Don't Mom Alone Podcast

Panic Attacks and Growing Trust :: JJ Heller [Ep 238]

God often uses our areas of weakness to bring blessing to others. The things we long to keep in the dark can actually bring light and life when we say, “Yes.” to God. That is JJ Heller’s story. As an independent singer/songwriter, she has experienced a lot of ups and downs in professionally and personally. One of the hardest things has been her struggle with fear and anxiety. I would pray every night that I would wake up in the morning and I would never have another panic attack again. Because, you know, sometimes God answers prayers that way, just totally, completely instantly. And yet that is not how he chose to answer my prayer much to my disappointment. Instead, it was just a very, very long journey of like gradually getting better every day and learning to trust God and learning to trust myself. I'm learning to trust that God has given me what I need to get through each day. Through that process of learning to trust God, she has shared openly about working through anxiety and has written and recorded a lot of songs and albums that help connect others with God’s peace. We talk about her beautiful lullaby albums and the impact music can have on people of all ages. As a mom of two girls, JJ writes music with moms in mind. Her new single Big Love, Small Moments serves as reminder that the small, unseen things we do with our kids can have the biggest impact on their lives. I wanted to write a song just as a reminder that God sees the work that you're doing and he is so delighted. I think that God delights in mothers and I think it brings him joy. You know, every time you feed your child or you play with them or you put them down for a nap time, that is worship and he is so pleased with you. That perspective helps me to have eyes to see the beauty around me and to find joy in the little moments. What we chat about: * The big change in college that started JJ down the path to music* How JJ connects with listeners emotionally through her songs* A song she wrote about learning to trust God in the midst of suffering made it on a national TV show and on Christian radio* JJ’s journey with fear and anxiety and how God brought her healing* The importance of community and trusted friends when you need freedom from anxious thoughts* How motherhood has changed her career and calling* Her lullaby albums and why she’s so drawn to music for kids* Her song Big Love, Small Moments and how she wants moms to feel celebrated by God* It’s the small moments and the daily decisions that help us focus on turning up the warmth and grace in our families Connect with JJ: * Website* Facebook* Instagram * Twitter Links Mentioned: * Lullaby Albums: I Dream of You**and I Dream of You Vol. 2 *** Jennifer Naraki on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jennifernaraki/* Joy Prouty Filmmaker https://www.instagram.com/joyprouty* Set Free From Shame with Jeannie Cunnion [Ep 190]* Instagram post by Jeannie  --turning up the warmth in our homes* JJ sharing about her panic attacks-- “You’re Not Going Crazy”

Preparing Our Hearts for Easter :: Erin Moon [Ep 236]

Depending on your church and faith background, you may of heard of Lent or even observed it in the past. Similar to the Advent period which leads up to Christmas, Lent is a season of prayer and fasting before Easter. It is a practice recognized by millions of Protestant Christians and Catholics. Though it isn’t mentioned or required in scripture (neither is Advent or Christmas), the practice of Lent can enrich your worship and deepen your focus on the meaning of the cross and the victory of the resurrection. My guest Erin Moon takes us through the practice and purpose behind Lent and answers some common questions you might have about the practice of fasting during the Lenten season and more. I think as a culture we are so far away from being uncomfortable. We have put in every safeguard that we can think of for our comfort. And I think we are doing ourselves a massive disservice. Lent is based on Jesus' 40 days of fasting in the wilderness before he started his ministry. And so I think it's so good for us to deny ourselves the things that make us comfortable. Though much of the focus at Lent can be about fasting or denying something that distracts us from God, there is also place to feast on God’s Word and fill that emptiness with more of Him. These disciplines are meant to empty us so that the Lord may fill us. We are making ourselves available to Christ in hopes of growing our faith. When we get into a mindset closely related to Jesus as he fasted and prayed, we are getting closer to him. We are removing distractions. We're waiting, but we're not wasting our time. Lent begins this year on Wednesday, March 6 and continues for the 6 weeks leading up to Easter. Erin has created an in-depth guide for Lent that is perfect for beginners and for those who have observed it for many years. If you are unsure about Lent, I encourage you to take a moment and ask God if this is for you in your current season. If you have a friend who has observed Lent before, ask questions! Get curious. (Don’t Lent Alone!) Or, take a leap and try it out. There are so many spiritual disciplines and ways we can connect with God. If Lent helps you grow in God’s grace, then doit. But if it doesn’t, then don’t. I hope you enjoy our chat and connect with Erin on Instagram @erinhmoon for some of the most fun and funny Instagram Stories on the internet. She has a separate account you can follow for more about Lent: @OHeavyLightness. What we chat about: Erin’s background as a Southern Baptist and her transition to an Anglican tradition The liturgical calendar and rhythms of worship in the Anglican faith Lent’s background and the purpose of fasting Lent is based on Jesus' 40 days of fasting in the wilderness before he started his ministry Determining what to fast is about removing a distraction and then filling that space with something that brings you closer to Jesus The idea of both fasting and feasting Processing grief and anger through Lent Praying the hours during Lent Erin’s Lent study, Oh Heavy Lightness, A Guide for Lent and Holy Week (Use code MOM15 for 15% off) Lenten and Easter services like Palm Sunday and Tenebrae Services and the rhythm of daily prayers during Lent Connect with Erin:

Habits of a Healthy Marriage :: Paul David Tripp [Ep 234]

Whether you’ve been married for a short time or you’re nearing a milestone anniversary, a healthy marriage takes a lot of work. A marriage is made up of thousands of small moments and habits that over time result in God-honoring, joyful marriage or a self-centered, strained marriage. Speaker and author Paul David Tripp joins me to lay the groundwork for how to cultivate healthy habits in our marriage and identify the ones that need to be uprooted. He shares what he’s learned in almost 50 years of marriage and how to look at our marriages in light of the gospel. What's a biblical view of marriage? Well, it's a sinner married to a sinner in a fallen world. Are you encouraged yet? But with a faithful God. Now that means we can't just coast in our marriage because there are things inside of me and things inside of my wife that are potentially destructive to marriage because we're not perfect people yet. And we live in a fallen world that is a threat to our marriage. Paul also calls us to take a new view of our spouse’s differences and see how God created us for unity, not uniformity. There is no call anywhere in the Bible to uniformity. The call is for unity. Unity is only ever needed in the face of difference... We have to stop making those differences a matter of right and wrong, If it's not named as sin by God, then it's just a difference and God actually glories in those differences because those differences point to his grandeur as a creator. I hope you are encouraged and equipped from this conversation to re-engage with your spouse with fresh faith for experiencing all that God has for you in your marriage. What we chat about: Marriages are made up of thousands and thousands of little moments The kind of relationship we have built in those moments determines how we handle the big moments We naturally structure our marriages around habits How to identify good and bad habits in your marriage Sin makes us self-focused and anti-social, but marriage is a covenant of community Helping our spouse access what God wants for them instead of arguing or nagging them We will always be working on our marriages. There is no place for coasting Confession and forgiveness can change the direction in disagreements Jesus did not just bare our guilt. He bore our shame God made us for unity, not for uniformity A look at why we are so vastly different from our spouse Even when we are formed into the image of Jesus, we will still be different from our spouse Tips for showing gratitude in your marriage and fostering joy The fruits of the Spirit are key for a good marriage If you are struggling in marriage, engage with community and your church family. Isolation is the enemy of a healthy marriage Connect with Paul David Tripp:      Links Mentioned: Gospel Parenting Paul David Tripp [Ep 176] * Opportunity vs. Disruption Paul David Tripp [Ep 212] * My Favorite Paul David Tripp Devotional: New Morning Mercies (Great gift for a spouse) * Sinners Married to Sinners Cheryl Scruggs and Jae Carpenter Ep 195

The Enneagram & Motherhood :: Suzanne Stabile [Ep 232]

You’ve definitely heard about it. You’ve probably talked about it with girlfriends or you’ve read books or articles discussing the nine types, but what is the Enneagram all about and what does it mean for your motherhood? Suzanne Stabile joins us to share her motherhood story and a lot of information about the Enneagram, an ancient typology system that is finding new popularity as a tool that can transform the way you interact with others and understand yourself. The Enneagram is about how you see and you can never change how you see. All you can do is change what you do with how you see. And I think we expect other women to be more like us than they are. And I think we struggle to accommodate difference because when we're tired, insecure, amd over-committed, then we settle for sameness. But, there needs to be recognition that there's not one right way to do things. There's not one method to follow. There's not one way of being a mom. Suzanne is an internationally acknowledged Enneagram master. She has authored acclaimed books on the topic and has her own podcast that goes in-depth on the different types. But, as a believer and a mom of four adult children, she brings wisdom and perspective to parenting in light of the Enneagram. Parenting is really, really tricky. I don't think we ever know what the loudest voice in (our kids’) day is. Often it's not ours. And I think grace is covering all of us and it falls on all of us equally. There are moments when we just need to stand under that grace and with an open heart and pure intentions and do the best we know how to do for ourselves and for one another. We can’t possibly answer all of your Enneagram questions, but I hope this episode excites you for how this tool can bring unity and grace to relationships with your kids, with other moms and with your spouse. If you want to go deeper in learning about the Enneagram, Suzanne has you covered with her trainings and online resources available at her website. What we chat about: Suzanne’s family background and experience with divorce and living as a single parent of three. How she met her current husband of 31 years and her parenting journey. Enneagram types as they relate to mothering Type 3, 7 and 8 are aggressive numbers on the Enneagram. They think/do dominant and their challenge is to bring up feelings. How to use the Enneagram to unite moms and not increase divides The Enneagram is about how we see. We cannot change how we see, only what we do with what we see. Types 4, 5 and 9 are withdrawing numbers Types 1, 2 and 6 are dependent numbers Discussion of the nine types and how they act/react Your Enneagram number is determined by motivation and not by behavior It’s not a good idea to try and type your children on the Enneagram or to tell them what you think they are. Thinking of the Types as Animals: Ones are Worker Bees. Twos are Kangaroos. Threes are Eagles. Fours are Butterflies, Fives are Owls, Sixes are Bunny Rabbits. Sevens are Monkeys, Eights are Lions and Nines are Turtles. The three stances: aggressive, dependent and withdrawing. The triads: feeling, thinking and doing. Knowing more about the Enneagram won’t keep us from making mistakes Grace covers the places we fall short Connect with Suzanne:      Links Mentioned: The Enneagram Journey Podcast https://www.

Shepherding Healthy Sleep Habits :: Jenn & Robin of Sleepy Cues [Ep 230]

As parents, we want more of it, our children desperately need it, and oftentimes it feel like a mystery we can’t solve… it’s SLEEP. Getting children to have a consistent sleep pattern for night time and naps is one of the biggest challenge parents of young children face. My guests today, Robin and Jenn from SleepyCues, are professional sleep consultants. In this episode they share fantastic tips I wish I’d had when my kids were younger. We dive into the myths of sleep training and discuss strategies for staying consistent when responding to frequent wakers. People don't come to us out of a lack of information. You can find all this information for free on Google. But people come to us because they've “tried everything,” and it hasn't worked. And what that means is I read an article on Monday and I implemented it that night. But Tuesday I read something that said something different so I switched to that. Then Wednesday I decided to replace the paci, but Thursday I decided to unswaddle. We have so much information coming at us that really the missing piece is that consistency and making a plan and actually sticking with it. That's the hard part. Whether you are in the thick of it with small kids who won’t sleep, or have a friend who is, I hope this episode will encourage you that consistent sleep is possible for your children. It’s going to look different for each of your kids and it’s a lot of work, but hang in there and don’t mom alone! What we chat about: Meet the Sleepy Cues team- Robin Brient and Jenn Haskew Changing the narrative around the idea of sleep training Investigating various methods for soothing your children Each child is so different with what helps them get healthy rest How to identify if your child has specific sensory or physical needs with sleep Look at your child’s sleep needs as accomodations and not as coddling or crutches Swaddling methods and timelines for safe swaddling Co-sleeping recommendations and why coaching is key We can sabotage our efforts by constantly switching methods to try to get baby to sleep Try responding consistently to your child waking. Every time say or do the same thing till they surrender to sleep. How many hours of sleep kids need for restorative sleep Taking care of yourself is an important key to caring for your small children Baby wearing, slowing down schedules and reducing stimuli to increase sleep quality Seeking professional help for children with disabilities or sensory processing needs Strategies for taking care of a newborn when you have older kids Connect with SleepyCues:      Links Mentioned: Here are a few of SleepyCues favorite on-the-go products (they are not paid to promote these, truly their faves): Carriers: Ergobaby or Kindercarry</a...

Not Alone in Shame :: Sheila Walsh [Bonus Episode]

In this clip (from a previously recorded video) we go beyond the fact that you are 'not alone in shame'. Sheila offers hope and Truth to remind you that Christ took the shame so you can walk in freedom. 'Mercy' is a short word that weighs so much. . . Jesus came to give us life, not survival. As the author of the new book, "It's Okay Not to be Okay", Sheila shares her journey to release the grip of shame. To embrace what Christ had done for her on the cross. And shares how she keeps Truth-daggers ready change her internal dialogue. She also reminds us that God can be trusted with our honest thoughts. Step one is dare to have an unedited gut level conversation with God. We feel like we need certain words or attitudes with God. But we can let it all out. To the level we are able to be honest with God is the level with which we can trust him. In this clip of our video chat, Sheila answers a listener's question: Has shame always surfaced as depression?  Or are there other ways it has appeared? This conversation was recorded as a part of our Not Alone Community for our November focus on "shame". What is the 'Not Alone Community?' The Not Alone Community is where you can connect with other moms. Find focused transformation on a different topic each month with curated podcast episodes, articles and resources. And join Heather and a mentor on live video chats. And also get access to the library of past mentor conversations. This month Heather has created a Spiritual Growth Guide to help you establish a morning habit, know what to study, how to study and how to pray. She will be inviting Kat Lee (her morning mentor!) on December 13th at 10am to answer your questions. Connect with Sheila: * Website * Facebook * Instagram * Twitter Links mentioned: * It's Okay Not to Be Okay** by Sheila Walsh * Shame and Grace: Healing the Shame We Don't Deserve** by Lewis Smedes * Dan Allender * Loved Back to Life: How I Found the Courage to Live Free** by Sheila Walsh Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! The Don't Mom Alone Podcast will be back with new episodes on January 7th.

Reconciled Reconcilers :: Andi Andrew [Ep 228]

The holidays are here and often that means family gatherings. While it can be a joyful time, it can also be a place of pain as we fall into unintended conflict or feel the sting of old woundings from those we love the most. But, there IS hope for healing and reconciliation. And we CAN connect to God’s deep, sacrificial love for help to love our family. Church planter, pastor and mom of four Andi Andrew takes us into her journey of forgiving her mom and learning how God made us for reconciliation. The change has to begin in our own hearts. I think a lot of times with reconciliation and with some of these friendships that have been reconciled, what I've had to always deal with my own heart first. So then when you do come to the table, you're not still throwing your own stuff at people. Then you can walk them through  what I realized about yourself and I apologize. Andi shares candidly about how motherhood and several stretching seasons of life brought a lot of things to the surface she needed to process with God. We also chat about reconciling close female relationships and managing unspoken expectations in friendships. It starts with choosing to listen to who God says we are instead of what the world is saying. I've had to let love define who I am, not what people say, not what my past is, not what I've walked through, not how love has been manipulated in the past, but to look to love and ask, who do you say that I am? What we chat about: Andi’s family and her background for how she became a church planter The big plot twists in Andi’s early years and how she encountered God’s love tangibly Her experience of having three kids under the age of three How God walked her through forgiving her mom The concept of Soul Ties and how to release another person to God and find reconciliation Reconciliation happens in the constant bumping into each other. Even when it’s uncomfortable How having kids reveals your need for healing When we feel the need to control situations, there is something God wants to do in us Reconciling close female relationships and the hard place of unspoken expectations Jesus models friendship in how he related to the disciples We don’t need a ton of close friends. Jesus was closest to three disciples. The importance of the church as the body of Christ and living in community Love is sacrificing and laying down your life for another Learning to recognize when we are listening to the world vs listening to God How to turn away from anxious, fearful thoughts and toward God’s love Avoiding family conflicts in the holidays and asking earnest questions to expose Connect with Andi:      Links Mentioned: Fake or Follower ** * She is Free** * Parks and Recreation Season 4** * Enneagram book The Road Back to You** (Andi is a 9w8, Heather is a 4w3). **Amazon affiliate link. A small portion of your purchase will help produce this podcast. Not Alone Community--Spiritual Growth Guide If you are looking to grow spiritually in 2019, then I'd love to help you!

The Anxious or Depressed Spouse :: Tommy Nelson [Ep 226]

Tommy Nelson serves as the pastor of Denton Bible Church in Denton, Texas. He's a husband, father, best-selling author, and well-known speaker. But not too long ago he walked through an unexpected journey of depression and anxiety that stemmed from overcommitting in his job. Stretched too thin, his body and mind began to break down under the strain. My mind couldn't stay focused. I lost 20 pounds and got to where I couldn't work out. I would just put myself to sleep at night on some kind of medication and then I would jolt awake in the morning and go through the day unable to relax. All I could do was pray and just try to make it through the day. It's scary, you know, you can't define it. Tommy shares about his path to healing after identifying why he was feeling the effects of anxiety and depression. He also shared about the role his wife played in praying for him and keeping his faith up in the midst of the storms. When you're going through this the whole world is made of salt and you're an open wound. Everything can be painful. And I remember her just laying on the bed with me and putting her arms around me… Just knowing that she was there meant so much. She would fuss at me, but in a good way, you know, she'd keep my faith up. If you or your spouse have experienced anxiety or depression in the past, or even today, there is encouragement for you in this episode! Tommy also shares about a 4-hour teaching he has available for streaming right now online. The Journey Through Depression & Anxiety Click Here to buy live stream access to the conference, The Journey Through Depression and Anxiety. If you have never heard of The Hub before, it's your best source for Bible Studies, Online Resources, and Live Christian events. You can tune in to some of the most anticipated live events of the year from the comfort of your own home or church. You can learn more at gotothehub.com under the "Live Events" tab. Check it out!" What we chat about: Tommy’s backstory of overwork and his physical/mental breakdown because of it How proper care and medication helps level the playing field with depression and anxiety The importance of protecting your mornings and protecting your evenings and balancing your schedule How spouses can support each other when depression or anxiety strikes No on goes through life without stressful situations. Sometimes God uses these times in to stretch us How vital sleep and relaxation are for your body to restore itself God is not a genie. Healing takes time and trusting in God’s goodness Staying strong in the word and strengthening yourself in the Lord can Sometimes the struggle with depression and anxiety can bring you closer to God For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. 1 Corinthians 7:14 Praying out loud for your spouse is powerful Connect with Tommy: Links Mentioned: * Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon BOOK: Walking on Water When You Feel Like You're Drowning: Finding Hope in Life's Darkest Moments**  Hope for Life Ministries with Steve Leavitt www.

Finding Your Voice :: Sandi Patty [Ep 224]

Sandi Patty is Christian music icon who provided the soundtrack to a lot of my youth. She’s an inspiration on and off the stage. In our interview, she opens up about a lot of struggles she’s had in her past and the fears and shame she’s carried for a long time. I'm just being very real with you about how even now at 62, I'm still processing the 'should haves'. You know, I often say, ‘I should’ to myself. You know, I should've done this. I should've done that. I should have. She shares the freedom she’s still finding in learning to focus on what God says about her identity as a wife, mother and as an artist. And about how connecting with God through community and counseling have made all the difference for her. As a mom of eight grown kids from a blended family, Sandi does not mom alone! Finally, Sandi shares what a huge impact it made for her when she really grasped that God not only loves her, He likes her too. A friend told me once that God likes me. Really. If he was giving a party, he'd give you an invitation. If he had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. Like he likes you. He delights in you. And you know, there's a lot of people that we think of that we love, but we may not necessarily like. It really connected for me because I would think, yeah, of course he loves me. But he's God, that's his job. But that he likes me. That's really cool. What we chat about: Sandi’s blended family which includes eight kids It’s ok to have two oldests or two youngests in a blended family Acknowledging that every blended family is born out of loss Sandi’s family background and her experience with sexual abuse How Bible Study Fellowship played a big role in helping her connect with God’s word The important role that counseling can play in healing from trauma How sharing your story truthfully and openly can bring healing Every day in your marriage isn’t going to be perfect and it’s ok to model that for your kids Processing an injury her son had almost 30 years ago and how Sandi has carried the guilt of that incident Motherhood brings feeling of guilt and shame to the surface God loves and worries more about our kids than we ever could Learning to believe the truth that God loves each of us (and likes us too!) You cannot get shame off of you without help God’s word is our biggest tool against fear and doubt Connect with Sandi:      Links Mentioned: * Bible Study Fellowship -- find a group in your area or do the study online The Voice: Listening for God’s Voice and Finding Your Own** Broken on the Back Row** **Amazon affiliate link. A small portion of your purchase will help produce this podcast. Featured Sponsor: Prep Dish Prep Dish meal plans were created by chef & dietician Allison Schaaf to help save you time and put home-cooked meals on the table. No meal time stress. No more answering the dreaded question, “What’s for Dinner?!”. Developed by chef & dietician Allison Schaaf, Prep Dish is a healthy, whole food based meal plan subscription service. Allison does all the planning for you- including easy-to-follow shopping lists and prep-ahead instructions so you know what to prepare and when. Imagine...

Connected Relationships (LIVE Event) :: Jim & Lynne Jackson [Ep 222]

For day two of Don’t Mom Alone Live, Jim and Lynne Jackson are back to talk all about relationships and answer listener questions. If you’ve ever felt like a bad parent because of your child’s disobedience or struggle to referee the sibling arguments and fights in your home, this episode is for you! The Jackson’s share their Peace process and how to be confident before God in how you are parenting. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon. So we need to have confidence in our ability to be peaceful and not let this child's behavior define me or tell me that I'm a bad parent. And have the long-term view that God can do anything in a child's life as I persevere in encouraging and teaching and training. They share great practicals for blended families and for how to navigate parenting when you and your spouse or co-parent aren’t on the same page. We also dive into teaching your children empathy and social cues as a way to foster great friendships. In the end, our goal can be to equip our kids to be conduits of God’s grace to the world both through their relationships with others, but it starts with their relationship with us. When I thought about that the kind of relationships in life that Jesus bought for our kids on the cross, not just with each other but whatever relationships they'd have. I just had this image of "trickle down grace" starting from the cross and just trickling down through us to our kids and then out to the world and our kids. We can grow to become profound dispensers of grace in life to others. What we chat about: Getting feedback about our kids that makes you feel like a “bad parent” Keeping the long-view when you are training your children There is a dramatic increase in anxiety and depression in children, teens and young adults. It is five to eight times greater than it was 50 years ago. What to do when you and your spouse aren’t on the same page with parenting Ask penetrating questions when your spouse is struggling to parent in kindness. “What are you hoping our kids will learn right now?” Blended family dynamics and how to co-parent well You are building trust with your kids and when you are confident before God in how you are parenting, you can be at peace with how someone else is parenting Ask kids: What do you want to tell me about how you’re feeling and how your time went? Sibling rivalry and how conflict is an opportunity to teach our children how to reconcile The Peace Process the Jackson’s teach: Calm > Understand > Solve > Celebrate Celebrating that your kids reconciled is an important step to future success When your kids feel encouraged and successful when working through conflict, you can see the momentum begin to change Learning empathy as a family and equipping your kids to be more successful in friendship Quick connects with individually with your kids can be more effective than playing with them for longer periods. Find ways to show that you delight in who they are! Use mission trips and giving back to the community as your vacation/connection time as a family Connect with Jim & Lynne Jackson:      Links Mentioned: * Previous Episodes with Jim & Lynne -- Ep 80 , Ep 81,

Calming Angry Kids :: Tricia Goyer [Ep 220]

Tricia Goyer is an author, speaker and homeschooling mom of ten. She also knows what it's like to parent children with chronic anger. If you've ever felt alone in how to calm your "angry kid(s)," Tricia has a lot of wisdom to share from parenting both biological and adopted children. In true Don't Mom Alone fashion, Tricia and I answer several listener questions about how to respond in love and help kids of all ages process their anger and emotions. We talk about how much harder it is for the current generation of moms who have to factor in busier schedules, social media and more as a part of their children's environments My oldest is 29 and my youngest is 8. It is so much harder now. I feel like I'm on the second generation of kids. Now there is social media. There is more television. There are more video games. The access that they have to all these things brings so much anxiety and tension. Not only do they have to go to school, but then they would come home and see on social media that people were talking about them. It's just so much more involved now even than it was when I had my first generation of kids. But it's not impossible! Tricia shares so many great practical tips and suggestions for how to help our kids (and ourselves) work through anger in a healthy way. But beyond all the tips, it all comes down to leaning into God and praying for the Holy Spirit to fill them that will make the biggest difference. It's really the Holy Spirit in them and the fruit of the Spirit is God in them that's going to change them. I could try all these activities. You know, we could do calming bags or coping skills. I mean we do all the things too. But really it is God in them. And the more they lean on God and the more they depend on him that they'll truly change. What we chat about: Tricia's family, career and unique calling as an adoptive parent Her new book, Calming Angry Kids Determining if your child is struggling with how to process anger in a healthy way Giving our kids time, attention and praise is a powerful antidote to anger Everyone gets mad, what we do with the anger makes the difference When they are in the middle of the emotions, it's not the time to discipline them Kids learn to apologize when we model it for them Anger is often a secondary emotion from a deeper wounding like shame or feeling unloved or anxiety Family schedules are busier than ever before and it heightens anxiety in kids and parents Take time to process emotions with your kids and say "No" to more activities or events if they need a break Tricia shares both how we can process our own anger and how to help our angry kids The idea of an anger log to help track anger over time Calming bags and items you can include in them Give your kids time and space to calm down Specific tips for pre-teens and teens and helping them with anger and hormones Connect with Tricia:      Links Mentioned: Calming Angry Kids: Help and Hope for Parents in the Whirlwind ** Prayer Journals Big Kids ** Little Kids ** An Interview with Tricia Goyer {GCM Podcast Ep. 7} How to Discern God's Will Stick With It :: Tric...

Become Fully Alive–Mind, Body, & Spirit :: Susie Larson [Ep 218]

It's all too easy slip into believing lies over God’s truth. My guest today shares that healing is possible and opens up about her personal healing journey from both physical and emotional abuse and chronic illness. An author, radio host, and national speaker, Susie Larson, talks about how intertwined our emotional, spiritual, and physical health are. We talk through stories that are in her new book, "Fully Alive", and she shares about some powerful experiences she’s had with the Lord. “The Lord whispered through the chaos in my bathroom. The storms reveal the lies we believe and the truth we need. The enemy's railing and saying I'm going to get you. I've got you by the throat and I felt like my throat was starting I could swallow and my esophagus was spasming. It's just horrifying to hear the whisper again. Storms reveal the lies we believe and the truth who need.” There’s so much hope and truth in this episode for all of us who are believing for healing this side of heaven. For more inspiration from Susie, I highly recommend her book, "Fully Alive"**, which is available for pre-order right now. What we chat about: Susie’s experiences with abuse both physical and emotional How our bodies hold onto trauma and hindrances to the healing process Storms reveal the lies we believe and the truth we need The idea of blessing guilt and surrendering to God for healing The lie of learned helplessness and the truth that we’re not helpless with Jesus Rejecting the lies of the enemy and addressing unbeliefs in our soul Confronting the scar tissue of our past and the life that’s on the other side of it God absolutely heals and it isn’t specifically a lack of faith that keeps us from receiving healing Jesus entered in to other’s pain and suffering, that’s our calling too The dangers of over medication and distraction that can keep us from being healed The integral role of rest in the healing process Links Mentioned: The Uncommon Woman * Fully Alive: Learning to Flourish--Mind, Body, & Spirit** * Your Powerful Prayers** **Amazon affiliate link to help support the production of this podcast. Transcription: Download by Clicking Here Featured Sponsors: Songfinch Songfinch is a personalized gifting platform that brings your stories, feelings and memories to life through one-of-a-kind songs from scratch. Using your unique stories along with your desired genre, vocalist gender and song moods, they curate the perfect professional songwriter to handcraft the most personal gift you can give. It’s the perfect, unique gift for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Newborns and many more of life’s special occasions. Special coupon code: GODCENTEREDMOM get $20 off your personalized song Featured Sponsors: PrepDish Prep Dish meal plans were created by chef & dietician Allison Schaaf to help save you time and put home-cooked meals on the table. No meal time stress. No more answering the dreaded question, “What’s for Dinner?!”. Developed by chef & dietician Allison Schaaf, Prep Dish is a healthy, whole food based meal plan subscription service. Allison does all the planning for you- including easy-to-follow shopping lists and prep-ahead instructions so you know what to prepa...

Help Your Children Embrace Differences :: Dorena Williamson [Ep 216]

Many of us avoid and struggle with conversations about race or disabilities because it’s uncomfortable. When our children ask innocent questions about someone who is different than they are, it can make us feel tongue tied or embarrassed. Author Dorena Williamson has created some lovely children’s books to help parents respond and invite their children to join them on the journey of learning to love and speak worth over every person that God created. And I kept feeling frustrated thinking that's not the solution to teach your children to be colorblind because that's minimizing the beauty of God's handiwork. And as Christians we should be the biggest proponents of celebrating the beauty of our racial diversity and not minimizing it or sort of washing it away and this colorblind land. She shares powerfully about how to engage with your children about racial and cultural differences and how we can model what it looks like to grow in the area of loving and accepting people who are different than us. As our children get older, I think that these are valuable conversations to have with them because the beauty of it is that it tells your children you are teachable and that you don't get it right all the time and that you're continuing to learn and grow. What we chat about: All about Dorena’s family and their multiracial church, Strong Tower Bible Church Her book ColorFull and the background behind why she wrote it The creativity of God and how he uses color in all that he created Looking for opportunities to share the beauty of racial differences with our children Language for parents to use to help teach children and avoid shaming Reinforcing the idea that “Different is not bad” and calling out the worth of people Why equipping kids early is important Modeling how we are all growing when it comes to loving and accepting people who are different than us Encouraging our children to ask questions even when they are uncomfortable Engaging with our kids about other cultures whether we can travel internationally or experience cultures in our own cities Connect with Dorena:   Links Mentioned: * ColorFull: Celebrating the Colors God Gave Us** * ThoughtFull : Discovering the Unique Gifts in Each of Us** Other books/sites that Dorena recommends:  * Brownicity.com site with helpful resources (created by a Godly woman Dr. Lucretia Berry) * The Beatitudes by Carole Boston Weatherford * The Other Side  by Jacqueline Woodson * Beabridgebuilder.com * A list of 28 picture books (aren't about boycotts, buses or basketball)  --listed created by ScottWood **Amazon affiliate link to help support the production of this podcast. Featured Sponsors: Songfinch Songfinch is a personalized gifting platform that brings your stories,

Gay Girl, Good God :: Jackie Hill Perry [Ep 214]

It’s an uncomfortable and often controversial subject, especially in the church, but homosexuality and same sex attraction is something we all need to understand from a Biblical perspective. This week’s guest Jackie Hill Perry shares how the power of the gospel in her life rescued her from the sin she was living in as a woman with same sex attractions. She not only brings us into her amazing story, but absolutely preaches the word of God and brings a lot of clarity to what can feel like a gray area for many Christians. My conscience would not allow me to shake the truth that Jesus died for sin and that he is not pleased with sin at all. So I tried my best to shake him and I couldn't…And I felt God speak to my heart and say that my girlfriend or my sin would be the death of me. That the wages of sin equals death. Because I saw it wasn't my girlfriend or my lesbianism alone. It was that my entire life would be the death of me. Jackie shares stories and insights from her new book Gay Girl, Good God. She also answers listener questions about how to share God’s love with LGBTQ friends and family by treating them as a whole person and keeping the gospel centered on God’s truth and not culture’s. What we chat about: Jackie’s background, home life and beginnings of same sex attraction. Her belief that same sex attraction is choosing sin. How sexual sin is a specifically addicting sin. God does not rank sins. Homosexuality is not better or worse than any other sin. Insight into black lesbian culture and false masculinity. How God pursued Jackie through people and circumstances and reminded her of who he made her to be. Jackie’s experience wrestling with the truth that the wages of sin is death. The power of a very close discipleship relationship when you are needing breakthrough from sin or trauma. The process of learning to have healthy same sex friendships. Dealing with temptations and how Jesus empathizes with us and gives us power to overcome sin. How to love LGBTQ people and pray for them, but not condone the sin. Evangelism needs to be God-centered and not centered on a person’s sexuality. Dialoguing about same sex attraction using the Bible as the explicit answer for all questions regarding it. Jackie’s response to gay marriage and why we are called to love God more than we love people who are living in sin. Connect with Jackie Hill Perry:   Links Mentioned: * Gay Girl, Good God** **Amazon affiliate link to help support the production of this podcast. Featured Sponsors: PrepDish Prep Dish meal plans were created by chef & dietician Allison Schaaf to help save you time and put home-cooked meals on the table. No meal time stress. No more answering the dreaded question, “What’s for Dinner?!”. Developed by chef & dietician Allison Schaaf, Prep Dish is a healthy, whole food based meal plan subscription service. Allison does all the planning for you- including easy-to-follow shopping lists and prep-ahead instructions so you know what to prepare and when. Imagine...all of your meals prepped and ready to go for the entire week. We like to call this meal time bliss! Get 2 weeks of meal plans FREE! Go to Prepdish.com/gcm and use coupon code: GCM

Opportunity vs. Disruption :: Paul David Tripp [Ep 212]

In the thick of parenting it is easy to get our perspective skewed or react to our children from a place of emotion or our own sin. My guest Dr. Paul David Tripp gives a course-correcting pep talk reminding parents of their deep calling from God and how to look at discipline as an opportunity to connect our kids with God’s goodness. “You're never just dealing with behavior. You're always dealing with what controls the child's behavior and that's his heart. And if God consciousness doesn't rule my heart, self orientation will. That's what has to change. No I can't create that change, but I can I can give God's Spirit an opportunity again and again to work in the heart of my child” Tripp  is a pastor, international event speaker, and best-selling author. As a father of four grown children, he shares candidly from his own experience. This encouraging episode is packed with a lot of truth! Share with your spouse and friends! What we chat about: The deeper calling of on our lives as parents We cannot rely on our kids to give us hope for parenting them. How opening our children’s eyes to see God everywhere pulls them away from a self centered existence. God created the world so that it’s very physical nature reveals him. Root the rules that you have for your children in God's goodness and his love and His grace. Every opportunity we have to discipline or correct is not an opportunity first to threaten  with punishment but to talk about how good God is. Ask the question, “What is God wanting to do in the heart of this child?” Behavior is really about a child’s heart orientation God way of parenting isn’t efficient, but it is transformational  . The values of the world push against our calling as parents. We have to consider where we are placing our treasure and hope. A God perspective for how to respond when your children sin God is exposing something in my child so I can be part of his help and rescue. Parenting is about planting seeds. We aren’t going to see them bloom overnight. Dealing with rebellion and authority issues with grace and consequences Parenting adopted children and helping them with identity Connect with Paul David Tripp:   Parenting -- Streaming Event 2018 Parenting is hard work, but what could be more important in your life than being one of God's tools to form a human soul? In his brand-new streaming event, pastor and best-selling author Dr. Paul David Tripp will share four principles that can radically change the way you raise your children. This conference has on-demand streaming access until November 30. With a Streaming License, you, your friends, or your entire church will be encouraged by biblical and practical wisdom. Your Streaming License will also include a free study guide, loaded with questions for further discussion. Transcript of conversation: Download Here Links Mentioned: * Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family** * New Morning Mercies** * Gospel Parenting Episode with Paul David Tripp from 2017 **Amazon affiliate link

Bonus Mentor Episode–Resolving Sibling Conflict :: Jim & Lynne Jackson

**Live Event Details in this Episode--Don't miss the intro & middle  (31:20) for details about the upcoming "Don't Mom Alone" Live Event!! ** "They just keep fighting!" Summer, for us, means lots of unstructured time together as a family. Which is great. . . until it's not. Perhaps you can identify. Maybe you see yourself in one of the following situations: Situation #1 - The kids are fighting - again! The harder you try to make it stop, the worse it seems to get - and the kids seem more and more resentful. Situation #2 - One minute they love each other and the next minute they’re arch enemies. The older they get the louder and angrier it gets. You hate the way this affects everyone’s mood, including your own. Situation #3 - Time-outs, required apologies, and firmness temporarily curb the fighting, but it soon comes back with more intensity. Situation #4 - Your young kids are beginning their rivalry and you worry where it’s heading if you don’t learn some better strategies.  (copied from Sibling Conflict Online Course description). Jim & Lynne Jackson from ConnectedFamilies.org are back to equip us in training our children to solve conflict well. And instead of just wishing they would "just stop fighting", to recognize the gospel work of guiding our family to reconciliation. Jim & Lynne have been on the show before sharing their fabulous 4-layer framework for discipline that connects (Listen here to Episode 80 & 81). And again helping connect in any situation (Ep 98). And recently helping us work with our kids on all of our entitlement issues (Ep 200) Today, they are talking us through The Peace Process. A simple but effective way to guide our kids to a lifetime of reconciled relationships. Here's their great graphic with the four steps moving us from "crazy mountain" to peaceful reconciliation (Click here to print your own copy): Conflict is inevitable. Instead of just getting frustrated and annoyed, I've found having a plan to reconnect hearts and train empathy so helpful. I also loved all the phrases Jim & Lynne modeled to use as we guide our children through the process. Here are some of my favorites (I'll be bookmarking this page and referring to often): * "Sounds like y'all are having a hard time. Do you need my help or are you able to work it out on your own?" * "Solving brains won't work until we're calm. Why don't we each find a comfortable place. How long do you need? 5 min? 10 min? Then we'll come back together to work this out." * "Did you hear that? How does she feel? Do you like that what you did made her feel that way? You two are listening to each other. How does that feel?" * "Your big feelings are a gift. And they are an even greater gift with you can use them to help understand other's big feelings." * "What's going on? What was important to each person? How have you solved this problem before? Would you like to think of ways to solve the problem or do you want me to help give you choices on how to solve it?" * "Are there four things you could say that are ...

Summer of Mentorship 2018 :: Dr. Peggy Banks [Week Five]

"In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world." John 16:33 Pain is inevitable. In James we are told to "consider it all joy" when we encounter trials. James also wrote to ask God for wisdom and He will give it generously. Which I realized from a sermon this week has more to do with wisdom we gain from the challenging circumstances, not necessarily wisdom to get out of them. But how many of us share our broken places with others? How often do we wait until the pain has passed and life is back to "normal" to share and minister to others? What if God longs for you to offer up the wisdom you are gaining in the midst of the challenge? This week's guest is Dr. Peggy Banks (Global Ministry Director for TWR Women of Hope). I'm a big Peggy fan. Years ago she discipled me in a deeper understanding of God and His Spirit in me. She modeled how to pray intimately with my heavenly Father. She taught me all the Spirit does in and through us. She inspired me with her passion for women around the world to know the healing available through Jesus Christ. In this episode Peggy shares her own painful places. A past that includes abuse. A journey of learning to trust and stop striving in performance. She encourages us to meet with Jesus daily. And what that looks like for her. Peggy encourages us to gather with others in small groups to spur each other on in our spiritual journeys. Sharing what He is doing and lifting one another up in the process. Peggy was a minister of Spiritual formation at my church for years. And now she leads a global ministry to women, TWR Women of Hope. God is using her pain for a purpose. Every day women around the world are hearing the gospel in their own language through the power of the airwaves. As a podcaster, I'm so inspired by the work of Women of Hope and Trans World Radio. "As a small Army-surplus transmitter went on the air in Tangier, Morocco, in early 1954, the first step had been taken toward the development the world’s largest evangelical media organization" - Trans World Radio Such a cool idea to realize the gospel has been traveling via airways since the 50s. What a joy to join Him in the work of spreading the good news! Connect with Peggy & TWR Women of Hope: What we chat about: * Peggy's hidden pain while looking perfect on the outside and performing for approval. * The "spiritual mom" who helped Peggy get healing from the bondage and brokenness of abuse. * Learning to vulnerably share your struggles with those you are leading. * Advice for the listener who is in the middle of the painful place. * What does it mean "to be with Jesus". * Gathering together with a group to be real and share your current pain. * How Peggy's tattoos helped her minister to a specific group of women. * Peggy's personal mission statement: "Helping hurting women around the world helping to find hope and healing in the person of Jesus Christ." Links Mentioned: * **If you or someone you know is involved in a domestic abuse situation, here is an online resource: * Focus Ministries * National 24-hour Women of Substance Crisis Intervention Hotline: 1-866-862-2873 * National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-723...

Summer of Mentorship 2018 :: Jan Greenwood [Week 3]

No matter the battleground . . . Marriage challenges. Child struggles. Health trials. Overwhelming circumstances. How do you maneuver the daily attacks that rob your joy and peace? This week's mentor is Jan Greenwood, author and pastor of equipping at Gateway Church in Southlake, TX. In 2009, Jan was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. After the first battle, she experienced years of healing. Then four days shy of her 6 year recovery anniversary, cancer resurged in her body. In this episode, Jan shares what God's taught her about waging war. And how the football term #squareup impacted her battle strategies differently from the first and second time she fought cancer. Jan shares what it means for her to rest and let God fight for her. And encourages each of us to get a word and direction from the Lord for our unique situations. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from this episode: This time my mindset has had to become one of agreement and not one of opposition. And squaring up is not about being steadfast in the Word of God, but its really about can I square up in such a manner that I can look at Jesus and trust Him. I’m not very brave and not very strong. When I’m weak there’s a strength that shines through. And when I’m afraid, He makes me courageous. I know how to fight but I don't know how to rest. Connect with Jan Greenwood:    What we chat about: * How God spoke to Jan at the news of cancer's resurgence. * How Jan found comfort in her son’s football word “square up”. * The difference between how Jan has fought cancer the first time and the second time. * What “square up” means for her in this season. * The story behind the hashtag Jan uses: #bravestronggirl. * How her battle with cancer impacts her mothering. * Jan’s desire to get women to war together instead against each other. * The revelation to choose life and not succumb to death. * What rest looks like in Jan’s every day. * How you need your own word and direction from God. Links Mentioned: * "Women at War: Declaring a Cease-fire on Toxic Female Relationships" ** (womenatwar.com) * The #SquareUp story on her site JanGreenwood.me * Brave Strong Girl --- The Invitation -- A Collaborative Devotional  **Amazon Affiliate Link How to listen to the podcast: 1.Listen on the blog. Click through to GodCenteredMom.com and click the play button at the beginning of this post. 2. Listen on your smartphone, iPad or iPod Touch – There are a lot of great podcasting apps. Apple has a free one (that I mentioned) in the app store, there is also one called Downcast. It allows you to search for shows, subscribe to them and even speed up the audio.

Summer of Mentorship 2018 [Week One] :: Sheila Walsh

Just like last year we'll be republishing older episodes for the next six weeks. I'll be enjoying a much needed Sabbath and y'all will get a chance to hear episodes you may not have heard yet (or reminded of ones you loved in the past)! Here's a preview of what's coming: Our first featured mentor is the fabulous Sheila Walsh!! "God had no grandchildren. He only had sons and daughters. Faith is something you have to choose for yourself." Those words started Sheila Walsh on a journey to know God and His love for her. From the tragic death of her father to professional success as 700 club co-host to discover freedom and peace in a psychiatric ward, Sheila shares a bit of her beautiful broken story. "Suffering can be a gift from God. Because it really draws you closer to His heart. And a greater understanding that it's never about me getting it right its about Christ who came to make everything right." This may be a "top ten favorite" interview for me. I've been a fan of Sheila and her work for years. But her wisdom and God's grace in this episode ministered to me in a way and time that I needed most. Resonating with my soul that "through the broken places Christ's love is closest to us." We also talk about fun ways to share the good news of God's Word with your kids. How to keep the conversation open and allow our kids to ask hard, unanswerable questions. To give them the freedom to speak truth and know it doesn't change God's love for them. Upcoming Live Streaming Event:  "It's Okay Not to be Okay" with Sheila Walsh We've all experienced that moment where we wish we could start all over again. Failed marriages, lost friends, addictions, lost jobs. This is not the life we imagined. Yesterday can sometimes leave us stuck, sad, shamed, scared, and searching. In this brand-new livestream event, best-selling author and trusted Bible teacher Sheila Walsh encourages viewers to face the pain head on and then start again, from right where they are. She shares that when she discovered "I'm not good enough and I'm good with that," everything started to change. This four-session video event is streaming live on September 14-15, 2018, with unlimited replay access until November 30. With a Streaming License, you will also receive a free discussion guide to with practical questions and supplemental Scripture study, perfect to use in your personal devotions, with a group of friends, or as a women's event at your church! Connect with Sheila:   What we chat about: * Sheila's incredible testimony * How brokenness is where God brings His love to us * The story behind "Gigi, God's Little Princess" series * Fun ideas of how the Walsh family did "devotion time" * Allowing our kids to be free to speak truth and ask hard questions * Her latest book in "The Bible is My Best Friend" series to help lead your child to Jesus Links Mentioned: * Will, God's Mighty Warrior** * Gigi, God's Little Princess** * Passion Conferences * The Bible is My Best Friend Bible Storybook** * The Bible is My Best Friend Family Devotional**<...

Which Type of Rest Do You Need? :: Saundra Dalton-Smith [Ep 209]

As moms, we know we need rest. We usually equate rest with sleep or with a vacation, but this week’s guest shares a broader picture of our need for rest in multiple areas of our lives. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a medical doctor, wife and mother to two boys. She had everything she’d dreamed of and worked hard to achieve, but wasn’t enjoying it. I kept pushing and pushing myself till I got to the point where I literally burned out. I wasn't happy with my job. I couldn't see how my marriage would survive. I didn't want my kids anymore. I was just at the end of myself. I didn't want the life I created. After reaching this breaking point, she went on a journey of restoration and healing where she learned to connect with God and with his plan for rest. Now she shares her research and methods with her patients and with all of us. If you’ve ever felt tired and at the end of yourself, this episode is for you. We already have permission to rest, but the mommy guilt that sometimes comes tells us we don’t. That is really a lie. I look at it as the John 10:10. 'The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.' And he's doing it to a lot of us through our inability to rest, our inability to trust God that when we lay things down that he is able to uphold them. What we chat about: When Saundra reached her breaking point from stress and lack of true rest We have physical limits to what we can do as moms How Saundra researched rest and looked at scripture for clarity on how God rested The seven types of rest: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, sensory and creative. The difference between a vacation and resting Paying attention to a place that feels painful in your body in the moment vs ignoring it Finding emotional rest through connection with friends, even through video chat if getting together is impossible The importance of authentic, open friendships with women who can relate to your life situation Ideas on how to stay engaged with your husband and reignite your marriage Putting limits on social media time so that your mind has down time Tips for getting mental rest and release ideas that make your mind race Sensory rest-- what it is and ways to get it It is not selfish to prioritize resting. It keeps you from having a toxic reaction to those around you. Connect with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith:         Links Mentioned: * Marco Polo App--way to socially connect * Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith** * Adventures in Odyssey Club--hundreds of episodes * Rest Quiz Online **Amazon affiliate link Featured Sponsors: Write the Word for Kids Cultivate What Matters just debuted their brand new Write the Word for Kids Bible journal! Inspired by their popular Write the Word Bible journals — now uniquely for kids! This journal was created to help kids ages 5-12 dive into scripture with carefully-chosen verses to write and draw out, Bible Bingo, coloring pages, and sections to write what’s on their heart. The Write the Word for Kids Bible journal is all about planting the seeds of God’s word deep in the heart of your child, and is the perfect activity for them to enjoy alongside you in your...

Parenting in the Digital Age :: Ashley Januszewski [Ep 207]

Our children are growing up in a digital age with unparalleled access to technology. With these wonderful advances, comes a heavy responsibility we cannot ignore as parents. The access to pornography and sexual images and videos is everywhere and the age of children viewing them is going down.   But there is hope. My guest Ashley Januszewski is all about empowering parents to protect their children by talking candidly with them about God's plan for their bodies and sex from an early age. We talk about everything from sexting and pornography to device control and screen time limits. She shares great resources for how to start these conversations with your children at any age. It's our job as parents, though this is the reality. Not to throw our hands in the air. It is our responsibility just like it is to buckle our children when we get in the car. So it's our responsibility to virtually buckle up our children…. It's everywhere. So it starts and ends with training the heart and equipping our kids. What to do when (not if) they are faced with this avalanche of filth. What do we do? We’ve got to talk about it. What we chat about: The story behind Ashley's pursuit of information on parenting children in the digital age Eleven is the average age for exposure to pornography in America. Fear and anxiety can be signs that a young child has been exposed to something sexually inappropriate. The coming of age experience today in 2018 looks radically different than what we experienced as kids. There aren't the natural barriers that used to exist to pornography. Now it is anonymous, accessible and affordable to anyone. Our responsibility as parents to minimize exposure to pornographic material 40 percent of teenagers today in America say that sending sexual or naked photos or videos is part of everyday life for them. Make a plan for when and how you will introduce digital technology to your children A family mantra or mission statement can help you stay centered on the truth of God in a world that is dominated by opinions How screen time is affecting kids' brains and hours spent on screens by tweens and teens Teaching young children about the dignity and value bodies which can lead to wider conversations Humanizing explicit images and an example of how to talk to your kids when you encounter them Avoiding shame or blame when it comes to sexual images to keep the lines of communication open Solutions for an Internet safer home- control the location of devices, control at the router and control on the devices Sexting and child pornography laws and the importance of reporting Links Mentioned: * Mary Flo Ridley "When to have the Talk" Grace-Based Discipline :: Karis Kimmel Murray [Ep 150]  Theology of the Body for Kids:  * Pornography Jimmy and Josh Myers Ep 162 Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids ** Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr.: A Simple Plan to Protect Young Minds ** https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/342731/the-best-parental-control-apps-for-your-phone https://protectyoungeyes.com/ <a href="https://amzn.

Corporate Working Moms :: Causha Jolly & Stacey McCabe [Ep 205]

There is a lot of pressure placed on moms to nurture and care for our families. Add the responsibilities of a full-time job on top of that and it easy to see why being a mom is called the hardest job in the world. My friends Causha Jolly and Stacey McCabe share about life as working moms and the difficult balance they maintain everyday. I love how they share their hearts about being obedient to God’s assignment for them to work outside the home even in the difficult season of mothering little ones. As a community of God-centered moms, we’re called to cheer on our sisters. It’s my hope that this episode will encourage you to bless and support other moms as they obey God. Remember who you are in Christ, remember that you are called, remember that you are a daughter of the most high and never doubt that.  (STAY TUNED. . .later this week I'll release a blog post with more practical ideas on work/life balance from Causha) What we chat about: Causha and Stacy’s motherhood stories and why they chose to work outside the home Why it’s harder for moms to travel and not worry about your kids vs. husbands traveling How to respond when we fear we aren’t enough and struggle under the weight of expectations placed on moms The difficulty of finding care for your kids while you work The false internal judgement of good mom to bad mom scale Feeling a divine assignment from God to be in a certain job How it’s necessary to say, “No” to a lot when you have limited family time The need to show grace for yourself so that you can have grace with your kids Moms can’t be there every moment of every day, but Jesus will always be there Teaching our kids to turn to Jesus to meet every one of their needs Dealing with moments of insecurity as a working mom When we judge a mom for her choices then we miss out on the blessing of supporting her in her obedience Links Mentioned: Kat Armstrong --Motherhood, Career and Identity [episode 171]  Courtney Smallbone--The Day Fear Died  Pine Cove Family Camp * Freakonomics by Steven Levitt** * Whisper by Mark Batterson** * Experiencing God by Blackaby** * Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer** **Amazon Affiliate Links Featured Sponsors: PrepDish Prep Dish meal plans were created by chef and dietician Allison Schaaf to help save you time and put home-cooked meals on the table. No meal time stress. No more answering the dreaded question, “What’s for Dinner?!”. Developed by chef and dietician Allison Schaaf, Prep Dish is a healthy, whole food based meal plan subscription service. Allison does all the planning for you- including easy-to-follow shopping lists and prep-ahead instructions so you know what to prepare and when. Imagine...all of your meals prepped and ready to go for the entire week. We like to call this meal time bliss! Get 2 weeks of meal plans FREE! Go to Prepdish.com/gcm and use coupon code: GCM FabFitFun Seasonal Subscription Boxes  Who else has tried FABFITFUN? If you don't already know about it,

Hope During Infertility and Infant Loss :: Shawna Beucler [Ep 203]

Losing a baby to miscarriage or later in pregnancy is heartbreaking, especially when you are struggling with infertility. Imagine experiencing that type of loss multiple times. My guest and friend, Shawna Beucler shares the story behind her two healthy sons and the many babies she can’t wait to see again in heaven. If you’re walking through the journey of infertility or have a friend who is, Shawna shares so beautifully why you shouldn’t walk alone in these places of pain and the power of friends lifting you up in prayer every day. We would not have gone through and survived that time in our life had we not had people praying for us around the clock. Because sometimes the anger and the heartbreak when your heart meets tragedy… there is no prayer you can form. I needed a break from the Lord and I had other people holding that connection for me. What we chat about: Struggling with infertility, medical interventions and trying to get pregnant IUI, IVF and miscarriages Feeling the door shutting on future pregnancies The Lord wants us to desire to love and know him Losing a final baby and the traumatic process of going through delivery People praying for you made the difference Why Shawna wants to share her story The healing that can come from talking about the pain in your life Keeping your marriage together in times of deep grief 1 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Philippians 4:13 - I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Psalm 27:14 - Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Luke 1:37 - For nothing will be impossible with God. How to help a friend who is walking through infertility Connect with Shawna:   Links Mentioned: What to Say, How to Help, When to Show Up (Lunchbox Babies) * Mourning & Dancing by She Reads Truth Featured Sponsor: Connected Families Struggling with entitled attitudes in your home? With kids who "Don't Wanna Do It!" or kids who "Want it now!"?? We created this course just for you. It is four 30-minute sessions developed with busy parents in mind. In the Entitlement Fix Online Course we’ll teach you a proven thought process that helps parents and kids move away from entitled attitudes and toward gratitude, responsibility, and sense of long-term purpose. Join us today! 2018 Enjoy the Word Online Conference How to listen to the podcast: 1.Listen on the blog. Click through to GodCenteredMom.com and click the play button at the beginning of this post. 2. Listen on your smartphone, iPad or iPod Touch – There are a lot of great podcasting apps. Apple has a<a href="https://itunes.apple.

The Day Fear Died :: Courtney Smallbone [Ep 201]

The Bible tells of healings, miracles and the power of the Holy Spirit, but God’s power didn’t stop after the New Testament. Today’s guest Courtney Smallbone shares her personal story of God’s power in the hardest circumstances imaginable. Supernatural healing is for today. Courtney’s story of finding freedom from anxiety and miraculous healing for her infant son is a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness. As moms we have a lot of fear and anxiety. We carry a lot. We have these little people that we’re in charge of and discipling. It gets exhausting and hard. I felt like the Lord just filled me with himself. He has given me not the spirit of fear, but love and power and a sound mind. I needed a sound mind when I was dealing with anxiety. He has given us power through his Holy Spirit and we can walk that out as moms in everyday life. What we chat about: Courtney’s testimony of seeing God move in her life and health How Courtney met her husband Luke Smallbone of For King and Country The impact of Luke’s autoimmune disease on Courtney and her family Dealing with anxiety and prescription medicine dependence Getting freedom from the shame and finding healing holistically The importance of community in the healing process Why the church needs to embrace a holistic approach to healing and helping people be open about sharing their struggles Courtney’s physical issues with her most recent pregnancy The miracle of her son’s healing Teaching our kids that prayer is powerful and effective and that God is real Worshipping with your children invites them into a lifestyle of worship Hearing God for others and the gift of the praying in the spirit Connect with Courtney: Links Mentioned: “All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 Lemierre’s Disease * for KING & COUNTRY Compassion International   Colitis  Craniosynotosis  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”              2 Timothy 1:7 Bethel worship * "Without You"  (feat. Courtney) Featured Sponsor: Connected Families Struggling with entitled attitudes in your home? With kids who "Don't Wanna Do It!" or kids who "Want it now!"?? We created this course just for you. It is four 30-minute sessions developed with busy parents in mind. In the Entitlement Fix Online Course we’ll teach you a proven thought process that helps parents and kids move away from entitled attitudes and toward gratitude, responsibility, and sense of long-term purpose. Join us today! 2018 Enjoy the Word Online Conference How to listen to the podcast: 1.Listen on the blog.

Discipline & Toddlers :: Hailey Bain & Meredith Woodruff [Ep 199]

Discipline. It’s such an important part of parenting and so hard. But, we don’t have to be alone on the journey. Join me as I sit down with two moms of littles from my church, Meredith and Hailey. We chat about the common struggles and questions that come up in disciplining young kids. (Our kids) have the opportunity to be saved by grace through faith just like we were, not by works and not by good parenting. But, it’s the consistency of the love and the safety. And when you have that and they do confess faith then you have the Holy Spirit on your side to do the convicting.   Here's the "pyramid" we reference several times in the interview: What we chat about: Discipline can be a struggle, but we’re not alone in this journey Ask yourself, “Will it matter in 10 years?” Focusing on making our children feel safe The child that’s annoying you the most, you should hug the most even though it’s the opposite of your instinct A lot of the anger that comes up in us as moms comes from unresolved issues in us, not just our kids’ behavior Mommy Time, getting intentional focused time with each child During the 0-5 ages, kids change so much it’s difficult to keep up with the huge developmental changes they are undergoing Leaning into the Holy Spirit when we need to make a decision in parenting to avoid letting fear and insecurity win It’s hard to know what the realistic expectations are for obedience at different ages Don’t sabotage the good in pursuit of the great Disciplining in public requires different tools, take steps to set your kids up to win Your kids will be saved by grace through faith and not through perfect parenting God’s kindness leads us to repentance, so we need to discipline with kindness as well Grace for parenting changes when you add a new baby to your family More Episodes on Discipline: Grace-Based Discipline :: Karis Kimmel Murray [Ep 150] Gospel Parenting :: Paul David Tripp [Ep 176] * Connected Families-- ConnectedFamilies.org --Check out Episodes 80, 81, 98, 126) Anchoring Our Kids’ Lovability in Christ with Jeannie Cunnion [Ep91] How to {Really} Parent with Grace with Jeannie Cunnion [Ep 55] Loving Your “Different” Child with Sally and Nathan Clarkson [Ep 149] 10 Ways to Stop Meltdowns and Arguments with Kirk Martin [Ep 139] Solo Parenting/Perfectionist Kids/Tone of Voice with Kirk Martin [Ep 104] Summer (and Sibling) Survival Guide wi...