You Were Made for More

What does depression look like in teens and how can we help?

As youth leaders and parents, this is an important question we really need to take the time to answer. I did some of my own research to bring an episode that would be educational AND practical, but also asked my friend, Lauren White, who has been active in the counseling circle and in ministry with students for years to join us. Her experience and heart for the Lord brings wisdom - excited for y'all to hear from her! 

Before you listen to this episode, head over to our blog and read a background as to why this topic is so, so important for us to be equipped to handle.

My prayer is this would equip you to have hard but important conversations in your own ministry circles and open up spaces for students to be vulnerable in a safe environment with the hope of the Gospel. We all have a part to play! 

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode:

1. APA- American Psychological Association
2. Center on the Developing Child- Harvard University
3. Infoaboutkids.org - Body, mind, emotions, and relationships
4. Teens4teenshelp.org

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Instagram

“It is estimated that 16% of the world’s population lives with a disability – and is one of the largest, under-reached people groups in the world for the Gospel,” according to the Tim Tebow Foundation. 

A robust pro-life stance honors ALL life. This conversation is part of doing that. Join us as we reflect on what it means to honor life of all abilities. 

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode:

• Ministries to eɔuip your church:
  • https://alittleextralove.com/ 
  • https://amyjuliabecker.com/resources/
  • https://www.specialneedsministryresources.com/
• Disability Ministry: Why Should This Be Pro-Life?

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Instagram

Ready to Talk: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Gender and Sexuality  is a new resource written by Amber Garrett Carroll. Sammie sits down with her on today's episode to chat about the book and how it can practically help parents and the Church dive into these topics with confidence and preparedness, taking a proactive approach to issues we know they'll one day face. We talk about the 3 essential parts to her book - (1) the theological foundation, (2) practical conversation starters, and (3) same sex attraction/gender issues - and how parents are able to prepare for conversations with their kids in today's culture.

"In Ready to Talk, Amber Carroll prepares readers to do just that: talk. This book equips parents for the inevitable conversations ahead, offering practical recommendations, suggested wording, and developmentally attuned guidance. Carroll provides a wife randge of thoughtful teaching and sample responses to some of the most challenging topics parents worry they will one day face. The material on vocational singleness is especially inqure and accessibly. I highly recommend this book." -Mark Yarhouse, Psy. D., Author of Emerging Sexual Identities and Gender Identity and Faith

Amber graduated from Union University in 2008 with a degree in English Literature and Secondary Education. After college, she spent six years teaching middle and high school in the public school system, followed by several years at home raising babies while freelancing as an editor for publishers including Lifeway.

In 2019, she joined Equip, where she now serves as Vice President. Her primary focus is equipping Christian parents with the clarity, confidence, and courage they need to begin age-appropriate conversations with their kids about God-honoring sex, sexuality, gender. Her passion for helping parents talk with their kids about sex, sexuality, and gender in ways that build trust, deepen faith, and point them toward Jesus, is something we all can learn from. This work matters deeply to her as she has quite the personal connection to it that you'll hear about through our conversation. 

This book is for you if you’re…

– a Christian parent of children ages 2–12 and you realize conversations about sex, relationships, and gender are conversations you can't afford to avoid
– a grandparent, godparent, foster parent, aunt, or uncle
– a children’s ministry leader, Sunday School teacher, or kids’ volunteer
– anyone who cares about equipping kids to understand God’s design for sexuality and gender

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode:

• Amber's Free Resource - Parent Pack
• Amber's Instagram and Equip's Facebook
• Amber's Wesbite 
• Book Amber to Speak 
• Amber's Email: [email protected] 

Remember - Amber is assisting churches in hosting FREE events this year regarding these topics. Reach out to her with questions! 

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Instagram

This month's podcast is highlighting what it looks like to really do life with students faithfully with Sammie's friend, Janelle DiStefano. 

Get to know Janelle: 

"I'm on Young Life Staff in Sewickley, PA and married to my husband, Sam. I have been involved with the ministry of Young Life for 8 years (as a student, leader & now on staff)! Jesus brought me from death to life my sophomore year of high school & now I get to walk alongside students and share this good news with them every day. I’m passionate about being constant in students lives through all seasons. Entering into students brokenness with them changes lives for eternity! God is doing so much through my hesitant “yes” to full time ministry- praise God for redemption through Him!" 

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Instagram

Put first things first, and He’ll take care of the rest.

Emma Waters has implemented this quote from C.S. Lewis into her life and the flourishing of the fruit from it is beautiful. 

It is impossible to do justice to every detail of Lead Like Jael, but such a book is an essential how-to guide to create a world after feminism - one that honors women and gives space for us to use the gifts that God has given us. 

Waters' new book, Lead Like Jael, asks the question: What if the pursuit of “having it all” is costing women the very things they were made to love?

In a culture that insists women must choose between two extremes—become a “girl boss” or embrace a “tradwife” ideal—many find themselves longing for something deeper. Neither path fully answers the yearning for purpose, wisdom, and a life aligned with God’s design.

Lead Like Jael offers a better way with PRACTICAL steps to start living out this design - which is what I love about it! Idealistic and realistic - hallelujah! 

Written for women in every stage of life, Lead Like Jael rejects simplistic cultural labels and invites readers into biblical maturity. Waters makes the case for the Tent Peg Strategy, offering seven principles for living wisely in a disordered age:

• Discernment shaped by God’s Word
• Shrewdness guided by conviction and courage
• Resourcefulness grounded in duty to one’s home
• Hospitality as a life-giving and life-saving force 
• Marriage that embraces husbands as battle-mates, not rivals
• Motherhood as warfare wielding self-sacrificial love 
• Wise counsel from faithful women

Whether you’re just beginning your journey or guiding others along theirs, this book meets you where you are and speaks with strength, clarity, and hope. God’s Word leaves no room for passivity: “The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down” (Proverbs 14:1).

Emma Waters is a Policy Analyst for the Center for Technology and the Human Person at The Heritage Foundation. Her work focuses on family, bioethics, and reproductive technology. She is a former Visiting Fellow with Independent Women’s Forum and a contributing author with World Magazine. Emma graduated valedictorian of Lee University with a double major in Political Science and Biblical & Theological Studies. Today, she lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their two children. Follow her on X @emlwaters.

Here are some things we mentioned in this episode:

• Lead Like Jael

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Instagram

Ask yourself the question - "How is God parenting you?"

This one question will determine how you live your every day, especially as a mom. It will make all the difference in your parenting. 

In this episode, we talk about a variety of things, but highlight motherhood and the gift that it is: 

• God doesn’t waste or halt your dreams - He just reframes them and gives you a new mission field to live them out in. 
• Inviting your kids into everything - especially the mundane.
• How you model, discipline, and pray are greatly intertwined with your own relationship with God. 

Jessie Dains is a Registered Nurse with a Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, whom also is one of my dearest friends. Jessie says, "I prayed once and told God I would do the hardest thing for Him, whatever He asked. He made me a wife and a mom and led me to stay home with my kids and homeschool them." That's essentially who she is. And she absolutely crushes everything that she does. I can't wait for you to hear from her! 

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Instagram

What does it look like to live with open hands and an open heart - especially during times of uncertainty? 

This month we are bringing you a special conversation about hope, uncertainty, and faith, from Dr. Chaley Knight. 

Chaley has been a longtime member of the Waynesburg University campus as both a student and a counselor, which is how I met her. For my husband and I’s first three years of marriage, we lived in the little town just north of the PA/WV border called Waynesburg, and it brought so many great people into our circle. At the time, Juan was a youth pastor and we served the students of our church every Sunday at youth group. Chaley’s three kiddos were regulars there and we came to know and love them - they are so grown up now, and since we’ve moved away, we kept in touch via Facebook - the upside of social media! Chaley completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology from WU in 2004, earned her Master’s degree in counseling psychology in 2007. While a graduate student, she served as a resident director and resided in the residence hall with students. Before officially joining the Waynesburg University counseling staff, she worked within the community as a mental health therapist and addictions counselor. 

Chaley recently shared her testimony at Waynesburg University’s chapel the other week and I came across it on my feed when she shared it to encourage others through the joy and the heartaches of her story. The way that she spoke triggered a realization inside of me - how often we hold back our stories because we are too afraid to speak with a trembling voice. Chaley shared her story with trembling, holding back tears, but did so while pointing to the God who wrote her story and writes all of ours. He is good. He is with us. In all of the uncertainty. 

It should be noted that Chaley's original presentation of this message was given at Waynesburg University's Chapel as part of their Testimony Tuesday series. She graciously re-recorded her testimony for us to be blessed with on the You Were Made for More Podcast.

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Instagram

November is Adoption Awareness Month! 

This month specifically is meant to raise awareness about adoption, celebrate families formed through adoption, and highlight the need for permanent homes for children in foster care.

On this episode of the podcast, Sammie's friend and coworker, Johnston Moore, sits down and has a conversation with Chris Johnson, a pastor and adoptive dad who works with church engagement at Lifeline Children's Services.

The two discuss Chris's background, family life, and testimony - which inevitably dives into a conversation related to God’s call to the Church, and to individual Christians, to care for vulnerable children and their families, whether biological, adoptive, or foster. 

Johnston Moore serves as the Adoption/Orphan Care Consultant for Anglicans for Life and has been featured on the You Were Made for More podcast before - the perfect reason to invite him in to host an episode! Johnston is charismatic, generous, and has a heart for all of God's children.

Chris Johnson serves as the Sr. Director of Church Partnerships & External Advocacy at Lifeline Children’s Services. With over two decades of pastoral experience and a background as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Faith and Community Based Initiatives, Chris is a seasoned leader and advocate for vulnerable children and families.

A native of metro Atlanta, Georgia, Chris now resides in Birmingham, Alabama, with his wife, Alicia. Together, they have 10 children, seven of whom were adopted from foster care, and are proud grandparents, including two grandchildren adopted through foster care. Their commitment to serving children extends to fostering over 40 children throughout the years, embodying their dedication to family and community.

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

I am so thrilled to bring you this conversation today with my new friend, Ali! Chatting with Ali about her new book and about parenting really felt like a hug from the Lord in my own season of parenting little ones an being so intentional about the culture in our home. My prayer is that this book and her wisdom would bless you immensely! 

Ali Gilkeson is the author of Keeping the Light, and the New York Times bestselling book, My Lighthouse, as well as an internationally-known performer and speaker. She has traveled the world playing music and sharing stories with the band Rend Collective and is part of Rend Co. Kids, Rend Collective’s ministry creating music that both kids and adults can enjoy. She is a mother of three kids, raising them all on the road since six weeks of age. Ali grew up in Northern Ireland in a time of conflict and uncertainty, a childhood spent always looking over her shoulder but also learning to laugh in the middle of the chaos. Gifted as a communicator, she started traveling around Ireland as a speaker in her early twenties, taking any chance she could to encourage and embolden the young people she met. Ali currently lives in Nashville, TN with her family and is the kind of woman who makes jokes that most people don’t expect, tells captivating stories like you’re round the campfire, and is deeply passionate about raising good humans. 

“Son, it’s not our job as lighthouse keepers to decide who does and who does not deserve the light. Our job is to shine the light, no matter what.”
(Quote from Keeping the Light)

In this book, children will learn…

• The importance of showing grace and empathy towards others
• How to view difficult people (like bullies) through the eyes of love and understanding
• How they possess a special ability to share kindness to the world
• How to be brave when feeling intimidated or insecure

Be sure to head over and get your copy, today! 

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

This month's episode of the podcast is going to be formatted a little bit differently than our typical conversations. My prayer is that formatting an episode this way would challenge you to be vulnerable; find someone you trust to pray, ponder, and walk through this set of questions with you. 

Here's the truth: the way we view our bodies is not a shallow, surface issue for the immature or the vain. The way we view our bodies is a deeply spiritual issue because our bodies are made by God, in the image of God, and they are where we encounter God for now.

Body image IS a deeply spiritual issue.

After listening to this episode, here is a list of questions to walk through in your small groups, with a mentor, or quietly and independently with God:

1) What do you believe are the leading causes of body image struggles for young girls in our culture today?

2) WHY is it vital that we answer the hard questions, like - do I like this body and will I respect this body?

3) Advice for parents trying to help a teenager who struggles with "bad" or negative feelings about her physical appearance? IE: Our daughter has a poor body image and a distressingly negative view of herself, but she won't talk about it. How do we bring this up without smothering her, alienating her or otherwise hurting our relationship?

4) What are practical ways to teach kids to honor and respect their bodies, without body shaming? Some examples that I've come to appreciate: eating healthy foods that make me feel good, taste good, and give me energy - prioritizing sleep and rest - being active every day - focusing on holistic health (physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being) more than just the physical. 

Here are some resources we think will help to guide you in your conversations: 

• What God Has to Say about Our Bodies: How the Gospel Is Good News for Our Physical Selves 
• Breaking Free from Body Shame: Dare to Reclaim What God Has Named Good

Lastly, if you don't have anyone to walk through these questions with - WE would love to do that with you. Send us an email at [email protected] to connect. 

Be sure to stay up to date with Abundant Life: You Were Made for More by visiting our blog - and if you're loving the podcast, send guest recommendations to us or leave us a star-rating/review on your favorite listening platform to spread the word about the you were made for more message.

You Were Made for More Social Media: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram