Guarded Heart + Soul

You'll never lead better than you live!

Living to gain the approval of others will always have you looking through the lens of pain. What you need is a "THIS TIME" moment.

Lies believed will always be lived out; truth gives us a clear lens to see our original intent.

Identity isnt earned it is given by your Creator.

Holidays magnify whatever we're feeling - joy feels bigger, but so does pain. Join me with practical ways to hold on the HOPE in hard seasons.

Honoring Authority~ All Authority Comes from God, so to honor authority is to honor Him. When we don't we stop the flow of blessings in our own lives.

How can we live the way Christ wants us to in a world full of Chaos? Are we called to keep peace or make it! Tune in this is one you won't want to miss.

Join Melissa & special guest Donna DeMello as she shares her perspective through cancer and the journey that led her to a season of blessing like she never imagined.

How can a person be guarded unless they know truth is the standard?

Join me with special guest Mackenzie Rhode, as we discuss the importance of modeling and teaching the next generation to guard their hearts!

A story of God's faithfulness through infertility! Chelsea Taylor talks to listeners about how to worship in the waiting., knowing you are seen and loved by your Heavenly Father. He is working in the waiting.

Special Jessica Noe shares with us some keys to choosing Joy!

No matter what season in life all of us are running, the question is are you running on empty or anchored by a lifeline who never runs out!

Heart posture is belief lived out through attitude and action, creating an atmosphere that reflects what and who you trust.

If the stronghold of control is rooted in your life, you are at risk of thinking your ideas are God's ideas. Surrender today!

We must assign, define and create the space we allow others to have in our hearts. Because it matters who has access to your heart.

Summary Karmella shares her personal story of growing up in poverty and experiencing trauma. She talks about her childhood in Cleveland, Ohio, where she witnessed drugs, abuse, and a lack of boundaries. Despite the challenges, Karmella had a strong desire for independence and worked multiple jobs to support herself. She unexpectedly became pregnant and made the decision to have her daughter, Tempest. Karmella moved to Tennessee to be closer to Tempest's father and started a new chapter in her life. She found support and guidance from her grandmother and eventually developed a deep relationship with Jesus. Karmella shares her journey of moving to Tennessee with her daughter and starting a new life. She talks about the challenges she faced, including finding housing and building a community. Through the support of a church and healthy relationships, Karmella experienced love and help like never before. She emphasizes the importance of trust, faith, and surrounding oneself with wise counsel. Karmella also discusses the significance of taking responsibility for one's own life and being teachable. She encourages others to be authentic, seek mentors, and understand the power of their own stories. Takeaways - Growing up in poverty can lead to a lack of boundaries and exposure to trauma. - Despite the challenges, it is possible to strive for independence and work towards a better future. - Unexpected events, such as an unplanned pregnancy, can change the course of one's life. - Support from loved ones and a strong personal drive can help overcome difficult circumstances. - Finding a deep relationship with Jesus can provide guidance and strength in challenging times. Moving to a new place and starting over can be challenging, but building a community and finding support can make a big difference. - Trusting in God and being open to receiving help from others can lead to unexpected blessings. - Taking responsibility for one's own life and being teachable are important for personal growth and transformation. - Surrounding oneself with wise counsel and seeking mentors can provide guidance and support on the journey. - Sharing one's story and understanding its power can inspire and impact others. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Excitement for Season 2 01:15 Topic Introduction: Abuse and Poverty 03:03 Getting to Know Karmella: Background and Family 05:28 Interests and Personal Preferences 06:39 Growing Up in Poverty and Exposure to Trauma 09:29 Realizing a Different Way of Life 12:25 Striving for Independence and Working Multiple Jobs 15:52 Unexpected Pregnancy and Decision to Have a Baby 18:19 Moving to Tennessee and Finding Support 20:00 Release from People-Pleasing and Caregiving 21:57 Developing a Deep Relationship with Jesus 22:23 Starting Over in a New Place 23:16 Finding Support and Unexpected Blessings 29:23 Shifting from a Double Life 32:42 Taking Responsibility and Being Teachable 37:01 Humility and the Power of Stories Keywords poverty, trauma, independence, pregnancy, moving, support, guidance, relationship with Jesus, moving, challenges, community, support, love, trust, faith, wise counsel, responsibility, teachable, authenticity, mentors, power of stories

