Christian Parent, Crazy World

Do you ever look at other families and assume that they have it all together and yours doesn’t? Do you look at other pristine and put-together moms or dads and think that you are a hot mess? Do you look at the successes of your friends while focusing on all of your failures? There is a profound and often overlooked aspect of our family life that can sabotage us as parents—the desire to be “normal.” That family is perfect. Mine is hanging on by a thread. That mom is beautiful. I’m embarrassed to leave the house. That friend is a rock star. I’m a fake. Through a series of poignant, relatable stories, Catherine explores how this quest for normalcy infiltrates our lives, undermining our parenting and our individual purpose. Our deeply personal struggles and wounds—from infertility and abandonment to financial instability and physical imperfections—heighten the longing to be like "everyone else." But those lives that appear perfect are far from it. Everyone battles their own unique challenges that keep them from this mythical place called “Normal.” The pervasive desire for normalcy is a dangerous and sabotaging force. Being normal is a fiction, a fairy tale, a farce manufactured by the enemy of our souls. And on some level, we all struggle with it. We desperately need a shift in perspective. Our unique struggles and disabilities are precisely what draw us closer to God, if we will let them. The lie of “Normal” is one of the devil’s greatest hits, but in our deepest needs and struggles, God’s grace abounds and leads us to true fulfillment and strength. This episode supplies a much-needed pep talk to break free from the quest for normal and embrace God’s grace in every need. EPISODE RESOURCES: Normal (Blog) by Catherine Segars Ep. 119: Finding Freedom from Sexual Sin and Brokenness (w/ Dr. Lina Abujamra) Ep. 120: How the Prosperity Gospel Fueled Purity Culture and Undermined Our Parenting (w/ Dr. Lina Abujamra) 2 Corinthians 12:9 Philippians 4:19 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How has the prosperity gospel influenced purity culture, and what does that mean for parenting today? The connections might surprise you. Purity Culture, much like the prosperity gospel, promises rewards for adhering to specific behaviors, but it often leads to disappointment and shame. And all too often in the church, parents apply this same type of thinking to their children. Parents assume that they will be rewarded with God-honoring, God-fearing children if they teach their children all the right things and parent the Biblical way. Like with the Prosperity Gospel and Purity Culture, the emphasis is on the outcome, not your child's relationship with God. In this thought-provoking episode of "Christian Parent/Crazy World," Catherine engages Dr. Lina Abujamra in a candid discussion about the harmful effects of Purity Culture in Christian communities. They highlight how Purity Culture parallels the Prosperity Gospel by creating unrealistic expectations and measuring spiritual worth through outcomes rather than genuine faith and grace. Episode Highlights: Purity Culture and Prosperity Gospel: Lina Abujamra draws parallels between purity culture and the prosperity gospel, noting how both promise material or relational rewards for specific behaviors. While purity culture emphasizes sexual abstinence with the promise of perfect marriages and fulfilling sex lives, the prosperity gospel promises material wealth and success for faithful followers. Misplaced Expectations: Both movements often set up unrealistic expectations, leading to disillusionment and shame when life doesn’t unfold as promised. This results in individuals feeling unworthy or questioning their faith when they don’t receive the anticipated rewards. Misogynistic Undertones: Lina and Catherine criticize the misogynistic tendencies within purity culture, where women often bear a disproportionate burden of maintaining purity. Object lessons like the chewed gum or wilted flower are used to shame women, implying that they lose their worth through sexual activity. Biblical Misinterpretations: Both purity culture and the prosperity gospel teachings divert from Biblical truths, focusing more on human efforts and rewards than on God's grace and the transformative power through a relationship with Christ. Impact on Young Believers: Catherine and Lina discuss the generational fallout from purity culture, noting how younger Christians are increasingly rejecting outdated, shaming shaming messages. This shift highlights the need for a more grace-filled, genuine approach to faith that centers on a deep, personal relationship with God. Key Takeaways: - Parents should teach their children that faith isn't about earning rewards through good behavior, but about nurturing a genuine, loving relationship with Christ. - Rejecting the false promises of purity culture and prosperity gospel can prevent the deep disappointment and shame that arise from unmet expectations. - A grace-filled approach to faith that acknowledges personal struggles and imperfection can lead to more authentic spiritual growth and fulfillment. - Both purity culture and prosperity gospel distort the Gospel's core message by equating spiritual worth with specific outcomes, rather than the inherent value found in a relationship with Jesus. Guest bio: Dr. Lina Abujamra is a distinguished pediatric emergency room doctor, author, speaker, and the founder of Living With Power Ministries. Known for her dynamic and heartfelt approach, she offers practical biblical insights to help people navigate life's challenges with faith and resilience. Her most recent book, Don't Tell Anyone You're Reading This: A Christian Doctor’s Thoughts on Sex, Shame, and Other Troublesome Issues, offers a candid look into her sexual struggles and the grace that brought her freedom. OTHER EPISODES IN THIS SERIES: Ep. 119 "Finding Freedom from Sexual Sin and Brokenness" EPISODE RESCOURCES: “A Statement on I Kissed Dating Goodbye” by Joshua Harris Horatio Gates Spafford - “The Story behind the Hymn It is Well with My Soul” “The Amazingly Graced Life of John Newton” Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Butterfield Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I was and Who God Has always Been by Jackie Hill Perry A Change of Affection: A Gay Man’s Incredible Story of Redemption by Becket Cook SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: Matthew 5:8 John 13:35 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Sexual sin remains one of the most prolific yet overlooked issues within the Christian community. Despite the prevalence of church teachings on purity and righteousness, hidden struggles with sexual sin abound. Despite Jesus' promise of freedom in Scripture, pornography, illicit romantic novels and television shows, and sexual indiscretions continue to keep many believers in bondage. Statistics reveal a startling reality: 50% of American Christians ages 18 to 30 actively seek out porn annually. 68% of churchgoing men regularly view pornography. 20% of practicing Christians ages 18 to 30 actively seek out porn weekly. 15% of Christian women say that they watch porn at least monthly. Only 13% of Christian women say that they never watch porn. 20 % of youth pastors currently struggles w/ porn use. 68% of churchgoing men regularly view porn. 50% of pastors regularly view porn. 76% of Christians age 18 to 24 actively and regularly spend time searching porn sites. The average age kids see porn is 11. 95% of kids see porn by 14 . These hidden battles often lead to feelings of shame, isolation, and a performance-based relationship with God, making it harder to experience His grace, true intimacy, and freedom In this episode of "Christian Parent/Crazy World," Catherine is joined by Dr. Lina Abujamra, a pediatric ER doctor and founder of Living With Power Ministries, who delves into her own experiences and insights on breaking free from hidden sexual sin. Lina sheds light on how purity culture's unrealistic expectations can lead to a dangerous form of idolatry, causing individuals to ignore deeper issues and seek fulfillment through temporary distractions. Key Highlights: Purity Culture’s Impact: Lina unpacks how purity culture sets unrealistic expectations about marriage and intimacy, fostering a performance-based relationship with God. The Danger of Idolatry: Learn why idolizing a perfect life leads many to overlook deeper issues and lean on temporary distractions like TV, movies, and frivolous novels. Dealing with Hidden Sins: Lina emphasizes the necessity of addressing hidden sins openly and highlights the ease of falling into habits like consuming erotic content. Women like Lina have particularly struggled with pornographic novels and desire to be set free. The Importance of Safe Conversations: Lina shares her personal experiences, including the emotional hurt she faced within the church, and underscores the need for transparent discussions in our homes and communities. Sexual Sin in the Church: Catherine and Lina explore the alarming statistics on porn addiction among Christians, including pastors, and the urgent need for transparency. Guest Bio: Dr. Lina Abujamra is a distinguished pediatric emergency room doctor, author, speaker, and the founder of Living With Power Ministries. Known for her dynamic and heartfelt approach, she offers practical biblical insights to help people navigate life's challenges with faith and resilience. She has authored several impactful books, including Fractured Faith: Finding Your Way Back to God in an Age of Deconstruction, Resolved: 10 Ways to Stand Strong and Live What You Believe, and her most recent book, Don't Tell Anyone You're Reading This: A Christian Doctor’s Thoughts on Sex, Shame, and Other Troublesome Issues, which offers a candid look into her sexual struggles and the grace that brought her freedom. EPISODE RESOURCES: Featured resource: Don't Tell Anyone You're Reading This: A Christian Doctor’s Thoughts on Sex, Shame, and Other Troublesome Issues Ep. 110 How To Talk To Your Kids about Pornography (w/ Kristen Jensen) Good Pictures, Bad Pictures: Porn Proofing Today’s Young Kids by Kristen Jensen What’s Next? Stay tuned for our next episode, where Lina and I dive even deeper into purity culture, the impact of the prosperity gospel on views of sex and our parenting, and the role of shame in sin. This is a journey toward uncovering freedom and truth, one conversation at a time. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you know what your family's unique purpose or identity is? Can you and your kids name your family’s core values? If you feel like a deer in headlights when asked those questions, you aren’t alone. Families are at the heart of God's plan for the world, serving as unique units designed to fulfill His divine purposes. Yet churches often zoom in on assessing individual callings and miss the bigger picture of the family's role. As a result, most parents never discover their family’s unique God given design or purpose. They never consider what their family’s core values might be. In this episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, host Catherine Segars chats with Derek England, the Executive Director of Family ID. Together, they unpack God’s timeless design for the family and why understanding your family's unique purpose is vitally important. Episode Highlights: Family Identity and Purpose: Catherine and Derek dive into how each family has a distinct place in God's plan. They talk about the importance of establishing core family values that guide everything from daily decisions to long-term goals. From Past to Present: The conversation touches on traditional family roles, modern challenges, and key insights from Nancy Pearcey's book, The Toxic War on Masculinity. Creating Core Values: Derek shares his own family's journey in developing core values, values like being radically protective of quality time and maintaining unwavering integrity. Living Intentionally: Emphasizing the need to be intentional, Derek offers practical advice on defining and living out your family’s unique identity and values. Free Resources for Families: Take advantage of Family ID's free tools and resources, including a family assessment and masterclass, available at family-id.com. These resources are packed with activities, short videos, and worksheets to help you uncover your family's special purpose and core values. When the family is strong, each individual member is strong. Family ID helps parents embark on a journey of intentional family living, equipping them with invaluable tools and wisdom to foster a stronger, more unified family dynamic that glorifies God. Explore the divine importance of family in God's plan and begin your intentional family journey at www.family-id.com. Guest bio: Derek England is the Executive director of Family ID, an organization that is dedicated to transforming families by helping them discover and embrace their family identity, purpose, and direction. Family ID is founded on the belief that every family has a distinct role to play in God’s plan. To equip that plan, Family ID provides a ton of practical tools and resources to guide families in discovering their unique identity, purpose, and core values. EPISODE RESROURCES: Family ID Family ID Facebook Page Family ID Instagram Page “That the World May Know” with Ray Vander Laan The Toxic War on Masculinity by Nancy Pearcy EPISODIES REFERENCED: “5 Lies about Motherhood That Most Women Believe” – The Girl Defined Podcast “I don’t want to have kids… I want to pursue my career” – The Girl Defined Podcast SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: Ephesians 5:25-33 John 17:24 Proverbs 29:18 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Many parents face the dilemma of sending their kids to a secular college or university. These institutions claim to be diverse, equitable, and inclusive, and yet they only present one view on the most salient issues of our day. In this episode, Catherine shares her disconcerting experience at her oldest child's college orientation at a state-funded school. At the student orientation, student leader after student leader after student leader shared their name, their major, and their preferred pronouns. No other political references were made. No other religious beliefs were stated. Yet despite claiming a commitment to rigorous intellectual debate and freedom of thought, this school presented only one view on gender. And while insisting on preparing the next generation to live in the “real world,” university faculty and administrators aren’t even preparing kids to live in their “real bodies.” When Catherine discussed this blatant progressive evangelism on the part of the university with other Christians at the orientation, parents just shrugged this indoctrination off as being “the way it is.” When “the way it is” is harming children, we have to speak up. To lay the foundation for this conversation, Catherine explores perspectives on preferred pronouns from both Christian and secular sources. She highlights: Rosaria Butterfield, a former radical lesbian activist turned Christian, who underscores the impact of using preferred pronouns and affirming false ideologies. Preferred pronouns aren’t a matter of terminology. They are a matter of ideology. No good can come from affirming a false ideology. The viral cancelled article "Pronouns Are Rohypnol," which sheds light on the perception shifts and safety implications associated with preferred pronouns. The tragic story of Richie Herron, a young man who underwent gender reassignment surgery after being groomed by a gender clinic, who highlights the dangers of promoting gender ideology without recognizing the consequences. These tragic stories begin with a small word—a simple, loving, culturally-approved preferred pronoun. But they end in unfair and unsafe spaces for women and girls, excruciating pain, infertility, butchered bodies, and broken lives. Catherine urges listeners to not remain neutral when it comes to the truth about gender. If our state schools want to claim a standard of diversity, equity, and inclusion, then all views should be represented. They must not claim a DEI standard while practicing uniformity, inequity, and exclusion. The episode culminates with Catherine sharing her open letter to the university, urging them to uphold true diversity by considering all perspectives and challenging the status quo. “A truly valuable education should challenge one’s ideology and deeply held convictions, not acquiesce or coddle. Not show favor or bias. Not proudly promote DEI while practicing ideological uniformity, preference, and exclusion. Not embrace bandwagons or reject them without rigorous consideration.” Christian parents must stand firm in their beliefs, resist pressure to conform to harmful ideologies, and speak up. The next generation won’t hear the truth about who they are if we don’t speak it. EPISODES REFERENCED: Episode 115: Exposing the Lost Landscape of Higher Education (w/ David Richardson) Episode 112: Navigating Tough Conversations about Pronouns with Your Kids (w/ Ryan & Bethany Bomberger) Episode 49: How Does a Committed Church Kid become a Drag Queen? (w/ Blake Howard) Episode 50: How Does a Drag Queen become a Minister of the Gospel? (w/ Blake Howard) EPISODE RESOURCES: “Why I no longer use Preferred Pronouns—and Why You shouldn’t, either” by Rosaria Butterfield The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor’s Journey into Christian Faith, by Rosaria Butterfield “Pronouns are Rohypnol,” by Barra Kerr “Woke Doctors TRICKED me into Gender Surgery—Ritchie Herron” (Andrew Gold/Heretics) ‘I Immediately Experienced Regret’: British Man Recounts Horror of Gender-Transition Surgery,” National Review “Time to Think—What went wrong at the Tavistock Clinic,” Financial Times “Transgender to Transformed: Laura Perry's Story,” CBN Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We are all assuming something about the nature of reality. Our core assumptions exist because there isn’t definitive proof for any belief system. In this thought-provoking episode, Catherine and her guest, David Richardson, take a deep dive into the core assumptions that shape our beliefs about reality. In his first book Transparent: How to See Through the Powerful Assumptions That Control You, Dave defines the three primary types of assumers: Type I, Type II, and Type III, each with distinct perspectives on the nature of reality. Type I Assumers believe in a materialistic world where only physical matter and energy are considered real and important. This perspective is the foundation for understanding the world through a purely physical lens. Type II Assumers view reality as primarily non-physical, emphasizing beliefs that focus on spiritual or idealistic objectives. This perspective leads to beliefs in spiritual evolution or sociopolitical perfection as driving forces in the universe. Type III Assumers recognize a dual reality where both physical and non-physical aspects coexist, all created by a higher power. This perspective highlights the importance of acknowledging the Creator and creation in shaping one's view of reality. The impact of these core assumptions are vast and explain virtually everything that is going on in our world today, like how extreme progressives are siding with radical Islamists on college campuses. Have you been wondering why that is? If you look at what Islam teaches, it is the opposite of what Progressivism preaches. They are diametrically opposed. Dave explains how such divergent belief systems are finding a kinship on college campuses across the country. Spoiler alert: It has something to do with their underlying assumptions. Dave also shares his critical assumptions test, an invaluable evangelistic tool that helps individuals evaluate a person’s core assumptions and their alignment with reality. This test consists of eight questions that prompt someone to reflect on their beliefs about the nature of reality, the origin of knowledge, and the purpose of human existence. By engaging with this test, you can quickly assess what a person believes and see how their core assumptions affirm or deny reality. Guest bio: David Richardson, author of Transparent: How to See Through the Powerful Assumptions That Control You, is the founder of the Assumptions Institute and its Chief Executive Officer. Prior to founding the Assumptions Institute, Richardson served for 30 years on the staff of Cru, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ, devoting most of his ministry to university professors. He holds a B.A. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Portland, and an M.A. degree in Theological Studies from the International School of Theology. Richardson also holds an MTh. degree in Applied Theology from the University of Oxford. EPISODE RESOURCES & LINKS: UC Berkeley’s campus is in turmoil. It’s unlike anything in recent memory – Politico (4/21/24) BLM spent at least $12M on luxury properties in LA, Toronto – New York Post (5/17/22) Black Lives Matter Secretly Bought a $6 Million House – New York Mag: Intelligencer ((4/4/22) Jennifer Fulwiler Testimony - From Atheist to A Daughter of God – Godstrong Faith SCRIPTURE PASSAGES REFERENCED: Gen. 11 – The Tower of Babel Rom. 7:18 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Does the concept of worldview have a fatal flaw baked into the premise? Could the Christian worldview possibly be leading kids away from the faith? David Richardson, author of Transparent: How to See Through the Powerful Assumptions That Control You, reveals the shocking origin of this term and challenges the way it is used by almost everyone in our culture. There is an inherent flaw in the term “worldview” that we need to be aware of, and we need to make sure our kids don’t fall for it. Those of us who profess a Biblical worldview recognize the underlying concept of absolute truth. However, inherent in the term “worldview” is the idea that the way each individual person views the world is where truth is found. Reality is defined by what we perceive. It is defined by our senses. It is defined by the worldview glasses we choose to put on. So, in other words, reality is defined by our worldview and our worldview is what we choose for it to be. That makes truth subjective, even if our particular worldview maintains that truth is universal. We have to realize that subjectivity is baked into how most people use the term worldview. We’re not on the same page. We’re not even in the same universe. In this episode, Catherine and Dave dive into the origins of the term worldview, which was a concept coined by the German Philosopher Immanuel Kant. Then Dave encourages parents to adopt a more nuanced and effective approach based on assumptions rather than rigid and subjective worldviews. Looking ahead, the podcast promises to delve deeper into the three primary assumption types and their implications for navigating diverse beliefs and perspectives. By equipping parents with a fresh way to engage with differing worldviews, the upcoming episode aims to empower listeners to guide their children's faith journey with clarity and understanding. Guest bio: David Richardson is the founder of the Assumptions Institute and its Chief Executive Officer. Prior to founding the Assumptions Institute, Richardson served for 30 years on the staff of Cru, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ, devoting most of his ministry to university professors. He holds a B.A. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Portland, and an M.A. degree in Theological Studies from the International School of Theology. Richardson also holds an MTh. degree in Applied Theology from the University of Oxford. His dissertation, “Accepting Christian Faith in the Academy” was an important exploratory study of the religious attitudes and beliefs of university professors and how to reach them for Christ. He understands education and educators very well. Richardson’s first book, Transparent: How to See Through the Powerful Assumptions That Control You released from Clovercroft Publishing. Dave's Website: Learn to Discern EPISODE RESOURCES & LINKS: Barna Research: American Worldview Inventory 2024 (Release 3) - Explaining America’s 40-Year Drop in Biblical Worldview- And How to Reverse that Decline Barna Research: American Worldview Inventory 2024 (Release 2) - Millions of Americans Embrace Common Unbiblical Perspectives, Survey Shows Barna Research, American Worldview Inventory 2024 Release 1) - America Needs Spiritual Renewal More than a Political Majority Barna Research: “Emerging Gen Z May Deliver Huge Blow to Religion in U.S.” (6/8/18) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Philosophy Professor Peter Boghossian notoriously claimed that “faith is a cognitive sickness that’s been turned into a moral virtue.” He went on to say that every class is an opportunity to help students lose their faith. When the instructors our kids sit under in higher education come in with an agenda like that, Gen Z’s sharp exodus from the faith makes sense. A child would have to be well prepared to withstand that kind of onslaught to their faith. In this episode of "Christian Parent, Crazy World," Catherine delves into the critical question of how higher education is leading Christian kids away from their faith. Her special guest, David Richardson, brings a unique perspective on the landscape of higher education. With over 32 years of experience working with college and university professors, Dave sheds light on the challenges faced by Christian youth in academic settings. Dave's journey from atheist student to faith in Christ provides a powerful testimony of God's transformative work on college campuses. His insights into the beliefs and attitudes of professors shed light on the disconnect between faith and academia. Catherine and Dave explore the impact of higher education on the youth exodus from Christianity and the role of Christian parents in navigating this challenging terrain. The conversation delves into the importance of connecting faith to real-world issues and the need for Christians to live out their beliefs authentically. Hypocrisy and the lack of a tangible connection between God and academic disciplines are identified as key concerns for atheist and agnostic professors. The episode highlights the historical roots of the formalized discipline of science in Western Christian culture and the role of faith in shaping scientific inquiry. The discussion sets the stage for a deeper exploration of core assumptions that influence belief systems in the next episode. As parents grapple with the decision to send their children to secular institutions, Catherine and Dave offer valuable insights into understanding the challenges faced by Christian youth in higher education. By addressing the disconnect between faith and academia, this episode aims to equip parents with the knowledge and tools to support their children's faith journey in an increasingly secular world. Guest bio: David Richardson is the founder of the Assumptions Institute and its Chief Executive Officer. Prior to founding the Assumptions Institute, Richardson served for 30 years on the staff of Cru, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ, devoting most of his ministry to university professors. He holds a B.A. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Portland, and an M.A. degree in Theological Studies from the International School of Theology. Richardson also holds an MTh. degree in Applied Theology from the University of Oxford. His dissertation, “Accepting Christian Faith in the Academy” was an important exploratory study of the religious attitudes and beliefs of university professors and how to reach them for Christ. He understands education and educators very well. Richardson’s first book, Transparent: How to See Through the Powerful Assumptions That Control You released from Clovercroft Publishing. EPISODE RESOURCES & LINKS: Dave's Website: Learn to Discern Civil Air Patrol (CAP) 5 Views on Apologetics , Steven B. Cowen editor Expelled: No Evidence Allowed by Ben Stein Ben Stein Interview with Richard Dawkins Barna Research: “Emerging Gen Z May Deliver Huge Blow to Religion in U.S.” (6/8/18) Peter Boghossian interview PragerU: “We Should Burn the University System to the Ground PSU philosophy teacher wants to question students' faith-based beliefs – The Oregonian 11/10/11) “Should We Challenge the Beliefs of Our Students?” (Sandwalk, 3/9/12) “Faith No More: Professor Peter Boghossian on Why You Should Kick Your Faith to the Curb” (Portland Mercury, 4/5/12) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Ryan Bomberger has been told that he should have never been born, that he doesn’t deserve to live. Repeatedly. Why? Because Ryan was conceived in rape. Less than 1% of pregnancies begin in the violent act of rape. Yet despite this extremely uncommon occurrence, the pro-choice narrative myopically centers around this rare circumstance as a justification for ending an innocent life. But people seldom ask: Is a child conceived in rape less human, less valuable to society? Is he or she less valuable to God? Pro-abortion advocates say that a child conceived in rape is, and some pro-lifers even make that exception as well. Ryan’s remarkable testimony of being conceived in rape but adopted in love serves as a powerful reminder that every life is sacred, valuable, and has purpose—regardless of the circumstances of their conception. Catherine and Ryan also explore the wonderful gift of adoption and the pervasive misconceptions surrounding the pro-life movement by highlighting the comprehensive support provided by pro-life organizations to women facing unplanned pregnancies. These workers provide holistic care before and after birth, offering housing, work opportunities, health care, furniture, baby supplies, childcare classes, and physical and emotional care for moms who don’t have a support system. Their conversation also touches on the book "Pro-Life Kids" authored by Ryan's wife, Bethany, which brilliantly simplifies complex arguments about the value of life for children to comprehend. The book reinforces the idea that every human being, regardless of their circumstances, possesses intrinsic value and dignity. RYAN BOMBERGER’S BIO: Ryan Bomberger, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, The Radiance Foundation (www.radiance.life). Ryan has been named “one of the 50 greatest pro-life leaders in the last 50 years” in the book “Legacy of Life.” Author of the book “Not Equal: Civil Rights Gone Wrong” (www.notequalbook.com). Co-author of the children’s books “He is He” (www.HeIsHe.org) and “She is She” (www.SheIsShe.com). To learn more information about Radiance Foundation, visit www.radiance.life Radiance Foundation Social Media Pages: Radiance Facebook Page (@radiancefoundation): facebook.com/radiancefoundation Radiance Twitter Page (@lifehaspurpose): twitter.com/lifehaspurpose Radiance Instagram Page (@radiancefoundation): instagram.com/radiancefoundation Radiance YouTube Page (RadianceFoundation): youtube.com/user/RadianceFoundation EPISODE LINKS: “My Life Has Purpose” Interview with Lila Rose of Live Action “Ryan Bomberger: Woke Culture, Critical Race Theory, and Protecting Life” with ReFOCUS Jim Daly SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: Romans 4:17 Psalm 139 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In our culture, the use of preferred pronouns has become ubiquitous among Gen Zers and beyond. As a parent, you may have noticed this trend and wondered how to approach the subject with your children, especially your younger ones. It's crucial to start having conversations about pronouns and gender identity very young as many schools have embraced an agenda to "break the binary" in kindergarten. Ryan and Bethany Bomberger, co-founders of the Radiance Foundation, recognize the importance of addressing this issue and have created valuable resources to help parents navigate these conversations. In this episode, the Bombergers share their insights on the topic and discuss their groundbreaking books, She is She and He is He, which aim to reinforce simple, biological truths about gender. Ryan and Bethany emphasize the significance of bridging the gap between personal worldviews and addressing difficult topics with confidence. Episode highlights: The importance of addressing the issue early. The "Break the Binary" initiative in kindergarten. The importance of reinforcing simple biological truths with young children. The rise of the “T” in gender ideology creating a contradiction in the LGBTQ+ community. The dangers of hormone blockers and cross-sex hormones on young individuals. The deceptive nature of the transgender ideology and its impact on society. The role of Planned Parenthood in promoting gender confusion. How parental rights are under assault. Long-term studies on the effects of sex reassignment. Finding freedom in embracing one’s biological gender. The power of love, truth, and faith in guiding children towards their authentic selves . As parents, it is our responsibility to engage in honest, open conversations with our children about the complex issues they face in today's world, including the topics of pronouns and gender identity. By equipping ourselves with the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate these conversations, we can help our children understand the importance of embracing their biological sex and the freedom that comes with living authentically as the individuals God created them to be. Bios: Ryan Bomberger, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, The Radiance Foundation (www.radiance.life). Ryan has been named “one of the 50 greatest pro-life leaders in the last 50 years” in the book “Legacy of Life.” Author of the book “Not Equal: Civil Rights Gone Wrong” (www.notequalbook.com). Co-author of the children’s books “He is He” (www.HeIsHe.org) and “She is She” (www.SheIsShe.com). Bethany Bomberger, Co-founder and Executive Director, The Radiance Foundation (www.radiance.life). Author of the book “PRO-LIFE KIDS!” (www.prolifekids.com) as well as co-author of the children’s books “He is He” (www.HeIsHe.org) and “She is She” (www.SheIsShe.com). To learn more information about Radiance Foundation, visit www.radiance.life Radiance Foundation Social Media Pages: Radiance Facebook Page (@radiancefoundation): facebook.com/radiancefoundation Radiance Twitter Page (@lifehaspurpose): twitter.com/lifehaspurpose Radiance Instagram Page (@radiancefoundation): instagram.com/radiancefoundation Radiance YouTube Page (RadianceFoundation): youtube.com/user/RadianceFoundation FULL SHOW NOTES WITH RESOURCES CITED. Resources cited & consulted: Long-Term Follow-Up of Transsexual Persons Undergoing Sex Reassignment Surgery: Cohort Study in Sweden (Published in the National Library of Medicine 4 out of 5 kids, who question gender ‘grow out of it’: Transgender expert New York Post Planned Parenthood: Less Care, No Matter What (The Radiance Foundation, 1/25/24) Planned Parenthood, LGBT Inc. and Comprehensive Sex Miseducation (The Radiance Foundation, 4/8/22) Planned Parenthood Steps Deeply into Transgender Hormones, Including for Minors: Annual Report (The Washington Stand, 4/28/23) Planned Parenthood Offering Transgender Hormone Therapy to Minors across the Country (KATV, 7/13/22) Laura Perry Smalts Testimony on The 700 Club Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

There is a truth to glean from a Pennsylvania field that can save the world. And we will miss it… if we don’t turn our eyes to see and our ears to hear. A lot of us are taking stock of where our country is right now. Our heads are spinning as we have watched these recent heartbreaking events unfold. We are dazed and confused. How do we make sense of it all? In this episode, Catherine breaks down the recent assassination attempt of Donald Trump with a prophetic ear to hear what God is saying through these supernatural events. Throughout Scripture, God speaks symbolically through the events that happen in our world. This is how He communicates, and He hasn’t stopped. We must listen to what He is saying through the crazy events unfolding in our time. He has a lot to say if we will give him our ear. Through a narrative that intertwines political events, civic duties, and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the episode emphasizes the message of salvation and redemption. Catherine urges listeners to open their ears to God's voice and turn their eyes towards the light of Jesus, highlighting the eternal truth that human leaders cannot save us, but only through accepting Jesus' sacrifice can true salvation be found. Join Catherine as she delves into a profound exploration of spiritual truths amidst the chaos of the modern world. EPISODES & RESOURCES REFERENCED: To receive a FREE list of Scriptures to pray over our nation and a book mark listing our national leaders, subscribe HERE.] Episode 110: How Do We Heal Our Nation: 9 Ways To Unite and Restore 9 Ways We Can Unite and Restore Our Nation (article) "Former fire chief killed at Trump rally hailed as a 'hero,' two more victims identified" (NBC News) SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: Matt. 11:15 Mark 4:9. 23 John 3:16-21 Matthew 13:1-23 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Against the backdrop of recent troubling events and escalating tensions, Catherine delves into the profound divisions that have permeated society, emphasizing the critical role of faith in bridging these divides. In this timely episode, Catherine offers 9 guidelines to help heal our nation and bring about unity. These guidelines are not only spiritual but also relational, aiming to bridge the divide by the disciplines of prayer and fasting, and then fostering understanding and a shared sense of humanity with these best practices during contentious exchanges. SPIRITUAL GUIDELINES: Seek God's Perspective: Spend time in God's presence daily, disengaging from the world and engaging with Him to understand His perspective for our nation. Fast Regularly: Set aside longer periods of time to disengage from the world and engage with God through fasting. Prioritize Prayer: Specifically pray for our nation and leaders, seeking God's guidance and protection for them. Pray with Your Children: Model prayer for your children, involving them in praying for the nation and its leaders. Pray Corporately: Join with other believers in your church to pray for the nation, seeking unity and healing together. RELATIONAL GUIDELINES: 6. Challenge Policies, Not People: Focus on discussing policies rather than attacking individuals, respecting differing viewpoints. 7. Respect, Don't Ridicule: Avoid using derogatory labels and show respect towards those with opposing views. 8. Don't Assume a Motive: Refrain from assuming the motives behind someone's political stance, focusing on discussing methods rather than intentions. 9. Focus on Experience, Not Argument: Recognize that personal experiences can be more persuasive than arguments, aiming to share experiences that lead others to God. The episode culminates in a heartfelt prayer for the nation, calling for divine intervention, restoration, and a renewed sense of unity among individuals and communities. Catherine inspires listeners to embrace faith, prayer, and compassion as transformative tools in navigating the challenges of a divided society. SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: 2 Chronicles 7:14-16 Matthew 5:43-45 Proverbs 22:6 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If we want our kids to stand strong in their faith, we need to have real answers to some of their hardest questions about God and His Word.Why did God use men to write His book? In this episode, Catherine unpacks this question and the powerful, life-altering answer. The fact that God used anointed men to write the Bible reveals this unmistakable truth: God's works through human beings to accomplish His will here on earth. This means that God wants to use our lives and the lives of our kids to write His story in our own time. This truth gives us incredible hope and purpose. Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Intercessory Prayer: How God Can Use Your Prayers to Move Heaven and Earth by Dutch SheetsBible Verses Discussed in This Episode:2 Chronicles 16:9; Matthew 13:54-58Find Catherine at https://catherinesegars.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Trying to find wholesome entertainment can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. As Christians, the most we usually hope for is entertainment that doesn’t undermine what we believe. But finding entertainment that actually reinforces Biblical values while wrestling through tough issues, does that even exist? It does. In this episode, Catherine is joined by author Felicia Ferguson to explore the world of redemptive fiction, a genre that tackles real-life issues from a biblical perspective. Felicia's latest novel, When Secrets Come Calling, could be ripped from today's headlines. The story centers on a dark secret that threatens to destroy the lives of a former couple. Felicia's characters turn to each other and then to God for hope and answers. Catherine and Felicia also discuss the importance of finding inspiring stories that shine God's light, especially in a world where such content can be hard to come by. Together, they dive into the impact fiction can have in addressing tough topics and encouraging listeners to make a difference for God's kingdom. Join Catherine and Felicia for a laid-back conversation that offers a refreshing break from the usual tough topics discussed on the show, and find the perfect beach read for your summer vacation. BOOK GIVEAWAY!: Enter for a chance to win a copy of Felicia’s award-winning debut novel, The Choices She Made by subscribing HERE or responding to Catherine's Instagram post. GUEST BIO: Felicia achieved master’s degrees in Healthcare Administration and Speech-Language Pathology, but has written since childhood and dreamed of authoring books that teach and inspire others. An award-winning fiction and non-fiction freelance writer, she has published several devotions and sweet romance short stories. Her passion, however, is writing women’s fiction and romantic suspense with strong female characters who work through their traumas and tragedies using biblical principles and counseling techniques. She is the past president of the Destin chapter of Word Weavers International, a member of the Pikes Peak Word Weavers chapter, the American Christian Fiction Writers Association, and incoming vice president of ACFW Colorado Springs. In 2024, she served as the conference coordinator for ACFW Colorado Springs’ Write in the Springs Conference. Her radio devotional, Build Faith for the Journey, airs Saturdays on Christian Mix 106. EPISODE RESOURCES Felicia Ferguson’s Website & Instagram When Secrets Come Calling The Choices She Made (debut novel) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As parents, we spend a lot of time and energy ensuring that our kids are safe in their physical spaces. We put up safeguards around hour homes. We go to great lengths to live in a safe neighborhood and send our kids to a safe school. But what about our kid’s digital spaces? The threats for our children are as significant in cyberspace as they are in their physical space. Catherine welcomes back Kristen Jenson, founder of Defend Young Minds, to discuss the threats our children face in cyberspace and how to protect them. Defend Young Minds creates powerful resources to protect children online. Our culture says that our children deserve privacy online, but no child deserves to face these threats alone. We may think that our child is just upstairs playing a video game, but there are dangers in digital spaces. You wouldn’t drop your child off in Central Park and say, “Have fun! I’ll see you in a few hours…” And yet we often leave our kids vulnerable to dangerous influences from around the world when we hand them an unprotected, unmonitored device. Some digital dangers that can ensnare kids include: Pornography Sexting Cyberbullying Sextortion Trafficking Tackling all the technology surrounding our kids may seem like an insurmountable task, but while our kids may have more tech savvy, we have wisdom. And we must use it to protect our kids. About the Guest: Kristen A. Jenson, MA is the founder of Defend Young Minds and #1 best-selling author of the Good Pictures Bad Pictures series of read-aloud books which have translations in 10 languages. She is also the executive producer of the Brain Defense: Digital Safety curriculum and the owner and CEO of Glen Cove Press, LLC. RESCOURCES MENTIONED: To enter the giveaway for a free set of Kristen’s books, SUBSCRIBE HERE. Defend Young Minds: All Articles Defend Young Minds: Tackle the Tech (section) 7 Essential Rules for New Tech to Safeguard Your ChildDo Kids Deserve Digital Privacy? 3 Myths Debunked for Smart ParentsBrain Defense: Digital Safety (curriculum) Good Pictures, Bad Pictures Book Series CPCW Episode 105: Social Media and Our Kids: What Every Parent Needs To Know Defend Young Minds Website How To Talk to Kids about Pornography (free guide) My Kids Saw Porn, Now What (guide) TECH RESOURCES: Gryphon Parent Control Router Canopy Filtering Software The Ultimate Comparison of the Best Smartphones for Kids in 2023: Pinwheel, Gabb, Troomi, Bark and MMGuardian Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Few conversations make parents fill more ill-equipped and tongue-tied than discussing the topic of pornography with our kids. How do we even broach the subject? Catherine’s guest has created a book series that does all of the hard work for us. Kristen Jenson is the #1 best-selling author of the Good Pictures Bad Pictures series of read-aloud books, which have been translated into 10 languages. These books define pornography and warn against the threats, and then they provide parents and kids with a game plan to defend young minds against the dangers. In this episode, Kristen walks parents through the Defend Young Minds triple defense plan for parents: Get the facts. Arm your kids. Continue the conversation As parents, we must give our kids the proper vocabulary to discuss this threat while explaining the dangers lurking behind enticing pictures and videos. And we need to empower our children to resist the temptation. Pornography isn’t your child’s fault, but it is their problem. No child deserves to face the porn industry alone. They need to be educated and they need to have a strategy for the moment when they encounter pornography. About the author Kristen A. Jenson, MA is the founder of Defend Young Minds and #1 best-selling author of the Good Pictures Bad Pictures series of read-aloud books which have translations in 10 languages. She is also the executive producer of the Brain Defense: Digital Safety curriculum and the owner and CEO of Glen Cove Press, LLC. RESOURCES MENTIONED: To enter the giveaway for a free set of Kristen’s books, SUBSCRIBE HERE. Good Pictures, Bad Pictures Book Series Defend Young Minds Website How To Talk to Kids about Pornography (free guide) My Kids Saw Porn, Now What (guide) How God Made Your Body by Jim Burns (ages 3-5) How God Makes Babies by Jim Burns (ages 6-9) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The Surgeon General came out with a very troubling report recently on social media usage among children that should concern us as parents. What are those warnings and what do we as parents need to know to safeguard our kids? Catherine has invited Dr. Walt Mueller back to break it all down for us. Covered in this episode: *Often overlooked good things to celebrate in the area of technology and social media. *The shocking statistics and serious warnings contained in the recent Surgeon General’s Report on children and social media usage. *Warning signs of device addiction. *Important questions to ask ourselves regarding our device and social media usage as parents. *How to have meaningful conversation with our kids on the topic of social media. *Vital guidelines for protecting our kids from social media and device addiction. Bio: Dr. Walt Mueller is the founder and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, a non-profit organization serving schools, churches, and community organizations around the world in their efforts to strengthen families. Walt has been working with young people and families for over 35 years, and with a Masters of Divinity and a Doctorate in Postmodern Generation from Gordon Cromwell Theological Seminary, he has become a recognized authority on youth culture, family issues, and all things having to do with teens and their world. Walt is also the host of the Youth Culture Matters Podcast. EPISODE RESOURCES & LINKS: The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding Youth Culture Matters Podcast Youth Culture Matters: Episode 179 “Teens, Tech, and Social Media – A Youth Worker Roundtable” Social Media and Youth Mental Health – The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory 2023 Pew Research Center: Teens, Social Media and Technology (2022) The Social Dilemma (Netflix) Tony Renke: 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You Greg Luukianoff & Jonathan Haidt: The Coddling of the American Mind Jean Twenge: IGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood CPYU Parent Prompt: Social Media & God’s Glory Unplugged (FOTF)Effective Strategies: Tips for Influencing Your Child’s Social Media Use Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Media is bombarding our children at every turn, and at the same time the generation gap is widening. Catherine’s special guest, Dr. Walt Mueller specializes in understanding the next generation—their thought processes, their challenges, and the many ways that entertainment and media are bombarding our kids’ lives with deeply concerning messages. As founder and president of The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, Walt has worked as a cross generational liaison for more than 35 years. Threats from the entertainment world have proliferated with endless internet and television inroads and influences. Walt and Catherine discuss concerning messages from: *Mr. Beast *Arthur *Madagascar *Chip & Potato *My Little Pony *Rugrats *Doc McStuffins *Ridley Jones As Walt wisely advises, we must read, listen to, and watch what is engaging the hearts and minds of our kids. We must not to be alarmist, but we must be aware. And we must speak first on all of these topics to establish a foundation of truth for our kids. Bio: Dr. Walt Mueller is the founder and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, a non-profit organization serving schools, churches, and community organizations around the world in their efforts to strengthen families. Walt has been working with young people and families for over 35 years, and with a Masters of Divinity and a Doctorate in Postmodern Generation from Gordon Cromwell Theological Seminary, he has become a recognized authority on youth culture, family issues, and all things having to do with teens and their world. Walt is also the host of the Youth Culture Matters Podcast. EPISODE RESOURCES & LINKS: The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding Youth Culture Matters Podcast CPYU Blog The Latest on Teens and Social Media Feb. 23, 2024 EPISODE 81: Can Your Kids Be Whoever They Want to Be in Life? All Creatures Great and Small (Masterpiece Theater) Will Mr. Best ‘Indoctrinate Young Children with Trangender Propaganda?,’ SBC Leader Asks Romper List of Shows with LGBTQ+ Characters The No-Watch List: Guide to All the Kid’s Shows and Movies that Have LGBTQ Characters and Content (Scott Smith) FOTF: Plugged In TV & Movie Reviews Christian Courier: Guidelines for Children’s Entertainment The Social Dilemma (Netflix) FAITH BASED SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES FOR KIDS: Minno Pureflix Kids Yippie Shalom World Faithlife TV Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The mental health crisis in our country is at critical mass. Children are struggling like never before and parents are concerned, as they should be. What foundation do we need to have in place to help our kids to be strong mentally? Catherine’s guest, Dr. Bill Senyard, shares some warning signs that a child is struggling and offers practical ways to establish a strong foundation for your child’s mental health. Attachment theory, the prevailing psychological theory in child development, emphasizes a child’s emotional bond with their primary caregiver. Dr. Senyard defines the four primary attachment styles that a child can exhibit. They are: Secure—confident, reciprocal, non-reactive, resilient. Anxious—emotional, reactive, volatile. Fearful—composite of anxious and avoidant. Avoidant—isolated, emotionally distant. One relational style is mentally healthy and strong, the other three are showing signs of distress., of a breakdown in mental health. In this episode, Dr. Senyard gives practical ways to help children who exhibit those unhealthy traits. Dr. Bill Senyard’s bio: Bill’s career has taken him from being a Chemical engineer, a strategic management consultant, and a co-owner of an Inc. 500 high-tech company to fulltime church ministry where he served multiple congregations as a Lead Pastor for over 35 years. He is a popular conference speaker in the US and Canada as well as abroad. He has written over a dozen non-fiction books and workbooks on a wide range of important topics including, how Christians can effectively and Biblically forgive others, how frustrated parents of teens can be “good enough parents” and most importantly, God’s love for the unlovable. Bill is the creator of The Good Enough Parent, a phenomenal curriculum that has a ton of free resources for parents. Bill’s Website Good Enough Parent Curriculum Attachment Theory For Teens Simplified (video) Bill’s Book: Tale of the Unlikely Prince EPISODE RESOURCES: Episode 85: 8 Words Every Parent Must Say To Their Child Beyond Consequences by Heather T. Forbes Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and according to the CDC, our kids are facing a mental health crisis. Consider these recent statistics: *Suicide & homicide rates in youth ages 10 to 24 are the highest they have been in decades, since 1968. *42% of adolescents are feeling sadness and hopelessness, up 50% from 2011 (57% are females). *22% of all students have considered attempting suicide, up from 36%. *Youth and young adults (ages 10-24) account for 15% of all suicides, an increase of 52.2% since 2000. *Suicide has become the second-leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24. *46% of adolescence ages 13 to 17 say that social media makes their body image worse. Parents are justifiably concerned, and often they don’t know where to start when a child is struggling mentally. Catherine’s guest in this episode is Dr. Bill Senyard, a mental health expert who specializes in helping parents reconnect the critical bond with their child to address the foundation of their mental health. Every child has two primary needs from their parents: 1. They need to feel CONNECTED. 2. They need to feel like they are ENOUGH. A child must know that their parents have their back, and they must know that they are loved no matter what. If this critical foundation breaks down, a child will become disconnected from their parents and others. They will suffer in all of their relationships and in their mental health. Bill shares how to reestablish that connection through attunement. If one in every three interactions with our kids attune to their foundational emotional needs, we can reconnect with our child and build a strong mental foundation for life. Dr. Bill Senyard’s bio: Bill’s career has taken him from being a Chemical engineer, a strategic management consultant, and a co-owner of an Inc. 500 high-tech company to fulltime church ministry where he served multiple congregations as a Lead Pastor for over 35 years. He is a popular conference speaker in the US and Canada as well as abroad. He has written over a dozen non-fiction books and workbooks on a wide range of important topics including, how Christians can effectively and Biblically forgive others, how frustrated parents of teens can be “good enough parents” and most importantly, God’s love for the unlovable. Bill is the creator of The Good Enough Parent, a phenomenal curriculum that has a ton of free resources for parents. Bill’s Website Good Enough Parent Curriculum Attachment Theory For Teens Simplified (video) Bill’s Book: Tale of the Unlikely Prince EPISODE RESOURCES: John 3:16 Romans 8:1 Ephesians 3 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The problem of pain has plagued humanity since the beginning of time. Many great apologists have grappled with the reality of suffering, endeavoring to form a theologically sound answer to life’s hardest question. In this poignant exchange, a couple of moms wrestle with pain and suffering from a distinctly maternal point of view. Catherine and her guest from across the great pond, Ruth Jackson, have a conversation that is real, raw, and refreshingly honest. Miscarriage. Postpartum depression. Premature death. When suffering these heartbreaking realities, the temptation is to ask WHY… and yet answering the WHY doesn’t meet our deepest need. The Christian faith does offer an apologetic for suffering, but more importantly our faith tradition presents a God who came to earth and was broken on our behalf. He is intimately acquainted with suffering. He meets us in our grief. And when we weep, He weeps with us. As believers in Christ, we know who suffered for us. We know who suffers with us. And we know who will wipe away every tear and make all things new. RUTH JACKSON'S BIO: Ruth is a producer and youth specialist for Premier Christian Radio's Unbelievable radio programme and podcast, which brings Christians and non-Christians together for dialogue. ue. Ruth studied theology at Oxford University before working at the BBC’s flagship children’s television show Blue Peter. She then moved to the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, where she helped set up the youth apologetics strand Reboot. Ruth contributed to Hope Rising 365, a book for young women. She also plays bass guitar in award-winning all-girl rock ‘n roll band The Daisy Chains. Ruth’s Instagram Premier Christian Radio’s Unbelievable Unapologetic Podcast EPISODE RESOURCES: Episode 66: How Does a Good God Allow So Much Evil and Suffering in the World? w/ Dr. Douglas Groothuis Article: “Joy To The World” by Ruth Jackson Article: “God Is Good but This Isn’t” by Catherine Segars SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: John 11:35 Isaiah 61 Isaiah 49 John 1 Habakkuk 3 Lamentations 3 Psalm 56:8 Psalm 84:4-7 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In the last episode, Catherine highlighted the five primary apologetic approaches for defending the Christian faith. While varying greatly on inception points, strategy, philosophy and subject matter, all of the approaches agree on the superiority of one defense. That is—EXPERIENCE. A person’s experience with God is powerful and preeminent. Offering a personal testimony of how God has transformed your life is the one defense that no one can dispute, because it is your experience. A personal encounter with God solidifies one’s faith, making it rational, robust, and enduring. So how can we have a practical encounter with God? Catherine walks us through 10 practical ways that we can experience God: Make God your priority (engage with God’s Word, worship, and prayer daily). Plant yourself in the local church. Practice honest reflection and repentance. Fast regularly. Shake up your schedule with sacrifice. Get involved with a mission or ministry. Go on a mission’s trip. Go on a nature walk. Start a spiritual journal. Read a biography on a missionary or great Christian leader. The items on this list are not revolutionary, but implementing them are. Start with the first three, which need to be a part of every believer’s daily discipleship, and then choose a few others to try. As you commit to prioritizing God, you will experience Him in new and exciting ways. EPISODE RESOURCES: Resource on church wounds: Episode 44 – Have You Or Your Kids Been Wounded in the Church? Driven By Eternity: Make Your Life Count Today and Forever by John Bevere Fasting: Open the Door To a Deeper, More Intimate, More Powerful Relationship with God by Jentezen Franklin The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boon A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliott The Intercessor (Reese Howell) by Norman Grubb The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun Hero Tales: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes by Dave and Neta Jackson SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: Matthew 6:21 & 33 Hebrews 20:25 Psalm 62:5-8 2 Tim. 1:6-7 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Catherine offers a powerful message worthy of CP/CW’s 100th episode by revealing the #1 factor in maintaining a vibrant, lifelong faith, which corresponds perfectly with the #1 prayer every parent should pray over their kids. The answer to this question should interest us as followers of Christ personally and as parents. In her apologetic studies, Catherine discovered one defense of the faith that every believer is qualified to employ. She begins by summarizing the five primary approaches for defending the Christian faith. They are the: 1. Classic Method – a 2-step approach that begins with natural theology (the knowledge we acquire about God without Scripture or special revelation) to prove Intelligent Design and then proceeds to establish God as that intelligent being. 2. Evidential Method – 1-step approach that relies heavily on evidence, in particular miracles, to prove the existence of God. 3. Cumulative Method – a flexible method that utilizes various arguments and approaches to present an overwhelming case for the existence of God. 4. Presuppositional Method – a method that presupposes God’s existence due to the effect that sin has on our capacity to think and reason. 5. Reformed Epistemological Method – a method that de-emphasizes proof or evidence and focusses on the way that people actually acquire beliefs. These approaches vary quite a bit, but they all agree on one very important factor—that is experience. Having an experience with God is reason enough for believing in Him. Every believer can have a rational, justified faith by experience alone. And every follower of Christ can offer a powerful apologetic by simply sharing their experience with God. So what is the #1 factor in maintaining a lifelong faith? Experiencing God. And what is the most important prayer every parent should pray over their kids? “Lord, please help my child to have a powerful encounter with You.” Tune in next when Catherine offers 10 practical ways that you and your kids can experience God. EPISODE RESOURCES: Five Views on Apologetics, Steven B. Cohen ed. Signature in the Cell by Dr. Stephen Meyers C.S. Lewis Quote Richard Dawkins Quote John 9 – Jesus heals the man born blind Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Many people look at the Christian faith as just a religion of do’s and don’ts. Is it? This is a question we need to be very clear on as parents., for ourselves and for our kids. If our children think that the faith is just about all the things we can’t do and all the things we have to do, then they don’t really understand what Christianity is all about. And they probably won’t stick around. They will become a part of the majority of kids who are leaving the faith when they leave the nest. God never intended for our relationship with Him to be a labor-intensive checklist that is more of a burden than a delight. If this is how your kids approach the faith, chances are at some point they will chuck it for a belief system that doesn’t make them feel like they must constantly perform to be acceptable. So what are all those do’s and don’ts about in Scripture? Catherine explains that the do’s and don’t are about protecting us, not making us acceptable to our heavenly Father. Christ’s atoning work on the cross makes us acceptable to God. The don’t list isn’t comprised of a bunch of good stuff that God inexplicably doesn't want us to do—it contains what leads us to bondage. And God’s overwhelming heart is not to condemn us; it is to free us. Scripture shows how Christ is the Good Shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep who are doing the do’s to go after the one sheep being wounded by the don’ts. The Gospel of John depicts God as a passionate father who longs for his lost, don’t-doing child to come home. The list of do's and don'ts in Scripture are an expression of God's love for his children, his concern to protect his children, and his desire for them to thrive. Enjoy the re-airing of this favorite early episode of CP/CW and tune in next week for a very special 100th episode of the show! EPISODE RESOURCES: The tree of knowledge of good and evil: Genesis 2:15-17 Church of the Highlands: Freedom Curriculum The Parable of the Lost Sheep: Luke 15:1-7 The Parable of the Lost Son: Luke 15:11-32 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The youth exodus is a very real concern for Christian parents. Much of CP/CW’s content is aimed at assuaging this falling away from the faith in our youth. But what does a parent do when they have a child who is questioning or has left the faith? How do you parent the prodigal child? Catherine answers these questions with hard-earned, first-hand experience by offering these vital guidelines: 1. Love your child unconditionally, regardless of what they think, say, or do. 2. Rid the obstacles in your child's life in prayer. 3. Recognize and respect what stage of parenting you are in: Caregiver, Cop, Coach, or Counselor. 4. Prayerfully establish Godly boundaries. Blessings come from boundaries. 5. Apologize for mistakes. Humility is a bridge builder. 6. Do not try to convince or convict your child. That is the Holy Spirit’s job. 7. Do not coerce or control your child. That is how the enemy works. 8. Remember that your child does not need a sermon. They need an encounter with God. Laced throughout this advice are keen insights and critical direction on how to build a strong relationship with a teen or adult child who is on the prodigal path. There are things that can help to draw a child closer to God, and there are things that may seem right but are, in fact, counterproductive. They may push a child further from God. When a child questions the faith, we must patiently answer their questions. If they leave the faith, we must love them with no strings attached and fervently pray for them to have an encounter with God. Loving our kids like Christ while not compromising truth is the most important way we can minister to them in a place of wandering or doubt. Joining Catherine in the hosting chair is Laurie Christine, an author, podcast host, Biblical Parenting Coach, wife, and mom of four loud, adventurous boys. Her podcast, Redeeming the Chaos, invites moms of boys to join her on the wild, wonderful adventure of raising courageous boys and connecting them with Christ Her new devotional book for boys, Rise of the Enemy, was released on Amazon last year. EPISODE RESOURCES: EPISODE 14: How To Battle for Your Kids in Prayer Get Catherine’s Prodigal Bundle including a Scripture Prayer List for Children Who Have Left the Faith: Subscribe HERE Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Studies show that a majority of kids raised in Christian homes are leaving the faith when they leave the nest. It is vital that we understand the primary reasons why young people no longer believe if we want to help them return to the faith. In this episode, Catherine airs an important conversation she had recently on the Redeeming the Chaos Podcast with Laurie Christine. Catherine and Laurie discuss new research which tells us why young people are bailing on Christianity. Highlighted are the 7 most prominent reasons Gen Zrs cite for walking away from the Christian faith. They are: 1. I have a hard time believing that a good God would allow so much evil or suffering in the world (29%): see EPISODE 66 w/ Dr. Douglas Groothuis 2. Christians are hypocrites (23%) 3. I believe science refutes too much of the Bible (20%) See Dr. Stephen Meyer: Signature in the Cell, The Return of the God Hypothesis, and Darwin’s Doubt; also see Dr. John Lennox (The “God Delusion “ Debate with Richard Dawkins) 4. I don’t believe in fairy tales (19%) see “The Case for Christ” & “The Case for Christ for Kids” by Lee Strobel 5. There are too many injustices in the history of Christianity (15%) see Episode 9: How Does Christian Worldview Creates the World We all Want to Live”, see Episodes 93, 94, & 95 w/ Os Guinness 6. I used to go to church, but it’s just not important to me anymore (12%) 7. I had a bad experience in church/with a Christian (6%) see Episodes 39, 40, 41, & 42; see “When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community from Emotional & Spiritual Abuse” by Dr. Chuck DeGroat Catherine offers some helpful resources to consult if a child you know has embraced one of these claims about Christianity, and she and Laurie also offer some helpful resources for discipling younger kids in the faith. BIO: Laurie Christine is an author, podcast host, Biblical Parenting Coach, wife, and mom of four loud, adventurous boys. Her podcast, Redeeming the Chaos, invites moms of boys to join her on the wild, wonderful adventure of raising courageous boys and connecting them with Christ Her new devotional book for boys, Rise of the Enemy, was released on Amazon last year. RESOURCES REFERENCED AND CITED: “Emerging Gen Z may deliver huge blow to religion in U.S.” by Jeff Brumley (June 8, 2018) The American Worldview Inventory in 2022 highlights worldview beliefs of American pastors. “Only Half of Evangelical Pastors Possess a Christian Worldview: Incidence Even Lower for Most Denominations” (Cultural Research Cente::ACU) ACU Cultural Research Center Worldview Inventory 2020-current Foundation Worldview Curriculum (use “CPCW10” code for 10% discount) Apologia: What We Believe (4 volume set) EPISODES CITED: Episode 57: “How To Teach Your Kids the Christian Worldview” w/ Elizabeth Urbanowicz Episode 58: “7 Lies Culture is Selling Our Kids: Are They Buying?” w/ Elizabeth Urbanowicz Episode 72: “What Do People Leaving the Faith often Get Wrong about God?” w/ Elizabeth Urbanowics Episode 84: “How To Learn More Scripture in 2024 Than You Ever Have Before” w/ Zac Fitzsimmons SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: Psalm 78:1-8 Hebrews 10:25 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

There is no formula for raising a child to be a lifelong follower of Christ. There is no 5 or 10 or even 20-step program to raising godly kids. Parents have a vital part to play as we commit to raise our children biblically, but we cannot choose the faith for our kids. So what happens when you do your part as parents. You are diligent about training your kids biblically, and the spiritual formation of your children is first and foremost in your mind. You have gone to church but didn’t leave the responsibility of teaching your kids up to the church. You have done the devotionals, taught the Bible stories, memorized the Scriptures, and you’ve had the deep conversations… And you get a different result than you were expecting. Your child doubts. Your child wanders. Your child takes a different path, perhaps the prodigal path. What then? Catherine and her guest DJ Harry cover this tear-jerking territory as they continue to glean parenting wisdom from the book of Daniel. Pastor Harry shares the following powerful parenting lessons from the first chapter of Daniel: We don't get to choose when or how our children's faith will be tested. (Daniel 1:1) A well-rounded education is a necessary part of significant influence. (Daniel 1:4) There was an intentional transfer of faith from Daniel's parents to Daniel. (Daniel 1:8) Daniel knew how to appeal to his ungodly authorities Daniel. (Daniel 1:11-13) But even when we parent biblically to the best of our ability, even when we apply all these lessons, some kids will choose to wander. That does not absolve parents from our responsibility to train our children in the way they should go, which includes taking to heart these incredible lessons we can learn from the book of Daniel. But the results are not up to us. Parents must remember that we are not judged by God for our results. We are judged by God for our faithfulness. And our faithfulness in standing our ground, in maintaining that godly witness as our kids go out on their own, and our faithfulness to pray over our kids every day—that work will not return void. DJ HARRY’S BIO: DJ and Lorrie Harry have been spent their entire lives ministering to others. Their early years were spent in the classroom where they developed a love for teaching and building relationships. In recent years, DJ has served as the Senior Pastor at Needham’s Grove Baptist Church in Seagrove, NC. Together, they currently host the Better Together podcast and love speaking at couples retreats and parenting conferences. DJ and Lorrie have a desire to encourage and equip young couples as they walk down the road of marriage and parenting. OTHER EPISODES IN THIS SERIES: Episode 96: Raising Kids To Stand Strong in a Godless Culture OTHER PODCASTS MENTIONED: Episode 55 – Better Together: Tools To Empower Your Kids against Cultural Pressures RESOURCES REFERENCED: DJ Harry’s website The Better Together Podcast To receive a free copy of The Prodigal Bundle, subscribe HERE. Alliance Defending Freedom SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: Daniel 1:1, 4, 8, 11-13 Proverbs 22:6 Ecclesiastes 8:14 Galatians 6:9 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Raising kids to stand strong in the faith while living in a godless culture is the greatest challenge Christian parents face today. In a world where a majority of kids from Christian households leave the faith after leaving the nest, what can Christian parents do to establish a firm spiritual foundation for their children? Catherine and Pastor DJ Harry look to the book of Daniel to answer that question. Four young men in this prophetic Old Testament book stayed committed to God in a very dark and godless culture. They stood when everyone else bowed. They prayed to the one true God when it could cost their lives. DJ has identified four lessons that parents can take from Daniel and his friends that will aid in the spiritual formation of our children. The first two lessons are covered in this episode. They are: We don't get to choose when or how our children's faith will be tested. (Daniel 1:1) “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.” A well-rounded education is a necessary part of significant influence. (Daniel 1:4) Daniel and his friends were “young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace.” We don’t know when or how our children will be tested, so we must be diligent about establishing a well-rounded spiritual education for our kids. It is our job as godly parents to be very intentional about the spiritual formation of our children. That preparation is the rich soil from which the seeds of truth can flourish. God plants the seeds. As parents, we nourish the soil and put our kids in environments where that planting can take place. DJ HARRY’S BIO: DJ and Lorrie Harry have been spent their entire lives ministering to others. Their early years were spent in the classroom where they developed a love for teaching and building relationships. In recent years, DJ has served as the Senior Pastor at Needham’s Grove Baptist Church in Seagrove, NC. Together, they currently host the Better Together podcast and love speaking at couples retreats and parenting conferences. DJ and Lorrie have a desire to encourage and equip young couples as they walk down the road of marriage and parenting. Links: DJ Harry’s website The Better Together Podcast To receive a free copy of The Prodigal Bundle, subscribe HERE. “Most Teenagers Drop Out of Church When They Become Young Adults” Lifeway Research SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: Daniel 1:1, 4 Matthew 24:8 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As parents, we have a central role to play in passing on faith and freedom to the next generation. The spiritual soil of our kid’s lives is nurtured first and foremost by us through modeling the biblical life, through education and prayer, and through the stories we pass on to our kids about the faith. Catherine wraps up a trilogy of conversations with world-renowned freedom expert, Os Guinness, author of The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai’s Revolutionary Faith and the Future of Freedom. In this episode, they discuss: The origin and DNA of ordered freedom. The magnitude of the Genesis declaration that we are made in God’s image. The decline of the west leading to a need for renewal. The power of the creative minority. How parents have the greatest part to play in passing on freedom, equality, human dignity, and faith. What makes the greatest difference in human history? It is the stories parents tell our children. It is the truth we instill in them. It is the faith they see lived day in and day out from us as ordinary parents planting the seeds of an extraordinary God in the hearts of our kids. This simple but profound work is what makes the difference in the lives of our children, our communities, our country, and our world. OS GUINNESS' BIO: Os Guinness is an author, social critic, and great-great-great grandson of Arthur Guinness, the Dublin brewer. Os has written or edited more than 30 books that offer valuable insight into the cultural, political, and social contexts in which we all live. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of London and his D.Phil in the social sciences from Oriel College, Oxford. Os Guinness WEBSITE The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai’s Revolutionary Faith and the Future of Freedom OTHER EPISODES IN THIS SERIES: EPISODE 94: “The Dilemma Christians Face at the Ballot Box” EPISODE 93: “What Most Americans Don’t Understand about Freedom” SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Deuteronomy 11:18-21 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The crisis of leadership in our country is palpable right now, and Christian parents feel that challenge in big ways and small. We don’t have a pure choice at the ballot box, particularly on the national stage. Many Christians have a crisis of conscious when choosing a presidential leader. How should we respond? Catherine continues her conversation with the world-renowned author, philosopher, historian, and theologian Os Guinness. Together, they have a frank discussion about: *The evangelical roots of abolition. *The bewitching of Americans from the ideals of our revolution to the ideals of the French Revolutions. *The “Long March” (infiltration of Marxist ideology) on our institutions. *Antonio Gramsci: 5 Pillars of western civilization that must fall for a successful Marxist Revolution to succeed identified by Antonio Gramsci (religion, family, education, media, law). *Classical Marxism (communism) vs. Cultural Marxism. *The link between faith and fertility/secularism and futility. *The perilous state of our union. *The crisis of leadership on the national stage. *The dilemma Christians face at the ballot box (co-belligerence vs. alliance). *The prayer we should pray for the leader we need. Much of their conversation centers on the desperate need for Godly leadership at all levels of our government, but especially on the national stage. “Leaders serve. Great leaders of free republics are teachers of freedom, like Moses,” says Os. We need that kind of leader. Os admonishes Christians to hold our leadership accountable while recognizing the difference between co-belligerence (uniting for a common cause) and alliance. Os also shares the prayer that he and his wife pray over our nation every day: “Lord… Set over us a leader such that it would be to Your glory to give the victory through him or her.” Amen. OS GUINNESS' BIO: Os Guinness is an author, social critic, and great-great-great grandson of Arthur Guinness, the Dublin brewer. Os has written or edited more than 30 books that offer valuable insight into the cultural, political, and social contexts in which we all live. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of London and his D.Phil in the social sciences from Oriel College, Oxford. Os Guinness WEBSITE The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai’s Revolutionary Faith and the Future of Freedom OTHER EPISODES IN THIS SERIES: EPISODE 93: “What Most Americans Don’t Understand about Freedom” RESOURCES MENTIONED: EPISODE 9: “How the Christian Worldview Creates a World We All Want To Live In” Italy’s Primer Minister Giorgia Meloni attacks cultural Marxism, progressivism, globalism and quotes Chesterton “Is Voting for Trump the Lesser of Two Evils” by Catherine Segars Trump Speech at NRB 2024 (National Religious Broadcasters Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

There's a lot we don't understand about freedom in this country. Lasting freedom, in any quantifiable sense, is very new to the historical landscape. After all, the United States fought a bloody revolution to acquire it just a few centuries ago. But where did the idea of freedom come from? What prerequisites are necessary to achieve freedom? And most importantly... What is necessary to keep freedom? Catherine is joined by one of the great intellectual minds in the world today to discuss the nature of freedom and the future of our country. Having authored and edited over 30 books, including The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai’s Revolutionary Faith and the Future of Freedom, Os Guinness is a world-renowned authority on freedom. As a western survivor of the Chinese Communist Revolution under Mao Zedong in 1949, and then having extensively studied the fields of history, philosophy, religion, theology, apologetics, and culture, Os possesses not a one-in-a-million perspective on the nature and necessary foundation for freedom to exist and thrive—his perspective is one-in-8 billion. As Os reveals, slavery is the norm in human history. Freedom is the anomaly. And yet America’s founders established freedom. But they did not uncover the roots of liberty in 17th century enlightenment thinkers as some suppose. Rather the roots of freedom were excavated from the ancient Hebrew Republic, which was founded on a radical concept of covenant, or constitution, that requires the consent of the governed. The ramifications of these applied truths are far reaching, and they establish the critical foundation for freedom to exist.As freedom-loving Americans, there's a lot we don't understand about our freedom. Starting with the definition. “Freedom is not the permission to do what you like. It is the power to do what you ought,” says Os. Most Westerners see freedom as a license to fulfill one’s whims and desires, as Rousseau’s philosophy encouraged. This hedonistic definition supports the ideals of the French Revolution of 1789. But a Biblical understanding of freedom, which our founders possessed, recognizes the weakness of mankind and therefore establishes a system of checks and balances for "ambition to counter ambition." The plan was brilliant. The American Revolution is diametrically opposed to the French, but as Os prophetically speaks to our country today, "WHO HAS BEWITCHED YOU, AMERICA? YOU ARE FOLLOWING THE WRONG REVOLUTION." We cannot maintain freedom by following the ideals of the wrong revolution. We would be wise to remember Paul's words to the church of Galatia: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (5:1) OS GUINNESS' BIO: Os Guinness is an author, social critic, and great-great-great grandson of Arthur Guinness, the Dublin brewer. Os has written or edited more than 30 books that offer valuable insight into the cultural, political, and social contexts in which we all live. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of London and his D.Phil in the social sciences from Oriel College, Oxford. Os Guinness WEBSITE The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai’s Revolutionary Faith and the Future of Freedom Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Something in the human soul cries out for equality. It is certainly a virtue that our culture lauds and espouses. Where does the idea of equality come from? Can we arrive at the concept of equality from a naturalistic or humanistic worldview? How do we obtain equality? Catherine’s special guest in this episode is an expert in the fields of philosophy, theology, and apologetics. Dr. Douglas Groothuis has devoted an entire chapter of his recent book Fire in the Streets: How You Can Confidently Respond to Incendiary Cultural Topics to the topic of equality. The necessary foundation for equality is a huge argument in favor of the Christian faith and the Christian worldview. The renowned atheistic historian Yuval Noah Harari openly admits in his bestselling book, Sapiens, that “the Americans got the idea of equality from Christianity, which argues that every person has a divinely created soul, and that all souls are equal before God.” It is impossible to ground the concept of equality without the Christian worldview, which says that we are created in the image of a personal, loving, all-powerful, all-knowing God. We have all fallen short of His glory, so Christ paid an equal price to redeem us. There is no basis for equality without the Christian God and the Christian worldview. Catherine and Dr. Groothuis unpack the concept of equality in this episode, and in doing so they arrive at a powerful argument in favor of the Christian faith. Our kids in live in a world that demands equality. We need to help them see where it comes from. GROOTHUIS’ BIO: Dr. Groothuis holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy (University of Oregon, 1993) has served a Professor of Philosophy and the head of the apologetics and ethics program at Denver Seminary since 1993. He is looking forward to a new chapter as the distinguished university research professor of apologetics and Christian worldview at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the author of nineteen books, including the popular and voluminous textbook, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, 2nd ed.(IVP Academic, 2022), as well as a poignant memoir, Walking Through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness—a Philosopher’s Lament(InterVarsity, 2017), and a bold critique of Critical Race Theory, Fire in the Streets (Salem Books, 2022). Dr. Groothuis’ website Dr. Gruuthuis’ podcast: Truth Tribe EPISODE RESOURCES: Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith by Dr. Douglas Groothuis Dr. Stephen Meyer’s website The Psychology of Totalitarianism by Mattias Desmet Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari John 18:37 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Cancel culture is nothing new. We see it all throughout Scripture. The enemy loves to cancel people. He tried to cancel Jesus, but it didn’t work. Satan never stops trying to silence the truth. In this episode, Catherine investigates the shocking roots of the new political movement that has codified cancel culture in our society. Where does it come from? Catherine’s special guest has written a brilliant response to the radical ideology at the heart of cancel culture, an ideology that has set our cities on fire and exacerbated the racial divide. Dr. Douglas Groothuis has authored dozens of books and scholarly articles and is a leading expert on philosophy, theology, history, religion, and culture. His recent book, Fire in the Streets: How You Can Confidently Respond to Incendiary Cultural Topics, expertly traces cancel culture back to its Marxist roots. Topics covered in this episode include: Marxism & Neo-Marxism Repressive Tolerance Racism Black Lives Matter Defund the Police Cancel Culture Standpoint Epistemology Intersectionality Dr. Groothuis takes us on a journey to dig up the toxic roots of cancel culture and points us toward the liberating truth at the heart of the Gospel. DR. GROOTHUIS’ BIO: Dr. Groothuis holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy (University of Oregon, 1993) has served a Professor of Philosophy and the head of the apologetics and ethics program at Denver Seminary since 1993. He is looking forward to a new chapter as the distinguished university research professor of apologetics and Christian worldview at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the author of nineteen books, including the popular and voluminous textbook, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, 2nd ed.(IVP Academic, 2022), as well as a poignant memoir, Walking Through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness—a Philosopher’s Lament(InterVarsity, 2017), and a bold critique of Critical Race Theory, Fire in the Streets (Salem Books, 2022). Dr. Groothuis’ website Dr. Gruuthuis’ podcast: Truth Tribe EPISODE RESOURCES: Episode 66: How Can a Good God Allow So Much Evil & Suffering in the World? Articles on Morgan Bettinger: Reason Magazine: How an Ill-Informed Internet Mob Ruined a UVA Student's Life The NY Post: BLM Activist Ruined White Univeristy of Virginia Student’s Rep over Misheard Remark Daily Mail: Celebrated BLM Activist Ruthlessly Destroyed White Woman’s Life The Woodson Center “Repressive Tolerance” by Herbert Marcuse Heather MacDonald – The War on Cops: How the New Attack on Law and Order Makes Everyone Less Safe Hosea 4:6 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Is it possible for a marriage to recover from infidelity? Can the emotional wounds of an affair ever be a thing of the past? Can trust be rebuilt after betrayal? Catherine’s special guests in this episode answer those questions with a resounding “yes!” Josh and Katie Walters, authors of New Marriage, Same Couple: Don’t Let Your Worst Days Be Your Last Days, had a marriage that was rocked to the core from an affair that nearly destroyed their relationship. Their restoration required grace, forgiveness, hope, and leaning into God like never before, but now their marriage is the epitome of love and fulfillment that we all long for with our spouses. In this raw conversation, Josh shares how the desperation of his darkest hours fed a hunger for God like never before, and that hunger brought hope and healing. Katie shares how she found in Christ a loving Savior who is kinder than anyone we know. Piece by piece, God put their marriage back together and has given them a ministry to restore other marriages. The enemy has come to steal our marriages, our children, our families, our futures, but God is committed to bring abundant life into our closest relationships. Josh and Katie Walters have experienced this reality first hand and they seek to share that redemption with others. Josh’s Bio: Josh has been on staff at Seacoast Church for the last 14 years where he currently serves as the Executive Pastor for Seacoast Experience. He is a member of the Teaching Team and helps oversee what happens in person and online each weekend. Katie’s Bio: Katie serves on the Experience Team at Seacoast Church and teaches as well. She is the CEO of Francis and Benedict, a fashion line that creates waxprint clothing hand made by single moms and widows in Togo, Africa. EPISODE RESOURCES: Josh & Katie’s Website Connect with them on Instagram & Facebook New Marriage, Same Couple: Don’t Let Your Days Be Your Last Days New Marriage, Same Couple Workbook Josh’s Doppelganger SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: John 10:10 Romans 5:3-5 Romans 4:17 John 16:33 Hebrews 11:6 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We all want to have a marriage that thrives, but one-third of Christian marriages end in divorce, a figure that is “statistically identical to that of non-born again adults” according to recent research from Barna. What critical foundation are so many Christians missing in their marriage that leads to the demise of their primary relationship? Josh and Katie Walters, authors of the brand new book New Marriage, Same Couple: Don’t Let Your Worst Days Be Your Last Days, identify four essential principles that will help every marriage to thrive. After a devastating season involving an affair that rocked their marriage to the core, Josh and Katie discovered four Biblical mindsets that transformed their relationship. Those mindsets form the word STAY: S—Start with you. T—Take quitting off the table. A—Allow others to be a part of your story. Y—Yield to God’s vision for your marriage. The true testament of these mindsets is that they were applied to a dead marriage, and now that marriage is thriving. Catherine, Josh & Katie have a refreshing, raw, and grace-filled conversation about how we allow the enemy to sew seeds of discord and destruction into our relationships, but God has a plan to redeem what the enemy has stolen. Josh’s Bio: Josh has been on staff at Seacoast Church for the last 14 years where he currently serves as the Executive Pastor for Seacoast Experience. He is a member of the Teaching Team and helps oversee what happens in person and online each weekend. Katie’s Bio: Katie serves on the Experience Team at Seacoast Church and teaches as well. She is the CEO of Francis and Benedict, a fashion line that creates waxprint clothing hand made by single moms and widows in Togo, Africa. EPISODE RESOURCES: Josh & Katie’s Website Connect with them on Instagram & Facebook New Marriage, Same Couple: Don’t Let Your Days Be Your Last Days New Marriage, Same Couple Workbook Josh’s Doppelganger SCRIPTURE’S REFERENCED: 1 John 1:9 James 5:16 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Life has tough lessons in store for all of us. Seeing those experiences through the lens of Biblical truth is imperative if we want to thrive in these difficult seasons and grow. As parents, we want to prepare our kids for these challenges so they can flourish. What lessons are most important for our kids to learn? In this wildly creative episode, Catherine digs into her acting roots and shares the three most important lessons life teaches everyone by examining the foundational principals of improvisational acting. Those lessons are: 1. You can’t choose what happens to you in life, but you can choose your response. At some point, life throws everyone a curve ball. An anticipated promotion doesn’t happen. A beloved child has a permanent disability. A routine outing results in a tragic accident. In big ways and small ways, life disappoints us. So what do you do? Life lesson # 2 tells us. 2. Whatever life brings you in life, accept it and build. When life gives us a sucker punch to the gut, we must remember that God causes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28) So we need to teach our kids to accept whatever comes our way, and build on it—expecting God to do something good with what ails us. 3. With God, your mistake can become a masterpiece. That excruciating loss in your life, that big mistake, that epic fail, that horrific accident… in the hands of God can become triumphant. It can become the greatest victory. It can become a new ministry that leads other people to victory—if we let God have His way. Teaching our kids these practical principles will enable them to grow in the toughest seasons of life by trusting God to bring good out of what the enemy meant for harm. SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: James 1:2-4 Romans 8:28 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We think of sex trafficking as being out there somewhere in the jungles of Central America or in Thailand and Cambodia. And to be sure, it is there. But what we must understand as parents and as Christians is that human trafficking is in every zip code in the United States as well. What do we need to know as parents to help prevent our children from being sexually exploited? In this episode, Dr. Rondy Smith shares the shocking way many young girls are being lured by sexual predators. She reads a letter from a young woman with the pseudonym “V” who was sexually exploited for all of her teenage years—and her parents had no idea even though it was happening under their roof. “V” was lured into a sexually exploitive relationship by a distant family member in his 30s who was posing as a suicidal 12-year-old boy from a neighboring school. Once this predator got his first image, he had control which he used to manipulate “V” for 8 years. Rondy provides invaluable advice for parents to spot the signs of sexual exploitation. Moms and dads must: *Heed that still, small voice—if something feels off, trust your instincts. *If your child panics when denied access to their devices, dig deeper. That could be a sign that they are in a sexually exploitive relationship. *Know that your child will often take the blame for their abuser and seek to shield others from the pain of what is happening. *Use extreme caution when posting pictures of children online. *Learn to think like a predator because they exist. *Not live in fear, but awareness. Parents must be “wise as serpents but innocent as doves.” (Matt. 10:16). We must know the threats and the signs in order to prevent the spread of this evil. Rondy’s bio: Dr. Rondy Smith is Founder & CEO of Rest Stop Ministries, which is a residential restoration program for female survivors of sex trafficking in the Nashville, TN area. Rondy is an ordained minister with a Doctorate in Education from Vanderbilt University in Human & Organizational Development, and she has served 37 years in Corporate, Academic, and Ministry professions. EPISODE RESOURCES: Rest Stop Ministries, Rest Stop: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter NCOSE: The National Center on Sexual Exploitation SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: Galatians 1:5 Hebrews 10:23 Romans 4:17 Matthew 18:10-14 (the lost sheep) Psalm 40:1-3 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month. Joining Catherine in a vital conversation to promote awareness is an expert in the field of sexual trauma recovery. Dr. Rondy Smith is the Founder & CEO of Rest Stop Ministries,Tennessee’s first long-term residential restoration program for female survivors of sex trafficking. Rest Stop walks hand-in-hand with victims of sexual trauma through a 3-year recovery program. Graduates are able live happy, healthy, productive lives after completing this God-ordained work. Catherine’s powerful conversation with Rondy reveals the magnitude of the problem, highlighting the shocking fact that sex trafficking exists in every zip code in the United States. Human trafficking is a world-wide, multi-billion dollar industry that is hidden in plain sight. Here is the alarming reality: There are 27 million people enslaved in the world today, more than any time in history. 80% are female and 50% of those are children trafficked for sexual exploitation. (That is over 10 million kids.) Sex Trafficking is a 34 billion dollar business – it is the 2nd largest criminal enterprise and fastest growing crime in the world. Every 2 minutes a child is trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation in the United States (according to the U.S. Department of Justice). Almost 300,000 American children are at risk annually for trafficking into the sex industry (according to the U.S. Department of State). The average age of entry into prostitution is 13. There are girls as young as 5 and 6 years old in the U.S. that are forced to do sexual acts for economic gain by their pimp (U.S. Department of Justice). (Stats from Rest Stop Ministries.) The problem is overwhelming, but Rondy points listeners toward practical ways that they can get involved in the fight against human trafficking. Proverbs 24:11 tells us to “ Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.” The imperative from Scripture is clear, and we all have a part to play. We can’t fix a problem that we refuse to look at. God hates injustice. So we must take a long, hard look at this problem and become a part of the solution. RONDY'S BIO: Dr. Rondy Smith is Founder & CEO of Rest Stop Ministries, which is a residential restoration program for female survivors of sex trafficking in the Nashville, TN area. Rondy is an ordained minister with a Doctorate in Education from Vanderbilt University in Human & Organizational Development, and she has served 37 years in Corporate, Academic, and Ministry professions. EPISODE RESOURCES: Rest Stop Ministries, Rest Stop: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter The Samaritan Women: Institute for Shelter Care SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: Isaiah 61 Proverbs 24:11 Matthew 22:39 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

There are eight critically important words that as parents we need to say to our kids, as often as necessary—and they are hard. They may be the hardest words to say in the English language. They are relationship building words, and words that model what true repentance looks like. If you don’t learn how to say these words, at some point, your relationship with your child will break. Those words are: “I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me.” In this episode, Catherine walks through the vital components of this critically important admission. It isn’t enough to express regret or sorrow. When we have wronged our child, as parents we must also admit culpability, which helps to free our child from the injury and begin the process of healing. Finally, we must ask for forgiveness, which helps our child to actively release the wound to God. Also in this episode, Catherine shares: 3 key objectives that repentance accomplishes 2 crucial ways parents can be wrong 4 primary stages of parenting 8 bonus words to restore your relationship with your child Talking about what is wrong in the world is the central theme of CPCW, but talking about what is wrong in us is much harder. We can’t effectively address what is wrong out there until we first address what is wrong in us. Expressing humility and true repentance is one of the most important spiritual disciplines we can teach our child. We must teach our kids this vital disciple not just in theory, but also in practice. SCRIPTURE PASSAGES REFERENCED: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 John 13:2-17 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This is one of Catherine’s most practical podcast and has been selected as a "best of" episode from 2022. In this insightful message, Catherine helps you leave behind the old and embrace the new with a “Dashboard for Life,” which is a report card containing 13 gauges on how to improve in the new year. Catherine walks you through how to examine your faith life, your marriage or dating life, your family life, and nine other areas by offering simple, everyday guidance on how to make effective and lasting change.This powerful tool for self-assessment will help all of your relationships, especially your parenting relationships. But most of all, it will help improve your relationship with God. And when that relationship is better, all of your relationships are better. To get the “Dashboard for Life” Report Card, subscribe on Catherine’s website: https://catherinesegars.com/OTHER RESOURCES MENTIONED:Chris Hodges’ Sermon, The Best Teacher, Dec. 26, 2021: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/the-best-teacherFinancial class: Financial Peace University: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/ramseyplus/financial-peaceThe One Year Bible:Paperback: https://bit.ly/34RK7GZEbook: https://bit.ly/3A4yesOBible Reading Plans: https://bit.ly/3FzgdUMLife Application Bible: https://bit.ly/3A5iPINEpisode 17 of our show - “How To Discover Your Purpose in Life,” https://www.lifeaudio.com/christian-parent-crazy-world/how-to-discover-your-purpose-in-lifeSpiritual Gifts & Personality tests:https://giftstest.com/http://www.humanmetrics.com/personalityScriptures mentioned:Psalm 100:4; Psalm 51:10; Romans 8:28; Proverbs 29:18; 2 Corinthians 10:5 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

King David said, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11) As Believers, we know that we are supposed to hide God’s Word in our hearts, but most of have a really heard time retaining Scripture. We know that a verse is somewhere in a certain book of the Bible, and we sort of know what it says—but we can’t quote it, or even find it without an aid. What if there were some simple techniques that helped Scripture to stick in your memory and reside in your heart? There are. In this special New Year’s episode of CHRISTIAN PARENT/CRAZY WORLD, Catherine shares her tried and true method for memorizing Scripture. Her secret is the power of song. And she welcomes Zac Fitzsimmons, an insanely talented singer/songwriter to share his music with the CP/CW audience. Zac is devoted to creating powerful, anointed songs from word-for-word passages of Scripture. He sings Psalm 1 and Psalm 8 live in this episode, and Catherine sings harmony. Catherine also shares the proven method she uses for committing Scripture to memory with her kids through song and sign language. And Catherine issues a challenge to memorize one verse a week this year using a Scripture song—just one verse a week. Even if you fall short of 52 verses in 2024, you will have memorized quite a few and you will have soaked in God’s Word intently and intentionally, and that meditation will bear a lot of fruit in your life and in your family. So join Catherine’s challenge to learn more Scripture in 2024 than you ever have before! You can email Catherine to offer feedback and tell her about your Bible memory plan for the new year at [email protected]. Zac Fitzsimmons Bio: Zac is a Christian singer/songwriter from Minnesota, USA. He has led various congregations in musical worship for over twenty years and is most known for his ongoing endeavor of writing music and melodies to the Psalms word for word from the English Standard Version of the Bible. These songs are being discovered by people worldwide as valuable tools for soaking in the scriptures in a new way and aiding in scripture memorization. You can find links to the audio, lyric videos and chord charts at www.psalmsongswordforword.com You can also find Zac on YouTube and Instagram. To receive downloads of Zac & Catherine’s live perform of Psalm 8, Zac’s performance of Psalm 1, and all of Catherine’s Scripture songs, and pro tips for memorizing the Bible, subscribe at Catherine’s website: https://catherinesegars.com/resources EPISODE RESOURCES: See Catherine’s complimentary article on Crosswalk: “Learn More Scripture This Year with This #1 Proven Method” SCRIPTURE SONG ARTISTS: The Corner Room Seeds Family Worship King Things Esther Mui Benjamin NG The Bigsby Show (for the books of the Bible and the 12 Disciples) SIGN LANGUAGE RESOURCES: Hands Speak,  Signs Savvy, ASL Dictionary   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Keeping Christ at the center of Christmas is a huge challenge. Busy parents are constantly pushed and pulled a hundred different directions, especially at the holidays. Our event calendar in December can look like a flow-chart from an international airport with constant departures and arrivals. It is easy to forget Christ in the hustle and bustle of baking, shopping, wrapping, and party-hopping. How do we keep our families focused on Christ during the hectic holiday season? Bethany Kimsey, host of the Warrior Mama Podcast, joins Catherine again to discuss how to keep our hearts and our families concentrated on Christ during the Christmas season. These two moms have over 40 years of parenting experience, and in this episode, they share their favorite Christ-centered family traditions. These traditions are: *Don’t compare yourself to other families. *Study the names of Jesus. *Celebrate Advent. *Watch Christ-centered entertainment. *Create a Jesse Tree. *Assign Scripture passages to each family member for Christmas. *Educate your kids and give to a Christ-centered mission. *Celebrate Jolaboklaflod (an evening of book-giving) with Christ-centered books. Employing some of these wonderful family traditions will help counteract the busyness, the commercialism and materialism, and the overall stress of Christmas. Bethany’s bio: As a mother to 8 children, Bethany Kimsey has seen God radically change her messy motherhood from weary, anxious, and frantic to peaceful, joyful, and triumphant. She helps weary mothers win the battle against worry and fatigue as they understand their identity in Christ and rest in the hope of the Gospel in community with other moms. Bethany recently authored A Warrior Mama’s Prayer Journal to help mothers pray intentionally over their children and anchor in gospel truths. This can be purchased at www.Bethanykimsey.co. She would love to connect at her website bethanykimsey.com or her Warrior Mama podcast https://whengodbreaksthrough.libsyn.com found on your favorite podcast platform. You can connect with Bethany on Instagram or Facebook as well. Get Catherine's original Scripture songs by subscribing HERE. OTHER EPISODES MENTIONED: EPISODE 83: What Huge Lie Does Culture Teach Our Kids at Christmas? (w/ Bethany Kimsey) EPISODE 81: How Can Celebrating Advent Enrich Your Christmas Season (w/ Laurie Christine) EPISODE 51: 5 Family-Centered Films for Christmas Advent Devotional Guide with information on the Jesse Tree (by Laurie Christine) 5 Heartwarming Films You Should Watch This Christmas (article by Catherine Segars) World Vision’s Gift Catalog Jolaboklaflod – Icelandic Christmas tradition of giving books. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

“He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. He knows when you’ve been bad or good So be good for goodness sake.” Our culture tells us that Jolly ole St. Nicholas is keeping a list, and he’s checking it twice. He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice. So the gifts under our tree at Christmas are a direct result of how good or bad we’ve been throughout the year. Is that how our faith works? Did God give the great gift of Christ to the world because we were good? Because we deserved Him? No. The Christian faith tells us that a very good God sent the gift of his Son to a broken humanity, to a hopeless people who have fallen short of His glory. We don’t deserve the gift of Jesus, but God gave this gift because of His overwhelming love for us. Likewise, the gifts under our tree for our kids must not be attached to their behavior. Unlike Santa Clause, our gifts must not have strings attached. They should be a result of our love, not a manipulative ploy to garner a good performance from our kids. Joining Catherine as a co-host for this vital conversation about what our culture gets wrong about Christmas is Bethany Kimsey, a mother of 8 and host of The Warrior Mama Podcast, a show that is devoted to applying the Gospel to the daily details of parenting our children. Together, Bethany and Catherine tackle one of the greatest cultural lies about Christmas—the lie that your Christmas gifts are attached to your goodness. Bethany's bio: As a mother to 8 children, Bethany Kimsey has seen God radically change her messy motherhood from weary, anxious, and frantic to peaceful, joyful, and triumphant. She helps weary mothers win the battle against worry and fatigue as they understand their identity in Christ and rest in the hope of the Gospel in community with other moms. As a writer, speaker, and encourager of mothers, she wants to see a generation of moms who can connect their motherhood to the love of Jesus in real and practical ways so that they can be confident. Bethany recently authored A Warrior Mama’s Prayer Journal to help mothers pray intentionally over their children and anchor in gospel truths. This can be purchased at www.Bethanykimsey.co. She would love to connect at her website bethanykimsey.com or her Warrior Mama podcast https://whengodbreaksthrough.libsyn.com found on your favorite podcast platform. You can connect with Bethany on Instagram or Facebook as well. EPISODE LINKS: Bethany’s website: https://bethanykimsey.com/ The Warrior Mama Podcast Collaborated episode: The Hope of Christmas and Ways to Walk It Well w/ Catherine Segars PODCASTS & RESOURCES REFERENCED: Episode 4: Is Christianity Just a Religion of Do’s and Don’ts The St. Nicholas Center Song facts about “Santa Claus is Coming To Town” Matthew 22:37 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

