The Merge

Hosted by Grander Vision Media

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Jul 2025

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Welcome to The Merge - where faith and mental health meet. The Merge provides a biblical approach to mental health and navigating life’s challenges. Join LynnDee Horne, a licensed mental health counselor, and her guests as they explore practical Christ-centered solutions for increasing your mental wellness and encouraging your spiritual growth.

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36 recent

July 2, 202535 min

The Merge-S2 E33 Faith, Mental Health, and Life with Liberty and Lydia

In this warm, real-life conversation, host LynnDee Horne, Biblical Mental Health Counselor and founder of Narrow Gate Counseling, invites her daughters Liberty (8) and Lydia (4) to help listeners see how faith and mental health meet at home.Together they talk through family prayer rhythms (morning, mealtime, bedtime), using worship to shift difficult moods, and simple ways kids can “take every thought captive” when worries spike. You’ll hear how the Fruits of the Spirit guide everyday choices (kindness, patience, self-control), why it’s okay to feel sad or frustrated, and how to ask God for help—right in the moment. The girls share favorite Bible moments (John 3:16; Isaiah 43:1) and close with the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:24–26.Parents will pick up practical language for coaching emotions; kids will hear peers model prayer, courage, and gratitude. A hopeful, Scripture-saturated episode for families navigating big feelings with gentle, Christ-centered tools. #Faith #MentalHealth #ChristianCounseling #Parenting #Family #Kids #EmotionalHealth #Prayer #Worship #Scripture #FruitsOfTheSpirit #Anxiety #ResilienceConnect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com

June 25, 20251 hr 1 min

The Merge-S2 E32 Faith, Mental Health and Loving and Losing our Loved Ones

Grief isn’t linear—and it isn’t godless. In this episode of The Merge, biblical mental health counselor LynnDee Horne welcomes Terry Crowther and Rhonda Marts to share two honest paths through loss—one after a long illness, the other sudden and shocking—and the same faithful God who met them in both. They talk about releasing the “what-ifs,” giving yourself permission to cry, practical life shifts (from dinner tables to car tires), and how intimacy with Jesus deepens in sorrow.You’ll hear Scriptures that carried them:—Psalm 147:3; Matthew 5:4; Ecclesiastes 3:1–4; 2 Corinthians 1:3–4; Numbers 6:24–26—and simple ways to help a grieving friend: show up, do tasks, don’t fix. If you’re grieving or love someone who is, this conversation offers tender, biblical guidance and doable next steps: schedule time to lament, ask for two specific helps, mark the hard dates, and keep facing forward in hope of the resurrection. Listen for comfort, clarity, and Christ-centered courage. #Grief #Widowhood #ChristianCounseling #MentalHealth #Faith #Hope #BiblicalCounseling #Lament #Healing #Comfort #Resilience #ScriptureConnect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com

June 18, 202557 min

The Merge-S2 E31 Faith, Mental Health, ADHD and Autism

What does it look like to follow Jesus with an ADHD or autistic brain—and help the Church become a place of true belonging? Biblical mental health counselor LynnDee Horne sits down with Dr. Rebecca Dykes (LCSW, Certified Autism Specialist, department chair, professor, and mom) to unpack neurodivergence from a gospel lens.Rebecca shares her testimony of coming to Christ, navigating her daughter’s early diagnosis, later discovering her own autism/ADHD, and how faith reframed everything—from sensory needs and executive function to identity and calling. Together they clarify terms, debunk common church misconceptions, and offer practical next steps: humble questions over assumptions, trauma-informed care, OT and sensory tools, mentoring, small-group discipleship, and wise use of therapy/medication.If you’re neurodivergent, love someone who is, or lead in ministry, this conversation will help you cultivate dignity, hospitality, and Christ-centered community. #ADHD #Autism #Neurodivergent #Faith #BiblicalCounseling #MentalHealth #Discipleship #Inclusion #Worship #BelongingConnect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com

June 11, 202554 min

The Merge-S2 E30 Faith, Mental Health, and Sleep & Diet

In this episode of The Merge, host LynnDee Horne sits down with physician associate and culinary-medicine specialist Lauri Powers to connect the dots between faith, sleep, and diet. Lauri explains why starting with sleep can quickly improve mood and energy (including when to screen for sleep apnea), and how CBT-I builds healthy sleep patterns without dependence on meds. You’ll learn the gut–brain basics—what your microbiome needs, why ultra-processed foods disrupt mood, and simple ways to lower inflammation with everyday spices and single-ingredient foods.For busy families, Lauri offers practical meal prep strategies (two big pots, endless remixes), budget-friendly shopping tips, and realistic screen time boundaries that protect rest. Woven throughout are biblical rhythms—prayer, Scripture, fellowship, stewardship—that ground sustainable mental and emotional health. If you’re tired of quick fixes and want a hopeful, doable path to wholeness, this conversation is your next step.For more info: sleepanddiet.comMeet LynnDee and the team of Narrowgate Counseling: https://www.narrowgatecounselingservices.com/#TheMerge #LynnDeeHorne #BiblicalCounseling #ChristianPodcast #MentalHealth #Sleep #Insomnia #CBTI #Nutrition #GutHealth #Wellness #MealPrep #FamilyLife #FaithAndHealth #ChristianLivingConnect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com

June 4, 202557 min

The Merge-S2 E29 Faith, Mental Health, and Hope with Abandon

On this episode of The Merge, host LynnDee Horne talks with author Natasha Buchanan about finding hope in the darkest valleys. Natasha shares her journey after losing her husband in Afghanistan—how the Holy Spirit reframed her pain, why identity rooted in Christ (not roles or seasons) changes everything, and the surprising freedom she found through repentance, fasting, and surrendering hidden idols. You’ll hear the Scriptures that carried her—Psalm 63:3 (“Your lovingkindness is better than life”), Hosea 6:1–2, and Lamentations 3:22–26—plus a simple, grounding question for hard days: “Who are You, God, and how does the truth of who You are change what I’m walking through?”We also unpack the role of community (presence over platitudes), permission to grieve differently, and a thoughtful take on “soul ties” and moving forward without betraying the past. If you or someone you love is walking through loss, this conversation offers a biblically anchored path toward renewal, resilience, and real peace—because Emmanuel means God is with us.Resources for this Episode:Hope with Abandon #TheMerge #LynnDeeHorne #NatashaBuchanan #HopeWithAbandon #BiblicalCounseling #ChristianMentalHealth #Grief #Hope #Widowhood #IdentityInChrist #HolySpirit #Scripture #Lamentations #Hosea #Psalm63 #Emmanuel #Faith #Healing #Resilience #CommunityConnect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com

May 14, 202551 min

The Merge-S2 E28 Faith, Mental Health, and Shame

Host LynnDee Horne, Biblical Mental Health Counselor, welcomes frequent guest Candace Leon to unpack a hard but hopeful topic: shame. What’s the biblical and clinical difference between guilt (“I did wrong”) and shame (“I am wrong”)? Why does shame fuel anxiety, depression, addiction, isolation, and disconnection—while conviction leads to repair and growth? LynnDee and Candace break down how shame operates (hiding from God, separating us from people, keeping us stuck, and hijacking our story) and how to stop the cycle.You’ll learn three common “shame shields” (away, toward, against), how to spot your default response, and five practical, gospel-centered steps: embrace your identity in Christ, receive and act on God’s forgiveness, bring your story into the light with safe people, pray specifically to renounce shame’s lies, and practice joy as a tested antidote.With Scripture anchors (Genesis 3; Romans 8:1; James 5:16; 1 John 1:9; Zephaniah 3:17) and clear next steps, this episode equips you to move from condemnation to connection—before God and within community. If you need confidential support, consider biblical counseling in your area. #Shame #Guilt #Anxiety #Depression #Trauma #Identity #Forgiveness #Joy #Gospel #Scripture #Counseling #Healing #Freedom #Resilience #HopeConnect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com

May 7, 202553 min

The Merge-S2 E27 Faith, Mental Health, and The Blessing Challenge

Host LynnDee Horne, Biblical Mental Health Counselor, guides a solo conversation on “The Blessing Challenge”—how biblical blessing shapes identity, heals emotional wounds, and strengthens mental health. Drawing from Scripture (Numbers 6:24–26; Deuteronomy 30:19; 1 Peter 3:9; Ephesians 2:8; Jesus blessing the children) and insights from Dr. John Trent and Dr. Tony Wheeler, LynnDee clarifies the difference between blessing (a life-giving gift) and curse (a blockage that chokes the flow of life and grace).You’ll learn the five elements of a biblical blessing—appropriate meaningful touch, spoken or written words, attaching high value, envisioning a special future, and genuine commitment—and why these “good bricks” build a stable foundation in children, friends, spouses, and church family. LynnDee also creates space for listeners who missed blessing growing up, offering a pastoral prayer and practical next steps for receiving God’s blessing and then giving it away. The episode closes with a simple, actionable Blessing Challenge: pick one person, pick a moment, name a real strength, speak or write a blessing that points to God’s purpose, and commit to walk with them. Expect solid theology, clinical wisdom (attachment and belonging), and hope you can practice today.Courses (Free blessing challenge course)FREE Downloads:Did You Get The Blessing?Giving Your BlessingThe Blessing Challenge Bookmark#Faith #Blessing #Scripture #Identity #Healing #Restoration #Purpose #Encouragement #Prayer #Community #Discipleship #HopeConnect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com

April 23, 20251 hr 1 min

The Merge-S2 E26 Faith, Mental Health, and Religiously-Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Part 2

Host LynnDee Horne welcomes counselor Candace Leon for Part 2 on religiously integrated CBT—a practical, biblical approach to renewing the mind. This episode zeroes in on ten common “thinking errors” and God’s answers to each: all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, mental filtering, disqualifying the positive, jumping to conclusions, fortune-telling, catastrophizing, emotional reasoning, “should” statements, and labeling/personalization. You’ll learn why these patterns fuel anxiety, depression, shame, and strained relationships—and how Scripture reframes them with truth and grace.LynnDee and Candace connect core passages (Romans 3:23–24; Romans 8:1; Philippians 4:8; 2 Timothy 1:7; Matthew 6:25–34; Jeremiah 17:9; Nehemiah 5:7; 2 Corinthians 10:5) to practical tools: (1) identify and track your patterns, (2) answer them with God’s truth, (3) reframe and repeat until new mental “paths” form. They also discuss perfectionism, fear, people-pleasing, and neurodivergence, plus how to “lead” your heart instead of merely following feelings. Show notes include the free Duke University Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health manuals for R-CBT so clinicians and clients can go deeper. https://spiritualityandhealth.duke.edu/index.php/religious-cbt-study/therapy-manuals/#TheMerge #LynnDeeHorne #BiblicalCounseling #FaithAndMentalHealth #CBT #RCBT #RenewYourMind #TakeThoughtsCaptive #ChristianWellness #AnxietyHelp #DepressionHelp #IdentityInChristConnect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com

April 16, 202551 min

The Merge-S2 E25 Faith, Mental Health, and Religiously-Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Part 1

Licensed biblical counselor LynnDee Horne welcomes Candace Leon for part one of a two-episode series on Religiously Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (RCBT)—a practical, Scripture-rooted approach developed with free therapist and client manuals from Duke’s Center for Spirituality, Theology & Health (linked in show notes).In this episode, LynnDee unpacks behavioral activation—“walking by faith” to disrupt depressive thought-feeling-behavior loops by scheduling simple, positive activities with built-in accountability. You’ll learn how to rate your mood (0–10), choose two doable activities for the week, and evaluate what actually helped.Then LynnDee leads a step-by-step contemplative prayer practice that marries meditation with Scripture (Isaiah 26:3–4). You’ll pick a verse, slow down, notice key words or phrases, locate where it touches real life, listen for the Spirit’s nudge, and jot insights to reinforce a renewed mind (Romans 12:2).Whether you’re navigating depression, anxiety, or just a hard season, this biblically grounded, evidence-based toolkit offers clear next steps you can start today—and guidance for clinicians interested in integrating faith and CBT. Brought to you by Narrow Gate Counseling Services. https://spiritualityandhealth.duke.edu/index.php/religious-cbt-study/therapy-manuals/Connect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com

April 9, 202553 min

The Merge-S2 E24 Faith, Mental Health, and Growrh

Join LynnDee Horne as she talks about faith, mental health, and growth.She discusses 3 steps we can take from a spiritual perspective to help us grow and shares some of her own stories in these areas. If you have struggled with motivation or you know your areas of growth but don’t know your next move- try these steps.Connect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com

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