Pardon the Mess with Courtney DeFeo - Christian Motherhood, Biblical Parenting, Raising Christian Kids

The last several years I’ve prayed that my kids will live interruptible lives. I’ve prayed for it because for so long, I was completely unwilling to have my own life interrupted. I like things to be planned out, organized, and on my schedule. So much so that I wasn’t open to the things God was calling me to that might “mess up” my best laid plans.    But now knowing what I know, most of God’s greatest plans for my life have come in the form of interruptions. And we see these same God-ordained interruptions in the lives of Noah, Mary, Abraham, and so many other biblical heroes.    The Psalm we’re praying this week says that God “thwarts the purposes of his peoples” in favor of his own greater plays. Why? Because his plans stand firm and impact generations to come.    So join me in praying interruptibility over our kids this week, so that God’s plans will trump any plans we make that are less than his very best. Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Let’s be honest. There’s not a one of us that doesn’t often feel like the Simon Cowell of our family having to correct, instruct, redirect, and . .  . sometimes criticize. We don’t call it criticism, but so often it feels that way for us (and definitely for our kids too).    Ken Wilgus is with us today talking about the real truth on critical parents and critical kids. We dig deep into issues of boundaries and respect, both of which are the hidden gems if we’re trying to avoid this issue.  Ken is a licensed psychologist and always a fan favorite because of his practicality and willingness to lay it out there in areas we don’t love to discuss.   We also talk about the real truth behind overscheduling our kids as well as why we continue fighting parenting battles not worth fighting.    I’m so glad you’re exploring the “real truth” with us this fall, it’s always more fun when we’re all in it together!   Resources from today's show:  Dr. Kenneth Wilgus Feeding the Mouth That Bites YouOur Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

There’s a lifetime worth of banter in Christian circles around the question of being “good enough.” This week we’re laying it down and considering Psalm 27 as David speaks into this question while hiding out because his life is in jeopardy.     He calls God his light (hope), his salvation (rescuer) and his stronghold (deliverer). Nowhere does he evaluate his own value or abilities, but over and over again he refers back to God’s. Yet maybe the greatest words he writes, and those we can be praying for our kids, are his heart’s desire to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”   I’m praying this week for our kids to flip the “not good enough” script and trust that God is more than enough for all they face today and each day. Join me in praying for your kids and trusting God to fill the gaps where our parenting skills inevitably fall short.Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I hope you’re enjoying our real truth series as much as I am.    If I’m honest, most of the real truth topics we’re covering are areas of my life that could use a little bit of attention, and I’m guessing you’re dealing with the same things too!    Today is no exception as we visit with Gary Thomas, the King of Marriage. I mean, perhaps “King of Marriage” is not exactly in his bio, but when you write books like Sacred Marriage and Making your Marriage a Fortress, you’re pretty much royalty where I’m from.     We’re talking today about the many things threatening our marriages and how we prepare today for what may be a struggle tomorrow. If for no other reason, you can’t miss today because Gary has the best encouragement for pursuing emotional attachment with our spouses even when life happens and there’s barely a moment to spare.    We also have a great discussion on finances in our marriages, which pretty much lives in the top ten of problems married couples face.   I’m so thrilled to have Gary Thomas back with us today, and I know you’re going to love him!   Resources from today's show:  Making your Marriage a Fortress Helping Moms Raise Confident DaughtersOur Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We’re off to a great start in praying for our kids this school year and I’m so glad you’re doing this with me! Week one (last week) we prayed for our kids’ salvation, which is hands down the most important thing we can pray for them.    This week we’re praying for a blessed life. But there’s a hitch! We want to know God’s version of living blessed instead of relying on the world’s definition. Psalm 1 is our focus passage and we’re given a very practical visual on the way that sin progresses. We’re reminded of the theme all throughout the Bible that God blesses obedience and judges disobedience, and a blessed life requires following God’s word.    Join me this week as we talk about the road to a blessed life and what that means as we pray for our kids. Oh, and be sure and share this with your friends! It’s such an honor to pray together for our kids to know and love the Lord.Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Is your husband child a gamer? (Just kidding.)   Is it hard for you to relate?    Do you wonder if there’s any redeeming value in it?    Have you wondered what the Bible would say about gaming?    Are you lacking a framework for determining what’s appropriate and what's not?   If you responded “yes” to any of the above, today’s your lucky day!    Drew Dixon is the cofounder of Love Thy Nerd, and has been speaking + writing about video games for over a decade. Today he’s answering the questions we’re all asking on behalf of our kids that love video games… perhaps a little bit too much.    His new book Know Thy Gamer: A Parent’s Guide to Video Games is a great resource on gaming, and I so appreciate him bringing practical advice today on parental controls, free to play games, and loot boxes (I didn’t know either).    If you live with a gamer or know someone who does, this is a great way to expand your knowledge base on the real truth about gaming.    Resources from today's show:  Drew Dixon: Love Thy Nerd Mentioned on the show: ESRB.org Common Sense Media  Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s week ONE of our 2022-2023 Monday prayer podcast, and this is where the journey begins to pray our kids through the school year!   This year we’re following the Christian Parenting prayer journal, Key Psalms to Pray Over Your Kids. If you haven’t grabbed your copy yet, now’s a great time to do just that.    I love the Psalms because it’s 150 songs, poems, and expressions of faith from real-life people who teach us how to pray, what to pray, and when to pray. And hidden in these vulnerable, pretense-free words, we learn the keys to being still, following our shepherd, seeking wisdom, fearing God, living with contentment, and so much more.   So today begins our journey through the Psalms, focusing on Jesus as our Salvation. There is nothing that can save us or our children but God. And because our sin separates us from him, he sent Jesus to pave the way through his death on the cross for our reconciliation to God for all eternity.    Our greatest prayer as parents (and what we begin with this school year) is that our children will confess their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I can’t think of anything more significant to pray for this week.    So don’t miss out as we kick off this series. And please, share this with your friends, small group, Bible study, or anyone else that is ready to pray for our families together!   A huge thank you to First15 Worship for the amazing instrumental music!Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Kirk Cameron won over our teenage hearts on Growing Pains many years ago. And I hate to be the one to do this to you, but it’s been over 37 years since that show premiered. So now who's feeling old? 🙋🏼‍♀️   Since that time, Kirk has given us a crash course on what it looks like to stand for the principles of our faith, including some amazing projects centered on social media, marriage, and family. His latest project is a movie coming out in theaters this weekend called Lifemark. He and the Kendrick Brothers tell a beautiful story about choosing life and the significance of adoption. And I can’t wait to take my family to see it.    Kirk and his wife Chelsea (his girlfriend in Growing Pains) have adopted four children, and I love how their biblical beliefs have guided their family values. Kirk gives some solid advice today for living out our faith authentically and boldly, and even throws in the top three parenting principles he and Chelsea have used in leading their family.    Don’t miss any of this good stuff today!    Resources from today's show:  Lifemark Helping Moms Raise Confident DaughtersOur Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Step right on up if you have a teen that’s starting to date or if the sheer thought of it makes you break into a cold sweat.    There are so many questions behind the topic of dating and how to best shepherd our kids when they start down this road. Thankfully, we’re tackling it this week with Steve Frissell, an Executive Pastor at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas.    Steve and his wife have been married for 26 years and the story he shares of their high school dating mishap is not one you will soon forget. They have six children now and Steve has an incredible word on balancing truth with grace when walking our kids through dating. He also shares ideas on conversations we need to have with our kids and thoughts on purity culture if you grew up in that era like so many of us.    When I tell you that this is a podcast you need to hear—well, this is a podcast you need to hear.    And just in case you missed it last week, the next few months we are going to be digging deep into the “real truth” behind common issues we face in our spiritual lives, parenting, and just in life generally (like dating).    Here are a few coming your way the next few weeks: Real truth in marriage with Gary Thomas Real truth in anxiety with Louie Gigglio Real truth on gaming with Grant Dixon  Real truth about the Holy Spirit with Max Lucado   I can’t wait for you to hear today’s conversation with Steve Frissell!   Resources from today's show:  Steve Frissell on Instagram Riverbend Friends A Parent’s Prayer Guide: Key Psalms to Pray Over Your KidsOur Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today begins a new series that I’m so excited about on Pardon the Mess. 🥳   We’re going to dig deep into the “real truth” behind common issues we face in our spiritual life, parenting life, and just in life generally. We’ve been working super hard behind the scenes to get the perfect guests to encourage and instruct us in some important areas, and here’s a preview of what’s coming up:  Real truth about the Holy Spirit with Max Lucado Real truth about teen dating with Steve Frissell Real truth in marriage with Gary Thomas Real truth about anxiety with Louie Gigglio And (drum roll please), we’re kicking it off this week with Brittany Ann to talk about the “real truth” on being godly women. Brittany is an author, blogger, speaker and has a great word for us on upping our spiritual game. Don’t worry, this isn’t one of those conversations that will leave you feeling guilty or not good enough—it’s just a great reminder on small changes we can make to experience big dividends in our walk with the Lord.    I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation with Brittany Ann today, and be sure you’re tuned in the next few months as we hit some really important “real truth” topics! Oh, and share us with your friends that could use some encouragement—that would be a huge gift all around.     Resources from today's show:  Called to Act Conference, September 13-15, 2022 Fall in Love with God’s Word Riverbend Friends A Parent’s Prayer Guide: Key Psalms to Pray Over Your KidsOur Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MESS for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy