Will They Stand?

Without question, as a parent, you would do everything in your power to stop the abuse and prevent any further harm. You would teach your kids warning signs, how to fight back, and how to get as far away from the evils as possible.

When we think of abuse we often think of physical or sexual abuse. But there are many other forms such as emotional and spiritual abuse. But what about secularism? Depravity? Immorality? Apathy? These things are all real, dangerous, and all around us. While moral relativism says it’s ok, Christians who say otherwise are often considered intolerant or hateful.

Unfortunately, as parents today we have let our guard down. Rather than standing strong and teaching our kids the absolute values and biblical principles we know, we’ve let culture slide in. Is it any wonder then that so many kids are losing their faith altogether? We are the closest representation of Christ our kids have. If we don’t stand strong, who will?

Discussing Strengthening the Family with Ken Ham

Ken Ham is the CEO and Founder of Answers in Genesis and the High-tech Creation Center and Museum located in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, and the visionary behind “Ark Encounter” located in Kentucky.

Ken is a biblical apologist and his work addresses such topics as the reliability of the Bible, how compromise over biblical authority undermines society.

He’s the author of a number of books including Already Gone, The Lie Evolution, and Gospel Reset. Most recently he wrote the book Will They Stand, and it addresses today’s topic head-on. Will our children be equipped to stand strong against cultural giants that previous generations never imagined, or will our kids be overcome?

Back to the Beginning

Episode Highlights:

How can we as parents raise children strong in their faith?

What does it look like to stand strong in today’s culture?

What does church attendance tell us about the state of our nation?

Does moral relativism impact the church? How?

What is the authority of the bible? How do we pass this on to our children?

How does Genesis play a role in answering culture related questions today?

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Wrapping Up 2021

As followers of Christ, we do trust in something. We trust in the eternal God who created all things, including us, and has our best interests at heart even more than we do.

In addition to connecting the dots, looking back also reminds us of the many things we have to be thankful for. To me, a thankful heart is what gives me a better ability to look to the future with hope.

If God was faithful to take care of me in the past, He will be faithful in the future as well. As we end the year 2021 at License to Parent we are going to be looking back, looking forward, and connecting some dots in the coming year.

Discussing the Residential Program of SHA with Trace Embry

Trace Embry is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd’s Hill Academy in Martin, GA. Trace, along with his wife Beth (co-founder) has a heart and a passion for helping hurting teens and their families.

Shepherd's Hill Academy was founded in 1994 in Martin, GA, where it has grown to serve families from virtually every state and across the world.

Along with being an entrepreneur and prominent business owner, Trace served as a Police Officer in their hometown after graduating from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1978. Trace and Beth felt the Lord’s prompting to full-time ministry and attended college at Toccoa Falls College, in Toccoa Falls, GA, and pursued other extensive training to prepare them for working with troubled teens. Trace is also the Host of the License to Parent radio program.

Connecting the Dots

Episode Highlights:

What does a year in the life at Shepherd’s Hill Academy look like?

How would you define the program at SHA?

How is SHA unique from other programs? What does the outdoor aspect entail?

How does SHA deal with consequences?

What is the goal of the unique features and unplugged environment of Shepherd’s Hill Academy?

How does the group dynamic at SHA work?

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A Look Back on the Blessings

This is actually part of a whole series of miracles that included prophecies, a virgin birth, angelic warnings, protection from a wicked ruler set out to kill the newborn king, and so much more. We celebrate this series of miracles each Christmas as we proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ.

Today on License to Parent we want to tell you about some more miracles. In fact, these are miracles that have happened during the past year! The Miracles of Shepherd's Hill.

We hope that by sharing these stories you may be blessed and may also gain a better understanding of what we do here and why we do what we do on License to Parent. You’ll also get a glimpse into what God is doing day in and day out at our year-long residential therapeutic program for teens in crisis; Shepherd’s Hill Academy.

Discussing the Many Blessings Miracles with Trace Embry

Trace Embry is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd’s Hill Academy in Martin, GA. Trace, along with his wife Beth (co-founder) has a heart and a passion for helping hurting teens and their families.

