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

Merry Christmas Eve!   As I’ve been reading through the Christmas story the last few weeks, I keep going back to the passage in Luke 2 where Luke describes Jesus’ birth and Mary placing her baby in the manger. It’s right after that sweet account in the stable that Luke takes a hard turn to writing about the shepherds hearing of Jesus’ birth by the angels.   Shepherds, of all people, being among the first to hear the story of Christmas—that’s a good word for us.  I’m reminded that only in Jesus do those who seem to lack in significance (e.g., shepherds) suddenly become essential characters in the greatest story ever told. It makes me think of the  similar insignificance I’m prone to feel in the daily grind of parenting—so many asks and sometimes little thanks.   But it’s as the shepherds were simply keeping watch over their flock that Jesus brought them into the larger story. It’s in those seemingly small places of faithfulness in our own lives  that Jesus uses the mundane for his glory.    We are anything but overlooked with Jesus. He takes our small stories and weaves them in the fabric of HIS greater story.   Take a few minutes to thank Jesus today for your family. Ask him to remind you that what you’re doing each day for your family matters and has kingdom significance.  This week as we’re celebrating Jesus, I’m excited to re-release one of my favorite interviews to date on Pardon the Mess. Priscilla Shirer joined us with a powerful message on identity that’s the perfect word as we wrap up a hard year.     Priscilla is a wife, Bible teacher, mom, actress, and so much more. There’s so much to love about Priscilla, but what always sticks with me is the way she speaks so freely and powerfully about her faith while also practically reminding us of what really matters as we go about our days.  Priscilla and I had the opportunity to talk about her life as she raises her three boys and how she builds them up with statements of affirmation. She reminds us that living in a place of knowing our true identity in Christ means all of our decisions come from the truth. When we do that, it shifts how we live our lives.    Whatever you do, don’t miss the last few minutes as she talks honestly about the difficulties her family has faced the last few years and gives us words of encouragement for when we walk hard roads of loss and discouragement.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I don’t know about you, but when we talk about numbering our days this time of year I go straight to the Christmas countdown. And yes, Christmas is FOUR days away! (Thankfully there’s always Amazon to save us in a pinch.) But this week, as we’re praying for our kids to number their days, we’re thinking less mathematically and more missionally. We’re praying they make the most of every God-given opportunity, living today as if there might not be a tomorrow.  David understood the brevity of life when he wrote: “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure” (Psalm 39:5 NIV). Podcaster, author, speaker, and my friend, Lisa Clark, is on the show today to guide us in praying for our kids. She’s just about the coolest grandmother you’ll ever meet and always full of wisdom and humor. Today is no different.  Join me in praying this week that our kids learn to number their days in such a way that every decision and opportunity is viewed through the lens of eternity.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Let’s just say we’re coming in hot this week before Christmas on Pardon the Mess!  We’ve got worship leader, songwriter, mom, and wife Kari Jobe with us today.  I’m guessing when she began leading worship in her church at thirteen years old, she couldn’t have imagined the songs of faith she would have the opportunity to sing across the globe in the coming years. Her newest song, “The Blessing,” is no exception to the remarkable work God is doing through her voice and career.  I love our conversation today about how her parents taught her at an early age about the importance of hearing the voice of God. She shares how they would practice hearing from God and the impact that continues to have on her music today. Kari also talks about a very difficult time she experienced with postpartum depression and how she was led to audibly speak God’s truth over her home and her own life. During this hard time, God gave her a very simple truth: my nature is good. I’m struck by how much we all need that same reminder today—that God’s nature is good, even when the things around us feel bad.  As you’re running all of those last-minute Christmas errands, tune in for this great conversation with Kari Jobe!   And then go put her song “The Blessing” on repeat for the rest of 2020.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Can I be honest for a quick second?  If anyone should have a podcast that talks about parenting, it’s sweet Dorothy Wilkinson (a.k.a. my mom). She’s kind, she’s funny, she’s the best cook around, and she loves Jesus and her family like few others.  Thankfully, today she’s making her debut appearance on Pardon the Mess, and let’s just say you’re going to walk away wanting more Dorothy and less Cynthia. 🤪 As we’re praying for our kids to be marked by the Nativity this week, my mom talks about using the living room Nativity to talk about Jesus with our kids. She also encourages us to pray boldly for our kids to have a faith like Mary and a spirit that seeks Jesus like the wise men.  And then, of course, she shares a fairly embarrassing story from my childhood involving a small mix-up in the McDonald’s drive–through.  I couldn’t be more excited to introduce you to my mom today. Join us to pray for our kids!Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It may be hard to believe that one of the greatest Christian apologists of our time grew up in a home with an alcoholic father, suffered sexual abuse as a child, and made it his life’s goal to disprove Christianity in college.  It’s clear that the only explanation for Josh McDowell’s incredible impact is the Lord’s hand. What a great honor it is to have him with us on Pardon the Mess today. His work with Campus Crusade, as well as his books, have had a tremendous impact on my own life, and I know so many of you feel the same way.  Josh talks with us about the importance of teaching our kids how to defend their faith because a faith without conviction will not be sustainable in this culture. He walks us through the practical steps of addressing their hard questions while keeping an open dialogue in our conversations.  But I think my favorite part of the interview is when Josh shared this truth he’s learned over his many years of mentoring college kids through Campus Crusade: rules without relationship leads to rebellion. We can all chew on that for a good while.  Josh McDowell has addressed more than 46 million people, giving talks in 139 countries. He’s written or co-authored over 150 books, including More than a Carpenter, with over 27 million copies distributed, and Evidence that Demands a Verdict, which was named one of the twentieth century’s top forty books.  Today he’s with us, and you don’t want to miss this opportunity to hear his wisdom.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If there’s anything we need these days, it’s some good news.  Can I get an amen?    Some days I find myself mindlessly searching online for some hint of good news in the midst of all the hard.   I love how Luke 2:10 very simply reminds us that the birth of Jesus is our good news.  “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’” —Luke 2:10 NIV Vaccines and good health are blessings we will never again take for granted, but the only lasting good news comes from the baby born in a manger all those years ago.  This week we’re praying our kids are marked by joy, which is especially fitting as we celebrate Christmas.  My friend Jonathan Pitts is joining us with encouragement on how to find joy in the midst of hardship. Losing his wife unexpectedly two years ago, he shares with us the “choice” in joy and how that guides him in parenting their four daughters.   Jesus is the only good news we need today.  Let’s have abundant joy as we celebrate Christmas and pray the same for our kids. Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I don’t know what weird world we live in where Chris Tomlin kicks off our Christmas season on Pardon the Mess, but I’m completely giddy about the show today.   The lyrics from his newest Christmas album and title song, Miracle of Love, go like this:  A baby born, a baby born A miracle of love A gift from God sent to us From heaven above And I thought I heard angels singing Hallelujah A baby born, a baby born A miracle of love  Chris shares with us the double meaning behind these words as his family welcomes a “surprise” baby this month. We also get a peek into what inspires the songs that have been so impactful in how we worship, like “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”.   I can’t think of a better way to start December than with an encouraging word from Chris Tomlin.  Oh, and trust me when I say you’ll want to download his newest album, Miracle of Love, for all the Christmas errands on your list this month.   Parenting, worship songs, collaborating with Florida Georgia Line . . . we cover it all today!  Don’t miss it. Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When I was in fourth grade, I had a class assignment to prepare a report on a well-known person we considered to have strong integrity.  Not joking, I did my report on Lee Iacocca (a famous automobile executive from the 1960s–80s).  I know about as much about Lee Iacocca today as I did then: nothing.  But I liked how his name sounded.   What’s the point to this story?  Basically nothing—other than that integrity matters and our kids need strong examples of integrity in their lives. 😂  Enter Nehemiah.  Today, we’re wrapping up our study of Nehemiah and considering the ways his life was marked by integrity.  We’ll talk about how Nehemiah:  answered God’s call on his life, waited on the Lord,  fasted and prayed routinely,  and pointed people back to God rather than himself.  These things and much more made him a man of integrity whom God used for great kingdom work.   I’m looking forward to praying integrity together for our kids.  And, for good measure, I’ll leave you with my “favorite” Lee Iacocca quote: “The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works, is the family.”   I can second that with God at the helm in our families,  Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever.” —Psalm 107:1 Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope today is a wonderful day full of family, food, and ample opportunities to thank the Lord for his provision in your life. I’m thankful for so much this Thanksgiving, but, in particular, I’m grateful for your support of Pardon the Mess.  This year we’ve been blessed to remain in the top 200 of Apple’s Christian podcasts, and we even hit a huge milestone of 1 million downloads.  None of this happens without the support of each of you, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.   It’s Thursday, so we’re also releasing a podcast you won’t want to miss with Rashawn Copeland. He’s quickly become one of my favorite people around because of his joyful spirit and testimony of God’s redemption in his life.  Rashawn will encourage you to accept yourself as a work in progress and trust that God wants to ignite a revival in your life. Don’t miss his story of how addiction, doubt, depression, and fear were transformed by God’s love and acceptance in his life.   The title of his book is a message we all need today: Start Where You Are.   Catch up with Rashawn Copeland  Grab his book, Start Where You Are Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Happy Thanksgiving week!  Several years ago, I wrote “10 Signs of a Thanksgiving Epic Fail.”  Although our Thanksgiving this year will look quite different from most, the article is still available should you need a litmus test for determining the success of Thanksgiving 2020.  This week, we’re praying for our kids to be marked by thanksgiving.  I can’t help but consider how the hardships of 2020 have revealed what’s truly worthy of our thanks. Even as we miss so many of the things we’ve enjoyed in the past, the promise that Jesus goes before us and protects us is more real and powerful than ever.  We continue considering Nehemiah’s life and his example of making even our secular successes sacred by acknowledging God’s sovereignty. It’s a reminder to pray that our kids will always give thanks to the giver of all good things throughout their lives.  I’m so thankful to each of you for entrusting your time and parenting to our ministry. I’m praying you will have little reminders all week that God works all things for our good and his glory, and that’s reason enough to give thanks!Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy