Welcome And Verse Of The Week

Chris Grainger 1:02

Welcome to Line within us, podcast serving Christian men. Whoever hunger to be the leader, God intends you to be. I'm your host, Chris Stranger. Let's jump in. Hi guys, this is your fun Friday member spotlight. Let's get into it. But before we get to our member, we got our verse of the week. And the verse this week is in John, the first chapter, the fifth verse. It says the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it. Guys, I took some time and I unpacked that verse at length in the spiritual kickoff episode this week. And then our last podcast, we talked about being a guy who battles depression. So if you guys are battling depression or just a bad mental state, check that out. That plan was on the Bible app. It's got a lot of attention. We know lots of guys are struggling with depression. And we just want you to know you're not alone. Okay. So just check it out. If you need encouragement, go to the lionwithin.us. Join the daily spiritual kickoff. It's free. It's an easy way to get connected with us. And we love to pray for you every day during the week. I do a scripture teaching and reading. In fact, I just taught on this verse on what's today. We're recording this right here on a Wednesday, on Tuesday this week. I just did a teaching on John 1.5. So, guys, it's a great way to just be encouraged and lift up. So again, the landwithin.us is where you find that. So all that stuff fun stuff's out the way. Guys, let's get to his fun conversation with Kurt Hartman. So, Kurt, how are you doing today, buddy? I'm good. How about yourself? I'm doing great, buddy. It's a great day here. The sun is shining. It's a little bit more humid than I like for it to be. But uh, I guess that's just a part of living in this this part of the country, right?

Kurt Hartman 2:34

Yeah.

Chris Grainger 2:36

You're right. Amen. Well, uh love. I got to meet you, Kurt, uh at our Reclaiming the Wild Men's retreat uh in April, and it was just a blessing to have you at the farm. And love for you to just to share with our listeners a little bit about your testimony. How did you come to know the Lord?

Kurt Hartman 2:55

Um, that's kind of complicated, but um I actually made I made three professions of faith in my life. Uh the first two, well, the first one at seven, I heard a message on uh Revelation, and it it scared me so bad that I I knew I I had to raise my hand, so um

Kurt’s Turning Points With Faith

Kurt Hartman 3:14

didn't know anything about what I was raising my hand for, but I was just scared, so I did it. At 17, word of life came to Runoke and they um did the passion play at the Civic Center, and it was it was a very moving production and kind of an emotional thing, and at the end they said, you know, it did this speak to you, and I I can't remember the exact wording, but basically they wanted you to wreck your hand if it did. And I did. I raised my hand, and the next thing I know, some teenage girl yanks me out of my seat and drags me down front. And of course, while you're down there, you know, they want you to make a profession of faith, and there were thousands of people there. There was probably 2,000 people down at the altar, and I certainly wasn't gonna turn around and walk back to my seat. You know, my grandmother was there, so I figured she'd be proud of me. Yeah. Unfortunately, yeah, um, I was still a Hellion. Didn't I wasn't saved, I didn't know Christ. Um, nothing changed. At the age of 32, after have having had a lot of uh a lot of trauma, uh divorce, bankruptcy, a lot of stuff. Um, I was on my second marriage, going to uh a church with my wife, and uh I heard some stuff that I guess I'd never heard before, and it hit me in a way that I had never been hit before. And that's when I realized I was lost without any hope. And so I made I made my final profession of faith at the age of 32 after um I've had a lot of near-death experiences and some other stuff, and you know it was very humbling to think that God kept me alive for all of that, so that I would eventually get saved. Um, it says in the Bible that none can be snatched from his hand, and I'm living proof because I was trying real hard to get snatched from his hand, and um my life's been different ever since. Um not that I haven't had struggles, not that I haven't had issues to deal with, because I've got a lot of stuff from my past that um I'm learning more about it. Um I found out uh about two and a half years ago through counseling that I have PTSD from a lot of childhood experiences and some other stuff, and it's it's been very uh tough road to work through a lot of that. And I was trying to do a lot of it on my own because I'm a guy, I don't like to ask for help. Um I have gone through a lot of counseling, that was that was very helpful. So that that's actually what got me to the point I am now.

Chris Grainger 6:24

So but that's well when you were 32. Um I'm I'm damn interested in this. At 32 years old, what was different in the message that you were hearing? Obviously, the the conference, that's you know, that's a everybody's on a high, and you're you're kind of just going with the crowd, but something you said something resonated different at 32. Was it the way the gospel was being presented, or like what do you what do you attribute that to?

Kurt Hartman 6:52

Well, it's very odd because uh I was at a thing called a men's prayer advance. Uh friend of mine is a is an evangelist, and he has a ministry called Christ Life Ministries. And he would put on men's prayer advances, women's prayer advances, and uh teen prayer advances. Did them all over the country, he's been all over the world, and I'd been to a bunch of those, so it's not like

The Night He Realized He Was Lost

Kurt Hartman 7:19

this was anything new. But this particular time there was this little old country preacher who was wearing bib overalls, and his very first message was on the root of bitterness. And somehow God got a hold of my attention through that message. He he never gave an altar call, he never, he never uh presented the gospel in that message. So I God works in mysterious ways, is all I can say. But that night, they at night they would have what they call a half night of prayer where all your you're you get together with the guys you're you came with and you just you pray about the stuff that God lays on your heart, and I couldn't wait to get to that room because I knew something was wrong. And I couldn't put my finger on it, but I had some really good friends with me, and we talked about it for an hour, and I don't know, it just it just clicked that I wasn't saved. I wasn't I wasn't living for the Lord, I hadn't given my life to him. And that was that was one of the most humbling nights of my life. I the next morning I woke up and I went outside before sunrise and I was watching the sun come up as a a new believer in Christ, and I it was like all this weight had come off my shoulders, and this was it was different. Um I couldn't wait to tell my wife. Um it it was it was something else, it was very powerful. Uh and it was kind of funny because the next day they do this thing called uh sweet hour of prayer, and it's just before lunch, and you you go get alone, you don't talk to anybody but God, and they give you a list of things you pray through. And as I was praying through it, I had my Bible and my notebook, and I had I didn't hear anything audible, but I had this very strong um sense that I should write down all the things that I needed to confess, and so I wrote and I wrote and I wrote, and when I finally got to the point where nothing else was coming out, I was sitting there looking at you know several pages of front and back of all the stuff that I just needed to confess, and I just I did, I confessed it, I thank God that that He would forgive me for all of that. And yeah, then I was sitting there not really knowing what to do, and just like the urge that told me I needed to do it, another one came and said, rip all that paper out, ball it up, and throw it in the creek. It was this creek in front of me, it was about I don't know, five, eight feet wide. And uh I'm sitting there thinking, I don't really want to litter, you know, why would I do that? Right. Right I couldn't figure out why I was thinking that. And so finally I just, all right, fine, I did it. Balled it up, throw it in the water. And I was truly amazed because when I was a kid, I would make little stick boats and stuff, and they'd always get hung up on the side. This piece of paper stayed in the center of that creek as far away as I mean, it was it got completely out of sight, and it never got hung up on the side, and it was gone. And the thought occurred to me that all that stuff that I had just confessed was just washed away. I wish that I wish I'd had that on video. It was like that was so cool. I came home and told my wife that, and she started crying. That is so awesome. That was awesome. That was good.

Chris Grainger 11:14

So from that moment you you released all that away and you've so you you've kind of rededicated your life to Christ. And so what what started changing? You told you said your wife was cr was was in tears. What changed what was the biggest change at home once you got back from that from that uh experience?

Kurt Hartman 11:36

Well, um I spent a lot more time in my Bible um praying with my wife, praying, you know, with my kids when I could get them to sit still long enough. Um I think I always had anger issues. I was I was angered from a young, very young age. Um I think that got uh remarkably better. Um not that I didn't get mad, but I I don't know, it's like something was different about it. Um

Confession And The Creek Moment

Kurt Hartman 12:10

I don't know, I just I I wanted I wanted to go to church, I wanted to be involved in things. I hadn't I was off I'm the guy that hides. I'm the guy that's on the back row and hopes nobody calls his name and that kind of thing. And um I don't know, it was just my wife would tell you she saw a major change in me. Um for me it's a little harder to see, but because I know what what's on the inside, and I know I'm I'm a broken guy inside, I know that. She knows that, but um life I looked at life differently after that. Um I learned I think I learned that you know God really does love me. Um He he really sent his son to die for me, and that's that's bigger than anything I could deserve. Anything, you know. And he did it for free. He did it free. So uh there's a lot about about my spiritual walk that that got better, I would say. Um Yeah. Right. Well that's great.