There is a powerful and pervasive cultural myth being piped into our kids these days, and you are a bad parent if you don’t buy into it. The myth says that our kids can be whoever they want to be in life. Is this idea BIBLICAL? Is it TRUE or even REALISTIC? In this solo episode, Catherine tackles this topic head on to establish what is Biblical and what is cultural when it comes to the dreams that our children pursue in life. The idea that you can be whoever you want to be is the central theme in countless books, movies, and television shows. If you can dream it, you can be it. So the pressure is on for parents to support our child’s dream no matter what it is. After all, one of the most popular verses in the Bible tells us that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13) We often fail to note that this verse is cherry-picked out of a section where Paul talks about his countless struggles, sharing how he has learned contentment with little or with much, in hunger or well fed. This verse is often used to promote the pursuit of a glorious dream yielding material success. It is seldom used to console someone whose dream has been crushed. And yet Paul said that in Christ, we can be content in both of those realities. Can our kid be whoever they want to be in life? No. Nor do we want them to be. But our kids can be who God created them to be in life. And who God has created them to be is the most exciting and fulfilling dream that our kids can pursue. God’s plan is what we should all be aiming for in life. As parents, we should let our kids see us aim for that mark, and hopefully they will learn to do the same. RESOURCES MENTIONED: World Magazine “The Hill: Sports film inspires but falls into familiar prosperity Gospel trap” by Collin Garbarino The Hill (2023) SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: Philippians 4:6 Philippians 4:8 Philippians 4:11-13 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Keeping Christ at the center of the Christmas season is always a challenge. The hectic pace of life intensifies during December, and often our focus shifts to the never-ending list of responsibilities and chores to complete before the big day. Strategically celebrating Advent is a wonderful way to keep Christ central in all the commotion of gatherings, parties, concerts, baking, and buying. Utilizing Advent calendars, candles, and books help us to focus on the magnitude of what Christ accomplished in coming to earth while pointing us toward his return. Catherine’s guest in this episode, Laurie Christine, has accumulated a wealth of devotional resources that will help enrich your Christmas season by celebrating Advent. Catherine and Laurie start by digging into the history of Advent, and then they highlight the great gift of celebrating God’s hope, peace, joy, and love in line with each candle lit. Laurie also offers devotional and book recommendations for all ages to participate in the wonderful celebration of Advent. Laurie Christine’s Bio: Laurie Christine is an author, podcast host, Biblical Parenting Coach, wife, and mom of four loud, adventurous boys. Her podcast, Redeeming the Chaos, invites moms of boys to join her on the wild, wonderful adventure of raising courageous boys and connecting them with Christ. In addition to hosting a podcast, Laurie writes devotions and Bible stories for families. Her passion is to raise strong, courageous warriors for the Kingdom of God, and to help families like yours do the same! Her new devotional book for boys, Rise of the Enemy, just released on Amazon in November. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Laurie Christine's website: https://lauriechristine.com/ Laurie Christine's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/laurie.christine.author/?hl=en Laurie Christine has created a wonderful resource for CPCW listeners that contains all of the devotionals and books covered in this episode which can be accessed here: https://lauriechristine.com/podcast-interview-resources/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Biblically parenting a child who struggles in their sexuality requires resting on a bedrock foundation of truth while always operating in a spirit of love, humility, and surrender to Christ. We must never deny God’s truth, but a child struggling in this area must first be completely secure in their parents’ unconditional love. Focusing on the relationship is paramount. That relationship is secured by practicing unconditional love, the same love that God gives to us. What can parents do to build a strong relationship with a child struggling in their sexuality? Incorporate this guidance: *Commend your child’s courage for sharing their struggle with you. *Express your unconditional love for your child. Say, “There is nothing you can think, say, or do that will change my love for you. I love you unconditionally, and so does God.” *Pray fervently. Use the Word of God to pray over your child daily. (Find Scriptures to pray over you child HERE.) *Listen. Listen. And when you’re done listening to your child.… listen some more. *Humbly hold fast to Biblical truth on sexuality. *Speak truth when prompted by the Holy Spirit. Don’t turn every conversation into a sermon. Instead, rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your communication. *Walk in HUMILITY. The LGBTQ community has adopted PRIDE as their virtue, so we must walk in the opposite spirit. *Model a surrendered life for your child. *Model repentance for your child. You won’t parent your child perfectly, so when you mess up, tell them you are wrong and ask for forgiveness. *Forgive yourself for your parenting mistakes and allow God to redeem them. Catherine’s guest in this episode has been ministering to parents of children in the LGBTQ community for many years because she is one. Melinda Patrick is a mother of a same-sex attracted daughter who has embraced an LGBTQ identity and union. Melinda shares the successes and failures of this parenting journey, and her advice will bless, encourage, and convict us all. Melinda Patrick’s bio: Melinda is the Director of Parent Support for His Wonderful Works and is host of The Bridge Between Us Podcast: Loving Your LGBTQ Identified Child While Not Compromising Truth and The Even While Podcast: Living Well in the Midst of Waiting. Melinda has parented a same-sex attracted child for twelve years and is passionate about helping moms and dads build strong relationships with their children while not compromising truth. RESOURCES MENTIONED/REFERENCED: Melinda Patrick’s Website Melinda Patrick’s email address: [email protected] Melinda Patrick’s Instagram Page The Bridge Between Us Podcast: Loving Your LGBTQ Identified Child Well While Not Compromising Truth Catherine Segars email address: [email protected] Debbie Causey’s Website & Speaker bio Renovus website Greg & Lynn McDonald: Embracing the Journey The Unconditional Conference SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 Matthew 11:28-30 John 8:31 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A Christian can struggle with any number of attractions or temptations, including same sex desire and gender confusion. But should a Christian consider that struggle to be part of their identity? Should who we are attracted to or how we feel about our bodies be central to our being? Is our sexuality an immutable characteristic like our race or ethnicity? In other words, should we should claim our sexuality as part of our essence? And if we do, what are the ramifications of this conclusion theologically and practically? Christopher Yuan, author of Holy Sexuality and the Gospel, lived for many years as a gay man. He addresses the issue of our Christian identity very clearly saying: “If I were to identify as a gay Christian, I would be trying to resuscitate my dead man. We should never put our identity in our sin nature or in our flesh. Sin is never meant to be sanctified. It is meant to be mortified.” Who we are attracted to is part of our experience as human beings here on earth. So is how we feel about our bodies. So are our significant roles—husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, friend. So is what we do—teacher, doctor, business owner, plumber … fill in the blank. So is what we are afflicted with: depression, anxiety, disease, addiction, abuse. Those are all, sadly, a part of our fallen human experience. But that is not who we are. As Christians, we must identify ourselves as sons and daughters of the most-high God. That is our identity. We must lay every other label down and brand ourselves with Christ. Then and only then can we walk in freedom. Joining Catherine again to discuss the central topic of identity in the Christian life is Melinda Patrick, host of The Bridge Between Us Podcast: Loving Your LGBTQ Identified Child While Not Compromising Truth. As a mother of a same-sex attracted daughter who has embraced an LGBTQ identity and union, Melinda considers identity to be a central component to every Believer’s spiritual journey. To overcome any temptation or obstacle, we must have our identity firmly rooted in Christ. OTHER EPISODES IN THIS SERIES: EPISODE 76: An LGBTQ Mom Responds to Andy Stanley RESOURCES MENTIONED/REFERENCED: Melinda Patrick’s Website Melinda Patrick’s email address: [email protected] Melinda Patrick’s Instagram Page The Bridge Between Us Podcast: Loving Your LGBTQ Identified Child Well While Not Compromising Truth The Even While Podcast: Living Well in the Midst of Waiting His Wonderful Works: Hope Healing and Freedom The Freedom March Catherine Segars email address: [email protected] PODCASTS. ARTICLES, WEBSITES REFERENCED: EPISODE 69: What Question Burns in the Heart of Your Gen Z Child? ARTICLE: “What Question Burns in the Heart of Your Gen Z Child?” by Catherine Segars “Sewing Heresy/Mainline Slide: The Push to Accept Homosexuality Gutted Traditional Protestantism. Evangelical churches Are Headed down the Same Road,” by Mary Jackson (World Magazine) “How to Confidently Minister to Friends Who Experience Same-Sex Attraction and Gender Confusion” Alisa Childers Podcast w/ Christopher Yuan “The Number of LGBTQ Identifying Adults is Soaring” (Axios/data from Gallup) Andy Stanley’s Message: “I Love My Church” Greg & Lynn McDonald: Embracing the Journey The Unconditional Conference Debbie Causey’s Website SCRIPTURES: Psalm 24:3 Jeremiah 29:11 1 Corinthians 13:6 Proverbs 11:2 John 6:68-69 Psalm 40:1-3 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Statistics show that one in five Gen Z children are identifying somewhere on the LGBTQ spectrum. One in five. Parents must realize that all of our children are dealing with this issue, because even if our kids aren't personally struggling in their sexuality, their friends are. This issue affects every parent and every child. The church needs to have a loving and truthful approach for families facing this issue. One of the largest and most influential churches in the United States, North Point Community Church, pastored by one of the most influential ministers in the world, Andy Stanley, just went on the record telling us about his church’s approach. Stanley’s message, along with the Unconditional Conference for parents of LGBTQ identifying children held at North Point, signify a substantial departure from where the evangelical church has stood on this issue. Does Stanley have the right approach? Is it Biblical? Should we be concerned? Catherine’s guest in this episode has been ministering to parents of children in the LGBTQ community for many years because she is one. As a mother of a same-sex attracted daughter who has embraced an LGBTQ identity and union, Melinda Patrick is precisely the kind of parent that the Unconditional Conference was trying to reach. But she has deep concerns about this conference and Stanley’s teaching. Together, Catherine and Melinda break down the troubling aspects of this conference and the message that Andy Stanley presented to his church. Melinda's Bio: Melinda Patrick is the Director of Parent Support for His Wonderful Works and is host of The Bridge Between Us Podcast: Loving Your LGBTQ Identified Child While Not Compromising Truth and The Even While Podcast: Living Well in the Midst of Waiting. Melinda has parented a same-sex attracted child for twelve years and is passionate about helping moms and dads build strong relationships with their children while not compromising truth. RESOURCES MENTIONED/REFERENCED: Melinda Patrick’s Website Melinda Patrick’s email address: [email protected] Melinda Patrick’s Instagram Page The Bridge Between Us Podcast: Loving Your LGBTQ Identified Child Well While Not Compromising Truth The Even While Podcast: Living Well in the Midst of Waiting His Wonderful Works: Hope Healing and Freedom Catherine Segars email address: [email protected] “The Number of LGBTQ Identifying Adults is Soaring” (Axios/data from Gallup) “The Train is Leaving the Station” by Albert Mohler Jr. Andy Stanley’s Response: “I Love My Church” Greg & Lynn McDonald: Embracing the Journey The Unconditional Conference Debbie Causey’s Website The Freedom March SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: John 3:16-21 Matthew 10:34-36 John 18:37 John 14:15 John 15:14 John 15:1 John 8:30-31 Matthew 18:7 Matthew 7:21-23 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Romans 6:23 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

There is a question that many Christian parents never ask God. Catherine and her husband didn’t ask God this question for the first two decades of their marriage, despite attending church weekly, tithing, going so small groups, and having daily devotionals. That question is: WHAT DOES GOD WANT MY FAMILY TO LOOK LIKE? We often seek God about where we should work, live, and go to church, what school our kids should attend, and how to raise our children—but many parents never ask God how many kids they should have, adopt, or foster. Why is that? In this episode, Catherine explores this topic and then allows listeners to be a fly on the wall of her post-interview conversation with Kirsten Vossler, a mother of nine (soon to be ten). They discuss how the church has been subtly influenced by the world’s perspective on parenting and children. If Jesus is to truly be Lord of our lives, that means He must be Lord of our families. That doesn’t mean we have to crank out as many babies as possible in our child-bearing years, but it does mean we should seek God’s plan over our personal preference. Kirsten Vossler’s Bio: Kirsten is a mother of 9, yes you heard that right—9 kiddos. She has been a Children’s pastor, a worship leader, a writer, a conference speaker, and now she is host of the Rejoicing in Motherhood Podcast. Kirsten’s Website Kirsten’s Podcast: Rejoicing in Motherhood RESOURCES & PODCASTS REFERENCED: “Should God Have a Say in the Size of Your Family” by Catherine Segars EPISODE 70: “When God Doesn’t Answer Our Prayers the Way We Hoped He Would” (w/ Andy Howard) EPISODE 71: “How Does God Bring Beauty Out of the Broken Places in Our Lives?” (w/ Andy Howard) Rejoicing in Motherhood Podcast EPISODE 120 – Dispelling 5 Cultural Myths about Motherhood (w/ Catherine Segars) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When it comes to blowing up at our kids, it’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of when. It happens to the best of us. But often the inciting incident isn’t the real issue because the thing that sets us off isn’t the root of the problem. We’ve got to dig up the root if we want to get rid of the bitter fruit. In this episode, Catherine continues her encouraging and incredibly practical conversation with Kirsten Vossler, a mother of 9 and host of the The Rejoicing in Motherhood Podcast. Together, these mamas dig deep to find out what is really going on when that one last nerve is raw and exposed and we just can’t seem to keep it together. They also discuss how to exercise restraint and not indulge that fleshly desire to yell at our kids. The key is leaning into the Holy Spirit. Using the 7 steps that Kirsten outlined in Episode 74, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us and control our tongues, and getting to the root of what is really bothering will help us to mature as parents and believers. And as we commit to these steps, we will blow it a lot less with our kids. Kirsten Vossler’s Bio: Kirsten is a mother of 9, yes you heard that right—9 kiddos. She has been a Children’s pastor, a worship leader, a writer, a conference speaker, and now she is host of the Rejoicing in Motherhood Podcast. Kirsten’s Website Kirsten’s Podcast: Rejoicing in Motherhood OTHER PODCASTS/EPISODES REFERENCED: EPISODE 74 – 7 Steps to Reset When You’ve Blown It with Your Kids (w/ Kirsten Vossler) Rejoicing in Motherhood Podcast EPISODE 120 – Dispelling 5 Cultural Myths about Motherhood (w/ Catherine Segars) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.