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The Pink Elephant

Religion & Spirituality Podcas

There is a pink elephant in the Christian world. Despite all we have and all the resources at our fingertips...it can feel like something is missing in our faith experience. This podcast investigates exactly what is missing, and how we can move toward a deeper more satisfying faith.

Location:

United States

Description:

There is a pink elephant in the Christian world. Despite all we have and all the resources at our fingertips...it can feel like something is missing in our faith experience. This podcast investigates exactly what is missing, and how we can move toward a deeper more satisfying faith.

Language:

English


Episodes

S4, Episode 1: Being Righteous with Dr Denise Powell

2/19/2024
Welcome back to Season 4! In this first episode for 2024, I interview Dr Denise Powell about the concept of being Righteous in the book of Luke, the subject of her PHD. Dr Denise draws incredible insights for our daily walk with God, that will challenge and humble.

Duration:00:59:38

S3, Episode 10 FINALE - Statements We Could Do Without (Fear, Guilt & Shame EDITION)

11/20/2023
In this FINALE episode for Season 3, Mel continues the legacy of 'Statements We Could Do Without'. Did you know that FEAR, GUILT & SHAME are really terrible motivators? Not only that, they are concepts that as Christians we aren't meant to carry anymore. In this edition, Mel takes a look at a few statements present in the Christian world that use FEAR, GUILT or SHAME to motivate believers into action or obedience. The Pink Elephant podcast will be back in 2024 with Episode 1 releasing on the 20th February. Stay subscribed so you don't miss it!

Duration:00:19:52

S3, Episode 9 - What is holiness? What isn’t it?

10/16/2023
Holiness can be confusing! In this episode, Mel discusses her first exposure to holiness and how utterly strange it was. So strange in fact that she decided not to think about it. Until last year when she started reading more extensively about the holiness movement. What was it about the message of holiness that caused such a stir? What is holiness? What isn't it? Find out in this months episode!

Duration:00:28:15

S3, Episode 8 - Chapter 1 (Deep Faith, Resilient Faith)

9/18/2023
As a special feature episode, please help yourself to this FREE audio-version of Chapter 1 from Deep Faith, Resilient Faith.

Duration:00:27:59

S3, Episode 7 - False Humility

8/14/2023
In this month's episode, Mel shares her most recent learnings about false humility. False humility can be deceptive. We often put our trust in people who appear humble, only to find out that they aren't really humble at all. In this episode, examines the goals and the gains of a false humility mindset and how we can prevent it

Duration:00:55:12

S3, Episode 6 - Power & The Holy Spirit

7/17/2023
In this months episode, Mel spends some time considering what power and witness might be, and how we often interpret them within the context of Acts 1:8 which says: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth"

Duration:00:41:30

S3, Episode 5 - Our Parents

6/19/2023
There might not be any relationship that is more influential on the person you become than that of your parents. Even if they are absent, they still influence the person you turn out to be. There are some pink elephants in the Christian world when it comes to our parents...tackling these is the goal for Mel in this months episode.

Duration:00:47:53

S3, Episode 4 - Annette Spurr on Gratitude

5/22/2023
In this month's episode Mel speaks with Author & Speaker Annette Spurr on the topic of Gratitude. Annette is the author of "The Simple Joy of Seeing God" where she shares many stories and thoughts on joy and gratefulness, and its relationship. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.

Duration:00:27:49

S3, Episode 3 - Hypocrisy

4/17/2023
In this episode, Mel addresses a topic that is rarely taught about in church...despite Jesus' frequent teaching and warnings on the subject - prepare to have your mind opened!

Duration:00:33:06

S3, Episode 2 - Emotions with Julani Potgieter

3/20/2023
Emotions are a tricky business in the church. At one extreme we can suppress emotions. At the other, we can be ruled by them. In this episode, Julani Potgieter joins Mel to discuss the role of emotions in the life of a believer. You can follow Julani at on Instagram at Sound Mind Mentoring

Duration:00:52:15

S3, Episode 1 - Weakness

2/20/2023
When Jesus told Paul "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness"...He assured us centuries of confusion. It would be tough to find a concept more counter-cultural than this one. In this episode, Mel delves into the concept of weakness. What was Paul meaning when he claimed to boast in his weaknesses? How and why would we ever want to do that? Discover the immense power in weakness, in this first episode of Season 3 Mel refers to the following book in the episode: "Paul, Apostle of Weakness: Astheneia and Its Cognates in the Pauline literature" by David Alan Black...PURCHASE HERE

Duration:00:34:02

S2,Episode 10 FINALE: Statements We Could do Without (with Tim from the New Evangelicals)

11/14/2022
Continuing in the legacy established in Season 1, this final episode is another examination of "Statements We Could Do Without"...but with a twist! Tim Whittaker from the New Evangelicals contributes his thoughts about the following statements we make that might need some evaluation: * "Your not a Christian if you...." * "The Bible is clear" * "Hate the sin, but not the sinner" * "They're only human" If you'd like to check out the New Evangelicals you can find them on Instagram: @thenewevangelicals or on their website: www.thenewevangelicals.com

Duration:00:33:59

S2, Episode 9 - Intimacy with God

10/17/2022
We so often hear in the Christian world, that relationship is at the core of faith. But how do we actually develop an intimate relationship with Him? Many Christians find this question really difficult to answer, because we've been doing the typical activities associated with relationship (Prayer, Reading the Word, Attending Church) for so long, without a great change in the connection we experience with Him. In this episode, Mel takes on some of the biggest Pink Elephants relating to this topic. With some thoughts to help you draw closer to God.

Duration:00:37:41

Season 2 - Episode 8: Kingdom Culture with the Uprising Podcast

9/19/2022
In this months episode, I got the pleasure of interviewing Alex Headrick & Bryan Burkholder of the UPRISING PODCAST. These guys are seriously insightful, thought provoking and I'm confident they'll get your brain juices going! In this episode they talk all about the Kingdom Culture, and how we can elevate our perspective to consider the Kingdom way...which is not always so obvious. Go check these guys out at www.theuprisingpodcast.com or you can follow them on social media.

Duration:00:51:43

Season 2 - Episode 7: Waiting

8/22/2022
We presume that waiting is barrier to what God really wants us to experience in life: the destination. But the scriptures show us many things about waiting and how critical it is to the process of deepening our faith. In this months episode, discover what God might intend for your waiting season...it may just be the actual breakthrough you need. I cover this topic even more extensively in my latest book: "Deep Faith, Resilient Faith: Curing Shallow Christianity"...check it out at www.https://www.meljsaward.com/store/p/deep-faith-resilient-faith

Duration:00:33:24

Season 2 - Episode 6: Peace

7/18/2022
Most people want more peace in life, whether they are Christian or not. But what exactly is peace, and how is depth effecting our experience of this incredible Christian concept?

Duration:00:35:54

Season 2 - Episode 5: Freedom

6/19/2022
We are told that we are free, but why don't we feel free? What don't we comprehend about scripture that could truly unshackle us? This is the question Mel explores, having desired true freedom herself. In this episode, Mel also talks about her past struggles with pornography. So be sure to listen to this episode without little ones around. As a bonus, Fight the New Drug a non-religious group that raises awareness about the harms of pornography, have offered a 15% discount on all their merchandise! Listen to the end to get the code, and support the cause.

Duration:00:26:34

Season 2 - Episode 4: Spiritual Gifts

5/16/2022
Spiritual Gifts are a beautiful blessing that God has given us. But often we are unable to experience the fullness of this gift. And why would that be? In this episode, Mel talks about some critical missing pieces in the operation of the gifts of the Spirit. With the hope that you are able to experience the blessing it was always meant to be to our lives and communities. Links: www.spiritualgiftstest.com https://www.instagram.com/preachersnsneakers/ https://www.instagram.com/thenewevangelicals/

Duration:00:44:34

Season 2 - Episode 3: ”The Prophetic”, And Interview with Charissa Steffens

4/18/2022
This month in the Pink Elephant podcast Mel interviews Charissa Steffens to discuss the place of Prophetic ministry. Charissa herself is an exceptional example of stewarding the gift of prophecy and she discusses in this episode some of the challenges that prohibit believers from going deeper in the prophetic ministry. Charissa's podcast "Abiding Matters with Charissa" is available on all major podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or you can access any of her resources, including devotionals at her website: www.abidingmatters.com.au.

Duration:00:48:35

Season 2 - Episode 2: ”Success”, An Interview with Dr Omar Djoeandy

3/14/2022
In this first ever interview on the Pink Elephant podcast, Mel interviews Dr Omar Djoeandy author of "Redefining Success According to Jesus". Dr Omar shares the scriptural foundation for success, providing great stories and examples along the way. Purchase his book or download a free chapter at www.redefiningsuccess.com.au

Duration:01:11:19