Let's Parent on Purpose: Christian Marriage, Parenting, and Discipleship

There are few fears more gripping to a parent than the thought that one of their children might get sick... really sick. Sick to the point of real suffering. Sick to the point of no answers. Sick to the point of death. This is something we’ve been walking through as a family for eight years now. Having experienced the dreaded diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, having walked through years of bad news, good news, injections, and hospitalizations, I want to offer some wisdom that we’ve gained along the way. Resources Mentioned: Sign up for my Things for Thursday Email: https://tinyurl.com/292kv68y

One of the common feelings shared by our children is "I feel like I don't fit in.” The truth is this feeling doesn’t go away just because we become adults.   I've been thinking about that...   From my personal experience and from over 20 years as a pastor, I have come to believe that "I don't fit in" is a more common feeling than "I fit in". 
 Today I share thoughts on why I think this feeling is a part of the curse, and how the Gospel is the cure.   Resources Mentioned: Sign up for my Things for Thursday Email: https://tinyurl.com/292kv68y

Fear of failure as a parent can paralyze a mom or dad. In my new “What if…?” series I look at the reality of our parental failure through the lens of the gospel. We talk about:   1. Why many of our failures don’t matter 2. The reality that there will be many times when you really blow it 3. How to view your failure in the light of the gospel.   Failure is not the last word, and God can use our worst moments to shape some of the best character qualities in our children.   Resources Mentioned: Sign up for my Things for Thursday Email: https://tinyurl.com/292kv68y

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 74 percent of adults in the United States are overweight. After 10 years of marriage and five pregnancies, Amber Lia, a former college athlete and recreational bodybuilder, found herself to be one of them. Feeling ashamed of her physical state and knowing that she could and should do better—for herself, her husband, and her children—she embarked on a journey to reclaim her health, one unhealthy pattern at a time. We discuss her journey to spiritual and physical health, understanding the importance of your “why”, identifying food triggers, and learning to replace unhealthy habits with healthy ones.   Amber Lia is an independent certified health coach who has been on her own transformative health journey. She has written and coauthored several books, including Marriage Triggers and the bestselling parenting book, Triggers. A former high-school English teacher, Amber is a sought-after mentor for women and a regular contributing writer for The Better Mom. Amber and her husband co- run the faith-friendly production company Storehouse Media Group, and they live in Southern California with their four boys. To learn more, visit AmberLia.com.   Resources Mentioned: Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y www.amberlia.com https://www.instagram.com/therealamberlia/ Your Future Self Will Thank You with Drew Dyck - https:// letsparentonpurpose.com/2021/01/03/your-future-self-will-thank-you- with-drew-dyck/ Food Triggers: Exchanging Unhealthy Patterns for God-Honoring Habits by Amber Lia - https://amzn.to/3mLUbY9

Pastor and author Jonathan Pitts joins me once again, this time to talk about the growth and adjustments from his newly blended family. We discuss setting-but also adapting-expectations, the mix of grief and joy in a blended family, and giving one another grace with feelings and emotions.   Jonathan Pitts is an author, speaker and the executive pastor at Church of the City in Franklin, Tennessee. He previously served as the executive director at the Urban Alternative, the national ministry of Dr. Tony Evans. Jonathan has co-authored two books alongside his late wife, Wynter Pitts. He is also President and co-founder of For Girls Like You Ministries, an equipping and resourcing ministry for tween girls and their parents. Jonathan is the father of four daughters and is blessed to be newly married to his wife Pita Pitts.   Resources Mentioned: Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y Jonathon’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pittsjr26/?hl=en The Journey Podcast - https://www.christianparenting.org/podcasts- post/rescued-from-the-fear-of-loneliness/ The Chip Dodd Eight Feelings Chart https://sagehill.co/eight-feelings/  

Parenting doesn’t stop just because your children turn 18. But it sure can be confusing! Willow Sanders joins me to talk about the transitions from boss to coach to advisor that a parent must make over the years. We share our struggles and encouragements as we seek to navigate the challenges of parenting adult children in a healthy way.   Willow Sanders is the director of Student Services and Protect the Heart Ministries for CareNet of the Treasure Coast. Willow has served the Treasure Coast for over 2 decades and has two adult sons.   Resources Mentioned: Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y https://protecttheheart.org Talking to Your Children about Sex with Willow Sanders - https://letsparentonpurpose.com/2018/03/18/talking-to-your-children-about- sex/

