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How God is For You When All Seems Against You-Rich Lessons from the Life of Jesus with Joshua Ryan Butler

Awesome Marriage Podcast

Release Date: 09/05/2025

Spiritual Warfare in the Calm: Staying Alert in the Good Seasons of Marriage Ep. 704 show art Spiritual Warfare in the Calm: Staying Alert in the Good Seasons of Marriage Ep. 704

Awesome Marriage Podcast

When life feels peaceful and marriage is running smoothly, it’s easy to let your guard down—but what if those “good seasons” are actually when spiritual warfare works most subtly? In this episode, Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy talk about how the enemy can creep in through comfort and complacency, why couples should stay spiritually alert even when things feel calm, and how to build rhythms that keep you rooted in God and each other. From prayer and gratitude practices to regular marriage check-ins, we’ll explore how to protect your marriage from drifting and use the good seasons as...

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Spiritual Warfare in the Calm: Staying Alert in the Good Seasons of Marriage Ep. 704 show art Spiritual Warfare in the Calm: Staying Alert in the Good Seasons of Marriage Ep. 704

Awesome Marriage Podcast

When life feels peaceful and marriage is running smoothly, it’s easy to let your guard down—but what if those “good seasons” are actually when spiritual warfare works most subtly? In this episode, Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy talk about how the enemy can creep in through comfort and complacency, why couples should stay spiritually alert even when things feel calm, and how to build rhythms that keep you rooted in God and each other. From prayer and gratitude practices to regular marriage check-ins, we’ll explore how to protect your marriage from drifting and use the good seasons as...

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Gradually, Then Suddenly with Mark Batterson Ep. 703 show art Gradually, Then Suddenly with Mark Batterson Ep. 703

Awesome Marriage Podcast

What if the biggest breakthroughs in your life and marriage don’t happen overnight—but gradually, then suddenly? In this episode, we sit down with bestselling author and pastor Mark Batterson to talk about his new book Gradually, Then Suddenly and how God’s long-game approach shapes everything from our dreams to our relationships. Mark unpacks what it means to play the long game in faith, how to take every thought captive to Christ, and why success—whether in ministry or marriage—always grows at the “speed of a seed.” We’ll also explore how small, intentional choices today can...

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5 Things That Aren't Really Communication Ep. 702 show art 5 Things That Aren't Really Communication Ep. 702

Awesome Marriage Podcast

We all know communication is key to a healthy marriage—but what if what you think is communication… really isn’t? In this solo episode, Dr. Kim unpacks five common habits couples mistake for communication and how these patterns can quietly erode connection over time. Learn how to create safety in your conversations, break unhealthy rhythms from your past, and build new habits that foster real understanding. Because clarity is kind, connection takes intention, and communication is about more than just words—it’s about being truly heard.   Episode Highlights: Communication is the...

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The Mindful Marriage: Breaking Cycles and Building Connection in Christ with Ron Deal Ep.701 show art The Mindful Marriage: Breaking Cycles and Building Connection in Christ with Ron Deal Ep.701

Awesome Marriage Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Kim sits down with Ron Deal to talk about what it really means to build a mindful marriage. Ron shares lessons from his new book, Mindful Marriage, and how restoration therapy helped him and his wife Nan find healing and deeper connection. Together, they explore how faith, self-awareness, and emotional regulation can transform your relationship from the inside out.   Episode Insights: Authenticity is the foundation of lasting happiness. Emotional dysregulation is normal.  Our brains respond to threat, not fairness. Pain cycles drive repeated conflict. Growth and...

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The Power of Praying Together as a Couple and Pursuing Spiritual Growth Together Ep. 70 show art The Power of Praying Together as a Couple and Pursuing Spiritual Growth Together Ep. 70

Awesome Marriage Podcast

700 episodes! What better way than to do this episode with Nancy who has been here with me through all of the seasons and cohosts and guests on the Awesome Marriage podcast. And there is no better topic for us than to talk about how powerful prayer is for your marriage and the daily rhythm of praying together. Nancy initiated praying together on our first night as a married couple and we’ve kept it going ever since. Not only does it serve to protect our marriage, but it serves to grow us each closer to the Lord and one another. Join us as we talk about the power of a praying couple and how...