Chris Grainger 13:30

I mean, so you do it sounds like you got plugged into a church there in Virginia. You know, how how did that go with how did that go for you so far as being discipled over the years?

Kurt Hartman 13:43

Um well, I had been going to church at that point, the same church. Um Okay. Just thought I was okay, I guess. Um I don't know how else to put it. I felt like, you know, I'm going to church, I'm not, you know, screwing around my wife, I'm not, you know, staying out all hours of night, so I must be okay. Which is very not not a good that that ain't it. So um but I think um I did have uh a couple of guys that came around me and and helped me to um learn some things that that I did not know before. Um I've always struggled and I and I didn't understand this until um I started going to counseling like two and a half years ago. Um I had a view of God as He was a vengeful God. He was He was just waiting to get on me about something. Yeah. And I did not know the reason for that. Um it wasn't my grandmother, she was one of

Healing Anger And Changing At Home

Kurt Hartman 14:59

the most godly women I ever knew, and and she always told me how much God loved me and how much He cared for me, and it it wasn't until counseling that I realized that I was I was making God out to be like my dad. My dad was not a good guy. He was an alcoholic, he was he was mad all the time. He was um he just wasn't a good guy. He he used to try to beat my mom up. At the age of six, I started wedging my body between the two of them to make it stop, and you know, I sometimes I'd get thrown down, sometimes I get smashed against a wall. Um he just he wasn't a good guy. And I hate to say that about him, um, especially now that he's dead, but um it's true he wasn't a good guy. And all these years I've been seeing God that way. That he was just an angry, angry God. Yeah. One thing one thing I've learned is that your earthly dad is not gonna be a good representation of God, but you're you're you're hoping that he is at least going to be as good of a um representation as he can be. One that tries to lead you the right way, one that tries to teach you the right way. You know, my dad taught me how to shoot. Um he taught me how to shoot a bow. He, you know, that was fish, that was that was really the only things we could do together. Um he tried to teach me how to drink, he tried to teach me how to beat my wife, um, he tried to teach me a lot of stuff. But um, you know, I I thought I was all I always thought I was better than him. But really it turned out I was just a copy of him because I used to drink like crazy. I used to be angry all the time. I never did beat my wife, but you know, she was probably scared of me sometimes just because I was so angry all the time. But thankful God got a hold of me and that all stopped. I haven't I haven't had a drink in see my youngest son is twenty seven. He was probably a year and a half old the last time I took a drink. So all those years I haven't had a drink and um my wife knows that I would never raise a hand to her. And my my kids have thanked me for breaking the chain because they knew my dad. They knew what kind of man he was. And turned up around him. It was.

Chris Grainger 18:03

Yeah, I mean and you know the Bible references God the Father, you know, over and over, so I could see how you would make that connection, you know, uh as your earthly father, and I was so thankful that uh you know that you come to that that that God got you at even in his early 30s, he got you, and and it sounds like you broke the generational curse, you know, that's that or sins that that were that were within your lineage, man. It's like sounds like you're on a great path now.

Kurt Hartman 18:35

Yeah, I'm I'm in a much better place than I ever was before. It took me a while to get here, but um I think to some degree I will always be that that broken little boy inside who just wanted his dad to love him and you know, right, to be happy about things he did, and you know, I'll never get any of that, but I was able to do that for my kids. And that's that's all that matters. Amen, brother.

Chris Grainger 19:11

Well I I am and also I'm curious from your from your walk and and how the Lord's been working on you, how did you even run across the line, Kurt? I mean, this is it's kind of weird sometimes how guys get connected with us, but how did you find us to start with?

Kurt Hartman 19:27

So that's a pretty interesting story, too. Um having gone through all the counseling and stuff, I'd um we're going to a church now that um really likes the Bible app. And our our our pastor said, you know, um we should download it, and they do the a lot of a lot of their stuff, they do the Bible recap, you know, and um I found out that there's Bible studies on there. And so having had some counseling and you know, starting to think about the stuff I'm dealing with, I was looking for Bible studies that dealt with that.

PTSD And A New View Of God

Kurt Hartman 20:06

And the Bible apps got some stuff on there, they got you know some stuff about depression, which I I struggle with, um, you know, just just some other things. I've gone through quite a few uh devotion, you know, studies on there. And I was doing one of the Bible app devotions on uh depression, and when I got to the end of it, there was um something from the line within us. I can't remember exactly how it came up, but it popped up at the bottom and said, here, take this test and see where you are as a as a leader of your house or something. And I did it. And it came back and it said that I was a lone wolf. I was carrying, I've been carrying a lot for a long time. I think I might have showed you that at the weekend. Yeah. And I would have said I would have said that I was a lone wolf before I even took a test, but to have something confirm what I was already thinking. Um and so I actually um I started looking for devotions from the line within us, and it there's there's some really good stuff on there. Um I've been going through them. I'm I'm I'm still going through them. Uh it and it's like, I don't it's funny. I told somebody, I think Chris has been following me around with a camera because this stuff is like, what's going on with me? Are you following me around? Oh no, man. But um, I mean, I show it to my wife. Um, the ones that really impact me the most, I show my wife, I'm sharing them with a guy that we have a small group uh that our my wife and I go to, and there's a guy named Glenn, and he's my prayer partner in that group. And I've never I mean I've had guys that I pray with, but when I got paired up with him, I started like really wanting to do a good job of being a prayer partner. So I every morning I go to work at I'm I'm here to school at 5 a.m. And one of the first things I do is I usually do my Bible app devotion, which is you know, it's great because there's nobody here and I can do it. And then after it's over with, there's an option to share it. So I'll just share it with Glenn. And I can't tell you how many times he's like, Man, that's like me to a T. I said, I know, me too. And it's it's crazy how they they just they're good. I mean, there's nothing I've done a lot of devotions in my life. I've never had devotions that That ha hit me right between the eyes like those do. It's just like you're following me around. I'm telling you, it is. Well, it's all God, man.

Chris Grainger 23:11

He gives me the the the things that that I've gone through and and I the difference, I think, at least from what the feedback's been, is I don't write. When I write, I don't write from a command standpoint and trying to tell you what to do. I just write, hey, here's what I've experienced and where I've jacked things up and uh if it's useful to you, maybe this can help you course correct. And I don't know. I think guys appreciate that rawness, you know, just that authenticity.

Kurt Hartman 23:42

I know I do, and I know Glenn does. Um he always thanks me for sending them because he's he's got some struggles like I do. He not the exact same stuff, but he he does he struggles with anxiety and things like that. And uh some of them have really helped him. So I'm thankful for that. Thankful that I can share them. That's great.

Chris Grainger 24:05

Yeah, they're great, they're such a great partner, for sure. And we love those guys. And and and then, but you also you kind of mentioned that you're the guy who sits in the back and and doesn't raise your hand a whole lot. But then you came to our retreat.

Finding Lion Within Us And Retreat Risk

Chris Grainger 24:19

So what what what made you want to do that?

Kurt Hartman 24:24

Um, I'm not real sure. It's kind of like that day that I balled up the paper and threw it in the creek and watched it go away. Um it was it was just a very strong feeling that I should go. And when I told my wife what I was gonna do, she's like, You're gonna do what? And I said, I'm gonna go to this retreat down in North Carolina. And she goes, Do you know anybody? I'm like, No. And you're gonna go? And I'm like, Yeah. And I had made up my mind by that point. So she said, All right, well, good. I'm glad you're gone. Hopefully, you know, hopefully it does you some good. And yeah. I mean, she was she was following me going, she just surprised because that's that's not me. Um I don't I don't I don't do too much when it's people I know, and then other times I don't do anything if it's nobody I know. But right, I'm so glad I did. That was that was an awesome weekend, and I'm I'm hoping to come back next year, maybe bring somebody with me, because I know a few guys like me that could could stand that.

Chris Grainger 25:30

Yeah, I mean for for the listener, just high level, what what what was the biggest or takeaway from that weekend for you?

Kurt Hartman 25:40

Um well right off the bat, I did my normal go sit at a table where there wasn't nobody and just watch, and that's that's what I did. And I wasn't you know, there were kids on mini-bikes and kids on go-karts and just guys all over the place setting up tents, and and I was just sitting there being quiet, and this older gentleman named Bunky, he came over, he made a beeline for me. Never met the guy before in my life. He sits down, and almost immediately after he asked my name, he asked me, What's your what what's my story? What's your testimony? And I'm like, Man, I just met you. Like he he wasn't gonna move till I gave him an answer. So we talked for about an hour. And that was that was the beginning of the vault opening. I I guess he didn't know he had a pry bar with him that day, but he did, and he got the vault open, and I actually opened my mouth and I said some stuff and told him my testimony and all of that, and he uh we talked for about an hour and then he moved on to somebody else. He probably talked to everybody there that weekend. He's he's got the gift of Gab, he really does. But I'm so thankful for that. Um and then Adam, um, he was my leader that weekend. I had a little little small talk with him before before our first session, and then at the first session, you know, they're like, he's asking these hard-hitting questions, and he's like expecting an answer, and he's like, he's like calling people out, and I'm kind of like scooching down on my chair, hoping he doesn't see me. But eventually he got around to me, and I had to come up with an answer, and it was like uh I I stuttered something out because you got all these guys around me that I don't know. It's I don't know what it is about guys. I guess when you you you got something hard to share or something that you don't really want to share, but you need to, you really don't want to do it because what's everybody gonna think about me? I've had you know I've had a lifetime of people turn, you know, turn away from me because you you did what? You said what? Whatever it was, they didn't like it. And they you know, yeah you get to a point where you stop sharing. Um it actually happened that weekend to me. Um I was sitting at a table with two other guys, I didn't know who they were, and we were all kind of just chit-chatting, and the one guy um asked me, So what what's your testimony? And I I started telling him, and the second guy looked at his watch, got up and left. And I didn't think too much about it. But then the guy I'm talking to, he's looking at his watch and then he said, Huh uh hold on a minute, I gotta go I gotta go say something to somebody. And then he never came back. And I guess I guess he didn't really want to hear my story. And you know, it's when you when you actually open your mouth and share and then they don't wanna hear it. That's I've struggled with that. I do share. I would hope that somebody would listen, but most everybody did. Right. Um the group I was in was a really good group. Um there was some guys there that they've been through some stuff too. Um one young guy was well, I say young because I'm 60. Um he was probably in his forties. Yeah, he was there with his son and he was talking about um he didn't know if if he was worthy to be saved. He didn't know if he could be saved. And and me and Bunky and Adam just kept talking to him throughout the whole weekend. Um, no, we're not worthy. But the good news is Christ died for us so that we could be saved. You know, you it's not something guaranteed unless we accept Christ as our Savior. And I think by the end of the weekend he had he had gotten to a different place, and I I felt really good about that because you know, as messed up as I am, I I was able to help somebody. Amen. I'm not no worse off than some of those guys that hung around with Jesus. They were all kind of messed up too. I've come to learn now. That's right. He had a bunch of broken guys around him. He didn't have like all these scholars around him. He had Peter. I'm I'm I think I'm a lot like Peter. You know, Peter would open mouth, insert foot, or pull out sword, cut off here, whatever it was. And that's kind of me. You know? So yeah, the weekend was great. I I I'm very, very thankful that I came. Um I think my biggest takeaway for what I disabled I have been much more able to share things since I've been back. Because I don't know, it's like wonderful. Having shared in a big group of guys and and you know, nobody condemned me or anything like that. Um that was that was kind of what I needed. I needed to be able to say, Listen, I've been through some stuff and here's some of it, and and then other guys, they were able to do the same thing. So I think it was it was really important for all the guys that were there for that. Amen. Amen, brother. I'm I'm I'm so glad you came.

Chris Grainger 31:55

And it sounds like it the prayers that we prayed prior to anybody showing up, some of it was answered in you that weekend, and and there may be somebody listening, Kurt, that has considered coming in the past, or maybe they're considering the lion in general and just maybe checking out some of our resources. But what would be your message to that guy who's on the fence and just hasn't taken a step yet?

Kurt Hartman 32:21

Well, you gotta take a step. Um you're not gonna make any progress forward if you don't take the first step. And whether that's using the devotions that you can find online on the Bible app

Why Sharing Brings Real Freedom

Kurt Hartman 32:39

or or on your website, um I would highly recommend the weekend. Um that was that was very impactful for me. Um I I think I don't know, if I hadn't have gone, I'd still be locked up tight and only the closest of people would know anything about it. Because I I just I would just keep holding it in. And it's it doesn't do any good to hold it in. Um it's kind of like when you don't forgive somebody, they're not the ones in the jail cell, it's you. So when you don't let this stuff out, you're the one I I mean, I guess it can affect people around you too, but you're the one that's really miserable because you you get healing when you talk about some of this stuff. And it needs to be, you know, you gotta there's a place and a time to share, you know, things, but be around some guys that may have some similar issues, may have, you know, some similar paths. When you start sharing stuff, you know, it doesn't just help you, it helps them. I I I firmly believe that God does not waste any of the bad things we've been through. Um growing up with an alcoholic dad and PTSD and and all those kinds of things, God's gonna use me in some way to help somebody else that maybe is not as far along as me. And I I feel like the line within is a great place to to get plugged in. I really do. Um I mean I've been I text with Adam off and on and just you know, finding out how his all of his, you know, the stuff that he shared with us is going and um it's great to have somebody you can reach out to like that. Um and I've I've been sharing a little bit more with you know, I've got a group of guys here, some at church and then just some friends that I've had for a while and you know I I've shared a little more with them and and they appreciate the fact that I would trust them enough to do that. Um Yeah. And that's you know, it it just builds your friendship stronger. Um because you're not some of the stuff you're just not gonna share with just somebody that just walks up to you and say, Hey, tell me about it. Um Right. Yeah. But um it's really good to know that there are people that that care enough to listen that want to be there for me. Um you know, I've got my Peter, James, and John. Um I've had 'em for years. Um just didn't know that, you know, they would take a phone call at 3 a.m. because I've never had to do that. But I hope I don't ever have to do that. But if I did, I know at least two of them would would answer. One of them's a real heavy sleeper, so he might not. So that's you know that's that's a blessing, brother. That I learned. I I really I think I I think I took away, you know, I took away way more than I went there with um knowledge-wise. So I'm thankful for that. That's all. And I want to come back.

Chris Grainger 36:27

So well, I I mean Kurt, thank you. First of all, just for taking a chance for on coming to something that you had no idea what it was gonna be about, and for sharing your testimony. Obviously, God's moving your life in a mighty way, and it's just uh it's an honor just just to be a small part in your discipleship journey. So I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, man. It's just been I've been really encouraged just to hear. I didn't know a lot of this with because we didn't get a chance to talk a lot at the retreat. I'm I'm kind of like a ping pong ball at times, but uh but no, it was really great to hear this from you, and I just thank you so much for sharing with us, brother.

Kurt Hartman 37:09

Well, glad to do it. I never I've this is my first podcast I've ever done, and I did not know what was gonna happen, but I'm glad I did. And I had to because so many things have been trying to stop me from doing it. Um flood yesterday, and I forgot what happened last week, but something bad happened last week. So I was like,

Book Pick Dad Jokes And Weekly Question

Kurt Hartman 37:29

I told my wife a side. Hey, well, somebody doesn't want me to do this.

