License to Parent with Trace Embry

Finding Hope for Parents 

Last time on License to Parent:

“We always tell them that it’s not the parent’s choice. It’s the child’s choice that got them into the situation that they are in. All we can do is love them, parent them, model them, encourage them, and point them in the right direction. But ultimately it’s their decision to make and we try to reinforce that as much as we can.”

Discussing Resources for Parents of Prodigals with John and Fair Brocard

Last week we heard from John Brocard and his wife Fair in Part I. They are parents of a former prodigal and the founders of Prodigal Child Ministries. Today we invite you to join us for Part II of our conversation as we bring hope to the parents of prodigals.

Where to Turn

Episode Highlights:

What encouragement is there for parents of prodigals?

What resources are available for parents and prodigals?

How can you find other families dealing with similar difficulties and challenges?

Is there a list of treatment programs for teens and young adults?

Why is the existence of God so important to mental health and goodwill?

Do parents need to be in Atlanta to receive assistance from Prodigal Child Ministries?

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The Family of the Prodigal Child

These days just about every parent you talk to either has or knows someone who has a son or a daughter who has gone off the rails in terms of behavior, attitude, or both. Addiction, self-harm, and sadly even incidents of suicide are all growing at an alarming rate among America’s young people. Curiously, this is happening at a time when America’s standard of living is at an all-time high!

Consequently, many parents don’t know what to do. They strive to do everything in their power to keep their kids smiling. Yet rebellion and self-destructive behaviors continue. So many of these parents are at a loss for what to do or where to turn.

But the good news is there are options. Today, we’re going to explore them!

Discussing the Prodigal Child with John and Fair Brocard

Fair is a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and a graduate of Furman University with a BA degree in Early Childhood Education.  Following graduation, and after teaching kindergarten, she raised her three children. She then worked in the children’s ministry at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Metro Atlanta for 6 years.

Fair’s husband John is a native of Rockville, Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC. He too graduated from Furman in 1975 with a BA degree in Political Science. He received his law degree from the Potomac School of Law in 1978 and has been in active practice of law since 1980. Incidentally, he specializes in juvenile and adult criminal defense and significant personal injury cases. He also serves as a court-appointed guardian ad litem in the juvenile court system of Cobb County, Georgia.

In 2004, the Brocards were called into ministry to reach out to parents of struggling teens and young adults. They are the founders of Prodigal Child Ministries, which is a 501(c)3 foundation.

The Brocards have 3 ground children as well as 2 daughters-in-law and one son-in-law, as well as 3 grandchildren.

Hope for the Prodigal

Episode Highlights:

What experience do the Brocards have with teens in crisis?

How did the Brocards’ troubled teen impact their family?

How has treatment positively impacted the Brocards?

Good families can have children that struggle. You are not alone.

What are the keys to getting through the tough times?

What is Prodigal Child Ministries?

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Changing My Child's Behavior

There’s a reason for this. Young people have been leaving the church in droves. This exodus, to use a biblical term, doesn’t seem to be slowing down. There are reasons for this also.

So the question is why? Why are our young people leaving the church? What can we do as parents to keep our own kids in taking part in this rush for the door?

Even more importantly, how can we keep them from abandoning what we and they have always believed to be the foundation of moral and spiritual truth?

Today, we’ll be peeling back this onion on a quest to find the truth for a new generation with a special guest, Dr.  Alex McFarland.

Discussing Church for Our Generation with Alex McFarland

As a Christian apologist, evangelist, author, religion and culture analyst, and advocate for Biblical truth, Dr. Alex McFarland speaks worldwide. He has preached in over 2000 churches throughout North America and many more around the world. He also speaks at Christian events and conferences, debates, and other venues to teach biblical truths and preach the gospel.

Alex is the only evangelist we know about who has preached in all 50 states in only 50 days. His Tour of Truth crusade swept across America featuring 64 evangelistic services, many decisions to receive Christ, and Christians were equipped and encouraged to defend their faith.

Alex is the past president of Southern Evangelical Seminary and College of Charlotte, NC. He served as Focus on the Family’s first director of Teen Apologetics. He’s written a number of books including Stand Strong in Your Faith, The 21 Toughest Questions Your Kids will ask about Christianity, the Assault on America, and The God You Thought You Knew.

Alex is heading up an apologetics conference on October 15-17 in Myrtle Beach, SC called Truth for a New Generation.

Truth for a New Generation

Episode Highlights:

How do we reach and retain young people for the church?

What is Ground Zero ministry in Myrtle Beach?

Why do parents need to be aware of woke culture?

Why should every church have an intercessory team?

What is the importance of apologetics in the home?

More details on the Truth for a New Generation Conference

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Changing My Child's Behavior

Last time on License to Parent:

“Hey, you just took that toy and pushed your brother. What does that say about how you view your brother? What’s going on inside of you is that you value yourself and what you want more than you value your brother. So what is that? That’s selfishness and it’s also pride. But the problem is that the Bible calls that a sin.”

That’s Israel Wayne in last week’s episode of License to Parent. If you missed that podcast you can listen to Raising Them Up with Israel Wayne. We discussed what happens when you look to someone to “fix” your child.

We discovered that fixing the child usually also means fixing the parent, the environment, and the relationships. That leads us to the question of, would it be better off to ask if we as parents are willing to invest the time, effort, and intentionality it takes to keep our child (and our family for that matter) from becoming damaged goods in the first place.

Discussing Gospel-Centered Parenting with Israel Wayne

Israel Wayne is an author and conference speaker with a passion for defending the Christian faith and promoting a biblical worldview. He’s the author of a number of books on homeschooling and parenting including Raising Them Up: Parenting for Christians.

A Shift of Focus

Episode Highlights:

What is gospel centered parenting?

Why is it so important to focus on the heart behind behavior?

Does having a parent full time in the home make an impact on our kids?

What is the importance of time?

How can bread-winning fathers find time with their children?

How impactful is digital technology on our kids? Why?

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Parenting Today's Children Today

Well before you answer, fixing a child usually also means fixing the parents, fixing the environment, and fixing the relationships.

Perhaps a better question would be, “are you willing to invest the time, effort, and intentionality it will take to keep your child and your family from becoming damaged goods in the first place?” That’s going to require some self-reflection, divine intervention, and intentionality on your part.

It’s always harder (if not impossible) to fix the WHAT when we neglect to find out the WHY behind our children’s damaged emotions, their values, attitudes, and actions.

Discussing the Importance of the Why with Israel Wayne

Israel Wayne is an author and conference speaker who has a passion for defending the Christian faith and promoting a biblical worldview. He’s the author of a number of books on homeschooling and parenting including, “Raising Them Up: Parenting for Christians."

He’s also the site editor for christianworldview.net and he’s the director of Family Renewal.

Israel and his wife Brooke are currently raising their 11 children in Michigan

Parenting for Christians

Episode Highlights:

What is the parents’ responsibility?

Should we be our child’s “buddy?”

What does it mean to “be the parent?”

Why is parenting so hard?

Should we raise our children how we were raised?

Where do we look to for parenting advice?

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The Perfect Father

Whether it’s a biological father, an adopted father, or our heavenly father, there’s an incalculable value afforded any child who’s been blessed with a good father.

Yet as our culture downplays the significance of the traditional family, so too goes the value placed on fatherhood.

As a result, more and more American men are placing their value and significance in just about anything and everything but being a quality dad. The funny thing is that the offspring of these men most often wish otherwise. Could there be a biological and spiritual need for children to bond with and cultivate a relationship with their father?

And what about a man who isn’t actually the child’s biological father? Can he fulfill this same need? Today we talk with the creator of a documentary film that looks at what it really means to be a father.

Discussing Fatherhood with Alex Kendrick

Show Me the Father is being released on September 10th. Alex Kendrick is the Executive Producer and Writer. If you are not familiar with the Kendrick name, the Kendrick brothers have a string of successful faith-based films such as Flywheel, Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous, War Room, Overcomer, and Show Me the Father.

Alex has served in church ministries for about 20 years. He then turned his attention to writing, speaking, and producing Christian films. He has co-written the NY Times best-selling books, The Love Dare, The Resolution for Men, and The Battle Plan for Prayer.

Alex and his wife Christina are the parents of six.

The Stories of Fatherhood

Episode Highlights:

What do you hope to accomplish through the film?

Why should parents take their kids to see this movie about all others?

Why a documentary over a feature film?

Why have media outlets marginalized fathers/fatherhood?

How did these stories of fatherhood come about?

Why is it so important to see the film?

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There’s a Big Difference

Last time on License to Parent:

“I think sometimes people confusing walking with somebody with condoning or accepting or validating what they are doing. I can love anyone through any circumstance. But that doesn’t mean that I need to show them that I’m accepting that.

I’ve got gay people that I minister to all the time and they know where I stand and we respect one another. I respect them as a human being and as a person who was created in the image of God but they know that I don’t condone what they’re doing. I can walk with them and I can hold their hand, I can pray with them and I can love them. And they know that I deeply love them but at no point in time am I risking my Christianity to say that I’m validating or accepting or condoning what they’re doing. There is a big difference.”

Discussing Apologetics Today with Dave Glander

That’s our guest, Dave Glander, a former devout atheist before an experience that completely changed his perspective and life purpose. Now he’s a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and serves as a pastor, author, and founder of a youth apologetics summer camp called Equip retreat.

Today we continue our conversation with Dave on equipping our children to defend a biblical worldview with science, history, and the ability to reason. If you missed Part I of this two-part series, be sure to listen to How, Why, and Where With Dave Glander.

The Importance & Impact of a Biblical Worldview

Episode Highlights:

What is a biblical worldview?

Why is a biblical worldview so important?

What do you believe about miracles?

Why is critical thinking so important?

What does it mean to have the enemy’s playbook?

Should you research your own perspective or an opposing one? Why?

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Answering the Big Questions

Sadly, even many churches today are hard-pressed to do so. Many would say that this is the reason that the church is now so marginalized, discriminated against, and openly attacked. But this may actually be more accurately describing churchgoers adhering to a biblical worldview today.

As parents, we are going to have to be more intentional about helping our kids adopt a biblical worldview. We will also need to know and teach our kids to know how to defend a biblical worldview with the tools that unbelievers actually identify with. These are things like logic, science, history, and the ability to reason while constructing a cogent argument for what we believe. And all while being respected witnesses to the character and power of Jesus Christ.

Sound overwhelming? Perhaps. But the power of God and today’s speaker may just encourage you to buckle down and buckle up knowing the truth is on your side.

Discussing How, Why, and Where with Dave Glander

Dave was a devout atheist prior to experiencing a radical encounter with Jesus Christ and he is now a deeply committed believer both in Christ and in the Bible. Dave has been a pastor for many years. He is the founder of an apologetics youth summer camp called Equip Retreat.

He’s also the author of Faith Survival Guide and the book we want to talk about today called How, Why, and Where?

Getting Real with Our Kids

Episode Highlights:

What three big questions does this book address?

Why do our kids need to “practice” at home?

Why are our personal testimonies so powerful?

Why should we as parents be more transparent/real with our kids?

We are where we are supposed to be.

What kind of impact does the gospel have?

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God's Model for the Family

In a real and abstract sense, not to understand the importance of the family is to come into life and then go through it crippled. When the family crumbles, or when it’s totally redefined by humankind, entire societies crumble.

Yet even when societies do crumble, those people committed to God’s definition and plan for the family can still stand strong. The family also acts as an organic support system. It’s is one that serves in the same way that a strong and durable cable serves. Both are made up of many smaller, weaker fibers or members. But together they form something that is strong. In other words, when put together correctly the family really is greater than the sum of its parts.

History and scientific data back this up. The Bible does too.

Discussing Strengthening the Family with Scott Brown

Scott Brown is the Director of Church and Family Life and the Pastor at Hope Baptist Church in Wakeforest, North Carolina. He is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton with w degree in History and he received a Master of Divinity degree from Talbot School of Theology.

Scott devotes much of his time to local pastoral ministry, conferences on fatherhood, church reformation, and strengthening the family.

Scott is also the author of several books including, “A Weed in the Church,” “Family Reformation,” “Preparing Boys for Battle,” “Preparing for Marriage,” “Helping them to Choose,” and a book that we very much want to discuss today: “The Theology of the Family.”

The Truth About the Family

Episode Highlights:

What is The Theology of the Family?

Does Scripture speak specifically about the family? Where?

What is the difference between the biblical and scientific/secular definition of the family?

How can parent assure their kids that the Bible is the model of the family?

How do we talk to our kids about the imperfect/dysfunctional families in scripture?

What does scripture say is the optimum model for family?

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True Representation

We are the only nation on the face of the earth that has an emancipation proclamation. We are the only nation that fought a war to end slavery. But the facts are not reported. The messages coming out that supposedly represent blacks today are false prophets.

Discussing Rescuing American History with Bob Woodson

That’s the voice of Bob Woodson, author of the book Red, White, and Black; Rescuing American History from Revisionists and Race Hustlers. Last week with spoke with Bob Woodson on Part I of our II part series.

This message is a timely one for us as parents, as well as citizens alike in a culture that tells us that we are a systemic racist society.

The Importance of History

Episode Highlights:

How is racism defined?

What is critical race theory?

How you we drive discussions on racism?

What should parents do if critical race theory is taught in your child’s school?

How can I get alternative curriculum to critical race theory?

Why is it so important for truth to be spoken on the issue of race?

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