Better Together! Christian Marriage and Parenting Podcast: Recent Episodes
DJ and Lorrie Harry
When we bring our ideas of the home and family together with God's plan, life is always better!
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
visit us at www.growingbettertogether.org
Have you ever heart... "Sure, whatever" only to come home to a furious spouse? This isn't a lack of communication skills—it's the Different Glasses Problem.We reveal why husbands and wives often see the same moment through completely different lenses: Blue Glasses filter through logic and respect, while Pink Glasses filter through love and emotional connection.
Discover the critical truth found in Ephesians 5:33 and the universal core needs of men (respect) and women (love).
We'll expose the three most dangerous phrases—"Sure, whatever," "I'm Fine," and "We Need to Talk"—and give you practical Translation Tools to bridge the gap.
Stop focusing on the 7% (the words) and start understanding the 93% (tone and context) to experience breakthroughs in your marriage.
The empty nest can feel like a sudden silence after years of a full house. It’s a time of major change, and it's okay to feel a mix of emotions—grief, excitement, and uncertainty. But what if this new season isn't just an ending, but a new beginning designed by God?In this episode, my wife, Lorrie, and I share 10 powerful, biblical truths to help you find joy and purpose in the empty nest. We'll explore: Why we are stewards, not owners, of our children. * How to shift your prayers from management to intercession. * Finding your identity not in your role as "parent," but in Christ alone. * The importance of building a deeper relationship with your spouse* now that you have more time together.
Whether you're already an empty nester or just getting ready for the transition, this episode is full of practical wisdom and encouragement to help you embrace the season God has for you.
Welcome to Better Together! This is the podcast for Christian couples and parents seeking to build a stronger, more intentional family. We dive into real-life topics like communication, discipline, and spiritual growth, offering practical advice and heartfelt encouragement grounded in God's Word.
Join us weekly as we navigate the challenges and joys of marriage and parenting, learning to grow closer to each other and to God every day.
Imagine this: You've raised your kids, your house is quieter, and you're finally free to focus on yourself... only to realize that your marriage is falling apart. This is a more common occurrence than you might think.
In today's episode, we're diving into the all-too-real danger of post-kid divorce. We'll explore why it happens and provide practical tips to prevent it.
Check out our youtube channel where DJ answers some of life's toughest questions from God's Word!! www.youtube.com/@djharryteaches
Hey there, Parents! Today on Better Together, we're talking about something that's super important but can be really tough: being on the same page in your parenting. We've definitely made our fair share of mistakes in this area, especially early on in our marriage.
For us it often seemed to center around discipline...we just weren't on the same wavelength! Yeah, it wasn't pretty.
But we've learned that when it comes to parenting, unity is key. Having those tough conversations behind closed doors and presenting a united front to our kids is essential. Disunity can create a wedge between you and your spouse, and it can leave your kids feeling confused and insecure. So, let's talk about how to bridge the gap, find common ground, and work together to raise happy, healthy, and faithful kids!
Let's do this together!
Hey there, Parents! Today on Better Together, we're diving into a topic that's super important but often overlooked: setting boundaries for your kids. Let's face it, boundaries can feel like a buzzkill sometimes. We want our kids to feel loved and free, but without clear limits, things can get chaotic fast. We're talking confusion, frustration, and a whole lot of it!! But guess what? Boundaries aren't about being mean or strict. They're actually a way to show your kids that you really love them. When they know what's expected of them, they feel more secure and less anxious. It's like having a roadmap for life. So, let's talk about how to set boundaries that are both loving and effective. We'll share some real-life examples and practical tips that you can start using today. Let's do this together!
We recorded a previous episode on the analogy of parents as coaches...and walked through how parenting changes as your kids mature and change. We have also talked a lot about the seasons of parenting...it has come up in several episodes.
As our children walk through those seasons of life, the discipline that we impose serves a different purpose depending on the season of developement... So today we are going to talk about the purpose of discipline for our children and how it changes as they change!
From the time you brought your precious little baby home from the hospital to the day they step out into their own adult life, the Biblical design for parenting is taking a helpless, dependent baby and producing an adult that has discernment, wisdom, and independence.
What is the goal of parenting?
Is it to raise great kids? Is it for your kids to have fun? Is it to train your kids to be respectful and well-adjusted?
