’s not just the person. It’s your identity. Your purpose. Your future. Even your grocery list. In this brutally honest episode of UnYoked, Todd Turner and author Marcus Ferris unpack the hidden grief that hits after a breakup or divorce. From shared memories and meaning, to purpose and neededness, this is the conversation most people wish they had years ago. In this episode: Why grieving a breakup is more than emotional pain The lost virtue domain—and why Christian men especially feel it How to rebuild when the shared goals, friends, and rhythms vanish The danger of dating too soon (and what to do instead) Why men and women numb differently—and how to fight the real monster If you’re single, divorced, or still reeling from the quiet fallout of a breakup, this episode is your mirror, your guide, and maybe even your elixir. 🟡 UnYoked is a podcast for Christian singles, empty nesters, and anyone rebuilding after loss. 🎧 Guest: Marcus Ferris | Mission 22, Coach, and Author https://stan.store/IronStrongLife Instagram @ultrarunfarris Bio Marcus Farris is an author, counselor, health coach, and Army Reserve officer. He currently works full-time for the veteran non-profit, Mission 22 as the Post Traumatic Growth Director. He joined their team in January 2020 after serving as an Engineer Officer in Alaska for four years. He has his undergraduate degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering and holds his Masters of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He is also a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach.

This episode is for those Christian men navigating divorce and searching for something more. Learn how to start over, find true healing from divorce, and experience real personal growth. It's time to rebuild yourself and discover a new life centered on faith. Seven years post-divorce, God stopped me in my tracks. I thought I was rebuilding, but I was still chasing idols — money, relationships, validation. This episode is my raw story of how He burned it all to the ground so I could start over with Him as my foundation. What we cover: The danger of isolation and “lone wolf” living Why dating too soon often backfires The “arrow in the back of the head” wound we try to hide Why repentance is the real starting line for healing How to rebuild on the Rock, not sand Scriptures: Matthew 7:16–20, Luke 15:20, John 15:5, Psalm 51:10, Proverbs 3:5–12

God can and does turn life’s messes into something beautiful. He often demonstrates the ability to make masterpieces out of ashes and rubble. Watch the short but powerful clip to hear about how the Lord can take the seemingly broken, destroyed and ruined and turn them into something beautiful and breathtaking.

People are fallen, lost and broken. We are all sinners who have willfully turned away from God. We disobeyed, choosing our way over His commands and directives. Of course, you know what happens after we ignore God: we make a complete mess of things, which occurs every time.

Human beings have a knack for screwing things up and taking the good and utterly ruining it. If there’s a way to make a bad situation worse, just give a human a little bit of time with it, and they’ll find a way. Luckily, God is in the business of providing forgiveness and offering grace because we’d all be totally and entirely lost without it. The Lord can also take those situations that we’ve wrecked and ruined, and use them for something good, making what was once broken and destroyed into something new and beautiful.

In a clip posted on YouTube, one man explains how the Lord does this, mentioning a specific and important verse in Scripture. He points to Romans 8:28, in which Paul writes how God uses all situations to bring about good for those who love Him. He adds that God can use messes that we’ve created or ones that we had no role in creating. It does not matter to Him because He can do it all.

“So, it’s almost like God is just so crazy redemptive that He can use even the worst parts of our stories,” he said. “He doesn’t just want to use the beautiful, polished, shiny parts of our stories that we can brag about. God wants the ugly, shameful parts of our story, and He’s committed, not just to working in the good things, but working in the bad things, too.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.”

