What if your deepest pain was actually planting seeds for the spiritual fruit your family needs most?

Every Christian parent walks through seasons of hardship and heartache, moments that feel like a “dark night of the soul.” But why does God allow these painful, confusing valleys? And—more importantly—what is He growing in us through them?

In this solo episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, host Catherine pulls back the curtain on her own current season of struggle: holding down the fort as her husband works in another state, navigating loneliness, and wrestling with God’s timing and plans. But this isn’t just about surviving difficulty—it’s about discovering what God is accomplishing in the midst of it. Catherine reminds listeners that these hard, unchosen seasons are not evidence of God’s absence, but fertile ground for His deepest growth.

Key Insights and Takeaways:

• Gifts vs. Fruit: Catherine draws on a striking analogy from a recent sermon—how, in the Old Testament, priests wore alternating gold bells (gifts) and pomegranates (fruit) on their robes. Just as gifts and fruit were literally woven together, so too must our talents be balanced with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
• How is Spiritual Fruit Grown? Unlike our natural gifts, spiritual fruit isn’t something we’re born with or can develop by sheer will—it’s birthed in intimacy with God, often in the hardest and most uncomfortable soil. As Catherine powerfully states, “The fruit of the Spirit is birthed in the opposite soil from what it reflects."
• The Soil Where Each Fruit of the Spirit Grows:
  • Love is birthed in loss
  • Joy is birthed in mourning
  • Peace is birthed in chaos
  • Patience is birthed in waiting
  • Kindness is birthed in disappointment
  • Goodness is birthed in need and injustice
  • Faithfulness is birthed in betrayal
  • Gentleness is birthed in conflict
  • Self-control is birthed in temptation
• Pain Has Purpose: Using vivid stories—from her own journey to those of friends facing life-threatening illness or unimaginable grief—Catherine assures parents that God never wastes our dark nights. These seasons prepare us, shaping our character to carry God’s gifts with humility and serving as a foundation for godly parenting in a fallen world.
• Practical Encouragement: Catherine offers heartfelt encouragement and a moving prayer for listeners enduring their own difficult seasons, reminding every Christian parent that “God is growing something in you that you will need for where He is taking you.”

Notable Moment:
Catherine shares, “Fruit is birthed in the dark night of the soul… Spiritual fruit grows in the dark, in the painful places, in the moments that push us and stretch us and sometimes crush us—because fruit is birthed in the dark night of the soul.”

Don’t miss:
This episode’s challenge to examine your own family: Are you nurturing both gifts and fruit in your parenting? Are you modeling for your children what it looks like to trust God through sorrow and uncertainty?

Call to Action:
How might your current struggles be the very soil God is using to grow love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control in your home? What fruit is He birthing in your family—right now, in the dark?

Tune in for a rich, honest conversation that will strengthen you in every season—and don’t forget to subscribe at catherineseagers.com for free resources specially designed for Christian parents.

Your dark nights have a purpose—let’s discover it together.

Link:
Check out this sermon about how fruit grows:
"Birth Pains" by Eric Eason

Get Your Free Parenting Resources!
Are you seeking encouragement and Biblical wisdom as you lead your family? Catherine has created incredible FREE resources just for you—covering topics like anxiety, depression, ADHD, and scriptures for courage, kindness, guidance, and more. These resources are yours when you sign up, along with her weekly newsletter packed with practical insights for Christian parents navigating today’s crazy world.
Sign up by emailing [email protected] today!

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What happens when the faith we’ve built our lives around collides with the hardest seasons we never saw coming? Is there something deeper God wants to do in our hearts—and in our churches—when comfort drops away and the “dark night of the soul” invades our story?

In this provoking and vulnerable episode of Christian Parent Crazy World, host Catherine Segars sits down with accomplished artist, worship leader, and theological scholar Isaac Gay for an unexpected, off-script deep dive into the challenges—and the stunning potential—of the modern charismatic church.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• The “Dark Night of the Soul” is Real: Every believer—charismatic or not—must face seasons of doubt, disappointment, and difficulty. Instead of offering quick fixes, God invites us deeper, beyond beginner faith, to real trust and transformation.
• Strengths of the Charismatic Movement: We cherish and pursue God’s presence, expectant for miracles and supernatural encounters... but sometimes get so focused on the sensational that we neglect depth, discipline, and theology.
• Where We Fall Short: Charismatic churches can fall into emotionalism, lacking intellectual rigor or robust discipleship. Kids can get stuck in shallow social environments, leaving them spiritually bored, starved, or even driving them away from faith entirely.
• Learning from Other Traditions: We need BOTH heart and mind—experience AND theology. Ancient disciplines, liturgies, “high church” practices, and regularly engaging with deep thinkers (even ones we disagree with!) can anchor our faith when feelings fade.
• Raising Faithful Kids Means Planting in Rich Soil: Where (and how) we “plant” our kids spiritually matters—a safe, friendly environment isn’t always a spiritually nourishing one. Sometimes our children (and we, as parents) need deep, hard, stretching soil to really grow.
• Unity and Humility: All branches of Christianity have blind spots—we need one another! Learning across traditions, holding fast to Scripture, and pursuing Christ above all else is the path to a genuine, lasting faith.
• The Goal: More than chasing blessings or avoiding pain, mature faith says, “Even if God doesn’t move the way I want, I will still serve Him.” That’s the kind of walk our kids need to see—and the legacy we want to leave.

Key Quote: “I want to be a church with theology that can't be dismissed and power that can't be denied.” ~ Isaac Gay

Isaac and Catherine’s raw conversation is a must-listen for any parent who wants to raise kids that aren’t just “good churchgoers,” but wholehearted disciples—anchored in truth, resilient in hardship, ready for beauty, and alive to the Holy Spirit.

What about you? How is your church—and your home—preparing your children to handle the dark nights of faith? How can you help them embrace both Spirit and truth, head and heart, as they follow Jesus in a confusing world?

Don’t miss next week’s solo episode, where Catherine digs into what God is accomplishing in the dark night of the soul. And stay tuned for the conversation Catherine and Isaac were supposed to have (coming soon), where they will dig into how beauty—and restoring creativity—can become one of the strongest apologetics for a new generation.

Meet the guest: Isaac Gay is a multifaceted artist working at the intersection of creativity, spirituality, and contemporary thought. As a worship leader, thinker, and writer, Isaac’s heart is one of an iconoclast, while remaining grounded in the enduring principles of orthodox Christianity. He and his wife Emily are the hosts of the Not Crushing It Podcast, and have three children. He holds a Master of Letters from the University of Aberdeen.

 

Episode Resources:

Isaac’s Website, The Parallel Society, Instagram

Catherine’s FREE RESOURCES—Prodigal Bundle, Scriptures Lists, Scripture Songs, Ebook Beyond the Lies: Uncovering 5 Myths Our Culture Spreads to Mothers

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Culture is selling our kids a pack of lies every single day—are they buying?

In this must-listen episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, host Catherine Segars tackles one of the most pressing challenges facing Christian parents today: the pervasive, culture-wide lies targeting our children’s hearts and minds. As parents, recognizing and uprooting these falsehoods is essential if we want to raise godly kids in an ungodly world.

Catherine is joined by Elizabeth Urbanowicz, founder of Foundation Worldview—a curriculum dedicated to equipping parents and children to rightly interpret Scripture, think critically, and recognize truth. With dual master’s degrees in literacy education and Christian apologetics, Elizabeth brings both academic rigor and biblical foundation to the conversation.

In this “Best Of” episode, Elizabeth counts down the TOP 7 LIES that culture is selling our kids, including:

• If I feel it, it must be true.
• Follow your heart.
• Love is affirming everything I feel.
• Faith is the opposite of knowledge.
• Humans are the product of blind, unguided evolution.
• You are the one you’ve been waiting for.
• A good God wouldn’t judge.

Elizabeth and Catherine don’t just name the lies—they empower parents with practical, age-appropriate strategies to expose these cultural deceptions and ground children in biblical truth. Learn how to turn conversations (and even family games!) into teachable moments, helping kids discern between feeling and fact, and equipping teens to logically walk through real-life scenarios that challenge what is true, right, and loving.

One powerful quote:
“Our emotions shouldn’t be negated, and they shouldn’t be followed. They should be discerned.” – Elizabeth Urbanowicz

COUPON CODE:

Use the coupon code “CPCW10” to get $10 off any family license with Foundation Worldview.

STUDIES & QUOTES:

Lord Acton Quote: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Ligonier Ministries Bi-annual State of Theology Report

Richard Dawkins’ quote from The Blind Watchmaker

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

To receive Catherine’s free Scripture songs including Psalm 52:5-8, subscribe HERE.

Mama Bear Apologetics

The Discovery Institute

The Gospel Project by Lifeway

Dr. Stephen Meyer, Signature in the Cell

SCRIPTURES REFERENCED:

Jeremiah 17:9

Psalm 52:5-8

1 Corinthians 15:14

Matthew 11:1-6

Mark 12:30

Hebrews 11:1

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If you’re not intentionally teaching your kids a solid Christian worldview, someone else is shaping their beliefs for you.

In this can’t-miss replay from the Christian Parent / Crazy World vault, sits down with Elizabeth Urbanowicz—elementary educator, apologist, and founder of Foundation Worldview—to equip parents for the immense challenge of raising resilient, truth-loving kids in a culture determined to shape their values.

While many children in Christian homes learn Bible stories and attend church, a shocking disconnect remains: they often think more like the surrounding culture than like Christ.

Elizabeth shares her journey from the Christian classroom—where she saw even well-discipled kids absorbing secular ideas—to developing comprehensive curricula that anchor young minds in biblical truth.

A worldview, she explains, is a “mental map” that guides everything we think, say, and do. In this episode, she equips parents to make that map biblical—even for their youngest learners.

 

🔍 Highlights from the Episode:

📉 The Worldview Crisis
Elizabeth explains why even diligent discipleship and Christian education aren't enough without intentional worldview training.

Humorous and sobering stories show how easily relativism creeps in—even at age eight.

🧱 Practical Building Blocks
Don’t aim for a “giant leap to the roof.” Instead, build your child’s worldview step-by-step.

Elizabeth outlines key strategies to ground young believers in truth.

💡 Two Essentials for Raising Faithful Kids

1. Equip children to read, interpret, and apply Scripture independently.
2. Teach them to think critically and evaluate every idea they encounter.

These are vital skills in today’s age of information overload.

❓ Foundational Questions
Her curriculum answers five critical worldview questions that help kids compare beliefs and recognize truth:

• What is truth?
• Who is God?
• How did life begin?
• Who am I?
• How can I tell right from wrong?

📚 Curriculum for Real Life
From classroom meditation examples to parent testimonials, Catherine and Elizabeth show how transformative—and fun—worldview learning can be.

 

👧 Essential Foundational Questions (Revisited)

Elizabeth emphasizes five big questions every child needs answered:

• What is truth?
• Who is God?
• How did life begin?
• Who am I? (What does it mean to be human?)
• *How can I tell right from wrong?

 

👩‍🏫 Guest Bio: Elizabeth Urbanowicz

Elizabeth holds master’s degrees in literacy education and Christian apologetics (Biola University) and is the founder and CEO of Foundation Worldview. Her years in the classroom illuminated a pressing need for worldview discipleship, inspiring her to develop resources now used by parents, churches, and schools nationwide.

 

🛠️ Key Takeaway:

Your kids can’t keep what they don’t own, and they can’t own what they don’t know.
Equip them with the tools to discern truth—and watch them stand strong in a culture of confusion.

 

🎧 Don’t Miss the Follow-Up Episode!
Elizabeth returns to expose the seven most dangerous lies our culture is selling your kids right now. Stay tuned!

 

🔗 Links & Resources:

• 🌐 Explore Foundation Worldview’s curricula and free resources: foundationworldview.com
• 🎁 Use code CPCW10 for $10 off any family curriculum license at Foundation Worldview
  (Not a sponsored deal—just a bonus for CPCW listeners!)
• 📩 Subscribe to updates, blogs, and Catherine’s free ebook: catherinesegars.com
• 📱 Follow Catherine on Instagram @catherinesegars and Facebook Catherine Segars Speaker

 

📊 Referenced Research:

• “Only 4 Percent of Gen Z Have a Biblical Worldview”, Impact 360/Barna Research
• “Atheism Doubles Among Gen Z”, Barna Research
• “Do We Live in a Post-Modern Society?,” William Lane Craig

 

🎧 CPCW Worldview Series Referenced:

• EPISODE 6: 5 Reasons You Should Teach Your Kids about Other Worldviews
• EPISODE 7: What Worldviews Are Competing with Your Kids Faith?
• EPISODE 8: What Sets the Christian Worldview Apart from Other Worldviews?
• EPISODE 9: How Does the Christian Worldview Create a World We All Want To Live In

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💬 What if reclaiming a few “dangerous” and neglected biblical words could rescue the next generation—and even the soul of our civilization?

In this must-listen episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, Catherine welcomes Scott Allen, president of the Disciple Nations Alliance and author of the groundbreaking new book, 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World.

Together, they explore three words that once shaped the West but are now often misunderstood or even maligned:

Authority. Faith. Beauty.

These words may sound old-fashioned—or even problematic—but their true, biblical meanings are desperately needed in today’s world.

🎧 Why This Episode Matters

Scott Allen has spent decades equipping Christian leaders around the globe. His message is clear: If we lose these words, we lose the foundation of freedom, flourishing, and faith.

Whether you’re parenting toddlers or teenagers, mentoring youth, or simply longing to be salt and light in a crumbling culture—this conversation will reframe your worldview.

 

🔑 Key Takeaways🔹 Authority — From Trigger Word to World-Changing Truth

"Authority" has become almost a dirty word in modern culture. But Jesus didn’t abolish hierarchy—He redefined it through servant leadership.

“If you want to be great… you must become a servant.” — Scott Allen

✔️ Learn how to model biblical authority in your home.
✔️ Discover how Christ-like leadership transforms power from oppression into blessing.

 

🔹 Faith — Not Blind Belief, But Reasoned Trust

Faith is often mocked as naïve. But biblical faith is trustworthiness—firm, tested, and grounded.

“Faith in the Bible is trust. It’s trustworthiness. Something is trustworthy.”

✔️ Help your children see that Christian faith is not a leap into the dark, but a reasoned trust in a trustworthy God.

 

🔹 Beauty — The Forgotten Apologetic

Beauty isn’t optional. It’s one of the three transcendentals, alongside truth and goodness. And when the church neglects beauty, we surrender cultural influence.

“If we forsake beauty, we literally gift-wrap the culture and hand it over to the enemy.” — Catherine

✔️ See how beauty restores hope—even in the darkest places.
✔️ Reignite wonder in your home, even if you’re not an “artist.”

 

🌟 Memorable Moments

💡 On Authority

“He doesn’t abolish hierarchy… but completely redefines it.”

🎨 On Beauty

“We created the vacuum, and then what do we do? We shake a naughty finger at ‘bad Hollywood’... instead, we must reclaim the artistry God intended for His people.”

🌾 On Hope Through Beauty

Hear the story of how a simple, clean street helped someone in despair believe that life could be beautiful again.

 

📣 Final Takeaway

The future of our families—and our civilization—depends on how we define and live out authority, faith, and beauty.

These aren't just theological words. They're parenting tools. Cultural lifelines. Civilization-shaping truths.

Let’s reclaim the words that built the West—and hand them down with clarity, courage, and conviction.

👤 Guest Spotlight: Scott Allen

President of the Disciple Nations Alliance, Scott is a leading voice on biblical worldview and cultural renewal. He’s trained leaders around the globe and authored several influential books, including Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice and The Kingdom Unleashed. Scott brings decades of insight into how biblical truth transforms not just lives—but entire nations.

📚 Resources & Links:

• Disciple Nations Alliance
• Scott Allen’s Books
• Catherine Segars’ Free Resources

Other Episode in this series:

Episode 153: The Words That Built the West: How the Bible Shaped Our Civilization

Episode 154: One Idea, Countless Freedoms — How a Single Biblical Belief Shaped the Western World

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Words are not just for communication—they shape civilizations. They define truth, identity, and purpose. They are the load-bearing beams of a society’s moral structure. And when those words are redefined or removed, everything built on them begins to crumble.

In this powerful and timely episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, Catherine Segars welcomes back worldview expert Scott Allen for a riveting conversation about the biblical words that built Western civilization—and why our children’s future depends on preserving them.

We’re not just losing vocabulary in today’s culture war—we’re losing the very ideas that gave us human dignity, justice, freedom, and purpose. Concepts like truth, freedom, and even human are being reimagined in ways that disconnect us from reality and rob our kids of the meaning they were created to know.

Scott and Catherine take a deep dive into the word “human”—and what it meant when rooted in the biblical worldview. They unpack how the radical declaration in Genesis—that humans are made in the image of God—revolutionized the ancient world. In a culture where women were often viewed as property, and children or the disabled were disposable, Scripture declared that every single person has immeasurable worth.

You’ll hear:

• How the biblical idea of humanity upended Greek, Roman, and pagan views of people as tools or cosmic accidents
• The chilling story of a modern Kenyan tribe that used the same word for “woman” and “tool”
• The consequences of raising children in a world that sees them as just evolved animals—or self-defining machines

🎧 In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• How our definition of “human” shapes everything—from identity to justice to how we raise our kids
• What’s at stake when a society redefines freedom as “limitless choice” rather than living within God’s design
• How parents can reclaim and teach the biblical worldview—right in our homes, in everyday conversations
• Why our kids are in a truth crisis, and how to anchor them before the cultural current sweeps them away

 

🔥 Key Topics Include:

• The quiet cultural catastrophe of losing “load-bearing words”
• How radical autonomy is replacing sacred personhood
• Why the biblical concept of freedom is the only kind that truly liberates
• How to equip your kids to stand firm when truth is under siege

 

👤 Guest Spotlight: Scott Allen

President of the Disciple Nations Alliance, Scott is a leading voice on biblical worldview and cultural renewal. He’s trained leaders around the globe and authored several influential books, including Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice and The Kingdom Unleashed. Scott brings decades of insight into how biblical truth transforms not just lives—but entire nations.

📚 Resources & Links:

• Disciple Nations Alliance
• Scott Allen’s Books
• Catherine Segars’ Free Resources
• Related Episode: Gender Identity—Can a 5'9 White Guy Be a 6'5 Chinese Woman?

🎯 Final Word:

If we want our children to flourish, we must fight to preserve the truth that made them free. This episode is not just a conversation—it’s a call to action. Because when we lose the words that built the West, we lose the future we hope to pass on.

Other Episode in this series:

Episode 153: The Words That Built the West: How the Bible Shaped Our Civilization

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Words build worlds. What happens when our most important words—truth, freedom, justice—are stripped of their biblical meaning? In this gripping episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, Catherine sits down with culture and worldview expert Scott Allen to reveal just how much is at stake when culture redefines the language that holds our families, communities, and even nations together.

Scott Allen is not only the president of the Disciple Nations Alliance, but also the best-selling author of Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice, and the driving force behind the transformative new book 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World. With decades of global ministry experience, from Africa to Latin America and Asia, Scott has seen first-hand the link between the words we believe and the lives we lead.

This episode launches a powerful three-part series, exploring:

• “Load Bearing Words”: How pivotal Biblical concepts form the pillars of Western civilization—and what happens when those pillars are removed.
• Discipling People out of Poverty: A mind-blowing real-life story from Guatemala, where the introduction of a single biblical word, “dominion,” helped an entire village break free from generational poverty.
• Why the West Became Prosperous: Western nations didn’t prosper because God “loved certain nations more,” but because biblical concepts reshaped culture, education, and opportunity for all.
• The Crisis of Redefinition: The spiritual battle being waged over words, from “justice” to “freedom”—and how Christians can spot and resist counterfeits being pushed in popular culture, education, and even inside churches.
• The Importance of Words: How recovering the scriptural meaning behind our civilization’s foundational words is essential for both resisting cultural collapse and equipping the next generation of truth bearers.

Catherine and Scott invite parents to see themselves as stewards of these transformative, spiritual building blocks. As Scott warns, “If we lose the true meaning behind these words, we are going to lose all of the goodness they have produced.” But there is hope—by reclaiming these words in our homes and conversations, parents can still lay the foundations for flourishing families and cultures.

Are you ready to become a “truth bearer” for the next generation? Tune in to discover how reclaiming the true, biblical meaning of our most essential words can heal broken lives—and even heal a broken world.

Call to Action:
Parents, which “load bearing” word or biblical concept will you reinforce in your home this week? Share your story, start big conversations—and join us for the next episode as this essential conversation continues.

Guest Bio: Scott David Allen is an author and teacher on Christianity, culture, worldview, family, biblical justice, and poverty. He has authored and co-authored numerous books, including his bestselling Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice: An Urgent Appeal to Fellow Christians in a Time of Social Crisis. He serves as president of the international discipleship ministry Disciple Nations Alliance. Previously, he spent 19 years with the Christian poverty alleviation organization Food for the Hungry. His work has taken him across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, equipping Christian leaders to embrace and live out a biblical worldview in faithfulness to Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations.

 

EPISODE RESOURCES:

10 Words to Heal Our Broken World: Restoring the Meaning of Our Most Important Words

Disciple Nations Alliance

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How do we raise kids who look beyond themselves and become true agents of generosity in a self-centered world?

In this heart-stirring episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, Catherine welcomes an extraordinary guest whose story proves that one small act of service can ignite a global movement. Luke Mickelson—founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace—shares how a simple urge to meet a need in his own community became a mission to ensure that “no kid sleeps on the floor in my town.”

What began as a Christmas service project in his garage alongside his children and Boy Scout group has since grown into a national nonprofit providing hundreds of thousands of beds—literal safe havens—for children in need.

Luke Mickelson’s journey began in a small Idaho town with an ordinary Saturday, a crisis of faith, and the realization that kids in his own community were literally sleeping on the floor. Instead of writing a check, Luke rolled up his sleeves, gathered some tools, and invited his own children—and a group of energetic Boy Scouts—to build a bed from scratch. That humble act of service didn’t just meet an immediate need, it filled a void in Luke’s life and eventually sparked a nationwide movement that has provided over 300,000 beds to kids in need.

Key insights and moments from this episode include:

• How parents can teach their kids generosity by modeling it and making service hands-on and family-focused
• The importance of taking ownership for the brokenness in our own communities—and the power of the motto, “No kid sleeps on the floor in my town”
• The surprising scope of child bedlessness in America—and why so few people are even aware this need exists
• What it feels like to step out in faith and put everything on the line for a God-inspired calling
• Why meaningful service is the antidote to the emptiness that so many parents and children feel
• How ordinary community members (including retirees, families, and youth groups) can get involved in building and delivering beds—or even start a Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter
• Practical ways to help, from raising awareness, volunteering, donating, or simply showing up for one kid in your town

Luke's credentials as CNN’s Top 10 Hero, as well as his features on NBC News, PBS, and Mike Rowe’s Returning the Favor, uniquely position him to speak to the transformative power of hands-on generosity. His story is a forceful reminder that “God’s hands are your hands”—and that taking action, not just dreaming, is what transforms lives. Whether building beds, delivering hope, or finding creative ways for your family to serve, this conversation will equip and inspire you to become the hands and feet of Christ in your neighborhood.

Guest Bio: Luke Mickelson is the founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a nonprofit that builds and delivers beds to children in need. What started in his garage as a holiday project in 2012 has grown into a global movement, with over 350 chapters in four countries and more than 250,000 beds delivered. As the cause kept growing, Luke left an 18-year career to devote himself fully to the cause. SHP now has volunteers devoting 550,000 hours on average every year. Built on the belief that giving a bed is about more than comfort — it’s about dignity, purpose, and connection. 

Key Links:

• Learn more and get involved: shpbeds.org
• DONATE to SHP
• Watch Sleep in Heavenly Peace on Mike Rowe’s “Returning the Favor”
• Free parenting resources: [email protected]

Takeaway:
You don’t need to change the world—just meet a need around you with your kids by your side. Faith comes alive when paired with action, and generous families don’t just bless others…they find the fullness of life God intends.

Don’t miss this motivating and deeply practical conversation—perfect for families who want to model Christ’s love in real, tangible ways.

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God does not waste our brokenness—in fact, He weaves it into something beautiful. For Christian parents facing heartache, disability, or shattered expectations, this truth is not only comforting—it is transformative.

In this powerful “Best Of” episode, host Catherine shares one of her most beloved interviews with Andy Howard, author of When Words Don’t Come Easy and father to a daughter with profound special needs. Together, they wrestle with the question: How does God bring beauty from the most broken parts of our lives?

Andy recounts his family’s journey after their daughter Peyton’s diagnosis—her lifelong inability to walk or speak, and the deep despair that followed. Yet, through a moving moment on a beach, God showed Andy that He cherishes the broken as much as the whole. Peyton’s life, though different from what he imagined, has become a source of profound joy, purpose, and testimony, touching more lives than Andy ever expected.

Catherine and Andy also discuss critically needed ways Christians can support families with special needs: by offering acknowledgment, compassion, and connection—treating every child and parent with the dignity and attention they deserve.

Key Insights and Takeaways:

• The Beauty in Brokenness – God often reframes what the world calls “broken”; Peyton’s life exemplifies beauty, purpose, and joy, reminding us that divine value supersedes worldly milestones.
• A Call to Compassion – Andy offers practical advice for supporting special needs families: acknowledge them, approach them, and affirm the dignity and purpose of every child. A simple greeting or act of kindness can mean the world.
• Strength for the Journey – For parents wondering if they are “strong enough,” Andy reiterates that it’s not about innate strength, but about building on the foundation of Christ. “Keep your foundation on God, on Christ. No matter what comes your way, you can do it. You really can with His help.”
• Perspective and Purpose – While Andy once prayed for a viral miracle, God had a different plan. Today, Peyton’s quiet witness and Andy’s message of hope encourage families across the globe.

About Andy Howard:
For over 20 years, Andy Howard has served in ministry as a youth pastor and marriage ministry pastor. A passionate advocate for mental health awareness, Andy has personally walked through the valley of depression—at one point tipping the scales at 345 lbs. as he tried to cope with family trauma through food. But God had more in store.

Together with his wife Tiffany, Andy has lost over 350 lbs. combined and co-founded a transformational health coaching business called Taking Back My Life, helping thousands reclaim physical and emotional wellness. Andy is the host of the When Words Don’t Come Easy podcast and author of a book by the same name. He lives in Bryan, Texas with Tiffany and their three beautiful daughters: Payton, Parker, and Presley.

 

Resources Mentioned:

• Andy’s WEBSITE
• Andy’s podcast: When Words Don’t Come Easy
• Andy’s book: When Words Don’t Come Easy
• Catherine’s episode on Andy’s podcast: From Grief to Redemption: Catherine Segars’ Powerful Story of Faith, Love, and Redemption
• Download Catherine Segars’ free ebook for moms, “Beyond the Lies: Uncovering Five Myths Our Culture Spreads to Mothers,” at catherinesegars.com

For every parent walking through shadows, this conversation is a reminder: Your brokenness can become a testimony, and the hope of Christ is strong enough to transform any story.

Want more inspiration? Subscribe, review, and share Christian Parent/Crazy World, and follow Catherine on Instagram and Facebook for new episodes and resources.

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There are few things more painful than hearing God say no. Especially when we’re pleading—not for riches or success—but for healing. For hope. For our child.

We fast. We pray. We believe. We speak life over the situation. And still, the miracle doesn’t come… at least not the one we hoped for.

In this special Best Of archive episode from two years ago, we revisit a deeply moving conversation that is just as relevant today as the day it aired. This story is evergreen, because the struggle to understand God’s will in seasons of sorrow is one we all face—especially as parents.

My guest, Andy Howard, knows that struggle intimately. When his firstborn daughter, Payton, received a devastating diagnosis at Dallas Children’s Hospital, Andy’s world collapsed. The weight of that moment spiraled into a four-year battle with depression. But God didn’t leave him there.

In this first installment of our two-part conversation, Andy shares how God met him in the most unexpected and intimate ways in his darkest valley. You’ll hear:

• How Andy and his wife navigated a life-altering diagnosis

• The gut-wrenching process of accepting an answer from God that wasn’t what they prayed for

• The tender message God spoke to Andy in the midst of the heartbreak

• Why suffering doesn’t mean God has abandoned us—and how beauty can truly rise from brokenness

Next week, we’ll hear Part 2, where Andy shares the redemptive turn in his story, how Payton is doing today, and how we as the Church can come alongside special needs families with compassion and strength.

This episode will speak to the places in your heart that still carry questions. It’s a sacred story you don’t want to miss.

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To see video clips from this conversation, as well as powerful quotes and encouragement for your parenting journey, connect with me on Instagram and Facebook.
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About Andy Howard:
For over 20 years, Andy Howard has served in ministry as a youth pastor and marriage ministry pastor. A passionate advocate for mental health awareness, Andy has personally walked through the valley of depression—at one point tipping the scales at 345 lbs. as he tried to cope with family trauma through food. But God had more in store.

Together with his wife Tiffany, Andy has lost over 350 lbs. combined and co-founded a transformational health coaching business called Taking Back My Life, helping thousands reclaim physical and emotional wellness. Andy is the host of the When Words Don’t Come Easy podcast and author of a book by the same name. He lives in Bryan, Texas with Tiffany and their three beautiful daughters: Payton, Parker, and Presley.

Resources Mentioned:

• Andy’s WEBSITE

• Andy’s podcast: When Words Don’t Come Easy

• Andy’s book: When Words Don’t Come Easy

• Catherine’s episode on Andy’s podcast: From Grief to Redemption: Catherine Segars’ Powerful Story of Faith, Love, and Redemption

• CPCW Episode 66: “How Can A Good God Allow So Much Evil and Suffering in the World?” (w/ Dr. Douglas Groothuis)

Scriptures Referenced:

• Matthew 11:6

• Job 13:15

• Isaiah 61:1-4

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