License to Parent with Trace Embry

Conflict resolution is something that your family needs to learn to master. Together with our guest, June Hunt, we are here to help you learn how to resolve conflict. June wrote the book on Conflict Resolution: Solving Your People Problems.

Our guest and friend is one of the world’s leading biblical counselors. June Hunt is also an author, speaker, singer and the founder of Hope For The Heart, a worldwide biblical counseling ministry. June hosts an award-winning radio broadcast, Hope For The Heart, heard daily across America. In addition, Hope In The Night is June’s live 2-hour call-in counseling program that helps people untangle their problems with biblical hope and practical help. Hope For The Heart’s radio broadcasts air daily on over 350 stations nationwide.

Help Your Teen Resolve Conflict

Conflict is nothing new to anyone who’s ever been part of a team—especially when the team your playing for, or working for, is your very own family. Unfortunately, conflict resolution is something that’s not so common. And I think the more we—as a citizenry—get sucked into believing the postmodern and relativistic idea that truth really is relative, that more conflict will go un-resolved.

Because, until people can get back to being able to take themselves out of themselves and see the world and truth from an objective perspective, then conflict resolution is going to be a whole lot more difficult—if not impossible.  Of course, at the very foundation of this is the belief that truth transcends what a person merely believes it to be, to being “what actually is.”  And there’s no better way to know and accept “what actually is” than being acquainted with and submitted to “Truth” incarnate. That, of course, being the person of Jesus Christ.

Today June and I discuss the following:

Who is June Hunt and how can she help my family?

Why it is important to teach your child about conflict resolution.

How do you define conflict, and is it all bad?

How to turn foes into friends.

How to resolve conflict in your home.

How to recognize the three attackers of conflict, i.e., the wolf, snake and the hornet.

How to recognize the three avoiders of conflict, i.e., the turtle, chameleon, and the weasel.

Picture provided by: Ariel Waldman

Conflict resolution is something that your family needs to learn to master. Together with our guest, June Hunt, we are here to help you learn how to resolve conflict. June wrote the book on Conflict Resolution: Solving Your People Problems. Our guest and friend is one of the world’s leading biblical counselors. June Hunt is also an […]

Not only is the emotional trauma—and sometimes even physical trauma—often overlooked in these cases, these very same parents are, unfortunately, sometimes even the target of blame. This of course adds insult to an already injurious situation.

Our guests are Dena and Tom Yohe. Tom is a former pastor. Dena is the author of the book You Are Not Alone. Both Tom and Dena are Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ International in the U.S.) staff members, and now affiliates. They are also the parents of a formerly troubled daughter.

Their daughter is Renee Yohe; the previously suicidal, addicted, depressed, self-harming girl whose situation led friends to start the well-known nonprofit To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA). Renee’s life was also portrayed in the 2015 Sony Pictures release by the same name. Dena and Tom live in Orlando, Florida. Their full-time work is Hope for Hurting Parents, where Tom and Dena help and minister to parents who are hurting from the pain of having a troubled child.

Why a Ministry to Parents of Troubled Teens Is Important

Before parents can properly help their kids, they have to be in a physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy place themselves. This is especially true when their kids are struggling. It’s not unlike the oxygen mask that comes down out of the ceiling on an airliner. You’re told—as parents—to put the oxygen mask on first, even before your kids.

Why?  Well, obviously you can’t help your kids if you’re incapacitated.

I think it’s wise to take a closer look at what goes on in the life of the parents of a troubled teen so we can minister to them as well. It’s easy to overlook the trauma and struggles of the parents of troubled teenagers.

I’ve seen some terribly torn up and beaten down parents in my day. One of the things I hear more than anything else when they bring their kids to Shepherds Hill Academy is, “This is like a death.” To many parents, it’s almost as if they’re taking their kids off life-support. That’s how difficult it is.

But the trauma and grief leading up to a child’s enrollment in a therapeutic program is off the charts. That’s why it’s so important to minister to the parents as well. Hopefully, that’s what we’ll do today as Tom and Dena Yohe and I discuss the following topics:

Who are Tom and Dena Yohe?

What is To Write Love on Her Arms?

How can parents with struggling teens take courage in their situation?

What is the wrong thing to do for a parent with a struggling teen?

What is the most encouraging thing a person can do for parents with struggling teens?

What is the connection to self-injurious behavior and spirituality?

Signs that your child may be struggling.

