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

This month, Pardon the Mess is focused on things we love, and we’re thrilled to have Kirk Cameron on the show to talk about family, marriage, faith, and raising kids. That pretty much covers all the things we love! Kirk is best known for his 1980s portrayal of Mike Seaver in the sitcom Growing Pains. Since that time, he’s continued to act, direct, and produce films primarily in the context of his Christian faith. He’s married to Chelsea Noble (who portrayed his girlfriend on Growing Pains) and together they have six children. Kirk visits with us today about his social media documentary, Connect, and his takeaway that we need to be relentless in connecting with our kids. We’re the first generation to raise kids with social media, and it’s important to stay current with technology and focus on our communication with our kids. My favorite part of the interview is hearing Kirk’s heart behind why he continues to share his faith so publicly. He wants to hear the Lord say “Well done” at the end of his life, and that motivates him to continue to use his platform to tell others about his faith. He’s currently touring the country with a message that focuses on resetting our living rooms by pursuing God in our families. Kirk is relatable, funny, humble, and godly. This is a podcast you’re going to love! P.S. If you want to hear more from Kirk, check out his program Living Room Reset!Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

R-E-S-P-E-C-T! There’s not a parent out there who hasn’t echoed the words of the legendary Aretha saying, “All I’m askin’ is for a little respect when you get home.” This week, we’re praying for our kids to have respect. This is a core value that impacts all of their relationships, and it’s critical to walking well with the Lord. It starts by teaching respect in the home, and obedience is a key component as we raise our kids. On today’s podcast, we talk about what it looks like to respect the Lord, starting with showing respect to the people around us who are his creation. We consider Scripture that tells us to honor and respect our governing authorities, and we talk about how to teach our children to disagree well with others.  If we take it a little bit further this week while praying respect, we can also pray that our kids respect the word of God, respect their bodies, and respect those with authority over them in all aspects of their lives. That’s a lot to pray over this week! I also want to make you among the first to hear about a new product I wrote that’s available for the first time this week! Raising kids involves lots of discipline and correction to keep them on course, balanced with ensuring they know that their true identity in Christ has absolutely nothing to do with their performance or behavior.  He Calls You By Name: 30 Reminders of Your Identity in Christ is a set of cards designed to be a visual reminder to your kids of their real identity. They are modern, they are biblically based, and they are a tangible way to remind your kids that they are loved and significant because of the One who loves them.  The front of the card has Scripture talking about identity, and the back has a short summary of why that truth matters in their life and how it impacts who they really are. Grab a set of these cards to put in your kitchen, on your kids’ nightstand, or anywhere that will remind them of who they belong to and the significance such knowledge brings.Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this conversation, Robert J. Morgan, a seasoned pastor and author known for his engaging works like 'The Red Sea Rules', shares profound insights on faith and resilience. He reflects on the comforting role of scripture during tough times and emphasizes teaching kids biblical principles. Morgan draws parallels between overcoming personal challenges and the importance of dusting off loved ones when they stumble. With a fresh release of '100 Bible Verses that Made America', he encourages families to find strength through faith amidst life's ups and downs.

“The truth is, of course, that what one regards as interruptions are precisely one’s life.” —C. S. Lewis The Lord uses people for his kingdom purposes who are willing to let go of their own agenda and go with his. To trade in their own personal security for something bigger than they can accomplish on their own. He uses those who live interruptible lives. Many of the disciples were asked to literally lay down their fishing nets in order to walk with Jesus. Jesus knew that, only when they were willing to walk away from their own plans, he could lead them on the journey of a lifetime with the message of eternity. At his very core, Jesus wants his people to have a deep connection with him. Through this deep connection, he’s able to lead us to places we otherwise would not go. We will have nets to lay down if we’re going to follow Jesus—and so will our kids. Praying for our kids to live interruptible lives is an interesting prayer when we know personally how frustrating it is to be interrupted. It’s not easy, but it’s right. Let’s pray this week that our kids have a heart for God’s calling in their lives and that they will be willing to lay down their nets every day in order to follow their Savior. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”                                  —Isaiah 55:8–9Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As we continue our “New Year, New You” series this January, we’ve covered topics related to our physical health, emotional health, and finances. This week, we’re talking about marriage, and I don’t know of a better person to talk to about this important but oftentimes difficult subject. Today, we’ve got Lysa TerKeurst! Lysa is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries. She’s married to her husband, Art, and they have five grown children. They live in Nashville, and Lysa is passionate about helping others experience Jesus by working through Scripture in the truest and most responsible way that everyone can understand. Lysa shares vulnerably about her marriage and finding out about her husband’s infidelity and substance abuse. Living through that and seeing God restore her marriage, she encourages us in the hard places in marriage. What we talk about: Acknowledging that the Enemy is attacking marriages and seeks to isolate us The importance of marriage check-ins with our spouse It’s okay to be disappointed in our marriage but the importance of redefining disappointment Why we all need counseling in combination with exercising discernment How to trust the Lord in the times when you can’t see his hand She’s practical, she’s wise, and she gives us lots to consider in our marriages! Take time to listen to Lysa TerKeurst on Pardon the Mess and share it with your friends!Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“Safety first!” These words are the mantra everywhere, from the sixth-grade science lab to your own home when your kids run by with a pair of scissors. We’re all about safety when it comes to our families. This week we are praying protection over our kids. Praying protection is probably something that comes automatically when you’re praying for your family; however, if we look a little bit deeper, we find that God’s promise of protection comes in the form of security in our salvation and eternity in his presence. Not necessarily safety on this earth. In his book Crazy Love, Francis Chan challenges us to stop making safety our greatest prayer and instead pray that we will know Jesus better, whatever road that takes. I love this particular quote from Crazy Love: “People who are obsessed with Jesus aren’t consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God’s kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.” There’s nothing wrong with praying safety and protection for our kids, and we should do that this week. But let’s also be willing to pray that, whatever road God chooses for them to walk, they come out on the other side knowing God better. Tune in this week on Pardon the Mess as we talk about protection versus safety and how to trust God as we pray for our kids to know Jesus better. “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever.” —2 Timothy 4:18Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“Mo Money Mo Problems” —The Notorious B.I.G. It’s not often that one quotes The Notorious B.I.G. to kick off a Christian podcast, yet his song title is all too relevant for how many of us feel when dealing with our finances. It’s not necessarily a reference to how much money we have, but just to the problems money can cause when we don’t approach it biblically. As we continue our miniseries this January, “New Year, New You,” we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty of our finances. Chuck and Ann Bentley are on the show today, and they know their stuff. They speak all over the world teaching biblical financial principles, doing it with grace and love. Chuck also has a daily radio broadcast and has written several books. Here are some of the highlights of what the Bentleys shared: How to redefine prosperity to line up with the Bible’s definition How men and women approach finances differently Being a peacemaker in your marriage when money raises tensions Tips for handling debt Common financial mistakes families make What generosity and giving say about our priorities My hope is that we can take an honest look at our finances today, considering how we’re stewarding what the Lord has given us and if it’s pleasing to him.   “Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.” —Proverbs 11:28 P.S. You can check out their book Money Problems, Marriage Solutions: 7 Keys to Aligning Your Finances and Uniting Your Hearts here as well!Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Why does contentment matter? “I would totally be content if I had just a little bit more.” We don’t actually say those words, but show your hand if you’ve ever bought into that lie. (Unfortunately, my hand is raised.) When we define success by God’s standards of prosperity and not the world’s, life is lots easier and a whole lot more peaceful. If we define ourselves by what we have or how much we have, we will inevitably find a lack of contentment. Christ-filled contentment brings peace and happiness, knowing that what Jesus has already done for us is more than we deserve. And, better than that, it’s eternal so it can’t be taken away. The whole idea of contentment is a big one when it comes to praying for our kids. A lack of contentment doesn’t just impact our kids when they are young. When they become adults, a spirit of discontentment can seep into finances, jobs, friendships, and everything in between. Let’s buckle down this week and ask the Lord to show us where we need to find contentment in our own lives so that we can model it well in our families. Let’s pray that our kids know that money and material things do not bring lasting fulfillment and happiness, but that only comes from Jesus. And when you have those thoughts that a “little bit more” would make all the difference, call it out for what it is. Let it remind you to pray for contentment for yourself and your family. John Piper said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” May God be glorified through all of us.Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Well, excuse us for getting a little personal so early in 2020! But life is messy, and we plan on staying true to our name and hitting some of the hard stuff in our January miniseries called “New Year, New You.” Last week, we talked about improvements we can make in our physical health. This week, we’re discussing mental health. If we haven’t stepped on your toes yet, there’s still time as we round out January tackling topics like our finances and marriage. Whoever said it’s rude to talk about politics and money at the table? Well, we are at least staying away from politics. Kidding. Today, Paige Mayhew and Rebecca Leonard join us to discuss our mental health. Both of these ladies are licensed professional counselors who just so happen to love Jesus too. Doesn’t get much better than that! Here are some things we discussed in the podcast: Overcoming the stigmas of going to counseling How to know when it’s time to get help Anxiety and coping strategies Warning signs to look for in your kids Take a minute and chat with us about mental health and consider where the Lord might be challenging you to work through some of the hard places facing you this year. Get equipped to pray for your kids as we face a new year and the opportunity to pray God’s hand on their lives! Grow closer to God as a family this New Year with the Christian Parenting Prayer Journal! If you want to listen to week 1 of the series "New Year, New You" check out last week's episode with Maria Bower!Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I always bristle when I read the passage in Matthew 26 where Jesus asks the disciples to stay awake to keep watch and pray with him the night before he’s arrested to be crucified. Do you remember what happens? Not once or twice, but three times Jesus comes back to find the disciples asleep because apparently “their eyes were heavy” (Matthew 26:43). This passage makes me sweat a little bit because I kind of think that might have happened on my watch too. It’s easy to think that surely if Jesus specifically instructed us to stay awake to keep watch and pray, we would understand the urgency and make it our first priority to get it done. But then, if you’re like me, we find ourselves lying in bed each night with great intentions to pray for our families and, well, our eyes get heavy. Today on our podcast, Becky Jones joins me to talk about our prayer lives. She reminds us of God’s grace in the places where we haven’t prayed well in the past but also encourages us to make changes moving forward by treating prayer as a continual conversation with God instead of a list to check off. As we’re praying for our kids this year, let’s pray they understand the transformative power of prayer and how it leads to God’s guidance and provision in their lives. Let’s also pray that their lives are marked by prayer and they can remember it being a significant priority in our own lives. Your eyes may be heavy, but God has asked us to pray always (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Let’s do this!Our Sponsors:* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy