Lonnie Potts is my favorite preacher. He played an instrumental role in my life as a young father, husband, and professional.

I'm thrilled to have him on the podcast today, to honor him, number one, but also to give you hope that when all seems lost...God gives a way forward.

Lonnie shares what it's like to experience crushing failure as a Christian, and to turn to God for redemption and healing.

Within a very short time, Lonnie lost both parents, his marriage, and the ministry he'd worked so hard to build.

But God is good, and failure does NOT define you.

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CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

4:04 The Joy (and Challenges) of Church Growth

17:17 Tell Stones vs Tomb Stones

23:33 Starting a Church School

28:14 Lonnie Quotes

32:49 Divorce, Losing Both Parents Within Weeks of Each Other

47:28 Inspiring Stories of Failure and Faith in The Bible

Feeling abandoned, betrayed, or forgotten?

I know the feeling.

And so did Joseph in the Bible.

But the story of Joseph, my story, and yes, your story, too, is NOT over no matter how bad things are.

God RESTORES. He USES the hard parts of your life.

Joseph kept going through all of it and ended up saving not only all of Egypt, but his own family. His household.

Keep going, because God hasn't finished your story, yet.

(This is a talk Curtis Christopher gave to the students of Ohio Christian University in April 2025.)

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Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth

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Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together".

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

5:11 Curtis's Unexpected Ministry

5:50 Joseph Runs Into The Hard

8:09 Abandoned

12:07 Betrayal

15:14 Forgotten

16:08 Heartbreaking Diagnosis and Grief

21:10 She Said THIS On Her Deathbed...

23:59 The Birth of a Podcast

28:00 From Podcast Listener To Wife

31:52 God's Not Done Writing Your Story

100 surgeries.

Her body is breaking down, making things like work, driving, even turning her head to the side impossible.

Yet LeighAnn is one of the most loving, caring, positive people I've ever met.

She's literally my hero because of how much she's gone through...with a smile on her face!

LeighAnn's story of grief is not about losing a person, but about losing a future she thought she'd have.

Losing mobility, independence...even losing a pain-free life, which most of us just take for granted.

Whether you just got bad health news, or you're a caregiver to someone who has, this is an episode where we hope you'll be inspired and come to lean ever more on the Lord.

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DONATE TO THE MICHAL FOUNDATION: https://www.runtothehard.com/give

Rate The Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/rtth

Become a Sponsor: https://www.runtothehard.com/sponsors

Share The Episode...Remember, "Running to the hard is better, when we run together".

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro

2:00 Leigh Ann's Relationship with Michal

4:50 Meeting Josh and Getting Married

9:08 Major Surgeries and Finally a Diagnosis

14:21 100+ Surgeries

17:20 Unable To Work

19:11 Blessed In Marriage

23:50 Pain and Pain Meds

25:53 Doubt or Anger at God?

29:43 Preparing For The Inevitable

33:36 Grieving The Loss Of Future

35:41 Speaking To The Ill and Those Who Love Them...

43:44 Prayer For Those With Diagnoses and Their Caregivers

MENTIONED

Podcast with LeighAnn's husband Josh Ep 28: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UApYSOFikXk