No matter how old your kids get, you never really stop parenting - and raising the next generation of believers requires confidence, grace and intentionality like never before.

Battles with technology, a culture that is increasingly turning the things of God upside down inside out and an unrelenting assault against the innocence and future of our children can leave parents exhausted, fearful and uncertain in how to navigate it all.

We need Truth, we need counsel and we need an abundance of godly support as we daily take on the battle of raising our children in the Truth and knowledge of the Lord according to scripture.

This week on the Love Where You Are podcast is tackling the question: How Do I Deal With This? Raising My Kids During Such an Unimaginable Time?

 

Joining me for this conversation today is Monica Swanson. Monica is a blogger, the author of Boy Mom: What Your Son Needs Most From You and the host of the Boy Mom podcast.

 

This conversation is filled with practical advice, biblical wisdom and encouragement on:

• how to combat the enemy’s attacks against your children
• how to cultivate spiritual health in your home
• how to disciple your sons in biblical masculinity
• how to encourage your children to be confidently countercultural and still filled with grace

Connect with Monica on Instagram and at monicaswanson.com and check out the Boy Mom podcast!

Connect with Somer on Instagram, Facebook and at somercolbert.com

Join Somer's Ahavah Community for weekly updates and resources!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

When screens began to be central to our lives, everything changed

 

The option of being elsewhere while being right here

 

I believe we live in a time that is culturally more antagonistic to the Christian faith and Christian values than ever before

 

Technology

Cultural antagonism toward the Christian faith

Political correctness

 

How to cultivate Christ-focused mental health in our homes:

 

1. Know who we are in the big picture

 

The more healthy we are in our identity we can pass that on to our kids

 

Our kids are seeing what we’re doing more than they are hearing what we’re saying especially in a culture that is so noisy

 

How can we disciple our sons in healthy masculinity?

Dads really need to rise up in this time and this is an important place for Dad’s to step up and really teach and model what true masculinity is. We need our men to be strong leaders, to be servant leaders.

 

I think sometimes we can feel so overwhelmed with the messages of our culture that we forget that there is still a lot of goodness and there are still examples so perhaps some of what we need to do is focus more on the truth and the good and teaching what there is and worry less about being on the defensive

 

Speak up and call out that emerging little man in front of you - do not think you have to squelch that and help them channel that in a healthy way

 

Remind them of the importance of being a gentleman

 

You need to speak these words to your kids before you necessarily feel them:

You’ve got this

You can handle this

I believe in you

 

The more healthy adventures you give your kids the less likely they are to go seeking adventures in unhealthy places

 

Mentally healthy moms = mentally healthy kids

 

There is a blatant attack on the innocence of our children, on the purity of our children and on the future of our children.

 

How Christian parents can combat the attacks of the enemy on their kids:

• Set boundaries as a family
• Focus more on what your kids can do than what they can’t do
• Be proactive
• Filters on every device
• Phones out of bedrooms at night and put off getting them phones at an early age

 

Our family culture does not have to look like the average family

 

Let’s do things as a family that build them up to the point that they’re going to look at the things of this world and just say: I’m not interested

 

We are digital immigrants as parents so we need to give ourselves grace

 

Extending grace and love is not the same as affirming or condoning behaviors or choices

 

It takes energy and intentionality and that’s good parenting

How Do I Deal With Mean Girls in the Church?

Mean girls...ugh. 

Did you just cringe a little?

I know, it doesn’t take much of a reminder to drudge up "all the feels" from experiences we’ve all had when it comes to being treated badly by sisters in Christ

 

But you know what?

We need to talk about this and ask the hard questions like - 

• How do I honor Jesus and acknowledge the hurt at the same time? 
• How does God want me to forgive and what does that look like when I did not provoke the conflict? 
• And why does God allow these things to happen in the first place?

 

Joining me to speak to this topic is author, speaker and podcaster, Sarah Geringer

Sarah is the author of Transforming Your Thought Life and Transforming Your Thought Life for Teens and she is passionate about this topic!

