Amber Newberry is my guest for The Happy Hour #141. Amber embraces her calling as wounded healer and seeks to show all people that they are beautiful and beloved. Through sharing her story, Amber hopes to begin to free people that have been living in the bondage of shame in their own stories. You can find Amber at beautifulandbeloved.com where she shares not only her stories, but the ways that God has given her redemption and healing through meditation, yoga, oils, and prayer.
In today's show, Amber shares her story of sexual assault and rape as a teenager, leading her to an abortion at the age of 19. She talks about hearing the gospel for the first time when she was 24 – learning that the love and forgiveness of God through Jesus was available to her. And she tells about her passion now to see men and women set free from the bondage of shame and secrecy by sharing her story first.
On a lighter note, our conversation closes with talk about essential oils, the perfect concoction for allergies and Holy Yoga.
My heart (and Amber's heart) for today's show is that if you have experienced sexual assault or have an abortion in your history, that God would start to bring healing to your heart through our conversation. You are not alone, and you are not beyond the reach of God's grace and mercy towards you.
Also, in today's show, I announced that we are started a Happy Hour Summer Book Club! For more information on that, please click here.
{You can listen to the show HERE. And of course, I would love if you would share with your friends. Just use the FB & Twitter links at the end of this post!}
Links from the Show
The Wounded Healer by Henri J.M. Nouwen + Little Bee by Chris Cleave + The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk + Boundless by Bryan Bishop + The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron + The Gift of Second by Brandy Lidbeck
The Austin Stone Counseling Center
What Amber is loving: Newberry Final Fridays, Lacrosse season and Enneagram
Connect with Amber
Facebook // Instagram // YouTube
Connect with Jamie
Facebook // Twitter // Instagram
Sponsors:
Lily Jade
For baby years & beyond! Full-grain leather, backpack diaper bags that are organized with the original patented Insert. Designed by a mom for mom's. Your diaper bag dollars go the distance to help moms all across the globe. Lily Jade believes in elevating the life-giving, more-challenging-than-you-ever-imaged, glory filled role of motherhood. Check out or pre-order SALE for popular styles and new colors!
Kopari
Kopari is a line of products that moisturize skin and hair, smell great—but without any sulfates, silicones, GMOs or parabens. Instead, Kopari products are made with 100% organic coconut oil. Kopari searched around the world for an oil of the highest quality, with a great aroma and a non-gritty texture, that you can apply head to toe. Say Aloha to the best skin and hair of your life with Kopari. Go to koparibeauty.com/jamie to receive 20% off your order!
I took notes like crazy on this one! SO GOOD! Thanks for sharing!
Jamie, loved today’s episode so much! What an incredible woman Amber is! Where was the quote you shared about scars in the show from? I was on a walk when I listened and needed to clear space on my totally full phone, so I already deleted the episode:( Thanks in advance!!
This episode was insanely life-giving to me…like crying while mowing the lawn. Thank you. (Now sipping water with lemon oil.)
This episode spoke to me in so many ways because I lived a similar story. I have shared my story years ago with a youth group I worked with but haven’t really talked much about it since. Hearing Amber talk about how she shares first so others can go second inspired me to share mine more often. Thank you, Jamie, for creating this space to talk about hard things in an approachable way. You are a blessing!
I was sitting at my desk, wondering how to even live past the abortion I had 11 months ago and wanting to end my life when I listened to your podcast. In the middle of my day, you and Amber speaking about healing and the Lord have refreshed my soul and opened my eyes more to the love of the Lord and His healing hand. Thank you so much for your faithfulness to the ministry of the Lord God.
Emily! May God’s grace and mercy move powerfully in your life. Sin has lost it’s shame by the blood of Jesus. Prayers for healing and peace. Mine was 20 years ago. I know the road. Praise Jesus for His love for YOU!!! You are loved right here where you are!!!
Wow! I’ve walked a similar walk to Amber and have done EMDR therapy which changed my life but when she said she asked Jesus where He was when that happened, I lost it. That never even occurred to me. Thank you so much for such an amazing perspective. I’m also dealing with some autoimmune diseases and wholly believe that trauma plays a part in that. I’m praying for Amber and her health because I know what a difficult journey that is also.
Jamie, thanks so much for not shying away from the hard topics! You’re an amazing blessing.