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Confessions of the Higher Desire Wife with J. Parker Ep. 699 show art Confessions of the Higher Desire Wife with J. Parker Ep. 699

Awesome Marriage Podcast

Mismatched sex drives in marriage? You're not alone—and it's not a problem to fix, but an opportunity to grow together. Most couples (up to 90%!) will experience periods where their sexual desires don't line up perfectly. It's completely normal—and it's a chance to build deeper understanding, communication, and compassion in your relationship. Getting honest about differences means you can meet each other where you are, as a team. This conversation is full of encouragement for the couple (or the spouse) who is feeling the disconnect from the different drives. Join Dr. Kim and J. Parker as...

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How to Rekindle Intimacy & Guarding your Marriage from Emotional Affairs Ep. 698 show art How to Rekindle Intimacy & Guarding your Marriage from Emotional Affairs Ep. 698

Awesome Marriage Podcast

What do you do when intimacy and connection in your marriage start to fade? How can you rekindle the spark, or better yet, keep it burning strong? In this episode, we talk about practical and biblical ways to nurture intimacy in all its forms. When you intentionally protect and prioritize closeness with your spouse, you not only build a marriage you truly enjoy, but you also guard your relationship against the dangers of emotional affairs.   Episode Highlights: Identify the different types of intimacy shared within marriage. The wholeness of your marriage matters. All forms of intimacy...

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How to Rekindle Intimacy & Guarding your Marriage from Emotional Affairs Ep. 698 show art How to Rekindle Intimacy & Guarding your Marriage from Emotional Affairs Ep. 698

Awesome Marriage Podcast

What do you do when intimacy and connection in your marriage start to fade? How can you rekindle the spark, or better yet, keep it burning strong? In this episode, we talk about practical and biblical ways to nurture intimacy in all its forms. When you intentionally protect and prioritize closeness with your spouse, you not only build a marriage you truly enjoy, but you also guard your relationship against the dangers of emotional affairs.   Episode Highlights: Identify the different types of intimacy shared within marriage. The wholeness of your marriage matters. All forms of intimacy...

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Reclaimed: The Story of Healing with Stephanie Boersma Ep. 697 show art Reclaimed: The Story of Healing with Stephanie Boersma Ep. 697

Awesome Marriage Podcast

I’m so thankful for this conversation with Stephanie Broersma about her brand-new resource: Reclaimed: A Course to Guide You Through Betrayal and Infidelity Trauma. This powerful resource is designed for those walking through the trauma of betrayal, offering hope, healing, and a path forward. In our conversation, Stephanie shares how the course helps you stay connected to the Lord in the midst of grief, while also providing practical next steps and long-term rhythms to move toward restoration. She reminds us that your spouse’s decisions do not define your worth and that there is a real...

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More Episodes

The next four Fridays I’m getting the opportunity to go a little broader than the topic of marriage and interview some incredible men who are authors, leaders, and strong men of faith. To kick it off, we are interviewing Mr. Joshua Ryan Butler to discuss his new book. God is on Your Side: How Jesus is for You When Everything Seems Against You

In this episode, we explore what it really means to receive from Jesus instead of striving on our own. From the healing at the pool in John 5 to the picture of Barabbas’ pardon, we talk about how the gospel frees us from self-sufficiency, restores us in our failures, and feeds us when we feel empty. Together we wrestle with why we resist His help, how to cultivate spiritual hunger in a distracted world, and what it looks like to let Jesus shepherd us through shame, wounds, and wilderness seasons. It’s my prayer that this episode encourages you to believe God is on your side.

 

Episode Highlights:

The Lord’s love is a freely given love.

Earthly relationships may feel transactional, but God offers freedom from the burden of that.

Our God is accessible and He wants to redeem the broken parts of our lives. 

 

Quotes from Today’s Episode:

"God is on your side, particularly when it most feels like life is against you." - Josh Ryan Butler

"Before I called you to use you, I called you to love you." - Josh Ryan Butler

"In the darkest moments, I found God ministering to me through His word and Spirit." - Josh Ryan Butler

"Jesus calls himself the bread of life, and the only requirement to come is that you're hungry and thirsty." - Josh Ryan Butler

"Our deepest hunger is meant to drive us towards God first and foremost." - Josh Ryan Butler

"God's no to our sin is embedded within His bigger yes to who we are created to be." - Josh Ryan Butler

We live in a culture where everybody is rewarded for what they do, and it's hard to believe that God just loves us." - Dr. Kim

"It's almost like it's too good to be true, but it is true." - Dr. Kim

Go Deeper:

  1. Are there parts of your life or your heart you feel like you need to keep hidden from the Lord?

  2. When’s the last time you felt lonely or alone?

  3. Are there places in your life you’re denying restoration because you’re stuck in the cycle of shame?

 

Mentioned in this Episode: