Live Only True Stories

The “Beatitudes” can read more like inspiring but irrelevant wall art than life-altering wisdom. Jesus’s statement that people who were “poor in spirit” were blessed can sound like a cute nursery rhyme instead of the key to a life of true empowerment.

Discover why recognizing our poverty – our inability to provide for our own needs – unlocks the door to the power necessary for transformation.

Learn why we want to avoid both covert and overt arrogance. The first that says, “I’ll do it myself” and the second that admits to being “poor in spirit” but then chooses to wallow in that truth rather than being changed by it.

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

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Ever said anything your kids considered shocking? If so, you may be in good company!

In the New Testament book of James, he writes shocking words addressing the issue Christians were fighting about. (Sadly, Christians fighting over theology isn't new!) Back then it was faith vs. works, or, put another way, "who vs. do."

As we teach our kids the importance of a life centered on the two Great Commandments, developing "do" skills is part of this. A right belief isn't enough -- which James addresses with a shocking statement! Character that doesn't show up with "do-ing" isn't real character.

We dive into making the First Great Commandment real and actionable in pursuit of raising kids ready to fully engage in God's grand story!

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

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#raisingkids

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#lifeskey3

It's been said most people don't quit their jobs; they quit their bosses. How we relate to supervisors may make the biggest difference in how we show up -- or don't -- for a job.

It's the same with our faith.

Is Christianity a tyrannical boss? One that's good in emergencies but has little value in the day-to-day? Or one that has the desire and wisdom necessary for your success?

The first two are opposite types of the gospel of "sin management" so powerfully written about by Dallas Willard in The Divine Conspiracy.

The last gave us The Beatitudes -- eight ways how the gospel shows up in everyday life with a perspective and power that changes everything.

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

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#lifeskey3

How would you answer the question, "Who is your child?" beyond giving their name? Would it be a list of their interests or accomplishments?

What if we defined who-ness by both personality and character traits? Yet even that is a difficult distinction!

Yet difficult isn't impossible. It takes work to help transform our children's "who" capacities into abilities. Yet it's one of our greatest callings as parents. Where to begin?

Galatians 5:22, the famous list of the "fruits of the Spirit" is a great starting place to develop character. Yet intentionality is required. After all, desire alone doesn't build character for any of us.

Learn the connection between chocolate chip cookies, strength training, and developing your child's who-ness in the second episode in our series on making the First Great Commandment relevant in real life!

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

#parenting

#raisingkids

#raisingchristiankids

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#biblestudy

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#lifeskey3

Do people ever learn? Why does history repeat itself? Does anyone finish well in leadership without blowing up their lives first?

We close the study of Nehemiah with three life principles -- two are sobering; one is encouraging.

1. Leadership matters. It's not enough for people to have the right credentials; they need the right heart.
2. Systems and structures don't keep people on the right track. People do. Primarily leaders.
3. It is possible for leaders to remain fully engaged over the long haul and not blow up their lives.

Nehemiah is a powerful book on leadership and faithfulness -- whether leading one's self, in obscurity, or in a very public eye. The last chapter isn't a "...and they lived happily ever after" ending. It's a reminder about the tendencies of people and the importance of living with intention and devotion.

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

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#leadership

#nehemiah

Today is the first episode in a new series helping parents teach kids how to live out the first Great Commandment in "ordinary" life.

We look at the connection between capacities and confidence. Does being confident make someone capable? Is being insecure an indication of a lack of capacity in an area?

We examine how to help kids identify their capacities by using three guidelines:

1. God-revealed Truth (primarily from Scripture)
2. Self-awareness
3. Input from others

The first Great Commandment covers all of life! In this series we're going to break this extensive instruction into bite-size pieces with actionable insights.

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

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#truth

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#christianfaith

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#christianity

#lifeskey3

#raisingchristiankids

#christianparenting

Worship can seem like it’s purpose is to stroke God’s ego. Is that its purpose?

Why does God place such a high priority on worship?

Fascinatingly, scientific research shows benefits to worship – especially corporate singing. It builds trust, creates community, reduces isolation, and affirms a positive sense of belonging and self. Worship is for our benefit – not God’s!

Worship re-centers us and helps us align with the truth we are not God but we have an intrinsic value because we are made in His image.

When Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas gather to dedicate Jerusalem’s newly-restored walls, they prioritize worship – especially through corporate singing!

We can take a cue from their example in our lives as individuals and in our churches. “Music wars” do not have to divide people; music can be the most community-building activities we engage in. Church worship is the last place in the U.S. where people of all stripes can regularly gather and sing together.

Use Nehemiah’s example and scientific research to learn why community worship must be preserved and practiced.

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

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#lifeskey3

Cue the confetti! Bring on the balloons! Light the candles!

It's the 100th episode of the "Life's Key 3" podcast!!

Departing from the regular format, I give you a behind-the-scenes look at podcasting and use this to help you with communication and decision-making skills!

It's a delight helping you become spiritually strong, emotionally healthy, and relationally smart, and I'm looking forward to the next 100 episodes!

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

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#christianity

#lifeskey3

How do you decide who to invite into your life as a spouse or friend?

Who should be an employee or volunteer at your organization, or church?

Is being a Christian enough?

How much weight, if any, should you place on circumstances when making key life decisions?

Discover the three “C’s” of deciding who to select as a spouse, business partner, employee, or ministry partner: character, credibility, capacity.

Gain insight into how trusting God to lead through circumstances can play a part in making significant decisions. Avoid over-reliance on circumstances or ignoring them entirely.

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

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#lifeskey3

What’s at stake in teaching kids repentance? Can focusing on requiring them to say, “I’m sorry” backfire?

What’s the cost to people and others who don’t take full responsibility for their choices?

We don’t just teach kids to apologize to “keep the peace” in our home. It’s about character that they’ll take into adulthood with them.

Repentance is connected to self-awareness, empathy, and integrity. It’s also connected to victimization, self-absorption, and self-deception.

In Part 2, learn what’s at stake in teaching kids healthy repentance. Discover four more considerations in deciding how you’ll teach repentance in your family.

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Book Stephanie to speak to your women, parents, Christian educators, and students.

#spirituallystrong

#emotionalhealth

#relationships

#bible

#faith

#truth

#biblestudy

#christianfaith

#christianwomen

#christianity

#lifeskey3