Love the Hell Out of Me: A Powerful Story of Healing and Belonging

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Welcome to Episode 19 of Stories & Other Things Holy! This week, host Joshua Minden and principal storyteller Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson bring you a heart-stirring tale about a once-vicious dog who finally trusts enough to be loved. Using this unlikely story of healing and connection, we dive into deeper questions of spirituality, grace, and the choice to let go of isolation.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why vulnerability can be the key to true freedom
• How “hell” can be anything that keeps us from belonging or intimacy
• What it means to let someone—and God—“love the hell” out of us
• Biblical parallels to Lazarus and the significance of “rolling away the stone”
• Practical ways to risk being loved in our daily lives

Key Moments:

• [00:02] Joshua’s introduction to the power of stories and the question: “Have you ever felt like an unlikely candidate to be loved?”
• [01:43] Terry’s anniversary trip story: discovering a dog with a remarkable healing journey
• [06:52] “He let me love the hell out of him” – the line that reframes everything
• [10:08] Connections to other stories of healing and touch
• [14:06] Exploring Lazarus’s story: unbinding ourselves from what keeps us isolated

Resources & Next Steps:

• Sign up for our weekly newsletter at StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly.com for reflections and “gracercises” that help deepen your spiritual journey.
• If you found this episode meaningful, please like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more stories and spiritual insights.
• Join the conversation in the comments: What would it look like for you to let love break through your toughest barriers?
• Consider becoming a supporting member on Buy Me a Coffee

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