Shepherd's Hill Academy was founded in 1994 in Martin, GA, where it has grown to serve families from virtually every state and across the world.

Along with being an entrepreneur and prominent business owner, Trace served as a Police Officer in their hometown after graduating from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1978. Trace and Beth felt the Lord’s prompting to full-time ministry and attended college at Toccoa Falls College, in Toccoa Falls, GA, and pursued other extensive training to prepare them for working with troubled teens. Trace is also the Host of the License to Parent radio program.

Inside the Gates of Shepherds Hill Academy

Episode Highlights:

Listen in the real-life examples of a miracle student whose life was transformed at Shepherd’s Hill Academy

How has the future been shaped and lives transformed by a small program in Martin, GA?

What are the prayers of Shepherd’s Hill?

What is the goal of License to Parent?

How does the work of SHA impact the entire family?

How can I get a copy of The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill?

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FBI Dads

Today’s American culture continues to marginalize the value of the nuclear family. This makes it easier for more and more fathers to abandon their God-given responsibility to help nurture their offspring. As a result, the issue of absentee fathers has become a maximum problem for a culture that has been minimizing their significance. How do we turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers?

Discussing Fatherhood with Ryan Roy

Ryan Roy is the leader of FBI Dads. FBI Dads stands for “fathers being involved.” Ryan is the author of “Be the Dad You Wish You Had.” His father abandoned him when he was just five years old. After many years of research and trial and error Ryan has uncovered the most effective tools and methods to teach any dad how to be the dad he wishes he had.

Episode Highlights:

How are both men and women responsible for the creation of absentee fatherhood?

According to Ryan why are dads not so involved anymore?

In what way are women incentivized to have fatherless children?

What is an advantage of having God in the picture for these difficult situations?

What is the mission of FBI Dads?

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Gamer

In 2021 Americans spent over 60 Billion dollars just to play video games. What that actually cost our nation in lost productivity and revenue is anyone's guess. Anecdotal evidence gives rise to the notion that much of this could be used in the workforce to help balance out our economy, but instead, we have young adults in their parents' basements watching porn and playing video games. How can you keep your family from becoming victims in a digital disaster?

Discussing Video Games with Adam Brooker

Adam Brooker grew up in the Charlotte area. He graduated high school in 2010 and went to North Carolina State University for one year. He then dropped out to enlist in the Army and ended up leaving for basic training in 2012. Adam was part of the 82 Airborn Division and five years later he finished his undergrad in North Carolina. Now Adam is in his last semester at Campbell Law School in Raleigh North Carolina.

Episode Highlights:

What is the difference between sustenance and substance?

People can’t feel good about themselves when- what?

How many hours a day did Adam game?

What events caused Adam's slight video game addiction to take a downturn?

What used to be the goal of college and what do young people expect differently, now?

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Digital Addiction

Smartphones have this pull on us- me, you, and everyone. They are designed that way! When was the last time you left your phone somewhere and didn’t panic? Your brain and mine have developed and matured in ways that your child’s brain has not. So why do you give your child a phone? It is understandable- they need it for football practice and other activities. They need to get ahold of you and vice versa! But, how do you talk through pulling back on the phone? Let’s discuss some practical steps.

Discussing Technology with Melanie Hempe

Melanie Hempe is the founder of Screen Strong and has been on our program before. One of her goals in Screen Strong is to help parents think through the double standards on phones and other devices when they’re talking with their children.

Episode Highlights:

What have smartphones virtually brought into our homes?

What two aspects does Trace tie to kids who become school shooters?

How are hypocrisy and double standards different?

What is the Gold Standard offered by Screen Strong?

What two things did Melanie and her husband say “no” to in order to fix the digital issue in their home?

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Wrecking Ball

During the course of almost every mom and dad’s 18-year parenting journey, you will encounter conflict with your children. Guaranteed. But what happens when the conflicts become routine and magnify into combat in the teen years? How should parents proceed when you can no longer restrain your teenage wrecking ball from wrecking your home and the loved ones inside it? There are options if you run out of ideas for keeping your home a sanctuary of sanity and safety. These options are provided by a professional who helps families for a living.

