In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, guest Grace Utomo shares her journey of relearning to pray after a traumatic brain injury, based on her upcoming book, "Hello, God." She discusses how the experience drove her to explore the basics of prayer, focusing on building an authentic and personal dialogue with God. She also shares practical advice on how to strengthen one's relationship with God through prayer, even when words fall short.

Grace's book is a 31-day devotional aimed at helping readers nurture their prayer life, especially during times of discouragement and spiritual dryness, by drawing examples from scripture and her recovery journey.

00:24 Meet the Guest: Grace Utomo

01:17 Grace's Traumatic Experience and Recovery

02:47 Rediscovering Prayer After Trauma

04:41 Insights on Prayer and Personal Engagement with God

08:59 Overview of Grace's New Book

15:54 Encouragement for Those Struggling with Prayer

20:25 Final Thoughts and Where to Find More

Grab a copy of Grace's book, "Hello, God" here: https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/hello-god/

Use our code 'HELLO' for 25% off your pre-order!

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo interviews Gracie Nelson, a middle school Bible teacher and biblical counselor, about her mini-book, 'Help! Can I Choose My Own Gender?' The conversation delves into the importance of biblical authority and how teens can find reassurance in God's preordained design for gender. Gracie highlights her goal to help teens and their parents understand and navigate modern gender identity issues through a gospel-centered, heart-focused perspective. The episode emphasizes the value of submission, humility, and obedience in understanding and embracing God's pre-determined gender.

00:36 Introducing the Topic of Gender Identity

03:29 Cultural Messages and Teen Confusion

04:19 Biblical Perspective on Gender

07:00 Authority and Gender Identity

18:32 Christ as the Ultimate Example

23:29 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Grab a copy of our mini-book 'Help! Can I Choose My Own Gender?' here: https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/help-can-i-choose-my-own-gender/

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, Ginger Hubbard joins us to discuss her book 'Don't Make Me Count to Three.' They delve into heart-oriented discipline, the high calling of motherhood, and how to parent from a gospel-centered perspective. Ginger shares practical insights on addressing outward behavior from a biblical viewpoint, emphasizing the importance of understanding and guiding the child's heart. The conversation also touches on the struggles of modern parenting and the significance of scripture in practical child training. Aimed at both moms and dads, the episode offers encouragement and practical tools for implementing biblical principles in parenting.

00:25 Meet Ginger Hubbard

02:29 The High Calling of Motherhood

07:26 Parenting at the Heart Level

19:28 Biblical Reproof and Discipline

31:10 Encouragement for Moms and Dads

Grab a copy of our 'Don't Make Me Count to Three' by Ginger Hubbard here:

https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/dont-make-me-count-to-three/

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo is joined by Dr. John Temple to discuss his book, 'Help! I'm Drowning in Debt.' The conversation dives into common reasons Christians find themselves in debt such as wrong priorities, idolatry, and lack of self-control. Dr. Temple emphasizes the importance of finding contentment in God to combat materialistic influences. The discussion offers practical advice, including stopping further debt accumulation, increasing income, and eliminating unnecessary expenses. They stress the importance of balancing the sovereignty of God and human responsibility in managing finances. The episode concludes with a call to adopt disciplined budgeting and financial practices, framed within a Christian worldview.

00:34 Understanding Debt and Its Causes

01:36 Spiritual Solutions to Debt

03:14 Practical Steps to Get Out of Debt

04:11 Cutting Out Waste and Unnecessary Expenses

05:31 The Importance of Contentment

09:08 Avoiding Common Financial Mistakes

19:01 Balancing God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility

22:26 Resources and Final Thoughts

Grab a copy of our mini-book 'Help! I'm Drowning in Debt' here:

https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/help-im-drowning-in-debt/

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo welcomes John Temple to discuss his book 'Help. I'm Drowning in Debt.' John Temple shares his background, having grown up in South Africa and built a successful business career, and his commitment to applying biblical principles to everyday life, including finances. Temple provides practical advice on managing debt, the pitfalls of borrowing, and the importance of financial prudence and biblical stewardship. The conversation emphasizes the need for Christians to prioritize their relationship with God over material possessions and to make financial decisions that reflect eternal values rather than conforming to a consumerist lifestyle.

00:23 Introducing John Temple

01:08 Debt Crisis in America

03:54 Government Debt vs. Personal Debt

05:36 Causes of Debt

06:45 The Influence of Consumerism

09:01 Biblical Perspective on Debt

14:53 Practical Advice on Managing Debt

19:29 The True Cost of Financing

24:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Grab a copy of our mini-book 'Help! I'm Drowning in Debt' here:

https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/help-im-drowning-in-debt/

Follow Shepherd Press on social media for more insights:

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In this second part of our conversation about her mini-book 'Help! My Teen is Depressed,' Christine Chappell highlights the importance of open communication and establishing a healthy, Christ-centered parent-child relationship. She discusses the need for parents to listen intently to their children's struggles and compassionately address them with biblical truth. They explore the importance of shepherding your children through identity issues, grief, and fear. Anthony and Christine discuss treatment options from a biblical perspective, including the role of reliable physicians. Throughout the episode, Christine shares personal experiences from her family's journey, emphasizing the critical role of God's guidance and the value of community and church support through these challenging periods.

00:20 Challenges of Teen Depression

01:56 Building a Safe Communication Environment

06:50 Shepherding Through Fear and Anger

10:22 Addressing Identity and Grief in Teens

13:53 Exploring Treatment Options

17:18 Trusting God Through Challenging Times

20:52 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

23:58 Resources and Closing Remarks

Grab a copy of our mini-book 'Help: My Teen is Depressed' here:

https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/help-my-teen-is-depressed/

Follow Shepherd Press on social media for more insights:

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In this episode, guest Christine Chappell, certified biblical counselor and author, talks about her mini-book, 'Help: My Teen is Depressed.' Christine shares her testimony of navigating through a child's depression, providing counsel on how to navigate the feelings of helplessness parents often face. They discuss the importance of empathy, community support, and leaning on God during these difficult times. Christine also offers practical advice on how parents can respond compassionately and faithfully to their child's struggles. The conversation highlights the significance of seeking God’s wisdom and the support of the church community while navigating the complexities of teen depression.

00:18 Meet Christine Chappell: Author and Counselor

01:51 Navigating Teen Depression as a Parent

05:09 Relying on the Lord for Wisdom

07:41 The Role of Community and Family Support

13:08 Parental Guidance and Empathy

21:57 Conclusion

Grab a copy of our mini-book 'Help: My Teen is Depressed' here:

https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/help-my-teen-is-depressed/

Follow Shepherd Press on social media for more insights:

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In this episode host Anthony Russo welcomes author Deborah Howard for a second part of their discussion on her mini-book, 'Help! Someone I Love Has Cancer.' The conversation explores key themes from the book such as trusting God in suffering, the sovereignty of God over life and death, and finding comfort in the Gospel to face challenging times. Deborah highlights how God is soverign over sickness and health, and how He uses all suffering for His glory and our good. She also shares the cancer journey of her brother, and how his faith proves a testament to God's goodness. Deborah teases her upcoming book, 'A Quiet Confidence,' set for release in Spring 2025.

00:36 Trusting God Through Cancer

06:53 Understanding Treatment Options

10:08 The Importance of Asking the Right Questions

15:30 Respecting the Patient's Wishes

21:03 Faith in Action: Testimony of faithfulness through cancer

28:58 Final Thoughts and Resources

Grab a copy of our mini-book 'Help: Someone I Love Has Cancer' here: https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/help-someone-i-love-has-cancer/

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo converses with Deborah Howard, a retired RN and CHPN, and author of 'Help: Someone I Love Has Cancer.' They explore cancer's nature, causes, and the journey of caregiving. Deborah shares her experience in hospice care and emphasizes the importance of educating oneself about cancer and grounding oneself in the Gospel. They also highlighted how suffering can lead to Christlikeness and bring glory to God when surrendered to Him. The conversation provides insights into how both caregivers and patients can navigate this path in a Christ-centered manner.

00:31 Meet Deborah Howard

03:47 Understanding Cancer: Causes and Misconceptions

06:00 Confronting Cancer with Knowledge and Faith

12:35 Cancer and the Christian Perspective

18:15 The Role of Faith in Facing Death

23:58 Conclusion and Next Steps

Grab a copy of our mini-book 'Help: Someone I Love Has Cancer' here: https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/help-someone-i-love-has-cancer/

Follow Shepherd Press on social media for more insights:

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In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo interviews Grace Utomo, author of 'Walking with Grace: Embracing God's Goodness in Trauma.' Grace shares her journey of recovery after a severe accident and discusses how she has experienced God's goodness despite deep suffering. The conversation highlights the importance of trusting God's timing, seeking His presence daily, and relying on His strength through difficult seasons. Grace offers practical advice for others facing suffering, including praying with childlike faith, relying on God's provision day by day, and intentionally serving him through every season. She also provides important insights on how the church can help those recovering from trauma.

00:24 Meet Grace Utomo

01:29 Grace's Suffering Journey and God's Grace

04:32 Waiting on God through Unanswered Prayers

07:34 Biblical Response to Anger and Bitterness

15:13 Reflections on God's Faithfulness

21:04 Walking alongside those Experiencing Trauma

28:25 Conclusion and Resources

Grab a copy of our book "Walking with Grace: Embracing God's Goodness in Trauma": https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/walking-with-grace/

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Facebook: @shepherdpress

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