This video features Chris Ballard’s story - a Cherokee from Tahlequah, Oklahoma - along with the Native American drum, flute and keyboard recording 'Send Me' written and performed by Dan Adler, (c) 2025 Heart of the City Music. This song and story are featured on the Heart of the City band CD 'A New Kind of Warrior', (c) 2025 Heart of the City Music. All are available for purchase or download at www.danandsandyadler.com

This video features Darla Provancial Yellowcloud’s story - from the Sicangu band of the original Seven Council Fires in Rosebud, South Dakota - along with the Native American guitar, drum and keyboard recording 'When the Light Shines' written by Dan Adler and performed by Dan and Sandy Adler, (c) 2025 Heart of the City Music. This song and story are featured on the Heart of the City band CD 'A New Kind of Warrior', (c) 2025 Heart of the City Music. All are available for purchase or download at www.danandsandyadler.com

This video features Kwsind Clelland’s story - a Lakota Sioux and Apache from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe - along with the Native American guitar and flute recording 'I See You Now' written by Dan Adler and performed by Dan and Sandy Adler, (c) 2024 Heart of the City Music. This song and story are featured on the Heart of the City band CD 'A New Kind of Warrior', (c) 2025 Heart of the City Music. All are available for purchase or download at www.danandsandyadler.com

This was the response of the Lord Jesus to the Devil when Satan said, "If you are the son of God..." The first three words from the Lord Jesus were "It is written..." What should be our response when the enemy says something similar to us?

Forrest Frank revealed how God led him into Christian music. The popular Christian music artist shared his powerful testimony, which shows God at work in his life, leading and directing him where to go. Watch the short but powerful clip to hear how Forrest was told he would make Christian music.

We all want a clear mission and plan for our lives, a stated purpose and a direction. That makes complete and total sense. Who would want to live an aimless and directionless life, where nothing of value or worth is accomplished? That sounds like a recipe for a horrible, miserable existence, one in which we would constantly be questioning ourselves.

Thankfully, the Lord does have a will and plan for every one of us. However, finding out what that plan and the direction for our lives is much easier said than done. Getting to that point could mean some stumbling, falling and failing, or it could not. In a clip posted on YouTube, Forrest discusses the unique and shocking way the Lord informed him that he was to go into the Christian music world and make music.

“A girl came up to me in church, and she’s like, ‘Hey, I had a dream of, I don’t know you,’” he said. “She’s from a different city. She’s like, ‘Hey, God gave me a dream about someone named Forrest Frank, and a lot of it was about this prophetic thing about, ‘Hey, I think you’re supposed to do Christian music. And you’re going to, like, change the game,” he recalled she told him. “This is before I ever did any Christian music.”

What a powerful moment! It demonstrates how God uses others to communicate his message and plans for our lives.

We may never experience something like Forrest did, but God has a plan and purpose for our lives.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

“I’ve made this decision [for Christ], now what am I going to do?” While riding the tube in London, Noel heard a sermon from Dr. Michael Youssef—and felt convicted to repent of his sins and change his ways. Learn how Dr. Youssef’s teachings have encouraged and equipped Noel to proclaim the Truth of Jesus on the streets of London. Hear more testimonies of God at work around the globe when you visit our website at https://www.ltw.org. Join us in our mission to passionately proclaim uncompromising truth. Subscribe to our channel and be part of a global ministry that is transforming lives every day.

Jeremiah 2: 13 For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.

This video features Les Parr’s story - from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Lapwai Band Nez Perce - along with the Native American drum and flute recording 'When I Heard the Spirit Call' written by Dan Adler and performed by Dan and Sandy Adler, (c) 2025 Heart of the City Music. This song and story are featured on the Heart of the City band CD 'A New Kind of Warrior', (c) 2025 Heart of the City Music. All are available for purchase or download at www.danandsandyadler.com

Kirk Cameron reflected on love and his decades-long marriage. The actor, writer and television show host shared his thoughts about love and how his marriage has changed and endured over the years. Watch the short but heartwarming clip to hear Kirk define love and how his view of love has impacted his marriage.

As it has been said, love is the most potent force on Earth. It drives people to do things they would never have considered before. Love causes people to give of themselves and to even put themselves in harm’s way for the safety and well-being of another. Love puts the other person before yourself.

While there are many different forms of love, the one most think of whenever love is mentioned (thanks to all the TV shows and movies) is the romantic variety, which is most often seen between a husband and a wife. Again, like with every other form of love, that is a situation in which the husband is supposed to put his wife’s needs before his, and vice versa. In a clip posted on YouTube, Kirk discusses love and how his relationship with his wife has changed over the years while talking with his son.

“Mom and I have been living out our love story for 35 years now,” Kirk said. “And it deepens. It changes. It’s a school where you learn how to die to yourself. Emotions change. Feelings change. Circumstances change.”

Later in the clip, Kirk adds that while love is easily the best thing on Earth, it can sometimes cause pain and sorrow.

“And I think, love is the greatest of all things,” he said. “We all hope for it. We all dream about it, and it also can be the most painful thing. The best songs are either about a heart that has been, you know, united in love with somebody else, or it’s been broken by love. I think few things are more powerful than it.”

Colossians 3:14 “And more than all, have love; the only way in which you may be completely joined together.”

Fears can keeps us from a blessing of God in our life. Are you willing to face your fears and live in faith?

This video features Todd 'Papa Bear' Finney’s story - an Oglala Lakota Native American - along with the Native American flute and guitar recording 'When the Darkness Flees' by Dan & Sandy Adler. Music written by Sandy Adler and performed by Dan and Sandy Adler. This song and story are featured on the Heart of the City band CD 'A New Kind of Warrior', (c) 2025 Heart of the City Music. All are available for purchase or download at www.danandsandyadler.com

This video features Kathy Talbert’s story - from the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe - along with the Native American drum recording 'I Did Not Know' written by Dan Adler and performed by Dan and Sandy Adler, (c) 2024 Heart of the City Music. This song and story are featured on the Heart of the City band CD 'A New Kind of Warrior', (c) 2025 Heart of the City Music. All are available for purchase or download at www.danandsandyadler.com

This video features Christina (Tina) Valtierra’s story - from the Red Lake Ojibwe Nation - along with the Native American flute and guitar recording 'I Lift My Eyes Unto the Hills' written by Dan Adler and performed by Dan and Sandy Adler, (c) 2024 Heart of the City Music. This song and story are featured on the Heart of the City band CD 'A New Kind of Warrior', (c) 2025 Heart of the City Music. All are available for purchase or download at www.danandsandyadler.com

Denzel Washington seeks God's ultimate reward and is unconcerned about any awards or accolades he may receive. The longtime Hollywood actor made it clear that awards and praise are not what he's after; he is focused on God's ultimate reward: making it to heaven. Watch the short but powerful clip to hear Denzel talk about how he concerns himself with the eternal, and not earthly, temporary things.

No one will live on this Earth forever. This place is nothing more than a pit stop on the way to eternity. Our lives are temporary, and all will pass away and experience death at some point. In the Bible, the book of James describes our lives as a mist or a vapor that is "seen for a little time and then is gone."

Chasing after worldly pleasures such as fame, money or praise are futile and meaningless because of how short life is and how we aren't promised tomorrow. The eternal should occupy much more of our concern and energy, but sadly, many people have their focus twisted and entirely backward. However, Denzel Washington understands what is important and what actually does matter, and it's not Oscars, money or praise from the critics.

In a clip posted on YouTube, Denzel was promoting his latest film when the interviewer remarked about his winning multiple Oscars. The "Training Day" star then states that the Oscars or any other award mean nothing to him.

"I don't do it for Oscars, I really don't care about that kind of stuff, you know?" Denzel said. "I've been at this a long time, and there's time when I won, shouldn't have won, and shouldn't have won and won, didn't win, and should have won. Man gives the award. God gives the reward. I'm not that interested in Oscars."

Later in the interview, he mentioned how empty and meaningless his acting accolades are to him.

"On my last day, it ain't going to do me a bit of good," he said.

"As long as He says, 'Now, boy, get on up here,' I'm all right," he added.

John 12:43 "For the praise of men was dearer to them than the approval of God."

Corrie Ten Boom shares about how her sister, Betsie, died in the concentration camp during ww2, but she was able to see her new body as a gift from God.

A young business owner gave $1,000 to his church and thanked God for his success. This hardworking and entrepreneurial young man is thoroughly impressive, yet he remains humble and understands who is responsible for his success. Watch the short but powerful clip to learn about this young business owner and the tear-jerking thing he did to help out his church.

Everyone wants instant success, and with that highly desired, sought-after success, they hope a fair amount of money follows. Of course, that's not typically what happens. Most individuals don't simply wake up and are handed tons of cash. People who live in the real world understand that before success, a lot of hard work and dedication come first. That doesn't sound like much fun, right?

Children who learn and understand that hard work and dedication are necessary to achieve anything worthwhile will be much better off than their peers who have difficulty grasping this lesson. Parents who don't teach and show their youngsters this are only doing them a disservice. They will learn it one way or the other, eventually.

In a clip posted on YouTube, one young man, 12-year-old Quentin Hines Jr., knows all about hard work. He has his own business, which allows him to do something he absolutely loves: mowing lawns.

"I really, really love it," Quentin said. "I really love it."

The young man said his ultimate dream is to get a job mowing the lawn at one unexpected location.

"Ever since I was younger, I always wanted to get a contract with the Charlotte airport," he said. "And, like, sometimes when I go out there, they will have the mowers out there. So, I would like stand there for a while."

As the clip mentions, the young man's business is growing rapidly, and he's acquiring new customers at an impressive rate. But he's not keeping all his profits for himself. He gave $1,000 to his church to help it pay off its mortgage.

"When you put things into the world, it always finds a way to come back to you," he said.

Even with all of his success, the 12-year-old business owner understands who is ultimately responsible for it.

"It mostly feels like God really just opened a lot of opportunities for me," he said. "And He really just showed me that this is what He wants me to do on this Earth. I love it, and I will never stop, never."

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, do it readily, as to the Lord and not to men;"

Jamie MacDonald’s moving testimony will touch your heart. The Christian music artist shared her rough and painful upbringing and how God’s love transformed her and completely changed the direction of her life. Watch the short but powerful clip to hear Jamie’s testimony.

This world is a lost, broken and fallen place full of hurting, struggling people calling for help. 
They are desperately searching near, far and everywhere for anything that might provide even the slightest bit of relief. People are looking for anything to give them hope in a hopeless, lost world.  

Sadly, this search for hope and pain relief can and does send people to some pretty dark and hopeless places. However, no matter where we might go or what we may do, we are never too far from Him and His love. He can make the broken whole again and bring about beauty from ashes. In a clip posted on YouTube, Jamie shares how the Lord changed her life, gave her a purpose and direction, and provided her with comfort and healing.

Jamie admits that as a result of her rough and painful upbringing, she was broken and “never really felt loved as a kid.” This hurt, and her search for acceptance and love eventually led her to drop out of high school and join a gang, and she got into drugs and alcohol. She says that she “found a family in that atmosphere.”

But praise God that is not where Jamie’s story ends!

Jamie said the turning point happened when she saw some of her friends overdose and even die. One night, she prayed, “God, if You can get me out of here, I would love a new start. I would love to sing for You and live my life for You.”

The Lord answered her desperate plea, giving her a way out of that lifestyle. She eventually found and joined a church, became part of a missions ministry and even went to Africa for a month.

During that mission trip to Africa, Jamie found her love for music again. Not only did she find music again, but this also led her to find and reconcile with her biological father during the last few years of his life.

What a powerful testimony that demonstrates God’s unbelievable love, grace and mercy.

Hebrews 4:16 “Then let us come near to the seat of grace without fear, so that mercy may be given to us, and we may get grace for our help in time of need.”