Christian Parent, Crazy World

Sometimes, the most powerful conversations aren’t the ones we plan.

In this unexpected episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, host Catherine dives into a deeply moving discussion with Jennifer Eikenhorst, author of Left Turn, Life Unimagined and host of Accidental Hope. What was originally intended to be a conversation about driving safety took a profound turn when Jen encountered a heartbreaking situation just before recording—a tragic reminder of what happens when shame festers in silence. That moment shifted everything, revealing God’s orchestration in real-time.

This episode explores:

🔹 The Cost of Hidden Shame – How secrecy keeps people in bondage and why transparency is essential to healing.
🔹 God’s Sovereignty in Pain – The ways He orchestrates even the most painful experiences for a greater purpose.
🔹 Freedom in Surrender – Why bringing struggles into God’s light is the first step toward healing—not just for the individual, but for others as well.

Jen’s recent encounter serves as a sobering reminder that too many people suffer alone, believing the lie that their shame is too great to overcome. But that is not the truth. God redeems what feels unredeemable.

Everyone has a choice when it comes to pain and shame. It can be buried, slowly stealing joy, purpose, and even life itself. Or it can be surrendered to God, brought into His light, and redeemed in ways that once seemed impossible.

The enemy wants shame to be the end of the story. God says it’s only the beginning.

Listeners are encouraged to reflect: Are there hidden pains that need to be surrendered to God’s redemptive work? How might transparency not only bring freedom but also serve others in their own battles?

This episode is more than a discussion—it’s a call to action.

About the Guest: Jennifer Eikenhorst is a mother of four, teacher, and faith-driven speaker whose life was forever changed by a tragic accident. In the aftermath, she found purpose in sharing hope and healing with others facing accidental loss. As the author of Left Turn: Life Unimagined and host of the Accidental Hope podcast, Jen offers a compassionate space for those navigating grief and guilt. She also serves on the advisory council for the Hyacinth Fellowship, supporting those who have unintentionally caused harm. Her journey is a powerful testament to God’s grace, redemption, and the resilience of faith.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

When life shatters in unimaginable ways, how do we hold on to hope and grace? How do we move forward when we are the ones who made the mistake?

In this profoundly moving episode, Catherine explores a story that speaks to the heart of every parent and believer. Jennifer Eikenhorst—a devoted mother, teacher, and woman of faith—shares the day that changed her life forever. A simple left turn resulted in a tragic accident, taking the life of an innocent man. As she faced the crushing weight of grief, guilt, and endless "whys," Jen discovered a truth that is essential for all of us: God will meet us in our deepest shame, but we must choose Him.

Mistakes are inevitable. Some are small, and others change lives forever. No one escapes the reality of human error. But in these moments, we face a choice: to live in condemnation or receive the grace that God freely gives. Through raw honesty, Jen shares her journey of surrender—how she learned to accept God's mercy, extend grace to herself, and become a vessel of healing for others. As the host of the Accidental Hope podcast and an advisor in the Hyacinth Fellowship, Jen now ministers those affected by accidental injury and death find restoration and faith.

Universal Takeaways for Parents & Believers

🔹 God Will Heal Us, But We Must Choose Him: Shame isolates, but grace restores. No matter how deep the mistake, we must turn to God to receive healing.
🔹 How to Teach Our Children About Grace and Responsibility: Kids will make mistakes—some big, some small. How we respond teaches them whether failure will define them or faith will transform them.
🔹 The Weight of 'Why' and the Power of 'Who': We may never understand the "why" behind certain tragedies, but we can cling to who walks with us through them.
🔹 Receiving and Extending Grace: Just as we long for mercy, we are called to extend it—to ourselves and to others who have made costly mistakes.
🔹 Creating a Culture of Refuge: The biblical cities of refuge provided safety for those who unintentionally caused harm. How can we create homes and communities where people find grace rather than judgment?

A Call to Reflection

What shame are you carrying that God is waiting to heal? Are you willing to release it and receive His grace? Who in your life needs to experience the refuge of forgiveness today?

Join Catherine and Jen in this unforgettable conversation about redemption, resilience, and the love of a God who meets us in our greatest shame—and transforms it into hope.

About the Guest: Jennifer Eikenhorst is a mother of four, teacher, and faith-driven speaker whose life was forever changed by a tragic accident. In the aftermath, she found purpose in sharing hope and healing with others facing accidental loss. As the author of Left Turn: Life Unimagined and host of the Accidental Hope podcast, Jen offers a compassionate space for those navigating grief and guilt. She also serves on the advisory council for the Hyacinth Fellowship, supporting those who have unintentionally caused harm. Her journey is a powerful testament to God’s grace, redemption, and the resilience of faith.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Behind every seemingly perfect marriage lies an untold story—one shaped by deep emotional patterns and past rejections that silently dictate how relationships unfold. What if, by the age of 18, your self-image was already fully formed, yet burdened with unresolved wounds?

In this eye-opening episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, Catherine welcomes Dr. Gary Lawrence, a former marriage and family counselor with over 20 years of experience. Together, they uncover the hidden addiction that influences nearly all personal relationships—rejection.

Dr. Lawrence, a highly sought-after speaker and author of Rejection Junkies, has helped countless marriages through his seminars and media appearances. In this conversation, he shares how past rejection subtly shapes our interactions, often without us realizing it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔ How emotional patterns form early – Did you know that by age 8, 80% of your emotional patterns are already in place? Discover how these ingrained experiences shape your relationships.
✔ Breaking free from bitterness – Learn why bitterness is like poison, and why addressing it is crucial for healing and forgiveness.
✔ Identifying rejection cycles – Uncover the damaging relationship patterns passed down through generations—and how to stop the cycle for your children.
✔ Healing through faith – Explore how inviting the Lord into your healing process can transform your marriage and parenting.
✔ Living through Christ – Stop trying to live for the Lord; instead, let Him live through you.