Family worship is one of the most transformative habits a family can have. It’s also very intimidating to most moms and dads. Dr. Rob Rienow, founder of Visionary Families, helps simplify the process of starting and continuing family worship. With a simple toolbox of prayer, Bible reading, and other elements, you can implement a healthy habit of family worship in your home no matter the age of your children.   Dr. Rob Rienow’s most important ministry is loving his wife Amy and partnering with her to lead their seven children to love God. He is the founder of Visionary Family Ministries (www.visionaryfam.com), a pastor, international conference speaker, and the author of several books including Visionary Parenting and Visionary Marriage. When Rob is not fishing for men, he enjoys fishing for fish. The Rienow family lives in West Chicago, IL.   Resources Mentioned: www.VisionaryFam.com www.Facebook.com/VisionaryFam www.Twitter.com/VisionaryFam www.YouTube.com/visionaryfamilyministries PODCAST www.VisionaryFam.com/podcast Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y

When Stacy Callender was a young mom she felt burdened as her children entered public school. This burden led her to join a Moms in Prayer group that changed the trajectory of her life, family, and mission. Stacy and I talk about the work of God through prayer, and how we grow in courage and faith by consistency praying with others. You can’t help but be encouraged as you listen to Stacy’s story and her infectious joy!   Stacy Callender is the host of the Moms in Prayer podcast. She has been involved in a Moms in Prayer group since her oldest child started kindergarten in 1999. She has served as the Southern California State Coordinator, and also in Women’s Ministry at her local church. She and her husband, Scott, live in Southern California where they have raised their four children, Megan, Bryce, Madison and Brendan. During her free time, Stacy can be found eating Mexican food, hiking, reading or bargain hunting. Resources Mentioned: • Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y • Moms in Prayer https://momsinprayer.org • Moms in Prayer Podcast https://momsinprayer.org/resources/ podcast/  

It’s a challenge to balance boundaries and freedom, adventure and responsibility when raising a boy. My guest Monica Swanson shares here experience of raising boys who are sensitive to the things of Jesus while still being strong and capable in the face of the world’s trials. She gives examples of success and failures in her process as well as her insight into creating a “character training course” for her son when he needed extra focus.   Monica Swanson is the author of the Boy Mom book and a blogger at monicaswanson.com. She shares encouragement and inspiration for raising boys in today's world. Monica shares practical advice and biblical wisdom through honest conversations, interviews with other boy moms, and light-hearted humor.   Resources Mentioned: www.monicaswanson.com The Boy Mom Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-boy-mom-podcast-withmonica-swanson-and-friends/id1468061855 Boy Mom- What Your Son Needs Most From You - https://amzn.to/3H3d7t2 Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y  

Sometimes our worst fears in parenting do come true. When Daniel and Kelly Crawford were pregnant with their first son Abel, they learned that he had a life limiting diagnosis. Directed to find services to terminate the pregnancy, they instead chose to carry their little boy to birth. They were gifted fifteen days with their little Abel. Their experience led them to reach out and minister to other families facing similar scenarios. It also gave them perspective as they raise their other special needs children. This is an honest yet hope filled conversation about the sadness and sweetness of dying dreams and and an enduring gospel hope.   Daniel and Kelly Crawford have been married since December 2013 and reside in Dallas, Texas. They have three children (Abel, Mayfield, and Deacon) who were all born on the exact same day in 2016, 2017, and 2019. Yes, January 22 is a big day at the Crawford house! They co- founded Abel Speaks in 2018 to support families who have chosen to carry a child with a life-limiting diagnosis. After walking that road with their firstborn son, Abel, they realized the significant need that existed for parents in their position. The vision of Abel Speaks is that every family they serve will cherish their child’s life and have hope in the midst of sorrow. This ministry is but one example of the redemptive truth that God never wastes an ounce of our pain, and the Crawfords love to write and speak on the ways that God can and does use our suffering for his glory and our good. Go to AbelSpeaks.org to find out more.   Resources Mentioned: Instagram -@abelspeaks Facebook - www.facebook.com/abelspeaks.org Website - www.abelspeaks.org The vision of Abel Speaks https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=qLJrbTZpQB8 A Parent’s Guide to Sorrow & Suffering- www.abelspeaks.org/ store Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y