The Merge

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 #Resilience Connect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com

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 #Scripture Connect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com

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 #Belonging Connect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com

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.com [https://www.sleepanddiet.com/] Meet 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 #ChristianLiving Connect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com

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 [https://a.co/d/gAXBUtt]   #TheMerge #LynnDeeHorne #NatashaBuchanan #HopeWithAbandon #BiblicalCounseling #ChristianMentalHealth #Grief #Hope #Widowhood #IdentityInChrist #HolySpirit #Scripture #Lamentations #Hosea #Psalm63 #Emmanuel #Faith #Healing #Resilience #Community Connect with LynnDee Horne and her team at https://NarrowGateCounseling.com