A Personal Story of Redemption

Gary bravely shares his own struggles with rejection and past trauma, revealing how he and his wife overcame deep-seated pain and bitterness to rebuild their marriage on a foundation of faith and healing. His journey serves as a powerful testimony that rejection doesn’t have to be a life sentence.

A Challenge for Listeners

Are you unknowingly passing down unhealthy emotional patterns to your children? It’s time to break free. Gary challenges listeners to recognize and confront their rejection issues before they take root in the next generation.

Take the Next Step

Understanding the signs of our times is not just an intellectual pursuit—it’s a spiritual necessity for every believer, especially parents raising the next generation in faith. As the world grows more turbulent, it’s vital to recognize the profound biblical significance of current events and what they mean for the future.

And no one is unveiling these mysteries more powerfully than Jonathan Cahn. A New York Times #1 bestselling author and globally recognized expert in end time prophecy, Jonathan has been called one of the most influential spiritual voices of our time—his impact likened to that of Billy Graham in shaping the faith and understanding of millions. His ability to connect ancient biblical prophecy to modern world events has ignited conversations far beyond the church, challenging believers to wake up to the reality of God’s unfolding plan.

In this riveting episode, Catherine sits down with Jonathan for an explosive deep dive into his latest groundbreaking book, The Dragon's Prophecy: Israel, the Dark Resurrection, and the End of Days. This urgent work has captivated readers worldwide, skyrocketing to #1 on the New York times, Amazon, and Publishers Weekly—and for good reason. It unveils the spiritual war raging in our time, with Israel at its center, and exposes the prophetic patterns shaping our world today.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

Jonathan reveals why the tiny nation of Israel is at the heart of global conflict, prophetic fulfillment, and spiritual warfare. Through the lens of Revelation 12, he explains a cosmic struggle involving a dragon, a woman, and a child—a prophetic narrative that defines all of human history and is manifesting before our very eyes.

Key Insights You’ll Discover:

• Israel’s miraculous existence—why this nation’s survival defies logic and stands as a living testament to God’s divine hand.
• Prophecy unfolding in real-time—how ancient enemies foretold in scripture are reemerging and influencing today’s Middle Eastern and global conflicts.
• The shocking biblical meaning of “Hamas”—how this word appears in scripture, describing ancient violence, and its eerie connection to modern-day events.
• Revelation’s cosmic battle—understanding the prophecy of the dragon, the woman, and the child and how it plays out in today’s geopolitical and spiritual climate.
• What this means for Christians today—how prophecy equips us to strengthen our faith and prepare our families for the days ahead.

A Wake-Up Call for Believers

Jonathan’s message is a call to awareness, action, and faith. This is not just about Israel—it’s about every believer, every family, and the future of the Church. Understanding prophecy isn’t about fear—it’s about hope, preparation, and confidence in God’s divine plan.

🔹 Memorable Quote:
"Strength in the face of relentless adversity is not by chance—if God has been faithful to Israel, He will be faithful to you."

About the guest: Jonathan Cahn has been named along with Billy Graham as one of the top spiritual leaders to have radically impacted our world in modern times. He has spoken at the United Nations, on Capitol Hill, to members of Congress, and to millions around the world. Every one of his books, starting with The Harbinger onward, has become a New York Times bestseller. He is recognized as a prophetic voice for our times. His teachings and prophetic words on YouTube have received over 100 million views. He leads Beth Israel at the Jerusalem Center in Wayne, New Jersey, and Hope of the World ministry, a world outreach of God’s Word and compassion to the world’s most needy.

Episode Resources:

Make Your Bible Study an Adventure! Unlock a Fresh, Spirit-Led Approach

Ever feel like your Bible study routine has gone a little... stale? Maybe you're stuck in a rigid reading plan, checking boxes but not really connecting. Well, get ready for a game-changer!

In this episode, Catherine Segars shares her go-to Bible study method—a dynamic, off-road adventure that breathes life into your quiet time. This isn’t about following a strict schedule; it’s about letting the Holy Spirit guide you on a personalized journey through Scripture.

How Does It Work?

Instead of just reading through the Bible in a year (and feeling guilty when you fall behind), Catherine encourages a more flexible, interactive approach. She gives us a real-life example with the book of Ruth, uncovering deep insights that only come when you step off the beaten path and explore scripture with fresh eyes.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

🚀 Think Cross-Culturally – The Bible was written in a different time, place, and culture. Studying it is like stepping into an ancient world—embrace the history, context, and meaning behind the words to experience it fully.

📖 Ditch the Rigid Plan – Traditional reading plans can feel overwhelming. Instead, ask God where He wants to lead you. This turns Bible study into a Spirit-led conversation, not just another task.

🔍 Use Modern Tools – Websites like BibleHub.com and study Bibles with extensive notes can open up new layers of understanding. Don’t just read—dig deep!

🙏 Start with Worship & Silence – Before you dive in, pause. Worship. Be still. Let God direct your path in the Word so it speaks directly to what you’re going through.

📝 Reflect & Journal – Don’t just read and move on. Ask God what He wants to teach you, write it down, and watch how your understanding grows over time.

Catherine’s approach turns Bible study from a routine into an adventure. If you’re ready to break free from boredom and ignite your spiritual growth, this episode is for you!