Chris Grainger 37:35

Well, you're a pro, man. You're a pro at this, and we haven't lost a patient yet. And and uh so we're right here at the end of the of the episode two, and so the first thing we want to do is we always call the book out of the week for our listeners. So our book this week, guys, is A Light Shines Bright in Babylon. This is a business and ministry handbook for Christian business owners and CEOs. This is written by my mentor, Buck Jacobs. You guys hear me talk about Buck a lot. Buck founded C12, the the large, the largest CEO, founder, Christian organization in the world. So Buck wrote this book. Uh I mean it's near and dear to my heart, so I want to share that. And then uh Kurt, I got two dad jokes I'm gonna run by you, okay? So we're gonna see which one lands best for you. So the first one is uh uh what did the left eye say to the right eye? Do you do you know what the left eye said to the right eye, Kurt? I don't. All right, well, between me and you, something smells. So that's all right, that's the first one. So I gotta laugh at him out of that one. All right. Uh and Kurt, do you do you know why uh they were called the Dark Ages? Do you know why the Dark Ages were called the Dark Ages?

Kurt Hartman 38:51

I feel like I've heard it, but I don't remember it. Well, it's because there were a lot of nights.

Chris Grainger 38:59

So which one which one lands best for you, Kurt? The first one or second? I think the first one is the best one. All right, all right. There you go. There you go. So, guys, we put that poll out every Friday in the lion, by the way, fellas. So you can vote on it, and then whoever votes wrong, you can let them know that they voted wrong, you know. So uh but anyway, so what did the left eye say to your right eye? It said between you and me, something smells, and then why do they call the call the dark ages? It's because there are lots of nights. So, guys, use that on your spouse, use that on your kids, and let us know which one works. The question of the week is what do you where are you hiding struggles instead of bringing them into the light? Fellas, we talk about this over and over and over about bringing things to the light and getting exposing it. Kurt just talked about this, about sharing your testimony and just and just being open and transparent and the power of what what what the power to take away from the darkness when you do that. So, Kurt, it's been an honor. Anything else you'd like to share today?

Kurt Hartman 39:56

Uh I just appreciate you and Lion Within Us. It's it's been a big help to me. I hope that others will try it and maybe come for that weekend. I think they'll like it. Amen. Amen.

Chris Grainger 40:09

Well, thank you so much, brother. Guys, if you're listening, check out uh our events page. So if you go to the lionwithin.us events, if you're listening right now when this podcast comes out, you'll see there are a couple events coming up that uh the lion's gonna be at. Some men's conferences and things like that. But we already got our date for next year. So always to last weekend in April for the men's retreat that Kurt's talking about. So we're gonna try to get that up on the website as well so you'll have a save the date for that fellas. But the LionWithin.us, the daily SKO, the Lion's Den, put in your application for a mastermind. Guys, we we did a uh a mastermind demo at the retreat. So we've got all these different ways. Kurt's already mentioned the Bible app. So lots of ways to connect with us. Uh give us the rating and review, share this conversation out with others. And guys, just thanks so much for listening. Thanks for once again for Kurt for hanging with us. And guys, just remember just to keep unleashing the line within. It's time to stop battling pornography, lust, and temptation alone. We're done sitting on the sidelines, seeing shame win, and hearing from guys that are fighting private wars with no backup. So we decided it's time to fight back. We have our sexual integrity support group, which is a confidential space inside the lion's dead. For men who are ready to step into the light and pursue real freedom. This isn't just for guys in crisis, by the way. It's for any man who's tired of the cycle, who's tired of living in secret, who's tired of saying this is gonna be the last time. Look, most guys don't need another app or some rules. They need some brothers to come alongside them to say you're not the only one. This doesn't define you. And freedom is possible. So look, inside our group, you'll want to find a confidential, judgment-free forum to engage and ask questions. You'll have honest conversations without

Sexual Integrity Support Group Invitation

Chris Grainger 42:04

commendation, and you'll also have a monthly call with a trusted guy. So look, this isn't just about stopping pornography. It's about becoming a man of integrity, a man aligned, a man who lives in freedom, not secrecy. And you don't have to clean your stuff up first to come. You just have to step in. So our Sexual Integrity Support Group is found inside the Lion's Den. And you can start that today with a 30 day free trial. So if you're ready to stop fighting alone and need that extra support, start your 30 day free trial right now at thelionwithin.us. That's thelionwithin.us. And step inside the Lion's Den.