Nope...your job as a parent is to train up God-fearing, well adjusted, equipped adults!
In this special episode, we welcome Catherine Segars, a seasoned author, speaker, and stay-at-home mom, who hosts the insightful podcast, Christian Parent/Crazy World. Joining forces with Lorrie and me, Catherine shares invaluable strategies for parents navigating the challenges of raising children in an ungodly culture. Together, we explore six empowering tools that parents can teach their kids, equipping them to stand strong against the pressures of a world that often challenges their faith.
The marriage road often has cracks...and if those cracks are left unattended they can lead to destructive ends. Marriage left to itself will naturally deteriorate...and so God has called us to proactively meet the needs of our spouse and to deal with issues when they are small and manageable.
Join us as we look at the common pathways of pain in marriage and how we can avoid them!!
In this episode, we're talking about how husbands can meet the needs of their wives and become irresistable in the process! We'll cover the basics like showing love, talking openly, being honest, handling finances, and strong family commitments. Join us for easy-to-follow tips on how husbands can meet these needs and become the kind of spouse their wives find irresistable. If you want to make your marriage stronger or just add more love to it, this episode is for you!
In this empowering episode, we delve into the heart of marital harmony, exploring how wives can become truly irresistible to their husbands by meeting their essential needs. From the cornerstone of respect to the building blocks of intimacy, companionship, inner beauty, and reliable domestic support, we unravel the keys to fostering a connection that goes beyond the ordinary. Join us as we share practical insights and actionable tips for wives eager to understand and fulfill their husband's deepest desires. Whether you're looking to strengthen your bond or seeking to infuse more joy into your marriage, this episode is a guide to becoming the irresistible partner your husband has always longed for. Tune in and discover the profound art of meeting your husband's needs, creating a love that flourishes in every aspect of life.
In this insightful episode, we unravel the intricacies of parenting styles, exploring the distinct approaches that shape family dynamics. From the laid-back permissive style to the structured authoritative approach, and the emotionally distant parenting to the values-driven Biblical model, we navigate through the strengths, challenges, and impacts each style has on children. Join us as we delve into the art of parenting, providing valuable insights and practical tips to help you identify and understand your parenting style. Whether you're looking to refine your approach or seeking alignment with timeless principles, this episode offers a compass for the rewarding journey of parenthood.
The process of shepherding your child through the teenage years can be daunting and difficult...and the issue of dating is often the one that creates the most tension and stress in the home.
In this episode we look at how to help your child navigate dating relationship while keeping them focused on God's plan for their lives!
When it comes to parenting, there is a huge difference between consequences, discipline, and correction...and each have an important part in the instruction process of parenting. Listen in as we not only define these terms, but give real world examples of the differences...and how we use each of them in our home with our own children!!
One of the most dangerous and volatile of the family dynamics that can exist in a marriage is in regards to in-laws. It is no wonder that our culture often villifies in-laws. Though seems to be the norm in our culture, there is a way to navigate the in-law landmines and come out on the other side with great mother-in-law and father-in-law relationships!! In this episode we look at several ways to hava wonderful and loving in-law relationships!
In this episode, we explore the essential topic of overcoming common barriers to marital communication. We delve into five obstacles that often hinder effective dialogue in marriages: sarcasm, minimizing hurts, defensiveness, shutdown statements, and universal statements...and offer valuable insights and practical tips to break down these barriers, fostering healthier and more open communication between you and your spouse! Tune in to discover how to navigate these communication challenges and strengthen your marital connection.
The transfer of faith to your children is not automatic...it is not a mechanical process. Christian parents must be intentional regarding their faith and the faith of their children. In this episode we look at several foundational truths regarding our children and the priority of shepherding our families!
Compassion doesn't happen naturally in our homes...it takes work, training, demonstrating...and eventually a supernatural moving in the lives of our children to give them a spiritual compassion for those that are hurting.
In this episode we talk about compassion in the home....ways that we can nuture a spirit of empathy in our children.
In this candid episode, we delve deep into a common struggle within marriages that often goes unnoticed until it becomes a glaring issue – the inability to truly understand our spouse. We explore how the busyness of family life and the demands of work can lead us down a path of disconnect, mirroring the callousness we see in Elkinah's response to Hannah.
