Ask Mom and Dad

Greg and Tonya are back with their usual mix of laughs, rambling, and real talk. They kick things off forgetting how to open the show, joking about cold feet and socks, then dive into the mountain of paperwork for their upcoming mission trip to London.

From there it gets deep fast—Greg shares what he's teaching at church about the Faith of Our Fathers and why America flourished for 250 years while revolutions like France's didn't. Tonya recounts being at the big re-dedication event in Washington DC, praying over the nation with leaders and her daughter.

They talk boundaries, protecting kids, the wild training videos they had to watch, and how they raised their own children through real arguments, imperfections, and constant pointing to Jesus. If you're a parent wondering how to pass on genuine faith in a chaotic world, or you're concerned about where our country is headed, this episode will encourage and challenge you.

CHAPTERS
00:00:18 - Show Open & Cold Feet Comedy
00:02:28 - Mission Trip Paperwork Madness
00:04:34 - Boundaries Training & Common Sense
00:07:06 - Faith of Our Fathers Series
00:10:18 - DC Re-Dedication Event 
00:19:16 - Psalm 33 & Trusting God as a Nation
00:23:19 - Raising Kids Through Real Messy Life 00:39:02 - Loving God First for Families & Country

Greg and Tonya sit down after a chaotic family reunion and right before Tonya heads out again—this time for a national prayer gathering on the Mall. But the real conversation kicks off when they start wrestling with a tough question: why do people sit under solid teaching for years and still show so little fruit?

From the Israelites complaining in the desert, to Moses losing his cool at the rock, to James 4 calling out our quarrels—they unpack what real discipleship actually looks like. It's not just more information. It's walking in the dust of the Rabbi, modeling dependence on God, and helping people move from self-sufficient to Christ-sufficient.

They talk parenting, empty-nest ministry, the difference between head knowledge and heart change, and why true discipleship often feels like long-suffering love. If you've ever wondered how to measure spiritual growth or how to disciple adults who already "know it all," this one's for you. Pull up a chair with Greg and Tonya—real talk, real Scripture, real hope for the next generation. 

CHAPTERS 

00:00:10 - Family Reunion Chaos & Loud Cafeteria Memories 00:02:46 - On the Heels of Mother’s Day & Tonya’s Upcoming Trip 00:05:00 - The Timothy Question: Who Really Shapes Our Faith? 00:08:20 - Numbers 20, the Rock, and Complaining in the Desert 00:13:00 - James 4: Passions, Worldliness & Asking God 00:19:50 - Hearing God’s Voice vs. Relying on People 00:27:50 - How Do You Actually Disciple Adults? 00:42:30 - Long-Suffering Love, Protection & Measuring Growth

Greg and Tonya sit down and talk real about something a lot of believers quietly wrestle with: the Holy Spirit. After a wild hailstorm chat, they jump into Greg’s Bible study on Colossians and unpack why Jesus really is enough—no extra keys, no secret rituals, no spooky ghost stuff.They laugh about how the words “Holy Ghost” freak people out, wrestle with the Trinity, share stories of the Spirit redirecting plans, comforting in chaos, and changing lives from the inside out. If you’ve ever felt nervous about “hearing God,” wondered why churches swing from ignoring the Spirit to chasing signs, or just want to know what it actually looks like to walk with Him daily—this one’s for you.Come laugh, think, and get encouraged that you’re never alone.

Chapters
00:00:42 - Weather Chaos and Family Car Stories
00:02:58 - Bible Study Sparks: Jesus Is Enough in Colossians
00:05:00 - The Holy Spirit—Ghost, Guide, or Both?
00:08:07 - Understanding the Trinity Without Losing Your Mind
00:10:38 - Gnosticism, Asceticism, and Modern “Secret Keys”
00:14:03 - Mysticism, Visions, and Psychedelics—Where’s the Line?
00:21:19 - Hearing God’s Voice and Walking in His Power
00:37:02 - Living Satisfied in the Spirit Every Day

Greg and Tonya are back talking about the one topic that makes everybody squirm—money in the church. They unpack Greg’s current sermon series on generosity and why so many of us get tangled up between “love of money is the root of all evil” and the clear biblical call to be cheerful, open-handed givers.

They ask the big question: If Noah tried to build the ark in today’s church, would the finance team shut it down? From Malachi’s “test me” challenge and the early church sharing everything they had, to stories of leather portfolios, Mercedes, and youth ski boats, they wrestle with stewardship, control, micro-managing, and what real cheerful giving looks like.

If you’ve ever felt tension between giving generously and wanting every dollar accounted for exactly how you think it should be, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. Tune in for honest husband-and-wife talk about living with open hands instead of clenched fists.

CHAPTERS (No timestamps)

• Opening Chat & Spring Allergies
• Why Pastors Have to Talk About Money
• It’s All God’s—We’re Just Stewards
• The Danger of Worldly Management Thinking
• Noah’s Ark & Other “Bad” Financial Decisions God Blesses
• Faith vs Fear: Dead Sea or Flowing River?
• Trusting Leaders With God’s Resources
• Closing Encouragement to Give Cheerfully

After a rough several weeks battling travel & sickness Greg and Tonya are back. They jump straight into the big stuff happening in the world right now. They talk about the U.S. strikes on Iran, the dramatic rescue of that F-15 pilot on Easter weekend, and the wild contrast between how America values one soldier’s life versus how some regimes treat their own people.From there the conversation gets deep and honest: Why does every single life matter so much to us? Where does that value actually come from? They walk through the Judeo-Christian roots of Western civilization, the difference between Hebrew and Roman views of human dignity, and how God spared no expense to rescue us through Jesus.It’s raw, it’s timely, and it’ll make you think about why we stand with Israel, why we fight for the unborn, and why we refuse to let current events shake our trust in the real King.If you’ve been wrestling with the news, the politics, or just wondering what the Bible actually says about all this, pull up a chair. You’re gonna want to hear this one.

CHAPTERS (No timestamps)

• Catching Up After Weeks Away
• The Iran Conflict and What It Really Means
• The Easter Miracle of the Rescued Pilot
• Why One Life Is Worth Billions in Rescue
• Judeo-Christian Roots of Human Value
• Israel, Rome, and the Leaven of the Kingdom
• Why We Stand With Israel Without Being Cocky
• The Real Kingdom We’re Waiting For

Many Christians feel an uneasy tension when it comes to pleasure.
If following Jesus means sacrifice, surrender, and denying ourselves… why did God create a world filled with beauty, laughter, food, relationships, and meaningful work?In this episode of Ask Mom and Dad, Greg and Tonya continue their discussion of Joe Rigney’s book Strangely Brightand wrestle with a question many believers quietly carry:Why do Christians sometimes distrust pleasure?Drawing from Scripture and personal experience, they explore the difference between enjoying God’s gifts and turning those gifts into idols. The conversation touches on missionary sacrifice, cultural attitudes toward enjoyment, and the biblical idea that Jesus is better than everything—without requiring us to reject the good things God created.Together they unpack how pleasure can either compete with God or become a signpost pointing back to Him.If you’ve ever wondered:

• Is enjoying life less spiritual?
• Why do some Christians feel guilty about pleasure?
• Did God design the world to be enjoyed?

This conversation will challenge how you think about joy, sacrifice, and gratitude in the Christian life.

What if the real test of your faith isn’t what you believe—but what you’re willing to give up?In this episode, Greg and Tonya tackle the uncomfortable tension between pleasure and sacrifice. Why does Lent matter? Why would God give us good things—and then ask us to fast from them? And if Jesus is truly better than everything else… do our lives actually reflect that?From carrot cake to covenant marriage, from fasting to parenting exhaustion, this conversation digs into the difference between enjoying God’s gifts and worshiping them. Discover why voluntary sacrifice sharpens joy, why self-denial restores gratitude, and how enduring difficulty in marriage and family reveals something deeper about God Himself.If you’ve ever wondered:

• Why Christians fast
• Whether pleasure is spiritual or dangerous
• Or what sacrifice really proves about your faith

This episode will challenge the way you think about joy, discipline, and what it really means to say, “Jesus is better.”

Choosing sacrifice tests and reveals whether we truly believe Jesus is better. Voluntary self-denial sharpens appreciation, restores focus, and deepens our experience of God.

Why do some of the most gifted musicians, artists, and thinkers in history display almost supernatural creativity yet never openly give credit to God? In this episode of Ask Mom & Dad, we explore the tension between human talent and divine glory—asking whether beauty, music, and innovation still point back to their Creator even when the creator doesn’t acknowledge Him. Through reflections on famous artists, biblical themes, and everyday faith, we wrestle with questions about idolatry, discernment, and God’s sovereignty, ultimately considering how creativity, corruption, and redemption intersect in a world filled with brilliance that doesn’t always recognize its source.

In this episode of Asked & Dad, Greg and Tonya reflect on joy, pleasure, and the beauty of God’s creation. Drawing from Scripture and insights from The book "Strangely Bright" by Joe Rigney, they explore how enjoying the world God made doesn’t compete with loving God—but can actually deepen it. From icy landscapes and music to relationships and everyday moments, the conversation asks how believers can receive God’s gifts with gratitude, avoid idolatry, and live joyfully in step with the Holy Spirit.

On this episode of Ask Mom and Dad, Greg and Tonya share heartfelt reflections on long-term marriage, the joy of bustling family holiday gatherings, and the excitement of welcoming two more grandsons to their growing quiver of 14 grandchildren. Drawing from recent Thanksgiving celebrations and counseling insights, they explore mutual appreciation in relationships, why modern couples voice feelings of being unappreciated more openly, and the profound humility of Mary and Joseph. With humor and biblical wisdom, they discuss generational shifts in communication, the beauty of a personal relationship with Jesus through prayer, and trusting God's sovereignty over cultural systems like medicine and mandates—reminding us that true blessings come from His presence, not just the season's festivities.