A Lot of Thoughts (about a lot of things)

This week you're in for a wild ride with a...unique episode! We decided to take a little break on research and discuss a variety of topics including dresses vs skirts, mountains vs beach, author Stieg Larsson, and gorillas...er...guerillas!Let us know your thoughts!Follow us on Instagram!Email us at [email protected]

This week Courtney is joined by a special guest, her dad, Steve Clifton! He's been in the ministry for a while and has pastored three separate churches during that time. This isn't an episode to discuss ministry from the perspective of the pastor but from the perspective of laypeople in the church. What is the purpose of a pastor? How do we bring up disagreements with our pastor? When is it appropriate to leave a church and how do we do it? Listen in to find out.Let us know your thoughts!Instagram: @alotofthoughtspodcastEmail: [email protected]

Anna is back with Courtney to continue to discussion about disagreements that started a while back. Rebuking seems like such a mean word, but sometimes it's necessary. When is it necessary & how do we go about it? Listen in to find out! "Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." Proverbs 27:5-6Got Questions: "When is it necessary to rebuke another believer?"Instagram: @alotofthoughtspodcastEmail: [email protected]

This week, Courtney is by herself to discuss the #SamePageSummer Bible Reading Challenge, as well as how understanding and focusing on the true gospel (versus your agenda, your politics, or anything else) is so important. Check out the Bible Reading Challenge here!Let us know your thoughts!Instagram: @alotofthoughtspodcastEmail: [email protected]

This week, Courtney is joined by Leanne (@faithfuldefender), one of her favorite Instagrammers. Discernment is such a rich topic that many Christians do not have a firm understanding of. Leanne answer's questions such as: What is discernment and why does it matter? How do we learn discernment? How do we identify a false teacher? AND MORE!Check out more resources on discernment here:Should We Call Out False Teachers or Ignore Them? via John PiperHow do you define a false teacher? via Ligonier MinistriesWhat Is the Gift of Discernment? via Blue Letter BibleWhat is Discernment? via Ligonier MinistriesThe Gift of Spiritual Discernment via Tim ChalliesFollow Leanne here!Follow our Instagram here!Email us: [email protected]

Mental health is a complicated topic. So instead of jumping in to the topic by herself, Courtney is joined this week by Emma from My Redemption for His Glory & Michelle from Women of the table. Is depression or anxiety a sin? What should a Christian's response be to mental illness? Hear our discussion on these questions & more in this episode.*This is not a prescriptive take on mental health but rather just a discussion. Please examine what we say in light of the Bible. If you’re dealing with depression or anxiety, please talk to someone in your church family, your pastor, or seek biblical counseling. We love internet friends, but every person is unique, so we can’t diagnose where you are from the other side of a phone or computer ❤️ And don't forget that condemnation for your sin is now gone! Christ's death, burial, and resurrection are sufficient!“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans‬ ‭8:1-6‬ ‭Connect with Emma!Connect with Michelle (Women of the Table)!Connect with us:Instagram: @alotofthoughtspodcastEmail: [email protected] Additional resources:Nebuchadnezzar Loses His Mind: Sermon by Voddie BauchamDepression, Anxiety, & Mental Illness: Sermon by Ricky JonesThe Psychology Epidemic & Its Cure by John MacArthurOvercoming Depression by Paul WasherAnxiety: Sin, Disorder, or Both by John PiperOverwhelmed by Anxiety by John MacArthurIs There Good Anxiety by John Piper

Join us as we go through a quick look at disagreeing well according to the Bible. Should we have online arguments? Should we treat some topics differently than others?https://www.gotquestions.org/disputable-matters.htmlhttps://www.gotquestions.org/eating-meat-with-blood.htmlShare your thoughts!Instagram: @alotofthoughtspodcastEmail: [email protected]

Anna's mom, Elizabeth Dziadul, joins us this week to discuss marriage and parenting which is something she has just a bit of experience with. We'll discuss not being a nag, discipling your kids, and more! Instagram: @alotofthoughtspodcastEmail: [email protected]

Assurance seems like something that would be great to have...but how do you actually have it? We discuss the three ways to have assurance from Louis Berkhof: the promises of God, the witness of the Holy Spirit, & the Testimony of Christian Graces.Assurance (Monergism): https://www.monergism.com/topics/assuranceInstagram: @alotofthoughtspodcastEmail: [email protected]

We've been holding on to this topic for weeks! Finding hope and assurance in salvation is always important, but even more so when the world is a bit crazy. Join us in our discussion of what assurance is and why it's important. Assurance (Monergism): https://www.monergism.com/topics/assuranceInstagram: @alotofthoughtspodcastEmail: [email protected]