 

Get ready to take some notes my friends cuz this conversation covers it all 

 

Connect with Sarah on Instagram and at sarahgeringer.com

Connect with Somer on Instagram and at somercolbert.com

Ready to join Somer's Ahavah Community? Click HERE!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

People are in different stages of the spiritual growth continuum 

 

Some hurts come from spiritual maturity mismatches

 

Queen Bees and Wannabees: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boys and the New Realities of Girl World by Rosalind Wiseman 

 

When we’re under stress, we go back to acting like Jr High students

 

Forgiveness is a process

 

Forgive, Let Go and Live by Deborah Smith Pegue

 

We have to forgive because it’s a command from the Lord

 

Take the position of wanting to let go and forgive knowing you have more work to do with God’s help to forgive

 

Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane for unity in the church

Jesus knew the enemy was going to do everything he could to destroy the unity of the church

 

Satan does not want you in a local body of believers much less a small group

 

The attacks that you have had from people at church are really from satan - satan using them to attack you

 

You have to remember that Jesus died for you, to cover your sins, but He also died to cover their sins as well.

 

They’re not your enemy - they are an image bearer who God loves very much

 

“This is a battle I face, but in the end Jesus is going to win”

 

Learn to pour out your feelings to God first, God will then show you which ones need to be dealt with 

 

Honest, gut-level prayers - pray through the Psalms like David did

 

God just wants us to lay it all out

 

Get the infection out of your heart

 

Step back and say - what am I not going to do?

 

You can glean a lot of good out of a negative situation if you are willing to be courageous and honest enough to wrestle with it in front of God

How to deal with hurt: 

1. Step back
2. Don’t include those who are close to the situation
3. Go to the Throne first
4. Pursue wise, biblical counsel

 

The Lord is allowing this situation in you life which means He is offering you opportunity to grow from it

 

Matthew 18 - the model of how you confront people

 

There are some people we cannot have relationship with due to toxicity

 

Romans 12:18

 

We can’t control what others do but we can control how we respond

 

Psalm 139:23 (New Living Translation)

 

Look at personal responsibility

 

Don’t carry old wounds into new territory

 

We are all accountable to the Titus 2 model

 

I need to start from a place where I am being filled with wisdom

 

Transforming Your Thought Life for Teens by Sarah Geringer

When talking to your kids about their mean girl moments:

1. Listen
2. Try not to correct
3. Say things that are affirming
4. Share your own life experiences that are similar

 

Do not let the devil keep you out of church because of your hurt

I've heard it said:

You are either coming out of a storm, in the middle of a storm or you are going into one.

That's a cheery thought isn't it?

Although frustrating to acknowledge at times, the trials we experience in life should never come as a surprise to us.

Scripture is clear that trials are inevitable this side of heaven.

So, rather than living in dread, how can we as believers and Christian parents prepare ourselves to navigate our trials in such a way that welcomes the opportunity for spiritual growth while also setting an example for our children and others?

In today's episode I am talking with Best-selling author and host of The Insurgence podcast, Frank Viola about his latest release, 

Hang On, Let Go: What To Do When Dreams Are Shattered and Life is Falling Apart

Included in today's conversation you will hear Frank and I discuss:

• the healthy Christian mindset in relation to trials
• God's purpose for trials
• how to struggle well through trials
• How we can waste a trial
• What to do when you are in a trial
• How to prepare yourself for the trial to come
• how to minister to others who are experiencing trials

This conversation is packed with Truth from scripture, practical application and points to ponder with the Lord as we seek to grow in our walk and seek to become more like Jesus and lead our children to do the same!

Connect with Frank and check out all of his resources by going to:

Frankviola.org

Listen to the Insurgence podcast

Download a sample of Hang On, Let Go 

Order a copy of Hang On, Let Go

Surviving Your Storm Course with Frank Viola

Connect with Somer on Facebook, Instagram and at somercolbert.com

To receive weekly updates from Somer's Ahavah Community click HERE!

 

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

Why are we as Christians, so surprised by trials?

 

1 Peter 4:12

John 16:33

James 1:2

Matthew 8:24 

 

When you’re in a storm, things look out of control.

But they’re never out of control.

 

The good news is: 

Every storm runs out of rain 

Every trial has an expiration date 

It won’t be in your life forever

It came to pass

 

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you…

 

Our Lord has less problem with our problems than we do

 

The land of regret is not a place that any Christian can afford to live in

 

If you dwell on your regrets, they will become an anchor that will hold you in the harbor

 

We can struggle well through inevitable trials

 

Understand the principle of hanging on and letting go - 

Abraham could not hold on to his most prized possession, his son. 

He had to let go.

He held on to the promise of God.

He held both together the laying down of Issac’s life and to the promise of God

 

Common ways we can waste a crisis:

 

1. Blame other people who are involved in their crisis and they become bitter

(If you allow bitterness to gain ground in your heart, it’s game over. Your spiritual life stops right there and you become toxic to other people) 

 

2. Blame God

(this is a horrible response because you cut yourself off from the very Source of your deliverance and from the One who will bring restoration, healing and joy out of your crisis)

 

Trials reveal the motivations of our heart in many ways

 

3. They don’t learn the lessons God is trying to teach them through their crisis

(in every trial and every crisis there are certain things the Lord is aiming at changing)

 

4. Cast away hope and move into despair

(once you have given up hope and you are in despair, your spiritual life stops as well)

Despair and bitterness are cousins - they are the arch enemies of the Christian

 

5. Blame yourself and quit on life

 

It doesn’t matter who brought the trial - God, the devil or you - God will use it the same exact way

 

The way the Lord uses trials:

 

• Every time God takes you to a new level in Him, He starts ridding you of some of your baggage
• There are things the Lord wants to remove from your life and mine and storms are designed to remove those very things.
• Storms come to test our hearts and they always expose our spiritual maturity and our commitment to Jesus Christ
• Your confession about what you believe about the Lord and how committed you are to the Lord doesn’t tell me anything. But a good hurricane will tell me everything by how you react.
• Sometimes a storm will show you things about yourself that you are not aware of
• Designed to deepen our intimacy with Jesus Christ

• In every storm we want an explanation but God wants to give us a revelation of His Son
• Our storms will constitute ministry for those who are having a storm of their own

• Our greatest service to other people comes out of our greatest trial - that is, if we don’t waste them.
  
  

When you’re in a trial: 

Breathe

That worst case scenario has not happened

You’re not alone

Begin the art of living in the present

 

A child taken from our arms, an apology letter to a birth mom on the other side of the world, an overwhelming call to love the fatherless, 9 processes in 10 years and a journey that has changed our family’s life forever.

 

Hello friends and welcome to the Love Where You Are podcast! My name is Somer Colbert and I am so excited to share this special episode with you today as I welcome the listeners of Christian Parenting to the show!

 

While I typically host discussions on various topics to encourage growth and spiritually healthy families, today is a much more personal topic. It’s my story. The story of what God used to wreck me so that He could use me. It’s the story of how He chose to grow our family and our faith through adoption.

 

But it’s also the story of how He used difficulty and challenging circumstances to reveal His heart and calling in my life.

 

We all face difficulty and we all have a choice in how we respond - do we lean in to God or do we walk away? Do we seek Him for the growth He is producing through trials or do we stay complacent and give up.

 

Adoption nearly wrecked me - until God redeemed the broken parts of my story and changed my heart. He is ready to redeem the difficult parts of your story too. Join me today as I share the ups and downs and lessons God has taught me along the way!

 

Connect with Somer on Facebook, Instagram and check out her articles on adoption at somercolbert.com and Hope in Grief!

 

Want to receive weekly updates and resources? Join the Ahavah Community!

 

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

• When you choose to love a child, that never goes away.
• God used something so difficult in our lives and He turned it into ministry.
• The problem was my attitude, my mindset and my approach to my circumstances.
• I believe now more than ever that the Church needs to step into caring for vulnerable kids in crisis and meet a need by modeling.
• God’s perfect love for us and what healthy families and relationships look like.
• We can’t care for the orphans, the fatherless and the vulnerable if we are distracted and consumed by the things of this world.
• Foster care and adoption are an opportunity to step in and partner with the Lord to heal and take back ground the enemy has stolen.
• We as Christian parents are called to incorporate the things of God in every aspect of our lives.

 

5 Lessons I Learned: 

1. We are called to be stewards of every child we are given, whether biological or through foster care, adoption, provisional or respite. 
2. It’s not about fulfilling a want, it’s about meeting a need. 
3. It is God who creates and builds families
4. Parenting is less about changing a child’s behavior and more about changing our response to a child’s behavior. 
5. God uses difficult seasons and challenges in our lives to mold us to be more like him as He writes a beautiful story for the purpose of showing His love and goodness to others 

 

Genesis 2 and 3

 

Deuteronomy 6:5-9

 

James 1:27

• “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”

 

New Mercies by Paul David Tripp

“In grace He leads you where you didn’t plan to go in order to produce in you what you could not achieve on your own.” ~ Tripp

 

Our stories are all different but our mission is the same: Love God, love others and share Jesus right where you are!

We have been enjoying some fantastic conversations to encourage listeners to break out of the typical and frustrating cycle of New Year’s resolutions and instead shift their mindset and focus toward being present and loving others right where they are.

Closing us out today is author, speaker, and writing coach - Becky Kopitzke!

In addition to her writing and speaking, Becky is the co-founder of Ministry to Business, helping Christian communicators to generate recurring income from digital products so they can make a bigger difference in people’s lives.

In her latest release, Love Because, readers will discover the courage and inspiration to live the joy of Christ every day and change the world one blessing at a time.

This conversation with Becky was an absolute joy as we talked about how to love on purpose with a purpose, enjoying the mundane moments rather than living for the emotional highs and the reality of under spent treasures.

Becky will share about:

• how to build your blessing toolbox
• the 4 P’s of Blessing your family and
• the importance of loving and blessing those who aren’t like you

This conversation will have you laughing one minute and hit you with some serious truth the next.

Connect with Becky at beckykopitzke.com or on Instagram and grab your copy of Love, Because HERE!

Connect with Somer on Facebook, Instagram @somercolbert and at somercolbert.com!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

We are in a season of division and the lines between the believer and the nonbeliever are becoming clearer and more divisive and I still believe the Bible calls and tells us to love across those lines

To out bless means to look beyond ourselves and to love other people the way they need to be loved

Love on purpose, for a purpose

Identify what is preventing us from loving people well

There are so many distractions right now that cause us to think inward

I’m going to reward myself with life for doing the work - let me reward myself with the people I love

I’m called by the Lord to do the work but I’m also called by the Lord to rest and enjoy my family

Drop it and Do It mantra

Life is that thing that happens while you’re working toward goals

The Rich Young Ruler - Matthew 19:16-22

What is it you treasure most that you’re not allowing God to utilize?

Recognizing that that’s an area where it’s difficult for me to give the Lord access, it’s probably where I’m going to find the most opportunity to bless other people

Detours can be God’s course

Building Your Blessing Toolbox:

1. Remain on the vine
2. Start with your Jerusalem (family)
3. No blessing is too small
4. Be a cheerleader, use your words for encouragement
5. Play the right tapes (run the Truth through your head)
6. Forgive quickly
7. Show the real you
8. Take care of yourself

If you burn yourself out you are useless to the cause of loving other people

4 P’s of Blessing Your Family:

1. Presence
2. Possessions
3. Perspective (are we looking at other humans as being created by God?)
4. Prayer

View people as believers and pre-believers - everyone has potential to hear and come to God and therefore, they are worthy of our time and effort

Prayer should be our daily, hourly, minute by minute habit.

What is one thing you can do today to bless one person? Do it!

As Christian women, we wear many hats and carry a variety of responsibilities based on our calling and season of life. 

No matter what we are doing, we are certainly busy and, let’s be honest, we struggle to balance our activities well while also staying rested, fueled and ready to pour out.

How can we effectively love where we are if we are uncertain of our calling?

What if we are just too tired and weary and don't know where to start?

How can we keep a healthy balance between doing and resting?

Joining me on the show today is author, speaker and life coach, Courtnaye Richard.

Courtnaye Richard is the founder of Inside Out with Courtnaye, a ministry that helps women grow in Christ, while equipping them for their calling. She is an author, contributing writer for ibelieve.com and YouVersion. Her blog, Inside Out with Courtnaye reaches thousands of women across the globe!

In today’s conversation we are going to answer these questions and dive into:

• Partnering with the Lord in all of our endeavors
• How to identify our calling
• Taking a “day-cay”
• The importance of being present

This was such an encouraging conversation and I am excited to have you tuning in today!

Connect with Courtnaye on Facebook, Instagram and at insideoutwithcourtnaye.org

Connect with Somer on Facebook, Instagram and at somercolbert.com

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

Make spending time with God non-negotiable

Take your rest and get ready to get up because you’ve got work to do

Be about the Father’s business

Ways to rest:

• Take a break from social media
• Read
• Rest your body

When you are refreshed you are ready to refresh others

What can we do together, Lord?

Jesus - I came to do the will of my Father

Do what you can where you are

Be present where you are and grow where you are

Cultivate your gifts

Take the time to prepare for the next season God has for you

Know your season and rock the season you are in!

If we despise the season we are in we are not going to experience the growth God wants for us

How to identify your calling:

What are you passionate about?

What gets you up in the morning?

What keeps you up at night?

What are you passionate about and get to it!

We don’t want to do what we want to do, we want to do what He’s calling me to do

Some things God calls us to are exciting and some things are hard

Pray

Begin studying

God is faithful to give you whatever you need to carry out what He’s calling you to do

Go on a day-cay!

Love the people in front of you

1 John 3:18

Today we are continuing our brand new series on the show to kick off 2022 called - Love Where You Are…

Last week I shared a conversation with Amy Debruque and we spoke about this idea of beginning the new year, not with the typical resolutions but with a renewed mindset to truly see and love others right where we are, wherever God has us.

Today I am excited to welcome Community Manager for (in)Courage and author Becky Keife back to the podcast to discuss this topic further.

Becky’s new book release, The Simple Difference - How Every Small Kindness Makes A Big Impact shares practical advice and real life stories of what it looks like to embrace the awkward and reach out to people for the sake of the gospel.

I love Becky’s heart for keeping it real as she calls out the truth that we all make snap judgments and tend to steer clear of the uncomfortable.

But as we discuss in today’s episode, in order to be effective at kingdom work…

- We have to be prepared to step into messy and uncomfortable places

- We have to be willing to be inconvenienced.

- We have to be willing to give of our most precious commodity – TIME

Thanks for tuning in to today's episode!

We'd love to hear from you!

Connect with Becky on Instagram and grab a copy of The Simple Difference HERE! 

Connect with Somer on Facebook, Instagram and be sure to join her email list for weekly updates and resources!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS: 

We have to be prepared to step into messy and uncomfortable places, we have to be willing to be inconvenienced and we have to be willing to give of our most precious commodity, which is time.

We have to be honest, we make snap judgements

“What if we’re supposed to be the answer to our prayer?”

The outward appearance does not tell the whole story

It’s time to embrace the awkward because we will never regret being kind

The treasure is found in our obedience

We are wired to advocate for self, protect self and elevate self - we live in a “me first” society

If the Holy Spirit is prompting me to do something, I am responsible for my obedience and God is responsible for the outcome.

I’m willing to be awkward for the sake of the gospel

“Be where your feet are”

God, I want you to be reflected in my everyday life starting at home

What would happen if our words and actions dripped with kindness instead of irritation?

Rather than trying to balance it all, ask God to help you to prioritize that next thing God wants you to do

Being salt and light isn’t an extra thing on our to-do list, it’s the lens through which we see our whole lives

As I go on my way, Lord, have your way with me

As we begin the new year, we are all accustomed to resolutions and self-improvement - they’re pretty much expected, right?

This might look like a Bible reading plan, an eating plan, an exercise plan or a word for the year.

But what do we see so much of the time?

We commit early on and then the reality of the new year sets in with its busyness and distractions and we get a few weeks in and before we know it, haven’t held to our commitments like we hoped. I have certainly been there myself.

All of these things are good that I mentioned but so much of the time we see this focus on self, really, to make ourselves feel better about life and the new year...etc.

But as I was praying about how to begin season two of this podcast, I starting thinking:

What if we purpose to begin the new year with a resolve to think outside of ourselves and really apply this idea of loving where we are - as Jesus did?

Joining me to help kick off this new series is my friend, author and speaker Amy Debruque!

Today we are going to discuss the importance of slowing down in order to look up, what it looks like to truly see others around us and ways we can meet their needs specifically and accordingly in response to God's prompting...in effect, love where we are.

Connect with Amy on Facebook, Instagram and at amydebruque.com - Order a copy of Embolden HERE!

Connect with Somer on Facebook, Instagram and at somercolbert.com

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

Sometimes our goals can create blinders because we are so focused on our own goals, our needs and our wants

You can’t see somebody if you never look up

Set your stuff aside that you think is important and be the hands and feet

We can always be too busy

You have opportunity for interaction and relationship everywhere you go

God wants us to be able to relate to people in a way that brings glory to His name and points others to Christ

Luke 10:25-37

It’s easy to overlook that person that you feel like isn’t significant enough to propel you to the next level

Every person is worth stopping for

You can make a difference even when you are in the trenches yourself

Just pay attention

The chain reaction of the hands and feet of Christ

When we’re out of certain seasons we can forget what it felt like to be there

Simple gestures

It doesn’t take much to be seen but if we don’t look up it is easy to miss

How much are we willing to let go to put someone else first?

Lord, help me to see others to show them You see them.

We have spent the last 12 weeks identifying and calling out the lies the enemy speaks to YOU - the hearts of moms. We’ve countered each lie with the Truth of scripture and encouraged you to embrace the incredible role you’ve been given as biblical steward over the lives of your children.

Now - what about the lies the enemy speaks to the hearts of your kids?

If you’re anything like me, you can handle a little attack here and there but when the enemy messes with your babies - LOOK OUT!

If you’re thinking - how and where do I even begin teaching my kids about something that I am still battling myself - this episode is for you!

Today I am joined by author and speaker, Charity Rios. Charity is here to share today about her latest book release; My Heart’s Garden - a picture book and workbook designed for parents and kids to equip them to identify and battle against the lies the enemy speaks to the hearts of children.

I absolutely loved this conversation with Charity as we discussed:

The 4 step process of teaching your kids to tend their hearts and identify the lies of the enemy

How to teach our kids about the enemy without scaring them

How to identify what she calls “heart flags” and what it means to become a student of your children

How to give permission for constant conversation with your kids and an open door to guide them as they grow and learn to hear God’s voice and lean into His comforting presence as they encounter life’s challenges, both little and big. 

Connect with Somer on Instagram, Facebook and at somercolbert.com

Connect with Charity on Instagram and grab your copy of My Heart's Garden at charityrios.com 

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

The enemy is ruthless attacking the core of our children’s identity

Common lies the enemy speaks to the hearts of our kids:

Identity

Performance

Your kids struggles are not your failures

Model for our kids and teach them how to talk to God and give Him their pain, their fears and their disappointments

We’re all learning how to hear His voice and access Him more

Speak life into your kids

Show them as a Mom that the place you go to for comfort is God.

I tell my kids satan is real, I don’t water it down, but I don’t give him power.

The enemy does not play nice

The 4 R’s - the process of teaching your kids to tend their hearts and identify lies the enemy speaks to them...

Recognize

Repent

Receive

Rejoice

If it aligns with scripture, the character of God and if it is encouraging - it is from God

Scripture is a solid place we can stand even when our feelings are not lining up

While my intentions and my heart for my children is good, God’s is better.

Super mom. Who is she? Does she exist? And is she worth emulating?

Today’s hustle culture creates a never ending hamster wheel that can very quickly fill our days with rushing from one thing to the next and add pressure for us and our kids to find our identities in what we do and not who we are.

Pretty soon we find ourselves and our families worn out, stressed out and living life waiting for the next break instead of soaking up the mundane moments that build the culture and character of our family.

And all because we wanted to be super mom and do the things the world defines as super!

How can we, as Christian moms, find balance in 'all the things' and still cultivate a God-centered culture in our homes and within our families?

Here to speak to this topic with me this week on the podcast is author, speaker and podcaster - Lisa Clark!

Lisa co-hosts both The Wonder podcast and Raising Sinners podcast with our friends over at Christian Parenting where she encourages Moms weekly to raise their children by God’s Word.

We’re going to talk about the “crazy lady” behind the super mom facade, how to establish what is negotiable and non-negotiable for your family’s schedule, embracing our average kids and so much more!

Lisa Clark is the author of Raising Sinners and co-hosts both The Wonder podcast and Raising Sinners podcast with our friends over at Christian Parenting where she encourages Moms weekly in all things Biblical parenting. She loves studying God’s word and imparting wisdom on women of all ages. Lisa lives in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area with her husband and enjoys time with her two grown daughters and 6 grandchildren.

Learn more about Lisa at lisaclarkspeaks.com and on Instagram!

Connect with Somer on Instagram, Facebook and at somercolbert.com

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

Our kids need love, tenderness, devotion, discipline, structure

We have the best intentions but super mom does not exist - and if she does, she’s exhausted, she’s anxious, she’s tired and she really is missing out on those mundane moments of the day. Those mundane moments of the day are where memories are made.

There is nothing in scripture that encourages us to hustle.

We need to understand that we are the vessel that God is using to get to His children, to bring His children back to Him.

List the negotiables and the non-negotiables in your life and see what you can cut out

We are passing the baton of faith

Make a list...

Things I’m doing to prepare my child for eternity vs. Things I’m doing to prepare my child for life - which one is more full?

80% of our children are leaving the faith when they leave home

I believe that is because those 80% don’t know who they are

Look outside of what your child is doing and focus on who they are

Deuteronomy 6

If we’re relying on the church to teach our children, we’ve missed the mark.

If we’re relying on a Christian school to our children, we’ve missed the mark.

1 Corinthians 10:31

The tipping point happens when it becomes the children’s identity…

It’s our job as moms and dads to de-program our kids from the messages of who the world says they are

It’s the struggle that keeps us on our knees

If we’re “good” we don’t need a whole lot of God