Discussing Recovery with Holly Hunter

Holly Hunter has been transporting troubled teens to therapeutic schools and programs across the country through Safe Passage Global which she founded. Holly has been a private investigator for more than 20 years, holds certifications in crisis manager intervention, and has been a Christian life coach. Holly is a certified mental health coach, first responder, and much much more. Holly is good at what she does and cares deeply about people. When Holly has some downtime you can find her singing, taking photos, or writing books.

Episode Highlights:

How many parents are aware that long-term treatment programs actually exist?

What feelings do parents struggle with when seeking outside help?

According to Holly what is residential care?

What words may help a parent choose residential care?

What is the importance of not pointing fingers?

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Defending Faith

In our previous episode, our guest Alex McFarland helped parents understand what they need to do to help start changing our culture for the good. The early church prevailed because the gospel is true and because they were willing to die for their faith. What happened was that Christians built great families, Christians gave an honest days work, and men married women and had children and adopted children. Christianity turned the world upside down on the strength of family, morals, and personal excellence. We can do this again. Learn how to defend your faith.

Discussing Truth with Alex McFarland

Alex McFarland speaks worldwide and is known as a Christian Apologist, author, evangelist, religion and culture analyst, and defender of truth. Alex has written 18 books on apologetics and the Christian faith, one of which is “100 Bible Questions and Answers.” He is the host of the Alex McFarland Show which can be heard on American Family Radio and other outlets. He and his wife live in North Carolina.

Episode Highlights:

What are two common questions kids today ask about religion?

How can we know that the Bible is what it claims to be?

What is Bible inerrancy? 

What is the Chicago Council on Biblical Inerrancy?

What are the autographa and how do they relate to inerrancy?

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Apologetics

Take a moment and stop to think. How many of our child-rearing woes might actually stem from the fact that our kids don’t truly know God and His word? Or maybe they have lost faith in what they once claimed to believe. Many Christian families are losing their kids to the secular way of doing life. We hope to bring clarity to some of the most common sticking points that today’s kids are struggling with from Scripture and world events. Learn how to defend your faith.

Discussing Truth with Alex McFarland

Alex McFarland speaks worldwide and is known as a Christian Apologist, author, evangelist, religion and culture analyst, and defender of truth. Alex has written 18 books on apologetics and the Christian faith, one of which is “100 Bible Questions and Answers.” He is the host of the Alex McFarland Show which can be heard on American Family Radio and other outlets. He and his wife live in North Carolina.

Episode Highlights:

What two main points are being taught to help parents argue concerning their faith?

How does trusting God help children trust their parents?

What does Trace mean by “honoring the fifth?”

What makes Alex’s book "100 Biblical Questions and Answers" a book which should be in all homes?

How have the biblical questions people ask shifted over the last 20 years?

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Shepherds Hill

If you are a regular listener you know that our goal is to equip parents with the knowledge and authority to be the parent God has ordained for all families. We are here to both challenge and embolden you. In a sense, we want to re-issue you a license to parent your own children as you deem best. However, as faithful listeners, you also know that our perspectives and insights here at License to Parent come straight from the word of God and the proving ground here at Shepherds Hill Academy.

Discussing Miracles with Allison Wallace

For the last 17 years, Allison has been serving families and adolescence in crisis. Allison is a main part of what happens at Shepherds Hill. She is the Director of Program Development and has been a part of residential care since 2006. Allison studied counseling and psychology and developmental psychology at Toccoa Falls College. Allison works along with her husband Joshua who is the Chief Operations Officer. Together they have a beautiful little girl, Lilliana.

Episode Highlights:

What kept Allison at Shepherds Hill?

How does Trace speak about his daughter?

What was Allison’s experience of the miracles that grew Shepherds Hill?

What did Allison see God do in 2022 at Shepherds Hill?

What has amazed Trace in 2022?

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