The Unfolding

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Dennis Ritter spent decades battling heart disease, living with the knowledge that his time might be shorter than most.  But suffering didn't make him bitter. It deepened his faith. When Dennis' health declined, his family gathered to say goodbye. In this deeply moving episode of The Unfolding, Dawn Ritter and her children, Ben and Karen, share the story of Dennis' final days, the legacy of faith he left behind, and the hope that carries them through heartbreaking loss. They talk honestly about grief, unanswered prayers for healing, and why their faith in God remained steady even when the miracle they asked for didn't come.  Because sometimes God doesn't remove the suffering. Sometimes He meets us in it.  

Show Notes:  

Books: 

Every Moment Holy Vol. 2 Death, Grief, and Hope  https://www.amazon.com/Every-Moment-Holy-II-Hardcover/dp/1951872053 

  

Grieving with Hope  https://www.amazon.com/Grieving-Hope-Walking-Jesus-Heartbreak/dp/164507448X 

  

A Grace Disguised  https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Disguised-Revised-Expanded-through/dp/0310363594 

  

When Mountains Crumble  https://www.amazon.com/When-Mountains-Crumble-Rebuilding-Someone/dp/0802425569 

  

Walking with God through Pain and Suffering   https://www.amazon.com/Walking-God-through-Pain-Suffering/dp/1594634408 

  

Podcasts: 

The Widowed Mom Podcast by Krista St. Germain - https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/podcast/ 

  

The Widow Coach Podcast by Karen Sutton.  https://www.karensutton.co.uk/podcasts/the-widow-podcast 

  

A Widow's Heart Podcast with Pam Lundell 

https://www.myfaithpodcasts.com/podcasts/a-widows-heart/ 

  

Website:  

Never Alone Widows - a nationwide ministry to widows.  https://www.neveralonewidows.com/

"There are no winners in what we went through… only Hannah." 

Gary and Mari Malychewski share the story of losing their young daughter in a tragic accident. In the days and years that followed, they faced questions of grief, guilt, and forgiveness that few parents ever have to carry. Looking back, they say God had been quietly preparing their hearts long before that day arrived. This is a story about loss, faith, and the difficult grace of learning to forgive in the middle of unimaginable pain.

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. 

 
Dennis died three times. What he experienced while his heart stopped changed the way he—and his family—would live the rest of their lives. 

Dennis spent his life trying to outrun the heart disease that ran in his family. He exercised. Ate well. Stayed disciplined. Then one day, without warning, he collapsed from a massive heart attack. His heart stopped three times. Dennis says during those moments he experienced something almost impossible to describe.  It was an overwhelming sense of love and peace. 

While doctors fought to save him, his wife Dawn stood in the hospital hallway praying, clinging to Scripture, and surrendering her husband's life to God. When Dennis came back, everything changed. They didn't just get survival. They got bonus time. A deeper intimacy with God. And a new understanding of how God had been preparing them long before this moment. 

Show Notes: 

Book Dennis mentioned:  https://www.amazon.com/90-Minutes-Heaven-Story-Death/dp/0800759494

Travis West knows what it feels like to run on empty. Early in his marriage he was working multiple jobs and caring for his wife Mariah through a long illness. A study trip to Jerusalem changed everything. When the city slowed to a standstill on Friday nights, Travis experienced Sabbath rest for the first time. In this episode he explains how that weekly pause brought new life to his family and why he believes Sabbath is a practical gift for anyone today. 

Book:  

The Sabbath Way: Making Room in Your Life for Rest, Connection, and Delight 

www.travis-west.com 

https://www.travis-west.com/practices

What happens to a boy's heart when his father stands a few feet away in church every Sunday, but never really shows up at home? Singer and songwriter Jaye King grew up playing drums on the platform while his dad directed the music. They served in the same services. Created the same worship moments. But outside the church walls, his father wasn't consistently present in his life. That tension shaped how Jaye saw himself and how he saw God. In this hope-filled conversation, Jaye shares about wrestling skepticism, navigating father wounds, and the slow process of discovering that God doesn't leave the way people sometimes do. What unfolds is a story of identity, forgiveness, calling, and the hidden years that formed him long before the spotlight. Today, Jaye King is a singer and songwriter with Centricity Music, known for songs like Hard Places and Falling Into It. His music carries the very themes you'll hear in this episode- healing, hope, and a Father who stays.  

Show Notes:  

Website: https://www.jayeking.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayekingmusic/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jayekingmusic 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JayeKingMusic