License to Parent with Trace Embry

Perhaps if we knew more about how some of the rest of the world actually lived, it would open our own entitled and gluttonous eyes enough to be genuinely grateful to God for all we have been blessed with here in America. Today, we will attempt to do just that. Elijah Sebuchu is the Senior […]

Perhaps if we knew more about how some of the rest of the world actually lived, it would open our own entitled and gluttonous eyes enough to be genuinely grateful to God for all we have been blessed with here in America. Today, we will attempt to do just that.

Elijah Sebuchu is the Senior Pastor of Kampala International Christian Centre and Presiding Bishop over Global Discipleship Ministries, a network of over 285 churches. He is also the Founder and Director of Hands of Love, an outreach to children that provides home, hope, love, and education to 2,016 children in Uganda.

How American Affluence Can Lead to Entitlement, Greed, and Sinful Excess

When talking to young people who have gone on mission trips to Third World countries, you often hear the same thing: “It changed my life.” Yet, very few adults who have gone abroad, much less kids, seem to connect the dots when it comes to seeing how their American affluence could possibly be as hazardous to their health as third-world poverty. By “health,” I mean just about every aspect of health—with the possible exception of physical health.

But when you consider obesity and addictions to drugs, alcohol, technology, food, and sex, I think there is a case to be made that, even physically, Americans might not be in much better health than some in the Third World. I haven’t even mentioned suicide, self-harm, pornography, sex trafficking, and all the fallout that comes from all of the seven deadly sins in which many Americans today freely and regularly indulge. I’m talking pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. I think all of these can ultimately lead to insanity to one degree or another. How else do you explain all the mass shootings or all the mood-altering prescription drugs being consumed here in America for alleged “mental health” issues.

The Mayo Clinic claims that 70% of Americans are on prescription drugs! In the very process of trying to feel normal, we are too often feeling miserable! That is largely because we are now hesitant to define what normal actually is thanks to postmodern thought. Nobody seems to be able put their finger on why all this insanity is going on in this country, because to do so, they actually might have to admit that pure evil and the spiritual world really do exist. They might have to admit that sin is a real thing—-something the contemporary mental health field doesn’t even acknowledge. They might have to admit that those seven deadly sins really are deadly and that greed disguised as affluence did not turn out to be the Savior we thought it would be.

There is nothing wrong with affluence when it is acquired biblically and without selling your soul to the devil. But no sane person would say that any of the seven deadly sins are becoming to anyone.This is especially true when it comes to our kids. When we routinely suffer self-inflicted wounds and wound our kids by providing them with their every desire, allowing them too many choices, bailing them out of the natural consequences of their sins, and inflating their egos by flattering them for mediocrity, we ruin them. All the while, we think we are protecting them and making a good and comfortable life for them.

We have invited back our pastor friend from Uganda to give us another wake up call on just how satisfied and grateful kids can actually be—despite overwhelming adversity and lack of affluence. Today, Pastor Elijah Sebuchu joins us to discuss to following topics:

How the Lord is working to equip leaders and empower women and children in Uganda.

How Pastor Sebuchu’s new FM radio broadcast can reach rural areas of Uganda.

Pastor Sebuchu’s advice for American parents and kids.

Why kids should be taught to treasure more than material things.

How thanksgiving affects mental health.

Why parents need to give their children a broader view of the world.

Why parents must invest in quality time with their kids.

But, as Christian parents, shouldn’t we be doing more than just helping our kids navigate and survive this dark world? Shouldn’t the light of Christ—illuminated within us—be the inspiration our kids need to help transform it? If not us, then who? Should our kids really have to go outside our homes to see the light of Christ shining in an adult? Let’s ask ourselves: Is the light within me bright enough to help illuminate a bright future for my kids? Or will this dark world continue to be my child’s ‘other parent’?

Ainsley Earhardt is currently a journalist and co-host of Fox News Channel’s (FNC) Fox & Friends. Previously, she served as co-host of FNC’s Fox & Friends First and regularly contributed to Hannity with her own segment called “Ainsley Across America.” Additionally, she has co-hosted Outnumbered, Fox & Friends Weekend, Fox’s All-American New Year’s Eve, and America’s News Headquarters. She has also been a panelist on The Live Desk and appeared on Greg Gutfeld’s Red Eye. Earhardt is the author of the new book, The Light Within Me, as well as the picture book, Take Heart, My Child.

Why Parents Need to Show Their Kids the Light of Christ

I can think of no better source or sense of security that parents could bring their children than getting them acquainted with the Author of the Universe. In a day when kids just aren’t being shown any absolute point of reference for moral right and wrong, introducing our kids to the truth of God and His Word is now more important than ever. I see the issues that kids bring with them to Shepherds Hill Academy, and I am just blown away because a lot of this stuff is preventable!

Everyday, American kids are having pure poison crammed down their throats, and it is destroying them spiritually, morally, psychologically, emotionally, socially, and even physically. When I say poison, I mean the junk they are exposed to regularly by way of digital technology—porn sites, social media, video games, and the like. They are also getting this stuff via Hollywood, Madison Ave, sitcoms, late-night talk shows, fake news, and public education. And we wonder why we have a youth crisis today?

Too many Christian parents are complicit in all of this because even our appetites have now been conditioned for darkness rather than light. But this is not the first time God’s people have caved to cultural influences. Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness...” That describes America today.

Today, Ainsley Earhardt and I discuss the role of Christian parents in our culture as we cover the following subjects:

How is negative rhetoric contributing to division in our nation?

What led Ansley to Fox News.

The role Ansley’s grandmother played in her life.

Understanding the important role of a mother.

Parenting challenges that have been brought about by today’s culture.

The power of prayer in the life of a Christian in today’s culture.

Picture provided by: MALIZ ONG

But, as Christian parents, shouldn’t we be doing more than just helping our kids navigate and survive this dark world? Shouldn’t the light of Christ—illuminated within us—be the inspiration our kids need to help transform it? If not us, then who? Should our kids really have to go outside our homes to see the light […]

So if Christians are being discredited in America now, after centuries of being so respected, what changed? What are the implications for the spiritual integrity and future of our kids? And what can we, as parents, do about it?

An internationally known filmmaker, writer, and media consultant, Phil Cooke has produced media programming in more than 60 countries around the world. He has created and produced many of the most influential and successful Christian and inspirational TV programs in history, and his book, Unique: Telling Your Story in the Age of Brands and Social Media, is changing the way church and ministry leaders engage today’s culture with the gospel. In addition to writing his popular blog at philcooke.com, he also blogs for The Huffington Post and has been a contributor to Fast Company, Forbes.com, Wired.com, and FoxNews.com. His most recent book is The Way Back–How Christians Blew Our Credibility and How We Get It Back. Co-authored with Jonathan Bock, this book offers a solution to the crisis-level decline in Christianity in today’s culture.

How Christians Are Being Discredited by False Teaching and Corruption

Certain things that happen or are preached within Christian circles can cause the church to be discredited for some Americans today. The evil one can be at his most devious when working within the church. This is something we like to tell the students at Shepherds Hill Academy early on in their time in the program. We believe it is important for the students to know that false teaching and corruption exist within the church sometimes and that Jesus predicted they would. These things were happening while He completed His ministry on earth, and as He mentioned all those years ago, these things will always be around.

As we discuss this topic, we also explain how God does great work through the church as well. We have to be diligent in the church, because we know that whatever God is using to accomplish great things, the devil will want to disrupt and discredit. We share this to inform our students about how devious the devil can be. And it isn’t just specific churches that the devil attempts to disrupt; things like the media, a tool that can be used to advance the Gospel, can also be targets. For example, when TV preachers focus on collecting money more than sharing the Gospel, Christianity is discredited and seen as a scam in the eyes of many Americans. I’m not saying that all preachers on TV are doing this, but those who are, misrepresent Christianity to a wide audience—something the devil would welcome, I’m sure. Today Phil Cooke and I discuss how entertainment and media are shaping our culture as we cover the following topics:

What is the research showing for Christians in America?

What are our “other gods” in America?

What is the greatest threat to today’s church and culture?

Why what you and your family are entertained by can be hindering your relationship with the Lord.

Why educating your teens in their media habits is a key to their success.

How to set appropriate media boundaries.

The role the church used to play in Hollywood.

Picture provided by: The original uploader was ToBeDaniel at Italian Wikipedia. (Transferred from it.wikipedia to Commons.) [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

So if Christians are being discredited in America now, after centuries of being so respected, what changed? What are the implications for the spiritual integrity and future of our kids? And what can we, as parents, do about it? An internationally known filmmaker, writer, and media consultant, Phil Cooke has produced media programming in more […]

If, as the late John Lennon suggested, we were to imagine no Heaven above us, no Hell below us, and no religion too, what effect would the opposite attitude—actually believing in these things—have on our parenting experience? Whatever you may think about religion itself, if what Scripture and other sacred writings claim about the afterlife is true, then avoiding Hell and getting to Heaven ought to be of preeminent importance in the course of raising our kids, don’t you think?

John Rosemond is a writer and speaker, and he is syndicated in approximately 225 newspapers nationwide. John has written 11 best-selling books on parenting. His most recent book is Getting to Heaven. John is one of America’s busiest and most popular speakers, and he is most certainly the busiest and most popular speaker in his field. He is known for his sound advice, humor, and easy, relaxed, and engaging style. In the past few years, John has appeared on numerous national television programs including 20/20, Good Morning America, The View, The Today Show, CNN, and CBS Later Today.

How the Concept of Heaven and Hell Is Often Disregarded In American Culture Today

There seems to be less concern about Heaven and Hell today than in previous generations. I’m not so sure that John Lennon’s song Imagine can be blamed for today’s apathetic view of Christianity or the afterlife, but I’m also not so sure Imagine can be completely exonerated either. That song affected a lot of people. With that said, I think postmodernism and relativistic thought have been far greater culprits. In fact, it's quite likely that this philosophy or worldview was what paved the way for a song like Imagine.

Fastforward 40 years to today’s postmodern- and relativistic-saturated society, and many people have found it very easy to take Hell right off the table simply because it is unpleasant. People may say that they don’t want to believe in a God or religion that includes these things. And with a postmodern worldview, truth is what is true for you. On the flip side, it is often easy to believe in Heaven because it is pleasant. That is exactly one of the dangers of buying into the postmodern and relativistic patterns of this world today. We only come to accept truth when it is easy to accept or when it is politically correct.

When parents, knowingly or unknowingly, first filter their biblical worldview through the world’s postmodern and relativistic premise, then the rest of that toxic philosophy can sneak in and taint their theology and worldview. This can affect how they interpret Scripture and, in a roundabout why, how they raise their children and shape their view of Heaven and Hell.

Today, many parents are raising their kids without any real substantive discussion or understanding of the afterlife. Why? Because this life has become heaven enough. And don’t you dare mess up my heaven on earth by bringing up the unpleasant subject of Hell. Today, John Rosemond and I discuss the afterlife and raising healthy kids as we cover the following subjects:

How is John’s new book relevant to my family?

Why truth has become based on feelings.

2 criteria to determine sound mental health.

Help your kids develop a healthy view of themselves; then, they can confidently acknowledge a biblical worldview.

How do you reconcile our culture’s take on Hell?

How do I talk with my child about Heaven or Hell?

Picture provided by: Jeroným Pelikovský

If, as the late John Lennon suggested, we were to imagine no Heaven above us, no Hell below us, and no religion too, what effect would the opposite attitude—actually believing in these things—have on our parenting experience? Whatever you may think about religion itself, if what Scripture and other sacred writings claim about the afterlife […]

Some statistics indicate that as many as 8 million kids growing up in America today will be prescribed some kind of psychotropic drug by the time they reach adulthood. Right now, Americans are spending $1,100 per second on mood altering medication, and we consume 80% of the world’s Ritalin supply. But here’s the challenge: Some believe these medications may cause more mental and physical problems than the behaviors they are designed to treat. What choices to we have? Are there safer, more effective alternatives?

Dr. Charles Hodges is a family physician practicing in Indianapolis, IN. He is the Executive Director of Vision of Hope, a residential treatment facility for young women with emotional struggles. Dr. Hodges is a Fellow with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, an instructor and counselor with Faith Biblical Counseling Ministry in Lafayette, IN, and the author of Good Mood Bad Mood: Help and Hope for Depression and Bipolar Disorder. Dr Hodges has been married to his wife Helen Kay for 46 years and has four children and 13 grandchildren.

How There Are Spiritual and Environmental Elements to Mental Health

As I’ve mentioned before, many of the students that come to Shepherds Hill Academy have been diagnosed with a mental disorder of some sort, and we often serve students who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or depression. So how does SHA deal with these types of conditions? Well, I will save the clinical jargon for today’s guest, but I can say that most of the kids who come to SHA enter our program on boat loads of meds. Seventy percent of those kids are leaving medication-free. There’s a reason for that.

I think it is important to note that there is a moral and spiritual component in the mix at SHA and in the real world that, I think, a lot of secular mental health professionals tend to overlook. We believe that outside stimuli and our general environments have a lot more to do with our mental and spiritual well-being than people realize. Though we get the science behind this, mental health is not always an exact science. In fact, many mental health professionals themselves would tell you that it is not science at all, but more of an ideology.

Whatever side of the debate you are on, I think we have to conclude that there is still a lot more that we have yet to know about mental health. We just don’t know everything, and not all truth can be empirically proved. It doesn’t make it less true, it just means that it can’t be proved in the way we’re familiar with in science. I don’t think we can paint with a broad brush, nor do I think that we can look at one independently of the other. What I do know is that kids and families are being healed here at SHA, and the common denominator is Jesus Christ. Today, Dr. Charles Hodges and I discuss mental health and wise parenting as we cover the following topics:

Why does it seem that depression is more frequently diagnosed today?

If my child is diagnosed, should I get a second opinion?

How can you develop an appropriate daily routine for your child?

What role does a mother at home play in the success of teens?

How is television and social media hindering relational development?

Is it possible to choose your moods?

The role of consequences.

The role of worship.

Picture provided by: Amanda Mills

Some statistics indicate that as many as 8 million kids growing up in America today will be prescribed some kind of psychotropic drug by the time they reach adulthood. Right now, Americans are spending $1,100 per second on mood altering medication, and we consume 80% of the world’s Ritalin supply. But here’s the challenge: Some […]