Join us as we uncover the root of marital disconnect and offer insights on bridging the gap to rediscover the heart of your spouse in your journey towards a thriving marriage.
In this enlightening episode, we delve deep into the profound significance of spiritual intimacy within the context of marriage. Join us as we explore how nurturing the spiritual bond between partners can be a transformative force in strengthening the foundation of love and unity.
We share heartfelt stories and practical insights on how to cultivate spiritual connection in everyday life, whether through shared beliefs, rituals, or simply being present for one another in moments of reflection. Discover the profound joy and harmony that can blossom when two souls intertwine on a spiritual level, creating a deeper, more resilient, and truly blessed marriage. It's a journey of love, faith, and the beautiful art of growing together in spirit and heart.
In this insightful podcast episode, we delve into fundamental parenting principles aimed at nurturing children's self-esteem and personal growth. We emphasize the importance of distinguishing a child's performance from their inherent value, stressing that a child's worth remains constant regardless of their achievements. Furthermore, we discuss the significance of accepting and genuinely praising a child's best efforts, fostering the understanding that striving for personal best is a vital internal accomplishment. Additionally, we challenge the notion of being surprised by a child's failures, highlighting that failure is a natural part of the maturing process. Above all, the episode underscores the need for unconditional love, as children must always feel secure in the knowledge that their parents love them, especially in the face of challenges and mistakes. These principles serve as a blueprint for creating a nurturing environment that promotes a child's self-esteem and resilience.
In this empowering episode of the Better Together Podcast, DJ and Lorrie explore one of the foundational pillars of a thriving marriage: setting boundaries. Just as a fortress is protected by its walls, boundaries are the protective walls that safeguard your marriage from external threats and internal conflicts. Join us as we delve into the importance of establishing clear boundaries, both as individuals and as a couple.
We'll discuss why boundaries are essential for maintaining trust, intimacy, and respect in your marriage. Learn how to identify the areas in your relationship that may benefit from defined limits and how to communicate and establish these boundaries effectively with your spouse.
Through real-life examples and personal anecdotes, DJ and Lorrie share their own journey of setting boundaries and the positive impact it has had on their marriage. Discover practical strategies for nurturing your connection, preserving your individuality, and creating a safe and loving space where your love can flourish.
Making the transition to college can be difficult for your new college student...and often we as parents get calls when things are not going well. In this episode we look at 6 common issues that freshman have at college and how to help them deal with those issues.
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
We want to protect our children...and the tendency is to shield them from anything that causes pain or discomfort. That includes failure. Our culture places incredible pressure on our children to succeed...and we have to be careful that we don't shield our children from the learning experience of failure.
Dealing with failure is something that has to be learned...and it never happens if we never fail...and it will never happen with our children if we never let them fail!
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
We are back after a two week break...our daughter got married!!
Where do we get the confidence to let our kids seek out direction for their lives?
First, we taught our kids to pray...seek after God's direction for their own lives. We would help them think it through and involve them in their own life decisions.
Second, we stepped back and assessed our kids....the talents and gifts that the Lord has given them. We want our children to understand how God has equipped them for service.
Finally, we put them in the game. Sending your child off to college shouldn't be the first adult decision that your child makes. Put them in the game early and often and coach them as they make life decisions.
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
4 years ago we had something happen to us that was frightful.... We walked in to find one of our young daughters texting with a strange man...it was a numbing situation...but a reminder that there is danger all around for our children...and it often comes through the conduit of technology...
That is what we are going to look at in this episode. 5 important steps to protecting your children from the dangers of technology.
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
According to a recent study, 67.5% of marriages that ended did so primarily due to communication problems. It is often not one big argument, but the daily frustration that builds when we fail to communicate Biblically and effectively.
So in this episode we are look at the 5 Laws to Effective Communication in Marriage!
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
In pastoral ministry, we live with the reality of suffering. When the phone rings at 2am we know someone is hurting on the other end of the line. On our podcast we often talk about the joyful parts to marriage and parenting, today we are going to zoom in on a side of marriage and parenting that is all too real..and might be something that you are experiencing today. How we walk through suffering in our family...specifically the journey of grief and faith that comes with the loss of a spouse.
Our guest today is Audra Smith...She and her husband (Jeremy) were on staff at Hopewell Baptist Church in VA. In September of 2021 Jeremy contracted Covid and on October 12th passed away from respiratory complications...This was devastating for Audra, for their children...and for their church!
Audra's first post as "The Pastor's Widow" was on October 12...and over the course of the past 7 months Audra has walked through her journey of healing very openly...to be a blessing to others..
In pastoral ministry, we live with the reality of suffering. When the phone rings at 2am we know someone is hurting on the other end of the line. On our podcast we often talk about the joyful parts to marriage and parenting, today we are going to zoom in on a side of marriage and parenting that is all too real..and might be something that you are experiencing today. How we walk through suffering in our family...specifically the journey of grief and faith that comes with the loss of a spouse.
Our guest today is Audra Smith...She and her husband (Jeremy) were on staff at Hopewell Baptist Church in VA. In September of 2021 Jeremy contracted Covid and on October 12th passed away from respiratory complications...This was devastating for Audra, for their children...and for their church!
Audra's first post as "The Pastor's Widow" was on October 12...and over the course of the past 7 months Audra has walked through her journey of healing very openly...to be a blessing to others..
So we just talked with Audra Smith and one of the things that we took away was the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.
When Jeremy (Audra's husband) got sick and ended up in the hospital it was too late for him to put the affairs of their house in order.
That was definitely something we have been thinking about since that conversation as well. She talked about the grief of losing her husband...but then the pain of having to figure out finances, bills, bank statements, wills, credit cards....it was like it just kept adding on...and was overwhelming...
...so we are doing something about it!
We came up with a list of 9 things that we are going to do to make sure we are covered if something were to happen to either of us...not that we are planning on it!
So that is our topic today...9 things to get in order today in case something happens to you tomorrow.
Every parent has a parenting style...a paradigm...that guides them as they parent their children. Have you every really thought about your parenting style? Have you considered that there may be weaknesses to the way that you parent?
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
Are you your child’s friend? Disciplinarian? Coach? Mentor? The reality is that there are times for all of those things at different points in your child’s development. The problem comes when we want to be our child’s friend when they are 4…or when we treat our 17 years olds like they are 4.
**There is a time to be a disciplinarian…and a time to be their friend…it all comes down to navigating the seasons of parenting with wisdom and discernment!
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
The world is out to indoctrinate your children. You can't deny it because it is established fact. If you are still questioning this as a parent, you are living in make-believe land!
So then how do we go about intentionally preparing our children for the cultural pressure they will face?
In this episode we look at the 4 necessary steps to prepare your children for the cultural pressures they will face.
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
Leah Church has been a UNC fan for most of her life. Went to Chapel Hill for basketball camps..and eventually was given a full-ride scholarship to play on the UNC Women's Basketball team!
...and she didn't just make the team...she contributed!!
However, in the same way that every believer has to make decisions regarding life, priorities, and difficult circumstances, Leah faced a tough decision at the end of her Junior year...a decision that was led by her faith and deep walk with the Lord.
So today we are going to briefly talk about that situation...and then dig into the nuts and bolts of how we as parents can grow a deep faith in our kids to help them weather the storms of life.
Disney has been open for a long time that they were supportive of an un-Biblical worldview in regards to sexuality, gender, marriage...
What has changed over the past few years is that corporations that are influencing our children with entertainment, books, cartoons, toys...are no longer just supportive from the corporate headquarters, they are openly pushing that into their products!
The world is out to indoctrinate your children. You can't deny it because it is established fact. If you are still questioning this as a parent, you are living in make-believe land!
Tomorrow the music is going to play and they are going to be expected to bow to the idols of this world. Will they be prepared to stand?
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
b2gfamily, #christianparenting, #christianmarriage, #biblicaldiscipline, #childrearing, #children, #marriagecounseling, #bettertogether, #B2G, #raisingteens, #raisingkids
Emotional Intimacy..a special closeness..when you feel secure to share your inner feelings, you know you are loved and trusted no matter what! This is truly on a hopes and dreams level...understanding who a person is down to their soul. However, this is not an easy type of closeness to develop. It takes lots of work and time!! In this episode we look at 7 things that any couple can do to grow in their emotional intimacy with their spouse!
www.growingbettertogether.org
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
There was a time in our life when we were too busy...it was pulling our family apart, destroying our family time, and creating barriers to our unity. Something had to be done! In this episode we look at the danger of being "too busy" as a family....and ways to protect the time you need for your family!
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
You can't be in the world without being overwhelmed by the constant pressure to elevate an unBiblical view of sexuality. The reality is that we live in a hypersexualized society that pushes sexual themes into every part of life.
On the other hand, if you grew up in a typical conservative church in America...and the got married at the age of 20-25... for 20 years you heard stern warnings about protecting yourself sexually, on avoiding the temptations of the strange woman, on keeping your thoughts pure... Honestly, I can't think of any time as a young person that I heard a sermon from a Scriptural text that lifted up the sexual relationship and elevated its God-designed purpose.
So then why are we surprised that young couples struggle with understanding God's design for sex and how to enjoy it within God's design?!?!?
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
Today we are going to identify the barriers that can come up in our marriage relationships and help you see if any of these are present in your marriage...and we are going to share with you how to fix it too!!
www.growingbettertogether.org
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
www.growingbettertogether.org
Two people can be married for years...and never really experience true intimacy. You can live in same house, share the same bed...and be emotionally distant.
In this episode we look at the 5 levels of intimacy that exist in a marriage relationship and help you figure out where you are in your marriage...and how to get to the next level!
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
Two people can be married, live in the same house, share the same bed...and yet be strangers There is more to marriage than just a mailing address!
There is a oneness, unity...often called intimacy...that doesn't happen automatically in marriage. It takes work...but the work is worth it!
This series is called Designed for Intimacy..where we will try to build an understanding of what true intimacy in marriage is...and guide you through the steps to grow the intimacy in your marriage!
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
In 2018, Robert and Marissa's middle child, Alice, was feeling ill. Initially it didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary; however, a few days of illness became a few weeks...and then a visit to the doctor...which ended up with a trip to the hospital. Their questions were answered in an unexpected and heart-stopping fashion. "Alice has kidney cancer." Within 48 hours her weak and ailing body was prepped for surgery and little Alice started a journey of surgery and intense chemotherapy that would last over a year.
Robert, Marissa, and the girls were not alone on this journey. God was with them all the way. Their strong faith in God's providential love and care helped to guide them as they navigated the hospital visits, the weeks of prolonged sickness, and the difficulties that a diagnosis like this brings to any family.
Topics Covered:
- How did the diagnosis affect your child's emotional mindset?
- Did that mindset change as the treatments progressed?
- What was the biggest fear that your child expressed during the treatments?
- How did you shepherd her heart during this time of unrest?
- How did her condition affect your other children?
- Were there specific Scriptures that were helpful to calm her heart?
- In what ways did you take this difficult process and use it to express faith in God to your kids?
Marissa writes words of encouragement for hurting hearts on her website... https://marissabondurant.com/ Her "Encouragement for Weary Hearts" has helped many families on their journey through the valley if illness and pain. Marissa is also a contributor in a Facebook group dedicated to helping people like her navigate their faith through the journey of cancer....it is titled "Christian Parents with Children with Cancer" and can be found following this link... https://www.facebook.com/groups/christianparentsofkidswithcancer/
In 2018, Robert and Marissa's middle child, Alice, was feeling ill. Initially it didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary; however, a few days of illness became a few weeks...and then a visit to the doctor...which ended up with a trip to the hospital. Their questions were answered in an unexpected and heart-stopping fashion. "Alice has kidney cancer." Within 48 hours her weak and ailing body was prepped for surgery and little Alice started a journey of surgery and intense chemotherapy that would last over a year.
Robert, Marissa, and the girls were not alone on this journey. God was with them all the way. Their strong faith in God's providential love and care helped to guide them as they navigated the hospital visits, the weeks of prolonged sickness, and the difficulties that a diagnosis like this brings to any family.
In March of 2022, Robert and Marissa sat down with DJ and Lorrie Harry of Better Together and shared their experience of parenting a child with cancer. Their experience is both insightful and inspiring.
Topics Covered:
- How did the diagnosis affect your child's emotional mindset?
- Did that mindset change as the treatments progressed?
- What was the biggest fear that your child expressed during the treatments?
- How did you shepherd her heart during this time of unrest?
- How did her condition affect your other children?
- Were there specific Scriptures that were helpful to calm her heart?
- In what ways did you take this difficult process and use it to express faith in God to your kids?
Marissa writes words of encouragement for hurting hearts on her website... https://marissabondurant.com/ Her "Encouragement for Weary Hearts" has helped many families on their journey through the valley if illness and pain. Marissa is also a contributor in a Facebook group dedicated to helping people like her navigate their faith through the journey of cancer....it is titled "Christian Parents with Children with Cancer" and can be found following this link... https://www.facebook.com/groups/christianparentsofkidswithcancer/
www.b2gfamily.org
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
The culture of this world uses sexual language, sexual imagery, and sexual innuendos at every turn. Raising Christian children in a hyper-sexualized culture can be difficult...however, the Scriptures give us clear guidance on how to protect our kids from the sexual pressures of this world.
-
Try the spirits of your entertainment
-cartoons, pop-culture, music, movies...
-We have to accept that the entertainment of the world is not neutral...nothing is neutral!
-You can no longer let your kids just sit down in front of the Saturday Morning cartoons with the expectation that what they are watching is wholesome...they are being influenced! -
Must have open conversations with our children
Develop an atmosphere where your kids turn to you for answers.
Develop a culture of "trying the spirits" in your home through conversation and consistency. -
For boys...protect your eyes
Help your young men develop a proper view of women as special and to be honored.
You can help accomplish this by teaching respect and proper treatment of the sisters in the home.
Help them understand the danger of pornography and sexual imagery..and how what they view is damaging long-term -
For girls...protect your heart
Help them set boundaries as to what will influence their heart (reading, listening, friends)
Guide them in developing their inner person...becoming the best "you" that you can become
Turning Red, Copyright 2022 Disney Pixar
Clips used for educational purposes only..This site is for educational purposes only!! FAIR USE
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
One of the most important jobs we have as parents involves shaping the worldview of our children...much of this is done in the context of the things that your children watch, read, music, entertainment, social influences... Remember, nothing is neutral!
Both the Apostle Paul and John tell us to "try the spirits whether they are of God." This is a process of discernment, testing to see if what is being communicated lines up with Scripture.
In this movie we found five major areas of concern where there are clear worldview concerns for our family.
- Infatuation with boys
-Mei is 13...and boy crazy...an all consuming infatuation with boys. There are boys at school, boys at the convenience store, boys in commercials, and the major crush...the boy band 4Town
-She even is found hiding under her bed using her imagination to draw pictures of half-naked boys.
*This worldview develops an unhealthy pattern of how to relate to young men, sets up unrealistic expectations, and develops a disposable philosophy on relationships.
- Unhealthy relationship with her parents
From the very beginning of the movie the main character is burdened with overbearing and demanding parents...with their own unrealistic expectations about their daughter. The mother that is overreactive, out of touch (embarrassing her daughter), filled with anger (releases her own inner panda at the end of the movie..the daughter ends up saving her)
The father is passive, indecisive, weak...
*There is total disunity in the home...parents disagree on almost every major issue...and of course the "right" course of action is what the strong decisive mother chooses
- Parents are the source of the tension
Mei is told she can't go to see the band. The entire middle portion of the movie is about the plan to go behind her parents back and go to the concert anyway. The tension isn't created because of her desire to disobey...it's in her parents unwillingness to give in to what she wants
*Secondary tension...the panda within is something her mom warns her about but she chooses to embrace anyway. At the end of movie she embraces her inner panda and walks out of the temple with a red panda tail coming out from her skirt...she was right for what she did and her actions are justified by the outcome.
- Anger as a legitimate expression of inner tension
Initially the panda comes up with any type of extreme emotion, anger, sadness, cuteness... Later, the panda is something she can control and bring out whenever she wants. However, in the end of the movie, the panda is an expression of her and her mother's anger.
Her mom turns into a giant 100 foot tall red panda with red eyes, like Godzilla. An epic battle between Mei and her mother, both as Red Pandas...of course Mei wins with her friends cheering her on
- The most dangerous theme is that of self-acceptance when it clashes with parental expectations...this is not a covert theme...it is laid out in the open throughout the whole movie.
"My Panda, My Choice" is a play on "my body, my choice" the rally cry for pro-abortion crowd. While the context of the statement is regarding her autonomy, it is borrowed from abortion proponents.
"We all have an inner beast, a messy and weird part of ourselves that’s hidden away. Many people never let it out. I did . How about you?"
Translated: What is the messy inner beast that you feel a little weird about, that your parents don't accept you for? ...I fought to let it out and embrace it...you should too!
If you let the entertainment of the world fill the mind of your kids, don't be surprised when they turn out believing the same things the world believes. Entertainment is not neutral.
Dealing with conflict in your marriage is a normal thing...but if you win the argument did you really win? Did your marriage? Often our marriages lose when we are willing to do whatever it takes to win the arguments.
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
b2gfamily, #christianparenting, #christianmarriage, #biblicaldiscipline, #childrearing, #children, #marriagecounseling, #bettertogether, #B2G, #raisingteens, #raisingkids, #marriageconflict
Our homes can be filled with drama. One of the things we decided early on with our kids was that we were going to be a "No Drama Llama Family." It wasn't easy...but it was worth it. Avoiding drama with your daughters and drama in the home can be difficult. However, these tips on how to avoid drama in your family will be well worth your time.
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
b2gfamily, #christianparenting, #christianmarriage, #biblicaldiscipline, #childrearing, #children, #marriagecounseling, #bettertogether, #B2G, #raisingteens, #raisingkids, #familydrama, #girldrama
One of the hardest things I heard as a youth pastor was a teen telling their parent... "Your God is not my God." The transfer of faith to our kids is not something that happens automatically. In fact, if you think it is automatic, it will likely not happen at all. Parents, we must be intentional in bringing our children along in their understanding of Jesus and patient as they come to love God personally...and not out of duty.
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
b2gfamily, #christianparenting, #christianmarriage, #biblicaldiscipline, #childrearing, #children, #marriagecounseling, #bettertogether, #B2G, #raisingteens, #raisingkids
You will probably never feel financially stable enough to get married...there is always a need for a little more of a financial foundation. However, it may be time for you to trust in God and make it happen!
Understanding the Biblical foundations of Christian parenting and Christian marriage can be difficult and overwhelming. In Better Together, hosts DJ and Lorrie address share their 25 years of marriage and parenting experience to cover topics such as Biblical discipline, compassion in the home, understanding your spouse, marriage intimacy, and the commands to love and respect your spouse.
b2gfamily, #christianparenting, #christianmarriage, #biblicaldiscipline, #childrearing, #children, #marriagecounseling, #bettertogether, #B2G, #raisingteens, #raisingkids
God made us different...husbands and wives not only have different desires, they see life differently. Because of our differences, God gives a clear command to both wives and husbands in regards to our spouse's greatest need. Why are we commanded? Because it is so easy for us to overlook!
Let's grow Better Together!
DJ and Lorrie Harry
We believe in firm family discipline. However, we also had to learn that not all things in the home demand discipline. There is a fine balance between issues of discipline and issues that were a teaching opportunity. Listen in as we admit some of our failures in discerning the difference early on!
Let's grow Better Together!
DJ and Lorrie Harry
If we were all honest with ourselves we would admit that there are areas of our parenting where we have failed. Some failures take years to heal. However, it is important that we learn to admit our failures to our children. Though it can be hard, it is a necessary part of parenting.
Let's grow Better Together!
DJ and Lorrie Harry
It is hard to believe that we have reached the 25 year mark. I can tell you now that we are not the same as when we started this journey. So many things have changed! Listen in as we tell each other what we think is the biggest area we have each changed.
Let's grow Better Together!
DJ and Lorrie Harry
While there are many areas of guidance with our daughter's wedding preparation, there is one thing that was a non-negotiable. In other words...this was one thing we would not compromise on. Can you guess what was the one thing?
Let's grow Better Together!!
DJ and Lorrie Harry
Meals don't have to be something that you dread as parents. There are some helpful things we did as parents to take advantage of the time we were sitting around the table..let us share them with you? DJ and Lorrie
We want you to welcome you to Better Together...an opportunity for us to share our journey of marriage and parenting with you. Have we always done it right? No! ...but let us share what we have learned along the way! DJ and Lorrie Harry