In this conversation, Melissa chats with Julia about her experience with trauma and abuse. Julia shares her journey of healing and how she has been able to guard her heart and create a healthy life for herself and her family. She emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of one's own healing and making the choice to forgive. Julia also highlights the role of Jesus in her transformation and encourages others to seek support and connect with people who can walk alongside them in their healing journey. Key Takeaways:  Take ownership of your own healing and make the choice to forgive. Jesus can bring transformation and healing to your life. Seek support and connect with people who can walk alongside you in your healing journey. Guard your heart and create a healthy life for yourself and your family. Chapters 06:26 Addressing the Weighty Topic of Trauma and Abuse 07:49 Life Growing Up and Early Signs of Abuse 12:51 The Moment Everything Changed: Abuse Resumes 25:52 Impact of Abuse on Behaviors and Relationships 31:54 The Moment of Transformation: Meeting Jesus 37:01 Guarding the Hearts of Children 39:48 Taking Ownership of Healing and Choosing Forgiveness 42:29 Encouragement for Those on the Healing Journey Keywords trauma, abuse, healing, forgiveness, Jesus, support, transformation

Amy shares her journey with Melissa of healing from stage four melanoma and the importance of hope and faith in the face of adversity. She emphasizes the need to live life to the fullest and find joy even in difficult circumstances. Amy also discusses the role of holistic approaches in her healing process and the importance of a strong relationship with God. Key Takeaways: - Live life to the fullest and find joy even in difficult circumstances. - Maintain a strong relationship with God and find hope and peace in Him. - Consider holistic approaches in addition to conventional medicine for healing. - Embrace a positive attitude and refuse to let adversity bring you down. - Live with intentionality and purpose, making the most of every moment. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 05:10 Diagnosis and Treatment of Stage Four Melanoma 11:57 Facing Death and Surrendering to God 19:31 Living Life to the Fullest and Inspiring Others 25:36 Continuing the Healing Journey and Overcoming Setbacks 32:12 Miraculous Healing and Spreading Hope Keywords healing, hope, faith, adversity, stage four melanoma, holistic approaches, relationship with God

In this episode of the Guarded Heart and Soul podcast, Melissa Graham interviews KC Alvarado, the president and co-founder of Hola Lakeway, about the topics of anger and racism. KC shares her personal experiences with racism, starting from first grade, and discusses the importance of education, awareness, and empathy in combating racism. She emphasizes the need for diverse relationships and conversations to break down stereotypes and biases. KC also highlights the role of fear in perpetuating racism and encourages individuals to guard their hearts by seeking understanding and holding themselves and others accountable. Key Takeaways: - Education, awareness, and empathy are crucial in combating racism. - Diverse relationships and conversations help break down stereotypes and biases. - Fear plays a significant role in perpetuating racism. - Individuals should seek understanding and hold themselves and others accountable. - Guarding our hearts involves actively challenging and changing our mindsets. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 04:08 Confronting Anger and Racism: A Personal Journey 08:20 The Impact of Implicit Bias and Xenophobia 10:41 Promoting Diversity and Cultural Education 14:15 Unity and Breaking Down Racial Barriers 24:08 The Foundation for Addressing Racism: Love God, Love Jesus, Love People

In this conversation, Melissa Graham and Jessica Noe discuss the origins and impact of the Guarded movement. They talk about the importance of creating a safe and shame-free community for women to connect and grow. They also mention the upcoming release of a book and the plans for the next Guarded conference. The conversation highlights the transformative power of saying yes to God and the positive changes that can come from guarding one's heart. Key Takeaways: Creating a safe and shame-free community is essential for women to connect and grow. Saying yes to God, even when we don't fully understand, can lead to transformative experiences. Guarding the heart and being intentional about what comes in and out of our lives is crucial for a healthy and purposeful life. The upcoming release of the Guarded book and the plans for the next conference offer opportunities for further growth and connection within the Guarded community. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Conversational Tone 02:55 Creating a Safe and Shame-Free Community 05:54 The Transformative Power of Saying Yes to God 09:03 Guarding the Heart for a Healthy Life 11:59 Upcoming Book Release and Conference Plans

If we are going to gain, we have to guard our faith by activating it! Being guarded to gain means my life will show substance and evidence! When He returns, my gift to Him will be increase.

Excuses give Fear a voice! Destroy fear, destroy excuses!

Heart Invaders are life suckers! They are thieves on assignment to ravage our hearts. You have to guard the gate of your heart from the invaders that would like to sneak in and destroy the place where your life flows from!

When the atmosphere of your heart is one that attracts and welcomes fire and when you are responsible to tend the flame, you can take the limits off of your life.  Anything will be possible & everything will be better!

Your life is telling on your heart! Your life is sharing your secrets, so no matter how we try to hide the inner most secrets of our heart ….they aren’t so hidden after all!

It takes us getting real and honest with ourselves to Guard our Hearts. What is the condition of your heart? Are you taking Responsibility for guarding your heart?