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012: The Redeeming Power of God Saves a Broken Kid with Peter Cropsey

by | Nov 29, 2022 | H.E.A.L.E.D with Dr. Fred

Abuse breaks a kid in ways that are hard to undo. It distorts his view of himself and the world, and it can make him feel like he’s worth less than everyone else. They may grow up thinking that they’ll never be able to do anything right or feel good enough on their own. 

Peter Cropsey was led by people he trusted into doors that no child should ever have to see. Rather than enjoying a fun play at the park, he was introduced to a nudist camp. Rather than eating a piece of candy, he was given drugs. Rather than drinking milk before bed, he had his first taste of alcohol. Rather than going to school, he was making deals with addicts and criminals. And the saddest part was when he finally realized how broken he was. But his life is not unrepairable. 

In this episode, Peter leads us back into his childhood and the dark truths he and others like him had to go through at a very young age. He shares how he has overcome a lack of self-worth, abuse, violence, broken relationships, and loss. Fred and Peter also talked about finding grace and love in God, cultivating faith, the benefits of treating people with kindness and dignity, and rebuilding a broken self-image after the pain and trauma. 

 

“We’re all on death row without the saving grace of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.-Peter Cropsey

 

Episode Highlights:

  • 02:57 In The Nudist Camp to a Need to Compromise
  • 10:35 First Taste of Vodka to First Encounter with God
  • 17:06 Broken Kids 
  • 24:39 Getting Into a Biker Gang
  • 30:20 Treating Others with Kindness and Dignity 
  • 35:48 Redeemed by God

 

Resources: 

Books

 

Abuse is a powerful thing. It can break you down, and it can distort your view of yourself and the world. But you are never alone! Listen in as @drfred100m and Peter Cropsey, the Senior Pastor at First Love Church share how we can find grace and love in God despite the pain, trauma, loss, and abuse. #HEALED #podcast #childabuse #trauma #brokenkids #brotherhood #spirituality #faith #redeemed

 

Quotes: 

02:34 “God is always with us. No matter what you’re going through, no matter how bad it is, no matter what you’ve done to other people, or what people have done to you, you’re always loved and that love never leaves. God is present and never absent. When you open your heart, everything can change in an instant.” -Fred Didomenico

10:40 “We, as humans, have ways of justifying and reconciling almost anything.” –Peter Cropsey

17:08 “I didn’t realize how damaged I was until I got sober.” –Peter Cropsey

19:36 “We come into the normal scenarios of life and it’s telling us ‘you’re never going to be enough no matter how you try.’ That’s why God is so good because He doesn’t think that at all. He thinks ‘you’re more than enough. I made you in my image.’” –Peter Cropsey

27:45 “God has already taken up residence in my heart. He told me, ‘I love you and I’ll never leave you. Someday, you’ll understand what’s happening to you.’” –Peter Cropsey

32:16 “If you treat people with kindness and dignity and you need a place to hide, the doors will always be open. But if you run your show by intimidation, nobody’s going to help you when you need help.” –Peter Cropsey

33:48 “If you’re going to be really big, you should be really nice.” –Peter Cropsey

36:55 “We’re all on death row without the saving grace of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.-Peter Cropsey

 

Meet Peter:

Peter Cropsey is the Senior Pastor at First Love Church. Far from who he is now, Peter had a very painful, traumatic childhood. Growing up, his needs as a kid were taken advantage of by people whom he trusted. He went from being a sweet, innocent child to a broken kid. Year after year, Peter saw and experienced things that created a bigger void in his life. But when he understood that God has always been there for him, Peter slowly began to heal. In 2001, he graduated from the Calvary Chapel School of Ministry and has since then helped others who have fallen victim to violence, abuse, and addiction.