Picture provided by: Max Pixel

Not only is the emotional trauma—and sometimes even physical trauma—often overlooked in these cases, these very same parents are, unfortunately, sometimes even the target of blame. This of course adds insult to an already injurious situation. Our guests are Dena and Tom Yohe. Tom is a former pastor. Dena is the author of the book […]

Are we willing to model Jesus as Scripture portrays Him? Or are we determined to model only the attributes of our Lord that we’re comfortable with in an attempt to keep the peace, avoid being politically incorrect (PC), or keep our kids smiling? Are we modeling a politically correct Jesus only?

Our guest, Joe Battaglia is the Founder and President of Renaissance Communications, a company specializing in providing media platforms for organizations and gifted communicators of the faith. Renaissance Communications partners to promote prominent ministry leaders, and faith-based movies and the marketplace. Joe is also the author of many books, and the Executive Producer and General Manager of Keep The Faith Radio, a nationally syndicated radio program heard in over 200 markets and 80 countries overseas. Today, Joe will share his book The Politically Incorrect Jesus: Living BOLDLY in a CULTURE of UNBELIEF.

Does Being Politically Incorrect Mean Being Rebellious

It has been said that Shepherds Hill Academy is a politically incorrect, Christ-centered, therapeutic program and school. And I think it’s safe to say that the License to Parent radio broadcast doesn't shy away from being politically incorrect either. You might be asking, what is it about incorrectness that’s so significant—because, to some, that might sound a bit rebellious.

Well, it’s also been said that one man’s rebel is another man’s loyalist. I happen to be loyal to God and His Word—to the person of Jesus Christ. If that makes me a rebel, then so be it. But I’m not rebelling against what’s right—or Holy. If anything, I’m rebelling against the rebellion against God—if that’s how you want to put it. Now, that certainly makes me politically incorrect.

PC is kinda like the Emperor’s New Clothes—nobody wants to state the obvious. Everyone’s protecting their own self-interests to keep from being marginalized, ostracized, or even black-balled altogether—whether it be the loss of social status, business opportunities, or whatever. I happen to fear God more than people. Some people will sell their souls to the devil to stay in good graces with the politically correct masses.

I think it all stems from a citizenry that no longer has any security or identity in who they are. They need to be affirmed by their neighbor because they no longer find their identity or security or significance in the God who created them. Shepherds Hill Academy and License to Parent exist to help fulfill Christ’s agenda—politically incorrect as that may be. Fulfilling Christ’s agenda is what’s healing our kids here at Shepherds Hill Academy. I’m also getting great feedback about our License to Parent broadcast as well. People’s eyes are being opened to the logical incongruity of a postmodern worldview.

The fact that other folks on the far left and in the LGBT community are going to such great lengths to twist the truth about Shepherds Hill Academy and License to Parent, and are fighting hard to discredit and condemn us, is even more evidence that we’re doing something right around here. I consider it a badge of honor.

So, I think parents also need to buck up and not fear the ridicule that’s sure to come their way for being politically incorrect parents. That’s what it’s going to take if we're going to be effective for the kingdom of God in 2017 America and not see our kids fall to the same perversions and devices as the garden variety heathen.

Joe Battaglia and I discuss this subject more as we cover the following topics:

Joe's notation of a "four-part harmony."

Political correctness (PC) explains people's attitude of "self appointed" or being one's own god.

PC causes division in our culture, not unity; and how it is affecting our parenting.

Truth, things to stand for, moral absolutes and moral compass leads to com...

Are we willing to model Jesus as Scripture portrays Him? Or are we determined to model only the attributes of our Lord that we’re comfortable with in an attempt to keep the peace, avoid being politically incorrect (PC), or keep our kids smiling? Are we modeling a politically correct Jesus only? Our guest, Joe Battaglia […]

More and more blended families are needing and seeking counsel for issues that pertain specifically to them. And there are a lot of issues to address that aren’t always at the forefront of the minds of those in ministry. Let’s change that and delve into what it takes to shape the smart stepfamily.

Our guest, Ron L. Deal is the Director of FamilyLife Blended, a ministry of FamilyLife, and is the author/coauthor of the books The Smart Stepfamily, The Smart Stepdad, The Smart Stepmom, Dating and the Single Parent, and The Smart Stepfamily Marriage. Ron voices the FamilyLife Blended short radio feature and is one of the most widely read authors on blended families living in the country. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist who frequently appears in the national media, including FamilyLife Today and Focus on the Family, and he conducts marriage and family seminars around the country. Ron and his wife, Nan, have been married since 1986 and have three boys.

Why Blended Families Come With Unique Challenges

Not only did I experience a broken home during my childhood, but I also see more and more blended families at Shepherds Hill Academy these days.

I bounced back and forth between my mom’s house and my dad’s house from the time I was almost six years old until I got out of high school. My mom and dad both remarried to my stepparents within about a year of being divorced from one another. I’d eventually have five half-brothers and sisters, but I never had to deal with step siblings living under either roof.

Therefore, I can’t really speak authoritatively on those dynamics. I can tell you this, the whole blended family thing can bring complications to family dynamics that most people would never dream of. Because of this, it’s a blessing to be able to talk to someone today who can offer some counsel in this area.

I have a feeling that there might just be a couple of folks out there who are smack-dab in the midst of some thorny blended family issues and are looking for some answers to some very tough questions. Ron Deal and I talk through some of these issues as we cover the following topics:

What is a blended family?

Why simplistic answers are not typically helpful.

What do I do if my stepchild says “You are not my parent, I don’t have to clean my room.”

The key to success in raising a blended family.

How to navigate attachment, loss, and loyalty.

What do I do if my child is trying to divide my new marriage?

What do I do if my child tries to use my past against me?

What is co-parenting?

What if my ex-spouse is pitting my child against me?

Why a cohabiting stepfamily is the most dangerous situation to raise kids.

Picture provided by: ElisaRiva

More and more blended families are needing and seeking counsel for issues that pertain specifically to them. And there are a lot of issues to address that aren’t always at the forefront of the minds of those in ministry. Let’s change that and delve into what it takes to shape the smart stepfamily. Our guest, […]

In an attempt to be relative and trendy, have we forsaken time-tested child-rearing principles with principles and practices that would appall our own parents and grandparents? Or do the times we live in really require these changes? G. K. Chesterton once said: “Before we tear down a fence, we should find out why it was put up in the first place.”

Our guest, Dr. Robert Myers is the President of Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, Georgia. He has been involved in Christian higher education for 25 years. He is a regular blogger for the Huffington Post. He was a former police officer in the state of Maryland, and information systems manager in the state of Florida. Dr. Myers is also the author of the book: No Compromise: Thoughts from a Christian College President.

Why Scripture is Vital For Navigating Today’s Cultural Shifts

There are numerous aspects and avenues to explore when it comes to raising godly kids today. But, how do parents know how to prioritize these things when so many of them seemingly have equal urgency and importance? Well, as a mere human being, I couldn’t give you the first clue.

I do know that as Christian parents, we can never confuse the urgent with the important. So, I have to defer to Scripture for the answers—and then plug them into the culture I live in. In the light of Scripture, the Christian parent has no option—even in these times today—than to be willing to look like some cult-driven religious neanderthal in the eyes of the rest of the world. This is the point I have to keep driving home to today’s parents. If we aren’t willing to trust God and His Word for raising our kids, then we're going to have to get used to suffering the same consequences as the rest of world who do not know Christ.

This includes the things that many Christians have already capitulated to—just like the world. Some of these same things are now just common practice in the church today. One thing is divorce. Now divorce isn’t the topic of our discussion today, but it’s just one of the things that doesn’t seem to bother us as it used to. The same is true with shacking-up. And both have affected our kids negatively.

For the record, I’m not condemning divorced people. I come from (my parents) a divorced home myself. But, that doesn't mitigate the natural consequences. Of all the things we need to prioritize as parents, I’d say right here’s a good start.

Dr. Robert Myers and I discuss cultural shifts and their impact on our kids as we cover the following topics:

What was the purpose for writing the book: No Compromise: Thoughts from a Christian College President?

Is there truth in “following your heart?”

Can we really not control our own desires?

What is Dr. Robert Myers' biggest concern of students entering college.

Do your kids really know the Bible?

Why it is OK to say "I don’t know to your kids."

What is FOMO, and what do we do about it?

Picture provided by: PDPics

In an attempt to be relative and trendy, have we forsaken time-tested child-rearing principles with principles and practices that would appall our own parents and grandparents? Or do the times we live in really require these changes? G. K. Chesterton once said: “Before we tear down a fence, we should find out why it was […]